Original subtitles

Duane: No, I don't have an appointment.

You want me to wait for him? How long you want me to wait?

You want me to wait a day? I'll wait a day.

You want me to wait a week? I'll wait a week. I don't care.

I have no place to go. I have nothing to do.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

Calm down. What's going on here?

Duane: Well, well.

It's really him.

Mr. L.A.

I bet all you ladies just wanna

rip the clothes off of this guy, huh?

And I'm sure you've all been to bed with him

at least a couple of times, right?

Security is already on its way up.

I just want five minutes of your precious time.

- Why? - Here's why.

[paper rustling]

- Your wife is divorcing you? - Yeah.

And she made the papers out all by her lonesome.

Isn't that somethin', huh? She changed the locks.

She kicked me out. Everything.

- Just like you said. - What are you talking about?

Ain't that you, the guy in the video?

Oh, wait no, wait a second, this--

The guy who's always grinning at her, talking to her

like you've known her all her life.

I mean why should she stick with old Duane.

She wants Arnold Becker

with his purple ties and his really nice tan.

Do you wanna calm down and talk about this?

We'll go into my office, we'll talk about it.

Or you can rant and rave, and you'll be

taken out of here in handcuffs.

Now, what's it gonna be?

- I wanna talk. - Good.

[whispers] Sixty seconds, that's it.

[door closes] What are all these?

Becker: Store displays for my video.

I don't usually keep them in the office.

They're just here for me to sign.

Oh.

I guess a picture of you is all it takes, huh?

Becker: Have you and your wife been to a marriage counselor?

- No. Becker: Alright.

I'm gonna give you a few names.

She's not interested, okay?

Well, then you might just have to let her go.

Well, I don't wanna let her go.

Everything between us was just fine,

and then she's over at a girlfriend's house,

and she sees this stupid video

and suddenly everything ain't fine.

I'm asking you to tell her that she's making a mistake.

- It's not my place to do that. Duane: I'll pay you.

That's not the point. I can't save your marriage.

[knock on door]

Arnie, your other meeting's about to start.

[scoffs]

Down here, everybody gets divorced, don't they?

- To you, it's no big deal. - That's not true.

All I know is, until a month ago, my wife loved me.

It was the one thing that I had that I could hold on to,

the one thing that made me feel lucky.

And then "Arnold Becker's Video Guide to Divorce"

took it all away.

And now I got nothing!

What was that all about?

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

[laughing]

Uh, tell me something, Leland,

eh, are you contemplating retirement any time soon?

Arthur, I have never contemplated retirement at all.

Well, that being the case, I'd like to throw something out.

Mm-mm!

There's a vacancy on the federal court.

I want you to fill it.

The um, batteries in these things get a little, uh...

I didn't quite hear you.

You heard me fine.

Why me?

I've known you for a long time, Leland.

In my opinion, you're the best qualified.

Now the President's leaving it up to a certain congressman,

who'd rather I didn't mention his name right now.

That congressman is leaving it up to me.

Won't people wanna know my position on various issues?

No. No litmus test.

You'll use your judgment however you see fit.

This is pretty heady stuff, Arthur.

It only gets more so.

[sighs]

Ah, you know, at my age, you get to thinking

that all the earth-shattering stuff is behind you.

I'm ready to set the wheels in motion, Leland.

You just have to tell me if you want it.

God, yes, I want it!

Arthur: Good.

Where's little Kelsey?

We're finally trying out a new nanny.

And you haven't called home more than six or seven times

so far today, have you, Ann?

Twice.

Just won't be the same without that

piercing cry and a few fettered diapers

in the wastepaper basket, will it?

Brackman: Fitzpatrick vs. Steinmetz.

Charlie Fitzpatrick was killed

when a concrete floor under construction collapsed.

Now we've already established that the concrete was defective.

The trick here is proving that Roy Steinmetz knew about it,

and greased whoever he had to to keep the building on schedule.

Brackman: Knock 'em dead, Victor.

Mendez versus Mendez. This one of yours, too?

No, mine.

Uh, it's a custody dispute.

The father is a Venezuelan citizen.

We should be going to trial the beginning of next month.

Victor: Okay. - Good evening.

Brackman: Zaplin et. al. versus Recreational Foodstuffs Limited.

An uprising of franchisees.

Six independent operators of Art's Egg-Heaven Drive-ins

are suing the franchiser for removing the animal fat

from their corn dog batter.

They say the dogs just ain't the same.

McKenzie: Uh, I'd like to meet with the partners

sometime this afternoon, if possible.

