"This "pestilent dust" has appeared only three times." "It was found to be limestone ..." "Messy, but innocuous." " Innocuous?" " Harmless." "I know what it means." "May I?" "Your Honour ..." "Imagine how the neighbourhood children feel." "The pounding of construction ringing in their ears." "This skyscraper, a tribute to mankind's greed, grows daily." "It casts a shadow over their lives and surrounds them with toxic dust." "Kendall Construction is rebuilding this neighbourhood." "Granting a restraining order here will throw 753 people out of work." "You cannot validate this groundless example of rapacious litigation." " It is a threat to our society." " Let's not go off the deep end." "You have made a compelling case, Mr. Miller." " But there is no irreparable harm." " Not yet." " Is that you?" " Yeah, it's me." " A client of yours?" " Funny!" "Excuse me, sir ..." "I went to a restaurant the other day and ordered coffee." "The waiter asked, "Would you like sugar or Sweet  Low?"" "I said, "Do I look like I should be on a diet?"" " Andy." " Hi, Doc." "Your blood work came back." "When I return, we'll discuss it." "I'll be right here." " Hi, how are you feeling?" " Pretty good." "Make a fist for me." "We're gonna have to start looking for veins in your feet." " Terrific job on the Kendall case." " Thanks, Kenneth." "Anthea, just the paralegal extraordinaire I was hoping to see." " The answer is no." " Dinner at Felicia's ..." " I've got a class." " My briefs need proofing." "Exploit somebody else." "Since you've asked ..." " Your exam!" " 98." "98!" "Congratulations!" " Let's talk about the Hansen case." " Yeah." "Thank Amy for the painting." "Here are the numbers." "The copy's on your desk." "Do you need me?" "No." "It's 6:30." "Go home." "Hello?" "Hi, darling." "What a surprise." "How are you?" " Good." "what does Dr. Gillman say?" "She says I am fine." "My blood work is excellent." " How about my platelets?" " Even myplatelets look good." "Mom, more importantly, how are you?" " I'm fine." "Your dad is fine." "what are you doing?" " Andy, am I interrupting you?" " In a word, Bob." "Charles wants to see you upstairs." "I was just about to take a break." "You're sure I'm not underdressed?" "Andy has expressed a keen interest in Highline versus Sander Systems." " The participants interest me." " It's an anti-trust action." "Is it?" "Sander Systems copies Highline's spreadsheet program." "For me, the legal principle involved is copyright infringement." "Tell me this, Andy.which side would you like to see emerge victorious?" "Don't be influenced by my friendship with Sander's CEO Billwright." " I'd like to see Highline win." "why, Beckett?" "If Sander Systems wins, an energetic young company is destroyed." "Copyright laws were enacted to stop exactly what Sander are doing." " You know who reps Highline." " Rodney Bailey." "He couldn't find his way around copyright law with a map." "Apparently the fellas at Highline agree with you." "Therefore, as of 9:03 this evening, right after the dessert course,   they're now represented by Wyant, Wheeler, Hellerman, Tetlow  Brown." "Outstanding!" "And more specifically, senior associate Andrew Beckett." " Thank you, Robert." " Start on Highline right away." " I'm right on it." "we have to file within ten days." " Tokyo on line four, Bob." "walter, thank you." " Thank you, Kenneth." " Congratulations." "what's that on your forehead?" "where?" "That, right there on your forehead." "I got whacked with a racquet ball ..." "Excuse me." "Charles ..." "I sincerely appreciate your faith in my abilities." "Faith is a belief in something for which we have no evidence." "It does not apply in this situation." "Go home." "No ... go back to work!" " Thank you, Charles." " No sweat, buddy." "Tommy, how are you?" "The complaintis on my desk, Shelby." "Tell Jamey to get on top ofit" "Anything else?" "No, I'll be working out of the house for the rest of the afternoon." "Bye." "You want to apply the foundation as evenly as you can." "It shouldn't look like you threw it on with a spoon." "You don't think this is a little too orange for me?" "It's Tahitian Bronze." "That works best on these lesions." " Say you've been to Aruba." " I've called in sick for four days." "Now they'll think I was on a cruise." " Fax." " Thank you, Bruno." "We could try this Light Egypt ..." "what?" " Andy?" "Excuse me." "Just like my cousin Fredo." "Hi ..." "Does anybody want a bagel?" "Are you okay, Andy?" "I need to go to the hospital." " It's all right." " I'm getting out of here." " One more." " Thank you for driving me here." "I told Dr. Gillman to take a day off and she took a day off!" " Did they take a specimen?" " Blood ..." "I'm empty." "You have a fever, baby." " This is my guy." "Excuse me ..." " Just one second." "I ran to the bathroom." "I almost lost it in front of everybody." " It's nothing to be ashamed of." " It's just ..." " Any news on my blood work?" " No.we'll do a colonoscopy." " It sounds delightful." "wait.why do that?" "who are you?" "who are you, Doctor ..." "This is my partner." " He records all my hospital visits." " I'm Dr. Klenstein." "A colonoscopy will show us if it's the K.S. causing the diarrhoea." " It could be an infection ..." " A reaction to AZT." "That's possible ..." "He's not having this