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TRANSCRIPT:
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Scene: Nick's house—12:20 AM
Lulu stands at the back door ringing the door bell then knocks several times. Lights start to come on in the house as Nick makes his way to the door.
Nick: (Sighs—opens the door) Hey.
Lulu: Hi. It's freezing.
Nick: Yeah. It's, uhm… it's late. You… you okay?
Lulu: I'm sorry. No… I, uh… I just couldn't sleep.
Nick: That's all right. Uhm… you want some tea or something?
Lulu: Yeah.
Nick fills the kettle with water while Lulu watches him, intently.
Lulu: There's a problem with the baby.
Nick: What kind of problem?
Lulu: (Hesitates) Down Syndrome. (Long pause) I got the results of my triple marker screening, and, uh, you know, it indicated that there could be some kind of a problem like this with the baby so… I had to go ahead and get an amnio and I got those results today.
Nick: Why didn't you tell me?
Lulu: Because I just didn't… want… to bother you with something like this until I knew for certain.
Nick: Right. Right. Well, is it for certain?
Lulu: Amnio… it's 99%. (Nick is stunned) Uhm… (Choking up) …the doctor gave me this. (Hands him a folded sheaf of papers) I mean, I don't know how much it's really gonna help, but… (Emotionally—while Nick looks over the papers) I don't… I don't even know what I really want… right now.
Nick: Right.
Lulu: I mean, I don't know that we can handle having a child like this.
Nick: We?
Lulu: Right. (Pause while Nick continues to read) I'm gonna go. Let's talk about it tomorrow.
Nick: All right. (Lulu exits—Nick leans against the counter—pensive) Okay.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—meeting room
Nick meets with Carl Tilden but keeps looking, anxiously, out the door into the bullpen.
Carl: So… we sit down to dinner and the door bell rings. I ignore it, but it keeps ringing and somebody keeps knocking. So I go to answer it and these two cops come into my house with two women from Social Services…
Nick: (Sees Lulu—gets up quickly) Mr. Tilden, can you just give me one second. (Dashes out the door)
Tilden looks at his watch and stands—exits the meeting room—wondering what's going on.
Scene: Lulu's office
Nick: (Agitated) …just 'cause I've made mistakes. Now, I know that I've made mistakes, but Lulu I think that we can work out whatever problems we have. So, just don't let us interfere with this decision.
Lulu: (Unemotionally) Well, the past is prologue, Nick. You know, all I have to go on is what's been, so you can say these things. It's nice, thank you, but doesn't really change anything.
Nick: Does what I say have any bearing? Am I… am I not involved in this?
Lulu: Of course.
Nick: Okay. The doctor tell you how much time we have?
Lulu: I'm in my second trimester, so…
Nick: Well, do we have any time?
Lulu: Not really.
Nick is devastated. Walks out the door and is immediately confronted by Mr. Tilden.
Carl: Mr. Fallin. (Nick raises his hand to him and keeps walking to his office) Hey, I've been waiting all morning. I gotta get back to…
Nick: (Enters his office and shuts the door and the blinds—angrily tosses a chair out of the way)
Tilden just looks on—rubs his head. Alvin observes all this and goes to Nick.
Alvin: (Enters Nick's office and finds him standing in the corner) Nick?
Nick: I'm fine.
Alvin: If you need to talk…
Nick: (Choked up) No, I'm fine.
Alvin: Okay. (Stands there)
Nick: (Fighting back tears) The baby has Down Syndrome.
Alvin: (Sighs)
Nick: And you, uh…you read this material… (Picks up the papers from the doctor and tosses them down on the desk) …and it's all just words, you know. Just extra chromosomes, heart defects, retardation… It's just all words.
Alvin: If there's anything I can do…
Nick: Thank you.
Alvin exits. Nick takes a moment to collect himself. Walks to the door. Hesitates for a second, one hand on the door frame while he takes a deep breath, and then opens the door.
Nick: (Buttons his jacket—breathes deeply) Mr. Tilden. (Gestures towards the meeting room)
Scene: Meeting room
Carl: So, Social Services said they got a call. That someone had accused me of molesting my daughter, Megan. And they told me I had to let them look around. Next thing I know the cops have me on the couch in the corner and they took the girls.
