“Fuck” spat Bette as she closed a report from Phyllis on the progress of UC’s Art History department.

Dean Porter was by all accounts having a very shit today and had all but forgotten her brief obsession that morning. It was one of those days when she wished that she’d never given up cigarettes and was overly glad she’d never said goodbye to the next best thing- pressing her finger down firmly on the intercom she barked through to her assistant

“Coffee”

Stretching out her neck and rubbing her shoulders Bette tried to breathe through her anxiety. Of course it was at this moment that her telephone began to ring, shooting a glare at it she briefly decided not to answer until the second ring came and her hand acted of its own accord- pressing the handset to her ear.

“We’re madly in love” came the familiar voice of Alice in a dull tone

“What the fucking fuck Alice?” replied Bette in a matching blank tone as she rubbed at the crease between her shaped eyebrows

“I think it’s an alternate universe-“ began the caller before she was cut off

“I really don’t have time for this shit Alice”

“No seriously I was at the planet this afternoon and saw myself, her name’s Eve and she’s with Lex”

“What?? Why?? Can’t they see that they’re not suited??” interrogated Bette quickly forgetting her pressing engagements

“That’s the weirdest part, they’re like perfectly happy together…” Alice trailed off before deciding to continue with her thought

“In a you and Tina sort of way”

Bette paused, remembering her work suddenly as the memory of Tina hit her afresh

“Alice. This fixation isn’t healthy, they’re just a bunch of young girls who like girls and yes we were too, but that’s hardly an uncanny coincidence”

“Non-believer” ridiculed Alice

“Jesus. Just write about it for LA magazine or some shit- I don’t have time for it” finalised Bette

“Anyway I’ll talk to you later”

Hanging up the phone once Alice agreed Bette returned her attention to the small, yet intimidating pile of papers on her desk with an exasperated sigh as the ordered coffee walked through the door and was placed silently on the end of her desk.