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TRANSCRIPT:
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Scene: A park overlooking the city
A jogger runs along a path in the park.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh
Lulu: (To receptionist) Hey. Has my friend, Sarah Twain, called?
Receptionist: Not yet.
Lulu: The adoption agency people are still waiting in there. Can you try her line again?
Receptionist: Sure.
Lulu: Thank you.
Nick exits the elevator and walks to his office to find Hugh sitting there.
Hugh: I'm gonna need a lawyer. (Clearly mentally retarded)
Nick: Uh…
Hugh: I'm gonna need a lawyer.
Nick: Excuse me. (Turns and walks to Alvin's office)
Lulu: (To Alvin) The Twains haven't shown up for their meeting. They were supposed to be here…
Nick: (Interrupts) Alvin. Who's in my office?
Alvin: (To Lulu) You filed the petition for the Twain adoption, right?
Lulu: Yeah, last week, but I haven't gotten formal approval. And this meeting was supposed to be…
Nick: (To Alvin) Why is there a retarded guy in my office?
Alvin: (To Nick) I thought you knew Hugh. (To Lulu) They've already adopted two kids from that agency, Lulu. The meeting's a formality.
Nick: I don't know him.
Alvin: Hugh works here occasionally. Just like you.
Nick: Oh. He's a lawyer?
Lulu: Alvin. The Twains wouldn't miss a meeting like this without calling and I can't get through to them because their line is busy so…
Nick: (Exasperated) What does he do?
Alvin: He carries heavy stuff—sweeps up the halls, occasionally.
Lulu: Nick. Could you just give me thirty seconds, please?
Alvin: What do you want me to do?
Lulu: I want you to sit with the adoption agency people. I'm going to run over to the Twains' house right now.
Alvin: Fine. I'll bore them with my history of LSP story.
Lulu: Whatever you have to do.
Receptionist: Lulu. Sarah Twain, line three.
Lulu: Oh, great. Thanks. (Walks away)
Alvin: Hugh's been a client here for years. We're the place he comes when he needs help.
Nick: What kinda help does he need?
Alvin: (Hands Hugh's file to Nick) The cops took his dog. To the pound, I guess.
Nick: Why can't he get it back himself?
Alvin: He said he tried but didn't have any luck. I didn't get exactly why.
Nick: (Scans the file) Williams. (Looks across the office at Hugh) I do know him.
Alvin: Yeah. He's a fixture here.
Nick: No. I grew up with him. (Heads to his office)
Lulu: (Into the phone) Oh, my God. Oh, my God. I'm so sorry. What can I do? Okay. Bye.
Alvin: What is it?
Lulu: That was Sarah Twain. Jennifer, one of their daughters, is missing. I gotta go.
Scene: The park overlooking the city
Jogger slows up and stops to find the body of a young girl in the bushes.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Nick's office
Hugh: (Playing with Nick's paperclips) I'm gonna need a lawyer.
Nick: Hugh.
Hugh: Yes.
Nick: Nick Fallin.
Hugh: Hi, Nick.
Nick: You remember me?
Hugh: Do I remember you?
Nick: Nick Fallin. I lived three houses down from you on Parker Street.
Hugh: Nick from down the street?
Nick: That's right.
Hugh: You're not Nick from down the street.
Nick: (Chuckles) Yes, I am.
Hugh: Nick from down the street is small. Nick from down the street has long hair and rides a blue Schwinn Spyder bike.
Nick: That's right. So, Hugh, you lost your dog.
Hugh: You look different.
Nick: So do you. Bigger.
Hugh: I'm big.
Nick: Yeah. So, you lost your dog, right?
Hugh: I lost Beth. I was back on Parker Street…
Nick: That's your dog's name? Beth?
Hugh: Nick, where is your blue Schwinn Spyder bike?
Nick: (Grins) I don't, uh… Doesn't matter. Listen, I'm going to call the pound. Can you meet me there at four?
Hugh: Do you still live down the street, Nick?
Nick: No. I don't. I don't.
Hugh: Me neither, 'cause grandma died. She was sleeping a long time. She was in bed and she didn't get up to turn off the television.
Nick: But you've moved to another place. Edgewood House?
Hugh: I'm gonna need a lawyer.
Nick: Hugh. I am a lawyer and I'm going to help you get your dog back. (Smiling) But you have to leave now. Okay? I'll meet you down at the pound. You know how to get there, right?
Hugh: Oh, yeah. I slept there last night.
Scene: Twain residence
Lulu pulls up and parks in front of the house—runs to the front door.
Lulu: (Sarah meets her at the door) Oh, Sarah.
Sarah: She's dead.
Lulu: What? (Embraces Sarah)
Sarah: We're in shock. [CC says: I can't believe it.]
Lulu: Oh, my God.
