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Provocations Linger- Chapter 7
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2004
Six months after Provocations
Alpha Ville Studios
“Tina Kennard,” Tina answered the incoming call on speaker, her hands occupied with a storyboard.
Bette paused. She could tell from Tina’s greeting that she was on a speakerphone. She felt diminished before the call even began.
“Tina. Could you pick up?” she tried not to sound irritated.
Tina looked up surprised. She’d assumed it would be Antony calling her back. Returning the storyboard to its easel she sat down at her desk and retrieved the handset before speaking.
“Hi Bette.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry. I just hate those things,” Bette apologized.
Tina interrupted her,
“I do too for the most part. I expected you to be someone from production and I had my hands full with his project,” she explained.
“How are you, Bette?” she asked after a pause.
“I’m wondering how you are, Tina. It’s been a while since I’ve heard from you and I gather from the girls they haven’t seen much of you either. Is everything okay?”
Bette hated this unfamiliar territory. She wasn’t even sure if it was acceptable to ask about Tina’s life but it had now been almost three months since they saw each other at the Planet and she was more than anxious to hear from the blonde.
Tina silently chastised herself. She’d known this conversation was coming and wished she’d prepared herself better for it. Up until now she’d been able to screen Bette’s calls.
“I’m good Bette. I’ve been crazy busy both here and with the Social Justice office…”
“Tina.” Bette stopped her. She knew Tina was avoiding her question. She hesitated nervously.
“Can I come up? I’m actually here, in the lobby,” she admitted.
“Bette,” Tina groaned. She pursed her lips annoyed. She could envision Bette downstairs, pacing in front of Vivian at the front desk, who was no doubt taking it all in.
The executive producer did not want to get into a discussion with Bette about unannounced visits while she was in the lobby of Tina’s place of work. Hanging up on Bette, Tina pressed another button.
In a cheerful tone Tina spoke:
“Vivian. Bette Porter is in the lobby. Could you send the elevator up to my office? Thank you!”
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Hmmm… while this is a really good story, and you’re writing it well, I’m still not on board with Tina viewing that night as rape. Like, what’s Tina’s part in what happened? Just as victim? There was *no* violence on Tina’s part? None at all? Anyway, I guess I’m waiting to see Bette’s complete take on it, if they discuss it any farther. I’m looking forward to see how the story progresses, since the flight is almost over and NY is beckoning. Thanks for the chapter, Zuzu, and I hope you post soon. cheers
I’ve reread chapter 1, to further get my bearings. Tina wanted a connection, yet made one through violence, all whilst telling herself it’s not real… Bette can’t let guilt make her accept Tina’s version, and agree to disagree, on something that kind of… vital (maybe the wrong word?)… I’m just gonna wait for the next chapter. Thanks again, Z.
hey I was wondering where this story went. glad to see u back.
i hope tina feels like she’s screwed too…as for the rape, i think u have 2 b one of the 2 people in the relationship to view that scenario with all it’s complexities…it’s not a black and white thing…well done with the intensity, pps
Like jp22, I’d be interested in learning more about Bette’s recollection of Provocations night. Also, how does Tina regard her violent actions toward Bette that night? Does she feel guilty? Or perhaps she’s blocked out the memory? Anyway, the story is as compelling as ever.
Hmm…intense stuff from the past. Please, please let them process their stuff and continue moving toward a plausible reconciliation!
Thank goodness you brought the story back! I was so missing the intense discussion as well as the wonderful reflections on the past. You have constructed a wonderful story that simply pulls the reader inward. Bette’s line at the end is so perfect. She really is screwed – Tina remains distant and yet they both know there is no other connection like their own. I hope you post the next chapter soon. By the way, it may just be my take on Bette’s character but I don’t see her leaving the meeting at Tina’s office so easily. I would have thought there would be much more drama since Bette was essentially realizing that the love of her life did not want to see her again. Since I don’t know where you are going with the story, I am guessing that they have another encounter at some point where more discussion ensues. At some point, I definitely want to see a passionate reconciliation!
Recalling”The Scene” in S1, it didn’t appear to be rape b/c Tina forced Bette’s fingers/hand into her. It was certainly violent, rough sex but it seemed to me that Tina wanted sex that way. PPS.
