Original subtitles

Excuse me. Do either of you know how to get to the library?

A first-year student, I presume.

My dear, my worthy colleague and I are second-year students and will only be

too happy to assist you. The library is right over there to the left.

Now, if you have any other questions, or if you would merely like the company of

a more experienced veteran of this institution, please feel free to call on

me at any time.

Or knock it off and help me with some of this stuff.

Smell it. The crisp fall air.

Look at it. The clear, washed sky.

The leaves are changing. The foliage is extravagant.

All's right with the world.

James, our second year in law school is going to be wonderful.

What? How shall we organize the bookshelves? Do you want the lower

shelf, the top shelf, or shall we be side by side?

You take the whole thing.

What? Yeah, I want my books in my room.

James, there isn't room in your room for all your books.

I'll stuff some of them under the bed.

See, when I'm doing late, late night studying, I don't want to worry about

waking you up or fiddling around trying to find my stuff.

I mean, I want my books.

All my law school stuff with me where I can get at it. I think what you are

saying is that you want to sleep with your books.

James, we're not first-year students anymore. We're now second-year. Do

yourself a favor. Find a woman instead.

Enjoy it now.

You won't have time for it after Kingsfield starts to work you over.

Now, everybody, listen up.

I want all you want out... Fill out these forms. These are your dormitory

contracts. Promise not to break any furniture.

Everybody's issued two towels, one set of sheets. You can pick them up at the

laundry room.

More paper?

Paper's the name of the game here. Give me a break, okay?

These are your applications to the gym. The gym is located... Val, we've got

work to do. Can you cut this orientation meeting short?

All right.

Remember, I'm here to help you answer your questions.

Any questions?

Yeah.

How do we handle Kingsfield?

Very... Very carefully.

Read the case book. Stay ahead.

It might help if you bought one of the outlines that one of the study groups

made last year.

But get a good outline. You got to be choosy.

How could we tell a good outline?

I'll fill you in.

Is Kingsfield really as bad as they say?

Worse.

Look, my job here is to show you where the bathroom is, tell you where you can

get your laundry done, report you to the law school shrink if you freak out. But

as far as Kingsfield, you're on your own.

Is this James Hart's apartment?

Yeah. What's up?

James?

I'm Hart. What can I do for you?

You're James T. Hart, the only one who got an A in Kingsfield's class last

year. Fantastic. You booked the course.

How did you find that out? Grades are supposed to be a secret.

Research, Hart.

Research.

You made law review.

Yes. Well, what can we do for you?

Or is it that you'd just like to see the legendary Mr. Hart and perhaps shake his

hand? Sims, my name is Richard Sims.

I'm first year, a 1L.

Sims, we understand the strain first-year students are under, but we

would prefer it if you poor slobs kept your paranoid personalities in the

dormitories where all good first-year students belong.

Hart, do you have the outline you made for Kingsfield's course last year?

Why? Didn't you make an outline for Kingsfield's class covering the cases he

discussed? You know, covering the course.

Sure, I made an outline.

Listen, I'd like to buy it. Um, Kingsfield's course starts tomorrow.

But we're not even unpacked yet.

Look, Kingsfield might call on me tomorrow.

I've read the cases, but I don't understand them well enough. Your

outline could really help. I might even ace the course, too.

Sims, Hart and I are very busy.

You'll have to go.

Well, look, why don't you just think about it, and I'll just talk to you

about it.

Were we that bad?

Were we that crazy last year?

You're damn right we were.

Lehman. Connie, right?

I'm Richard Sims. Hi.

What are all those books?

Oh, case books.

Summaries of the cases.

Don't we have enough reading to do without buying more books?

I want an edge.

An edge?

Look, all of us are smart, right? We've all been to college.

We did very well. So, nobody here is a zero.

So, how do you do better? Get ahead.

I'm talking about that little extra bit that maybe gets you an A from

Kingsfield. From what I've heard, nobody gets an A in Kingsfield's class.

A guy named Hart did last year.

And I'm planning to buy his outline.

See, it's a tradition around here. Students who did well last year sell

their outlines.

