(Shane went to see Kit that evening at the Planet. Despite recent events, Kit found solace at work. She couldn’t be alone, and she couldn’t share this with anyone else in her life, because they knew Bette and Tina. Shane was the only other exclusive member in a very small club, an inner circle that was privy to Bette’s life now like no other group and no other person. She trusted them and they love her to the point that her trust would not be betrayed. It was hard for them to imagine what could ever challenge that notion, regardless of how they felt about the tearing asunder of the family they loved.)

SHANE- (To the bartender) “Hey Lacey, where’s Kit?”

LACEY- “In the back office Shane. Need a drink?”

SHANE- “Nah, I’m good thanksmaybe later.” (She walks to the back office; the door was open.) “Hi Kit. Can I come in?’

KIT- “Hi Shane. Yes please, and close the door.” (Shane sits.) “Everything went ok at the airport, I take it?”

SHANE- “Yes. Well, I know she caught her flight and it landed and she’s at a hotel. I know that we said goodbye at the airport. Did it go ok? Yeah, it went fine, but I rarely see Bette cry and I don’t make a habit of it myself, but there we wereso, yeah, it was ‘ok’, but I’m with Al on this onethis is so fucked up.”

KIT- “I had her back in my life for such a short time really. You know, as a sister and a friend. It was from around the time her and Tina were gonna start a familythe good old days. She became more active in my life at that time and I in her’s, as well as Tina’s, and my life seemed to get better. She had such loveshe has such love in her life, and nowI just don’t understand. But I guess when these things happen the people on the outside never really do understand. All we see is something that just doesn’t seem natural to us- these people who we saw together, who we saw as belonging together, a part of one another and really a part of our lives ‘together’, they’re torn apart and I guess in a way we lose something too.”

SHANE- “I really can’t believe the past several days and weeks. It caught me by surprise. I guess I was caught up in my own shit so much I hadn’t noticed how much trouble they were having.”

KIT- “You and me both Shane. I mean I knew things weren’t perfect. Butdamn it ShaneI wish, I just wish they could see what I see, what we see, when we look at them. Maybe then they’d realize how crazy it all is. Maybe they’d realize what they’re throwing away.”

SHANE- “When the shit hit the fan last year, after Bette and Tina broke up, Bette really paid for itthrough the teeth. She broke Tina’s heart and I almost still can’t believe it, but she made one of the biggest mistakes of her life and then she foughtcome hell or high watershe fought to get her back. The thing is, I knew then, even that first time they saw one another and Tina threw the table at her here at the Planet, I knewI just knewthey still loved one another. Now here we are full circle. Suddenly there are problems and we find out that Tina’s gone outside the relationship, not cheating, but whatever the hec it is, and not only that, but she’s dating some guy. Kit man, we must have really not been paying attention, because I’m floored when I think about all that’s happened. I thought I was going to lose it after what happened with Dana, and I thought somehow that everything else being stable would help, you know? Bette and Tina were kind of like a foundation for me. Now I’m learning it’s been rocked to its core. And unlike before, I don’t knowI don’t have a deep feeling of assurednessI don’t know Kit. I can’t believe they don’t love each other anymoreI just can’t fathom it, but I’m not sure whether their relationship as lovers is gonna just be a part of our collective scrapbook from now onour little history, the whole lot of usthe ‘what once was’ of Bette and Tina.”

KIT- “Well, that’ll be a hell of a scrapbook to pass on to Angelica one day. I don’t know what scares me morenot ever seeing Bette and Tina together again or not seeing my sister in that little girl’s life anymore.or not being in her life myself as much anymore.”

SHANE- “We’re all a part of her life I think foreverthat’s not gonna change. I don’t see Tina changing that.”

KIT- “Well, I don’t know Shane. Everything else has changed, so mysteriously and so harshly, who knows. In any case, even if you’re right, it’s like Bette herself said to mebasically, it’s a question of how we’ll each be a part of her life. It would have been one thing for Bette to continue raising her Shane, but now, what’s she going to be to her? An auntie? I’m mean that’s ok for you and me, but Bette? She was a mother to her for almost the first year of her life, and now she’ll be relegated to what? Auntie Bette.what did she call herself the other day? Oh yeah, the artsy lesbian influence in Angelica’s life. Shane my friend, we should’ve knocked some sense into them when we had the chance. NowI just don’t know what we’re going to do. I miss her so much already Shane.”

SHANE- “I know, I do too. I’d give up this little clandestine role I get to play while she’s away, and the Saab, in a heartbeat, if she’d just come back. I wonder how Tina is doing after what happened.”

KIT- “Shane my eyes are all dried up with all the crying I’ve been doing at losing my sister. I don’t give a rat’s ass how Tina is doing. I love her like a sister, but I’m afraid of seeing herI’m about ready to give her a piece of my mind like she has never seen. It’s taking all my strength to not do that.”

SHANE- (She smiles at her) “Give her a piece of your mindlike a big sister would?”

KIT- “Not like a sister Shane, like her “Joan friggin Crawford” mammaI’m about ready to beat her senseless. You know, if I didn’t care about her so much, I would truly not give a rat’s ass. I would have tried to get Bette to dump her sorry ass a hec of a lot sooner, but that’s the thingI do careI love that woman, truly love her like a sister. And she’s the best thing that ever happened to Bette. She really iswasoh for fuck sakesI haven’t needed a drink this badly since daddy died.” (She looks at Shane and the worried look on Shane’s face.) “Don’t worry baby girl, I won’t give in to that demon so easily.”

SHANE- “Better not, or you’re gonna learn the real meaning of ‘Joan friggin Crawford’ the hard way!”

KIT- “Hey little girl, don’t you go talking to your seniors that way!”

SHANE- “Oh yeahI forgotyou’re even older than Bette!” (They laugh and continue talking until closing time.)


(In the Big Apple, the next day, the New York morning light broke the serenity of Bette’s sleep like a bird disturbing the calm waters of a cool lake. She opened her eyes and looked at the window trying to adjust her sight to the light. She kept looking around, trying to convince herself she wasn’t in a dream. She looked at the clock a little past 7 amjust enough time to get ready at a comfortable pace and make it in time for the 9 am meeting.

Her discipline, learned in the academic world and developed in the professional one, took overtook over her thoughts and her actions. She had to walk the walk and talk the talk of Bette Porter today, museum directortoday and every day, thought Bette. She showered and prepared. Bette dressed in a classy, pin striped power suit and her prized cuff links. Her hair was down, but there was an air of power emanating from this fine form. She was dressed to impress but those looks could kill. She headed downstairs after a quick breakfast and coffee and exited the building. Bette stood there for a moment in awe of the City that now stroked her senses with its bustling and familiar sounds, and then she jumped into a cab the doorman hailed for her.)

TAXICAB DRIVER- “Where to?”

BETTE- “945 Madison Avenue, at 75th Street.”

TAXI DRIVER- “The Whitney Museum of American Art?”

BETTE- “Yes.”

TAXI DRIVER- “You got it.” (After a New York traffic adventure, the cab pulls out in front of the Whitney.) “Here you go, the Whitney.” (She pays the driver and steps out.)

(Bette is stunned. She looks up and takes in the view. She smiles and shakes her head. ‘Well Porter, it’s time,’ she says to herself. She walks right in, Porter gait and stride, ego and heart, mind and breathtaking body. She heads to the head office area.)

WOMAN- “Excuse mehellooooo”

BETTE- (Turns to her) “Hi.”

WOMAN- “Can I help you?”

BETTE- “I’m here to see Justin Morneau. He’s expecting me.”

WOMAN- “Well, may I have your name please?”

BETTE- “Isn’t his office down there?”

WOMAN- “I will be happy to accommodate you as soon as I have your name madam.”

BETTE- “Bette Porter.” (The woman, who seems to Bette to be a secretary, just looks at her. Bette wonders if she’s heard her) “Bette P O R T E R.”

WOMAN- “Hmmm. The lesbian from California? L.A.?”

BETTE- (Taken aback) “Excuse me?”

WOMAN- (She smiles and the skinny red head walks up to Bette extending her hand) “Now now, you gotta practice not getting shocked so easilywe’re not in Kansas anymore, or tinsel town.this is New York honey. Hi, I’m Miranda Smythe, the lesbian from Queens.” (Bette looks at her oddly.) “Don’t be afraid, I have a partner and you’re not my type. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

BETTE- (She sort of smiles, not knowing what to think, and shakes her hand.) “Well, Miranda, it’s nice to meet you. Is Justin in?”

