Alice was pacing in front of her desk, the activity that had consumed most of her day; well, that and lots of Ben and Jerrys Coffee Heath Bar Crunch. She suddenly stopped, midstep, and scuttled into the chair. Finally a witty opening line worthy of her keystrokes! Okay, she just had to think for a minute, what was that big word that she wanted to use instead of reluctant? She took a few deep breaths, staring intently at the screen of her laptop, concentrating the activity of every brain cell in a staunch rebellion against the thesaurus laying atop her living room shelf. Three slow knocks at her front door interrupted her thoughts, eliciting a roaring *****! She was never going to get this piece written in time for her deadline; this was the worst writers block she had ever experienced in her career. She shuffled down the hallway, and too weary to see who was at the door through the peephole, just opened it wide. Then everything went black.

***

Bette rested her tired body against the street light pole. She noticed her cool, blue linen shirt was smudged with dust around the hem. I can probably sneak a nap in during the first movie or two, she thought, rubbing the pale brownness into oblivion. There was a car honk in the distance which she recognized as the Saabs and she snapped her head up. Thank god, her baby was fine, at least as far as she could tell from that distance! But for some reason the car was just standing 50 feet up the road, headlights blazing in the dim afternoon sunlight. What the ***** is she doing? Bette asked herself annoyed. Then it suddenly clicked: she slid one foot off the curb and extended her arm, setting her thumb upright. On cue, the Saab slowly rolled down the gentle hill. The passenger side window rolled down just as it approached Bette, and Tina was leaning over the passenger seat with one hand still on the wheel. Where ya headed, gorgeous? she asked smiling and squinting. Bettes exhaustion seemed to melt away in an instant. Bending over to rest her arms on the roof, her loose-fitting shirt billowed down, allowing Tina a generous view of her blue-lace covered *****. She smiled at Tinas reaction, arching a brow and swallowing hard, unabashedly ogling. She licked her lips seductively, Nice carwanna take me for a ride?

***

Everything swam slowly into view: voices that were jabbering off in the distance, clothes rustling and hurried footsteps, and then two women who looked so familiar. Alice groaned, shaking her head slightly and noticing to her dismay that there was something soft and silky in her mouthand it was wrapped around her head. *****! She was gagged and as she tugged at her hands realized that they were tied behind her back. Shane and Dana turned around as the sounds of muffled cries intensified and caught their attention. Alice was flailing around on the bed and looking very pissed. Shane handed Dana the black dress she was holding and walked over to Alice. She perched herself on the edge of the bed and looked at her sympathetically as Alice continued to squirm and strain against her bonds. Hey sorry about before, Shane began quietly, but this is for your own good She reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a handkerchief which she then pressed against Alices nose. Everything went black again.

***

Do you want some more fries, babe? Tina asked peering deep into the burger king bag. They decided to grab a fast-food dinner before heading to the movie theater to meet Alice for the sob fest. Bette shook her head and resumed her pacing in front of the ticket booth. Tina licked her fingers clean and held the bag out for Bette, Let me try and call again, maybe she was taking a nap or something Bette cradled the bag in her arm, sneaking a French fry every time Tina turned her back. Tina snapped her phone shut, her brow wrinkled with concern, Shes still not answering either one of her phonesIm getting kind of worried. Bette crumpled and free-throwed the empty bag into a nearby waste basket, Maybe shes writing and doesnt want to be disturbed, she offered, hopeful. Well, she cant call us and let us knowwe already bought the tickets! Tina said, slightly irked, brandishing the stubs. Bette shrugged her shoulders and resumed her pacing, casually now, You know how she is when she gets in her little zone, or whatever

Arms akimbo, Tina watched Bette walk back and forth, Well, lets go in then. Bette halted, looking aghast at Tina. Tina grabbed her hand, snaring her fingers with Bettes, Well, I dont want her to show up an hour from now and not find us herewell sit through the first one, and then were leaving. Upon reaching their designated theater, Tina walked down the aisle a ways and looked back at Bette. It was a beautiful, mid-century style theater, with ornate, gilded decorations and cushy red seats. Hey, theres plenty of room in the middle of this row, she whispered. But Bette was apparently enraptured with something overhead and didnt or didnt want to hear her. Tina followed Bettes gaze, her eyes finally settling on the object of Bettes fascination: the balcony. Tina retraced her steps to stand next to Bette, who continued staring into the dimness at the balcony. You wanna sit up th The last word caught in her throat as Tina was hauled toward and then up the stairs. Bette pulled her along to the first row, but looking back and noticing that the projection room would have a clear view of them, she marched them up to the seats smack dab in the middle of the balcony.

Tina: Wow, its such a great view from up here

Bette: (yawning) Yeah

Tina: What are you doing?

Bette: Going to sleep

Bette propped her legs up on the back of the seat in front of her and snuggled her head into Tinas shoulder.

***

Slap her harder! Dana shouted impatiently. Shane shot her a dirty look, then resumed her gentle patting of Alices cheek, Cmon, Alwake up, its party time Alices head suddenly jerked and her eyes fluttered open. Shane gave Dana a I-knew-that-would-do-the-trick smirk and unbuckled Alices backseat seatbelt. Shitmy head, Alice slurred as she rubbed a little bump near her hairline. Oh, pleaseI hit youwith a plasticketchup bottle! Shane said as she strained to help Alice out of the car. Alice wobbled a little on her feet, then squinted her eyes to focus on Shane and then Dana in turn. What the ***** is going on? she finally mumbled. Shane draped her arm around Alices shoulder and Dana grabbed a hold of her arm to help support her as they walked. They stopped in front of a glass window of some store and Alice gawked at her reflection, Holy shhhhhhhhit, she hissed quietly. She was wearing THE skimpy black dress, which she honestly didnt think she could pull off anymore (but somehow was, very well), some three inch heels that laced up to her knees which she had never seen before, and her hair

Alice: My hair?

Shane: Yeah I did that, I made it a little more voluminous in the front in case that bump got any bigger.

Alice: Shoes?

Dana: I picked those out! I figured you had the legs to pull it off.

Alice looked at both women, asking with her eyes what she could not say with her mouth. The corner of Shanes mouth lifted in her trademark way, Its show time. The pair escorted Alice to the door of some swanky-looking club called Paradise. Shane slowly knocked three times and the door flew open.