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TRANSCRIPT:
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Scene: Fallin & Fallin
Nick walks from his office to Burton's. As he passes the conference room, we see Sadie talking with her client, Alex Kaller.
Sadie: That's the deal the D.A.'s offering. One year. Second degree sexual assault.
Alex: I thought you said we could win this.
Sadie: I know you're worried about your wife and daughter. But one year in jail is a lot better than ten.
Burton's office
Burton: So where's Marty?
Nick walks in without knocking.
Ken Krause: He's retiring, Mr. Fallin. He sends his regards.
Burton: Oh. Oh, Ken, this is my son, Nicholas.
Nick: Hi. (They shake hands)
Ken: Um… pleasure.
Burton: Well, I'm sorry to hear that Marty's leaving. He, uh… he had our account for thirty years.
Ken: Mr. Fallin, we have a slight problem. That extra million we extended on your credit facility was due two weeks ago.
Burton: Well, we're good for that. We're just waiting for some receivables.
Ken: With all due respect, that's not our problem.
Burton: (Sighs) Ken, I appreciate that you're new with the bank. Wanna impress the bosses. But, uh… we're not exactly in the game of strong-arming our clients.
Ken: Mr. Fallin, my bosses sent me here. Truth of the matter is, they don't wanna be in the business of financing your delinquent clients. So… (Stands and extends his hand to Burton) I hope we can take care of this by the end of the week. (Burton finally shakes his hand)
Burton: Yeah, well, uh… Say 'hi' to Marty. (Ken exits)
Nick: (Sighs) Well, he has a point. I mean, we can't keep letting these people slide.
Burton: They're old clients, Nicholas.
Nick: They owe us a million dollars.
Burton: Your friend, Jed Tobin, is one of 'em. You wanna tell him he's six months late?
Nick: (Sighs—shakes his head then exits)
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—hallway—moments later
Jake putts a ball towards a cup, which is lying on the floor, and misses.
Jake: Aah…
The ball crosses Nick's path. He puts his foot on it and kicks it back, then keeps walking. Jake follows.
Jake: Hey, Nick. Did you see this new Jupiter putter?
Nick: No.
Jake: Carbon steel. Perfectly balanced. The guy that designed it is like one of the top putter designers of all time.
Nick: It's very ugly. (They stop walking)
Jake: You ever play Oakmont?
Nick: No.
Jake: You wanna?
Nick: Not really.
Jake: No, Nick. No, the guys from Jupiter have set it up as a thank you for all the good work we're doing.
Nick: Well, you play.
Jake: Nick. Oakmont!
Nick: If you need a fourth, Alvin Masterson says he's a decent golfer. (Walks off)
Jake: Alvin? That guy's got a terrible slice.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh
Nick steps on the elevator with a man in his early sixties.
Man: What floor buddy? (Chews on a toothpick)
Nick: Five.
Man: (Looks Nick up and down) That's a nice suit.
Nick: (Reluctantly responds) Thank you.
Man: I don't like it either when people talk to me in an elevator. (Nick nods)
Elevator stops and the doors open at LSP. Lulu stands talking and laughing with another employee.
Lulu: What are you doing here?
Nick: 'Scuse me?
Lulu: Not you. Him.
Man: Louisa.
Lulu: Please leave.
Man: I just… I wanna talk to you.
Lulu: No. Get the hell outta here! (Stalks off—office staff is stunned at her outburst)
Nick: Uh… sir, you… you…
Man: Stay outta this.
They stare at each other. Nick stays at the elevator until the man is gone then walks to Lulu's office. Knocks. Lulu opens the door.
Lulu: Is he gone?
Nick: Yeah. You all right?
Lulu: Yeah. Uh… in your office. Lucas Farr. He's twenty years old. Social Services took his younger brothers out of his care yesterday. So, the shelter hearing's this afternoon.
Nick: Yeah… uh… this guy… what…
Lulu: It's my father. I've got a lot to do. (Walks back into her office)
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Nick's office
Lucas Farr: My mother died three years ago—cancer. And, uh… my dad's been gone forever. So, it's just me and my two brothers.
Nick: Okay.
Lucas: So… last night there's this knock at the door and some woman from Social Services comes in with a cop and they take John and Glenn.
Nick: Says here you locked your brothers in the apartment.
Lucas: Well, I can't always find people to look after them when I go to work, right? So…
Nick: Where do you work?
Lucas: At Bucky's Coffee. It's on the North Side.
