Original subtitles

[Imes] I am sure that many of you

are familiar with the story of the nail missing

from the shoe of the King's horse

as he rode into battle.

Now the moral of that story

is that a small thing, neglected,

can lead to a large consequence.

A kingdom can be lost.

While you're considering the fate of Petty Officer Lawson,

I ask you to please

keep that in mind.

Now, he is accused of what may seem to be

a small offense, he failed to maintain

the starboard gun mount properly.

But that neglect led to the injury

of three of his fellow sailors,

and it is for that reason that I am asking

for the maximum penalty possible under the law.

[doors opens]

Good Morning, Your Honor.

Uh, one moment, Counsel.

Lieutenant, state your business

and you better have a good reason

for interrupting this court-martial.

Orders, sir, from Admiral Chegwidden.

Can't it wait?

Sorry, sir.

Commander, I've been directed to apprehend you.

Excuse me?

Is this some kind of joke?No joke, ma'am.

We've been ordered to take you into custody until such a time

as formal charges can be brought against you...

for conduct unbecoming and fraudulent appointment.

Please accompany us, ma'am.

Do as they say, Commander.

I'd like to see defense counsel

in my chambers immediately.

Yes, Your Honor.

Members are excused,

and this court's in recess until my call.[gavel thuds]

[opening theme music playing]

[Chegwidden] Commander Imes was placed under arrest

at 1100 hours this morning on my orders...

On what grounds, sir?

Well... she was in line

for a new security clearance.

Background check found that she was not a member

of the Michigan Bar as she claimed.

In fact, she was not

and is not a member of any bar.

Did she graduate from law school, sir?

She did, after, uh... taking night courses for five years.

How was she accepted into the JAG Corps, sir?

Well, we don't know for sure.

All we do know is that around the time that she presented proof

that she belonged to the state bar,

she had her name legally changed to that of a member

of the Michigan Bar who'd just passed away.

She requested a duplicate license

and then presented it as her own.

Admiral, I know Commander Imes pretty well

from a previous tour of JAG.

She's a good lawyer.

That's why I brought her back from Europe:

to take over Commander Rabb's caseload.

Now this.

Instead of lightening our load, she's added to it.

Sir?

Coates, every case in which Commander Imes

served as defense counsel

will be reversed.

[Turner] Well, several of these are murder cases, Admiral.

Are you suggesting we let

the guilty parties go free?I'm telling you

we're going to start over.

We're going to reevaluate each and every case

and decide if they need to be retried.

Sir, a quick review of these cases

indicates that Commander Rabb served as a prosecutor

in 27 of them.

Your point?

I think it may be useful to bring him in to help evaluate those cases.

Considering we're short-staffed on senior attorneys,

it may be a way to expedite matters.

Expedite all you want, Colonel.

I expect a full accounting by the end of the week.

Just when you thought things couldn't get worse.

Yeah.

Ma'am, when was the last time you saw Commander Rabb?

A couple months ago.

Harm has moved on Lieutenant.

He has a new life flying for the CIA.

Better get used to it.

[Rabb] I'm fired.

As of today.

I've flown 37 missions in the last six months.

And you flew them with distinction,

especially that high-profile landing

of a C-130 on a carrier deck at night.

I had no choice.

The point is your face was on every television program

in the known universe.

TV cost you your job.

This doesn't strike you as a tad ungrateful?

Rabb...

CIA operations are supposed to operate in secrecy.

Was this your idea?

I'm the one telling you.

This has Webb written all over it.

So, I guess using you

as a reference is out of the question, huh?

Anybody calls, they get the standard response.

I never worked for the company;

you never heard of me.

You knew that when you signed up,

or you should have.

Well, my life is a constant surprise...

especially to me.

What about Beth O'Neil?

Well, Beth was smart enough

to be camera shy.

She still has her job. You, you...

you can fly for the Department of Defense.

I'm done with government work.

Well... get your out- briefing and turn in

your I.D. at Personnel.

Rabb?

