05x07 - New Kidney On the Block

[bunniefuu]

[indistinct chatter]


- It's dark.
- It's beautiful!

[coughing]

Give me that.

Told you a million times,

don't inhale.

I don't like it here. Let's go home.

What are you, nuts? We've been practicin' two weeks for this.

We came here to dance, we're gonna dance.


- What if they say no?
- They can't say no.

It's a taxi dance. For cents a minute, they're yours.


- Hello, sweethearts!
- How you doin'?


- Hiya, doll.
- Where you've been all my life?


- And his, too.
- Okay, sport.

[music continues]

See, Benny baby, you don't even have to bait the hook.

You're with him and you're mine, honey.

Whatever you say.

[upbeat music]


- You ready, Benny?
- Ready.

Okay.

Man : Whoo!
- Five, six, seven, eight.

[music continues]

Aurora: You guys are good!
- Good, nothin'. We're perfect.


- Okay, Benny, now!
- Wow!

Six years as a dance hostess, first time I've been dipped.

When I dip a girl, baby, she stays dipped.

Where'd you learn to dance like this?


- Murray.
- Arthur Murray?


- No, just Murray.
- Regular show.

[Murray laughs]

Yeah.

[music continues]

[indistinct chatter]

Man : Yeah.

Whoo!

Are we fun guys or what?

[crowd cheering]

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

First up, let us welcome Tommy Mullaney,

our new associate here on a trial basis.


- Your parking pass.
- Thanks. It's good to be here.

You'll find supplies and a daily diary in your office.

Time sheets in the top left drawer of your desk.

Anything else you need...


- Let us know.
- Thanks again.

On another administrative note, our new copying machine

arrives today. Very sophisticated.

There'll be a programmer here all week

to help us handle the transition.

Your patience is appreciated.

Now, anybody know the whereabouts of Grace Van Owen?

She's in her office. A friend of hers has some emergency.

Next up, "Hoblit et al. versus Exodus Transit."

That's my bus accident, happened last week,

involving rather large gentlemen

on their way to a fat farm in Palm Springs.

CJ: Mostly just bumps and bruises,

but where there's volume, there's profit.

One of my drivers handled the wreck. That's how I got it.


- One of your drivers?
- I own a tow
-truck company.

Sixteen trucks. It's a good business.

And all the drivers refer the fender benders to me.

Feeds a nice, little whiplash practice.

A whiplash practice. How exciting.

CJ: Yes, very. Anyway, the boys are coming tomorrow.

I'll take down the essentials, file my little complaint,

and, hopefully, have a modest settlement by Friday lunch.

Ah, you'll never pull that off.


- Yes, I will. Douglas: Alright, moving on.

"Westin versus Ramel." I hope you've settled.

We haven't. Trail starts tomorrow.

Big mistake. You aren't gonna get a penny.

What, an unprovoked as*ault, leaving my client half
-dead?

It wasn't unprovoked, your client

b*rned an American flag at a cemetery.

And that's a reason to att*ck him?

I'm not saying he should have been

beaten up, but he did deface

the symbol of our country.

Ann: Oh, come on, Douglas.
- Give me a break.

Douglas: Flag
-burning is reprehensible.

What's reprehensible is that a guy can commit

a vicious as*ault like that and then call himself

patriotic for defending a piece of cloth!

Well, now, that piece of cloth is symbolic

for what this country stands for.

This whole flag business is out of control.

Ann: Cheap Washington politicians exploiting

"Yankee Doodle Dandy" for electoral profit.

Douglas: It's a wonder we're all not under surveillance

by the FBI with this kind of sentiment.

Alright, Douglas, move along.

I'm too put off to move on.

Let someone else take over.

I thought you said these were dull.

Grace: Well, the problem will be proving it.

My doctor's willing to go on record if he has to.

But all he has is suspicion. He has no real proof.

Grace, I was on the transplant list for almost two years.

This kidney's a perfect match.

And suddenly it's going to some rich guy from Tokyo

who wasn't even on the list, there had to be a pay off.


- The kidney arrived when?
- Yesterday morning.

And you're sure it was a match?

My surgeon told me.

Then suddenly I find out I'm being bumped

by some guy who was put on the list that morning.

Our senior partner knows some people at Cedricks.

Let me check it out.

I'm sorry to hit on you like this.

I hate taking advantage of friendships
-
-

Will you shut up?

Diabetes and kidney failure is a bad combo.

Doctors are saying I'm looking at blindness,

possible stroke, eventual death

if I don't get this kidney.

Bitch, bitch, bitch. That's all you ever do.

[laughs]

I will do everything I can, Carol.

I know you will.

What's the matter? We can't go to lunch?

Benny can't take a lunch break?

Of course, he can.

But what's with the hats?

As a matter of fact, we have a double date.

