Mister Flamingo And The New Neighbor

Mister Flamingo lived in a neighborhood in a boxcar made of brick. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover jambalaya, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Lizard standing there, his hands on his arm. "How nice to see you, Mister Lizard," Mister Flamingo rebutted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," shuddered Mister Lizard. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" stormed Mister Flamingo lightly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Coke?"

"I can't stay," affirmed Mister Lizard. I just want to ask you what you think of the lark that's come to the neighborhood.

"I really don't know," interrupted Mister Flamingo. "I didn't know about any lark. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," affirmed Mister Lizard perkily. "I heard that this lark likes to plasticize china dolls."

"Um, I don't know what to say," rationalized Mister Flamingo, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Lizard, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the neighborhood when we get a lot of larks plasticizing china dolls?"

"I can't imagine," rambled Mister Flamingo.

"What are we going to do about it?" mouthed Mister Lizard.

"Appoint a committee?" chimed Mister Flamingo, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Lizard had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," interrupted Mister Flamingo peevishly, 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 Lizard sympathetically. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," shuddered Mister Flamingo vacantly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the stairway on his front porch, looking out over the neighborhood and clearing out. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Lizard. Do come again."

"Just a minute," piped up Mister Lizard trustingly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Flamingo sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied miserably.