All language subtitles for LA Law s06e18 Love in Bloom

Previously on L .A. Law. Last week I
found empty beer cans in his room. How

you know those weren't his brother's
beer cans? I could believe that of him.

Alexander? What do you know about
Alexander?

You get him twice a month, a weekend
here and there? I could do a hell of a

better job of raising him than you. Get
your hands off me, foot bait!

Foot bait!

You are this house. Man, I'm getting
stoned from the fumes.

Sam, come here.

Alexander?

Alexander.

Stuart Markowitz is the best thing that
ever happened to me. Do you actually

think I could choose some lovestruck boy
over the man that I have built my life

with, had my son with? I am not a
lovestruck boy. Get out!

What about Matthew? That's no longer
your concern. You're fired.

Sorry to bust in on you.

I'll only stay long enough to invite you
all to the biggest event of the season.

Dodger tickets?

Bigger. My wedding.

Ladies.

I'd like you to meet Mikhail Lenskov,
the next Bobby De Niro, if I have

to do with it, and my fiancée.

It is with great pleasure that I
pronounce you husband and wife.

Congratulations. You may kiss the bride.

Sleep well.

We'd like to throw something new into
the mix.

I won't plead down from felony hit and
run.

That's Dan.

A felony conviction would destroy me in
the business community.

He left a man to die in the street.
What's that do for you in the business

community? Mr. Grady accepts
responsibility for the accident, but on

of hit and run, he's innocent.

I have an eyewitness that says
otherwise.

We're due in court.

Mr. Grady is sensitive to the fact that
the victim was a homeless person, as he

is sensitive to the needs of other
homeless community members.

This corporation owns the Rio Del Mar
Motel in Venice, 48 rooms, due for

renovation.

Mr. Grady will convert the motel to a
shelter facility for the homeless, 400

beds and a kitchen.

That's very generous.

And we plead to misdemeanor reckless
driving suspended.

This offer is premature.

When we get to sentencing, I will
recommend leniency.

If we get to sentencing, this offer
won't be made.

Killing a man is not a misdemeanor. Mr.
Grady did not know that he hit the man.

This offer allows him to do something
constructive for the city.

What this does is allow C. Howard Grady
to buy his way out of the system.

Nonsense.

Signs are punitive.

Mr. Grady is willing to be punished to
the tune of $15 million.

That's not skirting the system.

Plead to the hit and run. I'll drop
vehicular manslaughter, and I will work

you on the sentence.

We can't plead to a felony.

Then I'll see you in court.

Bye.

That covers the agenda.

No one has anything else?

We're adjourned.

Sorry, all. Did I miss anything?

Just the staff meeting.

Oh, um, don't move anyone.

Uh, Susan Bloom wanted you all to be
advanced copies of this. Oh, no!

It will be available at your local
checkout counter tomorrow.

Let me see.

Oh, my God.

They put us on the front page of this
rag.

The judge of the star, Susan Bloom,
partner in Los Angeles law firm,

Braxton. Let me see that.

She told them she was a part. That was
the paper's mistake. She's already

in a correction.

When did she give you these? Just now.
I'm working with her on Mikhail's

residency application.

You're representing them? They are a
completely credible couple. Well, they

better be. From what I hear, the
Immigration Service has broad

Believe me, Susan and Mikhail are taking
the process very seriously.

Well, this kind of trashy exposure can't
help. Oh, come on. Nobody actually

reads this stuff?

No, they look at the photos.

It's not very comforting to me.

Well, Leland, kind of looks like you're
the lucky bridegroom.

On that thought, we'd better adjourn.

Ah,

Benny.

You owe me $22.

Why? Not only did Sam goad my son into
joining him in that foolish drinking

episode at the wedding, apparently the
boys used Susan's home phone to make $44

worth of 976 calls.

What's 976?

Dirty phone calls, Benny, to women who
talk about sex.

