Bette – I’m just giving him a snack before we leave.

The producer stops and crosses her arms.

Tina – Wendy? We are waiting for you!

Wendy – Oh, shit! I forgot! Bye, Bette!

Bette – Bye!

The redhead runs to the set.  Tina turns to the brunette with raised eyebrows. Bette raises her hands in the air and shaking her head.

Bette – I didn’t do anything!

The blonde chuckles.

Bette – And you promised not to get upset again.

The producer smiles teasingly

Tina – Why did I make such a promise?

She leaves the stable. The brunette watches her with a smirk.

Bette – She is the alpha around here, Charlie!

She pats the horse.

Bette – And the beauty …

———————————

A day later

———————————

Western Skies stable, afternoon: Tina waits while Jim puts a saddle on a beautiful chestnut mare with a blaze mark on its face, a white strip from the forehead to the nose.

Jim – Her name is Minnie. I think you will like her. She is very calm and laidback. She won’t cause you problems.

Tina – Hi, Minnie! You’re so pretty!

The blonde pats the mare. She caresses her mane.

Tina – Your mane is so light and beautiful!

He smiles.

Jim – She is blonde like you, Miss Tina! I thought it was a match.

She chuckles.

Tina – You are, aren’t you, Minnie?

Jim – She is good at following orders and won’t run away. But she is not one to gallop for miles without a break!

Tina – I just want to visit the surroundings and take some pictures for other scenes.

Jim – Then she is your girl!

She looks at the other horses in the stable.

Tina – Where is Charlie, Jim?

Jim – Oh, he is probably with Bette enjoying the beautiful day … or in the cabin, down in the valley.

Tina – Ah …

He pats Minnie.

Jim – She is ready!

She mounts the mare.

Tina – I’ll be back in a couple of hours!

Jim – Enjoy, Miss Tina!

Tina – Thanks, Jim!

She rides away at a slow pace toward the valley.

—————————————-

Western Skies ranch, afternoon: Tina rides Minnie following the trail down the plateau towards the valley. From her vantage point, she has a view of the expanse. At times she trots, at times she walks the horse, at times she stops to take pictures and take notes. She stops near a boulder and ties Minnie to a small bush.

Tina – Now, you wait, ok? I’ll just take a few pictures.

She pats the horse’s face. The blonde takes her camera, water bottle and binoculars from her back pack and climbs the boulder. She reaches the top and sighs deeply, with a smile on her face. She spreads her arms in the air.

Tina – Ahhh … What a beautiful area, Minnie! You are so lucky!

She takes pictures and admires the view of the valley below.

Tina – I think we can have a scene here.

Suddenly, a movement in the distance catches her attention. She squints trying to identify it.

Tina – Is that …?

She places the binoculars on her eyes and zooms in. Down in the valley, a beautiful black and white stallion gallops at full speed, the rider’s black hair blowing in the wind. Horse and rider together as one, perfectly synchronized in their movements. Woman and horse. Bette and Charlie. The blonde admires their beautiful ride.

Tina – Perfect! (pause) They are perfect together …

She continues watching the two until they disappear from view. She focuses on the cabin in the distance.

Tina – Nice place to hide …

A horse neigh is heard in the distance. Below the boulder, Minnie neighs as well, startling the blonde. She looks down at her mare.

Tina – Did you hear, Minnie?

She smiles.

Tina – You are friends with Charlie, aren’t you?

She looks at the cabin in the distance once again.

Tina – They must be there …

She climbs down the boulder and takes pictures of the large rock. She approaches the horse and unties her rein. She pats her.

Tina – Charlie is a stud, Minnie!

She mounts Minnie.

Tina – Be careful with studs!

She turns the horse around and lightly touches her heels to its belly.

Tina – They can break your heart …

The mare snorts and starts trotting. The blonde laughs.

Tina – I figured you already knew!

(TBC)