Early Edition (1996–2000): Season 1, Episode 17 - The Jury - full transcript
While trying to help someone, Gary finds himself serving on a jury. The trial is a little unusual because the defendant is defending himself so the judge has the jury sequestered, which means Gary can't get access to the paper. When it does come it's taken away from him and he manages to get a glimpse of it which tells him that the man is innocent but he's not doing a good job defending himself. Eventually Gary has to turn to Chuck for help.
(conversing in Russian)
CHUCK:
Nothing's easy these days,
no matter what
language you speak.
Murphy's Law-- what
can go wrong, will.
(phone ringing)
Da?
This is AT&T calling
with a collect call
from Gary Hobson.
Will you accept the charges?
Collect call from Gary Hobson?
Gary Hobson?
(conversing in Russian)
...AT&T.
(speaks Russian)
Go ahead.
Hello?
Is this the V.I. Lenin
nuclear power plant?
(speaks Russian)
Hello.
Coca-Cola? Rolling Stones?
Ross Perot?
Listen--
don't turn the power on.
Turn on?
(speaking Russian):
..."turn on."
(speaking Russian)
Buzz off! Sucker.
No! Wait. Listen. Listen.
Your coolant level's low
and your gauges are faulty.
If you turn that thing on,
the whole thing's
gonna melt down!
Melt down?!
Melt down?!
(bell clanging,
siren blaring)
CHUCK:
Face it,
even when you get
tomorrow's newspaper today,
you're still not
out of the woods.
Not by a long shot.
(phone ringing)
Like it or not, you still
gotta deal with life.
Hello?
I'm sorry. The government
of Russia refuses
to accept the charges.
Well, wait a second. I...
Please deposit $38.
Please deposit $38.
Not to mention...
Please deposit...
...the phone company.
(phone ringing)
(theme music playing)
♪ ♪
(cranky meowing)
You get stuck in traffic?
CHUCK: Look, I don't want
to talk about it.
I'm right, and
you know it.
As usual, Chuck, you haven't
a logical leg to stand on.
Gare, help me out here.
Am I right or not?
About what?
Body-piercing on NBA forwards.
Don't you guys
have to go to work?
(three knocks,
then thud against door)
Hey, what's this?
Your mail.
Looks like more than
two months' worth.
Forwarded from
your last address.
Delivered at no extra charge.
No, no...
What?
A jury summons.
"Failure to respond
may lead to arrest and fine."
Oh, that's all right,
you can ignore that...
"Due to disregard
of previous three notices."
...the first
three times.
MARISSA:
Well, when do
they need you?
Today.
So, go to the courthouse,
explain your situation.
They'll excuse you.
Oh, yeah, sure.
I'll just, I'll just go down
and explain my situation.
"An unidentified male...
"Lower Wacker Drive...
at 12:00 noon."
This says I got things
I gotta do today.
Well, I
still think
you need to
be there.
Yeah.
They don't mess
around with that stuff.
All right,
so I'll spend an hour.
Listen, uh... Chuck, I'm gonna
have to get a ride today.
CHUCK:
All right.
Hurry up.
What's that for?
Hockey. Let's go.
Oh. Ask a stupid
question...
Marissa,
you coming?
(meows)
MARISSA:
I'll take the train. Good luck.
CHUCK:
What's the hurry?
GARY:
I gotta get off
this jury by noon
or some guy's
gonna probably die.
Aw, come on,
hurry up, slowpoke.
All right, what
are you gonna say?
Hmm?
I'm gonna tell
'em the truth.
Bad idea.
What?
Bad idea.
Look, I didn't get
the first three notices,
so I'll just ask the judge
if I can reschedule.
Hey. Hey!
(Chuck honking horn)
Do you believe this guy?
Hey!
Yo! Easy Rider!
Hey! You want
to move that thing?
Why would I want to do that?
'Cause this is my spot.
I don't think so.
Oh, really? You see, Gare?
You see the rude
and unsavory characters
you're gonna have
to deal with
on jury duty?
Look...
Hey, if you're planning
to use that stick, don't.
You'll regret it.
What! No, I
wasn't...
You heard me.
I wasn't gonna
use it on...
Hey, lady. Lady, come on.
I was two seconds.
That guy
took my spot.
What are you...?
Come on.
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
Nice hockey stick.
You can't have
that in here.
It's a weapon.
Didn't anybody
tell you?
WOMAN:
Actually, the rules
don't say anything
about hockey sticks--
but they do say
"Firearms, knives,
any implement
"that can be considered
or used as a weapon
"shall not be allowed
in any facility
that's deemed the
jurisdiction of the court."
What are you,
hall monitor?
Just a citizen
doing her duty.
And if I'm chosen,
this'll be my 18th trial.
Well, I deem
that a weapon.
And I don't like it.
It doesn't bother me.
I'm not gonna be here
that long anyway,
so it doesn't matter.
May I have
your attention, please.
Welcome to Part Six.
You are in
the Criminal Section
of the Cook County
Superior Court.
You're all here to be jurors,
is that correct?
Well, no, actually,
I've got to...
Listen, stop your complaining.
You will all be given
numbers at the door.
Now, if you would,
please follow me.
The only one that can
spring you now is the judge.
Be a shame to see you go.
I've always liked
hockey players.
All rise.
Matters before this
court will now be heard.
The Honorable
Jake Wellborn presiding.
WELLBORN:
Good morning, everyone.
(clears throat)
BAILIFF:
You may sit.
WELLBORN:
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome.
I want to thank you
all for being here.
I know you have other places
you could be,
but we'll try to make this
as agreeable as we can.
Now...
Mr. Hockey Stick.
What a pleasant surprise.
Your Honor.
Now, aren't you glad
you didn't hit me?
Quick formality.
If any one of you feels
that they can't undertake
their civic responsibility,
speak up now.
Your Honor.
Your Honor.
Your Honor.
Sir. Sir.
Your Honor, I'm a neurosurgeon.
and I have two procedures
scheduled for today,
both with life-threatening
implications.
If there's any way?
WELLBORN:
Excused.
(clamoring)
Your Honor,
I'm on a dialysis machine,
and I need go in
every day or else...
Excused.
MAN:
Your Honor?
I'm a single parent,
mother of five.
My kids need me,
and I'm the sole
supporter of the family.
Ooh... mother of five.
Excused.
(relieved sigh)
Uh... (clears throat)
I-I have some, uh,
personal issues, Your Honor.
Could you be more specific?
No.
I mean, uh, not,
not really.
Uh...
Well, let-let's just say
I have some, uh,
personal responsibilities.
Let's just say
congratulations.
You get to serve
the state of Illinois.
Thank you.
CHUCK:
There are four sure-fire ways
to get out of jury duty.
All right.
What are they?
One: you have
an incurable disease
with less than a year to live.
Go on.
You're self-employed
and you have a wife
and four kids to support.
Next.
You believe every
man is guilty
until proven innocent.
It works every time.
WOMAN:
My client is charged
with embezzling money
from his employer.
If you knew
that the defendant
had spent time in jail
for stealing before,
would that affect your opinion
of his guilt or innocence?
I've always felt
that somebody's guilty
until proven innocent.
Hmm?
Excuse me?
Uh... What did you say?
Uh... Unless...
they were innocent,
and then, uh...
in-in that case,
of course, they...
would be found innocent
un-until proven guilty.
Dismiss for cause, Your Honor.
I don't see it.
He said "guilty until
proven innocent."
And then he retracted it.
Would you like to use
one of your preemtories?
You give me no choice,
Your Honor.
