"Our billings are at a 10-year low." "The economy's in the toilet." "What we need to do is diversi_." "JAHE:" "So what are you thinking?" "Criminal defense." "You know, l--l couldn't agree more." "[Hnock on door] Well, Clay Simms is" "Burton?" "Yeah, sweetheart?" "I can't find those magic markers you were talking about." "Ask Hris--well, wait a minute." "Excuse me one second." "Go ahead, Nicholas." "Clay Simms is leaving David Beldon's criminal defense practice." "He wants to head up his own group at a larger firm." "I went to high school with Clay." "I'd like to make him an offer." "You think he's the guy?" "I think he's the best criminal defense attorney there is in the city." "We were on the football team together at Heystone Oaks." "Golden Eagles." "His sister Grace and I kind of had a little... uh, thing." "Ha ha." "She was really... she's very hot." "Can you land him?" "We were--we were tight." "I mean, Clay Simms is my boy." "Well, we don't want Clay Simms." "And why is that?" "We don't do criminal defense." "It sullies our name." "It won't look good to our clients." "Well, farming out most of our defense litigation is costing us a fortune." "Nicholas, look, just because we had one bad year doesn't mean we're going to restructure the firm." "Sorry, Burton." "I can't reach the colored paper." "Oh, well, ask-- tell Kirsten, OK?" "Thanks." "Hi, Nick." "We're losing almost a million dollars a year..." "Uh, Shannon, listen, have Hristen set up that colored copier for you, OH?" "Thanks." "Yeah." "Sorry." "Little social studies project going on here." "And what--what I was going to say, though, is, well, when you've been around as long as I have, you come to understand that one good year can make up for 3 bad years," "so we don't, uh-- we don't want to panic here, OH?" "I'm not panicking." "I think Clay Simms can be a very valuable" "Clay Simms" "Clay Simms lunches off David Beldon's name." "He's very good at what he does." "Beldon does all the work over there." "SHANNON:" "Burton, the copier" "Shannon, could you just do me a favor and leave us the hell alone here?" "Thank you." "Excuse me." "Well, we'll pick this up tomorrow, Jake." "Get in touch with Simms." "You bet." "Remember we have that continuing legal education course this morning at the Radisson." "BURTON:" "Just give me a minute, sweetheart." "What you did in there is unacceptable." "What I did?" "Yeah." "What I was trying to do in there was run a partners' meeting, but you're too busy with your day-care center." "Excuse me?" "Now, Dad, this has nothing to do with Shannon." "Dad, you gotta get your head back into this firm." "What?" "Your work is slipping." "Last quarter, you billed less than Jake." "I mean, less than Jake." "You're missing meetings." "Some of our top clients have made complaints." "Not to me, they're not." "That's because they're coming to me." "Now, if you don't want to work full time anymore, then that's fine." "Just say the word." "You'll be of counsel, and we'll take very good care of you." "You're gonna take care of me?" "You know what I mean." "Nick, you got a new client waiting in your office." "I just came to drop off my hours for your review." "l have a C.L.E. class" "Client's more important..." "Not when I'm 12 credits behind and my grace period's about to run out." "Taliek Allen." "Six months ago, he was the victim of a brutal assault." "He just got out of the hospital, and his ex-girlfriend won't let him see their son." "Alvin, I can't do this today." "She's filed a petition to confirm custody." "Claims she's concerned about Taliek's rage and anxiety issues since the attack." "l told you I can't..." "Nick, go talk to your client!" "Uh, Mr. Allen, I'm sorry." "We're gonna have to move this meeting to tomorrow, so... if...you could come back and..." "But my hearing's today." "[MAN SINGING] Well, there is trouble in my mind" "There is dark" "There's dark, and there is light" "There is no order" "There is chaos and there is crime" "There is no one home tonight in the empire of my mind" "There is trouble in my mind" "All the chaos ln my mind" "JAHE:" "So I set up