Original subtitles

YOU NICK FALLIN?

YEAH.

YOU'RE LATE. VIC LAFFERTY--

RONNIE WAGNER'S PUBLIC DEFENDER.

MASTERSON FILL YOU IN ON THE CASE?

HE TOLD ME IT'S A GUARDIANSHIP HEARING.

RONNIE WAGNER WAS PICKED UP LAST WEEK IN ERIE COUNTY,

HITCHHIKING AT 4:00 IN THE MORNING WITH A LOADED SHOTGUN

AND 5 ROLLS OF QUARTERS WRAPPED IN HIS SHIRT.

OK.

THE POLICE QUESTIONED HIM WHY HE HAD WEAPONS,

HE BLURTED OUT THAT HE SHOT HIS MOTHER.

ACCIDENT?

NOPE. TOOK HER HEAD CLEAN OFF.

CASE E-14523.

YOUR HONOR, AS YOU'RE AWARE,

RONALD WAGNER IS A 13-YEAR-OLD

THAT HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER.

YES. WHY ARE WE HERE TODAY?

YOUR HONOR, I'M TRYING TO MOVE THIS TO JUVENILE COURT.

WE HAVE A TRANSFER HEARING SCHEDULED FOR THIS FRIDAY.

HOWEVER, THE BOY'S ADOPTIVE FATHER

HAS RECENTLY STATED THAT HE WILL NOT REPRESENT THE CHILD'S INTEREST,

NOR WILL HE ASSIST IN HIS DEFENSE.

MR. FALLIN, I ASSUME YOU WISH TO BE DECLARED

GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR THIS CHILD?

HE ALSO REQUESTS FINANCIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY

TO APPROVE EXPENDITURES FOR THE BOY'S DEFENSE.

I HEREBY APPOINT NICHOLAS FALLIN TO BE

RONALD WAGNER'S GUARDIAN AD LITEM.

RONALD, UH, MY NAME--

RONNIE.

RONNIE, MY NAME IS NICK FALLIN.

THE COURT HAS JUST APPOINTED ME AS YOUR GUARDIAN.

MY WHAT?

YOUR FATHER DOESN'T WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN YOUR DEFENSE,

SO SOMEONE HAS TO TAKE OVER HIS ROLE

AND HELP YOU MAKE DECISIONS DURING THIS PROCESS.

MY PARENTS WERE KILLED.

MY REAL PARENTS.

OK.

SO I HAVE SOME MONEY.

ALMOST $10,000.

ALL RIGHT, BUT WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE BEST WAY TO USE THAT MONEY

FOR YOUR DEFENSE.

I DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR ANY LAWYERS OR ANYTHING.

YOUR LAWYER'S PAID FOR BY THE STATE.

I WANT TO PAY FOR MY MOTHER'S FUNERAL,

'CAUSE I KILLED HER.

I'LL TRY TO TALK TO YOUR FATHER ABOUT THAT.

DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT.

I DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU ANYMORE.

♪ WELL, THERE IS TROUBLE IN MY MIND ♪

♪ THERE IS DARK

♪ THERE'S DARK, AND THERE IS LIGHT ♪

♪ THERE IS NO ORDER

♪ THERE IS CHAOS

♪ AND THERE IS CRIME

♪ THERE IS NO ONE HOME TONIGHT ♪

♪ IN THE EMPIRE OF MY MIND ♪

♪ THERE IS TROUBLE IN MY MIND ♪

♪ ALL THE CHAOS

♪ IN MY MIND

IT'S OPEN.

RONNIE WAGNER.

YEP. I'M JUST GETTING HIS FILES TOGETHER.

IS THERE, UH, ANYTHING ELSE YOU CAN TELL ME?

HIS PARENTS WERE KILLED WHEN HE WAS 7,

UM, IN A CAR ACCIDENT.

I PLACED HIM IN A NUMBER OF FOSTER HOMES

BEFORE HE WAS FINALLY ADOPTED BY THE WAGNERS.

I KNEW MICHELLE WAGNER.

I GOT TO KNOW HER THROUGH THE ADOPTION.

OH, MY GOD.

CAN I TAKE THESE?

OH, SURE.

WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN TO RONNIE?

WELL, HIS ATTORNEY IS TRYING TO TRANSFER THE HEARING

TO THE JUVENILE COURT.

IF, UH, THAT HAPPENS,

THEN HE WILL BE OUT BY THE TIME HE'S 21.

MR. WAGNER CALLED.

HE'S GOTTEN ALL HIS THINGS TOGETHER.

HE WANTS 'EM OUT OF THE HOUSE.

OK.

YOU CAN TAKE THAT.

I'LL SEND THE REST OF THESE OVER WHEN THEY'RE FINISHED.

GREAT. THANKS A LOT.

LULU?

HEY, KIM.

HOW'S MARRIED LIFE?

MARRIED LIFE'S GREAT. BRIAN'S GREAT.

GOOD. HOW ARE YOU?

I KNOW YOU'RE CRAZED, I--

NO, IT'S OK. LET'S GO IN MY OFFICE.

UH, I'LL PICK THIS UP LATER, OK?

WHAT'S GOING ON?

PAUL'S TRYING TO TAKE MATTY AWAY FROM ME.

HE WANTS FULL CUSTODY.

BECAUSE HE GOT REMARRIED?

YEAH, I'M SURE THAT'S THE REAL REASON,

BUT THERE'S THIS...

THERE'S THIS INCIDENT THAT HE'S USING AGAINST ME.

WHAT IS IT?

YOU KNOW I WORK GRAVEYARD SHIFT,

AND MATTY'S ALWAYS SLEPT AT MY GRANDMOTHER'S PLACE WHILE I WORKED, RIGHT?

WELL, LAST MONTH MY GRANDMOTHER FELL AND BROKE HER HIP.

SO MY BROTHER CHARLIE'S BEEN STAYING AT MY PLACE

SINCE THEN TO KEEP AN EYE ON MATTY.

