Saturday, November 22, 2025

scene 15

scene 14

INT. MASTER BEDROOM - DAY

Barbara and BRIAN, fit 50-ish, entwined in bed, sweaty and naked under sheet. Masculine decor, ceiling fan in slow spin, window to backyard featuring batting cage with pitching machine.      

BRIAN: So what can you tell me about Tom and Olivia?

BARBARA: What I remember Hunter telling me. The abridged basics then more on the way.

BRIAN: K.

BARBARA: They bumped into and spilled their drinks on each other at the slots at Harrah's in Reno.  Conversation ensued and concluded with her saying yes to his invitation for a drive around Lake Tahoe the next day.

BRIAN: What were they doing in Reno?

BARBARA: Olivia to see Elvis, Tom passing through on his way to Mexico from the end of job on a cattle ranch outside Paradise Valley, Nevada.

BRIAN: Cowboy?

BARBARA: From boots to straw Stetson.  

BRIAN: Are there pictures?

BARBARA: Two. Both selfies Olivia took of them with an instamatic she picked up in South Lake Tahoe after realizing at Emerald Bay she'd forgotten her camera. Chloe has the one of them on the beach at Zephyr Cove, Hunter has the other, Olivia at the wheel of Tom's rented Corvette parked at a turnout with s view to the Carson Valley. He's in the passenger seat. Not long after that was taken they stopped in Carson City to play slots at the Nugget. They ended up spending the night at the Pony Express Hotel. Breakfast the next morning at an I-HOP in Reno, he drops her off at her hotel, drives to the airport. No exchange of numbers or addresses. Olivia met friends who'd come to see Elvia, they did, flew home the next day. Two weeks later she learned she was pregnant. 

BRIAN: No birth control?

BARBARA: Olivia's diaphragm. 

BRIAN: How old were they?

BARBARA: Both twenty-six.

BRIAN: I wonder how he found out about Hunter. 

BARBARA: I'll learn that and more when Chloe calls tonight. We should probably go.

BRIAN: We should.

They leave bed and frame. 

BRIAN (0.S.) I bet Chloe will be very interested in his recollection of Olivia.

BARBARA (O.S.) Hanging on every word.

SOUND OF SHOWER STALL OPENED, CLOSED, SHOWER STARTED.