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TRANSCRIPT:
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Scene: 911 operations
Operator: 9-1-1 operator.
Nick: (via phone) I…I need an ambulance to 1980 Ellsworth in Shadyside. I have a woman; I think her heart has stopped.
Operator: Can you feel a pulse?
Nick: (via phone)Yeah. I'm feeling for a pulse. She doesn't have a pulse.
Operator: Somebody's on the way. Stay on the line. I'll help you until paramedics arrive.
Scene: Nick's house
Burton: Nick. You home?
Nick: (disconnects the phone—races to the door) Oh, God.
Burton: (knocks on the door) Nick.
Nick: No.
Burton: Son, listen, after…
Nick: You can't be here.
Burton: (Sighs) When you got arrested, things were not looking so good. It turns out the D.A. was gunning for you. He wasn't about to plea-bargain. In fact, he was looking for five years, minimum. So, I went to Caldwell to make a deal. He agreed to talk to the D.A.—cut it down to a misdemeanor.
Nick: Dad. Can we talk about this tomorrow?
Burton: But, listen to me. Here's the problem. I just found out that kid, Lichtman, knew all about it. If he gives it up to other people, it could be very bad.
Nick: Dad, I can't talk about this now. Okay?
Burton: Son! Listen to me!
Nick: I cannot!
Burton: I just came over here to tell you first instead of them. Okay?
Nick: Okay. Okay.
Burton: As far as they're concerned, they can go to hell. Okay?
Nick: All right. I've heard it. I've heard it.
Burton: Just don't let them push you around.
Nick: I won't. You know, you…you have to go now…
Burton: Don't let them do that to you.
Nick: Please, Dad, you've just got to go. Just leave!
Burton: Just take care of yourself.
Nick: Just leave.
Nick closes the door. Burton stands a moment on the stoop before walking off.
Scene: Burton's house
Burton enters kitchen, reading his mail, and punches answering machine for messages as he pours himself a drink.
Answering Machine: Friday, 5:31 PM.
Thomas Paul: (on machine) Burton. It's Thomas Paul. Congratulations again on the Judgeship. We should meet and discuss the swearing-in. I'm free tomorrow morning around 10:00. Call me if that's good for you.
Answering Machine: Friday, 8:17 PM.
Cousin Ruth: (on machine) Burton. It's Cousin Ruth. We just heard the amazing news. We're all so proud of you in Mt. Aire. Congratulations.
Burton dials phone.
Thomas Paul: (via phone) Hello.
Burton: Hey. Tom. (Listens) Yeah, I'm sorry you weren't there tonight.
Answering Machine: Friday, 9:41 PM.
Nick: (on machine) Hey, Dad. It's…uh…it's Nick.
Burton: (to phone, distracted) Uh-huh.
Nick: (on machine) I'm leaving you this message 'cause I'm…you know. I'm sorry…I'm sorry for everything. And… I just haven't… I wanted to work with you 'cause I respect you and I wanted to spend more time with you and… I'm afraid that I… I've just done what I always usually do…
Burton: (to phone) Well, 10:00 o'clock sounds fine. Okay. Thank you very much. (Hangs up.)
Nick: (on machine) …and I'm just afraid. Dad, I just wanted you to know that I love you and… I just want to apologize.
Burton grabs his coat, re-sets the house alarm and leaves.
Scene: Nick's house
Police cars leaves as Burton pulls up.
Burton: (hollers after the ambulance as it speeds away) Hold it! Hold it! (To policeman) What happened? What happened here?
Policeman: Overdose.
Burton: Oh, God! Where are they taking him?
Policeman: Who?
Burton: My son! What hospital?
Policeman: It was a woman.
Burton starts up the stairs and is stopped by an Officer.
Officer: You can't come in here.
Burton: My son's… This is my son's house. I've got to see him.
Officer: Who is your son?
Burton: Nicholas Fallin.
Officer: Your son was arrested, sir. They took him down to County.
Scene: Allegheny County Courtroom
Attorney Beldon: There is no probable cause to charge Nicholas Fallin with any crime. Amanda Gressler appeared at his house, uninvited. She brought drugs onto the premises. We don't contest that he struggled with her but that was in self-defense. Amanda Gressler's overdose was caused by her own cocaine. Not by anything Nicholas Fallin did.
