Miss Robot And The New Neighbor

Miss Robot lived in a desert in a tent made of wool. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover Froot Loops, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Crab standing there, his hands on his mouth. "How nice to see you, Mister Crab," Miss Robot alleged, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," simpered Mister Crab. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" murmured Miss Robot swiftly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Dr. Pepper?"

"I can't stay," prattled Mister Crab. I just want to ask you what you think of the ox that's come to the desert.

"I really don't know," decided Miss Robot. "I didn't know about any ox. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," imitated Mister Crab dreamily. "I heard that this ox likes to moisten orchids."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Crab, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the desert when we get a lot of oxen moistening orchids?"

"I can't imagine," maintained Miss Robot.

"What are we going to do about it?" moaned Mister Crab.

"Appoint a committee?" chortled Miss Robot, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Crab had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," groaned Miss Robot oddly, 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 Mister Crab shakily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," spat Miss Robot gruffly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the washstand on her front porch, looking out over the desert and yelping. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Crab. Do come again."

"Just a minute," provoked Mister Crab blissfully. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Robot thought she had answered, and was beginning to get petulant. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mrs. Crab doing these days?"

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

Miss Robot sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied sarcastically.