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TRANSCRIPT:
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Scene: 12 step meeting
A member is standing, speaking. Phil is standing at the podium.
Member: I'm in my car, you know, and the adrenalin starts to
pump and I'm on autopilot, ready to turn into the parking lot where I
know I can score. Only difference is these days I don't take that final
turn. I pick up my phone and call my sponsor Tom and we meet for
coffee. Or I come here and tell you. It's being in it with you guys, it's
not being alone, that's what gets me through it.
Phil: Thank you. We're going to hear from someone who hasn't
stood before us yet, so remember how you felt the first time you addressed
the group and give him attention and support. Nick.
Nick stands up, looking intensely uncomfortable.
Nick: Hi, I'm Nick.
Group: Hi Nick.
Nick: (barely audible) I have to be here.
In the hallway, Alvin approaches two men engaged in conversation
(one well dressed, the other not) standing in the corridor.
Alvin: Excuse me, is this Phil's meeting, the 12:30? (The
well dressed man waves him on) Thanks. (Alvin enters the room while
Nick is still speaking and looks around hurriedly sits down)
Nick: ... I got busted with 10 grams of cocaine in my apartment.
It was a party. So, ah, I have to be here and Phil just thought it was
time that I, uh, stood up and talked about it. So, a couple of months
ago, I scored a couple of grams, sorta binged. But I haven't since and
won't again, and… and… Thanks, thanks Phil.
Nick quickly exits without seeing Alvin.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh
Mrs. Straka: (to woman) I need to speak to Barbara.
Barbara: (on the phone) Legal Services of Pittsburgh.
He's out of the office, can I transfer you to his voicemail? Alright.
(turning to Mrs. Maureen Straka) May I help you?
Mrs. Straka: I called yesterday, I believe we spoke. You're
Barbara?
Barbara: Yeah.
Mrs. Straka: My husband has this supply and repair company
and he took out a loan…
Barbara: Your husband owns his own business?
Mrs. Straka: Yeah.
Barbara: I'm sorry we only take cases for people who can't pay
for legal representation.
Mrs. Straka: Oh, well, I would gladly pay for what I
can.
Barbara: No, you don't understand, we don't take payment.
Mrs. Straka: Sorry to have troubled you.
Barbara: No trouble.
Mrs. Straka sits down and starts to cry. Barbara sees her and
hands her a tissue.
Mrs. Straka: Oh Thanks. I'm going to lose my house. The only
thing I have is that house.
Barbara: Uh, Mrs., uh …
Mrs. Straka: Straka. Maureen Straka.
Barbara: Is, is your son's name Jake?
Mrs. Straka: You know him?
Barbara: Mrs. Straka, why don't…
Nick enters, talking on his cellphone.
Nick: Tell those bastards to hurry 'cause it's worth a quarter
million. Okay?
Barbara: Those, those kids are waiting for you.
In the Conference Room, there are two boys, the younger of which
has a deck of cards in his hands.
Matthew: (to his older brother, Justin) Pick your card. (Nick enters.) Are you Mr. Fallin?
Nick: Yes.
Matthew: My name's Matthew Damira. (shakes Nick's
hand) This is my brother Justin.
Nick: Hi Justin.
Matthew: Shake his hand, Justin. (Justin shakes Nick's
hand) Louisa Archer is my attorney.
Nick: Ok, well you should probably be speaking to her.
Matthew: Just give me a minute. My mother has some problems. We
haven't been living with her for some time now. We've been living with
the family of our former social worker. A woman named Suzan Diamond.
Nick: Okay.
Matthew: She and her husband - he's a radiologist - they said they
wanted to adopt us both. So social services went to see my mom and had
her sign this. (pulls a form from his pocket and hand it to
Nick)
Nick: Adoption consent form.
Matthew: Right. It's for both of us.
Nick: Yeah.
Matthew: But our foster parents, the Diamonds, they decided
after my mom sign the form They decided they didn't want to adopt Justin
anymore. They just wanted to adopt me. And Louisa Archer is agreeing
with them.
Nick: Well, uh… What do you want to do, Justin?
Justin: Uhn - I, I can't, I can't...
Matthew: Justin fell down the stairs 3 years ago. He's got
brain damage which caused his dysarthria.
Nick: His - his what?
Matthew: It's a medical condition, caused by frontal lobe
damage. It affects his speech. Anyways. He needs me to help take care of
him. That's why we're here. The adoption proceeding is tomorrow and we
need your help.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh
Alvin enters from the elevator and passes Nick who is headed to
see Lulu.
