The Guardian (2001) s01e16 Episode Script
Solidarity
Ma? Ma, where are you? Yo.
Keep it down, boy.
Where's my mom? You learn to knock? Where is she? Go home, levi.
Grandma Annie'll be wondering where you are levi? Ma.
Why are you here? MaDid he do that to you? Go home.
Ok? Go home.
No! If you ever hit my mama again-- oh, what? Aah! No! No! Levi.
No! No! No! No, levi! And the winner of the two U2 tickets is Barbara ludzinski.
Yes! Nick, who's the lucky lady? It's Lulu.
Sweet, Nick.
That's really sweet.
Ah, Mr.
fallin.
I got a case for you.
Good morning, Alvin.
Good morning, Lulu.
Morning.
Good morning, Nick.
Ah, her name is Maria braczyk.
She's a Polish immigrant whose 16-year-old son wants to be emancipated from her.
She's waiting in the broom closet.
Ok.
Thanks.
Ok.
Mrs.
brizick, your son is asking to be emancipated.
He wants the court to grant him some of the rights of an adult.
Hi.
My name is Maria braczyk.
What is your name? Nicholas fallin.
Please, uh, Mr.
fallin, explain.
Uh, your son doesn't want to live with you anymore.
He's only 16.
He moved in with a woman who is much older.
That's a problem.
Yeah, she's pregnant with what she says my son's child.
Oh, then, he's living away from home.
He'll be supporting a child.
He's already independent.
A judge is just going to acknowledge that reality.
He's not ready.
Ok, then.
I'll ask social services to do a home visit, and then we'll talk.
Well, can-- where is she? In the meeting room.
Hey, good luck.
Listen, Barbara, do you think this is just-- excuse me.
Can I help you? Sure.
Could you direct me to Louisa archer's office? Lulu's in there.
Thanks.
Sweetheart Hi! Mmm.
What are you doing here? I wanted to surprise you.
Let's get out of here.
Ok.
I am sentencing you to 1,500 hours of community service using your skills as a corporate attorney to work as a child advocate.
Angela.
Hey, James.
Where's levi? Police took him.
Does grandma Annie know? Mm-hmm.
What about the doctors? Trey got shot in the stomach, so nobody knows if he's gonna live.
I'll do everything I can for levi.
Levi? You're worried about your nephew.
My boyfriend's gonna die, James.
I ain't got nothing else.
My boyfriend's gonna die.
Good morning, Dan.
Burton.
Conference room? Yeah.
Right in here.
Yeah.
Morning.
Right here.
How are you? Here's the offer.
with 48 cents going to wages, 12 to pension, One extra vacation day.
Ok, if you need note pads or copying, we'll-- this won't take long.
Well, we'll be in my office.
I think everything's gonna be ok.
If they say no to this offer, I'm gonna have to close up shop After 28 years.
retroactive to October 1.
Pretty good.
Last few deals, the most we could hope for was 3.
2%.
It's not enough.
Coker-- hey You get your slice no matter what, kelsey.
All you care about is picking up your dues and making your union money.
We asked for 7%.
We asked for some profit sharing.
I don't see any of that in these pages.
If you vote this down, the national union office may not pay the workers their strike funds.
Then we'll break the union.
That's crazy.
I promised the workers 7%.
I'm gonna deliver it.
Why are you doing this? It's what we deserve.
They're ready.
I'm sorry, Gary.
It's a good offer.
You recommending the contract or aren't you? Can you do better? That was it.
We'll put the contract to a vote of the full membership With a negative recommendation.
Do you want to tell me what happened? Hey, I did what I had to do Looked after my mom.
She ask you to? I mean, I knew she was getting beat up.
Everybody knew.
If you ever bothered to stop by and give us a call, you would have known that for yourself.
Did she ask you to go over to her house and protect her? Ma called grandma Annie, said trey was hitting her again.
So you went over there to check on her.
Yeah.
And the gun? Did you bring it with you? No, no.
It was mom's.
So you used your mother's gun.
Well, trey went for it first.
