Mumford Page #38

EXT. COOK HOUSE - NIGHT

MOVING IN on the porch steps. Mumford runs into the shot. In

fact, he's run the whole way from his place and he's out of

breath. He takes the porch steps three at a time, rings the

doorbell, and waits.

Mrs. Cook peeks out, then opens the front door, an especially

sour look on her face. She speaks through the screen door.

MRS. COOK

Well, look who's here...

MUMFORD:

Good evening, Mrs. Cook.

MRS. COOK

Just who is here, can you tell me?

MUMFORD:

Could I see Sofie, please?

MRS. COOK

No, you can not. I wouldn't know who

to say is calling.

SOFIE (O.S.)

Mother...

Mrs. Cook glances inside at the as-yet-unseen Sofie, then

hisses at Mumford --

MRS. COOK

I could see right through you from

the start, you imposter. I know what

you're after. I knew it then and I

know it now!

Sofie appears behind her mother.

SOFIE:

Mother...

MUMFORD:

What do you think I'm after, Mrs.

Cook?

MRS. COOK

Sofie. It's so obvious... you're

after my daughter.

MUMFORD:

Well, I gotta say, Mrs. Cook, you're

right about that.

Both Sofie and Mrs. Cook are set back for a moment. Mrs.

Cook recovers fastest --

MRS. COOK

It'll never happen! You're in big

trouble, mister.

SOFIE:

(scary strong)

Mother... go away!

Mr. Cook suddenly appears, takes Mrs. Cook by the arm and

makes her vanish. Sofie and Mumford are left alone. She looks

at him through the screen.

MUMFORD:

I guess you saw the show...?

SOFIE:

Which show was that?

MUMFORD:

Sofie...

SOFIE:

Part of it. We were watching "ER"

until someone called.

MUMFORD:

You probably got the idea.

Sofie comes outside. She doesn't get too close or look at

him as she walks to the other end of the porch.

SOFIE:

Do you know what a betrayal this

is?...

Mumford knows.

SOFIE:

...How violated I feel?

MUMFORD:

You're not the only one...

Sofie turns sharply to look at him, ready to blow up.

SOFIE:

You feel violated?

MUMFORD:

Not me... all my other my patients.

I smelled tar and feathers on the

way over here.

SOFIE:

You deserve it.

Mumford agrees. He watches her closely.

SOFIE:

I should be irate.

Mumford immediately perks up. Sofie tries to correct --

SOFIE:

I am irate!

MUMFORD:

(grabbing at the thread)

But...

SOFIE:

But nothing... I'm mad as hell. This

is a terrible thing you've done.

MUMFORD:

I know it! Please believe me, I know

that...

Mumford steps closer to her.

MUMFORD:

But, there is one... mitigating factor

I want you to consider before you

write me off.

SOFIE:

What?

MUMFORD:

Will you think about it?

SOFIE:

I don't know. Depends. I'm in a bad

mood.

MUMFORD:

I love you. More than I've ever loved

anyone or anything in my life.

She looks into his eyes.

SOFIE:

Oh.

MUMFORD:

I want to spend the rest of my life

with you... but I'm not sure you

feel the same way.

She regards him for several moments, her mind racing.

SOFIE:

I sort of do...

Mumford feels joy. Now, finally, he takes her in his arms.

SOFIE:

...but first, you have to tell me

something...

MUMFORD:

Anything... just ask.

SOFIE:

What is your name?

As Mumford breaks into a huge grin, CUT TO:

INT. COURTROOM, MUMFORD COUNTY COURTHOUSE - DAY

Mumford is at the defense table. Lionel is his lawyer. Sofie,

Mr. Cook and Ben sit right behind the rail.

JUDGE OTTO (O.S.)

The defendant will rise.

Mumford and Lionel stand up.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes