Original subtitles

Arnie, can I talk to you for a minute?

Oh, sure, Benno. Come on in.

What's up?

My friend, Alice...

she's gone to the hospital for an operation.

What sort of operation?

One that makes it so she won't have a baby.

An abortion?

Benny,

is Alice going to have an abortion?

[stammers] Uh... I-- I-- I don't know.

Benny. [sighs]

Are you and Alice having sex?

[sighs]

Look, if you're gonna get me involved here,

you're gonna have to tell me what's going on.

Are you and Alice having sexual intercourse?

Yeah.

So, what you're trying to tell me

is that...

Alice is pregnant?

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[theme music]

Brackman: Before we go any further,

an announcement to all.

In preparation for Friday's softball game

against Sheer Taft and Heilbronner,

I've booked Roxbury Park

at one o'clock Wednesday for a practice.

Wait a second. We're missing

two working days for this game?

It's just an hour on Wednesday for the practice.

The game isn't until three o'clock Friday,

so we can all easily bill a half day.

How much is the bet this year?

Oh, there's no bet. Wagering would be inappropriate.

- This game is simply for fun. - Alright.

Brackman: The rules are the same.

It's coed, with only one male non-lawyer

allowed to play per team.

Regrettably, Abby has tendered an invitation to Benny,

who can neither hit nor field.

Oh, come on. Abby!

He wants to play. Make him catcher.

- Catcher? Brackman: Then there's Roxanne.

What's the matter with Roxanne?

Brackman: Her diet, that's what.

This sudden weight loss has got to affect

her ability to hit the long ball.

McKenzie: Alright. That's enough on the game.

Move along, Douglas.

Shelby vs. Carpell.

Pretrial is filed. We start in three weeks.

Ann, you're doing it?

Yes, I am. Is there a problem?

It's just that by then,

you'll be almost seven- and-a-half months pregnant

and too fat to approach the bench.

I'll manage, Douglas. But thank you

for your sensitive concern.

Brackman: Michael, where are we on People vs. Williams?

We go next week. That is,

if we can settle the documents beef.

We're getting a lot of phone calls from the press on this.

Well, murder cases spark a lot of interest.

What can I say? [crunches]

Moving along. Randall Furriers

vs. Save The Animals Foundation.

I'm back in court this afternoon.

We've taken a lot of heat on this one.

I think we deserve the heat.

Sometimes that kind of protest

is exactly what we need.

[indistinct chatter]

Alright, let's not start this again.

Abby: We never finished it. - Abby!

Killing animals to make fur coats is barbaric.

And I'd still like to know why we take on clients like this.

We took on this client 12 years ago

when you were still in junior high school.

I'm sorry you weren't consulted.

There's certainly nothing illegal

about making furs, Abby. And if--

Legal doesn't make it moral, Douglas.

That's your opinion.

Oh, what, we have a morality

clause for clients now?

Alright. Let's end this debate, now.

We're in this case, like it or not,

so we have to see it through.

Move along, Douglas.

That's it. We're adjourned.

It's a healthy release, you know that, Leland?

I mean, two law firms

battling it out on a softball field. It's wonderful.

Sure. Sure. What's the bet, Sam?

Well, since we've taken you for twenty-five

each of the last two years...

I figured we'd double it. Give you a chance to pull even.

Five thousand dollars?

Well, that's an awfully big bet on a softball game, Sam.

Always the smooth-talking fund raiser, Leland.

Except when it's time to put up your own nickel.

- If you'll excuse me, Sam. - Mm.

- Can we win this game? - Definitely.

That's twenty-five hundred a piece, Douglas.

Right out of our pockets.

[whispers] We lost by one run last year

without Victor and Abby.

This is the strongest team we've ever had.

- Are you sure? - Make the bet.

We're gonna crush them.

You're on, Sam. Five thousand.

Bring a bank check if you don't mind.

See you next Friday.

[Leland sighs]

[vehicle whirring]

Van Owen: Oh, my God.

Oh ,my. Oh, my!

What are you doing on that thing?

Well, it saves gas. I can skirt through traffic.

And it's fun.

I've just never seen you

with anything so lethal between your legs.

Huh.

Well, I have never been on top of anything

quite so responsive, that's for sure.