Sarah: Robert? (Robert enters room with Michelle) Lulu's here.
Robert: Look, Michelle. It's Lulu.
Lulu: (To Michelle) Hey, honey. (Embraces Robert) I'm so sorry.
Robert: Thank you. Okay, Michelle. Let's go upstairs. Time for a nap.
Michelle: I want to stay with Lulu.
Robert: Upstairs, Michelle. Please.
Lulu: I'll see ya later.
Sarah: I… (Sighs) I took Michelle for a haircut and... and Jennifer and Robert stayed here and worked on that ham radio of his. When I got back Robert was running around the yard screaming Jennifer's name. They found her by the park. She knew she wasn't supposed to go there alone.
Lulu: Do the police have any idea what happened?
Sarah: No. No. They kept asking us what we thought happened. Who we thought might do something like this. Why someone would do this. I mean… Robert kept talking about this guy, Gene Drova. Said he was hanging outside the house. He said he'd seen him outside earlier that day.
Lulu: Do you know him?
Sarah: Kind of. Not really. (Looks at photo of Jennifer on end table) We only had her for a year and a half. (Sighs) Year and a half. People must think that since she wasn't ours to begin with…
Lulu: No, they don't think that.
Sarah: She was still my daughter.
Lulu: I know that.
Sarah: We promised to take care of her. (Lulu takes her hand)
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Burton's office
Burton: G'morning, Jake. Sit down. Ah… couple of questions.
Jake: So, it's about the Westco contracts?
Burton: No. No, it's about Nick. His girlfriend… What's her name?
Jake: Kim.
Burton: Remember her last name?
Jake: You know, I don't know. I mean, we don't socialize much outside work.
Burton: Oh, yeah? Really? I thought you guys were buddies.
Jake: We are. We just don't… you know… on the weekends.
Burton: Okay. Well, do me a favor, if you will. Could you make a list of people you think he might want to have to a party.
Jake: How many people you looking for?
Burton: Um… (Chuckles) I don't know.
Jake: Well, all right. I'll make some calls.
Burton: Good.
Jake: Look, about the Westco contracts… I'm…
Burton: Let's put a hold on that for the time being, okay?
Jake: Um… okay.
Burton: Great. Thanks, Jake. (Jake leaves—Burton ponders)
Scene: Pittsburgh Humane Society
Attendant: Your friend slept out front last night. He can't do that. (Opens the door to the kennels for Nick) That dog has something evil going on 'round its ear—a lot of pus.
Nick: Okay.
Attendant: Gonna go deaf if you don't do something about it.
Nick: All right. Thank you.
Hugh: They won't let me be with Beth.
Attendant: He wanted to sit in the cage. It's against the rules.
Nick: How much is this going to cost to take care of?
Attendant: It's not that easy. That dog bit a cop.
Hugh: Beth wants her toy.
Nick: He bit a cop?
Attendant: Cop says, brought her in because she bit him. Here's a copy of the complaint.
Nick: Why did Beth bite a police officer?
Hugh: I'm gonna need a lawyer, Nick.
Nick: (Angrily) I am a lawyer, Hugh. I told you that already. Okay?
Attendant: Based on that report, the law considers that a dangerous dog.
Nick: Well, what do we have to do?
Attendant: First, he needs a place to keep her; a yard, enclosed pen. Some place she can't get out of.
Nick: Anything else?
Attendant: Money.
Nick: How much?
Attendant: $50,000 bond.
Nick: Come on.
Hugh: I got money. I can buy my grandmother's house and keep Beth in the yard.
Nick: You're kidding?
Attendant: It's kind of an insurance for future victims should there be any.
Nick: (Steps closer and lowers his voice) Just between you and me, is there anything else we can do here?
Attendant: If she didn't bite a cop I might be able to let it slide. It's probably a pretty nice dog, minus the ear. But, as it stands, with the report and all, you've got three days.
Nick: Three days?
Attendant: Three days.
Nick: Thanks. Okay, Hugh. Let's go. Come on, Hugh.
Outside the building, they walk to the car.
Hugh: So I can get Beth back when I get the fence and the money, right?
Nick: You can't sleep here, Hugh. You're going to end up getting hurt.
Hugh: When can I get Beth?
Nick: Your file says you live at Edgewood House.
Hugh: I left. Larry doesn't like Beth.
Nick: Who's Larry?
Hugh: Edgewood is Larry's place.
Nick: Is that why you didn't go back there last night, because Larry wouldn't let Beth live there any more?
Hugh: Yeah.
Nick: Hugh. I have a meeting. You're going to have to go back to Edgewood. Sleeping here is not going to get your dog back.
Hugh: I'm hungry.
Nick: Are you listening to me?
Hugh: But, I'm hungry.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Lulu's office
Lulu is looking in a file cabinet when Detective Darger knocks on her open door.
