Dana looked down obviously taken aback and a little nervous.  She knew she couldn’t ask Alice to keep up the charade for much longer.  Not only was it not fair to Alice, but it was also not fair to the women Dana was fast becoming friends with.

Bette entered the restaurant and spotted Dana and Alice.  Dana seemed a little sad and Alice a little hurt.  Bette looked at the peculiar behavior of her friends as she approached the table when a tall and beautiful woman stopped her.

Avon:  Hey aren’t you friends with Shane.

Bette: Uh, I’m sorry do I know you?

Avon: I dated Shane three weeks ago; I met you at Henrietta’s. 

Bette tried her best, but couldn’t recall so she did what any self-respecting New Yorker would do; she lied.

Bette: Of course! I’m sorry, I’m a little scatter brained today.  How are you?

Avon: I’m looking for Shane. Have you seen her?

Bette: Well, not really. I think she’s at a club in Soho tonight.  I can’t remember which one.

Avon’s eyebrows arched up: Really you don’t happen to know if she’s with anyone do you?

Bette: You know, I think she might be.  Give her a call; I’m sure she’ll pick up.

Avon didn’t bother responding.  She stared at Bette and stormed out of the restaurant.

Shane seeing Avon leave headed toward Bette.

Shane: That was close.

Bette: Shane! Was that the girl who’s been following you?

Shane:  I don’t know what’s wrong with her. We broke up, deal with it.

Bette smiled: Shane I told you, one of these days you were going to make a girl fall for you and you wouldn’t get rid of her.

Shane: Whoa there, I can’t get into that whole commitment thing.  I need to sample.  You think a chef can pick just one hors d’vour for a party?  The only love I have is for the general ***** population; I can’t help it if each has something I can’t find in just one package.  So, I nibble on them all.

Bette: That was beautiful, but it also translates into you being the biggest playa alive.