- [first lines]
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: Leland, we have to face reality. When Victor and Michael left the firm, litigation fell off. When Jack Sollers went, it nose-dived. Now Abby's leaving and taking more business with her.
- Leland McKenzie: All right. The financial situation is serious, but it's not critical.
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: I disagree. In the past three months, we've lost four major corporate clients including Tammon Group. The bank is so nervous that they're reviewing our line of credit.
- Leland McKenzie: Oh, that's ridiculous. They're overreacting.
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: It gets worse. I got a letter this morning from Perry Littlefield, the agent from our insurance company. Because of the Rosalind Shays' lawsuit and claim from last year, Ballantine is doubling our liability premium. And because of Ann Kelsey's suspension, malpractice is going up to half a million.
- Leland McKenzie: Over my dead body! We'll take our business elsewhere. I'll make a loan myself if I have to.
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: You can't keep propping up the firm with Rosalind's money. We have to consider alternatives.
- Leland McKenzie: I already told you, I will not consider renting office space to Susan Bloom.
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: [speaking quietly] Her practice is phenomenal. She represents half of Hollywood and she's willing to pay top dollar.
- Leland McKenzie: They call her "Jaws", Douglas.
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: [almost whispering] A rumor. Printed in the same tabloid rag that called me a bald bore last year while I was dating Vanna White.
- Leland McKenzie: Susan Bloom is everything I hate about entertainment law - cheap, phony, utterly devoid of ethics.
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: Shh!
- [Douglas really whispering]
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: You don't even know her. She's dynamic, she's... she's cutting edge, she's a litigator anyone would be proud to share space with.
- Leland McKenzie: Why are you whispering, Douglas?
- [Douglas turns back over there, there's someone there at Douglas' office. Douglas whispering]
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: She's in my office. She's taken the trouble to stop by here while on her way to a very important film screening for one her clients in Hollywood.
- Leland McKenzie: Bloom is here? Now?
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: Just meet her. That's all I ask.
- [Leland and Douglas enter to see - Susan Bloom sitting in a chair with both of her feet plopped up on Douglas' desk, calmly reading/prying through one of his legal files. She's a middle-aged, obese woman, wearing an expensive-looking neon caftan with various expensive gold jewelry and puffs on a cigarette. McKenzie shoots Brackman a look. Brackman pastes on a smile as he's done many times before involving meeting people with money]
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: Susan Bloom, Leland McKenzie.
- [Susan removes her feet from the desk, turns and faces Leland and Douglas while she's smoking and still sitting at the desk]
- Susan Bloom: [thick Southern accent] Hiya, Leland! I hear ya need someone to save your ass.
- [Susan plops one of her legs back on top of the desk while continuing to smoke. Leland is shocked and offended. Brackman, in his typical sycophantic behavior, continues to politely smile at her]
- [All filing in or getting coffee, including Castroverti minus Becker and Markowitz. C.J. passes Kelsey returning to the firm for the first time since her suspension at the end of the previous season; Kelsey's hair is now dyed dark red]
- Cara Jean 'C.J.' Lamb: Great hair.
- Ann Kelsey: Thanks.
- Leland McKenzie: Before we start, I have an announcement. For those of you who don't know, Abigail Perkins is no longer with the firm.
- Ann Kelsey: What?
- Jonathan Rollins: You're kidding.
- Tommy Mullaney: Is she okay?
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: She got a huge offer from McCann Jones, we couldn't match it, she resigned her partnership last night. And frankly, she couldn't have picked a worse time.
- Cara Jean 'C.J.' Lamb: Doug, her father had a stroke. She's putting him in a nursing home which is gonna costs God knows how much. She needs some security.
- Ann Kelsey: You knew about this?
- Cara Jean 'C.J.' Lamb: Uh-huh.
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: Since there's nothing we can do, I suggest we move on. I'd like to introduce our new associate, Bill Castroverti. Some of you are familiar with his talents as a litigator.
- Tommy Mullaney: Familiar? He killed me.
- Jonathan Rollins: Welcome to our side.
- Billy Castroverti: Thanks. It's weird to be here.
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: He'll be moving into Victor's old office. Second, a heartfelt welcome back to Ann Kelsey. Believe me, you were missed.
- Cara Jean 'C.J.' Lamb: Hear, Hear!
- Jonathan Rollins: All right. It's about time.
- [Tommy applause to Kelsey since her more than three months suspension]
- Ann Kelsey: It's good to be back.
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: Too bad Stuart can't say the same.