Darger: Mrs. Olsen?
Lulu: Yeah.
Darger: I'm Detective Darger. I'd like to ask you some questions about the Twains.
Lulu: Oh, sure. Have a seat.
Darger: Sarah Twain said you were one of her best friends.
Lulu: Yeah. We were college roommates.
Darger: You also helped the Twains with their adoptions, right?
Lulu: Yes. Michelle and Jennifer were adopted from the same family about eighteen months ago and they were in the process of adopting another girl.
Darger: Another girl?
Lulu: Yeah. That's right.
Darger: What's your relationship with Robert?
Lulu: I know him through Sarah.
Darger: These adoptions—did you see the background check on the parents?
Lulu: Those files are confidential.
Darger: (Pause) How well do you know Mr. Twain?
Lulu: I know him socially but Sarah is my friend. Why? You want to tell me what's going on?
Darger: I'm asking your opinion.
Lulu: Well… my opinion is that they're excellent parents. They're excellent people.
Darger: Okay, then. Thank you for your time.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—later
Lulu gets off elevator to find the Twains waiting for her.
Robert: She's here.
Lulu: Sarah?
Sarah: (Frantic) They took Michelle.
Robert: This is insane.
Lulu: What are you talking about?
Sarah: (Upset) They just knocked on the door and they took Michelle.
Lulu: Who?
Sarah: The police. The police came, and someone from Social Services.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Burton's office
Nick knocks and enters.
Burton: Hey.
Nick: You wanted to see me?
Burton: Yeah. There's a partners' dinner tonight at The Incline, six o'clock.
Nick: I didn't know that.
Burton: Well…now you do. Here ya go. (Hands him an envelope) I just wanted to say, Happy Birthday.
Nick: Right. (Takes the envelope and puts it in his inside coat pocket) Well, thank you.
Burton: There's a little something in there for you.
Nick: Yeah.
Burton: I don't know what the hell you're into these days or I'd have done some shopping but…
Nick: (Chuckles and nods) Remember Hugh Williams?
Burton: Oh, that joker in Monroeville? That car dealer?
Nick: No, the retarded kid from down the street—growing up.
Burton: Oh… Parker Street?
Nick: Yeah.
Burton: Oh, yeah. Tough little bastard, right?
Nick: Oh, yeah.
Burton: Yeah. Your mother used to make you play with him 'cause she felt sorry for him. You'd get this look on your face. (Makes a face) She thought you were being mean. I thought maybe he was kicking your ass.
Nick: Ah…I could take care of myself.
Burton: (Chuckles) Lived with his grandmother, right?
Nick: Yeah. Well, he's a client through LSP. He was in the old neighborhood and his dog got into it with a cop. He's in my office if you want to say hello.
Burton: Yeah. Okay, sure.
Nick's office—Hugh is sitting on the floor playing with a pad of Post-It notes.
Burton: Hey, Hugh. How are you? (Extends his hand) You probably don't remember me. I'm…
Hugh: Mr. Fallin.
Burton: That's right. (Chuckles)
Hugh: Where's Mrs. Fallin?
Burton: She's, uh… well… Well, what've you been doing with yourself?
Hugh: Oh… I have a dog and… certain things. Hobbies.
Burton: Oh, good. Good.
Nick: Well, Dad. Hugh and I have to go and talk to the police about getting his dog back.
Burton: Oh, right, well… Good luck with that, Hugh. It's good to see ya. You take care, now. Okay? Happy Birthday, son. (Hugh smiles broadly at Nick—Nick grins sheepishly)
Scene: Courtyard of Allegheny County Courthouse
Lulu: (Intercepts Laurie, crossing the courtyard) Laurie. Why did Social Services remove the Twain girl?
Laurie: Jennifer Twain's autopsy raises the possibility that she'd been sexually abused.
Lulu: What?
Laurie: Jennifer's hymen shows clefts and bumps that may have been caused by sexual abuse.
Lulu: Clefts and bumps. What, what… was she raped before she was killed?
Laurie: No. This is abuse going back months, maybe years.
Lulu: Months or years? I have been on the other side of cases like this. I know, Laurie, this kind of finding does not necessarily indicate sexual abuse.
Scene: Police Station
Hugh: (Singing) Somebody's having a birthday. Someone's having a birth… Nick is having a birthday.
Nick: Okay. Stop it! Stop it!
Hugh: Sorry, Nick.
Nick: (Calls out to Officer) Excuse me, I need to speak with Officer McNamara.
Hugh: I remember your party.
McNamara: What is it?
Hugh: I remember your birthday party. It was for superheroes.
Officer motions to Nick.
Nick: (To Hugh) You wait right here.
Hugh: I was a superhe… I was Superman. You were Flash.
Nick: I represent Mr. Williams.
