Original subtitles

- Your honor, I move to suppress admission

of the blood sample report on grounds the chain of custody

has been broken.

That is to say that we have been denied access to Mr.

Gallagher's blood sample.

And since no other evidence has been introduced by the DA

to lay an appropriate foundation for the claim

that my client was inebriated at the time

this unfortunate accident occurred,

I move for dismissal of all charges.

- Your honor, while it's true that the blood sample was,

in fact, lost or broken, the expert from SID

will testify under oath as to the manner

in which he conducted the test, as well as to the results.

And his credibility, of course, can be assessed at that time.

- Who is that?

- Deputy DA Grace Van Owen.

- And independent--

- I'm in love.

- Take a number.

- I see no choice but to dismiss.

- Your honor, this is clearly relevant evidence,

which under federal law, would be admissible.

And this court knows, or ought to know, under proposition 8,

that this evidence should also be admissible under California

State Law.

- I would remind the Deputy DA that in spite of the fact she's

running for judgeship in District 7,

she need not lecture this court on the validity of proposition

8 as pertains to this matter.

And I might add as well that proposition 8 is anything

but clear on this point.

My ruling stands.

- Your honor, with all due respect, you're wrong.

And we're going to take this up to the appellate court.

- Assuming you can find time between campaign appearances,

you're welcome to do so.

- My aspirations to the bench notwithstanding,

the bottom line here is this court is releasing back onto

the streets an habitual and dangerous drunk driver who

murdered an eight-year-old boy.

- That's gratuitous and self-serving.

The bottom line is you haven't made your case.

And you're trying to pass the buck to me.

- Your honor--

- When and if you win election to the bench, Ms. Van Owen,

you may have the last word.

In my court, I get it.

Case dismissed.

20-minute recess.

- Judge-- we'll reconvene in 20 minutes.

- Arturo, no.

Arturo.

[spanish]

- Is it our turn yet?

- Right after recess.

- Do you mind explaining this to me again?

- You plead guilty to misdemeanor theft,

$500 fine, one year informal probation,

treatment by your private therapist.

If there are no further shoplifting arrests,

we can have it expunged from your record.

- I wasn't stealing it.

I just wanted to see if the diamond

had any fire in the sunlight.

[gunshot]

[concerned screams]

- Drop the gun.

- Everybody down on the ground, move.

Drop it.

Stay out of the way.

[speaking spanish]

- Put it down.

[speaking spanish]

- Dropped it.

Right now.

[speaking spanish]

- Are you OK?

- Everything's all right.

- Go about your business now.

- You could have got me killed.

- Just a reaction.

You know, a reflex?

- So is that.

[theme music]

- My eight-year-old son was murdered with

no justice in that courtroom.

- I sympathize with your pain, Mr. Figueroa.

Still, it's a very serious thing you did.

- Are you a father?

- No.

- Then don't tell me, because you can't know.

Mr. Justice, my boy is dead.

His killer is free.

And I'm in jail.

- Well, I should be able to do something about that at least.

Look, I think there are a lot of extenuating circumstances here.

I think that I might be able to get

you off without any jail time.

- Please, Mr. Sifuentes.

You've got to get me out of here.

No more shooting.

I just want to go home to my wife and my baby.

- You got yourself a lawyer, Arturo.

I'm going to try my best to get you out of here.

And Mike Kuzak is going to file a wrongful death

case against Gallagher.

That'll get him where it hurts.

[speaking spanish]

- Excuse me, Mr. Becker, I wonder if you

could reach that book for me?

ALR 14.

I just had to get close to you.

I was going out of my mind.

You were totally hot last night.

Tonight?

- I don't know.

I'm scared.

- Of what?

- You.

You scare me, lady.

You could break my heart.

- Oh, Arnie, I would never do anything to hurt you.

Well, maybe just a little.

[knock on door]

- Come in.

- Yeah, hi.

- Hi.

- I hope you liked them, the--

they're from me.

- They're beautiful.

Thanks.

- Did you get all my phone messages?

- Until the tape ran out.

- I kind of got a little carried away, huh?

- Look, Stuart, I'm kind of distracted right now.

The Celia Robinson thing.

- Oh, yeah, sure, I understand that.

How about a late dinner?

We can talk then?

- I can't.

I can't spare the time.

It's going to be pretty crazy for a couple of weeks,

at least.

