Original subtitles

- How's that article on 10B5 disclosures?

- I love the law and I love you, too.

[moaning]

[electronic buzzing]

[phone ringing]

[moan]

[smacking]

[exhale]

- Surprise.

- Daniel, it's not my birthday.

[baby crying]

Is that some kind of perverted joke?

- Oh, I guess I should have poked

air holes in the box, huh?

- You are sick, Daniel.

- Gwen. [crying]

Wait.

[thud]

[evil laughing]

You be a jockey and I'm the attorney.

[panting]

- Oh!

No running in the halls, Gwen.

- Leland, Daniel's chasing me.

- Yeah, I know.

Been after you for some time.

- You have to stop him.

- Hmm maybe.

- No, you don't understand.

Daniel promised me that he wasn't the stalker,

but now I know--

I know that he was lying.

- No fooling. [yells]

[thunderclap]

- Gwen. Gwen?

- Oh! - Baby.

Baby, it's OK.

- What?

- You're having a bad dream.

- God.

- It's OK.

- It's more like a nightmare.

[moaning]

- It's OK.

[thunder]

- You shouldn't be sleeping with my husband.

[smooch]

[exhale]

[muffled screams]

[panting]

[click]

[gasp]

[bugs chirruping]

[theme music]

- Since when are you so concerned about my punctuality?

- Will you lighten up?

It's not my fault you had a bad night's sleep.

Skip the Haagen-Dazs before bed, maybe

you won't have nightmares. [beeping]

- You know, we have to talk. - Later.

I have a busy day.

- Penny.

Staff meetings begin precisely on the hour.

If you're not ready, neither are we.

- Yes, Mr. Brackman.

- Now, Douglas, things have relaxed a bit around here.

- Exactly my point. And look where it's gotten us.

I'm sure you all share my concern when it

comes to our rating as a firm.

If you want to be number one, let's

start by putting our collective noses to the grindstone.

- Cash bonus would be a nice incentive.

- First, People versus Emery Lewis and Gary Stubbs.

- Preliminary hearing gets underway later today.

- Good luck.

I know it's been a long uphill battle for you both.

- And unfortunately, it's not over yet.

- If Stuart's not convincing on the stand

this case won't proceed to trial and his attackers will go free.

- Next.

Osgood versus the State of California.

- I've asked Molina to try locating an eye witness.

- After 34 years the trail must be ice cold.

- You'd be surprised.

Working at the AG's office I've learned a lot

about tracking down suspects.

- Finally, City of Los Angeles versus Peter Philipson.

- Peter Philipson? I know that name.

- Peter Philipson owns and operates the newly reopened

gentleman's club downstairs.

- Gentleman's club?

- Yes.

In addition to steak and ale, the establishment now

features female entertainers.

- Topless dancers?

- There's a strip joint in the lobby?

- No wonder it's been tough getting in the elevator.

- Phillipson subleased space from the city

without incident for the past 12 years.

Since he's added the entertainers,

however, pressure has been brought

to bear by the mayor's office.

- If he's in sync with the municipal code,

shouldn't be a problem.

- The city attorney is asking for an injunction

against Phillipson claiming he's violated

a decency clause in his lease.

- Wasn't it just last week that you

balked at the firm's taking on a B&D dominatrix as a client?

- This is different.

Upscale adult clubs are popping up all over the country.

They're completely respectable. - That's right.

There's no more perverted old men in raincoats watching bumps

and grinds.

- I've known Peter Phillipson for quite some time.

Hard to believe he's operating this kind of establishment.

- Every paying client helps ensure

our budget stays in the black.

So if there are no more questions,

three minutes, 11 seconds.

Now that's what I call a staff meeting.

All work.

- And no play.

- We're adjourned.

[phone ringing]

- What do you want me to say?

- Morning.

[moaning]

I missed you last night.

- Me too.

I'm getting used to spooning.

- Did you finish your work?

Ready or not, here comes Stuart's preliminary.

- Tommy, I know you're under a lot of pressure at work

and I know that we agreed to just let

our relationship happen, but--

- When you want to move in together?

- Next weekend. - Deal.

- [laughs]

[smooch]

See ya.

Oh, I almost forgot.

[gasp]

- Oh.

- It's never too early for him to work on his 3-point shot.

- I thought you wanted a girl.

[laughs]

- Look, Arnie, aren't they adorable?

- The cutest rocks. Listen, I'll be--

- What's with you?

Ever since I told you I was having a baby

you've been totally unsupportive.

- Do I have to listen to this crap for seven more months?

- No. - Good.

I'll be at Eric Schuller's memorial in Worldwide Studios.

You can reach me on the portable.

[phone ringing]

[office chatter]

[upbeat rock music]

- OK.

And what would you like to drink?

- Frankly, I encountered some resistance from my partners.

- Don't they understand that this is simply

a response to changing times?

- People have preconceived notions about topless bars.

I have to admit, I wasn't sure myself.

- I got to check the kitchen before we leave.

Simon had a slight mishap with the cleaver

watching one of the girls.

My nephew is filling in.

He can't cook, but who notices?

I could sell tasseled loafers to the guys that watch this show

and they'd eat. - [laughs]

- I'll be right back.

- Douglas Brackman, very nice.

Booth up front.

- Peter Philipson happens to be a client, not that this

is any of your business.

- Oh, but it is.

I'm representing the City against Philipson.

Personally, I'm in favor of women

taking off their clothes to music.

[laughs]

Heck, to a kazoo band.

[laughs]

But winning this case will be a major career

boost, unless you care to concede defeat right now.

See you in court, Romney.

- That is Allison.

That was not too long after we were married.

- I can't tell if this is the woman who came to the house.

- Gwen, please believe me.

It's not the woman.

[sighs]

- Daniel, there is something.

Last week I had a blood test for Huntington's chorea.

It's hereditary, hitting in midlife,

causing lack of coordination, then mental deterioration,

and finally death.

But there's a 50/50 chance I don't have it,

but I thought I should tell you.

- What--

[sirens]

- Let's talk about it later.

- OK.

- Your wife, she was pretty.

[phone ringing]

- Stuart, you got to be aggressive out--

- I need to get my coat.

- Ann, I'm worried.

Getting Stuart to talk about the attack was like pulling teeth.

You saw that.

Juicy Fruit?

- No thanks.

- I'm trying to quit smoking.

- Stuart will be ready.

Besides, you've got another eyewitness.

- Maureen Wilson?

- Yeah.

- Frankly, I'm not sure how she'll hold up during cross.

- What about Adam Baywell?

You spent three hours prepping his testimony.

- Still won't testify.

- Hasn't the DA's office ever heard of a subpoena?

Sorry.

- Lots of people were there watching your husband

get played like a bongo drum.

Trick has always been finding someone

to stand up to the gangs and ID the suspects.

I know how you feel.

I want the bums bound over for trial, too.

- OK.

What? - Nothing.

- You want to remind me again how I'm

supposed to perform in court?

- Stuart, that's not what I was--

- I'm like a trained seal.

Ann Kelsey's animal act.

- Folks, we're going to be late.

[door shuts]

- Hello?

Hello?

- Hi, Benny.

How are you?

- OK, I guess.

- I have something that might make you feel better.

Woo.

Honey, what's wrong?

Yesterday you were so happy.

- Being like this is a sneaky.

- Oh, Benny.

You know, if I'm going to be a good fairy godmother to Gwen

I have to make sure she doesn't get any more

mail that might upset her.

- Yeah.

- Does everybody have a fairy godmother?

- Of course.

- Maybe I should tell Gwen.

- No.

No, you must never tell Gwen.

Then the magic spell is broken and I will die.

- But she'd probably liked to meet you and thank

you for protecting her.

- Someday.

Soon.

[laughs]

Run along.

Benny.

Bye.

[footsteps]

- Mrs. Wilson, what'd you see on the corner of South and Western

the afternoon of April 29, 1992?

- It was the day of the verdict.

Start of the riots.

People went crazy.

- And did you see Stuart Markowitz in your neighborhood

that afternoon?

- Yes.

A mob jumped the car.

One man broke the window while another one pulled

Mr. Markowitz out of the door.

