All language subtitles for L.A.Law.S04E09.Noahs.Bark.1080p.HULU.WEB-DL.DDP5.1.H.264-BurCyg_track3_[eng]

[theme music]

I feel like a thief.

Becker: I'm only taking
what belongs to me.

Then why do it before
anyone gets here?

"Why do it before
anyone gets here?"

Because it's cleaner.
It's a done deal.

I don't have
to sit through everybody

trying to talk me out of it.

Are you afraid that they will?

No, I'm not. No, I'm not.

I can't believe I'm not going
to be working here anymore.

Look...

I have certain conflicts, yes.

But I don't wanna dwell on 'em.
This is business, Rox.

I want to act business-like.

I don't want
any emotional scenes.

Come on.

- Oh, hey, Benno.
- Hi.

- You want me to help you?
- No. That's okay.

- We got it.
- Where are you going?

We're just bringing
some stuff down to the car.

- Should I help you?
- That's okay.

We'll be right back.

I got the bialys this time,
Arnie.

Oh, good, Benny. Good.

[sighs]

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[theme music]

Anyone see Arnold?

I don't think he's come in yet.

Great. [sighs]

Alright, let's get started.

What's wrong with your mouth?

I got fitted
for a small appliance.

- It's nothing.
- An appliance?

What did you get, a toaster?

Douglas, you got braces.

Yes, I got braces.

- He-heh.
- Why?

Brackman:
Something called over-jet.

Also a stress related
malady known as

temporal mandibular joint
dysfunction.

I grind my teeth.

My dentist felt it was time
to take steps.

Shall we proceed?

Cowan vs. Cassella Associates.

Yeah, that's the guy
with Tourette's Syndrome.

Trial starts today.

Are you okay to handle this,
Jonathan?

- I'm fine.
- What is Tourette's Syndrome?

It's a physical condition
that makes

people twitch in various ways

or yell inappropriate remarks
at people.

Tingrin. Metal mouth. Like that.

[sighs]
And so the mockery begins.

Jonathan: Anyway,
my guy was fired for it.

I'm not surprised.

You can't fire people
for having physical handicaps

if they're doing their job.

Jonathan: We're going for
back pay with interest.

Uh, excuse me.

I-- I'm gonna need
a little personal time.

The preliminary hearing's
this afternoon.

Take as much time as you need.

- Thanks.
Abby: How's Allison holding up?

- I don't know.
Secretary: Excuse me.

Secretary: This just came.

[paper rustling]

"Please be advised
that I am here by

"tendering my resignation

"from the partnership
known as McKenzie Brackman

"Chaney and Kuzak.

"Said resignation shall
in no way constitute

"a waiver of any moneys owed
nor shall it constitute

"a relinquishment
of any future moneys owing.

"It is anticipated and intended

"that such settlement be arrived
at following negotiations

"to be held at a future date.

Yours, etcetera, Arnold Becker."

- That bastard.
- How could he do this?

Brackman: We need to find out
what clients he's spoken to.

McKenzie: Douglas,
I want all paralegals on this.

I want phone records
and I want bank transactions.

Better check the file room,
see what's missing.

- Why don't you oversee that?
- We should've seen this coming.

I want a partners' meeting
and I want it tonight.

- Rosalind, are you available?
- I'll make myself available.

Is there any way
Ann can make it in?

I'll call her.

I'm gonna fall on Arnold Becker

like the wrath of God.

Van Owen: Did you know
the defendant, Ms. Gottlieb?

No.

I really didn't know
any of the crew that much

since I'd come in
as a replacement director.

And yet, you let this man
give you a ride home?

He was giving several of us
a ride home,

including Marcy Poulin,
who I did know.

Allison: And I just assumed
that she knew him

since she was the one
who hired him.

Okay.

So, what happened next?

He drove us all home,
and I was the last stop.

He asked if he
could use the phone.

He wanted to call his wife.

Van Owen: What happened
after he entered your house?

Allison: He made his call.

At le-- least,
I thought he did.

And then he, uh...

he-- he made an advance at me.

Van Owen: How did he make
an advance, Ms. Gottlieb?

He, um...

put his hand on my shoulder
and told me I was beautiful.

And what did you do...
when he did this?

I got ah, really nervous

and I asked him to stop.

Asked him to leave.

Did he?

No.

Van Owen: What happened then?

Allison: He grabbed me and...

he, uh, said...

"Why can't pretty girls
be nice?"

[inahles] Then, he...

he kept calling me, ah,
"pretty girl."

Van Owen: And what did you do?

Allison: I tried to
push him away

but he was too big.

He knocked me
on the floor and, um...

got...

[sobbing]
he got on me...

and...

he said that, uh...

