Chongo was still looking bitterly at the smoking remains of his car when she walked by, casually swinging a patent leather handbag, and remarked, "Tough break, soldier."

"You're tellin' me," he grumbled. "It was almost paid off." Then he got a proper look at the dame and did a doubletake. She was tall. Really tall. Built slender, like a dancer, but she had curves in all the right places and legs that went straight up to Alaska. She wore a deep red outfit that clung to her body like a lovesick boa constrictor. Dark hair, a bit shorter than the current styles...sorta like one of those flapper hairdos from the 20's, and her skirt was slit on the sides like one of them Chinese dames in the Fu Manchu novels. Dark red lipstick, almost black. Chongo
gulped, and forgot all about the car for a moment or two.
                                        
"Who are you?" he croaked, forgetting to sound like a tough guy for once.

"I'm Laura. I'm an entertainer. Got a light? Or is the gat still hot enough to light one off the barrel?"

Chongo took in a deep breath, tried to gather his wits, and struck a light for the lady. She pulled out a long, black cigarette holder, stuck a Belvedere in the end, and lit up. It got so quiet that Chongo could hear his own heartbeat, pounding like the Dum-Dum. He loved dames who carried long cigarette holders.

"So...you got a name?" she inquired, taking a slow drag. (This was crazy. "What is she doin', standin' here talkin' to a strange chimp beside his blown-up car?")

"Name's Chongo. Chongo Chimp. You mighta heard it somewhere," said Chongo, struggling for oxygen. He could feel sweat trickling down the small of his back.

"Yeah, matter of fact I have. You're a gumshoe, and not a bad one, I hear.   I like gumshoes, if they're smart. You look smart, but you need a new trenchcoat. Look, Chongo, we have a situation here. You've got a dead car that is attracting a lot of attention..." (Chongo looked around. There was quite a crowd of gawkers gathering. The cops would be here any minute with a million stupid questions he didn't really want to answer) "...and I've got a thirst for a Dacquiri or a Tom Collins. They make good ones at Antonio's and
it's just around the corner. You comin' or would you rather wait for Officer "O'Malley"?"

Chongo gulped. "A Tom Collins sounds good to me." He tucked the tommy gun under his trenchcoat and fell in step beside her, listening to her heels go clickety-click down the sidewalk.

Laura. An "entertainer". Christ, was she ever tall.