MIRANDA- “Yep, I’ll take you there myself.” (Bette was about to say it wasn’t necessary but she decided to go with the flow. She guides Bette to the office. She addresses the secretary…) “Morning Abigail. He in?”

ABIGAIL- “Yes ma’am. Let me announce you.” (She picks up the phone.) “Mr. Morneau, yes, your 9 am is here.” (She hangs up and motions for Miranda to go ahead.)

MIRANDA- “Thanks Abigail.” (Abigail nods. As they walk towards the office, Miranda turns to Bette and whispers) “Make friends with hershe holds the keys to the kingdom.” (Bette looks at her like she needs medication.) “I’ll explain later.” (Now entering Justin’s office) “Justin, may I present Ms. Bette Porter, our new director. Ms. Porter, this is our chairman, whom I do not believe you have met in person yet, Justin Morneau.” (Bette shakes hands with him.)

JUSTIN- “Bette it’s so good to finally meet you in person. I know that David and Samantha actually got to meet you in LA a while back. And I have to say you look much better in person than during our video conference a couple of weeks ago when we had the most recent board interview.”

BETTE- “Thank you Justin. I am very pleased to meet you as well and honoured to be joining your team.”

JUSTIN- “I see you have met our vice-chair of the Museum Board Miranda?”

BETTE- (She wanted to keel overshe actually thought she was an assistant) “Yes, yes, I have had the pleasure.”

MIRANDA- “Well, let’s get down to it. Justin, let’s use your meeting tableyou know how I don’t like you looking at me from behind that desk of yours.”

JUSTIN- “Yes Ma’am. You see Bette, Miranda is a lesbian from Queensthey can get kinda bossy”

MIRANDA- “Hey. We are just self-determined and control oriented, no more so than anybody else from Queens, I’ll have you know.” (Miranda and Justin laugh and Bette finds herself mellowing and chuckling along.) “Come on Bette let’s head to the table to go over a few things.” (They all go to the table and start going over basics and giving Bette a bit of an orientation before they walk her through the gallery. Miranda really didn’t have much to do with Bette’s hiring, but she was going to have a lot to do with working on gallery projects with her. She was warm and funny, and she helped ease Bette’s first day. The latter’s ‘alphaness’ didn’t seem to either intimidate or put off Miranda. She was an alpha of her own unique sort. The three sit and talk about the upcoming exhibits, the staffing arrangements, and various other niceties, which takes them well near late morning.)


(In Los Angeles, at the Planet, Tina is having coffee with Alice. Her phone rings.)

TINA- “Hi. I’m sorry I just got behind at work. Yeah, sure, dinner would be fine. I’ll talk to you later. Bye.”

ALICE- “Henry?” (Tina nods.) “Oki doki.” (Helena arrives.) “Hey Peabody.”

HELENA- “Morning ladies.” (She sits.) “So, what’s new?”

ALICE- (Looks at Tina.) “Not much. How about you?”

HELENA- “Tina we have to meet today about the Boreman proposal.”

TINA- “Sure.”

HELENA- “I haven’t seen you much these past few days. You’ve been in and out of the office so quickly.”

TINA- “Yeah, well, developing scripts is a time consuming business Helena.” (Helena looks at Alice.)

ALICE- “Well, looks like it’s time for me to go. Gotta get ready for an interview I’m doing. See ya later ladies. Tina, let me know if you want to do brunch on Saturday. Bye.” (They say goodbye to Alice.)

HELENA- “Are you alright?”

TINA- “Yeah, I’m fine.”

HELENA- “You didn’t have to come back to work so quickly after everything that happened last week.”

TINA- “Everything is fine. It got crazy for a bit, but it ended quickly. There was really never any danger anyway. I” (Kit approaches) “Hi Kit.”

KIT- “Hi. Hello Helena.”

HELENA- “Hello Kit.”

TINA- “Have a seat. Join us.”

KIT- “No, I have to get going. How are you doing?”

TINA- “I’m fine thanks.”

KIT- “The little one?”

TINA- “She’s fine. Great.”

KIT- (She motions to leave) “Well, I better get going. I just thought I’d say hi.”

