Murder One

Season One - Chapter Nine

U.S. air date December 31, 1995

(Complete transcript) - [Final version]

[**NOTES: The transcript has been completed thanks to help from Sean Fleming.
There may be a couple of seconds missing from the beginning of the "Previously
on... " portion but the text of the episode itself is complete.]

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Disclaimer: These transcripts were made from personal video copies of
the shows and are presented for Fair Use only to Murder One fans. All
of the characters and the scripts are the properties of Steven Bochco
Productions, Charles H. Eglee, Channing Gibson, ABC television and
their respective authors. No copyright infringement is intended nor
implied by the distribution of this document. It is solely meant for
entertainment purposes only.
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"Previously on MURDER ONE"

Morning briefing at the firm.

Ted: "She was charged with DUI, reckless driving, driving without a license. Justine, I want you to handle this one."

Deadline America's Connie Dahlgren with the news report about the latest
Avedon videotape.

Dahlgren: "The teenage girl says the man, seen in the poor-quality video, is Neil Avedon." Clips from the tape of a girl being choked during sex.

Neil Avedon, surrounded by press, responds to questions about the bogus tape.

Neil: "Look, this isn't a news bulletin, folks. I said earlier the tape was
a phoney. Now, maybe you'll believe me."

Ted confronts the "leak" in his firm.

Ted: "You've been talking to Connie Dahlgren." 

Sydney: "She asked me if I wanted to have a drink. Next thing I know I'm not wearing pants."

A later meeting between Ted and Connie Dahlgren.

Dahlgren: "When Sydney Schneider gave me that tape, I made the mistake of taking it at face value."

Ted deals with Sydney Schneider.

Ted: "You're fired."

Sydney: "Why?"

Ted: "You didn't learn anything from your last mistake."

Ray informing Ted about a possible witness against Dr. Graham Lester.

Ray: "A Stephanie Lambert. She told one of the investigating officers Lester had drugged and raped her on numerous occasions."

Lambert tells Julie Costello her experiences with Dr. Lester.

Lambert: "And that sick ceremony wasn't just some `bad dream that's a normal part of therapy' like he kept saying it was. Watching me, touching me, forcing
himself on me."

Gary Blondo, trying to convince Ted to allow Neil to do a live interview on TV.

Blondo: "This is not an interview, this is Felicia Norell. This is a blue-
chip opportunity for Neil to tell his side of the story."

Clips from the interview.

Felicia: "Isn't it possible you strangled her and you just don't remember?" 

Neil: "It's impossible for me not to remember something I couldn't have
done, something that's inconceivable I would ever do to anyone, let alone a
person that I loved that way I loved Jessica." He's in tears. "And wherever
she is now, she knows the truth."

CHAPTER NINE

Scene opens in a police station. Greg Bunt, a vice cop, is telling Ray Velacek
about someone that was picked up the night before.

Bunt: "Yeah, this one's a real piece of work. She stumbles out of a club on
Sunset this morning, loaded. Patrol officer asked her if she's okay, this
little bitch cops an attitude, kicks the guy in the shin. She gets to the
station and says her name is Dee-Dee Carson, gave you a call."

Ray: "Appreciate it, Greg. Any chance of my taking her out of here?"

Bunt: "Hey, four years in a radio car together, it's the least that I can
do." He takes Ray over to meet the girl in an interrogation room.

Carson: "Hey, are you a cop? 'Cause they promised me a Coke."

Ray: "I'm not a cop."

Carson: "Yeah, and I'm a virgin."

Ray: "Well, at least one of us is telling the truth. Name's Ray Velacek. I'm
a private investigator for an attorney named Ted Hoffman."

Carson: "I didn't ask for a lawyer."

Ray: "All the same, they've released you to my custody."

Carson: "What, no charges?"

Ray: "No."

Carson: "Well, what about that cop? The one that I kicked?"

Ray: "He's found it in his heart to forgive you. I'm taking you out of here."

Carson: "Uh-huh. All right, you want it here or in the car?"

Ray: "Come again?"

Carson: "Payment in full. Just tell me how you want it."

Ray: "I don't. All I want you to do is talk to us."

Carson: "Hollywood. The freaks just get weirder everyday."

[Episode credits roll]

Guest starring:
Joe Spano as Raymond Velacek
Brittany Murphy as Diane "Dee-Dee" Carson
Richard Schiff as Prof. Stanley Fletcher
Bobbie Phillips as Julie Costello
Steve Inwood as Walter London
Nicholas Surovy as Deputy DA Dan Morrison
Kathleen York as Deputy DA Cheryl Dreyfuss
Linda Carlson as Judge Beth Bornstein
Gregory Itzin as DA Roger Garfield
Ned Vaughn as Dean Crowley
Markus Redmond as Mark Washington
Robert Pine as Howard Resnick
Barry Cullison as Greg Bunt
Renata Scott as Judge May Kameron

Music by Mike Post
Casting by Junie Lowry Johnson, C.S.A.
Producers: Geoffrey Neigher, Marc Buckland
Supervising Producers: Ann Donahue, Joe Ann Fogle
Creative Consultant: David Milch
Co-Executive Producer: Michael Fresco
Executive Producer: Charles H. Eglee
Teleplay by Doug Palau
Story by Steven Bochco & William Finkelstein
Directed by Elodie Keene
------------------------

First scene, Justine Appleton's office as she watches Dean Crowley on Law TV.

Crowley: "We turn now to the 'Goldilocks murder' case in Los Angeles. Most
of the action was away from the courtroom as both sides continue to prepare
for jury selection. Defendant Neil Avedon's recent interview with Felicia
Norell gives the defense team, lead by attorney Ted Hoffman, some hope that
the film star's tattered public image is improving. The prosecution, meanwhile, continues to hammer away at the gruesome details of the crime,
determined to keep that image right where it is. In a related matter, Julie
Costello, older sister of the 15-year-old murder victim, is scheduled to
appear in court today on charges of driving under the influence."

