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TRANSCRIPT:
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Scene: Police Station, interview room
Detective Darger is reading Nick's statement. Nick is sitting at a table and his lawyer is seated nearby.
Darger: What were you doing at a strip club with your probation officer?
Nick: He was trying to get money back from the owner and he wanted me to be there.
Darger: Drug money?
Nick: No. He was trying to buy the club and the deal soured. It was earnest money.
Darger: You're his lawyer?
Nick: I'm his probationer.
Darger: Why were you doing legal work for your probation officer?
Nick looks over at his lawyer who nods.
Nick: My periodic review was coming up and he asked me to.
Darger: (sits) Did he promise you'd get a good report if you helped him? (Nick doesn't answer.) Is there anyone who can confirm your account of the events?
Nick: Mandy Gressler.
Darger: The one you say is the shooter?
Nick: Yes.
Darger: Do you know where we can find her?
Nick: No.
Darger: Are you sure that she is alive?
Nick: Yes. Last I saw.
Darger: Is there anyone who isn't dead or missing that can confirm your account?
Nick: No. No, there isn't.
Darger: I need that jacket and that shirt.
Nick: Now?
Darger: If you don't mind. (Nick takes off his jacket.) Better throw in that tie, too.
Scene: Street outside police station
Nick and lawyer are walking to their cars.
Lawyer: You absolutely did the right thing by going in voluntarily. I mean, they would have caught up with you soon enough and it would've looked like you were trying to hide something. It could've been a lot worse.
Nick: How?
Lawyer: How? They could've locked you up on a probation violation just for being in that bar.
Nick: So what happens next?
Lawyer: Get some sleep and forget about it. Alright.
Scene: Lulu's house
Nick leaves his car and walks up the steps to the garden. Brian meets him.
Brian: Lulu just told me she asked you to come.
Nick: Can I see the papers?
Brian hands them to him. Lulu is talking to neighbour and sees Nick arrive.
Lulu: (To neighbour) Thank you. (Walks over the Nick and Brian.) Hi. I didn't really understand a word she was saying. Something about neighbours in a fight over a tree.
Nick: (reading papers) Okay. In 1956 that lady conveyed right of way of two-and-a-half feet toward your house, the house you're buying, for "protection and preservation of the walnut tree". (Looking around) Where's the walnut tree?
Lulu: That's what I think she was saying. That it died.
Nick: Okay.
Lulu: So whose land is it?
Nick: Well, technically it's hers but you get to use it.
Brian: No. I don't like it.
Nick: Well if she sues you and wins they could move the property line thirty inches toward your house.
Lulu: Somebody just went by. Somebody's in there.
Brian: What?
Lulu: Somebody just went by the window.
Lulu walks up the steps towards the front door. Brian and Nick follow.
Brian: (calling out) Is someone in there? Come on out! This is not your house. Come on out!
Nick: (handing Brian the papers) Here, hold this. Do you have a key?
Brian: Yes. (Hands it to Nick.)
Nick: Thank you.
Nick opens front door and walks in, followed by Lulu and then Brian.
Brian: Hello? Hello?
Lulu: (pointing) I saw them in there.
Nick checks the room.
Brian: I'm calling the cops. (on cell phone) Hi. My name's Brian Olson ...
Lulu: There's a light on and I didn't turn the power on.
Brian: ... broken into my house. Yes, 203 ...
Screams of pain heard coming from another room. Nick walks towards the room. Lulu tries to stop him.
Lulu: Don't Nick! Wait for the police ...
Nick opens door to the room. There's a girl on makeshift bed in corner screaming in pain. A boy standing near the door.
Denny: My girlfriend's having a baby.
Scene: St. Sophia Hospital waiting room
Denny is pacing. Nick is seated against one wall, glowering, Lulu and Brian are seated opposite him.
Brian: I'm supposed to be back in Columbus in four hours.
Lulu: Well, you should get going then.
Brian: I feel bad just leaving things like this.
Lulu: No. It's okay, you were great with those kids.
Brian: Okay. (They kiss.) I'll call you later.
Lulu: Okay.
Brian: (to Nick) Hey, thanks for helping out, Nick. Bye.
Lulu and Brian wave goodbye. Brian leaves. Laurie enters and Denny goes up to her.
Laurie: Baby's a boy. 6 pounds 9 ounces. He looks very healthy. Jeanette's resting.
Denny: When do we get to take him home?
Laurie: You don't.
Denny: Why?
Laurie: Denny, your girlfriend's fifteen and you're ...
Denny: Sixteen.
Laurie: The baby's going to be in foster care for a while.
