EXT HUNTER'S PATIO - NIGHT
Hunter, Chloe, Tom around the table, remnants of dinner on plates pushed to center. Pitcher of ice water and their glasses half-empty. Tom's hat hangs from empty chair's shoulder.
THUNDER, LIGHT RAIN, BREEZE strong enough to jostle the umbrella over the table, THROUGHOUT. Moon obscured by clouds.
CHLOE: Does Laramie get summer monsoons?
TOM: We do, but not like down here. Nothin' like what I got in Albuquerque last night.
CHLOE: Are you and Wanda going to miss your balmy winters?
Tom smiles.
TOM: No we will not.
CHLOE: How cold does it get?
TOM: I'd round off average winter lows to ten to twenty, but plenty enough days it'll be that below zero. Add wind and it'll keep ya inside.
CHLOE: And you'll have your cool and breezy Texas summers.
Tom smiles again.
TOM: Hundred two on Ruthie's porch thermometer.
CHLOE: But at least it's a dry heat.
TOM: I got a feelin' you know it ain't.
CHLOE: Only rumor. Sticky?
TOM: Stickier than pine tar pants.
Chloe smiles.
HUNTER: So Tom what are you looking for in Kerrville? Any prerequisites?
TOM: Well, brick for starters. We'd like that. Four bedrooms, one for guests, another as a home office. Single level 'cause ain't none of us lookin' to be goin' up and down stairs. And while it ain't a prerequisite, I'd like it if we could find a place with enough property that I could have a horse who might need a good home.
CHLOE: Like a rescue.
TOM: Somethin' like that. Got a friend runs a program outta Bandera, where me and Ruth grew up, by the way. I'll be talkin' to her when I'm there.
CHLOE: That's cool.
TOM: So folks, I hate to be a party-pooper but much as I'd like to stay up and keep this conversation goin', it's a little past our bedtime and my wife and sister are both waitin' for my phone call, so I hope you'll excuse me.
HUNTER: To be continued.
TOM: I'd sure like that.
CHLOE: Me too.
Tom puts on hat, stands, pushes chair in.
TOM: Chloe, that was a delicious casserole.
CHLOE: I'm glad you liked it. Thank you.
TOM: Any chance I could get the recipe from ya before I leave?
Chloe nods.
HUNTER: I'm right here at sunrise with coffee, Tom, in case you're up early.
TOM: I will be and I'll see ya then. Goodnight, y'all.
He tips his hat.
HUNTER/CHLOE: Goodnight, Tom.
Hunter and Chloe watch Tom walk away, enter kitchen, leave view.
CHLOE: Dad?
HUNTER: Daughter.
CHLOE: If.
HUNTER: If.
CHLOE: If Tom were able and wants to, and Jackie could wrangle another horse.
HUNTER: Mind reader.
Hunter gets phone from pocket, speaks into it.
HUNTER (CONT.) Jackie.
[END Act 1
[CUT TO. 22:
HUNTER'S DRIVEWAY - NEXT DAY]