Original subtitles

[indistinct chatter]

[telephone ringing]

Rox, I need a huge favor.

Uh, I'm kind of busy.

Travel-Time's botched the trip.

We didn't get the Friday flight and they didn't reserve

Chloe a spot in Beginner Snow Bunnies.

Uh, call Liz Cohn, she handles Arnie's trips.

Mm. Travel agent from hell.

Arnie says you're the only one who can deal with her.

Corrinne, Arnie needs this motion by 9:30.

That's why I wrote it all down.

I don't want to take up any more of your time

than is absolutely necessary.

Gee. Thanks.

Arnie: Rox, what's the hold up?

I gotta get those pages

filed by... Hi.

She's helping your busy wife,

so cut her some slack.

- If you say so. - Mm.

Honey, I gotta help this poor slob

get out of his wife's clutches.

I'll see you tonight. I love you.

- Mm. Bye. - Bye.

Corrinne? It's me, Gwen.

- Gwennie! Oh, Hi. - What are you doing here?

Corrinne: What has it been, 10, 12 years?

Gwen: Oh, longer. Longer.

I had braces on last time we saw each other.

I can't believe how you've grown up.

- Yeah. - What are you doing here?

Well, I work for Stuart Markowitz.

I didn't know this.

I-- I married Arnie Becker.

Rox, Gus Brandt is trying to call me from his car--

Arnie, you won't believe this.

- Little Gwennie works here. - Little Gwennie?

Corrinne: Yeah, Susan Taylor's little sister.

Our high school mascot, she followed us to the prom.

Right. Hi.

We've met. Listen, I gotta go.

Uh, Stuart's waiting for these.

Corrinne: Oh, it's so good seeing you.

- Like can we have lunch? - No.

I mean, haven't you got a lot of stuff to do

to get ready for the weekend?

I'll make time for Gwennie.

I helped her buy her first bra.

- Remember, you were so cute. - Yeah.

She was afraid she'd never grow breasts.

No!

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

This is ex parte, Grace.

- I'm not the lawyer of record. - But your firm is.

That makes this meeting inappropriate.

I'm sorry, Michael, but look what's going on here.

The city is on the verge of a race riot.

The solution from the D.A.'s office

is to convict an innocent cop,

and the-- the judge on the case

is a total victim of the hysteria.

Judge Stone has served with distinction for seven years.

He can't control Holloway.

He let the D.A. talk about a lie detector

in front of the jury, he wouldn't even declare

a mistrial after putting Kuzak into custody.

- But he declared the mistrial. - Only after locking Rollins up.

Come on, Michael,

you can't ignore the stench on this one.

Stone can't do it.

You're the presiding Superior Court judge,

you have to take responsibility here.

[sighs] Okay.

I'll get you a new judge.

Somebody who can take the heat, okay.

Somebody who can stand up to Holloway.

Just be sure your boys are ready.

If we stall on this one, the public

screams will only get louder.

That's not gonna do you any good.

We're ready now.

Okay.

I'll get you a good judge.

Thanks, Michael.

First up, Shays versus McKenzie Brackman.

Post mortem.

Motion for remittitur, next Tuesday.

- What do you have for appeal? Kelsey: Nothing procedural.

A lot of case law saying a partner is not an employee.

Meaning she may not have a claim for sex discrimination.

We tried that at summary judgment and lost.

Yeah, but I just pulled a case off Leslow,

ninth district, right on point.

- It's worth a shot. - Well, good.

In the meantime, I'm meeting with Rosalind tomorrow.

No Sollers, just her.

If I can crunch it down, I'll try to settle it.

Moving on. A reminder, Leland.

We have the Lowry dinner Thursday night.

People versus Chisolm.

Judge Stone's off the case,

so at least that's a start.

Expect a pre-trial tomorrow.

Jonathan and I have decided that he will try

the case and I will second chair.

Are you comfortable with that, Jonathan?

Yes.

Well, let's try to stay out of jail.

Both of you.

Brackman: In Re Slaeffer. - Hearing starts today.

This is the couple that wants to return its adopted child?

- Yes. - And we represent the parents.