ADA Finneran: This is what we know. Miss Gressler and Mr. Fallin fought. She sustained injuries serious enough from that fight to be left in a coma, on life support. There was cocaine found in Mr. Fallin's residence. This is sufficient evidence to try the defendant for aggravated assault and possession of cocaine.
Judge: Okay. Yes. I find that there is sufficient evidence as to all the counts charged. We will hold the defendant to answer in Courtroom F at 11:30 on the ninth of next month.
Beldon: With regard to bail, Your Honor. Mr. Fallin poses no danger of flight. He owns a home and is well-known in Pittsburgh. We ask that he be released on his own recognizance.
Judge: Council Finneran?
Finneran: Commonwealth has no objection.
Officer DeSica: Your Honor.
Judge: Officer DeSica. Does the Probation Department have an interest in this case?
DeSica: Yes, Your Honor. Mr. Fallin is in our custody due to a prior drug conviction. Judge Handley has requested that we hold him pending a revocation hearing.
Beldon: Your Honor, there is absolutely no reason to keep Mr. Fallin in jail.
Judge: Judge Handley's decision is reason enough.
Beldon: (To Nick) The court has the authority to hold you in custody. Let me get into it, Nick.
Outside the courtroom
Burton: They've got him in jail, David.
Beldon: They have that right. They believe that he violated the terms of his probation.
Burton: And what if he did?
Beldon: Well, the Judge can enforce Nick's original sentence from last year. He'll start serving time before the criminal trial.
Burton: Well, what do we do now?
Beldon: Talk to Finneran. I think we should try to make a deal.
Burton: I'm going to be at that meeting.
Beldon: No, Burton. He won't negotiate…
Burton: I want to be at that meeting.
Beldon: ...with you sitting in the room.
Burton turns and walks away.
Scene: Thomas Paul's house
Burton: Hey, Tom.
Paul: Burton. Good to see you.
Burton: How are you?
Paul: How's Nick?
Burton: Well, he's got some problems, Tom. Some serious problems.
Paul: Very sorry to hear that.
Burton: Yeah. Yeah. Tom, I wanted to talk to you about this swearing-in and robing and so on. I would really appreciate it if we could put that on hold until after I deal with Nicholas.
Paul: Burton, you want to do this as soon as the Senator and the Chief Judge are available. I got them to agree to a date at the end of the month.
Burton: I understand that but I would really like him at the swearing-in. He's my only family and I just—well, I want Nick to put the robe on me.
Paul: I'm sure you can find someone else to do that.
Burton: Well, it's a tradition, Thomas. You know that and I know that. It's a family thing. So, I just…I just want my son there.
Paul: If he's not available?
Burton: We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Paul: Burton. The political climate can change swiftly. (Burton chuckles) Ascending to the bench should be your priority right now.
Burton: Well, this has nothing to do with politics, Tom.
Paul: I'll let the Senator know.
Burton: Will you?
Paul: Yes.
Burton: Appreciate it. Thank you very much. How's Mary?
Paul: Very good, thank you.
Burton: Will you be sure and say hi for me?
Paul: Absolutely.
Burton: Okay, thank you very much.
Paul: Take care.
Scene: Caldwell & Associates, Caldwell's office
Caldwell: I think your experience will make you highly desirable as an immigration attorney; maybe even as a parent advocate.
James: Thank you.
Caldwell: Unfortunately, at this time we don't have positions available for someone with your experience.
James: I'm ready to work in an office like this. I have more courtroom experience than most of the guys who've been here for ten years.
Caldwell: Well, I'm sure you're a terrific attorney, Mr. Mooney. Let's just keep talking, okay? Believe me, I wouldn't have had you in if I hadn't heard such good things.
James: I could start at the bottom—first year associate.
Caldwell: Let me think about it.
Knock on the door and Gretchen enters.
Gretchen: Your 3:00 o'clock is here—Mr. Straka.
Caldwell: Thank you.
James: Thank you for your time.
