EXT. THE MONASTERY, GRAVEYARD. MORNING
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Hana appears from the Cemetery, dragging A METAL CRUCIFIX. It's bigger than she is, and she drags it along toward her garden. A MAN WATCHES HER FROM A BICYCLE. He's approaching fifty; grizzled and attractive, and could be Italian. He wears a pair of grubby mittens. The man, CARAVAGGIO, chooses this moment to introduce himself. He drops the bicyc/e on the ground with a c/atter. |
CARAVAGGIO (very cheerful): Buon giorno!
Hana turns, startled and suspicious.
CARAVAGGIO: Hana?
HANA: What do you want?
CARAVAGGIO: I met your friend Mary. She said I should stop and see if you were all right. Apparently, we're neighbors--my house is two blocks from yours in Montreal. Cabot, north of Laurier. Bonjour.
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HANA (unraveling this information): Bonjour. |
INT. THE MONASTERY KITCHEN. DAY
CARAVAGGIO:
Look, I'd like to stay for a while.
I have to do some work here--I speak the language. There are Partisans to
be disarmed--
(trying to paraphrase)
--we embrace them and see if we can relieve them of their weapons, you know--while
we hug. I was a thief, so the Army thought I'd be good at it.
HANA: So you can shoot a pistol?
CARAVAGGIO (showing his hands): No.
HANA: Do you have a problem with those?
CARAVAGGIO: No.
HANA: I should look at them before you go.
CARAVAGGIO: Look, it's a big place. We needn't disturb each other. I'II sleep in the stable. It doesn't matter where I sleep. I don't sleep.
HANA: I don't know what Mary told you about me, but I don't need company, I don't need to be looked after.
INT. THE PATIENT'S ROOM. DAY
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Hana carries in a tray. There's OMELETTE on the plate. HANA: There's a man downstairs. He brought us eggs. He might stay.
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HANA: He's Canadian. THE PATIENT (bitter): Why are people always so happy when they collide with someone from the same place? What happened in Montreal when you passed a man in the street--did you invite him to live with you? HANA: He needn't disturb you. THE PATIENT: Me? He can't. I'm already disturbed. |
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HANA (she's cut the omelette into tiny pieces): There's a war. Where you come from becomes important. And besides--we're vulnerable here. The Patient says nothing. She puts a spoonful of the omelette into his mouth. He grunts. |
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