[both laugh]

[sighs]

Touché, Kuzak.

How are you doing anyway, huh?

- I'm fine. - Good.

What brings you to my building?

Well, I was in your building on a discovery matter.

- Oh, your big murder case, huh? - Mm-hmm.

As a matter of fact, maybe you could help me

get a little more cooperation from some of your colleagues.

Now, I never cut you any favors

when we were sleeping together.

What makes you think you're gonna get any now?

Well, helping people

gives one a sense of power and superiority.

And as I recall...

you like to feed off that.

Wear a helmet, counselor.

You could get hurt.

Give me a call sometime, huh?

I will.

[bike starts]

Could you describe the nature of these fashion shows

for the court, Mr. Randall?

Yes. It's how we display our furs

for designers, wholesalers.

They're supposed to be pleasant events,

but they haven't been working out that way.

- Why not? - Because...

As our models comedown the runway,

members of the defendant's group

throw animal blood on them.

Sifuentes: On the models? Mr. Randall: Yes.

The models. The coats.

It's happened over a dozen times in the last three years.

And lately, it's happening even more frequently.

Sifuentes: Now, what consequences, if any,

have resulted from these instances, sir?

Well, the main consequence is

that my wholesale buyers are staying away.

My sales in the last year

have dropped almost thirty-two percent.

And how does that translate into dollars?

It translates into about

one point three million dollars.

Thank you, sir. Nothing further.

Your company traps and kills animals in Canada.

- To make these furs, right? - That's correct.

And these animals often suffer

very painful deaths, do they not?

Objection. Whether or not the animals suffer

has no relevance here. The defendant's actions

are on trial, not the plaintiff's.

Your Honor, I'm trying to establish

what caused my clients to act.

They were voicing society's outrage--

If society's outraged...

- Then they can pass a law. Judge Armand: Mr. Sifuentes.

Because trapping is completely legal.

It's legal because they make enough money

off these slaughters to lobby congress.

- Objection. Judge Armand: Both of you.

Congress is lobbied by both sides

on this issue, Mr. Trischuta!

And if you don't like the way they've responded,

then take it up in Washington.

Alright! Now, everybody be quiet.

Mr. Sifuentes, sit down.

Judge Armand: Mr. Trischuta, I'll give you a little latitude.

And, Mr. Randall, just answer the questions

you're asked, please!

Thank you, Judge.

How many minks do you murder to make a stole?

Sifuentes: Objection. Judge Armand: Sustained!

Your company kills animals for profit, isn't that right?

Yes. And cigarette companies kill humans.

- Why don't you chase them? - With cigarettes, at least...

People have a choice. What choice do these animals have?

People have a choice with furs, too! Let them make it!

- What about the animals? - You people are lunatics.

Yeah. And you're a murderer!

male #1: You're sick! male #2: You should be in jail!

Judge Armand: Alright! Everybody be quiet

or I'll clear this courtroom right now!

I'll seal this place!

I'll lock up the parties for contempt

and the rest of you for disorderly conduct!

Now if you think I'm kidding, just try me!

[traffic bustling]

Sifuentes: That tape is inflammatory

and it would be an abuse.

It depicts the truth, Judge! Mr. Sifuentes is--

I will stipulate that my client traps animals!

I will stipulate that animals suffer.

But there is no point in playing that footage--

- You haven't even seen it! - I don't need to see it!

- Nor does anybody else. Judge Armand: Alright!

Mr. Sifuentes, I'm gonna allow the videotape.

Your Honor, that is an abuse of discretion.

The jury is entitled to see the activities

that motivated the defendant's conduct.

Their motivation is totally irrelevant!

Your claim for punitive damages makes it relevant, doesn't it?

The tape is in.

Judge Armand: I'll see you at two o'clock.

That's all!

Boy, that was a cheap stunt, John. Cheap crap.

Tell me you wouldn't use it if you were in my shoes.

I would not be in your shoes.

Your clients are fanatics.

So maybe they love animals too much.

They're well-meaning people, Victor.

Yeah.

Oh, God.

reporter: What happened in there?

Any chance of settlement, counselor?

Uh, ahem, there's been

no settlement at this time.

And I don't even have any further comment.

- Alright? - Murderers!

You defend murderers!

