COLORADO GIRL CHAPTER IV: “MUD SEASON” WINTER IS COMING TO A FAST CLOSE AS THE WEATHER WARMS UP IN SUMMIT COUNTY, COLORADO. SPRING IS TRULY MUD SEASON IN SUMMIT COUNTY AS THE MOUNTAINS THAW OUT. THE ROADS, SNOW, CARS, AND BOTTOM OF THE SKI LIFTS ARE ALL MUDDY. DESPITE THIS THE COLORADO GIRL, ALISON SIZEMORE, HAS NEVER STOPPED HER OUTDOOR ESCAPADES WITH HER 20 SOMETHING GANG. LIFE IS FULL FOR THE COLLEGE GRADS WHO HAVE YET TO EMBARK INTO FULL ADULTHOOD. THE MOUNTAIN BREWERIES AT NIGHT WITH DAYTIME VENTURES INTO THE MOUNTAIN STREAMS FOR SOME TROUT FLY FISHING, SNOWSHOEING, HIKING, AND BACK COUNTRY SKIING FILL A NON WORK DAY FOR THESE BOLD YOUNG MOUNTAIN LOVING PEOPLE. IN THE BACKGROUND ALISON HAS REALLY MISSED GREG, HER NEAR FIANCEE WHO MOVED BACK TO CLEVELAND TO TEACH CARDIAC SURGERY FELLOWS. SHE WAS TORN BY HER MOTHER’S CONDITION WITH PANCREATIC CANCER AND NEVER WANTING TO LEAVE HER FAMILY AFTER COMING HOME FROM MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE. GREG WAS ALL CAREER AND HIS UNIVERSITY CARDIO-THORACIC POSITION DIDN’T PAY. THE PRIVATE PRACTICE CARDIAC SURGERY POSITION WOULD TAKE YEARS TO MATURE DUE TO DENVER MEDICAL POLITICS. IN THE MIDST OF MUD SEASON GREG SHOWS UP WITH SOME INTERESTING DISCUSSION REGARDING POSSIBLE MARRIAGE. FOLLOW ALONG AS THE MUD SEASON IS UPON US, AND THE COLORADO GIRL REVEALS HER TRUE SELF. EXT. SNOWSHOEING HIKE UP THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE NEAR MONTEZUMA, COLORADO - THE UPPER SNAKE RIVER VALLEY. THE 20 SOMETHING GANG HAS DECIDED TO MEET AT THE TRAIL HEAD ABOVE MONTEZUMA. MOST HAVE BROUGHT THEIR FLY RODS AND EVERYONE IS PREPARED FOR A MUSHY SPRING SNOWSHOE HIKE TO THE SUMMIT ON A SATURDAY IN MAY.
ALISON
WE’VE GOT QUITE A CROWD HERE TODAY. SEEMS ALL THE 20 SOMETHINGS THAT WERE AT BRECKENRIDGE BREWERY LAST NIGHT REALLY DID GET THE MESSAGE THAT WE ARE GOING TO THE SUMMIT ABOVE MONTEZUMA TODAY.
JAMIE
IS YOUR DAD COMING? HE LIKES TO HIKE AND FISH.
ALISON
HE SAID GO AHEAD WITHOUT HIM. HE’S DOING ROUNDS AT THE FRISCO HOSPITAL. DAD SAID HE’D CATCH UP WITH US IF HE COULD, BUT TO GO AHEAD WITHOUT HIM.
JAMIE
THE WEATHER COULDN’T BE BETTER. LIGHT NOT BLINDING SNOW, SOME SUNSHINE, AND THE TEMPERATURES ARE DECENT.
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ALISON
IT WILL BE MIGHTY COOL AT THE TOP HOWEVER. I KNOW THAT. WE WERE UP HERE LAST FALL AND IT WAS 85 DEGREES HERE AND MINUS FOREVER AT THE TOP.
JAMIE
I WAS FORTUNATE MY BOSS LET ME OFF WORK. IT WAS SO COOL LAST WEEK AS WE CLOSED LOVELAND. WHAT A GREAT SKI AREA!
