Bette retired to the bedroom, leaving Tina to comfort Angelica as she sat on the bed waiting anxiously for Tina to return. About twenty minutes later, Tina storms in and slams the bedroom door. ‘Damn,’ thought Bette… ‘this isn’t going to be good.’)

BETTE- “How is she?”

TINA- (Her eyes glaring…) “You’ve got some nerve Mamma B.”

BETTE- “Oh come on Tina…”

TINA- “He came to see you and you told him you didn’t think he was good enough for her?”

BETTE- “Yes…yes that’s right. Would you prefer I lied?”

TINA- “I can’t even believe he had the guts to come and find you, but that tells me he’s not so bad. I can’t believe you. Bette…it’s not YOUR decision.”

BETTE- “Yeah, I was surprised he had the gonads to approach me, but…he’s such a prick. Obviously, he didn’t think anything of breaking her heart. You heard what she said, he left her.”

TINA- “What did you expect him to do…duel the ferocious Mrs. Porter to the death for Angelica’s heart?”

BETTE- “Actually yes…that’s exactly what I expected Tina…and you know what? He failed…he DIDN’T have the courage to fight for her or to stand up for what he believed in. Instead, he revealed himself to be the rubbish he is…”

TINA- “What are you talking about? You kept pushing him and making it impossible for him. I told you to him a chance and you nail him to the wall instead…what’s wrong with you Bette? He’s just a kid and so is she. Do you think you could have realized how your daughter feels and given this guy a chance? Did it cross your mind at all that you were making your daughter miserable? I can’t believe you. And expecting him to face your stubborn self all the time…no one can deal with that…AND I asked you last week to do it…for her and for me…give the guy a chance…”

BETTE- “Really? That’s funny, because I thought it would be pretty much game over for him when he called you and I ‘frustrated lesbians’ and ‘fearful of your daughter not following some warped dyke lifestyle you’ve held up to her as the model for a happy existence”… I figured that at THAT point I probably had your implied permission to deck him, let alone tell him he wasn’t good enough for my Angelica.”

TINA- “WHAT?!”

BETTE- “You heard me.”

TINA- “What? When did he say that?”

BETTE- “Right after he told me she was lucky to have him in her life and have such an ‘understanding boyfriend’ given all her ‘personal issues and odd family’.”

TINA- “That’s….That’s…son of a bitch…Angie spoke of him so well…she’s smarter than that. I spoke to him when he picked her up a couple of times…”

BETTE- “Yeah well, snakes tend to have evasive personalities.”

TINA- (She emits a loud moan/grunt of frustration…and says to no one in particular…) “Unbelieveable!” (She grunts again and storms out. She heads for Angelica’s bedroom and is about to knock and open when she stops suddenly. She shakes her head. She walks furiously back to Bette.) “Obviously she didn’t know. I want to go in there and talk to her. I think she needs to know. But it’s going to hurt her even more. I don’t know…what should we do?”

BETTE- “Good question. I guess maybe we should just let her rest and do it in the morning. Tina…even if he didn’t say those things, he still wasn’t good enough for her. If he truly loved her he WOULD have fought me…ferocity and all.” (The doorbell rings and they look at each other.) “Who the hec is that at this hour?” (Bette, followed by Tina, go to the door. It’s Angelica’s boyfriend Ryan. Bette opens the door and stares down at him.)

RYAN- “Mrs. Porter…I’m sorry, I’m sorry to come here so late but I had to come and see you and Mrs. Kennard, and Angie.” (Bette and Tina come outside and close the door partially behind them.)

BETTE- “What could you possibly want, especially after what you said to me this morning?”

RYAN- (Looking scared…) “I want to apologize…to you and Mrs. Kennard and Angie too. You’re right…I don’t…well, I really like her…I really do, but I don’t… Look, I had no business criticizing your lifestyle or making it sound like there was anything wrong with Angie because of her family. I don’t agree with same-sex marriage. I think it’s wrong. I believe that children need a mother and a father. That’s the truth…that’s what I believe. But I also believe that you and Mrs. Kennard are decent people, amazing women, and great parents to Angelica. She’s brilliant, wonderful and decent and kind and beautiful…and that’s as much a testament to you as anything. I guess…I guess I was seeing some weaknesses in my relationship with her and in my insecurity I was desperate to find a reason outside my own self to explain it. I think she’s great. I love her, but it’s clear to me we’re not ‘in love’. I think deep down she really knows this too.” (A push is felt by Bette and Tina from behind them.)

