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TRANSCRIPT:
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Scene: Nick's House—kitchen—evening
Nick stands in the kitchen, downcast, while Lulu takes her luggage out the back door to the car. She comes back in for a third bag.
Lulu: Nick. (She holds out her hand for the bag)
Nick: (Hands her the bag) You're really gonna do this?
Lulu: Nick… (She shakes her head)
Nick: Lulu, please. (Pause) Don't go.
Lulu: (Long pause) I'm sorry. (Turns and walks out the door)
Nick leans forward against the counter—head bowed. Hears the car engine start—Lulu driving away.
Burton: (Knocks and enters) Hey. It's cold as hell out there. (Huffs and puffs)
Nick turns and walks to the dining table. Burton follows.
Burton: S'posed to last all week. (Removes his hat)
Nick: Right. Have you eaten?
Burton: I'm fine. (Sits down) Saw Lulu outside.
Nick: (Doesn't look up) Yeah.
Burton: I'm sorry about that.
Nick: Yeah. (Glances at Burton)
Burton: Probably all for the best.
Nick: (Glares at his father) What?
Burton: She's probably doing the right thing… for now.
Nick: (Just shakes his head)
Burton: Uh… listen, I, uh… I've been thinking. (Removes a pamphlet for rehab center from his inside coat pocket and lays it on the table in front of Nick)
Nick: Oh, come on. (Rolls his head)
Burton: No, hey… Hear me out, son. (Sighs) I made some calls and I… I found this place and, uh… it's anonymous. You can do that outpatient thing.
Nick: Dad. Dad. I don't… I don't need to go to some rehab center.
Burton: Son…you need help. You've gotta make some changes. You're gonna end up in jail… or worse.
Nick: I'm fine.
Burton: Will ya just go out there tomorrow with me and we'll take a look at the place?
Nick: Tomorrow? We have the Renstar merger tomorrow.
Burton: I know.
Nick: I've been working for the last two weeks on that opinion letter.
Burton: So we close the deal and we go out there… tomorrow. Take a look.
Nick: You-you… (Shakes his head—clams up)
Burton: (Sighs) Well… I really do wish you'd take this seriously. (Nick stares into space. Burton takes his hat and starts to leave) I'll see ya tomorrow.
Scene: Nick's house—kitchen/dining room—later same night
Nick has come in from outside and shivers from the cold. He removes a small folded brown paper sack from his coat pocket and lays it on the table then sheds his overcoat. He sits down at the table and begins work on the Renstar opinion letter.
Scene: Nick's house—dining room—early morning
Nick sits with his shirtsleeves rolled up, tie removed. He takes a sip of coffee then neatly puts the Renstar opinion letter together. He sighs, picks up the rehab center pamphlet and looks through it, then places the Renstar opinion letter on the kitchen counter.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—morning
Burton walks in.
Burton: (To office personnel) Morning.
Jake: (Bounds down the steps and catches up with Burton) Oh, Burton. Hey. Uh, listen the, uh… gentlemen from Renstar Communications are in the conference room.
Burton: Nick here yet?
Jake: No. Not yet.
Burton: (Sighs) Well, we can't start without him.
Jake: Right. Well, I'll go… I'll go talk to them.
Burton: Yeah, do that.
Jake: (Enters the conference room) Gentlemen. Hi. (Shakes hands)
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—bullpen
Lulu exits the elevator. Suzanne is waiting for her.
Suzanne: Morning, Lulu.
Lulu: (Glares at her)
Suzanne: (Clueless) Is something wrong?
Lulu: (Coldly) What is it, Suzanne? (Walks to her office)
Suzanne: (Follows) There's a woman in your office. Her name is Anita Hendricks.
Lulu: I don't know her.
Suzanne: She's… Nick's client.
Lulu: What is she doing in my office?
Suzanne: Her two-year-old was removed from her custody six months ago. She was supposed to get her back today.
Lulu: (Stops outside her office) Supposed to?
Suzanne: Nick never showed up in court.
Lulu: (Chuffs) Fine! (Enters the office—firmly shuts the door) (To Anita) Good morning.
Anita Hendricks: (Agitated) I did everything was asked of me! Everything! I'm sober. I got a job. I took the classes. Met with the counselors.
Lulu: I'm Louisa Archer.
Anita: I did what I was supposed to do! You hear me? And my baby was supposed to come home with me… this very day.
Lulu: (Pause) I'm really sorry.
