Original subtitles

PREVIOUSLY ON "THE GUARDIAN"...

THE MISSION OF CHILDREN'S LEGAL SERVICES IS SIMPLE.

WE PROVIDE QUALITY LEGAL REPRESENTATION

AND ADVOCACY ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN

WHO ARE ABUSED, NEGLECTED, OR OTHERWISE AT RISK.

YOU THE NEW GUY FROM C.L.S.?

I GUESS I AM, BUT--

MEET HUNTER REED, YOUR NEWEST CLIENT.

YOU'RE ON THE DOCKET IN 15 MINUTES.

WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

LAURIE SOLT. THIS IS NOT MY WORLD.

I'M NOT SAYING IT'S ANY BETTER.

IT JUST HAS DIFFERENT RULES.

NICK! I JUST WAS EXPLAINING TO MR. SWAN AND HIS ASSOCIATES

THAT WE FEEL THE NEW TAX LAWS

CAN BE MANIPULATED TO BENEFIT SWAN TECH.

SON, DO YOU WANT TO MAKE PARTNER WITH THIS FIRM?

WHY WERE YOU 45 MINUTES LATE?

AND DON'T EVER EMBARRASS ME LIKE THAT AGAIN

IN FRONT OF A CLIENT.

WHAT DID YOU DO? SOMETHING BAD?

GOT ARRESTED FOR DRUGS.

I STILL CAN'T GET OVER YOU IN A SUIT, NICK.

YOU, OF ALL PEOPLE.

I REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE LITTLE

AND YOU STARTED TO DRESS YOURSELF.

YOU ALWAYS WORE YOUR SHIRT

INSIDE OUT AND BACKWARDS.

WELL, I GUESS THAT'S BETTER

THAN FORGETTING TO WEAR MY UNDERWEAR.

I ONLY DID THAT WHEN I CAME OVER TO YOUR HOUSE, NICK.

WHY ARE YOU HERE, RACHEL?

WHEN MY BROTHER CHARLIE AND I STARTED

AT MY FATHER'S COMPANY,

HE PLACED US AT THE HEAD OF EACH DIVISION.

YEAH.

I STARTED THE SEMI-CONDUCTOR DIVISION

TO DEAL WITH THE AUTOMATED SHIPPING, TRACKING,

AND TO HELP THE COMPANY EXPAND

TO THE SOUTHERN STATES AND MIDWEST.

CHARLIE SOLD

PAPER AND PACKAGING.

MY FATHER CALLED ME INTO HIS OFFICE LAST MONTH

TO TELL ME THAT HE WAS GONNA PROMOTE

MY BROTHER OVER ME.

WELL, HE'S JUST PASSED YOU OVER.

HE SAID IT MADE SENSE FOR ME

TO STAY AT HOME AND TAKE CARE OF MY KIDS.

HE DIDN'T OFFICIALLY FIRE YOU.

NO.

NO, HE JUST PASSED YOU OVER.

HE'LL DO THE RIGHT THING BY YOU.

NICK, I'M GONNA TAKE--

NICHOLAS?

HELLO. RACHEL!

HOW ARE YOU DOING? WHAT A NICE SURPRISE.

OHH.HOW ARE YOU, SWEETIE?

I'M FINE, BURTON.

GOSH, YOU LOOK-- WHAT BRINGS YOU OVER HERE?

NOTHING, REALLY. I JUST CAME OVER TO SAY HELLO.

YEAH?

YEAH. WELL, GREAT.

LISTEN, I HATE TO INTERRUPT,

BUT I DO NEED NICHOLAS IN A MEETING.

OF COURSE.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE LUNCH?

YEAH.

OK.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU. TAKE CARE.

BYE.OK, BYE-BYE.

WE DON'T HAVE A MEETING.

NO.

I JUST GOT A CALL FROM HER DAD.

YEAH?

RACHEL IS MOUNTING A PROXY FIGHT.

RACHEL?

SHE WANTS TO TAKE OVER THE COMPANY.

NICK?

NICK, THIS IS SUMMER AND LAWRENCE NEAL.

THEY'VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU FOR OVER AN HOUR.

SORRY.

LAWRENCE'S PETITION HEARING'S COMING UP THIS WEEK.

YOU'LL BE REPRESENTING HIM.

SOCIAL SERVICES WANTS TO PUT HIM

IN A STATE HOME FOR DISABLED CHILDREN.

WHY DON'T YOU COME WITH ME, LAWRENCE?

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

THIS WON'T BE LONG.

THANKS.

WHY ARE YOU HAVING A SHELTER HEARING?

YOUR MOTHER SEEMS PERFECTLY NORMAL.

MY MOTHER'S GOING TO JAIL.

WHAT DID SHE DO?

YOU KNOW HOW SOME MEN DON'T HAVE A GIRLFRIEND?

THEY PAY MY MOM TO BE THEIRS.

I AM SENTENCING YOU

TO 1,500 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE--

USING YOUR SKILLS AS A CORPORATE ATTORNEY

TO WORK AS A CHILD ADVOCATE.

SHE'S A PROSTITUTE?

SHE THINKS IT SHOULDN'T EVEN BE A CRIME.

WELL, IT IS.

I KNOW THAT.

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE PLACED, LAWRENCE?

I WANT TO LIVE WITH MY STEP-FATHER.

OK.

BUT THERE'S THIS WOMAN FROM THE GOVERNMENT,

HER NAME IS LAURIE.MM-HMM.

SHE WANTS TO PUT ME IN A SPECIAL NEEDS HOME.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?

WELL, THEY'RE FACILITIES WITH ACCOMMODATIONS

THAT SERVICES WHEELCHAIRS--

SPECIAL NEEDS MEANS RETARDS AND PSYCHOS.

