Original subtitles

Anderson: Look, it's all right here

in black and white, Your Honor.

We split the we split the cost

of the espresso maker, which she

took with her, here is the bill.

Anderson: Half of which comes to $64.30.

Add to that what I paid for the last case

of B.V. Private Reserve 1980

which was $248.40.

Her total indebtedness to me $312.70.

Your Honor, my ex significant other

conveniently fails to take into account

that I regularly pay the phone bills

including phone rental and monthly surcharge.

I have here records of all 11 months, and the phone calls

I made are indicated by initials.

Anderson: That was part of our agreement!

Here is my bottom line, Your Honor, he owes me

$374 inclusive of finance charges.

Finance charges?!

Judge Brackman: Enough! Both of you.

I must confess that I'm thoroughly disheartened

by testimony from both litigants.

People, you shared a life together

and here you come into this courtroom

bickering over phone taxes

and who paid the wine bill.

Where are your enduring values?

Trust, forgiveness, mutual support...

What is happening to our society

when young people are so blasé

about commitment and marriage?

If the relationship works, great, if it doesn't

no problem just settle up the phone bill

and no one's poorer.

Well, let me tell you, we're all the poorer.

Marriage and family life is the bedrock

upon which our civilization stands.

[inhales deeply]

Well, you didn't come to hear a sermon.

I'm going to delay this decision for 10 days

in the hopes that you will work out

a more dignified and honorable parting on your own.

[Gavel bangs] We'll take a short recess.

[all murmuring]

[door shuts]

[humming]

[door shuts]

[knock on door]

Enter.

I just wanted to tell you that I was

incredibly moved by what you just said.

[cryingly] Oh, Douglas, it's so sad.

What is?

The things that I love about you are the same things

that make our relationship so wrong.

What are you talking about?

The things you said about commitment

and marriage being the bedrock of civilization...

- For better or for worse. - That's true.

But this, is a different situation.

I couldn't live with myself, if I thought

I was wrecking your marriage.

You're not. I swear.

You mean it?

The smell of your perfume

rockets me into orbit.

[breathes heavily] Oh, God!

Lock the door.

[door lock clicks]

Take off your shirt.

Douglas?

I want to fondle your hooters.

[intro theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[theme music]

Moving along, Claflin versus Safari National. Michael?

Michael: Trial starts tomorrow. - What are our chances?

You know, I've been thinking that maybe it would it be better

to have Leland try this case.

- Me? - What?

Michael: What we have is an age discrimination case

with a senior citizen client, who was fired

because of his date of birth.

So what?

Michael: So what better way to show a jury, the 60 year olds

don't have to be put out to pastor then to have them see

Leland's trying his stuff.

That's great.

Michael: And plus the fact, the client loves the idea.

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

When's the last time you actually

tried a case, no offense?

Well, it was back when you had hair, and no offense.

[all chuckling]

[laughing]

[gavel banging]

Ah, it's a very simple trail.

We'll over the facts, you'll be ready tomorrow.

- Do it, Leland. - Go for it, Leland.

Now, now, Michael and I, will discuss this later.

Move on, Douglas.

Turning to the O'Halloran divorce.

I'm deposing our client's husband this afternoon.

Why is this matter being handled by our first year associate?

Arnie: It's just a few questions

on the disposition of property, Douglas...

Should take less than an hour.

Actually, I was thinking of stringing this out a little.

The guy gets frazzled pretty easily

and the long deposition might wear him down.

Leland: Well, I wouldn't, Johnathan.

We found that those types of antics can alienate you

among the legal community, probably

best to just stay away from them.

- But I really think that-- - No!

Douglas: Rohner vs Gradinger.

Abby: Discovery is complete.

And I'm pushing for an accelerated trail there

to try and steer up some action.

What are you doing with this case?

I gave it to her and she is doing great.

Douglas: People, why are all our starters on the bench?

Abby: She can do it, Douglas. Douglas: Fine.

And when she looses, you can let Benny handle the appeal.

Douglas, really that's uncalled for.

Ann: Douglas, I can't believe you.

[gavel cracks/thuds]

Oooh, you broke it.

- I guess we're adjourned. - Ah, may I?

Leland: Michael. Michael: Can I talk to you?

Ann: It'll have to be later.

Arnie: Jonathan, come here, man.

Arnie: Ah, thanks. Jonathan...

Alright.

