(On the phone just outside the doctor’s pre-op area, the resident who assisted Dr. Dimi, Jimmy Vorelli, is on the phone…and not terribly happy. As he speaks, Dr. Dimi approaches to wash her hands in the scrub area, which is where he was headed.)

DR. VORELLI- “You raise me up, you cut me down, you embolden me, you incise me, it’s the weirdest form of interpersonal dynamics I’ve had the pleasure to experience, but what the hec…I’m a masochist for this schizophrenic and overly indulgent symbiosis of a relationship. Yeah well…ok, fine…yeah…yeah…did it go all right? Ok. Ok. Bye. I love you too.” (He hangs up and walks over to the sink where he and Dr. Dimi stand next to one another to wash up.)

DR. DIMI- “‘Schizophrenic and overly indulgent symbiosis of a relationship?’ and ‘I love you’…you ok Jimmy? That sounds rather odd and intense.”

DR. VORELLI- “Hey Dr. Dimi, sorry, I just…frustrating, very frustrating these relationship things.”

DR. DIMI- “I thought you had already broken up with her.”

DR. VORELLI- “I guess I haven’t got the…” (He stops, smiles and turns to look at her. In a slightly animated way he describes of his lack of courage…) “haven’t got the ovaries Dr. D.”

DR. DIMI- (She chuckles.) “You gotta grow a pair and be honest with her. She’s great, but we don’t want her driving you nuts.”

DR. VORELLI- “Marianthi…” (He looks forward as he scrubs his hands and she turns to look at him as she scrubs hers…) “I’m in love with her.”

DR. DIMI- (Smiling…) “Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy…what am I going to do with you?”

DR. VORELLI- “Just shoot me now…it’ll be easier!”

DR. DIMI- “Mhmm…you want it in the head or heart?”

DR. VORELLI- “Heart…can’t take it anymore.”

DR. DIMI- “How about some potassium chloride? We’ll do the lethal injection thing…”

DR. VORELLI- “Na, I want to feel it…POW…put my ticker out of its misery.”

DR. DIMI- “Jimmy…”

DR. VORELLI- “Yeah…”

DR. DIMI- “How about I talk to her?”

DR. VORELLI- “Like I said, just shoot me now.”

DR. DIMI- “I thought you said she worships the ground I walk on…”

DR. VORELLI- “Which is why she’ll kill me if she finds out you know or that I’ve even so much as troubled you with my personal life.”

DR. DIMI- “You know, I told her not to get involved with another doctor…she didn’t listen.” (A bit animated…) “What’s wrong with my students? They just don’t listen to me.”

DR. VORELLI- “Yeah well, she’s deputy chief of her department, so she must have listened to you at least most of the time.”

DR. DIMI- “Maybe you need to just hold her, tell her you love her, and open up to her. She can take it. If you haven’t broken up with her by now, there must be something special holding it together, not just lack of ‘ovaries’.”

DR. VORELLI- “I’ll try…I’ll try.” (He changes the subject.) “I’ll go check on Angelica in recovery if you want to head out.”

DR. DIMI- “No, I’ll go. You go to your woman Jimmy, you’ve been here for over twenty-four hours. I’ve got it covered.”

DR. VORELLI- “Did I mention? Just shoot me now!”

DR. DIMI- (She chuckles as she gets ready to walk off…) “And remember, tell her I was asking about her and I’m really proud of her…oh and….she’s still the best resident I’ve ever had.”

DR. VORELLI- (His eyes widen as he smiles like he caught her in a moment of disloyalty to him as her primary resident recently…) “OHhhhhhhh….gee thanks my mentor!”

DR. DIMI- (She smiles and pats him on the arm as she walks off…) “She’ll be putty in your hands…trust me.” (He chuckles and shakes his head as she walks off. She treads the long, white hallways that she’s traveled many times, like a maze, a labyrinth of walks and walkways. She finally ends up in the recovery room, still in her scrubs and wearing the cap holding her hair in place. She speaks to the duty nurse and looks at the chart handed to her. She looks up and over to Angelica’s bed from the nurses’ station. She doesn’t approach but, rather, studies the chart in detail and periodically glances over at Angelica. She speaks to the nurse and then removes her cap, exposing her slightly messy hair, which was put up in a bun for surgery. She throws the cap into the soiled linen hamper and walks to Angelica’s bed, standing at its foot. She gazes at the instruments and Angelica intermittently. She then slowly approaches her patient, who is on her stomach. She lowers her face to look at Angelica’s face and stroke her head.)

