All language subtitles for L.A.Law.S02E15.The.Bald.Ones.1080p.HULU.WEB-DL.DDP5.1.H.264-BurCyg_track3_[eng]

[machine beeping]

[whimpers]
Oh.

[door opens]

P.A: Cardiology intern,
report to OR 3.

Mother?

What?

[door shuts]

How are you feeling?

Like someone who's dying.

What a stupid question.

[inhales deeply]

What are you doing here, anyway?

I wanted to see you.

Why?

Afraid I'll disinherit
you before I die?

No, Mother.

Maybe I already have.

It's of no interest to me,
one way or the other.

You're a disappointment,
Douglas.

You always were.

You're like your father.

Emotionally ungiving. Humorless.

A petty tyrant,
mean-spirited, penurious--

Those are your
qualities, Mother!

I'm not dead yet.
Don't you dare use that tone.

Please. Please, Mother.

I don't want to argue.

I love you.

[sniffles]

Far too little.

Far too late.

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[theme music]

Michael, where are we on
your court-appointed killer?

I got a suppression hearing
scheduled

for later this morning.

I don't see how you can actually

go to bat for this guy, Michael?

I got no choice. The court
assigned this case to me.

- I got to do my best.
Douglas: Yes.

Well, since these
court appointments

usually don't generate fees
commensurate with hours put in,

may I submit that a plea bargain
of some sort might be prudent?

Well, not if I can get
him off altogether.

How are you gonna do that?
He did it.

Michael: Well, the only evidence
they have circumstantial.

If I can have his prior
convictions excluded,

the case against him
falls apart.

[apple crunching]

Stokes versus
Maygen Manufacturing?

We answered the complaint.
Certification hearing is Friday.

What is this case?

It's one lone
disgruntled shareholder

claiming he bought
our client's stock

due to false statements they
made in their annual report.

He lost $2,000 when
the stocks went down.

2,000? That's a pimple.

That pimple could
become a cancer.

He's trying to
bring a class action

on behalf of 1,000 shareholders.

Douglas: Can we stop it, Abby?

I think we have a good
chance, but I need help.

There's a ton of documentation

to go through
between now and Friday.

Douglas: Jonathan.

[paper rustles] help her.

Uh, my week's a little tight,
Douglas. Maybe Ann--

Loosen it. The stakes
on this are huge.

Moving on. Wheeler vs Redding.
Victor?

I'm hoping we can
effect the settlement,

before we go to
trial, but I-I don't know.

Aside from my personal distaste
for suing a fellow attorney,

it would seem that the chances
of getting a judgment

against someone
like August Redding

are slim to none.

Listen, I'm not
doing this for sport.

Victor: Jeanette Wheeler
is an uneducated woman

who relied on August Redding

to get her compensation
for the death of her husband.

I mean, the settlement he came
back with wasn't even close.

And nevertheless,
proving a case like this

is tough against somebody
who isn't a legend.

I don't know.

Last time I saw him in court,

he seemed to be having
a hard time

remembering his
own client's name.

Leland: Well, I'm having lunch
with Gus Redding today.

[clicks lips] Maybe we can still
work something out, hmm?

Well, that concludes
our agenda, we're out of here.

- I got to see you in second.
- Yeah, okay.

- How's mother, Douglas?
- Not good.

The doctors say
she could go any time.

I'm sorry.

This is the last one, Abby.

Great, could you take them
to the conference room for me?

Uh-huh.

What is all this?

Annual reports and projections.

The rest are printouts
of stock transactions.

And we got to wade
through all this crap?

We have to distinguish
the shareholders.

If we can show that
they're not all the same,

they won't get
certified as class.

But basically they are the same.

They all bought and sold
the stock and lost money.

Some bought preferred stock,
some bought common.

Some bought and sold directly,
some went through brokerage--

No, distinctions without
a difference, Abby.

Not so.

If we can separate
all the plaintiffs

into a zillion
different categories,

the judge might not lump
them into a single class.

But you're going
about this the wrong way.

The focus of our
defense's should be rule 23.

We should be moving to
disqualify the named plaintiff.

I disagree.
The key is commonality.

Waltzing in there with a list
of trivial distinctions will--

I don't intend to
argue them as trivial!

Wait a second.

You're not arguing this motion.

I most certainly am.
It's my case.

But I'm the litigator here.
Do you--

I am just as much of a litigator
as you are, Jonathan!

Maybe. But I think one of the
reasons Douglas assigned me--

He assigned you
to this to assist me,

which makes you my assistant.

Now, here is a list
of the categories.

Pick a box!

