Chapter Text
Los Angeles, Tina is driving with Angelica sitting next to her in the passenger seat.
(Angelica) So, why am I staying with Mom tonight? It’s not her night
(Tina) Angie I’ve told you this ten times, Alice is taking me out for my birthday so we’ve swapped nights
(Angelica) But it’s not your birthday, it was last week
(Tina sighs) I know baby but Alice was away then so she wants to make a thing of it this weekend
(Angelica) Well is Mom pissed?
(Tina sighs) She’s fine, she always loves having you, you know that. And don’t say pissed
(Angelica) I don’t mean pissed with me. Any excuse for you two to be at each other’s throats
Tina looks over at her with an eyebrow raised.
(Angelica) Sorry, fine. Angry. Fuming. Enraged
(Tina) Nice vocab. And no, everything’s fine
They pull up at Bette’s house and Tina gets out to help Angelica with her bags.
(Angelica) You’re not coming in are you? It’s not a good idea Mom
(Tina sighs) Angie it’s fine, I need to sort out the weekend with her
Angelica sighs as she walks up the path.
(Angelica) OK, here we go
Tina knocks on the door.
(Angelica) Mom, I have a key
(Tina) Can we just wait please? I’d feel more comfortable
(Angelica) This is a bad idea, I can’t actually remember the last time you two were in the same room
They stand together waiting at the door.
(Angelica) Oh wait, I can actually, my last birthday. You told her to go fuck herself
(Tina) Angie, Jesus! Language!
(Angelica) I’m quoting you !
(Tina) Well I shouldn’t have said that, and I also didn’t know that you heard it
(Angelica) I hear everything
(Tina) Well, you’re also 12 last time I checked, and still have to listen to your mothers
Bette opens the door and sees Angelica first.
(Bette) Angie why are you knocking? Have you lost your key?
Bette sees Tina and sighs.
(Bette) Was there something you needed?
Angelica walks past them into the house.
(Angelica) Here we go
They both watch her go and then look back at each other.
(Tina) I just wanted to let you know I can pick her up from school tomorrow. I’ll drop her back here and then she’s with you for the weekend as usual
(Bette) Fine
(Tina) She leaves for camp Monday
(Bette) I know that, you don’t need to remind me
(Tina sighs) OK, well I want to see her before she goes. Can we work out something for Sunday?
(Bette sighs) Tina I’m fine with plans being shifted when they need to be but I do have a life outside of this you know. I’m not just at your beck and call
Tina rubs her temple and looks back towards the driveway.
(Tina) For fuck’s sake
Angelica yells out from the lounge.
(Angelica) Language!
Tina holds her hand over her eyes.
(Tina) Sorry!
Tina and Bette look back at each other.
(Tina) We need to do a better job of shielding her from this
(Bette) Well I think not crossing paths usually serves us well
Tina raises her hands.
(Tina) Fine, I shouldn’t have come. I’ll email you in future. So I can’t see her before Monday?
(Bette sighs) She has a sleepover at Jessica’s Saturday, you can pick her up from there and drop her off here
(Tina) Fine, thank you I guess
Tina adjusts her bag on her shoulder and yells out to Angelica.
(Tina) I’m off Ange, see you after school tomorrow
(Angelica) OK
Tina turns and walks to her car and Bette closes the door.
Later, Tina walks into a bar and scans the room, eventually spotting Alice, Shane and Dana sitting at a table. She smiles and makes her way over.
(Alice smiles) Well hello birthday girl
Tina smiles as she sits down.
(Tina) Al, it’s not my birthday
(Alice) Well I missed it so it is now
(Tina smiles) OK
Shane pours Tina a drink from the cocktail pitcher on the table and slides it over to her.
(Tina) Thanks
(Shane) No problem, how was your day?
(Tina sighs) Weird actually. I had my first session of that new therapy I’m trying this afternoon
(Alice) Oooh, the hypnotherapy thing someone recommended to you?
(Tina nods) Yeah
(Alice) Was it as weird as it sounds? If we say the right word will you act like a chicken?
Tina laughs.
(Tina) Fuck I hope not
They all smile.
(Dana) What was it like?
(Tina sighs) Strange, I don’t know. She had me focusing on times in the past where I was happier. How did she put it? Where I experienced uncomplicated happiness. Only happiness, nothing else
(Alice) And what did you focus on?
Tina sighs and shrugs.
(Tina) Different things
(Alice) Bette related?
(Tina sighs) Some, yes. The whole thing sort of threw me. I actually sought her out to see her when I dropped off Angelica, I don’t know why really. But we of course had an argument and so that sorted my head out again pretty quickly
They all look at her for a moment.
(Tina) Anyway, I don’t think I’ll go back. It has made me feel worse if anything. I don’t think it’s for me
(Alice) Well, I think what you need is a night with us. You have the day off work tomorrow, no responsibility, no kids. Just relax, let us take care of you
Tina smiles.
(Tina) Sounds perfect
The next morning, Tina wakes up in an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar room. She sits up and frowns at her surroundings before glancing beside her and gasping when she sees a mess of blonde hair on the pillow, and a slight frame curled up away from her.
Tina leans over and examines the woman more closely, shifting her position to gain a better view as she moves some hair from the woman’s eyes. Tina laughs and shakes her head, lightly slapping the woman on the back.
(Tina) Fuck Al, you scared me
Alice groans and rolls towards her.
(Alice) Jesus Tina, go back to sleep. What time is it?
(Tina sighs) I don’t know
Tina glances around the room again.
(Tina) Al, where the fuck are we?