McNamara: He's lucky I didn't arrest him.
Nick: Why is that?
McNamara: His dog is running in the street. I grab it. The thing bites me and then he takes a swing.
Nick: Did he hit you?
McNamara: He tried. He's not exactly Sugar Ray Leonard.
Nick: Why didn't you let animal control pick her up?
McNamara: You saying I made a mistake? Listen I cut your friend a break. I can't change the report. Work it out with the pound. (Walks off)
Kim comes up behind Nick and taps him on the arm with a file folder—walks on by.
Kim: Hi.
Nick: (To Hugh) You wait here. (Walks over to Kim)
Kim: What are you doing here?
Nick: LSP client. What do you know of this guy, McNamara?
Kim: What do you want with him?
Nick: Well… He took my friend's dog and he's giving us a hard time getting it back.
Kim: Oh, that's very sweet. (Touches his lapel—Nick pulls away) Helping with the dog.
Nick: Well, the dog's going to be put down.
Kim: Oh…well… McNamara's a grade-A pain in the ass. Besides, a little girl got killed in our precinct. You're not going to get any attention for a dog.
Nick: Right. Thanks anyway.
Kim: Yeah. See ya later.
Hugh: Is she your girlfriend?
Nick: (Quietly) No.
Hugh: I had a girlfriend for a while.
Nick: (Sternly—points his finger) You attacked a cop. You're lucky you didn't get arrested.
Hugh: I was Superman.
Nick: That's great, Hugh. (Walks out the door—Hugh follows)
Scene: Twain residence—For Sale sign in the yard
Sarah: The police have gone through every room.
Lulu: I'm sorry.
Sarah: Why did they get a search warrant?
Lulu: I spoke to Laurie Solt and she said that…
Robert: (Loudly—from upstairs) It's our personal property. It is private and it's none of your business. Private!
Sarah: Oh… This is crazy, Lulu.
Lulu: What is it?
Sarah: This is crazy.
Upstairs, Detective Darger is going through a box of S&M paraphernalia as Robert looks on.
Darger: Sweet. (To another officer) Take this.
Robert: Are you saying I'm a suspect?
Darger: I'm just saying we can talk about it at the station.
Robert: All right, but I'll follow you in my car.
Lulu and Sarah are standing at the bottom of the stairs—Lulu sees the box of S&M paraphernalia.
Robert: (To Sarah) Sweetheart, this won't take long. Everything is fine. Don't, don't worry about a thing. Come here. (They embrace) It's okay. (Leaves with cops)
Sarah: (To Lulu) This isn't happening. This isn't happening.
Lulu: Okay. Sarah. That stuff in the box…
Sarah: Is our personal life, Lulu. It, it has nothing to do with anything.
Lulu: I know. I understand. I just… It could be a problem.
Sarah: Why?
Lulu: Because… I came here to tell you that the coroner's report indicated a possibility that Jennifer was sexually abused. (Pause) Your sexual activities are probably going to concern the police and it's certainly going to concern Social Services.
Sarah: They think that we did this to her?
Lulu: No, I'm not saying that.
Sarah: If they did not think we did this to her, why did they take Michelle or search our house?
Lulu: I just think that they're covering all their bases.
Sarah: They think we did this to her.
Scene: The Incline—surprise birthday dinner for Nick
Burton: How'd you happen to decide to become a cop?
Kim: Everyone in my family's a cop.
Burton: Oh.
Kim: My dad, my uncle, my cousins, my ex-husband.
Burton: Oh. Your ex-husband.
Kim: Mm-hmm.
Burton: Uh-huh. (Cell phone rings) Oh, excuse me.
Kim: Sure.
Burton: (Into phone) Hello. Yeah. No, no, no. I said six o'clock. No, Nick. All the partners are here. We… (Listens) Look, Nicholas, I know you've got that thing but if… but if you want to have responsibilities…
Edgewood House, outsideL Nick pulls up with Hugh in his car.
Nick: (Into phone) Dad, will you just lay off? Listen… I'm stuck with Hugh, okay? (To Hugh) Can you get out of the car? (To Burton) No, no. I can't bring him along. I can't bring him along! Listen. Why is this so important to you? Can you just start it without me? Okay? (To Hugh--forcefully) Can you get out of the car? Now… (To Burton) I'm not talking to you. (To Hugh) Just stop being such a pain in the ass!
The Incline
Burton: Why don't you stop being a pain in the ass? (Hangs up and addresses the group) Well… bad news. Nick can't make it. But, why don't… why don't we all just order and enjoy our meals and carry-on, okay? (Chuckles)
Scene: Edgewood House
Lawrence Herman: Can I help you?
Nick: Yeah. You Lawrence Herman?
Lawrence: Yeah. Who are you?
Nick: Nick Fallin. I called you earlier.