And what does that have to do with me?

I've been doing a little research on you, Lehman. You are Phi Beta Kappa out

of Dartmouth, grade point average of 3.8.

I'm forming a study group. Do you want to join?

Boy, you really have done research.

Do you want to join?

I don't know.

Connie, come on.

You can't look that Kingsfield bastard by yourself.

This is going to be the best study group in the history of this school.

We are going to have the competitive edge.

You can't lose on doing you a favor. Okay, let me think about it.

And don't worry so much.

Kingsville's gonna love us.

This is an appeal from an order of the court below.

What court, Miss, uh... Lehman?

The Pennsylvania court.

Which Pennsylvania court? Federal, state, appellate, supreme, civil,

criminal? Or are you thinking perhaps of a small claims court, Miss Lehman?

I don't know. I didn't know there were so many courts.

Proceed.

This is an appeal from an orator of the court below, striking off a counterclaim

filed in action in Assumpcit.

The court... What is the meaning of the term Assumpcit?

I don't know.

Are you in the habit of using words whose meaning you do not comprehend?

No, sir.

There are many words which you don't know, Miss Lehman.

Do you expect me to define them all for you here, personally, in this class?

No, sir.

You are expected to... to track down these strange words, these new concepts.

This is a difficult class, Miss Lehman, and you must fully prepare for it.

Do you consider yourself prepared today?

No, sir.

You are unprepared, unable to answer the most simple questions.

Miss Lehman.

There is one thing I do not understand.

Why are you smiling?

Class dismissed.

Sir.

Connie, about my study. Look.

I sort of asked too many people. If you don't mind, you know, maybe you'd be

happier with another group.

Why don't you just say what's on your mind?

I blew it in Kingsfield's class today.

You only want people who know what they're doing.

Congratulations, Mr. Golden, on being elected to the presidency of the Law

Review. Thank you, sir.

Good afternoon, gentlemen and ladies, and congratulations on your election

to the Law Review.

I see you're already congratulating yourselves.

Last year we had a student, 2L, whose name I've fortunately forgotten,

who congratulated himself upon the honor of being elected to Law Review.

He continued to congratulate himself for five months, at which point he flunked

from this prestigious institution.

Let his experience be a lesson to you.

Now, as you all know, the Law Review comes out once a month.

It is always on time.

On the 10th of each month, the current issue is placed on my desk.

Those who have just been elected may wonder how this prodigy is accomplished.

Very simple work.

For those of you who have just been elected, would you please step forward?

Here are your keys.

congratulate you once again and to work

what

are these for those are your keys

to the library so you can work there all night long day and night Now, next

month, we're publishing a long article by Professor Jenkin on the liability of

corporate directors. Here is the file. Go to the library and run a site check

and no mistakes.

How much time have I got? Well, you got plenty of time. Have it on my desk

tomorrow morning. Welcome to the second year, Hart.

Peters.

A condition subsequent on a promise is different than a condition precedent.

A condition subsequent

on a promise is different than a condition precedent.

Because, um... Something wrong?

I have four books in front of me.

They're in my four different law professors.

Each one of them, an expert on contract law. And every single one of them says

something so different or so obtuse, I don't know what they're talking about.

Do you know the difference between a condition subsequent and a condition

precedent?

I'm afraid I do.

Would you mind filling me in?

It's very complex.

How about just the high points?

Look, Kingsfield wrote an article about it.

Conditions past and future.

Yeah, a law review. Tell you everything you want to know.

Kingsfield.

Rough first day in contracts, huh?

Yeah.

You must be a second-year student.

I'm Connie Lehman. Hart.

James Hart.

James Hart?

Well, you're, uh, quite the topic of conversation at the dorms.

Listen.

Maybe you can just manage to tell me how I'm going to get through this course

with Kingsfield, because he's driving me mad.

Want to take a break?

I'd love to, but I've got work of my own.

Remember, conditions past and future.

Yeah, Lord.

No idea where the phone is.

Oh, I'll turn on the... Wait, I'll get the light.

It's right here.

Hello?

Yes, what is it?