Denny: Do I get to see him?
Laurie: You can visit and so can Jeanette. You just can't keep the baby for now. We'll find a place for you in a shelter until we can locate your parents.
Denny: My parents are dead.
Laurie: (sighs) You'll have to stay in a shelter for now.
Denny: And Jeanette?
Laurie: She will be here for two days and then we'll find a place for her, too.
Denny: Why can't we be kept together?
Laurie: I'm sorry, Denny. You'll be assigned a lawyer to represent you in court.
As Laurie turns away, Lulu and Nick exchange glances.
Scene: St Sophia hospital room
Denny enters. Jeanette is resting in bed.
Denny: Hey.
Jeanette: I only saw him for a second. They weighed him and did tests, and they let me hold him, and then they took him away.
Denny: I know.
Lulu enters and stands near the door watching.
Jeanette: I want our baby, Denny.
Denny: I know. Some lady came and talked to me. She said we can't keep him because we're too young.
Jeanette: (sobbing) I want our baby ... I want our baby.
Scene: Fallin & Associates
Burton is hanging up his coat in his office. He sees Nick enter reception, taps on the glass and beckons him into his office. Nick enters.
Burton: Morning.
Nick: Morning. (Closes door. They both sit.)
Burton: So, Nicholas. If I get this thing, this judgeship ... if I get it ... I have decided I want you to have the firm. Not because you are my son. Because you're an excellent lawyer.
Nick: (nods) Thank you.
Burton: I'd like to get some things into play right away.
Nick: Okay.
Burton: First of all, I want to give you some of my clients so you will have leverage over those other guys who would like to take control over this place.
Nick: Okay.
Burton: And that will be, I promise you, one of the nastiest fights you'll ever be in.
Nick: I'm ready.
Burton: Good. Like to get started today. (Nick nods.) Good. Wade Meyers.
Later. Burton's office.
Meyers: My Board of Directors think we need a food products division.
Burton: Well, actually that sounds like a pretty good fit - the beverages, pet food ...
Meyers: I'm looking at five or six companies right now. The frontrunner's Moore Park Foods. If we can get a good price I want to buy it before the end of the quarter.
Burton: So you're happy with the Spanish joint venture we set up for you?
Meyers: Sure. Thing throws off lots of cash. Banco Gibraltar is still bitchin' that we put up no money and got all the control.
Burton: Nick did about 99% of the work on that.
Meyers: (nodding at Nick) Nice work. Just don't try to show your face in Spain.
Burton: (laughing) Right. So Wade, what I was thinking is why don't we let Nick take the lead in this one?
Meyers: (nodding) I'm real easy to understand, Nick.
Nick: Okay.
Meyers: You get me what I what, when I want, at my price, then I won't be missing your father too much. Okay?
Nick: Okay.
Meyers: Okay. (stands to leave)
Burton: Wade. Always good to see you.
Meyers: Thanks.
Burton: Take care. And be sure to say 'Hi' to Betty Jean for me.
Meyers: I certainly will. (Shaking hands with Nick) I look forward to it.
Nick sees him to the door.
Burton: Take care.
Nick: See you, Wade. (closes door and sits down)
Burton: So, you ready for this?
Nick: Yep.
Nick gets up and heads for the door.
Burton: Where're you going?
Nick: Clinic.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh - conference room
Alvin, Lulu, Laurie and Kate discuss the case.
Alvin: What's the situation?
Lulu: Jeanette Munday. She's 15 years old from Green County on the West Virginia line.
Alvin: You contacted the parents?
Lulu: I spoke to her mother this morning on the phone and I'm going to ride out there later today to see her.
Alvin: Can she be placed there?
Lulu: We'll see. I'm hoping that she'll take both the daughter and the baby.
Laurie: I've contacted Green County. The home visit's done. The criminal and child abuse checks should be completed pretty soon.
Nick enters while Laurie is speaking.
Alvin: Nick. What did you find out about the boy?
Nick: The kid's name is Denny Collins. He's 16. His father died three years ago. No mother. He ran away from his shelter in St Louis. Best guess is he's been living on the streets ever since.
Alvin: Laurie. What are you thinkin'?
Laurie: It's pretty simple. The baby's in foster care and will probably stay there unless the grandmother can prove that she can handle raising him, which is unlikely given the way she's handled her teenage daughter. The baby will probably end up in foster care.
Alvin: Okay. Sounds clean.
Lulu: Alvin. They want the baby and they want to stay together.
Alvin: Are you kidding?
Lulu: No. I talked to both of them and that's what they want.
