Professor Bailey was continuing her lecture and suddenly remembered something. She finished up her thought and looking up at the lecture theatre with a huge grin and a little bit of sarcasm announced the ending, “And you can all wake up now, because I’m done!” The students chuckled. She knew they loved her lectures, and this one was a little on the intriguing side, with talk of impressionists, their egos and odd lifestyles, she had somehow circumvented the artistic background for far more interesting fodder for her students. “Alright ladies and gentlemen, have yourselves a very fine weekend…and remember…our guest lecturer is visiting us next week, so I expect you to at least pretend to be brilliant and most inspired by my pedagological prowess.” The students laugh and chuckle as they shuffle off, greeting professor Bailey and wishing her a good weekend as they pass her.

Professor Bailey grabs one of her students lightly by the arm and questions with a feigned agitation, “And where do you think YOU’RE going?” “Oh, sorry, I totally forgot, Professor,” answers the young Bette Porter to her favourite prof. “Forgot? Geez Bette, I offer you the chance of a lifetime and you forget, madam?” Bette chuckles. “Sorry…” “Yeah yeah, alright. Come on, let’s get to my office so we can go over it.” Bette looks inquisitive, “Go over it? Sounds complicated.” “Bette, she’s a handful, I want everything to be ready.” Bette looks tentative but follows Professor Bailey to the office, all the while discussing the meanderings of the painters analyzed so colourfully only moments before by the striking professor Bailey. She was striking, though in her late forties…lengthy auburn hair and almost as tall as Bette. She was always dressed well, but somehow always looked academic. They take their seats…Bailey behind her desk, Bette in the comfortable yet old leather chair facing her teacher.

Bette starts, “So what’s the deal with this diva?”

“Hey! She’s not like that. She’s wonderful in fact. Extremely accomplished. She speaks five languages, has a Master’s in Philosophy and a Doctorate in Art History….”

Bette cuts her off sarcastically, “And she can finger paint with her toes!”

“Bette! Honestly…”

“I’m sorry, I just don’t understand what all the fuss is about. It’s not like she’s your caliber.”

“Au contraire my fine young student! She’s…she’s…ah…you’ll see what I mean when you meet her. She’s brilliant, dynamic, humorous, demanding, but classy and kindhearted. I wish she were in my life more often. She’s just amazing…one of the most amazing women I have ever met.”

“Wow professor, if I didn’t know any better I’d say you were pretty taken with her.”

“You know, I was once…well, not in that way, but she was such a breathe of fresh air in my life at the time. We met in Paris at the Sorbonne. A few years later she came to New York for a conference and I was there doing graduate work, so we met up. It was so brief. She came again a few years later and we spent some time together while I helped her with an east-coast conference. I was so happy then because I got to spend a few days with her and I so desperately needed her during that time in my life.”

Bette gives Bailey a look and she notices… “NOT THAT KIND OF NEED Porter! Anyway…I missed her so much after she left. She was such a force of nature in my life…she jolted me out of my stupor and made me wake up and take notice of the potential in my life. I so missed her…SO missed her.”

“So you started a relationship and she left?” inquires Bette.

“No silly, she just left. I think I was taken by the beauty of possibility that she represented and when she left it’s like she had gone leaving only a trace of her influence on my little heart and soul and leaving me wanting so much more.”

“You fell in love with her?”

“Don’t be ridiculous Porter. I did the gay thing in high school…and was well passed it by my first year at the Ivy Leagues.” Bette looks a little wounded and Bailey notices, realizing she hit a sore spot.

In the midst of all the preparations for the visiting professor, Bailey had forgotten the difficult times Bette was having with her coming of age and the long night discussions the two had been having to help Bette deal with things. They were comfortable joking with one another, but at this point, Bailey had totally forgotten the significance of this particular line of discussion. “Hey kiddo, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way.” Bailey gets out of her chair and comes around to Bette, pulling up a chair next to her and sitting down. She puts her hand on Bette’s, which was resting on the arm of the chair. “How’s it going with things?” There were issues they had discussed the past few months and a certain someone was becoming a recurring theme in their discussions.

Bette lightens up, “It’s ok…I’m fine. Really, it’s ok. I’ve put her out of my mind and all these feelings…well, one step at a time.”

Professor Bailey retorts, “Out of your mind? YEAH! You put HER out of your mind? Why? You’re just going to ignore it?”

Bette replies, “No, but she…”

“Hasn’t a clue what she’s putting you through. Please Bette, you have to deal with this more constructively. Professor Ayreana isn’t stupid, nor is she a right wing fundamentalist…you can’t develop your professional relationship with her unless you’re honest with her. She’s pretty decent…she’ll understand.”

“Professor it’s not necessary…I…I don’t think she’s really that important to me…I think it was just that period after Thanksgiving and everything. Dad and my sister had the fight and I was at my wits’ end…all the pressure. Things are better now, Kit’s more a part of my life, and daddy…well, he’s got work to keep him busy, but I think he finally accepts the importance of Kit in my life and maybe even his.”

Professor Bailey rubs Bette’s arm, “I don’t know Porter, I think you…”

Bette interrupts, “Hey, it’s ok…I’m OK. I’ll tell you if things get rough…ok prof?”

“Ok,” replies the professor as she leans back comfortably in her chair. She decides it’s better to let Bette off the hook for now. “Ok Porter, you go pick her up at the airport tomorrow. I told her I can’t come and that one of my protégés will be in attendance to escort her.”

“Protégé?”

“Yes…that’s how we professors talk amongst each other you know.” She smirks.

“Ok then…well…I’ll be there with bells on. So, she’s from Paris?”

“Yes, but she’s Italian. She grew up in Paris. She’s got family here in the States too and visits periodically.”

“She old like you?”

“Yes, late forties…practically DEAD!” Bette chuckles and Bailey smacks her arm lightly as though annoyed. “She arrives at 4, so be there on time. You’ll probably have to take her to dinner too. There’s no way I can be back here from my business meeting in time from New York. So, I’ll see her the next day. She’s staying at the faculty club. Ok Porter? You’ve got your mission…and since you can’t choose to not accept it, I expect you to entertain our guest and ensure her satisfaction until I get back.” Bette smiles and Bailey catches the wordplay, “Ok ok Porter…take it easy…you know what I mean…”

“Well, mission understood. I’m off then.” Bette gets up. “See you Saturday.”

“Bye, and thanks for this. She means a lot to me, and I hope you’ll see why. I hope you guys hit it off. She’d be a really positive influence. Anyway, thanks. See you later.”