WELL, 2 WEEKS AGO, CHARLIE JUST GETS SOME BRIGHT IDEA

THAT IT'D BE OK TO GO OUT FOR A PACK OF CIGARETTES AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING.

MATTY HAS A BAD DREAM, WAKES UP,

10 MINUTES LATER THE POLICE FIND HIM OUT WANDERING THE STREETS.

SO NOW PAUL'S SET A COURT DATE,

THE NEW WIFE IS PUSHING THIS.

ALL RIGHT, WHEN'S THE HEARING?

IT'S THIS FRIDAY. LULU, I'VE KNOWN YOU FOREVER,

AND I TRUST YOU. WHO DO I HIRE?

ME. I DO 5 CUSTODY HEARINGS A MONTH.

NO WAY. NO WAY. LOOK, I JUST CAME HERE LOOKING FOR A REFERRAL.

OK, WELL, I'M REFERRING ME.

LOOK HOW BUSY YOU ARE.

KIM, JUST SHUT UP.

THANK YOU, LULU.

YOU IDIOT! I'VE BEEN PARKED THERE FOR 5 MINUTES.

WHAT WERE YOU DOING? DID YOU LOOK?

I'M FINE, THANKS. ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?

DID YOU GET HURT OR ANYTHING?

NO, I AM FINE. I AM FINE.

WELL, IT'S A DENT. COME ON.

I NEED YOUR INSURANCE INFORMATION.

I WAS GOING MAYBE 2 MILES AN HOUR.

DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE?

I NEED YOUR INSURANCE INFORMATION.

WELL...

LOOK, MY BROTHER CHARLIE DOES AUTO BODY.

HE CAN PULL THAT DENT IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES.

I NEED YOUR DETAILS.

YOU'RE GONNA GO TO THE BEAMER DEALERSHIP IN SEWICKLEY,

THEY'RE GONNA CHARGE, LIKE, 2,300 BUCKS.

I MEAN, THEY'RE GONNA WANNA REPAINT THE ENTIRE CAR.

MY INSURANCE IS GONNA GO THROUGH THE ROOF.

WELL, YOU SHOULD HAVE LOOKED IN YOUR MIRROR.

WELL, THANKS FOR THAT INFORMATION, YOU KNOW?

TOO LATE NOW, THOUGH, ISN'T IT?

MY BROTHER CHARLIE DOES A REALLY GOOD JOB.

THANK YOU, MS. McPHERSON.

BYE! THANKS! SORRY FOR HITTING YOUR CAR!

SHUT UP!

NICK!

UH, I'LL BE RIGHT THERE.

WELCOME BACK.

THANK YOU.

HOW ARE YOU?

I'M GOOD. I'M, UH, FINE. FINE.

GOOD. WELL, I'M GLAD YOU'RE BACK.

I MEAN, BESIDES WORK. I'M JUST GLAD.

THANK YOU.

MAYBE, UH, MAYBE WE COULD GET A CUP OF COFFEE LATER.

YOU KNOW, A WELCOME BACK CUP OF COFFEE.

I'D LIKE THAT.

MS. ARCHER, CALL ON 3.

YEAH, ONE SEC. SORRY, MUST LAWYER.

HEY, UH, BY THE WAY, I'M IN HERE,

AND YOU GET YOUR BROOM CLOSET BACK.

MR. WAGNER, UH, HI. MY NAME IS NICK FALLIN.

HI, UM... YES?

I'VE BEEN APPOINTED AS YOUR SON,

RONNIE WAGNER'S, GUARDIAN AD LITEM.

UH-HUH.

I'M SORRY TO BOTHER YOU AT THIS TIME,

BUT RONNIE WANTED ME TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT YOUR WIFE'S FUNERAL.

HE WAS INTERESTED IN PAYING FOR THE FUNERAL.

HE RAPED HER.

WHAT?

AFTER HE SHOT HER, HE RAPED HER.

THE CORONER'S REPORT JUST CAME IN.

IF WE DON'T GET THIS KID INTO JUVIE,

HE COULD DO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE.

THAT'S IF HE'S LUCKY.

ALL RIGHT, TO GET HIM TRIED IN JUVENILE COURT,

WE HAVE TO PROVE 2 THINGS.

1--THAT HE HAS A CLEARLY DEFINED PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEM.

WELL, HE'S PRETTY MUCH HANDLED THAT FOR YOU.

2--AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THAT HE IS AMENABLE TO TREATMENT,

THAT HE CAN BE REHABILITATED BY THE TIME HE'S 21.

HOW DO YOU PROVE THAT?

YOU COMB HIS FILES.

YOU SEARCH FOR ANYTHING THAT COULD SUPPORT THIS.

PAST RELATIONSHIPS WITH THERAPISTS WOULD BE KEY.

WELL, HERE'S THE FILES. WHY DON'T YOU TAKE 'EM?

TAKE? NICK, I DON'T HAVE THE TIME.

I'VE GOT 23 OTHER CASES.

YOU HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT TO RELEASE IN THE KID'S BEST INTEREST.

OK, I'LL GO OVER THEM.

HE'S ALREADY SCREWED UP THE STATE TESTING BY REFUSING TO COOPERATE,

SO I NEED MONEY TO PAY FOR PRIVATE TESTING.

FINE, IT'S APPROVED.

GOOD.

NOW, CONVINCE HIM TO BE THE BEST PATIENT THEY HAVE EVER SEEN.

YEAH, YOU DEFINITELY HAVE A CASE.

I MEAN, IF YOU PAID THE GUY

TO TATTOO "INVINCIBLE" IN CHINESE ON YOUR BACK,

AND HE TATTOOED "WIN SOME, LOSE SOME,"

YOU DEFINITELY HAVE A CASE. I WANNA HELP YOU WIN SOME.

PARTNER.

HEY, MAN.

JAMES, I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE.

NO, I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE.

JAKE HAS ME INTO DUE DILIGENCE

ON A COMPANY CALLED EVENING ELECTRIC.

RIGHT?

THEY MAKE MARITAL AIDS.