Lawrence: You bring Hugh?
Nick: Yeah. He's in the car but he's…he won't come out.
Lawrence: He's angry because I won't let him keep the dog.
Nick: Why not?
Lawrence: Hugh lashes out if he thinks someone hurts the dog. Then he apologizes and acts contrite and promises it'll never happen again. Then sure enough, two or three days later, Johnny or Bill is on his ass in the kitchen because he tried to give Beth a scrap of food.
Nick: Well, is there a facility he can live in where he can keep a dog?
Lawrence: There's one. Dormont Valley. But it's twelve hundred bucks a month and Hugh's stipend can't cover that.
Nick: He's got money?
Lawrence: The Trust was set up from the sale of his grandmother's house. I am the Trustee. But the money's supposed to last the rest of his life. At twelve hundred bucks a month, it won't.
Nicks hustles out the door to the car—stoops beside the passenger door to talk to Hugh.
Nick: All right. Here's the deal, Hugh. You can stay here but your dog can't.
Hugh: I want my dog.
Nick: Well, if you want your dog, you can't live here.
Hugh: I want to live in the old house. I want to live with Beth.
Nick: (Impatiently) Yeah… I have to go.
Hugh: Your mom was pretty.
Nick: I have to go. So…
Hugh: She smelled nice.
Nick: (Stands and with hands on the roof—leans against the car) Yeah.
Hugh: She was nice to me. More nice than you.
Nick: All right. That's it. (Angrily opens the car door) Gimme this. (Grabs backpack and drops it on the sidewalk)
Hugh: My bike was red. Yours was blue. There was a path in the back of the house that led to the park.
Nick: That's right.
Hugh: Your mother used to make us cookies.
Nick: (Exasperated—hands on hips) Yeah.
Hugh: She rang the bell at dinnertime. Maybe we can go back there—to my grandma's house on Parker Street. Just to see people. I wonder if Mrs. Mullin has her dog.
Nick: (Angrily walks back to the car) Hugh. You do not live on Parker Street any more. You live here. You're an adult! We're adults! We make adult choices!
Hugh: I want my dog.
Nick: I know.
Hugh: (Angrily) I want my dog!
Nick: (Yanks Hugh's seatbelt off) Get out! Get out of my car! Come on, get out. Get your bag. You're going to go inside… back to your room and you're going to stop talking about your dog. Go.
Nick hurries back to his car as Hugh walks to the front door—Hugh turns back—Nick opens his car door then looks back at Hugh and waves.
Nick: Good luck.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin, Burton's office—later that night
Nick: (Opens Burton's office door and peeks in) Oh, I'm sorry I missed the dinner meeting.
Burton: Okay.
Nick: Can we sit down tomorrow morning and go over what I missed?
Burton: No.
Nick: Oh. Okay. Well, uh…
Burton: Okay.
Nick: Yeah. (Turns and walks off)
Scene: Allegheny County Children's Shelter—later that night—raining
Lulu: Goodnight, Michelle.
Hallway
Laurie: There's no physical evidence of sexual abuse.
Lulu: Then why are you still keeping her?
Laurie: Given her sister's autopsy results, what the police found at the house, we don't think she should go back home.
Lulu: Her sister's funeral is tomorrow.
Laurie: I know.
Lulu: (Sighs) You know, the autopsy results were inconclusive. You and I both know that under different circumstances they wouldn't justify removing Michelle.
Laurie: It's the circumstances that are troubling us, Lulu. You know that. You didn't know about the Twains' lifestyle when you were handling the adoptions, right?
Lulu: No.
Laurie: Do you think, maybe… do you think you should ask Alvin or James to take this case, given your friendship with Sarah Twain?
Lulu: I don't think they did this, Laurie. I mean, believe me if I did, I would step away. The shelter hearing's Thursday?
Laurie: Yeah.
Lulu: I'll tell my clients.
Laurie: Okay.
Scene: Kim's house—later same night
TV Announcer: Now, KDKA-TV News at 11:00. Good evening. Our top stories tonight, Senator…
Nick and Kim on sofa—kissing—fully dressed.
Kim: You're weird about your birthday.
Nick: Why do you say that?
Kim: Because you didn't tell anybody and you didn't want to do anything.
Nick: It's my family. We never really celebrated birthdays in the traditional sense.
Kim: Oh.
Nick: My father has his own approach to these things. He's given me a check in the amount of my age every year since I was a kid.
Kim: Did you ever think he meant it as a joke? (Nick shrugs and resumes kissing her) You know…
Nick: What?
Kim: …he did try to throw you a surprise party tonight.
Nick: What?
Kim: Uh-huh. We were all there listening to you argue.
TV Announcer: …the murder of Jennifer Twain; the girl found murdered last week in a park near her Mt. Washington home. Reporter Elliott…
Kim: Poor Lulu. That girl's mother is one of her best friends.
