Original subtitles

[Roberts] I swear I will bear true faith and allegiance

to the constitution of the United States

and that I take this obligation freely

without mental reservation or purpose of evasion

and that I will well and faithfully discharge

the duties of this office on which I am about to enter.

-So help me God. -So help me God.

Congratulations, Lieutenant.

-Thank you, sir. -Stand easy.

Now that you're a full lieutenant, Mr. Roberts

-how does it feel? -Pretty darn good, sir.

I trust that your new office is satisfactory?

Yes, sir.

Petty Officer Tiner and I removed

file cabinets and boxes yesterday.

Good, good

and, uh, take at least 15 minutes off

and get back to work.

Yes, sir.

Thank you, sir, Major,

for all your help and support.

Don't thank us, Bud.

You did all the work.

When's the wet down?

Oh, right. Uh, attention everybody.

Harriet and I are gonna be throwing a little party

at McMurphy's on Friday to celebrate our promotions.

Nothing fancy-- beer and pretzels.

See you there.

Well, congratulations, Sir.

[giggles]

My son a lieutenant.

Damn.

Hello, Harriet. How's my grandson?

Oh... Fine.

What are you doing here? In uniform?

I'm here on official business.

The, uh, navy wants to court-martial me, Buddy.

I need your help.

[opening music playing]

[Big Bud] There's this guy, Glen Dobie, a loser.

He owns an electronics store over on Hampton boulevard

near the Norfolk navy base.

Anyway, one day, Dobie's caught selling stolen goods

out of his store, so what does he do?

He buys himself immunity from prosecution.

His quid pro quobeing...?

Now, we get to the crux.

He tells the prosecutor that he's got a bigger fish

than himself the government may be interested in.

-You. -Me.

What's he accusing you of?

He says while I was storekeeper on the base

I involved him in a scheme to sell navy-owned TVs

-and VCRs on the black market. -Well, did you?

Buddy, this guy is a scumbucket.

He'd do anything to save his own sorry butt

including putting an innocent man behind bars.

Well, somebody believed him.

Who's the convening authority?

Captain Gary Lutz.

He's the supply systems commander at Norfolk.

Hey, I didn't think they could touch me once I retired.

They can if the secretary of the navy authorizes it.

This is your office?

I got underwear bigger than this place.

What are they charging you with?

Wrongful disposition of, uh, military property

and larceny.

-Do they have any evidence? -Yeah.

The word of Glen Dobie, a known criminal.

What about records?

Well, all the paperwork was sent

to the archives four years ago

and someone must have misfiled them

because they're all gone now.

Allthe records disappeared?

Maintenance reports, purchase orders

receiving vouchers, inventory lists?

All gone.

[Roberts] He wants me to defend him.

What did you tell him?

I told him I'd think about it, ma'am.

Of course, I'm not going to do it

even if I could.

Well, I think that's wise.

The weird thing is though, sir.

It's the first time my father's come to me

for any kind of help.

He's probably guilty.

I wouldn't put it past him

to run a scam on the u.s. Navy.

I'm sure he'll get a competent defense lawyer.

I realize, as a lawyer

I'm going to have to defend a guilty client

even ones that I loathe and despise.

But the question is, do I want to start off with such a shady case

right out of the gate, sir?

Probably not.

But then, on the other hand

I won't always get a chance to choose my cases.

No.

I know what you're going to say, commander.

I'm a lawyer.

I'm not a judge and jury.

My job is to uphold the legal system

not to judge those who want my services.

You're right.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you, ma'am.

I think we handled that rather well, don't you?

Yeah.

[Roberts] But if I don't defend himand he's convicted, what do I tell our son

when he asks, "Why is grandpa in jail?"

You'll tell him the truth.

You'll tell him he did a bad thing.

"Why didn't you help grandpa?

You're a lawyer."

And if I lose, it's even worse.

Well, grandpa's in the pokey

because your dad blew it.

You're going to defend him, aren't you?

Commander Parker?

Hi!

Come here.

Hi.

Dar-lin, this is Lieutenant Roberts

and Lieutenant, J.G., Sims.

Hi.

It's nice to meet you, Dar-lin.