Are you out of your mind, lady?

[overlapping chatter] ...kill animals!

Hey, how the in hell do you let these people in here like that?

[shouting indistinctly]

I want these people prosecuted.

Get the hell out of here. Go home.

You better stay out of my face, man.

male #3: Calm down.

[indistinct chatter]

Oh, man.

I'm really sorry. I really am.

That's a hell of a client group you got there, John.

Good well-meaning folks, huh?

Murder! Murder!

Stuart...

- What are you doing? - Nothing.

The, uh... soft ball uniforms came in.

I was trying mine on.

Stuart, you're not thinking of playing

in that game, are you?

The team needs me, Ann.

[sighs] We have a Lamaze class on Friday.

Don't you remember?

The class voted to do it in the afternoon

so everybody could leave early for the weekend.

Yeah, I-- I know. But since we're doing one tomorrow,

I thought I could skip Friday's.

I'm third base, Ann!

[sighs] I don't believe this.

I have spent the last seven months

nurturing our child inside me...

and you're willing to risk everything to be third base!

And you skipped out of the class last week

five minutes early so you could get home

to watch "Thirty something."

Tha-- that was an episode on childbirth.

- It was responsible television. - Right.

Every time you do something, it's justified.

Every time I do something, I'm being unreasonable. Right?

You really think it's reasonable to...

skip a Lamaze class

to run around in Spandex knickers?

It's only the biggest game of the year.

[sighs] Do whatever you want, Stuart.

- Ann. - No, it's fine!

Markowitz: Fine? - Fine.

[door shuts]

[sighs]

I've asked Ms. Perkins to join us.

- She's very close to Benny-- - Look, I don't give a damn!

This is none of your business. It's none of hers either.

Well, I don't disagree with that.

But we've become almost defacto guardians of Benny

and I thought since this does involve him, it would be--

How the hell does it involve him?

I-- I assume it's Benny's child that's being aborted here.

Whoa. Whoa!

I don't know what Benny's told you

but my daughter is not pregnant

and she's not going in for any abortion.

Then what's going on?

Alice is going in to be sterilized.

Sterilized? Why?

Because she and Benny are having sexual intercourse, that's why.

And she could never take care of her baby.

With all due respect, Mr. Hackett,

there is birth control.

Yes, there is.

I put her on the pill and she kept for getting to take it.

IUD's aren't safe.

And she can't get the hang of using a diaphragm.

Look, I'm-- I'm sure

that you've given this a lot of thought.

But to sterilize her... that,

that's-- that's the most radical thing you could ever do.

Believe me, Ms. Perkins, I've agonized over this

more than you could ever know. But she is growing up.

Now, like it or not, if I want her to be "Normalized,"

I have to be willing to let her have a sex life.

Mr. Hackett: The reality is, she has the operative intelligence

of an eight-year-old.

She's incapable of practicing birth control.

She's incapable of raising a child.

An abortion or an adoption would be devastating for her.

As radical as a sterilization may be...

it's still the most responsible thing I can do.

Okay, third base.

Play's to first. Here we go. Here we go.

male #4: Okay, team. Here we go.

[indistinct chatter]

male #5: Way to go, Stu-ball. Way to go!

[indistinct shouting]

- Looking good. male #6: Here we go.

- Come on, Benny. Go. Go. male #7: Alright.

male #8: Whoa. Whoa.

Brackman: Come on, pick it up.

Let's go! Let's go!

Come on, Benny.

Be alert. Catcher's got to be alert.

He's the backbone.

[bike whirring]

Markowitz: Whoa. Ha cha cha cha cha.

Rollins: Kuzak! You dog.

Roxanne: Come on, Michael.

You're late. Both of you.

Hey, sorry, coach.

Okay. Turn two, turn two.

Looking sharp. Looking sharp.

Brackman: That's the way. That's the way. We're a team.

Brackman: We're a team. male #9: Yes!

Brackman: Let's hear the chatter.

[indistinct chatter]

Roxanne: Alright! Alright!

male #10: Whoa!

And between the years of 1981 and 1986, you in fact

trapped animals whose furs you sold to the plaintiff.

- Correct? - That's correct.

Trischuta: And is this tape we're about to see a fair

and accurate representation of the trapping process?

