Original subtitles

Rick D's in the mornin' in FM.

Hi, I'm the time fairy.

Twelve minutes past seven. Seven, twelve.

Is that that there?

Get off of that.

Perfect, perfect, perfect.

Pop!

Traffic update. Commander Chuck Street in yellow thunder. Good morning,

Commander. I'll tell you, Rick, it's really a mess down there on the north

south on Harbor Freeway.

This is the Westbound Santa Monica, also the Inbound Hollywood.

It's your basic gridlock, very typical for post -holiday traffic.

And Rachel, what do you know about the labor day weekend?

Well, you know, Rick, you know how much I hate to drive.

So I spent all weekend, all three days, lined by my pool, catching some rays.

Get the news.

Hello,

Rick, let me get it. Yeah, Rick, he's here.

Hello, Rick? Yes. This is Jennifer, the Boston secretary.

Yes, gentlemen. How are you? I'm fine, thank you. Well, I just wanted to tell

you something.

Okay. Let's get off the air.

She can't be there. Okay. The staff meeting will probably go past one, so I

pushed your deposition with Margulis to Thursday.

Very well. Oh, and don't forget your two o 'clock with the idiot friend. Who?

Friend Victoria Lippincott. Oh, yeah. Go to look over her settlement.

And remember, they're picking up your car for detailing today.

Great smell.

God, I hate these buildings. Air conditioning goes down. This smells like

inside of a garbage disposal.

Mackenzie Brackman, Cheney Tuesday. I'm Mel Becker.

Got me that spray stuff.

One moment, Mrs. Brackman. Let me see if it's available.

Available.

Available. 10 and 30, Tuesday morning.

Available.

Margaret, how was the long weekend?

Well, I'd have to go back over the agreement, but he's got him for holiday

weekend. Maybe it was malicious, Margaret, but getting an injunction?

I know it's the first day of school.

I don't blame you for worrying.

Absolutely, absolutely you should have had him home by 6 o 'clock.

But, Margaret, to go to court... Margaret, Margaret, look, if that's what

want... Mackenzie Beckman -Cheney and... Margaret, I'll tell you what. Good

morning, Mrs. Cox. Let me talk to his lawyer first. If that doesn't work...

me see if he's available.

Yes, we'll slap him with an injunction.

Shirley Cox.

Morning, Shirley.

Shirley, come on, give me a break. It's 7 .30 a .m.

Shirley, the reason I'm not at my house is because I'm here.

No, I am not trying to avoid you.

Shirley, yes, I know he's a fat brown loaf, but even a fat brown loaf deserves

sex life. I agree. I'm in front of your nine -year -old son.

Shirley, I'm going to put you on hold.

Hold a minute, sweetheart.

Dick, this is not smart.

Oh, don't dick me.

Not after that settlement you rammed down my throat.

This is a settlement that you agreed to. Oh, a settlement I was blackmailed

into.

You took away everything I hold dear. Becker, my house, my kids, my coin

collection. I had to sell my boat. What about the Ferrari?

I specifically left it out of the community property because I know how

love that car. Dick, we both know that Luis does anoint a dipstick from a

belt. You excluded it because it's least to you.

Dick.

Don't do that.

You're going to regret it. If I spend 20 years in jail with my pants down around

my ankles, I will not regret it.

Do you want to call the cops, huh?

You know where to find me?

I'm calling the police.

No, don't.

A starter gun.

Not about him.

About the smell.

What smell?

Mr. Chaney.

I didn't actually touch him, but I'm pretty sure he's dead.

If he is, I'll get tips on his office.

Stuck on a plate like crazy.

Nice place to spend the week. Let's button this up and get him out of here.

Excuse me.

Carmen says he's been dead over 48 hours.

Could have been an embolism, maybe his heart.

It's tragic, isn't it?

One minute you're hip deep in the tax code, and the next, muerte.

Who?

Norm Chaney.

One of the senior partners.

I really want to stop and sniff the daisy.

Are you all right?

Have you got any idea how you want to handle the Lewis audit?

I haven't thought about that yet.

Now, what time was it you got here in the morning? I want to get him downtown.

All yours.

I could use a hand. He's stiff as a board.

I'm going to have to take him out here on all. Do it.

I'm going to have to get a written statement.

Mr. Janey's dead.

Oh, my God.

I found him.

Are you Miss Buckner? Yes, sir.

Your predecessor was fired for tardiness. I'm sorry, the police kept us

lobby. In my office.

I'll explain your duties.

Strange brood.

Be still, my heart.

It's, uh, John Pregerson.

His son's been arrested again.

Is Kuzak in yet? No.

I'm sorry, Mr.

Chaney's secretary will have to get back to you. Guys, for stiff, you can put

him in the museum.

Look at this. His feet are like frozen.

We're coming out right through here now. Make way.

I don't know. Is the guy Jewish? Can we have a little reverence?

Turn the water the other way.

Come on, watch him. You're going to lose him.

Catch him.

Get off.

Mr.

Cheney's office.

Oh, no, I'm sorry. He's not available right now.

Sergeant, the little hand is on the 9 and the big hand is on the 12. I've got

be down time in 30 minutes.

As soon as your client's through with breakfast. Meantime, why don't you let

officer patch it down?

What's the matter? You guys don't get enough at home?

I'm getting tired of your mouth.

Whoa. Show me some respect.

The name is Cifuentes.

Victor Cifuentes. I don't care if your freaking name is Pancho freaking Villa.

You don't see your client without you get searched. Now assume the freaking

position. You lay a hand on me and I'm going to kick your fat butt. That's it.

You are out of here.

You're going to be hearing more about this McCloskey.

I can't freaking wait.

Michael Cusack.

Attorney representing Justin Ferguson.

I'd like to talk to the investigating officer. Which that would be Detective

Tubble. Here, give that right up to me.

Lester to his friends.

What's all this, Clyde?

A bit more wider division.

We've got to search all attorneys before they go in. A lawyer brought a gun in

the South Central. His client tried to shoot his way out.

Speaking of which, your client is a real citizen, Councilman.

This time we got him on rape, assault, RO cops, sodomy.

Not to mention that he's violated his probation in six different ways.

Presumption of innocence, Lester.

The victim ID'd the kid's vehicle and picked him into accomplices I don't know

enough.

Let's see his daddy buy him out of this.

Holy bogus.

It says here she was beaten, raped, and when her wig fell off during the

assault, she was tossed into a dumpster. She ID'd you, she ID'd your running

mates, she ID'd your car.

Hey,

I hook up with these guys in a bar.

We have a couple of drinks, bar closes, we go cruising.

We stop at one of these all -night places to get a couple of six -packs.

She's in there.

She follows me out, she says she'll do the three of us for 50 bucks.

We figured, what the hell?

So we go around the corner in the alley.

It wasn't exactly Romeo and Juliet, but it wasn't rape either.

The victim alleges she begged you to stop. Said she was sick.

Oh, yeah, she was begging, all right.

It wasn't to stop.

But it also says here that she was admitted to Hollywood Presbyterian for

cuts and bruises to her body. Hey, look.

There's a lot of crazy people out there.

Maybe the next guy uses her for a punching bag. So she goes to the cops.

She remembers my car.

She figures she can work something out.

Have you talked to my father yet?

