Tuesday, July 30, 2024

scene 25

Previous.

INT. DINING ROOM/KITCHEN - DAY

Quaint and cozy. The calendar on the fridge turned to July with accompanying photo of fireworks lighting sky above baseball field and families on blankets. Windows to backyard. Wanda at the table reading James Michener's novel Hawaii and chasing cornbread with milk. Antique hutch appointed accordingly. Phone at hand near a few ripe bananas in a wooden bowl. She is startled when her PHONE RINGTONES the piano beginning of the Marcia Ball song, That's Enough of that Stuff. She smiles shakes her head, marks page and closes book, picks up to RUTH FACETIMING.

WANDA: I was about to finish my chapter and Facetime you.

RUTH: Michener?

WANDA: Yep.

RUTH: What chapter?

WANDA: Two, the unswept lagoon.

RUTH: Bye bye Bora Bora. 

WANDA: Yep. So aren't you just loving the pictures he's sent.


INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Describe. Ruth at desk, Facetime with Wanda, looking at framed photo of Tom, Chloe, Hunter and Jackie with a larger-than-them bear cut from wood.  

RUTH: I called because I had to talk about it.

WANDA: That's why I was going to call you. Is the bear picture just the cutest?

RUTH: I framed it and just now put it on the desk in y'all's room.

She aims the phone at the picture.

WANDA: I love it.

RUTH: And more on the way.

She returns phone to face.

WANDA: Can't wait.

RUTH: So how's miss Daisy? 

WANDA: We had a good day. She's here taking a nap and I'm about to. 


DINING ROOM/KITCHEN

Wanda standing at the window, Facetime with Ruth.

RUTH: Well pass along my hug to Daisy.

WANDA: I will. 

RUTH: Love ya, dubya.

WANDA: Love you too..

RUTH: Drive safe.

WANDA: Yes ma'am.

End call, she finds the bear picture on phone, smiles, pockets phone, leaves into hall, FLOOR CREAK.

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.