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TRANSCRIPT:
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Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Lulu's office
Lulu: Your parents have filed a Protection from Abuse Order against you, Mr. Putinski.
Gavin Putinski: Right. What does that mean?
Lulu: Well… they're claiming false imprisonment and abuse.
Gavin: (Angrily) That's horse-crap! They're abusing me.
Lulu: Do you have any idea why they would make these allegations?
Gavin: Yeah. Because they want to kick me out of my house.
Lulu: You know, the fact that you're twenty-eight… I think the judge would sympathize with your parents.
Gavin: (Sighs) Okay. Here's the deal. I was kind of… famous around here, for awhile.
Lulu: Okay.
Gavin: I did some commercials. I did this one commercial that went national. It was a running shoe commercial with Joe Montana. I made $18,000 off of that thing. Now my parents took that money and they used it as a down-payment for my house. And now they're trying to kick me out of it!
Lulu: Well, you were a minor then so they were entitled to do whatever they wanted with your earnings.
Gavin: You were a runner, too, right?
Lulu: Uh, yeah. I was. How'd you know that?
Gavin: Oh… there was a picture, last time I was in here, of you finishing a marathon. I'm just very observant. I notice things. Guess that's why I was a good actor. I remember everything.
Lulu: Hmm.
Gavin: Last time I was here, I remember you had a white blouse and black slacks and you had a lovely silver necklace right across your neck. (Runs his finger across his neck)
Lulu: Hmm.
Gavin: But, I bet you don't remember what I was wearing, do you?
Lulu: No.
Gavin: …and your husband's name is Brian. (Lulu looks shocked) Because it says it right there on the calendar—Brian to New Mexico. (She glances at her desktop calendar) I can read upside down.
Lulu: (Abruptly ends the interview) Okay. We're done here. I have another appointment.
Gavin: Oh… okay.
Later in the bullpen
Lulu: (Rifling through her purse) Alvin. Do you have my pen?
Alvin: Which one?
Lulu: My Federal District Court pen.
Alvin: The black one?
Lulu: Yeah.
Alvin: No. Sorry. Did Brian leave yet?
Lulu: Yeah, he got on a plane to New Mexico this morning.
Alvin: Well, tell him I hope his mother gets well soon.
Lulu: Yeah. Are you sure you don't have it? Remember you used it to sign that Express package.
Alvin: No. (Walks off)
James passes by.
Lulu: Hey, James. Do you still have my stapler?
James: What?
Lulu: My stapler. It's gone. You borrowed it.
James: And I gave it back.
Lulu: Oh, come on. I'm tired of people taking my things! (All eyes turn to Lulu) A lot of things have been taken from my office lately—personal stuff, too.
James: Like what?
Lulu: My favorite red sweater, my mother-of-pearl picture frame and…
James: You should lock your door.
Lulu: To my office?
James: That's what I'd do. (Closes his office door in her face)
Lulu: Great.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Alvin's office
Alvin: You have an aviary.
Mr. Copeland: That's right.
Alvin: And the City wants you to take it down.
Mr. Copeland: Before my wife died, we were both very big into bird-watching. We took trips traveling around the State. We catalogued every bird living in Pennsylvania.
Alvin: Okay.
Mr. Copeland: Then my eyes got all shot to hell and I couldn't watch 'em anymore unless they were up real close…
Alvin: Sure, that would be…
Mr. Copeland: …but I could hear them.
Alvin: True.
Mr. Copeland: I can actually imitate almost every bird indigenous to Western P-A. Cardinals, Bluebirds, Siskins, Finches, Robins… (Begins to trill and whistle the sounds of these birds)
Alvin reaches in his desk drawer for a pen—happens to look at the inscription which reads: Federal District Court 2000.
Scene: Olsen residence
Lulu enters and drops her keys on the foyer table—phone rings.
Lulu: (Answers) Hello. Hello. Hello! (Hangs up)
Phone rings again.
Lulu: (Answers) Hello! Who is this? Stop calling me!
Phone rings again—Lulu stares at the phone as it continues to ring.
Scene: Judge Damsen's courtroom
Nick enters with his client, Kyle Plunkett.
Nick: (To Kyle) Take a seat. (To Judge Damsen) Your Honor, this is Kyle Plunkett. His mother was beaten up by her live-in boyfriend yesterday. She's expected to be released from the hospital tomorrow.
Judge Damsen: Where's Kyle staying now?
Nick: At the Allegheny County Children's Shelter.
Marsha Medoll: Your Honor, my client, Bill Plunkett, is Kyle's father and asks that Kyle be placed with him.
Nick: He does not have legal custody of his son. The terms of his divorce gave him supervised visitation only.
Marsha: Why would the Court place the boy in a strange environment when he can be with his father?
Nick looks to Kyle who shakes his head.
Nick: My client doesn't wish to be placed, even temporarily, with his father.
Judge Damsen: Just so I'm clear here, Mr. Plunkett is not the man who assaulted Sharon Plunkett?
Daniel Birge: (Representative for the Shelter) That's correct, Your Honor. It was Mrs. Plunkett's live-in boyfriend. But, while they were married, Mr. Plunkett was abusive toward Sharon Plunkett as well.
