Original subtitles

Ah, well, thank you very much, Mr. Garabedian. We are interviewing a number

people, and we'll let you know as soon as we've made our final decision.

Before I leave, I want to say two words to you.

Class action.

Whether we're talking about negligently manufactured pacemakers or defective

farm machinery, I believe that multiple plaintiff lawsuits will generate heap

big moolah.

And I am just the boy to do it.

Ah, thank you.

Thank you.

How many more of these do we have to see today?

Five more.

I can't do this.

You guys hire whoever you want to hire. I just, I can't do this anymore.

Hello? Ah, you are?

Jane Halliday.

I'm Douglas Brackman.

This is Dan Kelsey, Jonathan Rollins, and Arnold Becker. Thanks.

Arnold, are you staying?

Why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I'm from Oklahoma.

Went to Harvard Law School.

I clerked for a federal judge for a year after graduation.

Following that, I worked in the district attorney's office in Oklahoma City for

two years.

What made you want to relocate out here?

Well, I have family out here.

Also, I felt I could benefit by broadening my horizons a bit.

Is there any particular area you'd like to specialize in? At this point in my

career, I'd just as soon be guided by what needs to present themselves.

I'd be happy to do whatever you need me to do.

It says on your resume that you attended Bob Jones University.

Yes. That's a religious school, isn't it? Yes, it is. It's a Christian

A fundamentalist Christian college?

Yes. Are you a fundamentalist Christian?

Yes, I am.

Well, forgive me for saying this, but this firm seems an unlikely setting for

fundamentalist Christian to want to be in.

Perhaps it is.

But I made a decision to pursue a career and to work and live in a more

mainstream environment than the one I grew up in.

Your firm is very well regarded in the legal community.

I think I could benefit from working here.

And I also think that I could make a contribution.

Miss Halliday, you might find us something of a godless bunch.

I think you'll find that I'm really pretty accepting of people, Mr. Rollins.

And I don't think any of us are godless.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no

evil. For thou art with me.

Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table for me before mine enemies.

Thou anointest my head with oil. My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Amen.

Wells.

It was very nice meeting all of you. And it was nice meeting you, Miss Halliday.

We'll let you know as soon as we've made our decision.

Thank you.

What?

Good morning.

Yeah.

Okay, we'll do it then.

Well, when is the table going to be ready, Douglas? They said another week.

Unbelievable. Yeah, it's not done.

Everywhere is done.

Is this it? Yeah. This renovation is taking on epic proportions.

When are they telling us now it's going to be done?

End of the month.

End of which month?

Fellas, get the home to town.

We are going to try to get some work done around here.

Folks, if we could get down to business.

Interviews are ongoing for new associates. I'd like to have someone

end of the week, if possible.

I think it's safe to say that as far as Arnold's concerned, we ought to be done

looking now. I trust that what we witnessed was momentary infatuation and

nothing more than that. We'll see all the candidates who'll make a decision

everyone else or one whoever is best qualified for the job.

What are you looking at?

What am I looking at?

I'm looking at the prize in the Cracker Jack box. I'm looking at the big brass

ring and the merry ground of life.

What are you looking at?

The Bentley Continental R. You're getting a Bentley?

Yes, I am. How much?

List is $275 ,000. You're spending $275 ,000 for a car? You think that's

excessive?

As compelling as this conversation is, I'd really like to get some work done

before the sounds of hammering drives me completely crazy.

You're running the meeting, Douglas.

Run the meeting.

Kincaid versus Owens, Pierce, McIntyre, and Reynolds.

That's mine. Judith Kincaid is suing her law firm for sexual discrimination

under Title VII for their failure to make her a partner.

There, but for the grace of God, go we. There are no female partners at Owens,

Pierce, Douglas.

Not even one like there is here.

Can this case be settled? The offers we received were insulting.

Let's try not to get too much of a reputation as a repository for litigious

embittered females.

Shall we, Ann? Moving on.

Excuse me. Eli.

Is this your sad time? No, it's a very good time. Everybody, this is my cousin,

Eli Levins. How do you do?

Stuart told us you're involved in the case of the social worker who was

The parents of the accused are all friends of my family. I'm out here on

behalf. Well, if there's anything any of us can do to assist you, please let us

know. Thank you.

There's a vacant office you can use, but we're a little short -handed in the

secretarial department.

Oh, please don't worry about it. You're being extremely gracious.

I'll make my own arrangements as concerns a secretary.

Do you think $275 ,000 is too much to spend on a car?

I don't know. I bust my ass working. I'm at the top of my field. I have no

dependents.

Who should own a Bentley if not me?

Will it make you happy?

Yes, it will.

Then you should own it.

A wise man arrives from the East.

Nice to meet you, Eli.

Nice to meet you.

You think there's any chance he'll be glad to see us here?

My God, with the trouble he's in, you'd think he'd be thrilled to see us.

I think you should be prepared for that not to be the case.

Oh, Sandy.

How are you doing, son?

Who's that?

This is Eli Levinson, an attorney who's come with us from New York.

What for?

Because you need an attorney.

Because you have a little bit of difficulty here.

Do you still have my Beatles album, Yesterday and Today?

We probably do.

I haven't thrown anything of yours away. Certainly not your record collection.

Well, it's the album cover with the Beatles in butcher coats.

See, I steamed off the album cover it was sold with because it's got the

original one underneath.

It's probably worth a fair amount of money.

Should we send for it?

Do you want to have it here?

I'm thinking you should sell it.

I don't want to go back now.

Ed, Ray, why don't you give us a minute by ourselves?

I'll see you soon, son.

You don't know me and I don't know you.

You've been charged with murder.

That means you need to have someone paying very close attention to what

to you.

Do you have a cigarette?

I don't smoke.

I didn't ask if you smoke.

I asked if you had a cigarette.

There's a preliminary hearing scheduled for tomorrow.

Do you have any problem with me representing you at that hearing?

No. Good.

Is there anything you can tell me about the crime you're being charged with?

No.

Okay.

Can I go now?

Sure.

See you tomorrow.

Who are you again?

I'm your lawyer, kid.

How long did you work at Owen, Pierce, McIntyre and Reynolds, Miss Kincaid?

Eight years.

I was hired right out of law school.

What were you told about your performance during that time? I was told

analytical skills were first rate, as were my briefs, as was my performance as

litigator. as was my ability to supervise other associates.

Were any conversations held with reference to your being made partner?

Yes. In June of 1989, I came up for partnership review.

What were you told?

I was told that while my work as an attorney was outstanding, my quote

people skills needed some adjustment.

I was told that I could be abrasive, I could be terse, and I was told that I

lacked a sense of humor.

How did you respond?

I said that I would work on it. Did you work on it? Yes, I... Tried to be a

little more patient in dealing with associates.

Tried to explain myself more.

Even tried telling an occasional joke.

Would you tell the court what happened the next time you came up for

review? I was told that I wasn't on the partnership track.

Period. Did any of the partners at Owen, Pierce, McIntyre and Reynolds tell you

why? Steve Bullock did.

I went into his office and asked him point blank why I wasn't being

for partner.

He said, Judith, I'll deny it if you ever quote me, but the truth is...

You're just too butch.

I have no further questions.

Would you say that one's ability to get along with other people was in any way

significant in evaluating one's performance as an attorney?

I get along with people just fine, Mr. McCafferty. Do you?

February 10th, 1991, an associate by the name of...

Robin Michael, after working 14 -hour days for two weeks straight, was leaving

the office at 6 p .m. to attend a hockey game. You stopped him at the door, told

him you have him fired if he wins. I was waiting on research he was responsible

for. It couldn't have waited till the following day?

No. December 14th, 1990, you initiated a confrontation with Bob Connolly, a

senior member at the firm, because of an imagined slight.

And you saw fit to do so in front of a client. It wasn't imagined.

I felt as though Bob Connolly had addressed me in a condescending tone of

Well, would you tell us, Miss Kincaid, what you hoped to accomplish by

initiating a confrontation in front of a client?

I didn't hope to accomplish anything, Mr. McCafferty. I did it because I found

Mr. Connolly's behavior intolerable.

Do you fit in at Owen, Pierce, McIntyre, and Reynolds, Miss Kincaid? Objection!

I wasn't allowed to fit in.