Justine, to Dean on TV: "I wouldn't mind driving under your influence, Dean."

Cross, who had been standing in her doorway, listening: "May I come in?"

Justine, shuts off the TV, embarrassed: "Mr. Cross."

Cross: "You seemed a little engrossed. I didn't want to interrupt."

Justine, shaking her head: "That's okay. Please come in."

Cross: "Thank you. Do you know much about art?

Justine: "I was an art major in college.

Cross: "Huh!"

Justine: "I can't afford the paintings so I buy the books." Cross sits down.

Cross: "So, I just came by to see, uh, where we are with Julie."

Justine: "Her breath-alyzer was under the legal limit but the deputy DA
wants to turn this into Chappaquiddick. It's just a guess but I think her
driving a Rolls had something to do with it."

Cross: "Tell that DA I'll buy her a Rolls, just make this go away."

Justine: "We get this before a judge I'm pretty I can. The pre-trial is
this afternoon."

Cross: "How about the civil case?"

Justine: "The motorcyclist is making some noise about calling one of those
lawyers with an 800 number. His compensatory damages barely top $5,000. I
think seven will buy him."

Cross: "Greedy men are most easily bought. Offer him ten."

Justine: "Consider it done."

Cross: "Excellent work, Justine. I can see why Teddy has such confidence in
you." He rises and begins looking at some of the paintings which adorn her
walls. "Let me ask you something -- if your boss ever lets you out of the
office for lunch?"

Justine: "It's been known to happen."

Cross: "Good, because I've something that I'd like to discuss with you outside
your official duties at `Hoffman and Associates.' How about today at the
Epicenter at one o'clock?"

Justine: "Care to give me some idea of the topic?"

Cross: "No." He smiles and leaves.

Meanwhile, in Ted's office, Louis brings Ted some coffee and asks for a favor.

Ted: "Thank you, Louis."

Louis: "Ted, may I talk to you for a moment?"

Ted: "Problem?"

Louis: "It's somewhat of an urgent nature. A friend of mine, Stan Fletcher,
we both belong to the same choral group -- he was arrested yesterday afternoon
at the library. Lewd conduct."

Ted: "What were the circumstances?"

Louis: "I don't know all the details myself. He called me from jail in an
absolute panic. Apparently involves another man in a bathroom stall. He has
a wife and kids. They don't know."

Ted: "Has he made bail?"

Louis: "Posted it this morning. He's afraid to go home. I brought him here.
He's in the library, as we speak."

Ted: "Let me go talk to him."

Louis: "I'm not asking for anything `Pro Bono' here. He can pay his way."

Ted: "I'll be happy to bill him like any other client, Louis." Louis goes
back to his own desk as Ted heads to the library to meet Prof. Fletcher.
Justine steps up to speak with Ted on the way.

Justine: "Ted, do you have a second?"

Ted: "What's up, Justine?"

Justine: "I brought Richard Cross up to speed this morning on Julie
Costello's DUI. We discussed a figure to put the civil case to bed and he
seemed pleased."

Ted: "So, what's the problem?"

Justine: "I'm not sure there is a problem but, after we finished he asked
me to lunch. Could be social but I suspect he has an agenda."

Ted: "Richard Cross always has an agenda."

Justine: "Any insight into what it could be?"

Ted: "I've known Richard eleven years and I'm still guessing. A client wants
to have lunch -- have it." Justine goes back to her office and Ted continues
on to the library. "Mr. Fletcher? I'm Ted Hoffman. Let's go into my office."

In Ted's office...

Fletcher: "I'm a professor of literature at St. Benedict's. I was at the
library putting some books on reserve for some of my students that's why I
was there. I don't know what possessed me. I went to use the bathroom and,
uh, there he was, this striking young man, the kind you notice right away.
God, this is very difficult."

Ted: "I don't want you to be uncomfortable, Mr. Fletcher, but I will need
the facts."

Fletcher: "Yeah. Ironic, isn't it? I can have sex with a complete stranger
in a bathroom stall but to talk about it, that's difficult. This young man,
I knew why he was there. You see them in train stations and in bars, always
the same type. I asked him how much he wanted, he said forty dollars. We 
went into the stall. I sat down on the seat. He stood up."

Ted: "You engaged in oral sex."

Fletcher: "I heard someone come in. There was banging at the door, voices
saying they were from security, after that I really can't tell you what
happened. My mind just went numb. Thank God Louis was able to get me out
of jail."

Ted: "Have you ever been charged with anything like this before?"

Fletcher: "No, never. I've never been arrested for anything. I've always
been very discreet."

Ted: "Then worst case, you're guilty of a misdemeanor. With no criminal
record, no judge will impose jail time."

Fletcher: "St. Benedict's is, uh, a Catholic college. My contract has a 
morals clause. If I appear in court on this, I could lose everything."

Ted: "Let me look into it, Mr. Fletcher."

Fletcher: "Why do we do the things that we do, Mr. Hoffman, when we know
the consequences?" Ted rises and go to the door to open it for his client.

Ted: "I wish I knew, Mr. Fletcher."

Next scene: Justine has lunch with Richard Cross.

Cross, to the waiter: "I'll have the sea bass, broiled. Lemon, no oil. Tell
Victor it's for Mr. Cross. Thank you. I'm on this Pritikin diet, doctor's
orders. Takes the fun out of everything."

Justine: "Somehow I can't picture Richard Cross living a life of denial."

Cross: "You're right. I cheat."

Justine: "So? I'm guessing you didn't invite me here to discuss your diet."

Cross smiles: "I'll answer your question by asking you one. What's your
favorite fantasy?"

Justine laughs: "Excuse me?"

