She quickly follows Bette out and into the hall. Once the door was closed Bette turns. “Finish this up and NO concessions.  Understand?”

Alice just nods her head she has been around Bette long enough to know that once Bette has struck a deal there was no changing it.  “Have I ever?”

Bette’s only response was a smile.  Turning to leave Alice perked up “Hey … Hey” This got Bette to turn around again.  “I’ve arranged a little celebration tonight at the Regency at 8 don’t be late!”

Bette chuckles and turns to leave waving at Alice tossing over her shoulder.  “To the Victor go the spoils.”

“Damn straight.” Alice replies before turning, heading back into the conference room to deal with all the losers.  ‘To the Victor go the spoils’ has been the theme that Bette lived her life.  This had become their motto after Bette recited it to Alice on Alice’s first day of employment with Bette.

Prior to working with Bette, Alice had been an attorney to the Peabody Foundation.  Alice had enjoyed her time at the Peabody with the position of first assistant to the person in charge of acquisitions and mergers, Helena Peabody. 

Helena was a powerful woman in her own right who had things to prove.  Helena had taken Alice in and showed her more than what business was about.  She had showed Alice a new way of life.  It was a life full of privilege but also full of pretty women, sexy women and hot women.  Let’s just say Alice had learned a whole new appreciation of women following Helena’s lead.  It was an opportunity of a lifetime for Alice, learning a lot about the art of deals.  She had been there over five years when one day she showed up to work just to be informed that she no longer had a job but needed to report to a hotel suite across town. 

Apparently Alice was the latest spoils to Bette’s victory.  Helena in one of her more bone head moves had made a bet with Bette on the outcome of a deal they were both vying over.  Helena knew that the Peabody offer on paper was far superior.  Helena had a few inside spies who had given her a peek at the spreadsheet that had summed up all the bidders.  This led to Helena’s incredible overconfidence.  That and the added desire to knock Bette down a peg or two was all it took for Helena to behave foolishly.