The Guardian (2001–2004): Season 1, Episode 22 - The Beginning - full transcript

Narrator: PREVIOUSLY
ON THE GUARDIAN.

HE IS LEAVING YOU
VULNERABLE, SENATOR.

MR. LICHTMAN,
I'M THE ONE WHO'S
LETTING YOU GO.

YOU'RE ALLOWING THIS?

YOU COMMITTED
A FELONY, MITCHELL.

Lulu: WHAT HAPPENED
YESTERDAY, THAT
WAS A MISTAKE,

I WAS NERVOUS ABOUT
GETTING MARRIED,

AND I AM CURIOUS
ABOUT YOU.

DO YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE
A SUITABLE GUARDIAN?

I'M HIS UNCLE,
AND I CAN HANDLE HIM.

I'LL GRANT YOU
CUSTODY OF YOUR
NEPHEW, LEVI.



YOU COULDN'T TAKE
ME, OLD-TIMER.
YOU WANNA FIND OUT?

ENCOURAGING HIM TO
RESOLVE HIS PROBLEMS
WITH VIOLENCE?

I SAW MY FATHER
STANDING OVER
MY MOTHER.

HE WAS HOLDING A KNIFE.

YOU TELL ME WHAT YOU
WANT, AND I WILL TRY
AND GET IT FOR YOU.

Judge: I'M GOING
TO TURN HUNTER REED

OVER TO THE CUSTODY
OF HIS FATHER.

NO!

YOU'RE BUYING
A STRIP CLUB?
A GENTLEMAN'S CLUB.

I DO MORE THAN JUST
TAKE OFF MY CLOTHES,
MR. FALLIN.

[GUNSHOT]

Darger: WHAT WERE YOU
DOING IN A STRIP CLUB WITH
YOUR PROBATION OFFICER?

HE WAS TRYING
TO BUY THE CLUB
AND THE DEAL SOURED.

IS THERE ANYONE
WHO CAN CONFIRM YOUR
ACCOUNT OF THE EVENTS?



MANDY GRESSLER.

SURE SHE'S ALIVE?

LAST I SAW.

Burton: WELL, THIS IS
TURNING OUT TO BE SOMEWHAT
OF A REGULAR THING.

UH...

I KNOW THAT YOU
ALL KNOW THAT I'VE
BEEN GOING THROUGH,

UM, THIS FEDERAL JUDICIAL
NOMINATION PROCESS.

AND I ALSO KNOW THAT
MANY OF YOU HAVE GIVEN
OF YOUR PRECIOUS TIME

TO DISCUSS
AND EXAGGERATE
SOME OF MY MERITS

TO THE COMMITTEE
AND THE FBI.

(PEOPLE CHUCKLING)

AND I SINCERELY
WANT TO THANK
YOU ALL FOR THAT.

TODAY, UM,

A LITTLE BIT
BITTERSWEET FOR ME.

THE GOOD NEWS IS
THAT MY APPOINTMENT
HAS BEEN CONFIRMED.

BUT THAT ALSO MEANS
THAT I WILL BE
LEAVING THE FIRM.

SO EFFECTIVE TODAY,
OUR NEWEST PARTNER,
NATHAN CALDWELL,

WILL BE ASSUMING
THE POSITION OF
MANAGING PARTNER,

AND THE FIRM WILL BE CALLED
CALDWELL & ASSOCIATES
FROM NOW ON.

NATHAN, CONGRATULATIONS.

WELL, UM, I DON'T
WANT TO TAKE THIS
MOMENT FOR ANYTHING

OTHER THAN
TO CONGRATULATE BURTON.

UM, AS FOR THE FUTURE,

MY PHILOSOPHY IS,
"IF IT AIN'T BROKE,
DON'T FIX IT."

SO YOU ALL
HAVE YOUR JOBS

AND THE FIRM WILL
CONTINUE TO OPERATE
EXACTLY AS...

MR. FALLIN.

WE NEED TO TALK.

DO YOU KNOW WHERE
MANDY GRESSLER IS?

NO.

SHE TRIED
TO CONTACT YOU?

NO.

MIND IF WE PUT A TAP
ON YOUR PHONE?

I'M GONNA NEED
TO HAVE MY
LAWYER PRESENT

IF THIS IS
GONNA CONTINUE.

[SIGHS]

LOOK.

MANDY'S ON THE MOVE.

JUST MISSED HER
AT HER SISTER'S HOUSE
IN SCRANTON.

SHOWED UP AT HER
EX-HUSBAND'S PLACE
IN REDDING ABOUT A DAY LATE.

AND WOULD YOU BELIEVE
SHE TOOK FIRST PLACE

IN AN AMATEUR
STRIPPING CONTEST
IN MORGANTOWN?

MANDY'S GOT
A BIT OF A HABIT.

BUT THEN YOU'D
KNOW ALL ABOUT
THAT, HUH, NICK?

WHAT IS IT
YOU WANT FROM ME,
DETECTIVE DARGER?

WELL, EVENTUALLY,
SHE'LL COME BACK
TO THE CITY,

AND WHEN SHE DOES,
SHE'LL CALL YOU.

I BARELY KNOW HER.

WELL, NO MATTER
YOUR RELATIONSHIP,

SHE'S GONE THROUGH
ALL HER OTHER OPTIONS.

SHE KNOWS
YOU'RE A LAWYER.
YOU GOT MONEY.

SHE PROBABLY THINKS
YOU'RE ABOVE THE FRAY.

HERE'S MY CELL PHONE NUMBER.

WHEN SHE CONTACTS
YOU, YOU CALL ME.

AND WE'LL CLEAR
THIS MESS UP.

AH.

NICK, WILL YOU CLOSE
THE DOOR, PLEASE?

[BANGS DOOR SHUT]

NOW, I GUESS
YOU'RE FEELING
A LITTLE FRUSTRATED

ABOUT WHAT'S BEEN
HAPPENING AROUND HERE.

I THINK THAT IN TIME,

YOU'LL SEE ME AS AN ALLY...

AND A DECENT LEADER.