I've heard nice things about you.

Uh-huh.

Child protective services needed a psychiatrist for Dar-lin

and since the investigation was under

naval jurisdiction, I volunteered.

I think we should get going.

Nice to see you, commander.

You, too.

Good to see you.

Come on.

[Rabb] I'm going to show you some photos.

I want you to tell me if you recognize anybody, okay?

[gasps]

You know who that is?

Charlie.

He's the one who hurt me

and my sister.

How come you have his picture?

We found his picture behind a dresser

in your grandmother's house.

Dar-lin, you sure you don't remember

the rest of his name?

Okay.

Um, I need to speak to Jordan

but we won't be far, okay?

We found seven different sets of fingerprints

throughout her grandmother's house.

We're running them through the NCI's computer

to see if they come up with a match.

How long will that take?

It'll take two or three days.

Is she going to be okay?

It's too soon to tell, harm.

Right now, she lacks the social skills

you'd expect in a child her age--

she wets the bed, she hoards food.

Hell, she's a mess.

I want to continue her therapy.

I'll do everything I can for her.

I know you will.

I'd like to see her put up for adoption

as soon as possible.

I have some ideas on that.

Okay.

[Chegwidden] Defending someone close to youis never a good idea, lieutenant.

I agree, sir, but I feel...

You don't get along.

How are you to defend him properly?

Well, if you gave me this case, sir

I would defend him properly and zealously

as I would any client.

[closes book]

Why do you want this so badly?

I figure if I can handle this, sir, I can handle anything.

He's my father, sir.

Tiner, send in Master Chief Roberts.

Master chief Roberts, reporting as ordered, sir.

At ease, master chief.

You requested Lieutenant Roberts

as your defense counsel. Why?

It's a personal issue between my son and me, sir.

It's also a jag issue.

I'd like to hear your reasons.

Sir, um, as you know

I don't have the best of relationships with my sons

and I take full responsibility for that.

I come from the old school.

You turn a boy into a man by kicking him around a little

toughening him up.

Well, maybe I was too tough

but I'm proud of Bud

of what he's become

and I want him to defend me, because, uh...

Well... I believe in him.

All right, lieutenant, you have the case.

God help you both.

Dismissed.

Aye, aye, sir.

Aye, aye, sir. Thank you, sir.

Master chief, a moment.

Don't you hurt that boy.

No, sir.

Because if you do, you will answer to me and master chief.

You don't want that.

Understood, sir.

Will there be anything else, sir?

Dismissed.

Aye, aye, sir.

[Roberts] April 13, 1999.

United states v. Master Chief Bud Roberts.

Present at this meeting are Lieutenant Bud Roberts, Glen Dobie

and Margaret Birnbaum, counsel for Mr. Dobie.

So you're Big Bud's kid?

That's ironic, huh?

You defending him like this.

Mister Dobie, you claim

Master Chief Roberts and yourself

illegally obtained and sold electronic equipment

belonging to the u.s. Navy.

Correct?

That's right. He set it up and I went along with him.

[Roberts] Can you describe in detail

exactly what the scheme entailed?

Okay, here's how it went down,

Big Bud was storekeeper on the base.

He bought all the TVs and VCRs and kept track of them

so what he did was this--

he went around the offices inspecting the VCRs

and said they were bad, which they weren't.

Then he confiscated them, gave them to me

and ordered new ones.

When new ones came in, I peeled off the serial numbers

and traded them with the numbers on the old equipment.

Bud then took the old VCRs with the new numbers

and put them back in service as new.

Meanwhile, I took the new VCRs with the old numbers

and sold them as new under the table, at a discount.

-Me and him split the profits. -Do you have any proof

of Master Chief Roberts' participation in this activity?

Hey, proving's not my problem. That's up to the navy.

I just give you name, rank and serial number. [laughing]

Serial number-- That's a good one, huh?

Is there anything else you need from my client, lieutenant?

Yes. I'd like to know why anyone should believe your client.

At worst, he's a lying thief.

At best, he's a rat who betrayed his partner.

We're done here.

You should believe me, because I'm telling the truth.

