Chapter 2

Shane sauntered into Lather it was 7:45 in the morning and the only ones there were her, the owner and the cleaning lady. She sat in her chair and sunk down into her chair as she enjoyed her morning shot and cigarette…a true Hollywood breakfast. She had been getting her shots from a local coffee house a few doors down from the shop, and although they were lacking… well everything. She refused to go to the Planet and deal with the reality of her familys’ lives….but mainly she was running from them. Shane looked into the mirror and saw the thin hollow person she had become. She wasnt always like this. There where times during the day when she thought she actually deserved to live. It was during rehab that she discovered she was actually a necessity…especially to the younger people who lived and died to be like her. Owner: Shane…!?! Shane looked at him in the mirror. Owner: Think you can handle two more appointments today? Shane nodded immediately. She didnt even bother to look at her schedule. This was her life now. Work. She now saw what Bette got out of it… a break from her real life. Owner: Youve got the editor of Casanova Magazine at 11. Shane normally stayed at her station from opening til closing, often helping clean up. Three months ago you were lucky to see her awake at her station. But now, she threw herself into her work, making a name for herself around L.A. She was given more freedom in her work. If her phone rang…and it usually did once or twice a day, she could take off without an explanation and return hours later if at all. By 11, Shane had finished three heads and sat waiting for her next client. She sat in her chair with her glasses on and her eyes closed. Her head was rested in her hand while the other rubbed the corner of her eyes. Shane could feel someone behind her and looked up into the mirror to see Alice standing behind her. Both women stood looking at each other for a moment. Alice look pissed off and Shane was just exhausted and made no attempt to fight with her in the mirror. Shane spun her chair around and looked up at Alice. Shane: Hey Al… Alice: Hey AL?…Hey Al? I havent seen you in weeks…no month…and I get a ***** Hey Al! Alice stood with her arms crossed and tapped her foot as she waited for a response from Shane. Shane: Al Ive been crazy busy with work. In fact, I cant really talk, I have an appointment Im waiting for and they should be here any min…. Alice: Since when dont you have time for your friends Shane? ( Alice leaned in close so only Shane could hear her whisper in anger.) What the ***** is going on with you? I held you in my ***** arms while you died…and you turned blue! BLUE! I held your hand the whole time in the hospital. Then you get whisked away by some mystery man…which is fine, its not like you tell us anything about you. But to avoid me for months. Shane lowered her head. She couldnt take the look in Alices eyes, it hurt too much to think of the pain she had caused her when she OD at Bettes house months prior and her words of truth were cutting through her. She didnt know why she was avoiding her friends. They were the only family she had. When she looked back at Alice she realized why…she didnt want them to look at her the way Alice was looking at her now. Shane stood up and grabbed Alices shoulders. Shane: Al youre right….really you are… but I cant do this right now. This is my job…Ill call you later and you can yell at me all you want. But not here, not at my job. Alice: So your clients are more important? Shane: Only when I need to eat and pay rent! Alice: Ok then Alice took a seat in Shanes chair. Shane let out a sigh and looked at Alice with pleading eyes. Shane: Al please, I said Id call you. I have to get back to work. Alice: Ill hold my breath for the call. Besides…I knew youd punk out and avoid me today…thats why I made an appointment. Shane slapped her hand to her forehead causing the slap heard round the shop. Everyone looked at her as she shook her head in defeat. Shane: Casanova Magazine! Alice sat back and smiled. Alice: Come on that was a good one. Shane looked up and laughed. Alice joined her and they both sat smiling at each other. They hadnt shared a laugh with each other in months. Alice: Alright superstar. Im not paying 200 bucks for the infamous Shane-the-Mac Ive-just been-fucked hair-do for nothing…get to work. Shane laughed as she began working on Alices hair. Shane: Ok so I know youre dying to tell me…What has been happening the last three months of ***** of our Lives? After an hour of working on her hair and catching up Shane pulled out the flat-iron and went to work on her signature style. She looked at Alice in the mirror and smiled. She could see that something was missing from Al. Her heart sunk as she thought back to that night at Bettes. She remembered Alice begging her to fight for her as Bette performed CPR. She could still feel her ribs breaking and she cringed. She wanted to gag as she recalled the after taste in her mouth when they pumped her stomach. Shane shook the thoughts out of her head. She only hoped the empty look in Als eyes wasnt because of her flirt with death and recent hiatus from society. Alice: Whered you go? Shane: Huh? Alice: You had that look in your eyes… (Shane gave her the what are you ***** talking about look)…when youre listening to me but not paying attention at all cause you have better things to do…like check out some piece of ***** out over my shoulder. Alice gave her a cocky smirk and Shane went back to work on her hair. She continued to work for a few minutes, with both of them in silence. Shane: Im sorry I did that to you and Bette….I didnt know youd be there and as for Bette… I just went to her because… Alice: She was the only one who was there for you.