Original subtitles

Previously on L .A. Law.

Hey, hey, hey. Look who's at McKenzie Crackman. With the long -awaited file.

Good. I hope you're a genius, Stuart.

What, you doubt me?

Well, the offer came in at 40. I don't even know if that's ballpark. So if you

would just run down the stock valuation and the tax consequences.

Just wade through it and I'll let you know. Great.

Arnie. Hi, Allison.

Final cut. It's stunning.

Hi, Rox. How's the diet?

Fine. What the hell was that?

It was me representing my client.

You're trotting out this racism crap as a way of deflecting attention from the

real issues of this case. Which are?

The guilt or innocence of the defendant based on what happened in that jewelry

store. You pick your issues, I'll pick mine.

I trusted Kelly.

I let myself want that baby.

Ian, that baby, that wasn't a baby.

Our baby's waiting to be born to somebody else, somebody we don't even

We'll find our baby.

I swear to you.

Ta -da!

The finished product.

What do you think?

Nice. Very, very nice.

I like the possessory credit. Arnold Becker's Guide to Divorce. They're not

going to be able to keep it on the shelf.

From your lips to God's ears.

Hey, I've done a billion of these things.

This one's got pop.

It's gonna be a huge seller.

You think so?

It's great. You're great. I gotta run.

Allison, you're always running. Why don't you stop for a minute and smell

daisies? My luck, I'd get stung by a bee.

Dinner tonight.

Celebrate. I can't. I'm working.

Oh, and Dave Meyer said to tell you that he'll send a case of those over

tomorrow.

God,

I'm sorry. No, excuse me. I was... Okay.

Victor Fuente.

Alison Gottlieb.

Nice to meet you.

Yeah, it is.

Edward Chang's here.

Um, Ronnie, I got this nasty letter from Jim Higgins saying that we never

produced documents in the borough case.

The copy center hasn't done it because we haven't paid our bill.

For God's sake, you know what's going to happen?

He's going to file a motion to compel I'm going to get hit with the cost.

How much is a stupid copy bill?

Forty -seven and change.

Look, take it out of petty cash and then call Jim Higgins.

Petty cash is gone.

You said I could have it since you didn't pay me last week.

Great.

Ed, hi. Come on in. I thought I'd come down and pick up the settlement office.

Got it right here.

Great.

About time.

I want you to go over that carefully, and then we'll talk.

For six years, I trusted that swine.

My clients were his clients.

And the whole time, he's got his hand in my pocket.

Yeah, well, he's not going to do it anymore.

I've got my tax with Stuart Markowitz crunching the numbers as we speak.

$40 ,000. You think that's enough?

Nothing to sneeze at, but it's nothing we have to jump at either.

That's why I want you to review this carefully.

In the end, it's your decision.

Right. That Stuart Markowitz guy, does he think it's enough?

I'm meeting with him this afternoon, so I'll call you as soon as I get the

breakdown. Great.

Thanks a lot, Abby. Take care. Bye.

I've got building management on line, too. They want to know if you'll be

dropping off a rent check today. Um, tell them I mailed it.

Then call Doug McBain and tell him the balance is outstanding.

Hello?

Yeah, it went out first thing Monday morning. Are you sure you haven't

it?

Hey, your rocks are signed to a bearing there.

You want a donut?

At about 230 calories each, I think I'll pay half.

How come?

I'm trying to lose weight.

Why?

Well, I think I'd look better.

Gee, I think you're pretty now.

I'd be prettier if I weighed ten pounds less.

No, you wouldn't.

You'd just be smaller.

Well, some of us could stand to be a little smaller.

Should I be smaller?

Only if you think it'll make you feel better about yourself.

I never thought about it.

Maybe you should get the donuts in there. I think they're starting the

meeting.

Roxanne, my all -encompassing vessel of passion.

Are you busy for lunch today?

Uh -oh.

I'm eating in. If you can call this eating.

Then how about a midday tryst at the Bonaventure? You know, they say 30

of vigorous lovemaking burns 500 calories in an hour. That is 1 ,000

per person.