Sam shouldn't have done that. You're
damn right, and he shouldn't have

my son into his malicious mischief.

I hope you're giving Sam the punishment
he deserves.

I told Sam he was bad.

That's it?

And that I was very mad at him.

That's not doing your job as a parent,
Benny.

which is, number one, to encourage
appropriate behavior by setting an

and number two, to discourage
inappropriate behavior by administering

discipline. Even though Alexander was
only Sam's accomplice, I grounded him.

goes to school, he comes home, period.
No loitering at the mall, no having

friends over, no sending out the pizza.
And if he wants to rent a movie, he has

to watch it on the little screen in his
bedroom.

Oh, I don't have $22.

I'm prepared to waive the money this
time, but keep Sam away from my boy.

Not much of a honeymoon.

Two days at the St. James?

Costs more than a month in Gatlinburg.
Like many two -career couples, my

have to make the most of their limited
time together.

Actually, we found the lots could be
achieved in 48 hours. I'm sure Mr.

can use his imagination, hon. I am paid
not... To use my imagination.

Where was your husband born?

Novotskov. Spell it. N -O -V -O -T -Z -V
-K -O -V.

But don't ask him to tackle Buchanan,
West Virginia.

I am noting that you mentioned your
birthplace, Ms. Bloom.

I assume that's because you're afraid
that your husband couldn't supply that

answer. Hey, it was a joke.

Surely you allow for the fact that my
client... Shall we try to continue?

What is your method of birth control?

None. We want children.

Your mate's appendix? Out.

His tonsils?

In. Circumcision?

Nope. Want to see?

Joint bank account?

No. Prenuptial agreement?

Yes. As adults with successful careers,
my client entered into this marriage

with some protection.

Have we finished?

We haven't begun, Ms. Lamb. This is a
two -year process.

Now, from now on, your clients will be
interviewed separately, and we will

question friends and co -workers as
well.

Any suspicious information or behavior
and Mr. Olenskov's application for

residency will be denied.

You can see my secretary and block out
some time later this week.

Thank you.

Dr. Waters, you were on duty in Venice
Hospital's emergency room the night Mr.

Walter Lobianco was brought in for
treatment.

Could you describe his condition?

In addition to suffering from multiple
compound fractures in both legs, there

was extensive pelvic damage and crushed
trauma to the lower vertebrae. He died

before I could get him into OR.

Now, were these injuries consistent with
being hit by a car?

Yes. The victim was traumatized twice,
actually.

When the car struck, the fractures
occurred.

When he was pinned under the wheel...
Move to strike. The doctor was not at

scene of the accident.

Granted. The jury will disregard.

Doctor, did the victim's injury suggest
that in addition to an initial impact,

he also had been crushed under a heavy
weight? Yes.

Almost 50 minutes passed between the
time of the initial injury and when Mr.

Lobianco received medical treatment.

How did that impact his condition?

The victim died of internal hemorrhaging
every minute that passed was crucial.

So if he had received immediate help, he
might have lived.

Objection. Calls for speculation.

Overruled. Please answer. In my opinion,
if Mr. LoBianco had received medical

help sooner, there's a good chance he
would have lived.

Thank you.

Nothing further.

Anything wrong?

No, I just thought I dropped these off.

Hey, come in.

I'll just turn it down.

You're full of surprises.

Huh?

A quiet evening at home with Wagner?

Ah, well, it was either that or Marky
Mark and the Funky Bunch.

Would you like a glass of wine?

Maybe a little glass.

Good.

Susan is seeing a client tonight, so I'm
on my own.

Oh.

Ching -ching.

I hope you have a hot date later.

Why? The music.

It's torturously unrequited.

Yes, I like a composer who can delay
gratification.

Now that doesn't surprise me about you.

You know, Susan could have brought these
papers to the office tomorrow.

I know.

Excuse me, I thought I just attended
your wedding last week.

A niggling little detail. What about the
other little details?

