Original subtitles

RJ: Rick Dees in the morning, KISS FM.

Woman on radio: I, I'm the time ferret.

It's twelve hours past 7, 7:12.

[indistinct]

Man 1: Get off of that...

[indistinct radio chatter]

[siren blaring]

Rick: Here's your traffic update, Commander Chuck

Stream in Yellow Thunder, good morning, Commander.

Man 2: I tell you, Rick, it's really a mess down there

in the north and southbound harbor freeway,

east and westbound Santa Monica and also the inbound Hollywood.

It's your basic gridlock,

very typical for post-Holiday traffic.

Rick: And, Rachel, what did you do over the Labor day weekend?

Rachel: Well, you know, Rick, how much I hate to drive.

So I spent all weekend, all three days,

lying by my pool, catching some rays in the nude.

[zipper screeching]

[laughing on radio]

[engine revving]

Rick: Phone keeps ringing. Let me get it.

Yeah, Rick Dees, here.

Jennifer: Hello, Rick. Rick: Yes?

Jennifer: This is Jennifer, the boss's secretary.

Rick: Yes, Jennifer. How are you?

Jennifer: I'm fine. I'm fine, thank you.

But the boss just wanted to tell you something.

Rick: Okay.

Jennifer: When you get off the air, he wants to kill you.

[horn honking]

Can't be there. Okay.

Staff meeting will probably go past one.

So I pushed your deposition with Margolis to Thursday.

Oh, and don't forget your 2 o'clock with Lydia Graham.

- Who? Oh, yes. - Friend of Julia Lippincott?

You're supposed to look over her settlement agreement.

And remember they're picking up your car for detailing today.

Great smell.

God, I hate these buildings, air conditioning goes down,

place smells like the inside of a garbage disposal.

McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak. Arnold Becker.

- Get me that spray stuff. - One moment, Mrs. Rice.

- Let me see if he's available. - Available, available.

7:30 Tuesday morning available.

Margaret, how was the long weekend?

Well, I'd have to go back over the agreement.

But he's got him for holiday weekends.

Maybe it was malicious, Margaret.

But getting an injunction?

I know it's the first day of school.

No, I don't blame you for worrying.

Absolutely. Absolutely.

He should have had him home by 6:00.

But, but Margaret, Margaret, to go to court...

Mar-- Margaret. Margaret.

Look, if that's what you want...

McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and...

Arnie: Mar-- Margaret. - Oh, good morning, Mrs. Cox.

Arnie: Let me talk to his lawyer first. If that doesn't work...

Let me see if he's available.

Yes, we'll slap him with an injunction.

Margaret: You can slap him across the face, for all I care.

Just do it!

- Shirley Cox. - Morning, Shirley.

Shirley: Where the hell have you been? I'm been trying to...

Shirley, come on. Give me a break.

- It's 7:30 a.m. Shirley: Why aren't you at home?

Shirley, the reason I'm not at my house is because I'm here.

No, I am not trying to avoid you.

I... Shirley, yes, I know he's a fat brown loaf.

But even a fat brown loaf deserves a sex life.

I agree, not in front of your nine-year-old son.

S-- Shirley, I'm...

I'm-- I'm-- I'm gonna put you on hold a minute, sweetheart.

Shirley: Don't you put me on hold! Don't do it!

Arnie: Dick, this is not smart!

Oh, don't Dick me!

Not after that settlement you rammed down my throat!

This is a settlement that you agreed to.

Oh, a settlement I was blackmailed into!

Oh, you took away everything I hold dear, Becker.

My house, my kids, my coin collection!

I had to sell my boat!

Wha-- wha-- what about the-- the Ferrari?

I-- I-- I-- specifically left it out of the community property

because I-- I know how much you love that car.

And, Dick, we both know that Louise doesn't know

a dip stick from a-- from a garter belt!

You excluded it because it's leased to...

[cocking gun]

[chuckles]

Dick, don't...

don't do this, you're gonna regret it.

If I spend 20 years in jail with my pants down

around my ankles, I will not regret it!

[gunshot]

Do you wanna call the cops, huh?

You know where to find me?

I'm calling the police.

No, don't.

[sighs]

Starter gun.

Not about him. About the smell.

What smell?

Roxanne: Mr. Chaney.

I didn't actually touch him.

But I'm pretty sure he's dead.

If he is, I got dibs on his office.

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Man 3: Guy's face was stuck on the plate like crazy glue.

Nice place to spend the weekend.

Just button this up and get him outta here.

[woman crying]

Excuse me. Carmen says he's been dead over 48 hours.

Could have been a embolism, maybe his heart.

Woman 1: Yeah. Woman 2: He was young.

Woman 1: Fifty-nine years-old?

- It's tragic, isn't it? - What?

One minute you're hip deep in the tax code.

And the next... muerta.

- Who? - Norm Chaney.

One of the senior partners.

Kind of makes you want to stop and sniff the daisies.

Are you alright?

Would you just find Mr. Brackman for me?

[indistinct chattering]

[crying]

Woman 1: Oh, I really am worried about...

She's been with me for 30 years.

This is great.

Have you got any idea how you wanna handle the Lewis audit?

I haven't thought about that yet.

Now what time was it you got here in the morning?

- 7:30. - I wanna get him downtown.

- Sam? - All yours.

Well, I could use a hand. He's stiff as a board.

We're gonna have to take him out, chair and all.

Do it.

I'm gonna have to get a written statement from you.

[indistinct chattering]

Hi. - What's going on?

Mr. Chaney's dead.

Oh, my God.

I found him.

- Are you Ms. Buckner? - Yes, sir.

Your predecessor was fired for tardiness.

I'm sorry. The police kept us in the lobby.

In my office. I'll explain your duties.

Man 4: You know, you're supposed to do my real deal.

I don't know what I'm gonna do now.

Woman 3: And the malpractice insurance premium went up...

- Hmm. - Strange brew.

Be still my heart.

- It's John Pregerson. - I'll call him.

- His son's been arrested again. - Is Kuzak in yet?

- No. - Fine.

Guy's so stiff you could put him in a museum.

Look at this. His feet are like frozen.

Man 5: Watch it. We're coming out right through here now.

Man 6: Make way. Man 7: I don't know.

Man 7: Was the guy Jewish?

Man 8: Can we have a little reverence. Seriously.

[indistinct chatter]

Man 9: Turn him! Turn him! No, the other way!

Come on, watch him. You're gonna lose him! Catch him!

Man 10: Carol! Man 11: Oh.

Woman 4: Look at that! Oh!

- It's okay. Man 12: How you doing?

Roxanne: Mr. Chaney's office? No, I'm sorry.

He's not available right now.

[phone ringing]

Sergeant, the little hand is on the nine.

And the big hand is on the 12.

I gotta be downtown like in 30 minutes.

Soon as your client's through with breakfast.

Meantime, why don't you let the officer pat you down?

What's the matter? You guys don't get enough at home?

I'm getting tired of your mouth, Jose.

Whoa! You show me some respect.

The name is Sifuentes, Victor Sifuentes!

I don't care if you're freakin' name

is Pancho freakin' Villa!

You don't see your client without you get searched!

Now assume the freakin' position!

You lay a hand on me and I'm gonna kick your fat butt.

That's it. You are outta here!

- Let go my... - Tell him East L.A.

Later this afternoon.

[speaking in foreign language]

You're gonna be hearing more about this, McKlosky!

I can't freakin' wait!

Michael Kuzak, attorney representing Justin Pregerson.

I'd like to talk to the investigating officer.

Which that would be Detective Tuttle.

Yeah, I'll get right up to it.

Lester, to his friends.

- What's all the excitement? - Memo out of Division.

We gotta search all attorneys before they go in.

Lawyer brought a gun into South Central.

His client tried to shoot his way out.

Speaking of which, your client

is a real citizen, counselor.

This time we got him on rape, assault,

oral cop, sodomy.

Not to mention that he's violated

his probation in six different ways.

Presumption of innocence, Lester.

The victim ID'd the kid's vehicle

and picked him and two accomplices out of lineup.

Let's see his daddy buy him outta this one.

[door opens]

[indistinct chatter]

This is totally bogus.

Says here she was beaten, raped.

And when her wig fell off during the assault,

she was tossed into a dumpster.

She ID'd you, she ID'd your running mates.