If you ever want to talk

about Air America and the, uh, good old days,

I'll buy you a beer.

Well, you're going to have to buy.

You're the only one still collecting a paycheck.

[knocking]Enter.

Oh, Commander, you'll, uh, you'll prosecute.

Colonel, you'll defend.

That'll be all.

Sir, it-it would help

if we had a little more information.

Colonel, Commander Imes.

You'll find her restricted to quarters at Anacostia.

You want to court-martial the Commander?

No.

I want to throw her a damn party.

Dismissed!

[both] Aye, aye, sir.

I'm going to ask Bud to be my co-counsel.

Ah, better you than me.

Almost starting to miss Harm.

Why is that?

Because he used to take most of the heat.

Now that he's gone, we're in the line of fire.

Just a few simple questions.

Why?I didn't think it would matter.

You were practicing law without a license.

No, that's a technicality.

So you did at least earn a law degree.

Yes. Thomas M. Cooley Law School, class of '87.

That was before you joined the Navy?

Yes. I was working as a paralegal

40 hours a week, going to law school

nights and weekends.

Do you have any idea how hard that is?

I think maybe I do.

I came from nothing, Mac.

My father deserted us when I was six.

We lived on welfare and food stamps.

I did everything on my own.

Including changing your name in order to obtain a Bar certificate.

I regret that, but I was desperate.

Now, you have no idea

what that's like.I grew up poor.

My mother deserted the family; my father was a drunk.

I went to law school while serving on active duty in the Marine Corps,

and I made my share of early mistakes, so don't tell me

I don't know what it's like to be desperate.

I'm sorry.

Did you ever take the Bar?

Yes...

once...

and I missed the cut by one point.

So why not take it a second time?

A friend told me that there were openings available in JAG,

openings that might not occur again for some time.

None of that excuses what you did.

No, it doesn't...

but I have played it straight ever since.

You were lying every time you stepped foot in that court room.

You're wrong. Article 27 B

of the UCMJ states I needed to be

either a graduate of law school,

or a member of the State Bar-- not both--

and I had my diploma.

But the 1991 JAG regulations clarify

that bar membership is mandatory.

And I was accepted in '88.

Y-You knew you were violating

the spirit of the code.

I took it at face value.

Do you really believe that in your heart?

Yes.

Look, Mac, I have 14 years

of outstanding service.

So what do you want?

A chance to start over again in civilian life

without a federal conviction hanging over my head.

That's a long shot.

You're running the risk of brig time.

I'm willing to take that chance.

[guitar playing]

[knocking]

I took a chance you'd be here.

Well, where else would I be?

Out of town. I've left 17 messages

in the last five months.

Yeah, well, I guess I have been gone a lot.

Look, I know you're mad at me.

I'm not mad at anybody.

So, uh, what,

you just decided to move on,

leave the rest of us behind?

Just trying to get on with my life, you know?

I-I know you're upset.

You don't know anything about what I'm feeling.

Well, I would know what you were feeling if you would talk to me.

Hey, I thought we'd done our talking.

You made that pretty clear.

I need your help.

Do you remember Commander Imes?

Beat her six times running.

Not that you were keeping score.

Well, I have bad news.

All those convictions are being overturned.

Why?

She isn't a lawyer.

I could've told you that.

I'm kidding.

She never passed the Michigan Bar.

Really?

So they're reviewing all her cases?

Yep.

Harmon Rabb's greatest hits.

Will you help me, or do you have

some secret mission to fly?

Webb didn't tell you?

We don't spend a lot of time

talking about you.

Gee. That's a surprise.

He canned me.

What?

I just saw you all over the TV.

Oh.

He really fired you?

Yeah, ask him about it next time you two are together.

Give you an opportunity for a little pillow talk.

You ever miss it?

What, being a lawyer?

Everything.

Things change, Mac.

[knocking]

Oh, you have a lot of company for a recluse.

You busy?

Uh... a little.

Uh, that's okay, Ms. Gale.

I was just leaving.

Uh, read through the files and call me.

I need your input quickly.