The hats are a fashion statement.

A double date with who?

Two lovely, beautiful ladies.


- Right, Benny?
- Right.

Excuse us.


- Hi, dolls!
- Leland!

Uh, sorry to keep you waiting. Let's go.

Hi, Douglas. I like your hat.

Ah, thanks.

Mr. Westin, what were you doing in the m*llitary cemetery

in Westwood on November th, ?

It was Veterans Day.

Westin: We were conducting a peaceful demonstration

to protest another cut in the VA budget.

You're a veteran of the Vietnam w*r.


- Is that right? Westin: Yes.

And I was marching with other veterans.

Were you being disruptive in any way?

Well, not at first.

We weren't even being noticed.

All the attention was going to the politicians

posing by the graves.

Kuzak: How did that make you feel?

Westin: Hurt. It also made us angry.

We fought for this country. Some of us d*ed for it.

And they were acting like we didn't even exist!

So you got their attention by burning an American flag.

An act of deliberate disrespect.

Guys who served in Vietnam make up

maybe a third of the homeless.

They're sick, they're hungry, and nobody cares!

Westin: They're human beings, Mr. Kuzak.

Our protest was meant to remind people of that.

What happened when you b*rned the flag?

It drew a crowd. There was shouting.

A few people started to push and shove,

but mainly it was just name
-calling.

And then he came up from behind and att*cked me.

Kuzak: For the record, the witness has indicated

the defendant, Daniel Ramel.

Now then, Mr. Westin,

what exactly did Mr. Ramel do to you?

He tackled me and knocked me down.

When I tried to get up, he punched me in the jaw.

Westin: I was sort of half
-dazed by then,

and he started kicking me, in my head.


- All over.
- Did you fight back?

I tried to, but I was only

sort of half
-conscious by then.

If my friends hadn't pulled him off me,

he probably would've k*lled me.

How badly were you injured?

Four broken ribs, a concussion,

broken arm, broken jaw,

and I have blurry vision in my left eye.

The doctors say it's permanent.

Kuzak: Thank you, Mr. Westin. I have nothing further.

[indistinct chatter]

You went there to start a fight, didn't you?

I went there to make a point.

Come on, you wanted to provoke somebody

at that cemetery, didn't you?

You wanted to get somebody, anybody, mad enough

to get you and your cause on the six o'clock news.

I didn't know what would happen.

But you knew when you b*rned the flag

that you'd get some people there very upset, didn't you?


- Yes, but
-
-
- But nothing, Mr. Westin.

You slapped my client and those other mourners in the face.


- That is not what I was after.
- Your Honor, he's badgering!

You went there to express your hatred for this country.

I went there to express my outrage!

I enlisted to fight for this country. I almost d*ed for it!

And I was out there protesting because I still care about it.


- Non
-responsive and irrelevant.
- I am not irrelevant.

Look, I got sh*t up to pieces over there.


- Your Honor.
- Alright, Mr. Westin.

Green: That's enough.
- We matter, dammit!

People treat us like we were traitors!

But for God's sakes, we should matter!

Maltin: I'm only entertaining this meeting

as a courtesy to your friendship with Mr. Hill.

I can't allow you to influence hospital policy.

Well, I'm not trying to.

We just wanna know why Carol Graf

was suddenly passed over for the kidney.

Well, it was a medical decision made by the transplant surgeon.

Mr. Maltin, Carol Graf was put on your waiting list

over two years ago.

Mr. Okubo was put on just yesterday morning.

Seniority doesn't control. There's a multitude of criteria.

Carol was informed that she satisfied all those criteria.

Oh, she was suitable, no question.

It
-
- it was a tough decision, based on very detailed
-
-

How detailed could it have been if you chose a candidate

you hadn't even heard about over a week before?

Look, this isn't a debate.

Robert said you had some questions,

and we've been happy to answer those questions.

Well, I'd like to see the medical

files on the two candidates.

That's not gonna happen, and this meeting's over.

Here's an authorized release signed by Ms. Graf.

You will give us her records.

I don't know what you're trying to pull here, but I can tell y
-
-

I happen to know that Medicare puts a fixed ceiling

on how much you can charge for a kidney transplant,

except with foreigners.

McKenzie: Now, you can bill this Mr. Okubo

up to $, for this operation,

while you can only get half that with an American citizen.


- Get the hell out of here. Stafford: George.

I don't have to tolerate accusations like that.

And you just better hope we can't prove 'em.

This discussion is officially over.

This thing is not over. We'll see you in court.


- We'll get an injunction. Stafford: Do whatever you want.

As I said, this discussion is over.

CJ: Alright, gentlemen, settle down. Let's get organized.


- I need your attention!
- You know, I think my ribs...

CJ: In the form. Put it all in the form.

Hand these out to the guys, would you?

