Lights were going off as Phoebe and Joey emerged from the limo. A million people wore tags around their necks to show they were members of the press.
"Hey Joey over here!" one of them screamed.
Joey flashed his smile and waved to all the photographers .
"Hey Joe, who's the girl?" a particularly forward reporter asked.
"This is Phoebe, my very good friend, she's visiting from New York." Joey answered.
"So how do you like Hollywood, Phoebe?" the reporter asked.
"Please it's Regina , Regina Philangie." she corrected them.
A million pencils scribbled the name of this mysterious blonde woman on the arm of the Deep Powder star.Cell phones were being used as the reporters made sure that this woman's name was in the next column or edition of their publication.
A rather large man came over to Joey and Phoebe. "Mr. Tribbiani this way." he said leading them to the red carpet. Phoebe couldn't believe this was all happening.
"Wow it's really red. Is this what your life is like now Joey?" Phoebe wondered.
"Well of course I have the show, but yeah premieres and parties and award shows." Joey said. "I usually take Gina or my neighbor Alex." he said sadly.
"Ah come on, I know there would be a lot of women who would die for this and the Joey lovin." smiled Phoebe.
"Phoebs I am tired of a different girl each night, I want some stability in this crazy life. I want to be able to come home from a hard day at the studio and have someone cook me my dinner besides Michael." Joey said as they walked in the theatre.
"But when was the last time you felt that way towards a girl?" asked Phoebe.
"You know when, and you know why it didn't work." Joey looked at Phoebe.
"Don't let falling in love with one of your best friends ruin your chance at happiness. We all knew they would get back together eventually. And she had just given birth to his daughter." Phoebe reminded him.
"He better never do anything to screw it up again. Ross doesn't know how lucky he really is." Joey looked off as if in thought.
"Well Dee said that the presentation is set for two on Thursday. A Mr. Brinks , who is in charge of programming wants to meet with me and then I guess he will make the final decision." Ross said as his wife brushed their daughters hair.
"It still is almost like something out of an old movie." gushed Rachel. "One minute you are teaching about fossils and stuff , then we are in a luxury suite as you meet with network executives."
"Yeah, you know something maybe we should see about putting Emma with an agent. She certainly has the looks and with luck inherited her daddy's talent." Ross said as he touched her hair.
"I think that one star in the family is enough." Rachel said as she combed .
"But what about that one father and daughter acting team? You would know this , he is on a soap opera and she is on a prime time sit com?" Ross said.
"Oh her, I love her, yeah her and husband broke up." Rachel said matter of factly.
"Hey guys." said Chandler as he popped his head in the door. "So what is Hollywood's new hot couple up to?"
"Such an exciting evening planned. First I am going to put my daughter's hair in pigtails , then I am going to sit in bed and read my new book. It's anybody's guess what the star is going to do."Rachel said.
"Well how would you guys like to go to Vegas?" asked Chandler. "I know the big day is Thursday, but just get in the car and ride out into the desert. What do you say?" he smiled.
"Might be fun. Does Monica know you are going or is this just another excuse to play the slots like when we went to Atlantic City?" Ross said.
"Actually Mon is going along so are Jack and Erica, we are going to see my dad. We thought it might be nice to see him since we are out here in the West."said Chandler.
"Sounds like fun, can we go honey?" said Rachel as she wrapped her arms around her husband.
"Okay, but only if he promises not to try to seduce me again like at your wedding." Ross said. "And I am sure I am even more sexy now that I am going to be a t.v. star."
Rachel rolled her eyes. Ever since this whole star trip, the star hadn't wanted to come near her. They had not made love or anything and it was beginning to depress her. She tried to talk to him, but he would distance himself and roll over and go to sleep claiming he needed his beauty rest .This whole experience was supposed to be about them, now it was just about him.
As they left the movie, a girl in an evening gown handed them each a designer bag.
"What's this?" asked Phoebe. "I didn't pay for it."
"It's what they call a goodie bag. You see sponsors and studios pay millions of dollars to invest in these movies. To promote them, they give the celebrities merchandise so they won't forget them when they have to nominate them for award shows or if they want someone in their movie." Joey explained. "There should be some great stuff in here."
Phoebe opened her bag, "Oh my it's a photo phone, and here is a certificate for a three day stay at a spa, and look at this diamond bracelet." she squealed.
It was so great to see Phoebe smile again. He wished he could have gotten her through this whole Mike mess. Watching her go through this bag, reminded him of the childlike quality that himself and Phoebe possessed. Monica was the mother hen, Chandler the jokester, Rachel the princess and Ross the intellectual. Each of them had their own qualities and that is why they were such a great group of friends.
"Come on Pheebs, it's the best part." urged Joey.
"What's that?" she asked.
"The food of course," he yelled. "And boy is it great!"
Phoebe smiled , you could put the man in Hollywood, but you couldn't take Joey Tribbiani out of the man. Same old Joey.
The next day, on every news stand in America, were the smiling faces of Phoebe Buffay Hannigan and Joey Tribbiani. America was abuzz as the star of the hit series was seen about Tinseltown escorting this glamorous mystery woman. He had used the fatal phrase known to every gossip columnist as a tip off.."She was just a friend."
Mike sat in Starbucks as he read one of these articles . He knew she had gone to California. He had also warned her not to make this trip and this was the reason. Once again, he had been stood up for the sake of that little group. That damn little group he was forced to make a part of his life. This was it.
Mike dialed the number on the card in his wallet. "Hello Jeff, this is Mike Hannigan. I want to come in this afternoon and do what we talked about. Yeah I want to serve her for divorce. Right now she is in California, so we can send the papers out there. As soon as possible .
Thanks.
Mike had done it. She had made her decision. Her friends were more important than him. Now she could be with them as much as she wanted.
Next: Rachel seduces a star… thanks for all the great reviews…