All language subtitles for Ally.McBeal.S05E12.2001.Disney+.WEB-DL.1080p.H264.AAC-HDCTV_track6_[eng]

Previously on Ally McBeal.

-Are you Allyson McBeal?
-I am.

- Do you like surprises?
- I hate them.

Hi, Mom.

I'm Bonnie Boone. Maddie's Aunt.
I am sorry about this.

This is a cry for attention.
Really nice.

- Are you her only family?
- Yeah.

Unless we include genetics.
That would make you family.

Your plumbing's shot.
Pipes are corroded.

Eventually, they're all
gonna have to be replaced.

- I have to hire you?
- You have to hire me.

Well, are you married?
Uh, bond-bonded?

I know that this sounds crazy,

but it's as if I have always known
that you were out there.

I want Maddie
to live with me.

- Sorry?
- I want her.

Do you really think you want to live
with Ally?

I don't know.

But I have a good feeling
about her.

♪ From Atlanta, Georgia ♪

♪ To the Gulf Stream water ♪

♪ To California ♪

♪ I'm gonna spend my love
Oh, baby, night and day ♪

♪ Gimme, gimme good lovin'
every night ♪

♪ Hey, you know
it's all right, child now ♪

♪ Gimme, gimme good lovin'
Make it all right, yeah ♪

- ♪♪ (continues)
- So where did he go this time?

- Uh, uh, Mexico.
- Mexico?

- Uh, vacation, but--
- But?

Well, he's leaving the firm.

- What?
- Not completely.

But as of now,
he's a part-time Biscuit.

I understand the semester
has started.

Yes, but I've seen her transcripts.
She should have no problem.

Great. Okay.
Uh, dress code?

- Uh, no.
- Have you ever considered having one?

Because I've read studies where they tend
to minimize bullying...

and class distinction based on wealth,

and they also can contribute to
academic focus.

Well, we feel that dress codes
tend to inhibit individuality.

Fine.

He'll still be of counsel.
He'll occasionally try cases.

He's just leaving
as a named partner.

So what will the firm
be called? Fish?

It'll be fine, Nelle. Everything will be
great. Not-Not to worry.

-GLENN: What's up?
-John's in Mexico.

He is?
The little guy?

Oh, he's not little.

Big then. Mexico?

-Security?
-Yes. Are bags searched?

How do you handle the mail?
Do you have dogs sniff for explosives?

Well, this is
an elementary school.

Some of the biggest tragedies have
happened at elementary schools.

-Well, never this one.
-What about bees?

Bees?

Bees. My daughter had a reaction
to a sting once.

-It's winter.
-Spring is coming.

-We have a nurse.
-Trained?

-Very.
-Kids per class?

-Twenty-six.
-That's a lot.

-There are private schools.
-They're elitists.

You're not?

-Was that a put-down?
-Not at all.

Does this school have a policy
against put-downs?

I think you pushed too hard.

I pushed too hard?

Oh. So I shouldn't worry about bullies or
security or killer bees?

I should just relax and go with it, and if
my child dies, well, them's the breaks?

You plan to be a total
nightmare, don't you?

Mmm.
You-You have no... idea.

♪ I've been down
down, down ♪

♪ I've been down this road ♪

♪ Walkin' the line
that's painted by pride ♪

♪ And I have made mistakes
in my life ♪

♪ That I just can't hide ♪

♪ Oh, I believe I am ready ♪

♪ For what love has to bring
Yeah ♪

♪ I got myself together, yeah ♪

♪ Now I'm ready to sing ♪

♪ I've been searching
my soul tonight ♪

♪ I know there's
so much more to life ♪

♪ Now I know
I can shine a light ♪

♪ To find my way back home ♪

- ♪ Oh ♪
- ♪ Hoo, hoo ♪

♪ Baby, yeah ♪

- ♪ Hoo, hoo ♪
- ♪ Oh, yeah ♪♪

(alarm beeping)

- (beeping stops)
- Mmm.

(sighs)

( Leave It
To Beaver Theme)

♪♪

(moos)

- (music ends)
- Rise and shine, Maddie.

Come on, honey. Come on, we gotta get up.
We gotta go to school.

I'm not going today.

Of-Of course...
you're gonna go to school.

It's your first day. Come on, come on,
let's go. I-I made pancakes.

Ally, did you hear
what I said?

I'm not going to school today.

Maddie,
it's your first day.

School is not
an optional thing.