drinks with Clay Simms for later today at the Incline." "Great. I'll bring Burton." "Good." "This is such a waste of time." "I'm just gonna sign in, go to court, cover a hearing, come back, and sign out." "You gonna skip?" "Yeah." "Nicholas, how are you?" "Oh, I'm good, Judge Shockey." "How are you?" "You here for C.L.E.?" "Yes, I'm doing the asinine practical litigation seminar." "You?" "I'm teaching your class." "Can't wait to see you in there." "Right." "SHOCHEY:" "Excuse me." "Busted." "Hey, James." "You know, I have this hearing in front of Damsen." "Hid named Taliek." "His girlfriend's petitioning for permanent custody." "Listen, it's all in here." "It's just no big deal." "I appreciate it." "Thank you." "I owe you." "[Scoffs]" "Who are you?" "Uh, James Mooney." "I'll be handling your hearing." "Where's Mr. Fallin?" "He was called away on business." "What?" "You'll be fine." "This is a hearing to confirm custody, right?" "BAILIFF:" "All rise." "Stand up." "Please be seated." "Mr. Hague, the child in question is currently living with your client." "is that correct?" "That's correct, judge." "The father, Taliek Allen, has had basically no contact with his son for over 6 months." "That's why we're here." "Here's the case:" "Brian Hoppelman." "37 years old." "He's married." "He's got 3 children." "Pitt English professor." "Gets fired for plagiarism." "Decides to end it all." "Gets drunk and jumps off the 6th Street Bridge." "Passersby call the police." "The police can't pull him aboard the boat." "The current's too strong." "They strap a harness around his chest..." "What'd I miss?" "What?" "You're drooling." "When they pull him out... ppth." "He's dead." "Coroner concludes the cause of death is drowning." "Now, for instructive purposes, we're gonna litigate this case, have a mock trial." "We've got a volunteer jury, and law students are gonna play the parts of the witnesses." "Now, who wants to represent the widow of the deceased?" "Burton." "Good to see you." "Good to see you, Hal." "How are you?" "Good." "Who wants to go against Mr. Fallin and represent the city?" "Anyone?" "Well, I'd like to volunteer my son... if he'll take it easy on the old man." "[Crowd chuckling]" "JUDGE SHOCHEY:" "Great." "Fine." "This man's disfigurement has nothing to do with my client's petition, your honor." "It's his inability to control his temper that concerns her and frightens her child." "That existed long before the assault." "Judge Damsen, this is about the way my client looks and about a mother who's trying to punish her ex-boyFriend by using a terrible incident against him." "There have been instances of violence involving Sharnell." "The police have been called to their house twice" "She was hitting me!" "My ass." "Just 3 weeks ago," "Mr. Allen kicked in my client's front door" "She wouldn't let me see Dante!" "Sit down." "Look, she called me a freak in front of my boy, and then wouldn't let me into the apartment." "It's not your apartment, Taliek." "Shut up, skank!" "JUDGE DAMSEN:" "Mr. Mooney, control your client." "I said sit down." "Dante hasn't seen you in 6 months." "He doesn't even know who you are." "I was in the hospital!" "Look at me!" "JUDGE DAMSEN:" "Mr. Mooney-- l said look at me!" "JUDGE DAMSEN:" "Bailiff!" "Mr. Mooney!" "Man, I ain't seeing' no shrink." "You want your son back?" "Yeah." "Then you'll get the psychiatric evaluation that the judge ordered." "Don't act like you ain't staring'." "Hey, man, why don't you take a real good look right here." "Lookit right in my eye." "What the hell are you doing?" "Man, you don't get it, man." "No. I don't get it." "But I get the system." "You want your son back, you better suck it up and play the game." "Otherwise, the judge will have no problem in ruling in favor of Dante's mom." "All right, what do I got to do?" "I'll set you up with a psychiatric evaluation for later today." "Someone from L.S.P. will call you later with the details." "Hey!" "You my lawyer now?" "I was just covering for Mr. Fallin today." "So if I got some questions or something, I can call you." "Yeah." "Sure." "Hey, Clay." "Jake." "How