(extract)
SCENE 1
INDOOR SWIMMING POOL AMBIENCE. CLOSE ON A BODY SLOWLY PUSHING THROUGH THE WATER
LOCKIE: (V.O.) I’m in the swimming pool again. I walk the length until the water reaches my upper lip, then, I stop and turn about. Then, back I go. Then, turn again. I wade ahead, one-third speed. Like a funeral march. Swimmers make way. I do this every day now, I think. Don’t know how long I’ve been at it – all morning, maybe. It calms me. For a time, at any rate. Don’t know how long.
(V.O.) Maybe this time I won’t stop. I’ll keep walking.
Keep wading. Let the water over me. Let it into me…
HE SINGS TENTATIVELY – The Umbrella Man
(V.O.) Oh – look, I’m turning early. I’ll get out now. Yes.
Ah, there she is – my wife, Bel, watching over me. She’ll
know how long I’ve been in the water. She must have got me here.
BEL(calling): Lockie…
WADING STOPS
LOCKIE: I see you.
BEL: I’ll meet you on the other side.
LOCKIE: What?
BEL: I’ll be outside the changing room.
LOCKIE: I need to put the bins out.
BEL: We can do that.
LOCKIE: Rotten, they are.
BEL: Come out and dry yourself. I’ll get us home.
LOCKIE: I’m all right.
BEL: I know you are.
LOCKIE: Bel, where’s my umbrella?
BEL: I don’t know. It isn’t wet. We don’t need it.
LOCKIE: I need it.
WADING RESUMES. HE SINGS AGAIN.
FADE WITH FAINT ECHO
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