She ID'd your car.

Hey, I hook up with these guys in a bar.

We have a couple of drinks, bar closes.

We go cruisin'.

We stop at one of these all-night places

to get a couple of six-packs.

She's in there. She follows me out.

She says she'd do the three of us for $50.

We figure what the hell?

So we go around the corner in the alley.

It wasn't exactly "Romeo and Juliet."

But it wasn't rape either.

The victim alleges she begged you stop.

Said she was sick.

Oh, yeah, she was beggin', alright.

It wasn't to stop.

But it also says here that she was admitted

to Hollywood Presbyterian for

severe cuts and bruises to her body.

Hey, look! There's a lot of crazy people out there.

Maybe the next guy uses her for a punching bag.

So she goes to the cops. She remembers my car.

She figures she can work something out.

Did you talk to my father yet?

For $1,000, she'll fold like a deck chair.

Doubtful.

I'm told she's got acute leukemia.

Well, that's too bad.

Look, when can I get outta here?

- Not 'til they set bail. Justin: When's that?

Arraignment tomorrow.

Oh. No, no, no, no. Forget that.

Find Judge Sorenson. He knows my father.

He'll sign a writ today.

I'll see what I can do.

Hey, listen.

My father's worth a million bucks to your firm.

You do that.

Right.

Is that true about the cancer?

Yeah.

Acute leukemia.

Is that contagious?

I hardly know what to say regarding

the untimely death of Norman Chaney,

good friend and respected colleague.

Except we'll greatly miss him.

Plus which, his passing leaves a serious void

in an extremely lucrative area in our practice.

We can discuss that aspect later, Douglas.

Fine.

And what about the Lewis tax audit?

Do you think either George Lewis or the IRS are going to

say we can discuss that later?

I said this is not the time!

In any event, I've spent the last 45 minutes

going through Norman's personal papers

and found his last instructions.

There will be a simple cremation

with a memorial service preceding at which those of you

desiring may pay your last respects.

Now if you all don't mind...

I'll excuse myself.

I'll start a sign-up list for you...

Woman 5: Well, thank you.

This is tongue, honey.

You trying to tell me something?

The minutes will reflect Mr. Kuzak

arrived late for the meeting.

Yeah. Well, Mr. Kuzak was having such a good time

chatting up Justin Pregerson at the Hollywood jail

about he and his running mates raped

and beat up a defenseless leukemia victim

that he couldn't bear to pull himself away.

- He confessed? - Oh, sure, full of remorse.

You promised me a body.

I want it now.

Bring us a list of possible candidates and we'll review it.

Mike?

Ah, excuse me, Mr. Brackman, but how would that

impact on the summer law clerks?

Not to mention the current associates.

Mr. Pollack, you may rest assured that this firm

has a commitment to hire at least one full-time associate

in addition to Mr. Kuzak's criminal lawyer

and any possible replacement in our Tax Department.

Mr. Taylor, associate review will proceed

at the appropriate time.

Now, as the hour is growing late,

let us laser through our summary of pending cases.

Status unchanged on the divestiture.

Discovery motion on Roner versus Gradinger.

Pending trial Merton versus Merton.

A new matter, Leon Kroener,

a medical corporation, versus Celia Robinson.

A doctor is suing our client for a $750 bill.

A collection matter?

Abby: It's a little more complicated than that.

For the last nine months, her insurance company's

been giving her the runaround and that's why

the bill's not paid.

Miss Perkins, undoubtedly you've seen

those ads on television?

Lawyers in polyester suits soliciting for clients?

Yes, sir.

Douglas: Those lawyers handle $750 collection cases.

McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney, et al does not handle

seven hundred and fifty dollar collection cases.

Douglas, will you come off it? This is a referral

from Morley Sapperstein.

I asked Abby to help me with it.

As your time is usually billed at $135 an hour, Miss Kelsey,

how much exactly did you intend to charge this client

for whatever heroics you might perform on this $750 matter?

What I intend is to charge her nothing.

Is it your belief then that we are running

a welfare state here?

Absolutely not.

It is my belief that this firm is an example

of the capitalist system at its very finest.

Management getting fat off the sweat

and blood of the workers.

Take me, for example.

You bill my time at $135 an hour, 1,600 hours a year

for a total of $216,000 into the bulging coffers of this firm.

Of that amount, I, who generated the income, get $52,800.

You're damn straight this is not a welfare state, Douglas.

And if I wanna make a couple of phone calls

to an insurance company to keep some poor working woman

from getting screwed over by the system, then I will do it!

Well...

due to the tragedy we've all suffered today,

it would appear that everyone is unusually testy,

fractious and argumentative.

Accordingly, this meeting is hereby adjourned.

I'd like to remind everyone of the annual firm dinner

which will be held a week from Friday.

That's the 20th, at Mr. McKenzie's home.

Partners, associates and summer law clerks invited.

Along with a husband, wife or suitable escort.

What? No secretaries?

That's what we have firm picnics for, Mr. Kuzak.

Oh.

- Arnie, Lydia Graham's here. - Okay. Give me a minute.

My husband and I have already worked out

all the terms of our settlement.

- Here's your tea. - Thank you.

But Julia wouldn't leave me alone

until I agreed to let you look at it.

Well, Julia can be very persuasive.

I just don't want it to get into an ugly,

pitched battle with name-calling and incriminations.

I respect that feeling entirely.

Lydia: You know, Barry and I may not have wanted

to be married to each other, but we're still parents

to our children.

We're still civilized adults.

I won't get down in the dirt and grub over who gets the dishes.

I wish all my clients were as reasonable as you are.

I'll tell you what. As long as you're here,

let me jot down a few notes.

Okay.

Now when did you and your husband actually separate?

The exact date, if you can remember.

He moved out of the house on December 21st.

And was this at your suggestion?

- No, not really. Arnie: Oh, so it was his idea.

Well, we discussed it, that we weren't terribly happy.

So, four days before Christmas,

he really picks his spots, doesn't he?

He walks out on you.

It wasn't like that.

Is he living with her now?

- With whom? - The other woman.

Barry did not leave me for another woman.

That's not what this is all about.

Men are creatures of habit and comfort, Lydia.

In nine years, I've never once seen a man initiate a divorce

and cer-- certainly not four days before Christmas

unless he had another woman to replace the one he was leaving.

Well, my husband and I are not statistics. We're individuals.

Arnie: Really, I-- I am sorry. And maybe I'm a little sensitive

to this subject right now.

Because not more than...

Oh, well, say, maybe six hours ago,

this woman comes in here.

And she's aiming this gun at me.

A-- a nice woman, totally so nice that she refused

to let me, as she put it, drag it through the mud.

So now she's found out that her husband has another woman.

And they're living up in Bel Air

while my client's over in Van Nuys.

And she aimed this gun at me because, and I quote,

"You should have forced me to face the facts", she said.

You're deliberately trying to turn this into something ugly.

No. What I'm deliberately trying to do

is protect your rights under the law.

Let me be blunt.

For your husband, divorce is a fiscal inconvenience.

But for you, this could be the most important

financial decision that you'll ever make in your life.

And I personally, as-- as-- well as professionally,

don't think that such a decision

should be made... casually, do you?

I suppose not.

What I'm gonna do, friendship to Julia,

admiration for your principles,

let me take a look at this agreement.

No cost, of course. No obligation to you.

On Thursday, I'd like to take you to lunch.

Give you my thoughts on the matter.

At that point, the choice is completely yours.

You can take it or you can leave it.

But at least you'll be making an informed decision.

Does that sound fair?

Well, yes, I guess.

- Thank you. - Great.

Well, Roxanne will give you a call.

And we'll confirm lunch for next Thursday.

Oh, do you like L'Orangerie?

- It's fine. - Well, great.

Well, it was a great pleasure meeting you.

I'll see you on Thursday? Okay, bye-bye.

- Oh. - Oh, yeah. Thanks.

[solemn music]

[knocking on door]

Hi. Come in.

Szechuan. You want some?

No, no.

I'm gonna go home now unless you have something pressing.

No. I didn't realize it was so late.

Stop being an attorney. Go home.

Be a wife, be a mother.

- You sound like my husband. - Sorry.

You're right. It's none of my business.

Sylvia Robinson came in today with her file.

Very nice lady, incredible guts.

After her divorce, she had two kids to support.