Nick: Really?
TV Announcer: ...KDKA-TV was on the scene today when police took a man named Gene Drova in for questioning.
Kim: So your dad really gave you thirty-three bucks?
Nick: Yeah.
Kim: Come on. It's got to be a joke. (With her hand behind his head she pulls him down to kiss her.)
TV Announcer: …they also emphasized that he is only being questioned at this time…
Scene: Twain residence
Lulu: Where's Robert?
Sarah: He's already at the funeral home.
Lulu: This is a terrible day for this. I'm sorry, Sarah.
Sarah: (Sighs) Tell me what you found out. Please.
Lulu: Well, Michelle is fine and her tests were fine. But… Social Services is not willing to send her back home. She can come to the funeral today with a social worker but she's going to have to go back to the shelter tonight.
Sarah: They're not going to give her back to us, are they?
Lulu: It's going to be difficult right now, yeah.
Sarah: I saw on the news… I saw that the police were questioning Gene Drova.
Lulu: How's that relevant to the shelter hearing?
Sarah: No, no. But, listen… Robert and I met Gene… and his girlfriend at one of those… conventions, okay? For people who are into…
Lulu: Okay. All right.
Sarah: And we got together with them a couple of times and then we stopped, but Gene couldn't let it go. He kept after us. He kept calling and stopping by.
Lulu: Did you tell this to the police?
Sarah: We told them about Gene.
Lulu: And did you tell them how you knew Gene?
Sarah: No. Saying those things, it's just so… humiliating, now. So humiliating.
Scene: Police Station
Lulu: Hey, Kim. Can I talk to you for a sec?
Kim: Yeah, sure. Let's go in there. (Leads Lulu to a vacant room) What is it?
Lulu: There's a guy… and I'm not sure how much Robert told you about him—Gene Drova?
Kim: Drova was questioned.
Lulu: Right. And, I know Robert said that he saw him around the house that morning, but… the Twains didn't tell you the whole story and… Gene Drova and his girlfriend and the Twains… they were into the same things, sexually, and he had a thing for Sarah.
Kim: Right.
Lulu: He had a motive.
Kim: What he had was a solid alibi. Gene Drova was at work, placed by sixteen of his co-workers, when that little girl died, so… Robert Twain couldn't have seen him that morning, Lulu. He wasn't there.
Scene: Pittsburgh Humane Society
Attendant leads Nick to the kennels, where Hugh is sitting inside a cage with Beth.
Attendant: He said he wanted to pet her and now he won't come out. (Sighs) I'd call the cops if he weren't so screwed up.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—meeting room
Nick: (To Lawrence Herman) Take a seat. I want to talk to you about the Trust.
Lawrence: Okay.
Nick: Hugh's not giving up on the dog. Hugh, what do you want to do about Beth?
Hugh: I'm not giving up on her.
Nick: See? I think we should take…
Lawrence: (Interrupts) Mr. Fallin. Hugh's Trust exists to serve his special needs.
Nick: Well, as Trustee, you define those special needs.
Lawrence: Well, things like a radio, television, books, even job training.
Nick: Well, why not a place to live with his dog, safely? He doesn't have any other options.
Lawrence: There isn't enough money to cover his living expenses at Dormont.
Nick: How much is there?
Lawrence: There's $65,000. But, that is for the rest of his life.
Nick: Well, the rest of the dog's life is probably five years and then we can transfer Hugh back into a State-funded housing facility.
Lawrence: I just don't think that this is an appropriate…
Nick: The dog's going to be dead in the morning if we can't fix this thing right now.
Lawrence: I don't care about the dog!
Nick: Well, do you care about Hugh?
Lawrence: Yes.
Nick: Then where do you think Hugh will live if he wants to stay with his dog?
Hugh: Under the Smithfield Street Bridge.
Lawrence: (Long pause—then to Hugh) This is what you want? (Hugh nods) Hugh, you can come back. Fine. With the dog. But I am warning you. This cannot happen again.
Hugh: It won't.
Lawrence: It can't!
Hugh: It won't!
Scene: Twain residence—following funeral
Robert: (Greeting mourners who are paying their respects) Sid, thanks for coming. We really appreciate it. Thanks for being here, you guys. It means a lot to us.
Laurie: (To Michelle—talking at dining room table) It's got lots of fun things to do and there'll be other kids there... Sound like fun?
Michelle: If mommy and daddy say I can.
Laurie: I'll ask your mommy and daddy… Okay?
Michelle: Okay.
Sarah overhears Laurie talking with Michelle—turns and goes to the kitchen—Lulu follows.
Lulu: Are you okay?
Sarah: Did you talk to the police?