I'm not sexy.

I'm not funny.

And I don't know the secret handshake.

If they didn't want me around, they should have said so. I think in a manner

speaking, that's what they did. Isn't it, Miss Kincaid?

I put my heart and soul into that job.

I held back nothing.

If they weren't prepared to treat me like a colleague, they shouldn't have

me in the first place.

They shouldn't have stolen eight years of my life.

I'm finished, Your Honor.

I can't believe what you're driving.

Hey, if you're going to have a car, have a car.

Good to see you.

So you and Jeffrey are finished?

Yeah, with DeBoer.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Hey, it's for the best anyway, believe me. We would have killed each other if

would have stayed together.

How's his health?

Mentally, he's terminal.

Physically, he's fine.

How's Sydney?

Good. Charlie?

Good. Everybody's just where they were when you left.

You know, I think about you guys a lot.

Yeah? Yeah.

So, what have you been doing since you're out here?

Ah, you know, a little bit of this, a little bit of that.

You know, looking for a job, meeting people, going on a lot of blind dates,

checking out the local culture.

It's not much like New York, is it? Not anything like New York.

Clean, sunny all the time, nobody jaywalks, nobody has had a dress.

Other than that, I love it.

You want to work for me while I'm in town?

Do you need somebody?

Yes, I need your body. Oh, I would love to work for you.

In addition to everything else, I could use some help getting around town.

What do you mean?

I don't drive.

What do you mean you don't drive?

I've lived in New York City all my life. Denise, I never learned to drive.

I'll be your driver.

Great.

You know, you don't know how much easier it is to get around out here than it is

in New York.

I mean, it hardly ever rains. You never, ever have to fight for a cab.

People are courteous. They're more relaxed.

You know, they're not always trying to kill each other.

What are you looking at?

I'm looking at you.

And I'm liking what I see.

Oh, really?

That's right.

Give me your telephone number. Drop dead.

Give me your telephone number.

Let's go.

Come on.

Court will come to order. Judge Shays presiding.

Be seated.

People versus Sandy Morrison.

Thomas Mullaney for the prosecution, Your Honor.

The defendant is charged under Section 189 of the California Penal Code with

murder in the first degree.

My name is Eli Levinson, Your Honor. I'm an attorney licensed to practice in the

state of New York. My appearance on Mr. Morrison's behalf is pro hoc vice. Do

you have supporting papers for a pro hoc vice appearance?

I do.

Approach.

Is your client prepared to enter a plea? At this point, Your Honor, I really

haven't had an adequate opportunity to confer with my client. I would beg the

court's indulgence that he might enter a plea at a later date.

I'll set it down for Thursday. Is that all right, Mr. Mullaney?

Yes, it is, Your Honor.

At this time, Your Honor, I would also move for Mr. Mullaney's

On what grounds? On the grounds that my appearance in the state of California is

in association with a firm of McKenzie, Brackman, Becker, Kelsey, Markowitz, and

Morales, a firm of which I believe Mr. Mullaney was a member. Your Honor, I

haven't been a member of the firm for more than a year.

And I haven't met Mr. Levinson until today.

I'm going to have to take this matter under advisement, gentlemen. I am not

prepared to rule on this now.

Your Honor, in that I sense this is little more than a delaying tactic, I'm

prepared to withdraw from the case. My office will appoint another prosecutor.

Very well. I would assume that all evidence related to this case be made

available, be it inculpatory or exculpatory. I would also ask that at

hearing the court entertain an application for bail. I believe that

Levinson looks over the evidence, inculpatory and exculpatory, he will

to pursue his application for bail. Why is that?

Mr. Morrison confessed.

I'll see you back at the office.

Excuse me.

You're Sandy's parents?

Yes, we are. I'm Jonah Berkey.

It was my wife who was killed.

I want you to know that I'm not unaware of your pain in all of this, and I

certainly don't want you to feel as though I'm going to be sitting here in

looking at you or your son, for that matter, with hatred.

This is a tragedy, and it's a tragedy for all of us. Yes, it is.

Thank you for saying that.

If Gail were here, she would have said it. But since she isn't, I know that she

would want me to.

Look at her all.

I was pleased with yesterday. What about you? I thought it went well. The

captain, he got the news.