I'm sorry I had to roll on your old man

-but a guy's got to do what a guy's got to do. -That's enough, Mr. Dobie.

[Dobie] You should believe me, because I'm telling the truth.

Never mind.

Well, look who's here. How you doing, Glen?

Take it easy, Big Bud. Come on. Nothing personal.

-No, nothing personal. -You do the crime, you do the time.

-Come on. Take it like a man. -Yeah, like a man.

Take this like a man, you son of a...!

Stop it. Help! Somebody help.

Somebody help!

That's assault and battery!

You're all witnesses!

[Big Bud] You're a dead man!

Get your client out of here.

File charges later.

You're dangerous!

They should lock you up.

I'll show you dangerous, pal!

Stop it, master chief.

You're a dead man!

You hear me?

Come on, master chief!

I suggest you get your client under control.

Yes, ma'am.

Hey!

-What is wrong with you? -I'm sorry.

You think you can settle everything by hitting? I'm sorry.

Just forget about it. Find yourself another lawyer.

I said I'm sorry. It won't happen again.

He told me about the scam

and I'm not sure I don't believe him.

He's lying, Buddy.

-You're lying. -The only time I had dealings with this guy

is when I was buying equipment from him.

I thought they were new VCRs.

He scammed me.

Now he's trying to use me as a scapegoat.

Buddy, you got to believe me.

Please.

All right.

You believe me?

I'll defend you.

But do you believe me?

I'll defend you.

That's not good enough.

I don't care what you think as my attorney.

You're my son.

You bullied me and Mikey; you walked out on my wedding

you don't even call about your grandchild

and now you call me your son?

I'm your lawyer.

Settle for that.

And another thing--

while you're wearing this uniform

you will address me as "sir"

not Buddy, bud or son.

Do I make myself clear, master chief?

Very clear, sir.

[Rabb] Lieutenant?

I've been looking everywhere for you.

Hello, commander.

Master chief.

I just spoke to the admiral.

We'll be working this case together.

With all due respect, sir, I don't need any help.

Well, I'm not here to help, lieutenant.

I'm here to prosecute.

[Rabb] Imes and Mattoni have full case loads Brumby's still at Miramar

Mac's up to her eyeballs in the McClellan court-martial.

That left me.

I knew it had to happen at some point--

you know, us going up against each other.

I just did didn't think that it would be thiscase.

I think you should know, Bud

when I prosecute, it's no holds barred.

You're trying to psych me, sir.

I know how you operate.

Just trying to get you ready, Bud.

You're playing in the big leagues now.

Well, thank you, sir.

I appreciate the admonition.

As you were, master chief.

This shouldn't take long.

I only have a few questions.

Yes, sir.

Excuse me, sir--

I've instructed my client to remain silent.

Any questions you have

kindly address to me.

Hanging onto the reins a little tightly there

aren't you, lieutenant?

Well, it is my case, sir.

Very well.

Your client is accused

of violating articles 108 and 121...

To which we intend to plead "Not guilty."

Take it easy, lieutenant.

You're not in court yet.

I appreciate that.

I just want to make sure there are no misunderstandings.

Well, I'm sure we all want to dispose

of this case as quickly as possible, hmm?

If you'd like

to discuss a plea bargain

I think something can be worked out.

Sir, your entire case is based on the claim

of a confessed criminal.

Without corroboration

his testimony is worthless.

Well...

There'll be corroboration, lieutenant.

Schemes as complex as this always leave a trail.

Somebody always talks.

I understand you

want to make an impression first time out.

I think you should consider your client's freedom, though.

He is looking at ten years confinement.

I'll take your offer under advisement, sir.

Well, it's on the table until 2359 this evening.

After that

it goes to an article 32.

Gentlemen...

He's sharp.

He's the best.

You're afraid of him.

No, I'm not.

Okay, maybe just a little.

It's just that I've seen him in action...

It's like Michael Jordan in the courtroom.

Just when you least expect it

he sails on by and takes it to the hoop.

-Bud... -He's like a force of nature.

Bud... Bud!

I mean, lieutenant...

If there's one thing I've learned in 30 years in the navy

it's there's always someone around who's bigger or smarter

or stronger or better connected.

