Helena
once again remembers last night before the interruption.  She had the pleasure of looking upon Samantha
with her child-like joy at the experience that Helena had orchestrated. 

“That’s what I need to do. 
Take Samantha with me.  We’ll go
somewhere.” Helena
said out loud as she opened her car door and fired up the motor.  “Yes” Helena
said she now had a plan, a map of what to do next.  Reaching for her cell phone she had
arrangements to make.

***

Jack had joined Tina and Bette as they made their way to the
Planet to grab some lunch and talk about what had transpired in court
today.  It had been quite a day but as
far as Jack was concerned things were still going according to plan.

Alice
had beaten them all to the Planet so the place was a buzz with the fireworks
that had taken place in court before Tina or Bette even made it to the
door.  Alice had done a great job of colorfully
portraying the events right down to the loud sound that had been Helena slapping her
attorney’s face.  Alice hadn’t heard what Jason Wanger had said
to invoke this response from Helena
but they all were guessing when Tina, Bette and Jack walked up.

“Do you think that he was telling her that she has finally
met her match?” Shane ventures.

“No I hope he was telling her that her skinny ***** is about
to get beat all over the court and she can’t do a thing about it.” Kit comes
back with.

“I think he finally told her what a looser she is and that
she’s the real one who needs to be in jail.” Alice starts.

“I really don’t care what he said I’m just glad that I’m
done with my part.” Tina inserts as the gang all turns and greets them.

“Hey Tina you rocked up there today girl.  I think you came off wonderfully.” Alice shoots back
reaching out to give her a hug.  “Can you
believe Helena?  I’m loving this court duty.  I never realized it could be so
suspenseful.  I can’t wait to see what Helena will do next
time.  I mean you could get good money
for this kind of show in the theater.”

Jack listens to Alice
go on and on, shaking his head.  While he
agrees with her, he knows that this is the unusual not the norm.  Pulling Bette to the side, “Bette I don’t
think Cramit will last long in jail.  I
give him two days at the most.  I still
have all of Norman‘s
testimony about the photographs to run through and the meaning of the Peabody
Foundation Stamp on the photos.  With
that it buys me a day even if he caves tomorrow the worst-case scenario is I
need Tina back by late Thursday but for sure first thing Friday.  Does that work?”