A little. It's okay, though.

I didn't want him to get to me. From the jury's perspective, it'll probably work

to your advantage that he did.

Sylvia.

Hello, Judith.

I didn't expect they'd have you sitting in court.

I am a member of the firm.

They're using you as window dressing, Sylvia. I don't choose to see it that

Judith. I believe I'm serving a useful function.

May we join you?

I'd rather that you didn't.

Could you tell us why an offer of partnership wasn't made to Judith

say it was a combination of things. Her work was good, albeit not exceptional.

She demonstrated no real potential for generating business, and her personality

most definitely hurt her. In what way did it hurt her? Those of us who worked

with her found it to be rather severe, cold even.

She had a low flashpoint. She tended to be...

Well, abrasive, bossy, ill -tempered, not a lot of fun to be around.

Given all that, we decided she wasn't partnership material.

Was this determination influenced by the fact that she's a woman?

Absolutely not.

If anything, I'd say it gave her an advantage.

We're desperately trying to bring in some women partners.

We're in law schools recruiting.

We have more women associates at the firm now than at any time in the past

history, and I think that at least one of them is going to make partner.

I assure you, we want a woman.

We just... Didn't want this woman.

I have nothing further.

How many attorneys are there in your firm, Mr. McIntyre?

Forty -three.

How many partners?

Ten senior partners, fourteen junior partners.

How many senior partners are women?

None. How many junior partners are women? I'm not unaware that there's a

problem.

We are in need of the humanizing influence a woman would bring.

The right woman just hasn't come along.

The truth is, she doesn't exist.

The attributes you want in a woman and the attributes you want in a lawyer are

mutually exclusive.

Your Honor. What you've done is nothing more than to construct an elaborate

pretext for never having to allow a woman into what you like to think of as

private club.

Look, I'm not going to be bullied by her, and I'm not going to be bullied by

you.

Every time you don't get what you want, it's because you're a woman, right?

It's the glass ceiling, whatever that is.

Well, you know what?

I'm a little sick of all your whining.

Sick of all who's whining, Mr.

McIntyre.

Forgive me, Your Honor. I didn't mean to speak in generalities.

I'm the one that asked the question, Mr. McIntyre. Who's whining were you

referring to? I was referring to the plaintiff, and only the plaintiff. Your

Honor, at this time, I'd like to announce my intention to call Sylvia

a witness.

I object.

Your Honor, Sylvia Reiner is a member of the defense team in this case.

Your Honor, I insist on being able to examine the policies of this firm as

pertain to women.

I believe the jury is entitled to determine for themselves who it was Mr.

McIntyre was referring to.

Given the lateness of the hour, we'll adjourn for today.

When we convene again tomorrow morning, you may call Miss Reiner to the stand.

Though witnesses excused, court is adjourned.

My firm specializes in environmental law, and that's the field I'm primarily

interested in. You have a good deal of litigation experience, it seems.

Yes, I do.

Very impressive.

I appreciate you saying that, but before I'd consider joining this organization,

there are a few things we'd have to address.

Like what?

The air in this building is bad. There has to be significantly better

circulation. I require ergonomically correct seating for myself and my

assistant, as well as radiation shielding for all the video display

Look, it's one thing to take on environmental causes where deep pocket

defendants are involved.

It's another thing to put one's own affairs in order.

In other words, are you prepared to walk it like you talk it?

I don't believe we have a resume.

Forget the resume. I haven't been working for the last three years.

What have you been doing?

I've been in jail.

I was convicted of mail fraud.

I served 28 months. Now I'm out and I'm raring to go.

How are you able to practice law if you were convicted of mail fraud?

I'm not able to practice law.

What I am able to do is make a great deal of money in commercial real estate

syndication. What I need is a base of operations from which to do it.

I guess I'd like to start off by asking about maternity leave.

Miss Kelsey.

Yes, hi.

I wonder if I could talk to you for a minute.

Come in.

I'd like to know what it is you hope to accomplish, really, by calling me as a

witness. Exactly what I said I hope to accomplish.

To demonstrate that the way my client was treated is indicative of the way

women at your firm are treated. I have no complaints about how I was treated.

I understand that.