DR. DIMI- “You did great little one. You’re gutsy…that wasn’t a cakewalk. You are a beautiful little woman, with a bronze set of ovaries, and you’re going to be just fine. A whole family awaits you. I’m off to see them. Rest well Angelica.” (She rises to her mature person level, and exits the recovery unit. She enters the labyrinth again, navigating it like a seasoned pro in a walk she’s now done thousands of times…this time, it’s a welcome journey. She opens the door to Angelica’s hospital room, where anxious eyes follow her intently.)

DR. DIMI- “Ladies…she’s in recovery and is stable. She won’t be ready to accept visitors until tomorrow at least. I want her in ICU for a day.” (She looks at Bette and Tina.) “Moms, you can come and say goodnight. And then I insist that all of you go home and get a good night’s sleep, moms included.” (Bette and Tina join her at the door. She looks at the rest of the battle weary but happy souls…) “Ladies, you have a wonderful little girl in there. And she’s got a wonderful and most interesting family in here. In case we don’t cross paths altogether again and since I’ve got you all here… I wish you a long and very happy life together.” (They all smile and nod, thanking her. She exits with the moms. Dr. Sushee and Peggy are at the desk talking. Dr. Dimi waves to them as she guides the moms through the labyrinth, though for the moms she takes the elevator. She escorts them to the nurses’ desk, gives instructions, and then wishes them a goodnight.) “I’ll be in first thing to see her in the morning. Good night.” (They wish her a good night and thank her. The nurse provides them with coverings and guides them to the bedside. She doesn’t leave. Tina stands closer to the headboard as Bette stands at the foot of the bed, a little weak in the knees from the site. Tina kisses her daughter on the head and strokes her hand. Tina steps back and walks to the foot of the bed. Bette walks to the other side, next to Angelica. She lowers herself, touches Angelica’s head with her forehead, raises up and then lowers her lips to Angelica’s hand to affix a parting kiss. She turns and without saying anything, heads to the desk and removes the coverings. Tina joins her and they walk out. There’s no discussion, no words, not even knowing glances. They walk back through the maze to where their friends, their family awaited them.)

KIT- “How is she?”

TINA- “She’s hooked up to machines, but she looks peaceful, like she’s taking it all in stride.”

ALICE- “I can’t wait to see her tomorrow.”

SHANE- “Guys, is there anything we can do for you?”

TINA- “No, no thank you Shane.”

KIT- “I’ll take you home.”

TINA- “No.” (Bette barely looks up, though she almost is curious enough to wonder what Tina has in mind. But she doesn’t really care. She’ll do whatever Tina says.) “I’m going to stay at Bette’s. I’ve got a change of clothes and stuff with me here anyway, so it’s fine.”

ALICE- “We’ll come with you.”

TINA- “No. I want all you wonderful, beautiful women, to go home tonight. Sleep well. We’ll see you tomorrow. I love you, I love you all. Thank you…for everything.” (They don’t question anything. They walk up and give the moms hugs. The exhausted moms exit the room, descend the elevator, walk out to the parking lot, and get in the car. Tina assumed the driver’s seat, without a word between them…and not a word escaped either mouth until they got to Bette’s house…until they got into bed and turned out the light…)

TINA- “Goodnight Bette.”

BETTE- (She whispers…) “Goodnight Tina.”

(Daybreak, and evidence of it, filters the bedroom. Bette’s eyes slowly expose themselves to the light. She turns to see Tina lying on her side in her underclothing. She’s still asleep. Bette stares at her face. She wants desperately to touch her hair. She remembers a time that she used to do that, a time she used to do so many things. But now, she just stares. Some things never change, come hec or high water, and it seems this one thing hasn’t changed…whenever this woman was in the room, Bette’s mind could do nothing else but preoccupy itself with her. All her thoughts exited, all her sensations absconded but for the vision, the feel, the sound, the taste of this woman. Even when things got bad at the CAC, she was possessed by thoughts of Tina…even while abandoning her at times for the stress of her work’s duties. Even the abandonment had something to do with Tina herself.)

TINA- (Opening her eyes suddenly and staring at Bette. She almost whispers, as her first word when she awakes…) “Hey.”

