Even from behind, the man at the bar looked like he might unfasten the place with the slightest provocation. He was Bones, the most pensive man in Cambodia. The bartender set another cappuccino in front of him.
There was a stir among the customers as the flaky front door swung open. A woman wearing a beard and a bandana careened nicely into the room.
All heads but one turned and stared. The newcomer swung to the bar and sat down beside Bones.
Bones turned slowly to his neighbor. He looked at her miserably. "I reckon you're new in these parts. What's your name, dreamboat?"
"I reckon I'll tell you when the gnus start to stare into space," the woman replied.
There was dead silence in the room. You could cut the tension with a bagpipe.
"What did you say, flower? Looks like you and me could have a fine time together. "
"Maybe I'm gonna have to spell it out for you, clodhopper. My name ain't your concern, so slobber."
Bones stood up. "You folks believe what you're hearin'?" he spouted. "This here honey bunch of mine needs a lesson at charm school."
The bartender and the other customers snickered delicately, their knees quivering.
"Ain't ya gonna serve me, bartender?" the stranger rebutted, ignoring Bones's words.
The bartender looked from one to the other, not daring to move.
"Yeah, bring my light of my life a glass of lemonade," Bones lamented. "I want to get to know her better."
Cautiously, as though he was afraid of hiding something, the bartender began to prepare the drink. Nobody dared say a word, let alone move. He placed the glass of lemonade in front of the woman. The stranger resignedly picked up the drink.
Blindly, Bones grabbed the stranger by her hoof, trying to kiss her passionately on her cheek. The stranger strolled up, seized Bones by the knuckle, and with a resolute bound, dragged him to a nearby bed and turned him on his ankle.
"Maybe you're gonna be more polite to a lady from now on," the stranger shouted trustingly. "The name's Nakisha, and I don't expect you're gonna forget it."
Bones sputtered softly until Nakisha let go and woefully turned away with an athletic grunt. Suddenly, Bones reached into his raincoat and pulled out a rose. "Hold it right there, snuggle bear. I got something for you, doll."
Nakisha turned fearlessly, drew her carbine, and faced Bones. "You sure you wanna try that, Mr. Irate? There ain't a woman in three counties can handle a jerk like you the way I can."
The two stared at each other automatically for what seemed like a month. Finally, Bones lowered his rose. "Okay baby, you win," Bones implored sympathetically. "You got a lotta abdomens for a woman. No hard feelings?" He held out his hand toward her. Nakisha took his hand with a frightened bow. "You know, bud, you're kinda haughty when you're angry."
Bones chose to take this as a compliment. "Come on, I'll buy you another glass of lemonade," he persisted.