Judge Damsen: Has he been abusive toward his son?
Daniel Birge: There were allegations by Mrs. Plunkett.
Bill Plunkett: (Stands) Never! I never hit my son. My wife…
Judge Damsen: Mr. Plunkett.
Bill Plunkett: I could never do anything like that.
Judge Damsen: Mr. Plunkett! Kyle? Has your father ever hit you? (Kyle just stares at her) Can you answer my question, please?
Nick glances down and notices a puddle of urine beneath Kyle's chair.
Nick: Your Honor, my client needs a brief recess.
Judge Damsen: (Realizing what has happened) Kyle Plunkett will stay in his group home until his mother's released from the hospital. (Gavel down)
Scene: The Incline—lunch
Mr. Everton: The City tends to farm out cases that…
Burton: …nobody else wants. I get it.
Mr. Everton: This case… if anybody's going to be quoted… It's a little controversial.
Burton: Well, you don't want to get your hands dirty, right?
Mr. Everton: My hands, my head, my shoes. It's just a neighborhood nuisance abatement.
Burton: Yeah.
Mr. Everton: We just don't want to come off looking like we're being aggressive. (Hands Burton the file)
Burton: Yeah, I see. Yeah. Thank you.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—conference room
Meeting of the partners has been convened.
Jake: (Quietly conferring with Nick) …it's, 30-15…
Burton enters.
Burton: Good afternoon, gentlemen. Barbara. I just spoke with Gene Everton, the City Solicitor. Looks like we're going to be handling some City business.
Jake: The City as a client?
Burton: Yeah. Turns out the City of Pittsburgh farms out about twenty-percent of its work. That could be significant revenue for this Firm. So, it's something to think about.
Nick: Jake and I have been pursuing DBH Land Development for well over six months.
Burton: So?
Jake: So, the City and DBH have a conflict. They're suing each other over a zoning issue.
Burton: Well, we just won't get involved with that particular lawsuit. Uh… get waivers from both clients.
Nick: We should nail down DBH before we start dumping conflicts on them.
Burton: Well, why does one exclude the other?
Jake and Nick: It's a risk.
Jake: Yeah.
Burton: Well, the City's a solid client. I mean, it's good money. Long-term relationship.
Nick: DBH will attract more developers. It's a great opportunity for growth.
Jake: I think we should vote.
Nick: I agree.
Burton: Vote?
Jake: On which client to sign.
Burton: (Condescendingly) You gotta be kidding. (Laughs) No, you get you get your waivers and I'll get mine. So what's next, here?
Scene: Copeland's residence—aviary in his backyard
Burton searches for Mr. Copeland amongst the rag-tag conglomeration of chicken-wire, birdhouses of all shapes and sizes, feathers and bird crap.
Burton: Mr. Copeland? Hello? Oh, Mr. Copeland? Mr. Copeland?
Mr. Copeland: Huh?
Burton: Hi. I'm Burton Fallin.
Mr. Copeland: Who are you?
Burton: I'm an attorney. I work for the City.
Mr. Copeland: Oh, God.
Burton: Well, I understand some inspectors came out here a couple times and asked you to clean up the place.
Mr. Copeland: Well, it's my property. My birds.
Burton: Well, actually, some people are complaining about the birds. They're saying they're a nuisance.
Mr. Copeland: Yeah, I'll tell you what a nuisance is. It's that Leslie kid who lives next door playing that rap music loud enough to wake the dead and it's Mike Meguer! He lives right down the block, here…
Burton: Yeah.
Mr. Copeland: …driving his motorcycle at 2:00 AM in the morning.
Burton: It's the neighbors, sir, that are complaining. And the school, down the street… they're the ones that are complaining about the noise and the smell and the bird crap.
Mr. Copeland: You don't see me complaining to the City about the school and all the noise they make, or the traffic.
Burton: Well, actually, sir, I thought, maybe, you know, just you and I could resolve this thing so we don't have to resort to some formal legal action.
Mr. Copeland: You didn't come by here to see if you could resolve this. You came by here to threaten me.
Burton: (Laughs) No, I didn't. I promise you.
Mr. Copeland: And there's no scum-sucking shyster's going to intimidate me.
Burton: Sir, I'm just trying to be civil, all right?
Mr. Copeland: I have a lawyer and he will sue your ass right out of business.
Burton: (Amused) Oh. Okay. We can do this in court. (Starts to walk away with a smile on his face)
Mr. Copeland: All right.
Burton: Yeah.
Mr. Copeland: Yeah. Good. Well, you better run. I hear an ambulance.
Burton: Do you? (Laughs) Okay.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—reception area
Burton has just come in and is on his way to his office when Nick catches up with him.
Nick: Burton. (Burton appears surprised by the use of his given name) I spoke to DBH. They won't sign the engagement letter yet. They want to sit down with all three of us. They want to talk to you about this whole thing before they'll consider a waiver.
Burton: Okay.
Nick: So, tomorrow at 1:00 o'clock in the conference room we'll seal the deal.
Burton: Okay. I'll be there.