It's like riding a bicycle.

I'm not so sure.

I haven't tried a case in seven years.

Leland, I've never seen anyone who could stand up

and inspire trust in jury the way you can.

Ah, but it was a long time ago.

You know how hard it is to win an aged discrimination case?

Which is exactly why we need you.

And you can fire someone for almost anything.

Performance, personality clash.

God, all the dependent has to say

is that he doesn't like them.

[door shuts]

[sighs]

Leland, what is it?

Come here.

What's that?

Hearing aids.

[hearing aids rattle on table]

Which I'm supposed to be wearing only I'm too vain.

[sighs]

Michael, it's a chance I won't even hear everything

that happens in there.

Well, maybe you should just wear them.

They make me feel old.

If I get beat up in court, I'll know I'm old.

I don't think I can do it.

Oh, well, that's a hell of a message,

the old guy can't cut it,

so they send in the young legs.

It's not the age.

It's just the symptoms.

[sighs]

Maybe you should take the file back.

Leland...

Stick it in your ear.

[door opens]

[door shuts]

[groans]

And I note, sir, your financial statement was prepared

by the accounting firm of Colby & Bowdoin.

Could you tell us what occasioned you to select them?

- Yeah, I was going to-- - Wait a minute!

You've spent an hour on obsolete bank records,

and now you ask him why he chose this accounting firm?

What possible--

I'm sure you'll see the relevancy

in a second, Council.

Jonathan: Why did you pick that firm, Mr. O'Halloran?

Well, they were recommended to me.

I heard they did good work.

But having been audited to the year prior

on McGlauflin & Gilmore, wouldn't they have been

a more expedient choice?

I wanted Colby & Bowdoin.

Perhaps based on the fact that McGlauflin & Gilmore

refused to discount the value of the contents

contained in the residents at 927, North Palm,

the value of said contents being directly

an issue in this divorce proceeding?

No, that had nothing to do with it.

Really, alright, then, directing your attention to the items

labelled "household assets,"

I'd ask you to go through them with me.

Page one, item one.

You're going to go through that whole book?

We'll be here a week.

We seek the complete truth, sir,

the accomplishment of which can only be ascertained

by conscientious and exhaustive effort.

Page one, item one. The brass bookends.

Valued according to this at $75 the pair.

Oh! For God's sake.

[woman chuckles]

[knocking on door]

[door opens]

Stuart: You got a minute? - Sure.

I, uh, brought you a little piece offering.

[door shuts]

Strasberg goose pate with truffles.

[plastic wrap crackling]

Oh, it's beautiful, Stuart.

Though we might have a little romantic tonight.

I can't. I have a women's bar association meeting tonight.

No problem.

Just, uh, hold dinner till you get home.

Oh, I don't know how late I'll be.

And besides, it's got so much cholesterol.

Ann: Why don't you have it, Stuart?

Look, Ann, I was wrong, okay.

I was wrong.

Stuart: I was testing your love

because I was too insecure to accept the fact

that you could love me just for me.

Finally, I understand that

I just have to risk everything, you know,

to fly without a net

and I'm prepared to do it, Ann.

- I love you. - I love you too, Stuart.

Why don't we sleep together?

It's been like over a week.

I've been tired, Stuart, that's all.

Oh! Tired. Yeah, I see.

Yeah, and I've got a lot of work to do.

So I promise we'll talk about it when we get home.

- Okay? - Great.

[door opens]

[door slams]

[office telephone ringing]

Here. Try some of this instead.

This is beautiful. What is it?

Strasberg goose pate with truffles.

No, keep it. Keep it.

Make sandwiches for Eric with it.

Stick it in his lunch box with his twinkies

and his chocolate milk.

Too high in cholesterol, but five year olds basically

aren't conflicted about stuff like that anyway.

[office telephone ringing]

woman in background: I've got everything I need.

Grace: Forget it, Scott.

This is your third continuance

and if your client has not paid your fee yet,

that is seriously not my problem.

Bye.

Excuse me.

- Ms. Van Owen? Grace: Yeah.

They said I should see you about this.

Oh, great, the prelim's not till tomorrow,

but that's okay, as long as you're here, Mrs. Sweet,

I've been wanting to go over your testimony anyway.

Yeah. But that's just it.

I'm not going to be able to do it.

Mrs. Sweet, I'm not sure you understand.

