The following is
not a
novelization or an actual script but a dry transcript of the aired
episode that includes accurate word-to-word dialogues, settings descriptions,
action scenes and/or camera movements where the transcriber felt they were necessary. This transcript is archived at "
TWIZ TV.COM - FREE TV SCRIPTS DATABASE" courtesy of SIMONSPHERE. "THE GUARDIAN" and other related entities are owned, (TM) and © by DAVID HOLLANDER PRODUCTIONS and ROSECRANS PRODUCTIONS, INC. in association with SONY PICTURES TELEVISION and CBS PRODUCTIONS. This transcript is posted here without their permission, approval, authorization or endorsement. Any reproduction, duplication, distribution or display of this material in any form or by any means is expressly prohibited. It is absolutely forbidden to use it for commercial gain. For entertainment and educational purposes only. No infringement intended.
==========================
TRANSCRIPT:
==========================
Scene: Non-descript motel—early morning. Parking lot wet with melting snow.
Nick drives up, parks. Gets out of the car wearing his pea coat and walks up the exterior steps to Room 202. He knocks three times and the door opens. He quickly enters and closes it behind him. Camera pans the motel parking lot followed by...
Scene: aerial view of the City of Pittsburgh
Voice-overs
9-1-1 Operator: 9-1-1 Emergency.
Woman: (Terrified) There's a man with a gun and he's shooting people.
9-1-1 Operator: Where are you, ma'am?
Woman: Kane… Industries.
9-1-1 Operator: Kane Industries? Is that what you said, ma'am?
Gunshots, screams, heard in the background.
Woman: (Gasps) Oh, God!
9-1-1 Operator: Ma'am? You're at Kane Industries?
Woman: He just shot someone else.
9-1-1 Operator: What floor are you on, ma'am?
Woman: He's walking down the room. (Whispers) He's looking around. I can't talk.
Sound of a gunshot, screams.
9-1-1 Operator: Are you there? Hello?
Woman: (Tearfully) He just shot himself. It's over. He just shot himself.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—reception area
Burton enters and walks up to the reception counter.
Burton: 'Morning, Gretchen.
Gretchen: Good morning, Mr. Fallin. (Hands him his messages)
Burton: How are you?
Gretchen: (Cheerfully) Um… can I… help you with your briefcase?
Burton: (Curious) My briefcase?
Gretchen: Yeah.
Burton: (Chuckling) No, I can handle it, thank you. I'll take a black coffee, though, please. (Starts walking away) Uh… make it… cream and two sugars, all right? (She nods) Okay. (Walks towards his office, reviewing the phone messages)
Jake: Hey, Burton…
Burton: Hey.
Jake: …how're you feeling today?
Burton: How ya doing? I'm good, thanks. (They shake hands) How're ya doing?
Jake: Good. Good. Um… listen… I'm, uh… I'm afraid I've got some very bad news for you.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—bullpen
Nick steps off the elevator and heads towards his office.
Nick: (To Lulu as he passes her office) 'Morning.
Lulu: Oh, Nick, can I, uh… Can I talk to you for a second? (To young client) Uh… Ted, will you just take a seat over there? I'll be right with you.
They go in her office and close the door. Nick rubs the back of his head.
Lulu: That kid Ted's father shot three people at Kane Paper this morning.
Nick: What?
They observe the kid through the door glass.
Lulu: Two of them are dead and his father shot himself.
Nick: He doesn't know?
Lulu: (Shakes her head—quietly) No.
Scene: Legal Services—meeting room
Ted Huberty: Why am I here?
Nick: Ted, there's this woman from, uh… Social Services and she has to talk to you, so…
Ted: Okay. But… why am I 'here'?
Nick glances at Lulu. The door opens and Suzanne Pell enters with Coach Steve Bernardo.
Suzanne: Hi, Ted. I'm Suzanne. (Extends her hand but he doesn't take it.)
Ted: Coach Bernardo. What are you doing here?
Bernardo: Just, uh… just seeing how you're doing, kid.
Suzanne: Ted, there's been an incident involving your father.
Ted: What?
Suzanne: He's been hurt and the doctors are trying to help him.
