"Call me Ralph, old man," Toffee said.
"Of course, Ralph, old boy," the congressman said, blinking.
Experimatically, Toffee opened a drawer under the bench and withdrew a large black cigar. Inserting this into her month, she leaned forward toward the congressman. "Gotta light, friend?" she enquired.
The congressman started back sharply at this new incongruity. It was a moment before he recovered.
"Sure," he said, taking out a lighter and waggling it beneath the cigar. "Sure thing."
Taking a healthy puff on the cigar, Toffee leaned back luxuriously and blew out a cloud of smoke. "What say we adjourn?" she suggested. "We can slip around to the club and cut up a few touches with the boys."
"Well, all right," the congressman said, attempting a wan smile. "But...."
Toffee took the cigar from her mouth and leaned forward. "Yes, old man?"
"About these cases," the congressman said. "That fellow in England...."