What you've got to do is use their strength against them.

How?

You've already said this yourself.

Rabb is the best around.

He knows that.

That's his weakness.

Now, he'll try to intimidate you

to psych you.

Let him believe he's succeeding

because then, he'll underestimate you, and then

pow!

You nail him.

Pow?

It's like I told the admiral--

I believe in you.

Mikey!

Sir, seaman apprentice mike Roberts reporting, sir!

Hey, you just getting in?

Uh, sir, yes, sir.

About ten minutes ago, sir.

Stand easy.

Thank you, sir.

How was boot camp?

Uh, sir, not bad, sir.

I was trying to call dad.

Uh, do you know where he is, uh, sir?

Yeah. As a matter of fact, I do.

Come on.

[Mackenzie] Well, I see you found him.

Uh, yes, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am.

Good luck on that case.

Thanks.

Yeah. If you need any help

you know, bounce ideas off or anything

you just holler.

Thank you, ma'am. I think I got it.

What case, sir?

I'll tell you about it

in my office.

Uh, sir, good afternoon, sir!

Mikey...

Lieutenant.

Sir.

As you were.

How's he doing?

Well, I think he's going to put up a good fight.

I don't doubt that.

[Sims] Excuse me, sir.

I have information from N.C.I.S.

They found a match for those prints.

His name's Charlie Lynch.

He was a petty officer first class

and he received an other than honorable discharge

six months ago.

Can you give me a service record

and last known duty station?

Right here, sir.

Commander, is that little girl going to be okay?

I think so.

She'll, uh... She'll stay in a safe house

until we can place her with a family.

I couldn't even look at her

knowing what happened to her sister.

Sir, I never apologized to you for overreacting to those photos.

I know how much this means to you

to find this little girl's killer

and I should never have said the things I said to you.

It was entirely my fault, lieutenant.

I gave you the wrong folder.

You should never

have seen those pictures.

Nevertheless, I'm very sorry I hit you.

I understand you tried to resign over the matter.

The admiral tore up my resignation.

That's a good thing.

If everybody resigned who wanted to hit me

we'd lose half the navy.

[Roberts] Hey, look who I've found.

Dad... why are you in uniform?

Never mind me.

What are you doing here?

Don't tell me you washed out.

Uh, no, master chief.

Boot camp's over.

I got a week before I report

to O.S. apprenticeship school, sir!

What happened to the combat art program, Mikey?

Turns out I really like operations, sir...

Especially, uh, radar.

Pretty good at it.

I went to a lot of trouble to get you

into that program.

I know, sir, and I appreciate it very much

but I want to work on a ship now.

I can always do my art.

Now you sound like a Roberts.

Who would be defending you now if I was on a ship?

"Defending you"?

For what?

It's a long story.

Hey... How about we tell him over a steak dinner?

My treat.

Harriet and I have lamaze.

I'll go.

All right, then.

See you in the morning, Buddy.

Uh, lieutenant.

It's going to be all right.

[Dobie] N ow, if you're not 110 percent satisfied you bring it back, okay?

Mr. Dobie?

Lieutenant Commander Rabb.

Jag corps.

Shall i, uh, call my lawyer?

You can, but we're on the same side.

Yeah. That'll be the day.

I'm prosecuting Master Chief Bud Roberts.

I've read your statement.

I'd like your side of the story firsthand.

Well, it was like I said to them--

uh, Big Bud ran it and I went along.

You have no evidence to corroborate this. Correct?

Well, I didn't exactly keep books, no.

Did anybody ever

see you two doing business?

Nope.

No... Where did you buy

these new VCRs from, Mr. Dobie?

Some guy. It was a cash transaction.

[Rabb] How did you get the U.S. attorney

to grant you immunity anyway, Mr. Dobie?

Well, it didn't take a lot of convincing

once we offered him a navy master chief.

My lawyer argued that the government wouldn't have

any problem making a case--

not with all the physical evidence that was around

on the navy's side.

Are you saying that you don't have anything on him yet?

-You're my first stop. Well, you better -get cracking, Commander.

Otherwise, he's going to go slip-sliding away.

Hey, Mikey, what are you doing up so late?