Bette leaves and slowly heads off to her dorm, thinking deep thoughts as she wanders across the campus. She’s not quite sure what she’s thinking, but she feels lighter after talking to Professor Bailey…she always felt better somehow after seeing or talking to Professor Bailey. Bette decided that Bailey was an infatuation…well, they both decided that after the elder woman took the melato beauty under her wing as one of her best students, and, to the professor, a most interesting young woman who both intrigued her and warmed her heart. She was a kind soul, a brilliant mind, and an ineffable student…a bright light, but a sensitive one. The combination of vulnerability and exquisite energy was attractive to the old professor…students like Bette inspired her and rejuvenated her. But her attraction to the young woman ended on that plane…that very platonic plane. They had to get all that ‘stuff’ straight one day…and then the bond of friendship, mentorship, and affection was sealed for life.

Bette thought it was curious how Bailey spoke of Professor Sabriani. Professor Angela Myriam Sabriani…an accomplished woman in her field…an unmarried woman who traveled the world and was a keynote speaker at conferences, an author of various key articles in the art world, and a beautiful and elegant woman. Bette was curious to see Sabriani and Bailey together. They were in the same age range, but Bailey seemed to look up to her, at least that’s how she talked about Sabriani. Bette was feeling like an adventure was ahead of her…the conference was important to Professor Bailey, and Bette had to do her best to help and hopefully continue to impress her teacher as she had become used to doing.

Bette enters her dorm room and finds Ariana there.

ARIANA- “Hey Porter.”

BETTE- “You boob…I was waiting for you this morning. Where the hec were you?”

ARIANA- (Chuckling…) “Hey hey…MOM…I was….busy….”

BETTE- “Busy? What…Ohhhhhhh…..”

ARIANA- “You know you should try it some time…it’s really rejuvenating.”

BETTE- (With a little bit of jocularity and smiling…) “What? All the exercise you get running from dorm to dorm?”

ARIANA- “No silly…the love…”

BETTE- “Ewwwww….I don’t want to hear it…please!”

ARIANA- “It was fantaaaaaaaaastic.”

BETTE- “I’m not listening….”

ARIANA- “Silly woman…”

BETTE- (She sits down next to her on the bed and taunts her…) “Did he make you swoon and scream and …”

ARIANA- “Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes…..”

BETTE- “Ewwwww….”

ARIANA- “You just wait Porter! I can’t wait until you’ve fallen under someone’s spell.”

BETTE- “God help us all.” (She changes the subject.) “So…I gotta pick up the great Professor Angela Myriam Sabriani tomorrow and be her escort for a day.”

ARIANA- “That worldly art lady you were telling me about last week?”

BETTE- “Yeah.”

ARIANA- “Bring her straight to the Camelion tomorrow night…that’ll be a great welcoming!”

BETTE- “Yeah, and a great end to my academic career!” (They both laugh at the thought of an elegant and older Italian professor getting it on at a really raucous club.) “I’m tired. Gonna read and then hit the sack.”

ARIANA- “Ok. I’ll try not to wake you when I get back.”

BETTE- “Oh, another date?”

ARIANA- “Yep.”

BETTE- (Jokingly…) “Same guy or you got a new one this time?”

ARIANA- “Hey! I’m in love!”

BETTE- “Oh…riiiiiiiight…I forgot! Ariana…”

ARIANA- “What?”

BETTE- “What does it mean to you…this ‘in love’ business?”

ARIANA- “The heart sinks at the thought of him, at the sight of him, at the touch and feel of him…your whole body knows it, your mind is preoccupied with it, your soul captured and captivated by it.”

BETTE- “Sounds serious…could just mean you’ve got the flu…”

ARIANA- “Ugh!!!” (She picks up a pillow and hits Bette and they both play fight a little and laugh. After a bit, Ariana stops and changes the subject.) “Shit! Wait, I almost forgot…Professor Ayreana called and asked that you go see her. She’ll be in her office until 10 tonight.”

BETTE- “She called? When?”

ARIANA- “Like a half hour before you got here. I left a note on your desk over there, but good thing I remembered to tell you…it’s already 9. Anyway, I better get going. Walk out with me.”

(Bette and Ariana walk out and go their separate ways in front of the dorm building. Bette heads to the building that housed, among other things, Professor Katherine Ayreana’s office. She walks up to the door of the office and waits…she calms herself…the intensity that Ayreana provoked in Bette was a marked difference with the warm fuzzy kind of feeling that Professor Bailey caused. Bette had been a psychological pretzel lately as a result of the feelings she had been experiencing where Professor Ayreana was concerned. Bailey was a Godsend…helping Bette through the tumultuous experience, which was a first of its kind for the young woman and it would change her life it seemed. It made her question everything…about her life, about her heart, about herself. She felt like she was getting over it though…somehow learning how to deal with it…the intensity. Or maybe she was just somehow getting used to it…maybe it was just as powerful as it always was. Bette knocked and the voice summoned her to enter.)

BETTE- “Hi.” (She looks at her and looks away periodically. Professor Ayreana is an elegant and imposing woman. She has her up this evening and her glasses on the tip of her nose. She’s kindhearted but tries not to let anyone know and she’s forthright…perhaps a little too forward…but she’s valued by all those who call her a friend…and feared by those who don’t.)

AYREANA- “Hey there Ms. Porter. Got my message I see. Pull up a seat.” (Bette complies.) “What the hell is THIS?” (She throws a document in front of Bette, who is sitting right in front of the professor’s desk. Bette picks it up and looks at it…it’s her mid-term paper.) “You bored the living daylights out of me Porter. That ain’t like you kiddo. I’m sorry to see I’ve inspired you to the most banal period of your academic career. What’s shakin Porter? You gonna make a habit of this or what?”

BETTE- (Looking a bit perplexed…) “But I thought it was pretty good…”

AYREANA- (She chuckles…) “Oh REALLY? And where did you get YOUR PHD my friend? It totally sucks, Porter.”

BETTE- “Hey! I worked hard…”

AYREANA- “I know! It’s solid in terms of information and research…”

BETTE- “So what’s the problem then?”

AYREANA- “It’s the most unoriginal thing I’ve ever seen…at least coming from YOU. You wanna explain yourself? Bette…if I want to know about the impressionists, I can read the encyclopedia. What happened to using the counterfactual argument to compare the influence all that crap we talked about had on these insane yet brilliant artists? None of what we talked about is in here. You turned it into an exposition of what a high school student could tell me. What’s up Porter? The meetings with me are supposed to help guide you and improve things…not fall on deaf ears and have you do the opposite of what we discussed.” (Bette looks at her and then looks down. Katherine was at a bit of a loss. She wondered whether maybe Bette was having a difficult time in her personal life and was just acting out.) “Hey, what’s wrong? Something’s bothering you…what’s up? What are you thinking?”

BETTE- “Nothing, I’m fine.”

AYREANA- “Bette…”

BETTE- “Look, it wasn’t as great as you expected…it happens…why are we making such a big deal of it? You always call your students into your office this late to talk about a paper they did that wasn’t quite to your liking?”

AYREANA- “No, but I DO call on my research assistants when it’s urgent and involves work they’re doing for me.”

BETTE- “What?”

