“But should you really do that, especially without consulting Tina?”

(Dr. Schmidt sort of smiles…) “Excuse me?”

“Well, I just know that if Dr. Bassey did that without consulting me I wouldn’t feel right about it and…none of this was Tina’s doing and…” (Bette shakes her head…)

“What? ‘And’ what?”

“I don’t think it’ll be an issue any longer anyway.”

“How’s that?”

“I don’t think it’s going to work out.”

“Amertadi?”

“Yeah.”

“So this isn’t quite ‘the ONE’ is it?” (Bette shrugs and looks down but then…)

“I don’t know. Maybe this is just a temporary set-back.”

“Mhmmmmm.” 

“What?”

“Nothing. What was the set-back?” (Bette looks at her and then looks away.) “Bette? What happened? Obviously more than just a regular lover’s spat.” (Bette shakes her head and seems to get more upset and then holds her head as her elbows rest on her legs.) “Bette…tell me…what happened?” (Bette sits up and turns to Madeleine…)

“Tina happened…Tina…” (Madeleine felt herself almost smile for a moment as she put her hand gently on Bette’s upper back.) “I almost hate her sometimes for it…”

“Bette…”

“No really…my life was shattered Madeleine…my life as I knew it just fell into pieces. I moved on…or at least I friggin tried…and it was over…and off she went to follow her own life…but…” (Bette struggles for words…) “…whatever…she’s now moved on to the plastic surgery staff apparently, so it doesn’t matter, and I’ve moved on to…”

“…the rest of the staff.” (Bette’s looks at her…) “I’m sorry, but you’re one to talk Dr. Porter and you’ve got no business commenting on Tina’s ‘activities’ when you’ve practically made yourself a living legend…almost as much as…what’s the name of that friend of yours? The wise friend? The one who hit on me thinking I was one of the nurses?”

“Shane…”

“Right, Shane. She turned out to be a great person, but…I digress.”

“I don’t care Madeleine, it’s her business…”

“Oh but you do care…you care very much…”

“Yes fine, but I really don’t care who she’s with…just like it’s none of her business who I’m with…”

“Right…”

“Don’t mock me, Dr. Schmidt…”

“I’m not mocking you Bette…”

“This is crazy. I probably just need a holiday. Maybe Amertadi and I just need some time…” (Madeleine is tempted to roll her eyes but refrains…) “There’s no…it’s just…I’m just tired…so friggin tired. And Bassey’s on my case half the time…”

“Bassey? Honey, Bassey’s on everyone’s case and she’s been on your since you got here…that’s not the issue…”

“It’s just one thing after another…I feel like I can’t breathe…” (Bette puts the verbal breaks on…she stops cold, almost as though she just realized something. She looks around and gets up abruptly. Madeleine slowly stands too.)

“Bette?” (Bette looks like her mind is adjusting to some sort of shock.) “Bette???”

“I …I gotta go…I have rounds…” (Bette, her eyes moistening, is seeming tense.)

“No, it’s ok, you don’t have to…”

“I’m sorry I have to go…thanks for listening. I’m sorry…sorry about everything…I…we can…can we? I don’t know…”

“It’s fine…we can continue this later. I’ll make time…”

“It’s ok, I’ll get back to you…” (She’s anxious to leave…) “Bye…I gotta go…”

(Madeleine doesn’t push it…) “Ok. Take it easy…”

“Yeah. Bye.” (Bette leaves and Madeleine feels uneasy. She walks to her phone and dials.) “Bassey? Yeah, it’s me. Where is Bette scheduled to be right now? Well, head her off at the pass. I don’t know, just run into her and give her something else to do, something harmless. I can’t explain right now and in a sense I can’t tell you. Yes, sort of like a session. Just do it please…ok…we have to talk…I think you need to give her a few days off. Yes ok, bye.” (Madeleine is standing next to her desk. She talks to herself…) “Can’t breathe? Oh Bette…what am I going to do with you? You and Tina both.”