That I'm your attorney, and your wife's
colleague, and what about the INS

breathing down your neck?

Would it make a difference if you knew
that Susan and I...

are very clear about what we expect from
each other. Please, don't tell me

anything that would limit me as your
attorney.

I don't think of you as just my
attorney.

And I've been thinking about you a lot.

You are putting me in a difficult
position.

Not my intention.

But it seems absurd not to at least
acknowledge the feeling.

Agreed.

But... Okay.

Understood.

No for now.

Ah.

Make that no, period.

I'd better go.

Mm -hmm.

What happened?

Where's Sam?

If you were any kind of father to your
son, what happened wouldn't have

happened. Where's Sam? Sheila, don't
play games with me. Is Alexander all

More or less. He's up in x -ray. X -rays
for what? Sure. I know how to control

him. Let him come live with me. Think
you can make him tender? Where's Sam?

Listen to you. You're glad your son
is... Sam can hear it. Where's Sam

How can you say such a horrible thing to
me?

Because it's true.

Stolwitz, Benny Stolwitz. I want to see
Sam Perry. I'm Douglas Brockman. I

believe my son's an x -ray. One second,
please. As Sam's guardian, you need to

sign this authorization for medical
treatment.

It's only a broken wrist. It's nothing
serious.

I could just get a signature. Hold it.
You don't know what you're signing.

From Dr. Stolwitz.

Okay.

Officer, this is Mr. Stolwitz, and these
are the Brockmans.

I want to see Sam.

Sam? Mr. Stolwitz.

Sam! Mr. and Mrs. Brackman, I understand
there's been an accident.

Yes, sir, there was. Your son is under
arrest. What for?

If there's damage, I'm sure it can be
handled between insurance companies.

you shut up, please?

I don't see that this needs to be a
police matter. Sir, your son is an

unlicensed driver.

He was drinking underage, had an open
container in the vehicle, ran a red

He failed to obey a police officer's
order to pull over.

He drove recklessly in order to avoid
arrest. He crashed into a service

The hazardous materials squad had to be
called out in order to handle the fuel

spill. Oh, my God.

Hey, Doug and Sheila, together again.

Anybody got a camera?

You've got some explaining to do, young
man. His x -rays were fine.

Stitches should come out in eight days.
Otherwise, he can go.

Okay. Let's go, son.

What, are you just going to stand there
and watch him bust me? You can see him

down at Juvenile Hall.

Wait, wait.

What about my bud, Sam?

He'll be coming along, too. Let's go.

Do something. I don't want my son in
jail with criminals.

I'll handle this. You don't have to
come.

Oh, you've done such a marvelous job so
far. I think I'd better come along.

Suit yourself. We can go in my car.

So you can tell me how this is all my
fault?

I'd better drive myself downtown.

Fine. Drive yourself downtown.

Drive yourself over the edge of the
Grand Canyon.

Sit right there.

Okay?

So.

Ann and I have just been talking about
your work here since the Hudson report's

done. Uh -huh. We all knew the job was
temporary, right?

Right. Not that I couldn't find
something to keep you busy. I just don't

you'd find it terribly interesting.

What Stuart is trying to say is that we
would like to propose an alternate plan.

Yeah. We'd like you to consider the
possibility of helping us out with

We know it sounds like a lot of
responsibility. It is. But we both think

terrific with him.

I don't know. I still have school and
everything.

Oh, see, Matthew's going into daycare,
so you could pick him up after three.

Yeah, and he's just crazy about you.

It won't work.

Why not? I don't know. Look, why don't
you just try it out for a while and see

how you feel? I just... I think I'd
feel... I mean, it's your house and

everything. Oh, look, we trust you.

It's not that.

I just... I can't.

Sarah, does this have anything to do
with what we... Please, stop trying to

my life. Would you be more comfortable
working here? I don't want to work here

either. Please, leave me alone.

Sarah?

