At the CAC

Bettes body was slumped in the chair and her head was hanging over the back of it. She was snoring quietly and every now and then her hand would twitch slightly. The sound of her office door being opened roused her from her nap. She sat up a bit and wiped away a small amount of drool that had collected at the corner of her mouth. Okay, well everything seems to be alright, Franklin bellowed as her entered the office, God, you look awful! Thanks, Franklin, Bette replied somewhat under breath, laboriously getting up from her chair; it felt like every muscle in her body had suddenly cramped up on her. Oh, my God! What happened? Did you get hurt out there? Franklin asked in an alarmed tone, motioning to his own face. No, I was reaching for something at home and it all(sigh) fell on me, Bette answered, hoping that Franklin would drop the subject. Um, okay, well (he began walking toward her)you should get home and start enjoying your week off, he began in a fatherly tone, placing his hands on her arms. And maybe get some ice on that too, he added, grimacing slightly. Thanks, Franklin, and with that, Bette loosened herself from his grasp and began gathering her things to head home.

At the Planet

Shane was sitting in a secluded corner of the Planet. Marina had not even noticed her. She had been rearranging the sugar and cream containers over and over again on the table for the better part of a half hour now. She had not fulfilled Bettes request to get some rest. Instead she drove her truck to the beach and sat on the hood looking out on the ocean for a long time. It was almost dusk now, and she was thinking about going back to her place to crash. HeyShane! Dana was making her way over to Shanes table, balancing her soy latte and small plate of fruit along with her bag of equipment. Phew! she exhaled as she placed everything down, How are ya? she asked in a chipper tone pulling out a chair and sitting down. I was actually just about to head out, Shane answered uncomfortably. Oh, okayumwell, before you go, have you seen or heard from Alice at all? Dana quickly asked before taking a hearty bite out of her melon wedge.

Shane shifted the sugar and cream containers again, apparently unsatisfied with her previous arrangement. Well? Dana asked impatiently, a mouth full of melon. I just dont know if its my place to tell you Tell me what? Christ! Why am I always out of the loop?! she gestured freely with her hand, lightly sprinkling Shane with melon juice. Shane just looked at her, still playing with the sugar container, trying to decide whether to retell the events that still had her quite shaken. Listen, if theres something you dont wanna tell me, thats fine, but dont say ***** like that and expect me to just forget about it. Ignorance is bliss, ya know! she huffed, stuffing a grape in her mouth and chewing angrily. Okay, listen, Shane finally gave in, leaning forward and placing her palms on the table, but Im just gonna warn you ahead of timeits really fucked up. Okay, Dana said with a concerned look on her face. She had never known Shane to be this serious, with her at least.

At Bette and Tinas house

Bette opened the front door, not even knowing had she had made it there. She staggered over to the couch and just collapsed, clutching a pillow tight and resting her head on it. She could not fight sleep any longer. The only thing that kept her awake at the never-ending traffic lights was the music blaring from her speakers. She didnt notice what she was listening to, but something about the deep bass pounding kept her alert. She was in a sort of sleep limbo on the couch, when she heard a low buzzing sound. She also sensed a slight vibration in her arm. She looked down at her right arm and realized her purse was still hanging off of it. It took her brain a few moments to register the buzzing sound and the vibration, Oh, *****! she shouted out loud, reaching into her purse to fish out her phone. She looked at the display; there were five messages and all from Alices place. She quickly dialed and listened to the first message: Bette? Hey, listen, umsomething important has come up, its really urgent, so when you get this, call me back, okay?

Oh, my God! she whispered. Had something happened to Tina? Was she hurt? Had she left? Bette frantically looked for Alices number on her phone. She rubbed her forehead roughly, kneading the skin with her fingertips as she waited for an answer. Hello? Alice! Is Tina alright? Is something wrong with her? Bette, calm down! Alice said forcefully, interrupting Bettes barrage of questions, Shes fine, okay, shesshes taking a nap. Bette let out a long sigh of relief and rubbed her eyes to keep them from involuntarily closing on her. Listen, Bette, Alice continued, Tina told me thatshe, uhwants to talk to you. Bette stopped breathing and she felt a chill crawl up her spine that made her shudder against her will. Bette? Bette? Are you still there? Alice asked, worry tinting her tone. When? Bette barely got the word out through a sob. Whenever youre ready, I guess. was Alices answer. Just come over whenever she wakes up. Are you sure? Alice asked, Tina had been asleep for about 45 minutes and could be waking up any minute. Yeah, thats fine. Bette answered softly. Fine, Ill call to let you know were on our way. Alice? Bette raised her voice hoping she was still on the line. Alice took a deep breath, Yeah, Bettelook, I dont knowshe hasnt really talked to me that much Bette interrupted, No, AliceI just wanted to say thank you. Alice didnt know what to say (for once), Yeah, okaybye Bette.

Back at the Planet

Dana had left the rest of her food untouched. The banana slices had started to turn a little brown. Both women had been sitting in silence for quite a while after Shane had finished delivering her version of the recent events in this circle of friends. The silence was broken by the ringing of Danas cell phone. Dana looked at the display; it was Tonya. *****! she exclaimed under her breath. She silenced the ringer and threw it back in her bag. She raised her eyes to meet Shanes who was now looking for some sort of reaction. Do you think itd be okay for me to go over theremaybe pay her a visitTina I mean, she asked Shane biting her nails nervously. Shane just nodded her head and began reaching for her own phone which was vibrating. Alice was calling