She went to work as a maid until she could save

enough money to start a catering business.

She did Morley Sapperstein's son's bar mitzvah.

I know. He told me. Creole Cajun food.

At a bar mitzvah?

[both chuckle]

Anyway, she's got copies of everything.

Even a renewal statement, and a bill

the insurance company sent her two weeks ago.

- Sounds like a winner for us. Abby: Let's hope so.

Abby: I don't think it's helping her migraines any

having that doctor bill hanging over her head.

Migraines?

It's why she went to the doctor in the first place.

He wanted to run tests, and then when the insurance company

refused to pay, she couldn't go back.

She's got an appointment tomorrow with

Morley Sapperstein's personal physician.

What did the company say?

It was like talking to that chair.

Our records indicate that our insured, Mr. Robinson,

had his ex-wife, Mrs. Robinson,

removed from his policy at the time of their divorce.

I told him, they got two separate policies

as part of the divorce settlement.

I told them she has a copy of it.

He said they'll have to look into it.

Did you ask them if she's not covered why they

sent her a renewal statement?

Abby: He said they'll have to look into it.

Send him a threatening letter instead.

Copy his superiors. Use buzz words like bad faith.

That ought to get their attention.

- I already did. - Good.

Ann: Look, Abigail.

It really isn't any of my business.

But if you need to talk...

I was married once myself.

About 50 years ago.

Thanks.

It'll be okay.

As soon as he gets a job...

and quits drinking.

And starts...

Never mind.

Uh, tell me the truth.

Do you think there's any chance I'll be asked

to stay on here as an associate?

It's not up to me. I'm not a voting partner.

If you were?

You're a good lawyer, and a very hard worker.

But I'm not a super star like Pollack.

Or a sex bomb like Lisa.

[both chuckle softly]

I'm sorry.

I'm being a jerk.

Um...

Goodnight.

Thanks again.

[pensive music]

[indistinct chatter]

People versus Pregerson, Garcia and Dollar.

Michael Kuzak, attorney representing Justin Pregerson.

Waive reading of rights and complaint?

Michael: So waived.

Sidney: How does your client plead?

Not guilty.

Nicholas Klein representing defendants

Garcia and Dollar, Your Honor.

At this time, due to a possible conflict of interest,

the Public Defender's office would ask

to be relieved of representation

with respect to defendant Dollar.

Sidney: Do you have funds to hire an attorney, Mr. Dollar?

I'm broke, judge.

An attorney will be appointed for Mr. Dollar.

Let me see the list.

I see Mr. Cavanaugh in the courtroom.

Would you be interested in a court

appointment on this matter?

Yes, Your Honor. I think I can squeeze that in.

Sidney: Any motions while Mr. Cavanaugh

acquaints himself with this matter?

Yes, Your Honor. At this time, I would ask the defendant Garcia

be released on his own recognizance.

Your Honor, I'm sorry. But Mr. Klein is once again

insulting the intelligence of this court.

May I point out Mr. Garcia's five previous arrests,

two felony priors.

And now an extremely aggravated assault rape.

Let me point out that Mr. Garcia has always

faithfully appeared for all previous court appearances.

In addition to which he is sole support of an aged mother,

Your Honor, who relies on him for weekly transportation

to and from the clinic.

Usually in a stolen car, according to his rap sheet.

Leslie: My office will agree to Mr. Garcia's release

from custody on the condition that he be released

into the care and custody of Mr. Klein.

Take him home with you, Mr. Public Defender,

you think he's such a sweet guy.

Counsel?

Approach the bench.

Off the record, Miss Aaron, Mr. Klein.

I would not normally be so presumptuous as to delve

into the personal lives of my court personnel.

But as this courtroom is beginning to resemble

a daytime soap opera, I feel I'm well within my rights

in inquiring.

You two hot for each other or what?

Nick: I took her out three times, Your Honor.

Out? I made dinner twice.

The third time, you brought in a pizza.

You're mad 'cause I said I'd call.

I'm mad because I lowered my standards.

Yeah, along with your skirt.

Uh, on the record, at this time I would ask

that Mr. Dollar's bail in this matter be

reduced to $1,000, Your Honor?

- The man has four priors. Ralph: Two as a juvenile.

The D.A.'s office is unilaterally opposed

to any bail reduction with respect to either

defendant Garcia or defendant Dollar.

Bail to remain set at the amount of $25,000

on both defendants.

Bail to stand on defendant Pregerson.

Preliminary hearing set for September 6 in Division 35.

Off the record, I need a potty break.

We will have a 20-minute recess during which time

I suggest that the PD and the DA clean up their act.

Man 13: The court will be in recess for 20 minutes.

When are you guys free to schmooze?

This afternoon is fine for me.

How about Clooney's at 4 o'clock?

- Yeah. - I'm outta here.

Don't forget to wear a suit to the prelims.

Lester?

Leslie, who's good in the PD's office?

Legally or sexual?

Legal. I'm looking to take on a body.

How about mine?

You're more body than I can handle.

Besides, I think I need someone of the defense persuasion.

Someone who could love a guy like Pregerson?

Or at least not lose his lunch.

You're right. Not me.

A number one fast charger

in the PD's office right now

is a guy named Victor Sifuentes.

Sifuentes? You mean, the guy with the earring?

- Yeah, real smart. - I don't know.

If it's the same guy, I saw him strut his stuff

at the Hollywood jail.

You asked my opinion. Check it out for yourself.

He's in Division 50.

Counselor?

Your Honor, Victor Sifuentes of the Public Defender's

office representing Carlos Hermosillo.

- Waive reading? - So waived.

Richard: How does your client plead?

Mr. Hermosillo's unable to enter a plea at this time.

Richard: And why is that, Mr. Sifuentes?

Mr. Hermosillo has been denied his

constitutional right to an attorney.

I thought that you were his attorney, Mr. Sifuentes.

This is true, Your Honor. But I was denied access to my client

by the police department.

Under what circumstances?

I went to the Hollywood station to interview my client

at such time as Sergeant McKlosky

of the LAPD made rude and insulting remarks

to me regarding my ethnicity.

When I took umbrage at said remarks,

the sergeant refused to let me speak to my client.

And then went so far as to bodily

remove me from the station.

So you never conferred with Mr. Hermosillo

regarding his defense?

No, Your Honor.

I would say a continuance would be appropriate at this time.

- No objection. Victor: Excuse me, Your Honor.

But my client is in custody.

Any such continuance would deny him

his constitutional right to a timely

arraignment and speedy trial.

Accordingly, I would move that the case against him

be dismissed due to the state's outrageous conduct

in denying him his constitutional

right to representation.

Mr. Sifuentes can talk to him now, Your Honor, in the hall.

Such a slipshod representation

would be tantamount to no representation.

I would have to agree with Mr. Sifuentes.

If the relationship between attorney and client

has been abrogated due to outrageous police conduct,

then this case should be dismissed.

A big if, Your Honor.

Excuse me, Your Honor.

Mr. Kuzak?

I happened to be present at the Hollywood Division

at the time Mr. Sifuentes was being shown the door.

Would you corroborate counsel's description

of the events in question?

So far as I was able to observe, Your Honor.

Richard: How far was that, Mr. Kuzak?

As far as the door, Your Honor.

- Case dismissed. - But, Your Honor!

If the D.A.'s office sees fit, they are, of course,

free to re-file charges as double jeopardy

is not attached.

We're in recess.

Victor: Thank you, Your Honor.

Man 14: Court will be in recess 'til 2 p.m.

They'll process you out of here. And then you can go home.

Thank you, man.

[speaking in foreign language]

Victor: You stay away from the cuda.

- Stuff will kill you, man. - Absolutely. Gracias.

Hi, I'm Michael Kuzak.

I'm with McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney, etc., etc.

Yeah, I know. I've seen you around before.

Thank you very much for the testimonial, counselor.

Very fancy footwork.

Yeah, well, the guy is the hype.

He's got a wife, four kids to support.

Yeah, the police, they set him up on a sale.

What the hell good is it gonna do anyone

to send him to the joint?

Well, they'll probably re-file a case.

Yeah. And they probably won't find him.

He's going away to a drug program now in Arizona.

Are you free for lunch some time?

What's the agenda?

We'd like to talk to you about a job.

Got a job.

We'd still like to have lunch with you.

You pay?