Anita: And the Judge Lady say I can't go back there until next week.
Lulu: Okay. Hang… hang on. (Opens the door and shouts into the bullpen) Can someone get me Anita… Anita…
Anita: Hendricks.
Lulu: Anita Hendricks' file… please? Okay, Miss Hendricks, uhm, I'm gonna go over your file and then I am… going to personally… oversee your next court appointment.
Anita: I gotta wait a whole week?
Lulu: Right.
Anita: (Defiantly takes a seat on the couch in Lulu's office)
Lulu: Miss Hendricks.
Anita: I ain't waitin' no more. I want my baby back today and I ain't leavin' 'til I get her. (Glares at Lulu)
Lulu: (Long pause—sighs. Walks to the door and calls into the bullpen) Would someone please track down Nick Fallin for me?! Now!
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Burton's office
Jake walks up and follows Burton into his office.
Jake: Burton. He's still not here.
Burton: I know. I know that.
Jake: And, uh, we… can't close this deal without that opinion letter.
Burton: (Walks to his phone) No kidding. (Picks up the phone and dials Nick's house)
Jake: And they're startin' to get pissed.
Nick's answering machine: Leave a message.
Burton: Nicholas. We need that letter… now! You're making us look ridiculous. (Hangs up)
Scene: Steel Valley Rehabilitation Center—bright sunny warm day
Nick slowly climbs a long flight of stairs wearing his suit and sunglasses. He walks through the lavish grounds of the rehab center entering a bright sunny lobby. He looks around for a moment at the friendly atmosphere then walks towards the reception desk.
Receptionist: May I help you?
Nick: Hi.
Receptionist: Hi.
Nick: (Removes his sunglasses and walks over to the desk) Hi.
Receptionist: What's your name?
Nick: Nick. Nick Fallin.
Receptionist: Hello, Nick Fallin.
Nick: Hello. My father gave me a pamphlet.
Receptionist: Okay.
Nick: It said, uh…
Receptionist: I've seen our pamphlet.
Nick: He said I should come here.
Receptionist: Good.
Nick: He suggested it.
Receptionist: Good. Do you wanna be here?
Nick: (Looks around) Yes. Yeah, I think I do.
Receptionist: Then I'll call her.
Nick: Who?
Receptionist: You'll love Anne. Everybody does.
Scene: Interview with Anne
Anne: Drug of choice?
Nick: Cocaine.
Anne: How long have you been using?
Nick: Off and on… sixteen years.
Anne: How much have you been using?
Nick: It varies. Uh… sometimes I sneak a line or two. Sometimes a little more.
Anne: Alcohol?
Nick: Yeah, sometimes. Yeah.
Anne: Anything else?
Nick: Sometimes.
Anne: What type of substance?
Nick: Sometimes, you know… designer drugs.
Anne: Uh… ecstasy?
Nick: (Shrugs but does not verbally respond)
Anne: Hallucinogens?
Nick: (Smiles—bows his head—whispers) Yeah.
Anne: Have you ever been in treatment before?
Nick: Uh… yeah. Uhm… I went through a court-ordered outpatient thing.
Anne: You're on probation?
Nick: Yep.
Anne: How long ago was that?
Nick: Little over two years.
Anne: When was the last time you used?
Nick: This morning.
Anne: You're high right now?
Nick: No, see, that's the thing, uh… Last night my father came around and brought this pamphlet and he told me, uh… Well, he told me that I should straighten myself out.
Anne: I don't follow.
Nick: I went out instead and, uh… saw this guy and he sold me some stuff.
Anne: What did he call it?
Nick: Beautiful. Blue Mystic.
Anne: An hallucinogen. How much did you take?
Nick: I don't know. Sixty milligrams?
Anne: And nothing happened?
Nick: (Pause) I think it's just baking soda.
Anne: Sixty milligrams is a huge dose, Nick. But, I think you've made a very wise decision, coming here. And I think we can help. Method of payment?
Nick: Can I use a credit card?
Anne: Mm-hmm. (Smiles—phone rings) I have to take that. (Answers the phone) Hello, Dr. Joplin. (Listens) Right. (Listens) Right. (Listens) Oh. (Listens) Right. (Listens) Right. I will. I will… call them… and come in. (Hangs up the phone—clearly upset)
Nick: You all right?
Anne: I just… I'm just… Please excuse me. (Hastily exits)
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—bullpen
Lulu calls to Suzanne and catches up with her at the elevator.
