廊桥遗梦 第六章 英1

孙祎卓

　INT. JOHNSON HOUSE - EVENING
It is a week later. Francesca is making dinner. A COUNTRYSTATION is tuned in on the radio.

　　FRANCESCA (V.O.)"The following week was the IllinosState Fair. The two of you were goingwith dad to exhibit Carolyn's prizesteer. It was the Sunday night youleft. I know it sounds awful but Icouldn't wait for you all to leave.

　　You were going to be gone untilFriday. Four days...

　　(beat)Just four days..."Francesca's expression looks as if she needs a break from herfamily for more like four years.

　　FRANCESCA (cont'd)Michael! Carolyn! Richard! Dinner!

　　She sets down a bowl of potatoes, a plate of sausages, coffeeand corn as one by one her family enters and sits down.

　　Michael enters through a screen door from the back, lettingthe DOOR SLAM SHUT.

　　FRANCESCAMichael, what did I tell you aboutthat door?

　　Richard enters after Michael, letting the door SLAM THE sameway. Francesca is about to say something, but gives up.

　　Everyone begins eating -- in complete silence.

　　When Michel can't open the ketchup bottle, Francesca grabsit, palms the top skillfully and twists it off. She hands itback to Michael who makes no comment.

　　When Richard scans the table for something that obviouslyisn't there, Francesca is up out of her seat before he canask, at the fridge, grabbing the sour cream, closing thefridge and back at the table with incredible swiftness.

　　When Michel moves his big arm to reach for the salt, heknows over his cup and saucer, which Francesca catches withboth hands before they hit the floor. Her reflexes are likea trained athlete.

　　Finally, Francesca is able to sit and sip her coffee. Shewatches her teenage daughter fill her plate with a blankexpression that lets nothing slip through -- no indication ofall the tempests of emotions that go through a teenage girl.

　　FRANCESCAYou excited about going, Carolyn?

　　Without looking up, Carolyn fakes a smile. Looking at her,Francesca remembers Carolyn as a three-year-old girl:

　　FLASHBACK.

　　In the same kitchen, THREE-YEAR-OLD CAROLYN runs around hermother's feet completely naked, squealing with delight asFrancesca flicks her water from the tap.

　　FLASHBACK ENDS.

　　Francesca watches as Carolyn eats in silence, distant, lockedin her own secret teenage thoughts and dreams.

　　Francesca then looks to her son, shoveling food into hismouth at an alarming rate. She attempts a conversation.

　　FRANCESCA (cont'd)How was your date last night?

　　MICHAEL(w/o looking at her)Okay.

　　FRANCESCAWhat's her name?

　　MICHAELBetty.

　　FRANCESCAWhat's she like?

　　MICHAELOkay.

　　Silence. Frustrated, Francesca has a fantasy -FANTASY:

　　Francesca picks up a blunt butter knife, rises out of her seat,grabs her son and shoves the knife at his throat:

　　FRANCESCADo you like her?

　　Michael finally reacts with more than one word -- frightenedfor his life.

　　MICHAELUh... Yeah. Yeah. She's real nice.

　　FRANCESCAWell, what's nice about her? Tell us!

　　MICHAELWell, she's... she's real pretty and... and she's got a cute shape...

　　she's a good sport, ya know, forlaughs and(desperate)... she loves fried chicken wings andbeer.

　　FRANCESCAIsn't that nice? You should bring herhome to meet us!