Original subtitles

[door opens]

[indistinct chatter]

Barbara said that you wanted to see me as soon as I got in.

Sit down, Yolanda.

[indistinct chatter]

I thought it was time to talk again.

[door shuts]

- Oh? - Back in December...

We had a long talk, point by point,

about the areas of improvement we needed to see from--

Please don't fire me.

It's not working out, Yolanda. You know that.

There's a morale problem among the other paralegals.

They resent covering for you.

Two of the partners won't give any of their

contract work to you anymore.

I've gotta keep this job.

You're not happy, and neither are we.

Give me another chance.

We did. Lots of chances.

[sniffles]

Who won't work with me?

They came to me in confidence.

Yolanda: Well, I don't believe you.

You wanna turn the paralegal department

into some kind of harem!

Take a deep breath, Yolanda.

Full of kittens! Kittens!

Uncomplaining, pliant kittens

in leather skirts and cheap perfume!

Douglas: Yolanda, sit down! - I don't wanna hear it!

[Yolanda sobbing]

Yolanda, I am so sorry.

He said that I didn't deserve to work here.

And than he started calling me names.

Oh, God, Roxanne.

I don't know what I'm gonna do. I really don't.

Roxanne: He's despicable! - What's wrong?

Douglas. He fired her out of the blue.

- Why? Yolanda: Because...

I don't fit in with Douglas Brackman's

view of this law firm.

I'll tell you something. [sniffles]

I fear for this place, I really do, that's the truth,

because if he can fire someone like me,

someone who has skills and seniority, on no notice,

than nobody's job is safe here. Nobody!

[gasps]

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

Sorry I'm late.

Mary Ann Doyle finally called back

and I could not get off the phone.

Why was it necessary to fire Yolanda, Douglas?

She wasn't doing the job.

Ann: From what I saw, she worked her tail off.

Douglas: First of all, that's not true.

Second of all, Arnie and Leland had

nothing but complaints about the quality of her work.

Couldn't she at least have been given a warning?

People have been known to improve, Douglas.

Not to mention that she's a single mother

with a five-year-old son.

What makes you think she wasn't

given a warning?

So that's a different story.

As long as she was treated fairly, I don't wanna

second-guess Douglas' decision. Let's move ahead.

No, as a matter of fact. I'm not quite ready to move on.

I was found guilty before I set foot in this room, wasn't I?

You have shown a certain penchant for brute force

when dealing with the office staff.

Michael: I also think we should've talked about it.

I mean, this may just be another management prerogative for you,

but it has some pretty serious

consequences for Yolanda and her kid.

Thank you, Michael, for pointing that out to me.

Douglas: And thank you, Ann, for that

bit of insight into my character.

What a caring and compassionate group of people you are.

- Come on, Douglas. Douglas: No, really.

In fact, I think it's high time

this firm had a managing partner who reflected that.

Douglas, if we prejudged you, we're sorry.

Now, can we move on with the meeting?

Leland, I've been Simon Legree long enough around here.

Someone else can do it.

Leland: Like who? - Why not Michael?

Douglas: He'd bring all that sensitivity of his to the job.

Look, Douglas, get something straight, losing streak or not,

I'm a trial lawyer, period.

What about you, Ann?

I'm sure you could fire someone with kindness

instead of that brute force I enjoy so much.

I have a baby, remember?

Ann: The time I'm here, I need for my case load.

Don't even look at me, I'm the only attorney

handling matrimonial cases.

I've got my hands full as it is.

Rollins is interviewing clerks today.

Maybe one of them could be office manager.

Leland: Douglas. - I'll do it.

Ann: Stuart. - Ah, makes sense, doesn't it?

I handle the books, anyway, and to tell you the truth,

I don't think it's that big a deal.

It's not. It's not a big deal at all.

[indistinct chatter]

- Hey, Dave. - Arnie!

Just the man I was looking for.

Arnie: I'm a little busy right now.

No problem, I just wanted

to remind you about Thursday night.

- Thursday... - Direct Mail Man Of The Year?

My moment in the sun? Tell me you haven't forgotten.

Of course not.

What a night this is going to be.

Not just for me, but for this woman,

graced, one on each arm,

by the two most seminal influences in her life.

The one, a selfless helpmate,

the other, moi, a soulful life mate.

The three of us, inextricably bound

by twin ropes of love and commerce,

the one enriched by the other.