I don't think so, Dave. No? Then how about we jump in the car, head over to

Rancho Park, and hit a bucket of balls?

Dave, please.

What? I just want to be left alone with my boiled eggs and my celery sticks.

Your wish is my command, you voluptuary you.

I have a lot of work to do. One kiss. One kiss.

I'll see you at home tonight. With that in mind, how about I fire up the old

jacuzzi for an after -dinner romp? Huh?

Huh?

The thought of your alabaster buoys bobbing in the bubbles.

Truth to tell, I don't think I'm going to get much work done today.

If we can get started,

we're running late, Arnold.

How goes the Mazzotti case?

Actually, Ms. Weiler is in a better position to talk about that than I. I

out that Isaac Mazzotti's wife is carried on the books of her family's

She also is the title owner of several parcels of property in Damascus. All of

which has been kept carefully hidden and which should knock her claims for a

piece of Isaac's rug business right out of the box.

Good work, sir. She's done a real bang -up job.

Chang versus Century Partners Limited.

Yeah, we're still pretty far from an agreement, but there's a lot running in

favor. How's Abby acquitting herself?

Quite well. She's really gained a lot of confidence since going out on her own.

There's nothing more gratifying than seeing young lawyers who've been under

tutelage go forth in the world and blossom.

No doubt you were quite an influence on her, Douglas. We've all had our mentors,

Victor. It's really just a matter of giving something back.

I don't think anybody motivated her more than you. Thank you, Michael. Thank

you.

Avianca versus National Brands. April Avianca was waiting tables at the Gilded

Cage. The manager talked her into becoming a combatant at their Tuesday

mud wrestling contest.

When the mud was replaced with lime gelatin, April's skin broke out in a

red rash that covered her from head to toe. She lost two movie roles that she'd

been cast for as a result.

Why is she suing National Brands? They manufacture the lime gelatin. So what?

It's intended to be eaten, not wrestled in. True, except gelatin wrestling has

been around long enough to...

raised the issue of foreseeability, particularly when topless bars are

by the case.

I trust Ms.

Avianca is open to the possibility of settlement?

Absolutely. She's also available for a next Christmas party.

I think we're adjourned. Uh -uh. Before we go, has anyone seen the cutout of me?

It was in my office, and now it's gone. Well, maybe one of the clerical staff

who worships you from afar took it home with her.

You must have known that was going to happen. How's the videotape venture

Arnold? David Meyer tells me the early sales figures are through the roof.

Look at this packaging.

Very impressive.

I'm getting a case of them tomorrow, so you can all have a copy of your own.

Staying fond of the tape -up, Arnold Becker is shipped out.

To another country.

Hey, Arnold, what's the deal with this Alison Gottlieb person?

No deal. She just directed my video.

Yeah, but what kind of person is she? Well, she's bright. She's ambitious.

Yeah, you got it.

No. No.

Seriously. No.

No, we just had a couple of dinners. So you're not going to mind if I ask for

help?

No, go ahead.

Rox will give you the number, but don't hold your breath.

What does that mean?

Well, it means that she loves to flirt, but when push comes to shove, she has a

definite problem with intimacy.

But hey, what the hell?

Go ahead. Give it a shot.

I want a full written report.

Funny.

Rox?

Six months to spend the two years in the service.

He must be on drugs.

Come on, he's a 60 -year -old Baptist minister. You really think the jury's

going to convict? When he blows away a teenager with a .357 Magnum, yeah, I

think they'll convict. Self -defense, don't blur.

Two bullet holes in the back don't suggest self -defense to me.

Ms. Van Owen, we're talking about a saint here.

He runs shelters for the homeless, halfway houses for addicts. And he

17 -year -old boy.

I'll give you murder, too, but that's it. This case is open and shut.

You say so, but when a jury hears about an elderly black man who's been

repeatedly victimized by the youth in the neighborhood, in this case, the

youth... Oh, no, you don't. Your racism defense isn't going to work this time.

It works every time because it's there every time.

So take my advice.

Plead this out on aggravated assault and spare yourself the embarrassment.

You'd spare yourself.