Nick: It says that your brothers were lighting fireworks inside the apartment and dropping burning rolls of toilet paper from the fifth story window. (Chuckles—amused)
Lucas: That would be Glenn. He's got some problems.
Nick: He's enrolled in a special needs school.
Lucas: He's not retarded. He's just got problems with reading, you know? It's attention stuff.
Nick: Well, clearly you can't lock them in an apartment. It's just not safe.
Lucas: I know that, okay? I mean, I'm not stupid. It's just… I have to go to work and I cannot afford to pay a babysitter right now.
Nick: Well, there's a shelter hearing this afternoon. We'll see what we can try and work out.
Lucas: Listen, these guys from Social Services are walking around talking to the neighbors and, you know, like, people in the building are talking about how I'm like Liberace with the men coming in and out. It's totally untrue.
Nick: Well, your private life is your own.
Lucas: Yeah, of course it is.
Nick: As long as you conduct yourself appropriately in front of your brothers.
Lucas: (Pause) My brothers know that I'm gay, okay? It doesn't matter.
Nick: Okay.
Lucas: Whadaya mean, okay? You know if you're not into this, I can just go get a real lawyer. (Nick chuffs and grins) My boyfriend's an expensive lawyer. I just don't feel like bothering him with something like this.
Nick: Right. Well, if you wanna replace me then just replace me. Don't bother sparing my feelings. (Smiles)
Lucas: (Ponders) All right. Look… if you think you can handle this, I won't call him.
Nick grins and walks out. As he passes Lulu's office, she calls him in.
Lulu's office
Lulu: Nick. Hey, um… Sorry about that… I mean, with my father. It's kind of a long story.
Nick: It's fine.
Lulu: Anyway, listen, I, uh… I have this idea about, uh… maybe setting up a relationship with your father's firm. With your firm.
Nick: Relationship?
Lulu: Yeah, it's just a pro bono thing for Adoption Day. We need a law firm to sponsor it. And, uh… we process fifty adoptions in one day. And it's great. It's really… really a happy thing.
Nick: All right. I'll look into it.
Lulu: Great. Thanks. (Nick exits)
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—exterior—moments later
Gus Archer waits for Nick across the street from LSP.
Gus Archer: You smoke?
Nick: No.
Gus: That was, uh… Lulu can be a hellion sometimes. (Nick smiles—nods) It's embarrassing for a father to have his kid yell at him like that.
Nick: Yeah, well, uh…
Gus: She's always had a tough time with men. And, her mother… There's a piece o' work.
Nick: Sir, I have to go, so… (Starts to walk away)
Gus: I heard Lulu got married. Actually, heard she got divorced before I heard she was even married. Guess that makes sense.
Nick: Right. (Walks to his car)
Scene: Allegheny County Courthouse—corridor
Nick: Uh, Sadie. How's the Alex Kaller case coming?
Sadie: Good. Good. You know, it's a tough one. His wife and his daughter. He's been humiliated.
Nick: He owes us a hundred and sixty thousand dollars.
Sadie: What?
Nick: Well, he hasn't paid a cent in the past five months.
Sadie: Nick, the guy's facing ten years for sexual assault.
Nick: Right. Well, just see if you can get him to pay.
Scene: Allegheny County Courthouse—Judge Damsen's courtroom
Suzanne Pell sits with Lucas' younger brothers—Nick with Lucas.
Suzanne: Normally, Judge Damsen, we don't like to break up a family but we're not comfortable sending the kids back into an environment where they're left unattended.
Judge Damsen: Lucas. Do you wanna be responsible for your younger brothers?
Lucas: Yes.
Judge Damsen: You cannot leave them unattended. I've seen terrible things happen.
Lucas: I will do better.
Judge Damsen: Well, you have to. I'm giving you one week to come up with a plan that works. And I'm warning you, I don't like taking chances. (Gavel down)
Scene: Outside Judge Damsen's courtroom—moments later
Lucas: I can't pay a babysitter. I'm broke. I can maybe ask that lawyer friend I have. He'll probably just give me the money.
Nick: You should probably just show the Judge you can make the money yourself. (Starts walking—Lucas follows)
Lucas: I… you know, I gotta be honest with you. I'm not thrilled with your attitude.
Nick: (Shakes his head and keeps walking) I'll just try harder.
Scene: Jed's Night Club—back deck with a view of the City—daytime
Nick: Jed.
Jed: Dude! Hey. Good to see you brother dude. (They shake then embrace) You never come around, which is insane because the women are insane. Where you been?
Nick: (Chuckles) Well, working. Working.
Jed: Yeah. Yeah. Wow. So, what's up?
Nick: Well, uh… Jed, your bill is… It's overdue.
Jed: (Nervous laugh) What, I'm like an hour late on my payment?
Nick: It's six months overdue, Jed.
Jed: Think after all these years, I'd earn a little goodwill.
Nick: You do. You do.
Jed: Think there's a problem, your father would come down here personally.
Nick: Jed, it's not… It's not that big a deal.
Jed: You and your dad work for me. You do know that, right?
Nick: Well, are you gonna pay, or not?
Jed: Remember, my family put you through law school.
Nick: My father put me through law school!
Jed stalks off.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—conference room
Alex: I talked to my wife and, uh… we don't want the deal. I'm not going to go to jail for something I didn't do. I think the jury believes me… and I know they believe you.
Sadie: Let's go for it. (Alex stands to leave) Alex?
Alex: Yeah?
Sadie: This is very awkward. My partners are concerned about the status of your bill.
Alex: I gave you a retainer.
Sadie: Right. Right. We burned through that months ago.
Alex: Right. Sorry. Uh… I've been so wrapped up in this, you know, I haven't… even checked the mail. I'll take care of it tonight.
Sadie: Thank you. (They exit the conference room and walk through the reception area) So you're sure about all this?
Alex: Positive.
Sadie: I'll let the D.A. know. (Nick enters through the main doors) Nick, you remember Alex Kaller.
Nick: Hey, Alex. (Shakes hands) Good luck with the trial.
Alex: Yeah. It's pretty scary, you know? I'm really scared. (Exits)
Nick: Talk to him about the bill?
Sadie: Yeah. He said he'd take care of it.
Nick nods and walks to the reception counter to pick up his messages. Jake walks up.
Jake: Oh, hey, Nick. We got Freddy Evans.
Nick: Who?
Jake: Freddy “Bam Bam” Evans. He signed to be Jupiter Golf's spokesman. We're gonna meet Friday with his attorneys and negotiate the endorsement agreement.
Nick: Great. Great.
Jake: Yeah. So, now look… Oakmont. You sure you don't wanna play?
Nick: I'm sure. (Looks over his messages)
Lucas Farr enters the reception area. Jake sees him but he doesn't see Jake.
Jake: All right. Okay. Well, back to work. (Makes a speedy exit)
Nick starts to walk to his office and sees Lucas out of the corner of his eye.
Nick: Lucas.
Lucas: Mr. Fallin.
Nick: What're you doing here? You wanna see me, you make an appointment at Legal Services. You don't come here.
Lucas: Right. Okay. Sorry.
Nick walks to his office.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—corridor—later
Nick stands around the corner from Jake's office with a female colleague who hands him a card which he puts in his coat pocket. Muffled conversation can be heard coming from Jake's office. Nick sees Lucas leave. He walks around to Jake's office door just as Jake exits.
Jake: Hey. (Surprised)
Nick: Hey. Uh… you leaving?
Jake: Yeah. Yeah. Um… well, if you're headed down, I'll ride down with you.
Nick: Yeah.
Jake: So, you'll review the endorsement contract.
Nick: Sure. Sure.
Jake: Terrific.
Nick: Yeah.
They walk together to the elevator and get on—the only passengers. Palpable discomfort between them.
Jake: So, there's this kid. Works at the coffee shop I go to on weekends. Nice kid. Sad story. Says, uh… small world. That you're-you're working with him at LSP.
Nick: Yeah. Lucas, right?
Jake: Right. (Inhales deeply) Good kid.
Nick: Small world. (Nick looks at Jake and they ride the rest of the way in silence)
Scene: Lulu's house—night
Lulu opens the door for Nick.
Lulu: Hey.
Nick: Hey.
Lulu: Thanks for coming over. I just, uh… was a little bit nervous.
Nick: What is it?
Lulu: And it's probably nothing. But, uh… well, my father's been calling. (Walks over to the answering machine and punches the button for her messages. Several hang-ups are recorded.) And there's nothing, I know. But there's eighteen nothings.
Nick: Okay.
Lulu: You know, my dad is kind of… Um… we just have a strange relationship.
Nick: Has he done this before?
Lulu: Yeah. It was a long time ago though. (Pause) You wanna sit down?
Nick: Sure. (Sits on the sofa)
Lulu: Look, my… my mother slept around. I mean, you know that. And, you know, my dad was in the Navy at that time and when he found out about her affairs, he just was…
Nick: Right.