Fine. You're a responsible mom.
Have a cookie.

Sweetheart.

I'm not going!
Got it?

You get your pissy little ass up and to
the breakfast table.

(demonic voice)
Now!

One... two--

(elevator dings)

- Ally.
- Oh, not now. I'm--

- Late.
- Oh, thank you.

- Richard needs to see you.
- Oh, tell him I can't.

- Or better yet, tell him I'm not in.
- Won't take a second.

Richard, I don't have a second.
It's Maddie's first day of school and--

- That kid's beginning to bug me.
- Uh, Richard, stop pulling me.

- John's gone again.
- Oh, brother.

- Where is he now?
- Mexico.

- Mexico?
- Uh... he'll-he'll be back.

Uh, but not-not as partner.

Well, what do you mean,
not as partner?

He's staying on of counsel,
but he won't be a named partner anymore.

So-So what-what are you
gonna call the firm? Fish?

Uh... no. I want to
change the name, but I--

I thought first I'd better run it by you.

Why?

I want to change it to,
uh, Fish and McBeal.

Funny, Richard. Funny, Richard. Do I look
like a person who has time for jokes?

It's not a joke.
I want to make you partner.

Ally? I'm making you partner.
This is where you-you hug me.

Uh, big kiss.
Maybe a little tongue even.

Now?
I just--just, uh--

I just got to a point
in-in my life where I--I--

I don't even want it.
I-I--Now?

- Now.
- Huh.

Oh, it's--it's, I mean--

Fish and--and McBeal?

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Oh. You know that phonetically, it would
sound better if it were McBeal and Fish?

Yeah, forget it.

Fish and--and McBeal.

- Yeah.
- Huh.

(chuckles) Wow. Fish and McBeal.
Fish--Fish and McBeal.

- Fish and McBeal.
- That's the rumor.

You never heard it from me.
Aren't you just devastated?

He's making her partner.

Just a rumor. You never heard it from me.
Couldn't you just scream?

Share.

He said he had to lay off several
associates due to the economy.

Were you surprised
to be one of them?

Yes, very, at first.
Since I'd won most of my trials.

But then
he told me the reason.

-Which was?
-I have AIDS.

That was the reason
Mr. Cobb gave for firing you?

Yes.

Did he say that it factored
into your job performance?

No. And-And he was
very diplomatic about it.

Basically,
he said that the firm...

had to make some difficult choices about
planning its future,

and since statistically I didn't figure to
be alive in the future,

it didn't make sense
to keep me on.

- He was very honest with you?
- Brutally.

- Were you honest with him, Ms. Bridgeman?
- I beg your pardon?

When you interviewed
for the job three years ago,

you were H.I.V. positive,
were you not?

Yes.

Did you advise Mr.
Cobb or any of the other partners?

No. My medical history is my private
business, Mr. Millbury.

As a lawyer,
you know this.

Did you discuss a partnership
track with Mr. Cobb...

- during your hiring interview?
- Yes.

So you knew McKinley Cobb invests in
the futures of its associates, didn't you?

- Yes.
- And yet at the time you took the job,

it was very unlikely that you'd ever
become a partner,

wasn't it, Ms. Bridgeman?

I think your question is,
"Would I live long enough?"

Correct.
That is my question.

How long do the doctors
give you?

Your Honor, these are private issues
between my client and--

Overruled. Your client is suing, Ms. Lipp.
She brought this into a public forum.

Are you symptomatic,
Ms. Bridgeman?

I'm starting to become
symptomatic, yes.

I apologize for the question,
but I must ask again.

How long do the doctors
give you?

About two years.

By "smooth read,"
I mean simply that.

The books you can read smoothly.

You should be engaged
by the story.

If a read is too difficult,
either the spelling is too hard...

or you're having trouble following what
the story's about,

this would not be a smooth read--
Put it down.

On your own time, when you pick up a book,
reading should be fun.

And remember, once you finish a book,
check it off the list so I can keep track.

Yes, Maddie's mother.

Must the books be from your list?
If I have a book that's not on the list...

that would appear to be a smooth read,
can I let her read it?

And should there be a book on the list
that I don't want her to read,

am I permitted to--

Is there a book you find
inappropriate?

I see the kids are reading a novelization
of Annie that I wouldn't want her reading,

because
it disparages orphans.

Looks like Goldilocks.

Excuse me? That chunky little boy right
there just, uh, insulted my daughter.

