.
Friday, January 30, 2026
Monday, January 26, 2026
John and Jan: deck/night finalish form
EXT. DECK - NIGHT
John and Jan in chaises under starry skies. Sliding glass doors to master bedroom, dimly lit by low-att lamp on nightstand..
JAN: Barb called while you were in the shower.
JOHN: I sense news.
JAN: Chloe's going to Texas when Hunter returns with Tom's ashes.
JOHN: Alright. For how long?
JAN: She comes back the Monday before the Thursday school starts.
JOHN: Alright. We should send Ruth and Wanda a card.
JAN: And flowers.
JOHN: Bluebonnets. They'll fall in love with her.
JAN: Of course. We'll meet them.
JOHN: At her graduation.
JAN: Good bet.
JOHN: Speaking of which, Kate and Cedric are _________.
JAN: She and Ruth can compare family trees.
JOHN: She brought that up.
JAN: I dreamt Barb and Brian were pregnant.
JOHN: As in Barb being pregnant and Brian the unpregnant father.
JAN: Yes.
A moment.
JOHN: Their wedding announcement.
A moment.
JAN: I bet you're right. Very good, Carl Jung.
JOHN: First thing that came to mind.
JAN: It does feel inevitable. Doesn't it?
JOHN: It does. Speaking of Chloe's graduation.
Moment.
JAN: As in they'll announce after.
JOHN: A guess.
JAN: Good guess.
JOHN: It's Chloe's, too.
JAN: Really?
JOHN: It came up on our drive. They'll marry, sell their houses, by in Morro.
JAN: Hmm.
JOHN: Right?
JAN: Anything regarding school?
JOHN: No. But Vietnam came up.
JAN: How?
JOHN: She asked how I didn't go.
JAN: Oh.
JOHN: I'm surprised it took this long.
JAN: You talked?
JOHN: No. We set a date to. Maybe between her return from Texas and school starting.
JAN: Do we know if Tom went?
JOHN: We do. Army. First Air Cavalry.
JAN: Like Brian's father.
JOHN: Yes. He doesn't have much time.
JAN: Barb told me.
Silence but for CRICKET.
SHOOTING STAR crosses sky.
JOHN/JAN: See it?
They look at each other.
JOHN/JAN: Let's go to bed.
They get up, hold hands, walk to and enter bedroom, remove robes, get in bed naked, John turns off the lamp.
John and Jan
1. In the Cayenne with Barbara and Chloe on way to airport. Re Jackie and Horse Day.
2. In the Cayenne on the way back. Barbara gets Hunter's call re Tom Walker. Middle name.
3. Next day at home, street view of Laramie trailer. John re EPA depo re Cheyenne, and The Plains Hotel, middle of January. Called Kate?
4. At cafe. Chloe selfie with Jackie, Hunter and Tom with carved wooden bear. Last time aet foot in cowboy boots. John re Roy Rogers. Kate might have a photo,
5. Golf.
6. With Barbara and Chloe in boat on Lake Nacimiento.
7. On deck at night. Wine and starry skies. Chloe going to Texas when Hunter returns (with Tom's ashes).
8. Hunter best seller. Call him (at flat). Re Chloe's birthday.
9. Chloe's birthday.
Sunday, January 25, 2026
FORE! final form
EXT. GOLF COURSE TEE BOX - DAY
Barbara and Jan in their cart, John and Brian behind in theirs on path shaded by oak trees among low rolling hills.
WITH JOHN AND BRIAN
JOHN: Is Danny any closer to making that baseball decision?
BRIAN: A year at Cuesta, go from there.
JOHN: Sounds like a good play. And dad's not displeased he's staying close to home.
BRIAN: Dad is not displeased.
JOHN: Do we know how close to home?
BRIAN: He and a few teammates are renting a house a couple blocks from the depot.
JOHN: That's close.
JOHN: That's close.
BRIAN: Yep. A little more time before he flies.
John stops cart near tee box of par-three hole guarded by sand trap. The last of the FOURSOME ON THE GREEN putts out. The group leave in their two carts. Jan and Barbara leave cart to get clubs from bags.
JOHN: How's your dad?
BRIAN: A little more time.
Jan takes low-angle driver to tee area, sticks tee and ball upon it, addresses, looks to her target, waggles, swings, drives the ball on a low line down the middle of the fairway.