TINA- “Kit, I’ll be by on Saturday. I’ll be bringing Angelica. I’m sure she’d love to see you.”

KIT- “Oh. Ok. That’s great. I miss her, so that’sthat’s great.” (She’s melancholy about it.)

TINA- “Yeah, I’m probably having brunch with Alice that day.”

KIT- “Well, ok then. Catch you later girls.”

HELENA- “Bye Kit.” (She looks at Tina, who is sipping her coffee.) “Tina, what’s going on? I really think it would help if we talked about it.”

TINA- “Nothing’s going onwhy do you think there’s a problem? We had some difficult moments last week, it’s over. It’s all over. It’s just over.”

HELENA- “Come on, let’s go.”

TINA- “What? Where?”

HELENA- “We’re taking a trip to my place. I’m cooking you brunch and you’re going to explain the ins and outs of this Boreman file thing before I make an ass of myself.”

TINA- “Why don’t we just go to the office?”

HELENA- “My place is closer and I’m famished. I don’t feel like going in anyway. Come on, let’s go.” (They drive to Helena’s apartment and walk in. Helena heads straight for the kitchen. She starts getting all her ingredients together as Tina makes coffee. They chat about work as they prepare brunch. They enjoy a delicious brunch. Then they sit for coffee.) “Well, am I good or am I good!”

TINA- “That was great.”

HELENA- “Good. Glad I could still please you in some way.”

TINA- “Helena”

HELENA- “Oh relax. Now”

TINA- “Yes, the Boreman proposal.”

HELENA- “Fuck the Boreman proposal. You’re going to tell me what the fuck is going on or you’re fired.”

TINA- “What?”

HELENA- “I’ve had enough of this aloof thing.”

TINA- “What aloof thing? I’m not aloof”

HELENA- “No, YOU’RE just going crackers, I’VE been aloof, and things have been getting a tad odd in the process, so it’s time to handle things.”

TINA- “Crackers? Listen, I hardly think that”

HELENA- (In a matter of fact tone) “I’m not interested in what you think. I’m here to tell you that people who are crackers generally do not admit to it. They can’t recognize their conditionprecisely because they’re crackers. So, your denial is to be expected.”

TINA- “Helena, I think you’re going off the deep end faster than you think I am”

HELENA- “Okay, stay with me, I’m just trying to jump start this Tina. Try to focus.I’m WORRIED ABOUT YOUI don’t understand what is going on. TinaBette is making more sense to me than you arethink about it!”

TINA- “I really don’t want to talk about my family issues. I”

HELENA- “You what? Are you serious? Look, I’m not interested in your escapism or excuses. Talk to me. What the hec has happened here?”

TINA- “You know what happened. She took Angelica in the night, and then finally came to her senses. She filed for joint custody and I freaked and decided she’d have no custody at all. It turns out that her lawyer was supposed to have stopped the papers but didn’t make it in timeshe had decided to not go through with it, but she didn’t catch them in time. Then I guess I don’t knowI freaked, she freaked, and the rest is history.”

HELENA- “Yes, well, that’s all very interesting. But you haven’t yet explained anything. I knew most of that already.”

TINA- “What exactly would you like for me to say?”

HELENA- (Sarcastically) “Gee, I don’t know Tinaperhaps tell me how you feel about all of this, perhaps explain to me why you would go so far as to keep Bette out of Angelica’s life, perhaps describe what strange series of thoughts and events led to this…perhaps you could, oh I don’t know, explain how it is that now you’re not with Bette suddenly and commiserating with this Henry characteryou’re shagging a fella- that’s a shocking news bulletin even for me.”

TINA- “Spoken with Alice I see. That’s quite a mouthful”

HELENA- “It’s going to be more than a mouthful if you don’t explain yourself”

TINA- “Explain myself? Who do you think you are?”

HELENA- “Your friend, a woman who fell for you before your child was born, your boss who values your continued and uninterrupted contribution to my company, a woman who has made love to you and who hurt your former lover beyond words I suspect, a woman who wants to help youa very confused woman who has no patience for all these unresolved issues and plain silliness taking up her time and energy when she could be seeing her friend under much happier circumstances and enjoying her company without all this rubbish clouding everything. Damn it Tina, explainhow about you start by telling me what this Henry fellow is up toso to speak.”