Caldwell: Good to see you, Jake.
Scene: ADA Finneran's office
Finneran: It's going to be drug delivery resulting in death—third degree murder.
Beldon: She's not dead.
Finneran: She'll die. Mandatory minimum is five years. Minimum.
Beldon: What are you offering?
Finneran: He pleads guilty to possession and assault. He gets three years. He could be out in two.
Burton: No. No felony charges. He takes a felony charge, he serves the full term of his last conviction.
Finneran: Possession and assault. Three years.
Beldon: Misdemeanor possession only. Eighteen months. And no amending the charges if the girl dies.
Finneran: Ah…ah…no.
Burton: Look! There's lots of ways for Mandy Gressler to get her hands on dope without going through my son. She doesn't exactly make the best victim for you to pin your hopes on, especially in front of a jury.
Finneran: Two years—felony possession. I drop everything regarding the girl and the drug delivery.
Burton: No felony charges.
Finneran: This is the offer. Take it or leave it.
Scene: Allegheny County Jail, meeting room
Nick: No.
Beldon: It's a good deal, Nick. You could be out in fourteen months.
Nick: No. I passed my drug test. I have done nothing wrong.
Beldon: If the girl dies before we make a deal this'll go to trial and you could get five years.
Nick: You stop this thing before it gets to trial. When is the probation revocation hearing?
Beldon: I'll find out. Why?
Nick: Use it. If they can't get me there, they have very little chance of getting me at trial.
Beldon: It's a risk.
Nick: It's a risk. But, I can account for almost every minute of time before Mandy Gressler came to my house.
Beldon: Except the moments just before her heart stopped.
Nick: She was high before she got to my house. Now, if you can prove that, you will clear me of both charges. Can I have…can I just have a minute, talking with my father alone, please?
Beldon: Sure. (Beldon leaves)
Nick: You should stay away from this.
Burton: Nicholas.
Nick: It doesn't look good for you. I can take care of it myself.
Burton: Son. Beldon is about as good as it gets around here. He was on the team that got you through last time.
Nick: No, you got me through this last time.
Burton: All the more reason to take the deal, believe me.
Nick: I didn't do anything wrong.
Burton: (pause, sighs and gets up to leave) Alright. Okay. I'll bring you a suit, tie and shoes.
Nick: Yeah.
Scene: Pittsburgh County Hospital
Rachel: Amanda Gressler. Her heart stopped due to an overdose. The EMTs didn't arrive in time to prevent brain damage.
Burton: Well, you think she'll make it, or…?
Rachel: She's on a respirator. She's not going to wake up. That's her room.
Burton observes Mandy and her daughter through the glass.
Burton: Rachel. How long can you keep her alive?
Rachel: Sometimes they go for years. Sometimes they go immediately.
Scene: Street outside the hospital
Burton is driving away from the hospital and notices Shannon hitchhiking. He pulls over to the curb.
Burton: Don't do that.
Shannon: What?
Burton: Hitchhike.
Shannon: Why?
Burton: 'Cause. Getting in a car with a stranger is not…
Shannon: You want to give me a ride? (Gets in the car)
Burton: This is what I'm talking about. Now you're in a car with a stranger.
Shannon: You going to do something bad to me?
Burton: No.
Shannon: What the hell are you listening to? (Reaches to change the station—Jambalaya by Hanks Williams is playing)
Burton: Hey. Leave that alone. That happens to be a classic.
Shannon: I saw you. Looking in Mandy's room.
Burton: Yeah. Well…
Shannon: You a friend of hers?
Burton: No. No. Actually I never met her.
Shannon: She dates guys like you.
Burton: Well, I didn't know her. So you're her daughter, huh? Where's your dad?
Shannon: I don't have one.
Burton: You have any other family?
Shannon: Can you take me up to Dormont?
Burton: Dormont? Is that where you live? (Sighs—then drives off)
Scene: Dormont, Uncle Phil's house
Burton: So this is where you live, huh?
Shannon: Yeah, it's my uncle's house.
Burton: How long you lived here?
Shannon: Couple months, off and on.
Burton: Do you think you could go in and ask him to come out and talk to me for a minute?
