Original subtitles

[theme music]

I feel like a thief.

Becker: I'm only taking what belongs to me.

Then why do it before anyone gets here?

"Why do it before anyone gets here?"

Because it's cleaner. It's a done deal.

I don't have to sit through everybody

trying to talk me out of it.

Are you afraid that they will?

No, I'm not. No, I'm not.

I can't believe I'm not going to be working here anymore.

Look...

I have certain conflicts, yes.

But I don't wanna dwell on 'em. This is business, Rox.

I want to act business-like.

I don't want any emotional scenes.

Come on.

- Oh, hey, Benno. - Hi.

- You want me to help you? - No. That's okay.

- We got it. - Where are you going?

We're just bringing some stuff down to the car.

- Should I help you? - That's okay.

We'll be right back.

I got the bialys this time, Arnie.

Oh, good, Benny. Good.

[sighs]

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[theme music]

Anyone see Arnold?

I don't think he's come in yet.

Great. [sighs]

Alright, let's get started.

What's wrong with your mouth?

I got fitted for a small appliance.

- It's nothing. - An appliance?

What did you get, a toaster?

Douglas, you got braces.

Yes, I got braces.

- He-heh. - Why?

Brackman: Something called over-jet.

Also a stress related malady known as

temporal mandibular joint dysfunction.

I grind my teeth.

My dentist felt it was time to take steps.

Shall we proceed?

Cowan vs. Cassella Associates.

Yeah, that's the guy with Tourette's Syndrome.

Trial starts today.

Are you okay to handle this, Jonathan?

- I'm fine. - What is Tourette's Syndrome?

It's a physical condition that makes

people twitch in various ways

or yell inappropriate remarks at people.

Tingrin. Metal mouth. Like that.

[sighs] And so the mockery begins.

Jonathan: Anyway, my guy was fired for it.

I'm not surprised.

You can't fire people for having physical handicaps

if they're doing their job.

Jonathan: We're going for back pay with interest.

Uh, excuse me.

I-- I'm gonna need a little personal time.

The preliminary hearing's this afternoon.

Take as much time as you need.

- Thanks. Abby: How's Allison holding up?

- I don't know. Secretary: Excuse me.

Secretary: This just came.

[paper rustling]

"Please be advised that I am here by

"tendering my resignation

"from the partnership known as McKenzie Brackman

"Chaney and Kuzak.

"Said resignation shall in no way constitute

"a waiver of any moneys owed nor shall it constitute

"a relinquishment of any future moneys owing.

"It is anticipated and intended

"that such settlement be arrived at following negotiations

"to be held at a future date.

Yours, etcetera, Arnold Becker."

- That bastard. - How could he do this?

Brackman: We need to find out what clients he's spoken to.

McKenzie: Douglas, I want all paralegals on this.

I want phone records and I want bank transactions.

Better check the file room, see what's missing.

- Why don't you oversee that? - We should've seen this coming.

I want a partners' meeting and I want it tonight.

- Rosalind, are you available? - I'll make myself available.

Is there any way Ann can make it in?

I'll call her.

I'm gonna fall on Arnold Becker

like the wrath of God.

Van Owen: Did you know the defendant, Ms. Gottlieb?

No.

I really didn't know any of the crew that much

since I'd come in as a replacement director.

And yet, you let this man give you a ride home?

He was giving several of us a ride home,

including Marcy Poulin, who I did know.

Allison: And I just assumed that she knew him

since she was the one who hired him.

Okay.

So, what happened next?

He drove us all home, and I was the last stop.

He asked if he could use the phone.

He wanted to call his wife.

Van Owen: What happened after he entered your house?

Allison: He made his call.

At le-- least, I thought he did.

And then he, uh...

he-- he made an advance at me.

Van Owen: How did he make an advance, Ms. Gottlieb?

He, um...

put his hand on my shoulder and told me I was beautiful.

And what did you do... when he did this?

I got ah, really nervous

and I asked him to stop.

Asked him to leave.

Did he?

No.

Van Owen: What happened then?

Allison: He grabbed me and...

he, uh, said...

"Why can't pretty girls be nice?"

[inahles] Then, he...

he kept calling me, ah, "pretty girl."

Van Owen: And what did you do?

Allison: I tried to push him away

but he was too big.

He knocked me on the floor and, um...

got...

[sobbing] he got on me...

and...

he said that, uh...

He said that if I didn't do what he wanted,

he would kill me.

Van Owen: Allison, I want you to tell the court

what happened next,

and I need for you to be specific.

