A step-away is in order. Give some thought to remaining beats, given shifting form. This is coming together, close to right about halfway point.
EXT. FOREST - DAY
Shafts of high noon sunlight through ponderosa pines.
SOUND OF WOODPECKER PECKING SILENCED BY FAINT CUH LIP-CUH-LOP OF HORSE HOOVES, LOUDER before the riders in their saddles enter frame spread out in fan fashion, as if a search party at a leisurely pace.
They leave frame, CUH LIP-CUH LOP FADES to MOMENTS OF silence before WOODPECKER RESUMES.
EXT. AIRSTREAM TRADE WIND TRAVEL TRAILER IN CLEARING IN WOODS - DAY
SESS and CLAIRE, 50ish cowgirls from boots to hats, belt buckles and bandanas in-between, sit on a log bench outside the door, facing forest and the dirt driveway that emerges from it to end at adjacent carport.
Older Ford F-450 pickup with New Mexico plates shares the port with a Jeep CJ-7 with Oklahoma plates and old Husqvarna motorcycle.
Six-horse trailer with New Mexico plates stationed near a barn, corral and hitching post behind the Airstream, eight tents farther back among ponderosa pines.
EIGHT TEENAGERS OF MIXED GENDER tend to SIX SADDLED HORSES tied to the hitching post.
CLAIRE: How'd they meet
SESS: Sat next to each other on a flight from Denver to A-B-Q.
CLAIRE: What does Hunter do?
SESS: He's a writer.
CLAIRE: Of?
SESS: Fiction.
CLAIRE: A title I might recognize?
SESS: Foglost is his latest.
Claire, shocked, turns to Sess two beat before we HEAR THE ROVER'S ENGINE, moments before it comes into view out of the woods. They stand and watch Hunter drive to the carport as Jackie waves out the window. They wave back, walk to the Rover as Hunter, Chloe, Tom and Jackie walk to them.
CLAIRE: My dad's gonna shit when I tell him.
SESS: Send him a selfie.
CLAIRE: Do you think he'd be cool with it?
SESS: I asked. Jack says yes.
CLAIRE: Who's the cowboy to Hunter?
SESS: Surprise visitor's all I know.
Sess and Jackie open their arms to each other.
SESS/JACKIE: Cuz!
They embrace.
SESS: You made it.
JACKIE: Small fire delay at Sherwood.
SESS: Heard it on the radio.
CLAIRE: And saw it on the way in.
JACKIE: What a wonderful surprise.
They speak into each other's ear.
CLAIRE: Your friend is gonna be a helluva surprise to my dad.
JACKIE: How's he doing?
CLAIRE: Better. More later.
JACKIE: K.
CLAIRE: You're glowing.
JACKIE: It's the mountain light.
CLAIRE: Right.
Theyh break embrace.
JACKIE/SESS: So.
Sess nods to Jackie.
JACKIE (CONT.) Intro ductions. Cecilia, Claire, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Hunter, Chloe and Tom. Tom, Chloe and Hunter, meet Claire and my cousin Cecilia.
Exchange of variations of hellos and good to meet yous.
SESS: And it's Sess henceforth. So, Jacqueline told you what we have here with the horses and kids.
Hunter, Chloe and Tom nod.
TOM: It's a wonderful thing y'all are doin'.
SESS: Early into it and learning on the run but so far so good. So Tom, I'm gonna take a wild guess that this is not your first rodeo.
TOM: I been to a couple.
SESS: I'd bet maybe more like a few.
TOM: Probly a little closer to accurate.
CHLOE: Tom's a retired cattle ranch foreman.
SESS: More like a few I reckon.
TOM: Yes ma'am.
SESS: How 'bout we meet the ponies and youngsters and saddle up?
JACKIE: Let's.
Jackie, Sess and Claire lead Hunter, Tom and Chloe.
CHLOE: Did you ever do any real rodeo, Tom?
TOM: Little bit, when I was a kid. Whatcha might call junior rodeo.
CHLOE: Like baseball little league?
