back as if to say, "What business is it of yours?" and exits.
CUT TO:
EXT. DES MOINES - DAY
A metropolis compared to Winterset.
Francesca exits a liquor store with a bottle of wine in a paper bag. She also carries a bag of groceries as she heads down the street to her parked truck. She passes a DRESS SHOP and stops.
CUT BACK TO:
EXT. WINTERSET - DAY
Robert enters a general store. He buys a six pack of beer for his cooler and approaches the counter for the Cashier.
CASHIER
That all?
Robert nods. He decides to have some fun and test the waters a little bit.
ROBERT
Isn't it awful about poor Mrs. Delaney?
With this, the damn bursts -
CASHIER
Tragic is more like it. The pain that woman has been subjected to by that no-good husband. I never liked him. Known him for years. People say he's quiet. Well, it's the quiet ones that can sneak up behind you and stab you in the back. I heard yesterday, that she confronted him. Gave him the ultimatum and you know what he did?--
(CONTINUES AS NEEDED)
Robert stands astounded, listening to this diatribe of gossip.
CUT BACK TO:
INT. DES MOINES DRESS SHOP - DAY
Francesca sits in her slip, alone in a dressing room, with several dresses strewn about. The panic of indecision has set in. She looks at herself in the mirror and begins to doubt that seeing Robert is a good idea. Or perhaps she's imagining
something that isn't there. And what about Richard?
MEMORY:
A few years back. Francesca is dressed up for some formal affairs. She heads down the stairs. Richard is waiting in the hall, in a suit and tie. He looks at her admiringly.
FRANCESCA
Ready. You have the keys?
But Richard doesn't answer. He's just staring at her. Francesca stops. Richard looks at her like a little boy.
FRANCESCA (cont'd)
What's the matter?
Richard is obviously impressed by how she looks, but he can't say anything. He just smiles shyly and shakes his head to say nothing is wrong and opens the door for her.
END OF MEMORY:
Francesca feels guilty when a SALESWOMAN enters with a pretty summer dress.
SALESWOMAN
How about this one?
Francesca examines it. She likes it. But the guilt...
FRANCESCA
I don't know. I haven't bought a dress for myself in so long.(saleswoman nods)I mean, I'm just buying a dress. It's
not a special occasion or anything. I'm just shopping. Just shopping for a new dress, that's all.
SALESWOMAN
(completely understands)
That might work. And if he's still mad, just tell him you could have done better but you married him out of pity. That's always works for me.
CUT TO:
15
INT. JOHNSON HOUSE - LATE AFTERNOON
Francesca enters with her new dress, groceries and wine as the PHONE RINGS. She puts everything down to answer.
FRANCESCA
Hello?
Intercut ROBERT at a pay phone.
ROBERT
It's Robert.
FRANCESCA
Oh, hi. Look, I'm running a little late, but I'll still...
ROBERT
(w/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.
Robert is relieved.
FRANCESCA (cont'd)
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.
Francesca smiles and hangs up. In that moment, Francesca realizes consciously what she is doing and what she wants.
CUT TO:
EXT. CEDAR BRIDGE - DUSK
Robert is already there, working. He checks his watch, anxious for Francesca to arrive, when he hears a truck driving up. He looks to see Francesca stop and get out. By their expressions we can tell how glad they are to see each other.
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. He extends his hand. She pauses, then takes it. He leads her to the bridge. Walking away from camera, they say:
ROBERT (cont'd)
I should stop off at the motel to clean up before dinner.
FRANCESCA
Well, I have plumbing at my house.
CUT TO:
INT. JOHNSON BEDROOM - EARLY MORNING
Francesca enters. Robert is in the bathroom, in the shower, with the bathroom door slightly ajar. His clothes are laid on the bed with his bag beside them. A fresh shirt is folded. Francesca takes his dirty shirt and decides to clean it. As she exits, her eye can't help roaming toward the bathroom door. For a moment, she pauses to listen to the sound of the water as it hits his body.
INT. KITCHEN - LATER
Francesca is busy preparing dinner. Robert enters, cleaned and dressed.
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.
Robert gets her one.
INT. BATHROOM - LATER
Francesca lounges in a tub with a beer poured into a wine glass. She finds it very elegant. She takes a deep breath,
thinking "What's going to happen tonight?"
INT. KITCHEN - LATER
Robert is at the radio when Francesca enters in her new dress. She looks beautiful. And it's all over Robert's face.
FRANCESCA
What's wrong?
Unlike her husband, Robert has an answer.
ROBERT
Absolutely nothing. You're just sort of a knockout in that dress.
She smiles and crosses to the stove.
FRANCESCA
Table looks beautiful.
He can't take his eyes off of her. On the radio we hear DIHAH WASHINGTON begin to sing "IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO" -- a beautiful, blusey lovesong. Francesca pulls out a pan of hot rolls as THE PHONE RINGS. Francesca moves toward it with a roll, which she tosses to Robert. He burns his fingers and he smiles at her joke. The song plays throughout.
