Previously on "L.A. Law"...
If you can't take a stand, leave without me.
[indistinct shouting]
ALL: [chanting] Tear it down! Tear it down!
Tear it down! Tear it down!
Tear it down! Tear it down!
Tear it down!
[indistinct shouting]
I think some of the problems that led to the riots
were caused because people in South Central L.A.
weren't given their fair share.
Are you saying you helped cause the riots?
No
-
-
Yeah.
-We're trying to help.
-STUART: No. No, you're not.
You're not trying to help. You're trying to convict these people.
I, um... took a home pregnancy test.
We're gonna have a baby?
We're gonna have a baby.
To you, Eric Schuller was a business partner,
to me, he was a life partner.
I've lost my husband.
You don't think I'm sensitive to your situation?
I took the law into my own hands
hoping to spare you the humiliation
of discovering the cause of Eric's death.
This wasn't a personal favor, Ben.
You've been buying time, trying to keep things quiet
until after World Wide's annual stockholders' meeting.
Who are you?
Bad dream. Your worst nightmare.
Didn't you get my gifts?
Who are you?
I'm Allison Morales. Daniel's wife.
How's that article on
-B
- disclosures?
I love the law.
And I love you, too.
[moaning]
[sighs]
Surprise.
Daniel, it's not my birthday.
[baby crying]
Is that some kind of perverted joke?
Oh, I guess I should have poked air holes in the box, huh?
-You're sick, Daniel.
-DANIEL: Gwen.
-[baby crying]
-DANIEL: Wait.
-[woman laughing]
-[indistinct chatter]
-[gasps]
-Whoops! No running in the halls, Gwen.
Leland, Daniel's chasing me.
Yeah, I know, been after you for some time now.
You have to stop him.
Mm, maybe.
No, you don't understand.
Daniel promised me that he wasn't the stalker,
but now I know
-
- I know that he was lying.
-No fooling.
-[screams]
-Gwen. Gwen.
-[gasps]
Baby, baby, it's okay.
-What?
-You're having a bad dream.
-God.
-It's okay.
It's more like a nightmare.
It's okay.
[thunder rumbles]
You shouldn't be sleeping with my husband.
[muffled screams]
[panting]
♪♪ [theme]
♪♪
Since when are you so concerned about my punctuality?
Will you lighten up? It's not my fault you had a bad night's sleep.
Skip the Haagen
-Dazs before bed.
Maybe you won't have nightmares.
No, we have to talk.
Later. I have a busy day.
Benny, staff meetings begin precisely on the hour.
You're not ready. Neither are we.
-Yes, Mr. Brackman.
-Now, Douglas,
things are relaxed a bit around here.
DOUGLAS: Exactly my point, and look where it's gotten us.
I'm sure you all share my concern
when it comes to our rating as a firm.
If you want to be number one, let's start by
putting our collective noses to the grindstone.
Cash bonus would be a nice incentive.
First, People vs. Emory Lewis and Gary Stubbs.
Preliminary hearing gets underway later today.
Good luck. I know it's been a long uphill battle for you both.
And, unfortunately, it's not over yet.
If Stuart's not convincing on the stand,
this case won't proceed to trial,
and his attackers will go free.
Next, Osgood vs. the state of California.
I've asked Melina to try locating an eyewitness.
After years, the trail must be ice cold.
You'd be surprised. Working at the AG's office,
I've learned a lot about tracking down suspects.
Finally, city of Los Angeles vs. Peter Phillipson.
Peter Phillipson? I know that name.
Peter Phillipson owns and operates
the newly re
-opened gentlemen's club downstairs.
-Gentlemen's club?
-DOUGLAS: Yes.
In addition to steak and ale,
the establishment now features female entertainers.
-Topless dancers?
-There's a strip joint in the lobby?
No wonder it's been tough getting an elevator.
DOUGLAS: Phillipson subleased space from the city
without incident for the past years.
Since he's added the entertainers, however,
pressure's been brought to bear my the mayor's office.
If he's in sync with the municipal code,
-shouldn't be a problem.
-The city attorney
is asking for an injunction against Phillipson
claiming he's violated a decency clause in his lease.
Wasn't it just last week that you balked at
the firm's taking on a BND dominatrix as a client?
