Obsessed (2002) - full transcript

Alicia keys:
♪ I keep on fallin' ♪

♪ in ♪

♪ and out ♪

♪ with you ♪

♪ sometimes I love you ♪

♪ sometimes you make me blue ♪

♪ sometimes I feel good ♪

♪ at times I feel used ♪

♪ I'll be your darling ♪

♪ makes me so confused ♪

♪ I keep on fallin' ♪



♪ in and out ♪

♪ of love ♪

♪ with you ♪

♪ I never loved someone ♪

♪ the way that I love you ♪

♪ oh, oh ♪

♪ I ♪

[ Knock on door ]

♪ Never felt this way ♪

♪ how do you give me so much
pleasure ♪

[ Knocking continues ]

♪ And cause me so much pain? ♪

♪ That's when I think ♪

♪ of taking more than
would a fool ♪



♪ I kept fallin' ♪

♪ back in love with you ♪

[ Knocking continues ]

♪ I keep on fallin' ♪

♪ in and out ♪

♪ of love ♪

♪ with you ♪

♪ I never ♪

[ Knocking continues ]

[ Door opens ]

[ Knocking continues ]

Who is it?

Police. Open up.

[ Knocking continues ]

Ellena Roberts?

Yes?

We have a warrant
for your arrest.

Excuse me?
I don't understand.

You have the right
to remain silent.

Anything you say can
and will be used against you

in a court of law.

Stop it, please!

There must be some mistake.

Ma'am, officer hines is reading
you your rights.

If you do not have
an attorney --

I would prefer
to be mirandized

while clothed, please...

If you don't mind.

Five minutes.

I'll stay with her.

Yeah, I'm gonna
need 'em all.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

[ Gate closes, locks ]

Back away.

Let me out of here.

[ Prisoners talking
indistinctly ]

[ Door closes, locks ]

[ Retching ]

Ha ha! What happened?
Somebody steal your s.U.V., huh?

Ha ha ha ha!

[ Laughs ]
You look right at home.

[ Laughs ]

Yeah, this and
the Drake.

They're my favorite
pied-à-terre.

Well, I get some of my finest
fashion tips from this place.

You know what's
annoying about jail?

The room service?

It's exactly
what you'd expect --

a couple hookers, an addict,
a few ugly guards,

and the smell of urine.

It's a cliché.

You know what?
You're right.

I hate to ask the obvious,

but, given our locale,
it seems appropriate --

what are you in for?

Contempt.
I'm a journalist.

The judge ordered me
to give up my sources

on this article I was writing
about a murder, and I refused,

so he slapped
a contempt order on me

and threw me in here.

Judges -- they have
carte blanche.

It's such an abuse
of power.

Oh, tell me about it.

What are you doing here?

A grievous error.

I love a good story.

And somewhat complicated.

[ Woman speaking indistinctly
over intercom ]

No parking.

You changed your hair.

I beg your pardon?

It was done differently --
last year, Miami.

What did you call it?

A French braid.

Yeah.
I like this even better.

Thank you.
You're Dr. Stillman?

David. Uh, I'm sorry,
I don't remember --

we met briefly. There's
no reason why you would.

Ellena -- ellena Roberts.

Ellena.

[ Horn honking ]

Been waiting long
for a cab?

10 minutes.
Maybe more.

Can I offer you a ride?

I wouldn't want to impose.

Come on.
Get in.

Come on.

I go to these conferences
because I have to.

That's putting it modestly.
You're the keynote speaker.

They make me go, I swear.

What's your field
of practice?

You think I'm a doctor?

Could you be anything else?

Wow, that's a first.

We get a bad rap.
We're not all that bad.

No, you misunderstand.
I would kill to be a doctor.

I just never had the chance.

I'm a medical writer.

A damn good one, I bet.

I'm pretty good.

Are you staying
at the stanwick?

No. I wanted to.
They were booked.

I tell you what --
I got a little pull over there.

Why don't we see if we
can get you a room?

[ Dialing ]

The first thing that I learned
in medical school

was "do no harm."

And now these hmos --

oh, you don't want to know
how I feel about hmos.

Tell me how you feel
about hmos.

What hmos have done to
the practice of medicine

is beyond criminal.

The family dog receives better
care than a newborn infant.

Does the government
interfere? No.

Someone -- and with
a modicum of persuasion,

I admit that someone
could be me --

should lead an insurrection.

Oh, god, I'm rambling.

What's worse is I sound
like a communist.

Ironically, the revolt would
be in support of capitalism.

I'll shut up now.

Don't. You're terrific.
Keep talking.

[ David laughing ]

Ooh.

This is my room.

I had a great time.

Me too.

Hmm.

What should we do now?

Our options are limitless.

How do we narrow them?

What about that?

If you're okay with it,
I am.

♪ Don't you want it? ♪

♪ You know
it's gonna feel so good ♪

♪ you can't stop this ♪

♪ you wouldn't want to
if you could ♪

♪ and I know it ♪

♪ I got you wrapped around
my thumb ♪

♪ when I give you ♪

♪ the sweetest oblivion ♪

♪ co-o-o-o-me on ♪

♪ so, come, surrender to me ♪

You sure
you want to do this?

Yeah.

♪ Come to me ♪

♪ come inside ♪

♪ come inside ♪

♪ come inside ♪

♪ come inside ♪

It is my honor and privilege
to introduce to you

one of the new leaders in the
field of neurological surgery.

From Chicago, please welcome
Dr. David Stillman.

Dr. Raynor, thank you.

I'm sure that for most of you

the prospect of spending
the next 45 minutes

listening to me talk about
the multimodality treatment

of neurological carcinoma

is about as exciting
as watching paint dry.

[ Scattered laughter ]

And I'm sure that most of you

want to get in 9 holes
before sunset.

It probably won't happen.

I'd like to give you a lift
into the city,

but I got to get home.

It's fine.
I completely understand.

It's for the cab.

It was a one-night stand.

You don't have to
feel guilty about it.

Ellena, you're something.

You have no idea.

I don't want to...

Mmmm.

What am I going
to do with you?

You tell me.

I want to see you again.

Will you?

I guess that means yes.

[ Buzzer ]

Here she comes.

Hi, ellena.
I'm Sara Miller, your lawyer.

You're not
a public defender.

No, but I am appointed
by the court.

I heard about your case.
I took an interest.

You asked to defend me?

That's right.

Am I a pity case?

Maybe I can relate.

You're not the first
person to know

what it's like to be
on the receiving end

of a bad relationship.

[ Sighs ]

So, where'd you go
to law school?

Depaul.

Unhappy I'm not
a Yale grad?

On the contrary.

Studies show that lawyers
from lower-tiered schools

actually perform much better
in the courtroom

than their
better-educated peers.

[ Chuckles ]

I wish everyone
would read those studies.

So, you know
what you're charged with?

Yes. It's not true.

Tell me about it.

David and I had
a long-term relationship.

We were lovers.
He ended it.

I still love him.

I want him back,

and I was just trying
to get his attention.

Is that such a crime?

Certainly not.

You knew he was married?

Of course. We talked about it all the time.

What is an 8-letter
word for "lazy"?

Indolent.

Yes.

All right.
Here's another one.

"An arbor with
a latticework roof."

7 letters, begins with --

"p"?

Yes.

Pergola.

You're amazing.

Say it again.

You're amazing.

I love it when you say that.

Wouldn't it be great

if we could spend every
Sunday morning like this?

What's the matter? Can't
your wife do the crossword?

