Bette lay on her cot, staring up at the white ceiling of the tent. She and Tina shared sleeping quarters with Alice and Dana who had, at some point in the night, moved into their tent and slept on the ground in a sleeping bag. She looked over at Tina, who was snoring away. She didnt understand why the hum coming from the heating generator didnt keep them awake all night. She was cranky!

She lifted her head and looked around for something to throw at the sleeping beauties, as Tinas eyes slowly opened and zeroed in on her. The clearing of Tinas throat made her freeze in her tracks.

Tina: What are you doing?
Bette: Nothing, why?
Tina: You look like youre up to something.
Bette: Uh, nope! How, how did you sleep?
Tina: Like a log! You?
Bette: Fine!

Tina stretched and let out a loud yawn as Bette sat up. Actually, Im lying! I hate this! I hardly slept at all. I hated dinner last night and I feel like crying! Tina looked at Dana and Alice as she let out a Shhh! She continued, Crying? How could you be that miserable? You seemed like you were having fun when we first got here. Bette looked over to Alice and Dana who were still sleeping, and crawled over to Tina. She whispered, Listen, if we leave now we can be in Hawaii by… Tina interrupted, No Bette! Were here now. We came all this way! Were staying! And besides, I want to be in the dog race! Itll be fun! Bette just let out a huge sigh and rolling her eyes, reached for her boots.

Alice: Punkn out on me Porter? Typical!

Alice sat up wearing a smile, aimed right at Bette. I knew it! I knew you couldnt handle it! Alice lay back down and nuzzled into Danas back. Some people arent meant for the great outdoors I guess! Tina noticed Bettes demeanor changing from miserable to pissed! She tried to change the subject quick before it escalated. You guys, lets get breakfast before the food line gets out of control!

Bette: Punkn out? What are you 17? And no! No, Im not punkn out! Im just freezing, and my throat is completely dry from that so called heating system that was blowing cold air on me all night! Im probably getting bronchitis!

Tina: Um, so…. guys? Breakfast?

Alice rolled over and grabbed for her boots. Well, Id snap out of it Bette! Suck on a cough drop! Because youre the lead on your sled! And you might want to change youre attitude if you want to win…. scratch that, I dont know what I was thinking! I meant to say if you want to finish the race! I dont know why win came out of my mouth. I swear, I dont think sometimes. Alice got up and threw on her full-length Beaver skin coat. She gave Dana a nudge before putting on her matching gloves and coon cap. Dane! Wake up baby. Lets get some breakfast. We have a long day ahead of us!

Alice unzipped the door of the tent and got down on one knee as she scoped the competition outside. Bette began getting dressed and said, Its not that I dont want to be here! Ok? Its just that SOMEONE told me Alaska would be soothing and relaxing. SOMEONE didnt mention the Iditarod race till about an hour before you two showed up at our house to go to the airport! Tina ignored Bette and continued to dress as she whistled. And to be honest, I didnt know wed be sleeping in tents on a camp ground filled with gross old men who look they havent showered in years. Not to mention the lack of TEETH in their heads, and the fact that they gawked at us all night….

Tina: I should have told you. I just thought it would be a surprise and once we got here, and you saw what it was all about youd be excited.

Bette: Tina! Who the ***** picks an Iditarod Race as their vacation? Why on earth would anyone want to do this?

Alice couldnt believe her ears!

Alice: Are you kidding me? Who wouldnt want to do it? It just so happens Bette that I used to do this with my dad all the time. Oh yeah, in fact we raced every year till I was 14!

Bette: Why did you stop at 14?

Alice: Cuz we were ROBBED! Thats why!

Alice pointed her finger in the direction of an elderly couple eating their breakfast in the distance.

Alice: Come here. See that couple over there Porter? Sure, they look all old and innocent! But they are not innocent my friend! Theyre VULTURES! Thats Mr. and Mrs. Earl Zogg! They forced me and my father off course and sent us catapulting into a ravine! We lost that year Bette! The race was ours and they STOLE it from us! It was a Pieszecki family tradition and they ruined it! My father swore he would never race again after that! Well, I guess you can say Im here for a little payback! Perfect vacation in my book!