Alvin: Good morning.
Nick: Good morning.
Nick walks past Alvin, who continues to watch him for a moment, and
knocks on the open door of the broom closet.
Nick: Matthew and Justin Damira just came to see me.
Lulu: To see you?
Nick: Yes. Just… They just left.
Lulu: I was assigned their case last week. Why would they come
to see you?
Nick: (shrugs) I don't know, maybe they don't like you. What's going on
with them?
Lulu: They've been in and out of the system for several
years.
Nick: Matthew seems pretty smart.
Lulu: Smart? He has a 147 IQ. And you know what? You really
should have sent Matthew in here.
Nick: Well they don't want to be separated.
Lulu: I know that, but Matthew's potential adoptive parents
have secured a place for him at the Garbrecht school in Chicago. It is
the preeminent school for gifted children in the nation. It's, it's it.
It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for him.
Nick: Matthew said something about his former social services
worker adopting him.
Lulu: Hmm-hmm. Suzanne Diamond. She worked with him for
almost six years.
Nick: Social Services doesn't see that as a conflict?
Lulu: No, no they're recommending that Matthew go with the
Diamonds and that Justin be placed in a group shelter.
Alvin: (knocks on the door) Hey. Louisa, congratulations.
I just heard the good news.
Lulu: Oh, thanks. Thanks, Alvin.
Alvin: (to Nick) Did you hear?
Nick: Hear- hear what?
Lulu: I'm getting married.
Nick looks back and forth, then leaves with Alvin watching him
go.
Scene: F&A reception area
Jake: Mom?
Mrs. Straka: Hey Jakey.
Jake: Hi.
Mrs. Straka: Hi.
Jake: Barbara.
Barbara: Hey.
Jake: What's - what's going on? Mom?
Barbara: Your mother came over to Legal Services looking for a
lawyer.
Mrs. Straka: I just didn't want to to bother you.
Barbara: I'm just gonna sit over here.
Jake: So are you and dad getting a divorce?
Mrs. Straka: What, no, are you kidding? Where would I go at my
age?
Jake: What's going on?
Mrs. Straka: Well, I was going through some paperwork, and I
came across this letter from this guy that loaned your father some money.
And it looks to me like they're threatening to take our house. I could
go find a lawyer that does this kind of work.
Jake: Ma, I do this kind of work.
Mrs. Straka: I know but, you know someone not so busy or
expensive.
Jake: Ma, please. Is he gambling again?
Mrs. Straka: He never stopped.
Jake: Ok, I'm gonna talk to him.
Mrs. Straka: No! No. No. Jakey you can't let him know I did
this. He's a very private man. He would be so embarrassed if he knew that
you and your friend knew about this
Jake: I will take care of it, okay mom?
Mrs. Straka: I don't want to lose our house.
Jake: Ma… you won't.
Mrs. Straka: You promise?
Jake: (to Barbara who is sitting on a couch reading a
magazine) Barbara, thanks. (to Mrs Straka) Just come on into my
office, okay?
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh
Nick shows Ms. Diamond into the conference room.
Nick: (easy going) Thanks for coming by. Just please take
a seat Mrs Diamond. Oh I'm sorry. (shifts some papers on the table) So when did you leave social services?
Mrs. Diamond: When my husband accepted a job at the
university of Chicago.
Nick: Oh that's good, That's good. Ahem. So can you explain to
me how you ended up adopting a child from a family who you once
represented?
Mrs. Diamond: Matthew and I bonded over the years. His
mother, Martha, is slightly challenged.
Nick: Retarded.
Mrs. Diamond: Yes. And when I first met him, he was starving
for stimulation. This was before Justin's injury.
Nick: Did you bond with Justin as well?
Mrs. Diamond: Oh, of course. But in a different way. Before
his injury, Justin was a tough kid. Very physical. Athletic.
Nick: Um, why aren't you adopting Justin as well?
Mrs. Diamond: It didn't work out with our daugter Hannah.
Justin's a sweet kid, but he has a hard time editing himself… controlling
himself. He follows Hannah around, stares at her. Walks in on her in
the bathroom. She's very uncomfortable with him.
Nick: Thank you Mrs. Diamond.
Nick walks Mrs. Diamond to the elevator, then spots Lulu coming
out of the broom closet, Nick rushes over.
Nick: She's cherry picking the smart kid.
Lulu: It's a little more complicated than that. (pours herself a cup of coffee)
Nick: You're right, she's cherry picking the smart kid and
dumping the brain damaged brother.