[paper rustling]

[all chattering]

Mr. B., it's Dr. Connelly,
line one.

[telephone ringing]

Yes, Doctor?

I see.

[inhales deeply]

I'll be there shortly.

[office telephone ringing]

Thank you.

Your mother?

She's gone.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

If anyone needs me,

I'll be at the hospital.

[office telephone ringing]

The convictions are relevant,
Your Honor. They go to modus--

That's crazy, those
crimes have nothing

to do with this case.
It will be prejudice--

Walter: No, we're talking about
a man's pattern

for committing
late-night armed robberies!

A pattern which is probative--

The bottom line
is he's trying to use

old convictions
to show that my client

had a propensity
to commit this crime.

He can't do that!

Judge Swanson: I'm afraid
he's right, Mr. Platt.

It would be prejudicial
to allow evidence

of those prior robberies,

especially in a murder one case.

If the defendant
takes the stand,

you could use those convictions
to impeach his credibility,

but you're not going to submit
that stuff

as independent evidence.

I'm also going to exclude

the prior conviction of
Mullaney, the co-defendant.

Which brings me to a
different problem, gentlemen.

Attorney Michael Greenbaum,

representing the
codefendant in this matter,

has apparently taken ill

and can't continue.

So, we're going
to have to suspend

our trial schedule temporarily

until we appoint somebody else.

Any ideas?

I want somebody with
murder one experience.

Well, I don't know if
she'd be interested,

but I could ask former
deputy D.A. Grace Van Owen.

She's done plenty
of capital cases.

Well, I know her.
Will she do it?

I don't know,
I-I have to ask her.

I'd like her appearance
filed by the end of the week.

Well, are we done, gentlemen?

I always hated suing
other lawyers, Leland.

Well, that didn't stop you.

You could rest assured it was
never with a case as wobbly

as the one you have against me.

You've got to learn
to be more selective.

You can't let your
associates pick your battles.

Gus, I don't relish suing
another lawyer either,

particularly you, but I do think
it's a strong case.

- Nice to see you, Mr. Redding.
- How are you? Alright.

August... I asked
you to this lunch

out of respect
for our long friendship.

This case is just
not going to go away.

Jeanette wheeler
has a legitimate

cause of action against you.

Which is what exactly?

Disappointment that her
settlement wasn't bigger?

That settlement was a fraction

of what it should've been
had you done your job.

I did my job.

Damn it, Gus, listen to reason.

You went to sleep
on that woman's case.

And it's not the first time

something like this
has happened to you.

I may not be as
sharp as I once was,

but I can forget more law

than these young
guys will ever know.

Gus... you've got a
real exposure here.

No one's trying to embarrass you
or hold you up.

Are your numbers
appreciably different

from what Santiago communicated

to my office in the past?

- Sifuentes.
- Sifuentes. Are they?

We're prepared to accept
a five-year layout

on half-a-million dollars.

All terms to be kept
strictly confidential.

No, sir!

The truth is, this is
not a case about money,

Leland, it's about
my reputation,

my ability as an attorney.

"Who steals my
purse steals trash,

but he who filches
from me my good name

robs me of that
which not enriches him

and makes me poor, indeed."

Victor Sifuentes is a very
able attorney, August.

You will do well not
to underestimate him.

Your cautionary is noted.

I look forward to
watching him work.

[sighs]

This woman had a husband...

And his company killed him.

Just as surely as if
they'd taken a shotgun

and pointed it towards
his chest, They killed him.

She wanted a good lawyer.

And people told her that
when she hired August Redding,

she'd have herself
a great lawyer.

Victor: Imagine then,
how she must have felt

when he told her that $20,000

was all that her
husband's life was worth.

Or at least, all that
he had settled for.

When you have the facts
of this case presented,

before you, I believe
that you'll see...

That there are only two possible
explanations for this.

One is that August Redding
is a painfully bad lawyer.

[chuckles]

And no one in his right mind
would say that.

The other is that
he is a great lawyer

who can't be a lawyer anymore.

We will present evidence

to show that depositions
were scheduled

but never taken,

that discovery motions
were allowed to expire.

Ladies and gentlemen, $20,000
does not reflect a man's life,

cut short at the age of 47

with a widow and
two children left behind.

It reflects a lawyer's
failure and neglect.

The evidence will represent

an attorney who invited trust...

But couldn't keep
his end of the bargain.

What you're being asked to do

is to hold him accountable.

[man in audience coughs]

Having August Redding
for a client is, uh...

Spitzer: Frankly a little
intimidating.

I don't think there is anyone

who's ever seen him in court

who hasn't been awed by him.

In a career that
spanned five decades,

he's shown himself
to be a legal scholar

and a man of great compassion

for those whose
cause he's championed.

And while my
adversary will take pains

to portray that $20,000

as evidence of Gus Redding
having lost it,

the truth is, there
aren't very many lawyers

around who could've gotten that.

Jeanette Wheeler
wanted a silk purse

from a sow's ear.

Gus Redding made her one.

Now she's suing him
because it wasn't big enough.

A disappointed plaintiff

looks for someone to blame.

Well, that's understandable,
ladies and gentlemen.

But it isn't malpractice.

[soft music]

[knocking]

I'm terribly sorry about
your mother, Douglas.

Her heart finally gave out.

But the truth is,
considering my pending divorce,

it comes at a very good time.

Douglas: It seems she left me
her entire estate.

Do you need any help
with arrangements?

No.

She left instructions
with her attorney

for a small memorial service
and, uh... a simple cremation.

Would you like to
get some dinner?

Thank you, no.

I'm not very hungry.

Douglas, I know that you
and your mother

were never that close,
but, still...

I remember when my mother died.

She was the last buffer

between me and my mortality.

She never loved me, Leland.

I always thought
it was my fault,

that if I could be a better son

or a more successful lawyer,

she'd soften toward me.

She never did.

And now, here I am...

Soon to be single,
suddenly quite wealthy.

Whole new vistas open before me.

So why is it that I feel so...
[voice cracks]

[consoling]
Now, now.

[lament music]

Yeah.

[sobbing]

Leland: Alright.

- That's three down.
- And seven to go.

- Abby, we're not gonna make it.
- Sure we will.

It's taken one fuller day
to get through just three.

So we'll work tonight and
tomorrow night if we have to.

What we have to do is cut out
some of these categories.

No, no, no. The more
categories, the better.

Some of them
aren't even relevant.

Take this one. "The amount of
the shareholders' loss."

That means nothing for
class certification purposes.

That means a lot.

The named plaintiff lost $2,000.

Some people lost as much as 10
which means--

That's stupid!

And when the judge
sees you wasting his time--

- Jonathan, just do it!
- I can't take this!

Oh, you're bitching
because you don't like

second chairing a case with me!

I'm bitching because you're
using this thing

as a power trip!

Bossing me around gives you
goose bumps and you know it.

And it all goes back
to my salary.

The Rotter/Grandinger mess--

I am bossy because you
refuse to cooperate!

You find it degrading
to work for me.

What's degrading is cow-towing
to a legal strategy that stinks!

Oh, what the hell do you even
know about legal strategy?

You've never even tried a case.

Jonathan: At least I've got
a good excuse--

- Excuse me.
- ...Of never having won one!

- Okay, I've I have had enough!
- Look you just need to take--

Douglas: Hey. Hey!

- What is going on here?
- I'm trying to--

She's going to argue
this motion in a way

that's guaranteed
we'll lose the case!

Stop it! Stop it!

Let me remind both of you,

if we don't defeat
this class certification,

our client faces
potential liability

in excess of $1 million.

In light of that
serious possibility,

I suggest you stop this
unprofessional bickering

and get this job finished.

[door opens]

Mr. B., your brother's
here to see you.

- Get rid of him!
- He won't leave.

He says he has
to see you right away.

[office telephone ringing]

What are you doing here?

I came down the minute
I read the obituaries.

Why didn't you call me, Douggie
?

I brought you a
basket of dried fruits

to help you through
your bereavement.

I'm deeply touched,
but I'm very busy.

Now if you will excuse me.

At a time like this, Douggie ,
you need family.

At a time like this I need
you to leave me alone!

We need to talk.

I have nothing to say to you.

Well, I have something
to say to you...

Distributee.

Uh-oh.

You're not a beneficiary,
so forget it.

A preliminary read
of the situation

tells me that the residuary
of my father...

Our father's, estate
was improperly transferred.

Douglas: Are you
out of your mind?

His will was executed
according to his terms.

And the statute of limitations

has long expired, on it, anyway.

See you're jumping
to conclusions,

it could take a probate court
years to reach.

What are you
looking for, you slug?

I paid my dues while
the old lady was living.

I played by you people's rules.

And now, I want what's right.

I'm going to draw
up a full waiver

of any and all claims, Erroll.

And when you sign
it, I'll pay you $15,000.

15? She left you millions!

Douglas: If it's not acceptable,

I suggest you and your
crack secretary get busy.

I'll be slapping you with papers

it'll take a hand truck
to carry.

You owe me better than this.

You are a jackal

preying on other people's misery

and I owe you nothing!

Now get out!

[door opens]

Before I have you thrown out.