For a thousand bucks, she'll fold like a deck chair.

Doubtful.

I'm told she's got acute leukemia.

That's too bad.

Look, when can I get out of here?

Not till they set bail.

When's that?

Arraignment. Tomorrow.

Oh, no, no, no, no. Forget that.

Find Judge Sorensen. He knows my father. He'll sign a writ today.

I'll see what I can do.

Hey, listen.

My father's worth a million bucks to your firm.

You do that.

Right.

Is that true about the cancer?

Yeah.

Acute leukemia.

Is that contagious?

I hardly know what to say regarding the untimely death of Norman Chaney, a good

friend and respected colleague, except we greatly miss him. Plus which, his

passing leaves a serious void in an extremely lucrative area in our

We can discuss that aspect later, Douglas. Fine.

And what about the Lewis tax audit?

Do you think either George Lewis or the IRS are going to say we can discuss that

later? I said this is not the time.

In any event, I've spent the last 45 minutes going through Norman's personal

papers and his last instructions.

It will be a simple cremation with the memorial service preceding.

That which those of you desiring may...

Pay your last respects.

Now, if you all don't mind... Excuse me, sir.

Mrs.

Tung, honey, you trying to tell me something?

The minutes will reflect Mr. Cusack arrived late for the meeting.

Yeah, well, Mr. Cusack was having such a good time chatting up Justin Preggerson

at the Hollywood jail about how he and his running mates raped and beat up a

defenseless leukemia victim that he couldn't bear to pull himself away.

He confessed?

Oh, sure. Full of remorse.

You promised me a body.

I want it now.

Bring us a list of possible candidates and we'll review it.

Excuse me, Mr. Brackman, but how will that impact on the summer law clerks?

to mention the current association.

Mr. Pollack, you may rest assured that this firm has a commitment to hire at

least one full -time associate in addition to Mr.

Kuzak's criminal lawyer and any possible replacement in our tax department.

Mr. Taylor, associate review will proceed at the appropriate time.

Now, the hour is growing late.

Let us laser through our summary of pending cases.

Status unchanged on the divestiture.

Discovery motion on Roaner versus Gradinger. Pending trial, Merton versus

Merton. A new matter.

Leon Kroner, a medical corporation, versus Celia Robinson.

A doctor is suing our client for a $750 bill.

A collection matter?

It's a little more complicated than that.

For the last nine months, her insurance company's been giving her the runaround,

and that's why the bill's not paid.

Miss Perkins, undoubtedly you've seen those ads on television.

Lawyers in polyester suits soliciting for clients?

Yes, sir.

Those lawyers handle $750 collection cases.

Mackenzie Brackman Chaney et al.

does not handle $750 collection cases.

Douglas, will you come off it?

This is a referral from Morley Saperstein. I asked Abby to help me with

As your time is usually billed at $135 an hour, Miss Kelsey, how much exactly

did you intend to charge this client for whatever heroics you might perform on

this $750 matter?

What I intend is to charge her nothing.

Is it your belief, then, that we are running a welfare state here?

Absolutely not.

It is my belief that this firm is an example of the capitalist system at its

very finest.

Management getting fat off the sweat and blood of the workers.

Take me, for example.

You bill my time at $135 an hour, 1 ,600 hours a year, for a total of $216 ,000

into the bulging coffers of this firm.

Of that amount, I, who generated the income, get $52 ,800.

You're damn straight this is not a welfare state, Douglas. And if I want to

a couple of phone calls to an insurance company to keep some poor working woman

from getting screwed over by the system, then I will do it.

Well...

to the tragedy we've all suffered today, it would appear that everyone is

unusually testy, fractious, and argumentative.

Accordingly, this meeting is hereby adjourned.

I'd like to remind everyone of the annual firm dinner which will be held a

from Friday, that's the 20th, at Mr.

McKenzie's home. Partners, associates, thanks, I'm a law clerk. Invited along

with a husband, wife, and suitable escort.

No secretaries?

That's what we have for our geeknakes for, Mr. Casey.

Oh.

Arnie, let me grab you two.

Okay, give me a minute.

My husband and I have already worked out all the terms of our settlement.

Thank you, T. Thank you.

But Julia wouldn't leave me alone until I agreed to let you get it. Well, Julia

can be very persuasive. I just don't want it to get into an ugly pitched

with name -calling and recriminations.

I respect that feeling entirely.

Now, Barry and I may not have wanted to be married to each other, but we're

still parents to our children.

We're still civilized adults.

I won't get down in the dirt and grub over who gets the dishes.

I wish all my clients were as reasonable as you are.

I'll tell you what. As long as you're here, let me jot down a few notes.

Okay.

Now... When did you and your husband actually separate? The exact date, if

can remember.

He moved out of the house on December 21st. And was this at your suggestion?

No, not really.

Oh, so it was his idea.

Well, we discussed it, that we weren't terribly happy.

So, four days before Christmas, he really picks his spots, doesn't he?

He walks out on you.

It wasn't like that.

Is he living with her now?

With whom?

The other woman.

Barry did not leave me for another woman. That's not what this is all

Men are creatures of habits and comfort, Lydia.

In nine years, I have never once seen a man initiate a divorce, and certainly

not four days before Christmas, unless he had another woman to replace the one

he was leaving.

Well, my husband and I are not statistics for individuals.

Really, I am sorry. And maybe I'm a little sensitive to this subject right

because not more than six hours ago, this woman comes in here and she's

waving this gun at me.

A nice woman. Totally so nice that she refused to let me, as she put it, drag

through the mud.

So now she's found out that her husband has another woman and they're living up

in Bel Air while my client's over in Van Nuys and she's... He made this gun at

me because, and I quote, you should have forced me to face the facts, she said.

You're deliberately trying to turn this into something ugly. No, what I'm

deliberately trying to do is protect your rights under the law.

Let me be blunt.

For your husband, divorce is a fiscal inconvenience.

But for you, this could be the most important financial decision that you'll

ever make in your life.

And I personally, as well as professionally, don't think that such a

should be made... casually.

Do you?

I suppose not.

What I'm going to do, friendship to Julia, admiration for your principles.

Let me take a look at this agreement.

No cost, of course, no obligation to you. On Thursday, I'd like to take you

lunch, give you my thoughts on the matter.

At that point...

The choice is completely yours. You can take it or you can leave it. But at

least you'll be making an informed decision.

Does that sound fair?

Well, yes, I guess.

Thank you.

Great.

Well, Roxanne will give you a call, and we'll confirm lunch for next Thursday.

Oh,

you like the lingerie?

Fine. Great.

Well, it was a great pleasure meeting you.

See you on Thursday?

Okay. Bye -bye.

Hi.

Come in.

I sent you one. Want some?

No. No.

I'm going to go home now.

Unless you have something pressing.

No.

I didn't realize it was so late. Stop being an attorney. Go home. Be a wife.

a mother.

You sound like my husband.

Sorry.

You're right. It's none of my business.

Celia Robinson came in today with her file.

Very nice lady.

Incredible guts.

After her divorce, she had two kids to support.

She went to work as a maid until she could save enough money to start a

business.

She did Morley Saperstein's son's bar mitzvah.

I know. He told me.

Creole Cajun food.

At a bar mitzvah?