Ted: Well, what happened?
Scene: Kane Industries—reception area
Annette Sprague: (Tearfully) He walked in and… he said 'hello' to a few people and then he walked right up to Mr. Kane and he pulled out a gun and he just… Everyone was there for the morning meeting and he just shot Mr. Kane in the head. And then he shot Jenny and then he shot Vince. And he shot Vince three times.
Burton: I'm so sorry, Annette.
Annette: Um… you wanted to talk to Bill Jameson, right, about his statement for the press?
Burton: Right. We have to be a little careful what we say… legal reasons. Listen, Annette, if you have any more problems… you need anything at all, just… just call me. (Hands her his card) This is a direct number, okay?
Annette: (Nods) Okay.
Burton: (Hugs her) All right. Hang in there.
Annette: All right.
Burton: All right.
Annette: Thank you.
Burton: Take care. (She walks away)
Burton walks to the conference room where he stands outside the bullet-riddled, blood-splattered glass and looks in at the aftermath of the carnage. The Crime Scene Unit busily processes the murder scene.
He continues down the hall, looking for Eric Kane. As he passes Thomas Kane's office, he finds Eric sitting in his father's chair, his back to the door. Burton knocks.
Scene: Thomas Kane's office
Burton: Eric?
Eric: (Spins the chair around) Burton. Hey.
Burton: How ya doing, son? (Walks over to him)
Eric: (Stands—white shirt is spattered with blood) I'm good. (They shake hands)
Burton: I'm so sorry to hear about your dad.
Eric: When did you get here?
Burton: I just got here.
Eric: How're ya feeling?
Burton: Oh, I'm… I'm fine. I…
Eric: Yeah… I heard about the… the heart surgery. That's some serious stuff.
Burton: Well, now… I'm fine. Thanks.
Eric: Hard to believe you're already up and around. (Pats him on the shoulder)
Burton: No. I'm fine, thank you, but, uh… how are you holding up?
Eric: I'm good.
Burton: Yeah. You don't think, maybe, you should, uh… be back at home or…
Eric: I'm good, really. I, uh… I already talked to everybody, so…
Burton: Oh. Well, listen, uh… if your mom needs anything, you know, any help with, you know, the funeral or anything else, will you let me know?
Eric: Burton… (Long pause) I wanna finish the Palamar deal. There's a clock on this thing. (Sits down at the desk)
Burton: You don't have to worry about that right now. I mean, we can get that extended.
Eric: I want to assemble the board as soon as possible… and have them approve me as CEO.
Burton: (Pause) Well, I was thinking maybe it'd be a good idea if you took a little time off…
Eric: You know, my father's been working on this deal for five years.
Burton: I understand…
Eric: So you'll get a meeting with the board.
Burton: (Sighs) Well, I… I… Probably.
Eric: Good. (Comes out of his chair, claps, and extends his hand) Thank you.
Burton: Yeah. Well…
Annette enters the office with Dr. Jonah Silverman.
Annette: Excuse me. Eric, this is Dr. Jonah Silverman. He's a psychologist and he'd like to talk with you.
Dr. Silverman: (Extends his hand) Hello.
Eric: (Shakes) Appreciate you coming down, Dr. Silverman, but I'm very busy right now.
Annette: Uh, Eric.
Eric: Annette… perhaps we can meet with Dr. Silverman, uh… when it works better for my schedule.
Dr. Silverman: Sure. Sure. Call me when you're ready.
Eric: Thank you. (They exit)
Burton: Well, take, uh… take care. (Exits—concerned)
Scene: Eric Kane's office
Burton picks up and looks at a photo of Thomas and Eric Kane… then exits.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—meeting room
Dr. Usha Gupta, psychologist with Social Services, interviews Ted Huberty. Nick and Suzanne are present.
Ted: He shot three people?
Dr. Gupta: Apparently, yes. Ted, part of what we need to do right now is learn a little bit about you. About your relationship with your father.
Ted: Why?
Dr. Gupta: Because we wanna help you. Can you tell me how your father dealt with his anger at home?
Ted: What do you mean?
Dr. Gupta: We don't understand everything that happened today but it seems your father was very angry. Did he get angry with you?
