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TRANSCRIPT:
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Scene: City-County Building
Laurie is on her cell phone as she walks down the steps to the street.
Laurie: Nick? Laurie. You remember the Caffey family from East Liberty?
Nick is on his cell phone walking along the sidewalk near The Incline.
Nick: Yeah. Three kids. Mother died of cancer.
Laurie: Their middle boy was mauled to death by a dog over the weekend. He was only in the third grade.
Nick: How'd that happen?
Laurie: I don't know. He was with his father. Family must be devastated. The wake's tonight. I thought, since they were your clients…
Nick: No. I just… I've got a dinner tonight.
Laurie: Trinity Funeral Home, Carson Street, across from the gas station.
Nick: Did you hear me, Laurie? I said I have a dinner tonight. (Laurie has disconnected) Laurie? (Rolls his eyes and turns to walk back the way he came)
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—After hours
Phone rings, unanswered in the main part of the vacant office. A door closes. Lulu exits her office.
Lulu: Alvin? Alvin, are you still here? You know, I wanted to ask you about… (Encounters a tall, imposing black man in the office) Oh… can I help you?
Mr. Gregg: You work here?
Lulu: Yes. Uh… you here to see someone?
Mr. Gregg: Alvin Masterson?
Lulu: He's not here. (Nervously) There's other people here, but he's not here.
Mr. Gregg: I'm here about my wife.
Lulu: Well, you should come back tomorrow, then.
Mr. Gregg: (Sighs) Took me more than two hours to get here. (Dejectedly turns to leave)
Lulu: Sir? Sir? Sir?
Mr. Gregg: (Turns around) Me?
Lulu: Yes.
Mr. Gregg: (Laughs) I haven't been called sir since Michael Jackson was black. (Lulu chuckles) I've been in prison since 1981 for a murder somebody else did. But, now I need a lawyer about a divorce.
Lulu: Oh. Well, I was just going to tell you that Mr. Masterson is usually here at 8:30 in the morning so you should come back then, tomorrow.
Mr. Gregg: Okay. Thank you.
Scene: Trinity Funeral Home—wake for Brendan Caffey
Nick waits inside by the registry for Laurie. Laurie enters and signs in.
Laurie: Have you been in there yet?
Nick: No. I was waiting for you. I was actually concerned that they wouldn't recognize me.
Laurie: It was just last Spring you set up the kids' guardianship. Andrea's very fond of you.
Nick: Really?
Laurie: Yeah. Two funerals in six months. God! How much are these people going to be asked to bear?
Nick: I don't know. Let's get it over with.
Mr. Burke: (Greeting mourners—off camera) Thank you, Mary. Thanks, Joanne.
Laurie: Mr. and Mrs. Burke. (Takes Mrs. Burke's hand)
Mr. Burke: Ms. Solt. Mr. Fallin. (Shakes hands with Nick)
Nick: I'm sorry for your loss.
Mr. Burke: Thank you.
Andrea: Hi, Mr. Fallin.
Nick: Andrea?
Lou Caffey: The government shouldn't be here. (Obviously unwell)
Andrea: No, Dad! You don't belong here! (To Laurie & Nick) Can you make him leave?
Laurie: We're just here to pay our respects, sweetheart.
Lou Caffey stands, unsteady on his feet.
Mrs. Burke: Oh, my God, he's on drugs, Tom! You've got to get him outta here.
Lou Caffey collapses onto the floor.
Laurie: Oh!
Kristen: Daddy!
Andrea: It's his diabetes. Give him a chair.
Mr. Burke: Somebody get some juice or hard candy. (Helps him to a chair)
Andrea: It's okay. I need his upper arm.
Andrea prepares an injection from a medical kit he had on him and injects his upper arm—he groans.
Andrea: He's going to be all right. (Disgustedly) He always is.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—meeting room
Mrs. Burke: We want to adopt the girls.
Laurie: First, you'll need to ask the court to terminate Louis Caffey's parental rights.
Mr. Burke: That's fine. I mean, after their mother died, Lou hasn't provided a penny for support. He comes and goes in their lives as he pleases. And, now, Brendan…
Laurie: Mr. Fallin will set up a hearing and represent you.
Mrs. Burke: What happened to Brendan, is it enough to win?
Nick: Ah, we will need testimony from the girls. Andrea you mentioned that your father had done drugs.
Andrea: He says he has a medical condition but he's a junky.
Mr. Burke: Tell him, Andrea. What you told me.
Andrea: I saw my father do heroin. A bunch of times. I even helped him with the needle once. He said it was like his diabetes medicine but it had to be kept a secret.
Nick: (Taking notes) Okay.
Andrea: And, twice, when I was too little to understand he made me go ask Chicky for drugs when he was outta money. And, I know that he was doing drugs when Brendan got killed because Chicky's house is right across the street from the junkyard. So, is that the kind of testimony you need? That kinda stuff?
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—bullpen
Alvin talks with Lulu.
Alvin: Ah, you got a new client waiting. Albert Gregg. You've already met.
Lulu: The murderer?
Alvin: He didn't do it.
Lulu: Alvin.
Alvin: He was released from Western Pen a couple of months ago. There's a pardon from the Governor in his file.