Lulu: Anyway, I don't know, I guess when, you know, years later when he came back into my life… I just always reminded him of my mother… I guess.
Nick: How?
Lulu shrugs and shakes her head. There's a knock at the door.
Nick: You expecting anyone? (She shakes her head. Nick gets up to answer the door—peeks through the curtain) It's him.
Lulu goes to the staircase and sits about halfway up. Nick opens the door.
Nick: Hi, Mr. Archer. Uh, it… it's not a great time.
Gus: I just need a word with Louisa.
Nick: Well, it's not a great time.
Gus: Louisa! I just need to talk to ya! (Lulu flinches)
Nick: I said it's not a good time.
Gus finally turns and walks away. Nick closes and locks the door. He and Lulu share a look.
Scene: Frick Building—elevator
Jake hurries to catch the crowded elevator.
Jake: Hold the door. (To Nick) Hey, 'morning.
Nick: Morning.
Jake: So you get the invitation to Kevin Elder's birthday party?
Nick: Um… (Nods)
Jake: You going? I'm going. Sounds like, uh… They're gonna have synchronized swimmers in the pool. Sounds kinda weird. You bringing a date?
Nick: No.
Jake: Oh. I'm bringing that girl, Janet, from the, uh… cosmetics counter—Lightstone's. Remember her?
Nick: (Shakes his head)
Jake: Oh. Huh, you will when you see her.
They exit the elevator and enter Fallin & Fallin.
Jake: So, uh… we'll just go through that Jupiter stuff later.
Nick: Great.
Jake: Great. Nick, uh… Oakmont. I mean, I'm gonna play anyway.
Nick: You told me.
Jake: Okay. Great.
Nick gives him a quizzical look and walks away.
Burton's office
Nick enters without knocking.
Nick: I, uh…
Burton: I just got off the phone with some jerk named Harold Schwartz. Claims he's representing Jed Tobin.
Nick: Representing Jed?
Burton: Yeah, Jed fired us. Now he's threatening to sue us.
Nick: He fired us?
Burton: Yeah. Claims we mismanaged his Trust.
Nick: You're kidding.
Burton: What'd you say to him?
Nick: Nothing! (Defensively)
Burton: You know I worked with his dad for forty years. I'm Trustee of the kid's estate, for God's sake.
Nick: I walked into his club and I told him he was late. That's it.
Burton: So… what do we do now?
Nick: We could sue.
Burton: No. No. You go back and see him again. You give him another chance.
Nick walks out.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—parking lot
Nick gets out of his car and sets the alarm. Gus Archer approaches.
Gus: Now, Louisa seems to like you…
Nick: Mr. Archer. Do not force me to call the police. I will call them.
Gus: You tell her something for me?
Nick: What?
Gus: Tell her I need a few bucks, is all. It's not a big deal or anything. I'm just… It's for some medical problems. It's just for some stuff I have to have.
Nick: All right. (Walks off)
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—bullpen—moments later
Nick steps off the elevator. Lulu is standing at the coffeemaker.
Lulu: Hey. I saw you talking to my father from the window.
Nick: Yeah.
Lulu: And what was he saying?
Nick: Uh, says he has some medical issues… and he needs some money.
Lulu: Right.
Nick: Is he still calling you?
Lulu: Yeah.
Nick: Well, Lulu, you know, you could talk to the police.
Lulu: No, I'm just… just gonna give him money. He usually goes away when I give him money. (Walks away)
Lucas: Hey, Nick.
Nick: Oh. Lucas.
Lucas: Hey, listen. About showing up at your office, I… should've called. It was rude of me. I got the money for the babysitter.
Nick: You did?
Lucas: So, now we just tell the Judge and we're all set, right?
Nick: Right. Well, uh… We'll see. We'll see. (Walks off)
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Jake's office
Nick knocks on the open door.
Nick: Hey.
Jake: Hey. (Nick sits) Ah… so we're meeting with the Jupiter people on Friday to go over the endorsement deal.
Nick: Right. Right. (Pause) Did… did you give Lucas Farr, uh… money?
Jake: What? What'd he… what'd he say to you?
Nick: Well, he just said he got some money from a friend.
Jake: I… I didn't give him any money.
Nick: Well, if you did, you may be asked to testify.
Jake: Why?
Nick: The Judge is concerned about his financial stability. She's gonna wanna know if this is reliable income or just some…
Jake: D'you have a chance to look at the endorsement contract yet?