Kelsey: I'm sorry, but I find this whole thing repulsive.

Returning a child to an adoption agency,

how can you represent people like that?

Abby: You've never met the people, Ann.

You've never met the child, and to my

knowledge, you've never seen the file.

Maybe not, but as a mother, I--

I'm a mother too.

And based on my review of the facts,

I accepted these people as clients.

And since this is my case, I'll thank you to defer

to my judgment, as I do to yours.

I apologize.

Okay.

McKenzie: Good luck on this case, Abby.

We know it's a difficult situation.

Thank you.

And on that happy, happy

note, we're adjourned.

Becker: Stuart.

- How are you feeling? - I'm fine, Arnie. Thanks.

You're taking care of yourself, I hope?

What can I do for you?

I was expressing genuine concern.

I don't always have an ulterior motive.

But now that you mention it, yeah,

there is something I'd like to talk to you about.

Alright.

It's Gwen.

I think you should give some serious

thought to that whole situation.

What situation?

I hate to say this, but she isn't appropriate.

McKenzie Brackman just is not that kind of firm.

What kind of firm? What are you talking about?

I'd rather slice my lips off

than have to tell you this, but...

but you're my friend as well as my partner,

I think I owe it to you.

The week before I got married...

she made a pass at me.

Really?

And I was about to get married,

so of course nothing happened.

But still she...

She came in to my office,

ostensibly to have a drink.

Before I knew it...

she's on the sofa with all of her clothes off.

- Off? - Off.

Becker: It was all I could do just to get her dressed

and get her out of there.

The problem is, she hasn't stopped.

Every time she comes around me, I'm afraid

she's gonna pounce and, Stuart,

I don't think that I am

the only one that she's after.

What do you want me to do, fire her?

Look...

I'm just thinking about your reputation as well as mine.

She's the best secretary I ever had.

She's the only one who understands

my color-coding system.

I know. You have every right to keep her.

If you wanna take that risk.

Well, listen, I, I just...

I just wanted you to have this information.

No, no, I appreciate it. I really do.

He was six months old when he first came home to live with us.

And at that time Billy appeared to be a normal baby?

Carol: Yes. He cried a lot.

Um, but the doctor said it was probably just colic.

And, um, he also, uh, stiffened when we held him, but...

Well, they kept telling us everything was alright.

But at some point you realize that Billy was not fine.

Just after his first birthday he had a seizure.

Uh, they ran some more tests on him

and this time they found some neurological damage.

Was he diagnosed as being retarded?

Carol: Oh, no.

They said that he would probably

have some learning disabilities

and that his motor skills could be affected.

And yet, knowing that-- that Billy would never be um...

"normal," you nevertheless proceeded with the adoption.

He's our son.

The fact that he had problems didn't make us

love him any less.

Abby: But here you are today,

almost five years later, asking the State

to take back custody of your son.

- Yes. Abby: Why?

We can't control him.

Uh... for...

Uh, for the last two years,

he's been having these... rages.

He smashes things, he pounds his head up against the wall.

He just snaps.

Have you, um, sought help for Billy?

Oh, my God, yes.

Um... special schools,

uh, psychiatrists, medication.

[voice breaking] We've spent our lifesavings

trying to make him better.

But he's not going to get better.

So now you're... you're giving up?

Carol: [crying] We don't wanna give up,

but, um,

he hurts our other children.

Last year there was an episode when...

he knocked the baby down the stairs.

He's, um...

even started two fires.

He's my son...

and I love him.

But I can't take care of him.

Thank you, Mrs. Slaeffer.

I have nothing further.

Good afternoon, Mrs. Slaeffer. I'm Jaime Rodriguez,

appearing for the Department of Social Services.

Money is a factor here, is it not?

No, this isn't about money.

Rodriguez: Well, you talked about medical costs

and the depletion of your savings,

so I'm assuming it's a factor.

Well, we have three other children,

so, yes, it's a concern. But--

Thank you, ma'am.

Those three other children are

your natural children, am I right?

Yes.

Rodriguez: How does Billy feel about

his brothers and sister?

He loves them.

