Bette gathers herself and heads out the door.  She arrives at Rose’s house and
knocks on the front door.)

ROSE-  (Opens the door.  Takes one look at her old friend and beamsshe’s
ecstaticshe holds out her arms)  ”Bette!  Hey lady come here!”  (They embrace
in a bear hug.  Bette is instinctively comforted.  It felt so good to be with
Rose again.  Rose ushers her into the house and closes the door.)  ”It’s so
good to see you!”

JOHN- (Comes in from the den.  He is a handsome brunette.)  ”Elizabeth Porter!”  
(He quickly approaches; they kiss cheek to cheek and hug, and look at each
other.)  You’re as striking a woman as when we first met, you realize that
don’t you?”

BETTE-  ”You’re holding up well yourself, lady lover!”

JOHN-  (They all laugh.)  ”What the hec took you so long to visit us again?”

BETTE-  ”I know, it’s been a while, but I was just drowning in work for the
longest time.  Just now I seem to have the opportunity to come up for air.  
It’s so good to see you both.”

ROSE-  ”Unfortunately, John has to leave even before dinner to get to work for
the night.”

BETTE-  ”Still working like a dog?”

JOHN-  ”It never seems to end.  We have to file papers tomorrow on a matter, so
what can I do?  I get the morning off tomorrow.  Whooo hoo!”

ROSE-  ”What is it with you two, you both ended up working for taskmasters!”

JOHN-  (Poking fun at Rose and addressing Bette)  ”Oh listen to her, Ms.
Senior Associate extraordinaire!   Like she never spent her fare share of all-
nighters at the “big firm’!”    

ROSE-  ”Yeah yeahsettle downcome on let’s sit”  (motions her to the chair).  
“Bette, after John leaves, we can catch up the rest of the night.”

JOHN-  (Speaks in a serious tone to Rose.)  ”Just do me a favor?  Call me every
once in a while as I slave away at my deskI may have questionsit’s a huge
deal and you’ve got all that cross-border experience with these transactions.  
I might just wanna run by a few things.”

ROSE-  (Jokingly)  ”Oh really?  And what’s my take?  My hourly rate is at
least $350.”

BETTE-  (Jokingly to Rose)  ”So you’re just gonna let the poor guy hang in the
wind?”

JOHN-  (To Bette)  ”She’s demanding you know.  Hey Wall Street princess, when
you become partner then we’ll talk.”

ROSE-  (Dismissing him jokingly)  ”Whatever little man”  (changes her tone to
comfort John)  ”I’ll call you, but ring when you need anything sooner, ok?”

JOHN-   You got it.  Bette, if you’re still here when I get home, we’ll have a
nightcap, otherwise we have to get together soon, got it?

BETTE-  Absolutely John.  Good luck with work tonight.”   (He kisses Rose and
then hugs Bette goodbye.  Bette felt uncomfortable when she first found out
that Rose and John were becoming close and then engaged and later married, but
she grew to like him very much.  He always treated her like a valued friend.  
At this particular moment she was relieved to be sharing this time with Rose,
who now motioned Bette to the table and sat next to her. )

ROSE-  (Half-jokingly)  ”If you ever make me wait this long to see you again
and I’ll permanently disown you as a friend, got it Porter?”

BETTE-  (She knew that in reality she would be visiting Rose far more
frequently if given leave and she knew that Rose was being too kind in a way
but also sincere.  Both friends knew they loved each other, and both knew and
accepted that this was a platonic love, one that would endure the tests of
time. )  ”Rosie, it’s so good to see you.  I really needed to touch base.”  

ROSE-  ”I know sweetie.  I know that things have been rough the past while”
(Changes tone) “those pricks, you should have left long ago.   I am so glad
you left.  This is a new beginning for you.  I can almost feel the relief
emanating from you.  Before you know it, you’ll be starting to relax and
starting to re-discover yourself and your life.”

BETTE-  ”It’s weird, it’s like I was going downhill with no end in sight and
couldn’t do a damn thing about it.  My work became everything and I just lost
focus, sacrificed any sort of a balanced life, and then my work started to be
my helllike a vicious cycle.”