This is different. Upscale adult clubs
are popping up all over the country.
They're completely respectable.
That's right. There's no more perverted old men in raincoats
watching bumps and grinds.
LELAND: I've know Peter Phillipson for quite some time.
Hard to believe he's operating this kind of establishment.
Every paying client helps ensure our budget stays in the black,
so if there are no more questions,
three minutes, seconds,
now that's what I call a staff meeting.
-All work.
-And no play.
We're adjourned.
-Mornin'.
-Good morning.
I missed you last night.
Me, too. I'm gettin' used to spooning.
Did you finish your work?
Ready or not, here comes Stuart's preliminary.
Tommy, I know you're under a lot of pressure at work,
and I
-
- I know that we agreed to just
let our relationship happen, but
-
-
When do you want to move in together?
-Next weekend.
-Deal.
See ya.
Oh.
I almost forgot.
Oh...
It's never too early for him to work on his three point shot.
I thought you wanted a girl.
[chuckles]
Look, Arnie, aren't they adorable?
Uh, the cutest, Rox. Listen, I'll be
-
-
What's with you?
Ever since I told you I was having a baby,
you've been totally unsupportive.
Do I have to listen to this crap for seven more months?
-No.
-Good. I'll be at Eric Schuller's memorial
then World Wide Studios.
You can reach me on the portable.
♪♪ [rock]
DOUGLAS: Frankly,
I encountered some resistance from my partners.
Don't they understand that
this is simply a response to changing times?
DOUGLAS: People have preconceived notions about topless bars.
I have to admit, I wasn't sure myself.
PHILLIPSON: I gotta check the kitchen before we leave.
Simon had a slight mishap with a cleaver
watching one of the girls.
My nephew's filling in.
Can't cook, but who notices.
I could sell tasseled loafers to the guys that watch this show,
and they'd eat them. I'll be right back.
♪♪
Douglas Brackman, very nice.
Booth up front.
Peter Phillipson happens to be a client.
Not that this is any of your business.
Oh, but it is.
I'm representing the city against Phillipson.
Personally, I'm in favor of
women taking off their clothes to music.
Heck, to a kazoo band. [chuckles]
But winning this case will be a major career boost.
Unless you'd care to concede defeat right now.
See you in court, Romney.
♪♪
That is Allison.
That was not too long after we were married.
I can't tell if this is the woman
-who came to the house.
-Gwen, please believe me.
It's not the woman.
[sighs]
Daniel, there is, um, something
-
-
Last week, I had a blood test for Huntington's chorea.
It's hereditary. Hitting in mid life.
Causing lack of coordination,
then mental deterioration and, finally, death.
But there's a / chance I don't have it.
But I thought I should tell you.
Wh
-
-
Let's talk about it later.
Okay.
Your wife, she was pretty.
Stuart, you gotta be aggressive
-
-
I'm gonna get my coat.
Ann, I'm worried.
Gettin' Stuart to talk about the attack
was like pullin' teeth. You saw that.
-Juicy Fruit?
-No thanks.
I'm trying to quit smoking.
Stuart will be ready.
Besides, we've got another eyewitness.
-Maureen Wilson?
-Yeah.
Frankly, I'm not sure how she'll hold up during cross.
What about Adam Baywell?
You spent three hours prepping his testimony?
Still won't testify.
Hasn't the DA's office ever heard of a subpoena?
Sorry.
Lots of people were there watching your husband
get played like a bongo drum.
Trick has always been finding someone
to stand up to the gangs and ID the suspects.
I know how you feel.
I want the bums bound over for trial, too.
Okay.
-What?
-Nothing.
You want to remind me again how I'm supposed to perform in court?
-Stuart, that's not what I was
-
-
-I'm like a trained seal,
Ann Kelsey's animal act.
Folks, we're gonna be late.
Hello?
-Hello?
-Hi, Benny.
How are you?
Okay. I guess.
I have something that might make you feel better.
Whoo.
Benny, what's wrong?
Yesterday, you were so happy.
Meeting like this is sneaky.
Oh, Benny.
You know, if I'm gonna be a good fairy godmother to Gwen,
I have to make sure she doesn't get any more mail
that might upset her.
Yeah.
Does everybody have a fairy godmother?
