Original subtitles

NARRATOR: THe murder case,

This is the face of a serial killer who coldly snuffed out the lives of 1 7 people.

NARRATOR: THe client,

BANKS: By society's standards, I' m a murderer.

By my standards, I' m an executioner.

Four years ago, you prosecuted a man. . .

. . .for the murder of a kid who was severely retarded .

-He was your brother. -Your plea bargain convinced me. . .

. . .there was only one way for the righteous to prevail .

Every man I killed had raped or murdered an innocent person. . .

. . .and then walked out of prison without receiving their just sentence.

NARRATOR: THe wife,

She's a con artist trying to squeeze money out of you.

You' re facing two distinct futures.

One where you drive away in a brand-new Lexus courtesy of Mr. Blondo. . .

. . .the other, where you are facing charges of fraud and bigamy.

I have an arrest record . I am married to someone else.

I never loved you. lt was all about getting your money.

NARRATOR: An ill al search,

Everything flows from that bad search.

The body, the weapons, the computer files.

Even the statement Clifford gave saying he did it. It's all out the window .

-Maybe you thought you saw a leg-- -I know what I saw, all right?

What are you trying to do here?

I' m trying to give you a way to help yourself.

Maybe get yourseIf out from under a perjury rap.

-Your bust is a hummer. -Patrolman Tilledge. . .

-. . .directed us to the rear of the van. -What did you find?

A blue bag containing what seemed to be a body.

Officer Tilledge has described seeing a foot sticking out of the bag .

ls that what you saw?

-No. WYLER: It is a fact, isn't it, officer. . .

. . .that you saw no part of Mr. Rosetzky's body prior to conducting your search?

I decline to answer on the grounds that my answer may tend to incriminate me.

I' m compelled to find that Officer Tilledge did not have probable cause. . .

. . .to search Mr. Banks' van.

Defense moves that the court dismiss all charges. . .

. . .against Mr. Banks for lack of evidence.

If I am being released tomorrow . . .

. . . I need to start thinking about my new life.

I know I' m going to be the target for all the wackos out there.

To protect myself, I' m gonna need a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

I give you pretty good odds on two things.

The sun coming up tomorrow and Clifford Banks killing again.

LATTIMER: Mr. Wyler, good to see you.

-And you. -You know Todd Strangis?

-Mitch Kaye? -How you doing?

-How are you? -A pleasure.

We were on the horn with Janet Reno trying to do a little. . .

. . .lead blocking on an antitrust case.

That's not a problem, Mr. Lattimer. I was admiring your view .

On a clear day, I bet I can see the class struggle.

I've been in your building . Nothing shabby about those digs.

Except our old masters were painted in Southern California.

Whereas I have a feeling that these are the real thing .

Jimmy, we have a couple of reasons for asking you here today.

The first is, we have a client in need of criminal representation.

In our opinion, she couldn't do better than you.

Well, I appreciate the compliment.

-What's her situation? -Her name is Esther Kettering .

She and her sister, in their 80s, were proprietors of Twin Valley Vineyards. . .

. . .in Mendocino. A successful boutique winery known for its chardonnay.

Todd is using the past tense because Ms. Kettering's sister, Marybeth. . .

. . .died in somewhat murky circumstances four days ago.

A family friend, Kevin Piper. . .

. . .seems to be the primary object of scrutiny by the police.

He's been told he's a suspect?

That's Esther's conclusion. Which is why she came to us. . .

. . .and why we' re coming to you. Esther believes that Mr. Piper is innocent.

She'll be paying his legal bill .

I'd be happy to meet them both. Thank you for the referral .

We'll get you the file before you leave.

As I said when we started, we had a dual agenda here today.

When we selected you to advise Esther Kettering, we did a lot of research.

And what we learned about you confirmed our initial impressions. . .

. . .which were very positive.

It's our hope that our relationship will go beyond this one case.

Jimmy, we would like you to become a part of Petersen, Herrick and Coe.

Your firm wants to get into criminal law?

We have a number of clients. . .

. . .whose personal lives have brought them into contact with law enforcement.

In the past, we've had to subcontract.

It's a service that needs to be supplied .

-And that's where you come in. -I assume you are talking about me. . .

-. . .and my associates. -Oh, absolutely. Absolutely.

We have great respect for your people.

They will become partners at Petersen, Herrick with a substantial draw .

Your situation, however, will be more elevated .

Mitch has the details.

A guaranteed draw of a million two and points.

A minimum of eight in the first year with escalation to be negotiated .

A seat on the management committee.

And in two years, your name on the door.

Provided the transition goes as smoothly as we all anticipate.

So any initial reaction?

Case of mild shock.

We understand . It's a large chunk to digest.

Now, Mitch will fax you a tentative proposal, just to look at.

All we ask is that you give us serious consideration.

Jimmy, P, H and C is a terrific place to hang your hat.

We'd love to have you on board .

I'll discuss it with my associates.

Arnold Spivak, Esquire, partner. . .

. . .in Petersen, Herrick and Coe.

Ah.

lt kind of caresses the tongue like warm butterscotch, doesn't it?

You' re being a bit premature, aren't you?

Please. It's a foregone conclusion.

Hey, did I mention that P, H and C has their own helicopter?

Helicopter. Lands right on the roof of the building .

lt would be more constructive if you kept your comments age-appropriate.

Why? You want a more sophisticated analysis? Okay.

It's always fun in a situation like this.

Let's run a little upside-downside, shall we? Upside.

If we make this move, we get power, money, prestige. . .

. . .gorgeous facilities and haIf the people we work with are future or ex-senators.

Anyone think of a downside?

For starters, we lose the ability to do what we' re doing now .

Have the whole firm meet, make decisions, all in the same room .

I can live with it. Since I heard about this, one thought's rolled through my brain.

A Jaguar XK8 convertible, in racing green. Does that make me superficial?

Absolutely not. I' m going with the Antigua blue, myself.

All right. Let's get back to the real world for a minute.

Come on. Don't pretend you haven't been checking out some color samples.

I've driven past a dealership or two.

But right now, we have important things to talk about.

As you know, Esther Kettering and Kevin Piper. . .

. . .are coming in this morning at 1 1 :00.

-How'd the sister die? JUSTINE: Paper says she fell down. . .

. . .stairs in her mansion and broke her neck.

lt all sounds very gothic.

A lot of money in that family. Petersen, Herrick and Coe. . .

. . .was fielding a $ 1 00-million offer for the winery.

They drink Twin Valley Chardonnay in the partners' dining room at P, H and C.

That's $60 a bottle. Free.

Sorry. Can anyone tell me about Kevin Piper?

Official duties, dog-walker and part-time chauffeur.

Unofficially, he was sleeping with Marybeth Kettering .

He's 27 years old .

And she was 83.

I think "sleeping " is the operative word here.

Sounds like something out of Sunset Boulevard,

I thought you'd be for older women with younger men.

Yeah, well, I draw the line at a gap of haIf a century.

WYLER: Okay, okay, let's move on.

There's a strong possibility that Clifford Banks will be released from jail soon.

There's some issues we need to resolve.

Like how we can get away from this guy.

We can't just dump him at Holiday lnn, wish him a good life.

Why not? We did the job we were hired to do.

-Not up to us to rehabilitate him . WYLER: I spoke to Frank.

He found an apartment in Altadena where Clifford can lay low .

Finding him a place to live is the least of it.

Don't we have an obligation to at least reduce the odds. . .

. . .this guy's gonna go kill someone else?

What do you suggest? We say, " Clifford, be a good boy.

Don't kill anybody anymore. " I mean, don't you think we' re jumping the gun?

Why do we assume this case is gonna be a slam-dunk?

-That the judge will dismiss the charges? -Agajanian ruled the search. . .

