***
I'LL JUST HAVE A DRIP COFFEE. PLEASE LEAVE ROOM FOR MILK. OKAY. SURE.
YOU DON'T WANT ANYTHING? OH, NO, THANK YOU. I'VE ALREADY HAD A COFFEE.
ONE'S QUITE ENOUGH. TO BE HONEST,
I DON'T REALLY GIVE A CRAP ABOUT INTEREST RATES.
IF HE DIDN'T GET THE LOAN, HE'S GOING INTO BANKRUPTCY ANYWAY.
THE INVESTOR'S GOT MONEY. LET HIM GO CRY ON THE SHOULDER
OF HIS, UH, TROPHY WIFE. SCREW HIM. YEAH.
PRIVATE CONVERSATION, SNOOPY, MRS. SNOOPY.
YES, I'LL HAVE A 2% LATTE
AND A BLUEBERRY MUFFIN, PLEASE.
SO WHAT DO THEY WANT FROM ME, MIKE?
6 POINTS? REALLY? THAT'S FAIR.
(Jerry) THANK YOU.
YEAH, OKAY, THEN YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR MINDS. OOH! I APOLOGIZE.
OH. (makes popping noise) OH, YOU APOLOGIZE? (imitates popping noise)
HOW ABOUT YOU LOOK WHERE YOU'RE GOING? THAT MIGHT HELP.
(imitates popping sound) HOW ABOUT YOU DEMONSTRATE A MODICUM OF COURTESY?
THAT'S A NICE ACCENT. WHAT IS THAT, FRENCH?
POOP-HEAD. COME ON, JERRY.
SORRY. SOME DEMENTO AND HIS NURSE.
(voice distorts)
(indistinct voices)
(tape rewinding)
(voice distortion continues)
(man) WINDS UP FOR THE PITCH...
(engine roaring)
(thud)
(distorted voice) JERRY!
(distorted voice) SORRY. (makes popping sound)
(smack)
(customers gasp)
(murmuring)
YES! YES!
YES!
YES! YES!
ANY OTHER TAKERS?
* UNH-HUH, UNH-HUH
* YEAH-UNH, YEAH-UNH
***
ALL RIGHT. BOOM.
* BAMP (makes popping noise)
YOU DON'T LIKE IT?
(laughs) WELL, I'M NOT SAYING IT'S A BAD LOOK, BUT--
GERRY SPENCE DRESSES LIKE THIS ALL THE TIME,
AND HE WINS ALMOST ALL HIS CASES.
SO DO YOU. GERRY SPENCE IS A COUNTRY LAWYER.
HE TRIES HIS CASES IN WYOMING AND...
ARE THOSE GUNS LOADED?
YEAH. PAINTBALL.
DENNY, IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A GERRY SPENCE,
BUT WE CERTAINLY DON'T NEED TWO.
PLUS, WE NEED A DENNY CRANE.
MR. SHORE?
YES.
MY NAME IS KIM WANG SHU. I NEED A LAWYER.
LET ME GUESS. THEY WANT TO TAKE BACK YOUR GOLD MEDAL,
BUT YOU REALLY ARE 16.
(chuckles) I DON'T HAVE A GOLD MEDAL, AND I'M ONLY 15.
HOW CAN I HELP YOU, MS. SHU? I'M PREGNANT.
I CAN'T HAVE AN ABORTION WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT.
MY FATHER'S DEAD. MY MOTHER WON'T GIVE IT TO ME.
I NEED SOMETHING CALLED A JUDICIAL BYPASS,
AND FOR THAT, I NEED A LAWYER. WELL--
UH, HOLD ON.
ALAN, I DON'T TALK ABOUT THIS MUCH,
BUT I'M AN ICON.
YES, YOU AND GERRY SPENCE BOTH.
AND ICONS, WELL...
I LIKE TO PRETEND THAT EVERYTHING I SAY AND DO
IS ON TELEVISION FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO SEE.
IT'S JUST A LITTLE GAME I PLAY WITH MYSELF.
AND? AND WHO'S GONNA WATCH A SHOW ABOUT ABORTION?
IT'S NOT FUN.
WELL, DENNY, YOU AND I COULD MAKE IT FUN.
I DON'T THINK SO. TRY TO LOOK AT IT AS A CHALLENGE.
CONSIDER IT YOUR EMMY EPISODE.
WELL, YEAH, BUT THEN THERE'S THE OTHER THING. WHICH IS?
WELL, LOOK AT HER, ALAN-- A SWEET, CUTE LITTLE KID.
IF WE HELP HER GET AN ABORTION,
SHE'S GONNA BURN IN HELL FOREVER AND EVER.
WE'LL REPRESENT YOU.
(sighs) I CAN HEAR THEM CHANGING THE CHANNEL.
***
(indistinct conversations)
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT? HEY, DON'T START WITH ME, MACK.
I JUST GOT FINISHED CAPPIN' ONE GUY,
AND THERE'S TWO THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW--
IT WAS FUN, AND THE DAY'S JUST GETTIN' STARTED. (purrs)
(makes popping noise)
I'VE POSTED BOND. ARRAIGNMENT'S IN HALF AN HOUR.
LET'S GO.
***
IS THERE A PARTICULAR REASON
YOUR MOTHER OPPOSES THE ABORTION?
OH, PLEASE. BESIDES IT NOT BEING FUN.
SHE JUST DOESN'T BELIEVE IN ABORTION.
SHE'S VERY PRO-LIFE.
WHEN I WAS A KID, WE'D JUST GO DOWN TO MEXICO.
GOD DOESN'T CARE WHAT HAPPENS IN MEXICO
SINCE IT'S ALREADY A KIND OF PRE-HELL,
WHICH IS WHY THEY WANNA COME UP HERE ILLEGALLY.
WHAT?
OKAY. OBVIOUSLY, IT'S IN OUR BEST INTEREST
TO GET JUST THE RIGHT JUDGE.
WHAT ABOUT THE BABY'S BEST INTEREST? DOES THAT MATTER?