Rodriguez: I would imagine he would miss them quite a bit.

[crying] We will miss him, Mr. Rodriguez.

I would like to focus on what this does to Billy,

Mrs. Slaeffer, not you.

[crying] Don't you think we've

agonized over this?

If you have, then you must be aware

of Billy's chances of ever being adopted again

if he's put back in the system.

- What are those chances? - Not good.

They're close to non-existent.

This is... hard enough without you doing this.

Forgive me, ma'am, but it can never be hard

enough to do what you're doing.

Objection.

You're asking to strip a

six-year-old boy away from his family.

Your Honor, I made an objection.

Mr. Rodriguez.

I'm sorry.

Just tell me this.

With all his problems,

what else has Billy got but the love of a family?

What else does he have but you?

[crying] We don't know what else to do.

The question is...

what will Billy do?

[Carol crying]

Rodriguez: What will Billy do, ma'am?

[telephone ringing]

- Hi, I'm glad I caught you. - I'm going to lunch.

I've got a million things to do and I'll never get

to the dry cleaners in time to pick up the ski jackets.

Could you do me a big favor? It's right down the street.

- No, I can't. - It won't take a minute.

Would you step in here, please?

I-- I work for Arnie, not for you.

A-- and it's not fair to dump all this stuff on me.

Well, it was Arnie who suggested I ask you to help.

Roxanne: It's a family trip, Corrinne.

It has nothing to do with me or with my job,

a-- and I don't like being asked to handle

all of the-- the pesky details.

I didn't realize you felt that way.

Well, now you do.

I'm sorry.

I guess I was being insensitive.

Corrinne: I know it's been hard for you, Roxanne.

You've been the anchor in Arnie's life

and now he has Chloe and me.

- What's that got to do with it? - Maybe nothing.

But maybe... you feel a little abandoned and resent it and--

I don't feel abandoned!

I-- I feel taken advantage of.

A-- and the only thing that,

that I resent here is being analyzed.

How could you possibly know how I feel or who I am?

- You've only known me a year. - I see.

And I've only known Arnie a year, too. Is that it?

I mean how could I possibly understand him

as well as, say, you do.

I never said that.

But if the shoe fits...

It doesn't.

But this has been an illuminating conversation.

Yes, very.

How in God's name do you plan to make this case?

There's enough there to proceed, Your Honor.

If we don't satisfy the burden--

I've read through your papers, Ms. Fusco.

You have no business going forward.

No witness, no physical or testimonial evidence, and--

Actually, Your Honor, we now do have a witness.

Excuse me?

A young man by the name of Jerome Bailey

came forward last night. Lives in the neighborhood.

Says he saw Officer Chisolm shoot the boy,

with no one else in the alley.

And this guy just suddenly appears now?

Look, I'm not gonna play games with you.

I had my doubts,

I had Mr. Bailey take a polygraph,

the results are inconclusive.

I have no proof he's making it up.

But I also know that Derron Holloway

held a town meeting yesterday in that neighborhood

imploring someone to come forward and be a hero.

Well, if this witness isn't credible, then--

There's no determination he's not credible.

And Rogoff wants us to use him if his story checks out.

Well, how do you check it out

if there was no one else in the alley?

I'm checking it out.

Okay. You get your unexpected witness in here tomorrow.

I wanna have a little chat.

And get Rogoff in here too.

And tell him I don't give a damn

about his re-election plans.

There will be no bogus prosecution in my courtroom.

I'll give him the message.

2 o'clock.

Dr. Evans: Billy's condition is most likely the result

of drug use by the birth-mother.

I'd like to say this is an uncommon thing,

but unfortunately it's not.

Abby: Did my clients know anything about

this drug abuse at the time of the adoption?

No.

Now, Doctor, based on your

psychiatric examination of this

child, could you tell us Billy's prognosis?

Dr. Evans: Extremely retarded social skills.

I don't think this child will ever bond,

either with the Slaeffers or anybody else.

It's extremely unlikely he'll ever have

the capability to experience adult love.

Abby: And these rages and uncontrollable fits?

Do you think he'll grow out of this?

I see no indication that he will.

