FRANCESCA
Sleep all right?
ROBERT
Yes, thanks.
FRANCESCA
Good. More coffee?
(he nods, she pours)
Robert, I hope you don't mind my asking, but I feel like I should.
ROBERT
What?
FRANCESCA
Well, these... women friends of yours... all over the world. How does it work? Do you see some of them again? Do you forget others? Do you write them now and then? How do you manage it?
Her facetiousness startles Robert.
ROBERT
I... What do you want?
FRANCESCA
Well, I just want to know the procedure. I don't want to upset your routine. Do you want any jam?
ROBERT
(insulted)
Routine! I don't have a routine. And if you think that's what this is -
FRANCESCA
Well, what is this?
ROBERT
(upset)
Well, why is that up to me? You're the one who's married. You told me you have no intention of leaving your husband.
FRANCESCA
To do what? Be with someone who needs everyone and no one in particular? I mean, what would be the point. Would you pass the butter?
ROBERT
I was honest with you. I told you who I was.
FRANCESCA
Yes. Absolutely. You have this habit of not needing and that it's hard to break. I understand.
(beat)
Of course, in that case, why sleep -- you don't need rest or for that matter eat, you don't need food.
She takes his plate away from him, rises and throws it into the sink.
ROBERT
What are you doing?
FRANCESCA
(sarcastic)
Gee, I don't know. I guess I'm not cut out to be a World Citizen who experiences everything and nothing at the same time.
ROBERT
How do you know what I experience?
FRANCESCA
(angry)
I know you! What can this possibly mean to anyone who doesn't "need" meaning -
(mocking)
"Who goes with the Mystery" -- who pretends he isn't scared to death.
ROBERT
Stop it!
FRANCESCA
You have no idea what you've done to me, do you? And after you leave, I'm going to have to wonder for the rest of my life what happened here. If anything happened at all! And I'll have to wonder if you find yourself in some... housewife's kitchen in Romania if you'll sit there and tell her about your world of good friends and secretly include me in that group.
ROBERT
What do you want me to say?
FRANCESCA
(nonchantly)
I don't want you to say anything. I don't need you to say anything.
Robert rises, knocking his chair aside.
ROBERT
STOP IT!
FRANCESCA
Fine. More eggs or should we just fuck on the linoleum one last time?
ROBERT
(grabs her)
I told you! I won't apologize for who I am.
FRANCESCA
No one's asking you to!
ROBERT
I won't be made to feel like I've done something wrong.
FRANCESCA
(angry)
You won't be made to feel! Period. You've carved out this little part for yourself in the world where you get to be a voyeur, a hermit and a lover whenever you feel like it and the rest of us are just supposed to feel so incredibly grateful for the brief time you've touched our lives! Well, go to hell! It isn't human not to feel lonely -- it isn't human not to afraid! You're a hypocrite and you're a phony!
ROBERT
(cries out)
I DON'T WANT TO NEED YOU!
FRANCESCA
WHY?
ROBERT
BECAUSE I CAN'T HAVE YOU!
FRANCESCA
WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH IT?
He throws a cup at the wall. It breaks apart. Covering his face, Robert turns away from her as he holds onto the sink.
Francesca reaches for him but he pulls away, embarrassed.
19
FRANCESCA (cont'd)
(softly)
Don't you see, I've got to know the truth, Robert. I've got to know the truth or I'll go crazy. Either way. Just tell me. But I can't act like this is enough because it has to be. I can't pretend I don't feel what I feel because it's over tomorrow.
Robert, keeping his face from her, tries to tell her:
ROBERT
If I've done anything to make you think that what's happened between us is nothing new for me -- is some routine -- then I do apologize.
FRANCESCA
What makes it different, Robert?
Robert turns to face her. He is so hopelessly in love he can hardly find the words. His eyes fill up with tears.
ROBERT
Because... if I even think about
tomorrow -- if I...
(voice cracks)
even think about leaving here without you -- I'm not sure I can... that I -(he shakes his head)
He can't even finish. He kneels down before her wrapping his arms around her and burying his face into her body. Francesca starts to cry -- out of happiness, out of pain -- holding onto him as if for dear life.