[sobs] He yanked my skirt up.

And, um, he ripped...

my underwear off.

And then he, uh...

he started to pry my, uh,

legs apart with his knees.

I tried to fight back, but he was too strong.

Van Owen: And then what?

Allison: All of a sudden he was, um...

pushing himself inside me.

And when you say, he was inside you...

you're saying that his penis

was penetrating your vagina?

[sighing] Yeah.

Allison, is the man who did this to you

sitting in the courtroom today?

Yes.

Could you please point him out for the court?

[sniffles] He's over there.

Allison, could you please look at him

and point him out exactly for us?

[Van Owen whispers] I'm sorry.

[sighs]

[sniffles]

That's him. There. [sniffles]

[Allison sighs] He's the one that did this to me.

Thank you, Allison.

I have nothing further.

How long had you worked for Cassella Associates

at the time of your discharge, Mr. Cowan?

Six years.

Oh, boy. Whoop.

Jonathan: Why did you just make that sound?

I have Tourette's Syndrome.

Would you tell the court what that is?

It's a neurological disorder.

It causes me to make sounds

or say words or twitch in different ways.

Noah: Uh, sometimes I do it more. Sometimes I do it less.

Jonathan: Can you control it? - No.

Not for any length of time.

What reason were you given for being discharged, Noah?

They said I was disruptive.

Jonathan: Were you disruptive?

Noah: I do market research...

and the office I work in--

Oh, boy... is in the back.

And there's only a few co-workers around to hear me.

Did they consider you disruptive?

I don't believe so. No.

***. ***!

Why did you say that, sir?

It's all part of Tourette's.

Noah, would you tell the court

what it's like to have Tourette's?

Noah: What it's like? - Yeah.

[sighs] Uh...

Well, the ticks and grimaces start

pretty soon after you wake up in the morning.

Oh, boy.

Noah: And then you go about your business when you're alone,

you know, hollering and spitting and barking.

Oh, boy. Bitch.

It's pretty weird if you're not used to it,

I guess.

Oh, boy.

Anyway, Tourette's is part of me

and there's nothing I can do about that.

About that! Whoop!

[sighs]

Nothing further.

Nothing you can do about that. [sighs]

Tell me, Mr. Cowan,

have you ever heard of the drug Haloperidol?

Of course, I've heard of it.

Stritch: How about the drug Clonidine?

I prefer not to take either of them.

Why? They're both frequently used

in the treatment of Tourettes.

Noah: Haloperidol...

it makes me forget things.

It makes me feel totally spaced out.

And Clonidine...

it-- it doesn't work too well with me.

Whore. Slut. Bitch.

Tell me, Mr. Cowan, did you ever call

any of your female co-workers "Bitch"?

I wasn't calling them "Bitch."

I was saying "Bitch."

How do they know the difference, sir?

If they know me, they know the difference.

So the burden of your behaviour

should be on them, not on you.

- Objection. - Burden? Bitch.

Noah: Let me tell you about burden.

A burden is not being able to

go into a restaurant or a movie.

A burden is...

is not being able to find a woman to love you

or a employer to hire you.

- Mr. Cowan-- Noah: Oh, boy!

Your attorney has made an objection.

A burden is being the kid in class who everyone pointed at.

The nut. The weirdo.

Noah: I am the guy with the funny disease, alright?

That's all it is. So stop pointing at me.

And stop treating me like I am crazy!

Oh, boy.

Oh, boy. Just stop it!

Kelsey: We played hard ball with him,

he played hardball with us.

Markowitz: Uh-uh. This isn't hardball, Ann. It's deceit.

He stole clients, he set up his own practice.

Yeah, but do we know this?

Yes. John Standing wouldn't take my call.

Larry Gilson wouldn't take my call.

These are major corporate retainers

and Becker's got them both.

I've also found out that Sol Rosen called.

He's asked that we return his entire file

and two-thirds of his retainer.

Get a restraining order.

It'll put the brakes on his venture in a hurry

if he can't take clients.

Uh, we have to prove irreparable harm.

If they're big corporate clients, I'm sure we can.

Let me ask another question.

- Do we need him? - Do we need him?

Or do we need a matrimonial practice?

Well, we definitely need a matrimonial practice.

Right now it's responsible for 20% of our income.

Does it have to be Arnold Becker

that brings that 20% in?

Right now it is Arnold Becker.

We lose him, we lose those clients.

