"Oh. Right." Alice acknowledged as she watched Tina flip her cell phone open.

"Beverly Hills Cab Company please." Tina stared into space as she waited for the operator to connect her.

"Tina…" Alice, enlightened with a supreme idea, tapped Tina quickly on the shoulder.  "Hang up…"

Tina slanted her eyebrows, shrugging her shoulders at the request.

"The limo…just take the limo!"  Alice said, the smile on her face matching the light bulb over her head.   

"What limo?" Tina shook her head in confusion.

"Bette’s!  She has one here tonight…she always gets one on special occassions…she’d totally want you to use it if necessary…" Alice reasoned, nodding her approval.

"Alice, I can’t do that…" Tina laughed nervously, shutting her cell phone.

"Tina, she’d absolutely want you to…she won’t be using it for hours…the driver’s just sitting there…trust me."  Alice began to push Tina forward, thankful that she would have some uplifting news to deliver to the brunette to circumvent the disappointment over the blonde’s departure.

Alice pulled Tina through the valet to the west side of the building.  A long stretch black limo hummed alongside the curb, it’s undercarriage light illuminating the sidewalk.  Tina could faintly hear Al Green pouring out of the limo’s sound system. 

Here I am baby…come and take me…here I am baby…won’t you come and take me…take me by the hand…

Alice began to nod her head to the beat as she approached the driver’s side window.

"Louie…how ya doin’" Alice bent down staring into the open car window, a sly smile across her lips.

"Alice P. What ‘cha doin’ girl…" The driver folded his crosswords and held his hand up to receive the high five.  Bette’s preferred chauffeur and Alice had hit it off since day one.  Louie just ate Alice up with a spoon.  He stroked his graying mustace, shaking his head smiling at the precocious blonde.

"You know…breakin’ rules…the usual….Got a minute?" Alice delivered in her dry wit.

"Got more than a minute child.  I’ll be here for the next 4 hours…" The robust man spread his arm over the passenger seat. 

"Great…mind doing a little favor for me…um, well Bette?"  Alice quizzed sweetly.

Louie responded with arched eyebrows.

"Louie, this is Tina…" Alice pulled on Tina’s arm until she was eye level with the driver.  Tina waved shyly.

"Hi…I’m Tina." she offered, slightly embarrassed.

Louie smiled and nodded, his kind eyes welcoming her and instantly soothing her.

"Well, she needs to get out of here.  Think you could drop her at a hotel???" Alice questioned, her hands animating her words.  Tina bit her lip, staring hopeful at the driver.

"Sure…I don’t mind…but, will Bette…?" Louie asked, resting his chin on his thumb.

"No…I think she’ll be good with this…" Alice flashed her eyes and exchanged a knowing look with Louie.

Louie laughed, his belly dancing lightly with amusement.  He shook his head at Alice as she winked at him with a grin. 

"Alright…let’s head out, then…" Louie moved to exit from the car to open the door for Tina, but she quickly protested.

"Please…sit down… I’ll do it." She felt stangely nervous and excited to be riding in Bette’s personal transport.  She almost didn’t feel worthy.

Once positioned inside, she rolled down the window, reaching her hand towards Alice.

"Thank you, Alice.  I really owe you…" Tina began, her eyes full of gratitude.

"No you don’t.  Just get some R&R…" Alice shook Tina’s hand lightly in hers and returned to the front of the limo to say her good-bye’s to Louie.  "Thanks Louie…Bette will thank you too…I promise."

"Yeah, I just hope I don’t get my ass chewed for this…"

"Nope, think kissed.  You’ll hold the key to beautiful’s final destination…" Alice nodded her head to Tina sitting in the back.  The partitian that separated the driver from the passenger had not been lowered, so Alice retained a normal voice pitch.

"Okay Alice B.  I hope your right…" Louie bounced his fist playfully on Alice’s arm.

"And when have I ever been wrong, Louie?" Alice teased. 

Louie shook his head from side to side, smiling and frowning at the same time. 

"Thanks, Louie.  I’ll see you in a bit…" Alice double pat the side of the window, waving as the limo glazed passed her.

Alice stood until the limo curved around the bend and disappeared into the night.

TBC