Hart, listen, is that you, Hart?

Yes, it's me. What?

I'll give you $200 for your outline, Hart.

What?

$250, Hart. That's as far as I can go.

Listen, you idiot, it's 4 o'clock in the morning. Are you out of your mind? 4 o

'clock in the morning? You stupid, stupid...

First year student.

Wanted to buy my outline.

Sell it to him.

Jesus Christ, give it to him.

The morning was a matter of... Hey, we sat through every day of Kingsfield.

They should too.

You want a beer?

No, I'm up. I'm going to go study for a while.

You are really anal compulsive.

I, on the other hand, am very oral.

Jesus Christ, Hart, did you eat the pickled herring?

Well, Ford, I was hungry.

Didn't you see the label? Didn't you see it was marked Ford?

I had the damn jar clearly marked.

I'm sorry.

Looked like a health warning.

But the salesman just said, you'll make a million. He didn't say, I guarantee

that you'll make a million.

Mr. Hazard, are we talking about the difference between a prophecy and a

promise?

Miss Lehman, are we?

Miss Lehman, if I say the auto

I'm selling you will go 40 miles on a tank of gas, is that a guarantee?

Is it a condition of promise?

Is it a prophecy?

Um, does it depend on what you intend?

Miss Lehman, think.

How would one determine what I intended?

Ask you.

No, Miss Lehman, no.

I'm afraid you are not thinking.

Read the cases, live them, breathe them.

Mr. Smollett.

I think we would have to examine the language used with great precision. For

example, saying that your car got great gas mileage might be considered mere

puffery, but saying that it got exactly 40 miles to the gallon is specific.

Bell! Bell, you know Hart.

Why hasn't he sold his outline?

All the other two L's have sold theirs.

Give him time. He's been busy, you know. He's got his work on law review.

He's been taking Kingsfield's seminar.

We need all the help we can get.

Kingsfield's a menace.

Talk to him, Bell.

Their students would pay a lot for Hart's outlines.

All we want is a crack at buying it.

Hello, James Hart.

No, actually, I'm drowning in conditioned precedence.

Yeah, I'd love to get a beer.

I don't know, I guess I just had a charmed life.

Growing up in Connecticut, my father went to send me to Europe as soon as I

finished Dartmouth.

You thought I needed a break after such an academically grueling schedule.

Yeah, I'll tell you something. I had a great time in college.

Man, I thought law school was going to be just the same.

No, law school can be wonderful.

Sometimes.

When? I'll let you know. Oh, yeah, I do that.

You want another beer?

Yeah.

How did you get to know Kingsfield?

Get to know him?

Are you kidding?

It's hard.

According to everybody around here, you are the only student that Kingsfield

both knows and likes.

Yes, he likes success, and you've succeeded.

You got an A in his course.

Just a rumor.

You mean you didn't get an A in his course?

What am I doing wasting my time talking to you?

No, I got an A.

Thanks.

You know, it's funny.

Last year, when I was in Kingsfield's class,

I had the feeling that when it was a tough question, you'd call on me. Sort

of as if you were watching, checking on my progress.

See?

She does care about you.

Are you trying to understand Kingsfield, figure him out?

I guess we always will.

Sometimes it's just easier to read them.

Here, I brought you something.

Past and future. No wonder that's not in the library.

Thanks.

I'll read it right after my meeting with Kingsfield.

Mrs. Nottingham, it's four o'clock.

My appointment with Professor Kingsfield was at 3.30.

What's he doing in there?

Whatever it is, Miss Lehman, it does not concern you.

Professor Kingsfield will see you now.

Professor Kingsfield, I have a formal request I would like to make of you.

No, no, that's not right. I don't want to make a formal request.

I want to talk to you as one human being to another.

When I was a little girl, I had a terrible nightmare.

I used to wake up thinking that I was lost. I couldn't find my way home.

And whenever I would ask people for... I'm not the proper person to receive

these revelations.

You should talk to the school psychiatrist.

I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm having a difficult time in your class.

I seem to do my best when I've had a little more time to digest the material.