But you knew where it was.
You knew it was there when you went into the house.
Why you being so hard on me, man? Because that's exactly what the d.
A.
'S gonna do when he goes for a life sentence.
I ain't scared of the d.
A.
, man.
You should be.
This case goes to criminal court, the jury's gonna take one look at you and decide they'll feel a lot safer with you behind bars for the next 50 years.
I didn't mean to pull the trigger, man.
He grabbed it And we struggled, and then it just went off.
If I can persuade the judge to try you in juvenile court, I might be able to get you home.
Ok.
Here.
Conference room? Hey, um, I got a date with Heather Morgan.
You know, the girl from the cosmetics counter.
Yeah, so, um, thing is, I told her that I had tickets to the U2 concert on Thursday, but the problem is that it's completely sold out.
Barbara ludzinski.
What? Legal services.
The redhead.
She won tickets.
Minette? I didn't mean to just come by.
I didn't even really know where you were working.
I, um, I had, of all things, a meeting with a theater company.
They're doing an ibsen piece and And I got here and I thought I'd just get too depressed doing ibsen in Pittsburgh in winter.
So, ha ha.
Well, I think about you from time to time, and Guess I was just curious to see how you were What you looked like And if you ever thought of me, because I think about you.
A little, sometimes.
And some days, even more than that.
Where are you staying? That hotel by station square.
Well, I'll pick you up at 7:00.
Ok.
Yo, Annie.
Hey, baby.
Hey, Tyler.
Hey, Aaron.
Ah.
I been meaning to come by.
I know you got me in your heart.
I know that.
Levi says that, um Angie called you about getting beat up.
Is that true? She called sometimes.
She'd always call back and tell us not to worry.
Did levi spend a lot of time with trey? Some.
Did he get along with him? No.
'Cause if he had any other type of relationship with him, you know-- what are you saying, baby? If trey sold drugs, if levi ever helped him-- no, baby, no.
Now, I would have known.
I told him, "just be truthful with me.
" I told him grandma Annie don't judge.
I'm gonna try and get his case moved to juvenile court, try and get him home detention.
You think you can handle looking after him? I looked after you.
Would you get that for me? Hello? All right.
Yeah.
What is it, baby? That was Angie.
Trey died.
If Dan lives with that woman, he will never go to college.
And I didn't move in here so he can work on a factory line.
I want my son do better than I have.
Mrs.
, uhBraczyk? Mm-hmm.
Um, social services has approved your son's apartment.
That hurts your case.
So, what now? Well, I need to know more about your son, whether he's ever been in trouble in school or with the police.
Yes.
Once I had to pick him up from a police station.
Yeah? Because of misunderstanding.
What happened? He put a video game in his pocket and walked out.
An accident.
Right.
Yeah.
Your son lives on his own, pays all his own bills.
Uh, unless there's something worse, no judge is gonna refuse his emancipation.
He was not Dropped out of school.
He was actually expelled.
Why? Oh, he's a sweet boy, but somehow he always get in fights.
And I think they pick on him.
Ok, well--ahem-- bring the school records tomorrow.
Uh, hearing is at 10:00 in judge Sutton's courtroom, and I'll meet you a quarter of.
Ok? Thanks.
Thank you.
My understanding is he went for the gun.
Barry, it was self-defense.
Look, I can't just reduce this to manslaughter because the kid's your nephew.
The best I can do is second degree murder.
If you ask for manslaughter instead of murder, it gives the judge justification to move it to juvenile court.
Look, burden's on your nephew to prove that he should be tried as a juvenile offender.
You want to take this to a transfer hearing in front of judge haring? Have at it.
So, are you actually gonna stay in Pittsburgh forever? No, I don't think so.
You're staying forever.
Do you want a drink? Um, no.
So, are you seeing anybody? No.
No.
Have you had a relationship since me? No.
What happened? I thought we were doing so well together.
You liked the firm in New York, we were having a lot of fun, we were looking for apartments.
My father offered me a job.
Well, um, they offered me that part in the play.
That's good.
