Original subtitles

Previously on The Practice.

Basically, our lawyer just dropped us.

Five weeks before the trial?

One week before the summary judgment hearing.

- I think we should take it. - Sorry, Jimmy.

- I think we should take it too. - What? Why?

Because 11 people in a two-mile radius got cancer.

There are simply no facts to support the claim.

This is an attorney who demeans our profession.

Those four people live within 100 yards...

of Boston Power Company power lines.

They didn't get sick because I demeaned the legal profession.

This complaint does allege disputable questions of fact.

- Defendants' motion for summary judgment is denied. - [ Gavel Raps ]

They've offered us a package of $995,000.

- They don't admit liability. - They don't admit they were wrong?

- No. - I think this deal stinks.

We're all with Maureen on this, Jimmy.

Will you continue to be our lawyer?

If you choose to go forward, I'll be your lawyer.

I thought I made it clear on the phone. I can't help you.

You made it clear you wouldn't help me. I'm a drunk.

So you can see I wouldn't make a very great expert witness, would I?

- He's sauced. - But I'll be sober in the morning.

Thank you.

The defense strategy is gonna be to attack our strategy,

which they think is gonna be all emotion and sympathy.

It ain't gonna be that. We're gonna be above that.

I thought our case basically is all emotion...

since we're weak on liability.

Our case is credibility-- who to believe.

When I get up at the end and say those power lines gave you all cancer,

the jury has to believe me.

Are there any other witnesses besides us? Are we calling our doctors?

Some. Most of the medical conditions have already been stipulated to.

It'll all come down to causation.

And for that, we have this Helms guy-- the alcoholic.

- It makes me look fat. - That was your stomach making you look fat.

It's a good testifying suit.

You'll look all respectable, but not, like, rich.

Hey, Jimmy.

[ Sighs ] I'm ready.

I'm glad I'm doin' this, and I am ready. I know you are.

This is redemption time.

- [ Bobby ] Is he still drinking? - At night.

In the day, he's good. He'll be okay.

If he comes through, I figure we'll get another offer.

Is he your only expert? Pretty much.

I subpoenaed one other guy, but--

Jimmy, if they do offer anything bigger--

This isn't about getting a big public apology. This is about money.

Oh, I know. If I could get it to two,

I'll shove it down their tonsils. Don't worry.

- Well, we're getting nothing unless Helms holds up. - He will.

- How many experts do they have? - More than one.

- How many more? - They've listed 11. We figure they'll call eight or nine.

Big hitters.

You all set?

I've waited my whole life for this case.

[ Line Ringing ]

[ Cell Door Opens, Closes ]

[ Sirens Wailing ]

[ People Chattering ]

[ Elevator Bell Dings ]

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

[ People Coughing ]

[ Tapping Echoes ]

[ Shoes Squeaking ]

Raise your right hand, please.

Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth...

so help you God? I do.

Please be seated.

Mike, could you tell the jury your full name and where you live?

Michael Lewis Beal.

I live at 192 High Street, Fairfield, Massachusetts.

- Do you know why you're in court today, Mike? - Yes.

Could you tell us why?

I have leukemia.

I have brain cancer.

Ovarian cancer.

Lymphoma.

They say it's terminal.

I live about 300 yards from the power lines.

Maybe half a mile.

Right next to it actually.

Malignant.

I'd say within a half a mile.

They expect me to live.

But have any of the doctors told you it was caused by power lines?

They tell me they don't know what causes cancer.

It could be something in the air, something we eat.

Did they rule out the power lines as a cause? No, they did not.

Why do you think it's the power lines?

First, 11 people in one neighborhood get cancer.

That tells me something's goin' on.

That power line field sits smack in the middle of our neighborhood.

But that could be a coincidence. Perhaps.

But then I read this study done in Sweden connecting--

- Objection. - Testimony goes only to that he read the study.

He's not testifying as to the accuracy of its findings.

The objection is sustained.

Your Honor, the question goes as to why this witness believes--

I heard the question, counsel. I'm not allowing it.

Any study done in Sweden has no relevance here.

