The Planet
Alice, Tasha and Shane sat a table in the back waiting for Bette, Tina and Helena. Kit had shut The Planet down for the morning. She hadn’t told them why they were all there at 9AM
Tasha (gesturing towards the front door): I thought she wasn’t welcome here.
Shane (looking up as Jodi walked in): This isn’t going to be good (watching as Tom and Max walked in behind her.) Not good at all.
Alice (sipping her coffee): Wonder if this has to do with us.
Tasha (watching the door): Now I’m really worried.
Alice (smacking her playfully): Stop that.
Tasha (smiling as Angie came bolting through the Planet): Well we’re all here.
Angie (excitedly): Do you like my new dress Momma B picked out?
Alice (kissing her cheek): I love it. Where’s Momma B and Momma T?
Angie (pouting): Outside Momma B was talking to Momma T. They told me to come inside cause it was an adult thing.
Tasha (giggling): We have those a lot.
Shane (kissing her cheek): Yes we do pumpkin.

Outside The Planet
Bette (leaning against Tina’s car with her arms folded across her chest): I don’t care what this is about. I don’t want to be here. I’d rather be at home with you and Angie.
Tina (placating): Bette please. You know Kit was just upset with the situation.
Bette (yelling): She had the audacity to insult me as a mother, then accused me of setting a bad example for my daughter among other things.
Tina (reaching out and rubbing Bette’s arms): Babe she was upset and angry. I mean when you walked in yesterday you were a mess (gesturing to Bette’s very visible and swollen black eye.). And you said last night…
Bette (frustrated): Great so now you defend her.
Kit (walking up): Bette please can you just hear me out, please (pleading.)
Bette (sighing): After you insult me as a mother, accuse me of thinking with my crotch and…
Kit (shaking her head): Bette stop. Just listen. (When Bette made no more interruptions) I’m sorry. I’m sorry for insulting you and insinuating you think with your crotch at times it’s just I was angry at the situation. I was upset..
Tina (looking at Bette who made no move to acknowledge her sister): Bette..
Bette (shrugging): We were all upset but it gave you no right…
Kit (yelling): I have every right to be upset when my sister is attacked…
Bette (yelling): So you insult me…
Kit (fighting tears): I didn’t mean too. (Bette glared at her) I apologized Bette what more do you want?
Tina (taking a deep breath): Bette will you stop being so…
Bette (looking at her): So what, Tina. Protective, emotional, angry. What the hell else do you expect me to do when the people I think I can trust turn on me…
Kit (moving closer to Bette): I never turned on you…
Bette (throwing her hands up): Yes you did.
Tina (wondering): No she didn’t. She was looking out for you. Like she always has.
Bette (realizing Tina was right, no matter how many times Kit or her fought Kit would always look out for her): Shit (rubbing her face and turning around.)
Kit (putting her hand on her sister’s shoulder): I’m sorry. Bette I…
Bette (softly): You’re right. You both are.
Kit (understanding how much of a toll everything was placing on her sister): Baby girl a lot has happened. You need time to process all of this. Once we get this meeting over I think you two should just spend time together with the baby girl and relax.
Bette (nodding): You’re right Kit…
Kit (kissing her sister on the cheek): And don’t you forget it.
Bette (hugging her tightly): You won’t let me and neither will Tina…
Kit (turning and hugging Tina): No she won’t.
Tina (smirking): Nope. (Returning the hug) so do you mind telling up why we’re all here at 9Am.
Kit (biting her lip): It’s about the Hammer Museum.
Bette (rubbing her face): Shit.
Inside The Planet
Alice (cutting up the fruit for Angie): Where are they?
Tasha (putting the paper down): They’re outside talking. They’ll be here.
Bette (walking up to the table): Who’ll be here.
Shane (leaning back): You two. Good morning.
Tina (smiling and hugging everyone): Morning.
Bette (helping Angie with her breakfast): Thank you (Alice nodded.)
Kit (sitting down): Okay here’s what I found out. (Kit told them all the whole story and then leaned back.)
Shane (rubbing her face): Shit. That is low. How could she do this?
Bette (rubbing her face): She has some fucking nerve.
Tina (sarcastically): I’m sure in her mind this was the logical thing to do. Get Bette or Dean Porter back for cheating on her and dumping her. (Leaning over) and watch your mouth.
Alice (handing Angie her juice): She was never right for you. You weren’t happy. Didn’t she see that.
Shane (teasing): I’m sure there were some things they had in common that made her happy.
Tasha (rolling her eyes): Either way she shouldn’t have done what she did. That was just so dam unprofessional.