I'm really tired of New York.
I'm so tired of auditioning and the people and the bars and, you know.
I really want a family one of these days.
I need to find a place where I feel like I can be a part of something.
Yeah.
What I'm trying to say is, I guess, not right now, but maybe in some time You and me, maybe we could do something like that together.
Mrs.
braczyk, do you believe your son is responsible enough to live on his own? He is a very responsible boy.
He should come home.
Has Dan ever been in any legal trouble? No.
Never.
Are you sure? Yes.
I'm sure.
What about trouble at school? Danny's a very good boy.
Uh, your honor, I'd like to have a moment with my client.
Make it quick.
You told me he got expelled for fighting.
Mrs.
braczyk, what about the shoplifting-- do you want me to say that? Yes.
In front of the judge? Well, if you want him back.
I can't.
Not in a court.
Not with Danny sitting right there.
Well, you have to give me something.
He's scabbing against my union.
Does that count? You didn't tell me you were on strike.
I'm sorry.
It's embarrassing.
Where? Davey electric.
Your honor, I've just--um, I've just been made aware of a previously undisclosed conflict of interest.
Mr.
fallin, I'm not going to permit you to derail this hearing halfway through just because it's not going well for you.
Your honor, my colleague can pick up where I left off.
Let's get to it.
Your honor, we submit that the evidence in this case establishes that my client, levi mooney, should be tried as a juvenile offender and not as an adult.
With respect, the defendant is not even close to meeting his burden.
The facts simply do not support his self-defense arguments.
Why, the victim's own mother even testified that she did not fear for her life.
Trey Jones was pointing a loaded gun at my client.
His life was in danger.
It was self-defense.
We plan to establish that Mr.
mooney entered that home with the intent to kill Mr.
Jones.
He was protecting himself and his mother.
Now, he's a smart kid who stands an excellent chance of rehabilitation.
Your honor, if he is convicted under the juvenile system, Mr.
mooney can only be detained until he's 21 years old.
That may not be enough time for his rehabilitation.
I have reviewed the psychiatric evaluations regarding this case, and I have taken into account the impact of the crime on the victim, on the community at large, and the degree of the child's culpability.
This case will be tried in the juvenile system.
That's good.
It's a start.
Uh, I'm doing good right now.
I'm making $9.
00 an hour.
You want to tell us where that is? Davey electric.
I'm a replacement worker.
Well, what happens when the strike ends? I lose my job.
Your honor, Daniel braczyk has dropped out of school.
His employment situation is tenuous at best.
I think it would be a grave disservice to him and to the community to pull him out of Mrs.
braczyk's home.
No further questions.
You may step down.
Mr.
braczyk is working, he's living independently, and he wants to care for the mother of his child.
The court has no choice but to recognize his emancipation.
Adjourned.
Ok.
Ok, sure.
All right.
Bye.
I'm sorry, Mrs.
braczyk.
Uh, if you want to appeal the ruling, Ms.
archer is a very capable lawyer.
You are a good lawyer.
I want you to represent me.
Yeah--you're on strike against Davey electric, and I represent them.
That's a conflict of interest.
What will happen? I could be disbarred.
That's crazy.
How come? Well, it could appear as if I am using you to advance Mr.
Davey's interests.
Well, tell Mr.
Davey that the women I work with, they still want to go back to the job.
Who doesn't want to go back? A shop steward named Tim coker riles up the young men.
They think he cares about what we get, but I know-- I hear things, and I know he's planning to run for a government position.
Call miss archer if you wish to pursue an appeal.
I represent a woman at legal services And? She's, uh, striking against Davey electric.
That's a huge conflict of interest.
Yeah, I know.
I handed her off the moment I found out.
I talked to her, after.
Now, can I talk to you about this? If you're sure it was after.
Yes, it was after.
Well, there isn't as much support for the strike as you might think.
What'd she tell you? Coker, one of the shop stewards over there, he's promoting the strike.
Now, he may be planning a run for political office.
Using the union as a base for a political campaign? Labor relations board will be all over that.
I know.
Tim I think we can end this thing.
I'm listening.
I think it would be very good for you if you got credit for ending the strike.
Did you bring me an offer or didn't you? They're not gonna move on the money.
Any higher and it would be cheaper to close down the plant.
Davey took a million dollar bonus last year.
That has nothing to do with the offer.
I think it does.
What are you running for? Councilman? You out of your mind? County executive, then.
Did you come down here to blackmail me? No.
I came to find out if it was true.
You recommend the contract and we don't have a problem.
You think they'll believe you instead of me? We're gonna find out.
Hey, boys.
The judge transferred the case to juvenile court.
That means we can probably get him home detention.
Thank you, baby.
But that means you're gonna have to come to court to testify.
They're not gonna give levi that kind of sentence unless they believe you can handle him.
I can do it.
Otherwise, they'll just put him in a high-security juvenile shelter.
It'd be no different from being in jail.
Annie-- I'm cold, Annie.
Go get your coat.
I don't know where it is.
It's in your room.
Go get it.
I don't know where it is.
I'll get it.
Let the boy get his own jacket.
Grandma Annie, what's going on? Your place is coming apart.
This isn't like you.
Grandma Annie hasn't been doing so good, baby.
Can you get out of that chair, Annie? It's very, very hard.
How long have you been like this? I don't know, baby.
And the kids? I didn't want to go to the doctor.
If they find me too sick orTell somebody, they'll take the kids away.
Send an ambulance to 121 hill street.
My grandmother can't get up.
Um, uh, Jake? Barbara.
Yeah.
What brings you over here? Hey, well, Nick's been telling me about-- oh, Jake came over 'cause I told him about the U2 tickets you won.
Oh.
You want to go with me? Actually, I need 2 tickets.
Well, I really want to go.
I'll give you $250 bucks for them.
No.
No.
He, uh, promised a girl he met at a cosmetics counter that he'd take her.
You promised her? Sort of.
Well, that's what you told me.
And you don't know if she likes you or if she wants to go to the concert and you have the tickets and you're willing to take the risk.
Please.
Sorry.
All right.
Ok.
I tried.
Ok.
Jake Blow her off.
She's not worth your time.
You and I can go.
As friends.
We'll have fun.
Ok.
Great.
Ok.
Hey, just who I wanted to see.
Yeah? Uh, Brian wants to go to the symphony tonight and I want to go dancing afterwards, but I don't know where to take him.
Well, I Hey, why don't we all get together after the concert and have drinks? No, I, uh What's wrong with you? It'll be fun.
Yeah.
Let's meet at the incline at 10:30.
Ok.
Fine.
Ok.
Cool.
She had a stroke.
In the last 3 months.
Paralyzed her left leg and arm and And she has diabetes, too.
What's gonna happen to her? The doctor says we should put her in a nursing home.
Damn it, Angie.
Why didn't you check on her more often? Why didn't you? She wasn't raising my child.
I didn't have time, either.
And what were you doing? You don't have a job.
I've had a hard time of it.
I didn't get no breaks like you did.
You don't want to take levi, he's going into a shelter.
I can't handle that boy.
Now, you can't or you don't want to? I've never been a good mother! You're gonna get a job.
And I'm gonna help you take care of him.
So, when were you gonna do that? Hmm? I'll make it a priority.
You ever think maybe I don't want him back? Hmm? After what he did, you ever think to ask me that? No contract, no work! No contract, no work! No contract, no work! No contract, no work! No contract, no work! No contract, no work! Mom-- Danny-- mom, let me go! Danny, it's wrong! It's wrong to cross the line-- mom, don't! Then I'm going with you! Danny, it's wrong, do you hear me? You're not taking my job! What are you doing?! Let him go! That's my son! Let him go! Don't--don't hurt him! You bastard! Now, you don't want to hit her.
Let it go.
Just let it go.
Danny, are you all right? Mom.
Oh, my God.
Hold on, hold on.
I think I have something.
I told you you cannot do this! Mom, just let me go.