Then why call me as a witness?

My testimony isn't going to affect the outcome of this case one way or another.

If I felt that way, I wouldn't call you as a witness.

You're a partner here, Miss Kelsey?

Yes. You're a partner.

Judith could become a partner at any number of firms, I'm sure.

You two are bright, successful young women.

Why is it necessary for you to do this to me? Why is it necessary to humiliate

me? I'm not trying to humiliate you, Miss Reiner. That's what you're going to

do. You're going to paint me as this poor, pathetic creature who's worked her

entire adult life in return for whatever scraps these men have thrown her from

the table.

I don't want to be depicted that way. Can you understand that?

Obviously, it's not an issue of any significance.

Are you married, Miss Reiner?

Objection. Irrelevant.

Your Honor, I think the jury's entitled to view the totality of circumstances

affecting this woman.

I'll allow it.

I'm divorced.

Do you have children?

I have three grown children.

How long have you been divorced?

Since 1970.

Who provided most of the income that you and your children lived on, Miss

Reiner? I provided all the income.

What year did you come to work for Owen Pierce McIntyre and Reynolds?

1962. And you've remained there ever since as an associate, is that right?

I have.

Now, as time went on, one of your responsibilities was to train other

associates, wasn't it?

Yes. Yet there were a variety of perquisites and privileges extended to

associates that weren't extended to you, weren't there? I really have no

complaints about the way I've been treated.

Were you given your own office?

No, I wasn't. Your own secretary?

No. Isn't it a fact, Miss Reiner, that you make less money than associates whom

you yourself have trained?

I wouldn't know the answer to that question. Isn't it also a fact, Miss

that until this trial you were never once allowed to set foot in a courtroom?

As I said, I have no complaint.

Have you seen the evaluation that was made when you first came up for

partnership review, Miss Reiner?

No, I haven't. I have a copy of it here. I ask that it be admitted into evidence

as plaintiff's exhibit number five.

Objection! This evaluation is ancient history.

Attitudes towards women across the board were totally different then. I would

maintain, Your Honor, that what we're here to determine is just how different

they are. It seems to me that the only thing that's different is the degree of

subterfuge those attitudes are concealed behind.

I'll allow it to come in.

I quote, Sylvia is, like most women, good with details, but utterly lacking

fire or leadership potential.

Loyal as a Saint Bernard.

Keep her chained to the doghouse.

Feed her once a day, and she'll follow us anywhere.

Definitely not partnership material.

Not even close.

Would you agree with that characterization?

I have no complaints about the way I was treated.

Is it possible, Miss Reiner, that having to raise three children on your own

taught you to have no complaints?

You have no right to do this.

This is supposed to be about your life.

You have no right to force me to talk about my life.

I apologize, Miss Reiner.

Nothing further.

I'm looking for Beverly Halloran.

You found her.

I was told that you were assigned to the Morrison case.

Who are you?

I'm Eli Levinson. I'm representing Sandy Morrison.

Sit down.

I assume you know we're dealing with someone who's quite ill.

Are we?

Have you studied his file?

Yes. Then what's the question?

He's been institutionalized half a dozen times.

He's been diagnosed as a clinical bipolar depressive.

You don't doubt that that was a factor, do you? A factor in what?

A factor in Morrison having killed Gail Bergey.

Assuming, of course, that he did.

Your client is a very dangerous man, Mr. Levinson.

I'm not interested in his clinical diagnosis. I'm interested in getting him

the street. Me too.

But the truth is, he never should have been on the street.

And if you force me to try this case, I will subpoena every shrink and hospital

administrator this kid ever saw.

Anyone who had anything to do with putting him on the street will be called

witness. I'll make this trial about how Sandy Morrison got to be a killer, not

whether or not he was one.

You can try to make it about that, Mr. Levinson. Whether you succeed or not

depends on the judge.

You're right.

And I'm more than willing to take that chance.

What is it you're looking for?

Not guilty by reason of insanity.

Long -term commitment to a secure mental hospital Come on that should satisfy

your need to get him off the street and my need to get him some help I have your

assurance. You won't fight me on the issue of confinement Absolutely

Okay He pleads guilty in court. I

won't oppose it and we'll schedule a commitment hearing He also remains in

custody until such time as he can be transferred to a mental hospital agreed

Okay

Well, nice doing business with you, Counselor.