Lulu: You're kidding! You know, he told me he was sent to prison back in…
Alvin: Twenty-one years ago.
Lulu: Yeah. What happened?
Alvin: He was mistakenly identified as robbing a liquor store and killing the owner. He put in for a DNA test this year and it cleared him.
Lulu: Well, if it was a citizen's mistake he can't sue the State.
Alvin: Well, he's not interested in suing the State. He's interested in keeping his wife. (Walks off)
Lulu: (To Albert Gregg—standing right outside her office) Mr. Gregg? Hi. Come on in.
Mr. Gregg: (Stops Lulu from closing her office door) Do you mind?
Lulu: Oh, no. That's fine. Have a seat. Mr. Gregg, I'm really sorry that I, that I couldn't help you when we first met.
Mr. Gregg: Oh, that's all right. I understand. You were scared. That's… shoot, I scare everybody. Even my wife.
Lulu: Your wife wants a divorce?
Mr. Gregg: That's what she thinks she wants.
Lulu: How long have you been…? You can have a seat. So how long have you been married?
Mr. Gregg: Met Janet back in 1991. She taught bible classes to the inmates. You know, she was the only person in there who really believed that I was innocent. When they let me out, I knew it was Janet's prayers that did it.
Lulu: Well, why does she want a divorce?
Mr. Gregg: I have nightmares. Can't find a job. I'm just not a proper husband to her… yet.
Lulu: (Chuckles) Well, it's ultimately impossible to block a divorce. And the most we can do is try and stall it.
Mr. Gregg: Okay, then. Stall it.
Lulu: She's citing indignities...
Mr. Gregg: Geez.
Lulu: But, that's really just a catch-all reason for divorce. And her use of it means that you can request counseling sessions.
Mr. Gregg: Good. Good. So, that'll give me time to get myself together. You know, if I can just find a job, she'll see. I won't just be hanging around the house.
Lulu: Your last job was with the County?
Mr. Gregg: Yeah. Worked in the courthouse. I was a handyman.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Nick's office
Nick enters to find Andrea waiting.
Nick: Hey.
Andrea: Hi. I have to talk to you… about the accident.
Nick: (Sighs) Okay.
Andrea: The newspapers say that Brendan was alone on the sidewalk and he opened the gate to let the dog out.
Nick: I have the police reports.
Andrea: But that's wrong. He wouldn't have done that. He was petrified of dogs.
Nick: Well, the important thing for the TPR is that your father abandoned Brendan on the street.
Andrea: He was petrified of dogs.
Nick: You should probably speak to the Burkes about this.
Andrea: I did. And, they won't get into it. They think it's too upsetting for me.
Nick: Well, I understand that.
Andrea: I want to talk to someone at that junkyard. Come with me, please?
Nick: No.
Andrea: You're a man… in a suit. You'll be… You'll get answers.
Nick: You know, it's not really what I do.
Scene: Pitt Auto junkyard
Andrea: He could read that easy. (Referring the Beware of Dog sign on the fence) And there's a man there. Hey, let's go talk…
Nick: I'll talk to him. You, you wait here. (To the man inside the fence) Hey. Excuse me.
Man: Looking for a part?
Nick: No, I'm looking for a guy called Bill Jenkins. I knew the kid that was killed here last week.
Man: Ooh! I'm real sorry about that. Tragic. The boss is working at one of the other yards this week.
Nick: Did you work Saturday?
Man: No, thank God. I just started.
Nick: You replace someone?
Man: Yeah, a guy named Danny.
Nick: You know his last name?
Man: Don't know.
Nick: Any idea where I could find him?
Man: Sorry. You want me to leave a message or anything for Bill?
Nick: No. No. That's fine. Thanks. Andrea.
Andrea stands at a temporary memorial erected outside the fence for her brother. She prays and crosses herself. Nick is uncomfortable with the whole scene.
Nick: I'm sorry.
Andrea: Dad never really took care of him like he was supposed to. But God will now.
Scene: Courthouse corridor
Lulu encounters Judge Hearn.
Lulu: Judge Hearn.
Judge Hearn: Mrs. Olsen. (Rolls his eyes and keeps walking—she follows with Mr. Gregg)
Lulu: Do you have a moment to meet someone?
Judge Hearn: (Stops and turns around) Hello.
Mr. Gregg: We met before.
Lulu: This is Albert Gregg. You sentenced him to life for robbery-homicide. I'm sure you've heard about his situation.
Judge Hearn: Actually, yes.
Lulu: Well, we don't really mean to put you on the spot. And my client harbors no ill-will whatsoever for that tragic mistake. When I looked over his file I was very glad to see that you presided over the case because I knew that you'd help out, Your Honor.
Judge Hearn: Oh, well, with what?
A few moments later—in the corridor
Mr. Gregg: Just like that he got me my job back. (Elated)
Lulu: Well, it was the least he could do.
Mr. Gregg: I couldn't even get County Human Resources to answer my calls. Wait 'til I tell Janet.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Nick's office
Tom Burke enters through the open door.
Mr. Burke: Mr. Fallin? (Nick looks up from his desk) I know you're busy but I'm doing a job two floors down. You got a minute?