Actually, at this time,
Your Honor,
if you would permit me
a short recess?
An unavoidable conflict
has just come
to my attention.
If you could
permit me to...
That's it. I've had it.
Your Honor, how do I get rid
of this ball-and-chain?
Excuse me?
I see her two minutes
before we go into session.
I still haven't
seen any discovery,
and now she's telling
prospective jurors
that I've done time!
WELLBORN:
Stop right there,
Mr. DeLuca.
Recess.
For lunch.
BAILIFF:
Lunch. One hour.
WELLBORN:
In my chambers.
I gotta get out of here.
Don't worry.
You'll be home for dinner.
And five bucks richer, not
to mention the free lunch.
I had a boyfriend who
was a hockey player.
I'm not a hockey player.
Neither was he,
but he knew a thing or two
about hip checks.
(sultry laugh)
I really ought to be going.
Oh, as long as you're
back in 37 minutes.
The judge will throw
the book at you
if you're late.
(man grunts, groans)
I didn't
tell anything...!
Hey!
I called the police.
They're on their way.
If I were you, I'd get
out of here right now.
All right, come on, come on.
You want to meet my friend?
Come on!
Come on!
Come on!
Yeah, right.
Come on!
Come on!
Look, look, look--
this guy's nuts;
look at him, man.
Come on, come on,
come on.
Come on.
We through here.
GARY:
Hey!
(man groans weakly)
Hey...
hey, you all right?
Do yourself a favor...
don't tell the cops anything.
Don't...?
Oh, you're welcome.
Let the record show
that the defendant has
elected to go pro se,
acting as his own counsel
and has refused to have
counsel appointed,
as is his right.
WELLBORN:
Moving right along,
ladies and gentlemen,
in the case
of The People v. DeLuca,
we have a jury.
As the bailiff calls
your name, will you please step
into the jurors' box.
Linda Newman.
Patricia Beneker.
Latisha Williams.
Doris Temple.
Craig Dumont.
Sherry Silverman.
Hank Pierce.
Greg Irving.
Harvey Pilscott.
Jennifer Dressler.
WELLBORN:
Don't bother taking
your seat,
Mr. Hobson.
Your Honor, Your Honor,
I'm very sorry for taking up
the court's time.
Bailiff, will you call
the final juror, please?
BAILIFF:
Gary Hobson.
Come on down.
WELLBORN:
Ladies and gentlemen,
by this time, you should've
found, by your places,
note pads, paper,
that sort of thing.
And I encourage you
to take notes.
They will come in very helpful
in reviewing the case.
Away from this courtroom,
you will restrain yourselves
from viewing any matter
that relates in any
way to this trial...
(whispering):
Excuse me.
...including radio,
TV, newspapers.
I know how much you enjoy
reading that paper
with your morning coffee.
But for the duration
of this trial,
you must forego that pleasure.
Understood?
JURORS:
Yes, Your Honor.
Fine.
Well, let's start
the proceedings.
Mr. Prosecutor.
Ladies and gentlemen, this
is a case about betrayal.
How one man--
the defendant--
stole from the very man
who'd reached out...
No one was more
shocked than me.
I try to run my company
like a family.
I treated Phil like a son.
And to find out that,
all these years,
he'd been cooking the books
and stealing money
right out from under me.
How is it this loss
was discovered,
Mr. Proski?
My accountant.
I'd been paying a company
that didn't exist
for supplies I never received.
And all the checks
were made out
and signed by Phil.
Broke my heart.
Mr. Proski, can
you tell us,
how Mr. DeLuca came
into your employ?
Sure.
I object.
On what grounds?
Irrelevance?
Defines character, Your Honor.
Character?!
(laughing):
I don't see it.
Besides, this was
12 years ago.
Overruled.
Mr. Proski?
Phil was an ex-con.
I hire ex-cons.
It's almost all I hire.
PROSECUTOR:
Why is that?
PROSKI:
I got into trouble
when I was a kid.
Did a short bit up
at County Youth.
When I got out, a guy in the
neighborhood gives me a job--
plumbing and heating supplies.
Next thing I know,
I'm a partner.
He gave me a chance.
I wanted to thank him.
And he said, "You want
to say thank you,
do for someone
like I did for you."
Turns out he'd done
a stretch up at Parkside.
How many ex-cons you hire
over the years?
PROSKI:
In 21 years...
eighty-seven.
And how many
of those
87 ex-cons have
stolen from you?
None.
Until Phil.
PROSECUTOR:
Thank you, Mr. Proski.
No more questions.
Mr. DeLuca?
12 years I worked for you?
That's right.
12 years on the job.
A wife...
a son...
Why would I do this?
$372,000 is a lot of money.
Maybe that's all the reason
you needed.
A simple yes or no will do.
You didn't ask me a question.
Did I ever steal
from you before?
Not that I know of.
Not that you know of?
Yes or no, Mr. Proski?
No.
Did I ever, ever
cause any trouble at all?
No.
And swear to God, I wish we
could go back to that.
You were family, Phil.
PROSKI:
I keep thinking about you
and Sally and Alec.
Don't you ever... ever use
that word family with me.
We were never good enough
to be part of your family.
And you never
let us forget it.
WELLBORN:
Mr. DeLuca...
anything else?
No, Your Honor.
I think I made my point.
WELLBORN:
Mr. Proski,
you may step down.
Counselor, call
your next witness.
PROSECUTOR:
Your Honor, can I just
take a couple moments
with my colleagues?
Juror Number Four,
would you be good enough
to hand the note that
was just given to you
to the bailiff.
Don't.
WELLBORN:
Bailiff...
Yes, sir.
Would you read the note
for the benefit
of the court.
"I am very attracted to you."
(laughter)
WELLBORN:
Well, isn't that nice?
Juror Number Five,
do me a favor, will you please?
Make time on your
time, not on mine.
(Gary stammers)
That's all.
Thank you.
All right, back in 30.
(button squeaking)
LINDA:
Gary! Gary!
Over here!
We were just saying, Gary,
what a nice man
that Mr. Proski--
hiring all of those ex-cons.
87 ex-cons.
The guy deserves a medal.
I thought we weren't supposed
to discuss this...
Technically, you're right.
But we're discussing
a man's character,
not the case.
Sounds to me like you're
discussing the case, Hank.
You want to question me
about rules of conduct?
You who couldn't wait
to shirk his civic duty?
I never said I wanted
to shirk my civic duty.
He just had more pressing
business to attend to.
Like the rest of us don't?
I don't.
HANK:
The fact remains
it takes a rare individual
who goes out of his way
to help a stranger.
DORIS:
How true.
Rules are rules.
PROSECUTOR:
No further questions,
Your Honor.
Thank you,
Mr. Sarkassian.
You may step down.
WELLBORN:
Counselor.
With that, Your Honor,
the prosecution rests.
WELLBORN:
Ah! Then Mr. DeLuca,
would you like to call
your first witness?
No, Your Honor.
No?
No.
Uh, the defense...
rests.
WELLBORN:
Very well, then.
In the light
of this somewhat
inexplicable decision,
we'll proceed
to jury deliberations.
HANK:
Whose idea was it to make
Hobson foreman again?
I believe it was
Linda's, Hank.
I thought you couldn't
wait to get the hell
out of here!
Doesn't anybody here find his
behavior just a little odd?
He's no Matlock,
I'll give you that.
I'm talking about
after the recess.
I mean, he just gave up.
That's not odd?
Well, of course,
he gave up
because he realized
he couldn't win.
Then why didn't he go
down fighting, Hank?
Because of the evidence.
