I kept track on how many times Tina would sneak a peek at her right side where Bette was. But no luck at the stare-a-thon to get a final lock down on eye to eye. Each and every time Tina looked, Bette was still chatty because Bette was just too good at pretending she’s also not looking at Tina every single minute.

Their little hard to get game was so lame that I felt the need to do something again. You know, give them a little push and shove. Besides, Tina was a little bit under the influence and the opportunity for a little questionnaire was just a complete sin to pass.

“So Tina, ‘nough bout work huh? How’s it going with Eric?”

“Alice, I picked up from earlier that you ask me too much about my relationship with Eric.”

Uh-oh. Busted.

“Sorry Tina, I didn’t mean to you knowbe a little nosey”

“Don’t be ridiculous Al! I was just messing. Besides Eric and I are good. We are. I mean, we’re really comfortable with each other and it’s good. Good. You knowgoooood. So good. Me and Eric are.” I couldn’t help but laugh a little because seeing Tina do drunk talk was just hilarious. Almost to the point of doing honest-drunk talk. Almost there.

So now it was like God just handed me time and power on my hands and I was in complete control of any kind of situation from this point on. It was awesome. Dinner had to end sometime soon and before I know it, my plate of salmon and green stuff were swept thoroughly away. The tables were clean and clear and artists and other guests started to stand up and go around the gallery for a quick look around. And there we were, just me, Dana, Tina, and Tina’s wine glass sitting at the table completely alone. Bette was in one corner completely bombarded with art fanatics and Eric was in another corner talking the same thing.

Tina was in a trance, just starring down her glass of wine with a lost look on her face. She looked at Eric on the corner, then Bette on the other end of the corner. Her choices, both laid literally flat right in front of her. Eric or Bette. I just had to do something. Push her buttons or something. Get that alcohol in her blood flowing again in hopes that it might ignite an emotion or a reaction of some kind.