Original subtitles

Previously on L .A. Law. Roger Beekman is out front.

We shared a cell at County.

I told him to look me up when he was released.

I listened to this tape.

The story you tell is touching.

It even bears a remarkable resemblance to my own adolescence.

Two men who share a six -by -nine room have no secrets.

Roger disappeared.

Now I'll never see how my life story ends.

Do you notice since we started dating, no weird gifts, no midnight hang -ups on

the phone?

You're too smart, Gwen.

You're right.

It was me all along.

I, um, took a home pregnancy test.

We're gonna have a baby.

We're gonna have a baby.

Not long ago, I had to raise capital and take on a silent partner.

You're referring to Eric Shuler? Have you met my husband, Mr. Beckham? No, ma

'am. Where is Shuler? Right under your nose.

What's for breakfast?

Depends on what you're making.

How does this thing work?

Um, actually, I don't know. I use it mostly as a clothes rack.

So, how do you stay toned?

Got high metabolism.

I worry a lot in chase after Lucy.

She's still sleeping.

Come on.

Show me how this contraption works.

What part of your body do you want to concentrate on first?

Boobs.

You mean pecs.

Daniel.

Yeah? My life is finally making sense.

Mentally and physically I am approaching my peak.

Me too.

Going to law school.

Being with you, having Lucy in my life, I couldn't be happier.

That's good, Gwen.

What are we talking?

Working out.

Let's go for the run.

Time's a -wasting, colleagues. There's much to be discussed.

Let's get started.

First up, people versus Emery Lewis and Gary Stubb. I'm assisting Tommy Mullaney

in prosecuting Stewart's attackers.

What? What's going on?

Why is this table so sticky?

It seems to have affected this finish.

Real bargain on the cleaning crew, Douglas.

Holy cow.

What a mess.

Tempest Fugit pressing ahead? I'm afraid to ask.

People versus Claudia Von Ralt, a .k .a. Mistress Vina. Our client is facing a

rap for involuntary manslaughter and the wrongful death of Eric Shuler. I

thought Ben Flicker was charged with that crime. Had been until the police

investigation revealed that Shuler actually died during a B &D session.

Mackenzie Brackman defending a bondage and discipline dominatrix? Not while I'm

drawing breath. Douglas, no one is more aware than yours truly that image is

everything. But this case and its ramifications could affect our firm. Ben

Flicker, Worldwide Studios.

I've been with us every step of the way, Ace.

Lead counsel.

Yeah, son of a... Move along, Douglas.

City of Santa Monica joined by the NAACP as amicus versus Alan Ajamian. Judge

Wishburn is... is hearing the city's emergency application to remove a statue

Martin Luther King from Mr. Ajamian's building.

Yeah, I saw a picture of that statue.

It was a little too reminiscent of a lawn jockey for my taste. Why are you

defending him? The right to expression should be at the heart of any free

society. Wait, so you don't think he's perpetuating a racist stereotype?

I find the statue offensive.

You won't feel like a token black defending someone? I have to interrupt.

Alan Ajamian is a long -time client.

When this controversy arose, Jonathan approached me about this case feeling

strongly that he was the only attorney at this firm who could walk into

and not be called racist. I wouldn't have it. No, no, no. I admire Jonathan's

ability to put aside all personal conflicts in pursuit of the greater

No one has anything to add?

Readings adjourned.

Table is finished.

Roxanne, it's about time.

I don't work for you, Douglas.

Uh, does that give you the right to traipse in here 47 minutes late?

Arnie knew I had a doctor's appointment. Are you ill?

No. Well, then you haven't any excuse.

What did I say?

Mr.

Baker, you represent Santa Monica in this suit.

Describe your 1 % public art program.

The ordinance was conceived to foster a partnership between developers and City

Hall. Approvals for new structures depend upon 1 % of building costs being

allocated for major works of art. Does the ordinance specify subject matter or

medium? No, that's left up to the developer. However, the preamble states

the art should enhance our urban landscape.

In your judgment, as chairperson of the arts program, has the statue

commissioned by Mr. Jamien enhanced... The urban landscape?

Absolutely not. There have been demonstrations.

Rocks and bottles thrown, windows broken, not to mention continued threats

violence. Have you been forced to take action?

Yes. The chief of police assigned officers to patrol Mr. Ajamian's

Why protect the statue at all?

We're on notice.

If the demonstration escalates or if something happens, in my opinion, Mr.

