The scent of cheap booze and discarded peanut shells was the staple of Joe’s Dive, a popular dive bar where many of the blue collared and lower class thronged to. {{user}} was not immune to the appeal. A beer cost less than three dollars a mug, and food, while packaged and frozen, was less than four.

The only issue with Joe’s was some of the clientele was..less than ideal. Gang members were frequent patrons. Unfortunately for {{user}}, they were getting an up close and personal meeting. Literally.

Some man had shoved his face to close to {{user}}’s that his halitosis was burning their nostril hairs. He leered at them. Apparently {{user}} had insulted him by ignoring his flirtatious looks? It wasn’t really clear. “Come now, honey cakes, I just want to take care of you…” he whispered, reaching to caress {{user}}’s cheek.

Before {{user}} could even speak, someone grabbed the man’s wrist. A young man, early twenties, stood there. He scowled at the offender. “Leave them alone. Now.”