AYREANA- “I’ve got to go to a funeral tomorrow…an old family friend. I can’t submit the article footnotes in time for the deadline. I need you to finish it off and submit it tomorrow morning. If I don’t submit it, you know what happens…it doesn’t get published. You know how long I’ve been working on this. But I can’t miss the funeral. Can you please help me?”

BETTE- “Yes…of course.”

AYREANA- “Thanks Bette.”

BETTE- “How long will it take?”

AYREANA- “Just a couple of hours. You know the drill in terms of submitting the material, so just get that part done tomorrow morning before noon. Ok?”

BETTE- “Sure…not a problem.”

AYREANA- “But about your paper…I really am unhappy about it. I don’t understand what’s going on. You couldn’t have done it worse if you had done it on purpose.”

BETTE- “I don’t know why it turned out the way it did. I guess I just changed my mind and thought it worked better that way. I dunno. Listen, I gotta get working on the footnotes if you want me to get this article submitted…so…”

AYREANA- “Fine, we’ll talk about the paper next week. And make no mistake…we WILL talk about the paper.”

BETTE- “Fine.”

AYREANA- “Here’s the stuff for the footnotes. Same type of thing like the last one we did together a couple of months ago. E-mail it to Jonathan, same address as before.”

BETTE- “Ok.” (She gets up after taking the folder from Professor Ayreana. She barely looks at her as she’s leaving. She mutters…) “Goodnight.”

AYREANA- “Goodnight…thanks.”

BETTE- “Yeah, no problem.” (She leaves. Professor Ayreana looks concerned. She looks at her phone, then picks it up and dials.)

AYREANA- “Hi Bailey? Yeah, it’s me…Katherine. Uh huh. Yeah well…listen…what the fuck is wrong with Porter? You screwing with her brain with that art history crap again? Well frig Professor Bailey, what’s gong on then? She totally fucked up that paper I was telling you about and I talked to her about it just now…called her in to help me with an article but the paper was really bothering me so I kinda went at her about it. What? Oh for fuck sakes, I know she really respects me, but I’m more concerned about what the fuck she’s doing…what? Well son of a bitch…I can’t swear while I’m lecturing, I can’t swear in public, what’s a woman to do?!” (She chuckles as she listens to Professor Bailey reply. She smiles…) “Bailey you’re amazing you know that? Pretty hilarious, but pretty friggin amazing too. What? Yeah yeah, ok. Anyway, is that Italian woman coming soon? You’ve been talking my ear off about her. Yeah yeah…tomorrow? Ok. Yeah that’s fine. Ok. Is that all you wanted to talk to me about? I’m going to head off to bed. Ok. No problem madam. Ok, but we need to talk about this…I don’t understand what the fuck…sorry…what the hec is going on and I don’t like it. Gotta fix it. Ok. Alright. Fine, that’s fine. Goodnight. Bye Elizabeth.”

(Bette was burning the midnight oil in her dorm room, working away on the laptop. Her phone rings at midnight.)

BETTE- “Hello.”

KIT- “Babysis? Why aren’t you out partying?”

BETTE- “Hey Kit…why aren’t you doing the same?”

KIT- “Na, had AA tonight and just went out for coffee.”

BETTE- “I’m glad you’re still doing that.”

KIT- “No choice Sis. Anyway, how’s my favourite little sister doin?”

BETTE- “Your only sister is working away on something due tomorrow….but otherwise I’m alright.”

KIT- “Bette…you sounded pretty bad last time. Did you talk to someone like I told you to?”

BETTE- “Na. I’m sure it’s just a phase.”

KIT- “Kiddo it ain’t a phase.”

BETTE- “How do you know? Doesn’t everyone go through crap like this? Especially in college?”

KIT- “Now THAT I wouldn’t know…it’s all a blur…but sweetie I’m worried about you. You work hard, you’re a good kid, you’re decent and beautiful…but you’re way too stubborn…guess old Melvin passed on some genes there.”

BETTE- “Have you spoken to him?”

KIT- “No, not yet. Anyway, forget him. When can I come visit?”

BETTE- “Soon, but not just yet. Things are busy this week. Speaking of which, I really gotta get back to this. Yeah. Uh huh. Okay I will. Goodnight Kit. Thanks. I love you too. Bye.”

(Bette was grateful she could at least confide in Kit, though she didn’t tell her exactly what sort of feelings were weighing so heavily on her. It was nice to have her as a sister, even though things had been tense between them periodically.

Eventually, Bette got her work done and fell asleep. The morning came and the sounds of love running rampant became Bette’s rude awakening…the door slams.)

BETTE- (Groggy, she lifts herself up and looks around to find Ariana on her bed crying…Bette slowly gets up and shuffles over to her, sitting next to her and taking her gently into her arms.) “Hey…it’s ok…sh sh…” (She gently rubs her arm.) “What’s up kiddo? What happened?”

ARIANA- “That creep…” (She sobbs in between words…) “That jerk” (sob sob…) “Son of a bitch…” (Sob, sob, sniffle…) “Prick…”

BETTE- “Ok…are we talking about Mr. love of your life?”

ARIANA- “Ungrateful neandrethal…” (She wipes her tears…) “Wham bam, thank ya ma’am…that’s all it was for him that bastard.”

BETTE- “Oh now, I doubt that…he seems like a really nice guy…I was glad you were with him…”

ARIANA- (Sniffle…sob…and restarting the crying and moaning…) “He iiiiiiiis…I loooove him Bette…that PRICK…”

BETTE- “Ok…I’m a little confused…”

ARIANA- “He got up and left this morning…had to go to work he said…he just left me there…with a note on the pillow.”

BETTE- “Well, maybe he HAD to go and didn’t want to wake you.”

ARIANA- (Wiping her tears…) “Yeah…maybe…I just…” (The phone rings…Bette picks it up.)

MALE VOICE (On the phone)- “Honey why did you leave? I came back a soon as I could…I miss you.”

BETTE- “Well honey…wait up a bit so I can see if Ariana is available to talk to you.” (She mouths to Ariana… ‘it’s him’. Ariana shakes her head ‘no’.) “It’s ok Josh, don’t worry about it. But…she’s not available. Well tough, little man, she’s not available. Can I give her a message? Ok, later man. Bye Josh.” (She goes back to Ariana.) “Loverboy wants to see you and requests the pleasure of your company as soon as you can get over there.”

ARIANA- “Really?”

BETTE- “YES…really.” (Bette gently strokes Ariana’s face and smiles.) “You know he loves you…he’s head over heels for you.” (Bette liked Joshua…they hung out from time to time.)

ARIANA- “You really think so Bette?”

BETTE- “You’re such a boob. Get yourself cleaned up and outa here.” (Ariana gives Bette a big hug and straightens herself up and leaves. Bette takes a shower, gets herself ready for the day and then reverts to her computer. She sends the finished draft via e-mail and then calls James to confirm receipt. Mission accomplished…now she had to get a bite to eat and head out to the airport in the afternoon.)