Anyway,

she's got copies of everything, even a renewal statement and a bill the

insurance company sent her two weeks ago.

Sounds like a winner for us.

Let's hope so. I don't think it's helping her migraines any, having that

bill hanging over her head.

Migraines? That's why she went to the doctor in the first place.

He wanted to run tests, and then when the insurance company refused to pay,

couldn't go back.

She's got an appointment tomorrow with Morley Saperstein's personal physician.

What did the company say?

It was like talking to that chair.

Our records indicate that our insured Mr. Robinson had his ex -wife, Mrs.

Robinson, removed from his policy at the time of their divorce.

I told him they got two separate policies as part of the divorce

I told him she had the copy of it.

And? He said they'll have to look into it. Did you ask them, if she's not

covered, why they sent her a renewal statement?

He said they'll have to look into it.

Send him a threatening letter instead.

Copy his superiors. Use buzzwords like bad faith.

That ought to get their attention.

I already did.

Good. Look, Abigail, it really isn't any of my business, but if you need to

talk, I was married once myself, about 50 years ago.

Thanks.

It'll be okay.

As soon as he gets a job.

And quits drinking.

Lean starts?

Never mind.

Um, tell me the truth.

Do you think there's any chance I'll be asked to stay on here as an associate?

It's not up to me. I'm not a voting partner.

If you were.

You're a good lawyer and a very hard worker.

But I'm not a superstar like Pollock.

Or a sex bomb like Lisa.

I'm sorry.

I'm being a jerk.

Um, good night.

Yeah.

People versus Ferguson, Gauthier, and Dollar.

Michael Cusack, attorney representing Justin Ferguson.

Wade, reading of rights and complaint.

So, Wade.

How does your client plead?

Not guilty.

Nicholas Klein, representing defendants Garcia and Dollar, Your Honor.

At this time, due to a possible conflict of interest, the public defender's

office would ask to be relieved of representation with respect to defendant

Dollar. Do you have funds to hire an attorney, Mr. Dollar?

I'm broke, Judge.

An attorney will be appointed for Mr. Dollar. Let me see the list.

I see Mr. Cavanaugh in the courtroom.

Would you be interested in a court appointment on this matter?

Yes, Your Honor. I think I can squeeze that in.

Any motions while Mr. Cavanaugh acquaints himself with this matter?

Yes, Your Honor. At this time, I would ask that defendant Garcia be released on

his own recognizance. Your Honor, I'm sorry, but Mr. Klein is once again

insulting the intelligence of this court.

May I point out Mr. Garcia's five previous arrests?

two felony priors, and now an extremely aggravated assault rape.

Let me point out that Mr. Garcia has always faithfully appeared for all

court appearances, in addition to which he is sole support of an aged mother,

Your Honor, who relies on him for weekly transportation to and from the clinic.

Usually in a stolen car, according to his rap sheet. My office will agree to

Garcia's release from custody on the condition that he be released into the

and custody of Mr. Klein.

Your Honor. Take him home with you, Mr. Public Defender. You think he's such a

sweet guy.

Counsel.

Approach the bench.

Off the record, Miss Aaron, Mr. Klein, I would not normally be so presumptuous

as to delve into the personal lives of my court personnel. But as this

is beginning to resemble a daytime soap opera, I feel I'm well within my rights

in inquiring.

You too hot for each other or what? I took her out three times, Your Honor.

Out? I made dinner twice. The third time you brought in a pizza. You're mad

because I said I'd call. I'm mad because I lowered my standards. Yeah, along

with your skirt.

On the record, at this time I would ask that Mr.

Deller's bill in this matter be reduced to $1 ,000, Your Honor. The man has four

priors. Two as a juvenile. The DA's office is unilaterally opposed to any

reduction with respect to either defendant Garcia or defendant Dollar.

remain set in the amount of $25 ,000 on both defendants. Bail to stand on

defendant Pregasin. Preliminary hearing set for September 6th in Division 35.

Off the record.

I need a potty break.

We will have a 20 -minute recess during which time I'd suggest that the PD and

the DA clean up their acts.

Good in the PD's office.

Legal or sexual?

Legal. I'm looking to take on a body.

How about mine?

You're more body than I can handle.

If he dies, I think I need someone of the defense persuasion.

Someone who could love a guy like Ferguson?

Or at least not lose his lunch.

You're right. Not me.

Uh, number one fast charger in the PD's office right now is a guy named Victor

Cifuentes. Cifuentes?

You mean the guy with the earring? Yeah, a little smarter.

I don't know. It's the same guy I saw him strut his stuff at the Hollywood

Yeah, that's my opinion.

Check it out for yourself.

He's in Division 50.

Counselor?

Your Honor, Victor Cifuentes of the Public Defender's Office representing

Hermosillo. Wave reading?

So wait.

How does your client plead?

Mr. Hermosillo is unable to enter a plea at this time.

And why is that, Mr. Cifuentes?

Mr. Hermosillo has been denied his constitutional right to an attorney. I

thought that you were his attorney, Mr. Cifuentes.

This is true, Your Honor, but I was denied access to my client by the police

department. Under what circumstances?

I went to the Hollywood station to interview my client at such a time as

Sergeant McCloskey of the LAPD made rude and insulting remarks to me regarding

my ethnicity.

When I took umbrage at said remarks, the sergeant refused to let me speak to my

client and then went so far as to bodily remove me from the station.

So you never conferred with Mr. Aramosio regarding his defense?

No, Your Honor.

I would say a continuance would be appropriate at this time.

No objection.

Oh, excuse me, Your Honor.

But my client is in custody. Any such continuance would deny him his

constitutional right to a timely arraignment and speedy trial.

Accordingly, I would move that the case against him be dismissed due to the

state's outrageous conduct in denying him his constitutional right to

representation.

Mr. Sifuentes can talk to him now, Your Honor, in the hall.

Such a slipshod representation would be tantamount to no representation.

I would have to agree with Mr. Sifuentes.

If the relationship between attorney and Clyde has been abrogated due to

outrageous police conduct, then this case should be dismissed.

A big if, Your Honor.

Excuse me, Your Honor.

Mr. Kozak.

I happened to be present at the Hollywood division at the time Mr.

being shown the door.

Would you corroborate counsel's description of the events in question?

So far as I was able to observe, Your Honor.

How far was that, Mr. Kozak?

As far as the door, Your Honor.

Case dismissed. But, Your Honor. If the DA's office sees fit, they are, of

course, free to refile charges, as double jeopardy is not attached.

We're in recess.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Court will be in recess till 2 p .m. You stay away from the Cuda.

Stuff will kill you.

Michael Cusack. I'm with McKenzie Brackman Chaney, et cetera, et cetera.

know. I've seen you around before.

Thank you very much for the testimonial, counsel.

Very fancy footwork.

Yeah, well, the guy is the hype.

He's got a wife, four kids to support.

I mean, the police, they set him up on a sale.

What the hell good is it going to do anyone to send him to the judge?

They'll probably refile the case. Yeah, and they probably won't find him.

He's going away to a drug program in Arizona.

Are you free for lunch sometime?

What's the agenda?

We'd like to talk to you about a job.

Got a job.

We'd still like to have lunch.

You pick.

I'll call your office.

If we're going to deal with this thing, it's going to have to be all three of

them. Thank you.

