LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Art gallery owner Bette Porter entered the Planet and placed her order at the counter while quickly scanning the café for her friends: reporter Alice Pieszecki, professional tennis player Dana Fairbanks and hairstylist to the stars Shane McCutheon. Seeing them seated at their table, Bette watched as Alice and Shane went at it back and forth with Dana looking on as if the conversation was a tennis match. Bette walked over to the three women and placed her coffee, fruit cup and yogurt on the table and sat down in an empty chair next to Shane.

“Hey guys.” Bette said while placing her purse by her feet.

“How come you’re late Bette, extracurricular activities last night?” Alice asked as she looked up from an article she was working on.

“None of your business, Al,” Shane quipped and took a sip of her double espresso.

Bette looked at Shane and grinned in her cup. “If you must know, I had my car detailed before I came here.” The three women knew how much Bette loved her blue Saab convertible and left the subject alone.

Dana, gently hitting Al on the arm, said, “Leave her alone.”

“Hey Bette… can I ask you a favor?” Shane placed her cup on the table and leaned in.

“Sure Shane, what’s up?” Bette placed her elbows on the table and gave Shane her undivided attention.

“Well, I have to attend a premiere tonight for a movie I was working on and I wanted to know if you want to come, you know, as my date.”

“Shane, you know Bette hates those things. How come I can’t go with you?” Al asked as she closed her laptop.

“Like I said earlier Al, because the last time I took you to a movie premiere, you went all-star struck and wouldn’t stop staring at Jennifer Beals and you scared her.”

“What? JB’s hot and she looks a little like Bette and it threw me off. If I promise not to get all star-struck will you take me?”

“No.” Shane stated.

“But Sha…” Alice crossed her arms, leaned back in her seat and stuck out her bottom lip.

“Geez, Alice. I said no. So, Bette how about it?”

“Can’t Dana go with you, Dane?” Bette asked as she took a sip of her coffee.