I'm ready for you this time, and there's no way in hell I'm going to lose this

thing. I will not let my client do time, Counselor. Trust me.

He's going to jail, Mr. Atkins. Trust me.

All right, Ms. Van Owen, we'll hear from the prosecution.

Excuse me, Judge, I'm sorry. I'd like to file one last pretrial motion before we

open. Mr. Atkins?

I apologize, but this is in response to newly discovered information.

The motion is to compel District Attorney to produce all exculpatory

I've already done that, and counsel knows it. Forgive me, but I've been

that two months ago, Ms. Van Owen prosecuted a black man with illegally

evidence. Objection. An unconstitutional confession.

Get up here right now, both of you.

The people versus Lyle Torrey, Judge.

She concealed evidence in that case, and I want to make sure she doesn't conceal

any here. This is a cheap stunt for the jury's benefit.

It's not a stunt. It's a legitimate motion. You're going to start this crap

over again, aren't you? Quiet.

Mr. Atkins, I know your propensity for grandstanding, but don't you dare pull

that here.

I'm the wrong judge for that. Do you understand me?

Your motion is denied.

Now step back, both of you.

Sorry, Judge.

Members of the jury, you will disregard that last exchange in its entirety.

Ms. Van Owen, please proceed.

No, it's not a good offer. $40 ,000 is not good.

It's all the client lost, Stuart.

We're not going to get any punitives, and it seems to me that if... His out

-pocket loss was 40, Abby. That doesn't take into account loss of profits. It

doesn't take into account interest.

And this thing's on a four -year payout schedule, which means the present day

value is about 32.

Which is still not bad, considering the cost of a trial.

Happy, the client doesn't bear that cost. You took it on a contingency,

remember? Even so, Stuart, anti -competition cases are tough to win. And

sure we should roll the dice with a wobbler. You have a strong case here,

That's why the offer's as good as it is.

I think you can get at least 65.

I disagree.

Look, even if we win on liability, which to me is very iffy, the upside award in

this is going to be in the low 50s. I think you're wrong.

Thank you, but that's my decision.

I'm going to recommend to the client that he take it.

Fine, but I've got to tell you, if he asks me, I'm going to recommend

Stuart, I'll talk to the client. I don't need you giving him mixed signals about

this deal.

Whoa, I'm co -counsel here, Abby. I have a duty to protect Mr. Chang's interest

as well. I'm the one who hired you. Yeah, on the client's behalf, which

have an affirmative obligation. Well, then I'll just remove that obligation as

of this moment. I beg your pardon?

You're fired.

You're firing me? I'm sorry, but your services are terminated, as is your

obligation to speak to my client.

You can send me your bill.

I just can't believe how stupid I was.

I fell right into it again.

Well, at least the judge hammered him.

Well, that's the thing. The jury didn't hear any of that.

All they heard was the stuff about me. And all they saw was me ranting at the

bench like a lunatic while Atkins stood there calmly.

Gracie, Gracie, the guy's good.

And you're a lunatic.

Well, this lunatic is ready for Mr. Atkins. He's not going to get under my

anymore.

I steadied up on him. I know all his tricks, and I'm ready to stop him at

turn. So that's what you were doing till 3 o 'clock in the morning?

Mm -hmm.

Nobody beats me twice, Cusack.

Nobody. Go get him, Counselor.

Come on.

So the defendant never denied shooting him? Oh, no.

He just said it was self -defense and that he had to do it. Did your

investigation support that conclusion, Sergeant? I'm afraid not. The victim

didn't have a weapon and he was shot from behind.

You're sure about this?

Both bullet wounds were in the back. One was just below the shoulder blade. The

other was just above the base of the spine.

Sergeant Bassett, did you have occasion to meet with the defendant prior to this

incident? About three weeks before. We were responding to another burglary at

his church. Some kids had stolen some stuff.

And he was real agitated. Could you describe this agitation, please?

Well, he was mad at us for one thing. It was about the tenth time his church had

been hit in the last year.

And he said he was sick of it. And that's when he made the threat.

What was this threat, sir?

