was their first meeting on the boat, when mark loses his passport for the first time? and then did they meet again coincidentally when joanna's bus passed him on the back of the truck, inviting him to join the group? (i'm just a little confused about how they were brought together.) thanks!
"Plastics."
I think it’s exactly as you’ve described it. Their meeting on the boat was merely a fleeting encounter that occurred between two strangers, each making their own way to France. They met up again, without remembering each other it would seem, when, like you say, he joined the girls on the bus.
shareWhile it's not exactly a first meeting, Mark and Joanna first become aware of each other while they're on the ferry bound for Dieppe. He's on the upper deck, she's on the lower deck, and their eyes meet for a few moments. Then she glances toward the English Channel.
Their next encounter takes place when they're leaving the ferry. He thinks he's lost his passport, she passes by, spots it in his knapsack, pulls it out and presents it to him. "Thanks," he says. "You're welcome," she replies.
Next he helps her and her fellow choir members with their broken-down minibus, and fate takes over - not to mention chicken pox.
***From the script, published around the time of TWO FOR THE ROAD's release - There were a number of scenes that didn't make it into the film's final cut; one of them had Mark getting off the ferry (after the passport scene with Joanna) and thumbing a ride by the ferry's auto ramp. The choir girls drive past Mark in their minibus, but don't stop to give him a lift. This explains Mark's gloating attitude when he's sitting on the back of the tractor; now THEY'RE the ones who need transportation help, and they're asking HIM for assistance. He relishes the irony for a few moments, then comes to their rescue.***
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