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TRANSCRIPT:
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Scene: The Incline, men's restroom
Jake: So, they take a bunch of male baboons, right? And they give one alpha male a ton of testosterone. They shoot it into his amygdala.
Nick: His what?
Jake: His amygdala. It's part of the brain. Controls aggression.
Nick: What are you talking about?
Jake: And so not only does this one male baboon become more aggressive and combative, but all the other male baboons' testosterone levels actually decreases.
A man enters, very drunk.
Man: Nick. Jake. (Runs into a bathroom stall and throws up.)
Nick: So, what?
Jake: I don't know. I just thought it was interesting.
They leave.
Scene: The Incline
Burton and colleagues are celebrating.
Burton: (finishing a joke) So he puts the basket down. He looks at the bartender, and says 'That's fine by me, but which one is the chicken?' (Colleagues laugh at the punch-line) First time I've ever seen you laugh.
Colleague: That's the worst joke I've ever heard in my life.
Woman walks up, dressed as an attorney.
Burton: (to colleagues) Fine, I won't try again, but just don't start it.
Woman: Burton Fallin? Burton Fallin?
Burton: Yeah.
Woman: It's my duty to serve you a subpoena.
Burton: Excuse me?
Woman: It's right here in my briefcase. Where else would I keep my briefs? (She throws her briefs at him.)
Burton: (catching on) Oh, briefs.
Woman: Happy birthday.
She hands him a card. Turns out she is a stripper, and she starts dancing for Burton. Burton looks embarrassed and starts laughing.
Burton: Nicholas, turn around, son. Don't look over here. Turn around.
Nick: (to Jake) Too much testosterone in the alpha male makes the other males weaker.
Jake: Right.
Amanda: (to Nick and Jake) You men sure will be boys.
Scene: Outside, underneath an elevated railroad at night
Undercover Cop: Wolfboy?
Ethan: Flanner?
Undercover Cop: You sure you're eighteen?
Ethan: Maybe. Maybe I'm sure.
Undercover Cop: Younger is nice. How much?
Ethan: Fifty. Fifty to start.
Cop nods. Pulls out cash, then pulls out his badge. Ethan tries to run, but second appears and shoves him down. First cop punches Ethan in the face.
Undercover Cop: Put your hands behind your back.
Ethan: Was it good for you?
Scene: Children's Legal Services
James and Nick enter from the elevator.
James: …The woman's boyfriend claims the boy didn't understand his duty to tell the truth under oath and didn't take the proceedings seriously.
Laurie: Mr. Fallin?
Nick: Laurie Solt.
James: Good morning, Laurie.
Laurie: Hey, James.
Nick: Where have you been?
Laurie: I took a vacation.
Nick: No wonder the city's gone to hell.
Laurie: There's a sixteen-year-old boy.
Nick: Okay.
Laurie: He's at the police station. He was arrested last night for soliciting a member of the Pittsburgh Police Department.
Nick: And?
Laurie: And I talked to Alvin Masterson. He wants you to handle it. Let's go.
Nick looks at Alvin as he leaves.
Scene: Police Station, interview room
Nick: I'm Nicholas Fallin from CLS.
Ethan: Hey, Nick from CLS.
Nick: I'm here to talk to the cops about getting you out.
Ethan: (sarcastically) Oh, really? I thought you were stopping by for tea.
Nick: Don't be a smart-ass. I'm here to help you.
Ethan: (points to his bruised face) Not too pretty, huh? Oh, dear. Now no one will ask me to the dance.
Nick: Well, you, uh, you solicited a cop.
Ethan: I think he actually enjoyed hitting me.
Nick: The police are willing to release you without pressing charges. First offense. The problem is where to place you, even just for the night. You'll have to agree to go to a group shelter.
Ethan: Okay.
Nick: And to not run away.
Ethan: I run when they want a piece of me.
Nick: Who is it wants a piece of you?
Ethan: Everyone wants a piece of me. And in the shelter, they're inconsiderate enough not to expect to pay for it.
Nick: If I take you case, will you show up for the court date?
Ethan: Maybe.
Nick: Then I won't take the case.
Ethan: Yes, you will.
Nick: No, I won't. (Leaves)
Scene: Police Station, outside
Nick: I met with him, okay? I don't want to take his case.
