It’s a nice morning. Everything seems to be fine at The Planet: coffee smell, tables filled, a busy wait staff…- except for Dana- who is sitting alone, staring at the nowhere, one hand holding her head, the other stirring her low-carb cappuccino , that is as full as the beginning.

Shane enters The Planet and watches the sad scene, shaking her head a little; she goes to the counter, orders her coffee and then sits opposite to Dana. After checking with her hand that Dana is“there”, she asks:

“Sooo… have you talked to Alice?”

“No”. –Dana’s answer is robotic.

“Well, you should” Shane says nonchalantly as she sips her coffee.

“How!, how am I supposed to do that?!”- Dana seems to wake up:

 “It’s been four days Shane, FOUR FUCKING DAYS! She’s never in the apartment or at least that’s what she wants me to believe, she’s not taking my calls, not even on her answering machine for Christ’s sake! She’s never here either, oh, and at her job -shaking her head in disbelief-… i can’t even tell when she gets or leaves the place it’s like she’s fucking disappeared from the face of the earth …FUCK!”  She throws her hands in the air in desperation.

 “That sucks man” – Shane nods thinking- “but why the hell did you…”

“Hey, you’re not drinking your cappuccino I made it especially for you! Oh hi Shane” Lara chimes in as she stands next to Dana.

“Hi….LARA” Shane glares at Dana.

“You know what? give me that, -Lara takes the cup from Dana-  I’ll get you something to eat, I’m not gonna let you go to your practice on an empty stomach ok?- she preaches-. I’ll be right back”.

Shane keeps glaring at Dana.

“What! It’s not what you think, Lara is just my friend and she’s been helping me with this ok?, Jeez!”

“I can see that” Shane mumbles rolling her eyes –now Dana is the one glaring.

“Look, I  just don’t think is a good idea to tell Lara anything about you and Alice ok?” warns Shane.

“Why not? She’s my friend and friends are supposed to help each other right? Dana retorts.

 “Ok, tell me something smart ass, how do you know she just wanna be your “friend” Huh?” Shane inquires.

“I told you, everything is clear between us Shane, we are only good friends that’s it, there’s nothing to worry about”

Shane sighs in defeat “whatever” –she stands up, takes Dana’s shoulder and whispers in her ear- “put your shit together Dane… and soon!, I know what I’m talking about”. Said that she starts moving out from Dana –“oh, by the way”- she turns around walking backwards- me and Carmen will be at Milk’s tonight, you should come maybe that could cheer you up”

“Ok, ill think about it…,”says Dana with lack of enthusiasm.

Shane waves as she leaves the place.

Dana continues in her numb state ‘till Lara comes, healthy snacks in hand.

“Now this is for you, eat them all”

“Uh? Oh, ok …thanks” she cracks a smile.

“Dana, you can’t be like this forever” -she takes a seat by her side- “you have to think in something else, go out and have fun for a change… -she stops in thought- “I know! I’ve heard about this new exotic restaurant, they have all those weird and interesting dishes I wanna try…come on! It’ll be fun”- holding Danas arm and with a sweet smile across her face.

“Mmm…well… Ok”

“Good, ill pick you up after work ok?

Dana just nods thinking that maybe she might really have fun this time.

————

Meanwhile in Alice’s apartment, she’s at her laptop, not really working but switching from sad to angry.

 “Great, you are here suffering while she’s with that bitch”- Alice mutters as she wipes her tears away- “oh no, no, you have to do something Alice” now biting her nail.

Suddenly she looks at the screen in front of her, which has the chart in it, putting special attention to one name, she squints and slowly an evil smile starts emerging on her face. She then grabs her cell phone and dials some numbers.

 “Hello?… Hi! Yes, this is Alice, how’ve you been…”