06x18 - Love In Bloom

[bunniefuu]

Previously on "L.A. Law"...

Last week, I found empty beer cans in his room!

How do you know those weren't his brother's beer cans?

I can believe that of him, but Alexander?

What do you know about Alexander?

You get him twice a month, a weekend here and there.

I can do a hell of a lot better job of raising him than you.

Get your hands off me!

[both laugh]

Good Lord, they're soused!

Man, I'm getting stoned from the fumes.

Sam, come here!

Alexander?

Alexander!

Stuart Markowitz is the best thing that ever happened to me.

Do you actually think I could choose some love
-struck boy

over the man I have built my life with,

had my son with?


-I am not a love
-struck boy.
-Get out!

What about Matthew?

That's no longer your concern. You're fired.

Sorry bust in on you.

I'll only stay long enough to invite you all

to the biggest event of the season.


-Dodger tickets?
-Bigger. My wedding.

Ladies, I'd like you to meet Mikhail Olinskov,

the next Bobby DeNiro if I have anything to do with it,

and my fiancé.

It is with great pleasure

that I pronounce you husband and wife.

Congratulations. You may kiss the bride.

[cheering and applause]

Sleep well.

[door closes]

We'd like to throw something new into the mix.

I won't plead down from felony hit
-and
-run.

That stands.

A felony conviction would destroy me

in the business community.

He left a man to die in the street.

What's that do for you in the business community?

Mr. Grady accepts responsibility for the accident,

but on the charge of hit
-and
-run, he's innocent.

I have an eyewitness that says otherwise.

We're due in court.

Mr. Grady is sensitive to the fact

that the victim was a homeless person,

as he is attentive to the needs of other homeless community members.

His corporation owns the Rio Del Mar Motel in Venice.

rooms, due for renovation.

Mr. Grady will convert the motel

to a shelter facility for the homeless.

beds and a kitchen.

That's very generous.

And we plead to misdemeanor reckless driving, suspended.

This offer is premature.

When we get to sentencing, I will recommend leniency.

If we get to sentencing, this offer won't be made.

k*lling a man is not a misdemeanor.

Mr. Grady did not know that he hit the man.

This offer allows him to do something constructive for the city.

What this does is allow C. Howard Grady

to buy his way out of the system.

Nonsense.

Fines are punitive.

Mr. Grady's willing to be punished

to the tune of $ million.

That's not skirting the system.

Plea to the hit
-and
-run,

I'll drop vehicular manslaughter,

and I will work with you on the sentence.

We can't plead to a felony.

Then I'll see you in court.

[theme music]

That covers the agenda. No one has anything else?

We're adjourned.

Sorry, all. Did I miss anything?

Just the staff meeting.

Oh, uh, don't move, anyone.

Susan Bloom wanted you all to see

advanced copies of this.


-Oh, no!
-It will be available

at your local checkout counter tomorrow.

Let me see!

Oh, my God!

They put us on the front page of this rag!

"...Susan Bloom, partner at Los Angeles law firm

McKenzie, Brackman
-
-"

Let me see that.

She told them she was a partner!

That was the paper's mistake.

She's already called in a correction.


-When did she give you these?
-Just now.

I'm working with her on Mikhail's residency application.

You're representing them?

They are a completely credible couple.

They better be. From what I hear,

the Immigration Service has broad discretion.

Believe me, Susan and Mikhail are taking the process very seriously.

Well, this kind of trashy exposure can't help.

Oh, come on. Nobody actually reads this stuff.

No, they look at the photos.

It's not very comforting to me.

Leland, it kinda looks like you're the lucky bridegroom.

On that thought, we'd better adjourn.

[laughter]

I want three copies.

Ah, Benny?

You owe me $.

Why?

Not only did Sam goad my son

into joining him in that foolish drinking episode

at the wedding,

apparently the boys used Susan's home phone

to make $ worth of calls.

What's ?

Dirty phone calls, Benny, to women who talk about sex.

Sam shouldn't have done that.

You're damn right, and he shouldn't have dragged

my son into his malicious mischief.

