(Tina) Is that what we’re doing?

(Bette) I don’t think we’ve established what it is we’re doing

Tina smiles and has a sip of her wine.

(Tina) No one significant, no.

(Bette) At least not significant to you?

(Tina shrugs) Well… What about you?

(Bette) No one. (Pauses) You’ve never met someone you wanted to settle down with?

Tina looks at her and decides to resist the temptation to respond spitefully.

(Tina) No. It’s easy to blame my career, which certainly hasn’t helped, but there’s probably more to it than that. What about you?

(Bette) A similar story, probably. I haven’t allowed myself to compromise my career for someone in even the smallest way. I would resist even the most reasonable requests to do so, as a matter of principle. It’s not really conducive to a successful relationship.

(Tina) And what’s that about, do you think?

(Bette) If I wasn’t willing to do it for you, how could I make a concession for someone else? Even a slight one. It felt, I don’t know, disrespectful to us.

(Tina studies her) You’re punishing yourself.

(Bette) Maybe. Although I think my partners would say I’ve been punishing them.

Tina smiles.

(Tina) I wouldn’t say I’ve gotten close enough with someone to refer to them as my partner in the years since.

(Bette leans in) And what’s that about, do you think?

Tina smiles.

(Tina) Once bitten, twice shy?

They smile at one another for a moment.

(Tina) No, I don’t know. (Plays with her wine stem) We just loved each other so much, so intensely. If I couldn’t make that work, how could anything else? And would I even want it to? I honestly don’t think I’ve tried especially hard, and I’ve never been sad to see anyone go.

Tina shrugs and Bette studies her for a moment.

(Bette) And I imagine they were catches, some of them.

(Tina smirks) Yours as well I assume.

(Bette smiles) Shall we name names?

(Tina laughs) We haven’t had nearly enough wine for that.

They finish their wines and stroll out of the restaurant together, facing each other on the sidewalk and smiling gently at one another.

(Bette) I enjoyed this very much

(Tina) I did as well. I think I’d forgotten that I actually enjoy your company.

(Bette laughs) Well I’m glad you’ve been reminded I guess. I’d love to do it again, but I’ll leave it up to you.

(Tina) Thanks.

(Bette) Can I drop you home?

(Tina) Actually I need to meet a colleague in a bar just around the corner, so you go ahead. Some last minute issue with a story that we need to sort out tonight.

(Bette) Maybe you’ll get a scoop!

(Tina smiles) You always did think I worked at the Daily Planet

(Bette grins) Well goodnight then Tee

(Tina) Goodnight Bette

They kiss on the cheek and share a soft  look as Tina turns and walks down the sidewalk, immediately taking out her cell phone and placing a call. Bette at the same time turns towards the street and raises her arm distractedly towards her driver while also studying her cell phone and sighing at the many developments she’s missed during their dinner.