Original subtitles

[machine beeping]

[whimpers] Oh.

[door opens]

P.A: Cardiology intern, report to OR 3.

Mother?

What?

[door shuts]

How are you feeling?

Like someone who's dying.

What a stupid question.

[inhales deeply]

What are you doing here, anyway?

I wanted to see you.

Why?

Afraid I'll disinherit you before I die?

No, Mother.

Maybe I already have.

It's of no interest to me, one way or the other.

You're a disappointment, Douglas.

You always were.

You're like your father.

Emotionally ungiving. Humorless.

A petty tyrant, mean-spirited, penurious--

Those are your qualities, Mother!

I'm not dead yet. Don't you dare use that tone.

Please. Please, Mother.

I don't want to argue.

I love you.

[sniffles]

Far too little.

Far too late.

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[theme music]

Michael, where are we on your court-appointed killer?

I got a suppression hearing scheduled

for later this morning.

I don't see how you can actually

go to bat for this guy, Michael?

I got no choice. The court assigned this case to me.

- I got to do my best. Douglas: Yes.

Well, since these court appointments

usually don't generate fees commensurate with hours put in,

may I submit that a plea bargain of some sort might be prudent?

Well, not if I can get him off altogether.

How are you gonna do that? He did it.

Michael: Well, the only evidence they have circumstantial.

If I can have his prior convictions excluded,

the case against him falls apart.

[apple crunching]

Stokes versus Maygen Manufacturing?

We answered the complaint. Certification hearing is Friday.

What is this case?

It's one lone disgruntled shareholder

claiming he bought our client's stock

due to false statements they made in their annual report.

He lost $2,000 when the stocks went down.

2,000? That's a pimple.

That pimple could become a cancer.

He's trying to bring a class action

on behalf of 1,000 shareholders.

Douglas: Can we stop it, Abby?

I think we have a good chance, but I need help.

There's a ton of documentation

to go through between now and Friday.

Douglas: Jonathan.

[paper rustles] help her.

Uh, my week's a little tight, Douglas. Maybe Ann--

Loosen it. The stakes on this are huge.

Moving on. Wheeler vs Redding. Victor?

I'm hoping we can effect the settlement,

before we go to trial, but I-I don't know.

Aside from my personal distaste for suing a fellow attorney,

it would seem that the chances of getting a judgment

against someone like August Redding

are slim to none.

Listen, I'm not doing this for sport.

Victor: Jeanette Wheeler is an uneducated woman

who relied on August Redding

to get her compensation for the death of her husband.

I mean, the settlement he came back with wasn't even close.

And nevertheless, proving a case like this

is tough against somebody who isn't a legend.

I don't know.

Last time I saw him in court,

he seemed to be having a hard time

remembering his own client's name.

Leland: Well, I'm having lunch with Gus Redding today.

[clicks lips] Maybe we can still work something out, hmm?

Well, that concludes our agenda, we're out of here.

- I got to see you in second. - Yeah, okay.

- How's mother, Douglas? - Not good.

The doctors say she could go any time.

I'm sorry.

This is the last one, Abby.

Great, could you take them to the conference room for me?

Uh-huh.

What is all this?

Annual reports and projections.

The rest are printouts of stock transactions.

And we got to wade through all this crap?

We have to distinguish the shareholders.

If we can show that they're not all the same,

they won't get certified as class.

But basically they are the same.

They all bought and sold the stock and lost money.

Some bought preferred stock, some bought common.

Some bought and sold directly, some went through brokerage--

No, distinctions without a difference, Abby.

Not so.

If we can separate all the plaintiffs

into a zillion different categories,

the judge might not lump them into a single class.

But you're going about this the wrong way.

The focus of our defense's should be rule 23.

We should be moving to disqualify the named plaintiff.

I disagree. The key is commonality.

Waltzing in there with a list of trivial distinctions will--

I don't intend to argue them as trivial!

Wait a second.

You're not arguing this motion.

I most certainly am. It's my case.

But I'm the litigator here. Do you--

I am just as much of a litigator as you are, Jonathan!

Maybe. But I think one of the reasons Douglas assigned me--

He assigned you to this to assist me,

which makes you my assistant.

Now, here is a list of the categories.

Pick a box!

[paper rustling]

[all chattering]

Mr. B., it's Dr. Connelly, line one.

[telephone ringing]

Yes, Doctor?

I see.

[inhales deeply]

I'll be there shortly.