BETTE- “Hey.” (They gander at one another.)

TINA- (Tina breaks the gaze and sits up. She looks around, at the clock, and then back at Bette. She pats her on the head.) “I’m going to make coffee and breakfast. Is that ok with you?” (Bette nods. Tina doesn’t waste a moment nor linger. She’s off to get ready. Bette sits up slowly after Tina leaves the room. She sits there for a while, staring out the window. Tina finishes in the bathroom and heads to the kitchen. Bette finally picks herself up and enters the bathroom. She goes through the morning motions and returns after a while to her bedroom. She dresses and goes out into the kitchen. Coffee was ready, toast was ready, the beginning of a new day was ready to be lived.)

BETTE- (She sits.) “Thank you.”

TINA- “You’re welcome.” (She sits. They eat and drink. Feeling undernourished, Bette slowly motions to pick up a bottle of jam for her second slice of toast. She picks up the bottle from its top with her wounded hand and it drops. She tried to catch it but falls to the floor, shattering. Bette looks askew and tries to get up and reach for the mess. Tina intervenes.)

TINA- (She puts her hand on Bette’s upper arm…) “Hey, it’s ok, I’ll get it.” (Bette shakes her head and says ‘no’, but Tina insists.) “I got it Bette, it’s all right. Just sit. It’s ok, really.”

BETTE- “I’m sorry…”

TINA- “Don’t be silly. There’s nothing to be sorry about. Just take it easy. It’s ok.” (She pats her on the arm again and then directs her attention to the minor mess on the floor.) “In all this mayhem, you can’t forget that you went through quite a bit of trauma. You need to take care of yourself too.” (Bette watches her clean the mess she had made. Tina gets the dustpan and broom. Bette holds the dustpan and Tina does her part. Bette sits back down and Tina finishes things up.) “Ready?” (Bette nods, stands, but then changes her mind…)

BETTE- “I just have to make a phone call.” (Tina nods. Bette walks to her bedroom. She sits on the bed and picks up the phone and begins dialing. At the sound of the voicemail beep…) “Hi Justin, it’s Bette. It’s morning. Angelica had surgery last night…a spinal tumor. It was serious but benign. We won’t know for sure for a bit, but they seem pretty confident that she’ll make a full recovery. I…I called Julie but there was no answer and I didn’t want to leave a message. Please tell her I called and that my thoughts are with her. I miss her and Lily and you and…well, I guess we’ll talk soon. You’re all in my thoughts. Bye.” (She hangs up and her hand lingers on the receiver. She slowly slides her hand back and bows her head slightly. She feels her hand as she looks out the window from the bed. After a moment, she rises and ventures out. She joins Tina in the car. The drive over to the hospital is almost as silent as the drive home the night before. They arrive and head towards the hospital entrance.)

(Inside the hospital, Dr. Dimi approaches the nurses’ desk at the ICU recovery unit, and as she does, Angelica cries out…)

DR. DIMI- (Looking up and over to Angelica from the nurses’ station…) “Whoa…the sounds of another satisfied customer.” (She looks at Nurse Judy, an older woman who knew Dr. Dimi when she was just a first year resident, which meant that the older woman could say just about anything to Dr. Dimi, at least when the audience was appropriate. Dr. Dimi is playing it up with Nurse Judy…) “She talking to us Nurse Judy…the little lady has much to say” (Angelica is crying aloud) “what do you suppose she’s trying to tell us?”

NURSE JUDY- (As they walk towards Angelica’s bed…) “Gee I don’t know doctor, how about ‘OUCH I’m in pain, the meds are wearing off, get me some bloody pain medication…NOW’?”

DR. DIMI- “What would I do without you Nurse Judy?”

NURSE JUDY- “I’d hate to ponder the possibilities doctor.” (They both smile at one another. Both of them walk quickly over to Angelica. The nurse checks the monitors and prepares medication. Dr. Dimi, in an animated fashion, greets her crying patient. Just as she does, Bette and Tina walk in and stand in some emotional pain at the sound of Angelica sounding off…)

