Original subtitles

Guys, I want you to watch something I shot for my documentary.

Now, it's just raw footage, but I think you get the point.

We're here to support you, right, Maya? No, I don't know. Let's see what she's

got first.

Okay, the point I'm trying to make here is that the condom is a vital weapon in

the fight against HIV, but a lot of people still don't even know how to put

on.

Oh, my God.

Is that a penis?

It's a penis. That's where the condom goes.

Shoot, condom. Hell, that thing needs a two -ply garbage bag.

Come on, you guys. This isn't porn. This is life -saving information.

Honey, that thing could save my life anytime.

What's Big Boy's number?

I'm not going to tell you who it is.

I'm a professional.

you're sure no one will know it's me. Relax, William.

I'm a professional.

corporate irresponsibility practice group.

Every time...

We refer one of our corporate clients to outside counsel. We lose revenue.

2 .6 million last quarter. A projected 4 .6 for the current quarter.

I've taken the liberty of drawing up some projections, and I think you'll

find... If you'll just take one and pass it down.

Nice graphs.

Got a new printer.

Oh, thank you, William.

We've been thinking along the same lines. It's, uh...

Good to see that we're on the same page, and you've definitely given us some

food for thought.

Hi.

Joan, William just got out, girl. He was in there for an hour and 42 minutes.

What?

Well, I was in my meeting for almost two hours. You don't count the hour and a

half that kept you waiting?

Where'd you get that cookie? Oh, William's mom was making for the senior

partners. But he had cookies.

Girl, yes.

Charts, graphs, laser, little pointer, everything.

Well, I can't compete with that.

What are you talking about, girl? You're on that see -through blouse. Work it.

You know what? I should just give up.

It's just an old boys' network, and William is a man, so William is going to

the job. No. You cannot give up, all right? I need you to get that promotion,

get a raise.

Sign, get a raise.

You know what, Maya?

This is great. Crazy. I mean, I gotta believe that this decision is gonna be

based on merit, not on pie charts and cookies.

So you're going upstairs to stroll by the senior partner's office in your see

-through blouse or what?

Damn right. Okay.

Oh, but not before I stop by the kitchen so I can ice these puppies.

to every house I sell, but that's not the point.

Look, I need to talk to you.

Todd wants me to get an HIV test.

Isn't that some mess?

Well, isn't he going to have one too?

Yeah, but we're not talking about him. We're talking about me.

For him to suggest that I get one, he would think I've got cooties.

Or he could just be smart.

What's the big deal? I get one every six months.

Yeah, but you need to. You're a hoe.

I am not a whore.

I'm sexually liberated.

At least I was before I became sullivant and frustrated and horny.

You might want to fasten up that top button and back up a little.

All I'm saying is before him, I hadn't had sex in almost two years, so why do I

have to take some stupid test?

I mean, if I had something, I wouldn't look this healthy and fabulous.

Tony, when's the last time you had an HIV test?

Look at me. I don't need that mask.

Obviously, I'm blessed.

Oh, my God. You need to take this test.

I told you. I haven't had sex in almost two years.

You could be asymptomatic for longer than that. Look, if I'm going to die,

going to die ignorant and happy.

I'm not built to suffer.

Okay, look.

Look, if you have HIV, and I'm sure you don't, you need to find out so you don't

pass it on to someone you care about, like Todd.

And secondly, you don't have to die, especially if they detect it before you

develop symptoms. I mean, there's drugs now.

People are living with the virus.

Okay. People are living and shopping with the virus.

Where, Lynn?

At the hospital gift shop?

Tony! What?

Look, you are a 32 -year -old sexually active woman. Technically, I'm never

active. They do all the work.

Hey, William, trying to be the first one here.

Yes, well, he's just so excited to hear them announce me as the new senior

partner.

Enjoy your delusions while you can, because in a few minutes' time, I'll be

new senior partner moving up to the 28th floor and your boss.

Yeah, well, don't pack your boxes yet.

Oh, Joan, your inexperience is showing.

True movers and shakers don't do the actual moving themselves.

You know, John, normally I'd have some really good comebacks for you, but I

think it's in my best interest if I hold them in reserve, you know, until I see

how this whole thing plays out.

See? Now, Maya is a very savvy political player.

One of the many things she's learned from me.

Yeah. That and how to put on a condom.

Hello,

people.

Thanks for gathering.

As you know, the selection process for our new senior partner has been long and

arduous, but it has finally come to a successful conclusion.

We've chosen someone who is not only a talented and tenacious litigator, but

is a very good manager of people.

Additionally, through the selection today, I think we're making the

statement that this law firm cherishes diversity.

With no further ado, I'd like to introduce you to the newest senior

at Goldberg, Swedelson, McDonald & Lee, Sharon Upton Farley. Sharon?

