scene 26

Previous.

EXT. PINE FOREST - DAY

Tom, Hunter and Chloe stroll among the tall ponderosas. In the background Jackie, Sess and Claire set up lunch at a picnic table bathed in a shaft of sunlight. The horses are tied to a rudimentary post, nibbling at the grass.

TOM: Any idea why they call 'em ponderosa pines?

CHLOE: Because they're ponderous. Pinus ponderosa. Heavy.

TOM: Ah. Unlike, say, balsa.

CHLOE: Unlike indeed. 

TOM: Given the name Paso Robles, I'm guessin' ya got an oak or two in your neck a the woods. 

CHLOE: No pun intended.

Tom winks. Hunter smiles.

TOM: Ain't gettin' nothin' past you.

CHLOE: Yes re an oak or two. Hablas Español?

TOM: Poquito. Y tú?

CHLOE, Si, senor. 

TOM: Escuela?

CHLOE: Tres años. De dónde sacaste esa hebilla?

Tom looks at his buckle.

TOM: Te gusta?

CHLOE: Si, señor

HUNTER: Translacion, por favor.

Chloe nods to Tom to go.

TOM: Chloe asked where I got the buckle. 

CHLOE: Poquito, mi burro.

Tom smiles. Chloe winks.

TOM: Grew up around it. Some of it stuck. This buckle was my grandad's. My mother's father Randolph  Bridger. Grandad Randy. 

THE RINGING OF THE TRIANGLE BELL in Jackie's hands turns their attention to the picnic table. 

TOM (CONT.): Chuckwagon. How 'bout I tell ya more about the buckle over lunch.

Chloe nods. They walk toward the picnic.

EXT. PICNIC TABLE 

Jackie, Chloe and Sess watch Tom, Hunter and Chloe approach. Lunch is a pasta salad, cheese and crackers. Water bottles all around. The triangle bell hangs from a hook under the table.

SESS: Has anyone else noticed that Hunter and Tom have the same laugh?

CLAIRE: Yes.

Sess looks at Jackie, who nods.

CLAIRE (CONT.): Their walk is notably similar, too. In my assessment.

SESS: I see it. Do you, cuz?

Jackie nods. She gets phone, takes a picture of Tom, Hunter and Chloe, each with their heads down, gaze aimed at the ground ahead of them. She pockets phone.

Sess and Claire fix the same stare at Jackie, who finally nods. Sess and Claire return their attention to Tom, Hunter and Chloe.

CLAIRE (SINGING the Sly and the Family Stone song): It's a family affair.

SESS: (SINGING) It's a family affair.

Jackie smiles, wipes away the tear that falls.