SO, YOU THINK WE CAN
MAKE THIS THING WORK?

YOU GONNA MAKE
ME A PARTNER?

WELL, I DON'T
WANT TO MAKE
ANY MAJOR CHANGES

THIS EARLY
IN MY TENURE, NICK.

JUST MIGHT MAKE
THE OTHERS NERVOUS.

JUST GIVE ME
A LITTLE TIME
TO TRANSITION, HUH?

Judge: I AM SENTENCING
YOU TO 1,500 HOURS

OF COMMUNITY SERVICE,

USING YOUR SKILLS AS
A CORPORATE ATTORNEY

TO WORK AS A CHILD ADVOCATE.

Lulu: YOU WANT TO HAVE
IT BOTH WAYS, BRIAN.

YOU DUMP ALL OF THIS
PLANNING INTO MY LAP,

AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN
IN THE ELEVENTH HOUR--
HANG ON.

JUST WAIT--
IN THE ELEVENTH HOUR,

YOU-- YOU'RE BLAMING ME
FOR EVERYTHING.

NOW, I HAVE A LOT
ON MY PLATE, TOO.

FINE. FORGET IT.

YOU ALL RIGHT?
IT'S OK.

IT'S JUST ALL THIS
WEDDING STUFF.

YOU KNOW, IT'S, UH,
REALLY A CLICHE
AT THIS POINT,

BUT, UH, IT'S A MESS.

AND, UH, I'M JUST TRYING--

IT'S OK.

SORRY. WHAT WAS IT
THAT YOU NEEDED?

UH, THE HIGH SCHOOL
DISCRIMINATION FILE.

OH.

RIGHT.

UM, IT CAME IN
THROUGH ALVIN,

SO IF YOU, UH,
IF YOU NEED
MORE INFORMATION...

SURE YOU'RE ALL RIGHT?

YEAH. YEAH.

OK.

NICK.
ALVIN.

HEY.
HEY.

MORNING, JAMES.
MORNING.

LEVI.

UH, JAMES.

CAN I SEE YOU
A SECOND?

WHAT'S UP?

THAT BLACK EYE LEVI HAS.

YEAH?

DID HE GET IT BOXING?

YEAH.
WITH YOU?

YES.

[SIGHS]

JAMES--
ALVIN,

WE'VE ALREADY HAD THIS
CONVERSATION ONCE BEFORE.

WHAT I DO
WITH MY NEPHEW
ON MY TIME

IS MY BUSINESS.

HAVE YOU GIVEN ANY THOUGHT
TO THAT PARENTING CLASS
THAT I TOLD YOU ABOUT?

I APPRECIATE YOUR CONCERN,
BUT I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING.

YEAH, BUT HITTING A KID--

I MEAN, RESOLVING STUFF
WITH VIOLENCE, JAMES--

ALVIN, IT'S A SPORT.

HE CAN HANDLE IT.

DR. REED, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

YOU, TOO, NICK.

HOW HAVE YOU BEEN?

WELL, THANKS TO YOU,

A FEW DOCTORS,
AND MEDICATION, GREAT.

WELL, I'M GLAD
TO HEAR IT.

I'M NOT SAYING
IT'S BEEN--

I MISS MY WIFE.
OF COURSE.

AND HUNTER DOES
IMMENSELY.

BUT THE TWO OF US,
IT'S GOOD.

HUNTER'S PROGRESSING
NICELY IN SCHOOL.
I'M LOOKING FOR WORK.

THAT'S GREAT. WHERE?

TEACHING--
POSSIBLY
AT CHADSWORTH

AS AN ADJUNCT.

THE DEAN HAS BEEN
VERY RECEPTIVE.

SO HOW CAN I HELP YOU
TODAY, DR. REED?

THE MONEY THAT YOU
GOT FOR HUNTER,
I'M THE TRUSTEE.

THAT'S RIGHT.

AND IF ANYTHING
WERE TO HAPPEN TO ME--

HUNTER'S GRANDFATHER
WOULD BECOME TRUSTEE

UNTIL HUNTER TURNS 25.

I DON'T TRUST
HUNTER'S GRANDFATHER
WITH $5 MILLION.

OK. SO YOU DON'T WANT
DONALD SAMPLE TO BE
HUNTER'S SECOND TRUSTEE.

NO.

DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER
TRUSTEE IN MIND?

YOU.

WELL, YOU-- YOU
REALIZE, DR. REED,

THAT YOU'RE ASKING ME
TO POTENTIALLY PLAY

A VERY LARGE ROLE
IN HUNTER'S LIFE.

IF IT WEREN'T FOR YOU,
HUNTER WOULDN'T EVEN
HAVE THIS MONEY.

I'D BE IN JAIL
FOR MURDER.
MOST OF ALL...

YOU MADE SURE
THAT HUNTER AND I
STAYED TOGETHER.

YOU'VE ALREADY
DONE SO MUCH.

IF YOU WANT
TO SAY NO,
I UNDERSTAND.

NO. I ACCEPT.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

IT'S OPEN.

HEY, HI, LAURIE.

HEY, JAMES.

WE GOT AN APPOINTMENT TODAY?

UM... NO.

IS IT OK
IF I SIT DOWN?

PLEASE.

SO, HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

I STOPPED BY
LEVI'S SCHOOL
ON MY WAY HERE.

HE DO SOMETHING?
NO!

I'M AFRAID YOU DID.

SO THIS IS
AN OFFICIAL VISIT.

JAMES, I WANT TO
TALK TO YOU ABOUT
PARENTING CLASSES.

WHO CALLED YOU IN?

LEVI'S ON HOME DETENTION.

PERIODIC CHECKS ARE PART
OF THE ARRANGEMENT.

LEVI'S JUVENILE
PROBATION OFFICER
HANDLES THOSE, NOT YOU.

I'M HERE TO AVOID THAT.

DON'T DO ME
ANY FAVORS.

JAMES!

YOU DIMED ME OUT
TO SOCIAL SERVICES?

WHAT?
WHAT'S WRONG
WITH YOU?

