03x16 - Trial of the Partridge One

[bunniefuu]

♪ Hello, world, hear
the song that we're singin'

♪ Come on, get happy

♪ A whole lot of lovin'
is what we'll be bringin'

♪ We'll make you happy

♪ We had a dream
we'd go travelin' together

♪ And spread a little lovin'
then we'd keep movin' on

♪ Somethin' always happens
whenever we're together

♪ We get a happy feelin'
when we're singin' a song

♪ Travelin' along there's
a song that we're singin'

♪ Come on, get happy

♪ A whole lot of lovin'
is what we'll be bringin'

♪ We'll make you happy

♪ We'll make you happy

♪ We'll make you happy ♪

Okay, sweetheart,

your attendance
slips or your life.

Hi, Keith.

How'd you know it was me?

Because you're the only one I know
who does bad Cagney impressions.

It was supposed to be Bogart.

All right, what are you doing
in Cindy Brown's locker?

Oh, it's you, Keith.

Hi, Cindy. Scared
me half to death.

Well, I'm sorry.

I guess I'm just
nervous about exams.

Yeah, so am I.

You should be.

See you later, Cindy.

You really look worried.

I have three tests tomorrow,
and I just have to do well.

I'd die if I got all C's again.

Are you ready for
Felcher's math test?

I could never be ready for that.

I'm just hoping I
can do well enough

in my other courses
and make it balance off.

Oh, wow, now I'm late.

Laurie, would you drop this in
Mr. Felcher's mailbox for me?

Oh, sure.

Got to run. See you later.

Hi.

Mr. Felcher.

Mmm-hmm.

I think you better come
along with me, Miss Partridge.

Why?

Principal Brown will be
very interested to hear

what you're doing with
tomorrow's math test.

Look, why don't we get started?

When Laurie gets here, she
can play faster and catch up.

Hi. Sorry that I'm late.

Oh, don't be sorry.

We couldn't have started till
our pianist got here, anyway.

Laurie, rehearsal
starts at :.

That's when the little hand is on the
three and the big hand is straight up.

All right.

I seem to remember
you two being late before.

All right, let's get started.

One, two, one, two, three.

♪ Hello, baby ♪ Yes,
it's me again and I'm

♪ Looking for the rainbow's end

♪ It's hidden in your mind

♪ I'll tell you, baby

♪ I think I can
bring you through

♪ And the answer
lies within those lonely

♪ eyes of opaque blue

♪ It's you ALL: ♪ It's you

♪ It's you ALL:♪ It's you

♪ I'll never find
another love like you

♪ Like you ♪
It's you ALL: ♪ Like you

♪ I would die if
you should leave me

♪ Baby, baby, please believe me

♪ Hello, baby ALL: ♪ Hello, baby

♪ Yes, it's me again once more

♪ Me again once more

♪ Oh, I know that
we can find the love

♪ That we once had before

♪ We once had before

♪ I'll tell you, baby
ALL: ♪ Tell you, baby

♪ I can't face another day

♪ Face another day

♪ And before the
sun goes down tonight

♪ I've got to hear you say

♪ It's you ALL: ♪ It's you

♪ It's you ALL: ♪ It's you

♪ I'll never find
another love like you

♪ Like you ♪
It's you ALL: ♪ Like you

♪ I would die if
you should leave me

♪ Baby, baby, please believe me

♪ It's you ♪ It's you

♪ I'll never find
another love like you

♪ Like you ♪
Like you ALL: ♪ Like you

♪ I'll never find
another love like you

♪ Like you ♪
Like you ALL: ♪ Like you

♪ I'll never find
another love like you ♪

Well, it's a good
thing you showed up,

or the song would
have been perfect.

Let's take a short break.

We only did one...

Like I said, let's
take a short break.

That's our Keith. Talented,
handsome and wishy-washy.

Honey,

what's wrong?

Mom, I'm in a lot of trouble. They think
I stole one of Mr. Felcher's math tests.