When Sol Rosen comes by to pick up his things,

I'm going to try to find out

just what Arnold Becker said to him.

We should also talk to Roxanne.

Ann.

She's not gonna tell us anything.

McKenzie: She will if you approach her right.

Chances are, you're the only here she really trusts.

Why don't you work some angle

and pump her for what she knows?

I'm not working any angles, Douglas.

I've dealt with her straight in the past,

I'll deal with her straight now.

McKenzie: Just do it fast.

And make sure you get something we can use.

If we wait too long, those clients he took

will be his for good.

That would represent a major financial loss to us

for us and a major coup for Arnold Becker.

I don't want that to happen.

[clears throat] Ms. Gottlieb, I'm Susan Jenkins,

the attorney for Mr. Mores.

I'd like to ask you a few questions about

yesterday's testimony and I'll try not to

keep you up here too long.

Susan: Prior to your leaving the bar

with my client, what had you had to drink?

I left the bar with three people,

one of whom was your client.

I apologize if I suggested otherwise.

What did you have to drink?

I had a margarita.

Susan: That would be tequila? Allison: Yes.

Susan: And as you left this drinking establishment,

did you communicate to my client

that you regarded him as physically attractive?

I did not.

You did not comment

that Mr. Mores and Mr. Mayer

were better looking than the male models

used in your commercial?

[sighs] I said something like

"These two guys are better than the models," yeah.

Allison: It was light banter.

Susan: Was it flirtatious banter?

- No. - Okay.

Now, after you brought Mr. Mores into your home

and he first put his hand on your shoulder...

you say you told him to stop.

Isn't it true what you really said was,

"I don't think so?"

Maybe. What's the difference?

[laughs] Well, there's nothing ambiguous

about "Stop" Ms. Gottlieb. But a soft giggle

coupled with an "I don't think so..."

There was nothing ambiguous about my response.

I told him flat out, "No."

That I was involved in a monogamous exclusive

relationship and that I wasn't interested.

This monogamous relationship is with who?

Objection.

She opened the door, Your Honor.

I'll allow it. She can answer.

Susan: Who is this exclusive relationship

with, Ms. Gottlieb?

His name is Victor Sifuentes.

Susan: I see.

Ms. Gottlieb, is it possible my client

thought you wanted to have sex with him?

This was not sex, Ms. Jenkins. This was violence.

- Move to strike. - And no, it is not possible--

- Move to strike. - That he thought I wanted it.

- Overruled. - Ms. Gottlieb...

Have you ever hah sex with a member of your crew?

- What is this? - Objection.

Past sexual history is not admissible.

It is when she raises the issue.

The objection is overruled.

Susan: What about it, Miss Gottlieb?

Have you ever had sex with the member

or plural members of your film crew?

In the past I have had two relationships

with men who have been in my crew. Two.

Susan: When you say relationships,

do you mean... exclusive

spend the holidays together, celebrate birthdays,

and so forth, that sort of thing?

Or do you mean extremely short-lived

physical encounters?

They were two short affairs.

Do you make room for the possibility, Ms. Gottlieb,

that my client, knowing your propensity

to be sexually promiscuous?

- I object. - Get to it, Ms. Jenkins.

Isn't it possible he thought you wanted it?

He threw me down on the floor and ripped my clothes off!

- Move to strike. - He pinned my legs back.

Non responsive move to strike, Your Honor.

Stuck his thumb in to my throat and he raped me.

Judge Macfarlane: Ms. Gottlieb.

Allison: There is no way in hell

that any person could think

that any woman would want to have done to her

what he did to me!

Ms. Gottlieb, that's enough!

[cries]

I have nothing further.

Judge Macfarlane: We're done for the morning.

Have you anything more, Ms. Van Owen?

No, Your Honor.

Ms. Jenkins, will you be putting on any witnesses?

Yes, Your Honor.

I'll be calling Victor Sifuentes to the stand.

Sol, come in, please.

I appreciate your taking the time

to sit down with me, Sol.

Why wouldn't I sit down with you?

Brackman: I'm sure you know

that we were all unhappy

to hear that you were leaving us.

I'm leaving, someone else is coming,

life goes on. Am I wrong?

You're not wrong.

I'm curious, though.

When did you first hear that Arnie was leaving?

To tell the truth, I don't remember.

Did he ask you to come with him, Sol?

He didn't have to ask.

Did he give you any indication that a meeting would be held

with the other members of McKenzie Brackman and you?

What for?

So that we might persuade you

to stay here.

Who's your orthodontist?

What difference does it make?

I've got a grandson who needs braces.

Sol: What's the matter?

Arnold Becker never suggested that you meet with us, did he?

Arnold Becker was in the trenches with me.

You understand that?

Did he ever suggest a meeting with us

prior to his leaving the firm?

I'm getting a little PO'd here.

We never have so much as a cup of coffee together

in all these years.

And you come in from your goyische country club

with your steel rimmed glasses

and suddenly I'm supposed to answer to you?

You want me to get a subpoena? I can do that.

You think you can muscle me, my friend?

You should live so long.

Dr. Tower, would you state your qualifications

for the court?

Court, court. Court, court.

I've been a practicing neurologist for 12 years.

I have extensive clinical

and child development experience.

In addition, I myself have been diagnosed as

having had Tourette's since the age of fourteen.

Your Honor, I object to this witness

testifying as an expert.

Stritch: Regardless of his credentials,

the fact that he himself has this affliction

creates an inherent bias.

The jury can take all that into consideration, Ms. Stritch.

Judge Greg: The witness can testify.

Doctor, would you characterize

Tourette's Syndrome as a mental

or a physical condition?

Oh, boy.

Dr. Towel: Tourette's is a neurological motor disorder.

That's all it is. It might look like

a mental condition, but isn't.

Tourette's doesn't respond to psychotherapy

anymore than a limp would.

Jonathan: Based on your examination of him,

would you attribute all of Noah Cowan's abnormal behavior

to anything other than Tourette's?

Tourette's, Tourette's. Tourette's, Tourette's.

- No. Noah: Whoop!

Multiform phonic and motor tics

such as displayed by Mr. Cowan are wholly symptomatic.

Coprolalia or compulsive swearing...

palilalia or-- or repeating oneself,

and coprapaxia

or compulsive obscene gesturing are also typical.

Echolalia or the imitation of the last thing heard,

is the symptomology manifested in my case.

Yet, you're practicing neurologist.

I was fortunate enough to find myself

in a nurturing environment, Mr. Rollins.

Tourette's didn't stand in my way.

Other people didn't stand in my way either.

Jonathan: I have no further questions.

You have shown us a great deal of determination, doctor.

Tell me, how do your patients respond to you?

- Whoop! Dr. Tower: You, you.

You, you.

I believe my patients respond to me

as they would any other physician.

What if they didn't?

Dr. Tower: What do you mean? Noah: Oh, boy. Oh, boy.

What if you patients weren't comfortable

with a doctor who repeated everything they just said?

Stritch: What if they were just a little bit

put off by a doctor spitting and cursing, and--

Objection, Your Honor. What's the point?

The point is, Your Honor, that to his man,

all that's important is that he and the plaintiff

get to do exactly what they want,

oblivious to those around them.

He's not testifying as a medical expert.

He's testifying as another individual

who suffers from Tourette's.

I don't suffer from Tourette's.

I suffer from intolerance.

I suffer from small-minded aversions to anything strange,

anything out of the norm. That's what I suffer from.

I suffer from the likes of you.

Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth,

and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

- I do. - Be seated.

Please state your name for the record, sir.

Victor Sifuentes.

And do you presently have an exclusive romantic relationship

with the complainant, Allison Gottlieb,

as she so testified in this courtroom this morning?

I do.

Susan: Do you love this woman?

Yes, I do.

Seek to treat the witness, as hostile, Your Honor.

Granted. Continue.

What was the date when you first met this woman, sir?

Uh, it was in January of 1989. I don't know the exact day.

And when was the first time

you went out with her on a romantic basis?

- Objection, Your Honor. - Overruled.

Judge Macfarlane: Ms. Gottlieb, put this in issue,

I'm going to allow it. But speed it up, Ms. Jenkins.

Your first date, sir. When was it?

Victor: I don't know the exact date.

I think it was the day after we met.

And how many days after you met

did you first have sexual intercourse?

- Objection. Susan: I'm sorry, Your Honor.

But the complainant has characterized herself

as a chased monogamous woman

and I'm entitled to explore this.

You're not scoring any points with me, Ms. Jenkins.

I respectfully request the right to examine my witness.

- Your Honor-- - The objection is overruled.

How long did this woman wait before going to bed with you?

Your Honor, this is ridiculous.

Sit down, Ms. Van Owen.

Susan: How long? Victor: I don't know.

Susan: A week? A month? - Asked and answered.

- I said, "I don't know." - Maybe less than a week?

Asked and answered.

That's enough, Ms. Jenkins.

Sorry, Your Honor.

- Grace. - Yeah?

Can I talk to you for a second?

- Sure. - Honey, do you mind waiting?

You don't think that you could have cut off

a couple of those questions in there?

- I tried, Victor. You heard-- - Not hard enough, you didn't.

Van Owen: For a prelim? Come on.

I appreciate the free discovery.

I do not appreciate the fact

that Allison comes off looking

totally humiliated in there

li-- like some cheap kind of slut!

This is not about preserving her reputation.

It's about getting a rapist bound over for trial.

- Which I'll do. - I'm not so sure about that.

You know what they're doing.

They're gonna be as rough as possible

to discourage her from sticking this out.

You've used the same strategy yourself a zillion times.

Yeah. Look, look, I'd like to see your witness lists,

plus the police and the medical reports.

I mean, did you run a cross-state

probation check on this guy?

Hey!

You asked me to take this case.

I took it. Now let me do my job.

Don't you tell me how to prosecute!

- I'm not doing that! - You are doing it.

And I'm telling you right now, stop it, Victor!

I've got a 95% conviction rate. I'm good.

And what I don't need is a boyfriend getting in my way.

Are we clear?

I just don't want this guy walking, Grace.

He won't walk.

Trust me.

This guy is not gonna walk.

[instrumental music]

How the hell could this have happened?

I got a piece of gristle caught in the damn

braces and I couldn't get it out.

Yeah. Sit down. So you stuck a slinky in your mouth?

I was using the flat edge,

sort of like a tooth pick and it got stuck.

- Let's see. - Ow!

- Aah! - It got stuck, alright.

Here, I don't want to push down too hard

because I don't want to tear the gum.

Come over into the light.

[sighs]

Okay.

Michael.

Kimberley?

- Come on in. - Michael.

I'm looking for Roxanne.

I have a video tape of her performance.

Roxanne doesn't work here anymore.

Kimberly: You're kidding?

Michael.

Oh. Excuse me.

Kimberley Duggin, Douglas Brackman.

Kimberley was Roxanne's dance coach.

- Hello. - Hi.

You have a slinky in your mouth.

Excuse me.

[laughs lightly] Long story.

What about Roxanne?

That's a long story too.

You see, her boss formed his own practice

and she went with him.

But I think I can get the tap to her.

Oh, great. She's gonna love it.

Yeah.

Well...

it was good to see you again.

Yeah, you too.

[laughs lightly]

Kimberly: Michael,

would you like to have lunch with me tomorrow?

Tomorrow?

Uh...

Yeah. That will be fine.

- Great. - 1 o'clock?

I'll make reservations.

Actually, I hate lunches.

It's just less forward than if I'd asked you to dinner.

But since we're on for lunch,

and dinner isn't such a big leap from lunch...

let's make it dinner.

Okay.

8 o'clock. I'll make the reservation.

Your Honor,

I would submit there is not enough evidence

to hold my client over for trial.

Yes, they had sexual intercourse.

But Henrico Mores had reason to believe she consented.

They knew each other,

they had drinks, he took her home,

she invited him into her house.

She'd let him know she found him attractive.

And this is a woman who'd slept with members of her crew before.

A woman who was known by her crew to be sexually aggressive.

She was known to have affairs.

She customarily dresses very provocatively.

She says she resisted and that this was violence,

but there were no bruises, no property damage.

They will never get a conviction on this one, Your Honor.

And I would respectfully request that we not waste

the tax payers' money by chasing a conclusion

that'll never happen.

If she wasn't raped,

what possible motivation could she have to say she was?

So she could experience the fun of an E.R. room,

getting probed by a speculum?

So she could furnish vaginal fluid to crime labs

and enjoy the thrill of a police lineup?

Not to mention what a good time it is

to come in to these courtrooms

and be portrayed as a whore by the defense attorney.

I won't be wasting the taxpayers' money, Your Honor.

The taxpayers pay me

to get people like Henrico Mores off the streets.

And that's exactly what I'm going to do.

Judge MacFarlene: Thank you both.

I find probably cause and I will hold

the defendant over for trial. Same bail.

Let's set a scheduling conference

for the week of February twelfth.

That's all. We're adjourned.

I'm ready to talk plea, Grace. Wanna get lunch?

Lunch it is.

Okay, Allison.

We got our trial.

Thanks.

[softly] Thanks Grace.

[indistinct chatter]

[telephone ringing]

[knock on door]

- Hi. - Hi.