[ Scoffs ]
Not "can't." "Won't."

What did you marry
her for?

I don't remember.

Then why do you stay?

What's an 8-letter word
for inertia?

[ Thunder rumbling ]

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Ellena, wait!

I waited 2 hours!

Sorry, all right?

Too late.
Come on.

You knew what life was like
when we started this thing.

Don't do this.

David, please stop.
It's over, all right?

Oh, come on!
That is so stupid!

Don't go.
Come on!

Come on!!

[ Thunder rumbling ]

[ Rumbling continues ]

[ Telephone ringing ]

[ Sighs ]

Come on, ellena.
Pick up the phone, will you?

[ Beep ]

Hello.

Don't hang up.

I'm leaving Claire.

I love you.

Say that again.

I love you.

♪ You can't stop this ♪

♪ you wouldn't want to
if you could ♪

♪ and I know it ♪

♪ I got you wrapped around
my thumb ♪

♪ when I give you ♪

♪ the sweetest... ♪

How often did he say
he would leave his wife?

All the time.

In fact, he had told me
he had grown to despise her.

He told you this?

On many occasions.

How long
did your affair last?

The word "affair"
implies short-term --

that David and I
were only temporary --

but it was not like that.

Yes, like most couples...
Sex was our initial focus,

but it just developed into such
a deep relationship,

and we spent an enormous amount
of time together.

The nights we weren't together,
he would always call.

We'd spend hours
on the phone.

Because David would spend
all day in surgery,

he would frequently work
late at the office.

And so the drive to
lake forest was too long,

especially when he
had to be in surgery

at 6:00 the next morning.

So, for convenience,
at least initially,

he leased an apartment
in the city.

He would stay there during
the week instead of going home.

What do you mean,
"initially"?

After David and I met,

he stayed there because he
wanted to, not for convenience.

So your nights together
were spent mainly at his place?

Yeah.

[ "Fallin'" by Alicia keys
plays ]

Hello.

Hi yourself.

I see we have
an addition.

It's a gift from
me to you.

♪ That's when I think ♪

♪ of taking more than
would a fool ♪

Thanks, sugar.

You didn't have to
do that.

I don't need it,
anyway.

No, but your apartment
does.

It's a nice color,
isn't it?

It's green.

What happened
to my sofa?

This is not a sofa.
This is a love seat.

♪ ...love you ♪

♪ baby, I, I, I ♪

♪ I'm fallin' ♪

♪ I, I, I ♪

♪ I'm fallin' ♪

♪ ohhhh ♪

♪ ohhhh ♪

♪ ohhhhhhh ♪

♪ ohhhhhhh ♪

♪ I keep on fallin' ♪

♪ in and out ♪

♪ of love ♪

♪ with you ♪

♪ I never loved... ♪

Did you miss me?

♪ ...the way that I
love you ♪

♪ I'm fallin' ♪

♪ in and out ♪

What's this?

The waitress dropped it.

Into my napkin?

Yep.

She didn't even notice?

Nope.

♪ I'm fallin' ♪

♪ in and out ♪

♪ of love ♪

♪ with you ♪

It looks good on you.

♪ ...never loved someone ♪

♪ the way that I love you ♪

David, I love it.

It's beautiful.

Thank you.

I'm the only one
who can get it off.

[ Chuckles ]
Mm-hmm.

Did he ever support you,
give you money?

Of course not.

I mean, he wanted to,
but I wouldn't let him.

As soon as a woman does that,
she becomes chattel,

and I do okay
as a medical writer.

What does that mean
exactly?

I assist doctors and scientists

in the formation, writing,
and editing

of their research papers.

Were you always interested
in medicine?

Yes.

It's one of the things
David and I have in common.

Sara, look, I know what I did,
and I do feel bad --

not just for the trouble
I caused,

but it was just so damn
shortsighted.

Don't worry.

I think we have a good chance
of getting this case dismissed.

Really?

The bail hearing
is this afternoon.

You ready?

Positively.

One more night in this place,
and I'll go nuts.

Judge: Counselor, counselor,

the court has already given
your client 4 continuances.

I don't care if your client

is in Europe or has the flu
or her period or whatever.

I want to see your client
in this courtroom

on Wednesday the 27th.

Her failure to appear
in this courtroom

will have serious consequences.

Sam.

Hey, Sara.

What are you doing here?

My case.
Since when?

Since holloway assigned it
to me.

What's going on?

I'll explain later.

You're not gonna hardball US
on bail, are you?

Next case.

Case number 51458 --

state of Illinois
vs. Ellena Roberts.

You'll have to wait
and see.

Your honor, my client
is not a criminal.

She had a long-term relationship
with a man.

They were in love,
he broke it off,

she got upset.

Certainly the court
can understand --

we all do things
when we're heartbroken

that we regret.

Miss Roberts has no prior
convictions.

We request that she be
released without bail.

Counselor?

Your honor, ellena Roberts
broke the law.

She terrorized Dr. Stillman
and his family.

They have a right
to their safety and privacy.

The defendant, with her complete
inability to control herself,

has demonstrated the extreme
likelihood that, if released,

she will continue to terrorize
Dr. Stillman

or, quite possibly, worse.

Consequently, the state asks

that the defendant
be held without bail.

You can't be serious.

Can counsel provide
a guarantee

her client will cease and desist
her felonious behavior?

Ms. Roberts
is not a flight risk.

Not only does she intend to
vigorously deny these charges,

she has no history
of violence,

nor is she charged
with a violent crime.

She's a woman scorned.
Hell hath no fury.

Spare me the gender-bashing.

Squabble on your own time.

Ms. Miller, you're requesting

that your client be released
without bail.

Mr. Cavallo, you're requesting

that the defendant be held
without bail.

Both of you
are a little bit off.

Bail is set at $200,000.

Your honor,
my client is not wealthy.

At that amount, you are,
in effect, denying bail.

You have the right
to appeal.
That can take weeks.

I've made my decision.

Bailiff, remove the defendant.
Next case.

Case number 51466 --

state of Illinois
vs. Cal lieberman.

I cannot go back
to jail.
Give me some time.

The d.A.'S office
pulled a fast one.

I've got to figure out
what's going on.

Hang in there.

Step back, counselor.

Cavallo!

Hey, sorry to blindside you
like that, Sara.

Sorry? What are you doing
on this case?

Aggravated harassment --
it's first-grade stuff.

What are you
doing on it?

A p.D. Would plead her out.

Guys like Stillman lie
to women all the time.

And it should be
a crime.

There's 2 sides
to every story.

What does that mean?

You don't get it,
do you?

It was a relationship
that went sour -- big deal.

That's just it, Sara --
there was no relationship.

Your client and Stillman
never dated. Excuse me.

Stillman is lying.

It's what every married man
in his position does.

Excuse me.

Not this time.
Trust me.

Sara, do you mind?

Please.
I have a husband.

What you are saying is that
she made it all up.

That's absurd.

Ellena Roberts is crazy,
and so are you.

Can you get the hell
out of here?

Oh, Sam, get a life.

[ Woman speaking indistinctly
over intercom ]

Home away from.

It's when
they try to be clever

that it really starts
to feel like prison.

What are you doing here?

Hey. That judge extended
my contempt orders.

I guess we're roommates.

What are you doing here?
You couldn't afford bail?

Not $200,000.
Ouch.

I'd like to hear
the judge say that.

Well, I know a guy
who knows a guy.

Who knows a guy?
Exactly.

That's just what I need --
an assault charge.

