James! Bette slammed the receiver of the phone down onto its cradle. Her office door tentatively slid open and James poked his head through the opening. Without looking up, Bette shuffled papers hurriedly on her desk, James, have you gotten a hold of Chappelle yet? Noticing Bettes mood, James hesitated before answering. Bette just locked her eyes on him and he started sputtering, Heumheshis assistant said that hes in a conference call with Parisindeterminate amount of time. Bette closed her eyes and took several deep breaths before standing up and surveying her desk, Call him again and let me deal with the assistant this time. James nodded quickly and disappeared even faster, sliding the door closed. Bette walked over to her file cabinet and began pulling files out. She heard James voice over the intercom and slowly walked back to her desk, noticing a crack on her phone as she picked up the receiver. Hello, this is Bette Porter from the CACI understand Mr. Chappelle is in a very important conference call with Paris, but I just want to remind him that unless we settle this matter today, I will find myself forced to contact our lawyer and begin legal ac Bette smiled to herself as the ditsy assistant put her on hold to see if Mr. Chappelle was available.

**

Alice slammed her menu closed and crossed her arms, Where the ***** is Bette? Tina looked around the restaurant to see if she could answer Alices question, Shes having a lot of trouble with this new artist, hes being a real *****. Alice rolled her eyes and opened her menu again, absently looking over it for the tenth time, Well, can we at least order something while we wait, Im starving? Tina nodded her head and waved the waiter over; she looked up to ask Alice about ordering some spinach and artichoke dip, but she stopped short when she noticed Alices face, Do youwhats wrong? Alice had a silly grin on her face and looking at someone apparently behind her. She turned around and looked up at a handsome, brown-eyed, brown-haired man with pearly white teeth. Hello, Tina, the man said, bending down and placing a small peck on Tinas cheek. Tina was temporarily off balance, so the man just continued, I saw you over from the bar, and decided to come over and say hi, I was signaling your friend to let me sneak up on you. Tina gestured for him to have the seat next to her and she turned to Alice, Alice this is Peter NicholsPeter used to work at Alphaville as a producer, but now hes doing independent projects. Alice shook his hand and raised her eyebrows with interest, but he shook his head smiling, I mostly do commercials, every now and then I get to play around with a good script.

Peter: (turning to Tina) So, Tinahows everything back at the ranch?

Tina: Umpretty much the same

Peter: (interrupting and glancing at Alice) Oh, god, Im sorry, I just came over because this actor I was supposed to interview is a no show. Am I interrupting your lunch?

Alice: Oh, no dont be silly, were still waiting for someone, so this is a great distraction from staring at our menus.

Peter chuckled, blushing slightly, So you work with Tina or No, Im a journalist Alice began, folding her arms on the table. And were just having some lunch; were actually waiting for Betteyou remember Bette right? Tina decided to interrupt Alice before she started Peter about the celebrities he knew. Peter nodded his head slowly, Oh Betteright, so youre still Tina raised her eyebrows and grinned, With Bette, yeah, were stillgoing strong. As if on cue, Bette walked into the crowded restaurant and scanned the room looking for Tina and Alice as she stood in the doorway. Speak of the devil! Alice cackled, slamming her hand on the table. Tina and Peter turned around and smiled as Bette weaved her way between tables and chairs toward them. Peter stood up, pulling out Tinas chair as she got to her feet and she gave Bette a little hug, Hey, babyyou remember Peter, right? Bette shook his hand briskly and nodded, Yes, of courseI went to your farewell party when you left the studio. Peter nodded his head in agreement and moved away from his chair, offering it to Bette. Well, now that your partys all here Tina interrupted him and motioned to the fourth, empty chair, Just join us since youre here alreadyI meanif you dont have anywhere to go right away.