OK. OK.

SO, I'M LOOKING OVER THEIR BOOKS,

AND I NOTICE THEY'RE OWNED BY THE SERGEI FAMILY.

MM-HMM.

THE MOB.

OH. OK.

SHOULD I CONTINUE?

NO, SEND IT BACK.

WE'RE GETTING $75 AN HOUR FOR THAT.

AND PAYING ME 35.

JAKE, SEND IT ALL BACK.

NICK, LOOK, YOU GOTTA UNDERSTAND, IT ISN'T LIKE--

HEY, WALLACE, GOOD TO SEE YOU. THANKS FOR COMING DOWN.

LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO MY PARTNER. THIS IS NICHOLAS FALLIN.

NICK, THIS IS WALLACE.

NICE TO MEET YOU.

WALLACE WON THE P-A LOTTERY

ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO. 9 MILLION.

CONGRATULATIONS.

WALLACE WANTS TO BUY GOODS 'N GAS.

MY MOM AND BROTHER WORK THERE.

I WANNA MAKE 'EM MANAGERS.

THAT'S NICE.

CAN I HAVE A MOMENT WITH JAKE ALONE?

SURE.

I'LL BE RIGHT BACK, WALLACE.

ALL RIGHT.

GOODS 'N GAS?

IT'S A QUICK FEE.

WHO IS THIS GUY?

HE WORKED AT THE COUNTER

AND BOUGHT A LOTTERY TICKET,

AND NOW HE'S A MILLIONAIRE.

WELL, YOU KNOW, GOODS 'N GAS IS GOING BANKRUPT.

SO, MAYBE HE'LL TURN IT AROUND.

IS SOMEONE GONNA ANSWER THAT?

THE SECRETARIES DON'T START TILL WEDNESDAY.

WALLACE, DO YOU WANT SOME WATER OR SOMETHING?

YEAH. YEAH.

YEAH, THIS IS NICK.

YEAH. YEAH, I'LL BE RIGHT THERE.

UH, I GOTTA GO. UM, IT'S LOOKING GOOD. LOOKING GOOD.

MR. WALLACE.

WE SET UP ANOTHER TEST FOR YOU.

THIS TIME YOU HAVE TO ANSWER THE DOCTOR'S QUESTIONS.

I SHOT MY MOTHER.

THE DOCTOR'S GONNA WANT TO KNOW WHY.

DOES IT MATTER?

YES, IT DOES MATTER.

IF I SHOT HER 'CAUSE I WAS MAD AT HER?

YOU REMEMBER?

YEAH, I REMEMBER IT.

YOU EVER BEEN TO KENNYWOOD PARK?

SURE.

MY SCHOOL DID A TRIP OUT THERE THIS YEAR.

MY MOM WAS A CHAPERONE ON THE TRIP.

WHAT'S THAT ROLLER COASTER?

THE THUNDERBOLT.

YEAH, THE THUNDERBOLT.

WE RODE IT TOGETHER. SHE WAS SCREAMING AND LAUGHING, RIGHT?

SHE HELD ONTO MY HAND.

SHE WAS SCARED, BUT SHE RODE IT WITH ME.

BECAUSE SHE SAID I MADE HER FEEL SAFE.

IF I TALK TO THIS DOCTOR,

THINK HE CAN TELL ME WHY THIS HAPPENED?

THEN WHY DO IT?

TAKING THIS TEST WILL HELP DETERMINE

HOW MUCH TIME YOU WILL SPEND IN JAIL.

YOU GET PAID TO DO THIS?

NO.

DO YOU TELL PEOPLE WHAT WE TALK ABOUT?

NO.

NOT UNLESS YOU SAY YOU'RE GONNA HURT YOURSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE.

SO IF I SAID I WAS GONNA KILL MYSELF.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT.

JUST ASKING, 'CAUSE I DON'T THINK

THERE'S MANY PEOPLE I CAN HURT NOW.

NOT SITTING IN HERE. EXCEPT YOU.

I'M JUST KIDDING. YOU KNOW THAT, RIGHT?

HEY, ARE YOU GONNA COME BACK AND SEE ME?

I'LL TAKE THAT TEST.

OK?

GOOD.

I FORGOT TO GIVE THIS BACK TO YOU. YOUR NUMBER'S NOT LISTED.

YOU KNOW, YOU COULD'VE MAILED IT.

IT WAS ON MY WAY.

MMM. I THOUGHT YOU WERE A JERK.

DID YOU CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY?

NO.

OH, THANKS.

I'LL CALL MY BROTHER.

FINE. FINE, OK.

WHY DON'T YOU JUST COME IN FOR A SECOND,

AND I'LL CALL HIM? HE'S REALLY GOOD.

CHARLIE, SO THAT GUY WITH THE BEAMER...

I DON'T KNOW, MIGHT NOT BE ONE AFTER ALL.

HEY, SIT DOWN.

HE'S GONNA LET YOU PULL IT.

UH-HUH. OH.

MATTY'S 5. HE'S AT HIS DAD'S HOUSE.

I WASN'T ASKING.

I'M SHARING.

WHEN'S A GOOD TIME FOR YOU TO BRING YOUR CAR IN?

TOMORROW MORNING.

TOMORROW MORNING.

HEY, YOU OWE ME.

OK, THANKS. LOVE YOU, TOO. BYE.

HE WILL NOT MESS IT UP, I SWEAR.

IF HE DOES, I WILL BUY YOU A NEW ONE.

OK, GREAT.

HEY, YOU'RE A LAWYER, RIGHT?

I'VE SEEN YOU AROUND THE COURTHOUSE.

YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

I'M GONNA BE A LAWYER. PROSECUTOR.

YOU'D MAKE A VERY GOOD ONE.

YEAH, I'M GONNA APPLY TO LAW SCHOOL IN 2006,

I'M GONNA PASS THE BAR ON MY FIRST TRY IN 2009,

AND THEN BE A.D.A. BY 2011.

I'M SORRY.

WHAT?