ROSE-  ”I know exactly what you mean.  I was luckysomehow I didn’t lose that
balance you’re referring to.  I think having John in my life has had something
to do with that, but not in enabling it, rather making it easier to sustain.  
You can’t look to someone else to give you meaning and focus, but it sure as
hell makes it a little easier, and happier I guess.”  (She mentally realizes
the inevitable parallel to her friend and she examines Bette’s face)  ”Bette,
what else has been going on?I don’t think work is the only part of this story.  
Any special women in your life?”

BETTE-  ”Plenty of women, none special.  Nothing has changed.  Easy come, easy
go.  At first I found that rejuvenating, but ultimately I woke up one day and I
felt worn out, beleagueredI don’t know.  Isomething is unsettlingI don’t
knowearlier today I started remembering(she hesitates, knowing that Rose is
going to get hot under the collar)I started thinking about Bassey.”

ROSE-  ”Stop.”

BETTE-  ”No, it’s okit’s”

ROSE-  (Interrupts her)  ”That wacko, don’t bring her upfriggen hussy.  
Please Betteplease don’t tell me you’re finding yourself reminiscing about
that woman”

BETTE-  (Interrupts her overly protective friend..)  ”ROSErelaxit’s ok.  I’m
understanding that time more and more.”

ROSE-  ”It’s not okthat witch!”  (Rose wasn’t getting overly excited, they had
hashed this out before to some extent, but she was speaking with conviction.  
She was there for Bette when things were at their worsther and Alice picked up
the pieces.  But the professor’s handling of Bette hit a sore spot with Rose.  
Rose put great effort into not hurting her friend as they became friends.  She
knew when they were in school that Bette held a particular fondness for her.  
Rose did her damnedest to make sure she was the mature and steady one during
the development of their friendship, which given Bette’s complicated self-
discovery, was difficult at times.  Rose had to weather her share of passive-
aggressiveness from Bette, as well as the pure love that Bette always offered
up unconditionally, well, she thought, for the most part it didn’t have strings
attached.  Rose got them both through that and they remained friends.  It meant
Rose had to stick with her best friend through the most difficult timesdespite
her efforts, at times she felt inadequate as Bette’s friend, and sometimes
seeing someone like Bassey who could be close to Bette in that way, yet who in
her eyes abused that opportunity, was too much to digest.)

BETTE-  (A little sarcastically)  ”Ok, is it just me or did you break up with
her too?”

ROSE-  ”She wishes, that has-beenI would’ve nailed her to the wall, that old
woman (Rose chuckles.)”

BETTE-  ”Hmm, hell hath no fury”

ROSE-  ”I remember what she did to you”

BETTE-  (Consoling Rose, oddly enough)  ”She loved me”

ROSE-  ”NOshe let you love HER, and then she pulled the rug out from under
youthat piece of rubbish”

BETTE-  (Jokingly to her friend)  ”Rose, are you sure you didn’t have an affair
with her too?”

ROSE-  ”That old battleaxe?  Are you insane?”

BETTE-  ”Ah, not yetbut YOU’RE starting to worry me.”

ROSE-  ”Don’t you remember what she didI went to talk to her about what
happened.  Do remember what she did?  She practically through me out of her
office, but not before belittling you and making you sound like an immature
little childthat piece of shit.  She knew that the article you were both co-
writing meant the world to you, she knew what it would have meant for your
career, after all the admiration you had for her during school and then years
later finally getting to work closely with hershe knew what you had
investedshe knew”

BETTE-  ”She knew I didn’t love her, despite our brilliant love-making, and she
knew it wouldn’t work, andshe knew that it was going to take me longer to
figure it out and even longer to accept itit was best not to continue.”

ROSE-  ”Bette?  You didn’t love her?  What the hec are you talking about?”

BETTE-  ”Rose, you know I wasn’t IN love with her, at least notwell, I knew it
deep down early on…but fought against it.wouldn’t acknowledge it.  I think I
knew it shortly after we made love that first time.  It was such a painful
realization, such a painful feeling, a sinking feeling.  At first I thought I
just missed her, when I couldn’t see her more than once a daythen I thought it
was how first love feltand I guess it is something like thatbut I knew, in my
heart of hearts, that she would not be the one I would love last and love
forevershe was just the first.  It’s odd…after her I seemed to love women so
nonchalantly for some reason, and leave them with equal ease.  It appears to be
a habit I can’t break.”