- Ann Kelsey: He's with Matthew. Amalia quit two days ago and we've been going crazy trying to replace her.
- Arnie Becker: [Ann is interrupted by Becker steaming in] What is this crap, Douglas? I come in, I'm running late, my messages haven't been picked up, my mail hasn't been opened and there's a bimbo sitting outside my office telling me Gwen has serving jury duty. I thought you were going to get her excused.
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: She didn't want me to. You'll just have to survive with a temp.
- Arnie Becker: I have special needs, Douglas.
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: Personnel is Roxanne's department. Use your influence.
- [to the group]
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: Jonathan has the Lunsford deposition, C.J. starts People vs. Manheim, I meet on the Powell trust. Anything else?
- [No one answer]
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: Uh, one more note. We may be renting out our extra office space...
- Leland McKenzie: This isn't settled yet.
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: Then we're adjourned.
- [And they all disperse]
- [McKenzie comes in - to find Van Owen waiting]
- Leland McKenzie: Grace.
- Grace Van Owen: Leland.
- Leland McKenzie: Oh, it's good to see you.
- Grace Van Owen: You, too. I know I should've made an appointment.
- Leland McKenzie: Aw, now, don't be silly. Sit down.
- [as they do]
- Leland McKenzie: I'm... I'm so sorry... I'm sorry about the baby.
- Grace Van Owen: I got your note, thank you.
- Leland McKenzie: How is Victor?
- Grace Van Owen: Victor and I... Victor and I are separated. Um, I'm no longer practicing with him and Michael.
- Leland McKenzie: [after the beat] I don't know what to say.
- Grace Van Owen: I'd rather not talk about it now, Leland. I'm here because I took the Chandler case with me. We empanel today. I cannot conduct an effective defense out of my house. I would like to move in here temporarily and pay you a percentage.
- Leland McKenzie: [Gently] Oh, no, Grace, this has all happened so quickly. You've had a lot to deal with. Maybe you should move for a continuance.
- Grace Van Owen: I've had two. And Elsa Chandler is being tried in the press, the "Ice Queen" who killed her husband. The judge is not gonna go for another delay.
- Leland McKenzie: But surely a couple of weeks-...
- Grace Van Owen: [With an edge] The D.A. would fight it as well. I'm up against a wall, Leland.
- Leland McKenzie: Yeah. Yeah. I see.
- [McKenzie sees more, that Van Owen really needs support]
- Leland McKenzie: You know, we sure could use your name on our letterhead just now. What if you were to come back to the firm, of counsel?
- Grace Van Owen: After the way I left... this is very generous of you.
- Leland McKenzie: Oh, no, not at all. No, no. It benefits us both. You're be bringing in something high profile, we would supply the second chair.
- Grace Van Owen: I'm... I'm not sure that's necessary.
- Leland McKenzie: No, I insist. This is a capital case, you'll need someone. It's the least we can do.
- D.D.A. Linda Roth: Have you read, seen or heard any of the publicity surrounding this case?
- Gwen Taylor: I saw one news report on TV.
- D.D.A. Linda Roth: Did it cause you to form an opinion about the guilt or innocence of Mr. Diamond?
- Gwen Taylor: No.
- D.D.A. Linda Roth: Juror is acceptable to the people, Your Honor.
- [Roth sits and Kittredge gets up]
- Frank Kittredge: How do you feel about sex, Ms. Taylor?
- D.D.A. Linda Roth: Objection. What on earth does this have to do with anything?
- Frank Kittredge: Your Honor, some people consider my client a pornographer...
- Judge Walter L. Swanson: He is one. He admits it.
- Frank Kittredge: But he's not on trial for it. Weapons and assault charges have nothing to do with pornography. I want to know if Mr. Diamond's occupation damns him in the eyes of this juror.
- Judge Walter L. Swanson: [after a beat] All right, I'll allow it. But watch yourself, Mr. Kittredge.
- Frank Kittredge: [to Gwen] I repeat, Ms. Taylor, how do you feel about sex?
- Gwen Taylor: Safe sex, between consenting adults - I'm for it.
- Frank Kittredge: What about explicit sex in movies?
- Gwen Taylor: I don't go to see it. But I don't think it should be censored.
- Frank Kittredge: Should they censor magazines like Mr. Diamond publishes? Ones that show, for example, oral sex?
- Gwen Taylor: I've never read one of Mr. Diamond's magazines.
- [Kittredge takes one from the podium and hands it to her]
- Frank Kittredge: Here. Does that disgust you?
- D.D.A. Linda Roth: Objection.