Laurie: They're two homeless teenagers.
Lulu: I'm just telling you.
Kate: There's no way I'm recommending that for the baby.
Lulu: Well, that's the position I'm going to take in court.
Lulu leaves. Nick grins at Alvin and leaves, followed by Kate. Laurie stands to leave, picking up her files.
Alvin: Laurie? You got a moment?
Laurie: Sure.
Alvin: Did I do something to make you angry?
Laurie: No. I'm sorry I didn't answer your calls. Your messages were ... great. But I'm kind of set in my ways. I've got my work, two kids, a grandchild. Whatever spare time I have I like to spend with them.
Alvin: Laurie. I invited you to a play. You're reading way too much into this.
Laurie: I get a lot more out of this job than a pay check, Alvin. And I love working with you. I'm afraid if we date we'll put it all at risk. That we might ruin it.
Alvin: Okay.
Laurie puts hand on Alvin's shoulder briefly and then leaves.
Scene: Fallin & Associates, conference room
Nick and Wade Meyers are seated at the table.
Nick: Moore Park Foods does about 300 million in revenue. They're growing at 7% a year. Balance sheet is clean except for a fair amount of non-strategic assets. They have some art, a jet, corporate apartments. But it's a good company. Why do you think they're selling?
Meyers: Window dressing. Consumer staples are out of favour on Wall Street.
Nick: Maybe.
Meyers: What do you think?
Nick: In 1998 the parent company floated a billion in high yield bonds to expand their cable business. They have a payment due on the first of the month for 146 million. They're not going to make it.
Meyers: Really. So you think you could talk them into taking, say, one-fifty?
Nick: They need the money.
Meyers: Well if they take it hit the bid before they come to their senses. (starts to leave) I like you Nick. Always willing to kick a man when he's down. Oh, while you are at it. I'm leasing an S500. I think Kleiner Automotive is screwing me. Could you take a look at that lease for me please? (drops lease on the table)
Meyers leaves through reception. Jake is leaning against the reception desk. Nick comes out of the conference room.
Jake: Is that Wade Meyers?
Nick: Yeah.
Jake: So what happened? Your Dad just gave him to you? (Nick doesn't answer.) Look, if there's anything I can do for you just let me know, okay?
Nick: (starts to walk off, comes back) Oh, this is his car lease. Do you want to look over it?
Jake: Yeah, no problem. (Nick leaves. Jake mumbles to himself ... ) Car lease.
Scene: Trailer park
Lulu knocks on a trailer door. Carol Munday goes to answer the door.
Carol: Coming.
Lulu: Hi. I'm Louisa Archer. We spoke earlier today.
Carol: Yeah. You said something about Jeanette having a baby.
Lulu: Yes. She gave birth to a boy this morning.
Carol: So I'm a grandmother.
Lulu: Congratulations.
Carol: I'm twenty-eight.
Lulu: Did you know that you daughter was pregnant?
Carol: I thought she might be.
Lulu: Did you know that she was living on the streets?
Carol: Yeah.
Lulu: When was the last time you saw her?
Carol: You know, I don't know. A couple of months ago, maybe.
Lulu: Did you know where she was?
Carol: She said she was in Pittsburgh, you know, I don't go out there. I've got no reason to, but she said she liked it enough.
Lulu: Mrs Munday, I came down here this afternoon to inform you that there's going to be a shelter hearing. Basically, a judge is going to be deciding where to place your daughter and her son. It's going to be in Pittsburgh tomorrow afternoon.
Carol: And I'm supposed to come?
Lulu: Well, if you want to request to the court that your daughter be returned home, yes.
Carol: Yeah. Well, she won't stay.
Lulu: So then, you won't be there.
Carol: I don't need a judge telling me what a bad parent I was.
Lulu: Right.
Scene: Courtroom
Judge Damsen presiding. Lulu is representing Jeanette. Kate Shaw is representing the baby. Laurie is there on behalf of Social Services.
Lulu: Your honour, Jeanette Munday was living on the streets until yesterday when she was admitted to St. Sophia's Hospital after giving birth to a baby boy. We need to have a placement for her and the baby so they can be together.
Judge: Ms Shaw. You represent the newborn?
Kate: Yes, Your Honour.
Judge: Your recommendation?
Kate: Adjudicate the baby dependant and place him in foster care.
Judge: Do we know who the baby's father is?
Laurie: A 16-year-old orphan named Denny Collins. He's been living on the street with Jeanette. He has the next shelter hearing.
Judge: And what is your recommendation?
Laurie: The Infant Care Centre has space for the baby.