I have to agree with some of readers. Why I think this is very interesting story and this particular part of the breakup is rarely explored,if we are looking at the S1 one scene then I don’t think its rape. I mean Tina turn the tables and force entry.
thanks for the update! i’m agreeing with most of what the other readers have said… maybe tina isn’t remember everything? waiting for the next update:)PPS
Once again, Tina’s resoluteness and determination not to succumb to her lingering love for Bette is chilling. Healthy, but chilling, I am sure, for the other party, Bette. You write so well that the pain of the processing is as joyful to read as watching someone swinging in a park on a summer’s day, if you get what I mean. It’s good stuff. Thanks!
Glad to see an update on this. The talking was needed long ago, but I think Tina is right, they could not have had this conversation back then. All things considered I still hoping with my entire Tibette heart that they get back together.
I must say that I still can’t agree with Tina’s perception of that event and agree with others who have commented that Tina appears to have conveiently forgotten the things she did that night. Certainly there were extenuating circumstances that contributed to Tina’s response that night, but after 5 years, time should have lent some perspective to her memories and led to at least an understanding of Bette’s point of view. Maybe this will be ferreted out in future chapters, but your story has been told masterfully so far. Can’t wait for your next update.
I guess I see it as a mutual rape, Tina was a participant in the violence as much as Bette was. I hope they really can find some way to reach one another. I don’t think Tina realizes she was slipping away from Bette all along and really did destroy Bette.
i went back to read this story from chapter1. it’s so good. please post soon! can’t wait to see what happens
Glad that you are back and continuing to write this story. I hope that they will continue to converse as they depart the plane and go on with their lives.
Love your writing but I too am of the opinion that incredibly powerful scene was about shatterd love and clinging to what one had lost – it was desperate on both of their parts and I think Bette should have stopped it but I think she knew once she did Tina would be gone. Anyway I do love your writing.
This is so good and love it!
Zuzu, you’re back! I’m ecstatic! Loads of people have been talking about the ‘rape’ issue. I will admit, like Bette, it makes me cringe thinking about it as rape. But it is definately a possible view that Tina could have on the situation. I think its something, that not many writers have explored as a possibility and well done for doing that. I’m not sure to what point Tina has justified it though, and it definately continues to hurt Bette, so I don’t know where it will leave them, if they agree to disagree on something so vital to their relationship. Anyway, aside from that.. I am dying to have more 2008 stuff. There’s only an hour left and I do believe you said that you’re a firm Tibette Beliver.. and I’m trusting you. Ooff, this was a long one. Thanks for the lovely update. Cant wait for 8.
Okay, so i re-read all the chapters. And now.. Ive just re-watched the figth scence in the season 1 finale. And Tina really does Instigate a huge amount of the violence, although Bette definately was forcing herself on to Tina.. but still I dont know. Im torn. Its a wonderfully intriging fic. Hurry with the next one. Lol, Nr
i am enjoying this story very much. more please.
I’ve been waiting for this! It has to continue after they land… doesn’t it? PPS :)
Rape is a harsh word. I recall we had many, many pages of heated debates about this over on TWOP. Tina was an instigator of the violence, as well. I’ll never forget that slap, or the awful bites. Bette is a beautiful woman. I’m sure she was shamefully disfigured for quite a while. Once the ball got rolling, both of them were equal participants, in my view. Tina took Bette’s hand to that place, let’s not forget. I think Tina was and is being a bit superior about it. I think she should have forgiven Bette. Perhaps the accumulation of all the brow-beating she took from Bette over the course of her relationship came home to roost. Of course, we debated that ad infinitum as well. Tina took all that sh_ _ from Bette, and she still cheated on her anyway. Thanks for making a painful story palatable through the gauze of history. And we know how much IC loves gauze.
P.S.: I thought you were ending it here, just as it probably would be in real life. I’m glad you’re continuing. You are continuing, aren’t you?
for me THAT night was a struggle for power, i never viewed it as rape but as break-up sex, angry sex, power sex…it’s still painful to watch but it’s still one of the most powerful scenes in season 1 for me