YOU KNOW THAT EXACTLY?

YEAH, WELL, I HAVE A VERY SPECIFIC CAREER TRAJECTORY.

YEAH.

I DON'T KNOW, I JUST--

I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A LAWYER. YOU?

MY DAD'S A LAWYER.

YOU MUST LOVE IT.

I DO.

DO YOU WANT A BEER?

NO, I DON'T DRINK.

WHAT ARE YOU, A DRUNK?

SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WELL, WOULD YOU LIKE AN ICED TEA OR SOMETHING?

WHEN I FIRST MET YOU I DIDN'T THINK YOU LIKED GIRLS.

I THOUGHT YOU DID.

I'M LEAVING MY SOCKS ON.

WHY, YOU GOT UGLY FEET?

SCREW YOU. YOU CAN ONLY FANTASIZE ABOUT FEET LIKE THESE.

LET ME SEE 'EM.

SHOW ME YOUR FEET.

NO.

YOU WON'T SHOW ME YOUR FEET?

NO, I HARDLY KNOW YOU.

OK, YOU GOTTA GO.

NO OFFENSE, BUT I GOTTA GET TO WORK. AND I'M NEVER LATE.

OH, THAT CAREER TRAJECTORY.

MM-HMM.

WELL, I'LL CALL YOU.

THAT'S NOT NECESSARY.

IT IS IF I WANT MY CAR FIXED.

OH, RIGHT. THAT'S, UH, PETE'S AUTO BODY.

RIGHT ACROSS FROM THE MALL, ROUTE 51. BY THERE BY 8:00.

NICK, HERE ARE HIS THINGS.

WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THEM?

COULD YOU FIND SOME ROOM FOR THEM HERE? JUST FOR NOW?

OK.

UH, LAURIE, YOU HAVE A SEC?

SURE.

VERIFY SOME FACTS?

UH, RONNIE HAD 2 PSYCH EVALUATIONS BEFORE HE WAS ADOPTED.

THAT'S RIGHT.

THE FIRST ONE WAS WHEN HE WAS ENTERING THE SYSTEM?

HE WAS 7.

DESCRIBED AS A NORMAL KID

DEEP IN THE GRIEVING PROCESS.

UH, THE SECOND PROFILE

WAS BEFORE THE WAGNERS ADOPTED HIM.

STANDARD PROCEDURE.

DOCTOR SAID POSITIVE THINGS ABOUT RONNIE

AND HIS PLACEMENT WITH THE WAGNERS.

SHE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT SOME ANGER ISSUES

HE HAD TOWARDS HIS PREVIOUS FOSTER MOTHER ELAINE HARBERT.

THAT'S RIGHT, SHE SENT HIM BACK.

SHE WANTED A YOUNGER CHILD, A GIRL.

ALL RIGHT.

THE DOCTOR REQUESTED FOLLOW-UP TREATMENT.

THERE'S NO REPORTS.

OR AT LEAST, THEY SHOULD BE IN THE FILES, BUT THEY'RE NOT.

LAFFERTY'S ARGUING THAT RONNIE WILL RESPOND TO TREATMENT.

I NEED TO SEE THOSE FILES TO SHOW IF HE RESPONDED LAST TIME.

I'LL CHECK OUR RECORDS,

SEE WHAT COMES UP.

THANK YOU.

GOOD NIGHT. GOOD NIGHT.

HEY.DAD.

HOW ARE YOU, SON?

GOOD.

I WAS JUST IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

SO I, UH, GOT YOU ONE OF THESE

$4.00 STEAMED MILK DRINKS YOU LIKE SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. YEAH.

WELL, HERE WE ARE. WE'RE NOT REALLY ON OUR FEET YET.

NO, IT LOOKS GOOD.

HEY, BURTON.

HEY, JAKE. HOW ARE YA?

GOOD TO SEE YOU. GOOD TO SEE YOU.

YEAH, THIS IS WALLACE NOVICKI, A CLIENT.

THIS IS, UH, JUDGE BURTON FALLIN.

WELL, NOT YET. I HAVEN'T BEEN SWORN IN YET.

UM, WELL, LISTEN, WALLACE,

WHY DON'T YOU JUST GIVE ME A CALL LATER?

OK. SEE YA.

GOOD TO SEE YA. TAKE CARE.

JAKE, UH, CAN WE HAVE A TALK?

DAD, DO YOU MIND JUST TAKING A SEAT? I'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

YEAH, SURE.THANK YOU.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, JAKE.

YEAH, YOU, TOO, BURTON.

JAKE, I THOUGHT WE TALKED ABOUT THIS.

OH, DON'T WORRY.

I--I GOT HIM OFF THE GOODS 'N GAS DEAL.

HE'S ACTUALLY THINKING ABOUT

BUYING A CHAIN OF DOUGHNUT SHOPS NOW.

THAT IS EXACTLY THE TYPE OF CLIENT

THAT IS GONNA KEEP US FROM BECOMING A REAL FIRM.

WE ARE TRYING TO LAND STEVENS SOPHETS.

THAT'S A $50 MILLION COMPANY.

NOW HOW IS THAT GONNA LOOK THURSDAY MORNING

WHEN JERRY STEVENS WALKS THROUGH THAT DOOR

AND JAMES IS RIFLING THROUGH A BOX OF DILDOS,

AND YOU'RE MILKING A SIMPLE-MINDED LOTTERY WINNER?

HOW IS THAT GONNA LOOK?

I--I THOUGHT YOU WANTED ME TO BRING IN BUSINESS.

DO NOT DILUTE OUR NAME, JAKE. THAT'S ALL WE HAVE.

THE NAME? YOU MEAN THE FALLIN NAME?

LOOK, I'M JUST TRYING TO GET

A LITTLE CASH FLOW GOING HERE

BECAUSE I DID NOT BRING IN THE SEED MONEY.

JAKE, IT'S OK. OK?

JUST FIRE THE CLIENTS.

HEY.

HEY, YOU LOOK GOOD. YOU'RE RIGHT ON TIME.