ROSE-  ”You’ll know it when the woman to break that habit comes along.  Bette,
some people go through life without ever encountering the real thing, but
somehow, knowing your heart and your passion, well knowing the former much
better, I have a feeling you won’t be one of those people.  It’s trite but it’s
true- it’ll happen when you least expect it.  I think I’m understanding your
unsettled feeling a little bit better now.”

BETTE-  (Sarcastically)  ”Well, I’m glad someone understands.”

ROSE-  (Takes her hand.)  ”I love you very much.”

BETTE-  ”Yeah, I knowI love you too, I always have.”

ROSE-  (Almost startles Bette with her reactionshe exaggerates)  ”Elizabeth
Porter!!!  My God it’s a miraclewhoooooo hoooo(throws her hands up
cheering).”

BETTE-  (Jokingly and with curiosity..)  ”Ok, like what the fuck Rose?  You
haven’t even started drinking that French wine.”

ROSE-  ”You little shityou know exactly what I’m talking about.  There was a
time you were so unsure of yourself, so scared of who you thought you were, so
angry with the worldthere was a time you drove me bananas because you couldn’t
say those simple little words to meit frightened the hell of out of you and
you didn’t know what to do with yourselfdo you remember what you put me
through?  AHHH!!  How friggin liberating!  My how things have changed.”

BETTE-  ”Well that’s presumptuous.  Reading into things just a tad, don’t you
think?  You need to have some wine, my friend.”  (Looks at her)  ”Honestly,
give me a break Madame Freudyou always knew I loved you, just not like all the
OTHER women in my life ”

ROSE-  ”Oh come on Porter(overdramatic and mocking her a bit)  ”Every now and
then, being a good friend, I’d say, ‘I love you’and what would Porter
do?…nothingyou’d change the subjectyou were sooooo uncomfortable.   Little
miss ‘I’m going to conquer the art world’ and she couldn’t tell her best friend
she loved her.Imagine!”

BETTE-  (Chuckles)  ”You must have me confused with some other ditzy broad”  
(But she smiles and blushes, knowing full-well their history and the long and
winding road to their close friendship.  She looks at her intently)  ”You know
very well I didn’t and don’t utter those words to anyone unless it’s in very
rare and special times, this particular moment was a unique exception.  AS you
will recall, I find those three little words rather pithy and meaningless if
uttered other than at meaningful times, which doesn’t mean frequently.  
Unfortunately, I haven’t really had occasion to tell anyone I’m ‘in love’ with
them either.”  

ROSE-  ”You will one day, I’m sure of it, and woe the moment when it happens
it will be something to behold and I can’t wait.”

BETTE-  (Chuckling..)  ”Sounds like you’re going to enjoy it more than I will!  
And I thought we were getting too old for this romance stuff.”  (They both
laugh.)  ”Hey, I haven’t told you yetthe other nightwith the woman I was
telling you aboutshe works in a gallery.  We hit it off, not as lovers, but
get along really well and she wants me to work with her. ”

ROSE-  ”Were you going to wait until after dinner to tell me?  What’s wrong
with you Porter?  That’s great news. ”

BETTE-  ”If it works out, I’ll be sure and invite you guys to any receptions or
openings.”

ROSE-  ”We’ll be there for sure.  HeyI just rememberedwe are going to a
Rokmaninoff concert next Friday with some friends and have extra ticketscare
to join us, fancy art world lady, with Alice and Dana?  I assume they can stand
classical music for a couple of hours?  We ended up with way too many
ticketssome people bowed out after we planned it.”  

BETTE-  ”Oh, sounds good.  Count me in.  Alice will be happy to see you again,
although she’ll likely come just for thatI don’t think the music will be the
main draw.”

ROSE-  ”Just as long you don’t mind spending the night with the contingent of
lawyers in the group”

BETTE-  ”Shisters.  (Pulling her chain)  But I have a good friend who is a
lawyer, so I think I can bear it.”

ROSE-  ”Bette, with the woman from the gallerywhat happened?  Why did it end
so quickly, was she not to par in the lovemaking department?”