. . .of Banks' van illegal, which means evidence derived from it. . .

. . . has to be thrown out. Ergo, prosecution's case is history.

I' m not so sure. Agajanian is law and order all the way.

If he tweaks his interpretation of the Constitution a hair. . .

. . .to keep a serial killer behind bars, then he's gonna do it, man.

ARNOLD: No. Not this guy.

He believes in that old piece of parchment.

Clifford Banks is practically a free man.

If so, I wouldn't want to be in the judge's shoes.

-Or Miriam Grasso's. -Or ours.

AGAJANIAN : We' re back on the record in People v, Banks.

Thirty-one years ago, in a room like this one, I took the oath of citizenship.

lt was the first of many times in my life that I swore to uphold the Constitution. . .

. . .of my adopted country.

I did so enthusiastically. . .

. . . because I knew that document. . .

. . .was the only armor. . .

. . . protecting me and others like me. . .

. . .from the injustices inflicted on my immigrant parents.

It is my profound belief that. . .

. . .to depart from its doctrines is to undermine our nation.

Today, it is my duty. . .

. . .to uphold that constitution once again.

-I grant the defense motion to suppress-- -Your Honor--

Let me finish, please.

AGAJANIAN : I grant the motion to suppress evidence introduced . . .

. . .at trial by the prosecution. . .

. . .since all of it stems, as previously ruled, from an unconstitutional search.

Specifically, people's exhibits 37 through 41 , the weapons.

Fifty-one through 68. . .

. . .items found in Mr. Banks' home and in his computer. . .

. . .and 72. . .

. . . his statement to police confessing to the murder. . .

. . .of Alan Rosetzky are excluded .

People move for immediate stay of execution of rulings of this court.

-Grounds? GRASSO: People v, Hernandez. . .

. . .inevitable discovery. lt was a matter of time. . .

. . . before police would've uncovered the evidence in question.

lnevitable discovery can't be used to preserve evidence. . .

. . .which is the product of an illegal search.

Fruit of the poisonous tree, Ms. Grasso.

-Motion denied . -People move to reinstate complaint. . .

. . .within 48 hours, pursuant to Penal Code Section 8-71 . 5.

AGAJANIAN : I'd like to accommodate you. . .

. . . but unless you can provide this court with new, untainted evidence. . .

-. . . my ruling stays. -People move for trial de novo. . .

. . . pursuant to Section 1 5-38. 5.

Again, Ms. Grasso, the only way I can grant your motion in good faith. . .

. . .is if you provide this court with new evidence to consider.

Can you produce such evidence?

Until such time as you have new evidence for this court to consider. . .

-. . .we have nothing more to say. -The Constitution was never designed . . .

. . .to allow a serial killer to walk free.

I've made my ruling .

I assume the defense stipulates to a mistrial at this point?

WYLER: Yes, Your Honor, in light of your ruling . . .

. . .we move for dismissal of all charges against Clifford Banks. . .

. . .and we demand his immediate release from custody.

-Do the people have any response? -Would it do any good?

Your motion is granted .

Mr. Banks, regrettably, you are free to go.

ls there something else?

Your Honor, there's still the matter of my personal property.

What property would that be?

My pistols, my rifles and my shotgun.

AGAJANIAN : Those weapons were involved . . .

. . .in the murders of 1 7 human beings.

They are part of an ongoing investigation.

If you want them back. . .

. . .you'lI have to submit a formal request to this court for review .

We' re adjourned .

How long will it take for him to complete a review?

lt could take a day. lt could take a month.

My guess is they'll be snowboarding in hell before you see those weapons again.

I have to say, I don't understand why we need to skulk away.

Take Alameda, head up Temple. Maybe we can avoid these press guys.

After what that judge did to me, we should be. . .

. . .denouncing him on the courtroom steps.

That judge freed you, Clifford .

Freedom is my inalienable right. For as long as that farce of a trial . . .

. . .continued, he deprived me of it. He also--

I can take Fifth Street. It's quicker this time of day.

He also deprived me of my Second Amendment right to bear arms.

My first order of business is gonna be a letter to the editor of the Tim .

I' m gonna call for an impeachment campaign.

A man that arrogant should not be allowed to continue in office.

What we really should do is sue him .

The best way to get somebody's attention is to hit him in the wallet.

You wanna put me on your hit list, go ahead . But right now . . .

. . .you shut your mouth, or I'll throw your ass out of this car.

Chris. Oh, my God . Chris.

We pushed the jacket up where it was bleeding . I didn't see an exit wound .

-What do we got? NURSE: Gunshot.

WYLER: I think there was--

-Can't you stop the bleeding? -Diminished breath sounds.

Get that lV going, LR wide open.

-I want a CBC-- WYLER: How bad is he?

-BP's 70/45. -Blood pressure's dropping .

ls he gonna make it?

-Get somebody on that arm . -Please come with me.

I' m fine. I' m fine. Shouldn't there be a specialist here?

-Jimmy, come on away from here. -Leave me alone.

Gotta have that taken care of. Let these people work.

Take care of Justine. Take Clifford to the apartment.

SZYMANSKl : What about you? WYLER: Just do it, Frank!

GAGE: Mr. Wyler?

He's stable.

We removed two bullets. One collapsed a lung, which we repaired .

The other one nicked an intercostal artery.

-That caused the bleeding . -You stopped it?

So far.

We repaired the lacerated area. And now it's watch and wait.

When you lose that much blood . . .

. . .there's a risk to the heart and brain from oxygen deprivation.

If you hadn't gotten him here as quickly as you did, he wouldn't have made it.

You need some sleep.

I'd really like to see him .

One minute. That's all you've got.

Hey, Chris.

You look awful .

I can see that getting shot didn't affect your eyesight.

How are you feeling?

They put me on something for the pain.

There's this button I can push. . .

. . . but it's not doing much good .

How's everybody else?

Everybody's fine.

I kept them away.

Didn't think you'd want a herd of people stampeding through.

Justine went to feed your dog .

Arnold and Aaron are taking your calls.

Anyway, look, I just. . .

. . .wanted to tell you that. . . .

It's not your fault, Jimmy.

You understand that, right?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Get some sleep.

I attended a prayer fellowship this morning .

-Your name was mentioned, and Chris. -Thank you, Louis.

Petersen, Herrick and Coe sent a basket with best wishes for a speedy recovery.

And my informal survey of telephone messages and telegrams reveals. . .

. . .an even split between congratulations for freeing Clifford Banks. . .

-. . .and death threats for doing the same. -Jimmy. How's Chris?

His vital signs are improving . We'lI see.

Detectives did a follow-up with Frank and me and want you.

I'll arrange it.

In the meantime, Gary Blondo is on his way. . .

. . .and Clifford Banks awaits in your office.

Good luck.

How's Chris Docknovich?

Better.

I've been thinking about him since the shooting .

And getting more disgusted every passing minute.

An innocent man like that, nearly wiped out. . .

. . . by these animals that society allows to exist.

Please, tell him how concerned I am .

Clifford, I was gonna have this conversation with you yesterday.

I understand . The shooting was very disruptive.

Yeah. Anyway, what l was gonna say to you is:

Now that you' re out of jail, and you' re on your own. . .

. . .this would be a good time to bring our association to a close.

Um . . . .

Wait.

You mean you' re not gonna be my lawyer anymore?

Clifford, there's nothing left for me to do.

Of course there is.

I' m gonna be sued by the families of some of those men I killed .

I' m gonna need a lawyer to handle that.

I know a lot of excellent lawyers that do civil litigation.

I'll give you their numbers. I'd also like to recommend a therapist.

Now, why would I need a therapist?

So you can talk about what you've been through.

-You need someone to talk to. -I thought I could talk to you.