JOHN: Well struck, sweetheart.
BARBARA: Damn, mom.
The ball lands and rolls to within ten yards of the sand trap.
BRIAN: Well played, Jan.
JAN: Thank you.
She and Barbara exchange high-five as Barbara walks to tee up.
BRIAN: Going for it?
BARBARA: What do you think?
BRIAN: I think that three-wood isn't about laying up.
Brian uses phone camera to record as Barbara sticks tee, surveys target, waggles, swings and drives the ball in a high arc that ends on the green, where the boll rolls into the hole. Celebratory whooping and hollering interrupted by TYPEWRITER SOUND FROM BARBARA'S PHONE.
JOHN: Hunter.
BRIAN: Oh.
Barbara picks up.
BARBARA: Guess what I just did.
(Her face expresses the news she is hearing.)
I'm here. How is she? How are you?
(John and Jan look at each other.)
BARBARA: Alright.
They're right here.
I'm speechless, Hunter.
Okay.
I'll be here.
I love you too.
{She pockets phone.)
JOHN/JAN: Barb.
BARBARA: Tom Walker is dead. Chloe's coming home. She lands at six.
Silence interrupted by:
MALE VOICE (YELLING): Fore!
A golf ball lands with a thud in the tee area.
Hunter leaves 1
INT. HUNTER'S GUEST ROOM - DAY
Foglost atop shirts in Tom's open suitcase on the bench seat that's replaced the bed. Tom's hat on rack, boots at its base, his glasses on desk. Hunter enters, puts card-size envelope on Foglost, adds glasses. closes suitcase, closes window blinds, leaves with suitcase.
EXT. DRIVEWAY/GARAGE
Tom's truck in driveway, driver's door open, key in ignition, suitcase below passenger seat. Hunter comes out the front door with Tom's suitcase, sunglasses propped on head, slides Tom's suitcase to passenger side, gets in, closes door, surveys dash, opens glove compartment, sorts through GPS device, an envelope marked INS, another marked REG, the original owner's manual in a zip-loc bag, a flashlight, flare, lighter, and an envelope marked FSH he opens to find Tom's Texas, Louisiana and Wyoming fishing licenses. He looks them over, puts them back in envelope, envelope back in glove compartment, closes glove compartment.
Seeming to suddenly remember they are there, he gets Tom's aviators from its sleeve on the top side of the driver's shade visor. He puts his in shirt pocket, puts Tom's on, checks reflection in rearview mirror, starts engine, rolls down window, drives to street and way in the direction Tom arrived from. Hunter makes the turn, drives out of frame.
Thursday, January 22, 2026
sc 3, Gil and Dale final form
GIL: Tom and Wanda are moving down.
Dale, surprised, looks at Gil.
DALE: Well shit howdy. Down where?
GIL: Kerrville.
DALE: When?
GIL: Soon as possible but no rush other than before winter gets to Laramie. Tom left this morning.
He and Ruth are gonna drive around, check out some open houses.
DALE: My goodness gracious.
GIL: He'll be here about a week.
DALE: We fishin'?
GIL: Friday morning?
DALE: Lake?
GIL: Or the crossing.
DALE: Let's do that. Early or late?
GIL: Let's do late, the boys are sleepers.
DALE: Wanda ain't comin'?
GIL: You remember Clem and Daisy who came down a couple years ago.
DALE: Course I do. Wonderful couple comin' up on their fiftieth anniversary.
GIL: Clem died a few days ago. Brain aneurysm. Wanda stayed to be with her.
WHIR OF CICADAS .
GIL (CONT.) Back to work?
Dale nods. They finish their drinks, stand, enter the hall.
[CUT TO:
Wanda and Daisy, WYO theatre. TOM'S RINGTONE.
He's calling from Hunter's guest room.
End call, Tom calls Ruth (with Gil at Fredericksburg peach market).]
