EXT. PATIO/BACK YARD - DAY
A handsome bungalow's shaded patio, chairs, grill and wall-mounted TV. Hanging seashell chime. Two chaise lounges at the kidney pool, all fenced and privatized by trees and plants. Hose on spool, gardening supplies and tools arranged near a wooden gate on a side of the house. Sliding glass door to house behind JOHN and JAN, mid-70s, playing scrabble at the table with BARBARA, 50ish. Barbara and Jan survey their tiles and the board in similar style, eyes darting and chin propped on hand. John arranges his tiles in search of a word.
He's in loafers that match the belt that holds up his khaki slacks. Argyle socks that complement his polo shirt. Handsome watch and gold wedding band. Jan, scorekeeper with pen and legal pad, in new jeans, leather ankle-high boots, light cardigan over denim blouse. Her slender silver watch draws the eye to the shiny diamond on her wedding ring. Barbara in fashionable track suit and running shoes. Each with phone and glass of white wine at hand. John stops his tile activity.
JOHN: Bingo.
JAN: Uh oh.
John uses all seven tiles to lay down the word "NIBLICK," using the N to make "NAUGHT" of "AUGHT."
BARBARA: Ouch.
JOHN: A cursory count comes up seventy-four but feel free to double-check.
He reaches into the tile bag, adds seven to fill his tray.
BARBARA: Speaking of niblick.-
JAN: Seventy-four confirmed and the lead regained. Sorry, sweetheart. Speaking of niblick.
Jan records the score on the legal pad.,
BARBARA: Speaking of niblick, Brian pulled the trigger on that titanium driver.
JOHN: Oh boy. Has he used it yet?
BARBARA: No, Saving it for the fourth tee.
John smiles, nods.
JAN: Do we know if his son made the baseball decision yet?
BARBARA: We do. He's going to play a year at Cuesta and go from there.
JOHN: I suspect Brian doesn't mind he's staying home.
BARBARA: He's happy about it.
Jan adds four of her tiles to niblick's k to make the word "QUICK" placing the Q on a "triple-letter" space.
JOHN: How long have you had that Q.
JAN: Awhile. Got the U last draw. Forty.
Barbara's PHONE RINGTONES a FOGHORN.
BARBARA: Hunter.
JOHN/JAN: Foglost.
Barbara nods, picks up. Jan gets four new tiles from the bag, places them in tray.
BARBARA: Hey there.
(Her face expresses confused surprise.)
Wow. Well, Hunter, I entirely trust your sense of this.
They're right here.
Okay.
I'll be waiting.
(She puts phone down, looks to John and Jan.)
JOHN/JAN: Well?
BARBARA: Tom Walker is at Hunter's house.
JOHN: That Tom Walker?
BARBARA: Yes. He's spending the night.
JAN: Does Chloe know?
BARBARA: Not yet. She'll call tonight.
Silence. Finally:
JOHN: We need a middle name.
BARBARA: Check.
A BREEZE RATTLES THE SEASHELL CHIME.