YOU READY?YEAH, MM-HMM.

NICK?

HOW'S IT GOING?

FOR THE KID? AWFUL.

BAD TEST?

HE'S STILL NOT COOPERATING.

EVEN THIS EXPERT, WHO BELIEVE ME,

WILL SAY ANYTHING FOR MONEY, CAN'T HELP HIM.

WELL, FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR. I'LL RELEASE SOME MONEY.

I WANNA POSTPONE THE TRANSFER HEARING.

MAY GIVE ME SOMETHING TO TRADE WITH THE D.A. FOR BETTER TERMS.

YOU WANNA PLEA OUT?

I'LL NEED THE KID'S CONSENT.

TELL ME, WHAT IS THE BEST THAT THE KID CAN HOPE FOR?

WELL, THEY WON'T BUDGE ON LIFE,

BUT HE COULD GET A CHANCE AT PAROLE.

IF THEY TRY HIM AS AN ADULT,

HE CAN GET THE DEATH PENALTY.

FINE, I'LL TALK TO THE KID AGAIN.

GOOD.

NICK?

HI.

SMALL WORLD.

YEAH. YOU'RE A COP.

AND YOU'RE A PROBATIONER.

LULU TOLD YOU?

LULU? I RAN YOUR PLATES.

YOU RAN MY PLATES?

LOOK, MY EX-HUSBAND'S ALSO A COP,

AND HE'S TRYING TO TAKE MY KID AWAY FROM ME.

AND YOU MAY BE A NICE GUY,

BUT I JUST CAN'T BE ASSOCIATING WITH SOMEONE LIKE YOU RIGHT NOW.

OH, AND CHARLIE SAYS YOUR CAR WILL BE READY AT 6:00.

GREAT.

YOU SHOULD CONSIDER A PLEA BARGAIN.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?

NO.

MR. LAFFERTY THINKS THAT THIS MAY STAY

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.

THAT MEANS THAT YOU WOULD BE TRIED AS AN ADULT.

YOU COULD GET THE DEATH SENTENCE.

HOW LONG WOULD I HAVE TO STAY IN HERE?

I DON'T KNOW.

MAYBE 30, 40 YEARS.

THERE'S NOTHING ELSE YOU CAN DO?

NO.

YOU NEED TO LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.

YOU HATE ME.

I DON'T HATE YOU.

NO, I CAN TELL.

THE W--THE WAY YOU LOOK AT ME.

I AM JUST DOING MY JOB.

YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE TAKING CARE OF ME.

WHY WON'T YOU TAKE CARE OF ME?

WHY? YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW ME.

WHAT DID I EVER DO TO YOU?

THAT'S RIGHT, I DON'T KNOW YOU,

BUT IF YOU DO NOT TAKE THIS PLEA,

THEN YOU WILL JUST BE HURTING YOURSELF.

I NEED YOUR CONSENT, RONNIE.

I DON'T CARE. GO AHEAD.

I DON'T CARE.

SO, DOES IT LOOK ALL RIGHT?

LOOKS GOOD.

ALL RIGHT. I GOT A DATE.

THANKS, CHARLIE.

HEY, KIM!

TELL MATTY HE OWES ME 50 CENTS

WHEN THE PIRATES LOSE TONIGHT.

HE'S AT HIS DAD'S HOUSE, AND STOP TEACHING MY SON TO GAMBLE.

WHAT'S THE MATTER? IT'S NOT ALL RIGHT?

NO, IT'S FINE.

I'M SORRY IF I WAS ABRUPT EARLIER.

DO YOU WANNA HAVE DINNER?

NO, I CAN'T.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS, NICK. I CAN'T.

DO YOU REMEMBER CHILLY BILLY'S HORROR THEATER, SATURDAY, 1:00 IN THE MORNING?

MY MOM DIDN'T LET ME WATCH TELEVISION.

GET OUT OF HERE.

SHE DIDN'T.

SO YOU DON'T KNOW WHO CHILLY BILLY WAS?

EVERYONE KNOWS CHILLY BILLY.

I USED TO WATCH SOMETIMES AT MY DAD'S HOUSE.

THE HAND, DO YOU REMEMBER THAT ONE?

CRAWLING ALL OVER THE PLACE.

AND THEN THERE WAS THAT ONE WITH JUST THE HEAD.

THOSE WOULD ALWAYS GET ME,

THOSE DISMEMBERED BODY PARTS.

CLOWNS AND DOLLS THAT COME TO LIFE.

YEAH, THE WORST WERE THOSE PUPPETS, REMEMBER THOSE?

LIKE HOWDY DOODY, BUT MEAN?

VENTRILOQUIST DOLLS?

MM-HMM.

YEAH, THEY'RE TERRIBLE.

MY BROTHER USED TO TORMENT ME AFTER WE'D WATCH ONE OF THOSE.

HE WOULD GET UNDER MY BED AND WAIT, SOME NIGHTS FOR HOURS,

AND THEN HE'D JUST START SHAKING IT.

SHAKING IT? MM-HMM.

I BET YOU DID STUFF LIKE THAT TO YOUR SISTER.

I DON'T HAVE A SISTER.

BROTHERS?

NO.

MOM!

OH, GOD. OH, GOD. OH, GOD.

GET READY TO MEET MY KID AND MY EX.

HEY, MATTY.

HI.

HI.

HOW ARE YA?

GOOD. YEAH?

HEY, MATTY, THIS IS NICK. HE'S A LAWYER.

HE WORKS WITH LULU. YOU REMEMBER LULU, RIGHT?

YEAH. YEAH.

HI.

HI.

YOU FORGOT HIS SPELLING BOOK.

NO, YOU FORGOT HIS SPELLING BOOK.

YOU'RE TALKING TO ME ABOUT BEING RESPONSIBLE?

IT'S ON YOUR DESK, HONEY.

THAT YOUR CAR OUT FRONT, THE BEAMER?

YEAH.

YOU'RE A LAWYER, RIGHT?