[indistinct chatter]


- What's going on?
- Excuse me.

[whistles] Thank you.

Plaintiffs, this is Douglas Brackman, major attorney here.


- Please wish him good morning. All: Good morning.

Good morning. What the hell is going on?

I'm organizing my case.

[indistinct chatter]


- I'm the photographer.
- Ah.


- And I'm Dr. Kendall.
- Excellent.

You can't jam up reception like this.

Listen, looks like I'm gonna be taking statements all day.

Could you possibly come back tomorrow?


- It's okay by me.
- Yeah?


- Same time?
- Excellent. Thank you.

I want to get a psychiatrist in as well.

For God's sakes, CJ, this is a circus.

We have important clients coming in. You have to clear the area.

I will be through with this as soon as I can.


- I really do promise.
- Thank you.

Gentlemen, Douglas is leaving.


- Please wish him good day. All: Good day!

Okay, those with broken bones step up first, please.

Let's see those fractures, gentlemen.

They were paid off, Your Honor. That kidney was bought!

That's a blatant lie. And I ask that she be sanctioned.

McGrath: No, I'm not gonna sanction her.

This is going on all the time at your hospital, Mr. Stafford.

Rich foreign nationals coming over here, buying body parts,

and Americans are losing out.


- Your Honor
-
-
- Now you tell me.

How come this guy gets the kidney?

He's not even on the list.

Mr. Okubo was on the list

before the kidney was found, Your Honor.

Stafford: He suffers from polycystic kidney

and heart disease, which is extremely
-
-

According to counsel's papers, Ms. Graf is just as sick.

Stafford: Yes, but the committee felt that the need

was more immediate with Mr. Okubo.

Well, only because of the heart condition.

Certainly Your Honor cannot substitute

his own medical opinion for that of the doctors.


- Who the hell are you?
- Attorney Joseph Fielding.

Your Honor, I represent Mr. Okubo,

the prospective kidney recipient,

as selected in full accordance

with the hospital's medical standards.

Well, shut up and sit down. You're not relevant.

Stafford: Your Honor, if I may.

The condition of Mr. Okubo is more dire. If he is
-
-

Ms. Graf will die, for God's sakes.

She's got a good chance of surviving

long enough for us to find another kidney.

Come on, it took you two years to find this one!


- Counsel.
- Mr. Okubo is years old.

The cut
-off age for transplants is . It is now
-
-

My client is in a wheelchair today. She could go blind.

McGrath: I said hold it.
- She could die!

I said shut up!

Ms. Van Owen,

do you have any proof this kidney was bought?

I have the suspicions of Ms. Graf's doctors.

Grace: We also have this hospital's history

of catering to foreigners.

Which is no proof at all.

In time, I'll get proof.

Alright.

Absent any hard evidence of wrongdoing by the hospital,

I can't upset their medical decision.

Ms. Graf, I would love to order them to give you this kidney

because I think I know what's going on here.

But without proof, my hands are tied.

I sincerely hope another kidney comes along.

And in the meantime, I pray for your health.

Motion for TRO denied. Next case.

[indistinct chatter]

[sighs]

[knocking on door]

Ms. Van Owen.

I heard it didn't go so good.

No, it didn't.

Look, I got a couple of connections.

Tommy: Maybe it does some good, maybe it don't.

The kidney gets transplanted in less than two hours.

You'd be a little rushed to make your connections.

Yeah, well, this would be for a different kidney.

I know some people who know some people.

How about I introduce you?

You save some time end of the day.

[drawer shuts]

[clanking]

Wow. That's a beautiful piece of equipment.

Arnie Becker. And you are...

Maura Fitzgerald. Copy master programmer.

I'll be training your employees.

Oh, nice to meet you.

This is really quite extraordinary, huh?

Well, it's nice to see somebody

who can appreciate their photocopier.

Are you kidding, I've been fascinated by

reproductive techniques since

I hit puberty. [chuckles]

Oh, please, not again.

Every time I go into an office, it's the same thing.

"Do you like the top tray or the bottom tray?"

"Aren't multiples thrilling?"

"Oh, come here, help me get an enlargement."

[chuckles] Or are these things phallic or what?

I don't know.

But I will tell you this.

I am not someone who needs to go fishing with entendres.

First, I'm a happily married man.

Second, if it were my intent to come on

to someone as beautiful as yourself,

I wouldn't do it with flirtatious little puns

about a copying machine.

I would be direct.

I would look straight into her eyes

and would tell her how physically attracted I was.

Then I would search those eyes

for the slightest hint of reciprocity.

And if I found it, I would act.

No verbal foreplay, I would just go for it,

right then, right there...

if that were my intent.

Hm.

It's now :.

How about I return all these calls, tell them

you're out for the day, you'll get back to them tomorrow?

[sighs] That would, uh, that would be great.