Good night.Good night.

You're pregnant.

That's why I'm here.

How far along are you?

Five months.

It was before we met.

By the way, does, uh,

Colonel Mackenzie know about our marriage?

Oh, uh, I don't know.

I might have mentioned it to her.

That's why I got the look.

What look?

The "get away from my man" look.

Oh, that look.

So, are congratulations in order?

Always, when a baby's concerned.

And the father...?

Doesn't know.

Your mother?

Doesn't have a need to know.

Wow.

CIA agents are cold.

How is your mom?

Doing well.

She's at the long-term care center at Kresge.

She still think that, uh, you and I...?

I haven't found a way

to tell her that our wedding was fake.

Listen, I want your advice.

Are there times when you wonder

if life is ever going to be the same?

The same as what?

As before.

If you're looking for bad advice,

you've come to the right place.

[rock music playing]

[girl] We got to get this

back in the air this afternoon.

Hey.

Hey yourself.

Pops Grahowsky around?

How long since you been here?

Well, too long

by the looks of things.

Grahowsky sold out.

It's Grace Aviation's hangar now.

I'm Matilda Grace.

Friends call me Mattie.

Hey.We got your message,

and we pulled her up.

Thanks.

She's a beauty.

Are you here to take her up?

Time I changed the plugs.

Want a hand?

You know how to change plugs?

My dad taught me

how to change out plugs when I was six.

Why would he do that?

I couldn't take no for an answer.

And... he needed the help.

What do they call you?

Well, my friends call me Harm.

Well, Harm,

we got one thing in common.

We both got goofy names.

[chuckles]

[knocking at door]

So what are you offering?

We're going to take our chance at court-martial.

Are you crazy?

Apparently.

I expect that from Rabb.

Not from you, Colonel.

Really? And what would you expect of me?

You generally take

a conservative position, a safe position.

What else?

My faults?

As long as you're listing them.

You're, uh, sanctimonious.

And a bit of a prig.

Where did that come from?

It's been building for a while.

Now I'm sure you'll excuse me.

[Rabb] How old are you, anyway?

Old enough to know not to answer that question.

Three-quarter, open end.

Want a job crop dusting?

Oh, I look that desperate to you?

No, I figure you know how to fly a Stearman

and we're a pilot short.

One of our regular guys had a wire strike

two days ago.

Is he okay?

Well, let's just say it didn't do him any good.

What's it pay?

$300 a day.

Going to need to talk

to your dad then I guess.

He's, uh,

dusting the back 40 on the Pearson Ranch,

but you can talk to me.

I handle all the hiring

and the paperwork since my mom...

What happened?

It's precisely none of your business.

Besides, I...

I don't know you well enough

for you to see me cry.

You know, I may know exactly how you feel.

You lose someone, too?

Yeah, I, uh...

I lost my dad.

When I was five.

He was a pilot.

Did you ever get over it?

No.

That's comforting.

Well, I figured

you could handle the truth.

Sometimes.

Sometimes I have a hard time sleeping at night.

Dreaming about her?

Yeah.

And when I wake up in the morning,

it's like she dies all over again.

[crying]

Now see what you've done?

Mattie...

No, don't.

That just... makes it worse.

Sorry, I'm not much of a hand with kids.

[Mackenzie] Lieutenant do you think I always take the narrow view?

No, Ma'am.

Do you find me sanctimonious?

No, Ma'am.

Priggish?No, Ma'am.

Good.

Would you tell me if you did?

No, Ma'am.

[sighs]

Have you talked to the Commander, Ma'am?

I left him copies of the cases.

He promised to get back to me.

How's he doing?

He doesn't call you, either?

Once, to congratulate Harriet and me on the new baby.

Do you think he'll ever come back?

That means you think the Admiral would ask him back.

Well, not as things stand,

but maybe, if you talked

to the Admiral.

For the past few months,

the Admiral and I are having a failure to communicate.

Oh.

We're communicating excellently.

He yells at me and I say I'm sorry.

Kind of like married life.

Wouldn't know.

