scene 3

scene 2

EXT. AMERICAN LEGION POST 157 - BANDERA, TX - DAY

GIL and DALE, both MID-70s, sit next to each other on one of the concrete steps to the post, their backs to its glass double-doors. A walking cane at Dale’s side. Flagpole planted in the first step to the hall. United States flag at top, Texas flag below it, above a black POW-MIA flag, all three limp. 

Van with handicap plates in the handicap space near the ramp to the doors.  1972 Corvette convertible, top-down, in the space across the walkway for the van, 1985 Bronco next to it, both in good condition, Texas plates. The post's old marquee sign identifies the post number and 8 pm Wednesday night bingo. 

Gil in jeans and new tan work boots, sunglasses hang from collar of his untucked long-sleeve that complements his Dodgers affiliate-era San Antonio Missions baseball cap. He sips from a bottle of Jarritos guava. 

Dale is cowboy from boot to hat, buckle in between, much in the style of Tom. Sunglasses in shirt pocket. He sips from a bottle labeled as Sarsaparilla.

FAINT WHIR OF CICADAS. 

DALE: When do Tom and Wanda arrive?

GIL: Tomorrow. Just Tom. Wanda stayed back to be with a friend whose husband just passed. Big news. They and Ruth are buying a house in Kerrville.

DALE: Well shit howdy.

GIL: Yep. Recent decision. 

DALE: Well that's fantastic. Neighbors again. Time frame?

GIL:  Here before the cold gets there. They're going to check out a few open houses while he's here, get the ball rolling.

DALE: I'm happy to hear this.

GIL: Me too.

DALE: Did they ever decide on the anniversary destination?

GIL: Hawaii.

DALE: Nice. Seemed they was leanin' that way.

Gil's PHONE RINGTONES the Willie Nelson instrumental, Bandera. He gets phone from back pocket, looks at screen, hands phone to Cowboy, who smiles at the selfie Tom has taken in front of a display Vietnam-era Huey helicopter.

DALE (CONT.): Angel Fire.

GIL: You've been?

Dale hands back phone.

DALE: Couple Aprils ago. Remember that fella Ed Lindholm I introduced you to at the car show?

GIL: Yes. 

DALE: His son's got a place in Eagle Nest. We was down for a week.

GIL: Fish?

DALE: Yep. His daughter-in-law turned a kokanee into one a the best sandwiches I ever had.

GIL: We're on the lake Thursday.

DALE: You and the boys and Tom?

GIL: Yep. See you at the cove bright and early?

DALE: It's a date.

GIL/DALE: Back to work?

They stand, finish their sodas, drop them into recycling barrel, enter the hall, Dale with a limp and cane support. FAINT HAMMERING AND SAWING when the doors open, CICADA WHIR when they close.     

*doesn't have to be orange, of course, but...

scene 2

scene 1

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.  Tom's truck 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.

Wanda leads the way to the steps, driveway and driver’s door. Tom fishes keys from front pants pocket, opens driver’s door, sets suitcase in well below passenger seat, hat on passenger seat, takes thermos from Wanda, sets it in console, puts key in ignition, 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 before 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]

scene 1

INT.  1985 GMC SIERRA PICKUP TRUCK - SUNSET 

TOM in the driver's seat and WANDA, front passenger, both 70-somethings in festive square dance attire, aim their gaze at the sun setting on the Snowy Range mountains west of Laramie, Wyoming, from where the truck is parked in the highway 130 Overland Trail marker side road. Keys in the ignition. A house and its attendant barn on the other side of the highway the only structures on the open grassland prairie. The last of the sun nearing mountain eclipse 

WANDA: Should we do a luau?

TOM: Well sweetheart, what is it they say about when you're in Rome?

WANDA: Do as the Romans do.

TOM: Heck, I'm halfway thinkin' about takin' a surfin' lesson.

WANDA: Now that's some halfway thinking alright.

TOM: You think this ol' dog ain't got one more trick in him?

WANDA: I'd pay to see it.

TOM: Won't have to. Got 'em down the beach from our hotel. You just pull up under an umbrella with your mai tai, stick your toes in the sand and watch.

WANDA: Hmm. Maybe I'll take a hula lesson.

TOM: You know I'll be front and center for that.

A lull.

TOM (cont.): So whaddaya reckon the chances are we'll get lei'd.

Wanda, shocked, stares at Tom, who finally looks at her.

WANDA: Thomas Travis Walker, my goodness gracious.

TOM: What? Ain't that what they call them flower necklaces they put around your neck when ya get off the plane. A lei?

Wanda shakes her head.

WANDA: Yes, that's what they're called. I don’t think our airline does that.

TOM: Oh.

WANDA: But I think there's a good chance when we get to our hotel.

Tom looks at her, she looks at him, winks. He smiles, starts the engine.

EXT. TRUCK

Two-tone paint, Wyoming plates. Tom drives to the highway, turns left, drives away. Taillights after a moment.