This is a subpoena, an order from the court

that you have to come and testify.

Oh, I changed my mind.

Well, you can't really do that.

I've got your statement to the police

that you saw Maurice Crimmins

gun down Tonya Drummonds and...

And if you were to try and go back on that statement now,

I would have to do my job and ask the judge

to hold you in contempt of court.

So what are you telling me? Jail?

Try and understand my position, Mrs. Sweet.

An innocent six-year-old has been murdered.

And if you don't testify, I can't prove my case.

Yes, but if I do testify,

I'd be just as dead as that little girl.

Has someone in Crimmin's gang threatened you?

They don't have to. You live in Watt's, you just know!

Things you have no idea about.

Can I buy you a cup of coffee, Mrs. Sweet?

[cop car siren blaring in distance]

man on call: Well, anything we can do, let us know.

What you said before, Mrs. Sweet, that there are things

that I don't know or understand. Actually I do.

I was shot by a gang member

and I remember what my first reaction was.

I was going to get as far away from here as I could,

get a job and a house on the West side

and just pretend another world didn't exist.

But I didn't.

I couldn't.

Because I care about the Tonya Drummonds of this world.

And so do you.

You tried to save that little girl's life after the shooting.

You, you helped the police arrest her killer.

You're not the kind of woman who can just walk away.

I have a son, Ms. Van Owen.

And thank God he is not like those other boys.

So far, he stayed away

from the drugs and the gangs.

Last year, he brought home four A's and a B.

His counselor said that he can get him a scholarship.

But if I take that witness stand,

that gang is going to come after me

and worse yet my boy.

We have a witness protection program, Mrs. Sweet.

We can move you and your son to a new place,

a safer place, away from the gangs

and the drugs and the violence.

Where is that? Disneyland?

I've seen too much to believe in fairy tales, Ms. Van Owen.

Okay. No fairy tales.

This is a hard thing I'm asking you to do,

but you are a very brave woman.

That is why you did the right thing before

and that is why you are going to do it

tomorrow in that courtroom.

And in the meantime,

you are going to have to trust me

that I can protect you and your son.

And if I don't, you're going to put me in jail.

I wouldn't have any other choice.

Really, Mrs. Sweet, it's going to be okay.

[indistinct chatters in the background]

I promise.

[pleasant music]

And the active wear line was your concept, was it not?

It was and then they decided my division should be run

by a younger person, more commensurate

with the image of the clothing.

Your Honor, please. Council is leading the witness.

The responses are conclusory,

self-serving, this is very upsetting.

I'm sorry, Your Honor.

I'll try to evoke more enjoyable answers.

[all chuckling]

- Side bar, Your Honor. - Yes.

[woman in audience coughs]

I know it's been years since he has been in court,

but that doesn't excuse him

from the evidentiary rules currently in effect

which were adopted I believe in the 1950s.

[hearing aid beeps]

You are out of line.

Lewis: We all know why he is here, Judge.

To show the jury that senior citizens

can still dress up and lead

productive lives, but that's not--

If Mr. McKenzie deviates

from any proper court room procedures,

I'll rule on it, councilor.

Judge McManama: So far he's not done so.

Now step back.

Continue.

Leland: And could you state for the record,

your salary at the time of your termination?

William: I was making $152,500 year.

And did you attempt to find other employment

after the discharge?

I still try, every single day.

Nobody is breaking down the door to hire

a 64 year old who just got fired.

Thank you, Mr. Claflin.

Your witness.

Mr. Claflin, when Safari National

made the decision to franchise two years ago,

this meant more work for you, didn't it?

William: I made the decision to franchise.

It was my idea to open up the outlets and--

But, the point is, they gave you more

job responsibilities, didn't they?

They didn't give me anything.

I created the position and revised its functions.

Move to strike, non-responsive.

It's directly responsive.

You are implying I couldn't live up to the job requirements

when it was province to define those requirements.

Your Honor, please instruct the witness

he has a lawyer to help argue the evidentiary matters.

Your Honor, please instruct council,

I'd never offer help to those who don't need it.

Lewis: I object, I object.

I absolutely object.

Grace: This damn bureaucracy drives crazy!

I promised this woman, detective.

Don't detective me, Grace.

What am I supposed to do?

I've been on the phone all morning long.

I keep running into the same damned wall.

Without proof of a direct threat

we cannot get her immediate relocation.

That is the lamest. Most moronic...

That whole community is so intimidated by the gangs,

their mere presence constitutes a direct threat.

God, Milton, how am I supposed

to force this woman to testify,

if I have no way of protecting her?

Okay.

I'll get her to the courthouse.

I'll take her home.

I'll sit with her in the courthouse

and I will protect and patrol her home

as best as I can.

I thought you said you were going away vacation.

Looks like I lied.

[sighs]

I owe you.

Hi.

[office telephone ringing]

Where were you last night? I didn't hear you come in.

After the meeting a bunch us went out.

Carol Folgate split up with her husband.

- You kidding! - Mmm-hmm.

So we commiserated over a couple bowls of peanuts

and too much cheap wine.

I didn't get in until after 2 a.m.,

so I didn't want to wake you. I slept in the guest room.

Uh-huh.

Well, here is four ounces of Beluga triple "O"

and a bottle of pink Dom Perignon.

I thought we'd jump into bed, have a little snacks,

and see what develops.

Oh, Stuart, that is so sweet.

And normally I'd love it.

But I'm a little hung over, and I'm holding water

from all the salt in the peanuts.

There is so much sodium in the caviar.

I think I better just stick with celery

and mineral water today.

[office telephone ringing]

[door shuts]

Victor!

- Hi, Stuart. - Hi. You like caviar?

Oh! I love it.

How about expensive champagne?

Well, if you twist my arm.

Now you wouldn't by any chance

have a hot date tonight, would you?

As a matter of fact, Stuart, yes I do.

Yeah, well, watch this.

[plastic wrap crackling]

[light laugh]

Have yourself a party. Maybe you'll get lucky.

[office telephone ringing]

Grace: Mrs. Sweet, what is your occupation?

I'm a licensed vocational nurse

at Martin Luther King Hospital .

Drawing your attention to September 18th, 1987,

did anything unusual occur as you were

returning home from work?

Nonnie: I just got off the bus

and I was on my way home

when I saw this blue car turn the corner

and it stopped near the grammar school.

How many people were in that car?

Nonnie: Three or four.

Grace: Do you recognize any of

them in this court room today?

Him. He had the gun.

Let the record reflect that the witness has indicated

the defendant Maurice Crimmins.

Lying bitch.

Bailiff, remove that individual.

Judge Collins: Now the next person who speaks out of line

in this court room will be held in contempt.

Do you all understand that back there?

[woman in audience coughs]

[chair creaks]

Proceed.

What happened after the car slowed down?

He stuck the shotgun through the window.

Nonnie: He yelled the name of his gang,

then he started shooting at these boys

who were standing in front of this fence.

And the boys started running.

I don't think he hit any of them.

He drove off, so I just wanted to go home.

[man in audience clears throat]

But then I heard a crying.

- Who was that? Nonnie: A little girl!

Tonya Drummonds.

She was on the playground behind the fence.

The bullets must of have gone through the chain link...

And hit her instead of them.

Grace: So what did you do?

I yelled to somebody to call an ambulance.

Then I tried to help her.

Nonnie: I tried to stop the bleeding.

I tried to get her breathing.

[crying]

When the police came she was gone.

What did you tell the police when they arrived?

[crying]

I told them Maurice Crimmins shot her!

Grace: Now you knew him by name.

He was the only one I did know.

His mother and his sisters used to live next door to me.

Thank you, Mrs. Sweet.

I have nothing further at this time.

As the, uh, the hour is late,

we will recess until 10 A.M. tomorrow morning

at which time, Mr. Muhlenberg , you may begin

your cross examination.

[gavel bangs]

Bailiff: This court is in recess

until 10 o'clock tomorrow morning.

[chains clanking]

[indistinct chattering]

You were great. Thank you.

My home phone number is written on the back.

If you need anything, I want you to call.

I'll take you home now and pick you up in the morning, okay?

And for the time being, you shouldn't have to leave

your apartment for anything except to come to court.

I'll make arrangements to have your shopping

and whatever else you need done for you.

I don't like having people to do things for me.

I am used to doing for myself.

We're still working on relocating you.

It's taking a lot of kicking and screaming,

and it may not even happen before the prelim is over.

But by the time of trial, I promise.

The soon, the better.

[lift opens]

The sooner, the better.

Thanks, Nonnie.

Hey, man, hold the door.

Page 37, item 206.

