Tina lay in bed wide-awake for hours. She kept her gaze fixed on the clock that sat just next to Bette’s side of the bed. She had tried Bette’s phone several times but she never answered.

Tina: Where the hell are you?

Tina reached for her phone one last time. She tried Bette’s number and again, no answer.
Somebody had to know where she was. Her only other options were Alice and Alex. Mustering up all of her energy Tina dialed Alice’s number.

Tina: Al?

Alice: Hey TK. What’s up? What’s going on? How ya doin?

Tina furrowed her brow, noticing Alice acting more suspicious then usual.

Tina: Are you ok?

Alice: What? Me? I’m fine. No I’m great.

Alice was trying her best to act normal.

Tina: Uhh ok. Well, umm, have you heard from Bette at all tonight?

Alice cleared her throat ready for the big lie.

Alice: Umm, Bette? Like your Bette?

Tina: Yeah.

Alice: Better Porter?

Tina: Alice! Yes. Have you seen her?

Tina was becoming impatient.

Alice: Oh, uhh, no. I haven’t.

Tina: She stormed out of here earlier tonight and I haven’t seen or heard from her.

Alice: Why did she leave?

Alice hoped Tina would, unknowingly, shed some light on this whole mess.

Tina: She got into an argument with Ashley and…

Alice: Say no more.

Tina: What is it with everyone?

Alice: The girl is trouble Tina.

Tina’s voice was strained and exasperated now.

Tina: She isn’t trouble Al. She’s a kid! Why can’t anyone see that but me?

Alice: Think what you want but I’m telling you she’s no good.

Tina: Ok fine. She’s no good and Daphne is bad news. Anyone else’s reputation you’d like to soil?

Alice closed her eyes and remembered the picture Alex had sent her. Bette at a candle lit table holding some other woman’s hand.

Alice: No, that’s it for now.

Tina: Al, I’m going to call Alex. If you hear from her, please tell her to call me.

Alice stopped breathing. She couldn’t call Alex! He was drunk and there was no way he’d be able to keep this from Tina in the state he was in.

Alice: Tina!

Alice screamed to get her attention.

Tina: What?

Alice: Um, Alex is here with me. He passed out on my couch so I doubt that he’s seen Bette.

Tina inhaled deeply.

Tina: Oh. Ok. Well, thanks anyway.

Tina ended the call and rolled over in bed. Her mind was racing with possibilities. Without thinking she dialed one more number.

Daphne: Hello?

Tina: Hi, Daphne, it’s Tina.

Daphne’s voice went from sleepy to ecstatic in the time it took Tina to say her own name.

Tina: Hey.

Daphne could hear something in Tina’s voice that she couldn’t quit place, desperation?

Daphne: Are you ok?

Tina: Um, yeah I think so.

The line was silent. Tina wasn’t even sure why she had called Daphne.

Daphne: Tina?

Tina: Huh?

Daphne: What’s going on? What’s wrong?

Tina: It’s Bette. I can’t find her.

Daphne shook her head. Why the hell was she calling me? Taking a deep breath, Daphne tried her best to sound concerned.


Daphne: What do you mean you can’t find her?

Tina: We got into a fight earlier and she stormed out…

Daphne: She didn’t take her cell phone?

Tina: She took it, she’s just not answering it.

Daphne was disgusted. If she were Tina’s other half she sure as hell would answer the phone. In fact she would have never left to begin with. Daphne could hear faint sobs in the background.

Daphne: Are you crying?

The sobs got louder.

Daphne: Tina, please don’t cry.

Tina: I am under so much stress right now and this isn’t helping!

Daphne: I know. I know Tee. Do you want me to come over?

Tina paused, her words caught in her throat. Daphne had just called her Tee. A name usually reserved for Bette and Bette alone. Angry with her girlfriend and crumbling under the stress Tina sighed.

Tina: Yes.

That’s all Tina had to say.

Daphne: I’m on my way.

Daphne hung up the phone and raced out of her apartment. This was her chance.







Hidden by dark shadows, Alex sat back in his chair, his eyes firmly planted on Bette. Until he and Alice could get to the bottom of this he wouldn’t let her out of his sight.

Jason: Hey stranger.

Alex starred up at the young man in front of him.

Alex: I thought you weren’t supposed to talk to me.

Jason: There are lots of things I’m not supposed to do.

Alex: Oh? And where’s the Jolly Green Giant?

Jason smirked.

Jason: Seymour? He left a few minutes ago.

Alex couldn’t contain his laughter.

Alex: Seymour? That brute of a human being is named Seymour? Shut up!

Jason nodded.

Alex: Oh, that is priceless.

Jason: So. Still interested?

Alex: Seymour? That’s truly astonishing! I mean of all the names in the entire world his is Seymour!

Jason tilted his head giving his best bedroom eyes.

Jason: Anyway, he’s gone so I was thinking…

Alex: Did you ever see the movie version of Little Shop Of Horrors? The little nerdy guy played by Rick Moranis. His name was Seymour! Oh, you have made my night!

Jason: Do you want to go back to my place or not?

Alex sobered up quickly.

Alex: Really?

Jason smirked.

Jason: Really.

Alex: Yes, yes I do!

Jason: Great let’s go.

Alex: Just one little thing I have to take care of.

Tilting his neck, Alex peered around Jason’s body to get one more look at Bette.

Alex: Shit!