I can ask the d.A.
For a 2-for-1 discount.

Well, look at
the bright side.

We certainly class up
the joint.

Yeah.

A man and woman
have an affair.

Who's more likely to tell
the truth about what happened?

This isn't one of your
trick questions, is it?

No.

So if I give you an answer,
I'm not gonna get in trouble?

[ Chuckles ]
I promise.

All right.
The man.

I think he'd just be
a little more objective

about the whole situation.

What if he denies the
relationship ever existed?

Well, then he probably has
a lot to lose.

Why, are you thinking about
cheating on me?

Who says I'm already not?

Mom! Mom! Mom!

The TV's too loud.
I can't read.

She turned off
my favorite show.

Oh, yes.

He took Chloe!

I was playing with Chloe!
He took it!

What, and give up
all this?

You got to be kidding me.

Woman: Be quiet!
I'm trying to sleep!

[ Indistinct talking ]

[ Indistinct shouting ]

Hello, Hector.

Oh, Ms. Roberts,
how are you today?

I'm fine, thank you.

Dr. Stillman
is not here right now.

I know.

I thought maybe I
would surprise him.

Shh.

Do you think maybe you
could let me in?

Um...for you? Okay.

Thank you.

You are the best,
Hector.

It's just our
little secret.

Absolutely.

[ Door opens ]

[ Piano plays opening notes
of Beethoven's "fur Elise" ]

How did you get in here?

Don't you want a drink?

It's gonna have to wait.

For what?

We have to talk.

Claire knows about you.

How do you know?

Did you call
my service tonight?

Yes. I wanted to make certain
you were coming here

and not lake forest.

You left your name.

And, apparently, my service
told Claire you were here.

That's rather unethical,
don't you think?

What?

For your service to
tell your wife.

Ellena, that's
not the point.

The point is
now she knows.

Well...
[ Chuckles ]

[ Smooches ]

Seeing as though...

...you plan on leaving her,

I would think that this
would be good news.

It's not.
Trust me.

She wants to talk
to you.

What?

She left a message
on my cell.

And you actually think that
I'm going to talk to her?

If we're gonna be together,
maybe you should.

She's your wife.
You talk to her.

You're the one
who exchanged vows

and then later realized
that she was intolerable.

Ellena, you're part
of this.

Maybe not for long.

What's that supposed
to mean?

[ Telephone ringing ]

I'm not talking to her.

[ Ringing continues ]

[ Beep ]

Yeah?

She's there, isn't she?

Claire, this really isn't
the time.

[ Beep ]

I'm gonna come down there,

and I am gonna throw
that disreputable slut

out the window.

You can't. It's an hour
and 15 minutes, okay?

I drive faster
than you, David.

I can do it in 50 minutes.

Just don't.
I'll ask her to leave.

No, I am gonna call
the police.

That's just what we need.
That's just brilliant.

That's the last thing we need.
Just let me handle this.

When she leaves, I'll call
you back, I promise.

Relax.

You are gonna get
a disease from that woman.

[ Dial tone ]

Are you ashamed
of our relationship?

No.

Then why do you
act like it?

♪ And I want you ♪

You know, you have
complicated my life.

♪ And I call you ♪

I should leave.

Hey.

I like that you
complicated my life.

♪ Hear me singing ♪

♪ honey, won't you come
and play? ♪

♪ Come on ♪

[ Buzzer ]

Do you like
my new outfit?

Very stylish.

Listen, I've got
to tell you something.

The d.A. Is saying

you didn't have a relationship
with Stillman.

[ Laughs ]
Do you believe him?

No.

But Dr. Stillman will make
a very credible witness.

This reminds me of that
Walter matthau movie

where this guy gets away
with cheating on his wife

right in front of her
while she watched.

This guy's in bed
with this bimbo,

and his wife walks in
on them doing it.

She starts screaming
at them.

You know,
"who is this woman?"

And the husband
looks up innocently

and says, "what woman?"

The wife's saying,
"that woman right there!"

And the husband keeps saying,

"I don't know what you're
talking about. What woman?"

She's so mad, she's babbling.

Meanwhile, the bimbo
is getting up,

she's getting dressed,
she tidies up, she leaves.

Now they're alone,

and the husband looks
at his wife and asks,

"what's for dinner?"

She goes back into the bedroom.

There's no mistress,
the room is all tidied up.

She thinks she's lost her mind.

My point is --
deny, deny, deny.

Of course David told the d.A.
We didn't have a relationship.

If he got a divorce,

he would lose his house,
his kids -- everything.

[ Clears throat ]

Infidelity is the mother
of mendacity.

You're right, Sam.

Where's the
low-sodium soy sauce?

You're kidding me, right?

What am I right about?

There are two sides
to every story.

You ate all the cashews.

Ellena knows
more about David

than I know about
my own husband.

You're all right
with msg, right?

So, what's more likely --
that she's nuts

or he is a married man lying
about having an affair?

Whether or not they dated
is not on trial.

Whether her behavior
is criminal, is.

Keep telling yourself that,
Sam.

Your David is a major fish
in a major pond,

and you're gonna need
all the help you can get.

Well, what --

skank, you better step off!

[ Indistinct conversation ]

What do you mean?

I want to do a piece on you
for Chicago magazine.

Are you serious?

I don't joke about my work.

What would be
your perspective?

The jilted mistress
getting the shaft

from the rich and powerful
boyfriend.

Or the victimization of a woman
by the philandering husband.

I like that.

I don't know. Maybe.

Don't underestimate the power of
publicity during a trial.

Would you be fair?

[ Chuckling ] No.

I'm already biased.

I really don't have time
for this.

You wanna reschedule?

Yeah, maybe later this week.

Or we can do it out here.

Is there a problem
with the case?

Yeah. There is no case yet.

I need to get the facts
straight -- all of them.

You think I'm lying?

Dr. Stillman,
when you prepare for surgery,

how often do you go over
a patient's history

or think about a backup plan?

For me, a trial is
the same thing.

I need to be prepared,

not only for what you're
gonna say

but for what ellena Roberts
is gonna say.

Her version...

Come here.

I know what she says,
and it's not true, okay?

[ Sighs ]

When we met at Logan,

I was standing in line,
waiting for a taxi.

David: She came up to me.

Dr. Stillman?

Yes.

Hi, I'm ellena Roberts.
We met last year in Miami.

I'm sorry, I don't, uh --

that's perfectly fine.

I just wanted to tell you,

I'm really looking forward
to your speech.

Thank you.

You wanna share a cab?

I wouldn't want to be
any trouble.

No trouble at all.

David: Where are
you staying?

Ellena: The fairmark.

Please stop at the fairmark
before we get to the stanwick.

If it's out of the way...

A couple blocks apart.
Don't worry about it.

Where are you from?

Chicago.

Really? Me too.

What do you do there?

I'm a medical writer.

I publish a lot.

Maybe I could use your help.

If you're interested
when you get back,

why don't you give me a call?

David: I dropped her off
at the fairmark.

Never saw her again in Boston.

We met once in Chicago to talk
about her working for me.

I've been asked to do a piece
on neurocarcinoma.

There's some preliminary
research

I could use your help with.

How's your veal?

Good.

Veal's usually overcooked

and frequently saturated in
an overbearing cream sauce.

I studied at the cordon bleu
in Paris,

so I think I'm allowed
a modicum of immodesty.

I make an extraordinary
coq au vin.

The secret is the shallot.

Maybe I can cook for you
one night.

