Shane, Carmen, and Mark’s apartment

Mark’s documentary is to be released soon enough.  Word had been received from Veronica’s office in recent weeks.  Lying in bed, he knows the plan.  Set up the release party at Wax and hope for the best.  Let Veronica handle most of the interviews since she loves the publicity.  Everything else is out of his hands.  Shane and Carmen’s relationship repairing itself is out of his hands.  Dana’s health is out of his hands.  Alice’s sudden breakup with Uta is out of his hands.  Bette and Tina’s relationship issues are out of his hands.  The melodramatic circus that surrounds him does not have the appeal it might have a year earlier.  Now, he only wants things to be better.

Bette and Tina’s.

Alice floats along in the swimming pool.  So much is on her mind.  Dana, Lara, Uta, and wondering why things cannot be better than they are.  Eventually, Alice’s attention is shifted to Shane and Carmen’s matching tattoos on the back of their necks.  Helena swims along in the pool, enjoying the moment and trying not to worry so much about her affair with Dylan.  Angus runs the grill while Mark enjoys the pool.  Dana is there.  She appears to be the only one not smiling.  Kit however is all smiles as this is the first big gathering with friends that has her, ”Mangus,” present.  Tina is not present, working in Vancouver with Josh Brecker.  Lara is with Bette, preparing the cake which they both bring out to Dana.  Dana however is not in the mood.  The discussion leads to who is a, ”gold star,” among the crowd.  Despite the efforts to keep the mood light, especially by Carmen, Dana is there to bring it down.

Dana is sick.  She is nauseous.  She is angry.  She stands from her seat.

Dana ”I’m sorry.  Look, I’m gonna go lie down if that’s okay.”

Bette ”Yeah, that’s okay.”

Lara ”Do you want me to come with you?”

Dana ”No.”

Dana’s response of, ”No,” is instant.  For Lara, it is hurtful.  Baby Angelica is there and all of this will likely not even register as a memory.

The Planet.

Billie is there alone.  The cafe is closed today and tonight in preparation for the B-52’s tomorrow night.  He knows where Kit is.  He knows what is going on.  He knows not to bother Lara when she needs time off.  He knows why.  Smoking his joint, he understands.  He has felt the loss of someone dear before.  He knows the feeling of hurt that goes along with that loss all too well.  He finishes his joint and quietly disposes of it in the hopes that Kit never notices.