Lulu: Suzanne. I'm attempting to, uh… fix Nick's mistake so this afternoon at four o'clock I need you to bring Anita's daughter to the courthouse.
Suzanne: I can't make it. Ah… it's already been rescheduled, so…
Lulu: You don't have Anita Hendricks camped out in your office, Suzanne.
Suzanne: Right.
Lulu: Right. So just clear your schedule and be there. (Walks off)
Suzanne, bewildered by Lulu's attitude, gets on the elevator.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin
Jake exits the conference room—finds Burton outside his office and walks with him to the lobby.
Jake: Uh, Burton. Uh, look, the Renstar guys won't leave… uh… 'til we close this deal.
Burton: (Sighs) Yeah.
Jake: Their drop-dead date's tomorrow so they're gonna camp out here 'til 12:01.
Burton: Right.
Jake: Henry Moss is kinda startin' to lose it. He's threatening a malpractice suit if we don't close this deal.
Burton: It figures.
Jake: So… uh… there's only so much coffee I can offer 'em.
Burton: Okay. I'll, uh… I'll go in there and stall 'em. Yeah. (Turns to walk away)
Jake: Great.
Burton: Oh, listen, Jake. Go by Nick's house. See what the hell he's doing.
Jake: Got it.
Scene: Steel Valley Rehabilitation Center
Receptionist enters the room. Nick is still sitting at the desk where Anne left him.
Receptionist: Hello, there. I'm afraid that Anne had to leave.
Nick: Oh.
Receptionist: She told me that you were considering it.
Nick: You know, I think I'll come back at another time.
Receptionist: Oh.
Nick: Yeah, I think I'll do that. (Waits a second then stands abruptly, takes his credit card off the desk and leaves)
Scene: Nick's house
Jake knocks at the kitchen door then looks through the kitchen window.
Jake: Nick? (Knocks) Nick?
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—elevator
Nick steps onto the elevator followed by a woman (Anne).
Nick: What floor?
Anne: The legal clinic, please. I think it's called LSP.
Nick: (Pushes the button then glances over—recognizing Anne) Anne? What are you doing here?
Anne: I've got cancer.
Nick: I'm sorry.
Anne: My son doesn't know it yet. I'm dying and my son… I've got to find a place for him to go.
Scene: A beautiful park
Nick and Anne walk together.
Anne: I was diagnosed a year ago. I had surgery, did chemo, and went into remission. I mean, I was… in remission. My son, he lives with me.
Nick: Right.
Anne: His dad is a workaholic prick.
Nick: Okay. (Smiles)
Anne: I have full custody. His father gets one weekend a month which he usually blows off.
Nick: Right.
Anne: Which is probably for the best. His father scares him.
Nick: Scares him?
Anne: Hmm. Bad temper. Tough on him.
Nick: Right.
Anne: I don't wanna leave my son with my ex-husband.
Nick: Do you have any alternatives?
Anne: My sister said she'd take him.
Nick: Your sister?
Anne: Yeah. She loves him. She's very young.
Nick: How young?
Anne: She's twenty-six but she's a good person.
Nick: Right. Has your ex-husband ever abused or neglected your son?
Anne: How do you measure abuse?
Nick: (Stops and ponders this)
Anne: I'd like a 'do not resuscitate' order.
Nick: A living will?
Anne: Right. You can help me with that?
Nick: (Rubs his forehead—clearly upset) Sure. Sure.
Anne: Am I upsetting you?
Nick: No. No. (He sits on a nearby bench—she sits beside him)
Anne: Sorry. You seem to have… You've been through something like this? (He looks at her) Sorry.
Nick: Oh, don't worry about me.
Anne: I'm a counselor. That's what I do. This morning, when you came to see me… what I did—walking out on you like that—was really unprofessional.
Nick: It's okay.
Anne: No. I put myself in front of you and I'm… I'm sorry.
Nick: No… it's okay.
Anne: After you help me… I'm going to help you.
Nick: (Smiles) Okay.
Anne: Believe me, I am going to help you.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Lulu's office
Anita Hendricks is still camped out in her office. Lulu talks with Alvin, trying to carry-on business as usual.
Lulu: On Wednesday, there'll be a visiting guardian ad litem from a clinic in Maine who wants to shadow one of the lawyers and I thought you'd be the best choice.
Alvin: Sure. (Glances at Anita) Ah… sure. Anything else?
Lulu: Yeah, I, uh… have a little situation here as you can see.