They started kicking, hitting him with rocks,

and beating him with a baseball bat.

- And do you see any of those men who attacked

Mr. Markowitz here today?

- Yes.

- Would you point them out please?

Let the record show Mrs. Wilson has identified the suspects

Emery Lewis and Gary Stubbs.

Thank you, Mrs. Wilson.

Nothing further at this time, your Honor.

- Mrs. Wilson, you've stated on that afternoon

people went crazy.

I take it you agreed with the verdict.

- Objection.

- Goes to impeach this witness's credibility.

- I'll allow.

Witness will answer.

- Yes, I agree.

But even if I didn't, that's no reason

to turn wild, breaking windows and looting stores.

- Mrs. Wilson, how long have you lived in South Central?

- All my life.

- And in that time would you say the neighborhood has changed?

- For the worse.

Mostly because of the gangs.

- Yes, I understand you've organized neighborhood watch

groups dedicated to eliminating gang activity

from your neighborhood.

Is that correct?

- I'm in a watch group.

Yes.

- In fact, on many occasions, haven't you

confronted members of gangs?

- Objection.

Your Honor, defense is fishing here.

- Make your point, counselor.

- Mrs. Wilson, aren't you really here this afternoon

trying to rid your neighborhood of people like my clients?

- I know what I saw.

- Well, how many people did you see attack Mr. Markowitz?

Were they more than 10?

- Yes.

- More than 20?

- I'm not certain. Yes.

- Well, how many were African-American?

How many were white? Hispanic?

Korean?

- I'm not certain.

Again, you're not certain.

Why is that?

- Well, there was so much happening on that--

- Yet you were able to pick out my clients.

- I've seen them before causing trouble.

- Oh, oh.

Now I understand.

Because if they walk like muggers, talk like muggers,

act like muggers, then they must be muggers.

Because on that you're certain. - Objection.

- Yes.

- Mr. Holmes, that'll do.

- Nothing further.

[chatter]

[fax machine whirring]

[phone ringing]

- HI, Gwen.

- Hey, Benny.

What's that on your sweater?

Glitter?

- No.

Fairy dust.

- Oh, I could use some of that.

- You could?

Then I did good.

- I've been meaning to ask you.

- Hmm?

- How do you feel about winning the Ajamian case?

- Got away cheap.

- What do you mean?

- Well, after the verdict there was a demonstration.

A lot of confusion.

The cops overreacted, fired off tear gas,

the crowd grew frenzied, and the statue was pulled down.

A lot of protesters were arrested.

Some weren't, like myself.

- Wait a minute.

You were there?

- I helped topple the damn statue.

- Wow.

- Phone for you, Gwen.

- Yeah, wow.

- Yeah, this is Gwen Taylor.

Can you hold on just a minute.

I'm going to take this call in private.

[phone ringing]

- You can just--

- Roxanne.

- Whoa.

- What's wrong?

- I'm dizzy.

Oh.

Wait.

It just hit me all of a sudden and I don't feel so hot.

- You need the bathroom?

- No.

No.

I'm-- I'm going to go lie down.

- Can I get you anything?

- No thank you.

No.

I-- I'm going to be fine.

[exhales]

- Oh, Gwen.

I'm going to rest for a while.

I need these naps.

Do you want to talk?

- Wh-- what's there to talk about?

That was my doctor.

Roxanne, I have Huntington's Disease.

[cries]

- It's OK.

It's all right.

It's all OK.

- Mr. McClain, as city lease administrator,

what can you tell us about the decency clause?

- It's part of every lease for commercial property

owned and leased by the city.

- And why is that?

- Because the government, not to mention the taxpayers,

has a right to decide what goes on on city-owned property.

And that includes Mr. Philipson's establishment.

- Aren't you concerned about impinging

on Mr. Philipson's rights?

- Absolutely not.

After all, he is free to run his nightclub on private property.

- But aren't you holding Mr. Philipson

to standards other adult entertainment

businesses are not?

- The Los Angeles taxpayers have elected officials to make just

that kind of determination.

If Mr. Philipson's business is on city property,

then, in effect, he's representing

the city's interests.

