scene 33

Previous.

EXT. DUNE IN WHITE SANDS NATIONAL MONUMENT - SUNSET  

Hunter, Tom,  Jackie and Chloe with backpack sit at the base of a dune, aimed at the sun setting on the San Andres Mountains. Their pants legs are rolled up, their footprints lead to their shoes at the top of the dune. 

CHLOE: Do you remember the last time you watched the sun go down behind a mountain range?

TOM: Three sunsets ago. Me and Wanda drove out to a spot off highway one thirty, also called Snowy Range Road. The turnout is at a marker for the Overland Trail. Anyway, we'll drive out sometimes and watch the sun go down behind the Snowy Range, which is a section of the Medicine Bow Mountains. Last time was three nights ago. How 'bout you?

CHLOE: Night before last. I have a mountain out my bedroom window. Cerro San Luis Obispo. One thousand two hundred and ninety-two feet. So maybe more like a big hill.

HUNTER: Do you get to the Medicine Bow Mountains?

TOM: Used to plenty, with a friend who recently passed. We'd head up and fish.

HUNTER: For what?

TOM: Trout.

HUNTER: Fly fishing.

TOM: Yessir.

HUNTER: Who taught you to tie a fly?

TOM: Fella I'm talkin' about. Clem Everett. His wife Daisy is who Wanda stayed back to help with a couple medical appointments. Y'ever do any fishin'?

HUNTER: Once when I was a kid with a friend and his dad at a place called Santa Ana River Lakes, basically a fish farm. I caught a catfish and hooked my right ear. Do you fish when you're in Kerrville?

TOM: I do. Got a friend with a boat we'll take out on Medina Lake. Which is a reservoir. And sometimes we'll set up on a spot on the north prong of the Medina River. Fishin' somethin' ya think you'd consider doin' again?

HUNTER (BEAT): Yeah. 

TOM: Well, when we get all moved and settled in, there'll be an open door, a guest room and a fishin' pole with your name on it.

HUNTER: I'll be taking you up on that, Tom.

TOM: Wanda and Ruth'll be happy to hear it.     

The top of the sun drops behind the mountain. Finally:

HUNTER: Shall we while there's light enough to do so comfortably?

They stand and climb the dune, retrieve shoes, leave view over the other side.