Lulu: She's also offering Matthew a once in a lifetime
situation.
Nick: Where's your ring?
Lulu: Um… it's kinda big, so, you know, I don't usually--
Nick: Where are you getting married?
Lulu: Uh, Brian's parents' country club.
Nick: Oh, really? That's nice.
Lulu: Really? You're not really interested in this?
Nick: No, I am.
Lulu: No you're not.
Nick: So the brothers want to stay together.
Lulu: Nick this whole thing. It's a simple best interest
case.
Nick: For who? The Diamonds?
Lulu: No, for Matthew and Justin.
Nick: I'm gonna to support Matthew's wishes.
Lulu: Why?
Nick: Why? It isn't fair. (walks off)
Scene: the Straka machine shop
Jake: Hey.
Mrs. Straka: Hey, look who's here.
Jake: Hi. (loud smooch) How are you?
Mr. Straka: What are you doing here? It's the middle of the
work day.
Jake: Hi dad.
Mr. Straka: You didn't get fired, did you?
Jake: Um, ma, would you excuse us for a second?
Mr Straka: What is it?
Jake hands his father the letter Mrs. Straka showed Jake
earlier.
Jake: Ma was so worried she went looking for a lawyer.
Mr. Straka: This is my personal business.
Jake: You want to tell me what's going on?
Mr. Straka: Just a few collection problems.
Jake: So, someone's not paying you?
Mr. Straka: It's a misunderstanding with a guy, that's all...
Jake: So just give me the details.
Mr. Straka: Come'on this isn't a big deal.
Jake: Dad, look, people who lend money to people with bad
credit are not exactly reasonable.
Mr. Straka: I've got it under control.
Jake: So you've got the money to pay these guys.
Mr. Straka: Well, not yet.
Jake: When are you going to get it?
Mr. Straka: You sound like your mother.
Jake: Dad, I'm serious! They can walk in here and take your
damn house.
Mr. Straka: Then let them have the house.
Jake: Okay, so you might not mind living in a crappy
apartment, but I think mom--
Mr. Straka: This is not your place--
Jake: You're still going to the track!
Mr. Straka: (shouting) What the hell, Jake? What the
hell? Don't you forget who put you through school.
Jake: Oh come on, dad.
Mr. Straka: Don't you forget who worked a second job. I haven't
made a bet in over three years.
Jake: Ok dad, can you at least tell me what happened.
Mr. Straka: Home warehouse moved in a few miles away. (picks up a tool chest) To keep up I had to drop prices and offer
flexible credit. I got more flexible with my customers than my suppliers got with me.
Jake: So, I'm going to talk to the guys who lent you the
money. If you don't mind.
Mr. Straka: (standing by his van) Knock yourself out.
Scene: F&A Conference room.
Nick rushes in.
Burton: Hey.
Nick: Sorry.
Burton: Well we finalized the terms of the merger. Tri-Ben is
gonna buy out the Epsular stock for $12 a share.
Jake: So what do we do now?
Burton: Well, draft the agreement. We should announce this uh
within 48 hours.
Jake: Okay, I'm on it.
Burton: Well Nicholas you should get started on the merger
proxy, and make it clear to the stockholders that this is the best deal out
there. Okay?
Jake: $12 a share. Last I heard it was trading at 4.
Burton: Well the S.E.C. is really all over this one. They've
called me 3 times. Until we've made the terms public, we shouldn't even
talk about this to each other.
Scene: Santa Claus factory
Mrs. Demira is hand-painting Santa Clause figurines.
Nick: Mrs. Damira?
Mrs. Damira: Um, yes?
Nick: Hi, my name is Nick Fallin. I represent your son Justin
Mrs. Damira: Yes?
Nick: Did you know that Justina and Matthew were being
separated?
Mrs. Damira: Why?
Nick: You signed a form, a consent to adopt form, a month ago?
Mrs. Damira: I guess.
Nick: Do you remember? (showing Mrs. Damira the form)
Mrs. Damira: Yes. Uhm. Yes.
Nick: Uhm. Why did you sign it?
Mrs. Damira: Because uhm, Mrs. Montgomery said that she found
a real good home for Justin and Matthew.
Nick: When you went to court, did the judge explain to you what
would happen if you signed this form?
Mrs. Damira: Yeah. She said my rights would be over.
Nick: Terminated.
Mrs. Damira: Yeah.
Nick: Did you have a lawyer with you in court?
Mrs. Damira: Yeah.
Nick: Okay. So you know that Matthew and Justin are not being
kept together?
