Mumford Page #33

MUMFORD:

What'd he say?

NESSA:

(can't hide her

pleasure)

He said -- "Which we already knew!"

Mumford laughs, delighted.

MUMFORD:

What did he want you to do?

NESSA:

First off, he tells me to stop smoking

cigarettes. I told him abso-f***in'-

lutely no. As you can see --

She holds up the cigarette as though it were her middle

finger, flipping the bird.

NESSA:

Then he says stop smoking dope. No

again. So then he says he doesn't

want me getting together with any

other guys...

Mumford doesn't have to see her face to know how much pleasure

this gives her, despite her hard-ass cover.

NESSA:

...What balls on this guy? What're

we...

(too geeky for her)

...going steady? Jesus.

MUMFORD:

No again?

NESSA:

(long pause)

I said I'd consider it. Nobody owns

me. And the last thing was insane. I

don't know what's wrong with him...

No magazines.

MUMFORD:

Really?

NESSA:

I don't know if I can quit. We're

gonna try it together, like, you

know, AA or something. And I made

him give up his .22. No more sneaking

around the hills with his f***ing

nut gun like some loony tune.

MUMFORD:

He agreed?

NESSA:

(yes)

He's pitiful, Doc, a goddam puppy. I

don't know how much longer I can put

up with it. I already got two arms

and legs, I don't need another

appendage.

She takes a look at her watch and immediately lights her

cigarette as she stands up --

NESSA:

Oops... gotta go!

She heads toward the waiting room. Mumford gestures to

indicate the back door. She waves him off. He shakes his

head -- no one wants to use the back anymore.

Nessa opens the door to the waiting room. Martin Brockett is

sitting there. He makes a gesture to Nessa to underline the

fact that he is not reading any of the many magazines lying

around, then stands up. She goes into his arms like maybe

she's the puppy. He beams and looks at Mumford.

MARTIN:

Hiya, Doc.

MUMFORD:

Martin.

MARTIN:

(pulling Nessa tighter)

Did you straighten her out?

Nessa give him an affectionate punch in the side, then blows

smoke in his face.

MUMFORD:

How are you?

MARTIN:

Insane! Didn't ja hear? My family

got five hundred times better.

(turning Nessa)

Let's go, Vanessa.

Nessa gives Mumford an embarrassed, "ain't he corny?" look,

but as they go out the door, she's never looked happier.

GILROY (O.S.)

Doctor Mumford?

Mumford is startled to find a man in a suit, GILROY, rising

from the chair behind the door. He's got a briefcase and a

document in his hand.

MUMFORD:

I didn't see you there. Can I help

you?

GILROY:

My name's Gilroy. I'm from the State

Certification Board.

He proffers the document in his hand, but Mumford doesn't

take it.

GILROY:

It's all right, it won't bite you.

Under civil code 1294.67b you are

entitled to be notified that your

status and certification are being

reviewed. This is the notice.

MUMFORD:

(takes the paper)

Do you want to come in?

GILROY:

(already leaving)

No thanks. Plenty of time for that

when we're a little further along.

MUMFORD:

Mr. Gilroy --

Gilroy stops, outside door already open.

MUMFORD:

What brought this on?

GILROY:

I'm not at liberty to say. Sometimes

it's just routine, sometimes there's

been a complaint. We'll be in touch.

He goes out. Mumford considers the paper in his hands,

thoughts elsewhere.

INT. MUMFORD'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

CLOSE ON A PACKING CARTON half full of books. PULLING BACK

and FLOATING OVER other boxes, half-packed with Mumford's

personal belongings -- he doesn't have a lot. On the bed, an

open suitcase with a few clothes thrown in. We're STILL MOVING

across the room and out onto the porch, to REVEAL Mumford in

his chair, nursing a beer, looking up at the starry sky.

Mumford HEARS THE SHOWER GO ON downstairs at Lily's. Then

the MURMUR AND GIGGLE of a wet couple.

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