I SUGGESTED
LAURIE TALK TO YOU

ABOUT A PARENTING CLASS.

YOU KNOW HOW EMBARRASSING
AND UNNECESSARY THIS IS?

WHAT YOU'RE TRYING
TO DO WITH YOUR
NEPHEW IS GREAT.

WE JUST THINK
YOU MAY NEED
SOME HELP.

NOW IT'S "WE."

LOOK, I CANNOT IGNORE

THE POTENTIAL
PHYSICAL ABUSE
OF A CHILD

JUST BECAUSE
IT'S BEING DONE BY
ONE OF MY LAWYERS.

IT'S JUST
A PARENTING CLASS,
JAMES.

I'LL TAKE A PARENTING CLASS
WHEN THE COURTS TELL ME TO.

HEY, NICK.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

HEY.

WHAT IS MITCHELL LICHTMAN
DOING IN HERE?

CALDWELL BROUGHT HIM BACK.

WHY?

CALDWELL SAYS THIS
IS A BIG MOVE FOR HIM

AND HE CAN'T DO IT
WITHOUT LICHTMAN.

YOU FIRED HIM.
HE COMMITTED A FELONY.

[SIGHS] NICHOLAS.

I RESIGNED FROM
THE FIRM YESTERDAY.

I NO LONGER
HAVE ANY SAY
IN HOW IT'S RUN.

WHAT'S HIS TITLE?

WHAT'S HIS POSITION?

PARTNER.

OK.
THEY VOTED HIM
IN YESTERDAY.

CALDWELL'S FIRST
ORDER OF BUSINESS.

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS?

YEAH.

CALDWELL PLANNED
ON BRINGING HIM BACK

THE MOMENT YOU
CUT HIM LOOSE.

COULD BE.

[DOOR SLAMS]

JAKE, COME WITH ME.

WHAT, DID THEY
MAKE YOU PARTNER?

YOU SCREWED ME OVER
FOR LICHTMAN BECAUSE
YOU WANTED TO GET IN

ON THEIR GOVERNMENT
RELATIONS DEPARTMENT.

NICK, LOOK, I--

OK, I WAS DESPERATE.
I-- I AM BARRED
FROM DOING MERGERS.

MY FATHER KEPT YOU
IN THIS FIRM
BECAUSE HE LIKED YOU.

YOU SERIOUSLY THINK
CALDWELL AND LICHTMAN

WILL DO THE SAME
FOR YOU?

WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?

I DON'T TRUST THOSE
TWO, JAKE. DO YOU?

NO, BUT...
WHAT CHOICE
DO WE HAVE?

MEET ME
AT LEGAL SERVICES
TONIGHT AT 9:30.

BRING ARNOLD PARKER,
HENRY STONE,
AND LISA JACOBS.

Parker: WHAT A DUMP.

NICK? WHERE ARE YOU?

Nick: IN HERE!

OK, LET'S GO THIS WAY.

Jake: HEY.

WE ALL PROBABLY KNOW
WHY WE'RE HERE.

NONE OF US
FEELS TOO GOOD
ABOUT THE CHANGES

GOING ON IN THE FIRM,

AND NICK AND I HAVE
A FEW IDEAS WE WANTED
TO PRESENT TO YOU.

THANKS, JAKE. I JUST
WANT TO KEEP IT SIMPLE.

I WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT--
A REAL PARTNERSHIP,

A PLACE THAT THE CLIENTS
BELONG TO THE FIRM

AND WE DIVIDE
THE PROFITS EQUALLY.

A PLACE WHERE WE
DECIDE ON THE RISKS

AND GET THE REWARDS.

NO INFLATED
PARTNER SALARIES.

NO DOWNTOWN RENT.
NO USELESS ASSOCIATES.

NO CALDWELL AND LICHTMAN.

NO CALDWELL AND LICHTMAN.

WHO ARE THE CLIENTS?

WE WILL BRING THE PEOPLE
THAT WE SERVICED
IN MY FATHER'S FIRM.

CALDWELL AND LICHTMAN
CAN'T HOLD ON TO THEM
IF WE LEAVE.

WILL YOUR FATHER
SUPPORT THIS?

WHAT DOES IT MATTER NOW?

MICHELLE, I NEED YOU
TO CALL ALFRED BARNES

AND SET UP A BREAKFAST
FOR TOMORROW MORNING.

AND YOU SHOULD
PULL THE SHIELDS
INDUSTRY FILE

AND HAVE IT
SENT TO MY HOME.

OH, GOD!
HOW WAS YOUR MONTH?

I'VE BEEN SITTING
IN HERE, LIKE, 2 HOURS.

THERE'S A SIGN OVER
THERE ABOUT THE GARAGE
HAVING CARCINOGENS,

SOMETHING ABOUT
A WARNING FOR
PREGNANT MOTHERS.

THE POLICE ARE
LOOKING FOR YOU.

YOU DON'T THINK
I KNOW THAT?

I NEED $6,000.

I'VE GONE TO THE POLICE.
I'VE MADE MY DEAL.

YOU SHOULD GO
AND MAKE YOURS.

DID YOU TELL
'EM THE TRUTH?

THAT I SAVED YOUR LIFE?

AND THAT LENNY
WAS GOING CRAZY?

I TOLD THEM
WHAT HAPPENED.

WHAT THE F--

WHAT? YOU TOLD
THEM I SHOT
LENNY IN THE BACK

AND THAT I WAS
RIPPING DALE OFF?
THAT'S--

I TOLD THEM WHAT
HAPPENED, MANDY.

WHEN YOU TALK
TO THE POLICE, IT MIGHT
HELP THEM UNDERSTAND.

I NEED MONEY!

I CAN'T HELP YOU.

OH, I COULD TELL
THEM WHAT YOU DID.

I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING.

IF I GET IN TROUBLE,
I COULD TELL THEM
THAT WE WERE INVOLVED.

I COULD TELL THEM
THAT YOU WERE IN
ON SCAMMING DALE.

I COULD TELL THEM
A LOT OF THINGS.

GIVE ME A HUNDRED
SO I CAN GET
A MOTEL ROOM.