Thank you, Mr.
fallin.
Now tell me something.
Is it true that you want to break the union? No.
Well, that's what they told us.
No, we are trying to broker a deal that is fair for everyone.
Fair? What, like you guys get everything and leave us with squat? What do you care, coker? You're out of here whether we do a deal or not.
What the hell are you talking about? I'm talking about the 500 signatures you handed in to the county elections board.
You'll say anything to line your own pockets, fallin.
If you did a real man's job you wouldn't turn your back on me.
Never mind, guys.
Come on, let's break this up.
He's a suit, what do you expect? Hey, baby.
Hey, Annie.
Found a place for you over at St.
Agatha's.
It's decent, the state covers most of the bill.
What about the little ones? No matter what, I'm gonna find them good homes.
You got to promise me you'll keep them together.
All right, Annie.
You look after levi yourself.
Annie-- Angela's not fit.
I should know.
I raised you both.
Levi needs a strong hand, and you need family in your life, James.
I did good by you.
You go ahead and do good by levi.
Louisa and I met at a college mixer.
It was the last week of spring term, and I was leaving for med school in 10 days.
Right? So I'm thinking to myself, "way to go, Brian.
"You meet the girl of your dreams, and now you have to leave for Columbus, of all places.
" But it ended up great.
Louisa came to Pittsburgh.
It's a 3-hour drive, so whenever I get a break, we see each other.
What about you two? What about us? How long have you been together? We broke up 5 years ago.
Oh.
We were together when Nick lived in New York.
And then he left and I didn't come with him.
I didn't know that you lived in New York, Nick.
He practiced at Swann and cranston.
Wow.
That's a huge firm.
How was the symphony? Mahler's 6th, 2 new experimental short pieces, and the tocatta and fugue in d minor.
Bach.
Sounds terrific.
How was the experimental stuff? Ah, fair.
Atonal.
I thought you hated classical music.
Well, Brian likes it, so Brian, you, uh, interested in the law? I leave that stuff to Lulu.
She's always been into saving the world.
I just stick to science.
You ever seen her in court? No.
You should.
See her.
I've been busy.
I'm sorry, honey.
She's very passionate in court.
She's a passionate girl.
Lulu, you gonna continue to--to practice once, uh, Brian's done with hisMmm Residency.
Residency? Of course.
Part-time.
No, not part-time.
Well, you say that now.
You know, I've always liked mahler.
I--I hate classical music.
Actually, I wanted to go for the new stuff.
What--what do you do in New York? I'm an actress.
Oh, I wanted to go in the arts, but my father told me to think about what I was about to do before I went and screwed up my life.
You know, you should think about what you're about to do before you screw up your life.
An actress.
Wow.
What are you talking about? What did you say about me screwing up my life? Come on, I can see where this is going, Lulu.
I mean, you marry a doctor, you stop working, you have a bunch of kids, you move to the suburbs.
Next thing you know, you turn into one of these resigned people that forgot they ever had the fire in their stomach-- what the hell are you talking about? You.
I'm just talking about you.
You don't know anything about me.
Oh, I think I do.
Nick? We're just trying to have a good time here.
It's our night out.
Brian? You're right.
I'm sorry.
Sorry.
I can't wait to get out of Columbus and get back to New York, and I'm trying to persuade Lulu to move with me.
Well, I'm sure she'll go with you, Brian.
I mean, she's acting like she wants to stick around here and do her work.
Really, she's just waiting for you to finish up so she can move to Westchester and get that little office and work part-time.
Lulu, maybe we should just go.
Yes, I think we should just go.
- That was really good.
- Hey, Lulu.
Hey.
All right, excuse me.
What--what happened? Nick just got into an argument with that girl.
I-I'm Barbara.
This is Jake.
Oh, sorry.
I'm minette.
Hi.
Jake.
Hey.
Well, um, we had fun.
We really did.
We had a great time.
Good for you.
UhLet's go.
Yeah.
Bye.
Did we say something? I don't know! Pppppbbb! Hey, should I just check out of here and come over to your place? Sure.
