TIME FLIES (WHEN YOU’RE ALIVE)

EXT. ABBOTT BACK YARD - DAY

A cooler, windier day. Francesca is walking through her garden, no longer abloom. She’s bundled-up. Paul is moving across the lawn with some tea on a tray. He puts it down on the patio table. She sits down, tired. A paper napkin blows away. She starts to retrieve it, but can’t move fast enough.

PAUL

I'll get it.

He captures the napkin. He sits down. She pours the tea.

FRANCESCA

I’ve decided that what a good life is, is putting up the good fight against all odds. I’m putting up a good fight, aren’t I?

PAUL

You’re the champ.

FRANCESCA

I didn’t get the napkin, but I could’ve gotten the napkin if you hadn’t stopped me.

PAUL

I know that.

Silence. Then.

FRANCESCA

I hate this fucking disease. But I’m stronger than it is. I’m going to beat it, Paul.

PAUL

If anybody can, you can.
(looks at his watch)
I’ve got to pick up the kids. I’ll be back in ten minutes. You okay?

FRANCESCA

Uh-huh.

He starts away.

FRANCESCA

Paul?

He stops.

FRANCESCA (CONT’D)

I was talking to Henry Lake. I told him I’ve been feeling pretty bad. He suggested I go on a juice fast and then a new diet but I don’t think that’s what I want to do right now.

PAUL

That’s good, very wise of you. I’ll be right back.

FRANCESCA

Paul.

He stops, turns.

FRANCESCA

We’re not ready yet, are we?

PAUL

Not yet.

FRANCESCA

Paul. I want to let my mom take the kids for a few days. Will you take a ride with me? We can bring all the old tapes and drive into the mountains?

PAUL

I’d like that a lot.

FRANCESCA

And Paul.
(he turns)
Nothing.

He looks at her a few moments, then smiles and goes. She sits, her eyes closed. The phone RINGS. She’s startled. She gets up, looks for the portable phone somewhere on the patio.

Her body moves slower now. She’s more fragile. She picks up the phone, sits on a large rock.

FRANCESCA

Hello... I’m sorry but he’s not here... Yes, it is... Oh, I’m afraid I don’t need any light bulbs right now... Five Years? That’s quite a light bulb. Tell me this isn’t a scam, is it? If it is, please hang up... Disabled Vets, eh. Five year guarantee, my God, my oldest boy will be twelve. Twelve, eight and five. What was your name again?... Do you have children, Mr. Shaw?... Oh, my. You’ll have to sell a lot of light bulbs won’t you? Children have such a strange attitude toward light, don’t you think? Have you ever noticed how they can read after the sun fades? And the lights aren’t on? But then again, children have their own inner light, don’t they? I love my children, Mr. Shaw.

CAMERA BEGINS TO SLOWLY PULL UP AND AWAY.

FRANCESCA (CONT’D)

Tell me, what’s the price of this extraordinary light bulb?... That’s a rather expensive light bulb, isn’t it?... I know, five years, but what if it burns out in four, four and a half, where will I find you?... Won’t burn out, eh? You must have some remarkable scientists down there. They don’t happen to have anything on the old drawing board for cancer do they, just kidding, Mr. Shaw. Just an old disabled vet’s joke.

By now, WE ARE ABOVE FRANCESCA’S HOUSE, her figure grows smaller as WE CONTINUE UPWARD.

FRANCESCA

Tell you what, you can put me down for a light bulb, okay?... I have to buy six? That’s thirty years. My my. Alright, Mr. Shaw, put me down for thirty years.

WE ARE NOW HIGH ABOVE the entire neighborhood, as WE LOOK DOWN at the small figure of Francesca, alone.

******************

Excerpt from the screenplay:
“Time Flies (When You’re Alive)” by Alvin Sargent
© 1993 TriStar Pictures, Inc.
Based on the play:
“An Evening With Paul Linke: Time Flies When You’re Alive”
by Paul Linke
All Rights Reserved
Courtesy of Columbia Pictures