Ajamian would sue the city in a second.

Your witness.

Mr. Baker, there's a mural.

on 4th Street that has the likeness of Louis Farrakhan. That mural was not part

of our program.

Yes, but nevertheless, a picture of Mr. Farrakhan might offend some of your

Jewish citizens.

We want art to contribute to the community, not disrupt and destroy.

And the connoisseurs at City Hall will tell us which art contributes and which

does not.

Objection, Your Honor. Argumentative.

Sustained. Anything further?

No. Counsel, I have chosen to make this a closed hearing.

However, I was unable to clear more court time until 9 tomorrow.

Until then, in light of the rowdy crowds which continue gathering outside Mr.

Jamien's building, I urge you to meet in private. Try reaching an accord that's

acceptable on all sides. Before it's too late and there's real trouble.

We're adjourned.

Claudia copped a reckless endangerment. Prosecutor won't go for that. What's the

plan? Barney, relax. We'll see how it unfolds. The judge could suspend Fenton

Claudia pleads to assault with a deadly weapon and agrees to hang up her grip.

Fenton.

Attending this trial is a lousy idea.

No, Rischke, I'd have to protect my interests.

Besides, I've been cleared of obstructing justice.

We all would have been better off if you hadn't hidden Shuler's body in your ice

rink. What would you have done? I was staring down the barrel of a major

at the shareholders' meeting. I had to try keeping my partner's current affair

out of the hard copy. Yeah, I know. Only your conscience got the better of you.

Plus, there's no such thing as bad publicity.

Say cheese.

You're smiling now, Ben. This may be your last picture.

To you, Eric Schiller was a business partner. To me, he was a life partner.

I've lost my husband.

You don't think I'm sensitive to your situation?

I took the law into my own hands, hoping to spare you the humiliation of

discovering the cause of Eric's death. This wasn't a personal favor, Ben.

You've been buying time, trying to keep things quiet until after Worldwide's

annual stockholders' meeting.

If Claudia's here, I suggest Ben leave and the rest of us retreat to opposite

corners, otherwise there will be a scene we'll all regret.

Ben.

All right, I'm going, I'm going.

Hello, Arnie. I'm Daniel.

Claudia. So, you're the one who killed my husband.

For a whore.

You disguise your sickness well.

See you inside, Beatrice.

I offender.

Don't you offender me.

Where in the living Hades have you been? We had an agreement.

A man's word is his bond.

I've been writing. My book?

Our book. Whatever.

I'm almost finished.

Roger, you don't know what a relief this is. All these weeks, my stomach's been

in knots.

Here, I know.

I heard you in the stall.

You need more brand.

Roger, I must say, you're looking rather respectable.

Thanks to you for giving me your father's old suit. That was nothing.

Well, not nothing. After all, you are wearing 100 % wool.

Worth $900 when you correct for inflation.

These clothes have proven invaluable.

Influenced my storytelling by helping me think like a brat man.

Roger, you're a far cry from the ex -con who shuffled into these offices almost

a month ago and began writing my book. Our book? Whatever.

The manuscript.

Only two more chapters to go. And the bowels of the brute.

Bowel. I like it. Has a certain resonance.

I'd written my name a million times before, but never on the wall of a roach

-infested jail cell alongside the names of rapists, muggers, and thieves.

I, Douglas P. Brackman, Jr., born into the hallow temple of the American legal

system, was now behind bars, imprisoned.

Like it?

Love it.

As worthy as your earlier effort, this reeks with feeling.

Now, let's get busy and finish my book.

Our book.

Whatever.

Any chance this is about the Froska deposition?

No. No, this concerns our new insurance carrier.

They want to exclude you from coverage because you fall into a high -risk

category.

Apparently, a doctor sent them some information.

Well.

The letter doesn't specify what sort.

Then you'd like an explanation.

Well, I am concerned.

But your health is your business. I only wanted to apprise you of the situation.

Thank you.

Leland, this is between us.

Of course.

My father died of Huntington's disease. It's a neuromuscular disorder.

There's no cure.

I'm sorry.

And that's why you believe you're being denied coverage?

Recently, my brother was diagnosed.

The disease is passed on genetically. Children have a 50 -50 chance of

inheriting Huntington's.

Symptoms don't appear until a person's late 30s, early 40s. I believe there's a

way to detect this beforehand?

Yeah, there's a blood test.

