Original subtitles

Douglas Brackman to see Mr. Farrell.

Oh, yeah.

The brother, right?

Would you just tell him, please?

- It's your brother. - Okay.

- He'll be out in a jiffy. - Thanks.

Brandy ball?

Entre, mon chere frere.

Is this a Christmas visit or a business rendezvous?

Neither. It's quite simply good-bye.

Good-bye?

I told Sheila about my relationship with Rhonda.

It cost me a lynx coat,

an emerald necklace, and a jaguar,

but you'll blackmail me no longer, you swine.

Dougie, mon frere.

Don't "Dougie" me, you cheeseball.

It is Douglas.

As a toddler, it was Douglas.

As a teenager, as a collegian,

at this moment in time

and ultimately on my tombstone, it is Douglas.

Now, give me back my office keys.

Okay, okay.

Relax.

Don't have a heart attack.

I'm gonna miss you, Dougie.

This is gonna be a serious loss to me,

emotionally speaking.

Especially this time of year.

Which reminds me...

Merry Christmas .

Aren't you gonna open it?

I can't accept this.

It must've cost a fortune.

That's the beauty part of it.

I got a client deals the stuff.

Perfect knockoff, huh?

Wear it in good health.

And if you ever need a brother,

or a lawyer...

[sobbing]

Ho ho ho. Merry Christmas.

I wish I could afford to give more, I do.

Merry Christmas . Ho ho ho.

Merry Christmas . Ho ho ho!

Merry Christmas .

Merry Christmas , chief.

Same to you.

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

Good morning.

Do you like ballet?

Hmm.

Ballet.

Not my thing.

So you won't be angry then if I

take my niece tonight instead of you.

I promised her months ago.

It's fine.

As long as you promise me that you'll come back.

Here.

After.

Yeah.

I promise.

You don't know how much you mean to me.

I was...

So dead inside.

I never thought I'd feel like this again.

And then there you were.

Here you are.

I feel so loved.

So safe.

So hungry for you.

[instrumental music]

I'm paying for both.

Trying to bribe the opposition, Conrad?

My way of wishing you

an extremely Merry Christmas, Grace.

And an extremely Merry Christmas to you.

How about we sit for a minute?

Sure. Got to be back in court in five.

Actually what I was thinking is

we should probably save ourselves the time

and the taxpayers the money.

Conrad, please.

How many different ways can I say

I am not going to dismiss a murder case?

My client is every bit as much of a victim

as his father, Grace.

No, Conrad, there is one big difference.

His father is dead.

And it was pure self-defense.

He stabbed him 11 times. 11.

His father was trying to kill him.

I mean, he'd been physically brutalizing

that kid for years.

You tell me, what in the hell was

that kid supposed to do?

Well, here's a real original thought.

He could've called the police.

I'm sorry, Conrad.

I don't care what kind of an ogre his father was,

it didn't give Ruben the right to murder him.

I don't get it, Grace. I mean, what are we talking here?

We're talking a basically good kid.

No priors...

No priors?

What about the two burglaries, assault,

possession of a controlled substance?

All committed as a juvenile,

which means the jury is never gonna hear about it.

All they're gonna see

is this brutalized, terrified,

18-year-old kid,

and they're going to acquit him.

You're dreaming.

The evidence easily supports murder to

your client is looking at

a mandatory 15 years to life, Conrad.

And the thought of that really gets you hot,

doesn't it, Grace?

No, it doesn't.

And it happens I feel

there are extenuating circumstances here.

And I do feel for this kid,

which is why I'm still willing

to let him cop to a voluntary manslaughter

with a recommendation for minimum sentence.

He'd be out in three years.

It's a good deal, Conrad, take it.

I'll see you in court, Grace.

Fine.

And would you tell us what happened then, officer Tanana?

At this point in time, my partner and I

knocked on the door and we identified ourselves

as police officers.

The defendant Ruben Mendez opened the door.

There was blood all over him and he had

a bloody knife in his hand.

I told him to put it down at which time he complied.

Showing you people's exhibit one,

is this the knife?

Yes, it is.

Yes, I put my initials on the tag

before booking it into evidence.

And what happened after the defendant

put down the knife?

My partner and I entered the apartment

where a male Hispanic

later identified as Jose Mendez

was dead from apparent stab wounds.

At that time we placed Ruben Mendez

under arrest for murder.

Did you advise him of his constitutional rights?

Yes, in English and in Spanish.

He said he understood his rights

and he wanted to waive them and speak to us

without an attorney present.

Did he make a statement to you?

He said his father was hitting him,

so he got a knife, and he cut him.

Thank you.

Nothing further at this time.

Officer Tanana,

you say that when Ruben Mendez

let you into the apartment

he was holding this knife in his hand?

Correct.

Now, did he threaten you or your partner with it?

No.

Did he resist you in any way?

No.

Officer, you testified

that Ruben made a statement to you.

After he was mirandized

both in English and in Spanish.

Right, I'm not disputing that.

What I am disputing is the substance

of what Ruben said to you.

Objection.

Sustained.

Ask a question, counselor.

Thank you, I will.

Officer Tanana, isn't it true

that Ruben told you his father said that

he was going to kill him

and that's why he got a knife

to protect himself?

I don't remember anything like that.

He just said his father was hitting him.

You don't remember?

Well, didn't you write down

what Ruben said at the time he said it?

Not in full, not until I got back to the station.

Well, don't you think it would've been a good idea

to do it at the scene while you might have had a chance

to actually remember what he said?

Objection. Argumentative.

Sustained.

Officer Tanana, did you see

any bruises or injuries on Ruben's body

the night you arrested him?

They looked like old ones to me.

Objection, motion to strike

as non-responsive and conclusionary.

Officer, did the defendant have bruises or injuries?

A simple yes or no will suffice.

Uh, yes, yes.

Thank you. Nothing further.

Officer Tanana, have you had any training

and/or experience in identifying the origin

and severity of injuries?

I had training at the police academy.

And then ten years in the field.

Unfortunately, you see a lot.

Based on your training and expertise,

did you form any opinion

regarding any bruises or injuries

that Ruben Mendez might have had on the night

that you arrested him?

He had a bruise

and a small cut around his left eye.

But both injuries appeared to be

a couple of days old at least.

Thank you.

Nothing further.

[thunder rumbling]

[rain splattering]

Who's in charge here?

Over there?

Detective?

Hi, Victor Sifuentes.

Ah.

The attorney, huh?

Yeah.

I'd like to see my client, please.

Yeah, well, the grieving widow is hiding out.

Upstairs bedroom.

What's with the attitude, detective?

In my experience, counselor,

a woman with nothing to hide

usually doesn't mind explaining

what her husband's doing shot to death

in the driveway of their home.

[siren blaring]

[thunder rumbling]

Victor.

Thank god you're here.

It's okay. It's okay.

Sit down.

Why don't you tell me what happened?

Um... I was...

Pulling my car into the garage.

I thought you were supposed to come to my place

after the ballet.

After I dropped my niece home,

I stopped by here to change.

He must have been waiting.

When I opened the garage door,

he slipped in behind me

and he grabbed me as I got out of the car.

And he started yelling...

That I was a bitch and a whore.

And...

He punched me and he said he was gonna kill me.

So I took out my gun and I told him to leave me alone.

- You carry a gun? - It was his.

He has six or seven of them,

all unregistered.

I didn't think he'd miss one

so I took it before he moved out.

Victor, I was scared of him.

I didn't mean to use it,

but he kept coming at me.

He kept telling me he was really gonna make me pay.

I was terrified.

So I closed my eyes and pulled the trigger.

What did you do with the gun?

I dropped it on the ground next to him.

I came inside and called you.

Fingerprints will probably tie you to the gun.

There are no fingerprints.

I had gloves on.

Gloves?

I wore them to the ballet.

Where are they?

The police will want to test them

for gunshot residue.

- I burnt them. - What?

Oh, Victor please.

This is Armand Sevilla we're talking about.

The Sevilla institute of science.

The Sevilla collection at the county museum.

People don't think of him as the sort of man

that sends out for teenage prostitutes

or forces his wife

to have sex with a business associate

while he watches and then breaks her jaw for doing it.