- I heard it.
- Ms. McBeal--

Now, I apologize, but I am very concerned
about her meeting new friends.

She's in a new school,
that fat kid seems nasty,

and you've got books picking on orphans.

And prejudice comes in smooth reads,
by the way, because bigots cannot spell.

I wasn't discriminating
against AIDS.

I had to make hard choices
about who to keep.

But let's be fair, Mr. Cobb.
Kelly Bridgeman, having AIDS,

that was the determining factor?

Yes.

And you don't see this as
discrimination?

Look, law firms lose money
on young associates.

And the reason we're willing to do so is

because we are training
tomorrow's partners.

If Kelly's not going to be here tomorrow--
I am sorry, Kelly,

I know how cold
this sounds--

but I have a fiduciary responsibility to
the firm, to the other partners.

-Business is business?
-I object to that.

- You said it, Mr. Cobb.
- Business would dictate...

that we discharge her in good times or
bad, Ms. Lipp, but we didn't do that.

Before September,
when things were going well,

we continued to employ
her even though--

But with the losses
we are now taking,

unfortunately
this is a new day.

Could she perform the function
of her job, Mr. Cobb?

Well... actually, no.

- What couldn't she do?
- Well, one part of an associate's job...

is to build a client roster, to service
that roster over time, in the future.

She has neither time
nor a future.

Again, I hate to
sound cold, but--

So this would be the same principle,
if you're in a sinking boat,

throw the sick and the elderly over first?

That is not what this is.

You said you lose money
on associates, Mr. Cobb.

Didn't Kelly Bridgeman bill
out more than her salary?

Yes. But the clients
weren't paying their bills.

But that was true across the board with
all your lawyers.

Correct. But as I said--

And you singled her out.
She's the one you fired.

-The one with AIDS.
-Objection.

-COBB: That is not fair.
-Is fairness a goal with you, Mr. Cobb?

I am a fair man, Ms. Lipp.
But your client--

-You dumped the one with AIDS, Mr. Cobb.
-It wasn't because she had AIDS.

- You said so yourself.
- I did not fire her for having AIDS!

- Then why?
- It's because she's dying.

(sighs)
There's a difference.

Would you care to explain
the difference?

Our firm--it has to
rebuild, Ms. Lipp.

Economically
and emotionally--

What do you mean "emotionally"?

Look, I've stated my reasons
for discharging Kelly Bridgeman.

Sir, what do you mean you're
"rebuilding emotionally"?

Answer the question, sir.

(sighs)

Two of our people were on
the first plane, Ms. Lipp.

We have all had to
deal with loss.

The last thing
we now need is--

So you're protecting the other members

of your firm from having to
deal with more loss?

You say it
like it's nothing.

Trust me.
It's not nothing.

Why am I not being made partner?

Nelle, partners split up the pie,
you know that.

If I split it three ways, I get less.
You can't possibly find that acceptable.

I know I don't.
Off we go now.

What I don't find acceptable
is that answer, Richard.

I expect to hear something more
appropriate in the next 10 seconds.

Do you consider John Cage kind, a man of
compassion, a human being with heart?

I do.

And-And now he's gone,
I should look to you to fill that void?

Bygones. Ally has seniority.
The workers will rally, uh, for her.

Nelle, you're not a liked
person. Off you go now.

(elevator dings)

Ally, you got calls from a few parents.
I left them on your desk.

Parents?

- Confirming tomorrow's playdate.
- What playdate?

Maddie's having some "thing."

-(sighs)
-I just invited a few kids over.

- What's the big biggie?
- You didn't check with me. That's--

I thought you wanted me to meet friends.
I thought you'd be okay with it.

- That's not the point, Maddie.
- What is the point, Ally?

I am the parent.

And I am in control of
what goes on under this roof.

And I am already becoming
my mother.

I'll call off the playdate
if that's what you want.

That is not the point
either, Maddie.

Well, I just seem to keep
missing the point here, don't I?

-(screams)
-(crash)

(clears throat)

Given that you are prone
to "point missing," Maddie,

why don't we just set up a fail-safe and
you check with me on things first, okay?

Would that apply to vomit?
'Cause I'm about to puke here.

-(screams)
-Yes. It would apply to vomit.

(scoffs)

(scoffs) I didn't send for a plumber.

Look, Maddie, it isn't
very interesting, okay?

You're tryin' to test her because you're
not convinced that she wants you.