until we cancel out everything else." "I'm trying to help your partner." "You're not a member of his family." " I could have you removed." " He's upset." "He's sorry." " No, don't apologize for me." " Okay, he's not sorry." "Let's see what the blood work tells us." "I'll give a specimen." "Maybe we'll hear from Dr. Gillman." "Everybody happy?" " I'll check on the blood work." " Sorry ..." " That's the third time." " Dr. Klenstein ..." "I have to call the office." "I want you to relax." " I am relaxed." " Good." "Is there a phone around?" "Ifyou have been injured, you may be entitled to a cash settlement..." "Good Lord!" " Mr. Beckett's office." " Shelby, it's me." " Mr. Beckett's office." " Shelby, it's me." " Jamey beeped me." " I'm glad you called." "It's about the Highline complaint." "Jamey is going ballistic!" " Calm down." "Put him on." " One second." "where's the Highline complaint?" "wait!" "Slow down." "It was supposed to be here this morning." "I left it in my office last night." "I put the corrected copy on my desk." " I'm telling you, it's not here." " All right, try my hard disk." "You'll have to printit outyourself." "what did you file it under?" " HL1." "You know that there's a statute oflimitations on this." "It runs out   in 75 minutes." " It's not here." "Andy." " It's not there?" "I'm on myway!" "Every problem has a solution." "Push, baby." "It's a girl!" " Take a picture, Joe." " I can't get the film in there." "Help me, baby." "Look at her." "A sweet little ..." "She's perfect." "Go down to the deli." "Get a pound of Scotch salmon." "Rolls, bagels ..." "Give me a call." " And some champagne." " You're that TV guy." "Dom Perignon." "$100?" "No, get a nice Californian." "Get it over here, she's starving." "No, not the baby ..." "Lisa!" " Iris ... anybody call?" " Yes, an Andrew Beckett" "who's Andrew Beckett?" " Hey, Joseph!" "Explain it like I'm a six-year-old." "The entire street is clear except for a large hole under construction." "It's marked and blocked off." "You decide to cross the street and fall down the hole." " Now you want to sue the city." " Yes." "Do I have a case?" " Yeah, of course you do." " Great." "Go with my assistant lris." "Sort out the fee arrangement." "We take no cash unless we get justice." " How's your back?" "Any pain?" " Now that you mention it ..." " Iris, take good care of him." " I will." "Mr. Beckett's here." "Mr. Beckett." "Come in." "Good to see you again, counsellor." "Judge Tate." "Kendall Construction." ""lnnocuous!"" "what happened to your face?" " I have AIDS." "I'm sorry." " Can I sit down?" " Yeah." "Look at this ..." "you have a new baby." "Yeah, a little baby girl." " "lt's a girl." Congratulations." " Yeah, one week old." " Kids are great." " Yeah, I'm real excited about it." "what can I do for you?" " I've been fired by Wyant Wheeler." "I want to sue them for wrongful termination." "You want to sue Wyant, Wheeler, Hellerman, Tetlow  Brown?" " Yes." "I'm seeking representation." " Continue." "I misplaced an important complaint." "That's their story." "Do you want to hear mine?" " Have you been to other lawyers?" " Yes, nine." "Continue." "The night before it was due, I left a copy of the complaint on my desk." "The next day the complaint vanished." "No hard copy." "All traces of it mysteriously gone from my computer." "Miraculously, a copywas found justin time to getit to court" "But the next day lwas summoned to a meetingwith the partners." "Hello, Andy." "Come on in." "Hit the windows." " Thanks." "Come on in." " Hello, everybody." "Thanks for coming in." "Before we begin, I'd like to say that everyone here is your friend." " I know that, Charles." " More than your friend." "Family." "Charles ..." "I must apologize again for the Highline mishap yesterday." "That was some scary moment around here." "Thank God that no damage was done." " This time.what about next time?" " There won't be a next time." "Something's come over you lately." "I don't know ..." " A kind of stupor or fogginess." " You have an attitude problem." "Really?" "who thinks that?" " I do." "Excuse me ..." "Am I being fired?" "Let me put it this way:" "Your place at this firm is no longer secure." "It isn't fair to keep you here when your prospects are limited." " I don't want to rush you ..." "we've got a committee meeting." "This is preposterous." "It doesn't make any sense." " You do have an attitude problem." " Take it easy." "Why did you ever give me Highline?" "You nearly blew the entire case." "It could have been a catastrophe." "You concealed your illness." "That's correct." "Explain it like I'm a two-year-old." "I can't seem to grasp this." "Weren't you obliged to tell your employer you had AIDS?" "That's not the point." "I always served my clients with absolute excellence." "If they hadn't fired me, I'd still do that." "They couldn't fire you for being sick,   so they tried to make you look imcompetent." "Correct." "I was sabotaged." "I don't buy it, counsellor." " That's very disappointing." " I don't see a case." "I have a case." " If you don't want it ..." " That's correct." "I don't." "Thank you for your time." "Mr. Beckett ..." "I'm sorry about what happened." "It's a bitch." " Have a nice day, Mr. Beckett." "what's the matter with that guy?" "Iris, get me Armbruster." "I want