Ten-thirty rolled around and the familial table at the Planet begins filling up.

Dana and Alice stroll in, Hey Marina! Alice cheerfully waves as they take their seats.

Good morning ladies. Marina greets them from behind the counter. As Alice begins to make her way to the counter Marina stops her, No, no, take a seat. I already have the order – Tina called a little while ago and placed the order for everyone.

Alice stops, spins around and plops her self right back into her seat, tilting her head toward Marina, and is little Ms. Power ***** in training paying as well?

Marina looks up and smiles back at Alice and is about to answer when Bette and Tina enter hand-in-hand and giggling, Hey guys. Bette calls out as they move to the table and drop their purses. Tina quickly surveys the table and grabs an extra chair for Shane who saunters in just as Bette moves to the counter to check on their order. Taking her place in a chair next to Alice, Tina reaches out and hugs her affectionately, while reaching her hand out to pat Danas, So, are you ready for the big news? Tina winks at her blonde friend.

Uh let me seeyes? You know this is killing me – right?

I do know, Bette told me you called her six times yesterday.

Friends dont keep secrets from friends Tina.

Oh but they do, and, they also keep them from their wives when they know their friends will be a pain in the *****. Tina nudges Alice playfully.

Alice twists in her chair to look in the direction of Bettes voice, Actually Alice, friends dont let friends drink and go home with ugly women. Bette smiles wickedly at Alice as Dana coughs, Gabby!

Alice spins her attention back to Tina while unrolling her eyes, Whatever! Kennard, youll need me some day and Ill remember this.

Oh, Im sure.

As Alice and Tina joke at the table, Shane approaches, pealing her glasses from her eyes, Hey guys. Using her foot, she hooks the leg of a chair pulling it further from the table before allowing her weary body to drop into it.

Hey, Alice acknowledges her before actually seeing her, Jesus, did you even go home last night? Alice peers over her glasses at Shane, You look like *****.

Love you too Al! Thanks for the complement man. Shane nods at Marina, Good morning Marina, can I get a double please?

Alice spouts loudly in Marinas direction, The way she looks, give her a six pack. Turning back and snickering at her own joke she catches Tinas warning look, Sorry mother.

Bette arrives a minute later with a variety of drinks, muffins and fruit on a tray. Taking a seat across from Shane, Bette reaches out and slides Shanes double shot to her, Theres more where this came from – just say the word – okay? Bette smiles sympathetically at her unkempt friend.

Shane fists the cup, tips it to Alice and takes a swig, allowing the hot liquid to slide through her system, easing the paid and recharging her nerve cells. After a moment of bliss Shane looks to Tina, So, whats the big news?

Smiling broadly and taking a few seconds to make eye contact with each of her friends, she begins, Okay, so you know how Oscar and I have been working really hard on a fund raiser for The Center? Weve been looking at every angle trying to come up with a plan to raise enough money to start a pre-school program and revamp the childrens facility. Well, weve come up with something that will not only cover the entire cost of the project, but will give us a little more to help kick off the teen center. Tina again takes a moment to connect with each person, using her seductive smile and sparkling eyes to draw them in, And what makes it so much more fun you guys, is that each of you can help.

At the mention of their help, all collectively shift their eyes to one another not quite knowing what to expect. Okay, The Center has been given an opportunity to appear on a special charity week edition of Oh my God you guys this is soooooo cool Family Feud!

Her eyes popping, Bettes head snaps toward Tina, Family what?

Feud. Family Feud.

Bette continues to stare at her in confusion, T, Im sorry, but I have no idea what that is.

A game show, Dana chimes in, Its a game show and I LOVE the idea Tina! How did you come up with it?

Shane looks to Tina with heavy eyes, Oh man, sorry T, She shakes her head slowly causing the wisps of hair dangling in front of her eyes to sway, Im just not able to make it. My clientele has been steadily increasing

Yea, T, Bette interrupts, I have meetings with artists and you know Franklin has been up my ***** over scheduling the next show

Tinas stares hard into Bettes eyes, her face showing immediate disappointment. Seeing this, Alice chimes in, Oh my God you guys, look at this situation for a minute will you? You dont even know the details, what, when and where, yet youre trying to get out of it. Obviously this means a lot to Tina and the kids. Why dont you just hear her out? And you, Ms. Power *****, Leaning toward Bette, This is your wife asking for your assistance, Id think you of all people would be more supportive?

Bettes eyes flash on Alice, warning her, not another word or else

Looking away from Bette and rolling her eyes, Alice grabs her cup to take a sip, Okay Tina, you were saying?

The group at the table fell into shocked silence, turning their attention back to Tina.

You guys, come on, this is a perfect opportunity for the center to get the money it needs. Were talking about kids here, kids who need our help.

T, Bette breaks in, her expression soft and compassionate, Why us, why not the volunteers at the center?

Heh, well its interesting that you ask that question and in fact its a really good question. Stopping for a moment to take a calming breath, See its a special event week, actually, its called Alternative Lifestyles Week and there will be many groups playing for charities. Bettes mouth falls open, but before she can speak, Tina continues, Theres going to be another group of lesbians playing for the Breast Cancer Foundation, so you see, we wont be alone, theres a group of ***** men playing for an Aids clinic and a mixed group of Cross Dressers playing for the Alpha Omega Society, and there will be others, I just

Tina glances over to find Alice and Shane leaning against each other quietly quaking with laughter. Annoyed by their reaction, Tina turns to Dana for support and finds her staring straight ahead with her eyes fixed on Tina and her jaw hanging limply open.