We saw checks in his name,
assets in his name.
We spoke with witnesses.
MALE JUROR:
That's right.
What more do you want?
DORIS:
He's guilty.
He knows that,
and he knows we know it.
No...
Hey, Harvey,
what do you think?
Linda?
I think that Gary
has a point.
And why doesn't
that surprise me?
Listen, what if somebody
got to DeLuca?
HANK:
Threatened him?
I think you've watched
one too many TV shows.
DORIS:
Gary...
based on the evidence,
we have no choice but
to find him guilty.
HANK:
It's late.
Let's vote and go home.
Okay.
Let's vote.
All right.
Finally.
That's the most sensible thing
I've heard all night.
(el train wheels
screeching in distance)
(cat meows)
(newspaper thuds against door)
(cat meows)
I can't do this.
I'm not allowed to read this.
No papers.
(cat meows)
No papers.
WELLBORN:
Good morning.
ALL:
Good morning, Your Honor.
Ladies and gentlemen
of the jury,
I understand you reached
a verdict last night.
Is that true,
Mr. Foreperson?
Is that true,
Mr. Foreperson?
Yes, Your Honor.
Bailiff.
Very well, then.
If there are
no further motions,
the foreperson will proceed
to read the verdict.
(cat meows)
WOMAN:
Oh, look at that!
(women laughing, cooing)
Oh, what a cute cat.
Whose cat is that?!
WELLBORN:
Kindly remove that cat
from my courtroom.
Order!
(gavel tapping)
Order in the courtroom!
Order!
Order in the
courtroom, please.
Bailiff!
(gavel rapping)
Order in the courtroom!
(cat yowling)
(laughter)
Sit down!
Quiet! Quiet!
(cat yowling)
Quiet!
Bailiff!
Bailiff, get that cat!
BAILIFF:
Gotcha!
WELLBORN:
Order!
Order in the court!
I'll take that.
WELLBORN:
Order!
Back there, sit down!
Order!
(cat yowls)
Sit down!
I will have order
in my courtroom!
Thank you!
Please!
Now, Mr. Foreperson,
where were we?
We have a verdict.
Yes, Your Honor.
I assume it is unanimous?
No, Your Honor, it's not.
(people groaning)
Why does that not
surprise me?
Without polling the jury,
I'd say it's 11 to one
and...
Yes, sir. I'm the one.
(people groan)
Hobson, in my
chambers, now.
I gotta tell you, son,
if your intentions are
to try my patience,
you're doing one hell
of a fine job.
Well, Your Honor,
you see, there's...
You know, I'm just an inch away
from dropkicking you
right out of this building.
Well, I hope you don't do that,
Your Honor.
Sit down.
Now, last night,
you believed he was guilty.
Pretty much.
So, between last night
and this morning,
something changed your mind.
What was it?
Well, I can't tell you that.
I think you were reading
something.
The bailiff tells me
that on two separate occasions
he had to confiscate
a newspaper from you.
Is that true?
Yes, sir, that is true,
but that will not happen again.
Can you give me
one solid good reason
why I shouldn't toss you off
this jury right now?
I can.
You can!
Sir... (clears throat)
I'm exactly the person
you want on this jury,
and let me tell you why.
I don't know what your
problem is, Hobson,
but we've taken all
we're going to take.
Right, people?
I think we should
listen to him.
That is a surprise.
Come on, people.
We've decided this
thing once.
Why should we
do it again?
Because we might be wrong,
that's why.
Do you believe
this guy?
Hmm?
Look, I don't want to be here
any more than anyone else does,
but I keep asking myself
the same question.
Why does a guy who's clean
after all this time,
who's changed his life,
why does he suddenly throw
that away?
I'll tell you why.
300,000 bucks.
12 years he's had the same job.
He's been married
ten of those years.
He's got a six-year-old kid.
That doesn't prove squat.
What about his wife, Gary?
(humming)
Where is she
in all of this?
And friends.
Why hasn't he had
any friends testify
for him?
I don't know.
We want to believe you, Gary,
but you have to help us.
So,
are you ready
to take another vote?
No.
(all groan)
Oh, boy.
All right, everyone: courtroom.
The judge has an important
announcement to make.
(everyone groans, murmurs)
it has come to my attention
that certain admonishments
that I gave this jury
may not have been followed.
For this reason,
and after careful
consideration, I have decided
that until a verdict is reached,
you will be sequestered.
(all groan)
Understanding full well
the impact that this might have
on a loved one,
I will allow conjugal visits
to the hotel.
Abuse of this privilege
could have
serious consequences,
so just don't do it, hmm?
That's all.
The state of Illinois thanks you
for your continued services.
Look, I wouldn't ask you
if there was another way,
but DeLuca's wife, she knows
something, I'm sure of it.
And what if this something
turns into nothing?
I mean, face it, Gare, the woman
didn't even have the decency
to show up in court
and lie under oath,
before God and country,
to protect the man she loves.
I mean, what kind of wife
is that?
That's exactly what
I want to find out.
And what about the paper?
It doesn't have anything
to say about this?
They took the paper
before I could read it.
Listen, are you gonna talk
to DeLuca's wife or not?
All right,
I will talk to her.
Now how do I get in touch
with you?
That I'm not sure about,
'cause we're sequestered.
(Bailiff clears throat)
Hang it up... now.
Now get on the bus.
Well, honey, I go gotta go.
I'll, uh,
talk to you later.
Honey?
Kisses to you, too.
Okay, sweetie.
(elevator bell dings)
BAILIFF:
Okay, let's go.
Let's find
our rooms quickly.
I wonder if I can get
some room service.
(key rattles in lock)
(clears throat)
Sorry. We're closed.
Um, Mrs. DeLuca?
Who sent you?
A, a friend
of your husband's.
Not really a friend.
More like an acquaintance.
He told me...
How'd you find me?
Well, it wasn't easy,
believe me.
I went to your house,
and you weren't home.
So then I asked
your neighbor,
who said that you
worked here and...
Look, you lay
a hand on my kid,
I'll see you in hell.
You understand?
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Did Proski send you?
No, Proski did not send me.
I'm here to help, okay?
I'm here to help.
Why should I believe you?
Look, this, um, this person
who sent me here,
now, he is convinced that your
husband is being railroaded.
How he knows this,
I can't tell you.
Why he wants to help,
I have no idea.
That's just the way he is.
So why didn't he come?
He's on your husband's jury.
I don't think I believe you.
Fine.
You don't want
to help your husband,
it's no skin off my nose.
I'm not the one
who has to explain to his son
why daddy isn't coming home
for the next ten to 20.
Okay, I'll talk to him.
You can't talk to him.
He's sequestered.
Just him.
Nobody else.
(sirens wail in distance)
(knocking on door)
Yeah?
Your conjugal visit is here.
My what?
Hi, honey.
I missed you.
I can take it from here.
Wait, wait, wait,
wait, wait.
What are you doing now?
Relax, I'm just trying
to get you out of here.
DeLuca's wife said she won't
talk to anyone but you.
And since she can't come here,
you're gonna have to go there.
Well, how? I step out of here,
they're gonna be all over me.
You got 40 bucks?
For what?
The flowers.
You're not going anywhere
until I get reimbursed
for that beautiful bouquet.
Are we clear?
Oh, yeah, very clear.
Good.
In that case, uh-- (pops lips)
you got a corkscrew?
Excuse me, Mr. Bailiff?
Yeah?
Mr. Bailiff, I'm afraid
things got a little
out of control in there,
and we had a... we
had a little accident
with the wine, so, uh,
I think it's a shame
to see it stained,
and I was, um...