I'm not sure if it's a blessing or a curse to see the future.

I take it you've elected not to find out.

Well, it's a long process, Leland.

First, you're counseled, told in detail about the disease. I guess the doctors

want to see whether you'll be suicidal if you get the bad news.

Anyway, I've decided against the test.

I'm trying to go on like everybody else, thinking I'll live to be 100, or

tomorrow, get hit by a bus.

Gwen, if it's all right.

I'd like to pursue this with the insurance carrier.

Well, what's the worst that could happen?

I take the test.

I find out I have Huntington's.

And I decide I'd rather be hit by a bus.

Thank you. Dr. Patrick, you examined Eric Schuller after the autopsy? That's

correct. What was the cause of death?

Technically, coronary arrest.

But the condition of the body suggested a possible homicide.

Could you explain further?

Mr. Schuller had been frozen in ice for some time.

After he thawed, I discovered roughly 30 second degree welts on his buttocks,

approximately 8 inches in length.

People offer into evidence this twist.

Recovered from Mistress Vina's room. Objection. Defense is already stipulated

the evidence. This is unnecessary.

Sustained. Please. Please continue, Doctor. There were also contusions in

ankle area, indicating the deceased had been suspended upside down. Given Mr.

Schuller's medical history of heart failure, in your professional

was the beating administered by... The word beating is a value judgment.

Sustained. Last question shall be struck from the record.

You mind? Jump in quicker. Give me a chance.

Was the treatment Mr.

Schuller received at the hands of Mistress Xenia sufficient to cause a

and fatal heart attack?

Yes. The shock of blows from that whip, along with the inverted position, would

have been sufficient to induce a heart attack in someone whose circulation was

already compromised.

Nothing further.

Dr. Patrick, you were Mr. Shuler's physician for nearly 13 years. In fact,

according to your records, you saw him every other week after his first heart

attack. Correct. Did you advise your patient he could resume sexual activity?

Yes or no, Dr. Patrick. Did you advise your patient, Eric Shuler, he could

resume sexual activity? Yes. Thank you.

Nothing further.

Tommy, glad you got here early.

Let me find Stuart. Oh, gee, and actually, I came early so I could talk

Oh. Well, I'll be in my office.

Oh, sure. It won't take but a minute.

Hey, gorgeous.

My body chemistry's out of whack.

I'm an emotional train wreck.

This morning, Douglas yelled at me, and I actually took it seriously.

Ah, to heck with him.

How's our baby?

Oh, Tommy.

Tommy? Only Arnie and Stuart know.

I've got a client in 45 minutes. Maybe we could get started. Sure. Okay.

Roxanne, I can't make heads or tails out of Roger's dog -eared mess.

What do you want, Douglas?

I need these typed on the QT.

ASAP. And PDQ.

That's alphabet soup to me, but I'll do the best I can.

Two dollars a page.

How's that?

You wouldn't want me using company time to do your personal business.

You're not the only hen who can hunt and peck around here.

Dana? Do it.

Let's go take a walk.

Actually, Stuart, we have to go over your testimony. It's a beautiful day,

want to take... Stuart, you've been avoiding me for weeks.

No, no, I haven't. I have an audit starting soon, and if I dredge up what

happened and clog my head with testimony, I'm not going to be able to

concentrate on the audit. Okay, we go to trial in a couple of weeks.

How about tomorrow? I promise.

Okay.

Roxanne, you're the only person I can trust.

Would you, please?

Two and a quarter are paid.

The hand comment was uncalled for.

Deal.

Single -spaced. Narrow margins.

And not on your computer. I don't want this coming up on someone else's screen.

Well, the question is, is it legal to deny Ms. Taylor coverage for a condition

which she doesn't currently have?

There is nothing in the California Insurance Code precluding insurers from

making underwriting decisions based on genetic makeup.

That's discrimination.

What's next? Excluding people with family histories of heart disease or

Genetic links to cancer and heart disease are tenuous. In Ms. Taylor's

there's a definite chance of her developing Huntington. And an equal

I won't. I'm sorry, but in order to cover subscribers at affordable rates,

need to screen for bad risk.

I refer to page 13 of your policy, where you list conditions excluded from

coverage.

Huntington's disease is not among them. No, but page 15, subheading F, excludes

all pre -existing conditions.

If Miss Taylor does have Huntington, she's had it since the day she was born.