The Royal Copenhagen Christmas dishes.

I have no idea.

Jonathan: More than $20? - Yeah, I suppose.

- More than $50? - No way, $30 tops.

So when you stated on the record just now

that you had no idea that was a lie, wasn't it?

Mr. Rollins, I really must object to this protracted--

Well, whoopee.

This little snort grills me for two straight days

and you finally get around to objecting. Thank you.

Kilburn: Can we go off the record?

No, on the record. Item 207, The Easter plates.

Oh, damn it.

Jonathan: I note for the record that attorney Kilburn

is trying to disrupt the orderly flow of this--

Kilburn: You wanna see disruption?

I'll show you disruption.

Let the record reflect that attorney Kilburn

has risen, manifesting violent propensities--

Excuse me, Mr. Rollins,

could I see you a minute?

You know what this kid's doing?

Pardon us for a second.

[office telephone ringing]

It was my understanding that this deposition

should have taken an hour at most.

I'm wearing them down, sir.

- He is about to give up. I-- - No!

What if other firms did this to us?

Tying up Michael Kuzak or Arnold Becker

for two full days? Do you have any idea

how much that would cost us or the client?

I'm mindful of your job to look at the big picture

of running a law firm, sir, but my job is to take each case

one at a time and try to win,

which is what I'm going to do with this case.

What you are going to do is compromise

the integrity of this firm.

It violates every norm of professional courtesy.

Our client is not paying for professional courtesy.

She wants a satisfactory settlement which is--

Don't push us, young man.

The partners are very upset,

including Leland McKenzie.

Now wrap this thing up immediately.

[office telephone ringing]

Yes, sir.

[indistinct chatters in the background]

[Kilburn clears throat] Sorry for the disturbance.

Ah. Now, Mr. O'Halloran, we're turning out attention

to the Danish seasonal dishes, specifically the Easter series,

that's page 37, item 207.

And this is the news.

Jim: So then, we get a message from the foreman,

one of the jurors refusing to deliberate

until he knows the defendant's astrological side.

Grace: Oh, you're kidding.

Judge already dismissed the alternates.

I say, "Judge, it's open and shut,

a drug sale to an undercover cop.

Can't we just excuse this guy and proceed with 11?"

No sale. Miss trial.

We have to start all over again.

Mickey!

Mickey, you know Jim Alling?

- Hi. - How you doing?

Sit in. I got to head home anyway.

See you tomorrow, Jim.

[news running in the background]

You know, I called you a couple of times.

I've been so underwater with this murder prelim.

I'm sorry.

You know, I can hardly hear myself think in here.

You want to go someplace quiet?

Mickey. I'm so beat.

Besides, I just ordered a hamburger.

- Cancel it. - Cancel it?

Grace, you were right.

Look, we have a lot to talk about.

I know and it's not that I don't want to,

it's just that now is not a good time.

Well, what do I have to do? Make an appointment?

Newscaster on TV: The trial of Maurice Crimmins

accused in the drive-by shooting

that claimed the life of six-year-old

Tonya Drummonds took a dramatic turn tonight...

Billy, turn that up.

Jean Kasabian is live with more on this tragic story.

Jerry, the friend and neighbors of Nonnie Sweet

are grieving tonight over her brutal murder.

Newscaster Jean: Investigators told me she was gunned down

a short time ago in the entrance way of her home

here in Watt's.

Police are now looking for any

possible witnesses to that shooting.

Earlier today, Sweet had testified

at the preliminary hearing of Maurice Crimmins.

The gang member charged with the murder

of little Tonya Drummonds, a crime that shocked

and saddened this neighborhood.

Newscaster on TV: Thank you, Jean.

I got to go. I'll call you.

[dramatic music]

[indistinct chattering]

[siren wailing]

[helicopter whirring]

Excuse me, ma'am, we'd like to talk to Julius Sweet.

That's me.

Julius, I'm Grace Van Owen

from the District Attorney's office

and this is Detective Labine.

Julius.

We want you to know how deeply we regret your mother's death.

I hear Maurice Crimmins is going to get out of jail tomorrow.

Julius: How can that be?

[helicopter whirring continues]

Because your mother...

Because your mother was killed before his lawyer

could cross-examine her, the judge is going to have

to dismiss the case.

Labine: We're going to get your

mother's killer, son, count on us.

Someone is going to get her killer, son,

but it ain't going to be you.

Yeah, well, give me a chance to prove you wrong. Okay?

Julius: How're you going to do that?

I mean who's going to testify?

Everybody in this neighborhood knows who killed Nonnie Sweet!

Everybody in this neighborhood knows what

happens when you open your mouth!

And everybody knows you got no power to change it.

Julius, if I believe that, then I believe there is

no chance here. None at all.

But I don't believe that and neither did your mother.

- That's why she was willing-- Julius: She was not willing!

You made her and then you didn't do a damn thing to protect her.

Now her death is on your hands, lady.

You killed her! Both of you! Now just get off my property!

Labine: Julius.

Now what matter to your mother more than anything else

was that you stay out of the gangs and stay in school

and make something out of yourself.

Now don't dishonor her life by trying to avenge her death.

That'll be very, very stupid, Julius.

Do you hear me? Very stupid.

[helicopter approaching]

[car honking]

Ackerson: It was a, a difficult conclusion,

and, uh, I would never have made the decision to discharge him

if I hadn't been 100% certain it wasn't

in the best interest of the company.

The man simply couldn't do the job.

Lewis: Thank you, Mr. Ackerson.

Nothing further.

Mr. Ackerson, when it came time

to replace my client, you told your head hunter

to look for someone preferably

in his 40s or younger, didn't you?

Yes.

So it's fair to assume if two candidates come in

equally qualified, one 60 years old

and the other 40,

you'd choose the younger man, correct?

But you see that isn't really fair

because regardless of their present abilities,

one is going to have many more years of productivity.

So certainly one of the factors

that I had have to look at is, ah...

Which person is going to develop

and grow and contribute to the company

for the longest period of time.

I see. And which person would that be?

The forty year old.

And did that presumption in favor of youth

impact on your decision to discharge William Claflin?

No, he was fired because sales in his division

weren't up to expectations.

There was potential that he wasn't realizing

and we felt we could do better.

Your Honor, may I approach the witness?

[man in audience coughs]

Do you recognize these annual reviews

regarding the performance of my client for the last four years?

Yes. I wrote them.

"1983, increase sales of 28%, flowing accolades

with recommendation for a raise.

Leland: 1984, sales up 27%,

more praise and another raise.

1985, sales up 31%, more kudos

and still another raise.

1986, sales up 37%, that's the biggest jump yet..."

And he gets fired.

Well, tell me, Mr. Ackerson...

What did Mr. Claflin do or not do in 1986

to cause this sudden change of opinion?

We felt there with more aggressiveness,

more zealous leadership we should have been

generating even higher revenues.

Did you ever tell my client, be

more aggressive, be more zealous?

No.

Did you ever make one single suggestion

that he do anything differently?

No.

Isn't it true, sir, every candidate

that you interviewed to replace my client

was under the age of 45?

Yes, but it doesn't mean--

And isn't true, sir, of the seven executives

you fired in the last two years,

six were over the age of sixty?

But that doesn't mean anything. I--

And isn't it true, sir, with all the annual reviews

you wrote only one made mention of his age

and that's the one that says he should be fired?

That's just a coincidence.

1986 review, Mr. Ackerson,

read the second to the last sentence.

- Your Honor! - Overruled.

Judge McManama: Read the sentence.

"Mr. Claflin is now 63 years old."

Now read the line immediately following that sentence.

This is all taken out of context.

Ah, read it, read it.

[sighs]

"It's my suggestion that Mr. Claflin

be terminated at this time."

Don't you just love a good coincidence.

- Objection. Leland: Withdrawn.

Nothing further.

Want one?

What is it?

Open it.

Oh, Stuart, my favorite.

White lickerish drops.

Oh.

[office telephone ringing]

- Take one. - Kind of early.

Besides, you know me, once I have one, I'll have them all.

I can't stop once I get started.

Good morning, Benny.

This one is for you, Ms. Kelsey.

Thanks. Benny, do you like these?

What are they?

Lickerish.

How come they are not black?

Taste one.

[office telephone ringing]

[chuckles] Good.

[laughs] Here take them all.

Save me from myself.

Geez, thanks, Ms. Kelsey.

[office telephone ringing]

No, thanks.

- Ann. - Yeah?

Are you trying to punish me?

[scoffs] Of course not.

Well, with all due respect, I think

that's exactly what you're doing.