YOU GO MAKE YOUR DEAL.
PLEASE?

COME ON!

DETECTIVE DARGER.

LOSER.

MANDY!

I NEED TO SPEAK
WITH DETECTIVE DARGER.

Reed: THIS
REALLY GIVES ME
PEACE OF MIND, NICK.

I APPRECIATE IT.
NO PROBLEM.

YOU KNOW, HUNTER TALKS
ABOUT YOU ALL THE TIME.

WELL, I'D LIKE TO SPEND
SOME MORE TIME WITH HIM.

HOW ABOUT THIS EVENING?

I GOT 2 TICKETS
TO THE BALL GAME
RIGHT BEHIND HOME PLATE.

YOU CAN'T TAKE HIM?

THE DEAN OF CHADSWORTH
WANTS ME TO MEET WITH
THE COMMITTEE THIS EVENING.

BE GREAT IF I COULD,
YOU KNOW, FOR THE JOB.

SURE.
YEAH.

GREAT. WELL, THE GAME
STARTS AROUND 7:35.

HUNTER LIKES
BATTING PRACTICE.

WHY DON'T YOU COME BY
AROUND 6:00?

THANKS.
YEAH. GREAT.

Burton: HEY.

YOU WANTED TO SEE ME?

YEAH. COME ON.

JUST PACKING UP
SOME LAST-MINUTE
THINGS HERE.

I THOUGHT THAT
MAYBE YOU MIGHT WANT
SOME OF THIS CRAP.

NO. MY-- MY OFFICE
IS PRETTY MUCH DONE.

I ARRANGED WITH NATHAN--

I, UH, ARRANGED FOR YOU
TO HAVE THIS OFFICE.

THANK YOU.

YEAH.

WHAT IS IT?

I'M NOT-- I'M NOT GOING
TO BE STAYING HERE.

REALLY?

WHEN'D YOU MAKE
THAT DECISION?

TODAY. I GUESS
IT WAS TODAY.

HMM.

YEAH, I WAS-- I WAS--
[CLEARS THROAT]

I WAS GONNA TELL YOU.

WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO,
MOVE ACROSS THE STREET?

NO. A FEW OF US
FROM HERE

ARE GOING TO START
OUR OWN FIRM.

A FEW OF YOU?

YES.

YOU THINK THAT'S
THE BEST MOVE?

I DO.

WELL, I DON'T WANT TO...

GET INTO YOUR
DECISION, BUT, UM...

IF YOU LEAVE, THERE'S
A GOOD CHANCE YOU...

LOSE ALL MY CLIENTS.

I THINK SEVERAL
WILL COME WITH ME.

CALDWELL KNOW ABOUT
THIS-- THIS DEFECTION?

NOT YET.

AM I SUPPOSED
TO SIT ON IT FOR YOU?

I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.

[SIGHING] I SEE.

YOU-- YOU REALIZE THAT
I BROUGHT CALDWELL IN HERE

BASICALLY TO PROTECT YOU?

GIVE YOU A BETTER
SHOT AT HOLDING
ON TO THE CLIENTS

AND KEEPING THE FIRM GOING.

DID YOU CONSIDER THAT
BEFORE YOU DECIDED TO...

CANNIBALIZE IT?

I DID.

I DID CONSIDER THAT.

WELL...

GUESS YOU GOTTA DO WHAT--

GUESS YOU GOTTA DO
WHAT YOU GOTTA DO.

MANDY GRESSLER
SPENT THE NIGHT
IN A MOTEL

OUT IN McKEESPORT
NEAR THE TURNPIKE
ENTRANCE.

OK.

DID YOU ENJOY
BANGING HER?

WHAT?
YOU WERE CERTAINLY
DUMB ENOUGH

TO PAY FOR HER ROOM.

COME HERE FOR
A SECOND, PLEASE.

SHE STOLE MY CREDIT CARD.

HOW, MAY I ASK,
WOULD SHE DO THAT?

MY CAR-- I KEEP DUPLICATES
OF MY CREDIT CARDS IN MY CAR,

AND SHE STOLE IT
FROM THE CAR.

YOU DROVE HER SOMEPLACE?

NO, I DIDN'T. SHE JUMPED
IN MY CAR WHEN I WAS
IN THE PARKING GARAGE.

YOU DIDN'T TELL
ME THAT BEFORE.

I DIDN'T? I DIDN'T?
SHE JUMPED IN MY CAR.

THAT'S WHEN
SHE ASKED ME
FOR THE MONEY.

YOU KNOW,
I LOOKED IT
UP, FALLIN.

IN YOUR OWN
VERSION OF EVENTS
AT THAT STRIP CLUB,

YOU COMMITTED
3 TECHNICAL
PROBATION VIOLATIONS.

NOW, THE ONLY REASON
I DON'T HAUL YOU
IN RIGHT NOW

IS ON THE OFF CHANCE
THAT YOU TWO
CROSS PATHS AGAIN.

YOU, UH, YOU
NEED SOMETHING?

YEAH.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

UH, WELL, YOU KNOW
I'M THE LEGAL
GUARDIAN...

FOR MY NEPHEW, LEVI.

HOME DETENTION, RIGHT?

THAT'S RIGHT.

ALVIN'S UNDER
THE IMPRESSION

THAT I MIGHT NOT BE
SUCH A GOOD INFLUENCE.

NOW THERE'S A HEARING
TO FORCE ME TO TAKE
PARENTING CLASSES.

BASED ON WHAT?

BASED ON LEVI'S
ENTIRELY VOLUNTARY
PARTICIPATION

IN BOXING LESSONS
WITH ME. [CHUCKLING]

ALVIN TOLD LAURIE,

WHO TALKED TO LEVI'S
JUVENILE PROBATION
OFFICER.

THE J.P.O.
FILED A REPORT
WITH THE JUDGE.

OH, YOU WANT ME
TO REPRESENT YOU.

WELL, IT'LL BE FINE.
JUST FOLLOW MY LEAD.

NO. NO.

WHAT?
NO.

