Knock knock knock, Marina, Jenny, its Francesca, hello, anyone up yet? Marina, I insist you come to the door. Im not leaving until you do. Francescas voice is calm and seemingly light-heartened, but with a definite tone that she wont be going away without a response.

Knock knock knock, Jenny, Marina, guys you gotta answer quick! Hellooo Al is trying to be heard but not so loud as to let Francesca hear her should she reach the other door first. Guys, come here. Jenny, Marina

Marina lying on her stomach next to Jenny, with squinted eyes raises her head trying to discern the noise that has waken her. She turns her face to the warm body next to her, kissing her shoulder, resting her head on her shoulder, kissing it again, Jenny, Jenny, someone is knocking at the door, Jenny, wake up, someones at the door. Realizing the knocking is insistent, and in stereo, she raises her head to hear more clearly, as Jenny begins to stir.

Jenny lying curled up on her side and snuggled tight against Marinas side, moves her head back attempting to open her eyes to Marina while at the same time trying to decipher her words, Good Morning. Marina smiles at her kisses her, Good Morning. Then Jenny hears the banging, What is that noise

Marina finally awakens enough to recognize the two voices, realizing one is at each of the entrances, Jenny, you have to wake up, put something on, now, Jenny. Marina gets up to dress, realizes there is no way she get her outfit from last night on fast enough, she looks around for her clothes from yesterday, cant find them. She grabs the cover from the bed, Jenny, I need the cover so I can answer the door. Jenny, Jenny, you must get up, get dressed quickly.

Jenny raises up and finally realizes too, Francesca is at the door, Alice is at the other door, Oh my God. She jumps out of bed and throws on her tee and shorts, What are we gonna do?

Marina breathes in, Guess were going to answer the door she finishes as she raises her brows and rolls her eyes, both of them.

Jenny goes to the door where Alice is while Marina goes to the door where Francesca is, looking at each other; they nod and open the doors.

Francesca glares at Marina then with her usual smirk, Coffee ready? Guess not, I can see you just got up, as she tugs at the edge of the blanket covering Marina. Marinas position and stance is clearly intended to block Francesca from entering the apartment.

Alice begins to talk as soon as Jenny opens the door, Jenny, Francesca is Oh She stops as Jenny steps to the side and affording her to see that Marina has already answered the other door.

Francesca peers around Marina smiling at her, Not sure Al, but I dont think they have coffee ready yet, what do you think?

Eyes fixed, face firm, Francesca, I dont know why you are here. You will hav.

Well, darling Marina, Im here to see you and Jenny, of course.

Not to be ignored Marina continues, As I was saying, you will have to wait, were just getting up.

Well then, well see you in few, downstairs. Her tone is clear with its implication, she most definitely expects to see her in a few minutes and shes not to be kept waiting.

Again she leans around Marina, this time to speak directly to Jenny, You too dear, more the merrier, right. Although, you may want to find something, a little more appropriate to wear, oh and, you too Marina, Francesca, with a deliberate show of indifference to the awkwardness of the situation, turns slowly and calmly to leave.

Alice is standing there shaking her head, Im sorry, she completely took me off guard. Guys, I am so sorry, I tried to get up here before she did. Im so sorry.

Its okay, Marinas voice was especially deep and husky, having just gotten up. Al you may not want to stick around for this, I dont think it will be pleasant.

Actually the whole gangs downstairs. Im not so sure the two of you should come down there.

Looking at Alice, Ill have to talk to her; she wont go away until I do, then to Jenny, Im sorry this had to happen, this morning, this way.

Jenny had been somewhat dazed by the entire exchange but the smoke was clearing. Marina, Im not backing down from her. Shaking her head and heading to the bedroom, No. No. We will do this, together.

Im gonna head back down. Then, are you guys coming down or what?

I wont leave my friends at the mercy of Francesca.

Ohh-kay.

************************************

Jenny is rummaging through drawers looking for a top as Marina walks into the bedroom, Jenny, are you okay?

Im fine. Im fine. I cant find with a sigh, she raises and turns to Marina, Why am I looking for something to wear, I should just wear what I have on, thats what I should do, who does she think she is, ***** her, ***** her

Marina grins and laughs almost out loud, You can wear whatever you want too, grinning Marina pulls Jenny to her, Or, nothing, if youd like.

Yeah, you think, you think that might unnerve her just a little bit. Shes shes I dont know how you did it Marina. She is so strong, so mean, just plain mean.

Marina, never wanting to speak ill of anyone, smiles softly to Jenny, Shes not always like that, but, she is used to getting what she wants, and knows, that this time, she wont.

Both are now looking about the room for clothes, Did you know she was coming back?

I had no idea. The movie was supposed to keep her in Virginia for four to six months, its only been three. Im not sure why shes here.

Obviously to see you, Jenny pulls a pair of jeans from the drawer, you think these are designer enough to go downstairs.

Well, what do you think? holding in the air, her black leather vest from last night in one hand, and, her work shirt from yesterday in her other hand, Should I go ***** evening wear or take out the trash wear?

Jenny puts her hand to her mouth, as if studying the choices carefully, Mmmm, I think, take out the trash would be an appropriate choice.

************************************

Marina and Jenny enter The Planet from the inside entrance. They spot the girls immediately, they were conveniently located only a couple tables away from them, but Francesca is not with them. Jenny heads to the table with the girls while Marina immediately heads behind the counter.

Just as she expected Francesca is there as if she were an inspector making everyone nervous. Being in the midst of the early morning rush, she goes to their rescue, Thank You Francesca, I can take care of things now. Her tone is firm. Thomas what do you need me to do? I think things are going well, except, maybe we have too many people behind the counter. Marina smiles and nods, I can take care of that.

