” Hey Carmen. Where’s your friend? ” Alice was a little tipsy and was slurring her words.

” Huh? ” Carmen didin’t know she saw Cris. “

Dana chimed in. ” You know the one that was at Milk the other night. “

” Oh…late. ” carmen ordered a beer and sat for a minute.

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Cris walked around the corner, she pulled out her cell to check the time. She knew she was late. Her manager/friend had cuaght up to her earlier and made her go to another bar with him. She looked up to see that she was about to pass the planet. She squeezed through the tight crowd at the door. and stopped to look around. Carmen wasn’t at the D.J. booth but sitting at the bar with two other girl’s. She walked up to them hesitantly and tapped Carmen on the shoulder. Caren turned around quickly.

” where were you? ” Carmen didn’t waste anytime putting on the third degree.

Cris smiled ” I was at Frantic. ” Carmen looked confused and was about to speak but Alice cut her off.

” That’s a straight bar. ” Cris turned to Alice and looked her up and down quickly before responding. “…..i know. And who are you? “

Alice held out an unsteady hand. ” Alice. Alice Piezecki. ” Cris took Alices’ hand and shook it slowly. “Cris, just Cris. ” Alice laughed and almost fell off her stool but dana caught her in time. Dana got Alice onto the stool again and looked at Cris and smiled in shame of her friend. ” I’m Dana Fa- ” Cris cut her of “Fairbanks, right?how are you?” Dana was flattered. ” You follow tennis? ” Cris laughed and shook her head ” Um. No. I follow hot athletes. ” Dana started to turn red and Carmen finally intervined

” Why were at a straight bar? ” Cris turned her attention back to Carmen. ” I was with a friend….my manager. He asked me to join him, I didn’t think i’d be there that long…I’m sorry. ” Carmen nodded her head but still looked upset ” What did he want? ” Cris moved closer to the bar preparing to order a drink. ” He just wanted to talk, you know. No big deal. ” cris ordered a beer and leaned against the bar. Carmen stared at her for a minute. ” Okay I have to get back over there, i’ll see you in awhile.” Carmen turned to leave and cris sipped her drink and realized Alice and dana were staring at her. Cris turned and smiled. ” Hi.”