BETTE-  ”No, actually, the sex was greatexcept I got a little carried away.  I
got really caught up in the sex, and I think it was a little too noticeable to
her that I wasn’t caught up in her.  She’s a beautiful mature woman, and knew
thatwell, like the old lady Bassey, she knew right away that this didn’t have
the makings of a ‘relationship’ , and so did I, except I didn’t care.  Having
met me at the Planet, and taking me to bed so quickly, I can’t imagine she was
surprised.  But, I don’t know, maybe she didn’t realize she was hoping for
more.  It’s not like that feeling is a foreign concept to me either, but I’ve
come to expect that ‘more’ just isn’t a part of it anymore.”

ROSE-  ”I think it’s time we hit that wine.”  (Forever the shitdisturber, Rose
decides to rub it in a bitplayfully though truthfully she puts her hand on
Bette’s face)  I LOVE you.  

BETTE-  (After all these years this still elicited some redness in Bette’s
cheeksbut she’s got enough chutzpa to turn the tables on Rosie)  ”Alright
counsel, easy with the touching or my body may forget my deep-seeded respect
for you and you may need a whole pack of cigarettes to bring you down from the
intense high I’ll inflict on you by the end of the night.”  

ROSE-  (Rose turns redder than Bette, smiles profusely, but rebuts the
comment)  ”Ok, but what if John walks in?”  (They both break out laughing.  
Rose puts one arm around Bette as she guides her old friend to the food.  The
women share dinner and some more time together.  Bette goes home with her soul
a little refreshed.  Rose always had that affect on her.  After Bette leaves,
Rose goes to the phone and dials a number.)

ALICE-  (On the phone to Rose.)  ”Hello”.

ROSE-  ”Al it’s Rose.  She just left.”

ALICE-  ”Hi.  How did it go?”

ROSE-  ”Well, she’s definitely soul searching, and I think searching is the
operative issue.  Did she mention to you that she’s been thinking about
Bassey?”

ALICE-  ”BASSEY?  For crying out loudBassey?!  Great.  Ugh.  I’ll be really
happy if I never have to hear that woman’s name again.  But I guess anyone
reevaluating things will be thinking about landmarks in their life and
certainly she was one for Bette.  (She pauses)  Oh shit!”

ROSE-  ”What?”

ALICE-  ”Damn.”

ROSE-  ”Alwhat???!”

ALICE-  ”I think that’s my fault.  The other day we were talking about sexual
exploits and I made a crack about “mentors”, though not thinking about old
Bassey when I brought it up.”

ROSE-  ”Al, it doesn’t matter.  You’re right, anyone in Bette’s introspective
state would be thinking of those sorts of people in their life.  Look, I think
she’s going to be fine, as long as she doesn’t fall too far into a rut.  She
seems to be going in the right direction.  Did she tell you about the potential
museum job?”

ALICE-  ”Yeah, at brunch earlier today, but she was very vague about it.  She’s
not sure it’ll develop into anything.”

ROSE-  ”Well, I told her about the concert.  You and Dana are coming right?”

ALICE-  ”Yes.  Man, the things I do for Porter!  What’s this guy’s
nameRakimonoff?”

ROSE-  ”Rokmaninoff.”  (She chuckles.)  ”Don’t worry, I had no idea who he was
either- John is a fan.”

ALICE-  ”Ok, we’ll see you then.  Thanks for the call.  Later Rose.”

(They both were keeping an eye on Bette and it looked like she would be on
track and it would just take some time.

Bette’s week was uneventful.  She took stock of things, cleaned the house, took
long walks, and phoned Elaine.  She decided she would go in and see her in
about a week.  The gallery was having a reception the Tuesday following the
concert with Rose, and Bette was looking forward to both events.  She spent the
days before the concert that Friday taking it easy and reinserting herself into
every day life.  She was so exhausted after leaving her recent job that all
this time on her hands was needed to recuperate.

Alice did her best to sound surprised when Bette told her of Rose’s invitation
to the concert.  In the days prior to the concert, Alice, Dane and Shane
commiserated and checked in with Bette regularly.  The night of the concert was
quickly upon them.  The past couple of days before the concert had brought very
bad weather.  It had been raining almost non-stop.)

