Drinks!
Bub doesn’t drink when shielding and I don’t drink when there’s a crazy werewolf on the loose, so I ordered two sasparillas. As the barkeep brought ‘em over, sparing me a sneer only because Bub was looking at him, I muttered, “And I need to talk to Mrs. Annie. It’s important.”
“It’s always important,” the barkeep said. “What’s it worth to you?”
I gave him a look. “Fine. Go get Blue Sally, then.”
The barkeep smirked “That’ll just cost you a little bit less.”.
“Or it’ll cost me nothing when I tell Bub here to get her attention, neighbor.” I gave him a smile with no give in it at all. “I’ll bet Sal’s gonna love it if I tell her you’re shaking down people trying to do her a favor. Especially if I’ve gotten a fat lip in the process.” That stopped him; and I nodded. “Yeah. I’ll take some lumps for a talk with her. You’ll take more for getting in the way of it. So go get Sal!”