He said if the police couldn't stop these punks, he'd do it himself.

Thank you, Sergeant Bassett.

I have nothing further.

Did you report this threat to anybody?

No, I didn't. Why not, Sergeant?

I really didn't take it seriously.

Because victims in the heat of the moment say crazy things all the time,

they? Yes, sir. And when you heard my client spot off Bob Vengeance, you

regarded that as human nature, didn't you?

I guess that's right. In fact, Sergeant Bassett, the real reason my client is on

trial here today is not because of that impassioned outburst, but because of the

two bullet holes in the back of the intruder.

Isn't that right?

That's certainly the most incriminating evidence, yes, sir. How long have you

been on the force, Sergeant?

16 years.

16 years?

In that time, have you known of a police officer to shoot and kill anybody from

behind? It's happened. To your knowledge, have any of these police

been prosecuted for murder?

No, because they didn't commit murder.

In your opinion?

Look, counselor, if an officer fatally wounds somebody from behind, there's

going to be a complete investigation.

And if the shooting isn't justified or an honest mistake, there's damn well

going to be a murder charge, whether it's a cop or not. So it is possible for

these kinds of shootings to be either justified or an honest mistake?

That's right.

Thank you, Sergeant.

Nothing further.

Mr.

Chang. Hi.

I appreciate you seeing me without an appointment.

Oh, it's okay.

I don't know if Abby told you or not, but I'm no longer in the case.

She told me.

The reason I came in is to find out what exactly happened.

Oh, nothing happened.

I was hired to run some numbers and give some advice, which I did, and my job's

done. She told me you had a disagreement.

Well, no, we differed as to the damage computation, that's all. You think the

offer's too low, don't you?

Yeah, I'd like it to be bigger, but look, Abby's in a much better position

make this call. She's much better versed in the liability issue. How much do you

think I should get? I think you should ask Abby. She's your lawyer. She's quite

capable. Suppose I wanted to make you my lawyer, exclusively.

No.

Listen, Abby's a litigator. I'm not. I think your interests are much better

served with her. But you disagree with the way she's handling it. No, I didn't

say that. I said we had a difference of opinion as to the numbers. Now, that's

all.

Thank you, Mr. Malkowitz.

Thank you for your time.

Hey, Victor, como esta?

Bien.

Did you call Allison?

Yeah, I did.

And? Uh, we're gonna go out for a little dinner.

Great.

Don't forget, full written report.

And where were you, sir, when you heard this noise?

In the basement.

I've been staying there at night to protect my church.

But just when I got ready to turn in, I heard it.

And I thought, oh, Lord, here we go again.

What did you mean by here we go again?

Ten break -ins in the past seven months.

I can't even get insurance because I'm too much of a ripper. What did you do,

sir, when you heard this noise?

I got my gun and I went upstairs.

And when I went into the chapel, I thawed.

I couldn't make them out too good because it was thought a dog, so I

Who are you?

And that's when he just started charging.

Charging at you? Yes, sir.

But he was shot in the back.

Well, he turned towards the door just before I fired. He was moving fast. I

my hand on the trigger.

With God as my witness, I did not want to kill anyone.

Thank you, Reverend.

I have nothing further.

When you shot him the first time, Mr. Sealy, he was ten feet away.

And according to your testimony, you thought he was charging you, right?

Yes. But when you got him with the second shot, he was 30 feet away, over

door. Are you telling us that after he ran an additional 20 feet away from you,

you still thought he was charging?

It was dark.

It wasn't dark, sir.

The lights were on.

Sometimes I don't see too good.

Do you wear glasses?

No. In fact, you have 20 -20 vision, don't you? The point is, I thought I was

danger. No, the point is, Reverend, you have perfect vision. You were in a

lighted room, and you say you couldn't tell if the boy was coming towards you

running away.

Doesn't that sound a little funny?

Objection. My plan doesn't have to ratify her sense of humor.

Then let me rephrase the question.

Doesn't that sound a little like murder, Mr. Sealy?

Objection. Sustained.

After the last break and you told the police... You stopped these punks,

you? That was just talk. I didn't, did it? And was it just talk the next week

when you went out and bought the .357 Magnum? I needed protection.