IF YOU WANT ME
TO REPRESENT YOU,

THEN I CALL THE SHOTS.

I'VE DONE OVER
A THOUSAND OF
THESE HEARINGS--

HAVE YOU EVER
BEEN A PARTY?

NO. YOU KNOW--

I CALL THE SHOTS.

YOU SHOULD TALK TO LEVI.
HE'S IN THE CONFERENCE
ROOM DOING HOMEWORK.

I KNOW. I KNOW.

IT'S YOUR GAME.

NICK.

YOU KNOW,
UH, THANKS.

THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

Hunter: '79
WORLD SERIES
STARTERS.

BILLY STARGELL,
BILLY GARNER,
TIM FOLEY,

MADLOCK, AND ED OTT.

CENTER FIELD?

OMAR MORENO.

LEFT?

BILL ROBINSON
AND MILNER PLATOONED.

RIGHT?

DAVE PARKER.

THERE YOU GO.
YOU GOT THE ROTATION?

BLYLEVEN,
CANDELARIA,
BIBBY, AND...

GOOSE GOSSAGE
WAS THE CLOSER.

GOSSAGE WAS
IN NEW YORK
THAT YEAR.

TEKULVE WAS THE CLOSER.

WHO WAS THE FOURTH STARTER?

I'LL HAVE TO ASK MY DAD.
HE KNOWS ALL
ABOUT THIS STUFF.

WELL, THANK YOU
FOR THE TICKETS.

THANKS FOR TAKING ME.
IT WAS GREAT.

SEE YOU LATER.
SEE YA.

Answering machine:
NICK, IT'S ALVIN.

I'M AT PITTSBURGH GENERAL.

THOMAS REED TRIED
TO KILL HIMSELF.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

DR. REED TRIED
TO OVERDOSE.

HE'S ALL RIGHT?

THEY PUMPED
HIS STOMACH.
HE'S STABLE.

DID HUNTER FIND HIM?

[SIGHS] YEAH.

NO, NICK, DON'T!

HUNTER! HUNTER?

PLEASE, LEAVE HIM ALONE.
MR. SAMPLE--

DON'T YOU THINK
YOU'VE DONE ENOUGH
TO THE BOY?

MR. SAMPLE,
I UNDERSTAND--

DON'T YOU EVER TELL ME
YOU UNDERSTAND ANYTHING

UNTIL YOU BECOME
A FATHER WHO LOSES
HIS ONLY CHILD.

NOT UNTIL YOU BECOME
A GRANDFATHER WHO
WATCHES SOME PUNK LAWYER

PLACE HIS GRANDCHILD
IN THE KILLER'S HANDS.

HUNTER, I'M GONNA MAKE
SURE YOUR FATHER GETS
THE BEST CARE HE CAN.

JUST LEAVE.

NICK.

GOD, I'M SORRY.

NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT?

LISTEN.

IT HAPPENS LIKE
THIS ALL THE TIME.

YOU DO YOUR JOB,
YOU FOLLOW YOUR GUT,

AND IT BLOWS UP
IN YOUR FACE.
I'VE BEEN THERE.

WANT TO GET
A CUP OF COFFEE?
NO.

GET A BITE TO EAT,
HANG OUT--
NO, NO.

LOOK, NICK,
YOU CAN'T JUST--

I DON'T WANT TO HANG OUT.
I DON'T WANT TO TALK.

I DON'T WANT
TO BE YOUR FRIEND.

I DON'T WANT TO HEAR
YOUR RECOVERY STORY.

THE SENATOR WOULD
LIKE TO SEE YOU.

Caldwell: I APPRECIATE
THE HEAD'S UP,
MR. PARKER.

SO, THANK YOU.

Nick: ARNOLD.

Caldwell: NICK,
HAVE A SEAT.

HA HA HA HA HA.

I HAVE TO SAY
WE HAVE GOTTEN
OFF TO A...

TRULY UNFORTUNATE START.

AND MUCH OF THAT
IS MY FAULT.

I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR...

FOR UNDERESTIMATING YOU,

NOT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT
YOUR MANY YEARS
OF WORK HERE,

YOUR IMPORTANCE
TO THE FIRM.

WHAT IS YOUR POINT?

MY POINT IS...

I HAVE RECONSIDERED
MY POSITION.

I'VE SPOKEN
TO THE OTHER
PARTNERS,

AND WE ARE PREPARED
TO OFFER YOU A FULL
EQUITY PARTNERSHIP.

NO, THANKS.

YOU DON'T WANT
TO DO THIS.

NICK, IF YOU
TAKE OUR CLIENTS,

I CAN MAKE LIFE
PRETTY MISERABLE
FOR YOUR FATHER.

JAMES, WHY DID YOU
BECOME LEVI'S GUARDIAN
IN THE FIRST PLACE?

HE'S MY NEPHEW,
AND I LOVE HIM.

HE WAS IN TROUBLE,
AND HE HAD NOWHERE
ELSE TO GO.

HAVE YOU BEEN
A GUARDIAN BEFORE?

NO.

WHY DO YOU TAKE LEVI
TO THE BOXING GYM?

I BELIEVE THAT TRAINING
AND DISCIPLINE
IS GOOD FOR HIM.

AND WHY BOXING?
WHY NOT KARATE
OR FOOTBALL?

IT'S WHAT I KNOW.

GOT ME OFF THE STREETS
AS A TEENAGER,

GAVE ME A FAMILY OF PEOPLE,
KEPT OFF ME DRUGS
AND IN SCHOOL.

I MEAN, IT'S
A BEAUTIFUL SPORT.

IT TRAINS THE BODY
AND THE MIND.

IS IT COMMON

TO GET BRUISES
ON YOUR FACE WHEN
YOU'RE IN THE RING?

IT'S A SPORT.
YOU HIT, GET HIT.

NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

MS. SHAW.

IS IT TRUE THAT YOU WERE
A GOLDEN GLOVES CHAMPION?

YES.

WHAT WEIGHT CLASS?
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT.

HOW MUCH DOES
LEVI WEIGH?

I DON'T KNOW.

150.