Alvin: I've noticed.
Anita: (Stubbornly) I ain't leavin'.
Lulu: Great. (Walks over to Alvin and lowers her voice) Alvin, Nick dropped the ball so I'm just wondering if you could cover for me in this afternoon's general meeting.
Alvin: Yeah.
Suzanne: (Stands at the open door—upbeat) Okay. So… I arranged it with the guardian ad litem and we can all be there at four. (Smiles)
Lulu glares at Suzanne. Alvin looks back and forth between them. Suzanne's smile fades.
Suzanne: Okay, then. (She turns and walks out)
Lulu stalks out after her. Alvin walks to the door and listens.
Lulu: Suzanne. (She turns to face Lulu) You knew I was living with him.
Suzanne: Yeah.
Lulu: (Scowls) Did you know that I was pregnant?
Suzanne: (Surprised) What?
Lulu: Did you know that Nick's on probation? That if he gets caught with drugs or drinking that he will go to jail?
Suzanne: No.
Lulu: (Angry—spiteful) No? Okay. Well, you just please tell him the next time you see him that he's done enough harm. And I'm tired of cleaning up his messes. You can just tell him that. And you tell him to show up at the court at four o'clock or I will call his probation officer. (Walks back in her office)
Suzanne stands for a moment, stunned. Alvin just looks at her, then saunters off.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Burton's office
Jake: (Walks in the office) Burton… he's not home.
Burton: (Fed up) Okay.
Jake: I spoke to his secretary and to Gretchen and no one knows where he is.
Burton: Damn. Dammit! (Gets up and begins putting his coat on)
Jake: (To assistant who brings in a stack of files) Just, uh… put 'em on the table. (To Burton) Look, I think I can pull together an opinion letter in a couple of hours. This is, uh… everything from the merger… uh… bylaws, charter, lawsuits… everything. So give me a couple of hours to go through this, okay?
Burton: You can draft an opinion letter in a couple of hours, huh?
Jake: I'm a pretty good lawyer, Burton. I think I can handle it.
Burton: Okay. (Exits)
Scene: Anne's house—dining room
Nick sits at the table. Anne walks in with a sandwich and chips and a glass of milk. Sets it down in front of Nick.
Anne: Here you are.
Nick: Looks good.
Anne: You can eat.
Nick: You're not hungry?
Anne: (Shakes her head and sits down)
Nick takes a bite of the sandwich.
Anne: So… a living will.
Nick: (Wipes his mouth) Right. A living will says that you desire to die a natural death and you don't wanna be kept alive by medical treatment or heroic measures.
Anne: That's what I want.
Nick: Right. So… (Pulls forms from his briefcase) …this basically states that you are of sound mind and that you are voluntarily making this declaration.
Anne: Okay.
Nick: That you direct the attending physician to withhold or withdraw life support.
Anne: Okay.
Nick: Then there are specific questions.
Anne: Fire away.
Nick: Do you want cardio-pulmonary resuscitation?
Anne: No.
Nick: Do you want mechanical respiration?
Anne: No. Just… do the whole list, okay?
Nick: Tube feeding, blood transfusions, surgery, dialysis, antibiotics.
Anne: No. No. No to all that.
Nick: Do you wish to donate any organs?
Anne: If they're useful.
Young Nick enters the room.
Young Nick: Hey, Mom.
Anne: Hi, sweetheart.
Young Nick: I have a lot of homework.
He walks down the hall, dressed in his private school blazer and carrying a small briefcase. Nick follows him with his eyes.
Anne: He's so serious. No TV. Not many friends. Just does his school work.
Nick: Oh.
Anne: Straight As. The other moms… they wish their kid was just like mine but, I don't know… I just wish he'd get a C and smile once in awhile.
Nick: (Smiles) Right.
They look at each other then she rests her chin in her hands and looks sweetly at Nick.
Anne: My little man.
Nick: (Smiles and eagerly passes her the forms to sign)
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Lulu's office
Lulu works at her desk. Glances at Anita, still camped out in her office. Alvin walks in.
Alvin: Hi, Miss Hendricks. How's your sit-in going? (She shrugs) Need to use the bathroom? (She shakes her head) Lulu, uh… I don't mean to… Has anybody actually spoken to Nick today?
Lulu: No.
Alvin: Should we be concerned?
Lulu: No.
Alvin: Okay. (With a glance at Anita, he exits)
Phone rings.
Lulu: (Answers the phone) Louisa Archer. (Listens) Okay. (Listens) All right, thank you, Rosemarie. Thank you. (Hangs up) (To Anita) That was your probation officer. She's gonna meet us at the courthouse right now.
She exits her office with Anita and heads to the elevator.
Scene: Bullpen
Alvin is showing a woman a coin trick.
Alvin: It's important to keep your hand really relaxed. (Shakes out his hand) You gotta be limber. Put the coin right at the end of your fingers…
Burton: (Steps off the elevator) Hey, Lulu.
Lulu: Hi, Burton.
Burton: I'm looking for Nick, uh…
Lulu: Me, too. Have you tried calling him at home?
Burton: Yeah… I did. Even had Jake go over there but, uh… well, he's probably…
Lulu: (Interrupts) I think we both know what he's probably doing. (Walks to the elevator)
Burton: (Catches Alvin's eye—walks over) Hey, Alvin. (Extends his hand)
Alvin: Hey, Burton.
Burton: D'you mind if I check out Nick's office? I'm looking for a legal opinion.
Alvin: No, go right ahead.
Burton walks into Nick's office. Alvin grabs his jacket and scarf and exits.
Scene: Anne's house—living room
Nick and Anne sit at opposite ends of the sofa, facing each other.
Nick: As for the custody of your son…
Anne: Right?
Nick: It's not gonna be easy.
Anne: Okay.
Nick: Presumption in Pennsylvania is for the biological parent.
Anne: Right. What does that mean?
Nick: Your ex-husband has the legal right to contest the placement.
Anne: But there is a way?
Nick: Yeah, there's something called the Standby Guardian Act.
Anne: You're really… You're so good at this. You're really smart.
Nick: Thank you. So… the Standby Guardian Act… it allows the terminally ill parent to commence a custody action that alleges that the other parent is unable to care for their child.
Anne: Okay.
Nick: You could try to designate a new guardian. My guess is, you will lose.
Anne: Right.
Nick: From what you've told me of your son's father, he's not abusive or neglectful.
Anne: Well, he's not a good father. He's… he's not loving.
Nick: (Pause) Legally 'loving' is not a requirement.
Anne: Right. Right.
Nick: Have you considered asking your son what he wants to do?
Anne: Oh, he's just a boy. No. I need to come up with a solid plan for him.
Nick: A solid plan for 'him'?
Anne: Exactly.
Nick: You need to ask him what he wants to do.
Anne: He's just a boy.
Nick: (Suddenly appears upset) Is there a bathroom I might use?
Anne: Upstairs. End of the hall.
Scene: Bathroom
Nick washes his hands then stares at himself in the mirror. He sees the image of Young Nick pass by the bathroom door. Follows the boy to the end of the hall—Young Nick's room. Young Nick sits at his desk doing his homework. Nick scans the room—sees a blue Spyder bike, small TV, stuffed football; typical little boy's room.
Scene: The Incline—daytime
Alvin enters, looks around, then walks up to the bar.
Alvin: Hi, Jerry.
Jerry: (Bartender) Alvin.
Alvin: You know Nick Fallin?
Jerry: Sure.
Alvin: Seen him around today?
Jerry: Nah.
Alvin: Yeah. (Turns to leave then…) Oh, uh… if you see him, would you, uh… give me a call. (Hands him a business card)
Jerry: Sure.
Alvin: Thanks.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Burton's office
Burton enters the room. Jake's still working on the Renstar opinion letter.
Burton: Any word yet?
Jake: Uh… no.
Burton: (Removes his overcoat) Well, I'm gonna have to go in there and… tell the clients.
Jake: I'm… I'm almost finished.
Burton: You couldn't've analyzed the risks and liabilities.
Jake: It's good enough.
Burton: Well, I can't go in… I mean, if you're wrong… we get sued.
Jake: Burton, we're gonna get sued either way.
Burton: (Takes the documents and quickly scans them) Nah… I… I don't do business like this. (Hands the documents back to Jake)
Jake: Wh… Believe me, Burton, I don't do business like this. I mean, I'm just trying to cover Nick…
Burton: Did you go inside the house?
Jake: (Shakes his head) No.
Burton: Jake! Look, go back over there and if you have to break… Wh… no, I tell ya, there's a key underneath the planter. Go inside the house and find the damn letter!
Jake pulls on his jacket and exits.
Scene: Anne's house—Young Nick's room
Nick stands outside the door and watches Young Nick do his schoolwork. He hears two people arguing. Young Nick turns towards the sound of the arguing (off-camera).
Anne: It would be better this way.
Burton: Like hell it would.
Anne: I just want him to be around someone who loves him.
Burton: What are you saying? Listen to yourself.
Anne: You work all the time and you're so angry.
Burton: Anne…
Anne: Please. This is what I want. He is my child.
Burton: I will never, never give him up. Never give him away. You understand that?
Nick walks down the hallway towards the arguing.
Anne: You are not hearing me. You're not listening. I just want what is best for him. And what is best for him is affection and love—not anger.
Nick stands at the top of the stairs—looks down on the foyer. The front door is open—the argument taking place just outside.
Anne: He's just a little boy. (Turns and walks back inside, shuts the door and leans back against it)
Nick descends the stairs.
Anne: That didn't go very well.
Nick: Oh.
Anne: He won't agree to it.
Nick: Right.
Anne: I still wanna take this to court.
Nick: You do?
Anne: At least… I want my son to know, at least, that I tried to do what I felt was best.
Scene: Nick's house—kitchen
Jake enters the house and quickly shuts the back door against the cold wind blowing outside. For a second he looks around—getting his bearings—then notices the opinion letter on the counter.
Jake: This is it. (He picks it up and leafs through it—sighs) Thank God. (Hears a noise—looks up—but seeing nothing he leaves) All right.
Scene: Allegheny Courthouse—corridor
Nick and Anne walk together.
Anne: My ex-husband is a… is a powerful guy.
Nick: Okay.
Anne: No. I mean, he's a powerful guy. He's a lawyer and he's… he's very tough.
Nick: Well, I can handle myself.
Anne: He'll bring a lot of people with him. He'll act kindly but he'll be derisive and condescending.
Nick: Okay.
Anne: He'll make me out to be someone I'm not.
Nick: Whadaya mean?
Anne: He might bring up the fact that I've struggled with… with…
Nick: With what?
Anne: Pills. Alcohol.
Nick: Oh.
Anne: He might bring that up.
Nick: It's irrelevant. The Judge is only concerned with your sister and your ex-husband.
Anne: Right. Right.
Liz: (Walks up) Anne. (Sighs) I'm so sorry. Traffic and parking. Oh… hi, Nick.
Nick: Aunt Liz?
Liz: (Sighs) Anne… listen… I don't think I can do this.
Anne: Liz.
Liz: I love your son. I really do. But, I don't think now's the time… to do this.
Anne: You said that you would.
Liz: I did. Because I think your husband is… I agree with a lot of the things you say but, Anne… I think you're doing this to get back at him. Not because you think that this is best for your son. I'm sorry. (Exits)
Nick: (Sly smile) Okay.
Anne: So… he goes to live with his dad.
Nick: Right.
Anne: Well… I better go get him packed.
Nick: What?
Anne: I want him to go tonight.
Nick: Why?
Anne: Because I don't want him to go through this with me.
Nick: He doesn't even know yet.
Anne: Right. Well, he'll just have to go now and get used to where he'll be.
Nick: Anne, he doesn't know.
Anne: Thank you for your help… but this is the way it's gotta be. (Exits)
Scene: Allegheny County Courthouse—Judge Damsen's courtroom
All stand as Judge Damsen enters the courtroom.
Judge: Where's Mr. Fallin?
Lulu: I'm filling in for him, Your Honor.
Judge: All right. Miss Hendricks… (Thumbs through her file) I see you've stopped all contact with your former boyfriend; have completed your parenting classes; have a job. Home study looks good.
Anita: Thank you.
Judge: I don't, however, see a certificate of completion for your drug rehabilitation program.
Anita: I took it. I finished it.
Judge: Yes, but I don't see proof of that. Miss Archer?
Lulu: Uhm… (Leafs through her file) I'm afraid, Your Honor, I don't…
Anita: (Angry) I gave it to that damn lawyer! Three days ago! I gave it to him on Friday!
Judge: I'm sorry, Miss Hendricks, but I need to see a signed form before me.
Anita: (Enraged) Judge… my baby girl has been living in a crappy hellhole for almost six months…
Judge: Miss Archer.
Anita: (Hysterical) …and I just wanna get her home to me…
Lulu: Anita… Anita, you need…
Anita: …tonight.
Judge: Miss Archer.
Anita: I can't sleep without her being home with me.
Lulu: Anita… You need to sit down.