[Rabb] So, do does Grace Aviation have a health plan?

[Mattie laughs]

Most guys don't last long enough to qualify.

So you can start tomorrow.

Show up by 11:00 and I'll give you the orders.

You'll be here right?

Yeah. I'll be here.

Bring a lunch.

[knocking]

Commander.Hi.

I thought I'd stop by, see how you were doing.

Well, I'm still above ground.

I hadn't seen you for five months,

then I see you on television.

Yeah, well, who didn't?

And now you're working for the company?

Well, uh, not anymore.

I got canned.

Oh, that's unfortunate.

And now?

Well, now I'm working for a 14-year-old dusting crops.

[chuckles] You do lead a varied life.

Well, if you mean I can't hold down a job...

What I mean is, it's too bad

you're not in love with my daughter.

You didn't really marry her, did you?

How long have you known?

I suspected it

that night, but I wanted to give Catherine

the pleasure of pleasing me,

and I didn't expect to live long enough

to let her know I was on to her.

Darling.

What are you doing here?

Oh, put a cork in it, Catherine.

And you can take that coat off.

It's not hiding anything.

You didn't have anything

to do with that, did you?

I'm told no.

I'm sure you'd remember if you did.

Well if I'm going to be a grandmother,

maybe you can tell me the name of the father?

I think I'm going to be sick.

You look like you have a lot on your mind, Commander.

Oh, have you ever had your life turned upside down?

You ever had your heart stop beating?

Touché.

Tell me, why did you come by?

I enjoyed being part of your family, I guess,

even for that brief moment.

That's sad and touching at the same time.

This is all

so refreshing.

I haven't felt this alive in years.

Mock weddings, the prospects of bastards in the family,

reckless aviators...

Is it exciting dusting crops?

I'll know tomorrow.

You do know what you're doing?

I hope so.

You, uh, didn't know?

No.

Yeah, well, taking your office wasn't my idea.

Doesn't matter to me, Sturgis.

Mac and Bud are in the conference room.

Thanks.

Want to get a beer?

I'll call.

Nice to see you, sir.

Well, it's nice to see you, Jennifer.

The admiral is in. I'll let him know you're here.

That won't be necessary.

I believe it is, sir.

You two really need to talk to each other.

I have nothing to say to the admiral.

[sighs]

Damn.

[sighs]

Commander Rabb!Hey, Bud.

Here, it's for the baby.

Thank you. It's good to see you, sir.

Thanks. You, too.

All right, let's get down to it, huh?

You saw the admiral?

Oh, yeah, I saw him. He ran the other way.

He's just embarrassed.

End of discussion.Yeah, but he...

Mac, look, I don't work here.

I have precious little time. I said I'd do you a favor.

Come on, let's get on with it.

All right, before we go over the cases,

I want you to know I'm calling you as a witness

for the defense on Commander Imes' case.

Oh, come on. I don't have time for this...

Then I'll subpoena you.

You know her, and you can testify to her competence.

[knocking on door]

[Chegwidden] Enter.

What can I do for you, Petty Officer?

I wanted to explain my actions.

No,

let me explain them for you.

You are meddling in affairs that are none of your business.

All I wanted was...

No. Petty Officer, I-I'm not interested in what you want.

I'm interested in what I need,

and what I need is an administrative assistant

who does her job and that job only.

Understood?

Sir, I'm still defining the parameters of my duties.

With your input,

of course, being paramount.

Petty Officer, did... did you just handle me?

Of course not, sir.

You're not, by chance,

going to law school at night, are you?

No, sir. Why do you ask?

[sighing]

Starting to parse the truth like a lawyer.

No, sir.

I am, however, starting to look deeper into the truth,

like a psychologist.

The Human Mind 101.

It's a course I'm taking on-line.

[quietly] Dismissed.

Aye, aye, sir.

Is he in?Yes, ma'am.

Ma'am, what does, "parse the truth like a lawyer" mean?

It means that you massage the truth

to get what you want.

Has he ever accused you of that?

All the time.