- Judge Walter L. Swanson: [Furious] You're out of line, sir! Put that away!
- Frank Kittredge: I was simply trying to get this juror's reaction.
- Judge Walter L. Swanson: I know exactly what you're doing and it won't work in my courtroom. Go on to something else. And apologize to the young lady.
- Frank Kittredge: Your Honor, your feelings about pornography are well known. They're obviously coloring what you see here.
- Judge Walter L. Swanson: If you're accusing me of bias, Mr. Kittredge - be careful. Be very careful. I can bury you in sanctions!
- [after a beat, Kittredge turns to Gwen]
- Frank Kittredge: I didn't mean to offend you, ma'am.
- Gwen Taylor: You didn't. I wouldn't buy one of Mr. Diamond's magazines - but I believe in the First Amendment. He has every right to publish them.
- [Kittredge studies her for a beat, then turns to Judge Swanson]
- Frank Kittredge: Defense accepts this juror.
- Tommy Mullaney: If they get in your way, just stop. We'll do the talking.
- Elsa Chandler: I - I can handle everything but the cameras.
- Tommy Mullaney: Yeah. But they got a right to be here. You look pleasant, don't smile too big. And we'll get you in court as fast as we can.
- [He looks to Van Owen for similar reassurance, doesn't get it]
- Elsa Chandler: I'm sorry to be a pain, Mr. Mullaney. You've been very kind.
- [Closes folder; to Chandler]
- Grace Van Owen: Are you ready?
- Elsa Chandler: No. But let's go.
- Susan Bloom: [enters] You are a stubborn old fart!
- Leland McKenzie: Get out of here!
- Susan Bloom: Don't sputter at me, Leland. This is too important. We could do each other a lotta good.
- Leland McKenzie: I would rather go swimming in nuclear waste!
- Susan Bloom: Get over it, honey. This place is in deep financial doody and everybody knows it. Hold on. Just listen to my proposal. If you don't like it, then you can throw me out.
- Leland McKenzie: You have two minutes.
- Susan Bloom: I only need one. I'm a cash cow. I have more money than God! I'll agree to pay anything you want for office space, refer you my litigation overflow plus anything my clients need outside the industry, and I will even get you a deal with my insurance company.
- Leland McKenzie: In return for what?
- Susan Bloom: Your downtown connections, your sterling reputation. You need a shot in the arm, I'm looking to branch out. Together we're Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. She had the sex, he had the class.
- Leland McKenzie: If you mean a merger, that's out of the question.
- Susan Bloom: I like to co-habit before I get married. We share space, see what happens.
- Leland McKenzie: Trust me, nothing will.
- Susan Bloom: But you like my offer.
- Leland McKenzie: We have the right to terminate any time on a month's notice. You also pay for office services and the use of the library. Any joint clients, their legal fees go 50-50.
- Susan Bloom: My name goes on the door, we issue a press release, and agree to talk closer ties in six months.
- Leland McKenzie: A year. And this will all have to be approved by the partners. It isn't final.
- Susan Bloom: Small strokes, baby. Paper work. We got a done deal.
- [Coming to the file room, C.J. Lamb has arrived when she put the papers down and start the Xerox machine. It went off. But suddenly looking at someone in behind is Benny Stulwicz who was thinking about Abby Perkins]
- Cara Jean 'C.J.' Lamb: Benny?
- Benny Stulwicz: Oh, was thinking about Abby.
- Cara Jean 'C.J.' Lamb: Yeah, she told me she called you.
- Benny Stulwicz: She worried about her new job.
- Cara Jean 'C.J.' Lamb: She's gonna do great. I was always difficult reading someplace new. And it hurts when people leave. You know nobody likes change.
- Benny Stulwicz: It's hard.
- Cara Jean 'C.J.' Lamb: It's an ass-kicker love.
- [C.J. will take a moment with Benny]
- Cara Jean 'C.J.' Lamb: You both still see Abby, but it's not the same, is it? I miss knowing I can just pop into her office any time. I really missed that.
- Benny Stulwicz: Yeah. She was a key for Perkins. And Victor was an S. So when they left, it didn't really change everything, but Castro - Castroverti is a C, so all the mailboxes have to move down one. And, I had to remember that Kelsey's were Kuzak used to be. And I had to put Van Owen back in.
- Cara Jean 'C.J.' Lamb: Exactly. It's all a bit off. We're just gonna have to adjust. We will be fine. Benny, will you help me with the Xerox machine? I think it hates me.
- [Benny could do that for C.J]