Also, Kenwood Manor called.

They said for an extra . per month,

you get dishes, silverware and laundry service.


- So I went ahead and booked it.
- Great.

Stuart...

if this has anything to do with me, let me quit,

because I don't see the point.

It's not about you, Gwen.

I
-
- I mean, God knows you are a beautiful woman

that any man would want and any woman would be jealous of.

But this thing is, uh...

This thing is Ann and me.

If there's anything I can do...

[scoffs] Thanks.

Excuse me.

Oh, yeah, I was just leaving.

Hi.

Stuart, I've been thinking.

[sighs] It's really your house.

And if we're going to be apart,

uh, I should really be the one that goes someplace else.

I mean, it just doesn't make sense.

No, no.

I want Matthew to live in his own house.

I don't want him to be shlepped back and forth. No.


- Okay. Stuart: Unless...

Unless you'd consider leaving him with me.

Absolutely not.

No, right. Well...

I've already moved out. You stay in the house.

Fine.

[door opens]

[door shuts]

[traffic bustling]

And you did apologize to Mr. Westin?

Of course. I'm sorry for what I did.

I still think he's wrong, but I should never have hit him.

Mr. Ramel, why did you hit Mr. Westin?

Ramel: When I saw him burning the flag, I lost it.

I'd just put a flag on my dad's grave,

and something inside of me snapped.

When and how did your father die?


- Objection. Irrelevant.
- Overruled.

He d*ed in Vietnam in during the Tet Offensive.

He was in a firebase near Da Nang,

and the whole unit was wiped out.

Now, the Tet Offensive was in January,

and you were born in April of that year?


- That's right.
- So you never met your father?

No, I didn't. I just, uh...

I just have his memory.

Echeverria: And when you saw Mr. Westin burn

the American flag, you took that as an insult

to that memory, and lost control.

My father d*ed for that flag.

Ramel: He gave his life for it.

Thank you. I have nothing further.

So, you admit in front of this jury that you were wrong.

And what he did was wrong, too.

Well, how was the expression

of an opinion wrong, sir?

He wasn't expressing an opinion. He b*rned the flag.

The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled

that flag
-burning is expressive conduct protected

by the First Amendment. Now, you wanna take a whack at them, too?

Ramel: It was Veterans Day.

Families were there paying respects

to their loved ones, and he does that

in front of news cameras and congressmen?


- Well, you had your reasons.
- Yes.

Echeverria: Your Honor. Kuzak: Well, now I'm confused.

One minute you say you just snapped, the next minute you say

you had your reasons. Now, which one is it?


- The reasons made me snap. Kuzak: Uh
-huh?

Now, you tried to enlist in the army on two separate occasions,

but were turned down both times

because of a heart murmur, is that right?


- There's no relevance.
- Your Honor.

I'd like a little latitude here.

I'm trying to show that this man is

a frustrated wanna
-be soldier

lookin' to be a hero wherever he can.

Echeverria: That's ridiculous! Green: I'll allow it.

What is that supposed to mean?

It means that you're angry.

You're angry that you never got a chance

to get in there and mix it up yourself!

Well, at least I tried, Mr. Kuzak, I didn't pull

some strings and end up in the reserves like you did.


- Excuse me? Ramel: Yeah, we checked on you.

When people like my father were off in Vietnam..


- People like you were not.
- Well, what does that say?

Echeverria: Your Honor.
- It says you use connections.

My dad d*ed for this country and you get to live!

And I shouldn't live, should I? No, no,

I should be b*at up and stomped on like Mr. Westin here

because I don't live up to your standard of patriotism!


- You're a coward!
- Well, go ahead.


- And b*at me up, Mr. Ramel.
- Objection.

Mr. Kuzak, that's enough.

Withdrawn. Nothing further.

[indistinct chatter]

Grace: This is illegal.

You're a kidney broker, and that's against the law.

I've been doing this for seven years,

Ms. Van Owen, I've never been arrested
-
-

Because you've never been caught.

Very true. Alright, listen, I'm here.

Royko: Do you want me to stay or should I go?

Exactly what would happen if we did this?

Well, first I'd check my donors for tissue typing, make sure
-
-

Wait a second, you already have donors?

There are certain people in your less
-fortunate neighborhoods

who are willing to help out for compensation.

They sell their kidneys?

A person only needs one kidney.


- The second is a windfall. Tommy: Look, Grace.

This is not a glamorous thing here,

but there are people who need money

and who want to do this, it's a reality.

Given it's a fact that neither you nor I can change,

why not save your friend's life?

You'll need to get me her medical records ASAP.

Royko: I need to get her tissue type and other vitals.

I have a pretty big network, so if she's

type O, I'll have somebody...


- By tomorrow.
- What's the cost?

With this kind of acceleration, ,.