I like to think he means it as a compliment.

[Chegwidden] Enter.

What can I do for you, Colonel?

Uh, I, uh, wanted to update you

on the Imes case, sir.

Go ahead.

First, I wanted to tell you

that Commander Rabb has been a great help.

Glad to hear it.

While reviewing his cases,

I was just reminded what a fine lawyer...

Colonel.

That is so pathetic

and transparent.No, no, I was...

Commander is done here.

So, don't come in here

and start singing his praises.

They fall on deaf ears.

That'll be all.

Yes, sir.

[sighs]

[MacKenzie sighs]

When someone is that angry, you know they're hurting inside.

Petty Officer?

Sir, I am so sorry.

[sighs]

I can't do anything right, ma'am.

None of us can.

[Mattie] Hurry up.

This should've been loaded by now.

You'll be spraying DEF on 200 acres of mature cotton.

What is DEF and why would I spray it on a mature crop?

DEF is a defoliant.

It tricks the cotton into dropping its leaves.

Makes it easier for the mechanical harvesters.

Got it.

The application is five gallons per acre.

We'll take care of the mix.

The spray nozzles are set at the correct pressure.

Anything else?

I suggest you walk the field first

to check for power lines or any other obstacles.

And also make sure you watch your wind speed

and direction.

You want to avoid any off-target drifts so stay low.

Hey, hey, hey. Frank.

How low is low?

Optimum, eight feet above the deck.

[Mackenzie] Commander Imes, can you tell the court what kind

of fitness reports you received?

Generally outstanding, Colonel.

Is this one of those reports?

Yes.

Who's the reporting senior?

Admiral Chegwidden.

And what does it say?

That I received the highest fitness marks across the board.

So, you have an exemplary record, Commander Imes.

One free of blemish for the last 14 years.

Your Honor, does counsel have a question for the witness?

Colonel?

Commander Imes, at any time, did you mean to bring disgrace

upon the United States Navy?

I did not.

Are you sorry for what you did?I am.

Would you do it again?No. Absolutely not.

And I would like to apologize to this court

and the Navy for my actions.

Thank you. No further questions.

Commander Imes, did you pass the Michigan Bar?

No.

Do you recognize this?

It's a letter stating that I am a member of the Michigan Bar.

There's an explanation.

Please wait for the question.

Did you legally change your name

in order to obtain a certificate

stating you were a member of the bar?

Yes.

And you did that in order

to be accepted into the JAG Corps?

I believed I was qualified for the appointment.

It was a youthful indiscretion

committed in civilian life.

I'm not interested in your justifications, Commander.

I followed the appropriate procedures

in applying to JAG.

And what might those be?

According to Article 27-B,

I did not need to be a member of the bar,

to be qualified to try

court-martials as a judge advocate.

That was the law then.

But not its implementing regulation,

and it hasn't been for 12 years.

You were appointed and remained a JAG by fraudulent means.

I dispute that.

The facts speak for themselves, Commander.

[upbeat music playing]

Whoa.

[airplane engine whirring]

[Turner] Commander, in the course of 14 years,

how many times did you

misrepresent your status as a lawyer?

I can't come up with a number.

Let me help you.

Every time you went into a courtroom, you lied.

Every time you filed a document, you lied.

Your Honor...I'll allow it.

So I make it hundreds, perhaps

thousands of times, and in all of those times,

did it ever once occur to you...?

Your Honor, counsel is testifying.

Commander, do you have a question?

Yes, Your, Honor, and I was just getting to it.

Then please ask it.

I apologize, Your Honor.

So, what's it like living a lie?

Well, that's not really...

Or disgracing the uniform that you wear?

[Roberts] Your Honor.

Counselor is badgering and harassing the witness.

Pick one, Lieutenant.

Harassing, sir.

Commander, I agree with Lieutenant Roberts.

Please move on.

Nothing further, Your Honor.

[upbeat music playing]

You're good.

Real good.

Thanks.

I've been flying since I was your age.

So how long have you been driving?