Well, she does.

And you're a smart kid.

So you're settin' up boundaries
during this honeymoon period...

while she's bending over backwards to
prove how much she loves you.

Well, here's where
you got it wrong, though.

She doesn't have to
love you yet.

And maybe she won't.

You know, I'll ask you not to parent my
child. Thank you.

I'm just tryin' to help.
I'm sorry. Mm-hmm.

- Don't go in there.
- Oh, why not?

Let her come to you.
She needs to apologize.

She's 10.

She's old enough to know
she needs to apologize.

Hmm.

Uh--
(sighs)

It's clear you two still care
about each other.

We've got to be able
to work this out.

Ms. Lipp, she sued me.
I was happy to work this out.

Instead,
she engaged a lawyer,

filed a public complaint that alleges that
I discriminate against people with AIDS.

-That is an attack.
-Owen, you're a good lawyer.

The reason you just gave in court is not
legal grounds for firing somebody.

So I should be victimized
by my honesty once again?

Hold on.

Yes. Prejudice is okay,
so long as you come clean with it.

Guys--

Oh! And lying is okay
as long as you're sick?

I didn't lie.

You sat in my office and
discussed the future.

Seven years.
Ten years down the road.

Did you ever say,
"Oh, by the way, I'm dying"?

So I shouldn't try to live?
I shouldn't try to work?

There are other people in this,
Kelly. It isn't just about you.

I'm the one with AIDS, Owen. I'm the one
whose immune system is shutting down.

This is about me.
Trust that.

What about the other people
who love you?

They do so at their own emotional peril.
You don't care about that? Fine.

But I'm the parent here!
I have to care!

You're senior partner,
not a parent.

I did nothing wrong.
I won't settle.

♪ Thank heaven
for little girls ♪

♪ For little girls
get bigger every day ♪

♪ Thank heaven
for little girls ♪

♪ They grow up
in the most delightful ways ♪

♪ Thank heaven
for little girls ♪♪

- (sighs)
- ALLY: What, you don't like it?

You know, Cheerios is one of the few
things I can actually make.

The Cheerios are fine.
The chatter's a little annoying.

Sorry.

(tapping finger)

Could I get you some juice?

Could you? I'm sure you can.
You look able.

May you?
I'll let you know.

(chuckles, clears throat)

(sighs)
Is something the matter?

I think I'm just nervous about
the playdate, that's all.

Hmm. Now I'm--

I'm sure it'll be okay.

You'll be here, right?

Yeah. Absolutely.
I'll be interviewing some sitters...

and-and one of them might be
here, but-but I'll be here.

Are you really okay?

- (vomiting)
- (gasping)

It's--It's-- (panting) It's my Chanel.

-I'm sorry.
-(exhales)

It-It's okay. (chuckles) It-It's okay.

May-Maybe you should stay home.

No, I can't. I worked to get this
playdate. I can't cancel.

I may never get them back.

(stomach growling)

A hundred thousand?

Present day value, that's a lot of money,
Corretta. Especially in this case.

- I don't find that funny.
- Well, I don't mean to be funny.

He fired her
for having a disease.

Please, please,
don't give me your closing.

Fine.

I'll just give you "no."

Look. You might very well win here.
I admit that.

But my client, for whatever reason,
he's entrenched.

I mean, you saw the way he is.
He'll appeal all the way.

What are you saying, Raymond?
He'll drag this out until she's dead?

I'm saying that my client
is very entrenched.

I'm offended by that.
You should be offended by it,

and maybe you should talk
to your client.

I will.
But please talk to yours.

(sighs)

What kind of violent images?

Of me hurting her.
I know that I never would,

but... you know,
is there something wrong with me?

Oh, Ally.
Of course there is.

But some of the most evil people
make excellent parents.

You're seeing a violent image right now,
aren't you?

(clears throat)

What's that?

Uh-- (clears throat) Hmm? It's nothing.

No. Those are the books.
Richard's letting you look at the books.

My God,
you really are a partner.

How, uh-- How do the others feel about it?

Well, Corretta's happy for you.

I think Glenn and Jenny are too,
but they're scared that John is going.

- And Nelle, well--
- That jealous, catty bitch.

Did somebody call me?

-Nelle.
-Ally.

- Come to pass on your congratulations?
- Let's get something straight.

Your promotion is more a reflection of
Richard's anemic leadership...

than it is your legal talent, which,
to this day, remains elusive.

