[ WP ] An angel and a demon walk into a bar ...

She was n't very tall, maybe about five and a half foot or so. She had a shape like an hourglass, curves where it mattered most. When she walked, she had this way about her, like a movie star that was used to being treated to the finer things in life. When she talked, her voice belonged in a choir, and it made every male pair of eyes turn to stare at her. She wore a long white coat that went below her knees, and a pair of white and green striped leggings that ended with a pair of matching white low-heeled shoes. She tossed her long blonde hair to one side when she made her way to the bar. I took a long draw from my beer, debating whether I'd go over and say hi, but it would n't matter in the end. My long black leather duster swayed a little in the breeze when she opened the door, and I pulled it closed. 
 
 She caught my glance and pursed her ruby lips in a pout, judging me from head to toe. I did n't think twice about it as I finished my first drink with a loud gulp and a louder burp. She gave me a disgusted look befoe turning back to the bartender. He was leaning back against the wall behind him, arms crossed over his chest, obviously enjoying the silent treatment she was giving me. She cleared her throat before she spoke. 
 
 `` Excuse me, sir, I'm looking for a man --'' 
 
 `` Well lady, I think you found that.'' I muttered under my breath as the bartender slid me another cold frosted mug. Her head whipped to face me so fast I thought she might snap her neck clean off. 
 
 `` Pardon you, sir, but this truley is none of your concern.'' Like I said, she had a soft voice, but man she used it like a knife. I shrugged a little and gave her the warmest smile I could pull together. 
 
 `` Maybe it is my concern, ma'am. Does n't seem like this is your kind of place to be looking for companionship.'' I glanced toward the tables to my left, where every size and shape of scum and villainy had eyeballs on us. `` But that's not what you're after here, now is it?'' 
 
 `` And what do you know about what I'm'after', sir?'' There were those knives again. `` Perhaps you would better serve society by being constructive instead of imbibing your pathetic nights away into oblivion.'' 
 
 She hand her hands on her hips in a way that I had n't seen in a good long time, and I nodded towards the bartender. `` How about a drink for the lady, Bart? On me, of course.'' 
 
 `` Hrmph.'' I was surprised she did n't protest, but something about her was making my brain itch in a way I'd not felt in well over forty years. She settled down pertly on the stool next to mine and put both of her hands palm down on the bar. `` I'll take three shots of your best Bacardi, please.'' 
 
 The bartender, Bart, had them in front of her faster than I could drain my beer, but it still was n't as fast as she downed them in rapid succession before slamming them onto the wooden bar with a loud clang. There were a couple of low whistles behind me, and even a few slow claps, but none of that fazed me. I'd seen plenty of folks of her type before. 
 
 `` Not bad,'' I chuckled, sliding over a twenty to Bert that he stuffed quickly away in a shirt pocket. `` Last time I seen someone do that, it ended in a fistfight.'' 
 
 `` I do not condone violence,'' she said haughtily. `` The O'Keefes do not engage in such dullery.'' 
 
 I smiled the best smile I could muster. `` O'Keefe, eh? The ones that own the oil fields 35 miles west of Dallas? Yeah, that's about what I figured, but you're a long way from home, miss. What brings you off your heavenly perch to dwell among the lesser beings?'' 
 
 `` My name,'' she sneered, `` is Diane. And I am looking for a man by the name of Daryl Worth. He was to meet me at 1PM sharp to discuss important business matters. Personal business matters.'' 
 
 I smiled even wider, pushing the brim of my hat up a bit to study her clean, pale face more clearly. For being the middle of June it was unusually clear of sweat, and she had this scent of berries I had n't smelled in so long it made my mouth water. `` Business matters? That's a funny way of saying you had a date. I'm not judging you,'' I said before she could retort, `` since you have your reasons. I tell you what, I'll help you find this Daryl. What's he look like?'' 
 
 Diane narrowed her eyes suspiciously at me. `` He's about your height and build, looks to be around his mid twenties or thirties, clean-shaved, straight brown hair tied in a ponytail behind his head. He should be wearing a red plaid shirt and black khakis.'' 
 
 `` Oh? Hmm, now where have I seen that description before...'' I gave her a playful smile and she looked ready to kill. `` My mind's kind of fuzzy, but I tell you what, let's go for a walk. I'm sure we'll bump into him eventually. Fresh air will clear my head. Oh, and there's a nice little ice cream place just around the corner that he might be at. Let's go check it out.'' 
 
 Diane folded her arms over her chest as I heard the bartender choke off a laugh behind me. `` Why on earth would I ever want to go anywhere with someone as obviously uneducated and filthy as you? I can find him on my own. Oh, and thanks for the drink.'' 
 
 I heard her swear under her breath as she marched out the door. I thought Bart was going to die from how hard he was biting back the laughter. After she disappeared out that door, he let loose the loudest guffaw that was echoed by everyone else in the place. He put a hand on my shoulder as he kept laughing, and I simply shrugged and turned back to finish my drink. `` God damn, talk about dodging a bullet. What a complete bitch!'' Bart was still laughing as he gave me an apologetic pat on the shoulder. `` She's probably going to get lost trying to track down --'' 
 
 `` I'll go find her,'' I interrupted him, setting my mug and another twenty on the bar. Bert stared at me in disbelief as I pulled my hat off and ran my fingers through my thick brown hair all the way back to the pony tail. I pulled the black leather duster off to set it on the barstool, and straightened my favorite plaid red shirt, careful not to spill my drink on my good pants. `` Would n't do to let someone like that wind up in the wrong part of town. Liable to get robbed, or worse.'sides, I still want that ice cream.'' 
 
 `` Man, I do n't get you,'' Bart said, shaking his head. `` That's the fifth one this week. What do you see in those high class gals, Daryl?'' 
 
 I grinned as I swung my feet off the barstool and headed towards the door. 
 
 `` Everything good that they do n't even see in themselves, Bart.''
