Once and Again (1999) s02e20 Episode Script
Won't Someone Please Help George Bailey Tonight (2)
Last time on Once and Again,,, - How's your filing system here? - Excuse me? God! They bought the judge.
lt's in the interest of your case if we cooperate.
Something's happening.
lf you know what, you have a responsibility to tell me.
- What is it? - l've been subpoenaed.
lf you're accusing me, l'd like to see your evidence.
The room's small for a high horse, Mr.
Sammler.
This is a grand jury.
We're chasing facts.
Any accusations come later.
Cook County Sheriff's Department.
We have a warrant to search.
l'll have to ask you to stand aside now.
- Chloe Rudnick's mother got arrested.
- Really? For shoplifting.
She didn't have to go to jail, though.
Nobody's going to jail.
- But Grace said that - Grace! Mom, she asked what was happening.
- You told her Rick was going to jail? - No! l have a right to know what's going on.
Of course you do, but no one, including Grace, knows what's going to happen, and Rick has not been indicted.
- What's indicted? - [Rick.]
Good morning.
- Morning.
- Morning, sleepyhead.
- Good morning, Rick.
- Oh, l called the caterer.
They're going to fax over menus this afternoon.
- [Lily.]
You didn't have to do that.
- Excuse me.
Well Sorry.
We've got the rental people, the car parkers, the flowers, and the music.
lt's still not too late to elope.
Yeah.
You, me, and the DA's office.
[Lily.]
Rick, you need to eat.
l will later.
l'm late.
Bye.
- [Grace.]
Bye.
- [Zoe.]
Bye, Rick.
Are you okay? Yeah.
l'm fine.
You sure? Really.
l love you.
l'm counting on that.
l drive a 1 4-year-old car.
l rent my apartment.
l have $23,000 in the bank, out of which l am supposed to somehow send two kids to college.
l pay alimony and child support and half the mortgage on the house my ex-wife lives in.
Mmm.
Oh, God, how can this be legal? You got a call from the DA's office.
Robert Dumanjik wants to see you, today, if possible.
l gave him my case files.
What else could he possibly want? - l wonder.
- Shut up.
- You're booked, l suggested dinner.
- You did not.
l told him 2:00.
You have a window until 3:00.
- [sighs.]
Fine.
- He's cute.
He's unscrupulous.
He used me to incriminate Rick.
- lsn't that his job? - Carolyn l'm going! lf we have to relocate these walkways, we're going to push the electrical back another month.
- What choice do we have? - We could not have moving walkways.
We could walk on ways that aren't moving.
There's a reporter from the Trib on two.
Thanks.
Just a minute.
This is insane.
l have an interview with Larson & Graham.
- Why would they want you? - Can you get me one? No.
Nobody's jumping ship, you guys.
- Some of us have families, Amanda.
- And mortgages.
Which Rick has paid very well till now.
l don't think that l have anything to say that your readers would be interested in.
[Rick.]
No.
Thank you.
No.
Goodbye.
- Your adoring public? - A reporter.
The natives are getting restless.
[Rick.]
We'll get through this.
Atlantor is not going to pull the plug.
They have too much invested, and not just money.
Well, you should say something to them.
They just have to hang in there.
So do you.
Do l look like l'm going anywhere? Karen, hi! Um, thank you so much for coming down.
l just couldn't get away, and - Can l get you a cup of coffee? - Please.
The, uh The cup is clean, l think.
So how are you? Fine.
- How are you? - Great, great.
We actually won two in a row.
- You.
- Our team.
We beat the buzzer last night with a 3-pointer against St.
Tristan.
l thought you knew about basketball.
My son plays.
Really? Where? Uh, actually, he quit.
Oh, l'm sorry.
Look, Bob, do you mind telling me what this is about? Oh, l'm sorry.
l just Actually, l l'm just happy to see you.
So you can trick me into revealing more about my ex-husband? l was trying to do my job, Karen.
So were the marshals who tore up his apartment while my children were there.
The indictments are coming down today.
- And? - Rick's going to walk.
[sighs.]
Oh, thank God.
Thank God.
l But, uh, why exactly are you telling me this? Because l knew this was weighing on you.
l know, but you're not supposed to Well, everybody else leaks around here.
But l'm just not sure what l'm supposed to do with this information.
Be happy? Well, l am, obviously.
Thank you.
Oh, you don't have to thank me.
- l know, but you - Well, l guess, but l'm have to tell Rick.
Am l allowed to tell Rick? No, but who's going to know? Thank you.
Thank you.
l'd better get going.
- Karen.
- Yeah? lt's nice to see you.
We're going to the Crazy Greek.
You want the same tuna sandwich you've eaten all year? Uh, no.
Just get me a tuna sandwich.
After my dad died, we had to sell the house and move into an apartment.
l worked all through college, and spent years afterwards paying off student loans.
l can't think of a time when money hasn't been this constant dread.
Karen, come in.
Sit down, sit down.
What can l get for you? Something else you can use against me? Maybe something from my computer.
Oh, no, wait.
They took my computer.
Maybe the computer at home.
No, wait.
They took that too.
Look, l've just come from the DA's office Where you've apparently spent a lot of time.
You're not going to be indicted.
l'm not? They're going to read the indictments this afternoon.
- And how do you know? - l just know.
[sighs.]
Jeez.
l still hate you for what you did to me.
Well, l'm, uh l'm sorry that you feel that way.
[TV reporter.]
And in our top story, indictments were released today in a grand jury investigation of the Atlantor project, Mom! lt's about Atlantor.
,,,the focus of controversy, This fall, a temporary restraining order halted construction when it was discovered that A Better Place had been in negotiations, Rick.
Rick, they said the indictments were l know, l know, l know.
- What? - l'm not going to be named.
You're not? - No.
- Oh, thank God.
Oh, Rick, l knew it.
l knew everything was going to be okay.
You were right.
That's it? lt's over? Oh, Rick, we have to celebrate.
How come we never have any champagne in this house? - We'll have to wait for the wedding.
- The wedding! Oh, my God, we're getting married.
What a great idea that is.
[Grace.]
Mom, you should come in here.
ln a minute, sweetie.
They're talking about Miles Drentell.
[TV reporter.]