Mrs. Damira: No way I'd sign a thing. No way. My boys need to
be together. They can't be apart, they need each other. They can't be
apart.
Nick: If you want to fight this, then you have to call your
lawyer. You have to call your lawyer.
Mrs. Damira: Oh no. I don't tlike to go to court. I don't, I
don't like that.
Nick: It's okay -- okay. That's nice.
Mrs. Damira: It's Santa. (shows Nick the figurine she
has been painting)
Nick: Yeah. It's nice, very nice. Okay.
Scene: Loan office
Jake: Mr. Fritas? (the man points, Jake walks over and
addresses a man seated behind his desk) I'm from Fallin and Associates.
I represent Ed Straka. He asked me to look into this matter.
Mr. Fritas: Yeah, well Mr. Straka signed a loan agreement and
consented to the terms. He owes us 62,000.
Jake: And the original loan was for 45,000?
Mr. Fritas: Interest compounds, does it not?
Jake: At 23%?
Mr. Fritas: (chuckles) We expect our payment.
Jake: Alright. Well we need 3 weeks to secure additional
financing, so we'd like to execute--
Mr. Fritas: No. I want my money.
Jake: The way I see it Mr. Fritas, your loan documents violate
about a dozen truth in lending regulations.
Mr. Fritas: No they don't. Look, I've been in this business
for 15 years. I started out as a lawyer representing consumer finance
companies. People come to me when the big banks won't risk a dime on
them. I take that risk.
Jake: You take advantage.
Mr. Fritas: You think I'm scum? Nah. The truth, I'm just
providing credit to people who can't get it anywhere else.
Scene: Courtroom
Judge Damsen: I've weighed the testimony of social services,
Miss Archer and the Diamonds. Matthew the Diamonds appear to be an
excellent home for you.
Nick: Your honor, the brothers want to be kept together.
Lulu: Your honor, Mr. Fallin is representing Justin Damira who
has no standing---
Nick: He's Matthew Damira's brother.
Lulu: Legally they aren't brothers anymore. Their sibling
relationship ended when their mother terminated her parental rights.
Judge Damsen: Mr. Fallin, you have no standing here.
Matthew, I've read the reports. I know you don't want to be separated from
your brother, but I believe the facts support Miss Archer and social
services' recommendation. It is hereby ordered that Matthew Damira be
adopted by Doctor and Mrs. Diamond. (gavels)
Scene: Courthouse hallway
Justin: What did that mean.
Nick: Well, at this stage it means that the Diamonds will
take Matthew to Chicago.
The Diamonds and Matthew exit the courtroom and Justin and Matthew
hug. They start to walk away and then run.
Suzanne: Matthew!
Lulu: I'll go. I'll go.
Nick: No, I'll do it.
Nick jogs after the boys and finds them in a room, hiding under a
table.
Nick: Justin. It doesn't work this way. What are you boys gonna
do? You gonna live in a park?
Matthew: We can get another lawyer and apply for new foster
parents.
Justin: Damn you! (strikes out at Nick with his
fist)
Nick: (grabs Justin's hand) Okay. You listen to me. I'm
gonna step outside. I'm gonna get a bailiff in here to take you out.
Okay? I'm sorry. (stands up) I'll follow you in my car to the group
shelter. Make sure you're okay.
Scene: Machine shop
Mr. Straka is watching TV and eating a take-away.
Mr. Straka: So?
Jake: So, they're gonna take the house. And legally it'll
hold up.
Mr. Straka: I could've gotten a $50 an hour lawyer to tell me
that.
Jake: Well I'm telling you. And the way I see it is you've
got two sets of problems. You've got corporate and you've got personal
debt. Do any - any of you're customers owe you any money?
Mr. Straka: Sure all of them.
Jake: How much?
Mr. Straka: Damianos owes me about 10 grand. Smithson about 15
grand.
Jake: How long are they over due?
Mr. Straka: Months.
Jake: Okay. Well, you've gotta get that money.
Mr. Straka: I can't they're old friends.
Jake: Tell that to mom, when they're taking away her
house.
Mr. Straka: You don't understand the first thing about how we do
business. It's a small group of guys. I push too hard they start to
complain. They start to complain, they don't come back.
Jake: Dad. Dad, if they don't pay you, you close up shop. If
they're such bad customers, what the hell--
Mr. Straka: They're broke Jake. We're all broke, cept Milt
Dallesandro. He actually went in with those home warehouse guys.
Jake: Dad, look. The way I see it, you need to sue those 2
guys for the money.