Mr.

Varnes, where were you when Mr. LoBianco
was hit?

I was sitting in the doorway to this
camera store.

I'd been down to the beach, but it was
too cold and windy to sleep down there.

What time did you come up from the beach
and move into the doorway?

It was a little before 3.

I saw Walter coming up out of his
parking garage, and he was looking for

way to stay warm.

What did you suggest?

Well, there was a big pile of garbage
bag outside this restaurant across the

street. How would they help?

Well, you empty out the garbage, and you
tear holes for the arms and your head,

and you wear it under your shirt.

I told Walter about it, and he ran
across to get one, and I sat down in

doorway to get out of the wind.

Then what happened?

Well, this Jaguar came flying up out of
the cross street, and the next thing I

know, it jumped the curb and plowed into
Walter.

And the driver got out and... Let the
record show that the witness has

the defendant, Charles Howard Grady.

Well, the driver ran around the front of
the car and looked at Walter.

Objection. The witness could not
possibly know what Mr. Grady did or did

see. Sustained.

Did he look down in the direction of Mr.

Lobianco? Yeah, he bent over towards
him.

Could you see Walter Lobianco? Hell
yeah, I could see him. I could hear him,

too. He was moaning, like that sound a
cat makes when it wants to fight.

Then what did Mr. Grady do?

Well, he ran back to the car and drove
away.

Nothing further.

So you were sitting in the doorway
watching your friend across the street?

Yes, sir, that's right.

What kind of distance are we talking
here?

About 30 yards. I didn't step it off.

30 yards?

In the dark?

Oh, it was pretty bright. We got some
fine streetlights in Venice.

And when the Jaguar came through the
intersection, was the signal light red

green?

I'm pretty sure it was red.

It's red?

Yeah, red.

Well, that's interesting because the
police report states that there is no

signal light at that intersection.

Let's move on.

How many bags was Mr. Lobianco standing
in?

Well, I don't know, a lot.

Police report says 18. That sound about
right?

Sure. It was a big mound.

So Mr. Lobianco was covered with bags?
How could Mr. Grady have possibly seen

him? Well, he wasn't covered. The guy
looked right at Walter.

He even bent down to check him out. He
knew. I could see it in his eyes.

It was 3 a .m. You were cold and sleep
-deprived, yet you say you could see a

man's eyes when you were sitting 30
yards away?

Yeah. Through the 1979 blue Toyota that
was parked in front of the camera shop?

That didn't obscure your view?

Well, I guess I'd stood up by then. So
when you were standing, you could see

over the blue Toyota?

Yeah.

The Toyota was yellow, Mr. Barnes.

Nothing further?

Mr. Barnes, how did you identify Mr.
Grady's car for the police?

Well, I read part of the license number
when he drove by.

And isn't it true that Mr. Grady is here
today because you accurately saw and

reported the first four digits?

That's right.

Thank you.

Nothing further.

I don't see what you're so torqued
about.

Alex is the one who's in serious
trouble.

I told him you don't run away from cops,
but he wouldn't listen. You were

truant. You were drinking underage,
disorderly conduct. You're not exactly

the clear, Sam.

Plus, when we go into court tomorrow,
the judge isn't just going to consider

what happened with you and Alexander.

It's very likely that the whole question
about Benny's guardianship will come

up.

You could lose him, Benny. Why?

I didn't do anything wrong.

I know you didn't, Benny, but Sam's
behavior, it makes it seem like you

control him. Look, I'll tell the judge I
made a mistake, and I'll be standing

there with Alex and Alex's dad, and Alex
is in a lot deeper ado than I am. No

way is this old man going to let him get
nailed.

So if Alex gets off, then I get off.

And if I get off, then Benny and I get
off.

You got it all figured out, don't you?

Well, let me tell you something, wise
guy.

The first thing Douglas Brackman did was
to make sure his son won't be seen with

you. Because he thinks you're a bum.