Uh, I've got a deposition scheduled in Pasadena.

I don't think I'll be done until 4:00.

Yeah, I'm out till late this afternoon, too.

How about 5:30?

Brackman: 5:30 it is.

And we're adjourned.

[engines rumbling]

Mr. Clausen,

would you describe for the court

what happened on September 10th, 1985?

Well, it was just after lunch

and we were taking down forms on the seventh floor

when they set a load of steel down on the eighth.

Uh, first I heard a creaking,

then the rebars snapped.

Then there was this, this thunderclap.

The concrete gave way and the steel beam fell down.

Caught Charlie Fitzpatrick square.

Now, did you observe anything when they

put in this 8th floor that concerned you?

Objection, Your Honor. This man is not an expert on concrete.

His concern is irrelevant.

He's been a construction worker for 23 years

and he was working directly underneath.

I think that qualifies as relevance,

Your Honor.

The witness may answer.

The concrete had been sittin' too long.

It should have been dumped.

Uh, they didn't wanna lose time,

so they watered it.

It looked alright when they poured it,

but it had no strength when it dried.

That's why the floor collapsed.

Barney: I ask the last remark be stricken, Your Honor.

So stricken.

What happened after the accident,

Mr. Clausen?

As soon as the ambulance took Charlie's body away,

they wanted us to go back to work.

Superintendent said they had 11 cement trucks lined up

and the word from top was just to keep on goin'.

I picked up a steel bar and suggested that

out of respect for the dead,

we oughta shut down for the day.

Um, he thought about it, and agreed with me.

I have nothing further, Your Honor.

Judge Pendleton: Mr. Dowe?

[indistinct whispers]

Mr. Clausen, you, eh, testified earlier that

this accident happened right after lunch.

Barney: Could you tell us, sir, where you went for lunch?

I really don't remember.

Well, uh, could it have been a bar

called, "The Boynton"?

Maybe!

Did you have a chance to down a few

that day, Mr. Clausen?

Your Honor...

the concrete didn't collapse

because someone had a beer after lunch.

I hope Mr. Sifuentes isn't maintaining

that alcohol can't contribute to workers

making mistake on a job,

mistake that might have caused this accident.

You ever been on a construction site?

Judge Pendleton: Mr. Clausen.

Has that rat-bastard sitting over there

beside you ever been on a construction site?

I've been on plenty.

Yeah, they put a hard hat on your head

and take your picture and then you get in the limo and leave!

Mr. Clausen--

The men who worked there know

what happened, Roy, because we know you.

Put 'em up fast, put 'em up cheap, and whoever dies, dies!

Hell, that's what you hire a lawyer for!

[laughs] I wasn't expecting this.

- Believe me. - So, did you hesitate?

Not for a second.

I'm thrilled for you, Leland.

You know, I think this is something that I've...

Well, that I've always wanted.

So, what's your timetable looking like?

Well, they want to expedite it, so, I'll probably be sworn in

before the start of the fall term.

- How about ties to the firm? McKenzie: Very limited.

McKenzie: I'll be giving up this office and pretty much

staying out of firm business.

Naturally, I'll also disqualify myself

anytime the firm has an interest in the case and...

That's alright, Leland.

We'll just, uh,

bask in your reflected glow.

Ah, you wish...

You're looking uncharacteristically

quiet, Douglas?

I guess I'm just thinking about the void that'll be left.

Voids get filled, Douglas. It's a law of nature.

I'm not so sure about this one.

On the other hand, I don't know anyone who'd make a better judge

or who'd love being one more.

Congratulations, Your Honor.

[all applauding]

Aww, come on, come on!

[instrumental music]

Excuse me, excuse me. Coming through please.

Could you make it to Diandra?

D-I-A-N-D-R-A?

- Oh, it's for my daughter. - Uh-huh.

[inhales deeply] Every day, I ask myself,

"Why couldn't she have found someone like you

instead of that bastard she married?"

My son-in-law, the writer.

[cash register beeping]

Murray: People just wanna be near him.

It is an intangible quality, Murray.

If I could duplicate it, I would rule the world.

Can I tell you your clothes are fabulous?

Thank you.

Woman: My husband and I are still together by the way.

Every time he starts in with me, I play the tape, I tell him,

"Lenny, that's who I'll get."

[blows air]

This is what I-- I'd like you to write.

Word for word.

[sighs] Mr. Olshan,

would you examine this document and tell the court

if that's your signature there at the bottom of the page?

It is.

Dowe: Would you identify the document?