Mr. Beal, what, if anything else,

caused you to suspect the power lines as a cause for this cancer cluster?

There was a 1990 report done by the Environmental Protection Agency--

No, no. Your Honor, objection. Sustained.

Mr. Beal, you will refrain from mentioning any outside studies.

Members of the jury, sometimes witnesses and lawyers...

reference studies they have no intention of actually introducing as evidence--

studies which look good from afar,

but may prove to be unreliable when subjected to scrutiny.

I won't accuse counsel of doing so here.

But you should be advised that the fact that a study is said to exist somewhere...

should in no way account for its validity.

He's gonna screw you at every turn. You know this.

Yeah, but-- Is Jimmy okay?

Jimmy was fine. But, Ellenor, I don't know.

You were there. How could they turn down a million dollars?

Don't get me started. I think the one with the brain tumor's calling the shots.

That was bad. I know. I know.

Did Bobby ask you to take over? He just asked me to watchdog him.

- And be ready, Lindsay. - Jimmy's doing fine.

[ Door Opens, Closes ] [ Sighs ]

[ West ] Anything potentially toxic in the well water?

Not to my knowledge.

Does your town ever use pesticides in your area?

From time to time, yes.

In mosquito season, I'm sure.

There's some farming done, too, in Fairfield. Isn't that right?

Yes. And they likely use pesticides of some sort.

They likely do, yes.

Did anybody ever check out the well water in your area?

I don't know.

Anybody ever investigate pesticides? I don't think so.

Hmm. You basically all shop at the same grocery market, don't you?

Pretty much, yes.

Then that market might be called "a common denominator."

- I think it's called Belson's. - [ Jury Chuckles ]

Did the doctor tell you that carcinogens can be found in the things we eat?

Yes. Mrs. Banner.

Is it completely impossible...

that something you all ate contributed to your getting sick?

[ Banner ] I suppose not.

[ West ] Anybody do any studies on the food at this market?

Not to my knowledge.

Hmm.

There seem to be a lot of possibilities...

that nobody ever bothered to rule out.

Thank you very much. That's all.

Mrs. Banner, who basically are you suing today?

Basically, the government.

And who led you to suspect the power lines...

instead of well water or pesticides or grocery market food?

The government. They did?

[ Banner ] If they suspected pesticides or well water or food,

I assume they would have checked it out because I'm sure they care.

But they didn't test those things.

When we started getting cancer,

all of those scientists came running to the power lines.

And what answers did they give you?

They haven't given us any answers, Mr. Berluti.

[ All Laughing ] [ Rogers ] I like the way he goes, "Hmm."

You hear that? How many times did he do that?

[ All ] Hmm. Hmm. Hmm.

He goes, "Hmm" when he feels good,

so let's hope we don't hear it too often.

[ All Laughing ] Here's a toast to us.

Win or lose, we end up right back here having dinner together.

[ Doyle ] Hear. Hear. [ Rogers ] It's easy for you.

- It's not your house. - [ All Laughing ]

[ Beal ] That's a good one. Well said, David.

All right. Here's the thing.

The next part of the case, this could go on for weeks.

I don't know how many experts they're gonna trot out,

but it's important that you be there every day.

All this boring science stuff-- We gotta keep cancer in the room.

Is the alcoholic ready?

His name is Joel, and he's gonna be great.

I still say you should let me get on that stand and "wig out."

[ All Laughing ]

If ever you think you made a mistake,

just say so-- correct it.

Don't be thinking you'd better cover it up, 'cause-- Can I go home now?

Somethin' else.

Everything they ask you on cross-- every single thing--

They already know the answer. they already know the answer.

You can expect them to go hard at you on that too.

Jimmy, you know, I might need a little something during lunch.

It isn't gonna be anything that's on my breath. I'll be fine.

But otherwise, 4:00-- I get the shakes. Maybe before.

If you come off even the slightest bit--

I know. Do you know?

Our case either stops with you or keeps going.

How many times are you gonna say it? I'll say it till it sinks in!

What is this, the-the-- the first case of your life?

Let's think of it as the first trial of your life.

