(Bette) Well sit, I’ll massage them. If I recall correctly that used to help.

Tina stops and looks at her uncertainly.

(Tina) Bette in my experience casual, no strings arrangements don’t usually involve foot rubs and cups of tea.

Bette stops and looks back at her.

(Bette) Tee we both know what this is and what this isn’t. As long as we’re clear on that I don’t think we need to follow particular rules or constantly second guess ourselves. You’ve had a hard day, let me help.

Tina holds up her hands and smiles, moving to the couch.

(Tina) OK, thank you

They both settle on the couch, Tina leaning back against the arm with her feet perched in Bette’s lap. She takes a sip of her tea and closes her eyes, enjoying Bette’s touch.

(Tina) Oh my god, that’s amazing. So this is how I used to manage I guess.

She opens her eyes and they smile at each other.

(Tina) Anyway, enough about my day, how was yours?

(Bette smiles) I enjoyed it actually

(Tina) You were visiting schools?

(Bette) Yes, those receiving funding as part of the new after school program. It was good seeing how the funds will be used, but mainly to step away from the egos of my colleagues for a day.

(Tina smiles) Well I’m glad.

Tina has a sip of her tea as Bette changes to her other foot.

(Tina) And how are you going with those egos? Any favourites so far?

(Bette) Hmmm, well at the moment Senator Guthrie is doing my head in. I think that’s the side of this that I’ll never get used to, having to placate these fucking awful personalities

(Tina nods) I’ve had a few run ins with him as well. He’s one of the worst, thankfully they’re not all so bad. Do you anticipate having much to do with him?

(Bette) I’m not sure, it depends really. At the moment he’s trying to sway my vote on the electoral procedures bill, so hopefully less so once the vote has taken place.

Tina frowns at her.

(Tina) Should you be telling me this?

Bette pauses and shrugs casually.

(Bette) I don’t know. No?

Tina gives her a stern look.

(Tina) I think we need to establish some firmer boundaries

(Bette) I thought we were relying on our judgement?

(Tina) Well now I’m not so sure we can trust yours.

Bette sighs.

(Bette) OK, boundaries.

(Tina) Are you taking this seriously?

(Bette) Yes, yes, of course I am. I guess I’m finding it frustrating too.

(Tina) Bette if we can’t manage this then we can’t continue with what we’re doing.

(Bette) OK, sorry, I know. Go ahead.

(Tina) OK. So firstly, don’t tell me any details of your correspondence with your colleagues unless their position on the matter is already public. (Pauses for a moment) And no details at all from internal meetings, that needs to remain in confidence.

(Bette) Are any of these boundaries going to apply to you?

(Tina smiles) Well I don’t think my judgement is in question.

(Bette) Tee I understand your concern but if I slip on something here isn’t it only me who will face the consequences?

(Tina) No, it’s not Bette. It puts me in a position of deciding whether to run with something that will be detrimental to you. I don’t want to be in that position.

(Bette holds up her hands) OK, fair enough. We don’t need to run through examples. I do have judgement believe it or not, I’ll just be more careful.

(Tina) Thank you

They sit in silence for a while, Bette continuing to rub Tina’s feet.

Tina looks over and studies her.

(Tina) Are you now scared to talk about work?

(Bette looks over at her) Kind of

Tina laughs and looks at her for a moment.

(Tina) Were you always this cute?

Bette smiles at her.

(Bette) That’s not a word I’ve often heard used to describe me.

They smile at each other.

(Tina) Well, you are. Come here

Tina reaches for Bette and pulls her on top of her as she lowers them both back onto the couch.