Scene 38 - Carol by the Pool

Carol's Soliloquy - Carol is seated in a reclining chair by the outdoor pool at the hotel. It is sunny, serene. First shot of scene, Carol's first sentence, is of the sun, from behind very dark filter. Next we see the sun's reflection in the water of the pool. Finally, we see the sun's reflection in Carol's sunglasses. Gradually, as we hear more of Carol's voice, there is a slow pull back from Carol's face to reveal Carol sitting by the large pool of water. Carol speaks in a sedate, relaxed, musing fashion, to herself. There is a slight echo. Carol's voice is a voiceover, representing what she is thinking. In the background can be heard the subtle sound of the ticking of a stopwatch, and the sounds of children playing in the pool.

Carol: I know just what I'm thinking. Funny of me to say that. (Pause) This is my vacation. This is my time. I'm lying in a chair by a pool. I'm lying in a chair, by a pool at a hotel in which I am a registered guest. I'm lying in a chair by a pool in the state of New Mexico. That's pretty wild. Twenty four hours ago I was still in California. California. What does tha mean, anyway? Cali - Hot? Fornia... Hot sex? (Laughs) Wonder what the pilgrims would have done had they ever been taken on a plane ride. Probably would have freaked them out. They would have gone insane, or died of fright, traveling in an hour a distance that would normally take several months and months. (Pause) I think I'm a little drunk. (Pause) I have a room upstairs. And in it I have possessions. I have access to the bathroom. Just like that. You can say it's my bathroom. I have a bed in there. I had sex this morning. Last night, too. Whoo. I wasn't even here yesterday and now I'm just lounging by the pool, having sex and everything. What a life. Someone else may be up in my room right now, but just the maid, and only to clean. I can do what I want in there. I'm an adult. I've got money, credit cards, you name it. I want to get married. He's good with children. Whoa. Do I feel that way? (Pause) This is insane. (Pause) No it's not. My feelings are just as important as anyone else's... The sun is so warm, so bright. Maybe it's this altitude. What was that again? 7500 feet. I'm pretty high up there, alright... Santa Fe. I have to have faith in myself. I know what I want. And no matter what I tell myself, I'm going to go for it. I have a job, and pay all my bills. Who says I can't do what I want to do? Why should I be the old lady? The one that doesn't get the roses, the flowers? This is my life. I'll do what I want. (Sigh) It's so hard being and adult all the time. And I'm tired of living alone. (Stretch) Mmmmmm. (Then, in a singsong voice) Sun's going...