That's the interests of the community.

The taxpaying community.

Mr Phillipson is really renting from every citizen

of Los Angeles and he has the burden

of satisfying those citizens.

- Nothing further.

Your witness.

- Mr. McClain, Mr. Phillipson has been a tenant for 12 years,

correct? - Yes.

- Other than the current allegation,

has my client never violated his lease in any way?

- No, not until now.

- Defense would like to enter into evidence

this conditional use permit applied for by Mr. Phillipson

and granted by the city, allowing him

to feature adult entertainment.

- So ordered.

- Was your office aware of this application?

- We received notice, yes.

- And did you or anyone from your office

appear in front of the zoning board to contest

Mr. Phillipson's application?

- Well, these things take time.

- Yes or no?

- No.

- Even though you had ample opportunity to appear

before the zoning board.

Isn't it true you didn't initiate

these proceedings until after Mr.

Philipson opened the new club? - Yes.

But--

- Why did you wait?

- As I said, these things take time.

Mr. McClain, did you receive a confidential memo

from Councilman Rafferty's office urging you

to invoke the decency clause?

- Objection.

Privilege.

- On what grounds?

- Well--

[laughs]

- political.

- You must be joking.

- Overruled.

Carry on, counselor.

- I will ask you again.

Did you receive a confidential memo

from Councilman Rafferty's office urging you

to invoke the decency clause?

- Yes.

- Your office has no interest in my client's

business or community affairs, for that matter.

You were pressured by a city councilman

to make this an issue.

No further questions.

- Before we begin, Ben, speaking for Beatrice

and for your fellow members of the board,

I just want to say how touched we all

were by your sensitive eulogy.

- Eric Schuller was loved.

- My husband was despised.

Everyone attended the funeral to make sure he was dead.

Spare us the georgie jessel and read the will, Haber.

- Of course.

[clears throat]

Well, as you know, it's a bit unusual

to have a public reading, so as executor, I'm required

to follow Eric's instructions.

- How like him not to spare me a public humiliation.

But then, of course, this was a man who enjoyed

his humiliation leatherbound.

- I, Eric Rylander Schuller, being of sound mind--

- He was never of sound mind.

Cut to the chase and why we're here.

- Certainly, Beatrice.

In consideration of my controlling

interest in Worldwide Studios, I hereby

bequeath all my holdings to--

- Spit it out.

- to my wife, Beatrice.

- Oh, Eric, darling.

I miss you so.

- Haber, you're fired.

- Oh, but you can't fire him now, Ben,

because I'm running the studio.

And that means for one brief moment in time, I am your boss.

Change the locks and have his ass thrown off my lot.

As for the rest of you, consider your futures

and weigh your options.

Good day.

- No need for an escort, Beatrice.

I'll leave this lot the way I came

in almost a half century ago, a little bent but not broken.

Becker.

- Arnie, you're always welcome.

- No thanks, Beatrice.

[phone ringing]

- Mr. Fricker's office.

- Oh.

[laughs] Mine.

All mine.

[tap dancing]

- Beatrice Schuller can walk.

- And she just tap danced all over us.

- I was on my way to my partner's wedding

when I must have taken a wrong turn.

I found myself on a street I didn't recognize.

And that-- that is when the rioting broke out.

There was a lot of traffic in the streets,

people running around.

I just wanted to get home.

- What'd you do?

- I tried to find a main street and then my-- my car was

surrounded by this angry crowd.

- Go on.

- The driver's side window was smashed

and I was pulled from the car and beaten

until I lost consciousness.

And then, next thing I remember, I woke up in the hospital.

- Before you lost consciousness, do

you recall anything in particular

about your attackers.

- Yes, I remember two men.

One of them beat me with a baseball bat

while the other one grabbed my wallet.

- Those men, are they here today?

- Indicate Mr. Markowitz has identified the defendants

Emery Lewis and Gary Stubbs.

Are these also the men you identified in a police lineup?

- Yes.

- Nothing further.

Mr. Markowitz, you experienced severe head trauma

as a result of your beating, trauma that interfered

with your memory.

Is that a fair assessment?