What?

I didn't take it,
but they think I did.

Did you tell them
you didn't take it?

Of course.

But it's a little hard to get
a teacher to believe you

when he's holding your wrist
and you're holding his test.

How did you get the test?

Cindy Brown gave it to me.

Cindy Brown?

I know, Mom, but she's
in a really tight spot.

Honey, other kids have grade
problems, but they don't steal tests.

Other kids aren't the
principal's daughter.

She thinks that average
is another word for failure.

Laurie, this is very serious.

You can't take the
blame for stealing a test.

But I won't have to.

I mean, I know Cindy. She'll tell
the truth about what happened.

You're risking an
awful lot on that.

Well, you have to give your
friends a chance, don't you?

Yes. You do.

And don't worry.
Everything will work out fine.

Want a "Free Laurie" armband?

No. But I would like to know how
the whole school found out about this.

Ah.

Well, it seems Marcia Merdine overheard
Felcher telling another teacher...

Couldn't she keep it to herself?

Old megaphone mouth?

That's like asking Mick
Jagger to give up his lips.

Have you found
out who did it yet?

No. No, I haven't.

Well, just want you
to know one thing.

I'm with you.

Thanks.

See you.

Laurie?

I... I was gonna call you
last night, but I couldn't.

Laurie, you've
got to believe me.

I never meant
for this to happen.

How could you take
the test in the first place?

I had to.

I hardly had enough time
to study for my other tests.

There was just no
way I could pass math.

Laurie, I'm scared to death.

Do you have any idea what my
father would do if I failed a course?

What'll he do if he finds
out you stole a test?

He'd never understand.

"Principal's daughter
caught cheating."

Doesn't sound too good, does it?

Neither does "expel Laurie."

I know.

And I'll understand
if you turn me in.

Cindy, I don't
want to turn you in.

I want you to try and...

Good afternoon, girls.

Hi, Brad.

I'm sorry to burst
in on your little chat,

but I have something
for you, Laurie.

What's this?

As prosecuting attorney for the
student court of San Pueblo High,

it is my duty to serve
you with this summons.

Summons? BRAD: Yes.

You are to appear this
Thursday after school

to face charges of
examination dishonesty,

i.e. ripping off a test.

You may serve as your own
defense or receive aid of counsel.

Until Thursday.

Cindy, I...

Cindy!

Hi, Mom. Hi, Mom.

Hi, kids.

I'm afraid to ask how
everything went at school today.

Well,

this definitely wasn't
one of my better days.

Her trial is Thursday.

Trial?

In student court.

Before a jury of her peers.

But look at the bright side.

In our system, the person who's
innocent has nothing to worry about.

Most of the time.

Laurie, this has
gone far enough.

I know it looks bad, Mom,
but Cindy will come through.

Does she know about the trial?

Yes.

And she still hasn't
said anything about it.

Mom, she's so frightened about
how her father is gonna take this.

Honey, I'm not concerned about
that. I'm concerned about you.

All I need is a
little more time.

Laurie, the trial
is on Thursday.

I'm not gonna let this
go on much longer.

Understood?

Understood.

Can I come in?

Sure.

Laurie, uh,

I've been your brother
for quite some time.

In fact, I was your brother
even before you were my sister.

And, uh... Well, even
though you are my sister,

I still think you're
pretty terrific.

Oh, thanks.

An older brother feels a certain
responsibility towards his younger sister.

You know what I mean.

Like, remember the time
Mr. Murphy's window got broken

and they thought you
threw the baseball through it,

but I stood up and said I did it

just so you wouldn't get in
trouble? Remember that?

You did do it.

I know, but that's
not the point.

The point is that
there's the trial,

and I just don't want to see
anything bad happen to you.

Besides, I've had more experience
with legal matters than you have.

You know I've always
wanted to go to law school.

And, well...

I've seen almost every
Perry Mason episode,

even the reruns.

And, uh... Well...

