Randle Morrison was making his money through a start up company of software engineers programming for the Internet. With the new emerging technical needs created by the World Wide Web, him and his engineers were going to companies offering specialty programming for further interactivity with the customer via the Internet. He was definitely cashing in on this so-called Internet boom. But, he wanted something more tangible then the world of cyberspace, which was why he had purchased his small gallery in Hollywood. And, it also fulfilled his passion for art. He often displayed some of his own pieces, which hed acquire or if the mood was right works of his own.

Now, here he was with this this woman of wit and beauty that has mystified him so much that he has taken on her and her gallery. Randle stood facing the new faade of the warehouse admiring the contractors handy work. Bette had chosen a winner. The building now accentuated its large windows on all sides and the front door was attractively welcoming. The space inside had been left bare for the artists to put to use.

He smiled at his handy work. He had them install the sign on the gallery today before Bettes crew came in and it boldly stated, Bette Porter Gallery. As far as he could tell she was reinventing the wheel and new artists were flocking to her and he understood why. After their first meeting hed sat in his car watching her speak with the waitress and in that small conversation he saw that spark. And he new then he wanted to be apart of it. Hed called his lawyer the next day to arrange the partnership.

Randle pushed in Bettes number on his cell phone. Her sleep-ridden voice grumbled a hello.

Why arent you down here?

Down where? Who is this? Randle?

You cant be sleeping on the job while youre spending my money. He chided.

Its 6am.

The early bird catches the worm.

She groaned loudly into the receiver.

Alright, Ill let you go. Ill see later.

Bette rolled over and tried to go back to sleep, but she keep wondering what Randle was up too. Itd been weeks since their first meeting and Randle not only became her savior, he was trying to be her knight in shining armor. She greatly appreciated everything that he did but she thought, there was no way shed get tangled up with him. Plus, there was something else on her mind. Something that was making her see differently and shed yet to put her finger on it.

Bette had found an apartment not far from the gallery. It wasnt anything big or fancy, it was just a place to rest her weary body at night before she managed to get up and do it all over again. Shed finally had gotten tried of sleeping in the office at the gallery plus Randle had practically given her the key by setting this place up through a friend. Bette had only mentioned it once. The next day he was showing it to her.

Bette glanced at her reflection in the mirror and smirked. Everything was working out better then planned. Randle had helped her to meet a lot of the artists and entrepreneur in the area. Shed been able to convince them into showing their artwork at her gallery for its first show. A show that was already starting a buzz around town and her contractors hadnt even left the building yet. Im going to be alright, she thought.

An image. A single solitary image could provoke such emotion that you are ground to your spot; trying to grasp, trying to understand what the artist wants you to see or feel. An image. It can make you laugh and cry in a single moment; it can be a catharsis, an injustice, and beautiful all rolled into one. Bette sought out artists that could provoke such feelings in their work. In the past several months, shed visited at least thirty artists; some whom she sought and some who sought her out. Her name was starting to get thrown around the community and everyone was starting to wonder who she was.

Bette had starting setting up artist partys around town, an idea that Simone had helped her come up with as a way for her to meet and greet artists. The first couple of partys were disappointing, but Bette keep reaching out till the gatherings started getting considerably bigger and considerably wilder. At university shed ran the straight and narrow not wanting to let her Father down but during her short stay in NYC shed indulged in a nightlife. The New York scene differed from LA entirely. In NYC, they were passionate with everyone shouting at the top of their lungs to be heard, to be seen. Here, it was subtle and if you were among the beautiful people you were admired.

Bette had decided that her first show would be about woman and by women. The idea came to her after going to visit Simones studio. It introduced her to a whole other world, one she found an affection towards.