- Yes, it is.

- In fact, several months ago, when

first shown photographs of my clients,

you had no idea who they were, did you?

- No.

I had a temporary loss of memory and I have since regained it--

- Yet, when faced with my clients in a lineup,

knowing they were in possession of your wallet,

you had a miraculous recovery.

- Objection!

This was a police investigation.

Mr. Markowitz clearly identified the two suspects.

- Sustained Mr. Holmes, file a motion

to suppress if you have a problem

with official procedure.

- Mr. Markowitz, since sustaining your injuries,

you suffer from erratic behavior, correct?

- Mood swings, yes.

- Mood swings.

Tossing your chair through your law firm's window.

Buying a handgun.

- Objection.

- Behavior goes to this witness's competency.

- Overruled.

- Mr. Markowitz, did you buy a 44 magnum?

- Yes, I did.

For protection.

- Protection from whom?

Surely not the unarmed attendant at the dog pound

you pulled the gun on.

- Objection.

- Overruled.

- I was afraid of your clients.

- They were in jail.

How could they possibly have harmed you?

- I had irrational fears.

- About Mr. Lewis, about Mr. Stubbs behind bars.

- It wasn't just them.

- Who then?

I-- I don't--

- Who are you afraid of?

The ones who really hurt you, pulled you from your car,

and beat you senseless?

- They were the men who pulled me from my car.

- No, no, no.

Isn't it true that your own paranoia

compelled you to make an erroneous identification

of my clients? - No.

- When, in fact, you don't remember who hurt you.

- No.

- Isn't that what really happened?

- No.

Those were the men who pulled me from the car.

Those were the men who threw me down

and beat me and beat me and beat me until I almost died.

[somber music]

[murmuring]

I remember.

- Nothing further.

[upbeat instrumental music]

- Mr. Philipson, what exactly can

be seen in your establishment?

- We feature runway entertainment, a twice nightly

revue, as well as lap dancing.

- Which is?

- A dancer performs her act at a customers table.

By his request, of course.

- Is there ever a physical contact?

- None whatsoever.

- And the women aren't actually unclothed, are they?

- At the table, never.

On the runway they do take off their tops,

but they always wear a g-string bottom similar to bathing suits

you might find on public beaches.

- Objection.

Beaches where? The--

- [laughs]

- south of France?

- Sustained.

- Mr. Philipson, why did you decide

to incorporate adult entertainment

into your restaurant?

- Well, I'm a businessman.

I've run a successful restaurant 40 years by responding

to the demands of my customers.

- Would you characterize the entertainment as indecent?

- Objection.

Calls for a legal conclusion.

- I'd like the witness to answer.

- What goes on in Phillipson's is

something you might see at the finer casinos in Las Vegas.

I don't consider it at all indecent.

- Thank you.

- We're not in Las Vegas, are we?

- Or Peoria. [laughs]

- By that do you mean to slander the good people of Illinois?

- No, I--

- You assert that your establishment

provides entertainment which is decent and morally acceptable?

- Yes I do.

- I see.

And have you ever brought your mother

to the club, Mr. Philipson? - No.

- No?

Why?

If what you offer is so morally acceptable,

why wouldn't the show be something

your own mother would enjoy?

- She's no longer alive.

- Never mind.

I hold in my hand a copy of the lease agreement

you signed on April 8, 1989.

Is this your signature?

- Yes.

- Please read the highlighted portion,

paragraph 49, clause A.

- And With regard to the undertaking

of retail entertainment or public service businesses

to be occupying the premises, such businesses must comply

with community standards and--

and nudity, partial or total, shall be deemed indecent.

- You should be ashamed.

[knocks]

- Arnie?

- Rox, I told you I didn't want to be disturbed.

- You're being horrible. - Yeah?

Well I deserve to be horrible.

Wasted months cultivating a relationship with Ben Flicker

at Worldwide Studios only to come up empty?

- Well, then you'll be glad to know

that Beatrice Schuller is here.

- Beatrice Schuller is here?

- What, is there an echo?

- Show her in.

Play this right down the middle, professional indifference.

Just a hit of righteous indignation.

