CHRIS

Well, well, well…

AMANDA (rubbing hands, trying to warm up)

Someone’s gotta hike down and get help before the food runs out.

CHRIS (sighs heavily)

You go, babe. I’ll stay and wait for rescuers. Alone… freezing… maybe no chance at all.

AMANDA

Honey…

CHRIS (interrupts)

Don’t worry about me. I’m a man, I’ll survive. If not… remember, I’ve always loved you most of all.

AMANDA

Oh, honey, you don’t have to… (pause) think the worst. I’ll be quick. One foot here, one there - you won’t even notice.

Amanda jumps up, starts packing for the descent.

AMANDA

So brave of you. True love, I always knew you’re a he-

CHRIS (grabs her hand, stopping her)

Wait. In a crisis, people make dumb choices. We need to act rational. Ice-cold logic.

AMANDA (surprised, sits back)

Yeah… you’re right. Cold logic says…

CHRIS & AMANDA (simultaneously)

I go!

CHRIS (fast)

Amanda, look - I’m stronger, tougher, can cover more ground, ignore obstacles. I trained for this! Hit the gym!

AMANDA

Yeah… to buy fancy nut bars and watch those reformer classes.

CHRIS

I’ve got a photographic memory. Learned all their techniques.

AMANDA

And… it helps how? Get into a split faster? No, babe, all signs point to me going.

CHRIS

Arguments?

AMANDA

Job interview tomorrow. Been waiting months. If I wait here I’ll miss it. Unless you wired WI-FI up the mountain.

CHRIS

Are you kidding me? Wi-Fi? Then we wouldn’t have to re-live every holiday with your parents two nights in a row.

AMANDA

Exactly. How can I trust you with survival if you can’t even wire Wi-Fi?

CHRIS

Love, think bigger. Kids… You’re great mom, but I could give them more.

AMANDA (pause, glaring)

With all due respect, we don’t have kids!

CHRIS

Hypothetically.

AMANDA

You’re losing it! I go. Period. I’ve got so much to see, do, try… and you’ve already got the experience.

CHRIS

We’re basically the same age!

AMANDA

I’m pointing out your wisdom… you nitpick. And if anything happens, my mom will never forgive you.

CHRIS (thinks, smirks)

Nor will she ever visit again.

AMANDA

Fine. Go, if you’re willing to risk me - go. I won’t hold you back.

CHRIS

You’re literally holding my leg.

AMANDA (checking her hand, pulling away)

Just… testing body temp.

CHRIS

Arm wrestling?

AMANDA (sarcastic)

Sure, or knives to first blood?

CHRIS (seriously considering)

One of our knives is bigger… could get messy. 

AMANDA (shouting)

CHRIS!!

CHRIS

We’re wasting time. I’m going down.

AMANDA

And I’m filing for divorce.

CHRIS (sarcastic)

Local mountain court?

From a distance: voices, helicopter sound. Rescuers appear.