EXT. HOUSE AND DRIVEWAY - SUNRISE
One of similar middle class homes that face the park across the quiet street. A few fly the United States flag, restless in a slight breeze. 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 crew cab with Wyoming plates faces the street, backed to the garage door. Front door opens, then the screen, held open by Tom for Wanda, in slippers and robe, to pass through.
Tom is Cowboy from boots to hat. The belt holding up his jeans is silver, features two interlinked turquoise horseshoes. Pearl snap-buttons on his subtly checked western style shirt. Phone peeks from one of its pockets.Wanda carries a thermos in both hands, Tom a suitcase in one. He lets screen shut, follows Wanda across the porch populated by potted plants. Hummingbird feeder and seashell wind-chimes swaying but silent.
Wanda leads the way to the steps, driveway and driver’s door. Tom fishes keys from front pants pocket, opens driver’s door, Wanda sets thermos in console, Tom opens rear passenger door, sets suitcase in the well below the seat, closes door, puts key in ignition, hat on front passenger seat, turns to Wanda, they embrace, quick kiss.
WANDA: Twenty-five all the way or the scenic route?
TOM: Scenic. Thinkin’ I’ll take lunch at that Mexican place we stopped at in Cimarron.
WANDA: Tortilla Azul.
TOM: That’s it. Knew it was tortilla somethin’.
WANDA: That was delicious.
TOM: I’ll send ya a selfie from the river.
WANDA: I’d like that.
TOM: And call every half-hour.
WANDA: Thank you.
TOM: I love you, Wanda.
WANDA: I love you, Tom.
They kiss. He gets in behind the wheel, Wanda pushes the door shut,, Tom lowers the window, Wanda steps onto running.board.
TOM: How many more days ‘til we hit Honolulu?
WANDA: Ninety-three.
She checks Tom’s watch.
WANDA (CONT.): And eleven hours twenty-two minutes if our plane is on Time.
She pokes her head into the cab, they kiss.
TOM: Whadda you and Daisy got planned for the day?
WANDA: Breakfast and coffee downtown, walk along the river, drive out to Centennial for lunch with Wade and Brenda, sunset at Mirror Lake, dinner with a movie at home. She’s going to spend nights here.
TOM: Okay. Ready?
Wanda nods. Tom drives to the street, stops. She pokes her head in for another kiss.
TOM/WANDA: Miss you already.
They clasp hands, she steps down.
TOM: Call ya at seven.
She nods. They mouth “I love you” to each other, turn their attention to the MAN, 35, and BOY 10, who begin to play catch with baseball and gloves in the park.
WANDA: I completely forgot that Maria and the boys are at Gil’s.
TOM: Arrived day before yesterday.
WANDA: I’ll bet they’ve grown since March.
TOM: I’ll take plenty a pictures.
WANDA: Good.
They turn their attention to the ‘87 El Camino with Wyoming plates nearing, driven by a 16-YEAR-OLD BOY, A 40-YEAR-OLD MAN in the passenger seat. Both wave at Tom and Wanda as they pass, smiling. Tom and Wanda wave back, watch them drive away and the right signal flash before they turn right out of view.
TOM: Tests for his license next week.
WANDA: Do you remember sixteen?
TOM: Everytime we kiss, sweetheart.
She is caught off guard, genuinely struck, steps onto the running board, pokes her head in for a kiss.
WANDA: You get now on now, cowboy, before I start crying.
TOM: You are my sunshine.
WANDA (choking up) I’ll be waiting for your call at seven.
Tom nods, Wanda steps down, crosses arms across chest, points to the street. Tom makes the turn onto it, blow a kiss to Wanda, who reciprocates, steps into the street, watches the Tom drive away in the direction the El Camino came from, toward a stop sign.
INT. TRUCK
Tom nears the stop sign, his eyes on WANDA IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR. He signals to turn left, stops at the sign, make# the turn, waving out the window at Wanda waving back.
WITH WANDA
She watches Tom drive out of view, keeps her stare there before turning her attention to the cirrus clouds. She finally walks to the steps and porch. Just betore she reaches the door, a strong BREEZE RATTLES THE SEASHELL CHIMES and stir the flags to life for a moment. Wanda seems to survey her surroundings, then the clouds again and the TWO BALD EAGLES that soar out of view before she enters the house, closes doors behind her.
FAINT DOG BARKING
[CUT TO
EXT. FOREIGN LEGION POST 157 - BANDERA, TEXAS - DAY]