Nick: D'you have three girls?
Carl: Megan, Cindy and Amy.
Nick: Where are they now?
Carl: At their grandparents.
Nick: Your parents?
Carl: My wife's.
Nick: Where's your wife?
Carl: At the County Hospital.
Nick: When does she get out?
Carl: She doesn't. (Pause) She's been in a coma for four years, so... she doesn't get out.
Nick gives him a sympathetic look.
Scene: Bullpen
Nick escorts Mr. Tilden to the elevator.
Nick: So, I'll meet you outside the courthouse at three o'clock for the shelter hearing.
Carl: Thank you. (They shake hands)
Nick: Okay.
Nick starts back to his office.
Alvin: Nick.
Nick walks over to Alvin.
Alvin: The Home for the Developmentally Disabled. We've been representing their residents for over a decade.
Nick: Right.
Alvin: So, there's this twenty-three-year-old kid with Down Syndrome. (Nick rolls his head) I'm supposed to help him deal with a probate issue.
Nick: (Wondering where Alvin is going with this) Okay.
Alvin: So, if you want it, you can take it. (Hands him a brochure)
Nick: Me? (Looks at the brochure)
Alvin: You said it was all just words, right?
Nick: (Ponders this) It's a probate issue?
Alvin nods. Nick walks away.
Scene: Riverbrook Country Club—orientation
Club Member John Spaulding shows a group of prospective members, which includes Jake, around the facilities.
Spaulding: Gentlemen, it's good to have you with us today. Now, as you may know, the Riverbrook Country Club is one of Pittsburgh's oldest and most prestigious. Our members include leaders in business, politics and philanthropy. Every year, we look forward to meeting a select number of junior member candidates. We've heard good things about all of you from your sponsors. So now we look forward to getting to know you better during your application process. Follow me out to the garden.
Scene: Riverbrook Country Club—later
Jake wanders around, taking it all in. Kate Shaw happens upon him.
Kate: Jake?
Jake: Kate. Hey!
Kate: What're you doing here?
Jake: Oh… uh… just that orientation. You know, I was trying to join.
Kate: (Holds a grocery bag full of party favors) Great.
Jake: Yeah, you know, maybe… you know, I mean, I like golf and tennis. So, are you, uh… are you a member?
Kate: Oh… my great-great-grandfather helped found the place, so…
Jake: Really?
Kate: Yeah, I know it's stupid.
Jake: (Laughs) Uhm… so is it a party? (Indicating the bag)
Kate: Lulu's baby shower.
Jake: Oh! You're having it here?
Kate: Yeah. Wednesday afternoon.
Jake: Ooh, that's nice. You know that was fun last Thanksgiving… the Turkey Bowl at the Point. (Laughs)
Kate: Yeah. (Laughs)
Jake: You played really well.
Kate: Thanks. Well, I have to drop this off and talk to the caterer.
Jake: Yeah-yeah-yeah. Um, listen, you know, maybe if you have some time, maybe I could buy you lunch.
Kate: When?
Jake: Whenever you're free.
Kate: Well, I was gonna eat here today…
Jake: Okay.
Kate: …if… you'd like to join me.
Jake: Oh! Eat here.
Kate: Yeah.
Jake: Great.
Kate: So, just meet you back here?
Jake: Yeah-yeah. Okay.
Kate: Okay. Great.
Jake: All right. Great.
Kate walks off.
Scene: The Home for the Developmentally Disabled
Nick is met at the door by Hank Barber and escorted down a long corridor.
Hank: Nick Fallin?
Nick: Right.
Hank: Hank. (They shake hands)
Nick: Hi.
Hank: It's good that you come so quickly.
Nick: Oh, it's no problem.
Hank: So, have you worked with people like Mark before?
Nick: Once or twice.
Hank: Then you understand it can be a bit frustrating.
Nick: (Nods)
Hank: Okay. His mother left him fifteen thousand dollars in her will. That's not enough to last for more than a year but it's gonna disqualify him from his Social Security.
Nick: Right.
Hank: So we need some help setting up a trust so he's not disqualified.