I was, um...
I was wondering
if maybe we could
get some club soda
to let it soak,
you know?
I can never remember--
is it, um,
is it hot water that
sets a stain, or cold?
How am I supposed to know?
Do I look like Martha Stewart
to you?
A little bit.
MAN:
Hey, come on.
We got a seat here for you.
(blues playing)
Gary Hobson?
In the booth.
Mr. Hobson?
Mrs. DeLuca.
Have a seat.
(shower running)
♪ I said, young man,
you're just going away ♪
♪ You ain't got nobody saying ♪
♪ Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! ♪
♪ We're going down to the YMCA ♪
♪ Oh, yeah, yeah, the YMCA! ♪
Gary?
CHUCK (muffled):
♪ You ain't got no money, baby ♪
♪ Young man,
there's no need to go down ♪
♪ I said, young man,
you're not wearing a crown ♪
♪ I said, young man,
you're just going away ♪
♪ You ain't got nobody saying ♪
♪ Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! ♪
♪ We're going down to the YMCA ♪
♪ Oh, yeah, yeah ♪
♪ The YMCA... ♪
(curtain rings rattling)
LINDA:
Gary?
♪ If you're
feeling... ♪
(Linda and Gary screaming)
Did you hear that?
What was it?
Are you really
on his jury?
Yes, ma'am.
I've been too scared
to go down there myself.
Why don't you tell
me what you know?
I don't know anything.
All I know is he didn't do it.
Do you know who did?
Proski.
Proski robbed himself?
I guess.
At least that's the way
Phil had it figured.
He said Proski
was hiding profits
or something.
He started talking
to the guys at work.
You know, see if anyone
else knew anything.
Proski got wind of it.
He told Phil to mind
his own damned business.
That's when
the phone calls started.
WAITRESS:
Excuse me; you want
to see a menu?
No, thank you. No.
What kind of phone calls?
What do you think?
Proski hasn't hired himself
a bunch of choirboys.
You're... you're saying Proski's
employees are involved in this?
I don't know.
I don't know anything.
All I know
is Phil is being framed.
He'd never risk
going back to jail.
You have no idea
how far he's come.
He'd rather die
than go back there.
Would you be willing
to testify?
Would you tell the
court what you know?
I-I... I can't.
We have
a six-year-old son.
Proski made
the last phone call himself.
He made it clear what
would happen if I testified.
There must be someone
who knows something.
Someone willing to testify.
No.
Okay.
There was one guy.
But Proski found out.
Had a couple of thugs take him
into an alley and beat him up.
He'd probably
be dead right now,
if some stranger
hadn't come along
and stopped them.
Welcome back.
Judge Wellborn,
I'm glad you're here
because there's something
we should talk about.
I don't know what
your problem is, Hobson,
but I'm through with you.
You're off the jury.
But, Your Honor,
there's something very
important you should know.
Do yourself a favor.
Get some help.
You need it.
So, wait-- that's it?
You went home?
What was I supposed to do?
I got kicked off.
The last booth down
here on the right.
But Gary,
he's innocent.
CHUCK:
Hey, look at it this way.
The guy does what,
a year in jail.
Maybe less. Then, bam!
The truth comes out.
Front page news.
He gets a book deal,
does the talk show circuits.
Tom Selleck plays him
in a movie of the week.
The guy ends up
rich and famous.
How is that
going to happen
if he doesn't
go to jail, huh?
Matter of fact,
I should probably
represent him.
Chuck, that is the
most idiotic thing
I've ever heard.
You gotta help him, Gary.
Uh-oh.
Oh, Gare,
can it just wait
till after
breakfast, please?
GARY:
"Phil DeLuca
was discovered dead
"in Cook County lockup
yesterday,
"shortly after a guilty verdict
was rendered
"in his money laundering
and embezzling trial.
"Deputies on the scene
have determined
that Mr. DeLuca
took his own life."
MARISSA:
Oh, my God.
All right, so we gotta
find the guy
Proski's thugs beat up.
Come on, Chuck.
Let's go.
MAN:
I told you, stay out of this.
There's not a thing I can do.
Gus, you're his
last and only hope.
Hey, look,
I'm sorry for the guy,
but I got a family, too.
So he does some time--
what's the big deal?
There's worse things.
Do you think
Proski's going let you
just skate off
into the sunset?
CHUCK:
No way, pal.
As soon as DeLuca's finished,
you're next up to bat.
Look, I got work to do.
Gus, he's going
to kill himself.
Phil?
No way. Not him.
You don't know the guy.
I know. Believe me.
Please.
Damn.
LINDA:
I think he's innocent.
What?!
I've changed my mind.
I say he's innocent.
I can't believe this.
The guy's guilty.
We all know it.
What changed your mind
has nothing to do
with this trial.
And that would be...?
Gary.
Oh, go sit on a pin.
Look, we're not just a bunch
of computers sitting here.
We're people.
And we're free to
interpret the evidence
any way that
we feel is right.
You're right, Linda.
But we have to try
to be reasonable people.
It's time, dear.
Are you with us?
Come on. He's guilty.
All rise.
Matters before this court
will now be heard,
the Honorable
Jake Wellborn presiding.
(tires screeching)
(tires screeching)
That was close.
Mr. Foreperson, have
you reached a verdict?
We have, Your Honor.
Would you hand your verdict
to the bailiff, please?
Mr. Foreperson, would you read
the verdict, please?
Wait!
LINDA:
It's Gary!
Big mistake, Hobson.
Your Honor,
if you can just give me
two minutes of your time,
I think I can
show you that...
Bailiff...
But, Your Honor, this man
has something to say,
and if it pleases the court...
Bailiff, remove
these men now.
GARY: I think
I can show you...
I can't do this.
Your Honor, I would like
to call this man
as a witness.
You can't.
This is my life.
The trial is over.
Objection!
What are you objecting to?
A verdict has
been reached.
Now, Bailiff,
remove these men.
This was not my idea.
GUS:
I...
I have nothing to say!
Nothing!
Wait a minute.
Who are you?
A witness, Your Honor.
A witness who is too afraid
to testify
because of Mr. Proski.
Your Honor, both
of these men here
are afraid to testify
because they know that
Mr. Proski is the one
who is skimming funds
off the top
of his own company.
This is ludicrous,
Your Honor.
With all due respect,
you're not going to dignify
this man's
slanderous suspicions?
No. No.
I'm going to do
better than that.
I'm going to toss this
whole ludicrous mess out.
What?
I'm going to do us all a favor
and declare a mistrial.
Yeah!
PROSECUTOR:
Your Honor...!
If you want to retry,
file a motion
tomorrow morning.
Now, ladies and
gentlemen of the jury,
thank you very much
for your services.
I know this
hasn't been easy
for any of you.
Court is adjourned.
I don't know what
your story is, son,
and I've half a mind to take you
out to the woodshed.
But in spite
of all that,
I will allow
that your motives
may have been better
than your methods.
Thank you.
Based on your time served
in my courtroom,
I've asked the courts
that you never be summoned
for jury duty again.
Well, thank you, Your Honor,
but...
Oh, no.
I didn't do it for you.
WELLBORN:
Madam Foreperson,
in the matter
of The People v.
Joseph Proski,
how do you find?
Guilty.
CHUCK:
Some people say "things
always work out for the best."
Others say "that's the way
it was meant to be."
Life is full
of twists and turns,
and you don't always know
where it's taking you,
but it sure can
be an interesting journey,
especially for someone
who gets tomorrow's newspaper
today.
LINDA:
Gary!