Nice doing business with you.

Are you sure I can't interest you in a little wine? They've got a great

selection. Thank you. No, I don't drink.

Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it's

with thanksgiving.

1 Timothy, chapter 4.

Why did you ask me to lunch, Mr. Becker?

I was very impressed with you the other day.

I was hoping I could interest you in the field of matrimonial law, working

directly under me, so to speak.

Does that mean I have the job?

Well, partners still have to vote on it, but I'd say you're a pretty serious

contender. Well, maybe we better wait until they've made a decision.

Are you involved with anyone at the present time?

No, I'm not.

Well, praise the Lord, as it happens, neither am I.

Um... Mr. Becker, am I correct in assuming that you're interested in

into some sort of romantic relationship with me?

Possible inappropriateness of such candor notwithstanding, interested would

far too mild of a word.

Please understand something.

I don't believe in recreational sex.

Do not deprive each other so that you may devote yourselves to prayer.

Come together so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self

-control. 1 Corinthians, chapter 7.

Paul's letter to the Corinthians was referring to married couples.

But the principle still obtains, does it not?

No, Mr. Becker, it does not.

I'm a virgin.

I'm a virgin by choice, and I will remain a virgin until the night of my

wedding.

Now, if there's nothing else we need to discuss, I'd like to go.

I do hope you'll still consider me for the position.

And I hope that you'll be able to confine our relationship, should I get

position, to one strictly professional in nature.

And I also hope that you will continue to read the Bible.

My God, she's a virgin.

There are those who will tell you that Judith Kincaid is in here asking for

special treatment.

I'm here to tell you that the reason Judith Kincaid has come into this

is that she's already gotten special treatment.

She has been judged, not as an attorney, but as a woman attorney.

She found herself being punished for the very same behavior for which male

associates were rewarded.

They were assertive. She was abrasive. They showed leadership.

She was bossy.

They were businesslike.

She was cold.

Nobody told her when she first interviewed with the firm that she would

judged not on how hard she worked, but on how much fun she was to be around.

Nobody told her that her failure to smile or her lack of interest in sports

would represent an insurmountable obstacle to advancement.

And the reason nobody told her was that the men who interviewed her wanted her

to work for them.

They knew that this was a bright, driven attorney who could be depended upon to

work her tail off. They knew that it would be six or seven years before

have to tell her that she wasn't going to make partner.

They knew what a good deal they had here.

They had only to look at the deal they had with Sylvia Reiner.

Now, I have no doubt but that the men of Owen, Pierce, McIntyre and Reynolds are

made somewhat uncomfortable by Judith Kincaid. I have no doubt that they are

more comfortable having as partners other men like themselves.

We ask that you consider the cost of that comfort.

We ask that you look at the lives that are expended without recognition or

reward. We ask that you do something about it.

When Judith Kincaid came to work at Owen Pierce McIntyre and Reynolds, what did

she have a right to expect?

She had the right to expect to be paid fairly.

and be given the same opportunities as other associates at the firm.

The fact that she was judged and found wanting does not translate into an act

discrimination.

Her work was satisfactory, her demeanor less so.

Given the range of candidates, the senior partners chose who they felt were

qualified. They made a decision. So long as there were legitimate reasons for

that decision, they were wholly within their rights to make it.

if you decide otherwise if you compensate judith kincaid for this

by extension you will hurt the prospects of all women who work you will presume

by inference that women can't be judged honestly that they can't compete on the

basis of their own abilities that they need attorneys shepherding their

i believe that hard work and talent will result in women

taking their rightful place alongside men in all strata of society.

But in order for that to happen, they must be permitted to fail.

All of us who work for a living stand on our own two feet. We all vie for

promotions. We are all subject to the judgment of others. We get knocked down,

we get back up, brush ourselves off, get back into the ring. We learn from our

failures. We learn from our mistakes.

Let Judith Kincaid do the very same thing.

You like this place?

Yeah, it's nice.

I know the owner.

Oh, yeah? Yeah.

Where you from in New York?

Queen. Get out of here.