DON'T SHOVE ME! YOU LISTEN TO ME RIGHT NOW.
IF YOU'RE GONNA SPEW YOUR POLITICS ALL OVER THIS, I-- POLITICS? A BABY'S POLITICS?
DENNY, I RESPECT YOUR POSITION ON THE ISSUE.
YOU NEED TO RESPECT THE CLIENT'S.
NO, I DON'T. SHE'S A KID. NEVERTHELESS, SHE HAS THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE--
THE RIGHT? THE--WHAT ABOUT HER RESPONSIBILITY? LOOK--
WHAT ABOUT THE BABY'S RIGHT? THE FETUS DOESN'T HAVE A LEGAL--
"FETUS." DOES THAT MAKE IT SOUND LESS HUMAN?
DOES THAT MAKE IT EASIER, LIKE CALLING IT A PROCEDURE
INSTEAD OF AN ABORTION, OR WHAT IT REALLY IS-- (Kim) MR. CRANE.
NO DISRESPECT.
BUT YOU'RE FIRED.
I TOLD YOU IT WOULDN'T BE FUN.
***
HE BEAT A MAN UP? HIM?
WHAT'S SO SURPRISING ABOUT THAT? I BEAT PEOPLE UP.
JERRY. YOUR HONOR, IT WAS AN ALTERCATION.
TWO PEOPLE WERE FIGHTING. AFTER HE COMMITTED THE INITIATING ASSAULT.
HE THREW A MUFFIN. HE PROVOKED THE FIGHT AND BROKE A MAN'S NOSE.
MANY WITNESSES SAW IT UNFOLD. HIM?
JERRY. IT'S AN AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, JUDGE.
WITH BAKED GOODS? WITH A FIST. IT'S A HE SAID/HE SAID, JUDGE.
A 1-DAY CASE. LET'S JUST GET IT OVER WITH.
WE CAN'T BE SERIOUS. IT WAS SIMPLY A DISPUTE WHICH ESCAL--
THE DEFENSE STANDS READY FOR TRIAL. JERRY.
MAKE MY DAY. JERRY.
I WANT MY DAY IN COURT. FINE. 10:00 TOMORROW.
(bangs gavel) ADJOURNED. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
AND I'M REPRESENTING MYSELF. DON'T BE RIDICULOUS.
I AM. YOU CAN SECOND CHAIR IF YOU WANT,
BUT I'M DEFENDING MYSELF.
IT'S WHAT I DID IN THAT COFFEE SHOP,
AND IT'S WHAT I'LL DO HERE. FOR YOU.
WHAT'S THIS? SUBPOENA. YOU'RE A WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION.
***
(sighs)
JUDGE PEYTON? DO YOU KNOW WHERE SHE STANDS ON ABORTION?
SHE'S A WOMAN.
ALAN, MANY WOMEN ARE PRO-LIFE.
THIS DOESN'T SPLIT ALONG GENDER LINES.
SHE SHOULD BE A GOOD JUDGE FOR THIS. WHY DO YOU NEED ME? IT SEEMS--
BECAUSE I WANT A WOMAN AT THE TABLE.
I DON'T KNOW IF I'M YOUR WOMAN.
(knock on door)
MR. SHORE?
YES.
MY NAME IS MING WANG SHU.
I BELIEVE YOU'RE REPRESENTING MY DAUGHTER.
I AM. PLEASE.
AND THIS IS SHIRLEY SCHMIDT.
HELLO.
(clears throat) IF I MAY...
I WOULD ASK YOU TO RESPECT
THAT THIS IS A FAMILY MATTER.
I DO RESPECT THAT, MRS. SHU.
BUT LIKE IT OR NOT, AT YOUR DAUGHTER'S INSTIGATION,
THIS HAS NOW BECOME A LEGAL MATTER AS WELL.
SHE'S A CHILD.
LEGALLY... YOUR DAUGHTER HAS A RIGHT
TO TERMINATE THIS PREGNANCY.
WITH PARENTAL CONSENT, WHICH I AM WITHHOLDING.
OR SHE CAN OBTAIN A JUDICIAL BYPASS.
THEY ARE ALMOST ALWAYS GRANTED.
(sighs)
HAVE YOU EVER HAD
A CHILD OF YOURS TERMINATED, MR. SHORE?
I SUSPECT IF YOU HAVE,
IT HAUNTS YOU,
PARTICULARLY IF YOU PARTICIPATED
IN THAT DECISION.
MRS. SHU, THIS IS NOT... ABOUT ME.
AND I MUST RESPECTFULLY SAY, IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU.
SHE'S MY DAUGHTER. I KNOW HER. YOU DO NOT.
AND I KNOW THAT IF SHE MAKES THIS DECISION...
SHE'LL NEVER GET OVER IT.
YOU NEED TO DEFER TO HER MOTHER ON THIS.
***
JERRY.
CARL.
YOU MIND GETTING DOWN?
CERTAINLY.
KATIE BROUGHT ME UP TO SPEED.
SOUNDS LIKE YOU GOT A LITTLE EMOTIONAL.
YOU KNOW, A CONVICTION FOR AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
IS MORE THAN JUST AN INCONVENIENCE, JERRY.
IT COULD AFFECT YOUR BAR STATUS.
YOU ALSO RUN THE RISK OF SERVING TIME.
JERRY, LOOK AT ME.
LET ME DEFEND YOU.
NO.
***
FIRST, HE COLLIDES WITH ME IN LINE.
I'M NOT SURE IT WASN'T INTENTIONAL.
THEN HE THROWS OUT SOME HOLLOW APOLOGY, YOU KNOW?
YOU KNOW, LIKE... (mutters) "SORRY."
THEN WHILE I'M ORDERING MY COFFEE,
I GET HIT WITH A MUFFIN RIGHT IN MY FACE.
I APPROACH HIM TO SAY, "WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?"
AND HE HAULS OFF AND SLUGS ME,
KNOCKS ME OUT.
DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE
I COLLIDED WITH YOU ON PURPOSE, SIR? HEY, I WOULDN'T KNOW.
