silly interlude 1: set beats, then timeout

Kindasorta effing burned out. I can maybe manage to get remaining beats set this weekend - that would be Big re progress and my state of mind - then time for a break to reset/refresh.  

Other titles: Already Completed, Settled, Mission Accomplished, Tasks Completed

Hilary Barrett:

"You have committed yourself and made a transition. Even if the change so far is internal, a resolve formed or decision made, there is a sense in which everything is in place. Now you create success in small ways and in small things: you attend to details, working with what you've already decided or achieved. In following through, you stay loyal to your original reasons for making the crossing."

sc. 25 bookmark.

sc 24 bkmrk

EXT. WINERYVINEYARDS - DAY 

John and Jan, street view of Tom/Wanda's, snow on the ground, get Chloe/Tom selfie.

INT./EXT. TBD - DAY

Barbara with Brian, same selfie. She gets Kate's call.

sc 24 bookmark

sc 23 bkmrk

INT. ROVER - DAY

Hunter driving NM Hwy 70 northeast, nearing White Sands National Park.

TOM: When's the last time you were on a horse?

CHLOE: Does a mule count?

TOM: Far as I'm concerned. Were you in saddle?

Chloe nods.

CHLOE: Grand Canyon mule ride a few years ago.

TOM: Alright. My best friend's grandsons did that and loved it. Took some amazin' pictures.

CHLOE: Have you been?

TOM: When I was a kid. But not down into it. I had an uncle who worked for the forest service outta Flagstaff. My mother's brother Glen, his wife Gloria and my cousins Darrel and Darlene, me and Ruthie's age. We was out for Christmas and drove to the rim the day after. Got snowed on. I'm sure Ruth's got black and white photos in one of her albums. She keeps the family tree on her ancestry website, for what it's worth, if you were ever curious.

CHLOE: I am. My aunt Kate does that.

TOM: Alright. 

CHLOE: She and her boyfriend live in Wilson, Wyoming.

TOM: Is that so?

HUNTER: John's sister.

TOM: Okay.

CHLOE: You've probably been to Wilson.

TOM: Me and Daisy's husband Clem who passed did a lotta fishin' in the area. He had a friend of a friend with some land with a creek runnin' through. So I guess you've been.  

CHLOE: Every Christmas since she moved there from Chicago and a week in June.

TOM: Like it?

Chloe nods.

TOM (CONT.): Probly seen a little snow then.

CHLOE: And cold as something I can't say.

TOM: Understood. What's the coldest?

CHLOE: Twenty-below.

TOM: That'll chase ya inside to the fireplace.  

CHLOE: Like the cold had teeth.

TOM: Understood.

CHLOE: I'd bet you've been in colder.

TOM: You'd win that bet.

CHLOE: When's the last time you were on a horse?

TOM: About a year ago exactly.

CHLOE: On a roundup.

Tom chuckles. Chloe winks.

TOM: No ma'am. Been awhile since I done that. Last time I was on a horse was a year ago at the annual Cheyenne Frontier Days parade.

CHLOE: With a group?

TOM: Correct.  V-F-W.

CHLOE: Are you a veteran of a foreign war?

TOM: Yes ma'am.

CHLOE: Vietnam?

TOM: Yes ma'am.

Pause, the dunes of White Sands come into view.

CHLOE: Is that something you'd be willing to talk about sometime?

TOM: We could do that. 

Pause.

TOM (CONT.): I'm gonna take a wild guess that we're comin' up on White Sands National Park.

HUNTER: We are upon it. I thought we might tray to time coming home with a white sands sunset.

CHLOE: Speaking of which, I hope you're not camera shy, Tom, because I'll be taking plenty of pictures.

TOM: Well then now's a good time to give y'all the heads-up that I got orders to do the same.

JACKIE: And a good time to say there's a very good chance my cousin's girlfriend will have her movie camera along to record video for the blog she keeps.

CHLOE: We'll get the link, right?

JACKIE: Yes you will.