-I thought you were my friend . -Look, Clifford, what you need . . .

. . .is to meet with this therapist and start putting your life back together.

I have to admit, getting this news is difficult.

First, Lynette leaving .

Now you.

-It's difficult. -Look, I' m sorry.

I believe that if you make an effort. . .

. . .you'll succeed at putting your life back together.

Do one thing for me.

Just one more thing . That's all I ask.

They want me to do an interview on that Felicia Norell show next Friday.

-Don't do it. -They'll pay me $40,000.

If you go on television and talk about killing 1 7 people. . .

. . .you' re inviting the feds to come after you for civil-rights violations.

Then do the interview with me, and you can run interference.

Why is this interview so important to you?

Every day I sat in my cell . . .

. . .inhaling that stench. . .

. . . I passed the time by building a mausoleum for my brother.

Day by day.

I added a marble stone, an angel . . .

. . .a plaque with his picture on it.

It's complete now .

It's complete and beautiful in my head .

With the $40,000. . .

. . . I can build it.

In my professional opinion, it is not worth the risk.

If it's for Tommy. . .

. . .it's worth anything .

All right. I'll do the interview with you.

But I repeat, you cannot talk about the murders.

IKNOCKING]

-Gary Blondo's here. Shall I send him in? -Yeah.

Gentlemen.

My condolences and my sympathies.

Louis tells me that Chris Docknovich is improving?

Tragedies like this are always devastating . . .

. . . but when it's someone you know and respect, my heart truly bleeds.

I know we convened to discuss the movie. . .

. . . but I'd understand completely if you wish to postpone.

-Clifford? -No, it's all right.

Well, sometimes the best therapy. . .

. . .is just to put one foot in front of the other and slog on.

When my mother passed away, God rest her soul . . .

. . . I took a three-hour with Joel Silver. We got haIf a picture cast. . .

-. . .and it was the best therapy ever. -What's the topic today?

It's just a minor note, but it could have resonance. . .

. . .which is important in any story, as we all know .

Clifford, with your permission, I would like to instruct our screenwriter. . .

. . .to give you a career other than plumber.

-What's wrong with being a plumber? -Well, it just doesn't resonate.

Plus, it's pizzazz-less. But if you were a computer whiz. . .

. . .you know, a sort of Bill Gates the Avenger. . .

-. . . I think we'd be right on the money. -I don't wanna do that.

Don't take it personally, Clifford . . .

. . . but crud under your fingernails and the smell of Drano. . .

. . .it's not something the audience wants Rene Russo crawling into bed with.

I don't care.

My story has to be true to life.

Yes, but what is true to life?

I mean, you saw Gandhi, right?

Do you think that dot-head didn't sneak a cheeseburger once in a while?

No changes. Do you hear me?

-Take it easy, you' re wrinkling the Zegna. -Clifford, let him go.

I ought to just take you out and shoot you right now .

-What? BANKS: Yeah. Just put a shiny. . .

. . . hollow-point bullet right in that empty head of yours.

Be done with you forever.

You' re kidding, right?

I am dead serious.

How's that resonate?

Oh, my God .

That's the most fun I've had in months.

I think he wet the chair.

Come on, Mr. Wyler, relax.

I was just kidding around .

Look, you know, if you just gave me a chance. . .

. . .you might see something a good deal less. . .

. . . monstrous than you might imagine.

WYLER: Thank you both for coming in this morning .

I' m sorry we had to cancel yesterday.

We understand completely.

The world is filled with unfortunate surprises.

I' m sure your sister's death has been quite difficult.

It's been made much worse by the inquisition Kevin has had to endure.

The authorities insist on implying that Marybeth's death wasn't an accident.

-And that I' m somehow responsible. -Do you have any idea, Mr. Piper. . .

-. . .why the authorities feel this way? KEVIN : None.

It's unconscionable. And extremely frustrating, I might add .

Marybeth was wheelchair-bound .

She used an electric device. . .

. . .a Chair-O-Lator, that my father had installed when my mother became frail . . .

. . .in 1 956. Marybeth used it to go up and down the stairs. . .

. . .from our foyer to the second floor.

Somehow, when she was descending . . .

. . .the device broke apart. . .

. . .and she tumbled to her death.

lt sounds like an accident to me.

But not to the devious minds of the Los Angeles police.

They've seized upon a few facts and turned them into some. . .

-. . . nefarious plot. -And those facts are?

One of the help overheard Kevin and Marybeth. . .

-. . .arguing the night before she fell . -And had you been arguing?

Yes.

Because though I loved Marybeth deeply, in the fullness of time. . .

. . . I'd come to realize that my true love is sitting right here by my side.

But when Kevin told my sister. . .

-. . .she evidently took it badly. KEVIN : She was given to tantrums.

Often they were the result of her fondness for sherry.

I loved her at 9 in the morning, but by 7 at night, she was a vicious shrew .

Forgive me, Esther.

Three bolts from the Chair-O-Lator were found at the top of the stairs.

The police feel, evidently, that all three couldn't have come loose accidentally.

Kevin was seen making adjustments to the device. . .

-. . .earlier in the day. -I told the police over and over again. . .

. . .the infernal thing squeaked incessantly. All I'd done was oiled the track.

I wish to God I'd seen the loose bolts. This nightmare wouldn't have occurred .

From what you've told me, there's nothing substantive. . .

. . .to prove Ms. Kettering's death was anything but accidental .

The police may just be pressuring you in the hope they can. . .

. . .create a scapegoat.

Whatever the motive, they don't have a case.

You really don't think so?

Let's sit tight.

With any luck, we won't need to meet like this again.

This is wonderful news, Mr. Wyler.

Duncan Lattimer was right.

You' re quite an impressive young man.

Are you ready?

Almost.

I' m working out the details for Clifford's interview with Felicia Norell .

I' m trying to prevent him from shooting himseIf in the foot.

lt seems to me he's already proven he's a pretty good shot.

And as far as serial killers go. . .

. . . he comes off surprisingly non-threatening .

Well, try telling that to Gary Blondo.

-Word is, he's gone into hiding . -And that's what?

That's a bad thing?

You know what I'd like to do?

I'd like to drop the whole subject.

Forget about Clifford Banks, Gary Blondo, forget about everything .

That sounds like a job. . .

. . .for Justine Appleton.

ICELL PHONE RINGING]

Wyler.

When?

Don't talk to anyone.

I'll be there in haIf an hour.

What's going on?

It's Banks.

He's been arrested again.

Well, looks like you were right. . .

. . .about the L.A. P. D. following me 24 hours a day.

What did the cops bust you for, Clifford?

I bought a rifle. An old M1 carbine.

As soon as I put it in the car and started to drive away. . .

. . .two detectives arrested me. They said I broke the law . . .

. . . because I didn't put the ammunition in the trunk.

We talked about this. I told you. . .

. . . no guns, no violence.

I swear to God, I wasn't looking to hurt anyone.

People are looking to hurt me.

That apartment you got me?

I found a dead rat hanging by my door.

And someone left a note saying :

"You' re next, Clifford . Die slow . "

I' m trying to do what you said, Mr. Wyler.

Live a quiet life.

I can't do it if I can't protect myself.

You can't do it if you keep giving the cops a reason to lock you up.

ls there something else, Clifford?

The police searched me after the arrest.

I had a letter in my possession. . .

. . .addressed to Travis Sykes.

-Who is? -An arsonist-murderer. . .

. . .getting paroled after six and a haIf years at Vacaville.

And this is how you lead a quiet life?

-By planning your next victim's murder? -I wrote the letter.

But after we had our talk. . .

-. . . I never mailed it. -This is why we can't work together.

This is why our association must come to a close. They are gonna charge you. . .

