what happened here and what happens next?

FADE IN:

EXT. FERRY LANDING - DAY

JEN (30) boards the ferry on foot. She smiles at the drivers who look at her with curiosity as they load onto the small car ferry.

JEN
(in a whisper as the last car loads)
We’re almost there.

One of the WORKERS pulls a cable across the stern of the boat and then gives a nod to the driver.

The ramp screeches as it tilts up and the ferry pulls away from the landing.

WORKER
Set your bag there, darlin’.

JEN
Thank you.

Jen rests her bag in the narrow passenger space.

The Worker gives her a half smile and shuffles over to a car, leaning into the open window to casually converse with one of the drivers.

Jen checks her watch.

She steps into the open air and leans into the railing. She closes her eyes and inhales. This brings a warm smile to her face. The distance isn’t far. She can see the cars on the other side, waiting for their turn to cross. A log cabin sits atop the hill with a huge sign over the front porch. The sign is too far to read. Jen takes a seat inside the passenger area on the wooden stabilized to the wall.

WORKER
Sea sick yet?

The friendly face pokes his head in the door.

JEN
I use to ride it every day.

WORKER
You’re from ‘round here?

JEN
The potter’s...

WORKER
Oh you’re her.
He looks over his shoulder.

JEN
It’s nice to be back.

WORKER
Uh-huh.

He signals to the driver.

JEN
I’m meeting Glen Bridge on the other side.
Do you know him?

WORKER
Yeah. Artsy guy. Didn’t he move away?

JEN
It’s a reunion.

A car HONKS. The Worker waves to the car. He winks at Jen and then saunters over to the driver’s window of another car. Jen watches him lean into the window. The car’s FEMALE PASSENGER looks in Jen’s direction. When Jen catches the Worker’s eye, he averts his gaze, looking to the bow instead while he continues his small talk with the driver.

The afternoon clouds have accumulated.

The ferry slows. Jen hoists her pack onto her back and guides herself along the railing to the front. With the ramp up she can’t see much of the landing, but she can make out a figure leaning against a parked car over to one side. No other parked cars are around minus the ones in line for the ferry.

Jen waves at the figure. It doesn’t respond. She waves again. It gives a feeble salute.
Jen walks over to the Worker.

WORKER
(putting his arm across)
Whoa. We’re about to unload here.

JEN
Would you recognize Glen's car?

The Worker looks in the direction where she’s pointing, but the ferry has just pulled close enough to block out the site of the car.

WORKER
Step back now and wait over there.

Jen tries to see up the hill. The ramp scrapes onto the pavement landing and the boat settles before the Worker releases the cable and signals the first car to go. He puts his hand up reminding Jen to wait. She watches the three rows of cars empty.

With a grand swoop of his arm the Worker makes way for Jen to walk the plank up to the island.

WORKER
Good luck to ya.

JEN
Thanks.

The other cars start to board.

With a burst of excited energy, Jen hurries up the plank, but stops abruptly when she sees the empty lot. The parked car is now about to turn onto the main road. The signal flashes rapidly.
Jen drops her backpack and rushes after the car waving. It pulls onto the main road. Jen keeps running, but the car doesn’t see her.

She turns back to see the ferry pull away from the dock; the Worker leaning into another car window.

Jen drags her backpack to a bench. She kicks it underneath the bench and plunks herself down.
She checks her phone and then puts it away. She slumps against the bench. The ferry gets further from her, the waves roughly lapping up against it. The clouds look more ominous now.