I'm not goin' down just because you take it lightly.

If I collapse on that stand, it's gonna be from exhaustion. You can restore your reputation.

You have had me in this office till 2:00 a.m. for the last two weeks!

Do you wanna be a telemarketer the rest of your life?

- Runt! - Drunk!

Fat!

Bald!

Bald?

[ Laughing ]

[ Sighs ] Jimmy.

Yeah?

Are we nervous?

Joel?

Are you really ready?

Don't you worry about me.

[ Jimmy ] You can't testify from in there.

[ Joel ] Thank you. That's helpful.

Just puke and get it over with.

[ Toilet Flushes ] I don't know how I'd make it without your bedside manner.

Never mind. You're on in two minutes. Come on then.

Hey. Wash your hands.

[ Sighs ]

[ Water Running ]

[ Joel ] I was a professor at Boston University for nine years...

as an epidemiologist specializing in radiation research.

Dr. Helms, did you ever have occasion to study power lines? Yes, I did.

Did you have occasion to study the effect of exposure to power lines on the human body?

I did.

Before we get into the nature of your study-- 'cause it'll take some time--

could you give us an overall conclusion?

Simply put, exposure to power lines is a cancer risk.

You're sure? There's no question, Mr. Berluti.

Does it mean living next to power lines, you'll get cancer?

Probably not.

But are you at a greater risk? Definitely.

And every epidemiologist knows it.

- Objection, Your Honor. - Sustained.

Okay, Doctor, this stuff gets pretty technical.

Let's start with what exactly is an electromagnetic field.

A power line, electrical wiring,

electrical equipment, a cell phone--

They all give off what is known as radio-frequency radiation.

And this is harmful? It can be.

What this radiation does is heat body tissue.

If you get too much and the body can't dissipate it,

it can cause injury-- sometimes cancer.

Now, to say something causes cancer-- That's really not fair.

What I should say is, statistically,

you become at higher risk for cancer.

Why or how, we haven't figured out.

And yet, if you haven't figured it out, you seem pretty certain.

Four times as many people living near power lines get cancer, Mr. Berluti.

Just because we haven't figured out why...

doesn't mean we haven't got a problem.

Hey, how's it goin'?

Well, he's been strong, but looks like he could use a drink.

Seven hours now. [ Ellenor ] Jury's awake?

Oh, yeah. Oh, let me say this.

Without having heard what the other side has to say,

I am not living near power lines.

Did you report this to anybody?

Did I report it? [ Scoffs ]

That's why I'm in telemarketing today-- because I reported it.

- Who'd you tell? - I first reported it to Boston Power.

Then the Environmental Protection Agency.

Did the agency respond?

Yes. They found my data to be inconclusive.

They also let me know-- should I compile any more data--

I should keep it to myself.

- Objection-- hearsay. - Overruled.

[ Jimmy ] Who said that, Dr. Helms? His name was Oliver Rock.

He was a director of the agency's division here in Boston.

- Did he say anything else? - Objection, Your Honor.

Goes only to his response to the witness's report.

- I'll allow it. - What else did he say?

He said, "There are power lines all across the country.

We don't need to start a national panic."

Did you see him squirm? That West guy--

He laid a big, soft Baby Ruth when I said, "We don't want to make a panic."

I don't think he'll be coming at you with candy bars tomorrow.

Let's go through it again. And go even harder.

You were fired for being a drunk, weren't you, Dr. Helms?

Yes or no. No.

My battle with alcoholism began after I was discharged.

My termination had to do with my unwillingness--

Don't let him go on. West would be cutting him off.

[ Door Opens ] Sorry.

Jimmy. Talk to you for a sec?

Keep goin'. Grill him.

Hey. Come on in. Sit down.

I hear it's goin' well.

Tomorrow's the big one.

If Joel can survive cross-- I've gone over their witness list.

They have some top researchers-- two from California who've just done a study.

I had Rebecca run some numbers.

You've put in roughly 400 hours on this case.

That's-- That's conservative.

I bill you at 125 an hour, so we can figure 50,000.

Lindsay and Ellenor, between them, takes it over a hundred thousand.