Shannon: He won't be home for a few hours.
Burton: Who's looking out for you?
Shannon: My Uncle Phil. He'll be back in, like, an hour.
Burton: Oh.
Shannon: Do you have twenty bucks?
Burton: Twenty dollars? (Laughs) What's your name?
Shannon: Shannon.
Burton: Shannon. Well, I'm Burton. (Hands her the $20)
Shannon: Thanks.
Burton: Yeah. Listen. I'm sorry about your mom.
Shannon: Mandy? We all knew it was going to happen one of these days. (Exits the car)
Scene: Allegheny County Jail, meeting room
Nick is led into the meeting room by a guard.
Burton: Heya.
Nick: (To the guard) Thanks.
Burton: How you doing?
Nick: Okay. I slept a little better last night.
Burton: Oh, good. Good.
Nick: Did you tell Finneran that I didn't want to take the deal?
Beldon: Yes.
Nick: Good. When's the probation hearing?
Beldon: Thursday morning—10:30.
Nick: Okay. So with the probation hearing we're dealing with the drugs and the associating with a known felon charges, correct?
Beldon: Correct.
Nick: So, the key to this whole thing is demonstrating that the drugs were not mine and proving to the court that I did not ever have a personal relationship with Mandy Gressler.
Beldon: Right.
Nick: Right, and if we can do that then we have a very good chance of eliminating criminal charges.
Burton: How do you see that?
Nick: No drugs—no drug delivery charge. What does Darger's statement say?
Beldon: Darger?
Nick: Detective Darger. I was on the phone with him at the moment that Mandy Gressler attacked me in my house.
Scene: Police Precinct
Beldon and Burton follow Detective Darger to his car.
Detective Darger: Yeah, I talked to him. I can tell what time he called and I did hear something but I can't be sure what it was.
Beldon: He says he spoke to you several times.
Darger: He did, but I don't have a magic phone. Can't see through the line.
Burton: Could we get a statement from you?
Darger: Sure. I can tell you when I spoke to him, what was said and how long the call lasted but I won't speculate.
Beldon: Thanks a lot. We'll be in touch.
Burton: David. Go ahead. I'll catch up with you. Detective, let me ask you this. How long had you been looking for Mandy Gressler?
Darger: Little over a month.
Burton: What do you know about her?
Darger: Stripper, drug problem, spent a few months in jail. Good at getting men to do what she wanted.
Burton: Do you know who she was close to?
Darger: I checked around. Not many people.
Burton: How about her family? Family…?
Darger: She had a daughter that lived with her and a mother.
Burton: A mother?
Darger: Yeah.
Burton: You know her telephone number?
Darger: You can look it up. Name's Mary Gressler. She's out in Braddock. Now you have to excuse me. I've got a stabbing in East Liberty.
Burton: I understand. Thanks.
Scene: Dormont, Uncle Phil's house
Burton: (Knocks on the door) Hey, Shannon.
Shannon: Hey.
Burton: How you doing?
Shannon: Okay.
Burton: Is your Uncle back yet?
Shannon: No.
Burton: Shouldn't you be in school?
Shannon: They're not having it today.
Burton: Oh. Well, let me ask you this. Do you like hamburgers?
Shannon: Yeah.
Burton: Are you hungry?
Shannon: Yeah. One second.
Scene: Home Diner in Mt. Lebanon
Shannon: I'm into music. A lot into music.
Burton: Yeah.
Shannon: But not teenager stuff. Pink. I think Pink is my favorite.
Burton: Pink?
Shannon: She's a singer.
Burton: Hmm.
Shannon: Good songs. Not techno.
Burton: Yeah.
Shannon: I don't like techno.
Burton: (chuckling) I don't either.
Shannon: Mandy is all into that kind of thing though.
Burton: Yeah.
Shannon: So, like, I've seen some shows and stuff. And a talk show. There was a person who was brain-dead and they kept talking about whether they should just let the person die or they should wait, you know. And this one family, the mother of this girl, she kept saying how her daughter could hear her when she spoke to her and that she was probably having dreams and stuff like that so, that's why they didn't turn off the machines.
