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TRANSCRIPT:
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Scene: Fallin & Associates, outside Burton's office
Nick: (to Secretary) He's still looking over the Fiberlink contracts?
Secretary nods yes.
Jake: Yeah.
Nick: (beckons to Jake) What's going on with that manager over there?
Jake: At Fiberlink?
Nick: Yeah, the weight lifter.
Jake: (laughing) She's a tri-athlete.
Burton: (coming out of his office) Sheila. (Sees Nick and Jake.) Oh, good work boys, excellent, really. Have that messengered over to Fiberlink right away. They need it before the end of the business day.
Nick: I'll take care of it.
Jake: No, I'll take care of it. I can drive it over myself.
Scene: Jake's car
Cell phone rings as Jake is driving.
Jake: Yeah, great. Ten minutes. I got it right here. Bringing it right over. Yeah. Have you thought about a movie yet? Which one? The German one? The one with the girl who thinks she's a wood nymph. Yeah. I hear it's great.
Jake drops cell phone and diverts his eyes to recover it. A man steps backwards off the curb and Jake's car strikes the man, knocking him into the windshield.
Scene: Burton's office, the next day
Jake: ...I was driving and this guy… I tried to stop but there just wasn't time. He just bounced off my windshield.
Nick: Did you hit him at full speed?
Jake: I heard a cracking sound. I don't know if it was my windshield or his body. But, it was just so strange. Everything just slowed down. I mean, I thought he was stepping backward.
Burton: You know who you hit?
Jake: No.
Burton: Frank Finari.
Jake: Frank Finari the lawyer?
Burton: I just got the call.
Jake: How is he?
Burton: Critical. He's at Carnegie Memorial. (Motions to Nick to see about the man who just walked up to the door.) Let me ask you this. Did this happen on the way to …
Nick: Can I help you?
Police Officer: Mr. Jake Straka.
Nick: Jake.
Police Officer: Mr. Straka?
Jake: Yes.
Police Officer: I'm placing you under arrest, sir.
Jake: What?
Nick: What's the charge?
Police Officer: Reckless driving, aggravated assault.
Burton: Don't say a word until I get you a defense lawyer.
Police Officer: You have the right to remain silent…
Burton: Not a word.
Police Officer: Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
Burton: (to Sheila) Get me hold of Albert Murray right away.
Police Officer: You have the right to have an attorney present…
Nick: Jake, the intake is going to be ugly. Keep your wits about you. You'll be arraigned and out of custody by this afternoon. Don't talk to anyone.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh.
James is answering calls.
James: Legal Services of Pittsburgh, please hold.
Nick: (on cell phone) Amanda, listen to me. Just file it today. Tell the client you filed it yesterday.
Alvin: Mr. Fallin.
Nick: (on phone, without acknowledging Alvin) Backdate it. I don't care.
Alvin: Mr. Fallin.
Nick: (on phone) Just back date it. It's gotta be done. I gotta go.
Alvin: Mr. Fallin, your 9:30 is waiting for you in your office.
Nick goes into his office.
Nick: Morning.
Malcolm: Hi, my name's Malcolm. What's your name?
Nick: Nick.
Malcolm: Hi Nick. My name's Malcolm.
Nick: Yes, I know.
Malcolm: Are you a lawyer?
Nick: Yes I am.
Malcolm: What's the difference between a lawyer and a trampoline?
Nick: I don't know, Malcolm.
Malcolm: You take your shoes off to jump on a trampoline.
Nick just nods his head.
Nick: So your mother is seeking guardianship over you.
Malcolm: Yeah, she is.
Nick: How old are you?
Malcolm: I'm 25.
Nick: You got a job?
Malcolm: Yeah, and an apartment.
Nick: You in trouble?
Malcolm: No.
Nick: Then what's the problem?
Malcolm: She's mad at me.
Nick: Your mom.
Malcolm: I think it's on account of my birthday.
Nick: (looking over the form in front of him) Your birthday…
Malcolm: She got me a stereo from the store and it's a CD player with 80 watt speakers and a tape deck and, ah, I traded it to my friend Freddie because he wanted me to have one of those phones that when… when you call you can see the number. I have it right here. You know, and, ah, Freddie... Freddie... Freddie wanted to trade so that when he would call I could know it was him. I could see numbers. And so I think that's why she got mad, ah, because I traded the stereo to Freddie, my neighbor… Hey, what's the difference between a lawyer and a trampoline? You take your shoes off before you jump on a trampoline.