Speaking for myself, I'm disinclined to negotiate.

I see no case here.

D .A. sucking wind.

That unshakable I .D. by the world's most sympathetic victim is not sucking

wind.

Let's argue consent.

Dying woman out for a good time while they plant her in the ground?

It's moments like these that make me proud to be a member of such a noble

fraternity. Can we stop jerking ourselves around here and go one step at

We know she's got cancer. What we don't know is the prognosis, so let's find

out. The way I figure, with a little bit of luck and half a dozen continuances,

she'll either quit or die before we even have to worry about a trial.

Hey, I know it sounds a little cold, but this is not the Red Cross here.

Unless you've got a better idea.

Nope.

Excuse me.

You know the doctor she went to? Who?

Celia Robinson.

He wants to put her in the hospital immediately for neurological testing,

they won't let her in because when they called her insurance company, they said

she wasn't covered. What happened when you called?

They put me on hold.

Let's go.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Elizabeth.

Did you check with the clerk on 123?

I'm sorry.

Would you?

Sure. Please.

Make sure the discovery motions were filed. And tell Pollack that he points

authority on Womack.

Right. Where do we stand with Justin Ferguson?

On my way to the prelim, even as we speak.

His father's all over him, I call it.

What should I tell him?

You tell him that his punk son deserves to go away for ten years.

He's one of our more important clients.

What would you have us do, refer him to another firm?

Don't patronize me, Leland.

Just get me a body so I don't have to deal personally with this kind of crap.

Have you got someone in mind?

As a matter of fact, yes.

Set up lunch?

I already did.

It's on your calendar, day after tomorrow.

Attorneys Ann Kelsey and Abigail Perkins at the Lester Messman.

Wait a minute, you have an appointment? Absolutely not. Right, Charlie.

Let me get back to you.

She barged in without an appointment.

At this moment, my client, Celia Robinson, is at St. Anthony's Hospital

to check in for a CAT scan.

Only they won't let her because your insurance company has still refused to

admit that she's got coverage. So don't talk to me about appointments.

My dear miss... I am not your dear miss anything.

And you had better be praying that she doesn't have a brain tumor.

Because if she does, and if this tumor was exacerbated by the systematic bad

faith of your company, then you'd better be prepared to write a check with a lot

of zeros behind it. I'll have to discuss this matter with my superiors.

You have had nine months to discuss this with your superiors. If she does have a

tumor, every minute you stall, it's getting bigger and more dangerous.

And that means more zeros on the check.

Am I coming through? Pick up the phone, Mr. Methman.

St. Anthony's Hospital.

Are we ready to proceed, gentlemen?

People are, Your Honor.

Defendants' Council?

Um...

It would appear, Your Honor, Mr. Cusack has been unavoidably detained.

Under the circumstances, move for continuance until such time as...

Cusack, Your Honor.

Tick -tock, Counselor.

I apologize for the delay.

Any reason I shouldn't hold you in contempt?

Approach the bench, Your Honor.

That better be a note from your mother.

It's a citation, Your Honor.

I was doing 35, tops 40, when this cop who didn't even shave yet pulled me over

for an unsafe lane change.

I explained to him that I'm late for court, and I further explained that I...

Let me tell you a little about that.

Well, that's all right, Your Honor. I wouldn't presume to ask this court for

favors. And this court wouldn't presume to offer any.

Truthfully, Your Honor, I think that we've already consumed enough of the

court's time with my personal concerns.

Mr. Cusack has just handed me a white piece of paper which appears to be, in

fact, neither a laundry list nor even his pocket copy of the Code of Ethics,

rather a legitimate LAPD traffic citation.

People may proceed.

Call Miss Adrienne Moore, Your Honor.

Did Officer Feeblecorn take you to an emergency hospital?

Yes, Hollywood Presbyterian. Did she wait for you while you were being

Yes, and then she drove me home.

Thank you, Miss Moore.

I have no further questions.

Mr. Cavanaugh, Groves.

Nick Moore.

Now, on direct examination.

You testified that on the date in question, you purchased a soft drink.

At a convenience store.

And some eggs and milk.

And it was approximately what time that you went out to get this soft drink?

Two.

In the morning?

Yes. Do you normally get a craving at two in the morning for sugary soft

Sometimes. Especially when you've been drinking heavily? Mouth gets all woolly?

Objection. I wasn't drinking.

Whisper all the objections.

Were you smoking dope?

Objection. Irrelevant.

Your Honor, this would be directly relevant as to the issue of consent.

Overall? Had you been smoking a green, leafy substance commonly referred to as

marijuana that evening?

Yes, a little.

You see, the chemotherapy makes me nauseated, and the marijuana helps.

Objection. Nonresponsive. I would ask that everything after the witness

yes, she had been smoking marijuana be stricken from the record.

Objection sustained.

Reporter will strike everything after the word yes.

I don't understand. Why can't I explain?

Miss Moore, please, just answer the questions as they're asked of you. Now,

were alone when this alleged incident occurred.

Yes. And had you been alone all evening?

Yes, I was home watching TV.

Alone all night, smoking dope by yourself and watching TV.

Objection. Asked and answered.

Sustained. Move on, please.

Thank you.

But just to set the scene, there you are.

Having to join a two, you're watching a two, and maybe feeling a little lonely.

I'm used to being alone.

But sometimes it's nice to have a little human contact.

So you get the idea to go to the all -night market to see a human face, maybe

have someone to talk to. I didn't talk to anyone.

I bought my food, and I left.

And then these animals... Objection! Non -responsive motion to strike.

Okay. Miss Moore, how is your health?

I have leukemia.

Well, I'm very sorry, Miss Moore, and I hope you forgive my insensitivity when I

ask what the prognosis for recovery is.

Lousy.

I'm going to die.

Have the doctors told you when?

Objection. Mr. Cavanaugh seems to be on a fishing expedition.

Your Honor, I ask the court's indulgence and latitude as this is an issue of

some delicacy.

Miss Moore, no one regrets more than I any pain this line of questioning may

cause you.

I'll allow you a little more room, Counselor, but get on with it, please.

Thank you.

How much longer have you got, Miss Moore?

Less than six months.

Well, I would imagine that there must be a great many things you've always

wanted to do, but might not get a chance to do now.

I suppose.

And I know that if it were me, I would try to cram all of these things into the

short time I had left, even if these things weren't the kind of things I

have done before.

I understand.

Well, like recreational drugs, marijuana. I told you that was for the

effects of the chemotherapy.

Right. You pull up to a convenience store a little high on weed, you see

good -looking young men in a hot car.

You got to be kidding. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, Miss Moore.

What does that mean? A literary allusion that suggests that if you only have six

months to live, you might as well have a good time before you go.

This is sick.

Isn't it true that you solicited my client to have sex with you? No! Isn't

true that when my client expressed some initial reluctance, you went up to him

and pressed against him and fondled him? No! Your Honor, please! Isn't it true

that you said, and I quote, I've never taken on three guys, I want you to do it

to me, and I want you to do it rough? You despicable bastard!

Miss Moore. Your Honor, I ask the witness to be admonished.

This is perversion! Your Honor, please! I want to know who is on trial here. Any

further outbursts, Miss Moore, and I'll hold you in contempt.