TOM: Somethin' like that.
CHLOE: What event or events did you do?
TOM: Well, started out barrel racin', if ya know what that is.
CHLOE: I do. Seems like the barrels never win.
All smile.
TOM: Well more'n a couple few got me along the way before I moved into tie-down ropin'.
CHLOE: That's the one the calves love so much.
TOM: I reckon it ain't their favorite thing.
CHLOE: No, I reckon that would be being branded.
All smile bigger.
TOM: My experience suggests otherwise.
CHLOE: Maybe it was for their own good?
TOM: Well, that's when we'd give 'em their vaccinations.
CHLOE: Maybe someday you can tell me more about cowboying.
TOM: Be happy to and try to not bore ya too much.
CHLOE: I don't see that happening, Tom.
HUNTER: I want in on this campfire.
JACKIE: Maybe a story on the way home?
TOM: Sure.
SESS: And at lunch?
TOM: If you'll gimme a category somethin' might come to mind.
CHLOE: The best and worst of it.
TOM: I'll give it some thought.
CHLOE: One more thing.
TOM: Yes ma'am.
CHLOE: For now anyway.
TOM: Alright.
CHLOE: Sess, might be there be a rope around that Tom could use to show me how to tie a honda knot?
SESS: I know right where it's coiled and waiting.
CHLOE: Tom?
TOM: Well, it's been awhile but I think it might come back to me.
CHLOE: Yay.
As they near the horses and teens, the palomino in the group swishes its tail and seems to fix its gaze on Tom. Sess and Claire shoot each other a look.
SESS: Tom, you'll be on Butter, he's the palomino.
TOM: Yes ma'am.
Butter keeps its gaze on Tom looking back at him and swishes his tail.
EXT. SOUTHWEST-STYLE COURTYARD - DAY
Adobe, Talavera tiles, fountain in a small square suggesting professional offices. DOC, mid-60s - moccasin-style slippers, new jeans, dress shirt, bolo tie, long silver hair in a tail - sits on a bench facing the fountain, writing notes on a yellow legal pad. When his PHONE DINGS he gets it from pocket, stares at a selfie both Hunter and Tom have taken where they stand with a carved wooden bear between them. He finally pockets phone, leaves courtyard.
INT. ROVER - DAY
Northbound on Highway 70 nearing White Sands National Park.
TOM: When's the last time you were on a horse?
CHLOE: A couple years in Costa Rica.
TOM: Vacation?
Chloe nods.
CHLOE: Spring break. We did a sunset ride on the beach.
TOM: We bein' who.
CHLOE: My mom and grandparents. How 'bout you?
TOM: Last time on a horse?
Chloe nods.
TOM (CONT.) A year ago at an annual event called Cheyenne Frontier Days. Rode in the parade.
HUNTER: With a group?
TOM: Yessir. V-F-dubya.
CHLOE: Were you in a foreign war?
TOM: Vietnam.
Pause.
CHLOE: Is that something you'd be willing to talk about sometime?
TOM: We can do that.
HUNTER: What branch, Tom?
TOM: U-S-M-C.
HUNTER: Drafted?
TOM: Yessir. Plan was army but I was told otherwise when I got to the induction center.
Dunes of White Sands National Park appear in the driver's side windows.
TOM (CONT.): I'm gonna take an educated guess that we're in the neighborhood of White Sands National Park.
CHLOE: Good guess. Have you ever been?
TOM: I have not. I bet you have.
Chloe nods.
HUNTER: I thought we might shoot for stopping in for the sunset on the way home.
JACKIE: Yay.
HUNTER: You up for that, Tom?
TOM: Sure am. Maybe get a nice picture to send Wanda and Ruthie.
CHLOE: I brought a pretty good camera.
TOM: Probly better than my phone's.
CHLOE: Probably.
TOM: Thanks.
CHLOE: Sure.
She uses her phone to take a picture of Tom looking out the window at the dunes.
