Pause. CARTER is good and drunk by now, disoriented. He looks around the room, then stares at the window. He crosses to one of the windows and stares out.

CECILIA: Is something wrong?

CARTER opens the window, staring out.

CECILIA: Mr Carter, you’re starting to scare me. I’d be more than willing to call somebody for you. Is there anybody you would like to talk to?

CARTER (staring out open window): There’s still a smell about the place. You know? Alfalfa. Dirt. A distant, vague smell of cut alfalfa. I noticed that when we were walking from the car. Did you notice that?

CECILIA: No. I’m not sure what alfalfa smells like.

CARTER (stays at window): Amazing. Alfalfa. Smells just like the earth. Me and Vinnie used to buck three wire bales right down the road there where the thrifty is. Right past there. Used to watch a horse named “Swaps” trot down the fence line with his neck bowed and his tail cocked high. You remember Swaps?

CECILIA: No.

CARTER: Never heard of Swaps? One tough racehorse. In his day.

CECILIA: Are you all right?

CARTER (still at window): You’re on my side, aren’t you Cecilia? When we get right down to it? You’re not going to—betray me? Even though you might’ve kissed him. That’s—forgivable. That’s understandable. But you’re not—deceiving me now, are you? You’re not hiding something?

CECILIA: I’m from Missouri, Mr Carter. There’s nowhere to hide in Missouri.

CARTER: I could trust you—I mean if I asked you to do something for me, you wouldn’t double-cross me? You wouldn’t go to Vinnie—You’re not like the rest of them are you?

CECILIA: I’m not going to do anything illegal, if that’s what you mean.

CARTER: No. None of us are. Nothing like that. I’d never ask you to break the law. I’m not a criminal.

CECILIA: I think you should try to get some sleep and think things over. Maybe in the morning—

CARTER breaks away from window, back toward the bed and begins to wander again, drinking.

CARTER: It’s too late for that! It’s too late for sleeping and waking and sleeping and waking. I’ve been doing that all my life and it hasn’t helped.

CECILIA: I don’t really want to get involved. I mean, Vinnie and me were just friends—

CARTER: This is strictly on the up-and-up, Cecilia. Best way to be in this business. Gotta protect your reputation. People find out sooner or later anyway.

CECILIA: I don’t know anything about business or—

CARTER: I could get you box seats at the Derby, Cecilia. Free access to the Clubhouse. The Paddock. Mint juleps. The Inner Circle. You could meet the Governor!

CECILIA: The Derby?

CARTER: Yes. First class all the way. Deluxe. Understand? Wined and dined.

CECILIA: The Kentucky Derby?