Uh, sir, studying, sir!

You know you don't have to stand at attention

and call me "sir" in my own living room.

Respect for the uniform, sir!

Yeah, well, either call me "Bud" or I'll have to kick you out.

-Yes... -Relax.

How's the case coming?

Uh... I keep wondering when his real lawyer's going to show up.

Well, sir, I...

Bud...

Is dad guilty?

At first I thought so but now... I don't know.

Then why did you take the case?

I mean, you hate him. Not that I blame you...

No, no, no. I don't hate him.

It's just that I thought that if I walk away from him now

I'd lose my father forever...

And I don't think I'm ready to do that.

-Only now... -Only what?

I'm not sure I can keep him out of the brig.

Are you thinking of quitting?

-I don't know. -Dad's depending on you.

He needs you, Bud.

-[knocking] -Major...

Morning, Bud. What's up?

I'm thinking about dropping the case.

Why?

I should have never represented my father.

The admiral was right.

It's a bad idea.

Did you discuss this with your father?

Big Bud's looking out for himself as usual.

Mikey's worried about him

so he can't be objective.

Harriet says that she'll support me

with whatever decision I make.

I can't talk to Commander Rabb

and the admiral's the one who warned me about it.

You're the only person that I can talk to, major.

If I drop this case, will you take it?

I don't think that's a solution, lieutenant.

What do I do?

You want my candid opinion?

-Yes, ma'am. -You fight.

Using whatever legal means necessary, you fight

and you win.

Rabb is not invincible.

I can't beat him alone, ma'am.

Well, maybe you won't have to.

[Mackenzie] The "Excited Utterance" argument

was used to good advantage in United States v. Haskell.

But in United States v. Sullivan

the defense successfully argued

that the key witness testimony was totem pole hearsay.

All I'm saying is, if harm finds

a scintilla of evidence to support his witness

your father's going to trial.

So my best...

-Good morning, sir. -Morning.

Hi.

-So my best bet would be a motion to suppress. -Based on...?

Evidence not disclosed prior to the arraignment.

Okay. Yeah.

How do you feel?

Slightly ill.

That's a good sign.

-Mm. -Yeah.

All I'm saying is...

Agent Holland, I realize that it's not my case

but you've identified Annie's killer...

Yes, ma'am, I know how it works.

What are you doing to get him off the streets

before he kills another little girl?

Well, that's not good enough.

Keep me informed, please.

[sighs]

Commander Rabb good of you to join us.

I apologize for being late, sir.

I was unavoidably detained.

By something more important than this hearing?

A murder investigation, commander.

Are you ready to begin?

I'm ready.

Defense?

Ready, sir.

If it please the court...

This isn't a court, lieutenant.

It's an article 32 investigation.

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.

I'd like to move that these charges be dismissed.

On what grounds?

The government's case

is based solely on the testimony of a confessed felon.

There's no corroborating documentation nor eyewitness.

In the interest of saving the navy time and money

I move that these charges

be dismissed forthwith.

While i, uh, applaud the lieutenant's concern

for the navy's fiscal situation, the move is premature.

We 're here to decide if there's sufficient evidence

for general court-martial.

I submit that the very lack of documentation

where documentation should exist

is circumstantial evidence in itself.

I'm sorry, did I hear counsel right?

Is the commander implying

that the lack of evidence is evidence?

[Rabb] If the henhouse is empty, I say look for a fox.

Motion denied.

This hearing will continue.

Commander Rabb

two suggestions, be on time and lose the chicken analogies.

Understood, commander.

That's it-- get him overconfident.

No problem.

[man] I opened up the VCRs and checked them out, sir.

What'd you find, Petty Officer Malaty?

Well, the components inside--

the circuit boards and the I.C. chips--

they have numbers stamped on them.

And what do they tell you?

Among other things

when the components were manufactured.

That circuit board, for example, is early 1991.

And when you compare those numbers

to the serial number on the outside?

The serial number's dated 1995.

There's no way that could be right, sir.

Indicating...?

Someone's tampered with the serial numbers.

So how many units did you find in this condition?

27 VCRs, to be exact, sir.

Thank you, petty officer.