You're not going to be able to ride
anybody's coattails out of this, Sam.

You screwed up.

You wanted to see me? Are we failing to
communicate?

I guess we are.

What are we talking about? Howard
Grady's people offered civic service as

of a plea, and I had to hear about it
from a councilman?

How did a councilman find out?

Grady's floating his offer to the
public.

There'll be an article in the late
edition of the Times.

I did not call you on this because it
was tantamount to a bribe. We have got

,000 homeless in our city and a
shrinking budget.

Grady is offering 400 beds, a meal
program, and job counseling. If a rich

can buy his way out of a murder rap,
what happens to equal justice?

Is there any way we can make Grady's
deal and still serve this office?

Plead down to felony reckless with
injury. I already tried that. He won't

anything more than a misdemeanor. If we
come up dry in court, it'll be a

political firestorm. This case is
strong.

I can win this.

Okay. But if you lose this one, Zoe, my
skirts won't be wide enough to hide

behind.

You know, the Rio Del Mar is valued at
more than $14 .5 million.

Highgate suckered my eyewitness.

Are we going to take the stand?

Tomorrow.

I saw him once before the planning
committee.

Slick. And he's got to be worth, what,
about $300 million?

Something. You could grind him for a
hell of a lot more than $14 ,500.

Jonathan. What?

Go back and torch him for $26 ,000. See
what he said.

It is not a question of how much.

Prosecution is not a business deal. Oh,
please. Oh, it's exactly what it is.

No,

I think you're upset and I think it's
making you a little inflexible.

Where are you going? Home.

Why are you angry with me? You figure it
out. All I was saying was go for your

best shot. I was trying to help.

Look, I really can't deal with this
right now.

Or you.

Where's Alexander?

You were supposed to bring him. I was
supposed to pick him up at school, but

wasn't there. I thought you'd gotten
him. He was released into your custody,

Douglas. How could you let this happen?

What am I supposed to do, hogtie him?

When he was living with me, we had
problems, but he wasn't a missing

What are we going to tell the judge?
Just shut up, Sheila. Let me handle it.

Douglas Brackman for the minor, Your
Honor. I'd like to petition the court

continuance.

Where's your son?

I don't know, Your Honor.

You don't know?

You have my word I'll find him and get
him here as soon as possible.

All right, Mr. Brackman.

I'll hold a bench warrant until 8 .30
tomorrow morning. But if he's not in

courtroom at that time, I'm going to
have him arrested.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Sorry, everybody.

Mama bear, papa bear, here comes your
baby bear.

Party as usual.

Young man, are you loaded?

Well, I'm not going to puke if that's
what you mean.

Your Honor, a 14 -year -old boy who's
wandering around town on his own, drunk,

is a danger to himself and to his
community.

I'm requesting that he be taken into
custody immediately.

Your Honor, clearly Alexander's
substance abuse problem is more acute.

then either his mother or I realized I
respectfully request that he be

relieved... Attaboy, Doug!

...so that he may undergo whatever
counseling or psychiatric evaluation is

necessary to deal with this problem. I
have strong reservations about placing

him back in your care.

However, I'm going to. This is your
son's first criminal offense, and you've

shown an awareness of the severity of
his problems and a willingness to deal

with them.

Alexander will reside with his mother,
maintain his schooling, grades, attend a

12 -step program three times a week.

Cool. I have many buds in A. I'm also
ordering that he immediately be placed

a private residential substance abuse
facility for 30 days.

No way.

Mr. Brackman, you'll make restitution
for the damage that he caused to the gas

station. Now, you people may be
divorced, but if you don't figure out

fulfill your continuing obligation to
your son, you're going to lose him.

Thank you.

Call the next case.

Forget about it. I'm not going into
rehab. Oh, yes, you are.

What kind of butthole lawyer are you
selling out your own son?

I see why you divorced this jerk, but
you were a dope to have married him in

first place.

