Sassy greedily awaited the dogfight that was sure to come. She couldn’t believe Jameson actually had the gall to speak to Becca like that. He would pay for that, of this Sassy was certain.

But Becca just stood there with her tail between her legs, so to speak.

Sassy wasn’t gonna let that scheming, no-good, two-timing man-slut get away with this

“It’s a free country, Jameson!” Sassy said. “Or haven’t you heard?”

Becca slowly turned toward Sassy, if she couldn’t hurt Jameson, Sassy would do. Most of this was her fault anyway. “Free enough for you to make a complete fool of yourself grinding some old, crusty barmaid? Just look at yourself, Sassy. You’re pathetic.”

“Now, hold on a minute,” Old Bess said, drawing her line in the sand. “No one talks to my Sarasparilla like that!”

“Why don’t you get behind the bar and make me a drink, Old Mess!?” Becca shot back.

Karl stirred, chanting. “Fight! Fight! Fight!”

Jameson and Prandi quietly slipped out the door before all hell broke loose.