In addition, on your policy application, question 23 asks, are there any pre

-existing conditions? You wrote no. There wasn't any pre -existing

and there still isn't. I don't mean to sound glib.

But why not find out whether you have the Huntington's gene?

If the test comes back negative, we can cover you.

What if it's positive?

At least you'll be able to prepare for the future.

Almost finished.

Roger, I'm not sure you're aware how much that phone call meant from Marvin

Rosenthal, longtime friend, senior editor at Harper, Dutton & Rowe, wants

read my book.

Our book? Whatever.

As soon as Roxanne types the first three chapters, I'll read and messenger them

over. Give Marvin a whiff to whet his appetite.

Fender, don't you think we should wait?

At least until you've gone through the entire book yourself.

When will you be done?

Just two more words.

The end.

Excellent. Tell you what.

Where are you staying?

The YMCA.

I have a clean bed, a hot shower.

And I'm learning judo. You, rush back to the Y. Get a full night's sleep.

Tomorrow, we meet back here, work on a strategy to sell my book. Our book.

Whatever. I did it.

You're so smug. It's only that I am unaccustomed to this role of patron of

arts. Jamion, you wouldn't know art. Gentlemen.

Please.

I will pound that statue into floor tile, if that's what you want.

Mr. Jamion.

City Hall wants that eyesore removed, so be it.

The cost is $275 ,000.

You arrogant slob. If you want, I will take a 10 -year tax abatement.

By the time the voters wake up, this administration is long gone.

Jonathan, I am wasting my client's time.

How about you give him a break on the next project?

Jamion has burned his bridges in Santa Monica.

See you in the morning.

Fallen from grace.

How is one to carry on?

I ask you.

Mr. Jamion, is this just a big joke? I'm afraid so.

And not a very good one.

I can understand how someone would find that statue offensive, but that is not

my problem.

You're responsible for putting up the statue. How do you separate yourself

what you did? This is business.

In the future, the city will think twice before they start telling developers

how to spend their own money.

Perhaps I should testify. Perhaps you shouldn't.

Lee.

You are a beautiful sight.

You know, ever since we met, I haven't been able to forget you.

You've been on my mind too, Jonathan.

That's why I called your office.

But when I found out you were down here actually protecting this guy, how can

you... Hey, I don't like defending this Jameon guy. I believe in the First

Amendment. The First Amendment was written by slave owners. If we let

be threatened by someone else's expression, then who is the master? I'll

understand how lawyers detach themselves from the people they defend.

Lee, I chose this case because during the short time I was on the road, I

traveled through Nigeria, Zambia, military rule, one -party states, places

the government dictates your rights.

No one has a choice. There is no choice.

You can't hide behind an American Express card. You know what? I don't

for this.

I don't need it.

That's enough.

Maybe that's what you're about.

Always running away whenever there's a problem.

I know

testifying has been difficult, Mrs. Shuler.

Just a few more questions.

I'll do my best.

It's Mr. Zinnia's contention the punishment given your husband was not

extraordinary. That, in fact, he had submitted to such treatment on a regular

basis for quite some time. Objection assumes fact, not in evidence. Mr.

has not testified.

Sustained. The jury shall ignore the last remark.

Mrs. Tuller, can you think of a reason why Mr.

Zinnia would want your husband dead?

Objection. Overruled.

I'd like the witness to answer.

Not long ago, my late husband rewrote his last will and testament.

His executor plans on making those changes known next week.

Until I'm proven otherwise, I have reason to believe that Ms. Van Raad

Eric into leaving the controlling interest of Worldwide Studios to her.

final question.

Did you ever notice welts of any sort on your late husband's body?

Never.

Thank you, Mrs. Shuler.

Mrs. Shuler.

How would you describe your marriage to Mr. Shuler, especially during the last

ten years?

Not without its ups and downs.

Actually, the two of you were heading for a divorce, isn't that true?

Yes. You once warned Arnold Becker, and I quote,

If you ever meet my husband, make sure you have firm footing, otherwise he'll

cripple you too.

Correct?

My husband could be a cruel man.

Yes or no, Mrs. Shuler?

Yes. Is it true, in fact, you and Mr. Shuler barely remained civil these last

ten years, sleeping apart, sometimes not exchanging a word for weeks on end?

Yes. And is it also true there was no physical intimacy whatsoever between the

two of you? Yes.

Since my spinal injury, I've been unable.

What difference does it make?

For starters, if you didn't see him naked, how could you have known about

that may or may not have been on your late husband's body?

