Meet Sess and Claire

EXT. AIRSTREAM BAMBI TRAILER - DAY

Sess and Claire, 40ish cowgirls from boots to buckles to bandanas and hats, sit on chairs outside the door to the trailer set, like the rudimentary horse barn and corral behind them, in a clearing in the piney woods, their attention aimed at the road that feeds the dirt driveway that leads to a carport covering a Dodge Heavy-Duty dually pickup, a Harley-Davidson cruiser, and Jeep CJ-7 with Oklahoma plates. A four horse trailer and ATV near the barn. A DOZEN YOUNG TEENAGERS of mixed gender tend to six saddled horses tied to a hitching post. TWO AUSSIE SHEPHERD DOGS supervise the activity.

CLAIRE: How long has it been?

SESS: First date was a month ago.

CLAIRE: Where?

SESS: A play at Cruces Community.

CLAIRE: What play?

SESS: When Ya Comin' Back Red Rider.

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: Writer of what?

SESS: Novels.

CLAIRE: Any I might've heard of?

SESS: His latest is called Foglost.

Claire turns to Sess in surprise just before the Rover drives into frame and turns onto the driveway. Sess and Claire stand, Jackie rolls down the window, waves, Sess and Claire wave back, walk to meet the Rover where Hunter parks it....

Greetings, intros, saddle up.

Heeere's Jackie

FROM...

Hunter motions the driver, JACKIE, 50ish, sunglasses and ballcap, toward the garage, walks to meet her. 

TOM: Sporty ride.

CHLOE: Right?

Jackie drives in, parks, props sunglasses on bill of SKI APACHE ballcap, gets out with packpack, meets Hunter's quick kiss. She sports cowgirl boots, jeans, untucked plaid long-sleeve blouse. Hunter takes her hand, walks to Chloe and Tom, who removes his hat.

JACKIE: And I was nervous about meeting Chloe.

HUNTER: I think everyone's a little anxious.

Tom and Chloe walk to meet them.   

HUNTER (cont.) So, without further ado, Jackie, it is my pleasure to introduce mister Tom Walker and Chloe. Chloe and Tom, Jackie.

Jackie extends hand to Chloe, they shake.

JACKIE: Chloe, it's so nice to finally meet you.

CHLOE: Likewise, Jackie.

Jackie extends hand to Tom, they shake.

JACKIE: Mister Walker, I'm glad that you're able to join us today.

TOM: Well, ma'am, so am I. Thanks so much for havin' me along. And Tom's fine, thank you.

JACKIE: As is Jackie, thank you.

TOM: Yes ma'am. Jackie.

JACKIE: Rumor is this isn't your first rodeo.

TOM: I been to a couple.

Hunter takes a step toward the Rover, the others follow. He activates the garage door closing.

JACKIE: Did you tell Tom about the quarter horses and kids?

HUNTER: I dids.

TOM: Sounds like a wonderful thing your cousin's doin'.

JACKIE: It's just getting going but so far so good. And, by the way, we have another late addition in my cousin's girlfriend and partner in the program who'll be joining us.

HUNTER: The more the merrier. 

Hunter opens the front passenger door for Jackie, Chloe opens a back passenger door for Tom. Jackie and Tom get in. Hunter comes around to driver's door, Chloe to passenger door behind, they get in, all buckle up, Hunter starts the engine, drives away. 

Cool Truck

CHLOE: Cool truck.

TOM: Like it?

Chloe nods.

TOM (cont.): This was my dad's last truck.

CHLOE: Really?

TOM: Yes ma'am. Bought it new off the lot in Fort Worth comin' home with friends from a Cowboys game. 

CHLOE: What year was new?

TOM: Eighty-six. 

Tom gets keys from pocket, opens driver's door.

CHLOE: Love the two-tone.

Tom gets keys from pocket, opens driver's door.

TOM: Same colors as his grandad's Suburban. That's what sold him soon as he seen it.

Tom gets sunglasses from sleeve on driver's visor.

CHLOE: And the bench seat.

TOM: Put that in 'bout a year ago. 

CHLOE: Wow. Roll-up windows.

Hunter parks, approaches.

TOM: Bit of a dinosaur.

CHLOE: Does the radio work?

TOM: It does. 

CHLOE: No G-P-S. 

TOM: It's in the glove compartment.

Hunter arrives. 

HUNTER: What's in the glove compartment?

TOM: My G-P-S.

HUNTER: That might've helped with directions back to Dripping Springs Road.

Tom nods.

CHLOE: This was Dale's last truck.  

HUNTER: Really?

TOM: Yessir.  

Tom looks up at the approaching car. Hunter and Chloe turn their attention to it.

HUNTER: Heeere's Jackie.

The car reveals itself to be an early-90s Alfa Romeo Spider convertible, top down. Tom closes the driver's door, sticks sunglasses in shirt pocket.

meet Chloe, Barbara, Jan and John

EXT. CAFE - DOWNTOWN PASO ROBLES - DAY

"Pine Street Parche" per the signage on the small store bookended by a travel agency and wine shop on the quiet street lined by shops and cars with California plates, with a view to Downtown City Park down the block. 

John, Jan, Barbara and Chloe come out with lidded paper cups in hand, walk the sidewalk away from the park.

JOHN: Do we know where horse day is taking place?

CHLOE: On land Jackie's family owns, quote, northeast of Ruidoso, end quote.  

JAN: Land and horses?

CHLOE: She has a cousin who combines a quarter-horse rescue program with one for kids-at-risk in Albuquerque.

JAN: Do we know what Jackie does for a living?

CHLOE: History professor at New Mexico State.

JAN: Oh you told me that.

CHLOE: That's alright.

JOHN: Do we know her last name?

CHLOE: Dosela. D-o-s-e-l-a. You'll find her picture at the department website.

BARBARA: She's very pretty.

JAN: Education?

CHLOE: U-N-M undergrad, Master's from Washington.

JOHN: As in Seattle.

CHLOE: As in Seattle.

JOHN: Speaking of university, will you be meeting the coach.

CHLOE: That was the plan, but her father passed away last week so we're just going to tour the campus and hang around Tucson.

JAN: Where are you staying?

CHLOE: Dad's friend's house in an area called the Catalina Foothills.

JOHN: With dad's friend there?

CHLOE: Just to hand off the keys before he leaves for Nova Scotia.

JOHN: Speaking of which.

He gets key from pocket, CHIRPS the Porsche Cayenne SUV, offers the keys to Chloe.

JOHN (cont.): Would you mind driving to Salinas? I'm thinking lunch at Cielo.

Barbara and Jan smile, Chloe beams as she takes the keys, all, buckle up, start engine, away they go. 

.