- I just talked to Celia Robinson, I told her--

oh, I'm sorry.

- No, no, it's OK.

I'll-- I'll see you later.

- Nice flowers.

- Yeah.

What about Celia Robinson?

- What the hell are you doing interfering in my case?

- Which?

Your one-eyed caterer?

- Leland said it was my case.

So why is my client calling from the hospital

to tell me that Lester Messman is waving a $150,000 check

in her face, an offer he says was approved by her lawyer,

Douglas Brackman?

- Messman called me.

Thought I might be able to expedite the matter.

- You mean sell her down the river.

- The woman didn't die.

She lost an eye.

She isn't Picasso.

She's a cook.

Under the circumstances, $150,000

doesn't sound like such a terrible river to me.

- Under the circumstances, it isn't even worth discussing.

- Your opinion is she should reject the offer?

- I already told her to tear up the check

and not to accept any phone calls from Messman or you.

- Then you had better hope that you

can pull some very big rabbits out of your hat, Ms. Kelsey.

Because if you can't, I seriously suggest you

start looking for another job.

Let us recap.

Petramco is proceeding apace.

A negotiated settlement is being explored in good faith

in the Celia Robinson case.

The Lewis tax audit is scheduled for the 19th--

- 18th.

- I stand corrected.

And Mr. Sifuentes has recently acquired Figueroa case,

should yield a primo wrongful death suit.

Nelson Gallagher is one of the wealthiest real estate

developers in California, mucho bucks, a tip of the

sombrero, Victor.

- In consideration of which, we're

agreed we won't charge Figueroa for his criminal defense.

- As you wish.

Penultimately, the reading of Norman Chaney's will, 5:30

PM this afternoon.

Speaking of which, and as you've observed,

I seem to have inherited Ms. Braunschweiger

from the Chaney estate.

And last item, summer law clerks, our final determination

as to which of you shall be asked to join the firm

will be announced after tomorrow's partners meeting.

Very well, people, I believe that brings

us current with our agenda.

- Not quite.

I'd like to know what the significance of Mr.

Sifuentes joining the firm is?

- I'm not sure I take your thrust, Mr. Taylor?

- As pertains to my future.

- If I understand your question correctly,

advancement within the firm is a function of performance.

No more, no less.

- I take issue with that.

It's a function of--

of style, of relationships, cronyism, of color.

- I don't think a staff meeting is the proper venue

for this debate, Andrew.

- Why not?

Excuse the pun, but let's call a spade a spade.

You brought me on with promises of meaningful

work, advancement.

I believed you.

But what did I get?

I got cocktail parties.

My, aren't we liberal?

Doesn't he look grand in a suit?

But when Kuzak here needs a body, does he look in house?

No, no, he goes outside, with your blessing,

to find his own boy.

- I'm not anyone's boy.

- And neither am I. And I'm not going

to be a house nigger no more.

- I wouldn't tolerate that language about you, sir.

I won't tolerate it from you.

- And you won't have to, sir.

I quit.

- If you want to reconsider a decision

made hastily and in the heat of the moment.

- Well, it was heated.

But it wasn't hasty.

I've got no partnership potential here.

The writing was on the wall.

- If it was, I didn't see it.

- You don't read graffiti.

- You're welcome to use the office

till you find another position.

You'll receive eight weeks severance pay.

And I'll write a strong letter of reference.

- Is that what it costs to buy off your guilt?

- Your failure to succeed with this firm

belongs to both of us.

I may have been remiss in not paying closer attention

to your needs, Andrew.

But face it, you didn't do the job.

- You never let me.

- Grow up.

Nobody gives you power.

You have to take it.

Now, you've got a choice.

You can locate an area of the law that excites you

and you can work your butt off to excel at it,

or you can nurse your anger forever.

But it will not serve you in the long run.

As I grow older, I have a tendency to pontificate.

I'll write the letter.

Use it or not.

Good luck, Andrew.

- Mr. Becker, may I steal a moment of your time?

- If this is about the associate position,

you know I'm not at liberty-- - No, it's not that.

I've left my husband.

- This is the same husband who shared

his drink with your dress at the Mackenzie party?

- Yesterday, he picked up our three-year-old

from nursery school.

And he was drunk.

He got into an accident.

- Was the child hurt?

- No, he was scared.