Oh my God you guys, its not that bad! Perusing the table again, What?! Whats so damn funny?

Bette working hard not to collapse into hysteria like Alice and Shane reaches out and grasps Tinas hand lovingly, T, baby, its a really good opportunity for the center to make some much needed money, I totally get that, but doesnt this sound just a bit cheesy to you? I mean honey, Alternative Lifestyles Week is that a joke?

With that Shane jumped from the table and quickly made her way to the rest room. Noticing her escape, Alice was right on her heels.

Cheesy Bette? No, I dont think this is cheesy at all. I think that there are dedicated groups of people in this world who are different from mainstream society and are willing to do what it takes to take care of their own. I commend them for doing so. I support their effort – were part of that group Bette. We dont necessarily fit into mainstream society now do we? If we did, wed feel comfortable holding hands in any city not just West Hollywood.

As Tinas voice continues to rise Dana wiggles in her chair, silently cursing Alice and Shane for their escape and abandonment.
.
Standing now Tina stares down at the last remaining occupants at the table, You know what, forget it. Oscar and I will find a group to represent us, a group of women who are proud to be lesbians and proud to show that they not only support their own community and lifestyle, but they are willing to support the greater community – the needy children of both ***** and straight families. Tina spun on her heels and headed out the front door, I cant believe you people. I thought I could count on my friends to help me out, and even have some fun. Im obviously wrong in think Her voice trailed off as she exited the building.

After a moment Alice slowly poked her head out of the rest room door. Finding that the yelling had subsided, she grabbed Shane by the arm, Coast is clear, but Elvis appears to have left the building. Shane mouths What? at Alice not knowing what the ***** shes talking about. As they make their way back to the table, Shane frantically dabs at her eyes and cheeks to dry any remains of the tears caused by her and Alices hysteria just moments ago.
~*~
An hour or so later Bette stood from the table, Okay, so we all agree on this – right? I mean we have to be unified or

Dana peers up to Bette cutting her off, Yes, weve all agreed, were going to go through with it – no backing out.

The women nod their heads in agreement, Okay then, Bette, picks up her purse, Ill find her and let her know were in – right?

Yes Bette! Alice snaps, We said were in, well do it.

Okay, I just want to make sure she doesnt get hurt by someone backing out

Alice interrupts, You just want to make sure you get laid. Ms. come to the rescue, Ms. save the day, Ms

Bette purses her lips and blows a kiss to Alice before commenting sarcastically, Yea Al, you know me, always thinking with my crotch. Looking to the others, Okay Im off. Ill call everyone and well get together soon to discuss this with her. Leaning over Alice, But first I gotta go get me some. Bette winks, turns and smartly walks out the door.

Alice rolls her eyes, Whatever
~*~
The ladies were scattered comfortably throughout Bette and Tinas living room. Shane swung sideways in an over-stuffed chair with her legs dangling over one arm, while Alice sat Indian style on the floor below her. Dana took one end of the couch and tucked her bare feet up under her while Bette sat on the other end next to an empty over-stuffed chair.

Tina entered the room with her drink and sat down in the vacant spot next to Bette, Okay, so what we need to do is decide on the core team, which I imagine is the five of us.

Dana unhooks a foot and nudges Alice in the shoulder with it, Can fence sitters play on our team? I mean, hey, you havent officially chosen a side – right? Grinning broadly at her own humor, Should we let her play on our team girls?

Tina smiling at the kidding around, Yea, Alice gets to play on our team. Besides, a switch hitter may be a benefit to us.

Alice smiles up at Tina after flashing a ***** you look to Dana, Well thank you, from one switch hitter to another.

Bette grabs Tinas hand, I think Tinas switch hitting days are over – huh honey? as they share a gentle kiss.

Okay, ick! Shane side glances to Bette, What we really need is a team captain and I nominate you.

Oh ***** no! Bette drops Tinas hand, waving her own around in the air, I am not going to be the captain. That should be Tinas job – this was all her idea, and besides she is the official representative of The Center – right?

No way! Im not going to be the captain. The group begins exchanging glances until Tina and Dana shout at the same time, Alice!

What and have to mother you four – fuhgeddaboudit!

Tina jumped up and ran to the kitchen, Everyone stay where you are. A minute later she returned. Ive taken myself out of the race for captain by writing a number between one and one-hundred. Whoever gets the closest without going over wins, if everyone goes over, the closest wins, and you cannot choose the same number – obviously.

Tina hands the balled-up paper to Shane, Here you hold this. And go first.

Ah, okay eighty-nine.

Tina nods to Alice who quickly declares, Two.

Tina nods to Dana, Okay, umm Shane took eighty-nine, Alice took two

For the love of God Dana! Alice shouts, There are ninety-eight more numbers to choose from – just spit one out!

Sixty-nine – OKAY?!

Silence overtakes the room while the girls all stare at Dana for a moment. Alice cant control herself, winking at her goofy friend, Well okay, if you insist.

Dana covers her face with both hands, ARGH! Bite me Alice!

Smirking, Well, again, okay Alice stops as shes nudged by Tinas foot.

Bette, your turn honey. Tina looked to Shane and smiled, while waiting for Bette to answer.

Okay, Ill say forty-three.

All eyes flew to Shane who gently un-crumbled the paper and read, Forty-five. Turning her attention directly to Bette, Oh, dude thats harsh!

Bette looks at Tina with pleading eyes, Come on T, Im not right for
Tina hugged Bette hard, Youre going to be such a good captain, the team really needs someone so strong and confident to represent us.

Alrighty then Capn what should we call ourselves? Alice quips.