[office telephone ringing]

Thank you.

Your mother?

She's gone.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

If anyone needs me,

I'll be at the hospital.

[office telephone ringing]

The convictions are relevant, Your Honor. They go to modus--

That's crazy, those crimes have nothing

to do with this case. It will be prejudice--

Walter: No, we're talking about a man's pattern

for committing late-night armed robberies!

A pattern which is probative--

The bottom line is he's trying to use

old convictions to show that my client

had a propensity to commit this crime.

He can't do that!

Judge Swanson: I'm afraid he's right, Mr. Platt.

It would be prejudicial to allow evidence

of those prior robberies,

especially in a murder one case.

If the defendant takes the stand,

you could use those convictions to impeach his credibility,

but you're not going to submit that stuff

as independent evidence.

I'm also going to exclude

the prior conviction of Mullaney, the co-defendant.

Which brings me to a different problem, gentlemen.

Attorney Michael Greenbaum,

representing the codefendant in this matter,

has apparently taken ill

and can't continue.

So, we're going to have to suspend

our trial schedule temporarily

until we appoint somebody else.

Any ideas?

I want somebody with murder one experience.

Well, I don't know if she'd be interested,

but I could ask former deputy D.A. Grace Van Owen.

She's done plenty of capital cases.

Well, I know her. Will she do it?

I don't know, I-I have to ask her.

I'd like her appearance filed by the end of the week.

Well, are we done, gentlemen?

I always hated suing other lawyers, Leland.

Well, that didn't stop you.

You could rest assured it was never with a case as wobbly

as the one you have against me.

You've got to learn to be more selective.

You can't let your associates pick your battles.

Gus, I don't relish suing another lawyer either,

particularly you, but I do think it's a strong case.

- Nice to see you, Mr. Redding. - How are you? Alright.

August... I asked you to this lunch

out of respect for our long friendship.

This case is just not going to go away.

Jeanette wheeler has a legitimate

cause of action against you.

Which is what exactly?

Disappointment that her settlement wasn't bigger?

That settlement was a fraction

of what it should've been had you done your job.

I did my job.

Damn it, Gus, listen to reason.

You went to sleep on that woman's case.

And it's not the first time

something like this has happened to you.

I may not be as sharp as I once was,

but I can forget more law

than these young guys will ever know.

Gus... you've got a real exposure here.

No one's trying to embarrass you or hold you up.

Are your numbers appreciably different

from what Santiago communicated

to my office in the past?

- Sifuentes. - Sifuentes. Are they?

We're prepared to accept a five-year layout

on half-a-million dollars.

All terms to be kept strictly confidential.

No, sir!

The truth is, this is not a case about money,

Leland, it's about my reputation,

my ability as an attorney.

"Who steals my purse steals trash,

but he who filches from me my good name

robs me of that which not enriches him

and makes me poor, indeed."

Victor Sifuentes is a very able attorney, August.

You will do well not to underestimate him.

Your cautionary is noted.

I look forward to watching him work.

[sighs]

This woman had a husband...

And his company killed him.

Just as surely as if they'd taken a shotgun

and pointed it towards his chest, They killed him.

She wanted a good lawyer.

And people told her that when she hired August Redding,

she'd have herself a great lawyer.

Victor: Imagine then, how she must have felt

when he told her that $20,000

was all that her husband's life was worth.

Or at least, all that he had settled for.

When you have the facts of this case presented,

before you, I believe that you'll see...

That there are only two possible explanations for this.

One is that August Redding is a painfully bad lawyer.

[chuckles]

And no one in his right mind would say that.

The other is that he is a great lawyer

who can't be a lawyer anymore.

We will present evidence

to show that depositions were scheduled

but never taken,

that discovery motions were allowed to expire.

Ladies and gentlemen, $20,000 does not reflect a man's life,

cut short at the age of 47

with a widow and two children left behind.

It reflects a lawyer's failure and neglect.

The evidence will represent

an attorney who invited trust...

But couldn't keep his end of the bargain.

What you're being asked to do

is to hold him accountable.

[man in audience coughs]

Having August Redding for a client is, uh...

Spitzer: Frankly a little intimidating.

I don't think there is anyone

who's ever seen him in court

who hasn't been awed by him.

In a career that spanned five decades,

he's shown himself to be a legal scholar

and a man of great compassion

for those whose cause he's championed.