,,,among those indicted was Miles Drentell, former head of the prestigious advertising agency DAA, has for years been a shaper of media culture, Accused of several counts of conspiracy, and the bribing of a county judge, Drentell now faces up to 1 5 years in prison, and thousands of dollars in fines, Sources say the advertising kingpin is seriously ill, and may not be well enough to stand trial, A spokesman for Atlantor had this comment, The Atlantor Corporation is deeply troubled by these allegations, and is conducting its own internal investigation, As of this moment, construction on the project is suspended indefinitely,,, They're going to bail.
- What do you mean? - Atlantor.
l don't believe it.
You don't know that.
They didn't make their last payments.
l heard the rumors, but we thought So what? Rick, it's over.
You're free.
God, aren't you relieved? Well, l've been working on this project for a year and a half.
Everything l have is invested in it.
l ruined my partnership.
l let David take every other client we had.
l've been so worried about going to jail, l never stopped to think what might happen if l didn't.
Rick, we'll make it through it.
l need to, um Where are you going? l need to lie down for a minute.
l just got off the phone with the CEO of Atlantor, and l suspect that everyone already knows what l'm going to say.
Work, at least for the time being on this project, is suspended.
l want you to know how much l appreciate not only how hard you've worked but just how fine that work was.
Some people might think that because you design something and it never gets built that it was a waste of time, because it never existed.
But this was our creation.
You know, we built this thing over and over in our minds, and l don't think anybody can take that away from us.
l know l'll think about it for as long as l live, and l hope you will too.
Thank you.
Thank you all.
- [telephone rings.]
- [woman.]
Sammler and Associates.
Please hold.
- Rick, Mason Gould is on three.
- The conscience of Chicago.
''Don't let bad guys give you the runaround.
'' - You're a star.
- Yeah, just be careful.
Mason Gould.
How are you? l'm fine, thank you.
Good, because I would understand if you weren't, ls there some way l can help you? Well, that's what l was calling about.
l was thinking more about whether l could help you.
Mark that.
Help me with what? A lot of people were against this project, but l have a feeling there was a compelling argument on the other side, and l think someone should make it.
Well, it's a little late for that, don't you think? lt's the opportunity to clear your name.
Maybe you just need to speak your mind.
On television? Right here on Channel 8.
We tape today, and then we air it right after the news.
l'd have to think about it.
Just as long as you make up your mind by 3:00.
l'll call you back.
Thanks.
Karen? Bob, what l knew you were going to be in here, l swear to God.
Can l cut in line? Uh, yeah, sure.
l have this meeting on the third floor.
l said, this is Karen's building.
She's gonna be in the coffee shop, and she'll think you're stalking her.
But the third floor is Oh, l heard that they stopped work on Atlantor.
Yeah, yeah.
l heard that too.
How can l help you? l'll have a, uh, grande nonfat cap with an extra shot.
Yes, ma'am.
You, sir? Do you serve coffee? Absolutely.
$5.
63.
For coffee? No.
No, please.
Let here, let me Let me get this.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
So you won.
Congratulations.
l mean, that's a big deal.
Chalk one up for the good guys.
- Yeah, yeah, l guess.
- You guess? You'll win the Sinclair Award next year.
- Oh, stop it.
- Are you going tomorrow night? To the dinner? Oh, l might have to be with my kids.
Oh, well, l'll be there.
l have to introduce the keynote speaker, which means l have to keep the speaker from drinking before his speech.
The part of the evening l most fear.
Oh, you're familiar with the joys of the annual Upton Sinclair Awards? Yes, my firm usually doesn't allow me to miss it.
Well, mark my words, you're going to win it next year.
Grande nonfat cap! Yeah, over here.
You didn't put anything strange in this, did you? No, sir.
[Man.]
Twenty seconds until tape.
Bob, can l get you on the floor, please? Frank, wide two-shot.
Hey, Rick, how are you? - Thanks for coming down here.
- Oh, thank you.
We're going to hold in a wide two, yes? Hey, what a kick in the pants, huh? How many thousands of jobs went out with this bath water? [man.]
Stand by, please.
Here we go.
ln three, two l'm Mason Gould, and this is The Conscience of Chicago, Thank you for joining us.
Atlantor, a name that will live in Chicago infamy after the events of the past few days.
A project that was to transform the skyline of the city lies in virtual ruins thanks to the alleged misdeeds of some executives.
l'm here with Richard Sammler, architect of the project and one of its chief apologists.
He testified alongside those executives in front of a secret grand jury.
- Rick, hi.
- Hi.
So, what was it like, being asked to step in front of that grand jury? Well, uh, it wasn't much fun.
l'm sure it wasn't.
You must have been afraid of what they might ask.
Well, no.
No, the situation itself tends to make you nervous.
- Why? You didn't have anything to hide.
- No, absolutely not.
Uh, it's just that Well, it's like, you know, if a policeman stops you, and even if you haven't done anything wrong, you know, it kind of gets your blood going.
And if you have been doing 85 in the 40-mile-an-hour zone, - then that's really scary.
- That's not exactly Chicagoans understand construction.
You're not really trying to tell us you didn't know about the bribes and kickbacks they've been indicted for? No, l did not know of any bribes You didn't think with $400 million at stake, that this corporation wouldn't take any steps necessary to get the job done? How can you possibly Or did you think that all of the speeded-up permits and the favorable legal decisions were all just good luck? What is he doing? lt's okay.
lt's going great.
[Mason.]
Your job was to build the Which is making sure the building is built to my specifications.
ls it true that you were called before the grand jury to answer questions about bribery and political influence peddling? See, what l wonder is how you guys can sleep at night.
With the whole city begging you not to tear apart neighborhoods, you couldn't have cared less.
This, my friends, is what the legal system is for, to protect the common good against the few.
- l don't have to listen to this.
- l don't imagine you do.
Tell your audience the pretenses you used to get me down here? That's all right, my friend.
You can run, but you can't hide from The Conscience of Chicago, Stay right where you are.
Hey, thank you so much for coming.
Mason thought it went really well.
What? The audience loves it when people give as good as they get.
The numbers are going to spike tonight.
We're already working on the promos.
- Nobody watches this show, do they? - Nobody l know.
The third floor has dentists, a chiropractor, a telephone office.
Who could he have been meeting on the third floor? l think we've definitely established his motive was to run into you.
What about the dinner? l always go.
Now it's gonna look like l went because he's going.
Did you tell him you were going? l said l had my kids.
- Why? - l don't know.
l was afraid he was going to ask me.
