Alice walked into the Planet to a standing ovation as Tina, Shane, Jenny and Dana all cheered. Even Marina walked out from the back and handed Alice one of her new teas to try, on the house of course. It was a congratulatory brunch after all, a brunch to celebrate Alice‘s new promotion at work.  That’s right, our girl was upgraded to Investigative ReporterWeho style!

Alice: “And that’s the best part you guys, turns out I don’t have to give up our three hour lunches anymore.”

In unison: “True, true, true”

Jenny:  “Oh wait, we have presents.”

Tina: “Maybe we should wait for Bette, you guys.” Just then, Bette came strolling in. (Convenient, huh?)

Bette: “Who’s West Hollywood‘s newest and brightest Investigative Journalist?”

Alice:  “Hmm let’s see, um, that would beme.  Oh and Bette, it’s Investigative Reporter, but, uh, you know, no biggie. Any who, they even gave me this cool flip down wallet that holds my new work ID. See?”

Jenny: “Cool.”

Alice:  “I knowthat’s what I just said.” Alice began sipping her tea as Kit and Ivan came over to hand off their gift.

Kit: “This is so exciting baby girrrrl, I am so proud of youuuuuWe are both so proud of yooouuuu!”

Ivan:  “Ladies.  Alice, I know you’ll be great.”

Alice:  “Thanks you guys. But you didn’t have to…”

Kit: “Well, we figured if you’re going to be investigating, you might as well be prepared for anything.”

Kit dropped a box in Alice‘s lap and shot off a smooch. 

Kit: “Listen baby girls, we can’t stay; we just had to stop by and tell you how proud and excited we are for youuuuu.”

Ivan: “Yes, keep your nose to the grindstone.  Allbe well.” Alice smiled as she watched Kit and Ivan walk off.

Alice:  “Where are they going?”

Bette: “Who knows?  So, why don’t you open their gif” Alice was way ahead of her.

Alice:  “Way ahead of you, sister.  Oh, my, god.  Look everyone. Binoculars and aaA HUNTING KNIFE!” Alice started waving the knife around as everyone made a face. Well, except Shane.

Alice: “It’s just like Rambo’s.” Shane reached over and said, “Give it, give me. Let me see it.”

Jenny: “Wow, you’re officially a bad ass investigative reporter now.”

Alice:  “Yes, I know.  I uh, I thought we agreed on that earlier, Jenny.”

Bette: (Rolling her eyes) “I wonder which one of them thought of that.”

Shane: “This is SO cool, Al. It’s got a compass for when you get lost, and you will get lost, you have to know that. See, it screws off and there’s a fishing kit, matches and toothpicks inside. That’s excellent.”

Alice: “Yeah, I can hold my lipstick in it during the day, and when I’m working I’ll just put all the cool stuff back in. It really is the perfect gift when all is said and done.” As Alice reached for the next box, Dana’s arm quickly stopped her.

Dana: “DON’Topen that one later. It’s just a littleI just thought of you when I saw it.”

Alice: “It’s dirty isn’t it?”

Dana: “Yep, disgusting actually.” Bette reached into her bag and pulled out an envelope before looking around and smiling at the table.  “Well Alice, this one is from all of us. We hope you love it as much as we loved getting it for you.”

Alice quickly grabbed it and started tearing it to bits, throwing the discarded pieces to the ground.   She opened the card and carelessly skimmed through the sentiments.

Alice: “We’re all so proud of you, yada yada yada….Oh my God.  Are you guys kidding me?” “THE BRIGHAM MYSTERY MANSION?”

Bette: “Well, we were wondering what to get you and we figured, she likes investigating stuff, and that’s all there is to do there. The guests are carted into a dinnerright Tina?”

Tina: “Yeah Al, and you can choose the mystery. Well, some, as Bette said, start off at a dinner and then the lights go out and there’s a body on the floor and you have to figure out who the killer is, but there are others you can choose from.”

Alice: “Whoa, Tina, you’re talking to a professional here; and all I have to say is.You guys like meyou really, really like me!!”

Shane:  “I so totally knew you’d love it.”

Dana: “And the best part is, we’ll all be there too.”

Jenny: “SO much fun!”

Alice: “Well, I just don’t know what to say.  I can’t thank you guys enough.  And I’m bringing my knife.”

Bette looked at her watch and said, “Well, we can talk about that later, but right now, I have to get back to work.”

As they were about to leave, Bette handed Alice one more box.

Bette: “Listen, before I forget, this came in the mail for you.  It’s from Peggy.  She had it sent to the gallery.”

Alice grabbed the box and pulled it close to her chest like a mother gorilla protecting it’s young.

Alice: “Peggy! I knew she wouldn’t forget.  I’ll uh, I’ll open this one when I open Dana’s.”

Bette shrugged.  “Whatever.  You enjoy your day, okay.”

To the parking lot:

Alice made sure everyone had pulled away before ripping into Peggy’s box. (No pun) In it was a walkie-talkie and a card that read, “squeeze me.”   She smiled as she pressed the button.

Alice: “The Eagle Is Alone In Her Nest; repeat, the Eagle Is Alone In Her Nest, Over.”

Peggy: “Congratulations on the promotion, Alice.  I knew you could do it, over.”

Alice:  “Thanks Peggy, over.”

Peggy: “And have fun on your little delicious adventure, kiddo.  I’m sure you’ll crack the case, over.”

Alice: “I’m sure I will too, Peggy; amateurs and all.  I sure wish you were coming though, over.”

Peggy:  “Me too, but this gray mare’s gotta kick while she’s still got hind legs, over.”

Alice: “I understand, Peggy.  Now don’t go doing anything I wouldn’t do, over.”

Peggy:  “Rodger that, over.”