We went to a restaurant,
and next thing I know,

she wants to come over
and cook dinner.

She wanted something more from
me, so I never hired her.

Wait a minute. Back up.

You went out to dinner?

That's a little unusual,
isn't it?

Not for me --
I work 14 hours a day,

from 6:00 A.M. till
about 8:00 at night.

Surgery twice a day.
I don't go out for lunch.

My only free time
is at night.

Hello?

Yes, I'm on my way.
Thank you.

Okay, good. So that's it.
Nothing happened.

Pretty much. Excuse me.

You do realize, of course,

that her version is
radically different?

Yes.

Look, her whole life
is a lie.

That's the only thing
she knows.

The frightening thing is
she's really good at it.

To defend you,
I'm gonna need to know
as much about you as I can.

I'm an open book.

Your parents -- will they be
character witnesses?

They're dead.

Both of them?
Mm-hmm.

Oh, I'm sorry.
Were you close?

[ Laughs ]

Ellena? We need to converse
regarding this topic.

Mother, we've done nothing
but talk about it!

But I'm worried.

You worry about everything.

It's not safe for you
to abandon the house.

I'm not abandoning you.
I'm merely moving out.

You're too young.

I'm 28 years old.

My relationship with my parents
was complicated.

Okay. Uh, let's talk
about Olivia Reese.

I prefer not to.

You want to lose?

The d.A. Has her letters,
right?

Mm-hmm.

They'll use them
as evidence against me.

I can't stop that.

Time.

What more is there to say?

Dr. and Mrs. Stillman,
I'm sorry I'm late.

Thank you for coming.

I cannot emphasize enough
how important this is.

We understand.

We need to get

an exact accounting
of Ms. Roberts' behavior.

We have the letters,
the phone records.

But since you'll be called
to testify, you --

you know you both may be
called to the stand?

Yes.

Good.

I'm gonna need to hear it
again in your own words.

It started with
the phone calls.

It was like that
for weeks at a time.

[ Ringing ]

Dr. Stillman's office.

I'm sorry, the doctor is
with a patient right now.

Yes, I gave him the messages,
Ms. Roberts.

[ Ringing ]

Dr. Stillman's office.

You know, you really should give
him a chance to call you back.

Uh-huh.

Okay, well, I did give him
the messages.

Uh-huh.

All right. Bye-bye.

[ Click ]

Oh, my god.

There were sometimes
10, 20 a day.

[ Telephone ringing ]

[ Ringing continues ]

[ Scoffs ]

Aren't you gonna answer that?
[ Sighs ]

Her again?
Yep.

What about at home?

We changed the number
at the house so many times

that David had to keep a note
in his wallet to remind him.

Did you ever return
her calls?

Once or twice, but that was

only after we first met
to discuss her working for me.

You never spoke to her again
after that?

Not on the phone, no.

Meaning...you spoke to her
in person?

It was hard not to.

Good afternoon,
ladies and gentlemen.

This is flight 21,
nonstop to Dallas.

At this time, we'll be boarding
all first-class passengers

and all those needing
special assistance.

Hi.

Hello, Ms. Roberts.

Oh, hi.

Have yourself
a pleasant flight.

[ Laughter ]

One of the causalities
of postsurgical hemorrhaging

is an inadvertent laceration
in the temporal lobe

which results in
capillary dysfunction.

There are steps
that can be taken

to ensure a proper
postsurgical prognosis,

but I'm gonna give you some
examples instead, okay?

Uh, example number one --
patient "a," a 63-year-old man

with a history of degenerative
coronary disease,

underwent a series of
fibrillations

as a result of the collapse of
capillaries...

Sam: She would appear
out of nowhere?

David: Plane after plane, conference after conference --

Los Angeles, Rome.

How did she know

you would be speaking
at these conferences?

Information is public --

you know, who's attending, who the guest speakers are.

[ Chuckles ]

[ Knock on door ]

Ellena: "I'm in the next room.

You're just a wall away from
personal ecstasy -- ellena"

honey?
Honey, who was it?

It was room service.
They had the wrong room.

But your flights, your hotel --
that information isn't public.

She can be quite resourceful.

David: And quite clever.

Hi, this is Claire Stillman.
I'm Dr. Stillman's wife.

Man: How can I help you?

We arrive on the 14th.
Does that room face the pool?

You did request
a garden room?

Yeah.

Mrs. Stillman, that room
does face the pool.

Great. Thank you very much.

And -- I'm sorry --
can you tell me the room number,

'cause I want to send
some flowers.

[ Indistinct conversation ]

David: But she crossed the line
when she involved my wife.

Hello.

Uh, hello.

I'm going to marry
her husband.

I'm sorry to interrupt.

Mmm.

[ Sighs ]

[ Clears throat ]

Uh, that must have been
a little awkward.

Yeah, it was.

Did you feel threatened?

For my safety
or for my marriage?

I'm sorry. For your safety.

Yeah. That came later.

Claire: It didn't matter
where I was.

She would just appear.

I used to take a fire poker
to bed with me at night

just to feel safe.

I told David that, if something
should happen to me,

not to assume
that it was accidental.

Sam: Did she ever approach you,
say anything threatening?

No.

Which made it even worse.

I had no idea
what she wanted...

Until later, when I realized
that she wanted what I had.

She wanted...My husband,
my children, the house...

My life.

Woman: When's the trial?

Claire: Two weeks.

And soon as it's over,
we're all going to Belize.

Wow. David is taking
a vacation?

Yeah.

Took all this to get him
to go on a vacation,

lie on a beach.

[ Chuckles ] Whew! Hey!

[ Children shouting
indistinctly ]

This gonna be ready
soon, honey?

A couple more minutes.

Smells good. Mmm!
[ Chuckles ]

Do you ever wonder why,

out of all the men in the world,
she picked David?

Yeah, I do, all the time.

There's plenty of successful,
good-looking doctors.

Why him?

Especially since
he didn't sleep with her.

Are you implying
that he did?

No. No, no, that's not
what I meant.

Because I thought he had,
at first.

I mean, why else would she
pursue him so relentlessly

unless they'd slept together?

But...david insisted
that they never did.

And you believed him?

Well, if I didn't,
my marriage was over.

I didn't want that.

Hi.

Did you tell her
about Olivia Reese?

No. Who's that?

While it is contrary

to the traditional
patient-psychiatrist
relationship

for me to give advice,

I consider myself
an iconoclast.

Thus I would have to concur,

especially since I know
Dr. Stillman

both personally and
professionally,

that his domestic situation
is a hopeless one

and that he is deeply and
profoundly in love with you.

And so
to answer your question,

yes, I think
you should pursue him.

Oh.

Here.

Thank you, Dr. Reese.

You're welcome, darling.

I didn't know
you didn't believe me.

Only at first.

Why?

She just seemed to know so much
about you, about US.

We went over that.

Well, there were
a lot of contradictions.

Like what?

Well, like at first, you said
you were never in her apartment,

and then you said you were.

I've never been
in her apartment.

Yes, there was the time

I went to tell her
to leave US alone.

But as I'm standing outside
her apartment building,

I realized the futility of
dealing with a crazy person,

so I left.

And the time that you gave her
a ride home?

That was from the airport
in Boston!

I've never been
in her apartment!

You believe me, don't you?

I said I did.

[ Door opens ]

[ Indistinct talking
in distance ]

How'd it go?

My lawyer said
that the judge said

that if I wouldn't budge,
he wouldn't budge.

I'm sorry.

Yeah, well.

