The Guardian (2001) s01e01 Episode Script
Pilot
Here are the terms of your Plea-bargain, Mr.
Fallin.
Three years' probation.
$10,000 fine.
And since you seem so clearly adept at working in corporate law, I am sentencing you to 1500 hours of community service.
Working for Children's Legal Services as a child advocate.
The mission of Children's Legal Services is simple.
We provide quality legal representation and advocacy assistance to children who are abused, neglected or otherwise at risk.
We hope to protect these kids from future harm.
I'm sure you're used to better surroundings, but here in the not-for-profit world, we tend to beg instead of choose.
Our nine full-time attorneys handle over 4,000 cases a year.
For their efforts, they receive $27,000 annually, plus benefits.
I know our remuneration doesn't compare to corporate life, but our cases aren't about money, Mr.
Fallin.
They are about making a difference in a child's life.
- Good morning Barbara.
- Good morning.
I served on the county museum board with your father.
He may remember me.
I was integral in planning the charity golf for cancer weekend at Oliver Heights Country Club.
- My dad doesn't golf.
Yes.
Well, as, ah, I was saying, our philosophy here at, ah Children's Legal Services is, ah, quite simple.
We represent the child's wishes.
That's our job, that's why we're here.
We feel that children have a right to be heard and respected.
Don't you agree, Mr.
Fallin? Very well, then.
James Mooney will be giving you your hands-on orientation tomorrow at the courthouse.
Do you have any questions for me? Yeah.
This took 39 minutes.
Could you mark me for an hour? Let's get in there.
Come on, let's go.
Let's go, guys.
Come on in.
Hurry.
Hurry.
That was the late bell.
Let's get going.
Come on Hunter.
Hunter? Hunter?! What happened, Hunter? Hunter? I need some help here, somebody! I am sentencing you to 1500 hours of community service.
Using your skills as a corporate attorney to work as a child advocate.
legal standards, court process, child development, interviewing tactics for children, investigating protocols, nature of physical and medical evidence of sexual abuse, cultural awareness - I have a meeting in 20 minutes.
Today we're doing shelter hearings.
You know what those are? Yeah, it's when a court decides whether there's a clear necessity to remove a child from his or her home.
- So you know what to do? I see the child.
I ask them what they want.
I tell it to the judge.
What else is there? You know I never wanted to be a corporate guy? I wouldn't have been able to, anyway.
It's hard to go corporate when your degree reads night school.
Harder still when your skin reads the projects, if you know what I'm saying.
What's your point? This kind of job, it's not for everyone.
It takes a person who's passionate and caring and committed.
There are no second chances here.
You screw up with a kid who's been abused and you don't get that chance back.
- You coming? - I just gotta take a leak, I'll catch up.
- Room C7.
- Got it.
- You the new guy from CLS? - Guess I am, but I have Meet your newest client.
You're on the docket in 15 minutes.
Hey.
Hey! Come here.
Seriously, come here.
- What's court process? - You don't know? I've never officially been in court.
Hunter, here.
Sit over here, would you sweetie? - What are you looking at? - Nice suit.
- What's your name? - Laurie Solt.
Laurie Solt, this is not my world.
And I am not about to apologize for wearing my uniform.
- Your uniform? Listen, you're playing your role right, you're a social worker who chooses to make no money.
Instead you cry poor to the world, you wear cheap clothes so people know where you're coming from.
My world is expensive.
I'm not saying it's any better, it just has different rules.
So be it.
- What is your problem? My problem is I didn't say, 'Hey, you look like crap', so I would appreciate it if you would refrain from beating me up for looking decent.
Now could we please return to my initial question? Court procedure.
Cases are called, witnesses are called, the social services attorney puts on her case, the parents' attorney puts on theirs, the trumpets sound and it's your turn.
- What do I do? You summarize your position and state your recommendations.
Got it? See you in court.
The conference room is right over there.
Maybe you should interview your client? Says here your father's in jail and you have grandparents in the city who are on vacation.
Now, why is your dad in jail? Where's your mom? Want to live with your grandparents? Okay.
Let's just cut to it, Hunter.
I'm your lawyer and you are about to enter a shelter hearing in which it will be decided if you'll be removed from your home.
You have any thoughts on that? Listen, kid, I don't have the time to sit here and beg you for answers.
Judging from the form your grandparents is the logical place for you to be, so let's just tell the court to place you there and get this over with.
- Case number 2457.
Hunter Reed.
- Why are we here? This is Hunter Reed, your honor.
Yesterday his father, a prominent plastic surgeon, allegedly killed his mother with a kitchen knife in their Shadyside home.
- What? What?! WhaÂWhat? I'mÂno.
No.
I'm notÂI'm not supposed to be dealing with this.
Mr.
Fallin! Mr.
Fallin, take a seat please.
- What's going on? - I don't know.
Mr.
Fallin, Mr.
Fallin, stop! Judge Wentling has issued a continuance.
He's ordered you to return to court on Friday.
He'll find you in contempt if you fail to appear.