- David. David: You're right.

I better get out of here before I bust into tears.

Arnie, uh, there's a little shindig

tomorrow to kick off the festivities.

I think I'm gonna have to skip that one, Dave.

But we're still on for Thursday, though, right?

[sighs] We're on for Thursday.

[door shuts]

[traffic bustling]

I appreciate your seeing me without a referral or anything.

No problem.

I'm just gonna lay this out and cut to it.

Friend of mine, Mark Ross, is currently residing

in division lock-up for cocaine, with intent.

I wanna get him out and I need your help.

- Is he guilty? - Very much so.

Weiland: I hope that doesn't end our conversation.

I'm still listening.

The police seem to think he's a serious guy.

But I figure, with a joint recommendation

from defense counsel and a sympathetic DA,

we can get the judge to set a makeable bail.

The district attorney on this case is Grace Van Owen.

Who just happens to be a friend of mine.

As it so happens, yes.

I appreciate your interest, Mr. Weiland,

but I don't exploit personal friendships

for professional gain.

I'm not asking you to exploit

anything, Ms. Perkins.

I just know that district attorneys

sometimes listen better to lawyers they trust.

I'm not asking you to betray that trust,

nor do I expect you to.

Five grand for doing it.

You get him out, there's an extra two.

That's seven grand for one afternoon's work, counselor.

Got yourself a lawyer.

[indistinct chatter]

I can't believe you're representing this guy.

I'm not gonna lie to you, Grace. He's paying me a fortune.

And if I can get a bail set, he'll give me the case to try.

Hm.

Look, I could really get my practice on its feet.

Yeah, but I'm afraid that if he gets out,

there won't be a trial.

He'll be on the first plane to Brazil.

Not gonna happen. I promise.

Look, I'm not asking for OR or anything.

Just give me something you can live with.

"Case number 89804."

"People versus Mark Ross, bail modification."

You owe me.

Your Honor, the people would agree to

a half-a-million surety, 50,000 cash.

That's crazy high, Your Honor. Completely unreasonable.

My client poses no direct threat to society,

he has roots in the community, there is--

He's a major-league drug-pusher

and a big threat to society.

This is his first arrest, Your Honor.

Grace: Only because he's high enough up

to be able to insulate himself.

I would respectfully request a reasonable bail,

100 surety, 10,000 cash.

Forstenzer: Well, you're not gonna get that, counselor.

I'll give you 250, 25, conditioned.

Daily check-ins with probation.

That's all. Next case.

Man 1: "Case number 63184."

Thanks, Grace. I appreciate it.

Yeah. Abby, be careful with these people.

I will. Thanks again.

[indistinct chatter]

Counselor, excellent job.

Another friend of mine's got a suppression hearing tomorrow.

- You interested? - Isn't he represented?

He is. But I kind of like your style.

- A switch might be in order. - Thousand dollars.

I'll be in your office after 3:00 to go over the facts.

Fine.

[indistinct chatter]

How many summer interns are you looking for?

One.

I may have a problem with dates.

You see, I can't start until the second week of June.

First things first.

You're editor of the "Law Review?"

That's been very good for me in terms of my critical skills.

And, uh, it has apparently revealed

this gift I have for case analysis.

Can't hurt the old spelling, either.

- Top tenth of your class. - Actually, I was ranked second.

Well, the hell with you, then. Where's number one?

[chuckles] Well, uh, there is this theory, you know,

that first in the class always ends up with something

brown and malodorous at the end of his nose.

I don't suppose that-- that you were

first in your class, were you?

Good reflexes, Joshua.

Okay. [chuckles] First of all, that-- that was a joke.

Uh, second of all, i-- in my particular case,

first in the class does belong to a classic brown nose.

Look, I-- I've got the grades, I've got the recommendations,

I've-- I've got the vitae.

[chuckles] What more could a recruiter want?

We'll let you know. Send in the next person, would you?

Yeah.

[paper rustling]

Hi. Diana Moses.

Hi. Jonathan Rollins.

Sit down.

Uh, you're from San Jose.

Yes. Did my undergraduate work at USF.

It's here. "Gaffney scholar, Phi Beta Kappa."

"Dickinson fellow?" The whole nine yards of over-achievement.

Spoken like someone familiar with the syndrome.

You understand we're looking for an intern,

an extra pair of hands for the scut work.

McKenzie, Brackman is top-heavy with partners.

We're not looking to groom another one.

I'm not looking for that, either.

My interest is public policy law,

but before I get too tracked,

I'd like to get a close look at a private firm.

Leland McKenzie did some really ground-breaking work

in the fair housing industry 30 years ago, and...

Well, I'm not telling you anything you don't know,

but I'd love the opportunity

to work in the same office with him.

Alright. Um...

We'll let you know, Ms. Moses.

Oh.

Thank you for your time, Mr. Rollins.

- Do me a favor? - Sure.

Send in the next person.

Sure.

Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yes.

[scribbling]

[instrumental music]

Alright, there are some things I still need to clarify,

so, uh, bear with me. [chuckles]

- Um, Strongin versus Von Zell. Victor: That's me, Stuart.

Ned Strongin developed a vacuum extrusion technique

that Von Zell Plastics is using without his permission.

As soon as the depositions are all completed,

I'd like to go on for a summary judgment.

Stuart: We owe a stenographer $8500

for deposition transcripts?

- Is that right? - I need a breakdown.

On that bill.

Can we just pay it and work it out later?

I'm mean, we've done it that way before.

- Right, Douglas? - Stuart's call, Victor.

I really don't like to do it that way.

Hey, it takes forever to get the money back.

Speaking of which, Leland,

Owen Powell has used up his retainer and then some.

I'll speak to him about it.

Meantime, let's proceed with the case, though.

Yeah, okay, could we at least get

some of the out-of-pocket expenses back?

Does it amount to that much, Stuart?

Yeah, as a matter of fact, it does, I have a bill for $600

for photocopy expenses alone.

Leland said he'd speak to him, Stuart.

- Could we move on, please? - Yeah.

Stuart: By the way, our service contract

on the photocopier is about to expire and, uh,

I am of the opinion that we should consider upgrading.

Anybody have any feelings on that?

Uh, I got a motion to draft.

Stuart: Well, uh, Mike, uh, wait a second.

I, uh, I see you have a conflict next week.

The Bartke hearing falls on the same day

that the Suggs trial is supposed to begin.

I'll take care of it, Stuart.

Stuart: Richard Hazel versus

Castellano Tile and Terrazzo.

Dorothy: There should be a settlement

by the end of the week.

Ann: Stuart, I told you

I needed the accountant to testify.

Part of the deal was flying him in

and paying for his hotel room.

Stuart: But what I'm trying to tell you

is that I happen to be an accountant,

and this guy has an obligation to testify.

Considering the mess he made, I think

he should've paid his own way.

How are you doing, Mr. Benny?

[instinct chatter]

Excuse me, Arnie. What should I tell Pamela?

She's been waiting quite a while.

Oh. I'll be right there.

McKenzie: What's with Benny? - I have no idea.

Hey, Arnie, Arnie, you're gonna have to

fill me in on the Posner case.

Yeah, I will.

Leland: We're about finished, Stuart?

Oh, no, Leland, we've got a lot more.

Uh, I'm thinking of sending out for lunch.

Well, you'll have to excuse me. I have an appointment.

Actually, I have to run, too.

Uh, I'm having lunch at the club today.

"Dolgen versus Sports Fitness Clinic."

I'm waiting on a counter offer.

I understand he actually came out of his coma.

Only briefly, he sat up in his bed, asked for his toothbrush

and then broke into an uncontrollable fit of weeping.

Wonder what it's like to be in a coma.

The whole world is going on all around you,

but it's just a distant blur.

Here's a wild one for ya.

Maury Gelb is challenging the bill

we sent him for overnight mail expenses.

He said we should have sent it regular mail.

I-- I mean, didn't he specifically request

overnight delivery?

I'm sorry, Stuart. I wasn't listening. Um...

[indistinct chatter]

[telephone ringing]

Don't bother telling Leland what an inspiration he was.

I already told him.

Actually, my interview's over.

- They asked me to wait. - How'd it go?

Who can tell with you people?

I thought I totally bombed with you.

No. I should probably apologize.

I was just trying to at least appear objective.

[door opens]

Ms. Moses, a moment of your time, please.

Sure.

[telephone ringing]

I'm sorry you had to wait outside.

- Well? - It's a lock.

[telephone ringing]

[indistinct chatter]

What's the matter?

