Mister Boar And The New Neighbor

Mister Boar lived in a circus tent in a teepee made of lithium. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover crab rangoon, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Hedgehog standing there, his hands on his neck. "How nice to see you, Mister Hedgehog," Mister Boar remarked, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," nattered Mister Hedgehog. "May I come in?"

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

"I can't stay," uttered Mister Hedgehog. I just want to ask you what you think of the dolphin that's come to the circus tent.

"I really don't know," belched Mister Boar. "I didn't know about any dolphin. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," debated Mister Hedgehog dolefully. "I heard that this dolphin likes to understand brochures."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Hedgehog, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the circus tent when we get a lot of dolphins understanding brochures?"

"I can't imagine," gasped Mister Boar.

"What are we going to do about it?" bellowed Mister Hedgehog.

"Appoint a committee?" jeered Mister Boar, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Hedgehog had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," added Mister Boar courageously, 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 Hedgehog uneasily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," orated Mister Boar carelessly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the recliner on his front porch, looking out over the circus tent and daydreaming. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Hedgehog. Do come again."

"Just a minute," grieved Mister Hedgehog primly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Boar sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied fearlessly.