I thought...

Laurie, what I'm
trying to say is

I'd like to be your defense
attorney, if you'd want me to be.

Well, I...

I'd love you to be.

Okay, now let's
start with the basics.

Point A, did you steal the test?

No.

Write that down. She
didn't steal the test.

"Didn't steal the test."

Point B, do you know who did?

Well, uh...

Yes, I guess so.

She knows who took the test.

"Knows who took the test."

Point C, who?

I can't tell you. She...

What do you mean, you
can't tell me? I'm your attorney.

Because if I tell you
why I can't tell you,

it would be the same
thing as telling you.

So I can't.

I'd go for permanent insanity.

Laurie, how do you expect me
to defend you if you won't talk?

I'm sorry. There are just
certain things I can't talk about.

Mom, she knows who took
the test, but she won't tell me.

How can I defend her if
she won't tell me anything?

She must have a good reason.

Just have to find
out for yourself.

Maybe if I had a
character witness.

I can handle that. I'm
an expert at character.

I have a lot of it
myself, you know.

Well, I do. Are you finished?

Yeah.

A character witness
will help, but our key

problem is to find out
who she's protecting.

Who would know?

Well, when I was Laurie's age,

I used to tell my
girlfriends everything.

I've got it. Laurie's
girlfriends might know.

That's a good idea.

But which ones?

She has more friends
than Hugh Hefner.

Well, who are her
closest friends?

Well, Carol,

Melinda, Harriet.

Any others?

There's Cindy.

Right, Cindy Fairenholds.

No, wait a minute. Laurie and Cindy
Fairenholds aren't good friends anymore.

What about Cindy Brown?

Of course, Cindy Brown. She knows
Laurie better than almost anybody does.

Why didn't I think of that?

Well, what do you think?
Do we have enough to go on?

I think it's a great beginning.

Come on, Danny. We
have a case to prepare.

Morning.

Morning. Mom, we don't
have time for breakfast.

What's the rush?

We have evidence to gather
and witnesses to talk to.

Justice does not
wait for breakfast.

Don't worry about a thing. We
have everything under control.

Come on, Danny.

If I were you, I'd worry.

Why?

'Cause your lawyer
forgot his briefcase.

Hi, Melinda.

Hi, Keith.

I want to talk to
you about Laurie.

I need some witnesses
to testify for her.

I'd love to.

That is, if you want me to.

Well, terrific.

You can tell the jury that
you know Laurie Partridge

to be a person who couldn't
possibly do what they said she did.

I'll say whatever you
want me to, Keith.

Great.

Under one condition.

What's that?

That you take me to
the dance Friday night.

Pick you up at :.

Pardon me.

Do you happen to be acquainted
with Miss Laurie Partridge?

Yeah, sure. I know her.

Would you be willing to be a
character witness for her at her trial?

I'd be glad to.

Great, just sign here.

You know, anybody who'd steal one
of Felcher's tests is all right with me.

Thanks.

What do you mean,
you think I'm the one?

I think you're the one who
can tell me what I need to know.

I can?

I think Laurie's innocent.

I'm sure you're right.

And I think she's
covering for someone.

You do?

And I think you're the one...

I think you're the one who
can help me find out who it is.

So, if you don't mind, I'd like to
ask you a couple of questions.

I feel kind of silly
about the first one.

Could I borrow a
quarter for a taco?

Well, we've built
up a terrific case

for the prosecution.

I'm almost convinced
myself that she's guilty.

You know, she's probably been
stealing spare change from us for years.

Danny!

Look, you can't just give up.
You have to have faith in her.

I'd rather have evidence.

Let's face it, Mom. They've
got an open-and-shut case.

Just think, tomorrow my sister's
gonna be a convicted test thief.

Look on the bright side. She'll be
the cutest one on the chain g*ng.

Well, I guess that does it.

Time's up.

Time's up? What does that mean?

Mr. Brown, I'm very glad you asked
to see me. I was about to call on you.