Mr. Straka: (chuckles) Jake, you don't get it. There's
nothing to sue them for. It'd be like suing me.
Scene: Outside group shelter
Justin is in the car, struggling with one of the social workers.
Justin: Uhn. Ahn. Let me go.
Nick: (gets out of his car) I'm Justin's lawyer. Leave him alone. Could you give us
a moment? (To Justin.) Don't you hit me. Okay? I'm going to fight this,
Justin, okay? What I need you to do now, is I need you to go inside and
behave the best you--
Justin: I don't wanna live in this place!
Nick: I understand, just give me a couple of days. I heard
about what you where like before the accident. You were tough smart, you
still are. I'm gonna go back into court and I'm gonna fight your
brother's adoption. Okay?
Justin: Uhn! RRR!
Nick: There's still a way you two can be together.
Justin: Ahn!
Nick: Okay?
Justin finally settles down and Nick gets out of the car.
Nick: (to social worker) I think he's fine.
Scene: Burton's office
Jake: My dad grew-up in Ambridge. Went to Vo-tech, learned to
become a plumber. When I was a kid, he opened a supply and repair shop
in Aliquippa on the main drag. And he did okay. I mean he kept us in
groceries and helped get me through Pitt.
Burton: Yeah? (continues to flip through law books,
with his back turned to Jake)
Jake: Well, he's been doing business his way for the past 35
years and ah, it's just not the way it works anymore. I think he can
change. I mean, look, he has to -- to change. But, uh… he ah, well, ah,
he's just a bit in over head right now.
Burton: (chooses a law book and moves to his desk. He
continues to flip through the pages) Yeah. (looks up, then down
again) I don't understand.
Jake: I need an advance on my salary.
Burton: What kind of advance?
Jake: $50,000.
Burton: Oh. Jake, I've always maintained a policey not to
advance or loan to my employees.
Jake: Well, I'm good for it.
Burton: I'm sure you are, but if something goes wrong, it
gets, uh… (chuckles) a little complicated.
Jake: You don't pay me a cent for the next 4 months.
Burton: Well the problem is Jake if I do that for you, then,
uh, you now, they'll expect the same and---
Jake: Burton, it's my dad's business.
Burton: Well, why don't you just go to the P. A. Savings and
Loan?
Jake: (gets up to leave) Yeah, I already did. They can
only give me $15,000, so...
Burton: Jake, look I'm sorry, I'm not in the loan business,
they are, I'm not, sorry.
Scene: Straka machine shop
Jake: Mom, what happened?
Mrs. Straka: That man, Fritas, came by with this. He said we
have 30 days to move out of our house.
Mr. Straka: I'm gonna get a drink.
Mrs. Straka: I can't stand that man. (sobs)
Jake: Ma…
Mrs. Straka: What am I gonna do, Jakey. Where am I gonna go?
We have nothing left. No savings, nothing. Your father goes to the
track almost every day. He doesn't care.
Jake: Ma, ma, I'm gonna take care of you. Okay?
Mrs. Straka: You're not supposed to do that.
Jake: I will, ma. It's gonna be okay.
Mrs. Straka: I just want to keep my house. I just want to
keep my house.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh
Alvin: Ah Lulu, Could you step in here a minute, please. Nick
has approached me about representing Matthew and Justin Damira's wishes.
Lulu: How?
Alvin: He wants to file a motion to vacate the Diamond adoption.
Lulu: So you're taking me off the case?
Alvin: No, you'll continue as Matthew's guardian and maintain
your position for best interests. Nick just wants to represent their
wishes.
Lulu: Nick's trying to make an end run to get this back in
court. They made best efforts to keep those kids together.
Nick: They gave Matthew to the first person in line and they're
letting Justin fend for himself.
Lulu: No, Alvin…
Alvin: It's only fair Lulu, if Matthew were 12, he'd be able to
stop this adoption himself.
Nick: Thank you.
Nick leaves Alvin's office and Lulu follows.
Lulu: Why are you doing this?
Nick: Because it isn't fair.
Lulu: It feels like ever since Brian came to town---
Nick: It's not personal Lulu.
Lulu: The other night at The Incline, you were very angy.
Nick: You were the one who stormed out of the restaurant.
Lulu: Well you were being very offensive.
Nick: Was I?
Lulu: You were, you know you were talking about me following
Brian around and screwing up my life. Why do you have a problem with
what I do with my life?
Nick: 'Cause he wants you to be a housewife.
Nick steps on the elevator and the doors close.