Sheriff knows me, so it isn't a problem.

Here's your pay.

We do an all-cash business here

so it's up to you to report your income and pay your taxes.

You're not going to count it?

I'm sure it's all there.

Well, I've got work for you tomorrow.

Good.

See you later, boss.

What's your hurry? You got a hot date?

[Rabb] Let's give it a shot.

"It"?

A relationship.

I'm pregnant.

Nobody's perfect.

What the hell is going on with your life?

You're a skilled attorney,

but you're crop dusting for a living.

You're an attractive man

and the only woman on the horizon

is pregnant by somebody else.

Look, we've already walked down the aisle together.

I'm flattered, really.

But you are way too high risk.

What are you talking about?

Harm, you're grasping at straws.

Come on, let's try it.

See what happens.

With a woman you hardly know and a child who isn't yours?

Or is that what you're really after, an instant family?

Look, let's make this simple.

When you're sure of what you want, let me know.

[upbeat music playing]

[Mackenzie] What is your appraisal

of Commander Imes' legal skills?

Outstanding.

And her character?

Impeccable.

Would you consider her a friend?

I consider her

a respected colleague.

Thank you, Mr. Rabb.

No further questions.

Commander Turner?

Mr. Rabb,

did you take an oath when you were certified

to try court-martials under Article 27 B?

I did.

What was that oath?

To faithfully perform the duties of counsel

in any court-martial to which I was detailed as counsel.

So help me God.

So Commander Imes lied to her God, as well.

Well, I'm not really qualified

to answer that question, Counselor.

Neither are you qualified to ask it.

Did you take that oath seriously?

I did.

And did Commander Imes take a similar oath?

I presume so.

Do you believe that the violation

of such an oath is Conduct Unbecoming?

Well, that's for Judge Morris to determine, isn't it?

Answer the question, please.

[melancholy music playing]

Yes.

So all her fitness reports are based

on a lie and a fraud. They count for nothing.

Objection. Argumentative.

Nothing further.

[Coates] Admiral, talk to him.

Petty Officer, you're not going to make me

sorry I made you my Yeoman, are you?

I can't promise you that, sir.

Petty Officer, you are flirting with in...

Insubordination, sir?

Do you think I'm incapable of-of finishing a... ?

Sentence?

Sorry, sir.

Bad habit.

I do not want to...

hear what you have to say.Yes, sir.

Not one word.No, sir.

I am not interested in you taking the Commander's side.

Or if you think I should take him back.

I'm not interested in-in if you think

I'm, uh, being unreasonable or-or, um...

pigheaded or...

unfair.

No, sir. There's no need for that.

Because you already know it.

Sorry, sir.

You know, Petty Officer,

people don't like to be handled.

Yes, sir.So if you do it,

you damn sure better be right.

[sighs]

As you are this time.

They opened the doors at both ends of the hangar.

Uncle Dick flew right through.

Upside down?

Damn straight.

Well, your uncle's a pretty crazy guy.

Well, you ought to know.

How are you, Commander?

Well, A.J., I'm fine.

And it isn't Commander anymore, is it?

Force of habit.

How about a drink?

[propeller whirring]

You buying?

Dutch treat.

All right.

What exactly do you do around here?

Crop dusting.

Enjoy it?

Pays 300 a day.

[chuckles]

Well, uh, don't you think

this is kind of a waste of your talents?

No.

I put in my hours, I don't have to wear a suit and a tie, and I like my boss.

Harm, is this bald guy the jerk who fired you?

Well, I... I didn't, um, I didn't really fire him.

I, uh, just didn't ask him back.

Yeah. Around here, that's called fired.

And you are, um...?

Mattie Grace.

I'm his new boss.

She's kidding, right?

No. Mattie runs the day-to-day operations for Grace Aviation.

So now you're, uh, working for a little girl.

Hmm.

So, see you tomorrow?

Bright and early.

You got the Earl farm.

It's got a nasty crosswind, so watch out

for the high tension lines on the west end.

See you, boss.

Thought it was time we had a talk.

