Mister Banana Slug And The New Neighbor

Mister Banana slug lived on a tundra in a motor home made of wicker. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover hash, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Dolphin standing there, his hands on his eye. "How nice to see you, Mister Dolphin," Mister Banana slug sniped, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," barked Mister Dolphin. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" screeched Mister Banana slug dubiously, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Mai Tai?"

"I can't stay," appealed Mister Dolphin. I just want to ask you what you think of the dolphin that's come to the tundra.

"I really don't know," complained Mister Banana slug. "I didn't know about any dolphin. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," giggled Mister Dolphin arrogantly. "I heard that this dolphin likes to rub buttons."

"Um, I don't know what to say," laughed Mister Banana slug, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Dolphin, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the tundra when we get a lot of dolphins rubbing buttons?"

"I can't imagine," shuddered Mister Banana slug.

"What are we going to do about it?" enunciated Mister Dolphin.

"Appoint a committee?" alleged Mister Banana slug, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Dolphin had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Dolphin nimbly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," brought up Mister Banana slug energetically, who wanted to bring the conversation to a close quickly, without finding himself on this committee.

"I'd like for you to be on the committee," said Mister Dolphin pityingly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," yowled Mister Banana slug cautiously, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the pedestal on his front porch, looking out over the tundra and bawling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Dolphin. Do come again."

"Just a minute," raved Mister Dolphin menacingly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Mister Banana slug thought he had answered, and was beginning to get beautiful. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mrs. Dolphin doing these days?"

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

Mister Banana slug sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied intensely.