. . .with plotting another murder, and I can't keep bailing you out.

I' m trying to do the right thing, Mr. Wyler.

I . . . .

Please?

Don't walk away from me now .

Your Honor, it's our position that this action must be dismissed . . .

. . . pursuant to People v, Bailey, because. . .

. . .facts stated in the complaint, even if true, do not constitute a public offense.

An act in furtherance of a plot to kill someone is a perfect example. . .

. . .of a public offense. It's called attempted murder, Your Honor.

And Clifford Banks is the perpetrator.

Even if the defense stipulated the truth of every alleged . . .

. . .fact in the people's complaint, no crime whatsoever occurred .

Corresponding with a prison inmate is not a crime.

It is, however, consistent with your client's previous criminal pattern.

What pattern? There is no pattern.

Perhaps counsel has forgotten that Mr. Banks has repeatedly. . .

. . .as he did in his letter to Travis Sykes. . .

. . . represented himseIf as a woman to men who ultimately died by his hand .

WYLER: Your Honor, Ms. Grasso is connecting the letter. . .

. . .to tainted evidence already ruled inadmissible under the law .

Therefore, under California Penal Code section 1 008. . .

. . .it is our contention that the charges be dismissed .

Ms. Grasso, Mr. Wyler's point is well taken.

-Anything to add before my ruling? GRASSO: Yes, Your Honor.

The people would argue the letter taken from Mr. Banks. . .

. . .establishes, on its face, the crime of stalking .

-Stalking? The man didn't mail the letter. HARRIS: Ms. Grasso, it's not going to fly.

None of the physicality elements required to constitute stalking . . .

. . .is present in Mr. Banks' actions.

I' m going to sustain the demurrer. . .

. . .and dismiss this case.

Thank you, Your Honor. If it please the court. . .

. . . my client requests a temporary restraining order.

-For what purpose? -To keep the L.A. P. D. . .

. . .whose officers have been hounding him, at least 1 50 feet from Mr. Banks.

-You can't possibly be serious. WYLER: Your Honor. . .

. . .the people have invoked the specter of a stalker in vilifying my client.

But the truth is, it's the police who have been stalking him .

My client legally purchased an antique rifle. . .

. . .and was arrested for violation of the law . . .

. . . requiring transported weapons to be unloaded .

The weapon was unloaded . Ammunition was packed in an unopened box--

Judge, isn't it enough that Mr. Wyler has made a mockery of the court system?

Must we now allow him to make a mockery of the police, as well?

-You' re on pretty thin ice, Ms. Grasso. -Well, so are Mr. Banks' future victims.

-True or not, it's irrelevant. WYLER: Again, Your Honor.

As the police, acting under color of authority, exceeded their jurisdiction. . .

. . .we request the immediate issuance of a restraining order.

Mr. Wyler. . .

. . . my congratulations to you.

Your recent injury seems in no way. . .

. . .to have diminished your ability to manipulate the law .

I have no choice but to grant Mr. Banks' request.

Therefore, all sworn personnel of the Los Angeles Police Department. . .

. . .are hereby ordered to come no closer to him than 1 50 feet.

Unless, of course, he commits a crime.

This court is adjourned .

I knew you could do it.

REPORTER 1 : Mr. Wyler!

-Who will play you in the movie? -ls Travis Sykes your next victim?

REPORTER 1 : How's it feel to be shot because of your client?

REPORTER 2: Clifford, did you get any death threats while you were in jail?

IREPORTERS CHATTERING]

-Afternoon, counselor. -Detective.

I want to maintain a respectful 1 50-foot distance from your client.

What can I do for you?

I'd like to invite Mr. Banks down to County Jail .

We' re doing a lineup at 2:00.

We think we got the guy who shot you and Chris Docknovich.

-We'll be there. -And congratulations. . .

. . .on getting your boy back on the street. Like the judge said, you' re a clever guy.

Let's hope that when Banks starts doing what both of us know he's gonna do. . .

. . .that some innocent citizen doesn't pay the price for your ingenuity.

Keep up the good work.

This gentleman just arrived .

The police have taken Kevin Piper for questioning .

They didn't take him . They dragged him .

This would be under " police brutality" in the dictionary.

-Who are you, sir? -My name is Damian.

Do you have any mineral water? I' m desperate.

As they manhandled Kevin, he told me to alert you.

You should get to police headquarters. . .

. . . before those men do something awful .

-You were at the house when they came? -Yes, of course. I live there.

Who exactly are you, Damian?

I' m his brother.

I'lI see you downtown?

WOMAN : Psst. Psst. Psst.

Over here. Come here.

WYLER: Can I help you?

-It's me. -Oh, my God .

-Gary. -No, don't call me Gary.

-It's Sylvia. -Where have you been?

-Vegas. -You' re gonna be a showgirl?

Do not crack wise, my friend . It's no laughing matter to live under a fatwa.

-A what? -A fatwa.

A decree of death, like those ayatollahs declared on Salman Rushdie.

Gary, you've been under a lot of stress lately.

I think something snapped .

Or, maybe you' re expressing a preference.

I just want you to know that I' m not judging you.

Talk to that psycho, Banks. Get him to call it off. I can't spend my life. . .

. . .shopping for pantyhose and shaving three times a day.

-Sylvia, you gotta get a grip. -That's easy for you to say.

You' re not living underground like some fugitive, jumping at every strange sound .

You better get him to call this off, Jimmy.

Some day, Clifford Banks is gonna be history, and I' m gonna be back on top. . .

. . .in this town. And you don't ever want to be on Gary Blondo's excrement list.

He's a pretty obsessive guy. Once he gets you in his sights, he never gives up.

This is not what I wanna hear.

-Look, I gotta go downtown-- -You gotta get me out of the cross hairs.

I' m in a living hell .

Where can I reach you?

You can't. I'll get in touch by pay phone. That way, it's untraceable.

-Ah, smart. -Well, when you' re under a fatwa. . .

. . .you learn a few tricks.

I'll bet.

I've told you repeatedly, I had no motive whatsoever to harm that poor woman.

-What about money? -What do you mean?

She'd refused your request to put you in her will .

-That's ridiculous. Who told you that? -One of the housekeepers.

-I didn't need Marybeth's money, I-- -Had her sister's?

Was that it? You let Esther inherit from Marybeth. . .

-. . . marry into twice the bucks? -You get an A for imagination.

Anything more realistic you'd like to talk about?

Besides Mr. Piper's fingerprints all over the chair lift?

We've been over this. I oiled the track earlier in the day.

I often lifted Marybeth from her wheelchair into the Chair-O-Lator.

WYLER: Are we finished?

One more thing .

Ms. Kettering had a 28-carat, diamond-and-sapphire necklace.

lt had an emerald-cut pendant. Are you familiar with it?

-Yes. -The night before she died . . .

. . .did she accuse you of stealing it and selling it?

-Marybeth gave me that necklace. -Ah.

-So you could fence it for $30,000? -I didn't fence it. She knew I'd sell it.

What did she think, I was going to wear it?

Marybeth had Alzheimer's. She forgot she'd given it to me.

Plus, she was irate over my telling her of my love for Esther.

She was spewing venom, that's all it was.

-Really? -Are you gonna arrest my client?

Because if you' re not, we' re out the door.

-I' m done for now . -Good .

WYLER: If you want to reconvene with my client. . .

-. . .you make sure and contact me first. -Certainly, counselor.

What did they do to you? Are you all right?

KEVIN : I' m fine. ls Esther okay? -She took a sedative. She was so upset.

Come on, I'll drive you home.

It's his brother.

Close family.

Who's he?

He's the attorney for the suspect taken into custody.

Mr. Banks.

-What's his problem? -Probably thinks your client's a scumball .