Ted: I guess.
Dr. Gupta: Did he ever hit you?
Nick cringes at the line of questions.
Ted: No.
Dr. Gupta: Yell at you?
Ted: (Pause) Sometimes.
Dr. Gupta: Ted, have you ever felt like you could hurt somebody?
Nick: (Angrily interrupts) Oh, come on! No! Just stop! No…
Dr. Gupta: We need to know, so we can place him in an appropriate…
Suzanne: Nick…
Nick: Think about what this kid is going through.
Suzanne: Nick, we need to go outside… for a second. (She steers him out the door) Ted, you stay with Dr. Gupta, okay?
Nick stalks out into the bullpen, rubbing his brow.
Suzanne: Nick. Nick. (He stops and turns to face her) She needs to ask those questions. I know it seems insensitive but if he's been abused in any way…
Nick: (Angrily, pointing at the meeting room) That boy in there needs his mother.
Suzanne: She's dead.
Nick: Well, does he have any relatives?
Suzanne: Don't know. He and his father moved here from Minnesota two years ago. Look, I need to get back in there but maybe you should wait…
Nick: (Throws up his hand in frustration) Yes, fine. Just… Fine.
He turns to walk away, sees Lulu and stops. They look at each other then he looks down at the floor. She turns and walks into her office. He walks to his office.
Scene: Nick's office—moments later
Door is open. Nick sees Suzanne and Ted saying goodbye to Dr. Gupta near the elevator.
Suzanne: I'll call you tomorrow.
Dr. Gupta: Good. Take care, Ted. (She exits)
Suzanne and Ted walk towards Nick's office. He gets up and goes to the door.
Ted: Can I go home now?
Suzanne: You'll need to stay in a shelter for a few nights.
Ted: Why can't I stay with one of my friends?
Suzanne: Not tonight. (Hands him his jacket standing outside Nick's office)
Ted: What about Coach Bernardo?
Suzanne: Not tonight. Let's just get you home. Get a few of your things and get you settled in at the shelter, okay?
Ted: (To Nick) Will you come?
Nick glances at Suzanne then at Ted.
Nick: Me?
He glances at Suzanne then grabs his coat and briefcase and follows them to the elevator. Lulu watches as they all leave together.
Scene: Ted Huberty's house
Nick, Suzanne and Ted drive up in the BMW. A throng of reporters descend on the car with cameras.
Unknown reporter: (Off camera) This appears to be the son…
Nick: (To Ted in the backseat) Maybe I should just go in alone.
Ted: (Shakes his head and opens the car door)
Nick puts his arm around Ted's shoulders and leads him through the mob of reporters. Suzanne follows, struggling to get through. Nick enters the house with Ted. An officer tries to stop Suzanne but she flashes her Social Services I.D. and he lets her pass.
Scene: Inside the house
Nick closes the mini-blinds, shutting out the media.
Ted: My room's down the hall.
Suzanne: Okay. (She follows him)
Nick looks around at the seemingly normal surroundings. There is a partially finished jigsaw puzzle of a schooner on the table.
Scene: Burton Fallin's house—night
Nick enters without knocking. Finds his father reading the newspaper in the den. He has a drink in his hand and a half-empty plate of food on the coffee table.
Burton: Hmm. Nicholas. Hey. Sit down, son.
Nick: (Removes his overcoat and drapes it over the couch) How ya doing?
Burton: (Goes to the bar to refresh his drink) Oh… okay, I guess. I went over to see, uh… Eric Kane this afternoon. (Nick sits on the couch) That kid's in shock. (Burton returns to the couch) All he wanted to talk about was the Palamar deal. (Sighs) His dad… I never… I never knew very well. He used to send over his henchmen to the meeting and… (Chuffs—shakes his head) That animal… They said they'd laid him off two weeks ago.
Nick: Yeah.
Burton: It's unbelievable. Man works all his life building something up and… one of his employees does something like that. (Shakes his head)
Nick: You know, Dad, maybe it's a little too soon for you to be back at work.
Burton: The doc says it's okay.
Nick: Doctor said part-time.