ANGELICA- “Would you excuse us please?” (Bette and Tina look at one another and take their leave…)

BETTE- “Goodnight Ryan, it was good of you to come by.” (They go inside but sit on the living room couch, waiting for Angelica.)

TINA- “Little prick. I can’t believe he said those things to you this morning. How awful.”

BETTE- “Well, he’s apologized for it…pretty big gonads to come here and do that…”

TINA- “Yeah, I guess.”

BETTE- (Payback time…) “OHhh Mrs. Kennard, are you angry at Angelica’s boyfriend? Do you REALLY think that’s fair???? Hmmmmmmm?”

TINA- “Oh shut up. I’m sorry Bette…you were right.”

BETTE- “Damned straight Mrs. Kennard…and don’t you forget it.”

TINA- “Don’t push your luck Porter.” (Tina leans on Bette on the couch as they wait. After a while, Angelica comes in. She stops and looks at her two mothers. They look back, a bit anxiously.)

ANGELICA- “He’s leaving for Yale tomorrow. We agreed to stay friends. I’m going to sleep now. We’ll…we can…please, we’ll talk about this tomorrow. Goodnight…I love you…” (She walks off.)

BETTE- “Well then…I guess my job here is done.”

TINA- “Shouldn’t we talk about it now? I don’t want to go to sleep…we should talk to her. Shouldn’t she apologize to you?”

BETTE- “Why? She didn’t know. She’ll find her way to talk about it…just not tonight.”

TINA- “I don’t like unfinished business…”

BETTE- “Neither do I…” (She kisses Tina.)

TINA- “I don’t think so Mrs. Porter, I need my beauty sleep.”

BETTE- “Hey! Don’t you owe me an apology?”

TINA- “Why? I didn’t know. You should have told me about those things he said to you before I went off on you.”

BETTE- “Maybe you should have given me the chance and trusted me.”

TINA- “You’re pushing your luck.”

BETTE- “Come on T…I want to touch you…”

TINA- “Maybe tomorrow…”

BETTE- “You nasty old woman!”

TINA- “Woe there Mrs. Porter…or you may not be touching me for a long while!”

BETTE- “Please…”

TINA- “Bette!” (Bette kisses her as they walk back to the bedroom. Tina’s desire to fall asleep wins over and Bette holds her and strokes her as she does just that…except Tina’s not asleep. Her eyes are wide open. She feels Bette’s body up against and closes her eyes hard…she wishes Bette would push further…she wishes Bette would hold her closer, tighter…she unconsciously is moving her body backwards into Bette, who starts to notice.)

BETTE- “T…you ok? I thought you wanted to go to sleep?”

TINA- “Sorry, I…I didn’t…” (Bette moves her hand over Tina’s waste and gently grabs hold of Tina’s chest. She kisses her neck and moves up to kiss her face, her ear…tasting the skin as she traverses the soft surface. Tina feels her skin flush with warmth…and there’s no way it’s menopause…) “Bette…” (She turns over onto her back and Bette torso is on top of hers and Bette strokes her face while looking into her eyes. Tina smiles…) “Dirty old woman…”

BETTE- “I’m a vibrant older woman…you should be jubilant…”

TINA- “Well, vibrant old lady, you’ve got me all excited now…care to attend to my needs?” (Bette emits a mischievous laugh…) “Ohhh, I see…uhhh…” (Bette’s well ahead of her as she skillfully makes their bodies bare and touching almost in their entirety.) “You feel so wonderful…”

BETTE- “Mmmm…it’s experience…I’m beyond talented…pretty much an expert now…”

TINA- “Bette sweety…”

BETTE- “Yes my love…”

TINA- “Shut up and make love to me…”

BETTE- “Yes ma’am…uuuuhhhhhhhh….” (Tina wasn’t exactly leaving the tactics to Bette’s discretion.) “T…uuhh…”

TINA- “Battle of the experts I guess…” (She chuckles and grasps Bette’s lips as they turn over on the bed and address both their needs.)