I'll call your office.

If we're gonna deal this thing, it's gonna have

to be all three of them.

Speaking for myself, I'm disinclined to negotiate.

I see no case here. D.A.'s sucking wind.

But unshakeable ID by the world's

most sympathetic victim is not sucking wind.

Unless you argue consent, dying woman out

for a good time before they plant her in the ground?

It's moments like these that make me proud to be

a member of such a noble fraternity.

Aren't we fastidious?

Can we stop jerking ourselves around here?

And go one step at a time?

We know she's got cancer. What we don't know is the prognosis.

So let's find out.

The way I figure, with a little bit of luck

and half a dozen continuances,

she'll either quit or die before we even have

to worry about a trial.

Hey, I know it sounds a little cold.

But this is not the Red Cross here.

So unless you got a better idea...

Nope.

[water running]

Excuse me.

You know the doctor she went to?

Who? Celia Robinson.

He wants to put her in the hospital

immediately for neurological testing.

But they won't let her in because when they call her

insurance company, they said she wasn't covered.

- What happened when you called? - They put me on hold.

Let's go.

Oh, I'm sorry.

- Elizabeth? - Hmm?

Did you check with the clerk in 123?

I'm... I'm... I'm sorry. I didn't.

- Would you? Please? - Sure.

Make sure the discovery motions were filed.

And tell Pollack that I need points

and authorities on Womack.

Michael, where do we stand with Justin Pregerson?

On my way to the prelim even as we speak.

His father's all over my call sheet.

What should I tell him?

You tell him that his punk son

deserves to go away for ten years.

Ah...

[door closes]

He's one of our more important clients.

What would you have us do? Refer him to another firm?

Don't patronize me, Leland.

Just get me a body so I don't have to deal

personally with this kind of crap.

Have you got someone in mind?

- As a matter of fact, yes. - Well, set up lunch.

I already did. It's on your calendar, day after tomorrow.

[phone ringing]

Attorneys Ann Kelsey and Abigail Perkins to see Lester Mestman.

Wait a minute. Do you have an appointment?

- Absolutely not. Lester: Right, Charlie.

[chuckles] Let me get back to you.

She barged in without an appointment.

At this moment, my client, Celia Robinson,

is at St. Anthony's Hospital

trying to check in for a cat scan.

Only they won't let her because your insurance company

is still refusing to admit that she's got coverage.

So don't talk to me about appointments.

My dear miss...

I am not your dear miss anything.

And you had better be praying that

she doesn't have a brain tumor.

Because if she does, and if this tumor was exacerbated

by the systematic bad faith of your company,

then you'd better be prepared to write a check

with a lot of zeroes behind it.

I'll have to discuss this matter with my superiors.

You have had nine months to discuss

this with your superiors.

If she does have a tumor, every minute you stall,

it's getting bigger and more dangerous.

And that means more zeroes on the check.

Am I coming through? Pick up the phone, Mr. Mestman.

St. Anthony's Hospital.

Are we ready to proceed, gentlemen?

People are, Your Honor.

Defendant's counsel?

Uh...

it would appear, Your Honor, Mr. Kuzak

has been unavoidably detained.

Under the circumstances, move

for continuance until such time as...

- Michael Kuzak, Your Honor. - Tick-tock, counselor.

I apologize for the delay.

Alice: Any reason I shouldn't hold you in contempt?

Approach the bench, Your Honor?

That better be a note from your mother.

[all chuckling]

It's a citation, Your Honor.

I was doing 35, tops 40, when this cop who doesn't

even shave yet pulls me over for an unsafe lane change.

I explained to him that I'm late for court.

And I further explained that I...

Let me take a look at that.

Well, that's alright, Your Honor. I wouldn't presume

to ask this court for any favors.

And this court wouldn't presume to offer any.

Truthfully, Your Honor, I think that we've already

consumed enough of the court's time with my personal concerns.

I...

For the record, Mr. Kuzak has just handed me

a white piece of paper which appears to be

in fact neither a laundry list nor even his pocket copy

of the Code of Ethics.

But rather a legitimate LAPD traffic citation.

People may proceed.

I call Miss Adrianne Moore, Your Honor.

[courtroom murmuring]

One last question, Miss Moore.

Did Officer Feeblecorn take you to an emergency hospital?

Yes, Hollywood Presbyterian.

Did she wait for you while you were being examined?

Yes, and then she drove me home.

Thank you, Miss Moore.

I have no further questions.

Mr. Cavanaugh? Cross?

Miss Moore...

now on direct examination,

you testified that on the date in question,

you purchased a soft drink.

Yes.

At a convenience store.

And some eggs and milk.

Ralph: And it was approximately what time that you went out

to get this soft drink?

Adrianne: 2.

- In the morning? - Yes.

Do you normally get a craving at 2

in the morning for sugary soft drinks?

Adrianne: Sometimes.

Especially when you've been drinking heavily?

Mouth gets all wooly?

- Objection! - I wasn't drinking.

- Withdraw the objection. - Were you smoking dope?

Objection! Irrelevant.

Your Honor, this would be directly relevant

as to the issue of consent.

Overruled.

Had you been smoking a green leafy substance

commonly referred to as marijuana that evening?

Yes, a little.

You see, the chemotherapy makes me nauseated.

And the marijuana helps...

Objection. Nonresponsive. I would ask that

everything after the witness answered yes,

she had been smoking marijuana, be stricken from the record.

Objection sustained.

Reporter will strike everything after the word yes.

I don't understand. Why can't I explain?

Ralph: Miss Moore, please just answer the questions

as they're asked of you.

Now you were alone when this alleged incident occurred?

Yes.

Ralph: And had you been alone all evening?

Adrianne: Yes, I was home watching TV.

Alone all night smoking dope by yourself and watching TV.

Malcolm: Objection! Asked and answered.

Sustained. Move on, please.

Ralph: Thank you. But just to set the scene,

there you are having a joint or two.

You're watching the tube. And maybe feeling a little lonely.

I'm used to being alone.

Ralph: But sometimes it's nice to have a little human contact.

So you get the idea to go to the all-night market

to see a human face.

Maybe have someone to talk to.

I didn't talk to anyone. I bought my food and I left.

And then these animals...

Objection! Nonresponsive. Motion to strike.

Alice: Sustained.

Miss Moore, how is your health?

I have leukemia.

Ralph: Well, I'm very sorry, Miss Moore.

And I hope you forgive my insensitivity

when I ask what the prognosis for recovery is.

Lousy.

I'm going to die.

Have the doctors told you when?

Objection! Mr. Cavanaugh seems to be on a fishing expedition.

Your Honor, I ask the court's indulgence

and latitude as this is an issue of some delicacy.

Miss Moore, no one regrets more than I any pain

this line of questioning may cause you.

I'll, I'll allow you a little more room, counselor.

But get on with it, please.

Ralph: Thank you.

How much longer have you got, Miss Moore?

Less than six months.

Well, I would imagine that there must be

a-- a great many things you've always wanted to do

but might not get a chance to do now.

I suppose.

Ralph: And I know that, if it were me, I would try

to cram all of these things into the short time I had left.

Even if these things weren't the kind of things

I might have done before.

I don't understand.

Well, like recreational drugs, marijuana--

I told you that was for the side effects

of the chemotherapy.

Right. You pull up to a convenience store

a little high on weed, you see

three good-looking young men in a hot car.

You got to be kidding!

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, Miss Moore.

What does that mean?

Ralph: A literary illusion that suggests that,

if you only had six months to live,

you might as well have a good time before you go.

This is sick!

Isn't it true that you solicited my client

to have sex with you?

Isn't it true that, when my client expressed

some initial reluctance, you went up to him

and pressed against him and fondled him?

No! Your Honor, please!

Ralph: That you said, and I quote,

"I've never taken on three guys.

I want you to do it to me and I want you to do it rough"?

- You despicable bastard! - Miss Moore?

Your Honor, I ask the witness to be admonished.

- This is perversion! Ralph: Your Honor, please!

Adrianne: I want to know who is on trial here!

Any further outbursts, Miss Moore,

and I'll hold you in contempt.

- And the feeling is mutual! Alice: Sit down.

Your Honor, under the circumstances, I ask

we move for continuance until such time--

Until such time as what? I die?

Alice: I'm warning you, Miss Moore.

Is that the tactic? Accuse me?