(Bette wandered around the area for arrivals at the airport. Bailey had shown her old pictures of Sabriani, so she looked at the exit doors as passengers came out. The plane had landed, according to the information board, but half an hour later there’s still no sign of the professor. Bette had her eyes fixated on the exit doors. She worried that maybe she missed her or went to the wrong terminal…professor Bailey would have a fit if Bette messed this up, she thought to her self. Then, the professor appeared, pushing her luggage cart and looking directly at Bette as she came through the doors. Her face was expressionless. Bette just kept looking at her and thought she looked different from the pictures…her hair was fairer and down, but the Italian woman looked stunning. As the professor came closer, she just kept looking at Bette and then made a turn to go off the ramp. As Bette approached, the fine Italian lady, surprisingly shorter than Bette imagined, started addressing Bette…)

SABRIANI- “You are here? Ms. Porter, how good of you to be here. I told Elizabeth to not worry…I can take a cab.” (She went right up to Bette and kissed her, cheek to cheek.) “You are a beautiful young woman; so much better than your picture. I am so very pleased to meet you. Elizabeth was right, you have such presence.” (Bette smiles and said ‘thank you’. She interlocked her arm onto Bette’s and allowed Bette to escort her while pushing the luggage cart.) “You are wonderful to pick me up here.”

BETTE- “It’s my pleasure Dr. Sabriani. Did you enjoy your flight?”

SABRIANI- “Uhhhh, I’m so tired. All this running around, here and there, all over…too much, it’s too much Ms. Porter…ehhhh…may I call you Bette?”

BETTE- “Yes, yes of course.”

SABRIANI- “Bene, then call me Angela. Some people prefer Myriam. It’s up to you. But forget this ‘doctor’ business…I just have P.hD…make no sense to me to call me ‘doctor’…I’m not a medical doctor…I don’t like this…you know?”

BETTE- “I think so.”

SABRIANI- “Yes yes…” (She hugs Bette’s arm as though to accentuate her pleasure with the young woman. Bette notices and is sort of taken aback by the affection…it seemed so sudden, and perhaps just so European.) “So, bella, where will you take me now?”

BETTE- (She chuckled shyly…) “Well, I am under orders to take you to your temporary residence at the faculty club and then to dinner if you’re up for it.”

SABRIANI- “Oh, well that sounds just fine. I’m famished. And I would love to sit and chat with you my dear.”

BETTE- “Professor Bailey speaks very highly of you.”

SABRIANI- “Elizabeth is so sweet. She’s wonderful really. I’ve known her for ages. Very bright woman, and one of the best in her field…internationally known…you realize that?”

BETTE- “Oh yes. She’s my favourite professor…but don’t tell her I said that!” (They both chuckle. They finally get to the car after a few minutes and are loading the luggage into the back when Bette’s cell rings.) “Hello. Yes, yes ma’am…she’s right here.” (Bette hands the phone to Sabriani who is standing right next to her.)

SABRIANI- “Lizabet! Alora…yes…wonderful…yes, everything is fine. Your Bette Porter is taking good care of me.” (She turns to look at Bette while talking and places her hand on Bette’s arm.) “No, don’t be silly, you had to go to the conference. It doesn’t matter. Please, I’m fine. Yes…I’m going to dinner with Bette.” (Sabriani strokes Bette’s face gently with her hand as she says this. Bette gets goosebumps.) “She’s wonderful…so nice. Ok Lizabet, I’m going now…yes yes…bye…I see you soon. Bye bye…” (And as she’s still saying ‘bye’ she hands the phone to Bette, which causes Bette to smirk.)

BETTE- “She wanted to make sure everything was ok.”

SABRIANI- “She is such a good person, but worries too much I think. Ok, all ready…let’s go bella.” (The professor issues her order and then gets into the car, waiting for Bette to wisk her away…and Bette is slowly making it to the driver’s side of the car, wondering what kind of worldwind has just hit her and taken her up in its path.

The drive in the car was electrifying, at least to Bette. Sabriani was regaling her young host with stories of her trip and her work before departing Europe. The professor was every bit as humourous as she was brilliant and elegant. They finally reached the faculty apartments and Bette helped her guest into the furnished apartment.)

“So, Bette, I will unpack and get ready. You come at 6:30 to pick me up, we go to dinner…benne?”

BETTE- “Sure, that’s just fine. See you then.”

SARBIANI- “Ok, ok…I take small nap too…bye Bette, bye, bye…” (…as she closes the door. And Bette stands there staring at the closed door with a smile on her face and some bewilderment in her eyes. She shakes her head just a bit and then walks away, heads to the car, parks it in Professor Bailey’s spot, and goes back to her dorm. Ariana is there.)

ARIANA- “Well, how’s the hostess today?”

BETTE- “You should see this woman. She’s amazing, totally amazing, but she’s quite a character…it’s like being on a wild ride.”

ARIANA- “Must be all that Italian passion.”

BETTE- “I don’t know what it is, but frig, I’ll have what she’s having.” (They chuckle.) “She’s so beautiful, in her own way, and so elegant…”

ARIANA- “Uh oh…”

BETTE- “What?”

ARIANA- “I smell trouble…”

BETTE- “No…”

ARIANA- “Bette…how are things going with Professor Aryana?”

BETTE- “Fine.”

ARIANA- “Fine? I remember the beginning of THAT. ‘Oh she’s so interesting, she’s so amazing…’ Then splat… ‘I don’t understand her…I don’t know why she said that to me…What the fuck is her problem…’ And so on and so forth. Take it easy with this Italian braud…ok?”

BETTE- “Yeah ok, but it’s not…”

ARIANA- “I don’t care what it is, I’m just say’in…take it easy. Anyway, I gotta go. I’ll see you tomorrow, ok?” (Bette nods.) “Goodnight.” (She leaves and Bette gets ready for dinner. She feels a nervous energy awaken her as she prepares. She finishes up after a while, does some work on her computer, and then heads out. Bette walks to the faculty residence building and then up to Professor Sabriani’s room. She knocks on Sabriani’s door. She hears the dramatic voice from behind the door asking her to wait a moment. The door opens a crack and Bette sees the dark Mediterranean eyes stare out at her, causing her to almost chuckle. The dark eyes seem to laugh…)

SABRIANI- “Bella! Come in, come in…” (The door opens slightly and Sabriani pulls Bette in by the arm and closes the door.) “I’m so sorry Bette…my nap was longer than expected so I’m no ready just yet…I’ll be quick though…I’m very fast…ok? (Sabriani was clad in only a towel.)

BETTE- (A little tongue tied…) “I…sure…yes…yes, of course. Not a problem.” (Sabriani smiled and went about getting ready. Her hair was up. She wandered into the bathroom while carrying on her conversation with Bette, who was feeling a little odd at this point.)

SABRIANI- “Oh I tell you…I am disorganized. Bette…where we go for dinner? I want to take you to a nice place.”