Hey, I got the same problem, but I' m talking to you.

When I bring them in. . .

. . . I want you to carefully check out each of the men that you see.

Then, if you recognize any of them as the one who shot at you. . .

. . .write his number on your pad .

Do not discuss your impressions.

Just write the number. Remember, it's equally important to eliminate suspects.

Bring them in.

Okay.

If you see the guy. . .

. . .write down his number.

Mr. Banks?

-Yes? -Nothing to write?

-No. -Clifford, you saw the guy that shot us--

He said no. Let's not badger the witness, okay, Mr. Wyler?

BANKS: I' m sorry.

I can't help you.

-ls that all, detective? -Yep.

That's it. Thanks for your time.

See you in releasing .

Your boy isn't going to trust the justice system to get the job done, is he?

My guess? That shooter's gone to the top of Clifford Banks' do-it-yourseIf list.

They' re gonna release the shooter, Clifford . You made him, I know it.

Hey, if he was in that lineup, I didn't see him .

Police have witnesses that saw gunfire coming from a vehicle. . .

. . .exactly the same as the one he drives.

-They also have a partial license-plate lD. -Then I' m sure he'll be arrested soon.

The question is, who's gonna get him first? You or them?

I'd like to drop the subject, if you don't mind .

Look, I just want to make you understand this one thing .

If you have any ideas about going after this man, don't do it.

Chris doesn't want it. I don't want it.

If I see any indication that that's what you' re going to do. . .

. . . I have to report it to the police.

Anything I say or do in the presence of my attorney is privileged .

-Not if you' re planning to commit a crime. -You'd betray me for some legalistic rule?

It's not betrayal . It's not personal .

It's that I have respect for an institution, and you don't.

Agreed !

What you respect disgusts me.

Storm troopers representing your beloved justice system . . .

. . .entered my home illegally and stole my personal possessions.

They took my computer files, they took my clippings, my correspondence.

All in this spiteful effort to concoct a story about me.

The story of a monster. While choosing to ignore a more important story.

It's a very short story, Mr. Wyler.

lt goes like this: 1 981 . . .

. . .Tommy Banks cuts himseIf with a knife left in the kitchen by a workman.

The wound requires 20 stitches.

1 983, Tommy's confined to a wheelchair, no longer able to walk. . .

. . .after fracturing his leg and repeatedly breaking the cast.

1 985, when his toilet training doesn't work out. . .

. . .Tommy starts wearing diapers.

1 989, Tommy scalds himself in the bathtub. . .

. . .and sustains third-degree burns over haIf his body.

1 990, Tommy's head is shaven because he insists on pulling his hair out. . .

. . .thereby infecting his scalp.

1 991 , Tommy's upper teeth are extracted . . .

. . . because he chews on his lips and his cheeks until they bleed .

That's the story they ignored, Mr. Wyler.

The one I lived . . .

. . .every hour of every day.

And yet, I never complained .

I loved my brother. . .

. . . more than my own life.

And all your justice system has done. . .

. . .is persecute me and defile his memory.

Clifford, it was a terrible tragedy.

And a great loss, but this payback has to stop.

Well . . . .

You just. . .

. . .do your job, Mr. Wyler.

And I'll do mine.

ANGELA: May I help you?

CASARES: I' m here to see Mr. Wyler.

Your name?

Casares. Osvaldo Casares.

Your boy's been sending me love notes.

I found this on the windshield of my car yesterday.

You tell that punk, Banks, that I've done my share of time behind bars.

And I know how to watch my back.

Maybe Clifford's just trying to scare you.

Yeah.

"The forces of retribution are gathering .

Your day of reckoning is near. "

That tub of guts comes after me. . .

. . . I'll waste him . I won't think twice. Tell him that.

-For 32 cents, you can tell him yourself. -I' m telling you.

I'll talk to Clifford .

Now, is there anything else I can do for you?

Yeah. I was watching TV last night.

And I saw you and the tub boo-hooing over that dead brother of his.

And I' m thinking . . .

-. . .where is my cut? -Cut of what?

All the money that he's making selling this story about this dead brother.

-I' m the one who did the time, right? -You' re also the one who did the crime.

Yeah, well I want to correct that, okay? I never killed anyone.

You confessed because you enjoy prison food?

No. I confessed because you were leaning on me. . .

-. . .and I was looking at the gas chamber. -You forget I was at your parole hearing .

Do you think anyone gets paroled saying they' re innocent?

I told them what they wanted to hear.

lncluding, I take it, your touching conversation to Jesus.

Looks to me like you have a great future in acting, Mr. Casares.

Unfortunately, I can't help you with it.

Yeah, you can.

I want to meet this guy making the movie.

You want to meet Gary Blondo?

Every time I call his office, he's unavailable.

I've got something to sell him .

Besides your acting ability, what would that be?

The name of the guy who killed Tommy Banks.

So you tell Blondo he can keep on ducking me. . .

. . .or we can make a deal .

He makes that movie without hearing what I have to say. . .

. . . he's gonna be sitting on a $50-million disaster.

First off, the Kettering case. You may or may not be surprised to learn. . .

. . .that cupid's dart has struck.

Kevin Piper and Esther Kettering are getting married .

-Are you invited to the nuptials? -Uh-huh.

Service is set for 5:00 tomorrow . Judge Harrigan presiding .

Gotta hand it to Kevin. He's got it figured out.

Kill the sister, marry into twice the bucks.

Esther can't incriminate him because she invokes marital privilege.

I sense a lack of romance in that analysis.

If I' m the cops, I' m not just looking at Kevin for this.

An old lady, plus 1 00 million bucks, gives us a household full of people. . .

. . .with a motive for murder. The maid, Kevin's boyfriend, even Esther.

lt could have been an accident. The Chair-O-Lator. . .

. . . hasn't been serviced in five years.

Three bolts coming undone, all at the same time?

We could make this out to be a mechanical malfunction.

We don't have to make it anything . That's Detective SeyboIt's job.

He wants to sit down with Esther. I'll let him, so I can find out what he's got.

But my ex-prosecutor's gut tells me if they had anything . . .

. . .they would have pressed charges.

All right, moving right along . Petersen, Herrick and Coe.

We've got them salivating . We should give them an answer.

You know where I stand .

I think this is a great opportunity personally and professionally.

-I' m with Aaron, we should jump on this. JUSTINE: I' m not so sure.

The political in-fighting that goes on in those big firms would shame the Borgias.

Once the image of my new Jaguar faded . . .

. . . I remembered my years at Dell and Hanover.

Knife wounds in my back are just disappearing .

Okay, Chris is thumbs down too. So we' re deadlocked .

Well, let's not kid ourselves.

Jimmy's the marquee player here. You know, he's the guy they want.

It's a very attractive offer. And if it was what everybody wanted . . .

. . . I wouldn't stand in the way.

But there seems to be a significant division of opinion. . .

. . .which means I'd have to weigh in on the side of status quo.

-May I inquire why? -Maybe I like running my own ship.

Maybe I'd like to take advice I once got:

" Never have more partners than you can fit in an elevator. "

This may come as a blow to some of you.

-Who could that be? -If you' re feeling lost in the mix. . .

. . . I understand if you pursue opportunities.

I take it you have no plans to broaden my responsibilities.

Right now, no.

But the race is long .

Who knows what can come down the pike later on.

By which time I'll be walking with a cane and applying for Medicare.

-Arnold? -Please, Justine. No postmortems.

-I think it's clear what's going on here. -Don't blame Jimmy.

He's not saying anything Ted didn't say.

-All I wanted was a fair shot. -You think you earned it?

I sweat blood for this firm .

-No one's doubting your work ethic. -No. Just my personality, huh?

Arnold, you know how fond I am of you.