EXT. WINERY/VINEYARDS - DAY
Rural rustic amid rolling hills. Half-empty parking lot.
PATRONS seated at outside tables under shade include John and Jan, staring at the San Augustin Pass photo that fills laptop screen. Glasses of white wine and bottle on table.
JAN: Now what?
JOHN: We forward Cedric's email to Barb, she forwards to Hunter, Hunter asks him if he's ever met a marine captain named Cedric Turner in Vietnam.
They swirl and sip simultaneously.
INT. READING ROOM - DAY
Loaded bookshelf, chair with lampstand in corner near window to Texas Redbud tree in fenced yard. Phone and Foglost page-marked on the lampstand, framed oil-on-canvas painting of field of bluebonnets among oaks. Braided oval rug on hardwood. FLOOR CREAK before Ruth enters with framed San Augustin pass photo, sets it on shelf next to the Hunter, Tom and Chloe lemonade photo, near Hunter's books, smiles at it, sits at chair, opens Foglost to near the end, reads, turns page.
INT. CAFE- DOWNTOWN LARAMIE - DAY
Business busy, MURMUR OF PATRONS, FAINT COWBOY INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC, gingham table clothes, framed local landscape paintings
HOSTESS, PHOEBE by her name tag, 25, menus in hand, walks Wanda and Daisy into frame and table at window to PEDESTRIANS on sidewalk, parked cars with Wyoming plates, and the shops across the street.
Wanda and Daisy, set purses on table, take their seats.
HOSTESS: Your waiter will be here in a moment.
DAISY/WANDA: Thank you.
Hostess leaves.
WANDA: Wanna see a selfie?
Daisy nods vigorously, they scoot closer together, Wanda gets phone from purse, shows Daisy the lemonade selfie Chloe took with Hunter and Tom. They stare at it.
DAISY: So tell me everything you know about her.
WANDA: She's seventeen, lives in San Luis Obispo with her mother Barbara, is about to start her senior year, scholar and surfer. Barbara's parents John and Jan are retired attorneys in Paso Robles. Last night she made a vegetarian casserole that Tom is going to get the recipe for. Today they're going on a horseback ride with Hunter's girlfriend Jackie, a history professor at New Mexico State University there in Las Cruces.
WANDA'S PHONE CHIRPS. She picks up, stares at selfie Chloe has taken with Hunter, Tom, and Jackie bunched together at San Augustin Pass parking area.
DAISY: We've been there. Clem and I.
WANDA: Where is there?
DAISY: San Augustin Pass on highway seventy between Las Cruces and Alamogordo, between the Organ Mountains and the San Andres Mountains. If I recall correctly.
WANDA: What were you doing there?
DAISY: On the way to White Sands with friends we had in El Paso. That's what's called the Tularosa Basin in the background. She's radiant.
WANDA: She is.
DAISY: And look at Tom's smile.
WANDA: I am.
WAITER, GREG by name tag, 21, arrives.
WAITER: Good morning, ladies.
DAISY/WANDA: Good morning.
WAITER: I am Greg, per the nametag. Have you had a chance to look at the menu?
WANDA: We know what we want, Greg.
WAITER: Alrighty then.
WANDA: I'll have the French toast and coffee.
WAITER (WRITING ON PAD): French and coffee.
He looks to Daisy.
DAISY: I'LL the eggs over easy and hash browns, crispy, and a coffee.
WAITER (WRITING): Over and crisp hash, coffee. Ice water with coffee?
DAISY/WANDA: Yes.
WANDA: And I'll add an orange juice.
DAISY: Second that.
WAITER: O-J times two.
WANDA/DAISY: Thank you.
WAITER: My pleasure. So who knows H-C Hardyn?
Wanda and Daisy look at each other, at waiter.
WAITER: The man in the photo who isn't the cowboy is a best-selling author, in case you didn't know and unless that's H-C Hardyn's doppelganger. Hardyn with a Y. And yes, I am being absolutely none-of-my-business nosey.
WANDA: How do you know him?