We got into a fight about his drinking.

And when I told him that I would leave him if he didn't stop,

he became abusive.

And he threatened me.

He said that he would never let me take Eric.

And whether I'm asked to stay with the firm or not,

I would like you to represent me.

And I'll pay whatever it costs.

- Whether you're asked to stay with the firm or not,

let's not worry about the fees.

Let's worry about getting an immediate court

date and an OIC.

- I can't tell you how grateful I am.

- Consider it a professional courtesy.

- Thank you.

- You'll owe me.

- Mr. Messman.

- I appreciate your seeing me without an appointment.

- We have nothing to talk about, Mr. Messman.

- I would think otherwise.

It would seem a quick and timely disposition of this case

would be to the benefit of all concerned.

- My only interest, Mr. Messman, is Celia Robinson.

- We are not without sensitivity to Mrs.

Robinson's circumstance.

- Is that why you went to her behind my back

with that insulting lowball offer?

- My direct offer to your client was not intended as an insult

to either one of you.

You are an extremely able and, if I might say, also

an extremely svelte person.

So if you would be disposed to accepting an apology,

we might move along to a more meaningful dialogue, by which I

mean we are prepared to make you an offer substantially higher

than before, in hopes that we could all

avoid a costly and lengthy litigation.

$250,000.

I have a signed check right here in my breast pocket.

- Abby?

- Bad faith insurance cases, Globe

Casualty versus Kauffman, $8.2 million in favor

of the plaintiff.

Mutual Indemnity of North America

versus Hernandez, $7.1 million in favor of the plaintiff.

Massachusetts Fidelity and Life versus Tagliaterro,

$3.4 million in favor of the plaintiff.

On appeal, the judgment was increased to $5 million.

- Are you getting the drift, Mr. Messman?

- What'll it take to settle this out?

- $1 million on my desk by the end of business today.

- I don't know.

That's very high.

I'll have to put this to my superiors.

- Put this wherever you like, Mr. Messman.

But if the check isn't on my desk by 6:00 PM today,

the price goes up $100,000 per day.

- You got a lot of hormones, lady.

- Sorry I'm late.

You should have been there.

Your buddy Martin Weisbord gets up--

excuse me.

Gets up to address the jury.

And for 20 minutes, they smirk and titter.

Until finally, Judge Hanson mercifully

points out what everyone else in the courtroom

has already taken note of-- that Weisbord's fly is wide open.

Whereupon, Weisbord asked for a mistrial.

Hansen denies the motion.

And he proceeds to lecture the courtroom

ad nauseam on the pros and cons of judicial decorum.

Grace Van Owen.

- Michael Kuzak.

Would you like a beer?

- Love one.

- So?

- OK, this is our best offer.

We drop the gun possession.

Figueroa cops to one count felony assault.

He does a year and a day with time

off for being a perfect citizen.

He's out in seven months, not bad for shooting up

a crowded hallway.

- Come on, Gracie, this one's a wobbler.

You could go misdemeanor just as easy as felony.

- Victor, people could have been killed.

Under the circumstances, this is a great deal which I

fought like hell to bring you.

- You want circumstances?

I got a client with an otherwise spotless record

who sits in a courtroom and watches the drunk driver that

ran over his little son go free because of a screw up

by the cops.

In his grief and outrage, he takes a shot at the guy

and misses. I can't wait to go to court.

I doubt if I'm going to lose.

But even if I do, you lose more.

I can just see the headlines now,

distraught father convicted.

Killer of little boy walks.

DDA Grace Van Owen says, quote, "I feel bad

about Mr Figueroa's family going on welfare

while he does his time.

But he should have thought about that sooner," unquote.

- What are you looking for?

- Reduced to a mis, suspended sentence.

- You got to be kidding.

- OK, then let's go to court.

- I know this is none of my business.

But what about six months on the misdemeanor, which with time

off, reduces it to three?

- I'd try to sell that to my boss.

- Well, don't bother, you'll never sell it to me.

- What are you trying to get for this guy?

Sainthood?

- Look, the man is not a threat to society anymore.

What is the point in locking him up?

Give me four months probation with public service,

and two months jail time to be served on weekends.

Come on, Gracie.

Think like the great judge that I know you're going to be,

justice tempered with mercy.

- Nice meeting you, Mr. Kuzak.

You, I'll get back to.

