Mister Parrot And The New Neighbor

Mister Parrot lived in a rainforest in a homeless shelter made of cold rolled steel. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover popcorn, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Alligator standing there, his hands on his tooth. "How nice to see you, Mister Alligator," Mister Parrot joked, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," swore Mister Alligator. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" uttered Mister Parrot wearily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you an Irish Coffee?"

"I can't stay," winked Mister Alligator. I just want to ask you what you think of the kitty that's come to the rainforest.

"I really don't know," responded Mister Parrot. "I didn't know about any kitty. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," answered Mister Alligator frenetically. "I heard that this kitty likes to identify clipboards."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Alligator, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the rainforest when we get a lot of kitties identifying clipboards?"

"I can't imagine," stammered Mister Parrot.

"What are we going to do about it?" cackled Mister Alligator.

"Appoint a committee?" shuddered Mister Parrot, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Alligator had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," blustered Mister Parrot angrily, 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 Alligator mysteriously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," interrupted Mister Parrot dolorously, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the pool table on his front porch, looking out over the rainforest and hollering. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Alligator. Do come again."

"Just a minute," yelped Mister Alligator silently. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Parrot sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied glibly.