ALISON
I KNOW. IT WASN’T A MISTAKE TO SKI THERE THIS YEAR. WE HAD 600 INCHES OF POWDER TO FIGHT THROUGH THIS YEAR. WORKING AT VAIL RESORTS IN MARKETING GIVES ME FREE SKIING AT THE 4 RESORTS INCLUDING VAIL - WHICH ARE ALL FANTASTIC. HOWEVER THERE IS A SPECIAL PLACE FOR LOVELAND SKIING IN COLORADO.
JAMIE
IT’S PRETTY CONVENIENT FOR SKIERS FROM DENVER OR THE SPRINGS. LOVELAND SAVES THEM AN HOUR ON A DAY TRIP.
ALISON
I DON’T MENTION WITH MY WORK THAT I SKI LOVELAND. IT WOULD BE PERCEIVED ALMOST AS IF I’M A TRAITOR. BUT I KNOW MANY OTHER ADMINISTRATORS AND HIGHER UPS THAT GO TO STEAM BOAT, TELLURIDE, AND EVEN LAKE TAHOE. I LOVE MY MARKETING JOB WITH VAIL AND EAGLE COUNTY HOWEVER. IT SEEMS THAT ALL THE SKI AREAS PROMOTE EACH OTHER. THEY ARE ALL GREAT PLACES AND COLLEGIAL.
JAMIE
WHAT DO YOU SAY WHEN SOMEONE ASKS IF LOVELAND IS BETTER THAN SAY BRECK FOR THE PRICE?
ALISON
I TELL THEM THEY ARE BOTH EXCELLENT PLACES, DESCRIBE THE DIFFERENCES, BUT NEVER SAY ANYTHING BAD ABOUT ANY SKI RESORT. IT’S ALL A MATTER OF PERSONAL PREFERENCE. I’M DIFFERENT BECAUSE AS WE DID THIS SPRING, WE FISH CLEAR CREEK A LOT. THAT BRINGS ME TO LOVELAND. I CAN SKI AND FISH WHERE I LOVE TO FISH NEAR SLIVER PLUME.
JAMIE
YES, WE CAUGHT THAT CADDIS HATCH LAST WEEK.
ALISON
MOST OF THAT WAS MIDGES AND MAYFLIES WITH PRINCES, COPPER JOHNS, HARES EARS, AND SMALL STONES ATTRACTING THE BROWNS AND RAINBOWS. WE CAUGHT GOOD FISH ALL THE WAY TO GEORGETOWN.
JAMIE
THE OTHERS ARE FINALLY ARRIVING. I GUESS WE SHOULD HAVE MADE IT 0800 INSTEAD OF 0700 AFTER LAST NIGHT?
ALISON
MAYBE, ALL THOSE ALES AT THE BREWERY ALONG WITH THE DANCING MADE IT AN OK NIGHT.
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KELLY
HEY THERE IS A COLORADO GIRL IF I EVER SAW ONE! HOW IS ALISON SIZEMORE DOING THIS MORNING?
ALISON
I’M OK FOR A SPOILED EASTERN COLLEGE GRADUATE. ARE YOU READY FOR THE MOUNTAINS?
KELLY
YOU BET. I TALKED TO MY GIRL TANYA THIS MORNING AND SHE HAS TO WORK TONIGHT SO SHE’S SLEEPING IN. I SEE EVERYONE ALSO BROUGHT THEIR FLY ROD. FANTASTIC!
JAMIE
WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE WOODEN SHOES? ARE THEY MODIFIED BEAR PAWS?
ALISON
I PURCHASE ON LINE AND YES, THESE ARE AUTHENTIC BEAR PAWS. I STILL HAVE MY RED FEATHER OLD RELIABLES.
JAMIE
HEY I PURCHASED THE HURONS THIS YEAR. THEY ARE WOODEN, GO THROUGH ANYTHING, AND ARE VERY LOW MAINTENANCE. GOOD IN MUD SEASON.
ALISON
THE SNOW IS GREAT AND IT’S STARTING TO SNOW A TON. EVERYONE HAS THEIR PACK SO LET’S HEAD UP. IF THE WEATHER BREAKS WE CAN FISH SOME OF THESE FEEDER CREEKS.
KELLY
GREAT. HEY DID YOU KNOW THAT MONTEZUMA WAS FORMERLY 1000 PEOPLE BACK IN THE 1890’S WITH THE SILVER BOOM?
