Original subtitles

Ms. Engelman, if you would tell the court

exactly what occurred on the morning of July 16th 1987?

I was leaving my dentist office.

I had my teeth cleaned,

when that man James Beaumont exposed himself to me.

And under what circumstance did this take place?

It was an underground parking garage,

I'd gone to my car and while I was rummaging in my bag

looking for my keys, this man, that man,

said to me, I won't ever forget this

"Excuse me, ma'am," and when I looked up,

his pants were wide open, he was holding his shirt up

and out of the way and there it was.

There what was?

It.

Uh, could you be more specific?

Do I have to be?

I'm afraid so for the record.

It, his male equipment, everything, the works.

And during this time did Mr. Beaumont say anything?

Yes. Disgusting, perverted things.

Van Owens: Specifically what?

Sexual things he wanted me to do to him.

They were lewd and horrible things.

Ms. Engelman, I know this is difficult,

but I'm afraid you will have to tell the court

exactly what Mr. Beaumont said.

Your Honor, please, I would rather die

than repeat those things out loud.

Your Honor.

Perhaps we can solve the

district attorney's problem by having

Ms. Engelman write it on a piece of paper

which can be shown to the jury

and then enter into the transcript.

Fine with me.

Ms. Engelman: I guess that will be alright.

[paper ripping]

Let the record reflect, Your Honor,

that I am showing each member of the jury individually.

Ms. Engelman's written recollection of what

Mr. Beaumont said to her.

[gasps]

[laughter]

[man snores]

Excuse me, sir.

What?

[instrumental music]

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

Shall we get started?

Now before we do, as many of you already know

Jonathan Rollins has joined us as an associate.

[applaud]

McKenzie: Yeah.

I invite all of you to take time in the next few days

to introduce yourselves. Make him feel well.

Brackman: New business. Atkins versus Atkins.

- Where's Arnold? - He hasn't come in yet.

I don't think he was in yesterday either.

Maybe he jumped to another firm.

Brackman: Moving along and for whatever it's worth,

be advised the McKenzie-Brackman that all has terminated

its representation of Dr. Peter Warren.

It's worth exactly nothing, Douglas.

Brackman: Out of the circumstances

there's nothing else we can do.

How about go to the police?

How about you could be disbarred?

Yeah, plus, major financial exposure

for you, for the firm.

An innocent man rots in jail

while an arrogant self confessed killer goes free.

Kelsey: Don't talk to me about financial exposure.

Excuse me, may I remind everyone

particularly our new associates

that has regards this matter client privilege binds us all.

And maybe we could avail ourselves

about side legal council to advise us

on our rights and obligations.

Otherwise known as passing the buck.

You know, if there's a legitimate way

to nail this guy, I think I know

someone who can find it for you.

- Who? - Wendell Gleason.

My old mentor when I worked down in the D.A's office.

I thought he died.

No, he's had a couple of major

surgeries during the last year

but he's got a great mind.

And if he's up for it, there's no one better.

Let me see if I can set it up for you.

- Alright, thanks. - Right.

Brackman: Now a housekeeping matter.

Be advised in the last month that this firm has spent

$1,873 on messenger services,

accordingly may I suggest less dependants on these gadgets

and a greater reliance on the postage stamp.

[gavel thuds] Alright, finishing up new business.

I'm pleased to report that Ms. Kelsey

has brought in Haywood engineering on retainer.

Old business, Rohner versus Gradinger.

Oh, I've had a chance to review the files.

I'd like to talk to you about it when you have some time.

Douglas, this is--

I thought you could use some assistance

and as Ms. Kleinberg asked for additional responsibilities,

I suggested that she familiarize herself with the terrain.

Brackman: Mr. Sifuentes, Talbot versus Pellet Air Manufacturers.

I understand we lost on the directed verdict.

Yes, but I still think, we'll win on the merits.

How's Hamilton Schuyler?

Manipulative, unethical.

- Histrionic. - Short.

Finally Mr. Markowitz,

we've seen nothing from you and Mr. Gianelli

on the Spenko prospectus.

Yeah, we've run into a few more problems, Douglas.

Markowitz: Few of the projections were offline.

Offline?

Our client could be facing criminal exposure here.

Get off my back, Douglas. I'm on top of him.

