Crime Story (1986–1988): Season 1, Episode 6 - Abrams for the Defense - full transcript
A pretty female reporter helps public defender Abrams defend a man accused of assaulting a slumlord and he falls for her. Torello, on the other hand, must help his wife get through the tough times.
NARRATOR: Chicago, 1963.
Last week on "Crime Story"--
Ray Luca's failed attempt
to steal the secrets of
Noah Ganz's Vegas operation
put Luca's life in jeopardy.
That Luca acted alone
infuriated crime
bosses Bartoli and Weisbord.
Meanwhile, Ganz joined forces
with a Cleveland mob group
against Luca and his
Chicago bosses, who then
told Luca to fix
it or get fixed.
David Abrams unwittingly gave
Luca a solution to his crisis.
Luca didn't negotiate.
He eliminated Ganz and the
entire Cleveland opposition,
clearing the way for
the implementation
of his national gambling
scheme and his place
in the outfit hierarchy.
David Abrams was left
wrestling with the reality
that his father's mob-connected
past makes it increasingly
difficult for him to do the
kind of legal work he chooses.
But he persists.
Tonight, on "Crime Story."
[music playing]
-Leon, baby, watch yourself.
-Hey, love.
-Hi, honey.
Baby, look.
See what Leon's doing
in the living room.
[screaming]
[music - del shannon, "runaway"]
-Listen, you want
me to, uh, make
you some lunch or something?
-Excuse me, Doctor.
-Is the room in
Pediatrics ready?
-Can I speak to you a second?
We can't give them a room.
-Find them something
on another floor.
-It's not availability.
They are indigents, Doctor.
No insurance.
No way to pay.
-The boy was bitten by a rat.
Anybody here ever heard
of the plague or rabies?
-Please keep your voice down.
-Mr. Lincoln, I want--
-Look, Doctor, I know I
can't afford to pay you
what I should, but
he's only five.
-We'd only keeping him here
for observation anyway.
Can one of you
keep an eye on him?
-Well, I stay home.
-OK.
Wash out the bite in the morning
and before he goes to bed.
Put some salve on it and
cover it with a bandage.
Then watch for any radical
change in temperature.
You have a thermometer?
NURSE: Doctor,
what are you doing?
-Go back to work.
Everything's going
to be all right.
But he should be
watched very carefully
for the next five days.
If there's any change at
all, just give me a call.
My name's Eisenberg.
I practically live in
this harbor of mercy.
I'm sorry.
Leon's going to be OK.
-Daddy, what's indigent?
[whimpering]
-All right.
-Child, what's wrong?
-They changing the bulb.
She tripped coming
down the steps.
-Who's changing the bulbs?
-Landlord.
He too cheap to hire a super
even to do his dirty work.
He up there now.
-Why are you doing that?
-None of your business
what it is I do.
-Yo, we can't see.
-You can't see
nothing, you people.
You cost me money.
You think they give
me electricity?
-15 watts?
A little girl fell
down the stairs.
My son got bit by a rat.
When are you gonna
clean up this garbage
and get rid of the rats?
-So move.
-No, you're supposed to do that.
I pay rent here.
-You pay nothing almost.
From this, you think I
have to hire rat man?
You want rats gone?
I tell you something--
I buy you spear.
-Hector!
Stop it, baby, don't!
-How's that?
-No!
-Spear that!
-Baby, baby, baby.
Oh, what you have gone and done?
-Mr. Lincoln.
My name is David Abrams.
Court has assigned
me as your lawyer.
What's the problem, Mr. Lincoln?
You have rights to a defense.
-Yeah.
Tell me about it.
Tell me about all the
rights that I got.
-Look, I know how
you must be feeling--
-Man, you don't know nothing.
You know less than nothing.
Is there decent food
on your family's table?
-Listen to me, you
want to feel sorry
for yourself, then
don't waste my time.
You want to stand up like a
man, I'm here to fight for you.
-I didn't mean to hurt
nobody, Mr. Abrams.
I just blew up and lost my cool.
My son's face.
"What's indigent, Daddy?"
The rat bit him.
The garbage in the halls.
The lights.
-What rat bite?
[baby crying]
MRS. LINCOLN: I'm coming.
-Mrs. Lincoln.
-Look, I ain't got no money.
-I'm David Abrams.
I'm Hector's attorney.
-I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Come in.
-Thank you.
-Get down, baby, so
Mommy can finish.
Are you gonna be
able to help Hector?
-I'm gonna try, Mrs. Lincoln.
-I hope so.
He got fired.
He don't even know it.
And I ain't got the
heart to tell him.
-Hector tells me the
water doesn't work.
-Nothing works.
-Did he get fired
because of the arrest?
-More cause he can't make bail.
His boss can't afford
to hire two handyman.
He say, Hector can keep the job
only if he get out right away.
What you doing, Mr. Abrams?
-I'm trying to make
a case, Mrs. Lincoln.
Does Hector's boss like him?
MRS. LINCOLN: Yes.
He's just close to the
bone like the rest of us.
It don't help not
having the food money.
Do I got to pay you?
-May I?
-OK.
-No, no.
You don't have to
pay me, Mrs. Lincoln.
I'm court-appointed.
How's it feeling, Leon?
-It hurt.
-Yeah, I'll bet it does.
I'm gonna try to get
Hector's bail reduced.
I'm gonna get your dad home.
-Mr. Abrams?
-No, it's all right.
I'll need this as evidence.
I'll get you a new
shower curtain.
I'm sorry about the bath tub.
-Are you all right?
-Yeah.
Mrs. Lincoln,
here's $25 for food.
This is part of the
court assignment.
-How are we gonna pay it back?
-Well, I'm gonna
try to get Hector
released on his
own recognizance.
He can pay me back
in a few weeks.
-You gonna get Hector out?
-I'm sure gonna
try, Mrs. Lincoln.
You take care, Leon.
Thank you.
Goodbye.
