INT. NEWISH MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV - DAY
JOHN, 70-something, driving NORTH ON CABRILLO HWY. THROUGH MOSS LANDING, CA, nearing the power plant’s two stacks on the east/right side of the road, Moss Landing Harbor on the other, bridge ahead.
Polo shirt, khaki slacks held up by leather belt matching loafers. Argyle socks (if we could see them). Left hand on the wheel, gold watch draws attention to his gold wedding band. Silver hair, tan and clean-shaven face.
CHLOE, 17, front passenger seat. Stylish track suit, running shoes. Long hair in a ponytail through the opening in the back of her ballcap.
BARBARA, 50ish, behind Chloe. Jeans, PARK CITY sweatshirt, Uggs, fashionable sunglasses propped on her head, fashionable bag in lap.
JAN, 70-something, behind John. Capri pants, light sweater over blouse. Silver hair, tan face, small diamond earrings. Larger diamond on her silver wedding ring. Hands crossed over small fashionable purse in her lap.
JAN: Do we know where you'll be riding?
CHLOE: On Jackie's family's land northeast of Ruidoso, end quote.
JOHN: Do we know how she was able to wrangle the horses?
CHLOE: A cousin runs a Quarter Horse rescue program.
JAN: What's the name of the town in that area that Carl and Denise retired to?
JOHN: Cloudcroft.
JAN: That's it.
CHLOE: Dad's looking at cabins in Cloudcroft.
JOHN/JAN/BARBARA: Really.
CHLOE: Yep.
JOHN: As a second home?
CHLOE: No. He'll sell Las Cruces. Nothing certain but trending.
BARBARA; Well, he used to say that if he ever made it he'd get a cabin in the mountains.
JOHN: I guess bestselling novelist qualifies as making it.
CHLOE: That's not all.
BARBARA: Pregnant pause, cue drumroll.
CHLOE: He sold the movie rights.
BARBARA/JAN: Wow.
JOHN: That's fantastic. I need to call to congratulate him.
JAN: I want in.
BARBARA: Goodbye life of relative anonymity and low social media profile.
CHLOE: Which is a factor in the move. He says he's getting more drive-by traffic lately, people slowing, sometimes stopping, then driving on.
Barbara lowers sunglasses over eyes.
JOHN: Big cabin?
CHLOE: Big enough from what he's shown me of his online searches. And land. He and Jackie are going up the weekend after Labor Day weekend.
Silence as they cross the bridge. Chloe sees Barbara, gazing at the window, wipe away a tear from under her sunglasses, sniffle. John looks at her.
JOHN: Alright?
Barbara nods.
BARBARA: I'm just very proud of and happy for him.
Chloe and Jan look at each other, Jan winks and smiles. Chloe nods.
JAN: We're all very proud of and happy for Hunter.
A tear runs down Barbara's face. John reaches for her hand, she gives it to him.
BARBARA: I always knew he would.
Pause.
JOHN: I can't say we were always so sure.
Barbara and Chloe laugh, Jan and John wink at each other in the rearview mirror.
JAN: He's come a very long way.
JOHN/BARBARA: Yes he has.
JAN: Are you ready to be the daughter of a famous writer?
Chloe shakes her head, scoots next to Jan, who puts an arm around her.