YOU'RE CLEARLY A VICIOUS PERSON.
MOVE TO STRIKE. OH, SORRY. YOU STEPPED INTO THAT.
DID YOU NOT REFER TO ME AS A DEMENTO?
NO, I DID NOT. LIAR.
(bangs gavel) (makes popping noise)
SEE? HE WAS MAKING FUNNY SOUNDS AT ME LIKE THAT.
YOU DIDN'T SAY TO THE PERSON YOU WERE SPEAKING TO ON THE PHONE
THAT I WAS A DEMENTO OUT WITH MY NURSE? NO, I DID NOT.
LIAR! MR. ESPENSON!
DID YOU NOT COME TO ATTACK ME AFTER I THREW THE MUFFIN?
I WAS ANGRY, BUT I WASN'T GOING TO ATTACK YOU. LIAR, LIAR.
(bangs gavel twice) (makes popping noise)
HEY, YOU CAN TRY AND MAKE ME OUT TO BE THE BAD GUY,
BUT, UH, I AM NOT VIOLENT, I'VE NEVER BEEN ARRESTED
LIKE YOU HAVE. (makes popping noise)
I AM A LAW-ABIDING PERSON
WHO WAS SIMPLY LOOKING TO BUY A CUP OF COFFEE.
AND LOOK AT ME NOW? MY NOSE IS BROKEN.
***
YOU ALL SET?
KIM'S BY THE ELEVATOR WAITING.
SET.
WHAT'S WRONG?
ALAN, THIS--THIS DOES FEEL LIKE A FAMILY MATTER.
SHIRLEY, YOU REALIZE MASSACHUSETTS HAS
ONE OF THE MORE RESTRICTIVE POLICIES ON ABORTION.
IN THIS STATE, GIRLS NEED ATTORNEYS MORE THAN--
IS EVERYTHING A CASE WITH YOU?
WELL-- IS THAT HOW IT WORKS?
AS SOON AS A CLIENT WALKS IN,
YOU START PREPARING YOUR CLOSING ARGUMENT? THAT'S NOT FAIR.
FAIR? (laughs)
YOU'VE NEVER BEEN A PARENT. I AM ONE.
AND AN ATTORNEY RUNNING INTERFERENCE
WITH A PARENTAL-CHILD RELATIONSHIP
HARDLY FEELS FAIR.
IF IT WERE MY DAUGHTER, AND A LAWYER...
(chuckles) I'D WANT TO THROTTLE HIM.
AND I CAN ALSO TELL YOU FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE,
ANYONE WHO HAS AN ABORTION-- YOU NEVER GET OVER IT.
TRUST ME.
NO MATTER HOW PRO-CHOICE...
ARE YOU SAYING THAT UNDERAGE GIRLS
SHOULD BE FORCED TO CARRY A BABY TO TERM
IF THE PARENT SO ORDERS, MRS. SCHMIDT?
NO, I'M NOT SAYING THAT.
WELL, THEN PERHAPS ALL YOU CAN REALLY DO HERE
IS ADVISE ME OF MY LEGAL RIGHTS
AND REPRESENT THOSE RIGHTS IN COURT.
KIM, WHATEVER CHOICE YOU MAKE HERE...
WILL FOLLOW YOU THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY THREE YEARS AGO
FOR TWO REASONS--
TO BE WITH MY MOTHER
AND TO BECOME A CITIZEN IN A COUNTRY
THAT PRIORITIZES INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT ATTORNEYS ARE IN THE BUSINESS
OF SAFEGUARDING THOSE FREEDOMS.
***
MR. HELLMAN WAS CARRYING ON
A RATHER LOUD AND ABRASIVE CONVERSATION
ON HIS CELL PHONE.
WE TURNED TO LOOK AT HIM WHILE IN LINE,
AND HE THEN ASSAULTED US VERBALLY,
REFERRING TO US AS MR. AND MRS. SNOOPY,
I BELIEVE.
THEN WHAT HAPPENED?
THEN AFTER JERRY PLACED HIS ORDER, HE TURNED
AND INADVERTENTLY COLLIDED WITH MR. HELLMAN.
AND MR. HELLMAN REACTED IN A THREATENING
AND DISCOURTEOUS MANNER.
THEN... JERRY HAS SOME VERBAL TICKS.
MR. HELLMAN PROCEEDED TO RIDICULE HIM FOR THAT.
AND AS WE WERE HEADING OFF,
HE DID REFER TO JERRY AS A DEMENTO.
YOU'RE A CLOSE FRIEND OF MR. ESPENSON.
I AM. IN FACT,
YOU'RE TESTIFYING TODAY ONLY UNDER SUBPOENA. THAT'S CORRECT.
BUT YOU APPRECIATE YOUR OBLIGATION TO TELL THE TRUTH.
I DO.
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT, MS. LLOYD?
WELL, WE PROCEEDED TO GO AND WAIT FOR JERRY'S ORDER.
HE WAS BECOMING INCREASINGLY UPSET
OVER MR. HELLMAN'S DISCOURTEOUS REMARKS.
AND THEN HE TOSSED A BLUEBERRY MUFFIN AT HIM.
TOSSED IT OR THREW IT?
THREW IT.
THREW IT QUITE HARD.
IT WAS ONLY A MUFFIN.
AND THEN WHAT HAPPENED?
MR. HELLMAN CHARGED AT JERRY.
BOTH APPEARED TO THROW PUNCHES SIMULTANEOUSLY.
JERRY'S FIST ARRIVED FIRST.
MR. HELLMAN WAS RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS.
AND THEN WHAT? UH, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT.
REALLY? WHAT DID MR. ESPENSON DO
AFTER HE KNOCKED MR. HELLMAN OUT?
DID HE GO TO HIS AID?
NO.
WHAT DID HE DO?
(breathes deeply)
HE DANCED.
HE DANCED? YES.
WHAT KIND OF DANCE?
IT WAS... CELEBRATORY.
DID HE YELL ANYTHING?
HE YELLED, "YES. YES."