Olshan: It's a certificate

of inspection for the eighth floor

concrete slab on the federal office building.

I ask that it be admitted into evidence

as Defense Exhibit number one.

Judge Pendleton: So ordered.

Now, Mr. Olshan,

isn't the case that that certificate indicates

that the concrete was inspected and tested

and found to conform to the approved

specifications in the drawings?

Uh, yes.

And if Mr. Roy Steinmetz

was relying on that certificate, he had every reason to believe

that the concrete on the eighth floor

in his building was fine, right?

- I guess so. - Thank you.

No further questions, Your Honor.

Mr. Olshan, where did you take this sample of concrete

that you tested from, sir?

I took it from the truck.

Hmm... so if the concrete was being watered

on the eighth floor, testing in that truck

wouldn't reveal that, would it?

Well, it didn't occur to me that they'd be

watering it on the eighth floor.

Uh-huh, I guess it also didn't occur to you

to check the reinforcing steel.

If it had, you would have known that it was set every 12 inches

instead of every nine as indicated in the drawings.

Well, look, things get a little hectic.

I took somebody's word for it. I shouldn't have.

I don't know. Didn't seem to upset your supervisor too much.

You didn't get fired, did you?

- No, I didn't get fired. - You weren't even suspended!

Tell us, were there any consequences at all, sir?

Olshan: My supervisor didn't feel, uh,

disciplinary action was warranted.

What can I say? Everybody makes mistakes!

Yeah, is everyone paid to make them?

Dowe: Objection. - Alright, come on.

Let's tell the truth here, Mr. Olshan.

Roy Steinmetz greased you,

he greased your supervisor, he greased whoever he had to,

that's why you signed off on those certificates

and that's why you weren't fired.

Mr. Sifuentes, there's been an objection.

That objection is sustained.

Counsel's last remarks are stricken.

[sighs]

Mr. Olshan...

Did you happen to see Charlie Fitzpatrick

after that floor collapsed on him?

- Yeah, I saw him. - Mm-hmm.

Did you feel responsible, sir?

For the concrete collapsing? No.

- How about murder? Olshan: Murder?

How about making this woman a widow?

I didn't do that.

How about robbing her

children of their father?

I didn't put that floor in,

somebody else did. It was their mistakes that killed him.

But you covered up their mistakes!

No one would've been under that floor

if you hadn't said it was safe!

Well, I thought it was safe!

Oh, you didn't give a damn one way or another.

You knew how expensive it was to shut down a job,

to take out a, a defective concrete slab,

you wanted to save Roy Steinmetz's money.

Hey, lawyer, are you gonna say somethin' here or what?

Judge Pendleton: Mr. Olshan.

Well, Your Honor, how come he's

not objecting to something?

I'm not the one on trial here!

Well, maybe you should be!

You know, you've been a building inspector for 19 years.

How many other deaths are you responsible for?

No, no, no, no, now just, just wait a minute.

How many other wives lost their husbands?

How many other children lost their fathers?

[nervously breathing]

The pension isn't worth it. You know that?

- The pension isn't worth it. - Isn't worth what?

I've got 11 months left to retire,

and I'm not gonna make it.

Sure, I looked the other way on that job.

- I did what I was told to do. Dowe: Objection, Your Honor.

Olshan: Your Honor, let me finish, please!

Go ahead.

Well, it was understood that Steinmetz had a friend.

Dowe: Objection. What does "understood" mean?

It means everyone knew it.

Everyone knew that his friend

wanted the job done on time.

Everyone knew not to make waves.

Who was that friend, Mr. Olshan?

- Congressman Andrew Barnett. - That's a lie!

Judge Pendleton: Sit down, Mr. Steinmetz.

You were supposed to build it just a little

cheaper, just a little flimsier.

No one was supposed to die.

Dowe: Your Honor, I want this stricken.

Judge Pendleton: Mr. Olshan.

Olshan: I got no excuse, Mrs...

[shivering]

I did a real bad thing.

But it wasn't just me, and I got the records to prove it.

Your Honor.

At this time, I would like to make an application

for a continuance, so that I may conduct additional discovery.

Dowe: Based on what?

Even if these allegations are true,

and I most strongly deny that they are,

there's no punitive damages in a wrongful

death suit, it's irrelevant!

I'm gonna take it under advisement.

We'll convene tomorrow at 10:00.

Pretty soon you'll be thinking

of us as just the little people.

- Speak for yourself. - No, he's right, Ann!

But I will come and visit you.

I'll see you in your little offices

working at your little desks.

A tux. He's truly ascended.

