Away from Her Page #17

But that’s not what she’s thinking.

SCENE 153 OMITTED SCENE 153 OMITTED

154 INT MARIAN’S HOUSE - FEBRUARY 2005-DAY 154

MARIAN sits down at her kitchen table, pensive. She glances

at AUBREY’s feet through the doorway. Stirs her coffee.

155

INT ANDERSSON’S LIVINGROOM -FEBRUARY 2005-EVENING 155

Grant presses play on the answering machine. He stands at the

table with his head hung. As he hears the message, he turns

his head slowly to look at the phone.

MARIAN (O.S.)

Hello, Grant. I hope I got the

right person. I just thought of

something.

(MORE)

93.

MARIAN (O.S.) (cont'd)

There is a dance here in town at

the Legion supposed to be for

singles on Saturday night, and I am

on the supper committee which means

I can bring a free guest. So I

wondered whether you would happen

to be interested in that? Call me

back when you get a chance. 281

3457.

The machine beeps and another one plays. This time, her voice

has a little tremor of nerves, an affected nonchalance, a

hurry to get through and a reluctance to let go.

MARIAN(O.S.)

I just realized I’d forgot to say

who it was. Well you probably

recognized the voice. The accent.

It’s Marian. I’m still not so used

to these machines. And I wanted to

say I realize you’re not single and

I don’t mean it that way. I’m not

either, but it doesn’t hurt to get

out once in a while. Anyway, now

I’ve said all this I really hope

it’s you I’m talking to. It did

sound like your voice. If you are

interested you can call me and if

you are not you don’t need to

bother. I just thought you might

like the chance to get out. It’s

Marian speaking. I guess I already

said that. Okay, then. Good-bye.

GRANT stares at the machine for a long time.

156 INT ANDERSSON’S KITCHEN -FEBRUARY 2005- EVENING 156

GRANT makes himself an omelette.

157 INT MARIAN’S HOUSE -FEBRUARY 2005- EVENING 157

Marian watches closely as Aubrey eats his dinner.

158 INT ANDERSSON’S LIVINGROOM -FEBRUARY 2005-EVENING 158

GRANT eats his dinner, thinking.

159 INT MARIAN’S HOUSE -FEBRUARY 2005- EVENING 159

MARIAN does the dishes, thinking very hard about something.

She goes to the phone. Looks at it a long time.

93A.

94.

160 INT ANDERSSON’S COTTAGE -FEBRUARY 2005- NIGHT 160

GRANT does the dishes. Grant goes to put away the frying pan.

He stares at it for a long time.

MARIAN (O.S.)

Grant. This is Marian. I was down

in the basement putting the wash in

the dryer and I heard the phone and

when I got upstairs whoever it was

had hung up. So I just thought I

ought to say I was here. If it was

you and if you are even home.

Because I don’t have a machine

obviously, so you couldn’t leave a

message. So I just wanted. To let

you know. Bye.

Grant picks up the phone.

GRANT:

Hello Marian.

161 OMITTED 161 *

162 OMITTED 162 *

163 EXT MARIAN’S HOUSE - FEBRUARY 2005- EVENING 163 *

Grant knocks on MARIAN’s door. He is dressed in a suit with

some roses in hand. MARIAN comes to the door a lot more

vulnerable than when we first met her. She’s dressed up a

little as well.

95.

GRANT:

So.

MARIAN:

There you are.

They look at each other. Taking stock of the situation.

GRANT:

Here I am.

Marian motions him inside.

MARIAN:

I’m just putting on the finishing

touches if you get my meaning. Give

me a minute. Have a seat in the

kitchen if you want. I’ve got the

neighbours daughter over to see to

Aubrey.

Marian exits to the bathroom. Grant goes to the kitchen. Sits

down. Looks around at the orderly details of this

life.Monica, who we met earlier at Meadowlake, comes in and

turns the kettle on, not seeing Grant. She talks to AUBREY,

whose feet are again visible through the doorway.

MONICA:

Just gimme a sec Mr.Bark. Your

tea’s a comin.

Grant stares at the back of her head, waiting for her to turn

around.

GRANT:

Hello there.

Badass turns around.

MONICA:

HEY!!! How are ya? How’s your long

lost love?

GRANT smiles.

MONICA:

What are you doing here?

MARIAN enters, all gussied up and ready to go.

96.

MARIAN:

Well. Let’s be off. Free drinks

only last til eight.

He forces a smile.

GRANT:

You look lovely.

He gets up to leave. Monica has her jaw hanging open. MARIAN

heads for the door. GRANT goes to follow her but Monica stops

him. Monica stares at him, upset.

He looks at her, a little guilty and ashamed.

GRANT:

Life is...complicated.

Monica shakes her head. He pats her comfortingly on the

shoulder as he leaves the room.

164 INT MARIAN’S HOUSE - FEBRUARY 2005 - EVENING 164

Monica brings AUBREY his tea. She has tears in her eyes. At

the sound of the car driving off, he turns his head

mournfully to the window. He slowly shakes his head. Monica

holds his hand, but looks away, embarrassed. Evening winter

sunlight pours in sadly.

165 INT DANCE HALL -FEBRUARY 2005- NIGHT 165

MARIAN and GRANT dance. Grant has a far off look, not totally

engaged.

FLASHBACK:

December 2003

GRANT’s POV of FIONA skiing beside him in the field behind

their house. She looks at him, out of breath and laughing.

166 INT DANCE HALL -FEBRUARY 2005 NIGHT 166

Grant closes his eyes, trying to block out the image. Marian

looks up at him. Direct.

MARIAN:

What are you thinking about?

97.

GRANT:

Oh. Not much. Skiing.

Marian watches him. Knowing that isn’t all.

MARIAN:

Downhill?

GRANT:

Cross-country.

She shrugs.

MARIAN:

I’m more of a thrill seeker I

guess.

She looks off, smiles to herself.

GRANT:

What are you thinking about?

MARIAN:

I’m thinking. You never know how

these things are going to turn out.

You almost know. But you can never

be quite sure.

GRANT looks down at her. A little shocked at the direction

his life is about to go in.

167 EXT WOODS - TIME TRANSITION 167

Close on a skunk lily covered in snow. We stay on it as the

snow slowly melts off it, sun illuminates it, rain falls on

it, wind blows it, and the snow falls again.

168 INT MARIAN’S BEDROOM -DECEMBER 2005 - EVENING 168

GRANT sits on the bed his thoughts still a million miles

away.

FLASHBACK:

169 INT ANDERSSON’S LIVINGROOM - JANUARY 2003 169

Fiona peeks over a Norse Mythology book, lit by the fire,

laughing.

170 INT MARIAN’S BEDROOM- DECEMBER 2005 - EVENING 170

MARIAN’s bare legs pass through frame in the f.g. GRANT

smiles up at her, distracted. He is in a thousand pieces.

98.

171 EXT SKI LIFT - DECEMBER 2005 - MORNING 171

MARIAN and GRANT on the ski lift. Marian grabs Grant’s hand.

GRANT:

I’m thinking...that next time we go

skiing It might make more sense to

put Aubrey back into Meadowlake.

Just for the day. Instead of

leaving him at that teenager’s

house.

MARIAN:

Monica.

GRANT:

Sorry?

MARIAN:

Monica. That’s her name.

GRANT:

Ah. Monica. What do you think?

MARIAN:

I’m thinking that sometimes you

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote