Mumford Page #29

SKIP:

I guess that makes sense.

MUMFORD:

Yes, yes it does...

Mumford sinks into silence. He begins to wander the room.

SKIP:

You've fallen in love with one of

your patients?

Mumford nods. Skip is desperate to say something useful.

Suddenly, he has an alarming thought.

SKIP:

Doc!... It's not me, is it?

MUMFORD:

What?

Mumford understands and can't stop a laugh.

MUMFORD:

No, Skip, it's not you. But I like

you a lot.

Skip is relieved. He has another thought and brightens.

SKIP:

Doc, what about this? You're not

really a licensed psychologist!

Mumford turns to meet Skip's gaze. Skip realizes the

ramifications of what he's just said.

SKIP:

Hmm. I guess that doesn't help... I

see where you're going here. It's a

mess.

MUMFORD:

Yep.

INT. DR. DELBANCO'S OFFICE - DAY

Lionel is here with Delbanco and Sheeler. This time, Delbanco

is behind his desk, Sheeler across the room on the sofa.

LIONEL:

Don't you find it incredibly

convenient that everyone who could

possibly corroborate his story has

recently died some exotic death?

DELBANCO:

They're neither all recent nor exotic.

SHEELER:

But they're certainly dead. And yes,

personally, I find it a bit odd.

DELBANCO:

It could happen. What about his state

certification exams? The records

seem to be in order.

Lionel's derisive snort is so obnoxious, it's hard to bear.

LIONEL:

What's easier than hacking your way

into a state computer and inserting

some numbers? For all you know he

never even took the exams!

SHEELER:

That's true.

DELBANCO:

I don't know that it's all that

easy...

LIONEL:

Doctor, correct me if I'm wrong, but

it sounds to me like you've gone for

this guy's story hook, line and bull-

twaddle.

SHEELER:

You do seem much more disposed toward

him than I understand, Ernest. Did I

miss something?

DELBANCO:

(sharply)

Oh, for god's sake, Phyllis -- we

have no reason to doubt the man! Are

we listening to Lionel now?

Sheeler jumps, so shocked is she by his outburst, and so

humiliated for Lionel to witness it. Fighting tears and trying

to maintain her dignity, she gathers up her things and walks

to the door. Delbanco, immediately contrite, stands up.

DELBANCO:

Phyllis, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to

shout...

SHEELER:

No, Dr. Delbanco, it is I who am

sorry. Sorry to have wasted your

time with such...

She breaks into tears and rushes out of the office. Delbanco

is left facing Lionel, who gives him exactly the look the

doctor least wants to see.

INT. LILY'S CAFÉ - DAY

Mumford is eating his lunch at the counter. He watches Lily

busily working the midday rush. She sees him grinning at

her, but doesn't say anything for a while. Finally, blushing --

LILY:

Stop it! He's a kid. I'm old enough

to be his... older sister.

Mumford smiles, eats.

INT. ENTRY HALL, COOK HOUSE - NIGHT

Mr. Cook opens the front door to Mumford.

COOK:

Dr. Mumford. Please, come in.

Mumford comes in, reluctantly.

MUMFORD:

Hello, Mr. Cook. I was wondering if

Sofie was around?

COOK:

Were you supposed to have a session?

MUMFORD:

No. It's sort of spur of the moment.

INT. LIVING ROOM, COOK HOUSE - NIGHT

Mumford follows Mr. Cook into the room. Mrs. Cook and Sofie's

thirtyish brother, BEN, are in there, watching television.

Mrs. Cook keeps knitting; Ben stands to shake Mumford's hand,

muting the TV with a remote.

COOK:

Look who's here. Have you met Sofie's

moth--

MRS. COOK

-- We've met.

COOK:

And our son, Ben...

BEN:

(vigorously shakes

hands)

This is a real honor, Doctor. Have a

seat, will ya?

Mumford continues to stand.

MUMFORD:

Well, actually, I can't really... Do

you think I could see Sofie?

BEN:

I insist! I've been wanting to meet

you.

Mumford sits.

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