Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Last Tme on a Horse


AKA scene 25

INT. ROVER - DAY

Northbound 70, White Sands in the windows.  

TOM: When's the last time you was on a horse. Sorry, were on a horse.

CHLOE: I know what you mean either way.

TOM: I ain't the best example of the potential of the spoken word. I am not the best example.

CHLOE: I beg to differ. If you'll accept mule as horse, then four summers ago at the Grand Canyon.

TOM: Good time?

Chloe nods.

CHLOE: How 'bout you?

TOM: We got friends - we have friends - with land and horses near Sheridan. We get up there a few times a year.

CHLOE: Wanda rides?

TOM: She does. Used to run barrels back in her day.

CHLOE: Run barrels.

TOM: It's a rodeo event.

CHLOE: Oh, there now. Figure eights around two barrels.

TOM: That's right.

JACKIE: My cousin's girlfriend did the same. There might even be a couple to run.

CHLOE: Did you ever do rodeo?

TOM: I did. Junior rodeo when I was a kid.

CHLOE: What event or events?

TOM: Well, I ran barrels when I was a boy, was doin' tie-down ropin' when I stopped.

CHLOE: That's the one the calves love the most.

TOM: Well, can't say it's their favorite thing.

CHLOE: That would be being branded. 

Tom chuckles, shakes his head. Hunter's and Chloe's eyes meet in the rearview mirror. Hunter smiles, Chloe winks.

TOM: Chloe, I hope I ain't outta line - hope I am not out of line - when I tell ya - my goodness - your grandmother said the same damn thing word for word. Dang thing.

Silence.

CHLOE:  No worries. And you're not out of line. Maybe more later on the circumstances.

TOM: More later for sure.

CHLOE: Cool.

TOM: Hunter, when's the last time you were on a horse?

HUNTER: A dude ranch in Idaho in May for a story for a magazine. Comes out next month.

TOM: I'll watch for that.

HUNTER: Prior to that, the pony ride at the county fair when I was six.

CHLOE: Why did you stop rodeoing?

TOM: Got drafted, went off to Vietnam.

Silence.

HUNTER: Maybe more later on those circumstances.

Tom and Hunter's eyes meet in the rearview mirror. Tom nods.