廊桥遗梦The_Bridges_Of_Madison_County

1

Our story begins in 1965, on a hot afternoon in August.

FADE IN EXT. IOW A LANDSCAPE - DA

Rolling green hills, lush farmland, vast open space. Not a house or sign of life in sight. On a long dusty road, a TRUCK

is driving across the screen. Clouds of dirt follow in its tracks -- its motor, the only sound we hear. INT. TRUCK - DAY

FRANCESCA JOHNSON is sitting in the front seat of the pick-up truck. Her expression is distant. Her eyes are sad, as if

hiding a burden she can hardly bear. Her husband, RICHARD JOHNSON, is driving.

RICHARD

Y ou feeling better Franny?

FRANCESCA

Y es. I'm fine. It's just this heat I think.

He nods, satisfied. He turns on the radio as the VOICE OF DINAH WASHINGTON sings a bluesy, haunting love song, "I'LL

CLOSE MY EYES."

DINAH WASHINGTON

(SINGS)

2

EXT. JOHNSON HOUSE - DAY

Carolyn steps out of the doorway and heads for the car, out of which exit her brother Michael and his country girl wife

BETTY, a stout buxom chatterbox. Both boast Florida tans and fashion styles.

MICHAEL

(to Carolyn)

Explain to me again why we didn't do this in Des Moines in an air conditioned office? CAROLYN

Mom's orders.

MICHAEL

Lawyer here?

CAROLYN

(nods)

I have some sandwich fixings if you're hungry.

BETTY

(proudly)

No, we just had lunch at the hotel with my brother and his new wife. She told me all the dirt. I forgot how interesting things can get around here. It was so good to see them. The last time we visited they were in Europe. He is doing so well. He ordered champagne. For lunch! I nearly died. MICHAEL

I nearly died when we split the bill.

BETTY

Michael doesn't understand. People who make the kind of money my brother makes don't carry

money on them. They keep it all in various accounts.

MICHAEL

Then we should have had lunch at the bank.

Carolyn tries not to laugh. Betty shoots him a dirty look, then stops to take in the house and its surroundings.

BETTY

Boy. It sure has been a long time.

MICHAEL

(correcting her)

We were here two Christmases ago.

BETTY

Well, that's a long time.

MICHAEL

It's not that long.

BETTY

(suddenly upset)

Well, why don't I just say black so you can say white!

(to Carolyn)

Don't be surprised to find your brother hasn't changed an iota. He hardly ever talks and when he does it's in that tone! Y ou should have heard him at lunch -- not two words until the bill came and then he says, "Worth every penny."

MICHAEL

(defensive)

SO!

BETTY

(angry)

Y ou said it in that tone! Like you were angry at me, my brother, at the world for forcing you to eat a nice lunch!

MICHAEL

Oh Jesus.

BETTY

(staring to cry)

I simply can not stand that tone!

CAROLYN

(sympathetically)

Come inside. Y ou're just tired from

the trip.

She comforts Betty who indulges in the attention.

BETTY

I am so sick and tired of apologizing

and not knowing what I've done!

CAROLYN

I'm sure you haven't done anything.

Have some iced tea. How are the kids?