Beatrice, I-- I really don't have the time.

- Yes, you do.

Otherwise you would have turned me away.

- I'm not into games.

- Oh, but you are.

[papers rustle]

I think you love games.

Brings out the little boy in you.

- All right.

Man to man, what do you want?

- Ben Flicker had his flaws, but if there's one thing he knew,

it was plucking executive talent.

I want you to remain at Worldwide as my right arm.

- Oh, is that now conveniently paralyzed

like your legs used to be?

- Surely as a divorce lawyer you understand a woman scorned.

When it got to the point where my late husband

threatened me physically, I played the only cards I had.

You'll find in my employ, at the very least,

I'm one shrewd cookie.

- I know you're shrewd.

I just don't trust you.

- And you trust a man who would give you that title?

President and Creative Director of Current Long Form

and Feature Development?

There must be at a better way to say it.

- President, Worldwide Studios?

- The shorter the title, the greater the power.

- This isn't about power.

- Well, of course it isn't.

True power comes through cooperation.

Study the light in the sky, the gravity

of the Earth, the unfolding of your own ideas.

Natural events are--

- Potent because nature works in harmony.

- Ah.

Oh, one more thing.

If you decide to accept my offer,

I think you deserve your own stock options.

We'll start at 15,000 shares and work from there.

I'll wait for your call.

[door closes]

[knocks]

- Come.

- You got a minute?

- Certainly.

[sniffles and clears throat]

- A little while ago, I got a--

I got a phone call and my blood test came back positive.

- Oh.

[mumbles]

I'm sorry.

- You know what I said to the doctor

when she told me the results?

I said, thank you.

The woman tells me that I am destined

for a slow, debilitating death and I said thank you.

Like you'd say to a-- a--

[laughs]

- traffic cop writing you a ticket.

Or a-- I still have 10 good years left though, right?

Maybe more.

- Gwen, they're-- they're making medical

breakthroughs every day.

There are advances.

If you'd like to take a leave of absence,

you'll have a job as long as you want.

- I guess I could learn to sail or go on an archaeological dig

or join the Peace Corps.

I suddenly have all these options.

[office chatter]

- The court accepts Professor Plomp as an expert

in cultural anthropology.

- Thank you, your Honor.

Professor, briefly, have Western society's standards of decency

changed over the years?

- Absolutely.

During Napoleon's rule it was considered fashionable for

women's nipples to be exposed.

Still in the Victorian era, showing

even the slightest bit of ankle was considered improper.

People used to cover piano legs.

- Tell me, did you visit my client's restaurant?

- I did.

- And can you place our controversy

in its appropriate cultural context?

- I'll try.

But first, you must accept the role that

sexuality plays in propagation.

Survival of the species.

Now a woman, historically, has wanted the security

provided by a powerful man.

The warrior leader wanted a woman

that best graced his position.

- Maybe so.

But how does this relate to Phillipson's restaurant

and today's almost mundane attitude

toward nudity and topless clubs in general?

- Well, we live in a time when there is a need

for a redirected sexuality.

AIDS, the new monogamy, less drug use.

These factors preclude the discos and the nightclubs

of the '70s and '80s where people

congregated with the intent of seeking out casual sex.

- In your opinion, does the adult entertainment

at my client's establishment violate contemporary community

standards of decency?

- Not at all.

Quite the contrary.

Would be indecent to prevent it.

- No further questions.

[scoffs]

- Professor, you say you find exposure of the human body

socially acceptable.

- That's correct.

- And bearing the female breast beautiful?

- Yes. - Then take off your blouse.

- Excuse me? - Your Honor, objection.

- Mr. Romney--

- Your Honor, the witness has stated she finds public nudity

socially acceptable.

I'm simply asking her to prove the assertion.

- There's nothing to be ashamed of.

- Then, if it would please the court, and it would,

remove your jacket and your bra.

- Breasts are simply mammary glands.

- Seen two you've seen them all.

- Of course not.

- Well, let's have a look.

- Not a problem.

[buttons pop] [gasp]

[chatter]

- Gazebo.

- I object to that characterization.

- Why? She has some pair of Winnebagos.