Nick: Yeah. Come in, Mr. Burke. How are ya?
Mr. Burke: I'm good.
Nick: Take a seat. (They shake hands)
Mr. Burke: I'm worried about the adoption.
Nick: Why? You having second thoughts?
Mr. Burke: No-no-no. God, no. We're the godparents. I'm worried about the adoption going through… with our money situation.
Nick: Okay. Well, you're working?
Mr. Burke: Yeah, yeah. So's Joyce. But with everything that's happened… we're strapped. See I had a bid in on a house but I had to pull it to pay for Brendan's funeral.
Nick: You have a separate bed for each child?
Mr. Burke: Yeah, of course.
Nick: Well, then, you're all set.
Mr. Burke: (Sigh of relief) Wow. Thank God. See I thought we were going to start something with this termination hearing we couldn't finish and then the girls would end up with strangers and then…
Nick: It's not going to happen.
Mr. Burke: Okay. Good. (Turns to leave)
Nick: Mr. Burke. Andrea said Brendan was afraid of dogs.
Mr. Burke: Yeah, yeah, he was. Yeah, he'd even stiffen up just at the sound of barking. I kept trying to tell her, you know, kids wander. That's why you don't leave them alone. (He leaves)
Nick consults a piece of paper on his desk and dials his phone.
Nick: Hi. I'd like to speak to Danny. Oh. Oh, well, you know, maybe you can help me out. I'm a friend of his.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—meeting room
Lulu and Mr. Gregg meet with Mrs. Gregg and her lawyer.
Lulu: The court has honored our petition requesting that Mr. and Mrs. Gregg attend counseling sessions.
Attorney Levine: Three sessions. Mrs. Gregg would like these sessions scheduled as soon as possible in order to expedite the divorce proceedings.
Lulu: Okay. We can do that. However, Mr. Gregg does request that Mrs. Gregg attend these sessions in the spirit in which they're intended.
Mr. Gregg: I got a job, honey.
Levine: In the spirit of generosity and sensitivity to his present situation, my client will allow Mr. Gregg to stay in her home for an additional two weeks.
Mr. Gregg: You said a month.
Levine: Now that Mr. Gregg is employed, he should immediately work to secure a new living arrangement.
Mr. Gregg: (Bursts into song) Oh, I know you wanna leave me, but I refuse…
Lulu: Mr. Gregg.
Mr. Gregg: …to let you go.
Lulu: Mr. Gregg.
Mr. Gregg: If I have…
Lulu: Mr. Gregg! That's okay. (Laughs) My client is very appreciative of Mrs. Gregg's generosity. Thank you.
Levine: Good day.
Mrs. Gregg and her lawyer leave.
Lulu: What the hell was that?
Mr. Gregg: Hail Mary pass. (Laughs) What else did I have to lose?
Lulu: Well, it just… it wasn't appropriate.
Mr. Gregg: Oh, she used to love my singin'. (Again he bursts into song) Ain't too proud to beg, sweet darlin'… (Lulu gives him a hush sign)
Scene: Parking lot
Nick drives up to the pay booth and gets out of the car.
Nick: Hey. Danny?
Danny: Hi. Four dollars.
Nick: No. I'm actually just here to talk to you. My name's Nick Fallin.
Danny: Your car's in the lot. Four dollars.
Nick: Okay. (Pulls out his money clip and hands him a ten dollar bill) I heard you saw what happened to that boy at Pitt's.
Danny: I don't wanna talk about that. I only have singles.
Nick: That's fine. You know, it's just a few questions.
Danny: I said I don't wanna talk about it. Five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. (Hands Nick the ones)
Nick: You know, I'm asking for his sisters. Brendan had two sisters.
Danny: Brendan was his name?
Nick: Brendan Caffey. Yeah. He was eight years old. One of his sisters told me he was afraid of dogs.
Danny: The police had that dog put down, you know. I mean, I like animals, man, but that one… I was real glad.
Nick: She also thought he wouldn't be able to open the gate.
Danny: I'm supposed to be working, you know.
Nick: I know. Has the dog ever been vicious before?
Danny: Are you kiddin'? (Pulls up his pant leg to reveal an ugly scar on his calf)
Nick: (Sucks in air) It's nasty.
Danny: I told Mr. Jenkins a hundred times. I never really liked that dog.
Nick: That dog get loose that day, Danny? Did it?
Danny: Can someone go to jail for leaving a gate open?
Scene: Frick Building
Nick and Jake walk out of the building, discussing the Caffey case.
Nick: Pitt Parts was bought by Kaiser Auto last year—twenty-two shops.
Jake: Kaiser. They've got that ad on TV (sings the jingle) -- Your friendly, family car store.
Nick: They're also a little league sponsor.
Jake: And their guard dog mauled a kid to death. Well, pain and suffering alone will net… half a million for the estate.
Nick: Here's the police report. It's yours.
Jake: Okay, now, the plaintiff's the father, right?
Nick: That's right.
Jake: And you're representing the kids against him?
Nick: That's why I can't take the case.
Jake: Well, you know, we are kind of at the same firm.
Nick: Have him sign a conflict waiver.
Jake: Yeah. Okay. When am I going to meet my client?
