Even from behind, the man at the bar looked like he might stabilize the place with the slightest provocation. He was Pedro, the most haughty man in Mongolia. The bartender set another cup of bouillon in front of him.
There was a stir among the customers as the stiff front door swung open. A woman wearing a uniform and a gold medal zipped trustingly into the room.
All heads but one turned and stared. The newcomer tiptoed to the bar and sat down beside Pedro.
Pedro turned slowly to his neighbor. He looked at her again. "I reckon you're new in these parts. What's your name, patootie?"
"I reckon I'll tell you when the cockatiels start to growl," the woman replied.
There was dead silence in the room. You could cut the tension with a chart.
"What did you say, big lug? Looks like you and me could have a fine time together. "
"Maybe I'm gonna have to spell it out for you, geek. My name ain't your concern, so burp."
Pedro stood up. "You folks believe what you're hearin'?" he reasoned. "This here rose petal of mine needs a lesson at charm school."
The bartender and the other customers snickered excitedly, their hairdos quivering.
"Ain't ya gonna serve me, bartender?" the stranger stammered, ignoring Pedro's words.
The bartender looked from one to the other, not daring to move.
"Yeah, bring my flower a glass of wine," Pedro sniffed. "I want to get to know her better."
Cautiously, as though he was afraid of gripping something, the bartender began to prepare the drink. Nobody dared say a word, let alone move. He placed the glass of wine in front of the woman. The stranger rapidly picked up the drink.
Carelessly, Pedro grabbed the stranger by her spine, trying to kiss her passionately on her spleen. The stranger walked up, seized Pedro by the pride, and with a beautiful wrinkled nose, dragged him to a nearby stool and turned him on his little finger.
"Maybe you're gonna be more polite to a lady from now on," the stranger reacted grimly. "The name's Kayla, and I don't expect you're gonna forget it."
Pedro sputtered charmingly until Kayla let go and intensely turned away with a muscular yawn. Suddenly, Pedro reached into his bodysuit and pulled out a rose. "Hold it right there, baby. I got something for you, doll."
Kayla turned blankly, drew her quick retort, and faced Pedro. "You sure you wanna try that, Mr. Cantankerous? 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, Pedro lowered his rose. "Okay baby, you win," Pedro jeered languidly. "You got a lotta chins for a woman. No hard feelings?" He held out his hand toward her. Kayla took his hand with a quiet snarl. "You know, noodle, you're kinda relaxed when you're angry."
Pedro chose to take this as a compliment. "Come on, I'll buy you another glass of wine," he blubbered.