DR. DIMI- (With hands outstretched…) “Mizzz Angelica! Hey there little one. It’s ok. I know, I know…it hurts. It’s ok…ok…” (she lowers her self and strokes her patient’s head and then her arms. She slowly then strokes the parts of the back that are exposed, gently. As she does this, Nurse Judy is administering pain medication and Bette and Tina approach and are in some discombobulation.) “Ladies it’s ok, this is normal, we’re giving her some medication now. It should take effect shortly. You can touch her but of course stay away from the bandaged area please.” (She steps back to let the mothers in, but monitors vitals and moves down to stroke Angelica’s legs. Bette and Tina kiss Angelica on the head and stay close, lowering their faces to her’s, making as much contact as possible and uttering words of love as Angelica cries.) “There we go…” (Angelica’s cries are less loud and less intense.) “She showed us her dazzling eyes this morning, so that’s good. And my goodness she’s got a pair of lungs there. I want to perform some neurological tests as she calms down once the meds take effect. Let’s give her a moment to catch her.” (Bette stays close to Angelica as Tina stands slowly and looks at Dr. Dimi.) “All signs so far are good ones. The biopsy was, as we expected, negative.” (Tina nods. A few moments pass and Angelica has calmed. Bette hasn’t left her position. Tina stands at the bedside stroking Angelica’s hand.) “Ok Angelica, it’s time for you and I to do our thing. Ladies, I’m afraid you’ll have to surrender her to me for few moments as I examine her.” (They step away to let Dr. Dimi work. She examines Angelica over the course of a few minutes. Nurse Judy walks up to Tina and Bette.)

NURSE JUDY- “Excuse me ladies, but there are a bunch of women standing outside asking to speak with you.”

TINA- “Thank you.” (Nurse Judy walks off. She turns to Bette.) “I’ll go.” (Bette nods.)

BETTE- (Addressing Dr. Dimi…) “Is she ok?”

DR. DIMI- “Yep…so far she’s reacting normally to all the stimuli, so that’s great. Her eyes are very alert, which is a very good sign, not to mention they’re quite beautiful.” (She looks over at Bette and they both smile.) “How are YOU doing Ms. Porter?”

BETTE- “Hmm?”

DR. DIMI- “I’m aware of what happened. I hope that you’re doing all right. I see the arm is bound.”

BETTE- “Yeah. Still some aches and pains.”

DR. DIMI- “I bet. I assume you’re under a doctor’s care here in Los Angeles?”

BETTE- “Uh, no…no one specific.”

DR. DIMI- “Didn’t the doctors recommend follow up?”

BETTE- “Yes, but I told Dr. Myrddin that I’d follow up with doctors once I…” (She looks down and side to side, then raises her arm and looks at it.) “once I…I’ll have to get someone eventually I guess.”

DR. DIMI- “Once you what?”

BETTE- “I was just…I…”

DR. DIMI- “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry. Listen, I could have a look, but I’ll recommend some good specialists for grown ups, since I’m a pediatric neurosurgeon…you’re too old for me.” (She smiles, but Bette’s smile is a bit delayed from preoccupation with the earlier part of the conversation. Dr. Dimi walks up to her and briefly puts her hand on Bette’s arm…) “Are you ok? You can speak to me confidentially of course. Does your arm hurt? Do you have concerns I can address? I’m happy to help.”

BETTE- “Thank you, thanks, I appreciate that. I’ll think about what you said.”

DR. DIMI- “Ok. Has anyone looked at you since you arrived?”

BETTE- “No.”

DR. DIMI- “Well that’s not good. Ms. Porter you really should be examined.”

BETTE- “Yes I know, Dr. Myrddin said so, but I’ll take care of it when I’m…” (She stops…)

DR. DIMI- “When you’re what?”

BETTE- “I’ll take care of it.” (She nods and smiles.)

DR. DIMI- “Dr. Byreteki is excellent. Perhaps…”

BETTE- “No, no…I’ll be fine.”

DR. DIMI- “Would you do me a favour?”

BETTE- “What?”

DR. DIMI- “Just to placate me if nothing else, would you let me have a look at you? I can call Dr. Myrddin if you give me permission and I can examine you, at least to make sure there’s nothing amiss. But then you’ll have to get the appropriate doctor of course.”

BETTE- “Well, I don’t know…I…” (she looks at her for a moment…) “ok, I guess that’s fine, thank you.”

DR. DIMI- “I have rounds in an hour. Do you have time now?”