Laurie: He's a gay teenager whose father threw him out of the house when he came out. He's been in and out of group shelters. He was abused in a couple of them. Kept running away. A few months ago, I finally found a couple who were interested in being his foster parents, but the judge ruled against them.
Nick: The couple you found. Two men, right?
Laurie: Social Services and the juvenile court system of Allegheny County are not exactly jumping up and down to bring any kid in a gay household.
Nick: You and Alvin thought I'd take the hit.
Laurie: We live here. You're just passing through.
Scene: The Incline
Nick enters and Jake meets him. They walk over to table.
Jake: He's been drinking.
Nick: I got held up.
Jake: Uh, he's been drinking.
They join Mr. Derwitt at the table.
Mr. Derwitt: There's this man in Scranton who stole an entire dinner service of china trade porcelain from the Winterthur Museum in Delaware over many months, by shoving the plates down the front of his trousers. Now, there's a man, who, I would say, had his priorities screwed up, wouldn't you?
Nick: Mr. Derwitt, I have no idea what you're talking about.
Mr. Derwitt: Nah. Neither do I, really. What are you drinking?
Jake: A beer would be great.
Nick: Soda water.
Mr. Derwitt: (to waiter) Uh, Clarence, two beers for these gentlemen.
Nick: Just a soda water.
Mr. Derwitt: Don't tell me you're taking your probation seriously.
Nick: Mr. Derwitt, tomorrow you're on the witness stand. For us to have a chance, you need to come off as credible.
Mr. Derwitt: Mr. Fallin, I own one of the largest companies in this city, and I'm being sued by a mid-level manager. Why should it be my credibility that's in question?
Nick: Because you're in a position of power, and with a sexual harassment suit, that counts for a lot.
Mr. Derwitt: You know, in all species, it's the female who chooses the sex partners. The only difference with humans is women follow up with a law suit.
Nick: Mr. Derwitt, at least till the end of the trial, I suggest you keep that philosophy to yourself.
Scene: Children's Legal Services
James: Hey Nick? That kid, the Ritter boy.
Nick: Yeah, he's a smart-ass.
James: Take it seriously.
Nick: Yeah, I am.
James: No, you're not.
James walks into his office. Nick pauses for a moment, then follows after him.
Nick: You got something to say about the way I conduct my work?
James: Listen, I had a kid like this before. Got kicked out of his house because of the way he was.
Nick: Was?
James: He was gay. He was hustling. I tried to get him to stop, but he got knifed by a guy who picked him up. Died on the streets. Good kid. He didn't deserve to go like that. So, take it seriously, man. That's all I'm saying.
Nick nods, then walks into Alvin's office and sits down.
Nick: The gay kid.
Alvin: The Ritter boy?
Nick: Why didn't you give that case to James?
Alvin: He's got a heavy load.
Nick: Or take it yourself?
Alvin: Because… for now, I've got you.
Nick: Not because his choice of foster parents was unpopular?
Alvin: What are you saying?
Nick: The last thing this clinic needs is to take a case that will generate bad publicity for you.
Alvin: Mr. Fallin, you're acting awfully prudish for a man who likes to operate outside the system.
Nick: What happened last time they tried to place him with a gay couple?
Alvin: The judge ruled against it.
Nick: Why's it gonna be any different this time?
Scene: Fallin & Associates
Burton, Nick and Jake are briefing Mr. Derwitt in the conference room.
Jake: They're gonna try and rile you. So just say, 'yes,' 'no,' or 'I don't recall.'
Mr. Derwitt: Okay.
Nick: If you feel like a question is confusing you, ask them to repeat it. This will give you time to think of a simple answer.
Mr. Derwitt: Yes. I think I can do that.
Nick: Good.
Burton: And wear a blue suit, conservative tie.
Nick: Treat the plaintiff with dignity. Don't make light of the situation.
Mr. Derwitt: Yeah, yeah, I hear you. You know, I think, I could possibly handle this.
Nick notices Laurie Solt out by the receptionist area, with Ethan.
Nick: Excuse me. I'll be right back. (Walks over to Laurie.) What are you doing?
Laurie: I'm supposed to take Ethan to the shelter, but his paperwork isn't ready, and I'm very late for an engagement.
Nick: No, no. He can't stay here.
Laurie: I know it's terribly inconvenient for you, Mr. Fallin, but I can't leave him alone on the street. (She leaves.)
