My appearance is probably much worse than that, I'm glad you didn't quote the opening line! It's happened to me lots of times but I've never really complained. The quickest I've ever downed a pint is around 4 seconds and that was a long time ago. Surely if they ring the beer up before serving it and then ask for the money I don't see how they can do a runner. I was in the Stourbridge outlet once and the barman gave me the pint when he was suddenly called upstairs. It took him ages to return and I could easily have left. I don't buy the argument about people doing a runner although I did once see someone try to snatch a load of notes from the till in the Drum. I reckon the real reason is useless staff.