(Tina) Stop it

Bette smiles back at her for a moment.

(Bette) Look I know this caught us both off guard, but we were bound to cross paths at some stage. I half expected for you to have to interview me at some point.

Tina narrows her eyes again.

(Tina) I’m not worried about the interview Bette, I can handle a political interview with anyone.

(Bette) I know that, so what then?

(Tina) We do the formal political interview in the first hour, then people will call with questions, and then you come back for the last hour of the show for a more casual chat

(Bette frowns) Well what the fuck does that mean?

(Tina sighs) It’s called Conversations, we talk about anything but politics really, and the audience gets to know a different side of you.

(Bette) Well what do you want to talk about?

(Tina) I don’t know Bette! The weather? Our first date? Our fucking break up?!

Bette holds up her hands and raises her eyebrows, while Tina holds her hand over her eyes for a moment.

(Tina, speaking more calmly) It’ll be you and me for the first 20 minutes, and then we’re joined by another guest for the next 20, then another. You stay for the hour

(Bette) OK. So who are the guests?

Tina hands her a sheet of paper.

(Bette) Never heard of them

(Tina sighs) They’re both musicians, one classical and the other a bit of a rising pop star. Senator Kielson would have been sent all this information, he didn’t clue you in?

(Bette) To be fair I’m not sure Senator Kielson knows what music is

Tina smiles.

(Tina) Well I have notes for their interviews, you can sit and read with me.

(Bette) Thanks

Tina takes two folders off the desk and hands one to Bette. They both take a seat on opposite sides of the desk and read, glancing at each other once in a while. They finish and swap files and continue, before placing them back on the desk.

(Bette) Well I don’t know how you’re going to get 40 minutes out of those two.

(Tina) Well you’ll be there to help me

(Bette smiles) And obviously there’s no file on me.