BETTE- “I don’t want to leave Angelica…”

DR. DIMI- (She smiles…) “I don’t think it’s a good idea if I examine you here…might seem a little odd to the little patients and the nurses will think I’ve gone mad.” (Bette chuckles.) “When Ms. Kennard returns, ok?” (Bette nods.) “I’ll go make a quick call and meet you at the nurses’ station outside.” (Bette nods. Dr. Dimi exits and heads for the phone at the nurses’ station. She calls Montreal, and she’s lucky that Dr. Myrddin is in for an early morning shift. She obtains the necessary background information. Bette is standing next to Angelica, with her head bowed, as she strokes her head and arms intermittently. Tina enters and walks up on the other side of the bed.)

TINA- “The girls are all here. They’re going to go get coffee and hang out for a while. They’ll be back up soon.”

BETTE- “I, I have to go.”

TINA- “What?”

BETTE- “I have to go talk to Dr. Dimi.”

TINA- “Why? What’s wrong?”

BETTE- “Nothing, nothing, it’s not about Angelica. She…well, she wants to examine me because I haven’t seen a doctor yet for follow-up care.”

TINA- “Oh, well that’s good. She can make sure you’re doing ok and then maybe recommend a good doctor. There are a lot of good ones here in Los…” (Tina stops dead in her verbal tracks…she looks away and fights the rising tide of panic…) “I mean, wherever, here, there…” (She looks at Bette briefly and abandons the conversation, walking over to Angelica. Bette just watches her. She doesn’t know what to say.)

BETTE- “Tina, I…”

TINA- “You better go, she’s waiting at the desk.” (Bette tilts her head a bit and tries to say something, but she’s not sure what. She thinks that she should reassure Tina, but for some reason the words don’t come to her. She lets go of Angelica slowly and walks to the exit. She stops to turn and look at Tina, who briefly looks up to look at her and then look back down at Angelica after their eyes meet ever so briefly.

About a half hour later, in the examination room, Bette has removed her shirt and is wearing a hospital gown. She sits on the table as Dr. Dimi performs neurological tests and then takes her arm gently and examines it carefully.)

DR. DIMI- “Dr. Myrddin is a bit miffed that you haven’t yet been examined. I promised her I’d report back. I trust that’s ok. So, you were going to get follow-up care soon then I take it?”

BETTE- “Yeah, yes I was, once I …” (she looks at Dr. Dimi as the doctor looks at her…) “once I settled.”

DR. DIMI- “Aye, there’s the rub.” (She gives Bette a sympathetic look.) “I’m sorry, I’m a bit stubborn I guess with the personal questions. You haven’t made up your mind yet about whether you’ll be settling in New York or L.A., that’s it isn’t it?”

BETTE- “No…no…not exactly. I know where I’m going to settle now. I just…it kind of hit me…hit me like a ton of bricks when you asked, which is when I was about to answer that question for the first time really.”

DR. DIMI- “What hit?”

BETTE- “The realization that it’s going to be a very difficult thing to do, even though I know my decision. There are unknowns. I ran from things, from my life before. Now, I’m getting a second chance. I didn’t realize how much it would hurt or how difficult it would be to do what I know to be the right thing, what my heart knew quite some time ago.”

DR. DIMI- “It sounds to me like you found out the hard way what your heart wanted. You didn’t have the ovaries before, but now…you’ll find the strength Bette…to make things right. Have faith.”

BETTE- (Looking at her a bit perplexed…) “The ovaries?”

DR. DIMI- “That’s a long story.”

BETTE- (Smiling…) “Is there an abridged version?”

DR. DIMI- (Getting a bit animated…) “Well, you see, it was a pet peeve of mine for the longest time… ‘balls’…everyone always says ‘have the balls’, like courage and bravery and guts and glory are somehow naturally male or attributable solely to masculinity. So one day, when I was having a particularly trying day as a resident, I went on a bit of a tirade and announced that this historically popular theory was bunk, and I introduced a new rule… ‘you’ve got ovaries’…let’s just say I was really annoyed that day and was sick of the testosterone overload here at the time. Ever since then, those who work with me know about this little idiosyncratic tendency and indulge me accordingly. So, Bette, you just grow yourself a set and follow your heart. Angelica’s got brass ones as far as I’m concerned, so don’t make her look bad.”

BETTE- (She smiles…) “You’re a little strange, great, but just a little strange…anybody ever tell you that?”