I hope you're giving Sam the punishment he deserves.

I told Sam he was bad.

That's it?

And that I was very mad at him.

That's not doing your job as a parent, Benny...

which is, number one,

to encourage appropriate behavior

by setting an example.

And number two, to discourage inappropriate behavior

by administering discipline.

Even though Alexander was only Sam's accomplice.

I grounded him.

He goes to school, he comes home, period.

No loitering at the mall,

no having friends over,

no sending out for pizza.

And if he wants to rent a movie,

he has to watch it on the little screen in his bedroom.

Um, I don't have $.

I'm prepared to waive the money this time.

But keep Sam away from my boy.

Not much of a honeymoon.

Two days at the St. James?

Cost more than a month in Gatlinburg.

Like many two
-career couples, my clients have to make

the most of their limited time together.

Actually, we found lots to be achieved in hours.

I'm sure Mr. Spooner can use his imagination, hon.

I am paid not to use my imagination.

Where was you husband born?


-Novotzbkov.
-Spell it.

N
-O
-V
-O
-T
-Z
-B
-K
-O
-V.

But don't ask him to tackle Buckhannon, West Virginia.

[both laugh]

I am noting that you mentioned

your birthplace, Miss Bloom.

I assume that's because you're afraid that

your husband couldn't supply that answer.


-Hey, it was a joke.
-She knows my spelling is lousy.

Surly you'll allow for the fact that my clients
-
-

Shall we try to continue?

What is your method of birth control?

None. We want children.

Your mate's appendix?

Out.


-His tonsils?
-In.


-Circumcision?
-Nope.

Want to see?

[both laugh]

Joint bank account?

No.


-Prenuptial agreement?
-Yes.

As adults with successful careers,

my clients entered into this marriage with some protections.

Have we finished?

We haven't begun, Miss Lamb.

This is a two year process.

From now on, your clients will be interviewed separately.

And we will question friends and co
-workers as well.

Any suspicious information or behavior

and Mr. Olinskov's application for residency will be denied.

You see my secretary and block out some time later this week.

Thank you.

Dr. Waters, you were on duty in Venice Hospital

emergency room the night Mr. Walter LoBianco

was brought in for treatment.

Could you describe his condition?

In addition to suffering from

multiple compound fractures in both legs,

there was extensive pelvic damage

and crushed trauma to the lower vertebrae.

He d*ed before I could get him into O.R.

Now, were these injuries consistent

with being hit by a car?

Yes. The victim was traumatized twice, actually.

When the car struck, the fractures occurred.

But when he was pinned under the wheel
-
-

Move to strike.

The doctor was not at the scene of the accident.

Granted. The jury will disregard.

Doctor, did the victim's injuries suggest

that in addition to an initial impact,

he also had been crushed under a heavy weight?

Yes.

Almost minutes passed between the time

of the initial injury

and when Mr. LoBianco received medical treatment.

How did that impact his condition?

The victim d*ed of internal hemorrhaging.

Every minute that passed was crucial.

So if he receive immediate help, he might have lived?

Objection. Calls for speculation.

Overruled. Please answer.

In my opinion,

if Mr. LoBianco had received medical help sooner,

there's a good chance he could have lived.

Thank you. Nothing further.

[classical music playing]

[knock on door]


-Oh, hello there!
-Hello!

Anything wrong?

No, I just thought I'd drop this off.

Nice. Come in.

I'll have to turn it down.

You're full of surprises.

Huh?

A quiet evening at home with Wagner?

Oh. Well, it was either that

or Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.

Would you like a glass of wine?

Maybe a little glass.

Susan is seeing a client tonight, so I'm on my own.

Hmm.

Cheers.

I hope you have a hot date later.

Why?

The music. It's tortuously unrequited.

Yes, I like a composer who can delay gratification.

Now that doesn't surprise me about you.

You know, Susan could have brought these papers

to the office tomorrow.

I know.

Excuse me. I thought I just attended your wedding last week.

A niggling little detail.

What about the other little detail?

That I'm your attorney,

and your wife's colleague.