Nick: Good. (Smiles and walks away)
Scene: Olsen residence
Lulu enters, tosses her keys on the foyer table and sets her briefcase on another table. She notices a file-type box sitting on the floor. She opens it and finds her favorite red sweater, mother-of-pearl picture frame, stapler and other items she was missing from her office.
Scene: Kim's residence—evening
Lulu knocks on the door. Kim turns on the light and makes her way to the door as she ties her robe.
Kim: Lulu?
Lulu: Someone broke into my house.
Kim: What?! Are you okay? Come on in.
Lulu: Yeah. I wasn't there when it happened. And, the police came and gave a report. But, I'm freaked out. Brian's not home and I just don't want to stay there. I hate to barge in.
Kim: No. Are you kidding? Sit down. (They sit on the sofa)
Lulu: I tried to call you but the line was busy. (Notices Kim looking past her and turns to see Nick enter the room wearing his slacks and a T-shirt) Oh, God! I'm sorry.
Kim: No, it's fine. Nick, someone broke into Lulu's place.
Nick: Yeah, I heard. You okay?
Lulu: Yeah, I'm okay.
Kim: What did they take?
Lulu: Nothing. They just returned stuff.
Kim: What?
Lulu: I had stuff missing from work. Someone took things from my office last week and then they broke into my house and returned them.
Kim: Did anyone see anything?
Lulu: No. The police talked to neighbors and I can go to a hotel.
Kim: No. No. You're staying here.
Nick: I'm leaving now anyway.
Lulu: No, don't go. Please stay. I mean… right now, the more the merrier.
Kim: Yeah. Let me get you a drink.
Nick and Lulu look at each other as Kim gets up to get the drink. Nick seems uncomfortable.
Scene: Kim's residence, later that night
Lulu sits on the floor in front of the sofa watching “It Happened One Night” on TV and munching cookies. Nick walks into the living room in his T-shirt and boxer shorts.
On TV: Claudette Colbert: That, I suppose, makes everything quite all right. Clark Gable: Oh this? (Referring to a sheet draped on a line between two beds) Well, I like privacy when I retire. Yes, I'm very delicate in that respect. Prying eyes annoy me. Behold the walls of Jericho. Maybe not as thick as the ones that Joshua blew down with his trumpet, but a lot safer. You see, I have no trumpet.
Lulu: (Notices Nick and reaches for the remote) Oh, sorry. Too loud?
On TV: Clark Gable: Just to show you my heart's in the right place…
Nick: No. No. That's okay. I couldn't sleep. (He glances at the TV)
On TV: … I'll give you my best pair of pajamas.
Lulu: (Reduces the sound) Hmmm. You want to sit? Unless she's…?
Nick: She's asleep.
Nick walks to the sofa and takes a pillow from the sofa to use as a back rest. Lulu hands him a corner of the blanket to cover his legs as he sits down beside her and gives a small laugh.
Nick: Thanks.
Lulu: Uh-huh. Cookie?
Nick: No, thank you.
Lulu: Oh. Have you looked in Kim's pantry?
Nick: No.
Lulu: One side's all healthy stuff, and the other side is all junk. She uses it to bribe Matty.
Nick: Well, I can see what side you've been on. (Smiles)
Lulu: (Small laugh) I just don't know how she stays so skinny. She obviously has more self-control than I do.
Nick: You think?
Lulu: (Laughs) Shut up. (Takes a sip from a juice box—laughs) If I ever have kids, I definitely have to use something other than food as a motivational tool. (They smile at each other) Can I tell you something?
Nick: Sure.
Lulu: I ate Matty's last Twinkie. (Laughs) Does that make me a bad person?
Nick: I think so.
Lulu: You think? (Laughs and sighs)
Nick: (Puts his arm around her, resting it on the sofa) You know, if you need someone to watch over your house… or somewhere to stay…
Lulu: Where would I stay?
Nick: Well, I have extra rooms.
Lulu: Oh, yeah? You have guests? You don't strike me as that—
Nick: Sometimes.
Lulu: I think most of your guests end up in your bedroom.
Nick: Sometimes.
They look at each other and lean in closer as if to kiss when the kitchen light suddenly comes on and Kim appears. Nick quickly removes his arm.
Kim: Hey, you guys are up early. [This line on CC but not audible in the show]
Lulu: Hey, Kim. Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you.
Kim: (Sleepily) No, it's fine. I think everyone's having trouble sleeping.
Nick: (Whispers) Yeah.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—meeting room
Nick walks straight to the meeting room where he finds Lulu.
Nick: Hey.
Lulu: Hey.
Nick: How're you doing?
Lulu: Okay. Better.
Nick: Good. Good. I talked to Alvin about increasing security in the building. And, and I told Alvin that I would take over some of your cases.
Lulu: No, you don't have to do that. I can handle them.
Kim: (Appears in the doorway) There you are. (To Nick) Hi.
Lulu: Hey. Thanks for coming over.
Kim: Yeah. I talked to some people. I got some great information.
Lulu: Oh, great.