I also took his watch

and all the cash he had in his pocket.

- Aw, Lauren... - I'm sorry.

I didn't think anyone would believe me.

I thought I was doing the smart thing.

- What happens now? - They're going to arrest you.

Why do they have to arrest me?

Why, because that cop out there believes

you murdered your husband, that's why.

What about you?

What do you believe?

I don't know.

I don't know.

Moving along to Lipper vs. Lipper.

Yeah, that's mine, the husband's referral from Ed to Paul

at some sort of a custody matter.

I'll know more about it when I see him next week.

Inre Estate of Spraik?

Still waiting for that release from the franchise tax board.

Mr. Rollins, what is the status

on Bass vs Capital studios?

We filed for a court ordered accounting.

We should have something scheduled

by the first of the year.

Excuse me, I got to go.

Victor, are you sure you don't want me

to take over the arraignment?

Thanks, Michael.

It's under control.

Anybody know what happened?

Haber said he was killed right outside the house.

Boy, would I not want to defend the woman

I loved in a murder case.

You think they have a case, Michael?

Well--

People, if we can refrain from speculation

as to the day's headlines, I'd like to get through here.

Miss Perkins, why don't you bring us current

on the Rohner-Gradinger merger.

I'm trying to get the SEC filing

put together by year end.

I figure with some serious nightwork

this week, we ought to be in shape.

Excellent.

As that concludes the morning's agenda,

I'd like to remind you all that our annual

yuletide festivities will be held

this coming Wednesday at 5 o'clock.

While attendance is not mandatory,

all those present will receive

their Christmas bonuses at that time.

Anything further? We're adjourned.

I can't believe you guys filed on this thing.

There is absolutely nothing here to tie my client

to the murder of her husband.

Gee, I don't know, Victor.

Call me cynical or maybe I've just been

doing this job too long, but I see people every day

who kill for $20 and a Timex.

So somehow it's not too hard for me to imagine your client

doing it for $50 Million.

Oh, that's nice, Jack,

but your imagination doesn't exactly establish proof

beyond a reasonable doubt.

I've got this theory, so hang in there

with me for a minute, okay?

You start with the premise of a beautiful

and very smart little cookie

who's married to this guy with $100 Million.

Only now he wants to unload her and do it cheap,

thanks to this prenuptial agreement,

so our cookie gets an idea.

A "do it yourself" divorce.

And because, as we said

that this is a smart cookie, she wears gloves

so there's no prints or gunshot residue.

And then to throw the police off,

she lifts his watch and wallet to make it look like robbery.

Unless you think maybe she had an accomplice.

You think that, Victor?

Go sell it to the movies, Jack.

In the meantime you still don't have

one piece of physical evidence to tie her to the crime.

The murder weapon, Victor.

You were able to connect her to the gun?

No. It's unregistered and untraceable.

Victor,

how many street robbers do you know

who leave their gun behind?

Now what jury could possibly harbor

a shred of reasonable doubt

after you present them

with something as devastating as that?

Speaking of juries,

they're not gonna like her.

The accent, the looks. Uh-uh.

They're gonna want to see her pay.

And between you and me, that's really kind of a loss.

I mean, look at her.

Gorgeous, smarter than your average bear,

and if you could get her off, richer than god.

If I could only learn to overlook small character flaws

like murder, this is a woman I could get real with,

maybe even get married.

Sure, it might get a little scary

every time she got mad at me,

but what the hell is life without risk?

Hey, how about you give it a rest, okay?

What... what do I sense here?

That our crusading lawyer has perhaps

more than a professional interest in this case?

Oh, great, the judge just buzzed.

He's coming out.

All rise. This court is in session.

The honorable Sidney Schroeder presiding.

It's nearly 11 o'clock. Can we get started here?

- People vs Lauren Sevilla. - Ready, your honor.

Victor Sifuentes representing the defendant.

Your honor, we're ready.

- Waive reading? - So waived.

Miss, uh, Sevilla, how do you plead?

Not guilty, your honor.

Preliminary hearing set in department 137.

Your honor, at this time, I would like to request

an OR release for my client.