(The next morning Bette was up and out of the house before anyone. She had an early faculty meeting and getting ready to teach the class she had that day. She was sitting in her office going over the minutes of her meeting after it was done.)

MARTI- “Dean Porter, sorry to disturb you but someone’s here to see you.”

BETTE- (Looking at Marti over her bifocals…) “Who is it Marti?”

MARTI- “She won’t say.” (Bette frowns and then a loud voice is heard… “OH come ON Porter, don’t tell me I need an appointment now just to SEE ya!” Bette smiles and nods to Marti who then exits and sends the visitor in.)

BETTE- “You nut, why didn’t you call me? I could have been seriously busy or something…and I kind of am…”

ALICE- “Doing what? Fighting off the awestruck students who are after you?” (They hug and Alice takes a seat in front of the large desk.) “So, professor…or is it Dean Porter…what’s shakin?”

BETTE- “My brain…I think I’m getting too old for this.”

ALICE- “Nonsense, you look just as hot if not hotter than old woman Peabody did at our age….actually even hotter than her. Now I don’t know if you’re quite as hot as T, but you’re ok.”

BETTE- “Gee thanks, but I guess I’d have to agree with you. My T is as beautiful as ever to me.”

ALICE- “So what’s all this about age getting to you?”

BETTE- “Well I don’t know…Tina has been kind of sensitive these days about things, and now this thing with Angelica…”

ALICE- “Oh yeah, that jackass little man Ryan?”

BETTE- “How did YOU know?”

ALICE- “Angelica and I had lunch the other day and she came by my office. She filled me in on your stubborn wrath. What’s an earth mother to do? I told her I couldn’t take sides. But she was filling me in on the details about this guy and I met him…my earth mother instincts kinda kicked in. Anyway, her mouth kept saying she was in love but her heart…which someone with my keen sense of perception could see through those beautiful brown orbs of hers…kept telling me differently.”

BETTE- “They broke up. Turns out he’s not so comfortable with the lesbian thing. But he finally came clean and told her the truth…apologized to me and Tina last night.”

ALICE- “It’ll be ok Bette…she’ll be ok.”

BETTE- “I know…I just…she was really angry with me. There was a lot of tension between us recently. And Tina…she seems contemplative. I don’t know…” (There’s a knock…)

GERRI- (A beautiful young woman…) “Good morning Dean Porter, I have the research material you wanted. Oh…I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

BETTE- “Morning Gerri. It’s ok, I told Marti to let only you in…I need that material for the lecture this morning.”

GERRI- “Yes ma’am.”

BETTE- “Oh, this is my friend Alice.”

ALICE- “Pleased to meet you.”

GERRI- “Likewise. Can I do anything else Professor?”

BETTE- “No, thanks. See you in class. Bye.” (Gerri leaves.)

ALICE- “Wow! ‘Can I do anything else professor?’ My goodness you got it good here. She’s beautiful.”

BETTE- “Alice!”

ALICE- “Yeah yeah…ok. Besides, if I find out that you’re so much as looking in any girl’s direction I’ll have to break your knees…I’m loyal to the Kennard family household.”

BETTE- “Gee thanks Al.”

ALICE- “But me…now I’m fair game…you need an assistant maybe?” (Bette chuckles and they both laugh.) “So…what’s for lunch?”

BETTE- “I can’t today, how about coming over for dinner?”

ALICE- “I thought you’d never ask.”

BETTE- “You were over for dinner last weekend…”

ALICE- “Hey, I’ve got privileges…gotta spend time with my Angie.”

BETTE- “Well, I don’t think you’ll have a problem there…it’s not like we’re on great terms right now.”

ALICE- “You were difficult you know…but you ended up being right…she’ll get over it. She loves you like nobody’s business…that’s not so easily ignored. Just give her time.”

BETTE- “I wish I knew what was up with Tina too. All of a sudden she seems oddly sensitive about our…nevermind…”

ALICE- “Your what? You’re not gonna start talking about things in the boudoire are you? I don’t think I can listen to that sort of thing…”

BETTE- “Alice…goodbye…I have class. I’ll see you tonight at 7.”

