ALICE:  It gives me power.

SYDNEY: You should worry more about the power of your example•not the example of your power.  Besides, I’m more concerned with Tasha’s needs•and so should you be.  It’s not all about you.

ALICE:  I have women throwing themselves at me all the time.  I’m somebody•I’ve made something out of my life.  I don’t have to apologize for that.

SYDNEY: There’s a difference between having something and being something•and it’s amazing how one’s focus changes when you decide to be someone instead of something.   Do you want to become your persona?  One of those people who never stops talking but never says anything?

ALICE:  I hate you!

Syd steps toward Alice sympathetically.  Her voice is soft but firm.  She looks Alice squarely in the eye.

SYDNEY:  No Alice, you’re not filled with hatred, you’re filled with arrogance.

Alice softens.

ALICE: I don’t want to fail at another relationship.  I thought things with Tasha would be perfect.

SYDNEY: Strength is gained from our failures.  Your relationship with Tasha isn’t failing because it’s not perfect, but because it’s human, and humanity is imperfect.

ALICE: Sometimes I think being with Tasha was the right decision that somehow is going to inevitably end in the wrong result.

SYDNEY: I’m not certain there can be a right result for Tasha right now.  Tash is haunted by war memories. I suspect last night’s dream was not an isolated incident.

Alice backs away and breaks eye contact.

SYDNEY: How frequently are they happening?

ALICE: At first it was maybe once every three or four months.

SYDNEY: And now?

ALICE: Three of four times a month.

SYDNEY: I think Tasha is suffering from post-traumatic-stress syndrome.  It will only get worse if she doesn’t get treatment. Will she talk to you about them?

ALICE: Hell no.  She just closes off…closes off more and more of herself each week.

SYDNEY: And you Alice, whom do you talk with?  About Dana I mean?

ALICE (antagonistically) Whom do you talk with about Susan?  Everyone here has noticed how much more melancholy and introverted you are since Susan’s death…her real death I mean.  It’s driving Shane crazy that she can’t reach you.