And another thing, sooner or later

we're gonna have to discuss the implications

of your pending nuptials.

Kelsey: What implications?

Brackman: Just that most other firms

around town find it awkward

to have married partners working together.

Douglas, this is not the time.

I'm only suggesting that perhaps

the more expendable partner could resign.

That's enough. End of discussion.

End of meeting. We're adjourned.

Is this typical around here?

Arnie? Arnie, for God sake where have you been?

I tried your house, your clerk.

Arnie, are you alright?

No, I'm not alright.

I'm in love.

You mean the auction lady?

Separating myself from her

it's like part of my body's been cut off.

Do you realize you missed six appointments yesterday?

There must have been 30 calls.

The women were lined up out there screaming at me.

Don't you think you at least owed me the courtesy of a call?

I'm sorry, Roxanne, but I was tied up.

Too tied up to make a simple phone call?

Tied up.

Arnie!

Don't make it sound like that, it was just an experiment

to see if I was secure enough as a male

to surrender to my receptive vulnerable side.

Roxanne, she is incredible.

The first woman that I've been able to relax

but really let down the armor and be myself.

Relax with these.

- Who do you want to start with? - That's it, huh?

I spill my guts and all you want to talk

about is phone messages.

I've heard it all before, Arnie.

How you madly in love and then a week later

you find something wrong with her and then

you're ready to move on to the next one.

No, Roxanne, this is different.

It's like I've been searching for

all of my life, my-- my missing part,

my... soul mate.

- Hm. Becker: That's fine.

If you personally never experienced it,

there's no use in my even trying to explain it.

Do you want me to start with Christine Emmer Reilly?

She phoned yesterday to ask if you are free this weekend.

Kiss her off but kindly, okay.

Do you want me to explain why you can't go to Hawaii?

Or just a generic too busy?

- Hawaii? - Celebrity tennis tournament.

Suite at the Mauna Kea,

all expenses paid.

Well, I guess it would have been fun but...

sometimes a person has to make sacrifices for love,

don't they?

[Roxanne sighs]

Hi, Benny. I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Mrs. Stulwicz.

Ah, that's okay. We were early.

Honey, I have to talk to Ms. Perkins.

Why don't you wait right there?

Okay. I'll read my book.

[telephone ringing]

- Come on in. - Thank you.

Please sit down.

So, how are you?

I've got leukemia, Ms. Perkins, I'm dying.

- Oh, my God, I'm so sorry. - No, no, no, don't.

I'm not afraid for myself. It's Benny I'm worried about.

I wrote out a will leaving everything to him.

This is it, right here, plus my bankbook

and a $20,000 life insurance policy.

The deed entitled to the house,

it's paid for but,

suppose if he gets to pay the taxes

or suppose somebody cheats him out of his money,

he's always been so dependent on me

that I'm afraid of what will happen to him.

He has no other family?

No.

And any other additional sources of income?

Oh, it's in there.

He gets a small monthly check from SSI.

Well, I can establish myself as Benny's trustee

and we can invest his insurance money

and take care of his bills, put him on an allowance,

but I don't honestly see enough income here

for a decent standard of living unless he gets a job.

Nobody is willing to give him a chance.

He can read?

Yes and-- and he can follow directions

and he knows how to use the buses.

I-- I don't want to get your hopes up

before I talk to my bosses,

but there may be a job for him here as a messenger.

Oh, if there was,

Ms. Perkins, you would never regret it.

Benny is a very special boy.

I know, Mrs. Stulwicz, I know.

[instrumental music]

And, Mrs. Talbot, on those occasions that you do go out...

- who looks after Kevin? - I have a sitter come in.

Do you ever leave him home alone for the evening?

No, never.

But in fact, ma'am, Kevin was left alone

on the night of the fire, wasn't he?

Well, I ran next door for about 10 minutes,

then I came right back.

You testified...

at your deposition...

that you went to see your neighbor...

John Simpson.

Sifuentes: Is that right? Mrs. Talbot: Yes, sir.

And you said that as you arrived to his house,

Mr. Simpson was watching the television game show

"Jeopardy," correct?

Mrs. Talbot: Yes. Um,

I watched for a minute or two

and we discussed our plans for lunch the next day

and then I went back home.

And what happened upon returning home ma'am?