IS THAT LIGHT
HEAVYWEIGHT?

James: WELTERWEIGHT.

DID YOU OBTAIN PERMISSION
FROM LEVI'S JUVENILE
PROBATION OFFICER

FOR YOUR VISITS
TO THE GYM?

YES.

WHEN YOU SPOKE
TO THE J.P.O.,

DID YOU CLARIFY
THAT YOU PERSONALLY
WOULD BE BOXING LEVI?

NO.

HAS LEVI
BEEN TRAINED
AS A BOXER?

[LAUGHS] THAT'S
WHAT I'M DOING NOW.

BEFORE YOU TOOK HIM
INTO THE RING.

NO.

DO YOU THINK
IT'S APPROPRIATE

WITH YOUR VAST
EXPERIENCE
AS A FIGHTER

AND YOUR CLEAR
SIZE ADVANTAGE

TO TAKE A 16-YEAR-OLD
BOY INTO THE RING

AND PUNCH HIM
IN THE STOMACH
AND THE FACE?

IT'S JUST BOXING.

NO FURTHER
QUESTIONS,
YOUR HONOR.

MR. MOONEY, WHY DID
YOU ORIGINALLY DECIDE
TO TEACH LEVI TO BOX?

HE NEEDED STRUCTURE.

WELL, RULES
OF HOME DETENTION
ARE VERY STRUCTURED.

I THOUGHT HE NEEDED MORE.

HAS LEVI BROKEN
ANY CONDITIONS
OF HOME DETENTION

WHILE UNDER YOUR CARE?

I'M WAITING, COUNSELOR.

HE SKIPPED SCHOOL
ONCE TO BE WITH
HIS GIRLFRIEND

AND GOT PICKED UP
BY A TRUANT OFFICER.

HE MISSED
A COUNSELING
MEETING.

YOU MAY STEP DOWN,
MR. MOONEY.

MISS SOLT,

IN MAKING YOUR
RECOMMENDATION
ABOUT A PARENTING CLASS,

WERE YOU AWARE
OF THESE VIOLATIONS?

NO, YOUR HONOR.

[JUDGE SIGHS]

I HAVE NO PROBLEM
WITH BOXING.

I DO HAVE A PROBLEM
WITH LEVI BOXING
YOU, MR. MOONEY.

HOWEVER, MY BIGGEST PROBLEM

IS NOT WITH LEVI'S
ACTIVITIES IN THE GYM.

LEVI,

YOU WERE CHARGED
WITH MANSLAUGHTER.

YOU WERE ABLE TO AVOID
BEING SENTENCED

TO A JUVENILE
DETENTION FACILITY

ONLY BY AGREEING
TO JUDGE SUTTON'S

VERY SPECIFIC RULES
OF HOME DETENTION.

YOU BROKE THOSE RULES.

MR. MOONEY,

YOU AND THE BOXING GYM
DO NOT TAKE THE PLACE
OF THE COURT.

I AM PLACING LEVI MOONEY
IN THE SHUMANN CENTER
FOR THE NEXT 60 DAYS.

MR. MOONEY,
WE CAN REVISIT

THE ISSUE OF LEVI'S
HOME DETENTION

UNDER YOUR CARE
IN 2 MONTHS' TIME

WHEN YOU COMPLETE
A PARENTING CLASS.

SO YOU'RE JUST GOING
TO THROW HIM IN JAIL

AND NOT GIVE HIM
A SECOND CHANCE?

JAMES. JAMES.

MR. MOONEY, HOME DETENTION
WAS THAT SECOND CHANCE.

[BANGS GAVEL]

HE'LL BE OUT IN 2 MONTHS.

HI.

WHAT DO YOU GOT?

SO HENDERSON'S IN.

SO IS MANDEL
AND HOPEFINGER.

WE'RE KEEPING
ATLANTIC UNION FINANCE,

AMERICAN BOX,
AND, UH, STEPHEN SOPHETS.
HOW ABOUT YOU?

EVERYBODY SO FAR.

GOOD. ALL RIGHT.
THE OTHER GUYS

GOT ABOUT 7 CLIENTS
BETWEEN THEM.

I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE
WITH THE REAL ESTATE GUY.

HE SAID WE CAN
GET THAT LOFT SPACE
ON THE SOUTH SIDE

UP AND RUNNING
BY THE END
OF THE MONTH.

SO YOU WANT
TO PULL THE TRIGGER?

YEAH.

[SIGHS]

CAN'T BELIEVE
WE'RE DOING THIS.

CAN'T BELIEVE
WE'RE DOING THIS.

CAN YOU HAVE
THESE FILES PULLED
AND SENT TO MY HOUSE?

KROFT STEAKHOUSE,
MILLER TECH,
STEIN INDUSTRIES.

BUT THESE ARE--

THESE ARE ALL
ARNOLD PARKER'S
CLIENTS.

YEAH.

Alvin: JAMES.

THIS WASN'T
SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN.

WE NEED TO GET PAST THIS.

PAST THIS?
PAST--

YOU SENT MY NEPHEW
TO DETENTION.

QUITTING YOUR JOB
WON'T MAKE THIS BETTER.

WHY DO YOU EVEN DO
THIS KIND OF WORK?

YOU DON'T HAVE ANY KIDS.

YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW
THE WORLD THESE KIDS
COME FROM.

I DO IT BECAUSE
IT'S GOOD WORK.

ALVIN, THIS JOB
WAS MY GOAL,

NOT SOMETHING
TO JUST COVER UP TIME,

SOMETHING TO JUST
COVER UP THE FACT

THAT NOBODY WANTS
TO BE AROUND A POMPOUS,
12-STEP CONTROL FREAK.

THAT'S NOT FAIR.
NO, I'LL TELL YOU
WHAT'S NOT FAIR.

BRINGING MY FAMILY
AROUND HERE

TO SHOW THEM WHAT
THEY CAN BECOME...

AND HAVING YOU CALL
SOCIAL SERVICES ON ME

AND HUMILIATE ME
IN FRONT OF MY FAMILY
AND COLLEAGUES,

ALL BECAUSE OF
WHAT I'M DOING
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND.