Burton: That's what I'm doing. (Pause) Well, listen. I've been thinking about the firm. And, uh… I think we should probably talk about a transition here.
Nick: (Folds his arms across his chest and leans back on the couch) Whadaya mean?
Burton: Well, I always promised myself when I got older that I wouldn't hang on too long. Executive committee is meeting this Friday and… thought I'd propose that I step down.
Nick: You gonna retire?
Burton: No, but I… do think it's time you be named managing partner. I think we should act now.
Nick: (A little surprised) Yeah.
Burton: You're ready.
Nick: Yeah.
Burton: (Grinning) Well, there're a few things you're gonna have to figure out but, uh… (Chuckles) …you're ready. You're ready.
Nick seems a little reticent about the prospect of taking over the firm.
Scene: Nick's house—bedroom
Lulu lies sleeping. Nick is dressed in a hooded sweatshirt and sits at the foot of the bed watching her. She finally stirs and opens her eyes.
Lulu: Hey.
Nick: Hey.
Lulu: You staring at me?
Nick: No.
Lulu: I wasn't drooling or anything, was I?
Nick: No.
Lulu: Oh, um… Friday afternoon I have another check-up.
Nick: Okay. (Stands and straps on his wristwatch)
Lulu: They're gonna do another ultra-sound and, uhm… take some more tests… and stuff.
Nick: Right.
Lulu: You wanna come?
Nick: (With suit bag in hand he kisses her) Of course.
Lulu: Good.
He exits.
Scene: Motel—early morning
Nick knocks on Room 202. Door opens. He enters.
Scene: Pittsburgh County Hospital—hallway
Ted: Do I have to stay at the shelter much longer?
Nick: A few more weeks, maybe more.
Ted: The kids… they figured out who I am pretty fast. They're saying things about my dad… and me.
Scene: Outside Craig Huberty's hospital room, guarded by a police officer
Nick: You can only see him for a few minutes, okay?
Ted: Yeah.
Ted sighs and enters the room. Nick follows. Craig Huberty is comatose, head bandaged and on a respirator. He is handcuffed to the bed.
Ted: (To Nick) What am I supposed to do?
Nick: You… you can try talking to him.
Ted: Can he hear me?
Nick: (Pause) Maybe.
Ted walks over to the bed.
Ted: Hey, Dad. It's Ted. (Tearfully) I almost finished that puzzle… of that schooner you liked. But I think we lost two of the pieces. (After a moment he exits the room)
Nick walks over to him in the hallway. Ted walks over and sits on a couch.
Ted: I wanted to ask him.
Nick: Ask him what?
Ted: If he did it? He would tell me. I read in the paper. It said he shot a guy in the face three times. He did that?
Nick: (Long pause) Yeah.
Ted buries his face in his hands.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Burton's office
Burton: Eric. Come on in. How ya doing, son?
Eric: (They shake hands) I'm well.
Burton: You look good. Sit down.
Eric: Uh… thanks, um… for the, uh… basket that you sent to my mother. Uh, she said that it was amazing. And the flowers, too.
Burton: Great. Great.
Eric: It's appreciated.
Burton: Thanks.
Eric: (Laughs) So… so did you… did you talk to the board?
Burton: (Long pause) Eric, uhm… I think we all understand that this is not a real good time for you…
Eric: You said that you would contact the board and get me appointed CEO.
Burton: I know. I know.
Eric: They're all in town for the… the funeral.
Burton: Yeah, right.
Eric: What is it?
Burton: Eric… did you get a chance to talk to that, uh… that trauma counselor?
Eric: The… the guy… the guy from the office… Dr. Silverman?
Burton: Right.
Eric: No. Not yet.
Burton: Oh… Are you planning to take a little time off…?
Eric: (Agitated) After the deal maybe.
Burton: Maybe? (Chuckles) What…?
Eric: You know, I appreciate your concern on this, Burton. I do. But, I would prefer if you'd just act as my lawyer. All right? I… (Pause) Yeah. (Exits)
Burton watches him leave—concerned.
Scene: Reception area
Nick enters as Eric is leaving. They meet in the lobby.
Eric: Uh… hey, Nick.
