Regan goes to swim at the UCSD pool on Sundays. She often notices that there are older gentlemen there - like in their 60s and 70s - swimming, tanning, over-tanning, and just hanging. She's not sure if they are professors, or former students who enjoy donning Speedos and getting their kicks at the pool, just like the good ole' days. Or, perhaps they are community members who get a senior discount. Who knows. But, they are generally very congenial, and for some reason enjoy making conversation with young women like Regan who have no choice but to be their captive audience while riding the slow lift that carries paralyzed folk in and out of the pool.
The following was an exchange that took place yesterday with one of the old men:
(Regan rides the slow-ass lift as it carries her out of the pool after swimming)
OLD TAN SWIMMER MAN: (jokingly, as though he's funny) Wow, look at that! You're getting the special treatment there! Haha, it's like the Rolls Royce!
REGAN: (playing along, dutifully) Haha, yep, pretty great. It makes me feel pretty cool.
OLD TAN SWIMMER MAN: Haha, yeah, wow. I'm gonna start ridin' that. Get ME in and out of the pool, haha! (Pause, just staring, as Regan rides the slow-ass lift) So. Can you move your legs?
REGAN: Nope! I was paralyzed.
OLD TAN SWIMMER MAN: Ohhh. Hm. (Another pause, Regan still riding as Old Tan Swimmer Man watches) What was it, eh, ah, bike crash or some-mnh?
REGAN: No, actually a car accident.
OLD TAN SWIMMER MAN: Ohhhh, car accident. (Pause and watch some more.) Yah. You come here often?
REGAN: Yep, try to come every Sunday.
OLD TAN SWIMMER MAN: Wow, that's great. Huh, I wish I'd seen you swim!
(Pause, Regan finally arrives at the top of the lift, her legs dangling.)
OLD TAN SWIMMER MAN: (Grins big.) Well, uh, yer lookin' mighty hearty from the waist up!! Ha!
REGAN: Haha, yep, I guess so! (Really old man? Mighty hearty? Heavens.)
End.
And so it goes at the pool.
On a separate note, Regan auditioned for her first show at UCSD - The Threepenny Opera - and was called back for 3 roles. The competition is stiff - lots of talented people. But, we'll see what happens at callbacks tonight...check back in the next couple of days for an update! :-)
Goes to show : old tan swimmer men can be (sadly) quite stupid... Thank you, Regan, for making us laugh at old tan swimmer men's stupidity... The only alternative would be to cry... and that would be all too painful for all of us... Keep on swimming, sister mermaid! --Fred
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