Our story begins in 1965, on a hot afternoon in August. FADE IN EXT. IOWA LANDSCAPE - DA Rolling green hills, lush farmland, vast open space. Not a house or sign of life in sight. On a long dusty road, a TRUCK is driving across the screen. Clouds of dirt follow in its tracks -- its motor, the only sound we hear. INT. TRUCK - DAY FRANCESCA JOHNSON is sitting in the front seat of the pick-up truck. Her expression is distant. Her eyes are sad, as if hiding a burden she can hardly bear. Her husband, RICHARD JOHNSON, is driving. RICHARD You feeling better Franny? FRANCESCA Yes. I'm fine. It's just this heat I think. He nods, satisfied. He turns on the radio as the VOICE OF DINAH WASHINGTON sings a bluesy, haunting love song, "I'LL CLOSE MY EYES." DINAH WASHINGTON (SINGS) |
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