Original subtitles

Ta da! The finished product.

What do you think?

Nice. Very very nice.

I like the possessory credit,

Arnold Becker's Guide to Divorce.

They're not going to be able to keep 'em on the shelves.

From you lips to God's ears.

Hey. I've done a billion of these things.

This one's got pop.

It's going to be a huge seller.

You think so? [kisses]

It's great, you're great. I gotta run.

Alison, you're always running.

Why don't you stop for a minute and smell the daisies.

With my luck, I'd get stung by a bee.

Dinner tonight? Celebrate?

I can't. I'm working.

Oh, and Dave Meyer said to tell you

that he'll send over a case of those over tomorrow.

- Oh! - Oh!

God, I'm sorry.

Excuse me. I was...

It's-- it's okay.

Victor Sifuentes.

Alison Gottlieb.

Nice to meet you.

[Victor chuckles]

Yeah, it is.

I gotta go.

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

Edward Chang's here.

Ronnie, I got this nasty letter from Jim Higgins

saying that we never produced the documents in the Berl case.

The copy center hasn't done it

because we haven't paid our bill.

For God's sake. You know what's going to happen?

He's is gonna to file a motion to compel

and I'm gonna get hit with costs.

How much is the stupid copy bill?

Forty-seven and change.

Look, take it out of petty cash.

And then call and tell Higgins--

Petty cash is gone.

You said I could have it since you didn't pay me last week.

Great. Ed. Hi. C'mon in.

I thought I'd come down and pick up the settlement offer.

I've got it right here.

Great. It's about time.

I want you to go over that carefully and then we'll take.

For six years I trusted that swine.

My clients were his clients.

And the whole time he's got his hand in my pocket.

Yeah, well, he's not going to do it anymore.

I've got my tax whiz, Stuart Markowitz,

crunching the numbers as we speak.

Forty thousand? You think that's enough?

Well, it's nothing to sneeze at,

but it's nothing we have jump at, either.

That's why I want you to review this carefully.

In the end, it's your decision.

Right. This Stuart Markowitz guy.

Does he think it's enough?

I'm meeting with him this afternoon so I'll call

you as soon as I get the breakdown.

That's great. Thanks a lot, Abby.

- Take care. - Bye.

I got building management on line two.

They want to know if you'll be dropping off

the rent check today?

Um...

tell them I mailed it.

Then call Doug McBane and tell him his balance is outstanding.

Hello? Yeah, it went out first thing Monday morning.

Are you sure you haven't received it?

Benny. Here Rox, I signed it right there and there...

Ah, ah...

You wanna donut?

Add about 230 calories each, I think I'll pass.

How come?

I'm trying to lose weight.

Why?

Well, I think I'd look better.

Gee...

I think you're pretty now.

I'd be prettier if I weighed ten pounds less.

Benny: No you wouldn't.

You'd just be smaller.

Well, Some of us could stand to be a little smaller.

Should I be smaller?

Only if you think it'll make you feel better about yourself.

I never thought about it.

Maybe you should get the donuts in there.

I think they're starting the staff meeting.

Roxanne, my all encompassing vessel of passion.

Are you busy for lunch today?

Ah-uh. I'm eating in.

I mean, if you can call this eating.

How about a mid-day tryst at the Bon Adventure?

You know they say 30 minutes of vigorous love making

burns five hundred calories an hour.

That is one thousand calories per person.

- I don't think so, David. - No?

Then how about we jump into the car and head over

to Rancho Park and hit a bucket of balls?

- Dave, please... - What?

I just want to be left alone

with my, my boiled eggs and my celery sticks.

Your wish is my command, you voluptuary you.

I have a lot of work to do.

One kiss. One kiss.

[kisses]

I'll see you at home tonight.

With that in mind, how about I fire up

the old jacuzzi for an after dinner romp? Huh?

David: Huh?

Okay, David.

The thought of your alabaster buoys

bobbing in the bubbles,

truth to tell,

I don't think I'm going to get much work done today.

If we can get started, we're running late...

Arnold, how goes the Mehzadi case?

Actually, Ms. Wyler is in

a better position to talk about it than I.

I found out that Issac Mehzadi's wife

is carried on the books of her family's business.

She's also the title owner of

several parcels of property in Damascus.

All of which has been kept carefully hidden

and which should knock her claims

for piece of Issac's rug business

right out of the box.

