廊桥遗梦 第十章 英1

孙祎卓

　As Francesca thinks of an answer, she looks over to theentranceway between the kitchen and the front hall and sees:

　　FANTASY:

　　Richard standing there in his underwear, reaching over his shoulder.

　　RICHARDFranny, could you clean out my boilagain?

　　END OF FANTASY:

　　Francesca answers Robert, half of her still in fantasy --FRANCESCAHe's very... clean.

　　ROBERTClean?

　　FRANCESCA(catching herself)No. I mean yes, he's clean but he'salso other things. He's a very hardworker. Very honest. Very caring.

　　Gentle. Good father.

　　ROBERTAnd clean.

　　FRANCESCAYes. Very clean.

　　They drink. Francesca thinks she sounds like an idiot.

　　ROBERTSo you must like Oiwa, I guess.

　　Francesca looks at him. She wants to tell the truth, butholds back.

　　FRANCESCAIt's... uh... uh...

　　She stops. Robert smiles.

　　ROBERTGo ahead. I won't tell anyone.

　　Surprised, Francesca looks at him oddly -- as if he alreadyknows and is giving her permission.

　　FRANCESCAIt's...

　　(tries again)I...

　　(finally)I hate it!

　　She covers her mouth, like a reflex -- worried someone heard.

　　Robert just smiles and nods.

　　Francesca is so taken by his understanding and acceptance,she lets the flood gates open, speaking faster than her mindcan keep up --FRANCESCA (cont'd)(without a pause)I hate it! I hate it! I HATE IT! Ihate the corn and the dust and thetown and the cows and that SMELL thatyou love! I hate the people.

　　Everybody knows everybody's business,I mean it's nice now and then,they're always there to help out, butthat's just it, it's like they'rewaiting for something awful to happento help out and when nothing awful ishappening, then they just sit aroundand talk about what is happeningwhich is none of their business. Iwant to kill them sometimes for howcruel they can be --Camera begins slowly moving out to a wider angle...

　　FRANCESCA (cont'd)-- everybody's talking about poor Mrs.

　　Delaney whose husband is having anaffair with that Redfield woman and"isn't it a shame," and "isn't itawful," and the truth is THEY'RELOVING IT! Poor woman can't even becheated on without the grocery manknowing about it -- no one respectsanyone's privacy. You're not evensafe in your own home! They thinkthey can just walk right into yourhouse because they BAKED yousomething. It's like they have asecret password and YOU CAN'T KEEPTHEM OUT! I live in fear of that dooropening and having a peach cobblershoved at me...

　　(CONTINUES MOS IFNEEDED)Throughout this rapid fire monologue, camera has moved to awide angle as Robert just sits and listens, letting her getit all off her chest. She continues as we:

　　DISSOLVE TO:

　　INT. LIVING ROOMFrancesca is lying on the couch as Robert places a cold clothon her head. Her "confession" took a lot out offer.

　　ROBERTFeeling better?

　　FRANCESCAMuch.

　　ROBERTIs the dizziness gone?

　　FRANCESCAI think so.

　　She sits up. She feels exposed. But also, relieved.

　　ROBERTI better go. You sure you're allright?

　　(she nods)It's been a pleasure. Sincerely.

　　FRANCESCAI feel so embarrassed.

　　ROBERTWhy? You uncorked a bottle. From whatI can tell, I got here just in time.

　　Any later and you'd have made thefront page, running down Main Streetnaked, smoking Camels out of yourbutt.

　　FRANCESCA(laughs)But I... We don't even know eachother.

　　ROBERT(sincerely)You have no reason to feel ashamed.

　　You haven't said anything you don'thave a right to. And if anybody tellsyou different -- you just send them tome.

　　She smiles. He turns to exit.

　　ROBERT (cont'd)Better get my stuff.

　　Francesca surprises herself. She doesn't want him to go.

　　FRANCESCAWould you like to stay for dinner?

　　(he turns)There aren't many choices in town and... anyway, you'd have to eat alone.

　　So would I.