Previous.
EXT. WANDA'S/TOM'S BACK YARD - NIGHT
Starry sky. Wanda in chair under the umbrella. Phone and glass of chocolate milk on the table. PHONE PLAYS TOM'S RINGTONE. She picks up to see Tom's face on screen.
WANDA: Well my goodness. Tell me I'm your first FaceTime.
TOM: You're my first, sweetheart. Two days without seein' your radiance is too much.
WANDA: Ah.
TOM: You in the yard?
WANDA: Yep. Starry skies and chocolate milk, waiting to hear your voice. And now here you are with me.
TOM: I love you, Wanda.
WANDA: I love you, Tom. Where are you?
TOM: Guest room. We had a wonderful day, angel.
WANDA: I can see it in your eyes. When do I get to hear all about it?
TOM: I'll call from lunch in Fort Stockton. And when I'm leavin' here in the mornin'.
WANDA: Okay. I love the pictures, Tom.
TOM: There's more. Chloe took plenty and she's gonna send some of 'em to me.
WANDA: I'm so happy about this.
TOM: I am too.
WANDA: Have you called Ruth?
TOM: Bout to, then get on to bed.
WANDA: Well sweet dreams, love.
TOM: You too, baby. Goodnight, Wanda Pearl.
WANDA: Goodnight, Thomas Travis.
He blows her a kiss. She reciprocates. The screen goes black, she sets the phone down, wipes a tear.
INT. HUNTER'S GUEST ROOM - MOMENT LATER
Tom's hat on rack, suitcase on bed. He's at the desk, shirt unbuttoned, boots on floor, looking at the guest book, phone in hand. He finally FaceTimes Ruth, who appears on screen, shaking her head. Tom smiles.
RUTH: Well brother, aren't you just full of surprises these days? A layover in Las Cruces and now your first FaceTime.
TOM: Hi, sis.
RUTH: Tell me everything. But first, the pictures are wonderful.
TOM: More on the way and I'll tell ya all about it when I get there.
INT. BEDROOM
Ruth in bed, magazine in lap, Tom's face fills her phone screen.
RUTH: Your face says you had a good day.
TOM: A fantastic day had by all.
RUTH: I'm so happy to hear it, Tommy.
TOM: Happy to report it.
RUTH: So you're leaving in the morning?
TOM: We're all headin' out right after breakfast. They're goin' on a motorcycle tour into Arizona. I'll call ya then.
RUTH: Okay. Maria and the boys are up.
TOM: Gil said they were comin'. Love you, Ruth.
RUTH: Love you, Tom. I can't tell you how happy I am that this happened.
TOM: Is happening.
RUTH: Is happening.
TOM: Talk to ya soon.
RUTH: K. Goodnight.
TOM: Goodnight.
Her screen goes blank. She smiles, shakes head, sets phone on nightstand, returns attention to her magazine of Logic Puzzles.
GUEST ROOM
Tom taps phone on desk, sets it down, opens the guest book, finds the blank page after the most recent entry, turns back to the entry. Over his shoulder we read the note in elegant cursive blue pen.
22 June
Hunter,
Thank you so much for your hospitality. We look forward to our turn as hosts when you and Chloe are in Boston and hope you will not forget us when Foglost makes you famous.
Friends Lou and Rebecca.
Tom closes the book, picks up phone, brings up the picture he took of the Tahoe photograph in Hunter's hand, stares,
TOM (WHISPERS) Olivia.