Brackman: Good work, Dorothy.

Becker: She's done a real bang-up job.

Chang verses Century Partners Limited.

Yeah, we're still pretty far from an agreement,

but there's a lot running in our favor.

- How's Abby acquitting herself? - Quite well.

She's really gained a lot of confidence

since going out on her own.

There's nothing more gratifying

than seeing young lawyers

who've been under your tutelage

go forth in the world and blossom.

No doubt you were quite an influence on her, Douglas.

We've all had our mentors, Victor.

It's really just a matter of giving something back.

I don't think her more than anyone motivated you.

Thank you, Michael. Thank you.

Avianca versus National Brands.

April Avianca was waiting tables at The Gilded Cage.

The manager talked her into being a combatant

at their Tuesday night mud wrestling contest.

When the mud was replaced with lime gelatin,

April's skin broke out in a flaming red rash

that covered her from head to toe.

She lost two movie roles she had been cast for as a result.

Why's she suing National Brands?

They manufactured the lime gelatin.

So what? It's intended to be eaten, not wrestled in.

True, except gelatin wrestling has been around long enough

to raise the issue of foreseeability

particularly when topless bars are buying it by the case.

I trust Ms. Avianca is open

to the possibility of settlement.

Absolutely.

She's also available for our next Christmas party.

- I think we're adjourned. - Ah, ah-uh...

Before we go, has anyone seen the cut-out of me?

It was in my office and now it's gone.

Well, maybe one of the clerical staff

who worships you from afar took it home with her.

You must've known that was going to happen.

How's the videotape venture going, Arnold?

David Meyer tells me that early sales figures

are through the roof.

Look at this packaging.

[laughter]

[laughs] Very impressive.

I'm getting a case of them tomorrow

so you can all have a copy of your own.

Jane Fonda to shape up, Arnold Becker to ship out.

What a country.

Arnold, what's the deal

with this Alison Gottlieb person?

No deal. She just directed my video.

Yeah, but what kind of person is she?

She's bright, she's ambitious...

Are you guys, you know, serious...

- No. - No.

We just had a couple of dinners.

So, you're not going to mind if I ask her out?

Go ahead. Rox'll give you the number.

But, ah, don't hold your breath.

What does that mean?

It means she loves to flirt,

but when push comes to shove, she has

a definite problem with intimacy.

But, hey, what the hell. Go ahead. Give it a shot.

I want a full written report.

Funny.

Rox!

Six months suspended, two years community service.

You must be on drugs.

Come on. He's a 60 year old Baptist minister.

You really think the jury's gonna convict?

When he blows away a teenager with a .357 magnum?

Yeah, I think they'll convict.

Self-defense, counselor.

Two bullet holes in the back

don't suggest self-defense to me.

Ms. Van Owen.

We're talking about a saint, here.

He runs shelters for the homeless,

halfway houses for addicts--

And he murdered a 17-year-old boy.

I'll give you murder two but that's it.

- This case is open and shut. - You say so.

But when the jury hears about an elderly black man

who's been repeatedly victimized

by the youth in the neighborhood,

in this case the white youth--

Oh, no, you don't.

Your racism defense

isn't gonna work this time.

It works every time

because it's there every time.

So take my advice, plead this out

on aggravated assault

and spare yourself the embarrassment.

You spare yourself.

I'm ready for you this time,

and there's no way in hell I'm losing this thing.

I will not let my client do time, counselor. Trust me.

He's going to jail, Mr. Atkins. Trust me.

Alright, Ms. Van Owen,

we'll hear from the prosecution.

Excuse me, judge. I'm sorry.

I'd like to file one last pretrial motion before we open.

Mr. Atkins.

I apologize, but this is in response

to newly discovered information.

This motion is to compel the district attorney

to produce all exclamatory evidence.

I've already done that and counsel knows it.

Forgive me but I've been informed that two months ago,

Ms. Van Owen prosecuted a black man

with illegally obtained evidence...

Objection!

using an unconstitutional confession.

Get up here right now! Both of you.

The People vs. Lyle Torrey, judge.

She concealed evidence in that case.

I want to be sure she doesn't conceal any here.

This is a cheap stunt for the jury's benefit.

It's not a stunt, it's a legitimate motion.

You're gonna start this crap all over again, aren't you?