Jodi (walking over to them): Good morning.
Tina (looking to Alice and Tasha): Can you take her in Kit’s office? I don’t want her to hear this.
Tasha (picking Angie up): Sure but if you need us…
Tina (nodding): Thanks.
Alice (protesting): I want to know what’s going on.
Tasha (wrapping her free arm around her): I’m sure you’ll hear all about it. Come on.
Alice (looking at Bette): We’re here for you.
Bette (nodding): I know thank you. (Looking at Jodi) Kit told me and to be frank I’m not surprised. You had no right doing what you did. It was completely unprofessional.
Jodi (rolling her eyes): You had fun at my expense and well…
Tina (defensively): That is such childish bullshit.
Tom (smirking): Did she tell you, who gave us the pictures to use for the still image?
Bette (wondering): What?
Everyone looked at each other wondering what he was driving at. Tina suddenly looked a little guilty and Jodi saw it and saw her trump card or so she thought.
Jodi (leaning back in her chair): Yeah we had some video images but to really capture your core (sarcastically) we needed some still images as well. Do you know who handed them over?
Kit (realizing and closing her eyes): Shit.
Tom (handing Bette an envelope): Tina Kennard.
Kit (defensively): She gave you those pictures to use for a present for Bette’s birthday.
Tina (agreeing): Instead you used them for a malicious purpose…
Shane (pointing): You had no right to use them in that manner.
Jodi (angrily): Because of her actions and what she did.
Bette (shaking her head): You used the university and sponsorship funds at my expense. And used image and voice technology to humiliate me in front of hundreds of people that night.
Tom (rolling his eyes): Like you humiliated her.
Tina (defensively): How? How the fuck can you compare what Jodi did to Bette’s actions?
Max (speaking up): She promised she wouldn’t break her heart…
Kit (sighing): I don’t think Bette ever intended that.
Jodi (throwing her hands up): How can you say that?
Shane (defending Bette): Because as long as I’ve know Bette she’s always been loyal and honest…
Jodi (yelling): She’s nothing but a fucking liar and a cheat. (Looking at Tina) look what she did to you. Look at how…
Tina (standing up): Don’t. Don’t you fucking go there. It’s in the past. She’s changed.
Tom (rolling his eyes): Like you’ve changed.
Bette (defending Tina): Don’t talk to her like that. Don’t you fucking dare. You can’t hold a candle to her.
Tina (rubbing Bette’s arm): Babe…
Tom (pointing): I was just asking like Tina’s changed…
Bette (yelling): And don’t talk to her like that.
Max (defending Tom): Why? He’s just asking a question.
Shane (angrily): I suggest you shut up.
Joyce (walking up to the table): I see everyone is here. Actually I can hear you from over there.
Bette (looking at Joyce and seeing the papers in her hand): Let me guess Kit called Phyllis and she called you.
Joyce (sitting down and pulling out some paper work): Something like that (she would never admit to Peggy Peabody’s intervention) and here’s the deal. You (pointing to Jodi) retract your statement in front of the board, take the transfer to San Francisco and pay a restitution of $2000 or…
Tom (angrily): The hell she will…
Max (looking at Bette): She should be the one paying for all of this.
Joyce (standing up): Or you can go to court and end up paying for the opening night at the Hammer Museum and refund the college and also pay for libel damages against Dean Elizabeth J. Porter.
Jodi (shaking her head): I’m not paying one fucking cent after what she did to me…
Phyllis (coming in and sitting down): I thought you would say that. In fact I had a pretty good idea you would so I looked through your file and contacted a Lani Shipman (she in truth hadn’t done all the work. She had received some help from Peggy.) I didn’t get her on the phone in fact I got her current girlfriend. And she had some interesting things to tell me.
Bette (wondering where this was all going): Phyllis why did you…
Phyllis (pointedly): As I was saying her girlfriend told me something very interesting. Something that might make you reconsider our very generous offer
Tom (rolling his eyes): That complaint about the fake gun in class was settled.
Phyllis (smirking): Rather quickly I might add.
Tom (wondering): What’s that supposed to mean?
Joyce (throwing a piece of paper on the table): You don’t do monogamy very well do you. In fact I don’t think you know the meaning of the word monogamy and there’s this (several pictures were put on the table next to the paper.)
Jodi (looking at them her face flushing in anger that lying bitch Lani had lied to her and so had that bitch Andrea): So I had some fun with the girls. Nothing wrong with that.
Phyllis (opening a folder): Actually in the handbook it strictly discourages relationships between faculty and students, unless a relationship previously existed between them.