Stuart: You know, you're being just as controlling

and manipulative as you accused me of being.

Stuart, that's just not true.

You won't accept one single gift from me.

You don't want to make love,

you won't even let me hold you.

I call that punishment.

I plead no lo contendre.

- What? - I'm not saying you're right.

But I'll take it under advisement.

Oh, great!

Thank you very much, Kelsey.

[door opens]

Thank you.

[office telephone ringing]

[door shuts]

You wanted to see me, Arnie?

Yeah, Jonathan.

Two things. First of all, Mr. O'Halloran

caved in under the divorce settlement.

That's great.

He said he couldn't take it anymore

and signed a fantastic agreement.

- Our client is ecstatic. - Ah, I knew it.

Second, McKenzie and Brackman aren't ecstatic.

They didn't like your attitude.

They didn't like your tactics.

They want me to reprimand for your behavior.

So...

[office telephone ringing]

Bad boy, Jonathan.

- Bad, bad boy. - Sorry.

Don't let us ever catch you doing anything like this again.

Are we clear?

- Absolutely. - Alright, my man.

[knock on door]

Go away. I said go--

Douglas: Ah, you down there, did you find it?

My bailiff lost her contact lens.

Got it.

[clears throat]

I'll be out of your way now.

State your business.

Dougie, am I sensing a less than cordial reception

for your only brother?

Yes, I have a very full calendar.

What's on your mind?

I've got a live one, Dougie, get this.

I'm at a newsstand on Wilshire, when all of a sudden,

[claps] ba-boom!

An old lady in a Jaguar plows into a crosswalk,

lays this poor guy out flat.

Plus which, now I discover

she has a bit of a drinking history.

Erroll, I have no interest in hearing about

your low rent ambulance chasing.

Erroll: Correction, high rent.

The guy in question happens to be part owner

in the nest of video stores,

all over the South coast which is where you come in.

Hey look, the minute a Tony guy like this

walks into a dump like mine, I'm finished, right?

So I'm thinking how about I tell him

I'm a partner at McKenzie Brackman.

Are you crazy? No!

All I'm asking is a little favor,

which is, let me partake in some of your primo office space,

when no one's using it, where's the harm?

The answer is unequivocally no.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do.

Out of curiosity, does your wife know

you're carrying on with that nearsighted tootsie

you had under your desk just now?

That is a slanderous

and completely false assumption.

Not to worry. We're brothers, remember?

Brothers help each other,

like you're going to help me,

with office space nights and weekends.

I need some letterhead stationary too

while you're at it.

Erroll: Nice seeing you, Dougie.

Your lovely bride, what's her name? Sheila?

What about the three of us putting

a night together some time, huh?

[all chattering]

Hi.

Did you find out how it happened?

About 7 o'clock last night,

she sent a neighborhood kid to the store.

Damn it.

I told her we'd do her shopping.

Well, may be she figured she could

get a quarter milk without us.

Anyway they must have been watching her house.

They beat the kid up, send a trigger man back,

when she opened the door, he killed her.

Will the kid testify to anything?

He says he doesn't know who they were.

That's great.

Crimmins and his gang walk away from both killings

scar free.

Crimmins is dead.

Oh, God. Julius?

[sighs] He is in custody.

Detention hearing's tomorrow morning 10 A.M.

Any witnesses?

Crimmins was shot on a

crowded street in broad day light.

Of course, there is no witness. Except us.

The D.A. expects us to testify to the fact

that Julius expressed his intent.

Well, I guess it wasn't enough for me just to get

his mother killed, might as well ruin his life too, huh?

Come on, Grace.

It just happened to land on your desk.

That's right.

But when it landed, one person was dead.

Now there are three.

There is a, a common belief

that the elderly are people without promise,

without capacity to develop or improve,

without the ability to perform as ably as our youth.

Leland: So entrenched is that mindset that I won't even bother

to take issue with it because I know

if my case comes down to having to prove

that old folks can still cut it as well as young...

I might as well quit and go home right now.

Fortunately, I don't have to do that.

You see there is a law that says

you can't fire someone because of his age,

and the only thing I have to convince

you people of, is that he broke it. That's easy.

Not only is the statistical evidence overwhelming

but he has testified right here in court

that a 40-year-old is per se better than a 60-year-old.

Now his case is so bad, ladies and gentlemen,

one has to wonder, "how did

he think he could get away with it?"