OR?

This is a capital crime,

murder with special circumstances.

You're looking for the death penalty here, Mr. Angeletti?

It's possible.

Your honor, I would argue that this is not a capital case

as it does not fall under the special circumstances

murder for personal gain provision.

Furthermore, I would like to point out that my client

has never been in trouble with the law whatsoever.

Further, the DA has an exceedingly weak case.

How about save it for the prelim, okay, counselor?

That's enough, Mr. Angeletti,

is the DA's office opposed to any bail whatsoever?

A $1 Million bail, your honor.

And I would once again reassert my petition for OR.

Or in the alternative argue that $25,000

is more than sufficient to ensure

my client's presence in court.

Submitted?

Bail set in the amount of $200,000.

Next case.

Mrs. Mendez, will you please tell us

what happened when your son Ruben

pulled your husband off you?

He started going after Ruben.

He was crazy, drunk.

And what did you do

when your husband chased your son?

Like I always do,

I grabbed the baby

and ran into the bedroom and locked it.

That's when I heard it.

Now, I want you tell the court exactly

what you heard, Mrs. Mendez.

He was, he was screaming at Ruben

that he was gonna kill him.

And all of a sudden,

the noise just stopped.

I opened the door, and I seen it.

Jose was dead,

and Ruben had...

He had a knife.

Would you like to take a break, ma'am?

I'm so ashamed.

I saw him lying in all that blood...

My husband... and I felt glad...

Glad that my children

didn't have to be afraid no more.

Thank you, Mrs. Mendez.

Um, nothing further, your honor.

You said your husband threatened

the safety of your two children

on and off for the last three years?

That's right.

And yet, not once

did you ever call the police

or notify any authority.

Why?

We usually got away.

We would lock ourselves in the room.

Only this time, Ruben didn't make it.

Jose was going to kill him. I swear--

There was a telephone in that room, Mrs. Mendez.

If you were so sure

that your son was about to be killed,

why didn't you pick it up?

There... there was no time.

No time?

So you chose just to sit it out?

Your honor...

There are 12 reasonable people here,

and you're asking them to believe

that while your son's life was in danger,

you didn't go to his aid, you didn't call for help,

but instead you sat and waited for the noise to die down.

Your honor, she's badgering!

And she's lying!

I am not lying.

You stayed in that room

because there was no reason to believe

that Ruben's life was in danger, isn't that right?

He's a good, good boy.

You don't know what he's gone through!

He killed his father.

He's a good boy.

Nobody should have to take what he took.

Nothing further.

[crying]

[speaking foreign language]

Douglas, would you mind...

May I help you, young lady?

Who the hell are you?

Erroll Farrell. And yourself?

Abigail Perkins. I'm an attorney here.

Oh, well allow me to formally introduce myself.

I'm Douglas, Brackman's brother.

Douglas Brackman doesn't have a brother.

Look at this face. Look at that hairline.

Senor Martinez, could you, uh...

Excusame uno momento?

Por favor.

Gracias.

So, Miss Perkins, you're so young to be an attorney.

You must have passed the bar first shot out of the box.

Just what are you doing here?

Well, Dougie is letting me use his office

while my new space at central city is being decorated.

And does Douglas know you're charging these people $2,500

to process their residency forms?

I'm providing an essential public service for these people.

I mean, somebody's got to do it, am I right?

Hey, wait!

[speaking in foreign language]

- Hey, what did you tell them? - That you're a crook.

Hey, now I'm losing my temper when

you mess with my livelihood.

[speaking in foreign language]

You told them your brother owns the INS?

No, no, no. She's confused.

I said he owns this firm.

The language thing is a real barrier,

you know what I mean?

Look, look, I'm providing a service here

and I notice that your command

of the hispanic tongue is pretty serious.

What do you say I cut you in,

together we do three times the volume.

Nice cash business. What do you say?

[speaking in foreign language]

Hey, you just cost me close to 15 big ones!

And that's called restraint of trade!

Interference with business opportunity.

Inducement to breach.

You listen to me, Mr. Farrell.

What you're doing is ripping these people off.