I can't believe I'm sitting here in L .A. with a chick from Queen. Why is

Where do you think I'm from? I have no idea where you're from.

I'm from Bayside.

Get out of here. Yeah.

You just got ticketed.

What do you mean you just got tickets? They're giving out tickets.

Well, send Maddie in here.

What's going on?

I'm handling the parking here. What do you mean, handling the parking?

Well, I have a valet parking service, among other things. I mean, last week I

did parties at Eddie Van Ham, Mickey Rourke, and at Stallone's.

I'm impressed.

Yeah, I know. Sometimes I can't believe it myself.

I don't know what's going on, Anthony. Suddenly they're handing out parking

tickets. Why do I have to do everything myself?

No, you don't.

Excuse me for the interruption there. Hey, Matty, give the meat I made $100 or

park it somewhere else. $100. I'm going to end up in a jackpot if I give him

$100. Then you're in a jackpot. Go ahead.

All right, I'll take care of it.

Are you working now? Do I look like I'm working? Yeah, you do.

Hey. What?

I'm sitting here entranced and entrapped by a gorgeous woman in the borough of

Queens.

So it's just a coincidence that we came to this restaurant.

Well, what do you think?

What do I think?

I think I'm remembering all the reasons why I never wanted to end up with a guy

from Queens. That's what I think.

Hey, how'd you like to meet Fly?

Anthony. What? I hate to bother you, but Maddie's getting arrested.

Yeah, for what?

You offered money to the meat and meat.

This is what I get for bringing these meatballs out here.

Go ahead.

Give me five minutes, all right? I'll straighten everything out. I come back,

finish the meal, we head out to Nicky Blair's, and we'll hang out with Fly.

Am I gorgeous?

Aye. Aye?

Give it back.

Phil Garabedian. You're green.

I agree.

Lloyd Hasek.

Prima Donna. I agree with that, too.

Jane Halliday.

Pass. Why pass?

Because she's a member of the religious right.

Wait a second. All we know is that she's a young woman who happens to believe in

God. Is that all we know?

She went to Bob Jones University.

Yeah.

Ask her her position on freedom of choice for women. Ask her her position

homosexuality. She's not being nominated for the Supreme Court, Anne.

We're looking for a first -year associate.

Wait a minute. Whatever the relative merits of this woman, I think the fact

Anne is as adamantly opposed to her as she is should account for something.

Do you think we shouldn't consider her? I'm saying we shouldn't consider her. If

we can dismiss those other people out of hand, we can dismiss her out of hand.

Tell me something, Stuart. How would you feel if we were talking about a Jew?

Not the same thing.

Not the same thing? Exactly the same thing.

This woman hasn't said one word about abortion or homosexuality or anything

else. What you're doing is exactly what all those white -shoe downtown firms do

when they sit around and refuse to consider tainting themselves by allowing

Jew in their midst.

It's exactly the same thing, and the two of you know it. It appears that since

we started interviewing, she's far and away the best candidate we've seen.

And we need to hire someone.

If she starts proselytizing, well, we'll tell her to stop.

If she doesn't stop, we'll get rid of her.

I vote we hire.

So do I.

I vote no. Me too. I can't see keeping her out because of her beliefs. I vote

hire her.

Four to three, right, Arnold?

Four to three.

You'll let her know, Douglas? Yes, I will.

Also, see if she's free to start Monday.

And also, find out when they're supposed to be done with this renovation.

Tell me, Arnie, is it possible you would have made a slightly less impassioned

speech if you hadn't wanted to go to bed with her? I resent that.

Are you saying you have no interest in going to bed with her?

I'm saying that the thought never crossed my mind.

Have you tasted these things?

What? These, California bagels.

Look at this, raisin, blueberry.

I don't know what this one is. It's red.

Like cotton.

I hate to tell you, Eli, but not everybody likes hard bagels. H &H, they

not. Kosar's Bialy's, they are not. Eli.

Barney Greengrass' Thurgeon King, they are not. Eli.

Why? I was going to tell you, that's what.

Last night, I was at this restaurant, and the husband of the woman who your

client was charged with killing was there.

Yeah? Well, it looked like the mourning period was over.

What do you mean?

