As she chews, her eyes drift toward the television mounted high in the corner of the room. The local afternoon news is on, and a reporter stands outside a taped-off crime scene, microphone in hand.

Tina nearly chokes. ”…Alice?” She leans forward and laughs when she sees the name sprawled across the screen. “Alice Peters?”

She watches as Alice stands perfectly composed, speaking confidently into the camera while police cruisers flash behind her.

Tina laughs to herself. ”How the hell did you pull that off, Alice?” She shakes her head, smiling proudly. She takes another bite of her sandwich just before the radio clipped to her belt explodes to life.

”Where the hell is Kennard?”

Tina’s eyes widen. She nearly spits out her food. Grabbing the radio, she presses the button. ”I’m on my way, ma’am.” She gulps down a mouthful of water, hastily wraps the rest of her sandwich, and throws it back into the paper bag. Before rushing out, she steals one last glance at the television. Alice is still talking, confident as ever.

Tina smiles to herself. ”At least one of us is thriving, I guess.” She turns on her heel and hurries out of the break room. The door swings open just as another assistant rounds the corner.

They narrowly avoid colliding.

”Sorry!”

”No worries!” Without breaking stride, Tina continues sprinting down the hallway toward her boss’s office, already mentally preparing herself for whatever impossible task awaits her next….

***

By the time Bette pulls into her reserved parking space the next morning, California University is already buzzing with life. Students crisscross the quad in clusters, backpacks bouncing on their shoulders as they hurry toward their first classes. A groundskeeper drags a long hose across the dew-covered lawn while another trims hedges outside the library. Somewhere in the distance, the university bell tower chimes the hour.

Bette cuts the engine and sits for just a moment. Today’s the day…. her first faculty meeting.

She reaches into the backseat for her black blazer, slipping it over her fitted white blouse before smoothing the lapels with practiced precision. Grabbing her leather satchel, she steps out of the car and locks it behind her.