Nick: (to Ethan) Come with me. You know how to use a computer?
Ethan: (sarcastic) Please.
They walk over to a desk where a woman is typing.
Nick: Allison, set this kid up with a computer. I'll be right back. Watch him. (He leaves.)
Ethan: Nice guy.
Allison: (looks at him like he's crazy) Nick?
Ethan: You banging him? (Allison looks shocked)
Nick enters the conference room.
Nick: Okay, where were we?
Burton: We're all done, Nicholas.
Mr. Derwitt: Yes. Thank you, Burton.
Burton: You bet.
Nick: See you tomorrow.
Jake: Yeah. I'll walk you out.
Burton: Good luck.
Jake and Mr. Derwitt leave.
Nick: I don't understand why we're even handling this one.
Burton: Well, he's been a client for twenty years.
Nick: But a harassment suit?
Burton: Well, he wanted us to handle it.
Nick: I think we're out of our league.
Burton: That's nonsense, Nicholas. That's—that's what we do for our clients.
Nick reaches into his inner jacket pocket and pulls out a gift.
Nick: I got this, uh, for your birthday.
Burton: Well, now, son.
Nick: (dismissive) Yeah, it's just a pen.
He walks out without Burton noticing.
Burton: Well, it's… (Looks up as the door shuts behind Nick.)
Nick walks back to the desk where Ethan is on the computer. He has been surfing the internet, and there is a pornographic website on the computer screen.
Nick: Let's go.
Ethan: I'm not done.
Nick: Ethan, get your stuff, let's go.
Ethan: I'm having a conversation here.
Nick: You're soliciting.
Ethan: Oh, is that what you call it?
Burton walks up with a police officer.
Burton: Nicholas, this officer's here to get your— (He sees the website. Nick turns off the computer.) Who is this?
Nick: He's from CLS. (To Ethan) You wait here.
Scene: The Incline
Ethan: You should have seen your face when your father walked in. (Laughs.) Uh, so, what did you do that makes you go into bathrooms with strange men and piss into a cup?
Nick: That foster couple that wanted you, did you, uh… did you like those two guys?
Ethan: They're okay. They seem a little, you know, strict. Just a couple of old queers.
Nick: Why would you say that?
Ethan: Say what?
Nick: That. Old queers.
Ethan: What, are you an activist?
Nick: Aren't you…
Ethan: I'm whatever I want to be, all right? Whenever I want to be.
Nick: Well, listen, Ethan, I have to place you somewhere.
Ethan: Oh, so you are my lawyer now?
Nick: I'll do you a deal. You tell me where you want to live, and I'll see if I can help you.
Ethan: Okay, how about a mansion in Sewickley Heights?
Nick: How about a group home in McKeesport?
Ethan: How about the streets?
Nick: How about those guys?
Ethan: You don't even know them.
Nick: No, I don't.
Ethan: But you assume, because they're gay, that they must understand me.
Nick: No, I never said that.
Ethan: You know what? I did want to live with them. But then we went into the courtroom, stood before the judge, and he humiliated us.
Scene: Ed Matthews' and Dave Downs' residence
Nick walks up to the door, and rings the doorbell.
Nick: Mr. Matthews?
Ed: Ed. Hi, Nick. Come on in. (Nick enters.) This is our refuge—mine from the world of screaming high school students, and Dave's from the world of screaming queens and others in need of both immediate and long term therapy.
Dave: So, what did Ethan do to piss you off?
Nick: I didn't say he did anything.
Dave: No, you didn't, but I know Ethan.
Nick: He surfed for gay porn at my office, and made sure everyone saw.
Ed: The classic Ethan story. We've heard a hundred variations.
Dave: When Ethan doesn't want to be somewhere, he goes straight for the hot button to make the other person angry.
Ed: And then the other person is the one with the problem, not Ethan.
Oven timer beeps. Dave gets up to go get the food.
Dave: It's ready.
Nick: What?
Dave: Well, we thought since you were coming over, that you'd like a little lunch.
Nick: I really should get going.
Ed: Give us some more time, Mr. Fallin. Stay for lunch.
Dining room table
Ed: He drove his mother crazy. If Ethan wanted to get out of the house, he would just direct the conversation to any gay subject, or he would just do something like wear lipstick to the dinner table.
