Sunday, December 14, 2025

scene 25

sc 24

EXT. JOHN'S/JAN'S PATIO - DAY

Floaties in the pool. John and Jan in terry cloth robes at the table, looking at STREET VIEW OF TOM'S/WANDA'S HOME on laptop. The license plate on a Subaru wagon in the port is blurred.

JOHN: Funny. She was just beginning to tell Cedric about Hunter and Thomas Travis Walker.

JAN: Besides Jackson, what's the closest you've been to Laramie.

JOHN: Cheyenne, my second year at Buford for an E-P-A vee Wyoming coal depo. Second week in January.

JAN: Tropical?

JOHN: Twenty-below every morning and a slapping wind that added to the pleasure. 

JAN: Where did you stay?

JOHN: The Plains Hotel. Like Robert Kennedy and Ernest Hemingway before me. 

JAN: Fancy place?

JOHN: Fancy enough. Now the historic plains, I believe, and once upon a time the Governor’s Mansion for Nellie Davis Taylor Ross, the first female governor in the United States. 

JAN: Learn something new.

JOHN: If I recall her name correctly, in which case I wonder why. You, closest to Laramie.

JAN: Fort Collins for a sorority sister's wedding the summer before Duke.

JOHN: Last time in a mobile home.

JAN: Not actually in but on the doorsteps of however many were in the park we did Halloween when I was a six. 

JOHN: Had I not asked.

JAN: It was a Friday that year so we made a weekend of it. 

JOHN: Where did you stay.

JAN: The Del Marcos.

JOHN: Classic. Costume?

JAN: I was Dorothy.

JOHN: From Kansas.

JAN: Yes. But where in Kansas.

JOHN: Liberal, later.

JAN: Correct.

JOHN: Did David suit up?

JAN: Lone Ranger.

JOHN: How many times did he hear who was that masked man as you walked away?

JAN: About the same number of times I was asked to click my heels three times.

John puts arm around her, Jan scoots into him. They stare at Tom and Wanda's home.

JAN/JOHN: Funny how...

JAN: You first.

JOHN: How Tom's arrival has stirred up these ancient recollections. 

Pause.

JAN: Are we ancient, John?

Pause.

JOHN: No. We are not.

He stands, extends hand to Jan, who takes it, stands. John leads her into house and out of view. BREEZE SINGS THE CHIMES.

scene 24

sc 23

EXT. DECK - CABIN IN THE WOODS - DAY

KATE and CEDRIC, 70-somethings, at repose in their respective chaises, their phones and bottled waters on the varnished tree trunk table between them. Kate in running shoes, jeans, unbuttoned denim blouse over tee, sleeves rolled to elbows. We can't see what on her laptop has her attention. We can see Cedric is reading Foglost. Tan work boots, new jeans, belt cinched at prominent gold buckle. Untucked corduroy long-sleeve over tee. Gold watch. 

Single-level Mountain Handsome surrounded by lodgepole pines. Wood, windows, stone. The chaises share the cedar deck with a shaded grill and fire pit near where the deck meets a small meadow surrounded by lodgepole pines. View through big window behind them to the room with the fireplace and TWO CATS looking out from different levels of cat tree. Occasional SONG OF WILSON'S WARBLER.

CEDRIC: What can you tell me about Hunter's upbringing?

JAN: What I can recall. On the way?

CEDRIC: Sure. 

JAN: Whence the sudden curiosity?

CEDRIC: Not so sudden, just getting around to asking. And piqued by certain subtleties regarding our man in the boat.

JAN: Ah. 

CEDRIC: Who was just met the fog.

JAN: Not another word, Cedric. 

CEDRIC: Sorry.

JAN: Well, I did presume fog might be involved.

She closes laptop.

JAN: Ride in five.

John checks watch, marks page, closes book.

JAN: Hunter never met his father. When you get to short stories, start with Honda Knot.

JOHN: Hmm. Okay.

JAN: Do you know what a Honda knot is.

JOHN: I do. 

JAN: Have you ever tied one?

JOHN: I have not. But I will read the story.

JAN: Hunter's mother died from lung cancer on her thirty-third birthday. Hunter was six. His grandparents raised him. More on the way.

JOHN: When will I meet him?

She picks up when her PHONE RINGTONES A MAN YELLING "FORE."

JAN: Chloe's graduation.

(into phone after second FORE) Hey. I might have to call you back. Bob and Kell are picking us up for lunch at Creekfeet.

(She stands, Cedric stands, pockets phone.

JAN: I'm here. Jesus, you won't believe the timing. I was just introducing Cedric to the CliffsNotes of Hunter's backstory. And Chloe's there. 

Wow. 

(CAR HONKS TWICE.) 

Johnny, I'll call you right back.

K. Oh John, send any pictures.

Love you too. 

(She pockets phone, tucks laptop. The cats bond out of view.)

CEDRIC: Bullet point?

JAN: I'm wrong about Hunter having not met his father. More when I hear more from John.

They walk to house, enter, leave view.