Hey, want
to get a cup of coffee?
Uh, Linda...
Hi.
I, uh...
I... uh... look...
Look, Linda,
my life is sort
of kind of complicated.
Who's perfect?
We'll work on it.
Well...
Come on.
CHUCK:
Nothing's easy these days,
no matter what
language you speak.
Murphy's Law-- what
can go wrong, will.
(phone ringing)
Da?
This is AT&T calling
with a collect call
from Gary Hobson.
Will you accept the charges?
Collect call from Gary Hobson?
Gary Hobson?
(conversing in Russian)
...AT&T.
(speaks Russian)
Go ahead.
Hello?
Is this the V.I. Lenin
nuclear power plant?
(speaks Russian)
Hello.
Coca-Cola? Rolling Stones?
Ross Perot?
Listen--
don't turn the power on.
Turn on?
(speaking Russian):
..."turn on."
(speaking Russian)
Buzz off! Sucker.
No! Wait. Listen. Listen.
Your coolant level's low
and your gauges are faulty.
If you turn that thing on,
the whole thing's
gonna melt down!
Melt down?!
Melt down?!
(bell clanging,
siren blaring)
CHUCK:
Face it,
even when you get
tomorrow's newspaper today,
you're still not
out of the woods.
Not by a long shot.
(phone ringing)
Like it or not, you still
gotta deal with life.
Hello?
I'm sorry. The government
of Russia refuses
to accept the charges.
Well, wait a second. I...
Please deposit $38.
Please deposit $38.
Not to mention...
Please deposit...
...the phone company.
(phone ringing)
(theme music playing)
♪ ♪
(cranky meowing)
You get stuck in traffic?
CHUCK: Look, I don't want
to talk about it.
I'm right, and
you know it.
As usual, Chuck, you haven't
a logical leg to stand on.
Gare, help me out here.
Am I right or not?
About what?
Body-piercing on NBA forwards.
Don't you guys
have to go to work?
(three knocks,
then thud against door)
Hey, what's this?
Your mail.
Looks like more than
two months' worth.
Forwarded from
your last address.
Delivered at no extra charge.
No, no...
What?
A jury summons.
"Failure to respond
may lead to arrest and fine."
Oh, that's all right,
you can ignore that...
"Due to disregard
of previous three notices."
...the first
three times.
MARISSA:
Well, when do
they need you?
Today.
So, go to the courthouse,
explain your situation.
They'll excuse you.
Oh, yeah, sure.
I'll just, I'll just go down
and explain my situation.
"An unidentified male...
"Lower Wacker Drive...
at 12:00 noon."
This says I got things
I gotta do today.
Well, I
still think
you need to
be there.
Yeah.
They don't mess
around with that stuff.
All right,
so I'll spend an hour.
Listen, uh... Chuck, I'm gonna
have to get a ride today.
CHUCK:
All right.
Hurry up.
What's that for?
Hockey. Let's go.
Oh. Ask a stupid
question...
Marissa,
you coming?
(meows)
MARISSA:
I'll take the train. Good luck.
CHUCK:
What's the hurry?
GARY:
I gotta get off
this jury by noon
or some guy's
gonna probably die.
Aw, come on,
hurry up, slowpoke.
All right, what
are you gonna say?
Hmm?
I'm gonna tell
'em the truth.
Bad idea.
What?
Bad idea.
Look, I didn't get
the first three notices,
so I'll just ask the judge
if I can reschedule.
Hey. Hey!
(Chuck honking horn)
Do you believe this guy?
Hey!
Yo! Easy Rider!
Hey! You want
to move that thing?
Why would I want to do that?
'Cause this is my spot.
I don't think so.
Oh, really? You see, Gare?
You see the rude
and unsavory characters
you're gonna have
to deal with
on jury duty?
Look...
Hey, if you're planning
to use that stick, don't.
You'll regret it.
What! No, I
wasn't...
You heard me.
I wasn't gonna
use it on...
Hey, lady. Lady, come on.
I was two seconds.
That guy
took my spot.
What are you...?
Come on.
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
Nice hockey stick.
You can't have
that in here.
It's a weapon.
Didn't anybody
tell you?
WOMAN:
Actually, the rules
don't say anything
about hockey sticks--
but they do say
"Firearms, knives,
any implement
"that can be considered
or used as a weapon
"shall not be allowed
in any facility
that's deemed the
jurisdiction of the court."
What are you,
hall monitor?
Just a citizen
doing her duty.
And if I'm chosen,
this'll be my 18th trial.
Well, I deem
that a weapon.
And I don't like it.
It doesn't bother me.
I'm not gonna be here
that long anyway,
so it doesn't matter.
May I have
your attention, please.
Welcome to Part Six.
You are in
the Criminal Section
of the Cook County
Superior Court.
You're all here to be jurors,
is that correct?
Well, no, actually,
I've got to...
Listen, stop your complaining.
You will all be given
numbers at the door.
Now, if you would,
please follow me.
The only one that can
spring you now is the judge.
Be a shame to see you go.
I've always liked
hockey players.
All rise.
Matters before this
court will now be heard.
The Honorable
Jake Wellborn presiding.
WELLBORN:
Good morning, everyone.
(clears throat)
BAILIFF:
You may sit.
WELLBORN:
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome.
I want to thank you
all for being here.
I know you have other places
you could be,
but we'll try to make this
as agreeable as we can.
Now...
Mr. Hockey Stick.
What a pleasant surprise.
Your Honor.
Now, aren't you glad
you didn't hit me?
Quick formality.
If any one of you feels
that they can't undertake
their civic responsibility,
speak up now.
Your Honor.
Your Honor.
Your Honor.
Sir. Sir.
Your Honor, I'm a neurosurgeon.
and I have two procedures
scheduled for today,
both with life-threatening
implications.
If there's any way?
WELLBORN:
Excused.
(clamoring)
Your Honor,
I'm on a dialysis machine,
and I need go in
every day or else...
Excused.
MAN:
Your Honor?
I'm a single parent,
mother of five.
My kids need me,
and I'm the sole
supporter of the family.
Ooh... mother of five.
Excused.
(relieved sigh)
Uh... (clears throat)
I-I have some, uh,
personal issues, Your Honor.
Could you be more specific?
No.
I mean, uh, not,
not really.
Uh...
Well, let-let's just say
I have some, uh,
personal responsibilities.
Let's just say
congratulations.
You get to serve
the state of Illinois.
Thank you.
CHUCK:
There are four sure-fire ways
to get out of jury duty.
All right.
What are they?
One: you have
an incurable disease
with less than a year to live.
Go on.
You're self-employed
and you have a wife
and four kids to support.
Next.
You believe every
man is guilty
until proven innocent.
It works every time.
WOMAN:
My client is charged
with embezzling money
from his employer.
If you knew
that the defendant
had spent time in jail
for stealing before,
would that affect your opinion
of his guilt or innocence?
I've always felt
that somebody's guilty
until proven innocent.
Hmm?
Excuse me?
Uh... What did you say?
Uh... Unless...
they were innocent,
and then, uh...
in-in that case,
of course, they...
would be found innocent
un-until proven guilty.
Dismiss for cause, Your Honor.
I don't see it.
He said "guilty until
proven innocent."
And then he retracted it.
Would you like to use
one of your preemtories?
You give me no choice,
Your Honor.
Actually, at this time,
Your Honor,
if you would permit me
a short recess?
An unavoidable conflict
has just come
to my attention.
If you could
permit me to...
That's it. I've had it.
Your Honor, how do I get rid
of this ball-and-chain?
Excuse me?