Given you're going through
an emotional bad time,

I'm going to forget
the harsh things were said here.

I'll take the 15.

[plastic wrapper crackling]

But don't dawdle
on those papers.

Because I may change my mind.

[door shuts]

So what do you say?
Will you do it?

Well, I don't know.

I'm having a lot of
fun doing nothing.

And you can't imagine

how busy I've been doing it.

Aren't you getting little bored?

Uh-uh.

You know, I went to
the library yesterday

and, and, and the museum
the day before.

And I spent two hours
this morning shopping

and didn't buy anything.

But it was wonderful.

It was relaxing.

Um... I don't know... interior.

[light laugh]
I like it.

I'm not sure I want
to stop doing it yet.

Yeah, but the...

The things is this is just
a short-term situation.

And you can find out
how you feel

about going back to
work without actually

having to make
a full-time commitment.

As I recall, you never
would have taken this trial

if you'd had the choice.

But your guy's innocent.

All he did was sit in the car.

My guy did the crime.
They both says so.

Come on, Gracie, it would be fun
to work together, wouldn't it?

[couple in background laughing]

Don't you think?

Yes, it would.

So, am I suppose
to take that as a yes?

I'll meet with him, okay?

Okay.

[chatters at restaurant]

Did you make a diagnosis
relative to that finding?

Yes.

Based on the lesions found
in the colon and bowel wall,

we determined he was suffering
from colorectal carcinoma.

Once more in English, Doctor.

Mr. Wheeler died
from rectal cancer.

Victor: And as an
industrial toxicologist,

did you form an opinion as
to the cause of this cancer?

Dr. Robbins: I did.

It resulted from breathing

the carcinogenic powder or dust

in the air at Simmons Aviation.

Have you known other employees

of Simmons Aviation
to have been diagnosed--

Objection! Other diagnoses have
no relevance to this proceeding.

I intend to show that
there are other plaintiffs

with identical afflictions
that have prosecuted

and won cases against
Simmons Aviation.

This witness has
no competence--

She was an expert witness
at those trials.

And she has independent
knowledge of their claims.

She's seen million-dollar
verdicts for similar plaintiffs.

And she's competent
to give an opinion

as to this man's decision to
throw away

Mrs. Wheeler's claim

for lousy 20,000 bucks.

Objection!

Self-serving and false.

- Your Honor--
- The objection is sustained.

Your Honor, I'd like to state
my objection on the record.

You're represented
here, Mr. Redding.

I'm being represented
by my own firm.

And since I personally
filed an appearance,

I'm entitled to
state my objection

to opposing counsel's
irresponsible speechifying.

So noted. Now if you--

I'd also like to point out

that opposing counsel's

inexperience as a trial lawyer

and his ignorance
of negligence law--

- Objection!
- ...Is no excise--

- Objection!
- Mr. Redding!

He knows, I did nothing wrong.

You did everything wrong!

Mrs. Wheeler, sit down!

Victor: I make a motion to
strike this, Your Honor.

You're in violation
of 128.5., my friend.

- Your Honor!
- That's enough!

[chuckling]

Now that everybody's
made his little speech,

I'm going to instruct the jury
to disregard all of it,

which I trust
they've already done.

Mr. Sifuentes, proceed
with direct examination.

Judge Pehlman:
Mr. Redding, sit down.

And, Mr. Spitzer,
control your client.

And I just stayed in the car
while Andy went inside.

I thought he was
going in to buy beer.

Didn't you hear the gunshot?

I had the radio going,
so I didn't hear anything.

Till Andy gets back
in the car real quick

and tells me to take off.

Between you and me, Tommy,

do you think the shooting
was intentional?

Look, Andy's no killer,
Ms. Van Owen. I mean...

He can be pretty wild
and everything,

but he'd never hurt
anybody on purpose.

It had to be an accident.

[indistinct announcements
over P.A.]

[sighs]
Okay.

Since you tell me you're broke,

there's no use moving
for a bail modification.

You could never get O.R.

Well, the first attorney
I had said that,

that I should plead
to manslaughter.

Well, that wouldn't
be my strategy.

And I-I doubt the state
would go for it.

Why not?

Felony murder rule.

What's that?

It means that as long
as you helped out,

you might as well
have pulled the trigger.

But I...

[cryingly]
I didn't know what was going on.

I know but as far as
they're concerned,

you drove the getaway car.

You mean, they're going to give
me the death penalty for that?

Tommy, I know how
frightening this is.

But from what you're telling me,

I think your chances are
pretty decent for an acquittal.

Please, Ms. Van Owen,
I'm begging you,

take my case, please.

