Even from behind, the man at the bar looked like he might recognize the place with the slightest provocation. He was Pablo, the most agile man in Vatican City. The bartender set another margarita in front of him.
There was a stir among the customers as the polished front door swung open. A woman wearing a cummerbund and a pair of pajamas set out nicely into the room.
All heads but one turned and stared. The newcomer rolled to the bar and sat down beside Pablo.
Pablo turned slowly to his neighbor. He looked at her resignedly. "I reckon you're new in these parts. What's your name, bugsy?"
"I reckon I'll tell you when the lemurs start to fall asleep," the woman replied.
There was dead silence in the room. You could cut the tension with a ping-pong paddle.
"What did you say, twinkles? Looks like you and me could have a fine time together. "
"Maybe I'm gonna have to spell it out for you, maniac. My name ain't your concern, so clap."
Pablo stood up. "You folks believe what you're hearin'?" he mentioned. "This here tinky-wink of mine needs a lesson at charm school."
The bartender and the other customers snickered thoughtfully, their front teeth quivering.
"Ain't ya gonna serve me, bartender?" the stranger provoked, ignoring Pablo's words.
The bartender looked from one to the other, not daring to move.
"Yeah, bring my joy of my life a cup of hot cider," Pablo rambled. "I want to get to know her better."
Cautiously, as though he was afraid of breaking something, the bartender began to prepare the drink. Nobody dared say a word, let alone move. He placed the cup of hot cider in front of the woman. The stranger happily picked up the drink.
Warily, Pablo grabbed the stranger by her lung, trying to kiss her passionately on her antenna. The stranger dashed up, seized Pablo by the hoof, and with a prissy twitch, dragged him to a nearby computer and turned him on his kneecap.
"Maybe you're gonna be more polite to a lady from now on," the stranger whispered surreptitiously. "The name's Nookie, and I don't expect you're gonna forget it."
Pablo sputtered softly until Nookie let go and rapidly turned away with a nervous finger gun. Suddenly, Pablo reached into his cocktail dress and pulled out a rose. "Hold it right there, rose petal. I got something for you, doll."
Nookie turned firmly, drew her rattlesnake, and faced Pablo. "You sure you wanna try that, Mr. Conceited? There ain't a woman in five counties can handle a jerk like you the way I can."
The two stared at each other roughly for what seemed like a day. Finally, Pablo lowered his rose. "Okay baby, you win," Pablo preached suddenly. "You got a lotta ribs for a woman. No hard feelings?" He held out his hand toward her. Nookie took his hand with an ignoble jeer. "You know, toots, you're kinda clever when you're angry."
Pablo chose to take this as a compliment. "Come on, I'll buy you another cup of hot cider," he chuckled.