“What?  I’ve been doing my job as best as possible…”

“You’ve been all over the place and this nonsense with Bette has to stop.”

“Nonsense???”

“Look…I have a conflict of interest.  Go see Bassey.”

(Tina’s a bit shocked since Madeleine is her mentor…)  “Bassey???????!”

“Yes, Dr. Bassey.”

“What for???”

“I don’t know…maybe some ‘therapy’…Bassey always tries to tell me how she doesn’t need psychotherapy and can solve these ‘silly’ psychological problems pragmatically…Bassey’s version of therapy…the common sense approach.  Goodness knows it’s a struggle to get her to respect our speciality at times.”

“Dr. Schmidt, I don’t understand…”

“You think I understand???”

“Are you seriously saying you won’t talk to me…”

“Oh I’ll talk to you…I’ve given you a direct order to shape up.  But Tina…I can’t help you with this other ‘stuff’.”

“Stuff?”

“Yes, stuff.  What’s the problem?”

“It’s kinda funny hearing the head of psychiatry refer to psychiatric issues as ‘stuff’.”

“Whatever.  I’m tired.  I gotta go.”

“But Madeleine…Dr. Bassey?”

“Yes Tina?  What about her, the old wind bag?”

(Tina looks at Madeleine, a bit perplexed…)  “You want me to go talk to her?”

“Yep.  Right now go and enjoy some time with your daughter.  I have a meeting.”  (Dr. Schmidt leaves.  Tina stands there watching her walk away…she doesn’t quite understand why she should go and ‘talk’ to Dr. Bassey…Madeleine was her superior and her mentor.  She respected Dr. Bassey and knew her for years, but this was not the way things usually worked.

Dr. Schmidt re-entered the hospital and headed for Bassey’s office.  She found one of Bassey’s part-time secretaries Merna, at the helm.  Merna immediately stops Dr. Schmidt.  Merna is the nervous silent type but she’s very conscientious and values working with Dr. Bassey who is really the only person allowed to boss her around, and she fears no one else.)

“Sorry doctor…she’s busy.”

“Busy?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Tell her I’m here.”

“Sorry Doctor, she’s not available.”

“NOT available?  What does THAT mean???”  (Madeleine has always known to be a calm woman, a level-headed senior doctor who was admired and respected and even better liked than the scary Dr. Bassey.  But with all that was happening Madeleine was beginning to get agitated, and she was not terribly thrilled that Bassey chewed out Bette in front of her so badly while referencing Madeleine’s approach as akin to Dr. Phil…it was blasphemous…an insult!  She was getting pretty pissed with Bassey over the past few days, but she was also frustrated with Bette and Tina.  Bassey was sitting at her desk now and could hear the raised voices.)

“Well doctor, it means that Dr. Bassey is not available to see you.”

“IS SHE IN???”

“Yes ma’am, but she is not to be disturbed.”

“Merna…just tell her it’s me PLEASE!!!”

“No, no Dr. Schmidt…I can’t…she gave me a direct order.”

“Oh for cripes sakes!”  (As Madeleine makes a move for Bassey’s office door, Merna intercepts and the office door opens…)

“DOCTOR I CAN’T LET YOU DO THAT!”  (Merna blocks Dr. Schmidt’s access to the door as it opens…Bassey looks at the two of them…)

“Has everyone gone completely mad???  What are you doing Dr. Schmidt?  Are you going to deck Merna now?”  (She turns to Merna…)  “Don’t worry Merna…I’ll protect you!”

“Yes Dr. Bassey…”  (Merna smiles…)  “I’m sorry but Dr. Schmidt insists on seeing you…”

“What the hec is going on Dr. Bassey?”

(Bassey gets sarcastic…)  “Well well…you seem rather anxious Dr. Schmidt.  I’m not available…is that a concept you don’t understand?  I thought you were supposed to respect boundaries.  Instead you’re having a hissy fit because you can’t see me???  That’s not very normal behaviour, doctor.  I’m starting to worry about you.”  (Madeleine is looking like she’s about ready to deck Dr. Bassey…and Merna looks pretty scared.)  “It’s ok Merna…go to your desk…Dr. Schmidt can come into my office, seeing as she’s going to cause a scene otherwise…”  (As Merna escapes to her desk, Madeleine is fuming…)

“WHAT are you doing?”

“What am I doing?  I think the question is mine to pose Ms. Chief of Psychiatry.  What’s come over you anyway?  I haven’t seen you this fired up since you last decked Porter…and that was years ago.”

“I’m starting to feel the same way again, except THIS time I’m itching to deck YOU!”  (Bassey chuckles as she show Madeleine into her office and closes the door.)