FRANCESCA
Oh God... what are we going to do?
She kisses him -- over and over, not wanting to be even an inch apart. As if any space between them might separate them
forever.
Suddenly, OS, they hear a CAR DRIVE UP to the house. They panic. Francesca runs to the window to see:
MADGE, a girlfriend, has come for a visit. Madge is holding a homemade dessert.
FRANCESCA (cont'd)
No. No. Where's your truck?
ROBERT
Behind the barn. I better go.
Francesca turns to him -- speechless -- not wanting him to go.
ROBERT (cont'd)
Don't worry. I meant upstairs.
He exits. Francesca gathers herself and heads for the front entrance, quickly cleaning up the plates.
INT. FRONT HALL - DAY
Francesca opens the door to Madge.
FRANCESCA
Madge?
MADGE
Hi. I made some brown betty. I sent Floyd off to town with the boy. I said -(entering)
"Floyd, I'm going to visit my girlfriend and spend the afternoon and that's all there is to it. He said who's going to make lunch? I said I'm taking a sick day. Eat at the dinner." Isn't that hilarious?
(MOVES INTO KITCHEN)
He didn't dare raise an eyebrow -- I don't even want to tell you how late he was out last night with those good for nothings from the Sandford ranch. I am so sorry, honey, I let two days pass before I came by, but with the boy home the time just escapes me. Have you heard from Richard? How's the fair? God, it's hot.
Following her into the kitchen, Francesca doesn't know which question to answer first.
EXT. PORCH - LATER THAT DAY
Madge and Francesca sit facing the pasture beside a table with coffee and brown betty. We parachute into the middle of
the scene.
MADGE
... I said to her, "what's the point of summer school if all he's going to do are these art projects. The boy
needs so much work in math and his spelling is a nightmare...
(continues)
Francesca isn't listening. Her mind wanders.
FANTASY:
FRANCESCA
Madge. Please. Something's happened. I've met someone. I've fallen in love in a way I've never thought could happen my entire life. It's our last day together. I feel like I'm going to die when he leaves. Please. Help me.
MADGE
Oh, honey. I'm so sorry. But you've got to be grateful for even feeling the little you've be given. Believe me. Go to him. Don't let him leave without these new precious hours you've got left. And if you need anyone to cry on, you know where I am.
END OF FANTASY:
Madge shoves a plate at her.
MADGE (cont'd)
More brown betty?
Francesca takes the plate. She can't think straight.
MADGE (cont'd)
... Anyway, I'm glad that's over with. Sara doing so well though. Everyone thought I was crazy having them so far apart, but...
(CONTINUES...)
FANTASY:
Francesca stands behind Madge, as the latter chatters on MOS. She calmly picks up the brown betty and, from behind, shoves it into Madge's face and holds it there, trying to suffocate her with it. Madge struggles.
END OF FANTASY:
Francesca's mind races as Madge continues.
MADGE
... without one lesson. The instructor couldn't believe it. So, who knows -- she may have talent. How's Carolyn doing? What are her plans for next year?
Francesca realizes this is her moment. She holds her head and leans over, unsteadily.
MADGE (cont'd)
Honey, what's wrong?
FRANCESCA
I don't know. I woke up a little dizzy. I didn't sleep well. I think I need to lay down.
MADGE
You want me to call the doctor?
FRANCESCA
No, no. I just didn't sleep well. I'm not used to sleeping alone. And this heat. Would you mind?
MADGE
No, of course not. I'll just clean up.
FRANCESCA
No, leave it. I'll do it later. Listen, maybe you and Floyd can come for dinner on Saturday. I'm sure Richard'll have so many stories to tell you both about the fair and all.
MADGE
Oh, that'll be nice.
CUT TO:
INT. BEDROOM - LATER THAT DAY
Francesca enters to find Richard, laying on the bed fully clothed. She sits beside him. He strokes her arm, then guides her to lay down. Once she's in his arms, he speaks.
ROBERT
Come with me.
Francesca knew he was going to say this. Either answer she gives frightens her.
FRANCESCA
Hold me.
She turns to him and they embrace. Robert, however, fears only one response. On the soundtrack, we hear the song "DARN
THAT DREAM."