the hell are you?" "OH." "I was surprised to get your call." "lt's been years" "Uh, listen, Clay." "My, uh, firm wants to set up a criminal defense group." "My partner feels you're the perfect guy to bring in." "Problem is, I don't like you." "Then why are we sitting here?" "Because I want this department to work, and I want to be part of it." "OH?" "[Sighs] Jake, high school was a million years ago." "Right." "l can't believe that you're still holding a grudge about all that." "It wasn't that bad." "Look, all I'm saying is that when my partners get here, just leave the past in the past, OH?" "Fine." "l'm not kidding." "I'm really not rational about this stuff." "Burton, Nick, this is Clay Simms." "Clay, these are my partners." "How are you?" "Good to see you." "So, Clay, Jake tells us that you used to play football together." "I played." "Jake was our statistician." "Well, I just said we were on the team together." "I never implied that l" "Statistician." "And a damn good one at that." "You got a letter for that, didn't you?" "Yeah, a patch." "Yeah." "I think you did it for the girl's basketball team, also." "Didn't you?" "Right?" "Right." "Statistics?" "Go, H.O." "Go, H.O." "So, Burton, tell me... why do you think your firm is a good match for me?" "Brian and I finalized our divorce." "Oh." "So... here I am." "Heh." "Oh." "Here we are." "Um, well..." "Hey, have you ever heard of the, um," "Berkeley Legal Center?" "Yeah, it's in California." "Mm-hmm." "It's a lot like L.S.P. It's--except it's bigger, and it's more prestigious." "Right." "Yeah, they, um, they gave me a call the other day." "OH." "I guess their director is retiring." "They're just looking for someone to take over." "Anyway, it's just an interview." "Are you going?" "I'm thinking about it." "I mean, it's just a really great opportunity." "Yeah." "I'm definitely out of my way there." "I think this all makes sense." "I really appreciate that, Alvin." "I can see places where you can take a more active role." "I'd like that." "Hey, I'm not disturbing you guys, am I?" "Uh, there's a few things I need to do." "Thanks, Alvin." "So, I talked to that woman from the Berkeley Legal Clinic" "Judith Lieberman." "Uh, she was impressed with your resume, and they're putting you on the short list." "OH." "l was forthcoming about your strengths and weaknesses." "Weaknesses?" "I think she came away from the conversation with a very positive idea of your work and who you are." "OH." "Well, thanks, Alvin." "You're welcome." "Alvin... are you sure you're OH with all this?" "Well, I was a bit taken aback when you approached me." "Uh, I mean, I did work hard training you, and you did sign a contract with me." "I did." "But, hey, Berkeley's got an excellent legal clinic, and you're young, so if you get it, I'm happy for you." "And James is excited about maybe taking on some extra responsibilities." "Thanks." "Taliek's shrink's report." "How is it?" "Oh, he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, detachment issues, you name it." "is he a danger to his child?" "Well, the doc can't rule it out, but he doesn't think he'd intentionally direct his anger towards his child." "But if the kid's around, and Taliek erupts at someone else, well, you know." "Great." "Thank you." "You know, he seems like a good enough kid." "If there's anything I can do" "Well, James, if you want, you can take the case." "No, no." "Um, but you know, maybe... I'll come to the hearing." "Well, whatever." "Whatever." "is there something else?" "Did Alvin talk to you?" "About what?" "Starting next week, he wants you to report to me." "Since Lulu may be leaving, the clinic will be going through some transitions." "Huh." "She's flying to California on Friday for an interview, so I'm taking on some of the overflow." "Uh, that includes you." "You're, uh, taking this interview?" "Yeah." "All right." "Well, thanks for, heh, telling me." "No, I know." "I'm sorry." "But I just--l really just decided." "Yeah, that's OH." "We still on for lunch today?" "Um, l--l can't, actually." "Um, tomorrow." "OH." "Great." "Last piece of business-- Clay