I think the price of my memoirs
just went up, so it's cool.

You're a smart woman.

Do you ever ask yourself,
"why me and not them?"

Oh, no, that's a slippery slope.
Don't go there.

I suppose.

Why are you so sad?

Are you still thinking
about him?

I dated this guy once.

He was a widower --
I mean, didn't matter.

He was terrific.

He was smart and sexy and...
[ Chuckles ]

I won't bore you
with the details,

but I actually thought

he would be the last guy
I ever slept with.

And I didn't care.

It didn't freak me out, which
is really not normal for me.

But I didn't want to be with
anybody after this guy.

So...anyway,
it was Christmas,

and he was a big skier,

and I knew that there was this
ski parka that he really liked.

So I went to the store
to buy it for him.

And I'm standing in line,

and the woman in front of me
is buying the exact same jacket.

And after she's done,
I hear the salesgirl say,

"thanks, Mrs. Deutsch" --
that was his last name.

And I thought, "well,
that's a coincidence, right?"

I'm a journalist.

I cannot let these things go,
so I followed her,

and she went right back to
his house

and walked right in.

[ Sighs ]

And I'm standing there,
so livid I can't even breathe.

And I have to talk
to this guy.

So I go to the front door
and I knock and he answers,

and I say, "who's that woman?"

And he says, "that's my wife."

[ Chuckles ]

And I was like, "what?!

You lied to me
about being a widower?!"

And he said -- with
this little puppy-dog face --

he said, "no, you asked me
if I'd been married.

"I was. She died.

You never asked me
if I'd been remarried."

Ga!

[ Laughs ]

[ Chuckles ]

Men. They suck.

And what was he gonna do
with two ski parkas?

[ Laughs ]

I haven't seen ellena
in a while.

You mentioned that
on the phone.

I don't know
how much help I can be.

I feel sorry for ellena.

It's tough being single
in this city.

Most women hoping
to find a man

are too afraid
to admit they won't.

So they become obsessed...
With their careers.

Let me tell you,
any one of US could snap --

switch our obsession
from work to a man.

He's cute.

Uh, so, you said
you knew her parents.

Yeah, they were a pair.

How so?

They were friggin' strange.

Her mother was morticia Addams
crossed with June cleaver

and way controlling.

What do you mean?

Ellena loved medicine.

When we were kids, all the girls
wanted to play house,

but ellena always wanted
to play hospital.

You know how some people worship
movie stars or athletes?

That's how ellena felt
about doctors.

If she couldn't be one,
then she'd marry one.

Think of how her life
would be different.

She certainly wouldn't be
in jail,

let alone a stripper.

What are you talking about?

Well, she claims
she did it for the money,

but I think
she liked the attention.

[ Seductive R&B music
plays ]

Ellena? You know how many girls
come in here?

Yeah, I remember ellena.

She had a stage name.
Uh...

I'm flaking on what it was.

I called her the librarian.

So, uh, what was her name?
It's at the tip of my tongue.

Anyways, ellena --
she became popular.

Go figure.

[ Knock on window ]

Hey!

You wanna move around
a little?

Come on, I already paid!
Show me --

shh!

Sorry.

See, guys, they're weird.
[ Clears throat ]

Except for you, sir.
Come back anytime.

Anything gets them off.

Oh.

So, what are you reading?

Why don't you read it to me?

"The latent dream's
most dominating element

"is the repressed impulse,
which has obtained expression

"by associating itself
with erotic stimuli.

"The dream maker's secret wish
belies an underlying need..."

"Kierkegaard emphasized that
a moment comes for an individual

"when he must make
an irrevocable choice.

"How the individual
approaches this decision

"is earmarked by
character-notation markers

of epic proportions."

Did she ever get arrested?

Nah, she kept it clean.

Hey, maita, dance, will you?

Claire Stillman --
that was her stage name.

You're kidding?

Nope. Look, most girls pick
candy or Amber.

Not ellena.

Did she mention a boyfriend?

No. No way.

The thing is...

[ Sighs ]

...i think ellena's
still a virgin.

[ Door opens ]

Sara: I thought you said you were an open book.

[ Door closes ]

Yeah.

Well, you left out
a chapter --

the one where you worked
at ozzy's.

Oh, who told you that?

It doesn't matter.
Ellena, stripping?!

Much of this case is gonna be
"he said, she said."

And the prosecution is gonna do
everything they can

to undermine
your credibility.

So if you withhold
information from me,

I can't properly defend you!

Remember, I'm on your side!

Why didn't you tell me this?

Because of this --
judgment!

It's easy for you, Sara!

You have your career,
you have your family!

Your life is yours
because your choice is yours!

What about mine?

I am in love with a married man
who denies we ever dated!

Do you know how
that makes a person feel?

Like you never existed.
So you do what you can.

And when my writing wasn't
enough to pay the bills,

I worked at ozzy's.

No man ever saw me naked!
No man ever touched me!

My choice, my rules!

Some people may find it
ethically offensive,

but it is not
criminal behavior!

So just please spare me
the judgment.

Okay, okay, okay, okay.

Are there any other jobs
I should know about?

[ Scoffs ]

I don't think so.
Good.

Man: When can you start?

Ellena: Soon as possible.

But you don't have
any experience.

I hate dirt.
Isn't that enough?

Woman: Dr. Kleinthar,
call imaging services.

Dr. Kleinthar,
call imaging services.

Sara: There's something else
we need to discuss --

your defense.

When I love, I love.

Is that a crime?

No.

But it's not
a legal defense.

What are you saying?

You harassed Dr. Stillman.

It's difficult for US
to say you didn't.

They'll have his testimony,
plus phone calls, witnesses,

letters you wrote --
threatening letters.

I never threatened anyone.

I was merely trying to
convince him to take me back.

The sheer volume is
what is threatening.

That's what the prosecution
will say.

And we have to explain
why you did all this.

When I take the stand,
I will explain.

I really don't recommend
you take the stand.

You'll be at the mercy of
the d.A., and cavallo is good.

He will trap you,
twist your words.

How else am I supposed
to convince the jury?

Well, I think there is
another way to avoid jail.

[ Laughs ]

You want me
to plead insanity?

I want US to explore
all your options,

and that is one of them.

I want him to admit he lied.

Let's arrange a meeting
with a psychiatrist.

Let's just say that I agree
to an insanity plea.

Do you know what kind
of stigma that is?

They'll put me
in an institution

with a bunch
of pathetic females

who spit and drool
and pick at their skin.

You don't think
that that's jail?

Just meet him and
consider it as an option.

It's a waste of time.
I'd rather be dead.

What would you like
to tell me

about your relationship
with Dr. Stillman?

Well, I'm sure it's all
in your little files.

Maybe you could elaborate.

Do you think it was
a normal relationship?

What do you consider normal?

[ Chuckles ] You tell me.

Is that how this
is going to go --

you're going to answer all of
my questions with a question?

A normal relationship is one

in which both parties willingly
and openly feel and express

mutual love and respect.

That's what I had.

With Dr. Stillman?

Yep, until he ended it.

And you're aware that
he denies the relationship?

Of course.

Why would he?

To protect his wife, his
stature, to ensure a conviction.

There's a multitude
of reasons.

Do you plan
on providing proof

of your relationship
with Dr. Stillman

to the court?

Please.

You know, uh,
letters he wrote you,

witnesses who saw you together,
friends who met him.

So typical.

Because he's a surgeon,
wealthy, famous,

you believe him and not me --
the single, white female.

And I'm not taking sides.