And when you took shooting practice for two weeks, was that just a little more

talk? That was me taking steps to stop crying to police, though. So you were

doing the police department's job?

Yes. They should give me a medal.

Too bad. They stopped giving out medals for shooting teenagers in the back.

Objection. Withdrawn. I have nothing further for the Reverend.

What possible justification do you have for turning my client on me?

I didn't turn your client.

Why, did he leave you? Yes, he did, Stuart. You know he did.

No, I don't know, Abby.

He came to my office very uncertain about the deal you were trying to slide

him. I resent that characterization.

It is precisely accurate, Abby. I am a precisely accurate kind of guy. And I

severe misgivings about the way I handled that meeting with him. Because I

him to believe that what you were doing was okay.

You sold him down the river, Abby.

I waved to him from the dock.

He deserved better.

Oh, come on, Stuart. You would have negotiated that deal to death. You'd

nothing better than to bat those profit projections back and forth to the end of

recorded history.

But for people who live in real time, Stuart, including Mr. Chang, they have

bills to pay.

Oh, is that it, Abby?

Bills to pay? Did you push for a settlement because you have bills to

It was a decent offer. Did you push for this settlement because you have bills

to pay?

I'm out of money, Stuart.

I'm also out of credit.

And I would sift by two clients for fees that I was counting on. But I would

never sell out my own client. Yeah, because he walked before you had a

to. Abby, good lawyers don't screw their clients.

What am I supposed to do, Stuart?

Lose my practice? Close up shop?

Ask for a loan, for God's sake. Here, I have money.

Stick your money, Stuart. Stick your money and you're moralizing.

That's it.

I can't tell if I'm helping or hurting.

You're alternating.

Excuse me.

Abby.

Come in.

Why don't I go and... No, Ann.

Ann, I, um... I just came to apologize to your husband.

He was right on target yesterday.

And the righter he was, the madder I got.

I hope that he'll accept a blanket apology.

Because point by point, we'll just remind him of what a complete jerk I am.

Let's do it.

Forget it.

Thank you.

Is there anything we can do?

Ann, don't ask. Believe me.

Yeah, really.

Although, if you don't mind, I gave your name to somebody today.

No, I don't mind.

He owns Diamondback Skateboards.

He's an interesting guy, actually. He was four -time international freestyle

thrasher champion.

They call it thrashing.

Here, some sportswear manufacturer starts putting the Diamondback Snake

logo on its summer line, and we got a conflict here, so I gave him your name.

Trademark infringement?

Yeah, I thought it would be right up your alley.

Well, I mean, it's just a scenario that I'm not.

All that fluent in.

What fluent? Read up.

Sure, but if the guy thinks I'm some kind of expert... I told him you're

I told him you're smart, I told him he'd be lucky to get you. So take it if you

want it.

I'll give it a shot.

Thanks for the endorsement.

Get the door, will you?

Yeah, Walter Goetz, please. Stuart Markowitz calling.

Mr.

Goetz, good morning.

Yeah, I've been thinking about lawyers for your case, and I think I found

somebody for you.

Uh -huh.

Her name is Abigail Perkins.

Yeah, yeah. Now, look, I don't know if she can free herself up for this, but

I... Oh, yeah, I will definitely put a good word in for you.

I'd be glad to do it.

All right, Mr. Atkins, what's this all about?

I'm afraid I have a situation, Judge, that necessitates my being excused from

this case.

Pardon me?

Reverend Seeley believes that my defense has been incompetent and he's suing me

for malpractice.

What in hell are you talking about?

This is the complaint he plans to file.

Obviously, I can't be expected to continue representing a client who's in

process of suing me. Excuse me, Judge, but I believe that Mr. Atkins instructed

his client to file that complaint.

What? It's a great trick.

He tells his client to sue, forcing you to remove him as counsel from the trial.

His withdrawal at such a late stage is so prejudicial that it's grounds for a

mistrial, or at worst, surefire grounds for appeal after conviction.

This is ridiculous.

Not so ridiculous.