- It is. - Your Honor...

I renew my objection to the introduction of this evidence.

Yes. And I overrule you again.

Play the tape.

[metal clanks on TV]

female #1: Oh.

[water sloshing]

[metal clanking on TV]

male #11: Oh!

female #2: Oh, my God.

[metal clanks on TV]

Uh, okay, uh, Mr. Trischuta, that's...

We've seen enough. Turn it off.

Could you describe this thing for us, Mr. Calder?

This is a standard one and a half.

It's got the double jaws,

which most trappers want nowadays.

Trischuta: Why do they want a double jaw?

Well, most trappers can't check the traps

on a daily basis. And, uh...

if you give the animals enough time,

they'll chew off their legs and free themselves.

[sighs] They chew off their own limbs?

Right. They gnaw off their feet

right below this jaw right here.

Calder: Now the other jaw clamps on a part of leg

that they can't get at.

So, even if you have a wolf, or fox,

or whatever and it chews its foot off,

the trapper doesn't lose his catch.

Trischuta: And how long does the animal stay trapped like this?

A couple days. Maybe a week.

Depends on how fast the trapper gets back to his trap.

- And then what happens? Calder: Well...

If it hasn't already bled to death, we have to kill it.

Trischuta: And how is this accomplished?

How do you kill your catch?

Cadler: Well, if you're near water,

we usually drown 'em.

That's the best way. That way you don't hurt the pelt.

If that's not possible, you club it to death.

Or if you have a gun, you shoot it.

Some trappers have a long spear and they stab it.

There's all kinds of different ways.

Trischuta: Thank you, sir. Nothing further.

I don't have any questions.

Well, you can't pull out now and you know that.

It would be a mistrial.

Not if someone else else in the firm took it over.

- Maybe Michael would. Or John-- - Come on, Victor.

- That's crazy! - Mm.

I just can't do it. Okay? I can't.

You've defended murderers, drug dealers, rapists.

McKenzie: Now you've got a law abiding client

who's a legitimate victim and you say you can't do it?

I know. I know.

It's just that after seeing that tape, Leland,

how they make those furs...

I just can't stomach being their lawyer.

Well, you will stomach it.

Anything else would be malpractice.

I'm willing to risk that.

Well, I'm not!

You'd also be risking our contingent fee

which could be upwards of two hundred thousand dollars.

Oh, come on now.

Well, we've invested over a hundred thousand

in time on this case. I don't intend to give that away.

Every thing can't always be about money, Leland.

Oh, it's not always about money with me, Victor,

and you know that.

The truth is, we haven't had a big win around here

in over four months. Our revenues are down

and this is a good chance to make some of it up.

You're going to have to do better than that with me.

I don't have to do better than that!

You want a good reason to keep going, counselor?

Here it is.

Consider it an order from the senior partner!

Leland...

I'm just not sure that given the way I feel,

that I'd really be that effective.

Ah-uh.

You'll be great.

And that's exactly what bothers you most.

[instrumental music]

You guys can have a seat.

Okay, um, I talked about your operation

with your father.

And what I need to find out, Alice,

is if you know exactly what this operation is for.

- Yes. Abby: What?

Alice, you can tell me.

It's because Benny and I have sex.

Abby: Okay.

Now why does that mean that you have to have an operation?

'Cause... whenever you have sex,

you need one so you don't have a baby.

Alice, I want you to listen to me very carefully, okay?

Abby: Very carefully.

This operation that you're gonna have

is gonna make it so that you can never have a baby.

Do you understand that?

Not ever?

Abby: Not ever.

Is that what you want?

Alice, is that what you want?

Well, I-- I don't know.

Abby: Well, you should tell your father that, then.

No.

He wants me to have the operation.

Alice, it's what you want that matters.

- I'm scared! Abby: Okay.

I'll talk to your father again, okay?

But you're gonna have to talk to him, too.

And you're gonna have to tell him what you want.

He...

[shivers] he'll be mad at me.

[sobbing] But-- but daddy will get mad at me.

[crying]

Alice.

Maureen: Inhale.

[women inhaling deeply]

Exhale.

One more time.

Exhale. [exhales]

And we're done.

Great.

Anybody have any questions today?

Maureen: Ann. - Yeah.

I think Stuart has a question he'd like to ask the class.

Very well. Stuart.

Yeah. I-- I may have to miss next Friday's class...

My firm has a softball game with, uh, it's arch rival.

It's once-a-year kind of a thing.

You're gonna skip Lamaze for softball?

Yeah.

[indistinct chatter]

Well, uh, look,

I promised my wife I wouldn't do it

unless you people said it was okay.

female #3: Ha-ha. - Okay. Uh...

No way.

I think you better quit while you're only

slightly behind, Markowitz.

- Yeah. - Alright. Now, now...

I-- I know you may consider that childish.

I-- I'd like you to think of something else here.

Now we're all about to become parents, right?

And, uh, to the extent that

each of us can recapture our own childhood

and our dreams of growing up,

a-- and in a sense,

m-- my playing in this game...

[sighs] is a chance for all of us to

remember that a dream, whatever the dream maybe,

must never be repressed or ignored.

Play the game!

What?

You should definitely play.

I'll tutor you on what you miss Friday.

- I can play? - Yes.

- Alright! Ann: I don't believe this.

Ann?

Play ball, Markowitz.

[laughter]

Barret: I don't apologize for cutting into their profits

when those profits are derived from killing innocent animals.

Trischuta: But throwing blood on people,

vandalizing private property

that's a little, uh, extreme, isn't it?

First of all, it isn't real blood, it's a dye.

Barrett: And, yes, we are extreme.

We have to be, to get attention.

It's only through exposure

that we can create public awareness.

But what about working to change the laws

instead of resorting to violence?

Barrett: We are working to change the laws,

but it takes a long time.

So you see fit to break the law?

None of us enjoys being arrested,

but if we have to go to jail to stop the atrocities

being committed by these corporations,

that's a sacrifice we're prepared to make.

Trischuta: Thank you, Mrs. Barrett.

Nothing further.

It's not just the corporations

you attack, is it, Mrs. Barrett?

Your group members have also splashed

people on the streets wearing furs, right?

Again, I wish we didn't have to take actions like this--

- But you do, don't you? - Yes.

And sometimes you've hit people wearing synthetic furs, right?

We don't mean to victimize these people.

But you do, don't you?

- It's happened. Sifuentes: It's happened.

Sifuentes: And sometimes, some of the people

that you've hit wear furs that come from

fur ranches and not traps, right?

Makes no difference. The fur ranches are cruel, too.

Wait a second! This big presentation

we had here about the evils of trapping

and suddenly it makes no difference?

The point is, anybody

who buys furs is guilty of contributing

to the killing of innocent animals!

Well, what about the people who eat meat?

The people who eat beef, chicken, and fish

contribute to the killing of innocent animals too.

- Don't they? - Yes.

And the people who sit in leather seats...

they're guilty too, aren't they?

Leather is the skin of an animal, Mr. Sifuentes.

Uh-huh, so that when we see kids

kicking leather soccer balls in the park we should just

splatter them with blood too, right?

- Objection! - We never threw blood...

- On anybody. Judge Armand: Sustained.

How about the folks who wear wool, Mrs. Barrett?

Wool shearing causes sheep to suffer stress

and over exposure to the cold. The-- the sheep suffer sores--

I see. I see. And, ma'am, how does you organization feel

about using animals for medical research?

- We are against it. Sifuentes: Well...

Better for a little child to die of cancer

than to kill a mouse, right?

Better for restaurants to be infested

with vermin than ever call an exterminator!

Mr. Sifuentes!

Better to save a rat than wipe out a plague!

- Objection! - Mr. Sifuentes, that's enough.

Withdrawn.

Animals matter more than people to you, don't they?

Animals are more deserving than people,

a lot of times.

Thank you, Mrs. Barrett,

for showing us exactly where you stand.

Nothing further.

She's afraid to tell her father

and he doesn't believe me when I tell him, so I think--

We can't afford to butt in here.

It's none of our business.

Involuntary sterilization is illegal.

We cannot just look the other way while this guy--

Ann, come on.

No doctor's going to do it

unless he's convinced of the consent.

You're talking about risking a million dollar client.

And for what? So Alice can get pregnant one day

and have a kid? Does anybody here

really believe she should be a parent?

Ann: Retarded people can make very good parents.

