EXT. – THE C.A.C. – DAY
[The exterior of the California Arts Center.]
Bette: (voice over) (phone) I understand your concerns.
INT. – THE C.A.C. – BETTE’S OFFICE – DAY
[Bette is pacing at her desk, talking on the phone. Her assistant, James, runs in.]
James: The, uh, Bill Viola went to Seattle, he could maybe do 2005.
[Bette angrily waves a hand at him for interrupting her.]
James: Tina. Still on line 3.
Bette: (mouthing the words) Thank you.
[James leaves. Bette paces, still on the phone.]
Bette: (phone) Yes, great talking to you, too. Okay. Allright, bye.
[Bette presses a button on her phone, and switches to line 3.]
Bette: (frustrated) Baby, I cannot talk right now.
INT. – BETTE & TINA’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY
[Tina is making food, and still eating.]
Tina: (phone) Okay, okay. I’ll make it really quick. Just promise me that you’ll come home for dinner tonight. I’m cooking.
INT. – THE C.A.C. – BETTE’S OFFICE – DAY
Bette: (phone) That’s gonna be a tough one to swing.
[Bette takes a drink from her water bottle.]
Tina: (phone) Please, it’s really important.
INT. – BETTE & TINA’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY
Tina: (phone) I’ll take care of you. I’ll make it all better.
Bette: (phone) The only way you can make it all better is if you come up with…
INT. – THE C.A.C. – BETTE’S OFFICE – DAY
Bette: (phone) … a show for my big, gaping spring slot.
INT. – BETTE & TINA’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY
[Tina looks downhearted.]
INT. – THE C.A.C. – BETTE’S OFFICE – DAY
James: Sheldon Tomlin’s on 2.
Bette: Fuck Sheldon Tomlin!
INT. – BETTE & TINA’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY
Bette: (phone) Baby, I can’t talk right now.
INT. – THE C.A.C. – BETTE’S OFFICE – DAY
Bette: (phone) (irritated) I will try tonight, that is the best I can do. Okay?
INT. – BETTE & TINA’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY
Tina: Okay. Try.
INT. – THE C.A.C. – BETTE’S OFFICE – DAY
Bette: (phone) (sighs) Okay. Bye.
[Bette presses a button on her phone to hang up.]
INT. – BETTE & TINA’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY
[Tina hangs up the phone and regroups. She smiles.]
INT. – THE C.A.C. – BETTE’S OFFICE – DAY
[Bette sighs heavily and puts her water bottle down. She presses a button and picks up line 2.]
Bette: (phone) (fake pleasantries) Sheldon! Thank you so much for calling me back. Y – no, it’s true. Well, you know, because a big institution, it’s hard to compete. Look, um, the reason that I was calling you… (takes deep breath) What you’re about to hear is the sound of me eating my words. Sheldon, I… would like to book “Impressions In Winter” and I hope that you don’t hold it against me that… (listening) Franklin didn’t tell me anything. (listening) That is absolutely not true. No, the C.A.C. is not in turmoil! … (listening) No! Of course. You know, and nothing personal on my part, either. Okay. Bye.
[Bette hangs up. James runs to her door.]
James: Franklin headed this way.
[He closes her office door.]
Bette: (to self) (irritated) God, dammit, does it ever fucking stop?
INT. – THE C.A.C. – HALLWAY OUTSIDE BETTE’S OFFICE – DAY
[Franklin is coming down the hallway. James leans against Bette’s door.]
Franklin: She in?
James: Uh, no, not yet.
Franklin: I see.
INT. – THE C.A.C. – BETTE’S OFFICE – DAY
[Bette is getting her jacket on. She listens at the door.]
Franklin: (through door) Would you tell her that the board is convening for an unscheduled meeting tomorrow evening?
INT. – THE C.A.C. – HALLWAY OUTSIDE BETTE’S OFFICE – DAY
[Franklin leans close to Bette’s door. He knows she’s inside.]
Franklin: And she would be well-advised to attend.
[Bette opens the door.]
Bette: Franklin! What are you doing talking to my door? (to James) I’m off to my Bernard Riddle meeting. (to Franklin) He’s got half a million dollars he wants to lay on some museum, somewhere in Los Angeles that’s doing anything remotely progressive.
Franklin: Bernard Riddle? He’s way out of your league, dear.
Bette: He may be out of the C.A.C.s league, Franklin, but he’s certainly not out of mine.
[Bette winks at him, then ducks around the corner. Out of sight, she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. Franklin walks off.]