The bartender nodded toward the next stool. "On him."
Tee turned and saw a barrel-chested red-haired giant holding up a drink in the immemorial bar toast. He raised his own glass gingerly, but his trembling hand caused the layers to mix and he stared ruefully at the resultant clayey-looking mess.
The redhead laughed. "Mix another one, Jo."
"But—" Tee's face got red.
"I came in here to talk to you anyway," said the giant. "You own the Starduster, don't you?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"Like to get her out of hock?"
"Who says she's in hock?"
"Look," said the redhead. "Let's not kid each other. Everybody around this port knows you blew in from Lemmyt last month and can't raise the money to pay the port charges, much less the refueling fee. And it's no secret that you're anxious to leave our fair planet." He winked conspiringly at Tee.
"So?"