FRANCESCA (cont'd)(softly)
Don't you see, I've got to know thetruth, Robert. I've got to know thetruth or I'll go crazy. Either way.
Just tell me. But I can't act likethis is enough because it has to be.
I can't pretend I don't feel what Ifeel because it's over tomorrow.
Robert, keeping his face from her, tries to tell her
ROBERTIf I've done anything to make youthink that what's happened between usis nothing new for me -- is someroutine -- then I do apologize.
FRANCESCAWhat makes it different, Robert
Robert turns to face her. He is so hopelessly in love he canhardly find the words. His eyes fill up with tears.
ROBERTBecause... if I even think abouttomorrow -- if I...
voice cracks)even think about leaving here withoutyou -- I'm not sure I can... that I -(he shakes his head)He can't even finish. He kneels down before her wrapping hisarms around her and burying his face into her body. Francescastarts to cry -- out of happiness, out of pain -- holding ontohim as if for dear life.
FRANCESCAOh God... what are we going to do
She kisses him -- over and over, not wanting to be even aninch apart. As if any space between them might separate themforever.
Suddenly, OS, they hear a CAR DRIVE UP to the house. Theypanic. Francesca runs to the window to see
MADGE, a girlfriend, has come for a visit. Madge is holdinga homemade dessert.
FRANCESCA (cont'd)No. No. Where's your truck
ROBERTBehind 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 frontentrance, quickly cleaning up the plates.
INT. FRONT HALL - DAYFrancesca opens the door to Madge.
FRANCESCAMadge
MADGEHi. I made some brown betty. I sentFloyd off to town with the boy. I said -(entering)"Floyd, I'm going to visit mygirlfriend and spend the afternoonand that's all there is to it. Hesaid who's going to make lunch? Isaid I'm taking a sick day. Eat atthe dinner." Isn't that hilarious
MOVES INTO KITCHEN)He didn't dare raise an eyebrow -- Idon't even want to tell you how latehe was out last night with those goodfor nothings from the Sandford ranch.
I am so sorry, honey, I let two dayspass before I came by, but with theboy home the time just escapes me.
Have you heard from Richard? How'sthe fair? God, it's hot.
Following her into the kitchen, Francesca doesn't know whichquestion to answer first.
EXT. PORCH - LATER THAT DAYMadge and Francesca sit facing the pasture beside a tablewith coffee and brown betty. We parachute into the middle ofthe scene.
MADGE... I said to her, "what's the pointof summer school if all he's going todo are these art projects. The boyneeds so much work in math and hisspelling is a nightmare...
continues)Francesca isn't listening. Her mind wanders.
FANTASY
FRANCESCAMadge. Please. Something's happened.
I've met someone. I've fallen in lovein a way I've never thought couldhappen my entire life. It's our lastday together. I feel like I'm going todie when he leaves. Please. Help me.
MADGEOh, honey. I'm so sorry. But you'vegot to be grateful for even feelingthe little you've be given. Believeme. Go to him. Don't let him leavewithout these new precious hoursyou've got left. And if you needanyone 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 overwith. Sara doing so well though.
Everyone thought I was crazy havingthem 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, shovesit into Madge's face and holds it there, trying to suffocateher with it. Madge struggles.
END OF FANTASY
Francesca's mind races as Madge continues.
MADGE... without one lesson. Theinstructor couldn't believe it. So,who knows -- she may have talent.
How's Carolyn doing? What are herplans for next year
Francesca realizes this is her moment. She holds her head andleans over, unsteadily.
MADGE (cont'd)Honey, what's wrong
FRANCESCAI don't know. I woke up a littledizzy. I didn't sleep well. I thinkI need to lay down.
MADGEYou want me to call the doctor
FRANCESCANo, no. I just didn't sleep well.
I'm not used to sleeping alone. Andthis heat. Would you mind
MADGENo, of course not. I'll just clean up.
FRANCESCANo, leave it. I'll do it later.
Listen, maybe you and Floyd can comefor dinner on Saturday. I'm sureRichard'll have so many stories totell you both about the fair and all.
MADGEOh, that'll be nice.