Of course.
Maybe I should tell Gwen.
No.
No, you must never tell Gwen.
Then the magic spell is broken,
and I will die.
But she'd probably like to meet you,
and thank you for protecting her.
Some day. Soon.
Run along.
Benny.
Bye.
Mrs. Wilson,
what'd you see on the corner of South and Western
the afternoon of April , ?
It was the day of the verdict.
Start of the riots. People went crazy.
And did you see Stuart Markowitz
in your neighborhood that afternoon?
WILSON: Yes. A mob jumped the car.
One man broke the window while another one
pulled Mr. Markowitz out of the door.
They started kicking, hitting him with rocks,
and beating him with a baseball bat.
And do you see any of those men
who att*cked Mr. Markowitz here today?
-WILSON: Yes.
-TOMMY: Would you point them out, please?
Let the record show Mrs. Wilson has identified
the suspects Emory Lewis and Gary Stubbs.
Thank you, Mrs. Wilson.
Nothing further at this time, your honor.
Mrs. Wilson, you've stated that
on that afternoon people went crazy.
I take it you agreed with the verdict.
-Objection.
-Goes to impeach this witness's credibility.
I'll allow. Witness will answer.
Yes, I agreed. But even if I didn't,
that's no reason to turn wild,
breakin' windows and looting stores.
Mrs. Wilson, how long have you lived in South Central?
-WILSON: All my life.
-And in that time,
would you say the neighborhood has changed?
For the worst, mostly because of the gangs.
Yes, I understand you've organized neighborhood watch groups
dedicated to eliminating g*ng activity from your neighborhood,
-is that correct?
-I'm in a watch group. Yes.
ATTORNEY: In fact, on many occasions,
haven't you confronted members of gangs?
Objection. You're honor, defense is fishing here.
-Make your point, counselor.
-Mrs. Wilson,
aren't you really here this afternoon
trying to rid your neighborhood of people like my clients?
-I know what I saw.
-Well, how many people did you see
attack Mr. Markowitz?
-Were there more than ?
-Yes.
-More than ?
-I'm not certain. Yes.
Well, how many were African
-American,
how many were white, Hispanic, Korean?
-I'm not certain.
-ATTORNEY: Again, you're not certain.
-Why is that?
-Well, there was so much happening on that
-
-
Yet, you were able to pick out my clients.
I've seen them before, causing trouble.
Oh, oh, now I understand. Because of they walk like muggers,
talk like muggers, act like muggers,
then they must be muggers, 'cause on that you're certain.
-TOMMY: Objection!
-Yes.
JUDGE: Mr. Holmes, that'll do.
Nothin' further.
-Hi, Gwen.
-Hey, Benny.
What's that on your sweater, glitter?
No, fairy dust.
Oh, I could use some of that.
You could? Then I did good.
I've been meaning to ask you.
-Hm?
-How do you feel about
winning the Ajamian case?
-Got away cheap.
-What do you mean?
Well, after the verdict, there was a demonstration.
A lot of confusion, the cops overreacted,
fired off tear gas, crowd grew frenzied,
and the statue was pulled down.
A lot of protesters were arrested, some weren't.
Like myself.
Wait a minute. You were there?
I helped topple the damn statue.
-Wow.
-MAN: Phone for you, Gwen.
Yeah, wow.
Yeah, this is Gwen Taylor.
Uh, uh, can you hold on just a minute?
I'm gonna take this call in private.
Roxanne.
-Whoa.
-What's wrong?
Um... dizzy.
Oh. It just hit me all of a sudden,
I don't feel so hot.
-You need the bathroom?
-No, no, um,
I'm
-
- I'm gonna go lie down.
-Can I get you anything?
-No, thank you, no.
Daniel, I
-
- I'm gonna be fine.
Oh, Gwen. I'm gonna rest for a while.
I need these naps.
Do you want to talk?
W
-
- What's there to talk about?
That was my doctor.
Roxanne, I have Huntington's disease.
-It's okay.
-[sobbing]
It's all right. It's all right.
Mr. McClain,
as city lease administrator,
what can you tell us about the decency clause?
It's part of every lease for commercial property
owned and leased by the city.
And why is that?