So I'm wondering whether it would be possible for you not to call on me for a

while until I've had a little more time to prepare.

No.

Professor Kingsfield, um... Good day, Miss, uh... Lehman.

Miss Lehman.

Maybe I didn't, um... Miss Lehman, disorganization of the mind is not an

excuse for not participating in my class.

The Socratic method, question, answer, another question, is a process for

training you to think like a lawyer.

That requires participation on your part.

All I need is a little more time.

Speaking of time, Miss Lehman, our little chat has come to an end.

You've made a request and it has been refused.

Good day.

Nottingham, you may put that call through now.

Belle, I tell you, the man is not human.

Now, I tried appealing to him on a personal, human level.

Man, I should have gone to medical school.

Connie, going to Kingsfield was the stupidest thing you could have done.

Kingsfield preys on nervousness like a tick.

Now that he knows who you are, he'll call on you all the time. Great, Bill.

Thanks a lot.

Professor Kingsfield.

Yes?

Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for letting me take this

seminar. You are Mr... Hart?

James Hart?

Don't you remember me? I was in your contracts class.

You gave me an A.

Last year's grades were of no interest whatsoever.

I may vaguely remember your face, but what concerns us now is your mind, which

we shall try and improve during the year. You may take your seat, Mr Hart.

Gentlemen, ladies.

Let me welcome you to my seminar in the history of American law.

For those of you who, by merit of your special fields of study, come from other

sections of the university, the Graduate School of History, the School of

International Affairs,

let me welcome you to the law school as well.

Those of you who are second and third year students, I must add that in this

course, which is a seminar, The method of teaching is not the same as in my

large classrooms.

Here, we shall enter into a general discussion as we explore the challenging

history of American law and its rising influence in the world.

Willis, when I leave these hallowed halls, I'm going to sell my soul to the

highest bidder.

I'm taking a real gut. Estate taxation.

Half the class gets aid. Good for you, Bill.

Here's for pragmatism.

Listen, Hart, King's Field Seminar is fantastic.

We gotta talk to you about your contracts outline.

We're sitting on a gold mine here.

All the first-year students want to buy it.

They're desperate. We can make a fortune.

You gotta see the dorms. They're all going nuts.

Hart, listen, the time is now. Let's sell it. We'll split it three ways.

What do you say?

Forget it.

Forget it?

That outline belongs to our study group.

Don't forget that Ford and I here are a part of it.

And I got this thing all planned out.

Those first-year students are so stupid.

They think that you're God and believe that everything you wrote is the Bible.

I sure as hell don't plan to let this opportunity pass by.

I don't feel good about it.

The first-year students ought to make their own outlines. They should go

through the process just as we did.

What do you think, Ford?

Well... Everyone sells their outlines.

It's a tradition around here. That's right, and tradition is important.

I said we put it to a vote. All those in favor?

Well, it's just a little innocent fun.

Besides, I can do without those 1Ls calling us up in the middle of the

night.

Two-thirds majority.

Well, you guys do whatever you want. I don't want to have any part of it.

Very touchy, isn't he?

All right, let's get down to business.

In selling the outline, we want to maximize the profits.

The way I see it, for the next few days, I'll keep building hard up, you know?

Let them know how well he did, how good the outline is.

Well, you sound like Brutus plotting Caesar's execution.

Hey, I want those 1Ls panning after this outline like the Romans in the

Colosseum.

What's the Colosseum around here?

Kingsfield's classroom.

Just the place to work them into a frenzy. Just the place big enough to

hold all the bidders.

We auction it there. A real old-fashioned auction with the price

rising, rising, rising.

Only one problem.

Kingsfield will never let you use his commissary. Let me handle it.

I got a plan.

Mr. Bell, Professor Kingsfield's classroom is only available for

worthwhile educational purposes.

Speeches by visiting dignitaries, moot court debates, and faculty meetings.

The law school manual says that all classrooms are available for worthwhile

educational purposes.

And I suppose you have a worthwhile educational purpose in mind.

Definitely. I'm going to give a lecture.

Oh, on how to get through law school without doing any work.

