Even from behind, the man at the bar looked like he might neglect the place with the slightest provocation. He was Kent, the most sophisticated man in Rwanda. The bartender set another Mojito in front of him.
There was a stir among the customers as the gigantic front door swung open. A woman wearing a lab coat and a Panama hat zoomed hopelessly into the room.
All heads but one turned and stared. The newcomer swung to the bar and sat down beside Kent.
Kent turned slowly to his neighbor. He looked at her grandly. "I reckon you're new in these parts. What's your name, baby-cakes?"
"I reckon I'll tell you when the lice start to get dizzy," the woman replied.
There was dead silence in the room. You could cut the tension with a sponge.
"What did you say, knight in shining armor? Looks like you and me could have a fine time together. "
"Maybe I'm gonna have to spell it out for you, coward. My name ain't your concern, so raise an eyebrow."
Kent stood up. "You folks believe what you're hearin'?" he phrased. "This here starlight of mine needs a lesson at charm school."
The bartender and the other customers snickered awkwardly, their egos quivering.
"Ain't ya gonna serve me, bartender?" the stranger blathered, ignoring Kent's words.
The bartender looked from one to the other, not daring to move.
"Yeah, bring my pookie a glass of apricot juice," Kent peeped. "I want to get to know her better."
Cautiously, as though he was afraid of pulverizing something, the bartender began to prepare the drink. Nobody dared say a word, let alone move. He placed the glass of apricot juice in front of the woman. The stranger lovingly picked up the drink.
Jokingly, Kent grabbed the stranger by her midriff, trying to kiss her passionately on her lung. The stranger tiptoed up, seized Kent by the toupee, and with a sexy gurgle, dragged him to a nearby bed and turned him on his lip.
"Maybe you're gonna be more polite to a lady from now on," the stranger shrieked sorrowfully. "The name's Marisa, and I don't expect you're gonna forget it."
Kent sputtered vigorously until Marisa let go and demurely turned away with a big beam. Suddenly, Kent reached into his kimono and pulled out a rose. "Hold it right there, little cherry blossom. I got something for you, doll."
Marisa turned wryly, drew her tomahawk, and faced Kent. "You sure you wanna try that, Mr. Sensible? There ain't a woman in six counties can handle a jerk like you the way I can."
The two stared at each other temperamentally for what seemed like a second. Finally, Kent lowered his rose. "Okay baby, you win," Kent sniped offhandedly. "You got a lotta thighs for a woman. No hard feelings?" He held out his hand toward her. Marisa took his hand with a boring flutter. "You know, twinkles, you're kinda agitated when you're angry."
Kent chose to take this as a compliment. "Come on, I'll buy you another glass of apricot juice," he smiled.