Simms." "Those in favor of making the offer..." "SIMON:" "Burton." "I'm against it." "Jake." "Abstaining." "You brought the guy in." "JAHE:" "Abstaining." "Jake, if you got a problem with this guy, now is the time to tell us." "What-- l'm just abstaining." "Fine." "We have 8 for, one against, and one abstaining." "I'll make the offer." "Thank you." "It's a mistake-- giving too much money and power to a stranger." "Yeah, I understand your concern." "Hey." "Gotta go." "I'm planning a little party for Shannon." "It's her birthday, for God's sake, Nicholas." "Hi, honey." "How are you?" "James." "Hey." "I spoke with the board about you possibly moving up." "Well, how'd they feel about it?" "Same as me--that you would be a phenomenal assistant director." "Great." "So what happens next?" "Wait and see what Lulu does." "And if she doesn't go?" "Well-- I haven't had a raise in 3 years." "Right." "We'll get into that" "And my office is too small." "Right." "We will move you." "Good." "Uh, James, uh, let's just keep this between us for now, OH?" "Mmm." "HAGUE:" "Mr. Allen, you claim that your anger is the result of a violent attack you suffered." "is that correct?" "TALIEH:" "Yeah." "When did this occur?" "November." "Six months... and you still don't have a handle on your rage?" "Objection." "Withdrawn." "Where did the attack occur?" "At my house." "And where-- where is that, exactly?" "Hamilton Avenue in Homewood." "Uh, describe for me, uh, the attack if you will." "I was hanging out, watching TV... and out of nowhere I felt something hit me on the side of the head, hard." "Next thing you know, I'm on the ground, getting beat... by these guys wearing hoods and masks." "It was dark, but I can tell what they were using." "[Choking up] Bats and pipes." "HAGUE:" "Thinking about it makes you angry, doesn't it?" "Yeah!" "You're mad." "You got beat up." "Yeah!" "You wish you could take it out on someone." "Yeah." "Objection." "And what happens if no one's around but your son?" "l'd never touch my boy!" "Objection!" "JUDGE DAMSEN:" "Sustained." "HAGUE:" "Well..." "let's hope not." "No further questions." "James...slow down." "I've got a hearing." "is that the guy?" "What are you talking about?" "Taliek." "Did you" "Come on, James." "November, Hamilton Avenue." "is that the guy?" "I'm not saying that it is." "But if that's the guy that killed Levi then that's the guy." "Judge Damsen didn't like the psychiatrist's report." "And?" "She'll reconsider some form of shared custody in 6 months if you commit to counseling." "If you don't, your ex-girlfriend will attempt to terminate your rights." "Can't we fight this or something?" "Well, you can--you can appeal." "l--l want to appeal." "You're not gonna win." "l want to appeal." "I would need to know everything that your ex-girlfriend can use against you to show that you're unfit." "All right." "OH." "Any criminal convictions?" "Uh, 2 counts of possession." "They're both misdemeanors." "No violent felonies?" "No, man." "I don't want to learn something for the first time when I'm in front of the superior court." "All right, look." "Sharnell called the cops to my house a few times for--for hitting her when I was drunk." "But there was no charges, and I don't drink no more." "Gang affiliation?" "What?" "What gang are you in?" "I ain't in no gang, man." "Just be straight with me, Taliek." "Hey, look, look, if you don't believe me, then don't do the appeal, all right?" "But I ain't no gangbanger, and I don't have a record except for the possession." "Now, check it for yourself, man!" "James." "Man, that judge, she gonna take my son from me." "I've got a meeting." "You're still working with him?" "Well, what am I gonna do, James, tell him to go to another clinic because a lawyer here smashed him in the face with a tire iron?" "All you know is that you saw me on Hamilton Avenue on that night in November." "That's all you know." "I saw you go in there with 3 other guys, and I saw what your hands looked like the next day." "You didn't see anything." "Oh, come on, James." "Let's not do this." "I saw you go in there." "Now, if I don't