We're very concerned about
this whole matter, Mrs. Partridge.

I know Laurie
wouldn't steal an exam.

I'm convinced that she's trying
to cover up for one of her friends.

You are?

I'm sure. That's what
makes it so disturbing.

I'm powerless to do anything
about it. I've tried talking to her.

What did she say? Nothing.

All I found out was that the two
of you have a great relationship.

You know, I'm envious. I wish
I had that kind of a relationship

with my daughter, Cindy.

Well, Laurie does discuss her
problems with me, if that's what you mean.

That's what I mean.

Talking isn't easy for us.

Cindy knows that I want
her to do well at school,

but sometimes I try to
find out about an exam.

She only gets upset.

Mr. Brown, if you don't
mind my saying so,

maybe you're putting
too much pressure on her.

You know, sometimes we
expect our children to be something

they're just not
capable of being.

Maybe.

But just last night
I tried to tell Cindy

how proud I was that she did
so well on Mr. Felcher's math test.

She just cried.

Then I tried to change
the subject and talk to her

about Laurie's problem,
and she cried even harder.

You know, it's just not easy
being a parent sometimes.

Mrs. Partridge,

you know who
Laurie's protecting.

Mr. Brown, I think we both know.

Thank you, Mr. Felcher.
The prosecution rests.

Your witness.

Mr. Felcher, could
you please tell the court

what the defendant's
grades are in your class?

She carries a solid B average.

Uh-huh.

Isn't it odd that a student with a B
average should want to steal a test?

Yes. Aha!

However, the test
was in her hand.

Oh. Right.

Your honor, I move that this witness's
testimony be stricken from the record.

On what grounds?

On grounds that it might
incriminate my sister.

Forget it.

You may step down, Mr. Felcher.

Laurie, you've got to let
me put you on the stand.

No, I won't do it, Keith.

But, Laurie...

Does the defense wish
to call any witnesses?

Witnesses.

You know, the people who
tell your side of the story?

Well, your honor, I'd
like to call witnesses.

I really would.

But they're not here.

When will your
witnesses be here?

Just a minute!

I have important new evidence.

What are you doing?

It's a note.

There's nothing on it.

Fake it. It works
for Perry Mason.

Your Honor, I have just received
some startling new information.

And I'd like to call for a
postponement of this trial,

so that I may pursue the new
development in my client's case.

Forget it.

Look, Mr. Partridge, if you have
no witnesses and no evidence...

Your honor,

I do have one witness.

I call Laurie
Partridge to the stand.

Keith, I told you...
It's our only chance.

I don't care. I'm not...

I hate to interrupt you two,
but we don't have all day.

The jury has to get
back to gym class.

Will the defendant
take the stand?

State your name, please.

Laurie Partridge.

Laurie,

did you steal that test?

I did not.

Do you know who
did steal the test?

I repeat, do you know
who stole the test?

Miss Partridge,
you have to answer.

I can't.

Your Honor, I submit
that Laurie Partridge

did not take
Mr. Felcher's math test.

She's incapable of such an act.

What she is capable of,
however, is a deep loyalty and trust

towards those she
calls her friends.

She's demonstrating that
now by protecting one of them.

I regret that the defense
counsel was unable

to discover the
name of this person.

The name is Cindy Brown.

Laurie, "sorry" is
such a small word,

but I am sorry for
what I put you through.

I don't know what
else to say except

you showed me what
real friendship is all about.

Thank you. It's okay, Cindy.

I'd like to thank
you, too, Laurie.

What you did opened
my eyes to a lot of things.

You've got quite a daughter
there, Mrs. Partridge.

So do you, Mr. Brown.

If you will excuse us now,
we have a lot to talk about.

I can't believe we won.

No thanks to you. What?

Yeah, well, although you
two may be rotten as lawyers,

you're not too bad as brothers.

Well, our fees run a
lot higher than a hug.

Let's go.