Scene XXI – “The Years Shall Run Like Rabbits” (The Statue)

(Camera shows various views of the landmarks of Vienna, stopping at a statue in a square, upon which Jesse sits while Céline lies with her head on his lap, eyes closed.)

Jesse: (In a deep, throaty voice.) “The years shall run like rabbits.“

Céline: (Opens her eyes and looks up at him.) What?

Jesse: (Shakes his head.) Nothing, nothing. I have this, uh, recording of Dylan Thomas, reading a W.H.Auden poem. He's got a great voice. Just it's like, uh...

Céline: What, what?

Jesse: (Starts with throaty voice again.)

All the clocks in the city Began to whir, and chime: Oh, let not time deceive you You cannot conquer time. In headaches and in worry Vaguely life leaks away. And time will have its fancy Tomorrow or today.

(Back to regular voice.) Something like that.

Céline: That‘s good. (Pauses.) When you talked earlier about after a few years, how a couple begin to hate each other...by anticipating their reactions...or getting tired of their mannerisms. I think it would be the opposite for me. I think I can really fall in love when I know everything about someone. The way he's gonna part his hair...which shirt he's gonna wear that day...knowing the exact story he'd tell in a given situation. I'm sure that's when I know I'm really in love. (They stop and stare for a while.)