You've gotta do this, Alan.
And by the way,
this is not a favor.
Listen to me.
I got a client who's in jail
because a Neanderthal slumlord
is to cheap to buy rat
traps, and so my client's kid
gets bit.
-I'll pitch you at the
next business meeting.
-I don't have time for a pitch.
-David, I write the
assignment desk.
I see things get done.
But I don't have the
authority to decide on doing
a human interest
piece about some--
-Alan, Alan, who
has the authority?
-Editorial staff.
-When do they meet?
-Next Monday.
-No, no.
I don't have time for that.
Alan, look.
Please, there has got to be
somebody here who can jump
on this story right now, today,
because it's a good story.
Not because it fits into some
committee's guideline criteria
crap.
-I can.
-David Abrams,
meet Suzanne Terry.
-Can you?
-She can.
-But I won't until you
answer one question.
ABRAMS: Shoot.
-What's the rush?
-I got a client who's charged
with aggravated assault.
He beat up his slumlord.
He did it, no question.
But it was justified.
I'm pleading not
guilty, self defense.
I'm arguing that the emotional
and economic violence
instigated by the
landlord is tantamount
to a physical attack.
-And you're gonna read to the
jury from Marx and Engels?
-No, Ms. Terry, I'm not.
But I'm gonna win.
If I can get unbiased
third party verification.
All I'm saying is
you take a look.
If you don't see what I
see, it's a dead issue.
But if you do, I'd like to see
it in print before the trial.
-Looks like you're
trying to manipulate
the press so you
can win in court.
-Absolutely.
-So show me.
How much background
can you give me?
-Here's a list of the
buildings owned by Sturkowski.
I'd say he qualifies as
a major Chicago slumlord.
I've outlined some
of the violations
I've spotted in his buildings.
-Has he been cited?
-Just on some minor stuff.
He's probably
paying somebody off.
And here's copies of
his immigration papers.
He came here from
Warsaw in 1950.
What the hell are you
staring at, buddy?
-Well, I guess some people just
don't like seeing a Shiksa girl
like me breaking bread
with a Jewish boy.
-Yeah, I see your point.
-People, they don't
appreciate what
it means to be an American.
For people like me,
it means everything.
We struggle.
We escape communists.
We arrive here with nothing.
When we get to America,
we know what freedom is,
believe you me.
-And what is freedom,
Mr. Sturkowski?
-Freedom to be what we want,
be a success, make money.
You know, own
buildings, have rights.
-And what rights do
your tenants have?
-They have right to
pay rent or move.
You must have gone to
college to be a reporter.
You have an education
so you understand.
You are different from
most of your people.
So you should see, not be
expected to treat people who
act like animals
like they are people.
They only take advantage
and give nothing back.
-Julie.
Julie.
We can't go on living like this.
-Michael, I don't
know how we live.
-Neither do I. But I do
know that I love you,
and whatever it is that's
missing between us,
I want to make right.
-What's missing?
Michael, we fight about things
that don't make any difference.
It's not the dining room table.
What's missing is you.
I can never count on you to
be there when I need you.
I'm an affectionate
person, Michael.
I give it, and I
need it in return.
And there just isn't
enough for me or us.
I just don't know how
important I am to you, Michael.
-You once told me that
they haven't invented
the hard time that
we can't handle.
Now I'm saying that to you.
We can handle this.
We can work this out.
-Maybe I was wrong, Michael?
-Are you willing to make
the effort to find out?
Kehoe about a place
in New Buffalo.
Julie, look at me.
I'm struggling here
to try to make a date.
Go away for a long
weekend, what do you say?
-If I say yes, are you
gonna leave me at home
at the last minute,
surrounded by luggage?
-On my life.
On my life, Julie, no police
work, no MCU, no nothing.
Just me, and you, and
la luna, the moon.
What do you say?
It's very nice up there.
Come on.
-Don't look at me like that.
-Champagne.
ABRAMS: Mr. Sturkowski,
isn't it true
that you deliberately
provoked Mr. Lincoln?
-I did not provoke him.
Like an animal, he attacks me.
-You think of Mr.
Lincoln as an animal?
-Objection.
JUDGE: Sustained.
-Your Honor, I'll be reviewing
defense exhibit 1 through 7.
JUDGE: Continue.
ABRAMS: Do you recognize
these pictures?
STURKOWSKI: That is my building.
-Picture Number 1.
-The basement.
-And the garbage?
-Is there garbage?
It's not mine.
-And who's rats are they in
your building's basement?
-There would be no rats
if they keep cans covered.
-Don't you have an obligation
to put out the trash for pickup
and to provide enough
cans with suitable lids?
-There are six cans.
-Six garbage cans
for 15 families.
Mr. Sturkowski, how many garbage
cans do you have at your home?
-Objection.
It's irrelevant.
-Sustained.
-Picture Number 2.
STURKOWSKI: The boiler.
-Why is the heat switch
on the boiler padlocked?
-Because they vandalize it.
ABRAMS: Why is there
no fuel in your boiler?
-It is summer.
The sun heats the water.
-And how does the sun find its
way down into your basement?
-No.
The water is on the roof.
The water runs from water tank.
-And the water stays warm
in a dark, cold basement.
Picture Number 3.
-It's the hall.
You made it too dark.
-Actually, Picture 3 was
taken with the 15 watts
of light you provide
your tenants.
However, Picture Number 4 was
taken with a standard 75 watt
bulb you're too
cheap to install.
-Your Honor.
-Let's limit the
editorializing, Mr. Abrams.
-Picture Number 5-- I'll
save you the trouble.
Picture Number 5 is the faucet
in the Lincoln apartment
when it's off.
Picture Number 6
is when it's on.
There's no difference.
-They-- they are
responsible for the plumping
in their apartment.
-Exhibit Number 7.
STURKOWSKI: Did you see what
they throw in the toilets?
-And Mr. Sturkowski, are
they responsible for this?