BETTE- “Oh no, I will be taking you. You’re our guest, Professor. I’m under strict orders to ensure you are satisfied.” (Sabriani’s head pops out of the bathroom door and the dark eyes glare at Bette, who looks like a deer in headlights as her last words come back in this split second to haunt her.)

SABRIANI- “Ahhhh…forget Lizabet and her strict orders…I take you to nice little restaurant near here where I took her when I came last time. And it’s just between us…forget Ms. Professor Worrywart…tell her you treated me.” (She pops back into the bathroom. Bette exhales a bit…and a bit too soon…Sabriani saunters into the room holding the towel, which is now not tightly wrapped around her but, rather, loosely draped in front of her. Bette watches her nervously as Sabriani walks around grabbing items she needs while talking to Bette. The young woman is worried that Sabriani will turn away from her thus exposing her entire backside. At one point, as Sabriani stands at an angle, and Bette notices that Sabriani had managed to put on her underwear…just no bra. Sabriani heads back to the bathroom and when next she exits she is finally dressed. Bette is relieved…well, sort of.) “Ok madam…we go.”

(And with that, they go. The two women go to a small French restaurant with a little florescent Eiffel Tower hanging on the front sign. It’s quaint, with a quiet music playing in the background. They take their seats and Sabriani asks for water in French and the wine list. Bette sits there in part amazement, part uncertainty, and part warm fuzzy feelings…her attention was totally taken by this woman. The soft light created a becoming aura around Sabriani. The romantic atmosphere of the restaurant accentuated the view. Bette thought to herself how this older woman was not necessarily beautiful in an objective way, but she was nonetheless beautiful…her elegance and style, as well as her sparkling personality, not to mention those eyes and that voice…combined in the soft light to entrance Bette. She was still a deer in headlights. Her mind was nowhere but here…focused on this woman.)

SABRIANI- (Looking carefully at the beautiful young woman who made her feel affectionate…) “What’s wrong? You seem to be thinking about something.”

BETTE- “No, nothing, I’m fine.” (She smiles, to reassure, and then asks questions about tomorrow’s itinerary. Sabriani diverts the conversation to Bette and asks her questions, engaging her and then telling her about her own stories and her long journey in the art world and then academic world. Bette is captivated, amused, and oh so grateful that Professor Bailey recruited her for this ‘chore’. The night wore on. Dinner ended but the two women strolled in the warm night towards the campus. Bette escorted Sabriani to her room.) “Well, thank you very much for dinner. I’m looking forward to assisting you with the conference.”

SABRIANI- “Assist? No Bella.”

BETTE- “No?”

SABRIANI- “No way…you work WITH me…I no need secretary…I need bright, young student to inspire and collaborate with me…capiche?”

BETTE- (Smiling…) “Capiche.”

SABRIANI- “Lizbet…she can ‘assist’ me…it will drive her crazy! I enjoy that! But you know…she loves me…she will do anything for me. And you know…I love her too…so we exchange these positions over the years…Anyway madame…why you don’t come in?” (Bette was thinking about the “positions” over the years…and then snapped out of it…)

BETTE- “Uh, well it’s late professor…I mean Angela…”

SABRIANI- “Don’t be silly.” (She pulls Bette in by the arm and closes the door.) “Come…sit on the bed with me…we’ll chat about the conference and other things.” (Bette can’t seem to shake the deer in headlights look this evening. Then, there’s a knock at the door.) “Ah? What is this? So late…and people come to visit me? Ma que cosa?” (She opens the door.)

PROFESSOR AYREANA- “Professor Sabriani? Hello, I’m Katherine Ayreana, Elizabeth suggested I come by to see you.”

SABRIANI- “Oh yes, Katherine, Lizabet said you would come by at some point, but I have lost all track of time it seems. I was with Bette here all evening and we were having such a good time.”

AYREANA- “Oh yes…hi Bette. I thought you were just having dinner. I figured you’d be done by now…it’s 11:30…but I’ll leave you both to it then.”

BETTE- “No it’s ok professor, I was just leaving…”

SABRIANI- “What? No…Bette you stay. Katherine, would you be so kind as to take the rain check? I have to speak with Bette about the conference….you know how these things are…”

AYREANA- “Oh of course. I had promised Elizabeth that I’d look in on you, so…”

SABRIANI- “Yes yes yes…and you are kind to do so my friend. I will tell Professor Bailey that I am most impressed with all her colleagues. Ms. Porter here picked me up at the airport, then dinner, and now you…everybody is looking after me so well. Katherine you are very dear to come by so late and look in on me. Let’s have breakfast together tomorrow…yes?”

AYREANA- “Sure, that would be nice. How about 9am?”

SABRIANI- “Katerina…I no think so…too much jet lag…perhaps 10:00?”

AYREANA- “Yes that’s fine. See you then. Goodnight. Goodnight Bette.”

BETTE- “Goodnight Professor.” (Professor Ayreana leaves and Sabriani closes the door. She turns to Bette.) “She’s one of my professors. She’s really good, she…” (Sabriani has walked right up to her at this point and grabs hold of Bette’s upper arms.)

SABRIANI- “Yes, yes…she is nice…she is very attractive too. I’m surprised how so attractive your professors are…they were not so pretty when I was here many years ago…things must have improved…maybe better recruiting…although Lizabet was always beautiful…” (Bette looks at Professor Sabriani perplexed at the odd little comments…) “This Katerina or Katherine…she’s nice, but I am tired and I…Bette why don’t you spend the night here? I could use the company.”

BETTE- “Ahhhh, but…well, I think I should give you some space…you must be tired and…”

SABRIANI- “Don’t worry, you can share my bed, and I sleep in the nude but I don’t bite…”

BETTE- (Her eyes open wide and her mouth hangs open…) “What?”

SABRIANI- “I’m Italian, Bella…I like the natural condition!”

BETTE- “I…uh…” (Sabriani starts chuckling…)

SABRIANI- “I kid you silly! I just kidding! You are so sweet.” (She cups Bette’s face…) “Mmmm…so sweet and beautiful…” (She takes her hands…) “Bette, please, humour an old lady…I’m tired, I’m a bit lonely, and I’ve really enjoyed our time together this evening. Stay…please…as a friend, stay with me?”

BETTE- “I…I don’t have my pajamas…”

SABRIANI- “Ok, so you sleep in your underwear…who cares? I no care…Look, I will sleep in my underwear, just to make you feel better…ok?”

BETTE- (Her eyebrows come together…) “You’re kidding right?”

