EXT. DECK - CABIN IN THE WOODS - DAY
KATE and CEDRIC, fit 70-somethings, at repose in their respective chaises, varnished tree trunk table between them, sliding glass door to handsome mountain home behind them. The chaises share the deck with a grill near where the deck meets a meadow with a WHISPERING CREEK.
Kate in running shoes, jeans, unbuttoned denim blouse over tee, sleeves rolled to elbows, attention on her laptop. Cedric - new tan work boots jeans, untucked plaid flannel - is reading Foglost.
KATE: Where are you?
CEDRIC: He's on a bender in a bar at the marina.
KATE: Wanna know what happens next?
CEDRIC: Want me to throw you in the creek?
KATE: Yes please.
CEDRIC: When we get home you're getting wet.
KATE: Oh boy.
CEDRIC: His description of falling into the pit of alcoholism is almost poetic.
KATE: Wait until you get to the part where he -
CEDRIC: Kathryn.
Cedric marks the page, closes the book.
CEDRIC (CONT.) Do you know if he drank or drinks?
KATE: Drank. Clean and sober for a few years. When I saw him at Barb's birthday he looked great. Like he works out.
CEDRIC: Will I ever meet him?
KATE: He'll be at her graduation and there's a very good chance he'll show up for her birthday.
CEDRIC: Which is when, again?
KATE: December nineteen.
CEDRIC: What are we getting her?
KATE: We don't know yet. Flying miles?
CEDRIC: Good call.
KATE: Actually, I think she's flying today to finish her summer at Hunter's.
CEDRIC: Flies into.
KATE: El Paso.
CEDRIC: Out of.
KATE: Usually San Jose, sometimes San Francisco.
CEDRIC: Left field.
KATE: Bring it.
CEDRIC: Chloe doesn't resemble anyone.
KATE: She does. Hunter's mother.
THREE CAR HONKS.
They rise, take laptop and book to house.
CEDRIC: A story?
KATE: The one I know on the way.
They enter house, leave view. SONG OF WESTERN WARNBLER.