Peter shook his head as he politely pulled out Bettes chair. They all sat down and opened their menus. So glad you could finally join us Bette, Alice said sarcastically. Bette looked around the table and sighed, Im sorry Im lateI was on the phone with Chappelle (sharing a look with Tina)I mean you know how it is Peter, you put everything out there in the contract, in black and white, and then they start with all theirbullshit. Peter chuckled softly as he sipped his water, I know exactly what you mean, Bette, he snapped his fingers and pointed at Tina, reminds me of that timewith the Paramount script. Tina rolled her eyes and nodded, Dont even remind me. Peter launched into his saga, and by the time they had finished eating, he had related at least five more stories. Alice was wildly entertained since some of the stories contained dirt on certain celebrities, but Bettes smiling face was noticeably tense. Anyways, we finally made it to the premiere, Peter continued, but in all the hubbub Id forgotten my tie, so Tina grabbed the scarf she was wearing, undid a couple of the buttons of my shirt and threw it around my neck: everybody kept telling me how cool I looked, but I just shook my head and pointed to Tina this beautiful woman is my designer I told them.

Bette gently placed her napkin on the table and started gathering her purse and jacket, I should be getting back to work. Tina smiled sweetly at her and waved her away, Go ahead, Ill see you tonight, babe. Tina looked up at Bette expecting a good-bye kiss, but Bette just forced a smile and bid farewell to Alice and Peter. Tina wrinkled her brow with disappointment as she watched Bette walk away quickly.

Alice: So, Peterdo you have any stories involving, oh, I dont knowJulia Roberts?

Peter: (shaking his head) Im afraid not, but if I ever come across anything, Ill make sure to tell Tina to tell you.

Alice excused herself to go to the bathroom and Peter sidled up into the chair next to Tina, Did I say something inappropriateBette seemed a little upset? Tina chuckled and shook her head, No, shes just really stressed out about this show; she just sorta started this job, so everything is a big dealyou know how it is. Peter nodded slightly, Well, I just want you to know how good it was to see youif theres one thing I regret about leaving Alphaville, its that I dont get to work with you anymore. Tina placed her hand on his and smiled, We all really miss youwe should do this again, or maybe go catch a movie sometime. Peter nodded enthusiastically and grabbed a pen from his jacket pocket and wrote his number down on a napkin, You can pretty much reach me anytime. Tina carefully folded the napkin and tucked it into her purse just as Alice walked back to the table. Peter sat up straight and called the waiter over, Okay, ladies, I have to insistthis was so much fun, please let this be my little treat. Tina and Alice began arguing, but Peter took the check and handed the waiter his credit card as he looked over at Tina with a smile, This is for making me the coolest looking man at that premiere.

**

James looked up quickly when he heard the angry clacking of Bettes heels. He sighed and cursed the gods under his breath for not answering his prayers: that his boss would be in a slightly better mood once she returned from lunch. Bette flew by him and disappeared into her office, slamming the door shut. James decided to give her a few minutes before he went in to give Bette her messages. Meanwhile, Bette plopped down into her seat, incensed at the exchange she had witnessed between Peter and Tina. Just as she stepped out the door, she realized she had left her sunglasses on the table and turned around to go get them. However, she stopped short in the lobby and hid slightly behind a plant when she saw Peter taking her seat next to Tina. She squinted her eyes with rage when she saw them touching and had to finally just walk outside and get some air after she saw Tina accepting the napkin from Peters hand.

who the ***** does he think he is, giving Tina his number?

why the ***** did she accept it?

did something happen between them that Tina just never told me about?

Bette crossed her arms and pouted slightly as she allowed her jealousy to continue raising questions she had no way of answering. She suddenly became aware of her cell phone ringing and fished it out of her purse, furrowing her brow when she saw Tinas number in the display:

Bette: Yeah.

Tina: Hey, I just wanted to let you know that Ive got your sunglassesI cant believe you got all the way back without noticing

Bette: Yeah, Tina, Ive gotta go, okayIm really busy.

Tina: Okay, sorryjust really quick

Tina stopped short when she heard Bette sighing loudly into the phone. She carefully closed her office door and lowered her voice, What the ***** is wrong with you? Bette angrily shuffled papers on her desk, more for the aural effect than for any real purpose, I already told you, Im busy, Tina. Tina took a deep breath and decided to just let it go for now, Fine, sorryIll see you at home, I guess. Bette winced when she head the faint click, then gripped her phone tightly and threw it with all her strength at the couch; she didnt need to break two phones in the same day.