Your Honor, under the circumstances, I ask we move the continuance until such

time... Until such time as what? I die? I'm warning you, Miss Moore. Is that a

tactic? Accused me?

Wear me down?

Move continuances until I quit or die?

I warn you. I warn you! This door swings both ways.

If I can't get justice here, I will get a gun and I'll do it myself. That's

enough. Your Honor, she's threatening us. You think I won't?

Escort Miss Moore to the basement holding facility until such time as she

to apologize to this court.

The court is adjourned.

Mr. Cusack, moment of your time in chambers.

This court is adjourned.

Mr. Cusack, are you aware of the fact that you have a substantial number of

outstanding warrants?

Well, my recollection, Your Honor, is we're talking a couple of parking

at most. We're talking $4 ,200 worth of citations over a two -year period.

$4 ,200?

That's got to be a mistake.

Didn't Officer Maranello run you through the computer?

Well, as I was already late and having identified myself as a former deputy D

.A., He was kind enough to write me up without the usual formalities.

Mr. Cusack, you bring fresh meaning to the word scofflaw.

Bailiff, take Mr. Cusack into custody.

Your Honor, hold on a minute.

$4 ,200, Counselor. Put up or shut up.

Who's got $4 ,200?

Well, you've got a phone call. I suggest you use it to find out.

Your Honor, with all due respect, don't you think you're overreacting just a

little bit?

Take him into custody, Bill.

A couple of lousy parking.

That's the biz, counselor.

Miss Moore?

I'm Michael Cusack.

I'm Justin Preggerson's attorney.

Look, I don't suppose you care, but... I'm deeply sorry

about what happened in court.

That's very big of you.

I could tell you were morally outraged.

Well, that I may have been.

doesn't change the fact that my client's still got a right to the best legal

representation he can obtain.

What about my rights?

I was raped and beaten and thrown into a dumpster.

But for all that, I was the one accused up there.

Now that piece of garbage you're representing... I represent the system

as the client, Ms. Moore.

I may not always believe in the client, but I have to believe in the system.

What about me?

What am I supposed to believe in?

The judge will see you now, ma 'am.

You win, Mr. Cusack.

I'm going back up there, and I'm apologizing.

I'm withdrawing my complaint.

I'm afraid it's not all that easy.

I'm not spending the last six months of my life in a courtroom.

I've been raped once.

I'm not going to let that happen again.

For whatever it's worth, and as a purely personal observation,

if you were to go out and get a gun and blow him away,

I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

That's the difference between us, Mr. Cusack.

I would.

As office will be closed for business at 3 p .m.,

Anyone not in attendance at said memorial service will be docked

See that that's distributed to all personnel right away.

Ah, Miss Kelsey.

How kind of you to grace us with your presence this morning.

Do you want something, Douglas?

The Petramco interrogatories. I'll have them for you tomorrow.

I'm afraid that won't do.

You want to tell me what the big rush is?

Just be aware.

that if you have even the slightest thought of ever being a partner in this

firm, those interrogatories had better be on my desk by 5 p .m. today.

Hi, Ann. Morning, Mike. Do you want to tell Arnie I don't like coating my

Light a piece of cheese under his door now to get his attention.

Barry Graham, residing at 112 -75 La Mer Road.

Shares dwelling with Miss Valerie Renault, actress model, member in good

standing, screen, extra skilled.

The rental agreement listing Miss Valerie as principal occupant was signed

Barry four months prior to leaving his wife.

There's a copy.

Mr. Graham owns Exotic Body Parts and Auto Repair, Inc. and Van Nuys.

Lots of insurance work.

Lots of cash transactions.

Here's his tax returns for the last three years. Lots of creative

Nice house.

South of Ventura Boulevard on a cul -de -sac.

Now watch it. I just got them back from the lab. They still may be a little

tacky. Here's one. They're both in the nude, smoking a joint.

Tacky indeed.

Here's another. They're doing some serious necking in the hot tub. And the

de resistance.

Barry in the tiny poolside on the city's lounge. Engaged in a sex act usually

described by a two -digit number.

Barry, you total degenerate.

Well, this is going to be a lunch that Mrs. Graham will not soon forget.

I swear I don't understand you, Arnie.

You take this poor woman to some snitchy restaurant.

You slap these on the table.

She goes into the ladies' room and Ralph's up 50 bucks worth of lunch all

the velvet wallpaper.

What's the point?

Well, if I take the meeting here in the office, she goes berserk, she makes a

scene, she may even go for my eyes.

Best is going to take a couple hours to get rid of her because I can't throw a

crying woman out on the street.

So instead, I take her out.

She sees a half a dozen of her best friends. They see her, a couple glasses

Chardonnay, a little salad and a soise.

Then I hit her with a slideshow.

She's not going to say a word. She'd rather die than be embarrassed in front

all of her friends.

Plus, later, I bill her for the lunch.

Lawyers.

Hey, it's a jungle out there.

Have a nice lunch, sweetie.

The future.

That's as it is?

You don't sound too optimistic.

Why should I be? I'm nearly 40, I have two children, a failed marriage, and I

can't wear a bikini.

I think you'd look great in or out of a bikini.

Buttering up the client?

Divorce is a growth industry, Lydia.

I don't need the business.

Good. Because I've thought seriously about it. I've decided to accept the

settlement as is.

C 'est la vie.

Do you mind telling me why?

In the long run, they're more important things than money.

I've just seen too many divorces get ugly.

You really are quite a rare woman.

Okay.

Okay, what I'll do then is I'll put the investigation on hold.

Investigation? Well, I had one of our private investigators look into a few of

your husband's affairs, financial, otherwise.

No cost to you, of course.

I'll just keep this on.

file and never change your mind.

Does it obligate me to look at it?

No way.

It may be painful.

Excuse me, I have to poop out of my nose.

What have you got for dessert?

I'll always remember Norman Chaney as a gifted lawyer, of course, but more

importantly, as a good and loyal friend.

Norman Chaney left more than his name on the letterhead of this firm. He left a

standard of quality and character that... we can only hope to emulate as

mourn his loss.

I miss you, Norman.

Our colleague, Stuart Markowitz, has asked to say a few words.

And after he has spoken, anyone who wishes to contribute their own

is most welcomed.

What can I say about Norman Cheney?

Norman Cheney knew everything there was to know about tax law.

Shelters?

Call Norman.

Foreign tax treaties?

Call Norman.

Ad valorem?

Call Norman.

During the sweeping 1982 revisions, one man stood as a beacon in the deep

fog of tax code confusion.

That man was my friend and mentor, a giant in the minefield of tax law and

its ever -changing fiscal implications.

A man for whom no tax complexity was too complex, if

you will.

I've got a first draft of that memo you asked me for. The implications of

Chapter 11 in the divisions of community assets.

I can give it to you tomorrow, or we could go over it tonight.

It's up to you.

Well,

I'm sort of anxious for your opinion.

Tonight, then?

I've got to warn you, it's kind of rough.

You may not be able to read my scribbles.

You can give it to me orally if you wish.

I, for one, will miss this man.

I would like to say in conclusion that if I had but one word with which to

characterize Norman Chaney, that word would be fiduciary.

Goodbye,

Norman.

My good friend.

And my... my fiduciary.

and me alone, completely nude.

Norman Chaney was the best friend I ever had.

I loved him dearly.