[ Scoffs ]

Tell me about other men
you've dated.

I don't see how that's
relevant to David.

It is important
that I get a sense of you --

not just in relationship
to Dr. Stillman,

but of your entire life.

All right, fine.
I never dated that much.

You happy?

How did that make you feel?

[ Laughs ]

Like I was walking on clouds.

Is this a game to you?

I just don't see the point!

Let's talk
about Olivia Reese.

I would prefer not to
if you don't mind.

I know you're
reluctant to admit

to the importance of sex
in a relationship,

but the passion between you and
ellena cannot be denied.

No woman is going to stimulate
you emotionally, intellectually,

or physically
as much as she does.

Wouldn't you agree?

Yes, Olivia,
I would have to agree.

Thank you.

What do you think will happen

if you're, in fact,
found guilty?

I'm sure they'll throw me
into the electric chair.

David: As soon as I get
the blood work,

I'll take a look at it,

and we'll be able to let you go
in a couple of days.

Okay.
Thanks.

Good.
Bye.

Hi.

What's wrong? The kids okay?

Yeah, they're fine.

Can we, uh, can we go
to your office?

Yeah, sure. Come on.

David, there is something
that I need to tell you

that I haven't told
anyone else,

and I don't want anyone else
to know.

[ Sighs ]

Okay. What?

Throughout this whole nightmare,
I was frightened

and I wanted to do something
to stop ellena,

but I didn't know what.

I couldn't think of anything.

So I...

I started writing letters.

To ellena?

Yes.

Claire: "You have clearly made
the assumption

"that because
my husband spends time

"in an apartment in the city,

"he must either, 'a,'
have an unhappy marriage

"or, 'b,' be sexually deprived,
or both.

"You couldn't be more wrong.

"Should you have
the unmitigated gall

"to utter one word of slander
with respect to David,

"I will embark
on an unmerciful campaign

to engineer your professional
and personal demise."

Are you out of your mind?!

She's gonna use that
against US!

[ Sighs ]

[ Sighs ]

Did she write back?

Yeah...

But always to tell me
that I was wasting my time --

that she had no interest
in what I had to say.

[ Sighs ] Whatever.

You wrote her some letters.

No, David,
I wanted to hurt her.

I wanted revenge.

So did I.
It's only natural!

I followed her.

I followed her!

More than once.

When?

Last summer.

I would drive into the city,

and I would...
Go to her apartment.

And...i would just...
Wait outside for her.

And then
I'd trail behind her,

thinking about
how much I hated her

and what I wanted to do.

Did she see you?

No.

Why didn't you tell me this?

Because I'd become
just like ellena.

I was obsessed.

I was obsessed
with her obsession,

and I didn't want you
to see that.

I wanted you to see the
difference between me and her --

between sanity and insanity,
because...Otherwise, I...

[ Crying ] I was afraid
that you'd leave me.

[ Tele hello.

[ Clears throat ] Yeah.

Yeah, hold on a second.

Hey, honey.

The phone.
It's for you.

Hello.

Oh, jeez.

Yeah. Okay.

I'll be there
as soon as I can.

What was that?
What's going on?

I'll tell you later.
See ya.

What happened?

Who knows?

Someone says something
someone else doesn't like,

next thing you know,
there's a fight.

Can I talk to her?

Sure.
She's doped up, though.

[ Exhales sharply ]

Hi.
How do you feel?

How do I look?

Not so bad.

Nice try.

You should get some sleep.

[ Exhales sharply ]
Sara...

Get me out of here.

You should see her face.

It's like someone danced
on it with high heels.

Kathy, can you get me the file
on the Bennett case, please?

I'm not going light
on the bail, Sara.

Fine, have it your way.

But picture this,

the beatings in jail
don't stop.

And ellena, with her face
beaten to a pulp,

walks into the courtroom.

Meanwhile,
your complaining witness

is a seven-figure income
neurosurgeon.

Talk about David and Goliath?

The trib's gonna have
a field day.

So, put her
in protective custody.

So she can slip in the shower?
No, thanks.

I want her out now so
she can see a real doctor,

and her face can heal --
or else, Sam?

Yeah?

[ Sighing ] Or else
the jury is going to see

a dapper neurosurgeon
punishing a lovesick woman

who's getting her face
regularly pummeled in jail.

They'll acquit so fast,

they won't even need
to get to the jury room.

Sara, please,
I really do have to finish this.

Uh...you win, okay?

Thank you.

[ Sighs ]
I owe you, Sam.

Yes, you owe me b--
hello?

[ Buzzer ]

You're not to call David
or his wife.

Got it.

Don't go near him,
either.
I know.

Not within 500 feet.
Right.

Until the trial begins,
they don't exist.

Understood.

'Cause if you blow this,
you are back in jail.

Sara, I got it.
I'm not going to bother them.

Good.

What do you think I am --
crazy?
[ Laughs ]

So, what do you think?

Well, I think ellena suffers
from erotomania.

What is that?

It's a delusional belief
that one is loved

by someone else, when,
in fact, one is not.

Usually, it's a celebrity
or a sports figure.

Or a famous surgeon.

Exactly.

Erotomaniacs
typically are women

whose lives have been
disappointing.

They go to great lengths
to pursue someone they love

believing that person
loves them in return.

Ellena's a classic
example.

Why does it occur?

[ Buzzer ]

Like all mental disorders,
uh, we're a bit uncertain.

Hmm, but insanity
could be used as a defense?

Uh, that is if you could get
ellena to accept it.

Uh, she can't imagine, uh,
claiming insanity,

because that would mean
that her romance

with Dr. Stillman
wasn't real.

She would be admitting
that her entire life was a lie,

that -- that she was
a complete failure --

devastating...
To anyone.

Your diagnosis assumes

there was no relationship
with Dr. Stillman.

That's true.

All the signs were there

that she fabricated
the relationship,

and that she crossed the line
from neurotic fantasy

into criminal behavior.

Should I be worried?
I just got her out on bail.

Well, based on the tests
I performed,

she has violent tendances,

and she has 7 of the 10 traits
of an assassin.

[ Sighs ]

I wanna be a little sexy
for David.

Uh, w-wear the Navy blue.

Yeah.

Ellena:
I'm a medical writer.

It's not glamorous
like what you do. But...

Together: The basic skills
are the same.

Maybe once
this whole thing is over,

maybe you could submit
my résumé to Chicago magazine,

or maybe we could write
together!

I know I'm being
really presumptuous,

and sometimes,
writers like to work alone,

but...
Woodward and Bernstein?

[ Sighs ] Charlotte!

That is a huge compliment.

[ Laughs ]

You're the best friend
I've ever had.

Good.

Cheers.

[ Laughs ]

Woman:
Respiratory therapist...

Ellena: [ Thinking ] David's
been so busy lately

and very unhappy.

I'm sure he'll be thrilled
to see me again.

Sara: You're not to react
to David in any way --

as if he isn't in the room.

We're selecting jurors,

and if any of them
detect any emotion

from you towards him,
we're done for. Got it?

You're preaching
to the converted.

[ Chuckling ] Good.
Ready?

[ Inhales sharply ]

Let me get a drink
of water.

Hi.

Hi.

Nervous?

Not really.

You know, my mere presence
in the courtroom

could reignite David's
passion for me.

You look so beautiful.

All rise!

Please put away
all reading material

and turn off all cellphones.

This court is now in session.

The honorable judge
Tyrone wolf presiding.

Please be seated.

Ladies and gentlemen...