Hey! Are you listening to me? What the hell was that? Why didn't you tell me? - I didn't know.
- You didn't know? Mr.
Fallin, we get 50 cases a day.
Why was that kid even there? His father murdered his mother 24 hours ago and you people haul him in for a formality? You are going to be in court on Friday morning.
I suggest you make an appointment to see Hunter as soon as possible.
- Where are his grandparents? - They're on a cruise from London to New York.
They'll be back on Thursday morning.
- Gretchen - Conference room.
43 minutes ago.
- Okay.
He's here.
Nick! - Can it wait? Nick, your probation officers are waiting and Good morning, Mr.
Fallin.
It's mandatory.
- Stressed? - Oh, you have no idea.
So, in order to drive this point home, I would like you to turn to page two of our proposal, paragraph four and it starts with 'tax laws'.
The conditions have changed, I think in such a way to make it extremely conducive to you coming to our city Nick! I was just explaining to Mr.
Swann and his associates that we feel the new tax laws and regulations can be manipulated in such a way to benefit Swann Tech, as long as we can get this deal with Netburgh closed as soon as possible.
Morning.
I gave your formal offer to the gentlemen at Netburgh yesterday.
They're taking it into serious consideration.
We should have a response - Netburgh hasn't responded? - Not yet.
They're a bunch of 19-year-old kids working out of an old warehouse.
- Take it off the table.
- Excuse me? Two million dollars was more than a generous offer.
I'm not interested in waiting any longer for their response.
Take it off of the table today.
Make an offer of a million tomorrow.
If that's the way you'd like to play this, then sure.
Fine, fine.
Now, do we have permission from the county commissioner? Not exactly.
The city is considering covering infrastructure costs.
If we can Whoa.
Whoa, Mr.
Fallin.
Everyday we wait, we hemorrhage more money.
Yes, I understand that.
The county commissioner needs to sign off on my budget proposal.
No, no, no, we cannot.
We cannot close this deal.
These things take a little massaging, Mr.
Swan.
If you'd like to take a seat for a second, I can get the county commissioner on the phone right now.
- I don't know how things work in Pittsburgh, but where we come from, money matters.
My company brings in 500 million dollars annually.
Any city would bend over to have us, let alone some mid-sized town whose major industry up and died some 20 years ago.
Gentlemen.
Well, that couldn't have gone better.
Nicholas, my office.
Dad? Sit down.
Son.
Do you want to make partner in this firm or not? What the hell was that out there? Why were you 45 minutes late? Why didn't you get that contract to the county commissioner? And don't ever embarrass me like that again in front of a client.
- The guy's an ass.
- He's also a client.
He has a right to expect us to go in there prepared.
All right.
Pull the Netburgh offer, and get over to the county commissioner so you can back up that crap you we're spewing out in there.
- Yes, sir.
- Nicholas! If I had your talent If I had half your talent, I would have retired, 10 years ago.
- Thank you.
- That's not a compliment.
- Where are we on due diligence? - Just about done.
- Incorporation papers? - Working on the notary.
Get me another meeting with the Netburgh kids.
Also, run a court document check on a Dr.
Thomas Reed, two e's.
See what that name brings up.
- Anything else? - I don't know, you tell me.
You don't return my calls.
If you don't make this deal, you're going to look pretty stupid come election time.
Look, this deal is going to cost the city more than it brings in and you know that.
They don't want to pay city tax and they don't want to cover their infrastructure costs.
- Since Westinghouse left, you have done jack to boost this city's economy.
Don't think I won't let it be known that your office was the deal-breaker.
Alright.
We'll eat infrastructure and seven years of taxes.
After that, so help me God - We'll speak in seven years.
Allegheny Children's Shelter - Can I help you? - Hunter Reed? I have an appointment.
Hey, Hunter.
Remember me? We have a second shelter hearing coming up in a few days.
It's your call.
Either you live with your grandparents or Social Services is going to put you in a foster home.
- What was your deal? - That's a long story.
- You don't want to be doing this, do you? - Truth be told, no, I don't.
- Then why are you? - You want another lawyer? Did I say that? I got sentenced to community service for breaking the law.
What'chu do? You want me to apologize for the way I acted? Something bad? No.
Just something stupid.
What? I got arrested for drugs, okay? You mind if I sit down? My mom died when I was about your age.
- How? - Cancer.
Did you see her die? I thought my dad loved my mom.
Why would he hurt her? He stabbed her so many times.
Why, why? Allegheny County Jail Dr.
Reed.
My name's Nicholas Fallin.
I'm your son's attorney.
There's going to be a shelter hearing in regards to Hunter's custody.
I need you to sign an affidavit stating that you've been given notice of the hearing.
Where's my son? Your son is in a temporary shelter.
Why? You don't know? Do you know why you're in here? Because I'm supposed to sign this form.
Yes.
You know, Nick, I had to use all my contacts in the precinct to get this.
Dr.
Thomas Reed tried to off himself when he was 24.
Got a bunch of morphine from the hospital where he was interning.