- Time's up.
- I didn't do anything.

I'm taking your case, Tommy.

I'll be in touch.

[dramatic music]

And in your opinion then, sir,

how did Mr. Redding
handle this case?

I renew my objection
as to foundation, Judge.

This man doesn't know
the facts of the Wheeler/Simm--

This man has been
a personal injury lawyer

for 15 years, Your Honor.

And I think that
he's quite capable of

evaluating another
lawyer's performance.

He can answer the question.

[man in audience clears throat]

In your opinion, Mr. Aaronsen.

My opinion is August Redding
was guilty of gross neglect.

He let the discovery
deadline pass

without bothering to subpoena

environmental
or medical records.

He never deposed anybody.

You can't even begin
to evaluate your case

until you meet the witnesses

and ascertain their
demeanor and credibility.

Uh-huh, and do you have
an opinion, sir,

of Mr. Redding's decision
to settle this matter?

I consider that
to be offensively low.

Aaronson: Liability was clear,
the damages were obviously high.

Mr. Wheeler was young.

This case was worth
half a million dollars.

Easily.

Thank you, Mr. Aaronsen.

I have nothing further.

I'm a little confused,
Mr. Aaronsen.

Now you said it's impossible
to even evaluate a case

without meeting the witnesses,

seeing their demeanor,
and so forth.

- Is that correct?
- Yes.

Well, did you meet the witnesses
in the Wheeler case?

No.

Spitzer: And here you are
evaluating its worth

at half a million dollars.

I admit it's a ballpark
estimate, but--

Do you know the amount
of medical expenses

incurred by Mr. Wheeler
as the result of the cancer?

It was in the neighborhood of--

No, I'm not interested
in neighborhoods, Sir.

- Do you know?
- Not the exact amount.

What about Mr. Wheeler's
pre-existing colitis condition?

How long did he have that?

I believe it was
quite some time.

"Quite some time."

I must say, Mr. Aaronsen,
you certainly

have a strong command
of the details here.

The point is, a lot of that
information wasn't even

in the file because your client
failed to collect it.

No, the point is, you yourself

don't have enough
information about this case

to really evaluate
its worth, right?

Of course, I need more,
but I can certainly--

Well, w-- Thank you.

Mr. Aaronsen, did you
ever have occasion

to try a case against
Mr. Redding

and see him in action firsthand?

- Yes.
- What happened?

He won. [scoffs]

Well, in fact, sir,

he beat you
for a $7 million verdict,

the worst pasting
you ever took--

I object! Your Honor,
there is no evidence--

The relevance is
this man is bitter!

- Objection!
- He's jealous.

He's envious
with a big fat chip--

I object, Your Honor!

Mr. Spitzer, that will do.

I'm sorry, Judge.

Mr. Aaronsen, one last question,

to make sure we all understand

what's going on up here.

You're a lawyer
criticizing another lawyer

who once soundly whipped you.

And you're passing
judgment on a case

that you don't even
have all the facts on.

Now isn't that exactly right?

[scoffs]

- In a manner of speaking.
- No further questions.

In a manner of speaking.

[lament music]

Minister: Let us be
honest with death.

Let us not pretend
that death is less than it is.

It is separation.

It is sorrow.

[door opens)

It is grief.

But let us not pretend

that death is more than it is.

It is not annihilation.

As long as memory endures,

the influence of Hazel Brackman
will be with us.

It is not an end to
joy or laughter.

Nothing would less
honor this woman

than to make our lives
drab in counter--

What are you doing here?

Just came to pay my respects.

By the by, did you get around
to cutting my check yet?

Douglas: If you don't stop
badgering me,

I'll come down on you
like the wrath of God.

Douggie , lighten up.

It's a funeral.

Minister: And like the glory

of an autumn sun

has lit the world
through its day.

It's so terrible.

I can't believe his wife
didn't even show up.

They're estranged, Roxanne.

Minister: ...for that what
she has given.

What difference does that make?

His mother died.

[door shuts]

Minister: Her light, we trust,

still shineth beyond
the distant peaks

of this world's horizon.

For life goes on.

What are you doing?

Shh, shh, shh.

Who are you?

I'm your brother. Gordon.

Minister: Her devotion
to loved ones,

friends, and family.

For hers was a generous...

The fact that our
genetic tidepools

may overlap cuts
no ice with me, Mister.

I've gotten rid of one
freeloading brother already.

What'll it take
to get rid of you?

Hey, look, I want
nothing from you.

I was here, I was
attending a conference.

I read your mother's
obituary in the paper. I...

I wanted to reach out to you.

Under the circumstances,
I perfectly

understand your suspicions.

