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Setting: A late model white Honda Civic pulls off onto a narrow strip of US 64 overlooking the Ocoee River. There is a steep drop down to the river with boulders holding back erosion. The river bed is also filled with rocks with water flowing over them. Mountains are in the distance on both sides of the highway. It is a sunny day with blue sky and seemingly perfect weather. Two women inside the car are engrossed in conversation.
Characters:
Peggy Hagen: Lady with slightly graying hair who appears to be around 50. She wears a T-shirt and red shorts.
Vanessa Parker: A slightly younger woman with short wavy auburn hair. She wears an animal print shirt and tan shorts.
FADE IN:
Vanessa: Why did you pull off here? We are right on the main road. When you said you wanted to put your feet in the water, I thought you would, at least, want to go somewhere secluded. We’re not children. Don’t you think you’ll look pretty stupid sitting on a rock with your feet in the water where people passing by can see you.
Peggy: So what? There is no law against it. I don’t care who sees me. Come on. Don’t be a chicken. Let’s get out and go down that embankment to the water.
Vanessa: I’m not going down there. If I’d known this is where you were going, I wouldn’t have come. Besides, that water looks awfully shallow. I thought this was where people come for white water rafting. You go ahead. I’ll put the window down and sit here in the car and read. I brought a book and some magazines.
Peggy: I think they have to let the water in from the dam for the rafting. It is the perfect depth for letting it flow over my feet. Get out and come with me. We didn’t drive all this way for you to sit in the car. You can go at least part of the way down. It’s a beautiful day to be out enjoying nature. I see you brought your Nikon. You can take some pictures of those mountains over the river. You can also take a picture of me sitting on the rocks. I’ll even let you post it on Facebook.
Vanessa: Darn it, Peggy. Why do I let you talk me into doing stupid stuff like this? We could have found a place nearer home. It makes no sense to drive all the way over here so you can get your feet wet. You could have washed your feet at home in private. I had a lot I needed to be doing at home.
Peggy: Ah! Quit your belly aching. You know you enjoy our little adventures. Get out of the car. I’ll help you if you think you’ll fall on the rocks going down. Nobody is going to be paying any attention to us.
Vanessa: I don’t need your help. I’m younger than you are, you know. I'm only going half way down.
She gets her camera and reading material. She and Peggy exit the car and start making their way around large rocks leading down toward the water. Vanessa places her camera and magazines on a rock a few feet from the water. She sits down and watches as Peggy takes off her shoes and wades into the stream. Peggy sits on a large flat rock with her feet submerged.
Peggy: Oh Wow! This is what I wanted to do. This feels amazing. You don’t know what you’re missing.
Vanessa glances up from her magazine and sees that Peggy is off the rock and sitting in the water in her shorts. She picks up the camera and snaps a picture.
Vanessa: You dum-dum! You really don’t care what people think. They might assume we’ve escaped from a mental hospital, but it does look like you are having fun. I’m glad you thought to bring some towels. I might as well join you. You know your car seats are going to get soaked in spite of the towels.
Vanessa gets up and takes off her shoes and joins Peggy. The two splash around in the water, laughing like kids for a few minutes. The water seems to be flowing faster.
Vanessa: Wow! This water is a lot deeper than it was a minute ago. It’s really moving too. I think they are letting the water in upstream. Help me stand up. We need to get out of here quick, while we still can.
Peggy: Look! Your magazines and camera are getting wet. Hey! One of your shoes is going down stream. Try to grab it, while I get the other one and your camera.
Vanessa: Darn! I just missed it, and I almost slipped down. It is long gone, and that was my favorite pair. My camera is probably ruined, too.
The ladies start climbing out of the water and making their way back up to the highway. Both of them are soaking wet.
Peggy: I’m sorry. I had no idea that could happen. Are you angry with me?
Vanessa: No, I can’t blame you. It was predictable. Our adventures always follow Murphy’s law to a T. “Whatever can go wrong will.” Anyway, I always get material to write about for my writing club. I might actually be able to write a story I can sell to magazine, this time.
FADE OUT:
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