ANYTHING ELSE?
HE INQUIRED AS TO WHETHER THERE WERE ANY OTHER TAKERS.
MEANING DID ANYONE ELSE WANT TO FIGHT HIM?
I SUPPOSE.
ANYTHING ELSE?
HE SANG.
HE SEEMED TO ENJOY THE WHOLE THING?
HE DID.
***
I HARDLY THINK
SHE WAS DELIBERATELY TRYING TO GET YOU CONVICTED. YES, SHE WAS. I HEARD IT.
JERRY, YOU NEVER SHOULD'VE REPRESENTED YOURSELF.
I MEAN, YOU NEVER SHOULD'VE THROWN A MUFFIN-- FINE. TAKE HER SIDE.
I'M NOT TAKING HER SIDE. I'M JUST SAYING-- WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED?
YES, YOU ARE! STOP YELLING AT ME.
HEY!
HE'S LOSING?
SEEMS SO.
UH... (clears throat)
ALAN, IF YOU DON'T MIND,
I'M... GOING TO WITHDRAW FROM THIS CASE.
I DO MIND. WHY?
I'M NOT COMFORTABLE ARGUING...
I--I'M GOING TO JUST PASS ON THIS CASE.
SHIRLEY, HOW DO YOU THINK
THE JUDGE WILL INTERPRET YOU PULLING OUT ALL OF A SUDDEN?
WE HAVEN'T EVEN GONE TO COURT YET. I NEED A WOMAN AT THE TABLE.
GET ANOTHER ONE. I WANT YOU...
YOU DON'T HAVE-- YOUR CREDIBILITY-- WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM, SHIRLEY?
I TOLD YOU MY PROBLEM. I'M NOT COMFORTABLE. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE
WITH THE GOVERNMENT LEGISLATING ABORTION?
CHECK THAT--OUTLAWING IT? BECAUSE THAT'S THE NEXT STEP.
OH, PLEASE. THE SUPREME COURT ALREADY HAS THE VOTES.
STEVENS IS 88 YEARS OLD. ONCE HE GOES-- THIS IS NOT ABOUT POLITICS, ALAN.
OF COURSE IT IS. WHEN-- NO, IT IS NOT.
WHEN DID YOU HAVE YOUR LAST ABORTION?
UNTIL YOU KNOW EVERYTHING THAT GOES WITH IT,
DON'T YOU DARE LECTURE ME OR ANYBODY ELSE-- I KNOW WHAT GOES WITH IT!
OBVIOUSLY I HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED THE PHYSICAL PART,
BUT I KNOW THE OVERWHELMING EMOTION THAT GOES WITH IT.
I KNOW THE SENSE OF LOSS, I KNOW THE DOUBT, THE GUILT.
SO PLEASE DON'T...
SHIRLEY, DID IT EVER OCCUR TO YOU
THAT ONE OF THE REASONS I WANTED YOU ON THIS CASE
IS PRECISELY BEC--
MAYBE WE SHOULD BOTH GET OUT.
NO, WE SHOULDN'T.
WE'RE LAWYERS HERE FIRST.
A YOUNG GIRL HAS COME TO US FOR HELP
TO FIGHT FOR A LEGAL RIGHT
THAT WE BOTH HAPPEN TO BELIEVE IN.
SHIRLEY, WE SEPARATE OURSELVES FROM OUR EMOTIONS ALL THE TIME.
IT'S WHAT WE DO.
IT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO DO HERE.
***
(man) * COME GATHER 'ROUND, PEOPLE
* WHEREVER YOU ROAM
* AND ADMIT THAT THE WATERS AROUND YOU HAVE GROWN *
* AND ACCEPT IT THAT SOON
* YOU'LL BE DRENCHED TO THE BONE *
* IF YOUR TIME TO YOU
* IS WORTH SAVIN'
* THEN YOU BETTER START SWIMMIN' *
* OR YOU'LL SINK LIKE A STONE
* FOR THE TIMES
* THEY ARE
* A-CHANGIN'
WHAT?
HOW'S THE CASE GOING?
UGH. SURPRISING DIFFICULT, YOU'LL BE HAPPY TO KNOW.
***
SOMETHING'S HAPPENING.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
I MEAN IT'S GETTING CLOSE, DENNY.
I CAN JUST FEEL ROE v. WADE BEING CHIPPED AWAY AT--
THIS PARENTAL CONSENT LAW, THE JUDICIAL BYPASS HOOPS.
THE WALL'S COMING DOWN. I CAN FEEL IT.
UH, MAY I SAY SOMETHING, FRIEND TO FRIEND?
UH-OH.
YOU PRO-CHOICE PEOPLE...
YOU NEED ROE vs. WADE.
YOU'RE DESPERATE FOR IT,
NOT BECAUSE YOU'RE SURE OF YOUR OPINION,
BUT BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT.
YOU NEED TO CLING TO THAT RULING
AS MORAL VALIDATION FOR A POSITION
YOU'RE NOT ENTIRELY COMFORTABLE WITH... DEEP DOWN.
* COME, SENATORS, CONGRESSMEN
* PLEASE HEED THE CALL
* DON'T STAND IN THE DOORWAY
* DON'T BLOCK UP THE HALL
* FOR HE THAT GETS HURT
* WILL BE THE ONE WHO HAS STALLED *
* THERE'S A BATTLE OUTSIDE
* AND IT'S RAGIN'
* IT'LL SOON SHAKE YOUR WINDOWS *
* AND RATTLE YOUR WALLS
* FOR THE TIMES
* THEY ARE
* A-CHANGIN'
I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HE PLANS TO DO,
BUT IT'S NOT GOING WELL AT ALL. DOES HE PLAN TO TESTIFY?
HE HAS TO, OTHERWISE... THROW ME UNDER THE BUS, WHY DON'T YOU?
AND THEN BACK UP OVER ME. I DID NOT THROW YOU UNDER A BUS.
OH, YOU MOST CERTAINLY DID. OW. HEY!
HE ASKED ME QUESTIONS. I WAS UNDER OATH.
WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO NOW? THANKS A LOT.
HOWDY, PARTNER.
HEY! WHAT DID I DO?
OW!
***
HOW DARE YOU ATTACK ME LIKE THAT?
HOW DARE YOU? I THOUGHT WE WERE FRIENDS. I SHOULD'VE COMMITTED PERJURY?
YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO RELISH IT. I DID NOT RELISH IT.
YES, YOU DID. THERE WAS JUDGMENT IN IT, KATIE.
YOU HAVE BEEN THROWING OUT JUDGMENT FROM THE START.
INSTEAD OF HAVING MY BACK OR SUPPORTING-- JERRY, YOU WENT BONKERS! YOU LAUNCHED A MUFFIN,
KNOCKED A MAN UNCONSCIOUS,
CHALLENGED THE REST OF THE CAFé TO A FIGHT AND THEN DID A DANCE.
IT WAS GROTESQUE. IF ANYTHING, I'VE UNDERPLAYED MY DISMAY.
AND BY THE WAY, WHAT IF YOU HADN'T LANDED THE FIRST BLOW?
MAYBE JOE-BOB MIGHT HAVE TURNED ON ME.
YOU MIGHT'VE PUT ME IN DANGER.
HOW ABOUT TAKING A LITTLE RESPONSIBILITY?
HOW ABOUT AN APOLOGY? POOP-HEAD!
POOP-HEAD YOURSELF! (confident voice) LET ME TELL YA, HOT CAKES.
IF YOU CAN'T STAND THE HEAT, GET-- I CAN TAKE THE HEAT JUST FINE.
AND DO NOT EVER CALL ME HOT CAKES.
***
HERE'S MY PROBLEM--
ON THE ONE HAND, YOU'RE TELLING ME
SHE JUST HAD AN IMPULSIVE LAPSE OF JUDGMENT FOUR MONTHS AGO,
AND YET, YOU ARE MAINTAINING THAT SHE HAS THE MATURITY
TO MAKE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT
AND FAR-REACHING DECISIONS
THAT ANY PERSON COULD BE CALLED UPON-- JUDGE, THAT'S HOW IT WORKS WITH ABORTION.
LET'S NOT KID OURSELVES. AND LET'S NOT PRETEND YOU KNOW BETTER THAN HER MOTHER
THE IMPACT THIS WILL HAVE FOR THE REST OF HER--
I'M CONSIDERING THE IMPACT OF A TEENAGER
HAVING TO RAISE A CHILD--
SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO RAISE IT. THERE'S ADOPTION.
THE LAW GIVES HER THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE THIS PREGNANCY.
NO, ONLY WITH PARENTAL CONSENT, WHICH SHE DOES NOT HAVE.
THE BYPASS IS THEREFORE--
(laughs) COME ON. LET'S AT LEAST WAIT
TILL THE SUPREME COURT REPUDIATES ROE v. WADE.
WHY ROB THEM OF ALL THEIR FUN? MR. SHORE--
YOUR HONOR, THIS BYPASS REQUIREMENT IS UNREASONABLE,
PERHAPS EVEN UNCONSTITUTIONAL,
AS IS THE REQUIREMENT OF PARENTAL CONSENT.
THE REALITY IS, MOST KIDS WON'T TELL THEIR PARENTS.
MANY WILL RESORT TO UNSAFE METHODS.
SOME JUST SECRETLY HAVE THE CHILD. MR. SHORE--
AND IF WE'RE REALLY GOING TO EXALT HUMAN LIFE HERE,
IT SHOULD BE POINTED OUT THAT DEATH ASSOCIATED WITH CHILDBIRTH
IS TEN TIMES AS HIGH AS THAT ASSOCIATED WITH ABORTION.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE MOTHER.
THE DEATH RATE OF THE UNBORN CHILD IS 100%.
A FETUS IS NOT--
HEY, HEY. I AM NOT GOING THERE.
LIKE YOU SAY, MR. SHORE,
LET US NOT STEP ON THE SUPREME COURT'S MOMENT.
ALL I CARE ABOUT TODAY IS THE MATURITY
AND THE BEST INTERESTS OF KIM.
MAY I BE HEARD ON THAT, YOUR HONOR?
PLEASE.
THIS IS A YOUNG LADY WHO...
IS IN LOVE WITH A BOY ONE DAY,
AND THEN OVER HIM THE NEXT.
LAST WEEK, SHE WAS GOING TO BE A MARINE BIOLOGIST,
AND AS OF THIS MORNING,
SHE PLANNED TO INVENT SOFTWARE GAMES.
SHE'S ONLY AT THE BEGINNING OF DISCOVERING WHO SHE IS,
LIKE ANY TEENAGER, AND--
BUT THAT PROCESS COULD BE NIPPED IN THE BUD
IF SHE BECOMES A TEENAGE MOTHER.
I KNOW THE VALUES SHE WAS RAISED WITH.
I KNOW HER VALUES.
AND I FEEL THAT SHE WILL EVOLVE TO BE A PERSON
WHO IS VERY MUCH PRO-LIFE,
AND THIS DECISION MIGHT EMOTIONALLY DEVASTATE HER.
YOU DO NOT KNOW HER. I DO.
MAY I RESPOND, YOUR HONOR?
OKAY.
I KNOW I'M JUST A KID.
I HAD UNPROTECTED SEX.
WHAT BETTER EXAMPLE IS THERE OF IMMATURITY OR RECKLESSNESS?
BUT I ALSO KNOW MY FAMILY IS POOR.
I WILL LIKELY HAVE TO GO ON WELFARE
LIKE NEARLY 80% OF TEEN MOTHERS ARE FORCED TO DO.
I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE MY EDUCATION.
I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR MY CHILD,
GIVE HER A GOOD EDUCATION.
I KNOW THE ODDS FACING ME.
I KNOW THE ODDS FACING THIS CHILD
SHOULD I CARRY HER TO TERM.
AND I BELIEVE TERMINATING THIS PREGNANCY
IS IN MY BEST INTEREST.
THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT.