Hey, Sharon, I'd like you to meet two of our brightest attorneys.

Joan and William, right?

Charlie told me so much about you. Yes, to tell the truth, I'm not sure the firm

would have made such an effort to seek out a minority partner if it hadn't been

for Clayton and Dent here enlightening us.

Well, then I must thank you for opening up some minds.

Please, don't thank us.

Please.

Finding Sharon was the easy part. Convincing her to make the move was the

part. Well, the thing that clinched it was the opportunity to expand on the

current corporate practice. As we enter this post -Enron era, we just want you

to know how happy we are that you're here.

Happy? Yes.

Sharon Upton Farley.

How about Sharon Upton Farted?

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. What about Sharon Uppity Farm Girl?

Oh, wait, I got a better one.

Sharon Upchuck Farted.

How am I going to fake it, Mommy?

Our whole relationship is based on me making senior partner.

Sharon, uptight, furful.

And what Sharon said about the post -Enron era, that was my corporate

responsibility group. Those bastards stole my idea.

Furful.

Furful. That's those little noodles that look like pellets, right?

Joan, I can't believe you're not as angry as I am. No, no, I'm angry.

It's all I can think about.

I angled, politicked, and lobbied for that decision.

Played the game.

Even had the right scheming woman by my side with all the right connections, and

it was all just a waste of time. They never had any intention of choosing me.

What about me? They chose a black woman.

I mean, if they had wanted a black woman, why didn't they choose me? I

ain't I a black woman?

Don't I know why the cage birds think?

Disappointment of Sharon Upton Farley is a slap in the face to the both of us.

and tell them they messed with the wrong two black people.

We got to go into that staff meeting tomorrow and tell them either they make

senior partners immediately or we will be quitting the firm.

Lift every voice up and bang. That's what I said.

Joan, I'm serious.

I am too.

So we're walking. Out of there.

It's all right then.

Oh, careful.

Our first order of business is to brief Sharon on our... clients who fall under

the purview of the new corporate responsibility group.

Uh, Dent, you've been handling the Montman class action suit. I'll need you

bring Sharon up to speak.

I'm sorry, Mr. Sweetelson, but I can't do that.

What do you mean you can't do that? It is your case, isn't it? What I mean is

that I won't do it.

Not until a grievous wrong has been made right.

Chuck, what's going on here? What's going on here, Mr. Goldberg, is that I

should be sitting in that seat.

I should be senior partner, and I'm not the only one here. Joan, you are out of

line. No, sir, you're out of line. You and everyone here who is involved in

mockery of a selection process.

I'm sorry, Sharon, no offense to you, I don't know you, but you've taken a job

that rightfully belongs to us.

And we've been here in the trenches, putting in the hours, winning every case

you put in front of us, and hell, that corporate responsibility group was my

idea. We've earned that position.

William, I... Denton. I want you to apologize to Sharon, and then I want you

sit down.

Very well. Sharon, I'm sorry you took our job.

And if you don't make Joan and I senior partners immediately, then we walk.

You should know, Dent, that I don't respond well to ultimatums. Well, then

be generous and give you 15 seconds to decide.

Tick -tock, tick -tock.

Ten seconds.

Five seconds.

All right, I guess we'll give you another five seconds.

Oh, the old calling of the old bluff.

Hey, Charlie, well, the only bluff here is the one holding up your Malibu beach

house because we are out of here. Come on, Joan.

William, William, I'm not leaving.

You're kidding me. This is where you're supposed to lift every voice and sing.

No, not like this. No, it isn't.

Oh, I see.

Thanks a lot, Joan.

Well, you know what? I don't need you to start my own law firm. It won't be

called Denton Clayton anymore, but it'll be called Denton Associates.

As soon as I get some. Who wants to be an associate?

Come on. I'll need paralegals and assistants, too. Who's with me? Maya.

Fine.

You know, you all may be happy with the way dedication is treated around here.

But I'm not.

I'm gone.

Uh, excuse me.

What are you doing here?

Trying to be a good person. What, by breaking and entering?

Oh, please, I had a key longer than you have.

No, I need a Jones charity list. I gotta donate a lot of money, and I've gotta

do it fast.

Okay, Tony, why are you suddenly becoming a giving person? You don't care

nobody but yourself.

Maya!

Don't say that!

person, okay? I gotta keep believing that because I get my HIV test results

tomorrow.

Oh, yeah, girl.

Didn't know.

Yes, you did.

Okay, so what?

Lynn did mention how trifling you are, never having had a test before.

Well, anyway, taking the test has got me to thinking about what kind of person I

am. I just want to make sure I'm square with the Lord.

Now, before I write out this check, let me ask you a question.

Is this a... Oh, there it goes.