And you're up to 63,000 in costs.

If this trial goes the distance,

we could be in for 250,000.

If we could absorb that, that would be one thing.

But, Jimmy, this case is-- It's running us into the red again.

Business has been good here. Criminal business-- nothing high rent.

The big tickets are the drug dealers. Our biggest was shot dead.

Since Lindsay's out of it, nothing new's coming through the door.

If I could squeeze a decent offer-- Jimmy.

This list. Any chance you have,

it depends on your ability to cross.

Now, I don't mean to put you down, but--

This isn't your strength.

What do you think I've been doing for the past month,

staying up till 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning?

I'm ready for these guys. I understand that, but--

I was thinking, maybe if Lindsay handled their experts, then that would give you more time--

That's her idea? No. She says you're doing great.

You don't think I'm up to a case like this.

I got it. This isn't a reflection of you, Jimmy.

Oh, that's a lie.

Your case isn't good.

You've made the most of it so far.

The time could be right to settle.

He could be right. We may be at our strongest now.

We gotta make a decision here.

Get a number, Jimmy. Then we'll see.

Morning. Good morning.

Says Parcells may be coming back.

I'd sooner welcome back Don Cherry.

They want two. You can get out for two.

I'm afraid that would not be an acceptable number from our side.

What is? Nothing.

Is "nothing" good for you?

Come on. Last week, it was a million.

Things are going better for us than you expected.

Two gets you off cheap. You really don't get it, do you?

The money we offered last week was a premium for silence--

to preempt your people going to court,

getting their stories printed in the newspaper.

We're beyond that now. The only interest we have now is in winning.

And frankly, I'm not impressed with your presentation so far.

So I think you should recommend "nothing" to your clients.

Because when I get finished with Mr. Helms today,

not only will your case be over, I'll be moving for costs.

And I very well might get them. That could cost you a half a million dollars.

Now, did that thought ever tiptoe across your mind,

or has it all been sugarplums?

People like you think people like me can't beat them.

You're wrong.

I don't doubt people like you can win, Mr. Berluti.

Only it won't be this case.

Now, Mr. Helms-- Oh, excuse me. Dr. Helms,

Are you still a doctor? Yes.

- You work as a doctor? - No. As I said yesterday, I'm in telemarketing now.

You're no longer hireable as an epidemiologist, are you, Doctor?

No.

In fact, as a result of your claims that power lines cause cancer,

you lost respect within the medical community.

I became a political liability.

No other university, academic or medical institution would hire you.

It would seem so.

So now you spend your days making cold calls,

trying to convince people that maybe they should change their long-distance telephone company.

[ Jimmy ] Objection. [ Judge ] Overruled.

- Are you an alcoholic, Doctor? - Objection. - Overruled.

- Are you an alcoholic, Doctor? - Yes.

Recovered? No.

- You still drink. - Yes.

- Did you drink last night? - Yes.

- Were you drunk? - [ Jimmy ] Objection! - [ Judge ] Sustained.

Well, tell me, Doctor, are there any other scientists, to your knowledge,

who would be willing to come forward...

and affirm your theories concerning power lines and cancer?

They won't come forward because the government will go after them.

Like they went after you. Yes, Mr. West.

The government and the scientific advisory council...

considered that it was more expedient to discredit me...

than to admit that power lines are a cancer risk.

I must say I'm surprised the government allows you to work in telemarketing.

I mean, all those phone lines-- calling people every day,

talking to them, sharing the real truth.

Objection. Sustained.

Do you tell people that power lines killed J.F.K.?

Objection! Sustained.

Doctor,

have you ever been hospitalized in a mental institution?

Objection, Your Honor.

I told you. How the hell could it not happen?

Guy's a drunk who did time in a mental ward.

Lower your voice. This is stupid!

We're tilting a windmill here. And you've never done that?

Does Helms have any credibility left?

I didn't like the way the jury was looking at him.

Let's just try to get out-- anything.

We have to cut our losses. If the clients resist, I'll talk to 'em.

Well-- What?

They won't be offering anything, Bobby.