YOU DO STRIKE ME AS A CONSCIENTIOUS
AND MATURE YOUNG WOMAN.
AND YET, I FIND THE MOTHERS OF 15 YEAR OLDS
TYPICALLY KNOW THOSE 15 YEAR OLDS
BETTER THAN THOSE CHILDREN KNOW THEMSELVES.
I'M GONNA TAKE TIME TO THINK ABOUT THIS.
WE WILL ADJOURN UNTIL 2:00.
MOM, PLEASE.
YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO ME, KIM, NOT HIM, NOT HIM.
MRS. SHU, AS ODD AS THIS SOUNDS,
I'LL ASK YOU NOT TO TALK ABOUT THIS TO MY CLIENT.
WHY DON'T YOU TALK TO HER, MR. SHORE?
YOU THINK YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON?
YOU HAVE NO IDEA.
***
MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE TO LET CARL STEP IN.
LET HIM MITIGATE SOME OF THE DAMAGE. IT'S A LITTLE TOO LATE.
HE COULD CERTAINLY HELP YOU WITH YOUR TESTIMONY.
I'M GONNA TESTIFY IN THE NARRATIVE.
IT'LL DOUBLE AS MY CLOSING.
I THINK I CAN BE MORE COMPELLING THAT WAY. MORE COMPELLING?
THAT WOULD SUGGEST YOU'VE BEEN THE LEAST BIT COMPELLING SO FAR,
WHICH YOU HAVEN'T.
I DON'T MEAN TO COME IN HERE DRIVING A BUS.
JERRY... YOU KNOW I'M ON YOUR SIDE.
IF YOU'RE TO ABSOLVE YOURSELF,
YOU CANNOT SIMPLY GET UP THERE AND SAY THE MAN HAD IT COMING.
THERE ARE DISAGREEMENTS, DISPUTES,
ALTERCATIONS EVERY DAY.
ADULTS RESPOND AS ADULTS.
THEY DON'T HURL PASTRIES, THEY DO NOT PUNCH,
AND THEY MOST CERTAINLY DO NOT ENGAGE IN VICTORY WAR DANCES
OVER FALLEN BODIES.
I THINK YOU HAVE TO EXAMINE WHERE YOUR BEHAVIOR CAME FROM
AND MAKE THE JURY WANT TO EXCUSE
YOUR RATHER INEXCUSABLE ACTIONS.
***
IT'S NOT THAT I DON'T THINK IT'S HER RIGHT. I DO.
AND GOD KNOWS SHE SEEMS SMART ENOUGH
TO MAKE THE DECISION, BUT...
BUT?
BUT AS SOMEONE WHO'S EXERCISED THAT RIGHT...
THIS GIRL JUST STRIKES ME
AS TOO STRUGGLE-FREE.
YOU SAY SHE WAS RAISED IN CHINA?
UNTIL THREE YEARS AGO. WHY? AND THE BABY'S FEMALE?
DON'T BE RIDICULOUS.
SHIRLEY, FEMALE INFANTICIDE IN CHINA
HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A THOUSAND YEARS.
WELL, IN CHINA, YES, B-- ALSO HERE.
I DON'T BELIEVE IT.
IN THE UNITED STATES?
I CAN SHOW YOU THE STUDIES.
SINCE CHINA'S "ONE CHILD PER FAMILY" POLICY
WAS INTRODUCED IN 1980, SEX SELECTION SPIKED.
THEY WANT BOYS.
ULTRASOUNDS? NOT A GOOD THING FOR FEMALE CHINESE BABIES.
***
HE STARTED THE ALTERCATION BY THROWING THE MUFFIN.
HE ENDED IT WITH A VICIOUS PUNCH,
SHATTERING THE VICTIM'S NOSE, KNOCKING HIM UNCONSCIOUS.
AND INSTEAD OF SHOWING ANY CONCERN OR CONTRITION,
HE DANCED, DID A LITTLE JIG,
SANG A SONG AND SAID TO THE BYSTANDERS,
"WHO'S NEXT?"
VIOLENT, UNREPENTANT, CRIMINAL...
THAT'S THE ONLY WAY TO DESCRIBE THE CONDUCT OF THE DEFENDANT.
THE LEGAL DEFINITION WOULD BE AGGRAVATED ASSAULT.
I HAVE VARIOUS EMOTIONAL... DEFICITS,
SOME OF WHICH ARE CONSISTENT WITH ASPERGER'S SYNDROME,
OTHERS SIMPLY REFLECTIVE OF MY LACK OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
EVEN IN MY LATE 40s, I AM OFTEN CHILDLIKE.
ALL MY LIFE, I HAVE BEEN PICKED ON
FOR BEING... WEIRD.
(makes popping noise)
THE THING ABOUT BEING BULLIED...
IT STAYS WITH YOU.
I-I CERTAINLY DON'T MEAN I THINK ABOUT IT EVERY DAY,
BUT IT'S THERE.
AND WHEN PICKED ON NOW, TODAY, AS I WAS BY MR. HELLMAN,
IT WASN'T JUST HIS ACTIONS
THAT WERE CAUSING ME TO BOIL UP AND REACT,
BUT THE ACTIONS OF MANY OVER MANY, MANY YEARS,
BECAUSE... IT NEVER GOES AWAY.
MOST VICTIMS... COWER, RUN AWAY.
I ALWAYS DID.
I PROBABLY WOULD'VE HERE EXCEPT THIS TIME,
THE ABUSE HAPPENED IN FRONT OF SOMEBODY I'M...
(clicks tongue) WELL...
SO I THREW A MUFFIN.
A SMALL GESTURE, BUT FOR ME...
THEN SUDDENLY MR. HELLMAN CAME CHARGING,
AND I HAD TO DEFEND MYSELF-- SOMETHING I HAD NEVER DONE,
SOMETHING I THOUGHT MYSELF INCAPABLE OF DOING.
AND I SQUEEZED MY HAND... INTO A FIST
AND I THREW A PUNCH.