Tom (angrily): That doesn’t prove anything. She was just standing there holding hands with them.
Joyce (rolling her eyes): Did you read the report or look at the pictures?
Jodi (reaching for it): Let me see it. (Slowly she read the report and her eyes widened. She remembered that weekend very well. Lani, Andrea and her had spent the entire weekend together in bed while Bette had been taking care of Angie while Tina was out of town supposedly.)
Bette (wanting to know more of what was going on): Phyllis, can I see you for a minute over there?
Phyllis (understanding): Sure…
Bette (softly): Mind filling in some of the blanks here…
Phyllis (looking at Bette and Tina and seeing for the first time true happiness in Bette’s eyes; something she knew had been missing when Bette was dating Jodi): Well Kit found out from Max about what had happened and I started looking into things a little further. I found out the real reason behind Ms. Shipman’s sudden retraction of her complaint.
Bette (shaking her head; she could only imagine): And…
Phyllis (not wanting to hurt Bette any more than Jodi had): Bette let’s just say that Jodi wasn’t honest with you. And neither was Andrea (pausing) that other teaching assistant that took Nadia’s place when she got promoted.
Tina (looking at Bette and seeing her blush): Bette is there something I should know about?
Phyllis (knowing a little about Bette and Nadia’s brief affair): Anyway with somethings that have come to light recently Jodi will have no other alternative then to retract her statement to the board.
Bette (rubbing the back of her neck): I can safely presume that Ms. Shipman, Ms. Lerner and Ms. Daniels know each other fairly well.
Phyllis (nodding): You could say that. You could also say Jodi doesn’t know the meaning of the word monogamy.
Bette (cursing): Fuck. Goddammit…
Phyllis (apologetically): Bette I’m sorry you found out this way.
Bette (rubbing her face): You’re sorry. Shit, she promised she would be monogamous but then I find out she didn’t know the meaning of the word. She was with two other women while I was, wherever I was.
Tina (trying to calm her): Bette it’s over. She wasn’t right for you.
Bette (agreeing): Yeah but she lied. She lied right through our relationship about monogamy I wonder what else she lied about.
Phyllis (shaking her head): Well it’s over. She’ll have no choice but to settle.
Tina (knowing when Bette was trying not to talk about something): Bette, Nadia was that TA you told me about. (Bette nodded) and what happened?
Shane (interrupting): Sorry but I thought you would want to know, Tom is on the phone to Jodi’s lawyer, Joyce is closing in for the kill,and Max has to find a new place to live by tonight or I’m going to remove him myself. (Noticing Bette’s state of frustration) Bette what’s wrong?
Tina (smirking): She was just telling me about Nadia…
Shane (laughing): Nadia shit that was some hot piece of (Tina glared at her) sorry.
Bette (growling): Shane…
Shane (egging Bette on a little further): Well (wiggling her hand.)
Tina (glaring): Shane
Bette (slapping Shane on the arm): She doesn’t need to hear this.
Tina (no she really didn’t; even though her and Bette weren’t together at the time she felt a little jealous; a little possessive): And how long did you go out with Nadia.
Bette (rolling her eyes): Not very long. She was the new teaching assistant and me being the Dean and all it wouldn’t have looked right. Come on let’s go get this over with.
Tina (nodding; a part of her wanted to know what had happened with Bette and Nadia, besides the obvious and another part of her didn’t want to know): As long as she’s out of our lives I’ll be happy.
Kit (looking up as Bette and Tina approached the table): Jodi and Tom are talking to their lawyer. Phyllis and Joyce went to get some coffee and I’m just wow.
Tina (processing the conversation): Joyce is really good at what she does.
Bette (sitting down): I thought, that maybe I could move on with her. I didn’t think Tina had a chance (reaching for Tina’s hand and kissing it). I should have known true love would have won out in the end. (Reaching for the pile of pictures only to have Shane grab her arm) Shane please.
Shane (not wanting Bette to be hurt any further): Bette don’t do this to yourself. What she did was wrong. Leave it at that.
Tina (taking Bette’s hand and kissing it gently): Let it go love.
Bette (taking a deep breath): I was so dam blind.
Shane (disagreeing): No you weren’t. You were hoping to find something that someone else already had. You were settling for second best. (Looking at them both) you both were.
Kit (thinking maybe her sister was): Either way I hope this is over. I’m going to check on Angie and Alice. Knowing them they might have tied Tasha up (laughing.) I’ll be right back.
Tina (caressing Bette’s face): Don’t torment yourself any further over this. She’s wrong and she knows it.
