I - shit - I'm - I don't get it, Bette.

Pardon me?

I don't get it.  I mean, I'm happy for you. Happy? I'm freaking ecstatic.  But - I mean, I know you've been doing better, I mean, it's been so - I mean, shit, how do I want to say this?  With Angel- and -

Bette takes a deep, long breath.  Alice shifts her weight, uncomfortably, from her left foot to her right.

I guess I've learned a thing or two about compartmentalizing, Alice.  And the fact is, I'm a grown woman and well, I have needs.  Some of those needs happen to be a little baser than others.  And regardless of what may be going on in other parts of my life, or my head, or my heart - um - anyway, it happens.

So what?  You just go pick somebody up, where do you go??

Shouldn't we be leaving?

Alice crosses her arms.

The sooner you tell me, the sooner we'll leave.

I've met women, Alice.  Not online or in a bar, though I did go to the Planet once, just once.  It was very late and it was very weird.  Otherwise - well, I go to the places you would expect to meet women.

Which is where??? 

Grocery shopping.

You go to the grocery store?

Bette walks into the kitchen, she picks her purse up off the table.  She bumps into Alice as she walks back to the living room.

Sorry.  I have to eat, don't I?  The dry cleaners.

Come on.  The only person I ever meet at the dry cleaners is the nice little Chinese lady who lets me push the button on that metal belt thingy - you know the one that holds the clothes.

Bette cocks an eyebrow at Alice who shrugs impatiently.

I like to watch them go around. 

The bookstore.

Which bookstore?

Bodhi Tree, if I remember.

If you remember??  Whoa. So you got some shopping-cleaning-reading mojo working, huh?

Bette laughs.

Anyone - you know.  Anyone you might want to - go out with?

Alice, I can't think of a woman less ready to date than me.

Shit, I can't think of a woman more ready to date than you.  And since you obviously have lots of opportunity so, any one of them -- yes, no?

No one I'd care to see for - for any reason besides - god, it sounds so awful, so mercenary when I say it.

Dont apologize, Bette.  Shit, don't ever apologize for getting laid.

Bette looks bewildered for a moment, and then smiles.

Well, I'm not sorry, even if it does sound cold-blooded.  We should go, Alice.

Alice gapes at Bette.  Bette looks back evenly.  Alice narrows her eyes for a moment.

What?

Does anyone else know?

Not that I'm aware of.  Why? 

Alice grins.

Not even Kit?

No, it hasn't come up.  I'm not hiding it though.  Why?

No reason.  Just wondering. 

I'm sure they'll know after tonight, won't they?

Nope.  Mum's the word with me.

Really?  And here I thought gossip was the word with you.

Come on, Bette.  This is different.

Bette smiles sadly, she nods. 

I know.  And I'm kidding you Alice.  Just kidding.

Besides, what does it matter?  Good for you -fuck it,  you're over 21, you're a free woman, um - uh - I mean you -

Alice, it's ok.  I am a free woman.  No strings, nothing holding me so on that note, lets go.  I have to admit, I'm looking forward to it.  Let's go have a night out, just us girls, like old ...

Bettes voice trails off. Alice looks down at her hands.  She brushes away flecks of drywall, she picks at tiny pieces of clumpy spackle.  She looks up, her eyes shiny, wet.

And... and you're ok, Bette? Really? 

Bette softly shakes her head, no. She reaches out, she touches Alice's cheek softly.

Not by a long shot.  Are you?

Alice shakes her head, then nods, then shakes it again. She bites her lip, she looks away.