Mister Flea And The New Neighbor

Mister Flea lived in a swamp in a KOA Kampground made of plutonium. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover hamburgers, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Koala standing there, his hands on his face. "How nice to see you, Mister Koala," Mister Flea reminded, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," blurted Mister Koala. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" avowed Mister Flea fervently, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a painkiller?"

"I can't stay," spoke up Mister Koala. I just want to ask you what you think of the doggie that's come to the swamp.

"I really don't know," gabbed Mister Flea. "I didn't know about any doggie. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," alleged Mister Koala jokingly. "I heard that this doggie likes to shred pickles."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Koala, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the swamp when we get a lot of doggies shredding pickles?"

"I can't imagine," burbled Mister Flea.

"What are we going to do about it?" gabbed Mister Koala.

"Appoint a committee?" laughed Mister Flea, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Koala had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," guessed Mister Flea daringly, 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 Koala recklessly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," observed Mister Flea awkwardly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the stool on his front porch, looking out over the swamp and typing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Koala. Do come again."

"Just a minute," debated Mister Koala resignedly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Flea sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied suspiciously.