ALL DAY IT'S GONNA BE, "A YAM WE TALL DID."

I GOT NEUROFIBROMATOSIS.

IT'S A KIND OF TUMOR THAT GREW TOO BIG

AND HURT MY SPINE.

SO I HAVE TO BE IN A WHEELCHAIR.

BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I'M TOTALLY NORMAL.

JUST A MINUTE.

LAURIE. MISS SOLT.

YES, MR. FALLIN?

LAWRENCE NEAL. WHAT'S YOUR RECOMMENDATION?

THE RILEY CENTER.

HE WANTS TO STAY WITH HIS STEPFATHER.

HIS STEPFATHER HAS A CRIMINAL RECORD.

WHAT DID HE DO?

ASSAULT AND BATTERY. SERVED 2 YEARS.

YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW HIM. HE'S A GOOD FATHER.

WHERE WAS HE LAST YEAR WHEN YOU WERE ARRESTED FOR SOLICITATION

AND YOUR SON WAS LEFT ALONE FOR 2 DAYS?

HE WAS WORKING! AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN HOME IF I--

IF YOU HADN'T BEEN OUT BREAKING THE LAW.

THERE'S NO WAY I'M GONNA CHANGE

THIS RECOMMENDATION, MR. FALLIN.

THE STEPFATHER HAS BEEN BASICALLY

PIMPING THE MOTHER FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

AND THE HOUSE ISN'T EQUIPPED FOR A SPECIAL NEEDS KID.

I DIDN'T ASK YOU TO CHANGE YOUR RECOMMENDATION, MS. SOLT.

I CAN'T PROMISE YOU ANYTHING, LAWRENCE.

BUT YOU'LL LOOK INTO IT, RIGHT?

YES, I'LL LOOK INTO IT.

JUST COME OVER TO MY HOUSE.

YOU'LL SEE.

IT'S A LOT BETTER THAN WHAT SHE SAYS.

OK.

WE CAN'T TALK BUSINESS.

WHAT'S GOOD HERE?

YOU HAVE TO STOP THIS THING

BEFORE IT TURNS INTO A DISASTER.

WE'RE NOT TALKING BUSINESS.

SO, NICK,

ARE YOU HAPPY WORKING FOR YOUR FATHER?

DO YOU THINK HE JUDGES YOU DIFFERENTLY

THAN ANYONE ELSE IN THE FIRM?

WHAT IF HE NEVER MADE YOU PARTNER?

I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

YOUR FATHER GIVES YOU FREE REIN,

HE TREATS YOU VERY WELL.

I'M DIVORCING ALAN.

WE SEPARATED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO.

MY FATHER DOESN'T KNOW.

WHAT ABOUT THE KIDS?

THEY'RE WITH HIM

UNTIL I GET THIS ALL TAKEN CARE OF.

YOU'RE JUDGING ME.

NO, I'M NOT.

I'M A GOOD MOTHER, NICK.

I'M VERY GOOD AT WHAT I DO.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.

WHY AM I THE VILLAIN IN ALL THIS?

CHARLIE HAS NO IMAGINATION.

HE DOESN'T WANT TO BUILD THE COMPANY.

IF WE DID IT HIS WAY,

WE'D BE DEAD IN A DECADE.

YOU'RE PROBABLY RIGHT.

NICK, DON'T OPPOSE ME.

I DON'T HAVE A CHOICE.

MRS. NEAL?

LAWRENCE TOLD ME THAT YOU'RE GONNA

HELP HIM STAY WITH JERRY.

NO. I TOLD HIM I'D TAKE A LOOK AT THE HOUSE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, MR. FALLIN?

I DON'T THINK THAT ANY JUDGE IS GONNA PLACE YOUR SON

WITH YOUR CURRENT HUSBAND.

WHY NOT?

MRS. NEAL,

YOUR HUSBAND SERVED TIME FOR ASSAULT AND BATTERY.

LAWRENCE DOESN'T DESERVE TO GO TO A STATE HOME.

NO, HE DOESN'T.

ON FRIDAY, I GO TO JAIL FOR NEARLY 2 YEARS.

IF YOU'RE NOT GONNA HELP,

I'LL TAKE WHAT LITTLE MONEY I HAVE LEFT

AND PAY SOMEONE WHO WILL.

LISTEN, I'M GONNA REPRESENT YOUR SON'S WISHES IN COURT,

BUT I STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU PREPARE HIM

TO GO TO THE RILEY CENTER.

HA HA HA!

HA HA HA!

WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WERE GONNA DIE?

I CAN REMEMBER WHEN IT HIT ME.

MY KIDS WEREN'T EVEN TEENAGERS YET.

DRIVING HOME FROM SEVEN SPRINGS.

ICY ROADS, CADILLAC HIT A PATCH,

WHOOSH, 360. I WASN'T THINKING ABOUT ANYTHING,

BUT WHAT IF MY HEAD HIT THE DASHBOARD,

YOU KNOW? FIRST THING I DID,

INCORPORATED AND NAMED MY KIDS AS SHAREHOLDERS.

YOU DID THE RIGHT THING, BART,

FOR THE RIGHT REASON.

RACHEL'S PREPARED A PROXY OFFER

WITH OWENS-HILLER,

A FANCY HEDGE FUND THAT'S ACQUIRED 1/3 OF THE COMPANY STOCK.

WHY DO THEY WANT TO BACK RACHEL?

THEY'VE BEEN PRETTY VOCAL ABOUT THE DIRECTION

IN WHICH I'VE TAKEN MY COMPANY.

WHAT DID RACHEL PROMISE THEM?

