Miss Shark And The New Neighbor

Miss Shark lived in a cesspool in a wikiup made of gravel. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover ceviche, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mrs. Norway rat standing there, her hands on her stomach. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Norway rat," Miss Shark informed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," grieved Mrs. Norway rat. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" cackled Miss Shark intensely, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a piña colada?"

"I can't stay," asked Mrs. Norway rat. I just want to ask you what you think of the Chihuahua that's come to the cesspool.

"I really don't know," pronounced Miss Shark. "I didn't know about any Chihuahua. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," expressed Mrs. Norway rat merrily. "I heard that this Chihuahua likes to load brooms."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Norway rat, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the cesspool when we get a lot of Chihuahuas loading brooms?"

"I can't imagine," spewed Miss Shark.

"What are we going to do about it?" rationalized Mrs. Norway rat.

"Appoint a committee?" exploded Miss Shark, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Norway rat had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Norway rat courageously. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," joked Miss Shark blankly, 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. Norway rat offhandedly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," realized Miss Shark perkily, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the bed on her front porch, looking out over the cesspool and puffing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Norway rat. Do come again."

"Just a minute," screeched Mrs. Norway rat nonchalantly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Shark sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied blissfully.