sigh, I am a bad friend :(

...and bring a fourth along to work the camera. 

...AND, of course, post the pictures on CoJ. Video would be even better.

That's hot.

Nah you're only a bad friend if you drop friend number 1 because you aren't willing to address the issue of acquaintence #2.  I agree with some of the others here about just telling friend 1 about your feelings.  If friend one really doesn't want to hang with you why would she bother going through the effort of initiating these meetings.

I've had to be pretty blunt with some people about stuff like this and it has worked out both ways.  On the one hand I have had people say that they would rather let the relationship drop and other times it has gone on to be a good stable friendship.  In either case I have closure so it's all good.

Oh and if you decide to go the other route I'll still watch the video 8)

A number of people have recommended the direct approach.  This is hard and lots of times not necessary.   I try to direct the conversation with questions and then give positve reinforcment when the conversation heads in a more better direction.  For example, at any pause in then confab, I would ask Friend #1 about something that is her favorite topic.  Keep giving positive indications to the speaker that you are interested and just keep quiet when Friend #2 heads in the negative direction.  Being quiet, leaving that awkward pause when someone says something that you would just as soon not hear, really can change behavior subtly.  I admit that this method doesn't always work completely but it does always help.  Listening is a skill and requires an active participation to get to hear what you want to hear.

We have to interact with all kinds of people, both easy and hard to deal with.  I am just suggesting that we have some control over it.  TW

When you leave it up to friend #1 to make the arrangements, you've left them in charge and they may feel obligated to friend #2. 

Invite friend #1 out instead, and (hopefully) she'll realize it isn't her place to extend the invite to friend #2.  You may want to let friend #2 know that her behavior is tedious, but otherwise, I wouldn't put friend #1 between you and friend #2 (that's just a recipe for disaster). 

Tell #1 you want to just spend time with her! Tell her you've missed her and you want to catch up. Tell her you don't think you will be able to do your visit justice if #2 comes along... And then say....

"I'm not that crazy about #2 anyway... I think it would be more fun if it were just me and you...so where do you want to meet?"

And if she says she MUST bring #2 along... tell her you don't want to go.

I agree with Chi. You are not a bad friend for not wanting to spend time with #1 in conjunction with #2... you are a bad friend for not being HONEST about it. Some people just drain us... physically, emotionally... whatever.

Surround yourself with people you like to be around. Do not waste time with people who do not add value to your life, or who bring you down, or who are negative, whiny, stupid or careless with your feelings.

So says Whizzzzzzzzzzz.

Ding Ding Ding! We have a winner!

You don't have to choose between one extreme (silently stewing) or the other (hostile confrontation). There's plenty of middle ground there. 

Bear in mind that if you confess to #1 your negative feelings regarding #2, friend #1 may feel like you are dragging her into your issues. Best to leave her out of it. If you want to see just her, then make it happen. Easy peasy.