Dave: And, predictably, she'd go off. Start praying a rosary, tell him he's going straight to hell.
Ed: And the father would threaten a fight, and Ethan would be out of there.
Nick: You know him well.
Dave: We know the situation.
Nick: You think you can handle him?
Dave: I'm a therapist, Edward's a guidance counselor. Ethan doesn't get away with a lot when he's here.
Nick: Why not?
Dave: Cause we don't care. (Imitates a conversation with Ethan.) Yes, you're gay, now go do your homework. Sure, we know you're gay, but you're not going to a party without an adult present.
Ed: He hates that, but I think he knows deep down that it's good for him. (Pauses) We know our chances of being adoptive parents, well… here in Pittsburgh are very slim, but with a strong recommendation from someone like you…
Nick: Someone like me?
Dave: It would help. The judges, you know, they're prejudiced from the start. You'd be amazed at the homophobia out there.
Scene: Courtroom, The Derwitt/Clemons trial
Nick: Did you have sexual relations with Suzanna Clemons?
Mr. Derwitt: Yes, I did, but it was consensual.
Nick: How did the relationship come about?
Mr. Derwitt: Ms. Clemons came onto me over a period of many months, and then at last year's Christmas party, I'd had a little too much to drink, and I asked my assistant to call me a cab. Ms. Clemons offered to give me a ride home. On the drive, her hand wandered over my leg. One thing led to another, and we had sex that night.
Nick: Did you coerce her to continue the sexual relationship?
Mr. Derwitt: Absolutely not.
Nick: How long did you two continue to have sexual relations?
Mr. Derwitt: Until I passed her over for a promotion three months ago. That is what this is all about.
Scene: Courtroom, later
Opposing counsel: So, you're the victim here, Mr. Derwitt?
Mr. Derwitt: I am the victim of a frivolous law suit.
Opposing counsel: Last year, you took fifteen employees to Hawaii, didn't you?
Mr. Derwitt: Yes. It was part of an incentive program.
Opposing counsel: Five of the seven women you took were single or divorced, weren't they?
Mr. Derwitt: Yes.
Opposing counsel: And there were several sexual liaisons between employees on that trip, correct?
Mr. Derwitt: What my employees do on their own time is their own business.
Opposing counsel: Last month, you told an employee by the name of Jennifer Manko that she should wear shorter skirts, didn't you?
Mr. Derwitt: That was a bad joke. She's on the sales force. She asked my opinion about increasing sales.
Opposing counsel: Did you compliment a woman by the name of Jane Packard on the size of her breasts?
Mr. Derwitt: Jane had just had a breast job, and she was looking for compliments.
Opposing counsel: She wanted you to whistle at her for three months?
Mr. Derwitt: Well, it wasn't three months, but any woman who increases the size of her breasts wants attention.
Opposing counsel: Just like Suzanna Clemons wanted to continue to have sex with you?
Scene: Fallin & Associates, conference room
Burton, Amanda, and Jake are present. Nick enters.
Nick: Derwitt is not helping himself.
Burton: Well, we've got plenty of dirt on that Clemons woman. Next time she gets on the stand, counterattack.
Jake: The women on the jury look ready to hang him. I'm not sure we can overcome that.
Burton: We will. (To Nick) You will.
Nick: If I beat him up on the stand, it will be like the men against the women, and there are eight women on this jury. I don't think I should be first chair on this one. I think we should use Amanda.
Amanda: (surprised) Oh, no. I'm not ready.
Nick: You don't have to be ready. We'll do all the work. You just follow the script.
Burton: (to Amanda) What do you think?
Amanda: I really don't know.
Burton: We need a real fighter here.
Amanda: (to Nick) You think I can do it?
Nick: I suggested it. (Jake looks ticked off.)
Amanda: All right. Okay.
Burton: Wear a dress—modest, not too severe.
Hallway
Jake: I could have handled it.
Nick: I know.
Jake: No. I could have handled it.
Nick: You don't like what happened, you should have said something.
Jake: Come on, Nick. I mean, putting up an inexperienced girl as lead counsel? It's an old trick. The jury's gonna see right through it.
Nick: You think they'd find you more sympathetic?
Jake: My point is that you should have run it by me first. (He walks away.)
Scene: County Jail
Cop: What can I do for you?
Nick: Nick Fallin. I represent Ethan Ritter. (They shake hands)
Cop: Who?