Ross? What's up?

Ross: There's no easy way to say this, so I'll just say it.

The birth mother wants her baby back.

- What? Ross: She changed her mind.

- And-- - She signed the consent form.

What are you talking about?

She's petitioning the court

to have the consent withdrawn.

- How the hell can she do that? Arnie: Stuart.

No, no, no, wait, wait, wait.

The consent form is signed, Arnie. This is a done deal.

No, it's not a done deal. The adoption isn't final yet.

And until it is, she has the right to withdraw the consent

or at least the right to try.

- You can't be serious! - You never told us this.

You never told us this!

I told you it could happen.

I said it virtually never does.

Uh-uh, uh-uh, no, what you said was that

it was a hundred-to-one shot--

This is the second damn time something

that never happens happened to us, Ross!

- I'm sorry. - Yeah?

You go to hell with "I'm sorry." This baby is our baby.

[breathing heavily] We're not giving her back.

You may not have a choice.

[sighs] Are you saying she could win?

That's up to the court, but...

there may be a presumption in favor of the natural mother.

Oh, God. Oh, my God.

Stuart: Alright, hold it. Hold it. Hold it.

Wh-- wh-- what are you saying here?

[panting] Are you trying to prepare me for s...

- We gonna lose that baby? - We're gonna fight, Stuart.

We're gonna fight like hell.

I don't believe I'm hearing this.

Look, I've asked her,

and she's willing to meet with you.

What's going on right now is that she's feeling confused,

confused and guilty about giving her baby away.

I think when she sees you both,

she'll see what a good home her baby has,

and then maybe this will all go away.

What if it doesn't go away?

What if it doesn't go away, Ross?

I think when she meets the both of you,

a lot of her fear and confusion will evaporate.

Look, we'll do whatever we have to do, alright?

Ross: Good. I'll set up a meeting right away.

[breathing heavily] I have to go home, Stuart.

Yeah, I'll take you home. Come on. Come on.

Let us know, huh?

[door opens]

Stuart: Calm down. It's not that...

As I indicated, the search was incident to the arrest--

Not true, he was arrested in his apartment

while they searched his car down in the street.

Abby: What's more, they didn't even open the attache case

until they had him at the station.

A warrant was obtained for that search.

Your Honor, the warrant issued at 4:30.

The police report indicates that the search took place at 2:45.

- Exigent circumstances. - What exigent circumstances?

The police had the case, my client was in custody.

She's right, Mr. Aoeli. Looks like the officers blew it here.

A warrant did issue, Your Honor, and--

Sardo: But it issued too late. The search was illegal.

That evidence is not admissible. I have no choice but to dismiss.

- Judge. Sardo: I'm sorry.

Sardo: Mr. Griffith, this is your lucky day.

Case dismissed. That's all.

Thank you.

Lady, you're really great.

- Tell your friends. - You better believe I will.

Phew. This is a fine, fine day.

[laughing]

- Hi, Grace. - Nice argument.

- Can I talk to you a minute? - What's wrong?

What's wrong is Mark Ross didn't check in with probation today,

so we sent a unit to his apartment, and he's cleared out.

- What? - He's gone.

Grace, I didn't know he was gonna jump. I swear.

I went out on a limb because you promised me he wouldn't.

I know. I know.

Grace, I'm sorry, I...

[scoffs] Well, I'll give you

the benefit of the doubt, Abby.

I'll just assume you were as stupid

as I was about this.

[door opens]

[traffic bustling]

[indistinct chatter]

Look at this! Look at this. Huh!

Roxanne, this is Seymour Kupferman

from Massapequa Park.

Sy, this is my wife, Roxanne.

- Hi. - How do you do?

Boy, this is some year you're having, my friend.

Sy: Man Of The Year, a video, a wife.

- I still can't get over it. - Is that beautiful?

Hey, Jerry's getting out of Direct Mail altogether.

- Go on! - You know why?

Is that a rock or is that a rock?

- It's beautiful. - Fourteen-thousand dollars.

And that's to me. Tell 'em what they're lookin' at, doll.

Twenty-seven acres of sphagnum moss, Jerry.

[chuckles] Give me a kiss.

[kissing]

Jerry: It looks just like ordinary peat moss,

but what makes it special is that it can absorb water

to the tune of 35 times its dry weight.

Alright! Alright!