THAT'S RIGHT.

I'M A POLICE OFFICER.

I HEARD.

THIS DOESN'T LOOK GOOD, YOU KNOW.

TO MATTY.

I KNOW, PAUL. HE'S GONNA START REALIZING

THAT YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT HIS GRADES.

THAT'S FUNNY, KIM. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

YEAH, AND I DON'T WANNA HEAR IT.

HIM WALKING THE STREETS AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING?

ALL RIGHT, THAT'S ENOUGH, OK?

HEY, COME ON, BIG MAN. LET'S GO.

LOVE YOU.

I LOVE YOU. BYE, HONEY.

LOVE YOU.

LOVE YOU, TOO. SO MUCH, SWEETHEART.

HEY.

BYE.

BYE.

I SHOULD, UH--

I HAVE TO GET GOING.

YEAH, OK. YEAH.

I UNDERSTAND.

NO, I GET IT.

I HOPE THEY RECONSIDER,

BUT UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, DON'T PRESSURE THEM.

YEAH. YEAH, OK, THANKS.

ADOPTION'S BEEN SET BACK ABOUT A DECADE BY THIS.

RONNIE'S ATTORNEY IS PLANNING TO TAKE A PLEA BARGAIN.

OH.

DID YOU FIND THE PSYCH REPORTS?

NO.

WELL, IT DOESN'T MATTER NOW.

IF THERE WAS NOTHING THERE.

WAS THERE...ANYTHING?

NO.

I GUESS YOU'D REMEMBER.

I DIDN'T FOLLOW UP ON THE DOCTOR'S RECOMMENDATION, NICK.

THERE WERE NO FURTHER TESTS PERFORMED.

I WAS AFRAID IT WOULD HOLD UP THE ADOPTION.

AND THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE.

WHAT?

RONNIE'S PREVIOUS FOSTER MOTHER-- I DIDN'T LIE TO YOU.

SHE DID DECIDE SHE WANTED A GIRL.

BUT SHE HAD SOME ISSUES WITH RONNIE'S BEHAVIOR.

WHAT KIND OF ISSUES?

HE WAS ALWAYS BY HER SIDE.

EXTREMELY AFFECTIONATE.

MRS. HARBERT FELT THAT HE GREW OVERLY SO.

SHE TOLD ME THAT WHEN SHE COULDN'T GIVE HIM

THE ATTENTION HE WANTED, HE'D GET ANGRY.

THAT SOMETIMES HE SCARED HER.

HE SCARED HER?

THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID.

I THOUGHT IT WAS INCREDIBLE.

RONNIE WAS SUCH A LITTLE KID.

BUT MRS. HARBERT IS ONE OF OUR REGULAR FOSTER PARENTS.

THIS COULD HELP RONNIE AT THE TRANSFER HEARING.

YEAH, I KNOW.

IT'LL BE DAMAGING TO YOU.

I'M NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, NICK. RONNIE IS.

HERE'S WHAT WE DO. FIRST OF ALL,

I KNOW YOU DIDN'T MAKE THAT DECISION YOURSELF,

SO WE GET STATEMENTS FROM EVERYBODY.

THE ADOPTION AGENCY CASE WORKER, YOUR SUPERVISOR,

EVEN MR. WAGNER. ALVIN--

AND I CAN FIND AT LEAST A DOZEN STATE PSYCH EVALUATIONS

THIS YEAR ALONE WHICH ARE PRACTICALLY WORD-FOR-WORD IDENTICAL

IN THEIR DIAGNOSIS OF ANGER ISSUES.

ALVIN! WHAT?

DON'T BUILD ME A DEFENSE.

LAURIE, YOU NEED ONE.

YOU WANNA HELP RONNIE WAGNER

GET TRANSFERRED TO THE JUVENILE SYSTEM, I GET IT.

BUT YOU'RE REALLY VULNERABLE HERE.

I KNOW WHAT I AM, ALVIN. I UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION.

WELL, GOOD, THEN YOU SHOULD REALIZE--

STOP, I DON'T WANT YOUR HELP!

YOU DON'T WANT MY HELP?

NO. THEN WHY'D YOU COME OVER HERE?

I DON'T KNOW, I JUST--

BECAUSE I JUST WANTED TO COME OVER HERE.

YOU KNOW HOW STRESSED OUT I'VE BEEN THIS WEEK, RIGHT?

YEAH, I CAN IMAGINE.

YEAH, WELL, I HAD, LIKE, A...

A 2-NIGHT STAND.

CONGRATULATIONS.

NO, PAUL FOUND OUT.

THE GUY WAS AT MY PLACE WHEN PAUL BARGED IN UNANNOUNCED,

WITH MATTY.

HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SLEEPING AT HIS PLACE.

WELL, I MEAN, HE COULD MAKE AN ISSUE OUT OF IT,

BUT IF HE DOES, I WILL BE HAPPY TO POINT OUT

THAT ONCE PAUL COMMITTED ADULTERY AND DIVORCED YOU,

YOU'RE FREE TO DATE WHOEVER YOU WANT.

YEAH. YEAH, UM, YOU KNOW, THE THING IS, THOUGH,

THIS PARTICULAR GUY, HE'S A PROBATIONER.

NICK FALLIN?

I KNOW. I KNOW. I GOTTA WORK ON MY CHOICES.

I MET HIM OUTSIDE IN THE PARKING LOT.

HMM.

UH, IS BEING WITH HIM

A WORK VIOLATION FOR YOU?

WHAT, BECAUSE OF... NO, NO, OF COURSE NOT.

WELL, GOOD. THEN...YEAH.

UH, YOU KNOW, IT'S A NON-ISSUE.

ALL RIGHT, UH, SO, TOMORROW AT 10:00,

AND, UH, I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED.

OK. THANK YOU.

NICHOLAS FALLIN, I'M HERE TO SEE RONNIE WAGNER.

NAH, HE'S NOT CLEARED FOR VISITORS.

