Picture the steady heat of lights surrounding you, and the unflinching focus of a camera lens constantly following your every move, until someone yells out:“Action”…. the scene begins, and everything else fades around you… No stress, no inhibitions, just you and the moment… It isn’t until much later when you realize how much hype and controversy is wrapped around what you do, so much so that it’s almost stifling and inescapable. Take that and the glitz that comes along with every single award show and grand gala imaginable, and you’ve got yourself a very powerful blend… A unique mix of all the things that embody the unreachable aspects in life, the exact kind of situation people yearn for, but don’t quite want to get themselves into… These are just a few descriptions that point to one thing:


Show Business… The seedy and dark world most people would gladly surrender themselves for, just to have a chance to get sucked in and then spit out again when everything is done… Thinking how worthwhile it ould be just to have a taste of greatness, and immortality…to feel invincible even for just a few measly seconds on film, television or music…



But think of the words four A.M. and what quickly comes to mind? An early plane ride to catch perhaps, or maybe a late arrival from a busy night out, partying… So many answers to one very simple question.. Yet surely most people would agree that this was the last thing they would associate to a place like Hollywood and the thriving entertainment industry in its midst… For Tina Kennard on the other hand, waking up at this ungodly hour served as a right of passage more than anything else, a silent reminder that she was starting a new phase in her life… and as unglamorous as it was, Tina found herself sitting inside the cramped confines of a car, barely keeping awake while she kept herself decidedly deep in thought…

Like her the sun had only just risen, and had set just high enough for its rays to glint brilliantly across the pale silver surface of her car… At this point Tina couldn’t believe where she was. Looking out the smooth tinted glass of a car window, she realized that she had parked in a location where nobody else could see or hear what she was doing. By now it was clear to her that she didn’t want to be bothered by anyone, at the back of her mind she knew that she needed a little privacy to carry on with her plan… and the quiet, secluded space she found herself confined in at the moment, offered an amazing opportunity for her to continue what she had been meaning to do for days.

Seated just a few inches away from her, Tina saw a very familiar looking face, in fact to her the wavy dark curls and well-tanned skin, were unmistakable. Unlike the slightly groggy blonde, the woman was wide-awake and noticeably full of energy… looking at her one could tell she was used to getting up this early in the morning. In just the short span of time they have gotten to know each other, Tina could not help but feel a deep sense of gratitude towards the woman seated beside her, there was a true sense of connection she hadn’t felt with anyone… at least not since she left her home to pursue a career she had always wanted. Why, if it wasn’t for the woman beside her, Tina wouldn’t have gotten the film role of a lifetime, and for that reason she will forever be in her debt. Quietly the fair-haired beauty wondered if she did the right thing, in terms of asking the lithe actress to accompany her at such early hour.


Biting her lower lip, the nervous blonde contemplated on whether or not she was actually ready. Resting her hands across the curved edges of the steering wheel, it struck her that she could hardly even bring herself to speak let alone carry out a whole conversation, the pressure of what she had to do next was slowly getting to her– tempting her to just stand back and bite her tongue… Yet she knew sooner or later she had to do something…. she just had to… But the question really was: When?

At this point, both women were well aware of the eerie silence took residence over the entire car. Slowly the calm brunette tried to speak, but in an instant Tina decided to jump the gun and beat her to the point:


“I really don’t know what I’m doing here…” she began, ” or what you want from me…” her brown eyes fiercely sparkling with intensity as a burst of seriousness took hold of her whole expression. Looking at the person beside her, Tina let a short pause follow… Each time she tried to look around, intimidation took over her senses, she needed to control of herself, and she totally had to focus. Silently Tina kept reminding herself that she didn’t want her feelings to show through, not after all this time… and not after all she’s been through to get herself where she was. Instead she just focused her eyes on the dashboard, while she waited for a response.

“Last night was a mistake…” Tina heard her say, being completely aware that every single word was deliberately meant to break her heart. “I’m not even sure why I’m here… This feels like such a waste of time…” the woman continued, using a tone which lacked so much tactfulness and emotion that Tina couldn’t even tell how to respond, everything about the delivery seemed so cold and calculated, like the woman sitting beside her was a completely different person:

“I mean my career, my life… what would I tell my family when they find– “

“Look I understand what we did was wrong… I kissed you I get that… but its not as if I can take it back.” Tina cut in, staring straight-ahead… right through the windshield of the car. “I mean we only met a few days ago and all of a sudden I’m sitting here with you… Talking to you, trying to have a decent conversation… and you’re treating me like some 3 year old child!” Tina let out an audible sigh. Seeing her in that moment, looking as vulnerable as she did… anyone could tell that she was close to tears, so naturally the lithe brunette felt compelled to reached out a hand try and grasp Tina by shoulder, but in one swift movement the blonde in turn just shrugged her away:

