CHAPTER TWO
Even at two o'clock the bar was already noisy and thronging with women. The lights had been dimmed for atmospheric effect Bette presumed and fluorescent lighting glowed off the walls. Bette felt miserable. This was not her sort of place at all; it was the type of bar Shane might wake up in, normally with a new shag wrapped around her alchohol doused body. Still she was here now and sat herself down on a stool at the bar. There was a laminated drinks menu propped against the bar till and Bette scanned down the list unseeingly.
"What can I get you hunny?" She was being addressed by a tall, dark haired bar maid. Bette watched her arms, mesmerised by the intricate tattoo that designs that swam up her forearms. She decided that this was a definitely a Shane place and made to leave the stool. The bar maid looked at her for a minute as if she was checking her out.
"Let me get you a vodka, lemon and lime, you like you need it."
Bette smiled in spite of herself. Her dazzling smile revealing brilliant white teeth.
"Here you go," and handed a glass to Bette "I made it a double, its Elle by the way."
She grinned back and walked off to serve another customer. Bette downed the drink in one setting the glass heavily back onto the table. She gazed down at the ring on her finger, the two interlinked hoops of white gold. That ring had held so many promises and so many hopes for the future. What had become of them now? She had been poised along a parapet, tip-toeing step by step along its edge clinging desperately to the belief that she wouldn't fall. But what now, Candace that unexpected whirlwind had pushed her...
She wasn't able to finish her day dream as Elle bought her back to the present.
"Did that help you?" she asked, her green eyes looking deep into Bette
"Not really." Bette replied miserably.
Elle smiled a charming smile. Hopping over the counter she sat on the stool next to Bette, wiping her wet hands down her jeans as she did so.
"It's true what they say alcohol isn't the answer. However I am a very scientific lady, so just for the sake of continuity let's give it one more go."
She poured another drink for Bette and one for herself and looked hard at her.
"Forgive me for saying this," Elle said "But you don't really seem the type to be here, you're a bit of a suit."
Bette smiled meekly "I'm avoiding someone so I can't go to my usual Café."
"Is that so, well part of me is grateful but another part of me is curious. What really causes you to be here?"
Bette shook her head, her big doleful eyes looking down at the bar.
Elle watched her for a minute then glanced down at Bette's hand. The skin surrounding her ring was red and swollen.
"You must really love her," Elle said quietly
Bette began to sob quietly, "Of course the problem was I never realised how much at the time."
Elle looked pitying at her "Try me, I am on my lunch break at the moment, I have time to spare."
Bette looked back at her and picked up her glass.
"Where do I begin…" She said
Bette stumbled back into the gallery. Her head was spinning and she desperately needed a glass of water. She saw Jimmy at the doorway looking white.
"Bette there you are I have been trying to get hold of you all afternoon. Where have you been? Leo has been on the warpath he wants to see you in his office right away."
Bette groaned. She had been expecting the worst but still. She swallowed the feeling of nausea that was waving up her throat.
"Thanks Jimmy, for everything I know how hard you're working trying to cover up for me." With that she made her way slowly down the labyrinth of corridors and knocked on Leo's door.
"Come in." The voice called out and Bette shakily opened the door handle.
"You wanted to see me?"
"Yes, yes here please have a seat." Leo motioned towards one of high backed leather chairs.
Bette sat down fighting to keep her composure. On Leo's desk sat a large jug of water which she gazed at longingly before drawing her attention back to him.
"Now Bette as you have probably realised you haven't been performing to your usural high standards recently."
Bette opened her mouth to speak but then shut it again and looked down.
"Now we are friends aren't we Bette. We have had our disagreements but also had our triumphs. Your success at Provocations proved beyond doubt that you are the curator to take us into 2005. We all want the California Art Gallery put on the map."
Bette thought she knew what was coming she started to fiddle anxiously with her ring. Leo continued,
"So I think that in light of your current erm… situation, it might be advisable to take a few weeks holiday."
Bette stared back at him, "Are you firing me?" she said in a quiet dry voice devoid of her usual exotic tones.
"Now nobody said anything about being fired. After all you're hard work getting Provocations ready a short break would be acceptable to anyone. However I feel that you more than anyone at this moment need a break."
Normally Bette would have agreed with him. She felt exhausted and the past few weeks had drained her of what remaining energy she had left. However after all the vodka this seemed like the final straw. She got to her feet shaking, an inexplicable anger rising in her throat.
"I can't believe you Leo. I should have guessed this was coming. Now Peggy Peabody has taken her exhibit back to New York your trying to give me the push again. Its just one excuse after another, I can see it in your face all the time that you never wanted me here. Anothe threat to your masulintiy, a powerful woman and to cap it a lesbian as well something no man is going to control through company, sexuality or otherwise. Well I will save you the bother. I quit!"
"Bette, don't be rash. Go home, now. I will call you tomorrow when you have calmed down."
Bette stood there shaking. She grasped the chair for support, tears preparing to roll down her face. Leo looked at her. She couldn't tell whether he was embarrassed, disgusted, angry or plain pitying. At that moment she didn't care, she was angry so very angry. Leo pressed the intercom button on his desk.
"Jimmy could you please come to my office and escort Ms Porter outside. Make sure that she calls a cab and doesn't drive."
He turned back to Bette.
"Your car keys please." He held out his hand.Bette didn't move.
"You have been drinking. Your car keys please." Bette stared at him then reached into her bag and flung the set of keys at him. If Leo had been about to say anything he didn't get a chance, for at that moment Jimmy arrived at the door. Without a word Bette turned and followed Jimmy out of the door and through the corridor to the gallery exit out into the city's mesmerising sunset.