Bette: No thank you,
Amanda. I’m fine.

Amanda: (To Secretary)
That’ll be all for now. (To Bette) So Bette – To what do I owe the pleasure of
your company?

Bette: Well Amanda, I need
your help. I know, I know – It’s been a while since we’ve visited and the first
thing that I do is ask for your help.

Amanda: It’s ok Bette.
It’s not like I’m knocking down your door either. We’re busy career women
trying to balance it all – it happens. So how can I be of assistance?

Bette: Well It’s about
Tina

Bette continued to fill
Amanda in on her “master plan” – as much as she could with the short amount of
time that she had. After a quick, but detailed description of what she was
attempting to accomplish, Amanda just smiled. Bette took it as a good sign.

Amanda: Bette – you do
realize how risky that is – right?

Bette: I know Amanda – but
I’ve already lost the most important thing in my life. What else do I have to
lose?

Amanda: Point taken.
Bette, I believe I can help you. I’ll just need all the vital information from
you then we’re in business. Bette – you know that I’ve always cherished our
friendship and I would do whatever I could feasible to help you. I hope, for
your sake, this all works out.

Bette: Thank you Amanda.
You have no idea how much this means to me. You know that f there’s ever – and
I mean ever – anything that I can do for you – I will.

Amanda: Actually – there
is something

A smile crosses both of
their faces only Amanda blushed slightly in doing so.

Bette: Name it.

Amanda: (Coyly) Well – are
you still acquainted with your friend Shane?

Bette’s eyes widened. She
thought to herself – “Why do they always go for Shane?” Then it dawned on her –
who wouldn’t want Shane?

Bette: Actually, Amanda, I
am still acquainted with Shane. In fact, she’s my next-door neighbor now.

Amanda: Really??? (Drawing
out the word making it longer than it really was.) Do you think you could

Bette: I think, after all
of this, I might just have to have a BBQ or party at the house and invite you
over.

Amanda: Bette – That would
be wonderful.

Bette absentmindedly
looked at her watch. It was now 4 o’clock and she was officially behind
schedule. Amanda noticed Bette’s display and the uber-manager in her took over.

Amanda: Bette – all that I
really need from you right now is that information from Kit. I’ll have the
paperwork sent over via messenger to you later to sign. I’ll have my secretary
start comprising that information that you need for your board meeting and
she’ll fax it over to your assistant ASAP.

Bette: (Big sigh of
relief) Amanda – you are lifesaver.

Amanda: Bette, you’d do
the same for me if this were reversed.

They both stood at the
same time and Bette pulled Amanda into an embrace.

Bette: (As she pulled
back) Now keep your calendar open the next few weekends for that BBQ – and
don’t be such a stranger.

Amanda: You got it Bette.
Please call me in the next few days to let me know how it all played out.
(WINK)

Bette: I will Amanda –
Thank you – Again.

Amanda: Not a problem.
Good luck Bette.

It was 5 minutes after 4
o’clock. Bette was praying that the traffic wouldn’t be too heavy for the
commute back to the CAC. She decided to call back to the office to let James
know she was on her way back in.

James: (On the other end
of the phone line) The California Arts Center – Bette Porter’s office – How may
I direct your call?

Bette: James – It’s Bette.
How’s it going?

James: Well, since you
left, Franklin is in a tizzy, we have a few pieces of art missing in transit,
and – did I tell you – you OWE me.

Bette: James, just view it
as a great character building adventure.

James did not find Bette’s
statement humorous. Bette tried to calm James’ nerves by giving him a few tasks
to take his mind off the stress.

Bette: James, I’ll be
receiving a few faxes. Can you please get a hold of them before Franklin gets
nosey?

James: Sure, but you

Bette cut him off. She
already knew what he was going to say.