Nothing further.

Hi.

Have a seat and roll up your sleeve.

Does it matter which arm?

Either one.

And make a fist.

Weather's gorgeous this time of year in California.

Almost like we have seasons.

I'm originally from New York.

Where about?

A little town called Armonk, Westchester County.

Rolling hills, lots of trees.

Sounds pretty.

Not this time of year.

Tupou.

Relax your hand.

Sorry.

The worst is over.

There's dominance and submission in all human sexuality.

When someone hugs you, part of them is possessing, holding you captive.

But submissive people, those like Mr.

Schuller, outnumber dominance seven to one.

What position of submission was Mr. Schuller in when he suffered his heart

attack? He was bound and gagged, hanging upside down by his ankles.

It was the first time in more than a decade of sessions that he dropped the

ball.

Dropped the ball?

Whenever one of my clients is gagged, we put a ping -pong ball in their hand.

If the pain becomes too severe or there's any undue discomfort, they let

the ball and we stop immediately.

And there is no sex in these sessions?

None.

Clients may have an orgasm, a tremendous release of tension, but no contact.

When Mr. Schuller dropped the ball, what did you do?

Immediately had one of my assistants dial 911.

Then we administered CPR until the paramedics arrived.

Were you aware Eric Shuler had had a previous heart attack?

Yes. However, he told me his doctor said exertion of a sexual nature wasn't a

problem. Ms. Monroe, was it necessary to strike Mr.

Shuler repeatedly and with force?

Yes. The therapy session... Objection.

Defendant is not a qualified therapist. Defendant has a Ph .D. in behavioral

sciences.

Overruled. Witness may continue.

Mr. Shuler had a high threshold.

If I didn't hit hard, he felt I didn't care.

Did you care?

He was a dear friend.

It broke my heart to know the burden of guilt he carried.

Any idea what caused this guilt?

Objection. Overruled.

Unresolved trauma involving his deceased mother.

Mr. Schuller felt he never lived up to her expectations.

To the best of your knowledge, did his mother strike him?

Never. That is significant.

Freud suggested children who aren't punished and never spanked and then

in love sometimes become masochistic.

Eric Schuller paid me to be his mother, to whip him, and afterwards put my

arms around him and say I loved him.

What would happen then?

He would break down and cry.

Thank you.

Mistress Xenia, this honorable profession of yours... Actually, Mr.

do consider it honorable.

I help people.

I know I helped Eric Schuller. Does it give you sexual satisfaction?

Are you turned on?

Occasionally. Were you aroused when you beat Eric Schuller?

Sometimes.

Most day I felt sorry for him. About $250 an hour, I feel sorry for him too.

Objection. Sustained.

The money is important.

It helps remove the guilt.

I think you felt compassion for Eric Schiller.

So you beat him to death.

Objection. Withdrawn.

The human figure is a sculptural tradition, old as Pericles.

Aren't you concerned that many have found your work to be offensive, even

racist? My art demands that be of no concern to me. In Mexico City, an angry

defaced Diego Rivera's mural at the Hotel Del Prado.

The Mona Lisa was considered revolutionary.

Frankly, I am surprised that my statue is such a point of controversy.

Thank you.

Nothing further.

Mr. Verderamo, how can you be surprised by the controversy?

Where is your nude statue of Margaret Thatcher? To the best of my knowledge,

a warehouse.

In Brighton, England.

Because when you tried to exhibit it, you and the statue were pelted with

were you not?

That's right. However, I... A moment ago, you mentioned the riot caused by

Rivera.

What part of that mural is defaced?

The words, Dios no existe.

God does not exist.

Fighting words in a Catholic country, wouldn't you say?

Perhaps. It's a bit like shouting fire in a crowded theater, isn't it? Isn't

that what you're trying to do with your work, Mr. Verderamo?

Shot fire in a crowded theater.

So when, to your delight, there's a stampede, you can sit back and simply

who, me?

Objection. I have no further questions for this artist.

You may step down, Mr. Vertorama.

Stuart, describe the man who pulled you from your car.

I remember the breaking of the glass and the door swinging open, but I can't...

Stuart, the night of the police lineup, you said he was wearing a blue shirt.

Did I say blue shirt? If you're not razor sharp on these answers, your

credibility as a witness will come into serious question. Yeah, I know, Ann.

Look, can we wrap this up? I'm really tired.