SABRIANI- “Bella, I no kid you…come come…let’s not waste time…we need to sleep and now I have to have breakfast with your Professor tomorrow…come come…get ready for bed…” (She pulls Bette’s bag off her shoulder and places it on a chair. Bette goes into the bathroom to ‘get ready’. She washes up and then stares in the mirror…she’s not sure what sort of a strange situation she’s in but she’s tired…and she hopes Sabriani is tired too. She walks out holding her folded clothing in front of her, wearing a black undershirt and black underwear. Sabriani is already in bed, clad in her unmentionables…silk…black silk. The room was already a bit darkened, with the small lamp next to the bed still on. Bette puts her clothing down just as she’s ready to get under the covers. Sabriani is looking at some documents with her glasses on the tip of her nose. Once Bette is in and on her back, staring at the ceiling, Sabriani puts the documents on the end table and turns on her side facing Bette.) “Ms. Porter…you ready?” (The deer in headlights turns to look at Sabriani…) “I am ready! I am so tired. Bon nuit mon ami…sweet dreams.”

(And with that, just as Bette was about to exhale, Sabriani pats Bette on the head with her right hand and strokes her face, then closes her eyes and falls asleep. Bette has waves of sensation emanating throughout her body from her face…from the point touched by Sabriani’s hand…she gulps as she feels the hand stroke her face and retreat back to Sabriani’s body, as she feels the waves reverberate outward, and downward…taking warmth along with it…and then, suddenly, Bette feels her most sensitive self in a way she had not until this point in time…her center awoke, her face flushed with sensation and she swallowed as she pondered her circumstances. A woman had aroused her body and not just her mind and heart…this was a first…the sinking feeling in her chest was now for once accompanied by a rise in another part of her body…this coupling of sensation, uniting the physical with the emotional had not been a previously experienced synapse or marriage of elements within Bette…she had never felt this complete level of attraction to a woman before, this maturity of self before. It was all emotional attraction before…it had frustrated her because she couldn’t understand its hold on her without any inkling of physical arousal. So there was always a possibility it was just infatuation, just emotional entanglements of an immature heart and mind…but now, the contrary was confirmed…it was women that she longed for, it was woman who would truly be her first love…whether Sabriani was just a sexual attraction or not…how could she truly love her in any event… she hardly knew her. Though what she knew of her was inspiring, invigorating, and irrational…she made no sense and all the sense in the world…the crazy little Italian professor.

Bette, due to the mattress revelations, was having trouble sleeping. Thus, two hours later, after she had replayed key moments in her life, key relationships, and key feelings, Sabriani, still in unconscious bliss, rolled into Bette…putting ‘Bella’ in the unfortunate position of spooning the little woman from behind. Bette gulped as Sabriani murmured in her sleep. Bette whispers, “Oh my God…”, sensing the unholy all over her body. Bette moves slowly away from the vibrant little woman and towards her side of the bed, which was now decreasing in size…she ebbed closer to the edge. Undaunted, the subconscious mind of Dr. Sabriani was working overtime and decided to tempt the fates and turned the little body over onto its back and then over again right into Bette…who to avoid unwanted and unconscious touching moved away…a little too far and thus right off the bed and landing hard on the floor… “Ouw…” Sabriani was sleeping like a rock…the Italian wonder wasn’t disturbed by Porter’s fall. Forever the trooper, even in deep moments of revelation, Bette quietly gathered herself. She got up and went to what was previously Sabriani’s side of the bed. She got on and curled up, put the blanket over herself and faced out…and stubbornly went to sleep.

Hours later, morning had broken.

SABRIANI- (Already dressed…) “Bella…” (She sits on the bed and after calling out to Bette strokes her face…) “Bette, Bette…you have to get up…we have breakfast with the professor, the Aryan woman…” (Bette’s waking…)

BETTE- “Wha? Who?”

SABRIANI- “Hey, I took a shower and I’m dressed and you still sleepy…we slept for at least 8 hours…come on sleepy head…this Aryan lady is waiting…”

BETTE- “Aryan???? Ohhhhh…Professor Aryeana…”

SABRIANI- “Ya, this is what I’m saying…she waits for breakfast…Why are you so sleepy head? Eight hours you sleep…”

BETTE- “No, 8 hours I no sleep..”

SABRIANI- “What you mean Bette?”

BETTE- “I was up…I mean…nevermind…”

SABRIANI- “Oh Bella, you not sleep well? It’s ok. We will have plenty of coffee…espresso ok?” (She strokes her face, sending a wild wake-up tingly feeling over Bette’s body…Bette’s eyes open wider and she gets up…) “Ah, there you go. See, quick…up and away we go…it’s easy.” (Bette looks at Sabriani, squinting and smirking…Sabriani smiles and then as though announcing it…) “I slept very well thank you. But tell me, how did I end up on the other side of the bed? I don’t like that side.”

BETTE- “I…I have no idea…”

SABRIANI- “Uh? Hmmm…acrobatics eh? I must be getting very agile in my old age…strange, very strange…” (She chuckles…) “So…let’s go…get ready because I want you to come with me to breakfast. Professor Aryeana is waiting and she knows you are here.”

BETTE- “What?”

SABRIANI- “Ya, she waits.”

BETTE- “Wait…she knows I’m here?”

SABRIANI- “Si. She saw you sleeping when she came this morning to pick me up for breakfast and I say to her ‘no’, please let’s go in about half hour so that Bette, who you can see is very tired, can get ready. She looked at you, then back at me, then back at you again…very strange lady this professor…she looked confused.”

BETTE- (She falls back down on the bed…) “Oh my God…”

SABRIANI- “What? Why ‘God’? What’s the problem? Uh oh…she jealous? Ha! She thinks we…ahhhhh, haaaaaa…this is too funny!” (She starts laughing…) “You Americans…so uptight…” (Then she suddenly stops laughing and speaks in an almost overly serious tone…) “This is very strange…you know…she looked at you and then at me, and she looked very disturbed…ya, this is very weird. But I say to her ‘It was late so I asked Bette to stay, poor thing, I said to her…but she looked like, how you say… ‘deer in headlights’…”

BETTE- “She wasn’t the only one…”

SABRIANI- “What you mean Bella?”

BETTE- “I’m not sure…” (Bette nods, rubs her eyes…) “I’ll just get ready.”

SABRIANI- “This is very funny, very interesting, but very funny…ha!” (She walks off to a small table to look at documents while chuckling the whole time and sort of talking to herself. Bette goes into the bathroom and gets changed and ready. Bette moved around Sabriani in the room like she was trying to avoid all contact while mysteriously yearning it. Sabriani continued to tell Bette her thoughts on things as varied as the hotel bed sheets and the state of the underground art trade…all in a matter of minutes. They headed downstairs to the dining area and saw Professor Ayreana sitting at table and approached her.)

SABRIANI- “Katherine! I am so sorry we make you wait.”

BETTE- “Good morning professor. It’s my fault, sorry about my tardiness.”

AYREANA- (She smiles and gestures for them to sit.) “Not a problem. Elizabeth asked me to check in on the professor last night and I thought breakfast would be nice.” (She gazes at Bette while sipping coffee…) “Sleep well Porter?” (The waiter poured coffee for Sabriani and she stops him…)

SABRIANI- “No no no no no…we would like espresso please…for me and my young colleague.” (The waiter nods and goes off for the brew.)