SHE PROMISED TO SPIN OFF THE SEMI-CONDUCTOR DIVISION

INTO A SEPARATE CORPORATION.

SO OWENS-HILLER GETS 2 SETS OF SHARES INSTEAD OF ONE.

CLEARLY, SOME WALL STREET ANALYST BELIEVES

THAT THE STOCK WILL DOUBLE AS SOON AS IT'S UNLEASHED.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, BART?

SHORT-TERM GAIN, LONG-TERM DISASTER.

AND WHAT DOES RACHEL GET?

MY JOB.

OK.

NEAL, GERALD T.

PAROLED MARCH OF '99, CAME TO ME APRIL '99,

HAS SENT IN THE POSTCARD EVERY MONTH.

HE'S WORKING, 2 JOBS IN FACT.

NO PROBLEMS TO SPEAK OF.

HE WAS ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT AND BATTERY, RIGHT?

HE PLED OUT.

WHO WAS THE VICTIM?

COMMITTED BATTERY ON HIS STEPFATHER,

HE ASSAULTED HIS MOTHER.

HIS MOTHER?

THAT'S WHAT IT SAYS HERE.

AND YOU SAY HE WANTS TO ADOPT YOUR CLIENT?

YOU'VE DISCOVERED THE C.L.S. FILING SYSTEM.

I'M WORKING WITH THIS KID, LAWRENCE NEAL.

THE ONLY NEAL IN THIS CABINET

IS IN 1991.

CHECK UNDER MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME,

PAPLACZYK.

NO CHARGE.

JERRY NEAL WAS IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM HIMSELF.

SO WAS HIS SISTER.

CAN I TAKE THIS?

JUST MAKE SURE YOU PUT IT BACK WHERE YOU FOUND IT.

SURE.

ALL FINISHED?

OK, THANKS.

ARE YOU JERRY NEAL'S SISTER?

YEAH.

THEY WANTED ME TO TESTIFY

AT HIS TRIAL, BUT I WAS SCARED.

SCARED OF JERRY?

JERRY? NO.

IT WAS MY MOTHER'S BOYFRIEND

THAT I WAS AFRAID OF.

I WAS GONNA TESTIFY FOR JERRY,

NOT AGAINST HIM.

HE HIT YOUR MOTHER.

HE DIDN'T HIT MY MOM.

ALL HE DID WAS BLOCK HER

AND GIVE HER DAMNED BOYFRIEND A BEATING.

HAS JERRY TOLD YOU ABOUT THEM YET?

NO.

MY MOM DATED THIS GUY, ROSS.

HE DID THIS TO ME.

AND A LOT OF OTHER REALLY FUN STUFF.

UM, BUT MY MOM NEVER BELIEVED ME.

AND I'D CALL JERRY. HE WAS OLDER

AND WAS ALREADY LIVING ON HIS OWN,

SO HE WOULD JUST COME OVER AND GIVE ROSS THE WHAT-FOR,

WHICH, OF COURSE, ROSS DIDN'T LIKE.

SO MOM DOESN'T BELIEVE ME,

THE COPS DON'T BELIEVE ME,

BUT JERRY...

HE DOES.

AND, UH, I COULD CALL HIM AND HE'D COME RIGHT OVER

NO MATTER WHAT HE WAS DOING.

UNTIL, YOU KNOW, ONE DAY

HE GOT A LITTLE CARRIED AWAY

AND THE COPS SHOWED UP.

WHY DIDN'T YOU TESTIFY?

I DON'T KNOW.

I GUESS BECAUSE I HAD TO LIVE WITH MY MOM.

I LET JERRY DOWN BECAUSE I WAS SCARED.

I SPOKE TO JERRY NEAL'S SISTER.

SHE HAS A VERY DIFFERENT TAKE ON WHAT HAPPENED

WHEN JERRY WAS ARRESTED.

SHE'S WILLING TO TESTIFY ON HIS BEHALF.

LET'S JUST SAY FOR THE SAKE OF ARGUMENT

THAT THIS JERRY IS A STAND-UP GUY.

THE HOUSE IS STILL NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE.

THE BOY CAN'T USE THE TOILET, BATHE HIMSELF,

OR PREPARE A MEAL WITHOUT ASSISTANCE.

WHAT'S THAT?

I'M ASKING SOCIAL SERVICES TO PAY TO MODIFY THE HOUSE

FOR LAWRENCE'S NEEDS.

WE HAVE A VERY LIMITED BUDGET, MR. FALLIN.

DON'T ASK US TO SPEND IT FRIVOLOUSLY.

IT WILL KEEP THE FAMILY TOGETHER.

I'M NOT CHANGING MY RECOMMENDATION.

TAKE IT.

I'VE SEEN WHAT CAN HAPPEN

WHEN A PLACEMENT GOES BAD.

THE HOUSE ISN'T THE ISSUE HERE, IS IT?

LAWRENCE IS A GOOD KID.

WE'LL KEEP HIM IN THE SAME SCHOOL,

JERRY WILL HAVE GENEROUS VISITATION RIGHTS,

BUT THE RILEY CENTER WILL OFFER STABILITY.

AND NO ONE AT THE RILEY CENTER

EVER HIT A FAMILY MEMBER.

16 FORTUNE 1,000 BUSINESSES OPENED OPERATIONS

IN PITTSBURGH THIS FISCAL YEAR.

OF THOSE 16,

2 CHOSE TO USE THIS FIRM.

2.

9 WENT TO KIRK AND McGEE.

NICK, THIS IS A PARTNERS MEETING.

CAN IT WAIT?

I'LL BE IN YOUR OFFICE.

NOW, BILLABLE HOURS DOWN 30%.

YOU TELL LAURIE SOLT I'LL BE LATE.

