Original subtitles

Wow.

The liberal media hates traditional pro -God, pro -country, pro -family values

because, frankly, they don't believe in them. That's not true. Hold on. It's

true. And it's why liberal media types, especially in New York City and

Hollywood, hate the U .S. military, hate the president, frankly hate me and guys

like me. Look what they've done to Rush.

Nobody hates the U .S. military. Bottom line is, liberals in this country want

to pursue their big government social policies.

A retreat?

Yes, a company outing. Where we all get to know our inner selves.

Do people ever get to your core, Jimmy? Or do they stop short at the mantle?

Did you hear that?

Fat joke.

I'm actually being quite serious here. We all work too hard.

How about Tahiti?

Alan, Paul Stewart?

He said it was an emergency.

Paul? Alan.

I need you to get down to my office now.

Did I miss a checkup?

I've got an emergency.

I have detectives in my waiting room. I need you to get down here. You need to

come through my private entrance so they don't see you.

Hurry, Alan.

I'm in trouble.

What is going on?

Come in, please.

They're still waiting out there. Wait a second, Cheryl. They're about to just...

I'll be out in a second. Just tell them I'm finishing a procedure.

Listen, I've been having an affair.

Brenda Wilber, who I believe you know?

Brenda Wilber? Yes.

I've been wanting to have an affair with Brenda Wilber. Can you shut up?

Can you just shut up, please?

She's dead.

What? Somebody bludgeoned her or something. I saw the body. I was there

night. I walked in. All right, slow down. I can't slow down. The police were

there. I was there. I had made love to her earlier, and now they're here to ask

me questions. Okay.

Do I talk to the police now? Do I tell them I was there? What should I do?

They're coming.

Just get out.

What do I do?

It's going to look suspicious if I have a lawyer. How do I even explain you

being here?

He said he'd be right out.

He's in a procedure. We don't have time for this. So you keep staying.

I'm sorry, Doctor, but this is urgent.

Would you give me ten more seconds, for God's sake? This patient could sue me.

He's a lawyer.

Do you know a Miss Brenda Wilbur?

Why? This needs to be a private conversation, Doctor. You need to go

there and wait.

What about Brenda?

She's dead.

Do you know her?

What do you mean, she's dead?

She was killed.

Look, we really need to have this discussion in private.

I need to ask you some things. Hold on.

Sorry. But as a lawyer, I get suspicious when detectives barge in asking

questions about dead people.

This doesn't involve you, sir. Actually, it involves me more than you could ever

imagine. I'm not only this man's friend, I was a friend of Brenda Wilbur's. How

did she die?

Head trauma.

Your car was seen parked outside her place yesterday afternoon.

Wait a second.

Are you questioning this man as if he were a suspect? Certainly not. Paul,

a detective says certainly not, he would be certain it's Alan Shore.

I'm sure my client would love to cooperate, but not before I get a little

information. I don't mind talking, Alan. But I do mind, Paul.

I know you have his best interests at heart just the same. Mr. Shore.

He's not talking.

Perhaps you'd like to. You've said nothing so far.

I think he did it.

Look, Counselor.

This is how it's going to go.

He's either going to talk to us here or we're going to take him into custody and

walk him right out that front door.

This is a small town.

This man's family has quite a legacy in this small town.

I don't think he wants to be seen handcuffed in connection to the murder

woman that he had a mysterious relationship with.

Do you?

My God, you're Kevin McCarley.

Alan Shore.

We went to middle school together.

How are you? Look at you. Wow.

You're still the same pain in the ass you were then.

Take him.

Alan. Just a second.

Let me tell him what I know.

Terrible idea. We don't know what he knows.

He is going to arrest me. Look at me.

First of all, try not to look so much like a suspect.

Can you put something other than panic on your face?

You are having an affair with the victim. You are witnessed at the scene.

Dodging arrest isn't the goal here.

It's about preventing a conviction.

Any statement to the police, if there's a reason for that little jingle, what

you say can and will be used against you.

What about Wendy? What about the kids?

I'll go talk to them. In the meantime, you talk to nobody.

I cannot believe this is happening to me. Look, if I have to arrest him right

here, I will.

Shouldn't you first do that other thing that police do? What's the word?