Yes, sir.

Petty Officer Malaty, can you tell us

Petty Officer Malaty, who tampered with the serial numbers?

No, sir, I cannot.

Thank you. No more questions.

Petty officer, as base storekeeper,

did Master Chief Roberts have access to all equipment on the base?

Yes, sir, he did.

Petty Officer Malaty, did others

have access to the VCRs as well?

Yes, sir.

No further questions.

The government would like to call Mr. Glen Dobie as its next witness, sir.

[Mackenzie] Bud's doing well.

[Harriet] Well, I want to thank you very much for helping him, major.

Well, I just pointed him in the right direction.

He's doing all the work.

You know, I can get you into the hearing room.

No. No. Not until he asks me.

It'll just make him nervous

and he doesn't need any more handicaps.

Harriet, Bud's a good lawyer.

I know. It's just that he's such a nice guy.

Mr. Dobie, in 1991, you pleaded guilty

to cashing stolen social security checks

-Did you not? -I did. I...

I spent 13 months in Petersburg.

So you're a convicted felon.

And three months ago, you were caught

trying to cheat sailors out of their pay

by passing off used and stolen merchandise as new.

-Did they not? -They did.

And they offered you a deal.

Bud doesn't have an aggressive bone in his whole body.

He's not like you and Commander Rabb-- you're tough.

Can I tell you a secret?

Mm-hmm.

My palms still sweat

when I step into a courtroom.

It's true. You don't have to be mean

to be a good lawyer, Harriet.

Sometimes empathy and sensitivity sway juries

far more than brute force.

You're a parasite, Mr. Dobie!

A bloodsucking

bottom-feeding scavenger!

Why should anyone believe you?

Objection.

Commander... The defense is badgering the witness.

Besides, I have a feeling that Bud's

a lot tougher than you think.

I hope you're right, major.

Are you going to finish that salad, ma'am?

[Rabb] Very nice job in there, lieutenant.

You were certainly zealous.

Well, thank you, sir.

I was trying to discredit the witness.

Yeah, I got that.

Listen, I would like to put an end to this today.

I'll drop the larceny charge

in exchange for one year confinement.

Commander, if you had a case

I don't think you'd be making this offer.

No deal, sir.

All right. I'll see you at the party.

Is this when he pulls a Rabbit out of his hat?

Is there something you're not telling me?

Is he going to be able to pull up a piece of evidence?

A witness? Anything?

Nothing I can think of.

I swear.

Uh... What party?

[Rabb] Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to propose a toast

to an excellent human being and a fine lawyer...

Lieutenant...

Roberts.

-Bud Roberts. -Hear, hear.

-[applause and hooting] -Cheers.

[Chegwidden] So, Rabb, I hear you damn near got gutted in that hearing today.

Admiral, I would rather make a night trap in 30-foot swells

than face this man in a courtroom again.

That's very kind, sir.

Patronizing, but kind.

I wasn't being patronizing.

I was telling the truth.

Uh, I'm sorry, sir, I misunderstood. I...

Gotcha.

[chuckles]

Can I borrow you for one second?

-Sure. -Excuse me.

Looks like I've got another lawyer on my staff.

Yes, sir. He's a little green

but he's come along real well, admiral.

I wouldn't underestimate him.

Remember who his teachers were.

[chuckling] Yeah, she did.

So Jordan, what's he like?

-Harm? -Mmm...

He's a nice guy.

Intelligent, he's funny... And a good Cook.

[laughing] No, I mean, uh...

What's he like?

You know.

Oh...

[Jordan clears throat]

Well... what would you say?

Me? D-don't ask me.

We never...

Oh, come on, don't give us that.

-No, it's the truth. -All that time you've been together...

Japan, Russia, the desert...

Nothing happened.

Jordan, you believe me, don't you?

Oh, of course.

Dear.

You two are bad.

[laughter]

So what ishe like?

[women laughing]

[clears throat]

I'll get you one. One second. Oh, I'm sorry.

-[chuckles] Don't worry about it. -Sorry.

Soda water, please.

Nice party.

Thank you, sir.

You don't have to call me sir, Harriet.

Call me harm.

We're out of uniform.