And what about the INS breathing down your neck?

Would it make a difference if you knew that Susan and I

are very clear about what we expect from each other?

Please. Don't tell me anything that would limit me as your attorney.

I don't think of you as just my attorney.

And I've been thinking about you a lot.

You have put me in a difficult position.

Not my intention.

But it seems absurd not to at least acknowledge the feeling.

Agreed.

But...

Okay.

Understood.

No for now.

Ah.

Make that no, period.

I better go.

Mm
-hmm.

[sirens]


-Code Three.
-I'll get the crash cart.

Get the On
-Call. Call a cardiologist, stat!


-What happened?
-Where's Sam?

If you were any kind of father to your son,

what happened wouldn't have happened.

Where's Sam?

Sheila, don't play games with me.

Is Alexander all right?

More or less. He's up in X
-ray.

X
-ray for what?

Sure! "I know how to control him."

Oh, may I help you?

Where's Sam?

Sam. Perry?

Where's Sam Perry?

You must be...

Stulwicz. Benny Stulwicz.

I wanna see Sam Perry.

I'm Douglas Brackman. I believe my son's in X
-ray.

One second please.

As Sam's guardian, you need to sign

this authorization for medical treatment.

It's only a broken wrist. It's nothing serious.

Hold it. You don't know what you're signing.


-From Dr. Stanley.
-Thank you.

Okay.

Officer!

This is Mr. Stulwicz, and these are the Brackmans.

I wanna see Sam.


-Sam?
-Mr. Stulwicz!

Mr. and Mrs. Brackman.

I understand there's been an accident.

Yes, sir, there was. Your son is under arrest.


-What for?
-Under arrest?


-If there's damage
-
-
-What do you mean
-
-

Would you shut up, please?

I don't see that this needs to be a police matter.

Sir, your son is an unlicensed driver.

He was drinking underage, had an open container in the vehicle.

He ran a red light.

He failed to obey a police officer

that ordered him to pull over.

He drove recklessly in order to avoid arrest,

and he crashed into a service station.

The Hazardous Materials Squad had to be called out

in order to handle the fuel spill.

Oh, my God!

Hey! Cousin Sheila! Together again!

Anybody got a camera?

You've got some explaining to do, young man.

His x
-rays were fine.

Stitches should come out in eight days.

Otherwise he can go.

Okay. Let's go, son.

You're just gonna stand there and watch them bust me?

You can see him down at Juvenile Hall.

Wait, wait. What about my bud, Sam?

He'll be coming along, too. Let's go.

Do something.

I don't want my son in jail with criminals.

I'll handle this. You don't have to come.

You've done such a marvelous job so far,

I think I better come along.

Suit yourself. We can go in my car.

So you can tell me how this is all my fault?

I better drive myself downtown.

Fine. Drive yourself downtown.

Drive yourself over the edge of the Grand Canyon.

Sit right there, okay?

So, Ann and I have just been talking about your work here.

And, uh, you know, since the Hudson report's done...

Uh
-huh.

We all know the job was temporary, right?

Right.

Not that I couldn't find something to keep you busy,

I just don't know if you'd find it terribly interesting.

What Stuart is trying to say

is that we would like to propose an alternate plan.

Yeah. We'd like you to consider the possibility

of, um... helping us out with Matthew.

We know it sounds like a lot of responsibility.

It is, but we both think you're terrific with him.

I don't know. I still have school and everything.

Oh, see, Matthew's going into daycare,

so you can pick him up after :.

Yeah, and he's just, uh, crazy about you.

It
-it won't work.


-Why not?
-I don't know.

Look, why don't you just try it out for a while

and see how you feel?

I just... I think I'd feel...

I mean, it's your house and everything
-
-

Oh. We trust you.

It's not that. I just...

I can't.

Sarah, does this have anything to do with
-
-

Please! Stop trying to rule my life!

Would you be more comfortable working here?

I don't wanna work here either!

Please, leave me alone!

Sarah?

What...

Mr. Varns, where were you when Mr. LoBianco was hit?

I was sitting in the doorway to this camera store.

I'd been down to the beach,

but it was too cold and windy to sleep down there.

What time did you come up from the beach

and move into the doorway?

It was a little before :/

I saw Walter coming up out of this parking garage,

and he was looking for some way to stay warm.

What did you suggest?

There was a big pile of garbage bags

outside this restaurant across the street.

How would they help?

Well, you empty out the garbage,

and you tear holes for the arms and your head,

and you wear it under your shirt.

I told Walter about it, and he ran across to get one,

and I sat down in this doorway to get out of the wind.

Then what happened?

Well, the Jaguar came flying up out of the cross street,

and the next thing I know, it jumped the curb

and plowed into Walter.

And the driver got out and
-
-

Let the record show that the witness

is indicated the defendant, Charles Howard Grady.

Well, the driver ran around in front of the car

and looked at Walter.

Objection. Witness could not possibly know

what Mr. Grady did or did not see.

Sustained.

Did he look down in the direction of Mr. LoBianco?

Yeah, he bent over towards him.

Could you see Walter LoBianco?

Hell yeah, I could see him.

I could hear him, too. He was moaning,

like that sound a cat makes when it wants to fight.

Then what did Mr. Grady do?

Well, he ran back to the car and drove away.

Nothing further.

So you were sitting in the doorway,

watching your friend across the street.

Yes, sir, that's right.

What kind of distance are we talking here?

Hmm, about yards. I didn't step it off.

yards, in the dark.

It was pretty bright.

We got some fine street lights in Venice.

And when the Jaguar came through the intersection,

was the signal light red or green?

I'm pretty sure it was red.


-It was red?
-Yeah, red.

That's interesting, because the police report states

that there is no signal light at that intersection.

Let us move on.

How many bags was Mr. LoBianco standing in?

I don't know. A lot.

The police report says . That sound about right?

Sure. He was a big man.

So if Mr. LoBianco was covered with bags,

how could Mr. Grady have possibly seen him?

Well, he wasn't covered.

The guy looked right at Walter.

He even bent down to check him out.

He knew. I could see it in his eyes.

It was : A.M., you were cold and sleep
-deprived,

yet you say you could see a man's eyes

when you were sitting years away?

Yeah.

Through the blue Toyota

that was parked in front of the camera shop?

That didn't obscure your view?

Well, I guess I'd stood up by then.

So when you were standing,

you could see over the blue Toyota?

Yeah.

The Toyota was yellow, Mr. Varns.

Nothing further.

Mr. Varns, how did you identify Mr. Grady's car for the police?

Well, I read part of the license number when he drove by.

And isn't it true that Mr. Grady is here today

because you accurately saw and reported the first four digits?


-That's right.
-Thank you. Nothing further.

I don't see what you're so tore up about.

Alex is the one who's in serious trouble.

I told him you don't run away from cops,

but he wouldn't listen.

You were truant, you were drinking underage,

disorderly conduct.

You're not exactly in the clear, Sam.

Plus, when we go into court tomorrow,

the judge isn't just gonna consider what happened

with you and Alexander.

It's very likely that the whole question

about Benny's guardianship will come up.

You could lose him, Benny.

Why? I didn't do anything wrong!

I know you didn't, Benny.

But Sam's behavior,

it makes it seem like you can't control him.

Look, I'll tell the judge I made a mistake.

And I'll be standing there with Alex and Alex's dad,

Alex is in a lot deeper doo than I am.

No way is his old man gonna let him get nailed.

So if Alex gets off,

then I get off.

And if I get off, then Benny and I get off.

You got it all figured out, don't you.

Well, let me tell you something, wise guy.

The first thing Douglas Brackman did

was to make sure his son won't be seen with you.

Because he thinks you're a bum.

You're not gonna be able to ride anybody's coattails out of this, Sam.

You screwed up.

You wanted to see me?

Are we failing to communicate?

Uh, I guess we are. [chuckles]

What are we talking about?

Howard Grady's people offered civic service as part of a plea,

and I had to hear about it from a councilman?

How did a councilman find out?

Grady's floating his offer to the public.

There'll be an article in the late edition of the "Times."

I did not call you on this

because it was tantamount to a bribe.

We have got , homeless in our city,

and a shrinking budget.

Grady is offering beds, a meal program,

and job counseling.

If a rich man can buy his way out of a m*rder rap,

what happens to equal justice?

Is there any we we can make Grady's deal

and still serve this office?

Plea down to felony reckless with injury?

I already tried that.

He won't go for anything more than a misdemeanor.

If we come up dry in court,

it'll be a political firestorm.

This case is strong. I can win this.

Okay.

But if you lose this one, Zoey,

my skirts won't be wide enough to hide behind.

[door closes]

You know, the Rio Del Mar is valued at more than . million.

Hygate suckered my eyewitness.

Grady gonna take the stand?

Tomorrow.

I saw him once, before the Planning Commission.

Slick. And he's gotta be worth, what about million?

Something.

You could grind him for a hell of a lot more than ..


-Jonathan.
-What?

Go back and torch him for .

See what he says.

It is not a question of how much.

Prosecution is not a business deal.

Oh, please, Zoe. That's exactly what it is.

How many plea bargains do you do every day?

It's one thing to compromise the system.

it's another thing to sell it out.

A man was k*lled.

There has to be some justice.

Tempered by what's possible.

Now you just said your case is shaky.

I said my witness got rattled.

I did not say he crumbled.

All the more reason to up the settlement stakes.

Wait. So what's the message here?

Millionaires can do whatever they want as long as they pay?

Zoe, I know you're frustrated.

You think I'm whining because I've had a bad day.

No, I think you're upset,

and I think it's making you a little inflexible.

I don't...


-Where are you going?
-Home.

Why are you angry with me?

You figure it out.

All I was saying was go for your best sh*t.

I Was trying to help.

Look, I really can't deal with this right now...

or you.

Where's Alexander?

You were supposed to bring him.

I was supposed to pick him up at school,

but he wasn't there.

I thought you'd gotten him.

He was released into your custody, Douglas.

How could you let this happen?

What am I supposed to do, hog
-tie him?

When he was living with me, he had problems,

but he wasn't a missing person.

What are we gonna tell the judge?

Just shut up, Sheila. Let me handle it.

Douglas Brackman for the minor, Your Honor.

I'd like to petition the court for a continuance.

Where's your son?

I don't know, Your Honor.

You don't know?

You have my word. I'll find him

and get him here as soon as possible.

All right, Mr. Brackman,

I'll hold a bench warrant until : tomorrow morning.

but if he's not in this courtroom at that time,

I'm gonna have him arrested.

Thank you, Your honor.

Sorry, everybody.

Momma Bear, Poppa Bear, here comes the Baby Bear.

Tardy as usual.

Young man, are you loaded?

Well, I'm not gonna puke if that's what you mean.

Your Honor, a
-year
-old boy who's wandering around town

on his own, drunk,

is a danger to himself and to his community.

I'm requesting that he be taken into custody immediately.

You Honor, clearly Alexander's substance abuse problem

is more acute than either his mother or I realized.

I respectfully request that he be released
-
-


-Atta boy, Doug!
-Alexander!

...so that he may undergo counseling

or psychiatric evaluation

that's necessary to deal with this problem.

I have strong reservations

about placing him back in your care.

However, I'm going to.

This is your son's first criminal offense,

and you've shown an awareness of the severity of his problems

and a willingness to deal with them.

Alexander will reside with his mother,

maintain his schooling, grades,

attend a
-step program three times a week.

Cool. I have many buds in AA.

I'm also ordering that he immediately

be placed in a private residential

substance abuse facility for days.

No way!

Mr. Brackman, you'll make restitution

for the damage he caused to the gas station.

Now, you people may be divorced,

but if you don't figure out how to fulfill

your continuing obligation to your son,

you're gonna lose him.

Thank you.

Judge: Call the next case.

Forget about it. I'm not going into rehab.

Oh, yes you are.

