L.A. Law (1986) s01e01 Episode Script

1
Rick D's in the morning, here's FM.
It's twelve minutes past seven.
The.
East and west by Santa Monica, also the inbound Hollywood.
It's your basic gridlock, very typical for
post-holiday traffic.
And Rachel, what'd you do over the Labor Day weekend?
Well, you know, Ricky, how much I hate to drive.
So I spent all weekend, all three days, lying
by my pool, catching some rays in the nude.
Yeah, Rick D's here.
Hello, Rick?
Yes.
This is Jennifer, the boss of the secretary.
Yes, Jennifer.
How are you?
I'm fine, thank you.
The boss just wanted to tell you something.
Okay.
When you get off the air, he wants to kill you.
She can't be there.
Okay.
Staff meeting will probably go past one, so I
pushed your deposition with Margulis to Thursday.
Thanks.
Oh, and don't forget your two o'clock with Lydia Graham.
Who?
Friend of Julia Lippincott.
Oh, yeah.
You're supposed to look over her settlement.
All right.
And remember, they're picking up your call
for detailing today.
Great smell.
God, I hate these buildings.
Air conditioning goes down.
This smells like the inside of a garbage disposal.
Mckenzie, Brackman, Jenny, Kuzak, Arnold, Becker.
Got any of that spray stuff?
Oh, one moment, Mrs. Swayze.
Let me see if he's available.
Available.
Available.
7.30, Tuesday morning.
Available.
Margaret, how was the long weekend?
Well.
Well, I don't know.
I'd have to go back over the agreement,
but he's got them for holiday weekends.
Maybe it was malicious, Margaret,
but getting an injunction?
I know it's the first day of school.
I know.
I don't blame you for worrying.
Absolutely.
Absolutely, you should have had him home by 6 O'clock.
But, but, Margaret, to, Margaret,
to go to court, Margaret, Margaret,
look, if that's what you want.
Mckenzie Brackman, Cheney, and
Margaret, Margaret, I'll tell you what.
Oh, good morning, Mrs. Cox.
Let me talk to his lawyer first.
If that doesn't work Let me see if he's available.
Yes, we'll slap him with an injunction.
Cross the face for all I care.
Just do it.
Shirley Cox.
Morning, Shirley.
Shirley, come on, give me a break.
It's 7.30 A.M.
Shirley, the reason I'm not at my house is
because I'm here.
No, I am not trying to avoid you.
Shirley, yes, I know he's a fat brown loaf,
but even a fat brown loaf deserves a sex life.
I agree.
Not in front of your nine-year-old son.
Shh, shh, shh.
Shirley.
Shirley, I'm going to put you on hold a minute, sweetheart.
Dick, this is not smart.
Oh, don't dick me.
Not after that settlement you rammed down my throat.
This is a settlement that you agreed to.
Oh, a settlement I was blackmailed into.
Oh, you took away everything I hold dear, Becker.
My house, my kids, my coin collection.
I have to sell my boat.
What about the Ferrari?
I specifically left it out of the community property
because I know how much you love that car.
Dick, we both know that Louise doesn't know it.
A dipstick from a garter belt.
You excluded it because it's Lee's tool, you know that?
Dick.
Don't do this.
You're gonna regret it.
If I spend 20 years in jail with my pants
down around my ankles, I will not regret it.
Do you want to call the cops, huh?
You know where to find me?
I'm calling the police.
No, you don't.
A starter gun.
Not about him.
About the smell.
What smell?
Mr. Cheney.
I didn't actually touch him, but I'm pretty sure he's dead.
If he is, I'll get tips in his office.
Guy's face is stuck on the plate like crazy.
Nice place to spend the week.
Let's button this up and get him out of here.
Currently says he's been dead over 48 hours.
Could have been an embolism, maybe his heart.
It's tragic, isn't it?
One minute you're hip deep in the tax
code, and the next, muerte.
Who?
Norm Chaney, one of the senior partners.
Kind of makes you want to stop and sniff the daisies.
Are you all right?
He's fine, Mr. Brackman, for me.
Oh, I really am worried about Hilda.
She's been with me for 30 years.
What if they say Sit.
Sit.
Yes, it's great.
Have you got any idea how you want to
handle the Lewis audit?
I haven't thought about that yet.
Now, what time was it you got here in the morning?
7.30.
I want to get him downtown.
Seb.
All yours.
I could use a hand.
He's stiff as a board.
I'm going to have to take him out, share and all.
Do it.
I'm going to have to get a written statement from him.
Hi.
What's going on?
Mr. Cheney is dead.
Oh, my God.
You can't file it now, Mr. Cheney.
I found him.
Are you Ms. Buckner?
Yes, sir.
Your predecessor was fired for tardiness.
I'm sorry, the police kept us in the lobby.
In my office.
I'll explain your duties.
Strange brood.
Be still, my heart.
It's, uh, John Preggerson.
His son's been arrested again.
Is Kuzak in yet?
No.
I'm sorry, Mr. Cheney's secretary will
have to get back to you.
Guy's so stiff you could put him in a museum.
Look at this.
His feet are like frozen.
Watch him.
Watch him.
We're coming out right through here now.
Make way.
No, no.
Is the guy Jewish?
Can we have a little reverence?
Yes, sir.
Turn him.
Turn him.
No, the other way.
Come on, watch him.
You're gonna lose him.
Watch him.
Careful.
Careful.
Oh.
Oh.
Oh.
Mr. Cheney's office.
Oh, no, I'm sorry.
He's not available right now.
Sergeant, the little hand is on the 9 and
the big hand is on the 12.
I gotta be downtown in 30 minutes.
As soon as your client's through with breakfast,
meantime, why don't you let the officer pat you down?
What's the matter?
You guys don't get enough at home?
I'm getting tired of your mouth, Jose.
Whoa.
Now, you show me some respect.
The name is Sifuentes.
Victor Sifuentes.
I don't care if you're freaking out.
Your freaking name is Pancho freaking Villa.
You don't see your client without you get searched.
Now, assume the freaking position.
You lay a hand on me, and I'm going to kick your fat butt.
That's it.
You are out of here.
You're going to be hearing more about this, McCloskey.
I can't freaking wait.
Michael Kuzak, attorney representing Justin Fagerson.
I'd like to talk to the investigating officer.
Which that would be Detective Tuttle.
Yeah, get it right off him.
Lester to his friends.
What's all the excitement?
Memo out of division.
We got to search all attorneys before they go in.
A lawyer brought a gun into South Central.
His client tried to shoot his way out.
Speaking of which, your client is a real
citizen, counselor.
This time we got him on rape, assault,
RO cops, sodomy, not to mention that he's
violated his probation in six different ways.
Presumption of innocence, Lester.
The victim ID'd the kid's vehicle.
And picked him into accomplices I don't know enough.
Let's see his daddy buy him out of this one.
This is totally bogus.
It says here she was beaten, raped, and when her wig
fell off during the assault, she was tossed into a dumpster.
She ID'd you, she ID'd your running mates.
She ID'd your car.
Hey, I hook up with these guys in a bar.
We have a couple of drinks, bar closes, we go cruising.
We stop at one of these all-night places
to get a couple of six-packs.
She's in there.
She follows me out, she says she'll do the
three of us for 50 bucks.
We figure, what the hell?
So we go around the corner in the alley.
It wasn't exactly Romeo and Juliet,
but it wasn't rape either.
The victim alleges she begged you to stop,
said she was sick.
Oh yeah, she was begging, all right.
It wasn't to stop.
But it also says here that she was admitted to Hollywood
Presbyterian for severe cuts and bruises to her body.
Hey, look, there's a lot of crazy people out there.
Maybe the next guy uses her for a punching
bag, so she goes to the cops.
She remembers my car.
She figures she can work something out.
You talk to my father yet?
For a thousand bucks?
She'll fold like a deck chair.
Doubtful.
I'm told she's got acute leukemia.
That's too bad.
Look, when can I get out of here?
Not till they set bail.
When's that?
Arraignment.
Tomorrow.
Oh, no, no, no, no.
Forget that.
Find Judge Sorensen.
He knows my father.
He'll sign a writ today.
I'll see what I can do.
Hey, listen.
My father's worth a million bucks to your firm.
You do that.
Is that true about the cancer?
Yeah.
Acute leukemia.
Is that contagious?
I just.
Don't know what to say.
Regarding the untimely death of Norman Chaney, a good friend
and respected colleague, except we'll greatly miss him.
Plus which?
His passing leaves a serious void in an
extremely lucrative area in our practice.
We can discuss that aspect later, Douglas.
Fine.
And what about the Lewis tax audit?
Do you think either George Lewis or the
IRS are going to say we can discuss that later?
I said this is not the time.
In any event, I've spent the last 45
minutes going through Norman's personal
papers, and his last instructions will be
a simple cremation with the memorial
service preceding, at which those of you
desiring may pay your last respects.
Now, if you all don't mind, I'll excuse myself.
I'll start it.
Sign up for us for your duties.
Mrs. Tong, honey, are you trying to tell me something?
I'll sign that.
The minutes will reflect Mr. Kuzak arrived
late for the meeting.
Yeah, well, Mr. Kuzak was having such a
good time chatting up Justin Preggerson at
the Hollywood jail about how he and his
running mates raped and beat up a
defenseless leukemia victim that he
couldn't bear to pull himself away.
He confessed?
Oh, sure, full of remorse.
You promised me a body.
I want it.
Now, bring us a list of possible
candidates, and we'll review it.
Right.
Excuse me, Mr. Brackman, but how will that
impact on the summer law clerks?
Not to mention the current associates.
Mr. Pollack, you may rest assured that
this firm has a commitment to hire at
least one full-time associate in addition
to Mr. Kuzak's criminal lawyer and any
possible replacement in our tax department.
Mr. Taylor, associate review will proceed
at the appropriate time.
Now, as the hour is growing late, let us
laser through our summary of pending cases.
Status unchanged on the divestiture,
discovery motion on Roehner versus.
Gradinger, pending trial, Merton versus
Merton, a new matter.
Leon Krohner, a medical corporation, versus Celia Robinson.
A doctor is suing our client for a $750 bill.
A collection matter?
It's a little more complicated than that.
For the last nine months, her insurance company's been
giving her the runaround, and that's why the bill's not paid.
Ms. Perkins, undoubtedly you've seen those
ads on television?
Lawyers in polyester suits soliciting for clients?
Yes, sir.
Those lawyers handle $750 collection cases.
Mckenzie, Brackman, Chaney, et al.
Does not handle $750 collection cases.
Douglas, will you come off it?
This is a referral from Morley Saperstein.
I asked Abby to help me.
As your time is usually billed at $135 an
hour, Ms. Kelsey, how much exactly did you
intend to charge this client for whatever
heroics you might perform on this $750 matter?
What I intend is to charge her nothing.
Is it your belief, then, that we are
running a welfare state here?
Absolutely not.
It is my belief that this firm is an example
of the capitalist system at its very finest.
Management getting fat off the sweat and
blood of the workers.
Take me, for example.
You bill my time at $135 an hour, 1,600 hours a year, for
a total of $216,000 into the bulging coffers of this firm.
Of that amount, I, who generated the income, get $52,800.
You're damn straight this is not a welfare state, Douglas.
And if I want to make a couple of phone
calls to an insurance company to keep some
poor working woman from getting screwed
over by the system, then I will do it.
Well, due to the tragedy we've all
suffered today, it would appear that
everyone is unusually testy, fractious, and argumentative.
Accordingly, this meeting is hereby adjourned.
I'd like to remind everyone of the annual
firm dinner which will be held a week from
Friday, that's the 20th, at Mr. Mckenzie's home.
Partners, associates, and some of the law clerks
invited, along with a husband, wife, or suitable escort.
No secretary?
That's what we have firm picnics for, Mr. Kuzak.
Oh.
Arnie, Lydia Graham is here.
Okay, give me a minute.
My husband and I have already worked out
all the terms of our settlement.
Here's your tea.
Thank you.
But Julia wouldn't leave me alone until I
agreed to let you look at it.
Well, Julia can be very persuasive.
I just don't want her to get into an ugly pitched
battle with name calling and recriminations.
I respect that feeling entirely.
Now, Barry and I may not have wanted to be married
to each other, but we're still parents to our children.
We're still civilized adults.
I won't get down in the dirt and grub over
who gets the dishes.
I wish all my clients were as reasonable as you are.
I'll tell you what, as long as you're
here, let me jot down a few notes.
Now, when did you and your husband actually separate?
The exact date, if you can remember.
He moved out of the house on December 21st.
And was this at your suggestion?
No, not really.
Oh, so it was his idea.
Well, we discussed it, that we weren't terribly happy.
So, four days before Christmas,
he really picks his spots, doesn't he?
He walks out on you.
It wasn't like that.
Is he living with her now?
With whom?
The other woman.
Barry did not leave me for another woman.
That's not what this is all about.
Men are creatures of habits and comfort, Lydia.
In nine years, I have never once seen a
man initiate a divorce, and certainly not
four days before Christmas, unless he had
another woman to replace the one he was leaving.
Well, my husband and I are not statistics for individuals.
Really, I am sorry, and maybe I'm a little
sensitive to this subject right now,
because not more than six hours ago, this woman
comes in here and she's waving this gun at me.
A nice woman, totally so nice that she refused
to let me, as she put it, drag it through the mud.
So now she's found out that her husband
has another woman and they're living up in.
Bel Air while my client's over in Van Nuys
and she's waving this gun at me because,
and I quote, you should have forced me to
face the facts, she said.
You're deliberately trying to turn this
into something ugly.
No, what I'm deliberately trying to do is
protect your rights under the law.
Let me be blunt.
For your husband, divorce is a fiscal inconvenience.
But for you, this could be the most important
financial decision that you'll ever make in your life.
And I personally, as well as professionally, don't
think that such a decision should be made casually.
Do you?
I suppose not.
What I'm going to do, friendship to Julia,
admiration for your principles,
let me take a look at this agreement.
No cost, of course, no obligation to you.
On Thursday, I'd like to take you to
lunch, give you my thoughts on the matter.
At that point, the choice is completely yours.
You can take it or you can leave it.
But at least you'll be making an informed decision.
Does that sound fair?
Well, yes, I guess.
Thank you.
Great.
Well, Roxanne will give you a call,
and we'll confirm lunch for next Thursday.
Oh, do you like the lingerie?
It's fine.
Well, great.
Well, it was a great pleasure meeting you.
I'll see you on Thursday.
Okay, bye-bye.
Oh.
Bye now.
Okay, see you.
Hi, come in.
I sent you one, what's up?
No, no.
Um, I'm gonna go home now, unless you have
something pressing.
No.
I didn't realize it was so late.
Stop being an attorney, go home, be a wife, be a mother.
You sound like my husband.
Sorry.
You're right, it's none of my business.
Celia Robinson came in today with her file.
Very nice lady.
Incredible guts.
After her divorce, she had two kids to support.