Nick: (Pause) No.
Jake: 'Cause Freddy Evans wants equity plus three percent revenue plus creative control.
Nick: I'll look over it. (Very concerned about Jake's behavior)
Jake: Yeah. When you get a chance. Thanks.
Jake walks out leaving Nick sitting there.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—parking lot—late afternoon
Lulu walks to her car—the only one in the parking lot. She cautiously approaches, noticing a flyer on the windshield. She sees the flyer is only for Caty's Car Wash. She looks around, crumples it, then gets in her car.
Scene: Lucas Farr's apartment—evening
Jake knocks. Lucas opens the door.
Jake: Hey.
Lucas: Hey.
Jake: Can I come in?
Lucas: Yeah, of course.
Jake: So, uh… what'd you tell Nick?
Lucas: What?
Jake: About me? Wh-what'd you tell him?
Lucas: I told him that I had a friend who was a lawyer, downtown.
Jake: What kind of friend?
Lucas: You know, that we date occasionally.
Jake: We don't date.
Lucas: We don't?
Jake: No. You're a guy.
Lucas: Oh, well, so what about…
Jake: That's—that's different. That's just something we do.
Lucas: I'm sorry. I didn't… I didn't know that you weren't, uh…
Jake: That I weren't what?
Lucas: Out.
Jake: Out. There is nothing to come out of… okay? Nothing!
Lucas: Hey. I'm sorry.
Jake: Okay. I gotta go. (Starts for the door)
Lucas: Jake, uhm… look, I… I know this is... I really might need you to come to court and help me.
Jake: Come… come to court?
Lucas: It won't take very long.
Jake: (Sighs) Are you outta your mind? I mean, do you think… I mean, if you could think… (Angrily grabs his shirt--shouting) …that just by walking into my firm that you might destroy my life… and my career! Did you think about that?! (Sees the fear in Lucas' eyes—releases him) I'm sorry.
Lucas: Right, uh…
Jake: Sorry. (Sits in the chair—head bowed)
Lucas: Listen, d'you want a drink or something?
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Jake's office
Nick walks past Jake's office. Jake calls out to him.
Jake: Hey, Nick. You got a second?
Nick: I'm a little late.
Jake: Just come in for a second.
Nick: I read your contract.
Jake: Yeah.
Nick: It's, uh… Overall structure's pretty good but I do have a problem with some of the language.
Jake: (Shuts the door) I gave Lucas the money.
Nick: Right. Yeah.
Jake: Uhm… Last night, I didn't wanna… You know, it's not that it's a big deal or anything, giving him some money. I mean, he's a good kid. I'm… trying to help him out, you know?
Nick: Sure.
Jake: I mean, this is, uh… I mean the whole thing… I don't know where to begin.
Nick: Jake, you don't need to explain.
Jake: Look, I'm not gay.
Nick: Jake…
Jake: I'm not. I've worked too hard for something like this to happen. Way too hard… to have people… talking about me like I'm some kind of faggot. I… I just… I can't have it around here. I just… I just… I can't.
Nick: It's okay.
Jake: I mean, it's just once in awhile. You know, it's not like… It's not romantic or anything.
Nick: It's not my business, Jake.
Jake: It just kinda happened about a month ago… with Lucas. (Pause) Pittsburgh's a small town.
Nick: It's okay.
Jake: No, it's not.
Nick ducks out.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Lulu's office
Lulu is working and suddenly notices her father is standing in her office.
Lulu: (Startled) How'd you get in here?
Gus: (Chuckles) It's not hard. I just… I just need a few bucks, is all.
Lulu: How much?
Gus: Just a few thousand. I just… I need to pay for some prescription drugs. I got this damn cancer thing happening and… pills are expensive, is all.
Lulu: (Quickly writes out a check and slides it across the desk towards him)
Gus: (He takes the check and looks at it) I don't know why I scare you so much, sweetheart. You know, I'm just your daddy.
Lulu: Please.
Gus: I'm just your daddy.
Lulu: (Quietly) Please take your money and leave.
Scene: Allegheny County Courthouse—Judge Damsen's courtroom
Judge Damsen: Who gave Lucas the money for the babysitter?
Nick: A family friend.
Judge Damsen: Is he or she present?
Nick: Not available, Your Honor.
Judge Damsen: Well, I'll need to speak with him before I make a ruling.
Nick: (Tersely) Why is that?
Judge Damsen: I beg your pardon.
Nick: (Argumentative) Your Honor, you asked us to come up with a plan. He hired a babysitter.