No, on Roman law. I'm going to give a lecture on Roman law.

And just what do you know about Roman law, Mr. Bell?

Well, um, just so happens that before my parents changed it, our family name was

Bellarini. I know the Italians cold, Mrs. Nottingham.

This is some sort of a trick, Mr. Bell.

I hope you know what you're doing.

We're going to the auction. Oh, yeah.

How much do you think the outline's worth?

I've heard a good outline can go for $50.

Yeah, but this is a great outline.

Yeah. Connie. Hi.

You going to the auction?

No, I have a date.

I don't have any money anyway.

Good luck. Thanks.

I wouldn't pay more than $100, but this guy Ace Kingsfield, of course.

Everything Hart knows is on this outline.

Yeah, but $100.

Yeah, but you gotta look at it long term.

The Ace Kingsfield scores.

You make a law review.

Look, Dad, I really need the money.

No, I'm not in any trouble. This, look, you don't understand. This is a

tremendous opportunity.

What do you mean you don't understand what the outline is? Dad, no,

I'm not cracking up.

Dad, look, could I speak to Mom?

Okay, $25.

All right, all right, let's have a little quiet in here.

Okay.

This is it.

This is the outline written by the greatest student in the history of

Kingsfield's course, James T. Hart.

Look at this outline.

Have you ever sat in Kingsfield's class and prayed he wouldn't call on you?

Has Kingsfield ever caught you unprepared?

Has he ever taken your reasoning and cut it to shreds? Has he ever made you feel

like the stupidest person on the face of the entire earth?

Cut you off at the knees?

Well, don't overdo it. Just sell it.

I'm starting to feel the power that Kingsfield must feel at this podium,

Ford. I'm talking power. We got these poor slobs right in the palm of our

hands.

All right, let's open up the bidding.

What are we offered?

$25. You gotta be kidding me, man.

I'm talking about the best outline ever written in the history of Kingsfield's

class.

Look at this outline.

Not a spot on it. Not a coffee stain.

I'm talking pure, brilliant reasoning.

Each word more intelligent than the one before.

35. Get serious, will you? $100.

Okay, now we're talking more like it.

This is very romantic and all.

But why don't we go back to my place?

As soon as I finish.

Why are we whispering? No one's around.

This whole library is deserted. Where is everyone?

You're the only one who still cares about work anymore?

The library is deserted because everybody is at the auction.

What auction?

What auction?

Your auction.

The auction for your outline.

They didn't.

They did.

150. 175.

$200.

225. 250.

275. 300.

350. These guys are desperate. I love it.

300. $475. Look, I'll sell my car.

$400.

$401. $425.

$430.

$600.

Okay,

Sims, bring your money on down, buddy.

All right, here's the outline. Where's your money?

I don't walk around with $600 on me.

Walk around with a checkbook, don't you?

There isn't enough money in the account. I just need you guys to give me a few

days to raise the money. Now, listen, Sims, this auction was cash and carry.

I'll get it. I'll get it.

Just give me some time. I'm good for it.

No, you don't, Sims.

You get the outline when we get the dough, understand?

But it's been two hours, and I haven't thought about law school once.

That park's beautiful.

Yeah. I can't believe I never took the time to go there.

Now, why don't they tell 1Ls that there are apartments like this available?

Why do they make us live in those dormitories?

Well, now, they don't actually say that you have to live there.

They just strongly suggest that you should have read the fine print in the

law school catalog.

Oh, is that where all the stuff is hidden?

You want to finish this wine?

Yeah, let's.

Hi. Hi.

Good. Good. You want to know something?

What?

Very fond of you.

How fun.

Hang on, hang on.

Well, here it is, the fabled outline.

Notes on a course in contracts written by Professor Charles W. Kingsfield, Jr.

This is very impressive, Mr. Hart.

Offer acceptance, mutual assent, parole evidence rule.

You even have a special section on Kramer versus Adler.

Forget the parole evidence rule.

I mean, let me just look at this one section.

Oh, this is great.

You mean the real problem in the Kramer case is...

Is objective versus subjective intention?