Nick: I'll call you.
Scene: Courthouse
The Burkes are gathered in the corridor for the Parental Termination hearing.
Mr. Burke: Ms. Solt's inside already.
Andrea: Dad's a no-show. But, we're ready.
Nick: We need to talk. Come with me.
They go to an empty room and Nick shuts the door.
Nick: Take a seat. I want to postpone the hearing.
Mr. Burke: What?
Andrea: No way.
Nick: A new witness has come forward. The report on Brendan's death is not accurate.
Andrea: Oh, my God! Great.
Nick: The gate was already open. So, the company that owns the parts yard is liable.
Mr. Burke: Even so, Mr. Fallin, this is one of many incidents. It doesn't let Lou off the hook.
Nick: No, it doesn't. But, according to the law, Lou, as the father of the victim, is the only one that can recover damages.
Mr. Burke: He'd get money?
Nick: Yes. And if you terminate his parental rights, the girls will not be entitled to any of it.
Mrs. Burke: I think we should still go ahead with the hearing.
Mr. Burke: My wife is right. But, this isn't about money. It's about stopping Lou from picking the girls up from school and taking them God knows where.
Nick: Okay. (Gets up to leave the room)
Andrea: No. Wait a minute.
Mrs. Burke: Andrea, what is it?
Andrea: You don't have enough money. You spent it all on us. On the funeral. On St. Agatha's.
Nick: He should be paying child support and tuition. You can always pursue parental termination later.
Mrs. Burke: I hate to slow down the adoption but maybe we should be realistic.
Andrea: I vote for Mr. Fallin's plan.
Scene: Courthouse corridor
Mr. Gregg is handcuffed and being led away by two officers.
Mr. Gregg: (Calls out) Mrs. Olsen? Please! Don't let Janet know about this! You can't let my wife find out! Please, Mrs. Olsen!
Lulu: (Running up to him) Mr. Gregg, what…
Mr. Gregg: Please! Don't let Janet find out…
Lulu stops in the corridor and watches as the officers take Mr. Gregg away. Judge Hearn appears.
Lulu: Judge Hearn.
Judge Hearn: Your office number was the only one on his employment form.
Lulu: What happened?
Judge Hearn: He assaulted a man on the janitorial staff. A man that I know personally.
Lulu: Oh, my God!
Judge Hearn: You know you put me face-to-face with my worst nightmare. I so wanted to help him. As if I could make up for what twenty years in prison does to a man.
Lulu: I'm so sorry.
Judge Hearn: So am I.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Nick's office
Jake knocks on the unopened door, enters and sits down.
Jake: Nick. The Caffey litigation.
Nick: How's it going?
Jake: There's, there's nothing. There's the autopsy report. I mean, the real money on these cases comes from pain and suffering and the kid died instantly. So, I mean, the most that we can hope for is…
Nick: What?
Jake: I don't know… a fee… sixty thousand.
Nick: Sixty grand?
Jake: Yeah.
Nick: (Laughs) That's a lot of money for this family.
Jake: Ah. Well, okay, but it's still not worth my time.
Nick: Look. Kaiser's still going to want to settle this thing quickly.
Jake: Look, Nick, I…
Nick: Jake. Don't drop the case. The family needs the money.
Jake: (Gets up to leave) You know, this has gone from you doing me a favor to you owing me big time.
Nick: Fine.
Jake: Fine.
Scene: Allegheny County Jail
Lulu: All right. Tell me what happened.
Mr. Gregg: Supervisor asked me to fix a broken sewer pipe in the men's room. I wanted to do it then but he said, “No”. Had to be at the end of the day when nobody was in there.
Lulu: Okay.
Mr. Gregg: I told him I had a woman to go home to. He thought he was a funny man. Wanted to send me home to my wife stinking like a sewer.
Lulu: You know, I think that you're going to need someone to help you make the transition back into society.
Mr. Gregg: If you're talking about a headshrinker, I'm not crazy.
Lulu: It doesn't mean you're crazy.
Mr. Gregg: Oh. What does it matter anyway? When I don't come home, she's going to find out.
Lulu: Well, I have a friend. A friend of mine has agreed to represent you and he's going to bring it in front of the judge today.
Scene: Outside the Kopper Keg bar
Andrea and Nick wait in the BMW for Jake—for meeting with Lou Caffey.
Andrea: You should've seen Angela Livetti's face when I climbed into this car.
Nick: She a friend?
Andrea: No. That's why it's fun. So, you didn't get in trouble for canceling the hearing?
Nick: No, I told the judge it wasn't the right time for you to pursue it.
Andrea: I thought I knew what lawyers did. I guess I don't.
Nick: Lawyers. (Chuckles) What do lawyers do? We interpret the law whichever way helps our client.
Andrea: So there's no right or wrong.
Nick: No. There's best interests of the client.
Andrea: I wish Church laws worked like that—in a person's best interests. You know, when my dad started stealing and lying and not coming home, if a priest said, 'Mrs. Caffey, marriage is supposed to last forever but it really isn't in your best interest, this time.'
Nick: You mother stayed with your father because she was Catholic?
Andrea: Stupid rule, right?
Nick: Well, that's not my religion.
