Alice enters the CAC, walks up to the receptionist’s desk.

Alice: Hi. I’m from LA weekly. Alice Pieszecki. I’m here to interview Better Porter.

Receptionist: One moment, please.

The receptionist picks up the phone and pages James.

Receptionist: James, Alice Pieszecki here for Bette Porter. Okay. (hangs up)

(to Alice) He’ll be out in a second.

Alice: Okay, thanks.

James enters the reception area.

James: (friendly) Alice?

Alice: Yes.

James: Right this way.

Alice: Ok.

James leads Alice down the hallway to Bette’s office and opens the door for her.

James: Right in here.

James: (winks at Alice) Good luck.

Alice: (confused) Uh, okay. Back atcha!

James heads back to his desk.

Alice steps into Bette’s office and, upon seeing Bette for the first time, is awestruck by Bette’s beauty. Her eyes travel from Bette’s face down to her cleavage. Bette looks up, notices Alice’s poorly concealed attraction to her and smiles to herself.

Bette: Just one second. I need to just finish this up really quickly.

Bette finishes up and stands up behind her desk. When Bette comes from behind the desk, Alice’s breath catches in the back of her throat. Alice is even more nervous and shy once she gets a better look at Bette.

Bette makes eye contact, bites her bottom lip, and walks up to Alice, gets as close to her as possible without touching her, reaches behind her, and shuts the door. Alice is frozen.

Bette: See something that you like?

Alice: What?

Bette: The painting. (pointing towards the painting behind her desk of a dark-haired woman in drag)

Alice: Oh, right…yes.

Bette: (raises an eyebrow) What did you think I was talking about?

Alice: (nervous) Oh, the painting, yeah. Of course. Of course. The painting, right.

Bette: (smiles) Well, this painting is by an artist, Romaine Brooks. It’s called Peter, a Young English Girl. Brooks did it in, uh, about 1923, 1924. It’s a portrait of the artist, um, Gluck, Hanna Gluckstein. They were both part of a group of artists who dressed in men’s clothes to let other women know that they were interested. It shows up in a lot of their work. Anyway, I’m probably boring you to tears.

Alice: No, it’s interesting.

Bette: So, what can I do for you Alice?

Alice: Well, I was thinking it would be great publicity for the CAC if I could write an interesting profile of LA’s hottest lesbian.

Bette: Wow. Alright. Why don’t you come to my place and we can do the interview over dinner. Unless you’re busy?

Alice: Tonight.

Bette: Yeah, is that okay?

Alice: That’s fine.

Bette: Okay…seven?

Alice: Seven’s good.

Alice doesn’t move to leave.

Bette: You can hang out if you want.

Alice: Oh, right. Yeah.

Alice gathers up her things and her purse spills out onto the floor.

Alice: Oh…fuckin’…shit…damn…cunt!

Bette laughs and comes over to help Alice collect her things. Alice stuffs her things back into her purse. Bette hands Alice a handful of colorful condoms.

Alice: Just in case I meet someone special.

Bette laughs.

Bette: Hey. One can never be too prepared, I guess.

Alice: Geez! I’m such a dork.

Bette: You’re a cute dork.

Alice blushes. Bette leans in and kisses Alice softly on the lips. Bette pulls away.

Bette: Sorry. I couldn’t resist.

Alice: No, that was nice.

Bette kisses Alice again. This time, Alice pulls Bette down on top of her and runs her hands down Bette’s back and grabs her ass. Bette grabs Alice’s breast and Alice moans.

Alice: Fuck me, Bette.

Bette: Not here. We should stop.

Alice: Are you sure? Okay, yes, alright, you’re right.

Bette gets up, hands Alice the rest of her things, runs her hands over the front of her skirt to smooth it out.

Bette: It was nice meeting you Alice.

Alice: (not sure of what to say) Yes. I love your office.

Alice gently beats up on herself saying something stupid.

Bette: Thanks. I’ll…see you tonight.

Alice: Seven. Bye.

Alice leaves Bette’s office.

Alice: (to herself) WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW!

Inside her office, Bette sits down at her desk, laughs to herself and continues working.

TO BE CONTINUED