Wear me down?

Move continuances until, until I quit or die?

- I warn you... - I warn you!

Adrianne: This door swings both ways!

If I can't get justice here,

I'll get a gun and I'll do it myself.

That's enough. You're in contempt.

Your Honor, she's threatening us!

You think I won't?

What have I got to lose?

I'll be dead before you could ever get me to trial!

Bailiff, escort Miss Moore to the basement holding facility

until such time as she wishes to apologize to this court.

[sobbing]

The court is adjourned.

Mr. Kuzak, a moment of your time in chambers.

Man 15: This court is adjourned.

[sobbing]

[somber music]

[door opens]

Mr. Kuzak, are you aware of the fact that you have

a substantial number of outstanding warrants?

Well, my recollection, Your Honor, is we're talking

a couple of parking tickets at most.

We're talking $4200 worth of citations

over a two-year period.

Forty-two hundred?!

Oh, that's gotta be a mistake.

Didn't Officer Marinella run you through the computer?

Well, as I was already late and having identified

myself as a former Deputy D.A.,

he was kind enough to write me up

without the usual formalities.

Mr. Kuzak, you bring fresh meaning to the word scofflaw.

Bailiff, take Mr. Kuzak into custody.

Your Honor, hold on a minute. It's...

Forty-two hundred dollars, counselor. Put up or shut up.

Who's got $4200?

Well, you've got a phone call.

I suggest you use it to find out.

Well, Your Honor, with all due respect,

don't you think you're overreacting just a little bit?

Take him into custody, bailiff.

A couple of lousy parking tickets.

Life's a bitch, counselor.

[buzzer buzzing]

[buzzer buzzing]

[door rattling]

[door clanking]

[buzzer buzzing]

Miss Moore?

I'm Michael Kuzak.

I'm Justin Pregerson's attorney.

Look, I don't suppose you care, but...

I'm deeply sorry about what happened in court.

That's very big of you.

I could tell you were morally outraged.

Well, what I may have been

doesn't change the fact that my client's still got a right to

the best legal representation he can obtain.

What about my rights?

I was raped and beaten

and thrown into a dumpster.

But for all that, I was the one accused up there.

Not that piece of garbage you're representing.

I represent the system as well as the client, Miss Moore.

I may not always believe in the client.

But I have to believe in the system.

What about me?

What am I supposed to believe in?

Man 16: Judge will see you now, ma'am.

Well, Mr. Kuzak...

I'm going back up there and I'm apologizing,

and withdrawing my complaint.

I'm afraid it's not all that easy.

I'm not spending the last six months of my life

in a courtroom.

I been raped once.

I'm not gonna let that happen again.

For whatever it's worth,

and it's a purely personal observation...

if you were to go out and get a gun and blow them away...

I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

That's the difference between us, Mr. Kuzak.

I would.

[outro music]

[music continues]

Barry Graham residing at 11275 Lamar Road

shares dwelling with Miss Valerie Renault.

Actress, model, member in good standing.

Screen Extras Guild.

The rental agreement listing Miss Valerie

as principal occupant was signed by Barry

four months prior to leaving his wife.

Here's a copy.

Mr. Graham owns Exotic Body Parts

and Auto Repair, Inc. in Van Nuys.

Hmm.

Lots of insurance work, lots of cash transactions.

Here's his tax returns for the last three years.

Lots of creative bookkeeping.

Nice house.

Sipriano: South of Ventura Boulevard on a cul-de-sac.

Now watch it. I just got 'em back from the lab.

They still may be a little tacky.

Here's one. They're both in the nude smoking a joint.

- Tacky indeed. - Here's another.

They're doing some serious necking in the hot tub.

And the piece de resistance.

Barry and his honey poolside on the chaise lounge

engaged in the sex act usually described

by a two-digit number.

Barry, you total degenerate.

Well... this is going to be a lunch

that Mrs. Graham will not soon forget.

I swear I don't understand you, Arnie.

Sipriano: You take this poor woman to some smitzy restaurant.

You slap these on the table.

She goes into the ladies room and ralphs up fifty bucks

worth of lunch all over the velvet wallpaper.

What's the point?

Well, if I take the meeting here

in the office, she goes berserk. She makes a scene.

She may even go for my eyes.

Becker: At best, it's gonna take a couple hours

to get rid of her. Because I can't throw

a crying woman out on the street.

So, instead, I take her out.

She sees a half dozen of her best friends.

They see her. Couple glasses of chardonnay.

A little salad Nicoise...

then I hit her with the slide show.

Becker: She's not gonna say a word. She'd rather die

than be embarrassed in front of all of her friends.

Plus, later I bill her for the lunch.

[scoffs]

Lawyers.

Hey, it's a jungle out there.

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[cutlery clanks]

[indistinct chatter]

The future.

Such as it is?

Becker: You don't sound too optimistic.

Why should I be? I'm nearly forty.

I have two children, a failed marriage.

And I can't wear a bikini.

I think you'd look great in or out of a bikini.

[chuckles] Buttering up the client?

Divorce is a growth industry, Lydia.

I don't need the business.

Good, because I've thought seriously about it.

I've decided to accept the settlement as is.

C'est la vie.

Do you mind telling me why?

In the long run, there are more important things than money.

I've just seen too many divorces get ugly.

You really are quite a rare woman.

Becker: But, okay, okay.

What I'll do then is, I'll--

I'll put the investigation on hold.

Investigation?

Well, I had one of our private investigators

look into a few of your husband's affairs, financial.

Otherwise, no cost to you, of course.

I'll just keep this on file and...

if you ever change your mind...

Does it obligate me to look at it?

In no way.

It may be painful.

Excuse me. I uh, have to go powder my nose.

What have you got for dessert?

McKenzie: I'll always remember Norman Chaney

as a gifted lawyer, of course.

But more importantly...

as a good and loyal friend.

Norman Chaney left more than his name

on the letterhead of this firm.

He left a standard of quality

and character that

we can only hope to emulate

as we mourn his loss.

[organ playing]

McKenzie: I miss you, Norman.

[sobs]

Our colleague, Stuart Markowitz,

has asked to say a few words.

And after he has spoken,

anyone who wishes to contribute

their own remembrances,

is most welcome to.

Stuart?

[music continues]

[female #1 coughs]

[clears throat]

What can I say about Norman Chaney?

Norman Chaney knew everything

there was to know about tax law.

Shelters? Call Norman.

Foreign tax treaties? Call Norman.

- Ad valorem? Call Norman. - Call Norman.

Markowitz: During the-- the sweeping 1982 revisions...

one man stood as a beacon in the deep fog

of tax code confusion.

[music continues]

That man was my friend

and mentor, a giant

in the minefield of tax law

and its ever-changing fiscal implications.

A man for whom no tax complexity was...

ah, was, too-- too complex,

if you will.

I got a first draft of that memo you asked me for.

The implications of Chapter 11

in the divisions of community assets.

Oh, good.

I can give it to you tomorrow,

or we could go over it tonight.

It's up to you.

[Markowitz talking indistinctly]

Well, I'm sort of anxious for your opinion.

Tonight then.

I've gotta warn you. It's kind of rough.

You may not be able to read my scribbles.

You can give it to me orally if you wish.

I, for one, will miss this man.

And I would like to say in conclusion that...

if I had but one word

with which to characterize Norman Chaney,

that word would be...

fiduciary.

[female #2 gasps and cries]

Goodbye, Norman...

my good friend,

and my... my fiduciary.

[female #2 cries]

[music continues]

The Caribbean, miles of deserted white sand beach.

Her and me alone, completely nude.

[sniffles] Norman Chaney...

was the best friend...

I ever had.

[voice breaking] I loved him dearly.

I met Norman in a gay bar.

[music stops]

My name is not Georgia Buckner.

It's George.

[female #2 gasps]

[female #3 gasps]

Georgia: He took me home.

You and George...

Georgia: He was the gentlest man...

Georgia; I'd ever met. - Completely alone.

Georgia: I poured out my heart to him.

Nude.

Georgia: I told him I wasn't gay,

but transsexual,

[voice breaking] a woman trapped...

in a man's body.

[crying] Norman...

encouraged me to face myself.

Georgia: He supported me morally

and financially through several years...

of deep analysis.

Finally, he even offered to pay for my surgery.

