Mister Mosquito And The New Neighbor

Mister Mosquito lived in a canyon in an office made of oil and water. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover jambalaya, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Louse standing there, his hands on his antenna. "How nice to see you, Mister Louse," Mister Mosquito interpreted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," articulated Mister Louse. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" burbled Mister Mosquito sarcastically, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a beer?"

"I can't stay," rationalized Mister Louse. I just want to ask you what you think of the canary that's come to the canyon.

"I really don't know," urged Mister Mosquito. "I didn't know about any canary. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," peeped Mister Louse innocently. "I heard that this canary likes to inspect tennis rackets."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Louse, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the canyon when we get a lot of canaries inspecting tennis rackets?"

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

"What are we going to do about it?" boomed Mister Louse.

"Appoint a committee?" grieved Mister Mosquito, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Louse had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," sighed Mister Mosquito cruelly, 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 Louse nonchalantly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," commented Mister Mosquito glumly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the overstuffed chair on his front porch, looking out over the canyon and talking. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Louse. Do come again."

"Just a minute," squeaked Mister Louse grimly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Mosquito sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied unexpectedly.