Nick: Hey. Hey. How ya doing, Eric. I'm so sorry.
Eric: Thank you.
Nick: If there's anything that I can do.
Eric: No. No-no-no. We got it… we got it covered.
Nick: Okay.
Eric: I gotta, uh…
Nick: Can I talk to you a second about Craig Huberty's son?
Eric: (Pause) What about him?
Nick: I work at this clinic that represents children and, uh…
Eric: Okay.
Nick: I'm trying to find a place for him to live.
Eric: Oh.
Nick: It's not a conflict. I just… thought that you should know.
Eric: Okay.
Nick: I'm sorry. It's just… just something I have to do.
Eric: Right. It's just, uh… something you have to do.
Nick: Yeah.
Eric: Hey, I don't know if you've heard yet, uhm… Jenny, our Chief of Marketing, uh, she died three hours ago. I guess… I guess she never really had a chance. Huberty shot her point-blank in the side of the head, so… (Nick nods, not sure how to respond) I… I gotta go.
Nick: Again, my condolences.
Eric: Thank you. (Exits)
Through his office window, Burton observed Nick and Eric talking. He meets Nick outside his office.
Burton: That kid's a mess.
Nick: (Follows him into the office) Yeah.
Burton: He wants the board members to vote him in as the new CEO.
Nick: Well, I can understand that.
Burton: (Sighs) I don't know.
Nick: He wants to get back to work. I mean, what else is he gonna do if something like this happens?
Burton: Problem is, I spoke to a few of the board members. They're not, uh… real excited about the idea.
Nick: Does Eric know that?
Burton: I doubt it. His father kept him pretty much in the dark most of the time. If I called a meeting, they'd vote him down. Wouldn't even be close. I don't wanna do that to him. Not right now, anyway.
Nick: Yeah.
Burton: Oh… I did speak to Jake and, uh… Higgins, Simonsen. They're leaning towards supporting you.
Nick: Leaning?
Burton: Yeah.
Nick: Should I talk to them?
Burton: No-no-no. I'll handle it.
Nick: Are you sure?
Burton: Yeah. Yeah. You know… this could be a… very good thing for you.
Nick: Yeah.
Scene: Nick's house—kitchen
Nick enters as Lulu is covering his plate with aluminum foil.
Nick: Sorry. (Removes his overcoat and hangs it on a peg)
Lulu: Where were you?
Nick: I was with my dad.
Lulu: Oh, right. How is he?
Nick: He's fine.
Lulu: This whole shooting thing is terrible, isn't it?
Nick: Yeah.
Lulu: Well, this is yours. It's kinda cold now. (Walks to the table and sits down with her laptop)
Nick: Thank you. (Looks at the food—ponders—then…) Uh, my dad wants to make me managing partner.
Lulu: Really? That's great.
Nick: Yeah. (Less than enthusiastic)
Lulu: That's what you want, right?
Nick: Sure.
Lulu: (Chuffs) So, it's great.
Nick: A lot of the partners resent me.
Lulu: Well, you're a great lawyer.
Nick: No, I have a good last name.
Lulu: No, you're a great lawyer.
Phone rings. Lulu answers while Nick puts his plate in the fridge.
Lulu: Hello. (Listens) Hi, Suzanne. (Listens) Yeah, hang on. (To Nick) It's for you.
Scene: Shelter—same night
Ted, Suzanne and Nick exit the shelter and walk to Nick's car.
Nick: So you hit him?
Ted: Right. Kid spit on me. He was saying stuff.
Nick: You know, Ted, I don't blame you. The next time…
Ted: He was saying stuff about my dad.
Nick: Next time you fight, they won't just kick you out, they will call the police and send you to a juvenile detention center.
Ted: I didn't start it. The kid spit on me.
Nick: It doesn't matter. (Tosses Ted's bag into the back seat)
Ted: I didn't start it. What about Coach Bernardo. Can I stay with him?
Nick: Not tonight.
Ted: But, you'll ask.
Nick: Yeah.
Ted gets in the backseat. Nick shuts the door and walks around to the driver's side.
Suzanne: Should I drive or…?
Nick: I'm driving.
Suzanne: I can follow you?
Nick: Right.
