BETTE-  "You're making what?"

LILY-  "Turkish coffee, also known as Greek coffee.  I sometimes reconcile the two names, particularly when I'm with friends of both persuasions, by referring to it as 'Byzantine coffee.'"

BETTE-  "What the hec is it?"

LILY-  "It's a rather robust brew, with some froth at the top, and this sludge that rests on the bottom of the cup."

BETTE-  "Eeewwwww"

LILY-  "No no, it's really quite good.  And if you drink it, I can tell your fortune."

BETTE-  (Looks at her in almost bewilderment)  "OkayI must be hallucinating or having a really weird dreamdid you slip me some of those hallucinogens?"

LILY-  "No, they're too expensive to be sharing doses with people I barely know.  Besides, my supplier is away with the ballet in Strasbourg for two months."  (Bette shakes her head and laughs.)  "Come hither, I shall make the most interesting cup of coffee for you that you've ever had.  You like it sweet, no sugar, or somewhere in the middle?"

BETTE-  "I'm not drinking sludge"

LILY-  "No silly, you don't drink it, it sits at the bottom.  Just relax, it's a dense collection of the remaining coffee grinds."  (Bette makes a wincing face.)  "Just thinkif you live here in my abode, you can have all these new cultural experiences!"  (Bette drops her head back onto her pillow and grabs her head, shaking it.)  "Oh come now.  Think of the adventure." (Bette continues to shake her head and moan.)  "ElizabethElizabethElizabeth"

BETTE-  "Ok, stop calling me thatplease"  (She raises her upper body off the couch, holding it up with her elbows and smiles at Lily.)

LILY-  "Fine Ms. Porter.  Now, I'm off to the kitchen to commence our culinary delight for this morning." 

BETTE-  "Sweet."

LILY-  "Yes, it'll be superb."

BETTE-  "Nooooooothe coffeeI'll try it sweetened."

LILY-  "Ah!  As the lady wishes.  And don't worry, I learned from the best.  Our housekeeper when we were living in the Mediterranean taught me everything I know.  Later, I'll show you my Turkish pipe.  It's good for relaxingfor, you knowwhen a cigarette just ain't enough!"  (Bette's eyes open wider as Lily goes off into the kitchen.  Bette sits up and shakes her head some more.  She looks around.  She scratches her head.  'I've died and gone to Brooklynin a crazy woman's housepaying for my sins finally," she thinks to herself.

Lily prepares breakfast as Bette freshens up.  Lily had left her a casual change of clothes- their dimensions were somewhat similar.  Bette enters the kitchen area.)

BETTE-  "You have a beautiful home."

LILY-  "Thanks.  So, would you like to live here?"

BETTE-  (Sarcastically)  "Shouldn't we get to know one another first?"

LILY-  (Retorts comfortably)  "Well, it's not like we'll be monogamous or anythingI don't believe in that sort of lifestyle"

BETTE-  (She tilts her head, suddenly feeling the need to take the conversation to a slightly more serious level)  "Are you being serious?"

LILY-  (Noticing the change in tone)  "I'm never sure, but we can have a real conversation about it if you likeHmmmmonogamyis there such a thing?"

BETTE-  "Is that your idea of a real conversation?"

LILY-  (She smiles)  "You know I'm quite capable of falling in lovedon't let the maestro façade fool you."

BETTE-  "I wasn't fooled, maestro."

LILY-  (Takes her the coffee)  "Now, this is really a unique brew.  It's hot, so easy does it."  (Bette pulls it in front of her and waits before tasting.)

BETTE-  "So, you didn't answer my question last nightare you in love now?"

LILY-  "Like I said, you're not my type"

BETTE- "Oh stopyou know what I mean."

LILY-  "Nope, not right now.  I was though.  That cellist is really having quite an effect, but she's a bit of a prima donnacan't handle those types."

BETTE-  "Is she straight?"

LILY-  "Yes, that too."  (Bette chuckles.  Lily takes a seat across the tableit's a kitchen island type of counter.)  "Right now I'min transition.  I feel as though it's in the offing.  I can feel the anticipatory qualitythe electrical surge just waiting to be turned on...that nasty woman didn't totally destroy my heartshe just tore it apart."

BETTE-  "When did you break up?"

LILY-  "Last year.  She was a violinist."

BETTE-  "You have a thing for the string section?"

LILY-  (She smiles)  "Apparentlyit's myhow shall I put thisproclivity"  (Bette smiles.)  "And you, my beautiful maiden, you didn't tell me either last nightwho haunts the recesses of your heart?"  (Lily looks at Bette and then quickly interrupts herself, reverting to a serious tone, realizing she probably shouldn't have gone thereand remembering why she didn't ask her last night, though she was very curious about it.)  "You don't have to answer thatI shouldn't be prying.  Sorry."

BETTE-  "Sounds like you already have some idea."

LILY-  "Well, I knew your biography from what has been in some media about you, with the CAC and all."  (Changing the subject)  "Welltaste it already!"

BETTE-  "You said it was hot."

LILY-  "It is, but don't let it get coldyou'll ruin the experience."  (Bette takes a sip and savors it in her mouth for a bit.)

BETTE-  "Very interesting.  Good, very good.  Different."  (She puts the cup down.)  "So, how will you tell my fortune?"

LILY-  "After you finish it, I'll show you."

BETTE-  "Uh ohdid you spike it with something?"

LILY-  "No, but that reminds mewould you like some anicette to sweeten it?"

BETTE-  "No no, it's fine.  Anicet?  Don't they use that for espresso?"

LILY-  "Mhmworks here too I think."

BETTE-  (She looks down and then after a few moments of silence looks up at Lily.)  "I'm separateddivorced I guess you'd say."

LILY-  "I'm sorry.  I was hoping it was just a temporary thing.