-He's out of order!
-I want you in my
chambers, Mr. Abrams.
Court's recessed for lunch.
TERRY: Well, the
judge ball you out?
-Not for the first time.
-I'm surprised you didn't
get hit with contempt.
-Trial's not over yet.
-I'm sorry you didn't get to
use the article as evidence.
-Trial's not over yet.
-You're a real
operator, aren't you?
-Speaking of which,
can I buy you lunch?
-My son's hand was bit open.
Boy, he's screaming
from the pain.
We took him to the hospital.
And they was real good.
But they won't let him stay
cause I ain't got no money.
We went home, and
our neighbor's child
was crying from
falling down stairs.
Mr. Sturkowski was
making them dark.
He told me that if I wanted
to get rid of the rats,
he'd buy me a spear.
I just couldn't take no more.
-What did you do then?
-I hit him.
I'm sorry.
-I have No more questions.
-You ran up the stairs when
you attacked Mr. Sturkowski.
-Objection.
-You ran up the stairs.
LINCOLN: Yes, sir.
PROSECUTOR: You
didn't fall down.
LINCOLN: No, sir.
PROSECUTOR: And when you
found Mr. Sturkowski,
you attacked him.
-Objection.
PROSECUTOR: You
hit Mr. Sturkowski.
LINCOLN: Yes, sir.
PROSECUTOR: More than once?
LINCOLN: Yes, sir.
PROSECUTOR: More than twice?
LINCOLN: Twice anyway.
PROSECUTOR: A dozen times?
How many times did you hit
him before you stopped?
-Objection.
JUDGE: Overruled.
-Here.
We got the approval for the
wire on Luca's new house.
-Great.
-Wait until he talks to
Bartoli about anything, even
the weather.
-Mhm.
-Then get the judge to extend
the tap on Bartoli's phones.
-OK.
Oh, hey, by the way.
Pal David Abrams is
trying a case here today.
-Oh yeah?
Where?
-Down here, I think.
-The issue is simple and clear.
Did the defendant beat and
assault Mr. Sturkowski?
There's been no denial.
Your obligation
is just as clear.
You must return a
verdict of guilty.
-The issue here is not so clear
and simple as the prosecution
would have you believe.
The issue isn't
whether or not Mr.
Lincoln assaulted
Mr. Sturkowski.
Mr. Lincoln did
assault Mr. Sturkowski.
What is at issue here
is at what point do
we have the right
to defend ourselves?
Hector is on trial.
But it is Sturkowski
who, by denying
his tenants fundamental
maintenance,
enticed disease-carrying
rats to flourish.
Hector's on trial.
But it is Sturkowski
who padlocked the boiler
and let it run dry so there
was no hot water for cleaning.
It is Sturkowski who turned
the light to darkness
so that children
fall down stairs.
But it is Hector
who is being tried.
And it's Hector's five-year-old
son who gets ravaged by rats
while Sturkowski
collects the rent.
What's at issue here
is at what point
does a man have the right
to stand up in defense
of his family against
social and economic violence
that is as damning to body
and soul as any physical blow?
You will vote on the simple
charge of aggravated assault.
But your verdict is on
as profound an issue
as you're likely ever to face.
It's as important to your
existence as your skin.
Ultimately, you're
not rendering judgment
based on the edicts of
men in hallowed halls
wearing judicial robes.
You are rendering
a decision that
judges the lifeblood
of this country.
That all men are created
equal in the eyes of God.
And that no one, no one,
individually or collectively,
has any right to
abridge that guarantee.
That is simple and clear.
And if it is a value
to you, your verdict
is just as self-evident.
Not guilty.
-You will retire now
to your decision.
Whatever you have heard from
either side of this case,
your decision must meet
the test of our laws.
Is Mr. Lincoln guilty
or not of the charge
of aggravated assault?
If he is, you must so find him.
Bailiff.
We're in adjournment while
awaiting the verdict.
BAILIFF: All rise.
[whispering]
-Hi, I'm Sgt.
Danny Krychek, MCU.
That was a great
job you just did.
-Thank you.
-You're welcome.
-Hell of a speech, Counselor.
-Thanks, Lieutenant.
-Take this as innocent
curiosity, but, uh,
what did you do with the
$30,000 that Luca gave you?
-I sent it to Cori Luca with a
card that read "Loving Wife."
-I sent it to Cori Luca with a
card that read "Loving Wife."
-Come on, Sherry, baby.
Come on.
Jump down.
Ray.
Oh, what a wonderful gift.
-What's all this?
-Ray, $30,000.
Now, I only spent $20.
Oh, I love you.
[barking]
-What's that?
-Look.
Ah, Sherry.
Isn't she cute?
-Yeah, she's adorable.
$30,000.
Where'd you get $30,000?
Where'd you get $30,000?
-Have you reached a verdict?
-We have, Your Honor.
JUDGE: And how do you find
Hector Lincoln on the charges?
Guilty or not guilty?
-Not guilty.
-Yes!
-Oh my goodness!
JUDGE: Court adjourned.
-You should be proud.
-This is justice?
He beats me and he gets off?
This won't stop here!
I will not allow
this to get away.
Animals!
You owe me rent!
You don't pay, I fix you!
-[speaking polish]
You do this to
your people and let
those animals get
away with this?
-You're not my people.
I'm American.
[speaking polish]
--[speaking polish]
You protect them
and don't help your own kind.
Why?
-Don't.
[speaking polish]
I don't like that guy.
-Look, there's a
block party tonight
celebrating Hector's release.
You guys are invited.
-I'd love to be there.
-Thanks.
-Bring your friends,
lots of them.
It's $5 a head.
It's a rent party.
Hector hasn't paid any
since he's been locked up.
[music playing on radio]
-Call or you're gonna wear
the spots off the cards.
-I can't make up my mind.
-So what else is new?
The cards tell you
what to do, Pauli.
Just play your hand, huh?