JAMIE
THAT IS COOL. IT IS PROBABLY A GOOD TIME TO PURCHASE REAL ESTATE NOW THAT KEYSTONE AND A-BASIN FOLKS ARE ENCROACHING ON THIS AREA.
ALISON
WE’VE GOT 20 SOMETHINGS COMING FROM ALL OVER. I GUESS WE’LL HAVE A LITTLE PARTY ON THE SUMMIT TODAY IF WE MAKE IT. THE SNOW IS GETTING TO BE NEARLY BLINDING.
KELLY
I’VE GOT GREAT TRACTION WITH MY RED FEATHERS TODAY. I JUST HOPE I’VE GOT ENOUGH CLOTHING TO STAY WARM. I KNOW IF I KEEP MOVING I WILL STAY COZY. SO WHAT IS THIS I HEAR ABOUT ALISON SIZEMORE BEING ON A MARKETING MAGAZINE FOR VAIL AND THE RESORTS AS THE ULTIMATE COLORADO GIRL? I NEVER HEARD THIS STUFF?
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JAMIE
ALISON
OH IT’S NO BIG DEAL. A PROMOTION IN THE OFF SEASON AND A BIG START FOR NEXT YEAR. THEY WANTED A BRUNETTE AND I’M THE ONLY ONE THAT WASN’T TROUBLE. IT’S MY DAD’S DECISION. IT’S NOT THAT BIG OF A DEAL.
KELLY
DID YOU KNOW THAT THE WORD LEAKED OUT AND IN ONE OF THE SUMMIT COUNTY AND EVEN EAGLE COUNTY PUBLICATIONS THEY MENTIONED YOU ALISON AS THE ULTIMATE COLORADO GIRL. IT MADE IT TO DENVER PUBLICATIONS LIKE OUTDOOR COLORADO. YOU HAVE THE LOOKS, SMARTS, AND ACUMEN OF THE ULTIMATE OUTDOOR GIRL. THIS WILL BRING TOURISTS INTO THE COUNTY.
JAMIE
DON’T TELL THEM YOU SKIED AT LOVELAND SOME THIS YEAR!
ALISON
JAMIE SHUT UP, EVERYONE SKIES LOVELAND. IT’S FINALLY GETTING THE RESPECT IT RIGHTFULLY DESERVES. LOVELAND HAS BEEN A GREAT SKI AREA FOR YEARS. IN FACT AFTER VAIL CLOSED WE RAN INTO SKI INSTRUCTORS FROM EAGLE COUNTY AND VAIL WHO HADN’T HAD ENOUGH - SO THEY HEAD TO LOVELAND WHICH HAS A MONTH MORE OF GREAT SKIING THIS YEAR.
KELLY
YOU WILL BE AN INTERNATIONAL STAR. I BROUGHT MY CAMERA. IT’S OK TO TAKE SOME FILM FOR THE STORY?
ALISON
YOU GUYS ARE WAY TOO MUCH. LET’S TALK ABOUT YOU TWO - LET’S SEE ACTING FOR JAMIE, AND BROADCASTING BASEBALL FOR KELLY - RIGHT?
JAMIE
PERFECT. YES I START AT THE BRECKENRIDGE THEATER IN A COUPLE WEEKS. WE’RE DOING THE MUSIC MAN NOW AND THE FULL MONTY NEXT MONTH. I’M WAITING TABLES UNTIL I GET A BIG BREAK IN CHICAGO OR NYC.
KELLY
YES, AND I’M TRYING TO GET ON IN THE SPRINGS WITH THE SKY SOX. THIS IS VERY COMPETITIVE. I MAY REACH OUT AND DO SOCCER AND THE REST OF THE SPORTS IN MULTIMEDIA. I’M ONLY A YEAR OUT OF GRADUATE SCHOOL. I’D LIKE TO DO SOME WORLD CUP SKIING WITH BROADCASTS TO EUROPE AND ASIA ALSO. I’M JUST GETTING MY FEET WET.
JAMIE
SO ARE YOU LIVING WITH TANYA?
KELLY
NO, BUT IT WOULD SAVE MONEY. OUR PARENTS WOULD NOT HAVE IT. ONCE YOU MAKE A COMMITMENT TO SOMEONE, YOU MAKE A COMMITMENT AND LIVE WITH IT.
