(Tina) Why are you talking to me like that?

Bette stands from her desk and raises a hand in exasperation as she paces over to the window.

(Bette) Tina, I don’t have time for this. Ever really, but particularly not today

Tina takes another breath, stung by Bette’s words.

(Tina) Um, OK. I guess we should maybe leave this for now. You’re obviously in a terrible mood. I’m sorry for calling you at work, I really didn’t think you’d mind

Bette snaps at her.

(Bette) I don’t if it’s important

Tina takes another moment, feeling overcome with hurt and confusion.

(Tina) Well I’ll leave you to your bad day. You can apologise to me later but I’m not sure how that’s going to go for you

Bette frowns.

(Bette) Apologise?

Bette stops pacing and sits back down at her desk, holding a hand over her eyes.

(Bette) Tina, I seriously…

(Tina) Maybe keep out of Franklin’s way though if this mood continues, you don’t want to burn any bridges

Bette takes her hand away and frowns in confusion.

(Bette) Franklin?

Tina doesn’t respond and Bette continues frowning.

(Bette) My boss from the CAC, Franklin?

(Tina sighs) Baby are you feeling OK?

Bette’s frown deepens and she sits up straight at her desk.

(Bette) Sorry, say that again?

(Tina sighs) Look I’ll let you go. I’ll be expecting you to make this up to me later. Bye baby

Bette sits holding the phone up to her ear for a long while after Tina has hung up. She eventually places it on the receiver and sits back, continuing to frown into space.

She then picks up the phone again and places a call.

(Bette) Al?

(Alice groans) Oh my God why are you calling? What fucking time is it?

(Bette) It’s midday Al

(Alice) Right, well late night obviously

(Bette) Well that’s why I’m calling

(Alice yawns) What do you mean?

(Bette) You took Tina out last night, right?

(Alice) Ah, yeah. For her birthday. Why?

(Bette) Well, I just had the weirdest fucking conversation with her and so I was wondering what you got up to? Is she on something?

Alice laughs.

(Alice) What?

(Bette) She’s supposed to pick up Angelica this afternoon and if she is I need to know

(Alice sighs) God I know things are so far gone with you two but seriously, what are you accusing her of now? Being high around your kid? It’s Tina we’re talking about here Bette

Bette rubs her forehead.

(Bette) I’m not saying it wouldn’t be out of character, I just don’t know how else to explain her behaviour

(Alice) Well what behaviour?

(Bette) She was, I don’t know, nice to me. Shocked I wasn’t being nice to her

Alice frowns.

(Alice) OK

(Bette) She mentioned Franklin, my boss from fucking years ago, as if that was a current reference

(Alice) Huh

Bette sighs.

(Bette) And she called me baby. Twice

Alice sits up in bed, thinking over her strange exchange with Tina earlier.

(Alice) Um, I’ll talk to her. I’m pretty sure she’s still here

(Bette sighs) OK well can you let me know if I need to pick up Angelica?

(Alice) Ah, yeah I think you should pick her up. Just in case

(Bette frowns) In case what?

(Alice) Nothing, just pick her up, I’ll call you later

Alice hangs up the phone and sits there a while longer, listening to the sounds of Tina making coffee in the kitchen.