You are the jury pool

from which the lawyers
for the state of Illinois,

and the lawyers for the
defendant will choose 12 jurors.

Why is the judge referring
to me as a defendant?

I have a name.
Shh.

Do you know
or have you ever met

either Dr. Stillman
or the defendant?

No, I don't.

It's like I'm not even a person.
Can't you object?

Counsel?

Is there an objection,
counsel?

Y--
no, your honor.

Sam: Do you have an opinion
about the medical profession

that would prejudice you
against Dr. Stillman?

No, I don't.

Juror number 112 is acceptable
to the state, your honor.

Ms. Miller...

Have you ever been
the victim of harassment?

You mean, sexual harassment?

I mean, has a man or woman
ever sent you letters

or telephoned you
when you didn't want them to?

Ever?

I guess, yeah.

When I was younger --
a teenager.

Your honor,
I'd like to strike juror 112.

Judge wolf: Thank you.
You're excused.

Sam: It says
in your questionnaire

that you had a bout with cancer
and are now in remission.

Fortunately.

So your experience with doctors
was a positive one.

Man:
Yeah, I would say so, yeah.

Juror number 43 is acceptable
to the state, your honor.

Judge wolf:
Ms. Miller...

Strike him.

What?

He had cancer,
now he's cured.

He thinks doctors
are god.

He'll put David
up on a pedestal.

Strike him.

Defense strikes
juror 43.

Thank you.
You're excused.

We're gonna be here all day.

[ Gavel bangs ]

All right,
that's it for today.

Court will recess
until 9:00 A.M. tomorrow.

Have a good evening.

All rise.

Court is now adjourned.

Over the weekend,
I want you to lay low.

And ellena, remember
your promise.

No contact with David.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Got it.
Don't worry.

Your behavior in the courtroom
manifested underlying hostility

to the feminine gender.

You disgust me.

[ Beeps ]

[ Cellphone keys beeping ]

Medically speaking,

your pallor suggested
a potassium deficiency.

This is no excuse
for your behavior,

but you ought to be checked out
by a specialist.

Hello?

Hello?

Hello!

Woman: Hi!

Hey.

We're in here!

Okay.

Hi.

Hi, honey.
How did it go?

Okay.

Sam?
Mm-hmm?

This is Claire Stillman.
I think you've met.

Hi, Sam.

So, how'd it go?

Well, I got through
jury selection,

but ellena is a pain.

I think she'd rather
represent herself.

You think she's gonna leave
Dr. Stillman alone?

Yes.
She's not that crazy.

[ Telephone ringing ]

Hello?

You're kidding.

Oh, my god. Uh...
Yes, yeah.

I'll be right there, yeah.

[ Buzzer ]

[ Handcuffs, keys rattle ]

Hi.

Do you have a problem
with me?

[ Scoffs ]
Of course not.

Well, I am doing this
pro bono gratis --

free of charge.

That means you're
supposed to be grateful.

I am!

Really.

Then what is the matter
with you?

Going to the d.A.'S house,
having tea with his wife?

Well, you said not
to bother David.

You said nothing
about cavallo.

Don't get cute!
Or you're gonna have

some fresh-out-of-law-school
public defender handling this

faster than you can say,
"guilty as charged"!

[ Sighs ]

I'm sorry.

Do you know what strings
I had to pull

so that no more charges
were filed?

[ Chuckles ]

I'm sure it took
a multitude of favors.

You bet your ass it did!

And here's the deal --
bail is back up to $200,000.

You're in here
for the rest of the trial.

And if you screw up
one more time, ellena,

I can't help you.
Nobody can.

Do you understand me?

Yes.

[ Cellphone ringing ]

[ Beep ]

Sara Miller.

We got a problem, Sara.

Yes, I know.
I owe you, Sam.

We are way beyond that.

It's not just
what she did to me,

it's what she did
to the judge.

[ Cellphone beeps ]

[ Sighs ]

Ellena: Your behavior
in the courtroom manifests

an underlying hostility
to the feminine gender.

You disgust me.

[ Sighs ]

Medically speaking,

your pallor suggested
a potassium deficiency.

This is no excuse
for your behavior,

but you ought to be checked out
by a specialist.

My assistant didn't
recognize the voice.

I sure as hell did.

Oh, your honor.
I am so sorry.

I had no idea her compulsion
extended beyond Dr. Stillman.

What are we to do
for the rest of the trial?

She's back in jail.

What if she's acquitted?

You already agreed
not to press more charges.

Right now, my obligation
is to protect my courtroom

and the people in it.

What are you saying?

Based on your client's history,
does she harass only men?

I guess so. Why?

No men, no problem.

Turn off the cellphones.
Put away all reading matter.

This court is now in session.

The honorable judge
Candace Hayes presiding.

Case number 51458, state
of Illinois vs. Ellena Roberts

is now in session.

Please be seated.

Woman: So after your meeting
with the defendant,

did you offer her a job?

David: No, I did not.

Why not?

It was clear
she was offering me

something more
than the job required.

I thought she came on
too strong.

Now, she's an attractive woman,
Dr. Stillman.

Why didn't you just take her up
on her offer?

I'm married
and faithful to my wife.

She didn't interest me.

So you never had sex with her?

No, never.

Did you ever kiss her?

No.

[ Clears throat ]

Uh, a year ago in February,

was there a time that you saw
the defendant in Chicago?

Yes, I had returned
to my apartment

at about 10:30 at night.

Claire?

In here.

Surprise.

What the hell
are you doing here?

Care for a drink?

Get out!

Are you ashamed
of our relationship?

You're crazy.

And what did you do then?

I, uh, called my wife and said,
"you're not gonna believe this,

but ellena Roberts is in
our apartment in a negligee."

I found her clothes
in the living room,

and I put them in the bedroom.

I asked her to leave, and,
uh, eventually she did.

Had you given the defendant
a key to your apartment?

Absolutely not.

Did you tell the doorman
to let her in?

No.

Did you call the police?

No.

[ Chuckling ] Why not,
Dr. Stillman?

There was somebody
in your apartment

you didn't want there.

It didn't seem likely
that at 11:00 at night,

in a locked building
in a locked apartment,

the police would believe
that, uh,

a half-naked woman
was there by accident.

So I did what I said.
I waited for her to leave.

Mm-hmm, I see.

Okay, well, we'll take
a 15-minute break now.

I hate to say this.
He makes a good witness.

So you'll attack him on cross
and show that he's lying

about US not having
a relationship.

Ellena, whether you had
an affair is not on trial.

Whether your phone calls
and letters

constitute harassment is.

Woman: Dr. Stillman,

I'm handing you a five-page,
single-spaced letter.

Do you recognize it?

Yes.

Can you describe its contents?

Uh, it's a letter addressed
to me that I received.

It was signed by
a Dr. Olivia Reese,

a fellow of the national
psychiatric academy.

Could you please read
those highlighted sections?

"I thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

"It was with great sadness,
however,

"that I expressed
my frustration with your wife

"for how she chooses
to raise your children.

"Her indulgence
of their behavior

"only forestalls
their necessary maturation,

"and I fear
how her manipulative behavior

"affects
your own psychic growth.

"While I know I am forsaking
my psychiatric objectivity,

"I feel
I must be honest with you

since we are first
and foremost friends."

How many of these letters
did you receive?

Nine.

Nine.

Do you know
a Dr. Olivia Reese?

No, I don't.

So why do you think that you
received letters from her?

I wasn't sure, at first.