Kelsey: Thanks for coming.

- How's Matthew? - Oh, he's great.

Growing bigger every day. [laughs]

I'm gonna have to see him pretty soon.

We'd love for you to.

Roxanne, no one here is blaming you.

Why did you want to see me, Ann?

We have a reason to think that Arnie

might have been luring clients away.

I don't know what went on

between Arnie and his clients.

They're not his clients.

Whose ever clients they are.

Did he have you photocopying files for him?

Roxanne: No.

But he was having it done?

Why are you putting me in this position?

Roxanne, you left here to go with Arnie.

Arnie turned on each and every one of us

by doing what he did.

So now, you're asking me to turn on him.

I'm asking you to tell the truth.

I told you the truth.

You asked me to come here, so I came.

I've told you the truth.

Now, I want you to honor our relationship

and not ask me anything more.

No promises.

All the years of working here don't matter.

All the attachments I have here don't matter.

The only thing that matters here is money.

It's the one thing that counts, isn't it, Ann?

The one thing that really counts.

[door shuts]

Kelsey: She wasn't in the room when he talked to the clients.

What about the files?

I don't think she knows anything about the files.

What do you mean "You don't think?"

- Does she or doesn't she? - What are you gonna do, Leland?

Would you really force Roxanne to testify against Arnie?

In a second.

I don't think that will be necessary.

How much do we need for an injunction?

McKenzie: We'll find out this afternoon.

Judge Lobel is going to hear our motion in chambers.

If you want to spare Roxanne,

you better hope that we don't come out of there

empty-handed.

Mr. Cassella, why did you discharge Noah Cowen?

Because I just couldn't put up with it anymore.

Look, I like Noah. He's a good guy.

He's a good worker.

I know, this problem he can't help. But...

it's tough walking clients through my office

with him calling me a douche bag.

Oh, boy. Whoop! Whoop!

Cassella: The cursing is disruptive.

It upsets the co-workers and ah...

the clients...

I-- I think he scares them.

Oh, boy. Whoop!

Dago, wop!

You see, people just don't understand that kind of thing.

And it's been hurting my business. I...

[sighs] I had to fire him. I just had to, Noah.

Stritch: Thank you, Mr. Cassella.

I have nothing further, Your Honor.

My client's market research was always

satisfactory, was it not?

It was better than satisfactory. It was great.

And social skills were never a function

of his employment, isn't that right, Mr. Cassella?

Look, I'm-- I'm not talking about a good personality here.

I'm talking about him yelling "kike" all day at my assistant.

But his co-workers understood his affliction, didn't they?

Some did. Some... you know, didn't.

You didn't.

Did you ever take time to really get to know Noah Cowan?

I don't know him that well, but I do know him.

Mr. Cassella, the only problem you have with Noah Cowan,

and the only reason you fired him

was because of his handicap, right?

Look, I've been dealing with this for six years

and it's hurting my organization.

Yeah, I...

I fired Noah because of his handicap.

The way I see it, I didn't really have a choice.

Rollins: Thank you, sir. Nothing further.

You can't be serious.

I'm not saying we have to take it.

Felony assault? The man raped me.

How can you plead down to assault?

Because by doing so, we make sure he's put away.

Grace, are you telling me this guy could actually be acquitted?

No. I'm telling you that he's a first offender with no record.

No oral cop, no weapons.

Even with a conviction, this is what we call

a straight low-term rape.

The best that we'll get is three years.

So with parole, he's back on the streets

in a year and a half.

Oh, my God.

Van Owen: Now, they're willing to go for four years,

out in two, if we cop to assault.

Basically, he's willing to do an extra six months

to avoid a rape conviction.

And, Allison, you also have to consider

that there is a chance of a not guilty.

Now, I'm not saying that will happen.

But it is your word against his.

And all he needs is a reasonable doubt.

You're telling me to take this.

As a District Attorney, there's nothing more

that I want than to nail this bastard for rape.

But as your friend, I can't ignore the fact

that a trial could take up to a year.

[sighs]

Hey, you want a trial, you got it.

People look at me differently.

Ever since this happened to me,

people look at me differently.

What does that say about me, Grace?

It says nothing about you.

And, Allison, I can get this guy. I can.

But this plea...

It allows us to put him away for a little longer

and it allows you to put this behind you a lot sooner.

[pensive music]

[scoffs]

Okay.

Okay.

First off all, I object

to this private motion session!

We're on the record, counselor.

There's nothing private about it.