Judge: Miss Archer! Your client!
Lulu: Okay. Anita…
Anita: I can't sleep.
Judge: Miss Archer! (Pounds the gavel) Bring me the form.
Scene: Outside Judge Damsen's courtroom
Anita: You don't understand… what it's like… to have your baby taken from you.
Lulu: I'm sorry.
Anita: It was supposed to be today. I had the house all done up and my friends… It was supposed to be today.
Anita walks away. Suzanne walks up to Lulu.
Lulu: What?
Suzanne: I'm sorry… what I did. I just… It's not really something I can make go away with words, so… I just really felt something for him. I really felt a lot. I… That doesn't happen for me. That doesn't. And I'm sorry. (Walks away)
Scene: Fallin & Fallin
Burton stands outside his office—pacing. Jake walks up.
Jake: I got it. (Hands the document to Burton)
Burton: Great. Where'd you find it?
Jake: It was on the counter in the kitchen.
Burton: Was Nicholas there?
Jake: No. No, he wasn't. But… I mean, it all looked good, so…
Burton: Okay. (Glances through it) Well… let's get this thing done.
Jake: Yeah.
They enter the conference room.
Burton: All right. Sorry for the delay. Why don't you have a seat and…
Scene: Anne's house—Young Nick's room
Anne is packing Young Nick's things.
Anne: I don't want him to remember me sick—wasting away.
Nick: You can't just kick him out.
Anne: He shouldn't have to face this.
Nick: He'll want to. So you're just gonna drive off to the school and tell him that he can't be around you anymore?
Anne: It's for the best.
Nick: (Raising his voice) For the best?!
Anne: Yes.
Nick: Anne… just ask him what he wants.
Anne: He doesn't know.
Nick: He does!
Anne: No he doesn't!
Nick: He wants to stay with you! He wants to know that he's helped you!
Anne: He shouldn't have to face this. He is not that kind of child. He's already so removed. If I let him stay, it'll only make him worse.
Nick: You don't know that! You don't know what it's like for him to suddenly wake up in his father's house and to not see you again until you're too sick to object to his being there!
Anne: He should get used to being with his father.
Nick: He has the rest of his life for that. He only has a few months left with you.
Nick follows her down the hallway.
Scene: Nick's house—kitchen door
Alvin rings the door bell. Rings it again.
Scene: Anne's house—foyer/living room
Nick follows Anne down the stairs to the foyer/living room.
Nick: Anne. Anne. I'm sorry. Okay?
She takes a photo of herself and Young Nick and puts it in the bag.
Nick: Will you please listen to me? Anne, please.
She exits and walks out into the night. Nick follows.
Scene: Nick's house—cold wind blowing—freezing cold night
Alvin looks through the kitchen window. Wind is howling outside. He goes to the den window and, using his scarf, he cleans the frost off the glass to better see inside. He sees something and hurries around to the kitchen door.
Scene: Anne's house—front yard
Nick follows Anne down the front walk to the car.
Nick: Just let him stay with you until he's ready to go.
Anne: Why would I do that? (Puts the bag in the car)
Nick: Because he'll change. He'll end up…
Anne: He'll end up what, Nick? (When he doesn't respond she walks around to the driver's side of the car and gets in) It's for his own good.
Nick: (He follows her. With his hands on the door glass—he pleads) Don't go. Please. Please. Please, don't go.
Anne: I'll still help you, Nick.
Nick: (Sobs) Please… please, don't go.
Scene: Nick's house—kitchen door
Alvin struggles with the locked door. Finally breaks the glass with his elbow and enters.
Scene: Anne's car
Anne gets out of the car and embraces Nick. He cries on her shoulder.
Anne: I'll help you… like I said I would.
Nick: Don't go.
Scene: Nick's house—den/living room
Alvin: Nick! Nick! It's okay. Come on. Come on. Get up here.
Nick sobs and hangs on to Alvin as he tries to get him on the sofa.
Alvin: It's okay. Nick. Nick. It's all right. It's okay.
Nick: (Through his sobs) I took beautiful.
Alvin: (Picks up a tiny plastic bag from the floor) Nick, what'd you take? Nick! Nick! We're gonna get you outta here. We'll take care of this. Come on, Nick. Come on. (Struggles to get him to his feet and out through the door) All right. Come on.
Scene: Pittsburgh County Hospital—2:00 AM—waiting room
Alvin waits. Nick walks up.
