“Wow this is incredible.  Helena
do you live like this all the time?” Samantha asks looking at Helena.

“Darling believe me the view is nice
but it pales in comparison to the company. 
We could be in the back woods and still the dinner would be lovely
because of your company.” Helena
compliments Samantha.  “Now come on
please relax and sit down so we can begin.”

Samantha complies with Helena‘s request and sits down with her back
to the window.  “Oh please darling.  I get that view everyday.  Sit in the other seat so you can admire the
sunset and I can admire you.” Helena
insists. 

With that dinner began, Helena was charming and
in charge as they moved from course to course. 
She had picked an exquisitely cooked black olive poached monkfish with
wild mushroom rice and white asparagus. 
Samantha was enjoying the food at dinner but was leery of this
captivating Helena.  Just before they completed their dinner the
house phone began to ring.  Helena let out a gasp of
impatience as she ignored it.  The ringing
went on and on not stopping.  Whatever it
was it must have been important.  Finally
after the 20^th ring Helena
got up to answer the phone. 

“This had better be important for
interrupting my dinner.” Helena
fired into the phone.

Helena
listens a moment and then hangs up in disgust. 
“AGGGGHHH” Helena
screams after a moment of silence. 
Taking an additional moment to compose herself Helena rejoins Samantha
at the table.  “It would seem my dear we
are not destined to spend a quiet evening alone here.  We have been requested to evacuate the
building.  There appears to be a gas leak
somewhere and the fire department is going floor to floor to uncover it.  At this moment the entire building is being
emptied.” Helena
says all of this with a straight face.

At first Samantha can’t believe what
she is hearing.  But the look on Helena‘s face tells her
it’s true.  Her first thought is way to
go Shane but she didn’t want Helena
to see her joy so she disguises it with a nervous laugh.  “You are kidding right?  Are we in any danger?”

“No my dear I am afraid not in any
danger yet but I’m afraid our lovely dinner is.” Helena regrettable admits.

“OH OK” Samantha says as she lets Helena lead the way to
the door for the elevator.  Hitting the
button, Helena
paused for a moment and then cursed again. 
“Damn this!”  Turning Helena begins looking for
the door to the stairs.  This door was
hidden at first glance and Helena
had to hunt to find it.  Once located Helena opened the door to
the blinking strobe lights which must activate in emergencies.  Helena
once again let her displeasure be known at the stark light against the grayness
of the stairwell as they began their descent. 
The process took sometime with a sharp crescendo of obscenities pouring
from Helena‘s
mouth before they reached the final landing and opened the door out of the
building.