go to the police" "You could end up losing your license, nothing more." "You know, I can" "Nick... all you did was stick your nose where it didn't belong." "Forget it ever happened." "Move on." "[Scoffs]" "Forget it ever happened?" "That kid killed my nephew, shoved rocks down his throat." "You ask me, he got off easy." "He says he's never been in a gang." "What do you expect him to say?" "And he's never been convicted of a felony, either." "That doesn't mean he hasn't committed any." "[Door closes] [inaudible]" "[Door opens]" "All right." "Uh, thanks for coming together on such short notice." "It'll be brief." "I'm very pleased to announce that, effective today, Clay Simms will be joining our firm and bringing 3 of his associates with him, so I'd like you to make him feel very welcome." "Congratulations." "Thank you all very much." "I'm excited for the opportunity." "Fallin and Fallin's reputation precedes itself, so I just can't wait to get started." " Great." "BURTON:" "Welcome, Clay." "Uh, introduce yourself to everyone" "Hey, so I have a case." "This guy, uh, Leo Widenski, ran a chop shop." "Got busted a couple months ago and is out on bail, and he has money." "Let's stick to high-profile felonies, white collar crimes, leave the mom and pop stuff to the ham-and-eggers." "[Laughter]" "You know, I know you didn't want Clay." "We voted." "It's fair." "That's right." "There anything else you need?" "Yeah." "This whole mock trial thing, don't you think we're risking... embarrassing each other in front of the partners?" "I'm not gonna get embarrassed." "I'm not a ham-and-egger." "Of course not." "l'm not." "OH." "So, listen, Clay, I've, uh, spent a lot of time making a name for myself with this firm, and the only reason why you're here is because I put in the word and made the call, so I just..." "Jake, I'm here because I'm one of the best criminal defense lawyers in the city, because I chose to come here." "OH?" "Now, I was hoping that you and I would work together" "And we are." "That is the reason why I spoke up for you." "You spoke up for me because you can't do public deals anymore." "What else is left for you other than litigation?" "I'm fine doing corporate work." "Trading inside information to your mother." "Tsk." "What were you thinking?" "Ha ha!" "Come on." "I'm just busting your chops." "Jeez, that's the way I am." "You've known that about me since we were 13." "Just leave the past in the past." "OH?" "OH." "Boy, you are so sensitive." "I'll tell you what, man." "Since you can't take it, I'll try to keep a lid on it." "OH?" "I think these are great ideas, James." "I really do." "Alvin, can I talk to you?" "Uh, we can finish this later." "Thanks." "What's up, Lulu?" "Uh, Judy Lieberman over at the Berkeley Legal Center..." "Yeah." "Yeah, I, um, I logged on to the Martindale-Hubbell site, you know, to get some background information on Ms. Lieberman before the interview, and, uh, it turns out she went to Penn Law School." "Graduated the same year as you." "Huh." "Really?" "Yeah." "You said you didn't know her." "Huge graduating class." "But there was only 12 on law review, and you guys were 2 of them." "You trying to get rid of me, Alvin?" "Lulu" "You had her call me." "Lulu, of course not." "I just thought if you knew I had sway with Judith-- l just thought if you got the job, you wouldn't think you got it yourself." "So then you don't want me to go?" "Lulu, you know what I say?" "What?" "Follow your bliss." "Huh." "What are you doing here?" "That kid we beat up... he's back in my life." ""We" didn't beat up anybody." "You went in there with a couple of guys I know." "All I'm saying is he's back in my life." "He know it was you?" "No." "Then what's the problem?" "Hid says he wasn't in a gang." "Does he?" "I checked his record." "There's not much there." "So?" "So I'm just asking." "What?" "Was he the guy who killed Levi?" "He was." "You sure?" "He was." "You came to me and asked me for a favor." "I did it, found out what you wanted to know." "Remember, man?" "I told you I didn't want no part of it." "Remember?" "You wanna come inside and