The Planet

It is another day of work and looking after patrons.  It is another day of looking after friends.  For Marina, this is what life has become about for her in her wait for Francesca’s inevitable return from Italy.  Looking around, she cannot help but feel a sense of peace over the orders and conversations.  Two of Marina’s friends, Alice and Shane arrive for lunch.  After an initial greeting, Marina goes back to work, having little time to talk as Shane informs Alice of Gabby’s inability to stay faithful in their just rekindled relationship.

Later in the evening, The Planet has been transformed to more of a club atmosphere.  Kit spins vinyl for the crowd while Marina plays pool with others.  Marina has been defeating various patrons during the evening as Tina arrives.

Marina ”Come on, Tina.  Let’s see how well you can do.”

Tina ”Me?  Oh, no I haven’t played pool in a long time.”

Marina ”I know.  It seems you have let the last three years escape you.  Tonight however is your chance to get it all back.”

Tina is amused.

Tina ”Are you challenging me?”

Marina hands Tina a pool stick.

Marina ”That is exactly what I am doing.”

Marina and Tina play pool together with Marina dominating, but encouraging Tina to keep playing her.  Kit notices Marina and Tina playing pool and smiles at the moment.  Tina notices the drink in Kit’s hand appears to just be water.

Tina ”Hey, Marina.  That’s just water Kit’s drinking right?”

Marina ”That’s what she wanted.”

Tina ”Good.  No alcohol.”

Tina sinks the 8 ball for the win.

Marina ”You’re improving!”

Tina ”Oh, please I just got lucky.”

Bette arrives, having missed a scheduled meeting.  She sees Kit who continues deejaying.  Kit looks up, seeing Bette and holds up her bottle, smiling.

Kit ”Just water, Baby Sis!”

Bette smiles and nods in approval.  Making her way to the pool table where Tina and Marina are about to play another round, Bette thinks back to a recent evening.  An evening where Kit’s 12 Step Program assignment was to make amends.  Deciding to hear her out has apparently steered her older sister onto a better path.

Tina ”Bette!”

Marina ”Your partner is beginning to rediscover her pool abilities.”

Bette ”Mind if I play next?  It’s been a rough day…and an equally rough evening.”

Marina hands Bette her pool stick and grins.  Bette explains her experience in missing the scheduled meeting and now winding up at The Planet to unwind from the stress.  Soon, Bette and Tina will go out for food.

The lives of Bette, Tina, and Marina continue on with a later evening that sees Bette seeking out Peggy Peabody over the the hopes of procuring the Provocations exhibit for the CAC, Tina enjoying a quiet evening at home, and Marina enjoying a quiet evening upon closing shop at The Planet.  Very quietly, very unassumingly, their lives continue on.