And while my adversary will take pains

to portray that $20,000

as evidence of Gus Redding having lost it,

the truth is, there aren't very many lawyers

around who could've gotten that.

Jeanette Wheeler wanted a silk purse

from a sow's ear.

Gus Redding made her one.

Now she's suing him because it wasn't big enough.

A disappointed plaintiff

looks for someone to blame.

Well, that's understandable, ladies and gentlemen.

But it isn't malpractice.

[soft music]

[knocking]

I'm terribly sorry about your mother, Douglas.

Her heart finally gave out.

But the truth is, considering my pending divorce,

it comes at a very good time.

Douglas: It seems she left me her entire estate.

Do you need any help with arrangements?

No.

She left instructions with her attorney

for a small memorial service and, uh... a simple cremation.

Would you like to get some dinner?

Thank you, no.

I'm not very hungry.

Douglas, I know that you and your mother

were never that close, but, still...

I remember when my mother died.

She was the last buffer

between me and my mortality.

She never loved me, Leland.

I always thought it was my fault,

that if I could be a better son

or a more successful lawyer,

she'd soften toward me.

She never did.

And now, here I am...

Soon to be single, suddenly quite wealthy.

Whole new vistas open before me.

So why is it that I feel so... [voice cracks]

[consoling] Now, now.

[lament music]

Yeah.

[sobbing]

Leland: Alright.

- That's three down. - And seven to go.

- Abby, we're not gonna make it. - Sure we will.

It's taken one fuller day to get through just three.

So we'll work tonight and tomorrow night if we have to.

What we have to do is cut out some of these categories.

No, no, no. The more categories, the better.

Some of them aren't even relevant.

Take this one. "The amount of the shareholders' loss."

That means nothing for class certification purposes.

That means a lot.

The named plaintiff lost $2,000.

Some people lost as much as 10 which means--

That's stupid!

And when the judge sees you wasting his time--

- Jonathan, just do it! - I can't take this!

Oh, you're bitching because you don't like

second chairing a case with me!

I'm bitching because you're using this thing

as a power trip!

Bossing me around gives you goose bumps and you know it.

And it all goes back to my salary.

The Rotter/Grandinger mess--

I am bossy because you refuse to cooperate!

You find it degrading to work for me.

What's degrading is cow-towing to a legal strategy that stinks!

Oh, what the hell do you even know about legal strategy?

You've never even tried a case.

Jonathan: At least I've got a good excuse--

- Excuse me. - ...Of never having won one!

- Okay, I've I have had enough! - Look you just need to take--

Douglas: Hey. Hey!

- What is going on here? - I'm trying to--

She's going to argue this motion in a way

that's guaranteed we'll lose the case!

Stop it! Stop it!

Let me remind both of you,

if we don't defeat this class certification,

our client faces potential liability

in excess of $1 million.

In light of that serious possibility,

I suggest you stop this unprofessional bickering

and get this job finished.

[door opens]

Mr. B., your brother's here to see you.

- Get rid of him! - He won't leave.

He says he has to see you right away.

[office telephone ringing]

What are you doing here?

I came down the minute I read the obituaries.

Why didn't you call me, Douggie ?

I brought you a basket of dried fruits

to help you through your bereavement.

I'm deeply touched, but I'm very busy.

Now if you will excuse me.

At a time like this, Douggie , you need family.

At a time like this I need you to leave me alone!

We need to talk.

I have nothing to say to you.

Well, I have something to say to you...

Distributee.

Uh-oh.

You're not a beneficiary, so forget it.

A preliminary read of the situation

tells me that the residuary of my father...

Our father's, estate was improperly transferred.

Douglas: Are you out of your mind?

His will was executed according to his terms.

And the statute of limitations

has long expired, on it, anyway.

See you're jumping to conclusions,

it could take a probate court years to reach.

What are you looking for, you slug?

I paid my dues while the old lady was living.

I played by you people's rules.

And now, I want what's right.

I'm going to draw up a full waiver

of any and all claims, Erroll.

And when you sign it, I'll pay you $15,000.

15? She left you millions!

Douglas: If it's not acceptable,

I suggest you and your crack secretary get busy.

I'll be slapping you with papers

it'll take a hand truck to carry.

You owe me better than this.

You are a jackal

preying on other people's misery

and I owe you nothing!

Now get out!

[door opens]

Before I have you thrown out.

Given you're going through an emotional bad time,

I'm going to forget the harsh things were said here.

I'll take the 15.