Jerry: I got a parcel on the coast of New Brunswick.

There's a paper mill ten miles away.

We're talking disposable diapers,

we're talking surgical dressings,

we're talking, you'll excuse me,

menstrual tampons and sanitary napkins.

All I can say is the good Lord put it on this Earth

for Jerry Manoogian to find it, and he found it.

Dave: Alright, Jerry.

[indistinct chatter]

[chuckles]

[indistinct chatter]

This your first shindig with the direct-mail crowd, Roxanne?

Yeah.

They don't get better with time.

I've been listening to Sy talk about

whatever dreck he is selling for 11 years now.

I can tolerate anything.

That's because you got a boyfriend, honey.

Natalie: Well, Sy has what he needs, I have what I need.

I don't think I could ever do that.

Give it a year or two. I never thought I could, either.

Believe me, the men in this room suffer more

when the post office raises the bulk rate

than when their wives are unfaithful.

All they have to do is go to work, and they're happy.

Why do they bother getting married?

They can just put so many diamonds

on their own fingers, that's why.

[both laughing]

Ever think about getting divorced?

Why? So I can sell real estate? No, thanks.

Nobody wants to grow old alone, kid.

Look, we don't know Dave so well. Maybe he's different.

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

Criminals jump bail, counselor. It's a fact of life.

No, Frank. He is your criminal. He does what you tell him to do.

Not this time. Hey, he made us both look bad.

I will not be used, okay?

Just because I'm willing to defend your friends

does not mean I'm willing to get my hands dirty.

Did I ask you to do anything illegal, Abby?

Grace Van Owen is a good friend of mine--

Did I ask you to do anything illegal?

[sighs] Now, I said I'd get you more business

if you got results, and you did.

I am now prepared to fill your waiting room with clients

on a daily basis if you're ready to take them.

The question is

do you want this business or not?

Yes, I want it.

[intercom buzzing]

Yup. Okay, we'll come out.

- She's here. - Okay.

So, um, easy does it. We're nice people.

[inhales sharply]

[door opens]

Tammy?

Oh. [clears throat]

- Hi. - I'm sorry to be late.

They said my motel was real close to downtown, but it isn't.

[scoffs] Come on in. Sit down. Sit down.

[door shuts]

Stuart: [sighs] So, uh, where are you staying?

It's on, um, Olympic Boulevard.

Near, um, you know Western?

Oh. Uh, uh, you feel okay there? Safe and...

I guess.

They said be sure and get a room with a kitchenette.

But everything is so expensive.

Oh, yeah, yeah, it's the price

we all pay for living in paradise.

[all chuckling]

[sighs] It's not even that pretty a city, huh?

Tammy: It's a lot dirtier than I thought.

I'm so happy to finally get a chance to meet you.

Stuart: Yeah, Ann, Ann always

said she wished we could have met--

Oh, no. No, I'm-- I'm sorry about that.

It's just I was having a real hard delivery

and I was making decisions I shouldn't have, and...

I wanted to meet here, just the three of us,

so that I could tell you...

I, I could tell you how sorry I am to be causing you any hurt.

Oh. Uh, look, uh...

It's been a real rough time for you.

Rougher probably than you ever could have expected.

[chuckles] Really, I was so unprepared,

you know, for everything, but, but mainly

for what happened to me after I had my little girl.

See, everybody said, "Oh, don't see her, Tammy," and..."

[sniffles] You know, like I said, I was sick and all.

So I never held her.

Tammy: They took me out of maternity and so

I wouldn't be near the other babies.

But I still had all this milk.

Nobody ever told me about any of that and... [sniffles]

I knew right away what I did was wrong.

See, it was supposed to be just normal blues,

but more and more I just felt almost dead.

I said, "I never should have given up my little girl."

[inhales sharply] Tammy, um, it just, [chuckles]

it takes so much courage for you to be this honest

in front of a couple of strangers like this. I...

I-- I'm really not surprised to see how brave you are.

Thank you.

'Cause that's what it took to give your

baby up for adoption, didn't it?

Ann: She loves us, Tammy.

[chuckles] She's just a little baby,

but we feel her love and her trust.

She is an unbelievably happy baby.

Ann: She knows we're her mommy and dad--

No, I'm her mama!

Excuse me!

Stuart: Tammy, uh, let me ask you something.

Uh, long after you left the hospital,

I-- I'm talking like two months after you had the baby.