She walks over to Francesca who is now headed in Thomas direction and blocks her path, Did you wanna talk? Francesca tries one last time to work her way past Marina, but Marina adjusts her footing slight enough for her to know theres no way to get past her.

Sure. She walks out from behind the counter and turns in the direction of the girls table.

Francesca. Marina puts her hand lightly to the back of Francescas arm, the implication is clear, The office would be a better choice.

Francesca takes a deep breath and smiles, Fine.

As they near the girls table, they all turn anticipating their arrival, Hello, ladies, Francesca says with a friendly yet sarcastic air, then looking directly at Jenny and stopping within inches of her, Joining us Jenny?

Marina says in a low growl, No.

Francesca grins at Jenny as if she got what she wanted, time alone with Marina, Guess well see you later Jenny.

************************************

Francesca moves around the office, touching the curios displayed about the room, I got this for you in Florence I believe it was. Oh and this one, so rich, we got this on our first vacation in Antigua wasnt it? Her intent is obvious, remind Marina whose money bought what and who gave her those things she considered her treasures.

Marina cannot remember a time when Francescas words and tone did not impact all of her thoughts and feelings, until today, Francesca, why are you here?

I see you took my advice and renewed your little thing with Jenny. Finding you two together, well, I just want you to know, its okay. You didnt know I was coming home. But as always, it has to stop now because I am home. Never once did she look at Marina.

Marina smiles shaking her head with narrowing eyes, What are you talking about? You and I, were not together anymore.

I know darling, thats why Im here. She turns to Marina and places her hands on Marinas arms, rubbing up and down, I thought about that vacation you wanted, how you wanted to spend more time together, specifically wanting me to want to spend more time with you, reaching around Marina and pulling her close to her, So I came back to spend more time with you, leaning in to kiss her.

Marina pulls her head back half smiling with a look of disbelief, You need to go. Marina moves away from her towards the desk.

You dont really think Im going to let some little low class girl take you away from me, do you? Think Marina. Think about everything you will loose, its not like this Jenny can support you. She cant help you get your dreams or buy you all these nice things from all over the world, unless you want to count little things from the Five and Dime. I mean, seriously, Marina.

Marina mouth goes tight, crossing her arms as if to keep Francesca from another frontal assault, You will be getting papers from my attorney. He mailed them to you in Virginia; you probably just missed getting them. They will explain my intentions and how serious I am.

I already got them, why do you think Im here, Francescas voice gave way to her anger, do you really think I would let you take anything with you? That I would help you and your little stray set up house together, I mean really Marina.

Did you read them, carefully? Do you see that I can take a share of what I helped build? Francesca, we dont have to go to court, we can

What is it you helped build, a restaurant, a cheesy little ***** restaurant, one you cant pay the bills on? The house, how did you help with the house, spend money to decorate it yeah, but whos money was that Marina, it wasnt yours was it?

************************************

Guys, I think I better go in there. Its not right for Marina to have to face her alone. Concern is written all over Jenny, sitting on the edge of her seat, fidgeting, barely hearing the conversation, wringing her hands, constantly staring at the door to the office.

Jenny look, theres nothing you can do that would help. I mean, I realize Marina and Francesca had an open relationship, but, youre the reason Marina wants to leave. That makes you the other woman, Tinas words are meant to keep Jenny out of the room. After having said them, she realizes they cant help but sound like shes speaking more from her own situation and not necessarily being objective.

I agree she doesnt need to go in there, Bette picks up on the undertones of Tinas words and their apparent dig towards her. We should take the time to see the situation objectively. Francesca and Marinas relationship was open, therefore it was understood there would be other women. The real key factor is that Francesca never loved Marina, thats what Marina and Jenny have found, which deserves special consideration. Thats what makes it different from the Fran/Marina relationship. Its understandable that they, Francesca and Marina, would now have to sever their relationship. Its also understandable that Marina should expect a fair share of their assets. That would be true in any broken relationship under the California Palimony Law. Now, there are varying degrees of what and how things should be or would be Bette stops when she realizes Jenny has gotten up and is heading towards the office.

************************************

Jenny hesitates for a moment, opens the door, steps into the room, closes the door and leans against it.

Marina looks around Francesca at her and with her soft deep voice, Jenny, you dont have to be in here.

Oh, I think she should stay, especially after what I just heard. Francesca turns to Jenny, So, is it true what Marina tells me?

Uncertain what she may have been told, but capable of imaging, Im sure if Marina said it, its true. Ive never known her to lie.

So you want to buy me out of The Planet. Just curious, where would a girl in twenty dollar jeans and a five dollar tee shirt get that kind of money?

Jenny is more than a little surprised at this revelation, trying calmly to respond, Well, I, think, as I said before, if Marina said it, it must be true.

Where? Where would you get that kind of money?

I published a book, no, two books, nodding her head with a little more than necessary emphasis, she looks boldly into Francescas eyes.

And… you sold all of your sketches and paintings, too, right? Marina says to her, trying to break her almost trance-like stare at Francesca.

Jenny jerks her head to Marina as if startled, Yes, yes I did. Marina fights to subdue the grin about to explode from her. Jenny turns back to Francesca once again with her over-exuberant nod.

Francesca walks towards Jenny with the ruthless look she carries so well, reaches around her to grab the doorknob positioning her face within inches of Jennys, Marina, my attorney will be calling yours, today. She slowly steps around Jenny, never taking her eyes from her. She opens the door and leaves.

Wow! I dont think Ive ever been so afraid in my life. She sighs hard but with a smile.

Marina walks over to her, with head slightly tilted and a huge grin, I am so proud of you. You were so brave. Wrapping their arms around each other, they both take in a deep relaxing breathe.

Can we really buy her out?

No.