She doesn't have that kind of money, but even if
-
-

Tommy: Look, I could front her a little.

I recently came into some tobacco money.

We're doing exactly what Mr. Okubo did.


- We're buying a kidney!
- Set it up, Frank.

But get the donor in here. I gotta talk to her first.


- Tommy
-
-
- We either do it or she dies.

Get to work.

You slap her on the thigh and ride the tide in.


- Aha
-ha...
- Oh, Leland.


- I don't get it.
- Ha
-ha
-ha...

That's what I love about this guy.

He refuses to get a dirty joke.

I love it! [laughs]

How about another pitcher of beer, lovely ladies?


- Sure.
- Okay, come one.

Let's go, Douglas.


- Oh. Dammit!
- Sorry.

Watch where you're goin', for God's sakes.


- You idiot!
- He said he was sorry.

Him sayin' he's sorry isn't gonna unruin my tie!

I
-
- I
-
- I can get a towel and then I can dry it off.

What are you, a wise ass or a ret*rd?

Why don't you shut your mouth?


- Hey, d*ck.
- Oh, hey, I'm sorry.


- Oh, that's quite alright.
- Ow! Ow!


- Hey!
- Leave him alone!

[clamoring]


- Are you okay?
- Okay, that's it!

Let's take it outside!

[glass shattering]

[screaming]

[clamoring]

Outside. Take it...

You don't wanna get mixed up in this.

[clamoring]


- Stop it! Murray: Get off of me.


- Get him out of here.
- Stop it!

[indistinct chatter]

[instrumental music]

CJ: Come on, gents, this way, please.


- Excuse me.
- Rox, just calm down.

Don't tell me to calm down.

They spent the whole night in jail.

We'll have 'em out by noon.

Arnie, you got the file? I'm off.

Right here, remember, plead not guilty

to everything. We have diminished capacity.

I got it, I got it. You ready?

I'm ready. I can't believe this.

Arnold Becker.

Melody, calm down, calm down.

I'm going in my office.

The reason I wanted to meet you,

I wanna be sure you know all the risks.

Mr. Royko told me.

And you are absolutely certain

that this is something that you wanna do.


- Yes.
- And you realize, ma'am...

Tommy: That even though you can live just fine with one kidney,

if something should ever go wrong with your

remaining kidney, it would be, well, very serious.

She knows all this, Tommy. You have her written release.

Alright, okay, here's a summary of Mrs. Graf's personal history.


- Alright. Royko: Remember, I told you.

The hospital won't do the operation

unless they're convinced you two are really cousins.

W
-
- we'll have to go over all this.

Helena: Okay.
- Okay.

We meet with the hospital : a.m.

And on the outside chance they could operate tomorrow,

no eating after midnight tonight.

Mrs. Washington, I want you to know how grateful I am.


- This could save my life.
- When do I get the money?

Royko: After the operation.

As soon as you come out of the hospital.


- Okay. Tommy: Great.

Then we'll all see each other, uh, tomorrow morning.


- Good.
- Good.

Now, doctor, are you telling this court

that my client was conditioned to snap?

I'm saying it's possible.

Many people, particularly men,

are raised to regard the American flag as sacred.


- Even more than religion.
- And this was a factor here?

Well, you have a young man whose entire image of his father

is attached to a coffin draped by this symbol.

He also went to a school as a youth where the first thing

every morning, the students pledged their allegiance

to this flag. Then you have our own government.

Now, what's the government got to do with it?

Greggory: There's m*llitary recruitment all over

the airwaves, certainly selling patriotism.

You have the President of the United States,

with this country trillions of dollars in debt,

suggesting that we spend millions of dollars

on a constitutional amendment to protect the flag.

What's the relevance of this?

The relevance is, this country has exalted

the importance of the flag to a disproportionate level.

Now, there's a medical opinion.

Alright, doctor, just stick

to your examination of the defendant.

My psychiatric conclusion is that

this man was raised to attach

extraordinary meaning to the American flag.

And seeing it desecrated was an extreme shock

to his sensibilities, and it was that shock

that caused him to act aggressively.

Thank you, doctor. I have nothing further.

How much did they pay you to come up with that?

Echeverria: Objection. Green: Withdrawn.

So what is this now? The red, white and blue defense?

Greggory: Those colors can be pretty blinding, counselor.

There are , kids in the Persian Gulf right now,

ready to die for cheaper oil prices.


- Move to strike. Green: Doctor.

I'm going to ask you again to refrain from

politics and stick to medical testimony.

The two are not exclusive, Your Honor, I am talking

about patriotism causing irrational behavior,

and that is what we're dealing with here.

So then, doctor, it is your medical opinion

that patriotism can render people incapable

of distinguishing right from wrong?


- Not specifically, no, but
-
-
- In fact, doctor...