WAITER: I'm an English major at the U. I wrote a paper on Isleton last semester. I'm re-reading Yubaville before I start his latest novel Foglost. How do you know him?
WANDA: I don't. My husband, the cowboy, just met him.
WAITER: Cool. Sorry if I was intrusive, which of course I was.
WANDA: Not at all.
WAITER: B-R-B with your water, coffee and O-J.
He leaves. Wanda and Daisy look at each other, then back at the photo.
DAISY: Small world.
WANDA: Getting smaller.
EXT. MOUNTAIN CABIN IN WOODS - DAY
EDIT 6/614 Cedric does NOT know “Travis,” he knows a “Tom Walker from Bandera Texas.”
RUTH: How.
Etc
CHANGES JOHN/JAN WINERY
———-
Deck aimed at meadow, footpath through which into Lodgepole Pine forest. Grill, table and chairs, fire pit, telescope, bench swing. Sliding glass door to master bedroom behind KATE and CEDRIC, fit 70-somethings, in chairs with small table between them. Their phones, pitcher of water and their half-empty glasses on table. Both in jeans, running shoes, unbuttoned flannel of t-shirts. Kate's attention is aimed at her laptop, Cedric turns a page halfway through Foglost.
INTERMITTENT WARBLER SONG throughout.
CEDRIC: Do we know if Hunter drinks or drank.
Kate looks up, smiles at him, squeezes his hand.
KATE: Your first do we know.
He winks.
CEDRIC: I was waiting until we were married.
They kiss.
KATE: Why do you ask?
CEDRIC: A character in the book.
KATE: We know that he did, we are pretty certain he no longer does. He looked great at John's birthday. Clear eyes, working out.
CEDRIC: When will I meet him?
KATE: Chloe's graduation for sure. Which reminds me that she's at Hunter's for the rest of her summer. I think she arrived yesterday. Hunter's renting a motorcycle for a tour, the route of which I don't remember but I think Flagstaff is a stop.
Her PHONE RINGTONES THWACK OF CLUB ON GOLF BALL AND MAN YELLING FORE!
She picks up.
KATE: Hey.
He's right here in the middle of Foglost.
(Her face expresses surprise.)
Wow. I'm speechless, John.
Do we know his middle name?
Well send the picture.
Okay. Call me when you hear more.
Love you too.
(She sets phone.)
CEDRIC: Kate? What's wrong?
KATE: I don't know if anything is wrong. Yesterday I told you that Hunter's short story Honda Knot might get made into a movie.
CEDRIC: Yes. And you telling me that day in Dallas that the character Cade Satterwhite is based on what Hunter knows about his father, Tom Walker from Texas.
KATE: Good memory.
CEDRIC: Hard to forget.
KATE: It's Thomas Travis Walker from Bandera, Texas. He arrived at Hunter's yesterday. He and Hunter and Chloe are riding horses with Hunter's new girlfriend today.
CEDRIC (BEAT): Kate. I knew a man named Thomas Travis Walker from Bandera, Texas.
KATE (BEAT): How? When? Where?
CEDRIC: Vietnam.
Kate picks up when her PHONE BUZZES. She stares at and shows Cedric the lemonade selfie Chloe took with Hunter and Tom.
CEDRIC: Been awhile but I see the resemblance.
KATE: Would he know your name?
Cedric nods.
CEDRIC: If it's him. And unless he's forgotten saving my life.
They look at each other.
KATE: A story you'd be willing to share?
He nods.
CEDRIC: Let's take a walk.
She pockets phone, takes his hand. They walk to and enter bedroom, leave view.
Act 2
EXT. HUNTER'S DRIVEWAY - DAY
Tom's truck parked in driveway. GROAN OF GARAGE DOOR OPENING to reveal Hunter getting in behind wheel to back the Rover to the street, does so as Tom and Chloe loom at the Honda Gold Wing motorcycle.
TOM: Got a helmet?
CHLOE: Picking one tomorrow.
Chloe leads to the truck.
CHLOE (CONT.) Cool truck.