Andrea: What church do you go to?
Nick: I don't.
Andrea: I freaked you out when I started praying at the junkyard, didn't I?
Nick: No.
Andrea: Do you believe in God?
Nick: Sometimes, yeah. Sometimes, no.
Andrea: How about heaven and hell? (Nick sighs—shakes and nods his head--noncommittally) I believe in God. But I picture him like a glob. I can't imagine some father.
Jake appears at Andrea's side of the car.
Jake: Hey. Sorry. I just thought I should park in the lot.
Nick: Oh. This is Jake Straka. He's representing your father.
Jake: Hi.
Andrea: Hi.
Jake starts to shake hands through the open window, then pulls arm back as Nick rolls up the window—almost catching his arm.
Jake: Oh.
They stand outside the bar as Andrea points out her father inside.
Andrea: There he is—the waste of life on the second stool.
Jake: So, my client hangs out here, huh?
Andrea: Yeah, here or across the street at Chicky's house doing drugs.
Nick: You want to wait in the car? (Tries to hand her the keys)
Andrea: No. I hate this place. I'm just going to walk home.
Jake: Yeah, you know, it's kind of a bad neighborhood.
Andrea: I practically grew up here, Mr… what was it?
Jake: Straka.
Andrea: Straka. (Turns and walks away)
Jake: Tough cookie.
Jake and Nick enter the bar and stand on either side of Mr. Caffey—lolling on the bar.
Nick: Mr. Caffey.
Lou: (Scoffs) You come to dance on my grave?
Nick: What's that?
Lou: I lost my girls today. I got the notice. I wasn't gonna go down there and listen to that crap.
Nick: The Burkes cancelled the hearing.
Lou: Oh, they did?
Nick: Yeah, they did. This is my partner, Jake Straka.
Lou wipes his nose then extends that hand to Jake—Jake shakes it reluctantly.
Nick: So, Lou, it seems to me that your daughters mean a lot to you.
Lou: I love my children. I'm a workin' man. 'kay? I'm a roofer. I got sick and my poor wife got cancer…
Nick: There may be a way you can help Andrea and Kristen.
Lou: But… whadda ya know about my family?
Jake: We know that you may be entitled to some money due to the circumstances of your son's death.
Lou: Money?
Jake: Yeah. From a lawsuit.
Lou: Ah… (Reaches for some cherries in a dish on the bar) … don't want another episode like we did the other night. Huh? (Puts cherries in his mouth and chokes—Nick hands him a napkin, disgusted look on his face) Whadda ya mean, money? How do I get money?
Nick: Why don't you just come by our office in the morning? We can talk.
Lou: Okay. Sure.
Jakes lays his business card on the bar. He and Nick leave.
Jake: He's sick, huh?
Nick: He's high.
Jake: Will he be any better tomorrow morning?
Nick: Who knows?
Scene: Fallin & Fallin lobby
Burton enters the office to find Lou sprawled in a chair in the lobby. He finds Nick in the corridor.
Burton: Nick. There's a bum sitting out there in the lobby. Call security, okay?
Nick: He's a client. He's Jake's client.
Burton: Jake?
Nick: Yeah.
Burton: I thought he left those circus freaks behind when he became a partner.
Nick: I referred him. He's from LSP.
Burton: Oh, LSP.
Nick: Yeah.
Burton: Well, let's keep this particular project out of the lobby, all right?
Jake: (Enters the lobby and shakes hands with Lou) Mr. Caffey.
Lou: Hey.
Jake: Come on this way.
Nick: (To Burton) Sure.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Conference room
Lou: (Disheveled and lolling on the table—moans) Oh… Brendan. Those sons-a-bitches, man. What they did to my son.
Jake: Oh. I'm very sorry.
Lou: They lied to me! I mean, they lied to me… about my son!
Jake: Well, they were trying to protect themselves because they knew they were negligent. The question is whether or not you want to pursue an action, Mr. Caffey.
Lou: (Scoffs) I do, yeah. I wanna make them pay.
Jake: Okay. If I were to represent you, I'd need you to sign a waiver saying that you don't mind that Mr. Fallin and I work at the same firm. (Shoves a form in front of him)
Lou: Well, that's fine…that's fine.
Nick: Okay. Well, I'll let you two continue this. (Gets up to leave)
Lou: Wait… Mr. Fallin…
Nick: I can't be involved in your case.
Lou: No, no. It's about Kristen and Andrea. I just wanna let 'em know that things are gonna be different, you know. I'm gonna be a better man. You know. I just think the girls need me now, you know. I wanna see them, Mr. Fallin.
Nick leaves the room.
Jake: So if you could just sign at the bottom and date it.
Scene: Courtroom—Albert Gregg's assault hearing
Judge: Case Number 565509—Assault.
Mr. Gregg's Attorney: Your Honor, my client has some psychological issues. We'd like to resolve this immediately and get him some counseling.
Commonwealth's Attorney: We have no problem with that. We'd also like to recommend some anger-management counseling as well.
Judge: This is a first offense?
Mr. Gregg's Attorney: Yes.
Judge: The court sentences Albert Gregg to 120 days of informal probation. You stay out of trouble, Mr. Gregg, we'll dismiss these charges. You must attend 30 hours of psychological counseling.