Nick: Ethan Ritter, the kid you beat up the other night.
Cop: You mean the kid that attacked me?
Nick: Yeah. Well, you don't look hurt.
Cop: He came at me, I got out of the way.
Nick: Then you beat him up with your partner.
Cop: Listen. A kid like that, he's a danger out there.
Nick: To who?
Cop: To everybody, but mostly to himself.
Nick: Is that why you hit him?
Cop: I restrained him. He should be grateful.
Nick: Okay, I'll tell him that.
Cop: You should be thankful for me bringing him in. He's getting off lucky in my opinion.
Nick: He's very lucky.
Cop: Keep him out there, he's gonna get sick and still go out on the streets, getting other people sick. And if a kid like that stays out there too long, he's gonna end up dead. Are we done here?
Nick: Sure.
Scene: Courthouse, hallway
Laurie: Ethan didn't show up.
Nick: He's not at the shelter?
Laurie: He ran away.
Nick: Well, there you go.
Laurie: Mr. Fallin, give him a chance. He's obviously been neglected by his parents, especially his father.
Nick: Neglected, not abused.
Laurie: His parents didn't even show up for the first shelter hearing.
Nick: Listen, I have other things to do with my life than community service. I can't waste any more time giving people second chances. (Starts to walk away.)
Laurie: You got one, didn't you?
Nick: (stops and turns around) I did what you guys asked of me. If he's not gonna show up, I can't do anything else.
Nick walks away, and Laurie sighs.
Scene: Fallin & Associates, Burton's office
Burton sees Nick in the hallway.
Burton: Ah, Nicholas. Close that door. (Nick enters.) Look what I found at the house last night. (Shows Nick an old photo of him.) What were you, in about the fifth grade?
Nick: Second.
Burton: Second? (Puts on his glasses.) Second grade. Okay. Heh. So, how's the place?
Nick: Fine.
Burton: Good. And you like that—that car all right? That BMW? Beemer?
Nick: Yeah, it's good.
Burton: Yeah, German. I always preferred American, but…
Nick: It's just a car.
Burton: Yeah. Nick why don't we, um, why don't we have lunch sometime?
Nick: Sure.
Burton: Okay, then.
Nick: Yeah. (Nick nods, gets up to leave)
Burton: Oh, Nick? (Nick stops.) Thank—thank you for that pen. Thank you.
Nick: Yeah.
Nick leaves. Burton looks at the picture again.
Hallway
Amanda: (to Nick) There's a call for you on line four, a Laurie Solt.
Nick: (to woman standing by the phone) Excuse me. (To phone) Yeah.
Laurie: (over phone) I got a call. Someone saw Ethan at the Eagle on Liberty Avenue.
Nick: Okay.
Laurie: (over phone) I'm not comfortable going over there.
Nick: I'll go. Bye.
Scene: The Eagle
Dance club music plays. Nick is walking through towards the bar.
Transvestite: Hi baby. Not happy with what you're finding here? How about a real woman?
Nick: Not interested. (Continues towards bar.)
Bartender: Hey.
Nick: See a boy working here?
Bartender: That's all I see coming in here.
Nick: No, no, a teenage boy.
Bartender: Oh, well, that would be illegal. (Walks away.)
Nick looks around the bar and walks over to a young guy.
Nick: There's this kid.
Guy: What?
Nick: There's this kid—might come in here.
Guy: Might?
Nick: He's very young, like sixteen. He probably says he's older. His name's Ethan.
Guy: You arranged a hook up with him? (Pauses.) I haven't seen your friend, not for a few nights.
Nick: You know him?
Guy: Everybody knows everybody here pretty much, no matter who they are. (Nods towards a man by the pool tables.) That guy over there, he's some kind of judge or something.
Nick: Smitrovich.
Guy: Comes in here almost every night and always goes home alone.
Scene: Children's Legal Services, Alvin's office
Nick, Alvin and James are present.
Nick: If that Ritter kid shows up…
Alvin: So you're taking the case?
Nick: Well, there's no case to take, not unless he shows up.
Alvin: Then why are you here?
Nick: I found a judge that sits on the juvenile bench.
Alvin: So?
Nick: A gay judge.
Alvin: And?
Nick: Maybe if Ethan turns up again, you could try to—
Alvin: You want to judge pick?