Cross: "In your wildest dreams, where do you see yourself, ten years from
now?"

Justine: "Hoffman & Appleton... taking up Antonio Banderas's call."

Cross: "Really?"

Justine: "Wrong answer?"

Cross: "No, no, no. Just that I see you doing some more than being Ted
Hoffman's junior partner. I mean, you're bright, you're very beautiful. And
I think your dreams should be larger."

Justine: "How much larger?"

Cross: "Justine, every lawyer that I know wants to be something else. Right
now, being Ted Hoffman's partner might seem... pretty big. But trust me, a
day will come you will want more."

Justine: "Such as?"

Cross: "Such as... a Hans Holbein is coming on the market in three months.
Very rare. A European collector is, uh, liquidating his entire collection
of Renaissance masters. I'd like you to go to Amsterdam and negotiate the purchase."

Justine: "Me?"

Cross: "Why not?"

Justine: "For one thing I have no experience." She laughs. "Wouldn't you be
better off letting a professional art house handle this?"

Cross: "No. I detest those people. Besides being snobs, they can't keep
their mouths shut. Once people find out that I'm bidding, the price doubles,
you know? No, I want a tough negotiator working for me and only me. I want
you. Of course salary's negotiable. You'll have full use of my private jet.
And the Kraz Napolski Hotel in Amsterdam is... unbelievable."

Justine: "I'll have to give this some thought."

Cross: "Do, and please, I want Ted to be okay with this. I'll talk to him,
if you like, make sure that I'm not stepping out of bounds here."

Justine: "Let me handle that."

Cross: "Okay. Well, you think about it, you get back to me and we'll figure
what we can. Have you ever been to Amsterdam?"

Justine: "No."

Cross: "It's a beautiful city, Justine. Beautiful. And Paris is just a jump
away."

Next scene, Ted tries to cut a deal with Deputy DA, Dan Morrison, in the
Fletcher case.

Ted: "Dan, I don't see why you have to file this case. This guy has a wife 
and kids. He's a first-time offender."

Morrison: "He wandered into the wrong stall by mistake?"

Ted: "The only mistake he made was giving into his nature at an
inappropriate time."

Morrison: "Let me tell you something about the nature of people who do this,
Ted. They carry along a shopping bag. You know why? One of them stands in
it so when the cops look under the stall door they don't see two sets of 
feet."

Ted: "Was my client found with a shopping bag?"

Morrison: "No, but the fifteen-year-old kid he was doing it with was."

Ted: "Fifteen?"

Morrison: "What's the matter, counsel? Didn't the good professor give you
all the facts?"

Ted: "His age notwithstanding, this was obviously a professional hustler."

Morrison: "His age makes it a felony."

Ted: "Why are you doing this? Does ruining a man's life give you pleasure?"

Morrison: "Professor Fletcher wants to get his jollies in the privacy of his
own home, I got no problem with it. But when he cruises the public library,
where my son does his book report, I'm coming after him."

On his way out, Ted runs into Miriam Grasso.

Grasso: "Teddy! What brings you to enemy territory?"

Ted: "Dan Morrison. He's playing hardball with a client of mine."

Grasso: "Hope this doesn't come as a big surprise but you're not exactly
`Man of the Year' around here. Nice tie. Who's the client?"

Ted: "Stan Fletcher. He's a professor at St. Benedict's. He was caught in a
bathroom stall with a fifteen-year-old hustler. I could use some help."

Grasso: "You know my policy. I don't overrule my deputies, not without good
cause. And, as you may have noticed, we take crimes against fifteen-year-
olds pretty seriously around here."

Ted: "Could you at least look into it? There's a family situation."

Grasso: "The things I do for you."

Ted: "Thanks, Miriam. I appreciate it."

Grasso: "Toodles, Teddy." Waves goodbye and walks away.

In court, Julie's hearing on her DUI charge. Deputy DA Cheryl Dreyfuss for
the People. Judge May Kameron, presiding.

Justine: "Your honor, we request the court on its own motion dismiss this
case due to insufficency of the evidence."

Dreyfuss: "Your honor, the law states that a person whose blood alcohol is
below the legal limit can still be considered under the influence if her
ability to operate a motor vehicle is affected. Given that the Defendant
caused an accident and flunked her field sobriety test, this is clearly
the case here. In addition, this is Ms. Costello's second DUI and she was
driving without a license."

Judge: "Ms. Appleton?"

Justine: "Your honor, I can't help but think that my client's involvement
in a case featured on every news program in this city, is the real reason
these charges are being filed. Grandstanding should not be confused with
sufficient cause. This was an accident that occurred and nothing more. Ms.
Costello's blood alcohol was point oh five, well below the legal limit.
Her failure to renew her license was the direct result of grief over the
recent death of her sister. Ms. Dreyfuss' rush to celebrity may blind her
to these facts. I trust the court has clearer vision."

Judge: "How 'bout it, Ms. Dreyfuss, can we save some taxpayer money here?"

Dreyfuss: "The People wish to proceed, your honor."

Judge: "This court is not inclined to reduce or dismiss this matter on its
own motion. However without more compelling evidence than you have right 
now, Ms. Dreyfuss, at trial I may grant the Defense motion, under penal code
section 1118, throwing out your whole case. How would that play upstairs?"

Dreyfuss: "Not well. Would the court give us time to work out a plea?"

Judge: "The court would be delighted."

Later, Justine and Julie leave the courtroom, surrounded by press.

Reporter #1: "Will Ms. Costello be testifying in the Neil Avedon case?"

Justine: "Ms. Costello is here on an unrelated matter."

Reporter #2: "How does she feel about him?"

Reporter #1: "Will Neil take the stand?"

Justine: "You'll have to talk to Ted Hoffman about that." She and Julie get
in the elevator.

Back at the firm.

