Debbie has to leave Lou in the apartment so she can do a job that she knows Lou is not that much thrilled about. She doesn't want to leave her but she's already contracted to do the job and doesn't want to ruin her reputation in the con industry. Meanwhile Lou, alone in her big apartment, decided to clean up her room. She rarely does that. She emptied her closet and segregated the clothes she wants to keep and the ones she wants to throw or give away. An old suitcase is sitting at the bottom of her closet caught her attention. She took it out and opened it. It's filled with pictures of her. "Long time no see", she muttered as she strolls through the old pictures of her. There are also photos of her and Debbie when they were younger. She put it aside so she can show it to her later. Then she found a long blue box inside the suitcase. She stiffened for a minute before having the guts to pick it up. She didn't bother to open it but only put it on her bedside table.
Later that night, Lou went to the bar to check her business. "Keep it coming, guys. It's 10:00 o'clock", she said as her staff watered down the vodka bottles. She looked at the alcoholic drinks by the bar with desire. "Will you pour me one of those?" she asked one of them and she followed. She poured Lou pure vodka and gave it to her. Lou immediately drank it like water. "Another one", she said. Debbie got in the apartment with some takeouts for dinner. "Lou! I'm home! Come on…I'm starving!" she called out but no one answered her. She looked around first in the ground floor of the apartment and found no Lou. "Lou?" she called again. Debbie decided to go upstairs to check in Lou's bedroom if she's there. She didn't find her there either. Instead, she noticed how tidy her room is now compared to before. Debbie smiled to herself. She's about to leave the room when she noticed something on her bedside table. It was a long blue box that somewhat similar to the ones you put a necklace to for a gift. Debbie got so intrigued on why Lou has that. Maybe she's thinking it's a secret gift of Lou for her. She decided to take a peek and then later on she would just pretend to Lou that she didn't know what it is when she gives it to her. Debbie picked up the box and opened it. "Jesus, Lou…" she muttered once she saw it and then slammed it shut.
The bar is packed with drunken crowd, thanks to Lou's special vodka. She, herself, is as nearly as drunk as them but instead of joining the crowd on the dance floor, she preferred to stay by the bar and watch the TV. "You want another one, Lou?" one of her staff asked her. She looked at what bottle is on her hands. "Yeah, thanks", she answered and the lady poured her glass another shot of vodka. Lou picked it up nearly spilling it all over her pants. She laughed at herself before drinking it. Then Debbie came in storming. She grabbed the remote from the bar and turned off the TV. "What the…" Lou was about to unleash her wrath when she saw Debbie standing right there. "Why did you do that? That was Fight Club", Lou asked her while slurring her words which elevates Debbie's temper. She looked at the girls around them. "All of you, leave, now", she instructed and they all followed. Lou frowned. "What's going on?" she asked. Debbie scoffed. "That's a good question, Lou. What's going on? Because I found this in your room", she asked her back throwing the blue box on the table.
Lou got surprised by that and didn't utter a word. "Tell me the truth and nothing but the truth, Lou. Are you injecting yourself again with this shit?" Debbie asked angrily. Lou looked at her right away. "Of course not! Do you think after all the work I did that I would just slide back in just like that? I found that in my closet when I cleaned it this morning. I took that out so I could throw it afterwards but I forgot", she answered. Debbie wanted to ignore her reason but she knows Lou is telling the truth. She knows when she's lying. They've known each other for too long to sense when the other one is lying. "If that's true, then why do you still have contact with Carlton?" Debbie asked. Lou looked shocked and Debbie saw that. "I saw his text on your phone. I peeked", Debbie explained how she knew without waiting for her to ask it. "I'm not sure you know the meaning of privacy", Lou muttered. Debbie smiled. "You know that when you met me", she replied.
"It's not like that. We just ran into each other in Berlin and then when talked and that's it", Lou explained.
"Lou…" Debbie muttered.
"I know. I know. I'm not as stupid as I look, Deb. I know who he is, how he is…it's just that…oh…I don't know what I'm doing anymore", Lou said cutting Debbie off. She then leaned back and almost fell off her chair. Debbie went to her.
"You're drunk. Come on. We're going home", she said.
Debbie took Lou home and laid her down on her bed. She took off her boots and gently put on the blanket on her. She sat on the bed beside Lou as she watched her sleep. She took a deep sigh and grabbed her coat so she can hang it up. Debbie noticed there's something in Lou's pocket. She took it out and saw pictures of them when they were younger. She smiled a little then looked back at Lou. Debbie went downstairs and grabbed her phone which she left on the table in the living room. She dialed and then put the phone on her ear. "Hi, it's me. We need to talk right now. Meet me at the diner", she said then hung up. It wasn't clear who she'd called. She checked on Lou one more time before leaving the apartment.
The diner that she went to is a very popular one. There's almost no vacant seat. Debbie went to a specific table at the corner where Tammy is waiting. "Thank you for coming in such short notice", she greeted. Tammy just rolled around her eyes. "Let's get to it. My daughter has a school play tomorrow", she said less enthusiastically. Debbie sat down and took off her sunglasses. "Lou is back", she said briefly. Tammy's eyes widened shortly. "Well, that's great. You got your roommate back. What's the emergency?" she asked. Debbie's face is cold as her voice. "Carlton is back", she answered. That surprised Tammy and by the look on her face, she knew the guy. "What do you mean he's back? I thought you said he's in jail rotting by now", she asked one more time. Debbie sighed. "I thought so too but apparently he's out because Lou ran onto him in Berlin and now they're in contact with each other", she answered. Tammy leaned back on her chair. "This is bad. This is really bad", she muttered. "What do you want me to do?" she asked. Debbie smiled. "I got a job for you", she answered.