hang out or something?" "No." "All right, then." "Uh, Sharnell, right?" "What are you doing here?" "Just, uh, visiting a friend." "is Taliek with you?" "No, uh... and Dante." "Yeah." "Heh." "Hey, little man." "How ya doing?" "I gotta go." "[Hnocking on door]" "[Dante crying]" "[Hnocking on door]" "[Basketball game playing on TV]" "[Hnock on door]" "TALIEH:" "Who's there?" "It's James Mooney with the legal clinic." "[Chain unlatching]" "I don't like people coming over here at night, man." "I'm just, uh..." "I'm here to help with your case." "All right." "I'm not taking any chances." "Oh?" "Yeah, when it happened, the door wasn't locked." "Come on." "[Sighs]" "I came here to talk to you a-a-about your appeal." "I was thinking, um, you should be more aggressive, claim Sharnell was an unfit parent." "I can do that?" "Yeah, you can, um, if you think she's keeping the child around people she shouldn't." "Does she live with another guy now?" "Yeah." "boyfriend?" "No, no, her brother." "Hmm." "Who's that?" "[Scoffs]" "His name is Winston Veers." "Not a good man." "You know." "Gangbanger, drug dealer." "I could challenge her 'cause of Winston?" "It's a start, uh..." "Uh, tell me something." "Was there a lot of trouble between you and this guy, uh, what's his name again?" "Winston?" "Yeah, yeah, yeah." "We had a lot of problems." "See, whenever we fought," "Sharnell would go to Winston, and Winston would come over here threatening me in my own home." "So I was like, "Nah, nah."" "So one day, I had enough." "Whupped his butt bad, you know?" "You think he did that to you?" "I don't know, man." "I can't prove that... but you know, I can wait." "I can wait... and one day, I'm gonna take care of him." "I'm gonna take care of him one day." "I'll bring my guys in next week." "We should be up and running in no time." "Maybe Jake could help with a trial I have coming up at the end of the month." "I'd like that." "Great." "Good." "So you ready to pick out your new office?" "Just give me Straka's." "He won't mind." "[Chuckles] Just kidding, Jake." "This guy, a sensitive jackal." "Oh, I'm sure we could do a little better than Jake's office." "[Laughter]" "Yeah, look, I've got a meeting." "I'm sure you guys can finish this up without me." "I have never seen someone hold a grudge like Straka." "Oh?" "I'd love to tell you about it, but he'd just get upset." "NICH:" "Oh?" "Homecoming 1984." "Old strap-on's been stalking my sister for, like, 2 years, and, I mean, she's only 14." "Strap-on?" "Just something we used to call him." "Old strap-on?" "Yeah." "So I warn him, say, "Heep away from my sister."" "He keeps writing her these letters." "Says they're poems." "I don't know what the hell they were." "So it's halftime." "Straka's sitting on the bench." "He's running his numbers." "I get this cheerleader to tell this monster lineman-- the guy was 6' 6"-- that she saw Straka kissing his girlfriend under the bleachers." "Next thing you know, he is chasing Straka all around the field." "He catches him." "He pummels him, he pummels him!" "[Clay laughs]" "Straka pisses his pants." "[Laughter]" "[Clears throat]" "But I do have some outstanding cases left with Beldon to work out." "Just, uh, forgot some folders." "What the hell's a strap-on?" "[Laughs]" "[Laughter]" "Jake, listen, I'll talk to him." "I'll tell him to shut his mouth." "I'm sick of this, all of this--firm." "You." "[Door slams shut]" "We were patrolling the river when we got the call." "Several people had seen a man leap from the bridge." "They all said he jumped." "Objection." "That's hearsay." "Sustained." "What did you do when you got to the scene?" "Objection." "That calls for a narrative." "JUDGE:" "Sustained." "Go ahead." "When you responded to the call, did you see the jumper?" "BURTON:" "Objection." "Lacks foundation." "You know, this is a mock trial." "We're not arguing in front of the Supreme Court." "Lucky for you." "When you arrived at the bridge, did you see Mr. Hoppelman in the water?" "Yes." "Do you feel you followed proper protocol in an effort to save him?" "Objection." "What the officer feels is irrelevant." "Did