- And to Stuart Markowitz, my friend, my trusted colleague,

and my financial advisor--

- Forgive me.

Traffic was a mess.

- I bequeath my complete tax law library as well

as my nonbinding, but deeply felt,

personal hope that this firm will recognize his talents with

a long-overdue partnership.

To Arnold Becker, a man I have long admired,

I bequeath my entire collection of Indian and Chinese erotica.

To my good and loyal Hilda Braunschweiger,

I bequeath the sum of $50,000.

- [gasps]

- And to my most valued and unique friend, Georgia Buttner,

to whom I owe much, and with the wish that she

may find true peace and happiness,

I bequeath the sum of $250,000.

- What?

This is an outrage.

- Douglas, this is none of your business.

- Yes, it is.

It's an insult, a mockery of all of us in this firm.

I say we should contest this will.

This thing was obviously exercising undue influence.

- Douglas.

- Who knows what kind of perversion--

- How dare you?

I've conducted myself with total love and honesty.

- Honesty?

You're not even straight enough to be a decent homo.

[grunts]

- Excuse me.

- You all witnessed it.

Unprovoked assault. This could be

permanent neurological damage.

- Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

- Oh.

- Andy, wait up.

- Listen, I just don't want there

to be any bad blood between us.

I mean, guys like us, we shouldn't be in competition.

- You mean interchangeable token men of color?

- You think it was all thought out like that?

Trade Black for brown?

- Well, that's the way it worked out, isn't it?

- Look, me, I've never gotten where I was going

by crawling over another body.

Now, if I'm responsible for you losing your job in any way,

then I'm out of here.

- The truth?

You did me a favor.

You brought something to head I've been

doing my damnedest to avoid.

- I wish you a lot of luck.

- I wish you luck because these guys are going

to tell you anything going in.

What they dangle to you?

A class action, pro bono?

- Andrew, I--

I don't know what to say.

- Well, no-- no insult intended.

But that's always been the problem with the partners

in this firm.

- Good night.

- Ann, I'm almost afraid to ask.

Check come?

- No.

- Any word from Messman?

- No.

- Maybe it's on the way.

- I'll stay around a little longer.

But I'm not holding my breath.

- Call me if it comes in.

- You'll be the first to know.

- Good night, Stuart.

- So are you making any dinner plans yet?

- Thanks, Stuart.

I've got to work late, Petramco stuff.

I'll order out.

- Order for two.

I'll keep you company.

- Look, Stuart, what happened between us

was one of those things that occasionally just

happens between two people.

- I was of looking forward to it happening again.

- I don't think it will.

- You mind telling me why?

- Stuart, you are a wonderful man and a wonderful lawyer.

- But I'm not what you're looking for, isn't it?

- I'm not looking at all.

It's not that I don't want a relationship with you.

I'm not looking for a relationship with anyone.

- Look, Ann, I don't want to push myself on you, believe me.

But I'm not a kid.

I have adult needs and adult feelings.

I'm standing here telling you that I love you.

- Oh, Stuart--

- No, no really, I love you.

I do.

Look, I'm not saying I can't live without you or anything.

I'm saying I'd rather not have to.

- I don't know what to say.

- Think about it.

Think about me.

Would you do that, please?

- Yes.

- Good.

Are you going to do it now, or--

- Good night, Stuart.

- OK.

[music playing]

- Mr. Kuzak.

To what do I owe this pleasure?

- Well, I was in the neighborhood.

I thought I'd drop by.

This used to be my office.

- Really?

- Look, I don't know how you feel about stuff like this,

but if we promise not to talk about work,

would you like to get some dinner?

- Mr. Kuzak, I have three rules, two of which being I

never date lawyers and I never date anyone I work with.

- Well, what's number three?

- You already disqualifying one and two.

- Well, here's a hypothetical.

If you and I were to take separate cars

and meet up at Muzzo and Frank, would that constitute a date?

- Yes, definitely.

- How about this, you and I, separate cars,

Muzzo and Frank, Dutch.

Is that a date?

- A cheap date.

- I go to Muzzo and Frank.

I grab a seat at the counter.

I'm sitting there eating my lamb chops when you happen to fall

by for a house salad to go.

Hey, nice to see you, sit down, take a load off.

Now, you can't tell me that that's a date.

- No, not to the strict letter of the law.

