The Tale

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1

( music playing )

Woman:

The story you are

about to see is true.

As far as I know.

( people chattering )

( emergency brake ratchets )

Okay.

Woman:

I'm sorry the people

just turn and look at you

as if you are from the zoo.

Don't worry.

I am from the zoo.

Somehow I don't feel

it's going to be safe for you.

Look, don't get out of the car

until I tell you to, okay?

- You're getting out?

- Yeah.

- Woman in car:

It's okay, I'll be fine.

- ( speaking Indian dialect )

( popping )

( crowd chanting

in Indian dialect )

( chanting continues )

It's so joyful.

Just had

the first victory.

And there are lots

of other people too,

and you'll see them there.

( car horns honking )

Woman:

Jennifer, sweetheart,

it's me again.

Would you call me back,

please?

You're not gonna believe

what I found.

This story that you wrote

in English class.

I'm worried about you.

Jennifer, I really need

to talk to you.

I don't know where you are.

I mean, you could be anywhere.

I'm going to send this to you.

I'm going to send it

express mail,

and I want you to read it.

Call me, please.

Man:

Hey, babe.

I guess you're already

on the plane.

Have a good trip back.

I'll see you when you get home.

Love you.

I think that's why

my partner's special,

because he's probably

the only man

I've really

and consistently loved

for 10 years.

Jennifer:

Do you want to have children?

Yeah. Oh, I get

the motherly urge.

I want children.

( rewinding video )

Then I think, no,

on Monday,

I have a meeting,

on Tuesday, I have

a demonstration,

on Thursday,

my bank meeting,

on Friday...

( panting )

Man:

Babe. I come bearing gifts.

You got me something?

Yeah.

( soft panting and moaning )

( panting faster )

( birds chirping )

Where are you?

Nowhere.

I'm just...

Sorry, I was just

thinking about my mom.

She's been calling,

and, um...

she, uh, read this story

I wrote when I was a kid

about my first boyfriend.

And...

I hadn't told her about it,

because he was older.

So she's beside herself,

trying to reach me.

Babe.

You know, I never shot

in Atlanta before.

You got everything?

Yeah.

I'm kinda excited.

It's gonna go great.

Yeah.

( sighs )

So that came for you.

Oh, yeah?

- It's from your mom.

- Yeah.

I'm gonna miss you.

- Love you.

- Love you.

- I'll be back Tuesday.

- Okay.

Girl:

Mom! Mother!

( family chatter )

Woman:

You're getting it all over me.

I just need you

to eat a little.

Can you get the milk for the--

I need milk for Lucy's.

( overlapping chatter )

Sit down! Now!

Excuse me. Come here.

Go and sit!

Go! Sit!

Man:

And does it abut

on protected land?

Yes.

Well, I'm going to need

to have it assessed.

I can have my guy out there

by the end of the week.

Yes, of course.

Young Jennifer:

I'd like to begin this story

by telling you something

so beautiful.

( cell phone vibrates )

( cell phone vibrating )

Yeah, hey.

Mother:

I've been so worried about you.

- Did you read it yet?

- No. Where'd you find it?

It was in a box

in the storage room.

What does it matter

where I found it?

What matters is

what it says.

What happened?

What-- what are you

talking about?

You lied to me

all these years.

Mom, this is why

I didn't tell you,

because I knew

you'd react this way.

Oh, what is that

supposed to mean?

That I'm too stupid

to understand?

No, I never said that.

I found Bill

on the Internet.

What?

There he is,

for all the world to see.

Famous as ever.

Hold on, I'm gonna go

in the office.

Just a minute.

Mom, what are you

talking about?

Did you ever try

looking him up?

No, I thought he was,

I don't know, dead or...

Well, all you have to do

is type in his name.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

He looks so much older.

Mother:

I couldn't find

anything on her, though.

However, I do know somebody

who'd put me in touch

with Becky Davis.

Yeah, Becky was there

that summer.

Yeah, and she lives right over

on Fairview.

What are you talking about?

You know, you haven't come down

for, like, two months.

I could use a little help.

- Mom, what are you doing?

- Well, maybe she knows

how we could get in touch

with Mrs. G.

I can't do this

this weekend, okay?

I've got papers to grade,

and Martin wants me

to look at venues on Saturday.

You're 48 years old.

You've been engaged

for three years.

He's not going anywhere.

( groans )

I'll talk to you

tomorrow, okay?

Okay. Love you.

Love you. Bye.

Jennifer:

I'd like to begin this story

by telling you something

so beautiful.

Young Jennifer:
I've met two

very special people

whom I've come

to love dearly.

Imagine a woman

who's married

and a man who is divorced

sharing their lives

in close friendship.

Loving each other

with all their souls...

yet not being close

with their bodies.

Get this--

I'm part of them both.

I'm lucky enough

to be able to share

in their love.

Both:

When I'm away from them,

the earth seems

to shake and tremble...

Adult Jennifer:

...and often I'm afraid

I'll fall off of it.

( phone ringing )

Well, that was fast.

Did you come

to your senses?

Mom, you are so wrong.

What am I wrong about now?

Mrs. G was an incredible woman.

Did you read what your teacher

said on the back page?

Read it. Now.

"If what you talk about here

were accurate,

"I would say you had been taken

advantage of by older people.

"But clearly you have a fine,

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