Judge Travelini: Quiet! Mr. Atkins,

I know your propensity for grandstanding,

but don't you dare pull that here.

Judge Travelini: I'm the wrong judge for that.

Do you understand me?

Your motion is denied.

Now step back, both of you.

Sorry, judge.

Members of the jury you will disregard

that last exchange in its entirety.

Ms. Van Owen, please proceed.

No, it's not a good offer. 40,000 is not good.

That's all the client lost, Stuart.

We'll never get punitives and it seems to me--

His out-of-pocket loss was 40, Abby.

That doesn't take into account for lost profits,

it doesn't take into account interest

and this thing's on a four year payout schedule.

Which means the present day value is about thirty-two.

Which is still not bad considering

the costs of a trial.

Abby, the client doesn't bear that cost.

You took it on a contingency, remember?

Even so, Stuart,

anti-competition cases are tough to win.

And I'm not sure we should roll the dice with a wobbler.

You have a strong case here, Abby,

that's why the offer's as good as it is.

I think you could get at least sixty-five.

I disagree.

Look, even if we win on liability,

which to me is very iffy

the upside award in this is going to be in the low fifties.

I think you're wrong.

Thank you, but that's my decision.

I'm going to recommend to the client that he take it.

Fine, but I gotta tell you, if he asks me,

I'm going to recommend otherwise.

Stuart, I'll talk to the client.

I don't need you giving him mixed signals about this deal--

Whoa, whoa. I'm co-counsel here, Abby.

I have a duty to protect Mr. Chang's interests as well.

I'm the one who hired you!

Yeah, on the client's behalf.

Which means I have an affirmative obligation--

Well, then I'll just remove that obligation.

As of this moment!

- I beg your pardon? - You're fired.

- You're firing me? - I'm sorry.

But your services are terminated,

as is your obligation to speak to my client.

You can send me your bill.

[instrumental music]

I just can't believe how stupid I was.

I fell right into it. Again.

Well, at least the judge hammered him.

But that's the thing.

The jury didn't hear any of that.

All they heard was the stuff about me.

And all they saw was me ranting at the bench like a lunatic

while Atkins stood there calmly.

Face it, Gracie, the guy's good. And you're a lunatic.

Well, this lunatic is ready for Mr. Atkins.

He's not going to get under my skin anymore.

I've studied up on him.

I know all his tricks and I'm ready

to stop him at every turn.

So that's what you were doing till 3 o'clock in the morning?

Mm-hm.

Nobody beats me twice, Kuzak.

Nobody.

Go get him, counselor.

- Ruff-- - He's mine.

[blowing kisses]

So the defendant never denied shooting him?

Oh, no.

He just said it was self-defense

and that he had to do it.

Did your investigation support

that conclusion, Sergeant?

I'm afraid not.

The victim didn't have a weapon

and he was shot from behind.

You're sure about this?

Both bullet wounds were in the back.

One was just below the shoulder blade.

The other was just above the base of the spine.

Sergeant Bassett.

Did you have occasion to meet with the defendant

prior to this incident?

About three weeks before.

We were responding to another burglary at his church.

Some kids had stolen some stuff,

and he was real agitated.

Could you describe this agitation, please?

Well, he was mad at us, for one thing.

It was about the tenth time his church

had been hit in the last year

and he said he was sick of it.

And that's when he made the threat.

What was this threat, sir?

He said if the police couldn't stop these punks

he'd do it himself.

Thank you, Sergeant Bassett.

I have nothing further.

Did you report...

this threat to anybody?

Bassett: No, I didn't. - Why not, Sergeant?

I really didn't take it seriously.

Because victims, in the heat of the moment,

say crazy things all the time, don't they?

Yes, sir.

And when you heard my client spout off about vengeance,

you regarded that as human nature, didn't you?

I guess that's right.

Atkins: In fact, Sergeant Bassett,

the real reason my client is on trial here today...

is not because of that impassioned outburst,

but because of those two bullet holes

in the back of the intruder. Isn't that right?

That's certainly the most

incriminating evidence, yes, sir.

Atkins: How long have you been with the force, sergeant?

Bassett: Sixteen years. - Sixteen years.

In that time, have you known of a police officer

to shoot and kill anybody from behind?

It's happened.

To your knowledge,

have any of those officers prosecuted for murder?

No, because they didn't commit murder.