Investigate. Maybe I should bring you in on aiding and abetting.

Kevin, it's me, Alan. We played on the same soccer team. We've showered

together.

You had a very small penis then, has it?

Take him.

Say nothing.

Let's go.

Do we Mirandize here, Kev, or is that not done in Dedham?

They took him into custody. They didn't make an actual arrest.

Do they plan to? I don't know. It may just be about coursing a statement.

Where are you now?

I'll just try and see whatever I can.

All right.

You again?

What are you doing here?

I thought you were with my client.

We're giving him time to think about cooperating. I'm happy to advise him to

cooperate.

But I gotta have some idea what we're dealing with here. I'd like to view the

scene.

View the scene.

Why not?

Because we don't give tours to civilians. I'm not going to contaminate

scene. We haven't even positively ID'd him. You want my guy to cooperate?

I can ID her. As I told you, I knew Brenda Wilbur. I've been ID'd.

Listen, you want to talk to Paul Stewart, I want to let him talk to you.

Let me just get a glimpse of what we're dealing with here first. Help me help

you.

You don't want me saying in court you refuse to let me see the crime scene.

Was found like that?

Yes.

I knew this woman.

You okay?

Yeah.

Get him off! Get him off!

You fainted. Shh.

Please, don't make fun of me, Eugene.

I wasn't prepared for what I saw.

Right on the dead body? I'm asking you for advice, not ridicule.

Do I let the man speak or not?

Not if he's a suspect.

But assuming he's innocent. We never assume.

I've known him since childhood.

He's... Mr.

Childhood Grins, you can have a trust.

Alan.

Victoria. What's being done?

Victoria, this is Eugene Young. Hello.

What's being done?

At this point, there's... Is there a place for privacy?

Yes. Excuse us.

There's been no arrest yet.

They can place him at the scene several hours before.

I'm assuming they can establish... The affair.

Paul told me about it.

Really?

I would think his mother would be the last person that he'd want.

What else has he told you?

You were extorted by the victim?

Paul, if I'm going to help you, you need to share with me at least as much as

you tell your mother.

Brenda contacted a lawyer who... Tried to shake you down?

It was veiled.

I confronted her over it. She apologized, admitted it was a stupid

no longer an issue. No longer an issue?

It transpired a week before her head was pounded to mulch. It wasn't a coercive

quid pro quo.

But you perceived it as extortion. And she's currently dead.

Attorneys are divided over whether this next question should ever be posed to a

client.

But as a childhood friend who grew up with you, did you commit this crime?

For a childhood friend to ask me?

The answer is no, I did not.

Are you his lawyer?

Sorry? Paul Stewart. Are you his lawyer?

Mrs. Piper.

Alan Shore.

I grew up here in Dedham. Just three streets over from you. Well, you used to

trick -or -treat at my house. Yes.

Hello. Hello.

You once lit a paper bag on my porch.

It was full of dog crap.

I stomped it out and got stool on my fleece slippers.

It never came out.

You're a crazy old bitch then. I can see nobody's adjusted your medication.

Funny you should mention that. This new Medicare package is going to strap me.

I need money, Alan.

So much so I sometimes see it in my dreams.

In fact, I see it almost everywhere.

I especially saw it at 10 .30 last night when I saw Paul Stewart coming out of

Brenda's house.

I refer, of course, to dead Brenda.

The slut all you boys wanted to screw in high school.

Many of you went on to do it, I'm sure.

I have yet to go to the police.

Tell Victoria, if she pays me $1 .3 million, I won't put her precious little

baby in jail.

I told you I went back.

I understand.

But the police couldn't place you there at night, only during the afternoon.

This is much more damaging, Paul, to have you spotted leaving at 10 .30.

You're not suggesting that we pay her off, are you?

No.

But things aren't getting any better. We've got to prepare ourselves.

I'm sorry, this is a lawyer -client meeting.

Nothing personal.

I thought you'd like to know that we're officially charging your client with the

murder of Brenda Wilbur.

He'll be around tomorrow in Denham Superior Court.

There's nothing I can really say at this point other than you'll get

through this.

Did you know?

About?

Her.

No.

I haven't really kept in touch with Paul the last few years.

You and me both.

Melissa, Michael, when you were very young, I told you

a story about my first day of kindergarten.