He was with this hot tomato, and they were all over each other. They were

drinking, grabbing, kissing. I mean, it was like nauseating already.

Huh. I mean, if it was me who died, I wouldn't want my grieving husband doing

what this guy was doing.

Good morning.

Leland is my secretary, Denise.

Well, how do you do, Denise?

Hey, Leland, how you doing? Okay if I call you Leland?

Of course.

Cool. See you.

Cool.

I need to talk to you, Sandy.

I can either plead insanity or I can plead not guilty. I need to know from

what you want me to do.

Don't ask me.

I've got to ask you.

It's you who's accused of murder.

It's your life that's on the line.

They didn't let me finish my breakfast this morning.

Do you understand the nature of these proceedings?

Took away my cereal.

Wasn't done with it yet.

Sandy, do you understand?

What you have to understand, Mr.

Levinson... I don't care.

Did you confess because you didn't care?

Court will come to order. Judge Rona Shays presiding. First case on the

People v.

Morrison. Please be seated.

Where do we stand on this case, Ms. Halloran? Mr. Morrison has indicated

counsel that he is interested in entering a plea of insanity.

The people are prepared to agree to such a plea, provided the defendant's

confinement to a secure facility remains continuous and unopposed.

Mr. Levinson?

Mr. Levinson?

The defense will not be entering a plea of insanity, Your Honor. At this time,

we would like to enter a plea of not guilty.

Excuse me? Set down for trial October 21st. The defense would like to make an

application for bail, Your Honor.

Denied. The defendants were mandated to custody.

Next case?

You want to go now?

Yeah.

Hey.

Here. You talk out of

both sides of your mouth, Mr. Levinson.

I had a change of heart. Oh, did you?

Well, in the future, I would appreciate it if you wouldn't go through the

pretense of giving me your word, since quite apparently it's worthless.

You'll forgive me if my client's futures are somewhat greater significance to me

than remaining in your good graces. You think you have a shot at an acquittal?

Good luck.

You also thought getting Tommy Mullaney off this case helped your chances. Well,

I think you may have miscalculated there as well.

Has the jury reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

I'll say you.

We fine for the plaintiff and award the sum of $1 .5 million.

On the issue of specific performance, the court rules the firm of Owen,

McIntyre and Reynolds is hereby compelled to make an offer of full

to Judith Kincaid. With that, we are adjourned.

I'm sorry to have put you through testifying. If I thought of what it was

to be like for you, I never would have done it. Given the outcome of the case,

it's a good thing you didn't think about it.

We should schedule a meeting, Miss Kelsey.

For what purpose?

For the purpose of determining how much more time and effort is going to be

consumed by this lawsuit. If there's a willingness on your client's part to

waive the partnership offer, we would consider foregoing any appeals and

her the money damages in full.

Judith, I think I'd probably agree to that.

I thought you might.

Come on, Sal, let's go.

So?

Looks like we're going to trial.

I don't think my client's guilty.

What about his confession?

I think he signed it because he was nuts.

And I think I have another suspect.

Who?

The husband.

So it looks like you're going to be around for a while.

Looks that way.

Good, good.

Do you remember the last time we saw each other, Stuart?

It was my grandmother's funeral.

We went back to Oneida's to sit shiva, and you and I went upstairs to play

Oneida, ooh.

You remember all that?

Yeah.

Good. It's odd that things remember, isn't it?

This guy that I came out here to represent, he sits there in a psychotic

and remembers these seemingly trivial events that appear to have no

to what's going on around him.

And everyone sits there and looks at him as though he were on another planet.

Two years ago, I had a nervous breakdown, Stuart.

And that's the way everyone used to look at me.

Looks like you've recovered.

About 90 % of the time I feel like I have.

You want to go out? You want to get something to eat?

Thanks. I don't think so.

Look, I know you don't believe this, but we have some very good restaurants in

Los Angeles.

Let's do it another night.

I got some files to read through.

And when I get done with that, I think I'm going to go for a walk.

A walk?

Eli, this is L .A. Nobody walks in L .A.

I think I'm going to anyway.

Listen, I just want to tell you that whether you're here for a week or a

or whatever, Ann and I are your family.

And happily so.

So I just want you to think of us that way, okay?