Well, the answer is, employers get away with it all the time.

The worst thing about age discrimination

is that it's so damn forgivable.

You fire someone because of the color of his skin,

and everyone thinks it's repugnant.

You fire someone because he is 60 years old,

because you think he won't grow

or that he has little future

or that he has past his prime

and everyone nods and says, "hmm, make sense."

Ugh!

Now I'm not asking you to look at the defendant

and be morally outraged at what he did.

I'd like you to be, but I'm not asking for that.

I just want you to recognize what he did,

and recognize its illegality and I want you to remember

that the defendant's illegal conduct

served to deny my client over a million dollars in salary.

Not to mention his self-worth

and his very identity.

[woman clears throat]

Now all you have to do is go back to that jury room

and follow the law.

If you do that, you can give back

to my client his pride,

you can give him his self-esteem

but most of all members of the jury,

you can give him the money.

[chuckling]

[William laughs]

Oh! Thank you, Your Honor.

[car rumbling]

[indistinct chattering]

Judge Green: Do you have anything further, Miss Farrow,

to tie the defendant to the crime?

Not at this time, Your Honor.

Well, then based on the insufficiency

of the state's case

the court will grant the defendant's motion

to dismiss charges against Julius Sweet.

Defendant is hereby released from custody.

[indistinct chattering]

If any witnesses come forward, we can always re-file.

- Thanks. - You're right.

[all indistinctly chattering]

So you had to join the gang, huh?

The one thing your mother was afraid of.

- My mother is dead. - And you're killer.

That make you feel good? You're proud of yourself?

- Just get out of my face. - I'm in you're face!

- Detective. - Step off my man.

Just shut, man! Just shut up.

See man, you had something that these dudes don't have.

You had a future. Now you've got nothing.

Now, you're just a punk!

You're just another punk who'll probably

wind up face down in a pool of blood.

Way to be, Julius. Way to be.

Let's go.

We are losing, Van Owen . Our side is losing.

[sighs]

"We, the jury, find in favor of the plaintiff

"and order the defendant to pay damages

in the amount of $1.8 million."

[all chattering]

[laughing]

Judge McManama: The jury is dismissed

with the appreciation of the court.

Congratulations, Leland.

- I don't know how to thank you. - Well, thank you.

Let me make a suggestion.

Let's settle this for $900,000.

But they just gave me almost $2 million,

why the hell should I settle for that?

Because they'll appeal,

tie up the judgment for two years, maybe longer.

You told me you want to start your own business.

if you're really serious about that,

you're going to need the money.

You're not getting any younger, you know.

Yeah, but 900,000?

Well, beats waiting two years for a verdict

that could possibly be trimmed down or maybe overturned.

No.

My advice is take the 900 today

and get on with your life.

Uh, may I see you, Mr. Lewis?

Excuse me.

Tell your client we will cut the judgment in half

if he inks the check today.

I'll think it over. Maybe.

Tell him now, the offer is good for five minutes.

Look, I can appeal this thing, you know.

Well, do yourself a favor, Mr. Lewis.

Exercise a little of that personal growth

you young people are so good at.

Ditch your ego and do what's best for your client.

And do it now.

I'll recommend the offer to my client.

Tell him he's got four minutes left.

[office telephone ringing]

Put it over there.

- Miss Kelsey. - Yeah?

What is it?

Sign here, please.

Ew. Smells like fish.

Thank you.

Ah, Benny, would you help me open this box, please?

Sure, Miss Kelsey.

[all grasping]

Look, lobsters. They're alive.

Yeah, they're delivered specially from a place called

"Lobster Shack," in Waterville, Maine.

Oh! Stuart.

My favorite thing from my

favorite place in the whole world.

Ann: How did you know?

Remember you told me a story about this little girl

who loved the lobsters in Waterville, Maine.

Stuart: They're exactly two pounds apiece.

Four of them.

Oh, Stuart, I can't believe you, you remembered.

Sure I remembered, Ann. I love you.

Stuart, you were right.

I was just as controlling and manipulative

because you were, only I wouldn't admit it.

[cryingly] You are the sweetest,

the most generous,

the sexiest man I've ever known.

And I want desperately to take these lobsters home

and eat them and make mad, passionate love to you.

In which order?

[romantic jazz music]

[knocking on glass door]

Don't do that.

[knocking on glass door]

[outro theme music]