Nick: Okay.
Hank: Otherwise he can end up on the street for a few months.
They stop at Mark's room and Hank knocks.
Hank: Mark? (Opens the door and enters)
Mark sits on the bed with a magazine on his lap.
Hank: Mark. This is Nick Fallin. Nick, Mark.
Nick: Hi.
Mark: (Holds the magazine up) Look at this car!
Hank: Nick's going to help you with your problem.
Mark: You know how to drive?
Nick: Yeah, I do.
Mark: (Bows his head)
Nick: (Uncomfortable) (To Hank—softly) So, do I just explain to him the process?
Hank: Sure.
Nick: Okay.
Hank: Mark. (Takes the magazine from him) Mark!
Mark: Hey! I look at that!
Hank: Nick's gonna tell you how he's gonna help you.
Mark stands—head bowed.
Nick: Mark. Uhm… when your mother died, she…
Hank: My mother pushed me. Brush my teeth. Wash my hair.
Nick: Right. Uh, when she died, she left you…
Mark: She want me to learn to read.
Hank: It takes him some time to get focused.
Nick: Well, Mark, I'm gonna set something up for you so that you don't lose your insurance.
Mark: I love acting.
Nick: That's nice.
Mark: I acted. Very special players.
Nick: Good. (To Hank) Hank, do you have the estate information?
Hank: Sure. I'll go get it. (Exits)
Nick: Thank you.
Mark: I played Puck.
Nick: Really.
Mark: If we shadows have offended, think but this and all is… all is…
Nick: (A wild guess) Is… mended?
Mark: Right. Is mended.
Nick: Okay. (Smiles)
Mark grins. Nick smiles back.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Burton's office
Burton sits reading a document. Jake knocks on the door.
Burton: Yeah?
Jake: (Opens the door) Hey, Burton, uhm… Listen, I just wanted to say thank you again for setting that up at Riverbrook.
Burton: Oh. Yeah, sure. You liked it?
Jake: (Smiles and nods)
Burton: So, you wanna apply? (Jake grins and nods) I can make some calls.
Jake: All right. Good.
Burton: You know somebody else out there that might be able to help you?
Jake: Well, only Kate Shaw.
Burton: Okay. Richard Shaw's daughter?
Jake: (Smugly) Yeah, we actually had lunch today.
Burton: You can't do much better than that, I guess. (Chuckles)
Jake: We're gonna have dinner again tonight. (Very pleased with himself)
Scene: Allegheny County Courtroom
Judge Damsen: Miss Graves, you believe returning the children to their home would place them in imminent danger?
Miss Graves: The phone call alleging sexual abuse was specific. And Mr. Tilden has been uncooperative with us.
Nick: Mr. Tilden has no history of child abuse or neglect.
Judge: Miss Shaw?
Kate: The children are comfortable with their grandparents. They won't be traumatized while Social Services completes their investigation.
Nick: Well, the standard is not whether they're traumatized.
Judge: I'm placing these children with their grandparents until Social Services has finished evaluating this allegation. (Gavel down)
Scene: Immediately outside the courtroom
Kate stands with the grandparents and Miss Graves. Nick walks over to Carl Tilden—standing nearby.
Carl: They made the call. (Indicates the grandparents)
Nick: Why would they do that?
Carl: Because I don't let 'em see my daughters. I wanted to let my wife die two years ago, and they opposed me. Tied it up in the courts. Cost me everything I had.
Nick: Mr. Tilden, Social Services wants to continue this investigation.
Carl: I mean, she's had pneumonia for almost three weeks. They vacuum her lungs twice a day.
Nick: Mr. Tilden.
Carl: (Glances at his in-laws—seethes) I'm listening.
Nick: They're gonna ask you to speak with a psychiatrist to determine if you have a sexual disorder.
Carl: I never touched Megan.
Nick: Then just cooperate with their requests.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Lulu's office
Lulu sits at her desk with her hands on her forehead—head bowed. Nick knocks and enters.
Nick: Is everything all right?
Lulu: (Sighs—shrugs) You know… uh, Kate Shaw planned this big baby shower for me on Wednesday afternoon. I just picked up the phone to call her and cancel the whole stupid thing…
Nick: Right.
