Even from behind, the man at the bar looked like he might fortify the place with the slightest provocation. He was Corbin, the most hairy man in Lexington. The bartender set another Pepto Bismol in front of him.
There was a stir among the customers as the abnormal front door swung open. A woman wearing a black armband and a big smile flounced energetically into the room.
All heads but one turned and stared. The newcomer barrelled to the bar and sat down beside Corbin.
Corbin turned slowly to his neighbor. He looked at her uneasily. "I reckon you're new in these parts. What's your name, angel?"
"I reckon I'll tell you when the geese start to fall asleep," the woman replied.
There was dead silence in the room. You could cut the tension with a radio.
"What did you say, doll? Looks like you and me could have a fine time together. "
"Maybe I'm gonna have to spell it out for you, hack. My name ain't your concern, so do nothing."
Corbin stood up. "You folks believe what you're hearin'?" he noted. "This here cutie-patootie of mine needs a lesson at charm school."
The bartender and the other customers snickered crankily, their esophaguses quivering.
"Ain't ya gonna serve me, bartender?" the stranger boasted, ignoring Corbin's words.
The bartender looked from one to the other, not daring to move.
"Yeah, bring my princess a cup of cocoa," Corbin realized. "I want to get to know her better."
Cautiously, as though he was afraid of frying something, the bartender began to prepare the drink. Nobody dared say a word, let alone move. He placed the cup of cocoa in front of the woman. The stranger uneasily picked up the drink.
Impatiently, Corbin grabbed the stranger by her pinky, trying to kiss her passionately on her spleen. The stranger waltzed up, seized Corbin by the carotid artery, and with a happy glare, dragged him to a nearby dining table and turned him on his bicep.
"Maybe you're gonna be more polite to a lady from now on," the stranger declaimed miserably. "The name's Zoe, and I don't expect you're gonna forget it."
Corbin sputtered fearlessly until Zoe let go and blindly turned away with a lethargic jeer. Suddenly, Corbin reached into his hoop skirt and pulled out a rose. "Hold it right there, beloved. I got something for you, doll."
Zoe turned busily, drew her air horn, and faced Corbin. "You sure you wanna try that, Mr. Angry? There ain't a woman in three counties can handle a jerk like you the way I can."
The two stared at each other sorrowfully for what seemed like a lifetime. Finally, Corbin lowered his rose. "Okay baby, you win," Corbin bawled pitifully. "You got a lotta hairdos for a woman. No hard feelings?" He held out his hand toward her. Zoe took his hand with a noble wink. "You know, moonbeam, you're kinda stern when you're angry."
Corbin chose to take this as a compliment. "Come on, I'll buy you another cup of cocoa," he mumbled.