scene 26

scene 25

EXT. DOUBLE-WIDE TRAILER IN CLEARING IN WOODS - DAY

SESS and CLAIRE, 40-something cowgirls from boots to belt buckles, bandanas and hats, sit on log bench on the deck facing the road that feeds the dirt driveway to the car port covering Jeep Wrangler (JK) with Oklahoma plates and old Husqvarna motorcycle with New Mexico plates.

Well behind the double-wide, a Ford F-450 Super-Duty pickup truck and the six-horse trailer hitched to it, near rudimentary horse barn and corral, and SIX SADDLED HORSES tied to a post. A Mescalero Apache flag on the right front passenger side of the truck. 

CLAIRE: How did they meet?

SESS:  Sat next to each other on a flight from Denver to A-B-Q.

CLAIRE: When?

SESS: About a month ago.

CLAIRE: First date?

SESS: A play at the community theatre in Cruces.

CLAIRE: What play?

SESS:  Come back to the five and dime.

CLAIRE: What does Hunter do?

SESS: Writer.

CLAIRE: Of?

SESS: Novels.

CLAIRE: One I might have heard of?

SESS: Foglost.

Claire turns to Sess, surprised, as the Rover drives into view..

SESS:  Company.

She stands, Claire stands, They walk to where Hunter parks near the port. All out of Rover , Hunter and Chloe get backpacks from trunk, all walk toward Sess and Claire.

JACKIE/SESS: Hey girl.

They embrace.

SESS: Trickle in the creek.

JACKIE: Nice.

Jackie and Claire embrace.

JACKIE: Hi, pleasant surprise.

They kiss each other on the cheek.

CLAIRE: Hey professor. 

JACKIE: How's the moviemaking?

CLAIRE: Brought the camera today. But I'll ask permission.

JACKIE: And I'll handle introductions. So, Hunter, Chloe and Tom, I'm happy to introduce my cousin Cecilia and her partner Claire.

(Verbal collage of hellos, his and nice to meet yous.) 

SESS: And let's go with Sess. 

JACKIE: Claire.

CLAIRE: So yeah, I brought a camera along to record the day for my You Tube channel. But only if I have everyone's permission. 

Chloe raises her hand, then Tom, then Hunter.

CHLOE: You just have to send the link.

CLAIRE: Deal.

SESS: Tom, I'm guessing you've been on a horse before.

TOM: Yes ma'am. 

SESS: A couple times.

TOM: A few.

Sess and Claire smile.

SESS: A few. 

TOM: Word is you have too.

JACKIE: It came up.

SESS: Well Tom, I'm glad you're along and I hope a leisurely trail ride isn't too boring for you.

TOM: Blessed to be along, thank you so much. All y'all.

SESS: So whaddaya say we saddle up and mosey along?

JACKIE: Let's.

Sess, Jackie and Claire lead Hunter, Chloe and Tom AWAY FROM CAMERA to the horses. We see Sess point but can't hear her assign the horses each walk to. Tom approaches the palomino at one end of the line. Unbeknownst to Tom, all stop to watch him assume the saddle in fluid motion. He tips hat at his audience. The others saddle up, all fall in line behind Sess - Claire followed by Jackie followed by Hunter followed by Tom - and ride at a saunter into the woods out of view.