Editing Crucible:Bear's Den (section)

== Sheila Pugnatowski ==

Although [[Crucible:Kodiak|Kodiak]] owns the Bear’s Den and often tends bar there himself, the establishment is managed day to day by [[Crucible:Sheila Pugnatowski|Sheila Pugnatowski]], a former supervillain who once operated under the name '''[[Crucible:Knockout|Knockout]]'''. Sheila has enough practical intelligence, nerve, and hard-earned cynicism to keep the place running smoothly, and she is no slouch in a fight either.

Sheila’s past is not advertised, but it is not exactly a secret. As Knockout, she was involved in armed robbery and ran with the wrong people long enough to make herself a real problem. Kodiak fought her once or twice, brought her to justice, and later gave her a chance after she served her sentence. It was not charity, and Sheila would be the first to say so. Kodiak saw someone tough, capable, and angry who might still choose a better road if someone opened the door and then got out of her way.

Regulars know the broad outline. Sheila made bad choices, paid for them, and survived situations that would have flattened a less stubborn woman. Her presence behind the bar gives the Bear’s Den a different kind of authority. She knows how villains think, how heroes lie to themselves, how trouble starts, and when a charming stranger is really casing the room.

Sheila is not sentimental about redemption, least of all her own. She runs the pub efficiently, keeps the books in order, manages staff, negotiates suppliers, throws out idiots, and remembers everyone’s tab. She also understands the delicate social balance of a bar frequented by people who can lift cars, summon ghosts, ignite plasma, or start monologuing about “the old days” until closing time.

Under Sheila’s management, the Bear’s Den has become more stable, more profitable, and somewhat less likely to be destroyed on a weeknight. That may be because she is good at running a bar. It may also be because most people with any sense know better than to start trouble in front of Knockout.