That Touch of Mink

Cathy Timberlake walks to the unemployment office in New York to pick up her check while she searches for a new job. There, she endures Beasley's unwanted advances, illustrating the casual harassment she faces in the workplace. The scene sets a tone of ambition clashing with pervasive power dynamics early in the story.

Philip Shayne's Rolls-Royce splashes Cathy's dress with mud as she hurries to a job interview. He offers to make up for the incident, and their humor and charm spark an immediate, if awkward, connection. The interaction marks the first friction and chemistry between them.

Cathy and Philip meet again and discover a strong mutual attraction despite their different worlds. They begin to move in each other's circles, hinting at a romance that could complicate both of their ambitions.

Cathy watches Philip speak at a United Nations session, impressed by his charisma and influence. The public exposure deepens Cathy's interest and makes their connection feel momentous. This event elevates Philip in her eyes and nudges their relationship toward something more serious.

As their relationship grows, Philip proposes a romantic affair while Cathy wants a real marriage. The tension between desire and commitment becomes a recurring undercurrent in their romance.

Philip's financial manager, Roger, confesses to a therapist about his guilt in helping his boss's sexual conquests, including Cathy. The therapist quietly wonders if Roger himself is having an affair with Philip, adding to the web of suspicion.

Philip wins Cathy with nightly dinners, and they even share a date at a Yankees game. Cathy briefly shares the dugout with Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle, and Yogi Berra before being asked to leave, highlighting the glamorous yet invasive world they navigate.

Philip's swinging conscience leads him to withdraw the invitation to Bermuda, trying to avoid an escalating affair. The move provokes Cathy's indignation and fuels her determination to assert her independence.

To prove her independence, Cathy agrees to go to Bermuda despite Philip's withdrawal. The trip becomes a test of whether their relationship can survive his guilt and her resolve.

In Bermuda, Cathy becomes anxious about the sexual implications and develops a nervous rash that embarrasses her and frustrates Philip. The trip heightens emotions and introduces vulnerability into their romance.

A second Bermuda plan is attempted, but Cathy drinks whiskey to calm her nerves and ends up intoxicated, falling from a hotel balcony onto an awning. She is carried back to their room in her pajamas through a crowded lobby, creating a dramatic, embarrassing moment.

Urged by Roger and Connie to provoke jealousy, Cathy arranges a motel rendezvous with Beasley. The scheme works, and Cathy and Philip proceed toward marriage, turning a manipulated moment into a wedding commitment.

During their honeymoon, Philip breaks out in a nervous rash, mirroring the emotional strain of their unconventional relationship. The rash serves as a tangible symbol of the guilt and turmoil that underlie their romance.

Months later, Cathy and Philip walk with their baby and Roger through a park. A therapist approaches Roger, asking how things are going, and Roger joyously shows the baby, triggering another humorous misunderstanding about the family dynamics.