But more likely they'll make bad ones.

Alice's IQ is lower than Benny's.

And to tell you the truth, I...

I don't think Benny could raise a kid.

Look, we could argue all day and never agree.

The only thing we can and should agree on

is that it would be stupid for us to get involved.

You know, uh, we may not have a choice.

- What? - Like Ann said...

Forced sterilization is illegal in California.

And if we know that Alice is about to be sterilized,

we also know that a crime is about to be committed.

In which case, as officers of the court,

we may have to come forward.

- That's crazy. - No, we don't.

We have no standing.

There's a conflict of interest.

Kuzak: Well, if not legally

or ethically, then at least morally.

We don't have time to go around taking moral stands.

Then make time!

Cancel the damn softball game.

- You're over-reacting. - Alright, that's enough.

Now look,

regardless of our personal feelings,

forced sterilization

is legal in other states.

McKenzie: Even if we stop this here, Leo Hackett can just

fly his daughter to another state

where they won't stop him.

So why alienate a million dollar client

when no purpose will be served?

So let's stop him here

and then enjoin him from taking her to any other state.

McKenzie: Well, we can't do that and you know it.

Now, the bottom line is, if Leo Hackett is determined

to sterilize his daughter,

there is nothing we can do to stop him.

It is therefore the position of this firm...

not to try.

McKenzie: This meeting is adjourned.

[soft dramatic music]

The issue here is not

whether animals should die needlessly

to satisfy human wants.

Like it or not, that happens.

Animals die because they please our palates.

Not because they're necessary for our diets,

but because they taste good.

Sifuentes: They die so that we can wear leather.

So we can make footballs out of pigskins.

They die sometimes because

wool feels softer than polyester.

This is the human race, ladies and gentlemen,

and we are higher up on the food chain.

Now...

you don't have to feel good about that.

Nor do you even have to like my client.

That is a matter of individual choice,

also known as a freedom.

But whatever your beliefs are on anything,

if you break a law

and resort to violence to impose your beliefs on others,

then you are guilty of terrorism.

And if you endorse that,

if you say it's okay to disregard a law

just because you don't like something, [scoffs]

well, then we're all in trouble.

As a direct result

of the defendant's illegal activity,

my client lost one point three million dollars.

It's that simple.

And all the protesting,

all the blood, all the finger pointing

can't change that.

And shouldn't keep you from recognizing it.

Thank you.

[clears throat]

Where do we start drawing the line?

He's right.

If you're gonna get upset about fur, then what about meat?

I mean, we shouldn't have to be a vegetarian society.

And leather? Well, leather's not as bad either

since leather goods, unlike fur,

are by-products from animals killed specifically for food.

And laboratory research?

Like Mr. Sifuentes said,

those experiments could lead

to a cure for AIDS or something.

Yeah, I guess you can always legitimize

killing animals if you look hard enough.

Except...

except...

when animals are murdered

for no other reason than to serve our sense of vanity.

I have no trouble drawing the line there,

ladies and gentlemen.

When animals are slaughtered...

so that we can prance around exuding luxury,

you can draw your damn line right there.

No, we can't have people running around breaking laws

just because they don't like something. I agree.

But my client's people were arrested for it.

They did jail time. They paid their debt to society.

What we have here is a civil trial folks.

And a civil trial is not about punishment,

it's about compensation.

They are here asking you

to award them money.

You saw that tape.

You saw what they do.

I don't know whether to appreciate all your concern

or just sue you for harassment.

[laughs] Well, I'm not here...

- To do battle, Leo. - Hmm-hmm.

If you wish still to sterilize your daughter,

my firm won't stand in your way.

Nevertheless, you didn't show up

to help deliver the morning paper.

No. No...

Well, I just wanted to see you because,

well, personally...

I think that what you're about to do is wrong.

What would happen if she ever had a child?

I'm a widower, Leland, pushing sixty.

I could never take on that kind of responsibility.

And if I didn't...

they'd take the baby away.

My daughter could never recover from a pain like that.

I'm told your daughter isn't sure about this.

No. One minute she agrees,

the next she doesn't know. She's retarded.

She doesn't know what's best for her.

Are you sure that you do?

[chuckles] No.

Parenting is a very inexact science, my friend.