Even before Helms was crossed.

The defense, they're-- They're offering zero.

Nothing? They're determined to go to verdict,

and that was before they chewed up our expert witness.

Their only offer is we give them an agreement for judgment right now,

they'll drop any claim they have for abuse of process.

[ Groans ] [ Door Opens, Closes ]

Hey.

Hey.

Jimmy, maybe Lindsay should take their experts--

I don't think that's a good idea.

The best part of our case is his relationship with the jury.

I think they still like him.

Okay. Don't go toe-to-toe on science.

All you do is preserve some doubt.

Keep doubt alive.

Can you do that? Yeah.

- Are you up on the science if-- - I can do it.

You've studied the effects of power lines? For 11 years.

And what conclusions did you draw...

with respect to cancer and exposure to power lines and electromagnetic fields?

- There is no link. - None?

None.

Are you sure that power lines cannot cause cancer,

or are you sure that you haven't found the link as to how they could?

The latter.

[ Woman ] Yes. Inconclusive data.

We could make no correlation between exposure and cancer risk.

On this scientific advisory board,

four people were paid consultants for utility commissions, right?

That's correct.

The air force was aware of government tests.

We found no biological effects.

Didn't the air force make efforts to suppress the health effects...

of electromagnetic radiation?

How long have you been at Yale, Dr. Munson? Nineteen years.

And you're an epidemiologist?

And also director of the public health center.

And you were present in the courtroom for the testimony of Joel Helms?

- I was. - Do you have any response to that testimony?

There's absolutely no scientific or medical evidence...

to support the allegations made by the plaintiffs.

And I, as a doctor and a scientist,

find these allegations to be outrageous.

Are you familiar with the study done in Sweden?

- Objection. - This man testified he has knowledge of all the studies.

He has testified that Dr. Helms's conclusions offend science and medicine.

- I am entitled to impeach the testimony of this witness. - I'll allow it.

Dr. Munson, you are aware of two recent Swedish studies...

that concluded-- scientifically concluded--

that children living near power lines...

have four times the risk of developing leukemia?

- Yes, but-- - Thank you. You've answered my question.

Now, Doctor, are you aware of a 1990 federal Environmental Protection Agency report?

That report was attacked and ultimately revised.

Are you aware of that report? Yes or no. Yes.

And that report linked exposure to power lines...

with leukemia and nervous system cancer.

Objection. He's putting in studies.

No, I am putting in his awareness of these studies...

while he tells this jury Dr. Helms is outrageous.

I'll overrule the objection, but I'm cutting you off, counsel. You made your point.

So let me get this straight, Doctor.

You are aware of many studies that do support the allegations...

connecting power lines with cancer.

You're aware of the studies and reports that support the allegations.

Allegations, not conclusions.

So,

when you said under oath,

"There is no scientific or medical evidence...

to support the allegations made by the plaintiffs"--

Would that be a lie or a mistake?

[ Murmurs ] It was a poor choice of words.

Poor choice amounting to a lie or a mistake?

Mistake.

[ Quiet Sigh ]

He survived it. Nine experts, 16 days-- we're still alive.

Are you suggesting we could win? I didn't say that.

None of those experts proved power lines couldn't cause cancer,

but we didn't prove that they can either.

But just that we're going into closing with even a chance.

He's in the conference room? Don't. He's practicing his summation.

He got mad when I walked in, so--

I wish you could've seen it.

I'm goin' tomorrow.

Jimmy?

Jimmy. You okay?

Hey. [ Sighs ]

Will you do it? What?

The closing.

I-- I might be too close to see straight.

You're doing it.

You're right where you wanna be, going into summations with the jury trusting you.

You're here. You can do this.

Bobby asked you to take over, didn't he?

[ Sighs ] He asked me to be ready to.

But it was never necessary.

[ Spectators Chattering ]

Mr. Berluti.

The trial part is over, and we're in the same place we started.

Eleven people who live near the power lines got cancer.

Did I prove it with science? No.

Did they disprove it? No.

We don't know what causes cancer really.

We only know what puts you in a higher risk of getting it.