Commonwealth's Attorney: Excuse me, Your Honor. The Commonwealth would like to ask for 50 hours.
Mr. Gregg's Attorney: No problem, Your Honor.
Judge: You will attend 50 hours of psychological counseling and take an anger-management course. My clerk will provide you with a list of approved programs. (Gavels the case closed and calls the next case) Case Number 551106.
Leaving courtroom
Lulu: (To Commonwealth's Attorney) Thank you.
Commonwealth's Attorney: Wish they were all this easy.
Mr. Gregg: Mrs. Olsen. I shoulda got just probation. I'm not a criminal.
Lulu: You assaulted someone.
Mr. Gregg: How am I going to explain to Janet about all those doctor's hours? How can I explain that?
Lulu: You just… you need to go home and tell her the truth. Just tell her that you're having trouble transitioning, that's all. (Removes his tie) Keep the tie. Brian doesn't wear it. Janet… (He stalks off) …might like it.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—meeting room
Lou: So, Kristen. How's first grade?
Andrea: Second.
Lou: That's right. Second. How's second grade?
Kristen: Good.
Lou: Yeah. You readin' a lot of books?
Kristen: Joyce makes me read every night.
Lou: (To Andrea) And, and what about you? You're not gettin' too distracted by all the boys, now, are ya?
Andrea: No. They're all idiots.
Lou: Oh. (Chuckles) Oh, yeah. Here ya go. (Reaches in his pockets and pulls out two children's watches) I got... these are for you. One each.
Kristen: Thank you.
Lou: They're watches.
Andrea: Thanks.
Lou: Oh, I didn't forget you, Tom. (Slides money across the table) This is just a drop in the bucket, from my check, to show you I'll be good on my debts.
Mr. Burke: Good. That's good, Lou. The girls need to get to school.
Lou: Oh, all right. Well, you better scoot. I know how those nuns are.
Kristen: St. Agatha's doesn't have nuns anymore. The teachers are real people.
Lou: Oh.
Andrea: Bye. (Lou kisses her on the cheek)
Lou: Whadda ya say the three of us get together on Saturday and have some ice cream? Just like old times.
Mr. Burke: Lou, why don't we wait on it? Okay?
Lou: Why?
Laurie: The visits are supposed to be supervised.
Lou: Oh. Well, oh-uh…later then. Yeah?
Mr. Burke: Yeah.
Kristen: Bye.
Lou: Goodbye. Goodbye. (Hugs Kristen)
Kristen: Are you still sick, Daddy?
Lou: Sick? What…?
Kristen: Joyce says that's why you do bad things.
Mr. Burke: Kristen, honey, come on. We don't want to be late. (They leave)
Nick: (Long pause) These things… take time. (Leaves the room)
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Lulu's office
Lulu: (To Mr. Gregg—standing in her doorway) Hey. Wasn't expecting to see you again today. I actually just hung up with a really good State therapist who specializes in working with ex-inmates. I have the number. And also, since we don't know when you can be working again, I have some forms for you to fill out for State assistance.
Mr. Gregg: State assistance? The State owes me more than doctor hours and welfare. Is this the best you can do for me?
Lulu: Well, I did get you a job, Mr. Gregg, and you clearly showed that you're just not ready for it.
Mr. Gregg: You know, you got that fancy ring on your finger but you spend all your time in this place. (Tosses Brian's tie on the desk)
Lulu: Excuse me?
Mr. Gregg: Where's your husband's picture?
Lulu: That's none of your business.
Mr. Gregg: (Stands) Who are you to talk to me like I'm some child?!
Lulu: I don't! I didn't!
Mr. Gregg: (Angrily rakes stuff off her desk onto the floor) You can keep your welfare!
Lulu: Oh! Okay!
Mr. Gregg: Do you know that she kicked me out?!
Lulu: No.
Mr. Gregg: 'Cause of what you said! What do you know about it?! (Grabs Lulu's wrists)
Lulu: No! Let go of me! (Screams) Let go of me!
Mr. Gregg: What do you know about anything?!
James comes to the rescue—grabs Mr. Gregg.
James: Hey, what the hell are you doing, huh?
Mr. Gregg: No, it's all right.
James: Lulu?
Mr. Gregg: Sorry. It's all right.
Lulu: I'm all right.
James: (Calls out) Hey, somebody call the police.
Lulu: No! Don't! Don't!
James: He assaulted you!
Lulu: I'm okay. James, it's okay. (To Mr. Gregg) Just… you go. You should just… get outta here.
James: Go on! Get outta here before I call the police! (To Lulu) You all right?
Lulu: (Sighs—clearly shaken) Yeah.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—conference room
Jake: So, what's Kaiser offering here?
Kaiser's Insurer: Got nothing here. According to the autopsy, you have no pain and suffering.
Jake: Well, my client is claiming lost future earnings.
Kaiser's: Good luck proving an eight-year-old's earning potential.
Jake: Well, straight-A student, altar boy. I won't need any luck.
Kaiser's: There's a huge contributory negligence issue with your client. He left his kid alone.
Jake: Oh, I'm sure the Press would love to hear how Kaiser's insurer blamed the child's grieving father.