Well, I've had this tux for ten years, Arnold.

It doesn't matter. I can tell by the way you wear it.

- You're already a judge. - Shh!

I'll see you all in the morning.

[car door slams]

We should probably talk about this at some point.

Yeah, this is gonna be official before we know it.

Leland will be sworn in.

And Douglas Brackman will be the senior partner of our firm.

I think we should talk about it now.

Yeah.

[instrumental music]

For one such as yourself who's assiduously managed

to avoid the mash potato circuit,

tonight is sure to be something of a shock.

Well, truth to tell, I go to so few political parties,

I'm actually looking forward to it.

What's Victor Sifuentes all about, Leland?

Victor? He is a top-flight trial lawyer.

Why?

He's gunning for Andy Barnett.

I don't know anything about it.

Arthur: Well, this afternoon, some building inspector

made up a story to take the heat off himself

and suddenly Sifuentes is going after a Congressman.

For what reason?

Barnett is the odds on favorite to run

for senate next time around.

Sifuentes has a chance to make his bones.

McKenzie: That's not Victor.

- No? - Mm-hmm.

This well-spoken, good-looking Latino

couldn't be harboring any political ambition of his own?

Whether he is or not,

that wouldn't be how he'd further it.

Arthur: We have a real problem here, Leland.

Andy Barnett's the Congressman

who's sponsoring you for the bench.

That's a little bit of a coincidence, isn't it?

Arthur: Yes, it is a coincidence.

Andy Barnett has a bright future ahead of him.

Beyond his district, beyond the state as well.

People will try all kinds of things to derail him.

Now, you're the senior partner.

I think you should talk to your associate.

Douglas is Douglas, Arnie, and certain things about him

will never change, which is exactly what worries me.

Don't forget Leland has always been here to hold him in check.

According to the partnership agreement,

Douglas assumes all of Leland's power.

[sighs] Yeah, unfortunately that's all he'll assume.

Michael: The only thing that'll matter around here

will be money, and you can forget about pro bono work, huh!

He'll look to shut that down altogether.

Stuart: Look, since he thinks we're all against him anyway,

a siege mentality will set in.

He'll get one of those electric door closers

for his office and communicate only in writing.

I-- I shudder to think what he's gonna try to impose

on the associates and secretaries.

You think Victor Sifuentes is going to put with it?

McKenzie leaves, he's gone.

Well, I'll tell you somethin'.

I sure as hell can't show Douglas

the deference I showed the old man.

Michael: He hasn't earned it. I don't feel it.

And if he insists on it...

[dramatic music]

I'm gone too.

The truth is that we're all gone, it

might take six months, might take a year.

It's pretty depressing to think that McKenzie-Brackman

without McKenzie will just break apart

and vanish into thin air.

There'll be some yelling, and a lawsuit, or two,

but in the end, the moving men will come in

and move out the boxes.

[knocking on door]

[door opens]

[office telephone ringing]

Victor?

[paper rustling]

You've been here all night?

Oh! Huh.

Yeah, Walter Olshan presented me

with four transfer cases worth of documents.

I... I was up until 4 a.m. going through 'em.

I figure that if the judge doesn't grant me

the continuance, at least I'll be able to argue with him

about that.

What is it you think you're gonna find, Victor?

Evidence that Steinmetz was deliberately ignoring

the building code, that he was using Congressman Barnett

to intervene on his behalf.

Intervening with whom?

The city. Building department.

This will help your client?

Yeah, I think that the jury will come back with a significantly

bigger award if they think that Steinmetz was dirty.

What if you're wrong about Barnett?

I drop back ten yards and I punt.

What does he do?

And people remember accusations,

whether they get proven, or not.

I wouldn't be doing this, Leland,

if I didn't think I could prove it.

And I think you know me well enough to know that.

You're right. Well, I'll leave it up to you.

Victor: Thanks.

I, uh, gotta get ready for court.

Yeah.

[office telephone ringing]

[indistinct chattering]

Right here.

Excuse me. Victor, Victor.

You think we can grab a room,

sit down and talk for a few minutes?

Sure, Roy.

Benny, would you mind waiting over here by this bench

until we get back? Thanks.

Victor... let's be realistic for a minute, huh?

I am being realistic.

Your client has a funny habit

of declaring bankruptcy.

If he didn't have to wait seven years between filings,

he would have done it here.

I can't pay what I don't have.

Sir, I'm not willing to take your word

for what it is you do have.

You've got a real tiger here, Mary.

Roy: He's gonna make a big name for himself

going after a United States Congressman.