No one's rooting for you more than I am . But you' re acting like a jerk.

You' re so busy sulking, you don't see how the rest of us get it done.

In a couple hours, I' m on a plane to wrap the Wexler case and the Rapke decision.

-He asked you. I don't get asked . -It's because the Rapke case is mine.

I went out and found it. That's what we do here--

I find stuff. I contribute.

There was my work on the Blondo case.

-The Kyle Nessen matter. -Which matter?

The barroom thing .

Listen to yourself. lt was so long ago you don't remember the details.

All right, sorry. Maybe I could be a little more entrepreneurial .

Maybe I just don't have some people's flair for aggressive self-promotion.

It's simple, Arnold . If you want something, go out and make it happen.

Would you care for some coffee? Tea?

No, thank you.

My grandmother was a tea drinker. Orange pekoe from Ceylon.

I believe that's called Sri Lanka now .

She put the leaves right in the pot.

-No tea bags for her. -Ms. Kettering's getting married today. . .

. . .we'd appreciate if you'd move along .

Of course. My congratulations, ma'am .

Now, tell me. . .

. . .can you think of any reason why someone would do such a. . .

. . .terrible thing to your sister?

As far as I' m aware, there wasn't a person in the world . . .

. . .who bore Marybeth any ill will .

-lncluding your fianc�, Kevin? -Especially Kevin.

He and my sister became very close.

They may have had a spat or two, but nothing that wasn't resolved . . .

. . .long before she died .

I see. Can you tell me how you and Kevin met?

Originally, he was my hairdresser.

But we both have a soft spot in our hearts for Bichon Frises. . .

. . .so he started walking my dogs as well .

Eventually, he moved in and, along with his other duties, became my chauffeur.

What about the other gentleman?

KETTERING : Damian? -Uh-huh.

He's Kevin's brother.

Okay. Now, this is where I' m going to need you to help me out.

You see, because our research shows. . .

. . .that Kevin was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. . .

. . .to lrene and Phillip Piper.

But, Damian, you see, was born in Vero Beach, Florida. . .

. . .to Marina and Armando Vasquez.

What are you suggesting?

I' m suggesting ma'am, that if there was something other than sibling love. . .

. . . between those two gentlemen, Damian might have gotten jealous. . .

. . .wanted your sister out of the way when she was involved with Kevin.

See, now that you' re involved with Kevin, you might be at risk too.

Detective, I came down here on the day of my wedding to accommodate you.

And now you' re attributing all sorts of smarmy and immoral behavior. . .

. . .to my fianc� and his brother.

That's something I simply won't tolerate.

I just want to get to the truth, ma'am . I' m sure you want that too--

What we want, detective, is for you to drop the innuendoes and finish this.

Do you know where Damian and Kevin were when your sister died?

Yes, I do.

They were with me.

In bed .

The three of you?

It's a large bed .

What exactly was the sleeping arrangement?

-Excuse me? -Who was in the middle?

That is a truly offensive question.

SEYBOLT : I mean, ma'am . . .

. . . I mean, who was closest to the door, who was farthest from the door?

Because if somebody got out of bed just before your sister was killed . . .

-. . .then he or she-- -" Or she" ?

You think I killed Marybeth?

-I gotta look at every possibility. -My sister and I were twins, young man.

We were a part of each other's lives for 83 years.

I'd no more kill Marybeth than I'd kill myself.

Am I free to leave?

Or are you going to clap me in handcuffs?

No, ma'am, you can go.

Nice try, detective.

A joke? You' re telling me Clifford Banks wasn't gonna kill me?

-Apparently not. -I went into hiding . I wore dresses.

How long were you gonna let me worry?

Clifford's unpredictable. Better to err on the side of caution.

Yeah, well your caution cost me big time, my friend .

I have a spectacular property for Steven Seagal .

And I had to cancel the meeting . What was I gonna do?

Walk into the lvy in a Chanel cocktail dress?

I can sympathize, Gary. Ready to move on?

To what? The next joke at my expense?

I' m still recovering from the last catastrophe.

Now you want me to pay God knows how much money to a junkie?

I've been in this business, what, 31 years. Never ceases to amaze me. . .

. . . how parasites crawl out of the woodwork to suck my blood .

You won't have to pay Casares a dime.

But hear what he has to say.

He thinks he can threaten me? Screw up my movie. . .

. . .if I don't pay for his information? I stared down Dawn Steel .

I' m gonna quake when some two-bit thug tries to jack me up?

-Somebody else killed Tommy Banks? Ha! -Don't listen to him, then.

All right, I'll give him two minutes, but I'll bet the keys to my beach house. . .

. . . he claims it was Elvis.

First, Mr. Casares. . .

. . .Gary Blondo does not pay $ 1 00 thousand for a pig in a poke.

Here are the conditions under which I will listen to what you say:

If what you tell me proves to be true, I will pay you 50 thousand dollars. . .

. . . non-negotiable.

Here are my conditions:

I'll take the 50.

But I want input on who you get to play me.

I want Nicolas Cage.

Fine. I wilI have my casting people get in touch with Mr. Cage.

WYLER: All right.

Who killed Tommy Banks?

Clifford Banks.

What? No one ever killed their brother before?

Clifford sacrificed his life for his brother.

-What reason would he have to kill him? -Come on, think about it.

It's the only way it could have gone down.

Look, I go in to rob the house.

But there's this retarded guy sitting in a wheelchair.

He sees me, so what? He's not gonna do squat. He's stuck in that chair.

Why do I have to kill him?

Truth? He started to cry, I gave him a slap across the face. . .

. . . I told him to shut up or I'd wring his neck. He got the message.

Then I went through that pigsty. . .

. . . but there was nothing worth taking, so why would I--?

I ate three oatmeal cookies, I grabbed the television and I split.

And Tommy was alive when you left?

If you wanna call sitting in that chair living .

-Yeah, he was alive. -Even if you didn't kill him . . .

-. . .it doesn't mean Clifford did-- -I left that house at a quarter to 8.

Banks says he came home from his job at 8.

Are you telling me, inside 1 5 minutes, someone else went into that house. . .

. . . murdered the guy, turned around and left?

Well, we only have your word for it that you left at quarter to 8.

Look, I've done a lot of bad things in my life, Mr. Wyler, I admit it.

But I never killed a human being .

Clifford Banks took out 1 7 people.

You do that, you got murder in your heart, man.

GARY : Nice try, Mr. Casares.

But it seems to me that you' re just another convict. . .

. . .who can't own up to what he did .

Talk to your boy.

Watch his eyes. You'lI see the truth.

And I'll get my money.

Good day.

GRASSO: Jimmy, got a moment? -About that.

I' m on my way to Judge Harrigan's chambers for the Kettering wedding .

Well, tell the lovebirds that we won't be filing charges against Kevin.

Well, good . It's always nice to tell a jittery groom he's not a murder suspect.

Somebody did something to somebody. I just don't have enough to do anything .

Have you broken the news to Detective Seybolt?

-He'll cope. -Thanks for telling me, Miriam .

My congratulations to the blushing bride.

The wedding ring seals the vows of marriage. . .

. . .as a signature bears witness to a written covenant.

As the ring is placed on your fingers. . .

. . .will you please repeat these words:

In pledge of the vows of marriage made between us. . .

. . . I offer you this ring .

" In pledge of the vows of marriage made between us. . .

. . . I offer you this ring . "

We have come together in this place and heard the willingness. . .

. . .of Esther and Kevin to be joined in marriage.

They have come of their own free will . . .

. . .and on our hearing have made a covenant of faithfulness.

They have given and received a ring . . .

. . .as a seal of their promises.

Therefore, by the power vested in me by the state of California. . .

. . . I pronounce that they are husband and wife.

