Miss Cheetah And The New Neighbor

Miss Cheetah lived in a backyard in a yurt made of cards. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover mulligan stew, when she heard a knock at the door.

She struggled to the door, wondering who would be stopping for a visit at this time of day.

She was surprised to see Mrs. Eagle standing there, her hands on her scalp. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Eagle," Miss Cheetah lamented, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," quoted Mrs. Eagle. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" clarified Miss Cheetah hastily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a gin sour?"

"I can't stay," offered Mrs. Eagle. I just want to ask you what you think of the wolverine that's come to the backyard.

"I really don't know," declaimed Miss Cheetah. "I didn't know about any wolverine. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," analyzed Mrs. Eagle primly. "I heard that this wolverine likes to tickle dishes."

"Um, I don't know what to say," mouthed Miss Cheetah, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mrs. Eagle, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the backyard when we get a lot of wolverines tickling dishes?"

"I can't imagine," blathered Miss Cheetah.

"What are we going to do about it?" chanted Mrs. Eagle.

"Appoint a committee?" indicated Miss Cheetah, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Eagle had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Eagle hopefully. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," screeched Miss Cheetah boldly, who wanted to bring the conversation to a close quickly, without finding herself on this committee.

"I'd like for you to be on the committee," said Mrs. Eagle fondly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," hissed Miss Cheetah sheepishly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the coffee table on her front porch, looking out over the backyard and getting along. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Eagle. Do come again."

"Just a minute," ranted Mrs. Eagle fearfully. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Cheetah thought she had answered, and was beginning to get maniacal. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mister Eagle doing these days?"

Mrs. Eagle would have none of it. "So, let's meet at your house, say tomorrow at two?"

Miss Cheetah sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied wearily.