Barney, you wanna keep this thing between me and you here?

Roy: I'm the one who signs the check.

She's the one who gets it.

Or what you leave her anyway.

Mary, Charlie would know I was being fair.

You never called him "Charlie" while he was alive.

Why you callin' him "Charlie" now?

Victor, it is a good offer.

Don't waste your breath on him.

He's got stars in his eyes, don't you?

[piling papers] Come on, Mary.

Tell your client his offer is rejected.

Is it rejected, Mary?

This is my lawyer, Mr. Steinmetz. You can ask him.

Boy, getting' between a lawyer and some free publicity

is like gettin' between a Doberman

and his food, ain't it?

[all chattering]

You're not gonna do any better, Mary.

If you win, I'll appeal it to death.

[indistinct chattering]

- Mr. Sifuentes? - Yeah.

Representative, Andrew Barnett.

Andrew: Mrs. Fitzpatrick? - Yes.

Andrew: How do you do, ma'am?

Andrew: Roy, how're you? - Congressman.

Does this trip come under the heading

of damage control, Congressman?

Hmm.

This trip comes under the heading of pure outrage,

I think to... say that I've used my good offices

to endanger public safety, it's, uh... it offends me.

Andrew: It offends my family.

Before I get on a plane back to Washington,

you'll see these charges disappear.

I only hope that you afford the truth

with the same coverage that you do these lies?

Thank you, Congressman.

male #1: Can I get by you please?

reporter: Representative, we have a report...

[reporters clamoring]

And so, Congressman,

had Roy Steinmetz gone to you

and said that he was having a problem

complying with the building code,

what would your response have been?

I would have said, "Roy, get down to the job site

and kick some butt.

Andrew: If the people you have can't get the job done,

get people who can."

I see, in other words, you would not,

you did not use your influence to permit Roy Steinmetz

to violate the building code, right?

I think what you're really asking is

whether I will willfully endanger people's lives?

The answer is no.

Thank you Congressman, Barnett.

No further questions.

Your Honor... [clears throat]

at this time, I respectfully request once again

that the court grant a continuance,

so that I can adequately prepare

to cross-examine this witness.

Application denied, Mr. Sifuentes.

The witness is a sitting United States Congressman.

Judge Pendleton: He is present and available now.

I think you can proceed.

This federal office building, sir...

is it fair to say that you had something to do

with it being built in your district?

I think it's fair to say that

I do my level best to look after my constituents.

- Is that a yes? Andrew: Yes.

Sifuentes: And did the Steinmitz Construction Company

contribute to your last campaign, sir?

Yes, they did.

I would ask that the Congressman

produce records...

of all campaign contributions

made by the Steinmitz Construction Company,

by Roy Steinmitz personally, and any corporate pacts

that Roy Steinmitz has a personal interest in.

Objection, Your Honor. This is a fishing expedition.

He's entitled to it, Mr. Dowe.

Said records are to be produced.

[clears throat]

Now I understand, sir, that...

you had a house built for yourself

in La Jolla last year, is that right?

Objection, Your Honor.

What possible relevance does that have to this case?

Overruled.

Yes, Mr. Sifuentes, I had a house built in La Jolla.

- Who built it, sir? - Roy Steinmitz built it.

Andrew: Believe me, it's all up to code.

I have no doubt that a house

that he would build for you would be.

Barney: Objection to the implication.

Objection to the innuendo.

Sustained, strike it.

I would ask that the witness produce

any and all canceled checks payable

to the Steinmitz Construction Company

for work done on his house.

Barney: Your Honor, plaintiff's counsel is...

attempting to obscure the real issues in this case

with wholly unsubstantiated charges.

With all due respect, I need more than 24 hours

to be able to substantiate them. I need to be able to subpoena

other building inspectors,

city officials, supervisors.

I need time to go through all these

documents that I've been given here.

- I'll give you two weeks. - Thank you.

[sighs] Your Honor...

Judge Pendleton: Sorry, Mr. Dowe.

I'm changing my ruling.

These are serious allegations

that go directly to the conduct of the defendant.

Andrew: Your Honor, I would also like to say,

someone else once pointed to documents

he claimed to have in his possession.

Someone else once used his canard

to stain the character of innocent people.

That someone was Joseph McCarthy, and I think

what we're seeing here is his modern day equivalent.

Your Honor, I want that stricken from the record.

So stricken.

We'll reconvene two weeks from today.

[reporters clamoring]

- Excuse me, Mrs. Fitzpatrick. - Yes?