Okay, Stuart, can you describe the man who allegedly swung the bat?

He was six feet tall, and he wore sweatpants.

Originally, you said dungarees. Ann, maybe you should... I'm done.

Stuart, I need your statement.

Just put me on the stand, all right? I'll be fine. We're trying to help.

No. No, you're not. You're not trying to help. You're trying to convict these

people.

Who's to blame here, Ann?

The people in South Central for not getting their fair share or the rest of

Stuart's our key witness. If he can't testify... He'll be okay, Tommy.

I'll make sure.

This is not a case.

about an artist who, in the privacy of his own studio, created an offensive

statue. This is a case about a developer who was so upset by the requirement

that he devote a small fraction of his projected cost to the public that he

purposely incited civil unrest.

Alan Ajamian has violated the public's trust.

Now Mr. Rollins will ask, what is more fundamental than the First Amendment

right to free speech and expression?

But when certain forms of expression so disrupt the functioning of society, that

freedom must be suspended to preserve order. When the social fabric is torn,

the arts and all the words are meaningless.

Your Honor, we might not share the perspective of an Alan Lejamian or

Verderamo, but an insecure totalitarian regime controls and censors its artists.

sends them to Siberia. But a free society exposes its art to public

And we can't always have the good without the bad. Some art endures.

This abominable disgrace may not.

Let's not confuse the messenger with the message.

The issue, Your Honor, is one of tolerance, a measure of our compassion

society.

Douglas? That the rest?

Except for the first three chapters that we sent over last night.

Roger came by and picked up the originals.

Maybe I should make a copy.

Not yet. I can't put this down.

If the other chapters are as good as those I've read so far, I should begin

sequel.

You actually helped write this?

What do you think? It is my autobiography.

Well, ever since the riots and you were tossed into jail, I've doubted that

you've changed.

But you exposed yourself.

That took courage.

I know.

Oh, I work fast. There may be some typos, especially in some of the racier

sections, like Chapter 15. That's why the monkey's mom invented whiteout.

Racier sections.

I put my arms around Roger and nestled against him.

My heart leaped with ecstasy, even in our bleak, dank cell.

I had found love and felt no less a man.

Where is he?

I'll roll up his ribcage like a Venetian blind.

What are you ranting about? He'll need two stretches to carry out his body.

Whose body? I offender. Don't you offender me. We never made love.

No, we didn't.

But I used to climb down from my bunk and rap myself against you. Feel your

heart beating.

You did what?

I held on to you for dear life.

And you let me.

Bless you, you let me. I was asleep.

I sleep like a heavy appliance.

Every night, Fender.

Be honest.

You're living a fantasy, and this book is libelous. My word against yours.

Hey, it makes for a good story and controversy sells. How dare you print

faith on truth.

Then give me back our book. Your book, mister. I want no part of this. Douglas,

that was Marvin Rosenthal on the phone. He wants to option the manuscript.

Not so fast.

Give me. It's mine, Spender.

Out of my way, miscreant.

This case leaves me with agita.

I am suspect of Mr. Ajaymian's intentions and dubious of Mr.

artistic integrity.

However, freedom of expression is, on occasion, the right to make some people

furious.

I am, therefore, denying the city's application for a restraining order. The

statue remains in place.

My fervent hope...

is the outraged citizens will be as forgiving as is our Constitution, and

this unrest will fade with time.

We're adjourned.

You did a commendable job.

Right.

Why are you angry?

You won. Mr. Jamion, to be perfectly honest, I don't care what you think.

Ms. Van Rolf has not been put out of business.

She's still at the same address, whipping away, charging $5 a stroke.

But Mr. Zinnia is not a sexual deviant. In fact, she only occasionally gets her

kick beating men.

Instead, she is an entrepreneur of horror, a pain merchant,

and total cynic.

There is a limit, even as adults, to what we may consent.

Eric Shuler did not consent to his own murder, and yet that's exactly what he

got. Knowing full well of his weakened condition and earlier heart attack, Ms.

Van Ralt beat him to death and kept the money.

You must not let her get away with that.

Manslaughter is defined as unlawful killing without premeditation.

What Miss Van Ralt does for a living may be considered by most to be

distasteful, warped even, but criminal, not by law.

Eric Shuler assured Miss Van Ralt of his physical condition and voluntarily

consented to everything she did.

She knew Mr. Shuler's body, his life story, better than his own wife.