Lulu: And, I couldn't do it. I mean I couldn't cancel the party. I just… I couldn't do it yet.
Both confused as to what to do.
Scene: The Home for the Developmentally Disabled—common room
Mark sits with an acting coach going over his lines. Across the room, Nick talks with Hank.
Mark: If we shadows have… offended… think this…
Acting Coach: Try it again.
Nick: The Probate Court will allow us to create something called a Special Needs Trust. You can act as Trustee or you can appoint a bank or the Disability Alliance to do so.
Hank: So his Social Security won't be discontinued?
Nick: Right.
Hank: Great.
Nick: We have all the paperwork at LSP. So if you come in there this afternoon, we can get started.
Hank: Great. Okay.
Coach: Try it again.
Hank: We'll see ya later.
Nick starts to walk out with Hank then stops and stands just inside the room watching Mark.
Mark: We…
Coach: Yes.
Mark: If we shadows… have… offended… think but this…
Coach: Mm-hmm. And all…
Mark: And all… is mended.
Coach: Very good.
Mark: I'm good?
Coach: You're very good.
Mark: I'm tired.
Coach: Okay. (Pats him on the arm and leaves)
Nick: When's your show on?
Mark: The show on the 18th, 17th, 14th, and then 15th. And not for free.
Nick: Okay. (Walks over and sits down facing him) Mark. You understand that your mother left you some money. Is there anything special that you wanna do with that?
Mark: I wanna get a car.
Nick: Well, I was thinking more along the lines of saving it so that one day you can live on your own.
Mark: I want to get the car. I like to drive.
Nick: Right. Can I ask you something? (Pause) What's it like to have Down Syndrome?
Mark: I got an extra chromosome.
Nick: Yeah, you have an extra chromosome. I understand that.
Mark: I wanna drive.
Nick: Okay.
Mark: I got girlfriend. (Smiles) Gonna take care of a baby.
Nick smiles.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—meeting room
Megan: My school has a ski club. Right after school on Fridays everybody takes a bus up to Seven Springs or Hidden Valley.
Nick: Right.
Megan: Everyone brings their ski stuff to gym, right.
Miss Graves: Megan.
Megan: Right. I always… Fridays… I always looked at the stuff up against the wall. I mean, I've never even been skiing. I haven't even gone sledding since my mom got sick. I asked my dad if I could go just once and he said 'no'. I just wanted to go once.
Nick: (Looks at Kate) She's recanted?
Kate: Correct.
Nick: Well, then… send the kids home.
Kate: It's not so simple.
Miss Graves: The abuse allegations were false but there's clear evidence of neglect. And Mr. Tilden's in denial about what's going on in his home.
Nick: Whadaya mean?
Miss Graves: Megan Tilden takes care of her younger sisters because Mr. Tilden will not. And for the most part, she's parenting her younger sisters… alone.
Kate: We also found that Megan missed thirty days of school this year and she was held back last year.
Nick: The issue here is alleged sexual abuse.
Kate: The fact that Megan was upset enough to allege that kind of abuse suggests these other issues be taken very seriously.
Nick: Well, so if my client allows Megan to join the ski club, then everything's gonna be okay.
Kate: My client does not want to be responsible for the care and upbringing of her sisters. She'd like her father to know that.
Nick: All right. Well, we're talking about a completely separate issue here.
Scene: Pittsburgh County Hospital—Mrs. Tilden's room
Carl: She's tired of helping out at home so she said I was molesting her?
Nick: She just wants a normal life.
Carl: (Works with his comatose wife—massaging, cleaning, tending to her) None of us have a normal life anymore. Look at her. (Indicates his wife)
Nick: Mr. Tilden…
Carl: Megan doesn't like cooking dinner? I get it. She's tired of helping out with Amy and Cindy…
Nick: Mr. Tilden, you need to provide some sort of child care.
Carl: What Megan doesn't understand is what I have to do to keep this family going. I work two jobs. I'm here twice a day to make sure that no one forgets anything. Bedsores and cleaning. Feeding tubes. Washing her hair. Somebody's gotta do that.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Lulu's office
Nick knocks on the open door and enters.