I met Norman in a gay bar.

My name is not Georgia Buckner.

It's George.

He took me home.

He was the gentlest man I'd ever met. Completely alone.

I poured out my heart to him.

Nude. I told him I wasn't gay, but transsexual.

A woman trapped in man's body.

Encouraged me to face myself.

He supported me morally and financially through several years of deep analysis.

Finally, he even offered to pay for my surgery.

And when the hospital said that I had to live and work as a woman for 18 months

before they'd perform the operation, he got me a job.

Most of you probably couldn't guess that Norman was gay.

Most of you didn't know him at all.

He was a deeply complicated man, never really comfortable with his sexual

orientation.

I think that his support of me in my struggle was his way of

reckoning with his own ambivalence.

I'll miss you, Norman.

Your wisdom.

Your guidance.

Your love and support.

You gave me the courage to heal myself.

I miss you.

I love you always.

I want to thank you all for participating in Norman Chaney's

It was, to say the least, an unusual service, but Norman was an unusual man

a wry sense of humor concerning the human condition.

I think it would have tickled him. Sorry we're late.

That's all right.

How long do we have?

Mr. Cusack has a courtroom appearance at 11 in the Pragerson case, and you're

lunching with a potential new associate.

If I may ask, who is it?

He's with the PD's office.

Victor Cifuentes at Chicano. I believe so.

Okay. Cusack's getting his body.

I want Cheney's office.

Ah, not until we make a decision about hiring a tax specialist. If we bring in

some big rainmaker at a senior partner level, he'll demand the office in his

perk package. Don't take me for granted, Douglas.

Who makes more rain here than I do? I, for one.

Sure.

Clients come in thinking they're getting the original genuine Brackman, not

some... Cheap second -generation knockoff. How dare you?

Gentlemen, settle your differences outside of this room and on your own

All right.

But my list is not as current as it should be due to my secretary's sudden

departure from the firm.

What happened to her?

I fired him.

How come?

Because I do not want that freak of nature sitting outside my office

representing me.

Homophobic, Douglas?

Knock it off, Arnold.

I mean it.

Now, let's start with the Lewis tax audit.

Stuart?

Yes, I'm fully prepared.

Good.

Douglas, will you continue down your list, please?

New business.

I'm pleased to say I've brought in Nathan Electronics on retainer and RT &O

Industries on a corporate acquisition and antitrust matter.

Old business.

The divestiture, I assume, is status quo.

Now, Petramco, Miss Kelsey, I'm still waiting for those interrogatories on

Petramco. They've been on your desk since yesterday evening.

And how is your little pro bono case?

Is the crusading lady lawyer going to get the big, bad insurance company to

the $750 or not?

They're going to pay, all right, but it'll be a hell of a lot more than $750.

She's got a brain tumor.

Can you prove a causal connection with the insurance company's bad faith? I

believe so.

Is there a possibility that she could die?

Just in case, why don't you and Markowitz start working on the

Cover all the contingencies.

Even if she doesn't die, we could still be looking at a fixed -figure fee.

In deference to the fact that you are a partner in this firm, I'm going to leave

before I say something that I might regret later.

Excuse me.

Dad?

He's a pig.

We were talking about a woman who could die, and all we can see are dollar

signs. So if you're going to ask me to apologize, forget it.

Annie, without legal representation, all the same terrible things would have

happened to her.

accepting the very real possibility that she might never have received medical

treatment at all. I understand that.

And while, yes, it's possible our firm may profit from her problems, so will

children. And perhaps just as important, the insurance company will think twice

before they do it to anyone else. I am not against earning a buck, Leland, as

long as we don't sell off our humanity in the process.

I grant you, in the hands of a Douglas Brackman, the law may not be pretty, but

in the hands of Ann Kelsey...

It can be uplifting and life -affirming, and we can all be proud of that.

You're handling me.

True.

But I'll also handle Douglas.

That's your case. You run with it as you see fit.

Thank you.

Let the record reflect.

that the alleged victim in this matter, Adrian Moore, has formally apologized to

the court, and accordingly, the contempt is discharged.

Mr. Cavanaugh, you may pick up your cross -examination from where you left

Thank you, Your Honor.

Now, Ms. Moore, drawing your attention once again to the evening in question,

you came out of the convenience store carrying your purchases, did you take

package and put it in the car first, or did you take it with you as you

approached my client?

Objection, Your Honor, to that sleazy trick question.

I object to your inference.

Sit down, both of you.

Miss Moore, what did you do immediately after leaving the convenience store?

I'm sorry, I don't remember.

Did you go to your car?

Did you go to the defendant's car? Did they come to you? What happened?

I don't remember.

I just don't remember.

Two days ago in this courtroom, I don't recall your having any such memory

problems. Your Honor.

Due to my situation, I'm on extensive medication.

Vincristine, prednisone, codeine, dalmaine, clonidine.

With the court's permission, would you explain to us what some of these drugs

are?

Vincristine and prednisone are chemotherapy drugs.

Codeine is for pain, and dalmaine is a tranquilizer.

Well, forgive my ignorance, but might some of these drugs cause drowsiness,

impaired memory, perhaps occasional confusion?

Yes, they would, and they do.

Well, then is it possible that some of your prior testimony might render

unreliable under these circumstances?

Yes.

I'm just not as clear on the events of that evening as I thought I was.

If this sudden loss of memory is your way of refusing to supply testimony, I

must warn you, Miss Moore, you are once again in contempt of this court.

I'm sorry.

Your Honor, move for a continuance. I want to confer with the witness.

It won't help.

Approach, Spencer, Your Honor.

Approach.

Motion?

Motion for dismissal, Your Honor, due to the unreliability of the complaining

witness. Objection, Your Honor.

She's clearly feigning memory loss to avoid testifying.

There's that possibility, Mr. Gould, but whichever the case, you're not going to

be able to make this case stick with an uncooperative witness.

I see no choice but to dismiss. If the DA can talk to the witness and urge her

cooperation, the people are then, of course, free to refile charges at that

time. Thank you, Your Honor.

There is no cause for smiling, Counselor.

Step back.

Defendants will not be held to answer due to insufficiency of evidence.

This court is adjourned until 9 a .m. tomorrow morning.

What's happening?

It's over.

There's no case.

Go.

What about her threat? She said she'd blow us away.

You deserve to die.

Did you hear that?

That's a threat. What's going on here?

She ought to be arrested for that.

I'll have the turbo sauce on the side. Nothing to start.

Monsieur?

Cold chicken plate, nothing to start with.

Monsieur? How much is the warm lobster?

$16. And the pasta?

$11. Okay.

That's $27. That's okay? You seem concerned about the cost of lunch, Mr.

Sifuentes. Well, Doug, the way I figure it, with the wine and all, this lunch

has got to go $250, $300.

Which ain't a lot compared to what you probably paid for your suit.

Until you figure that that suit's going to last you a couple of years, maybe

more. But by tomorrow, Lunch is sewage.

You get my point, Doug? I'm afraid it escapes me. I think Victor's curious

the value that we place on his services relative to food and clothing.

Assuming he's invited to join us. Right.

Affuming that.

Tell us your background, Victor. Well, I'm a local boy.

East LA.

High school. A couple of years in the Army.

Cal State Northridge.