ALICE- “Alright already…have a good day Professor Porter.” (They both smile and Alice departs as Bette heads off to class.)

(Almost an hour later, Professor Porter is delivering her morning lecture. Two male students near the back are chatting quietly…a woman sitting behind them listens in and smiles while blushing…)

1st GUY- “I think she’s stunning.”

2nd GUY- “She wears bifocals man…”

1st GUY- “I don’t care, she’s beautiful and elegant and just brilliant.”

2nd GUY- “Stephen, give it up…she’s got a partner…a woman partner.”

1st GUY- “She’s gay? Damn. Well, whoever that woman is, she’s lucky.”

2nd GUY- “I dunno…I saw her partner at a function last week…she’s pretty damn hot herself. I met her…she’s actually really decent too.”

1st GUY- “Glad to hear it. Professor Porter is top notch.”

2nd GUY- “Take it easy Stephen…don’t start falling for her…it’s doomed…”

1st GUY- “Roger, don’t be stupid. I mean she’s great and I think I would be taken with her if she were single but…oh well.”

2nd GUY- “I can’t believe you’re one of her research assistants and you didn’t know that she was ‘taken’. She’s been teaching here for over a decade man…”

1st GUY- “The term started only recently. I haven’t even been inside her office yet.”

(Professor Porter continues her lecture and maintains the interesting pace until the end.)

BETTE- “All right, that’s it for now ladies and gentlemen. See you next week.” (The class starts bustling as all the students ready themselves for the next class and exiting the room. Bette stands at the front of the class putting her things together, still wearing her bifocals as she puts her lecture notes away. She hunched over looking at various documents as students walk by and wish her a good week, addressing her as ‘Dean Porter’ or ‘Professor Porter’ alternatively. She maintains a very dignified and professional tone and stance…and her body language bespeaks it. Most everyone has exited, and then she hears a female voice…)

WOMAN- “Professor, do you have a moment for me? I’d like to have a word with you.”

BETTE- (She starts speaking before slowly raising her head and eyes over the bifocals to address her pupil in her professorial tone…) “Yes, perhaps you can wait a moment and walk with me as we chat…” (Bette looks up and when she realizes who it is she freezes…it’s Candace the carpenter (JUST KIDDING!!!)…it’s Angelica. Her eyes sparkle and a huge beat pumps her heart. A big grin covets her face and she stands upright…her professorial tone is a thing of the past…) “Angie?”

ANGELICA- “Hi mom.”

BETTE- “Angie…It’s…it’s good to see you sweetie…” (She walks right up to her and embraces the young woman, who reciprocates with a huge hug. A young woman and man are at the top of the steps in the amphitheatre and they look back to witness the scene.)

WOMAN- “I thought she had a partner…did they split up?”

MAN- “Maybe she’s got that pretty thing on the side.”

WOMAN- “Na, she’s a cool lady. Doesn’t strike me as the type to be disloyal to her significant other.”

MAN- “No one’s perfect. Besides, that’s a hot looking student.” (A woman who had just entered and overheard their conversation now speaks to them…mostly the man student…)

SHANE- “That’s her daughter you jackass.” (She smirks and they quickly walk off as Shane descends a few stairs and stands waiting so that she doesn’t disturb the mother and daughter. Bette and Angelica pull back a bit.)

BETTE- “Come back with me to my office ok?”

ANGELICA- “Sure. Just don’t start with the lectures…I’ve heard enough Professor Porter for one day.”

BETTE- “Well, aren’t you lucky then? I’m considered very popular as a lecturer you know…”

ANGELICA- “Yeah well…I overheard two of your male students…they think you’re ‘hot’.”

BETTE- (She chuckles and blushes…) “Oh my Gawd.” (Shane walks down.) “HEY YOU!!!” (Shane smiles and walks over. They hug. Shane then comes over to Angelica and kisses her.)

SHANE- “Hey there kiddo.”

ANGELICA- “Aunt Shane it’s so good to see you.”

SHANE- “You too. Bette, I left a message with your secretary but I guess you haven’t gotten it yet.”

