廊桥遗梦 第十九章 英2

孙祎卓

Francesca takes the plate. She can't think straight.
　　MADGE (cont'd)... Anyway, I'm glad that's overwith. Sara doing so well though.
　　Everyone thought I was crazy havingthem so far apart, but...
　　(CONTINUES...)FANTASY:
　　Francesca stands behind Madge, as the latter chatters on MOS.
　　She calmly picks up the brown betty and, from behind, shovesit into Madge's face and holds it there, trying to suffocateher with it. Madge struggles.
　　END OF FANTASY:
　　Francesca's mind races as Madge continues.
　　MADGE... without one lesson. Theinstructor couldn't believe it. So,who knows -- she may have talent.
　　How's Carolyn doing? What are herplans for next year?
　　Francesca realizes this is her moment. She holds her head andleans over, unsteadily.
　　MADGE (cont'd)Honey, what's wrong?
　　FRANCESCAI don't know. I woke up a littledizzy. I didn't sleep well. I thinkI need to lay down.
　　MADGEYou want me to call the doctor?
　　FRANCESCANo, no. I just didn't sleep well.
　　I'm not used to sleeping alone. Andthis heat. Would you mind?
　　MADGENo, of course not. I'll just clean up.
　　FRANCESCANo, leave it. I'll do it later.
　　Listen, maybe you and Floyd can comefor dinner on Saturday. I'm sureRichard'll have so many stories totell you both about the fair and all.
　　MADGEOh, that'll be nice.
　　CUT TO:
　　INT. BEDROOM - LATER THAT DAYFrancesca enters to find Richard, laying on the bed fullyclothed. She sits beside him. He strokes her arm, then guidesher to lay down. Once she's in his arms, he speaks.
　　ROBERTCome with me.
　　Francesca knew he was going to say this. Either answer shegives frightens her.
　　FRANCESCAHold me.
　　She turns to him and they embrace. Robert, however, fearsonly one response. On the soundtrack, we hear the song "DARNTHAT DREAM."CUT TO:
　　INT. KITCHEN - EVENINGThe song continues over the next few images. Camera slowlypans from the radio, upon which the song is playing, to abeautifully set table and candles. It arrives on Robertpreparing dinner.
　　INT. BEDROOMCamera pans the room from two OPENED SUITCASES, as Francescapacks to leave. She moves about the room as if with blinderson -- focused on her task, refusing to take in any sign ormemories that might hinder her. She is wearing a RED DRESS,with BUTTONS down the front.
　　INT. KITCHENRobert stands at the sink rinsing out some utensils. Waitingfor the water to turn hot, he looks out through the windowabove the sink. He sees a beautiful view of beautiful night.
　　He pauses as it strikes him that this is a view Francesca hasseen a million times -- that soon she would not see ever again.
　　INT. SECOND FLOOR LANDINGCamera follows her as she exits the bedroom with hersuitcases, then walks down the hall to the stairs, then downthe staircase to the front hall.
　　She quietly sets the suitcases down, hearing the radio andRobert in the kitchen. She pauses, then enters the livingroom. One of the throw pillows has fallen off the couch. Shereplaces it then takes a moment to look about the room. Sheslowly sits down on the couch.
　　We hear voices of the past, auditory memories conjured up byeach stick of furniture Francesca sees.
　　FRANCESCA (V.O.)Michael, get off the back of thatchair! What did I tell you!
　　WE HEAR HIM FALL AND BEGIN TO CRY.
　　FRANCESCA (V.O.)All you all right, honey. Let me see...
　　A sound of Christmas music... of toddlers running andlaughing... A birthday party for Carolyn...
　　CAROLYN (V.O.)Mama, look -- look at the dress AuntPatty sent!
　　RICHARD (V.O.)Franny, BONNAZA's on!
　　ROBERTFrancesca?
　　Francesca snaps out for it and turns to find Robert.
　　ROBERT (cont'd)I've got dinner.
　　She smiles.
　　INT. KITCHENThey eat by candlelight. Neither speaks. Neither is veryhungry.
　　ROBERTWould you like a beer?
　　She smiles and shakes her head. Robert opens a bottle andtakes a sip.
　　ROBERT (cont'd)You know what I'd like to do beforewe leave? I'd like to take a pictureof you -- at Roseman bridge. Maybejust as the sun's coming up.
　　FRANCESCAYes. I'd like that.
　　Pause. Robert smiles back and takes another sip. Then,knowing full well what hangs heavy between them, he asks:
　　ROBERTTell me why you're not coming with me?
　　Francesca stops pretending to eat. She looks at him, havingforgotten how well he can read her.
　　FRANCESCANo matter how I keep turning itaround in my mind -- it doesn't seemlike the right thing.
　　ROBERTFor who?
　　FRANCESCAFor anyone. They'll never be able tolive through the talk. Richard willnever be able to. He doesn't deservethat. He hasn't hurt anyone in hislife.