It doesn't have anything to do with mutual assent?

God, I've created a monster.

Hey, when I first met you, you wanted to have fun.

Now you're turning into a typical law-crazed student.

Hey, can I borrow this for a while?

You'd be better off if you made your own.

Yeah, but I just want to look at it for a while.

This will really help me get a handle on that course.

Yeah, but it's going through the process that's important.

Kingsfield isn't just teaching you contract law. He's teaching you how to

think like a lawyer.

I happen to be flunking his course.

You understand that?

Really, I need all the help I can get.

Yeah, but there aren't any shortcuts, Connie.

Look, you feel like you don't understand anything.

You're sure you're going to flunk.

But after a while, maybe a few months, slowly...

Very slowly, you start getting at what Kingsfield's driving at.

It's easy for you to say. You've been through it.

I'm at the other end.

And to tell you the truth, I'm terrified.

Please help me out.

I don't feel good about this.

Somebody stole our outline.

Yeah? There's someone who auctioned it off last night without bothering to ask

if I'd mind.

Oh, so you decided to take it into your own hands?

What'd you do, burn it? I probably should have. I just lent it to Connie.

You what?

Listen, we got a record price last night, 600 bucks.

Hart, did you finish sight-checking the Frosterman article?

Well, get to it. Listen, fellas, visiting hours don't start until after

we get the first issue out. Beat it.

Peters, if Connie Xeroxes it and passes it around, it won't be worth anything.

We sold exclusive rights.

This guy Sims might even sue us. Listen, James, in spite of the way you may feel,

we made a deal.

A contract, an exchange of promises.

Now, we can argue morals tomorrow. We can talk about what's best for the 1Ls

all next week. But we've got to honor our bargains. It's basic, Hart. Think

like a lawyer.

How dumb can you be, Hart? Connie comes across for you when you come across for

her.

What are you saying?

Old buddy, you might have been screwed for an outline.

Well?

Forget it.

Look, Dad, I told you it for a very important purpose. Don't you want me to

make law review? Don't you want me to do well?

Can I talk to Mom?

What do you mean? I know how much money you fork over for tuition.

Dad!

Dad?

Hello, Grandpa.

How are you? It's Richie.

Oh, fine.

Well, she's great.

Connie?

Connie?

She's at student services.

Hey, Hart.

I'm really sorry about the outline.

I mean, hell, this is law school. We'll screw the synopsis.

Hey, Bell, Kingsfield wants to see you.

You can't Xerox that outline.

Well, it was just so helpful. I thought I wanted a copy.

Someone paid $600 for it. Someone made a contract.

I'll have to have it back.

Sure.

I feel like a goddamn fool!

I thought you really cared about me.

I do.

Not as much as you care about that outline.

What are you saying? I think it's clear.

You son of a bitch.

If that's what you think, I don't need your outline.

And I certainly don't need you.

I too am a student.

Cicero.

Roman law?

Yes. Is it not true that you gave a lecture on that subject to the first

-year students?

So, expound.

Sir, I think there's been some kind of a misunderstanding.

Did you or did you not use my classroom for that purpose?

I'll assume that you did because...

If it was for any other purpose, well, Mr. Bell, of course, they'd have to

consider disciplinary action.

And then there'd have to be some sort of punishment.

Of course, you don't wish to be punished, do you, Mr. Bell?

No, sir.

Good.

As you know, my advanced seminar in the history of law covers not only English

and American jurisprudence, but the Roman tradition as well.

So we meet again here next Wednesday, and I'll expect you to be present and

give a presentation to the class.

It'll require you to speak for about one hour and then answer questions.

No problem for an expert on Roman law like yourself.

Goodbye, Mr. Bell.

Mr. Bell, why do you remain glued to your chair?

You are dismissed, Mr.

Bell.

Take it easy. He'll be here.

Did you get it?

Okay, Sims, here it is. Now, how about forking over some dough?

Give me the outline.

I'd like to count the money first, if you don't mind.

Okay, it's all there. Here it is, Sims. Good luck.

Hope you make a law review.

I plan to. Sims.