Kim: Yeah. (To Nick) I've got to ask Lulu some questions. (Nick nods and leaves, pulling the door closed behind him) Look, now… I know you don't want to consider yourself a victim but just get over it. You are. First of all, don't change your phone number. Get a new number. Keep it unlisted. Give it only to your friends. Let your answering machine pick up your old line. Keep a log of any suspicious occurrences and let everyone know that you're being stalked so they keep their eyes open. And, get a dog, Lulu, not a puppy—a dog. And I need names.
Lulu: Names?
Kim: Yeah. People you think might do this. Maybe… ex-boyfriends….
Lulu: Uh… huh… boyfriends? I haven't… I've been with Brian forever.
Kim: So you haven't been involved with anyone else?
Lulu: No.
Kim: Okay. Anybody else come to mind?
Lulu: Well, I have a client, Gavin Putinski. His parents got a Protection from Abuse Order against him and… I don't know… he's a little… I get a vibe.
Kim: Okay.
Lulu: Also, this ex-con, Albert Gregg…
Kim: Uh-huh?
Lulu: He sort of assaulted me in my office.
Kim: Well, that'll do.
Lulu: And, um… no. That's it.
Kim: What?
Lulu: What?
Kim: You had another name.
Lulu: Oh… no-no-no. It's nobody.
Kim: Who?
Lulu: Well, a guy. This guy, Brent Harris. He owns the gym that I work-out in.
Kim: What? He's been harassing you?
Lulu: No. We just… we had lunch last month.
Kim: Well, was it more than lunch?
Lulu: No. I mean, there was a little flirtation, but…
Kim: You suspect him?
Lulu: No. Forget it. He's married.
In the bullpen
Sharon Plunkett: (To James) I'm looking for Nicholas Fallin.
James: Over here. (Points across the office)
Sharon Plunkett: (Introduces herself to Nick) Sharon Plunkett. You represented my son, Kyle, in a placement hearing. (They shake hands)
Nick: How do you do?
Sharon Plunkett: My ex-husband, Bill, has filed an emergency Modification of Custody Order. (Shows the document to Nick) There's going to be a hearing on it. He wants full custody of Kyle and says I should have only supervised visitation.
Nick: You're in an abusive relationship with your boyfriend?
Sharon Plunkett: Ex-boyfriend. Bill's one to talk. You want to see abusive? (Pulls photos of herself, battered and bruised, from her purse) Bill did that to me… four years ago.
Nick: (Looks over the photos then back at her) You should take those to your lawyer.
Sharon Plunkett: My ex would smack Kyle, too. Across the face. You know that scar by Kyle's eye?
Nick: Uh… no.
Sharon Plunkett: When he was two, Kyle broke the TV remote. Bill went crazy…
Nick: Mrs. Plunkett, I'm your son's lawyer, not yours. Okay?
Sharon Plunkett: Well, Kyle will tell you.
Nick: Excuse me.
Sharon Plunkett: (Raises her voice as Nick walks away) His father can't take care of a kid. He'll tell you. Just ask him.
Nick meets Kim coming out of the meeting room after the interview with Lulu.
Nick: How'd it go?
Kim: Just fine. I've got to get back to work.
Nick: Well, I'm leaving now, too. (They get on the elevator together)
Kim: So I'm checking out some LSP clients—Albert Gregg and Gavin Putinski.
Nick: All right.
Kim: Did you know that Lulu went out with some married guy?
Nick: What do you mean, she went out with…?
Kim: Lunch. I mean, she said nothing happened. She's the straightest person I know.
Nick: Yeah.
Kim: Well, then she tells me that she went out with some married guy. (Incredulous)
Nick: You free this Friday night?
Kim: Yeah. This Friday Paul has Matty. You're getting to know my schedule better than me.
Nick: So, uh…?
Kim: What are we talking about?
Nick: Dinner.
Kim: Del Fortino's?
Nick: Sure. Del Fortino's it is. (Elevator opens)
Kim: Wow! What's the occasion? (She follows him off the elevator)
Scene: Fallin & Fallin
Nick waits anxiously outside the conference room for Burton—arms folded. Checks his watch. Jake exits conference room.
Jake: (sighs) Okay. DBH is looking over the documents. That'll buy us about five minutes.
Nick: He'll make it.
Gretchen: (Peeks around the corner) Nick. Your dad just called. He's held up in court.
Nick: Well, looks like we have to do this ourselves.
Jake: They asked to see your dad.
Nick: Yeah, uh… Yeah… (Sighs, shakes head—then walks into the conference room, followed by Jake)
Jake: Okay. Well, change of plans. Uh, Burton…
Scene: Courtroom—nuisance abatement case
Alvin: …Russell Perkins, Maity Dyke, Kelly Rooney, William Torris, and Gregory Sachs. We'll also be calling James O'Malley, Colin Logue, Jeff Mogotoff, Robert Brown and Melissa Henninger.
Burton: Well, that's thirty-three witnesses by my count, Your Honor.
Alvin: Each witness has relevant and cumulative evidence and should be heard.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—conference room
Nick and Jake sit on opposite sides of the table—dejected.
Jake: Well…
Nick: Yeah.