Mr. Atkins has been sued three other times by clients in the late stages of a

losing effort.

1971,

1978, and again in 1981.

All three complaints snatching mistrials from the jaws of defeat.

Oh, and all three suits subsequently dropped after the clients got their new

trials. That proves absolutely nothing.

Mr. Atkins, did you tell your client to sue you so that I would scrap this

trial? No, Your Honor.

That would be unethical.

Well, let me tell you this, Mr. Attorney.

I don't think that your client has any grounds for a malpractice claim.

And, judging from your behavior, I am quite confident that you will continue

represent him zealously.

You are not excused. This trial goes on.

We're going back in there right now for closing arguments.

Your Honor.

Let's go, Mr. Atkins.

And just be glad that I don't lock you up for obstruction of justice.

Nice try, Counselor.

Jerome Seeley sacrificed the last 30 years of his life so that others

might suffer less.

Food for the hungry.

Shelter for the homeless.

Hope for the desperate.

And now, Ms. Van Owen wants you to lock him up because he dared to

raise a gun against a burglar in his own church.

No 12 people of conscience.

could go back to that jury room and come back with that kind of verdict?

He's a good man, a giving man, who panicked and shot a criminal.

Jerome Thiele was afraid and pent up with the frustrations that white

Americans have in difference to crimes against black people. The police

timed to crimes in his black neighborhood 17 minutes longer.

In the response time to crime in a white neighborhood just three blocks away,

two weeks ago, simultaneous reports were made to the police about two separate

crimes. A car theft in the white neighborhood, an ongoing rape in the

The police responded...

to the car theft first. I object to this. He's introducing new facts in his

closing, and that's illegal.

Your Honor. There has been no evidence introduced about a response time on any

rape two weeks ago. I object to this blatant intrusion.

Your Honor, I move that Attorney Atkins take the stand so that I can cross

-examine him. What? Cross -examine?

He is making statements of fact.

Functioning as a witness, I have absolute right to challenge him. This is

ridiculous. You're afraid to take the stand, Counselor. Ms. Van Owen.

Want to cross -examine me? Go ahead.

Both of you approve.

Now, I will strike this evidence and remove it. They've already heard it,

You can't unring the bell. If she wants to put me on the witness stand, that's

okay with me.

All right.

We'll come back in here tomorrow.

Members of the jury, we will reconvene at 10 a .m., at which time Attorney

Atkins will be called as a witness.

Until then, we are adjourned.

If you think you can go one -on -one with me, lady, you just made a big

Yeah.

Okay, send him in.

Walter Getz?

Hi, Abigail Perkins.

Thanks, Ronnie.

Pleasure. Have a seat.

Go. Stuart told me a little bit about your case. Look, before we go too far in

this, I understand the value of keeping things lean, but when your name came up,

I had no idea this was a one -man office.

Well, if Stuart Markowitz recommended me, there had to be a reason.

Look, Mr. Getz, at the risk of sounding immodest, I'm good.

And the reason I don't have a flock of associates backing me up is because I

don't need one.

You think my case is winnable?

From what I know, absolutely.

The guy's making money off your logo.

Well, it's real close. It's not an exact copy.

No, no.

The issue here is likelihood of confusion.

And when the layperson sees the design on his T -shirt, they're going to

associate it with your skateboard company.

Well, that's great, Miss Perkins, but do you really think one person's enough to

service this case?

I mean, we could be talking big numbers and... Don't I really think?

I think you should interview some other lawyers.

Hey, look, don't get me wrong.

You don't need to explain, Mr. Getz.

One of my golden rules here is never take on a reluctant client.

And the fact is that there are a lot of fine law firms out there that'll do a

nice job for you.

Well, maybe I should at least talk to a few, you know, see what they say.

I think that would be smart.

But do yourself a favor and don't hire your last lawyer, whoever that was.

Why? Well, he could have registered your trademark.

If he had, you might not be in this jam.

Well, he said it wasn't necessary because it was a unique design.

Well, he was wrong, wasn't he?

Look, once you guess, I'm not saying you're not going to win here because you

should. It's a fanciful mark that could easily establish secondary meaning.