Scene: Straka shop
Jake: Mom…
Mrs. Straka: I made the call to that guy. The broker.
Jake: Yeah.
Mrs. Straka: And he said to send the money. So I went to the
mailbox place and I wired it. $15,000. I no sooner got home when he
called. He wanted to know if he should buy the stock. And then he did and
the money was gone. It was kind of exciting. You know? All that money.
And then, I-I turned on your father's TV, to that station where they
have the stock thingies. You know? And I looked for the Epsular symbol.
It was like magic. It was like magic, Jakey. $45,000. We made $45,000 today! I can't wait to tell you're father. I can't wait.
Scene: 12 step meeting
Phil: Hey man. You wanted to speak with me?
Nick: No thanks.
Phil: Nick… I take my addiction seriously. I mean I realize it
in myself and I deal with my addiction every waking moment of my life.
Nick: No Phil, you don't have to tell me about yourself.
Phil: What about you Nick?
Nick: What?
Phil: Do you think you have a problem, or do you think you just
got caught?
Nick: Well, I've been coming to these meetings 3 times a week
for the last 8 months. I haven't missed one.
Phil: That's the easy part.
Nick: I do my work. I meet with my probation officer---
Phil: You didn't answer my question. Do you think you have a
problem?
Nick: I have a problem with getting caught Phil.
Phil: You stood before us and admitted to using again.
Nick: Yeah.
Phil: Think about that. Think about how lucky you are. I mean,
what if a random drug test had come up? Or what if something real bad
had happened?
Nick: Yeah.
Phil: Hey, Alvin. You know Alvin, don't you Nick?
Alvin: Hey, Nick.
Nick: Oh, yeah.
Phil: Alvin's offered to be your new sponsor Nick.
Alvin: Only, if you want me to be.
Nick laughs derisively, then walks away.
Scene: The Incline
Barbara and Jake are sitting at a table - Jake is drinking a martini.
Barbara: (laughing) You should have seen his face. Russell
was just terrified. (both laugh) What's wrong?
Jake: Nothing.
Barbara: I get it, it's it's, we had a great time at the
concert, but if you don't want to do this.
Jake: Wait. Wait. Wait. No. This is, this is not about you.
Barbara: Are you sure?
Jake: I promise.
Barbara: You want to talk about it?
Jake: It's just this stuff with my mom and dad.
Barbara: Anything I can do to help?
Jake: No, I mean, (pauses) I mean I took care of it so…
Barbara: (smiling) You loaned them the money.
Jake: Yeah, in a way, I mean… they can keep the house now.
Barbara: You're a great son Jake. That's just the greatest
thing to be able to help. To be so successful…
Jake: You know, Barbara, um. I'm, I'm really kind of bad
company tonight. Can we…? Can we do this another time?
Barbara: Oh, okay. Well. Yeah. Okay.
Jake: Okay. (finishes the martini) Great, I mean I'll call
you okay?
Barbara: Yeah.
Jake: Alright? Thanks. (stands up and throws down some
money)
Barbara: No problem.
Scene: Burton's office
Door knock.
Burton: Come in.
Jake: Burton, you wanted to see me?
Burton: Sit down, Jake. You told your mother about
Epsular?
Jake: What, what happened?
Burton: The S.E.C. called this morning.
Jake: Oh my God. Burton, look let me just tell you what
happened.
Burton: (looking away thoughtfully) I'm assuming she
got the information indirectly.
Jake: No, Burton. I was--
Burton: Jake, don't disabuse me of my notion. Your mother got
the information because she overheard you on the phone. (pause)
Well, that's all, Jake.
Scene: Courtroom
Mrs. Damira: Janet Montgomery promised me.
Nick: What did she promise you?
Mrs. Damira: That my boys would be kept together.
Nick: Did she tell you who was planning to adopt your boys?
Mrs. Damira: No.
Nick: Would you have terminated your rights had known it was
Suzanne Diamond.
Mrs. Damira: No.
Nick: Why not?
Mrs. Damira: Miss Diamond was never real nice to me.
Lulu: Please describe to the court how Justin's brain damage occurred.
Mrs. Damira: My boyfriend was punching Matthew. Um. Justin
got in the middle of it and Ron pushed him. They were by the stairs.
Lulu: Mrs. Damira, is this your signature?
Mrs. Damira: Um. Yes.
Lulu: Paragraph 4 of this form reads, "I understand, I may not
revoke this consent once the court enters a termination or document
decree." Mrs Damira, is there anything you don't understand about these
words?