Nick smiles.
Scene: Courthouse hallway
Jake is talking to his lawyer after his arraignment.
Jake: They arrest me in my office, they set a high bail. What the hell is going on here?
Murray: Frank Finari's wife says you were on a cell phone when you hit her husband. The DA's got an agenda. He wants to ban cell phones in cars.
Burton: He wants to use a reckless driving charge as a springboard?
Murray: The word on Finari is he probably won't pull through. If he dies they'll amend the charge to vehicular homicide.
Jake: What?
Burton: So what do we do?
Murray: Wish for Frank Finari's speedy recovery.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh
James: Sally Russell?
Sally: You a lawyer?
James: Yes.
Sally: Not a law clerk?
James: No. What can I do for you?
Sally: You gotta get me off my work fare.
James: You currently work at Pittsburgh Pets' Animal Shelter. What's the problem?
Sally: The problem is I shovel crap. All day, every day. That's all I do. It's disgusting.
James: You're a single woman with one dependent on welfare. The county can put you to work.
Sally: But I want a different job.
James: The thing about welfare is they're trying to encourage you to go out and find a job on your own.
Sally: Are you gonna help me or not? I want a different job.
James: Good luck finding one. (Marks the form and hands it back to Sally.)
Sally: My taxes pay your salary.
James: You're on government relief. My taxes pay your salary. Right?
Sally leaves in a huff.
Scene: Courthouse
Mrs. Dempsey: Malcolm has an IQ of about 64. He has the emotional and social level of a ten-year-old.
Lawyer: Can you tell us why you are seeking guardianship over him now?
Mrs. Dempsey: People are taking advantage of him.
Lawyer: Who is taking advantage of Malcolm?
Mrs. Dempsey: There's a drug dealer named Freddie Paddock who lives in Malcolm's apartment complex. He's giving Malcolm drugs and getting him to make deliveries.
Lawyer: How do you know this?
Mrs. Dempsey: Me and Malcolm are real close. He tells me everything. He doesn't understand what he's doing. He just wants to have a friend. That's how he is.
Nick: Would it surprise you to hear that Malcolm denies these things, Mrs. Dempsey?
Mrs. Dempsey: He doesn't want to come home.
Nick: And you've contacted the police about this Freddie Paddock?
Mrs. Dempsey: Yeah. And all they did is talk to him. They didn't arrest him.
Nick: That's because there was no evidence.
Mrs. Dempsey: All they have to do is follow him around for one day and there would be plenty of evidence.
Nick: You recently lost your job, right?
Mrs. Dempsey: So?
Nick: Well, I'm sure you could really do with Malcolm's Social Security check.
Mrs. Dempsey: This is not about money. This about the fact that some drug dealer is abusing my child. How can you people just sit here and do nothing? You should put Freddie Paddock in jail.
Judge: Mrs. Dempsey, this is a civil proceeding. We are not here to rule on a criminal charge.
Mrs. Dempsey: You should arrest Freddie Paddock.
Nick: Your Honor, in the two years that my client has lived on his own, he's never been in trouble with the law. Mrs. Dempsey wants to be awarded guardianship based purely on her conjecture that he's involved with a drug dealer.
Judge: I agree with Mr. Fallin.
Mrs. Dempsey: I don't believe this. I am telling you about people who are breaking the law. You should do something.
Judge: Your son has rights and we cannot take away those rights without clear and convincing evidence.
Mrs. Dempsey: And when he ends up dead on some street corner, what are you gonna say then? What are you people gonna say then?
Judge: The petitioner's motion is denied.
Nick quickly leaves the courtroom followed closely by Malcolm.
Malcolm: Hey… hey… hey, Nick the lawyer. (Nick finally stops and turns. Malcolm holds out his cell phone.) I want you to have this so when your friends call you know who they are.
Nick: I already have a cell phone, Malcolm. I appreciate it. I think you should keep it. Thank you for thanking me and good luck with everything. (Nick turns to walk away. Malcolm continues to follow.) Malcolm, I have to go back to work now.
Malcolm: Can I come?
Nick: No.
Malcolm: I could help you with your work.
Nick: I really appreciate that but I have to go back to work now, alone. Okay? Okay.
Nick turns and walks away. Malcolm does not follow.
Scene: Carnegie Memorial Hospital
Jake: (to nurse) I called. I just want to know the condition of Frank Finari.
