Joanne held her cellular phone up to her ear and played back her messages, smiling at the sound of the familiar voice that could only be her father's.

"Well, Joanne we're off. I tried you at the office and they said you're stage managing or something."

"Remind her that those unwed mothers in Harlem need her legal help too." Mrs. Jefferson yelled in the background.

"Call Daisy for our itinerary, or Alfred at Pound Ridge, or Eileen at the state department in a pinch. We'll be at the spa for New Year's, unless the senator changes his mind."

"The hearings!"

"Oh yes Kitten! Mummy's confirmation hearing begins on the tenth. We'll need you alone by the sixth."

"Harold!"

"You hear that? It's three weeks away and she's already nervous."

"I am not!"

"For Mummy's sake Kitten," Mr. Jefferson continued "no Doc Martens this time and wear a dress."

"And a bra!" Mrs. Jefferson added.

Joanne let out a small laugh. It was just like her parents to call and leave such an interesting message. Growing up she could recall seeing very little of her parents. They were always working on some big case or jet setting off to some tropical paradise. She spent most of her childhood with nannies and babysitters. But she wasn't bitter, in fact she was the complete opposite. She always understood that her parents had to work so that she could grow up in the comfortable upbringing that she did. Now that she was older her relationship with her mother and father had only improved. Even after she broke the news that she was a lesbian they supported and respected more then ever. She slipped the phone back into the pocket of her leather coat and returned to reexamining the cable connections for the umpteenth time

"Line in…No it's line out…I went to Harvard for this?" Joanne asked herself not noticing an approaching Matt and his camera. Matt adjusted the focus on himself as he narrated his downfall.

"And so into the abyss, or as I like to refer to it as Matt's nose dive into misery. Will he make it out alive."

"Matt?!"

"Hi."

"I told her not to call you."

"That's Amy, but can I help since I'm here?"

"No need, I've already call someone to fix the problem."

"Um…Okay…Then I guess I'll see ya later." Matt said as he turned to leave.

"Wait!" Joanne called out "he's three hours late. Please I really need your help."

"Alright, what's wrong?"

"The sample won't delay but I don't know what up with the cable."

"Say something into the microphone." Matt said as he messed around with the wires.

"Test…test…one, two, three."

"Say anything but that." He joked but Joanne didn't laugh. This had been the most time the two have ever spent in each others company and needless to say it was rather uncomfortable.

"This is weird." Joanne whispered.

"Very weird."

"I'm so annoyed I can't stand it. I've been fighting with microphones all day while freezing my black ass off and now on top of everything I'm with you."

"Well the feeling is mutual darling. You're experiencing the dizzy merry-go-round that I like to refer to as the Tango Amy."

"The what?"

"The Tango Amy. The little boogie that our lovely Ms. Dumas keeps you dangling on, all the while playing with the strings of your heart. And no matter how crazy she makes you, or how infuriated up you become, you always go running back for more."

"But it's different with me."

"Sure it is. Tell me, has she ever pouted her lips and called you 'pookie'?"

"Never" Joanne answered knowing full well that it was a lie.

"Have you ever doubted her kisses, or watch her flirt with everyone else?"

"I think I'm going to be sick."

"She cheated on you, didn't she?"

"More then once. And the saddest part is, no matter how many times she hurts me I always welcome her back with open arms."

"I know, and she always has the same line 'it didn't mean anything' 'I love you' 'it was just sex' so you play dumb until it happens again. It's almost like the shitty she treats you the more you want her. Hey try the mike now."

Joanne walked over to the microphone and took a deep breath before shouting out Amy's name. The sound of her voice echoed through the speakers and through out the lot.

"Great! We're patched!"

"Thanks a lot Matt I really appreciate it."

"No problem. Besides I feel great now."

"I feel lousy."

Joanne said goodbye to Matt and returned to the equipment but before she could do anything else her cell phone rang.

"Hello? Oh hi honey…no everything's fine now… yeah I'll see ya soon…what? Did you just call me pookie?!"