-It ain't that easy, Boss.
-Hey, Phil, how ya doing?
-I'm good.
How was your trip?
-I had a great time.
I was gonna call you later.
I think we need to talk.
-Why?
We got problems?
-Maybe.
-Well, let's talk here.
Why don't you take a walk?
Get some sun.
Get rid of your
prison complexion.
-You want me to
leave, Mr. Bartoli?
-Ray and I want to talk.
Why don't you go
around the corner
and play Solitaire or something?
-What is that?
-Pauli, go make us a
drink and then go out
and check on the car, all right?
-What's wrong with the car?
-Pauli, take a book
of matches and go look
and see if there's any gas
left in the tank, all right?
Phil, what are you drinking?
BARTOLI: Burbon.
Tell me about the casino
operation in Vegas.
-It doesn't operate
the way it should.
BARTOLI: Why not?
-Fosse.
-What are you saying?
Fosse's a slick operator.
-He's dealing his own hand.
-Fosse's been our-- he's
been our guy in Vegas
for five years.
We never had a problem.
-Phil, all I know is he
walked me through the system
the way it works.
Maybe one half of
what's available
is the organization's.
And the other half
goes in his pocket.
He's not dumb.
-All right, tell me-- tell
me about the sports book.
How's that going?
-Sports book's a gold mine.
BARTOLI: Yeah?
-Yeah.
-Good.
LUCA: Hartman will
turn out a good count.
Very good.
Listen, about Fosse.
Keep it under your hat
until I talk to Manny.
You got any problems with that?
-None, Mr. Bartoli.
-Mr. Bartoli.
Ugh.
I gotta get out of this place.
It gives me [inaudible].
You give my love to your
beautiful wife, huh?
-Sure thing.
-Come on, let's
play cards, Boss.
What was that all about?
-Shut up, Pauli.
Just came out.
Bartoli and Johnny Fosse
got their own thing going.
Who's pick is it?
-It's my turn.
-Lieutenant, what should we do?
-Throw a fin in a barrel
and join the party.
-Evening, ma'am.
KRYCHEK: Lieutenant,
how you doing?
-Whadda ya got in the package?
-A little surprise.
-You're looking good.
-Yeah, feeling good.
-Got it.
TORELLO: Hey, Counselor.
-Lieutenant.
-How are you?
-I'm fine.
Thank you.
-Good, good.
-Sgt. Krychek.
-Nice to see you again, David.
-You too.
-This is Sheila.
-Hi.
Oh, wait a minute.
Suzanne.
Start over.
-This is Sheila.
This is my wife Julie.
David Abrams.
Suzanne Terry.
-Nice to meet you.
-Nice to meet you.
I've heard a lot about you.
Michael tells me you're
brilliant in court.
-Um, put your
money in the kitty.
And how about a picture?
-Yes.
-All right.
-All right.
Come on, Suzanne,
get in the picture.
-Come on, Suzanne.
Get in here.
-Come on.
Don't be shy.
-Ready.
Cheese.
-Wait.
-Got it.
So get some beers.
Enjoy the party.
[music playing]
-Hey.
This is what makes my job
worthwhile once in a while.
-Hey, how's Hector doing?
-Let's ask Hector.
CLEMMONS: What the hell is that?
-Oh, it's soul food, Clemmons.
Kielbasa.
-Sausages.
-You ever try it?
A little horseradish, huh?
-Yeah, sure.
-You ever try pierogies?
-Yeah.
-You know what
pierogies are, right?
-Sure.
-Chruscikies?
You know what those are?
-No.
-You know, the cookies.
-Oh, those are
the little cookies
with the confectioner's
sugar on them.
-Yeah, yeah.
-Yeah, sure.
-You ever try garagekies?
-No, I don't know garagekies.
-Yeah?
-Yeah.
-You open a garage
door with them.
-You stay on that side.
-OK.
-All right?
Don't get anything over here.
-Hector, how are you doing?
-Ah, you're looking at it.
-Mr. Hector Lincoln,
one man who has escaped
being run over by the
wheels of justice.
-Thanks.
Let's dance, Mrs. Lincoln.
-All right.
-Tear it up.
-Julie, honey.
Come here.
-Hector may be out of jail, but
the situation hasn't changed.
This place is
still a death trap.
Who's gonna force Sturkowski
to make this dump livable?
-Leave it to a reporter to
inject a little righteous
indignation into a block party.
-I thought that was the
public defender's job.
-That's funny.
MERRITT: Hey, D.
-Hello, Al.
Al Merritt.
Suzanne Terry.
Mike and Julie Torello.
-Hi, Al.
-Hi.
-Suzanne.
Do you dance?
I mean, do you
know how to dance?
-Are you kidding?
-Let me warn you, I've been
known to shake it somewhat.
-Oh, well, you better
start shaking it.
Come on.
Come on.
All right.
All right.
-Well, what do you
say, Mrs. Torello?
You want to give
this stuff a shot?
-I think I can shake it myself.
-I think you can too.
Let's go.
JULIE: See you later.
-Have some watermelon.
-No.
-Come on.
Come on.
-No.
-Just a little bit.
-Michael, no.
I'm tired.
I'm want to go home.
-I should've thought
of it myself.
Come on, let's go.
-No, you stay.
I'll just catch a cab.
-No.
Come on.
We'll go.
MERRITT: Where do you live?
-Lakeshore Drive.
-We'll drop you off.
We were just leaving.
-No problem?
-No, not at all.
-Be all right?
-Yes.
I'll see you later.
-All right.
Want some watermelon?
-No.
Get out of here.
MERRITT: Nice meeting you, Mike.
-So long.
JULIE: I'll see you at home.
-Nice meeting you.
Bye.
-What's going on
here, Sturkowski?
-It's the law.
You tell them.
I got my rights too.
TORELLO: What's going on?
-It's an eviction notice.
You got it down, don't you, pal?
Man's in jail, and you
evict him before he
gets his day in court.