Judge: And as for Ms Munday?
Lulu: Jeanette has indicated that she wants to be with her boyfriend, Denny, and keep the baby.
Judge: Has Social Services talked to her about the possibility of putting her child up for adoption.
Jeanette: He's my baby. I'm not giving him away.
Laurie: We haven't. But we will.
Judge: Until a more permanent option becomes available, Ms Munday will be placed at the Allegheny Shelter for Girls. The child will be placed at the infant care facility until a foster family is located.
Lulu: (to Jeanette who is upset) Okay. It's okay.
Scene: Corridor outside courtroom
Jeanette and Lulu walk out of the courtroom. Nick and Denny are waiting outside. Jeanette runs to Denny and they hug.
Jeanette: Denny. Denny, listen they said ...
Denny: Listen. Jeanette, will you marry me?
Jeanette: Yeah. I mean ... can we?
Denny: I don't know. But if we could?
Jeanette: Yeah.
Denny: Cool.
Nick: Okay. Sorry, Judge Damsen doesn't like to wait.
Nick and Denny enter courtroom.
Scene: Courtroom
Judge Damsen presiding. Nick is representing Denny. Laurie is there on behalf of Social Services.
Judge: What are the child's wishes?
Nick: Mr Collins wants to marry his girlfriend, Jeanette Munday, and raise their child.
Judge: Okay. Mr. Collins, your intentions, while honourable, would be taken more seriously by the court if you could demonstrate that there would be some reasonable chance of success.
Denny takes out a notepad and pencil.
Denny: What've I got to do?
Judge: Emancipate yourself.
Denny: "mancifate"?
Nick starts to correct him.
Judge: "pate". Get a job. Find a suitable place to live for yourself and the child. Enrol in school. Complete a parenting class.
Denny: Wait. I want to write this down.
Judge: Mr Fallin can explain the requirements. And until that comes to pass. I'm placing you in the Cumberland School for Boys.
Scene: Fallin & Associate, Nick's office
Hank: Seven times forward-looking earnings puts us at two hundred and ten million.
Nick: What's your client's real number?
Hank: One eighty. What's yours?
Nick: He was hoping to get to one fifty. We were thinking of the bond payment you have due.
Hank: Well they can renegotiate. It'll cost them some, but not thirty million. One fifty. You got any ideas?
Nick: Client willing to sell the company in pieces?
Hank: What are you thinking about?
Nick: Knock out some of the dead wood, bring the price down.
Hank: You care about the art?
Nick: No.
Hank: Knock off two million.
Nick: How about the corporate apartments?
Hank: Another eight million or so. We're getting there. We're down to ...
Nick: One seventy.
Hank: One seventy. The jet. You want the jet?
Nick: How much will it save us?
Hank: Another fifteen. Can you take one fifty-five to your client?
Nick: One fifty-five ... One fifty-two five?
Hank: Done. I'll get the paperwork started.
Nick: Good. (They shake hands and Nick sees Hank to the door.) Talk to you this afternoon.
Nick watches near the door while Hank approaches Jake.
Jake: Hank! Jake Straka. We worked the phones together at the QED fundraiser.
Hank: Right. Right.
Jake: How are Kerry and John?
Hank: They're fine, thanks.
Jake: They're what, five and eight?
Hank: That's right. It's good to see you Jake.
Jake: Yeah, good to see you.
Nick goes back into his office and closes the door. There is a knock and Jake enters.
Jake: You got a minute? I'm hearing all kinds of things, Nick. That we might merge, that ...
Nick: Can you shut the door?
Jake: (shuts door) That Barry Lansberg might become the new managing partner, that Bill Gordon's taking his crew over to Kirk and McGee ...
Nick: It's just talk.
Jake: Look, Nick. Everyone knows that Burton handed Meyers off to you, and people get a little nervous about the rest of your father's clients.
Nick: (getting up) People? (Nick stands looking out the window.)
Jake: All your father has to do is set up a few dinners, slap a few backs and say "You remember my son, Nicholas, don't you?" (Pause. Nick continues to look out the window and doesn't respond.) If you were to take over the firm ... I would back that idea.
Nick: Why are you telling me this, Jake?
Jake: Soon as Burton names you partner, all the heavy hitters are going to run for the door and they going to take every associate and every client they possibly can. And you're going to need to be ready. You're going to need a strong number two.
Nick: And that would be you?