Nick: Could be worth a shot.
Alvin: That's too risky.
Nick: Whatever. Just an idea.
Alvin: Smitrovich is a good choice. Decent. Liberal.
James: Smitrovich is on motions tomorrow.
Alvin: Schedule it.
Nick: Got an address for his parents?
Scene: Ritter residence
Nick pulls up in his car and approaches Mrs. mother, who is watering the lawn.
Mrs. Ritter: Hi there. Are you lost?
Nick: Are you Mrs. Ritter?
Mrs. Ritter: Yes.
Nick: I'm Nicholas Fallin. I'm your son's attorney.
Mrs. Ritter: What is it?
Nick: Are you aware that there is going to be a shelter hearing regarding Ethan?
Mrs. Ritter: Yes.
Nick: Do you plan to attend?
Mrs. Ritter: Ethan no longer lives here.
Nick: Why not?
Mrs. Ritter: If you'd spent anytime with him, anytime at all you'd know why. Tell Ethan that he has a place with us, here in our home, when he's ready. He'll understand.
Nick: Nice home.
Mrs. Ritter: Thank you.
Nick leaves.
Scene: Courtroom
Ms. Clemons: We never had sex after the Christmas party. That's a lie. It was about a month later.
Opposing counsel: How did your sexual relationship with Mr. Derwitt develop?
Ms. Clemons: He started by asking for backrubs and flirting a little.
Opposing counsel: Did you flirt back?
Ms. Clemons: I would try to laugh it off and change the subject.
Opposing counsel: And then what happened?
Ms. Clemons: Then he asked me if I knew Christine Brooks. She had just been promoted.
Opposing counsel: And what significance did this have to you?
Ms. Clemons: There was this big rumor going around the office that Franklin and Christine were having an affair.
Opposing counsel: And where did your relationship go from there?
Ms. Clemons: He bought me things and expected me to wear them, which I did.
Opposing counsel: What things?
Ms. Clemons: Underwear.
Opposing counsel: Why didn't you say no?
Ms. Clemons: I have a four-year-old son. This man has a reputation of firing women who reject his advances.
Nick: (to Amanda) Object.
Amanda: Objection.
Judge Bridges: On what grounds?
Nick: (to Amanda) Say, 'more prejudicial than probative.'
Amanda: More prejudicial than probative, your honor.
Judge Bridges: Sustained. The jury is to disregard the witness's statement about the defendant's reputation.
Opposing counsel: When did you and Mr. Derwitt first have intercourse?
Ms. Clemons: January 28th, the Monday after the Super Bowl.
Opposing counsel: How did it happen?
Ms. Clemons: He called me into his office and told me to… sit on his lap
Judge Bridges: I'm sorry?
Ms. Clemons: He told me to sit on his lap. He then started to, you know, play with me, and then he ripped off my underwear, pulling them down. He bent me over his desk.
Opposing counsel: What were you thinking when he was doing this to you?
Ms. Clemons: I wasn't thinking anything. I was staring at the hula girl.
Opposing counsel: The hula girl?
Ms. Clemons: There was this toy hula girl with a bobbing head and a shifting skirt sitting on his desk, and every time he would… I would stare at it, at her head. It bobbed.
Scene: Courthouse, washroom
Amanda is washing her face. Suzanna Clemons enters.
Ms. Clemons: Miss Bowles? You know, I just wanted to say I hope you understand. This is hard for me to do, but I have to go through with it. You know what these guys are like. They're apes, most of them.
Amanda: (uncomfortably) We shouldn't be talking.
Ms. Clemons: I know what it's like to be eager, to want to please those men so much you forget who you really are.
Amanda leaves.
Scene: Fallin & Associates
Burton and Derwitt are walking through the office.
Mr. Derwitt: I didn't come to your firm so you could hand me off to some first year associate.
Burton: You came to my firm because you want to win.
Mr. Derwitt: She's out of her league. She's killing me.
Burton: What's killing you is the fact that you slept with the help.
Burton walks into his office, where Nick is talking to Amanda.
Nick: You've got to be able to think on your feet. Sometimes you object just to break their rhythm.
Burton: Can you handle this, Amanda?
Nick: She's been first chair for one day. The second day will be easier.
Burton: But you, you gotta be tougher.
Amanda: Because I'm a woman.
Burton: (Strictly) Because you're a lawyer.
