“Hello?” Charlotte cradles the phone between her ear and shoulder. Her hands busy tuning her wine red Les Paul supreme.

            “When was the last time you talked to Bette?” the voice demands.

            “Alice? How did you get this number?”

            “I am a reporter.” Alice states smugly into the phone.

            Charlotte laughs, gently putting down the guitar. “Taking it from Bette’s phone when she isn’t looking doesn’t qualify as being an investigative reporter. In fact, I think it makes you a snoop.”

            “Hey! I’ll have you know it is a very difficult thing to get a hold of Bette’s cell phone, or her laptop, or her car. Really anything she thinks is hers. She doesn’t share nicely. I risked death and dismemberment getting this number!”

            “Well, I am flattered that you would go through so much just to hear my voice.”

            “Did you answer my question?”

            “No.”

            “Well.”

            “Hello Alice. It is so nice to hear from you. Yes, I am doing fine thanks for asking. How are you?”

            Alice sighs dramatically into the phone, “Ok. Hi Charlotte, I’m fine. Have you heard from Bette lately?”

            “No, I haven’t talk to her since the day we went shopping with Dana and Cruella.”

            “That was 4 days ago!”

            “Ok.” Charlotte continues softly. “Is something wrong with Bette?”

            “I don’t know. Every time I call she tells me she is waiting for an important phone call and can’t talk. I don’t think she is even going out to get food, just work and home. Tina is acting funny as well, sort of withdrawal. The rage she has been carrying around has sort of disappeared, so has the sadness. It like Tina has left the building.” Alice had done the Elvis voice for the last sentence. She didn’t even know she had done it.

            “So, you think something happened between them?”

            “Yes.”

            “Ok.”

            “Ok? Ok?” Alice raises her voice.

            “Yes, ok.” Charlotte says calmly back.

            “No! It isn’t ok. My two best friends are a mess. Bette is a drinking, smoking, not eating recluse. Tina is eating too much, crying, throwing things, and now she is walking around like a zombie! We have to do something!”