What kind of butthole lawyer are you?

Selling out your own son.

I can see why you divorced this jerk.

You were a dope to have married him in the first place.

Let me go!

You listen to me, young man!

You're gonna show us some respect from now on,

do you understand?!

Your father and I have done a terrible thing.

We've put our anger at each other before your welfare.

And that's gonna change.

We're gonna do whatever it takes to help you get well.

And we're gonna do it together.

On the evening of January th,

were you driving a car

that struck an k*lled Walter LoBianco?

God help me, I was, yes.

Tell us what happened?

It had been a long day.

I was driving home after an extended business negotiation,

an acquisition I was trying to put together.

And I was so tired, my eyes were flagging.

Then next thing I knew, I felt a sharp jolt,

and my car was on the sidewalk.

I must have fallen asleep.

Is it true you got out of the car?

Yes. I was shaken and wasn't sure what I'd hit,

so I got out.


-And what did you find?
-Garbage bags.

I remember feeling relieved, and then stupid.

I thought I might have hit the side of the building,

but there didn't seem to be any damage, except to my car,

so I went home.

And did you see Walter LoBianco

pinned under the right front wheel of your car?

No, I did not.

If I had, I would have helped him.

Nothing further.

You walked around to the front of your car to check for damage?

Yes. The right headlight was broken,

and the frill was cracked.

You saw the light, and you saw the grill,

but didn't see Walter LoBianco?

All I saw were the bags.

A Jaguar XJS sits pretty low.

How high were the bags piled?

Well, it was a big mound.

The paramedics who arrived on the scene

say that the bags were scattered as far as yards,

consistent with a moderate
-speed impact.

The bags must have scattered when I drove away.

When the police arrived at your home at : the next morning,

they found that your car had been freshly washed.

I wash my car every Sunday.

Every Sunday afternoon according to your neighbors.

But that Sunday, you washed your Jaguar in the morning.

You arrived home exhausted at : A.M.

and were up bright and early to wash your car?

The accident shook me.

I tried to sleep,

but I was distracted over the acquisition.

How's your hearing, Mr. Grady?

I have good hearing.

Lenny Varns has testified that after the accident,

he heard Walter LoBianco moaning from across the street.

Why couldn't you hear him when you were standing

in front of the tire he was pinned under?

Like Mr. Varns said, it was a very windy night.

I don't know what he though he heard,

but there was no moaning.

I think Walter LoBianco was moaning.

I think you saw him, and you panicked.

Your company was leveraged
-
-

Objection! This is a speech.


- ...fast, isn't that right?
-Sustained.

I would never put a business transaction above a man's life.

The police found blood scattered all over the scene of the accident.

On the garbage bags, on the ground.

There had to have been blood
-
-

Objection! Where's the question here?


-...grill of that car.
-Sustained.

Isn't that why you panicked and washed your car?

There was no blood.

And anyone who knows me will tell you,

I don't panic.

You don't panic?

So you can handle any difficult situation,

just like you handled yourself that night.


-Objection!
-Withdrawn.

Nothing further.

I ask you again, Mr. Grady,

when you left the scene of that tragic accident,

did you know you were leaving an injured man?

I swear to you that I did not.

Nothing further.

"Does your wife wear perfume?"

Yes, she does.

Very much.

"Do you ever use a term of endearment when you speak to me??

How about, um...

[speaking native language]

Sweet so.

I like it.

I don't think I can remember it.

"Describe the last time you had sex?"

They can ask this?

According to my sources,

we have to be prepared for anything.

Okay.

It was tonight.

We were sitting on our living room floor,

going over some papers,

sharing a cigarette.

And suddenly, I looked at you in the firelight.

Your hair was flaming.

I saw the look on your face,

and I couldn't stop my fingers

from reaching across and tracing the line

of your shirt collar.

And at the front of you neck,

I found the button that slid open easily.

And I liked that so much

that I turned your hand up to my lips,

turned it over and gently stroked it open

and kissed your sweet, voluptuous arm.

I respond well to positive reinforcement.