“You know? I’m not really as stupid as you think…” Tina softly spoke, her voice quivering, and her anger slightly bubbling beneath the surface of her tone. “I’m not the kind of person naive enough to think you’d leave what you have for me… for what we have… God I don’t even know what to call us!” she exclaimed, “I know what will happen when people find out… that no one will understand and that all the people you care about will never forgive you for throwing everything away for a fling… I get it okay?” slowly she turned to face the passenger seat, tears freely running down her face. “I’m sorry I hurt you… I hurt everyone…”


After finishing the last words Tina sat there and wept, but then she stopped herself when she heard an excited giggle coming all the way from the passenger seat of the car…


“Oh Tina… come here…” the sun-kissed beauty said, the tone in her voice conveying just how proud she truly was of Tina’s performance as she put down the script she was holding in her hands and pulled the fair-haired beauty in for a long, well-deserved hug. Gradually Tina shifted back into her usual disposition as she saw an appreciative smile grace her scene partner’s face. Her modest attempt of portraying such an emotionally dense character had panned out, and as she fell into a warm embrace, she was nothing more than relieved that her task was done.

Holding Tina in her arms, the able bodied brunette sighed, the little scene rehearsal they were having was over, and pretty soon she had to let go of Tina and watch her walk into her first day of work.

“That was great,” she whispered directly into Tina’s ear, the wonderful words of encouragement quickly warming their way into the blonde’s heart… The message was quite simple really, and though it was very short, she knew that for Tina it made a world of difference. All the long hours Tina spent memorizing and integrating part of herself into the script had finally paid off…. And although in the back of her mind Tina knew there was a good chance that a rushed attempt to go through some of her scenes would result into nothing more than cramming, she still decided to make one final run through of her lines before she stepped out of her car and made her way into the studio.

“Thanks again Bette…” she said sincerely, wiping the tears away from her eyes. “I really appreciate you helping me with this.”

“Tina it’s nothing… you know you’re welcome. Trust me, I know how hard it is catching up with a movie that’s already been running along without you” she chuckled, “I just can’t believe how much talent you have… I mean considering you haven’t had much work experience, that performance you gave just a few minutes ago was just… mind blowing!” Tina blushed as she tried to take in the kind words of praise. Looking at her the dark haired beauty smiled, she meant every single word she said… truly she did… but after replaying Tina’s last sentence in her head, an instant look of confusion washed over her face. Suddenly the smile that gave Tina such comfort and reassurance was replaced by a slight frown.

“Wait…” the brunette mumbled as she eased a little further away from Tina, ” Did you just called me Bette?”

Staring at the woman beside her, Tina’s eyes widened… it took a second for her to realize the damage she had done. How could she make such a careless mistake at such an inappropriate time? Especially since the person she had just thanked a while ago, was the woman responsible for showing her the ropes when she first arrived in L.A…. In fact without her, Tina would probably still be jobless and struggling to make ends meet, yet even after all the help she was offered, Tina still couldn’t understand how she managed to mix her friend’s name up with someone else’s… Bette Porter’s nonetheless…

What was Tina thinking? Well come to think of it, it was pretty obvious what was in her head… but it was how she let everything slip that stumped her. Usually in situations like these, Tina prided herself on being able to keep things inside, and still manage to convey exactly what she wanted people to see, but today her thoughts seeped right through her words. The truth was out, Bette Porter was definitely on her mind, in fact one could even say that Bette was in her words… although Tina couldn’t fully grasp why…

Perhaps it was in the way Bette spoke, or carried herself– to Tina even the little things about her felt intoxicating… Ever since that faithful day she walked into the auditions, she couldn’t stop thinking about Bette, and the intimidation she felt towards the lovely actress… Tina had seen her countless times in the movies, and magazine spreads but still… being around her in a room full of movie executives and industry big shots, made Tina feel like what happened the past few days were nothing short of surreal. She kept in mind that her life hadn’t really changed all that much since she arrived in Los Angeles, in fact Tina never thought it really would, but while getting up that day and driving her way towards the studio, it finally hit her that Bette Porter and the rest of the people she had met that day would be part of her life for the next three months.