- Nelle?
- Ally.

I have no intentions of flexing my muscles
as partner, if that's your concern.

But should you make life
difficult for me--

(grunting)

you'll have some trouble.

Ally, just try to
push me around.

Hmm. You know,
I have no time for these power games.

So if you could just go back to
your office and do your time sheets...

and have them
on my desk by 5:00.

Oh, this isn't
gonna work at all.

Mmm, well... it's all up to you,
my little associate.

Oh, and, honey,
remember when you do your hair now...

to check the top of
your head for my footprints.

Are you saying
we can't win now?

- I'm not saying that.
- Then what, Raymond?

The law favors her.
The Americans with Disabilities Act.

- You said AIDS wasn't a disability.
- Not necessarily.

- I am not settling. I told you.
- Please lower your voice.

She's sympathetic.
She's also dying.

If you're perceived by that jury to be
discriminating against her,

they could hit you with a very big
number--I do not want to see that happen.

We agreed before we started,

- the pragmatics favor me.
- It doesn't always turn on pragmatics.

- Why are you suddenly bailing on me?
- I'm not bailing on you!

- You're saying she has a stronger side.
- That's cause she does!

You cannot discriminate against
people for having AIDS--

My son had AIDS, all right?

So don't you accuse me.

(sighs)

Your son died of AIDS?

Last year.

So I do not discriminate
against--

Is, uh, that what this
is about, your own son?

It has nothing to do
with this case.

That's why
I never even told you.

You talk about safe-guarding
your firm emotionally.

Are you protecting yourself,
Owen?

You don't want to go through again what
you went through before?

No. No, that is not it. No.

Last night you, uh, referred
to yourself as the "parent."

I want to
settle this case.

I think I can do so
for 300,000.

That's within your policy,
Owen.

Let me settle it.

- (clears throat)
- Hey, you-you asked to see them.

It's not as if
I volunteered to show you.

You're paying us
with your own money.

It's not like
I don't have plenty.

How long has John not been drawing
a salary?

A few months.

We'll-We'll bounce back.

These things happen when you have lawyers
that don't work.

We'll be fine, in time.

Is that why you offered me a partnership?

You were offered partnership
because you earned it.

You're not being asked to buy
in, if that's your concern.

It isn't.

Now, Richard, I'm-I'm--
I'm no accountant.

But, uh, things
are not gonna be fine.

You are carrying
way too much overhead,

and you cannot keep paying
salaries out of your own pocket.

Hey, Ally, accept the partnership,
and I'll accept your input.

I can only work until 5:00. There will be
days that I will miss completely.

And weekends are out forever.
Can you live with that?

The offer stands.

I lost John.
I can't lose you.

Is John ever gonna come back?

Yes. He'll be of counsel. He'll, uh,
help with the big trials.

But day to day?
No, I-I can't lose you.

- (pager beeps)
- Ooh.

Oh, I gotta go.

♪ Thank heaven
for little girls ♪

♪ For little girls
get bigger every day ♪

♪ Thank heaven
for little girls ♪♪

She came home early.
She's up in her room.

- Well, what happened?
- Her playmates canceled.

Oh, God. Ohh.

-I should go to her, right?
-You should go to her.

When I was in the fourth grade,
the kids used to throw rocks at me.

I don't want your pity.
Just help me get even.

Well, if--if you retaliate,
you just stoop to their level.

Ally, I want to stoop.

Okay.

Do you have access to any of
their books?

During recess.

- You never heard me say this, okay?
- We never spoke.

You draw pictures of naked men
inside of their books.

You then go to the teacher, complain
that the girls are picking on you...

because you won't draw
obscene pictures in your books.

The teacher then gets their books,
finds the pictures and suspends them.

You are so awesome.

-Remember. I never said this.
-Of course not.

Now, I've never actually seen
a naked man in person, so--

Right. And you won't
until your 25th birthday.

-(clears throat)
-(gasps) Uh, uh, Victor, uh, hey.

You got a second?
I'd like to discuss some, uh... plumbing.

- Are you nuts?
- It's none of your business.

Maybe not, but you can't tell a kid to
draw naked pictures in another kid's book.

I'm sorry.
Did I ask you for your opinion?

No.

But what possible good
could come out of this?

I don't want her to be a victim.

Yeah, well, she will be.
She'll get kicked out of school.

-What is wrong with you?
-Hmm.

-You're fired.
-What?