A friend found him before it was too late.
- Psychiatric help? - Six months outpatient treatment at Western.
Nothing on the books since then.
Doctor's name was Milton Samuels.
Great.
So, what made you decide to call me? Ten years ago you treated a patient named Thomas Reed.
I'm afraid I can't help you, Mr.
Fallin.
I've got Alvin Masterson and your father holding.
- Yeah.
- Three years ago, one Sue Pence filed a malpractice claim against a Dr.
Thomas Reed.
Doctor Reed apparently screwed up her face lift.
- Okay, bye.
- What happened? Settled out of court.
Just press talk.
- Alvin? - Three months later, Amy Taupin filed a similar suit also settled out of court.
Eight months later, another settlement.
Hey guys! He's here.
This is our associate, Amanda Bowles.
- Here's the counter.
- Counter? - What about the first offer? - Listen, this is how business is done.
You receive an offer, you respond to that offer.
You wait too long, it gets pulled off the table.
- This is less.
- True.
Half.
You got 24 hours, kids.
Take it or leave it.
Okay, first of all, I'm not your kid, okay.
Secondly, I can make this deal with Intel just by picking up the phone.
Then pick it up.
I met with Hunter.
He asked me to pick up some more clothes for him.
So? So, I can't go to his house without someone from Social Services.
Laurie Solt, Social Services.
We're here to pick up some clothes for the boy.
Yes, ma'am.
It's okay.
- So Norman Rockwell.
- With a knife.
Dr.
Samuels.
- What are you doing? - Just took a leak.
What? Go.
- Bingo.
- What's up? What are you doing? Trying to find some information on a new drug.
Oh, here.
Unapproved (Clinical Trials) That's it.
That's it.
That's it.
Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
Did Dr.
Reed stop taking the Fluphenazine because of his tremor? Yes.
You prescribed a non-approved drug in its place.
I enrolled him in a clinical trial.
Dr.
Reed knew of the risks.
He was desperate to find the drug that didn't have such an acute side effect.
- Well, when did the trial begin? - Three weeks ago.
And how long does it take the Fluphenazine to clear the system? Four to six weeks.
So it's possible the drugs may have counteracted each other.
I know about the schizophrenia.
And the drug trials.
I know about the malpractice suits, and the side effects of the antipsychotic you were taking.
Did it ever occur to you, Dr.
Reed, that the Fluphenazine and the new drug may have counteracted one another, and caused you to attack your wife? If you don't talk to your attorney about your psychiatric history, you're gonna face a life sentence.
Now, you can keep your mouth shut and you can lose everything, or you can plea-bargain your way out of the murder charges on a clear-cut insanity defense, while concurrently filing a civil suit against the drug company that would benefit your son greatly.
How is he? The state wants to take him away from you for the rest of your life.
What should I do? Threaten to kill yourself, Dr.
Reed.
That'll buy us some time.
State law requires that a suicidal inmate be transferred to a psychiatric ward.
Do that.
Let's reveal your history and your participation in the drug trials.
Tell my son Tell Hunter I love him very much.
- Masterson's - Uh, just a minute.
Alvin, Mr.
Fallin's here to see you.
I received a call from Social Services.
Said you went to the Reed house to snoop around.
Yeah.
I needed some more information about the events that took place What information could you possibly need? This boy's father is gonna be criminally prosecuted for murder.
His mother's dead.
The grandparents are perfectly suitable guardians.
I discovered some things that could change the outcome of I did not tell you to investigate a murder.
I told you to advocate for a child.
Hang on a second.
I thought that I was Well, don't! Just follow my rules, okay? - What if your rules are wrong? - Look, I didn't ask for you.
I'm doing you a favor because I respect your father, a man who is clearly ten times the lawyer you are.
Now, if you prefer to return to Judge Stanton and explore your other option, which I understood to be jail time, then you may.
But know one thing.
As long as I act as your warden and you are serving your time in my facility, you will do things my way, or I will send you back faster than it used to take you to snort an 8-ball.
Got it? You ever think you hear something that you didn't really hear? Like a noise at night? Like a noise, or someone calling your name? Yeah, I guess.
Some people have a sickness, a disease called schizophrenia that can make them hear voices like that.
And the voices can make them very afraid of people.
- So afraid, they do terrible things.
- Is that what's wrong with my dad? Yes.
Well, if he was sick, why didn't he see a doctor? He did, but the doctor gave him the wrong medication.
- Is that why - I think so.
Well, does he have the right medicine now? Yes.
So he'll be better.
And I can go back home? It may not be that easy.
If he can get better, I want to be with him.
There's clearly a multi-million dollar verdict in this case.
- And you're giving this to me? - No, no.
We're sharing it.
I can't handle the case right now.
I'm a witness.
I'm representing the child who may become an adverse party if reconciliation doesn't take place.
So you want me to bust my balls while you get the lion's share of the money.
No, it's a conflict.
Dr.
Reed is a beneficiary of his wife's estate, but he's being criminally prosecuted for her death.