Mrs. Damira: It says, I'm, it says I can't get my kids back.
Lulu: No further questions.
Nick: Martha, do you understand what the word decree means?
Mrs. Damira: No.
Nick: Do you undertand what the word revoke means?
Mrs. Damira: Revoke.
Nick: Did you even read this before you signed it?
Mrs. Damira: No.
Scene: F&A conference room
Rob: We may file criminal charges.
Burton: Rob, I'm certain Maureen Straka was unaware there was
a pending merger.
Rob: I'm talking about her son Jake.
Burton: It was a mistake, Rob. Just an innocent mistake. She
heard her son talking on the phone, there's no intent there. This is a
63 year old house-wife. You're talking like she's part of some insider
trading ring.
Rob: Can you prove it was inadvertent?
Burton: Can you prove it wasn't? Look, let me… let me see if
I can get the money back.
Rob: If I go for this I need your word that Jake Straka will
never work on another merger transaction.
Burton: Rob. That's--that's what we do here. You're
basically making him useless to me.
Rob: This could be a lot worse for you than benching an
associate, Burton. A lot worse.
Scene: F&A corridor
Burton: Jake… The SEC is expecting a check for a little bit more
that 50, 000 by 5:00pm today. I recommend that you and your mother
deliver it and kiss their ass for their kindness.
Jake: Burton look, I…
Burton: That's all Jake.
Scene: Courtroom
Lulu: Social Services and the Diamonds live up to their
promises. For 6 months the Diamonds attempted to incorporate both boys into
their family, but, unfortunately, it didn't work. Now what this case
really boils down to is a very simple legal issue. Can a parent revoke a
valid adoption decree simply because she's changed her mind, or because
she doesn't like the prospective adoptive parents. It's not the way
things are done you're honor, let the adoption stand.
Nick: Mrs. Damira's consent was not knowing, voluntary and
delibereate. In fact this whole adoption was premised on a fraud on Mrs.
Damira. She was led to believe that her two would be kept together.
Furthermore, the brothers want to be kept together. Now if social services
had bothered to look, they might have found a family willing to adopt
both brothers, but the didn't. They reneged on their promise to Mrs.
Damira. That alone is grounds to vacate this order.
Judge Damsen: I find that Martha Damira knowingly and
voluntarily relinquished her rights. But I also find that social services made
representations to Mrs. Damira that her two sons would be kept together.
More effort has to be made to honor those representations. I'm vacating
the adoption. Matthew Damira will be placed in a group shelter with his
brother until as more suitable situation can be found. (gavels)
Lulu: Your honor--your honor that could take months, who
knows what the damage will be to Matthew-- (judge pounds
gavel)
Scene: Group shelter
Nick: I'm Nicholas Fallin. I just received a call from my
client, Justin Damira. (secretary waves him on) Thank you.
Nick walks down the hall and finds Matthew and Justin.
Nick: Hey.
Matthew: Hi, Mr. Fallin.
Nick: Hi.
Justin: Can I talk to you? (both go out into corridor)
Nick: What is it?
Justin: Matthew doesn't belong here. He's gonna say he wants to
stay, but he's crying all night.
Scene: Judge Damsen's chambers
Judge Damsen: Justin says you don't like the group shelter.
Matthew: No. The group shelter's fine. I'm not that
interested in other kids anyway. I'm more interested in reading books or using
the internet. Plus, Justin and I are in the same room. And I can fo to
the magnet program for math.
Justin: Why were you crying?
Matthew: It wasn't because of the group shelter. I was
thinking of something else.
Justin: Matthew, you tell them… the truth. You wanna… go
Judge Damsen: Is that what you want Matthew? To go with the
Diamonds? (Matthew eventually nods yes) Will you all step out into the
hall for a moment please? Mr. Fallin, stick around. (rest leave) You can
be an arrogant ass you know? You've managed to two vilify two very good
women, humiliate a colleague and for what?
Nick: This could be a permanent separation for these kids. We're
not talking about placing them in different homes in the same city
where they can see each other and see their mother. These boys love each
other, they love their mom. I didn't do this for any reason other than
the fact that they should not be torn apart.
Judge Damsen: Does Justin really want his brother to go with
the Diamonds?
Nick: Yes.
Judge Damsen: Then tell the boys I'll reverse my decision.
Scene: F&A
Burton: Jake. Can I see you in my office?
Jake: Burton. Listen, um… I just want to say thank you, for
standing up for me.
Burton: Jake, I'm afraid we're gonna have to discuss how this
whole thig affects your future here.