Because the government, not to mention the tax payers,
has a right to decide what goes on on city owned property,
and that includes Mr. Phillipson's establishment.
Aren't you concerned about impinging on Mr. Phillipson's rights?
Absolutely not. After all, he is free to
run his nightclub on private property.
But aren't you holding Mr. Phillipson to standards
other adult entertainment businesses are not?
The Los Angeles tax payers have elected officials
to make just that kind of determination.
If Mr. Phillipson's business is on city property,
then, in effect, he's representing the city's interests.
That's the interests of the community,
the tax paying community.
Mr. Phillipson is really renting from
every citizen of Los Angeles,
and he has the burden of satisfying those citizens.
Nothing further.
Your witness.
Mr. McClain,
Mr. Phillipson has been a tenant for years, correct?
-Yes.
-Other than the current allegation,
has my client ever violated his lease in any way?
No, not until now.
Defense would like to enter into evidence
this conditional use permit,
applied for by Mr. Phillipson and granted by the city
allowing him to feature adult entertainment.
JUDGE: So ordered.
Was your office aware of this application?
We received notice, yes.
And did you or anyone from your office
appear in front of the zoning board
to contest Mr. Phillipson's application?
-Well, these things take time
-
-
-Yes, or no.
No.
Even though you had ample opportunity
to appear before the zoning board,
isn't it true you didn't initiate these proceedings
until after Mr. Phillipson opened the new club?
-Yes, but
-
-
-Why did you wait?
As I said, these things take time.
Mr. McClain, did you receive a confidential memo
from Councilman Rafferty's office
urging you to invoke the decency clause?
Objection. Uh, privilege.
-On what grounds?
-Uh, well
-
-
-Political.
-You must be joking.
Overruled. Carry on, counselor.
DOUGLAS: I will ask you again,
did you receive a confidential memo
from Councilman Rafferty's office
urging you to invoke the decency clause?
Yes.
DOUGLAS: Your office has no interest in my client's business,
or community affairs, for that matter.
You were pressured by a city councilman
to make this an issue.
No further questions.
MAN: Before we begin,
Ben, speaking for Beatrice
and your fellow members of the board,
I just want to say how touched we all were
by your sensitive eulogy.
-Eric Schuller was loved.
-My husband was despised.
Everyone attended the funeral to make sure he was dead.
Spare us the Georgie Jessel, and read the will, Haber.
Of course.
Well, as you know, it's a bit unusual
to have a public reading, so as executor,
I'm required to follow Eric's instructions.
How like him not to spare me a public humiliation,
but then, of course, this was a man who
enjoyed his humiliation leather bound.
HABER: "I, Eric Rylander Schuller,
-"being of sound mind
-
-
-He was never of sound mind.
Cut to the chase and why we're here.
HABER: Certainly, Beatrice.
"In consideration of my controlling interest in World Wide Studios,
"I hereby bequeath all my holdings to
-
-
Spit it out.
"To my wife, Beatrice."
Oh, Eric, darling, I miss you so.
Haber, you're fired.
BEATRICE: Oh, but you can't fire him now, Ben,
because I'm running the studio,
and that means, for one brief moment in time,
I am your boss.
Change the locks and have his ass thrown off my lot.
As for the rest of you, consider your futures,
and weigh your options.
Good day.
No need for an escort, Beatrice.
I'll leave this lot the way I came in
almost a half century ago;
a little bent but not broken.
Becker.
Arnie.
You're always welcome.
No, thanks, Beatrice.
BEATRICE: [chuckles] Oh, mine, all mine.
[tapping]
Beatrice Schuller can walk.
And she just tap danced all over us.
[tapping]
I was on my way to my partner's wedding,
uh, when I must have taken a wrong turn.
I found myself on a street I didn't recognize.
And, uh, that
-
- that is when the rioting broke out.
There was a lot of traffic in the streets,
people running around.
Uh, I just wanted to get home.
What'd you do?
I
-
- I tried to find a main street,
and then my
-
- my car was surrounded by this angry crowd.
-Go on.
-STUART: The driver's side window was smashed,
and I was pulled from the car and, uh, beaten
until I lost consciousness, and then, uh
-
-
uh, next thing I remember, I woke up in the hospital.
