scene 21

scene 20

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. 

scene 20

scene 19

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