To the dinner that you were planning to go to, but now you're afraid to go to because he was going to ask you? l know! lt's pathetic.
Well, l think it's actually kind of sexy.
No, you don't understand.
Even if l liked him, and l don't know if l do, - or if he does - Which he obviously does.
We're not allowed.
lt's inappropriate.
The Bar Association has rules against this.
About dating? l knew there was some reason l didn't go to law school.
About conflict of interest.
l still have a civil case against Atlantor.
l can't be involved with someone who's investigating them, and he can't not have indicted my ex-husband because he liked me.
lt's so peaceful here.
Yeah, kind of a monastic feel.
- [bells jingle.]
- [door opens, closes.]
Uh, be right there! - Oh.
- Oh yourself.
Uh, Lily.
Hi.
- [Lily.]
l'm so angry.
- At me? No, at the media.
At corporations.
- At lawyers.
- Uh lawyers? You know, Rick agrees to go and do this TV show, and this man this horrible man starts attacking him like he's a criminal.
Do you, by any chance, feel like taking a walk? No, no.
l feel like finding a really big rock and hitting somebody with it.
Now the kids have to hear about this.
Who knows what his ex-wife is saying to them about this? [Judy.]
You sure? For a second, if you want to just - Lily.
- Hi.
Karen.
- l was just - She was just Don't be silly.
You were just So, Rick was on television? Actually, it's on tonight.
Someone named Mason Gould.
Don't worry.
No one watches those shows.
l hope not.
l guess l'd better get going.
Lily, nice seeing you.
And you'll call me when it comes in? Yes, of course.
Right.
We never talk about you, l swear to God.
Atlantor, A name that will live in Chicago infamy after the events of the past few days, A project that was to transform the skyline lies in ruins after the alleged misdeeds,,, - l'm gonna kill that guy.
- That nose.
How could you wake up with a nose like that? ,,,one of its chief apologists, He testified alongside those executives before a secret grand jury, Do you think Dad's upset? He's not going to watch it.
No, l mean about everything.
[Eli.]
He didn't do anything.
He got off, remember? Still With $400 million at stake, this corporation wouldn't take any steps to get the job done? How can you possibly sit there and,,, [telephone rings.]
Hello.
- Are you watching? - No.
l hear it in the background.
Somebody else must have left it on.
Why are you working so late? That's a good question.
[Lily.]
Come home, l can't.
l have to finish.
We're not even married, and l'm already hounding you to come home.
l mean, you probably shouldn't wait up for me.
Oh, l might be up anyway.
l'll probably go home so l don't wake anybody when l come in.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
- Bye.
- Bye.
My father died of a heart attack.
He died so suddenly, and he was so young, that his affairs were a mess.
Basically, he left us nothing.
He was 44 years old.
l'm 43.
Oh, everything smells so green.
l love spring.
- What do you think of daffodils? - Huh? For the tables, the centerpieces.
Uh, beautiful.
Maybe something really simple like daisies.
- What do you think? - About what? - lf the Fed will raise interest rates.
- Ha ha.
My father used to tune my mother out like that.
l'm sorry.
lt's just those women are staring at me.
- What women? - Over there behind the orchids.
Don't.
Do you have time to grab some lunch? - Uh, no.
l have to get back.
- To do what? - What is that supposed to mean? - Well l thought things had slowed down now that the project is You have any idea how many loose ends l'm dealing with? How much paperwork, contractors wanting to be paid, - vendors threatening to sue me.
- Rick, l'm sorry.
No, l l'm sorry.
lt's just lt's okay.
Am l going to get to see you tonight? Oh, l'm having dinner with Arnold so he can tell me l have no money.
Then l guess l won't.
Call you later? Right-o.
Come here.
Okay - [sarcastically.]
This is so exciting.
- You can leave any time.
- l don't see him.
- Shut up.
l'll go sign us in.
The bar's over there.
Excuse me.
Karen.
You made it.
Well, my firm insisted.
Oh, thank you.
Whoa, you're starting strong.
Actually, l'm here with someone.
Oh.
- My assistant.
- Oh! She's here somewhere.
All these lawyers.
Terrifying, isn't it? Yeah, l'll say.
Listen, Karen, l know this isn't the time Oh, Carolyn! Over here.
l'm sorry, you were saying? l, uh Carolyn? [Carolyn.]
Excuse me.
l better go practice my introduction.
lt'll take all my creativity to find something good to say about this guy, but Well, maybe we can talk later.
- Well - l'll find you.
ls there no way to separate overhead from personal expenses? You still have to pay for it.
l can cut back on my personal expenses.
- You already live like a pauper.
- l do not.
How old is that jacket? That jacket is from the '70s.
lt is not from the '70s.
- Hey, Rick.
- Amanda.
- Hey.
- Hi.
A couple of us are drowning our sorrows over at the bar.
Come join us after dinner? Well, sure.
Yeah.
[Robert.]
l've known our distinguished honoree for 20 years now, believe me, that's not a great thing.
[audience laughs.]
The more you get to know Roger Lowenstein, the more you want to hate him because he's got everything going for him.
He's nice, he's good-looking, and he has a better jump-shot than l do.
The problem with Roger is he's the kind of guy who does the right thing.
He goes into a situation, and he might be tempted, like the rest of us, to do what he wants to do, as opposed to what he should do.
And the problem is, he always makes the right decision, leaving the rest of us to trip over our feet of clay.
Simply doing the right thing can sometimes be a heroic accomplishment.
And, uh, l wish that l had that kind of courage.
[speaker.]
two ways to look at the phrase ''pro bono.
'' One is to consider it something you give to a junior associate who's already working a 1 4-hour day while you're still out on the back nine What? What is Nothing.
lt's just a relic from my smoking days.
l can't seem to get through these things without needing to sneak out for a while.
- You ever smoke? - Years ago, for five minutes.
- Of course.
- What? Nothing.
You're just evolved.
ls that what l am? l l should get back.
- lf l don't, they'll be wondering - l know.
Just a minute.
Robert, listen, it's not a good idea.
l mean, we're not children.
We're responsible - Adults.
- Exactly.
- l have to go back.
- Karen.
l, uh l've l have to go back.
All right, l'm outta here.
Me too.
Me too.
Thank you, guys.
Thank you.
Good night.
[both sigh.]
- l saw you on TV.
- Shut up.
No, you looked cute.
- Thanks.
- You're welcome.