For the longest time Tina Kennard had been following Bette Porter’s career, watching as Bette evolved from a fresh-faced 18 year old, into the fine, sophisticated woman she was now… Just by observing her one could tell that Bette was an incredibly driven person, there was a certain quality about her that showcased her range every time she was on the screen, and though roughly just about the same age as Tina… Bette had already managed to accomplish so much in her career.

In most people’s opinion Bette Porter was the one to watch… although not quite, at least not in a conventional way. Bette’s strong convictions against the paparazzi and the media made sure that she kept her private life private, in fact no one really knew whether Bette was dating anybody, or even where she was living… It was this part of Miss Porter that made her one of the Hollywood’s most successfully elusive stars and apparently one of its most appealing when it came to the press.

Lost in her thoughts Tina wondered whether she would ever be in the same position as the talented actress was, to have all the fame and stature that comes with such a long-standing career, a career that to her sounded almost too good… But then all of a sudden the silent blonde heard the engine groan, and slowly she drifted back into reality. From the looks of things nobody was planning to talk, and with each passing moment the car’s atmosphere grew more and more dreary than before. Unable to find anything she could use as an excuse, Tina chose the use of denial over logic:

“Dane I’m really sorry…” she shook her head, “I didn’t know where that came from. It just slipped out it didn’t mean anything… I guess I’m still a little sleepy that’s all.”

Dana looked at her friend and smiled, she found it quite hard to believe that Tina would still be drowsy after the incredible performance she had just delivered a few minutes ago, but since she knew Tina would be running late if she insisted on giving a grilling interrogation, Dana just sat back and let the whole matter slip. “Hey no sweat… oh and thanks for letting me borrow your car.”

Upon hearing this, Tina let out a sigh of relief, “Don’t mention it Dane, just make sure you bring my car back here by 5… ok? ” Dana nodded and with this Tina squeezed her hand then said, “Wish me luck…” as she pushed a door open exited the car.

________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile:

“Bette…” a smooth, husky voice called from behind, effectively snapping the actress away from what she was doing.

“What is it now Shane?” she asked exasperatedly, as she faced the waif beauty who was now towering above her. Meeting Bette’s gaze, it was pretty clear that Shane was irritated by the actress’s temporary lack of concentration… In fact Bette seemed so pre-occupied, and caught up in what she was doing that she was making it hard for Shane to focus. They stared at each other for a while until Bette finally buckled. Slowly Shane moved her hand and ran it through them thick locks of Bette’s hair… just a few more minutes and they would be done, but then as Shane moved closer towards her, Bette turned away.

“Quit moving!” Shane ordered as she took Bette by the shoulders and steadied her back onto her seat. “I can’t get your hair perfect if you keep turning around like that.”

In a huff Bette tried her best to comply, although she was pretty sure that Shane was already on to what she was doing. Silently Bette contemplated whether or not she should tell her friend what was truly on her mind, then maybe perhaps Shane could offer her some assistance… but before she could bring anything up Shane had already cut in, talking as if the lanky brunette knew exactly what Bette was thinking:

“Look I’ll tell you if anyone interesting comes along okay? Just sit still and let me do your hair.” Shane offered, just so Bette would calm down and let her finish her job. A few seconds passed and indeed Shane’s planned had worked, for upon hearing this, Bette’s mood distinctly lightened.

Apart from Alice, Shane was the only person she trusted at work. In fact Shane was one of the very few people who were in on Bette’s secret, something so well kept that even the actress’s father was kept in the dark. Thinking this, it struck Bette how quickly she always managed to open up to Shane, given that they had only worked together a couple of times before in two separate movies. Perhaps it was because to her Shane was one of the very few people who could keep anything under wraps… something even her assistant Alice couldn’t do at times.

“Whoa…”

“What?” Bette asked, trying hard not to flinch from her seat.

“Hot blonde at twelve o’clock…” Shane said, tilting her head a bit so she could see a little better. The fair-haired woman was standing way too far for her to tell what she was actually doing, but still Shane tried her best to relay bits and pieces of information onto Bette.

“Really… Quick, tell me what she’s doing.” Bette spoke under her breath, she was trying with all her might not to turn around and face the other woman’s direction.

Shane gave her friend a quizzical glance before she looked up and continued observing the blonde’s movements, “Well right now she’s talking to Eric…” squinting her eyes a little Shane continued, “Oh wait she’s coming here…”

The last five words stuck with Bette, and as much as she tried to keep her composure, she couldn’t help but feel her heart racing. Closing her eyes she heard every step… and imagined every move it took before the woman reached her… and with this Bette understood that the moment she had been eagerly waiting for all morning had finally come…


To be continued…