Mumford Page #27

MUMFORD:

Doubtful. What did he say?

ALTHEA:

He said he wasn't coming back. He

said it wasn't working for him any

more. That it hadn't "worked for

him" for quite a while... You know

what I regret the most? I'm sorry I

let him make the kids take his name.

He was an acquirer.

(off Mumford's look)

He liked to acquire things.

Mumford looks away. Althea realizes what he's thinking.

ALTHEA:

You think that has something to do

with my problem? Ordering all those

things?...

It hadn't occurred to Mumford, but it's an interesting

thought.

ALTHEA:

...Like I was on some kind of campaign

to out-acquire him...

(excited now, playing

it out)

...If I was just an acquisition to

him, and he lost interest once he

had me --

She stops, shakes her head.

ALTHEA:

That can't be it. It's too simple.

And besides, I still like it. This

morning I ordered a marble turtle

cheese board from The Horchow

Collection.

(an odd look)

Can I tell you something just awful?

You know how people who are just

a**holes will sometimes look at a

woman who's got problems and say,

"What she needs is a good shtupping!"?

Mumford nods.

ALTHEA:

Well, there may be something to that.

Jeremy didn't keep up his end -- Oh,

what difference does it make?

(suddenly)

Why do I feel elated? Am I in denial?

You know what it feels like?...

She glances at her watch, then starts talking fast --

ALTHEA:

I know my time's up, but I've got to

get this out while I've got hold of

it --

MUMFORD:

Take your time.

ALTHEA:

(no slowing down)

-- When I was in high school, the

thing I wanted most, when I was stuck

in class, the thing I was always

desperately in pursuit of -- was a

hall pass. That's all I wanted. I

loved moving freely around the school

while everybody else was trapped in

there... And that's how I feel right

now... Like I have some giant, all-

day hall pass.

She is beaming, but suddenly becomes self-conscious. She

stands up abruptly, flushed.

ALTHEA:

My god, did it just get hot in here

or what?

She takes off the bulky sweater and bends to pick up her

purse. She is wearing a simple cotton dress that buttons up

the front and hugs her body. WE SEE for the first time what

all her other outfits have hidden: Althea has a terrific,

voluptuous figure.

ALTHEA:

See you next time. I'll probably be

a basket case by then.

She heads toward the door to the waiting room. Mumford

indicates the back door.

MUMFORD:

You can go out there if you like...

ALTHEA:

(quoting Mumford)

"There's no shame in getting a little

therapy", right, Doc?

She opens the door to the waiting room, startling Henry

Follett, who jumps up from a chair out there, magazine still

in hand.

INT. WAITING ROOM, MUMFORD'S OFFICE - DAY

Follett is embarrassed to be discovered here. But that's

secondary to the impact Althea's current appearance -- sexy

body framed in the doorway -- is having on him. She's been a

customer in his store, but he's seeing her now as if for the

first time. All his libidinous buttons are being pushed.

Althea breezes by, oblivious to his reaction.

ALTHEA:

Hello, Mr. Follett. Have a good

session. Bye, Doc.

She goes out.

MUMFORD:

Henry...

But Follett continues to stare in the direction Althea has

gone.

INT. LOBBY ATRIUM, PANDA MODEM WORLD HEADQUARTERS - DAY

Mumford is being escorted across the spectacular atrium by a

PANDA SECURITY AIDE. Her informal uniform, and all the other

details in the building, carry out the Panda design motif.

As they head down the main corridor --

SKIP (O.S.)

Hey, Doc!

Mumford looks that way. In the distance, Skip is descending

from an upper level on his skateboard via a unique system of

ramps designed for that purpose alone. None of the hustling

Panda Employees in the area take any particular notice of

the sight.

Skip meets Mumford and his escort at the bottom of the ramp

with a spectacular stop.

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