BETTE- “Yes Professor.” (She half smiles and looks down at her glass of water, which she picks up to drink…)

SABRIANI- (Glancing at Bette and addressing Ayreana…and in dramatic style…) “Ha! You were like a rock…I was doing acrobatics all night!” (Bette almost chokes on her water and partially spits some out.)

AYREANA- (Her eyebrows raise…) “You alright there Ms. Porter?”

SABRIANI- “Eh Bella, take it easy…you are going to choke or something…” (She pats Bette on the back as Bette tries to regain her composure…)

AYREANA- “So, you were saying Professor, acrobatics?”

SABRIANI- “Oh yes Katerina, I must have been enjoying myself…I started on one side of the bed and by morning I was on the other…I am very active you know, so this must extend to activities in the bed.” (Ayreana chuckles and then quickly gathers herself…while Bette is turning a few shades of red…)

AYREANA- “And how was Bette here? I hope she didn’t shock you with her ‘activities in bed’…” (Bette stares at Professor Ayreana…)

SABRIAN- (She puts her arm around Bette…) “Nothing surprises me anymore Katerina, but Bette here…she’s very steady…strong and steady, like a rock. It was most satisfying…”

AYREANA- “Oh, I see…satisfying eh?” (Bette is looking at both of them in turn…)

SABRIANI- “Oh yes…you know other sleep partners make me feel so uncomfortable, but Bette…she make me feel totally at ease…I found her to relax me…I slept very very well, so the acrobatics must have been therapeutic.”

AYREANA- “Indeed.” (The waiter comes with the coffee.)

SABRIANI- “Drink up my sweet, this will rejuvenate you.”

BETTE- (Chuckles uncomfortably…) “I could use the caffeine.”

AYREANA- “All those acrobatics can really wear one down, right professor?”

SABRIANI- “Or keep you vibrant, active and on top of the world, right Bette?”

BETTE- “Well…I…” (Her cell phone rings and she jumps quickly to answer it.) “Hello. Oh, hi, good morning Professor Bailey. Yes…yes, well we’re having breakfast with Professor Ayreana. Yes. Yes. No it’s ok. Yes, everything is fine. Oh…ok. Sure, sure…I will.

SABRIANI- “Lizabet?”

BETTE- “Yes. She says hello. If you’ll excuse me ladies I have to go. Professor Bailey needs me to do a few things.”

SABRIANI- “Of course Bette. Listen, come pick me up for lunch and I go with you and we work on the conference things. Come by about 12 noon.”

BETTE- “Oh…ok.”

AYREANA- “Bette I’ll walk out with you. I needed to talk to you about the article you submitted for me. Angela I’ll be right back.”

SABRIANI- “Yes ok.”

(Bette and Professor Ayreana walk out and the latter steers Bette toward a private area bear the entrance of the cafeteria.)

AYREANA- (She’s calm but sounding very concerned…) “Porter what the hec are you doing?”

BETTE- “What do you mean?”

AYREANA- “You get the privilege of working with Professor Bailey and one of her oldest and internationally esteemed colleagues, so you sleep with the visiting professor?”

BETTE- (Bette is taken aback, both by the feelings as she’s standing right in front of professor Ayreana and by Ayreana’s assumptions and interest in what she thinks has been going on.) “I don’t understand…”

AYREANA- “You’re suppose to be a good host to her not, just after you meet her I might add, fuck the world renowned Dr. Angela Myriam Sabriani.”

BETTE- “Excuse me!!!”

AYREANA- “What’s Elizabeth supposed to do? Frig Bette, this is totally unprofessional…”

BETTE- “Professor…”

AYREANA- “I can’t believe you slept with her…I’m mean she’s beautiful and everything, but geezus Bette…”

BETTE- “Professor I…”

AYREANA- “I just don’t understand what’s come over you recently…but this…THIS is just crazy. She seems kinda wild, but you realize she probably over 20 years your senior don’t you?”

BETTE- “I kinda figured…”

AYREANA- “For crying out loud Porter…And you realize she’s leaving after the conference don’t you? What then Bette? You think she cares?”

BETTE- “I really didn’t…”

AYREANA- “I mean I see the charm and the sex appeal…she’s a vibrant little woman, but geeezus Porter…what were you thinking??!!!!!”

BETTE- “I wasn’t thinking anything. I didn’t do what you think…”

AYREANA- “Of course you did…you’re complicating an already sensitive situation with this conference. This conference is everything to Elizabeth right now. You can go jeopardizing it by banging the star speaker…it’s just not right.”

BETTE- “Oh for fuck sakes…what business is it of yours anyway?!!!”

AYREANA- “What??!! Elizabeth is my friend and colleague, and I’ve known her a hec of a lot longer than you have and I’m a member of the faculty fine arts department so this is entirely MY business.”

BETTE- “No it’s not. This has nothing to do with fine arts or the conference. It’s personal. And if I ‘banged’ the great Professor Sabriani, then who the hell are you to talk to me about it…” (Sabriani, whose small frame hides her appearance as she stands a few feet behind Bette, appears…)

SABRIANI- (With some drama…she interrupts the duo…) “You banged the great Professor Sabriani? Wow!” (Both Bette and Professor Ayreana turn red…) “Ok colleagues, time to settle down. Ayreana, you go have your breakfast. I don’t know what business is of yours if Bette bang me or no bang me. So go, and don’t say one word to Lizabet…now go.”

AYREANA- “Angela, I’m sorry…I…”

SABRIANI- “Is ok, but who you think you are and what is your problem anyway? She bang me she no bang me…what is this to you??? Bette can bang whoever she wanna bang…free country no? We are grown professional women and you get all excited about this banging business…mamma mia, this is crazy! You people you are really uptight you know?”

AYREANA- “But Angela I didn’t mean…”

SABRIANI- “Yes yes ok…alora, I forgive you, now go drink some espresso…Bette let’s go. Katerina…I see you later. And no word of this to Elizabeth or I bang YOU next.” (Both Bette and Ayreana look at Sabriani.) “What? Eh, ok, you know what I mean. Now shew…go.” (Professor Ayreana goes back to breakfast and Sabriani takes Bette by the arm and walks out with her…they get to the outside and walk along the path…) “This woman she is unbelievable. You know I think she is jealous…she not do this banging in a while. She was looking at you very strangely at the table. She was angry I think when she thought our ‘acrobatics’ were lovemaking. I think she is gay this woman.” (Bette stops dead in her tracks and turns to look at Sabriani, who looks into Bette’s eyes carefully.) “Bella? Oh…ahhh…ok…you want to talk about this?”

BETTE- “Angela I’m so confused.”