Ok.
No.
No.
What? I--I don't know.
I don't know.
Nick? Minette, this is just not gonna work out.
It's that girl.
No, it's Yeah.
Yeah, she likes you, too.
Yeah, well, I don't know.
Kind of ruins the fun for everybody else, seeing the two of you together.
What do you mean? Oh, you know how you're just living your life andEverything's just going fine, and then you meet someone.
You can't stand the way you feel around them.
It's just You're overwhelmed.
And you hate yourself for being less than What you think they are to you.
Yeah.
You know? Yeah, well, that's how I've always felt around you, Nick.
This wasn't fair.
I just I know.
Just thought I'd give it a shot, see where you were.
But you should go.
I should go tomorrow.
We should just go.
Hey.
What's wrong? Alvin If you were advocating for my nephew Would you tell him to take this placement? Yes.
I would.
Levi can be a handful.
I hardly even know him, and I'm ready to make him a big part of my life.
Well, you don't have to do this.
Sure, I do.
You believe you are a suitable guardian? I'm his Uncle, and I'm a responsible member of society, and I can handle him.
I still hope his mother wants to change her mind and take care of him, but until that happens-- and if that doesn't happen? Then I'll stick by him until he's ready.
If he's placed into locked detention in his delinquency hearing? Then I'll still be proud to be his guardian, and I'll work hard on his behalf to get him home as soon as possible.
I'll grant you custody of your nephew levi.
The vote's happening in 2 hours.
Davey wants us to be there.
Mr.
fallin! Hi.
I'll catch up.
Hi.
The owners, you think they're good people? Well, yeah, they're like any other people.
They're--they're in a tough situation at the moment, just trying to work it out.
You know, I'm-- Hey, lady! Do you know my name? - Sure.
- Uh, you work here, in wiring and electric, right? Yeah.
My name is Maria braczyk, and I work in shipping.
And I'm a single mother who has worked here longer than you, Mr.
coker.
Listen, Maria, you know, they pay guys like him to say whatever they think it's gonna take to end the strike.
They're not looking out for your interests.
You know, I have a car and an apartment, and last year for vacation I went to north Carolina.
For woman like me, this is a great job.
For you, I don't know.
You are young, you like to fight.
And you know what? You want to risk everything we have? Why? They're using you.
Uh-huh.
Davey electric gave me this job, and I cannot think they're bad people.
Excuse me.
So what happened? Struck a deal with the d.
A.
and probation.
So what does that mean? It means I'm gonna be in your life from now on.
You live in my home, by my rules, and if you don't stay right by me, then you go directly to jail.
I'm going to be on your back watching you.
That means that you go to school every day.
I find that you've skipped, and I'm gonna personally whup your ass.
That means you stay away from drugs and anybody who uses them.
I find out you've been using, and you will be very, very sorry.
You get violent, you go to jail.
You cheat, you steal, you lie-- you even think about any of those things, first you answer to me.
Then you answer to the courts.
I was the one who brought in health insurance before the union came.
I put in wheelchair ramps.
I kick in for tuition for anybody who wants to take classes at pitt, 'cause I wish we had those kinds of things when I was on the line.
Well, you did it because it was the right thing to do, Gary.
But once in a while it'd be nice if, uh, someone didn't throw it right in your face.
Well, they're gonna keep throwing it in your face, but it was the right thing to do.
All right, thank you.
They approved the contract.
What was the vote? Well, that's pretty good news.
So what are you gonna do, go out and celebrate? I'm going back to work.
Good man, Gary.
That's great.
Thanks.
Thanks.
That's really great.
Hi! Hi.
My son.
He came home.
Oh, good, good.
And the girl says he's not the father of her baby.
I made you some kolaczki.
They're on your desk.
Oh, you didn't have to.
No, no, it's ok.
It's ok.
For a friend, it's ok.
Bye, Mr.
fallin.
Bye.
Bye.
Thank you.
It's ok.
Thanks.
It's open.
Um I got these for you on Monday.