IT'S A WONDER I HIT HIM-- I HAD MY EYES CLOSED--
AND BY SOME MIRACLE, THE BULLY WENT DOWN.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY PICKED-ON, RIDICULED,
TAUNTED, LAUGHED-AT LIFE...
I HAD STOOD UP FOR MYSELF.
AND IT WAS JOYOUS.
IT WAS A FEELING THAT...
YES, I SANG AND I DANCED AND I CHALLENGED EVERYBODY ELSE,
QUICKLY, BEFORE THEY TUMBLED TO THE TRUTH THAT I WAS AFRAID.
I, UM...
I CERTAINLY REGRET THE CELEBRATING.
I WISH I COULD TAKE THAT BACK.
BUT I WILL NEVER TAKE BACK THAT PUNCH.
(voice breaks) IT WAS A PUNCH
THAT HAD BEEN COMING FOR OVER 40 YEARS.
***
SHIRLEY, WE'RE DUE BACK.
COME IN FOR A SECOND.
SIT, KIM.
(laptop latch clicks)
YOUR MOTHER TOLD ALAN IN COURT
THAT HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS REALLY GOING ON HERE.
WHAT DID SHE MEAN BY THAT?
I DON'T KNOW.
SHE WAS PROBABLY JUST BEING A LITTLE IRRATIONAL.
(chuckles) MOTHERS ARE LIKE THAT.
SHE DIDN'T STRIKE ME THAT WAY.
WHY ARE YOU HAVING THIS ABORTION, KIM?
I THINK I'VE BEEN CLEAR ON THAT.
CLEAR? YES.
TRUTHFUL? I WONDER.
SHIRLEY, WHAT'S GOING ON?
YOU REFER TO THE BABY AS "SHE." IT'S A GIRL?
I DON'T KNOW. I WAS JUST SAYING "SHE" INSTEAD OF "HE" OR "IT."
DOES IT MATTER?
YOU TELL ME.
SHIRLEY, UNLESS IT'S A MONDAY CROSSWORD,
I'M LOUSY AT PUZZLES.
KIM'S CULTURE HAS A PREFERENCE FOR MALE OFFSPRING.
WHAT YOUR MOTHER KNOWS BUT ISN'T TELLING US,
AT LEAST NOT DIRECTLY, IS...
YOU'RE ABORTING THIS BABY BECAUSE IT'S A GIRL,
AREN'T YOU, KIM?
I ASKED YOU A QUESTION.
THE REASON I WANT TO TERMINATE THIS PREGNANCY
HAS NO LEGAL RELEVANCE.
I SUSPECT IF THE CLINIC LEARNS
THAT THIS IS ABOUT SEX SELECTION, THAT THEY'LL--
IT'S NOT.
I'M A TEENAGER. I'M SIMPLY UNFIT TO BE A MOTHER.
MY PERSONAL REASONS ARE NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.
WE'RE GONNA BE LATE.
***
MRS. SHU, ADMITTEDLY,
I CANNOT POSSIBLY KNOW YOUR DAUGHTER AS WELL AS YOU DO.
BUT AS I SAID, I CANNOT HELP BUT BE IMPRESSED
BY HER APPARENT CLARITY ON THIS.
AND AS A JUDGE, AS A WOMAN,
I SIMPLY CANNOT IMPOSE UPON HER THE DUTY TO CARRY THROUGH--
YOUR HONOR-- SHIRLEY.
IN ADDITION TO BEING KIM'S ADVOCATE,
I'M ALSO... WELL, A WOMAN.
THANK YOU, MS. SCHMIDT.
I SUSPECTED, BUT ONE CAN NEVER BE TOO SURE.
IT IS MY OPINION
THAT MY CLIENT SEEKS TO TERMINATE THIS PREGNANCY
BECAUSE THE CHILD SHE IS CARRYING IS FEMALE.
THAT ISN'T TRUE.
IS IT TRUE, MRS. SHU?
AS A MATTER OF PUBLIC POLICY...
THIS IS NOT YOUR CALL. THE ABORTION LAWS WERE INTENDED
TO LIBERATE WOMEN, NOT ERADICATE THEM.
MS. SCHMIDT, I THINK YOU'RE OUT OF LINE.
YOUR HONOR, SEX SELECTION, AT LEAST FOR THIS PURPOSE,
IT SHOULD SHOCK THE SENSIBILITY OF THIS COURT.
THIS WOMAN IS FIRED AS MY ATTORNEY.
KIM, I'M GOING TO SAY SOMETHING
THAT PERHAPS ONLY A MOTHER SHOULD GET TO SAY--
SIT DOWN AND BE QUIET.
IN INDIA, ALMOST HALF A MILLION FEMALE FETUSES
ARE ABORTED EVERY YEAR
BECAUSE... THE GENDER IS CONSIDERED INFERIOR.
IN CHINA, IT'S BECOME EPIDEMIC,
AND ACCORDING TO OUR OWN CENSUS POLLS,
U.S.-BORN CHILDREN OF CHINESE PARENTS
TEND TO BE MALE.
IT'S FEMALE INFANTICIDE. IT IS SEXISM.
IT IS VILE, AND I AM NOT GOING TO BE PART OF IT.
I... (sighs)
I'M NOT GOING TO STAY SILENT
WHILE WE LET THE ABORTION LICENSE
BE EXPLOITED TO ACCOMPLISH THE HOLOCAUST OF WOMEN.
IF THAT GETS ME DISBARRED FOR BETRAYING A CLIENT
OR REVEALING A PRIVILEGE...
SO BE IT.
AND WHAT DO YOU PROPOSE WE DO, MS. SCHMIDT?
THAT WE ADD TO OUR CURRENT ABORTION LAW
THE RIGHT OF THE GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE
WHY A WOMAN CHOOSES TO TERMINATE HER PREGNANCY?
YOU REALLY WANT TO GO DOWN THAT ROAD?
SUBJECT PREGNANT TEENS
TO INTERROGATION AND DISCOVERY?
I ADMIRE YOUR MORAL INSTINCT HERE.