Daniel Ramel knew the nature of his act that day, didn't he?


- Yes, he did, but
-
-
- He got angry.

And instead of controlling his anger, he acted upon it,

and he b*at up Bob Westin, correct?


- So it would seem. Kuzak: So it would seem.

Thank you, Dr. Greggory. [sighs]

Clerk: "Case number
-
-
-
-, People versus Murray Melman,

People versus Benjamin Stulwicz."

"as*ault and battery. Wanton destruction of property."

Victor Sifuentes for both defendants, Your Honor.


- Waive reading.
- Barroom brawl, judge.

Victor: Your Honor, I think we can get rid of this today.

Mr. Melman suffers from Alzheimer's disease,

Mr. Stulwicz is mentally Ret*rded.

There's some serious question as to whether the defendants

can form criminal intent here.

Plus which, this was just a fight

where the only real damage was to property.

I'd be seeking a dismissal conditioned on my clients

paying their fair share of restitution to the bar.

I do this for you, I gotta kick the two guys they fought with.

Shubow: Can you live with that?
- Oh, I'll get by, judge.

Mr. Melman, I see last year you also swiped a bus.

Shubow: If I send you home, am I gonna be seeing you again?

Uh, i
-
- if it pleased the court, Your Honor, Mr. Melman's episode

with the bus occurred at a time where he was

particularly vulnerable to the Aizheimer's.

He's progressed somewhat now and
-
-

He's breaking bottles over peoples' heads.

Uh, excuse me, sir. May I say something here?


- Oh, God.
- I wish you would.

Well, the thing is this, judge.

I know that this Alzheimer's thing makes me wacky sometimes,

but the reason I'm here today is because some jerk in a bar

called my friend here a
-
- an idiot and a ret*rd.

I was sticking up for my buddy.

If that makes me a criminal or crazy, so be it.

[sighs]

I don't wanna see either of you two again.

Next time I'm not such a nice guy.

Complaint conditionally dismissed. Next case.

[indistinct chatter]


- Left.
- Okay.

Inhale. Deep breath.


- And exhale.
- Wear this at least two weeks.

You could take it off at night.

[indistinct chatter]

CJ: So how's it going over here?
- I don't believe this.

Douglas: In God's name, I never thought

I'd ever see anything like this.

Where'd you find this woman, Douglas?

Leland hired her after she trashed us

in the SLAPP suit.

It's going great, don't you think?

I've got a wonderful assortment of bruises here.

This is shaping up to be quite an exciting case.


- Wonderful.
- The doctor.

He said I might have punctured a lung!

You're kidding!


- Come on. Man : Right there, that's...

[indistinct chatter]

Man : Yeah.

[knocking on door]

Oh, hi, Leland. How's it goin'?

Fine.

Everything settled okay?

I tell ya, I think it's gonna take me a little while

to break everything in.


- But I'm having fun.
- That's good.

I had a call from Bob Hill over at Cedricks Hospital.

Said they had a request for a meeting

over a potential new donor for Carol Graf.

He said the request came from you.

Yeah, we got lucky.

We may have lined up a donor,

so I want the hospital to be ready to go.

You went to a kidney broker, didn't you?

Well, see, now I got a dilemma here.

I mean, you're the senior partner, I gotta ask myself,

"Is he in here looking for insulation

or does he wanna have a candid conversation?"


- I want the truth.
- I got a kidney broker.

Alright, now you listen to me.

I'm aware that this sort of thing goes on.

I'm also aware that you're not used to doing business

the way we do it, but I will not allow my integrity

or the integrity of this firm to be compromised,

no matter what the situation.


- Do you understand me?
- I think so.

A woman's dying and you're worried about your reputation.

I'm worried about being involved in illegal actions, criminal
-
-

But you're not involved, I didn't tell you

about the meeting, so you could just stay in

your office uninvolved. Why don't you do that?

I never stay uninvolved, counselor.

And you're starting off on the wrong foot here.

Alright, Leland, I'll tell you what.

Why don't you just give Carol Graf a call?

You tell her that you're sorry she's gonna die,

but you got an image to protect.

Look, there is a bigger picture at
-
-

I never look at the big picture.

I just do one job at a time.

The only question I ask is, can I live with myself?

On this one, I can.

And I'm telling you, I can't.

Alright, come on, , is a great offer.

Bob?

I need the money.


- But I'm not gonna take it.
- Good.

'Cause I don't wanna pay it anyway.


- Dan.
- No, no.

Ramel: Look, I said I was sorry for hurting you, and I am.

But what you did was despicable.

You think I care what you think?

Alright, can we just keep this on the offer?

...how sorry you can feel for yourself.


- Okay, Dan, that's enough.
- The same lies.

The same delusions that k*lled your old man.

Let me tell you something about my father.