You probably don't remember.

I was so scared to the point of tears.

Then this little boy I didn't even know came up to me and took a hold of my hand

and told me everything would be. I'm okay.

Your dad has held onto my hand through

much of our childhood.

He was then, as he remains today, the most compassionate, gentle

person I know.

He did not commit this crime.

He did not commit this crime.

Okay, we'll see you then.

He's still out in Dedham. He'll be here in the morning, and then he's going back

to Dedham for the arraignment.

This was really his best friend?

Evidently.

He doesn't seem the type.

Sorry?

Alan, to have a best friend.

Eugene, a lot of values may have passed him by, but friendship

and the loyalty that goes along with it, he lives by that.

Here you are.

May I ask why?

Just thought I'd get a look at the room, see if it's how I remember.

What are you doing here?

Will he be granted bail?

Well, he's a trusted lifelong member of the community, which is family half

-built. Strong roots, doctor, poses no threat to society.

That and a million dollars should get him bail.

I'm going to be candid.

There's a switch.

However accomplished you are as a civil attorney, your criminal experience...

Would I be wise to look for another lawyer, Alan? Please do not be

offended.

Victoria, you will micromanage whoever tries this case. Best to go with someone

who won't be thrown by your interference.

And if you don't like what I'm doing, you can always pull down my pants like

times and give me a spank.

As I remember, you liked that.

Did he do this?

You know Paul.

He could never be capable of bludgeoning the life out of a human being.

People change.

If he only knew what I've become.

When you were 16, you slept with your best friend's mother.

How have you changed, Alan?

Yeah, Vellner joined me.

Tara, too.

That should be enough for now.

As we get closer to trial, we may need to add more. I know I can't monopolize

the whole firm.

Can he pay for all this?

His mother can.

This is a check for 750 as retainer. I told her it'll likely go higher.

750 ,000?

We should obviously hire a private investigator immediately. Since you used

be a PI, Eugene, it would be great if you were able to oversee that end of it.

Jimmy, did you used to be anything?

When's the arraignment?

This afternoon.

Jamie, maybe you should head up the legal research.

We may be filing various motions in limine. The exclusionary rule could be

optional with these people.

I'm sure it's good.

We should get going. It's a schlep to debt them.

Can I make one observation?

Certainly.

You seem nervous.

Eleanor has criminal experience. Maybe she should first chair.

Shall we?

Commonwealth versus Paul Stewart.

Charging one count in violation of General Laws, Chapter 265, Subsection 1.

Murder in the first degree.

Quiet down.

Quiet down!

You people will have to calm yourselves this very instant.

Let me tell you members of the media, I don't have much use for the media.

I let the media in only so you can get your pictures and be done with it. Now I

can be done with you.

I won't have the media spew their toxic waste in my room.

Mr. Shore.

I understand you have waived a formal reading of the charges?

That's correct, Your Honor. I'd also like to enter my appearance along with

Eleanor Frutz at this time.

So noted.

Is there a question of bail?

Yes, Your Honor.

The Commonwealth opposes bail.

Dr. Stewart has no prior record, Your Honor. He's never even been charged with

crime. Well, he sure picked a butte to start out with, didn't he? He poses

neither a safety nor flight risk. He has extremely strong roots in the

community. How many times have you appeared before me, Mr. Shore?

Why? Does it get old?

Is that an insult?

Sounds like he may have insulted me. Read that back.

Why does it get old?

Objection to the reading, Judge.

It lacked nuance.

Read that back.

Objection to the reading, Judge. It lacked nuance.

Renew my objection, Judge.

The reporter is flat.

Tonally. He sounds like a smartass.

Is he an ass?

Your Honor, my client poses no danger. He's not going anywhere.

Two million.

Cash. We'll conference on Wednesday at 10 o 'clock to set our schedules.

We're adjourned.

We, of course, will have a formal memorial service soon to be scheduled,

considering the enormity of the tragedy, many of you wanted to convene today,

and I support that.

Brenda Wilbur was a beloved member of this community, a lifelong resident, and

it's at times like these that we as a community come together.

The first thing we need to discuss is venue. Is Dedham the best place for this

trial?

Why wouldn't it be?

Well, everybody here knows your son.