With all due respect, Your Honor

it's a little unusual to be hauled down here

for an eleventh hour hearing after the close of business day.

You got your notice. Let's get on with it.

Your Honor, as stated in our papers,

Mr. Becker abruptly severed his partnership

with McKenzie Brackman and breached his fiduciary

responsibility owed to our firm.

Upon information and belief,

he knowingly solicited McKenzie Brackman clients,

and caused certain corporations

to discontinue business with us.

Un-true.

We have affidavits

from three clients that were approached by Mr. Becker,

which clients chose not to go with him.

Nevertheless, they do confirm that said solicitations

did take place while Mr. Becker

was still a member of our partnership.

I can also confirm that three corporate clients

Sol Rosen and Associates, Taft Industries,

and Berkshire, Petrovek have all suddenly left our firm

and are believed to be with Mr. Becker's new firm.

- Did they go with you? - Yes.

On their own volition.

I'm restraining you from doing any work for Sol Rosen--

Your Honor, that's crazy! Those are my clients.

Yell at me, Mr. Becker,

and you will be in jail very quickly.

There is no proof of inappropriate solicitation.

There is no proof of any breach of fiduciary responsibility.

He snuck files out in the middle of the night.

You can't force clients to go back to them.

I'm not forcing the clients to do anything.

They can go anywhere they want. Except to Arnold Becker.

This is depriving me of my livelihood!

Look up the definition of "partner," Mr. Becker.

It means you don't plan late night coups

to stab your co-workers in the back.

I object to that characterization.

The restraining order is granted.

Those are my clients!

Well, if you want to keep your clients

and if you want to keep them,

then you people will have to get back together.

Hearing in ten days. That's all. We're done.

I can't believe you're doing this!

You steal from me, you answer to me.

Judge Lobel: I said, we're done.

I suppose we can all laugh at Tourette's Syndrome.

The way my client swears or spits,

or makes funny sounds.

And Noah Cowan certainly understands

that people can be shocked by his behavior.

He grew up being stared at in Restaurants.

Being laughed at on buses.

Being ridicule by strangers

because the things he does

strikes people as funny.

But you know what's not funny?

A society that's unwilling to tolerate someone's handicap.

This man became a highly qualified professional

whose work was beyond reproach.

And he still got fired. Noah: Whoop!

Because he made people uncomfortable.

There's nothing so damn amusing about that,

ladies and gentlemen.

Because that kind of intolerance,

that kind of prejudice, that's our handicap, not his.

Pff! Whoop!

Sal Cassella says people look at this man and see a weirdo.

I see a man.

A man who's battled a nervous disorder

every day of his life

and has beaten everything.

Everything except...

public perception.

He deserves to beat that...

today.

Noah: Oh, boy! Whoop!

Sal Cassella liked Noah Cowan.

He hired him, trained him, promoted him.

And he didn't want to lose him.

But Noah cost him co-workers.

He cost him clients.

A racial slur, a couple of whoops

a spit...

and Sal Cassella's business takes it on the chin.

Noah: Oh, boy!

The law says

it's alright to fire someone

because of their handicap if it affects their performance.

I'm telling you, Noah's did.

It put people off.

Now maybe that is society's problem

as Mr. Rollins has said,

but Sal Cassella shouldn't have to pay for it.

Noah: Oh, boy! Whoop!

Whoop!

Case number 8-9-7-2-3.

People vs. Henrico Mores.

Your Honor, the parties are prepared

to enter into a plea bargain.

After consulting with both defense counsel and the victim,

we feel that the interests of justice will be best served

by a reduced plea to felony assault,

coupled with a joint recommendation

of four years in state prison.

Defense counsel so recommends?

- I do. Judge MacFarlene: Mr. Mores.

Judge MacFarlene: You've discussed this plea with

your lawyer and you understand the consequences?

Yes.

You understand that you are

pleading guilty to a felony

crime and that you will spend four years

in a state prison as a result of this conviction?

This is your own free decision?

Yes.

Very well.

It is therefore the decision of this court--

No!

Excuse me?

I can't let this happen.

I'm sorry, Your Honor. I can't do this.

Your Honor, the parties have already agreed to the plea.

No, Your Honor, I expressly stated that

my recommendation was based on the consent of the victim.

If the victim withdraws her consent,

I withdraw my recommendation.

Ms. Gottlieb, are you fully aware

of the consequences of your decision?

Yes, I am.

Judge MacFarlene: You are aware

that the final disposition of this matter

could take up to two years?