Mrs. Finari: (approaches with other family and friends) What are you doing here?
Jake: I'm sorry… I just had heard that…
Mrs. Finari: My husband might die because of you.
Bruce Bono: (partner of Frank Finari) Jake Straka.
Jake: Do I know you?
Bono: You have your Pittsburgh Pirates tickets in front of mine.
Jake: I do?
Bono: Don't come around any more.
Scene: Fallin & Associates, Burton's office
Nick: You wanted to see me?
Burton: Yeah. We may end up being sued over Jake's accident.
Nick: What?
Burton: Look at this. If Mrs. Finari can prove that Jake was working when he hit her husband, we are looking at damages in the high seven figures. I don't have that kinda money.
Nick: What about insurance?
Burton: Well, policy's worth a million dollars. This could bankrupt me.
Nick: You seriously think this lawsuit's gonna hold?
Burton: Nicholas, I could lose the firm. You could lose your job. Now I heard Jake was meeting some secretary at Fiberlink for a movie or… was he?
Nick: (pauses) Yeah.
Burton: Then we could argue that the accident did not occur within the scope of his employment, and...
Nick: He was delivering documents for the firm, so we would lose on that theory. Now, there's always a risk going to trial but maybe the wife would accept the million.
Burton: Ah… we need some leverage. I understand Mrs. Finari's working with the DA on Jake's criminal charge. How badly do you think she wants to get him?
Nick: What do you mean?
Burton: Well, I'm thinking we make her an offer in addition to the million.
Nick: Jake?
Burton: Nicholas, Jake has made some very damaging admissions to us.
Nick: Do you think we should testify against him in the criminal trial?
There's a knock on the door.
Burton: Come in.
Jake enters. Nick closes the file containing the information about the accident and Burton slips the file under a book on his desk.
Jake: I just wanted to say how sorry I was that I got the firm mixed up in this.
Burton: Well, everything's gonna be alright, Jake. Just get back to work and let Albert Murray handle everything.
Jake: Well, what… what is our plan? How shall we approach this?
Burton: Well actually we don't have a plan right now, Jake.
Jake: Right. Well, I just want to say, Burton, thank you…
Nick: (answers his cell phone) Yeah.
Jake: …for everything.
Nick: What? Yeah, no, I'll be right there. (Signs off phone call.) I gotta go.
Nick leaves, then Jake leaves.
Scene: Freddie Paddock's apartment
Police crime scene investigators are on site. Nick walks into the apartment and sees Freddie Paddock lying in a pool of blood. He recoils.
Detective: Hey... hey… you can't be in here.
Nick: Oh my God. Oh God...
Detective: Step outside.
Nick: Oh God. (Steps into the hallway.)
Detective: Hold on a second. Do you know this man?
Nick: No. I'm a lawyer. You're questioning my client, Malcolm Dempsey.
Malcolm is being taken out of the building by two officers.
Nick: Malcolm. This is my client. Malcolm.
Detective: Stand back.
Nick: That's my client.
Detective and a uniformed officer hold him back.
Detective: Witness heard a bang, a few minutes later saw your client come out of that apartment covered with blood and carrying a stereo.
Malcolm: I want my mom. I want my mom. (Cries as he is taken away by police.)
Scene: Fallin & Associates, conference room
Nick with two other men going over documents.
Burton: Have you heard from the SEC, Nick?
Nick: No, not yet.
A disturbance can be heard outside the conference room.
Mrs. Dempsey: Nick Fallin, I have to see him now. Nick Fallin. Where is he?
Nick: Excuse me. (Leaves the conference room.)
Burton: Who the hell is that?
Nick: (outside conference room) What are you doing here?
Mrs. Dempsey: I told you this would happen.
Nick: You told me Malcolm was in trouble, not that he was the trouble.
Mrs. Dempsey: You sound just like the police. Malcolm didn't do it.
Nick: You seem pretty sure about that.
Mrs. Dempsey: Freddie Paddock was shot. Malcolm doesn't have a gun. The police didn't even find one.
Nick: Well, maybe he ditched it.
Mrs. Dempsey: My son has been beaten up by kids his entire life. He's never raised so much as a finger to them. There is no way he killed Freddie Paddock. It isn't in him.
Nick: Is it in you?
Mrs. Dempsey: Excuse me?
Nick: Well it's just a simple question…
Mrs. Dempsey slaps Nick hard across the face. He stares back in shock.