Ted: "Justine, Caught your remarks to the press on television today. I
liked the way you handled yourself."

Justine: "Thanks."

Ted: "How'd it go with Julie?"

Justine: "The judge leaned on Dreyfuss and the case went away. Julie will
get her license renewed, do a little traffic school."

Ted: "Good. And lunch with Richard Cross?"

Justine: "A graduate course in hidden agendas. He wants me to fly to
Amsterdam to buy some painting. Made a big show of wanting it to be all
right with you."

Ted: "It's not."

Justine: "Ted, I know this isn't about art. But I could be your inside guy
on this."

Ted: "I continue to believe that Richard Cross had Dave Blalock killed. I 
can't expose you to that kind of risk."

Justine: "I'm a big girl, Ted."

Ted: "And Davey Blalock was an experienced detective. Tell Richard you
aren't interested."

Justine: "Don't you think... ?"

Ted interrupts: "I told you what I think." Justine lets out a deep sigh.
Ted heads for his office.

Louis coughs and clears his throat to get Ted's attention: "Her Highness,
line two."

Ted: "I'll take it in here." On the phone, "Miriam, thanks for getting back
to me. That's ridiculous. The man gave in to a momentary temptation, that
makes him a human being, not a criminal. What I understand is that you're
internal politics are taking precedence over Stan Fletcher's family and
career. Even assuming we win at trial, this will ruin him. Of course, I
appreciate the effort, Miriam. I just needed this one." Hangs up the phone.
There's a knock at the door. Louis with a message.

Louis: "Ray Velacek's here."

Ted: "Send him in. And set something for Stan Fletcher. What I have to tell
him shouldn't be conveyed over the phone."

Louis: "Not good?"

Ted: "No." Ray enters the office.

Ray: "Think I have someone you want to see. Diane `Dee-Dee' Carson, friend
of Jessica's from the diary." Shots of Carson looking at a magazine while
sitting in reception. She's reading an article about Neil and Jessica.

Ted: "How did you find her?"

Ray: "Put the word out. Greg Bunt from vice called. Said she was picked up
by patrol on Sunset last night."

Ted: "Where is she?"

Ray: "Sitting in reception, looking at the pictures in the magazines."

Carson: "Ever been in Michigan in the winter? The snot freezes in your nose.
I ran away from there when I was fourteen, came here. My parents didn't even
file a missing persons." She begins wandering around Ted's office, opening
boxes, poking her nose into practically everything. "Then, I started doing
the clubs and crashing at friends'. Party, party, party."

Ted: "Is that how you met Jessica?"

Carson: "At a rave downtown. This guy I was with, he took one look at her
and decided that we should do him together. We said `no way.' And he left
with these two chicks from the Valley. Jerk. It was after that that me and 
Jessica started hanging together. She was living with her sister and they
were fighting a lot so she would come and crash at my place. A lot."

Ray: "Where was this?" Taking out his notepad.

Carson: "Some dump in Hollywood. I was turning tricks to pay the rent now
and then but Jessica liked to give it away. Actors, musicians, rock stars.
Just as long as they were fine. That's how she met Neil."

Ted: "Ever meet Richard Cross?"

Carson sigh: "Yeah. That bald guy. I never did him though. If I wanted to
do a forty-year-old guy I never would have left home." Finally settles down
on the couch, in fact, lies down, on the couch.

Ted: "Dee-Dee, we're trying to find the man who killed Jessica?"

Carson: "I thought that Neil killed her? That's what they said on
television."

Ted: "We don't think he killed her. We were hoping maybe you could tell
us if there was anyone else she was having problems with?"

Carson: "There was a guy named Walter. Walter... London. He was this
big record exec that Jessica knew. I met him at the Roxy. He let us in,
backstage."

Ted: "Tell me about him."

Carson: "He's a psycho."

Ted: "How so?"

Carson: "After the concert," Shots are shown of Carson's description of
the events that followed. "we all got into his limo. There was supposed to
be this big party up in the Hills. So we started driving on and he wants
to see us do each other so he could get off. What is with the guys in this
town? Anyway, we say `no way.' He starts to get kind of pushy so Jessica
goes, `you're a pig' and then he starts to grab at her, slapping her and
all. So, I'm like, screaming at the guy and the limo driver's trying to pull
over the car, when Walter tosses Jessica out of the car while it's still
moving. Whew! We just took off. Jessica said that this wasn't the first
time that he'd gone off on her like that. Every time he got wasted, he'd
go nuts."

Ray: "Anyone else come to mind?"

Carson: "That might have killed Jessica?"

Ray: "Uh-huh."

Carson: "No. I mean her getting killed like that, that was so weird. I keep 
on thinking that I'm going to run into her somewhere, you know, in some
club." Ted is disturbed by the entire interview with Carson.

Ted: "Thank you, Dee-Dee." Gets up and walks over to the girl. "You have a
place to stay? Do you need some money?"

Carson: "You going to give me money, I won't say no." Ted reaches into his
pocket, peels off a couple of bills and hands them to Carson. She takes the money and leaves.

Ted: "That girl is eight years older than Lizzie. Makes my skin crawl. What
about this Walter London? Heard anything about him?"

Ray: "He's mentioned a couple of times in the diary. Used to work for
Envision Records. Davey talked to him then moved on."

Ted: "Find him, rattle his cage good this time." Ray leaves.

In Justine's office, she and Lisa Gillespie are watching a videotape of
Law TV's coverage of Justine's handling of the press earlier.

[TV] Reporter #1: "... be testifying in the Neil Avedon case?"

[TV] Justine: "Ms. Costello is here on an unrelated matter."

[TV] Reporter #2: "How does she feel about him?"

[TV] Reporter #1: "Will Neil take the stand?"

[TV] Justine: "You'll have to talk to Ted Hoffman about... " Justine freezes
the frame.

