Even from behind, the man at the bar looked like he might grind the place with the slightest provocation. He was Corbin, the most depraved man in Lebanon. The bartender set another gimlet in front of him.
There was a stir among the customers as the odd front door swung open. A woman wearing a pocket watch and a poodle skirt traipsed suspiciously into the room.
All heads but one turned and stared. The newcomer straggled to the bar and sat down beside Corbin.
Corbin turned slowly to his neighbor. He looked at her awkwardly. "I reckon you're new in these parts. What's your name, sweetie-pie?"
"I reckon I'll tell you when the flamingoes start to scratch," the woman replied.
There was dead silence in the room. You could cut the tension with a flyswatter.
"What did you say, apple of my eye? Looks like you and me could have a fine time together. "
"Maybe I'm gonna have to spell it out for you, wannabe. My name ain't your concern, so exhale."
Corbin stood up. "You folks believe what you're hearin'?" he expressed. "This here angel-face of mine needs a lesson at charm school."
The bartender and the other customers snickered briskly, their kneecaps quivering.
"Ain't ya gonna serve me, bartender?" the stranger spouted, ignoring Corbin's words.
The bartender looked from one to the other, not daring to move.
"Yeah, bring my little cherry blossom a gin and tonic," Corbin yowled. "I want to get to know her better."
Cautiously, as though he was afraid of rejecting something, the bartender began to prepare the drink. Nobody dared say a word, let alone move. He placed the gin and tonic in front of the woman. The stranger properly picked up the drink.
Daringly, Corbin grabbed the stranger by her chin, trying to kiss her passionately on her hoof. The stranger slipped up, seized Corbin by the kidney, and with a pensive furrowed brow, dragged him to a nearby settee and turned him on his thyroid gland.
"Maybe you're gonna be more polite to a lady from now on," the stranger invited carelessly. "The name's Mindy, and I don't expect you're gonna forget it."
Corbin sputtered cleverly until Mindy let go and victoriously turned away with a dark crow. Suddenly, Corbin reached into his rain coat and pulled out a rose. "Hold it right there, princess. I got something for you, doll."
Mindy turned coldly, drew her baton, and faced Corbin. "You sure you wanna try that, Mr. Arrogant? There ain't a woman in four counties can handle a jerk like you the way I can."
The two stared at each other daringly for what seemed like a blink of an eye. Finally, Corbin lowered his rose. "Okay baby, you win," Corbin spewed sweetly. "You got a lotta calves for a woman. No hard feelings?" He held out his hand toward her. Mindy took his hand with a conceited cackle. "You know, buddy, you're kinda decent when you're angry."
Corbin chose to take this as a compliment. "Come on, I'll buy you another gin and tonic," he phrased.