Jake: Maybe your dad'll cut us in on his City deal. (Jake leaves—Nick reflects)
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh
Lulu gets a cup of coffee then scans the room—Gavin Putinski comes up behind her.
Gavin: Lulu.
Lulu: (Turns to face Gavin) What're you doing here?
Gavin: We need to talk.
Lulu: We talked yesterday.
Gavin: Can we go in your office?
Lulu: What is it, Mr. Putinski? I'm very busy right now.
Gavin: I know why my parents have filed this action against me.
Lulu: Why?
Gavin: Why can't we go into your office?
Lulu: Let's talk about this in court, okay?
Gavin: Listen. (Walks closer, looks around and lowers his voice, sighs) I'm gay.
Lulu: What?
Gavin: I am gay. And, I'm not exactly ready to let the entire world know my sexual preference. The reason my parents are freaked out is because I have a 'friend' that comes over and visits me at the house. (Breaths a sigh of relief) Okay. There I said it. They didn't think that I'd have the courage to admit it. But, I did.
Lulu: Yeah, but why do they say that you falsely imprisoned them?
Gavin: They lock themselves in that room every time my friend comes over and visits. They're doing it to themselves. I'm not doing that to them.
Lulu: Well, they can't get a protective order just because you're gay.
Gavin: They can't?
Lulu: No. And, I can put them on the stand and have them swear under penalty of perjury that you abuse them.
Gavin: What if they lie?
Lulu: Well, then you're going to have to tell the truth. Are you okay with that?
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Burton's office
Nick enters without knocking.
Burton: Hey.
Nick: Where were you today?
Burton: I called you.
Nick: No, you told me you'd be there at 1:00.
Burton: I told you, I was stuck in court.
Nick: You told me that you would be there.
Burton: Nicholas. My first responsibility's to my client. (Laughs) I can't just walk out of court.
Nick: I understand that. But DBH was ready to sign... and now they're with another firm.
Burton: You need me to call 'em? I can call 'em.
Nick: I don't want you to call 'em. All right? I've been working on this client for six months. I needed you for half an hour.
Burton: I understand. (Punches the intercom) Gretchen, get me Bill Becker at DBH. (To Nick) Look. I can, I can bail you out of this right now…
Nick: (Angrily—raises his voice) I don't want you to call him, all right?
Burton: Why not?
Nick: Well, how does it make me look? I mean, you take on this City work that's literally crap and I support you. I support you as a partner. I go to a potential million-dollar-a-year client and I try to work things out and all I ask of you is that you be there for me. That's all.
Burton: Nicholas. You sound like…
Nick: Like what?
Burton: Well… (Laughs) Are we talking as partners now or as father and son?
Nick: Well, clearly I'm trying to talk to you as a partner. Trying. But... (Gets up to leave) Never mind.
Burton: Never mind? (Nick opens the door—looks back at his father then leaves without another word)
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh
Albert Gregg is waiting in the main office area when Nick walks by with Sharon & Kyle Plunkett.
Nick: Mrs. Plunkett, if you'll just take a seat. Kyle, we're going into this little office and talk. Okay?
Kyle: Okay.
Nick: (Turns to Mr. Gregg) Who are you waiting for?
Albert Gregg: Mrs. Olsen.
Nick: What's your name?
Albert Gregg: Albert. Albert Gregg.
Nick: (looks through a folder and finds a sheet on Mr. Gregg) Your appointment—I'll be handling it.
Albert Gregg: (Laughs) Mrs. Olsen's my lawyer.
Nick: I'm taking over the case. (Looks over the information in the file) This is final matters on a divorce? Says here that your wife needs to sign over the title to your car.
Albert Gregg: What's going on?
Nick: Well, if you'll step in my office, when I'm finished dealing with this gentleman (indicates Kyle) we can call your wife.
Albert Gregg: I don't see why I have to change lawyers. I…
Nick: Just take a seat in my office. I'll be right with you.
Sharon Plunkett: (To Kyle—who is playing an electronic game) Remember that time you went to the carnival when you were five? When he pulled your hair and slapped you? You tell him about that.
Nick: (Overhears Mrs. Plunkett) Okay, Kyle. (Shows him to the meeting room)
Sharon Plunkett: Do you remember the time you broke the vase and he gave you a fat lip?
Nick: (To Kyle—in the meeting room) Take a seat. Is it true—the stuff your mother's saying? (Kyle continues to play with the electronic game.) May I see that for a minute? (Kyle hands him the game, which he sets aside) My job is to represent you. What do you want to do?
Kyle: I want to stay with my mom. (Kyle sees his mother standing at the glass door—Nick follows his gaze)
Nick: Okay. (They leave the meeting room)
Nick sees Albert Gregg heading for the elevator.
Scene: Courtroom—nuisance abatement case
Alvin: Mr. Copeland's aviary doesn't hurt, annoy or discomfort the community. Quite the contrary—it enhances it. You heard the testimony. People actually bring their families to Mr. Copeland's house to learn about birds. He has opened up his yard to the whole neighborhood to share and enjoy his passion.