YEAH, I-- I KNOW WHAT TIME

THE HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR.

I HAVE TO MEET WITH ANOTHER CLIENT FIRST.

NO. NO, I-- NO, I CAN'T BE THERE UNTIL 4:00, OK?

OK.

SO, LISTEN--

OK, WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

IT'S ABOUT RACHEL AND BART.

I HAD THIS IDEA ABOUT A STAGGERED BOARD PROVISION.

I THOUGHT IF WE COULD DRAFT A BYLAW AMENDMENT

PROVIDING THAT ONLY 2 DIRECTORS BE ELECTED PER YEAR--

IT MAKES US LOOK WEAK.

OR SMART.

SEE, THIS WAY, EVEN IF RACHEL WINS,

SHE WON'T GAIN A MAJORITY.

NO! IT SENDS THE WRONG MESSAGE.

IT ALIENATES WALL STREET.

IT'S BAD FOR THE STOCK.

WELL, IT WON'T BE AS BLOODY.

WAIT A MINUTE. LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT.

YOU BARGED INTO A PARTNER MEETING

TO TELL ME THIS?

I WAS LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT.

COMMUNITY SERVICE.YES.

WELL, WHEN ARE YOU GONNA GET CONTROL OF THAT?

I THINK I HAVE IT--I DON'T THINK SO!

I SEE YOU RUNNING IN AND OUT OF HERE EVERY DAY,

YOUR WORK IS FALLING OFF.

I DON'T THINK IT IS.

I'M TELLING YOU IT IS.

YOUR BILLABLE HOURS ARE WAY DOWN.

THESE CASES, I CAN'T JUST PHONE THEM IN.

I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT YOU'VE GOT TO FIND A WAY

NOT TO LET THEM PULL YOU UNDER.

IT'S NOT PULLING ME UNDER. I JUST DO THEM.

NICHOLAS...

LOOK, JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE MY SON

DOESN'T MEAN YOU'RE GONNA GET

SPECIAL TREATMENT AROUND HERE.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT?

I-- UNDERSTAND THAT?

I'M GONNA FIGURE OUT ANOTHER ANGLE ON THIS PROXY ISSUE.

NICK.

I'M SORRY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S BOTHERING ME.

I...

I SPOKE WITH YOUR SISTER.

SHE'S WILLING TO TESTIFY ON YOUR BEHALF.

WILL THAT HELP?

IT'LL INCREASE YOUR CHANCES.

YOU STILL HAVE TO PROVE

THAT YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF LAWRENCE

WITHOUT SUMMER.

I CAN.

YOUR HOUSE ISN'T UP TO CODE.

YOU'RE WORKING 2 JOBS.

SO I'LL QUIT ONE.

THEN HOW WILL YOU BE ABLE TO AFFORD

TO TAKE CARE OF LAWRENCE?

HEY, WE'LL MANAGE.

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR THE COURT.

WHY CAN'T THEY JUST LEAVE US ALONE?

HAVE YOU BEEN OUT TO SEE THE RILEY CENTER?

NO.

MAYBE YOU SHOULD.

JUST TAKE A LOOK.

WE HAVE 2 HOT MEALS DAILY,

3 ON WEEKENDS.

2 HANDI-VANS ARE AVAILABLE,

AND YOU'LL HAVE YOUR OWN ROOM.

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, LAWRENCE?

YEAH, DO YOU HAVE ANY VIDEO GAMES?

WE HAVE THE FULL COMPLEMENT

OF REHABILITATIVE TOYS.

YOU CAN'T REHABILITATE ME. THIS IS HOW I AM.

FOREVER.

KIKI, TODAY WE'RE GONNA DRAW

ABOUT WONDERFUL THINGS THAT YOU DID THIS SUMMER.

WHAT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL THING? THINK IN YOUR MIND.

WHAT IS THE MOST WONDERFUL THING THAT YOU DID THIS SUMMER?

DO YOU REMEMBER?

NO.

WHO TAUGHT YOU?

YOU THINK I'M A KINDERGARTNER?

UH, WE HAVE CHESS AND CHECKERS.

YEAH, IT'LL BE REAL FUN PLAYING WITH THEM.

BE RESPECTFUL, PLEASE.

HOW COME JUST BECAUSE I'M IN A WHEELCHAIR,

I GET STUCK WITH KIDS LIKE THIS?

THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO HELP.

HE DOESN'T BELONG HERE, MAN.

SO IT'S THE MONEY, ISN'T IT?

IT'S NOT THE MONEY, IT'S THE PACKAGE.

YEAH, BUT IF I HAD THE MONEY

TO DO THE UPGRADE ON THE HOUSE

AND DIDN'T HAVE TO WORK THE SECOND JOB--

MAYBE IT MIGHT HELP.

IT'S THE MONEY.

WHAT ABOUT THE BIOLOGICAL FATHER?

IS CHILD SUPPORT A POSSIBILITY?

HE'S DEAD. HE'S BEEN DEAD FOR YEARS.

HEY.

LAWRENCE SAYS HE THINKS HE KNOWS WHO THE FATHER IS.

HE'S ALIVE?

YEAH.

ALL RIGHT. MEET ME AT THE CLINIC TOMORROW, 11 A.M.

IT'S HER DAY BOOK.

HE WAS A CLIENT.

HOW DO YOU KNOW?

I HEARD HER SAY IT ONCE.

I HAVE THE LIST, ALL HER CLIENTS

FROM THE YEAR BEFORE I WAS BORN.

SHE WAS PRETTY, WASN'T SHE?

YEAH.

IT'S JUST INITIALS AND PHONE NUMBERS.