Abby: And, doctor, in your expert opinion,

what effect would Billy's behavior have

on the other members of the family?

Well, obviously it takes its toll on everyone,

but the most serious threat is to the emotional well being

of the other children.

And it appears there's even a physical threat here.

Abby: And, doctor, do you have an opinion as to whether

Billy should remain in this household or not?

In my opinion he should not.

Abby: Thank you. Nothing further.

Rodriguez: The chances of this boy

being able to bond and trust,

do they go up or down if he is removed from the family?

Down.

Rodriguez: In fact, the damage

caused to this boy would be

totally irreparable, wouldn't it?

- That's possible. Rodriguez: Mm-hmm.

Rodriquez: And, Doctor, does Billy love

his parents and his siblings?

Yes, he does.

Rodriguez: Would it be fair to say

that he loves them very much?

Dr. Evans: Yes

Rodriguez: So this child is quite

capable of experiencing love.

I was talking about his

capability for experiencing adult love.

I understand that, but that's way off in the future.

Right now, today, this young man

is capable of loving, isn't he?

Yes.

What happens to that capability

once he's ripped apart from his family?

I have to balance the needs of

the other children, not just Billy, not only--

This proceeding isn't about

the other children, it's about Billy.

I care about Billy, Mr. Rodriguez. I care very much.

Are you telling me that this child is going to be better off

in a state agency than with his family?

- Maybe not, but-- - Then don't sit there...

telling us how much you care about Billy.

Do you think I'm enjoying this?

- Mr. Rodriguez? - Move to strike.

This is an impossible situation.

We're all just trying to use our best judgment!

Alright, both of you!

[clears throat]

Doctor, you testified that during the course

of your practice you've had extensive experience

with behavioral disorders, many with adopted children.

That's right.

Have any of these children suffered

from behavior problems as severe as Billy's?

Yes.

And in your experience, how many

of these adoptive parents,

other than the Slaeffers,

have sought to give their children back?

Rodriguez: How many, ma'am? - None.

I have nothing further.

Now, I-- I-- I don't listen to gossip, believe me.

And I am not a fan of innuendo.

But, uh, this is different.

When a partner in this firm comes to me with his concerns...

- I-- I have to consider them. - Which partner?

Well, uh, I'm not at liberty to mention any names,

but, uh, this partner, uh,

is concerned about your-- your promiscuity.

My what?

Well, uh, you know, your-- your

uh, sexual adventure... ism.

Arnold Becker?

Well, I... I can't mention any names.

- Yes, Arnold Becker. - Stuart, this is what happened.

Arnie invited me to his office for a drink.

I didn't know at the time, but he was getting married

and I guess he was freaking out.

I was there three, maybe four minutes

when he started taking my clothes off.

Now, I won't say I wasn't willing.

- But it was all his idea. - Mm-hmm.

We did it that one time, on the sofa

in his office, and never again.

And now he can't even look at me.

I am not promiscuous.

I do not sleep around,

and I do not wanna lose my job

because some jerk can't deal with his own glands.

Okay.

That fine.

Really.

I'll bring it down to one nine

but that's as fair as I get, Leland.

I'd rather go into bankruptcy rather than give you one nine.

- [laughing] No, you wouldn't. - How can you be so sure?

The reason you brought me in, the reason you stepped down,

was to save what you love.

Well, if you understood that,

why did you do what you did?

I did what I was hired to do.

Let's be honest about that, Leland.

Somebody had to be ruthless, somebody had to play hard.

You didn't want to be that somebody.

You'd been too popular too long.

I can understand that.

What I can't understand

is after I did all the dirty work,

that you never gave me the chance.

To do what?

I was hoping that after all the hardball,

I'd be able to sit back and enjoy.

Enjoy what I'd helped build.

Cultivate some of that McKenzie loyalty.

McKenzie: Wouldn't have happened, Rosalind.

No, you can't grind up the people you work with

and then later expect their devotion.

You needed a little grinding here.

But your problem is

you can't ever feel victorious

unless the other guy is devastated.

I was good for this place.

You saved this place. Absolutely.

But so did I by stepping back in.

One million three. I can make that payment.

You'll have it by the end of business tomorrow,

and you can walk away leaving me defeated,

but not fatally crushed.

One million five.

I want you to at least limp.

One four, and it'll be over.

I can sell one four.

Okay. I'll have Jack draw up the settlement papers.

We can file the dismissal as soon as I get the check.

Deal.

Deal.

Billy, I promise this will be real short

and not very hard.

Ninja Turtles, that's a sharp tee shirt.

- Did you see the movie? - Twice. My father took me.

My son took me.

And I hear you like baseball too.

[clicks his tongue]

Does your father ever take you to see the Dodgers?

[clicks his tongue]

Billy?

John gave me his glove.

Sounds like a pretty good brother to me.

Is John here?

No, he's not.

Where is he?

Judge Robin: Well, I believe he's in school.

Listen.

I understand...

that sometimes you hit John.

And Carl, too.

[clicks his tongue]

Do you know why you hit your brothers and sister?

Is John here?

Billy. Do you know why you hit them?

[crying] No.

Judge Robin: Do you know that it's wrong for you to hit them?

That it's wrong for you to start fires?

Yes.

Well, what I'm trying to understand...

is if you know it's wrong...

why you do it?

Why can't I go home?

Well, while we're trying to figure all this out,

it'd be better if you live away from home.

With Mrs. Lewis.

Are my parents gonna come for me?

Well, that's what we're trying to decide.

[instrumental music]

Just a second. What are you doing here?

I represent Mr. Bailey.

You asked to interrogate him, he's entitled to counsel.

When did you become his lawyer?

- That's privileged. Judge Armand: Not privileged.

Well, answer my question right now

or I'll lock you up for contempt.

Tuesday.

Mr. Bailey, have a seat.

According to your latest statement,

you saw the police officer shoot the boy.

Yeah.

Judge Armand: But on the night this happened

you gave a statement saying you

saw nothing, you only heard the shots.

I was-- I-- I was-- I was scared

to tell the cops what I saw.

- Why? Halloway: Uh-uh. I'm sorry.

I'm not going to allow free discovery for defense.

- This is-- - This is a surprise witness.

The defense is entitled to this information.

And if you interfere with me again,

I'm gonna add obstruction of justice to contempt,

throw you in a rat hole for a week.

Now, young man, you tell me what you saw.

And I don't care what Mr. Holloway

instructed you to say. You look at me!

You don't wanna lie in here now.

Well, the first shot I-- I didn't see,

I-- I only heard it.

As I looked around the corner, I saw the second shot.

There was this kid running and I seen the cop shoot him.

Judge Armand: Did you see anybody else?

Jerome: No. - How many shots did you hear?

Two, three, I don't know.

Why haven't you said anything about this before?

'Cause it-- 'cause it was the cops who done it.

I was scared if I told on them, they'd come get me next.

And you decided to come forward after Mr. Holloway addressed

a group of you and your neighbors two days ago?

Did Mr. Holloway tell you to come forward?

He told me to say what I saw and that's what I'm doing.

Okay.

You can go.

Mr. Holloway.

A minute, please.

[door closes]

Now... if I find out

that you manufactured this witness in any way,

or that you suborned perjury,

I will make it my personal purpose in life

to see you disbarred.

You know, that robe only gives you

qualified immunity, Your Honor.

You slander me with any accusations like that

and you won't have to look for me,

because I'll be coming for you.

I don't like the way you do business, mister.

I didn't know I needed your approval.

[sighs]

Well, I don't know whether to believe the kid or not.

But it is a credibility question.

Oh, God.

Judge Armand: Yes, they have a case, Mr. Kuzak,

shaky as it is.

I have no discretion to kick it.

That is, if you choose to go forward.

The district attorney's office is prepared to prosecute.

For once, will you show me something?

The district attorney's office is prepared to prosecute.

[sighs]

We impanel tomorrow morning.

Well, we've been down this road before.

Yes, and you'll all go down it again.

This time with me.

Taking this child away from his family will ruin him.

The doctors can make all kinds of predictions

about this and that, but, come on.

We all know his fate

if he's returned to the agency.

Troubled six-year-old, he'll never be adopted again.

He'll grow up without a home or a family.

How can any of us, straight-faced,

say this child will be better off?

Yes, he has problems,

yes, he's tough to live with,

and sure he can be a burden.

You run that risk as soon as you decide to be parents.

Now, as for the child, any child,

but especially one who has problems,

now, he has to have a guarantee that

no matter what,

his parents will stick by him.

I know they have tried, Your Honor.

But for God's sake,

tell them to try again,

and if it still doesn't work,

tell them to try again.

Giving that child back...

should be the last resort.

They're not here with a receipt trying to return merchandise.

And let's be honest,

they are the only people in this room

who really love that little boy.

The rest of us are here doing our jobs.

But they love him.

They love their son.

But Billy is getting angrier.

Billy's getting worse.

He pushed their baby daughter down the stairs.

She could have been killed.

He put a hot iron against Carl's arm.

He smashes his own head against the walls.

He's cut himself for stitches over a dozen times.

My clients have made every sacrifice and they have failed.

They would put him in a private institution,

but they have no money.

And right now, they're scared.

They're scared for Billy, they are scared

for their other children.

They are desperate people, Your Honor.

They are asking you for desperate relief.

I will...

try to make a decision by the end of the day.

This court is adjourned.

It's silly, Arnie.

There's nothing for Corrinne

and me to talk about.

Rox, please don't be like that.

You're on her side. You always will be.

There are no sides, there's a misunderstanding

that needs to be gotten out in the open to clear the air.

Look, we're all friends here, right?

We're caring individuals who, who try to treat each other

with decency and mutual respect.

You are the lowest slime on earth.

You have the sexual responsibility of a wart hog

and the morals of a flea.

You would screw your own grandmother

and sell tickets to it.

And I only pray for one thing,

that when someone finally does murder you,

there is a hell for you to rot in.

You were talking about decency and mutual respect.

A wonderful evening, Douglas, Leland.

- I'll call you tomorrow. Brackman: Very good.

McKenzie: Well, thank you very much and I look forward to that.

Anybody need a lift? We can have a night cap in the limo.

Brackman: Thanks. We both drove.

Actually, I'm going to visit the men's room before I go,

so I'll say my good-byes here.

- Thanks again, Leland. - My pleasure.

Good night, Douglas.

- It went well. - Yes.

[instrumental music]

- Leland? - I just ate here as well.

- It's good food. - Very good.

I just ordered the special.

Shark.

Well, I saw you

and just wanted to be sure you got our check.

Yes, thank you.

That's why I decided to treat

myself to a nice meal.

It's a lot of money.

You don't have to tell me that.

Any plans on what to do with it?

I thought I'd take a leave of absence

from the firm for a month.

Slow down a little. Maybe...

get to know my grandchildren.

Sounds good.

Grace and Sollers will file the dismissal in the morning.

Yeah. Good to be done with it.

Yes.

Well, uh...

You know, they have a great dessert tray here

and I'll bet you skipped it.

- I did. - At least take a look.

If nothing grabs you, you could join me for a cup of coffee.

I'd be happy to.

The judge says she needs the night.

Oh, my God.

She promised she'd have a decision

first thing tomorrow, so--

Let's call this off.

- Carol. - Maybe he was right, Ben.

Maybe we should try again.

What can we try that we haven't tried?

[crying] What's wrong with us?

[shushing]

If they take him back,

then he won't be our son.

He just stops being ours.

[somber music]

[sobbing]

Judge Robin: The adoption of a child

is an unqualified and irrevocable bond,

and for anyone to treat it otherwise

is completely reprehensible.

I certainly am loathe to encourage

other such parents to return their children.

And I'm especially concerned

that other adopted boys and girls may suddenly fear

being shipped back to state agencies

because they don't live up to their parent's expectations.

I also have to look at the individual consequences here.

Returning Billy to the State

would surely cripple him emotionally,

if not forever, for a long time.

How could any child get over this...

even if he is re-adopted?

But according to the doctors,

returning Billy to the family

offers no real hope for emotional improvement either.