Nick: Hi.
Lulu: Hey.
Nick: Is it a bad time?
Lulu: No. How're you doing? (No verbal response) Yeah, I know. I keep thinking it's not real, you know?
Nick: Lulu, I volunteered for this case, I guess to try and have more of an understanding of what we may be facing.
Lulu: Okay.
Nick: I'm working with this kid that has Down Syndrome. He has a probate issue and I'm gonna take him to court and I'm gonna set him up with a new trust.
Lulu: I don't understand.
Nick: He's in the office now. So when you see him with me, I just didn't want you to think that I was trying to make some kind of point…
Lulu: (Angrily) Oh, so you bring a kid with Down Syndrome into my office and then you tell me that you're not trying to make a point!
Nick: (Doesn't know what to say—turns to leave then adds…) I just wanted to tell you. (Exits)
Angry and upset, Lulu walks to the door. Her anger subsides as she stands and watches Nick with Mark and Hank near the elevator.
Scene: Allegheny County Courthouse
Nick, Mark and Hank emerge from Probate Court.
Nick: And so, Mark's all set. His Social Security benefits won't be affected and you'll be responsible for the upkeep of his trust.
Hank: Okay.
They stand just outside the courtroom.
Hank: Uh, Mark. You should thank Mr. Fallin.
Mark: (Reaches out his hand—they shake) Thank you.
Nick: You're welcome, Mark.
Mark: Hank gonna take me to the movies.
Nick: Good.
Mark: With my friends.
Nick: Good.
Mark: Last time I had popcorn. I dropped it.
Nick: (Chuckles—smiles)
Mark turns to leave.
Hank: Hey! Mark. You forgot to say goodbye.
Mark: Bye.
Nick: Bye.
Mark: See ya later, alligator.
Nick smiles as he watches Hank and Mark walk down the corridor.
Scene: The Incline—lunchtime
Kate: Yesterday was unusual.
Jake: Yeah.
Kate: Lunch, dinner, after dinner. It was unusual.
Jake: (Smiling) Wait, are you breaking up with me?
Kate: No, I… just… (Laughs)
Jake: What? (Laughs)
Kate: Look, this is our third date in two days, Jake. I just… I don't really know anything about you.
Jake: Whadaya wanna know?
Kate: (Sighs) This isn't an interview.
Jake: Oh, I know that.
Kate: I'm pretty good at screwing up relationships judging by the fact that I'm thirty-four and I work seventy hours a week and I don't even have a cat.
Jake: Right.
Kate: (Sighs) My father and mother loved my last boyfriend. This old-money guy. Kinda worked. Kinda didn't. Traveled. Kissed my father's ass on a daily basis.
Jake: Okay.
Kate: That's not me. Look, what I'm saying is… I don't wanna go to the country club with you.
Jake: Okay.
Kate: I don't like that world. I never did.
Jake: But, just 'cause I was there, I mean, I hope… I just hope you don't think I like you because of that.
Kate: No. You're hardly the country club type.
Jake is stung by the putdown but Kate doesn't notice.
Jake: So, uhm… we're good?
Kate: Yeah. There's just one other thing that I wanted to ask you.
Jake: Yeah, anything.
Kate: I need you to take an HIV test before things lead where they do. And I'll take one, too. (Notices Jake's concern) Oh, I've made you uncomfortable and…
Kate's cell phone rings.
Kate: Oh, uh… excuse me. (Into the phone) Hi. Okay. Okay, Lulu. Ooh… I'm so sorry. You don't have to say anything else. It's... Okay, I'll call you later.
Jake: What is it?
Kate: It's... Lulu just cancelled the baby shower.
Jake: Why?
Scene: The Home for Developmentally Disabled—common room
Hank plays a simple game with the guys.
Hank: You fellas try and guess who's the… who's 'it'. Okay? Okay, watch. Bill.
Bill: What?
Hank: Let's do it.
Nick pulls up and parks.
Bill: Hey.
Hank: You watching fellas? You got it?
Nick knocks on the window and goes around to the entrance.
Hank: Oh. (Sees Nick) Jerry. Come… you try it now. (Goes to meet Nick) Mr. Fallin. Hey. Something wrong?