Amanda walks out. Nick goes after her.
Nick: Amanda…
Amanda: I can't do this.
Nick: Yes, you can.
Amanda: I believed her testimony, okay? I believed her.
Nick: So did I.
Amanda: The jury hates our client.
Nick: Then make them hate the other side more.
Scene: Children's Legal Services, Nick's office
Nick typing on a computer as 'Mystery Man' chatting over the internet with 'Wolfboy', asking to meet.
Scene: Outside, underneath an elevated railroad at night
Nick pulls up in his car and gets out.
Nick: Ethan?
Ethan: Nick. Or should I say 'Mystery Man'?
Nick: You knew that was me?
Ethan: Yeah, pretty retarded name.
Nick: You missed your first hearing. We rescheduled for tomorrow.
Ethan: Is that what you came here to tell me?
Nick: Your hearing's at 10:30 a.m. Courthouse, room 301. I've done what I can, Ethan. You just need to show up.
Ethan: I'll be there.
Nick: Good. (Starts to walk away)
Ethan: Hey, hey! Could you give me a lift?
Nick: Where?
Ethan: (Slyly) Maybe I could stay with you tonight?
Nick: Is that it? Is that the only way you know how to relate to men?
Ethan: How's your dad? Hmm? Has he recovered from seeing our little moment together? (Tries to touch Nick.)
Nick: (pushing his hand away) Don't.
Ethan: Nicky, what do you really want from me? What? Huh? What?
Nick: Come with me. Let's go.
Ethan: Where are we going?
Nick: Just get in the car.
Scene: Matthews' and Downs' residence
Nick rings doorbell. Ed opens the door.
Nick: He needs somewhere to spend the night. And then we'll get him to court tomorrow.
Ed admits Ethan.
Scene: Courtroom
Amanda: I want to get this straight. You were coerced into having a sexual relationship with Mr. Derwitt?
Ms. Clemons: Yes.
Amanda: Not one time, but many times.
Ms. Clemons: Yes.
Amanda: Over many months.
Ms. Clemons: He has the power, Miss Bowles.
Amanda: Were you coached to say that?
Opposing counsel: Objection.
Judge Bridges: Sustained.
Amanda: Here in defendant's exhibit 'A,' a picture of you and Mr. Derwitt in Hawaii. Were you coerced into going there?
Ms. Clemons: This was a company retreat. You go where your boss tells you to go.
Amanda: In a copy of defendant's exhibit 'B,' you're sitting on his lap.
Ms. Clemons: He pulled me there.
Amanda: And that big smile on your face is… is a put on?
Ms. Clemons: Sometimes you have no choice but to play along.
Amanda: So, 'no' just isn't in your vocabulary.
Ms. Clemons: You know, its not that easy with your boss.
Amanda: You left your previous job two years ago, because you broke off a sexual relationship with your immediate supervisor, correct?
Opposing counsel: Objection, evidence of the victim's past is inadmissible.
Judge Bridges: Objection sustained.
Amanda: What about college?
Opposing counsel: We repeat our earlier objection.
Amanda: Withdrawn. This isn't the first time you've made allegations that someone sexually harassed you?
Ms. Clemons: What are you talking about?
Amanda: In college, you claimed that a teaching assistant raped you.
Ms. Clemons: We went to a party and he drugged me.
Amanda: So, like now, you claimed to be powerless to say no.
Ms. Clemons: I had one beer. Next thing I know, I wake up naked in his bed. I was raped!
Amanda: The young man was acquitted, wasn't he?
Ms. Clemons: I went to the authorities too late for them to find anything in my system.
Amanda: The jury didn't believe you. But you want this jury to believe you this time.
Scene: Courthouse
Nick meets Ethan in hallway.
Nick: I'm late. Let's go.
Courtroom
Judge Smitrovich: Judge Eldridge already ruled on this case. Why's it being reopened?
Nick: The child ran away from his group home and has gotten in trouble with the law, your honor.
Judge Smitrovich: So I see. Why isn't Judge Eldridge hearing this case again?
Nick: She's not on motions today, your honor.
Judge Smitrovich: The child's wishes are still to be placed under these gentlemen's care?
Nick: Yes. Dr. Downs and Mr. Matthews are not asking for any foster money to support Ethan.
Judge Smitrovich: They are willing to undertake all financial responsibility for him?
