#65 The Graduate

Mrs. Robinson: Would you mind walking ahead of me to the sun porch. I feel funny about coming into a dark house.
Ben: But it's light in there.
Mrs. Robinson: Please. (She shuts the front door, enclosing him in the house. They enter the sunroom.)
Mrs. Robinson: What do you drink? Bourbon?
Ben: Look, uh, Mrs. Robinson, I drove you home. I was glad to do it. But I have some things on my mind. Can you understand that?
Mrs. Robinson: Yes. (She nods)
Ben: All right.
Mrs. Robinson: (She prepares drinks for both of them.) What do you drink? Benjamin. I'm sorry to be this way, but I don't want to be left alone in this house.
Ben: Why not?
Mrs. Robinson: Please wait till my husband gets home.
Ben: When is he coming back?
Mrs. Robinson: I don't know. Drink?
Ben: No. (She hands him one anyway.) Are you always this much afraid of being alone?
Mrs. Robinson: Yes.
Ben: Well, why can't you just lock the doors and go to bed?
Mrs. Robinson: I'm very neurotic. (She turns on some music.) May I ask you a question? What do you think of me?
Ben: What do you mean?
Mrs. Robinson: You've known me nearly all your life. You must have formed some opinion of me.
Ben: Well, I always thought that you were a very...nice...person.
Mrs. Robinson: Did you know I was an alcoholic?
Ben: What?
Mrs. Robinson: Did you know that?
Ben: Look, I think I should be going.
Mrs. Robinson: Sit down, Benjamin.
Ben (in a panic, now standing): Mrs. Robinson, if you don't mind my saying so, this conversation is getting a little strange. Now, I'm sure that Mr. Robinson will be here any minute now and -
Mrs. Robinson: No.
Ben: What?
Mrs. Robinson: My husband will be back quite late. He should be gone for several hours.
Ben: Oh my god. (He retreats)
Mrs. Robinson: Pardon?
Ben: Oh no, Mrs. Robinson, oh no.
Mrs. Robinson: What's wrong?
Ben: Mrs. Robinson, you didn't - I mean, you didn't expect -
Mrs. Robinson: What?
Ben: I mean, you didn't really think that I would do something like that.
Mrs. Robinson: Like what?
Ben: What do you think?
Mrs. Robinson: Well, I don't know.
Ben: For God's sake, Mrs. Robinson, here we are, you've got me into your house. You give me a drink. You put on music, now you start opening up your personal life to me and tell me your husband won't be home for hours.
Mrs. Robinson: So?
Ben (naively): (The camera shoots under her upraised leg, framing Ben underneath) Mrs. Robinson - you are trying to seduce me .... Aren't you?
Mrs. Robinson: Well, no. I hadn't thought of it. I feel very flattered.
Ben: Mrs. Robinson. Will you forgive me for what I just said?

Mrs. Robinson: Will you unzip my dress? I think I'll go to bed.
Ben (terrified): Oh well, goodnight. (He turns away.)
Mrs. Robinson: Won't you unzip my dress?
Ben: I'd rather not, Mrs. Robinson.
Mrs. Robinson (imperiously): If you still think I'm trying to seduce you...?
Ben: No, I don't, but I just feel a little funny.
Mrs. Robinson: Benjamin. You've known me all your life.
Ben: I know that but I'm...
Mrs. Robinson: Come on. It's hard for me to reach. (He complies and pulls the zipper down.) Thank you.
Ben: Right.
Mrs. Robinson: What are you so scared of?
Ben: I'm not scared, Mrs. Robinson.
Mrs. Robinson: Then why do you keep running away?
Ben: Because you're going to bed. I don't think I should be up here.
Mrs. Robinson: Haven't you ever seen anybody in a slip before?
Ben: Yes, I have, but I just...Look, what if Mr. Robinson walked in right now?
Mrs. Robinson: What if he did?
Ben: Well, it would look pretty funny, wouldn't it?
Mrs. Robinson: Don't you think he trusts us together?
Ben: Of course he does, but he might get the wrong idea. Anyone might.
Mrs. Robinson: I don't see why? I'm twice as old as you are. How could anyone think that...
Ben: But they would! Don't you see?
Mrs. Robinson: Benjamin. I am not trying to seduce you!
Ben: I know that, but please, Mrs. Robinson. This is difficult..
Mrs. Robinson: Would you like me to seduce you?
Ben: What?
Mrs. Robinson: Is that what you're trying to tell me?
Ben: (A long pause.) I'm going home now. I apologize for what I said. I hope you can forget it. But I'm going home right now.

For God's sake, Benjamin, will you stop acting this way and bring me the purse!

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