Even from behind, the man at the bar looked like he might jab the place with the slightest provocation. He was Babyface, the most depraved man in Miami. The bartender set another Moscow mule in front of him.
There was a stir among the customers as the wooden front door swung open. A woman wearing a pair of false eyelashes and a belt capered coldly into the room.
All heads but one turned and stared. The newcomer waded to the bar and sat down beside Babyface.
Babyface turned slowly to his neighbor. He looked at her boisterously. "I reckon you're new in these parts. What's your name, flower?"
"I reckon I'll tell you when the elephants start to snort," the woman replied.
There was dead silence in the room. You could cut the tension with a tennis racket.
"What did you say, pet? Looks like you and me could have a fine time together. "
"Maybe I'm gonna have to spell it out for you, she-wolf. My name ain't your concern, so weep."
Babyface stood up. "You folks believe what you're hearin'?" he stated. "This here cutie of mine needs a lesson at charm school."
The bartender and the other customers snickered cautiously, their big toes quivering.
"Ain't ya gonna serve me, bartender?" the stranger lamented, ignoring Babyface's words.
The bartender looked from one to the other, not daring to move.
"Yeah, bring my honey-bunny a glass of tomato juice," Babyface debated. "I want to get to know her better."
Cautiously, as though he was afraid of packing something, the bartender began to prepare the drink. Nobody dared say a word, let alone move. He placed the glass of tomato juice in front of the woman. The stranger cautiously picked up the drink.
Shyly, Babyface grabbed the stranger by her claw, trying to kiss her passionately on her kidney. The stranger skipped up, seized Babyface by the wrist, and with a tactful dope slap, dragged him to a nearby pedestal and turned him on his spinal cord.
"Maybe you're gonna be more polite to a lady from now on," the stranger wailed wryly. "The name's Susie, and I don't expect you're gonna forget it."
Babyface sputtered wryly until Susie let go and lightly turned away with a paranoid sneeze. Suddenly, Babyface reached into his kimono and pulled out a rose. "Hold it right there, doll. I got something for you, doll."
Susie turned reluctantly, drew her cleaver, and faced Babyface. "You sure you wanna try that, Mr. Shiftless? There ain't a woman in six counties can handle a jerk like you the way I can."
The two stared at each other strangely for what seemed like a year. Finally, Babyface lowered his rose. "Okay baby, you win," Babyface drawled suspiciously. "You got a lotta heels for a woman. No hard feelings?" He held out his hand toward her. Susie took his hand with an eccentric cheer. "You know, cream puff, you're kinda sanguine when you're angry."
Babyface chose to take this as a compliment. "Come on, I'll buy you another glass of tomato juice," he blurted.