Iron Mike removed his right hand from Tiger’s wrist and used it to pick up his beer in one slow, smooth motion. Tiger instantly recognized his partner's shift into "trouble mode" and turned to face the alcove opening. Approaching their table from across the room were four youths. Their leader, a cadaverously thin man, was made-up as a grimmer match to the jack-o'-lanterns lighting the room than even Pia was. The black makeup around his mouth gave him a block-toothed frown that hid his thin lips.