Chapter Text
Tina walks down the hallway of an office building, sipping a takeaway coffee while looking at her cell and holding a file under her arm. She runs into a woman walking in the other direction, looking equally busy and weighed down by multi-tasking.
(Amanda) Ms Kennard, it’s a pleasure having you back here
(Tina) Amanda, for the last time please call me Tina
(Amanda smiles) No problem Tina
Amanda changes direction and they walk together down the hallway.
(Amanda) I can’t tell you how chuffed we are having you fill in like this
(Tina) Honestly don’t mention it, it’s something I like to do if it works out. So anything I need to know about this morning’s show? Or is it all in here?
She taps the folder under her arm.
(Amanda) It should be all there
(Tina) Great, thanks Amanda
Tina walks into an office and starts settling in at the desk, placing her belongings down and standing and arranging objects on the desk surface.
Amanda pauses as she is exiting the office and turns back to her casually.
(Amanda) Oh, actually, Senator Kielson’s office called 10 minutes ago and he’s out, but they’ve offered a pretty promising replacement. The new Senator for New York, Bette Porter
Tina stops still and stares at her. Amanda holds her stare for a moment before giving her a slightly confused look and continuing out the door.
Bette is on her cell in the back of a limousine pulling up outside the radio station office building.
(Bette) Well my morning meetings will all need to be shifted James. Yes, including Senator Hoffman. Well charm her I guess, and do whatever you need to to make time for her this afternoon
The car pulls up and Bette waves her thanks to the driver. She continues into the building and is met at the entrance by Amanda.
(Amanda) Senator Porter, it’s an honour. My name is Amanda Tan, I’m Fran’s producer
(Bette) Nice to meet you Amanda
(Amanda) We appreciate you coming on last minute
(Bette) It’s no problem
They enter the elevator together and Amanda hits a button and they take the short trip in silence. They exit the elevator and Amanda gestures down the hallway and continues walking alongside the Senator.
(Bette) I’ve met Fran at a number of functions over the years, and I’m always pleased to be interviewed by such a professional
They reach a doorway to an unoccupied office and Amanda gestures inside.
(Amanda) I hope this suits you. You’ll have privacy for any business you need to conduct between segments this morning
(Bette) Thank you, everything looks fine
(Amanda) Fran actually has a scheduling conflict this morning, so I’m afraid she won’t be interviewing you, though I’ll pass on your warm comments
(Bette) Thank you. So who can I expect?
(Amanda) Well we’re a bit excited actually
She smiles proudly.
(Amanda) Tina Kennard
Bette stops and stares at her with a look of intensity, and Amanda frowns at her.
(Amanda) That’s funny, that’s the same look…
At that moment a voice down the hallway calls her in urgency, and she smiles an apology and makes her way out of the office.
Bette still hasn’t moved.
A little while later, Bette takes a deep breath and walks down the hallway towards the open doorway of the office Tina is occupying, and lightly knocks on the frame. Tina looks up and they stare at each other for a long moment.
(Bette) So why is the political editor of the New York Times filling in on morning radio? In Washington DC no less
Tina continues staring at her while hovering over the desk holding various pieces of paper.
(Tina) Fran’s a friend, I fill in for her if it’s needed and I’m in town. For fun really
(Bette) Ah. You always did have a wacky idea of fun
Tina frowns at her.
(Tina) Come in and close the door
Bette does as she says.
(Tina) Look it goes without saying that I wouldn’t have taken her up on this if I knew it was you I’d be interviewing
(Bette) And I would have found a reason to decline Senator Kielson’s request to replace him
(Tina sighs) But here we are
(Bette smiles faintly) Here we are
Tina narrows her eyes at her.
(Bette) You think this isn’t hard for me too?
(Tina) Well do you have to look so fucking smug about it?
(Bette) I’m pretty sure that’s just my face
Tina smiles despite herself.
(Tina) Stop it
Bette smiles back at her for a moment.
(Bette) Look I know this caught us both off guard, but we were bound to cross paths at some stage. I half expected for you to have to interview me at some point
Tina narrows her eyes again.
(Tina) I’m not worried about the interview Bette, I can handle a political interview with anyone
(Bette) I know that, so what then?
(Tina) We do the formal political interview in the first hour, then people will call with questions, and then you come back for the last hour of the show for a more casual chat
(Bette frowns) Well what the fuck does that mean?
(Tina sighs) It’s called Conversations , we talk about anything but politics really, and the audience gets to know a different side of you
(Bette) Well what do you want to talk about?
(Tina) I don’t know Bette! The weather? Our first date? Our fucking break up?!
Bette holds up her hands and raises her eyebrows, while Tina holds her hand over her eyes for a moment.