Mm.
l got an offer from Morey-Van Pelt.
You did? That's great.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
So, Rick So, Amanda You're still getting married, right? Right.
Soon? Right.
So, what are you still doing here with me? [waitress.]
Last call.
- l'll have another.
- Long as you're not driving.
No, my kid has the car.
l'll take a taxi.
Which way you headed? Home.
- Lily.
- l've been calling you since 1 0:00.
[slurring.]
l'm sorry.
My battery's been dying Whoa.
Yeah.
l bumped into some folks from work.
We had a drink.
- Or six.
- Or ten.
That's one way to deal with things.
Well, l think l have a right to choose how l want to deal with things.
Like avoiding me? l'm sorry? We haven't really talked about this in days.
l want to help.
We're in this together.
l think we should at least talk about it.
Well, Lil, you know what? You can't help, you know? So l just wish you would stop trying to help because l know you mean well.
Oh, please.
lt's really late.
l don't even know what l'm doing here.
Did it ever occur to you that l might need to be alone? Well, that's what l've been doing! Okay? l'm leaving! You want me to run out, or is this fast enough? Just do whatever you want.
lt's not what l want.
l want to face this together, like people who supposedly love each other do.
l can't do that right now! Well, that's painfully obvious.
Don't start that crap! This is what you always do! Why does everything have to be talked to death? What do you mean? We're not even talking! What do you want from me? Rick, l want to love you.
That's what l want.
And l'm sorry that's so particularly painful.
[Jessie.]
Dad? Sorry, sweetie.
Be up in a minute.
Hi, Jess.
l was just leaving.
- Hey there.
- [Jessie.]
Eli's going to drive me.
Well, l'm up.
l have to go to court anyway.
- For what? - They want to interview me as a possible witness against Miles.
- Bye.
- Sweetie Rough night, huh? Later.
Hello? l called the office, they said you were sick.
You need anything? Thanks.
l'm okay.
Well, you don't look so okay.
Thanks a lot.
Lil what is it? l can't talk to you about it, Judy.
You talk to me about everything, even when l wish you wouldn't.
Rick.
Which is why you can't talk to me about it.
You'll just say ''l told you so.
'' Rick talks.
Not really.
Not enough.
l told you so.
Men would rather have their tongues cut out than talk about feelings.
He talks about his feelings.
He just he He doesn't let anyone inside his feelings.
Meaning you? Think about all that's happened to him.
lt's like in a day, his whole life has imploded.
l know that.
ls it possible that this is also a good thing? - How can you say that? - lf you guys can get through this, you might even be able to survive marriage.
You sound like you're saying l should just hang in there with him.
Hmm.
l guess l am.
Lowfat, extra shot was it extra shot, half cap, blah-da-blue, blah-da-blue? Thank you.
lf you didn't want anyone to see us we could have met in a parking garage.
You joke, but you take your job just as seriously as l do.
- You're right.
- You would never compromise a case you had spent hundreds of hours on, whose clients had put their trust in you never to do anything that would adversely affect the outcome.
You're right.
Which is what l'm doing by being in anything other than a professional relationship with you.
l'm right, aren't l? Yes.
So if we can just know that, you know, if the situation were different, then maybe, l mean possibly, maybe there might be something that would come out of this, but there probably wouldn't, but May l say something? Yes.
You are the most beautiful, smartest, most intense, sexiest woman l've ever encountered in my entire life.
Oh.
l was at my friend Bert Herman's house playing Home Run Derby the day my father died.
l remember Bert's mom coming into the backyard with this weird look on her face and telling me that she was going to drive me home.
On the way home, l kept thinking, he's going to be okay.
He's going to be okay.
By the time l got home, the paramedics had come and gone, and he was just lying there.
lt didn't even look like him anymore.
l wondered if you'd come.
l wanted to touch him, but l guess l was too scared.
l was never much for hugging anyway.
l need to speak to you alone.
How quaint, the belief that privacy can preserve one's dignity.
Drake, l imagine l'll survive for another five minutes.
Thank you.
Ah, Rick Sammler.
How l've enjoyed our association.
- You lied to me.
- Ah.
- The whole time, about everything.
- Sweeping generalizations.
You ruined my reputation.
You ruined my business l urged greatness upon you.
While you were sabotaging the project right under my nose.
You never even thought of the consequences, did you? You destroyed me, Miles.
And you wish for restitution? l want you to go to jail.
Not likely now, l'm afraid.
l want to l want to smash your face in.
l doubt that would hasten my demise by much.
l could do it.
l know.
And you don't You don't care.
Oh, Rick.
That would give you some satisfaction, wouldn't it? For a moment.
But then you'd still be left with yourself, wouldn't you? Were you blind? Were you greedy? Was your ambition greater than your good sense? Were you still a boy sent to do a man's work? You, of course, will have years to answer those questions.
As for me, l am tired now, and l choose not to spend another moment in contemplation of the past.
l have no business now to speak of, and l have no reputation.
l'm not respected by your children, and l'm not respected by mine, l have a feeling.
And l have been shown to be publicly to be either a fool or a criminal, whichever comes first, and in this case, l think l think fool comes first.
And l don't know l don't know if l can marry you because l don't know what l have that would be of any value any value to you.
l never believed that l could have a free ride.
l never believed that l could have a free ride, or should have one, or whatever, and so l don't know why you would want to marry someone like me, who is just basically ready to run away, to just run away before l screw anything else up.
Rick, stop it.
l screw things up.
My marriage, my family, my children Stop it, stop it.
Listen to me.
You should just go away.
l'm telling you Listen to me.
Look at me.
l am not going to go away.
l'm not going to do that.
l don't care about your business.
l don't care about your reputation.
l don't care about that, it doesn't matter.
Do you understand that? l want to go home and sleep in my own bed.
No, you sit down, because l'm not finished.
Rick, l love you.
Can you see that? l love you.
l love what's weak about you and what's strong about you.
lt's all the same to me because it's you.
Nothing you ever do or say will change that.
Can you Can you believe that? Can you let me love you like that? Oh, God.
Let me love you like that.
[Rick sobbing.]
Oh, Lily.
Oh, Lily.
Did you sign your divorce papers today? - My stepmother might send me away.
- What are you gonna do? Think Carla could stay over? [Lily.]
She took pills from my medicine cabinet.
- l'm leaving town.
- l'll go with you.
l'm meeting her at the station.
Don't say anything.
- Where did they go? - He honestly didn't tell me, okay? No, Rick
lt's in the interest of your case if we cooperate.
Something's happening.
lf you know what, you have a responsibility to tell me.
- What is it? - l've been subpoenaed.
lf you're accusing me, l'd like to see your evidence.
The room's small for a high horse, Mr.
Sammler.
This is a grand jury.
We're chasing facts.
Any accusations come later.
Cook County Sheriff's Department.
We have a warrant to search.
l'll have to ask you to stand aside now.
- Chloe Rudnick's mother got arrested.
- Really? For shoplifting.
She didn't have to go to jail, though.
Nobody's going to jail.
- But Grace said that - Grace! Mom, she asked what was happening.
- You told her Rick was going to jail? - No! l have a right to know what's going on.
Of course you do, but no one, including Grace, knows what's going to happen, and Rick has not been indicted.
- What's indicted? - [Rick.]
Good morning.
- Morning.
- Morning, sleepyhead.
- Good morning, Rick.
- Oh, l called the caterer.
They're going to fax over menus this afternoon.
- [Lily.]
You didn't have to do that.
- Excuse me.
Well Sorry.
We've got the rental people, the car parkers, the flowers, and the music.
lt's still not too late to elope.
Yeah.
You, me, and the DA's office.
[Lily.]
Rick, you need to eat.
l will later.
l'm late.
Bye.
- [Grace.]
Bye.
- [Zoe.]
Bye, Rick.
Are you okay? Yeah.
l'm fine.
You sure? Really.
l love you.
l'm counting on that.
l drive a 1 4-year-old car.
l rent my apartment.
l have $23,000 in the bank, out of which l am supposed to somehow send two kids to college.
l pay alimony and child support and half the mortgage on the house my ex-wife lives in.
Mmm.
Oh, God, how can this be legal? You got a call from the DA's office.
Robert Dumanjik wants to see you, today, if possible.
l gave him my case files.
What else could he possibly want? - l wonder.
- Shut up.
- You're booked, l suggested dinner.
- You did not.
l told him 2:00.
You have a window until 3:00.
- [sighs.]
Fine.
- He's cute.
He's unscrupulous.
He used me to incriminate Rick.
- lsn't that his job? - Carolyn l'm going! lf we have to relocate these walkways, we're going to push the electrical back another month.
- What choice do we have? - We could not have moving walkways.
We could walk on ways that aren't moving.
There's a reporter from the Trib on two.
Thanks.
Just a minute.
This is insane.
l have an interview with Larson & Graham.
- Why would they want you? - Can you get me one? No.
Nobody's jumping ship, you guys.
- Some of us have families, Amanda.
- And mortgages.
Which Rick has paid very well till now.
l don't think that l have anything to say that your readers would be interested in.
[Rick.]
No.
Thank you.
No.
Goodbye.
- Your adoring public? - A reporter.
The natives are getting restless.
[Rick.]
We'll get through this.
Atlantor is not going to pull the plug.
They have too much invested, and not just money.
Well, you should say something to them.
They just have to hang in there.
So do you.
Do l look like l'm going anywhere? Karen, hi! Um, thank you so much for coming down.
l just couldn't get away, and - Can l get you a cup of coffee? - Please.
The, uh The cup is clean, l think.
So how are you? Fine.
- How are you? - Great, great.
We actually won two in a row.
- You.
- Our team.
We beat the buzzer last night with a 3-pointer against St.
Tristan.
l thought you knew about basketball.
My son plays.
Really? Where? Uh, actually, he quit.
Oh, l'm sorry.
Look, Bob, do you mind telling me what this is about? Oh, l'm sorry.
l just Actually, l l'm just happy to see you.
So you can trick me into revealing more about my ex-husband? l was trying to do my job, Karen.
So were the marshals who tore up his apartment while my children were there.
The indictments are coming down today.
- And? - Rick's going to walk.
[sighs.]
Oh, thank God.
Thank God.
l But, uh, why exactly are you telling me this? Because l knew this was weighing on you.
l know, but you're not supposed to Well, everybody else leaks around here.
But l'm just not sure what l'm supposed to do with this information.
Be happy? Well, l am, obviously.
Thank you.
Oh, you don't have to thank me.
- l know, but you - Well, l guess, but l'm have to tell Rick.
Am l allowed to tell Rick? No, but who's going to know? Thank you.
Thank you.
l'd better get going.
- Karen.
- Yeah? lt's nice to see you.
We're going to the Crazy Greek.
You want the same tuna sandwich you've eaten all year? Uh, no.
Just get me a tuna sandwich.
After my dad died, we had to sell the house and move into an apartment.
l worked all through college, and spent years afterwards paying off student loans.
l can't think of a time when money hasn't been this constant dread.
Karen, come in.
Sit down, sit down.
What can l get for you? Something else you can use against me? Maybe something from my computer.
Oh, no, wait.
They took my computer.
Maybe the computer at home.
No, wait.
They took that too.
Look, l've just come from the DA's office Where you've apparently spent a lot of time.
You're not going to be indicted.
l'm not? They're going to read the indictments this afternoon.
- And how do you know? - l just know.
[sighs.]
Jeez.
l still hate you for what you did to me.
Well, l'm, uh l'm sorry that you feel that way.
[TV reporter.]
And in our top story, indictments were released today in a grand jury investigation of the Atlantor project, Mom! lt's about Atlantor.
,,,the focus of controversy, This fall, a temporary restraining order halted construction when it was discovered that A Better Place had been in negotiations, Rick.
Rick, they said the indictments were l know, l know, l know.
- What? - l'm not going to be named.
You're not? - No.
- Oh, thank God.
Oh, Rick, l knew it.
l knew everything was going to be okay.
You were right.
That's it? lt's over? Oh, Rick, we have to celebrate.
How come we never have any champagne in this house? - We'll have to wait for the wedding.
- The wedding! Oh, my God, we're getting married.
What a great idea that is.
[Grace.]
Mom, you should come in here.
ln a minute, sweetie.
They're talking about Miles Drentell.
[TV reporter.]
,,,among those indicted was Miles Drentell, former head of the prestigious advertising agency DAA, has for years been a shaper of media culture, Accused of several counts of conspiracy, and the bribing of a county judge, Drentell now faces up to 1 5 years in prison, and thousands of dollars in fines, Sources say the advertising kingpin is seriously ill, and may not be well enough to stand trial, A spokesman for Atlantor had this comment, The Atlantor Corporation is deeply troubled by these allegations, and is conducting its own internal investigation, As of this moment, construction on the project is suspended indefinitely,,, They're going to bail.