Joyce (walking over): Phyllis is outside talking to the board at the moment. Monday you’ll be back to work and hopefully Jodi will be on her way to San Francisco. We’ll be in when she’s done.
Bette (softly): Thank you.
Jodi (walking over and throwing a check on the table): I’ll accept the offer. I’m warning you Bette this is far from over.
Tina (standing up): No it’s over. You’re finished with her. You stay away from her, from Angie and our family. Or I will take you out myself.
Jodi (smirking): No you have no problem stepping on people either to get what you want. Isn’t that what you did when you went running to some man. Because Bette wasn’t enough for you. Bette didn’t fit your perfect picture of family. Isn’t that what you said to whatever his name was.
Shane (grabbing Tina around the waist): No let Bette deal with this.
Bette (jumping up): That’s enough.
Jodi (looking at her): What’s the matter Dean, can’t stand hearing the real truth on why she left you. She wasn’t happy with you, that’s why she ran. And she’ll run again.
Bette (angrily; she was trying to keep her temper but it was getting harder and harder to do so): I’m warning you. Get the hell out before…
Jodi (sarcastically): Before what? You can’t stand to hear the truth…
Bette (shoving the table and knocking it over; she grabbed Jodi by the front of her jacket as everyone else jumped out of the way): You say what you want about me (shoving her) but you never (shoving her again) ever (shoving her against the wall) talk about her or my daughter. Do I make myself clear (tightening her grip?)
Jodi (she had underestimated Bette and her love for Tina): Fuck you Bette.
Bette (ready to beat the shit out of her): Do I make myself clear (wishing Jodi would give her the reason to lay her out?)
Jodi (condescending, for now): Yeah…
Shane (grabbing Bette’s arm gently): Back off Bette. Please. She isn’t worth it.
Bette (turning her head): You’re right. She isn’t (letting Jodi go.)
Jodi (throwing in a last jab): And why were you fucking me when you were supposed to be breaking up with me instead? Remember that day, you had your hands inside my panties feeling me and the only reason you stopped was because the phone rang. Admit it you wanted one last good fuck before I left. Because you (glaring at Tina ) couldn’t satisfy her enough…
Shane grimaced as she tried to hold onto both Bette and Tina.
Tina (lunging for her only to have Helena grab her; she didn’t believe Jodi was serious but part of her couldn’t help but wonder): Get the fuck out of here before I beat the living shit out of you.
Shane (softly): Nice of you to join us.
Helena (knowing Tina would if Jodi didn’t leave): Tina, Angie does not need to see her parents carted off to jail.
Jodi (yelling): You’re the cause of all this. She was better off without you….
Helena (wide eyed; this woman just wouldn’t shut up): Jodi you’re going to get hurt if you don’t leave…
Jodi (angrily): And you. How would Bette like to know that Tina was with you the day she said she was tied up with something at work.
Helena (feeling a little guilty; true Tina and her had been together but it was oh fuck her): Get out…
Shane (tightening her hold): Dammit just shut the fuck up…
Bette (angrily): I said get the hell out.
Helena (rubbing Tina’s back): Tina come on darling (looking at Tina and seeing how angry she truly was) deep breaths, come on. Back up. (Pointing at Jodi) get the bloody hell out of here.
Jodi (turned and began leaving; she had one more thing to say): How long before you run back to a man, Tina? (Starting to walk away) and this is far from over.
Tina (yelling): That mother fucking bitch. When I get my hands on her…
Bette (shaking her head): No me first. I can’t believe her….
Shane (calmly): If you do that then what image will that paint for Angie…
Bette (wide eyed): Shane what the fuck…
Shane (holding her hands up): I understand you both have your reasons. I just don’t want Angie to see her parents go to jail. And that would have happened.
Helena (rolling her eyes): Will you both calm down. Dam let her go. You have your daughter to think about. She’s an ass and hopefully she gets the hell out and stays the hell out.
Kit (wiping her hands on a dish towel): Both of you calm your asses right down. Angie does not need this shit or so help me I’ll throw ice water on both your asses. (Watching as they both took a deep breath) good. Bette go and see what your boss has to say and stop throwing furniture around here (patting her sister on the back as she walked by.) And Tina calm down honey because Alice is coming out with Angie and you don’t want her to see you or Bette like this.
Tina (sighing and rubbing her face): You’re right and (looking at Helena and Shane) I’m sorry…
Shane (rolling her eyes): It’s what a family does look out for one another.
Helena (teasingly; feeling Tina’s arm): Dam girl you been working out…
Tina (playfully swatting her; silently thanking her for lighting the mood): Stop it…
Alice (walking over; holding Angie): Hey. She was getting fussy with all the noise and she kept wanting her mommas.