I see her two minutes
before we go into session.
I still haven't
seen any discovery,
and now she's telling
prospective jurors
that I've done time!
WELLBORN:
Stop right there,
Mr. DeLuca.
Recess.
For lunch.
BAILIFF:
Lunch. One hour.
WELLBORN:
In my chambers.
I gotta get out of here.
Don't worry.
You'll be home for dinner.
And five bucks richer, not
to mention the free lunch.
I had a boyfriend who
was a hockey player.
I'm not a hockey player.
Neither was he,
but he knew a thing or two
about hip checks.
(sultry laugh)
I really ought to be going.
Oh, as long as you're
back in 37 minutes.
The judge will throw
the book at you
if you're late.
(man grunts, groans)
I didn't
tell anything...!
Hey!
I called the police.
They're on their way.
If I were you, I'd get
out of here right now.
All right, come on, come on.
You want to meet my friend?
Come on!
Come on!
Come on!
Yeah, right.
Come on!
Come on!
Look, look, look--
this guy's nuts;
look at him, man.
Come on, come on,
come on.
Come on.
We through here.
GARY:
Hey!
(man groans weakly)
Hey...
hey, you all right?
Do yourself a favor...
don't tell the cops anything.
Don't...?
Oh, you're welcome.
Let the record show
that the defendant has
elected to go pro se,
acting as his own counsel
and has refused to have
counsel appointed,
as is his right.
WELLBORN:
Moving right along,
ladies and gentlemen,
in the case
of The People v. DeLuca,
we have a jury.
As the bailiff calls
your name, will you please step
into the jurors' box.
Linda Newman.
Patricia Beneker.
Latisha Williams.
Doris Temple.
Craig Dumont.
Sherry Silverman.
Hank Pierce.
Greg Irving.
Harvey Pilscott.
Jennifer Dressler.
WELLBORN:
Don't bother taking
your seat,
Mr. Hobson.
Your Honor, Your Honor,
I'm very sorry for taking up
the court's time.
Bailiff, will you call
the final juror, please?
BAILIFF:
Gary Hobson.
Come on down.
WELLBORN:
Ladies and gentlemen,
by this time, you should've
found, by your places,
note pads, paper,
that sort of thing.
And I encourage you
to take notes.
They will come in very helpful
in reviewing the case.
Away from this courtroom,
you will restrain yourselves
from viewing any matter
that relates in any
way to this trial...
(whispering):
Excuse me.
...including radio,
TV, newspapers.
I know how much you enjoy
reading that paper
with your morning coffee.
But for the duration
of this trial,
you must forego that pleasure.
Understood?
JURORS:
Yes, Your Honor.
Fine.
Well, let's start
the proceedings.
Mr. Prosecutor.
Ladies and gentlemen, this
is a case about betrayal.
How one man--
the defendant--
stole from the very man
who'd reached out...
No one was more
shocked than me.
I try to run my company
like a family.
I treated Phil like a son.
And to find out that,
all these years,
he'd been cooking the books
and stealing money
right out from under me.
How is it this loss
was discovered,
Mr. Proski?
My accountant.
I'd been paying a company
that didn't exist
for supplies I never received.
And all the checks
were made out
and signed by Phil.
Broke my heart.
Mr. Proski, can
you tell us,
how Mr. DeLuca came
into your employ?
Sure.
I object.
On what grounds?
Irrelevance?
Defines character, Your Honor.
Character?!
(laughing):
I don't see it.
Besides, this was
12 years ago.
Overruled.
Mr. Proski?
Phil was an ex-con.
I hire ex-cons.
It's almost all I hire.
PROSECUTOR:
Why is that?
PROSKI:
I got into trouble
when I was a kid.
Did a short bit up
at County Youth.
When I got out, a guy in the
neighborhood gives me a job--
plumbing and heating supplies.
Next thing I know,
I'm a partner.
He gave me a chance.
I wanted to thank him.
And he said, "You want
to say thank you,
do for someone
like I did for you."
Turns out he'd done
a stretch up at Parkside.
How many ex-cons you hire
over the years?
PROSKI:
In 21 years...
eighty-seven.
And how many
of those
87 ex-cons have
stolen from you?
None.
Until Phil.
PROSECUTOR:
Thank you, Mr. Proski.
No more questions.
Mr. DeLuca?
12 years I worked for you?
That's right.
12 years on the job.
A wife...
a son...
Why would I do this?
$372,000 is a lot of money.
Maybe that's all the reason
you needed.
A simple yes or no will do.
You didn't ask me a question.
Did I ever steal
from you before?
Not that I know of.
Not that you know of?
Yes or no, Mr. Proski?
No.
Did I ever, ever
cause any trouble at all?
No.
And swear to God, I wish we
could go back to that.
You were family, Phil.
PROSKI:
I keep thinking about you
and Sally and Alec.
Don't you ever... ever use
that word family with me.
We were never good enough
to be part of your family.
And you never
let us forget it.
WELLBORN:
Mr. DeLuca...
anything else?
No, Your Honor.
I think I made my point.
WELLBORN:
Mr. Proski,
you may step down.
Counselor, call
your next witness.
PROSECUTOR:
Your Honor, can I just
take a couple moments
with my colleagues?
Juror Number Four,
would you be good enough
to hand the note that
was just given to you
to the bailiff.
Don't.
WELLBORN:
Bailiff...
Yes, sir.
Would you read the note
for the benefit
of the court.
"I am very attracted to you."
(laughter)
WELLBORN:
Well, isn't that nice?
Juror Number Five,
do me a favor, will you please?
Make time on your
time, not on mine.
(Gary stammers)
That's all.
Thank you.
All right, back in 30.
(button squeaking)
LINDA:
Gary! Gary!
Over here!
We were just saying, Gary,
what a nice man
that Mr. Proski--
hiring all of those ex-cons.
87 ex-cons.
The guy deserves a medal.
I thought we weren't supposed
to discuss this...
Technically, you're right.
But we're discussing
a man's character,
not the case.
Sounds to me like you're
discussing the case, Hank.
You want to question me
about rules of conduct?
You who couldn't wait
to shirk his civic duty?
I never said I wanted
to shirk my civic duty.
He just had more pressing
business to attend to.
Like the rest of us don't?
I don't.
HANK:
The fact remains
it takes a rare individual
who goes out of his way
to help a stranger.
DORIS:
How true.
Rules are rules.
PROSECUTOR:
No further questions,
Your Honor.
Thank you,
Mr. Sarkassian.
You may step down.
WELLBORN:
Counselor.
With that, Your Honor,
the prosecution rests.
WELLBORN:
Ah! Then Mr. DeLuca,
would you like to call
your first witness?
No, Your Honor.
No?
No.
Uh, the defense...
rests.
WELLBORN:
Very well, then.
In the light
of this somewhat
inexplicable decision,
we'll proceed
to jury deliberations.
HANK:
Whose idea was it to make
Hobson foreman again?
I believe it was
Linda's, Hank.
I thought you couldn't
wait to get the hell
out of here!
Doesn't anybody here find his
behavior just a little odd?
He's no Matlock,
I'll give you that.
I'm talking about
after the recess.
I mean, he just gave up.
That's not odd?
Well, of course,
he gave up
because he realized
he couldn't win.
Then why didn't he go
down fighting, Hank?
Because of the evidence.
We saw checks in his name,
assets in his name.
We spoke with witnesses.
MALE JUROR:
That's right.
What more do you want?
DORIS:
He's guilty.
He knows that,
and he knows we know it.
No...
Hey, Harvey,
what do you think?