TINA- “I’m dating him. I’ve been dating him. Since before we all went to Vancouver for the wedding.”

HELENA- “You know I wasn’t planning to be pulling teeth after such a seductive brunch I prepared. Do I have to ask a question for every little tidbit of information? I know you’re dating him. Perhaps you should introduce yourself. I’m Helena Peabody. I fell for Tina Kennard, a pregnant lesbian who was separated at the time from a rather beautiful though slightly egotistical and self-absorbed lesbian named Bette. Tina decided she was still in love with Bette, moved back in with her, gave birth to their love child, and now, several months laterTina, the lesbian, broke up with Bette, is forbidding Bette’s involvement with the love child, and is shagging a manwell, I think you’ll have to take it from thereand maybe just take it from the beginning. What the hell happened with Bette?”

TINA- “Helena I’ve barely even discussed all this with Bette. What exactly do you expect me to share with you? I can’t. I don’t even know where to begin. Look, I feltwell, I don’t know what I was feeling after Angelica was born and after those first months. Betteshe seemed so far away, no matter how close she tried to getshe was justit’s like it didn’t make sense inside me that she was next to me, near me, it was odd. I almost felt like I wanted to run from her.”

HELENA- “Not so oddmother made me feel like that at times.”

TINA- (She frowns at Helena) “Okay that’s just weird”

HELENA- “Yes I know, I’m working on itwell it wasn’t quite the same thing but I understand being angry with someone you love.so go on”

TINA- “Angry? I didn’t say I was angry with Bette.”

HELENA- “No, but apparently she gave you an allergic reaction.just continue.”

TINA- (Tina raises her eyebrows and purses her lipsshe looks away and looks back) “I loved her, but it was like being with her was like I was a last piece to a puzzle and as much as I was being pulled in to click into that last place in the puzzle I just felt like the edges of me and the world that included Bette just didn’t come together, they didn’t match. I felt repelled, I felt like I was falling away. And yet”

HELENA- “Yes?”

TINA- “I can’t explain it. I don’t know. You’re not going to tell me that’s just like how it is with Mrs. Peabody are you?”

HELENA- “Well, try as I might to repel like hell, I feel like I’m inexorably linked to the womanthere’s no breaking that bond, such as it is. But now I’m seeing how rather bizarre the comparison isperhaps I shouldn’t have brought up mummy. Now, forget Peabody psychosesback to you and the ravishing Ms. Porter.” (Tina does a double take.) “Wellyou know that leads me to another point”

TINA- “Oh really and what’s that?”

HELENA- “The sexual onethis lack of penile aversionexplaindid you feel repelled from Bette physically? From women? All those years with herno man tickled your fancy?”

TINA- “Penile aversion?”

HELENA- “You know what I mean”

TINA- “I felt drawn to, interested, attractedto men.”

HELENA- “Well, you were that way before Betteyes?”

TINA- “I guess, yes. But never really had with any man what I had with Bettenot even close.”

HELENA- “Men tickle your fancy during Bette?”

TINA- “No. In fact, I was curious about what it would be like to sleep with other women, no one specific, but I’d look at Bette and would want or dream or think of no other.”

HELENA- “But not men?”

TINA- “No.”

HELENA- “Tina”

TINA- “Yes Dr. Peabody?”

HELENA- “I’m trying heretell me something, after we hooked up, why did you get back together with Bette?”

TINA- “I thought we were talking about men?”

HELENA- “I’m asking the questions here Ms. Kennardnow, answer the question. You know I was ready to provide for you”

TINA- “Yes, and any other woman that tickled your fancy”

HELENA- “Ouchfinebut we’re talking about you. What I’m trying to say is thatwell, did you turn back to her because you needed the security of a home? Because obviously I could have provided thatfor example.”

TINA- “It felt safe going back to her, but I guess you’re right, not because she had the ability to provide me with securityI guess that wasn’t operative.”

HELENA- “Of course not, because I could have provided far more ‘security’ and then somebut that’s a different story.”

TINA- “I wasn’t in love with you.”

HELENA- “Yes, I think we’ve beaten that dead horse enough, don’t you think? Now, so you went back to her because you were in love with her.”