That's a good thing, Eleanor. His reputation is impeccable.

It can't be impeccable, Alan.

He had an affair.

They know him to be gentle, caring, and capable.

And the other potential problem is that everybody here seems to know you.

Meaning?

You're not the most upstanding citizen on the eastern seaboard. My life of

indiscretion started after I left Edom. The trial will be here.

Everyone who knows Paul knows that he couldn't have committed that kind of

violence.

That has to inure to his benefit with the jury pool.

Thirdly, people like to see the high and mighty fall.

It's human nature. If anything, Paul comes off as meek.

But you don't.

I don't mean to sound rude, but from my cursory check on the pulse of this town,

the dislike of you runs deep.

I'd hate for the jury to convict Paul to vicariously get back at... What's your

name again?

Eleanor. You're discharged, Eleanor.

That's not a good idea, Victoria.

I don't want her part of the defense team. Paul, this is your defense. I'm

paying for it.

I won't pay for her.

you're welcome to stay and observe pro bono, but the sound of your voice, that

would be a deal -breaker. Mom.

I know what the people of Dedham respond to, Paul.

That's how I built my fortune, and they will not respond to this.

Eleanor.

You're discharged.

May I speak to you in private?

No. You can either leave with her or stay without her.

I'll see you back at the office.

One of the best criminal defense attorneys in this state just walked out

door. The only reason I don't walk out with her is because of Paul.

That's nice.

Let's turn to the most pressing matter, Catherine Piper.

How are we arranging to pay her off? We aren't.

Mom, that will come back to... If she testifies that she saw you leave the

at 10 .30 in an agitated state... I cannot bribe this witness.

Alan, who do you think you're kidding?

Look, this woman... This is one of your most dear friends.

Victoria. I'm not letting my only child go to prison.

If you want to walk out now, do it.

But Catherine Piper will not be testifying as to what she saw the night

Wilbur was killed.

I can see you found great success in holding your own with her.

I don't want you committing any crimes on my behalf. I want to make that clear.

Yes, you just didn't want to make it clear in front of your mother.

She's still a force. What can I say?

How about no?

I don't mean to judge you.

Yes, you do.

Excuse me, sir. I'm looking for God and a men's room. Could you point me in the

right direction?

It's true.

You're really back.

Still in the sin business, I think.

As are you, I'm sure.

And it's good to see you.

Although not under these circumstances.

He's in terrible trouble, Tom.

Are you going to be able to help him?

I hope so.

I haven't kept in constant touch the last few years.

Am I missing anything?

Is it possible, Paul?

God, no.

Of course not.

You know, there are many people who probably had it in for that woman. Which

why I'm here.

Sorry?

You were her priest.

I'm assuming she practiced confession. Did she ever mention anything?

I can't talk about anything said in confession. She's dead.

The seal survived death.

I think you know that.

Paul's on trial for his life here.

If you know something that can help him... I can't break the

confessional seal.

Perhaps something you thought she said in confession.

Something she actually said here or just outside the confessional.

You'd be able to share that, wouldn't you, Tom?

This isn't about spiriting a rule, Alan.

I have an obligation to God.

If you know anything you can share, Tom, now's the time.

And I'm the person to share it with.

It's good to see you again.

You too.

Both Rule 13 and Rule 14.

Make sure you get a bill of particulars and ask them for any evidence in their

possession. that supports any affirmative defense, be it insanity,

alibi, anything, Jamie.

Right, make it as far -reaching as you can.

Yeah, uh, I'll get back to you.

Thank you.

Alan, I believe you've met Katherine Piper.

What is she doing here?

Why, I'm here to suck on one of Victoria's shriveled nipples, of course.

Is that why you're here, Alice?

Or is it just to drop some dog crap off at the door?

Victoria, I need to have a word with you now.

Would you excuse us, Catherine?

Of course, honey.

You cannot do this. I've already made the deal.

That woman is extremely... Extremely unstable.

She absolutely cannot be trusted. And if this ever gets out... If it gets out,

we simply say she's lying. Or like you say, she's unstable.

This is so dangerous.

What's dangerous would be her testimony.

Victoria, this could bury your son in the end. You know, I've made my life

trusting... This is Paul's life.

You seem to keep forgetting that.