I HAD TO FIND A 1989 PHONE BOOK,

THEN MATCH THE NUMBERS TO THE NAMES.

THEN I NARROWED IT DOWN TO 22.

ARE YOU POSITIVE YOU WANT TO PUT HIM THROUGH THIS?

I'M WILLING TO TRY IF HE IS.

YOU REALLY WANT TO DO THIS?

IF YOU'RE NOT GONNA COME WITH ME,

I'LL JUST GO BY MYSELF.

MR. ODET?

YEAH?

I'M NICHOLAS FALLIN.

THIS IS LAWRENCE NEAL.

AND?

I'M HERE TO ASK YOU SOME QUESTIONS

ABOUT SEPTEMBER OF 1989.

WHAT ARE YOU, A COP?

NO. I'M THE GUARDIAN FOR THIS BOY.

SEPTEMBER '89,

I WAS FIXING APPLIANCES.

YOU MAY HAVE HAD A DATE WITH A WOMAN

BY THE NAME OF SUMMER NEAL.

OH, I, UH-- I DON'T GO ON DATES.

NO.

OH.

YEAH, WE--WE HAD AN ARRANGEMENT.

WHAT ABOUT IT?

SHE GOT PREGNANT.

THIS IS HER SON.

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR MOTHER?

OK.

YOUR MOTHER...

IS A WHORE.

Odet: HA HA HA!Nick: OK, LET'S GO.

LET'S GO.

THAT WOULD MAKE YOU A SON OF A WHORE!

HA HA HA!

DON'T TALK THAT WAY ABOUT MY FAMILY.

JERRY! JERRY, NO! JERRY, NO, NO.

YOU'RE OUT OF CONTROL.

GUY HAD IT COMING.

LIKE YOUR STEPFATHER?

YOU GOT A COUPLE OF CHOICES AS I SEE IT.

MAKE THINGS RIGHT, OR LET THINGS BE WRONG.

YOU CAN GET YOURSELF IN A LOT OF TROUBLE, JERRY.

I SLEEP AT NIGHT.

JAMES, HOW LONG DID YOU WORK AT THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL?

ALL THROUGH COLLEGE, WHICH IN MY CASE

WAS ALMOST 8 YEARS.

SO YOU MUST KNOW YOUR WAY AROUND

A FEW CHILDHOOD DISEASES?

SOME.

NEUROFIBROMATOSIS. YOU HEARD OF IT?

SURE.

IS IT GENETIC?

IT CAN BE.

SO IF AN UNCLE HAS IT,

THEN THE NEPHEW MIGHT HAVE IT.

THAT'S RIGHT. WHY THE INTEREST?

I HAVE A CLIENT THAT HAS A LIST OF POTENTIAL FATHERS.

I'M JUST TRYING TO NARROW IT DOWN.

THE MOTHER WAS A POPULAR GIRL.

OH, YEAH.

SHE WAS A PROSTITUTE.

YOU'RE TRYING TO FIND A MAN

WHO PAID TO HAVE SEX WITH A HOOKER

OVER A DOZEN YEARS AGO?

THAT'S RIGHT.

TO TELL HIM WHAT,

"CONGRATULATIONS, IT'S A BOY"?

IS THIS REALLY YOUR HIGHEST PRIORITY?

THE CLIENT WANTS ME TO DO IT.

IT'S NOT GONNA MAKE ONE BIT OF DIFFERENCE

IN THAT CHILD'S LIFE.

WELL, IF WE CAN ESTABLISH PATERNITY,

THEN WE CAN COLLECT CHILD SUPPORT.

YOU'RE SERIOUS?

YOU'RE SERIOUS.

YOU BELIEVE THIS GUY?

YOU WANT ME TO HELP FIND HIM?

YOU ALREADY HAVE. THANK YOU.

WHEN I SAW YOUR NAME ON THE MESSAGE SLIP,

I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.

JUST ME.

THERE WAS A POINT IN TIME THAT COULD MEAN PUKING UP

BLACK BEAUTIES AT A CANADIAN DOG TRACK.

IT WAS CODEINE,

AND IT WAS YOU DOING THE VOMITING.

OH.

IT'S A MIRACLE WE'RE BOTH ALIVE.

HUH?

YOU LOOK GOOD, NICK. YOU REALLY DO.

YOUR BROTHER DAVE, HOW'S HE DOING?

DAVE?

PRETTY WELL.

THERE'S A CLINIC IN PHILLY,

REALLY GOOD PEOPLE,

THEY TAKE THE PAIN ISSUE SERIOUSLY.

TAUGHT HIM HOW TO MANAGE IT.

HE'S HOLDING DOWN A JOB AT A RADIO STATION

DOING AD SALES.

EVEN BOUGHT A HOUSE.

NEUROFIBROMATOSIS, THAT'S WHAT HE HAS, RIGHT?

YEAH, N.F.

THEY MADE SOME REAL PROGRESS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THANKS FOR ASKING.

SO, WHAT'S UP?

SHE'S CUTE.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND, 1989.

OH, NO.

SEE, EMILY AND I WERE MARRIED

BY THAT POINT IN TIME, NICK.

HER NAME IS SUMMER. SHE'S A PROSTITUTE.

YOUR PHONE NUMBER IS IN HER DAY BOOK.

REALLY?

I HAVE NO IDEA.

THAT'S HER SON.

HE'S AN N.F. SUFFERER LIKE YOUR BROTHER.

HE WAS BORN 9 MONTHS AFTER YOUR DATE.

IT WAS A FLING,

A DIRTY WEEKEND AT CONNEAUT LAKE,

END OF STORY.

AND, YES, I PAID. SO WHAT? I PAID.

NOT BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET ANY WOMAN I WANTED.

