廊桥遗梦 第二十章 英2

孙祎卓

What Robert and I had, could notcontinue if we were together. WhatRichard and I shared would vanish ifwe were apart. But how I wanted toshare this. How would our lives havechanged if I had? Could anyone elsehave seen the beauty of it?
　　INT. JOHNSON KITCHEN - NIGHTFrancesca moves about the kitchen with a frantic pace as sheputs the finishing touches on a cake. Placing the frostingbowl in the sink, she hears someone upstairs exiting theirbedroom. She quickly gathers the cake and her bag and exitsthrough the screen door.
　　EXT. JOHNSON HOUSE - NIGHTFighting tears, she walks to the truck from around the house.
　　She gets in and starts it. She vaguely hears her daughterfrom the front door.
　　CAROLYNMom?
　　But she doesn't acknowledge it and drives away.
　　EXT. MOTOR INN - NIGHTHer truck approaches and then speeds past the Inn whereRobert is staying. We can see his truck in the parking lot.
　　1979INT. JOHNSON BEDROOM - NIGHTAnd older Francesca cares for a sickly Richard. He lies in bedbeside an array of medicines and tonics. She wipes hisforehead with a cool cloth as he takes his pills.
　　FRANCESCABetter?
　　He nods. She smiles. She shuts off the light and lays besidehim.
　　RICHARDFranny?
　　FRANCESCAHmm?
　　RICHARDI just want to say... I know you hadyour own dreams. I'm sorry I couldn'tgive them to you. I love you so much.
　　Francesca turns to him. She is so touched, tears fill hereyes. She nestles close to him, wrapping her arms around him.
　　1982EXT. DES MOINESFrancesca eats at the same restaurant she shared with Robert.
　　FRANCESCA (V.O.)After your father died, I tried toget in touch with Robert but foundout he had left the NationalGeographic soon after the MadisonCounty. No one seemed to know wherehe was. My only connections to himwere the places we'd been to that oneday. And so each week, I'd re-visitthem.
　　EXT. JOHNSON HOUSE - DAYFrancesca greets a UPS man with an envelope and a package.
　　FRANCESCA (V.O.)And then one day, I received theletter from his attorney, with apackage.
　　INT. JOHNSON LIVING ROOMFrancesca reads the letter informing her of Robert's death.
　　She then unwraps the package to reveal a MEDALLION with hername inscribed and A PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK; a published collectionof black and white photos by Robert Kincaid entitled "FourDays." Beautiful, dramatic black and white representations oflove and passion, loneliness and pain, and union. On thefront page there reads an inscription "FOR F."ROBERT (V.O.)"There is a pleasure in the pathlesswoods... There is a rapture on thelonely shore... There is societywhere none intrudes... By the deepsea and music in its roar... I lovenot man the less, but Nature more...
　　From these our interviews, in whichI steal... From all I may be, orhave been before... To mingle with theUniverse and feel... What I canne'er express, yet cannot all conceal."The quote is Byron's. She smiles with pride as she cries.
　　CUT TO:
　　EXT. IOWA LAKEFRONT - EARLY MORNINGMichael sits with his arm around Carolyn as they look outover the lake. The notebooks are closed, but Francesca'snarrations continue over the next few scenes.
　　FRANCESCA (V.O.)There has not been a day since thatI have not thought of him. When hesaid we were no longer two people, hewas right.
　　INT. JOHNSON BEDROOMCarolyn, looking through her mom's closet, finds the summerdress she bought in Des Moines to wear for Robert.
　　FRANCESCA (V.O.)We were bound together as tightly astwo people can be. If it hadn't beenfor him, I don't think I would havelasted on the farm all these years.
　　Remember that dress of mine youwanted, Carolyn -- the one you said Inever wore. Well, I know I was silly.
　　But to me, it was as if you wereasking to wear my wedding dress to goto the movies.
　　Carolyn smiles as she holds the dress before her.
　　INT. MOTEL - DAYA tired Michael finds his way through the motel to his room.
　　FRANCESCA (V.O.)After reading all this, I hope youcan now understand my burial request.
　　It was not the ravings of some madold lady. I gave my life to myfamily. I wish to give Robert what isleft of me.
　　INT. MOTEL ROOMMichael enters to find his two children watching TV and anangry Betty folding clothes.
　　CHILDRENHey, Dad!
　　He looks at them lovingly, then at Betty who angrily motionsfor him to follow her into the bedroom.
　　She slams the door behind him and talks in a irate whisper.
　　BETTYYou have been out all night long! DoI have a right to ask where you'vebeen or is this a family secret?
　　Michael just looks at her. He gently takes her hand.
　　MICHAELNo. No more secrets.
　　He kisses her hand. Betty is floored.
　　MICHAEL (cont'd)Do I make you happy, Betty?
　　(she is stunned)Because I want to. I want to morethan anything.
　　He gently kisses her cheek then embraces her. Betty -- for thefirst time in her life -- is utterly speechless.
　　INT. JOHNSON BEDROOMWearing her mother's dress, Carolyn sits on the bed holdingthe phone, waiting for Steve to pick up. In her other hand,she holds the divorce lawyers card.
　　CAROLYN(on the phone)Hi, Steve? It's me. Good. You?...
　　Listen, we have to talk... Well,how about you?... Uh, no -- I'vedecided I'm going to stay for awhile... I don't know how long...
　　No, I won't be coming back...
　　I'm not angry, Steve. I'm not angryat all.
　　(smiles)CUT TO:
　　EXT. ROSEMAN BRIDGE - DAYMichael and his family stand beside Carolyn and a Priest.
　　FRANCESCA (V.O.)"I gave Lucy his photography book. Ifyou're interested, take a look. If mywords still leave something unclear,perhaps his pictures can illuminate.
　　After all, that's what an artist doesbest... "Michael receives the urn from the priest. He and Carolyn walkaway from the group towards the bridge. They stop. Carolynremoves the lip. Michael sets his mother's ashes free.
　　FRANCESCA (V.O.)"I love you both with all my heart.
　　Do what you have to, to be happy inthis life. There is so much beauty."THE END