She went to work as a maid until she could
save enough money to start a catering business.
She did Morley Saperstein's son's bar mitzvah.
I know, he told me.
Creole Cajun food.
At a bar mitzvah?
Anyway, she's got copies of
everything, even a renewal statement,
and a bill the insurance company sent her two weeks ago.
Sounds like a winner for us.
Let's hope so.
I don't think it's helping her migraines any,
having that doctor bill hanging over her head.
Migraines?
That's why she went to the doctor in the first place.
He wanted to run tests, and then when the
insurance company refused to pay, she couldn't go back.
She's got an appointment tomorrow with
Morley Saperstein's personal physician.
What did the company say?
It was like talking to that chair.
Our records indicate that our insured
Mr. Robinson had his ex-wife, Mrs.
Robinson, removed from his
policy at the time of their divorce.
I told him they got two separate policies
as part of the divorce settlement.
I told him she has a copy of it.
And?
He said they'll have to look into it.
Did you ask them, if she's not covered,
why they sent her a renewal statement?
He said they'll have to look into it.
Send him a threatening letter instead.
Copy his superiors.
Use buzzwords like bad faith.
That ought to get their attention.
I already did.
Good.
Look, Abigail, it really isn't any of my
business, but if you need to talk,
I was married once myself, about 50 years ago.
Thanks.
It'll be okay.
As soon as he gets a job.
And quits drinking.
And starts
Never mind.
Um, tell me the truth.
Do you think there's any chance I'll be
asked to stay on here as an associate?
It's not up to me.
I'm not a voting partner.
If you were.
You're a good lawyer and a very hard worker.
But I'm not a superstar like Pollock.
Or a sex bomb like Lisa.
I'm sorry.
I'm being a jerk.
Um, good night.
Thanks again.
People versus Preggerson, Garcia, and Dollar.
Michael Kuzak, attorney representing Justin Preggerson.
Wave reading of rights and complaint.
So wave.
How does your client plead?
Not guilty.
Nicholas Klein representing defendants
Garcia and Dollar, your honor.
At this time, uh, due to a possible
conflict, of interest, the public
defender's office would ask to be relieved of
representation with respect to defendant Dollar.
Do you have funds to hire an attorney, Mr. Dollar?
I'm broke, judge.
An attorney will be appointed for Mr. Dollar.
Let me see the list.
I see Mr. Cavanaugh in the courtroom.
Would you be interested in a court
appointment on this matter?
Yes, your honor.
I think I can squeeze that in.
Any motions while Mr. Cavanaugh acquaints
himself with this matter?
Yes, your honor.
At this time, I would ask that defendant
Garcia be released on his own recognizance.
Your honor, I'm sorry, but Mr. Klein is once
again insulting the intelligence of this court.
May I point out Mr. Garcia's five previous arrests, two
felony priors, and now an extremely aggravated assault rape?
Let me point out that Mr. Garcia has
always faithfully appeared for all
previous court appearances, in addition to
which he is sole support of an aged
mother, your honor, who relies on him for
weekly transportation to and from the clinic.
Usually in a stolen car, according to his rap sheet.
My office will agree to Mr. Garcia's
release from custody on the condition that
he be released into the care and custody of Mr. Klein.
Your Honor?
Take him home with you, Mr. Public Defender.
You think he's such a sweet guy.
Counsel, approach the bench.
Off the record, Miss Aaron, Mr. Klein,
I would not normally be so presumptuous as
to delve into the personal lives of my
court personnel, but as this courtroom is
beginning to resemble a daytime soap
opera, I feel I'm well within my rights in inquiring.
You two hot for each other or what?
I took her out three times, Your Honor.
Out?
I made dinner twice.
The third time you brought in a pizza.
You're mad because I said I'd call.
I'm mad because I lowered my standards.
Yeah, along with your skirt.
Uh, on the record, at this time I would ask that Mr. Deller's
bail in this matter be reduced to $1,000, Your Honor.
The man has four priors.
Two as a juvenile.
The D.A.'s office is unilaterally opposed
to any bail reduction with respect to
either defendant Garcia or defendant Dollar.
Bail to remain set in the amount of
$25,000 on both defendants.
Bail to stand on defendant Pregasin.
Preliminary hearing set for September 6th in Division 35.
Off the record.
I need a potty break.
We will have a 20-minute recess,
during which time I suggest that the P.D.
and the D.A.
clean up their act.
Thank you.
This afternoon's fine for me.
Yeah.
How about Clooney's at 4 O'clock?
Yeah.
Hey, I'm out of here.
Don't forget to wear a suit to the prelim.
That's true.
Leslie, who's good in the P.D.'s office?
Legal or sexual?
Legal.
I'm looking to take on a body.
How about mine?
I've got more body than I can handle.
Besides, I think I need someone of the defense persuasion.
Someone who could love a guy like Preggerson?
Or at least not lose his lunch.
You're right, not me.
Uh, number one fast charger in the PD's
office right now is a guy named Victor Sifuentes.
Sifuentes?
You mean the guy with the earring?
Yeah, real smart.
I don't know, it's the same guy I saw him
strut his stuff at the Hollywood jail.
Yeah, that's my opinion.
Check it out for yourself.
He's in division 50.
Counselor?
Your honor, Victor Sifuentes, of the Public
Defender's Office, representing Carlos Hermosillo.
Wave reading?
So waived.
How does your client plead?
Mr. Hermosillo is unable to enter a plea at this time.
And why is that, Mr. Sifuentes?
Mr. Hermosillo has been denied his
constitutional right to an attorney.
I thought that you were his attorney, Mr. Sifuentes.
This is true, your honor, but I was denied
access to my client by the police department.
Under what circumstances?
I went to the Hollywood station to interview my client.
At such time as Sergeant McCloskey of the
LAPD made rude and insulting remarks to me
regarding my ethnicity When I took umbrage
at said remarks the sergeant refused to
let me speak to my client and then went so
far as to bodily remove me from the
station So you never conferred with Mr.
Aramosillo regarding his defense?
No, Your Honor I would say a continuance
would be appropriate at this time No
objection Excuse me, Your Honor,
but my client is in custody Any such
continuance would deny him his
constitutional right to a timely
arraignment and speedy trial Accordingly,
I would move that the case against him be
dismissed due to the state's outrageous
conduct in denying him his constitutional
right to representation Mr. Sifuentes can
talk to him now, Your Honor, in the hall.
Such a slipshod representation would be
tantamount to no representation I would
have to agree with Mr. Sifuentes If the
relationship between attorney and client
has been abrogated due to outrageous
police conduct then this case should be
dismissed A big if, Your Honor Excuse me,
Your Honor Mr. Kuzak I happen to be
president of the Hollywood Divisions at
the time Mr. Sifuentes was being shown the
door Would you corroborate counsel's
description of the events in question?
So far as I was able to observe, Your
Honor And how far was that, Mr. Kuzak?
As far as the door, Your Honor.
Case dismissed But, Your Honor If the DA's
office sees fit, they are, of course,
free to refile charges as double jeopardy
is not attached We're in recess Thank you,
Your Honor Court will be in recess till 2 P.M.
You've got to be, and then you can go home Thank you, sir.
Michael Kuzak, I'm with Mckenzie,
Brackman, Chaney, et cetera, et cetera.
Yeah, I know, I've seen you around before
Thank you very much for the testimonial,
counselor Very fancy footwork Yeah,
well, the guy is a hype He's got a wife,
four kids to support I mean, the police,
they set him up on a sale What the hell
good is it going to do anyone to send him to the judge?
They'll probably refile the case Yeah And
they probably won't find him He's going
away to a drug program in Arizona Are you
free for lunch sometimes?
What's the agenda?
We'd like to talk to you about a job Got a
job We'd still like to have lunch You pay?
I'll call your office.
If we're gonna deal this thing it's gonna
have to be all three of them Thank you.
Speaking for myself I'm disinclined to negotiate I
see no case here DA's sucking wind An unshakable I.D.
by the world's most sympathetic victim is
not just sucking wind Unless you argue
consent Dying woman out for a good time
before they plant her in the ground It's
moments like these that make me proud to be a
member of such a noble fraternity Why aren't we fastidious?
Can we stop jerking ourselves around here
and go one step at a time?
We know she's got cancer What we don't
know is the prognosis So let's find out.
The way I figure, with a little bit of
luck and half a dozen continuances she'll
either quit or die before we know it
before we even have to worry about a trial.
Hey, I know it sounds a little cold but
this is not the Red Cross here.
So unless you've got a better idea nope.
Excuse me you know the doctor she went to?
Who?
Celia Robinson he wants to put her in the
hospital immediately for neurological
testing but they won't let her in because
when they call her insurance company they
said she wasn't covered what happened when you called?
They put me in the hospital we don't hold let's go
sorry Elizabeth did you check with the clerk in 123?
Um I'm sorry would you please make sure
the discovery motions were filed and uh
tell Pollack I need points and authorities on
Womack where do we stand with Justin Pregasin?
On my way to the prelim even as we speak
his father's all over my call sheet what
did I tell him you tell him that his punk
son deserves to go away for 10 years.
He's one of our more important clients
what would you have us do refer him to
another firm don't patronize me Leland
just get me a body so I don't have to deal
personally with this kind of crap have you
got someone in mind as a matter of fact
yes set up lunch I already did it's on
your calendar day after tomorrow.
Attorneys Ann Kelsey and Abigail Perkins
to see Lester mestman wait a minute you
have an appointment absolutely not right
Charlie uh let me get back to you she
barged in without an appointment at this
moment my client Celia Robinson is at
Saint Anthony's hospital trying to check
in for a cat scan only they won't let her
because your insurance company is still
refusing to admit that she's got coverage
so don't talk to me about appointments my
dear miss I am not your dear miss anything
and you would better be praying that she
doesn't have a brain tumor because if she
does and if this tumor was exacerbated by
the systematic bad faith of your company
then you'd better be prepared to write a
check with a lot of zeros behind it I'll
have to discuss this matter with my
superiors you have had nine months to
discuss this with your superiors if she
does have a tumor every minute you stall
it's getting bigger and more dangerous and
that means more zeros on the check am I
coming through pick up the phone mr
mess man st Anthony's hospital.
Are we ready to proceed gentlemen people
are your honor defendants counsel um it
would appear your honor mr kuzak has been
unavoidably detained under the
circumstances um move for continuance
until such time as Michael kuzak your
honor tick tock counselor I'm apologize
for the delay any reason I shouldn't hold
you in contempt approach the bench honor
that better be a note from your mother.
It's a citation your honor I was doing 35
tops 40 when this cop doesn't even shave
yet pulls me over for an unsafe Lane
change uh I explained to him that I'm late
for court and I further explained that I
let me tell you what well that's all right
your honor I wouldn't presume to ask this
court for any favors and this court
wouldn't presume to offer any truthfully
your honor I think that we've already
consumed enough of the court's time with
my personal concerns I for.
The record Mr. Kuzak has just handed me a
white piece of paper which appears to be
in fact neither a laundry list nor even
his pocket copy of the code of ethics but
rather a legitimate LAPD traffic citation people may
proceed I'll call Miss Adrienne Moore your honor one.
Last question miss more did officer feeble
corn take you to an emergency hospital yes
Hollywood Presbyterian did she wait for
you while you were being examined yes and
then she drove me home thank you miss more
I have no further questions Mr.
Cavanaugh cross.
Miss Moore now on direct examination you
testified that on the date in question you
purchased a soft drink yes at a
convenience store and some eggs and milk
and it was approximately what time that
you went out to get this soft drink to in
the morning yes do you normally get a
craving at 2 in the morning for sugary
soft drinks sometimes especially when
you've been drinking heavily mouth gets
all woolly objection I wasn't drinking speaking.
Whisk all the objection.
Were you smoking dope?
Objection irrelevant.
Your honor, this would be directly
relevant as to the issue of consent.
Overruled.
Yes, a little.
You see, the chemotherapy makes me
nauseated and the marijuana.
Objection non-responsive.
I would ask that everything after the witness answered yes,
she had been smoking marijuana be stricken from the record.
Objection sustained.
Reporter will strike everything after the word yes.
I don't understand why can't I explain?
Miss Moore, please, just answer the
questions as they're asked of you.
Now, you were alone when this alleged incident occurred.
Yes.
And had you been alone all evening?
Yes, I was home watching TV.
Alone all night, smoking dope by yourself and watching TV.
Objection asked and answered.
Sustained.
Move on, please.
Thank you.
But just to set the scene, there
you are, having to join a two,
you're watching the two, and maybe feeling a little lonely.
I'm used to being alone.
But sometimes it's nice to have a little human contact.
So you get the idea to go to the all-night market to
see a human face, maybe have someone to talk to.
I didn't talk to anyone.
I bought my food and I left.
And then these animals Objection!
Non-responsive motion to strike.
Sustained.
Miss Moore, how is your health?
I have leukemia.
Well, I'm very sorry, Miss Moore,
and I hope you forgive my insensitivity
when I ask what the prognosis for recovery is
Lousy I'm going to die Have the doctors told you when?
Objection, Mr. Cavanaugh seems to be on a
fishing expedition Your honor,
I ask the court's indulgence and latitude
as this is an issue of some delicacy Miss
Moore, no one regrets more than I any pain
this line of questioning may cause you.
I'll allow you a little more room,
counselor, but get on with it,
please Thank you How much longer have you got, Miss Moore?
Less than six months Well, I would imagine
that there must be a great many things
you've always wanted to do but might not
get a chance to do now I suppose And I
know that if it were me I would try to
cram all of these things into the short
time I had left even if these things
weren't the kind of things I might have
done before I don't understand well like
recreational drugs marijuana I told you
that was for the side effects of the
chemotherapy right you pull up to a
convenience store a little high on weed
you see three good-looking young men in a
hot car you got to be kidding gather you
rosebuds while you may miss more what does
that mean a literary illusion that
suggests that if you only had six months
to live you might as well have a good time
before you go this is sick isn't it true
that you solicited my client to have sex
with you no isn't it true that when my
client expressed some initial You went up to
him and pressed against him and fondled him.
No!
Your Honor, please!
That you said, and I quote, I've never taken on three guys,
I want you to do it to me, and I want you to do it rough.
You despicable bastard!
Miss Moore Your Honor, I ask the witness be admonished.
This is perversion!
Your Honor, please!
I want to know who is on trial here.
Any further outbursts, Miss Moore,
and I'll hold you in contempt.
A feeling is mutual.
Sit down.
Your Honor, under the circumstances, I
ask we move the continuance until such time.
Until such time as what?
I die?
I'm warning you, Ms. Moore.
Is that a tactic?
Accused me?
Wear me down?
Move continuances?
Until, until I quit?
Or die?
I warn you.
I warn you!
This door swings both ways.
If I can't get justice here, I will get a
gun and I'll do it myself.
That's enough.
You're in contempt.
Your Honor.
She's threatening us.
You think I won't?
What have I got to lose?
I'll be dead before you can ever get me to trial.
Bailiff.
Escort Ms. Moore to the basement holding facility.
Until such time, Ms. Moore.
Until such time as she wishes to apologize to this court.
The court is adjourned.
Mr. Kuzak, moment of your time in chambers.
The court is adjourned.
Well, my recollection, Your Honor, is we're
talking a couple of parking tickets at most.
We're talking $4,200 worth of citations
over a two-year period.
$4,200?
That's got to be a mistake.
Didn't Officer Maranel run you through the computer?
Well, as I was already late, and having
identified myself as a former deputy DA,
he was kind enough to write me up without
the usual formalities.
Mr. Kuzak, you bring fresh meaning to the word scofflaw.
Bailiff, take Mr. Kuzak into custody.
Your Honor, hold on a minute.
$4,200, counselor.
Put up or shut up.
Who's got $4,200?
Well, you've got a phone call.
I suggest you use it to find out.
Well, Your Honor, with all due respect, don't
you think you're overreacting just a little bit?
Take him into custody, bailiff.
A couple of lousy parking.
That's the bitch, pal.
Miss Moore?
I'm Michael Kuzak.
I'm Justin Preggerson's attorney.
Look.
I don't suppose you care, but I'm deeply
sorry about what happened in court.
That's very big of you.
I could tell you were morally outraged.
Well, that I may have been doesn't change
the fact that my client's still got a
right to the best legal representation he can obtain.
What about my rights?
I was raped.
And beaten.
And thrown into a dumpster.
But for all that, I was the one accused up there.
Now that piece of garbage you're representing.
I represent the system as well as the client, Miss Moore.
I may not always believe in the client,
but I have to believe in the system.
What about me?
What am I supposed to believe in?
The judge will see you now, ma'am.
Get away, Mr. Kuzak.
I'm going back up there, and I'm apologizing.
I'm withdrawing my complaint.
I'm afraid it's not all that easy.
I'm not spending the last six months of my
life in a courtroom.
I've been raped once.
I'm not going to let that happen again.
For whatever it's worth, and as a purely
personal observation, if you were to go
out and get a gun and blow them away,
I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.
That's the difference between us, Mr. Kuzak.
I would.
As office will be closed for business at 3
P.M., anyone not in attendance at said
memorial service will be docked commensurately.
See that that's distributed to all personnel right away.
Ah, Ms. Kelsey.
How kind of you to grace us with your
presence this morning.
Do you want something, Douglas?
The Petramco interrogatories.
I'll have them for you tomorrow.
Tomorrow?
I'm afraid that won't do.
You want to tell me what the big rush is?
Just be aware that if you have even the
slightest thought of ever being a partner
in this firm, those interrogatories had
better be on my desk by 5 P.M.
today.
Hi, Ann.
Morning, Michael.
You want to tell Arnie I don't like cooling my heels?
Slide a piece of cheese under his door now
to get his attention.
Barry Graham, residing at 11275 Lemire Road.
Shares dwelling with Ms. Valerie Renault,
actress, model, member in good standing,
screen, extras guild.
The rental agreement listing
Ms. Valerie as principal occupant
was signed by Barry four months prior to leaving his wife.
There's a copy.
Mr. Graham owns exotic body parts and auto
repair, ink, and Van knives.
Lots of insurance work.
Lots of cash transactions.
Here's his tax returns for the last three years.
Lots of creative bookkeeping.
Nice house.
South Aventura Boulevard on a cul-de-sac.
Now watch it.
I just got them back from the lab.
They still may be a little tacky.
Here's one.
They're both in the nude, smoking a joint.
Tacky indeed.
Here's another.
They're doing some serious necking in the hot tub.
And the piece de resistance.
Barry and his honey pool side on the chaise lounge.
Engaged in a sex act usually described by
a two-digit number.
Barry, you total degenerate.
Well, this is going to be a lunch that
Mrs. Graham will not soon forget.
I swear I don't understand you, Arnie.
You take this poor woman to some snitzy restaurant.
You slap these on the table.
She goes into the ladies' room and Ralph's up 50
bucks worth of lunch all over the velvet wallpaper.
What's the point?
Well, if I take the meeting here in the office, she goes
berserk, she makes a scene, she may even go for my eyes.
At best, it's going to take a couple hours to get rid of
her because I can't throw a crying woman out on the street.
So instead, I take her out.
She sees a half a dozen of her best friends, they see her,
a couple glasses of Chardonnay, a little salad and a soise.
Then I hit her with a slides how.
She's not going to say a word.
She'd rather die than be embarrassed in
front of all of her friends.
Plus, later, I bill her for the lunch.
Lawyers.
Hey, it's a jungle out there.
Have a nice lunch, sweetie.
Future.
Such as it is?
You don't sound too optimistic.
Why should I be?
I'm nearly 40, I have two children, a
failed marriage, and I can't wear a bikini.
I think you'd look great in or out of a bikini.
Buttering up the client.
Voice is a growth industry, Lydia.
I don't need the business.
Good.
Because I've thought seriously about it.
I've decided to accept the settlement as is.
Sheila B., do you mind telling me why?
In the long run, they're more important things than money.
I've just seen too many divorces get ugly.
You really are quite a rare woman.
Okay.
Okay, what I'll do then is I'll put the
investigation on hold.
Investigation?
Well, I had one of our private
investigators look into a few of your
husband's affairs, financial, otherwise,
no cost to you, of course.
I'll just keep this on file, and you never
change your mind.
Does it obligate me to look at it?
No way.
It may be painful.
Excuse me, I have to go pat on my nose.
What have you got for dessert?
I'll always remember Norman Chaney as a gifted lawyer,
of course, but more importantly, as a good and loyal friend.
Norman Chaney left more than his name on
the letterhead of this firm.
He left a standard of quality and character that
we can only hope to emulate as we mourn his loss.
I miss you, Norman.
Our colleague, Stuart Markowitz,
has asked to say a few words.
And after he has spoken, anyone who wishes to
contribute their own remembrances is most welcome to.
Stuart.
What can I say about Norman Chaney?
Norman Chaney knew everything there was to
know about tax law.
Shelters?
Call Norman.
Foreign tax treaty?
Call Norman.
Ad valorem?
Call Norman.
During the sweeping 1982 revisions, one man
stood as a beacon in the deep fog of tax code confusion.
That man was my friend and mentor, a giant in the minefield
of tax law and its ever-changing fiscal implications.
A man for whom no tax complexity was too
complex, if you will.
I've got a first draft of that memo you asked me for.
The implications of chapter 11 in the
divisions of community assets.
I can give it to you tomorrow,
or we could go over it tonight.
It's up to you.
Norman Cheney was, as we all know, a shy and kind man.
Well, I'm sort of anxious for your opinion.
Nevertheless, in the six years I
knew this man Tonight, then?
I came to feel the kind of affection
I've got to warn you, it's kind of rough.
You may not be able to read my scribbles.
You could give it to me orally if you wish.
I, for one, will miss this man.
I would like to say, in conclusion, that
if I had but one word with which to
characterize Norman Cheney, that word would be.
fiduciary.
Goodbye, Norman.
My good friend.
And my
my fiduciary.
The Caribbean, miles of deserted white
sand beach, are in me alone, completely nude.
Norman Cheney was the best friend I ever had.
I loved him dearly.
I met Norman in a gay bar.
My name is not Georgia Buckner.
It's George.
He took me home.
He was the gentlest man I'd ever met.
Completely alone.
I poured out my heart to him.
Nude.
I told him I wasn't gay, but transsexual.
A woman trapped in man's body.
Norman encouraged me to face myself.