Could I, uh, talk to you for a minute?

You don't mind if I come along, do you, Congressman?

Not at all, counselor.

Uh, give us a few minutes, will you gents?

I'll, ah, I'll catch up with you.

[office chattering]

[door shuts]

I wanna see if maybe we can put our heads together

and come up with a solution to this.

Are you authorized to speak for Roy Steinmitz?

I think you and I got off on the wrong foot, Victor.

You are a fighter, which is fine,

but I think Mary needs a protector.

Andrew: I think she needs someone who's gonna make sure

the mortgage is paid,

the health insurance kept up.

Someone who's gonna guarantee that when Charlie Jr.

and Kevin are ready for college, they'll be able to go.

You even know them by name!

Why are we here, Congressman?

Roy Steinmetz is offering a million dollars

on a ten year payout.

That is a $100,000 a year!

Now, properly invested,

that will give you some real security.

And what happens when Roy Steinmitz

goes bankrupt next year?

That won't make the least bit of difference.

That debt will be paid because I say it will be paid.

Who's ever known a politician to lie?

Oh, Victor...

You may not be as smart as I thought you were.

What are you lookin' to find fault here,

or to secure a future for Mary and her boys?

Congressman, I already know who's at fault.

Well, then, let's move on.

Your late husband wanted to make sure

that you were taken care of

and you have my word that you will be.

Can we have your signature on a personal guarantee?

Absolutely not.

Andrew: That would be highly inappropriate

for an elected official.

Mary, I have to ask for your trust.

What do you think?

Mary, I think the Congressman would say

anything he had to,

to shut this trial down.

That's exactly why I think that we can trust him.

Mary: He doesn't want you goin' through those papers, Victor.

He does not want me to have any reason

to go back into court.

I can understand you being cynical...

but you have my friendship if you choose to accept it.

[inhales deeply]

Alright, Congressman.

You'll never regret it.

I don't think it's as important to find a villain...

as it is to make sure that your needs are met

and those sons of yours have a future.

[door opens]

[door closes]

I know what you're going to say.

Mary, you are letting this Barnett guy

just walk outta here.

[sighs] Who knows what else this guy has done?

Sifuentes: How many other buildings were built this way?

I can't be the one to find that out.

I am a middle-aged woman

with no husband and two sons to raise.

Mary: Now, I can either fight these men

and their lawyers for years

or I can just take what they offer me

and have someone that'll protect me.

What choice do I have, Victor?

[knock on door]

Come in, Arthur.

I thought I made my feelings about Andy Barnett

pretty clear the other night?

I satisfied myself that Sifuentes was acting...

strictly on behalf of our client.

Now, wait a minute. That's strictly beside the point.

I asked you for a small favor.

What favor was that?

I asked you to lay off, Barnett.

I asked you to call off your dog. You didn't do it!

This is the way you treat me now, how're you gonna treat me

with a lifetime appointment in your pocket?

That would depend on what you're asking me for.

No, sir. If I see fit to ask, you see fit to deliver.

Where I come from, you dance with the one who brung you.

Meaning?

You would've made a hell of a judge, Leland.

Yeah...

It's too bad you were looking for a whore.

Don't be so quick to congratulate yourself.

For the right price, everyone's a whore.

In your world, that might very well be true.

Didn't you ever stop and think, Arthur?

That for all your prestige, you're only a bagman?

Your whole life is spent doling out payoffs

to whatever flunkies you're able to enlist.

[chuckles]

Enjoy your purity, Leland.

It's always comforting to feel morally superior

to those with more power than yourself.

All that power.

And you're just another hog feeding from the trough,

trying to figure out who to suck up to next!

Go on, get outta here, Arthur! I can't breathe from the stink!

[door opens]

[sighs]

- Guys about done? - Just about.

Dave: Thanks for all your help here, Benny.

Do you need me for anything else?

No, I can handle it from here.

Dave: Are you per chance ever available to do trade shows?

What are they?

Well, this year we've got a bisque statuary booth

at the Novelty and Gift show in San Diego

and a cocktail-in-a-can booth

at the Wines and Spirits show in Pasadena.

Maybe you could, uh,

pick up a little extra dough for the weekends.

Uh, sure!

Say, Arn, this might be a good time

to clear the air, so to speak.

What about?

About this whole kind of

tripartite substratum

that exists among the three of us.

Roxanne's attraction to you, me and Rox, you and me?

[clears throat] Maybe another time, Dave.

I-- I've gotta get to a meeting.

[office telephone ringing]

David, you talked to him about that?

Of course.