Lulu: Yeah. And Gene Drova had an alibi, Sarah. The police are not interested in him any more.
Sarah: (Sighs) Robert did this thing… with a wooden paddle… with the girls, if they were in trouble. He would, he would set a time, later in that day. He would take them into a certain room. They would have to drop their pants and he would hit them. And, Jennifer, she was in trouble the day she died. She was in trouble a lot. She was very willful and unafraid of things that were dangerous to her.
Lulu: What did she do that day?
Sarah: She had gotten into Robert's stuff, in the garage. She was playing with his headphones and they broke.
Lulu: Was she scheduled to be disciplined?
Sarah: Yeah. Robert would always do it at five o'clock so the girls would have time to think about what they had done. I didn't agree with this so I never got involved. It was always in a closed room. I never got involved.
Lulu: Do you think he touched the girls?
Sarah: He could have. He would make them undress for their spankings… just drop their pants.
Lulu: Do you think that he killed Jennifer?
Sarah: Look, he says that she just disappeared and… I want to believe that but I also know how he could be and how Jennifer could get on his nerves. I mean, they're not going to give her back to us, are they?
Lulu: Uh…
Sarah: If I were alone, would they give her back to me? (Lulu does not respond) I think I should do this. I want to talk to the police.
Scene: Police Station—interrogation room
Kim is observing the interrogation through a one-way glass.
Darger: Mr. Twain, can I get you anything?
Robert: Am I under arrest?
Darger: Coffee, tea, anything?
Robert: Am I under arrest?
Darger removes a paddle with holes in it from a bag—places it on the table in front of Robert.
Darger: Wanna tell me about this paddle, Mr. Twain?
Robert: We were working in the garage. I yelled at her. She was already in trouble. She knew that. She said she was going to her room. I didn't know she ran off. I swear, I didn't know. (Darger picks up the paddle—turning it in his hands) She ran away. I would never hurt her. She ran… away.
Darger: What did you do with this paddle?
Robert: I want a lawyer.
Kim walks out of the observation room and nods to Lulu.
Scene: Judge Damsen's courtroom—shelter hearing for Michelle
Laurie: Your Honor. Michelle Twain needs a safe, stable environment. We don't feel that the Twain household can provide that at the moment. Her sister was recently murdered and there's evidence that the sister may have been sexually abused.
Lulu: Judge Damsen, the coroner's report was inconclusive. Jennifer's condition could have been the result of many factors.
Laurie: Sexual abuse being one of them.
Lulu: History, hygiene, genetics, or all three of those could be the others.
Laurie: Boxes of S&M paraphernalia were found in the house.
Lulu: Your Honor, those items are evidence of nothing. Nothing, except a lifestyle choice between two consenting adults.
Laurie: Ms. Olsen wants to return this child to a home where the mother has accused the father of murdering their adopted daughter.
Lulu: Sarah Twain is not a suspect, Your Honor. She did not neglect or abuse her children. I don't understand why she's being treated like a criminal. She did nothing wrong.
Judge Damsen: Miss Shaw?
Kate: Michelle Twain wants to stay with her mother. I feel that Social Services is being overly protective. Michelle has lost her sister and her father in a matter of days. What she needs at this time in her life is stability and love. Not a group home. She needs her mother.
Judge Damsen: I appreciate your concerns, Ms. Solt. But, I am unwilling to use vague physiological findings to remove a girl from her mother's home. Moreover, there is no direct evidence where Sarah Twain has abused or neglected her daughter. Michelle will stay with her mother. Social Services will conduct a psychological and interactional evaluation. I am issuing a restraining order prohibiting any contact with the father. If he is released, he cannot enter the home or come within 100 yards of the child.
Scene: Edgewood House—Nick's car, parks at curb
Nick: (Removes his seatbelt) Okay.
Hugh: Are you gonna come visit me again?
Nick: Sure.
Hugh: Maybe we could walk Beth together.
Nick: Yeah. That'd be great.
Hugh: Maybe we could go visit Parker Street.
Nick: Yeah.
Hugh: Maybe we could go tomorrow.
Nick: No. I'm busy.
Hugh: I really liked it there. I really did. I wanna buy my grandma's house. Live there. I saw it's for sale.
Nick: (Sighs) You know, the old neighborhood wasn't so great, Hugh. At least it wasn't for me.
Hugh: We were friends.
Nick: No, we played together. My mom, she made… We just played together. You used to beat the crap out of me, Hugh.
Hugh: I hurt you?
Nick: It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter, man. I mean… We're just different. Okay? Well, this is where you live now. With Beth.
Hugh: I do?
Nick: Yeah. You do. This is your home.
Hugh: Okay, Nick. Okay.
Nick: All right. Let's go.
Outside the car.
