Debbie assures Alcide that "this skank" isn't making her jealous, and Sookie as the skank in question points out that, Debbie being ranking Queen of the state of Skank, this is hardly an insult. Debbie lunges, because this is after all her party they're at, and Sookie gives her one of those awesome Sookie speeches: "Alcide came here -- despite every good reason in the world not to -- because he believes the woman he fell in love with still lives inside you somewhere. He's willing to risk his life to make sure you hold on to her, even if he doesn't get to."

Alcide wants to talk about maybe getting Debbie fuck on up out of there, but no: Cooter! Debbie tells him not to mess with Alcide, just get to the branding, and they make out a little bit in that biker way, and "something" about the half-chub this gives ol' Cooter flashes him back to sucking on Bill's neck the other night, so now Sookie's not going anywhere. Sookie came here -- despite every good reason in the world not to -- because she believes the first man she ever fell in love with still lives inside him, somewhere, and she's willing to risk everything to hold onto him. Debbie doesn't care about Alcide leaving: In fact, in some twisted Bill way she knows it's the right thing. "He ain't never gonna let us be baby. 'Til he understands I'm with you for good." Howling and hooting, they crowd-surf her to the stage, ripping off her skirt as she goes.

Right on time, Russell heads over to Lou Pine's, leaving Lorena in the car. Even Lorena thinks this might mean an impending whack, or else just that Bill and Russell are going to split dinner without her. Inside the strip club, inevitably, there's some Massive Attack going on and a bunch of nice young ladies. One in particular catches Bill's eye, maybe just her deadness and lack of interest in the life she's living. He gives her a little smile, turns it a little sexy, and thus procures.

Russell Edgington, whom Alcide recognizes as an area antiques dealer, takes the stage with Debbie, and settles a wolf pelt on her shoulders. At his hand, all the wolves bow down in silence. "Now shall you drink the dark wine of our ancestors," he says in German, and they happily Ja their herr. He bites into himself -- Sookie's mystified, Alcide's just pissed at their worship of anybody, especially a fanger -- and bleeds into a tray full of shot glasses.