Jake: (laughing) Look, Nick. I don't mean to be personal, but ... your people skills kind of suck. (Nick walks back to his desk and sits down) And, and you're going to need someone who can give the ... make the clients just feel good about themselves. Someone to do the ass-kissing. (Nick shuffles papers around and doesn't reply. Jake walks towards the door then turns.) All I want is to be partner. That's it. I don't care about putting my name on the door. Think about it. (leaves)
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh
Nick walks out of elevator. Lulu is standing at filing cabinet looking at papers. Nick looks at her quickly as he is passing and goes into the conference room and sits, while Lulu covertly watches him. As he looks up at her she looks down at the papers she is putting in her briefcase. He looks down just as she looks up, waves at him and ...
Lulu: G'night
Nick waves. The phone rings at one of the desks. Lulu goes back to answer it.
Lulu: Legal Services of Pittsburgh. Jeanette? Where are you? Where are you? You want to meet there? Okay, Okay. I'll meet you. (hangs up)
Nick: What's wrong?
Lulu: Jeanette Munday. She just said they're in trouble.
Nick: They ran away?
Lulu: They've gone over to my house.
They both pick up their briefcases and leave.
Scene: Lulu's house
Lulu and then Nick enter through the front door.
Lulu: Can you check the rooms?
Nick: Sure.
Nick leaves to check on the rooms and Lulu walks over to the fireplace and lights the candles there. In the mirror over the mantle we see Nick enter and stand in the doorway. Lulu turns.
Lulu: Anything?
Nick: No. (looking around) This is a great house.
Lulu: Hm. Yeah, that's what I thought at first.
Nick: No. It is. All the details are original. It must be a hundred years old. They don't build houses like this anymore. It's a great house.
Lulu: Well, Brian wants to completely renovate it. Just tear everything out.
Nick: No, you can't do that. You'd ruin the scale. I mean there's nothing that you could build new that's anywhere near as beautiful as what's here already. (looking at her intently.)
Lulu: I don't know. I mean, the price was right and I've always wanted to live in the city. But it's been nothing but trouble ever since we went into escrow. I mean really, the furnace doesn't work, and we get that easement thing, and the inspector told us that the pipes could burst.
Nick: You know when I bought my house, I ... it's overwhelming. You just do what you need to do and just keep going.
Lulu: I guess.
Nick: You'll get your pipes fixed and then bit by bit you'll put more of yourself into the place and eventually it'll become your home.
Awkward moment as they stand looking at each other. Sounds heard outside the door.
Lulu: They're here.
Lulu opens front door. Jeanette enters holding crying baby followed by Denny who closes the door. Jeanette is clearly distraught and Lulu goes to comfort her.
Lulu: Okay, Jeanette, slow down. Jeanette. Jeanette. Calm down. Talk to me... tell me what happened. Come here... shh shh shh.
Nick: Just give me the baby
Jeanette hands the baby to Nick who walks to other side of room jiggling baby to calm it. Baby stops crying.
Jeanette: We were at the hospital visiting the baby, and we realized that at the end of that hour they were just going to take him away from us and ... He's ours, you know? He's ours so we picked him up and we went out the back door. It was easy but ... he slept the first hour and when he woke up he pooped and he was really hungry ... we didn't even have a diaper. And no one ever taught me how to breastfeed 'cause they just thought I wasn't a mother.
Denny: We can't have a baby on the street like that. It's not that we don't want him. He just deservers better.
Lulu: Alright. You understand that we have to take him back to the hospital now, right? So we just ... you're going to have to answer in court tomorrow.
Nick: We have to go now.
Lulu: Yeah.
Denny: We blew it, didn't we? We blew it.
Lulu: Come on, Jeanette.
They all leave.
Scene: Fallin & Associates conference room
Wade Meyers is reading the contract.
Meyers: Fifty-two five's a good price, Nick. Nice work.
Nick: Thank you.
Meyers: How'd you get there?
Nick: Carved out the non-strategic assets.
Meyers: You what?
Nick: They had about thirty million in non-essential assets on their books. Mr. Callum has agreed to our price if...
Meyers: You're kidding me.
Nick: Well it's very simple. Very simple. (Meyers looks stunned.) Mr Meyers? (Meyers gets up.) Mr. Meyers?
Meyers: I've got to speak to your father.
Meyers leaves the conference room and goes straight into Burton's office. Nick leaves and goes around the corner and sees Meyers in Burton's office gesticulating wildly.
Later
Nick is sitting in the conference room working. Burton opens his door.
Burton: (beckoning) Nicholas.
Nick gets up and goes into Burton's office.
Scene: Burton's office
Nick: I don't know what his problem is. I got him the deal that he wanted.
Burton: Son, you carved out exactly what he wanted to buy.