Justine: "Why would I wear that? Look at my hair?"

Lisa: "You look great."

Justine: "I look like I just walked through a wind tunnel. Well, from now
on I'll wear a bag over my head." She unfreezes the picture and continues
watching the tape.

[TV] Crowley: "That was attorney, Justine Appleton of Hoffman and Associates
moments after the DA dismissed DUI charges against Julie Costello, a key
figure in the `Goldilocks murder' case."

Lisa: "You really think he's cute?"

Justine: "Call me crazy, it's the red hair." The phone rings. "Appleton."
She turns off the sound. "Dean? Uh, yes. Yes, of course I know who you are."
Justine points to Dean Crowley on the TV. 

Lisa whispers: "Dean Crowley?" Justine nods.

Justine, to Dean, on the phone: "Well, that's, um, that's very kind of you.
Really? No, I'd never... Uh, of course I'd be interested. Today? Yeah, yeah, that's no problem. I look forward to it too. See you then." Hangs up the
phone. Lisa shuts off the TV. "He invited me to lunch to discuss becoming an
analyst on Law TV."

Lisa: "First Cross, now Crowley. What kind of scent are you putting out?"

Justine: "Um, Lisa, what am I going to wear?"

Lisa: "You already have it picked out, remember? The bag."

Next scene: Ray goes to visit Walter London and ask him some questions.

Ray: "Thank you for seeing me, Mr. London."

London: "What's this about?"

Ray: "My name's Ray Velacek. I'm an investigator for Ted Hoffman."

London: "I already spoke to someone from his office."

Ray: "Yeah, I'm aware Dave Blalock spoke to you but we received some new
information about your relationship with Jessica Costello."

London: "Like I told the other guy, I didn't have a relationship with
Jessica Costello."

Ray: "Our sources say that you did. A girl by the name of... Dee-Dee Carson
said you tried to strangle Jessica after a concert at the Roxy."

London angry: "What the hell is this? You trying to pin this on someone?
I'm not your donkey, pal!"

Ray: "I'm just trying to determine the truth of Ms. Carson's story."

London: "Listen to me. I knew both those little bitches for about two
seconds. I threw them out of my car 'cause they tried to lift my wallet.
Period."

Ray: "Can you tell where you were the night she was killed?"

London: "Home. Where were you?"

Ray ignoring him: "Anyone that can confirm that?"

London: "Ted Koppel. We had a very intimate discussion about Bosnia. You
know what? I think you should get the hell out of here."

Ray: "We can compel your testimony by subpoena, Mr. London."

London: "If I just didn't have a heart attack I'd compel your ass right out
this window. Now, walk!" Ray leaves.

Next, a meeting in Judge Beth Bornstein's chambers to discuss the jury
questionnaire. Present are: Miriam Grasso and Mark Washington, for the
People and Ted Hoffman and Chris Dochnovich, for the defense.

Judge: "Morning all."

Grasso: "Morning."

Ted: "Good morning."

Chris: "Good morning, your honor."

Judge: "I understand both sides have had a chance to look at the other's
proposed jury questionnaire. How close are we?"

Grasso: "The People have some problems, your honor."

Ted: "As do we, judge."

Judge laughs: "Huh! How did I know! All right, let's trash this out and go
on the record with the recorder. Prosecution first."

Washington: "We have no problems with defense questions one through eight,
your honor. Some of them appear on our list too. However we do object to
number nine."

Judge reads: "`Do you think that it's possible for someone else to have
committed the crime with which Mr. Avedon is charged?' Loaded question,
isn't it counsel?"

Chris: "Judge, this question goes to the heart of our case. A juror who
answers `no' is by definition prejudging the facts."

Washington: "Try to convince them at trial, Chris. Don't present your
opening argument during voir dire."

Chris: "I'm not. But a juror who already thinks that Neil's the only one
who could have done this isn't somebody we want sitting in that box."

Judge: "How about more neutral wording. Hmm... `Based on what you've seen
and read, can you be impartial?'"

Chris laughs: "That's like asking someone if they go to church. They're
going to say `yes' whether they do or not."

Judge: "Let me save some time here by suggesting the following." Writes
down the following question as she says it aloud. "`Will you listen to the
arguments of both sides with an open mind before reaching a verdict?'"

Chris turns to check with Ted who nods approval: "That's fine, your honor."

Judge: "See how easy this is?" Ted smiles. "Mr. Washington?"

Washington: "No problems with ten through thirteen, judge. Fourteen gets
sticky. `Have you ever been to a psychotherapist?'"

Chris: "Dr. Lester may testify in this case. We need to know about jurors'
pre-existing attitudes."

Judge: "I'm concerned about issues of privacy here. Let me work on some
alternate wording and then we'll come back to this. For now, let's push
ahead."

Washington: "Jump down to twenty-three, your honor. This one takes the
prize."

Judge reads: "`Do you enjoy the films of Woody Allen?'" Grasso laughs and
looks at Ted.

Chris: "We're looking for jurors who can follow a sophisticated line of
argument. We think an appreciation of Mr. Allen's films helps us to identify
those people."

Washington: "Oh, yeah. And the fact that Avedon had sex with a fifteen-year-
old girl is just a coincidence."

Chris: "Mr. Allen was cleared in that case."

Washington: "Oh come on, Chris. The implication couldn't be clearer if you
underlined it in red magic marker."

Judge: "Gentlemen. I think this question not only crosses the line, it leaps
over it." She crosses out the question. "Let's continue."

Justine's lunch with Dean Crowley. 

Crowley: "I enjoyed being a lawyer. It was a big firm in New York City but
it got boring. I needed something more. This, uh, case that I was working
on, got picked up by the networks. A Wall Street guy, uh, got mixed up in
drugs, claimed the government entrapped him. Anyway, all of a sudden my
face was all over television. It was really incredible. The doorman in my
building starts calling me `sir' all of a sudden and I'm getting phone calls
from guys I barely knew in college. That was when Fred Zucker, from Law TV,
called and said he wanted to audition me."