Judge Damsen: And what happens two months from now when Lucas needs more money?
Nick: We have to trust that Lucas can come with it on his own.
Judge Damsen: Well, I'd still like to speak…
Nick: (Testily) Judge Damsen, you gave Lucas a directive. He followed that through.
Judge Damsen: Mr. Fallin, do not interrupt me.
Nick: I'm sorry. Let's not make this about a third party.
Judge Damsen: (Pause) Mr. Farr, this is your last chance. (Gavel down)
Scene: Jed's Night Club—rear deck overlooking the City—daytime
Nick: Your new lawyer called my father.
Jed: I heard.
Nick: Come on, Jed. This is ridiculous. We're talking about ninety-three thousand dollars.
Jed: You should probably be talking to my lawyer about this.
Nick: We can be nice to a point.
Jed: Are you threatening me?
Nick: If we can't work something out here… we're gonna have to sue and you're gonna end up spending a lot of money on legal fees as well as paying us.
Jed: Your father charges me sixty-five thousand dollars a year to oversee my Trust. Sixty-five thousand dollars! To review bank statements… to make two phone calls a month—both of which are annoying—to tell me what I can't do. That I'm an idiot. That my father was a genius.
Nick: Well, that's just my father. You know him.
Jed: I'm broke. The Club is killing me.
Nick: How much money do you owe?
Jed: Almost two million dollars.
Nick: If you're broke, drop the suit. Let us help you.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Burton's office
Discussion with Nick, Burton, Sadie and Alex about his delinquent bill.
Alex: I can't pay. I've tried. I've called friends. I talked to the bank. I just don't have the money. After the rape charge I got fired. I was already over-extended. Private school. New house. Now, I can't find a job. I mean, who's gonna hire me… why… why would they? I might be going to jail.
Sadie: Alex, what Nick and Burton are most concerned with is creating some kind of payment schedule.
Alex: Well, all I have left is my house. And my wife… she doesn't—she doesn't know about my… about our financial situation. I know I told you I could pay you but to do that I'd have to sell my house and I haven't told my wife.
Burton: All right, look… I'd like to… not continue this right now. You got a tough day in court tomorrow. Why don't we take this up after the trial?
Alex: Mr. Fallin, I'll pay you. I promise, I'll pay you. (Exits)
Burton: Well… (Big sigh—leans back in his chair)
Sadie: Well… I have to prepare for tomorrow.
Burton: Yeah, thanks Sadie. (She exits) Tough business.
Nick nods and, after a moment, exits.
Scene: Immediately outside Burton's office
Gretchen: Nick, have you seen Jake?
Nick: No.
Gretchen: Those guys from Jupiter Golf are waiting in the conference room. I called Jake's cell phone and he's not answering.
Nick: Uh… (Walks into the conference room) Ah… Mr. Kruczek. Sorry to keep you waiting.
Will Kruczek: Oh, no. No worries. (Extends his hand) Where's Jake?
Nick: Uh, client emergency. He'll be… he'll be back pretty soon. So, uh… I, uh, read over your endorsement agreement. (Clearly winging it) It's a good start. You want a coffee? Water? Soda?
Kruczek: No, we're good, thanks.
Nick: Okay. Well, first issue is the royalty payout. Uh, my paralegal is putting together some comparables right now. (Long pause) So… Oakmont. (Smiles) I'm trying to clear my schedule. Have to extricate myself from a wedding… in Scranton… of all places.
Nick escorts Kruczek and his associate through the lobby.
Nick: So, what time is tee-off?
Kruczek: Seven-oh-six.
Nick: Great.
Kruczek: What's your handicap?
Nick: Handicap. Six.
Kruczek: Six? You'll play with the pro then. You're outta my league.
Nick: Well, that's if I can get out of the wedding.
Kruczek: Of course, I understand. Hope to see ya.
Hand shakes all around. Kruczek and his associate leave.
Nick: (To Gretchen) Any word from Jake?
Gretchen: No.
Nick: You try his apartment?
Gretchen: Four times.
Nick exits.
Scene: Jake's rowhouse—daytime
Nick goes to the door and knocks. After a moment, he peers in the window. No answer, he gets in his car.
Scene: Lucas Farr's apartment
Nick knocks. Lucas opens the door with an ice pack held to the side of his face.
Nick: Lucas.
Lucas: A little bit of fag-bashing. I guess Jake wanted to make a point that he's not gay.
Nick: Right. Is he here?