Nick: It's a food company. The non-strategic assets are dead wood.
Burton: What do you think he wanted to buy?
Nick: Moore Park Foods.
Burton: Try again.
Nick: Well clearly the assets that go along with the company.
Burton: No. What he wanted was a bland food unit. Something that makes a little profit. Something to complement the rest of his company's holdings. Now I can think of a half a dozen companies exactly like that.
Nick: Right.
Burton: But they don't have a Gulf Stream jet.
Nick: Well. Then the guy's an idiot. He's an idiot. If he wanted the plane then why didn't he tell me he wanted the plane? If he wants a plane then why doesn't he just buy a plane?
Burton: He's a CEO, Nicholas. He's not an owner. He can't afford to buy a jet plane.
Nick: So I take the fall because he can't afford his own plane?
Burton: Hey, whatever, okay. You got a problem, alright? Now fix it.
Nick leaves.
Scene: Common Room at Shelter
Jeanette and Denny sit at a table with Lulu.
Lulu: Social Services has filed a petition to terminate your parental rights. They're asking the courts to take your baby away from you.
Jeanette: Why do they want to do that?
Lulu: Because you're fifteen, and you're homeless. And because you ran away with your baby. And in their opinion you endangered his life.
Jeanette: I did not!
Lulu: Jeanette, you gave birth in an empty house that you had broken into. Don't you understand, they're looking at you and they're thinking there is no way they can trust you with the life of a baby.
Jeanette: Is that what you think?
Lulu: It doesn't matter what I think. Social Services sees you as a problem. (Nick enters and stands behind her.) Now unless you can prove to them that you can commit and be responsible to a child, they will not hesitate to take your baby away from you.
Denny: The judge said we could do things though. Right?
Nick: There are things, yeah.
Denny: If I got a job, found a place for us to live and took some parenting classes.
Nick: That would be a start.
Denny: I could do that and marry Jeanette. Wouldn't that fix it?
Nick: I can't guarantee that.
Denny: We're going to do it anyway.
Nick and Lulu exchange a look.
Nick: Okay.
Lulu: Can I talk to you, Jeanette?
Jeanette: Yeah
They get up and leave. Nick sits on the chair Lulu has just vacated.
Denny: No one's going to hire me. I mean, I don't even have a high school diploma.
Nick: Who ran the electricity and the gas to that house?
Denny: Me.
Nick: You did? You know that's illegal. How?
Denny: I got these alligator clamps from a car and then I tied into the main upstream of the meter, and then I figured out a way to set that up to one ten with this old transformer I found.
Nick: I might be able to get you a job. I'll make some calls.
Denny: Thanks.
Lulu is standing in a hallway talking to Jeanette.
Lulu: Marrying Denny is a huge decision. You know, this could be for the rest of your life, and at fifteen you can't possibly see who you are or what you want to do.
Jeanette: How old do I have to be then?
Lulu: I don't mean it like that. I think that age is ...
Jeanette: I love him. I love him a lot.
Lulu: I know you do, but the problem is Denny can't provide for you. He can't help you get an education. He can't even really help provide for your child.
Jeanette: Yeah - but neither can I.
Lulu: Okay. Let's say you go and you do this, then what happens? What's next?
Jeanette: Do I have to know that? I mean, I don't know what's going to happen next. Do you? Look at me. My mom had me when she was fourteen and she kicked me out when I was twelve. And every guy I ever met took advantage of me. All of them. Except Denny. I mean, he just loves me and I feel safe with him.
Lulu: I'm sure you have strong feelings for...
Jeanette: It's way more than that! I can't live without him and he can't live without me.
Scene: The Incline
Nick is sitting at the bar with Hank.
Nick: I need to put the non-strategic assets back into the deal.
Hank: I can give you the art and the apartments, for say, five million.
Nick: How about the plane?
Hank: The plane's gone.
Nick: It's gone?
Hank: When we made the deal I immediately sold the Gulf Stream to Harold Franklin.
Nick: Can you get it back?
Hank: I don't think so. The guy's been looking for a plane like this for years.
Nick: Okay. What if we cut him a cheque for a hundred grand just to walk away?
Hank: Nick, the guy makes that in a day. He really wanted this plane.
Nick: Three hundred.
Hank: Done.
Nick: Good. (leaves)
Scene: Fallin & Associates conference room
Wade Meyers standing, Nick is sitting.
Meyers: You think you salvaged this deal?
Nick: We can get the plane back from Franklin for three hundred thousand. It's okay. I spoke to Cowens. He's going to knock it off the price of the company, so we still close at one fifty-two five. So we're good, right?