Mrs. Dempsey: Who do you think has taken care of Malcolm his whole life? I'm the one who loves him, and for you to stand there and accuse me... and to think I would let Malcolm take the blame. Shame on you, Mr. Fallin. Shame on you.
She walks away. Nick hesitates for a moment, then returns to the conference room.
Burton: Maybe you'd better try the SEC again.
Scene: Fallin & Associates, later
Burton: Goodnight Sheila.
Sheila: Night.
Burton leaves the office.
Jake: Sheila?
Sheila: You okay, Jake?
Jake: Yeah. Ah... I just got back some comments from Fiberlink. Do you mind if I drop them off in his chair?
Sheila: Sure.
Jake goes into Burton's office and slightly closes the door. He finds the folder on the desk he had seen earlier when Nick and Burton were talking together. He sees a memo inside the folder.
Jake: (under his breath) Son of a bitch. They're gonna screw me. (He returns the folder.)
Scene: Outside restaurant
Jake is approached by a waiter from the restaurant. Jake is looking at a memorial that has been set up at the curb where the accident occurred.
Waiter: Some guy was hit there a couple nights ago.
Jake: Yeah. His name is Frank Finari. He's in ICU at Carnegie Memorial.
Waiter: You know him?
Jake: (hesitates) Yeah.
Waiter: I served him that night.
Jake: You were his waiter?
Waiter: Yeah. He sat at this table underneath this picture of an angel. It was weird.
Jake: Did he eat here much?
Waiter: I never saw him before. I can't even say he ate here that night.
Jake: What do you mean?
Waiter: He arrived about ten minutes before the woman. When she came they argued about something… very tense… and then they left without touching their food.
Jake: What did they argue about?
Waiter: Who knows? They left in a hurry. He even left his coat in the restaurant. It's still in there.
Jake retrieves the coat and walks back to his car. He goes through the coat pocket and finds a wallet and wedding band.
Scene: Carnegie Memorial Hospital
Jake: (at the nurse's station with coat) I'm dropping this off for the Finaris.
Nurse: (overhears) Frank Finari?
Jake: What?
Nurse: I'm sorry, but he passed away about an hour ago.
Jake is devastated. He walks by the room where Finari had been and finds Mrs. Finari and partner Bono in an embrace.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh
Alvin: So, we want these new adult cases organized by legal need, financial hardship…
James: …and urgency.
Alvin: Hold that thought. Mr. Fallin. I got a call from the Chestnut Street precinct saying that a lawyer of mine was representing a murder suspect and to come down for the arraignment.
Nick: That was me. Malcolm Dempsey.
Alvin: Malcolm Dempsey? Malcolm Dempsey was your responsibility in a competency hearing. Period. We do not handle criminal cases.
Nick: What did you tell them?
Alvin: I spent all morning making apologies for stepping on the Public Defender's turf. I'm handing it off to them.
Nick: Who drew the case?
Alvin: Why do you care?
Nick: Who drew the case?
Alvin: Marvin Ackerman.
James: That sucks.
Alvin: He's competent.
James: He's always looking for a plea.
Alvin: Which is generally a good thing, James.
James walks off. Nick glares at Alvin and follows James.
James: What do you think happened?
Nick: I don't know. That's the problem.
James: Best guess.
Nick: Malcolm is a sweet kid. He's gonna do anything… anything you ask him to.
James: Kill someone?
Nick: Maybe he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
James: Once the cops have a good suspect… they stop. If you have the connections, now's the time to use them.
Nick: I don't have connections.
James: We all know why you came here.
Nick: The people I knew have nothing to do with a dealer like this.
James: A dealer is a dealer. Once that kid is in the system, he's never coming out.
Nick: If I contact these people, I violate my probation.
James: Then don't do it.
Scene: Colin's apartment
Nick: Colin, it's Nick.
Colin: (opens door) Oh my God, Nick. Come on in. My God, I thought I'd never see you again. How are you?
Colin puts his arm on Nick's shoulder and Nick shrugs it off.
Nick: I'm good. I'm fine.
Colin: Cleaned up? (Nick nods.) Good for you, man. Good for you. Unless you found yourself another dealer.
Brian: (coming out of back room, straightening his tie) Hey Nick.
Nick: Hey Brian.
Brian: The electric lunch is over.
Colin: (to Brian as he leaves) Take care. (To Nick) Sense memory, huh? Come on. You want a hit of something?
Nick: No.
Colin: Taking it seriously, huh? One of my few clients who was always in control.