CUT TO
INT. BEDROOM - LATER THAT DAYFrancesca enters to find Richard, laying on the bed fullyclothed. She sits beside him. He strokes her arm, then guidesher to lay down. Once she's in his arms, he speaks.
ROBERTCome with me.
Francesca knew he was going to say this. Either answer shegives frightens her.
FRANCESCAHold me.
She turns to him and they embrace. Robert, however, fearsonly one response. On the soundtrack, we hear the song "DARNTHAT DREAM."CUT TO
INT. KITCHEN - EVENINGThe song continues over the next few images. Camera slowlypans from the radio, upon which the song is playing, to abeautifully set table and candles. It arrives on Robertpreparing dinner.
INT. BEDROOMCamera pans the room from two OPENED SUITCASES, as Francescapacks to leave. She moves about the room as if with blinderson -- focused on her task, refusing to take in any sign ormemories that might hinder her. She is wearing a RED DRESS,with BUTTONS down the front.
INT. KITCHENRobert stands at the sink rinsing out some utensils. Waitingfor the water to turn hot, he looks out through the windowabove the sink. He sees a beautiful view of beautiful night.
He pauses as it strikes him that this is a view Francesca hasseen a million times -- that soon she would not see ever again.
INT. SECOND FLOOR LANDINGCamera follows her as she exits the bedroom with hersuitcases, then walks down the hall to the stairs, then downthe staircase to the front hall.
She quietly sets the suitcases down, hearing the radio andRobert in the kitchen. She pauses, then enters the livingroom. One of the throw pillows has fallen off the couch. Shereplaces it then takes a moment to look about the room. Sheslowly sits down on the couch.
We hear voices of the past, auditory memories conjured up byeach stick of furniture Francesca sees.
FRANCESCA (V.O.)Michael, get off the back of thatchair! 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 andlaughing... A birthday party for Carolyn...
CAROLYN (V.O.)Mama, look -- look at the dress AuntPatty sent
RICHARD (V.O.)Franny, BONNAZA's on
ROBERTFrancesca
Francesca snaps out for it and turns to find Robert.
ROBERT (cont'd)I've got dinner.
She smiles.
INT. KITCHENThey eat by candlelight. Neither speaks. Neither is veryhungry.
ROBERTWould you like a beer
She smiles and shakes her head. Robert opens a bottle andtakes a sip.
ROBERT (cont'd)You know what I'd like to do beforewe leave? I'd like to take a pictureof you -- at Roseman bridge. Maybejust as the sun's coming up.
FRANCESCAYes. I'd like that.
Pause. Robert smiles back and takes another sip. Then,knowing full well what hangs heavy between them, he asks
ROBERTTell me why you're not coming with me
Francesca stops pretending to eat. She looks at him, havingforgotten how well he can read her.
FRANCESCANo matter how I keep turning itaround in my mind -- it doesn't seemlike the right thing.
ROBERTFor who
FRANCESCAFor anyone. They'll never be able tolive through the talk. Richard willnever be able to. He doesn't deservethat. He hasn't hurt anyone in hislife.
ROBERT(getting aggressive)Then he can move! People move
FRANCESCAHis family's lived for almost ahundred years. Richard doesn't knowhow to live anywhere else. And thekids...
ROBERTThe kids are grown! They don't needyou anymore. You told me that. Theyhardly talk to you.
FRANCESCANo, they don't say much. ButCarolyn's 16. She's just about tofind out about all this for herself-- she's going to fall in love,she's going to try and figure outhow to build a life with someone.
If I leave what does that say to her
ROBERTWhat about us? What about me
FRANCESCAYou've got to know deep down that theminute we leave here. It'll allchange.
ROBERTYeah. It could get better.
FRANCESCANo matter how much distance we putbetween us and this house, I bringwith it with me. And I'll feel itevery minute we're together. And I'llblame loving you for how much ithurts. And then even these four dayswon't be anything more than somethingsordid and... a mistake.
ROBERT(desperately)Francesca, listen to me. You thinkwhat's happened to us happens to justanybody? What we feel for each other
How much we feel? We're not even twoseparate people anymore. Some peoplesearch their whole lives for it andwind up alone -- most people don'teven think it exists and you're goingto tell me that giving it up is theright thing to do? That staying herealone in a marriage, alone in a townyou hate, in a house you don't feelapart of anymore -- you're telling methat's the right thing to do
FRANCESCAWe are the choices we've made, Robert.