BUT IT IS LOGISTICALLY UNENFORCEABLE.
I AM CONVINCED THAT THE MINOR
IS MATURE ENOUGH TO MAKE THE DECISION,
AND THE BYPASS IS GRANTED.
***
UNBELIEVABLE.
THAT SOUNDS PROMISING. NOT NECESSARILY.
ALAN TOLD ME HE WAS BULLIED AS A KID. THE JUDGE?
BY HIS MOTHER.
MR. ESPENSON, PLEASE RISE.
MR. FOREMAN, THE JURY HAS REACHED A UNANIMOUS VERDICT?
WE HAVE, YOUR HONOR. WHAT SAY YOU?
"IN THE MATTER OF
"THE COMMONWEALTH vs. JERRY ESPENSON
"ON THE CHARGE OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT,
"WE THE JURY FIND THE DEFENDANT JERRY ESPENSON"...
NOT GUILTY.
(exhales) (Judge Brown) LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. ADJOURNED. (bangs gavel)
WOW. WELL, A LITTLE DANCE WOULD CERTAINLY BE IN ORDER NOW.
I THINK I'LL PASS ON THAT.
THANK YOU, KATIE.
IF I HADN'T TAKEN YOUR LITTLE LECTURE TO HEART,
I MIGHT NOT HAVE CLOSED THAT WAY.
THANK YOU. HOW ABOUT YOU LET ME TAKE YOU TO DINNER TO CELEBRATE?
THAT I ACCEPT.
LESSON TO YOU, BUB. TELL A FRIEND.
NOT NECESSARY.
***
YOU DID WIN.
DID SHE HAVE THE PROCEDURE?
I DON'T KNOW.
YOU KNOW, DENNY... I AM VERY PRO-CHOICE.
I BELIEVE IT'S A WOMAN'S RIGHT.
BUT FROM A SCIENTIFIC AND HUMAN PERSPECTIVE,
IT'S HARD TO ARGUE
THAT LIFE DOESN'T BEGIN AT CONCEPTION...
EVEN IF IT'S ONLY IN ORGANISM FORM.
I SUPPOSE I AM... DESPERATE FOR ROE TO REMAIN LAW...
IN PART, MAYBE TO... REAFFIRM MY OWN MORAL POSITION.
HOW MANY PROCEDURES WERE YOU A PART OF?
TWO.
AND THEY, UM...
HAUNT YOU?
LET'S JUST SAY THEY WEIGH ON ME.
DO YOU REALLY THINK...
ROE WILL BE OVERTURNED?
I DON'T KNOW.
YOU KNOW, SARAH PALIN TALKS ABOUT HOW PROUD SHE IS
OF HER TEENAGER FOR CHOOSING TO HAVE THE BABY,
BUT THE TRUTH IS, IF SARAH GETS HER WAY,
HER DAUGHTER WON'T HAVE A CHOICE AT ALL.
IF IT COMES BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT,
PROBABLY IT'S GAME OVER.
PROBABLY.
BUT THEY DO PURPORT TO BE TOUGH ON CRIME.
WHAT'S THAT GOT TO DO WITH IT?
WELL, IT'S POSSIBLE ROE v. WADE
HAS BROUGHT OUR CRIME RATES DOWN. HOW DO YOU FIGURE?
WELL, ROE BECAME LAW IN THE '70s,
AND STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT THE TYPICAL CHILD
THAT WENT UNBORN AFTER ROE WAS MORE LIKELY TO HAVE COME
FROM POOR FAMILIES, SINGLE PARENTS--
THE VERY CHILDREN
MOST LIKELY TO GROW UP TO BECOME CRIMINALS.
AFTER ROE BECAME LAW,
MANY OF THOSE CHILDREN WERE BEING ABORTED.
THE WOULD-BE CRIMINALS OF THE '90s WEREN'T AROUND
BECAUSE THEY WERE NEVER BORN IN THE '70s.
YOU'RE MAKING ALL THIS UP.
(laughs) I'M NOT MAKING IT UP.
THERE'S A BOOK-- "FREAKONOMICS." READ IT.
YOU STILL NOT READING?
JUST NEWSPAPERS.
IT'S ANTI-AMERICAN.
(chuckles)
SO LEGALIZED ABORTION
MIGHT ACTUALLY BRING DOWN THE CRIME RATE?
WOW.
DOES THAT MAKE IT EASIER
FOR YOU TO FEEL OKAY ABOUT YOUR PROCEDURES?
("The Times They Are A-Changin'" playing)
NO.
(man) * COME, SENATORS, CONGRESSMEN *
* PLEASE HEED THE CALL
* DON'T STAND IN THE DOORWAY
* DON'T BLOCK UP THE HALL
* FOR HE THAT GETS HURT
* WILL BE THE ONE WHO HAS STALLED *
* THERE'S A BATTLE OUTSIDE
* AND IT'S RAGIN'
* IT'LL SOON SHAKE YOUR WINDOWS *
* AND RATTLE YOUR WALLS
* FOR THE TIMES
* THEY ARE
* A-CHANGIN'
NEXT ON "BOSTON LEGAL"...
YOU DON'T MEAN TO TELL A JURY
SHOOTING A MAN THE COMMONWEALTH WAS IN THE PROCESS OF KILLING
WAS MURDER? I THINK I GOT FIRED BECAUSE I VOTED FOR JOHN McCAIN.
HE JUST GOT THIS LOOK OF DISGUST ON HIS FACE.
SHE'S STUPID.
SHE FOUND SARAH PALIN TO BE SPUNKY.
OBJECTION. THERE'S A MAN ON TRIAL HERE
FOR TRYING TO KILL SOMEBODY THE STATE WAS ALREADY KILLING.
HOW ABOUT TORTURE? ARE WE FOR THAT? BECAUSE THIS MAN... I'M WARNING YOU.
WAS BEING TORTURED. THAT'S WHY MY CLIENT...
OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR! OBJECT-- PULLED THE TRIGGER...
ORDER. ORDER! ORDER! TO SPARE HORRENDOUS SUFFERING!