Burton: Yeah.
Shannon: Anyway. Is someone going to ask me what to do with Mandy?
Burton: I don't think so.
Shannon: Why not?
Burton: Well, because… Well, in the first place, how old are you?
Shannon: Almost twelve.
Burton: Because you're eleven.
Shannon: You a cop or something?
Burton: Uh-uh.
Shannon: Why you coming around?
Burton: Your mother. On the night of the accident, my son was with your mom and because of what happened, he's in trouble now. (Removes a snapshot of Nick from his wallet) This is my son. Did you ever see my son with your mom or…?
Shannon: No.
Burton: Yeah. Well when she went the hospital that night, earlier that day, were you with her?
Shannon: Yeah.
Burton: I mean, all day?
Shannon: Yeah.
Burton: My son said she was… when she came over to his house she'd been doing some…
Shannon: Partying?
Burton: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Is that true?
Shannon: Yeah.
Burton: Hmm.
Shannon: If my mom's just sleeping, you know, and dreaming and she can hear me, I don't think I'd ever want to turn off the machines, if she was. How about you?
Burton: I'm sorry. What?
Shannon: If it was your son.
Burton: Oh.
Shannon: Would you want to, like, turn off the machines, or not?
Burton: (Exhales) Oooh. (Consults his watch) Listen. We better get going. Okay? Ma'am, could we have the check here, please?
Scene: Allegheny County Jail—visitation area
Jake: I brought you a couple books. Elmore Leonard. I know he writes about convicts and stuff, but the bookstore guy said they're pretty good.
Nick: Great. Thank you.
Jake: Henry Stone and Lisa Jacoby both went back to Caldwell. So did most of the clients. And Caldwell offered me my job back.
Nick: Take it.
Jake: You know Steven Sophets and Landers Technology are both still on the bubble.
Nick: They're my clients. They're loyal for the short term. They'll end up going back to Caldwell, too. You need a job.
Jake: You're not going back to Caldwell—I mean, if you get out.
Nick: No.
Jake: And if you get out, you still want to start this thing?
Nick: Sure.
Jake: (places business card up against the glass) Fallin & Straka. I already had the cards made up.
Nick: Take the job at Caldwell's, Jake.
Jake: Well…listen, if you like the books, I'll bring a couple more next week.
Nick: Thanks. Thank you.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh, exterior
Burton drives up to the front of Legal Services with Shannon in the car. It's raining heavily.
Shannon: Where're you taking me?
Burton: I called your grandmother, honey.
Shannon: What?
Burton: I called your grandmother.
Shannon: You suck, man!
Burton: That's possible but…your grandmother misses you and she wants you to come live with her.
Shannon: I live with my mother. I've always lived with my mother.
Burton: Shannon. You don't want to live with that Phil guy. He's not even your uncle. Now, I want to take you to some people here who really want to help you.
Shannon attempts to get out of the car but the door is locked.
Burton: (sighs) Honey, this is the best thing for you. This is the best thing for you, believe me. Shannon?
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh
Burton and Shannon exit the elevator.
Mary Gressler: Shannon. Shannon. Shannon, look at me. Shannon, look at me, please. I was concerned about you.
Lulu: Mrs. Gressler, this is Burton Fallin. He found your granddaughter.
Burton: How are you?
Mary: Thank you very much. Where's Amanda?
Alvin: Mrs. Gressler. Your daughter, she's at Pittsburgh County Hospital. Her heart failed due to cocaine use.
Mary: Oh.
Alvin: I'm sorry to have to tell you that.
Mary: I'm sorry for any inconvenience my family's caused you. You said Pittsburgh County. That's near Oakland?
Alvin: Yeah. Do you need a ride?
Mary: No! I know where that is. Thank you. Thank you. C'mon. Let's go. Let's go! (Grabs Shannon and scurries out.)
Scene: The Incline
Burton: That's a terrible thing for parents. Terrible thing. Oh—this young girl, Shannon Gressler. How could I keep tabs on her?
Alvin: Well, I'm sure Social Services will look after her. It's nice of you to be concerned but…
Burton: No. No. I need her to testify for Nick.
