EXT. MAIN STREET - BLUE CREEK - DAY
Blue Creek is a bustleing, prosperous town about the size of sweetwater, but a bit more sophisticated. Lou walks down the main street, checking out the various shops and buildings as she passes. Suddenly, her attention is caught by:
SHOP WINDOW - LOU’S P.O.V.
A beautiful dress trimmed with lace, and matching hat, are displayed in a shop window.
ON LOU- Staring at the dress and hat. She reluctantly turns away, but she’s still thinking about it. A beat... then Lou smiles. She ipulsively heads back toward the shop.
Genuine lace, all the way from Paris.
INT. DRESS SHOP - BLUE CREEK - DAY
A fashionable dressed woman holds the dress and hat on a hanger for Lou to admire.
You have exquisite taste, young man. She’ll love it, I promise you.
LOU
I’m sure she will.
INT. LOBBY - BLUE CREEK HOTEL - DAY
The fanciest hotel in the territory. Lou signs the guest register. The desk clerk hands her a key.
Top of the stairs to the left, son. Enjoy your stay.
LOU
Thanks.
Lou picks up the dress box and saddlebags. She turns to leave, then thinks of something else.
Oh, and Mister...
(he looks up)
Could you set me up a hot bath with plenty of towels.
Cut to:
A PILE OF DIRTY CLOTHES
lying on the floor. Lou’s bare legs (seen below the knees) step out of the pants. The camera follows her legs as Lou crosses to a big copper bathtub and steps in. The hot water makes her gasp. The sound becomes a sigh of pleasure as Lou slides into the water.
THE CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal that the setting is....
INT. LOU’S ROOM - BLUE CREEK HOTEL - DAY
Lou’s head is all that can be seen poking out of the tub. Steam rises from the water. her expression is one of pure conentment. HOLD ON LOU a moment, then...
EXT. SIDEWALK - BLUE CREEK - DUSK
Fresh from her bath, wearing the new dress, Lou attracts the admiring glances of passing gentlemen as she strolls along the sidewalk. they tip their hats. Lou is flattered by their attention, but also a bit uncomfortabe. Reaching a shiny reflective window, she stops to gaze at herself.
ON WINDOW - as Lou studies her reflection for a moment, not out of narcissism, but rather because the sight of herself dressed as a beautiful young woman is so foreign to her. She can’t help smiling. Her amused reverie is interrupted by:
Excuse me...
Lou turns to see Tyler deWitt standing there. He is elegantly dressed, but not at all the dandy.
... but I believe it would be much more flattering if the hat was tilted slightly to the left.
LOU
(a bit flushed, but keeps her composure) You do...?
(Tyler smiles and nods)
Hmm... Like this...?
She turns back to the mirror-like window. We see Tyler’s reflection as he steps behind and watches over her shoulder. Lou adjusts the hat’s angle... and finds a way that seems to please her.
That is better.
TYLER
(thoughtful)
Better... But not quite...
(A beat, raises his hands to the hat)
may I?
LOU
(insecure now)
Okay....
He stares thoughtfully at her reflection. Lou looks away.
Hold still...
(adjusts the hat)
Yes... i think that does it. Turn around.
(she does)
Much better. Tyler DeWitt, at your service. And you are?
LOU
(hesitates, then)
Louise.
TYLER
A pleasure meeting you Louise.
(a beat, Lou smiles)
You know, you’re just the person to provide the answer to a very difficult question.
LOU
(suspicious)
What?
TYLER
Is being saved from social embarrassment sufficient cause for a young lady to dine with a gentleman who finds her most attractive?
Lou knows she’s being hustled. She shakes her head and smiles. Tyler flashes his most charming, innocent look.