A quiet beer

"Siobhan Flaherty", said the barmaid, introducing herself and extending a bottle of Michelob towards Gracie as she walked gingerly back into the now deserted bar as if she had not just whupped and sexually degraded her. Gracie accepted it with a nod and took a pull at it in silence. "So, what's your story, jiu jitsu? judo? something like that"?

"Yeah, judo, you're right. What was yours? I think I saw a little Aikido earlier?"

"Uhuh, 2nd dan", the barmaid lifted her bottle to her mouth, "and US Marines hand to hand fighting instructor", then added, "dishonorable discharge".

Gracie thought she best not ask the reason behind this, but was getting a picture of how she had just had her ass handed to her.

"So this competition you were telling me about. I've heard of it. Its a lot of bucks".

"Uhuh".

"And you reckon its here in Anchorage next"?

"Thats what I've been told. Open to all comers too if you want to have a go".

"Uhuh", said the tall ex-soldier, "but we're in no shape to go up against the kind of girls that go in for that".

"You don't think so?"

"Nope. Look at you. You're shit hot at judo, right? But you come up against someone with a different style and you're fucked. Literally". Siobhan reached round and slapped Gracie's ass in a familiar patronising manner.

Gracie ignored it, "I hear you. That's true but I've been in contact with a couple of the other girls who are going in for this, and they're up for a couple of practice matches the day after next. Should be useful to get a feel for other styles. You in?"

"Sure", said Siobhan easily and finished her beer, "now do I have to beat the crap out of you to get you up into bed or do you want to go easily".