Mumford Page #32

MUMFORD:

My pleasure.

Follett heads for the door, pausing briefly at a mirror to

check his appearance, pushing at his hair with his palm.

FOLLETT:

I'll see you on... whatever...

He hurries out. Mumford stands up to leave, but first looks

down through the one-way mirror.

WHAT HE SEES:
Follett hurries up behind the prescription

counter, where Althea Brockett is waiting; once again she

looks quite sexy. Follett brings her prescription up and

begins playfully flirting. Althea is responsive. Follett

motions Althea down the aisle, where it's more private. He

comes out from behind the counter, ostensibly to show Althea

something on the prescription bottle. Althea leans back

against some shelves in the same posture as the Landlady in

Follett's first fantasy.

Mumford reacts, bemused.

EXT. HIKING TRAIL - DAY

Mumford and Sofie make their way slowly up the trail. Despite

her labored breathing, it's clear Sofie has made enormous

progress since we first saw her.

SOFIE:

When I was in high school we used to

come up here and make out. I liked

to sit on the rock and watch the sun

go down.

MUMFORD:

That's what I like.

SOFIE:

Which thing?

MUMFORD:

Either one.

SOFIE:

Why'd you come to the house the other

night?

MUMFORD:

I thought I had something to tell

you. But it turned out I didn't.

SOFIE:

My brother said you were about to

fire me.

MUMFORD:

That's one way to put it.

SOFIE:

I bet I know what changed your mind...

(Mumford looks at her)

...My mother. She was so horrible,

you decided you couldn't desert me.

MUMFORD:

I thought only action movies had

villains like that.

Sofie gestures ahead.

SOFIE:

That's the cut-off, isn't it?

(Mumford nods)

I know why you were going to quit

seeing me.

Mumford slows at this. Sofie heads off the trail into the

woods.

EXT. BIG ROCK LOOKOUT POINT - DAY

Sofie appears first, but she waits for Mumford before she

steps tentatively onto the rock. Mumford takes firm hold of

her and leads her to a spot where she can securely settle

herself.

SOFIE:

You feel like a fake, an imposter...

Mumford looks up, sharply.

SOFIE:

...as if maybe you don't know what

you're doing.

She puts a hand on his arm.

SOFIE:

Everybody feels that way sometimes...

like we're not who we're supposed to

be. But I have to tell you, Dr.

Mumford --

He winces at her formality.

SOFIE:

-- you've been a tremendous help to

me.

MUMFORD:

Yeah?

SOFIE:

I can't tell you how much I admire

you. You have a wonderful way with

people. And you're very insightful.

I feel like you've seen me clearly...

I never used to admit what a horrible

person my mother was. You've made

that possible for me.

MUMFORD:

That's... good?

SOFIE:

Yes! And my ex-husband -- he never

accepted me for who I was, just like

Mother. The things you've said have

helped me understand what a dick he

is.

MUMFORD:

I don't know if --

SOFIE:

You're shockingly honest, that's

what makes you great. I've never had

a man treat me this way. With you, I

feel really... listened to.

(gives him a look)

Can I tell you something? It's a

little embarrassing, but I feel very

unguarded with you.

MUMFORD:

Of course.

SOFIE:

Thanks to this therapy, I now know

what I'm looking for. I need to find

a man like you.

(laughs)

Not one who's treating me, of course.

(full of resolve)

And I'm going to do it, dammit! You've

given me the confidence.

Mumford is in agony.

MUMFORD:

Sofie... that makes me very happy.

INT. MUMFORD'S OFFICE - DAY

Nessa's on the couch, playing with her usual unlit cigarette.

There's an uncharacteristic lightness to her.

NESSA:

...I mean, Doc, the dude is seriously

deluded. I said that to him, I said,

"If you think I'm gonna do all that

sh*t for you, man, you are seriously

deluded."

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