Nick: No, I wasn't.
Colin: I, ah, got this new thing. Sorority chicks are all over this stuff. Special K. It's unbelievable.
Nick: No, I can't.
Colin: Community service, probation… anyone else in your position would be looking at 3 to 5. It's good to be Burton Fallin's son, ain't it. If they still got you peeing in a cup I can help you out there. I got urine samples. I got probation officers that look the other way...
Nick: I'm representing someone that needs some help.
Colin: Okay.
Nick: My client's being charged with the murder of a guy by the name of Freddie Paddock.
Colin: Freddie Paddock's dead?
Nick: Yeah, you know him?
Colin: Yeah. Not really, no. He dealt half-grams, low-grade coke. Our clientele didn't exactly mesh.
Nick: You can't help me out?
Colin: I'm sorry. Hope your client doesn't spend too long inside though. (Walks towards the door and speaks to a girl sitting in a chair.) Come on, baby.
Nick: I'm asking for a favor.
Colin doesn't speak. Nick finally pulls a bill from his pocket and hands it to him.
Colin: I know a girl. She's been talking about Freddie Paddock's murder.
Nick: I want to talk to her.
Colin: She's not going to be comfortable doing that. Besides, she's a crack-whore. She's not exactly witness material.
Nick: I don't care. I want to talk to her.
Colin: Okay, stop by tomorrow around lunch and she'll be here.
Nick: Great.
Colin: Great. Hey… it was great seeing ya.
Colin loosely hugs Nick and slips a bag of coke in his coat pocket.
Scene: Fallin & Associates, Burton's office
Jake: (rushing into the office) Excuse me. Frank Finari died two hours ago.
Burton: First of all, just calm down.
Jake: The DA is going to file felony charges. If you settle, they can use it against me.
Burton: I haven't even considered a settlement, Jake.
Jake: Look, I saw something at the hospital. Frank Finari's wife and his law partner, the way they were holding each other…
Burton: What's you point?
Jake: Well, they might be having an affair.
Burton: So?
Jake: Well, I found out that Frank Finari and his wife were arguing right before he crossed out into that street. What if, what if they were arguing about the affair?
Burton: Well, then all in all I'd say he had a pretty bad night.
Jake: But if he was distracted… if he was distracted, it's his fault, not mine. Means I could beat the felony charge.
Burton: Jake, you should be telling your defense attorney this, not me.
Jake: Well, I'm looking at seven years of prison and losing my law license here.
Burton: And I'm looking at losing my firm because you drive too fast.
Scene: Fallin & Associates, conference room
Jake is finishing up and Nick is coming out of Burton's office.
Nick: Jake, I heard about Frank Finari. If there's anything that I can…?
Jake: No. (starts to leave)
Nick: Jake. Listen, my father is going to cover his ass.
Jake: I know.
Nick: He doesn't mean any offense by it. If there's anything that I can do… 'cause I've been there. Well, ah, you know, there were times last year that I didn't know what was going to happen and…
Jake: What'd you do?
Nick: I don't know… just... just day by day.
Jake: And things got better.
Nick: Well, I'm here.
Jake: My life is basically over. I... I killed a man. My life is basically over.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh
Alvin: James, a woman from the Pittsburgh Pets' Animal Shelter complained to the county about the quality of our representation.
James: She didn't want to be designated Pooper-Scooper for her work fare.
Alvin: She says you were rude.
James: You know I can see working long hours for no pay when kids' lives are at stack but not for people like her.
Alvin: We have no choice.
James: It's degrading. I don't know if I can do this.
Alvin: The adult cases will allow us to continue representing the kids. I need you on board, James. Hey, you're the best lawyer I've got.
James: Ms. Animal Shelter ain't the only one shoveling it.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh, Nick's office
Nick: (on phone) No, no. We made all the requested changes. Let's just stop… yeah, I agree. (Finds the bag of coke in his pocket and stares at it.) I agree completely. Let's just stop all this nonsense and get this thing done. No, I have to know by the end of business today. If it's not approved today I've got to fly to DC this afternoon.
Alvin knocks on the door and enters. Nick quickly puts the bag of coke back into his pocket.
Nick: (on phone) Just fax the approval over to Fallin & Associates.
Alvin: Mr. Fallin. In the future don't do your corporate work in our offices.
Nick: Okay.
Alvin: Hope that wasn't long distance.
Nick: No.
