Summary of the previous chapter: Alex and Bette drink lots of wine and talk. Alex theorizes about Bettes actions.

Luckily for Bette, it was a Saturday morning that she awoke in Alexs hotel suite. Knowing Alex as she well did, Bette suspected that Alex had set her travel agenda planning for them to do a lot of drinking on her first night in town.

Bette awoke in Alexs bed with no sign of Alex. She walked through the suite to see a discarded blanket on the couch. Alex was sitting on the hotel balcony holding a coffee cup in one hand and a cigarette in the other.

When did you start smoking?

It is just something I do now and again. Im one of those lucky people who can do it on and off without getting addicted. There is a pot of coffee in the kitchenette.

Bette returned to the balcony with coffee.

What the ***** do you see in this city anyway? Alex asked.

What could you possibly want that you cant find in LA? Bette retorted.

Clean air, quiet, a murder rate that isnt the highest in the country.

You take the good with the bad.

Yeah, I suspect you do. I just wish you and Tina lived somewhere more pleasant to visit like the French Riviera.

Ill call and ask her to move just to make you happy.

Youre a real pal Betty.

What is your agenda for the day?

I was planning to catch up with Shane, Dana, and Alice. Last night I made T-bird promise to see me today. Most importantly, Ive gotta go shoot the ***** with your older sister. You remember that time we saved our allowance and paid her to show us how to sneak out of your house without waking your dad?

Bette laughed at the memory.

We didnt realize Melvin had gone out. Were halfway down the driveway and Melvin pulls in.

How could I forget us running for our lives back to the house before he spotted us? Bette adds.

Except Kit didnt show us how to sneak back in. I pretended I was sleepwalking to get your dads attention while you tiptoed around the car and slipped back inside through the garage. He didnt buy it one bit, but you looked all innocent and asleep when he went to check in on you.

Ill never forget you marching up to the Kit the next day and demanding half of our money back because she didnt show us how to get back in.

Hey, she paid it. You and Kit might have fought like the Ottomans and the Holy Roman Emperors, but when it came to getting one over on Melvin you were total allies. How is she doing anyway?

Great. Shes been doing really well at keeping sober. I dont know how long it will last, though.

Why do you say that?

Because she is seeing a Drag King. I think it is going to ***** with her head.

I hope not. Kit is a good woman. She deserves a shot at happiness.

Were getting closer. She has actually been very supportive.

Glad to hear it. You guys should be friends beyond the Behind Daddys Back Club.

Bette and Alex continued to occupy much of the morning reminiscing about their childhood adventures. Much to the dismay of Melvin, Alex had spent a large portion of her childhood at the Porter residence.

Eventually, Bette went home to shower and put on clean clothes. She and Alex made plans to hook up later in the evening so that they could spend some time with their friends. Alex decided that she would invite Tina to join, hopefully without having to admit that Bette would also be present. If Alexandra Novack had one guiding philosophy in life, it was the belief that life is too short to waste precious time with the person you love. Somehow, she needed to get that through Tinas thick skull and get Bette to put her priorities in order.

Alex realized that her agenda was not going to be simple. She had complete faith in her ability to succeed, even though she felt it was going to take some time which unfortunately would have to be spent in LA.

It was around 1:00 on that Saturday afternoon that a tall woman with dark blond hair walked into the Planet. The regulars did not recognize the figure dressed in cowboy boots, jeans, and a button-up Oxford shirt rolled up at the sleeves but untucked at the waist. The woman sauntered up to the counter and ordered a cup of coffee. Taking it, she settled comfortably into a couch against the wall, in a spot somewhat hidden from view and observed the comings and goings around her.

The unknown woman was on her second cup of coffee when Dana and Alice entered the Planet. They quickly looked around before sitting down at a table and putting their heads together for an intimate conversation. At the sound of Shane entering, they quickly scooted to further the distance between themselves.

Shane was quickly followed by Tina who carefully looked around the room before choosing to stay. She missed the tall blond as she had been too intent to detecting the presence or, she hoped, absence of a tall, mocha skinned brunette.

The mystery blond continued to sip her coffee watching the group. She waited a good ten minutes before getting up and walking to the table, her cowboy boots making a distinctive sound on the floor.

Have I been away so long that none of you recognized me, she said as she approached the table.

Maybe we were embarrassed to admit we knew you, Shane said as she smiled and stood up to hug the woman who approached.

Maybe youre afraid a woman this good looking is too much competition for your scrawny *****. Alex retorted.

Sit your ***** down and talk woman. Alice demanded. Youve got so much gossip to tell and be told. Dont be wasting time here.

No gossip is so important that I must neglect to acknowledge the lovely Miss Fairbanks. I watched you play from a bar in London.

Why didnt you come to the match or at least get in touch? Dana asked.

The bar was in an airport. My plane was leaving for Budapest.

Excuses, excuses.

And you, T-bird, Alex said as she turned to Tina. Thank you for coming, although I shall be forever hurt that I could not share your company last night.

I told you, Alex. It isnt going to work. Im not a librarian.

Well, that is a shame as you would be the best looking librarian I ever knew.

And I am sure that youve known a few, biblically.

Well, of course T-bird. I study the Middle Ages, religion was very important then. Ive read the Bible with a few librarians.