Suzanne: Or just come with you.
Nick half-nods and she gets in his car.
Scene: Nick's house—bedroom—early morning
Dressed in a hooded sweatshirt, Nick picks up his suit bag and starts out the door. Lulu wakes.
Lulu: Nick.
Nick: Morning.
Lulu: What time did you get home last night?
Nick: Late.
Lulu: (Sighs) Well… is everything okay?
Nick: Yeah, it's fine.
Lulu: What's up with that kid, Ted? How is he?
Nick: Oh, some kid spit on him so he hit him.
Lulu: Oh. You going to the gym now?
Nick: Yeah.
Lulu: Why don't you just try and get some more sleep?
Nick: I don't get much sleep, Lulu.
They share a look. He walks out.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Nick's office
Bernardo: How long would he stay with me?
Nick: Couple of weeks. Maybe a month.
Bernardo: Month?
Nick: Well, until we find him a foster family.
Bernardo: Right.
Nick: He should be with people that he knows.
Bernardo: Of course. Of course.
Nick: So, is that a 'yes'? You'll do it?
Bernardo: Well… here's the thing. The people in this community… are pretty shaken up.
Nick: Sure.
Bernardo: I mean, look, I get it. Ted… Ted's a great kid, uh… but… I've seen what they're doing outside his dad's house.
Nick: So, that's a 'no'?
Bernardo: Well, see I… I've got a thirteen-year-old son… right? He's a good kid. He's quiet. He's… not too athletic.
Nick: Right.
Bernardo: The last thing he needs is to have a target painted on his back. I mean, Ted's dad shot three people, for God's sake.
Scene: Kane Industries—gathering of friends/family in remembrance
The office is filled with flower arrangements and food.
Burton: You sent one of these arrangements, right?
Nick: Yeah.
Eric walks up.
Burton: Hey. How ya doing, Eric? Okay?
Eric: Yeah, fine. Thanks.
Burton: You need anything?
Eric: (Ignores Burton's question. To Nick…) Hey, how's that, uh, kid… Huberty's son?
Nick: He's… he's… he's okay, I guess. (Glances at Burton)
Eric: His name is Ted, right?
Nick: That's right.
Eric: Uh… Theodore… or Edward?
Nick: Theodore.
Eric: Right. And his father… is he, uh… is he dead yet? (Burton looks at Nick)
Friend: (Off camera—pats Eric on the back) Very sorry, Eric.
Eric: (To Burton) Could-could… could I talk to you?
Burton: Sure.
Eric: D'you mind? (Motions him to follow)
Burton: Oh.
Eric: Excuse me. (They step away from the crowd) Right here.
Burton: What's up?
Eric: I've got some great news.
Burton: Yeah?
Eric: After you left the office, I went over to Palamar. Met with Elson. We sat down… hammered out the remaining issues and signed the merger agreement.
Burton: I… I don't understand.
Eric: I closed the deal.
Burton: You're not the CEO.
Eric: Burton.
Burton: Eric. You don't have the authority to enter into a contract.
Eric: The deal's done. That's what matters. It's done. You'll deal with the legal technicalities.
Burton: (Sighs)
Eric: Look, I've gotta go home. Um… Elson wants to meet tomorrow… at your office… and, uh… talk about a few transition issues. Okay?
Scene: Shelter
Nick walks inside where Suzanne waits.
Nick: Hey. You talk to him yet?
Suzanne: I was waiting for you.
Nick: Let's go.
They walk down the hallway to Ted's room.
Ted: Did you guys talk to Coach Bernardo?
Nick: (Long pause) Ted… your father died an hour ago. (Pause) I'm sorry. And we can arrange a funeral… if you'd like or just…
Ted: A funeral… I guess.
Suzanne: You don't have to decide right now.
Ted: (Sighs) I'm gonna go to bed now.
Scene: Upscale restaurant
Burton and Jake are dining together.
Burton: This is not about being the best lawyer. Hell, we're all good lawyers. This is, uh… this is about perceptions and relationships and, uh… well… the future.
Jake: Right.
Burton: You know, I know you're a contemporary of Nick's, but, uh… I do think that Nick has a…
Jake: You know, just… just a couple things, Burton, if you don't mind.