I don't care if it takes ten years, Your Honor.

They can do whatever they want. They cant scare me off.

This guy, he's definitely picked the wrong girl to rape.

[pensive music]

Your Honor, The People stand ready for trial.

[sighs]

So, if you can't have 'em, I can't have 'em.

Is that the way it's gonna be?

Got any suggestions

as to how it could be otherwise?

Yeah.

Let me take the clients

and I'll cut you in for a piece.

[chuckles] You got any other suggestions?

No, that was it. What about you?

You're the paterfamilias around here.

What suggestion have you got?

Douglas, would you mind excusing us?

No. Not at all.

[door shuts]

You've got something to say to me.

What makes you think I got anything to say to you?

Oh, I can only assume a man needs a reason

to betray people who trust him.

Oh. So I betrayed you?

Yes. Me and every other person who works here.

Do you think maybe you played a part at all in this, Leland?

I got in the way of your all consuming greed,

that's what I did.

What you did was...

hang me ought to dry with the video tape...

I was totally reasonable there.

shaft me with Rosalind Shays...

I had no choice.

And you get behind Michael Kuzak

each and every time.

Never once do you get behind me.

Is that what this is about?

Hey, it's there. It's always there.

Kuzak's the principled one. I'm the slug.

Kuzak's the one you're proud of.

I'm the one you tolerate just

to keep the money coming in!

You're the one chasing the

money, Arnold!

The people here, including you,

will always matter more to me than money,

and that's the difference between us.

Yeah? Well, I don't get that.

I built this firm. I spent my life building it.

And I will not allow you to reduce

my investment here to dollars.

- This firm is part of me! - Fine.

But don't expect it to be a part of me.

Unless you're prepared to give something back.

What do you want?

I want my name added to the firm's name.

You want more loyalty out of Arnold Becker?

Then stencil in "Arnold Becker" on the glass door.

Is that it?

Yeah. That's it.

[pensive music]

Judge Greg: Has the jury reached a verdict?

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

We find for the plaintiff and award the sum

of a 150,000 in back pay.

We award front pay in the amount of $100,000.

I'd like to dismiss the jury with the thanks of the court.

We're adjourned.

Great. Great.

- Oh, boy. Oh, boy. - "Oh, boy," is right Noah.

"Oh boy," is right. You happy?

Happy, happy, happy, happy.

Yes. Oh, boy.

Oh! Whoop!

[indistinct chatter]

Jonathan,

can we talk to you guys for a minute?

No hard feelings, I hope.

Bastard. Wop!

Not at all, Noah.

Why don't we find a room?

Sure.

I was wondering if there might be a more

constructive resolution to this dispute.

- Like what? - Like Noah gets his job back.

Really?

I've yet to find a market research analyst as good.

Is this job offer in lieu of the judgment?

Here's the package, fifty thousand upfront,

a new car, and Noah gets promoted to research director.

[stammers] How come you think

now it's okay for me to work there?

There! Whoop!

A modem and a FAX machine, that's how come.

What do you mean?

A modem lets us hook up his home

computer to our office computer.

And a FAX machine lets us shoot

documents back and forth.

We'll provide everything.

Well, that sounds pretty good, Mr. Cassella.

Yeah. Oh, boy.

Noah, I think this is something

we need to talk about a little.

Cassella: Please do.

You know what, Noah?

I know we're gonna work this out.

You wanna be out in the world, Noah.

I thought that's what this trial was all about.

No, in all this time

I haven't been able to find another job.

A quarter of a million dollars will let you look some more.

It won't matter.

I should just stay home and work.

Dammit, Noah. I hate that you're saying that.

It's okay. I mean, this way nobody will have to hear me.

Oh, boy.

Nobody will have to hear me.

[sighs]

[instrumental music]

- Hi, Grace. - Victor.

- Come in. - Sorry for the intrusion.

But your phone's off the hook.

And I knew you'd be here.

Hi.

Hi.

It made the news. Did you see it?

Hmm.

Yeah, I know.

Well, someone else who saw it came to my office tonight.

Who?

A woman by the name of Rosanna Gramm.

A woman who until tonight

never had the courage to tell anyone

that she had been raped by a man named Henrico Mores.

What?

We've got him now, Allison.

I mean, he is facing a rape conviction for sure.

Oh, God.

He's looking at at least eight years.

I just wanted you to know.

[pensive music]

Van Owen: Goodnight, guys.

[door closes]

[sniffs]

[theme music]