But if you were registered, you'd have another presumption in your favor going

in.

It's just plain stupid to not be registered.

You know what?

I think I'm ready to hire you.

No, I don't think you should make this decision yet. Think it over. No, I'm

sure.

I'm sure.

Okay, fine.

I'll need a retainer from you of $10 ,000 to be charged off at a rate of $1

an hour.

Right.

It's been a long time since I've been at a real date.

I'm surprised.

Why?

Oh, I don't know. I guess you don't strike me as the shy type.

No, it's just that the women that I meet are in the legal profession.

And, you know, you spend your whole day with lawyers. I know. I feel the same

way about the guys I work with.

And then I work a lot of nights, too, particularly when I have to be in court

the next morning. My mother is going to be thrilled when I tell her I went out

with an attorney.

Name C. Fuente.

Well, I don't think I'll tell her that far.

Unless I see you again.

Well, that's up to you.

I'd like...

So,

does, um... Does that mean that you're not involved with anyone?

Yeah. You are? Yeah, I mean, no.

I'm not involved with anybody.

Good.

That's good.

Let me get that.

The car hasn't...

Are you going to be in my life, Victor Cifuentes?

Oh, yes.

Yes, I am.

Hey, Victor. How was the big date?

Good.

Where'd you go?

A little place in Malibu Canyon.

And?

What?

How was it?

It was pretty good. I had the New York steak and Allison had the grilled

chicken.

Talking about afterward.

Fine.

Fine?

What's fine supposed to mean?

Fine means fine. Okay, you gonna see her again?

Yeah, probably.

What is this, a news blackout?

Mr. Atkins, yesterday's statement about police response times in black and white

neighborhoods, where'd you get that?

It was my own research based on numerous interviews with reliable witnesses

living in both places.

Why didn't you call any of these reliable witnesses to testify?

Maybe I should have.

Yes. Or maybe you were afraid they turned out to be not so reliable or

nonexistent. I don't fabricate data, Mrs. Van Owen. Oh, you don't.

What about the so -called simultaneous reports concerning this rape and car

theft? They happened January 7th, 1989.

But they didn't happen simultaneously, Counselor. According to the police

records, a unit was already in the white neighborhood investigating the

automobile theft when the rape call came in, and they responded immediately.

All I know is they were in the white neighborhood first. Oh, no, Mr. Atkins.

know the facts exactly.

But you chose to deliberately mislead this jury. That's totally false.

It's true, and it's not the first time.

You were suspended from the practice of law for doing this before, weren't you?

Objection! It goes to his honesty I'm offering to impeach. I'll allow it.

1972. You submitted and argued false evidence to a court of law for which you

were suspended for three months, correct, Counselor? You did the same

months ago.

Thank you, but for now, let's stick to your adventures.

Like your 1978 conviction for assault and battery on a police officer.

Objection! He's a witness, Judge.

Felony convictions bear upon credibility.

Your Honor.

Overruled.

That was an anti -apartheid demonstration.

Were you convicted or not, Mr. Atkins? I pled guilty proudly.

And were you proud in 1968 after being arrested for breaking and entering,

trespassing... A faculty protest at the administration building at Berkeley.

For which you were arrested, Mr. Atkins. That was a political crime, Ms. Van

Owen, which you, as a chosen class white American, can't understand.

I understand income tax evasion, sir.

Something you were investigated for in 1970.

I refuse to pay my taxes in protest of the Vietnam War.

Bravo, Mr.

Atkins. It's always nice to have an excuse. But let me conduct a review

and you tell me if I'm wrong.

Yesterday, you illegally introduced new facts before this jury.

Facts about response times which you cannot prove.

Facts about a rape and a car theft which are out and out false.

Previously, you've been suspended by the state bar for lying to a jury. You have

a criminal record complete with a felony conviction. And you've been

investigated for income tax evasion.

That's all true, isn't it, Mr. Atkins?

Just because. Is it true or not, sir?

Yet it's true.

Thank you, Counselor.

It's a privilege to know where you're coming from.