Well, um...

as I-- as I got to the house...

I...

[voice breaking] I...

I saw smoke [sniffles] coming from,

coming from Kevin's window

and I, I rushed up to his room and...

[sniffles]

and I saw my baby.

[cries]

He was... he was on fire.

[sobs]

I know this is difficult, Mrs. Talbot,

but would you tell us, what you did next?

Objection.

I see no relevance in making this woman

relive that awful night.

Your Honor, please.

Objection's overruled.

Please try to answer.

What did you do next, ma'am?

I threw blanket over him to try to...

[cries] Oh, God.

Mrs. Talbot: He was so burned.

[sobs] And I...

and I called-- I called 911.

I told them my baby was dying.

He was dying.

Mrs. Talbot, about how many minutes

would you say elapsed between the time you returned home

and the time you dialed 911?

Three minutes, four minutes maybe.

Sifuentes: The police blotter indicates

that your call was recorded

at 11 minutes past nine, is that accurate?

I don't know, I guess.

And the television air time for "Jeopardy"

is 7:00 to 7:30 that means,

if you watch this program at your neighbors

and you dialed 911 upon returning home,

you were absent from your house

for at least an hour and 40 minutes, maybe longer.

Objection, the time is of no relevance whatsoever.

Your Honor, I am trying to establish

that if she had been home with her child,

she might have averted this tragedy entirely

or at least prevented the severity of the injury.

I object to this vilification.

Overruled.

In fact... you were gone

much longer than 10 minutes, weren't you, Mrs. Talbot?

I can't remember, I don't know.

And isn't it possible that had you been home with your child,

this never would have happened.

- Stop it. - Order.

I mean, how can you do that to her?

- Look at her son. - Ma'am.

How can you be so cruel?

Ma'am, if you don't' stop,

I'll hold you in contempt.

God.

Jury shall disregard that outburst.

Your Honor, I move for a mistrial?

I'll take that request under submission.

We'll reconvene in my chambers tomorrow morning at 10:00.

The jury is dismissed until then.

How can it not be a mistrial?

They are obviously completely prejudiced?

- It was only one juror. - Oh, remove the juror.

But I still think the rest can be objective.

- I see no reason to call-- - But, Your Honor, I don't--

Charge these repeated motions

for a mistrial, a travesty of justice.

- He should be sanctioned. - Oh, will you get off it?

- Don't you threaten me? - Hey.

I don't care how short he is, judge.

You can't let him keep pulling this.

- I object to this. - That's enough.

His constant manipulation is disgraceful and you know it.

Counselor!

If any other lawyer walked in

here and pulled the stuff that he pulled

there'll be a mistrial and jail time.

I said that's enough, counselor.

Judge Vance: Don't tell me how to do my job.

This trial goes on,

I'll make note of your objection

for the record and that's all.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Can I talk to you for a minute?

My client wants out,

against my advise he's asked me

to offer you 300,000 in a trust fund for Kevin,

conditioned on the stipulation of no liability.

- Sorry, no deal. - Oh, wait a minute.

300 matches your initial demand?

That was then, now it's a million.

Are you crazy?

Mr. Sifuentes, I'm gonna beat you.

There's nothing you can do to stop that.

That's what this is all about, isn't it?

You're gonna jeopardize your client's

interest because you want the

satisfaction of a big win.

And you're suddenly throwing out

fat settlement offer,

so you can avoid that fat loss.

[scoffs] You got a problem, counselor.

You got a problem, I got a case.

You know, sometimes I can't believe

how incredibly lucky we are to have found each other.

I know.

But in some of the relationships I've had,

some of my friends relationships...

My God, it is so easy to become cynical

and give up on love all together.

I know exactly what you mean.

And then this, I mean, I know it sounds corny

but the answer is, there really is Prince Charming.

And his princess.

And they rode off into the sunset together

and they both lived happily ever after.

It's like a fairy tale.

Though but I can't believe is that it's not a fairy tale,

it's real.

When I look at you, Arnie,

I see something I have never seen before.

What's that, my love?

The man I want to share the rest of my life with.

My God, I used to make fun of people

who even talk this way now,

ever since I met you it's all I can think about,

only old traditional values, marriage, commitment,

home, children, growing old together.

What is it too soon for me

to be talking about this line of security.

