Summary of the previous chapter: Alex tells Bette in no uncertain terms that Bette is a horses *****.

Bette drove back home preparing to tell Tina that she was sorry for leaving. It occurred to her that maybe she should tell Tina how insecure she felt about the money issue. Alex was right, Bette definitely correlated her self esteem with her net worth. She was certain that Tina would never love her if she were poor. What would people think of her if she were poor?

When Bette arrived home, she noticed immediately that Tinas car wasnt in its usual parking spot. She went inside with a heavy heart and found her fears confirmed as Tina was not home. Immediately Bette assumed that Tina had gone to meet Helena. Bette sat on the couch and thought about the fact that Tina was out ***** Helena.

Even though she had left a message the previous night announcing that she was taking the day off (even though she only told Tina she was taking off the morning – the afternoon was a surprise if all went well), Bette decided she might as well go in to work. There was no point in staying home now. Why sit there and think about Tina and Helena ***** on the yacht when Bette could go to the CAC and deal with the impact that Helenas wealth had wrought there.

Bette Porter had one overwhelming trait [authors note: and this trait is one of the things I like most about the character Bette], Bette had pride. Having Helena holding so much power over Bettes job sickened her. She hated having to suck up to Helena for the CAC. Given the circumstances that Helena was flaunting her wealth to seduce Tina as well was just too much.

Alex had once asked Bette if it didnt bother her pride to have to suck up to people to get money for the CAC. When Bette ran a gallery, did it bother her pride to have to suck up to people to get them to buy, what Alex often considered, overpriced ugly stuff? Alex who was no connoisseur of modern art said something to the effect of : oh please, sir, will you buy this painting so that I can put food on the table for my children? I know it looks like something that was vomited upon a canvas, but I need money.

Bette had never perceived it that way. She had always seen it as a game of manipulation. To her it wasnt asking for money as much as it was outsmarting someone into opening their wallet. Isnt that what capitalism is all about? This had earned her a bullshit from Alex who thought the price of the art was ridiculous. Alex did, though, admire the concept of, as she put it, manipulating some wealthy ***** who thinks that they are smarter than everybody else because theyve got a few bucks. Given Alexs dislike of the upper class, it was no surprise that she had developed an instantaneous hatred of Helena.

When it came to the CAC, Bette could easily justify asking for money. It wasnt like she was asking for money for herself. She was requesting donations so that the gift of art could be displayed for the masses. Why should fine art be something seen only by the wealthy? Bette was simply helping give a gift to the people who couldnt afford to own the art displayed. Naturally, Alex told her that was a crock of *****. Where not these donations the funds from which the CAC was able to pay Bettes salary?

At least one good thing was coming out of this day. If Helena was out on her yacht with Tina, she wouldnt be hanging around the CAC subtly reminding Bette had she had control over Bettes job.

It was with sadness in her heart that Bette changed into one of her power suits and drove to work. As she exited the Saab, she squared her shoulders and put on the game face. Bette had her pride, she wasnt going to show weakness.

Once in her office, Bette began tackling work as best she could. Her brain fought between trying to focus on work and focusing on Tina and Helena. *****, Helena had probably already started a college fund for their kid, Bette thought to herself.

While Bette was on her way to the CAC, Alex was getting another visitor.

T-bird. To what do I owe the distinctive pleasure of your beautiful company?

Alex ordered Tina to make herself comfortable while she got a Perrier with lime for Tina and a glass of wine for herself. She then sat on the same couch at which she had earlier sat with Bette and listened to Tina tell her version of the events that had happened with Bette. What Bette had not told Alex, because she had not known, of course, was that Tina had left their house and gone to the Planet to see if Helena would show up there. If so, Tina was going to give Helena a piece of her mind. It was something that she wanted to do in person rather than on the phone.

So, Lady ***** Bells managed to piss you off, huh?

I cant help the sinking suspicion that she called our house because she knew Bette had taken the morning off work. She never calls our house; she has always used my cell phone.

So, you think that Lady ***** Bells was trying to stick a knife in our Bettys gut?

I think so. What do I do?

Im the wrong person to ask for advice here. You know that as far as I am concerned, you should stuff the ***** into a bag of manure and toss her overboard her damn yacht.

Thats no help, Alex.

Make the world a better place.

Be serious.

I mean that seriously, but okay. My advice is that you go to the CAC and let Betty apologize for being an *****.

How do I know that she wants to see me or that she wants to apologize?

Because, you are visitor number two to my couch today. *****, I gotta leave town soon. Im putting Alice out of business.

How do you know Bette went to work?

Where does Betty always go when she is bothered by something?

True.

I dont know, T-bird. I really do seriously think that I should stay out of this. Im biased on this one because I just cant stand Lady ***** and Damnation.

I thought she was Lady ***** Bells?

I like to change things sometimes for variety.