Meyers: Wrong.
Nick: I don't understand. The plane is in the deal.
Meyers: Son, I can't write a company cheque to a real estate developer for three hundred thousand dollars so that I can get back a private jet. My board would crucify me.
Meyers leaves.
Foyer
Nick enters and sees Jake talking to Meyers. They are shaking hands.
Jake: It's a pleasure. A pleasure. Absolutely. Any time.
Meyers leaves. Nick joins Jake.
Nick: What was that about?
Jake: I saved him eighty bucks a month on his lease. Nine hundred and sixty bucks a year. You'd think he'd won the lottery.
Nick: Good for you.
Jake: You know, we could work together on this thing. His father was a pilot. His brother's got a corporate jet. You know. Hey, did you ever hear of Sicily Foods?
Nick: Yeah.
Jake: They're similar to Moore Park, a bit more expensive, but they're in play. They've got this beauty of a non-strategic asset - a Lear 35.
Jake enters his office and closes the door. Nick thinks about it for a while and then goes to Jake's door and knocks.
Scene: Courtroom
Judge Damsen is handed the files for the case.
Judge: Thank you. Counselors, you've filed three petitions simultaneously which should be considered individually.
Lulu: Your Honour, they're all working toward the same goal. The two emancipation petitions free this couple to marry and the third requests permission from the court to grant their marriage since Miss Munday is under sixteen.
Judge: And the baby's custody hearing?
Laurie: It's scheduled for tomorrow, Your Honour.
Judge: Very well. We will consider them concurrently. Let's begin with Mr. Collins.
Nick: Your Honour, we ask that the court emancipate him and close his case. Mr. Collins took a position as handyman at Riverbrook Country Club. The job pays seven dollars an hour and includes housing and two meals and day.
Judge: Do you have documentation?
Nick: Permission to approach. (Hands over the paperwork.)
Judge: Ms Archer, what about Miss Munday?
Lulu: Jeanette has not lived at home since mid 2000 and she's now enrolled at a special charter school that provides daycare and parenting classes to young mothers.
Judge: And what grade will she be in?
Lulu: Seventh.
Judge: And where will she live?
Lulu: If you grant the emancipation she will live with Denny.
Judge: Ms Solt, what's your recommendation.
Laurie: They should stay in foster care.
Nick: They won't stay there.
Laurie: They should.
Nick: Even if they should, they won't. They are a couple. They want to stay together.
Judge: Mr. Fallin. Mr. Collins, do you believe you can keep your job and be a responsible partner to Miss Munday?
Denny: Yeah, I can. I will.
Judge: Then I will emancipate Jeanette Munday and Denny Collins.
Lulu: Your Honour—about the marriage petition?
Judge: Do your clients realise that this will not impact my decision regarding the custody of the baby?
Denny: Yes. This is about me and Jeanette.
Judge: Then I will grant permission for this marriage to occur.
Scene: Fallin & Associates, Burton's office
Burton is seated at his desk cleaning his glasses. Nick is seated in front of him.
Burton: So, Jake negotiated the Sicily Foods deal. Meyers is pleased.
Nick: What did they pay for it?
Burton: One seven five. I know that's expensive but the client's happy. That's all that matters. Nicholas, you know, there's the work of work and there's the pleasure of it. I always try to get involved with my clients so I could get a better understanding of what it is they really wanted. That's what this place is built on. Now then. If I'm selected for the bench, I have got to know that whoever takes over from me feels exactly the same way. Otherwise this place, that I built, will just disappear. How about some lunch?
Nick: I've got to be somewhere. (leaves)
Scene: Courtroom
Judge Damsen presiding, Kate Shaw for the baby, Laurie for Social Services, Nick and Lulu for Jeanette and Denny.
Kate: Your Honour, as it stands, this infant faces uncertain prospects. Either a life in the foster care system or, worse, living with parents who are themselves children. Who in the first day of the infant's life demonstrated contempt for its welfare by kidnapping it from the hospital.
Laurie: I have forty-four suitable families in the Pittsburgh area waiting for the chance to adopt, but if this case drags on for years, and we've all seen that happen, it will become progressively more difficult to find an adoptive home for this baby.
Kate: Social Services filed for this parental rights termination out of compassion for the child. I agree and urge the court to act expeditiously.
Judge: Ms Archer?
Lulu: The infant's mother opposes the termination of her rights and she plans to become a suitable mother for her child. She's taking parenting classes, she wants to establish a household with Mr. Collins, and as you know they plan to marry.
Judge: In hopes of getting the baby back.