TOMMY: Before you lost consciousness,
do you recall anything in particular about your attackers?
STUART: Yes, I remember two men,
one of them beat me with a baseball bat,
while the other one grabbed my wallet.
Those men, are they here today?
TOMMY: Indicate Mr. Markowitz has identified the defendants,
Emory Lewis and Gary Stubbs.
Are these also the men you identified in a police line up?
-Yes.
-TOMMY: Nothing further.
HOLMES: Mr. Markowitz,
you experienced severe head trauma
as a result of your beating,
trauma that interfered with your memory.
-Is that a fair assessment?
-Yes, it is.
In fact, several months ago,
when first shown photographs of my clients,
you had no idea who they were, did you?
No, uh, I had a temporary loss of memory,
and I have since regained
-
-
HOLMES: Yet, when faced with my clients in a line up,
knowing they were in possession of your wallet,
you had a miraculous recovery.
Objection! This was a police investigation,
Mr. Markowitz clearly identified the two suspects.
Sustained. Mr. Holmes, file a motion to suppress
if you have a problem with official procedure.
Mr. Markowitz, since sustaining your injuries,
you suffer from erratic behavior, correct?
-Uh, mood swings, yes.
-Mood swings.
Tossing your chair through your law firm's window,
-buying a handgun
-
-
-TOMMY: Objection!
Behavior goes to this witness's competency.
-Overruled.
-HOLMES: Mr. Markowitz,
did you buy a . Magnum?
-Yes, I did, for protection.
-Protection from whom?
Surely not the unarmed attendant at the dog pound
-you pulled the g*n on.
-Objection!
-Overruled.
-I was afraid of your clients.
They were in jail.
How could they possibly have harmed you?
-I had irrational fears.
-HOLMES: About Mr. Lewis?
About Mr. Stubbs behind bars?
-It wasn't just them
-
-
-HOLMES: Who, then?
-I
-
- I don't
-
-
-Who were you afraid of?
The ones who really hurt you,
pulled you from your car and beat you senseless?
They were the men who pulled me from my car.
No, no, no, isn't it true that your own paranoia
compelled you to make an erroneous identification of my clients
-
-
-No.
-When, in fact, you don't remember who hurt you?
-No.
-Isn't that what really happened?
No.
Those were the men who pulled me from the car.
Those were the men who threw me down,
and beat me, and beat me, and beat me...
until I almost died.
I remember.
Nothing further.
♪♪
Mr. Phillipson,
what exactly can be seen in your establishment?
We feature runway entertainment,
a twice nightly revue as well as lap dancing.
-DOUGLAS: Which is?
-A dancer performs her act
at a customer's table, by his request, of course.
Is there ever physical contact?
PHILLIPSON: None whatsoever.
And the women aren't actually unclothed, are they?
At the table, never.
On the runway, they do take off their tops,
but they always wear a G
-string bottom,
similar to bathing suits
you might find on public beaches.
Objection. Beaches where, the south of France?
-Sustained.
-Mr. Phillipson,
why did you decide to incorporate adult entertainment
into your restaurant?
Well, I'm a business man,
I've run a successful restaurant years
by responding to the demands of my customers.
Would you characterize the entertainment as indecent?
ROMNEY: Objection. Calls for a legal conclusion.
I'd like the witness to answer.
PHILLIPSON: What goes on in Phillipson's
is something you might see at the finer casinos in Las Vegas.
I don't consider it at all indecent.
DOUGLAS: Thank you.
We're not in Las Vegas, are we?
-Or Peoria.
-By that,
do you mean to slander the good people of Illinois?
-No, I only
-
-
-You assert that your establishment
provides entertainment which is decent and morally acceptable?
-Yes, I do.
-ROMNEY: I see.
And have you ever brought your mother to the club, Mr. Phillipson?
-No, I
-
-
-No. Why?
If what you offer is so morally acceptable,
why wouldn't the show be something your own mother would enjoy?
-She's no longer alive.
-Never mind.
I hold in my hand a copy of the lease agreement,
uh, you signed on April , .
-Is this your signature?
-Yes.
Please read the highlighted portion,
paragraph , clause A.
"And with regard to the undertaking of retail entertainment
"or public service businesses to be occupying the premises,
"such businesses must comply with community standards and
-
-
and nudity, partial or total, shall be deemed indecent."
