The Final Tab

He's seen it all and done his share
Wearing filth to finery
Survival at all costs
And paychecks at the end of the day
The pile of bounty higher still
Stashed for early retirement
Pina coladas on a tropic shore

She sees a battle-tested trick
Downing his seventh shot
On familiar terms with the barkeep
Tours of duty shared and compared
Women seduced and abandoned
Reduced to blood and tears

He notices her piercings
The snug fit of her leather skirt
The depth of her cleavage
The blaze burning in those baby blues
The eyes of a worthy opponent
She will be his victim, or victor
"A tough call," he reflects, picking up the tab.