All right.

This is so silly.

I feel like I'm fraternizing with the enemy here.

Well... in a way, you are.

No. You could never be Bud's enemy.

Bud's a lucky man.

Thank you... Harm.

You know, I envy you. You've got this hot, new romance.

Yeah. Sometimes I think it'll last forever.

And sometimes, I think it'll last until...

Until what?

Until you decide you want him.

Jordan... Um... There isn't...

I mean, okay, first of all I've had enough of men for a while.

I mean, for the foreseeable future, I'm a nun.

'Kay?

And second... [sighs]

It's not like that between me and harm.

We're like... I'm not going to say brother and sister...

Thank you.

I'm not a threat to you, Jordan.

Believe me.

[Big Bud] This is depressing.

You call this a party?

[chuckles gruffly] Who needs a drink?

Excuse me.

You're not going to do this, dad.

Do what? Hey, can't a man...

Celebrate his son's and his daughter-in- law's promotions?

Let me have a round, please, on me. Hi.

Can I buy you a drink?

-Dad, stop it. -Hey...

Hey, dad, let's go get some coffee, okay?

It's okay, Bud. He didn't mean any harm.

[Big Bud] Speaking of harm, how you doing, Perry Mason?

You looking for that conviction, huh?

-Another notch on your gun. -Dad...

Even if it means sending an innocent man away.

What innocent man would that be, master chief?

With me, master chief.

Admiral... Wh-where we going?

Home. Say good night.

[Big Bud] I was just talking to the man.

Hey, can I stay here tonight?

I don't feel like leaving.

Yeah.

Sure, sure.

Can I buy you a soda, sailor?

Oh, that'd be great.

But I'd rather have a beer and a lap dance.

Quite a show, Bud.

It's not a show, sir.

I wish it were.

[sighs]

You're a good man, Bud.

And you're an honest man.

I'm sorry, but I think your father's guilty.

Well, that remains to be proven, doesn't it, sir?

[indistinct chatter over P.A.]

[man] A s you can see, this isn't a good time for a visit, commander.

We're right in the middle of a training exercise.

Well, I'll try to make my stay as brief as possible

and stay out of your hair, X.O.

Chief, this is Lieutenant Commander Rabb.

-He wants to ask you a few questions. -About what, sir?

-Check with me when you're done. -Will do, X.O.

Is this one of those $1,000 pairs of pliers?

I don't buy them, sir. I just stack them and track them.

What can I do for you, sir?

You were stationed at Norfolk naval base four years ago?

'93 to '96-- yes, sir.

I was there.

Leading chief was a Master Chief Bud Roberts?

I worked for Master Chief Roberts, yes, sir.

The chief is facing a court-martial

for misappropriation of government property

specifically, VCRs and other electronic equipment.

It happened around the time you were serving with him.

Master Chief Roberts was a good boss.

I understand your reluctance to inform.

I never saw him do anything wrong exactly.

Well, what did you see that might have been suspicious?

One day a civilian came by.

He said he was there for a pickup.

I called the master chief and when he saw this guy he got real agitated.

He hustled him out of there real fast.

-You overhear their conversation? -No, sir.

What'd this civilian look like?

It was four years ago, sir.

He was white, around 30.

I looked out the window and I saw him get into a van.

It was marked "Dopey electronics"

or something like that.

[Dobie] M y deal was I give up Big Bud, I get immunity.

The deal was you assist the government

in its prosecution, Mr. Dobie.

I never said I'd give up anybody else.

Well, clearly, sir

you are an honorable man.

Now, your driver could be a corroborating witness.

I need to speak with him.

That's not my problem.

Well, I could make it your problem.

I'll make this store off-limits

to all base personnel.

How about that?

Jerry Kemp... That's all I know. I paid him under the table.

Where is he now?

I have no idea and that's the god's honest truth.

You know who might know is Big Bud.

I mean, he brought Jerry to me.

They met in a bar or someplace.

[Roberts] You want me to locate a witness

who might incriminate my client?

He'll only incriminate him if he's guilty.

If he's innocent, it will exonerate him.

Besides being stupid, that would be unethical, sir.

What is unethical about the truth?