Alvin: I got a call from Malcolm Dempsey's mother. She told me you accused her of the murder.
Nick: I didn't accuse her.
Alvin: It's a criminal matter. You're not a criminal lawyer.
Nick: I'm not a legal aid lawyer, either.
Alvin: I'm telling you, Mr. Fallin, let the proper authorities handle this. Understood?
Nick: Yeah, I got it.
Alvin leaves and closes the door. Nick removes the bag of coke from his pocket and looks at it intently.
Scene: Colin's apartment
Colin: Just a sec. (Opens the door slightly.) Yeah.
Nick kicks the door open and barges in, knocking Colin back onto the couch.
Colin: What?
Nick: What the hell were you thinking?
Colin: What?
Nick: Do you have any idea what kind of trouble that could make for me? (throws the bag of coke at Colin)
Colin: Just a little gift.
Nick: Do you have any idea? I gave you money. I covered for you after I got arrested. What else do you want from me?
Colin: Be cool. Just be cool. Just a little something… something I thought you might like. Nothing more, nothing more. Damn. Nick, this is Debbie. (points to Debbie, sitting in a nearby chair)
Debbie: You always this friendly?
Colin: Debbie, tell Nick what you saw.
Debbie: A couple of nights ago I was having a… sandwich in the alley behind Freddie Paddock's apartment and I heard this bang, right, and I look up and I see this big black guy running down the stairs with a bag in his hand and what I think was a gun.
Nick: Would you tell this to the police?
Debbie: You didn't say nuthin' about going to no cops.
Colin: Debbie, an innocent man's being blamed for this. The cops know you're no killer.
Debbie: They don't like me.
Nick: They're not vice cops, they're detectives-homicide. They know what you do. They don't care.
Debbie: Well, am I getting paid?
Nick: (to Colin) Is she getting paid?
Colin: Sure, she's getting paid.
Scene: Courthouse, hallway
Jake spots Stu with two other men.
Jake: Stu. Stu. Jake Straka. We went to law school together.
Stu: (confused) Oh, of course, Jake.
Jake: Come on. We crammed for the bar exam together for six weeks.
Stu: What's up?
Jake: Well, I know you worked for Bono and Finari a couple of years ago.
Stu: Yeah?
Jake: Was Bruce Bono having an affair with Frank Finari's wife?
Stu: Not that I saw. Why?
Jake: I don't know if you know what's going on, but the DA's about to file felony charges against me unless I can prove that Frank Finari was somehow at fault.
Stu: That's really pathetic, Jake. To try and drag down a dead man's reputation, destroy his wife's life, all so you can save your own ass.
Stu turns and walks away. Jake watches in disbelief.
Scene: Fallin & Associates
Burton: Thank you. (shakes Albert Murray's hand as Jake comes through the lobby)
Murray: Alright.
Burton: Stay in touch.
Jake: Mr. Murray?
Murray: Oh, there you are.
Jake: What are you doing here?
Murray: I came by to talk to you.
Jake: Well, you were talking to my boss.
Murray: You weren't in the office. Stopped in to say hi.
Jake: You're fired.
Murray: What?
Jake: Settle up with the man who hired you. (Walks off.)
Scene: Police Department
Debbie is going through a book of mug shots while Detective and Nick watch.
Detective: (to Nick) Is this woman an acquaintance?
Debbie: (pointing) It was this man.
Detective: You sure?
Debbie: I got a good look.
Detective: Were you with a john?
Debbie: No, he had just left. And my appointment with you wasn't for another hour. (Licks her lips and looks suggestively at the Detective.)
Detective: You're so not my type, sweetheart.
Debbie: It was this man, I'm sure.
Detective: Well, maybe this Olandis Williams fella is your dealer and he cut off your credit, and this is your way of getting a little payback.
Nick: This guy's a dealer? If she has information, what's the harm in checking it out?
Detective: You smoking any crack that night, sweetie?
Nick: You say this Olandis Williams deals. Well, I have information that Freddie Paddock was a dealer. Maybe there's a connection.
Detective: Okay. Well, thank you for coming. Now listen, I got a lot of friends in Vice. I hope you're not jerking my chain.
Scene: Fallin & Associates
Jake: (to associate) Okay, this is all good. So just put the copy on my desk and file it…
Stu enters.
Jake: What are you doing here?
Stu: Bruce Bono, Frank Finari, two of the biggest jerk-holes I ever met in my entire life.
