scene 32

scene 31

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

Two recliners aimed at television, lampstand between them. Opening to hallway and crucifix on wall above candle and bible on stand. Woodburning stove in corner near rocking chair. Cowboy hat, John Deere ballcap, University of Oklahoma football helmet on hat rack near front door. 

CLAIRE'S DAD, 60-ish - socks, overalls over t-shirt - reclines on couch under window that frames the small front yard, neighbors' homes across the leafy street, and the water tower behind and above them, ARDMORE in blue across the metal gray holding tank.

His feet propped on the coffee table with Field and Stream magazine and phone. He's reading Foglost, turns page. His PHONE CHIRPS, he marks page, sets down book, looks at phone.

CLAIRE'S DAD: Well good goddamn.

A moment later CLAIRE'S MOM, 60-ish - socks, jeans, SOONER FOOTBALL t-shirt - arrives in hallway opening

CLAIRE'S MOM: What did you just say?

He hands her the phone, she stares at the photo of Hunter and Claire smiling at the camera from their saddles, Sierra Blanca Peak in the background.

CLAIRE'S MOM: Well shit howdy. Let me see that author thing.

He opens Foglost to the about the author page, she compares the images.

CLAIRE'S DAD: That's him.

CLAIRE'S MOM: Or his doppelganger. Maybe she'll get his autograph. 

CLAIRE'S DAD: So I guess Cecilia's cousin knows him.

CLAIRE'S MOM: Jackie.

CLAIRE'S DAD: Jackie. Knew it was J something.

CLAIRE'S MOM: How's the lawyer sailor doing?

CLAIRE'S DAD: Slowly sinking, a shark just now on the scene..

CLAIRE'S MOM: Zoinks.

CLAIRE'S DAD:  Yep. What smells so good? 

CLAIRE'S MOM: Banana bread. 

CLAIRE'S DAD: Yum.

CLAIRE'S MOM: She looks happy.

CLAIRE'S DAD: She should. She's in love.

CLAIRE'S MOM:  Yes she is. What if they get married?

CLAIRE'S DAD: I'll have to buy a suit.

She smiles, comes to him, quick kiss.

CLAIRE'S MOM: How does he work?

CLAIRE'S DAD: In mysterious ways.

CLAIRE'S MOM/DAD: Love you. 

She winks at him, leaves into hall out of view. FAINT DOG BARKING. He turns to look out the window at a 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL ride a bicycle into and out of view. He opens Foglost, resumes reading.

scene 31

scene 30

EXT. DEPOT PARK - LARAMIE, WY - DAY

Ruth and Wanda on a bench in the leafy park where the historic train depot meets the railyard and the trains on its tracks. OTHER PARKGOERS include TWO DOGS at play.  

DAISY: How is Tom's Las Cruces layover going?

WANDA: Well. Extended another day. Horseback riding today in the Ruidoso area. He'll leave in the morning.

DAISY: Pictures?

WANDA: I asked him to take some. 

DAISY: Have you ever been to Ruidoso?

WANDA: No. You?

DAISY: A long time ago. Clem had an army friend who lived with his wife and two kids in El Paso. We drove up for the horse racing one day. Pretty area. Little river through town.

WANDA: Did you decide on the biodegradable urn?  

DAISY: I did. It's a little sailboat I'm going to put on Mirror Lake.

WANDA: I love it. 

DAISY: You and Tom have to be there.

WANDA: We'll be there.

DAISY: I was looking at pictures of that Bear Lake trip they took.

WANDA: Those are some great ones. 

DAISY: Wanda.

WANDA: Daisy.

DAISY: Tom told Clem about Hunter. 

WANDA: I know. He told me the day after they took that drive. 

DAISY: That's when Clem told me. He said he felt like he'd be leaving with a secret if he didn't. Told me Tom would tell me too when he was ready. I feel like I'm keeping a secret, or not being honest, by pretending I don't know why Tom is laying over in Las Cruces. Or maybe I don't know and shouldn't have said a thing. 

Wanda scoots closer, puts an arm over Daisy's shoulder.

WANDA: I'm glad you did, sweetheart. I was feeling like I was being less than honest with you.  Yes, that's why Tom's in Las Cruces. And yes, he was going to tell you when he comes back.

She gets phone from purse, scrolls, shows Daisy a photo (TBD) of Tom, Hunter and Chloe.

DAISY: Oh my goodness. Who's the young lady?

WANDA: That's Chloe, Hunter's seventeen-year-old daughter. She's about to start her senior year of high school in San Luis Obispo. 

They look at each other, big smiles.

DAISY: Ruth must be happy to hear about this.

WANDA: Probably already prepping the family tree for a new branch.

Wanda puts phone in purse. 

WANDA: Lunchtime?

Daisy nods. They get up walk to end of building, turn out of view.