Burton: Sure.
Jake: If I support this, I'd like to get fifty percent of the source credit on Pierce Holdings and Halsey Electronics. You know it's more than fair, Burton.
Burton: Fine.
Jake: Good.
Burton: So.
Jake: So.
Burton: (Picks up the menu) Now that's decided, let's get down to real tough decisions: rib eye or porterhouse?
In another part of the restaurant...
Suzanne: Thanks for taking me here.
Nick: No, it's fine. (Takes a sip of his drink)
Suzanne: I was startin' to feel like… I mean, I like sex as much as anybody likes sex but… I'm still a girl.
Nick: That's right. (Smiles and sips his drink)
Suzanne: So thank you.
Nick: You're welcome.
Suzanne: (She kisses him and they share a long, sexually charged look) We can go now.
Nick: Okay. (Calls to the waiter) Can I get the check, please? (Suzanne kisses him again)
Burton, on his way to the restroom, spots Nick at the same time that Nick sees him. They glare at each other.
Suzanne: You all right?
Nick: Yeah, I'm fine. (Takes another sip of his drink)
Scene: Burton's house—later that night
Nick walks in without knocking; tie off, collar open, hair disheveled. Burton sits at the table drinking scotch. Burton sighs as Nick walks over to the table. He shoves the bottle of scotch towards Nick. Nick scowls—in a surly mood.
Burton: You don't owe me any explanations, Nicholas.
Nick: No, I know that.
Burton: You are what you are. Got a pregnant girl at home. On probation. Now you have, uh… well… you are what you are.
Nick: Yeah, that's right. That's right. You… you… you don't have any idea. You think this is my intention? Do you? (Raises his voice) You think this is what I want?! I asked her to marry me!
Burton: That's right.
Nick: And this girl tonight, she's just… That's… that's another thing that's something complicated that just…
Burton: Wait… Wait a minute. Complicated? What does that mean?
Nick: I don't know what it means.
Burton: Well, I do. It's not complicated. It's very simple. You're selfish. You want everything you want, when you want it, how you want it. What… you want me to lie to you? You want me to tell you what a great job you're doing. How you're acting like a man. I'm not gonna do it anymore. I can't treat you like a man when you act like a… child. (Pause) (Strongly) You can't drink anymore, Nicholas! You can't use drugs! And you cannot continue to lie to the people who love you! Anymore!
Nick stands for a long moment, head bowed.
Scene: Nick's house—bedroom—later same night
Nick lies on his back, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. He rolls over on his side, facing Lulu—her back to him.
Nick: (Quietly) Lulu.
Lulu: (Rolls over to face him) Hmm? (Long pause) You okay? (Another pause) Nick, what's going on with you?
Nick: I was drinking last night.
Lulu: Okay. (Concerned)
Nick: I've been drinking a little. There's been a lot going on and… I've just been drinking.
Lulu: Drugs?
Nick: Something else.
Lulu: Right.
Nick: There's someone else.
Lulu: Right. (Holding back the tears) Suzanne Pell.
Nick: Yeah.
Lulu: Why? (Heartbroken)
Nick: I don't know.
Lulu: You don't know?
Nick: I don't.
Lulu: (Rolls onto her back) Right.
Nick: (Raises up on one elbow) Lulu, I asked you to marry me and you just looked at me like I was insulting you.
Lulu: You care about Suzanne?
Nick: No, not really.
Lulu: (Sighs) What the hell you doing? (No longer able to hold back the tears, she covers her eyes and cries)
Nick: I don't know. (She sobs) I wanna marry you, Lulu, and I wanna be a good father to our child. You can just go… anytime, anywhere. You can take the child and you can just go. (Fighting back tears) Tell the court that I'm some addict, some probationer and… and that's it and you just go and I'm alone. And I wanna have this family.
Lulu: So you screw Suzanne Pell?
Lulu leaves the bed.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Burton's office—next day
Burton: Thanks, Robert. Way to go.
Knock on the door.
Burton: Yeah?
Eric enters the room. Robert exits.
Burton: Hey, Eric.