And when the hospital said that I had to live and work

as a woman for 18 months

before they'd perform the operation...

he got me a job.

Georgia: Most of you

[female #4 cries]

probably couldn't guess that Norman was gay.

[door squeaks opens and shuts]

Well, most of you didn't know him at all.

He was [sniffles]...

a deeply complicated man,

never really comfortable with his sexual orientation.

I think that his support of me

in my struggle...

was his way of reckoning with his own ambivalence.

I'll miss you, Norman...

your wisdom, your guidance...

your love and support.

You gave me the courage...

to heal myself.

[sobs]

I'll miss you...

[inhales deeply]

and love you always.

And I want to thank you all for participating

in Norman Chaney's memorial service.

It was, to say the least, an unusual service.

But then Norman was an unusual man

with a wry sense of humor

concerning the human condition.

McKenzie: I think it would have tickled him.

Sorry we're late.

That's alright. How long do we have?

Mr. Kuzak has a courtroom appearance

at 11 in the Pregerson case.

And you're lunching with a potential new associate.

Uh, if I may ask, who is it?

He's with the PD's office...

Victor Sifuentes.

- A Chicano? - I believe so.

Okay, Kuzak's getting his body.

I want Chaney's office.

Ah, not until we make a decision about

hiring a tax specialist.

Brackman: If we bring in some big rainmaker

at a senior partner level,

he'll demand the office in his perk package.

Don't take me for granted, Douglas.

Who makes more rain here than I do?

- I, for one. - Sure.

Clients come in thinking they're getting

the original, genuine Brackman.

Not some cheap, second generation knock-off.

How dare you!

McKenzie: Gentlemen, settle your differences

outside of this room

and on your own time.

Alright.

Brackman: But my list is not as current as it should be

due to my secretary's sudden departure from the firm.

- What happened to her? - I fired him.

How come?

Because I do not want that freak of nature

sitting outside my office representing me.

- Homophobic, Douglas? - Knock it off, Arnold.

McKenzie: I mean it.

Now let's start with the Lewis tax audit.

Stuart?

Ah, yes, I'm-- I'm fully prepared.

Good.

Douglas, will you continue down your list, please?

New business.

I'm pleased to say I've brought in

Nathan Electronics on retainer.

And R, T & O Industries on a corporate acquisition

and anti-trust matter.

Old business.

The divestiture, I assume, is status quo.

Brackman: Now Patramco.

Miss Kelsey, I'm stilling waiting

for those interrogatories on Patramco.

They've been on your desk since yesterday evening.

And how is your little pro bono case?

Is the crusading lady lawyer

going to get the big bad insurance company

to pay the $750 or not?

They're going to pay, alright.

But it'll be a hell of a lot more

than seven hundred and fifty dollars.

She's got a brain tumor.

Can you prove a causal connection

with the insurance company's bad faith?

I believe so.

Is there a possibility...

that she could die?

Just in case...

why don't you and Markowitz

start working on the actuarials?

Cover all the contingencies.

Even if she doesn't die,

we could still be looking at a six-figure fee.

[slams table] In deference to the fact that you are a partner

in this firm, I'm going to leave before I say something

that I might regret later.

Excuse me.

Ann?

He's a pig!

We are talking about a woman who could die

and all he can see are dollar signs.

So if you're gonna ask me to apologize, forget it.

Annie, without legal representation,

all the same terrible things would have happened to her

excepting the very real possibility that

she might never have received medical treatment at all.

I understand that.

And while, yes, it's possible our firm

may profit from her problems.

So will her children.

And perhaps just as important, the insurance company

will think twice before they do it to anyone else.

I am not against earning a buck, Leland,

as long as we don't sell off our humanity in the process.

I grant you, in the hands of a Douglas Brackman,

the law may not be pretty.

But in the hands of Ann Kelsey...

it can be uplifting

and life-affirming

and we can all be proud of that.

You're handling me.

True.

But I'll also handle Douglas.

That's your case. You run with it as you see fit.

Thank you.

[crying]

[crying]

Ratakowski: Let the record reflect that the alleged victim

in this matter, Adrienne Moore,

has formally apologized to the court.

And, accordingly, the contempt is discharged.

Mr. Cavanaugh, you may pick up your cross-examination

from where you left off.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Now, Miss Moore,

drawing your attention once again

to the evening in question.

Cavanaugh: As you came out of the convenience store

carrying your purchases,

did you take your package

and put it in the car first,

or did you take it with you as approached my client?

Objection, Your Honor, to that sleazy trick question.

I object to your inference.

Sit down, both of you.

Miss Moore, what did you do immediately after

leaving the convenience store?

I'm sorry. I don't remember.

Did you go to your car?

Did you go to the defendant's car?

Did they come to you? What happened?

I don't remember.

I just don't remember.

Ratakowski: Two days ago in this courtroom,

I don't recall your having any such memory problems.

Your Honor, due to my situation,

I'm on extensive medication.

Moore: Vincristine, Prednisone,

Codeine, Dalmane, Chlonodine.

With the court's permission,

would you explain to us what some of these drugs are?

Vincristine and Prednisone are chemotherapy drugs.

Codeine is for pain and

Dalmane is a tranquilizer.

Cavanaugh: Well, forgive my ignorance,

but might some of these drugs cause

drowsiness, impaired memory?

Perhaps occasional confusion?

Yes, they would, and they do.

Well, then is it possible that...

some of your prior testimony might render

unreliable under these circumstances?

Yes.

I'm just not as clear on the events

of that evening as I thought I was.

Ratakowski: If this sudden loss of memory

is your way of refusing to supply testimony,

I must warn you, Miss Moore,

you are once again in contempt of this court.

I'm sorry.

Ah, Your Honor, move for a continuance.

I want to confer with the witness.

It won't help.

Cavanaugh: Approach bench, Your Honor?

Approach.

Ratakowski: Motions?

Motion for dismissal, Your Honor,

due to the unreliability of the complaining witness.

Objection, Your Honor. She's...

clearly feigning memory loss to avoid testifying.

There's that possibility, Mr. Gold, but...

whichever the case, you're not going to be able to

make this case stick with an uncooperative witness.

I see no choice but to dismiss.

If the D.A. can talk to the witness

and urge her cooperation, the people are then,

of course, free to re-file charges at that time.

Thank you, Your Honor.

There is no cause for smiling, counselor.

Step back.

Defendant will not be held to answer

due to insufficiency of evidence.

Case dismissed.

Bailiff: This court is adjourned until 9 a.m. tomorrow morning.

What's happening?

It's over. There's no case.

Kuzak: Go home.

Pregerson: Well, what about our threats?

She said she'd blow us away!

You deserve to die!

Did you-- did you hear that? That's a threat!

What's going on here?

She ought to be arrested for that!

I'll have the turbot, sauce on the side.

Nothing to start.

Monsieur?

Cold chicken plate, nothing to start.

Monsieur?

How much is the warm lobster?

Waiter: Uh, sixteen dollars.

- And the pasta? waiter: Uh, eleven dollars.

Okay. Both.

That's $27, that's okay?

You seem concerned about the cost of lunch, Mr. Sifuentes.

Well, Doug, the way I figure it,

with the wine and all, this lunch has gotta go

two-fifty, three hundred bucks.

Sifuentes: Which ain't a lot compared to what you probably

paid for your suit.

Until you figure that that suit's gonna last you

a couple of years, maybe more.

But by tomorrow, lunch is sewage.

- You get my point, Doug? - I'm afraid it escapes me.

Well, I think Victor is curious about the value

that we place on his services

relative to food and clothing.

Assuming he's invited to join us.

Right, assuming that.

Tell us your background, Victor.

Well, I'm a local boy, East L.A.

High school, couple of years in the army.

Cal State Northridge,

Glendale College of Law in Glendale.

And four years at the PD's office.

And why the law?

Lots of reasons.

Make a living...

give something back, you know.

Do a little good for the people.

And that's what you were doing the other day in court

with all that mambo about

being denied access to your client?

Hey, man, you do what you gotta do.

The bottom line is, the dude's not gonna do time.

- He's going into a program. - The dude is a hype.

And 20 bucks says he's gonna wind up dead in an alley

somewhere with a needle sticking out of his arm.

You don't know that.

If you could do any kind of law

what kind would it be?

Pro bono stuff, class actions.

Immigration stuff, Indian Affairs, like that.