- In your opinion. Bassett: Look, counselor.

If an officer fatally wounds somebody from behind,

there's gonna be a complete investigation.

And if the shooting isn't justified

or an honest mistake, there's damn well

gonna be a murder charge,

whether it's a cop or not.

So it is possible...

for these kinds of shootings to be

either justified or an honest mistake?

That's right.

Thank you, sergeant. Nothing further.

[horn honking]

[indistinct chatter]

Mr. Chang. Hi.

I appreciate your seeing me without an appointment.

Oh, that's okay.

I don't know if Abby told you or not,

but I'm no longer on the case.

She told me.

The reason I came is to find out

what exactly happened.

Oh.

Nothing happened.

I was hired to run some numbers and give some advice,

which I did. And, ah, my job's done.

She told me you had a disagreement.

Well, no, we...

differed on the damage computation, that's all.

You think the offer is too low, don't you?

Yeah, I'd like it to be bigger.

But A-- A-- Abby's in

a much-- much better position to make the call.

She's much better versed on the liability issue.

How much do you think I should get?

I think you should ask Abby.

She's your lawyer, she's quite capable.

Suppose I wanted to make you my lawyer.

- Exclusively. - No.

Listen, Abby's a litigator, I'm not.

I think your interests are much better served with her.

But you disagree with the way she's handling it.

No, I didn't say that.

I said we had a difference

of opinion as to the numbers.

That's all.

Thank you, Mr. Markowitz.

Thank you for your time.

Okay.

Hey, Victor. Como esta?

Bien.

- Did ya call Alison? - Yeah. I did.

And?

Ah, we're going out for a little dinner.

Great.

And don't forget.

Full written report.

And you where were you, sir, when you heard the noise?

In the basement, I've been staying there

at night to protect my church.

Just when I got ready to turn in I heard it.

And I thought, "Oh, Lord, here we go again."

What do you mean, "Here we go again?"

Seely: Ten break-ins in past seven months.

I can't even get insurance because I'm too much of a risk.

What did you do, sir, when you heard this noise?

I got my gun and I went upstairs.

Seely: And when I went in the chapel, I saw him.

I couldn't make him out too good because it was sort of dark.

So I yelled, "Who are you?"

and that's when he just started charging.

- Charging at you? - Yes, sir.

But he was shot in the back.

Well, he turned toward the door just before I fired.

Seely: He was moving fast and I had my hand on the trigger.

With God as my witness...

I did not want to kill anyone.

Atkins: Thank you, reverend.

I have nothing further.

When you shot him the first time, Mr. Seely,

he was ten feet away.

And according to your testimony,

you thought he was charging you, right?

Yes.

But when you got him with the second shot,

he was thirty feet away, over by the door.

Are you telling us that after he ran

an additional 20 feet away from you,

you still thought he was charging?

It was dark.

It wasn't dark, sir, the lights were on.

Sometimes I don't see too good.

- Do you wear glasses? - No.

In fact, you have 20/20 vision, don't you?

The point is I thought I was in danger.

No, the point is, reverend,

you have perfect vision,

you were in a lighted room

and you say you couldn't tell

if the boy was coming towards you or running away.

Doesn't that sound a little funny?

Atkins: Objection, my client doesn't have

to ratify her sense of humor.

Then let me rephrase the question.

Doesn't that sound a little like murder, Mr. Seely?

Atkins: Objection! - Sustained.

After the last break-in, you told the police

you'd stop these punks, didn't you?

That was just talk. I didn't--

And was it just talk the next week

when you went out and bought the .357 magnum

I needed protection.

And when you took shooting practice for two weeks

was that just a little more talk?

That was me taking steps to stop crime! The police don't!

So you were doing the police department's job.

Yes! They should give me a medal!

Too bad, they stopped giving out medals

for shooting teenagers in the back.

Atkins: Objection! Van Owen: Withdrawn.

Van Owen: I have nothing further for the Reverend.

[door opens]

What possible justification do you have

for turning my client on me?

- I didn't turn your client. - Why? Did he leave you?

Yes, he did, Stuart. You know he did.

No, I don't know, Abby.

He came to my office very uncertain

about the deal you were trying to slide past him.

I resent that characterization.

It is precisely accurate, Abby.

I am a precisely accurate kind of guy.