You heard me. You're fired.
Get your little wrench and-and go.

- You can't fire the plumber.
- Why not?

Mass. General Laws,
Chapter 17, Sub-Section 2-A.

"It shall be unlawful
to discharge a plumber...

prior to the completion
of his services."

It's to protect us from later gettin'
sued, which we always are.

I should think a lawyer
would know that.

Well, as soon as the job is done,
I want you out of my house.

- Fine.
- Fine. Go fix the pipes.

- Fine.
- Fine.

-CORRETTA: It's a good offer.
-I want my job back.

A jury can't give you
your job back, Kelly.

- They can only give you money.
- Please don't lecture me, Corretta.

I know what a jury can give me
and what they can't.

$300,000.

Is more than I can spend
in my entire lifetime.

- Yes, shall we put that on a billboard?
- You want to beat me up?

I think we'll win.

But you were less than forthcoming at
the time you were hired.

It is a risk if we don't settle.

Risk is hardly a deterrent with me.
That much should be obvious.

I don't want to just go
off somewhere, Corretta,

with a big pile of money,
and wait to--

I need to be vital,
Corretta. I need to work.

Living is about waking up every day to
battles and victories and losses.

You could work someplace else.
Do pro bono work or--

I want to fight.
They shouldn't have fired me.

If I lose, I lose.
I want to fight.

I thought you had a sitter?

- I fired her.
- Why?

- She wasn't right.
- Why?

- You'll laugh at me.
- I promise I won't laugh.

She didn't
like Moulin Rouge.

-And this is important because?
-A mother and a sitter have to sync up.

(speaking rapidly)
Moulin Rouge was a litmus.

Some hate it, some love it.
I love it.

And I find that open-minded,

creative people embrace it,
and she didn't embrace it,

so I couldn't embrace her.

(normal voice) You're laughing at me
inside.

Where's Maddie?

In her room.
And I have a meeting at work.

(speaking rapidly) She doesn't want to
come to work...

because she's still blue about
the canceled playdate,

so she's blue, and I'm stuck.

Stuck and blue. Blue and stuck.
We're a team.

(normal voice) And if you laugh at me
inside one more time--

I'll watch her.
I've got a ton of work to do around here.

-Could you?
-Yeah.

Thank you.
All right, well, uh,

I-I-I will be back by 5:00.
But just-just, uh, just--

Uh, oh, thank you, Victor. Thank you.
Thank you so much. I really owe you.

Oh, and, uh...
did you like Moulin Rouge?

-I loved it.
-Oh, excellent.

See ya at 5:00.

CORRETTA:
The law is clear.

You cannot fire somebody because
of a disease or disability...

unless it renders him or her
unable to do the job.

Kelly Bridgeman
is an excellent attorney.

She can do the job.
Owen Cobb admitted as much.

She was discharged
because she might die soon.

And Mr. Cobb didn't want to subject
his employees

to the emotional hardship of her death.

What is that? You're sick, you're dying.
We don't want to have to look at you?

Mr. Cobb said, "Things are
different since September.

It's a new day."

And maybe--
maybe he's right.

But I thought the "new day" was supposed
to be about rediscovered humanity.

People treating others
with more compassion.

Reaching out
to those in need.

Have we gone back
to the old day already?

Business is business.
Bottom line.

The 12 of you sit in that box
representing society.

Why don't you go back
to that room...

and tell us what day it is.

It is different
since September.

We are more humane.

At least I think so.

So...

why shouldn't an employer protect against
the suffering of his workers?

Two people from McKinley Cobb
were on Flight 11.

The office is still trying to recover,
just like a lot of people.

Maybe today, we have both economic and
emotional bottom lines.

If you've ever known someone or cared
about someone who died of AIDS,

the pain can take you.

Yes. This case is harsh.

Reality often is.

Kelly Bridgeman lost her job.

But Owen Cobb had
a fiduciary responsibility...

to consider the interests
of his fellow partners,

the other workers.

This was not discrimination.

Maybe he shouldn't think about
the healing of his employees.

Perhaps he should
just be a senior partner.

Look after profits,
corporate growth.

I'll echo
Ms. Lipp's request.

Go back to that room...

and tell us what day it is.

-(knocking)
-Hey.

Well, never mind "Hey."
Just-Just say you accept.

-I accept.
-Well, excellent.

Uh, what's going on? Uh,
nobody closes the door for good news.

