“Ugh. Can’t they get a room?” Ling growled, obvious she wasn’t a morning person.

“Hey. Ally.” She looked up, her hair flying a mess.

“Yes? Richard?” She glared at him, then giving a sudden outburst of laughter to Larry. Her and Larry were starting to get ridiculous.

“Ally. Did you hear what I just said?” He was getting frustrated.

“Oh, yeah. New case. I’m on it. Move along.” She snapped back.

Nelle leaned over to Ling and whispered, “Must be a visit from her monthly friend...” and she snorted with a small laugh. Richard bent down and lifted his tape recorder, rewound it, then pressed Play. It started from the beginning of his announcement. Ally peered at it, then him, and listened:

“John and I are leaving for a two day thing to LA, so after thinking this over for... oh, I think... five minutes, I chose Ally to be in charge. Ally??”

Richard pressed the Stop button and looked to Ally. She nodded with approval, and held the phone closer to her mouth.

“I’m in charge for two days. You can drop by if you want... we have the place all to ourselves,” she whispered. Mark rolled his eyes, and Nelle sighed. “Oh... please...”

An hour later, Richard and John left for the airport. Ally picked up her phone and called Larry. He was over to her office in seven minutes, and knocked on the door. Ally sat at her computer typing up the info on a case for John when he came back. “Come in.” She yelled.

He opened the door, leaning on the doorframe. He held his coat over his shoulder, keeping his arms across his chest. He pulled his black-framed glasses off, and swiped a hand over his hair. Ally hadn’t seen him in a t-shirt for days, and knew why she missed it so much. His arms bulged out of the skintight black shirt, matching his glasses.

“Hey. Missed you.” He shot a glare that could turn icebergs into hot tea. He looked so... yummy. She hadn’t seen him in four hours and realized what she was missing. Ally stood up, brushed her hair out of her face to get a better look at him, and moved closer to him. Her feet dragged along the floor, and he shut the door behind him. His hand slid up her back, and she closed her eyes, savoring the moment. He kissed her lightly on the lips, and she groaned slowly. She remembered the How-To movie she watched about Kissing. It said, “Release a small groan to show your pleasure.” She smiled at this, making Larry think she was playing hard to get, and pulled her closer. They moved over to the couch, shuffling across the floor.

“Oh, Larry. I’m so glad you’re here...” She whispered between kisses.

There was a knock on the door. Then another. “I’m busy.” She hollered.

“Ally!” Elaine rushed through the door, “Oh my god, Ally. Aren’t you supposed to be working?” Elaine stopped in her tracks, interested in what she saw.

“What is it Elaine???” Ally’s voice rose.

“Sorry to burst your bubble, but one of the toilets in the unisex is broken. I know you’re in charge, so you can either plunger it or call a repair man for six hundred dollars an hour.” Elaine smiled at Larry, and played with her hair. A bead of sweat grew on her face, trickling down the bridge of her nose. Her and Mark had just broken up, and she was single and on the market.

“Yeah. Call a plumber, will you?” Ally rolled on top of Larry, Elaine winked at him and walked out, making him uncomfortable.

“Elaine was... she just hit on me.” He looked Ally in the eye, confused.

“You know Elaine. She attacks anything with a pulse and... a dumbstick.” She smiled to herself, and Larry kissed her on the forehead. She was so cute when she tried to be politically-correct.

“Ally, it’s almost noon. I’ve been here for two hours. Why don’t we finish this later tonight? You can come over for dinner, and maybe a little dessert.” He put his glasses back on, and stood up from the couch.

“Two hours? Are you serious? Wow... time flies when you’re having...” She trailed off.

“Fun.” He finished, making her smile.

“Dinner sounds good. Maybe a double for the dessert...” she said, still smiling at him. He walked to the door, pulling his jacket on. Elaine was standing at the door, raising her hand to knock. She accidentally knocked on Larry’s chest, and caught herself after three knocks.

“Ooh, sorry. Well, maybe not all that sorry.” Elaine flirted, until Ally stepped up behind him, holding to his shoulders. Elaine wiped the sweat dripping down her cheek and cleared her throat. “Ally. I called the repairman, but nobody can do it. Everyone’s booked till Thursday... I don’t think we can have two broken toilets in the unisex for three more days. What are we supposed to do??” Elaine took out a Kleenex, clearing the sweat collecting on her face, smirking towards Larry’s direction.

“Well... we need those damn toilets fixed! Wait---wait---two toilets? I thought it was only one!” Ally asked suspiciously.