You should be ashamed.
-[knocking]
-ROXANNE: Arnie.
Rox, I told you I didn't want to be disturbed.
-You're being horrible.
-Yeah, well, I deserve to be horrible.
Wasted months cultivating a relationship
with Ben Flicker at World Wide Studios
only to come up empty.
Well, then, you'll be glad to know that Beatrice Schuller is here.
Beatrice Schuller is here?
What, is there an echo?
Show her in.
Play this right down the middle,
professional indifference
with just a hint of righteous indignation.
Beatrice, I, uh
-
- I really don't have the time.
Yes, you do, otherwise, you would have turned me away.
-I'm not into games.
-Oh, but you are.
I think you love games.
Brings out the little boy in you.
All right.
Man to man, what do you want?
Ben Flicker had his flaws,
but if there's one thing he knew
it was plucking executive talent.
I want you to remain at World Wide as my right arm.
Oh, is that now conveniently paralyzed
like your legs used to be?
Surely, as a divorce lawyer, you understand a woman scorned.
When it got to the point where
my late husband threatened me physically,
I played the only cards I had.
You'll find in my employ,
at the very least, I'm one shrewd cookie.
I know you're shrewd, I just don't trust you.
And you trust a man who'd give you that title?
President and creative director of
current long form and feature development?
There must be a better way to say it.
President, World Wide Studios?
The shorter the title, the greater the power.
This isn't about power.
Well, of course, it isn't.
True power comes through cooperation;
study the light in the sky, the gravity of the Earth,
the unfolding of your own ideas.
-Natural events are
-
-
-Potent.
Because nature works in harmony.
Ah.
Oh, one more thing.
If you decide to accept my offer,
I think you deserve your own stock options.
We'll start at , shares and work from there.
I'll wait for your call.
[door closes]
-[knocking]
-LELAND: Come.
-You got a minute?
-Certainly.
[clears throat] A little while ago,
I got a
-
- I got a phone call,
and, uh
-
-
my blood test came back positive.
Oh, I'm
-
-
I'm sorry.
You know what I said to the doctor
when she told me my results?
I said, "Thank you."
The woman tells me that I am destined for a slow,
debilitating death, and I say thank you,
like you'd say to a
-
- a
-
-
traffic cop writing you a ticket.
Or a
-
-
I still have good years left, though, right?
Maybe more.
Gwen, they're making medical breakthroughs every day.
There are advances, uh
-
-
If you'd like to take a leave of absence,
you'll have a job for as long as you want.
I guess I could, um
-
- [sniffles]
learn to sail or, uh, go on an archeological dig,
or join the Peace Corps.
I suddenly have all these options.
JUDGE: The court accepts Professor Plump
as an expert in cultural anthropology.
Thank you, your honor. Professor, briefly,
have western society standards of decency
changed over the years?
Absolutely. During Napoleon's rule,
it was considered fashionable
for women's nipples to be exposed.
Still, in the Victorian era,
showing even the slightest bit of ankle was considered improper.
People used to cover piano legs.
Tell me, did you visit my client's restaurant?
-I did.
-And can you place our controversy
in its appropriate cultural context?
I'll try, but first, you must accept the role
that sexuality plays in propagation,
survival of the species.
Now, a woman, historically,
has wanted the security provided by a powerful man.
The warrior leader wanted a woman that
best graced his position.
Maybe so, but how does this relate to Phillipson's restaurant
and today's almost mundane attitude
toward nudity and topless clubs in general?
Well, we live in a time when there is a need for redirected sexuality.
AIDS, the new monogamy, less drug use.
These factors preclude the discos and the nightclubs of the 's and 's
where people congregated
with the intent of seeking out casual sex.
DOUGLAS: In your opinion,
does the adult entertainment at my client's establishment
violate contemporary community standards of decency?
Not at all. Quite the contrary.
Would be indecent to prevent it.
DOUGLAS: No further questions.
[scoffs] Professor, you say you find
exposure of the human body socially acceptable?
-That's correct.
-And baring the female breast beautiful?
-Yes.
-Then take off your blouse.
-Excuse me?
-You honor, objection.
-Romney.
