Artist
Madison, CT
linseyta
Realization hits Molly as the older womans actions dawn on her.
Beatrice smiles, and then does the unthinkable, mouthing the word love.
Stunned by this revelation, Molly stares dumbstruck at Beatrice.
Possibly show a cut away shot of the file on the table top, the fact that she hasn't spoken in years despite many efforts.
Not wanting to let this miracle vanish, Molly prods her further.
MOLLY
(breathless)
And? What happened?
BEATRICE
We were discovered.
MOLLY
Discovered?
Beatrice points to another photo of a handsome young man in uniform.
MOLLY
Who was he?
BEATRICE
My fiance.
We hear, as if in the distance, a man shouting in a jealous rage. We hear two young women as well, crying, fearful and pleading with the man. We then hear a loud slap and a cry of pain. Silence follows.
MOLLY
(gasps)
Oh no! What happened?
Beatrice gathers her hands in her lap, stares at them for a moment and then looks back at Molly, the sad smile present on her face again.
BEATRICE
My parents shipped me off to boarding school. Her parents were not as kind.
Like a child listening intently for sounds of Santa, Molly says not a word to disrupt the story.
BEATRICE
She simply vanished.
INT. BEATRICES' BEDROOM -- DAY
BEATRICE (V.O.) Till one day I received a letter from my brother.
The young woman that was Beatrice is standing by a window with a letter in her hand. She continues to read until she suddenly stops, her hands clasp the letter tightly. She starts to shake, she covers her mouth with one of her hands.
CUT TO:
INT. BEATRICES' ROOM-ASSISTED LIVING HOME -- CONTINUOUS
Beatrice plays with the hem of her sweater to keep from getting too emotional. She steadies her hands and continues.
BEATRICE
She died in an institution.
CUT TO:
INT. BEATRICES' BEDROOM -- CONTINUOUS
We see young Beatrice doubled over on the floor, her body wracked by her wails of pain, the letter crushed in her hands
CUT TO:
INT. BEATRICES' ROOM-ASSISTED LIVING HOME -- CONTINUOUS
Mollys' hand has covered her mouth in horror at this reveal.
Beatrice takes a deep breath and then looks back at Molly, who looks as if she is about to cry. She reaches out and touches her on the arm.
BEATRICE
Oh, Mol, don't. I never regret for one single moment that everything happened.
Molly uses the sleeve of her shirt to wipe her eyes clear from any runaway tears.
MOLLY
No?
BEATRICE
(chuckles)
No. See, you have to understand that one summer of love can last a life time.
Beatrice reaches out and rests her hand on Mollys over the photo.
MOLLY
This whole time I've been trying to get you to talk, and one picture makes you spill your guts.
Beatrice giggles in response.
MOLLY
Remind me to try this with my Alzheimer's patient down the hall!
They both laugh in unison at this.
The camera starts to pull away from the room slowly, the two women pouring over the photo album enthusiastically, pointing at this picture and that.
FADE OUT:
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Artist
Madison, CT
linseyta