Justine: "It must have been nerve-racking."

Crowley: "No, surprisingly, it wasn't. Felt very natural. They hired me and
made me an analyst. I think this `Goldilocks' case could do the same thing
for you."

Justine: "Dean, I'm flattered but the last time I saw myself on TV I wanted
to smash the screen in. My hair, my clothes -- it was all wrong."

Crowley: "Speaking personally, you looked terrific. But, uh, hair and
clothes, that's all externals. Look, what's important is the ability to
project beyond the camera. To establish a level of trust in the audience."

Justine: "Even if you're faking it?"

Crowley: "Every lawyer who's appeared in a courtroom is part actor. Comes
with the territory. But you've got exactly what we're looking for. Sexy
intelligence."

Justine incredulous: "Really."

Crowley: "I mean Fred would make the final judgment but assuming he's as
sold on you as I am, you'd, uh, write and produce your own segments, you'd
do some field reporting and continue working at Hoffman and Associates."

Justine: "I couldn't comment on the Avedon case."

Crowley: "We wouldn't expect you to."

Justine: "I'll run it by Ted. When would you need to know?"

Crowley: "Whenever you're ready." She just stares at Crowley. What?"

Justine: "How tall are you?"

Back at the firm. Ted and Chris meet with London's attorney, Howard Resnick.

Ted: "Howard, good to see you again." They shake hands.

Resnick: "But I wish it weren't under these circumstances, Ted. Walter
London is pretty upset."

Ted: "My associate, Chris Dochnovich."

Chris: Pleased to meet you." They also shake hands.

Resnick: "Same. So, what's going on here, Ted? You send two investigators
to see a client of mine and I start to worry."

Ted: "I didn't know he was represented. As you know, Howard, Neil Avedon is
my client in the Jessica Costello case."

Resnick: "Walter had nothing to do with Jessica Costello's death."

Ted: "We determine that, we'll move on."

Resnick: "Don't kid a kidder, Ted. You're casting around for reasonable
doubt. Everyone knows Walter's reputation isn't exactly doily clean."

Ted: "The man lives a life, he has to face the consequences."

Resnick: "I don't disagree. But let me explain something to you. Before
Walter London's heart attack he was a cold-blooded bastard. I mean my own
wife wouldn't entertain him in our home. He did coke. He, uh, he screwed
everything in a size six. He had a temper that went off like a roman candle.
It cost him his job at Envision. But since his heart attack, he's a changed
man."

Ted: "If he's such a boy scout why'd he threaten to toss my investigator out
a window?"

Resnick: "Teddy, a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step."
Laughs, "I'm not saying he's `Pope Walter.'"

Chris: "Would he be willing to come in and talk to us?"

Resnick: "Well, I'll pass it by him but what he wants is to be left alone.
He gets anywhere near this Jessica Costello thing and the Aries deal could
blow up in our face."

Ted: "I'm not unsympathetic, Howard. But my client's life is on the line
here."

Resnick: "So is mine, Ted. You know the office he's in now? A kid he started
in the business is letting him use it. That's how broke Walter is. This
Aries deal's his last shot at the ring. Don't ruin my guy just to spray on
the hydrant. There. I've said my piece." Rises to leave. "Ted, as always, a
pleasure." To Chris, "Nice to meet you."

Chris: "Good to meet you." Howard leaves. "You buy that?"

Ted: "Best guess, Resnick's probably right. London had nothing to do with
Jessica's death. But our job is to get Neil acquitted, not find the killer."

Chris: "I'll start the subpoena."

Ted: "Hold off. I don't want to tip Grasso to our strategy. Let's see if
Resnick brings London in first. If he doesn't, then we roll out the heavy
artillery." Louis knocks at the door.

Louis: "Stan Fletcher's here."

Ted to Chris: "I have to take this." Chris leaves and Fletcher enters.

Fletcher nervously pacing the floor: "Mr. Hoffman, I swear on everything
that I hold dear I did not know that the boy was fifteen years old."

Ted: "I believe you but unfortunately none of that matters to the DA."

Fletcher: "So what, now, now it's, it's a felony?"

Ted: "The age makes all the difference. I'm fairly confident we can keep
you out of custody. But if you're convicted, you'll have to register as a
sex offender." Fletcher is overcome with emotion and fear. He begins crying.

Fletcher: "Oh my God."

Ted: "Do you need some water?"

Fletcher: "No, no." More composed. "This morning I was sitting at the
breakfast table looking at my wife and kids. I kept thinking, `what is this
going to do to them?' My wife asked me why I wasn't finishing my eggs. What 
am I supposed to tell her, Mr. Hoffman?" Begins crying again.

Ted: "Your wife may be more understanding than you think. And we still have
things we can do. Despite this boy's age, he's a known hustler. That can
work in our favor." Stops crying.

Fletcher: "You make it sound like we're fixing a parking ticket."

Ted: "I'm not minimizing the consequences."

Fletcher: "And neither will St. Benedict's. They'll bounce me so fast I
won't be able to get a job teaching night school."

Ted: "One step at a time, Mr. Fletcher. We have pre-trial motions to make.
Don't take all of this on at once."

Fletcher: "But get prepared, right?"

Ted nods: "That would be prudent." Fletcher leaves Ted's office and is still
quite upset. Louis takes him into the law library for a chat.

Louis: "Stan, I understand what you're going through. But maybe in the light
of day you'll see this was all for the best."

Fletcher: "God, Louis, don't start singing `Annie.'"

Louis: "What I'm trying to say is that this doesn't have to be the end of
everything. It can be a start too."