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
final beats
A1
1. Tom, Wanda in bed at night., Foglost, Hawaii.
2. Tom leaving at sunrise, reference NM.
3. Gil and Dale, Bandera VFW, re Maria and boys.
4. Tom arrives ABQ motel, monsoon sunset.
5. Tom leaves ABQ motel, sunrise.
6. John driving Cayenne, Barbara, Chloe, Jan. 101 through agri-land. Re Jackie and Horse Day.
7. Hunter home office, Chloe photos. Organ Mountains. Closes computer file, leaves.
8. Tom driving in Hunter's 'hood, makes turn onto road per GPS, puts on aviators.
9. Hunter kitchen/dining, patio and xeriscape. Leaves with trash.
10. Tom arrives, idles, phone/camera, Hunter out, click, Tom drives away, Hunter to house.
11. Tom U-turn.
12. Hunter foyer, doorbell, Tom Howdy.
13. Barbara, dining with John and Jan, Hunter ringtone. Re Tom Walker. John re middle name.
14. Wanda with Daisy, Tom's ringtone, calling from Hunter's guest room. Tom calls Ruth, with Gil, peaches in Fred'burg. Hijole. Tom leaves.
15. Tom tours Hunter's house.
16. Hunter and Chloe, El Paso airport.
17. Hunter and Chloe arrive Hunter's, truck in driveway.
18. Hunter, Chloe, Tom intros. Chloe excuses herself re casserole, Hunter's questions for Tom. Hunter into kitchen for lemonade, Chloe takes picture of toast.
19. Barbara tells Brian about Tom and Olivia.
20. Tom, Hunter, Chloe, dinner. Re T/W 25th anniversary, Hawaii, surfing, Tom and Wanda having met in A-A meeting. T excuses self to call Wanda and Ruth. Hunter and Chloe re another horse. H call Jackie.
A2
1. Next day. About the truck, heeere's Jackie, away they go.
2. John and Jan, Laramie house, John's Cheyenne EPA litigation, stay at Plains. Re call Kate.
3. Hunter driving Rover, White Sands. Re last time on a horse. Tom rodeo and Vietnam.
4. Kate and Cedric (reading Foglost). Chicago tower view of Lake Michigan. John's call re Thomas Travis Walker, Hunter's father.
5. Claire and Sess, Rover arrive, intros, to the horses.
6. Wanda and Daisy, a pic Tom sent.
7. Ruth places same pic, framed.
8. Mountain meadow.
9. Barbara, John and Jan re "golf tomorrow." Barbara gets a Chloe selfie.
10. Gil (reading Foglost) in great room, Maria, Ida knock knock, Tom's Las Cruces layover. Re Foglost. Boys and soccer ball.
11. Pinus Ponderosa. Tom and Chloe's Spanish, Hunter's French. Speaking of trees re Ruth's ancestry site. So does aunt Kate. Cowbell and chuck wagon. Jackie, Sess and Claire at picnic table.
12. Creek crossing. Tom and Chloe. Re Choctaw branch on family tree that Ruth keeps. Chloe re aunt Kate doing same.
13. Claire's dad (reading Foglost) and mom, Ardmore water tower, Claire's selfie with Hunter.
14. Horse barn and Honda Knot.
15. White Sands sunset. Black sand beach re Jackie's Iceland honeymoon.
16. Night. Jackie leaving Hunter's, shooting star. A movie? Chloe has the popcorn.
17. Hunter, Chloe, Tom in movie room. We hear the last scene of Paris, Texas. Wiping tears. Tom to bed after calling Wanda and Ruth. Hunter re a picture.
18. Tom's Tahoe story.
19. Tom facetime Ruth and Wanda. Guest book.
20. Hunter's dream
A3
1. Reveal, Hunter tells Chloe.
2. Wanda with Daisy gets Hunter's call.
3. Ruth gets Wanda's call.
4. Gil gets Ruth's call.
5. Barbara, playing golf with John, Jan and Brian, gets Hunter's call.
6. Hunter and Chloe watch Medical Examiner van drive away.
7. Doc 1. Now what?
8. Jackie at home. Hunter arrive.
9. Sunset. Gil, Ruth, Wanda.
10. Night. Kate and Cedric re John's news re Tom.
11. Next day. Hunter leaves in truck.
12. John, Jan, Barbara, Chloe, boat and Lake Nacimiento. About Ruth.
13. Ruth and Wanda porch re Daisy, Hunter arrive.
14. Night. H, R, W, table talk and wine.
15. Chloe in her room, watching Tom video. Hunter facetime from Ruth's guest room.
16. Next day. Gil on deck, H, R, W arrive. Maria and Boys observe from inside.
17. Barbara and Brian.
18. Fort Park.
19. Maria, Ruth and Wanda in kitchen. ATV's.
20. John and Jan at sunset.
21. R, H, W, porch and peach ice cream. About the truck.
22. Gil in den, tequila and tattoo. Vietnam pics. Enter Boys.
23. Next day, Hunter leaves.
24. Jackie's at sunset. Hunter arrives.
25. Next Doc 2. Hunter's beard.
EPILOGUE: Hunter, Gil and Dale fishing.
