Mumford Page #12

MARTIN:

A person's got to hate themselves to

act like that.

Mumford regards Martin with respect, then turns to look out

front. After a few moments --

MARTIN:

Have you ever met a bigger shithead

than my stepfather?

EXT. THE DUPLEX HOUSE - NIGHT

Lily is walking Ainge as the Mercedes pulls up and Mumford

gets out. Ainge runs happily around the car and puts his

paws up on the driver's door to greet Martin; we HEAR the

clicking SCRATCH of his nails on the surface. Martin rubs

the dog's head.

LILY:

Ainge!

MARTIN:

That's okay. Jeremy won't mind. Good

dog.

LILY:

Ainge!

The dog obediently leaves Martin and runs back to Lily.

Mumford waves as Martin pulls away.

LILY:

(to Ainge)

Do we run into the street? No, I

didn't think so.

(looks after Martin)

Nice car. How's that place?

MUMFORD:

It's a pretty piece of land.

They walk up the block with the dog.

LILY:

And the Brocketts?

MUMFORD:

Horror show. What'd you do tonight?

LILY:

It was insane here, man. 'Hadda call

in the National Guard.

(he nods)

Then I did my laundry... watched

20/20.

MUMFORD:

...And?

LILY:

Shocking. Did you know the government

is wasteful?

(Mumford reacts)

You heard it here first. Oh, and

being a supermodel... it's no walk

in the park.

MUMFORD:

Why do you watch?

LILY:

No gentleman caller, Doc.

(they turn back)

Not that I care. I've had it with

men. They're so fascinated by their

own crap. Took me four years to get

the last one out. Almost turned me

into a dyke... These days my idea of

a hot date is a long shower by myself

before bed. Now that feels good. And

you don't have to do all that...

listening.

Mumford laughs.

LILY:

Oops... sorry. I guess that's the

story of your life.

INT. MUMFORD'S OFFICE - DAY

TIGHT ON COMPUTER SCREEN. A health information "library"

website has been called up on Mumford's office computer.

Right now it's beginning to spew information about "CHRONIC

FATIGUE SYNDROME" -- Definitions, Signs and Symptoms,

Diagnostic Measures, etc.

Mumford is hunched over the computer, reading avidly. His

printer is churning out hard copies.

EXT. FRONT PORCH, COOK HOUSE - DAY

Mumford comes out the front door and holds it open for Sofie.

He offers his arm and she takes it tentatively.

SOFIE:

I'm not making any promises.

MUMFORD:

We'll turn back anytime you want.

SOFIE:

(seeing something)

Oh boy... this should be interesting.

Mumford looks out toward the street. A woman in her fifties

is turning into the front walk. She stares at them, unsmiling,

as the two parties converge. She is MRS. COOK.

SOFIE:

Hello, Mother. I want you to meet

Dr. Mumford.

MRS. COOK

Mumford... like the town?

MUMFORD:

(offering his hand)

Yes. It's nice to meet you, Mrs.

Cook.

She finally takes his hand, but it's not friendly.

MRS. COOK

What's happening here?

SOFIE:

We're going for a walk.

MRS. COOK

Do you think that's a good idea?

SOFIE:

Dr. Mumford does, yes. I've put myself

completely in his hands. For today,

anyway.

MRS. COOK

What kind of doctor are you?

MUMFORD:

Ph.D., psychologist.

MRS. COOK

Oh... not a real doctor.

MUMFORD:

That's right, the fake kind.

Mrs. Cook is not amused. Sofie pulls on Mumford.

SOFIE:

We'd better go or I'm liable to bail

on the whole thing.

Mrs. Cook steps aside as they move up the walk.

EXT. SIDEWALK, NEAR THE COOK HOUSE - DAY

Mumford and Sofie, foreground, walk slowly up the block. In

the background, Mrs. Cook watches for awhile before going

inside.

SOFIE:

Mom's such a cutie.

MUMFORD:

People usually have to get to know

me before they hate me.

SOFIE:

She's not in a bad mood. She's like

that all the time.

(a beat)

It doesn't bother me anymore. It's

my dad and my brother I worry about.

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