Burton: None of the witnesses who testified on Mr. Copeland's behalf live anywhere near Mr. Copeland. They don't have to deal with the noise and the mess but his neighbors have a problem. So they made several requests for him to stop building the birdhouses. He ignored those requests. He ignored the City Inspector and he refuses to compromise. And, I think under the circumstances the Court has little choice but to have those structures removed.
Scene: Courthouse corridor, immediately after the hearing
Mr. Copeland: You mean I don't get to keep any of 'em?
Alvin: No, I'm sorry.
Mr. Copeland: (To Burton as he exits the courtroom) Mr. Fallin, I built every one of those birdhouses with my own hands. Every one of 'em. For thirty years I've been working on that stuff. (Burton keeps walking—Mr. Copeland grabs his arm and he stops) Do you know what it's like to work on something for thirty years?! Do you, huh?!
Burton: Yeah. (Walks away)
Loud voices emanate from Judge Damsen's chambers just off the corridor, between Mrs. Plunkett's lawyer (Michael Campbell) and Mr. Plunkett's lawyer (Marsha Medoll).
Marsha: (off-screen, loudly) …have been happily married for two years without any problems.
Michael: (off-screen) …would, in fact, punish her for being a victim of abuse. First by her husband then by her boyfriend.
Nick: (off-screen) Excuse me.
Nick opens the door and calls Kyle into the room from the corridor.
Nick: Kyle? Come inside.
Scene: Judge Damsen's chambers
Kyle: When I was little, my dad got real mad 'cause I broke the TV remote and he gave me this scar.
Nick: How old were you when that happened?
Kyle: Two.
Nick: You remember?
Kyle: I think so.
Nick: You remember anything else from when you were two? (Kyle shakes his head) Does your mom talk about you father hitting you? (Kyle nods) Do you actually remember your father ever hitting you? (Kyle does not respond—Nick leans closer and lowers his voice) You know, when my parents got divorced, my mom said a lot of bad things about my dad. Now, your parents, they can't hear or see us right now, okay? You ever remember your dad hitting you?
Kyle: I don't know. I'm not sure. I think so. My mom tells me stuff…
Judge Damsen: Thank you, Kyle. Would you mind waiting outside for a minute? You can go right out there. (To Nick) What do you think?
Nick: The fight between Sharon and her boyfriend the other day, the boyfriend was hospitalized, too. Claims he was defending himself.
Michael: Your Honor… (Judge Damsen raises her hand to quiet him)
Nick: There're no records of Kyle being treated for any injuries when the Plunketts were married. There's been no report of problems between Mr. Plunkett and his new wife.
Immediately outside Judge Damsen's chambers
Michael: Sharon, she ruled against us… for joint-custody.
Sharon Plunkett: I don't care what she ruled. This isn't her son. How can this be?
Michael: Listen to me. Listen to me.
Sharon Plunkett: How can I share custody with him? (Indicates ex-husband)
Michael: Listen to me. Calm down, Sharon.
Sharon Plunkett: Don't tell me to calm down, Michael! Don't tell me… (Michael tries to hold her back—she charges her ex-husband and Nick, standing beside him, is jostled in the onslaught) You son-of-a-bitch! I'm not letting him have custody! I will kill you!
Michael: Stop it! Calm down!
Sharon Plunkett: This is unacceptable! Don't tell me to calm down, Michael! (Campbell finally gets her under control) Let go of me! Why is this happening? How can this be? You son-of-a-bitch! (She finally walks away with Michael Campbell and Kyle follows.)
Scene: Mr. Copeland's aviary
The aviary is being dismantled while Alvin watches. Mr. Copeland removes an urn from one of the birdhouses—probably the ashes of his dead wife—and cradles it lovingly.
Scene: Mrs. Gregg's residence
Nick: Thank you for letting me stop by, Mrs. Gregg.
Mrs. Gregg: You want the title for the Caprice?
Nick: That's right.
Mrs. Gregg: That's the last thing that Albert's going to need from me?
Nick: Yes.
Mrs. Gregg: (She thumbs through a file) It's somewhere in here. What happened to that other lawyer?
Nick: I've taken over the case.
Mrs. Gregg: Here it is.
Nick: Have you seen much of Albert lately?
Mrs. Gregg: No. How's he doing?
Nick: I don't know.
Mrs. Gregg: I haven't seen him for a couple months.
Nick: Since when?
Mrs. Gregg: Since he went to your office for help. He just packed up his things and left.
Nick: If you could just sign right there then we'll be done.
Mrs. Gregg: It was odd. When he got out of prison I couldn't shake him. Twenty-four hours a day, he wouldn't leave me alone. Then he just vanished.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh
Kim: So, Nick talked to Albert Gregg's ex-wife. She hasn't seen or heard from him for a couple a months. Now, I can send someone to talk to him but you always run the risk of making it worse.
Lulu: Well, do you think it's Albert?
Kim: You thought it could be. Why? Did something else happen?
Lulu: No. It's been quiet.
Co-worker: Hey, Nick. Can you take a look at this? (Lulu glances up at the sound of Nick's name—they exchange glances)
Kim: So, did you talk to Brian yet?
Lulu: No. I mean, he's going to come home tomorrow, so…
Kim: Do you want to sleep over again?
