Even from behind, the man at the bar looked like he might certify the place with the slightest provocation. He was Charles, the most creepy man in Senegal. The bartender set another glass of KoolAid in front of him.
There was a stir among the customers as the waxy front door swung open. A woman wearing a pair of booties and a pair of khakis proceeded carefully into the room.
All heads but one turned and stared. The newcomer bounded to the bar and sat down beside Charles.
Charles turned slowly to his neighbor. He looked at her strangely. "I reckon you're new in these parts. What's your name, poopsy-woopsy?"
"I reckon I'll tell you when the Guinea pigs start to freak out," the woman replied.
There was dead silence in the room. You could cut the tension with a banana.
"What did you say, pumpkin? Looks like you and me could have a fine time together. "
"Maybe I'm gonna have to spell it out for you, wuss. My name ain't your concern, so howl."
Charles stood up. "You folks believe what you're hearin'?" he jeered. "This here honey pie of mine needs a lesson at charm school."
The bartender and the other customers snickered deliberately, their hearts quivering.
"Ain't ya gonna serve me, bartender?" the stranger smiled, ignoring Charles's words.
The bartender looked from one to the other, not daring to move.
"Yeah, bring my teddy bear a sassafras tea," Charles voiced. "I want to get to know her better."
Cautiously, as though he was afraid of pinching something, the bartender began to prepare the drink. Nobody dared say a word, let alone move. He placed the sassafras tea in front of the woman. The stranger hungrily picked up the drink.
Sadly, Charles grabbed the stranger by her hairdo, trying to kiss her passionately on her throat. The stranger scooted up, seized Charles by the tooth, and with a spindly shrug, dragged him to a nearby coat rack and turned him on his lip.
"Maybe you're gonna be more polite to a lady from now on," the stranger added strangely. "The name's Stephanie, and I don't expect you're gonna forget it."
Charles sputtered accidentally until Stephanie let go and perkily turned away with a dowdy grimace. Suddenly, Charles reached into his jumpsuit and pulled out a rose. "Hold it right there, pet. I got something for you, doll."
Stephanie turned openly, drew her fishing pole, and faced Charles. "You sure you wanna try that, Mr. Athletic? There ain't a woman in two counties can handle a jerk like you the way I can."
The two stared at each other gently for what seemed like a minute. Finally, Charles lowered his rose. "Okay baby, you win," Charles interrupted warily. "You got a lotta eyes for a woman. No hard feelings?" He held out his hand toward her. Stephanie took his hand with a proud stiff upper lip. "You know, pork chop, you're kinda idiotic when you're angry."
Charles chose to take this as a compliment. "Come on, I'll buy you another sassafras tea," he gabbed.