NO, I PAID SO WHEN I SAID IT WAS OVER,

IT WAS OVER. RIGHT?

WITH HER MAYBE,

BUT, UH, I REPRESENT THE BOY.

AND HE HAS FINANCIAL NEEDS.

HOW MUCH ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

NO.

THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS.

I HAVE 2 DAUGHTERS IN PRIVATE SCHOOL,

I HAVE DENTAL SCHOOL LOANS, I HAVE A MORTGAGE.

NICK--

THIS KID IS GONNA END UP IN A STATE HOME

FOR MENTALLY DISABLED CHILDREN.

ONE INDISCRETION 10 YEARS AGO,

AND YOU'RE SCREWING ME TO THE WALL.

I'M THE KID'S LAWYER.

LOOK THE OTHER WAY, MAN.

I CAN'T. THIS KID JUST NEEDS HELP.

YOU CAN DO THIS QUIETLY.

NO ONE HAS TO KNOW.

I CAN FIGHT THIS.

I CAN FILE A PATERNITY CLAIM

AND LET THIS GET PUBLIC.

THERE'S STUFF I COULD SAY ABOUT YOU.

YOU KNOW? THERE ARE THINGS I COULD SAY.

I WOULDN'T BE SITTING ACROSS FROM YOU

IF I HADN'T ALREADY BEEN THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM.

I'M ALREADY SCREWED, DEREK.

BELIEVE ME.

THAT'S YOUR COPY.

OH.

NICK.

I WAS JUST LOOKING FOR YOU.

YOU ALL RIGHT?

THE KIDS ARE UP IN BOSTON WITH ALAN.

I MISS THEM.

GOD.

AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF WHAT I'M DOING

IS GONNA HELP ME GET CUSTODY.

YOU'LL BE FINE.

YOU'LL BE OK.

YOU THINK YOU CAN COME HOME WITH ME?

RACHEL--

NO BUSINESS.

I DON'T WANT TO CHANGE YOUR MIND.

COME OVER, AND...

TOMORROW, WE'LL SIT ACROSS THE TABLE AND...

WE'LL AGREE TO GO TO WAR.

YOU KNOW, WE NEVER REALLY TALKED ABOUT

WHAT HAPPENED WITH YOU.

YOUR PROBLEMS.

I WISH...

WE WERE FRIENDS FOR A LONG TIME.

I WISH...

WHAT?

I DON'T KNOW.

IT JUST BOTHERS ME

TO THINK OF YOU FALLING SO FAR.

THERE'S NOTHING YOU COULD HAVE DONE.

NO.

BUT YOU WERE THERE FOR ME.

YOU WERE IN TROUBLE.

YOU'VE ALWAYS KEPT IT BETWEEN US

AFTER YOU CHECKED ME INTO REHAB,

AND I ASSUME YOU'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

THE ONLY WAY TO SUCCESSFULLY DO THIS

IS TO GO AFTER YOUR DAUGHTER PUBLICLY.

I DON'T WANT TO CALL THIS A SMEAR CAMPAIGN.

I DON'T DO SMEAR CAMPAIGNS.

BUT I DO NEED TO KNOW THE ONE THING

THAT MIGHT CAUSE THE SHAREHOLDERS TO BALK

AT HAVING HER INSTALLED AS CEO.

AND I ASSUME, SINCE YOU PEOPLE ARE CLOSEST TO HER,

THAT SOMEONE CAN TELL ME WHAT THAT IS.

THEN I CAN LEAK IT.

A SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST HIS OWN DAUGHTER.

WELL, SHE STARTED THIS.

LET'S GO TO OWENS-HILLER.

MAKE THEM THE SAME OFFER RACHEL MADE.

NICHOLAS...

THEY HATE EACH OTHER.

HATEEACH OTHER.

YEAH.

BUT THEY BOTH LOVE MONEY.

BECAUSE OF HIS AGE AND DISABILITY,

SOCIAL SERVICES IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDING

THAT LAWRENCE BE PLACED AT THE RILEY CENTER.

WHAT DOES THE CHILD WANT?

THE CHILD WOULD LIKE TO STAY WITH HIS STEPFATHER, JERRY NEAL.

IS THAT YOUR RECOMMENDATION, MR. FALLIN?

YES.

SEEING THAT SOCIAL SERVICES

HAS REMOVED THEIR OBJECTION

REGARDING MR. NEAL'S SUITABILITY--

WE HAVE NOT.

AND WE STILL HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE HOUSE,

NOW THAT HIS MOTHER WON'T BE HOME TO ASSIST HIM.

YOUR HONOR...

THE RILEY CENTER IS ALMOST PUNITIVE.

AND THE BOY HAS DONE NOTHING TO DESERVE IT.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER OPTIONS?

THE ONLY FAIR SOLUTION IS THAT THE BOY STAYS

IN THE HOUSE THAT HE'S BEEN RAISED IN--

HIS MOTHER WON'T BE THERE--

JERRY NEAL IS A PERFECTLY SUITABLE--

I ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER--

AND A LOVING FATHER!

I ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER OPTIONS.

I'M WILLING TO TAKE THE BOY.

STATE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHILD.

I'M HIS FATHER.

I ONLY FOUND OUT YESTERDAY THAT LAWRENCE IS MY SON.

NO ONE BOTHERED TO TELL YOU?

IT WAS A ONE-NIGHT STAND, YOUR HONOR.

HE PAID TO HAVE SEX WITH ME.

THAT'S THE ONLY RELATIONSHIP WE EVER HAD.

JUDGE DAMSEN, I NEED TIME--

MS. SOLT, SIT DOWN.

MR. FALLIN, SIT DOWN!