Bartender, check.

I've never heard of you.

I've never heard from you.

Why should I even
believe you're my brother?

Douglas Brackman, Sr.

And, uh, little Gordon Salt.

It's The Pony
Rides on La Cienega.

It's, uh... 1948.

I was 4 years old.

[sighs]

Okay.

So you're my brother.

It doesn't mean anything.

[chuckles]

You're right.

Kinship is earned.
It's not imposed.

I wish you well, Douglas.

And if you're ever in Seattle

you feel like looking me up,

I'd be honored.

Wait.

What do you do in Seattle?

I'm a psychotherapist.

[scoffs] I should have known

I suppose you have some probing
insights to bestow on me.

There's nothing to probe.

Really, it's all, uh,
it's all pretty obvious.

Such as?

Such as, you were the
dutiful and obedient son,

yet your mother gave
nothing of herself.

Yes.

You were the strong
and devoted husband,

father, yet your wife and kids
didn't even come

to the chapel
in your hour of grief.

Yes.

Erroll Farrell asks
you to be a brother

while he acts like a parasite.

Yes.

You're always on
the giving end, Douglas.

Isn't it time you were the one
doing the receiving?

I find it so hard to do that.

This might sound like some
glib psychological

[laughingly] homily, but if you
can't allow yourself to receive,

then giving is not generosity,
it's manipulation.

You know, that's
interesting you say that.

People have offered
me their kindness,

and I've sent them all away.

Douglas: The lawyers
in my office.

It sounds like you're
in a lot of pain.

[people chattering at bar]

My mommy died, Gordon.

I know she did.

And because she was
an unloving parent,

it's the worst rejection of all.

But what do you
do with the hurt?

You cleanse it with love.

You forgive her.

[laughingly]
And you move on.

God.

Where were you when my
marriage was breaking up?

I'm here now.

- It's too late.
- Oh, is it?

Or are you too
frightened to try?

I have to get back to my office

to check on a couple
of associates right now,

but if I can convince her,

would you meet with
Sheila and me tomorrow?

My morning is jammed,

but I-I have a free hour
at 1 o'clock.

Uh, if you can come to my suite
at the Beverly Hills Hotel,

we can order out some lunch.

If I have to drag her
kicking and screaming,

we'll be there.

She has to want it, Douglas.

'Cause if she doesn't,
we can't force her.

It's that simple?

As simple as...

Brotherly love.

Abby.

Mmm.

- Abby.
- What?

[Jonathan grunts]

- Down to our last box.
- Great.

We're due in court in 12 hours.

I don't ever want to see
another computer stock log

for as long as I'm here.

Or an annual report.

[sighs] God, I-I can't read any
more of this stuff.

Yes, you can.
We're almost done.

Oh, I swear, I'm going to die.

I got an idea.

I might just have
something... ah!

We're saved.

What's that,

one of those
self-motivation tapes?

- Better. The Temptations.
- What?

One of my professors
used to tell us,

"If you just can't
study anymore,

but you got to keep going...
Dance."

- I'm too tired to dance.
- Trust me, Abby, this works.

You'll be energized
in three minutes.

Yeah, I need three
weeks on a beach.

[recorder playing]

♪ I know you want to leave me ♪

♪ But I refuse to let you go ♪

♪ If I have to beg and plead ♪

♪ For your sympathy ♪

♪ I don't mind ♪

♪ 'Cause you mean
that much to me ♪

♪ Ain't too proud to beg ♪

♪ Yes, you know it ♪

♪ If you'll believe me, girl ♪

[music and singing
continues lightly]

[Jonathan cheers]
Jonathan: Whoo!

[Abby squeals]

♪ But if I have to
cry to keep you ♪

♪ I don't mind weepin' ♪

♪ If you'll be here by my side ♪

♪ Baby, why did I tell you ♪

♪ See, darlin' ♪

[Abby squeals]

♪ Baby, baby ♪

♪ Please don't leave me, girl ♪

♪ If I have to sleep
on your doorstep ♪

♪ All night, baby ♪♪

- Oh, my God.
- Whoops.

[recorder stops]

It's gratifying to see
both of you've

worked out your differences.

Good night.

[humming the song]

[door closes]

[both laughing]

Oh, God.

Well, what now?

[soft music]

Different plaintiffs
will be relying on

different sets of facts
to prosecute their claims.

Jonathan: Depending on the date
of the transaction date...

- The means of purchase.
- The amount involved.

- The way in which--
- Hold it, will you please.

Why does it take two of you
to argue this matter?

I'm speaking as to liability
for the company, Your Honor,

while Mr. Rollins
is focusing on the

individual officers
and directors.

