Bette climbed the winding staircase as quickly as possible. The last thing she wanted to do was show up late to her first meeting. It’s bad enough they had postponed everything by a week for her, she was sure if she made them wait an extra second they would be none-to pleased. She stood at the door for a moment and starred at the name etched into the glass.

Bette: David Canter.

She had been waiting for a moment like this for years. Heaving a deep sigh Bette turned the knob and entered a whole new world.

The room was buzzing with actors and creative staff. She noticed some familiar faces in the back of the room, one in particular. It had been at least 6 years since she had last seen Avery and she looked every bit the same. Her hair was still strawberry blonde and her face pale. Bette had remembered when she first met Avery in college. They were the very same age and yet Bette had always thought of Avery as much younger. Her features were soft and delicate. Her skin, so white that it almost glowed. She and Avery didn’t talk very much in school but they always shared polite smiles and quick hellos. Although they were practically strangers, Bette felt as if she had been connected with a long lost friend. As soon as she closed the door the room became silent. All eyes were on her and as much she hated to admit it, she loved the attention.

David: The infamous Bette Porter!

Bette flashed her trademark-winning smile.

Bette: Mr. Canter, a pleasure to finally meet you.

David: Bette, I don’t know what you may have heard about me, but I am not some corporate stiff. Call me David.

Bette: David, it is an honor to be here.

David: Well Bette I have to admit when I heard you were tied up in another show I was a little disappointed, but it seems like everything has worked out perfectly.

Bette cringed knowing things hadn’t exactly ” worked out” just yet.

Bette: I do owe you and everyone else an apology for the delay. I hope you will accept.

David: Already forgotten. Come let me introduce you around.

David took Bette gently by the elbow and led her around the room. She stopped at every corner introducing his star to the production crew as well as the cast, each person more friendly the last. It was something Bette was not accustom to, but she was sure it would take her no time to adjust. Before he could extend the introduction to Avery she was already smiling.

Avery: David, Bette and I already go way back.

David: Wonderful!

He clapped his hands together.

David: Then I will leave our star in your capable hands.

She nodded politely and David took off across the room.

Avery: It’s been a long time.

Bette: More then I care to admit.

Avery: Bette I have to tell you that the second I heard you were joining the production I knew we had a hit on our hands.

Bette blushed

Bette: I had no idea my name would be such a draw.

Avery placed her hand on her hip.

Avery: Don’t be so modest Bette. Success has always followed you. Even in college everyone was always talking about Bette Porter.
“Did you hear who landed the lead? Bette Porter!” ” Bette scored the highest in the whole class!” ” You’ll never guess who Bette Porter is dating!”

Bette rolled her eyes.

Bette: Come on.

Avery: It’s true. Did you know my boyfriend dumped me for you? We had been together for 3 years and he just up and dumped me.

Bette’s face contorted in confusion.

Bette: What’s his name?

Avery: Jonathan Meeks.

Bette searched her memory to place a face with that name.

Bette: This is going to sound awful but I don’t think I remember him.

Avery: Of course you don’t. He didn’t even know you. But he was convinced that he loved you and once you met him you would fall all over yourself for him.

Bette: I’m sorry?

She turned the statement into a question, unsure what to say.

Avery: Oh Bette please, don’t be! I think it’s hysterical.

Bette sighed deeply realizing the smile that was spread across her face was real, it wasn’t some polite smile she shared with everyone, it was genuine.

Avery: Looks like they’re getting ready to start. We’d better take our seats.

Bette followed behind Avery and took a seat at the far end of the table.

David: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the first read through of “The Devil’s Queen”. I am delighted to be a part of what I think will be the hit of the upcoming season. I’m going to turn it over to all of you know and let you work the magic you’re all known for.

With that David sat down next to his partners looking quite pleased.

Bette surveyed the faces around the table to find one face starring back. She had to admit that with all the chaos going on in her life Avery’s innocent stare seemed a welcomed relief.



Tina sat in the back row of the theatre next to her two best friends.

Tina: I told her 10:00 am, where is she?

Alex looked down at his watch. It was 10:30 and Daphne should have been here already.

Alice: Tina, can you seriously blame her for being late?

Tina starred at the floor.

Tina: I guess not.

Alex: There is no room for spitefulness in this industry.

Alice laughed.

Alice: Are you kidding me? Spite is what this industry is built on!

Tina: She isn’t going to show.

Alex placed his hand on Tina’s arm.

Alex: She’ll show.

Sure enough the doors slammed open and in walked Daphne.

Daphne: Sorry, I didn’t have cell phone service at my friends. I got here as soon as I could.

