“I am sorry but the wireless customer you are trying to reach is unavailable. Please leave a message at the tone,” The automated voice informed Tina.

            “Hey Al. It is Tina. I was just calling to thank you. Dr. Kline was everything you said she was and more. She was smart, funny, personable, and very talented doctor. She is going to start Monday. I am glad you sent her my way, really glad.” Tina giggles into the phone. “Ok, I know you are going to pry this out of me eventually so I will just tell you.” Tina pauses for dramatic effect before continuing. “I don’t know how it happened but we are having dinner tonight. She is taking me to that new little restaurant, you know the one. I wasn’t sure if it was a date until she suggested it, I hear it is very romantic. Thanks Al, this is just what I needed. I’ll call you tomorrow to tell you how it went.”

            Tina hangs up the phone and bursts out laughing, “Do you think we are being too mean?”

            “No. Not too mean, I think we have aimed for the correct ratio of meanness that is required for a situation such as this.”

Across Town at LA magazine

            Alice walked out of her editor’s office fuming. That man would not know a good story if it bit him on the *****, he always wanted the same old *****. If she had to write one more top ten list she was going to scream.

            As Alice walked to her car she pulled her cell phone out to turn it back on. After the device had booted back up, it beeped twice to signal she at a new voicemail. Holding the phone to her ear she listened to Tina’s message as she briskly walked to her car.

            She had her hand on the door handle of the Mini and the cell phone cradled in her shoulder when she suddenly dropped her purse. It sent a thud that echoed through the parking garage. The sound went unregistered by Alice.

            “*****!”

“I must say I see a lot of potential in this little place. Thank you for the lovely tour.”