BETTE- “No, I was already in here I think. What’s up?”

SHANE- “Thought you might like to have lunch but I see Angie’s here.”

BETTE- “No, unfortunately I can’t…I can’t have lunch with either of you. I’ve got a meeting with ‘Grezelda’ the wicked witch of the campus.”

ANGELICA- “What?”

BETTE- “The deputy chancellor…David’s away and she’s standing in, so I’ve got to deal with her…pretty much for the first time. Nasty little lady…very harsh, though she seems to mean well. But if I’m not prepared for the meeting, she’ll mop the foor with me.”

SHANE- “Yikes, sounds rough.”

BETTE- “Hey, why don’t you come for dinner tonight? Alice will be there too.”

SHANE- “Sure, that sounds great. Angie, will you join us?”

ANGELICA- “Maybe for a bit, I’m meeting up with some people tonight though and I really can’t cancel. My friend’s band is playing tonight and I promised I’d go.”

SHANE- “No worries. Maybe next weekend?”

ANGELICA- “Sounds good.”

BETTE- “Will you guys walk back with me to the office?”

SHANE- “I gotta go. I’ve got a meeting at the Talbot building across the street. I’ll see you tonight.”

BETTE- “Ok Shane, see you then.” (Shane says goodbye and leaves.) “Come on, let’s go to the office.”

(The walk over to the office.)

MARTI- “Hello Miss Angelica.”

ANGELICA- “Hi Mrs. Bordoni.”

BETTE- “Any messages?” (Bette’s smiling…she can’t help it. Marti notices and tries not to chuckle.)

MARTI- “No Dean Porter, no messages. Shall I hold calls?”

BETTE- “Oh yes, thank you.” (They go into her office and take their seats…Bette behind the big desk, Angie in the chair facing the desk. Bette stares happily at Angie over her bifocals. Angie looks a little uncomfortable. Bette awakes to the context and speaks up…) “Oh…wait, let’s go sit over there…this is too official…” (They get up and go to chairs and a sofa surrounding a coffee table. They sit on the sofa, next to each other, facing one another. Bette takes Angie’s hand and just holds it as she looks at her. Angie is almost laughing.) “What?”

ANGELICA- “Nothing. You’re funny.”

BETTE- “Funny? Funny ‘ha ha’ or funny strange?”

ANGELICA- “MOM…”

BETTE- “What?”

ANGELICA- “Gawd…I can’t believe I’ve got a hot mamma as a mother.”

BETTE- “Excuse me young lady but I won’t have you insulting me that way…you have TWO hot mammas as mothers.”

ANGELICA- (Feigning being official…) “I stand corrected.” (Bette chuckles. Angelica seems to be changing her tone. She looks serious.)

BETTE- “What’s wrong?”

ANGELICA- “Mom…I’m sorry…I’m sorry about yesterday.”

BETTE- “I know…I’m sorry too. I just…”

ANGELICA- “Mom…I know you’re just trying to do the right thing but…but what if Ryan didn’t have any issues, what if he was cool with the lesbian thing? I mean as it turns out he’s not a total jerk…he did come to apologize to you and mom and me too. After he told me what happened I cried…it hurt so much. I …I told him to leave…we’re going to try and talk things out as friends at some point. Anyway… then I went to my room and cried myself to sleep. I couldn’t believe what he had said to you that morning and even though he had come to apologize I just couldn’t get over it…and the fact that I didn’t see what was going on…that really threw me. I think eventually he and I will be friends, but it was devastating. I really thought I loved him. I thought we were just having issues and that you were to blame for some of them.”

BETTE- “Angie, everything is going to work out. It’s better that you discovered this now rather than later in a more developed relationship.”

ANGELICA- “I know, I know…but…what I was trying to say…well, you have to take it easy…I mean what if he didn’t have those issues? You made it so difficult for him and for me. Why do you have to be so…so…so…”

BETTE- “I love you.”

ANGELICA- “I know. I know that more than anything else in this world. Come hell or high water, I know that you and mom love me. But what I’m trying to say…well…see…look at how she handles it…”

BETTE- “Ouch.”