Lulu: No. You and Nick have your thing…
Kim: You're not bothering us.
Lulu: No. Thank you.
Kim: Were you and Nick ever…
Lulu: What?
Kim: You know.
Lulu: No.
Kim: You can tell me.
Lulu: (Nervous titter) I know. No. How are things going with you two?
Kim: He's a good guy.
Lulu: Are things getting a little serious?
Kim: I don't know.
Lulu: Are you seeing anyone else?
Kim: No.
Lulu: Is Nick? (Kim grins and shrugs) And you haven't talked about it?
Kim: I don't know. I just…it feels kinda weird bringing it up with a kid.
Lulu: Really? You think so?
Kim: You don't?
Lulu: No.
Kim: Hmm.
Lulu: I mean, it shouldn't be.
Kim: How do you think he would react?
Lulu: I don't know. With Nick, uh… (Weak laugh) I really don't know.
Kim: Do you think he'd freak? (Lulu shrugs)
Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Nick's office
Alvin knocks on the open door.
Nick: Yeah.
Alvin: Your client, Kyle Plunkett.
Nick: Yeah?
Alvin: I just got word the police suspect his mother's trying to flee the State with him.
Nick: How do they know that?
Alvin: Apparently she told a neighbor and they saw her load up her car. They've issued an amber alert.
Nick: Oh. Okay. (Gets ready to leave)
Kim: (To Alvin as they pass in the doorway) Hi.
Alvin: (To Kim as he exits) Hi.
Kim: (To Nick) Hey, you want to go grab a cup of coffee?
Nick: Oh, I can't. Something important came up with a client.
Kim: Oh.
Nick: We're still on for Del Fortino's tomorrow, right? (Hurries past her and out the door)
Kim: Okay.
Scene: Parking garage—after dark
Lulu is walking to her car when Albert Gregg suddenly appears in front of her.
Albert Gregg: Mrs. Olsen? (Lulu stops) They won't let me talk to you. (She doesn't answer—just turns and walks quickly to her car) Did I do something wrong?
Lulu: Leave me alone! (Unlocks her car and gets in)
Albert Gregg: I thought everything was okay.
Lulu: Please leave me alone!
Albert Gregg: Why won't you talk to me?! (She drives quickly away)
Scene: Courtroom
Nick: Mr. Gregg accosted Mrs. Olsen several weeks ago. Last night he followed her to her car. There've been several harassing phone calls to Mrs. Olsen's home and office. And, recently someone broke into her house. In light of the circumstances, Mrs. Olsen feels an immediate threat to her safety and requests a Protection from Abuse Order.
Scene: Corridor outside the courtroom
Nick and Lulu walk together.
Lulu: Thank you.
Nick: Well, I have another hearing to get to. (Nick keeps walking)
Lulu: (Stops walking) I appreciate it.
Nick passes Gavin Putinski in the corridor and meets up with Daniel Birge on the stairs.
Lulu: Gavin.
Gavin: What the hell is this? (Holds up a piece of paper)
Lulu: (Takes the paper and reads it) They served you with a Criminal Trespass Action.
Gavin: (Raises his voice) Right! You told me to…
Lulu: You can fight this.
Gavin: I thought they couldn't kick me out but, no. I stood up in front of the courtroom. I told everybody the truth and you said…
Nick signals Daniel to go on ahead and he turns to go back to Lulu's defense.
Lulu: I didn't know that they would do this.
Gavin: But you told me to tell the truth! And, now everybody knows!
Lulu: You need to go to the Public Defender's office and get yourself a lawyer. (Turns to leave)
Gavin: Wait a minute! (Grabs her arm)
Lulu: Hey!
Gavin: I have nowhere else to go! (Nick grabs Gavin and slams him up against the wall with his hand around his neck) Hey!
Lulu: Nick!
Gavin: Ow! What are you doing?!
Lulu: Nick! Nick! He's not the guy. Nick!
Gavin: Get the hell off of me!
Lulu: Nick! He's not the guy.
Gavin: Stop it!
Lulu: He's not! (Nick releases him)
Gavin: (Shaken—he walks away) What the hell is wrong with you people?
Scene: Copeland's backyard
Mr. Copeland is busy building more birdhouses.
Burton: Mr. Copeland? How are you? Well, we got some more complaints from your neighbors. (Keeps hammering) Well, you can go ahead and build two or three more of those things, nobody can do a damn thing about it but any more than that and I'm going to have to file another action.
Mr. Copeland: It's what I do.
Burton: Why do you do this?
Mr. Copeland: When my wife was alive I never told people how much I love her. I never told 'em how much she means to me.
Burton: This is about your wife?
Mr. Copeland: Then when she got sick… You know, she kept apologizing. Finally, it got to the point where she couldn't leave her bed and she'd just look out that window up there. That's when I started building these things so I could bring the birds to her. Then when she died, I didn't want to stop.
Burton: No. Maybe you're not doing this for her. Maybe you're doing this for yourself now.
Mr. Copeland: You wouldn't understand.