All you can do is love your child

and do what you think is best.

And that's what I'm doing here.

I don't doubt that.

And you may be right.

The fact is, I have a hard time

seeing Benny as a-- as a parent.

But what I have seen in Benny,

is an enormous capacity to develop and grow.

And a still bigger capacity to love.

And that combination

makes it difficult to preclude the fact

that he could be a parent.

[sighs] I really think

I'm making the right call, Leland.

Ah. Could be right, could be wrong.

The only thing I'm telling you

is that it's premature.

[sighs] And what do we do...

in the meantime?

In the meantime, I talk to Benny.

I make sure he wears a prophylactic.

And if he doesn't?

[chuckles] It's not like you'll be there

at the appropriate moment, Leland.

Well, [chuckles].

I trust him.

And if I'm not sure he's being responsible about it...

then we'll chaperone 'em.

Well...

that's still less extreme than a sterilization.

Okay. For now, I'll hold off.

I just pray to God this works out.

So do I.

Mr. Foreman,

has the jury reached a verdict?

- We have, Your Honor. Judge Arman: What say you?

Foreman: In the matter of Randall Furriers Inc.

verses Save The Animals Foundation,

we find in favor of the defendant.

[indistinct chatter]

Your Honor, motion for judgment

not withstanding the verdict,

or in the alternative, a new trial.

Opposed.

I'll see counsel in my chambers immediately.

Members of the jury,

it's my custom at this time to dismiss you

and to thank you for your service.

Unfortunately, however, all I can do here

is dismiss you.

And I would be remiss if I didn't convey to you

just how disappointed I am in your decision.

If you had found for the plaintiff

but denied punitive damages, I could've let that stand.

If you had awarded nominal compensatory damages,

I could let that stand.

But an out right verdict for the defendant,

when the facts were so clearly uncontroverted,

suggests to me that you were not impartial.

That you disregarded the law

in order to punish a plaintiff that you didn't like.

Now, yes, my stomach was turned by that videotape too.

And I'm sure the lawyers were affected

by the footage as well.

But we all continued to do our jobs.

You people didn't.

You let yourselves become inflamed,

and you ignored your obligation

to be objective.

Judge Armand: Now, I blame myself

for admitting the tape into evidence.

But more than that,

I blame myself for putting so much trust in you.

Because you failed.

Miserably.

Motion for JNOV is denied.

But the verdict is set aside.

Motion for new trial is granted.

I'll see counsel in chambers.

That's all.

[indistinct murmuring]

[yelling]

Let's go. Come on, come on, come on...

[cheering]

[indistinct shouting]

female #4: Whoo! - Yeah!

[cheering and applause]

I think, it's time for a change.

I'm just finding my rhythm, Leland.

No, you're coming in straight and flat.

Look, it's only the third inning. Just let me--

Look, you got us down by three runs already.

I can't wait for you to turn around. Abby!

This is ridiculous.

If I was a lawyer, I wouldn't be yanked.

This is typical of the type of respect

secretaries get around here.

- Second base. - I get no support.

The fielding stinks!

Second base, Roxanne!

Alright, Abby. Let's give them junk.

- Mm-hmm. - In and out.

Move it around. Only junk.

Mm-hmm. Mmm.

male #12: Come on, girl, you can so it.

[rapid breathing/exhaling]

[rapid breathing/exhaling]

[shoes squeaking]

[women exhaling]

Oh, Stuart.

Markowitz: Hi. - What happened to the game?

- I left after the first inning. - Why?

Well, I got a little winded running the bases

and I started to pant and gasp

and... naturally, I thought about all of you.

[laughter]

And I figured that as good as childhood dreams may be...

[chuckles] parenthood dreams are better.

Beautiful.

If I could get up, I'd kiss you, honey.

Lie there and wheeze.

Markowitz: I'll take over now. Tom: I understand.

Okay, transitional breathing.

[breathing rapidly/exhales]

Why didn't you just direct the verdict if you weren't--

Because I expected the jury to follow the evidence.

You can't just throw a whole trial down the dumper like this!

Oh, the jury threw the trial down the dumper.

And since I'm the one that's wearing the robe,

I'm the one that's got to fix it.

[sighs]

So, let's fix it, gentlemen. Right now.