And I have severe misgivings about the way

I handled that meeting with him,

because I led him to believe

that what you were doing was okay.

You sold him down the river, Abby.

I waved to him from the dock. He deserved better.

Oh, come on, Stuart, you'd have negotiated

that deal to death.

You'd like nothing better than

to bat those profit projections back and forth

till the end of recorded history,

but for people who live in real time, Stuart,

including Mr. Chang, they have bills to pay!

Oh, is that it, Abby? Bills to pay?

Did you push for his settlement because you have bills to pay?

It was a decent offer.

Did you push for this settlement

because you have bills to pay?

I'm out of money, Stuart. I am also out of credit.

And I was stiffed by two clients for fees I was counting on.

But I would never sell out my own client.

Yeah, because he walked before you had a chance to.

Abby, good lawyers don't screw their clients.

What am I supposed to do, Stuart?

Lose the practice? Close up shop?

Ask for a loan for God sakes! Here!

I have money!

Stick you money, Stuart!

Stick you money and your moralizing!

[instrumental music]

[theme music]

That's it, that's it. Ah...

Ah-ah...

I can't tell if I'm helping or hurting.

You're alternating.

Excuse me.

Abby.

Come in.

Why don't I go and--

No, Ann, Ann, I, ah,

I just came to apologize to your husband.

He was right on target yesterday.

And the righter he was, the madder I got.

So I hope that he'll accept a blanket apology,

because a point-by-point

will just remind him of what a complete jerk I am.

Stuart?

Forget it.

Thank you.

Is there anything we can do?

Ann, don't ask. Believe me.

Yeah. Really.

Although, ah, if you don't mind, I...

I gave your name to somebody today.

No, I don't mind.

He owns Diamondback Skateboards.

He's a interesting guy, actually.

He ah, he was four-time

international freestyle thrasher champion...

They call it thrashing. Here is it.

Some, ah,

sportswear manufacturer starts putting

his diamondback snake logo on his summer line and...

We've got a conflict here,

so I gave him your, ah, gave him your name.

- Trademark infringement? - Mm-hm. Yeah.

I thought it would be right up your alley.

I mean, it's just an area I'm not all that fluent in.

- What, fluent. Read up. - Yeah, sure.

But if the guy thinks I'm some kind of expert...

Mm-uh. I told him you're young. I told him you're smart.

I told him he'd be lucky to get you.

So, take it, if you want it.

I'll give it a shot.

Thanks for the endorsement.

Get the door, will you?

Yeah, Walter Goetz, please. Stuart Markowitz calling.

Markowitz: Mr. Goetz? Good morning.

Yeah. I've been thinking about lawyers for your case,

and I think I've found somebody for you.

Ah-huh. Her name is Abigail Perkins.

Yeah. Yeah. Now look, I don't know

if she can free herself up for this but...

I, oh yeah, I will...

definitely put a good word in for you.

I'll be glad to do it.

Alright, Mr. Atkins, what's this all about?

I'm afraid I have a situation, judge.

Which necessitates my being excused from this case.

Pardon me?

Reverend Seely believes my defense has been incompetent.

And it seems he's suing me for malpractice.

What the hell are you talking about?

This is the complaint he's plan to file.

Obviously, I can't be expected to go on representing

a client who's in the process of suing me.

Excuse me, judge, but I believe that Mr. Atkins

instructed his client to file that complaint.

- What? - It's a great trick.

He tells his client to sue,

forcing you to remove him as counsel from the trial.

His withdrawal at such a late stage is so prejudicial

that it's grounds for a mistrial, or, at worst,

sure-fire grounds for appeal after the conviction.

- This is ridiculous. Van Owen: Not so ridiculous.

Mr. Atkins has been sued three other times by clients

in the late stages of a losing effort.

1971.

1978. And again in 1981.

All three complaints...

snatching mistrials from the jaws of defeat.

Oh, and...

all three suits subsequently dropped

after the clients got their new trials.

That proves absolutely nothing.

Judge Travelini: Mr. Atkins.

Did you tell your client to sue you

so that I would scrap this trial?

No, Your Honor.

That would be unethical.

Well, let me tell you this, Mr. Attorney.

I don't think that your client

has any grounds for a malpractice claim

and judging from your behavior,

I am quite confident that you will continue

to represent him zealously.

You are not excused.

This trial goes on.

We're going back in there right now for closing arguments.