Monday, January 19, 2026
Gil’s Pond 2
H What are the boys’ interests.
G They both play soccer. Bobby is in astronaut mode right now. Ricky skateboards. Good grades, no headaches for Maria. Good kids. Cried like babies when I told them. All excited about going fishing.
H Where were you going to go?
G Port Aransas. Stay overnight. Maria and the girls were going to do an overnight on the river in Wimberly
H Fish for what ?
G (Tells him the specifics of fishing from the beach.)
H I saw his fishing licenses in the glove compartment.
G You ever fish?
H Trout pond when I was a kid?
G Catch a trout?
H Hard not to. And hooked my ear.
G Where did you grow up?
H Auburn, California.
G Been there.
H Any particular reason.
G Rodeo in Redding. A friend's grandson was a bull rider. A few of us went to Auburn for a river rafting day. Bet you've done that more than once.
H A few. Good tome?
G Great time. Pretty country. Nice ltown.
H Tom mentioned his junior rodeo experience.
G Shoe box full of buckles.
H Where?
G Ruthie’s.
G Probably didn’t tell you how good he was.
H It barely came up. Good enough to have plans to go pro that were interrupted by Vietnam. But nothing else. We were going to talk more about it when we were going to meet in Jackson Hole. Ruth said you might be willing to tell me more about Tom’s Vietnam experience.
Gil nods.
G Maybe when you’re back.
H It’s a date.
G I have pictures. Speaking of a shoe box.
H Of.
G Me and Tom. Vietnam. Other places.
H You were there.
G I was. Got our draft cards the same day. Turn your head slowly to the white tail at your three o’clock.
H turns to his right to find the white tail buck seeming to stare back at them from fifty yards. Its only movement is to nibble grass.
G You ever hunt, Hunter?
H No. Never wanted to. Hunter is for an uncle on my grandmother’s side. Did Tom?
G Got his first here. Thirteenth birthday. Us and our dads. Tom was a marksman. But if he ever pulled a trigger after he got back, I never saw or heard about it.
DISTANT THUNDER.
G Thar she blows.
to be continued.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Gil’s Pond 1
Small in a clearing among the oaks.WHIR OF CICADAS.
Oak benches at three equidistant points along grassy bank.
Ricardo and Roberto in a treehouse, ATV in shade, using bows to very accurately shoot arrows at a twenty yards away.
A lean-to with fire pit, near horseshoes area
ATV near an old Chis Craft in weathered and worn condition aimed at a clearing with a view to distant hilltops. Gil behind the wheel, Hunter thr passenger, each with a bottle of Victoria beer in hand.
to be continued.
J and J locations
1.John driving the Cayenne on way to airport., through Agri-land. Chloe front passenger, Barbara and Jan in back.
2. Dining with Barb and Jan on way back. Ocean and/or marina view. Barb gets Hunter’s call. John re getting Tom’s middle name.
3. Their deck with view of Lake Nacimiento at sunset. Have you called Kate. Not yet, wait til we more from Barb tonight.
4. Cafe. Looking at street view of Laramie home. Re John’s EPA litigation in Cheyenne. Another picture from Barb. H, J, Ch, T at San Augustin Pass.
5. Dining room, night, with wine. Golf tomorrow. Barb’s forwarded White Sands Chloe pic.
6, Next day. Golf course with Barb and Brian, Hunter’s call.
7, Sunset, With Barbara and Chloe on way home from airport. What do we know about Ruth.
8. Sunrise. Hunter a bestseller. Call him. And send Ruth and Wanda a card. We’ll meet them. Trending that way. When? Her graduation. Speaking of which re Hunter and car. John call him now. (Hunter with flst.)