You want your father to walk because of insufficient evidence

or you want to clear his name?

You're manipulating me, sir.

Bud, I'm trying to give you some perspective.

You know, at the beginning

you said it would be "No holds barred"

and I guess this is what you meant.

I'll think about it, sir.

[Mackenzie] If he doesn't produce the witness--

which he shouldn't--

then he admits his father's guilty

and if he does produce the witness

and his father's convicted, Bud's responsible.

He's a big boy.

He can handle it.

But can he handle getting hurt by a friend?

[Big Bud] Dobie told Rabb about Jerry Kemp?

That's right.

I asked you if there would be any surprise witnesses

and you said, "no."

This is exactly what I was worried about.

And you say Rabb doesn't know where Kemp is?

No. Do you?

Well, yeah, maybe, but I...

Where is he?

Rabb's playing you, you know.

Where is Kemp?

[Rabb] Do you swear the evidence you give will be the truth

the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

I do.

State your name and occupation.

Jerry Kemp.

Currently between positions.

[Rabb] Where were you employed in the spring of 1995, Mr. Kemp?

1995... '90...

Not sure.

Didn't you work for Glen Dobie at Dobie Electronics?

Yeah, yeah, that sounds about right.

Have you ever seen

the defendant before?

I don't know.

Commander, Mr. Kemp is non-responsive.

I would like him declared a hostile witness.

[commander] Any objections?

No, sir.

Go ahead, commander.

[Rabb] I will remind you, Mr. Kemp, you are under oath.

Did you ever see the defendant, Master Chief Roberts

come into Dobie Electronics?

Yeah... Yeah.

Yeah, I guess so.

What did he and Mr. Dobie talk about?

Objection. Hearsay.

Overruled. Witness will answer the question.

What was the question?

What did they talk about?

Oh, uh... Right. I...

I don't remember.

[commander] You will answer the question, Mr. Kemp.

[Rabb] I'll re-phrase.

Didn't they talk about stealing electronic equipment from the u.s. Navy, Mr. Kemp?

Yes.

[Rabb] Now, you picked up the VCRs from Norfolk naval base, correct?

[Kemp] Yes.

You took the VCRs

to Dobie's electronics

where Mr. Dobie changed the serial numbers.

Yes.

You then returned the VCRs to Master Chief Roberts.

[Kemp] Yes.

He knew about the change of numbers.

Yes.

Thank you, Mr. Kemp.

No further questions.

Mr. Kemp, what do you do for a living?

Um...

Something to do with the military?

Actually, you're the chief of naval operations.

Yeah? Cool.

And I'm your father.

Seriously?

[commander] Mr. Roberts...

[Roberts] Sir, I can tell this man anything and he won't remember it.

He suffers from korsakoff's syndrome.

He remembers his name and the distant past

but recent events fade from his memory in minutes.

Why did you answer "yes"

to all of Commander Rabb's questions?

Well, he looks honest.

I figure he must know.

[Roberts] The condition started about two years ago.

Defense requests that Mr. Kemp's medical records

be entered into evidence.

If you knew this, why didn't you say something earlier, Lieutenant?

He wasn't my witness, sir.

You may step down, Mr. Kemp.

Sir?

Any other witnesses or evidence, Commander Rabb?

Not at this time, commander.

Very well.

Will the defendant please rise?

I find insufficient evidence

to support conviction.

I will recommend that the convening authority

dismiss these charges.

[gavel pounding]

...good job.

Good job.

My compliments, Lieutenant, on a brilliant diversionary tactic.

Thank you, sir.

I know. He had a good teacher.

-Commander! -Master chief.

-Have you seen my son? -He's in with the admiral.

Hey, some upset, huh?

David and Goliath all over again.

You put up a good fight.

Didn't expect to win, did you?

Sir?

That's why you picked your son as your defense counsel.

To hedge your bets.

What are you talking about?

You figured if you win, you win.

If you lose, you appeal.

What were you going to claim?

Inadequate counsel?

He was too close, too emotionally involved?

You were willing to damage your son's career

to get yourself off the hook, weren't you?

You going to tell him?

No. Neither are you.

[closing music playing]