CHLOE: Cool.

Chloe scoots nearer to Tom, takes a selfie that includes him and white sand dunes in the background.

TOM: Think you could send that to me?

Chloe prepares phone to add contact, hands phone to Tom.

CHLOE: Digits, please.

Tom enters digits. Chloe looks at number.

CHLOE (CONT.) Three oh seven.

TOM: Thee three oh seven.

Chloe calls, TOM'S PHONE RINGS. He picks up.

TOM (CONT.) Hello?

CHLOE: Thee eight oh five.

Chloe pockets phone, Tom does the same.

Chloe extends high-five that Tom meets.

CHLOE/TOM: Contact.

sc 23 bookmark

sc 22 bkmrk

EXT DECK MOUNTAIN HOME - DAY

Handsome stone and timber outside Wilson, WY.

KATE and CEDRIC, per previous. Cedric Foglost, Kate laptop. 

FAINT WESTERN MEADOWLARK SONG.

CEDRIC: When am I going to meet Hunter?

KATE: Well, Chloe's graduation for sure. And I'd be very surprised if he weren't at her birthday. Which reminds she's at Hunter's through the rest of her summer. I think they're off on a horseback ride today with his new girlfriend. 

CEDRIC: What do we know about her?

KATE: History professor at New Mexico State. I thought to check the department website for her picture but decided to wait for whatever Chloe sends.

CEDRIC: Any word, by the way, on trending regarding school?

KATE: No, other than leaning toward an environmental sciences major.

CEDRIC: I imagine John and Jan are hoping not so far from home.

KATE: Hoping surfing is a factor. Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz both have strong programs. But I know they would both quickly and mostly easily embrace otherwise.

KATE'S PHONE RINGTONES THWACK OF CLUB STRIKING GOLF BALL, followed by a MAN BELLOWING "FORE."

Cedric smiles, Kate picks up.

KATE: Are your ears burning?

(Kate's expression shifts to profound surprise at what she is hearing.)

I'm here. Jesus, John.

(Cedric, marks page, turns attention to Jan.)

Do we have a middle name?

Small world getting smaller. Picture yet?

Well send when you do. This sure shakes the family tree.

He's right here. We're waiting for our ride to _______.

I'll tell him then suggest he read Honda Knot after he finishes Foglost. Interesting timing, by the way re Tom Walker's arrival.

With bated breath.

Love you too, Johnny.

(She sets phone, looks at Cedric.)

CEDRIC: Bated breath indeed.  

KATE: Big news.

CEDRIC: I get that.

KATE: You remember our brief conversation about what we know - knew, rather - about Hunter's father.

KATE: Big news.

CEDRIC: I get that.

KATE: You remember our brief conversation about what we know - knew, rather - about Hunter's father.

CEDRIC: Hmm. Let me refresh. Cattle ranch hand who met Hunter's mother, Olivia, at an Elvis show in Reno. Passing through on his way to Mexico?

KATE: Yes. 

CEDRIC: Meeting leads to a drive around Lake Tahoe that leads to an overnight in Carson City that leads to Hunter. Never heard from again and Tom Walker from Texas not being much to go on as far as tracking him down. To round it off somewhat.

KATE: That's well rounded off.

CEDRIC: What's this about Honda Knot?

KATE: Honda Knot is in Hunter's short stories. Features a ranch hand named Cade Satterwhite. Based on Hunter's extrapolation of what he knows - knew - about Tom Walker from Texas.

CEDRIC: I'll read it.

KATE: He arrived at Hunter's yesterday, he's on the horse ride today. His middle name is Travis. He was born and raised in Bandera, Texas.

CEDRIC (BEAT): Hmm.

KATE: Hmm?

CEDRIC: I met a Tom Walker from Bandera, Texas. 

KATE: Small world getting smaller. 

CEDRIC: I'd guess there have been, are and will be a few of those, too.

KATE: I' would too. Where and when did you meet your Tom Walker from Bandera, Texas?