If you come with us, assuming that Mike wants you,

we'll do everything we can to accommodate your needs.

Kuzak: Now you've been in the PD's office for a long time now.

Maybe you wanna stretch a little.

You mean, like you did with the Pregerson kid?

- Cheap shot. - Oh, yeah?

Well, the fact is, you don't want me to do no pro bono.

Sifuentes: And you sure ain't looking for a little third world

color to brighten up your office decor.

What I do think is that you're tired

of picking up the snails yourself.

So you're bringing in the Mexican gardener

to do it for you.

Well, I think you've made your position quite clear.

Yeah. I guess I have.

Gentlemen.

Mestman: Nice. Very nice offices

you ladies have here. Very nice indeed.

Kelsey: Thank you, Mr. Mestman.

Nice. Nice touch, this.

Very, very feminine.

I don't mean to be rude, but

you said on the phone that you had an offer to propose.

Yes, I discussed the matter with my superiors.

Now, of course, without admitting

or implying any liability on our part.

But merely in recognition of the potential litigiousness

of this matter, we feel a settlement

might be appropriate at this time.

I, frankly, think any settlement

would be premature until after Mrs. Robinson

undergoes surgery tomorrow. But I'm willing to listen.

Uh, let me add that this offer in no way admits

or infers any causal connection between Mrs. Robinson's

failing to seek treatment nine months ago

and her condition today.

Your reservations are duly noted, Mr. Mestman.

Now what was the number you had in mind?

Twenty-five thousand...

plus reasonable hospital medical and surgical bills, of course.

We might be willing to go to 50 if she dies.

Well?

My law clerk has made a notation of your offer in the file.

- Thank you, and good day. - Wait a minute.

What kind of number did you have in mind?

One with at least two more zeroes at the end.

This is a black woman, a domestic.

She's a caterer and I don't know

what her color has to do with it.

I'm offering her more money than she probably

earns in an entire year.

Before you turn your nose up at it,

I'd advise you to think twice.

Once was more than sufficient. Good day.

You think you're pretty smart with your fancy law degree.

Well, we'll see just how smart you are

when you have to take this to a jury.

Trust me, juries don't like bulldozing,

chop-busting, butch lady lawyers any better than I do.

Thank you for sharing that insight with me, Mr. Mestman.

Kelsey: Once again, I must decline your offer.

But I do appreciate your coming in.

Have a nice day.

[telephone ringing]

Glazer: I'd be less than honest if I didn't tell you

for the record how deeply disappointed my client is.

That after hammering out this settlement in good faith,

we find ourselves in such a clearly adversarial proceeding.

Oh, it was hammered out, alright.

We're just not so sure about the good faith part.

We offered alimony for...

six years at $1,500 per month.

Glazer: And child support for like amount.

Further, after the sale of their jointly-owned home,

one-half of the net proceeds

plus all the furniture, silver and art.

Becker: I've read the menu, sir.

Please don't kid a kidder.

This woman, the mother of Mr. Graham's

two young children, has been deceived.

This woman did you no harm, sir.

Becker: She was true to her vows.

As was Mr. Graham!

Oh, please.

You might want to browse these.

How did you get these?

You miserable, you lying scum!

Lydia: You said there was no one else.

Counselor?

Now who's kidding whom?

Glazer: This is California.

The fact that Mr. Graham has a lady friend...

is of no relevance whatsoever.

This is what it's all about, isn't it?

The fact that I have a loving and close relationship.

Close? You ought to be sued for practicing

medicine without a license!

And you won't be happy until you've made me pay!

I'm the one being made to pay here, you low-life degenerate!

Becker: Lydia, Lydia, Lydia.

Lydia, Lydia, calm-- calm down.

Come on, come on, come on. Come on, sweetheart.

You punishing bitch!

You can't stand that I could be happy

with another woman, can you?

Forgetting momentarily

this invasion of privacy issue,

what is the point of this ugliness?

Other than to...

unnecessarily inflame an already...

overheated situation?

Mr. Graham has lied to his wife.

We have reason to believe he's lied about other matters

of a financial nature as well.

You're spraying.

We're prepared to subpoena your records if we have to.

Go ahead.

But while we bury each other in paperwork,

how's she gonna support herself? Get a job?

Graham: She couldn't get paid for the only thing

she's qualified to do. She's not good enough!

You filth!

Lydia! Shh!

Mr. Graham, we have reason to believe

that you are daily in violation of the criminal code.

Becker: You deal in stolen auto parts.

You regularly engage in insurance fraud

that you do not declare cash transactions.

You'd better be prepared to defend yourself

in a slander suit, sir!

As I recall, truth is a complete defense.

I have here signed and notarized affidavits

from one of our private investigators,

Ms. Angela Sipriano, stating that on such and such a date,

blah, blah, blah, blah...

she drove onto your premises to discuss repairs

of her badly damaged automobile.

Becker: At which time, after carefully inspecting

said damages, Mr. Barry Graham...

personally proposed in exchange

for a cash payment that he would...

Let's see that.

If you can prove any of this,

why don't you go to the police?

Hold on-- hold it just-- just a minute.

What are we talking about here?

We're talking about grief, Mr. Graham.

Yours...

your wife's...

your children's.

We're talking about fairness.

Mainly, Mr. Graham...

we're talking about money.

How much money?

Chew on those numbers, you impotent piece of snot.

Rox? You wanna type this up?

Let's messenger it up to Glazer

for his and Mr. Graham's signature, okay?

Right away.

Can I get you anything, Mrs. Graham?

A glass of wine? Coffee?

A new tissue?

I'm fine, thank you.

Well, I guess we socked it to him pretty good, huh?

I think what you did was despicable.

I'll never be able to look at him again

with any kind of respect...

or affection.

Lydia, you came in here looking for somebody

to do your dirty laundry. What'd you expect?

Well, it stinks.

Becker: Well, dirty laundry usually does.

It's messy and it's nasty.

And it churns up a whole lot of goo.

But it's a hell of lot more civilized

and a hell of a lot more lucrative

than putting a bullet between his ears.

It's all so easy for you.

Just sock it to him and get the money.

Well, I lost my life.

Lydia: My children lost a family.

And there's no amount of money that would compensate for that.

You gonna give it back?

Lydia, maybe you hate me today.

That's understandable.

But two weeks from now,

you're gonna be recommending me to a friend.

Two months from now, you'll be inviting me over for dinner.

[Lydia sniffles]

[chuckles]

[tires screeching]

Kelsey: I think I'd rather face four hours of root canals.

Hey, what are you supposed to wear to this party?

I have a very simple little blue silk.

- Fine. Yeah. - Suit and tie for Jim?

Just think of it as a funeral and you can't go wrong.

Kelsey: See you tonight. - Yeah.

I need money.

- Go talk to your father. - You talk to him!

He canceled my credit cards, my bank account!

Fat slob!

Who in the hell does he think he is?

I can't help you. I'm sorry.

I need money. I gotta get out of L.A.

You leave, they're gonna violate your probation.

Well, then you fix it with my probation officer!

Take your hands off me.

Alright, look.

I'm-- I'm a little strung out, okay?

[sniffles and laughs]

I'm a lot strung out.

But you better fix this thing for me.

Or someone's gonna get hurt.

- That's not too smart. - Not smart?

You deserve to die.

You heard it. You deserve to die!

That crazy broad's looking to kill me, man.

The gun also violates your probation.

Well, it beats being dead.

How much money you got?

Not the kind you need.

Give me what you got. I'll pay you back.

Alright.

How about you give me the gun?

How about you fix things with my probation officer, huh?

[car engine starts]

[revving]

[tires screeching]

[upbeat music]

[indistinct chatter]

Evening, Lester.

male #1: Excuse me.

Go away. I'm drinking alone.

Quit pouting. It's not your most attractive trait.

Real proud of yourself tonight, huh?

Well, I did my job, you did yours.

That's the way the system works.

The system's down.

We got citizens behind locked doors.

Wise guys on the street.

Hell, what went on in that courtroom was a joke.

Those animals did it and they walked.

I wish she'd blow 'em away.

Hell, I'd buy her a gun.

You're a real drag, Lester.

- I'm going. - Good.

I don't wanna be seen hanging out with you.

By the way...

you wouldn't happen to know offhand if...

Justin Pregerson's got a carry permit

for a pearl-handled ...38 revolver, would you?