Jason jumped back startled.

Jason: What?

Alex: No, it’s my friend! She’s gone!

Jason: Who?

Alex: Alice is going to kill me!

Jason: Who’s Alice?

Alex: She was here a second ago. I have to call Al.

Jason: Are we going or not?

Alex looked at Jason, then at his cell phone. Back to Jason and then back to his phone.

Alex: Fuck! Not. I can’t go.

Jason: Suit yourself. I’ll call Seymour.

Alex laughed again.

Alex: Seymour. That really is wonderful. I’ll see you around.

Jason rolled his eyes and watched as a very drunk Alex stumbled down the steps and into the dark night.




Alex ran out of the bar and up the street as fast as he could. He looked up 9th avenue, no sign of Bette. As if his life depended on, Alex sprinted across the street. Still, no Bette.

Alex: She is going to decapitate me. It’s going to be bloody. I just know it.

Alex’s rambling continued until he felt the familiar vibration of his phone in his pocket.

Alex: Hello.

Alice: Hey, it’s me.

Alex: Ok, Al, don’t be mad…

Alice: What? What happened?

Alex: She’s gone.

Alice: Who?

Alex: Bette. She left.

Alice: Well where did she go?

Alex: I don’t know.

Alice couldn’t hide the frustration in her voice.

Alice: Did you see her leave?

Alex: This guy was hitting on me! And then his boyfriend was named Seymour! The next thing I knew she was gone.

Alice laughed.

Alice: Seymour? Really?

Alex: That’s what I said!

Alice: That’s is…well, it’s…hysterical.

Alex: You should have seen this guy Al. He was 9 feet tall and all muscle.

Alice: And named Seymour!

Alex: Exactly!

The two paused to laugh before Alice remembered why she was calling.


Alice: Oh Shit! Alex, I have information. Big, big, BIG news! Where are you?

Alex: I don’t know.

Alice: How do you not know?

Alex: Please don’t yell at me. I am very very drunk.


Alice: Ok, I’m sorry. First take a deep breathe.

Alex obliged.

Alice: Next I want you to find a cab. Have the cab take you to the Renaissance Diner on 51st between 8th and 9th ok?

Alex: Why?

Alice: Because that is where I am going to meet you in 10 minutes.

Alex: Oh. Ok!

Alex hung up and ran toward the closest cab.

Alex: I need to get to 51st between 8th and 9th!

Driver: Are you kidding me?

Alex looked hurt.

Alex: No I’m not kidding you! Please hurry.

Driver: Whatever buddy,

The driver stepped on the gas quickly and then off, just as quick.

Alex’s face blushed red with anger.

Alex: This is no time for jokes. I have to get there quickly.

The cab driver pointed out his window at the red sign that hung above.

Alex: Renaissance Diner. What?

Driver: Let me help you out a little. You see the street corner right there, the one directly across from us?

Alex nodded.

Driver: That’s where you were standing. And here is where you asked me to drop you off.

Alex: Oh god!

Driver: That’s right. You were right across the street. I recommend you go inside and get yourself a cup of coffee. You may want to sober up a bit.

Alex agreed. He opened the door and began to push his way out.

The driver cleared his throat and pointed at the meter.

Driver: $2.75

Alex: You are an amazing human being.

The driver stretched his hand and took the $5 dollar bill from Alex.

Driver: We’ll just consider the change my tip.

The car sped away leaving Alex not only confused but $2.25 poorer.

Shaking his head Alex entered the diner and took the cabby’s advice. Coffee.






Alice came running into the diner just a few moments later. She looked frazzled and out of breath.

Alex: And I thought I was in bad shape.

Alice: You would be if you knew what I was holding in my hand!

Alex: So you found out who that girl is?

Alice: That and so much more!

Alex: Do tell.

Alice opened up her laptop and zoomed in on the picture in the center of the screen.

Alice: That’s her right?

Alex tilted his head to get a better look.

Alex: That’s definitely her!

Alice: Her name is Avery Lancing.

Alex: I know that name.

Alice: Of course you do. She’s an actress.

Alex: I knew I had seen her before. So they must know each other from the industry.

Alice: Yeah the industry and a little more.

Alex: What do you mean?

Alice: Well, turns out that they went to college together.

Alex: Really?

Alex was trying to connect the dots in his head.

Alice: Yup. And as if that weren’t enough Avery is part of this crazy cast in the new Simon- Canter musical.

Alex: I didn’t know there was one.

Alice: I know! They are keeping all of the details under wrap for right now.

Alex: So how did you know that she was in it?

Alice smirked.

Alice: Because I am just that good.

Alex shot her a skeptical look.

Alice gave in.

Alice: I called a friend of mine who works in the marketing office.

Alex: Ok, but that still doesn’t explain what she was doing with Bette or why they were holding hands.

Alice: I can explain one of those.

Alex: Ok.

Alex was on the edge of his seat. If there was gossip to be had he wanted all of it!

Alice: Guess who’s playing the lead in that new musical?

Alex thought for a moment. No one came to mind.

Alex: I don’t know.

Alice turned the computer around to face her friend.

Alex’s face drained of all color as the realization hit him.

Alex: Oh no.

In he middle of the screen, clear as day was a picture of Bette Porter. The striking brunette was standing at an oval table surrounded by other actors and producers. In her hand was a script. Printed boldly on the cover, ” The Pirate Queen”.





TBC…