Jake: Okay, so what… earlier today you…
Stu: I couldn't say what I knew. I was walking with two guys who still work for Bono & Finari.
Jake: Come on in the conference room. (walking toward the conference room) So what do you know?
Stu: Two lawyers were indicted today on insurance fraud. You know, bilking insurance companies on bogus claims.
Jake: So?
Stu: If Frank Finari had lived, he would have been the third lawyer indicted.
Jake: And Bruce Bono?
Stu: I heard he had a deal. He was going to be one of the chief witnesses against his former partners.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh
Sally Russell comes into the office waving a sheet of paper.
Sally: Mr. Mooney. I got a letter from my doctor stating that I got allergy problems.
James: You're saying your job is making it worse?
Sally: I'm saying I got allergy problems.
James: No, you're saying you have a problem going to work.
Sally: Hey, you got no right to judge me. That's your boss. (To Alvin) Hey, I want some competent legal representation.
Alvin: Is there a problem?
Sally: Yeah. I found that the Occupational Safety and Health Act applies to work fare. Now with all the animal fur and poop, my eyes do not stop watering when I'm at work.
James: Do you realize if you spent half as much time looking for a new job as you did trying to get rid of your current one, you'd be flipping hamburgers already?
Sally: Yeah, I'll be flippin' something.
Alvin: I think she's right. Go to her caseworker, explain her situation.
James: You want me to threaten with a lawsuit?
Alvin: The last thing these people want is to have to go to court. They'll find her another job.
James: Let's go talk to your caseworker.
Sally: Thank you, Mr. Masterson. I knew when I first saw you, you wouldn't let me down.
Scene: Fallin & Associates, conference room
Jake: Yes, Mrs. Urlitz. This is Bruce Bono, Bono-Finari. I'm the executor of Frank Finari's estate. I know he's insured through your company. I can't seem to find the policy. Ah, yes. March 16th, 1949. Now the covered amounts are…? Who are the beneficiaries? Thank you, Mrs. Urlitz. We'll be in touch.
Burton: (enters) Murray just called. The DA's filing a vehicular homicide case against you.
Jake: When?
Burton: Sometime this morning.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh, Nick's office
James: What did you find out?
Nick: Got a lead.
James: That's good…
Nick: Maybe.
James: How's your dealer? (Nick glares at him.) You're doing the right thing.
Nick's cell phone rings.
Nick: (to phone) Yeah. Okay. (to James) Gotta go.
James: What?
Nick: They just arrested someone else.
Scene: Police Department
Nick: What happened?
Detective: Well, we ended up arresting Mr. Williams. When we pulled him over for questioning, we found a gun the same caliber that killed Freddie Paddock under his seat and he also had drugs in the trunk. So…
Nick: Great. What now?
Scene: Police Department, prisoner holding tank
Nick: (enters and sits, looks around to officer looking into room) We're okay. (Officer leaves. To Malcolm) You're outta here.
Malcolm: I am?
Nick: Yeah. The police arrested some guy they think is responsible for Freddie Paddock's death. They dropped all the charges.
Malcolm: Thank you.
Nick: Yeah. I really didn't do anything. Did you ever hear Freddie mention a guy named Olandis Williams?
Malcolm: Ah, no.
Nick: Okay. Why were you inside Freddie's apartment after he died?
Malcolm: Because I heard a big noise and I thought it was fire crackers and I just wanted to see.
Nick: You got your stereo back.
Malcolm: Yeah, it was mine and Freddie said I could have it back for going to the bus station in the morning.
Nick: You went to the bus station with Freddie?
Malcolm: Yeah, to pick something up… to carry it home for Freddie. Ah, it wasn't nothin' bad. It was just some cereal.
Nick: Cereal? Was it called Special K?
Malcolm: Yeah. That's it. Yeah. Special K.
Scene: Fallin & Associates, main lobby
Mrs. Finari: (to receptionist) Someone called me, said they had my husband's wedding ring?
Jake: Right here. (Holds out the ring but won't let her take it.)
Mrs. Finari: What the hell are you doing?
Jake: We have to talk.
Mrs. Finari: You'll be hearing from my lawyer. (Turns to leave.)
Jake: Mrs. Finari?
Mrs. Finari: I have an appointment. (Jake grabs her.) What are you doing?
Jake: I know that your husband had a two million dollar life insurance policy with the proceeds going to your kids, in trust.
Mrs. Finari: So?
Jake: So, he wanted to commit suicide but in a way that wouldn't blow his policy coverage for his kids.