she actually follow proper protocol?" "That's what the issue is here." "Would you guys like to take a break?" "No, it's not necessary." "Nick's ready to continue." "[Clears throat]" "How strong was the current that evening?" "Objection." "That's leading." "Fine." "Was the current strong that evening?" "Objection." "That's still leading." "Why don't you just ask her to describe the current?" "Why don't you?" "You're the big winner, Dad." "You win the mock trial." "Congratulations." "Hal, it's always good to see you, but excuse me, OH?" "Let's take a break." "Nicholas." "Nicholas." "Nicholas!" "You can't walk out in the middle of a trial like that." "What I said about your work slipping-- as your partner, that is my responsibility." "Now, if what I said offended you, I am sorry, but I stand by it." "You apologized to Shannon yet?" "No." "Might think about that." "Hey!" "Hey!" "You mess with my wife?" "What?" "My wife." "I don't know you." "My wife was a secretary at David Beldon's office." "She said you used to grab her ass, say stuff to her, nasty stuff." "Who's your wife?" "You know who I'm talking about." "No, I don't." "I think this is" "Just don't lie to me." "l'm not" "Don't lie." "Just listen." "If I ever see you again anywhere near her, I will rip your frickin' head off." "l--l--l" "Apologize to me." "I don't" "Apologize." "I'm sorry." "Say it again." "I'm so sorry." "Thank you." "I feel better." "[Car alarm blaring]" "[Car alarm stops]" "[Car door closes]" "[Car alarm blaring] I've been under a lot of pressure lately, um... I have this kind of girlfriend, and, and, uh... it's complicated." "And work, l--l, uh... you know, some days, l--l--l'm right on the edge, and I say things that I shouldn't say." "[Sighs]" "Um..." "[Drawer opens]" "[Paper rustling]" "What I'm trying to say is--is that I'm sorry..." "Shannon... for what I said, and... and l--l hope that... that we can get past this." "[Door opens and closes]" "Hey, dude." "Morning." "How's the, uh, new office working out?" "OH." "Yeah?" "And the, uh, parking spot?" "OH." "Yeah?" "Glad you like it." "Oh, Leo, hey." "Have you met Clay Simms?" "Oh, wait." "Of course you have." "ALVIN:" "Hey, Nick." "Where are you going?" "To Berkeley for the interview." "Right now?" "Yeah, my flight's in an hour." "Well, I'll drive you to the airport." "No, I have a cab waiting." "I wanna take you to the airport." "No, no, thanks." "What do you want me to say, Lulu?" "What do you mean?" "Well, I mean, if you get the job and you want it, take it, if it makes sense, but if--if you don't, then don't." "Just don't make this everyone else's problem." "Lulu, Lulu." "JAMES:" "Nick." "I need to talk to you." "Just give me a second." "I really need to talk to you now." "All right, what is it?" "[Door closes] Taliek's the wrong guy." "You hear me?" "I did that to the wrong guy." "I did that, and he didn't deserve it, and now he might lose his son because of me." "Well, if you're trying to ask me if I'm gonna tell anyone about it, l--l won't." "No, what I'm saying... I have to get right, with myself, with Taliek, with God." "You can't tell the kid." "I just want you to know I'm not gonna tell anyone that you" "James." "You just have to forget it ever happened and--and move on." "I don't think I can." "Just forget it ever happened." "ALVIN:" "Uh, Nick, this is Mrs. Lavern." "I've told you about the trouble she's having with the township." "Say hello to your lawyer, Theo Bear." "_ust hold it." "Nick!" "My husband's looking for parking." "You'd think there'd be parking at a place like this." "Hearing starts in 20 minutes." "You bringing that thing with you?" "Theo's all dressed up for court today." "There's a little specialty shop at Squirrel Hill that sells ou_its, or you can just buy kids' clothes." "[Chuckles]" "Oh, it's the wrong one, Gerald." "That's Suzy." "She isn't even dressed." "It's almost time for the bears' Memorial Day poses." "TALIEH:" "Who's there?" "Taliek, it's James." "James, what's up?" "I have to tell you something." "What?" "Can I come in?" "[Chain latches, door locks] ### Ripped by FabHawk ###"