She cascaded out of the car and grabbing the ticket from the valet, pranced her way over to the door of Starlight, all with a new spring in her step and song in her heart.  As the door flew open, she immediately spotted Helena leaning against the bar; looking allwell, goooood!

Helena turned and acknowledged Alice with an excited, school girl’s smile, and began waving her over as if she wanted to show her something ‘randy’ she had found in her mother’s closet.  She lightly kissed both of Alice‘s cheeks on approach and turning her attention to the small group sitting on the other side, said, “Everyone, I want you to meet a friend of mine, this is Alice.”  Helena then proceeded to casually point to each of them, one by one, as she continued, “Alice, this is Sandra, Dylan, Daniela, and, I’m sorry, what was your name again, dear?”  The adorable, petite, model like creature pointed to her own chest and said, “Lacey, I’m Lacey, its nice meeting you, Alice.” 

Helena looked off and said, Lacey, yes, of course,” before leaning in and whispering, “The one I can’t, for the life of me, stand,” in Alice’s ear.  Alice gave a quick wave as Helena held up her drink and yelled out, “Another cocktail, same as this, over here,” while pointing downward over Alice‘s head with her free hand.  Alice had been looking around and said, “Helena, wow, I didn’t know you came in here.”

Helena continued to yell over the music, “Well why not?  Think it beneath me, do you?  You have me all wrong, Alice.  All wrong.  But, I will say that it can be pretty unbearable being out in the front like this, with this, this, music I guess you could call it.”

Helena grabbed the drink from the bartender and handing it carefully to Alice, yelled over, “We’ll be in the back.  Feel free to join us if you like.”  Without warning, Helena began making her way toward the back room.  Alice took a large swig off her cocktail so not to spill a drop, since it was obvious that it was just automatically assumed that she would follow suit.  She entered the, much more quiet and charming, candlelit back room and noticed Helena had already taken a seat at one of the back tables.  She walked over and put her drink down before sliding herself into the booth across from the European temptress.  “It’s much more civil back here, don’t you think, Alice?   Now we can catch up on the day’s events,” Helena said, as she reached into her bag and retrieved a package of cigarettes.  “Yes, it iscivilYa know, it’s funny, I didn’t take you for a smoker.” 

“Well, you’re learning all sorts of things today, aren’t you?”  Alice watched the smoke sputter out of Helena‘s mouth like a train cutting through a mountain on a cold December morning as she laughed.  Throwing the match in the ashtray before sliding it in front of her, she extended the pack.  “Would you like one?”  Helena winked and leaning forward, said, “Oh go on, Alice, live a little.  I promise not to tell your mother.”

Alice smiled coolly and taking the offered smoke, leaned forward, accepting the light that Helena had been gracious enough to have waiting.  “So then, Helena said, “Were you able to get my card to Tina?