Fletcher: "Of my new life as an open gay? Is that where this is going?"

Louis: "This doesn't have to be a choice between reading Popular Mechanics
and cruising Santa Monica Boulevard in black leather, Stan. You just have
to decide who you are, then be that person."

Fletcher: "Louis, I started on my high school football team. I don't reach
for a Kleenex every time I hear Judy Garland sing `Over the Rainbow.'"

Louis: "I understand. I couldn't stay in the closet because I was never in
it. But, happy, sad or in between, I've never had to live a lie."

Fletcher: "Why did I do this? If I'd only walked out of there... "

Louis: "Then it would have happened next week or next year. Stan, this isn't
something you can run away from."

Fletcher: "Mr. Hoffman said there were motions that we could make."

Louis: "I'm sure he'll do everything that he can."

Fletcher: "But I'm kidding myself. Right. Sooner or later my secret will be
out. I have to tell Marcia."

Louis: "I think she deserves that."

Fletcher: "Thank you, Louis, my good friend." He heads for the door.

Louis: "Take care, Stan."

Later on, in the firm's kitchen, Justine tells Ted about her lunch with
Crowley.

Justine: "Ted?"

Ted: "Hi."

Justine: "I had lunch with Dean Crowley today. He wanted to talk about me
becoming an analyst for Law TV."

Ted: "I see."

Justine: "This would only be part-time, of course, so it wouldn't interfere
with any of my responsibilities here."

Ted: "Well, you certainly have a lot to offer, Justine. You're bright,
photogenic. If I were Mr. Crowley, I'd be after you too."

Justine: "But... "

Ted: "I think you have to ask yourself, why is this offer coming now?
Perhaps Dean Crowley sees the same qualities I saw when I first hired you.
Or it could be Richard Cross owns twenty percent of Law TV's parent company.
Richard's agendas are Machiavellian. I'm also not so sure I like the idea
of someone in this firm working for a company that's covering our biggest
case, even if you are assigned elsewhere."

Justine: "Are you telling me I can't do this?"

Ted: "I'm asking you not to. Justine, I appreciate your frustration here.
You wanted to be second chair, you're hitting your head against the ceiling,
but you're a valued member of this firm. And you're going to be a partner someday. Patience is difficult for ambitious people. But it pays richer
rewards in the long run."

Justine: "I'll call Dean and let him know I can't do it."

Ted: "I won't forget that you did."

A meeting in DA, Roger Garfield's office, to discuss the Fletcher case.

Garfield: "Ted."

Ted: "I appreciate you taking another look at this, Roger." They shake hands.

Garfield: "Any chance to do a favor for my favorite defense attorney. Please
sit down. I've asked Dan Morrison to join us, I hope you don't mind."

Ted: "Not at all." They also shake hands.

Morrison: "Counsel."

Garfield: "So, Miriam tells me that, eh, you had quite a lively session in
Judge Bornstein's chambers."

Ted: "It stopped short of bloodshed."

Garfield: "Good." Laughs. "Anyway, uh, about this Fletcher case, Dan and I
have talked it over and while Dan felt very strongly about proceeding, we
both think that there's room for compromise here." Morrison seems frustrated
and angry. "Professor Fletcher is a respected member of the community. He's
expressed remorse over the incident. Neither one of us want to be overly
punitive."

Ted: "What do you propose?"

Garfield: "We reduce it to contributing to the delinquency of a minor. A
fine, probation, no jail time. No trial. Agreed?"

Ted: "Agreed."

Garfield: "There. Settled like men. Thanks, Dan." Morrison rises and leaves,
still angry at being forced to reduce the charges against his will.

Ted: "To what do I owe this turn of events?"

Garfield: "Nothing more than the respect and the regard in which you are
held by this office."

Ted: "Then I guess it's fair to say that I owe you one."

Garfield: "I'm sure down the line there will be opportunities to balance the
books."

Back at the firm.

Ted: "Lila."

Lila: "Good afternoon, Mr. Hoffman. Mr. London is here for you but you
better find Louis first."

London: "I've been waiting for you for a half hour."

Ted: "I apologize, Mr. London. You're going to have to wait a moment more."
Goes off to look for Louis. He finds him in the kitchen. Louis is sad and
upset. "What's wrong?"

Louis: "Stan Fletcher killed himself. He said he was going home to tell his
wife. Somewhere along the way he must have lost his nerve. He jumped off an
overpass onto the freeway."

Ted: "My God. Has the family been notified?"

Louis: "All that's left is to tell them why. I ask myself, what more I could
have done? And all I can think is, what kind of world is it where it's more
viable to kill yourself than to be who you are?" Choking back his emotions.

Ted: "Would you like to take some time off, Louis?"

Louis: "Thanks, I really don't think it would help."

Ted leads Walter London into the conference room.

London: "Whenever you get around to it, Mr. Hoffman. I've got nothing
whatsoever to do today. I, I've got nothing but time."

Ted: "What can I do for you, Mr. London?"

London: "Howard Resnick says you won't budge on this. Says you're intent on
linking me to this murder, you're about to serve me with a subpoena."

Ted: "I have an obligation to my client, to explore any avenue that may
result in his exoneration."

London: "This is not an avenue! This is nothing! This is a middle-aged putz,
who until he had a heart attack, liked to pretend he was nineteen years old.
I made enough money to drive an expensive car, to always have that baggie
full of cocaine on me at all times. And I knew a few young girls that were
stupid enough to think that it represented some kind of advantage to them
to have sex with me. No, I'm not putting myself up for a Nobel Peace prize.
But I'll swear on the graves of my parents I never killed anybody."

Ted: "You'll understand if I don't take your word for that."

London: "Then you tell me what I can do to convince you. I've talked to your
PIs twice, now I'm talking to you. I'll take a lie detector test. I'll do
anything you ask me to do. But please do not do this to me." Ted gives in.