“Yeah. It *was*. But it’s been almost three hours. I think Richard purposely left us with a clogged toilet for no reason but to frustrate us even more. You know Richard; he does things like that. Usually stupid things. But we need someone to fix them!” She whined. Now we only have six free toilets. And mine is clogged. You know how I won’t use any toilet except mine... the third one on the right…and I really have to go!” She nagged.

“Well, Elaine, actually I didn’t know that. But, but we have money! Why don’t they want our money!? Well, Richard’s money... but its money! Tons of it!” Ally was beginning to sound like Richard.

“Maybe *you* could fix it for us, Larry.” She touched his arm, running her hands up his muscles. Ally glared at her, shooting darts out her eyes.

“Uh uh. No. I’m not sticking my hand in any toilet to find things I really don’t want to. No.” He stammered. He turned his head to whisper to Ally, “I’m not getting in the middle of what seems to be a brewing cat fight between you two, either. Have to go, come by at seven. Love you.” He gave her a peck, and Elaine stuck her lips out, pleading for a kiss. He slithered by them, rushing to the elevator.

Just then, Mark came by. “Ally. Hate to bother you know, but we have a small problem. It’s probably a little bigger than the toilet situation, but it’s not too much to get worried about.” He tried not to make eye contact with Elaine.

“Mark, what is it now?” Ally’s Irritation-Meter was rising by the second.

“Well, it seems the elevator has…broken. People can’t get up or down. And I tried a repairman, but---"

“Let me guess. They’re booked till Hanukah…” She sighed…again.

“Actually Friday. But close enough. So what the hell are we supposed to do without an elevator? They’re adding that new flight of stairs. So we can’t go anywhere?” Her cell phone rang. “What damn it?!”

“Ally. That hurt.” John said on the other line.

“Look, I’m sorry John. I’m sorry I didn’t make your day fine and dandy, but right now nothing is going my way. I would love to accommodate all your needs, but right now I have a bit of a situation.

“What’s wrong Ally?” He was patient, knowing what kind of day she was having. She wasn’t alone, with Richard in jail for picking up a hooker and all.

“The toilets are clogged, there isn’t an available plumber, the elevator is broke, the stairs are being redone, the repairmen are booked till Friday, nobody can come up here or leave, we’re trapped, and I don’t know what the hell to do...” She burst into tears, and remembered. Larry! He was coming toward her, puzzled, one eyebrow cocked above the other. He saw her tears, and held her. Elaine swept the sweat off her face, wishing she had what Ally had. Larry. Elaine took her phone and talked to John.

“Elaine, tell her to calm down first of all. I know it’s probably the end of the world to her, but it’s not a big deal.” He comforted her, and Elaine’s eyes were caught on Larry’s biceps embracing Ally.

“But John, we broke two of the toilets, including yours, and we’re tapped for days in here!” She mumbled, upset by Ally’s luck. Larry really was... yummy.

“You broke my toilet???” He screamed, and took a moment.

Ally was running around the office, fretting over everything. The toilets were broken, the elevator was broken, the stairs were under repair, and worst of it all... Elaine, Larry, and Ally were stuck in the same building for hours, if not days. Ally hoped hours.

“Larry? Larry where’d you go?!” She mumbled to herself, confused as always. This time was little more than usual. How was she supposed to keep him to herself, and manage the firm at the same time?? And where was he?

“Mark. Oh Mark, ha-have you seen Larry? I can’t find him.” she played with her hair nervously.

“Um, I think I saw him and Elaine in the unisex when I was in there. Why?” He was shuffling through a folder, searching for the papers on a case.

“Oh... oh...” she ran off to the unisex. Her shaking hand turned the handle up, then down, but with no success. Ally shook the handle around, shouting frustration. “Damn it! Damn it!” She struggled with it a few more minutes, and then ran off to find someone to help her. She bumped into Jackson and fell down. “Jackson. Jackson, I can’t get that damn door to the unisex open! Can you try it?” Her face was flustered with aggravation. She was afraid to know what Elaine and Larry were doing in the unisex.

“Sure... Ally. Why are you so red?” He walked off to the door, Ally following.

“Just hot. And mad. And I want my Larry...”

Jackson turned the handle every which-way, but couldn’t get it open. He kicked it a few times, but it didn’t budge. He rammed into the door, and this caught Ling’s attention. “Hey Ally. Jackson. What are you doing?” She was curious, but mostly had to use the bathroom.

“We can’t...get...the door...open.” He said between kicks at the door.

“Well. How am I supposed to use the bathroom if I can’t get it? Do you think I can wait? Do I look patient?” She snarled. Jackson glared back at her, hiding the love he still felt for her.

“Well, Ling. I don’t know what we are going to do. I would *hate* to complicate your life any further.” He mocked, and Ling growled while walking away.