United Negro College Fund. Is that a legitimate organization?

Okay, Tony, it's overkill, okay? Too much, all right? Yes, you're a good

all right? Yeah, sure, you know, sometimes you do get on my nerves and

be a little selfish, a little shallow, sometimes vindictive and backstabbing.

Well, you're an adulterous liar, so I'll see you in hell, too. Oh, excuse me,

Missy, don't you dare put me in your category, okay?

I'm a good person who made one mistake.

You, you Satan's crafty minion.

I'm not going tomorrow.

Doesn't matter what the results are.

I'm going to hell anyway.

Wait a minute, girl.

What, are you getting serious on me here? You serious, huh?

Listen, Tony, I know we've had our run -ins, okay? But never once have I

you were really an evil person.

You just called me Satan's crafty minion.

So, Greenahaya must not be coming.

Maya, I'm really scared.

to safe sex.

And I haven't always walked with Jesus.

I'm telling you, Maya, getting the AIDS, it's going to be one punishment.

Tony, no one deserves AIDS.

You're not a bad person. Yes, I am. No, you're not.

If you're such a bad person, then tell me.

How come I love you?

You do not love me.

You just live vicariously through me. You know.

As a way to brighten up your humdrum life.

You know what? You are going to hell.

Oh, hello, Sharon.

I am a senior partner, so I think Miss Farley would be more appropriate.

Oh, right.

Sorry.

Miss Farley.

I came to speak to you about the incident this morning in the conference

Please let me finish.

I know Mr. Dent thinks he was unfairly passed over and that his idea for the

corporate responsibility group was taken from him, but the truth is, it's his

job to bring in new ideas to this firm, and he would have received credit for

that. It's just he doesn't have the experience to head up a new department.

Why are you telling me this?

Because notwithstanding your failure to lift up your voice and sing, it was

quite clear that you felt slighted as well.

So I came to tell you that if you want to leave, you should just do it. Because

honestly, I just don't think you have what it takes to be a senior partner in

this firm.

You can make that judgment having only been here one day.

You'd be surprised what I can do in a day.

I reviewed your case files.

Impressive. Thank you. But not overly so.

Simply fulfilling assignments won't be enough anymore.

You're going to have to go after the work.

Bring in new clients.

Contribute to the growth of this firm. You see, that's what I do, and that's

I'm here.

You have to be more than just another litigator.

I'm not just another litigator.

I'm giving you an out here.

And if you think you won't be able to handle the pressure, you should take it.

Thanks, but I'm good right here.

Be great.

What are you doing here?

Where's Maya? She's not coming.

William, I had her call you because if you knew it was me, you wouldn't have

come. You're right, I wouldn't have. Now I'm out of here. Don't bother getting

up. I know you'll let me walk out by myself.

If I thought you were serious about quitting, I would have talked you out of

before the meeting.

You've got to believe me.

I really just thought we were drunk and venting. Why would you have talked me

out of it?

Are you saying you're okay with being taken for granted and stepped on by

people? No, I'm saying I was plastered.

Hell, William, I slept in the hotel across the street because I was too

ride up right in a cab.

Well, maybe you can't handle your liquor, but I knew exactly what I was

Come on, come on.

Look, I know that we can figure out a way to undo what happened this morning.

I'm not undoing anything.

Sharon Upton Farley is the new senior partner.

It's been made clear to me that I've gone as far as I can in this firm, so I

quit. And you should, too.

I'm not as mad as you are.

I had to accept that I don't deserve to be senior partner.

I talked to Sharon.

I mean, Miss Farley.

And as much as I hate to admit it, she had a point.

It's not enough to just do what's been put in front of me.

So I am going to stay there and I'm going to work hard. Because I'll be

if I get passed over next time.

Good luck.

That's it? That quickly?

I mean, a second ago you were just going to storm out of here. Well, I'm a guy,

you know. I'll be getting bored with all that emotion.

Hey. What?

Are you scared?

I'm terrified.

That's why I wanted you to walk out with me.

William, you are going to do great.

I'm certainly going to try.

I'm really going to miss you at work.

I'm quitting the firm. I'm not quitting as your friend.

Promise? Absolutely.

Hustle over there and start a tab.

Sure, but you know I gotta watch myself.

Can't go back to that hotel across the street. I'm pretty sure I threw up in

their lobby.

And their elevator.

And the pool.

It's great that Tony's so excited about her HIV test result being negative.

Yeah, I'm happy for her, too.

Although, I did have dibs on her Range Rover.

Well, you make it again.

She's going to give herself a heart attack.

Go, Tony!

It's your birthday!

Be busy!

Go, Tony!

It's your birthday!

Be busy!

Go, Tony!

It's your birthday!

Be busy!