- So I've got a date tonight?

- No.

- Got to eat.

- I thought maybe I'd grab a salad or something

at Muzzo and Frank.

- Nice place, I go there myself now and again.

So are you going to tell me?

- What?

- Rule number three.

- I never sleep with a man on the first date.

- Good morning.

How are you?

Good morning, Elizabeth.

- Good morning, Michael.

- Any calls, messages?

- Messages somewhere.

- A Grace Van Owen, by any chance?

- No, no, doesn't sound familiar.

- Would you try her for me, please?

She's in the DA's office. - Sure.

- Morning, Michael.

- Arnie, you wouldn't happen to a good florist, would you?

- Your basic 50 bucks thanks for the referral basket,

called Bennett's, used my name, tell him the Julia Lippencott.

- I think I need something a little more personal than that.

- $75 potted cymbidium, that's the Linda Maslo.

- Grace Van Owen, please, Michael Kuzak calling.

Well, would you leave word, please?

- Right, Kuzak, K-U-Z-A-K. Thank you.

- 150 bucks worth of sterling roses, orchids, alstromeria.

Tell Bennetts it's the Kristina Amarali.

Should get your garden hosed.

- Ann, Ann, Lester Messman is in reception.

- Oh, hi.

- The check as per your request.

Please have your client sign the enclosed releases

and messenger them back.

- Thank you.

- Mr. Messman, just a moment of your time, please.

I'm afraid there's a mistake.

The amount, Mr. Messman.

- $1 million.

- No, the agreed amount was $1,100,000.

- You said $1 million.

- If you'll refresh your recollection, I said $1 million

if received prior to 6:00 PM yesterday, $1,100,000 today.

- This isn't about your client.

It isn't even about winning.

It's just about busting my chops.

- It'll be $1,200,000 if you wait until tomorrow.

- You're dreaming.

- See you in court, butch.

- Your honor, as the respondent husband has failed to appear,

I would request that the orders be entered at this time.

- You're asking sole custody, extremely limited visitation,

and a restraining order?

- The respondent husband is alcoholic and violent.

The most direct testimony of which

is unfortunately evidenced by my client's physical

appearance today.

- How did you acquire the injuries, Mrs. Perkins?

- Last night, my husband came by the house.

He was drunk and upset.

He asked me not to go through with the divorce.

And when I said no, he--

he grabbed me by the arm.

And he started twisting.

Then he choked me.

And he banged my head against the wall,

screaming at me not to do it.

Eric came running in.

He was-- he was scared to death.

Eric just stood there and cried as his father kept hitting me.

- Mr. Perkins.

- Yes?

- You're more than an hour late.

- Abby, please.

- Sit down, Mr. Perkins.

- Abby, please don't do this--

- Sit down, Mr. Perkins, or the bailiff

will take you into custody.

- Do you have a lawyer, Mr. Perkins?

- The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers.

Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part II.

- Mr. Perkins, are you capable of understanding the

serious nature of this hearing?

- This kangaroo court?

- The proposal before me is that you be denied access

to your son, except when supervised by an attorney

or police officer.

- He's my son.

You can't do that.

You bitch.

- That's enough.

Frankly, Mr. Perkins, your demeanor before this court

would strongly incline me toward granting your wife's motion.

However, this is an extremely serious matter.

Therefore, I will grant you a one-week continuance, in which

time, I strongly suggest that you sober up

and find yourself a lawyer.

In the interim, this court orders

that temporary physical care and custody

remain with Mrs. Perkins.

No visitation rights in respondent father.

Further, Mr. Perkins is enjoined from coming

within 100 yards of either Mrs. Perkins

or the minor Eric Perkins.

- Damn it, you said it was my case.

That I should run with it as I saw fit.

If a Mike Kuzak did what I did, you'd call it

aggressive hardball lawyering.

But if a woman does it, she's a steamroller.

- This has nothing to do with sexism, and you know it.

- I made a judgment call that I had to back up what I

said to the insurance company.

Or they would never take me seriously the next time.

- There's a hell of a difference between a judgment

call and negligence.

Your cavalier dismissal of a $1 million settlement offer

could conceivably expose this firm to a malpractice suit.

- I hardly think that's likely, Leland.

I had Celia Robinson's authorization.

I did what I considered to be in the best

interests of my client.