You signed a consent form that said you'd decided

to give up any claim to her, right?

Yeah, nobody wanted me to have her!

Do you understand that's a contract?

Tammy, contract is binding?

My lawyer said he'd start this legal stuff.

He said, "Don't come alone."

Uh, forget about the law for a second.

I know that you can give her everything, okay?

But that doesn't make you right.

Who's with my baby now, huh?

Who's with my baby all day?

She gets very good care, loving care.

It's not the same as having a mama who's there.

Tammy, there were two different times

you could've said "Yes" to your baby, and you didn't.

Ann: We said "Yes" and we meant it.

We owe it to her to fight you,

and we are prepared to do it.

- You can scold me-- - N-- n-- nobody's scolding--

Tammy: Yeah, and scare me and put me down.

You've probably got all your judge friends

all lined up, huh? [sniffles]

But nothin' you can do, nothin',

can make you her mama.

[dramatic music]

[door opens]

[door slams]

[music continues]

You can finish in the morning, Benny.

I won't be here in the morning.

Why not?

[sobbing] I got fired.

What are you talking about?

I didn't get my paycheck today. That means I'm fired!

No, Benny, it doesn't mean that you're fired.

It means that somebody didn't take care

of the payroll account.

Nobody got their paychecks today.

- Rox, where's my tuxedo? - It's behind your door.

Arnie, do you know that no one got paid today?

I'll see you tomorrow, Benny.

Yeah.

[sighs]

[indistinct chatter]

You guys had better figure out who's in charge around here.

What am I supposed to do? We're in a war zone.

People need their checks, Arnie, war zone or not.

Roxanne, everyone will get a check.

Thank you.

[door shuts]

[indistinct chatter]

Jonathan: Diana.

- Hectic day one? - Mm.

I was told it isn't usually this nuts.

Today was exceptional. That's true. Here.

- Hi, honey. Daryl: Hey. You ready, babe?

Yeah.

Ah, Daryl, meet Jonathan Rollins.

He's an attorney here.

Daryl Tyler, my husband.

[door shuts]

- Hi. - Hi.

See you tomorrow.

[traffic bustling]

[applauding]

Sammy: You're terrific!

[all laughing]

You know, as I look around, I see

some of the same faces as last year.

For instance, that looks like Sy Kupferman.

Sy! Come on, Sy! Come on!

[all applauding]

You look terrific! What, did you lose some weight?

About 18, 20 pounds?

- Twenty seven. - Ooh, 27? Woofa!

What, your wallet drop out of your pants?

[all laughing]

Sammy: I wouldn't exactly say that Sy used to be fat,

but, you see, once at a parade

he had some ropes wrapped around his arms,

he had a girl standing on top of his head holding on, waving.

♪ Ta-da-da-da ta-da-da-da ♪

[all laughing]

All kidding aside, though, tonight, ladies and gentleman,

we are here to pay tribute to

David Meyer, your Man Of The Year!

[cheering]

David! For you, baby!

[applauding]

You know, even as a child, David was interested in business.

When the other kids were playing doctor,

he was playing accountant.

And when the other, other kids were playing spin the bottle,

he was playing "The Price Is Right."

[all laughing]

- That's not true. Sammy: But seriously, though.

I don't wanna stand here

and list all of Dave's accomplishments

'cause I know he's gonna do it all by himself anyhow.

So would you please give a big round of applause

to the three-time-winner

of the Golden Crying Clown Award Figurine,

your very own Man Of The Year, your dazzling, stupendous,

look at that smile, yak-a-dak-a-doo David Meyer?

[all cheering]

Thank you.

[cheering]

Go get 'em, Dave!

[applauding]

[jazz music]

[cheering]

[cheering]

This is certainly a moment.

[women chuckling]

I'm gonna get emotional here, you know it?

Hey, hey, hey, don't worry about it.

You're right! The hell with it.

If I can't get emotional here, where can I?

We all speak the same language in this room.

We all know what it's like to mortgage the house

to pay for the printage and the postage,

to wait for that two-percent response that never comes.

Like the song says...

♪ Each time I find myself flat on my face ♪

♪ I pick myself up and get back in the race that's life ♪

[indistinct chatter]

David: We've all been there. Yeah.

I would like to say just a couple of words

about someone that most of you hadn't met until tonight.