The wife's estate then switches to Hunter, who can't do anything of his own free will because he's a minor.
So whoever is the guardian, either the father or the grandparents, they will be responsible for filing the suit.
So, the father sues the doctor for malpractice, the pharmaceutical company for product liability, and collects for the son's suffering, all because he killed his own wife? - Exactly.
Leave it to you to turn pro bono into profit.
I just spoke to Swann.
If he doesn't see the completed paperwork by tomorrow morning, he is pulling out.
Altogether.
- Tea? - Mom, mom, mom! Okay, you promised us twice the money and stock options.
Okay, listen to me.
You get an offer, you respond to that offer.
You wait too long, it gets pulled off the table.
Okay, I understand that, but I promised everyone more.
That's our offer.
IÂI don't want it then.
I can't.
- Okay.
- Okay.
- Excuse me.
- Mister? Mister? Please, Mister.
- Mom! Mom! He's just young.
He doesn't know what money is.
He's just young.
We need the money.
I can't pay for his school anymore.
We used to have an uncle, he was helping, but he - What's it gonna be? - One point eight.
- One-and-a-half.
- 20,000 shares.
One point five, And an apartment in Budapest for my mother's family.
- Okay.
- Yes! Whoo! Ha ha! Yes.
Thank you, thank you! - Need some help? - You're kissing the wrong ass.
- So, what's it like? - What? - Children's Legal Services? - I don't know.
- You're spending a lot of time there.
- It's a steep learning curve.
Do you feel like you're doing something meaningful? I feel like I'm serving my sentence.
This is meaningful.
- This is about money.
- That's what I'm saying.
I don't know.
If I hadn't run up such huge school loans, I'd be working in public service.
What? I think you're a shark.
You just don't know it yet.
My father always told me not to worry about making money, but to worry about making a difference.
Well, money makes a difference.
Believe me.
All the man-hours scraping around for minimum wage, they can't compete with the huge influx of money that you are capable of generating.
Make the money first, then if you still feel like it, then go make a difference.
I think you're putting on an act.
I have to get these copies made.
Hello? Nick, it's James.
Thomas Reed threatened to kill himself last night.
- They just moved him to Western.
- Thank you.
I've met the grandparents in question.
Social Services considers them to be an appropriate placement for the child.
Unless there are any objections I will grant permanent custody to Phyllis and Donald Sample, Hunter's maternal grandparents.
Are you sure? Bailiff, what's the next case on the docket? - Your honor.
- Yes, Mr.
Fallin? My client would like to go back to his father.
Your honor, Hunter can't just sit in limbo for the next year awaiting the outcome of a clear-cut criminal case.
You are aware, Mr.
Fallin, that your client's father has been charged with murder? I understand that at the moment, Dr.
Reed is in no position to take custody.
However, if by some chance Dr.
Reed is cleared of criminal charges and rehabilitated, wouldn't it be possible that Hunter might return home? - Yes, it's possible.
- Your honor, this is highly unusual I understand.
I only ask that the grandparents custody be represented as temporary, pending the criminal trial.
- Your Honor I am simply representing my client's desire to be given the chance to be reunited with his father should the court deem it appropriate.
He just wants the chance, your honor.
Okay, Mr.
Fallin.
I will grant temporary custody pending the outcome of Dr.
Reed's criminal trial.
- Gretchen.
- Conference room, 18 minutes ago.
You had no authority to make this kind of deal.
- They drove a hard bargain.
- You had no authority.
- Where I come from, money matters.
- What was that? You're passing up an incredible deal all for the sake of your enormous ego.
My ego? Our little town is willing to eat your infrastructure costs and give you seven years living off the fat of our land.
All in all, I just did a deal worth nearly twenty million dollars to you over the next half decade, and you're sweating over cash and stock options worth a tenth of that.
Will the city build us an off-ramp from the parkway? Yes.
Building permits for the parking structure? Yes.
We'll move in after the first of the year.
It's an honor to have your business.
Anxious to get to work.
- Thank you very much.
- Pleasure.
- Uh, that apartment in Budapest? - Yeah.
Nicholas, my office.
I know that was a little unconventional.
Look me in the eye, Nicholas.
We got the account.
This is not the time to apologize.
Southwestern Psychiatric Hospital I'll get you in a minute.
It worked.
The state has agreed to call the custody temporary.
There's still a chance to be with your son.
Dr.
Reed? I love my son more than anything in this world, Mr.
Fallin.
I'll I'll plead insanity.
I'll sue the pharmaceutical company to provide for Hunter.
But I can't be his father anymore.
- He's your son.
- I killed his mother.
I know what I did.
I know now.
I did that and he saw.
He wants to forgive you.
What would you do? Well, I wouldn't just walk away.
If I had a son like that, I wouldn't give up the chance to know him, to have him know me.
See I can't.
I can't.
I'm sorry.
I'm not going away, Dr.
Reed.
Take care of Hunter for me.
- He's not ready yet.
- Why not? He just needs some time, Hunter.
He needs some time.