WELL, I CALLED THIS AFTERNOON. I'M HIS GUARDIAN.

WELL, RULES ARE DIFFERENT IN THE INFIRMARY. IT'S UP TO THE DOCTOR.

WHAT HAPPENED?

HE TRIED TO HANG HIMSELF A COUPLE HOURS AGO.

CAN I TALK TO HIM?

NO, I'M SORRY.

JUST LIKE CLOCKWORK.

WHAT?

AS SOON AS IT SINKS IN

THAT THEY'RE GETTIN' HARD TIME.

DID YOU POSTPONE THE TRANSFER HEARING?

NO, NOT YET.

YOU SHOULDN'T.

WHY?

I HAVE SOMETHING THAT MAY HELP GET HIM BACK TO JUVENILE COURT.

THIS JUST SAYS FURTHER TREATMENT.

HE DIDN'T GET IT.

OK, GUYS.

TODAY WE HAVE JERRY STEVENS COMING OVER AT NOON.

WE'RE SELLING HIM ON THE IDEA OF BUYING PABCO

AS OUR FIRST PIECE OF BUSINESS.

NOW IF HE BITES, THIS COULD BE WORTH $100,000 TO US IN FEES.

MINIMUM, MINIMUM.

SO WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE ELSE SCHEDULED TODAY, RIGHT?

OH, WE CAN CANCEL THE MEETING

FOR THE DWARF-TOSSING CLASS ACTION SUIT.

GOOD.

THIS IS A STATE PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION FOR RONNIE WAGNER

THAT WAS PREPARED 3 WEEKS BEFORE HIS ADOPTION BY THE WAGNERS WAS FINALIZED.

MS. SOLT...

DO YOU RECOGNIZE YOUR SIGNATURE ON THIS EVALUATION?

YES.

DOES THE EVALUATION INSTRUCT YOU TO SEEK

FURTHER PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING FOR RONNIE?

YES.

BUT YOU DIDN'T MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR RONNIE

TO HAVE THESE FURTHER EVALUATIONS, DID YOU?

NO.

WHY NOT?

RONNIE NEEDED A STABLE HOME,

AND I THOUGHT THE WAGNERS WERE A GREAT MATCH.

I WAS AFRAID THAT ANY FURTHER TESTING

WOULD JUST HOLD UP HIS PLACEMENT.

MS. SOLT, JUST SO WE'RE PERFECTLY CLEAR ON THIS,

UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES DOES THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

RECOMMEND A CHILD RECEIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPY?

WHEN THE STATE DETERMINES THAT THE CHILD WILL BENEFIT FROM SUCH TREATMENT.

THANK YOU. NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

MS. SOLT, HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR SOCIAL SERVICES?

28 YEARS.

YOU WORK WITH CHILDREN PRIMARILY?

EXCLUSIVELY.

YOUR JOB IS TO SERVE THE BEST INTERESTS

OF THE CHILDREN IN YOUR CHARGE?

YES.

YOU HAVE AN EXCELLENT REPUTATION.

THANK YOU.

YOU TOLD THIS COURT YOU DIDN'T FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS

FOR RONALD WAGNER TO GET FURTHER TREATMENT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

BECAUSE YOU FELT HE WAS READY TO BE ADOPTED

WITHOUT FURTHER TREATMENT.

YES.

DID YOU DO THAT BECAUSE IT WAS

IN THE BEST INTEREST OF RONALD WAGNER?

I THOUGHT SO AT THE TIME,

BUT I WAS MISTAKEN.

MS. SOLT, WOULD YOU PERSONALLY LIKE TO SEE RONALD WAGNER

BE TRANSFERRED TO THE JUVENILE SYSTEM?

YES.

ARE YOU HOPING YOUR TESTIMONY TODAY

WILL HELP PREVENT RONALD WAGNER

FROM BEING TRIED AS AN ADULT?

YES.

THE QUESTION HERE IS WHETHER RONNIE WAGNER'S PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS

ARE AMENABLE TO TREATMENT.

THE COMMONWEALTH HAS ALREADY PROVIDED THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION

BECAUSE THAT WAS THEIR RECOMMENDATION 5 YEARS AGO.

TREATMENT.

INSTEAD OF HEEDING THAT RECOMMENDATION,

THEY CHOSE TO SWEEP IT UNDER THE CARPET

IN AN ATTEMPT TO PUSH RONNIE WAGNER OUT OF THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.

NOW THE COMMONWEALTH WANTS TO PENALIZE RONNIE

FOR THEIR OWN GROSS NEGLIGENCE.

THEY WANT TO TRY THIS TROUBLED 13-YEAR-OLD BOY...

AS AN ADULT...

WHERE HE COULD FACE THE DEATH PENALTY.

THE COMMONWEALTH OWES RONNIE WAGNER

A CHANCE AT REHABILITATION.

RONALD WAGNER TOOK A SHOTGUN

AND AT CLOSE RANGE BLEW HIS MOTHER'S HEAD OFF.

THEN HE RAPED HER.

5 YEARS AGO, SOMEONE SUGGESTED HE GET EVALUATED.

IT DOESN'T MEAN HE WAS AMENABLE TO TREATMENT THEN.

IT CERTAINLY DOESN'T MEAN HE'S AMENABLE TO TREATMENT NOW.

WHILE MS. SOLT COMMITTED A SERIOUS BREACH OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT,

I CANNOT SAY THE DEFENSE MET ITS BURDEN

TO TRANSFER THIS CASE TO JUVENILE COURT.

THE CASE WILL REMAIN IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS,

SCHEDULED FOR 6 WEEKS FROM TODAY.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

IT MEANS YOU'RE GOING TO BE TRIED AS AN ADULT.

LAURIE.

NICK.

HEY.

UH, KIM'S IN A VERY PRECARIOUS PLACE RIGHT NOW.

I MEAN, GOD KNOWS, WE'RE ALL ADULTS,

AND WHAT WE DO SHOULD BE OUR BUSINESS,

BUT, UH, PAUL SEEING YOU WITH HER, IT'S JUST...

