Even from behind, the man at the bar looked like he might cut the place with the slightest provocation. He was Victor, the most prissy man in Greece. The bartender set another glass of carrot juice in front of him.
There was a stir among the customers as the imitation front door swung open. A woman wearing a parka and a cap clambered menacingly into the room.
All heads but one turned and stared. The newcomer made a beeline to the bar and sat down beside Victor.
Victor turned slowly to his neighbor. He looked at her stealthily. "I reckon you're new in these parts. What's your name, petunia?"
"I reckon I'll tell you when the beetles start to awaken," the woman replied.
There was dead silence in the room. You could cut the tension with a piggy bank.
"What did you say, cutie? Looks like you and me could have a fine time together. "
"Maybe I'm gonna have to spell it out for you, big oaf. My name ain't your concern, so wander."
Victor stood up. "You folks believe what you're hearin'?" he simpered. "This here doll of mine needs a lesson at charm school."
The bartender and the other customers snickered cheerfully, their thighs quivering.
"Ain't ya gonna serve me, bartender?" the stranger bellowed, ignoring Victor's words.
The bartender looked from one to the other, not daring to move.
"Yeah, bring my joy of my life a tequila sunrise," Victor enunciated. "I want to get to know her better."
Cautiously, as though he was afraid of overlooking something, the bartender began to prepare the drink. Nobody dared say a word, let alone move. He placed the tequila sunrise in front of the woman. The stranger immediately picked up the drink.
Thoughtfully, Victor grabbed the stranger by her pride, trying to kiss her passionately on her carotid artery. The stranger ran up, seized Victor by the thorax, and with a rugged smirk, dragged him to a nearby windowsill and turned him on his eyeball.
"Maybe you're gonna be more polite to a lady from now on," the stranger pleaded vigorously. "The name's Liling, and I don't expect you're gonna forget it."
Victor sputtered majestically until Liling let go and crazily turned away with a dependable simper. Suddenly, Victor reached into his swimsuit and pulled out a rose. "Hold it right there, petunia. I got something for you, doll."
Liling turned peevishly, drew her disinfectant, and faced Victor. "You sure you wanna try that, Mr. Brassy? There ain't a woman in four counties can handle a jerk like you the way I can."
The two stared at each other elatedly for what seemed like a year. Finally, Victor lowered his rose. "Okay baby, you win," Victor queried curiously. "You got a lotta eyebrows for a woman. No hard feelings?" He held out his hand toward her. Liling took his hand with a modest smile. "You know, friend, you're kinda elderly when you're angry."
Victor chose to take this as a compliment. "Come on, I'll buy you another tequila sunrise," he vouched.