Living near the power lines puts you at a higher risk.

Evidence?

Exhibits 1 through 7 have been sitting here every day.

You heard Mr. West suggest it could've been well water.

It could've been pesticides. It could've been food or this or that.

Did they check on any of these things?

Did they do any studies-- run some tests on water or dirt?

Don't you think if they suspected pesticides, and people were dying,

they'd check that out?

They didn't. The only thing they studied was power lines.

They hired Joel Helms to study it.

He found increased risk of cancer.

The government defense to this lawsuit is,

"They can't really prove it."

And that is where the real outrage lies, ladies and gentlemen.

Our people are getting sick, getting brain tumors, some even dying.

Instead of finding out why, instead of saying, "Let's stop this,"

they're saying, "Prove it. And if you can't prove it, we won't help you."

A lawsuit-- any lawsuit-- is about allocating burden--

who is best able to absorb the responsibility.

If people living near public utilities start getting clusters of cancer,

I say that should put a burden on the government,

a burden to find out what's going on.

It isn't right for government to just let people get cancer...

and then fall back on, "The data is inconclusive."

That isn't right.

Studies are out there, all over, in this country and in Europe,

making the argument that people get sick from power lines.

And our governmental response is, "Inconclusive."

See these people?

They're ill.

And collectively, they have stories of suffering, chemotherapy, pain--

stories they did not tell you.

I am privileged to represent them.

How do you put a value on their lives?

I won't ask you to.

But I can put a rough value on the cost of the governmental admission...

that power lines kill-- billions of dollars.

Between tearing down existing lines, compensatory damages--

billions of dollars.

It's a lot cheaper to let a few people die,

maybe a lot of people.

Is that happening here? I don't know.

My data is "inconclusive."

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,

it's time to allocate a burden.

Uh, ladies and gentlemen,

that was a brilliant argument.

Unfortunately for Mr. Berluti, it was for the defense.

I'll ask you to go back to that room and accept him at his word.

"They can't prove it."

Now, it may be sound legislative policy...

to burden the government with rooting out the causes of this cancer.

But for a lawsuit, the plaintiff must prove his case...

by a preponderance of the evidence.

They didn't. Not only did they skip over causation,

they never even addressed negligence or any theory of blame.

The essence of their case-- "We have cancer. Give us money."

Now, my heart goes out to these people, as should yours.

But to win a lawsuit, you need proof.

And what proof have they offered?

"The government didn't check out pesticides."

[ People Chattering ]

Jimmy, I got the clients in the witness room.

You should probably say something before we dismiss them.

The deliberations could take a long time, so-- Okay.

That was a fantastic closing. We have a chance.

West was good. Yes, he was.

Come on. Let's give them a sense of parameters.

[ Clears Throat ] Two million.

You have it.

Too little, too late, Mr. West.

My clients said they'd consider eight, nothing less.

And I tend to believe them.

Well, then, we'll wait for the jury, won't we?

Yes, we will.

Are you out of your mind? He's definitely authorized to go higher.

What's goin' on? He just turned down two million.

They can go higher. I don't think the clients would say yes anyway.

Jimmy, small detail-- You have to take it to the clients first.

I think they should grab it. Is it still on the table?

Shh! Shh!

Four.

I'd try to sell six.

If you're worried about a quick verdict, you'd better go eight.

'Cause they're definitely sleeping on six.

You have an obligation to inform your clients of any offer that's made.

My clients told me not to even bother them unless it's eight,

which they still might say no to.

Six-- with a clock. One hour.

- I can't believe it! This is awesome! - [ Excited Chattering ]

Settle down. Come on. Quiet.

[ Banner ] Payable today? We didn't get that far.

Look, we agreed after last week we'd go by majority rule.

We're basically-- What are the numbers?

Well, minus contingency, plus costs-- around 3.9,

which comes to, uh, 350,000 or so per person.

[ Banner ] Well, shouldn't they be paying more?

Not enough. I agree.

- [ All Agreeing ] - Wait a second. Hold on. Hold on.

I know your desire to make a statement,

but six million dollars is not only a lot of money, it's a huge statement.