Eric: Hey.
Burton: How are ya?
Eric: Great.
Burton: Sit down.
Eric: Where's Elson?
Burton: He's, uh… not coming.
Eric: What?
Burton: Eric… the board members are not real comfortable with, uh… your running the company.
Eric: Comfortable?
Burton: Yeah. Several of the key members think that you need, uhm… well… a little time.
Eric: But, it's my father's company. It's Kane Paper.
Burton: Yeah, I understand that but it's a publicly traded company run by a board. Now, that… that board is… I'm sorry for your loss, but they're… they're not prepared to make you CEO.
Eric: We're still gonna close the Palamar deal, though, right?
Burton: I don't know. I talked to Elson a couple hours ago and explained about the stress you're under and that, uh… you really didn't have the authority to sign that contract but, uh… Well, I think he understood. I…
Eric: I… I'm not gonna be CEO?
Burton: No. No. Not right now. I'm sorry.
Eric: Right.
Burton: Down the line… you know, maybe we can revisit this whole thing… after you've had a little more experience.
Eric: Right. Ah… I hid under the table.
Burton: I'm sorry?
Eric: When Huberty came in I saw him pull out the gun. I was in the conference room with my dad and… I could've, uh… I could've… But, I just hid under the table.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—lobby
Nick enters and walks to the reception counter.
Nick: (Takes his messages) Thanks.
As Eric is leaving, he walks over to Nick.
Eric: You heard?
Nick: What?
Eric: Huberty's dead.
Nick: Right. Right.
Eric: I hope he suffered. (Exits)
Scene: Burton's office
Nick walks into Burton's office.
Nick: Hey.
Burton: (Sighs) Sit down, Nicholas.
Nick: (Shuts the door and sits down) About last night, I, uh… I hope you understand that it was just a…
Burton: (After long pause) Just a what?
Nick: A mistake.
Burton: Well, I know that.
Nick: And I know that you've gone out on a limb with this managing partner thing and I want you to know that I won't let you down.
Burton: Well, I don't think it's quite fair to the other partners.
Nick: Whadaya mean?
Burton: This is their livelihood, Nicholas. Their life's work. They've gotta be sure their leader is responsible.
Nick: I will be responsible.
Burton: (Sighs—long pause) I can't do it… right now. I'm sorry. But, I won't do it.
Scene: Coach Bernardo's house
Nick rings the door bell. Bernardo comes to the door.
Bernardo: Oh, hey, Ted.
Ted: Hey, Coach.
Bernardo: Why don't you come on in? Brian and Marcy are watching TV. Why don't you hang out with them?
Ted: Thanks, Coach Bernardo. (To Nick) See ya.
Nick: See ya, Ted.
Bernardo steps out on the stoop and closes the door.
Nick: So…
Bernardo: Yep?
Nick: If you need any more…
Bernardo: No, I'm okay… for now.
Nick: Right. Well, just let me know what you need. (Hands him a check) I'll write you a check. (Hands him Ted's backpack)
Bernardo: Okay.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—conference room—Meeting of Executive Committee
Burton: Nicholas has respectfully requested that I stay on as managing partner, at least for… for the time being. I privately think that he just doesn't want the old man playing golf every day. That's what I think, anyway. (Committee members laugh. Jake, sitting to Burton's right, is surprised by the announcement) Now, I'm pleased to announce that, uh… our corporate revenue went up twenty percent last… last quarter and Jake, here, brought in two very… very important clients—the, uh… Pierce Holdings and, uh… Halsey Electronics. Also, the real estate department went up last quarter—seven percent. Keep that up, Bob. Excellent.
Scene: Women's clinic
Lulu sits alone, reading a magazine. Nick walks in and sits down. She doesn't acknowledge him.
Nick: (Softly) I'm sorry. (Pause) I'm so sorry, Lulu.
She finally turns to face him. They look at each other for a long moment; each experiencing their own pain. She eventually turns away.
END OF EPISODE
==========================
TRANSCRIPT PROVIDED BY "TWIZ TV.COM - FREE TV SCRIPTS DATABASE"
COURTESY OF/PERMISSION FROM SIMONSPHERE
==========================