I thought we'd done our talking.

So did I.

Turns out there's more to say.

Well, I can't imagine what that would be.

Boy, you're damned annoying.

Oh, is that what you drove 100 miles to tell me?

It's part of it.

Well, I am also-- and here I paraphrase--

not a team player

and controlled by my emotions.

All that's true.

Look, why are you here, Admiral?

What, did you come looking for absolution?

Did you come to gloat?

Or you just want a ride in an airplane?

You're bordering on insubordination, Rabb.

I'm a civilian now, A.J...

I'm not in your Navy.

Right.

All right.

Here it is.

As you know, the, uh, Imes debacle has forced us

to review over 200 cases, many of which

you were involved.

And you did some...

fine lawyering.

Now you're a crop duster.

I'm good at that, too.

[sighs]

I might consider asking SECNAV to reinstate your commission

and take you back at JAG under the right circumstances.

I'm listening.

Harm, it's time to stop being,

uh, Peter Pan.

The little boy who likes to fly and never grew up.

You're not going to have the life you want

until you learn to take responsibility

for your actions.

Not at work, not with women,

not in any facet of your life.

Let me know what you decide.

You're here, Admiral, because you need me.

Because I'm an excellent lawyer.

And because the officer you chose to replace me

is looking at seven years hard labor.

That's true.

Come back. We'll start fresh.

Let me know.

[Judge Morris] Commander Carolyn Imes,

Judge Advocate General Corps, United States Navy,

this court-martial finds you on all charges

and specifications, guilty.

This court sentences you

to dismissal from the Naval Service.

In arriving at this sentence,

I took two principal factors into consideration.

The offenses you committed are serious and caused a burden

on an already overburdened JAG Corps.

Two, you have 14 years of outstanding service.

So, I consider that an extenuation and mitigation.

Upon your return to civilian life,

I suggest you take the Michigan Bar.

I have no doubt you will pass it with flying colors.

The fact of this court-martial conviction

will make your admission to the bar difficult,

but not impossible.

You'll need good references.

And I believe that among your friends

and colleagues at JAG, you'll find those references.

This court's adjourned.

[bangs gavel

I'm sorry.

So am I.

But thank you, Mac.

[Mattie] You're late.

Yeah, well, traffic was murder.I didn't even know

you were going to show up.Oh, come on, a deal's a deal.

So what's up for today, boss?

You're going to quit.

[melancholy music playing]

Yeah.

To go back to the Navy with that mean old man?

Yup.

That sucks.

Well, that remains to be seen.

You know, I-I can talk to my dad.

He'll give you a raise.

Mattie, it-it isn't about the money. It's...

Then what?

It's what I am good at.

It's who I am.

How come I haven't met your dad?

He was driving the car

when he got in the accident that killed my Mom.

He was drunk.

And after he killed her, he kept right on drinking.

Where is he?

Don't know, don't care.

I don't even use his name.

Grace is my mother's maiden name.

Well, where do you live?

My mother's old house.

Well, what about relatives?

There must be someone you can go to.

They're mostly all his family.

When they call, I tell them Dad's passed out on the couch.

What are you doing for money?

I've got Grace Aviation.

It pays the bills.

Well, what happens when he comes back?

He's not coming back.

Not after what he did.

Besides, I wouldn't let him in the house.

It's his house.

It's mine.

My mom left me the airplanes and the house in her will.

What happens when they find out, Mattie?

I mean, Child Protective Services, the FAA?

'Cause they will.

You going to tell?

No, I'm not going to tell.

What I will do, though,

is I'll call you every day,

and I'll come out here at least once a week,

until I can file a petition with the court

to become your guardian.

Are you sure about this?

'Cause you could back out now,

and I wouldn't hold it against you.

I'm going to find a neighbor to check in on you.

And then there's the question of school.

I know all I need to know.

Oh, I doubt that.

You don't know how to fly a plane.

[tranquil music playing]

[airplane engine whirring]

You want to take her?

Yeah.

[yells]

[closing theme music plays]