You may kiss the bride.

Now that's the kind of life sentence I like handing out.

I know how much it would have meant for Marybeth to be here.

You've been a kind and caring friend, Mr. Wyler.

And friends are the only ones in whom we can place our trust.

Can I trust you with a confidence?

Of course. I' m not only your friend, I' m your lawyer.

So I can rely on the fact that whatever I reveal . . .

-. . .falls within our privilege? -Absolutely.

I killed my sister.

lt shocks me to say those words.

Just as it shocks me to know I committed that horrible act.

Marybeth was more than just my flesh and blood .

She was my lifelong friend and confidante.

But when Kevin and I became involved . . .

. . .she became someone I didn't even recognize.

Jealous, vicious, vindictive.

She threatened to accuse Kevin of stealing the necklace she'd given him .

Her anger was so overwhelming, it was as though it spilled over onto me.

Something dropped away. . .

. . . my civility, my restraint, my humanity.

And in a moment of fury. . .

. . . I pushed her down the stairs.

Ten minutes before it happened . . .

. . . I never would have believed it was possible.

Ten minutes after. . .

. . . I couldn't believe what I had done.

Something in me snapped .

And I'lI have to live with my actions the rest of my life.

-Does Kevin know the truth? -No.

And the best wedding present you could give me is that he never finds out.

Thanks for seeing me again, doctor.

I have a few questions to ask you about Clifford Banks.

A not-unexpected development.

Please, have a seat.

Let me propose a scenario to you.

Something came up on another case. . .

. . .that may indicate what happened on the Banks case.

Well, I would be anxious to hear it.

ls it possible that Clifford killed his own brother?

ls it possible that he killed him and then snapped and forgot that he did it?

-I guess not. -No, no. Mr. Wyler. . .

. . .it's very possible. I' m kicking myself for having not thought of it before.

It's quite possible he could have killed his brother. . .

. . .and then blocked it out. That would explain a great deal about him .

-How so? -It's called a dissociative fugue state.

Mr. Banks kills his brother for whatever reason.

Given his love for Tommy and given his strict moralistic upbringing . . .

. . . he can't allow himself to acknowledge his own actions.

And so he represses all memories of what really happened .

But. . .

. . . his subconscious knows the truth.

So he projects his guilt on these other criminals. . .

. . .who are symbolic representations of the bad parts of himself.

And kills them to alleviate his feelings of guilt?

Except it only reinforces the denial .

Murder becomes an empty ritual . . .

. . .which he repeats over and over again. . .

. . .in a futile attempt to fill an unfillable void .

Let me ask you something . ls this the missing piece. . .

. . .that could help put Clifford back together?

You want to confront him with this?

I' m asking you what would happen if I did .

That all depends.

If Clifford Banks really killed his brother and knows that he did . . .

. . . he would probably take it in stride.

But, if he's in denial . . .

. . .this could cause a situation which is very unpredictable.

And, one, if you'll excuse me. . .

. . .a layman is not prepared to deal with.

I understand, doctor.

I believe Clifford is planning to kill the man. . .

. . .who was convicted of his brother's murder. I can't walk away from that.

Then I would advise you to convince Mr. Banks to talk to me.

If you confront him with this, and it's the truth. . .

. . .you might not walk away at all .

I want you to know, Mr. Lattimer, that the vote not to join. . .

. . . P, H and C wasn't unanimous.

The resuIt is the same. Your firm isn't joining ours.

But though you may not be able to get the cow . . .

. . .some of the finest milk is still available.

The milk, of course, is myself. Excuse the strained metaphor.

Your 9: 1 5 is here.

LATTIMER: Would you tell him I'll be out in three minutes?

-Something about milk? -I was being indirect. . .

. . .which is not my usual modus operandi . Because I . . .

. . . prize conciseness and unblinking frankness. I' m not really--

Mr. Spivak, I have to leave. What is this about?

Arnold . Please.

Arnold . Um . . . .

-Duncan, I' m available. -Available for what?

For joining Petersen, Herrick and Coe.

-Oh. -Not that I' m throwing myseIf at you.

A perusal of my personal bottom line reveals I represent exceptional value.

I' m an acknowledged whiz when it comes to briefs and motions.

In modesty, no one in Southern California has a better handle on res judicata. . .

. . .stare decisis, compulsory joinder--

-Mr. Spivak-- -Arnold, please.

Not only that, I see myseIf as a significant new source of business.

You've heard of rainmakers? I, sir, am a human monsoon.

I don't expect you to commit immediately.

I'll fax you my curriculum vitae. . .

. . .and the financial agreement. I' m sure it will be satisfactory.

-You do that. -I' m a squash player, ranked nationally. . .

. . .in high school, which wouldn't hurt the firm's position. . .

. . .over on the ladder at the Jonathan Club.

-Do you play? -No, no. And I really do have to go.

I have total confidence things will work out to our mutual benefit.

Actually, who was it, sir, who said "All things come to him who waits" ?

-I haven't got the slightest idea. -Ralph Waldo Emerson, actually.

See, I knew the answer to that. lt was kind of a rhetorical question.

Duncan? Sir?

BANKS: Who is it? -James Wyler.

Slide your driver's license under the door.

-Excuse me? -I just need to make sure it's you.

Sorry. I haven't had time to install a peephole yet.

And you know I am someone who can't be too careful .

-If you know what I mean. -No, I think it's smart, Clifford .

Why is it every picture the DMV takes looks like a mug shot?

I was just on my way out to buy a TV.

A sofa. I got that delivered yesterday. Um . . . .

The place is coming together, don't you think?

-Yeah, it's nice. -It's kind of weird .

I mean, going out and buying all these things.

Not that I wasn't making the money before to furnish the place, it's just. . .

. . .when Tommy was alive it was like, "What's the point?" . . .

. . . because, you know, anything nice, he'd just ruin.

-You want a soda or something? -No, no. I' m not gonna stay that long .

Well, what can I do for you, Mr. Wyler?

I wanted to talk to you about seeing a doctor.

What kind of doctor?

-A psychiatrist. -We already discussed this.

I don't need a psychiatrist.

With all due respect, Clifford . . .

. . . I think you do.

Um . . . .

What's going on here, Mr. Wyler?

This isn't about me seeing a shrink. . .

. . .is it?

Have you ever considered the possibility that Osvaldo Casares. . .

. . .didn't kill your brother?

-What do you mean? -He came into my office.

He said that the only reason he confessed was to cut a deal .

You believed him?

I don't know what to believe.

But I do think it's possible that somebody else killed Tommy.

-Like who? -I don't know .

-You think I killed him? -Did you?

I loved my brother, Mr. Wyler. Why would I kill him?

Why would I kill the only person I ever loved?

Clifford, you sacrificed your entire life for Tommy.

Emotionally, that can be hard .

Look, maybe you came home after Casares broke in. . .

-. . .you lost your temper. -That didn't happen. And, frankly. . .

. . . I' m a little disturbed that you would take the word of a junkie over mine.

Like I said, I don't know what happened on the day of your brother's death.

But I think you should see a doctor and explore the possibilities. . .

-. . .whatever they might be. -Okay, let me see if I understand you.

You want me to see a psychiatrist. . .

. . .who, in all likelihood, thinks I' m crazy. . .

. . . based on the word of the junkie thief. . .

. . .who murdered Tommy. I think you' re the one that needs the help, Mr. Wyler.

Not me.

Uh. . . .

So, listen, if there's nothing else, I really do need . . .

. . .to go buy that TV.

ARNOLD: Can I come in? Jimmy?

Jimmy?

-Can I come in? -Sure, come on.

I met with Duncan Lattimer at Petersen, Herrick and Coe. . .

-. . .to explore my coming aboard . -How'd it go?