You can stay.

Or you can go.

I thought I heard words.

Were you two having words? You will also be available to testify that you saw

Paul leave at 5 p .m. and that you saw neither him nor his car after that.

Victoria, that would be perjury.

The price goes up for perjury.

You will do it for this price, Catherine.

It must be awful to be at the mercy of one of the little people.

Imagine, Victoria, if I passed you on the street, you wouldn't so much as make

eye contact for fear of brushing with a commoner.

And now I'm in your dining room, drinking from your china.

And you have to look at me.

Look at me, Victoria.

This is what can happen to vicious, soulless people such as yourself.

Little people lay in wait to screw you over.

You walk around this town like you own it. And I suppose much of it you do.

Well, I guess you don't own its people, do you?

Don't be silly, Catherine.

I'm buying you right now.

And that'll be your legacy, won't it?

Catherine Piper for sale.

Mr. Shore, Mr. Shore, could you give us a brief statement or two about what's

going on? He never pitches past seven. It was insane to let him return for the

eighth, and everybody knew it. And it is equally insane for any of us to ever,

ever get sucked in again.

Maybe I should stay at my mother's for a while. I'm sure she'd love it.

Did you know she's paying off Catherine Piper?

If she insists on interfering, you're the only one with the authority to

her. If I say do that, Paul, you must.

Wendy's leaving.

I beg your pardon?

She's leaving me.

She's planning to... Where is she?

The kitchen.

I tried to talk to her.

You need to wait until after the trial is over.

Why? Because it might and probably will negatively influence the jury. You need

to be by his side, at his side. I can't do that. If not for your husband, then

for your children's father.

I'm not speaking as a marriage counselor when the dish is dry.

Believe it or not, wives don't statistically leave their husbands over

infidelity. With the remotest possibility that you walking out could

perceived as you thinking he's guilty of murder, and there is that possibility,

you cannot walk out that door now.

Maybe I do think he's guilty of murder.

You haven't asked my opinion on that, Alan.

Let me ask.

Do you think I'm guilty, Wendy?

I don't know.

What? I'm supposed to assume that I know you, that... You know I'm not capable

of violence.

I didn't think that you were capable.

I'll tell you what I'm not capable of.

Walking into a courthouse day after day by your side, pretending.

If you don't pretend, he could be going to prison for life.

crime he didn't commit.

No matter how angry you are with him right now,

you can't possibly want that.

Will she stay?

For now.

Hopefully her anger will subside and we'll work it out.

Victoria, I know how desperately you want to save your son, but you must, you

must let me handle the defense.

You're going to end up hurting him. I promise you.

Just tell me you'll win.

I can't do that at this point.

It's too soon to predict anything yet.

The case thus far is circumstantial.

I work for perhaps the best criminal defense firm in the Commonwealth.

We have every reason to be optimistic.

Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

Catherine Piper is a petty, vicious woman.

And I'm sorry.

People like Catherine Piper can only shoot spitballs.

Spitballs sting.

You know, Alan...

I've always believed that people regret more the things they don't do than the

ones they do.

But one thing I did, which I've long regretted,

was sleeping with you.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I wasn't a virgin, and it makes you feel better.

Oh. It was quite clear at the time that you weren't a virgin.

It isn't that.

Or even that you were young.

Or even that you were Paul's best friend.

What is it then?

I suspected that you'd fallen in love with me.

Did I hurt you?

Victoria, I was 16.

Can a boy even be capable of love?

What I remember most was your kiss.

16 -year -olds tend to kiss like they're eating chicken fingers.

How many teenagers have you been with?

Yours were so...

loving, I guess.

Next, on The Practice.

I'm not giving back any of the money. I don't want to hear anything about money

or any transaction, Catherine.

Catherine Piper, that wacky prosecution witness that was here this morning, I

think she's being paid to modify her testimony.

If you leave now, you'll be indicting him with the jury pool. I don't care.

is going on? What's suddenly changed in the last few hours? What's changed,

Paul, is you loved her.

And I can't even pretend to be on your side. I have been nothing but an

accessory in your life. Who's looking for an accessory now?

I've been subpoenaed by the prosecution.

Why?

He came here the night of the murder.

Paul?

Thanks for watching Sunday's Best on ABC.

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