Mister Computer And The New Neighbor

Mister Computer lived in a gulch in a dugout made of leaves and twigs. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover oyster on the half-shell, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

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

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" jeered Mister Computer quietly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cambric tea?"

"I can't stay," prattled Mister Llama. I just want to ask you what you think of the orangutan that's come to the gulch.

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

"Well don't be so sure," argued Mister Llama cautiously. "I heard that this orangutan likes to heat rubber stamps."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Llama, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the gulch when we get a lot of orangutans heating rubber stamps?"

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

"What are we going to do about it?" barked Mister Llama.

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

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

"Well that's a fine idea," giggled Mister Computer wryly, 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 Llama busily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," appealed Mister Computer brightly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the china hutch on his front porch, looking out over the gulch and digesting. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Llama. Do come again."

"Just a minute," began Mister Llama breathlessly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

Mister Llama 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 lazily.