SABRIANI- (She puts her hands on each of Bette’s upper arms and gets very close to Bette.) “My sweet Bette…eh?”
BETTE- “Maybe you shouldn’t do that…”

SABRIANI- “It’s ok…I’m not afraid. Why you didn’t tell me? Ok, I guess you can’t say such things so soon…eh?” (She puts her right hand on Bette’s face.) “So, all this time at the table when I poking fun at Katerina, you really wanted to do ‘acrobatics’ with me eh?” (Bette lowers her head…) “Come, we go have a chat. Let’s go to your dorm…show me your dorm. I want to see how the young people live!” (She takes Bette by the arm and the walk to Bette’s dorm.)

ARIANA- “Hey…oh hi…hello.”

SABRIANA- “Hello.”

BETTE- “Hi Ariana. This is Professor Sabriani.” (Sabriani looks at Bette…)

SABRIANI- “Ariana? Another Ariana?”

ARIANA- (Extending her hand…) “Pleased to meet you Professor.”

SABRIANI- “The pleasure is mine. You are Ariana too?”

ARIANA- (She looks at Bette then back to Sabriani…) “I guess so.”

BETTE- “She met Professor Ayreana.”

ARIANA- “Ohhhh.”

SABRIANI- “You know this Professor?”

ARIANA- “Yes, she’s one of Bette’s favourites and I had her last semester.”

SABRIANI- “Favourite eh?” (She looks at Bette.)

ARIANA- “She’s a very interesting woman and an accomplished professor.”

SABRIANI- “And you, my sweet, what do you study here?”

ARIANA- “Art history actually, and English lit.”

SABRIANI- “Ah, very good.”

ARIANA- “Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, but I’ve got to be off now.”

SABRIANI- “My pleasure. Goodbye.” (Ariana taps Bette on the arm, says goodbye and leaves. Sabriani sits on Bette’s bed.) “Come, sit here next to me.” (Bette complies.) “This is all new to you, isn’t so?”

BETTE- “Yes, sort of. How did you know?”

SABRIANI- “I can tell these things. I am very insightful…years of experience…with students, professors, women, men…acrobatics…” (She smiles and Bette chuckles.) “And, small confession…I saw you fall off the bed last night. And I could see the stress in your eyes this morning. I’m sorry I put you through this torture. But you are such a good person. You my sweet student are adorable. I really like you. I feel much affection toward you. You know, Elizabeth has told me much about you and she showed me your thesis from last semester…I think you are brilliant. Anyway…Elizabeth told me a couple of things…nothing specific, but I estimated that you were engaged in some self-discovery from what she was telling me. She not say nothing personal, so no worry and don’t be angry, but it was enough for me to understand you were discovering things, and then I met you, and then last night and this morning…so I understand.” (Bette’s head is bowed. Sabriani holds her hand smiling…) “Is ok Bette, I am used to people want to do acrobatics or want to bang me…this is a good thing…boost to my little ego! Eh? Ha!”

BETTE- “I’m sorry…”

SABRIANI- “Sorry? No! Don’t be silly. I am beautiful…yes. I am worldly, and maybe some say otherwordly, but ok…I am for you, how you say… ‘flash in the pan’…” (Bette starts laughing…) “Ok sure…laugh…” (Sabriani smiles…) “So I get it…I understand. But your real first love is not me Bella…I think that weird professor…you must speak with her!”

BETTE- “Professor Ayreana?!”

SABRIANI- “Yes. I have a feeling there is something there. How we say? ‘She doth protest TOOOOO much.’”

BETTE- “No way…she can’t be.”

SABRIANI- “Yes my Bette…she can. Look, one day soon, when you get over your GREAT and hopeless affection for me, and not worry…this too shall pass…you talk to Katerina and be honest. She is weird but she is good. She won’t hurt you, at least not on purpose. If she does, I will fix her! But anyway, you cannot continue in this way. You have to look love straight in the face…don’t turn away or turn it away. She not feel same? Then fine…ha, maybe give me a call! But you still have to be honest. If she is not having the same feelings, then at least you can still be friends. But if you are not honest, you will lose her friendship too.”

BETTE- “I just don’t know what I’m feeling half the time. What you’re saying is basic, but I just don’t know…I felt so strongly about her but it’s like my body hadn’t caught up with my heart. It wasn’t clear. Then you…well, suddenly I feel awakened.”

SABRIANI- “It’s the Italian…irresistible!” (They both chuckle.) “Bette, have you ever been with a woman?”

BETTE- (She looks down then over at Sabriani and shakes her head…) “No.”

SABRIANI- “Well, this is why I have such an effect on you. It’s not love Bella…don’t worry.” (She turns her body towards Bette and puts her left hand on her face. She strokes Bette’s lips with her thumb and slowly moves in and kisses Bette gently, and then slowly pulls back.)

BETTE- “I think I want to make love to you.”

SABRIANI- “Che? You want to bang me Bette?” (They both chuckle.)

BETTE- “You really should stop saying that…”

SABRIANI- “I don’t want you to make love to me…this would be a big mistake.” (Bette puts her hand on Sabriani’s face and moves her mouth to the Italian’s ear…)

BETTE- “Perfavore Professore…” (Sabriani sighs…and then whispers… “Bella…”)

(A long time after, in what was like a galaxy really far away, two women sit on a couch next to one another…)

ANGELICA- “So, how was it with mom…was she like Sabriani or Ayreana?”

BETTE- “Neither. When I met Sabriani and experienced a physical awakening for the first time I thought that Sabriani was my first love but she was a first…not a love. I thought she was arousing both the physical and emotional passions at once…finally. In a way, she was but she was right…it wasn’t real love, though she was wonderful and I really did have great affection for her. Ayreana…well, she was inspiring, but there were too many emotional roadblocks there. She was a first too in a way, in my heart.”

ANGELICA- “And mom…”

BETTE- “Hmmm…how shall I explain it?”

ANGELICA- “Well, what was it your friend said? ‘The heart sinks at the thought of ‘her’, at the sight of ‘her’, at the touch and feel of ‘her’…your whole body knows it, your mind is preoccupied with it, your soul captured and captivated by it.’” (Bette smiles.)

TINA- (Enters the living room…) “Hey, what are you two up to? Bette you gotta get ready for that reunion of yours or we’re going to be late.” (She walks over and gently kisses Bette while stroking her face.)

ANGELICA- (To Bette…) “Captured…”

BETTE- (To Angelica…) “Captivated still…”

TINA- “What?”

ANGELICA- “Nevermind.”

TINA- “Ugh. Well, I can’t wait to meet them. Especially this ‘Professor Sabriani’ character, she sounds interesting. She must be in her sixties by now.”

BETTE- “And as acrobatically inclined as ever I’m sure.” (Angelica chuckles.)

TINA- “What are you two all giddy and in tune about anyway?”

BETTE- “The difference between loves.”

TINA- “What loves?”

BETTE- “Nevermind, long story.”

ANGELICA- “It’s a long trip mom.”

TINA- (She kisses Bette again while holding her hand…) “Let’s go.”

BETTE- “Alora…we go.” (Bette and Angelica smile at one another.)