I SAID SIT DOWN!

I'M BEING ASKED TO DECIDE TO CHOOSE

BETWEEN PLACING THIS BOY

WITH THE MAN WHO BOUGHT HIS MOTHER FOR THE NIGHT

OR THE MAN WHO SELLS HER.

THAT'S MY CHOICE. THE JOHN OR THE PIMP.

THAT'S MEAN.

THIS HEARING IS POSTPONED FOR 24 HOURS

TO GIVE THE COURT A CHANCE TO SORT OUT THE RELATIONSHIPS.

ADJOURNED.

WE ASKED YOU TO HELP,

AND INSTEAD, YOU MADE IT A THOUSAND TIMES WORSE.

I'M JUST TRYING TO KEEP HIM OUT OF THE RILEY CENTER.

SO YOU PUT HIM WITH A MAN HE NEVER KNEW?

IT WASN'T MY INTENTION--

I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKING-- THAT YOU'LL GET AWAY

WITH SCREWING UP EVERYTHING I HAVE

BECAUSE YOU'RE THIS BIG LAWYER

AND I'M JUST A STUPID WHORE.

I TOLD EMILY THE TRUTH,

AND SHE FEELS--

I FEEL THAT TAKING HIM IN

IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

RIGHT.

WELL, IT IS THE STATE'S OBLIGATION

TO GIVE THE BIOLOGICAL PARENT

EVERY OPPORTUNITY.

DEREK...

IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT?

YES.

YOU KNOW THIS IS A TREMENDOUS COMMITMENT,

MR. AND MRS. JOHNSON.

WE KNOW.

YOU UNDERSTAND THE REALITIES OF HIS SITUATION?

YES.

YOU KNOW THAT, SHOULD THIS WORK OUT,

LAWRENCE WILL GO THROUGH A PERIOD OF CULTURE SHOCK.

I UNDERSTAND THAT HE'S BEEN LIVING IN AN ENVIRONMENT

THAT IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM OUR HOME.

THE MOTHER... IS A PROSTITUTE

AND THE FATHER IS SOME KIND OF HELL'S ANGEL.

NO, THE FATHER IS DEREK.

OF COURSE.

I KNEW THAT.

MR. OWENS, I'M BURTON FALLIN.

YOU KNOW MR. SHELL.

YES.

GOOD. GOOD.

WHAT'S THE PROPOSAL?

WELL, MR. SHELL APPRECIATES THE WISDOM

OF YOUR STRATEGY,

SO HE'S WILLING TO, UH, SPIN OUT

THE SEMI-CONDUCTOR DIVISION

AND GIVE YOU 2 SETS OF SHARES.

THAT'S WHAT RACHEL WAS PROPOSING.

YEAH, BUT WITH US,

YOU WOULDN'T HAVE A FIGHT ON YOUR HANDS.

I DON'T THINK I HAVE A FIGHT ON MY HANDS EITHER WAY.

Add a bonus.

WHAT?

Options.

OH. YEAH.

IN LIGHT OF YOUR SUPPORT,

WE'RE WILLING TO OFFER A MILLION DOLLARS IN OPTIONS

AND ANOTHER SEAT ON THE BOARD.

WHOSE?

RACHEL'S.

LAWRENCE WILL BE WITHOUT HIS MOTHER FOR 21 MONTHS.

DURING HER PRISON TERM, HE WILL GRADUATE SEVENTH GRADE,

START AND FINISH EIGHTH GRADE,

AND ENTER THE NINTH GRADE.

THE RILEY CENTER IS AN EXCELLENT FACILITY,

ESPECIALLY WELL-SUITED TO WHEELCHAIR USERS.

HOW MANY OTHER WHEELCHAIR USERS

ARE THERE AT THE RILEY CENTER?

WHEN I CHECKED, 5.

5 OUT OF 28.

OF THE OTHER 23, HOW MANY SUFFER

FROM MENTAL RETARDATION?

20.

SORRY?

20.

NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, YOUR HONOR.

MR. JOHNSON...

EMILY AND I HAVE HAD A TOUGH COUPLE OF DAYS,

BUT SHE WANTS TO DO RIGHT BY THIS BOY,

LET HIM LIVE AMONG REGULAR PEOPLE FOR ONCE.

BY REGULAR PEOPLE, YOU MEAN WHAT?

WELL, I MEAN...

HIS MOTHER'S GOING TO JAIL.

WE'RE NOT LIKE THAT.

REGULAR.

I'M NOT REGULAR? I'M A CRIMINAL?

MRS. NEAL.I GUESS SO.

BUT YOU'RE THE CUSTOMER. SO THE DIFFERENCE IS

I DID IT TO RAISE MONEY TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE,

AND YOU JUST DID IT FOR THE SEX.

MRS. NEAL!

LAWRENCE WANTS TO LIVE WITH ME.

I'M MARRIED TO HIS MOM.

SO I DON'T KNOW WHY THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO GET IN THE WAY.

MR. NEAL, YOU RECENTLY SPENT SOME TIME

IN PRISON YOURSELF. IS THAT CORRECT?

YES, SIR. FOR ASSAULT AND BATTERY.

THAT SOUNDS BAD.

DID YOU HIT SOMEONE?

YES, I DID. I HIT MY STEPFATHER.

YOU WERE DEFENDING YOUR 13-YEAR-OLD SISTER

FROM YOUR STEPFATHER?

THAT IS CORRECT.

CAN ANYONE CORROBORATE YOUR STORY?

YES, SIR. MY SISTER.

YOUR HONOR, I'D LIKE TO ENTER HER STATEMENT INTO EVIDENCE.

SHE'S AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONING

IF YOU WISH TO SUBPOENA HER.

