Then she grins quickly, sheepishly.
Um. I don't know. I've kind of been avoiding them.
Why?
Cause I thought maybe if they couldn't, you know, find me, then maybe they wouldn't sue me.
Shane, Bette and Jenny laugh. Bette raises her glass.
To lawyers!
How is your thing coming along, Bette?
I decided to drop it, Jenny.
Youre not suing Joyce after all? How come?
Helena stares into her wine. Bette sighs.
What good will it do?
It'll teach her to give better fucking advice next time.
Alice, she was doing what I asked her to do.
But Bette, didn't your lawyer tell you you could make a decent case?
Yes, he did. I don't want to do it. I don't want the scrutiny, the publicity, I don't want to drag this out, I don't want
You don't want what?
Helena's question is followed with a sidelong glance at Bette, her brows slightly furrowed, her eyes gentle. Bette meets her gaze and then shifts quickly in her chair.
Nothing. It's nothing. Anyway, its over. Joyce Wishnia will live to give shitty advice another day.
Helena stares off across the room. Alices face reddens. She leans towards Helena, whispering softly.
Shit Helena, I'm sorry. My bad. We shouldn't be talking about suing and shit and --
Helena smiles weakly. Bette looks awkwardly down at her hands.
Not a problem, Alice. I hope for your sake that Dana bequeathed you something quite wonderful.
I hope for your sake her parents never figure out that half of her is missing. Talk about being in trouble.
Shane rubs the back of Alices neck playfully. Bette leans in and kisses Alices cheek. Shane motions the waitress, who nods and soon returns with more drinks.
What was that for?
Promise me you'll steal some of me when I die, ok Alice?
Any place in particular you want to be dumped, Bette?
I'm sure the curators at the Guggenheim won't appreciate me being spread under the Giacometti sculptures, so how about you just toss me off one of the 405 overpasses?
Alice nods.
Consider it done.
Can we talk about something a little less gross?
Death isn't gross, Max.
People's ashes are gross, Jenny.
People's ashes are just a physical representation of their existence.
And that's gross!
Jenny smiles, she pats Maxs arm. He pulls it away quickly. She smiles at the others, who smile back, a little tightly.
He's so black and white, and yet so sweet, so sensitive, really.
Alice mumbles.
He's also sitting right here.
Max stands.
I'm gonna go get a drink.
We all just got new ones.
I need to walk around. I'll be back.
Jenny smiles after him.
Is he, um, is he alright, Jenny?
Jenny looks at Helena, surprised.
What? Yes, he's fine. He gets a little - you know. Moody, I guess.
He still shooting the 'roids?
Jenny nods at Alice. Alice finishes her third drink, holding up the empty glass to the waitress across the room.
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