And that someone is my wife, Roxanne.

Without her,

you would not be honoring me here tonight, believe me.

Honey, would you stand up?

Stand up, let these folks have a looksy? Huh?

[all applauding]

Please? Come on!

[men cheering]

David: Attagirl!

[all applauding]

Ho!

Thank you.

You know, it's hard to know

how to describe this gal o'mine.

I mean, after all, how would the Earth describe the sun?

The source of light, of warmth?

David: Without it, this verdant, bustling planet

would be a cold, dead, distant sphere of rock.

And so, too, would I be without my Roxanne.

Oh, sure, we've had a little bit of rough-sledding lately.

We yell and scream and argue.

We go to a marriage counselor, the whole bit.

I've been immersed in business and she's struggling mightily

to drop a few pounds.

Although, looking at her here tonight,

I have never ever seen her look lovelier.

[applauding]

The point being, my friends, and you are my dear friends...

we're gonna make it work no matter what it takes.

Fate brought us together, and for all eternity,

that's the way we're going to stay.

So right now there is nothing that I would love more

than for her to come up here

and accept this award with me now.

[applauding]

Yes! Whoa!

[applauding]

Honey.

[cheering]

[applauding]

Uh, that's okay, folks. She's just a little bashful there.

Let's take a break, okay?

[indistinct chatter]

[jazz music]

[indistinct chatter]

Arnie, can we talk?

Sure. Come on in.

[door shuts]

I, I'm going to file for divorce.

Because of what he did last night?

Because of all of it.

Uh, will you represent me?

Rox, I may not be the right attorney for you.

- Why? If it's the money-- - No, it's not the money.

I have business dealings with your husband.

He'll, he'll argue it's conflict of interest.

- Is it? - I don't know.

But it's gonna be messy enough contending

with a husband who thinks his wife

is in love with her attorney.

Do you believe that?

No.

Then help me.

I don't wanna go through this with a stranger.

Are you sure you want this?

I can't kid myself. He's never going to change.

Okay. You got yourself an attorney.

[sighs]

Knock-knock.

- Abby! - Hi. Got a minute?

Of course. How are you?

Good. Good.

Victor, when you were with the PD's office,

you represented a lot of drug dealers, right?

Had my share. Yeah.

How'd you get comfortable with that?

[chuckles] You mean, how could I possibly live with myself?

No. Yeah.

You think of yourself as part of the process, Abby.

Defense attorneys help stop society

from becoming a police state.

Now, that may mean

day-to-day work for the guilty,

but it ultimately benefits the innocent.

What if you just do it for the money?

Nobody expects you to do it for free.

Thing is, I stand to make between 2 and 3000 a week,

paid up front in cash.

I'll be i-- in court constantly trying cases,

getting more experience than I thought was possible.

- That sounds great. - Yeah.

I, uh, got this meeting with Stuart and Ann.

- You heard? - Yeah. How does it look?

I don't know.

Look, Abby, one thing.

Go by the book.

If a drug lawyer cuts corners with the rules,

the DAs will pounce. You can count on it.

Thanks, Victor.

The hearing is scheduled for a week from Tuesday.

I'll know who the judge is by the end of the day today.

And I'm lining up the best shrinks in town

for expert testimony, and we should make

that decision as soon as possible.

Victor, have you spoken with anybody at Children's Services?

Yeah, they're, uh, sending somebody next week.

Arnie: You'll have to do an interview with the Department

of Children's Services, they'll file a report with the court.

So we're the ones on trial. Is that what's happening here?

Pretty much, the court decides

who the child is gonna be better off with.

Victor: Toward that end, I'm bringing in Stephanie Hall.

She's gonna try to dig up any dirt she can on the girl.

[Ann scoffs]

[sighs] This is unbelievable.

So our plan is to assassinate the character

of a 20-year-old girl from Arkansas.

Our plan is for you to keep your baby.

You know what the original plan was, Victor?

[chuckles] Why don't you tell him, Arnie?

- We go to a baby broker... - Ann...

We meet a nice pregnant mother.

We like her, she likes us, we get a baby.

We live happily ever after

watching this little person grow up.

- That was the original plan. - Honey.

Ann: Only, it hasn't worked out quite that way, has it?

All the echoes of "No problem" have gone away,

and in ten days I've got to go and ask a judge

if I can keep my child.