- What do you mean? - Atlantor.
l don't believe it.
You don't know that.
They didn't make their last payments.
l heard the rumors, but we thought So what? Rick, it's over.
You're free.
God, aren't you relieved? Well, l've been working on this project for a year and a half.
Everything l have is invested in it.
l ruined my partnership.
l let David take every other client we had.
l've been so worried about going to jail, l never stopped to think what might happen if l didn't.
Rick, we'll make it through it.
l need to, um Where are you going? l need to lie down for a minute.
l just got off the phone with the CEO of Atlantor, and l suspect that everyone already knows what l'm going to say.
Work, at least for the time being on this project, is suspended.
l want you to know how much l appreciate not only how hard you've worked but just how fine that work was.
Some people might think that because you design something and it never gets built that it was a waste of time, because it never existed.
But this was our creation.
You know, we built this thing over and over in our minds, and l don't think anybody can take that away from us.
l know l'll think about it for as long as l live, and l hope you will too.
Thank you.
Thank you all.
- [telephone rings.]
- [woman.]
Sammler and Associates.
Please hold.
- Rick, Mason Gould is on three.
- The conscience of Chicago.
''Don't let bad guys give you the runaround.
'' - You're a star.
- Yeah, just be careful.
Mason Gould.
How are you? l'm fine, thank you.
Good, because I would understand if you weren't, ls there some way l can help you? Well, that's what l was calling about.
l was thinking more about whether l could help you.
Mark that.
Help me with what? A lot of people were against this project, but l have a feeling there was a compelling argument on the other side, and l think someone should make it.
Well, it's a little late for that, don't you think? lt's the opportunity to clear your name.
Maybe you just need to speak your mind.
On television? Right here on Channel 8.
We tape today, and then we air it right after the news.
l'd have to think about it.
Just as long as you make up your mind by 3:00.
l'll call you back.
Thanks.
Karen? Bob, what l knew you were going to be in here, l swear to God.
Can l cut in line? Uh, yeah, sure.
l have this meeting on the third floor.
l said, this is Karen's building.
She's gonna be in the coffee shop, and she'll think you're stalking her.
But the third floor is Oh, l heard that they stopped work on Atlantor.
Yeah, yeah.
l heard that too.
How can l help you? l'll have a, uh, grande nonfat cap with an extra shot.
Yes, ma'am.
You, sir? Do you serve coffee? Absolutely.
$5.
63.
For coffee? No.
No, please.
Let here, let me Let me get this.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
So you won.
Congratulations.
l mean, that's a big deal.
Chalk one up for the good guys.
- Yeah, yeah, l guess.
- You guess? You'll win the Sinclair Award next year.
- Oh, stop it.
- Are you going tomorrow night? To the dinner? Oh, l might have to be with my kids.
Oh, well, l'll be there.
l have to introduce the keynote speaker, which means l have to keep the speaker from drinking before his speech.
The part of the evening l most fear.
Oh, you're familiar with the joys of the annual Upton Sinclair Awards? Yes, my firm usually doesn't allow me to miss it.
Well, mark my words, you're going to win it next year.
Grande nonfat cap! Yeah, over here.
You didn't put anything strange in this, did you? No, sir.
[Man.]
Twenty seconds until tape.
Bob, can l get you on the floor, please? Frank, wide two-shot.
Hey, Rick, how are you? - Thanks for coming down here.
- Oh, thank you.
We're going to hold in a wide two, yes? Hey, what a kick in the pants, huh? How many thousands of jobs went out with this bath water? [man.]
Stand by, please.
Here we go.
ln three, two l'm Mason Gould, and this is The Conscience of Chicago, Thank you for joining us.
Atlantor, a name that will live in Chicago infamy after the events of the past few days.
A project that was to transform the skyline of the city lies in virtual ruins thanks to the alleged misdeeds of some executives.
l'm here with Richard Sammler, architect of the project and one of its chief apologists.
He testified alongside those executives in front of a secret grand jury.
- Rick, hi.
- Hi.
So, what was it like, being asked to step in front of that grand jury? Well, uh, it wasn't much fun.
l'm sure it wasn't.
You must have been afraid of what they might ask.
Well, no.
No, the situation itself tends to make you nervous.
- Why? You didn't have anything to hide.
- No, absolutely not.
Uh, it's just that Well, it's like, you know, if a policeman stops you, and even if you haven't done anything wrong, you know, it kind of gets your blood going.
And if you have been doing 85 in the 40-mile-an-hour zone, - then that's really scary.
- That's not exactly Chicagoans understand construction.
You're not really trying to tell us you didn't know about the bribes and kickbacks they've been indicted for? No, l did not know of any bribes You didn't think with $400 million at stake, that this corporation wouldn't take any steps necessary to get the job done? How can you possibly Or did you think that all of the speeded-up permits and the favorable legal decisions were all just good luck? What is he doing? lt's okay.
lt's going great.
[Mason.]
Your job was to build the Which is making sure the building is built to my specifications.
ls it true that you were called before the grand jury to answer questions about bribery and political influence peddling? See, what l wonder is how you guys can sleep at night.
With the whole city begging you not to tear apart neighborhoods, you couldn't have cared less.
This, my friends, is what the legal system is for, to protect the common good against the few.
- l don't have to listen to this.
- l don't imagine you do.
Tell your audience the pretenses you used to get me down here? That's all right, my friend.
You can run, but you can't hide from The Conscience of Chicago, Stay right where you are.
Hey, thank you so much for coming.
Mason thought it went really well.
What? The audience loves it when people give as good as they get.
The numbers are going to spike tonight.
We're already working on the promos.
- Nobody watches this show, do they? - Nobody l know.
The third floor has dentists, a chiropractor, a telephone office.
Who could he have been meeting on the third floor? l think we've definitely established his motive was to run into you.
What about the dinner? l always go.
Now it's gonna look like l went because he's going.
Did you tell him you were going? l said l had my kids.
- Why? - l don't know.
l was afraid he was going to ask me.
To the dinner that you were planning to go to, but now you're afraid to go to because he was going to ask you? l know! lt's pathetic.
