San Jose  - Brittany Able has a best friend - trouble is she's a mannequin ! Brittany has been hanging around with Beth (the mannequin) for a year, and she says that the relationship is the best one she's ever had. " I never hear any complaints from her...she's so quiet...". Brittany also says that although the two usually get along fine, there are some instances where Beth got her angry - " There was the time that my boyfriend came over, and Beth kept staring at him, obviously a little attracted to his hunk-like body...but I took her aside and told her to get her own man..." says Brittany. Her mother is quite concerned about her daughter's friendship with a plastic dummy - " I think she needs mental help...who else do you know that has a mannequin for a best friend ?". Brittany strongly denies that Beth is a mannequin - " Just because she's quiet doesn't mean that she's a dummy....that's just the way she is !". During a psychological examination, Brittany admitted that Beth may be a little different, but she also reminded the doctor that there are many people who like to remain to themselves. When questioned about Beth's inability to walk or eat, Brittany said Beth liked to do those things in private. " She's a very very private girl - she even wants me to dress her in the right clothes so she doesn't attract undue attention...she's such a doll !!". Later this week, the courts will order a more thorough review of Brittany's condition in order to determine whether she needs to be committed to a mental institution.

"I like quiet friends...Beth's the most quiet girl I've ever met..."
Brittany

"Ever since she stole that mannequin from my store, I knew she was nuts...''
Ron Colibri

"A fruitcake is a fruitcake. And Beth's the queen of fruitcakes...".
William Able
Father