Linda?
I think that Gary
has a point.
And why doesn't
that surprise me?
Listen, what if somebody
got to DeLuca?
HANK:
Threatened him?
I think you've watched
one too many TV shows.
DORIS:
Gary...
based on the evidence,
we have no choice but
to find him guilty.
HANK:
It's late.
Let's vote and go home.
Okay.
Let's vote.
All right.
Finally.
That's the most sensible thing
I've heard all night.
(el train wheels
screeching in distance)
(cat meows)
(newspaper thuds against door)
(cat meows)
I can't do this.
I'm not allowed to read this.
No papers.
(cat meows)
No papers.
WELLBORN:
Good morning.
ALL:
Good morning, Your Honor.
Ladies and gentlemen
of the jury,
I understand you reached
a verdict last night.
Is that true,
Mr. Foreperson?
Is that true,
Mr. Foreperson?
Yes, Your Honor.
Bailiff.
Very well, then.
If there are
no further motions,
the foreperson will proceed
to read the verdict.
(cat meows)
WOMAN:
Oh, look at that!
(women laughing, cooing)
Oh, what a cute cat.
Whose cat is that?!
WELLBORN:
Kindly remove that cat
from my courtroom.
Order!
(gavel tapping)
Order in the courtroom!
Order!
Order in the
courtroom, please.
Bailiff!
(gavel rapping)
Order in the courtroom!
(cat yowling)
(laughter)
Sit down!
Quiet! Quiet!
(cat yowling)
Quiet!
Bailiff!
Bailiff, get that cat!
BAILIFF:
Gotcha!
WELLBORN:
Order!
Order in the court!
I'll take that.
WELLBORN:
Order!
Back there, sit down!
Order!
(cat yowls)
Sit down!
I will have order
in my courtroom!
Thank you!
Please!
Now, Mr. Foreperson,
where were we?
We have a verdict.
Yes, Your Honor.
I assume it is unanimous?
No, Your Honor, it's not.
(people groaning)
Why does that not
surprise me?
Without polling the jury,
I'd say it's 11 to one
and...
Yes, sir. I'm the one.
(people groan)
Hobson, in my
chambers, now.
I gotta tell you, son,
if your intentions are
to try my patience,
you're doing one hell
of a fine job.
Well, Your Honor,
you see, there's...
You know, I'm just an inch away
from dropkicking you
right out of this building.
Well, I hope you don't do that,
Your Honor.
Sit down.
Now, last night,
you believed he was guilty.
Pretty much.
So, between last night
and this morning,
something changed your mind.
What was it?
Well, I can't tell you that.
I think you were reading
something.
The bailiff tells me
that on two separate occasions
he had to confiscate
a newspaper from you.
Is that true?
Yes, sir, that is true,
but that will not happen again.
Can you give me
one solid good reason
why I shouldn't toss you off
this jury right now?
I can.
You can!
Sir... (clears throat)
I'm exactly the person
you want on this jury,
and let me tell you why.
I don't know what your
problem is, Hobson,
but we've taken all
we're going to take.
Right, people?
I think we should
listen to him.
That is a surprise.
Come on, people.
We've decided this
thing once.
Why should we
do it again?
Because we might be wrong,
that's why.
Do you believe
this guy?
Hmm?
Look, I don't want to be here
any more than anyone else does,
but I keep asking myself
the same question.
Why does a guy who's clean
after all this time,
who's changed his life,
why does he suddenly throw
that away?
I'll tell you why.
300,000 bucks.
12 years he's had the same job.
He's been married
ten of those years.
He's got a six-year-old kid.
That doesn't prove squat.
What about his wife, Gary?
(humming)
Where is she
in all of this?
And friends.
Why hasn't he had
any friends testify
for him?
I don't know.
We want to believe you, Gary,
but you have to help us.
So,
are you ready
to take another vote?
No.
(all groan)
Oh, boy.
All right, everyone: courtroom.
The judge has an important
announcement to make.
(everyone groans, murmurs)
it has come to my attention
that certain admonishments
that I gave this jury
may not have been followed.
For this reason,
and after careful
consideration, I have decided
that until a verdict is reached,
you will be sequestered.
(all groan)
Understanding full well
the impact that this might have
on a loved one,
I will allow conjugal visits
to the hotel.
Abuse of this privilege
could have
serious consequences,
so just don't do it, hmm?
That's all.
The state of Illinois thanks you
for your continued services.
Look, I wouldn't ask you
if there was another way,
but DeLuca's wife, she knows
something, I'm sure of it.
And what if this something
turns into nothing?
I mean, face it, Gare, the woman
didn't even have the decency
to show up in court
and lie under oath,
before God and country,
to protect the man she loves.
I mean, what kind of wife
is that?
That's exactly what
I want to find out.
And what about the paper?
It doesn't have anything
to say about this?
They took the paper
before I could read it.
Listen, are you gonna talk
to DeLuca's wife or not?
All right,
I will talk to her.
Now how do I get in touch
with you?
That I'm not sure about,
'cause we're sequestered.
(Bailiff clears throat)
Hang it up... now.
Now get on the bus.
Well, honey, I go gotta go.
I'll, uh,
talk to you later.
Honey?
Kisses to you, too.
Okay, sweetie.
(elevator bell dings)
BAILIFF:
Okay, let's go.
Let's find
our rooms quickly.
I wonder if I can get
some room service.
(key rattles in lock)
(clears throat)
Sorry. We're closed.
Um, Mrs. DeLuca?
Who sent you?
A, a friend
of your husband's.
Not really a friend.
More like an acquaintance.
He told me...
How'd you find me?
Well, it wasn't easy,
believe me.
I went to your house,
and you weren't home.
So then I asked
your neighbor,
who said that you
worked here and...
Look, you lay
a hand on my kid,
I'll see you in hell.
You understand?
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Did Proski send you?
No, Proski did not send me.
I'm here to help, okay?
I'm here to help.
Why should I believe you?
Look, this, um, this person
who sent me here,
now, he is convinced that your
husband is being railroaded.
How he knows this,
I can't tell you.
Why he wants to help,
I have no idea.
That's just the way he is.
So why didn't he come?
He's on your husband's jury.
I don't think I believe you.
Fine.
You don't want
to help your husband,
it's no skin off my nose.
I'm not the one
who has to explain to his son
why daddy isn't coming home
for the next ten to 20.
Okay, I'll talk to him.
You can't talk to him.
He's sequestered.
Just him.
Nobody else.
(sirens wail in distance)
(knocking on door)
Yeah?
Your conjugal visit is here.
My what?
Hi, honey.
I missed you.
I can take it from here.
Wait, wait, wait,
wait, wait.
What are you doing now?
Relax, I'm just trying
to get you out of here.
DeLuca's wife said she won't
talk to anyone but you.
And since she can't come here,
you're gonna have to go there.
Well, how? I step out of here,
they're gonna be all over me.
You got 40 bucks?
For what?
The flowers.
You're not going anywhere
until I get reimbursed
for that beautiful bouquet.
Are we clear?
Oh, yeah, very clear.
Good.
In that case, uh-- (pops lips)
you got a corkscrew?
Excuse me, Mr. Bailiff?
Yeah?
Mr. Bailiff, I'm afraid
things got a little
out of control in there,
and we had a... we
had a little accident
with the wine, so, uh,
I think it's a shame
to see it stained,
and I was, um...
I was, um...
I was wondering
if maybe we could
get some club soda
to let it soak,
you know?
I can never remember--
is it, um,
is it hot water that
sets a stain, or cold?
How am I supposed to know?