Tina’s mind swirled with the word “friend”. Was she really at a friend’s house? A lovers? Maybe she had just gone home. Even though she and Tina could never be, Tina couldn’t bare to think of Daphne with someone else.

Tina: Sorry about the late notice. Bette had a meeting and I really needed to get this rehearsal started.

Daphne shared a cocky smile whispering under her breath.

Daphne: Meeting? Cute.

Tina: What?

Daphne: Nothing.

Alice and Alex looked nervously at each other. This was going to get ugly.

Tina: So I was thinking we’d take it from the scene we left off on yesterday.

Realizing what she had just said Tina corrected herself.

Tina: The scene in the play, that is.

Daphne: I know what you mean.

Daphne took the stage next to Melanie.

The two began to run through the scene but there was something off. Daphne wasn’t trying. She wasn’t doing anything. Tina tried to brush it off. She was getting back at her and she knew it.

Melanie stopped mid sentence and glared at Daphne.

Melanie: You ok?

Daphne: Yeah, just tired.

Melanie: You don’t seem like yourself.

Daphne: I don’t feel much like myself either.

Tina watched as her two actresses talked in whispers on the stage. What if she was telling Melanie what happened. She couldn’t have that.

Tina: Daphne, can I see you please.

Alice and Alex rushed to Tina.

Alice: Let it go Tina. Let her act out and get it out of her system.

Alex: Don’t blow this up sweetie.

Tina: If she isn’t going to do her job then as her boss I have a right to know why.

Alex: I think you already know why.

Tina: I think you should mind your business.

There was an anger in Tina’s voice that neither Alice nor Alex had ever heard before.

Alex grabbed her arm and pulled Tina to the side of the stage.

Alex: So what, you’re going to yell at her?

Tina: well, yeah.

Alice: Why Kennard? Because she isn’t up to par today?

Tina: Yes.

Tina was lying and both of her friends knew it. What they hadn’t realized until this moment was how strongly Tina felt for Daphne.

Alex: Bull shit! You are going to reprimand her because you’re jealous.

Tina: of what?

Alex and Alice stood silent as they watched Daphne saunter toward them. Smiling as innocently as they could, the twosome walked away.

Daphne: You wanted to see me?

Tina: Over here.

She made sure her stare caught the eyes of her two best friends. She meant business.

Daphne followed behind the stage and into a back office.

Daphne: Something wrong Tina?

Her voice was condescending and Tina did not appreciate it.

Tina: Damn right! What is with you today on stage?

Daphne tilted her head to one side.

Daphne: What do you mean?

Tina: Why are you doing this?

Tina felt defeated. She fell back on the small sofa in the office and buried her head in her hands.

It killed Daphne to see the woman she was in love with look such a mess. Resigned, she took a seat next to her.

Daphne: I’m sorry.

Tina: So am I Daphne.

Daphne: I know.

Daphne opened her arms and Tina fell right into them. Relishing the way it felt to be held again, Tina breathed her in.

Daphne: There is something I have to tell you…

Tina placed a finger on Daphne’s lips to silence her.

Tina: Please, don’t say anything.




Alice and Alex stood outside the theatre now.

Alex: Tina reminds me of the wicked witch.

Alice: No more Wizard of Oz before bed.

He wasn’t listening.

Alex: Maybe a flying monkey instead.

Alice: She isn’t a witch or a flying monkey!

Alex: You don’t have to yell.

Alice: I know I’m sorry. I just wish I knew what to do.

Alex: There isn’t anything we can do Al. We just have to sit tight and let them all figure it out.

Alice: How could we just sit by and watch everything just fall apart.

Alex grabbed Alice in a tight hug.

Alex: Everything won’t fall apart. It may get bumpy for a while but it won’t fall apart.

Bette: Did someone die?

Alex spun around shocked to hear the familiar voice.

Alex: No silly, of course not.

Bette: Then why do you two look so somber?

Alice: Somber? Us? No!

Bette raised an eyebrow.

Alex: You look pretty.

As Alex fussed over Bette he waved behind his back toward Alice. Immediately the young blonde knew what her friend meant.

Fumbling over her own words, Alice searched for an excuse to run inside.

Alice: I have to pee.

Quickly she threw open the door to the theatre and ran toward the office in the back. There was no way she would let Bette find Tina alone with Daphne. Alice found her heart racing as she stood out of breath outside the office door. The thought hadn’t even occurred to her to knock. Alice pushed the door open with as much force as she could muster. The sight in front of her sent chills up her spine.

Alice: This isn’t happening!


TBC…