No, of course not.

Then let's drink to us.

To love and happily ever after.

[glasses clink]

May I... I better not, um...

Sometimes this stuff gives me a headache in the afternoon.

[knocking on door]

Enter.

How goes it?

It's going, Douglas, it's going.

Think you'll have something for us soon.

Maybe tomorrow.

Splendid, splendid.

Mr. Gianelli, would you excuse us for a moment please?

Oh, yeah. Yes, sir.

Sorry.

Look, we're-- we're trying to wrap things up here, Douglas.

Is there something you wanted to see me about?

Ms. Kelsey accosted me in the garage

this morning on the way in.

She demanded apologies for my remarks yesterday

regarding your hypothetical resignation.

She implied that if said apologies

were not forthcoming immediamento,

you'd both resign taking all your clients with you.

She said what?

Stuart, I never meant to malign your abilities

or your value to us as a partner.

All I was trying to suggest...

is that in a small shop like ours,

any fusion of voting partners represents a threat

to the integrity of the power base,

not to imply that you and Ms. Kelsey

aren't of independent caste

or would necessarily vote as a block.

There's no need to be elaborate.

I'm sure you understand,

but in the event my remarks

caused you any apprehension or embarrassment...

I certainly apologize.

So noted, Douglas.

Then if we're straightened out...

I'll leave you to it.

Thank you.

This wasn't so painful, was it?

No.

Proving that the shortest distance

between two points is a straight line.

- Excuse me. - Be a man next time.

Don't send your girlfriend to fight your battles.

[door shuts]

Gleason: Juicy.

Poor deluded man falsely imprisoned

a cold brutal killer who confesses the perfect murder

to his bright and beautiful attorney.

Cynical old ex-DA with a bomb ticker

brought in as outside legal counselor.

I think I have the solution to your dilemma, Ms. Kelsey.

Tell me please.

Resign or write it as a novel,

sell it to the movies and live happily ever after.

Actually what I was hoping was that you could find a way

for me to hang this bastard

out to dry in the real world.

However, what I will settle for

is your opinion of my legal obligations.

Unfortunately off hand, I know of no precedent

in the law that allow you to circumvent privilege.

You know, I find it ironic to say the least

that a man without an ethical bone in his body

is using my professional ethics against me

to prevent me from doing what's right.

Smart knows his law not your average dolt.

I know it's a long shot,

but if there is anyway, anyway at all.

Nothing would please me more Ms. Kelsey

than to be your hero of the moment.

Thank you.

- This the complete file? - Yeah.

Good. Hah-hah-ha.

You know, I think of myself

as a pragmatist most to the time.

Since I've never had a case where the stakes were so high

or the consequences so tragic.

You should've been a DA.

[door shuts]

It sounds interesting.

I don't know a lot about it.

But I understand these people

are very happy fulfilling menial tasks.

And he's incredibly diligent about following instructions.

He really knows the bus system.

His mother says that he travels all over the city by himself.

Plus, it could save us a lot of money.

If you figure at five dollars now...

Five? Minimum wage is 3.35.

Douglas, we're talking about a 36-year-old man.

You just said he was more like ten.

A ten-year-old doesn't have to pay the rent

or buy groceries.

We are talking about $200 a week

and you said yourself, that we're throwing away

more than twice that on messengers.

I like your thinking.

Of course any decision in his favor

would only be on a trial basis.

But it's possible?

I'll recommend it to the partners.

Thank you.

Opposing counsel on several occasions

has accused me of making myself an issue in this trial.

Well, if that's true then dear God,

I'm very much ashamed.

Now if any of you are thinking right now

about my adversity or my handicap or my hardship,

I beg you with all my heart to please stop.

This case is about that little boy.

A boy whose future lies to a large extent with you.

Now I don't mean to suggest you can take away the hurt,

you can't.

I don't mean to suggest you can make him whole

or normal again, you can't.

I don't even mean to suggest you can make him smile,

but you can give him a chance for an education,

experimental treatment, you can give him hope.

Schuyler: And you can reaffirm in his mind

and the minds of many others

that it is wrong for a corporation

to so willingly dismiss safety in the name of profit.

I've noticed

many of you find it difficult...

to look at this boy's face.

