Scene 5.23 - A Proposal
EST: INT. Temple - Late Morning.
(CARMELLA appears without her halo, dressed plainly, and appears quite mortal. Like found in Greek literature, where deities frequently visit under the guise of being mortal, the women never seem to make the obvious connection that the oracle and THE GODDESS are the same entity. Especially considering CARMELLA and THE GODDESS both look identical to one another and speak with exactly the same voice with exactly the same slang and inflection. There isn’t a lick of difference between them except THE GODDESS is radiantly divine and CARMELLA is intellectually indifferent and certainly more street-wise among the immortal humans. Miley Cyrus and Hanna Montana doesn't even come close to the flimsiness of the distinction between THE GODDESS and CARMELLA. These mortal friends of hers accept HER as the person SHE presents herself to be, blindly and without question. The Creamy And Divinely Beautiful Goddess has wisps of mist flowing from HER dew-covered skin, HER platinum hair has been intricately-beaded to make a picture of a vaginal-looking flower when viewed from behind.)
MARY
Carmella, are you here?
(MARY takes off sunglasses that have been glued to HER head in nearly every scene. Sets them down in one of the Goddess’ basins where they remain until we see them on HER head again in a later scene.)
CARMELLA
What is it that you want, Mary Jane? I am but a peasant in your society, my wisdom alone cannot keep the Empress from exercising her will. She is not bound by the same vows that we are bound to, being one of noble birth.
MARY
What do you think the Goddess wants me to do?
CARMELLA
Nothing rash, I assure you. The Goddess is quite busy this morning, keeping the world turning on its axis. She knows that you have chosen to celebrate this evening and who knows? She may even make a personal appearance.
MARY
I don’t understand, have we angered her? Should we ready for battle with the DEA? Is there something I haven’t foreseen? Have they truly broken through Painter’s Pass?
CARMELLA
(Amused at MARY’S doubt in herself.) To the contrary. All is safe on the horizon. The Goddess has great plans for you, and your friends.
MARY
I have been granted a royal decree.
CARMELLA
I know.
MARY
(Testing:) Perhaps I should use it to make Bud Green my first pairing. The Empress cannot interfere with her own decree. She’d have to honor it. (Pause.) Is that what happens?
CARMELLA
If you are testing me to see what you should do, as I have told you many times before, I see glimpses of the Goddess’ will, not the entire picture. As with any new knowledge, let it develop, all in time, do not force a river to change its course, (She touches her shoulder.) coax the water to embrace your shores. In time, all you choose to do will be all that you are. If you are looking for a specific glimpse into the future, and if you cannot rely on what is presently known, choose to be patient as nature is, and do nothing. Prudence is the paramount of wisdom. Now sleep. (Sees MARY is unaffected by HER soft touch, already being affected by an infatuation with men, and CARMELLA decides to address the issue head-on.) My friend, perhaps you should wait until the moment arrives when there is no doubt in your mind of what to do.
MARY
There is always doubt in my mind, the Goddess knows this.
CARMELLA
This Bud Green, he is unique. Uncommon, indeed. Why is he so special to you?
MARY
He is unlike any man I’ve ever known. I feel like a complete person when I am with him and I feel empty when he’s not with me. Is that normal?
CARMELLA
I would hate to see what was truly normal in this world. (Pause.) Since you have chosen this man for your pairing, and, you, the Empress and I all know it’s completely irrelevant who he chooses for the pairings, why not compromise and allow the Empress her victory in this battle, and save your energy to win the war of attrition?
MARY
Wise one, what do you mean?
CARMELLA
Pairings come and go, a man’s first love is never as important as a woman’s and he forgets who he’s paired with as easily as he’s forgotten yesterday’s breakfast. A man gets three days of pairings, and then four days of rest and solitude and gets to live in irresponsible perfection. That’s the way it is. (Pause, turns back to MARY.) That is, unless he’s married.
MARY
Married? Marriage was banned by the Empress when the men took our children and ran off to the Northern Shores. We are forbidden to take claim over our men. Such emancipation was granted to men by the Empress herself. The compromise was to free all from the shackles of marriage. After all, it isn’t as if they were property, right?
CARMELLA
One woman’s park is another woman’s playground.
MARY
Also, I’m the only High Priestess, I’m the true Vestal Virgin! Marriage has been banned from the clergy since the First Century Of Our Goddess! (1 O.G.) I can’t get married!
CARMELLA
Don’t mix the Goddess up in this, you know as well as I do that the Goddess is no virgin!
MARY
I am forbidden to wed a man!
(CARMELLA gently clasps MARY’S triceps, with HER thumbs on MARY’S biceps. MARY’S stacked where it counts.)
CARMELLA
Mary Jane! You’re so excited! Don’t confuse your mind. The logic is crystal clear. Surely, an Empress’ decree is more binding than some new, hastily-enacted ban against customs that are as old as the Goddess herself!
(MARY suddenly rolls eyes upward in fear, not sure if putting ‘old’ and ‘Goddess’ in the same sentence was a very wise thing for even an oracle to do. Especially in the Imperial Temple Of The Virgin. Nothing happens. Pause. Looks at CARMELLA. Agrees.)
MARY
Why yes, it has only been this way for three-thousand years! It could just as easily be reversed! A white wedding would sure rattle all those harlots in the palace who call themselves virgins, I’ll tell you that! Will you tell me more? Please? Will it be a big wedding? Is my gown pretty? Are you my bridesmaid?
CARMELLA
I refuse to look into the future again until you compensate me. To pay my price, you must take a nap with me at noon each day for thirty-three afternoons. There, we shall share our daydreams, and all I know will be revealed to you, in time.
MARY
Oh, most certainly! I’m too excited to sleep, but I can hardly wait to dream!
(Leads MARY to a secret chamber behind the statue.)
CARMELLA
Oh Mary, Mary, quite contrary, you look exhausted, you must have only had an hour’s sleep since I saw you last night. Come to my enclave, I house sweet scents and old spirits that make for a charming, relaxing afternoon, and you may learn of me as well, and well, if you enjoy my company, you may wish to come back, perhaps even after thirty-three days have passed. I have much wisdom and many secrets to show you.
MARY
You are my most-trusted friend, Carmella.
CARMELLA
(Petting MARY’S cape lightly.) And you, dear Mary Jane, are one of a kind.
FTB