It's always for bad news. Why'd you close
the door? Is it for something sexual?

- No, Richard. Nothing sexual.
- Oh, bugger.

I've been going over the books, and you
are driving this place into the ground.

Well--

Now look,
my father manages a law firm,

- so I do know the business end.
- Well, uh, fine.

You can be administrative
partner. Any ideas?

Mm-hmm. We need to restructure. We need to
let somebody go. At least one, maybe two.

Oh, I-I can't fire people.
It just isn't in me.

Ah. Ah. Ah.
That's why John left, isn't it?

He was incapable of firing
people as well. Is that it?

Well, you know, he wouldn't say, but,
uh... maybe.

I-I-I just can't
do it, Ally.

I'll look over the productivity
reports and I'll do it.

It's in you to--

You could actually
fire somebody?

I love this place, Richard. And sometimes
partners have to make tough decisions.

You're gonna can Nelle,
aren't you?

I'm gonna analyze
the productivity reports.

Mmm. Her salary's the highest. She doesn't
like you. She's the natural candidate.

I'm gonna analyze
the productivity reports.

Mmm.
Uh, oh, whatever happens,

I-I don't want anybody knowing I've been
paying salaries out of my own pocket.

Yeah, are we clear?

Clear.

- The plumber cooks.
- Wow.

Uh, you did all this?

He likes to cook.

You should be all over him
like a blanket.

Thank you, Maddie.
Please eat your dinner.

-I set a place for you.
-Hmm.

Well.

Maybe you should...
freshen up?

Oh, Maddie, I think you're probably fresh
enough for both of us.

My day went much better
at school, Ally.

-Ah. It did?
-Except for getting smacked with homework.

Which I'd better
get started on.

Thank you for making dinner.
I--I really appreciate it.

Oh, it's nice to cook
for someone else.

You know, I looked up Mass. General Law,
by the way, Chapter 17, Sub-Section 2-A.

-Nothing about plumbers.
-Am I bein' fired again?

You know, I'm-I'm--
I'm sorry.

You know, it's just
it's so much. It's just--

You know, I was made partner,
which is something I've always wanted,

I just didn't necessarily
want it now.

And--And I--
It's just like children.

It's just the timing and--
I'm sorry, um--

Ally, I know I don't
know you very well, but...

you're startin' to sound
just a little pathetic.

(clears throat)
Excuse me?

- Complaining over bein' made partner?
- I was explaining.

-Complaining over a great kid.
-I'm not complaining about Maddie.

- You just did.
- I did not.

- I heard it.
- You're fired again.

- What?
- No, collect your tools, get out.

-I am tired of you judging me.
-I'm not judging you.

- When-When is the plumbing gonna be done?
- It can be done tomorrow.

-Good. Then be gone.
-You know you're whacked?

You have your kid
drawin' naked pictures,

you fire a babysitter 'cause she doesn't
like Moulin Blush or--

- Rouge.
- Yeah, whatever.

You're complaining about
bein' made partner,

and now you're gonna fire
me because--

Look, you don't know me. Okay? You're life
is simple. My life is not that simple.

(speaking rapidly) My life--My life-- My
life is-is--is treacherous!

(normal voice) And now you're laughing at
me inside again.

I am not.

Look.

It's tough enough raising
a kid alone, even for a week.

I haven't done it alone. I've had you.
That's what scares me.

What am I gonna do
when my pipes work?

I could still baby-sit
for a while.

- Really?
- Yeah, I... could use the extra money.

Oh. Well, oh, okay. Great.
Well, for a while.

All right.

Victor?

I could use the extra money.

Mr. Foreman,
the jury has reached a verdict?

-We have, Your Honor.
-What say you?

"In the matter of Bridgeman
versus McKinley Cobb,

on the count
of wrongful termination,

we the jury find in favor
of the plaintiff...

and order the defendant to pay damages in
the amount of $360,000."

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,
this concludes your service.

We're adjourned.

I'm sorry.
Well, it could have been worse.

Yes.

Thank you, Raymond.

Can I give you a ride home,
or, uh--

No, thanks.

How about we celebrate?
Go somewhere for dinner?

You know, I-I--

I think I'm just gonna sit here by myself
for a little while, if that's okay.

- Sure.
- I'll call you tomorrow.

And-And thank you.

- You need a ride?
- Yes, actually.

Come on.

Oh and, um...
congratulations.

Thank you.

WOMAN:
You stinker!