-It's the law.
You tell them get out.
-No!
-He's dead.
You're under arrest, Hector.
[music playing]
[theme music]
Last week on "Crime Story"--
Ray Luca's failed attempt
to steal the secrets of
Noah Ganz's Vegas operation
put Luca's life in jeopardy.
That Luca acted alone
infuriated crime
bosses Bartoli and Weisbord.
Meanwhile, Ganz joined forces
with a Cleveland mob group
against Luca and his
Chicago bosses, who then
told Luca to fix
it or get fixed.
David Abrams unwittingly gave
Luca a solution to his crisis.
Luca didn't negotiate.
He eliminated Ganz and the
entire Cleveland opposition,
clearing the way for
the implementation
of his national gambling
scheme and his place
in the outfit hierarchy.
David Abrams was left
wrestling with the reality
that his father's mob-connected
past makes it increasingly
difficult for him to do the
kind of legal work he chooses.
But he persists.
Tonight, on "Crime Story."
[music playing]
-Leon, baby, watch yourself.
-Hey, love.
-Hi, honey.
Baby, look.
See what Leon's doing
in the living room.
[screaming]
[music - del shannon, "runaway"]
-Listen, you want
me to, uh, make
you some lunch or something?
-Excuse me, Doctor.
-Is the room in
Pediatrics ready?
-Can I speak to you a second?
We can't give them a room.
-Find them something
on another floor.
-It's not availability.
They are indigents, Doctor.
No insurance.
No way to pay.
-The boy was bitten by a rat.
Anybody here ever heard
of the plague or rabies?
-Please keep your voice down.
-Mr. Lincoln, I want--
-Look, Doctor, I know I
can't afford to pay you
what I should, but
he's only five.
-We'd only keeping him here
for observation anyway.
Can one of you
keep an eye on him?
-Well, I stay home.
-OK.
Wash out the bite in the morning
and before he goes to bed.
Put some salve on it and
cover it with a bandage.
Then watch for any radical
change in temperature.
You have a thermometer?
NURSE: Doctor,
what are you doing?
-Go back to work.
Everything's going
to be all right.
But he should be
watched very carefully
for the next five days.
If there's any change at
all, just give me a call.
My name's Eisenberg.
I practically live in
this harbor of mercy.
I'm sorry.
Leon's going to be OK.
-Daddy, what's indigent?
[whimpering]
-All right.
-Child, what's wrong?
-They changing the bulb.
She tripped coming
down the steps.
-Who's changing the bulbs?
-Landlord.
He too cheap to hire a super
even to do his dirty work.
He up there now.
-Why are you doing that?
-None of your business
what it is I do.
-Yo, we can't see.
-You can't see
nothing, you people.
You cost me money.
You think they give
me electricity?
-15 watts?
A little girl fell
down the stairs.
My son got bit by a rat.
When are you gonna
clean up this garbage
and get rid of the rats?
-So move.
-No, you're supposed to do that.
I pay rent here.
-You pay nothing almost.
From this, you think I
have to hire rat man?
You want rats gone?
I tell you something--
I buy you spear.
-Hector!
Stop it, baby, don't!
-How's that?
-No!
-Spear that!
-Baby, baby, baby.
Oh, what you have gone and done?
-Mr. Lincoln.
My name is David Abrams.
Court has assigned
me as your lawyer.
What's the problem, Mr. Lincoln?
You have rights to a defense.
-Yeah.
Tell me about it.
Tell me about all the
rights that I got.
-Look, I know how
you must be feeling--
-Man, you don't know nothing.
You know less than nothing.
Is there decent food
on your family's table?
-Listen to me, you
want to feel sorry
for yourself, then
don't waste my time.
You want to stand up like a
man, I'm here to fight for you.
-I didn't mean to hurt
nobody, Mr. Abrams.
I just blew up and lost my cool.
My son's face.
"What's indigent, Daddy?"
The rat bit him.
The garbage in the halls.
The lights.
-What rat bite?
[baby crying]
MRS. LINCOLN: I'm coming.
-Mrs. Lincoln.
-Look, I ain't got no money.
-I'm David Abrams.
I'm Hector's attorney.
-I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Come in.
-Thank you.
-Get down, baby, so
Mommy can finish.
Are you gonna be
able to help Hector?
-I'm gonna try, Mrs. Lincoln.
-I hope so.
He got fired.
He don't even know it.
And I ain't got the
heart to tell him.
-Hector tells me the
water doesn't work.
-Nothing works.
-Did he get fired
because of the arrest?
-More cause he can't make bail.
His boss can't afford
to hire two handyman.
He say, Hector can keep the job
only if he get out right away.
What you doing, Mr. Abrams?
-I'm trying to make
a case, Mrs. Lincoln.
Does Hector's boss like him?
MRS. LINCOLN: Yes.
He's just close to the
bone like the rest of us.
It don't help not
having the food money.
Do I got to pay you?
-May I?
-OK.
-No, no.
You don't have to
pay me, Mrs. Lincoln.
I'm court-appointed.
How's it feeling, Leon?
-It hurt.
-Yeah, I'll bet it does.
I'm gonna try to get
Hector's bail reduced.
I'm gonna get your dad home.
-Mr. Abrams?
-No, it's all right.
I'll need this as evidence.
I'll get you a new
shower curtain.
I'm sorry about the bath tub.
-Are you all right?
-Yeah.
Mrs. Lincoln,
here's $25 for food.
This is part of the
court assignment.
-How are we gonna pay it back?
-Well, I'm gonna
try to get Hector
released on his
own recognizance.
He can pay me back
in a few weeks.
-You gonna get Hector out?
-I'm sure gonna
try, Mrs. Lincoln.
You take care, Leon.
Thank you.
Goodbye.
You've gotta do this, Alan.
And by the way,
this is not a favor.
Listen to me.