9. Location tbd on Chloe’s birthday. (H arrive in truck.)
kate and cedric
nevermind re wilson, wy. we meet them in their chicago lakeshore high-rise. she’s john’s sister, retired oncologist. cedric retired psychiatrist, reading foglost.
he asks re hunter and drinking, the the protagonist. kate tells what she knows about.it.
art includes sculpture.
grandfather clock.
when he calls kate, JOHN’S RINGTONE tbd.
fort park set, yes to mom’s cae and cemetery.
…in spring and summer, tucson in fall and winter.
kate retired oncologist.
mom’s car. under tarp in garage. her 50th birthday. how dad surprised her. first car ruth drove, after church same day as her 15th birthday. bought it in houston where they were staying - add eve t - and drove it home theme the long way through aransas.
mom and dad. (and re tom’s ashes.)
Friday, January 16, 2026
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
silly interlude re the challenge this has presented that would have stopped me had i known it
I wonder if I'd have ever started Honda Knot had I known how long it would take to finish it and the difficulty involved in solving the puzzles required to discover and tell The Story. But, now, almost there, summit in sight and a timeout before commencing the rest/last of the climb.
Oracle
'Repeating chasms.
There is truth and confidence.
Holding your heart fast creates success.
Movement brings honour.'
Hilary Barrett:
"These are pits, where you fall into the deep, dark waters, flowing on into the swirling unknowable dark. The chasms repeat: there is no detour that would take you round them, so you must practise and learn the way of these deep places.
First, there must be truth and confidence: truth to the present moment (because this is simply how it is) and trust in your inner knowing, so you can be unreservedly present, with an unshakable grasp on the essential core. In these deep waters, there is nothing solid out there to hold on to – no external security, no way to orient yourself – and so you hold fast to your heart. This is a way to create success, staying in communication with creative source even in the chasm.
In movement, you find a different kind of security – one that depends on your heart, courage and commitment. This is the truest test of your convictions, when you have no way of knowing where your leaps of faith might land. Sitting in the bottom of the chasm does not bring honour; action does. Also, it's a way to be sure of yourself as an individual after everything else has fallen away. You act, and you become skilled in flowing through the steep-sided chasms."
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
act 3 beats
1. Sunrise, Hunter, Tom reveal. Hunter tells Chloe.
2. Wanda with Daisy gets Hunter's call.
3. Ruth gets Wanda's call.
4. Gil gets Ruth's call.
5. Barbara, with Brian, Jan and John gets Hunter's call. Chloe coming home.
6. Hunter and Chloe watch Medical Examiner van drive away.
7. Doc 1.
8. Sess and Claire, Jackie's call. Hunter arrive Jackie's.
9. Night. Wanda, Ruth, Gil.
10. Next day. Hunter leaves in Tom's truck after guest room, guest book.
11. John, Jan, Barbara, Chloe, boat on Lake Nacimiento. About Ruth.
13. Wanda and Ruth, Hunter arrive.
14. Kate and Cedric.
15. Night. H, R, W. Table talk, wine.
16. Chloe at home gets facetime call from Hunter in Ruth's guest room. Re Gil "tomorrow."
17. Next day. Gil on deck, Maria and boys watch truck arrive, intros.
18. Barbara and Brian.
19. Gil, Hunter, Boys, ATVs.
20. Maria, Wanda and Ruth in kitchen. ATVs.
21. Jan and John.
22. Night. H, R, W ice cream and rain.
23. Gil, Vietnam/Tom pics. Enter boys with Maria.
24. Next day. Hunter leaves in truck.
25. Hunter arrive home, guest room.
27. Doc 2.
28. Hawaii.
29. Chloe birthday truck.
30. Epilogue. Hunter and Gil fishing.
not quite set in stone but firm enough for me to walk away from this for a minute, start Final blog next week, with link to it as this blog's final entry. guessing 130 pages when all said and done.
.