BETTE-  (To Alice on the phone)  ”Are you guys ready?  I can be there in 15
minutes to pick you up.  It’s raining like hell, but there shouldn’t be too
much traffic.  We should make it in time for the 8 pm curtain call.”

ALICE-  ”Yeah, what’s with the torrential rains?  This is going to be quite an
adventure.  Anyway, see you in 15.  Ok, bye.”  (Hangs up.)  ”D-A-N-Aare you
ready????!”

DANA-  (Coming into the room.)  ”It’s a nightmare out there.”

ALICE-  ”Bette will be here in 15 minutes.”  (She surveys Dana and walks up to
her.  Smiling, she takes her hand and delivers a soft kiss.)  ”You look great
Ms. Dana.”

DANA-  (Kisses her backthen admonishes her)  ”What was the price again for
staying awake during this concert?….1 week breakfast in bed?”

ALICE-  ”Hey, that’s not exactly punishment, mon amour!”

DANA-  (Sarcastically and jokingly)  ”If you’re cooking, I beg to differand
just think, I was supposed to benefit from the deal!!!”  (She posts a sly smile
to Alice).

ALICE-  (Feigns incredulity)  ”Oh stopmy omelets DanaMY omeletshow can you
even think of them on the same plane as punishment?  I’ll have you know that
many a lover before you succumbed to the power of my omelets”

DANA-  ”And what was the final tally?  How many lovers deceased?”

ALICE-  ”Ugghh!!!!”  (She screams and laughs with Dana at the same time)  
“Honestly, what would you and Porter do without me?”

DANA-  (Pretending to think about it) “Well, I guess things would be more
peaceful”

ALICE-  ”Ok, enough already.”

(Bette arrives after 20 minutes.)

ALICE-  (Opens the front door letting Bette in.)  ”Woe, get in here, that rain
is going to flood the place.”

BETTE-  ”It’s bad out there.  You guys ready?”

DANA-  ”All set Bette.”

ALICE-  ”Alright, I’ll go first, open the umbrella, and we go.”  (They make it
to the car and drive over to the concert hall.)

(Bette drives up to the entrance and asks Alice to go ahead while her and Dana
find parking.  Alice, with umbrella in tow, heads for the front entrance
through the heavy rain.  She looks around for Rose and finally sees her.)

ROSE-  ”Alice!”  (They hug.)  ”It’s good to see you.  (She cuts the
pleasantries short.)  ”Where are the others?”

ALICE-  ”They’re parking the car.”

ROSE-  ”Listen, we have a minor emergency.  I’m here and Dave and Melinda are
on the way, though they’re not answering their cell, but my husband is stuck at
the office.  What’s worse is that one of my friends has had a flat tire in a
remote area well before the expressway.  I thought John would be able to go and
help but he can’t, and my friend is stranded waiting for help to arrive.  The
storm must have caused havoc because everything is slow moving.  I’m worried.  
Do you think you guys can help?”

ALICE-  ”Sure, I’ll go get Bette and let her know what’s happened.  Where
exactly is your friend?”

ROSE-  ”Well, I wrote down the directions, have a look.”  (She’s showing her
the directions and giving her details as Bette and Dana arrive.)

Bette-  ”Hi, what’s happening?”  (She kisses Rose.)

ROSE-  ”It’s just awfulBette do you mind taking Alice and helping my friend?”  
(Alice cuts in)

ALICE-  ”Her friend is stuck with a flat tire out there.  I’ve got directions.  
We’ll have to go perform a rescue.  CAA and emergency services are apparently
flooded with calls.”

BETTE-  ”Of course, don’t worry Rose, we’ll take care of it.  Dana, why don’t
you stay here with Rose?”

DANA-  ”Absolutely, are you sure you don’t need me with you?”

ALICE-  ”No, it’s ok hun, stay here with Rose.”

ROSE-  ”Thanks so much guys, I’m really sorry about this.”

BETTE-  ”Don’t worry, everything will be fine.  Come on Alice, I’m parked in
the underground parking garage.”  (To Rose and Dana.)  ”Well call you on the
cell to let you know how things are going.”

ROSE-  ”Thanks Bette, thank you Alice.  Dana, thanks for staying with me.”

DANA-  ”Don’t mention it.  I’m sure everything will be fine.”