(Alice) What are you talking about? You stayed over last night after your birthday drinks. Though by the look of you I think you were probably not partaking in the drinking as much as I thought you were
(Tina smiles) I am good at that. But I don’t remember anything
Alice looks up at her.
(Alice) Hmmm, well maybe you did have fun then
(Tina) Do you live here?
(Alice) Tina it is way too early for whatever cryptic game you’re playing here. Yes, of course I live here. Now please let me sleep!
Tina raises both of her hands.
(Tina) OK, I have no idea how you managed to move without me being aware of it, but I’ll interrogate you later
(Alice) Thank you
(Tina) I’ll make us coffees
(Alice) Not for me, I won’t be up for hours. Help yourself to anything
(Tina sighs) OK, thanks Al. Do I have a bag?
(Alice) It’s on the chair over there
Tina frowns at the unfamiliar bag and makes her way over to it. She rifles through it for a minute and pulls out her iPhone.
(Tina) What’s this?
Alice opens an eye and looks at her.
(Alice) Tina what the fuck is wrong with you today? It’s your fucking phone
Tina turns it over in her hands.
(Tina) Was it a birthday present?
Alice sighs and puts the pillow over her head.
Tina walks over and removes the pillow, holding the phone out to Alice.
(Tina) Well can you show me how to call Bette?
(Alice) Why do you need to call Bette?
Tina gives her a confused look as Alice takes the phone from her and finds Bette’s number.
(Alice) There. She’ll be at work. Now leave me alone
Tina leaves the room, holding the phone to her ear as she walks down the hallway.
Bette is at her desk at her gallery, focused on her laptop screen and surrounded by a pile of files with James hovering nearby.
(Bette) How many fucking things can go wrong in a day? Have you seen this email?
(James nods) Yes, I’ve organised for you to sit down with her this afternoon
Bette continues reading.
(Bette) Fuck
Bette’s office phone rings and she answers distractedly, still focused on her laptop screen.
(Bette) Bette Porter
(Tina smiles) Hey
Bette looks to James and rolls her eyes.
(Bette) Tina
Bette sighs and leans back in her chair, holding her hand over her eyes and speaking coldly.
(Bette) What is it? Why are you calling?
Tina is silent for a moment, shocked by Bette’s tone.
(Tina) It’s a bad time?
(Bette laughs) Do you fucking care ? What’s going on Tina? What?! You have two minutes
Tina takes a sharp breath and is silent for another moment, she eventually speaks softly.
(Tina) Why are you talking to me like that?
Bette stands from her desk and raises a hand in exasperation as she paces over to the window.
(Bette) Tina, I don’t have time for this. Ever really, but particularly not today
Tina takes another breath, stung by Bette’s words.
(Tina) Um, OK. I guess we should maybe leave this for now. You’re obviously in a terrible mood. I’m sorry for calling you at work, I really didn’t think you’d mind
Bette snaps at her.
(Bette) I don’t if it’s important
Tina takes another moment, feeling overcome with hurt and confusion.
(Tina) Well I’ll leave you to your bad day. You can apologise to me later but I’m not sure how that’s going to go for you
Bette frowns.
(Bette) Apologise ?
Bette stops pacing and sits back down at her desk, holding a hand over her eyes.
(Bette) Tina, I seriously…
(Tina) Maybe keep out of Franklin’s way though if this mood continues, you don’t want to burn any bridges
Bette takes her hand away and frowns in confusion.
(Bette) Franklin ?
Tina doesn’t respond and Bette continues frowning.
(Bette) My boss from the CAC, Franklin?
(Tina sighs) Baby are you feeling OK?
Bette’s frown deepens and she sits up straight at her desk.
(Bette) Sorry, say that again?
(Tina sighs) Look I’ll let you go. I’ll be expecting you to make this up to me later. Bye baby
Bette sits holding the phone up to her ear for a long while after Tina has hung up. She eventually places it on the receiver and sits back, continuing to frown into space.
She then picks up the phone again and places a call.
(Bette) Al?
(Alice groans) Oh my God why are you calling? What fucking time is it?
(Bette) It’s midday Al
(Alice) Right, well late night obviously
(Bette) Well that’s why I’m calling
(Alice yawns) What do you mean?
(Bette) You took Tina out last night, right?
(Alice) Ah, yeah. For her birthday. Why?
(Bette) Well, I just had the weirdest fucking conversation with her and so I was wondering what you got up to? Is she on something?
Alice laughs.
(Alice) What?
(Bette) She’s supposed to pick up Angelica this afternoon and if she is I need to know
(Alice sighs) God I know things are so far gone with you two but seriously, what are you accusing her of now? Being high around your kid? It’s Tina we’re talking about here Bette
Bette rubs her forehead.
(Bette) I’m not saying it wouldn’t be out of character, I just don’t know how else to explain her behaviour
(Alice) Well what behaviour?
(Bette) She was, I don’t know, nice to me. Shocked I wasn’t being nice to her
Alice frowns.
(Alice) OK
(Bette) She mentioned Franklin, my boss from fucking years ago, as if that was a current reference
(Alice) Huh
Bette sighs.
(Bette) And she called me baby. Twice
Alice sits up in bed, thinking over her strange exchange with Tina earlier.
(Alice) Um, I’ll talk to her. I’m pretty sure she’s still here
(Bette sighs) OK well can you let me know if I need to pick up Angelica?
(Alice) Ah, yeah I think you should pick her up. Just in case
(Bette frowns) In case what?
(Alice) Nothing, just pick her up, I’ll call you later
Alice hangs up the phone and sits there a while longer, listening to the sounds of Tina making coffee in the kitchen.