Um I had it in my mind that maybe we could spend some time together, which seemed like a good idea the night before when I couldn't sleep, and I was thinking of you, and I got up and I went and bought them, and, uh Then I felt like an ass, and I got mad, but, uh, listen Brian seems like a very normal, decent guy, and--and you're probably very happy with him, and I know They're kinda dead, but They weren't when I bought them.
I mean What I mean is, I, um I want you to have them, and, um I'm sorry that I Acted like an idiot.
Brian asked me.
What? To marry him.
Ok.
That's great.
That's great.
Well, congratulations.
That's great.
Keep it down, boy.
Where's my mom? You learn to knock? Where is she? Go home, levi.
Grandma Annie'll be wondering where you are levi? Ma.
Why are you here? MaDid he do that to you? Go home.
Ok? Go home.
No! If you ever hit my mama again-- oh, what? Aah! No! No! Levi.
No! No! No! No, levi! And the winner of the two U2 tickets is Barbara ludzinski.
Yes! Nick, who's the lucky lady? It's Lulu.
Sweet, Nick.
That's really sweet.
Ah, Mr.
fallin.
I got a case for you.
Good morning, Alvin.
Good morning, Lulu.
Morning.
Good morning, Nick.
Ah, her name is Maria braczyk.
She's a Polish immigrant whose 16-year-old son wants to be emancipated from her.
She's waiting in the broom closet.
Ok.
Thanks.
Ok.
Mrs.
brizick, your son is asking to be emancipated.
He wants the court to grant him some of the rights of an adult.
Hi.
My name is Maria braczyk.
What is your name? Nicholas fallin.
Please, uh, Mr.
fallin, explain.
Uh, your son doesn't want to live with you anymore.
He's only 16.
He moved in with a woman who is much older.
That's a problem.
Yeah, she's pregnant with what she says my son's child.
Oh, then, he's living away from home.
He'll be supporting a child.
He's already independent.
A judge is just going to acknowledge that reality.
He's not ready.
Ok, then.
I'll ask social services to do a home visit, and then we'll talk.
Well, can-- where is she? In the meeting room.
Hey, good luck.
Listen, Barbara, do you think this is just-- excuse me.
Can I help you? Sure.
Could you direct me to Louisa archer's office? Lulu's in there.
Thanks.
Sweetheart Hi! Mmm.
What are you doing here? I wanted to surprise you.
Let's get out of here.
Ok.
I am sentencing you to 1,500 hours of community service using your skills as a corporate attorney to work as a child advocate.
Angela.
Hey, James.
Where's levi? Police took him.
Does grandma Annie know? Mm-hmm.
What about the doctors? Trey got shot in the stomach, so nobody knows if he's gonna live.
I'll do everything I can for levi.
Levi? You're worried about your nephew.
My boyfriend's gonna die, James.
I ain't got nothing else.
My boyfriend's gonna die.
Good morning, Dan.
Burton.
Conference room? Yeah.
Right in here.
Yeah.
Morning.
Right here.
How are you? Here's the offer.
with 48 cents going to wages, 12 to pension, One extra vacation day.
Ok, if you need note pads or copying, we'll-- this won't take long.
Well, we'll be in my office.
I think everything's gonna be ok.
If they say no to this offer, I'm gonna have to close up shop After 28 years.
retroactive to October 1.
Pretty good.
Last few deals, the most we could hope for was 3.
2%.
It's not enough.
Coker-- hey You get your slice no matter what, kelsey.
All you care about is picking up your dues and making your union money.
We asked for 7%.
We asked for some profit sharing.
I don't see any of that in these pages.
If you vote this down, the national union office may not pay the workers their strike funds.
Then we'll break the union.
That's crazy.
I promised the workers 7%.
I'm gonna deliver it.
Why are you doing this? It's what we deserve.
They're ready.
I'm sorry, Gary.
It's a good offer.
You recommending the contract or aren't you? Can you do better? That was it.
We'll put the contract to a vote of the full membership With a negative recommendation.
Do you want to tell me what happened? Hey, I did what I had to do Looked after my mom.