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ALISON
THAT MEANS - GUYS - ABSOLUTE CHIVALRY, WHICH IS GREAT: DATING, CHARMING THE WOMAN, PROPOSAL, NICE WEDDING, DECENT PLACE TO LIVE, KIDS, AND BEHAVING LIKE AN ADULT. SO GREG DIDN’T FIT ALL THAT?
JAMIE ALISON
OH HE FIT MOST OF IT. I STILL MISS HIM AND IT’S BEEN ABOUT 8 MONTHS. HE TEXTED ME A MONTH AGO BUT I NEVER RESPONDED. I’M STILL UPSET THAT HERE HE WAS - WE DEVELOPED REAL FEELINGS FOR EACH OTHER - AND THEN POOF! HE’S BACK CHASING HIS CAREER WHICH WAS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN OUR RELATIONSHIP IT SEEMS. NO I DIDN’T WANT CLEVELAND - ESPECIALLY WITH MOM SICK. I DON’T GET GUYS.
JAMIE
WELL PRESUMABLY ALL THE SKI MARKETING BY THE RESORTS AND VAIL’S USING YOU IN MAGAZINE WILL BRING IN DECENT GUYS.
ALISON
I’M NOT READY FOR ANY OF THAT. I HAD PROPOSALS AT MIDDLEBURY FROM WEALTHY EASTERN FAMILY TYPES. THEY WERE NICE, BUT DIDN’T UNDERSTAND WHAT COLORADO IS ALL ABOUT. THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS RAISING A BARON’S KIDS IN BOSTON THE REST OF MY LIFE WITH AN OCCASIONAL TRIP TO FRISCO.
KELLY
ENOUGH SPECULATION. THE SUN HAS ARRIVED AND YOUR DAD HAS CAUGHT UP. THERE’S A STREAM OPENING AT TREE LINE NEARBY. WHAT DO YOU SAY WE ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE THESE CUTTHROATS WITH THE BLUE RIVER OR ROCKY MOUNTAIN FLIES?
ALISON
YES THERE IS A BIG TIME MIDGE HATCH RIGHT UPON US. THESE FISH SHOULD RISE. MY POPPER AND DESSICANT ARE ON AND READY.
JAMIE
GO AHEAD AND DRY FLY. I’M GOING WITH A SMALL WEIGHT, AND A POPPER USING THE PRINCE FLY.
KELLY
I’VE GOT A FAKE HOPPER JUST UNDERNEATH THE WATER. I THINK I’VE GOT THE RIGHT TOUCH.
ALISON
I JUST MISSED ONE. THE CUTTHROAT ALSO TOOK MY FLY. I SEE YOU HAVE ONE THERE KELLY. YOU’RE RIGHT. THESE GUYS WILL HIT ON ANYTHING TODAY. WE’VE GOT LUNCH WITH A COUPLE MORE.
DAD
KEEP IT UP AND I MAY HAVE YOUTH TEACH ME THE TRICKS OF THE SNAKE RIVER VALLEY FISHING. ISN’T THIS COOL DR. SIZEMORE?
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JAMIE
DAD
BEYOND COOL. THIS IS WHY WE LIVE IN COLORADO. NOTHING BETTER THAN A SNOWSHOE HIKE AND FLY FISHING IN MUD SEASON.
KELLY
THIS TRANSITION TIME IN COLORADO IS ABSOLUTELY TOTALLY COOL. I’VE GOT ALL THE SEASONS AND ACTIVITIES RIGHT HERE.
JAMIE
WELL THAT’S OUR THIRD FISH. A COUPLE MORE AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A REALLY DECENT LUNCH. KEEP IT UP.
DAD
I’VE GOT MY BINOCULARS. TAKE A LOOK ON THAT MOUNTAIN LEDGE! IT’S A MOTHER MOUNTAIN LION WITH HER NEW KITTEN. SHE IS EYEING US VERY CLOSELY.
ALISON
THAT IS TOTALLY COOL DAD. HOW DID YOU KNOW TO LOOK UP THERE?
DAD
YEARS AGO YOUR MOM AND I DECIDED TO STAY HERE AFTER A ROUGH WINTER WHEN WE SAW ON THOSE VERY ROCKS THE VERY SAME THING A MOUNTAIN LION KITTEN WITH HER MOM HOVERING NEARBY.
