Dueling for Love
by Rita Widmer
Disclaimer: All characters belong to the people of WENN. This is my story, though.
Gertie Reece was sitting at her desk when Scott Sherwood came in. She noticed he wasn't looking like his usual self. Actually, she'd noticed it for the last couple of days.
Scott walked on by with only a wave for a greeting. He had seen Betty and Victor kissing on Thursday and gave up all hope of winning her love.
At that moment, Maple swung up to Scott with a worried look on her face. "Scott, what’s wrong? You haven’t been yourself for the last few days."
"Nothing. If I was in my right mind, I wouldn’t have seen it coming," said Scott.
"What do you mean?" asked Maple.
"I’m in love with a girl who loves the greatest man on Earth, and he loves her back." Scott walked off, not waiting for an answer.
"He’s in love with Betty!" exclaimed Gertie.
"I know, and I know what to do about it. What’s worse is that I'm falling for Victor. He is the first guy that ever treated me like a lady," said Maple.
"That’s it. You have to win Victor’s heart away from Betty. I know it’s cruel, but it will make everything better in the long run!"
"I know, but I don’t think I can do it."
"Of course, you can."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"What’s wrong with Scott lately?" asked Betty, walking into the Green Room.
"Nothing a new heart wouldn't fix," said Hilary Booth.
"He’s still in love with me, isn’t he?" asked Betty. She looked down at the ring on her finger. Victor had given it to her as an engagement present that morning. Everyone else had noticed it now. Betty just felt like crying, and she did. She always thought that when she became engaged it would be a happy time for her and her friends.
"What do you expect me to do? I’m not in love with Scott. I’ve always cared for Victor, and he loves me," argued Betty.
"You need to talk to Scott and tell him how you feel," said Maple.
"I know, but no matter what I say, it won’t make a difference," argued Betty.
"At least he’ll know how you feel and put it gently," said Jeff Singer.
"I will, I will," said Betty, walking out.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Scott, can I talk to you alone for a minute?" asked Betty. Scott’s face brightened for a second. Then he saw the ring on Betty’s finger.
"You don’t have to explain anything," said Scott.
"But I want to," said Betty. "Let's go into the Writer’s Room, where we can talk privately."
They walked in. Betty shut the door and locked it. "I remember the first time I did this, when Victor came back to tell me he was alive," said Betty, breaking the silence.
"This seems to be a room of secrets. Mine, ours, Victor’s, and yours. Did you kiss him in this room also?" asked Scott. He was thinking of the conversation they had when he was fired and how they had kissed. That whole scene had changed his life. After that, he knew he was in love with Betty Roberts.
"No, that happened by the storage closet, just before you found me standing there."
"He came back the night Holstrom was arrested?"
"Yes, he did, but that's not why I wanted to talk to you. Scott, I’m getting married to Victor because I’ve always cared for him."
"But do you love him?"
"That's not the point. You once told me that you love me, and everyone thinks you still do."
"I do love you, Betty, and I always will. I also feel sorry for Maple. She has fallen for Victor. Something just doesn’t seem right about all of this."
"I wish I could say I love you, Scott, but I just don’t know. All I know is I know I care about you and Victor and now I’m getting married to Victor."
"You can always change your mind." Scott bent over and kissed her fully on the lips. To his amazement, she didn’t fight. She just kissed him back.
"This has to stop," said Betty when they broke apart and he came back for more. "I can’t do this to Victor. We’re getting married and probably the sooner, the better."
"Once more, and I will leave this room a happy man, and everyone will think we worked things out. Deal?"
"Deal!"
"Scott leaned over, kissed her one last time, and left the room.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maple and Victor were sitting at a booth in the Buttery. They had ran into each other there and decided to eat together. Actually, for the last couple of weeks they'd eaten together, and they were starting to really enjoy each other's company.
"This has been fun, hasn’t it?" asked Maple.
"Yes, it has, but tomorrow Betty and I are getting married," said Victor. He leaned over and kissed Maple. To his surprise, he liked it.
"We'd better get back. I’ve got a show to do," said Maple, and they headed back, not saying a word.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott walked into the Green Room, and saw Maple there, crying.
"Mapes, what’s wrong?" asked Scott, worried about his friend.
"Same problem you're having, except with Victor," said Maple. "How about going out for a couple of drinks?" asked Scott.
"I would love too. I just hope I can drown my sorrows. I wish I could stop that wedding tomorrow."