(Tina, speaking more calmly) It’ll be you and me for the first 20 minutes, and then we’re joined by another guest for the next 20, then another. You stay for the hour
(Bette) OK. So who are the guests?
Tina hands her a sheet of paper.
(Bette) Never heard of them
(Tina sighs) They’re both musicians, one classical and the other a bit of a rising pop star. Senator Kielson would have been sent all this information, he didn’t clue you in?
(Bette) To be fair I’m not sure Senator Kielson knows what music is
Tina smiles.
(Tina) Well I have notes for their interviews, you can sit and read with me
(Bette) Thanks
Tina takes two folders off the desk and hands one to Bette. They both take a seat on opposite sides of the desk and read, glancing at each other once in a while. They finish and swap files and continue, before placing them back on the desk.
(Bette) Well I don’t know how you’re going to get 40 minutes out of those two
(Tina) Well you’ll be there to help me
(Bette smiles) And obviously there’s no file on me
(Tina) Well no, but I have four years of notes on you I guess
(Bette) Ha!
Bette shakes her index finger.
(Bette) Can’t use any of that
They both smile.
(Bette) I better let you do whatever you need to do to prepare for the rest of the show
(Tina) OK
Bette gets up and walks to the office door, giving Tina a glance over her shoulder on her way out, while Tina busies herself at the desk and avoids looking in her direction.
They get through the interview relatively unscathed, both relying on their professionalism and switching off their mutual awkwardness. What results is a charming interview with casual banter and a whole lot of chemistry. They are both shocked to find that it feels just like how it used to, all those years ago.
Tina’s office. Bette returns to her position by the door and knocks softly on the frame. They again stare at each other, this time both faintly smiling.
(Bette) Can I come in?
Tina nods and Bette enters and closes the door behind her.
(Bette) How long are you in town?
(Tina) All week. I wanted to be here for the opening of the new Congress
(Bette) Still not much for delegating huh?
(Tina) I prefer to look at it as liking to stay involved on the ground, but yes, you’re probably right
(Bette) Well I’m obviously also here for the week
Tina looks at her.
(Bette) Have dinner with me tonight
(Tina) Bette
(Bette) It’s just dinner with an old friend
(Tina scoffs) When were we ever friends?
(Bette) Dinner with a new friend? An old lover? Whichever you like
Tina looks out the window, thinking and biting her lip. Bette smiles at the image.
(Tina) Why not
(Bette) Well I can probably think of…
(Tina) Seriously? You’ve got the date. Try to make it out of here without annoying me or I’ll change my mind
Bette smiles and leaves, the smile remaining on her face as she strolls down the hallway.
Later that evening, Tina arrives at a casual and busy restaurant and walks over to Bette sitting in a booth. They greet each other a little awkwardly, but soon relax as their easy style of conversing takes over again. They both stick to simple and uncomplicated subjects, and find they have no shortage of topics to cover.
They finish their meals and their drinks, and leave the restaurant together. Bette’s hotel is a couple of blocks past Tina’s, so they walk together. They stroll along the street side by side, casually discussing the events of the week, the election, the political players they’ll both be meeting during the week.
(Bette) So are you on the breakfast spot for the week?
(Tina) Oh, no. A once off is enough for me
(Bette) But you enjoy it?
(Tina) I do. In my position I don’t have a whole lot to do with the public, or face to face interviews. It’s a nice way of keeping that up without encroaching on my staff
As they approach their destination they fall into silence for a few paces. Bette glances over at Tina.
(Bette) If I can be blunt, I didn’t expect this to feel like this
(Tina sighs) Like what?
(Bette) Like no time has passed
(Tina) Bette 10 years have passed
Bette takes a moment and studies Tina’s profile while they walk. She feels overcome with all the many things that she wants to say to her, and a rising anxiety that this might be her only real opportunity to do so. This leads her to speak her mind much more bluntly than she planned.
(Bette) I should never have left
Tina seemingly takes the admission in her stride, and sighs.
(Tina) Well, you did
They come to a stop outside Tina’s hotel and turn to face one another.
(Tina) And we’re here. I guess that’s goodnight Bette
(Bette) Can I see you again this week?
Tina looks at her.
(Tina) You must be extremely busy
(Bette) I can be free any evening you like
Tina takes a moment and stares off into the distance, before focusing back on Bette.
(Tina) Bette I think tonight might be about enough for me, for now
(Bette) OK. Can I read into the ’for now’?
(Tina) Well I know that you will
They look at one another for a moment.
(Tina) I’m open to seeing you again at some stage but can you leave it up to me? I’ll contact you?
(Bette) No problem
(Tina) I don’t think it will be soon, I don’t want to mislead you
(Bette) I understand
(Tina) Goodnight Bette
Tina turns and walks into her hotel.