[plastic wrapper crackling]

But don't dawdle on those papers.

Because I may change my mind.

[door shuts]

So what do you say? Will you do it?

Well, I don't know.

I'm having a lot of fun doing nothing.

And you can't imagine

how busy I've been doing it.

Aren't you getting little bored?

Uh-uh.

You know, I went to the library yesterday

and, and, and the museum the day before.

And I spent two hours this morning shopping

and didn't buy anything.

But it was wonderful.

It was relaxing.

Um... I don't know... interior.

[light laugh] I like it.

I'm not sure I want to stop doing it yet.

Yeah, but the...

The things is this is just a short-term situation.

And you can find out how you feel

about going back to work without actually

having to make a full-time commitment.

As I recall, you never would have taken this trial

if you'd had the choice.

But your guy's innocent.

All he did was sit in the car.

My guy did the crime. They both says so.

Come on, Gracie, it would be fun to work together, wouldn't it?

[couple in background laughing]

Don't you think?

Yes, it would.

So, am I suppose to take that as a yes?

I'll meet with him, okay?

Okay.

[chatters at restaurant]

Did you make a diagnosis relative to that finding?

Yes.

Based on the lesions found in the colon and bowel wall,

we determined he was suffering from colorectal carcinoma.

Once more in English, Doctor.

Mr. Wheeler died from rectal cancer.

Victor: And as an industrial toxicologist,

did you form an opinion as to the cause of this cancer?

Dr. Robbins: I did.

It resulted from breathing

the carcinogenic powder or dust

in the air at Simmons Aviation.

Have you known other employees

of Simmons Aviation to have been diagnosed--

Objection! Other diagnoses have no relevance to this proceeding.

I intend to show that there are other plaintiffs

with identical afflictions that have prosecuted

and won cases against Simmons Aviation.

This witness has no competence--

She was an expert witness at those trials.

And she has independent knowledge of their claims.

She's seen million-dollar verdicts for similar plaintiffs.

And she's competent to give an opinion

as to this man's decision to throw away

Mrs. Wheeler's claim

for lousy 20,000 bucks.

Objection!

Self-serving and false.

- Your Honor-- - The objection is sustained.

Your Honor, I'd like to state my objection on the record.

You're represented here, Mr. Redding.

I'm being represented by my own firm.

And since I personally filed an appearance,

I'm entitled to state my objection

to opposing counsel's irresponsible speechifying.

So noted. Now if you--

I'd also like to point out

that opposing counsel's

inexperience as a trial lawyer

and his ignorance of negligence law--

- Objection! - ...Is no excise--

- Objection! - Mr. Redding!

He knows, I did nothing wrong.

You did everything wrong!

Mrs. Wheeler, sit down!

Victor: I make a motion to strike this, Your Honor.

You're in violation of 128.5., my friend.

- Your Honor! - That's enough!

[chuckling]

Now that everybody's made his little speech,

I'm going to instruct the jury to disregard all of it,

which I trust they've already done.

Mr. Sifuentes, proceed with direct examination.

Judge Pehlman: Mr. Redding, sit down.

And, Mr. Spitzer, control your client.

And I just stayed in the car while Andy went inside.

I thought he was going in to buy beer.

Didn't you hear the gunshot?

I had the radio going, so I didn't hear anything.

Till Andy gets back in the car real quick

and tells me to take off.

Between you and me, Tommy,

do you think the shooting was intentional?

Look, Andy's no killer, Ms. Van Owen. I mean...

He can be pretty wild and everything,

but he'd never hurt anybody on purpose.

It had to be an accident.

[indistinct announcements over P.A.]

[sighs] Okay.

Since you tell me you're broke,

there's no use moving for a bail modification.

You could never get O.R.

Well, the first attorney I had said that,

that I should plead to manslaughter.

Well, that wouldn't be my strategy.

And I-I doubt the state would go for it.

Why not?

Felony murder rule.

What's that?

It means that as long as you helped out,

you might as well have pulled the trigger.

But I...

[cryingly] I didn't know what was going on.

I know but as far as they're concerned,

you drove the getaway car.

You mean, they're going to give me the death penalty for that?

Tommy, I know how frightening this is.

But from what you're telling me,

I think your chances are pretty decent for an acquittal.

Please, Ms. Van Owen, I'm begging you,

take my case, please.

- Time's up. - I didn't do anything.

I'm taking your case, Tommy.

I'll be in touch.