I reached for your belt buckle.

Hmm! But I stopped you.

Because our lovemaking that morning is fast and wild and furious.

And tonight, I wanted to take my time,

adoring you slowly.

[laughs]

But I was pretty intent ton that belt buckle of yours.

[both laugh]

So I leaned over you.

Your hair cascading around my face.

Your breasts of wonder against me.

And I begin to kiss you.

And your lips were full.

Yours are strong and surprising.

And I suddenly want you.

And I have something I wanna do for you.

Suzie,

you're wonderful.

You ain't seen nothin' yet.

After a long day trying to save his company,

Howard Grady fell asleep at the wheel,

lost control of his car

and struck Walter LoBianco.

Now, when Mr. Grady heard what had happened,

he felt extreme remorse

and responsibility for this accident.

But Lenny Varns claims that this is not just an accident.

Lenny Varns, the only other person

at the scene of the accident,

claims that Howard Grady saw Walter LoBianco

among the garbage bags.

But how could he know what Mr. Grady saw?

He was yards away, in the dark.

He couldn't see, and he didn't see.

Now, Lenny Varns wanted to believe a stereotype.

He wanted to believe that a wealthy man,

a man in a Jaguar,

is so cowardly and self
-serving

that he could leave someone to die in the street.

Mr. Grady's public and private life

doesn't support that stereotype.

What you've seen and heard in this courtroom

doesn't support that stereotype.

Believe what you've seen and heard, ladies and gentlemen.

C. Howard Grady isn't a criminal.

He was a man who was involved in a horrible accident.

An accident that could happen to any of us.

The People didn't bring charges against C. Howard Grady

because he is wealthy.

We brought charges because he's guilty.

And under the law,

all men and women are treated equally.

Put aside whether he's rich or poor,

whether he's a good guy or a lousy guy.

Look at the facts.

Mr. Grady smashed into a pile of garbage bags

and hit Walter LoBianco.

We have an eyewitness who swears he saw Mr. Grady

get out of the car, look at the moaning victim

and drive away.

The same witness correctly identified

the first four digits in the license number of Mr. Grady's car.

Blood was spattered at the accident,

yet Mr. Grady says he didn't see any blood on his car,

a car he washed himself by : the next morning.

C. Howard Grady says he feels remorse

about hitting Mr. LoBianco.

But at the time of the accident,

he wasn't thinking about Mr. LoBianco.

He was only thinking of himself.

He saw a homeless man lying under his car,

a man without any means,

without any family perhaps, or any friends...

and he ran.

He thought he could get away with it.

So he hit and then he ran.

And because he ran, a man d*ed.

Don't you let him get away with it.

Treat C. Howard Grady

like any other hit
-and
-run felon.

Find him guilty.

It's the recommendation of the District Attorney

that Sam Perry be placed on probation

and that he be committed to the custody of the court

for suitable placement in a foster home.

The young man has a social history

of street life and delinquent behavior.

He obviously requires more rehabilitation

than Mr. Stulwicz is equipped to provide.

Your Honor, since Sam has been in the care of Mr. Stulwicz,

his school attendance as been nearly perfect.

His grades show steady progress.

His teachers' comments indicate great improvement

in his attitude and social skills.

The Family Court did a noble thing

letting Mr. Stulwicz have custody if Sam.

But the experiment's not working.

After reviewing the background of this case,

I have to agree with the recommendation of the District Attorney.

With all due respect,

a family provides support in times of trouble.

This is one of those times.

But you're not allowing Sam's family to work

if you dismember it at the first whiff of adversity.

Let Benny be a parent.

Let him help Sam learn from his mistakes.

While Mr. Stulwicz may have the best intentions,

it's apparent the kind of rehabilitation that Same requires

is beyond the scope of his abilities.

I'm revoking Mr. Stulwicz's temporary guardianship

and committing Sam to the custody of the probation officer.

We're adjourned.

Can I take Sam home now?

No, Benny.

The judge won't let me go home with you.

The other judge said Sam was with me! Tell her!

I'm sorry, Benny.


