Bettes eyes wandered around the establishment as she tuned Alice out. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw the pair that seat at a table nearby, clinched together tightly. Tinas sudden gasp of surprise told Bette shed seen the same thing.

Alice mercifully stopped speaking. What?

Um, nothing, Tina mumbled, her eyes darting away, then inadvertently straying back to the pair.

Alice followed her gaze and her jaw dropped as she saw Dana and Lara in a tight embrace. What the *****? Oh, ***** no! she said, jumping up, her hat flying off her head, revealing a staticky disarray of blond hair beneath that poked out in all directions.

Bette stood quickly and forced her back into her chair, accidentally stepping on the hideous hat in the process. No, Al. There might be some other explanation. Just calm down, and dont go off all half-cocked, as usual.

Alice angrily pounded the table with her fist, causing a fork to fly into Tinas lap, then winced, massaging her hand. Has everybody gone crazy? What the ***** is going on around here? She grabbed the edge of the table in her hands, saying, Thats it! Stop the world; I want off!

Bette chucked softly at Alices words, as well as the sight of her doing her mad scientist impression with her hair. Bette was just relieved that Alice wasnt doing anything rash…yet.

At that moment, Dana pulled away from Lara and tenderly pushed Laras hair out of her face and warmly kissed her on the cheek.

With a strangled cry, Alice leapt up and ran out of The Planet, unnoticed by both Lara and Dana, the ugly straw hat catching in a gust of wind and floating out the door behind her, as if following her.

Bettes cell phone chose then to ring. She smiled apologetically at Tina and stepped way from the table, glancing at her called I.D. It was Kit.

She answered to hear Kits frantic voice. Bette, hes gone!

Kit, honey, slow down. Whos gone? Bette asked in concern.

Melvin. Daddys gone, Baby Sister. Hes dead. Kits voice, catching on a sob, rang through the phone harshly into Bettes ear.

Bette felt the phone slip through her fingers heard it clatter to the ground, and then saw Tina, looking worried, hurrying toward her.

And that was all she remembered as the floor rushed up to meet her and the world turned black.