TOM: Like it?
CHLOE: Love the two-tone.
TOM: Ain't original paint but the same colors as when my dad bought it. This was his last truck.
Hunter parks, approaches.
CHLOE: Really?
TOM: Yes ma'am.
CHLOE: Can I see inside?
TOM: Course ya can. Need to get my sunglasses anyway.
Tom uses key to open door, gets aviator sunglasses from sleeve on driver's sun visor, steps back for Chloe to look as Hunter arrives.
HUNTER: Eighty-six.
TOM: Good. Eighty-seven.
CHLOE: This was Tom's dad's.
HUNTER: Really?
TOM: Yessir.
HUNTER: Nice dash.
TOM: Ain't original a course, like I was tellin' Chloe.
HUNTER: It's immaculate.
TOMz: I try to take care of it.
HUNTER: Can I hear the engine?
TOM: Sure.
He hands keys to Chloe.
CHLOE: Really?
TOM: It's the middle key.
Chloe starts the engine.
HUNTER: What is that?
TOM: Remanufactured Chevy five-seven vee-eight.
Chloe notices the early-90s Alfa Romeo Spider, top down, approaching from the direction Tom had arrived.
CHLOE: Along comes a convertible.
Hunter and Tom turn to see.
HUNTER: Heeere's Jackie.
Chloe turns of engine, gets out, hands keys to Tom as Hunter walks to street to guide JACKIE, 50ish, into the driveway as an aircraft marshaller guides a passenger jet to gate. Tom pockets keys, closes truck door, watches with Chloe as Jackie arrives and pull into driveway.
TOM: Sporty ride.
CHLOE: The Graduate.
TOM: How do you know that?
CHLOE: Extra credit U-S culture in cinema class last year.
Jackie, 50ish, hair in a tail under SKI APACHE ballcap, parks in garage, gets out meets Hunter's quick kiss, gets backpack from passenger seat, takes Hunter's hand.
JACKIE: And I was nervous about meeting Chloe.
HUNTER: Well she's nervous about meeting you. Ready?Z
JACKIE: No.
HUNTER: Great. Let's go.
They walk to Tom and Chloe walking to them.
HUNTER: So. Jackie, it's my pleasure to introduce you to Chloe and mister Tom Walker.
Jackie extends hand to Chloe.
JACKIE: Chloe, it's great to finally meet you.
CHLOE: Mutual, Jackie.
They shake. Jackie extends hand to Tom.
JACKIE: Mister Walker, I'm happy you're able to join us today.
TOM: Pleasure's mine and thank you - thank y'all - for havin' me along.
JACKIE: We have another surprise visitor late edition in my cousin's partner, who'll be arriving right about when we do.
HUNTER: The more the merrier, right?
JACKIE: In this case absolutely.
HUNTER: Ready?
JACKIE: Let's go.
Hunter uses remote to CLOSE GARAGE DOOR, leads to the Rover, opens front passenger door for Jackie, Tom and Chloe use their respective doors to get in back, Hunter gets in behind wheel, all buckle up, Hunter starts engine, drives away out of view in the direction Tom had driven to hide behind neighbor's house.
EXT. HUNTER'S PATIO - NIGHT
Hunter, Tom and Chloe seated at tables, remnants of dinner on plates and silverware pushed to center near glass pitcher of ice water. Each with half-empty glasses at hand. Tom's hat on back of chair. Starry sky.
HUNTER: So do you and Wanda have plans for your twenty-fifth?
TOM: We do. Goin' to Hawaii.
CHLOE: That's cool. Which island or islands?
TOM: Oahu. Doin' Waikiki the first few nights, last few in a place called Kailua, if I'm sayin' it right.
CHLOE: You are. That's where I learned to surf.
TOM: Wanda don't believe it but I'm takin' a lesson at Waikiki.
CHLOE: Great place to learn.
TOM: That's what I been readin'. Figure I'll do plenty a fallin' before I get the hang of it but I'll already be wet and it's gotta be a softer landin' than comin' off a horse. Did you take a lesson and how old were ya?