CEDRIC (TWO BEATS):  Vietnam almost sixty years ago.

KATE: Middle name Travis already has John and Jan looking at the street view of Tom and Wanda Walker's house in Laramie.

CEDRIC: Really?

KATE: Wouldn't middle name Travis help regarding looking up military records? If you're curios.

CEDRIC: I am. It would.

KATE: I could email Barbara to ask Hunter to ask Tom Walker if he remembers Warrant Officer Cedric Turner. If you think your Tom Walker would remember.

CEDRIC: My Tom Walker, if his memory is intact, would. 

KATE: Shall I inquire?

Cedric ponders, nods.

KATE (CONT.) Are the particulars of your meeting something you would share with me?

Cedric nods.

HONK HONK HONK.

CEDRIC: On the way?

KATE: Bated breath.

They leave into house out of view.

scene 22 bookmark

sc 21

INT. DWNTOWN LARAMIE COFFEE SHOP - DAY

Wanda and Daisy looking at the selfie that Tom has taken, unbeknownst to Hunter and Chloe in background. 

DAISY: So tell me everything you know about her.

WANDA: Well, she'll be starting her senior year in high school in San Luis Obispo where she lives with her mother Barbara, turns eighteen November second. She's a surfer, gets grade good enough to earn a scholarship and is trending, quote, toward environmental science studies. Her grandparents John and Jan are retired attorneys in Paso Robles. 

DAISY: Well that's nearby, isn't  it.

WANDA: Half hour. Ruth was out that way a few years ago on a winery tour vacation she really enjoyed. 

DAISY: I imagine she's enjoying this turn of events.

WANDA: I wouldn't be surprised if this weren't already framed and placed on a shelf.

SERVER ARRIVES, recognizes Tom in selfie. Brief exchange. 

CUT TO

INT. RITH'S READING ROOM 

Intimate, warmed by sunlight through window to yard.

FLOOR CREAK before Ruth enters, places selfie, framed, just on shelf with Hunter's books. 

She leaves, FLOOR CREAK.

scene 21

scene beats 1-20

[FROM PREVIOUS NIGHT, to be edited]

____________________________________

EXT. HUNTER'S DRIVEWAY - DAY

MOTOR-WHIR of garage door opening to reveal Tom and Chloe waiting, Hunter putting two backpacks in back of Rover. 

Tom cowboy as usual, worn jeans and boots. Chloe and Hunter in jeans, hiking boots, ballcaps. Hunter unbuttoned long-sleeve over tee, Chloe sports a "Steamer's Lane, Santa Cruz" raglan long-sleeve.

Chloe leads Tom to truck, Hunter into Rover, backs it to street/curb.

CHLOE: Cool truck.

TOM: Like it?

CHLOE: Love the two-tone.

TOM: Ain't the original paint but same colors. This was my dad's last truck.

CHLOE: Really?

TOM: Yes, ma'am.

CHLOE:  Can I see inside?

TOM: Course ya can. Need to get my sunglasses anyway. Got a car at home?

He gets keys from pants pocket.

CHLOE: No. When I go to college.

He unlocks, opens driver's door,

TOM: How do you get to school?

CHLOE: Bike. 

He gets aviator shades from visor sleeve, puts in shirt pocket. 

CHLOE:  Bitchen bench seat and saddle blanket cover.

TOM:  Put it in about a year ago. Center folds down into a console. 

He demonstrates, puts back in seat mode. Hunter parks, approaches. 

CHLOE: Nice dash upgrade.

TOM: Friend a mine did that. Kind of a stylized nod to the original while keepin' up with technology. 

CHLOE: Do you have another car?

TOM: Older Subaru Outback. That's what we're usually in when we visit Ruth.         

Hunter arrives.

CHLOE: This was Tom's dad's last truck.

HUNTER: Really?

TOM: Yessir. 

HUNTER: Mid-eighties.

TOM: Eighty-seven. Bought it new off the lot in Houston on the way home from an Oilers game.