- What you did was indulge your ego

at the expense of your client.

They can drag this thing out five years

before you ever see the inside of a courtroom.

- If you don't like the way I'm handling it,

you can take the appropriate steps.

- It will be on the agenda of this afternoon's

partners meeting.

That's all.

- Let's forget the reading of the minutes.

- Sorry, I was in court.

- Quite all right, Arnold.

In your absence, we voted that I be given the Cheney office.

- Hey.

- I jest, Arnold.

- Gentlemen, we have a very full agenda.

- The first item of which I would presume

is Ms. Kelsey's unconscionable handling

of the Celia Robinson matter.

- After some thought, I've decided

to let that wait a week, see where the dust settles.

- I say we sweep it out the door.

Give her four weeks' notice and--

- We'll bring it up at the next meeting.

All right, summer clerks, discussion.

- I don't think that there's much to discuss.

Bruce Pollock was an editor of the Harvard Law Review,

number three in his class, a pleasing personal demeanor,

no dependents, and has done superlative work

since he's been here.

- I'd have to concur with Douglas on this.

Bruce is a very, very impressive young man.

- Thank you, thank you very much.

I'm honored, of course.

But I've decided to accept an offer from a Wall Street firm.

- Mr. Pollock, if that's the case,

might I inquire what you've been doing

here for the last three months, wasting our time and money?

- Well, you were so pleasant and so persuasive

when you interviewed me.

And I had never been to LA before.

I had a great summer.

Thanks.

- All right then, let's review the bidding, Weston or Perkins.

Their academic records are approximately equivalent.

Arnold?

You've been working most closely with Lisa Weston.

How would you evaluate her skills?

- I hate to say this because she's

very bright, I think the woman is some kind

of nympho or something.

She's made repeated sexual overtures toward me

ever since she's been here.

It's been extremely embarrassing.

And quite honestly, I'm concerned

about her possibly compromising this firm's

client relationships.

- So where does that leave us?

- I can't believe it.

I'm in.

- Oh, that's great.

That's really great.

I'm so happy for you, for both of us.

- Thank you.

You have no idea how much this means to me.

- I'm sure you ladies will be relieved

to know that this just arrived by messenger, $1,100,000.

As I calculate, that's roughly $366,667 for us.

Take the rest of the day off, Ms. Kelsey.

You've earned it.

[phone rings]

- Well, you might be interested to know that your girlfriend

and I worked out a deal.

- Who?

- Deputy DA Grace Van Owen.

Anyway, Arturo copped to the mis, credit for time

served, two months of weekends.

He's on his way home to his wife and child.

And everyone lives happily ever after.

- Sounds good.

- Let's hope so.

- Excuse me.

- Oh no, you don't.

You really stink, Becker.

- Does this mean dinner's off tonight?

- If you think I'm going to let you do this to me.

- Do what exactly, Lisa?

- You rat.

You told me I had a real chance at this job

if I played my cards right.

- Look, honey, this isn't a daycare center.

You came on to me.

No one promised you a thing.

- You know I'm a lot smarter than that little twit.

The least you could have done was speak up for me.

- I did.

I was overruled.

- I'll bet.

- Look, honey, I did you a giant favor.

You just don't know it yet. You're smart.

You're attractive.

You're going to be a great attorney.

But there is no way you're going to sleep your way into a job,

not in this firm anyway.

And you should have known that.

- Yeah, you should have told me.

- Would you grow up, kid?

- Oh.

I feel older already.

- Mentoring, Arnold, a heavy burden.

- Hey, word on the vine is you kicked a little butt

on Celia Robinson?

Word further has it that even Douglas Brackman was impressed.

- Great.

So how come I'm so depressed?

- Well, multiple choice, A, because it's over,

B, because you cared more about winning than you do

about your client, C, because winning is

no fun unless you have someone to share it with,

or D, none of the above.

- Pretty smart for a guy who spends his life in a room

going over the tax code.

- Yeah, well, not so smart.

Anyway, congratulations are in order.

So how about a celebratory dinner

at the romantic restaurant of your choosing?

- I don't think so, Stuart.

- Look, Ann, I hate to be a pest here.

But I want to pursue a relationship.

Maybe it pans out, maybe not.

But I'm not afraid to try.

- I think maybe I am.

- All right, look, I'll tell you what.

I'm going to go to my office.