(Bette and Alice hurry to the car.  The pair drive for half an hour.  Later, as
they’re driving via Alice giving Bette directions)

BETTE-  ”I can’t believe this rain, it’s totally pouring.  Ok, which way here?”

ALICE-  ”Make a left.”

BETTE-  ”Where the hec was he driving in from, this is far from the freeway.”

ALICE-  ”She.”

BETTE-  ”What?”

ALICE-  ”She, it’s a womandamsel in distress.”

BETTE-  ”Oh.  Well, I hope she’s ok.”

ALICE-  ”Rose said she was away on business and decided to drive back into the
city and head straight for the concert, otherwise she wouldn’t have made it in
time.  Looks like we’ll be missing the concert in any event.  Well, I think
we’re almost there.”

(They come upon a stretch of road and see a stalled car, with the driver still
battling the tire.)

ALICE-  ”What the fuck is she doing?  Why isn’t she waiting in the car???!!!”

BETTE-  ”Oh my God, she’s still trying to change the tirewhat on earth is she
thinking?”

ALICE-  ”I’ll get the umbrella.”  (Alice stops the car and they both get out.  
The umbrella is almost moot, given the wind and the heavy rain.   The rain is
coming down pretty hard on them.  All communication is basically being somewhat
yelled.  About 30 feet from the now drenched woman, Alice yells out to the
stranded damsel, who is now fighting her tire and grappling with the tire
jack)  ”Hey, are you ok?  Hello therewe’re Rose’s friends.”  (Yelling at
Bette through the wind and rain.)  ”Okaythis is going to be funlooks like
she’s pretty stubborn that tire clearly can’t be changed in the middle of a
friggin hurricane”

BETTE-  ”I wonder if she’s one of Rose’s lawyer friends.”

ALICE-  ”Great, I’m getting drenched, and by the looks of things, in danger of
getting drowned, to save a lawyer?”  (She yells out to the woman)  ”Hey, hey
thereMiss(to Bette)”what did Rose say her name was?”

BETTE-  ”How should I know, I wasn’t there yet when Rose was telling you.”

ALICE-  ”frigI can’t rememberOH, yeah, got it”  (Yells out to the woman)  
“Hey, Ms. Humdardyou can stop that now, your rescuers are here.”

BETTE-  (As they approach, the woman turns)   “Are you ok?”

WOMAN-  (On her knees, holding and crowbar and exasperated)  ”I can’t believe
this is happening to methis damn tirethis is ridiculousand you people, I’m
so sorry you had to come out herethis is awfulwhy the fuck do they make these
things so difficultdamn it”

ALICE-  (As both Alice and Bette stand about 5 feet away from the distraught
“Ms. Humdard”)  ”Hey, hey now, it’s ok Ms. Humdardwe’re here nowyou know you
can just leave the tire, lock up the car and we’ll get you into the citythe
car service can come by and take care of everything”

WOMAN-  ”This is awfulIugghhh”  (She shakes the crowbar.)  ”I don’t believe
thislook at me”

BETTE-  (She was lookingand somehow no words came to mind.  She just stared at
this woman falling apart with a crowbar in her hand and now getting a closer
look at her face.)

ALICE-  (Looking at Betteand making a face to Bette indicating she thinks the
woman is crazyand then looking back at the woman)  ”It’s ok honeyjust put
the crowbar downjust take it easy and no one will get hurt.”

BETTE-  (She moves a little closer, rain pouring down her face, and kneels)  
“Hi…”  (She grabs one of the arms of the crowbar and looks directly into the
Woman’s eyes.)  ”Why don’t we just put this in the trunk, lock everything up
and get out of here.  Rose will kill me if I don’t get you back safely.”

WOMAN-  (She fixes her eyes on Bette, trying to focus through the obstinant
rain and wind and lets go of the crowbar.  Bette seems like an imposing figure,
a woman with a presence, even in the midst of a stormthe woman wasn’t quite
sure why she was noticing this)  ”Yeah okyou’re probably rightI’m sorryI’m
usually not so helplessI can’t believe I couldn’t get the tire changedand
Rose is going to kill MEdragging you guys out herehow awfulwe’re going to
miss the concert”

BETTE-  ”It’s ok, there will be other concerts.  Are you a fan of Rokmaninoff?”