[dramatic music]

And in your opinion then, sir,

how did Mr. Redding handle this case?

I renew my objection as to foundation, Judge.

This man doesn't know the facts of the Wheeler/Simm--

This man has been a personal injury lawyer

for 15 years, Your Honor.

And I think that he's quite capable of

evaluating another lawyer's performance.

He can answer the question.

[man in audience clears throat]

In your opinion, Mr. Aaronsen.

My opinion is August Redding was guilty of gross neglect.

He let the discovery deadline pass

without bothering to subpoena

environmental or medical records.

He never deposed anybody.

You can't even begin to evaluate your case

until you meet the witnesses

and ascertain their demeanor and credibility.

Uh-huh, and do you have an opinion, sir,

of Mr. Redding's decision to settle this matter?

I consider that to be offensively low.

Aaronson: Liability was clear, the damages were obviously high.

Mr. Wheeler was young.

This case was worth half a million dollars.

Easily.

Thank you, Mr. Aaronsen.

I have nothing further.

I'm a little confused, Mr. Aaronsen.

Now you said it's impossible to even evaluate a case

without meeting the witnesses,

seeing their demeanor, and so forth.

- Is that correct? - Yes.

Well, did you meet the witnesses in the Wheeler case?

No.

Spitzer: And here you are evaluating its worth

at half a million dollars.

I admit it's a ballpark estimate, but--

Do you know the amount of medical expenses

incurred by Mr. Wheeler as the result of the cancer?

It was in the neighborhood of--

No, I'm not interested in neighborhoods, Sir.

- Do you know? - Not the exact amount.

What about Mr. Wheeler's pre-existing colitis condition?

How long did he have that?

I believe it was quite some time.

"Quite some time."

I must say, Mr. Aaronsen, you certainly

have a strong command of the details here.

The point is, a lot of that information wasn't even

in the file because your client failed to collect it.

No, the point is, you yourself

don't have enough information about this case

to really evaluate its worth, right?

Of course, I need more, but I can certainly--

Well, w-- Thank you.

Mr. Aaronsen, did you ever have occasion

to try a case against Mr. Redding

and see him in action firsthand?

- Yes. - What happened?

He won. [scoffs]

Well, in fact, sir,

he beat you for a $7 million verdict,

the worst pasting you ever took--

I object! Your Honor, there is no evidence--

The relevance is this man is bitter!

- Objection! - He's jealous.

He's envious with a big fat chip--

I object, Your Honor!

Mr. Spitzer, that will do.

I'm sorry, Judge.

Mr. Aaronsen, one last question,

to make sure we all understand

what's going on up here.

You're a lawyer criticizing another lawyer

who once soundly whipped you.

And you're passing judgment on a case

that you don't even have all the facts on.

Now isn't that exactly right?

[scoffs]

- In a manner of speaking. - No further questions.

In a manner of speaking.

[lament music]

Minister: Let us be honest with death.

Let us not pretend that death is less than it is.

It is separation.

It is sorrow.

[door opens)

It is grief.

But let us not pretend

that death is more than it is.

It is not annihilation.

As long as memory endures,

the influence of Hazel Brackman will be with us.

It is not an end to joy or laughter.

Nothing would less honor this woman

than to make our lives drab in counter--

What are you doing here?

Just came to pay my respects.

By the by, did you get around to cutting my check yet?

Douglas: If you don't stop badgering me,

I'll come down on you like the wrath of God.

Douggie , lighten up.

It's a funeral.

Minister: And like the glory

of an autumn sun

has lit the world through its day.

It's so terrible.

I can't believe his wife didn't even show up.

They're estranged, Roxanne.

Minister: ...for that what she has given.

What difference does that make?

His mother died.

[door shuts]

Minister: Her light, we trust,

still shineth beyond the distant peaks

of this world's horizon.

For life goes on.

What are you doing?

Shh, shh, shh.

Who are you?

I'm your brother. Gordon.

Minister: Her devotion to loved ones,

friends, and family.

For hers was a generous...

The fact that our genetic tidepools

may overlap cuts no ice with me, Mister.

I've gotten rid of one freeloading brother already.

What'll it take to get rid of you?

Hey, look, I want nothing from you.

I was here, I was attending a conference.

I read your mother's obituary in the paper. I...

I wanted to reach out to you.

Under the circumstances, I perfectly

understand your suspicions.

Bartender, check.

I've never heard of you.

I've never heard from you.