Glendale College of Law in Glendale.

And four years with the PD's office.

And why the law?

Lots of reasons.

Make a living.

Give something back, you know.

Do a little good for the people.

That's what you were doing the other day in court with all that mambo about

being denied access to your client. Hey, man, you do what you gotta do.

The bottom line is the dude's not gonna do time. He's going into a program. The

dude is a hype. And 20 bucks says he's gonna wind up dead in an alley somewhere

with a needle sticking out of his arm. You don't know that.

If you could do any kind of law, what kind would it be?

Pro bono stuff.

Class actions, immigration stuff, Indian affairs.

Like that. If you come with us, assuming that Mike wants you, we'll do

everything we can to accommodate your needs.

You've been in the PD's office for a long time now.

Maybe you want to stretch a little.

You mean like you did with the Ferguson kid?

Cheap shot.

Yeah?

Well, the fact is you don't want me to do no pro bono And you sure ain't

for a little third world color to brighten up your office decor What I do

is that you're tired of picking up the snails yourself So you're bringing in

Mexican gardener to do it for you.

Well, I think you've made your position quite clear.

Yeah, I Guess I have gentlemen Nice

Very nice offices you ladies have here. Very nice indeed.

Thank you, Mr. Messman. Nice. Nice touch, this. Very, very feminine.

I don't mean to be rude, but you said on the phone that you had an offer to

propose? Yes, I've discussed the matter with my superiors. Now, of course,

without admitting or implying any liability on our part, but merely in

recognition of the potential litigiousness of this matter, we feel a

might be appropriate at this time.

I frankly think any settlement would be premature until after Mrs. Robinson

undergoes surgery tomorrow. But I'm willing to listen.

Let me add that this offer in no way admits or infers any causal connection

between Mrs. Robinson's failing to seek treatment nine months ago and her

condition today. Your reservations are duly noted, Mr. Messman. Now, what was

the number you had in mind?

Twenty -five thousand.

Plus reasonable hospital, medical, and surgical bills, of course.

We might be willing to go to 50 if she dies.

Well?

My law clerk has made a notation of your offer in the file.

Thank you, and good day. Wait a minute. What kind of number did you have in

mind? One with at least two more zeros at the end.

This is a black woman, a domestic.

She's a caterer, and I don't know what her color has to do with it.

I'm offering her more money than she probably earns in an entire year. Before

you turn your nose up at it, I'd advise you to think twice.

Once was more than sufficient.

Good day.

You think you're pretty smart with your fancy law degree. Well, we'll see just

how smart you are when you have to take this to a jury.

Trust me, juries don't like bulldozing, shot -busting, butch lady lawyers any

better than I do.

Thank you for sharing that insight with me, Mr. Mestman.

Once again, I must decline your offer, but I do appreciate your coming in.

Have a nice day.

Less than honest if I didn't tell you for the record how deeply disappointed

client is that after hammering out this settlement in good faith, we find

ourselves in such a clearly adversarial proceeding.

Oh, it was hammered out all right. We're just not so sure about the good faith

part. We offered alimony for six years at $1 ,500 per month.

And child support in a like amount.

Further, after the sale of their jointly owned home, one half of the net

proceeds, plus all the furniture, silver and art. I've read the menu, sir.

Please don't kid a kidder.

This woman, the mother of Mr. Graham's two young children, has been deceived.

This woman did you no harm, sir. She was true to her vows. As was Mr. Graham.

Oh, please.

You might want to browse these.

How did you get these?

You miserable, you lying scum.

You said there was no one else.

Counselor, now who's kidding whom?

This is California.

The fact that Mr. Graham has a lady friend is of no relevance whatsoever.

This is what it's all about, isn't it?

The fact that I have a loving and close relationship.

Close? You ought to be sued for practicing medicine without a license.

And you won't be happy until you've made me pay.

I'm the one being made to pay here, you low -life degenerate! Lydia, Lydia,

Lydia, Lydia.

Lydia, calm, calm down. Come on, come on, come on. Come on, sweetheart.

You punishing bitch.

You can't stand that I could be happy with another woman, can you?

Forgetting momentarily this invasion of privacy issue, what is the point of this

ugliness?

other than to unnecessarily inflame an already overheated situation.

Mr. Graham has lied to his wife. We have reason to believe he's lied about other

matters of a financial nature as well.

You're spraying.

We're prepared to subpoena your records if we have to. Go ahead.

But while we bury each other in paperwork, how's she going to support

Get a job?

She couldn't get paid for the only thing she's qualified to do. She's not good

enough. You! No!

Mr. Graham, we have reason to believe that you are daily in violation of the

criminal code. You deal in stolen auto parts.

You regularly engage in insurance fraud that you do not declare cash

transactions. You'd better be prepared to defend yourself in a slander suit,

sir. As I recall, truth is a complete defense.

I have here a signed and notarized affidavit from one of our private

investigators, Ms. Angela Cipriano, stating that on such and such a day,

blah, blah, blah, blah.

She drove onto your premises to discuss repairs of her badly damaged automobile,

at which time, after carefully inspecting said damages, Mr. Barry

personally proposed an exchange for a cash payment that he would... Let's see

that.

If you can prove any of this, why don't you go to the police?

Hold it just a minute.

What are we talking about here?

Talking about grief, Mr. Graham.

Yours, your wife's, your children's.

We're talking about fairness.

But mainly, Mr. Graham, we're talking about money.

Chew on those numbers, you impotent piece of snot.

Brock, I want to type this up. Let's messenger it up to Glazer for his and

Graham's signature, okay? Right away.

Can I get you anything, Mrs. Graham?

Glass of wine?

Coffee?

A new tissue?

I'm fine, thank you.

I guess we socked it to him pretty good, huh?

I think what you did was despicable.

I'll never be able to look at him again with any kind of respect or affection.

Lydia, he came in here looking for somebody to do your dirty laundry. What

you expect?

Well, it stinks.

Well, dirty laundry usually does. It's messy and it's nasty and it churns up a

whole lot of goo, but it's a hell of a lot more civilized and a hell of a lot

more lucrative than putting a bullet between his ears.

It's also easy for you.

Just sock it to them and get the money.

Well, I lost my life.

My children lost a family.

And there's no amount of money that would compensate for that.

You gonna give it back?

Lydia, maybe you hate me today.

That's understandable.

But two weeks from now, you're gonna be recommending me to a friend.

Two months from now, you'll be inviting me over for dinner.

I think I'd rather face four hours of root canal.

What are you supposed to wear to this party?

I have a very simple little blue silk. Fine.

Suit and tie for Jim. Yeah.

I think it was a funeral. You can't go wrong.

See you tonight.

Yeah.

I need money.

Go talk to your father. You talk to him.

He canceled my credit cards, my bank account.

That slob. Who the hell does he think he is?

I can't help you. I'm sorry. I need money.

I gotta get out of L .A.

If you leave, they're gonna violate your probation.

Well, then you fix it with my probation officer.

Take your hands off me.

All right, look.

I'm a little strung out, okay?

I'm a lot strung out.

But you better fix this thing for me, or someone's gonna get hurt.

That's not too smart.

Not smart?

You deserve to die.

You heard it.

You deserve to die.

That crazy broad's looking to kill me, man.

And the gun also violates your probation.

Oh, at least being dead.