I got a client who's in jail
because a Neanderthal slumlord
is to cheap to buy rat
traps, and so my client's kid
gets bit.
-I'll pitch you at the
next business meeting.
-I don't have time for a pitch.
-David, I write the
assignment desk.
I see things get done.
But I don't have the
authority to decide on doing
a human interest
piece about some--
-Alan, Alan, who
has the authority?
-Editorial staff.
-When do they meet?
-Next Monday.
-No, no.
I don't have time for that.
Alan, look.
Please, there has got to be
somebody here who can jump
on this story right now, today,
because it's a good story.
Not because it fits into some
committee's guideline criteria
crap.
-I can.
-David Abrams,
meet Suzanne Terry.
-Can you?
-She can.
-But I won't until you
answer one question.
ABRAMS: Shoot.
-What's the rush?
-I got a client who's charged
with aggravated assault.
He beat up his slumlord.
He did it, no question.
But it was justified.
I'm pleading not
guilty, self defense.
I'm arguing that the emotional
and economic violence
instigated by the
landlord is tantamount
to a physical attack.
-And you're gonna read to the
jury from Marx and Engels?
-No, Ms. Terry, I'm not.
But I'm gonna win.
If I can get unbiased
third party verification.
All I'm saying is
you take a look.
If you don't see what I
see, it's a dead issue.
But if you do, I'd like to see
it in print before the trial.
-Looks like you're
trying to manipulate
the press so you
can win in court.
-Absolutely.
-So show me.
How much background
can you give me?
-Here's a list of the
buildings owned by Sturkowski.
I'd say he qualifies as
a major Chicago slumlord.
I've outlined some
of the violations
I've spotted in his buildings.
-Has he been cited?
-Just on some minor stuff.
He's probably
paying somebody off.
And here's copies of
his immigration papers.
He came here from
Warsaw in 1950.
What the hell are you
staring at, buddy?
-Well, I guess some people just
don't like seeing a Shiksa girl
like me breaking bread
with a Jewish boy.
-Yeah, I see your point.
-People, they don't
appreciate what
it means to be an American.
For people like me,
it means everything.
We struggle.
We escape communists.
We arrive here with nothing.
When we get to America,
we know what freedom is,
believe you me.
-And what is freedom,
Mr. Sturkowski?
-Freedom to be what we want,
be a success, make money.
You know, own
buildings, have rights.
-And what rights do
your tenants have?
-They have right to
pay rent or move.
You must have gone to
college to be a reporter.
You have an education
so you understand.
You are different from
most of your people.
So you should see, not be
expected to treat people who
act like animals
like they are people.
They only take advantage
and give nothing back.
-Julie.
Julie.
We can't go on living like this.
-Michael, I don't
know how we live.
-Neither do I. But I do
know that I love you,
and whatever it is that's
missing between us,
I want to make right.
-What's missing?
Michael, we fight about things
that don't make any difference.
It's not the dining room table.
What's missing is you.
I can never count on you to
be there when I need you.
I'm an affectionate
person, Michael.
I give it, and I
need it in return.
And there just isn't
enough for me or us.
I just don't know how
important I am to you, Michael.
-You once told me that
they haven't invented
the hard time that
we can't handle.
Now I'm saying that to you.
We can handle this.
We can work this out.
-Maybe I was wrong, Michael?
-Are you willing to make
the effort to find out?
Kehoe about a place
in New Buffalo.
Julie, look at me.
I'm struggling here
to try to make a date.
Go away for a long
weekend, what do you say?
-If I say yes, are you
gonna leave me at home
at the last minute,
surrounded by luggage?
-On my life.
On my life, Julie, no police
work, no MCU, no nothing.
Just me, and you, and
la luna, the moon.
What do you say?
It's very nice up there.
Come on.
-Don't look at me like that.
-Champagne.
ABRAMS: Mr. Sturkowski,
isn't it true
that you deliberately
provoked Mr. Lincoln?
-I did not provoke him.
Like an animal, he attacks me.
-You think of Mr.
Lincoln as an animal?
-Objection.
JUDGE: Sustained.
-Your Honor, I'll be reviewing
defense exhibit 1 through 7.
JUDGE: Continue.
ABRAMS: Do you recognize
these pictures?
STURKOWSKI: That is my building.
-Picture Number 1.
-The basement.
-And the garbage?
-Is there garbage?
It's not mine.
-And who's rats are they in
your building's basement?
-There would be no rats
if they keep cans covered.
-Don't you have an obligation
to put out the trash for pickup
and to provide enough
cans with suitable lids?
-There are six cans.
-Six garbage cans
for 15 families.
Mr. Sturkowski, how many garbage
cans do you have at your home?
-Objection.
It's irrelevant.
-Sustained.
-Picture Number 2.
STURKOWSKI: The boiler.
-Why is the heat switch
on the boiler padlocked?
-Because they vandalize it.
ABRAMS: Why is there
no fuel in your boiler?
-It is summer.
The sun heats the water.
-And how does the sun find its
way down into your basement?
-No.
The water is on the roof.
The water runs from water tank.
-And the water stays warm
in a dark, cold basement.
Picture Number 3.
-It's the hall.
You made it too dark.
-Actually, Picture 3 was
taken with the 15 watts
of light you provide
your tenants.
However, Picture Number 4 was
taken with a standard 75 watt
bulb you're too
cheap to install.
-Your Honor.
-Let's limit the
editorializing, Mr. Abrams.
-Picture Number 5-- I'll
save you the trouble.
Picture Number 5 is the faucet
in the Lincoln apartment
when it's off.
Picture Number 6
is when it's on.
There's no difference.
-They-- they are
responsible for the plumping
in their apartment.
-Exhibit Number 7.
STURKOWSKI: Did you see what
they throw in the toilets?
-And Mr. Sturkowski, are
they responsible for this?
-He's out of order!
-I want you in my
chambers, Mr. Abrams.
Court's recessed for lunch.
TERRY: Well, the
judge ball you out?
