廊桥遗梦 第三章 英2

孙祎卓

LAWYERNo.

　　Betty prattles on as she examines each item, much to thelawyer's dismay, hiding her resentment and hurt.

　　BETTYI didn't expect so. She never likedme. It's okay. I always knew. Thoughtwe married too young. Nobody brokehis arm -- that's what I said but youknow mothers and their sons. Also,she never liked the fact of us movingto Florida although what's where theopportunities were. Couldn't denythat. Suppose we should have visitedmore but you know she hardly evermade an effort to come to Tampa. Noteven to see her grandchildren. Shewas a cold woman. They say Italiansare hot-blooded but not her. She wascool as ice.

　　(picks up acandlestick)She leaves these to anyone?

　　Michael and Carolyn re-enter the living room. Michael'sexpression now matches Carolyn in disbelief.

　　BETTY (cont'd)What's going on?

　　MICHAELUm... we were just wondering how itmight be better if me and Carolynwent over the stuff by ourselves. Notkeep you two waiting around. I'llcontact your office about the legalwork.

　　Grateful, the lawyer packs up to leave.

　　BETTYI don't mind waiting.

　　MICHAELWell, there's a lot of boring stuff todo. Lists of people we have to writeto. Find mama's relatives addressesin Italy -- stuff like that.

　　BETTYWell, I can help.

　　MICHAELI said NO!

　　That came out a bit aggressively. Betty is hurt.

　　MICHAEL (cont'd)Why don't you go to your mothers. Orback to the hotel. Sit in some airconditioning. Take a bath.

　　BETTY(near tears)I do not need instructions from youto bathe!

　　(gets her bag)I knew you'd do this! I knew I'd comeall the way here and be shut out asusual! I came to be here for you! Ididn't have to come!

　　(genuinely hurt)Lord knows I was never much welcomein this house before. Apparently deador alive, nothing's changed.

　　CAROLYNAw, Betty.

　　Carolyn feels badly for her. An impatient Michael refusessympathy. Embarrassed, Betty starts to exit then stops atthe mantle.

　　BETTYCarolyn -- you want thesecandlesticks?

　　CAROLYNNo. You can have them.

　　Betty grabs them both and exits. Carolyn looks at himdisapprovingly. Michael takes the letter from her hand.

　　MICHAELNow what's this about?

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