Why do you hate Helena so much?

Besides the obvious?

Yes, Alex besides the obvious.

Shes a vulture. Shes a maggot. She isnt high enough on the food chain to hunt for herself. She feeds off the kills made by higher animals.

Where do you develop these analogies?

Too much time reading National Geographic. Its my choice of bathroom reading. Anyway, Im serious. She has to prey on your relationship with Bette when it is in turmoil. Thats just plain cheap. To me it is the equivalent to maggots that feed on dead bodies. If shes so ***** all that why cant she pursue someone who is at an equal stage, why must she pursue someone who is vulnerable because they just had their heart stomped upon?

Maybe she wanted to be the Knight in Shining Armour who would rescue me from my pain?

You cant honestly believe that Crock of *****. I would bet you every drop of booze that I drink in the next month that the ***** isnt capable of feeling that much kindness toward another human being. And you know how much I value the booze I will drink within the next month.

You drink too much Alex.

Its in the bible. It says to take wine for the stomach.

Oh, sure Alex. Youre such a religious person.

Besides, T-bird dont you think that Lady Id Kill Her if I Found Her Alone in a Dark Alley with No Witnesses, is going for overkill?

What do you mean?

Oh come on, you know that the piece of trash loves to hang out over at the CAC and gloat about how much power she has over Bettys future there. Now she wants to gloat that she is banging Bettys wife. Face it, shes a sadistic nutcase.

I knew Helena had pulled funding from the CAC, but I didnt know the rest of it.

Yeah, well your Scumbag to the rescue has been doing exactly that. She gets off on having power over people. ***** must have one ***** of an inferiority complex or shes not human, take your choice. I just say we should shoot her and leave her for the vultures. Dog eat dog, so to speak.

Alex, youve been writing about a war again havent you.

No actually, Vlad Dracul, i.e. Vlad the Impaler. He was a Wallachian King who served as the model for Bram Stokers Dracula because it was rumored that he drank the blood of his victims. As far as I know there is no historical proof to support that. It was just a nasty rumor started by the Turks to make him look bad, as if the Impaler needed help in looking bad. It is sort of like the rumor started by the Germans that Catherine the Great was such a ***** the only that could satisfy her was ***** a horse. Anyway, I digress. The point is that she may have been ***** you literally, but mentally she was ***** with Betty.

I think you might be going a little far, Alex. You didnt see what she was like when we were together.

Of course not, T-bird. Im not bulimic.
What?

I dont need to make myself vomit after eating and quite frankly seeing the two of you together could have that affect on me. I know that Betty can be a jackass at times, but I still would rather see you with her than with that insult to Her Majestys Queendom psychopath.

Alex, Im going to go out on a limb here and ask if your hatred of Helena isnt a little bit personal.

Whats more personal than what she is doing to you and Betty?

Its more than that.

You know me, T-bird, Im an old school communist. I think people like her are parasites who live off of the labor of others while contributing nothing to society. What the ***** has that maggot ever done for humanity besides going around committing evil?

Helena is very active with several charities.

Indulgences.

What?

Indulgences. The Catholic church used to sell them, sort of like a Get Out of ***** Free card. Alex looked thoughtful for a second, actually I think they technically only applied to purgatory. Anyway, if you paid the Church enough money, they would put in a good word with the Big Guy to get your sentence reduced. It was one of the things that pissed off Martin Luther so much that he started that whole Protestant thing. That, of course, led to, among other things, Henry the VIII and the Church of England. Who but a rich guy could start a religion just so he could dump a broad?

Alex, you are the only person on earth who could relate a discussion on my marital woes to the Protestant Reformation. You cant hate Helena just because she inherited money.

Im sorry, T-bird. I am from immigrant stock, everything they had they earned by the sweat of their brow and the strength of their back. Everything I have, earned by hours of research and writing. I just have a serious problem with people who do nothing to justify their existence except inherit money. I could probably handle it if they admitted they were a worthless, lazy, worm. They dont; instead they lord it over people as if it makes them better. Im a student of history, 99.99999999999% of all the evil in the world was done by the rich. Who owned slaves? Who started the wars and sent poor mens sons to die?

Now you are blaming Helena for history.

No, Im not. Im blaming her for the fact that she uses her money for evil and she is using it to ***** with you and Betty. Shes a ***** and I hate her. Bottom line, it aint gonna change. Now, youd better go and find Betty before you end up spending all afternoon listening to my soapbox. You know how I can get.

Tina smiled. Yeah, Alex, I know how you can get. I also know that you mean well even if you verbally go about it in a round about way.

Tina leaned over and kissed Alex on the cheek. Thanks for caring so much. I enjoyed the history lesson, but I know that what sends your blood into boil mode is the fact that you think she is preventing Bette and I from being happy.

Go find Betty. Alex said as she smiled at Tina.