-Not for the first time.
-I'm surprised you didn't
get hit with contempt.
-Trial's not over yet.
-I'm sorry you didn't get to
use the article as evidence.
-Trial's not over yet.
-You're a real
operator, aren't you?
-Speaking of which,
can I buy you lunch?
-My son's hand was bit open.
Boy, he's screaming
from the pain.
We took him to the hospital.
And they was real good.
But they won't let him stay
cause I ain't got no money.
We went home, and
our neighbor's child
was crying from
falling down stairs.
Mr. Sturkowski was
making them dark.
He told me that if I wanted
to get rid of the rats,
he'd buy me a spear.
I just couldn't take no more.
-What did you do then?
-I hit him.
I'm sorry.
-I have No more questions.
-You ran up the stairs when
you attacked Mr. Sturkowski.
-Objection.
-You ran up the stairs.
LINCOLN: Yes, sir.
PROSECUTOR: You
didn't fall down.
LINCOLN: No, sir.
PROSECUTOR: And when you
found Mr. Sturkowski,
you attacked him.
-Objection.
PROSECUTOR: You
hit Mr. Sturkowski.
LINCOLN: Yes, sir.
PROSECUTOR: More than once?
LINCOLN: Yes, sir.
PROSECUTOR: More than twice?
LINCOLN: Twice anyway.
PROSECUTOR: A dozen times?
How many times did you hit
him before you stopped?
-Objection.
JUDGE: Overruled.
-Here.
We got the approval for the
wire on Luca's new house.
-Great.
-Wait until he talks to
Bartoli about anything, even
the weather.
-Mhm.
-Then get the judge to extend
the tap on Bartoli's phones.
-OK.
Oh, hey, by the way.
Pal David Abrams is
trying a case here today.
-Oh yeah?
Where?
-Down here, I think.
-The issue is simple and clear.
Did the defendant beat and
assault Mr. Sturkowski?
There's been no denial.
Your obligation
is just as clear.
You must return a
verdict of guilty.
-The issue here is not so clear
and simple as the prosecution
would have you believe.
The issue isn't
whether or not Mr.
Lincoln assaulted
Mr. Sturkowski.
Mr. Lincoln did
assault Mr. Sturkowski.
What is at issue here
is at what point do
we have the right
to defend ourselves?
Hector is on trial.
But it is Sturkowski
who, by denying
his tenants fundamental
maintenance,
enticed disease-carrying
rats to flourish.
Hector's on trial.
But it is Sturkowski
who padlocked the boiler
and let it run dry so there
was no hot water for cleaning.
It is Sturkowski who turned
the light to darkness
so that children
fall down stairs.
But it is Hector
who is being tried.
And it's Hector's five-year-old
son who gets ravaged by rats
while Sturkowski
collects the rent.
What's at issue here
is at what point
does a man have the right
to stand up in defense
of his family against
social and economic violence
that is as damning to body
and soul as any physical blow?
You will vote on the simple
charge of aggravated assault.
But your verdict is on
as profound an issue
as you're likely ever to face.
It's as important to your
existence as your skin.
Ultimately, you're
not rendering judgment
based on the edicts of
men in hallowed halls
wearing judicial robes.
You are rendering
a decision that
judges the lifeblood
of this country.
That all men are created
equal in the eyes of God.
And that no one, no one,
individually or collectively,
has any right to
abridge that guarantee.
That is simple and clear.
And if it is a value
to you, your verdict
is just as self-evident.
Not guilty.
-You will retire now
to your decision.
Whatever you have heard from
either side of this case,
your decision must meet
the test of our laws.
Is Mr. Lincoln guilty
or not of the charge
of aggravated assault?
If he is, you must so find him.
Bailiff.
We're in adjournment while
awaiting the verdict.
BAILIFF: All rise.
[whispering]
-Hi, I'm Sgt.
Danny Krychek, MCU.
That was a great
job you just did.
-Thank you.
-You're welcome.
-Hell of a speech, Counselor.
-Thanks, Lieutenant.
-Take this as innocent
curiosity, but, uh,
what did you do with the
$30,000 that Luca gave you?
-I sent it to Cori Luca with a
card that read "Loving Wife."
-I sent it to Cori Luca with a
card that read "Loving Wife."
-Come on, Sherry, baby.
Come on.
Jump down.
Ray.
Oh, what a wonderful gift.
-What's all this?
-Ray, $30,000.
Now, I only spent $20.
Oh, I love you.
[barking]
-What's that?
-Look.
Ah, Sherry.
Isn't she cute?
-Yeah, she's adorable.
$30,000.
Where'd you get $30,000?
Where'd you get $30,000?
-Have you reached a verdict?
-We have, Your Honor.
JUDGE: And how do you find
Hector Lincoln on the charges?
Guilty or not guilty?
-Not guilty.
-Yes!
-Oh my goodness!
JUDGE: Court adjourned.
-You should be proud.
-This is justice?
He beats me and he gets off?
This won't stop here!
I will not allow
this to get away.
Animals!
You owe me rent!
You don't pay, I fix you!
-[speaking polish]
You do this to
your people and let
those animals get
away with this?
-You're not my people.
I'm American.
[speaking polish]
--[speaking polish]
You protect them
and don't help your own kind.
Why?
-Don't.
[speaking polish]
I don't like that guy.
-Look, there's a
block party tonight
celebrating Hector's release.
You guys are invited.
-I'd love to be there.
-Thanks.
-Bring your friends,
lots of them.
It's $5 a head.
It's a rent party.
Hector hasn't paid any
since he's been locked up.
[music playing on radio]
-Call or you're gonna wear
the spots off the cards.
-I can't make up my mind.
-So what else is new?
The cards tell you
what to do, Pauli.
Just play your hand, huh?
-It ain't that easy, Boss.
-Hey, Phil, how ya doing?
-I'm good.
How was your trip?
-I had a great time.
I was gonna call you later.
