Home Office

The manila envelope sat on the desk exactly where she had somehow managed to place it last night. The physicality it gave to the security she now had made the phone call she was about to place to Jodi easier but Bette had to admit sadder. Bette’s mind turned back to the early days of her relationship with Jodi and she felt a deep sense of regret begin to creep its way into her heart. You can’t let the past cloud what you need to do Porter. Make the phone call.

Pulling herself out of the funk that her memories dragged her into Bette reached for the phone and dialed the number to Jodi’s studio. It was the most likely place to find her and she had no intention of wasting the whole day tracking Jodi down. She had been totally prepared to get the answering machine (an extention of the machine that took the verbal conversations of all phone calls and translated them into text) and had to fight to find her voice when the phone was picked up almost immediately with, "Jodi Lerner speaking."

Of course she picked up Bette thought She wouldn’t recognize T’s number

"Jodi, it’s Bette, before you hang up or start screaming I would suggest you listen to what I have to say"

"Fuck you Bette"

"I’m serious Jodi you need to hear me out. I need to meet with you. I want to try to resolve our situation in some sort of positive way. You may not believe me but I do."

(sounds of a phone about to be hung up)

"Jodi I know… I know the truth"

"What truth—that you fucked me over!"

"No Jodi I know the REAL truth but I don’t want to talk about this over the phone."

(sharp intake of breath)

"Meet me at Dante’s at 3 pm. Tina will be with me and I want this meeting to be public for all our sakes. I never wanted to force you into this sort of position but you’ve left me no choice"

Jodi’s abrupt response of "Fine" was followed by the sound of a phone reciever being returned heavily to its cradle.

"Well I guess my timing saved you a phone call"

Bette turned to see Tina standing in the doorway and fought to swallow the lump that formed in her throat. Knowingly or unknowingly she had chosen one of Bette’s favourite outfits to wear. The deep green of Tina’s blouse made her eyes so captivating it was difficult not to get lost in their gaze and the black tailored pants fit her to a tee, highlighting all the curve of her hips to perfection while remaining professional.

"It appears so and may I say you look amazing this morning"

Crossing the room with a grace that few women never mind people possess Tina leaned down and closed her lips over Bette’s.

(slowly pulling away) "You may… although it may give me a big head. I’m heading out now. Have a wonderful day hon. I will meet you at 2:45 at Dante’s."

As she drove to the studio Tina was surpised to find herself humming a melody from her childhood, one of her favourite songs. Gratitude for a resolution to the choas that had charged into the new- found life she had with Bette had somehow brought the long forgotten song to the surface. Soon they would be able to truly start their new life.

Pulling into the studio grounds Tina felt her heart sink as she saw a large crowd of news vehicles lined up anlong the entrance gate. Now what!!! Fuck if it’s not one thing its another Tina thought as she slipped from the place she had been in mentally to production mode. One of the security guards spotting Tina’s car waved her through the vehicles. Pulling up to the gate Tina rolled down her window.

"What’s going on?"

"I’m not entirely sure Ms Kennard but I think it has something to do with Ms Arden"

"Ok thanks. Can you buzz me in ?"

(rolling up the window) Wonderful just fucking wonderful… just what I needed but damn you all I am going to be out of here at 2:30 I swear to God