He supported me morally and financially
through several years of deep analysis.
Finally, he even offered to pay for my surgery.
And when the hospital said that I had to
live and work as a woman for 18 months
before they performed the operation,
he got me a job, most of you probably
couldn't guess that Norman was gay,
most of you didn't know him at all,
he was a deeply complicated man,
never really comfortable with his sexual
orientation, I think that his support of me in my struggle
was his way of reckoning with his own ambivalence,
I'll miss you Norman, your wisdom,
your guidance, your love and support,
you gave me the courage to to heal myself.
I'll miss you and love you always.
And I want to thank you all for
participating in Norman Chaney's memorial
service it was to say the least an unusual
service but Norman was an unusual man with
a wry sense of humor concerning the human
condition I think it would have tickled
him sorry we're late that's all right how
long do we have Mr. Kuzak has a courtroom
appearance at 11 in the and you're
lunching with a potential associate uh if
I may ask who is it he's with the pd's
office Victor sifuentes at chicano I
believe so okay kuzak's getting his body I
want Cheney's office ah not until we make
a decision about hiring a tax specialist
if we bring in some big rainmaker at a
senior partner level he'll demand the
office in his perk package don't take me
for granted Douglas who makes more rent
here than I do I for one sure clients come
in thinking they're getting the original
genuine Brackman not some cheap second
generation knockoff how dare you gentlemen
settle your differences outside of this
room and on your own time all right but my
list is not as current as it should be due
to my secretary's sudden departure from
the firm where's my What happened to her?
I fired him.
How come?
Because I do not want that freak of nature
sitting outside my office representing me.
Homophobic, Douglas?
Knock it off, Arnold.
I mean it.
Now, let's start with the Lewis tax audit.
Stuart?
Yes, I'm fully prepared.
Good.
Douglas, will you continue down your list, please?
New business.
I'm pleased to say I've brought in Nathan
Electronics on retainer and RT&O.
Industries on a corporate acquisition and antitrust matter.
Old business.
The divestiture, I assume, is status quo.
Now, Petramco.
Ms. Kelsey, I'm still waiting for those
interrogatories on Petramco.
They've been on your desk since yesterday evening.
And how is your little pro bono case?
Is the crusading lady lawyer going to get
the big, bad insurance company to pay the $750 or not?
They're going to pay, all right, but
it'll be a hell of a lot more than $750.
She's got a brain tumor.
Can you prove a causal connection with the
insurance company's bad faith?
I believe so.
Is there a possibility that she could die?
Just in case, why don't you and Markowitz
start working on the actuarials?
Cover all the contingencies.
Even if she doesn't die, we could still be
looking at a six-figure fee.
In deference to the fact that you are a
partner in this firm, I'm going to leave
before I say something that I might regret later.
Excuse me.
Ann.
He's a pig.
We were talking about a woman who could
die, and all we can see are dollar signs.
So if you're gonna ask me to Apologize, forget it.
Annie, without legal representation,
all the same terrible things would have
happened to her, excepting the very real possibility that
she might never have received medical treatment at all.
I understand that.
And while, yes, it's possible our firm may
profit from her problems, so will her children.
And perhaps just as important, the insurance
company will think twice before they do it to anyone else.
I am not against earning a buck, Leland, as
long as we don't sell off our humanity in the process.
I Grant you, in the hands of a
Brackman, the law may not be pretty,
but in the hands of Ann Kelsey,
it can be uplifting and life-affirming,
and we can all be proud of that.
You're handling me.
True.
But I'll also handle Douglas.
That's your case.
You run with it as you see fit.
Thank you.
Let the record reflect that the alleged
victim in this matter Adrian Moore has
formally apologized to the court and
accordingly the contempt is discharged.
Mr. Cavanaugh, you may pick up your
cross-examination from where you left off.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Now, Miss Moore, drawing your attention
once again to the evening in question,
as you came out of the convenience store
carrying your purchases, did you take your
package and put it in the car first or did you
take it with you as you approached my client?
Objection, Your Honor, to that sleazy trick question.
I object to your inference.
Sit down, both of you.
Miss Moore, what did you do immediately
after leaving the convenience store?
I'm sorry, I don't remember.
Did you go to your car?
Did you go to the defendant's car?
Did they come to you?
What happened?
I don't remember.
I just don't remember.
Two days ago in this courtroom, I don't
recall you having any such memory problems.
Your Honor.
Your Honor, due to my situation, I'm on extensive medication,
vincristine, prednisone, codeine, dalmaine, clonidine.
With the court's permission, would you
explain to us what some of these drugs are?
Vincristine and prednisone are chemotherapy drugs.
Codeine is for pain, and dalmaine is a tranquilizer.
Well, forgive my ignorance, but might some
of these drugs cause drowsiness,
impaired memory, perhaps occasional confusion?
Yes, they would.
And they do.
Well, then is it possible that some of your prior testimony
might render unreliable under these circumstances?
Yes.
I'm just not as clear on the events of
that evening as I thought I was.
If this sudden loss of memory is your way
of refusing to supply testimony,
I must warn you, Ms. Moore, you are once
again in contempt of this court.
I'm sorry.
Your Honor, move for a continuance.
I want to confer with the witness.
It won't help.
Approach, Spence, Your Honor.
Approach.
Motions?
Motion for dismissal, Your Honor, due to
the unreliability of the complaining witness.
Objection, Your Honor.
She's clearly feigning memory loss to avoid testifying.
There's that possibility, Mr. Gould,
but whichever the case, you're not going
to be able to make this case stick with an
uncooperative witness.
I see no choice but to dismiss.
If the D.A.
can talk to the witness and urge her cooperation, the people
are then, of course, free to refile charges at that time.
Thank you, Your Honor.
There is no cause for smiling, Counselor.
Step back.
Defendants will not be held to answer due
to insufficiency of evidence.
Case dismissed.
This court is adjourned until 9 A.M.
tomorrow morning.
What's happening?
It's over.
There's no case.
Go home.
What about her threats?
She said she'd blow us away.
You deserve to die.
Did you hear that?
That's a threat.
What's going on here?
She ought to be arrested for that.
I'll have the turbo, sauce on the side, nothing to start.
Monsieur?
Cold chicken plate, nothing to start.
Monsieur?
How much is the warm lobster?
$16.
And the pasta?
$11.
Okay.
That's $27.
That's okay?
You seem concerned.
I'm concerned about the cost of lunch, Mr. Sifuentes.
Well, Doug, the way I figure it,
with the wine and all, this lunch has got
to go $250, $300, which ain't a lot
compared to what you probably paid for
your suit, until you figure that that suit's
going to last you a couple of years, maybe more.
But by tomorrow, the lunch is sewage.
You get my point, Doug?
I'm afraid it escapes me.
I think Victor's curious about the value
that we'd place on his services,
relative to food and clothing.
Assuming he's invited to join us.
Right.
Assuming that.
Tell us your background, Victor.
Well, I'm a local boy.
East L.A.
High school.
A couple of years in the Army.
Cal State Northridge.
Glendale College of Law in Glendale.
And four years with the P.D.'s office.
And why the law?
Lots of reasons.
Make a living.
Give something back, you know.
Do a little good for the people.
Oh, that's what you were doing the other day in court with
all that mambo about being denied access to your client?
Hey, man, you do what you gotta do.
The bottom line is the dude's not gonna do time.
He's going into a program.
The dude is a hype, and 20
bucks says he's gonna wind up dead
in an alley somewhere with a
needle sticking out of his arm.
You don't know that.
If you could do any kind of law, what kind would it be?
