Scene 14 - Mary Drives

(Darkness. We hear footsteps in gravel.)

(We see legs of Bruce and Mary walking in a parking lot at night. It is very quiet, save for the footsteps.)

Mary: ...and we didn't even do it. Everybody just figured it was us.

Bruce: Well, as long as you know yourself, that's what matters. Other people, sometimes they'll dismiss you any way they can.

Mary: And they acted like we were sluts or something. We weren't even with those other girls.

Bruce: Yeah... The world's too complicated for a lot of people. It's easier to simplify, to link people together. Make a generalization from a specific instance.

(During the above conversation Bruce has been fumbling for his car keys. They reach the car as he says "instance". Mary is to Bruce's right. As he pulls the keys from his pocket she touches his right arm with both hands.)

Mary: (Eagerly) Let me drive!

Bruce: (Pause. Bruce looks incredulous.) My car?

Mary: No, your pet poodle. (Pause. She leans closer to him. Their lips are almost touching. She whispers.) Yeah, your car.

Bruce: (In same pose. Bruce hasn't changed his position.) But you don't have a license. You're thirteen...

Mary: (Smiling, quietly) Like, come on. What could happen?

Bruce: You could wreck, kill us both. Wipe out a family of nuns...

Mary: Oh, uh, please? I have done it before. Maybe you don't believe me. I can show you...

(Camera hangs on the two of them for a second or so.)

(Close up of their hands as Bruce passes the keys to Mary, with little motion.)

(Camera view from back seat of car. Mary and Bruce get inside car, close doors. Mary fumbles with the keys in the darkness.)

Bruce: It's the round one...

(Mary puts key in the ignition.)

Bruce: I've really lost it this time...

(Mary cranks the engine. She looks over and widens her eyes with a smile as the car starts.)

(We see Mary through the front windshield, contemplating the wheel and gearshift. She then places her hands on both.)

Bruce: So you say you have, ahem, done it before, right? I mean we are talking about driving an automobile, not some wayward sexual allegory...

(Camera from rear seat as Mary puts car in gear. She turns around to look behind her.)

Mary: Relax. My Dad used to race cars.

Bruce: So you've got it in your genes or something?

(Mary smiles.)

(We see car pull back then go forward making a K turn, a little jerky, then drive forward to left of camera.)

(Car is moving more or less smoothly down the road.)

Mary: Were you always a teacher?

Bruce: No, once I was just a baby.

Mary: (Makes a face) Do you thing I'm a baby?

Bruce: No... Hey, pay attention.

Mary: This driving, I knew it wouldn't be so hard.

Bruce: Driving is something no one can really do, but everyone thinks they can do. You're probably just as good as anyone else. Still...

Mary: (Continues) Being an adult isn't so hard.

Bruce: I like you just the way you are...

Mary: (Beams at this. Pause.) My dad used to take me driving. He'd let me shift and everything. I didn't tell you. I wanted to see you have a cow.

(She glances at Bruce.) Are you having a cow?

(Exterior of car. Sound of wind, rushing leaves as we see above car, looking down, as car glides past camera in successive takes, left to right. No engine noise. Car is luminescent, bright, while background is very dark. It looks as if the car is floating in a sea of darkness.)

(Row of tall evergreens swaying in the wind.)

(We see from a slightly high vantage point Bruce's car, stopped, nudged amidst some trees along the shoulder of a back road The white car contrasts with the deep background in which one can barely discern detail. Dusklike lighting. Could shoot at dusk, or use a #29 red filter, which will make the trees somewhat dark. This is a black and white film, you know.)

(Fade)

Mary's voice: (Quiet, breathy) Oh...

Bruce's voice: That's the one, little girl...