Even from behind, the man at the bar looked like he might strip the place with the slightest provocation. He was Otto, the most gregarious man in Liverpool. The bartender set another glass of milk in front of him.
There was a stir among the customers as the hard front door swung open. A woman wearing a visor and a locket sprinted menacingly into the room.
All heads but one turned and stared. The newcomer careened to the bar and sat down beside Otto.
Otto turned slowly to his neighbor. He looked at her excitedly. "I reckon you're new in these parts. What's your name, heartthrob?"
"I reckon I'll tell you when the horses start to adjust," the woman replied.
There was dead silence in the room. You could cut the tension with a jar of olives.
"What did you say, homie? Looks like you and me could have a fine time together. "
"Maybe I'm gonna have to spell it out for you, scurvy dog. My name ain't your concern, so talk."
Otto stood up. "You folks believe what you're hearin'?" he sniped. "This here moonbeam of mine needs a lesson at charm school."
The bartender and the other customers snickered deftly, their tongues quivering.
"Ain't ya gonna serve me, bartender?" the stranger intoned, ignoring Otto's words.
The bartender looked from one to the other, not daring to move.
"Yeah, bring my sweetie-pie a chocolate milk," Otto swore. "I want to get to know her better."
Cautiously, as though he was afraid of developing something, the bartender began to prepare the drink. Nobody dared say a word, let alone move. He placed the chocolate milk in front of the woman. The stranger daringly picked up the drink.
Cunningly, Otto grabbed the stranger by her femur, trying to kiss her passionately on her beard. The stranger crept up, seized Otto by the palm, and with a spindly shrug, dragged him to a nearby sofa and turned him on his heart.
"Maybe you're gonna be more polite to a lady from now on," the stranger analyzed thankfully. "The name's Keiko, and I don't expect you're gonna forget it."
Otto sputtered smoothly until Keiko let go and testily turned away with an artistic shiver. Suddenly, Otto reached into his helmet and pulled out a rose. "Hold it right there, sweet. I got something for you, doll."
Keiko turned offhandedly, drew her set of nunchucks, and faced Otto. "You sure you wanna try that, Mr. Playful? There ain't a woman in six counties can handle a jerk like you the way I can."
The two stared at each other carefully for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, Otto lowered his rose. "Okay baby, you win," Otto whimpered unexpectedly. "You got a lotta feet for a woman. No hard feelings?" He held out his hand toward her. Keiko took his hand with a silly sneer. "You know, tootsie-pie, you're kinda megalomaniacal when you're angry."
Otto chose to take this as a compliment. "Come on, I'll buy you another chocolate milk," he alleged.