(Bette) Well, I shouldn’t complain. It’s sort of the point of the job, right?

(Tina smiles) I guess so, but you can complain to me

Bette looks at her and smiles.

(Bette) They’re pretty annoying

Tina laughs

(Bette) Most of the issues raised aren’t even in my jurisdiction

(Tina) I guess sometimes they just want to be heard, to know they have your attention

(Bette) I guess so. (Takes a sip of wine) And how was your day?

(Tina sighs) We have a new columnist we’ve brought across from the Washington Post who’s a headache. I don’t know whether he struggles taking direction generally or it’s because I’m a woman, but either way he better fall in line soon or he won’t be passing his probation

Bette smiles

(Bette) Do you remember we used to say people would meet us and they’d think you were lovely and I was awful…

(Tina smiles) And over time they’d work out that I’m not so nice and you’re not so bad?

(Bette smiles) We’d both end up somewhere in the middle

They continue smiling at one another for a moment. Bette sips her drink and Tina studies her.

(Tina) Bette, why did you keep the painting?

Bette raises an eyebrow at her and Tina responds by pointing towards her with a faint smile.

(Tina) The real reason. I’m sure there are things from our time together you actually liked, so why display that?

Bette sighs and looks down at her drink, thinking for a moment. She looks up and focuses back on Tina.

(Bette) When you gave it to me – that day, that time in my life – was the happiest I’ve ever been. I didn’t know I could be so happy. I remember watching you as I was opening it, and you were so adorably nervous and excited. And I was so gone, just so in love with you.

Tina smiles.

(Bette) And then I opened it, and it was awful.

(Tina) Ha!

Bette laughs.

(Bette) And I didn’t care. It’s something I would usually care about, and take seriously and get all intense about. Well, you know.

Tina nods.

(Tina) I do

(Bette) And I didn’t. I was just happy in the moment with you, and that’s all that mattered. It’s one of the few moments in my life where I think I had my priorities right, and I think the reminder is good for me sometimes.