to see Armbruster sometime this afternoon." "Right away, lris." "HIV-virus can only be transmitted by the exchange of bodily fluids." "Blood, semen, and vaginal secretions." "But they're finding out new things about this disease every day." "Today you tell me there's no danger." "But six months from now you may know different." "Maybe you can carry it on your shirt or your clothes." "What are you doing?" "we're gonna draw blood." "why?" "Joe, I've known you a long time." "Your private life is your business." "I don't need an AIDS test." "Just send the bill to my office." "Thanks for the information." " You have a problem with gays." " Not especially." " Do you know any gays?" " Do you?" " Yes." "who?" "Karen Berman." "My Aunt Teresa." "Cousin Tommy in Rochester." "Eddie Meyers from the office." " Stanley, who fixed the kitchen." " Aunt Teresa is gay?" "That beautiful, voluptuous woman is a lesbian?" " Since when?" " Probably since she was born." "I admit it, okay." "I'm prejudiced." "I don't like homosexuals." "The way they do that thing." "Don't they get confused?" ""ls this yours or mine?"" "I don't want to be in bed with anybody who is stronger than me." "You can call me old-fashioned and conservative, but I'm a man." "Any man will tell you how disgusting that whole idea is." " Little cave man of the house." " You damn skippy." " Stay away from your Aunt Teresa." " Don't say that to her." "Guys trying to be macho and faggot at the same time." " I'm being totally honest with you." " Yeah, you are." "Would you accept a client if you were constantly thinking:" ""l don't want this person to touch me or even breathe on me?"" " Not if I was you, honey." " Exactly ...what?" "Merry Christmas." " Thank you." " Happy New Year." " You're the ..." " TV guy." "This is the supplement." "You're right." "There is a section on HIV-related discrimination." "Thank you very much." "We do have a private research room." " I'm fine right here." " I'm looking for the Murdoch case." "Just a moment." "Wouldn't you be more comfortable in a research room?" "No ..." "would it make you more comfortable?" "Beckett, how are you doing?" "Counsellor." "Whatever, sir." "Excuse me." "Who did you get?" "Did you find a lawyer?" "I'm a lawyer." " How's your baby?" " She's ... wonderful." "what's her name?" " Larice." " That's a beautiful name." "we named her after my sister." "Look ..." "How did they find out you had AIDS?" "One of the partners noticed a lesion on my forehead." "But how ..?" "How do you go from that, which could have been anything,   to deducing that you had AIDS and terminating you on that basis?" "That's a good point." "The partner who spotted the lesion, Walter Kenton,   worked forwalsh, Ulmer  Brahm in D.C." "A paralegal there, Melissa Benedict, showed lesions on and off." "It was common knowledge that she had AIDS." " But they didn't fire her." " No, they did not fire her." "Have you got a relevant precedent?" "The Arline decision ..." "Supreme Court." ""The Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973,   prohibits discrimination against handicapped persons   if they can perform the duties required of them."" ""Though the ruling did not specify AIDS discrimination ..."" ""... subsequent decisions have held that AIDS is a handicap   because of the physical limitations it imposes   and the prejudice surrounding it, which exacts a social death   that proceeds the actual physical one."" ""This is the essence of discrimination."" ""Formulating opinions about others not based on their merits,   but on their membership in a group with the same characteristics."" " Charleswheeler." " Julius Erving." "Glad to see you." "Ken Starr." "It'll only take a minute." "Charleswheeler." "How are you doing?" "A summons for you." "Take a look at it." "Dr. J., you're the best." "If you ever need a lawyer, just give me a call." "See you in court." "You're the TV guy." "What's up?" "I want to know everything about Andy's personal life." "Does he frequent those pathetic bars?" "What other homosexual facilities does he go to?" "What deviant groups does he secretly belong to?" "what is it, Bob?" " Let's make a settlement offer." "Andy brought AIDS into our offices, into our men's room." "He brought AIDS to our annual family picnic!" "we ought to be suing him." " Show some compassion." "We gave him Highline." "Did Beckett say, "l won't be able to function to the best of my ability?"" "Now, discarding the trust I conferred upon him, " " Andrew Beckett proposes to haul me into court." "To sling accusations at me." "To call me a bigot   in full view of the Philadelphia judicial establishment." "Beckett doesn't want to go to court." " Ajury might side with him." "wait a minute ..." "He was fired for incompetence, not because he has AIDS." " Did you know he was sick?" " Did you, Bob?" "No ... not really." "Everybody, this is the house that I grew up in." "Right here in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania." "Here's proof." "There." "My hand prints from when I was a cute little boy." "Today is the 40th wedding anniversary of my mom and dad." " A tough life in all that poverty." " Those can be some mean streets." "Here's the front door." "I once broke this finger in this door." "where's my brother?" " There's my sister Jill." " Say