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