Lucas: No. He's gone. He… he was drinking. He came into the apartment. We had some words. I said some stupid things, I guess. So… uh… if you'll excuse me, I have to clean up and get to work.
Nick: (Walks off)
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—parking lot
Nick talks on his cell phone as he crosses the parking lot.
Nick: Jake, hey, it's Nick. Call me as soon as you get this message on my cell or LSP. Thanks.
In front of LSP, he notices someone being loaded into an ambulance and realizes it's Gus Archer. He runs inside.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Lulu's office
Lulu: (On the phone) I didn't know if you were aware, Mr. Moloney, but Duquesne Bank has agreed to match any personal donation made to my clinic that's over five thousand dollars. (Listens) Right. And I certainly don't wanna sound unappreciative but I noticed that if you increase your donation by another five hundred, then my clinic will get an extra five thousand.
Nick: (Nick walks in—interrupts) Lulu. (She holds up a finger to halt him) Your father's just been rushed to the hospital.
Lulu: Mr. Moloney? Can I call you right back? Thanks. (Hangs up) (To Nick) What?
Nick: Yeah… out on the street. They just put him in the back of an ambulance and they're taking him to the hospital. I can take you right down there.
Lulu: No… no, thanks.
Nick: (Disbelieving) Are you sure?
Lulu: Yeah. It's fine. I'll just call over there.
Nick: Okay.
Lulu: Did you… did you, uhm… ever speak to your father about the Adoption Day thing?
Nick: Uh, yeah. Yeah, Dad… uh… he wants to have lunch with you.
Lulu: Hum.
Nick: Is there anything I can do to help you?
Lulu: Least I know where he is and my phone won't be ringing as much, so…
Nick exits.
Scene: Jake's rowhouse—daytime
Nick drives up and parks. Knocks. Jake comes to the door wearing a ratty T-shirt and light-colored jeans—in stocking feet—fastening his belt.
Jake: Uh, hi.
Nick: Hey.
Jake: What are you doing here?
Nick: Oh, it's just you… you missed the, uh… Jupiter meeting yesterday and, uh…
Jake: It's seven o'clock in the morning, man.
Nick: Yeah. Are you all right? (Doesn't respond) Well, you are the way you are. Who cares? Who cares?
Jake: What the hell does that mean?
Nick: Well… I…
Jake: The way I am?
Nick: Okay…
Jake: Look… man! I am not gay! Okay? (Agitated) If that is what you're implying.
Nick: Okay. That's fine.
Jake: Okay, so don't treat me like I'm some guy that you need to pity, or that you know anything about me, because you don't!
Nick: All right. Well, we close the Jupiter deal at ten. (Gets in his car)
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Nick's office
Nick walks in his office to find Lulu waiting.
Nick: Hey. (He closes the door and sits down)
Lulu: (Long pause) My daddy did some things.
Nick: Okay. (Softly)
Lulu: It's hard to explain. I had this boyfriend when I was fourteen. He was a football player. Was cute. My dad was, uh… was in Youngstown then, I think, working in the scrap yard. And, uh… and I was a cheerleader. And… I would look up into the stands and I would see my father. He would just stare at me… and he would leave me notes… about what a whore I was. And, uh… one night I was… I was with this boy, uh… and we were just walking home, you know… holding hands. My dad was drunk and he pulled up in his truck and he got out and, uh… (Long pause—tearfully) It was terrible.
Scene: Jed's Night Club—interior—daytime
Jed sits at the bar working on his paperwork.
Burton: Hey, Jed.
Jed: Burton?
Burton: How ya doing? (They shake hands)
Jed: Get you something to drink?
Burton: Uh… I don't think so. Thanks. Jed, why didn't you, uh… why don't you tell me what's going on here?
Jed: So you can tell me that you were right?
Burton: No. I was never against the club.
Jed: Yes, you were.
Burton: No… it's just… a nightclub. It's a risky venture. Not a… business your family ever knew anything about.
Jed: I just need a little time to get this place on its feet. That's all.
Burton: Right.
Jed: So you'll cut me a break?
Burton: Jed, you know, your father and I… Hell, I was at the hospital the day you were born. I… I always thought of you as a son but, uh… I can't do that.
Jed: I'll drop the suit.
Burton: Well, I appreciate that, but, uh… we've got to be paid. It would not be right to let it slide.
Jed: I don't believe this. I'm broke.
Burton: Jed, just close the club down and sell your assets. Believe me, I… I'll be doing you a favor.
Jed: A favor.