hello, Alexis." " Mommy's pregnant again." "Are you really?" " Hello, Meghan." " Uncle Andy." "where's Dad?" " Fixing the snowblower." "It snows once in seven years, and Dad buys a new snowblower." " How are you?" " Today's a good day." "Meghan, you're doing a great job." "I've got to say hello to my sisters." "Put me down!" "Parts of the trial will be hard for you to hear,   about my personal life." "And there's going to be publicity." " Do you want me to take her?" " No, she's fine." "I think it's great you're asking ..." "but this is really your call." "Thanks, brother." "You're my kid brother." "That's all that matters, okay?" "To be honest, I'm worried about Mommy and Daddy." "They've been through so much, and there are some tough times ahead." "Andy, the way that you've handled this whole thing   you and Miguel ..." "with so much courage ..." "There's nothing that anybody could say   that could make us feel anything but incredibly proud of you." "I didn't raise my kids to sit in the back of the bus." "You get in there and you fight for your rights." "I love you guys." "Ladies and gentlemen ..." "Forget everything you've seen on TV and in the movies." "There will be no surprise witnesses or tearful confessions." "You're going to be presented with a simple fact." "Andrew Beckett was fired." "You'll hear two explanations for why he was fired." "It is up to you to sift through the facts   until you determine what you think to be the truth." "Certain points must be proven." "One:" "Andrew Beckett was   is a brilliant lawyer." "Two:" "Andrew Beckett, has a debilitating disease." "He made the legal choice to keep this fact from his employers." "Three:" "His employer discovered this." "The illness here is AIDS." "Four:" "They panicked." "They did what most of us would like to do with AIDS." "Get it and everybody who has it as far away from us as possible." "Such behaviour may seem reasonable to you." "It does to me." "AIDS is an incurable disease." "But no matter what moral judgement you make upon his employers,   the fact that Beckett was fired because he had AIDS   means they broke the law." "Fact:" "Andrew Beckett's performance on the job varied from competent   to, often times, mediocre   to sometimes flagrantly incompetent." "Fact:" "He claims he's the victim of lies and deceit." "Fact:" "It was Andrew Beckett who lied about his disease to his employers." "Fact:" "He was successful in his duplicity." "The partners at Wyant Wheeler did not know   that Andrew Beckett had AIDS when they fired him." "Fact:" "Andrew Beckett is dying." "Fact:" "Andrew Beckett is angry." "His lifestyle and reckless behaviour have cut short his life." "In his anger and rage he is lashing out." "He wants someone to pay." "Thank you." "Andrew Beckett represented your firm in 1990, is that correct?" " That's correct." "were you pleased with his work?" "We were satisfied with the outcome of the litigation." "Satisfied." "Mr. Laird, you gave me sworn testimony in your deposition." " Is that correct?" " Correct." "You said you were impressed and delighted with Beckett's work." "Do you recall saying that?" "In all honesty I was delighted with aspects of Andy's efforts." "But in general, I found the work to be merely satisfactory." "Do you agree   that a baloney sandwich is a satisfactory meal?" "Whereas, caviar and champagne, roast duck and baked Alaska   might be considered delightful?" "We object." "These gastronomical comments are irrelevant." "Five months ago you characterised Andrew Beckett as caviar." "Now he's a baloney sandwich." "What powerful force caused this change of mind?" "He hasn't changed his mind." "He's amplified his answer." "Objection sustained." "Mr. Laird, explain this to me like I'm a four-year-old." "Did Andrew Beckett win your lawsuit for you?" " Yes, we won." " Congratulations.what a   satisfactory experience." "Ready, Mr. Beckett." "Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve!" "Do you see this as a gay-rights issue?" "I am not political." "I just want what is fair." "You are gay?" "That's none ofyourbusiness, butyes, I am." "Do homosexuals deserve special treatment?" "." "Hell no!" "Philadelphia is the city ofbrotherly love." "The Declaration oflndependence was signed here." "That documentsays:" ""All men are created equal. "" "Give me a break." "we scorn discriminatorypractices." " Thank you, Mayor." "You're not getting a little light in the sneakers, are you, pal?" "Yeah, I am, Filko." "I'm changing." "I'm on the prowl." "And I'm looking for a hunk." "A real man ..." "like you." "You know what we do." "You want to play sailor?" " Columbus and the first mate." " That's not funny!" "These people make me sick ..." "but the law's been broken." "You remember the law, don't you?" " At least we agree on one thing." "what's that?" "Tutti-fruttis make me sick, too." "Ms. Benedict, you worked forwalsh, Ulmer  Brahm." " At the same time as Walter Kenton?" " That's correct." "He knew the lesions on your face and arms were caused by AIDS?" "Definitely, I told all the partners." "How did Walter Kenton treat you after that?" "Every time we met, he'd get this look on his face." "The "Oh God!" expression." "As in, "Oh God, that woman has AIDS."" "Thank you." "No more questions." "Ms. Benedict, how did you contract AIDS?" "Through