Alvin: Well, I would go through the grandmother then, Burton. She's her legal guardian now.
Burton: Oh. (Long pause) Okay. Let me ask you something, Alvin. Does Nick ever talk to you, I mean, really talk to you?
Alvin: What do you mean?
Burton: Well, you don't have kids, do you?
Alvin: No.
Burton: Hmm. Oh, Nick… Nick just can't seem to unwind. Just… You know. I don't think I've ever had a really big laugh with him. I mean, ever.
Alvin: Do you ever unwind, Burton?
Scene: Allegheny County Jail, Nick's cell
Nick paces, restless, sleepless—stands peering out his window at the rain.
Scene: Pittsburgh County Hospital, Mandy's room
Mary sits a vigil by her daughter's bedside.
Scene: Allegheny County Jail, Nick's cell
Nick reads a book, closes it and lies back on his cot.
Scene: Allegheny County Jail, meeting room, next day
Burton: Mandy Gressler has a daughter. I talked to her is what I mean to say. I went over to the hospital to check on Mandy and her daughter was there.
Nick: Okay.
Burton: She told me her mom was on drugs before she went to your place—her own words.
Nick: How old is she?
Burton: Eleven.
Nick: Do you think she'll testify?
Burton: She's very young, Nicholas. Seems like a good kid. Been through enough hell already with a mother like that. I don't want to put her though the wringer unless…
Nick: Unless you know I'm telling the truth.
Burton: Did the drugs come from your place, or not?
Nick: No. No. I'm telling the truth.
Burton: I'll talk to Beldon. Get him going on this.
Scene: The Incline
Jake: Hey.
James: Thanks for meeting me.
Jake: Yeah, no problem
James: Left my job over at the clinic.
Jake: Sorry to hear that.
James: No. It was the right thing to do. I've been there a long time. So I've been making the round interviewing. Not many corporate firms want a guy like me.
Jake: I'm not so sure about that.
James: Hmm. Done work for the indigent for seven years, right? So, I don't exactly come with connections to clients. Went to night school, Duquesne. Before that, community college. But, you get me in the door to a place like that—I swear I'll thrive. I just need the in.
Jake: I'm not at Caldwell any more. I quit.
James: You had a job at Caldwell and…
Jake: I'm starting my own law firm. With Nick.
James: Corporate firm?
Jake: Yeah.
James: Okay. Look, I'm not asking for a hand-out or a favor. I just need a place to get my start.
Jake: So are you asking to work for me?
James: With you.
Scene: Pittsburgh County Hospital, waiting area
Burton and Beldon enter. Burton sits beside Shannon.
Burton: Hey, Shannon. How you doing? Did you come over here with your grandmother?
Shannon: Yeah, why?
Burton: We just wanted to talk to her for a minute.
Mary Gressler enters.
Mary: What are you doing here?
Burton: Oh, hi, Ms. Gressler.
Mary: (To Beldon) Who are you?
Burton: Oh, that's David Beldon. He's my son's attorney.
Mary: Why are you talking to Shannon?
Beldon: May we speak privately?
Mary: (To Burton) Just you.
Scene: Pittsburgh County Hospital, Mandy's room
Mary: Well?
Burton: Mrs. Gressler, my son was with your daughter…
Mary: The police told me what happened.
Burton: Well then, you know…
Mary: …that your son hurt her.
Burton: That isn't true.
Mary: Look. My daughter's biggest problem has been that men always take advantage of her.
Burton: Mrs. Gressler. My son faces very serious charges. He could be in jail for a long time…
Mary: He deserves to be.
Burton: …if the court believes that he gave drugs to your daughter.
Mary: What do you want from…what? What do you want?
Burton: Shannon told me that Mandy was doing drugs earlier that day. My question to you is, are you willing to bring Shannon into court and let her testify to that fact?
Mary: No.
Scene: Allegheny County Jail, visitation area
Lulu: I hope I didn't… I hope you're not embarrassed.
Nick: It's very nice of you to come. How are you?
Lulu: Well, work's been busy with you here and James gone. He's looking for work in the city. He's interviewing at some firms. And I've actually taken on all of your cases. But, Alvin asked me to, so… And you know, I did have a question about the Rafferty kid. You know, the one with the disability whose mother doesn't have insurance?