ANGELICA- “Mom…you’re so difficult with some things…”

BETTE- “Hey kiddo…trust me, I’ve always been difficult with people I love.”

ANGELICA- “That’s interesting…”

BETTE- “What?”

ANGELICA- “Alice said that to me when we had lunch the other day.”

BETTE- “Ugh…”

ANGELICA- “No…no…she said that you’re all odd like that…she said you’re all ‘afflicted’ in the same way. Your hearts lead you and those you love sometimes have a tough go of it and it’s complicated your lives in one way or another, but that you’ve always turned out ok. I just need you to take it easy with this dating stuff and other things. You just seem so worried sometimes. But some things…well, they’re not really for you to decide or take ownership of…you know? Some things are just mine…my decisions.”

BETTE- “Well geeez Angelica I know that…of course that’s the case…”

ANGELICA- “You say that but then…”

BETTE- “What?”

ANGELICA- “Look at Mamma T…”

BETTE- “Angie…”

ANGELICA- (She chuckles…) “Ok maybe I’m overemphasizing the point. But what’s going to happen the next time I bring a boyfriend home? It seems to be a sensitive issue for you.”

BETTE- “No it’s not! I’m cool with it. It’s just that this guy…all this talk about you being in love…I don’t know. I’ve been in love…I am madly in love…and I just didn’t want you to be disillusioned when you discovered that you weren’t really.”

ANGELICA- “Eventually, don’t you think I could’ve figured that out on my own?”

BETTE- “EvENTUALLY…I didn’t want you to get hurt and my gut feeling on this one was pretty strong.”

ANGELICA- “OK, but do you see my point at all?”

BETTE- “Yes…but…you know you were being pretty difficult too. It’s like I wasn’t allowed to have an opinion or something.”

ANGELICA- “That’s not true. Of course I value your opinion.”

BETTE- “It is true…you wouldn’t let me get a word in edgewise.”

ANGELICA- “An opinion is one thing, you were issuing directives.”

BETTE- “NOOOoooo…I wasn’t….you weren’t letting me…”

ANGELICA- “Hey…Mom…Geez…you remind me of someone…”

BETTE- “Oh yeah? Who? Cause I know it’s not Tina…apparently she’s way too reasonable!”

ANGELICA- “Me.” (Bette’s face lights up…)

BETTE- “Angie!” (She grabs her for a bear hug.)

ANGELICA- “MOM!” (Marti interrupts…)

MARTI- “Sorry Dean Porter, but the deputy chancellor beckons…she wants to meet earlier than expected.”

BETTE- (She looks concerned…) “Thanks Marti.” (Marti leaves. She addresses Angelica…) “You want to see real ‘difficult’, come and meet Grezelda with me…the wicked witch…”

ANGELICA- “Hey that’s not nice!”

BETTE- “Grezelda is her real name. Wicked witch is a kind description for her.”

ANGELICA- “Mom that’s really not nice…very unprofessional.”

BETTE- “Gee aren’t you the difficult one. Ok…your time is up Ms. Kennard-Porter.”

ANGELICA- “I’ll see you tonight. Ok?”

BETTE- “Yeah ok…” (She grasps her for another big hug.) “I love you, I love you very much.”

ANGELICA- “Hmmm…Alice says that THAT is the curse of us women in Porter’s life.”

BETTE- “If I tackle Alice to the floor before we have dinner tonight, will you call me ‘difficult’?” (Angelica chuckles and leaves. Bette goes to her desk and tries to get everything organized for her meeting. A knock is heard and Stephen enters.)

STEPHEN- “Hello Dean, you wanted to see me about that project?”

BETTE- “What? Oh…Oh yeah…Stephen can you come back later? I have an unexpected meeting right now with Deputy Chancellor Marsh.”

STEPHEN- “Sure, yes ma’am.” (He’s smiling.)

BETTE- “What?”

STEPHEN- “Hm? Oh…was there anything else?”

BETTE- “No, thanks Stephen, and sorry for rearranging things. Come by at about 2pm.”

STEPHEN- “OK, will do. Good luck.”

BETTE- “Thanks. Bye.” (He leaves. She gathers her things and heads off to the “witch’s” layer.)