How much money you got?

Not the kind you need.

Give me what you got.

I'll pay you back.

All right.

Why don't you give me the gun?

How about you fix things with my probation officer, huh?

Go away. I'm making a loan.

But padding is not your most attractive trait.

You're real proud of yourself today, huh?

Well, I did my job. You did yours. That's the way the system works.

The system's down.

We have citizens behind locked doors.

The last guys on the streets.

What went on in that courtroom was a joke.

Those animals did it and they walked.

I wish he'd blown away.

I'd buy a gun.

You're a real drag, Lester.

I'm going.

Good.

I don't want to be seen hanging out with you.

By the way,

Justin Fragerson's got a carry permit for a pearl -handled .38 revolver, would

you?

Why?

Most curious?

Night, Lester.

What?

Morale it has to be hot.

I didn't think you high -paid types worked this late.

Well, I'm expecting a phone call from a client who's about to be arrested.

Is this a social visit?

No.

I, uh, always fail, I bet.

What's this for?

My hype.

They found him a couple hours ago in an alley with a needle stuck in his arm.

Plus, I owe you an apology. I was way out of line at lunch.

Ah, forget it.

Where I come from, guys like you were always the enemy.

I don't know. Somehow, just even having the lunch was like selling out.

Well, the job's still there if you want it.

Yeah.

I can't see me running around here in no gray suit.

You can hide.

You guys weren't just blowing smoke about doing some pro bono, were you?

Lawyers? Blow smoke?

I'm serious, man.

I'll make a deal with you.

You work for six weeks, full associate status.

You don't like it for any reason, take a bus. No questions asked.

It would have to be a two -way street. Six weeks and I ain't cutting it. You

have the right to throw my butt right out the door.

Well, that sounds fair.

Deal? Oh, Mama.

Deal.

Ten to one, the aforementioned client.

Who's that?

Yeah, I'm listening.

What are we looking at here?

A lot of junk charges.

In your serious category, we got resisting, assaulting a police officer,

possession of narcotics with a white powdery substance resembling cocaine,

possession of a concealed weapon.

It's the whole setup.

And we'll be sure to point that out to the district attorney.

Most of these charges are bogus.

They just use them for bargaining purposes.

You automatically violate it on the coke with this, and you'll go away on that

one alone.

Hey, either we're rolling the same or you just get the hell out of the boat!

If I hold on... What am I looking at here?

Ooh, 68 minimum?

Maybe we offer him a deal.

You don't have anything to offer?

What about Dollar and Garcia?

What about them?

They did the rape.

I testify to it.

We just drop all the other stuff.

You did the rape, too?

Sure.

Yeah.

It was the three of us.

It was their idea.

Are you prepared to do time on that charge?

Depends.

See what kind of deal you're willing to cut.

I'll be back to you on that.

As soon as everyone has seen my face, we can get out of here and maybe go get a

little pasta.

Okay.

Is anyone here in the business?

George Lucas.

Come on.

Francis Ford Coppola.

Shh. Steven Spielberg.

Get out of here.

Go get yourself a drink and work the party.

And I'll patch up to you.

Excuse us.

What's your problem?

Very classic.

I hope you asked her for a medical certificate.

Lisa, if you want to be an associate, it's for a minute. I can't be sitting on

dates together.

Come on, don't pout.

I dump her off, I'll come by your place.

What time?

As early as I can.

I need the door open.

I promise to wake you.

You've got great coverage over there with that Lewis top coat. What, hold him

for a partnership?

You're damn right.

They'll keep your backroom mold till you're 80 if you let them get away with

I don't know, Ann. You know, I'm not unhappy with things the way they are.

Hi. Hi.

I'm sorry to interrupt. No problem.

Um, I just want to... Celia Robinson.

And I told her I'm pulling for her, and I'll be there tomorrow when she comes

out of surgery. Right at her bedside. Isn't that just awe -inspiring?

You know, I'll bet if she spent half as much time in bed with me as she does

with this damn client, we might even have it married.

You're Markowitz?

Aunt Kelsey.

This is my husband, Jim.

Grace, I beg your pardon? I thought that's how you lawyer types talk.

But I would know, being a mere unemployed househusband.

Embarrassing. That's not embarrassing.

That's embarrassing.

I'm sorry.

He's just had a little too much to drink.

Can we please not talk business?

Sorry.

Celia Robbins is 35 years old.

She's going into surgery tomorrow, and she may not come out of it.

And I'm 35 years old, and maybe I'll live past tomorrow.

Let's face it.

None of us gets out of here alive.

You don't think you're being a little morbid, right? Yes, I am being a little

morbid. You know how many of these damned annuals I've been to?

Five. Six.

Exactly.

We spend our lives every day of every week of every year doing this crap.

And I keep feeling one day my real life is going to start.

Only this is it.

And damn it, bottom line, I'm not happy.

Are you happy, Stuart?

I'm not unhappy.

That's not good enough.

When's the last time you made love to a woman?

Honey, come on. You think it's kind of personal?

Yes, when?

It's not something you have to go to the supermarket and buy with your TV

dinner, you know?

When?

Yeah. Look at me. I am what I am.

I'm short.

No, believe me, I'm short. You can't tell from where you stand, but I'm

And I don't do nautilus or anything.

I'm not... I'm not sexy.

And I bruise easily.

Good.

So you're safe.

We're all so safe here.

What?

You heard me.

Are you bombed?

Don't sell yourself short.

I've had a few, but I'm not bombed.

Will you?

If you think about it, it's not really... Thinking is the last thing I

do. Come home with me.

I don't know what to say.

I don't see anything.

Let the record

reflect that a conference was held in chambers early this afternoon.

amongst and between the defendants, their attorneys, and the representative

the DA's office.

Based on my understanding of the facts in this matter and the apparent problems

of proof, it is appropriate to reach a pretrial disposition.

Mr. Ferguson, do you wish to waive your constitutional right and enter a plea of

guilty at this time to Penal Code Section 245?

Yeah.

Guilty. Mr. Dollar?

Guilty. Mr. Garcia.

Guilty.

Does counsel join in these pleas and waivers?

Yes, Your Honor. Yes, Your Honor.

Very well. Defendant's plea of guilty is accepted with an indicated sentence of

18 months in the state prison facility at Vacaville. Formal sentencing set in

Department 145, September 19th, 9 a .m. This court is adjourned.

I know that as things go, 18 months is not a very long time.

As things go, it's a lot better than nothing.

Look.

Here's my card.

If you ever need a lawyer.

If you need a friend, please don't hesitate to call.

for anything.

Good night.

Good night, Iris.

All three of them copped a single counts of assault.

How much time did they pull?

Not much. 18 months.

I suspect young Ferguson is going to find out more about the crime of rape in

those 18 months than he bargained for.

I respect him right.

Word is you were doing the prosecution's job.

I let the cops know he was a ticking bomb. They did the rest.

That's a pretty thin line, ethics -wise.

If I stepped over it, which, by the way, I don't think I did, I'll live with it.

I'm having dinner with Martin Garver.

Care to join?

Ah, a path. I've got a mountain of work I've got to do.

But what it's worth.

I might argue your ethics in this case, but I admire your conscience.

There's more?

You said if I'm a friend?

Come on in.

Hey, um... I'm...