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INT. JOHNSON HOUSE - LATE AFTERNOON
Francesca enters with her new dress, groceries and wine asthe PHONE RINGS. She puts everything down to answer.
FRANCESCAHello?
Intercut ROBERT at a pay phone.
ROBERTIt's Robert.
FRANCESCAOh, hi. Look, I'm running a littlelate, but I'll still...
ROBERT(w/difficulty)Listen, don't take this the wrong waybut, I'm wondering if this is such agood idea.
Francesca's heart sinks.
FRANCESCAOh.
ROBERTI uh... I had lunch in town today.
Happened to cross paths with "thatRedfield woman." I apologize. Ithought you were half-joking aboutthat.
FRANCESCAOh. I guess you got the whole story.
ROBERTThe cashier at the general store wasvery dangerous.
FRANCESCAI think he's running for town criernext year.
ROBERTI now know more about their affairthan I remember about my marriage.
(seriously)Francesca, the last thing I want todo is put you in any kind ofsituation that would... even thoughwe know it's just -- I mean, it'snothing like that, but if anybody sawus or...
(can't finish)FRANCESCA(disappointed)I understand.
(touched)That's very kind of you.
Silence. Both want to meet. Both experience the idea of notseeing each other even again in this brief moment. Someonehas to say something to save it -- but who will it be?
FRANCESCA (cont'd)Robert?
ROBERTYeah?
FRANCESCAI want you to come.
Robert is relieved.
FRANCESCA (cont'd)I'll meet you at the bridge just likewe planned all right. Don't worry aboutthe rest of it... I'm not.
ROBERTAll right. See you there.
Francesca smiles and hangs up. In that moment, Francescarealizes consciously what she is doing and what she wants.
CUT TO:
EXT. CEDAR BRIDGE - DUSKRobert is already there, working. He checks his watch,anxious for Francesca to arrive, when he hears a truckdriving up. He looks to see Francesca stop and get out. Bytheir expressions we can tell how glad they are to see eachother.
FRANCESCASorry I'm late. Richard called.
ROBERTOh, how is he?
FRANCESCAFine. They're all having a good time.
How many more shots do you have?
ROBERTCouple. Want to help?
She nods. He extends his hand. She pauses, then takes it. Heleads her to the bridge. Walking away from camera, they say:
ROBERT (cont'd)I should stop off at the motel toclean up before dinner.
FRANCESCAWell, I have plumbing at my house.
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