Tina (taking her from Alice; she was pretty sure Kit wasn’t telling her everything but decided to let it go for now): Hey baby girl. What’s the matter?
Angie (hugging her mother): Momma B yelled, momma T yelled no good.
Alice (agreeing and rubbing Angie’s back): No it’s not good when adults yell pumpkin.
Tasha (wrapping her arms around Alice): No it’s not but it happens sometimes.
Tina (kissing Angie): Thank you (looking at Alice and Tasha.)
Alice (looking around): So she left with a bang.
Tina (smiling): You could say that.
Helena (brushing back Angie’s hair): A bang more like an explosion. I just hope she’s gone.
Tina (kissing the top of Angie’s head): She better if she knows what’s good for her.
Tasha (shaking her head): Never know with women like that. We’re here for you though if she’s stupid enough to come back for more.
Tina (smiling): Thank you.
Bette (leaning over the table): So she took the offer and she’s gone.
Phyllis (leaning back): Yep. Welcome back Dean Porter (smirking.)
Joyce (shuffling papers in her briefcase): Now that my work is done here I’m going to go and enjoy my pool and some peace and quiet. (Looking at Phyllis) care to join me.
Bette (teasing): You won’t have peace and quiet if you take Phyllis with you.
Phyllis (winking): No she won’t. I’ll see you Monday.
Bette (nodding): I might take some time off.
Phyllis (looking over at Tina and Angie): Call me and let me know.
Bette (standing up): Thank you, both of you.
Joyce (nodding): Your welcome. If you need anything give me a call.
Bette (thinking): I will. Thanks again.
Helena (smirking): I’ll see you Monday Phyllis.
Phyllis (entwining her fingers with Joyce’s): Yes 10 AM.
Bette (walking over to her girls): Hi pumpkin pie. Where you good?
Angie (reaching for Bette): Momma no yell.
Bette (laughing): Sorry baby girl. Sometimes people aren’t always nice.
Angie (tugging on her mother’s hair): Go home, go swimming, go play.
Tina (giggling): One track mind.
Alice (teasing): Just like her momma B.
Bette (winking): You’re just jealous.
Alice (wrapping her arm around Tasha): No I have all I can handle right here.
Tasha (teasing): I think that goes both ways.
Bette (laughing): You said it…
Alice (taunting): You should talk Dean Porter.
Shane (leaning down and kissing Angie): I’ll see everyone later. I’ve got an appointment in a bit.
Tina (smiling): We’ll be home. And thank you (hugging her.)
Bette (patting her on the back): If it weren’t for you…
Shane (rubbing the back of her neck): Hey we’re family.
Tasha (kissing Alice on the cheek): Sorry I’ve got to get to my classes.
Alice (adjusting her collar): Okay call me when you can. I’m going to get started on packing.
Tasha (nodding): Sure. I’ll see everyone later.
Bette (wrapping her free arm around Tina): Alice after you get done packing why don’t you stop by.
Alice (shaking her head): Thanks. I’ll see though. We have two places to pack and well you remember how it was.
Tina (remembering other times as well): Sure. Either way give us a call.
Bette (looking around for Kit): Let’s see my sister before we leave and then go home. What do you say baby girl?
Angie (excitedly): Mamma’s go swimming, go play, no more yelling.
Tina (laughing): Sure sweetie. (Kissing her on the cheek she rubbed Bette’s back) let’s go see Kit. Then get her home she needs a nap (smiling as Angie yawned.)
Helena (kissing Angie): I’ve got to run and get some things done for the other place. I’ll see you two later. If you need anything…
Bette (appreciatively): Thank you.
Tina (hugging Helena): We’ll be home so stop by for dinner.
Helena (nodding): I’ll give you a call. (Hugging Kit and then left out the front door.)
Kit (coming out of the office): You two going home (they nodded) I could watch Angie for yous.
Bette (arching her eyebrow): No we’re good. Give us a chance to work on being a family. Why don’t you come over later and we can make dinner?
Kit (smiling proudly): You sure. I don’t mind watching the little angel.
Tina (giggling): Thanks but we’re good.
Kit (hugging them both and kissing Angie): Alright. I’ll call you to see if you want anything.
Bette (nodding): Thanks. Come on (wrapping her arm around Tina’s waist.)
Just as they were exiting the Planet Jenny walked in with Nikki.
Jenny (loudly): Nikki and I are getting married.
Everyone stood there looking around and at each other wondering what the hell had changed Jenny’s mind and wondering where she had been.
TBC
KJ