Well, painful as it is,

I want you to take a good long hard look

at Kevin right now.

And then perhaps...

when you go back into that room,

you can do something to make sure

the defendant thinks twice before he does this

to the next innocent little child.

Every expert who took that stand

expressly stated that my client's fabric was safe.

That it complied with government regulations...

and that every brand of pajamas known to mankind

would likely catch on fire if you lit them

after dousing them with lighter fluid.

There is no evidence whatsoever

to suggest that this fabric is unsafe.

This accident had nothing to do with my client's product

and everyone of you knows it.

Nobody is asking me not to cry for him.

Nobody is saying that this is not a terrible,

terrible tragedy.

But you can't punish my client when it wasn't his fault.

You know, you-- you took on an obligation

when you walked in here

and became a member of the jury...

to be impartial...

to be objective and to return a verdict

which was supported by the facts.

It's okay to feel compassion.

I just ask of you...

that you not be blinded by it.

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chatter]

Wendell.

Michael?

Uh, can I buy you a cup of coffee?

I have a hot meeting with Ms. Kelsey.

- I'll find you after. - Oh, how is that going?

Oh, interesting situation.

But have you got an interesting solution?

Basically, you're dead in the water.

Great.

Let me pose a question in the best of our worlds,

what do you want to accomplish? The doctor goes to prison.

- The patient goes free, right? - Asked and answered.

Question number two, in the real world

would you settle for the patient goes free

and the doctor is publicly exposed?

Can we do that?

- Yep. - How?

You let me blow the whistle on him.

You can't.

Our conversations didn't breach my client's privilege,

they just extended it.

You're missing the beauty here.

What I propose to do

is breached our attorney-client privilege.

That's just as unethical.

Ah, but here's the difference.

If you breach privilege then you're subject

to severe disciplinary action warrant.

Can sue you and your firm for every dime you have,

where as, knowing your appreciation of irony,

try this one on.

I am terminal...

ergo invincible.

Oh...

If I were willing to disregard the ethics of the law,

I would do it myself.

The last thing I want is for you to do it on my behalf.

I trust you will honor that.

I can't convince you?

No.

No.

Then I'm sorry, I wasn't able to help.

[door shuts]

- It's a go on your retardo. - Excuse me?

Brackman: You're Mrs. Stulwicz,

the partnership okayed it on a trial basis.

Great.

[telephone ringing]

You see that, he didn't even acknowledge my existence.

Sorry, I know I'm being paranoid again.

You have to relax, you're gonna make yourself crazy.

That's easy for you.

Your whole life isn't hanging in the balance.

You're right, I'm being extreme,

everybody loves me and I have a blazing future.

I know, I'm being a jerk.

It's just letting down Markowitz on the Spenko things,

sweating out the bar results which I had to do out this week,

plus, I had to have dinner again at the compound.

- The compound, you mean-- - Yeah, I really hate the place.

My whole family lives there, aunts, uncles everybody.

And they made it very clear that if I don't pass this time,

I have to go to the family business.

- Can't you just tell them no. - Are you kidding?

Do you have any idea what happens

when someone says no to my father?

You are terrified about this, aren't you?

How about I can end up dead or worse?

I'm making myself sick.

I'm gonna go call the bar association again.

[telephone ringing]

- Excuse me. - Sorry.

- Ann, I've got to talk to you. - What's up?

I know, this is gonna sound crazy,

but Tony Gianelli is in the mafia.

- What? - I'm not kidding.

If he flunks the bar, he's gonna have to go back

and be the head of this whole mob family.

He told you that?

I know, it's unbelievable.

Look, he's Italian.

They live in a big compound.

He keeps talking about how people in his family die.

- He really told you this. - Yes.

And you don't think, maybe he was just

making it all up to sound exotic?

Why would he do that?

Maybe because he's got a crush on you.

- No. No. - Yes.

What if he makes you an offer, you can't refuse.

Great. I'm gonna end up sleeping with the fishes.

[Kelsey laughs]

Madam foreperson, is this the verdict of the jury?

It is, Your Honor.

[exhales]

Judge Vance: Let's see.

On counts one and two of the complaint,

we the jury find in favor of the plaintiff

and order the defendant to pay compensation

to the plaintiff in the amount of $4.5 million.