IT'S NOT GOOD. IT COULD HURT HER.

WHY?

BECAUSE YOU DON'T REFLECT WELL.

WE HAD A CAR ACCIDENT.

ON THE 2 OCCASIONS I'VE BEEN TO HER HOUSE,

IT WAS RELATED TO THAT INCIDENT.

YEAH, WELL, THAT'S NOT THE ENTIRE TRUTH.

THAT'S ALL THE COURT NEEDS TO KNOW.

THE COMPANY'S FINANCIAL RECORDS

ONLY TELLS HALF THE STORY.

I THINK YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, MR. STEVENS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING BY.MY PLEASURE.

MR. STEVENS, I'M SORRY. I THOUGHT WE WERE ON FOR NOON.

I CAME EARLY.

WE TOLD HIM YOUR IDEA ABOUT PABCO.

IT'S NOT A GREAT TIME TO BE PAYING TOP DOLLAR FOR A NEW COMPANY.

SO IT'S A PASS?

YES, BUT I AM INTERESTED IN GOODS 'N GAS.

JAKE TELLS ME THAT THEY'RE GOING UNDER.

THAT'S RIGHT.

YOUR FATHER AND I ALWAYS WENT AFTER DISTRESSED ASSETS.

THAT'S HOW I BUILT MY COMPANY.

GOOD.

I'M ASSUMING YOU GUYS CAN HANDLE THIS KIND OF DEAL.

OF COURSE, WE CAN SPEAK TO THEIR CREDITORS.

GOOD.

GET INTO IT.

NICE TO SEE YOU.

I'LL SEE YOU OUT.

THIS IS GOOD, RIGHT?

THIS IS VERY GOOD.

NICE WORK.

ALL RIGHT.

VERY CLEVER, JAKE.

THANKS.

SO LISTEN, THIS LEGAL SERVICES WORK

IS NOT GONNA GET IN THE WAY OF OUR WORK HERE, IS IT?

TOUCHY.

I TRIED TO CALL.

I TURNED IT OFF.

REPORTERS.

WHERE DO YOU WANT THESE?

YOU CAN JUST... PUT 'EM OVER THERE.

THANKS.

UH, THERE'S MORE COMING.

DID YOU GET FIRED?

JUST GOT A SUSPENSION. 2 WEEKS.

I WAS LUCKY.

YEAH.

YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU DID, UM...

IT'LL GO ON YOUR RECORD,

AND YOU COULD BE VULNERABLE

TO A CIVIL SUIT FROM SETH WAGNER.

NONE OF THAT IS AS IMPORTANT AS SOMEONE'S LIFE.

WHAT RONNIE DID WAS TERRIBLE...

INCOMPREHENSIBLE...

BUT HE'S ALL ALONE IN THE WORLD NOW,

AND I DON'T CARE WHAT THE COURT SAYS.

HE'S STILL A KID.

YOU KNOW, LAURIE, I--I--I DON'T KNOW,

BUT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE-- MAYBE THIS KID DESERVES WHAT HE GETS.

WHY DO YOU SAY THAT?

WHAT HE DID.

WHAT HE DID TO SOMEONE THAT SHOWED HIM LOVE.

ONLY A MONSTER WOULD DO THAT.

I JUST, UH, CAME BY TO SEE HOW YOUR HEARING WENT.

IT'S YOUR TURN, MOM!

I'LL BE THERE IN JUST A SECOND.

YOU COULD HAVE CALLED.

DON'T HAVE YOUR PHONE NUMBER.

I WON.

THAT'S VERY GOOD.

YEAH. GOOD.

GOOD.

THE THING IS THOUGH NOW I GOTTA SWITCH TO THE DAY SHIFT

WHICH MEANS I'M AN OFFICIAL DEAD-END DESK JOCKEY.

SO I GUESS I'M GONNA HAVE TO...

REVAMP MY WHOLE CAREER TRAJECTORY.

WELL, MAYBE WE COULD HAVE SOME DINNER SOMETIME.

I KNOW WHAT YOUR DINNER INVITATIONS MEAN.

JUST TALKING ABOUT DINNER.YEAH, WELL.

THE LAST TIME WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT DINNER.

I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU'LL HAVE DINNER WITH ME SOMETIME.

THAT'S ALL.

ARE YOU STILL DOING DRUGS?

WHAT?

I HAVE TO KNOW.

OK, I'M A COP, AND I HAVE A KID,

AND I'M TAKING A RIDICULOUS RISK

HAVING YOU IN MY LIFE.

YOU KNOW THAT...

PROBATIONER THAT YOU ARE.

ARE YOU GONNA MAKE ME LOOK STUPID?

NO.

NO.

OK.

OK.

OK.

MOM!

THAT'S ME.

SO MR. LAFFERTY CAME OVER.

HE SAID SOMETHING ABOUT ME BEING 47 WHEN I GET OUT.

YOU KNOW...

SOMETIMES I WONDER WHAT THE KIDS AT SCHOOL

ARE SAYING ABOUT ME.

DO YOU LIKE SCIENCE?

YEAH.

ME, TOO.

WE WERE READING ABOUT THE SOUTH POLE.

THE BOOK SAID SOMETHING LIKE

THE EARTH SPINS MORE SLOWLY AT THE EDGES.

DID YOU EVER READ THAT?

I MAY HAVE.

MY TEACHER SAID THAT IF IT SPINS THAT SLOW,

MAYBE TIME MOVES SLOWER.

DID YOU EVER THINK ABOUT STUFF LIKE THAT?

IF IT'S TRUE,

MAYBE THERE'S A PLACE WHERE THE EARTH SPINS A LITTLE FASTER,

WHERE TIME MOVES FASTER.

YOU CAN TELL MR. LAFFERTY THAT IT'S OK.

TO DO THAT PLEA.

I'D RATHER JUST SKIP THE TRIAL.

OK. I'LL DO THAT.

THINK THAT MAKES SENSE.

DON'T YOU?