And if the police are not interested in that,

then I am sure that the state bar association will be.

Assuming of course that you are actually a lawyer.

Hey, hey, take it easy.

Of course I'm a lawyer.

Then I suggest you pack up your things

and get out of here right now!

No need for threats, honey.

See, that's the beauty of America.

Even two individuals who disagree on principle

can still remain respectful towards each other's

inalienable right to turn a buck.

Pleasure to have met you.

Vaya con dios.

Ciao, baby.

[instrumental music]

Without going into the sordid details,

I knew nothing of my half brother's heinous activities.

He said that you gave him the office, Douglas.

I won't mince words, Miss Perkins.

He was blackmailing me.

But that climate has been rendered hostile

and Erroll Farrell will no longer blacken

this firm's reputation.

But if he has keys to the office complex...

He returned the keys to me, Miss Perkins.

I can only assume he made a duplicate set.

However, not to worry.

I've already seen to having all the locks changed.

Nevertheless, I appreciate your diligence.

Have you told anyone else about this?

- No. - Good thinking.

And I would take it as a personal kindness

if this matter were kept strictly confidential.

Alright, Douglas.

The matter is well in hand.

Call the building locksmith.

I want all the locks in the complex changed

by end of business today.

See that all the appropriate people get new keys.

Yes, sir.

Oh. Mrs. B called, she wants to know

what time you'll be home tonight.

The usual time, 7:30.

Tell her I wish to have dinner on the table at 7:45.

[telephone ringing]

- Hello. - Hi

What about the bail?

Why is it taking so long?

I'm still trying.

But the money in your husband's estate has been frozen

until the disposition of your case.

I didn't sleep.

I can't stand it in here.

Preliminary hearing's tomorrow. Just hang in there.

What if the judge makes me stand trial?

I don't think that'll happen.

You're not even convinced I'm innocent.

Why should the judge be?

Lauren, you're not required to prove your innocence.

The state has to prove that you're guilty.

You want me to take a lie detector test?

Courts don't put much stock in them.

I'm not talking about the courts.

I'm talking about us.

I love you.

I thought you loved me.

Since the night it happened, you haven't been able

to get it out of your head.

I'm a murderer.

What you did...

The way you tried to cover it up...

I'm having a lot of trouble with it, Lauren.

It's not gonna work for us, is it?

I really don't know.

Okay.

Um... if, uh...

If you can't believe me...

Should I be looking for another lawyer?

I can still be your lawyer.

Do you want to be?

Yes.

No matter what...

No matter what, I can't live with the thought of you

spending time in prison.

I already did my time for marrying Armand Sevilla.

I'd die if I had to any more.

Victor...

I shot him in self-defense.

I swear.

And then my mother locked herself in the bedroom

with the baby.

So it was just you and your father

in the living room at this point.

And he had me by the hair.

Kept smashing my head into the wall.

Said he was gonna kill me.

And then what happened?

I broke free.

That's when...

When I went and got the knife from the kitchen.

And I come back and I go, "You stay away."

I show him the blade and tell him, "Keep away!"

And did he keep away, Ruben?

He just came lunging at me.

And, uh... I stuck him.

I had to, he was gonna kill me.

It's gonna be alright, Ruben.

Your witness.

Ruben...

When you broke away and ran into the kitchen,

did your father follow you?

No.

So it would be fair to say

that the attack had stopped, correct?

No. He came at me again.

But only after you returned to him

waving a knife.

I told him to stay back and he charged.

Did he continue to charge after say,

the fourth or fifth time you stabbed him, Ruben?

- Objection. - Overruled.

What about the 10th or 11th puncture?

Did that discourage him any?

It was-it was self-defense.

I was scared for my life.

There's a door at the end of the hall

and another one in the kitchen.

Tell the jury why, instead of running away,

you chose to go back in there with a carving knife.

I was...

He could have killed my mother and sister.

So suddenly it's not your life

that you were worried about, it was theirs?

Yes!

No, both!

I had to protect them.

But you just said that they were locked safely

in the bedroom.

I thought maybe they came out!

You went back in there for revenge, didn't you?

You weren't afraid.

You were angry!