Burton: No. I lost my wife. I found a way to, you know, hold on to the good moments without disturbing my neighbors. (Mr. Copeland continues to hammer)
Scene: Judge Damsen's courtroom
Marsha: Your Honor, Sharon Plunkett is in jail and faces felony charges for interference with custody. In light of the circumstances, my client is moving for full custody.
Judge Damsen: Mr. Fallin?
Nick: My client should be placed in foster care and more slowly integrated into his father's life.
Marsha: (Raises voice) Your Honor, Mr. Fallin keeps changing his recommendation.
Nick: (Raises voice) Do you think it's easy for a child to go back into his father's life? He hardly knows the man.
Bill Plunkett: (Loudly) Why should Kyle go back to strangers? Huh? I love him. He should be with me. I'm his father, right?
Judge Damsen: (Gavels for silence) Quiet! Please! Mr. Birge?
Daniel Birge: I've conferred with Mr. Fallin and agree with his position. In addition, I would recommend some therapy for Kyle. There's still an opening at the Allegheny County Children's Shelter and therapy is available.
Judge Damsen: (Deliberates a moment) I'm placing Kyle at the Allegheny County Children's Shelter. Mr. Plunkett, you can have regular visitations with Kyle there.
Marsha: Your Honor?
Judge Damsen: We will revisit this is ninety days. In the meantime, Mr. Plunkett, get to know your son. (Gavel down)
Outside courtroom
Kyle: When can I go back with my mom?
Nick: I don't know. I don't have any control over that.
Kyle: (Sighs) I just want to stay with my mom.
Nick: I understand that. But, you can't. For now, you have to go with Daniel here, okay? Kyle?
Kyle sighs then punches Nick in the stomach and walks off. Bill Plunkett gives Nick a look and walks away.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Nick's office
Nick is daydreaming when Burton knocks on his open door.
Burton: Nicholas.
Nick: What're you doing here?
Burton: Hey. Nice digs.
Nick: Yeah.
Burton: Could use a plant or something.
Nick: Something.
Burton: Well. Well, I came by to thank you.
Nick: For what?
Burton: Well, I worked something out with the City, with the Aviary. I used that connection of yours, Henry Thomas's wife.
Nick: Oh, yeah.
Burton: Fixed the problem, so…
Nick: Is that what you came here for?
Burton: Well, that and the DBH thing this week.
Nick: Yeah.
Burton: I know I caused you a problem, not being there, but I just couldn't get out of court. Sorry. Things like that happen sometimes. Well, anyway, the City's issuing fifty million dollars worth of municipal bonds. (Hands Nick the letter from the City) They want to use our Firm. I want you to handle it. You like doing that kinda thing, right?
Nick: (Nods) Yeah.
Burton: You're good at it.
Nick: (Reads the letter and smiles) Thank you.
Burton: Okay. Well, I'll see you back at the office.
Nick: Yeah, I'll see you there.
Burton: (As he's leaving) Hey, Alvin.
Alvin: Hey.
Burton: Oh, listen. Good news, maybe. The Director at the Aviary is willing to give your client a job, looking after birds.
Alvin: Really?
Burton: Yeah. If he'll keep the number of birdhouses in his backyard down to a minimum.
Alvin: Well, thanks.
Burton: Okay. All right. Good to see you.
Alvin: You, too. (Smiles broadly as he glances at Nick)
Scene: Parking garage
Albert Gregg follows Nick down the stairs into the parking garage.
Albert Gregg: Mr. Fallin?
Nick: (Turns to face him) What are you doing here?
Albert Gregg: I was served some papers.
Nick: Yeah. You have to stay away from Mrs. Olsen.
Albert Gregg: What happened to Mrs. Olsen?
Nick: Well, I think you know.
Albert Gregg: No, I don't. (Nick gives him a look then turns to leave) Hey. I didn't do anything.
Nick: (Turns back to face Mr. Gregg) You've been served with a Protective Order. If you don't obey that, with your record, I can make things very difficult for you.
Albert Gregg: Look. I spent twenty-one years in prison for something I didn't do. I got a new life now. I got a girl—a job. Mrs. Olsen is the reason for all that. I wouldn't do anything to hurt her. (Nick turns and walks away) Hey. I didn't do anything.
Scene: Del Fortino's Restaurant
Kim takes a sip of red wine and checks her watch.
Scene: Olsen residence—evening
Lulu pulls up and parks at the curb. A cab pulls up as she's locking her car. She appears frightened. Brian alights from cab.
Brian: Hi, sweetheart.
Lulu: (Sighs—relieved) Hey. How are you?
Brian: Good. How are you? (Leans over and gives her a half-hug and they go up the walk)
Lulu: Fine. Got in early, huh?
Brian: Yeah. Yeah. How was your week?
Lulu: It was okay. Glad your mom's doing better.
Brian: Yeah. It's good to see you.
Nick sits in his car, parked in a lot across the street—facing the house. His cell phone rings and he picks it up from his console, checks the number, but doesn't answer.
Scene: Del Fortino's Restaurant
Kim is on her cell phone—no answer. She disconnects, puts the phone in her purse and walks out of the restaurant.
END OF EPISODE
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