ALICE-  ”Excuse me, ladies, I hate to break this up but do you think we can get
back to our carit’s getting kinda cold.”

BETTE-  (She extends her hand to the woman, who takes it, and they rise up
together.  The woman smiles and Bette smiles in return.  Their hands remain
embraced.)  ”Our car is just over thereare you ok?”

WOMAN-  (She lets go of Bette’s hand.)  ”Yes, thank you, I’m fine.  I can’t
thank you guys enough for helping me out.  You must be good friends of Rose.”

BETTE-  ”I’m just glad we could help.  Yes, we’re very good friends.  I’ve
known her a long time.”  

TINA-  ”She’s great, isn’t she?  She’s been such a good friend to me.”

BETTE-  ”Yeah, she’s really loyal and reliable(Their conversation continues.  
The rain was somehow just background as they continued the conversation.  But
for Alice, the rain was fairly obvious.  She starts picking up the crowbar and
putting stuff in the trunk.  Bette suddenly notices that she had abandoned
Alice and breaks the conversation)  ”Al, sorry let me help”

ALICE-  ”Ladies can we please move this social hour to the car?”

WOMAN-  ”I’ll lock up the car.”

ALICE-  (Smilingto Bette, as they walk over to their car)  ”Porter she’s
straight.”

BETTE-   (She frowns)  ”Alice!  What do I care if she’s straight?”

ALICE-  (She looks at her right in the eyes)  ”She’s straightRose told me
when she was giving me the directions that crowbar lady here was originally
coming with her boyfriend but something came up and he couldn’t make it.”

BETTE- “I repeat, what the hec do I care?I’m just helping herI can’t believe
you, we’re in the middle of a rain storm and you’re more interested in making
me out to be a skirt chaser.”

ALICE-  ”Bette, I’m not saying thatbut we’re stuck in hurricane friggin Hazel
and you’re staring at her like you’re looking at a sunset in Napa Valleyand,
might I add, making small talk as rains of biblical proportions come to sweep
us away”  (Taunts her)  ”Are you a fan of Rokmoniffooof?….Oh that’s
precious.”

BETTE-  ”Don’t be ridiculous.”

ALICE-  ”Just don’t say I didn’t warn youshe’s straightgaydar on the fritz my
old friend?”

BETTE-  ”Alice stop itshe was just upset and I was trying to calm her down”

ALICE-  ”Good thing she seemed like she was awe struck or she would of hit you
with that crowbar”

BETTE-  ”What???”

ALICE-  ”She looked like a deer in headlights for a few moments there.  Alright
Porter get in the car.”

(The woman approaches.  Alice puts her in the front seat.  All three of them
are soaked.  Alice gives the woman a blanket she pulled from the back of the
car and calls Dana on the cell phone.)

ALICE-  ”Dana, it’s mewe’re fine, we just picked her up.”

DANA-  ”Thank goodness.  Rose says if you don’t mind bringing her to our place
or Bette’s and then Rose can pick her up tonight.”

ALICE-  ”That’s ok, we can take her home.  Or Porter can do it, I’m sure she
won’t mind.”

DANA-  ”Ok.”

ALICE-  ”How is it you answered your phone?  Aren’t you in the concert?”

DANA-  ”No, Rose and I waited outside, her other friends finally came and got
their tickets, but Rose was anxious and we got to talking and we ended up
hanging out here in the reception area.”

ALICE-  ”Ok, well we’ll come by to pick you up.”

DANA-  ”Rose is going to take me home, so I’ll see you there.”

ALICE-  ”Well we’ll just come straight there then.  See you there, bye.  Ok
ladies.  We’re going to my place.  Ms. Humdard, you can dry yourself up there,
I’ll give you a change of clothes and then when we’re all set, our Ms. Porter
can drive you home.  Rose is going to drive Dana home, so we’ll probably run
into them there.”

WOMAN-  ”Thank you so much.  That’s great.  I really appreciate this.  So we’re
going to Dana’s house as well?”

ALICE-  ”As well?  OhDana lives at my housewe live together.”

WOMAN-  ”Oh, ok.  Say, ‘Alice’ is it?”