Thomas: How could I forget? How do you do Alice?  I read your latest article on the affects of the sexual revolution on modern 20 something’s in America. You were fascinating.

Alice: Oh really, I’m so glad you like it.  I think that’s one of my more true to heart pieces.  Let’s just say the research that went into that article was so much fun I almost didn’t want to write the column knowing I had to switch topics afterwards.

Alice couldn’t help but feel flattered at Thomas’ shameless flirting.  Dana turned beat red when she heard him address Alice like this and she furtively tried to bring their attention away from each other.

Dana: Tina!!!! Um something smells delicious and I’m starving. Is dinner about done?

Tina: Oh yeah, why don’t you guys take your seats.  Bette will show you to the dining room.  I’ll just go finish up some things.  Bette, can you come help me when you’re done.

Bette: Sure babe.

Everyone went to go take their seats at the long marble dining table that was beautifully decorated and showed the elegance of a true 20′s-style dinner party.  Alice took her seat at the far end of the table and before Dana could squeeze in next to her, Thomas sat himself at the only seat adjoining Alice.  Shane ended up sitting next to Shauna, while Dana was left to sit next to Shane or Thomas; she decided against choosing the latter.

Tina and Bette brought in the courses deciding against hiring any help so that they could make it as personal as possible.  The evening progressed nicely, with Shane engrossed into conversation with Shauna and Alice trying to make Dana jealous by flirting with Thomas.  Bette and Tina sat watching the displays lost in their own world of new-love-bliss that they didn’t realize how irritated Dana was getting nor did they do anything to curb emotions that were obviously welling up in her body. 

Alice: So, Thomas, Bette tells me you’re single.  Now how can such a good-looking, intelligent and debonair man like yourself be single in New York; I mean you’re a great catch.  Shoot, I’d snag you up in a minute if I had half a chance.

Thomas: Really? I’m flattered and I’m here to tell you that it is quite okay  you may snag away.

Dana suddenly got up in a not so conspicuous manner:  Excuse me; I need to use the restroom.

Shane broke from her conversation and realized what was going on.  Dana’s plans for this evening were slowly unraveling and she couldn’t handle it anymore.  Poor Dana, she wanted so much to do what was in her heart, but every time an opportunity presented itself, she always missed by an inch.  Shane got up and followed Dana to the bathroom, but by the time she turned the corner she saw that Dana went the other way towards the door.  By the time Shane got to the door, the coat and glasses disappeared along with her angry friend. 

Shane: Well, Dana’s gone.

Alice: What the *****, I thought she was going to the bathroom.

Shane: Yeah, but she just left, I dunno why, but uh she said something about thanking you guys for the get together (addressing Tina and Bette and lying so her friend doesn’t look too bad) She just had to run I think.

Alice: What the ***** could’ve possibly happened, what a tennis emergency, one of her closet freaks called and they were on the verge of regression and Dana’s their sponsor on keeping them in the closet, what?

Shane: Al, maybe she got a little freaked at something and couldn’t stay anymore.  You know how easily she gets spooked.