- Professor, this is not a nightclub.

Put your clothes back on or I'll hold you in contempt.

- I'd still respect you in the morning.

- Gwen, your doctor's on line three.

- Again?

- Why don't you take it in Douglas's office?

- Thank you.

[phone ringing]

[officer chatter]

[clears throat]

This is Gwen Taylor.

What?

[ominous music]

Why are you calling back?

I didn't request any counseling.

No.

Look-- look, I don't need reminding of how much

I'm going to suffer.

[clank]

[chatter] - Mr. Markowitz.

Mr. Markowitz.

- Hold on.

Hold on.

I will answer one question at a time.

- What will the defendants be charged with?

- Attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon,

aggravated battery, robbery.

- Mr. Markowitz, how do you feel about the attempted murder

charge? - I have no comment.

- We feel very good.

- When will you proceed with trial?

- Next week.

- Mr. Markowitz, were you surprised

the defendants made bail? - I don't want to say anything--

- The important thing is the DA's

commitment to prosecute this case

to the full extent of the law.

- I think it's necessary for me to remind all of you,

the judicial process is based on the premise of innocence

until proven guilty.

- And I will not rest until the men that he's defending

are punished for what they did. - Allegedly.

As a lawyer, you should choose your language more precisely.

- I'm not the acting attorney in this case,

I'm the victim's wife.

- Who's really being victimized in this case?

This trial is further evidence of the media

and the judicial system's inherent prejudice.

That prejudice is based on a double standard,

one for white cops, another for poor blacks.

This is a media trial, ladies and gentlemen, one

that you should be aware of.

[toilet flushes]

- Do you need something?

- No.

- Awful sure yourself up there, weren't you?

Pssh.

[soap dispenser clicks]

[water flows]

[rubbing]

- I'm done, Daddy.

- Don't forget to flush.

[toilet flushes]

Hey, man.

- [laughs]

- Let me see if you zipped up.

Son, you all zipped up there?

OK, let's go wash your hands. Come on.

- [laughs]

- Here we go, man.

Huh? Come on.

[water flows]

- All right.

- [laughs]

- OK, let's dry them off.

- [laughs] - Dry them off.

Let's dry them off.

Yes.

- I-- I have a kid about the same age.

[laughs]

- Let's go. Come on.

[laughs]

[footsteps]

[door closes]

[office chatter]

- Where are you going?

- Out of here.

Home.

- My place?

- I don't think so.

- Hey.

Come here.

Let's be together tonight, OK?

With all the stuff that's going on,

I need to know that we have each other.

[phone ringing]

- Yeah.

I need that, too.

- So I'll finish as soon as I can.

- OK.

- You'd be handing over your license.

- Pssh. What does it matter?

I mean, lately, how effective have I really been as a lawyer?

- That's not the point.

- What I did was a crime.

- A misdemeanor.

And even if you aren't disbarred,

you can bet there'll be an ugly ethics investigation.

Jonathan, you cannot go to the police with the statue.

- You know innocent people were hurt in the process.

What?

I should just be glad I got away with it?

- Absolutely.

For a couple of seconds you lost your head.

- Like the rioters last summer?

- Trust me.

Trust me.

Go to church, flagellate yourself.

Anything.

Only don't talk to the police.

[officer chatter]

- The evidence presented fails to convince me Mr. Phillipson's

restaurant will cause the city irreparable harm

if the nude entertainment isn't terminated immediately.

As a result, at this time, I cannot grant a motion

for a preliminary injunction.

- Aha.

[sighs] - However--

- Aha.

- the lease does clearly prohibit nullity of any type.

What isn't clear is whether the city can enforce this kind

of standard of decency in a contractual instrument

rather than by ordinance.

Los Angeles has chosen not to enact such an ordinance

and I'm not altogether certain there

aren't some serious constitutional concerns here,

as well.

Therefore I want briefs from both parties

on these questions in 30 days, after which time

I'll make my final ruling.

Till then, this court's adjourned.

[chatter]

[upbeat instrumental music]

- Uh-uh, no.

I don't care for this.

[knocks]

- Opportunity card gets turned over, I have to play.