Pro bono stuff.
Class actions, immigration stuff,
Indian affairs, like that.
If you come with us, assuming that Mike wants you,
we'll do everything we can to accommodate your needs.
Now, you've been in the PD's office for a long time now.
Maybe you want to stretch a little.
You mean like you did with the Ferguson kid?
Cheap shot.
Oh, yeah?
Well, the fact is, you don't want me to do
no pro bono, and you sure ain't looking
for a little third world color to brighten
up your office decor.
What I do think is that you're tired of
picking up the snails yourself,
so you're bringing in the Mexican gardener
to do it for you.
Well, I think you've made your position quite clear.
Yeah.
I guess I have.
Gentlemen.
Nice.
Very nice offices you ladies have here.
Very nice indeed.
Thank you, Mr. Messman.
Nice.
Nice touch, this.
Very, very feminine.
I don't mean to be rude, but you said on
the phone that you had an offer to propose?
Yes, I've discussed the matter with my superiors.
Now, of course, without admitting or
implying any liability on our part,
but merely in recognition of the potential
litigiousness of this matter, we feel a
settlement might be appropriate at this time.
I frankly think any settlement
would be premature until after Mrs.
Robinson undergoes surgery
tomorrow, but I'm willing to listen.
Uh, let me add that this offer in no way admits
or infers any causal connection between Mrs.
Robinson's failing to seek treatment
nine months ago and her condition today.
Your reservations are duly noted, Mr. Messman.
Now, what was the number you had in mind?
$25,000.
Plus reasonable hospital, medical,
and surgical bills, of course.
We might be willing to go to $50,000 if she dies.
Well?
My law clerk has made a notation of your offer in the file.
Thank you, and good day.
Wait a minute.
What kind of number did you have in mind?
One with at least two more zeros at the end.
This is a black woman, a domestic.
She's a caterer, and I don't know what her
color has to do with it.
I'm offering her more money than she
probably earns in an entire year.
Before you turn your nose up at it,
I'd advise you to think twice.
Once was more than sufficient.
Good day.
You think you're pretty smart with your fancy law degree.
Well, we'll see just how smart you are
when you have to take this to a jury.
Trust me, juries don't like bulldozing,
shot-busting, butch lady lawyers any better than I do.
Thank you for sharing that insight with me, Mr. Mestman.
Once again, I must decline your offer,
but I do appreciate your coming in.
Have a nice day.
Less than honest, if I didn't tell you for
the record, how deeply disappointed my
client is that after hammering out this
settlement in good faith, we find
ourselves in such a clearly adversarial situation.
Oh, it was hammered out, all right.
We're just not so sure about the good faith part.
We offered alimony for six years at $1,500 per month.
And child support in a like amount.
Further, after the sale of their jointly
owned home, one half of the net proceeds,
plus all the furniture, silver and art.
I've read the menu, sir.
Please don't kid a kidder.
This woman, the mother of Mr. Graham's two
young children, has been deceived.
This woman did you no harm, sir.
She was true to her vows.
As was Mr. Graham.
Oh, please.
You might want to browse these.
How did you get these?
You miserable, you lying scum.
You said there was no one else.
Counselor, now who's kidding whom?
This is California.
The fact that Mr. Graham has a lady friend
is of no relevance whatsoever.
This is what it's all about, isn't it?
The fact that I have a loving and close relationship.
Close?
You ought to be sued for practicing
medicine without a license.
And you won't be happy until you've made me pay.
I'm the one being made to pay here,
you low-life degenerate!
Lydia, Lydia, hold on.
Lydia, Lydia, Lydia, calm, calm down.
Come on, come on, come on, come on, sweetheart.
You punishing bitch!
You can't stand that I could be happy with
another woman, can you?
Forgetting momentarily this invasion of
privacy issue, what is the point of this
ugliness other than to unnecessarily
inflame an already overheated situation?
Mr. Graham has lied to his wife.
We have reason to believe he's lied about
other matters of a financial nature as well.
You're spraying.
We're prepared to subpoena your records if we have to.
Go ahead.
But while we Bury each other in paperwork,
how's she gonna support herself?
Get a job?
She couldn't get paid for the only thing
she's qualified to do.
She's not good enough.
You!
You!
Shh.
Mr. Graham, we have reason to believe that
you are daily in violation of the criminal code.
You deal in stolen auto parts,
you regularly engage in insurance fraud,
that you do not declare cash transactions.
You'd better be prepared to defend
yourself in a slander suit, sir.
As I recall, truth is a complete defense.
I have here a signed and notarized
affidavit from one of our private
investigators, Ms. Angela Cipriano,
stating that on such and such a day,
blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, she'd move on to your
premises to discuss repairs of her badly damaged automobile.
At which time, after carefully inspecting
said damages, Mr. Barry Graham personally
proposed an exchange for a cash
payment that he would Let's see that.
If you can prove any of this, why don't
you go to the police?
Hold it just a minute.
What are we talking about here?
Talking about grief, Mr. Graham.
Yours, your wife's, your children's.
We're talking about fairness.
Mainly, Mr. Graham, we're talking about money.
How much money?
Chew on those numbers, you impotent piece of snot.
Brock, I want to type this up.
Let's messenger it up to Glazer for his
and Mr. Graham's signature, okay?
Right away.
Can I get you anything, Mrs. Graham?
Glass of wine?
Coffee?
A new tissue?
I'm fine, thank you.
Well, I guess we socked it to him pretty good, huh?
I think what you did was despicable.
I'll never be able to look at him again
with any kind of respect or affection.
Lydia, you came in here looking for
somebody to do your dirty laundry.
What'd you expect?
Well, it stinks.
Well, dirty laundry usually does.
It's messy, and it's nasty, and it churns
up a whole lot of goo, but it's a hell of
a lot more civilized and a hell of a lot more
lucrative than putting a bullet between his ears.
It's all so easy for you.
Just sock it to him and get the money.
Well, I lost my life.
My children lost a family.
And there's no amount of money that would
compensate for that.
You gonna give it back?
Lydia, maybe you hate me today.
That's understandable.
But two weeks from now, you're gonna be
recommending me to a friend.
Two months from now, you'll be inviting me over for dinner.
I think I'd rather face four hours of root canal.
What are you supposed to wear to this party?
I have a very simple little blue silk.
Fine.
Suit and tie for Jim.
Yeah.
Just think of it as a funeral.
You can't go wrong.
See you tonight.
Yeah.
I need money.
Go talk to your father.
You talk to him.
He canceled my credit cards, my bank account.
Fat slob.
Who the hell does he think he is?
I can't help you.
I'm sorry.
I need money.
I gotta get out of L.A.
You leave.
They're gonna violate your probation.
Well, then you fix it with my probation, officer.
Take your hands off me.
All right, look.
I'm a little strung out, okay?
I'm a lot strung out.
But you better fix this thing for me,
or someone's gonna get hurt.
That's not too smart.
Not smart?
You deserve to die.
You heard it.
You deserve to die.
That crazy broad's looking to kill me, man.
And the gun also violates your probation.
Oh, it beats being dead.
How much money you got?
Not the kind you need.
Give me what you got.
I'll pay you back.
All right.
Why don't you give me the gun?
How about you fix things with my probation officer, huh?
Hey, Lester.
Hey, Lester.
Excuse me.
Go away.
I'm breaking a loan.
Quit padding.
It's not your most attractive trait.
You're real proud of yourself tonight, huh?
Come on, I did my job, you did yours.
That's the way the system works.
The system's down.
We got citizens behind locked doors,
wise guys on the streets.
Hell, what went on in that courtroom was a joke.