You all right? No.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Script: **************** Timing & Editing: SunGod
Fallin.
Three years' probation.
$10,000 fine.
And since you seem so clearly adept at working in corporate law, I am sentencing you to 1500 hours of community service.
Working for Children's Legal Services as a child advocate.
The mission of Children's Legal Services is simple.
We provide quality legal representation and advocacy assistance to children who are abused, neglected or otherwise at risk.
We hope to protect these kids from future harm.
I'm sure you're used to better surroundings, but here in the not-for-profit world, we tend to beg instead of choose.
Our nine full-time attorneys handle over 4,000 cases a year.
For their efforts, they receive $27,000 annually, plus benefits.
I know our remuneration doesn't compare to corporate life, but our cases aren't about money, Mr.
Fallin.
They are about making a difference in a child's life.
- Good morning Barbara.
- Good morning.
I served on the county museum board with your father.
He may remember me.
I was integral in planning the charity golf for cancer weekend at Oliver Heights Country Club.
- My dad doesn't golf.
Yes.
Well, as, ah, I was saying, our philosophy here at, ah Children's Legal Services is, ah, quite simple.
We represent the child's wishes.
That's our job, that's why we're here.
We feel that children have a right to be heard and respected.
Don't you agree, Mr.
Fallin? Very well, then.
James Mooney will be giving you your hands-on orientation tomorrow at the courthouse.
Do you have any questions for me? Yeah.
This took 39 minutes.
Could you mark me for an hour? Let's get in there.
Come on, let's go.
Let's go, guys.
Come on in.
Hurry.
Hurry.
That was the late bell.
Let's get going.
Come on Hunter.
Hunter? Hunter?! What happened, Hunter? Hunter? I need some help here, somebody! I am sentencing you to 1500 hours of community service.
Using your skills as a corporate attorney to work as a child advocate.
legal standards, court process, child development, interviewing tactics for children, investigating protocols, nature of physical and medical evidence of sexual abuse, cultural awareness - I have a meeting in 20 minutes.
Today we're doing shelter hearings.
You know what those are? Yeah, it's when a court decides whether there's a clear necessity to remove a child from his or her home.
- So you know what to do? I see the child.
I ask them what they want.
I tell it to the judge.
What else is there? You know I never wanted to be a corporate guy? I wouldn't have been able to, anyway.
It's hard to go corporate when your degree reads night school.
Harder still when your skin reads the projects, if you know what I'm saying.
What's your point? This kind of job, it's not for everyone.
It takes a person who's passionate and caring and committed.
There are no second chances here.
You screw up with a kid who's been abused and you don't get that chance back.
- You coming? - I just gotta take a leak, I'll catch up.
- Room C7.
- Got it.
- You the new guy from CLS? - Guess I am, but I have Meet your newest client.
You're on the docket in 15 minutes.
Hey.
Hey! Come here.
Seriously, come here.
- What's court process? - You don't know? I've never officially been in court.
Hunter, here.
Sit over here, would you sweetie? - What are you looking at? - Nice suit.
- What's your name? - Laurie Solt.
Laurie Solt, this is not my world.
And I am not about to apologize for wearing my uniform.
- Your uniform? Listen, you're playing your role right, you're a social worker who chooses to make no money.
Instead you cry poor to the world, you wear cheap clothes so people know where you're coming from.
My world is expensive.
I'm not saying it's any better, it just has different rules.
So be it.
- What is your problem? My problem is I didn't say, 'Hey, you look like crap', so I would appreciate it if you would refrain from beating me up for looking decent.
Now could we please return to my initial question? Court procedure.
Cases are called, witnesses are called, the social services attorney puts on her case, the parents' attorney puts on theirs, the trumpets sound and it's your turn.
- What do I do? You summarize your position and state your recommendations.
Got it? See you in court.
The conference room is right over there.
Maybe you should interview your client? Says here your father's in jail and you have grandparents in the city who are on vacation.
Now, why is your dad in jail? Where's your mom? Want to live with your grandparents? Okay.
Let's just cut to it, Hunter.
I'm your lawyer and you are about to enter a shelter hearing in which it will be decided if you'll be removed from your home.
You have any thoughts on that? Listen, kid, I don't have the time to sit here and beg you for answers.
Judging from the form your grandparents is the logical place for you to be, so let's just tell the court to place you there and get this over with.
- Case number 2457.
Hunter Reed.
- Why are we here? This is Hunter Reed, your honor.
Yesterday his father, a prominent plastic surgeon, allegedly killed his mother with a kitchen knife in their Shadyside home.
- What? What?! WhaÂWhat? I'mÂno.
No.
I'm notÂI'm not supposed to be dealing with this.
Mr.
Fallin! Mr.
Fallin, take a seat please.
- What's going on? - I don't know.
Mr.
Fallin, Mr.
Fallin, stop! Judge Wentling has issued a continuance.
He's ordered you to return to court on Friday.
He'll find you in contempt if you fail to appear.
Hey! Are you listening to me? What the hell was that? Why didn't you tell me? - I didn't know.
