“What is this?” Bette asked.

Alice simply winks and walks away to her cubicle.

Shane strolls around the corner and says, “It’s an invitation”

“Hmmm. No. not for that party she has been annoyingly promoting since October?” Bette said as a mental light bulb went off.

“That the one” Shane agreed with a quick nod.

“Sigh if only I didn’t owe her a favor…” Bette lamented.

Bette Porter knew that going to this party meant wasting a valuable Saturday night.  Moreover, what is worse than that?, being in close proximity to Alice‘s best friend, Tina Kennard.  Bette never liked that girl.  Oh the miss goody-goody sunshine, I can’t handle snide remarks Kennard.  Bette believes that sometimes Tina should bring her self-righteous self back down to earth and face reality, instead of living in that utopia bubble she has formed around her.  She then quickly shoved the card into her briefcase and shuts down her computer.  She gets up and leaves her office to take the journey home.  Bette Porter was a department manager for a very hip good-sized Californian agency.  She took care of the directing, organizing, and planning of projects within the department.  Under her, she has a couple of good hands, of which Tina Kennard was clearly the most prosperous and sharpest knife of the bunch.  Although Bette didn’t like Tina much, she could not deny the talent that girl possessed.

As Bette was making her way around the corner deep in thought of where to get takeout from tonight, Tina was walking the opposite corner mentally reciting the ingredients required for tonight’s dinner.

SMACK

“Ouch”

“Shit”

Both rubbing her head trying to sooth the forming bump.

“Tina, please watch where you are going next time, you don’t want to get more people hurt than you have to” Bette said with a smirk.

“Ms. Porter, I believe you are not so innocent, that’s one advice you should give yourself,” Tina countered.

“Ah Ms. Kennard, what spicy curry for lunch can do to a young lady such as you is bewitching,” Bette replied.

“If you will excuse me, I have somewhere to be” Tina said as she hurried off towards the elevators trying to avoid another painful second in conversing with Bette.

“Yes don’t we all” Bette muttered.

Tina took off first, while Bette stayed one pace behind.  Both got on the elevator at the same time, retreated to their respectful side, and stared straight ahead while an uncomfortable silence blankets them.  As the elevator reached its final destination, both women got off and turned in opposite directions.

“Drive safely, and stay on the right side of the street,” Bette said without so much as a head turn.

“You too and don’t forget to stop at all the red lights along the way,” Tina yelled back.