Nick: Uh, no… no. I just… I had this idea.
Hank: Oh.
Nick: I saw this ad in the paper. (Shows Hank the clipping) They're auditioning this week for the summer Shakespeare Festival. You know, it's regular plays with professional actors and each year they employee a few people with, uhm…
Hank: Disabilities?
Nick: Right. And, uh… you know, I just thought it might be something that Mark'd be interested in.
Hank: Aah.
Nick: If he wants to do it, I'd be happy to take him.
Hank: Okay. I'll let him know.
Nick: Right.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Lulu's office
Jake knocks and enters.
Jake: Hey.
Lulu: Jake. What're you doing here?
Jake: Uh… I was, uh… with Kate Shaw when you called and told her about the baby.
Lulu: (Sighs) She told you? That's great. What were you doing with Kate?
Jake: I kinda been… well, we've kinda been dating. But, I just wanted to say how sorry I am and, uh… if there's anything I can do to help.
Lulu: You—you're dating Kate?
Jake: Right.
Lulu: Oh. (Gives him a look)
Jake: What?
Lulu: Nothing.
Jake: What?
Lulu: Well, Jake…
Jake: What?
Lulu: Jake. Come on.
Jake: (Long pause) Look, you know, I'm... I really didn't come here to talk about that.
Lulu: All right.
Jake: I mean, I just wanted to know if you were… if…
Lulu: I'm okay.
Jake: You are?
Lulu: Yeah, thanks, but I'm okay.
Jake: Okay. (Starts to leave)
Lulu: Jake. You know, Kate Shaw's a very good friend of mine.
Jake: (Hesitates—gets the message) Right. (Exits)
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—meeting room
Nick: Carl felt it was important to try and work this out instead of having to go to court. So, Carl.
Carl: Megan. I was pretty upset about what you did.
Megan: Right.
Carl: I mean, I didn't know you felt the way you felt. And, I guess I just wish you had talked to me about it.
Megan: (Tersely) I tried to talk to you.
Carl: You complaining about taking care of your sisters isn't exactly talking. (Pause) I'm sorry, but... I'm sorry. This is about a ski trip? You people have no idea what it's like to be us. Okay? You have no idea!
Nick: Carl.
Carl: They don't. They don't have any idea! And, Megan, I am sorry, but I think you're being immature.
Nick: Carl.
Carl: This is the way we are. Like it or not, sweetheart. And lying to people for attention is not the way to change it.
Megan: Amy and Cindy call me mom, Dad. They call me mom!
Carl: And that gives you the right to lie? To call the police?!
Scene: Allegheny County courtroom
Judge Damsen: I'm placing the children with Mr. and Mrs. Lawson for the next three months. Mr. Tilden you may see your daughters on weekends and holidays and, if, in that ninety day period, you complete a parenting class and begin counseling the court will revisit this placement. (Gavel down)
Nick: (To Hank) I'll send you a list of approved counselors and parenting classes and I'll contact you when your next hearing is scheduled.
Carl: I have to go. (Pause) I have to go. (Leaves the courtroom)
Scene: Men's Health Clinic
Jake sits with an HIV test interviewer.
Interviewer: Have you shared needles to inject drugs or steroids?
Jake: No.
Interviewer: Have you had a blood transfusion or received blood products before April of 1985?
Jake: No.
Interviewer: Have you had unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex?
Jake: Um. Yes.
Interviewer: Okay. Which?
Jake: I don't have to answer that.
Interviewer: Okay. How many partners have you had in the last year?
Jake: Um, I don't know.
Interviewer: (Makes a note and then looks at Jake)
Jake: (Over-reacts) You know what? I really don't need to do this.
Jakes pulls on his overcoat and exits.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—bullpen
Nick exits his office—closes the door—looks around for Lulu.
Lulu: (To another employee) Right there. See the names…? The names are…
Nick: (Walks up to Lulu) Lulu.
Lulu: Yeah?
Nick: Uh, Mark… the kid with Down Syndrome? (Points towards his office)
Lulu: Yeah?
Nick: I have a little problem.
Lulu: What?
Nick: Another client is in trouble and he needs me immediately and I have to go.