Your Honor.

Lets go, Mr. Atkins.

And just be glad that I don't lock you up

for obstruction of justice.

Nice try, counselor.

Jerome Seely has sacrificed...

the last 30 years of his life...

so that others might suffer less.

Food for the hungry.

Shelter for the homeless.

Hope for the desperate.

And now,

Ms. Van Owen...

wants you to lock him up...

because he dared raise a gun

against a burglar in his own church.

No twelve people of conscience...

could go back to that jury room

and come back with that kind of a verdict.

He's a good man, a giving man

who panicked and shot a criminal.

Jerome Seely was afraid and...

pent-up with frustration

at white America's indifference towards

crimes against black people.

The police response time for crimes in his black neighborhood

averages seventeen minutes longer...

than the response time to crimes in a white neighborhood

just three blocks away.

Atkins: Two weeks ago,

simultaneous reports were made to the police

about two different crimes.

A car theft in the white neighborhood.

An ongoing rape in the black.

The police responded to the car theft first!

I object to this, he's introducing new facts

in his closing and that's illegal.

There has been no evidence introduced about it.

Response time on any rape two weeks ago!

I object to this blatant intrusion!

Your Honor, I move that Attorney Atkins take the stand

so that I can cross examine him.

- What? - Cross examine?

He is making statements of fact, functioning as a witness!

I have an absolute right to challenge him.

This is ridiculous.

Afraid to take the stand, counselor?

Judge Travelini: Ms. Van Owen.

You want to cross examine me? Go ahead.

Both of you, approach!

Now,

I will strike that evidence and remove it from--

They already heard it, judge, you can't un-ring the bell!

If she wants to put me on the witness stand,

it's okay with me.

Alright.

We'll come back in here tomorrow.

Judge Travelini: Members of the jury,

we will reconvene at 10:00 a.m.,

at which time Attorney Atkins will be called as a witness.

Until then, we are adjourned.

If you think you can go one on one with me, lady,

you just made a big mistake.

[indistinct chatter]

[phone buzzes]

Yeah.

Okay. Send him in.

Walter Goetz.

Abby: Hi. Abigail Perkins.

Thanks, Ronnie.

- A pleasure. - Have a seat.

So. Stuart told me a little bit about your case.

Look, before we get too far on this...

I understand the value of keeping things lean.

But when your name came up,

I had no idea this was a one-man office.

Stuart Markowitz recommended me, there had to be a reason.

Look, Mr. Goetz, at the risk

of sounding immodest, I'm good.

And the reason I don't have a flock of associates

backing me up is because I don't need one.

You think my case is winnable?

From what I know, absolutely.

The guy's making money off your logo.

Well, it's real close. It's not an exact copy.

No, no, the issue here is likelihood of confusion

and when the lay person sees the design on his t-shirts,

they're going to associate it with your skateboard company.

That's great, Ms. Perkins.

But do you really think one person

is enough to service this case?

We could be looking at big numbers and--

Abby: You know what I really think?

I think you should interview some other lawyers.

Hey, look, don't get me wrong, I--

You don't need to explain, Mr. Goetz.

One of my golden rules here

is never take on a reluctant client.

And the fact is that there are a lot of fine law firms out there

that'll do a nice job for you.

Well, maybe I should, ah, at least talk to a few, you know.

To see what they say.

Abby: I think that would be smart.

But do yourself a favor

and don't hire your last lawyer, whoever that was.

Why?

Well, they should've registered your trademark.

If he had, you might not be in this jam.

He said it wasn't necessary because it was a unique design.

Well, he was wrong, wasn't he?

Look, Mr. Goetz, I'm not saying you're not going

to win here, because you should.

Abby: It's a fanciful mark and we could

easily establish secondary meaning.

But if you were registered,

you'd have another presumption

in your favor going in.

It's just plain stupid to not be registered.

You know what?

I think I'm ready to hire you.

No, no. I don't, I don't think

you should make this decision yet.

- Think it over. - No.

I'm sure.

I'm sure.

Okay. Fine.

Um, I'll need a retainer from you of $10,000,

to be charged off at a rate of $150 an hour.

Right.

[instrumental music]

It's been a long time since I've been on a real date.

I'm surprised.

Why?

Oh, I don't know.

I guess you don't strike me as the shy type.