TINA- “This was the family that I had worked for all those years with her. After we lost our son I got pregnant and was going to tell herthe night I found out she had been cheating on me.”

HELENA- “Porter is such an idiot. But, be that as it mayso, how did it feel then, being a family? You must have been deliriously happy.”

TINA- “I was but B”

HELENA- “B.? What ‘B’? Speak.”

TINA- “BetteI wasn’t sure how she felt. She was very good to me and took care of me. She lived and breathed Angelica. She rose and Angelica was her first thought. She dropped her head to her pillow every night and Angelica as her last thought. She was devoted.”

HELENA- “Of course, she fell in love with her. This wondrous new being in her life. Sometimes they become your life. I don’t know what I’d do with myself without my children, even though I didn’t give birth to them and emotionally I’m not obsessed with them. I love them dearly.” (She turns to look at Tina.) “My God Tina, were you really going to take Angelica away? I don’t understand that.”

TINA- “I seem to recall Winnie was asking the same question not long ago about your children.”

HELENA- (She looks away and then back again) “Yes, well, that was different.”

TINA- “Really? How so?”

HELENA- (She looks into Tina’s eyes intensely) “I realized I was doing it for the wrong reasons. It wasn’t about them or for them; it was all about me. And it’s a good thing that mother intervened, because I was on a one-track mind kind of road. I would have fought tooth and nail to get full custody and in the process take, unjustifiably, take their other mother away from them.” (Tina now looks away.) “Mhmm.”

TINA- “Any more questions?”

HELENA- “Yes. When did shagging a man start creeping into your mind?”

TINA- “I thought we were talking about children.”

HELENA- “I thought I made it clear that I was in control of this odd little discussion.” (Tina smirks.) “Well?”

TINA- “I don’t know.”

HELENA- “Okaywell when did shagging Bette stop becoming the desire for you that apparently women in all of West Hollywood harbor for her?”

TINA- (She does another double take and then answers.) “I think it was after Angelica was born. Yeah, after we were back home and our new life sort of began.”

HELENA- “Hmmafter mother Porter started taking flight?”

TINA- “What does THAT mean?”

HELENA- “How the hec should I know? I’m just asking questions.”

TINA- “Well maybe you should keep your day job.”

HELENA- “Were you afraid that she only got back together with you because of Angelica? Because you gave her what she always wanted? A family? A united family? The one that drove her to adultery after it was temporarily out of the picture when you miscarried? The one that drove her back to you when it became a possibility? Is that the only value of you to her? Or is that her only value to you? Is that what scared you? Is that what subsequently repelled you?” (Tina stands.) “Hmmas for the phallus fascination, well maybe you should talk to Alice. Seems like a symptom to me but I have no idea of what. You’re not in love with this Henry character, and I can’t imagine you had any feelings for that little man Josh. So, not sure where that one is going.”

TINA- “We better discuss the Boreman file.”

HELENA- “Tina, do you still love her?”

TINA- (She turns around to face Helenaand then looks away.)

HELENA- “Maybe you should forget the Boreman file and go talk to her. Maybe you should finally sit and talk to hernot about Josh or Henry, and not even primarily about Angelica, but you should talk to her about you and her. If it’s not resolved or if your discussion with her ends up being more productive than ours, and you realize that you are truly not meant for one another anymore, then I suggest you primarily talk about Angelica, and I suggest you seriously talk about how you’re going to be parents to her for the rest of your livesboth of you.”

TINA- “I don’t know that there’s anything to talk about anymore. It seems decided in a way. I’m pursuing the feelings she said I should explore and that’s what I’m doing. I don’t know and I don’t understand what role she wants or I want for her in Angelica’s life. But I thought I wanted her to be in her life somehow.”

HELENA- “You told her all these things you’ve said to me today?”

TINA- “Helena, please”

HELENA- (Standing) “Did you tell her you feared she didn’t really love you anymore and was just in love with the idea of the family you gave her? Did you tell her you were scared to death that you weren’t in love with her anymore? Have you even answered those questions for yourself Tina?”

TINA- “Please Helena, that’s really not somethingplease let’s talk about work.”

HELENA- “Fine. Enough of thatat least for now. We may as well drive in then. Let’s go.” (They leave for the studio.)