Monday, January 12, 2026
act 2 beats
1. Next day. The truck, Jackie arrives.
2. John and Jan, street view of Laramie house.
3. Rover, White Sands, last time on a horse.
4. Wanda with Daisy gets pic. Ruidoso.
5. Ruth places same, framed.
6. Sess and Claire, Rover arrive. To the horses.
7. Kate and Cedric. Pic. Retired ranch foreman in Laramie.
8. Riders in the pines.
9. Claire's parents, Foglost.
10. Meadow.
11. Barbara and Brian.
12. Pinus Ponderosa, high school sports, rodeo, Vietnam, cpw bell.
13. John and Jan.
14. Creek crossing, fishing.
15. Gil, Maria, boys, Tom's Las Cruces layover.
16. Horse barn, Honda knot.
17. White Sands sunset. Black sand beach. Jackie's honeymoon.
18. Jackie leaves Hunter's. Shooting star.
19. Tom facetime Ruth and Wanda. Hunter and Chloe in with Tahoe pic. Guest book.
20. Hunter's dream.
act 1 beats
Get beats set, take a timeout, begin Final Draft blog next week.
1. Night. Tom and Wanda, Foglost, Hawaii.
2. Sunrise. Tom leaves.
3. Gil, Maria and boys, Tom and Wanda move, Foglost..
4. Tom arrive ABQ
5. Sunrise. Tom leave ABQ.
6. John, Jan, Chloe, Barbara. Re Jackie and Horse Day.
7. Hunter home office, Chloe pics.
8. Tom nearing Hunter's house.
9. Hunter kitchen.
10. Tom arrive, idle, Hunter. Tom drives away.
11. Tom U-turn.
12. Hunter foyer, Tom howdy.
13. Barbara with Jan and Jon gets Hunter's call. John re middle name.
14. Wanda with Daisy gets Tom's call from Hunter's guest room. Tom calls Ruth.
15. Ruth with Gil gets Tom's call. Tom leaves, framed in window.
16. Hunter and Chloe airport.
17. Barbara and Brian re Tom and Olivia.
18. Hunter and Chloe arrive, intros.
19. Kate with Cedric gets John's call.
20. Night. Hunter, Tom, Chloe post-meal. Re Wanda and Hawaii. Call Jaxckie re a horse.
Thursday, January 8, 2026
scene 35
EXT. PONDEROSA PINE FOREST - DAY
Tom, Hunter and Chloe stroll among the pines within view of Jackie, Sess and Claire setting up lunch on a picnic table in a clearing near where the horses are tied to a rudimentary hitching post.
TOM: Any idea why they're called ponderosa pines?
CHLOE: Pinus ponderosa. From the Latin ponderosus, meaning ponderous, of course, relating to its weightiness and size. But I have a feeling you know that.
TOM: Well, I heard somethin' like that. Had my own feelin' one a y'all might be able to confirm it. Speak any other foreign languages besides Latin?
CHLOE: I don't speak Latin, I just remember a few terms from a junior high flora and fauna assignment. I'll be starting my fourth year of Spanish.
TOM: Well I guess you're pretty fluent by now.
CHLOE: I get by. How about you?
TOM (SPANISH): Enough Spanish to get in and out of trouble.
CHLOE (SPANISH): Has that ever happened?
TOM: (SPANISH): Couple times.
CHLOE (SPANISH): Were you in Mexico?
TOM: (SPANISH): Once, in _____. The other time was in Laredo.
CHLOE (SPANISH): Stories you could share?
TOM (SPANISH): I'd hate to be a bore.
CHLOE: Tom's afraid he'd bore us with stories about knowing Spanish getting him into and out of trouble.
HUNTER: Tom, I can guarantee you won't bore us.
TOM: Well, if ya think I wouldn't bore Jackie, Sess and Claire, maybe over lunch.
HUNTER: That would be great. Would you mind being recorded?
TOM: I wouldn't mind. Do you speak any other language?
HUNTER: Chloe has upped my Spanish significantly. And wehat little I remember from two years of high school French.
TOM: Any particular reason you chose French?
HUNTER: Charlotte Charbonneau, an unrequited crush.
TOM: And maybe the Carole Carolet in the short story called ______.
HUNTER: One and the same.
Jackie stands and RINGS A DINNER BELL.
HUNTER: Our cue.
They walk toward the picnic.
TOM: Speakin' a pinus ponderosa, if y'all are interested Ruth keeps up the family tree on an ancestry website.
CHLOE/HUNTER: Really?
TOM: I could give ya the link if ya like.
CHLOE/HUNTER: Yes.
TOM: Plenty a pictures, some goin' way back.
CHLOE: My aunt Kate does that. My grampa's sister. She lives in Wilson, Wyoming.
TOM: That so.