He was crazy, lady! He had to be stopped.

I had to stop him!

You stabbed him 11 times!

Stopped him pretty good, didn't you?

- Yeah! - Yeah!

- Objection! - One, two...

- Objection! - Three, four...

- Your honor! - Five... six, seven...

Miss Van Owen! That's enough.

I'm sorry, your honor.

I'll stop at seven.

But you didn't, did you?

- Objection. - Withdrawn.

Nothing further.

Sheila.

[dog barking in distance]

Sheila?

- Sheila. - Douglas.

What are you doing in my bed with my wife?

Dougl...

This is all a giant misunderstanding.

Sheila... how could you?

Payback, Douglas.

Payback?

What about the car?

The fur?

The jewelry?

Just a down payment.

Look, people...

shut up!

Did you really think you could buy me off

with a few trinkets, Douglas?

- Yes. - You guys want to be alone?

Be quiet, you dog.

How could you do this to me?

How could you?

Believe me, Douglas,

luring this sleazy little woodchuck

into my bed is not my idea of a great time.

Now, Bjorn and Roger were a great time.

Bjorn and Roger?

But this is strictly business.

Quid pro quo. You play, you pay.

And if you don't like it, I'll divorce you,

and take half of everything you hold dear.

Your house, your money, your kids,

and your law partnership.

Is this clear?

Yes.

Kids, I got to run.

Dougie... hand me my pants.

I show you this,

and I ask you if you recognize

people's exhibit three.

It's a picture of the deceased Armand Sevilla.

And is this a fair and accurate

representation of the victim as he appeared

when you arrived on the scene?

It is.

I offer this photograph into evidence,

and I have nothing further for the witness.

Mr. Sifuentes?

Did you find any fingerprints or other evidence

linking my client to the gun, lieutenant?

No.

Did you run a gunshot residue test on my client

to determine whether in fact she fired a revolver?

We did.

And what were the results of that test?

Negative.

Were there any witnesses to this crime whatsoever?

No.

Thank you, lieutenant.

I have nothing further.

Mr. Angeletti?

People rest, judge.

You may step down.

Your honor, at this time I move for a dismissal.

There is absolutely no physical or testimonial evidence

connecting the accused to the crime,

or to suggest in any way...

Just so happens that the accused stands to inherit

over $50 Million, which she never

would have gotten if the divorce had become final.

Not to mention the coincidence

of his getting shot at her house.

Motive and opportunity alone does not constitute

sufficient probable cause, Mr. Angeletti.

If that's all you've got, I have no choice

but to grant defendant's motion.

We expect the ongoing investigation

to turn up physical evidence, judge...

Mr. Angeletti, I make my determination

based on what is before me now.

- Case dismissed. - Your honor...

If you turn up anything, you can refile at that time.

Until then, defendant is free to go.

Thank you.

And since I had to be at the sales conference

on such short notice,

it seemed worth the additional expense...

Excuse me. Is it very warm in here?

You want me to turn the heat down, judge?

- Please. - Sure.

Miss Woods, is it your contention then

that your dog was mistreated at Mr. Crone's Kennel?

You haven't heard a word I said.

This is not my dog.

Your honor, this is a copy of our registration.

You can see there was no other English bulldog

registered among our guests.

All our dogs are carefully supervised and monitored.

Your honor...

This is a photograph of my dog jake

taken on his birthday.

And this is the dog that they tried to pawn off

on me when I got back.

- Please. - Look at him.

He's listless, he's overweight.

Look at his overbite. Do you see?

Chest.

Tightness.

- Heart. - Oh, my god.

Heart attack.

Everybody, don't panic. Just calm down.

Get that animal out of the way.

I'm gonna have to give this man mouth to mouth.

No, no bodily fluids.

In the matter of people vs Ruben Mendez,

the jury finds the defendant guilty

of murder in the second degree.

Sentencing to take place

second week of January.

Defendant will be taken into custody.

The jury's excused.

This court is now adjourned.

Oh, God. Oh, Ruben.

Come here.

Oh, god, you can't take him away.

Oh, God no. Ruben... Ruben...

Alright, alright. Thanks, Victor.

