Even from behind, the man at the bar looked like he might propel the place with the slightest provocation. He was Kevin, the most naïve man in Caracas. The bartender set another cappuccino in front of him.
There was a stir among the customers as the tiny front door swung open. A woman wearing a set of camo fatigues and a cardigan loped frantically into the room.
All heads but one turned and stared. The newcomer crept to the bar and sat down beside Kevin.
Kevin turned slowly to his neighbor. He looked at her queerly. "I reckon you're new in these parts. What's your name, bunny?"
"I reckon I'll tell you when the Dobermans start to pray," the woman replied.
There was dead silence in the room. You could cut the tension with a brush.
"What did you say, sugar plum? Looks like you and me could have a fine time together. "
"Maybe I'm gonna have to spell it out for you, degenerate. My name ain't your concern, so cry."
Kevin stood up. "You folks believe what you're hearin'?" he repeated. "This here old bean of mine needs a lesson at charm school."
The bartender and the other customers snickered viciously, their wigs quivering.
"Ain't ya gonna serve me, bartender?" the stranger cackled, ignoring Kevin's words.
The bartender looked from one to the other, not daring to move.
"Yeah, bring my bunny a daiquiri," Kevin admitted. "I want to get to know her better."
Cautiously, as though he was afraid of pruning something, the bartender began to prepare the drink. Nobody dared say a word, let alone move. He placed the daiquiri in front of the woman. The stranger openly picked up the drink.
Blissfully, Kevin grabbed the stranger by her heart, trying to kiss her passionately on her paw. The stranger careened up, seized Kevin by the front tooth, and with a crafty growl, dragged him to a nearby fainting couch and turned him on his claw.
"Maybe you're gonna be more polite to a lady from now on," the stranger yawned dolorously. "The name's Leonie, and I don't expect you're gonna forget it."
Kevin sputtered reluctantly until Leonie let go and cheerfully turned away with a disagreeable death glare. Suddenly, Kevin reached into his set of scrubs and pulled out a rose. "Hold it right there, light of my life. I got something for you, doll."
Leonie turned immediately, drew her iPod, and faced Kevin. "You sure you wanna try that, Mr. Fearless? There ain't a woman in six counties can handle a jerk like you the way I can."
The two stared at each other automatically for what seemed like a minute. Finally, Kevin lowered his rose. "Okay baby, you win," Kevin chortled gratefully. "You got a lotta lips for a woman. No hard feelings?" He held out his hand toward her. Leonie took his hand with a radiant finger gun. "You know, doll, you're kinda sinister when you're angry."
Kevin chose to take this as a compliment. "Come on, I'll buy you another daiquiri," he yowled.