The fight goes on while the menu is open.
The harbour is one big floating dock. Pick your fighter, take your knife, and be the last one billing. Toss a lobster trap, wait 5 seconds, then eat the lobster for +1 HP (max 3) or throw it at a rival to get them fired. Wool suits do not float.
Choose your fighter
Difficulty
Walk and turn with the arrow pad, and press STAB to fight. MENU explains the other buttons.
Looking for other lawyers…
Pick a key to change it, then press the new one. Esc cancels, and Backspace clears it.