Nick: Lulu. Lulu. Why did you marry Brian?
Lulu: What do you mean, why? (Pause) Anyway, the case hearing is going to be on Monday and the mother can't make it…
Nick: I thought you're meant to be on your honeymoon now.
Lulu: Nick.
Nick: No, Lulu, I wanted… to be with you. And… you know, I should've said something before. I thought I made it pretty clear.
Lulu: You did.
Nick: Does he know that you're here visiting me?
Lulu: I don't know that that's any of your business.
Nick: He doesn't know, does he?
Lulu: You know, I just came down here to check on you. That's all. And I wanted to go over some things.
Nick: No. You don't need to get upset. I'm just asking…
Lulu: I think you might be reading a little bit into this…
Nick: I'm not reading anything into it. I want to know if he knows that you're here.
Lulu: You know, I just came here to be nice. They searched me, you know.
Nick: They make you take your clothes off?
Lulu: (exhales) You can be such an ass.
Nick: They made me take my clothes off. That's a different story. It's not a very nice story.
Lulu: Okay. That's it.
Nick: Lulu. The Rafferty kid. He wants to stay with his mom. Judge Damsen knows the family. Talk to her. Make sure you take the medical bills and records and present them to the court before the shelter hearing.
Lulu: Okay. (She leaves.)
Scene: Burton's house, night
Burton: (opens the door) David. How are you?
Beldon: Hey, Burton.
Burton: What's up?
Beldon: Mandy Gressler died about an hour ago. They're performing an autopsy tonight and no matter what the results; the D.A. is going to be filing new charges.
Burton: Oh, boy. So, the deal's off, huh?
Beldon: Right. The new charges are going to be drug delivery resulting in death.
Burton: What about the young girl? Will she testify?
Beldon: No, I'm going to have to subpoena her. Should I go ahead with that?
Burton: Oh, boy.
Scene: Mary Gressler's house, night
Burton rings the door bell.
Mary: What do you want?
Burton: Mrs. Gressler, I know they sent you a subpoena and I just… thought you should know that… if you don't bring Shannon to the courtroom the judge will send a sheriff over here to pick her up.
Mary: Don't you threaten me. My daughter is dead. I'm trying to protect my granddaughter from all this. Don't you threaten me!
Burton: Mrs. Gressler. I'm just tying to apologize. Tell you how sorry I am for everything you're going through. I know with my boy, I've imagined… Well, this is unimaginable. I just want to say how sorry I… for any part… for everything that happened.
Mary: (placated, closing the door) Goodnight.
Scene: Allegheny County Courthouse
Nick is being escorted, in suit and tie and handcuffs, to the courtroom.
Beldon: The autopsy results came back. She died of heart failure caused by long term cocaine use. The coroner is minimizing the effect of the head injury.
Burton: That's good news. That eliminates the assault charge. (Straightens Nick's tie then pats him on the shoulder) You ready?
Nick takes a deep breath.
Inside courtroom—hearing underway
Beldon: (addresses Shannon on the stand) Shannon. Can you tell me what your mother was doing the last time you saw her?
Shannon: I don't know.
Beldon: Can you describe the things you did on that day?
Shannon: Shopping?
Beldon: Did you say shopping? You have to say, yes or no.
Shannon: Shopping.
Beldon: Shannon. When you spoke with Mr. Fallin, did you tell him that your mother was doing drugs on the day of her accident?
Shannon: I don't know.
Beldon: You don't remember?
Mary: (from the gallery) Leave her alone.
Judge: Mrs. Gressler.
Mary: She answered the question.
Beldon: 'I don't know' is not an answer.
Mary: No, leave her alone.
Judge: Mrs. Gressler. (To Beldon) Proceed.
Beldon: Shannon. When you spoke with Mr. Fallin did you say your mother was partying?
Shannon: No.
Beldon: You didn't say that?
Shannon: I don't know.
Judge: Shannon. Please answer the question.
Shannon: What question?
Judge: Did you say that your mother had been taking drugs before she went to Mr. Fallin's home?