No, it's-- it's just that the women that I meet...

are in the legal profession, and, um,

when you spend your days with lawyers--

I know. I feel the same way about the guys I work with.

Mmm.

I work a lot of nights, too,

particularly when I have to be in court the next morning.

Well, my mother's going to be thrilled

when I tell her I went out with an attorney.

Ah.

Named Sifuentes?

Well, I don't think I'll tell her that part.

[laughter]

Unless, um, I see you again.

Well, that's up to you.

I'd like that.

[laughing]

[sighs]

So does, ah,

does that mean you're not...

involved with anyone?

- Yeah. I mean-- - You are?

I mean no.

[laughs] I'm not involved with anybody.

Good. That's...

That's good.

This way.

[car beeps]

[Alison laughs]

[car door shuts]

Um.

[laughs]

Let me get that.

This car has a...

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[kisses]

Are you going to be in my life, Victor Sifuentes?

Oh, yes. Yes, I am.

[music continues]

[telephone ringing]

Hey, Victor, how was the big date?

It was great.

Where'd you go?

A little place in Malibu canyon.

And?

What?

- How was it? - It was pretty good.

I had the New York steak and Allison had the grilled chicken.

Cute.

I'm talking about afterward.

It was fine.

Fine?

What is fine supposed to mean?

Fine means fine.

Okay. You gonna see her again?

Yeah. Probably.

What is this? A news blackout?

Mr. Atkins, yesterday's statement

about police response times

in black and white neighborhoods.

Where'd you get that?

That was my own research,

based on numerous interviews

with reliable witnesses

living in both places.

Why didn't you call any of these

reliable witnesses to testify?

Maybe I should have.

Yes, or maybe you were afraid

they'd turn out to be not so reliable or non-existent.

I don't fabricate data, Ms. Van Owen.

Oh, you don't.

What about the so-called simultaneous reports

concerning this rape and car theft?

They happened. January 7, 1989.

Van Owen: But they didn't happen simultaneously, counselor.

According to the police records,

a unit was already in the white neighborhood

investigating the automobile theft

when the rape call came in.

And they responded immediately.

All I know is they were in the white neighborhood first.

Oh, no, Mr. Atkins.

You know the facts exactly.

But you chose to deliberately mislead this jury.

That's totally false.

It's true and it's not the first time.

You were suspended from the practice of law

for doing this before, weren't you?

Objection!

Goes to his honesty I'm offering to impeach.

Judge Travelini: I'll allow it. Van Owen: 1972.

You submitted and argued false evidence to a court of law,

for which you were suspended for three months.

Correct, counselor? You did the same thing two months ago!

Thank you, but for now let's stick to your adventures.

Like your 1978 conviction

for assault and battery on a police officer.

Objection!

He's a witness, judge,

felony convictions bear upon credibility!

Atkins: Your Honor! - Overruled!

That was an anti-apartheid demonstration.

Were you convicted or not, Mr. Atkins?

I pled guilty. Proudly.

Van Owen: And were you proud in 1968,

after being arrested for breaking and entering, tresp--

That was a faculty protest

in the administration building at Berkeley.

For which you were arrested, Mr. Atkins.

Atkins: That was a political crime, Ms. Van Owen!

Which you, as a chosen class

white American, can't understand!

I understand income tax evasion, sir!

Something you were investigated for in 1970.

I refused to pay my taxes,

in protest of the Vietnam war!

Van Owen: Bravo, Mr. Atkins,

it's always nice to have an excuse!

But let me conduct a review here and you tell me if I'm wrong.

Yesterday, you illegally introduced

new facts before this jury.

Facts about response times which you cannot prove.

Facts about a rape and a car theft

which are out and out false!

Previously, you've been suspended by the state bar

for lying to a jury,

you have a criminal record complete

with a felony conviction,

and you've been investigated for income tax evasion.

That's all true, isn't it, Mr. Atkins?

Just because--

Van Owen: Is it true or not, sir?

- Yes. It's true! - Thank you, counselor.

It's a privilege to know where you're coming from.

Judge Travelini: You may step down, Mr. Atkins.

Ms. Van Owen. Members of the jury.

I'm afraid that I cannot let this trial go on.

Van Owen: What are you talking about?

I think you know very well what I am talking about.

This new information is extremely prejudicial,

and in my view it severely compromises Mr. Atkins'

ability to render effective representation.