[indistinct chattering]

Your Honor, the defense moves for a judgment

for the defendant not withstanding the verdict

and then the alternative of a new trial.

I'll take it under advisement.

Court is adjourned. I'll see counsel in chambers.

You better want briefs on this, but I must say Mr. Schuyler,

I'm extremely inclined to grant the defendant's motion.

You must be joking.

Oh, I see enough facts here to support liability.

I don't think, it's a reasonable verdict.

Schuyler: The jury heard all the evidence,

you can't throw out the verdict just because you don't like it.

Or is it me you don't like?

Truth is, I should have granted the directed verdict,

but I was hoping the jury will let me off the hook

and comeback with the right result,

since they didn't, I have to act.

This is despicable.

It's a gross abuse of

discretion and I completely--

Spare me, counselor!

Every ounce of discretion cut in your favor.

Well, how can you do it to that boy?

- It's offensive. - I have a responsibility here.

Just because I'm a dwarf you think you--

Now you listen to me!

You should have settled this case, instead

you chose to roll the dice with an untenable claim

and the only thing that's offensive around here

is your indifference to your client's interests.

I want this attack on-the-record.

I'll put it on the record.

Twelve juries saw it the same way. You chose--

Because you cloak the facts

in a blanket of self-serving sympathy and pity,

but the evidence stands naked in here, Mr. Schuyler,

and strip right down you've got no case.

Briefs due in ten days.

Get out.

We have no idea what we're doing, we're in the boat,

we're trolling in the boat, we're going like

60 miles an hour in the boat, you know.

Man on TV: Do you understand what I'm saying?

We're going way too fast.

I look back, I look back,

the worm is water skiing, alright.

The worm is one hook...

I'll bet, I can be more entertaining than that.

I-- I was right in the middle of his monologue.

Is-- is that my shirt?

I wanted to wear something that smelled like you.

Well, it was a clean shirt, it didn't smell like anything.

Now it smells like me.

I was gonna wear that tomorrow with my chalk stripe.

Then I'll take it off.

Forget it.

[sighs]

It's-- it's ruined now.

Arnie, why are you making this into such a big deal?

I would appreciate it,

if you show little more respect for my things.

It's one stupid shirt for God sake.

No, it's not one stupid shirt.

[scoffs] Do you know that every time you put your feet up

on the dashboard of my Porsche, totally scuffed the leather.

Each time you jump into the hot tub, with your moisturizer,

you-- you leave a scummy film on the tile.

Not to mention, how you continually

slammed the front door and rattle the stain glass

which just happens to be imported from Italy.

What exactly is the point of all this?

The point is, if you cared about me,

you show a little more concern for my feelings.

Your feelings? We're talking about a bunch of stuff.

A bunch of material stuff.

Stuff that I have worked very hard for,

which happens to mean a lot to me.

But you're born with a silver spoon in your mouth,

obviously have no appreciation for.

- Oh, please. - Oh, that's it.

That's it, go ahead and make fun of my feelings.

You know, you have been talking like this ever since I started

talking about marriage and commitments.

That has nothing to do with this.

Like hell you've been making a list against me ever since.

Just looking for the escape hatch, admit it.

You really don't understand me at all, do you?

The only thing I've ever been looking for

is someone to love me and to respect my feelings.

Oh, God! I mean, I had really hoped with all of my heart

that that person would be you.

You are so full of it, Arnie.

I just can't believe I didn't see it coming.

Here.

I hope you can get the smell out.

Nina, come on.

I've expressed myself and you've expressed yourself.

There's plenty of time to assess the damages... tomorrow.

Nina.

What...

Nina, come on, what are you doing?

Oh, come on.

The night doesn't have to be over just because of this.

No, just the relationship.

And I'll try not to rattle the stained glass this time.

[glass shattering]

[knocking on door]

[door opens]

Paper.

Thanks, I've already seen it.

Psychiatrist arrested in torture slaying of patient

to confess her to be released.

Nice work, Wendell, you must have called in a lot of favors.

A few.

You did exactly what

I asked you not to do.

What you expressly

told me you would not do.

I didn't do it easily.

Oh, good.

You violate both my privilege as a client

and my trust as a human being.

I'm glad you had a few doubts along the way.

You've done nothing improper,

the exposure here is all my own.