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN - EVENING
The song continues over the next few images. Camera slowly pans from the radio, upon which the song is playing, to a beautifully set table and candles. It arrives on Robert preparing dinner.
INT. BEDROOM
Camera pans the room from two OPENED SUITCASES, as Francesca packs to leave. She moves about the room as if with blinders on -- focused on her task, refusing to take in any sign or memories that might hinder her. She is wearing a RED DRESS, with BUTTONS down the front.
INT. KITCHEN
Robert stands at the sink rinsing out some utensils. Waiting for the water to turn hot, he looks out through the window above the sink. He sees a beautiful view of beautiful night. He pauses as it strikes him that this is a view Francesca has seen a million times -- that soon she would not see ever again.
INT. SECOND FLOOR LANDING
Camera follows her as she exits the bedroom with her suitcases, then walks down the hall to the stairs, then down the staircase to the front hall.
She quietly sets the suitcases down, hearing the radio and Robert in the kitchen. She pauses, then enters the living room. One of the throw pillows has fallen off the couch. She replaces it then takes a moment to look about the room. She slowly sits down on the couch.
We hear voices of the past, auditory memories conjured up by each stick of furniture Francesca sees.
FRANCESCA (V.O.)
Michael, get off the back of that chair! What did I tell you!
WE HEAR HIM FALL AND BEGIN TO CRY.
FRANCESCA (V.O.)
All you all right, honey. Let me see...
A sound of Christmas music... of toddlers running and laughing... A birthday party for Carolyn...
CAROLYN (V.O.)
Mama, look -- look at the dress Aunt
Patty sent!
RICHARD (V.O.)
Franny, BONNAZA's on!
ROBERT
Francesca?
Francesca snaps out for it and turns to find Robert.
ROBERT (cont'd)
I've got dinner.
She smiles.
INT. KITCHEN
They eat by candlelight. Neither speaks. Neither is very
hungry.
ROBERT
Would you like a beer?
She smiles and shakes her head. Robert opens a bottle and takes a sip.
ROBERT (cont'd)
You know what I'd like to do before we leave? I'd like to take a picture of you -- at Roseman bridge. Maybe just as the sun's coming up.
FRANCESCA
Yes. I'd like that.
Pause. Robert smiles back and takes another sip. Then, knowing full well what hangs heavy between them, he asks:
ROBERT
Tell me why you're not coming with me?
Francesca stops pretending to eat. She looks at him, having forgotten how well he can read her.
FRANCESCA
No matter how I keep turning it around in my mind -- it doesn't seem like the right thing.
ROBERT
For who?
FRANCESCA
For anyone. They'll never be able to live through the talk. Richard will never be able to. He doesn't deserve that. He hasn't hurt anyone in his life.
ROBERT
(getting aggressive)
Then he can move! People move!
FRANCESCA
His family's lived for almost a hundred years. Richard doesn't know how to live anywhere else. And the kids...
ROBERT
The kids are grown! They don't need you anymore. You told me that. They hardly talk to you.
FRANCESCA
No, they don't say much. But Carolyn's 16. She's just about to find out about all this for herself -- she's going to fall in love, she's going to try and figure out how to build a life with someone. If I leave what does that say to her?
ROBERT
What about us? What about me?
FRANCESCA
You've got to know deep down that the minute we leave here. It'll all change.
ROBERT
Yeah. It could get better.
FRANCESCA
No matter how much distance we put between us and this house, I bring with it with me. And I'll feel it every minute we're together. And I'll blame loving you for how much it hurts. And then even these four days won't be anything more than something sordid and... a mistake.
ROBERT
(desperately)
Francesca, listen to me. You think what's happened to us happens to just anybody? What we feel for each other? How much we feel? We're not even two separate people anymore. Some people search their whole lives for it and wind up alone -- most people don't even think it exists and you're going to tell me that giving it up is the right thing to do? That staying here alone in a marriage, alone in a town you hate, in a house you don't feel apart of anymore -- you're telling me that's the right thing to do!?
FRANCESCA
We are the choices we've made, Robert.
ROBERT
(rises)
TO HELL WITH YOU!
He turns his back on her.
FRANCESCA