Why should I even believe you're my brother?

Douglas Brackman, Sr.

And, uh, little Gordon Salt.

It's The Pony Rides on La Cienega.

It's, uh... 1948.

I was 4 years old.

[sighs]

Okay.

So you're my brother.

It doesn't mean anything.

[chuckles]

You're right.

Kinship is earned. It's not imposed.

I wish you well, Douglas.

And if you're ever in Seattle

you feel like looking me up,

I'd be honored.

Wait.

What do you do in Seattle?

I'm a psychotherapist.

[scoffs] I should have known

I suppose you have some probing insights to bestow on me.

There's nothing to probe.

Really, it's all, uh, it's all pretty obvious.

Such as?

Such as, you were the dutiful and obedient son,

yet your mother gave nothing of herself.

Yes.

You were the strong and devoted husband,

father, yet your wife and kids didn't even come

to the chapel in your hour of grief.

Yes.

Erroll Farrell asks you to be a brother

while he acts like a parasite.

Yes.

You're always on the giving end, Douglas.

Isn't it time you were the one doing the receiving?

I find it so hard to do that.

This might sound like some glib psychological

[laughingly] homily, but if you can't allow yourself to receive,

then giving is not generosity, it's manipulation.

You know, that's interesting you say that.

People have offered me their kindness,

and I've sent them all away.

Douglas: The lawyers in my office.

It sounds like you're in a lot of pain.

[people chattering at bar]

My mommy died, Gordon.

I know she did.

And because she was an unloving parent,

it's the worst rejection of all.

But what do you do with the hurt?

You cleanse it with love.

You forgive her.

[laughingly] And you move on.

God.

Where were you when my marriage was breaking up?

I'm here now.

- It's too late. - Oh, is it?

Or are you too frightened to try?

I have to get back to my office

to check on a couple of associates right now,

but if I can convince her,

would you meet with Sheila and me tomorrow?

My morning is jammed,

but I-I have a free hour at 1 o'clock.

Uh, if you can come to my suite at the Beverly Hills Hotel,

we can order out some lunch.

If I have to drag her kicking and screaming,

we'll be there.

She has to want it, Douglas.

'Cause if she doesn't, we can't force her.

It's that simple?

As simple as...

Brotherly love.

Abby.

Mmm.

- Abby. - What?

[Jonathan grunts]

- Down to our last box. - Great.

We're due in court in 12 hours.

I don't ever want to see another computer stock log

for as long as I'm here.

Or an annual report.

[sighs] God, I-I can't read any more of this stuff.

Yes, you can. We're almost done.

Oh, I swear, I'm going to die.

I got an idea.

I might just have something... ah!

We're saved.

What's that,

one of those self-motivation tapes?

- Better. The Temptations. - What?

One of my professors used to tell us,

"If you just can't study anymore,

but you got to keep going... Dance."

- I'm too tired to dance. - Trust me, Abby, this works.

You'll be energized in three minutes.

Yeah, I need three weeks on a beach.

[recorder playing]

♪ I know you want to leave me ♪

♪ But I refuse to let you go ♪

♪ If I have to beg and plead ♪

♪ For your sympathy ♪

♪ I don't mind ♪

♪ 'Cause you mean that much to me ♪

♪ Ain't too proud to beg ♪

♪ Yes, you know it ♪

♪ If you'll believe me, girl ♪

[music and singing continues lightly]

[Jonathan cheers] Jonathan: Whoo!

[Abby squeals]

♪ But if I have to cry to keep you ♪

♪ I don't mind weepin' ♪

♪ If you'll be here by my side ♪

♪ Baby, why did I tell you ♪

♪ See, darlin' ♪

[Abby squeals]

♪ Baby, baby ♪

♪ Please don't leave me, girl ♪

♪ If I have to sleep on your doorstep ♪

♪ All night, baby ♪

- Oh, my God. - Whoops.

[recorder stops]

It's gratifying to see both of you've

worked out your differences.

Good night.

[humming the song]

[door closes]

[both laughing]

Oh, God.

Well, what now?

[soft music]

Different plaintiffs will be relying on

different sets of facts to prosecute their claims.

Jonathan: Depending on the date of the transaction date...

- The means of purchase. - The amount involved.

- The way in which-- - Hold it, will you please.

Why does it take two of you to argue this matter?

I'm speaking as to liability for the company, Your Honor,

while Mr. Rollins is focusing on the

individual officers and directors.