Lulu: Well, yes. The baby's very important to her.
Judge: Mr. Fallin, what about the father?
Nick: Well you know his situation. He has a job, he has housing. Just wants to be a father to his child.
Judge: (considering) I am not prepared to terminate the parental rights of this couple at this time.
Laurie: Time is of the essence, Your Honour.
Judge: Ms Solt, I'm aware of your opinion. But neither am I ready to give the baby to Mr Collins or Miss Munday. The child will stay in foster care and the parents will be allowed supervised visitation. We will revisit this issue sixty days from today.
Scene: Court corridor
Denny, Jeanette, Lulu and Nick are talking.
Jeanette: I mean, we'll get to see him, but how much time does that mean? Can I sometimes sleep over there holding the baby.
Lulu: That's between you and the foster parents.
Jeanette: But you don't think so.
Lulu: We're going to contact you sometime between now and your next court date, okay. And if you have any questions in the meantime you can call us at the office.
Denny: Hey we need one more thing. The guy that does the weddings is up on the ninth floor.
Lulu: You're doing that today?
Denny: We want you to be our witnesses.
Lulu smiles widely and looks enquiringly at Nick.
Nick: Alright, alright. Let's go. Let's go.
Scene: Registry office
Registrar: Here's your receipt. Would you like to exchange your vows now?
Denny: Okay.
Registrar: Will you Denton Collins take Jeanette Munday to be your lawfully wedded wife? Say "I will".
Denny: I will.
Registrar: And will you Jeanette Munday take Denton Collins to be your lawfully wedded husband? Say "I will".
Jeanette: I will.
Registrar: (to Nick and Lulu) Are you the witnesses?
Nick and Lulu come forward and each sign the marriage certificate.
Registrar: By the powers vested in me by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I pronounce you husband and wife.
They move to one side, smiles all round.
Lulu: Congratulations.
Lulu hugs Denny and Jeanette, Nick hugs Jeanette and shakes hands with Denny.
Nick: Congratulations.
Jeanette: Thank you so much.
Denny: We took our stuff out of your house and we left you a little thank you. There's something for you too, Mr. Fallin.
Nick: Oh, you didn't have to.
Denny: I wanted to, man. (to Lulu) You should change the locks on your door.
Scene: Lulu's house
Nick and Lulu are walking towards the house.
Lulu: Think it will work?
Nick: No, I don't.
Lulu: Well if you didn't believe in them, then why did you help them get married?
Nick: It's what they wanted.
Lulu: And that's it? Nothing more than that?
Nick: No. Nothing more than that.
Lulu: You know, I really don't get you.
They enter the house.
Lulu: What did they do? (notices it's been cleaned up) Ohh... wow, they did all this.
Nick: Well, it's going to be some work but you can see the potential this place has. (Picks up a strip of photos off the mantelpiece and smiles.)
Lulu: You think so?
Nick: Oh yeah. There's this guy on Carson Street. He has all these original details, lamps and knobs and stuff.
Lulu: It seems like so much work.
Nick: It is. It is. When you pay for your plumbing and lamps or anything like that it's not such a bad feeling 'cause you own it. It's your place.
Lulu: Nick.
Nick: Yeah?
Lulu: I don't think I want this place.
Nick: Okay.
Lulu: It just all seems like so much, you know. This house and weddings and decisions. (Nick takes a step closer) I don't think I want to do what I'm about to do.
Nick reaches out and pushes the hair off her face. He kisses her tentatively, moves back to check her reaction and then kisses her again, more intensely. She embraces him and the kiss deepens. Nick kisses along her jaw line to her neck, then works his way back to her lips as she moves her hands along his nape and back to his shoulders. They are still kissing when there is a knock on the door.
Brian: (off screen) Sweetheart!
Nick and Lulu break off the kiss.
Lulu: It's Brian.
Brian: Lulu, are you in there?
Lulu tries to compose herself as she walks to the door. Nick moves over to lean up against a doorjamb.
Brian: (entering) Hey. I called the clinic and they said you were here. (curious) Hi, Nick. Did you do all this?
Lulu: It's kind of a long story, Hon. We ended up working with those kids, you know, and it ended up to be a real love story.
Nick: You know, I'm going to have to get back to work.
Lulu: Okay. I'll see you.
Brian: See you later.
Nick: Yeah, I'll see you later.
Nick walks out.
Lulu: (to Brian) Anyway, they got married and the boy did all this ...
Nick walks out the front door. He pauses outside to take a breath, smiles slightly to himself and then leaves.
END OF EPISODE
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