Claudia Van Ralt and Eric Shuler trusted one another. It was not her intent to

hurt.

But to heal.

How'd you make out?

I managed to grab 87 random pages before Roger ran off with the other.

I'm sorry your manuscript wasn't on a disc.

In the bowels of the brute would have ruined me anyway. It was filled with

and hallucinations.

Yes. People in the legal profession would have needed an exhumation order to

find me.

Uh -huh.

Roxanne, you were the only one to read the entire manuscript.

What was your opinion?

Runaway bestseller. That's what I was afraid of.

Sorry, Douglas.

Roxanne, I want to apologize.

Yesterday, I made you cry.

It's not entirely your fault.

Lately, my hormones have been a little schizo.

Change of life.

In a way.

New life.

I'm going to have a baby.

Do you know who the father... I mean, who is the father?

Tommy Mullaney.

Mullaney?

He didn't force himself on you. Douglas!

Roxanne, this is wonderful.

Give the puppet a B, my congratulations.

I will.

And tomorrow, if you'd like, we could begin reconstructing your autobiography.

I thought you'd never offer.

Tommy. Hi.

Hey.

You tell Brackman if he picks on you, he's got to deal with me?

Douglas says congratulations on the baby.

That's better.

I'll walk you home.

I'll even carry your books.

Oh, Gwen.

I'm glad I caught you.

If you go along... I'd like to initiate action against our insurance carrier.

On what grounds?

Well, under California law, we have no recourse.

But the Americans with Disabilities Act appears to offer some protections.

Sounds like a long shot.

Now, this would be a test case, and it could be the usual publicity which

accompanies such actions.

I appreciate your effort, Leland, but I prefer to keep this private.

Oh, by the way, I took the test.

On our turn.

Have you reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

What say you? In the matter of the people versus Claudia Van Ralt on the

of manslaughter, we find the defendant not guilty.

Congratulations. Ms. Van Ralt, you are free to go.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, thank you for your service.

Good job, my son.

Thank you, Father.

Ben? It's not the exorcist. Although I did have lunch in the cafeteria, so

your shoes.

Pretty good, huh?

One fitting at wardrobe.

What are you doing back here? Never spent much time in a courtroom.

Riveting. Inherit the wind, twelve angry men to kill a mockingbird can't hold a

candle to this kind of drama.

How do you think this will affect the worldwide shareholders' meeting?

I was hoping you had the answer.

Don't look so foreshadowed. Well, it's just, when Schuller's will is read, if

Beatrice does assume controlling interest of the studio, I can't imagine

going to want either of us around.

Light a candle, Becker.

Thank you, Arnie.

You're welcome.

Did that hurt?

Worse in person, isn't it?

And you just spent two days pouring every drop of your energy into ensuring

statue remains up there. I hate this.

But I'll still defend Verderamo's right to sculpt it and Jamion's right to

display it. That trash is a free pass into the white man's mind and how he

us. Lee, a single artist created this.

I've never seen a statue crushed into a million pieces and used to fill the

potholes of our streets.

I don't think the king fought for civil rights. Next you'll say we should turn

the other cheek.

My father always warned me, when your heart's running in front of your head,

take a deep breath and let your head catch up.

My heart, once the statue removes, it gives me an ectovision. My head says we

can't afford another provocation.

Turn down! Turn down! Turn down!

It's time, Jonathan. Not this time, Jonathan. For once, follow your heart,

your brain. It's going to be all right.

Scientists uncovered a man's body. Check this out.

Figured it's almost 5 ,000 years old.

No one's sure why he was up in the Italian Alps.

Probably lost.

Too stubborn to ask directions.

Touche.

Daniel, can I ask you a hypothetical question?

I hate hypotheticals.

Before my wife died, she used to play games like, if something happened to

would I remarry?

Would I find Lucy a new mom?

No time for needless speculation.

Daniel, there might be a chance that I have...

Baby days.

You want me to rock Lucy?

No, why don't you grab the door and I'll...

I know how to put her back to sleep.

Hello.

Hi.

Who are you?

Bad dream.

You're worth nightmare.

Who are you? I'm the Wicked Witch. The Evil Queen.

Didn't you get me little gifts? You shouldn't hang up when I call. Why are

doing this to me?

You refuse to stay away from my husband.

Who are you?

I'm Allison Morales.

Daniel's wife.

Lucy's mother.

That's who I am.

No, you're dead.

You're dead.

Daniel?