Lulu: Okay.
Nick: I promised to take him to this audition. Anyway, I called his guardian. He's on his way here. It's gonna take him a few minutes, so, uh…
Lulu: Oh, uh… oh… okay.
Nick: Thanks.
Lulu: Yeah.
Nick makes a quick exit. Lulu tentatively enters Nick's office. Mark sits at the desk looking through a book.
Lulu: Hi.
Mark: Hi.
Lulu: I'm Lulu. Nick had to go.
Mark: He told me.
Lulu: Yeah. He had to go.
Mark: Have a seat.
Lulu: Okay.
Scene: Pittsburgh County Hospital—Mrs. Tilden's room
Nick enters the room. Carl is there—just sitting.
Carl: I wanted to kill her. Wouldn't take much. I thought I wanted to do that. It'd be so much easier if she were dead.
Nick: I understand.
Carl: And no one would even really know.
Nick: They'd know. (Sits down) They'd know you did it.
Carl: Sometimes, if you wait long enough she opens her eyes and looks around. Her parents see that and they wanna believe… they wanna believe that she's still in there, that she's communicating with them. That she's alive. I mean, the doctors'll tell ya it's just a trick reflex. I've seen it. And I know… you hope there's something more going on inside her head, but there isn't. She's like she is.
Nick: Mr. Tilden. What can I do?
Carl: I just… help me do the things they're asking of me, is all. Help me get my kids back.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—after hours
Nick: You know, I think you're right. The past is prologue.
Lulu: Yeah.
Nick: Whatever you wanna do, Lulu, I'll support you. With whatever you wanna do.
Lulu: You told me that you needed time to decide what you wanted to do.
Nick: Right.
Lulu: So, whadaya want?
Nick: I wanna be a father. (Smiles)
Scene: Bullpen—later
Lulu heads for the elevator just as Jake steps off.
Jake: Hey.
Lulu: Hey.
Jake: Lulu, listen... I'm, uh… I'm just so sorry. I mean, this has gotta be a really rough time for you.
Lulu: Thanks.
Jake: And, uh… about Kate.
Lulu: (Sighs)
Jake: I know what you're thinking but you're wrong.
Lulu: Jake, I…
Jake: I like her.
Lulu: I wasn't threatening you earlier.
Jake: Oh, you were. You were warning me.
Lulu: Well, I'm concerned. That's all.
Jake: She's, uhm… she's asked me to take an HIV test.
Lulu: Look, I didn't say anything to her.
Jake: I'm not implying…
Lulu: I didn't…
Jake: No, I'm not saying that you did, Lulu, it's just…
Lulu: What?
Jake: I'm terrified. (Pause) I'm terrified. I just wanted to join a country club. You know? I just wanted to be accepted and... and now… I really like the idea of being with someone like Kate. But if, I mean, if I take the test and the test is…
Lulu: Right.
Jake: Then all I am is that. I mean that's all I am. (Sighs)
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—after hours
Burton, with his coat and hat on, lays a folder on his secretary's desk. Nick enters and finds his dad preparing to leave.
Burton: Hey, Nick.
Nick: Hey, Dad. You're here late.
Burton: Yeah, I had to finish up some stuff. You, uh… you got a second?
Nick: Sure.
Burton: I, uh… I know about the problem. With the baby.
Nick: Right.
Burton: Uh, well, I was just thinking, if you do this… the kid's gonna need a lotta help.
Nick: Yeah, I know.
Burton: Well, there's a... there's a program, you know, at Pitt. It's one of the best in the country.
Nick: Right.
Burton: Expensive. You know, I was thinking maybe I'd open an account over there. Put a little something in each year. For the future.
Nick: (Holding back tears) Yeah, thanks, Dad.
Burton: Yeah. Yeah, well, it's about time I started giving you some of my damn money anyway, so… (Smiles)
Nick: Yeah. (Smiles) Yeah. Thank you. (They share a look then Nick walks to his office)
Burton: See ya later.
Scene: The Incline—dinner
Lulu: You know, I feel really badly about all the planning that you did. Between the Country Club and invitations and…
Kate: You kidding? I can do that in my sleep.