Burton: Come by the office tomorrow. We'll figure out some way to get you back on your feet.
Jed: I fired you, Burton.
Burton: I know that.
Jed: I can't pay you.
Burton: Well… just come by the office tomorrow. (Walks out)
Scene: Pittsburgh County Hospital—hallway
Nick and Lulu walk down the hallway looking for Gus' room. Nick points to it. Lulu starts toward her father's room then hesitates, turns back to look at Nick, then turns back again and after a moment, disappears inside Room 200.
Scene: Allegheny County Courthouse—courtroom
Alex Kaller's trial—Nick slips in the back of the courtroom as the verdict is being read.
Jury foreperson: In the matter of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania vs. Alex Franklin Kaller… On charge one: Rape, a felony in the first degree, we the jury find the defendant—Not Guilty. On charge two: Aggravated Assault, a felony in the first degree, we the jury find the defendant—Not Guilty.
Nick exits the courtroom first, followed by Sadie, then Alex and his wife.
Alex: Sadie. Thank you.
Sadie: You're welcome.
Alex excuses himself and walks over to Nick, standing nearby.
Alex: Nick.
Nick: Congratulations.
Alex: I just talked with my wife and, uh… we can… Well, we're gonna sell the house, all right? We're gonna pay this thing off.
Nick: Okay. Okay. Well… congratulations. (Walks off)
Scene: Lucas Farr's apartment
Jake walks to the door wearing a jean jacket and his ratty T-shirt—looking pretty scruffy. Knocks. Lucas opens the door, his face all bruised.
Jake: Hey. I'm not… God, Lucas, I'm so… I'm sorry. I mean, I was… What I did was inexcusable. Look, I hope that we can keep this… I mean, you have every right to… to do whatever you want. I…
Lucas: I'm not gonna call the cops, Jake.
Jake: Thank you.
Lucas: I mean, you helped me.
Jake: So, Lucas, look, I, uh… I can't… I mean… Even if you wanted to, I can't see you again.
Lucas: Why?
Jake: Because… whatever this was, it's just… it's just… isn't who I am.
Lucas: 'Cause your friend found out?
Jake: No. No, because…
Lucas: Right, I forgot. Because you're straight.
Jake: So… I mean, uh… (Extends his hand—they shake)
Jake exits.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Burton's office
Nick knocks and enters, carrying a few files.
Nick: Hey.
Burton: Hey.
Nick: (Clears his throat) All right, I, uh… collected half a million this week. (Places a couple files on the desk)
Burton: Good.
Nick: Spoke to Richard Stein. The Malinger people. They paid.
Burton: In full?
Nick: Yeah. Yeah.
Burton: Good.
Nick: As for Alex Kaller, uh… I thought maybe we could work something out. (Burton looks away) Look, it's a win for Sadie and he brought Checkpoint to us.
Burton: Ah… it's a hundred and sixty thousand dollars.
Nick: Yeah, well, he's ready to sell his home, Dad.
Burton: Yeah. We owe the bank a million dollars.
Nick: Right.
Burton: So…
Nick: (Long pause) Right. We get paid. (Exits)
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—corridor—moments later
Nick: Sadie. Congratulations. Good job.
Sadie: Thank you.
Nick: Can you tell Alex that, you know, I know it may take some time to sell the house. It's okay.
Sadie: Right. I will.
Nick: Yeah.
Sadie walks away.
Nick: Gretchen. The guys from Jupiter Golf in there?
Gretchen: Yeah.
Nick: What about Jake?
Gretchen: I didn't see him.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—conference room
Nick walks into the conference room in the middle of one of Jake's anecdotes.
Jake: So, supposedly, a turkey ran across the seventh green, right? Second later a fox comes bolting out after it. Goes right over Ernie Els' ball. (Everyone laughs) Hey, Nick.
Nick: Hey. Uh… sorry I'm late.
Jake: No, it's okay. We're, uh… we're good here. We're just getting started.
Nick: Great.
Jake: Yeah. Yeah. We're… we're good here. (Long silence)
Nick: Jake?
Jake: (Looks at Nick—silence) Yeah, I just, uh… Right, I just, uhm…
Nick: (Looks to the others—confused about Jake's behavior) Uh, Jake, you want me to take over?
Jake: No, let's just… let's just talk about royalty structure. Salary should be an advance against future royalties. Now they wanted three percent. I got 'em down to two percent. I think everyone's gonna be happy all the way around.
Nick doesn't know what to think about Jake.
END OF EPISODE
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