Kelsey: Assuming that's true,

it does not alter the fact that what you did

reflects on me both personally and professionally

and I feel betrayed.

You had an obligation if you were gonna

fight my battles to abide by my principles.

You are rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

Wendell: A killer is found out and an innocent man goes free.

Isn't that what you wanted?

And isn't that really more significant

than the violation of an attorney's

ethical code of conduct.

Oh, please, Wendell, not the ends justify the means.

After two bypasses you stop being quite so tired

to the comings and goings of this earth.

The rules men make up to govern their conduct

toward one another seem less and less important

in the scheme of things.

I looked at this situation which you presented me

and I felt it cry it out to be corrected.

And I also felt that there was a better ending possible

than the one required by a strict reading of the law

and so I am leaving it better than I found it.

Am I not?

Arnie, Leland's been looking for you.

Never mind that.

I need you to call my travel agent

book me on the 705 to Kona.

You got a couple of aspirins.

You're going to Hawaii with

Christine Emmer Reilly, aren't you?

As a matter of fact, yes I am.

So what happened to Nina, the great love of your life?

Look, if you don't mind, it's just a little too painful

to talk about right now, okay, Roxanne.

You're two days ahead of schedule, you know,

before the big blow up,

usually it takes at least a week.

Becker: Thank you very much for all of your

emotional support, Roxanne.

My life just happens to be in shambles

and you just have to get the last word in, don't you?

Some shambles.

A celebrity tennis tournament in Hawaii.

Okay, alright, you wanna know what happened?

She broke my heart, Roxanne.

It's a fact, there's nothing I can do about it.

The only thing I can do is determine

how I'm gonna react to that fact in the way I see it

I can either lie here like a victim and I can feel sorry

for myself or I can do

whatever it takes to try and get over the pain.

Right.

Roxanne, just call

the travel agent.

Thank you.

- Roxanne. - Bye.

I'd like you to meet Benny Stulwicz.

Benny is gonna be our new messenger.

Nice to meet you, Benny.

Nice to meet you.

Look, Abby.

- It's a midget. - Benny.

I'm-- I'm sorry.

What's your name?

Benny Stulwicz.

Hi, Benny. I'm Hamilton Schuyler.

Nice to meet you.

I work here.

Oh, well, you're very lucky.

This is a nice place.

I know.

- Bye, Benny. - Bye.

Sifuentes: This is a surprise.

Yeah.

You said your client was genuinely interested

in helping Kevin.

I was wondering whether the offer for the trust fund

might still be open.

I can check.

And personally I think if we had another try,

I'd still win.

But I can't justify putting the boy

through that ordeal again.

I'll try to give an answer for you by the end of the day.

Hm. Thanks.

But either way here,

perhaps we could have dinner tonight

and you can let me know then,

if you got no other plans.

No, I don't, uh...

dinner sounds good.

Ah, fine. Well...

how about if I swing by here

around 7:00 tonight and... you can pick the spot.

[chuckles] Great.

See you at 7:00 then.

[telephone ringing]

Woman: I appreciate it. Thanks a lot.

Tony.

Hi.

I just heard. I'm so sorry.

Three years of law school, lot of stupid fantasies.

All gone, poof.

Look, maybe if you talk to them, you can get them to let you stay

on as a clerk, until you can take it again.

So I could flunk a third time. Abby, whom am I kidding.

I never had it in me to be a lawyer.

Mr. Markowitz carried me the whole time I was here

and still it was one screw up after another.

- What you gonna do? - Go in and quit.

Save him the trouble of having to fire me.

No, I...

I mean with your life.

Tony, you're too smart a guy,

you don't have to capitulate to them.

Now maybe you're not cut out to be a lawyer

but you are not a Mafioso either.

What?

Look, I know what business

your family is in.

The mafia?

I swear, I won't say a word.

Come here.

Come here.

The flying Gianellis.

[sighs]

That's my Uncle Baldo.

He set the world's distance record

being shot from a cannon in the 1936 world's fair.

That's my grandfather Fabrio.

They used to call him the man on the moon.

Five generations of flying Gianellis.

Now, it's gonna be six.

A cannon.

They want to shoot you out of a cannon.

Gianelli: I'm the only one left who's not in a wheelchair.

[Abby chuckles]

No, I'll stop.

