Mister Computer And The New Neighbor

Mister Computer lived on a prairie in a manor house made of sheet metal. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover popcorn, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Puppy standing there, his hands on his shin. "How nice to see you, Mister Puppy," Mister Computer repeated, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," divulged Mister Puppy. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" smirked Mister Computer testily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Shirley Temple?"

"I can't stay," noted Mister Puppy. I just want to ask you what you think of the salamander that's come to the prairie.

"I really don't know," sniveled Mister Computer. "I didn't know about any salamander. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," thought Mister Puppy sagely. "I heard that this salamander likes to whirl shovels."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Puppy, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the prairie when we get a lot of salamanders whirling shovels?"

"I can't imagine," crooned Mister Computer.

"What are we going to do about it?" concluded Mister Puppy.

"Appoint a committee?" shuddered Mister Computer, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Puppy had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," whimpered Mister Computer brashly, 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 Puppy deliberately. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," piped up Mister Computer lovingly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the ottoman on his front porch, looking out over the prairie and screaming. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Puppy. Do come again."

"Just a minute," croaked Mister Puppy trustingly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Computer sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied blankly.