Bette: Youre lying!!!

Bette knew Alice was playing her mind games. But, that didnt stop her from falling right into the trap! She rolled her eyes and looked at the Zoggs, calmly eating their breakfast. As she looked on at all the teams packing up and getting ready, she found herself becoming intrigued.

Bette: I dont believe you!
Alice: You dont have to believe my friend. Its dog eat dog out there! Only the strong survive! But, I understand if you cant cut the mustard! Ha, I should have known better.

Bette wasnt about to let Alice get the better of her. She was stuck there, in Alaska! If she had to be in the race, it was going to be on her terms!

Turning and looking at Dana and Tina who were now dressing as they listened on, Bette motioned for Alice to follow her out of the tent. Once outside she said, Theyre like a hundred years old Alice! Alice shrugged and said, Whats your point? Bette just shook her head. My point is theyre old! What kind of competition are they? Doesnt seem fair!! Seems to me that only a punk would take advantage of this situation!

Alice: What are you saying?
Bette: Im saying, were here! We might as well make this interesting!
Alice: Are you, are you challenging me?
Bette: Maybe!
Alice: Youve never done this before! It wouldnt be fair! Id wipe your face in it, no offense of course!
Bette: Ya think so huh? Care to put your money where your big mouth is?
Alice: Youre…. youre serious?
Bette: Yep! I say we make it interesting! Say, a wager perhaps!
Alice: A WAGER! Youre betting me? Oh Bette, you better think about this! I told ya, this is my thing! Ive done this, I know the terrain. Clearly I have the advantage.
Bette: I dont see whats so hard about it! I went through the tutorial last night and really, the dogs do most of the work!
Alice: The DOG……Oh Bette, I dont mean to bust your bubble, but it requires a bit of human skill as well! Of which you HAVE NONE!
Bette: Then you should have nothing to worry about, right? Youre the champ and all! I mean, woops, you could have been the champ if it wasnt for those hundred year old Zoggs!
Alice: Whats the bet!
Bette: The losing team waits on the winning team, hand and foot, for a whole day! Anything Tina and I ask for, you and Dana have to do! ANYTHING!
Alice: You mean anything me and Dana ask for, you and Tina have to do!
Bette: That remains to be seen but, yes! Thats the bet!
Alice: You are SO on!

As Alice and Bette shook hands to seal the bet, Alice leaned in and whispered, I have Dana!

Bette: Yeah, well I have Tina!
Alice: Danas a professional athlete Porter! Ha, youre toast!

As Alice walked away she thought, I knew shed buy the Zogg story! Sucker!

Alice excitedly walked back into the tent. She walked up to Dana and planted one on her. The rules have changed my lady! Lets get are stuff ready. You and me need to go over our game plan.

Dana: What game plan? What just happened?

Bette walked in behind Alice wearing a grin. Tina, we need to talk baby! Tina spit out her toothpaste and nervously looked back and forth from Bette to Alice. Um, ok!

Alice and Dana quickly grabbed their bags and made their way out of the tent. Bette nervously watched them with her hands in her back pockets. As soon as they walked out, she ran up to Tina. Ok, heres the deal! I made a bet with Alice that wed beat her and Dana in the race.

Tina: Have you lost your mind? A few minutes ago you didnt even want to be here!
Bette: Well, were here…. might as well make the most of it. And besides, I think we can take them!!

Alice grabbed Dana under the arm and walking toward their sled said, Ok, me and you against Porter and Kennard!

Dana: What are you talking about?
Alice: In the race! Us against them! Come on Dana, youre an athlete and I….
Dana: You what Al? Youve never done this before! The Zoggs Alice? Give me a break!
Alice: I dont see whats so hard about it! I went through the tutorial last night and really, the dogs do most of the work!

Bette: Shes never done this before! Shes lying! And that makes us even!
Tina: Ok! Im in!
Bette: Really? Wow, that was easy!
Tina: Well, I got you into this, so, yeah! Whatever it takes to make you have fun! Im in!