And given that...

given that his return to the household

threatens the safety of the other children...

and given the fact that I trust the parents here...

not only to love their son,

but to act in accordance with what they think is best.

I'm hereby granting their petition.

[Carol cries]

Judge Robin: In God's name, I hope you're right.

Because what I'm doing, quite frankly,

leaves me a little ill.

Billy Slaeffer will return to the custody of the County.

The clerk will draft the order.

And may I suggest that every one of us

say a little prayer tonight

for a boy who has no comprehension

of what is happening to him.

We're adjourned.

No, I'd start with the eyewitness part.

It's a stronger opener.

So what, lose the stuff on Holloway?

No, no, no, keep it. But open with the other.

Get the credibility question on its feet immediately.

Okay. Alright, let's go.

Jonathan, listen.

[sighs] I probably don't have to tell you this,

but this trial's gonna be like nothing you've ever had before.

Microphones are gonna be shoved in your face

everywhere you turn. Packed courtrooms.

People are gonna call you names.

I've seen it.

You've seen it from the second chair.

It's a lot different when it's coming

directly at you, Jonathan.

Now, I'm gonna be right there beside you, I'm with you.

But to a certain extent, you're gonna be

all alone in that courtroom.

- I'm ready. - One other thing.

I gave you this case because you're black, yes.

But also because you're a hell of a lawyer.

Thank you.

[door opens]

Hi.

I don't suppose you're ready to offer

a last minute plea on murder two.

- Nope. - Well, listen.

Uh... I have been a little less than aggressive so far.

And, you know, I'm conflicted about a lot of what's going on.

But I don't wanna mislead you.

Once we start, I'm going for a conviction.

I'm going for it as hard as I can.

We know that, Marcia.

And we know what you're dealing with.

Yeah, well...

Good luck. [laughs]

- It's pretty scary, huh? - Yeah.

Look, Ralph, she treats him like a contagious disease,

she's got to expect to get reamed.

Arnie, this is a ton of work.

I'm gonna be in here forever.

We'll give you custody of the kids,

but we want the boat.

With the trailer.

Ralph, I'm gonna have to call you back.

Ralph: Now, don't call me back. - Can't hear you.

I'm headed into a tunnel.

- Get out of my way. - We have to talk.

- In your dreams. - You are in my dreams.

Every night. It's tearing me apart.

- Good. - What, is that what you want?

You wanna see me destroyed? Well, take a good look.

Because the indestructible Arnold Becker is crumbling,

all because of you. Please.

Please, will you talk to me.

You have to know something.

When I went to Stuart, it wasn't malicious.

I wasn't trashing his secretary to save my own neck.

It w-- it was a wild, defensive move by a desperate man.

Yes, desperate.

Don't you see that, i-- if you stay around here,

I'm terrified of what could happen between us?

And it's not just because you're a beautiful woman.

I'm a married man.

Beautiful women don't affect me.

But [inhales] you...

are so much more than that.

Your poise, your...

your self-assurance, your... innate sensuality.

Those things make you irresistible.

Stuart must be wondering where you are.

Oh, God, the deposition.

[telephone ringing]

Ralph: Arnie. - Ralph.

Yeah, no, we must have got cut off.

It's all this damn construction.

Ralph: I'm telling you, I may have the judge for the...

[sighs]

Oh, I love a woman who's on time.

Oh. I thought we were going to lunch.

This is more important.

- What is this, Arnie? - A ploy to get us together.

Would you both please just sit down.

If you're not gonna talk to each other

you can at least listen to me.

Now...

Roxanne, you are my best friend, nothing can change that.

You're irreplaceable on so many levels, I can't even list them.

You know my deepest, darkest secrets and you still love me.

You'll never know how much that means to me.

You're my wife. Nothing can change that.

You're the woman I swore to love and honor

as long as we both live and I wanna,

I wanna laugh with you, and I wanna fight with you,

and I wanna grow old with you.

And I'll never be able to tell you

how much that means to me.

But some things do change.

I'm married now, and that does make a difference.

You're gonna have to share me.

But it doesn't mean I love you any less.

