scene 7

scene 6

INT. PORSCHE CAYENNE - DAY

John driving, Chloe front passenger, Barbara behind Chloe, Jan behind John.

JOHN, mid-70s, driving. Active-lifestyle-fit.

Sunglasses hang from open collar of polo shirt. Khaki slacks, belt matches loafers, Rolex watch, gold wedding band.

CHLOE, 17, front passenger seat. Competitive swimmer-fit. 

Sporty tracksuit, running shoes, sunglasses propped atop head.

BARBARA, 50-ish. Athletic fit.

Jeans, Uggs,  long-sleeve tee with BEAVER CREEK across chest. Designer sunglasses propped as Chloe’s. Saddle-ish bag-purse between her feet.

JAN, mid-70#  Active lifestyle-fit.

Martha Stewart casual. Khaki capris, deck shoes and anklet socks, cream sweater over pink blouse. Silver necklace and wedding ring with diamond made hard to miss by her hands over the perfect purse in her lap.

Driving NB CA 101 through agri-rich Salinas Valley.

JAN: Do we know the where of horse day?

CHLOE: On land in Jackie’s family, northwest of Ruidoso, end quote.

JOHN: What do we know about thr whence of the horses?

CHLOE: Jackie has a cousin who manages a riding stable .

JAN: Isn't the Ruidoso areas where Andy and Carol Whittaker retired.

JOHN: Cloudcroft.

JAN: That's right. 

CHLOE: Dad's looking at land in the Cloudcroft area.

JOHN/JAN/BARBARA: Really?

CHLOE: Yep. 

BARBARA: Gonna build his cabin?

CHLOE: Looking like it.  

JOHN: Sell in Las Cruces?

CHLOE: Yeah. I guess he's starting to get traffic.

JAN: What do you mean?

CHLOE: People driving by too slowly, sometimes stopping.

JOHN: Maybe has to do with being a bestselling author.

CHLOE: Maybe. 

JOHN: So long comfortable semi-anonymity.

CHLOE: He sold the film  rights.

JAN/JOHN/BARBARA: Really?

CHLOE: Yep. Mostly finalized a few days ago. That's all I know.

JAN: Wow.

CHLOE: Details when I get them.

BARBARA: Do we know what's he's working on now?

CHLOE: A baseball story. 

JOHN: Hasn't he had that in a back pocket for awhile?

BARBARA/CHLOE: Yes. 

Silence.

scene 6

scene 5

EXT. YUCCA SPRINGS MOTEL/PARKING LOT - DAWN

The registration office is Yucca'd up decoratively, including neon. Full moon above wet and puddled half-empty lot, first fiery hint of sunrise behind the Sandias.

Tom comes out from room, suitcase in hand, descends stairs, walks to truck, startled to a stop when a COYOTE hurries across in front of him, into and out of view, its eyes on Tom throughout. Tom considers this, proceeds to truck, fishes keys from pocket. 

INT. TRUCK

Tom opens driver's door, sets suitcase on passenger seat, gets in, starts engine, moves suitcase to below passenger seat, sets hat on seat, moves phone from pocket to console, buckles up, turns on headlights, turns on radio to the instrumental beginning of Freddy Fender singing (I Love My) Rancho Grande. Tom smiles, turns it up, rolls down window, drives out of lot to street and out of view, MUSIC FADES to FAINT DOG BARKING. 

scene 5

scene 4

INT. BASIC MOTEL ROOM - SUNSET

Bed, desk and chair lit through crack in curtains. BOOT STEPS ON CONCRETE NEARING before Tom enters, closes door, puts hat on rack, suitcase on bed, parts the curtains to second-floor view to Albuquerque skyline and Sandia mountains obscured by gathering monsoon clouds. RAINDROP TAPS WINDOW. He gets phone from pocket, puts it on desk. Lamp, pen, pencil and pad of Yucca Springs Motel stationery on desk. Framed Yucca Art print above the headboard. 

Tom sits on chair, takes off boots, sets them at hat rack, opens suitcase, gets Foglost, sets it on desk, page nearer the end than beginning marked with a grey ribbon. TWO HEAVIER RAINDROPS. He takes off his shirt. His white tee reveals a well-toned lean torso and arms as firm, taut ropes with hooks. Hangs shirt in closet, gets another western-style shirt from suitcase, hangs it. 

Picks up, speaks into phone.  

TOM: Ruth.

I have arrived.

Run a bath, have Chinese delivered, read the book.

First drops right now. 

Aimin' for early. Gil's got a pepper order in so I'm stoppin' in Hatch.

Alrighty. 

Maria and the boys up?

K. 

Love you too.

HEAVIER RAUN, DARKER CLOUDS. He sets phone on bed's lampstand on the way to the bathroom, leaves view when he enters. SOUND OF BATH BEGUN.