Judge, you can't throw this thing out!

Ms. Van Owen, you have left me no choice!

Mr. Atkins is now so severely undermined,

that it jeopardizes the defendant's

constitutional right to a fair trial.

Judge Travelini: Members of the jury...

regrettably, I must declare these proceedings a mistrial.

I thank you for your efforts

and I am deeply sorry

that you will not be able to complete your service.

This matter is adjourned.

Nice try, counselor.

[indistinct chatter]

Did you talk to Abby today?

Markowitz: Ah-uh.

She said she was gonna call.

She was pretty excited.

Great.

[phone ringing]

Speak of the devil.

Here, you answer.

Hello.

Yeah. Yeah, it is...

Wait a minute, let me get a pencil.

Mm-huh.

Which terminal?

Yeah, is he going to be there?

Alright. Thanks!

That was Ross Burnett's wife.

Ross is at the airport. And he's got a baby for us.

What?

I don't know. Three days old.

Coming in from Arkansas.

And, ah, the flight gets in here at 11:20.

Arkansas? We didn't meet anybody from Arkansas.

- Who's the mother? - I don't know.

Come on, let's get going.

Stuart, this is crazy.

We don't have a-a crib or diapers, or baby food...

One thing at a time.

Where are my car keys?

Kuzak: Hi.

- Hi. - How are you feeling?

Van Owen: Hmm. I'll live.

Grace, it's It's not like you lost. It's only a mistrial.

And the a mistrial always favors defense.

You still got a sure thing and you know it.

You know, the reason you're so upset

is because you were outsmarted.

Oh, thanks for the reminder, counselor.

Hey, you win some, you lose some.

I don't mind losing some

but this guy rubs my nose in it

every time I go up against him.

I-I-I just, I just don't ever want to see his face again.

Hey, I brought you a present.

It's just a little something to cheer you up.

Oh, Mickey...

that is so sweet.

Open it.

- You are something. - Hmm.

[paper rustling]

What am I suppose to do with this?

Well, it's exactly what you always wanted to do to Atkins.

Punch him right in the nose.

[laughs]

I can't do that.

Sure, you can. Go ahead.

Oh, come on, Grace, you can do better than that.

Go ahead! Got for it.

Yeah!

[airplane engine revving]

[indistinct announcements]

Hold on for just a minute, okay?

The flight's a few minutes late. So we have a little bit of time.

What's-- what's going on?

The couple that was supposed to take this baby

got cold feet and pulled out.

The baby was already in the air.

I called three different couples.

You were the only ones home.

Look, I've got the mother on the phone now in Arkansas.

I faxed her your file, and she's going over it.

Why don't you take a look at that top file

and tell me what you think?

[indistinct announcement]

[Markowitz sighs]

The mother's twenty. She lives in her hometown.

She's presently working

at a grade school cafeteria as a baker.

[sighs]

No history of mental illness in the family.

Paternal grandparents died of heart disease.

Um, says the mother was born with a malformed left foot,

which was corrected by surgery in infancy.

Ross wrote in the margin, "Not hereditary.

The baby's perfect."

That's it.

Stuart, this is not the way to have a baby.

- Ann-- - It's not fair to anybody.

She said yes.

She liked that you were both lawyers

and that Stuart had a nice smile and Ann was tall.

I want to talk to her before we decide.

She doesn't want to.

We don't even know if it's boy or a a girl.

It's a girl.

I can't do it this way. I have to meet the mother.

Stuart, if I see her I'll know

if this is the right baby for us.

I have to see her.

Maybe we can, ah, I don't know,

spend a little time with this baby first, before we decide?

No.

You can look at her. You can hold her.

But if you take her home, she's yours.

We're supposed to take a baby off a piece of paper

and a snapshot?

Is that how desperate we've become?

Just give us a second, will ya?

Can we get out of here, please?

Yes, we can go.

I mean, this is your call.

If it's not right for you I don't want to do it.

The plane has landed.

Well, you know, you want to take a look?

I guess so. Okay.

[people chattering]

[indistinct announcement]

[indistinct chatter]

[melancholy music]

[baby cooing]

I got a name picked out.

Tell me.

Kelsey.

Kelsey Markowitz.

Yeah.

- You like it? - I like it.

Well, how about we all go home?

You want to go home?

Okay?

[mellow music]

[theme music]