Alvin: Hey.
Nick: Hey.
Alvin: How ya doin'?
Nick: (Shrugs)
Alvin: Blue Mystic, huh?
Nick: Yeah.
Alvin: Too much of a good thing?
Nick: Something like that.
Alvin: What'd they do for ya?
Nick: You know, they just gave me some… Held my hand. Talked me down.
Alvin: Nice of them not to call the police.
Nick: Yeah. Well, I do represent the hospital.
Alvin: Right. Forgot about that.
Nick: At least I used to. (Chuckles)
Alvin: I called your father. And I spoke to Lulu. Told 'em not to come down here. That I'd take you home.
Nick: Thank you.
Alvin: Well… we'll see about that.
Scene: Nick's house—dining room
Alvin: That drug you took—Blue Mystic.
Nick: Right.
Alvin: Why?
Nick: (Chuffs—smiles) I… (Shakes his head) I don't… I don't know.
Alvin: Why that drug?
Nick: This guy, he, uh… he told me… He said it was incredible.
Alvin: (Chuffs) Yeah.
Nick: And it was… incredible. Was… for awhile.
Alvin: Um. (Shakes his head) Hallucinogens. I remember. (Smiles)
Nick: Incredible.
Alvin smiles and looks at Nick.
Nick: I'm fine, Alvin. Thank you. You can go home.
Alvin: Yeah, I know.
Nick: It's four in the morning and I'm pretty tired.
Alvin: Right. I'm sure.
Nick: Yeah. So… uh, you should…
Alvin: Go?
Nick: Right.
Alvin: (Smiles—pauses) Would you like some tea?
Nick: No. You?
Alvin: Yeah. If you wouldn't mind.
Nick: (Chuffs—walks to the kitchen and starts to fill the tea kettle with water)
Burton knocks and enters along with Lulu.
Burton: Hey. Cold as hell out there.
Nick stares at them—surprised.
Lulu: Hey.
Nick: Hey.
Alvin walks into the kitchen. Nick looks at him.
Burton: So… why don't we, uh… sit down and… have a little talk.
Nick glances at Alvin, not pleased with his deception.
Scene: Steel Valley Rehab Center
Enters the lobby with Burton. It is not exactly the way he pictured it in his hallucination.
Nick: What do I do?
Burton: Just, uh… go over there and give them your name. Okay?
Nick: All right.
Walks up to the reception desk.
Nick: Hi, uh… my name is Nick Fallin. Uh… I wanted to talk to someone.
Scene: Interview with Betsy Prine—Assessor for Steel Valley
Betsy: Okay. I've got all your basic information.
Nick: Okay.
Betsy: We've got a few options here.
Nick: Right.
Betsy: I don't think we need to admit you for detox.
Nick: No.
Betsy: My feeling is we should start outpatient for the next thirty days.
Nick: Right.
Betsy: That's four hours a night, five days a week.
Nick: Right.
Betsy: You think you can handle that?
Nick: (Shrugs)
Betsy: Mr. Fallin.
Nick: Yes.
Betsy: Good.
Nick: (Stands)
Betsy: We're gonna help you, Mr. Fallin.
Nick: Okay.
Betsy: We will… give you all the help you need.
Nick: Thank you. (Starts to walk away)
Betsy: It's your turn, Nick. If you're ready, it's your turn.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—bullpen
Nick steps off the elevator. Lulu walks out of her office with Anita… then approaches Nick.
Lulu: Nick. Anita Hendricks needs you to take her to court.
Nick: Right.
Lulu: And she said that she gave you her certificate for her drug rehab.
Nick: She did. It's in my office.
Lulu: Well, you know she's pretty angry so maybe you could just give it to me and I'll…
Nick: No, she's… she's my client.
Lulu: I know, but maybe I could just…
Nick: She's my client. (Walks over to Anita) Okay, Miss Hendricks. I understand we have a twelve o'clock today.
Anita: Damn straight.
Nick: Well, if you step into my office we can get that form ready.
Anita: Don't you got somethin' to say to me?
Nick: You're right, I do. Uhm… I'm sorry.
Nick follows her into his office.
Alvin: (Standing next to Lulu) Well?
Lulu: (Turns and gives him a blank look and shrugs)
Alvin: All right, then. (Walks off to his office—she to hers)
Anita walks into Nick’s office and sits down. He removes her rehab certification document from a vertical file sorter on his credenza and sits down to go over it with her.
END OF EPISODE
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