CHLOE: Who-slash-what are the Oilers?

TOM: Football team that don't exist anymore.

CHLOE: Oh. 

HUNTER: Nice upgrades. What's under the hood? 

TOM: Five-seven three-fifty long block crate I dropped in a few years ago. 

Chloe's eyes find the early-90s red Alfa Romeo Spider, top down, nearing from the direction Tom arrived.  

CHLOE: I spy a spider.

Hunter and Tom turn their attention to the car.

HUNTER: Heeere's Jackie.  

Hunter walks to the street to guide Jackie to driveway and garage as if an aircraft marshaller pointing a jet to gate. Tom closes driver's door, watches with Chloe as Jackie arrives.

CHLOE: No. When I start college.  

Jackie steers into the driveway, long hair in a tail under her ballcap.

TOM: Nervous about meeting Jackie?

CHLOE: I was. Until you took all my nervous away. 

Hunter meets Jackie where she parks in the Rover's spot. Jackie, 50ish, fit, jeans, cowgirl boots, untucked western style blouse, puts sunglasses on bill of ballcap, gets out, gets backpack from passenger seat, greets Hunter's quick kiss.

JACKIE: And I was nervous about meeting Chloe.

HUNTER: You'll be quickly at ease.

JACKIE: And cowboy I reckon.  

He takes her hand, leads to Tom and Chloe coming to them.

JACKIE: How's it going?

HUNTER: Well.

JACKIE: Cool.

They meet Tom and Chloe.

HUNTER: So. Jackie, I'm happy to introduce you to Chloe and Tom. Tom and Chloe, meet Jackie.

Tom tips his hat, he, Chloe and Jackie exchange handshakes and variations of hello good to meet you.

JACKIE: Tom, rumor is this isn't your first rodeo.

HUNTER: I been to a few. Hunter told me what your cousin's doin' with the horse rescue and the kids. I think it's a wonderful thing.

JACKIE: So far so good. And we have another late addition to the posse. My cousin's girlfriend is coming from Oklahoma and should be there when we arrive.

HUNTER: The more the merrier.

JACKIE: In this case for sure. 

HUNTER: Shall we?

JACKIE: Let's.

Hunter activates garage closure, the MOTOR-WHIR as they walk to the Rover. Hunter opens the front passenger door for Jackie, Chloe gets in behind her, Tom goes around to the other side, gets in next to Chloe and behind Hunter in the driver's seat. All buckle up, Hunter starts the engine, drives away in the direction Tom had to hide, continues straight, turns left out of view. 

scene beats 1-20

1. Night. Tom, Wanda, Hawaii, Foglost.

2. Sunrise. Truck, Wyoming, re Daisy, Tom Leaves.

3. Sunset. Tom arrive ABQ motel.

4. Sunrise. Tom leaves ABQ motel.

5. John, Jan, Chloe, Barb, re Jackie and Horse Day, SLO airport.

6. Hunter home office, Chloe photos, Organ Mountains.

7. Tom nearing, Hunter's 'hood.

8. Hunter kitchen/dining, bag, leaves.

9. Tom arrive, idle, camera, Hunter, Tom leaves, hides, U-turn.

10. Hunter, foyer, doorbell, howdy, enter Tom.

______________________________________________

11. Chloe on plane, Hunter's call re Tom. Call mom (with grams and gramps).

12. John, Jan, Barbara, Hunter's call. Middle name.

13. Tom, Hunter's guest room, calls Wanda. Wanda with Daisy. 

14. Ruth, Tom's call. Tom leaves, arrive stone wall, selfie.

15. Gil, Foglost, Tom selfie, hijole.

16. Hunter, Chloe airport parking, how Tom found out.

17. Barbara tells Brian about Tom and Olivia.

18. Hunter, Chloe arrive, Tom and intros.

19. Sunset. John and Jan at home. Re call Kate tomorrow.

20. Night. Hunter, Chloe, Tom, post-dinner, re Wanda and Hawaii. About a horse.