-No!
-It's okay.

[knock on door]

Susan, I just had a call from the INS.

They are postponing your sessions?

I hope so...

after Spooners visit this morning...

He came to your house?

Honey, I couldn't have scripted it better.

There was Mikhail, naked, my undies all over the place.

I wish I could have seen the look on his face.

It was great.

Not as great as the sex had been.

Susan?

Susan!

I'm gonna level with you, C.J.

I've known Mikhail forever.

We have partied together, gotten drunk together,

we even got married.

But until last night,

well, I never thought I had a chance.

Ha! Life's fill of surprises,

even for an old broad like me.

Well, good for you.

Why not him as a husband?

Lots of reasons.

For starters, he's not in love with me.

But I have two years to change all that.

And you always close your deals?

You took the words right out of my mouth.

Whoo!

[both laugh]

[knock on door]


-Hi.
-Hi.

I was hoping we could talk.

Come on in.

Thanks.

I'm sorry about the way I left the other day.

You don't have to apologize.

Mom disagrees.

I told her about what happened.

I was gonna a call you and Stuart tonight.

Sounds like you and your mom are pretty close.

Probably because it's always been just the two of us.

By the time I was your age, my mom and I were alone.

We fought nonstop.

Of course, by that time,

I was sure I didn't need a mother at all.

The last think I would have wanted is two new parents.

It's a little hard to take.

Sarah, Stuart and I can see that you're nearly grown.

And it would be silly for us to try to do

what your mother has already done so well.

But you're family.

And that why we thought of the babysitting.

You can find someone with a lot more more experience than me.

They wouldn't be Matthew's sister.

I
-
-I know you don't like me.

It's okay. I'm still getting used to the idea of you.

It's just...

To work in your house...

I feel like I've barged in already.

You did.

But since you did, it seems a shame for you and Matthew

to miss this chance to get to know each other.

What if I screw up?

Even on something little?

I might jump all over you.

I'll try not to, but, uh,

sometimes when I'm off balance, I att*ck.

That's what I got from my mother.

I've never taken care of a kid as young as Matthew.

If I didn't think you could handle this,

I wouldn't have suggested it to Stuart.

This wasn't his idea?

No. It was mine.

Will you do it?

Okay.

Has the jury reached a verdict?


-We have.
-What say ye?

"In the matter of People vs. C. Howard Grady,

"on the charge of misdemeanor reckless driving

"we find the defendant guilty.

"On the charges of felony hit
-and run

"and felony vehicular manslaughter,

we find the defendant not guilty."

Members of the jury, thank you for your time.

This court is adjourned.

Reporters: Mr. Grady! Can we get a statement?

Mr. Grady, do you feel you got special treatment?

How do you feel about the verdict?

Obviously we're very pleased.


-Mr. Grady?
-I'm just happy it's over.

You did what you thought was right.

And I lost.

You followed your instinct, Zoey,

and you held on to what you believed.

You can't b*at yourself up for it.

What about the beds in Venice?

Hey, let C. Howard Grady live with that one.

What about the program for the homeless?

Well, obviously we'll have to reconsider it.

It appears he'll live with it very well.

[reporters shouting]

Working kinda late, aren't you, Benny?

I have a lot to do.

Look, I owe you an apology.

I had a tendency to blame Sam

for all the trouble he and my son have gotten into.

The truth is,

Alexander is just as responsible.

I wasn't being honest. I made a mistake.

Why don't you knock off for the night?

Go home.

I'll be lonely at home without Sam.

Won't Sam be able to come live with me again?

Someday, maybe, when he's older.

When will Alexander be able to come live with you?

The program he's in...

lasts days.

And then he can come home?

Yes.

If Alexander can come home, why can't Sam come home?

Well, Alexander has parents who are able to
-
-

Sam has me! I'm his parent!

Yes, but, you see,

the way the court views this kind of thing
-
-

That's not fair!

That's not fair!

That's no fair!

You're right, Benny.

It's not fair.

I want Sam to come home!

I miss him!

[crying]

I...

♪♪ [theme]