Tina sat at her desk buried under mounds and mounds of paperwork. She was not having a good day. First there was the meeting with the potential new producers from Paramount that went to ***** because the pompous ***** new hot shot producer thinks hes the *****, then there was the horrendous luncheon with her boss and his contacts over at MGM who were looking to pick up another one of her projects but failed to mention that if they took it she would need to relocate to Japan for two years to oversee the project, and after glancing at the clock she realized she hadnt talked to Bette in almost two days. Shed tried calling her a few times but always got her voicemail and she had gotten home way before Bette and been fast asleep by the time Bette got home. It was as if their lives were running simultaneously but not harmoniously like they were supposed to.

*****!

Tina threw the script onto the desk and stared out her office window. Down below the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles raged on but inside she was broken. She was so tired of everything, tired of work, tired of her stagnant life, tired of fighting with Bette. Tina didnt know if it was just her last encounter with Bette that was making her feel like this or if she was having some kind of early mid life crisis deal, but she felt like her life was in shambles and she had no way of picking up the pieces. She grabbed the phone and started dialing.

RING RING RING

Hello?

Hey Al, its Tina

Oh hey Tina. Whats up?

Nothing much. I was just wondering if you wanted to have drinks tonight?

Umsureis Bette working late or something?

Yeah something like that

Okay drinks sounds good. Pick you up at eight?

Great see you then.

Tina hung up and leaned back. Sometimes Alice was just what she needed, a friend who was familiar with her and Bette and who could separate her from BetteandTina long enough to actually care about her as a person. Plus Alice was always good for a laugh and right now she could use some laughter.

*** ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN ***

JONATHAN!!!!

Jonathan scurried into Bettes office ASAP dreading what his next assignment would be. He didnt know what was going on with Bette but all he knew was that she had been on the warpath the last few days. He reached her office and stood in front of her desk waiting.

Jonathan where is the fax from New York on Andrs Thompson I asked you for?

On your desk Bette.

Bette looked down at the millions of papers on her desk and sighed.

Well can you get me his agent on the phone? I want to get him scheduled for next season and I also need a layout of his pieces so that I can start planning the set up here? And can you also get the caterers on the phone and the florists as well? I cant afford to ***** this one up.

Jonathan mumbled something sounding like yes as he walked out of her office and rolled his eyes. She needs to get laid already, he thought as he started his assignment.

Bette watched him walk out of the office and she almost stopped him to apologize. She knew she had been a class A ***** these past few days but she was stressed. She didnt have a show lined up for the next season and if she didnt have a show she might have to close her gallery, or in other words give up her dream. Plus, on top of all that, she had no idea what was going on with Tina.

Tina.

Bette sighed. Things on the home front hadnt been that great lately and she could see it but she didnt know what to do about it. She had no idea what was going on with Tina and the times she did try to ask she either got yelled at or ignored and she was sick of it. She glanced at the clock and decided maybe she should just get out of there so she gathered her things and headed out the door. She almost hoped that Tina wouldnt be home so she could take a relaxing bath and calm down a little but of course, her wish was not granted. She walked past Tinas car into the house and prayed that WWIII would not break out here and now. She opened the door and set her things down.

Tina?

In the bathroom.

Bette walked back towards the bathroom and opened the door to find Tina putting on makeup. Bette looked confused.

Going out?

Im having drinks with Alice.

Tina pushed past Bette into the bedroom to change. Bette stared at her as she walked by almost dumbfounded at Tinas nonchalant behavior. Bette was right on Tinas heels as Tina entered the bedroom and started going through her closet.

I thought you had to work late tonight T

Nomy dinner meeting was canceled.

And you didnt even think to ask if I was going to be home early right?

At that remark Tina spun around and stared daggers at Bette.

Why should I even bother Bette? Youve been working late this entire week

Tina thats besides the point

What is the point Bette?

Bette opened her mouth to say something and closed it again as she turned sharply on her heel and walked back out to the living room. She sat down on the couch and stared aimlessly at the table as she tried to rationalize her thinking. What is happening here? What is going on with us?

Tina had felt guilty for taking a shot at Bette like that so she followed her out to the living room. She saw Bette sitting on the couch and she was going to half heartedly apologize at first but when she saw the lost look in Bettes eyes she changed her mind. Instead she walked over to her and sat down next to her.

Bette

What is going on here T? Why are we fighting like this?

I dont know

Bette looked at Tina with wrinkled eyebrows.

I think you do Tina.

What is that supposed to mean?

What do you think it means Tina? I feel so confused around you sometimes that I dont even know what to say anymore.

Tina stood up and stared down at Bette with her hands on her hips.

Well thats great Bette. Let me try to clarify things for youhow exactly do you feel confused?

Well right now is an example

What are you talking about Bette?

One minute youre happy, the next youre angrywhat is wrong with you?

ME? WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? No Bettewhat is wrong with you. You know whatIm tired of this Bette. Im tired of everything. Im tired of constantly worrying about what kind of mood youre in, Im tired of waiting here at home like some ***** housewife for you to come home so I can feed you dinner and tuck you in bed, and

TINA

WAIT BETTE LET ME FINISH. And Im tired of having everything I say thrown back in my face. You know sometimes Im just trying to be honest with you Betteand somehow I feel like the ***** whenever you dont like what I have to say. Im tired of feeling like Im always pissing you off or making you upset. And honestly BetteIm tired of not knowing how you feel anymore.

What is that supposed to mean Tina?

It means Bette, that every once in a while its nice to hear how youre feeling, not just about me but about everything. I feel like I give and give and give without it ever being reciprocated and it makes me feel like ***** Bette. It really does.

Bette stood up to face Tina who was trying her best to hold her tears of anger and pain back. She finally said what she had wanted to say to Bette for the past few weeks and while it felt great she also kind of felt like ***** at the same time. It was Bettes turn to put her hands on her hips and after letting everything Tina said sink in, she answered with vengeance.

Tina Im sorry for making you feel like ***** I really am. Im sorry for being moody sometimes, sorry that we dont all handle stress as well as you do T. And Im sorry that you feel like a housewife but that is totally on you. I never asked you to be like that, never. And YOU know whatIm sorry that you dont know how I feel about you because I thought that was the one thing that was always crystal clear from day one. I LOVE YOU Tinathere are you happy now?

Tina just stared at Bette with her jaw clenched. This was not at all how she wanted this talk to go but the ***** hit the fan a long time ago so to speak to it was all out at this point.

Im sorryIm sorrystop ***** apologizing Bette. And stop saying what you think I want to hear! Stop pretending!

Tina I was never pretending with you

Whatever

Tina grabbed her purse and headed out the door. She knew she should stay and talk this out with Bette but right now she didnt have the emotional energy to do it so she left. Tears filled her eyes as she drove towards Alices house even though they werent supposed to go out for a few more hours, but she just knew she couldnt stay in that house another second or she really might say something she would later regret.

Bette slammed the door closed behind Tina and leaned against it once it was locked. Tears fell down her cheeks as she felt the repressed pain and frustration and anger surface. She was hurt by what Tina said but at the same time she knew she hurt Tina by making her sarcastic remarks too but at this point who cared.

That was the point. Nobody cared.