Alice ”What do you mean?  I mean…shit, Helena you already know more than you probably should already.”

Helena ”Yes, but Alice I’m afraid things are worse than you let on.  I have watched you these past few months and…it hasn’t been pretty.”

Alice ”What?”

Helena ”I realise you feel there is good reason, but you have distanced yourself from some good friends.  Friends who have nothing to do with your situation with…”

Helena bears in mind that Janice is still there, cleaning.

Helena ”…Well.”

Alice ”My friends are busy.  Shane is too busy up Carmen’s ass and there’s no way in Hell I’m goin’ around Bette and Tina while I’m friends with you.  I know they’re pretty pissed at me just for talkin’ to ya in the first place.”

Helena ”It…has been tumultuous, I suppose.  I wish no harm for either of them.  I left the C.A.C., because of their treatment of Bette.  I disagreed with it, but Bette’s still sure I had some role in that.”

Alice ”…Did you?”

Helena ”No!  I would never want to do that!  Especially to someone who’s bringing a child into this world.  It was disgusting what they did and if they think Leo Herrera’s the answer without me then they are surely mistaken.  When they insulted me, they insulted friends of mine in the art world, who also knew Bette.  Believe me, the California Arts Center is as good as irrelevant now.  Who even talks about them these days?”

Alice ”…Yeah, ya gotta point there.  Y’know…I just liked it better when we could all talk.  …Then again, you haven’t really been around long for that.”

Helena ”I’ve been around long enough that there is a special bond between you all.  I also think it’s a bloody shame that you’re letting that bond slip away, Alice.  You shouldn’t do that.  Don’t let those friends slip away from you.  I’ve let too many slip away in a fit of pique.”

Alice ”So is that why yer doin’ all this?  You…wanna make sure you can make at least one good friend here?”

Helena ”…I’d like to think I’ve made the best.”

Both grin for the moment with Alice looking down.

Alice ”Well…I’ll try not to let ya down or anything.”

Helena ”…I’ll try not to let you down either.  Come…let’s go to The Planet.  My treat.”