He said that if I didn't do
what he wanted,

he would kill me.

Van Owen: Allison,
I want you to tell the court

what happened next,

and I need for you
to be specific.

[sobs]
He yanked my skirt up.

And, um, he ripped...

my underwear off.

And then he, uh...

he started to pry my, uh,

legs apart with his knees.

I tried to fight back,
but he was too strong.

Van Owen: And then what?

Allison: All of a sudden
he was, um...

pushing himself inside me.

And when you say,
he was inside you...

you're saying that his penis

was penetrating your vagina?

[sighing] Yeah.

Allison, is the man
who did this to you

sitting in the courtroom today?

Yes.

Could you please point him out
for the court?

[sniffles]
He's over there.

Allison, could you please
look at him

and point him out
exactly for us?

[Van Owen whispers]
I'm sorry.

[sighs]

[sniffles]

That's him. There. [sniffles]

[Allison sighs] He's the one
that did this to me.

Thank you, Allison.

I have nothing further.

How long had you worked
for Cassella Associates

at the time of your discharge,
Mr. Cowan?

Six years.

Oh, boy. Whoop.

Jonathan: Why did you just
make that sound?

I have Tourette's Syndrome.

Would you tell the court
what that is?

It's a neurological disorder.

It causes me to make sounds

or say words
or twitch in different ways.

Noah: Uh, sometimes I do it
more. Sometimes I do it less.

- Jonathan: Can you control it?
- No.

Not for any length of time.

What reason were you given
for being discharged, Noah?

They said I was disruptive.

Jonathan: Were you disruptive?

Noah: I do market research...

and the office I work in--

Oh, boy...
is in the back.

And there's only a few
co-workers around to hear me.

Did they consider you
disruptive?

I don't believe so. No.

***. ***!

Why did you say that, sir?

It's all part of Tourette's.

Noah, would you tell the court

what it's like to
have Tourette's?

- Noah: What it's like?
- Yeah.

[sighs] Uh...

Well, the ticks
and grimaces start

pretty soon after you wake up
in the morning.

Oh, boy.

Noah: And then you go about your
business when you're alone,

you know, hollering
and spitting and barking.

Oh, boy. Bitch.

It's pretty weird
if you're not used to it,

I guess.

Oh, boy.

Anyway,
Tourette's is part of me

and there's nothing
I can do about that.

About that! Whoop!

[sighs]

Nothing further.

Nothing you can do about that.
[sighs]

Tell me, Mr. Cowan,

have you ever heard
of the drug Haloperidol?

Of course, I've heard of it.

Stritch:
How about the drug Clonidine?

I prefer not to take
either of them.

Why? They're both
frequently used

in the treatment of Tourettes.

Noah: Haloperidol...

it makes me forget things.

It makes me feel
totally spaced out.

And Clonidine...

it-- it doesn't work too well
with me.

Whore. Slut. Bitch.

Tell me, Mr. Cowan,
did you ever call

any of your female
co-workers "Bitch"?

I wasn't calling them "Bitch."

I was saying "Bitch."

How do they know
the difference, sir?

If they know me,
they know the difference.

So the burden of your behaviour

should be on them, not on you.

- Objection.
- Burden? Bitch.

Noah: Let me tell you
about burden.

A burden is not being able to

go into a restaurant
or a movie.

A burden is...

is not being able
to find a woman to love you

or a employer to hire you.

- Mr. Cowan--
Noah: Oh, boy!

Your attorney has
made an objection.

A burden is being the kid in
class who everyone pointed at.

The nut. The weirdo.

Noah: I am the guy with
the funny disease, alright?

That's all it is.
So stop pointing at me.

And stop treating me
like I am crazy!

Oh, boy.

Oh, boy. Just stop it!

Kelsey: We played hard ball
with him,

he played hardball with us.

Markowitz: Uh-uh. This isn't
hardball, Ann. It's deceit.

He stole clients,
he set up his own practice.

Yeah, but do we know this?

Yes. John Standing
wouldn't take my call.

Larry Gilson
wouldn't take my call.

These are major
corporate retainers

and Becker's got them both.

I've also found out
that Sol Rosen called.

He's asked that we return
his entire file

and two-thirds
of his retainer.

Get a restraining order.

It'll put the brakes
on his venture in a hurry

if he can't take clients.

Uh, we have to prove
irreparable harm.

If they're big corporate
clients, I'm sure we can.

Let me ask another question.

- Do we need him?
- Do we need him?

Or do we need
a matrimonial practice?

Well, we definitely need
a matrimonial practice.

Right now it's responsible for
20% of our income.

Does it have to be
Arnold Becker

that brings that 20% in?

Right now it is Arnold Becker.

