He bought her the first video camera she ever had. It was used and not very fancy but it was an artistic outlet for her. Being one to fade into the background, it was easy for her to sit back and document on video what was around her. She was sensitive to the trials and tribulations of a dysfunctional life, so it was easy for her to win the confidence of her subjects. Danny felt her camera work and documentary skills would to be their way out of the endless cycles of failures. Their entire relationship changed, as did her view of him, after she met Helena.

Alice tried to break her out of the deep thought she was in, “Dylan, did you hear the question?”

Dylan collected her thoughts, cleared her throat and responded, “I’d rather not discuss my personal life. That has nothing to do with the film.”

“I’m sorry to upset you Dylan, I just thought you might want to let the audience know a little bit about you personally, what is your motivation, what drives you. Perhaps they could identify with you.”

“I strongly doubt that your audience will identify with me at all.”

Well, you are a lesbian aren’t you? My website is for lesbians. They are always interested in what other lesbians are doing? What their coming out stories are? Who they are seeing? You know, all that gossipy stuff. It makes for interesting viewing.”

Dylan continued to refuse to allow a line of personal questions, “I doubt that my life would be interesting to your viewers. I will only talk about the film. My personal life is off limits.”

Alice was stumped by Dylan’s response and contemplated where to go next. “Okay I see…Well then…Hmmm.” After some thought she continued the interview. “Yes, back to the film. Your initial funding was by Helena Peabody when she owned Shoalin studios, how was it working with her?”

Dylan stopped and glared at Alice. She bit down hard and grinded her teeth. She felt the interview was becoming more antagonistic but she knew if she had any chance of speaking to Helena it might be through her friends. She carefully chose her words to respond, “Helena is a wonderful person. She is one of the kindest people I know. It was great working with her.”

Alice knew she was skating on thin ice but pressed on.”But, you eventually sued her for sexual harassment, how do you reconcile your statement and that suit?”

Dylan took in a deep breath, turned off the cameras that sat behind her and Alice and responded. “I’ve already told you, no personal questions. Besides, there is non-disclosure agreement on this case so I cannot discuss it. Off the record I will tell you this, I know you are good friends with Helena and perhaps your questions should be asked without cameras rolling. She is a beautiful woman whom I know I hurt. I can’t change the past. I can only hope to…rectify in some way what happened.”

“And how do you plan to do this Dylan?”

Dylan sat back in her chair. She was stumped about how she could rectify what she did. Her eyes began to tear up. She nervously bit her lip and responded, “I hope I will have to opportunity to speak to her one-on-on. This is really an issue for Helena and me. I hope to see her before I leave. So far, she has not been willing to speak to me. I hope she might change her mind. Perhaps I can get her to forgive me. I’m not proud of what I did. I made an error in judgment that hurt her and caused her to lose a lot. Even if she doesn’t forgive me, I hope to apologize to her face and face.”

Alice studied Dylan’s face. She seemed sincere enough but with what she knew of Helena, Alice was not entirely convinced that Helena would grant Dylan either of her hopes, the willingness to meet or the forgiveness Dylan desired. Alice contemplated the similarity between what Dylan did and the losses that resulted for Helena and her impulsive affair with the women she met on The Look that caused Tasha so much pain after the sacrifice Tasha made for them to be together. Despite frequently being in the same circle, Tasha now kept her at arm’s length and often viewed her with contempt. Relating to Dylan’s plight, Alice began to feel choked herself and encouraged her, “Hopefully she will Dylan. Hopefully she will.”