****Wednesday morning

Bette: do I look okay?

Tina: you look great baby. But you looked great in the other 4 outfits you had on. Just put something on, you are going to be great!

Bette: well, thanks, but I think I will put on my black suit, I feel powerful in that.

Tina: Bette that was the first one you had on, this is great, wear it. You look terrific. Trust me! Now go before you are late.

Bette: I will call you after the meeting. I love you T. thanks.

Tina: I love you too, Bette, now shooo

Bette was nervous as she drove to the CAC. Pull it together, Bette, you did great on the provocations, and this will be great too

****CAC

Stu: good morning Bette

Bette: (surveying the people in the room) Good morning Stu, gentlemen

Stu: we have a list of the artist we feel may work for this show. What we would like you to do and pick out about 5 of them, and those are the ones we will go with. Now, we are leaving you in complete control, except, I want the same company that built the displays to build them for this show. They were amazing and that is the company we all want. Any questions?

Bette: I understand Stu, but the carpenter who built that, well, quite frankly was a little pricier then the others, and I am sure with this much time I will be able to find one cheaper and even better. (Please dont do this to me)

Stu: Bette, money is not important on this particular issue. We want that carpenter, okay? I understand you two worked well together, so I am sure this wont be an issue, and if it is, I am sure YOU can fix it.

Bette: of course Stu, and thank you very much.

Stu: dont let us down, Bette.

They left the conference room. Bette stood in shock. *****! James heard her shout and came running to see if she was okay.

James: Bette, you okay?

Bette: yes, just, well I have to hire Candace to work the show. I was hoping to go down another avenue.

James: well you want me to get her on the phone?

Bette: umm, no not just yet, but thanks James.
Bette walked into her office. Tina was NOT going to be happy about this. Well, no use prolonging the inevitable Bette thinks with a sigh.

Tina: hello?

Bette: hi there baby

Tina: hey, how did it go?

Bette: well, it went pretty good. I guess. There is one issue that I am not happy with but it was non-negotiable. I suppose I should just spill it.

Tina: go on

Bette: I get to choose the artist, and plan the entire project on my own,

Tina: I think that is great. That sounds pretty good.

Bette: yes it is and the monetary part is incredible, I get a great bonus and if all goes well, then a percentage of the profits… I was shocked with the amount.

Tina: WOW! Bette that is great baby. This all sounds great. So what is the bad part?

Bette: Stu wantsummwell they were very pleased with Candaces work, and ummwould like to have her back. I told them that I thought I could find someone else, but they say it has to be her. T?

Tina: Are you ***** crazy??? Bette, no, turn it down. Let them give it to someone else, some other gallery. I dont give a ***** about the money.

Bette: T, I know how you must feel, I am so unhappy about it, butwellI have worked hard for this. You know I have. I sold my own gallery for a chance like this.

Tina: you still want it even with HER there? Bette, how could you even think I would be okay with this?

Bette: I knew you would not be okay, I just hope that, well I dont know what I hoped for.
Tina: I know I would not be able to deal with this. Bette things are going so well.

Bette: (sounding upset) okay, I will call Stu tomorrow, and just tell himtell himthatI pass. Okay? Now I should get back to work, talk to you later Tina.

Tina: what time do you think you will get home?

Bette: honestly? I have no idea, I guess whenever I get done, and I need to come up with another show and quick. I will call before I leave. Bye T.

Tina: okay, bye baby.

Tina sits on the couch, dammit, I can not do this again. I hate this museum.

Bette is in her office she is not happy, but how can she blame Tina. Tina is the most important thing in her life. More shows will come. *****, I want THIS ONE!
James walks in, Boss, problems?

Bette: Tina does not want me to work this show.

James: Bette, this is an opportunity of a life time, I can not imagine Tina not be supportive of you. Provocations is nothing to this. Why not?

Bette: Stu wants Candace to build the sets.

James: she was good. I would have chosen her too. Is Tina jealous of her?

Bette: James, I had an affair with her. It only happened a few times, but, well, Tina and I went through a lot to get where we are now, she is uncomfortable with this, and I can not blame her, but *****! I did this to myself I guess.

James: WOW! You were very secretive, I never even noticed.

Bette: well, it is not like I made a huge announcement James, I was not proud of myself. It just happened. I lost control.

James: so, is it over? Or there any unrealized feelings?

Bette: NO!!

James: so talk to her, tell her you understand, but you want this. Explain it to her.

Bette: (laughing) oh honey no need to worry, just my ex-lover and I are going to work together and work long hours, but you neednt worry? James please.

James: then I guess you give it up
Bette: *****!!!

James: I know this is important to you, but can you blame Tina for her reaction? I think you have to consider how this looks to her. This is an amazing opportunity, but you cant do this to Tina.

Bette: I know, you are right, could you get Stu on the phone?

James: right away

Stu: Yes, Ms. Porter?

Bette: Stu, I can not have Candace build the displays for us, I know she did a great job, but I can not have her do this show. If this is a deal breaker, then I understand. I guarantee I will make it look even more beautiful, if you trust me enough to give me the chance.

Stu: Ms. Porter, I have heard great things about you, and this shocks me to hear you say you cant or you wont, you must have good reasons for this.

Bette: I do, Stu, you just have to trust me on that. Strong feelings against this.

Stu: well, you leave me no choice, I have to trust you on this. Go ahead, move on with this.

Bette: thank you, you wont regret it, thank you very much Stu.

Stu: you are welcome Ms. Porter. Good bye.

Bette: Good bye.

Bette: YES!!!

James: Bette?

Bette: he agreed. Oh my God, I have to tell Tina. See you later James.

****at Tina and Bettes

Bette: TTwhere are you?

Tina: I am here, how was your day, baby?

Bette: Incredible. I got the show. Babe, this is great!!!

Tina: you told him yes?
Bette: yes, I told I would do it, under one conditionno Candace! I would not do it if they insisted I have her.

Tina: Really? You did that? Oh God, I amstunned.

Bette: I told you, You are number one. I can do this show, and keep you as number one. I promised you.

Tina: I love you.

Bette: I love you too, T.
TBC