Friday, April 18, 2025

scene 1

INT. 1987 GMC 2500 PICKUP TRUCK - SUNSET 

TOM and WANDA, 70-somethings, next to each other on the bench seat in the cab of the truck aimed at the sun setting on the Snowy Range Mountains portion of the Medicine Bow National Forest west of Laramie, Wyoming, from where the truck is parked in the Wyoming highway 130 Overland Trail marker pullover. Keys in the ignition. A ranch house and its attendant barn on the other side of the highway the only structures on the open grassland prairie.

Tom in jeans, pearl snap-button western shirt. Silver belt buckle features two linked turquoise horseshoes. Wanda in gingham dress, her left hand in his right hand in her lap.

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. HWY. PULLOVER/TRUCK

Wyoming plates. Tom drives to rhe highway, turns left,  left, drives away, tail-lights come on. Last of the sun disappears.