“Oh good.  Your timing is perfect.” Bette says as she opens the door for him.  Checking the clock on the wall it’s almost 7.  Tina should be here any moment.  “Just set it by couch.”  Bette retrieves her purse for the tip.

When he leaves Bette takes a quick look around.  It’s not a bad room, pleasant with a nice view of the ocean.  This will be perfect.  Now all she needs is for Tina to arrive.

Satisfied that everything is in place, Bette walks over to the desk in the room.  Her briefcase in on top, inside is a file she needs to look through before tomorrow’s meeting.  She’s already read it once but reviewing it again will put all the facts and details at her fingertips when she needs them.  Thinking about pulling the file out and reviewing the details, Bette turns away taking a seat on the couch instead.  She’s going to wait for Tina.

The clock ticked slowly as it approaches 7:00.  Bette stayed in her seat watching the minute hand draw near the 12 and then move past.  It wasn’t until the hand had moved well past did Bette finally move and only then to grab the bottle of Prosecco and pop the cork.  Filling her glass she just watched the bubbles travel from the bottom to the top.  She wasn’t going to give up hope.  Her experience with Tina was that she could often be late.  Bette just prayed that this was one of those times.

It wasn’t until the Prosecco was gone and Bette moved on to the little bottles in the mini bar did Bette’s hope start to wane.  It wasn’t long before the alcohol and no food, long travel and the hectic pace that Bette always moved took its toll.  Bette ended up crashing on the couch.

Knock, knock, knock, knock

The pounding of someone’s fist on her door jarred Bette from the fitful sleep. Waking up with a start she looks around trying to gain her bearings. 

Knock, knock, knock, knock

“Alright I’m coming.  Hold on a second.”  Bette says getting up and moving to the door.  She doesn’t even bother to look through the peep hole she just jerks the door open hoping that would put an end to the pounding.