What are you saying, Your Honor?

I'm saying...

that he's about to make an offer

of $100,000 and you're about to accept.

- Why the heck would I do that? - That's not enough!

No, no, no, no. You people don't seem to understand.

Now, Mr. Sifuentes,

the negative publicity from another trial

would be very bad for your client's business

and you know that. Plus which, you'll probably lose...

if today's verdict is an indication.

And, Mr. Trischuta, expense of a new trial

could easily cost you more than a hundred thousand dollars.

Ten times that if you should somehow get beat.

My hands are tied, Your Honor.

My client refuses to cough up a nickel.

Well, then, untie your damn hands

and tell your client that she better settle this thing.

And if she still refuses, then you remind her

that I'm gonna be sitting on the bench

for any retrial.

Now, are we getting a clear picture?

Yes, sir.

Judge Armand: Mr. Sifuentes?

Oh, yes, I-- I know.

You're gonna lose your big contingency fee.

But, at least your client can claim a victory here

which is probably more than he'd get from a second trial,

which could take years...

given the way that these cases can get

buried in the court dockets.

I'll recommend the offer.

Oh, good.

Well, you both can go now.

- Thank you, You Honor. - Thank you, You Honor.

[indistinct yelling]

Big stick, Mickey. Big stick! Big stick!

Just singles. Nobody swings for the fence.

Just singles. No need to panic.

There's one out, nobody on, last inning and we're losing.

I'll panic if I want to.

[yelling]

[cheering and applause]

Beautiful hit!

[cheering and applause]

Abby: Guys, we're gonna win this thing. You watch.

Alright, Jonathan, drive 'em home.

- Yeah, Jonathan, yeah! - I'm not up, Leland.

Uh, Benny's up after Michael.

Roxanne: Come on, Benny. You can do it.

Pitcher: It's Little Abner!

Come on, we got Little Abner!

[laughs]

Umpire: Strike one. Pitcher: Great swing.

[indistinct chatter]

Hey, come on, you guys. Remember Mighty Casey?

He swung twice, he missed the first two,

and you remember what happened next?

He struck out.

Umpire: Strike two. - Nice.

[clapping] Come on, what do you say?

Let's go, Benny! Come on!

- Let's go, Benny! Come on! - Home run! Home run!

[indistinct shouting and applause]

[cheering]

[dramatic music]

Umpire: Strike three. You're out of there.

[indistinct yelling]

Hey, shake it off, Benno. It's good that you whiffed.

I prefer to hit my game-winning homers with two outs.

male #13: Back it up, boys.

Rollins: Come on, Arnie, let's drive him in.

Brackman: Wait your pitch, Arnold.

Hey, forget it.

They were all good pitches.

I stink.

Umpire: Ball two. male #14: Come on, heads up.

Come on, now, Pitch, give me something I can hit.

I'm smacking it right out of here.

Probably left center.

Abby: Come on, you can do it, Arnie. Come on, come on.

- Come on, Arnie! Abby: Come on.

Umpire: Strike.

That's okay. I like the drama.

Just trying to stretch it out a little, that's all.

He's all mouth.

Just meet the ball, Arnie!

Five thousand dollar round!

Abby: You can do it. Come on.

[smack]

[dramatic music]

[cheering and applause]

Told you. I did't even get all of these.

[laughter]

male #15: Arnie!

You can go home now. The game's over.

[indistinct shouting]

I do this all the time.

Man: Alright, buddy. Bring it out here.

[cheering and applause]

[whooping]

Whoa!

Am I the greatest or what?

[cheering and applause]

[music continues]

Did uh... he get mad?

No. He just said

I didn't have to get the operation.

- That's good. - Yeah.

Alice...

do... do you ever want to have our baby?

I don't know.

Do you?

No.

How come?

Because I couldn't take care of it.

Because you're retarded?

Yeah.

Retarded people can have... babies.

Mm.

But what if it wasn't retarded?

What... what if it was smart?

So?

It-- it would be ashamed.

No, it wouldn't.

But... but what

if something really bad happened to it?

- Like what? - Hmm...

I don't know.

We-- we can take care of it.

We could help each other.

You think?

Yeah.

[serene music]

I love you, Benny. [chuckles]

I love you, too.

[theme music]