Bette: (grinning) Deal.

The two of them walk off together, leaving the festival behind. Tina’s paint-streaked hands contrast with Bette’s perfectly manicured nails as they brush slightly while walking.

The Coffee Shop

A cozy, eclectic coffee shop just off campus. The walls are decorated with local art, and the atmosphere hums with the low buzz of conversation and the hiss of the espresso machine. Bette and Tina sit at a small table by the window, their coffees steaming in front of them. Bette leans back in her chair, exuding confidence, while Tina sits cross-legged, relaxed and curious.

Tina: (playfully) So, Miss Law Student, were you always this serious, or is it just a side effect of reading too many legal briefs?

Bette: (smirking) Serious? You’ve known me for all of an hour.

Tina: (teasing) It’s an energy thing. You’ve got this… I don’t know, ‘I always win’ vibe.

Bette: (leaning forward, a playful glint in her eye) Well, I do like winning. I guess you could say I’m… competitive.

Tina: Oh, really? So, were you one of those kids who flipped the Monopoly board if you started losing?

Bette: (laughing) No, I was the one who made sure I never lost in the first place.

Tina: (grinning) Of course you were. So, you are from?

Bette: I’m from Philly?

Tina: So, what was little Bette Porter like growing up? Always climbing the ladder

Bette: (smiling fondly) My dad’s a businessman, so I grew up watching him work nonstop. I think I wanted to prove I could keep up. I was the kid organizing neighborhood kickball tournament except I had spreadsheets and rules.

Tina: (laughing) Of course you did. Please tell me you let the other kids win sometimes.

Bette: (grinning) Never. But I made sure they had fun. What about you? Let me guess Hmmm…, North Carolina? You’ve got that warm, easygoing thing going on, and not to miss your beautiful accent.

Tina: (mocking gasp) Wow, are you psychic? Yeah, I’m from Asheville. Definitely smaller than Philly, but it’s beautiful. Mountains, forests… nothing like here.

Bette: So, were you the free spirit back then, too? Always covered in paint?

Tina: Pretty much. I grew up running around barefoot, climbing trees, and sketching in every notebook I could find. My mom used to joke that I’d end up living in a treehouse, painting squirrels for a living.