INT-BETTE’S HOUSE-DINING ROOM-NIGHT

A worried expression on her face, BETTE sits in the living room in her pajamas trying to concentrate on her book. Her cell phone is within arm’s reach on the sofa. She thinks to herself, then reaches for her phone, flips it open, and dials.

CUT TO:

INT-TINA’S PLACE-TINA’S BEDROOM-NIGHT

TINA is in bed asleep, her book laying open across her chest. TINA’S phone rings on her bedside dresser. The sound of the phone wakes Tina. Half-asleep, TINA grabs the phone off the dresser.

SPLIT SCREEN

BETTE

Tina, it’s Bette.

TINA

(groggy)

Hey Bette.

BETTE

Did I wake you? I’m sorry. I can call back in the morning.

TINA

No, it’s okay. Fell asleep on my book. I’m exhausted from work, but it’s cool. What’s up?

BETTE

I told Jodi about what happened with Shane.

TINA

Yeah? How did she take it?

BETTE

Not well, of course. She was upset and she told me to make the decision about the future of our relationship.

TINA

I’m confused.

BETTE

That makes two of us. I’m not sure what she wants me to do.

TINA

Well, you love her, right?

BETTE

Yeah, yes. Yes, I love Jodi.

TINA

Well, then you know what you have to do, Bette. You’ve been through this before.

BETTE

(unsure) I have to convince her that what happened with Shane was a huge error in judgment and that I love her and want to be with her.

TINA

Just make sure that you give her time and space if that’s what she needs to figure everything out.

BETTE

I hope she forgives me.

TINA

All you can do at this point is put yourself out there

BETTE

Yeah. you’re right.

TINA

Bette, can I ask you something?

BETTE

Yeah.

TINA

What was it about with you and Shane?

BETTE

What do you mean?

TINA

Why did you cheat on Jodi and with Shane?

BETTE

I honestly don’t count what happened with Shane as cheating. It’s totally different than what happened with Candace.

TINA

You’re avoiding the question, Bette. If you don’t want to give a straight answer, that’s cool.

BETTE

No, it’s not that. What happened with Shane was something very special, very unusual. It didn’t feel like something that would happen more than once and we both understood that.