- I'll talk to you later.

- Can't go through life wondering what if.

- When can you get started?

- I won't just abandon McKenzie, Brackman,

but I'll do my best to split my time until I finish.

- Mr. Flicker--

- Get your hands off of me.

- We can't let you--

- Let me go.

At least I'm entitled to get my Rolodex.

- Turn him loose.

[phone ringing]

- Et tu, Becker?

You know, Brando was a great Marc Anthony.

I told Mankiewicz, so what if he mumbles?

- It's over, Ben.

You know how I'm sure?

Since I stepped in, Worldwide Stock hit a 2-point uptick

to $23 a share.

- Becker, how could you?

I took you under my wing, the heir apparent.

- You manipulated, used, and abused me every chance you

had, Ben.

- You were like a son.

A son.

- Goodbye, Ben.

- Let's get started.

Read these screenplays, see if any of them

spark your interest.

- My interest is already sparked.

- Marv Rosenthal called from Harper, Dutton & Roe.

He's sending over the galleys to a hot novel about a lawyer

mistakenly sent to prison.

Sounds perfect for an Easter release.

- I'll get back to you first thing tomorrow.

- Arnie?

You made the right choice.

[phone ringing]

[upbeat music]

- Ladies and gentlemen, that was the lovely Tiffany.

[applause]

- Beautiful.

- Peter Philipson said I'd find you here.

- Do you believe this twerp Romney?

I should have won this hearing.

- Philipson said until you go back to court you've

worked some kind of solution.

- Big deal.

- At least he's still operating.

- Evening gents, I couldn't find a church so here I am.

- You're soused.

- Yes, indeed.

And I'm hoping to see some naked women, as well.

- Show begins any minute.

- Well, I'll see you tomorrow.

- Phillipson's Lounge is proud to present--

- You're not staying?

- No, I don't think so.

- I dare any judge to try to enforce

that decency clause when he hears them play

the Schubert Trout Quartet.

- One of my favorites.

[FRANZ SCHUBERT, "SCHUBERT TROUT QUARTET"]

- Shh.

Show's starting.

- Well, good night, everybody.

- Shh.

[somber music]

- Are you ready?

- Almost.

You were terrific today.

Confident.

Unshaken.

The perfect witness.

Testify like that at the trial, the judge

will be sure to hand down an attempted murder conviction.

Those men are going to jail.

- Boys.

- What?

- They're not men, Ann.

They're boys looking at life imprisonment.

- They committed a brutal crime.

They have to answer for that.

- We take so much for granted, you and I. Our son's fine.

He's safe.

Well fed.

Goes to a great school.

We're doing just fine.

But what do we know about bringing

up a kid in South Central LA?

I mean, enough of those kids grow up without fathers.

- What's this about, Stuart?

- I'm not sure.

All my life as a lawyer I was taught

to look at things objectively, look

at both sides of the issues.

- For God's sakes, Stuart, you were so sure on the stand.

What happened?

- I'm not sure that this hasn't become personal.

That we're not looking for revenge.

- The fact that you think there could even

be two sides to this beating makes

me think that maybe you were hit on the head

harder than anybody imagined.

- That's nice.

- Look, you handle this any way you want.

Only don't come in here expecting me to feel

sympathy for Lewis and Stubbs.

I am the one who sat by your bed and watched

you fight for every breath.

I am the one who faced a future without a husband,

without a father for my child.

You're damn right it's personal.

You're damn right it's revenge.

It's also called justice.

- Justice is fine, Ann, but justice for who?

- Can we go?

[bugs chirruping]

[murmuring]

[keys clatter]

- Daniel?

Daniel?

- Daniel isn't here.

[gasps]

- Who let you in here?

What are you doing?

- Whipping egg whites.

Lemon meringue pie is my husband's favorite.

- Who are you?

- I want us to be friends.

We just got off on the wrong foot.

After all, you do work with Daniel.

He thinks you are going to make a wonderful lawyer.

I'd give you a hug but my egg whites are peaking.

[laughs]

Aren't you going to stay for dinner?

[ominous music]

[car starts]

[tires on gravel]

[theme music]