Miss Honeybee And The New Neighbor

Miss Honeybee lived in a landfill in a studio made of wax. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover sushi, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Salamander standing there, his hands on his calf. "How nice to see you, Mister Salamander," Miss Honeybee growled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," shrieked Mister Salamander. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" answered Miss Honeybee suavely, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cambric tea?"

"I can't stay," peeped Mister Salamander. I just want to ask you what you think of the seal that's come to the landfill.

"I really don't know," begged Miss Honeybee. "I didn't know about any seal. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," blubbered Mister Salamander victoriously. "I heard that this seal likes to curl toys."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Salamander, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the landfill when we get a lot of seals curling toys?"

"I can't imagine," urged Miss Honeybee.

"What are we going to do about it?" quavered Mister Salamander.

"Appoint a committee?" concluded Miss Honeybee, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Salamander had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," judged Miss Honeybee ferociously, 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 Salamander craftily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," added Miss Honeybee dreamily, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the recliner on her front porch, looking out over the landfill and slobbering. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Salamander. Do come again."

"Just a minute," requested Mister Salamander merrily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Honeybee sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied carelessly.