ROBERT Do you want to leave your husband?
(Francesca is completely stunned and thrown off guard.)
FRANCESCA No. Of course not. (rising, upset)
(Beat. Awkward silence. Suddenly there is tension between them.)

ROBERT My mistake. I apologize.
FRANCESCA What made you ask such a question?
ROBERT I thought that's what we were doing -- asking questions.
FRANCESCA (defensive) I thought we were just having a conversation. You seem to be reading all this meaning into it. Meanings I must be too simple to, uh... interpret or something.
ROBERT I already apologized.

(Silence. Robert remains seated. Francesca remains at the sink.)
ROBERT (cont'd) It's getting late. (rises) Thank you for dinner.
(Pause. Francesca feels badly.)
FRANCESCA Listen, I'm sorry I --
ROBERT No, no. Forgive me. I made a mistake. It was an inappropriate thing to ask.
FRANCESCA (shrugs it off, then)... I feel like something's been spoiled now.
(Robert smiles and crosses to her. He takes her hand into both his hands.)
ROBERT It's been a perfect evening. Just the way it is. Thank you.

(Francesca smiles. The possibility of a kiss hangs in the air between them until Robert turns to get his film out of the fridge. As he exits through the screen door, he stops.)
ROBERT (cont'd) One thing though -- don't kid yourself, Francesca. You're anything but a simple woman.

(He smiles and exits, catching the screen door before it slams.)
(Francesca doesn't move for a moment, then crosses to the door as if to run after him when she is stopped by the PHONE )
(RINGING. She picks up.)

FRANCESCA Hello?
RICHARD (on phone) Franny?
FRANCESCA Richard, hi.
RICHARD (on phone) How are you?
FRANCESCA Fine. Everyone settled in okay?
RICHARD (on phone) Just fine. We're all in one room. Michael's on the couch and Carolyn's... (continues...)

(She hears Robert's truck door open and close. She hears the motor being turned on. She half-listens to Richard.)

FRANCESCA Uh-uh... good... Hmmm...
(She hears the truck driving away as Richard continues.)

RICHARD (on phone) We got our position in the Fair. Not bad although I would have liked to be third which is not too early and not too late. But I told Carolyn not to worry... (continues, if needed)

Useful lanuage items:

Francesca is completely stunned and thrown off guard. Francesca 大吃一惊，感到不直所措。Back