As Francesca thinks of an answer, she looks over to theentranceway between the kitchen and the front hall and sees
FANTASY
Richard standing there in his underwear, reaching over his shoulder.
RICHARDFranny, could you clean out my boilagain
END OF FANTASY
Francesca answers Robert, half of her still in fantasy --FRANCESCAHe's very... clean.
ROBERTClean
FRANCESCA(catching herself)No. I mean yes, he's clean but he'salso other things. He's a very hardworker. Very honest. Very caring.
Gentle. Good father.
ROBERTAnd clean.
FRANCESCAYes. Very clean.
They drink. Francesca thinks she sounds like an idiot.
ROBERTSo you must like Oiwa, I guess.
Francesca looks at him. She wants to tell the truth, butholds back.
FRANCESCAIt's... uh... uh...
She stops. Robert smiles.
ROBERTGo ahead. I won't tell anyone.
Surprised, Francesca looks at him oddly -- as if he alreadyknows and is giving her permission.
FRANCESCAIt's...
tries again)I...
finally)I hate it
She covers her mouth, like a reflex -- worried someone heard.
Robert just smiles and nods.
Francesca is so taken by his understanding and acceptance,she lets the flood gates open, speaking faster than her mindcan keep up --FRANCESCA (cont'd)(without a pause)I hate it! I hate it! I HATE IT! Ihate the corn and the dust and thetown and the cows and that SMELL thatyou love! I hate the people.
Everybody knows everybody's business,I mean it's nice now and then,they're always there to help out, butthat's just it, it's like they'rewaiting for something awful to happento help out and when nothing awful ishappening, then they just sit aroundand talk about what is happeningwhich is none of their business. Iwant to kill them sometimes for howcruel they can be --Camera begins slowly moving out to a wider angle...
FRANCESCA (cont'd)-- everybody's talking about poor Mrs.
Delaney whose husband is having anaffair with that Redfield woman and"isn't it a shame," and "isn't itawful," and the truth is THEY'RELOVING IT! Poor woman can't even becheated on without the grocery manknowing about it -- no one respectsanyone's privacy. You're not evensafe in your own home! They thinkthey can just walk right into yourhouse because they BAKED yousomething. It's like they have asecret password and YOU CAN'T KEEPTHEM OUT! I live in fear of that dooropening and having a peach cobblershoved at me...
CONTINUES MOS IFNEEDED)Throughout this rapid fire monologue, camera has moved to awide angle as Robert just sits and listens, letting her getit all off her chest. She continues as we
DISSOLVE TO
INT. LIVING ROOMFrancesca is lying on the couch as Robert places a cold clothon her head. Her "confession" took a lot out offer.
ROBERTFeeling better
FRANCESCAMuch.
ROBERTIs the dizziness gone
FRANCESCAI think so.
She sits up. She feels exposed. But also, relieved.
ROBERTI better go. You sure you're allright
she nods)It's been a pleasure. Sincerely.
FRANCESCAI feel so embarrassed.
ROBERTWhy? You uncorked a bottle. From whatI can tell, I got here just in time.
Any later and you'd have made thefront page, running down Main Streetnaked, smoking Camels out of yourbutt.
FRANCESCA(laughs)But I... We don't even know eachother.
ROBERT(sincerely)You have no reason to feel ashamed.
You haven't said anything you don'thave a right to. And if anybody tellsyou different -- you just send them tome.
She smiles. He turns to exit.
ROBERT (cont'd)Better get my stuff.
Francesca surprises herself. She doesn't want him to go.
FRANCESCAWould you like to stay for dinner
he turns)There aren't many choices in town and... anyway, you'd have to eat alone.
So would I.
ROBERTThat's very nice of you. I don't getmany dinner invitations on the job.
It would be a welcome change. Thanks.
CUT TO
INT. BEDROOM - LATERFrancesca rushes in and starts to disrobe, getting ready toshower and change for dinner. She glances out the window andsees
EXT. JOHNSON HOUSERobert is at the water pump. His shirt is off and he iswashing himself. (WE INTERCUT THE TWO.)Francesca finds herself staring, a bit open mouthed. He hasa muscular, firm body. She watches how the water cascadesover his body. How he seems so unashamed, so "in his skin,"moving with such strength and grace.
Robert pauses and looks out over the open pasture. The coldwater feels good. Since the pump is the back of the house,hidden from the road, no one can see him. He decides to takeoff his pants and cool himself further.
Francesca begins watching this in shock until she has toliterally pull herself away from the window with such a forcethat she rams herself into a chest of drawers, knocking overan array of perfume bottles and a mirror. She deftly catchesa falling bottle and freezes. Taking a breath, she pullsherself together.
FRANCESCAThis is ridiculous. Stupid
She replaces the bottle and heads for the bathroom quitecomposed, then, without warning, makes an immediate 180degree turn and heads back to the window to sneak a peek.
Seeing him, she gasps.
FRANCESCA (cont'd)Oh my God.
Watching him, she is possessed by some very frighteningfeelings and runs from the window, into the bathroom, closingthe door behind her.
EXT. JOHNSON HOUSE - EARLY EVENINGFrancesca is gathering some vegetables for dinner, from hergarden. Robert is at his truck, in his pants, changing intoa fresh shirt.
INT. KITCHEN - LATERFrancesca is cutting up vegetables. Robert enters with someof his gear.
ROBERTI'm just going to put some of thisfilm in your fridge. Heat isn't tooforgiving out there.
He does. On the radio, TONY BENNETT sings "WRAP YOUR TROUBLESIN DREAMS." Robert approaches Francesca.
ROBERT (cont'd)Can I help
FRANCESCA(surprised)Help cook
ROBERTSure. Men cook. We don't all eatbananas with our feet, ya know.
FRANCESCA(laughs)Okay.
They stand side by side. Francesca hands him a stack ofcarrots and a knife.
MONTAGE
Tony Bennett's up-tempo tone plays over a series of images ofFrancesca and Robert talk and prepare dinner.
Four hands side by side, cutting and chopping.
Occasionally, a hand brushes against another as it reachesfor something.
Robert's hand gently touching Francesca's waist as hereaches around her for an onion.
Robert lighting Francesca a cigarette.
Robert brings in his cooker through the screen door. HEMAKES SURE IT DOESN'T SLAM. FRANCESCA MAKES A NOTE OF THIS.
Robert opens the cooler and removes two cold beers, tossingone to Francesca.
Francesca opening a new tablecloth and spreading it out onthe table.
Francesca handing Robert plates from the shelf, theirfingers only barely touching.