Isn't one purpose of our counseling sessions

to talk about our emotions?

To each other, David.

Roxanne: To each other, not to the world at large.

Alright, I stand corrected.

Roxanne: Nothing's private.

It-- it's all grist for the mill with you, isn't it?

Everything's broadcast on your own personal hit parade.

Excuse me, Roxanne!

But as I recall, it was you who were intent

on exposing our private life to a therapist.

So she can help us.

Not so I can hear myself talk.

Okay.

I shouldn't have talked about it in the context that I did.

I need to exercise more discretion.

Another corner turned.

Brackman: So, basically that's the story.

Leland won't be leaving for the federal bench.

You don't know why?

He didn't say, just that it was definite.

[sigh] Boy.

So it's, uh, business as usual?

For now... but there's something I wanna say.

One day, Leland will leave.

He'll retire.

He'll get another judgeship.

He'll die.

- And? - And...

I have reason to believe this firm would dissolve.

Brackman: I would be the ranking senior partner

and... I guess the people in this room

don't trust my leadership.

Some, maybe all, might leave.

I wonder if it's ever occurred to anyone

that if I'm hard-headed,

and constantly focused on the bottom line,

it's because the role I play in this firm

requires me to be.

When my father was here,

Leland McKenzie was the office manager.

As one who listened to descriptions of him

at the dinner table growing up,

let me assure you,

he was every bit the villain I suppose I am.

He was capable of changing.

I think I am too.

Brackman: Of course, if we don't trust one another,

if we need to meet behind each other's backs,

then... none of that matters.

We might just as well close up shop

and go our separate ways.

I hope that doesn't happen.

This firm means a great deal to me.

You people mean a great deal to me.

[lament music]

[humming]

[knocking] Just so you know, uh,

I put a hole in my office wall

about the size of a football when I got back from court.

Uh-- I wanna keep it there,

just to remind me what cesspools,

the hallowed halls of government really are.

That probably works to your client's advantage

in this case.

She may have made a pact with the devil, but...

the devil keeps his word.

[chuckles] Yeah.

Oh! By the way, congratulations on the judgeship.

Uh, beat the news out of Kuzak this morning.

Oh, no, no...

No, there's not gonna be a judgeship.

- I thought it was a lock. - No...

Cesspools are tricky places.

You don't always know.

Does this have anything to do with Barnett, Leland?

Let's just say that I wasn't who they wanted me to be.

'Cause you didn't pull me off him?

No, I didn't.

And I'm sure in my place,

you wouldn't have done it either.

[chuckles]

I don't know...

It's easier to say you'd refuse something

when it hasn't been offered to you.

It's also easier to indulge yourself in thinking that

the standards of personal integrity

are somewhat lower in a downtown Anglo law firm

than in this P.D.'s office of some storefront

legal clinic in east L.A.

You pretty much lost that one up for me.

[laughs]

It may not make you a judge, Leland,

but I think it makes you a great man.

Victor, I have no idea what makes a man great.

At this particular moment, though, I'll just say thank you

and... I'll let you think what you want.

[pleasant music]

[car tires screeching]

- Get in! - What're you doing?

I'm bringing my wife a present.

Now get in!

Look, wait, l-- let's talk about this.

- We'll talk on the way. - On the way where?

Barstow. You ever been to Barstow?

I'm not driving to Barstow, Duane.

Mr. Becker, I really think that you should do

what I am asking you to do.

This isn't gonna save your marriage.

Put it in drive and let's go.

[dramatic music]

[truck rumbling]

[jazz music]

[door slams]

[TV playing distantly]

[Duane singing]

♪ Come on in ♪

♪ If you liked to take ♪

♪ A grand tour of a lonely house ♪

[Duane banging on door]

Shut up!

♪ I once was home sweet home ♪

♪ I have nothing here 'cept you! ♪

Duane!

[groans]

♪ I've got somethin-- ♪

[rustling]

Oh, my God!

You wanted him, you got him.

Prince friggin' Charming.

Hallie: Duane! Have you lost your mind?

I hope he's a lover 'cause he sure ain't

no fighter are ya, hot shot?

Now look! Now, put down the stupid gun!

I just wanted you to see what he looked like

when he was scared.

[grunts]

[Arnie breathing heavily]

Are you scared now, Arnie?

Yes, I am very scared.

Well, what does that make you? Some kinda hero?

Hallie: You are gonna go to jail!

[refrigerator door slams]

I don't care. Isn't that somethin'?

I really don't care.

I'm not trying to come between the two of you.