Which directors
also have separate

defenses available to them.

Abby: Depending upon the
specific plaintiff involved...

Jonathan: The information
actually known to them...

The circumstances
surrounding the entire--

Time out!

The ping-pong twins
have a point, Mr. Mosha.

The common questions
don't predominate here.

Well, I realize that, Judge.

But this would be
completely impractical

to litigate on
a case by case basis.

Each shareholder only lost
a few thousand dollars?

I mean, the victims are gonna
spend more on legal fees

than they ever stand to recover.

The ability to finance a lawsuit

is not relevant to typicality.

And attorney fees are
recoverable in 10b-5 actions.

- What's more--
- I mean, not only that--

I'm sorry.

- Go ahead.
- No, that's alright. You go.

No, I insist.

Judge Paul: Hey. I'll go.

Mr. Mosha,

the common questions
don't predominate here.

Your motion's denied. Next case.

[indistinct chatters]

You did it. You were great.

So were you.

So... I guess we should
get back to the office,

let the client know there's
only one plaintiff suing him

instead of a thousand.

Yeah, better let him know.

Abby.

I want to clear the
air about last night.

Oh, what about it?

It's no great secret we're
kind of attracted to each other.

But I just don't want you
to get the wrong idea.

- About what?
- You know, us.

I'm just not ready for
a heavy office romance.

[laughing]
Oh, God. You really are a jerk.

[laughing]
Uh, but, hey.

It's not like I forced
you into anything.

No. Jonathan.

Look, if... if in the course
of killing ourselves

for 72 hours,
we got a little crazy...

Maybe even a little curious,

what's wrong with that?

Nothing. I... I...
I just thought--

You just thought
that you were

the greatest thing
since Pimento Loaf, hmm?

[both laughing]

Look, I think that
we both realize

it's a lot better for us
to be friends for a long time

instead of lovers
for a short time.

Okay?

Okay.

Now, do we think we can properly
congratulate one another?

Absolutely.

[briefcase thudding]

[both laughing]

I don't even know
what I'm doing here.

Why are you here?

Because of his hangdog look,
his manipulative begging.

I hate it!

- You're free to go.
- Sure.

- Then it's all my fault.
Douglas: Well, isn't it?

All you ever do is take, demand,

bitch about what
everyone else has,

without being grateful
for what you've been given.

Oh, please.
You've given me nothing.

Sheila: You're
an absentee husband,

a cold, disinterested,
predictable lover.

Well, what do you expect?

Every time I get to bed, I
have to compete with Bjorn

or Roger or my
own brother Erroll.

Douglas: Not to mention,
God knows who else.

- Aurelio.
- Aurelio?

Who's Aurelio?

He's the packaging
supervisor at Gilson's .

A box boy for god sakes?

I don't know why I
even brought us here.

- What's the point?
- What is the point, indeed?

Alright, the point is this.

You two have armored yourselves

with so much hostility

that you have
forgotten how to love.

What's to love?
His bald head?

Sheila: His hairy shoulders?

- His knobby knees?
- Stop it!

How can you let her
keep saying those things?

Expressing anger is
safer than admitting pain.

Mumbo jumbo.

And your anger is your excuse
for not changing.

- More mumbo jumbo.
- Oh, is it?

Well, now that you're single,

are you experiencing
your freedom?

Or are you still
imprisoned by pain,

by rage, by a life of
unmet expectations?

Yes! And it's not fair.
He promised me things!

But there are no promises,
there are no guarantees.

It is your life!

You have to take
responsibility for it

whether you're
with this man or not.

I don't know how.

I think there's a
secret Sheila inside you.

A loving, creative,
nurturing Sheila,

bursting to be free.

You can see that?

Mm-mm.

You release her and you'll never
again look to a man

to give you what you
can only give yourself.

I want to throw pots.

You've already broken
half the dishes in the house.

That's not what she means.

Is it?

No.

I want to be an artist.

Sheila: I want to sit
at the wheel,

my hands in wet clay.

Then do it!

Reach into your dark,
moist well of talent.

Explore it with your heart,
and your hands, and your soul.

Release the anger. Let it go.

You're a sensual, earthy woman,

with an infinite
capacity for giving.

I know it. But does he?

Gordon: How could he?

Have you ever given
yourself to him?

Not givin' in.

But really given.

I want to try.

Me, too.

[jazz music]

Mr. Redding,

Jeanette Wheeler signed
the settlement papers

with Simmons Aviation,
is that right?

I witnessed it. Yes.

You recall putting a
gun to her head at a time?