CHLOE: Twelve. My mom taught me. Have yiu been before?
TOM: No ma'am. First time for both of us.
CHLOE: That's great. Excited?
TOM: We are. Not so much about the flyin' part but that's part a the package. Where do you surf outta San Luis Obispo?
CHLOE: Pismo, Morrow Bay, sometimes farther up or down the coast.
TOM: I reckon the water's a little colder than Hawaii.
CHLOE: You have to wear a wetsuit. Speaking of cold, what's the coldest Laramie gets?
TOM: Plenty cold enough, then add the wind. It'll keep ya inside. Below zero most a the winter. Been as low as fifty below.
CHLOE: Kerrville's probably a little milder.
TOM: A lot milder. Lows in the thirties. Above. Usually warmer. Sometimes a little colder but that's mostly rare. Nothin' ya can't layer up to take a walk in. Darn near tropical compared to Laramie. Not so tropical that we won't have a fireplace.
CHLOE: Maybe tropical enough in the summer.
TOM: Warmer and stickier for sure but we'll take the trade. You prob'ly got it pretty good weather-wise in San Luis Obispo.
CHLOE: I'm spoiled. But I have been in twenty-below.
TOM: Where and when?
CHLOE: Two Christmases ago at my aunt Kate and her husband Cedric's house in Wilson, Wyoming.
TOM: Alright.
CHLOE: Before they were married.
HUNTER: Kate is John's sister.
TOM: Okay.
CHLOE: You've probably been to Wilson.
TOM: I have. Usually for fishin' with my friend Clem whose wife Daisy is who Wanda's stayin' home with.
CHLOE: Cedric fishes.
HUNTER: They share a trout creek with a neighbor.
CHLOE: Well that works alright.
HUNTER: You fly fish.
TOM: Yessir. You ever do any fishin'?
Hunter shakes his head.
TOM (CONT.): Think you'd be interested in givin' it a shot sometime?
Hunter nods.
CHLOE: I wanna come.
TOM: Hope y'all can when we're settled into Kerrville. Room'll be watin'. My friend Gil's got a boat we'll put on the lake.
CHLOE: What lake?
TOM: Medina. Which is actually reservoir, if ya wanna look it up.
CHLOE: I will.
TOM: Well folks, I hate to be a party-pooper but it's a little past our bedtime so I reckon I'll be a party-pooper and get on to bed after I call and get 'em caught up, per my standin' orders from both.
Tom stands, puts on hat.
CHLOE: Did you send them the selfie I took?
TOM: I did. I'm sure they both got framed and placed by now. Maybe we could take one or two more before I leave in the mornin'.
Chloe nods.
HUNTER: I'm up with the sun and right here with coffee so pour a cup and join me if you're up.
TOM: I do the same every mornin'. You got a date. Chloe, another thing before I leave is that casserole recipe. That was delicious.
CHLOE: Thank you. I'm glad your liked it.
Tom tips his hat.
TOM: Goodnight, y'all.
CHLOE/HUNTER: Goodnight, Tom.
Hunter watches Chloe watch Tom walk to kitchen, stop and turn to them.
TOM: Hunter, I hope you don't mind signin' my copy a Foglost.
HUNTER: I'd be very happy to, Tom. On the condition that you sign the guest book.
Tom nods.
TOM: I plan to.
HUNTER: Thanks.
TOM: Thank y'all. I won't forget this.
HUNTER: Neither will we.
Hunter and Chloe watch Tom continue to kitchen and out of view.
CHLOE: Dad?
HUNTER: Daughter.
CHLOE: Assuming Jackie's cousin could wrangle another horse...and that Jackie and her cousin are okay with the idea...
HUNTER: Would you be okay with Tom coming along, assuming he can and would like to?
Chloe nods. Hunter picks up phone, speaks into it.
HUNTER: Jackie.
Right here across the patio table from me.
We are absolutely still on. The reason I called, by the way.
END Act 1