Well, l think it's actually kind of sexy.
No, you don't understand.
Even if l liked him, and l don't know if l do, - or if he does - Which he obviously does.
We're not allowed.
lt's inappropriate.
The Bar Association has rules against this.
About dating? l knew there was some reason l didn't go to law school.
About conflict of interest.
l still have a civil case against Atlantor.
l can't be involved with someone who's investigating them, and he can't not have indicted my ex-husband because he liked me.
lt's so peaceful here.
Yeah, kind of a monastic feel.
- [bells jingle.]
- [door opens, closes.]
Uh, be right there! - Oh.
- Oh yourself.
Uh, Lily.
Hi.
- [Lily.]
l'm so angry.
- At me? No, at the media.
At corporations.
- At lawyers.
- Uh lawyers? You know, Rick agrees to go and do this TV show, and this man this horrible man starts attacking him like he's a criminal.
Do you, by any chance, feel like taking a walk? No, no.
l feel like finding a really big rock and hitting somebody with it.
Now the kids have to hear about this.
Who knows what his ex-wife is saying to them about this? [Judy.]
You sure? For a second, if you want to just - Lily.
- Hi.
Karen.
- l was just - She was just Don't be silly.
You were just So, Rick was on television? Actually, it's on tonight.
Someone named Mason Gould.
Don't worry.
No one watches those shows.
l hope not.
l guess l'd better get going.
Lily, nice seeing you.
And you'll call me when it comes in? Yes, of course.
Right.
We never talk about you, l swear to God.
Atlantor, A name that will live in Chicago infamy after the events of the past few days, A project that was to transform the skyline lies in ruins after the alleged misdeeds,,, - l'm gonna kill that guy.
- That nose.
How could you wake up with a nose like that? ,,,one of its chief apologists, He testified alongside those executives before a secret grand jury, Do you think Dad's upset? He's not going to watch it.
No, l mean about everything.
[Eli.]
He didn't do anything.
He got off, remember? Still With $400 million at stake, this corporation wouldn't take any steps to get the job done? How can you possibly sit there and,,, [telephone rings.]
Hello.
- Are you watching? - No.
l hear it in the background.
Somebody else must have left it on.
Why are you working so late? That's a good question.
[Lily.]
Come home, l can't.
l have to finish.
We're not even married, and l'm already hounding you to come home.
l mean, you probably shouldn't wait up for me.
Oh, l might be up anyway.
l'll probably go home so l don't wake anybody when l come in.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
- Bye.
- Bye.
My father died of a heart attack.
He died so suddenly, and he was so young, that his affairs were a mess.
Basically, he left us nothing.
He was 44 years old.
l'm 43.
Oh, everything smells so green.
l love spring.
- What do you think of daffodils? - Huh? For the tables, the centerpieces.
Uh, beautiful.
Maybe something really simple like daisies.
- What do you think? - About what? - lf the Fed will raise interest rates.
- Ha ha.
My father used to tune my mother out like that.
l'm sorry.
lt's just those women are staring at me.
- What women? - Over there behind the orchids.
Don't.
Do you have time to grab some lunch? - Uh, no.
l have to get back.
- To do what? - What is that supposed to mean? - Well l thought things had slowed down now that the project is You have any idea how many loose ends l'm dealing with? How much paperwork, contractors wanting to be paid, - vendors threatening to sue me.
- Rick, l'm sorry.
No, l l'm sorry.
lt's just lt's okay.
Am l going to get to see you tonight? Oh, l'm having dinner with Arnold so he can tell me l have no money.
Then l guess l won't.
Call you later? Right-o.
Come here.
Okay - [sarcastically.]
This is so exciting.
- You can leave any time.
- l don't see him.
- Shut up.
l'll go sign us in.
The bar's over there.
Excuse me.
Karen.
You made it.
Well, my firm insisted.
Oh, thank you.
Whoa, you're starting strong.
Actually, l'm here with someone.
Oh.
- My assistant.
- Oh! She's here somewhere.
All these lawyers.
Terrifying, isn't it? Yeah, l'll say.
Listen, Karen, l know this isn't the time Oh, Carolyn! Over here.
l'm sorry, you were saying? l, uh Carolyn? [Carolyn.]
Excuse me.
l better go practice my introduction.
lt'll take all my creativity to find something good to say about this guy, but Well, maybe we can talk later.
- Well - l'll find you.
ls there no way to separate overhead from personal expenses? You still have to pay for it.
l can cut back on my personal expenses.
- You already live like a pauper.
- l do not.
How old is that jacket? That jacket is from the '70s.
lt is not from the '70s.
- Hey, Rick.
- Amanda.
- Hey.
- Hi.
A couple of us are drowning our sorrows over at the bar.
Come join us after dinner? Well, sure.
Yeah.
[Robert.]
l've known our distinguished honoree for 20 years now, believe me, that's not a great thing.
[audience laughs.]
The more you get to know Roger Lowenstein, the more you want to hate him because he's got everything going for him.
He's nice, he's good-looking, and he has a better jump-shot than l do.
The problem with Roger is he's the kind of guy who does the right thing.
He goes into a situation, and he might be tempted, like the rest of us, to do what he wants to do, as opposed to what he should do.
And the problem is, he always makes the right decision, leaving the rest of us to trip over our feet of clay.
Simply doing the right thing can sometimes be a heroic accomplishment.
And, uh, l wish that l had that kind of courage.
[speaker.]
two ways to look at the phrase ''pro bono.
'' One is to consider it something you give to a junior associate who's already working a 1 4-hour day while you're still out on the back nine What? What is Nothing.
lt's just a relic from my smoking days.
l can't seem to get through these things without needing to sneak out for a while.
- You ever smoke? - Years ago, for five minutes.
- Of course.
- What? Nothing.
You're just evolved.
ls that what l am? l l should get back.
- lf l don't, they'll be wondering - l know.
Just a minute.
Robert, listen, it's not a good idea.
l mean, we're not children.
We're responsible - Adults.
- Exactly.
- l have to go back.
- Karen.
l, uh l've l have to go back.
All right, l'm outta here.
Me too.
Me too.
Thank you, guys.
Thank you.
Good night.
[both sigh.]
- l saw you on TV.
- Shut up.
No, you looked cute.
- Thanks.
- You're welcome.
Mm.
l got an offer from Morey-Van Pelt.
You did? That's great.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
So, Rick So, Amanda You're still getting married, right? Right.