Dana: Servants for a day? Thats the bet?
Alice: Yep!

Tina: Servants for a day? Thats the bet?
Bette: Yep!

Dana and Tina: Lets do it!

Dana and Alice ate their breakfast at a table a few feet away from Tina and Bette. Bette and Alice wore their game faces as Tina and Dana giggled at them and rolled their eyes. They all started to clean up at the sound of the warning horn, indicating they had 15 minutes till race time. As Alice started packing the sled, Dana was going around petting all the dogs. At a sled about 4 down from them, Bette and Tina were doing the same.

Dana: Alice? Who does this one remind you of?
Alice: Um, I dont know sweetie. Listen, start getting yourself into the sled.

Dana gave Alice a slap on the arm as she climbed in. Alice bent down and showed her the map, all secretive like. Ok, Ive been studying this. Eagle River is the first checkpoint. Now, when I say NOW you hold on for dear life. There are going to be a few quick maneuvers along the way. Those two arent gonna know what hit them!

Dana made an official, yes sir face as she pulled the blanket up over her legs. She looked over to Tina and let out a wave. Tina pulled her blanket up and shot off a smile as she held up her reigns in disbelief!

Bette: No fraternizing with the competition T!
Tina: Um, its Dana Bette!
Bette: At the end of the race its Dana. Right now, shes the enemy!

Race Coordinator: Racers to the starting line!

Alice let out a MUSH and as her sled began to move, she giggled! This rocks! Bette said, Yah! and Tina laughed. Their sled didnt move. Um Bette, babe, I think you have to say mush! As soon as Tina said it, the dogs began making their way to the starting line. Bettes eyes opened wide as the sled started to glide and she quickly looked down at Tina. Oh, well, ok! See, thats why youre on my team!

All the racers were positioned at the starting line. It was a motley looking line of old fisherman type characters with their wives. In the middle of this group were two pairs of savvy city girls wearing their attitudes from the big city, and personal vendettas on their sleeves! The dogs were becoming restless. Alice pulled back on the reigns to stop them before handing them off to Dana. Now Dane, dont go pulling on these till I say so! She then shot a lowbrow look over at Bette. Bette, feeling Alices glare, looked over and smiled a cocky grin right back at her. Alice threw up her middle finger and as the sound of the gunshot rang out, she screamed MUSH!!! Bette yelped and as she started to panic, Tina yelled, MUSH!!! GO!!! The dogs took off and Bette screamed.

Tina: Bette!! BETTE!! Turn them!! That way!!!
Bette: IM TRYING!!!

Alice: HANG ON DANA, HANG ON!!

Alice took a sharp turn cutting off the so called Zoggs in the process. They veered off and as their sled came to a stop, Bette said, SEE THAT? SHES PLAYING DIRTY T!!!! HANG ON!!

Bette: MUUUUSSSSSHHHHHH!!!!

Tina started laughing and let out OHHs and AHHs as the sled started gliding along, picking up speed. Alice was turning her sled with the skill of an Indy 500 racecar driver and as she turned the first corner, she looked back at Bette and Tina. Letting out a chuckle, she adjusted her goggles and got down low. Dana looked back. Holy ***** Alice! Youre doing great!! I knew it would be easy Dane! Piece of cake!

No sooner did the words escape Alices mouth when all of a sudden, they hit a snow mound. The dogs jumped right over it with ease but it managed to send Alice and Dana, along with their sled, flying through the air. Tina let out an Oh my GOD!! as she watched the sled hit the ground and continue down the trail. Bette, watch that mound!! I GOT IT T!

Dana: ALICE!! I THINK MY ***** IS BROKEN!!

Bette and Tina were now on the heels of Alice and Dana as Alice steered the sled in front of them. Bette was trying to steer around them as she said, WHATS THE MATTER ALICE? GETTING NERVOUS? The four of them continued on down the trail. They were so involved in their own personal race that they didnt notice the rest of the racers passing them, one by one. HA! EAT MY DUST PORTER!! MUUSSSSHHH!!