FRANCESCA (cont'd)
Hello? Hi, Madge?
Francesca and Robert do not take their eyes off of each other throughout the call. Robert takes a bit of the roll.
FRANCESCA (cont'd)
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?...
Robert steps closer to her, purposely reaching across her body for a napkin.
FRANCESCA (cont'd)
Oh he is, huh? Well, don't tell Floyd, he'll be out with a shotgun...
She notices a crumb on Robert's mouth and wipes it off. Robert takes her hand and holds it, lowering it to his side.
FRANCESCA (cont'd)
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.
Robert gently slide his hands down her breasts and torso, exploring every inch of her. Francesca grips his massive
back, sliding up to his neck and hair. Robert lifts her leg and presses it against his hip, kissing her neck and
shoulders. Francesca starts to lose herself, clutching his head at her breast then pulling him up to her mouth once
again.
CUT TO:
16
1995
INT. SLOW BEND CAFE - PRESENT DAY - EVENING
The same saloon/restaurant of twenty-five years ago has been turned into a modern cafe yet the original charm is still
there.
Carolyn and Michael sit in a booth, with half-eaten dinners before them. Carolyn has been reading the book to Michael
when she looks across from her to find -- Michael looking like a little boy who is fighting not to cry.
CAROLYN
What's the matter?
Michael shakes his head. He can't or won't explain. He's too upset. His eyes tear up. Carolyn feels badly for him.
MICHAEL
I'm going to get some air.
He exits. Carolyn smiles sympathetically. Somehow this last passage of their mothers doesn't affect her in the same way.
She returns to the book but first asks a passing waitress, with great urgency.
CAROLYN
Can I smoke here?
The waitress nods. Carolyn needs a cigarette for the rest of this. She opens her bag to get her pack. Inside her bag she
notices a BUSINESS CARD. She picks it up to read IRA NEWMAN, attorney. Divorce. Pre-Nuptials. Marital Litigation. She
pauses for a moment. Then, tossing the card back inside, she lights her cigarette and takes a drag. We follow the curls of smoke up as we:
DISSOLVE TO:
1965
INT. JOHNSON LIVING ROOM
Camera moves down curls of smoke, to reveal:
Robert and Francesca in each others arms, under a blanket on the living room floor on a bed of couch pillows, smoking a
cigarette after lovemaking. Francesca seems miles away -- feelings of regret and guilt creeping in.
ROBERT
Are you comfortable?
(she nods)
Do you... want to move to the bedroom?
FRANCESCA
No. I can't. Not yet.
She can't bring herself to go into her husband bed.
ROBERT
You want to eat something?
FRANCESCA
Are you hungry?
ROBERT
No.
Silence. Robert shifts his body to face her.
ROBERT (cont'd)
Honey. Are you all right?
She looks at him and starts to cry, shaking her head. The room is filled with memories of her family. She nestles in his arms. He folds her. She closes her eyes.
FRANCESCA
Take me somewhere.
ROBERT
What?
FRANCESCA
Right now. Tell me someplace you've been -- someplace on the other side of the world. Anywhere but here.
ROBERT
(thinks, then:)
How about Italy?
FRANCESCA
Yes.
ROBERT
How about Bari?
FRANCESCA
Yes. Tell me about the day you got off the train.
ROBERT
Have you ever been to that station?
FRANCESCA
Yes.
ROBERT
You know that little place nearby with the striped awning that sells sandwiches and little pizzas...
The two transport themselves together to another place, where there is no familiar memories surrounding them to interfere.
CUT TO:
EXT. JOHNSON PORCH - NIGHT
The two sit in bathrobes on the porch looking out over the pasture. They have plates of dinner on their laps. They eat
voraciously.
ROBERT
Do you have anymore of the stew?
Chewing, Francesca nods and leans over, picks a pot off the porch and ladles some more onto his plate. Too much falls out and it spills onto the robe.
FRANCESCA
Oh, I'm sorry.
ROBERT
It's okay. It's not that hot anymore. Thanks God.
Francesca hands him a dish rag. Robert wipes off the food revealing his bare leg. She reaches over and touches it. He looks at her and smiles. She leans over and kisses him passionately until, suddenly, she pulls away. She looks upset. She rises and moves away to look out to the pasture. Robert can sense what is wrong.
ROBERT (cont'd)
You think too much, you know that?
FRANCESCA
I just feel like I'm getting a little... out of control that's all. It's kind of frightening.
ROBERT
Why?
FRANCESCA
Why!? Because, I'm having thoughts I hardly know what to do with. I... can't seem to... stop them.
ROBERT
Nobody's asking you to.
FRANCESCA
(excited)
And arraccinos and zeppolis. Yes! I know it!
ROBERT
I sat outside and had coffee.
FRANCESCA
Where? Near the doorway or the near the front of the church?
ROBERT
Near the church.
FRANCESCA
(closes her eyes)
I sat there once. It was hot. Like today. I'd been shopping. I had all these bags around my feet I kept having to move every time the waiter came by...