　　ROBERT(getting aggressive)Then he can move! People move!
　　FRANCESCAHis family's lived for almost ahundred years. Richard doesn't knowhow to live anywhere else. And thekids...
　　ROBERTThe kids are grown! They don't needyou anymore. You told me that. Theyhardly talk to you.
　　FRANCESCANo, they don't say much. ButCarolyn's 16. She's just about tofind out about all this for herself-- she's going to fall in love,she's going to try and figure outhow to build a life with someone.
　　If I leave what does that say to her?
　　ROBERTWhat about us? What about me?
　　FRANCESCAYou've got to know deep down that theminute we leave here. It'll allchange.
　　ROBERTYeah. It could get better.
　　FRANCESCANo matter how much distance we putbetween us and this house, I bringwith it with me. And I'll feel itevery minute we're together. And I'llblame loving you for how much ithurts. And then even these four dayswon't be anything more than somethingsordid and... a mistake.
　　ROBERT(desperately)Francesca, listen to me. You thinkwhat's happened to us happens to justanybody? What we feel for each other?
　　How much we feel? We're not even twoseparate people anymore. Some peoplesearch their whole lives for it andwind up alone -- most people don'teven think it exists and you're goingto tell me that giving it up is theright thing to do? That staying herealone in a marriage, alone in a townyou hate, in a house you don't feelapart of anymore -- you're telling methat's the right thing to do!?
　　FRANCESCAWe are the choices we've made, Robert.
　　ROBERT(rises)TO HELL WITH YOU!
　　He turns his back on her.
　　FRANCESCARobert. Please.
　　(desperate to explain)You don't understand -- no one does.
　　When a woman makes the choice tomarry, to have children -- in one wayher life begins but in another way itstops. You build a life of details.
　　You become a mother, a wife and youstop and stay steady so that yourchildren can move. And when theyleave they take your life of detailswith them. And then you're expectedmove again only you don't rememberwhat moves you because no one hasasked in so long. Not even yourself.
　　You never in your life think thatlove like this can happen to you.
　　ROBERTBut now that you have it -FRANCESCAI want to keep it forever. I want tolove you the way I do now the rest ofmy life. Don't you understand -- we'lllose it if we leave. I can't make anentire life disappear to start a newone. All I can do is try to hold ontoto both. Help me. Help me not loseloving you.
　　She embraces him. He wraps his arms around her. He whispers.
　　ROBERTDon't leave me. Don't leave me alone.
　　Please.
　　This breaks her heart, knowing how hard it is for him to saythis. She holds him tighter, until -ROBERT (cont'd)Listen. Maybe you feel this way,maybe you don't. Maybe it's justbecause you're in this house. Maybe... maybe when they come backtomorrow you'll feel differently.
　　Don't you think that's possible?
　　FRANCESCAI don't know. Please...
　　ROBERTI'm going to be here a few more days.
　　I'll be at the Inn. We have sometime. Let's not say any more now.
　　FRANCESCANo. Don't do this.
　　ROBERTI CAN'T SAY GOODBYE YET! We'll leaveit for now. We're not saying goodbye.
　　We're not making any decision. Maybeyou'll change your mind. Maybe we'llaccidentally run into each other and... and you'll change your mind.
　　FRANCESCARobert, if that happens, you'll haveto decide. I won't be able to.
　　She cries in his arms. He kisses her as if for the last time.
　　Then, quickly, separates himself and leaves the house.
　　EXT. JOHNSON HOUSERobert walks briskly towards his truck not wanting to lookback. He gets in, starts it up and drives away.
　　Francesca exits the house and watches the truck recede intothe distance. She stops when she reaches the front gate,leaning against it. She murmurs to herself -FRANCESCAKeep going. Please.
　　The truck drives away. Then, suddenly, stops. Francesca'sheart quickens. She watches as the truck stands on the roadin the distance. As if Robert was deciding to turn around orkeep going. Francesca waits. Suddenly, the door to the truckflies open and Robert exits. Francesca loses all restraint.
　　She opens the gate but her dress is caught on it. Robertstands by the truck. Francesca tears at the dress, rippingoff a button which falls to the ground. She runs down theroad. Seeing her, Robert runs towards her as well.
　　They grab each other furiously. For these few moments, allconsiderations are gone. As he kisses her, he murmurs:
　　ROBERTI forgot to take your picture.
　　She laughs through her tears as they continue to kiss. Camerapans up to the road beyond Robert's truck.
　　WE SEE RICHARD'S TRUCK DRIVING TOWARDS THEM. For a moment itseems as if they will be caught until we realize RICHARD'STRUCK IS BEING SUPERIMPOSED as the LIGHT GRADUALLY BRIGHTENSTO REVEAL:
　　MORNING.
　　EXT. JOHNSON HOUSERichard, Michael and Carolyn drive down the road toward thehouse. Robert's truck, and all traces of