CHLOE: You've been there.
TOM: Driven through several times to see a friend used to live in Victor, Idaho. You been?
CHLOE: Every Christmas since I was eight.
TOM: Pretty good chance they were all white Christmases.
Chloe nods.
CHLOE: And through Victor several times on the way to Grand Targhee.
TOM: For skiin'.
CHLOE: Snowboarding.
TOM: Makes sense. Bein' a surfer. You ski or snowboard, Hunter?
HUNTER: Ski. It's been awhile. You?
TOM: Water skiin' but it's been twenty-somethin' years.
EXT. PICNIC TABLE
We see the dinner bell hanging from the table. Jackie, Sess and Claire watch Tom, Hunter and Chloe near.
SESS: So what can you tell us about the cowboy?
JACKIE: I can tell you now because Hunter told me I can that Tom is his father.
CLAIRE: Ding ding ding.
SESS: Shared wild guess confirmed.
CLAIRE: I would say intuition.
JACKIE: They met for the first time yesterday.
SESS: So this is kinda big.
JACKIE: This is very big. More later.
Hunter, Tom and Chloe arrive.
SESS: Apache stew is served, without per Claire's and Chloe's veganism, the venison this would otherwise include.
CLAIRE: It's delicious, Chloe.
CHLOE: It smells delicious.
JACKIE: So sit down and dig in.
All sit. Everyone notices Tom bow his head, close his eyes and bring his hands together in his lap for a moment before opening his eyes to the meal in front of him.
CHLOE: Did you just pray?
TOM: Givin' thanks. And thank y'all for such a wonderful and unforgettable day.
Hunter raises his bottled water to toast.
HUNTER: To a truly wonderful and unforgettable day.
All raise their waters and add their respective agreement, then dig in.
CHLOE: Wow.
CLAIRE: Told ya.
CHLOE: What's the semi-sweet nuttiness.
JACKIE: To the mighty acorn.
SESS/CLAIRE: Go acorns.
SESS/CLAIRE: Jinx.
A shadow quicly crosses the table. All look to the soaring bald eagle streaking across the sky.
CHLOE:Haliaeetus leucocephalus.
SESS: A rare sighting this time of year.
HUNTER: It's a rare day.
The eagle flies out of view. All resume eating.
CHLOE: So Tom, how about that storty of Spanish getting you into and out of trouble.
TOM: I had a feeling you might not forget.
CHLOE: Not a chance.
TOM: So there I was, on a dark and stormy night.
All chuckle.
[CUT TO 36.:]
silly I Ching interlude re having not givern up on this screenplay and related Writerly Trait
Hilary Barrett:
"This is the pure creative spirit that flows through people and events: it drives towards manifestation, an inspiration that wants to be realized.
It begins with an opening to the source of the creative impulse – not plans or intentions, but the vital energy that powers them. Then you create success by sustaining a continuous, two-way flow between source and action. You step into the heart of a process of creation, welcome its momentum and find ways to join and work with it.
Through constancy, this brings out intrinsic potential and yields a harvest of positive results. To be constant is to be true to your intent, faithfully aligning all your choices with your original vision, and carrying your understanding through in practice and over time."
The Image
Legge: Heaven, in its motion, gives the idea of strength. The superior man, in accordance with this, nerves himself to ceaseless activity.
Wilhelm/Baynes: The movement of heaven is full of power. Thus the superior man makes himself strong and untiring.
Blofeld: This hexagram symbolizes the power of the celestial forces in motion, wherewith the Superior Man labors unceasingly to strengthen his own character.
Liu: Heaven moves powerfully; the superior man strengthens himself unceasingly.
Ritsema/Karcher: Heaven moves persistingly. A Chun tzu uses originating strength not to pause.
Cleary(1): The activity of heaven is powerful; superior people thereby strengthen themselves ceaselessly.
Wu: Heaven moves in full strength. Thus the jun zi strives ceaselessly to be self-reliant.
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Friday, January 2, 2026
scene 34 bookmark
INT.CHLOE’S. BEDROOM - DAY
Describe. Cat on bed. Window to palm trees and Cerro San Luis Obispo.
Her footsteps before Barb enters, places framed photo of Tom, Chloe and Hunter with photos that include Barbara, John, Jan and Kate. She leaves.
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