DR. DIMI- “Oh now there’s a loaded question. What do YOU think?” (They both laugh.) “My husband got an earful once because his name stuck instead of my maiden name for some reason. I fully intended, as an independent woman, to maintain my maiden name professionally, but at some point his last name was uttered, heard, and somehow stuck as ‘Dimi’…so I regaled him one day in frustration.”

BETTE- (She laughs…) “That must have been fun…”

DR. DIMI- “Yeah, well, it’s not my fault he married a Greek woman.” (They laugh.)

BETTE- “So how am I looking?”

DR. DIMI- “You’re pretty stunning for your age actually.”

BETTE- (She grins…) “Thanks, but I mean…”

DR. DIMI- “I know…I know…you’re fine.

BETTE- “You’re beautiful by the way, and I don’t just mean of the sort of beauty that’s skin deep. You seem to be very decent. Angelica has been lucky to have you as her doctor.”

DR. DIMI- “Oh my God, I think I’m blushing.” (Bette chuckles.) “So, Bette, if I…you know…wasn’t married…” (she winks…) “you think I could make it as a lesbian?”

BETTE- (Her eyes widen…she grins…) “Well now Dr. Dimi, I’m not sure what to say, and I can’t speak for the other lesbians in the world, but as far as I’m concerned you’d do very well I think.”

DR. DIMI- (She smiles…) “Good to know! Something to tell George when I get home.” (She animates with her hands…) “Make him see how wide open the field is for me…”

BETTE- “Is he a doctor as well?”

DR. DIMI- “No no…he’s a lawyer.”

BETTE- “Oh, well that must be interesting.”

DR. DIMI- “He could never win any of our arguments…bugs the hec out of him.” (They chuckle.)

BETTE- “May I ask, Dr. Dimi, do you have children?”

DR. DIMI- (She looks at Bette smiling and looks away…) “No, unfortunately we weren’t blessed with children. Just a lot of nieces and nephews.” (She changes the subject as subtly as she can…) “Anyway…so Mizz Bette, I’ll get you a few referrals tomorrow, ok?”

BETTE- “Yes, thank you. It was kind of you to have a look. Thank you.”

DR. DIMI- “My pleasure. I’m off now to prepare for torturing the residents on rounds. I’ll see you and the little one later.” (She says goodbye and exits. Bette gets dressed. She walks back to the ICU unit. She walks in and sees Tina, with her back to the door, sitting with Angelica. When she’s a couple of feet away she slows and stops. Tina doesn’t turn…)

TINA- “Is everything ok?” (Bette comes up to her from behind and then stands beside her. She almost didn’t notice Tina’s quick perception of her presence, but in their relationship that element had become second nature for both of them. Under the circumstances though, a lot of things were a little new again.)

BETTE- “Yeah, she’s going to get me some referrals too.”

TINA- “Good, good…I’m glad you took care of that.”

BETTE- “Yeah, it’s good. She ok?”

TINA- “Sleeping.” (That was the last word for a while. They sat there with Angelica, almost non-stop that entire day. Touching her, cuddling her, speaking to her…it was all about Angelica that first day in recovery…the one sure thing. Hours later she was transferred to her room and her mothers and the others followed. They came one by one to visit her, so as not to crowd her, per Dr. Dimi’s orders. They came, they imparted their love for the little girl and her mothers and they left. Alice brought Tina some more supplies and change of clothes. Then they were alone again, and eventually, Angelica fell asleep for the night.

Tina had fallen asleep in her chair and her head rested on her arms, on Angelica’s bed. She suddenly wakes and looks up. She focuses for a moment on the little girl, which puts a smile on her face. Then she looks around. Bette is gone. She doesn’t see anything left behind…no sign of Bette. She feels a bit of tension in her stomach and stands. She looks at the nurses’ station and the entranceway. ‘She couldn’t…she wouldn’t have left…doesn’t make sense,’ she thought to herself. For some reason, despite logic and reason, Tina’s stomach heads nothing. She walks out into the hallway. No one is there. Tina looks around and walks towards the other nurses’ desk. Just as she approaches, the elevator doors open and she sees Bette. Her chest sinks to what feels like right into her stomach…this disconcerted her, she winced.)

BETTE- “Hey. What’s wrong?”

TINA- “Nothing, I just came out to stretch my legs.”

BETTE- “I brought you some snacks and a tea.”

TINA- “Oh.” (She looks at the items in Bette’s hands.)

BETTE- “Is she ok?”

