Prince narrates:

I remember I have a key to Penelope Smith Studios on my keychain. It lets me in a side entrance. Whew, she didn't have the locks changed. Many of her things (aside from clothes, pistol and luggage) are in her office. I happen to notice her accounting records on a shelf. It's wrong but I look at them. She's able to have a healthy salary and keep the business running, but I thought she'd be doing better than this. Everything will pick up once those Nikon ads are circulating.

When I get home, I call Margaret's hotel. "Penelope isn't here,"I tell her,"Some of her things are missing and she left me note that said she'd be gone for awhile and not to worry. Think she's coming back?"

"Who knows, but you'll have to apologize because I'm guessing she knows about Amber." Margaret says.

"But she's making me worry!"

"Big deal, Casanova! You made your bed-now lie in it!"

It may come down to that. Lord knows I'm too stressed to make music today-for the first time in my life. All I want is my Penelope.

Penelope narrates:

On the way to my destination, I pick up some healthy groceries. Just because Prince doesn't seem to love me anymore is no reason I shouldn't take care of myself. I arrive at a cute little inn just outside Minneapolis. Some time away from Paisley Park is what I need. I couldn't go to anyone for advice, they'd tell me to leave when I'm not sure what I want to do. If I decide to leave I want it to be my decision, one hundred percent. I told my parents where I am, saying I'm working.

My room is lovely. There's a big mirror that I notice myself in after I undress for a bath. Yuck! Of course Prince wants Amber. I still need to lose weight. There's no way I can compete with her. Yeah, I could starve myself, but I'm NOT getting breast implants! If I'm going to spend thousands of dollars on surgery it'll be on lipo for my stomach, something I'd much prefer.

Even I have to admit a tummy tuck would be a bad idea- the scar would look worse than the amount of fat I have. And I already have the appendectomy scar. I was past that "Omigod it looks awful" phase and trying to get used to it being there. But now I hate it all over again- it reminds me of being on tour with someone who has eyes for another.. And my thighs! So huge compared to Amber's! They need lipo too! Jasper was positioning my legs for an exercise and said"No ethical surgeon would lipo these.They're solid."

I sit down on the bed and cry. All the confidence I thought I had is gone. I wish I'd never met Prince and was still living with Grace. At least Grace loves me. It's been too long since I called Grace.

Once I'm cozy in my robe after my bath, I call her.

"Penelope! I was beginning to think you'd joined the Witness Protection Program!" Grace exclaims.

That makes me laugh. "Just checking in with you." I say

"I'm fine. Folks gave me the usual 'when are you gonna settle down' crap at Thanksgiving"

"Sabrina's baby Sammy was the main focus of the meal-even more than the turkey!" I giggle.

"Is he cute?"

"Of course. Sabrina wouldn't let any baby of her's be ugly. And guess what? That bitch is already losing weight and has her eyes on the Mrs. Minnesota pageant!"

"Calm down. You sound crazy. Go have fun."

Yes. I think I will. On the way here I saw an ad for a male strip show. Since I've never been to one, I think I'll check it out. But what if someone recognized me? Assignments have brought me here before. I go to a wig shop and try on a few before seeing a red wig that catches my eye. Wonder if redheads have more fun, like Grace and Virtue like to try to make everyone believe?

Prince narrates:

I'm told Grace is here. THE LAST PERSON I WANT TO SEE! She hates me. "Grace. Now is not a good time. We're busy here." I say.

"Oh, I just wanted to see Penelope."She smiles.

"She's working."

Grace studies me, making me uncomfortable. "You've got the 'guilty man' face" she accuses,"What did you do?"

"NOTHING!" I yell.

"Innocent men don't scream like that.You did something to Penelope, I can tell. I hated you the moment I saw you in the kitchen in our apartment. The only reason I put up with you was because I stupidly thought she could use some male attention."

Prince has a flashback to the day after he and Penelope met:

I sit up in bed the morning and look at Penelope. She's beautiful. She wasn't bad last night but she seems a little uncomfortable with her body. Maybe she doesn't have much experience. I haven't known her long but she seems nice and there's something I like about her. I get out of bed. It's a bit cold this morning so I pull the blankets all the way up Penelope's shoulders before going to take a shower.

I open a bathroom cabinet, because I am human. It's very clean and normal.Once I saw her at my show, I worked hard to impress her. I actually didn't expect her to come.

After my shower, I dress and go to the kitchen. I'm going fix Penelope a nice breakfast so I look in the cupboards. Half a box of cereal, a few protein bars, half a bag of pretzels...pretty empty. How is a man supposed to fix breakfast?

A voice says coolly, "You ain't going to find any food in there. We haven't gotten around to an actual grocery shopping trip in a couple weeks. Being lazy. But there's half a box of cereal-help yourself"

This must be the roommate. She walks over to me and looks me up and down. She's a beautiful redhead with a nice figure and a judgmental look on her face. Wonder what her deal is? "I'm Grace. Penelope's roommate. I already know You're Prince and I'm not impressed by it." she says bluntly.

Come to think of it, I think I've seen her at First Avenue. Grace usually isn't alone, she always has a man or picks one up. Sometimes she sits at the bar, telling really sexual jokes to the bartenders. I know this because they've told them to me. How did sweet Penelope met someone like that? Probably one of newspaper ads looking for a roommate.

"I know who you are" I tell her.

I glance at the counter. There's a purple mixing bowl that holds a package of chocolate chip cookie mix. "Do you have eggs?" I ask.

"Yeah, Penelope bought them on Friday. She was going to make those cookies yesterday, but she got distracted." Grace replies. I can't help but smile. "Oh, don't be so smug." Grace scolds. "I'm going to the diner. Have breakfast and read the paper. You be good. Remember: no man can do any better than Penelope. Goodbye."

You be good? Strange thing to say to a grown man your roommate brought home. I don't know what to think of Grace. She didn't exactly welcome me with open arms.

I'm really considering giving Penelope my number. But what if she doesn't want to see me again?

Not much in the fridge. I get out the eggs. Before I start breakfast, I decide to walk around the place a bit because I didn't see it much last night. We went straight to bed.  I walk into the living room. I guess Penelope works out at home because there's a weight bench. There's a bookshelf, so I decide to see what they read. A lot of business and coffee table books, a copy of the Karma Sutra. Who's reading that? Hmm...etiquette books. Doubt Grace touches those. More books sit on the coffee table. These ladies like their books. I like that. Of course the walls have framed photos. Are these all Penelope's work? They are pretty good.

I start breakfast. When I'm almost done with the eggs, I hear Penelope walk in. I don't face her. She puts her arms around my waist and says "Good morning"

This feels right...I'm definitely offering her my number. If I don't, I'll regret it.

Grace interrupts flashback:

"Earth to Prince! I believe you upset Penelope because she called me and her voice sounded like she was trying to sound as if nothing was wrong. Gonna tell me what you did or shall I assume you did what all musicians do?" she demands.

"What all musicians do?" I ask

"CHEAT, JACKASS!"

Think Penelope will enjoy the strip show?

Was Grace out of line to visit Prince and accuse him of cheating?