- You didn't know? Mr.
Fallin, we get 50 cases a day.
Why was that kid even there? His father murdered his mother 24 hours ago and you people haul him in for a formality? You are going to be in court on Friday morning.
I suggest you make an appointment to see Hunter as soon as possible.
- Where are his grandparents? - They're on a cruise from London to New York.
They'll be back on Thursday morning.
- Gretchen - Conference room.
43 minutes ago.
- Okay.
He's here.
Nick! - Can it wait? Nick, your probation officers are waiting and Good morning, Mr.
Fallin.
It's mandatory.
- Stressed? - Oh, you have no idea.
So, in order to drive this point home, I would like you to turn to page two of our proposal, paragraph four and it starts with 'tax laws'.
The conditions have changed, I think in such a way to make it extremely conducive to you coming to our city Nick! I was just explaining to Mr.
Swann and his associates that we feel the new tax laws and regulations can be manipulated in such a way to benefit Swann Tech, as long as we can get this deal with Netburgh closed as soon as possible.
Morning.
I gave your formal offer to the gentlemen at Netburgh yesterday.
They're taking it into serious consideration.
We should have a response - Netburgh hasn't responded? - Not yet.
They're a bunch of 19-year-old kids working out of an old warehouse.
- Take it off the table.
- Excuse me? Two million dollars was more than a generous offer.
I'm not interested in waiting any longer for their response.
Take it off of the table today.
Make an offer of a million tomorrow.
If that's the way you'd like to play this, then sure.
Fine, fine.
Now, do we have permission from the county commissioner? Not exactly.
The city is considering covering infrastructure costs.
If we can Whoa.
Whoa, Mr.
Fallin.
Everyday we wait, we hemorrhage more money.
Yes, I understand that.
The county commissioner needs to sign off on my budget proposal.
No, no, no, we cannot.
We cannot close this deal.
These things take a little massaging, Mr.
Swan.
If you'd like to take a seat for a second, I can get the county commissioner on the phone right now.
- I don't know how things work in Pittsburgh, but where we come from, money matters.
My company brings in 500 million dollars annually.
Any city would bend over to have us, let alone some mid-sized town whose major industry up and died some 20 years ago.
Gentlemen.
Well, that couldn't have gone better.
Nicholas, my office.
Dad? Sit down.
Son.
Do you want to make partner in this firm or not? What the hell was that out there? Why were you 45 minutes late? Why didn't you get that contract to the county commissioner? And don't ever embarrass me like that again in front of a client.
- The guy's an ass.
- He's also a client.
He has a right to expect us to go in there prepared.
All right.
Pull the Netburgh offer, and get over to the county commissioner so you can back up that crap you we're spewing out in there.
- Yes, sir.
- Nicholas! If I had your talent If I had half your talent, I would have retired, 10 years ago.
- Thank you.
- That's not a compliment.
- Where are we on due diligence? - Just about done.
- Incorporation papers? - Working on the notary.
Get me another meeting with the Netburgh kids.
Also, run a court document check on a Dr.
Thomas Reed, two e's.
See what that name brings up.
- Anything else? - I don't know, you tell me.
You don't return my calls.
If you don't make this deal, you're going to look pretty stupid come election time.
Look, this deal is going to cost the city more than it brings in and you know that.
They don't want to pay city tax and they don't want to cover their infrastructure costs.
- Since Westinghouse left, you have done jack to boost this city's economy.
Don't think I won't let it be known that your office was the deal-breaker.
Alright.
We'll eat infrastructure and seven years of taxes.
After that, so help me God - We'll speak in seven years.
Allegheny Children's Shelter - Can I help you? - Hunter Reed? I have an appointment.
Hey, Hunter.
Remember me? We have a second shelter hearing coming up in a few days.
It's your call.
Either you live with your grandparents or Social Services is going to put you in a foster home.
- What was your deal? - That's a long story.
- You don't want to be doing this, do you? - Truth be told, no, I don't.
- Then why are you? - You want another lawyer? Did I say that? I got sentenced to community service for breaking the law.
What'chu do? You want me to apologize for the way I acted? Something bad? No.
Just something stupid.
What? I got arrested for drugs, okay? You mind if I sit down? My mom died when I was about your age.
- How? - Cancer.
Did you see her die? I thought my dad loved my mom.
Why would he hurt her? He stabbed her so many times.
Why, why? Allegheny County Jail Dr.
Reed.
My name's Nicholas Fallin.
I'm your son's attorney.
There's going to be a shelter hearing in regards to Hunter's custody.
I need you to sign an affidavit stating that you've been given notice of the hearing.
Where's my son? Your son is in a temporary shelter.
Why? You don't know? Do you know why you're in here? Because I'm supposed to sign this form.
Yes.
You know, Nick, I had to use all my contacts in the precinct to get this.
Dr.
Thomas Reed tried to off himself when he was 24.
Got a bunch of morphine from the hospital where he was interning.
A friend found him before it was too late.
