The morning routine is just that for Bette Porter. It is routine. The alarm, the morning shower, the preparation for venturing out into the world with a half-hour drive to the California Arts Center where her office is. For her girlfriend, Tina Kennard the day is a little different. Sleep in a little more while Bette readies herself, the farewell kiss before she departs, and then preparing for her own day.

Tina opens her eyes as Bette enters the room one last time before leaving for work.

Tina "Looking sharp, Ms. Porter."

Bette grins as she leans down to her love with a kiss on the lips.

Bette "How much do you plan on getting done today?"

Tina "I'm in the home stretch. Should be finished by the afternoon and then I can just email it and let the office people do whatever they're gonna do with it."

Bette grins as she turns to leave only to turn back.

Bette "Oh, don't forget Shane's new roommate's supposed to be showing up this morning."

Tina "Oh, shit that's right. I'm sure she'll give her a good welcome to LA."

Bette "Okay, I'll be back for lunch. Love you."

Tina "Love you."

As Bette exits, Tina begins to stretch as she rises out of bed. She has her own day ahead which will begin with the morning jog.

Next door, Shane McCutcheon is looking over the house once again to make sure everything is set. She has been looking forward to her new roommate to arrive from Illinois. She has received the call and the new roomie is on her way.

Just South of the homes of Bette and Tina, and Shane is a cafe known as the Planet. It is run by Marina Ferrer who is there this morning helping the staff look after customers. Among them are a couple of friends, Alice Pieszecki and Dana Fairbanks.

Marina "And how's the salad?"

Dana "Good! Thanks."

Marina "Where's Shane?"

Alice finishes her sip of coffee from the mug.

Alice "She's waiting on that Illinois girl to show up."

Dana "That's today?"

Alice "Mm hm. She called her earlier this morning to let her know she was in West Hollywood."

Dana "That's gotta be weird. Getting a roommate you haven't met face to face yet."

Alice "Yeah, well she did do something the other prospective roommates couldn't do and that's pay the first month's rent in advance. That always helps."

As Marina tends to other tables, checking on customers Alice and Dana are joined by a woman named Lisa.

Lisa "Hey."

Alice "Hey, Lisa what's up?"

Lisa "Is Shane not here?"

Dana shakes her head.

Alice "Her roommate's coming in today."

Lisa "Shit. I was hoping to meet up with her. Ah well I can just call her later."

Dana finishes up her morning salad and rises from her seat.

Dana "Okay guys, I've gotta flight to catch."

Lisa "Where to this time?"

Dana "Memphis, South Cup. See if I can bounce back from Melbourne."

Alice "Knock 'em dead, Dane."

Lisa "Good luck!"

Dana "Thanks, guys."

Dana is a tennis star though she is not at the level she would like to be. She had an early departure from the Australian Open and it was time to get back to work. There has been training and now it is off to Memphis for the South Cup tournament.

Life moves on in West Hollywood as Bette makes her way to work and Dana exits for the airport. Tina's morning jog is normally predictable. During her trek around the block, she will see the same people usually doing the same things as every morning. She will see the same vehicles parked in the same spots and other vehicles familiar to her driving in the same directions as the other mornings. With the occasional exception of a delivery van, not much is different. This morning, Tina notices something striking in the normalcy. It is a brown Pontiac Firebird that looks from the 1970s. Its engine has the roar of a classic muscle car, a little different from the more modern muscle of Bette's Holden Monaro. Tina looks at the car momentarily and sees an unfamiliar face looking back at her while driving.

After seeing a rather attractive blonde woman jogging on the sidewalk to her right, Jenny Schecter goes back to focusing on the address. She is on North Genesee Avenue and now it's just a matter of finding the correct house or even better, the baby blue pickup truck of its tenant.

In the living room, Shane can hear the car outside pulling up to the side of the street. Looking out the window, she sees the brown Firebird.

Shane "That's her."

Knowing that there will be bags to carry, Shane opens the front door and exits. Jenny has shut the engine off and has exhaled deeply. She exits her car and sees a rather thin woman with pitch black hair like her own, but in a much different style.

Jenny "Shane?"

Shane "You must be Jenny."

Jenny smiles.

Jenny "It's finally good to get a face with the voice."

They greet one another with a handshake.

Shane "Need any help getting your stuff in?"

Jenny "Yes, that would be fantastic."

Shane "After we get everything in, I'll give you the grand tour. Was the drive okay?"

Jenny "It was long, but I didn't wanna fly and leave the car behind."

Shane "Ah."

Shane and Jenny finally meet, after a month of email and phone correspondence. Tina continues her morning jog up North Genesee, then West on Fountain Ave, South on North Ogden Drive, East on Santa Monica past the Planet, then back up North on North Genesee to her home. Bette is arriving at the California Arts Center. Marina is hard at work at the Planet. Alice is on her way to the offices of LA Magazine where she gets assignments as a freelance writer. Dana is on her way to Los Angeles International Airport for a flight to Memphis with her tennis gear for the next tournament. Lisa Pantolini is on her way to work at her receptionist job at Shaolin Studios.

It is another morning in West Hollywood with many more to follow.