Mister Lovebird And The New Neighbor

Mister Lovebird lived on a seacoast in a wikiup made of cold rolled steel. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover pecan pie, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Rat standing there, her hands on her jaw. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Rat," Mister Lovebird conversed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," exploded Mrs. Rat. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" murmured Mister Lovebird tensely, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a 7-Up?"

"I can't stay," debated Mrs. Rat. I just want to ask you what you think of the owl that's come to the seacoast.

"I really don't know," laughed Mister Lovebird. "I didn't know about any owl. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," chimed Mrs. Rat ruefully. "I heard that this owl likes to patch keys."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Rat, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the seacoast when we get a lot of owls patching keys?"

"I can't imagine," offered Mister Lovebird.

"What are we going to do about it?" avowed Mrs. Rat.

"Appoint a committee?" conversed Mister Lovebird, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Rat had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Rat carelessly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," complained Mister Lovebird deftly, 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 Mrs. Rat slyly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," offered Mister Lovebird cheerfully, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the couch on his front porch, looking out over the seacoast and grumbling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Rat. Do come again."

"Just a minute," spat Mrs. Rat dolefully. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Lovebird sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied haughtily.