Okay, this meeting's over. We're done here.


- To think he gave his life
-
-
- You would have made him sick!


- Ugh!
- Alright, alright.

You wanna come head
-on this time?

Shut your mouth!

United States of America k*lled your father!

You shut up! Shut up!

Your father...

Don't you understand? We were there.

We k*lled civilians, we k*lled babies,

your father and me!

We were only years old.

[instrumental music]

[sighs]

[sighs]

None of you was in Vietnam.

So there's not the slightest chance

that you or I could ever know the frustration

or the rage that Bob Westin must know,

having risked his life for a country

that would only ignore him upon his return.

Likewise, we can never know the emptiness of Dan Ramel

or the rage that he must feel having lost a father to a w*r

that the American people would willingly forget.

Both of these men are victims of the Vietnam w*r.

And there isn't a jury anywhere that can make them whole.

But that's not what this trial was about.

This trial is only about the suffering of a plaintiff

caused by the illegal acts of a defendant.

And your job here, ladies and gentlemen,

is to sift through all of the emotion

and all of the passion and apply the law.

The law, as declared by the Supreme Court

of the United States, provides that

flag
-burning is protected free speech.

Under the law,

that man b*at up that man

because he exercised his First Amendment right.

Now, this country should be ashamed of the way

it's treated its Vietnam w*r veterans.

It's an unforgivable disgrace.

The government should be ashamed

that there are people like Dan Ramel

who have grown up never knowing their fathers.

But if you condone what the defendant did,

then you att*ck the one thing

that this country should be most proud of,

the right for its citizens to enjoy free speech.

The freedom to engage in open and frank debate,

it's what this country is all about, ladies and gentlemen.

And if you do anything today to discourage that...

you should be ashamed of yourselves.

All the plaintiff did was exercise free speech.

He just made a statement.

And this is the statement that he made.


- Objection!
- Mr. Echeverria!

This is how he expressed his

free speech, ladies and gentlemen.

Both parties stipulate this as expressive conduct, Your
-
-

Move for sanctions, Your Honor, ask for instruction.

...Mr. Kuzak, that it's prejudicial?

That the jury will be inflamed by something

my client had no right to be inflamed by?

Alright, that's enough, just finish your closing,

Mr. Echeverria, and no more stunts.

How did you feel as you saw our flag being b*rned?

Imagine how Dan Ramel must have felt.

At the cemetery, honoring his dead father,

imagine how he must have felt.

The only thing his father gave him was cause to be proud.

And the plaintiff tried to take that away.

The plaintiff spit on that!

What son wouldn't do...

what Dan Ramel did?

[indistinct chatter]

You expect us to believe that this woman is Ms. Graf's cousin?

Why would you not believe it?

I just have doubts, Mr. Mullaney.

And naturally, the hospital has

to be concerned with potential exposure

should they accept a kidney from a living donor,

whose motive isn't purely altruistic.

Oh, you couldn't possibly be thinking about exposure here,

'cause if you were, you'd be thinking about

the wrongful death action we'd file should Carol Graf die.

Tommy: Even if she don't die, you'd be thinking about

the emotional distress claim we're drafting as we speak.


- On what grounds?
- Conflict of interest.


- Breach of implied promise.
- Come on!

And if you're really worried about exposure,

you've gotta be thinking of the big public stink

I'm gonna make on how Mr. Okubo got that kidney.

You already tried that, you've no evidence
-
-

Yeah, that's because I haven't investigated it yet.

I haven't deposed everyone on your selection committee.

I haven't deposed Carol Graf's doctor,

who I know is gonna point me to some leads.

I haven't deposed every doctor, nurse, radiologist, orderly

and employee who works here. And you know what?

Even if I scrape up nothin', I like what I got already.

A dying woman, two years on the waiting list,

suddenly pushed aside for a rich alien who can pay twice as much.

And, of course, gentlemen, should that Japanese guy

ever make a gift to this place,

imagine how bad that would look to the jury.

But, fortunately, we're all on the same side.

We don't have to be confrontational here.

Certified medical records attesting to the cross
-matching

of the donor and the donee.

I got signed releases here from everybody

insulating you from liability,

including releases for litigation

currently under consideration by Ms. Graf.

All you have to do is perform the transplant.

It protects the hospital from exposure

and you get to save Ms. Graf's life,

something I know you wanna do.

It's a win
-win situation.

Very nice presentation, Mr. Mullaney.

You should see me with slides.

All of this is conditioned on our own testing of both women.

Absolutely! They're ready to go.

Okay, get them in here.

[traffic bustling]

Ms. Lamb. Just the person I'm looking for.

What a coincidence. I was just about to go looking for you.

What happened yesterday simply cannot happen again.

Besides paralyzing our kitchen,

this bus accident is not the kind of case

McKenzie, Brackman takes on.