Shannon: No, I didn't say anything.
Burton takes the stand.
Burton: I took Shannon for a hamburger at the Home Diner up in Mt. Lebanon and I asked her about what her mother was doing the day of the accident and she said that her mother was partying.
Beldon: Judge Fallin. She recounted this without any prompting from you?
Burton: That's correct.
Beldon: No more questions.
Finneran: Mr. Fallin. Shannon, here, told you point-blank that her mother was taking drugs.
Burton: Yes.
Finneran: And she already knew that her mother was very sick—on life-support.
Burton: Yes.
Finneran: Well, tell me if I've got this picture right, Mr. Fallin. Shannon, over a plate of French fries, calmly tells you the one thing that can exonerate your son.
Burton: Yes.
Finneran: That's not what she says today.
Burton: That's why I'm testifying.
Finneran: Was there anyone else at the diner with you?
Burton: A lot of people.
Finneran: Can anyone else confirm your story?
Burton: Not that I know of.
Finneran: No more questions.
Judge: You may step down.
Beldon: No more witnesses, Your Honor.
Judge: Clearly there are violations here that merit revisiting your original sentence. Relationship with the victim and the fact that drugs were found in your home is enough for the court. In regard to your sentence…
Mary: (standing)Your Honor.
Judge: Mrs. Gressler.
Mary: No! It… Shannon's not telling you everything.
Mary takes the stand.
Mary: A couple of weeks ago a detective came to see me. It was about Mandy. He told me I had to call him if I saw her. And, if I didn't, I could get into trouble. And then on… Friday, Mandy and Shannon came to see me and I didn't call the detective. I should have done that. I gave Mandy a hundred dollars. It was Friday and I had just gotten paid and she wanted to get Shannon some things, so I gave her the money. When she got back, I could tell she'd bought drugs. I knew it. So, I went into her room and I searched it, and I found the drugs in her purse, in a sandwich bag. So, I took them and Mandy started yelling. And, she pushed me and grabbed the drugs and ran out. And Shannon left with her.
Judge: Mrs. Gressler, are you stating that you witnessed your daughter in possession of drugs on the day of the incident?
Mary: Yes.
Scene shifts outside courtroom—Nick, Burton and Beldon talking quietly (inaudible).
Nick: Okay.
Burton: (shakes hands with Beldon) Oh, thanks a lot. Excuse me. Take care. (Walks after Mary)
Nick: Thank you. (Shakes hands with Beldon)
Burton: Mrs. Gressler. I just wanted to thank you so much.
Mary: I wouldn't have said anything, you know. 'Cause I was hoping… I thought that she was going to get better.
Burton: I understand.
Mary: She was a beautiful girl. Just looking at her, you would have thought that she would have had an easier time of it.
Burton: Oh. Mrs. Gressler. I want you to meet my son, Nicholas.
Mary: Hi.
Nick: Hi.
Burton: And, this is Mandy's daughter, Shannon.
Shannon: Hi.
Nick: Hi, Shannon. (To Mary) Thank you.
Mary: We'd better go. Good luck.
Burton: Thanks, again. (Mary and Shannon leave) Oh, I have your mail in my car. Nothing much. Lot of magazines and old bills, but you did get a parking ticket. You forgot to move your car for street cleaning, so…38 bucks.
Nick: Dad, I…
Burton: Oh, listen, I want to show you something.
Nick follows Burton into an empty courtroom.
Burton: So have you thought about what you're going to do now?
Nick: Well, go back to work.
Burton: Caldwell?
Nick: No. No. With Jake. I'm going to start something new.
Burton: Well, that'll be… Good luck. (Sighs) So this is my courtroom.
Nick: It's good.
Burton: Nicholas. My swearing-in…be coming up in a couple of weeks.
Nick: Okay.
Burton: The thing is… Well, you know what a robing is, right?
Nick: Sure.
Burton: Yeah. New judge has a member of his family…
Nick: Yeah.
Burton: You know. I'd like that to be you.
Nick: Dad. I don't think I reflect very well on you.
Burton: I want it to be you, son.
END OF EPISODE
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