Jake: My future?
Burton: I had to make some promises to clear this up. Uhm. I
had to promise Gersh that you would never be involved with any public
securities.
Jake: For how long?
Burton: Forever. At least for now.
Jake: I've been doing corporate for 7 years now.
Burton: Well that should have been long enough for you to
discover that you don't disclose insider information.
Jake: Well. Uh. Tell me Burton. Is there still a place for me
here?
Burton: I think that's up to you. If you think you can pick up
enough work to justify your overhead.
Jake: Absolutely.
Burton: Okay. Oh Jake. This is for the next six months.
(hands Jake a check)
Jake: Thank you.
Burton: Yeah.
Scene: Straka machine shop
Jake: Hi dad.
Mr. Straka: You and your mother. (chuckles) Now you know.
Jake: What?
Mr. Straka: How it feels to gamble… huh … and lose. I think you
gave her quite a thrill Jakey. I think she sees me in an entirely new
light, you know?
Jake: I paid off the loan.
Mr. Straka: Thank you.
Jake: Don't thank me. I bought the title. I own the house
now.
Mr. Straka: What about my business?
Jake: I'm sorry dad, no one's going to give you that money,
no one's going to take that risk.
Mr. Straka: I'm gonna have to close this place down?
Jake: I'm sorry, dad. Look, maybe uh, maybe it's better this
way. I went over to the home warehouse, okay, I spoke to Milt
Dallesandro, he said they're hiring. He said they need help in the plumbing
department. The pay, the pay is ok and the benefits are good.
Mr. Straka: How am I gonna close this place down after 35 years,
how am I gonna do it?
Jake: These are the, these are the bankruptcy papers. It's
not such a big deal. Believe me. I can help you. You don't have to make
up your mind right now, but you really should do this before your
creditors come after you again… (Mr. Straka struggles to hold his emotions
in check) Bye.
Scene: The Incline
Jake: Hey.
Barbara: Hey.
Jake: Thanks for meeting me.
Barbara: I'm… surprised you called.
Jake: Sorry, about yesterday. There were some problems and I
just didn't want to burden you.
Barbara: No, it's okay.
Jake: No, I really enjoy spending time with you, and just didn't
mean to be a jerk.
Barbara: Oh… (laughs) Your parents?
Jake: Yeah.
Barbara: My mother drives me nuts. She wants to go to bingo
and buffet every Saturday night. Saturday night, in Mt. Aire.
(both chuckling)
Jake: My mother uh, competes in pie baking contests. Demands
I go.
Barbara: And do you?
Jake: Haven't missed one yet.
Barbara: You wouldn't wanna come play bingo this Saturday night
would ya?
Jake: Hell yeah.
Barbara: Bring one of your mom's pies.
Jake: I'm gonna bring my mom!
Barbara: Perfect!
Jake: Leave the pies at home.
(both laugh)
Scene: Outside group shelter
Matthew is leaving. Justin waves good-bye as the car drives off.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh, Alvin's office
Alvin is packing up for the night. Nick knocks on the open door.
Alvin: Yes?
Nick: About you're, uh, ahem--your offer, uh--
Alvin: Yes?
Nick: I--I guess it would be okay.
Alvin: (pauses, closes his eyes momentarily) Okay.
Nick: But don't expect me to call you or anything.
Alvin: Okay.
Nick: Cause I don't need, uh--I don't need anyone.
Alvin: Fine, Mr. Fallin.
Nick: Just call me Nick, will you? Okay? It's enough with the
Mr. Fallin thing.
Alvin: Fine. Nick.
Nick: Good. Good. Yeah. Goodnight.
Nick exits into the common area and sees Lulu leaving for the
night.
Nick: Hey. Matthew's headed to Chicago.
Lulu: Yeah, I heard.
Nick: So it's all worked out now.
Lulu: Yeah.
Nick: Okay.
Lulu: Nick. About this week.
Nick: Yeah?
Lulu: We were having a professional argument right? It was
a--a professional disagreement, and it had nothing to do with…
Nick: No of course not. I am happy for you.
Lulu: Thank you. Cause I don't know it just didn't seem like
you to do, something so--
Nick: So what?
Lulu: Emotional.
Nick: I was representing my client.
Lulu: Being professional.
Nick: That's right.
Elevator doors open and Lulu steps on.
Lulu: Good then, cause uh, I think that's the best way for
us to be.
Nick: Professional?
Lulu: Right. Good night.
Elevator doors close.
END OF EPISODE
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