We lose him,
we lose those clients.

When Sol Rosen comes by
to pick up his things,

I'm going to try to find out

just what Arnold Becker
said to him.

We should also talk to Roxanne.

Ann.

She's not gonna tell us
anything.

McKenzie: She will
if you approach her right.

Chances are, you're the
only here she really trusts.

Why don't you work some angle

and pump her
for what she knows?

I'm not working any angles,
Douglas.

I've dealt with her straight
in the past,

I'll deal with her
straight now.

McKenzie: Just do it fast.

And make sure
you get something we can use.

If we wait too long,
those clients he took

will be his for good.

That would represent
a major financial loss to us

for us and a major coup
for Arnold Becker.

I don't want that to happen.

[clears throat] Ms. Gottlieb,
I'm Susan Jenkins,

the attorney for Mr. Mores.

I'd like to ask you a few
questions about

yesterday's testimony
and I'll try not to

keep you up here too long.

Susan:
Prior to your leaving the bar

with my client,
what had you had to drink?

I left the bar
with three people,

one of whom was your client.

I apologize if I suggested
otherwise.

What did you have to drink?

I had a margarita.

Susan: That would be tequila?
Allison: Yes.

Susan: And as you left
this drinking establishment,

did you communicate
to my client

that you regarded him
as physically attractive?

I did not.

You did not comment

that Mr. Mores and Mr. Mayer

were better looking
than the male models

used in your commercial?

[sighs]
I said something like

"These two guys are better than
the models," yeah.

Allison: It was light banter.

Susan: Was it
flirtatious banter?

- No.
- Okay.

Now, after you brought
Mr. Mores into your home

and he first put his hand
on your shoulder...

you say you told him to stop.

Isn't it true
what you really said was,

"I don't think so?"

Maybe. What's the difference?

[laughs]
Well, there's nothing ambiguous

about "Stop" Ms. Gottlieb.
But a soft giggle

coupled with an
"I don't think so..."

There was nothing ambiguous
about my response.

I told him flat out, "No."

That I was involved
in a monogamous exclusive

relationship and
that I wasn't interested.

This monogamous relationship
is with who?

Objection.

She opened the door, Your Honor.

I'll allow it. She can answer.

Susan: Who is
this exclusive relationship

with, Ms. Gottlieb?

His name is Victor Sifuentes.

Susan: I see.

Ms. Gottlieb,
is it possible my client

thought you wanted
to have sex with him?

This was not sex, Ms. Jenkins.
This was violence.

- Move to strike.
- And no, it is not possible--

- Move to strike.
- That he thought I wanted it.

- Overruled.
- Ms. Gottlieb...

Have you ever hah sex
with a member of your crew?

- What is this?
- Objection.

Past sexual history
is not admissible.

It is when she raises the issue.

The objection is overruled.

Susan:
What about it, Miss Gottlieb?

Have you ever had
sex with the member

or plural members
of your film crew?

In the past I have had
two relationships

with men who have been
in my crew. Two.

Susan:
When you say relationships,

do you mean... exclusive

spend the holidays together,
celebrate birthdays,

and so forth,
that sort of thing?

Or do you mean
extremely short-lived

physical encounters?

They were two short affairs.

Do you make room for
the possibility, Ms. Gottlieb,

that my client,
knowing your propensity

to be sexually promiscuous?

- I object.
- Get to it, Ms. Jenkins.

Isn't it possible he thought
you wanted it?

He threw me down on the floor
and ripped my clothes off!

- Move to strike.
- He pinned my legs back.

Non responsive move to
strike, Your Honor.

Stuck his thumb in to my throat
and he raped me.

Judge Macfarlane: Ms. Gottlieb.

Allison: There is no way in hell

that any person could think

that any woman would want
to have done to her

what he did to me!

Ms. Gottlieb, that's enough!

[cries]

I have nothing further.

Judge Macfarlane: We're done
for the morning.

Have you anything more,
Ms. Van Owen?

No, Your Honor.

Ms. Jenkins, will you be putting
on any witnesses?

Yes, Your Honor.

I'll be calling
Victor Sifuentes to the stand.

Sol, come in, please.

I appreciate
your taking the time

to sit down with me, Sol.

Why wouldn't I sit down
with you?

Brackman: I'm sure you know

that we were all unhappy

to hear that
you were leaving us.

I'm leaving,
someone else is coming,

life goes on. Am I wrong?

You're not wrong.

I'm curious, though.

When did you first hear
that Arnie was leaving?

To tell the truth,
I don't remember.

Did he ask you
to come with him, Sol?

He didn't have to ask.

Did he give you any indication
that a meeting would be held

with the other members
of McKenzie Brackman and you?

What for?