“You still love her, don’t you? I can see it...” Ally asked, holding a finger to her lip. Jackson looked back at her, and smiled slightly. What did she know... she just tried to complicate everyone else’s life to make her seem like it wasn’t as confusing. It still was. She sighed slightly, wondering what Larry and Elaine were doing.

"Elaine, how long have we been in here?” He remembered Ally still had his watch from the other night. It was probably still sitting in her nightstand.

She glanced at her shimmering silver watch. “About forty minutes. Why? Are you bored? Missing Ally?” She looked down at the floor, hoping he would say no, even thought they both knew he was dying to be with her. Larry just nodded slightly, looking blankly at the door.

“Well, we could make use of our time in here, you know. I’m very flexible.” She winked at him, with that same wink from the scene in Ally’s office. Elaine fluffed her hair, acting sexual. Larry stared back at her, trying to stay strong.

Elaine walked across from the stall she was leaning against, and pulled off her sweater. “It’s very hot in here, isn’t it...” She wiped her forehead, tossing the sweater towards the sinks. Her shoes echoed against the tile floor, and Larry leaned back against his stall door. “...Very hot...” She took his hand and put it to her chest, seducing him. “And it’s bad when it’s hot. Very bad...” Her eyes twinkled, mesmerizing him.

He pulled his glasses off the bridge of his nose, putting them in his pocket. She touched his pocket and moved her hand in a few inches. “Ooh, very hot in here...” She kept repeating to him in his ear. He took a step back from her, half in a trance.

Elaine had him right where she wanted him. He was sitting on the fence, and all she needed to do was give him an extra push to her side. He was almost hers. Her lips slowly moved to his bottom lip, sliding her hand up his back, then up his neck. He was sweating slightly, and Elaine knew she was seducing him into a blind daze. Larry moved his hand to her back, giving in.

There was a low knock. “Larry...are you in there?’ Ally’s faint voice called through jammed door.

Elaine pulled him closer, keeping him from responding. She doubted he even heard her. Elaine had won the impossible battle.

Ally sat on a chair outside the unisex, bawling. Her eyes burned like fire, her skin was blotchy red, and her boyfriend was trapped in the unisex with the most seductive, slutty woman in the office. At the thought of this, Ally’s tears came like a dam bursting open. She wished John were back. Of course, then this wouldn’t have happened. The repairman for the elevator had finally come after Jackson did some persuading, and bribing, but nobody could get up to fix the unisex door, or the unisex for that matter, until that damn elevator was fixed. This wasn’t going to happen for several hours, and Ally’s emotions were based around panic. She knew about Larry’s past... he’d been married, cheated -and- impregnated Jamie while married, and left her for Ally. They weren’t even married yet, and he was already cheating. Probably. She hoped not.

Her cell rang, startling Ally making her yelp. “H-h-he... hello?” She wiped her nose, and swished away her tears.

“Ally? Are you... what’s wrong?” John sounded concerned.

“John, this is bad. This is very bad. I can’t get the damn repairman to work any faster on the elevator, the unisex door is stuck, the toilets still don’t work, Larry and Elaine... of all people... are stuck in there, and I just... I just can’t do it.” Her tears rushed down her face, and She covered her face with her damp handkerchief.

“Ally. Listen to me. Do you trust Larry? Honestly, do you believe that he will always be faithful?” John asked seriously. No answer. Ally couldn’t think. She didn’t know what she should even be thinking.

“John, I...I...well, it’s just that he’s everything I ever wished for. He’s sweet, sexy, considerate, warm, caring, and the man I’ve been dreaming of. We all have our flaws right? Who doesn’t come with a little hidden subtitle? It’s like those cars. They are perfection itself, but have a small rip in the seat or a dim headlight. With Larry, I...he...” she couldn’t stop her tears.

“Ally, Ally calm down. Okay, here’s a question. If Billy was here to console you what would he say? He seemed to give you acceptable advice.” John sighed slightly, missing Billy suddenly.

“Hm. He would tell me to do what I think is right. But right now I just... I don’t know! Damn it, I don’t know.” Ally let out a strong sigh. “John, I... I need to think about it. It’s been good talking to you though. I guess I’ll see you when you’re back tomorrow. But enjoy your trip. Oh, and John? Keep Richard out of trouble. We’ve had enough problems for one day.” She hung up her phone and dropped it on her lap. She felt someone tap her shoulder, startling her. She looked up, and gasped.

“Oh---oh---oh my gosh. Billy. You’ve finally decided to show your face. Well. What are your words of wisdom for the day...” she joked, drying her tears streaming down her cheek.

