scene 24

Previous.

EXT. MOUNTAIN MEADOW - DAY

Sess and Claire are the first pair of riders to emerge from the woods into the meadow, followed by Jackie and Chloe, followed at a similar distance by Tom and Hunter in a procession aimed at more woods on the far side of the meadow. 

WITH SESS AND CLAIRE

CLAIRE: Got it.

SESS: Who he looks like?

CLAIRE: Yes. My dad's favorite writer. H C Hardyn, with a y. I mean just like him.

SESS: What does your dad's favorite writer write?

CLAIRE: Novels. His third and latest is just out. 

SESS: What's it called?

CLAIRE: Foglost, one word. Thick book. Five-hundred something pages. 

SESS: Do you know what it's about?

CLAIRE: Quote, an alcoholic unraveling, so far, end quote. He was about two-thirds through it yesterday.

SESS: I'll ask Jack.

 CLAIRE: Any idea who the cowboy is to him?

SESS: Quote, surprise visitor, end quote.

CLAIRE: Any particular reason you put him on Butter. 

SESS: Besides the way she swished her tail as soon as she saw him?

CLAIRE: That was interesting.

Claire turns to look back at the riders behind them. Jackie and Chloe wave, Claire waves back.  

CLAIRE (CONT.): Almost like she'd go if he wanted to.

SESS: Right. 

Claire turns back to the woods they ride into.

WITH JACKIE AND CHLOE

JACKIE: So is it too early to be thinking about college?

CHLOE: Starting to. 

JACKIE: Plenty of time. 

CHLOE: Yeah.

JACKIE: So I'm guessing soccer might be a factor.

CHLOE: For sure.

JACKIE: How about surfing and proximity to waves.

CHLOE: Not so much. That would probably mean staying home or close to home and I'm not sure I'll want to do that. But things change. 

JACKIE: Nice to have options.

CHLOE: Right? Where did you go to school?

JACKIE: Stayed home for undergrad at New Mexico.

CHLOE: Albuquerque.

JACKIE: Yes.

CHLOE: Is that where you grew up?

JACKIE: No. I grew up on the Mescalero Apache reservation we drove through.

CHLOE: Oh.

JACKIE: So did Sess. I went to the University of Washington in Seattle for my master's. 

CHLOE: Any particular reason you went there?

JACKIE: The wrong reason. My ex-husband. But it worked out alright. 

CHLOE: Cool.

They ride into the woods.

WITH TOM AND HUNTER

TOM: How often do you see Chloe?

HUNTER: Every other Christmas, birthday and spring break, and the last few weeks of her summer. 

TOM: You and Barbara on good terms?

HUNTER: We are. 

TOM: What does she do?

HUNTER: She's a photographer.

TOM: How did you meet?

HUNTER: At the newspaper we both worked for.

TOM: Are her parents living?

HUNTER: Yes, John and Jan are retired attorneys in Paso Robles.

TOM: Well that ain't too far from San Luis Obispo.

HUNTER: Half hour drive, and there's a train.

TOM: In good health?

HUNTER: Yes. They swim and walk nine holes of golf three days a week. How about you and Wanda?

TOM: We walk around the block in the mornin' and evenin' and square dance Thursdays. Didja play sports growin' up?

HUNTER: High school baseball and basketball. 

TOM: What positions?

HUNTER: Pitcher and point guard. How 'bout you?

TOM: I did rodeo when I was a kid.

HUNTER: Win any buckles?

TOM: I gotta couple at home.

HUNTER: What event or events.

TOM: Ropin'.

HUNTER: Did you go pro?

TOM: Well that was the plan. But Uncle Sam's was different.

HUNTER: Vietnam?

TOM: Yessir.

HUNTER: Can we talk about that sometime?

TOM: We can do that.  

They ride into the woods.