(she whispered) Shane nodded her head looking Alice in the eyes in the mirror. Alice reached back and grabbed Shanes trembling hand that held the hair spray. Alice: Shane… what you did…its just that I would have expected it when we first met…in fact I was prepared for it then… but this time… it just seemed so out of the blue. I guess we were all so busy with ourselves we forgot about you and we didnt see how much pain you were in… well I guess Bette saw it..but…Im sorry..it never should have come to that..and it better…it cant ever happen again Alice let a single tear flow from her eyes and Shane wiped it away with her free hand. Shane: Never again…I wasnt trying to… Alices eyes cut Shane off. They tore right to her soul. They both knew Shane tried to kill herself that night and there was no use in pretending it was accidental. Shane: Im really sorry Al…Thats why I havent been able to face you… that look in your eyes… Its too much..I… Alice: Well you should have thought of that before you did enough coke to kill a horse. Alice snapped. Shane froze, she didnt know what to say. Alice let out a sigh. They were doing so well up until now. She just wanted to get this over with and move on. Alice: Look Shane…with out doing all the Lifetime original movie bullshit, I just want to say youre my best ***** friend and I love you and I swear if you (she paused and whispered between gritted teeth) try to kill yourself again I dont know what Id do. I watched you ***** die and…well…I just dont know what Id do without you in my life… the past few months have been *****. So.. If you ever ***** die again Im gonna ***** kill you. Shane was shocked at what Alice said. Not just that she loved her but that she meant that much to her. No one had really ever loved her just for being her. They usually loved her because of what she could do for them or to them. She didnt know how to handle the confession, so she did what she did best… Shane: I promise Al that I will never make you watch me die again, and if I do you have permission to kill me yourself Shane gave her solemn oath holding her spray can over her heart and gave Alice a light hearted smirk at the end. Realizing the mistake in what she said, Alice gave Shane the finger in the mirror. Shane wrapped her arms around Alice and kissed her forehead as Alice rubbed her arms. Shane: Thank you…. Alice: For what? Shane: For just….loving me. Shane turned and avoided eye contact with Alice. She walked over to her supply cart and began looking for something…anything to avoid the reality of what had just happened. Alice reached out and grabbed the hem of Shanes shirt pulling her over to her. She pulled Shane into her lap put her arms around her and whispered into her ear. Alice: You know Im not the only one. I know some people who are worried sick about you and would kill me if they knew I was here without them. (Shane let out a heavy sigh.) Bette isnt taking it well Shane…neither is Tina….you know youre like their kid….please call Bette…for me. Shane turned and looked into Alices pleading eyes. She knew she had to do it eventually. Shane: Why deal with this twenty more times. Just deal with them all at once. Ok why dont I meet up with you guys later? Alice: Think you can tear yourself away from your aspiring career? Shane: Think you can drop your smart-***** attitude? They both pretended to ponder the question Both: No! Alice let go of Shane and she stood up straightening her clothing. She took the cape off of Alice and helped her up. Shane: Ill call you later ok? Alice: Like I said…holding my breath Shane: No really your right I need to do this…Im being selfish… I laid a lot of heavy ***** on Bette after my…OD…and I should let her know Im ok. Alice: Do my ears deceive me? Has Shane The Guru of All Knowledge Mchutceon just admitted she was wrong?…Wow… Ive gotten my first apology and thank-you from you today… and now this…God Ill just cream my pants if you say or do anything else Shane squinted her eyes and gave her the finger. Alice: Oh my… Ill need new pants if youre suggesting what I think. Shane shook her head and laughed as her cell phone went off. She looked at the caller ID and rolled her eyes. She turned her back to Alice and flipped open her phone. Shane: Hello… yeah sure…no I can move things around…Ill be right there…I said ok father…no Ill be right there… yes I got the stuff…no…..arrrrggg yes father…Im coming! Shane hung up the phone and turned to the owner who signaled for her to leave before she even said anything. Shane turned back to Alice and kissed her on the cheek and ran out the door and out of sight. Alice stood with her mouth open until Shane reappeared at the door. Shane: Ill see you tonight…thanks Al.. Shane took off down the street leaving Alice and her investigative mind to herself. Alice: The ***** Who Now!