Mrs. Finari: Get out of my way.
Jake: Did he take this off because he found out about your affair with Bruce Bono? That's what you were arguing about at the restaurant, right? You were screwing the guy who was putting your husband in prison. I remember, he stepped backwards… staring at you. He wanted you to see him die, didn't he? Your insurance company will not pay off a suicide. I will give them everything I've got, I swear to God I will.
Mrs. Finari: What do you want from me?
Jake: A statement to the police saying it was your husband who was reckless, not me. That should be enough to stop the felony charge.
Mrs. Finari: You scum.
Jake: You know, like your husband, I'm looking at jail time and losing my law license. Unlike him, I'm not ready to step off a curb and die.
Scene: Police Department
Malcolm and Nick approach Mrs. Dempsey.
Mrs. Dempsey: Malcolm? What's going on?
Nick: He's being released.
Mrs. Dempsey: Oh God.
Malcolm: Ask her.
Nick: Mrs. Dempsey, Malcolm wants to come home and live with you.
Mrs. Dempsey: Is that true Malcolm?
Malcolm nods affirmative.
Nick: So I can arrange another guardianship hearing or…
Mrs. Dempsey: No, Malcolm can make his own decisions. I don't need the court to tell him what to do.
Malcolm hugs Mrs. Dempsey.
Nick: Excuse me. (Walks over to Detective.)
Detective: Ballistics just came back. The gun that we found in Olandis Williams' car is the one that killed Freddie Paddock.
Nick: Did you find any drugs in Freddie Paddock's apartment?
Detective: Nope.
Nick: Did Olandis Williams confess?
Detective: Mr. Williams is claiming that he was framed.
Nick: Well, he might be telling the truth.
Detective: Do you know something I don't?
Nick: No, it's just a feeling.
Detective: Call me if it gets to be more than that.
Scene: Fallin & Associates
Jake: (outside Burton's office) I need to talk to him.
Sheila: He's busy right now. (Jake barges into Burton's office.) Jake…
Jake: (placing document on desk) Samantha Finari changed her statement to the police. I just got a deal. No felony. Just driving school.
Burton: Congratulations.
Jake: (placing another document on desk) A signed release absolving the firm of all civil liability for the death of Frank Finari. He wanted to die without voiding his life insurance.
Burton: Well, not that it changes anything but were you obligated technically to inform the insurance company?
Jake: They're not our clients. We're under no obligation.
Burton: That's good work. Good work, Jake.
Jake: I know I put the firm in a bad position.
Burton: Yeah.
Jake: And I want you to know that it won't happen again.
Burton: That's good to know.
Jake: All I ever wanted to do was be a partner in a firm like this. Work for a lawyer of your caliber.
Burton: Well, I see you're well on your way, Jake.
Jake: And, ah, next time you tell me to messenger a document, I'm going to messenger the document.
Burton: Good.
Jake leaves Burton's office and encounters Nick.
Nick: Hey.
Jake: Hey.
Nick: How are things going?
Jake: Well, the police dropped the charges and the Finaris aren't suing.
Nick: That's great.
Jake: Yeah.
Nick: You know…
Jake: What?
Nick: I'm really glad things worked out.
Jake: Yeah.
Nick: (walking away) Well, back to work then, huh?
Jake: Yeah, back to work.
Scene: Colin's apartment, after dark
Nick knocks on door.
Colin: Yeah?
Nick: It's Nick.
Colin: (carefully opening door) Hey, ya, Nick. I'd invite you in but I'm doing some business.
Nick: You dealing the Special K you stole from Freddie Paddock?
Colin: What are you talking about?
Nick: Did you kill Freddie Paddock?
Colin: Nick, man, you know me. Am I a violent guy?
Nick: As soon as you heard the police were going to question Olandis Williams, you planted the murder weapon in his car.
Colin: I helped you. That kid was locked into life in prison.
Nick: You used me.
Colin: Did you get what you want, Nick? That's all I'm asking. Did you get what you want? So, what's the harm? Your client walked and the world's free of two punk-ass dealers who sold bad crap and didn't know how to throw a decent party.
Nick: If you don't stop dealing, I'm going to talk to the police.
Colin: What?
Nick: It's your choice.
Colin: You gonna to turn me in? Let me ask you something. If I were prone to violence, how do you think I would react to something like that? Be smart, stay healthy.
Colin shuts the door in Nick's face.
END OF EPISODE
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