FRANCESCA
Hello?
ROBERT It's
Robert.
FRANCESCA Oh,
hi. Look, I'm running a little late, but
I'll still...
ROBERT (with
difficulty) Listen, don't take this the
wrong way but, I'm wondering if this is
such a good idea.
(Francesca's heart sinks.)
FRANCESCA Oh.
ROBERT I uh...
I had lunch in town today. Happened to cross
paths with "that Redfield woman."
I apologize. I thought you were half-joking
about that.
FRANCESCA Oh.
I guess you got the whole story.
ROBERT The
cashier at the general store was very dangerous.
FRANCESCA I
think he's running for
town crier
next year.
ROBERT I now
know more about their affair than I remember
about my marriage. (seriously) Francesca,
the last thing I want to do is put you in
any kind of situation that would... even
though we know it's just -- I mean, it's
nothing like that, but if anybody saw us
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 not seeing each other even again
in this brief moment. Someone has to say
something to save it -- but who will it
be?)
FRANCESCA (cont'd)
Robert?
ROBERT Yeah?
FRANCESCA I
want you to come. I'll meet you at the bridge
just like we planned all right. Don't worry
about the rest of it... I'm not.
ROBERT All
right. See you there.
(Some
time later)
FRANCESCA
Sorry I'm late. Richard called.
ROBERT Oh,
how is he?
FRANCESCA Fine.
They're all having a good time. How many
more shots do you have?
ROBERT Couple.
Want to help? (She nods.) I should stop
off at the motel to clean up before dinner.
FRANCESCA Well,
I have plumbing
at my house.
ROBERT
Can I help?
FRANCESCA Actually,
no. I've got everything under control. I'd
like to clean up myself a bit. I'm going
to take a bath. Dinner'll be ready in about
a half hour.
ROBERT How
about if I set the table?
FRANCESCA Sure.
ROBERT Would
you like a beer for your bath?
FRANCESCA (surprised)
Yes, that'd be nice.
FRANCESCA What's
wrong?
ROBERT Absolutely
nothing. You're just sort of a
knockout
in that dress.
FRANCESCA Table
looks beautiful.
FRANCESCA
(cont'd) Hello? Hi, Madge? Huh-huh. Nothing,
just making myself some dinner... No what?...
Oh... I heard about him. Yeah, I hear he's
some kind of photographer. (Robert smiles)
No, I didn't... Huh-huh... Hippie? I don't
know, is that what hippies look like?...Oh
he is, huh? Well, don't tell Floyd, he'll
be out with a shotgun...Well, listen, I
have a pot boiling. I've got to go... No,
they don't get home until Friday morning...
Well, maybe I'll give you a call. Okay.
Bye.
(She hangs up. The two are now almost face
to face. Robert raises her hand up and slips
his free one around her waist.
They begin to dance to the song. The kitchen
lights have not been turned on since the
sun went down. The sky, a dark orange and
magenta,
illuminates
the room through the window.
They never take their eyes off of each other.
Suddenly, Robert stops.)
ROBERT
You're shaking. Are you cold?
(Francesca shakes her head. They dance a
bit more, but Francesca is shaking which
makes it difficult. They both stop. Robert
places his huge hands on either side of
her face, gently stroking her hair away
from her cheek. He whispers.)
ROBERT
(cont'd) If you want me to stop, tell me
how.
(He brushes his cheek and face softly against
hers. Francesca rubs hers against him. She
can barely breathe.)
ROBERT
(cont'd) Francesca, I won't be sorry. I
won't apologize for this.
FRANCESCA Nobody's
asking you to.
(They kiss. Hands gently explore. Their
bodies touch. Their
lips never spend more than seconds away
from each other.)
Useful lanuage
items:
Francesca's
heart sinks. Francesca
的心沉了下去。Back