a transfusion just after childbirth." "So it was not your behaviour which caused you to be infected." "You were unable to avoid it." "I guess." "Thank you." "But I don't consider myself different to anyone else with AIDS." "I'm not guilty." "I'm not innocent." "I'm just trying to survive." "Thank you, Ms. Benedict." "No further questions at this time." "You may step down, Ms. Benedict." "Apart from the marks on his face, were there other things   that made you suspect he had AIDS?" "He was thin and he seemed tired, but he was working so hard." "Something was wrong." "They're trying to pretend that they didn't notice anything." " Objection." " Just answer the question." "Have you ever felt discriminated against at Wyant Wheeler?" " Yes." " In what way?" "Mr.wheeler's secretary Lydia   said that Mr.wheeler had a problem with my earrings." "Apparently Mr.wheeler felt that they were too "ethnic"." "She told me he'd like something a little less garish ..." " Something more "American"." "what did you say?" "I said, "My earrings are American." "They're African-American."" " Let's have order, please." " No more questions." "Ms. Burton, weren't you recently promoted?" "Yes, I'm in charge of the paralegal department." "Congratulations on your unfettered success at Wyant Wheeler." "Unfettered?" "I don't understand this." "The promotion of an obviously intelligent, articulate   qualified African-American woman   in a firm which practices wanton discrimination." " That is what's claimed here." " I can't explain it." "Could it be that these instances of discrimination   are in fact misunderstandings that have been blown out of proportion?" "I think counsel tends to oversimplify the issue." "Thank you, Ms. Burton, I'll take that into consideration." "How's the trial going?" "I saw you on TV." "I'm a law student at Penn." "You saw me on TV?" "It's a good school, Penn." "I'm in my second year." "I just wanted to tell you   this case is extremely important." "You're doing a fantastic job." "When you graduate, call me." "Thank you very much." "Listen, Joe ..." "would you like to get a beer?" " No, my wife is ..." "I don't pick up people in drug stores every day." " Do you think I'm gay?" " Aren't you?" " Do I look gay to you?" " Do I look gay to you?" " Relax." " I ought to kick your faggoty ass." "Take it as a compliment." "That is exactly the kind of bullshit that makes people hate your   faggoty asses." " You try and kick my ass, asshole." " No, you're the asshole, buddy!" "Continue, Ms. O'Hara." "We were going crazy looking for this complaint." "Mr. Beckett was screaming." "He looked so freaky." "Mr. Kenton kept saying, "You lost the Highline complaint!"" "All of a sudden, Jamey comes in with the complaint." " He says "lt was in Central Files!"" " Central Files?" "That's where files are sent when cases are closed." "Jamey got to the court just in time." "Everybody was completely wasted." "Mr. Beckett just kept saying, "l'm sorry." "I don't understand."" "Thank you." "No further questions." "Mr. Miller." " May I?" " Certainly." "Thank you." "Are you okay?" " Do you want a glass of water?" " No." "was Andy a good boss?" " Yes." "He was very sweet." "How would you characterize his work as an attorney?" "How would I know?" "I just worked for him." "Excuse me, Your Honour, is this for the record?" "Mr. Miller, perhaps you should return to counsel's table." "Ms. O'Hara ..." "Were you aware of any problems   that the senior partners had with Andrew's work prior to this?" " No, I wasn't." " Thank you." "No more questions." "was Mr. Beckett forgetful?" " Not to my knowledge." "No." "How would you go about making a lawyer look incompetent?" "Hiding an important document for a few hours?" "Making it look like the responsible lawyer misplaced it?" "Would the partners do that if they found out Andy was sick?" "Perhaps." "We've had lawyers who've had heart attacks, ulcers, cancer ..." "Did you have something to do with this file being lost accidentally ?" " Objection." " Did you misplace this file?" " Absolutely not." " Are you a homosexual?" "Answer the question." "Are you a homo?" "A faggot?" "You know, a queen?" "A fairy?" "Rump-roaster?" "Are you gay?" "Objection!" "Counsel's attacking his own witness." "Mr. Collin's sexual orientation has nothing to do with this case." "Please have a seat, Ms. Conine." "Approach the bench, Mr. Miller." "Kindly share with me exactly what's going on in your head." "Because I haven't a clue." "Your Honour ..." "Everybody in this room is thinking about sexual orientation." "Sexual preference, whatever." "Who does what to whom, and how they do it." "They're thinking about Andrew Beckett." "Mr.wheeler, Ms. Conine, even you, Your Honour." "They're wondering." "I know they're thinking about me." "Let's get it out in the open   out of the closet." "This case isn't just about AIDS." "Let's talk about what this case is really all about." "The general public's loathing, hatred and fear of homosexuals." "And how that hatred translated into the firing of this homosexual." "My client." "Andrew Beckett." "Please have a seat, Mr. Miller." "Very good." "In this court, justice is blind to matters of race, creed, colour,   and sexual orientation." "With all due respect, Your Honour ..." "We don't live in this courtroom, do we?" "No, but