Let me go.

You listen to me, young man.

You're going to show us some respect
from now on. Do you understand?

Your father and I have done a terrible
thing.

We've put our anger at each other before
your welfare, and that's going to

change. We're going to do whatever it
takes to help you get well.

And we're going to do it together.

On the evening of January 27th,

Were you driving a car that struck and
killed Walter LoBianco?

God help me, I was, yes.

Tell us what happened.

It had been a long day.

I was driving home after an extended
business negotiation, an acquisition I

trying to put together, and I was so
tired, my eyes were flagging.

The next thing I knew, I felt a sharp
jolt, and my car was on the sidewalk.

I must have fallen asleep.

Is it true you got out of the car?

Yes. I was shaken and wasn't sure what
I'd hit, so I got out.

And what did you find?

Garbage bags.

I remember feeling relieved and then
stupid.

I thought I might have hit the side of
the building, but there didn't seem to

any damage except to my car, so I went
home.

And did you see Walter Lobianco pinned
under the right front wheel of your car?

No, I did not.

If I had, I would have helped him.

Nothing further?

You walked around to the front of your
car to check for damage?

Yes. The right headlight was broken and
the grill was cracked.

You saw the light and you saw the grill,
but you didn't see Walter Lo Bianco?

All I saw were the bags.

A Jaguar XJS sits pretty low. How high
were the bags piled? Well, it was a big

mound. The paramedics who arrived on the
scene say that the bags were scattered

as far as 30 yards, consistent with a
moderate speed impact.

The bags must have scattered when I
drove away. When the police arrived at

home at 8 .40 the next morning, they
found that your car had been freshly

washed. I wash my car every Sunday.
Every Sunday afternoon, according to

neighbors. But that Sunday, you washed
your Jaguar in the morning. You arrived

home exhausted at 4 a .m. and were up
bright and early to wash your car?

The accident shook me.

I tried to sleep, but I was distracted
over the acquisition.

How's your hearing, Mr. Grady?

I have good hearing. Lenny Barnes has
testified that after the accident, he

heard Walter LoBianco moaning from
across the street. Why couldn't you hear

when you were standing in front of the
tire he was pinned under? Like Mr.

said, it was a very windy night.

I don't know what he thought he heard,
but there was no moaning. I think Walter

LoBianco was moaning. I think you saw
him and you panicked. Your company was

leveraged. You had to get this
acquisition to happen fast. Isn't that

would never put a business transaction.

Above a man's life.

The police found blood scattered all
over the scene of the accident. On the

garbage bags, on the ground. There had
to have been blood on the wheels and in

the broken grill of that car. Isn't that
why you panicked and washed your car?

There was no blood.

And anyone who knows me will tell you.

I don't panic.

You don't panic.

So you can handle any difficult
situation just like you handled yourself

night. Objection!

Withdrawn.

Nothing further.

I ask you again, Mr. Grady, when you
left the scene of that tragic accident,

you know you were leaving an injured
man?

I swear to you that I did not.

Nothing further.

Does your wife wear perfume?

Yes, she does.

Shut him up.

Do you ever use a term of endearment
when you speak to me?

How about, um... Dushinka.

Sweet soul.

I like it.

I hope I can remember him.

Did I have the last time you had sex?

They can ask this?

According to my sources, we have to be
prepared for anything.

Okay.

It was tonight.

We were sitting on our living room
floor.

going over some paper, sharing a
cigarette, and suddenly I looked at you

firelight.

Your hair was flaming.

I saw the look on your face, and I
couldn't stop my fingers from reaching

and tracing the line where your shirt
collar met your throat.

And at the front of your neck, I found a
button that slid open easily.

And I liked that so much that I turned
your hand up to my lips.

turned it over and gently stroked it
open and kissed your sweet, voluptuous

palm. I respond well to positive
reinforcement.

I reached for your belt buckle.