Oh, but you did.

Look! She even stole that stupid picture of you--

- Oh! Duane: From some shopping mall.

Duane! Are you so hard up for pity

that you'd humiliate me this way?

I just wanna hold on to you, Hallie, okay?

- And I don't know how? - Oh, God--

Duane: I-- I just wanna show you somethin'.

Becker: Can I say something? - I wish you would.

I think you both had better take a long hard look at yourselves,

and Duane, if you think that your wife wants a divorce

because of this videotape...

[breathing heavily]

then I don't think you take her very seriously.

- That's right. Duane: What?

You don't think what I'm doin' here tonight

is taking you seriously?

No, I don't, I call it,

"acting like an idiot!"

What you want me to do? Kill him?

No problem! [rifle clicks]

This isn't about me!

Well, the hell it ain't!

She looks at you in that video

over and over again!

Duane: She talks to her friends about you on the phone!

What should I do? Pretend that I'm happy?

Act like livin' with you in a trailer

in Barstow is all I ever want?

Well, lemme tell you, I can't act that good.

Hallie...

are you saying that you could never be happy with me?

Yeah.

That is what I'm sayin'.

[breathes deeply]

[train horn blaring in distance]

Hallie: Duane, you're not driving anywhere, are you?

Duane: Oh, what the hell do you care what I do anyway?

Well, I don't want you killin' yourself...

and I don't think you'll be needing that gun.

[door opens]

[door shuts]

Are you gonna have him arrested?

No, to tell you the truth, um,

I-- I think all I really wanna do is call a cab

and have this whole thing come to an end.

Right, um...

[clears throat]

Well, right this way.

The number's h-- here, right here on the calendar.

You look like you could use somethin' to drink.

[dialing]

Here we go, cocktail-in-a-can.

[sighs]

Yeah, I need a cab.

Hold on. Where are we?

Oh, I'll... I'll tell them.

Uh, we're at main line trailer park, uh,

row nine, third hookup.

Uh, well, I believe he's going to L.A., right?

[door shuts]

[Arnie sighs]

Can I make you somethin' to eat?

No, thank you.

Well... let's go on in the living room.

I like to call it the livin' room anyway.

So, uh...

w-- what all did D-- Duane tell you about me?

[clears throat]

Oh, just that you were unhappy, uh...

you wanted out.

[sighs] And he don't know why.

You know, Duane is a nice guy, believe it or not.

There's just not a whole lot I can tell him.

Breaking up is always the worst part...

but in time, your life will get back to normal.

[lightly laughs]

You have no idea what normal is around here.

What do you mean?

Well...

you know, every week you go down to the pick and save

and you load up your basket and buy a new TV Guide,

you count yourself lucky that y-- you got food on the table

and a husband that don't hit you.

Deep down inside, you can't help...

feeling that you're put here by mistake.

I mean, it's like God forgot about you

and your... life's running out.

Women have options now. You don't wanna live in Barstow,

move, make a new life for yourself.

There's no such thing as a new life.

I'm stuck with this one.

[sighs]

I'm not like the women you know.

I can't sing, or-- or act, or nothin'.

[clicks]

I ain't smart.

The only way I'll ever get outta here is a man.

The ones I know don't wanna leave.

That is, until you came along.

[pouring]

You don't know the first thing about me.

I want to, though.

I wanna walk across a big green lawn,

holdin' hands with you.

I wanna-- I wanna sit at one of them double sinks,

you know, doin' my makeup...

and have you kiss me as you walk by.

I-- I-- I don't know what to say...

because that's not gonna happen.

Why?

I mean... why is it that it can't?

Because our lives have nothing to do with each other,

because I'm not looking for the same things

you're looking for, because, because, because...

There are a million reasons.

I am only standing here now

because someone put a gun to my head.

Mmm.

[Hallie sighs]

Could I ask you to just hold me

before that cab comes and takes you away?

[exhales deeply]

[lightly patting]

[lightly moaning]

Hey, hey, hey! Time-out.

Don't tell me you've never slept with a woman

on the spur of the moment?

Please, don't put your hands on me!

Don't try to turn me on, this isn't going to happen.

I-- I'm not interested in you.

I'm sorry.

I don't know how else to put it.

[soft music]

You can't say that I don't have a good body.

I am not the guy who is going to change your life,

do you understand that? I am not that guy.

I don't care.

I want to pretend that you are.

[somber music]

[cab honks outside]

There's your cab, Mr. Becker.

[Hallie sobbing]

[door opens]

[crying]

[door shuts]

[outro theme music]