I was inarticulate, inappropriate. . .

-. . .a buffoon. -lt wasn't as bad as you think.

No, it was. And I shouldn't have expected it to go any other way.

These guys with their Pasadena old money. . .

. . . "Where'd you prep?" pedigree, always make me feel . . .

. . .like the world's a blue suit, and I' m a pair of brown shoes.

Maybe I should accept what you guys have been telling me.

I' m not the courtroom guy.

If Arnold Spivak wants to stand up in front of a crowd . . .

. . . he'lI have to do karaoke.

And if he wants to play rainmaker. . .

. . . he'll just have to go and get his own serial killers.

I've seen the proverbial light, and there's no place like home.

Among colleagues and friends. And I can't believe. . .

. . . how I treated them . lnstead of heeding their advice, I blamed them .

You for ignoring me. Chris for disagreeing with me.

I even assumed Justine got second chair because she had been sleeping with you.

Which is utterly unjustified .

There's nothing but anecdotal evidence to indicate. . .

. . .and by anecdotal, I don't, you know, mean to imply. . .

. . .that your affair-- And "affairs" is. . .

. . . kind of, that's also an appropriate term, because--

-Welcome back, Arnold . -Yep.

Great. Thanks. Thanks, good to be here. Yep.

Knock, knock.

I would have waited for someone to announce me. . .

. . . but there's no one else here.

-How are you, Clifford? -I' m not sure.

I've been walking around the last couple of hours with this.

What's the gun for?

It's to help me decide what to do.

Well, why don't you let me hold on to the gun while you decide.

I can't do that.

I don't know if I' m gonna kill you, or kill myself, or kill both of us.

But until I come to a decision, I' m not gonna put down the gun.

Okay.

What happened after I left the apartment?

BANKS: I don't want to talk about it. -Well, try.

-Tell me. -Be quiet! Okay?

I can't get my thoughts straight if you' re gonna keep running your mouth.

After you left, I made some dinner, you know, but. . .

. . . I had a stomachache, and I couldn't eat it.

So I got my gun, and I went for a walk.

I felt myseIf getting angrier and angrier.

These thoughts kept getting in my head, and . . . .

Bad thoughts. I can't keep them out.

-About Tommy? -About you.

These voices in my head, they keep saying :

"You have to kill Mr. Wyler. "

And they get louder and louder.

Why? Why do I have to kill Mr. Wyler?

He's my friend .

He kept me out of jail .

I have to kill you because you know .

You know the truth. Yeah.

Yeah, I killed Tommy.

I killed Tommy.

You know, I come home from work, and the place is a mess.

It's trashed . And there's Tommy, sitting on the floor, rocking back and forth. . .

. . .and he's crying like a baby, and I' m :

"What happened here? Tommy, please just shut up. Tell me who did this?

Please be quiet and tell me what happened here?

You want me to smack you?"

I hear the crack of his skull . . .

. . .as it breaks. And I' m . . .

. . . hitting him with a lamp, again and again.

And he's lying there in a pool of blood .

Who did this?

lt wasn't me. I couldn't do this, because I' m Tommy's protector.

So someone else did this. So who did this?

Someone else did this, and they' re going to have to pay.

Listen to me, Clifford . Tommy's death was horrible.

But it was out of your control . We need to get you help.

I just want the pain to stop.

-Then let me help you. -Help me?!

You did this to me!

I hate you. I hate you!

Shooting me won't change the truth.

If I kill myseIf too, then it all goes away.

Tommy, the men I killed .

Then do it.

-What? -Kill me.

-And then kill yourself. -Hey. You think I' m bluffing?!

Huh? You don't think I'll do that?

I know you won't do it. The real Clifford Banks is not a killer.

You loved your brother.

You protected him from the cruelties of the world .

You cared about him . You loved him more than anyone else.

Then how could I kill him?

How could I murder my brother?

Whoa, what kind . . .

. . .of monster am I?

Oh, my God .

What am I gonna do?

We' re gonna get you help.

What you've told me here is privileged information.

No one has to know about it.

Walk out of here and start a new life.

I have to confess to killing Tommy.

-I can't advise you to do that. -I have to pay for what I did .

-Or I' m no better than those men I killed . -As your attorney. . .

. . . I can't recommend you make a statement to the police about Tommy.

But as your friend . . .

. . . I'll support whatever you want to do.

Then will you--? Will you help me?

Please.

Help me.

Come on.

BIGGIO: Okay. The date is April 1 7th, 1 997.

THe time is 1 1,,00 p,m, and we 're at Parker Center in downtown Los Angeles,

I'm Detective Vincent Biggio, robbery homicide division, serial number 19137,

Present are District Attorney Miriam Grasso, , ,

, , , Clifford Banks and his attorney, James Wyler, , ,

, , ,along with video technician Ron Hunt,

Mr, Banks, we 've been informed you wish to make a statement,

Before you do, do you understand that you have the right to remain silent?

Yes,

BIGGIO: You understand any statement you make, , ,

, , , can be used against you in a court of law?

I do,

BIGGIO: THen having been informed of your rights, , ,

, , ,and with your attorney present, , ,

, , , you may make a statement if that is your wish,

I've previously stated, , ,

, , , that my fir victim was Kyle David Harris,

I want to correct that,

My fir victim, , ,

, , , was my brother, , ,

, , , THomas Peter Banks,

Oh, God help me,

-Jimmy, I just heard on the radio-- -Not now, Gary.

Now we got a story that crackles.

Passion, pathos, surprise.

- THe Englis atient without date palms. -Terrific.

You realize it's no longer the Clifford Banks story.

It's the Jimmy Wyler story.

A heroic attorney's struggle to save his psycho client from the sins of his past.

You know what I'd like to be past, Gary?

Any conceivable relationship between the two of us.

Pacino. That's who I see playing you.

Or Robert De Niro. If he hasn't ballooned up after his last role--

GRASSO: Jimmy. -Ah, Meryl Streep. . .

-Excuse me? -. . .as intrepid prosecutor, Miriam Grasso.

-Are we done, Gary? -Of course. You' re tired .

Go home and take a rest. I' m gonna call Louis in the morning, set up a lunch.

Get your tux out of mothballs, Jimmy.

That little golden man is practically ours.

Jimmy, we've had some rancorous exchanges over the past several months.

But I just want to tell you. . .

. . .you honored the profession on both sides, as an advocate for your client. . .

-. . .and as an officer of the court. -That means a lot coming from you.

Arraignment's tomorrow at 1 :30. We'll be charging Banks. . .

-. . .with second-degree murder. -We'll be there pleading guilty.

Well, I guess there's nothing more to say. . .

. . .except get some rest. You deserve it.

No argument from me.

Toodles.

IREPORTERS CHATTERING]

I' m going to read you a statement from Clifford Banks.

I will not be taking any questions. My office will schedule. . .

. . .a press conference for tomorrow afternoon.

" I want to apologize to the families of the 1 7 men I killed .

Whatever acts their loved ones may have committed . . .

. . .did not justify my actions.

Those deaths and the improper imprisonment of Osvaldo Casares. . .

. . .were the result of my inability to see that I was responsible. . .

, , , for my brother's death,

And while no action on my part can undo the past, , ,

, , ,I am dedicating my share of the profits from the movie about my life, , ,

, , , to the victims of violent crime,

In addition, I will ead guilty to a charge of murder in the second degree, , ,

, , , with the intention of seeking the maximum sentence for my crime,

But no matter what sentence I receive, , ,

, , , that imprisonment will ver be my true punishment,

My true punishment will be to live the rest of my days. . .

. . .with the innocent blood . . .

. . .of Tommy Banks on my hands. "

Thank you.

IREPORTERS CHATTERING]

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