Nick: Yes, your honor.
Judge Smitrovich: Sounds like they are behaving more than reasonably.
Mrs. Ritter: May I speak, your honor?
Judge Smitrovich: Who are you?
Mrs. Ritter: I'm Ethan's mother.
Judge Smitrovich: You received a notice of this hearing?
Mrs. Ritter: Yes.
Judge Smitrovich: You have the right to be represented by counsel in these proceedings.
Mrs. Ritter: Oh, I'm not asking for Ethan to come home.
Judge Smitrovich: Then why are you here?
Mrs. Ritter: Simply to ask that he not be placed with these two men.
Judge Smitrovich: What's wrong with them, Mrs. Ritter?
Mrs. Ritter: A homosexual home, by its very nature, violates the fundamental religious beliefs of the Catholic faith.
Nick: Your honor, Mrs. Ritter has openly refused to raise her own son.
Mrs. Ritter: It is not for lack of loving him. I simply want him to be safe.
Nick: He is far safer in a stable home than in a group shelter where he's been abused, or out on the streets. Your honor, Ethan Ritter has two more years before becoming an adult. The question is, will he stay alive long enough to get there?
Mrs. Ritter: My son says he's gay. He may be. Or he may not be. He is still young. But these two gentlemen are gay. I simply don't want him in that environment.
Judge Smitrovich: I'm reluctant to rule on a case already under another judge's aegis—
Nick: Your honor—
Judge Smitrovich: I will not reverse the ruling at this time. The boy's remanded to the Allegheny group shelter until further notice. (Bangs gavel.)
Nick rushes up to the judge's bench.
Nick: I know what's going on here.
Judge Smitrovich: Do you? (Covers microphone.) It's nice to see you again, Mr. Fallin. But the law is the law. Next time, don't try to judge pick.
Hallway
Nick: If the judge would have ruled in our favor…
Ethan: Yeah?
Nick: You would've stayed with them?
Ethan: Well, yeah.
Nick: (looks around to make sure no one is nearby) Then why don't you?
Ethan: How?
Nick: If the law's not on your side, Ethan, maybe you just…
Ethan: I just don't let it get in my way.
Nick: I didn't hear that.
Ethan nods. Amanda walks up to them.
Amanda: Verdict's coming in.
Scene: Courtroom
Jury walks in.
Judge Bridges: Madam foreperson, have you reached your verdict?
ForeWoman: We have, your honor.
Judge Bridges: What say you?
ForeWoman: In the matter of Suzanna Clemons vs. Franklin Derwitt, we find in favor of the plaintiff, Suzanna Clemons… and order defendant to pay compensatory damages in the order of five thousand dollars.
Mr. Derwitt: (to Nick) Five thousand dollars?
Nick: It's a victory. (To Amanda) Congratulations.
Amanda: Thank you.
Suzanna Clemons is crying.
Scene: Children's Legal Services, Alvin's office
Nick enters.
Nick: Smitrovich ruled against us.
Alvin: Yeah?
Nick: You knew he would. (Starts to leave, then turns back.) Next time…
Alvin: Yeah?
Nick: Don't give me a case because you think I'll go around the rules you're too afraid to break.
Nick leaves.
Scene: The Incline
Nick enters the men's restroom.
Colleague: (to Jake) No kidding? She cried?
Jake: Suzanna cried. She actually cried.
Colleague: Man, that must have been beautiful.
Jake: I'm telling you, once you get them, they always cry.
Colleague: I hear Amanda was great.
Jake: Yeah. She just, she just grew a pair overnight. Just bam! Like that. Who knew it was in her?
Colleague: Oh man, I gotta see that.
Jake: Yeah, it was great.
Colleague: Next time give me a heads up.
Jake: I will.
At the bar
Laurie enters looking worried.
Nick: What is it?
Laurie: Ethan never showed up at the shelter. We should have told him we could take the case before Judge Eldridge or some other judge.
Nick: Why do you try so hard with this kid?
Laurie: I had a brother.
Nick: Come with me.
Scene: Matthews' and Downs' residence, outside
Nick and Laurie are in his car watching Dr. Downs, Mr. Matthews and Ethan having supper.
Laurie: Well, well. Mr. Fallin.
Nick: I don't see anything.
Laurie: Neither do I.
END OF EPISODE
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