Another Woman Page #6

- Why are we afraid to be alone together?

- I didn't think we were.

- Because we've nothing to say any more?

We talk.

Why go out with Mark and Lydia

on our anniversary anyway?

If that's all that's bothering you,

we won't go.

But neither should we drive all the way

to the hotel where we had our first tryst.

Don't do that. Don't make

something romantic sound infantile.

OK, but it's the same level

of maturity as sex on the floor.

We might as well have it on the floor.

We don't have it in bed.

- I don't believe we're discussing this.

- Why've you stopped sleeping with me?

We are simply going through a less active

period, that's all. It's not uncommon.

Why? I just wanna know why.

Why don't we just go to bed?

There was a time that

we were dying to be together.

Marion, you're still the most

desirable woman I know.

But we won't make love tonight

because there'll be some excuse.

I hadn't realised how much of that

had slipped away until today.

I'm really sorry. If I've done

anything wrong, forgive me.

I accept your condemnation.

(d"Cello Suite No.6 in D Major")

(Sam) You were a wonderful pupil.

Certainly the most interesting one

in my class. Still, the age difference...

I love you.

I love you too.

- Happy birthday.

- I told you not to bother.

Oh, I wanted to. Open it.

While you were out I read your paper.

It was quite brilliantly written.

It's your work that's brilliant.

And more important, it's original.

- What is it? From a play or something?

- Yes.

It's an original from a French

production of La Gioconda.

- I love it.

- I thought you'd like it.

It was all I could afford

from that great store.

(d "The Bilbao Song")

The following morning I realised I'd

forgotten to get Ken an anniversary gift.

I thought it would be a simple thing,

but it took surprisingly long.

The truth was I couldn't really

think of what he might like.

After window-shopping for an hour or so,

I came across an old antiques store.

At first I didn't think there'd be

anything special for him there,

but somehow I was drawn to look further.

The place was empty and dusty,

and in the back a radio was playing.

It was full of odd pieces, and I found

browsing in it quite fascinating.

(woman sobbing)

(Marion) Excuse me. Are you all right?

Thank you. I'm OK.

Can I help you?

I'm sorry. I don't know why

I'm so emotional. I was...

Thank you.

Thank you. I was... I was just

looking at that picture there, and I...

And I just felt so sad.

Oh, but this is a very optimistic work.

You know, I saw the original

of this once. In fact, its title is Hope.

I think, of all the paintings Klimt did

in that period, this is the most positive.

I'm sorry.

Are you an artist?

Yes. Well, I used to do some

painting when I was younger.

I was absolutely in love

with this whole school.

It's funny. Just this morning I was

thinking about... that I missed painting.

- I'd like to get back into it.

- Really?

I guess we all imagine

what might have been.

But that was a long time ago.

Well, anyway...

- Are you feeling better now?

- Yes, I just wanna get some air.

- What kind of paintings did you do?

- Watercolours, mostly.

We left the store and walked together.

I wanted to know her better

without seeming pushy.

We talked about art, and the discussion

seemed to cheer her a little.

We stopped at a gallery and spent

time marvelling at the pictures,

and I took a chance and invited her to

lunch. I was excited when she accepted.

She suggested a little out-of-the-way

place that was charming and private.

We ordered a bottle of wine, although

she hardly touched it, being pregnant.

The result was that I wound up

drinking most of it,

and while I really wanted to find out about

her it was me who did most of the talking.

I didn't think anything of turning 30.

Everybody said I would.

Then they said I'd be crushed turning 40.

But they were wrong. I didn't

give it a second's thought.

Then they said that I'd be

traumatised when I hit 50.

And they were right.

I'll tell you the truth.

I don't think I've ever recovered

my balance since turning 50.

Aw, gee, 50's not so old.

No, I know it isn't, but...

you just suddenly look up

and see where you are.

You're in a good spot, aren't you?

Well, I thought I was.

And then there's chances gone by

you can't have back again.

Well, like what?

I don't know.

Maybe it would be nice to have a child.

You really think that?

I do.

I've never said it before, but I do.

(Sam) How arrogant! How

self-centred and feelingless!

I told you I didn't want a baby!

What do you mean, "didn't want a baby"?

- It was partly mine!

- Except it's my life that gets derailed.

- I'm just destroyed!

- You go on doing what you want,

- and I have to stop and bring it up.

- But we'd share the responsibility.

- You know it would devolve down to me.

- I wanted this baby!

- I told you, it was not part of my plan.

- But you did it without consulting me.

Consulting you?! It's my baby!

Do I have to consult you for every move

I make? It's only your ego that's hurt.

- You said you wanted children.

- I do, but not now.

I don't have the future stretched

out in front of me indefinitely.

It's easy for you to say. You've done

your work. I'm just starting out,

trying to make something of myself!

It's not fair to the child.

But you could do it without asking me! Or

giving me a chance to argue you out of it!

I didn't want to be argued out of it. We've

talked this to death! Lt-lt was unwanted!

Do you want to bring a child

into this world? Really?

You're the one that hates it so much,

forever lecturing me on the

pointlessness of existence.

- I hate you so!

- Let me go! Stop it!

I can't stand this any more! Let me go!

To be capable of such a lack of feeling!

Knowing how I felt!

Caring only about how you felt!

Your career. Your life of the mind.

(woman) I feel... I feel a little depressed.

I met a really sad woman today.

A woman you'd think

would have everything,

and she doesn't. She has nothing.

And it made me feel frightened.

Because I feel...

I feel if I don't stop myself,

as the years go by,

I'm gonna wind up that way.

She can't allow herself to feel.

So the result is she's led this...

cold cerebral life, and... and has

alienated everyone around her.

Well, you know, we've

talked about this before,

how I... how I only... only

hear and see what I want to.

That's exactly what she does. She...

She's pretended for so long

that everything's fine,

but you can see clearly

how... how lost she is.

She had an abortion years ago,

which she regrets.

She rationalises it in many ways,

but I think the truth is she was afraid of

the feelings she would have for a baby.

And she's a very bright woman,

very accomplished.

But like me, she... Well, you know

emotions have always embarrassed me.

I've run away from men

who I felt threatened me

because the intensity of their

passion just frightens me.

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