This is a total victory.

If they're offering six, their jury consultants are telling them something.

- That's good. I like that. - That may be true.

But you have to realize this is still a horrible case causation-wise.

Now Jimmy has pulled a rabbit here--

a six-million-dollar rabbit out of a hat that nobody gets to dig into.

You have to take it. It's absolute insanity not to leap at it.

Jimmy, what do you think?

It's a crapshoot.

But I've been spending a lot of time with you people.

If you settle, make a deal,

you won't walk away happy.

You didn't come here looking to get a handshake.

You came to get a judgment.

Jimmy. Just a second.

If it's about money, say yes.

And this is a lot of money.

But you've been telling me all along...

this is a fight about something bigger.

My vote-- tell 'em to stick it.

That advice borders on malpractice. You can't ignore-- [ Beal ] Hey!

Who are you? He's our lawyer.

Are we all agreed?

[ All Agreeing ] Yeah. Uh-huh.

The offer's rejected.

Bobby!

Ever accuse me of malpractice in front of a client again, I'll deck you.

I'm tempted to report you to the bar.

This isn't about them needing a victory. It's about you.

It's about lifting some complex off of your head.

You can fire me any time. Don't think I won't!

Cut it out! Berluti? This is private. Beat it.

Fine, but your jury's coming back.

[ Spectators Murmuring ]

Pretty fast. You've reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

What say you, Mr. Foreman?

[ Foreman ] In the matter of Beal et al...

versus Boston Power and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,

we find in favor of the defen-- of the plaintiffs...

and order Boston Power to pay damages in the amount of $2.6 million.

We further order the Commonwealth of Massachusetts...

to pay damages in the amount of $36 million.

[ Gasping, Muffled Shouting ]

[ Judge ] Settle down.

[ Laughing ]

[ Gavel Rapping ] Settle down. Quiet.

[ Gasping, Shouting Continue ] [ Gavel Raps ]

Settle. [ Raps Gavel ]

Anyone who doesn't settle will be removed. Quiet.

Your Honor, we, the defendants, move for a judgment notwithstanding the verdict.

The Fairfield power lines may very well have caused these people cancer,

but nothing has been admitted into evidence to establish it.

The plaintiffs offered no facts to prove causation.

I was hoping the jury would see that.

Since you didn't do your job, I have to do mine.

Defendants' motion for J.N.O.V. granted.

I hereby enter judgment for the defendant.

We're adjourned. Jury dismissed. [ Gavel Raps ]

Can-- Can he do that?

[ Spectators Chattering ]

First, your instinct to reject the offer obviously turned out to be right.

Second, what you did in this case...

with-- with what you had, what you were up against--

it may be the best lawyering I ever heard tale of.

And that judge can't take anything away from that, Jimmy.

Come on.

Let me buy you something to eat.

I-- I got plans.

Well, I didn't wanna win anyway.

I'm so used to being a martyr by now,

this whole thing would've put me back in therapy.

[ Beal ] We're gonna appeal. It's not over, right?

Jimmy, we'll appeal, right?

Yes. We will.

[ Rogers ] The case will get more attention this way.

It couldn't be better for public awareness.

When they read that verdict, I just saw a big boat. [ All Laughing ]

How can you all be laughing?

Cheer up, Jimmy. We got the verdict, and that's what we wanted.

Oh, let him be depressed, David.

He's the one that has to live with this the longest.

[ All Laughing ]

Jimmy, hey.

How come you're here so late?

I'm just, uh, catchin' up on some things.

You're crying.

Oh, no. I, uh-- Maybe a little.

They're okay, Lindsay. I just came from them.

They're doin' pretty good. That's good.

What?

I was crying for you, Jimmy.

You deserved-- I'm okay too.

You know, I spend half my time wondering why I ever became a lawyer.

You? But you're so good.

The work can be so dirty sometimes.

But this trial--

You reminded me how noble lawyers can be.

I was proud to be at your side.

Thank you.

And this, um--

You-- You should be celebrating tonight.

Yeah.

[ Crying ]

[ Woman ] You stinker!