Soon? Right.
So, what are you still doing here with me? [waitress.]
Last call.
- l'll have another.
- Long as you're not driving.
No, my kid has the car.
l'll take a taxi.
Which way you headed? Home.
- Lily.
- l've been calling you since 1 0:00.
[slurring.]
l'm sorry.
My battery's been dying Whoa.
Yeah.
l bumped into some folks from work.
We had a drink.
- Or six.
- Or ten.
That's one way to deal with things.
Well, l think l have a right to choose how l want to deal with things.
Like avoiding me? l'm sorry? We haven't really talked about this in days.
l want to help.
We're in this together.
l think we should at least talk about it.
Well, Lil, you know what? You can't help, you know? So l just wish you would stop trying to help because l know you mean well.
Oh, please.
lt's really late.
l don't even know what l'm doing here.
Did it ever occur to you that l might need to be alone? Well, that's what l've been doing! Okay? l'm leaving! You want me to run out, or is this fast enough? Just do whatever you want.
lt's not what l want.
l want to face this together, like people who supposedly love each other do.
l can't do that right now! Well, that's painfully obvious.
Don't start that crap! This is what you always do! Why does everything have to be talked to death? What do you mean? We're not even talking! What do you want from me? Rick, l want to love you.
That's what l want.
And l'm sorry that's so particularly painful.
[Jessie.]
Dad? Sorry, sweetie.
Be up in a minute.
Hi, Jess.
l was just leaving.
- Hey there.
- [Jessie.]
Eli's going to drive me.
Well, l'm up.
l have to go to court anyway.
- For what? - They want to interview me as a possible witness against Miles.
- Bye.
- Sweetie Rough night, huh? Later.
Hello? l called the office, they said you were sick.
You need anything? Thanks.
l'm okay.
Well, you don't look so okay.
Thanks a lot.
Lil what is it? l can't talk to you about it, Judy.
You talk to me about everything, even when l wish you wouldn't.
Rick.
Which is why you can't talk to me about it.
You'll just say ''l told you so.
'' Rick talks.
Not really.
Not enough.
l told you so.
Men would rather have their tongues cut out than talk about feelings.
He talks about his feelings.
He just he He doesn't let anyone inside his feelings.
Meaning you? Think about all that's happened to him.
lt's like in a day, his whole life has imploded.
l know that.
ls it possible that this is also a good thing? - How can you say that? - lf you guys can get through this, you might even be able to survive marriage.
You sound like you're saying l should just hang in there with him.
Hmm.
l guess l am.
Lowfat, extra shot was it extra shot, half cap, blah-da-blue, blah-da-blue? Thank you.
lf you didn't want anyone to see us we could have met in a parking garage.
You joke, but you take your job just as seriously as l do.
- You're right.
- You would never compromise a case you had spent hundreds of hours on, whose clients had put their trust in you never to do anything that would adversely affect the outcome.
You're right.
Which is what l'm doing by being in anything other than a professional relationship with you.
l'm right, aren't l? Yes.
So if we can just know that, you know, if the situation were different, then maybe, l mean possibly, maybe there might be something that would come out of this, but there probably wouldn't, but May l say something? Yes.
You are the most beautiful, smartest, most intense, sexiest woman l've ever encountered in my entire life.
Oh.
l was at my friend Bert Herman's house playing Home Run Derby the day my father died.
l remember Bert's mom coming into the backyard with this weird look on her face and telling me that she was going to drive me home.
On the way home, l kept thinking, he's going to be okay.
He's going to be okay.
By the time l got home, the paramedics had come and gone, and he was just lying there.
lt didn't even look like him anymore.
l wondered if you'd come.
l wanted to touch him, but l guess l was too scared.
l was never much for hugging anyway.
l need to speak to you alone.
How quaint, the belief that privacy can preserve one's dignity.
Drake, l imagine l'll survive for another five minutes.
Thank you.
Ah, Rick Sammler.
How l've enjoyed our association.
- You lied to me.
- Ah.
- The whole time, about everything.
- Sweeping generalizations.
You ruined my reputation.
You ruined my business l urged greatness upon you.
While you were sabotaging the project right under my nose.
You never even thought of the consequences, did you? You destroyed me, Miles.
And you wish for restitution? l want you to go to jail.
Not likely now, l'm afraid.
l want to l want to smash your face in.
l doubt that would hasten my demise by much.
l could do it.
l know.
And you don't You don't care.
Oh, Rick.
That would give you some satisfaction, wouldn't it? For a moment.
But then you'd still be left with yourself, wouldn't you? Were you blind? Were you greedy? Was your ambition greater than your good sense? Were you still a boy sent to do a man's work? You, of course, will have years to answer those questions.
As for me, l am tired now, and l choose not to spend another moment in contemplation of the past.
l have no business now to speak of, and l have no reputation.
l'm not respected by your children, and l'm not respected by mine, l have a feeling.
And l have been shown to be publicly to be either a fool or a criminal, whichever comes first, and in this case, l think l think fool comes first.
And l don't know l don't know if l can marry you because l don't know what l have that would be of any value any value to you.
l never believed that l could have a free ride.
l never believed that l could have a free ride, or should have one, or whatever, and so l don't know why you would want to marry someone like me, who is just basically ready to run away, to just run away before l screw anything else up.
Rick, stop it.
l screw things up.
My marriage, my family, my children Stop it, stop it.
Listen to me.
You should just go away.
l'm telling you Listen to me.
Look at me.
l am not going to go away.
l'm not going to do that.
l don't care about your business.
l don't care about your reputation.
l don't care about that, it doesn't matter.
Do you understand that? l want to go home and sleep in my own bed.
No, you sit down, because l'm not finished.
Rick, l love you.
Can you see that? l love you.
l love what's weak about you and what's strong about you.
lt's all the same to me because it's you.
Nothing you ever do or say will change that.
Can you Can you believe that? Can you let me love you like that? Oh, God.
Let me love you like that.
[Rick sobbing.]
Oh, Lily.
Oh, Lily.
Did you sign your divorce papers today? - My stepmother might send me away.
- What are you gonna do? Think Carla could stay over? [Lily.]
She took pills from my medicine cabinet.
- l'm leaving town.
- l'll go with you.
l'm meeting her at the station.
Don't say anything.
- Where did they go? - He honestly didn't tell me, okay? No, Rick