Another opener...

How to start a story?

"You're the guy who asked ask for the green, smoky tea," the cute waitress said.
I watched with mounting alarm as she poured out a witches brew, there was no other word for it. I gulped. What had I let myself in for?
She placed the finely decorated cup on the table, smiled at me and announced in a voice that chimed with dark humour, "You can have a refill on the house if you finish it." I looked up at her and she smiled as if party to some secret joke. I guessed she knew there'd be few takers.
After she'd sauntered off as if satisfied with her success, I gazed at the cup and watched the liquid swirl. I don't know how long my eyes focused on the green liquid in front of me but it didn't seem to want to settle. It was as if it was alive. A shiver ran down my spine. I didn't fancy my chances if I took even the merest sip of what looked all-too-much like liquid poison. Yet Malthone had said I should try it. Could I trust him? I was about to find out. He'd ask me what I thought of it when I went back to him. He'd see through any lies if I simply pretended. I knew that for a certainty. If I wanted his help--and I wanted it badly, badly enough to put my life on the line--I'd no choice.
With trembling hands, I lifted the cup to my lips.