EXT. SIDEWALK BY EL STATION STAIRS
Carter and Susan are walking down the stairs, towards the hospital. It's the am rush-hour. In the background, "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is being played by solo trumpet. There's never a shot of a busker, so it's not clear where the music is coming from. But it does get softer, and finally fade out completely, the further Carter and Susan get from the station. We join the two of them in mid-conversation. The mood is friendly and kidding.
CARTER: The Phoenix Suns?!
SUSAN: Is that a crime?
CARTER: You root for the Phoenix Suns?
SUSAN: I didn't pay much attention to basketball until I moved there.
CARTER: Susan, you grew up in Chicago.
SUSAN: I dated a guy with season tickets.
CARTER: And you didn't pay attention to the Bulls?
SUSAN: (chuckles) Whatever. I'm starving.
CARTER: Big Diamondbacks fan too, aren't you?
SUSAN: I didn't even get breakfast out of this deal.
CARTER: Oh, sorry. My manners. (gestures to a street vendor) Roach coach?
SUSAN: You live in a mansion and you're buying me a doughnut?
CARTER: I'll spring for the coffee too.
Susan chuckles, and walks over to order breakfast. Carter's cell phone rings, and he picks it up.
CARTER: (into phone) Hello. Hey, how was your flight? Yeah, no, she was walking around a little bit yesterday. I've been meeting her for lunch. You want to meet there?
SUSAN: Oh, you're getting me a yogurt, too.
CARTER: (into phone) What's that? (to Susan) Grab me a bagel. (into phone) Really? No, that's great, that... Yeah, okay, well, I'll see you there!
Carter hangs up his phone, and goes over to Susan at the vendor. She's dishing out the money for the food. He's surprised asnd happy about the phone conversation he just had.
CARTER: They're staying for the holidays.
SUSAN: Your parents?
CARTER: First time in nine years.
END SCENE