Bette:  “Excuse…”

Woman:  “Watch it bitch!”

Bette:  “Pardon me?”

Woman:  “You heard me and give me that cup.”

Bette:  “First of all the name calling is unnecessary and second of all you’re not getting this cup.”

The woman, clearly larger then Bette stepped closer to her. 

Woman:  “I’m not going to say again.”

Bette:  “Good cuz neither am I.”

She gulped hard as the women inched closer and closer and began to hurl obscenities.  Thankfully someone stepped in.

MK:  “Whoa whoa whoa.  What’s the problem?”

MK, always the picture of composure, stepped between Bette and the drunken, belligerent woman.

Woman:  “This bitch took the last cup.”

MK:  “Ok well I’m sure we can find more around here.”

Woman:  “No don’t worry I’ll take hers as soon as I kick her ass.”

The woman pushed a little passed MK as she lunged towards Bette.  The threat of physical assault pushed MK over the edge as she grabbed the woman’s arm and slammed her against the wall.  The woman squirmed trying to get away but MK had her forearm planted firmly against the neck.  MK never raised her voice as she spoke.

MK:  “You will not lay a single finger on her.  Do you understand me?”

The woman nodded best she could in the affirmative.  Bette watched as the muscles in her arm flexed and her short rose a bit exposing her dark skin and still taught abs.

MK:  “I’m going to let you go and then you’re going to see yourself out.  Clear?”

Again she nodded.  MK let her go and the woman stumbled towards the door.  MK just stared at the wall.

MK:  “You alright?”

Bette:  “I’m fine.  Thank you.”

MK started to walk away.

Bette: “Wait.”

MK stopped but never turned to look at her.  She couldn’t.

Bette:  “I wanted to thank you for inviting me to your party.”

MK nodded for a moment then briefly turned to look at Bette.  Never in the eye, however.

MK:  “I didn’t invite you, Alice did.”

Then she turned and walked away.

Bette:  “Shit.”

Bette went immediately to find Alice.

Shane was feeling just as out of place at the party.  Sure there were plenty of women and the music was great but she was still in the home of the woman she left at the alter.  Her greatest fear was that she would run into Carmen.  It seemed like Halloween when she turned and ran smack dab into Carmen.  The two froze for a long while just eyeing each other.  Shane finally thought it was time to speak.

Shane:  “Hey.”

Carmen:  “Hello.”

Shane:  “This is a great party.  Thank you for inviting me.”

Carmen:  “Alice invited you, not me.”

She turned and walked away.  Shane too made a b like for Alice.  They found her in the corner having a rather intimate conversation with Tasha. 

Shane/Bette:  “What the hell is wrong with you?!”

Tasha rolled her eyes and walked away.

Alice:  “No don’t go.  Damnit!  What is the problem?”

Shane:  “They didn’t invite us.”

Bette:  “You said they invited us.”

Alice:  “No I said they didn’t say you couldn’t come.  I never said they invited you.”

Bette:  “Don’t mince words Alice.”

Shane:  “I just made a complete ass of myself Al.”

Alice:  “Calm down you two, ok.  This is no big deal.  Did they kick you out?  Either of you?”

Bette nodded no.  Shane shrugged.

Alice:  “So what’s the issue?

Shane:  “It’s uncomfortable.  I’m outta here.”

Alice:  “Wait, Shane.”

Shane was to the door and out before Alice could protest. 

Alice:  “Great.  You gonna storm out too?”

Bette looked across the room as MK and Carmen danced closely.

Bette:  “No I’m not gonna storm out but I am leaving.  Night Alice.”

Then Bette too followed.

Alice:  “Hell.”

TBC