And you're gonna have to accept the fact that

Roxanne is a very important part of my life

and she always will be.

You're the two women that I care about

most in this world.

And part of accepting me for everything that I am...

is for you two to accept each other.

Maybe I did overreact.

I guess I was pretty thin-skinned.

The Appellate Court won't miss this.

Not one little bit.

I'm surprised you had the sense to settle.

But no less delighted.

- Thank you, Your Honor. - Thank you, Your Honor.

Judge Travelini: I'll move post-trial

motions off calendar.

She's a pain in the ass, but she's right.

[chuckles]

Hey, uh, listen.

Before I lose my chance I'd like to say congratulations.

You are one hell of a lawyer.

Thanks. So are you.

No, I-- I really mean it.

You're strong. You're fearless.

You go for the throat with the best of them.

Thanks again, I think.

Besides that, you're one of the most beautiful women

I've ever met.

Listen, now that I'm not beating your brains out,

uh, would you consider having dinner with me?

Dinner? Like a date?

Ah, see, that was too direct, wasn't it?

I'm always either too subtle or too direct.

Women never know what I mean. You know what I mean?

I'm not sure I know what I mean.

I'm a little confused.

Pretty interesting, huh?

[laughs] Yeah, pretty interesting?

So, uh, Friday at eight, if that was a yes.

- It was a yes. - Alright.

Um, I guess that's it.

Billy would like to see you.

- I don't know about that. - Where is he?

In the hall with the social worker.

- Listen-- - We can't just walk away Abby.

Let us say good-bye.

[somber music]

Hi, honey.

Remember when I explained about

your going to live in a different place

with other children.

And you'd go to school.

[crying] You be good, okay?

I wanna go home.

We have to say good-bye now, Billy.

[crying] I'll be good.

Carol: Oh. Billy: I promise.

I love you, buddy.

- Billy, it's time to go. - No!

- Don't leave me! - Come on, Billy.

- Mommy, please. - No, no, no.

Mommy, please!

I promise, I'll be good.

I wanna go home. Mommy, please!

I promise I'll be good!

I wanna go home!

Fusco: We don't know what William Russ intended

to do with the car he stole on August 11th.

Strip it down...

keep it, joy ride.

We don't know.

And we'll never know.

Because as this 13-year-old fled from the car,

as he was running home to his mother,

that man right there shot him in the back.

People: Yeah. - This is not in dispute.

What is in dispute is why.

Now, the defendant,

police officer Brian Chisolm

claims he was suddenly confronted

with black drug dealers who shot at him,

and fearing for his life, he returned fire,

accidentally killing William Russ.

There is no evidence of these drug dealers.

There is no evidence of any bullets

fired from the guns of these phantom drug dealers.

The reason for this...

there were no drug dealers.

[indistinct murmurs]

We will place an eyewitness at the scene

who saw Officer Chisolm shoot William Russ.

This witness saw no one else,

except the victim and that man,

the armed white police officer who shot him,

and then stood over the body of an unarmed boy

and claimed self-defense.

And then just expected everyone to believe him.

I don't believe him.

And after you've heard all the evidence,

neither will you.

A week ago... they had no eyewitnesses.

Then suddenly this man here, Derron Holloway,

pays a little visit to the neighborhood,

and a witness appears.

See, Derron Holloway represents the family of the victim.

Derron Holloway stands to make

a lot of money through a lawsuit.

A lawsuit which will be easier won

if Brian Chisolm receives a criminal conviction here.

The eyewitness... is lying.

The eyewitness was never there.

Drug dealers were there.

They shot at this man, he fired back,

and yes, William Russ was accidentally killed.

That's what happened.

The evidence will bear out...

that's exactly what happened.

Anchorwoman: While defense attorney Jonathan Rollins

claims the shooting was accidental

Prosecution plans to call its first witness on Monday.

In other news, Police Commissioner Kevin...

[crickets chirping outside]

- What? - Oh, nothing.

Nothing. Mommy just had a bad dream.

I wanted to come and see you.

Go back to sleep, honey.

[instrumental music]

[sniffs]

[crying]

[theme music]