But I did some research,

and it turns out
that no such person exists.

Whom do you think
had written these letters?

Ellena Roberts.

Why Ms. Roberts?

Style.

Content.

The intimate knowledge
of my family and my life.

I knew who it was.

The defendant?

Yes.

No more questions,
your honor.

Very well. Mrs. Miller?

Dr. Stillman...

You've described letters
and phone calls

that Ms. Roberts made to you
over an extended period of time.

Yes.

Did she ever threaten you?

Not directly,
but the threats were implied.

Can you give US an example?

No, not off the top
of my head,

but, uh, the frequency of the
letters and their intensity.

So you inferred a threat
even though one wasn't made.

The number of letters
was overwhelming.

Did she ever
physically attack you

or any member of your family?

No.

What purpose do you think
ellena Roberts had

in contacting you
so many times?

Objection!

Your honor, that calls
for speculation.

I'll rephrase.
Did you read her letters?

Yes.

All of them?
There are hundreds.

I read them.

In their entirety?

Pretty much, yes.

Including
the Olivia letters?

Even though you knew such
a person didn't exist,

and you presumed the letters
were from ellena?

Yes, I read them.

Dr. Stillman,

you testified that you never had
an intimate relationship

with ellena Roberts --

you never had sex with her.

And yet, you want
this court to believe

that you read every one
of her letters

even though there was no
relationship between you,

all because you were looking
for threats?

That's correct.

What else do you want US
to believe?

Objection!

Counselor.

Sorry, your honor.

Dr. Stillman,

the evening ellena Roberts
was found in your apartment,

were there any signs
of a break-in?

No.

And you didn't give her
a key.

No.

So how does one gain entry
into your apartment

without a key
if you don't break in?

I don't know.

No more questions,
your honor.

I think that's enough
for today.

Court will reconvene
at 0900 tomorrow morning.

I want to take
the stand.

I know you do.
But, ellena, you're unreliable.

You have a hard time
controlling yourself.

The Olivia letters hurt US.
The jury thinks you're unstable.

Any more signs of instability,
and you're done for.

I can prove to them
that David is lying --

that he loved me.

They need to know
I wrote those letters

to convince him
that we should be together.

It's your trial.

Bailiff:
Raise your right hand.

Do you swear to tell the truth,
the whole truth,

and nothing but the truth,
so help you god?

I do.

Sara:
Ellena, how old are you?

30.

Where did you go
to high school?

Skokie --
to public school.

It was in a very middle
middle-class neighborhood.

Where did you go to college?

Vassar.

But I had to leave early
because of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts.

Are those your parents?

Yes.

They each had a history
of mental illness,

which to this day,
I do not understand.

Mrs. Roberts
had a long amphetamine --

your mother.

Yes.
My mother had a lifelong

amphetamine and barbiturate
addiction,

which made her peculiar,
unpredictable, and very violent.

She was overtly --

objection!

Is there a specific question

that the defendant
is referring to?

Sustained.
Ms. Roberts...

I'm sorry, but I was beaten up
three or four times a week.

You have to answer the questions
that are asked.

When I sustain an objection,
you have to stop.

Do you understand?

Yes, but what
if I have something --

it's not negotiable.

Let's move on.

You wrote letters
to Dr. Stillman

using the name Olivia Reese?

Yes, I did.
Why?

Because I wanted to recapture
the hope and promise

of our early relationship.

And you thought
the Olivia letters --

Olivia sprung --
the character of Olivia

spontaneously sprung
into my mind fully formed.

And a lot of time had passed

since my relationship
with David had ended,

and as I'm sure
my jury understands,

that the more complicated
and intense the relationship is,

the harder re-entry is,
and...

It just became easier
to assume the persona

of a 60-year-old
psychiatrist

who could be an omniscient
narrator for ellena

without being maudlin
or didactic.

So it was really just
a literary device.

Exactly.

I thought Olivia
would soften any tautology

that might be offensive
coming from ellena.

Your honor?

Could the defendant
please refrain

from referring to herself
in the third person?

Judge Hayes: Yes, Ms. Roberts,
it's confusing to the jury.

Please speak normally.
Do not use the third person.

She's wearing my bracelet.

David: Claire, you won't believe
who's here -- ellena Roberts.

Claire: How the hell
did she get in?!

I have no idea.

I came home from work
and she was in a negligee.

I gave her her clothes,
put her in the bedroom,

and closed the door.

Call the police!

That's stupid!
Why would I call the police?

So they can come over here
with their guns?

Now you're protecting her.

What the hell are you not
telling me here, David?!

Hi, Ms. Roberts.
Hello.

You know that last night

when you were in
Dr. Stillman's apartment...

Which one?

I believe he's leased
a new one on Michigan Avenue.

No, no, no.

I'm talking about that one
on lakeshore drive,

because, you know, you've never
been to that new one.

Not yet.

Oh, I see, not...

Not yet?

Well, I don't know what
the future will bring.

You can't lose.

Do you really think so?

It's in the bag.

Thanks, Charlotte.

Has the jury reached a verdict?

Yes, we have,
your honor.

Will the defendant
please rise?

David's not here.

He doesn't need to be.

How could he not be?!
Shh.

What say you?

In the case of the state of
Illinois vs. Ellena Roberts

on the charge
of aggravated harassment,

we find the defendant guilty.

She's done nothing!

Sentencing will be held tomorrow
at 9:00 A.M.

I will hear advisement
from counsel.

Bailiff, take the defendant.

Step out, please.

What have I done
that was so terrible?

On behalf of the court,

I would like to thank the jury
for their patient service

during this long
and complicated trial.

I'm sure your families will
be very happy to see you again.

Thank you.

[ Indistinct murmuring ]

Judge Hayes: Ellena Roberts,

I hereby sentence you
to the maximum of two years.

And I urge you during that time
to take full advantage

of the help
the state will provide.

[ Exhales sharply ]

Court is adjourned.

Wish I could be
more positive,

but there's really no hope
of an appeal.

You have to have legal error,
and there really wasn't any.

Great.

So I get to spend two years
with a hoard of baby killers.

That's fantastic.

You were never convinced
of my innocence,

and the jury could tell
the way you walked,

the way you spoke.

Your entire gestalt
said that I was unstable.

Ellena, you are unstable.
Things have got to change.

Man: Come on, Roberts.
Let's go.

There were so many times
in my life

where I could've made
the right decision.

[ Laughs ]
I always made the wrong one.

Don't abandon me, Sara.
You're the only friend I've got.

[ Sighs ]

[ Engine turns over ]

Hey, don't feel so bad.

[ Laughs ]

What are you doing here?

I mouthed off.

So the judge slapped me
with another contempt charge,

and here I am.

Oh, judges.

Bitches,
every one of them.

Don't you know a guy...

Who knows a guy? Yeah!
[ Laughs ]

Yeah, this time,
screw the assault charge.

Hey...

[ Laughs ]

Who's she talking to?

Hey, maybe this time,
they'll put US together again.

Beats me.

Ellena: Why is it
that you just have a way

of making me feel
so much better?

Oh, my --
you know what?

We can write a book.

Let's just write
a whole thing.

Wouldn't that be great?!

[ Indistinct shouting ]

Woman: Keep it moving!

Come on, keep it moving.

Move it!

In line.

In line.

You're next.

Ellena Roberts.

He thinks you're hot.

Ellena.

Yes?

Hi, I'm Dr. Wallace.

Hello, Dr. Wallace.
Hello, Dr. Wallace.

[ Woman laughs ]