Those animals did it, and they walked.
I wish he'd blow them away.
Hell, that buyer, the guy, You're a real drag, Lester.
I'm going.
Good.
I don't want to be seen hanging out with you.
By the way, you wouldn't happen to know
offhand if Justin Preggerson's got a carry
permit for a Pearl-handled .38 revolver, would you?
Won't, just curious.
Good night, Lester.
Hey, I didn't think you hired paid types work this late.
Well, I'm expecting a phone call from a
client who's about to be arrested.
Is this a social visit?
No.
I, uh, always pay off my bets.
What's this for?
My hype.
They found him a couple hours ago in an
alley with a needle stuck in his arm.
Plus, I owe you an apology.
I was way out of line at lunch.
Ah, forget it.
Sit down.
Sit down.
You know, uh, where I come from,
guys like you were always the enemy.
I don't know.
Somehow, just even having the lunch was like selling out.
Well, the job's still there if you want it.
Yeah.
I can't see me running around here in no gray suit.
Neither can I.
You guys weren't just blowing smoke about
doing some pro bono, were you?
What?
Lawyers?
Blow smoke?
I'm serious, man.
I'll make a deal with you.
You work for six weeks, full associate status.
You don't like it for any reason, take a bite.
No questions asked.
It would have to be a two-way street.
Six weeks and I ain't cutting it.
You have the right to throw my butt right out the door.
Well, that sounds fair.
Deal?
Oh, mama.
Deal.
Ten to one, the aforementioned client.
Kuzak.
Yeah, I'm listening.
Okay.
A lot of junk charges.
In your serious category, we got
resisting, assaulting a police officer,
and possession of a concealed weapon.
It's a whole setup.
Yeah, well, we'll be sure to point that
out to the district attorney.
Most of these charges are bogus.
They're just used for bargaining purposes.
You're automatically violated on the coke possession.
You'll go away on that one alone.
Hey, either we're rolling the same,
or you just get the hell out of the boat!
All right, hold on, hold on.
What am I looking at here?
Ooh, 68 minimum.
Maybe we offer him a deal.
You don't have anything to offer?
What about Dollar and Garcia?
What about them?
They did the rape.
I testified to it.
We just dropped all the other stuff.
You did the rape, too?
Sure.
Yeah.
There's three of us.
What's their idea?
Are you prepared to do time on that charge?
Depends.
Let's see what kind of deal they're willing to cut.
I'll be back to you on that.
You ready for a week?
Well, as soon as everyone has seen my face, we
can get out of here and maybe go get a little pasta.
This is okay.
Is anyone here in the business?
Yeah.
George Lucas.
Come on.
Francis Ford Coppola.
Shh.
Steven Spielberg.
Get out of here.
April, honey, why don't you go get yourself a
drink and work the party, and I'll catch up to you.
Excuse us.
Excuse me.
What's your problem?
Very classy.
I hope you asked her for a medical certificate.
Lisa, if you want to be an associate at this
firm, you and I can't be sitting on dates together.
Come on, don't pout.
After I dump her off, I'll come by your place.
What time?
As early as I can.
Leave the door open.
Promise to wake you.
You!
You've got great leverage over there with
that Lewis tax audit.
What, to hold him up in a partnership?
You're damn right.
They'll keep you back from the mole till
you're 80 if you let them get away with it.
I don't know, Ann.
You know, I'm not unhappy with things the way they are.
Hi.
Hi.
I'm sorry to interrupt.
No problem.
Um, I just want to talk to Celia Robinson.
I told her I'm pulling for her, and I'll be there
tomorrow when she comes out of surgery.
Right at her bedside.
Isn't that just awe-inspiring?
You know, I'll bet if she spent half as
much time in bed with me as she does with
this damn client, we might even have a marriage.
Stuart Markowitz, Ann, Kelsey, this is my husband, Jim.
Grace, Ipsa, Rokuto, I beg your pardon?
Oh, I thought that's how you lawyer types talk, but I
would know being a mere unemployed house husband.
Jim, stop it.
You're embarrassing me.
That's not embarrassing.
That's embarrassing.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
He's just had a little too much to drink.
Abby, you look
Please.
So, uh
Well, Celia Robinson, that's your bad faith case, isn't it?
Can we please not talk business?
Sorry.
Celia Robinson is 35 years old.
She's going into surgery tomorrow,
and she may not come out of it.
And I'm 35 years old, and maybe I'll live past tomorrow
Let's face it, none of us gets out of here alive.
You think you're being a little morbid, right?
Yes, I am being a little morbid.
You know how many of these damned annuals I've been to?
Five.
This is my sixth.
Exactly.
You and I, we spend our lives every day of
every week of every year doing this crap.
And I keep feeling one day my real life is gonna start.
Only this is it.
And damn it, bottom line, I'm not happy.
Are you happy, Stuart?
I'm not unhappy.
That's not good enough.
When's the last time you made love to a woman?
Ann, come on.
You think it's kind of personal or anything?
Yes, when?
It's not something you'd go to the supermarket
and buy with your TV dinner, you know.
When?
Ann, look at me.
I am what I am.
I'm short.
No, believe me, I'm short.
You can't tell from where you stand, but I'm short.
And I don't do nautilus or anything.
I'm not I'm not sexy.
And I bruise easily.
I don't like being turned down.
Good.
So you're safe.
We're all so safe here.
You heard me.
Are you bombed?
Don't sell yourself short.
I've had a few, but I'm not bombed.
Will you?
Ann, if you think about it, it's not really
Thinking is the last thing I want to do.
Come home with me.
I don't know what to say.
Don't say nothing.
Let the record reflect that a conference
was held in chambers earlier this
afternoon, amongst and between the defendants, their
attorneys, and the representative from the DA's office.
Based on my understanding of the facts in
this matter and the apparent problems of
proof, it is appropriate to reach a pretrial disposition.
Mr. Pregason, do you wish to waive your
constitutional right and enter a plea of
guilty at this time to Penal Code Section 245?
Yeah.
Guilty.
Mr. Dollar?
Guilty.
Mr. Garcia?
Guilty.
Does counsel join in these pleas and waivers?
Yes, sir.
Very well.
Defendant's plea of guilty is accepted with an indicated
sentence of 18 months in the
state prison facility at Vacaville.
Formal sentencing set in department 145,
September 19th, 9 A.M.
This court is adjourned.
I.
Know that as things go, 18 months is not a very long time.
As things go, it's a lot better than nothing.
Look.
Here's my card.
If you ever need a lawyer.
If you need a friend, please don't hesitate to call.
For anything.
Hey, Michael.
Oh, wait a second.
Hold that elevator.
Yes, he arrived this afternoon.
No, I'm sorry, he's gone for the day.
Yes, I'll have him call you.
I'll call you in the morning.
Thank you.
Good night.
Good night.
Good night, Iris.
How'd it go?
All three of them copped a single counts of assault.
How much time did they pull?
Not much.
18 months.
I suspect young Pregerson is going to find out more about
the crime of rape in those 18 months than he bargained for.
I suspect you're right.
Word is you were doing the prosecution's job.
Well, I let the cops know he was a ticking bomb.
They did the rest.
That's a pretty thin line, ethics-wise.
If I stepped over it, which, by the way,
I don't think I did, I'll live with it.
I'm having dinner with Martin Garver.
Care to join?
Nah.
Pass.
I got a mountain of work I got to do.
For what it's worth, I might argue your ethics
in this case, but I admire your conscience.
Ms. Moore?
You said if I needed a friend?
Come on in.
I'm sorry.
I'm so scared.