Thousands of golden wild flowers surround Sarah Downs as she rides alone through the clearing. She just seems to fit in with the flowers as she moves back onto the horse trail.
HICKOK sits atop his horse, staring down at her from the crest above. He smiles to himself. Gives a swift kick to his horse, and takes off riding hard.
EXT. HORSE TRAIL
Sarah’s head is down as she gently pats her horse’s neck, rubbing him gently, talking to him. You can almost feel the horse smile as he walks slowly. Then he suddenly stops. Sarah looks up, startled. Hickok waits in front of her, standing a few feet in front of his horse, blocking her path.
Sorry. Didn’t mean to frighten you.
SARAH
Don’t shoot. I swear I’m not a tree.
HICKOK
If you are a tree, you’re the prettiest one I ever seen, ma’am.
Sarah climbs off her horse. Confidently she walks right up to Hickok. Puts her hand out. He doesn’t yet take it.
My name’s Sarah Downs.
Her smile could light the darkest night. Hickok’s lost, but finally takes her hand. Shakes it.
I’m.... I’m Jimmy Hickok.
SARAH
It’s nice to meet you, Jimmy Hickok.
SARAH
So did you ride all the way out here just to block my path?
HICKOK
No ma’am. Truthful, I’m not quite exactly sure why I rode out here.
Sarah walks up to Hickok’s horse. Rubs it on the forehead.
You got yourself a beautiful animal here.
Hickok follows her. Pats it. Proud of his horse.
Sometimes I think he knows me better than I know myself.
SARAH
Then maybe I should ask him what brought you all the way out here.
Sarah sticks her lips gently to the horse’s ear.
You want to tell me why a handsome young man like this rode all the way out to see me.
Sarah places her ear to the horse’s mouth. Pretends to listen. Then she whispers back into the horse’s ear. Hickok’s simply enchanted as she pulls her head away.
What’d he say?
SARAH
I’m a lady. Wouldn’t be proper for me to repeat words like that.
Hickok’s startled by her honesty. She heads back to her horse.
Where you going?
SARAH
It’s getting late.
Sarah climbs aboard.
Hold on a sec...
(she looks at him)
Can I see you again?
Sarah turns her horse around. Then teasingly, turns back to Hickok.
I’ll have to talk to your horse first.... but I’ve got to tell you, what he’s said so far doesn’t sound half-bad.
One final smile and then like a bolt of lightning, Sarah blasts out of there, leaving Hickok there to breathe her dust. As if mocking Hickok, the horse snorts.
(not looking back)
Oh shut up.
Off Hickok’s love struck look.
E-mail: PnyExp1860@aol.com