I'M SORRY.
TELL THAT TO LEVI.

DON'T QUIT YOUR JOB, JAMES.
YOU'RE THE BEST LAWYER
THEY HAVE HERE. YOU ARE.

TSK.

WHAT THE HELL'S
GOING ON HERE?

[DOOR SLAMS]

YOU KNOW, I NEED
TO TALK TO YOU.

OK.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

I TOOK A VACATION.

WHAT IS IT?

UH, YOU KNOW
MY-- MY WEDDING

WAS TURNING
INTO SUCH A MESS,

AND IT REALLY
BECAME A MONSTER.

[LAUGHS]

BRIAN'S ALWAYS
FIGHTING WITH ME
ABOUT EVERYTHING.

I, UH...

I CONFESSED TO BRIAN,

YOU KNOW, I MEAN,
ABOUT OUR-- MY SLIP.

AND, UH, I DIDN'T
MENTION YOUR NAME,

AND-- AND--
AND I TOLD HIM THAT IT
DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE,

BUT--

AND HE WAS--

HE WAS REALLY VERY ANGRY,

AS I GUESS I, YOU KNOW,
I EXPECTED HE WOULD BE.

HE WAS ANGRY?

YEAH, YOU KNOW, OF COURSE.

UH...

AND, UM...

WELL, I DIDN'T KNOW--
I, UH...

YOU KNOW, I'VE
BEEN CONFUSED.

AND, UM, AND THEN
I FELT RELIEVED,

BECAUSE I DIDN'T
KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.

SO WE...

WE CALLED IT OFF.

I THINK THAT'S GOOD.

IT'S GOOD.
NO.

WE CALLED OFF
THE BIG WEDDING,

AND WE WENT
TO ATLANTIC CITY
AND GOT MARRIED.

OK.

Judge: MISS SOLT,
YOUR RECOMMENDATION?

UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES,
HUNTER SHOULD LIVE
WITH HIS GRANDPARENTS.

ANY OBJECTIONS TO THIS?

NO, MA'AM.

HUNTER REED WILL BE
PERMANENTLY PLACED

WITH HIS
MATERNAL GRANDPARENTS,
DONALD AND PHYLLIS SAMPLE.

[BANGS GAVEL]

GOOD LUCK
TO BOTH OF YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MR. SAMPLE...

I'D LIKE YOUR
PERMISSION TO HAVE
A WORD WITH HUNTER.

LISTEN...

HUNTER, I, UM,
I MADE A MISTAKE.

WHEN I FOUGHT
FOR YOU TO STAY
WITH YOUR FATHER, UH...

I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN
THAT YOU BELONG
WITH YOUR GRANDPARENTS.

I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN
THAT YOUR FATHER
WASN'T READY, AND...

I SHOULD HAVE JUST...

LET YOUR GRANDPARENTS
TAKE CARE OF YOU
LONG ENOUGH TO BE SURE.

THIS IS THE RIGHT THING.

IT'S THE WAY
IT SHOULD BE.

[LAUGHTER]

AND YOU KNOW I CAN'T
ACCEPT ANY OF THESE.

[LAUGHTER]

NOW YOU COULD HAVE
GIVEN THEM TO ME

BEFORE MY
APPOINTMENT,
BUT, UH--

[LAUGHS] NO,
BUT SERIOUSLY, UM,

I REALLY
APPRECIATE IT,
BUT, UH,

THEY'VE ALL, UH,

THEY'VE ALL
GOT TO GO BACK.

YEAH, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT,
JUST ENJOY YOURSELVES.

EXCUSE ME FOR
ONE SECOND. I JUST--

BE RIGHT BACK.

HEY, NICHOLAS.

THANKS FOR COMING.

YOU TRADE THIS FIRM
FOR THE BENCH?

WHAT?

WHAT DOES LICHTMAN
HAVE ON YOU?

I DON'T KNOW WHAT
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

CALDWELL PULL SOME
STRINGS TO GET
YOUR APPOINTMENT?

YOU DON'T THINK
I GOT THE APPOINTMENT
ON MY OWN MERITS?

THAT'S NOT
WHAT I MEANT.

WELL, THAT HURTS,
NICHOLAS.

THAT HURTS.

WELL, TELL ME
YOU DIDN'T, DAD.

TELL ME YOU DIDN'T
TRADE THIS PLACE
AND MY FUTURE

FOR THE BENCH.

I'LL TELL YOU
WHAT, NICHOLAS.

WHY DON'T YOU, UH--

WHY DON'T YOU
TAKE OVER THIS PLACE?

MAKE THE DECISIONS
THAT AFFECT, UH,
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE.

LISTEN' TO 'EM
KISS YOUR ASS

AND WHISPER
BEHIND YOUR BACK.

YOU DECIDE
WHEN TO BEND

AND WHEN TO BREAK
AND WHEN TO FIGHT.

YOU MAKE THOSE CHOICES
AND LIVE WITH THEM.

AND ONCE YOU--
ONCE YOU DO THAT,

MAYBE-- MAYBE THEN
YOU'LL BE READY

TO HAVE A CONVERSATION
ABOUT WHAT I HAD TO DO

TO KEEP THIS PLACE GOING.

AND KEEP YOU
AND EVERYBODY ELSE
AROUND HERE IN DIAPERS.

[DOOR SLAMS]

OH, HEY.
COME ON IN.

BURTON, I JUST--
I JUST SAW NICHOLAS...

STORM OUTTA HERE.

I THOUGHT YOU WERE
GONNA FIX THINGS
UP WITH HIM.

I MADE NO SUCH PROMISE.

THERE'S SOMETHING
YOU SHOULD KNOW.

I TRUSTED MITCHELL

WITH EVERYTHING THAT
CAME THROUGH MY OFFICE.

EVERYTHING?

HE'S GOT A LITTLE
LEVERAGE, BURTON.

[SIGHS] A LITTLE.

YOU PROMISED ME
A CHANCE TO WORK

IN A PROFITABLE
LAW FIRM.