I think we need to talk.
-Why?
We got problems?
-Maybe.
-Well, let's talk here.
Why don't you take a walk?
Get some sun.
Get rid of your
prison complexion.
-You want me to
leave, Mr. Bartoli?
-Ray and I want to talk.
Why don't you go
around the corner
and play Solitaire or something?
-What is that?
-Pauli, go make us a
drink and then go out
and check on the car, all right?
-What's wrong with the car?
-Pauli, take a book
of matches and go look
and see if there's any gas
left in the tank, all right?
Phil, what are you drinking?
BARTOLI: Burbon.
Tell me about the casino
operation in Vegas.
-It doesn't operate
the way it should.
BARTOLI: Why not?
-Fosse.
-What are you saying?
Fosse's a slick operator.
-He's dealing his own hand.
-Fosse's been our-- he's
been our guy in Vegas
for five years.
We never had a problem.
-Phil, all I know is he
walked me through the system
the way it works.
Maybe one half of
what's available
is the organization's.
And the other half
goes in his pocket.
He's not dumb.
-All right, tell me-- tell
me about the sports book.
How's that going?
-Sports book's a gold mine.
BARTOLI: Yeah?
-Yeah.
-Good.
LUCA: Hartman will
turn out a good count.
Very good.
Listen, about Fosse.
Keep it under your hat
until I talk to Manny.
You got any problems with that?
-None, Mr. Bartoli.
-Mr. Bartoli.
Ugh.
I gotta get out of this place.
It gives me [inaudible].
You give my love to your
beautiful wife, huh?
-Sure thing.
-Come on, let's
play cards, Boss.
What was that all about?
-Shut up, Pauli.
Just came out.
Bartoli and Johnny Fosse
got their own thing going.
Who's pick is it?
-It's my turn.
-Lieutenant, what should we do?
-Throw a fin in a barrel
and join the party.
-Evening, ma'am.
KRYCHEK: Lieutenant,
how you doing?
-Whadda ya got in the package?
-A little surprise.
-You're looking good.
-Yeah, feeling good.
-Got it.
TORELLO: Hey, Counselor.
-Lieutenant.
-How are you?
-I'm fine.
Thank you.
-Good, good.
-Sgt. Krychek.
-Nice to see you again, David.
-You too.
-This is Sheila.
-Hi.
Oh, wait a minute.
Suzanne.
Start over.
-This is Sheila.
This is my wife Julie.
David Abrams.
Suzanne Terry.
-Nice to meet you.
-Nice to meet you.
I've heard a lot about you.
Michael tells me you're
brilliant in court.
-Um, put your
money in the kitty.
And how about a picture?
-Yes.
-All right.
-All right.
Come on, Suzanne,
get in the picture.
-Come on, Suzanne.
Get in here.
-Come on.
Don't be shy.
-Ready.
Cheese.
-Wait.
-Got it.
So get some beers.
Enjoy the party.
[music playing]
-Hey.
This is what makes my job
worthwhile once in a while.
-Hey, how's Hector doing?
-Let's ask Hector.
CLEMMONS: What the hell is that?
-Oh, it's soul food, Clemmons.
Kielbasa.
-Sausages.
-You ever try it?
A little horseradish, huh?
-Yeah, sure.
-You ever try pierogies?
-Yeah.
-You know what
pierogies are, right?
-Sure.
-Chruscikies?
You know what those are?
-No.
-You know, the cookies.
-Oh, those are
the little cookies
with the confectioner's
sugar on them.
-Yeah, yeah.
-Yeah, sure.
-You ever try garagekies?
-No, I don't know garagekies.
-Yeah?
-Yeah.
-You open a garage
door with them.
-You stay on that side.
-OK.
-All right?
Don't get anything over here.
-Hector, how are you doing?
-Ah, you're looking at it.
-Mr. Hector Lincoln,
one man who has escaped
being run over by the
wheels of justice.
-Thanks.
Let's dance, Mrs. Lincoln.
-All right.
-Tear it up.
-Julie, honey.
Come here.
-Hector may be out of jail, but
the situation hasn't changed.
This place is
still a death trap.
Who's gonna force Sturkowski
to make this dump livable?
-Leave it to a reporter to
inject a little righteous
indignation into a block party.
-I thought that was the
public defender's job.
-That's funny.
MERRITT: Hey, D.
-Hello, Al.
Al Merritt.
Suzanne Terry.
Mike and Julie Torello.
-Hi, Al.
-Hi.
-Suzanne.
Do you dance?
I mean, do you
know how to dance?
-Are you kidding?
-Let me warn you, I've been
known to shake it somewhat.
-Oh, well, you better
start shaking it.
Come on.
Come on.
All right.
All right.
-Well, what do you
say, Mrs. Torello?
You want to give
this stuff a shot?
-I think I can shake it myself.
-I think you can too.
Let's go.
JULIE: See you later.
-Have some watermelon.
-No.
-Come on.
Come on.
-No.
-Just a little bit.
-Michael, no.
I'm tired.
I'm want to go home.
-I should've thought
of it myself.
Come on, let's go.
-No, you stay.
I'll just catch a cab.
-No.
Come on.
We'll go.
MERRITT: Where do you live?
-Lakeshore Drive.
-We'll drop you off.
We were just leaving.
-No problem?
-No, not at all.
-Be all right?
-Yes.
I'll see you later.
-All right.
Want some watermelon?
-No.
Get out of here.
MERRITT: Nice meeting you, Mike.
-So long.
JULIE: I'll see you at home.
-Nice meeting you.
Bye.
-What's going on
here, Sturkowski?
-It's the law.
You tell them.
I got my rights too.
TORELLO: What's going on?
-It's an eviction notice.
You got it down, don't you, pal?
Man's in jail, and you
evict him before he
gets his day in court.
-It's the law.
You tell them get out.
-No!
-He's dead.
You're under arrest, Hector.
[music playing]
[theme music]