TINA- “Fast asleep.” (They walk back into the unit and go to Angelica, who is in a deep sleep.) “I hope she sleep through the night. She didn’t sleep much today.”

BETTE- “She looks peaceful.”

TINA- “I hope she feels that way. I hate thinking of her feeling pain and discomfort, and the fear that must bring to a little child.”

BETTE- “When she was in pain, we were here and she saw that she wasn’t alone. So hopefully she’s learning that it’s nothing to be frightened about.” (Tina looks at Bette and then back to Angelica. Bette hands Tina the tea and puts the snacks on the stand.)

TINA- “Thanks.”

(They sit there, each in her own thoughts. They share nothing but the sight of Angelica…little words, few actions. Night descends.)

Dr. Dimi walks into the ICU for the 8am rounds with Dr. Vorelli and the residents. They surround Angelica’s bed.)

DR. DIMI- “Hello there little lady…” (She lowers her face to Angelica’s.) “And who are these two sleeping women next to you? Hmmmm? My goodness…should we wake them?” (Angelica is smiling and the residents are looking at Bette and Tina…and then focus on their chief.) “Okay Dr. Vorelli, what’s the status?”

DR. VORELLI- “Surgery was successful in this case. The wound is healing well…” (He continues his report and as he does, the two sleeping women start to stir. They are having a rude awaking to their surroundings as they notice an entire meeting going on about them. Dr. Dimi bends down to Bette…)

DR. DIMI- “Don’t mind us, we’re just doing rounds. Did you sleep here overnight?” (Bette nods.) “Oh dear.” (She straightens up and cuts off the discussion…) “Doctors, let’s move on to the next patient.” (They do as ordered and she looks at Tina and Bette.) “Ladies, today she’ll be taken for tests, a number of them, mostly in the medical imaging department. You can accompany her at first, but once everything is taken care of, I suggest you head home a little early. She’ll be fine.”

BETTE- “Our friends…we’d like our friends to be with her when we’re not, starting this morning. Is that ok?”

DR. DIMI- “Sure. Just two at a time, all right?” (Bette nods.)

TINA- “Thanks doctor.”

DR. DIMI- “My pleasure.” (She walks off.)

BETTE- “Kit and Alice can do the first shift. Ok?”

TINA- “Are you sure?”

BETTE- “They drew up a schedule.”

TINA- “You’re kidding…” (Bette shakes her head.)

(They both get up and interact with Angelica. Several minutes pass and then Kit and Alice enter.)

KIT- “Baby…” (She walks right up to Angelica, who smiles and seems agitated at not being able to lift her head far.) “Oh it’s ok my precious little girl.”

ALICE- “Hey there, your earth mother has arrived.” (She kisses Angelica on the head. She looks at Bette and Tina and then addresses Angelica…) “And who are these disheveled looking women that can’t hold a candle to ya?”

TINA- “We don’t look THAT bad Alice.”

KIT- “Tina honey, she’s not far off…”

BETTE- “Hey, we spent the night you know.”

KIT- “Babysis, I don’t want you freaking my little angel out…spending the night here and looking like you do…you’ll scare the poor thing…she’s probably wondering why her mothers abandoned her and left her to these two haggard looking brauds.”

TINA- “Hey!”

ALICE- “Take it easy beautiful…we’re just playing with you. But it’s time you both took a hike. We can take it from here.”

BETTE- “Al, she’s got tests today, so we’re…”

KIT- “Fine, you can stay for a bit, then you’re outa here.”

(The nurse came a few minutes later and took Angelica with the orderly away for tests. Bette and Tina went with her. They all returned about 2 hours later and Kit and Alice were waiting for them. The mothers said goodbye, reluctantly, and left as Kit and Alice distracted Angelica. The elevator doors closed as both women stood there facing front.)

BETTE- “So what do we do now?”

TINA- (She tilts her head and purses her lips as she nods…) “I don’t know.”

BETTE- “I don’t want to impose if you’ve got plans or anything but how about brunch?”

TINA- “Yeah, sure…sounds fine. Except, given we’re ‘haggard looking brawds’ maybe lunch in public isn’t such a good idea. Why don’t we go home and I’ll put something together?”

BETTE- “Yeah, ok…sure. Thanks. But ‘home’?”

TINA- (She squints…) “Your place…ok?”

BETTE- “Ok, sure.”

TINA- “Uh huh…”