JAMIE
OK, WE’VE GOT ENOUGH FISH. LET’S HEAD TO THE TOP. I’VE GOT A SMALL GRILL THAT HEATS IN ABOUT A MINUTE, ALL THE FIXINGS AND A LAVISH DESSERT.
ALISON
SOUNDS GREAT. I CANNOT WAIT TO SINK MY TEETH INTO THESE FISH. THERE IS NOTHING LIKE COLORADO TROUT OVER A FIRE.
JAMIE
MY SNOWSHOES ARE REALLY SINKING. THIS JUST ISN’T A LITTLE STORM. WE’RE IN FOR A BIG ONE. IT’S STARTING TO BE A WHITE OUT.
DAD
YES THIS IS TURNING INTO A MOUNT EVEREST CLIMB. I BELIEVE THE SAFEST DECISION TODAY WOULD BE TO HEAD BACK ALONG THE PATH. WE’LL GRILL THE FISH AT OUR HOUSE. THAT’S A DEAL.
KELLY
INT. BACK IN FRISCO AT THE SIZEMORE HOUSE WITH ALL THE TROUT BEING GRILLED, THE 20 SOMETHINGS PLAN THEIR NEXT WEEKEND TRIP UNTIL GREG, THE FORMER BOYFRIEND OF THE COLORADO GIRL MAKES A SURPRISE VISIT.
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DAD
I CAN SMELL THESE TROUT FROM MY OFFICE. FRESH BARBECUED GRILLED TROUT ARE SECOND TO NONE.
JAMIE
SO DR. SIZEMORE ARE YOU HEADING WITH US ON OUR VENTURE NEXT WEEKEND?
KELLY
NOTHING BIG, WE’RE JUST HEADING DOWN CLEAR CREEK IN SEARCH OF MORE CUTTHROATS. IT SEEMS WE NEED TO FISH AROUND DOWNIEVILLE AND DUMONT BECAUSE THESE AREAS ARE LESS POPULATED.
DAD
YES THE CUTTHROATS DON’T LIKE TO GO BELOW 8000 FEET AND PREFER TO STAY ABOVE 10,000 FEET. YOU CAN EASILY IDENTIFY THE GREENBACK CUTTHROAT BECAUSE.......
ALISON
THE BACK IS GREEN. EVERYONE HAS HEARD THAT A HUNDRED TIMES AND KNOWS THAT THIS IS COLORADO’S STATE FISH. I STILL LOVE YOU DAD.
DAD
I MUST BE GETTING OLD AS I’M REPEATING THINGS. MY PATIENTS TELL ME THAT TOO.
KELLY
WHEN IS MRS. SIZEMORE GETTING OUT OF THE HOSPITAL?
DAD
SHE IS RECEIVING ALL HER CANCER TREATMENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO - BOTH THE CHEMOTHERAPY AND RADIATION TREATMENTS. I’M HEADING TO DENVER TOMORROW. AND I’M ALSO COMING.
ALISON DAD
WHAT ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHY MARKETING FOR THE RESORTS AND THE TOWN OF VAIL?
ALISON
OH I FORGOT. I’LL GET THAT DONE AND CATCH UP WITH YOU DAD. IT SHOULDN’T BE VERY LONG. I GUESS THEY WANT SOME PICTURES AT THE BASE OF THE SLOPE, THE COVERED BRIDGE, AND ON TOP OF ONE OF THE BACK BOWLS. GOOD THING I DIDN’T CUT MY HAIR. AND I NEED TO GET MY NAILS DONE. THESE MEDIA GUYS WILL THINK I’VE BEEN FISHING!
JAMIE
I JUST HEARD THE DOOR. I’LL GET IT. IT’S PROBABLY SOMEONE WHO SMELLED THE GRILLED TROUT. WHO IS IT JAMIE?
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ALISON
OH IT’S AN OLD FRIEND!
JAMIE ALISON
THAT’S NICE. DOES HE HAVE A NAME? I’LL BE OUT IN A MINUTE. I’M ALMOST DONE WITH THE SALAD. IT’S GREG!