Hugh: Nick. This is for you. (Hands him a little brown stuffed bunny he's been carrying since their first meeting)
Nick: Oh… well… (Takes the bunny, reluctantly)
Hugh: It's a birthday present.
Nick: Thank you.
Hugh: I was gonna try to get you a superhero.
Nick: No. This is fine, really. It's great.
Hugh: Bye.
Nick watches as Hugh and Beth walk to the front door.
Scene: Grant Street at One Mellon Place
Nick crosses the street, holding the bunny, and encounters Burton at the newspaper stands on the corner.
Nick: Dad.
Burton: Hey, son. (Surprised – he chuckles)
Nick: You know, listen, I'm sorry I missed the party.
Burton: Oh, well… that's okay. What, did that girl tell you about it?
Nick: Yeah.
Burton: Well, I wish she hadn't.
Nick: Me, too.
Burton: I didn't want you to feel guilty or anything. It just…
Nick: It's too late for that. You know, it's just… it's so unlike you.
Burton: What?
Nick: Throw a party… for me.
Burton: Oh. Well…
Nick: I mean, what I mean is… thank you.
Burton: (Chuckles) You're welcome.
Nick: Dad, you remember the place around the corner on Parker Street… we used to eat on occasions?
Burton: Vito's? Yeah, sure.
Nick: Well, maybe if you have some time, you're not too busy, maybe tonight we can go get some dinner there.
Burton: You and I? (Nick nods) Sounds good. Yeah. Well… I'll pick you up at eight o'clock. Okay? Nice rabbit.
Nick: (walking off) Long story.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh
Lulu and Sarah get off the elevator.
Sarah: I hope I've done the right thing.
Lulu: You have.
Sarah: I hope so. Oh…! (Notices Michelle with Laurie—runs to embrace her) Hey! (Laughs) Come here, baby.
Laurie: Mrs. Twain, I'll come over tomorrow to set up some counseling sessions.
Sarah: Okay.
Laurie: Ten o'clock all right?
Sarah: Yeah, that's fine.
Laurie: See ya then. (Turns to leave—acknowledges Lulu) Lulu. (Passes Nick as he gets off the elevator) Nick.
Nick: Laurie.
Nick tosses the bunny into a crate with other toys. Michelle recognizes it.
Michelle: Jenny's bunny! (She points at Nick as he walks away) He had Jenny's bunny.
Nick turns around. Sarah picks up the bunny.
Sarah: Where did you get this? (Nick walks over to Sarah as Lulu looks on) Where did you get this?
Scene: Edgewood House—backyard
Hugh is feeding Beth. Nick runs up with the bunny in his hand.
Nick: Hugh. Where'd you get this?
Hugh: Hi, Nick.
Nick: Where'd you get this?
Hugh: Hi.
Nick: Did you get this from your grandmother's house? (Stoops down beside Hugh) Did you go back out to Parker Street? Did you?
Hugh: Yeah.
Nick: Is that where you got this?
Hugh: Yeah.
Nick: There was a little girl there, wasn't there, Hugh?
Hugh: Yeah. She was walking down the street.
Nick: What happened to her?
Hugh: She was crying… so I told her to pet my dog.
Nick: Did she touch your dog's ear?
Hugh: She hurt Beth. She made her scream. She made her scream so I pushed her away. I didn't mean to hu… But, I think she went to sleep.
Nick: Yeah. (A police car pulls up and two officers get out) You're going to need a lawyer, Hugh.
Scene: Twain residence
Michelle is sleeping across Sarah's lap.
Sarah: (Sniffs) Robert's… moving into a motel for a while. Even though they caught that guy, he can't come back.
Lulu: No, not yet. We just have to go back to court.
Sarah: (Tearfully) No, he'll never come back. You see, everybody suspected us… so I suspected him. The thing is, Lulu, in my heart, I never thought he did it. And now he can't even walk down the street, can he, without people staring at him—at us. And we're the ones who lost our daughter. We're the ones who need people to help us get through this.
Scene: Parker Street—in front of the old Fallin home
Nick and Burton are stopped in front of the house—in Burton's car.
Burton: Well, there it is. A solid old house.
Nick: Yeah.
Burton: I only paid ten grand for it. 'Course that was '65, but still… You want to go up there and see if they'll let us look around a little bit?
Nick: No.
Burton: Okay. (Nick notices the For Sale sign at the Twain residence—Hugh's grandmother's old house) Oh. Your mother gave me this when I started the firm. It's inscribed. Thought maybe you'd like to have it now that you have your own firm. (Hands a watch to Nick)
Nick: Our firm.
Burton: You know what I mean.
Nick takes the watch and looks at the inscription on the back: Burton With Love Anne. He is speechless—glances back at the old house—then over at his father.
Burton: Hmm. Well, let's go get dinner. They make a great Arrabiata. (They drive off)
END OF EPISODE
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