with regard to this witness, I'll sustain the objection." "How many weeks at a time would you be out to sea?" "Anywhere from two weeks to several months." " Any women on board?" " Not when I was in the Navy." "During these long voyages, no women in sight ..." "Hundreds of hard working, robust young men in their prime ..." "At the peak of their natural appetites and desires ..." " Anything going on?" " Like what?" "Like two sailors down below making flippy-flop." "Objection." "There was one." " Objection." " Continue, Mr. Miller." "You mean a homosexual?" "He strutted around naked trying to be noticed." "It was sick." "It was destroying our morale." "We let him know what we thought." " Did you write him a letter?" "we stuck his head in a latrine." "You taught him a lesson." "Just like firing Beckett taught him a lesson." " You knew Ms. Benedict had AIDS?" " She didn't try to conceal it." "So you know the difference between a bruise and a lesion?" "Beckett told me he'd been hit by a ball." "How did hearing of Ms. Benedict's illness affect you?" "She said that you were repulsed by her and avoided her." "I feel nothing but the deepest sympathy for people like Melissa,   who contracted this disease through no fault of their own." "Andy, don't move now." "It's not going through." "We may have to flush it out again." "The vein's closed." "we'd better call Barbara." " Nurse Ratchett?" "Tell her to come over." "There's so much stuff I need to get done." "Can't we just skip treatment for tonight?" "No, we are not skipping this treatment." "It's my arm and my treatment, and I say skip it." "You know something?" " That stuff is saving your life." "what's the matter with you?" " Close the law book." " Let me ..." "The least you can do is look at me   and give me a little of your time." "Got it?" "You are worried we don't have very much time left, aren't you?" "No." "I'll tell you what ..." "We'll plan my memorial service and prepare for the inevitable." "Maybe you should think about it." "No." "No ..." "I've got a better idea." "Hi, Andrew." "Hi, Miguel." "Joe Miller ..." "Lisa, nice to meet you!" "This is Miguel's sister." "Maria." "would you like a drink?" " I'll take care of Joe." " You're looking ... alive tonight." " I had a blood transfusion." "Do you like it?" "I'm a lawsuit." " Not bad.what are you drinking?" "wine is good." "Could I have some of the red?" " I've got some questions for you." " I'm at a party right now." "We'll get to it later." "Hi, Joe Miller." " Do I know you?" " Mona Lisa." " Lawsuit." " Nice." "Have fun." "Thank you." " Congratulations, counsellor." "with what?" "You survived what I presume to be your first gay party, intact." "When you're brought up the way most people are,   there's not a lot of discussion about homosexuality." "As a kid you're taught that queers are funny." "Queers dress up like their mother." "That they're a danger to kids." "And that all they want to do is get into your pants." "That pretty much sums up the general thinking out there." " Thanks for sharing that with me." " Let's go over this testimony." "First, I'll ask you:" "Can you describe the circumstances in which you joined Wyant Wheeler?" "Miller?" "Do you ever pray?" "That's not the answer I want." "But, yes, I pray." "what do you pray for?" " I pray that ..." "I pray that my baby is healthy." "I prayed at her delivery." "I pray the Phillies win the pennant." "Now can we get to the questions?" "Can you describe the circumstances in which you joined Wyant Wheeler?" " Can you do that?" " I may miss the end of this trial." "Yes, I've considered that." "I've made some provisions in my will for some charities." " Miguel will need a lawyer." " I know a good probate." " Thank you." " You're welcome." "Can you describe the circumstances in which you joined Wyant Wheeler?" "Do you like opera?" "I'm not that familiar with opera." "This is my favourite aria." "This is Maria Callas." "This is "Andrea Chenier"." "Umberto Giordano." "This is Madeleine." "She's saying how   during the French Revolution a mob set fire to her house." "And her mother died ... saving her." ""Look, the place that cradled me is burning."" "Can you hear the heartache in her voice?" "Can you feel it, Joe?" "In come the strings and it changes everything." "The music fills with a hope." "And that'll change again." "Listen." "Listen." ""l bring sorrow to those who love me."" "Oh, that single cello." ""lt was during this sorrow that love came to me."" ""A voice filled with harmony."" ""lt said, live still."" ""l am life."" ""Heaven is in your eyes."" ""ls everything around you just the blood and mud?"" ""l am divine."" ""l am oblivion."" ""l am the god   that comes down from the heavens and makes of the earth a heaven."" ""l am love!"" ""l am love."" "I'd better get out of here." "Lisa ..." "I told her that ..." " I'll look over the Q  A." " No, you're ready." "Jesus ..." "God!" "I love you, little Larice." "Left hand on the Bible." "Do you swear to tell the truth?" " I do." " Please be seated." "Andrew ..." "Can you describe the circumstances in which you joined Wyant Wheeler?" "Wyant Wheeler aggressively recruited me." "The were a very prestigious firm." "I was impressed with the partners." " Including Charleswheeler?" " Particularly Charles." "what impressed