Lulu: Well, I shoulda just told you sooner. I'm just kinda…
Kate: Oh, Lulu.
Lulu: You know, if you could do something for me… If you could… if you don't mind, just drop the gifts off at my office.
Kate: Well, Lulu…
Lulu: Because I really wanna be the one to write the notes. I mean, you shouldn't have to explain anything.
Kate: I don't mind. I…
Lulu: (Curtly) I said that I wanted to do it, Kate.
Kate: Okay.
Lulu: Sorry. I'm really sorry. I'm just...
Kate: Lulu.
Lulu: (Sighs) A baby like this is so… I don't know, when it's not yours it's just easy to say 'don't have it.' It's just a problem then. You know? It's like just… it's just like you're making a choice to avoid a problem. But, when it's your baby…
Kate: A lot of people choose these kids.
Lulu: Yeah, but they're in a committed relationship. I'm afraid to do this alone.
Kate: Nick doesn't want the baby?
Lulu: No, he does. Well, he says he wants to be a father.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—morning
Lulu gets off the elevator and finds Nick at the coffee station.
Lulu: Morning. (Smiles)
Nick: Morning.
Lulu: Uh, you know, yesterday, I didn't tell you but I really liked talking with Mark.
Nick: He grows on you.
Lulu: Yeah. I enjoyed it.
Nick: Later today I'm taking him to that audition.
Lulu: Oh, right.
Nick: If you wanna come.
Lulu: Uh, maybe. (Walks away)
Scene: Men's Health Clinic
Jake waits in the waiting room to be called.
Interviewer: Jake Straka.
Hesitates then follows the interviewer.
Scene: Audition Hall
The director and his assistants sit in the auditorium with a portable desk. A group of developmentally disabled people sit with their parents/guardians. Mark sits with Nick and Lulu. Peggy stands, mute, on the stage.
Assistant Director: Thank you, Peggy. Peggy. Will someone please find Peggy's mother.
Peggy's Mother: (Emerges from the wings) Come on, Peggy.
Assistant Director: Okay, next is Mark Barlow.
Mark: That's me.
Nick: That's you.
Mark: I don't know how I go do the speech.
Nick: You know it, Mark.
Mark: I don't know.
Assistant Director: Mark Barlow.
Nick: (Turns around to the A.D.) Uh… could you just give us a second, please? (To Mark) Hey, Mark, you know the speech. You've done it. Now, just stand up. (Walks him to the stage) Come on. See that girl, Peggy? She just stood there. She didn't say anything. So it's okay. You just go out there and tell 'em who you are. Okay? (Mark balks at the stage steps) You can do this, Mark. Come on. You know the speech. You did it for me. Remember? (Walks up on stage with him) Just go up and tell 'em who you are. That's good.
Mark walks to center stage.
Mark: Hello. I'm Mark. (He looks over at Nick—Nick nods) I'm Mark. If we shadows I… Uh… (Flustered—starts over) If we're shadows… I offended, think but this… this all is mended.
Lulu, in the audience, is moved by Mark.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh
Nick and Lulu step off the elevator and walk to her office.
Nick: Glad you could make it.
Lulu: Yeah. I'm glad that I came. He did really well.
Nick: Yeah, well, he's quite the character.
They walk in to find Kate.
Kate: Hi. I was just writing you a note. These are the presents from the baby shower.
Lulu: Yeah, I forgot you were coming. Sorry. Right, well, thank you. (They hug)
Kate: Okay. Well… I'll see you guys.
Lulu: Yeah. I'll call you.
Kate: Okay. (Exits past Nick)
Nick: Thank you.
Nick walks in and sits down. Lulu stares at the gifts.
Lulu: So…
Nick: What?
Lulu takes a little infant sleeper from one of the bags and holds it.
Nick: What is it?
Lulu: (Pause) Well, maybe we shouldn't send them back.
Nick: Really? (Pause) You sure?
Lulu: (Chuffs) I have no idea.
Hands Nick the baby sleeper and takes another one from the bag. After a moment, Nick puts the sleeper down and stands—taking Lulu in his arms. She puts her arms around him and they comfort each other.
END OF EPISODE
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