Which directors also have separate

defenses available to them.

Abby: Depending upon the specific plaintiff involved...

Jonathan: The information actually known to them...

The circumstances surrounding the entire--

Time out!

The ping-pong twins have a point, Mr. Mosha.

The common questions don't predominate here.

Well, I realize that, Judge.

But this would be completely impractical

to litigate on a case by case basis.

Each shareholder only lost a few thousand dollars?

I mean, the victims are gonna spend more on legal fees

than they ever stand to recover.

The ability to finance a lawsuit

is not relevant to typicality.

And attorney fees are recoverable in 10b-5 actions.

- What's more-- - I mean, not only that--

I'm sorry.

- Go ahead. - No, that's alright. You go.

No, I insist.

Judge Paul: Hey. I'll go.

Mr. Mosha,

the common questions don't predominate here.

Your motion's denied. Next case.

[indistinct chatters]

You did it. You were great.

So were you.

So... I guess we should get back to the office,

let the client know there's only one plaintiff suing him

instead of a thousand.

Yeah, better let him know.

Abby.

I want to clear the air about last night.

Oh, what about it?

It's no great secret we're kind of attracted to each other.

But I just don't want you to get the wrong idea.

- About what? - You know, us.

I'm just not ready for a heavy office romance.

[laughing] Oh, God. You really are a jerk.

[laughing] Uh, but, hey.

It's not like I forced you into anything.

No. Jonathan.

Look, if... if in the course of killing ourselves

for 72 hours, we got a little crazy...

Maybe even a little curious,

what's wrong with that?

Nothing. I... I... I just thought--

You just thought that you were

the greatest thing since Pimento Loaf, hmm?

[both laughing]

Look, I think that we both realize

it's a lot better for us to be friends for a long time

instead of lovers for a short time.

Okay?

Okay.

Now, do we think we can properly congratulate one another?

Absolutely.

[briefcase thudding]

[both laughing]

I don't even know what I'm doing here.

Why are you here?

Because of his hangdog look, his manipulative begging.

I hate it!

- You're free to go. - Sure.

- Then it's all my fault. Douglas: Well, isn't it?

All you ever do is take, demand,

bitch about what everyone else has,

without being grateful for what you've been given.

Oh, please. You've given me nothing.

Sheila: You're an absentee husband,

a cold, disinterested, predictable lover.

Well, what do you expect?

Every time I get to bed, I have to compete with Bjorn

or Roger or my own brother Erroll.

Douglas: Not to mention, God knows who else.

- Aurelio. - Aurelio?

Who's Aurelio?

He's the packaging supervisor at Gilson's .

A box boy for god sakes?

I don't know why I even brought us here.

- What's the point? - What is the point, indeed?

Alright, the point is this.

You two have armored yourselves

with so much hostility

that you have forgotten how to love.

What's to love? His bald head?

Sheila: His hairy shoulders?

- His knobby knees? - Stop it!

How can you let her keep saying those things?

Expressing anger is safer than admitting pain.

Mumbo jumbo.

And your anger is your excuse for not changing.

- More mumbo jumbo. - Oh, is it?

Well, now that you're single,

are you experiencing your freedom?

Or are you still imprisoned by pain,

by rage, by a life of unmet expectations?

Yes! And it's not fair. He promised me things!

But there are no promises, there are no guarantees.

It is your life!

You have to take responsibility for it

whether you're with this man or not.

I don't know how.

I think there's a secret Sheila inside you.

A loving, creative, nurturing Sheila,

bursting to be free.

You can see that?

Mm-mm.

You release her and you'll never again look to a man

to give you what you can only give yourself.

I want to throw pots.

You've already broken half the dishes in the house.

That's not what she means.

Is it?

No.

I want to be an artist.

Sheila: I want to sit at the wheel,

my hands in wet clay.

Then do it!

Reach into your dark, moist well of talent.

Explore it with your heart, and your hands, and your soul.

Release the anger. Let it go.

You're a sensual, earthy woman,

with an infinite capacity for giving.

I know it. But does he?

Gordon: How could he?

Have you ever given yourself to him?

Not givin' in.

But really given.

I want to try.

Me, too.

[jazz music]

Mr. Redding,

Jeanette Wheeler signed the settlement papers

with Simmons Aviation, is that right?

I witnessed it. Yes.

You recall putting a gun to her head at a time?

My arsenal of persuasive devices

has never included firearms, Mr. Spitzer.

