In the role of Oscar, I picture Joseph Gordon-Levitt. But you can imagine whomever you like best.

Again, not sure where this is going.

"I don't know, Victoria." Joy was still sort of on the fence about the whole reality show thing.

"Sit down, Joy. Let me explain how Hollywood works." They all sat down at the round kitchen table they'd gathered around so many times before discussing their problems and delights. Not a day went by that they didn't huddle around this table with a cup of coffee or glass of wine and talk and drink endlessly.

Joy sat back in her chair with her arms folded across her chest. She couldn't wait to hear Victoria's explanation. But in the back of her mind, Joy knew she would eventually agree. Joy couldn't say no to Victoria. They'd been through thick and thin together for so many years. And 25 years ago, Joy, Victoria and Melanie made a pact to always be there for one another. They were all three the best of friends but when they were young and Melanie was raising her family, Joy and Victoria forged a bond that would never be broken.

"America wants to see famous celebrities in their natural environment." Victoria explained.

"Not unlike snotty children watching the rhinos at the zoo." Elka spoke up.

Victoria cut her eyes at Elka. "Joy, we are married…sort of. We could milk this thing for all it's worth! We could be," she stretched her arms out in front of her, "lesbian reality show pioneers!"

Melanie's eyes widened. "Oh no. Here we go."

Joy held up her hands in front of her, palms facing out. "Hold on. Just stop." She rested her hands on the table. "If…and I'm saying if…I do this…what's in it for me and what exactly do I have to agree to? There has to be guidelines."

Victoria smiled from ear to ear. She knew then that Joy was on her side. "Oh nothing out of the ordinary really. Just be yourself and pretend you're in love with me." Victoria shrugged. "I'll coach you along the way. This will be so much fun!" She was almost giddy.

No one noticed the camera lens that peeked thru the slit in the kitchen door.

Elka stood up, straightened her bedazzled pink track suit and said, "Victoria, good luck." She then turned to Joy and put a hand on her shoulder. "Joy, drink lots of alcohol." And with that Elka shuffled out the back door.

"Okay so seriously? Is this happening?" Melanie couldn't believe Joy would agree to such. Did she know what she was getting into?

"Yes, Victoria is my wife. I have to support her." Joy said slightly sarcastic.

And thru the kitchen door, Emmy burst in with her camera man following. She quickly turned on her heels and faced the camera. Her long brunette hair billowing around her, she smiled and stretched out her arms to each side. "And there you have it, America. Emmy Chase: Famous and Fabulous is a go."

Joy raised her eyebrow at Victoria. And Victoria knew exactly what that look was saying. I told you this was about Emmy and not about you. Victoria winked at her and smiled. It'll be ok.

"Emmy, darling, turn off the cameras." Victoria startled herself and snickered. "Wow, I never thought I'd ever say those words."

Emmy huffed. "Mother, we have to document and film every minute or it won't be an accurate portrayal."

Victoria pointed at her daughter. "You know as well as I do that all the i's must be dotted and t's crossed before anything can proceed. There's a lot of red tape, Emmy. If you're going to film in this house you have to get written permission from the owner and from everyone you're going to be showing on camera. "

Melanie shook her head. It was amazing how similar Emmy and Victoria were when it came to the spotlight. But Emmy still had a lot to learn if she'd just settle down and allow herself to soak in what Victoria was teaching her.

Finally, by that evening all the wrinkles had been ironed out. All of the contracts had been signed. The show was ready to go on. They were all gathered in the living room. Joy, still feeling a little uneasy, poured herself a fourth glass of wine.

"Joy, my love," Victoria smiled and quickly looked in the direction of the camera that was permanently affixed to the top of their tv. Hank, the camera man, had already strategically positioned several cameras around the house. "I think that's enough for tonight." Victoria tried to take away Joy's wine glass.

"Yes, and I think you're wrong." Joy downed the red wine.

Elka got up to go to bed and muttered as she was leaving through the kitchen door, "huh, and I figured Joy's spouse would have been the heavy drinker."

Emmy, who was getting a foot massage from Oscar, said, "Now, now mommies. Never go to bed angry." Emmy lowered her legs and slid her newly lotioned feet into blue fuzzy slippers. "Oscar, take my bags up to the first room on the right at the top of the stairs." Dutifully, Oscar jumped to his feet.

"Wait, that's my room." Joy stated.

Victoria snapped her head around and widened her brown eyes at Joy. "I mean, yes, that was my room but uh it's yours now." Joy smiled tightly after realizing her mistake.

Oscar lumbered up the stairs with the five pieces of luggage that Emmy brought with her. Stopping midway, he turned back. "Goodnight, mom….and Joy." Then continued on up the stairs.

Joy and Victoria both bid him a good night. Melanie already fixed up a makeshift room in the den for Oscar and Hank. She felt bad for not having another room for them but no one really used the den anyway.

"Remember," Emmy stopped at the bottom of the stairs, "the eyes of Emmy are always upon you." She laughed a deep, evil laugh and bounced up the stairs.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Joy had had a few glasses of wine too many and maybe she wasn't comprehending correctly or maybe she was comprehending too much.

Melanie, with her hair pulled back into a loose ponytail and her reading glasses perched on her nose, straightened her green pajamas. "Victoria, you do know where they put all the cameras don't you?" She looked around the room.

"Um. Well…"

"You don't, do you?" Joy was getting upset and loud. Victoria couldn't let her ruin this.

"Joy, darling, let's take a walk." Victoria placed her hand on Joy's elbow and led her to the front door.

"Now? It's almost midnight. And we're in our pajamas."

"Hello. This is Cleveland. Everyone on this street went to bed before 9:30."

Joy agreed and conceded. Melanie bade them goodnight and headed off to her own bedroom.

The coal black sky was clear and dotted with millions of twinkling stars. A nearly full moon hung high overhead casting dark shadows along the pavement as Victoria and Joy walked along the sidewalk. They walked in silence for a long time.

Victoria finally spoke as they rounded the end of their street. "We haven't done this in a long time."

"I know."

Walking and talking about their problems in the dead of night was their little secret. It started years ago in LA. Not even Melanie knew about this one. This was their time to talk through whatever was bothering them. Victoria could be herself…the self she rarely let anyone see.

"I promise you this will be fun." Victoria said quietly.

"I'm not sure fun is the right word. But…I agreed to do this because you asked me to and you know..."

Victoria stopped them before stepping onto the porch. "I won't let her embarrass you." In the back of Victoria's mind she knew all too well what Emmy was capable of. She was partially to blame for creating such a monster.

Joy smiled and gave Victoria a long hug. "So I guess I'm sleeping with you?"

"Well, darlin, you've slept with me before." Victoria laughed and took Joy's hand as they walked up the few steps of the porch. Just as they made it to the top one a bright light flashed in their faces. Blinded and stumbling backwards, Joy grabbed one of the porch posts with her right arm and caught Victoria with her left pulling Victoria to her chest to keep her from falling down the flight of stairs. Another flash blinded them further.

"Emmy!" Victoria grumbled.