you?" " The kind of lawyer he was." "what kind was that?" " One of great legal knowledge." "A genuine leader." "Gifted at bringing out the best in others." "An awesome ability to illuminate complex legal problems   to a colleague, a courtroom, to the man on the street." "The kind of man who can play three sets of tennis but doesn't sweat." "Underneath an elegant surface he has an adventurous spirit." "Did you ever tell Charleswheeler you were gay?" " No, I didn't." "why not?" "In a law firm you're not really supposed to have a personal life." "I did plan to tell Charles eventually." "But then something happened at the racquet club." "About three years ago." "Somebody started telling jokes." "What do you call a woman who has PMS and ESP at the same time?" " I don't know." " A bitch who knows everything." "Sounds like somebody I know." " How does a faggot fake an orgasm?" " He throws hot yogurt on your back." " How did that make you feel?" " Relieved   that I never told him I was gay." "Just very relieved." " Are you a good lawyer?" " I'm an excellent lawyer." "what makes you that?" " I love the law." "I know the law." "I excel at practicing it." "what do you love about the law?" " Many things." "What do I love most about the law?" "Every now and again, not often, but occasionally,   you get to be a part ofjustice being done." "It really is quite a thrill when that happens." "Thank you, Andrew." "You said earlier you aspired to be a person of adventurous spirit." " Is that correct?" " Something like that." " Do you take risks?" " In this job you have to." "Did your doctor ever tell you to reduce stress?" "That long hours at work might speed up your illness?" "My doctor mentioned the impact AIDS ..." "Excuse me ..." "My doctor mentioned the impact of stress on the immune system." "Have you ever been to the Stallion Showcase Cinema?" "I've been to   that ..." "I've been to that theatre three times in my life." "what type of movies do they show?" " Gay movies." " Gay pornographic movies?" " Yes." "Objection, Your Honour." "This kind of questioning is vital to the issue of credibility." "Let's see where this is going." "Continue, counsellor." " Do men have sex there?" " Some men." "Have you ever had sex with anyone in that theatre?" " I'm Robert." " Andy." "Yes, once." "Approximately what year did that event take place?" "I guess it was 1984   84 or 85." "Were you aware in 1984 of the fatal disease called AIDS?" "And that you could contract it through sexual activity?" "I'd heard of something ..." "The gay plague." "The gay cancer." "We didn't know how you could get it or that it killed you." "Do you need a break, Mr. Beckett?" "No ..." "I could use some water." "John, would you bring Mr. Beckett some water, please?" "While you were at Wyant Wheeler, you did hide the fact   that you were an active homosexual, is that correct?" "No." "That's not correct." "I never lied about it." "As a homosexual, one is often forced to conceal one's sexuality." " Isn't that right?" " In some circumstances, yes." "You have spent your life pretending to be something that you're not." " Concealment and dishonesty ..." " I object." "I'll withdraw it." "Were you living with Miguel Alvarez in 1984,   when you had your   anonymous sexual encounter in the porn theatre?" "Yes." " So you could have infected him?" " Miguel has not been infected." "You didn't answer my question." "Could you have infected him?" "Yes." "You say the lesions on your face were clearly visible." "That's right." "Is it your contention that when the partners saw these lesions,   they leapt to the conclusion you had AIDS and they fired you?" "As painful as it is   to accuse my colleagues of such reprehensible behaviour   it is the only conclusion I could come to." "Do you have any lesions on your face at this time?" "One, here ... by my ear." " May I approach the witness?" " Yes, you may." "Remembering that you're under oath, answering truthfully ..." "Can you see the lesions on your face in this mirror from three feet away?" "Answering truthfully." "At the time I was fired, the lesions were much bigger." "Answer my question, please." "No, I can't really see them." "No more questions." "We'll take a break now." "We'll reconvene in the morning." "I hate this case." " I'd like five minutes in redirect." " Mr. Beckett, can you go on?" "Three minutes." "May I borrow your mirror, please?" "Andrew ..." "Do you have any lesions on your body   that resemble the lesions you had on your face when you were fired?" "Yes, on my torso." "I would like to ask Andrew to remove his shirt   so we can all see what we're talking about." "Objection." "It would unfairly influence the jury." "If Andrew's illness forced him to use a wheelchair,   would he have to park it outside so as not to influence the jury?" "This is AIDS." "Let's see what we're talking about." "I'll allow it." "Please remove your shirt." " God, what a nightmare." " He asked for it." " Can you see these lesions?" " Yes." "Thank you." " Do you swear to tell the truth?" " I do." "Please be seated." "Mr.wheeler, were you aware that Andrew Beckett had AIDS   at the time of his departure from Wyant Wheeler?" " No." " For absolute clarity ..." "Did you fire Andrew Beckett because he had AIDS?" "No, I did not fire Andrew Beckett because he had