So that we might persuade you

to stay here.

Who's your orthodontist?

What difference does it make?

I've got a grandson
who needs braces.

Sol: What's the matter?

Arnold Becker never suggested
that you meet with us, did he?

Arnold Becker was
in the trenches with me.

You understand that?

Did he ever suggest
a meeting with us

prior to his leaving the firm?

I'm getting a little PO'd here.

We never have so much
as a cup of coffee together

in all these years.

And you come in from your
goyische country club

with your steel rimmed glasses

and suddenly I'm supposed
to answer to you?

You want me to get a subpoena?
I can do that.

You think you can muscle me,
my friend?

You should live so long.

Dr. Tower, would you
state your qualifications

for the court?

Court, court. Court, court.

I've been a practicing
neurologist for 12 years.

I have extensive clinical

and child development
experience.

In addition, I myself
have been diagnosed as

having had Tourette's
since the age of fourteen.

Your Honor,
I object to this witness

testifying as an expert.

Stritch: Regardless of his
credentials,

the fact that he himself
has this affliction

creates an inherent bias.

The jury can take all that into
consideration, Ms. Stritch.

Judge Greg:
The witness can testify.

Doctor, would you characterize

Tourette's Syndrome as a mental

or a physical condition?

Oh, boy.

Dr. Towel: Tourette's is
a neurological motor disorder.

That's all it is.
It might look like

a mental condition, but isn't.

Tourette's doesn't respond to
psychotherapy

anymore than a limp would.

Jonathan: Based on
your examination of him,

would you attribute all of
Noah Cowan's abnormal behavior

to anything
other than Tourette's?

Tourette's, Tourette's.
Tourette's, Tourette's.

- No.
Noah: Whoop!

Multiform phonic and motor tics

such as displayed by Mr. Cowan
are wholly symptomatic.

Coprolalia
or compulsive swearing...

palilalia or-- or
repeating oneself,

and coprapaxia

or compulsive obscene gesturing
are also typical.

Echolalia or the imitation
of the last thing heard,

is the symptomology
manifested in my case.

Yet, you're practicing
neurologist.

I was fortunate enough
to find myself

in a nurturing environment,
Mr. Rollins.

Tourette's didn't stand
in my way.

Other people didn't stand
in my way either.

Jonathan: I have no
further questions.

You have shown us a great deal
of determination, doctor.

Tell me, how do your patients
respond to you?

- Whoop!
Dr. Tower: You, you.

You, you.

I believe my patients
respond to me

as they would
any other physician.

What if they didn't?

Dr. Tower: What do you mean?
Noah: Oh, boy. Oh, boy.

What if you patients
weren't comfortable

with a doctor who repeated
everything they just said?

Stritch: What if they were
just a little bit

put off by a doctor spitting
and cursing, and--

Objection, Your Honor.
What's the point?

The point is, Your Honor,
that to his man,

all that's important is that
he and the plaintiff

get to do exactly
what they want,

oblivious to those around them.

He's not testifying
as a medical expert.

He's testifying
as another individual

who suffers from Tourette's.

I don't suffer from Tourette's.

I suffer from intolerance.

I suffer from small-minded
aversions to anything strange,

anything out of the norm.
That's what I suffer from.

I suffer from the likes of you.

Do you swear to tell the truth,
the whole truth,

and nothing but the truth,
so help you God?

- I do.
- Be seated.

Please state your name
for the record, sir.

Victor Sifuentes.

And do you presently have an
exclusive romantic relationship

with the complainant,
Allison Gottlieb,

as she so testified
in this courtroom this morning?

I do.

Susan: Do you love this woman?

Yes, I do.

Seek to treat the witness,
as hostile, Your Honor.

Granted. Continue.

What was the date when
you first met this woman, sir?

Uh, it was in January of 1989.
I don't know the exact day.

And when was the first time

you went out with her
on a romantic basis?

- Objection, Your Honor.
- Overruled.

Judge Macfarlane: Ms. Gottlieb,
put this in issue,

I'm going to allow it.
But speed it up, Ms. Jenkins.

Your first date, sir.
When was it?

Victor: I don't know
the exact date.

I think it was the day
after we met.

And how many days after you met

did you first have
sexual intercourse?

- Objection.
Susan: I'm sorry, Your Honor.

But the complainant
has characterized herself

as a chased monogamous woman

and I'm entitled
to explore this.

You're not scoring any points
with me, Ms. Jenkins.

I respectfully request the right
to examine my witness.

- Your Honor--
- The objection is overruled.

How long did this woman wait
before going to bed with you?

Your Honor, this is ridiculous.

Sit down, Ms. Van Owen.

Susan: How long?
Victor: I don't know.