I PROMISED MITCHELL.

YOU NEVER MENTIONED
THAT YOU'D BE
STEPPING AWAY

TO A FEDERAL BENCH.

I THOUGHT I MADE
THAT UP TO YOU

BY MAKING YOU
A MANAGING PARTNER.

WELL, YOU DID,

BUT THE CLIENTS HAVE
TO STAY AT THE FIRM
FOR THAT TO HAVE ANY VALUE.

MY INTENTION
WAS THAT NICHOLAS
WOULD HAVE MY CLIENTS.

THEN WE NEED NICK...

OR WE'RE BOTH
IN TROUBLE.

I NEVER INCLUDED
MY SON IN THIS DEAL.

EVER.

CANCELED YOUR MASTERCARD.

'CAUSE THE POLICE
TOLD ME YOU HAD IT.

YEAH. I GOT BACK
TO MY MOTEL ROOM

AND THERE WERE, LIKE,
3 COP CARS THERE.

I HAD TO LEAVE
MY FAVORITE
PAIR OF SHOES.

SORRY TO HEAR IT.

I'M ALL READY.

FOR WHAT?

TO GO TO THE POLICE.

LIKE YOU SAID.

LET'S CALL 'EM
RIGHT NOW.

UM, NOT, UM--
NOT RIGHT NOW.

I'M REALLY,
REALLY HIGH.

I DECIDED
THIS AFTERNOON

THAT IT WAS TIME, SO...

I PICKED UP
AN 8-BALL.

JUST TO SOOTHE MYSELF.

'CAUSE YOU KNOW
HOW IT IS.

ONCE YOU GO IN,
THERE'S NOTHING.

BUT I ENDED UP
DOING ALL OF IT,

AND I CAN'T
GO IN THERE
ALL STRESSED OUT.

YOU GOTTA GO IN.

BUT I NEED TO TAKE
A SHOWER FIRST

AND HAVE
A CIGARETTE, OK?

THERE'S A SHOWER
UPSTAIRS.

[SHOWER RUNNING]

DETECTIVE DARGER,
IT'S NICK FALLIN.

I HAVE
MANDY GRESSLER
IN MY APARTMENT.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
[CRIES OUT]

[GROANING]

LYING BASTARD!

[FOOTSTEPS ON STAIRS]

JUST WAIT.

LET GO OF ME!
CALM DOWN.
CALM DOWN!

[STRUGGLING]

Mandy: LET ME GO!

Nick: UNH!

[LOUD CRACK]

OH, MY GOD.

MANDY?

MANDY, YOU ALL RIGHT?

MANDY.

OH, MY GOD. OH, GOD.

OK... OK...

OK...

UH, I NEED AN AMBULANCE.
1980 ELSWORTH, IN SHADYSIDE.

I HAVE A WOMAN--
I THINK HER HEART
HAS STOPPED.

YEAH, I'M FEELING
FOR A PULSE.

NO, SHE'S--

SHE DOESN'T
HAVE A PULSE.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]
Burton: NICK, YOU HOME?

NO. [STUTTERING]
YOU CAN'T BE HERE.

LISTEN, I HAVE TO TALK
TO YOU FOR A MINUTE.

CAN'T IT WAIT?

SON, LISTEN TO ME, OK?

WHEN YOU, UH--
WHEN YOU GOT ARRESTED,

THINGS WERE NOT
LOOKING SO GOOD.

IT TURNS OUT THE D.A.
WAS GUNNING FOR YOU.

HE WASN'T ABOUT
TO PLEA-BARGAIN.

IN FACT, HE WAS LOOKING
FOR 5 YEARS MINIMUM.

I WENT TO CALDWELL
TO MAKE A DEAL,

AND HE AGREED
TO TALK THE D.A. DOWN
TO A MISDEMEANOR--

LOOK, CAN WE TALK
ABOUT THIS TOMORROW?

I HAD TO PROMISE
HIM A PARTNERSHIP.

WHAT, YOU GAVE HIM
YOUR FIRM, FOR ME?

NOW HERE'S THE PROBLEM.

I JUST FOUND OUT
THAT KID, LICHTMAN,

KNEW ALL ABOUT IT.

HE HAS RECORDS OF
ALL OUR DISCUSSIONS.

IF HE GIVES IT UP
TO OTHER PEOPLE,
IT COULD BE VERY BAD.

DAD, I CAN'T TALK
ABOUT THIS NOW.

SON, LISTEN TO ME.
I CANNOT!

I JUST CAME OVER HERE
TO TELL YOU FIRST.

AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED,
THEY CAN BOTH GO TO HELL.

ALL RIGHT,
I'VE HEARD IT.
I'VE HEARD IT.

JUST DON'T LET THEM
PUSH YOU AROUND.

I WON'T. YOU KNOW,
YOU HAVE TO GO NOW.

DON'T LET THEM
DO THAT TO YOU.

DAD, YOU HAVE
TO LEAVE NOW.
YOU CAN'T BE HERE.

PLEASE, DAD,
JUST LEAVE.

JUST TAKE CARE
OF YOURSELF.

JUST LEAVE.

[SIGHS]

OK...

YEAH, DAD, IT'S, UH--

IT'S NICK.

I'M LEAVING YOU
THIS MESSAGE
'CAUSE, UH...

I'M, UH--

YOU KNOW, I-I'M SORRY.

I'M SORRY FOR--
FOR, UH, EVERYTHING.

I JUST HAVEN'T BEEN--

I'M JUST-- I'M SORRY.

OK?

I-- I CAME BACK
HERE BECAUSE...

I WANTED TO WORK WITH YOU,
'CAUSE I RESPECT YOU,

AND-- AND I WANTED
TO SPEND MORE
TIME WITH YOU...

AND I'M AFRAID THAT
I-I'VE JUST DONE

WHAT I USUALLY DO, AND...

I'M JUST AFRAID, AND--

[SIRENS APPROACHING]

DAD, I JUST WANT
YOU TO KNOW THAT...

THAT I-- I LOVE YOU AND--

AND I JUST WANT
TO APOLOGIZE.