Do I look like Martha Stewart
to you?
A little bit.
MAN:
Hey, come on.
We got a seat here for you.
(blues playing)
Gary Hobson?
In the booth.
Mr. Hobson?
Mrs. DeLuca.
Have a seat.
(shower running)
♪ I said, young man,
you're just going away ♪
♪ You ain't got nobody saying ♪
♪ Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! ♪
♪ We're going down to the YMCA ♪
♪ Oh, yeah, yeah, the YMCA! ♪
Gary?
CHUCK (muffled):
♪ You ain't got no money, baby ♪
♪ Young man,
there's no need to go down ♪
♪ I said, young man,
you're not wearing a crown ♪
♪ I said, young man,
you're just going away ♪
♪ You ain't got nobody saying ♪
♪ Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! ♪
♪ We're going down to the YMCA ♪
♪ Oh, yeah, yeah ♪
♪ The YMCA... ♪
(curtain rings rattling)
LINDA:
Gary?
♪ If you're
feeling... ♪
(Linda and Gary screaming)
Did you hear that?
What was it?
Are you really
on his jury?
Yes, ma'am.
I've been too scared
to go down there myself.
Why don't you tell
me what you know?
I don't know anything.
All I know is he didn't do it.
Do you know who did?
Proski.
Proski robbed himself?
I guess.
At least that's the way
Phil had it figured.
He said Proski
was hiding profits
or something.
He started talking
to the guys at work.
You know, see if anyone
else knew anything.
Proski got wind of it.
He told Phil to mind
his own damned business.
That's when
the phone calls started.
WAITRESS:
Excuse me; you want
to see a menu?
No, thank you. No.
What kind of phone calls?
What do you think?
Proski hasn't hired himself
a bunch of choirboys.
You're... you're saying Proski's
employees are involved in this?
I don't know.
I don't know anything.
All I know
is Phil is being framed.
He'd never risk
going back to jail.
You have no idea
how far he's come.
He'd rather die
than go back there.
Would you be willing
to testify?
Would you tell the
court what you know?
I-I... I can't.
We have
a six-year-old son.
Proski made
the last phone call himself.
He made it clear what
would happen if I testified.
There must be someone
who knows something.
Someone willing to testify.
No.
Okay.
There was one guy.
But Proski found out.
Had a couple of thugs take him
into an alley and beat him up.
He'd probably
be dead right now,
if some stranger
hadn't come along
and stopped them.
Welcome back.
Judge Wellborn,
I'm glad you're here
because there's something
we should talk about.
I don't know what
your problem is, Hobson,
but I'm through with you.
You're off the jury.
But, Your Honor,
there's something very
important you should know.
Do yourself a favor.
Get some help.
You need it.
So, wait-- that's it?
You went home?
What was I supposed to do?
I got kicked off.
The last booth down
here on the right.
But Gary,
he's innocent.
CHUCK:
Hey, look at it this way.
The guy does what,
a year in jail.
Maybe less. Then, bam!
The truth comes out.
Front page news.
He gets a book deal,
does the talk show circuits.
Tom Selleck plays him
in a movie of the week.
The guy ends up
rich and famous.
How is that
going to happen
if he doesn't
go to jail, huh?
Matter of fact,
I should probably
represent him.
Chuck, that is the
most idiotic thing
I've ever heard.
You gotta help him, Gary.
Uh-oh.
Oh, Gare,
can it just wait
till after
breakfast, please?
GARY:
"Phil DeLuca
was discovered dead
"in Cook County lockup
yesterday,
"shortly after a guilty verdict
was rendered
"in his money laundering
and embezzling trial.
"Deputies on the scene
have determined
that Mr. DeLuca
took his own life."
MARISSA:
Oh, my God.
All right, so we gotta
find the guy
Proski's thugs beat up.
Come on, Chuck.
Let's go.
MAN:
I told you, stay out of this.
There's not a thing I can do.
Gus, you're his
last and only hope.
Hey, look,
I'm sorry for the guy,
but I got a family, too.
So he does some time--
what's the big deal?
There's worse things.
Do you think
Proski's going let you
just skate off
into the sunset?
CHUCK:
No way, pal.
As soon as DeLuca's finished,
you're next up to bat.
Look, I got work to do.
Gus, he's going
to kill himself.
Phil?
No way. Not him.
You don't know the guy.
I know. Believe me.
Please.
Damn.
LINDA:
I think he's innocent.
What?!
I've changed my mind.
I say he's innocent.
I can't believe this.
The guy's guilty.
We all know it.
What changed your mind
has nothing to do
with this trial.
And that would be...?
Gary.
Oh, go sit on a pin.
Look, we're not just a bunch
of computers sitting here.
We're people.
And we're free to
interpret the evidence
any way that
we feel is right.
You're right, Linda.
But we have to try
to be reasonable people.
It's time, dear.
Are you with us?
Come on. He's guilty.
All rise.
Matters before this court
will now be heard,
the Honorable
Jake Wellborn presiding.
(tires screeching)
(tires screeching)
That was close.
Mr. Foreperson, have
you reached a verdict?
We have, Your Honor.
Would you hand your verdict
to the bailiff, please?
Mr. Foreperson, would you read
the verdict, please?
Wait!
LINDA:
It's Gary!
Big mistake, Hobson.
Your Honor,
if you can just give me
two minutes of your time,
I think I can
show you that...
Bailiff...
But, Your Honor, this man
has something to say,
and if it pleases the court...
Bailiff, remove
these men now.
GARY: I think
I can show you...
I can't do this.
Your Honor, I would like
to call this man
as a witness.
You can't.
This is my life.
The trial is over.
Objection!
What are you objecting to?
A verdict has
been reached.
Now, Bailiff,
remove these men.
This was not my idea.
GUS:
I...
I have nothing to say!
Nothing!
Wait a minute.
Who are you?
A witness, Your Honor.
A witness who is too afraid
to testify
because of Mr. Proski.
Your Honor, both
of these men here
are afraid to testify
because they know that
Mr. Proski is the one
who is skimming funds
off the top
of his own company.
This is ludicrous,
Your Honor.
With all due respect,
you're not going to dignify
this man's
slanderous suspicions?
No. No.
I'm going to do
better than that.
I'm going to toss this
whole ludicrous mess out.
What?
I'm going to do us all a favor
and declare a mistrial.
Yeah!
PROSECUTOR:
Your Honor...!
If you want to retry,
file a motion
tomorrow morning.
Now, ladies and
gentlemen of the jury,
thank you very much
for your services.
I know this
hasn't been easy
for any of you.
Court is adjourned.
I don't know what
your story is, son,
and I've half a mind to take you
out to the woodshed.
But in spite
of all that,
I will allow
that your motives
may have been better
than your methods.
Thank you.
Based on your time served
in my courtroom,
I've asked the courts
that you never be summoned
for jury duty again.
Well, thank you, Your Honor,
but...
Oh, no.
I didn't do it for you.
WELLBORN:
Madam Foreperson,
in the matter
of The People v.
Joseph Proski,
how do you find?
Guilty.
CHUCK:
Some people say "things
always work out for the best."
Others say "that's the way
it was meant to be."
Life is full
of twists and turns,
and you don't always know
where it's taking you,
but it sure can
be an interesting journey,
especially for someone
who gets tomorrow's newspaper
today.
LINDA:
Gary!
Hey, want
to get a cup of coffee?
Uh, Linda...
Hi.
I, uh...
I... uh... look...
Look, Linda,
my life is sort
of kind of complicated.
Who's perfect?
We'll work on it.
Well...
Come on.