Lefty reached back to the bar, mechanically taking the stein by the handle and lifting the beer to his lips, much to the amusement of Rosa and the practical joking bartender.
Just as he had finished his drink with no dire effect other than a feeling of dizziness, the music again stopped and he sauntered over to where the girl at the piano sat.
“That was fine, sister,” he announced as he reached her side, falling into a chair in a daze. “Give us another, will you?”
The blonde rose, and eyed him with a piercing look of disdain. “Say, insipid, you don’t think I’m doin’ this for me health, do you?”
“You mean, you expect me to pay you?” asked the astonished Marine, gradually falling under the spell of intoxication.
“Naw—just leave me the price of a pair of stocking, that’s all!”
“How can you be so mercenary?” the boy asked with the sincerity of an inebriated man.
“If you call me that again, you big bum, I’ll punch you in the nose,” the blonde warned as her eyes protruded, blazing with fire. “I’ll have you know I’m a lady, I am!”
“Well, who said you wasn’t?”
“You did!” she persisted. “You called me a—a—well, don’t say that again!”