廊桥遗梦 第九章 英2

孙祎卓

　(looking for excuse)Well, you know, the whole world isjust going nuts.

　　Robert looks at her like she's nuts. Francesca tries to digherself out of her hole. Robert enjoys offering no help.

　　FRANCESCAWhat with those riots in Los Angelesand people burning draft cards and... Adlai Stevenson dying last month.

　　She rises with the flowers. Robert gives her a friendly paton the arm.

　　ROBERTShouldn't let things get to you somuch.

　　He continues with his work. Francesca expresses relief andembarrassment behind his back.

　　INT. TRUCK - LATERDriving back, Francesca sits with her feet up on thedashboard. Robert drives while he fiddles with the radio. Allhe can find are country stations.

　　FRANCESCALooking for something in particular?

　　There's not much of a selection.

　　ROBERTI found this Chicago station before.

　　Wait a minute...

　　(he tunes it in)Here it is.

　　We hear a BLUES SINGER with a sax arrangement.

　　FRANCESCAOh, that's nice.

　　ROBERTWant another cigarette?

　　FRANCESCASure.

　　Francesca's having a great time.

　　EXT. JOHNSON HOUSE - DAYRobert's truck drives down the road and into the driveway.

　　ROBERTWell, thank you for all your help,Mrs. Johnson.

　　FRANCESCAFrancesca.

　　ROBERTFrancesca. Robert.

　　Francesca nods, as if to say hello and goodbye in the samemoment. She gets out of the car, closes the door, then asks:

　　FRANCESCAWould you like some iced tea?

　　INT. KITCHEN - DAYRobert fiddles with the kitchen radio, tuning in to theChicago station. Francesca is making iced tea. Robert sitsback down at the kitchen table.

　　FRANCESCALemon?

　　ROBERTSure.

　　With her back to him, Robert never takes his eyes off her.

　　She turns and crosses to him, with the tea.

　　ROBERT (cont'd)Thanks.

　　Francesca smiles and sips her own. She watches him gulp downthe tea so fast, some of it dribbles down the side of hisface and neck. Francesca finds it sexy. He empties it.

　　FRANCESCAWould you like another one?

　　Robert nods and he pulls out his cigarettes.

　　ROBERTMind if I smoke?

　　FRANCESCA(at the sink)Not at all.

　　Robert lights up as he watches her fix another iced tea. Hewatches her slip off one boot, then the other -- never missinga beat of her preparation. He can't help eyeing her body.

　　When she returns, she also has the flowers he picked for herarranged in a Casper the Friendly Ghost jelly glass. Sheplaces them on the table and sits.

　　ROBERTSure you want to keep those in thehouse?

　　FRANCESCAI'm so sorry about that. It wasrude. I think I just got nervousfor some reason.

　　ROBERTI thought it was funny.

　　She likes that.

　　FRANCESCAWhere are you staying while you'rehere?

　　ROBERTA little place with cabins. Thesomething-Motor Inn. I haven'tchecked in yet.

　　FRANCESCAAnd how long are you here for?

　　ROBERTAs long as it takes, I might stay aweek. No more I don't think. Where'syour family?

　　FRANCESCAMy husband took the kids to theIllinos State Fair. My daughter'sentering a prize steer.

　　ROBERTOh. How old?

　　FRANCESCAAbout a year and a half.

　　ROBERTNo, your kids.

　　FRANCESCAOh. Michael's 17 and Carolyn's 16.

　　ROBERTMust be nice having kids.

　　Francesca looks at him and FANTASIZES SAYING:

　　FANTASY:

　　FRANCESCANot any more. It's awful. They'reawful. I can't stand them.

　　END OF FANTASY:

　　But in reality, Francesca chooses instead to say:

　　FRANCESCA (cont'd)They're not kids anymore. Thingschange.

　　ROBERTEverything does. One of the laws ofnature. People are always so afraidof change. But if you look at it likeit's something you can count onhappening, it's actually a comfort.

　　Not many things you can count on forsure.

　　FRANCESCAI guess. Except I'm one of the peopleit frightens.

　　ROBERTI doubt that.

　　FRANCESCAWhy?

　　ROBERTItaly to Iowa? I'd call that a change.

　　FRANCESCA(explaining)Richard was in the army. I met himwhile I was living in Naples. Ididn't know where Iowa was. I onlycared that it was America. And ofcourse, being with Richard.

　　ROBERTWhat's he like?