-Your honor, the witness has stated
she finds public nudity socially acceptable.
I'm simply asking her to prove the assertion.
There's nothing to be ashamed of.
Then, if it will please the court, and it would,
remove your, uh, jacket and your bra.
Breasts are simply mammary glands.
Seen two, you've seen them all.
-Of course not.
-Well, let's have a look.
Not a problem.
[gasps] Holy gazebo!
I object to that characterization.
Why? She has some pair of Winnebagos.
JUDGE: Professor, this is not a nightclub.
Put your clothes back on or I'll hold you in contempt.
I'd still respect you in the morning.
[crowd murmuring]
Gwen.
Your doctor's on line three.
Again?
Why don't you take it in Douglas's office.
This is Gwen Taylor.
What?
Why are you calling back?
I didn't request any counseling.
No, no. Look
-
-
Look, I don't need reminding of how much I'm gonna suffer.
[slams phone down]
♪♪
[indistinct shouting]
Hold on, hold on. I will answer one question at a time.
What will the defendants be charged with?
Attempted m*rder, as*ault with a deadly w*apon,
-aggravated battery, robbery.
-WOMAN: Mr. Markowitz,
how do you feel about the attempted m*rder charge?
-I have no comment.
-We feel very good.
MAN: When will you proceed with trial?
-TOMMY: Next week.
-WOMAN : Mr. Markowitz,
were you surprised the defendants made bail?
-I don't want to say anything.
-The important thing is
the DA's commitment to prosecute this case to the full extent of the law.
I think it's necessary for me to remind all of you
the judicial process is based on
the premise of innocence 'til proven guilty.
And I will not rest until the men that he's defending
-are punished for what they did.
-HOLMES: Allegedly.
As a lawyer, you should choose your language more precisely.
I'm not the acting attorney in this case,
I'm the victim's wife.
HOLMES: Who's really being victimized in this case?
This trial is further evidence of the media
and the judicial system's inherent prejudice.
That prejudice is based on a double standard,
one for white cops, another for poor blacks.
HOLMES: This is a media trial, ladies and gentlemen.
One that you should be aware of.
[toilet flushing]
You need somethin'?
No.
Awful sure of yourself up there, weren't you?
[water running]
-BOY: I'm done, Daddy.
-Don't forget to flush.
-[toilet flushing]
-Hey, man.
[laughing]
Let me see if you're zipped up.
You all zipped up there?
Okay, let's go wash our hands, come on.
Here we go, man, huh? Come on.
Here you go.
Okay, let's dry 'em off.
Let's dry 'em off. Dry 'em off.
Let's dry 'em off, yes.
I
-
- I have a kid about the same age.
Let's go.
Come on.
Where you goin'?
Outta here. Home.
My place?
-I don't think so.
-Hey.
Come here.
Let's be together tonight, okay?
With all the stuff that's going on,
I need to know that we have each other.
Yeah, I need that, too.
So I'll finish as soon as I can.
Okay.
MELINA: You'll be handing over your license.
Doesn't matter. Lately, how effective
have I really been as a lawyer?
Oh, that's not the point.
What I did was a crime.
A misdemeanor.
And even if you aren't disbarred,
you can bet there'll be an ugly ethics investigation.
Jonathan, you cannot go to the police with this statute.
You know innocent people were hurt in the process.
I should just be glad I got away with it.
Absolutely. For a couple of seconds,
you lost your head.
Like the rioters last summer?
Trust me. Trust me.
Go to church, flagellate yourself, anything,
only don't talk to the police.
The evidence presented fails to convince me
Mr. Phillipson's restaurant will cause the city
irreparable harm if the nude entertainment
isn't terminated immediately.
As a result, at this time, I cannot grant a motion
for a preliminary injunction.
Uh
-huh.
-However
-
-
-Uh
-huh.
JUDGE: The lease does clearly prohibit nudity of any type.
What isn't clear is whether the city can enforce
this kind of standard of decency
in a contractual instrument rather than by ordinance.
Los Angeles has chosen not to enact such an ordinance.
And I'm not altogether certain there aren't some serious
constitutional concerns here as well.
Therefore, I want briefs from both parties
on these questions in days,
after which time, I'll make my final ruling.
'Til then, this court's adjourned.