Ted: "Okay."

London: "Okay there won't be a subpoena?"

Ted: "There won't be a subpoena."

London: "Mr. Hoffman... "

Ted interrupts: "Mr. London, go home before I change my mind." London
leaves.

Next scene, Justine meets Richard Cross at a bar to give him her decision
regarding the art deal.

Cross: "Here's a check for our motorcyclist. So, have you given further
thought to my offer?"

Justine: "I dug out my Jensen's Art History from college. I'd forgotten how
much I liked Holbein."

Cross: "Simply magnificent. The use of color. The balance of the composition.
But the thing I think draws you in most is the darkness. Nobody handled
darkness like Holbein. So, do we have something to celebrate?"

Justine: "I have some vacation days coming up. I could use them to make the
Amsterdam run."

Cross: "Excellent."

Justine: "Only about Ted, with the Avedon case he has a lot on his plate
right now and I would just like to choose the right time to tell him about
this."

Cross: "I understand completely."

Justine: "I mean, I want to be aboveboard and everything about this."

Cross: "Say no more. I'm sure you'll tell Ted when you're ready. So, in
honor of Holbein, how about a glass of Tokai Pinot Gri. The '89 is superb."

Justine: "Sure."

Cross: "Justine, I couldn't be more pleased. I hope this is the start of a
long and productive relationship."

Justine: "Me too."

Final scene: Ted and Annie at home.

Ted: "The man sat in my office, I should have realized how desperate he
was." Takes off his jacket and hands it to Annie. "Thanks."

Annie: "From what you're telling me this Fletcher's been on the edge for
some time."

Ted: "Still I could have gone to Garfield sooner. Miriam had already been
to him once about this and I was too proud to go myself, hat in hand...
which I ended up doing anyway, just too late to save this man's life."

Annie: "You can't blame yourself for not being able to see into the future,
Ted. This was a situation that might have played itself out no matter what
you did."

Ted: "Louis works twelve-hour days for me and never asks for a thing. The
one time he does, I let him down."

Annie: "I have a feeling he understands better than anyone what happened
here."

Ted: "I hope so. Know what's almost as bad? After hearing about Fletcher I
let up on a witness who might have given Neil reasonable doubt."

Annie: "How reasonable?" She starts rubbing his shoulders.

Ted: "Honestly? It was a fishing expedition. But it would have wrecked the
guy so I dropped it."

Annie: "Then you did the right thing."

Ted laughs: "My job description reads defense attorney, not all-around good
guy."

Annie: "Don't beat yourself up. Even you're not infallible."

Ted: "I know. But some days I hate this job."

[End titles]

Steven Bochco Productions
20th Century Fox Television, a News Corporation Company
Story Editor: Doug Palau
Supervising Associate Producer: Gigi Coello-Bannon
Associate Producer: Chad Savage
Casting in New York: Alexa L. Fogel, C.S.A.

Co-Starring:
Tim Hutchinson as Paul Carter
Lisa Cordray as Reporter #1

Director of Photography: Aaron E. Schneider
Production Designer: Paul Eads
Edited by Lance Luckey
Unit Production Manager: Patrick McKee
First Assistant Director: Scott Printz
Second Assistant Director: Brian Faul
Costume Designer: Brad R. Loman
Legal Consultant: Howard Weitzman
Technical Advisor: David J. Gascon
Production Coordinator: Nancy Wilkerson
Costume Supervisor: Debra Beebe
Make-Up Artists: Norman Page, Jim Scribner
Hairstylists: Paulette Pennington, Anthony Wilson
Continuity Supervisor: Mary Ann Newfield
Camera Operator: David Boyd
First Assistant Camera: Brian LeGrady
Gaffer: Mark Vuille
Key Grip: Harry L. Rez
2nd 2nd Assistant Director: Andy Spilkoman
Technical Consultant: Debra Carrillo
Production Sound Mixer: Susan Moore-Chong, C.A.S.
Supervising Sound Editor: Margi Carlton
Music Editor: Patty McGettigan
Background A.D.R.: Superloopers
Re-recording Mixers: Robert L. Appere, Ken Burton
Set Decorator: Mary Ann Biddle
Set Designer: Mindy Roffman
Lead Person: Randy Bostic
Property Master: Jerry Moss
Location Manager: John Armstrong
Script Coordinator: Michael Norell
Casting Associates: Libby Goldstein, John A. Aiello
Construction Coordinator: Pete Lawrence
Transportation Coordinator: Norm Benson
Assistant Production Coordinator: Ann M. Kaiser
Post Production Coordinators: Laina Mumbrue, Jamal A. Swinton
Production Accountant: Candace Montgomergy-Lira
Asst. to Steven Bochco: Barbara Kroells
Asst. to Charles H. Eglee: Marian Devney
Asst. to Fogle/Buckland: Karin Londgren
Asst. to Donahue/Neigher: Holly Baker
Asst. to Michael Fresco: Maureen Milligan
EPR (R) Telecine and Electronic Assembly by Encore Video Inc.
Telecine Colorist: Steve Porter
Re-recorded at Sony Pictures Studios
Post Production Sound Editorial by Dave Weathers, Miles of Fun Sound
Presented in Dolby Surround
Lenses & Panaflex (R) camera by Panavision (R)
Copyright (c) 1996 Steven Bochco Productions #7109 All Rights Reserved
Steven Bochco Productions is the author of this motion picture for purposes
of copyright and other laws.
(AMPTP) Color by Foto-Kem Laboratory (R)

The events and characters depicted in this photoplay are fictitious. Any
similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events is purely
coincidental.

Ownership of this motion picture is protected by copyright and other
applicable laws, and any unauthorized duplication, distribution or
exhibition of this motion picture could result in criminal prosecution
as well as civil liability.