LET YOURSELF GO, REBECCA! - Todd & Rebecca
The next three scenes I picked, I wanted to show the passion Todd felt with all three of his loves. No matter who your preference is, he did love Rebecca, Blair & Tea in his own way, each meaning the world to him at that time. Now passion in a rapist is a very tricky thing to portray, and something I think RH fought against. This scene with Rebecca, was still early in his career as Todd, and I don’t think he had much clout to have his say and I think he just went at it full tilt. Later with Blair, he really did reign it in, even with all the love scenes, and by the time he got to poor Tea, the clinches were at best sweet, but chaste. We obviously know RH is a consummate actor and can act in a passionate scene but does he really want to as Todd?? Anyway back to his first love. Rebecca was innocent, virginal and sincerely believed the good in him but she was afraid of her feelings towards him and the passion he brought out in her. At this point she was engaged to Powell and always trying to deny her feelings towards Todd. He was determined that by proposing to her and declaring his love she would indeed fall into his arms and they would truly unite in every sense of the word.
TODD: Rebecca?
REBECCA: (she gets up abruptly from the bench) Todd, what are you doing here?
TODD: I have to talk to you. There’s something very important that I want to ask you. (small smile)
Scene break
TODD: I...I have to talk to you.
REBECCA: Todd, I....I don’t....
TODD: Just listen to me for one second, okay? When we saw each other today, when you came to me, it’s like I finally understood.
REBECCA: (crosses past him with her back to him, she is afraid to look at him, her face would betray what she is saying) No, I really don’t want to talk about this.
TODD: When you held me in your arms and you looked me in the eye, there was so much love in your eyes. I mean I could tell that you care so much.
REBECCA: Todd, don’t.
TODD: You still love me.
REBECCA: (turns to him) No.
TODD: Yes. I mean I know that you don’t want to admit it. And I know why. But I’m going to help you be strong enough.
REBECCA: You’ve got it all wrong, I don’t....
TODD: Just...just don’t say anything, okay? Don’t say anything till you hear me out. I know that you chose Powell because you’re afraid. But you don’t need to be afraid, not now. Listen to me, there’s something between us, and I never felt anything like it. And I know that.....that you haven’t either. (he slowly takes her hand, she flinches, then he puts her hand on his heart and puts his hand gently on hers, simultaneously) Feel, it’s the same. (he smiles, saying intensely) It’s the same.
REBECCA: I can’t.....
TODD: It’s love Rebecca. The kind of love most people never get to feel. And it goes so deep that it’s...it’s scary. It’s like it could take you somewhere and you....you don’t think you’re ever gonna ever find your way back and you’re afraid and I’m afraid, but we don’t need to be afraid. Because, (with small smile) wherever it takes us, we’ll go together.
REBECCA: (whispers) Nooo.
TODD: (cutting her off, saying slowly and deliberately) Don’t say anything. (he kneels down takes the ring box out) This was.....was my mother's. (he reaches his hand with the box up to her and sincerely says) I want you to have it. I want you to be my wife. (Rebecca mouth drops, actually it’s almost always open in this scene)
Scene break
REBECCA: Todd, I don’t....I don’t...
TODD: (stands) Look we love each other Rebecca, admit it. Now take off Powell’s ring, alright? You know this is a lie. (tries to pull at Powell’s ring, she jerks it away)
REBECCA: I....I don’t know what to say.
TODD: Alright. Well, maybe we don’t need words. (slowly he moves into her, her mouth is already open, he kisses her deeply, passion building quickly. She is swept up in the kiss and she caresses his hair, scene fades)
Scene break
(the kiss has deepened, intensely, she is moaning, he is breathless, possibly Todd’s most physically passionate kiss to date shown onscreen. She breaks from the kiss)
REBECCA: I can’t.....I can’t, I’m marrying Powell.
TODD: (with his arm still around her he yanks her towards him determined to continue) Let yourself go, Rebecca. (within inches from her mouth he moves in as if to devour her) Just let yourself go! (she breaks away from him, with her hands to her mouth, he sees the fear in her) Don’t be scared of me.
REBECCA: I am...I am so scared of you! (she crosses away with her back to him) Please just go away.
TODD: No. No, see I’m the one that you love.
REBECCA: (whips around to him, angry) I love Powell!
TODD: (he grabs her arms & wrists forcefully, angry) You don’t. You see I know that I see it every time I look into your eyes.
REBECCA: (screams) NO!
TODD: You and I are connected. You know that and I know that. It’s like we were meant to be together, Rebecca.
REBECCA: (yanks away) Todd! Let me go!! Let me go! Just go away! You scare me to death! You have no idea how much you frighten me! (his face is confused and then very hurt, after a pause he bends down picks up the ring, backs away a few steps and turns to leave, glancing back at her. She looks downward, he leaves. She puts her hands to her mouth in horror at her emotions)