You may step down, Mr. Atkins.

Mr. Nolan, members of the jury, I'm afraid that I cannot let this trial go

What are you talking about?

I think you know very well what I am talking about.

This new information is extremely prejudicial, and in my view, it severely

compromises Mr.

Atkins' ability to render effective representation.

Judge, you can't throw this thing out.

Ms. Van Owen, you have left me no choice. Mr.

Atkins is now so severely undermined that it jeopardizes the defendant's

constitutional right to a fair trial.

Members of the jury, regrettably, I must declare these proceedings a mistrial.

I thank you for your efforts, and I am deeply sorry that you will not be able

complete your service.

This matter is adjourned.

Nice try, Counselor.

Did you talk to Abby today?

Mm -mm.

She said she was going to call.

She was pretty excited.

Great.

Speak of the devil.

Here, you answer.

Hello?

Yeah, yeah, it is.

Wait a minute, let me get a pen.

Uh -huh.

Which terminal?

Well, yeah, is it going to be there?

All right, thanks.

It's Ross Burnett's wife.

Ross is at the airport and he's got a baby for us.

What?

I'm three days old, coming in from Arkansas, and like it's an 1120.

Arkansas? We didn't meet anybody from Arkansas. Who's the mother? I don't

Come on, let's get going.

Stuart, this is crazy.

We don't have a crib or diapers or baby food?

One thing at a time.

Where's my car key?

Hi.

Hi. How are you feeling?

Eh, I'll live.

Grace. It's not like you lost. It's only a mistrial.

And a mistrial always favors the defense.

You've still got a sure thing, and you know it.

Now, the reason that you're so upset is because you were outsmarted.

Oh, thanks for the reminder, Counselor. You win some, you lose some. I don't

mind losing some, but this guy rubs my nose in it every time I go up against

him. I just don't ever want to see his face again.

Hey, I brought you your present.

It's just a little dumb material.

Oh, Mickens.

That is so sweet.

You are something.

What am I supposed to do with this?

Well, it's exactly what you always wanted to do to Atkins.

Punch him right in the nose.

I can't do that.

Sure you can. Go ahead.

Oh, come on, Grace. You can do better than that. Go ahead.

Go for it.

Yeah!

Flight 543 is ready for

departure at gate 12.

The flight's a few minutes late, so we had a little bit of time.

The couple that was supposed to take the baby got cold feet and pulled out.

The baby was already in the air.

I called three different couples. You were the only ones home.

Look, I've got the mother on the phone now in Arkansas.

I faxed her your file, and she's going over it. Why don't you take a look at

that top file and tell me what you think? Jane Wartside.

This is Jane Wartside.

Please pick up KMA Point Courtesy Telephone.

Please pick up KMA White.

Mother's 20.

She lives in her hometown. She's presently working at a grade school

as a baker.

There's no history of mental illness in the family.

Paternal grandparents died of heart disease.

The mother was born with a malformed left foot, which was corrected by

in infancy, but Ross wrote, the margin's not hereditary, the baby's perfect.

That's it.

Stuart, this is not the way to have a baby.

It's not fair to anybody.

She said yes.

She liked that you were both lawyers and that Stuart had a nice smile and Anne

was tall.

I want to talk to her before we decide.

She doesn't want to.

We don't even know if it's a boy or a girl.

It's a girl.

I can't do it this way.

I have to meet the mother. Stuart, if I see her, I'll know if this is the right

baby for us. I have to see her.

Maybe we can... I don't know.

Spend a little time with the baby first before we decide?

No.

You can look at her. You can hold her.

But if you take her home, she's yours.

We're supposed to take a baby off a piece of paper in a snapshot?

Is that how desperate we've become?

Just give us a second, Lee.

Can we get out of here, please?

Yes, we can go.

I mean, if you recall, if it's not right for you, I don't want to do it.

The plane has landed.

Well, you want to take a look?

I guess so. Okay.

I got a name picked out.

Tell me.

Kelsey.

Kelsey Margulies.

Yeah.

You like it? I like it.

How about we all go home? Do you want to go home?

Okay?