JAMIE ALISON
RIGHT. YOU GUYS ARE JUST PLAYING WITH ME. GREG LIVES IN CLEVELAND AND WE’LL NEVER SEE HIM BACK HERE IN COLORADO. HE WAS TOO MARRIED TO HIS HEART SURGERY JOB.
DAD
LOOK AGAIN ALISON! IT’S THE REAL DEAL - IT’S GREG!
ALISON
OH MY GOD! GREG WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? YOU DIDN’T EVEN CALL!
GREG
I KNOW, BUT YOU ALSO DON’T RETURN TEXT MESSAGES OR EMAILS. I’M IN FOR A MEETING IN DENVER AND JUST THOUGHT I’D STOP BY TO SEE HOW EVERYONES DOING.
ALISON
WE’RE FINE. WELL I GUESS DAD AND I ARE FINE, BUT MOM IS GOING THROUGH HELL WITH THE CANCER TREATMENTS. BUT YOU KNOW THAT. I’M CERTAIN THEY DO SIMILAR TREATMENTS AT THE CLEVELAND CLINIC. HOW ARE YOU DOING?
GREG
I’M FINE. I HAVE 4 CARDIAC FELLOWS TRAINING UNDER ME AND A BUSY PRIVATE PRACTICE.
ALISON
THAT’S GREAT. YOU GOT WHAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED. I’M HAPPY FOR YOU.
DAD
SAY GREG, WE’RE ABOUT TO EAT. WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN US? HALF THE 20 SOMETHINGS IN SUMMIT COUNTY ARE HERE TO EAT TONIGHT. FEEL FREE.
GREG
I HAD A LATE LUNCH AT THE TOMMYKNOCKER BREWERY IN IDAHO SPRINGS.
KELLY
DID YOU HAVE THEIR MAPLE NUT ALE?
GREG
YES, BUT ONLY A SMALL GLASS SINCE I’M DRIVING.
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ALISON
THAT’S FAIRLY MATURE FOR A GUY. YOU ARE CERTAINLY WELCOME TO EAT. THIS IS MOUNTAIN GRUB, NOT LAKE ERIE SALMON APPETIZERS AND OHIO CORN. WE MOUNTAIN BUMPKINS DON’T EVEN HAVE A FOOTBALL TEAM IN THE COUNTY, BUT WE HAVE SKI TEAMS.
DAD
MAYBE YOU AND GREG SHOULD GO UP IN THE LOFT AND TALK ALISON. WE’LL START EATING AND YOU TWO CAN JOIN US LATER.
JAMIE
I’LL SAY GRACE.
INT. THE UPPER LOFT AT THE SIZEMORE HOUSE WHERE GREG AND ALISON DRIFT AWAY FOR A SPARKLING BOY GIRL CONVERSATION -- EARLY EVENING: I NEED TO APOLOGIZE ALISON......
GREG
ALISON
GREG, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? WE ARE OVER. I’M IN THE FINAL STAGES OF GRIEF OVER YOU SPEARING MY HEART. YOU WERE THE ONLY GUY I EVER CARED ABOUT. AND THEN YOU UP AND LEAVE ON A WHIM FOR A JOB. YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND FAMILY, RELATIONSHIPS, LOVE, AND MEANINGFUL EXISTENCE. ALL YOU ARE IS A CASH COW HEART SURGEON WITH A MONSTER EGO THE SIZE OF LAKE ERIE.
GREG
I NEED TO GET IN GOOD GRACES WITH YOU AGAIN!
ALISON
DON’T EVEN GO THERE. YOU ARE A ONE CELL LOW LIFE, NOT FIT FOR SURVIVING. I CANNOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOU. BUT WHY TONIGHT OTHER THAN YOU JUST HAPPEN TO BE IN DENVER?
GREG
HONESTLY I WAS EATING AT THE BROWN PALACE WITH SOME COLLEAGUES AND SOMEONE SHOWED ME THE COVER ARTICLE ON THE OUTDOOR COLORADO MAGAZINE WHICH AS YOU KNOW FEATURED YOUR PICTURE.