But I stopped you. Because our
lovemaking that morning had been fast

and furious.

And tonight, I wanted to take my time,
adoring you slowly.

But I was pretty intent on that belt
buckle of yours.

I leaned over you.

Your hair cascading around my face.

Your breasts of wonder against me.

And I began to kiss you.

Your lips were full.

Yours are strong and surprising.

And I suddenly want you.

And I have something I want to do for
you.

Susie, you're wonderful.

You ain't seen nothing yet.

After a long day trying to save his
company,

Howard Grady fell asleep at the wheel,
lost control of his car.

and struck Walter LoBianco.

Now, when Mr. Grady heard what had
happened, he felt extreme remorse and

responsibility for this accident.

But Lenny Barnes claims that this is not
just an accident. Lenny Barnes, the

only other person at the scene of the
accident, claims that Howard Grady saw

Walter LoBianco among the garbage bags.

But how could he know?

What Mr. Grady saw, he was 30 yards away
in the dark. He couldn't see and he

didn't see.

Now, Lenny Vons wanted to believe a
stereotype. He wanted to believe that a

wealthy man, a man in a Jaguar, is so
cowardly and self -serving that he could

leave someone to die in the street.

Mr. Grady's public and private life
doesn't support that stereotype. What

seen and heard in this courtroom doesn't
support that stereotype.

Believe what you've seen and heard,
ladies and gentlemen.

C. Howard Grady isn't a criminal.

He's a man who was involved in a
horrible accident. An accident that

happen to any of us.

The people didn't bring charges against
C. Howard Grady because he is wealthy.

We brought charges because he's guilty.

And under the law, all men and women are
treated equally.

Put aside whether he's rich or poor,
whether he's a good guy or a lousy guy,

look at the facts.

Mr. Grady smashed into a pile of garbage
bags and hit Walter LoBianco.

We have an eyewitness who swears he saw
Mr. Grady get out of the car, look at

the moaning victim, and drive away.

The same witness correctly identified
the first four digits in the license

number of Mr. Grady's car.

Blood was splattered at the accident,
yet Mr.

Grady says he didn't see any blood on
his car, a car he washed himself by 8

the next morning.

C. Howard Grady says he feels remorse.

about hitting Mr. Lobianco.

But at the time of the accident, he
wasn't thinking about Mr. Lobianco. He

only thinking of himself.

He saw a homeless man lying under his
car, a man without any means, without

family, perhaps, or any friends, and he
ran.

He thought he could get away with it, so
he hit, and then he ran, and because he

ran, a man died.

Don't you let him get away with it.
Treat C. Howard Grady like any other hit

-and -run felon.

Find him guilty.

It's a recommendation of the district
attorney that Sam Perry be placed on

probation and that he be committed to
the custody of the court for suitable

placement in a foster home. The young
man has a social history of street life

and delinquent behavior. He obviously
requires more rehabilitation than Mr.

Stolwitz is equipped to provide.

Your Honor, since Sam has been in the
care of Mr. Stolwitz, his school

attendance has been nearly perfect.

His grades show steady progress. His
teacher's comments... indicate great

improvement in his attitude and social
skills.

The family court did a noble thing
letting Mr. Stallworth have custody of

But the experiment's not working.

After reviewing the background of this
case, I have to agree with the

recommendation of the district attorney.

With all due respect, a family provides
support in times of trouble. This is one

of those times. But you're not allowing
Sam's family to work if you dismember it

at the first whiff of adversity.

Let Benny be a parent. Let him help Sam
learn from his mistakes. While Mr.

Stolowitz may have the best intentions,
it's apparent that the kind of

rehabilitation that Sam requires is
beyond the scope of his abilities.

I'm revoking Mr. Stolowitz's temporary
guardianship and committing Sam to the

custody of the probation officer.

We're adjourned.

Can I take Sam home now?

No, Benny. The judge won't let me go
home with you.

