"Who are you? Why are you here?" he growled at me, his one good eye
glaring at the person behind me, rudely ignoring me. I didn't like
his attitude. Or his ugly mug, for that matter.
I reached across the grimy counter, grabbed his filthy shirt and
hauled him over the grime where his soft neck met my blaster. That
kind of got his attention.
"I'm a Bounty Hunter. This is my blaster. I'm in a bad mood and I
am desperately in need of a drink. You're blocking my entrance to
this disgusting water-hole. I suggest you move outta my way."
He didn't even blink. "Identicard!" he snapped.
Damn, I thought. I let go and tossed him my card.
He grudgingly picked it up, examined it for a moment, and then sort
of froze. His eye widened. He slowly handed my card to me and backed
away.
Well, now this was interesting. It's about time that idiot checked
the name on that card. I mean, I paid good credits for it.
"Y-you can go through now... ", he stammered, not looking me in the eye.
"Oh, you bet I can." I winked at him and dropped a few cred chips on
the counter.
Once inside, I had to wonder, Is this really worth it? I left the
main hall of the spaceport, made my way through several disgusting
corridors and then through the crowded, smelly entrance to Lokida’s
Cantina.
Several unsavory creatures bumped against me; I just had to show
my blaster and they moved on. Covering it again, I walked in and
chose a seat at the end of the bar and sat. Nordani’s was just as
I remembered it. Too hot for Human norms, smelly and disgusting.
But, despite the filth of the spaceport, I had to thank the gods
for Lokida's. I mean, it was no cleaner but at least it held a few
good memories for me. It was run by an old Wookiee female I've known
my whole life; she practically raised me. If I had one friend in the
galaxy, she was it.
"How may I serve you, my lady?"
I glanced up at the silver 3PO droid tending the bar. "Ice water.
In a clean glass."
"We serve all our beverages in a clean container, madam. Would you
like something to eat with your water?" The droid inquired, its head
tilted to the side.
"Sure. Bring me the cheapest thing you've got back there. Oh, and
by the way, just tell Loki her old friend is here and wants to chew
the fat."
The droid stared at me. "Chew the fat? I don't understand. Wookiees
eat meat, but ---"
"Just give her the message," I said firmly." Now."
The droid tottered off, muttering something about rude humans and
droid rights. I sighed.
I really don't know how Lokida puts up with that thing, I thought.
I know I couldn't and that's why Tira's sentient and programmed with
a human's little idiosyncrasies. I don't have to explain every odd
phrase to her; although, she does tend to argue from time to time,
but that's a lot better than hearing constant whining from the usual
droids.
I settled back in my chair and waited for my food. It didn't take long.
"Here's your dinner, my lady. And your water. "
A bowl of some gray goo was set before me.
"Please tell me you got my order wrong." I poked at the goo with the spoon.
" I don't believe so. That is the least expensive item on the menu.
Would you like to order something else?"
"Yes!" I shoved the bowl away. "Bring me Bantha steak. Rare."
"Very good choice, madam. I'll be right back." And it picked up the
bowl and tottered off again.
You know what.... I think that droid was actually laughing at me...