- Uh, d
-
-
- Uh
-uh
-uh, I'm sorry.

I don't mean to be abrupt, but I wish

you would terminate our involvement

in this matter as soon as possible.

I already terminated this morning.

We settled with the bus company for ,.

And here is a check made payable to the firm

for $,.

Oh.

Did you need me for anything else?


- No.
- Okay.

[indistinct chatter]

Thank you.

[knocking on door]


- Hi.
- Hi.

I just wanna know if I could get Matthew at :

instead of : on Saturday. I, uh...

Stuart: I wanna get an early start with him.

Okay.

Okay, thanks.

[indistinct chatter]

[indistinct chatter]


- Hi. He in?
- Hi. Oh, no.

He's still at lunch. He should be back in a few minutes though.


- I'll just wait in his office.
- Okay.

Excuse me, I'm kind of pressed for time,

and I need your boss' home phone number.


- What for?
- Actually, it's private.

Actually, Arnie's a happily married man.

Well then, there wouldn't be any thr*at

in me having his number, would there?

Listen to me, if you make one move

in Arnie's direction, even the tiniest little wiggle,

I'll go right to the senior partner.

I'll make sure you never reproduce

around here again. Got it?

[indistinct chatter]

I heard all that.

Did Arnie... Never mind. Heh.

Arnie doesn't even know her, Corrine.

That woman makes tracks for everything in pants.

She needs no invitation.

Hm.

[sighs]

Thanks, Roxanne.

Sure.

Has the jury reached a verdict, Mr. Foreman?


- We have. Green: How say you?

"In the matter of Robert Westin versus Dan Ramel,

we find in favor of the plaintiff

and order the defendant to pay compensatory damages

in the amount of $."

"We further order the defendant

to pay punitive damages in the amount of one dollar."

Green: Thank you, ladies and gentlemen of the jury.

We are now adjourned.

I want to appeal.

[sighs] Bob, even if we did have grounds,

the best we could get is a new trial.

I'm not sure the situation would be any different.


- Look, I wouldn't risk bankr
-
-
- I know you wouldn't.

You play it safe. You don't take risks.

That's why you joined the reserves.

Now, what's that got to do with anything?

I'm not taking the easy way out, Michael.

What I fought for years ago, what Ramel's father d*ed for,

was my right to burn that flag. And I want an appeal.

Look, whatever your demons are with this, listen to me.

As lawyer to client, I'm telling you

you have to look at this objectively.


- No, you listen to me.
- The jury
-
-

From a guy who was there to one who wasn't,

don't you tell me how to look at this situation.

[chair creaking]

Hi. The transplant was a success.


- Really?
- Yeah.

The new kidney was a take.


- Both patients are fine.
- Oh, that is great.


- That's fantastic, Grace.
- Thank you, Tommy.


- No problem.
- Well...

Not only for helping to save Carol,

but also for taking me off the hook.


- I beg your pardon?
- Well...

I
-
- I'm an ex
-DA, an ex
-judge.

I've spent my life preaching that people can't take the law

into their own hands, but for Carol's sake, somebody had to.

And, uh, you knew it couldn't be me, so you took over.

Yeah, well, my ex
-wife's a DA,

and I figured...

Well, so long as the job got done, right?

Yeah. It got done.

I owe you.

McKenzie: I'm aware of what transpired today.

To you, all I can say is I am shocked.

And to you, if I could figure out a way to fire you

without f*ring her, you'd be packing out of here right now.

You aided and abetted a federal crime.

If you ever do anything remotely like that again,

you will be out of here.

And the same goes for you.

[door opens]

[door shuts]

[instrumental music]

The girls called.

Oh. Good. Very good.

We'll call 'em back in five days.

Five?

We're hard to get, but not too hard.

Oh. [laughs]

You sure know a lot about women.

Ah, nobody knows a lot about women.

But my wife used to say I was a good student.

Your wife. That's Roxanne's mom.

Murray: Yeah. She had red hair.

Uh, boy, she loved to laugh.

She loved to tell me off, too. [laughing]


- You miss her.
- Look at the dragon.

Hey, come here, come here, come here, come here. Look at this.

Look at this. You know who that is, huh?


- That's Fred and Ethel.
- Ha
-ha
-ha...

Murray: That's right. Fred and Ethel.

I smell the blood of a McGillicuddy.


- Ha
-ha
-ha...
- What's a McGillicuddy?

Lucy! Come here, come here, sit down.

Sit down, look at this. Look at that [indistinct].

Yeah, yeah, I'm tomorrow's blue
-plate special.

[screams]

[both laughing]


- Eat me.
- Oh, no, we couldn't do that.

Spanish food gives us heartburn.

[both laughing]

Ethel: Now get up...

[both laughing]

[theme music]

[instrumental music]