Make a copy of it and give it to me.

Hey, I bought exclusive rights.

And I wrote it.

I'd like a copy, just for old time's sake. I'm not a 1L. I'm not in

competition with you.

I don't know. You might pass it around.

Show it.

Let me phrase it another way.

Make me a copy or you'll never see the second year.

Guess it couldn't hurt.

600 big ones.

Jackpot.

Today we are fortunate to have what I'm sure will be a most unusual

presentation.

A second-year student, Willis Bell, is going to tell us about the famous Roman

lawyer Marcus Tullius Cicero.

I may add that Mr. Bell's presentation is voluntary and he will receive no

credit for his work.

Mr. Bell?

Cicero, the great legal... Mr. Bell, why don't you stand and fill the room with

your erudition?

Cicero, the great legal philosopher, once stated that the law as we know it

grows not from without, but from within.

It lives within the soul of each of us. Most of us know what... Cicero said, Mr.

Bell, you tell us what he meant.

He believed that God created the law and instilled it within everyone.

And what did he himself feel about the law?

That the law was a religion.

Good.

Proceed, Mr. Bell.

Cicero's views, especially as enunciated by this certain student, Clactus the

Short, show that Cicero believed that the law resided in certain key passages

that could be deciphered by using the book of the seven realities, this book

of ancient Greek origin.

Bell, you were wonderful.

Man, my life was on the line. If I'd have blown it, he might have kicked me

out of school. Do you realize how much work I had to do? With a presentation

like that, you ought to ask Kingfield to let you into this seminar.

You know, you really are crazy.

And do me a favor, will you? Next time if I ever have to present a paper, just

lay off me.

What the hell's the matter with you asking me a question about Greek law?

Well, you're such an authority on Roman law, I thought Greek law would be a

breeze.

So I think that under these circumstances, it would be a condition

subsequent to the making of a promise.

Reread the case, Miss Lehman, and then tomorrow you can enlighten the entire

class with an explanation of why you did not understand it today.

So now, let's get to the case of Shallott versus Combustion Engineering.

Mr. Simms is your hand raised to indicate you not only wish to answer my

question, but that you know what the question is going to be before I have

asked it.

A mind reader, Mr. Simms.

The Shallott case raises a serious question concerning how a court should

handle indefinite contracts.

Judge Kramer stated... Judge Kramer...

Sir, the judge that decided that case.

Judge Kramer was the district court judge.

His opinion might have been relevant last year.

In the interval, the Shallott case has been appealed to the circuit court.

You are familiar with the circuit court opinion, are you not, Mr.

Sims?

Circuit court opinion?

Mr. Sims, did you read the material?

When someone raises his hand in my class, I assume he has something

relevant to relate.

Do you have something relevant to relate?

I didn't read the Circuit Court opinion, sir.

The law is forever changing, Mr. Simmons.

There are no shortcuts.

You are responsible not only for last year's law, but for present law as well.

So... Let us start all over again.

Who is the Circuit Court judge in the Shallott case?

You seem very persistent, Miss Lehman. You've already committed one error

today, and yet you wish to try again?

Very well.

Judge Biddlebound of the Third District Court of Appeals delivered the opinion,

which is interesting because it was an appeal over the Virgin Islands, over

which the Third District Court of Appeals has jurisdiction, as well as

over Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey.

The case raised the issue of contingency clauses involving possible natural

disasters.

Precisely.

Continue, Ms. Lehman.

patterns in the Virgin Islands are unpredictable.

So the parties developed a clause for compensation in the event of a

hurricane.

A hurricane did in fact take place, destroying the appellant's factory, and

he was therefore unable to hold up his end of the bargain.

How are you doing, Connie?

I'm better.

Where are you going?

Library.

Mind if I walk with you?

So at first, when I answered incorrectly in class, it didn't shake me the way it

did before, because I read that material. I had that information.

It was mine.

All I had to do was rethink it.

It's the process, isn't it?

You've taught me something so important.

There aren't any shortcuts, are there?

Right.

And not in relationships, either.

They're even harder than law school.

So how about starting with dinner?