[telephone ringing]

Roxanne?

Roxanne, what are you doing here?

I-- I thought you were going to the travel agent.

- I sent Benny. - What?

Arnie, I've got a million things to do here.

You sent a moron?

- Arnie. - What about my shirts?

What-- what about my drug store stuff?

I cannot believe that you would try

and sabotage my weekend.

Here I am.

Let me see those.

- Where's the sun block? - In the bag.

[crumples]

Number six.

Good work.

I kept your change separate.

Benny Stulwicz.

You and I are going to get along just fine.

[knocking on door]

Come in.

- Hi. - You got a minute?

What's wrong?

I-- I know you've been troubled,

that's why I hadn't bring up this issue before.

What issue?

If I have a problem with Douglas Brackman,

I'll solve it myself and-- and I'll do it my own way.

Stuart, I was angry with him.

It's a natural instinct to stick up for someone you love.

Yeah, but the result was you embarrassed me, Ann.

You belittled me.

I think his exact quote was,

don't send your girlfriend to fight your battles.

I'm sorry. It won't happen again.

Thank you.

Warren case still weighing you down?

The truth is I'm sitting here now secretly relieved.

- So this is good then. - I wish it were that easy.

If it were right thing to have done,

I would have done it myself.

I would have been willing to take the risk.

- Can I make a suggestion? - Sure.

Let's say, we drive to Dan Tana's, you get the carbonara,

I get the lasagna, and we crack a really good bottle of borella.

Now all the while, of course, we will be tossing around

the various philosophical and ethical questions of the day.

Afterwards we get back in car,

stop by the video rental store,

checkout your basic dirty movie, drive home,

put it in the VCR and see what pops out.

Ann, Peter Warren's here.

Do you want me tell him you're gone for the day?

Hell, no.

Markowitz: Ann, he's an axe murderer.

What you've done is really massively self-destructive,

I think you should know that.

Will you be billing me for that?

Preliminary hearing is already been scheduled.

My embarrassment aside we both know

all charges against me will be dropped at that time.

And I'll then have the additional satisfaction

of suing you and this entire firm for violation of privilege.

You want to sue me? Let's go.

I'm dying to take you on in court.

You're a murderer and we both know it,

and the jury is gonna know it.

And if you have the stones to sue me,

this is where you serve the papers.

Be careful what you wish for, lady.

Is that a threat, doctor?

I'm merely suggesting you think about what you're saying.

Kelsey: You better pray that poor Elliot Robb,

doesn't figure out what you did to him

because when he does he will turn on you

and then the DA's office is really gonna be

breathing down your neck.

Think about that, doctor.

[indistinct chatter]

[door slams shut]

[chuckles] Mighty mouse, superfly, I've heard them all.

Last year I had a trial in Boston

and opposing council called me the pit-bull.

- Why? - Well, I bit him.

[chuckles]

Just a little nib.

- Oh, let me share that. - No, no.

- No, really. - This is, not really.

Thanks.

I must say this is the best wine I've ever tasted.

Well, Victor, I believe there are certain pleasures in life

you cannot go with out and a

good French Bordeaux is one of them.

Well, it has been quite an experience, Schuyler.

Me too. I'm not used to losing.

Well, you didn't.

And not as far as the jury is concerned.

One on one, you beat me hands down.

It's a generous submission.

Look for whatever it's worth, gimmicks aside...

it was a real treat to watch you work.

[laughs]

Standing on the trial bag, do you always do that?

[chuckles] You should be glad I didn't fool off at that really.

[laughs]

You know, I just like to say,

I appreciate what you did for me

the other day in the toilet where those

punks in the bathroom and with your client.

Hey, he wanted to do something for Kevin all along.

I think we all did.

I don't know, sometimes I think you get

so caught up in winning the case

that you lose sight of your client's real interest.

Yeah.

Well, I've got an early plane to catch.

Can I give you a ride back to the hotel?

No, thanks I'll walk. The air will do me good.

- Keys, sir. - I'm a solitary man, Victor.

I'd rather be disliked than pitied.

Hamilton: Consequently I don't have many friends.

I'd like us to be friends.

It would be my great pleasure, sir.

You're hell of a lawyer, Sifuentes.

If you were little short, you would be a real

threat to my practice.

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