Someone else asks her

The words to Shake it off are screamed by a pair of bleach-blondes who are old enough to know better, and perhaps a little too late you realize that compared to many of the other women in the bar Monica looks like a movie star. More than a half dozen of the men around the bar are eying the pretty blonde teacher. Time to go. You try to attract the attention of the woman behind the bar but she is at the far end serving a tray of pulled pork sandwiches to a trio of middle-aged men in Red Sox caps.

"Hey there Beautiful!" You turn back to the table to see one of the locals leaning over Monica with a friendly smile. "How about I take you for a spin on the dance floor before your Pop falls asleep." Shit, things were moving even faster than you feared.

"No thanks, Mister." Monica declines politely, "we're just here for a bite to eat and a quick drink." It is clear that this young man is not going to give up that easily; several of his friends are watching the unfolding scene with more than a little interest. You wouldn't be surprised if there was a bet or two on this Romeo's success.

"Oh don't be like that, Honey." There is a hard edge to the man's coaxing, and you can see this turning ugly in a hurry.

"We were just leaving, my friend." You tell him as you take out a couple of twenties and slip them under your empty mug. The young man glances over at you as if seeing you for the first time.

"Fuck-off, old man." He tells you loudly, "I'm talking to the lady here." The Taylor Swift song doesn't seem as loud anymore and you hear the laughter of his friends. It would too much to hope for a bouncer to show up and cool things down in a dive like this. With a sigh you slide towards the edge of the booth.

"I said 'stay out of this,' you Fucker." His hand lands heavily on your shoulder and he pushes you down onto the seat. "This pretty lady and I are going to have a dance."

"It's OK, Kyle. It's just a dance." Monica's strained smile belies her words as she tries to diffuse the situation.

"That's right old man." The local hotshot pats your shoulder firmly. "In fact, you can take off if you like; the boys and me will make sure your lady friend gets home safely."