[all chuckling]

You recommended that she sign?

- You bet. Spitzer: Can you tell us why?

Well, let me start by offering some objective reasons...

August: The questionable causality

of Tom Wheeler's condition,

contributory negligence in the form of his refusal to use

personal safety devices on the job,

the fact that Jeanette Wheeler

was already making a living for herself.

All this goes into the hopper.

Now let me add though, that there's no formula,

there's no book you can read

that will tell you which ones to settle

and which ones to try.

43 years of practice tells you that.

And you can't summarize what that means

on a witness stand

because it would take another lifetime

to even come close.

But you can rest assured it's all up here.

Thank you, Sir.

I have no further questions.

Good afternoon, Mr. Redding. My name's Victor Sifuentes.

I believe we've met.

[all chuckling]

[man in audience coughs]

Does the name Kate Morrison mean anything to you, Sir?

No. Should it?

She is a registered nurse

who was employed by Simmons Aviation

and was prepared to testify as to the prevalence

of cancer victims at that company.

I'm sure you'll forgive me

if a few obscure names from two or three years ago

elude my powers of recall.

Ed Popov, Cleve Dortmunder,

Nelson Moon, Ron Nicolaides?

Any of those names ring a bell, Sir?

Objection! This isn't a quiz show.

What's the significance of these names?

They were all coworkers of Tom Wheeler,

all diagnosed with varying forms of malignancy.

I'll allow it.

Mr. Redding, do any of these names ring a bell?

None of them.

I suppose you never took time

to take their depositions either, is that right?

I won't waste time with meaningless discovery

exercises, counselor.

Isn't it true, sir,

that lawyers of Simmons Aviation

knew full well that your failure

to carry out even minimal discovery

would've resulted in a summary judgment

against you if you did try and take the case of trial.

Not so far as I know.

And wasn't the $20,000 of scrap they were throwing to you?

- A nuisance settlement? - Objection!

Absolutely not.

And didn't you grab for that scrap

knowing that it was that or nothing?

Objection, Your Honor.

This is argumentative badgering.

Sustained.

What's my name, Mr. Redding?

Why? Was I supposed to depose you, too?

My name is Victor Sifuentes.

What cases did you rely on, sir,

in deciding that $20,000

was all you could get for cancer?

They're in my head.

And let me tell you something, Johnny,

If I couldn't get more than that, no one could.

Did you stand up in court, sir, during this trial

and state an objection for the record?

I think I did.

Was the objection sustained or overruled?

- I'm not sure. - What was the objection, Sir?

I don't remember.

- What's my name? Spitzer: Objection!

- Overruled. - What's my name?

I don't remember!

Victor Sifuentes. Where did you have lunch today, Sir?

Spitzer: Objection!

Goes directly to the witness' short-term memory

and competence to practice the law.

I ate lunch at Jimmy's.

No, Sir, you ate lunch at the Regency Club.

You're trying to trap me.

Yes, Sir, that is exactly, what I'm trying to do,

I'm trying to trap you with your own inability

to remember the simplest most

basic pieces of information.

I've broken the backs of insurance companies

in six states.

What's my name, Sir?

Counsel is badgering this witness!

This witness has been a trial lawyer

for 43 years, Your Honor.

And I'm asking him a simple question!

You know how many times I've made law?

August: Common carrier liability...

Ferguson versus St. Boniface ski tours,

6 cal. 2nd 42.

Indemnification of agent by principle...

Bullock vs. Tecowsky, 50 cal. 309.

- Look it up! - Your honor-

What's my name, Mr. Redding?

You want names?

Delia Maldonado! Geisler called me.

Begged me to take her case.

The woman owes her life to me.

Will the court direct the witness

to either answer the question

or indicate that he's unable to answer the question?

- Mr. Redding. - They all know me!

Percy Foreman, Ed Williams, Gerry Spence.

Ask Weitzman about me, he'll tell you,

he's seen me in action.

- Gus. Judge Pehlman: Mr. Redding.

Can you answer Mr. Sifuentes' question?

What's the question?

- What's my name? - I don't know!

I can't remember!

[dramatic music]

Your Honor, I would ask for a 20-minute recess.

Court to resume at 4:15.

Bailiff: This court is in recess for 20 minutes.

All interested parties should return at that time.

Can we find a room and settle this out?

[briefcase lock clicks]

Yeah. Let's.

[instrumental music]

[theme music]