The other judge said Sam was with me.
Tell her.

I'm sorry, Benny.

It's okay.

Susan,

I just had a call from the INS. They are
postponing your session.

I'd hope so.

After Spooner's visit this morning.

He came to your house?

Honey, I couldn't have scripted it
better.

There was Mikhail naked, my undies all
over the place.

I wish I could have seen a look on his
face.

It was great.

Not as great as the sex had been.

Susan.

Susan!

I'm going to level with you, CJ.

I've known Mikhail forever.

We have partied together, gotten drunk
together.

We even got married. But until last
night, well, I never thought I had a

Life full of surprises, even for an old
broad like me.

Well, good for you. And why not fall for
your own husband?

Lots of reasons. For starters, he's not
in love with me.

But I have two years to change all that.

And you always close your deal?

You took the words right out of my
mouth.

Hi.

Hi.

I was hoping we could talk.

Come on in.

I'm sorry about the way I left the other
day. You don't have to apologize.

Mom disagrees.

I told her about what happened.

I was going to call you and do it
tonight.

Sounds like you and your mom are pretty
close.

Probably because it's always been just
the two of us.

By the time I was your age, my mom and I
were alone.

We fought nonstop.

Of course, by that time, I was sure I
didn't need a mother at all.

The last thing I would have wanted is
two new parents.

It's a little hard to take.

Sarah, Stuart and I can see that you're
nearly grown.

And it would be silly for us to try to
do what your mother has already done so

well.

But you're family.

And that's why we thought of the
babysitting.

You could find someone with a lot more
experience than me.

They wouldn't be Matthew's sister.

I know you don't like me.

It's okay. I'm still getting used to the
idea of you.

It's just, to work in your house, I feel
like I've barged in already.

You did.

But since you did, it seems a shame for
you and Matthew to miss this chance to

get to know each other.

What if I screw up?

Even on something little?

I might jump all over you.

I'll try not to, but sometimes when I'm
off balance, I attack.

That's what I got from my mother.

I've never taken care of a kid as young
as Matthew. If I didn't think you could

handle this, I wouldn't have suggested
it to Stuart.

This wasn't his idea?

No.

It was mine.

Will you do it?

Okay.

Has the jury reached a verdict?

We have.

What say you? In the matter of people
versus C. Howard Grady, on the charge of

misdemeanor reckless driving, we find
the defendant guilty.

Under charges of felony hit and run and
felony vehicular manslaughter, we find

the defendant not guilty.

Members of the jury, thank you for your
time.

This court is adjourned. Mr. Grady. Mr.

Grady, do you feel you've got special
treatment? How do you feel about the

verdict? Obviously, we're very pleased.

Mr. Grady, I'm just happy it's over.

You did what you thought was right. And
I lost.

You followed your instincts, though,
when you held on to what you believed.

You can't beat yourself up for it.

Well, what about the 400 beds in Venice?
Hey, let's see how would Grady live

with that one. What about the program
for the homeless?

Well, obviously, we'll have to
reconsider it.

It appears he'll live with it very well.

Working kind of late, aren't you, Benny?

I have a lot to do.

Look, I owe you an apology.

I had a tendency to blame Sam for all
the trouble he and my son have gotten

into. The truth is, Alexander is just as
responsible.

I wasn't being honest.

I made a mistake.

Why don't you knock off for the night?

Go home.

I'll be lonely at home without Sam.

Will Sam be able to come live with me
again?

Someday. Maybe.

When he's older.

When will Alexander be able to come live
with you?

The program he's in lasts 30 days.

And then he can come home?

Yes.

And Alexander can come home. Why can't
Sam come home?

Well, Alexander has parents who are able
to... Sam has me.

I'm his parent.

Yes, but...

You see the way the court views this
kind of thing.

That's not fair.

That's not fair.

That's not fair.

You're right, Benny.

It's not fair.

I want Sam to come home.

I miss him.