My arsenal of persuasive devices

has never included
firearms, Mr. Spitzer.

[all chuckling]

You recommended that she sign?

- You bet.
Spitzer: Can you tell us why?

Well, let me start by offering
some objective reasons...

August: The questionable
causality

of Tom Wheeler's condition,

contributory negligence in the
form of his refusal to use

personal safety
devices on the job,

the fact that Jeanette Wheeler

was already making
a living for herself.

All this goes into the hopper.

Now let me add though,
that there's no formula,

there's no book you can read

that will tell you
which ones to settle

and which ones to try.

43 years of practice
tells you that.

And you can't summarize
what that means

on a witness stand

because it would
take another lifetime

to even come close.

But you can rest
assured it's all up here.

Thank you, Sir.

I have no further questions.

Good afternoon, Mr. Redding.
My name's Victor Sifuentes.

I believe we've met.

[all chuckling]

[man in audience coughs]

Does the name Kate Morrison
mean anything to you, Sir?

No. Should it?

She is a registered nurse

who was employed
by Simmons Aviation

and was prepared to testify as
to the prevalence

of cancer victims
at that company.

I'm sure you'll forgive me

if a few obscure names
from two or three years ago

elude my powers of recall.

Ed Popov, Cleve Dortmunder,

Nelson Moon, Ron Nicolaides?

Any of those names
ring a bell, Sir?

Objection! This
isn't a quiz show.

What's the significance
of these names?

They were all coworkers
of Tom Wheeler,

all diagnosed with varying
forms of malignancy.

I'll allow it.

Mr. Redding, do any of
these names ring a bell?

None of them.

I suppose you never took time

to take their depositions
either, is that right?

I won't waste time with
meaningless discovery

exercises, counselor.

Isn't it true, sir,

that lawyers of Simmons Aviation

knew full well that your failure

to carry out
even minimal discovery

would've resulted
in a summary judgment

against you if you did try
and take the case of trial.

Not so far as I know.

And wasn't the $20,000 of scrap
they were throwing to you?

- A nuisance settlement?
- Objection!

Absolutely not.

And didn't you
grab for that scrap

knowing that it
was that or nothing?

Objection, Your Honor.

This is argumentative badgering.

Sustained.

What's my name, Mr. Redding?

Why? Was I supposed
to depose you, too?

My name is Victor Sifuentes.

What cases did you rely on, sir,

in deciding that $20,000

was all you could
get for cancer?

They're in my head.

And let me tell you
something, Johnny,

If I couldn't get more
than that, no one could.

Did you stand up
in court, sir, during this trial

and state an objection
for the record?

I think I did.

Was the objection
sustained or overruled?

- I'm not sure.
- What was the objection, Sir?

I don't remember.

- What's my name?
Spitzer: Objection!

- Overruled.
- What's my name?

I don't remember!

Victor Sifuentes. Where
did you have lunch today, Sir?

Spitzer: Objection!

Goes directly to the
witness' short-term memory

and competence
to practice the law.

I ate lunch at Jimmy's.

No, Sir, you ate lunch
at the Regency Club.

You're trying to trap me.

Yes, Sir, that is exactly,
what I'm trying to do,

I'm trying to trap you
with your own inability

to remember the simplest most

basic pieces of information.

I've broken the backs
of insurance companies

in six states.

What's my name, Sir?

Counsel is badgering
this witness!

This witness has
been a trial lawyer

for 43 years, Your Honor.

And I'm asking him
a simple question!

You know how many
times I've made law?

August: Common carrier
liability...

Ferguson versus
St. Boniface ski tours,

6 cal. 2nd 42.

Indemnification of
agent by principle...

Bullock vs. Tecowsky,
50 cal. 309.

- Look it up!
- Your honor-

What's my name, Mr. Redding?

You want names?

Delia Maldonado!
Geisler called me.

Begged me to take her case.

The woman owes her life to me.

Will the court
direct the witness

to either answer the question

or indicate that he's unable
to answer the question?

- Mr. Redding.
- They all know me!

Percy Foreman, Ed Williams,
Gerry Spence.

Ask Weitzman about me,
he'll tell you,

he's seen me in action.

- Gus.
Judge Pehlman: Mr. Redding.

Can you answer
Mr. Sifuentes' question?

What's the question?

- What's my name?
- I don't know!

I can't remember!

[dramatic music]

Your Honor, I would ask
for a 20-minute recess.

Court to resume at 4:15.

Bailiff: This court is in
recess for 20 minutes.

All interested parties
should return at that time.

Can we find a room
and settle this out?

[briefcase lock clicks]

Yeah. Let's.

[instrumental music]

[theme music]