AIDS." "Can you explain in a way that leaves no doubt   why you promoted Andrew Beckett in your firm?" "And then, most importantly, why you asked him to leave?" "If you're the owner of a ball club, you recruit the hot rookie." "Andy was tremendously promising." "Fresh out of Penn." "Crackerjack." "That's why we hired him, and why we stuck by him for so long." "Why did you give him all this opportunity?" "When you've groomed someone the way we groomed Andy,   nurturing him and lavishing special treatment on him,   it's quite an investment." "We were waiting for the promise to deliver." "But ultimately, we could not ignore the gap between reality and promise." "Thank you, Mr.wheeler." "No more questions, Your Honour." " Objection, Your Honour." " All right, Mr. Miller." "Mr.wheeler, you are magnificent." "You are my hero." "Andrew's right." "You are the greatest." "Are you gay?" "Objection." " How dare you!" " The witness will kindly answer." "No, I am not a homosexual." "Isn't it true that when you realized your future senior partner was gay   and had AIDS, it drove fear right through your heterosexual heart?" "Remembering the hugs and the handshakes." "The sauna." "The friendly pats on the backside that guys exchange sometimes." "It made you say, "My God!" "What does this say about me?"" "Objection." "The witness will please respond to the question." "Mr. Miller, your innuendos and locker-room fantasies   can't hide the fact your client only worked when he wanted to." "Telling us what he thought we needed to know about who he really was." "Andy insisted on bending the rules." "His work suffered as a result." "Explain it like I'm a six-year-old, because I just don't get it." "Who makes these rules?" "You?" "Read your Bible, Mr. Miller." "Old and New Testament." "Valuable rules." " Excuse me ..." " Andrew?" "I can't ..." "Somebody get a doctor." "Turn him over." "Call an ambulance." "Let him breathe." "Please, make room." "It's not working!" "It's making him worse!" "Did you notice any changes in Andrew's appearance   in the year leading up to his termination?" " Yes, I did." "were they for the better or worse?" "Sometimes for the better, but generally for the worse." "Mr. Seidman, what did you think caused these changes in appearance?" "I was afraid ..." "I suspected Andy had AIDS." " Order!" " Thank you." "Your witness." "Did you share your suspicions with any of the other partners   before the decision to fire Andrew Beckett was made?" "No, I didn't mention it to anyone." "Not even Andy." "I didn't even give him a chance to talk about it." "And I think I'm going to regret that for as long as I live." " Any more questions?" " That's all." "They are saying that he wasn't a good lawyer." "Yet they gave him a lawsuit for one of their most important clients." "They say that doesn't prove anything." "It was just a test." "They call it a "carrot"." "They wanted to see if he would rise to the occasion." "Say I had to send up a pilot up in a plane that cost $350 million." "Who am I gonna put in that plane?" "Some rookie, to see if he can rise to the challenge?" "Or am I gonna give that assignment to my best pilot?" "My most experienced ... my top gun." "I just don't get that." "Will somebody explain it to me ..." ""like I'm a six-year-old"." " Juror number 6?" " I agree." " Juror number 7?" " I agree." " Juror number 10?" " I disagree." " Juror number 1 1?" " I agree." " Juror number 12?" " I agree." " Have you awarded any damages?" " Yes, we have." "For back pay and loss of benefits, we award $143,000." "For mental anguish and humiliation, we award $100,000." "And for punitive damages, we award $4,782,000." "You may record the verdict." "Everyone remain seated until the jury is removed." "This trial is now concluded." "Congratulations." "we'll get a reversal on this one." "we'll get started in the morning." "Congratulations, Mr. Miller." "I'll see you at the appeal." "Congratulations, well done." " Thanks a lot." " I'll see you at the hospital." "Mr. Miller, hi." "He's just down the hall." "I doubt he'll leave the hospital." "If he does, he won't be how he was before this crisis." "He's lost the vision in one eye." "And because of CMV he will not regain his vision." " Next door on the right." " CMV has ravaged his body." "Congratulations." "The man of the hour." "Hi, Joe." "We are so grateful to you." " Can I take that for you?" " It's some cheese ... and stuff." "How are you doing?" "What do you call a thousand lawyers chained together on the sea bed?" " I don't know." " A good start." "Excellent work, counsellor." "I thank you." "It was great working with you, counsellor." "I'd better go." "Sure thing." "I'll see you later?" "Thanks for stopping by." "I'll see you again." "I'll keep it on ice for you." " He's a fighter." " I just want to get him home." "Thank you, Joe." "What do you call a thousand lawyers chained together on the sea bed?" " A good start." " Very amusing." " A good start." " Very amusing." "I'll see you tomorrow, buddy." "God bless you, Andy." "Good night, son." "Try to get some rest." " I love you, Andy." " I love you too, Dad." "See you first thing tomorrow." " See you tomorrow." " Come on, sweetheart." "Good night, my angel." "My sweet boy." "Let me help you." "Miguel ..." "I'm ready." "Joe, it's Miguel."