Between now and then, I have to somehow prepare myself

for the very real possibility that he's gonna say no!

- Okay, honey. - It is not okay!

Don't tell me it's okay! It's not okay!

They're gonna try and take Kelsey away.

[sobbing]

I am scared, Stuart. I'm, I'm just so scared.

Stuart: It's alright. So am I.

[sobbing]

Victor...

[Ann sobbing]

I couldn't care less what happens to Tammy Harris.

I don't care if you emotionally cripple her for life.

Beat her up, ruin her, do whatever you have to do.

Just make sure we keep our baby.

[sniffles] [sobbing]

[indistinct chatter]

For obvious reasons, Ann and Stuart won't be coming.

- Alright, let's get started. Michael: Douglas.

Things are getting pretty chaotic around here.

Why are you addressing this to me?

Arnie: Douglas, take a look around. We're a rudderless ship.

Nobody's getting paid. I didn't get paid.

You're the only partner who's a manager.

- Let's try an associate then. - Douglas.

No one can do this job as well as you can. Period.

- Plus, I think you love it. - Yeah. I do, too.

Arnie: You're too good at it not to love it.

And the fact is we do owe you an apology.

You're the guy who has to say "No."

Sometimes you're gonna get abused.

I'll tell you this, if you don't come back on board,

we're in big trouble.

Is this totally unanimous?

I'm sure I speak for Ann, Stuart, the entire firm.

I don't wanna feel like I have to be guarding my flanks

all the time, if anyone has something to say to me,

I want them to say it to me.

Yes, sir.

- Understood. - Alright.

Let me get back to the office and sort out the damage.

First, let's cut some checks.

[indistinct chatter]

[Diana beat boxing]

Where is your ride?

Daryl's working.

What does he do?

[elevator bell dings]

- Paramedic. - Ah.

[door whirring]

You need to get home? You have kids?

Not for now. No.

Hm.

Would you like to get a beer at Clooney's? Or dinner?

Uh...

Better not.

- Okay? - Okay.

[door whirring]

Hi.

How was your day?

It was a bitch.

[sighs] Michael, what do you know

about Abby's practice these days?

Not much.

Victor said she was handling a few drug cases.

More than just a few.

She's become quite a little star.

You make it sound like doing criminal law

is a crime in itself.

Michael, these guys are serious drug dealers.

- Alleged drug dealers. - Oh, come on.

Frank Weiland, for one, is a major player.

- Well, good for Abby. - How can you say that?

Grace, she's a one-woman shop.

She's struggling to make a go of it.

How can you imply that what she's doing is wrong?

She's putting these bastards back on the streets!

There's everything wrong with that.

Oh, so you're not upset with her

because she's representing drug dealers.

You're upset with her because she's good at it.

Never mind. Forget I mentioned it.

[scoffs] Can you?

What's that supposed to mean?

It means what it means. [sighs]

It means we can't seem to separate ourselves

from our work, it's as though

that is all we've got between us.

[scoffs] What's with you?

[scoffs] Nothing's with me.

I am just telling it the way it is,

and I am not happy with it.

What do you want?

[sighs] I want some romance.

I'm tired of spending my nights alone because you're working!

Me? I'm the only one who works?

Okay. Yeah, me, too. But damn it, Grace.

You're not giving me one single reason to change!

Fine, then why don't you go out

and get yourself some air-head tootsie

who doesn't have anything better to do

than sit around waiting to do Prince Michael's bidding?

You know, you've been a prosecutor too long.

I bring up a problem that we both should be responsible for

and you respond by tearing me down!

Oh, please. Stop being so sensitive.

Me? You're the one who's being thin-skinned here.

All I know is that I come in here after a lousy day,

hell, a lousy week--

Which you are taking out on me!

Looking for some simple love and affection.

Oh. So that's what you are looking for.

You know what, Michael, we're not married.

We don't have children.

We can just walk away.

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

[baby cooing]

[baby cooing]

What you doing?

I had to go to the bathroom. I thought I'd check in on her.

[baby cooing]

I got a good feeling about this, Stuart.

We got Victor and Arnie going all out.

They are a pretty formidable team.

He's got the top psychologists lined up.

[baby cooing]

We're not gonna lose her, Ann.

There's no way we're gonna lose her.

I love you.

I love you, too.

[instrumental music]

[theme music]

[instrumental music]