WE ACCEPT THE STATEMENT, YOUR HONOR.

IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT

THAT MR. NEAL RESORTS TO VIOLENCE EASILY.

MR. NEAL,

HOW MANY HOURS OF MEDICAL TRAINING HAVE YOU HAD?

I'M A TOOL AND DIE MAKER.

I DON'T HAVE ANY MEDICAL TRAINING.

IN YOUR HOUSE,

CAN YOU ROLL A WHEELCHAIR INTO THE BATHROOM?

NO.

YOU JUST KIND OF PICK HIM UP OUT OF THE CHAIR,

BUT HE GETS AROUND OK.

NO MORE QUESTIONS, YOUR HONOR.

THIS COURT WILL RECESS FOR 30 MINUTES

TO CONSIDER THE WRITTEN STATEMENT.

WE WILL RECONVENE AT 3:30.

THIS WASN'T PART OF THE DEAL, YOU KNOW.

I NEVER MEANT FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.

IT WASN'T PART OF THE DEAL.

WE HAVEN'T REALLY OFFICIALLY MET.

I THOUGHT IF YOU WERE GONNA LIVE WITH US, WE SHOULD.

WELL...

IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU.

YEAH. YOU, TOO.

MY BROTHER, YOU KNOW,

HE'S LIKE YOU.

HE LIKES MOTORCYCLES?

NO, I MEANT...

HE HAS WHAT YOU HAVE.

THAT'S MY DISEASE. THAT'S NOT ME.

I KNOW, I--I MEANT...

I MEAN...

IF YOU COME TO LIVE WITH US,

WE'RE GONNA TREAT YOU LIKE OUR SON.

I AM YOUR SON.

I--

YOU'VE HAD SOME BAD LUCK IN YOUR LIFE,

BUT LOOK AROUND.

6 ADULTS, AND THEY ALL CARE ABOUT YOU VERY MUCH.

YOUR BIOLOGICAL FATHER MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN YOUR MOTHER

UNDER THE BEST OF CIRCUMSTANCES,

BUT HE WANTS TO DO RIGHT BY YOU.

MS. SOLT BELIEVES HER HOUSING CHOICE

IS THE ONLY SUITABLE ONE.

SHE'S RIGHT, BUT HOUSING IS NOT A FAMILY.

AND YOUR MOTHER'S HUSBAND JERRY

WANTS TO DO THE RIGHT THING, TOO.

I KNOW YOU WANT TO STAY HOME.

I WISH I COULD RECOMMEND THAT.

THE RILEY CENTER.

MR. NEAL WILL HAVE VISITATION ON ODD WEEKENDS.

MR. JOHNSON ON EVEN WEEKENDS,

SHOULD PATERNITY BE CONFIRMED.

AND WHEN YOUR MOTHER'S RELEASED FROM PRISON,

SHE CAN PETITION FOR CUSTODY AGAIN.

ALL MY LIFE,

ALL I EVER WANTED WAS TO RUN THE COMPANY.

I DID EVERYTHING RIGHT.

I GREW MY DIVISIONS,

I WORKED INCREDIBLE HOURS.

BUT YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME, FATHER,

THAT YOU WERE NEVER GONNA LET ME IN YOUR OFFICE.

YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME THAT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

I MARRIED THE COMPANY,

AND I LOST EVERYTHING FOR IT.

AND YOU LET ME DO THAT.

WHY?

IT'S BECAUSE YOU... YOU DO TOO MUCH.

I'VE LOST SLEEP WORRYING ABOUT THE RISKS YOU'VE TAKEN.

YOU--YOU ACT AS IF YOU'VE GOT

TO PROVE YOURSELF EVERY DAY.

YOU DON'T. YOU REALLY DON'T.

YOU'RE GREAT AT WHAT YOU DO.

BUT YOUR BROTH--

CHARLIE UNDERSTANDS THAT WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE

IS A SIMPLE COMPANY.

AND HE'LL KEEP IT THAT WAY.

THAT'S WHY IT'S BEST FOR ALL OF US...

THAT HE TAKE IT OVER.

NOW, YOU END THIS PROXY FIGHT,

YOU CAN COME BACK TO WORK.

YOU ENGINEERED THIS.

I THOUGHT THIS WAS BETTER THAN THE ALTERNATIVE.

NO, YOU JUST THOUGHT YOU COULD WIN.

THEY WERE GONNA GO AFTER YOU.

THEY WOULD HAVE FOUND OUT EVERYTHING.

HI.

STILL WORKING?

WELL, IT'S NOT FINISHED.

HOW'D SHE TAKE IT?

DO YOU REMEMBER...

A COMPANY PICNIC,

WHEN YOU AND RACHEL STOLE A BOTTLE OF WINE

AND RAN OFF INTO THE FOREST--

YEAH.

AND RACHEL THREW UP

ALL OVER HER LITTLE SHOES.

AND WHEN WE ASKED YOU ABOUT IT,

YOU BOTH LIED...

TO PROTECT EACH OTHER.

WHAT IS IT, SON?

TODAY IS MOM'S BIRTHDAY.

SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN--

59.

CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY COLUMBIA TRISTAR TELEVISION AND CBS

CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE - -www.ncicap.org--

PUBLIC PERFORMANCE OF CAPTIONS PROHIBITED WITHOUT PERMISSION OF NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON?

OH, THIS? THIS IS, UH...

THE VAN OWEN PLAZA.

WE--COME HERE. LET ME SHOW YOU SOMETHING.

THIS COMPANY LEAKED BENZENE

INTO THIS WATER TABLE,

AND WE ARE GONNA REPRESENT

THESE PEOPLE AGAINST THEM.