ALISON
SO THAT MAKES YOU DRIVE HERE TONIGHT? GIVE ME A BREAK! I COULD GO TO CLEVELAND AND SEE YOUR PICTURE IN THE LIFESTYLE SECTION ANNOUNCING YOUR ENGAGEMENT OR TAKING ON A NEW PARTNER. BUT THAT WOULDN’T MAKE ME COME TO YOUR HOUSE UNANNOUNCED. YOU MUST THINK WE ARE JUST MOUNTAINEERS HAPPY TO SEE GIFTED CITY PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF.
GREG
I’M THINKING OF COMING BACK TO DENVER.
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ALISON
THAT’S COOL. WE GET MARRIED AND YOU LIVE IN THORNTON AND I LIVE IN FRISCO. YOU DON’T GET IT GREG. I LOVE GOD, MY FAMILY AND ALL THAT COLORADO HAS TO OFFER. I MISSED EVERY SECOND OF IT WHILE I WAS IN MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE. I’M NOT LEAVING. IF YOU WANT ME, YOU’LL HAVE TO JOIN MY DAD IN PRACTICE HERE. IT’S THAT SIMPLE.
GREG
I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. I WAS INQUIRING TO SEE IF YOU WANTED TO COME BACK TO CLEVELAND WITH ME FOR A WHILE.
ALISON
YOU ARE BOOK SMART GREG, BUT NOT LIFE SMART. YOU DON’T GET IT. YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND COMMITMENT. YES I’M A TOM BOY, BUT IF YOU’RE COURTING ME, I WANT FLOWERS, CHIVALRY, ON YOUR KNEES, RING, WEDDING PARTIES, AND A HOME. NO I DON’T WANT TO LIVE WITH YOU. ANYONE CAN DO THAT. BESIDES EVEN THOUGH I CAN DO WHAT I WANT TO, MY PARENTS WOULD HIGHLY DISAPPROVE. WHAT ABOUT BOULDER?
GREG ALISON
OH MY GOD! DO YOU THINK WE WOULD FIT IN BOULDER? IT’S SO LEFT IT’S OFF THE PLANET. IT’S LIKE HOLLAND THERE. I MIGHT AS WELL SKATE INTO TOWN, LOOK COOL, WEAR A BOLSHEVIK SHIRT WITH NO BRA AND PROCLAIM I’M BURNING MY POOP TO HEAT MY HOUSE. WE’D HAVE ZERO FRIENDS UNLESS WE CONFORMED. BESIDES YOU SPEARED ME AND LEFT ON A WHIM WITH NO DISCUSSION. HOW DO I KNOW YOU WON’T DO THIS AFTER 5 KIDS?
GREG
THE BOULDER HOSPITAL NEEDS A CARDIAC SURGEON AND IS WILLING TO HIRE ME TOMORROW. THIS IS BROWN PALACE TALK?
ALISON GREG
YES IT IS. DO THESE EAGLE COUNTY AND VAIL PEOPLE KNOW YOU’VE BEEN SKIING AT LOVELAND?
ALISON
EVERYONE SKIES LOVELAND. THE INSTRUCTORS HEAD OVER AFTER VAIL CLOSES. IT’S NO BIG DEAL. SKI AREAS PROMOTE EACH OTHER. I OUGHT TO KNOW SINCE I’M A MARKETING GAL. I’M CERTAIN SOME OF THE VAIL GUYS EAT AT LIONSHEAD INSTEAD OF BACHELOR’S GULCH. DON’T WORRY WE’VE ALL BEEN TO A BASIN A LOT THIS SPRING. THE BACK IS FANTASTIC. STILL LOTS OF GOOD SNOW.
DAD
MAYBE YOU TWO NEED TO COME DOWN BEFORE EVERYTHING IS GONE. I THINK WE BURNED A FEW CALORIES TODAY.
GREG
YES THAT GRILLED TROUT LOOKS GREAT.
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ALISON
DAD AFTER WE SEE MOM TOMORROW, CAN WE HEAD OVER TO THE BROWN PALACE FOR SUPPER?
GREG
NO, I HAVE A PRESENT FOR YOUR MOM TOMORROW. I’M A JEWISH GUY WHO RECEIVED A ROSARY FROM A FAMILY WHO WANTED ME TO GIVE IT TO SOMEONE SPECIAL. ALISON’S MOM GETS THE ROSARY IF WE CAN GET BACK TO DENVER THROUGH ALL THE MUD.
END - COLORADO GIRL IV
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