- Susan: A week? A month?
- Asked and answered.

- I said, "I don't know."
- Maybe less than a week?

Asked and answered.

That's enough, Ms. Jenkins.

Sorry, Your Honor.

- Grace.
- Yeah?

Can I talk to you for a second?

- Sure.
- Honey, do you mind waiting?

You don't think that
you could have cut off

a couple of those questions
in there?

- I tried, Victor. You heard--
- Not hard enough, you didn't.

Van Owen: For a prelim? Come on.

I appreciate the free discovery.

I do not appreciate the fact

that Allison comes off looking

totally humiliated in there

li-- like some
cheap kind of slut!

This is not about
preserving her reputation.

It's about getting a rapist
bound over for trial.

- Which I'll do.
- I'm not so sure about that.

You know what they're doing.

They're gonna be
as rough as possible

to discourage her
from sticking this out.

You've used the same strategy
yourself a zillion times.

Yeah. Look, look, I'd like to
see your witness lists,

plus the police
and the medical reports.

I mean, did you run
a cross-state

probation check on this guy?

Hey!

You asked me to take this case.

I took it. Now let me do my job.

Don't you tell me
how to prosecute!

- I'm not doing that!
- You are doing it.

And I'm telling you right now,
stop it, Victor!

I've got a 95% conviction rate.
I'm good.

And what I don't need is
a boyfriend getting in my way.

Are we clear?

I just don't want
this guy walking, Grace.

He won't walk.

Trust me.

This guy is not gonna walk.

[instrumental music]

How the hell could
this have happened?

I got a piece of gristle
caught in the damn

braces and I couldn't
get it out.

Yeah. Sit down. So you stuck a
slinky in your mouth?

I was using the flat edge,

sort of like a tooth pick
and it got stuck.

- Let's see.
- Ow!

- Aah!
- It got stuck, alright.

Here, I don't want
to push down too hard

because I don't want to
tear the gum.

Come over into the light.

[sighs]

Okay.

Michael.

Kimberley?

- Come on in.
- Michael.

I'm looking for Roxanne.

I have a video tape
of her performance.

Roxanne doesn't work here
anymore.

Kimberly: You're kidding?

Michael.

Oh. Excuse me.

Kimberley Duggin,
Douglas Brackman.

Kimberley was
Roxanne's dance coach.

- Hello.
- Hi.

You have a slinky
in your mouth.

Excuse me.

[laughs lightly]
Long story.

What about Roxanne?

That's a long story too.

You see, her boss formed
his own practice

and she went with him.

But I think I can get
the tap to her.

Oh, great.
She's gonna love it.

Yeah.

Well...

it was good to see you again.

Yeah, you too.

[laughs lightly]

Kimberly: Michael,

would you like to have
lunch with me tomorrow?

Tomorrow?

Uh...

Yeah. That will be fine.

- Great.
- 1 o'clock?

I'll make reservations.

Actually, I hate lunches.

It's just less forward
than if I'd asked you to dinner.

But since we're on for lunch,

and dinner isn't such
a big leap from lunch...

let's make it dinner.

Okay.

8 o'clock.
I'll make the reservation.

Your Honor,

I would submit there is not
enough evidence

to hold my client over
for trial.

Yes,
they had sexual intercourse.

But Henrico Mores had reason
to believe she consented.

They knew each other,

they had drinks,
he took her home,

she invited him into her house.

She'd let him know
she found him attractive.

And this is a woman who'd slept
with members of her crew before.

A woman who was known by her
crew to be sexually aggressive.

She was known to have affairs.

She customarily dresses
very provocatively.

She says she resisted
and that this was violence,

but there were no bruises,
no property damage.

They will never get a conviction
on this one, Your Honor.

And I would respectfully
request that we not waste

the tax payers' money
by chasing a conclusion

that'll never happen.

If she wasn't raped,

what possible motivation could
she have to say she was?

So she could experience
the fun of an E.R. room,

getting probed by a speculum?

So she could furnish
vaginal fluid to crime labs

and enjoy the thrill
of a police lineup?

Not to mention
what a good time it is

to come in to these courtrooms

and be portrayed as a whore
by the defense attorney.

I won't be wasting the
taxpayers' money, Your Honor.

The taxpayers pay me

to get people like
Henrico Mores off the streets.

And that's exactly
what I'm going to do.

Judge MacFarlene:
Thank you both.

I find probably cause
and I will hold

the defendant over for trial.
Same bail.

Let's set a scheduling
conference

for the week
of February twelfth.

That's all. We're adjourned.

I'm ready to talk plea, Grace.
Wanna get lunch?

Lunch it is.

Okay, Allison.

We got our trial.

Thanks.

[softly] Thanks Grace.

