GRACE
(whispers)
I don't feel guilty...I won't.
IAIN (O.S.)
You okay?
Grace looks down the hill to see Iain.
GRACE
Fine.
IAIN
Sure?
GRACE
(beat)
What are you doing?
IAIN
What I said...embarrassingly badly at dinner last night...
about your mind--
GRACE
It was funny.
IAIN
Glad to amuse.
Iain takes in Grace's proximity to the edge of the cliff.
IAIN
(beat)
You know, I'm having trouble hearing you way up there.
Grace looks at him for the first time, hesitates and then goes to meet him. They stroll for a moment in silence.
IAIN
I only meant...I wanted to say there is something in your
writing, so spare, so beautiful...a poetry of intellect.
GRACE
Fancy.
IAIN
You write in a way that makes room for one's own mind to
work. Your early work--
GRACE
Studying my work Professor?
IAIN
Your early work was laced with passion. But now, you are so
far removed from it...I can't find you in it anywhere.
GRACE
I stand corrected, it's me you're studying.
Grace stops walking and Iain turns to look at her.
GRACE
I'll ask again. What are you doing?
IAIN
I came to look into your eyes, to see if I could find you again.
GRACE
Well stop it.
He smiles gently.
IAIN
I can't help myself. But say the word and I'll go into rehab
for unrequited adoration.
Grace watches him steadily, Iain laughs a little and looks away. They begin to walk together toward the house. They arrive at a blanket which has Grace's beach bag on it. She sits and Iain follows suit. Grace watches him as he looks out at the water.
IAIN
You don't ask many normal questions do you? You know...'
what do you do? Where's your family from?'. I feel like--
GRACE
Small talk.
(beat)
I don't care that much...not terribly...curious about other
people. The human condition, sure, humanity, human nature
all that jazz...but I lack a certain curiosity on the individual level.
IAIN
That...is the most esoteric explanation I've had for why a woman
isn't interested in me--
GRACE
I--
IAIN
No no, it's all right...really.
GRACE
Wait, I need to--I wasn't saying. I wasn't saying...I'm not--
oh bloody hell--I wasn't saying I'm not interested in you...I--
YOU ARE READING
The Difficult Hour: Original Screenplay
De Todo"It well may be that in a difficult hour, Pinned down by pain and moaning for release, Or nagged by want past resolution's power, I might be driven to sell your love for peace..." from the sonnet LOVE IS NOT ALL, by Edna St. Vincent Millay
