TINA-  “RoseRosehi, it’s Tina, is this a bad time?”

ROSE-  “Hi Tinano, no, it’s fine.  I’m almost done here and ready to head home.  What’s up?”

TINA-  “Rose it was awfulI went to see Bette.”

ROSE-  “What happened?  Did you tell her?”

TINA-  “No, we barely spokeit was just awful”

ROSE-  “Tina, what do you mean?”

TINA-  “I went to the galleryfigured I’d just drop in, see if she was there, you know, like I was just in the neighbourhood.God, I feel like a schoolgirl.  Anyway, she was there but when I arrived she was busyI was so embarrassed.”

ROSE-  “Well Tina, I’m sure you just caught her at a bad time.  She was probably absorbed in helping out Elaine.  I wouldn’t read too much into her reaction, if that’s what’s bothering you.”

TINA-  “No it’s not thatI mean her reaction was weirdbutit’s more than that.  It’s like she had no idea what I was doing there or what to say to me.  I walked in on her and Elaine just as Elaine was introducing her to this older woman.  It was so weird.  The two of them just froze.  They looked at each otherit was palpable.”

ROSE-  “Elaine and the woman?  I don’t understand.”

TINA-  “Bette and the woman.”

ROSE-  “Maybe it was a client and Bette was just nervousor a board member at the gallery.”

TINA-  “No, no, no.Elaine introduced herI don’t think she works there or is a client.”

ROSE-  “Well how do you know?  What did they say?”

TINA-  “Nothing in particular.  Elaine just said something like, ‘Bette, this is Myriam, Professor Myriam Bassey,’ and then Bette and this Bassey woman got into this trance-like state.  Anyway, Bette seemed distracted when she finally saw me, said it was a bad time, so I left.  There wasn’t much else I could do.  I was just embarrassed.  Maybe you’re right, maybe it was just bad timing.”

ROSE-  (She froze.  Her mind went blank.)

TINA-  “Rose?  Hello?  Rose, are you there?”

ROSE-  “SorryTinacan you just repeat that for a secondI’m not sure I heard you right.”

TINA-  “I was embarrassed.  It was definitely the wrong time.  Bette and this woman, they stared at one another.  It was oddlike they knew each otherthey used their first names almost immediately.”

ROSE-  “NoTinaher namethe woman’s namewhat was the woman’s name?”

TINA-  “Professor Myriam Bassey.  Why?  What difference does it make?” (Rose put her right hand on her forehead and dropped both her elbows to her desktop.  She shook her head.)  “Rosewhat is it?  Rose?  Rose!”

ROSE-  “Tina, IIoh my GodTina, listen, everything is ok, but I have to leave you right now.  I’ve got to get to something, so that’s why I’m just freaking out a bit.  I’m so sorry to cut this short.  From what you told me so far, I’m sure it was just bad timing.  I’m so sorry to leave you hanging in the wind, but can I call you later, after I get home tonight?  Maybe I can actually pass by your house.”

TINA-  “It’s ok.  I understand.  I feel silly calling you with these new panic attacks I seem to be getting.  Thanks so much for listening.  Sure, if you have time, give me a call.  I’m sorry Rose, I’m just soI don’t knowswept up in all of this.”

ROSE-  “Not to worry.  It’ll be ok.  I’ll definitely call you later tonight and may pop by.”

TINA-  “Rose, thank you, thank you so much.”

ROSE-  “My pleasure my friend.  Talk to you later.  Bye.”  (They hung up.  Rose stared at the phone with her hand still sitting on the receiver over the telephone.  Over at Tina’s house, Ms. Kennard found herself in almost the exact same pose.  Rose is at a loss and talking to herself…)  “WHAT is going on?  What the fuck is going on?!”  (She shakes her head.)