[indistinct chatter]

[telephone ringing]

[knock on door]

- Hi.
- Hi.

Kelsey: Thanks for coming.

- How's Matthew?
- Oh, he's great.

Growing bigger every day.
[laughs]

I'm gonna have to see him
pretty soon.

We'd love for you to.

Roxanne, no one here
is blaming you.

Why did you want to see me,
Ann?

We have a reason to think
that Arnie

might have been
luring clients away.

I don't know what went on

between Arnie and his clients.

They're not his clients.

Whose ever clients they are.

Did he have you
photocopying files for him?

Roxanne: No.

But he was having it done?

Why are you putting me
in this position?

Roxanne, you left here
to go with Arnie.

Arnie turned on each
and every one of us

by doing what he did.

So now, you're asking me
to turn on him.

I'm asking you
to tell the truth.

I told you the truth.

You asked me to come here,
so I came.

I've told you the truth.

Now, I want you to honor
our relationship

and not ask me anything more.

No promises.

All the years of working here
don't matter.

All the attachments
I have here don't matter.

The only thing
that matters here is money.

It's the one thing that counts,
isn't it, Ann?

The one thing
that really counts.

[door shuts]

Kelsey: She wasn't in the room
when he talked to the clients.

What about the files?

I don't think she knows
anything about the files.

What do you mean
"You don't think?"

- Does she or doesn't she?
- What are you gonna do, Leland?

Would you really force Roxanne
to testify against Arnie?

In a second.

I don't think
that will be necessary.

How much do we need
for an injunction?

McKenzie: We'll find out
this afternoon.

Judge Lobel is going to hear
our motion in chambers.

If you want to spare Roxanne,

you better hope that
we don't come out of there

empty-handed.

Mr. Cassella, why did you
discharge Noah Cowen?

Because I just couldn't put up
with it anymore.

Look, I like Noah.
He's a good guy.

He's a good worker.

I know, this problem
he can't help. But...

it's tough walking clients
through my office

with him calling me
a douche bag.

Oh, boy. Whoop! Whoop!

Cassella: The cursing
is disruptive.

It upsets the co-workers
and ah...

the clients...

I-- I think he scares them.

Oh, boy. Whoop!

Dago, wop!

You see, people just don't
understand that kind of thing.

And it's been hurting my
business. I...

[sighs] I had to fire him.
I just had to, Noah.

Stritch: Thank you,
Mr. Cassella.

I have nothing further,
Your Honor.

My client's market
research was always

satisfactory, was it not?

It was better than
satisfactory. It was great.

And social skills were
never a function

of his employment,
isn't that right, Mr. Cassella?

Look, I'm-- I'm not talking
about a good personality here.

I'm talking about him yelling
"kike" all day at my assistant.

But his co-workers understood
his affliction, didn't they?

Some did.
Some... you know, didn't.

You didn't.

Did you ever take time to
really get to know Noah Cowan?

I don't know him that well,
but I do know him.

Mr. Cassella, the only problem
you have with Noah Cowan,

and the only reason
you fired him

was because of his
handicap, right?

Look, I've been dealing
with this for six years

and it's hurting
my organization.

Yeah, I...

I fired Noah
because of his handicap.

The way I see it,
I didn't really have a choice.

Rollins: Thank you, sir.
Nothing further.

You can't be serious.

I'm not saying
we have to take it.

Felony assault?
The man raped me.

How can you
plead down to assault?

Because by doing so,
we make sure he's put away.

Grace, are you telling me this
guy could actually be acquitted?

No. I'm telling you that he's a
first offender with no record.

No oral cop, no weapons.

Even with a conviction,
this is what we call

a straight low-term rape.

The best that we'll get
is three years.

So with parole,
he's back on the streets

in a year and a half.

Oh, my God.

Van Owen: Now, they're willing
to go for four years,

out in two,
if we cop to assault.

Basically, he's willing to do
an extra six months

to avoid a rape conviction.

And, Allison,
you also have to consider

that there is a chance
of a not guilty.

Now, I'm not saying
that will happen.

But it is your word against his.

And all he needs
is a reasonable doubt.

You're telling me to take this.

As a District Attorney,
there's nothing more

that I want than to nail
this bastard for rape.

But as your friend,
I can't ignore the fact

that a trial
could take up to a year.

[sighs]

Hey, you want a trial,
you got it.

People look at me differently.

Ever since this happened to me,

people look at me differently.

What does that
say about me, Grace?

It says nothing about you.

And, Allison,
I can get this guy. I can.

But this plea...

It allows us to put him away
for a little longer

and it allows you to put this
behind you a lot sooner.

[pensive music]

[scoffs]

Okay.

Okay.