Merry Christmas . What a farce.

All year long they treat us like schnauzers,

and then once a year they gather us all up

and expect us to sing Christmas carols.

How can they even think to have a party

with Mr. Brackman in the hospital?

Oh, Hilda, you think they care?

They don't care.

Do you think I should go to the hospital?

I think Mr. McKenzie will let you know

as soon as there's any news.

This has got to be the deadliest party

I've ever been to.

What's the protocol around here?

You think I put in enough time?

I think you'll be alright.

Great.

Listen, if I don't talk to you,

have a reasonably great Christmas.

You, too, Jonathan.

Mike.

Merry Christmas .

Benny?

Well, thank you very much. I will put this under my tree.

Okay, I won't tell you what it is, then.

Okay.

Maybe I'll give them a call and tell them I have the flu.

Arnie, they're your parents.

They're expecting you.

Besides, there's lots worse things

than Christmas in Palm Springs, you know.

Name one.

Being home alone all weekend,

like I'm gonna be.

Why don't you come to Palm Springs with me?

What?

Well, yeah, sure. It would be great.

We could drive out first thing in the morning.

What about your parents? Won't they want you all to themselves?

That's exactly why I need you there.

- Besides... Hi. - Hi, Rox. Hi, Arnie.

You'd make a great fourth in canasta.

Will I have a separate room?

Sure.

Oh.

- Hi, guys. - Hi.

- Merry Christmas . - Yeah.

You seen Kuzak?

Yeah. He just... come on.

Great.

- Hi. - Hi.

- Merry Christmas. - Yeah.

How did it go?

What do you know about Conrad Peters?

I hear he's a pretty good lawyer.

- Why? - He's a jerk.

I offered him voluntary manslaughter

with a recommendation for minimum sentence,

three years.

He told me to shove it.

His kid got second degree murder.

He's looking at 15 big ones.

Ouch.

I'm gonna go to the sentencing hearing and argue

for a reduction to manslaughter.

You think the judge will buy it?

I don't know.

I hate to see a client paying

for his attorney's ego.

Too bad he didn't have Victor for a lawyer.

What's that supposed to mean?

Michael, don't you find it ironic

that this kid's looking at 15 years to life,

and Lauren Sevilla walks away with $50 Million?

There's a difference here.

Lauren didn't kill anybody.

We know that for a fact?

We know for a fact that she did?

Come on.

It just doesn't seem right.

Oh, let it go, Grace.

It's Christmas.

Want to go out on the stairwell and neck?

Yeah, I would.

Okay. Let's go.

You're too good to me.

May I have your attention, please?

I've just spoken at length

with Douglas' doctor,

and it was not a heart attack

as was first feared.

A stroke?

Well, actually, it was an anxiety attack,

complicated by a gastrointestinal disturbance.

He had a gas attack?

Inelegantly put, yes.

The doctor said they plan to keep him

for observation for 24 hours and hope to have him home

in time to spend Christmas with his wife and family.

So we have much to be grateful for.

I'd also like to take this occasion

to wish each and every one of you,

and your families, a most joyous season,

and to thank you all for making this past year a success.

- Merry Christmas to you all. - Merry Christmas.

Can I say something?

Of course, Benny.

Uh...

I...

I never had a job before.

I used to worry that maybe I never could

because nobody would want to work with me.

But you were all so good to me

after my mom died,

I just want to tell you that I'm

I'm really happy to be working here.

And I want to say Merry Christmas.

You're my friends.

And I love you all...

A lot.

Merry Christmas , Benny.

Merry Christmas.

Feliz Navidad, Victor.

Feliz Navidad.

It's funny.

I thought we were gonna spend the holidays together.

It was gonna be the first Merry Christmas

in a long time.

I'm not feeling all that Merry myself.

I never thought I'd be able to come up here.

It's not that I didn't want to,

it's just that

I'm usually a little too big in the pride department.

Pride...

I don't want to make this thing about pride, Lauren.

How many women do you think I met in my life

that I fall in love with?

I thought maybe we still had a chance.

It's different now, isn't it?

Here.

Since I won't be with you on Christmas.

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