Kaiser's: We'll give you ten thousand as a goodwill gesture.
Jake: Two hundred would be a better gesture.
Kaiser's: Not a chance. Fifty grand.
Jake: One hundred.
Kaiser's: My authority ends at eighty.
Jake: Throw in the funeral costs.
Kaiser's: A thousand.
Jake: Four.
Kaiser's: Two.
Jake: Three.
Kaiser's: Deal.
Jake: Eighty-three thousand. (They shake)
Kaiser's: Done. (Rises to leave—glances at his watch) Great. I'll make my lunch appointment.
Scene: Seventh Street Bridge
Lulu is walking on the bridge—Nick runs to meet her.
Nick: Lulu. You all right?
Lulu: Yeah.
Nick: James told me what happened.
Lulu: Oh, so, he told you I'm all right.
Nick: Yeah. You should've let him call the police.
Lulu: Oh, what are you talking about? I'm going to run crying to the police because a client grabs my arm?
Nick: Yes. Yes.
Lulu: Oh, is that what you would do?
Nick: No.
Lulu: Okay. So, then why should I?
Nick: Here, put this on. (Starts to remove his topcoat) It's freezing out here.
Lulu: I'm not cold. I'm fine. I just, I just came out here to get some air.
Nick: Okay. I'm sorry. All right?
Lulu: I mean… I appreciate you being protective.
Nick: No, I wasn't. I was concerned.
Lulu: Okay. I appreciate you being concerned. But I'm fine. I just… I was a little bit scared. That's all.
Nick: You're okay now?
Lulu: Yeah. What is it with you, huh?
Nick: Well, I just thought… with this incident that you might need to talk about it or… or anything.
Lulu: (Laughs) So now you want to talk to me. Every conversation we have ends with you telling me that I should divorce Brian.
Nick: Who? (Slight smile)
Lulu: (Laughs) Okay. (Nick's smile broadens) I'm going to go back inside. Thank you.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—conference room
Lou: Fifty-six thousand dollars.
Jake: After our fee.
Lou: (In disbelief—laughs) I'm a rich man!
Jake: I mean you really should think carefully about how you want to…
Lou: I don't even know. I gotta celebrate, man. I mean, do you mind if I… I'll give this jacket back to you, like, tomorrow. All right?
Jake: Okay.
Lou: You know what? Hey, where'd you get this? Because maybe I can get a couple myself. (Nick enters the room) Hey! You hear the good news?
Nick: Yeah, I did. Congratulations.
Lou: Hey, thank you, man. Thank you.
Nick: The Burkes'll be glad to hear it.
Lou: (Scoffs) Oh. Here we go.
Nick: There's a house that they're looking at. If you repay them for Brendan's funeral costs, they could buy it.
Lou: Oh. So, I write a check and suddenly I'm father of the year. Is that right? They couldn't even… they couldn't even pretend at that visit.
Nick: I know it was awkward.
Lou: (Scoffs) And you… you bring me up here to this nice fancy office and you have your buddy, here… take such good care of me. What, am I supposed to think you're my friend or something like that? If it weren't for the money, I would not even be able to see my own children right now! Isn't that right, Mr. Fallin?! Huh?!
Nick: You have an opportunity to do something very good for your kids.
Lou: So they can live happily ever after with Tom Burke?! If Tom Burke wants to be the father of my kids, he can use his own goddamn money! All right! They can all go to hell! (Charges out of the room) (To people in the hallway) What?! What?! What are you looking at?!
Nick hands Jake an envelope.
Jake: What's this?
Nick: It's a lien from the court.
Jake: Freezing his settlement. (Smiles as Nick exits)
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh
Mrs. Gregg: Mrs. Olsen. Do you have a minute?
Lulu: Mrs. Gregg, you should probably contact me through your lawyer.
Mrs. Gregg: I need to talk to you, woman to woman.
Lulu: Okay. Come on.
Lulu's office
Mrs. Gregg: I want you to stop feeding Albert's delusions that I'm not leaving him, and that he can behave any way he wants.
Lulu: I don't think that I've done that at all.
Mrs. Gregg: He assaulted a man, first day on the job, and walked away that same day.
Lulu: Well, would you prefer that he went back in prison?
Mrs. Gregg: No! I wouldn't. But, I would've preferred you didn't blame it on adjustment issues. I'm getting a divorce from Albert whether it's now or later. And it's not because he doesn't have a job or he has nightmares or keeps all the doors and windows open.
Lulu: Okay, well then why?
Mrs. Gregg: Did he ever tell you I'm his world?
Lulu: Yes, he did.
Mrs. Gregg: That's not a good thing to be to a man who thinks the world owes him. (Leaves the office)
Scene: The Burkes' apartment
Mrs. Burke: Can't say I'm surprised. (Cup of coffee in hand) You sure you don't want any?
Nick: No, thanks.
Mr. Burke: What he wanted was to waltz in, be treated like the big hero. Maybe I could've sucked it up better, I don't know.
Mrs. Burke: Tom, don't. Nothing'll change who he is.
Nick: I already put a lien on his assets.
Mr. Burke: Now what?