First off all, I object

to this private motion session!

We're on the record, counselor.

There's nothing private
about it.

With all due respect,
Your Honor

it's a little unusual
to be hauled down here

for an eleventh hour hearing
after the close of business day.

You got your notice.
Let's get on with it.

Your Honor,
as stated in our papers,

Mr. Becker abruptly
severed his partnership

with McKenzie Brackman
and breached his fiduciary

responsibility
owed to our firm.

Upon information and belief,

he knowingly solicited
McKenzie Brackman clients,

and caused certain corporations

to discontinue business with us.

Un-true.

We have affidavits

from three clients that were
approached by Mr. Becker,

which clients chose
not to go with him.

Nevertheless, they do confirm
that said solicitations

did take place while Mr. Becker

was still a member
of our partnership.

I can also confirm
that three corporate clients

Sol Rosen and Associates,
Taft Industries,

and Berkshire, Petrovek
have all suddenly left our firm

and are believed to be
with Mr. Becker's new firm.

- Did they go with you?
- Yes.

On their own volition.

I'm restraining you from doing
any work for Sol Rosen--

Your Honor, that's crazy!
Those are my clients.

Yell at me, Mr. Becker,

and you will be in jail
very quickly.

There is no proof
of inappropriate solicitation.

There is no proof of any breach
of fiduciary responsibility.

He snuck files out
in the middle of the night.

You can't force clients
to go back to them.

I'm not forcing the clients
to do anything.

They can go anywhere they want.
Except to Arnold Becker.

This is depriving me
of my livelihood!

Look up the definition
of "partner," Mr. Becker.

It means you don't plan
late night coups

to stab your co-workers
in the back.

I object
to that characterization.

The restraining order
is granted.

Those are my clients!

Well, if you want to
keep your clients

and if you want to keep them,

then you people will have
to get back together.

Hearing in ten days.
That's all. We're done.

I can't believe
you're doing this!

You steal from me,
you answer to me.

Judge Lobel: I said, we're done.

I suppose we can all laugh
at Tourette's Syndrome.

The way my client swears
or spits,

or makes funny sounds.

And Noah Cowan
certainly understands

that people can be shocked
by his behavior.

He grew up being stared at
in Restaurants.

Being laughed at on buses.

Being ridicule by strangers

because the things he does

strikes people as funny.

But you know what's not funny?

A society that's unwilling to
tolerate someone's handicap.

This man became a highly
qualified professional

whose work was beyond reproach.

And he still got fired.
Noah: Whoop!

Because he made people
uncomfortable.

There's nothing so damn
amusing about that,

ladies and gentlemen.

Because that kind of
intolerance,

that kind of prejudice,
that's our handicap, not his.

Pff! Whoop!

Sal Cassella says people look
at this man and see a weirdo.

I see a man.

A man who's battled
a nervous disorder

every day of his life

and has beaten everything.

Everything except...

public perception.

He deserves to beat that...

today.

Noah: Oh, boy! Whoop!

Sal Cassella liked Noah Cowan.

He hired him,
trained him, promoted him.

And he didn't want to lose him.

But Noah cost him co-workers.

He cost him clients.

A racial slur,
a couple of whoops

a spit...

and Sal Cassella's business
takes it on the chin.

Noah: Oh, boy!

The law says

it's alright to fire someone

because of their handicap if it
affects their performance.

I'm telling you, Noah's did.

It put people off.

Now maybe
that is society's problem

as Mr. Rollins has said,

but Sal Cassella
shouldn't have to pay for it.

Noah: Oh, boy! Whoop!

Whoop!

Case number 8-9-7-2-3.

People vs. Henrico Mores.

Your Honor,
the parties are prepared

to enter into a plea bargain.

After consulting with both
defense counsel and the victim,

we feel that the interests
of justice will be best served

by a reduced plea
to felony assault,

coupled with
a joint recommendation

of four years in state prison.

Defense counsel so recommends?

- I do.
Judge MacFarlene: Mr. Mores.

Judge MacFarlene: You've
discussed this plea with

your lawyer and you understand
the consequences?

Yes.

You understand that you are

pleading guilty to a felony

crime and that you will
spend four years

in a state prison as a result
of this conviction?

This is your own free decision?

Yes.

Very well.

It is therefore
the decision of this court--

No!

Excuse me?

I can't let this happen.

I'm sorry, Your Honor.
I can't do this.

Your Honor, the parties
have already agreed to the plea.

No, Your Honor,
I expressly stated that

my recommendation was based
on the consent of the victim.

If the victim
withdraws her consent,

I withdraw my recommendation.

Ms. Gottlieb,
are you fully aware

of the consequences
of your decision?

Yes, I am.