Why?

Oh, just curious.

Goodnight, Lester.

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[knocking on door]

Hey.

I didn't think you high-paid types worked this late.

Well, I'm expecting a phone call from a client

who's about to be arrested.

Kuzak: Is this a social visit?

Nah.

I always pay off my bets.

- What's this for? - My hype.

They found him a couple hours ago

in an alley with a needle stuck in his arm.

Plus, I owe you an apology. I was way out of line at lunch.

Oh, forget it.

Sit down, sit down.

You know...

where I come from, guys like you...

were always the enemy. I don't know.

Somehow just even having the lunch was like selling out.

Well, the job's still there if you want it.

Yeah?

I can't see me running around here in no gray suit.

[both chuckle]

Neither can I.

You guys weren't just blowing smoke

about doing some pro bono, were you?

Lawyers? Blow smoke?

I'm serious, man.

I'll make a deal with you.

You work for six weeks, full associate status.

You don't like it for any reason, take a bus.

No questions asked.

It would have to be a two-way street.

Six weeks and I ain't cuttin' it,

you have the right to throw my butt right out the door.

Well, that sounds fair.

- Deal? - Oh, mama.

Deal.

[telephone rings]

Ten to one, the aforementioned client.

Kuzak: Kuzak?

Yeah, I'm listening.

[scoffs]

What are we looking at here?

Well, a lot of junk charges.

Kuzak: In your serious category, we got resisting,

assaulting a police officer,

possession of narcotics, to wit,

a white powdery substance

resembling cocaine.

And possession of a concealed weapon.

I was set up.

Yeah, we'll be sure to point that out

to the District Attorney.

Most of these charges are bogus.

They just use them for bargaining purposes.

You automatically violated on the coke possession.

You'll go away on that one alone.

Hey, either we rowing the same oar

or you just get the hell out of the boat!

Pregerson: Alright, hold on.

What am I looking at here?

Oh, six to eight minimum.

Maybe we offer them a deal?

You don't have anything to offer.

Pregerson: What about Dollar and Garcia?

What about 'em?

They did the rape. I'll testify to it.

Pregerson: We can just drop all the other stuff.

You did the rape too?

Sure, yeah.

It was three of us.

It was their idea.

Are you prepared to do time on that charge?

Depends.

See what kind of deal they're willing to cut.

I'll be back to you on that.

[classical music playing]

Becker: Stuart? - Ready for a refill?

Well, as soon as everyone has seen my face,

we can get out of here and maybe go get a little pasta.

This is okay.

Is anyone here in the business?

George Lucas.

Come on.

Francis Ford Coppola.

Shh! Steven Spielberg.

Get outta here.

[music continues]

April, honey, why don't you go get yourself

a drink and work the party?

And I'll catch up to you, hmm?

Excuse us?

Excuse me.

- What's your problem? - Very classy.

I hope you asked her for a medical certificate.

Lisa, if you wanna be an associate with this firm,

you and I can't be seen on dates together.

[music continues]

Come on, don't pout.

After I dump her off, I'll come by your place.

What time?

Early as I can.

Leave the door open.

I promise to wake you.

Kelsey: You've got great leverage over them

on that Lewis tax audit.

What, hold them up for a partnership?

- You're damn right. - Ha-ha.

They'll keep you a backroom mole 'til you're eighty

if you let 'em get away with it.

I don't know, Annie.

I'm not unhappy with the way things are.

- Hi. - Hi.

- I'm sorry to interrupt. - No problem.

Um, I just got off the phone with Celia Robinson.

I told her we're pulling for her.

And I'll be there tomorrow when she comes out of surgery.

Right at her bedside. Isn't that just awe-inspiring?

Jim: You know, I'll bet if she spent half as much time

in bed with me as she does with this damn client,

we might even have a marriage.

Stuart Markowitz,

Ann Kelsey,

this is my husband, Jim.

Res ipsa loquitor.

I beg your pardon?

Oh, I thought that's how you lawyer types talk.

But I wouldn't know, being a mere unemployed house husband.

Jim, stop it.

- You're embarrassing me. - That's not embarrassing.

[gasp]

That's embarrassing.

[exhales]

Um...

I'm s-- I'm sorry.

He's-- he's just had a little too much to drink.

Abby?

Please.

[indistinct chatter]

Markowitz: So, Celia Robinson,

that's your-- that's your bad faith case, isn't it?

Can we please not talk business?

Sorry.

Celia Robinson is 35 years old.

She's going into surgery tomorrow

and she may not come out of it.

And I'm 35 years old and maybe I'll live past tomorrow.

Let's face it.

None of us gets out of here alive.

You don't think you're being a little morbid or anything?

Yes, I am being a little morbid.

You know how many of these damn annuals I've been to?

- Five. Exactly. - This is my sixth.

You and I, we spend our lives every day

of every week of every year doing this crap.

And I keep feeling one day my real life is gonna start.

Only this is it.

And, damn it, bottom line,

I'm not happy.

[music continues]

Are you happy, Stuart?

[stammers] I'm not-- I'm not unhappy.

That's not good enough.

When's the last time you made love to a woman?

God, Ann, come on.

Don't you think that's kind of personal?

Yes. When?

Markowitz: That's not something you go to the supermarket

and buy with your TV dinner, you know.

When?

Ann, look at me. I...

I am what I am.

I'm short. No, believe me, I'm short.

You can't tell from where you're standing, I'm sure.

And I don't do Nautilus or anything.

I'm-- I'm not...

I'm not sexy and I bruise easily.

[music continues]

And I...

I don't like being turned down.

Good. So you're safe.

We're all so safe here.

[music continues]

[inaudible]

- What? - You heard me.

Are you bombed?

Don't sell yourself short.

I've had a few, but I'm not bombed.

Will you?

Ann, i-- if you think about it, it's not--

Thinking is the last thing I wanna do.

Come home with me.

I don't know what to say.

Don't say anything.

Schroeder: Let the record reflect

that a conference was held in chambers

early this afternoon.

Amongst and between the defendants, their attorneys

and the representative from the D.A.'s office.

Based on my understanding of the facts in this matter,

and the apparent problems of proof,

it is appropriate to reach a pretrial disposition.

Mr. Pregerson, do you wish to waive your

constitutional right and enter a plea of guilty at this time

to Penal Code Section 245?

Yeah. Guilty.

Schroeder: Mr. Dollar?

Dollar: Guilty.

Schroeder: Mr. Garcia?

Garcia: Guilty.

Does counsel join in these pleas and waivers?

- Yes, Your Honor. - Yes, Your Honor.

Very well. Defendants' plea of guilty is accepted

with an indicated sentence of

eighteen months in the state prison facility at Vacaville.

Schroeder: Formal sentencing set in Department 145,

September 19, 9 a.m.

This court is adjourned. [bangs gavel]

[indistinct murmuring]

I know that as things go...

eighteen months is not a very long time.

As things go, it's a lot better than nothing.

Look...

Here's my card.

If you ever need a lawyer.

If you need a friend,

please don't hesitate to call...

for anything.

- Hey, Mike. How'd it go? - Stuart, Douglas.

- Michael. female #5: Wait a second!

- Good night. Brackman: Hold that elevator!

Iris: Yes, he arrived this afternoon.

No. I'm sorry. He's gone for the day.

Yes, I'll have him call you in the morning.

Thank you. Goodnight.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight, Iris.

[clears throat]

How'd it go?

Kuzak: All three of them copped to single counts of assault.

How much time did they pull?

Not much. 18 months.

I suspect young Pregerson is gonna find out

more about the crime of rape in those 18 months

than he bargained for.

I suspect you're right.

Word is, you were

doing the prosecution's job.

Well, I let the cops know he was a ticking bomb.

They did the rest.

That's a pretty thin line, ethics-wise.

If I stepped over it...

which, by the way, I don't think I did...

I'll live with it.

I'm having dinner with Martin Garver.

- Care to join? - Ah, I'll pass.

I got a mountain of work I gotta do.

For what it's worth...

I might argue your ethics in this case.

But I admire your conscience.

[soft music]

[knocking on door]

[music continues]

Miss Moore?

You said if I needed a friend...

Come on in.

I'm...

[clears throat]

[voice breaking] I'm...

I'm so scared.

[crying]

[soft music]

[theme music]

[music continues]