♪♪
BEATRICE: Mm
-mm, no, I don't care for this.
Opportunity card gets turned over, I have to play.
I'll talk to you later.
Can't go through life wondering what if.
When can you get started?
I won't just abandon McKenzie Brackman,
but I'll do my best to split my time until I finish.
-MAN: Mr. Flicker
-
-
-Get your hands off of me.
Let me go!
At least I'm entitled to get my Rolodex.
Turn him loose.
Et tu,Becker?
You know, Brando was a great Mark Anthony.
I told Mankiewicz, so what if he mumbles.
BEATRICE: It's over, Ben. You know how I'm sure?
Since I stepped in, World Wide stock had
a two point up tick to a share.
Becker, how could you?
I took you under my wing, the heir apparent.
You manipulated, used and abused me
every chance you had, Ben.
You were like a son. A son.
Goodbye, Ben.
Let's get started.
Read these screenplays,
see if any of them spark your interest.
My interest is already sparked.
Marv Rosenthal called from Harper, Dutton and Rowe.
He's sending over the galleys to a hot novel
about a lawyer mistakenly sent to prison.
Sounds perfect for an Easter release.
I'll get back to you first thing tomorrow.
Arnie.
You made the right choice.
MAN [on PA]: Ladies and gentlemen,
that was the lovely Tiffany.
[applause]
Thank you.
Peter Phillipson said I'd find you here.
You believe this twerp, Romney?
I should have won this hearing.
Phillipson said until you go back to court,
you worked some kind of solution.
-Big deal.
-Well, at least he's still operating.
JONATHAN: Evening, gents.
I couldn't find a church, so... here I am.
-You're soused.
-Yes, indeed,
and I'm hoping to see some naked women as well.
-Show begins any minute.
-Well, I'll see you tomorrow.
-You're not staying?
-No, I don't think so.
I dare any judge to try to enforce
that decency clause
when he hears them play the Schubert "Trout" quartet.
-One of my favorites.
-Shh, shh, show's starting.
Well, goodnight, everybody.
Shh, shh.
♪♪ [classical]
♪♪
You ready?
Almost.
You were terrific today.
Confident, unshaken. The perfect witness.
Testify like that at the trial,
the judge will be sure to hand down
an attempted m*rder conviction.
Those men are going to jail.
Boys.
-What?
-They're not men, Ann.
They're boys. Looking at life in prison.
They committed a brutal crime, they have to answer for that.
We take so much for granted, you and I.
Our son's fine.
He's safe,
well fed, goes to a great school.
We're doing just fine.
But what do we know about
bringing up a kid in South Central L.A.?
I mean, enough of those kids grow up without fathers.
What's this about, Stuart?
I'm not... sure.
All my life as a lawyer,
I was taught to look at things objectively,
look at both sides of the issues, Ann.
For God's sake, Stuart, you were so sure on the stand.
What happened?
I'm not sure that this hasn't become personal;
that we're not looking for revenge.
The fact that you think
there could even be two sides to this beating
makes me think that maybe you were hit on the head
harder than anybody imagined.
-That's nice.
-Look, you handle this any way you want,
only don't come in here expecting me to feel sympathy
for Lewis and Stubbs.
I am the one who sat by your bed
and watched you fight for every breath.
I am the one who faced a future without a husband,
without a father for my child.
You're damn right it's personal,
you're damn right it's revenge!
It's also called justice.
Justice is fine, Ann, but justice for who?
Can we go?
GWEN: Daniel?
Daniel!
Daniel isn't here.
[gasps]
Who let you in here? What are you doing?
Whipping egg whites.
Lemon meringue pie is my husband's favorite.
Who are you?
I want us to be friends.
We just got off on the wrong foot.
After all, you do work with Daniel.
He thinks you are gonna make a wonderful lawyer.
I'd give you a hug but my egg whites are peaking.
Aren't you gonna stay for dinner?
[door closes]
♪♪
♪♪ [theme]
07x11 - Bare Witness
Watch/Buy Amazon
High-powered law firm of McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak handles both criminal and civil cases, but the office politics and romance often distract them from the courtroom.
High-powered law firm of McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak handles both criminal and civil cases, but the office politics and romance often distract them from the courtroom.