ROBERT(rises)TO HELL WITH YOU
He turns his back on her.
FRANCESCARobert. Please.
desperate to explain)You don't understand -- no one does.
When a woman makes the choice tomarry, to have children -- in one wayher life begins but in another way itstops. You build a life of details.
You become a mother, a wife and youstop and stay steady so that yourchildren can move. And when theyleave they take your life of detailswith them. And then you're expectedmove again only you don't rememberwhat moves you because no one hasasked in so long. Not even yourself.
You never in your life think thatlove like this can happen to you.
ROBERTBut now that you have it -FRANCESCAI want to keep it forever. I want tolove you the way I do now the rest ofmy life. Don't you understand -- we'lllose it if we leave. I can't make anentire life disappear to start a newone. All I can do is try to hold ontoto both. Help me. Help me not loseloving you.
She embraces him. He wraps his arms around her. He whispers.
ROBERTDon't leave me. Don't leave me alone.
Please.
This breaks her heart, knowing how hard it is for him to saythis. She holds him tighter, until -ROBERT (cont'd)Listen. Maybe you feel this way,maybe you don't. Maybe it's justbecause you're in this house. Maybe... maybe when they come backtomorrow you'll feel differently.
Don't you think that's possible
FRANCESCAI don't know. Please...
ROBERTI'm going to be here a few more days.
I'll be at the Inn. We have sometime. Let's not say any more now.
FRANCESCANo. Don't do this.
ROBERTI CAN'T SAY GOODBYE YET! We'll leaveit for now. We're not saying goodbye.
We're not making any decision. Maybeyou'll change your mind. Maybe we'llaccidentally run into each other and... and you'll change your mind.
FRANCESCARobert, if that happens, you'll haveto decide. I won't be able to.
She cries in his arms. He kisses her as if for the last time.
Then, quickly, separates himself and leaves the house.
EXT. JOHNSON HOUSERobert walks briskly towards his truck not wanting to lookback. He gets in, starts it up and drives away.
Francesca exits the house and watches the truck recede intothe distance. She stops when she reaches the front gate,leaning against it. She murmurs to herself -FRANCESCAKeep going. Please.
The truck drives away. Then, suddenly, stops. Francesca'sheart quickens. She watches as the truck stands on the roadin the distance. As if Robert was deciding to turn around orkeep going. Francesca waits. Suddenly, the door to the truckflies open and Robert exits. Francesca loses all restraint.
She opens the gate but her dress is caught on it. Robertstands by the truck. Francesca tears at the dress, rippingoff a button which falls to the ground. She runs down theroad. Seeing her, Robert runs towards her as well.
They grab each other furiously. For these few moments, allconsiderations are gone. As he kisses her, he murmurs
ROBERTI forgot to take your picture.
She laughs through her tears as they continue to kiss. Camerapans up to the road beyond Robert's truck.
WE SEE RICHARD'S TRUCK DRIVING TOWARDS THEM. For a moment itseems as if they will be caught until we realize RICHARD'STRUCK IS BEING SUPERIMPOSED as the LIGHT GRADUALLY BRIGHTENSTO REVEAL
MORNING.
EXT. JOHNSON HOUSERichard, Michael and Carolyn drive down the road toward thehouse. Robert's truck, and all traces of him, are gone.
Francesca steps into the doorway in a house dress to welcomeher family home -- wondering how this will feel.
JOHNSON KITCHEN - EVENINGThe Johnson family has dinner as Francesca narrates
FRANCESCA (V.O.)You all came home. And with you, mylife of details.
EXT. JOHNSON HOUSEEveryone is doing various daily chores.
FRANCESCA (V.O.)A day or two past and with eachthought of him, a task would presentitself like a life saver, pulling mefurther and further away from thosefour days.
INT. LIVING ROOM - EVENINGFrancesca is reading. Richard watches TV.
FRANCESCA (V.O.)I was grateful. I felt safe.