- Psychiatric help? - Six months outpatient treatment at Western.
Nothing on the books since then.
Doctor's name was Milton Samuels.
Great.
So, what made you decide to call me? Ten years ago you treated a patient named Thomas Reed.
I'm afraid I can't help you, Mr.
Fallin.
I've got Alvin Masterson and your father holding.
- Yeah.
- Three years ago, one Sue Pence filed a malpractice claim against a Dr.
Thomas Reed.
Doctor Reed apparently screwed up her face lift.
- Okay, bye.
- What happened? Settled out of court.
Just press talk.
- Alvin? - Three months later, Amy Taupin filed a similar suit also settled out of court.
Eight months later, another settlement.
Hey guys! He's here.
This is our associate, Amanda Bowles.
- Here's the counter.
- Counter? - What about the first offer? - Listen, this is how business is done.
You receive an offer, you respond to that offer.
You wait too long, it gets pulled off the table.
- This is less.
- True.
Half.
You got 24 hours, kids.
Take it or leave it.
Okay, first of all, I'm not your kid, okay.
Secondly, I can make this deal with Intel just by picking up the phone.
Then pick it up.
I met with Hunter.
He asked me to pick up some more clothes for him.
So? So, I can't go to his house without someone from Social Services.
Laurie Solt, Social Services.
We're here to pick up some clothes for the boy.
Yes, ma'am.
It's okay.
- So Norman Rockwell.
- With a knife.
Dr.
Samuels.
- What are you doing? - Just took a leak.
What? Go.
- Bingo.
- What's up? What are you doing? Trying to find some information on a new drug.
Oh, here.
Unapproved (Clinical Trials) That's it.
That's it.
That's it.
Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
Did Dr.
Reed stop taking the Fluphenazine because of his tremor? Yes.
You prescribed a non-approved drug in its place.
I enrolled him in a clinical trial.
Dr.
Reed knew of the risks.
He was desperate to find the drug that didn't have such an acute side effect.
- Well, when did the trial begin? - Three weeks ago.
And how long does it take the Fluphenazine to clear the system? Four to six weeks.
So it's possible the drugs may have counteracted each other.
I know about the schizophrenia.
And the drug trials.
I know about the malpractice suits, and the side effects of the antipsychotic you were taking.
Did it ever occur to you, Dr.
Reed, that the Fluphenazine and the new drug may have counteracted one another, and caused you to attack your wife? If you don't talk to your attorney about your psychiatric history, you're gonna face a life sentence.
Now, you can keep your mouth shut and you can lose everything, or you can plea-bargain your way out of the murder charges on a clear-cut insanity defense, while concurrently filing a civil suit against the drug company that would benefit your son greatly.
How is he? The state wants to take him away from you for the rest of your life.
What should I do? Threaten to kill yourself, Dr.
Reed.
That'll buy us some time.
State law requires that a suicidal inmate be transferred to a psychiatric ward.
Do that.
Let's reveal your history and your participation in the drug trials.
Tell my son Tell Hunter I love him very much.
- Masterson's - Uh, just a minute.
Alvin, Mr.
Fallin's here to see you.
I received a call from Social Services.
Said you went to the Reed house to snoop around.
Yeah.
I needed some more information about the events that took place What information could you possibly need? This boy's father is gonna be criminally prosecuted for murder.
His mother's dead.
The grandparents are perfectly suitable guardians.
I discovered some things that could change the outcome of I did not tell you to investigate a murder.
I told you to advocate for a child.
Hang on a second.
I thought that I was Well, don't! Just follow my rules, okay? - What if your rules are wrong? - Look, I didn't ask for you.
I'm doing you a favor because I respect your father, a man who is clearly ten times the lawyer you are.
Now, if you prefer to return to Judge Stanton and explore your other option, which I understood to be jail time, then you may.
But know one thing.
As long as I act as your warden and you are serving your time in my facility, you will do things my way, or I will send you back faster than it used to take you to snort an 8-ball.
Got it? You ever think you hear something that you didn't really hear? Like a noise at night? Like a noise, or someone calling your name? Yeah, I guess.
Some people have a sickness, a disease called schizophrenia that can make them hear voices like that.
And the voices can make them very afraid of people.
- So afraid, they do terrible things.
- Is that what's wrong with my dad? Yes.
Well, if he was sick, why didn't he see a doctor? He did, but the doctor gave him the wrong medication.
- Is that why - I think so.
Well, does he have the right medicine now? Yes.
So he'll be better.
And I can go back home? It may not be that easy.
If he can get better, I want to be with him.
There's clearly a multi-million dollar verdict in this case.
- And you're giving this to me? - No, no.
We're sharing it.
I can't handle the case right now.
I'm a witness.
I'm representing the child who may become an adverse party if reconciliation doesn't take place.
So you want me to bust my balls while you get the lion's share of the money.
No, it's a conflict.
Dr.
Reed is a beneficiary of his wife's estate, but he's being criminally prosecuted for her death.
The wife's estate then switches to Hunter, who can't do anything of his own free will because he's a minor.