And I'm going to put on my coat.

Then I'm going to count to 100 and I'm going to leave.

Between now and then, I hope you change your mind and join me.

If not, I won't bother you anymore.

One, two, ah, three.

- Congratulations.

You played hardball and you won.

- I was lucky.

You were right.

I was representing my needs at the expense of my client's.

- Good lesson learned.

Some of us never learn it.

- Stuart Markowitz just suggested

that I care more about winning than I do about the client.

- I think that's a little harsh.

- If Celia Robinson walked in here right now,

I wouldn't know who the hell she was.

I never even bothered to meet the woman.

- Got the job done nevertheless.

- Sure as hell didn't give her a lot

of moral support along the way.

- She probably had that from her family, her friends.

What she needed from you was your anger, your expertise,

and your courage.

Those she got in full measure.

- A better lawyer would have given her both.

[music playing]

- Stuart, hold the elevator.

99 and 1/2, 99 and 3/4.

[music playing]

- How did you get into my car?

- I worked my way through law school as a car thief.

- Well, now that we know that you haven't lost your touch,

please get out.

- I called you 37 times.

- Seven times.

- Why are you avoiding me?

- I'm not avoiding you.

I just don't want to see you.

So if you don't mind--

- Hold on.

We had dinner together, remember?

We shared a bottle of wine.

We talked until 2:00 in the morning.

Am I crazy?

We've got some kind of chemistry here.

- Look, Mr. Kuzak, I--

- Call me Michael, even Mickey.

[phone rings]

- Hello.

What?

I can't hear you.

Speak up, I'm on the car phone.

Thanks.

- Bad news?

- Well, Mickey, it seems your client, Arturo Figueroa,

just murdered Nelson Gallagher.

- Thank you.

[crowd chatter]

- At least let's admit it in the privacy of this table,

we're accessories to a murder.

- Look, the man says he's sorry, he swears he'll be a good boy.

What do you want me to be?

A mind reader?

I thought we were cutting a humane deal.

- Oh right, we all felt so guilty.

We were so overcome with the depth of our moral outrage,

we lost sight of the damn law.

- Look, if you're going to bleed, don't do it all over me.

My job is to represent my client.

You start what iffing yourself on every deal,

you wind up paralyzed.

- Well, maybe we should have what

iffed ourselves on this one.

He did.

But neither of us paid any attention to him.

You were angry that he wasn't backing your play.

And I was so busy playing politics.

We redressed one murder with another.

- So what?

One more?

- I'm going home.

After this fiasco, I'll probably be in traffic court

for the rest of my life.

I don't need a hangover to add to my list of woes.

- Oh, speaking of which, I've had a little too much myself.

Could you give me a lift?

- Victor can take you.

- I think I'm going to stay a while, or I'll take a cab home,

or whatever.

[music playing]

- Let's go.

[music playing]

You didn't need a lift.

You hardly had anything to drink.

- You're right.

I just wanted to spend a little more time with you.

You're a very good driver.

- This isn't going to work.

- Why not?

- Because, that's why.

The thing is I'm engaged.

I'm getting married in three weeks.

- Oh, who's the lucky fella?

- His name is Kevin Crenshaw.

- The media guy?

- Mm-hmm.

- Oh, I suppose he's going to run your campaign.

- As a matter of fact, yes.

- Well, that doesn't mean you have to marry him.

- Mr. Kuzak.

- Do you love him?

- Of course I do.

- No, what I'm asking is are you in love with him?

- Mr. Kuzak, I have been in love, more than once.

It has its charms, no doubt about it.

But it also has its downside.

And frankly, I'm getting too old for roller coasters.

- How old are you?

- Would you stop?

Just go away.

- What about passion?

- Not that it's any of your business,

but I enjoy his company very much.

- Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

- We have lots in common.

I care deeply for him.

- But you're not in love with him.

- Being in love with someone is only

a stage you pass through on your way toward feeling

lovingly to that person.

- Well, I guess you've got it all figured out, haven't you?

- I think so, yes.

And honestly, I'd appreciate it if you got out of the car,

closed the door behind you, and left me alone.

- What about these feelings that we have?

- It's the nice thing about being a grown up,

Mr. Kuzak, having them doesn't mean we have to act on them.

[music playing]

Good night.

- Good night, Gracie.

Sweet dreams.

[music playing]