“Ally. Oh, Ally. I’ve been thinking about this Larry guy. And well... he’s not worth it. I know you’re going to disagree with me, because you think that he’s the Mr. Right of your life, and he’s moving in. But I was watching him in Detroit. You didn’t see what happened, and I did, so if I were you, I would listen up.” His low, sweet voice made a chill run up her back. She wanted to wrap her arms around him and tell her how much she’s missed him, but it would seem unorthodox.

“When he first got the Detroit, he was trying his best to be strong, and I could tell that. So I think he deserves credit for that. But that Jamie... she came on so strong. Not a real woman, she was more like a dog in heat.” Ally laughed a small nervous laugh through her tears, afraid of what was next. “But... he gave in so easily, like the time in his office when he kissed her. Ally, you have known me for, well, about 25 more years than the six months with Larry. You have to trust me, and understand this is for your own good. Ally, he just isn’t worth it. You deserve so much better than a six pack and biceps with a sense of humor. What about when he’s required by law to cheat when you get married...” Billy tried a half-hearted joke to lighten the moment up a little. He rubbed her shoulder, “Just think about it. This is your choice, but try to make the right one.” And he disappeared. Ally covered her tearing eyes, afraid to face the world. In her head, she heard the same song she heard the other night while making love to him. It startled her when she suddenly heard it in her head, like a hidden message.

“...I’d rather you be mean, than love and lie,
I’d rather hear the truth, and have to say goodbye,
I’d rather take a blow,
Atleast then I would know.
But baby don’t you break my heart slow..."

Ally hummed to herself, through the tears. Why didn’t he tell her the truth about Jamie? Could Billy really be trusted... she had known him all her life, and only knew Larry a few months. Suddenly there was a startling bang on the door, followed by another. The door came flying door to the ground, slamming the carpeted floor beneath.

“Larry! You came out! Thank goodness.” She embraced him, and then suddenly felt as if someone was watching her. She turned around to see Billy’s faint image. It all came back to her.

“Ally! Oh my gosh! Ally1 I’ve missed you!” He kissed her a sweet kiss on the lips, showing his love. Ally pulled away after a second, and noticed his glasses in his pocket, and his shirt’s top three buttons undone. Ally knew his shirt was buttoned to the top after he left her office that morning. She kissed him again, tasting his lips. They tasted fruity, almost like…Raspberry Fantastic lip-gloss that Ally had loaned to Elaine for the day! That bitch. And Larry had lied to her again. What was next? He’d probably had an affair with Ling. And Nelle.

“Larry, what’s that on your cheek?” She smeared off the blue eye shadow rubbed on his face. “Since when do you... do you wear eye shadow?” She joked, trying not to cry. Her tears were forming again, swelling in her eyes, about to explode any second.

She knew what was next. “Oh, it must have been yours from... before.” He lied smoothly with a sly smirk.

“Honey, I don’t *wear* eye shadow.” Ally stammered.

“Ally? Hey, what’s wrong? Why don’t we get some coffee once the elevator is fixed, then maybe a little dessert later on tonight? Hm... sound good?” He locked eyes with hers.

“No. Larry. No. I can’t take your lying and cheating anymore! You think you can get off easy with this? What next...are you going to be an alcoholic? How do I know you’re not already?! We’re getting married soon, and you’re already moved in! Are you in it for the big divorce settlement in the end???” Ally felt her cheeks burning up, and her hand wiped her nose. She took in a big breath, and before he could get a word in, cut him off. “Larry. I know what you did with Jamie. I know that you and Elaine were in there, proving your betrayal to me. Larry. I...I *don’t* know what to say to you. When you first kissed her in the office, I let you off easy, but this time I’m not...I’m not that stupid! Damn it Larry, I gave you a second chance, and you let it explode in my face. It’s over. I don’t care what you say, but I know this is gonna happen again in the future. Good...bye...” She rubbed the tears off her face, and stormed off into her office, slamming the door shut. Larry stood in shock. His jaw dropped open, and felt a tear trickling don his face. “Didn’t you tell her?” Elaine sounded sympathetic.

“She didn’t let me talk. And now I don’t even want to...” He mumbled in disbelief of the moment. He walked off to the elevator, which was now functioning, and pressed the down button. He glanced over to Ally’s door, and took a step towards it. He turned his back to the elevator and stepped in. He lifted his hand to his eyes, realizing how much pain he really was in. “I’ll always love you, Ally.” He whispered to himself, and sighed, stepping out of the elevator, forced to face the world yet again.

“It seems to me that there are more hearts,
Broken in the world that can’t be mended,
Left unattended.
What do we do?
What do we do?

And in my hour of need,
I truly am indeed,
Alone again, naturally.”