So whoever is the guardian, either the father or the grandparents, they will be responsible for filing the suit.
So, the father sues the doctor for malpractice, the pharmaceutical company for product liability, and collects for the son's suffering, all because he killed his own wife? - Exactly.
Leave it to you to turn pro bono into profit.
I just spoke to Swann.
If he doesn't see the completed paperwork by tomorrow morning, he is pulling out.
Altogether.
- Tea? - Mom, mom, mom! Okay, you promised us twice the money and stock options.
Okay, listen to me.
You get an offer, you respond to that offer.
You wait too long, it gets pulled off the table.
Okay, I understand that, but I promised everyone more.
That's our offer.
IÂI don't want it then.
I can't.
- Okay.
- Okay.
- Excuse me.
- Mister? Mister? Please, Mister.
- Mom! Mom! He's just young.
He doesn't know what money is.
He's just young.
We need the money.
I can't pay for his school anymore.
We used to have an uncle, he was helping, but he - What's it gonna be? - One point eight.
- One-and-a-half.
- 20,000 shares.
One point five, And an apartment in Budapest for my mother's family.
- Okay.
- Yes! Whoo! Ha ha! Yes.
Thank you, thank you! - Need some help? - You're kissing the wrong ass.
- So, what's it like? - What? - Children's Legal Services? - I don't know.
- You're spending a lot of time there.
- It's a steep learning curve.
Do you feel like you're doing something meaningful? I feel like I'm serving my sentence.
This is meaningful.
- This is about money.
- That's what I'm saying.
I don't know.
If I hadn't run up such huge school loans, I'd be working in public service.
What? I think you're a shark.
You just don't know it yet.
My father always told me not to worry about making money, but to worry about making a difference.
Well, money makes a difference.
Believe me.
All the man-hours scraping around for minimum wage, they can't compete with the huge influx of money that you are capable of generating.
Make the money first, then if you still feel like it, then go make a difference.
I think you're putting on an act.
I have to get these copies made.
Hello? Nick, it's James.
Thomas Reed threatened to kill himself last night.
- They just moved him to Western.
- Thank you.
I've met the grandparents in question.
Social Services considers them to be an appropriate placement for the child.
Unless there are any objections I will grant permanent custody to Phyllis and Donald Sample, Hunter's maternal grandparents.
Are you sure? Bailiff, what's the next case on the docket? - Your honor.
- Yes, Mr.
Fallin? My client would like to go back to his father.
Your honor, Hunter can't just sit in limbo for the next year awaiting the outcome of a clear-cut criminal case.
You are aware, Mr.
Fallin, that your client's father has been charged with murder? I understand that at the moment, Dr.
Reed is in no position to take custody.
However, if by some chance Dr.
Reed is cleared of criminal charges and rehabilitated, wouldn't it be possible that Hunter might return home? - Yes, it's possible.
- Your honor, this is highly unusual I understand.
I only ask that the grandparents custody be represented as temporary, pending the criminal trial.
- Your Honor I am simply representing my client's desire to be given the chance to be reunited with his father should the court deem it appropriate.
He just wants the chance, your honor.
Okay, Mr.
Fallin.
I will grant temporary custody pending the outcome of Dr.
Reed's criminal trial.
- Gretchen.
- Conference room, 18 minutes ago.
You had no authority to make this kind of deal.
- They drove a hard bargain.
- You had no authority.
- Where I come from, money matters.
- What was that? You're passing up an incredible deal all for the sake of your enormous ego.
My ego? Our little town is willing to eat your infrastructure costs and give you seven years living off the fat of our land.
All in all, I just did a deal worth nearly twenty million dollars to you over the next half decade, and you're sweating over cash and stock options worth a tenth of that.
Will the city build us an off-ramp from the parkway? Yes.
Building permits for the parking structure? Yes.
We'll move in after the first of the year.
It's an honor to have your business.
Anxious to get to work.
- Thank you very much.
- Pleasure.
- Uh, that apartment in Budapest? - Yeah.
Nicholas, my office.
I know that was a little unconventional.
Look me in the eye, Nicholas.
We got the account.
This is not the time to apologize.
Southwestern Psychiatric Hospital I'll get you in a minute.
It worked.
The state has agreed to call the custody temporary.
There's still a chance to be with your son.
Dr.
Reed? I love my son more than anything in this world, Mr.
Fallin.
I'll I'll plead insanity.
I'll sue the pharmaceutical company to provide for Hunter.
But I can't be his father anymore.
- He's your son.
- I killed his mother.
I know what I did.
I know now.
I did that and he saw.
He wants to forgive you.
What would you do? Well, I wouldn't just walk away.
If I had a son like that, I wouldn't give up the chance to know him, to have him know me.
See I can't.
I can't.
I'm sorry.
I'm not going away, Dr.
Reed.
Take care of Hunter for me.
- He's not ready yet.
- Why not? He just needs some time, Hunter.
He needs some time.
You all right? No.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Script: **************** Timing & Editing: SunGod