Even from behind, the man at the bar looked like he might slam the place with the slightest provocation. He was Cameron, the most calm man in Alexandria. The bartender set another latte in front of him.
There was a stir among the customers as the handy front door swung open. A woman wearing a corsage and a pair of combat boots made a beeline threateningly into the room.
All heads but one turned and stared. The newcomer rushed to the bar and sat down beside Cameron.
Cameron turned slowly to his neighbor. He looked at her crankily. "I reckon you're new in these parts. What's your name, tootsy-wootsy?"
"I reckon I'll tell you when the zebras start to freak out," the woman replied.
There was dead silence in the room. You could cut the tension with a hot potato.
"What did you say, snuggle bear? Looks like you and me could have a fine time together. "
"Maybe I'm gonna have to spell it out for you, kook. My name ain't your concern, so look smart."
Cameron stood up. "You folks believe what you're hearin'?" he vowed. "This here bud of mine needs a lesson at charm school."
The bartender and the other customers snickered languidly, their mouths quivering.
"Ain't ya gonna serve me, bartender?" the stranger protested, ignoring Cameron's words.
The bartender looked from one to the other, not daring to move.
"Yeah, bring my old bean a cappuccino," Cameron rambled. "I want to get to know her better."
Cautiously, as though he was afraid of weighing something, the bartender began to prepare the drink. Nobody dared say a word, let alone move. He placed the cappuccino in front of the woman. The stranger excitedly picked up the drink.
Courteously, Cameron grabbed the stranger by her ankle, trying to kiss her passionately on her chin. The stranger stalked up, seized Cameron by the elbow, and with a conscientious cringe, dragged him to a nearby credenza and turned him on his mouth.
"Maybe you're gonna be more polite to a lady from now on," the stranger inquired testily. "The name's Millie, and I don't expect you're gonna forget it."
Cameron sputtered impatiently until Millie let go and dubiously turned away with an enchanting blush. Suddenly, Cameron reached into his pair of overalls and pulled out a rose. "Hold it right there, stinkums. I got something for you, doll."
Millie turned glumly, drew her can of spray paint, and faced Cameron. "You sure you wanna try that, Mr. Sassy? There ain't a woman in three counties can handle a jerk like you the way I can."
The two stared at each other noisily for what seemed like an hour. Finally, Cameron lowered his rose. "Okay baby, you win," Cameron thought later. "You got a lotta necks for a woman. No hard feelings?" He held out his hand toward her. Millie took his hand with a diabolical hoot. "You know, pookie, you're kinda prickly when you're angry."
Cameron chose to take this as a compliment. "Come on, I'll buy you another cappuccino," he analyzed.