Imelda! It's true, we haven't talked in a while. Tell me, how is Mr Portant?

     Same old, same old... buries himself in his work, not that I'd mind. I hear you've got new neighbours?

     Hah! Don't get me started! It is only one neighbour, by the way, a person by the name of Miss Arling.

     So there is no Mr Arling around? What does she do for a living, then?

     It seems that she is into this new-fangled thing, the internet or what you might call it. You know, where innocent children are exposed to pictures of shameless... Nothing a decent citizen would want to take notice of. Now, couldn't she follow an honourable occupation?

     How...?

     She subscribes to computer magazines. I happened to fetch a glance at her mailbox when I chanced by. But that's not all, not by far!

     Oooh, is that so... Do tell!

     Actually there is not much to tell, however, one notices things and cannot help having second thoughts. Take the way she dresses, for example: Leather. Black leather! Need I say more?

     My! You mean like provocative?

     I bet there's enough of that in her cupboard. I've only seen her in bikers' clothing so far, but I ask you - driving a motorbike, is that appropriate? It's not like she is a young girl, why doesn't she act her age? Instead she has... acquaintances... coming to her house, all of the same sort. Sometimes her place looks like a bikers' convention! I certainly wish the police had a keener eye around her place, what with all those dark and dubious people coming and going!

     How disconcerting!

     Indeed. And I dare hardly mention it, some of her friends are female! Some of her dearer friends, if you know what I mean...

     Good gracious! Are you saying that she...

     This is not something I would be talking about, but it's the truth that I saw her holding hands with another girl, and she even kissed her. On the mouth!

     In public?

     Well, she didn't have the decency to draw the curtains.

     Has she no shame?

     Obviously not! But what can you expect? From what I hear, she used to be a musician. Not a choir girl, mind you! Nigg- ahem, that kind of noise that depraves the younger generation.

     What is the world coming to...

     Well, I am not going to take it. You know that Mr Little is on good terms with the mayor. I'll see to it that this sl... this person will be a soon forgotten episode in our neighbourhood.

     Ah, Brenda, it's so good to have you care. Too many would not recognise the signs, and but for your vigilance these things could spread.

     I am only observing my responsibilities as a citizen. Beware the beginnings!