Nick: You sue for back and future child support including tuition and Brendan's funeral costs.
Mr. Burke: Lawsuits. How long will that take?
Nick: Several months. Maybe a year.
Mrs. Burke: Then there's the legal costs.
Nick: Well, I can represent you through Legal Services.
Mr. Burke: All that time outta work.
Mrs. Burke: And there's no guarantee.
Mr. Burke: I think we should pursue the parental termination.
Mrs. Burke: Yeah. I do, too.
Mr. Burke: You know, as long as we fight him, he's still in our lives, and we just need a fresh start, away from him and all that nonsense.
Andrea: No! No! Don't let 'em do this! Mr. Fallin, tell 'em to fight!
Mrs. Burke: Andrea.
Andrea: Don't you want a house for the baby?!
Mr. Burke: We'll have a house. Just later! (Andrea sighs and leaves—Mrs. Burkes starts to follow but he stops her) Let her go. Let her go. She's got a right to be upset.
Mrs. Burke: We appreciate all that you've done, Mr. Fallin.
Nick: You certain?
Mr. Burke: Yeah.
Nick: All right. I'll move on the TPR.
Outside the apartment—Nick encounters Andrea sitting on the stairs in the hallway—pauses then continues without speaking.
Andrea: The priest told my mother that if she prayed for my father maybe he'd stop doing drugs. At school they said that being a drug-addict is a disease. But, it's not a disease 'cause you can stop it. Cancer is a disease.
Nick: I agree.
Andrea: Then Brendan… My dad always called him his 'best boy' because he always did what he wanted him to. The old people said that God took him but I don't believe that. (Tearfully) My father threw him away. And I told my father that if he ever did drugs in front of Brendan and Kristen I'd call the cops. That's why he left Brendan outside.
Nick: Andrea. What happened was not your fault.
Andrea: I know. In my head, but still…
Nick: You're with very good people, now.
Andrea: Yeah, they are. What if there's no heaven and hell? When do they get what they deserve? You think, if I went out for ice cream again with my Dad, and was real nice to him, that he'd give Tom's money back to him?
Nick: I don't know.
Andrea: Yeah. That's okay. I know there's nothing more you can do for us.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—after dark
Lulu has her coat and is leaving when Mr. Gregg exits the elevator—carrying flowers.
Lulu: (Off camera) Goodnight.
Mr. Gregg: Mrs. Olsen?
Lulu: (Nervously) Yeah?
James: (Comes out of his office) You just couldn't stay away, could you?
Mr. Gregg: I'm not here to cause any trouble.
Lulu: Okay, James. It's okay. Mr. Gregg, come to my office. (James remains nearby)
Mr. Gregg: (Refers to the flowers) These are to thank you for not calling the police and apologize for losing my temper.
Lulu: Your wife doesn't want to stay with you. Do you understand that?
Mr. Gregg: Oh, she will. I just need to get myself back together…
Lulu: Mr. Gregg. Listen to me! She won't.
Mr. Gregg: How do you know?
Lulu: Because she came here and I spoke to her.
Mr. Gregg: So, what do I do?
Lulu: You need to sign these divorce papers. Go to your therapy sessions. Put the same effort into starting a new life as you are trying to save your marriage.
Mr. Gregg: (Chuckles) You know, I shouldn't've said those things about your husband's picture. A marriage is between a man and a woman.
Lulu: That's all right. You really are doing the right thing, you know, by signing this.
Mr. Gregg: I know. It's what she wants. Soon she'll be missin' me and she'll come crawling back.
Lulu: Good luck, Mr. Gregg.
Mr. Gregg: I won't need it. She'll be back, Mrs. Olsen.
Scene: Ernie's Ice Cream Shop
Detective is stooped beside a body covered with a sheet.
Detective: This is how we knew to call you, Mr. Straka. (Holds up business card) This was in his jacket.
Jake: Yeah, it's my jacket. It's my $920 jacket. (Looks at Nick)
Detective: They think he was here all night. You said the last time you saw him was yesterday afternoon?
Jake: Yeah, around 4:00. He won a settlement and said he wanted to go out and celebrate.
Nick: Drug overdose?
Detective: Hypoglycemic shock. But, if it was drugs, that would explain how he let it get to that point. This was a few feet from the body. (Refers to medical kit)
Jake: But, why wouldn't he take his medicine?
Detective: Your guess is as good as mine.
Jake: It was lying right there.
Detective: Okay. You gave me the family's info. I've got your numbers. Do either of you have anything else you can add that would help us out here?
Jake: No. I mean, I hardly knew him.
Detective: How about you?
Nick: No, nothing.
Detective: Thanks, gentlemen.
Jake: Well, it'll work out for your clients. The girls will get the money.
Nick: They will.
Jake: Never had a client die on me. I kinda feel bad for him.
Nick: I don't.
Jake: I mean, how can a guy end up like that, after everything we did for him?
Policeman: (Talking on radio—off camera) We're at Ernie's Ice Cream Shop, 1300 Hudson Blvd., D.O.A. white male, medic at the scene.
Nick takes one last look at the ice cream shop, smiles and gets in his car. Camera pans to the curb, and a pink child's watch, as Nick drives off.
END OF EPISODE
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