Judge MacFarlene: You are aware

that the final disposition
of this matter

could take up to two years?

I don't care if it takes
ten years, Your Honor.

They can do whatever they want.
They cant scare me off.

This guy, he's definitely picked
the wrong girl to rape.

[pensive music]

Your Honor, The People
stand ready for trial.

[sighs]

So, if you can't have 'em,
I can't have 'em.

Is that the way it's gonna be?

Got any suggestions

as to how it could be otherwise?

Yeah.

Let me take the clients

and I'll cut you in for a piece.

[chuckles]
You got any other suggestions?

No, that was it. What about you?

You're the
paterfamilias around here.

What suggestion have you got?

Douglas,
would you mind excusing us?

No. Not at all.

[door shuts]

You've got something
to say to me.

What makes you think I got
anything to say to you?

Oh, I can only assume
a man needs a reason

to betray people who trust him.

Oh. So I betrayed you?

Yes. Me and every other person
who works here.

Do you think maybe you played
a part at all in this, Leland?

I got in the way of your all
consuming greed,

that's what I did.

What you did was...

hang me ought to dry
with the video tape...

I was totally reasonable there.

shaft me with Rosalind Shays...

I had no choice.

And you get behind Michael Kuzak

each and every time.

Never once do you get behind me.

Is that what this is about?

Hey, it's there.
It's always there.

Kuzak's the principled one.
I'm the slug.

Kuzak's the one you're proud of.

I'm the one you tolerate just

to keep the money coming in!

You're the one chasing the

money, Arnold!

The people here, including you,

will always matter
more to me than money,

and that's the difference
between us.

Yeah? Well, I don't get that.

I built this firm.
I spent my life building it.

And I will not allow you
to reduce

my investment here to dollars.

- This firm is part of me!
- Fine.

But don't expect it
to be a part of me.

Unless you're prepared
to give something back.

What do you want?

I want my name
added to the firm's name.

You want more loyalty
out of Arnold Becker?

Then stencil in "Arnold Becker"
on the glass door.

Is that it?

Yeah. That's it.

[pensive music]

Judge Greg: Has the jury
reached a verdict?

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

We find for the plaintiff
and award the sum

of a 150,000 in back pay.

We award front pay
in the amount of $100,000.

I'd like to dismiss the jury
with the thanks of the court.

We're adjourned.

Great. Great.

- Oh, boy. Oh, boy.
- "Oh, boy," is right Noah.

"Oh boy," is right.
You happy?

Happy, happy, happy, happy.

Yes. Oh, boy.

Oh! Whoop!

[indistinct chatter]

Jonathan,

can we talk to you guys
for a minute?

No hard feelings, I hope.

Bastard. Wop!

Not at all, Noah.

Why don't we find a room?

Sure.

I was wondering
if there might be a more

constructive resolution
to this dispute.

- Like what?
- Like Noah gets his job back.

Really?

I've yet to find a market
research analyst as good.

Is this job offer
in lieu of the judgment?

Here's the package,
fifty thousand upfront,

a new car, and Noah gets
promoted to research director.

[stammers] How come you think

now it's okay for me
to work there?

There! Whoop!

A modem and a FAX machine,
that's how come.

What do you mean?

A modem lets us hook up his home

computer to our office computer.

And a FAX machine lets us shoot

documents back and forth.

We'll provide everything.

Well, that sounds pretty good,
Mr. Cassella.

Yeah. Oh, boy.

Noah, I think this is something

we need to talk about a little.

Cassella: Please do.

You know what, Noah?

I know we're gonna
work this out.

You wanna be out
in the world, Noah.

I thought that's what
this trial was all about.

No, in all this time

I haven't been able
to find another job.

A quarter of a million dollars
will let you look some more.

It won't matter.

I should just stay home
and work.

Dammit, Noah. I hate that
you're saying that.

It's okay. I mean, this way
nobody will have to hear me.

Oh, boy.

Nobody will have to hear me.

[sighs]

[instrumental music]

- Hi, Grace.
- Victor.

- Come in.
- Sorry for the intrusion.

But your phone's off the hook.

And I knew you'd be here.

Hi.

Hi.

It made the news.
Did you see it?

Hmm.

Yeah, I know.

Well, someone else who saw it
came to my office tonight.

Who?

A woman by the name
of Rosanna Gramm.

A woman who until tonight

never had the courage
to tell anyone

that she had been raped by a man
named Henrico Mores.

What?

We've got him now, Allison.

I mean, he is facing
a rape conviction for sure.

Oh, God.

He's looking at
at least eight years.

I just wanted you to know.

[pensive music]

Van Owen: Goodnight, guys.

[door closes]

[sniffs]

[theme music]