She ask you to? I mean, I knew she was getting beat up.
Everybody knew.
If you ever bothered to stop by and give us a call, you would have known that for yourself.
Did she ask you to go over to her house and protect her? Ma called grandma Annie, said trey was hitting her again.
So you went over there to check on her.
Yeah.
And the gun? Did you bring it with you? No, no.
It was mom's.
So you used your mother's gun.
Well, trey went for it first.
But you knew where it was.
You knew it was there when you went into the house.
Why you being so hard on me, man? Because that's exactly what the d.
A.
'S gonna do when he goes for a life sentence.
I ain't scared of the d.
A.
, man.
You should be.
This case goes to criminal court, the jury's gonna take one look at you and decide they'll feel a lot safer with you behind bars for the next 50 years.
I didn't mean to pull the trigger, man.
He grabbed it And we struggled, and then it just went off.
If I can persuade the judge to try you in juvenile court, I might be able to get you home.
Ok.
Here.
Conference room? Hey, um, I got a date with Heather Morgan.
You know, the girl from the cosmetics counter.
Yeah, so, um, thing is, I told her that I had tickets to the U2 concert on Thursday, but the problem is that it's completely sold out.
Barbara ludzinski.
What? Legal services.
The redhead.
She won tickets.
Minette? I didn't mean to just come by.
I didn't even really know where you were working.
I, um, I had, of all things, a meeting with a theater company.
They're doing an ibsen piece and And I got here and I thought I'd just get too depressed doing ibsen in Pittsburgh in winter.
So, ha ha.
Well, I think about you from time to time, and Guess I was just curious to see how you were What you looked like And if you ever thought of me, because I think about you.
A little, sometimes.
And some days, even more than that.
Where are you staying? That hotel by station square.
Well, I'll pick you up at 7:00.
Ok.
Yo, Annie.
Hey, baby.
Hey, Tyler.
Hey, Aaron.
Ah.
I been meaning to come by.
I know you got me in your heart.
I know that.
Levi says that, um Angie called you about getting beat up.
Is that true? She called sometimes.
She'd always call back and tell us not to worry.
Did levi spend a lot of time with trey? Some.
Did he get along with him? No.
'Cause if he had any other type of relationship with him, you know-- what are you saying, baby? If trey sold drugs, if levi ever helped him-- no, baby, no.
Now, I would have known.
I told him, "just be truthful with me.
" I told him grandma Annie don't judge.
I'm gonna try and get his case moved to juvenile court, try and get him home detention.
You think you can handle looking after him? I looked after you.
Would you get that for me? Hello? All right.
Yeah.
What is it, baby? That was Angie.
Trey died.
If Dan lives with that woman, he will never go to college.
And I didn't move in here so he can work on a factory line.
I want my son do better than I have.
Mrs.
, uhBraczyk? Mm-hmm.
Um, social services has approved your son's apartment.
That hurts your case.
So, what now? Well, I need to know more about your son, whether he's ever been in trouble in school or with the police.
Yes.
Once I had to pick him up from a police station.
Yeah? Because of misunderstanding.
What happened? He put a video game in his pocket and walked out.
An accident.
Right.
Yeah.
Your son lives on his own, pays all his own bills.
Uh, unless there's something worse, no judge is gonna refuse his emancipation.
He was not Dropped out of school.
He was actually expelled.
Why? Oh, he's a sweet boy, but somehow he always get in fights.
And I think they pick on him.
Ok, well--ahem-- bring the school records tomorrow.
Uh, hearing is at 10:00 in judge Sutton's courtroom, and I'll meet you a quarter of.
Ok? Thanks.
Thank you.
My understanding is he went for the gun.
Barry, it was self-defense.
Look, I can't just reduce this to manslaughter because the kid's your nephew.
The best I can do is second degree murder.
If you ask for manslaughter instead of murder, it gives the judge justification to move it to juvenile court.
Look, burden's on your nephew to prove that he should be tried as a juvenile offender.
You want to take this to a transfer hearing in front of judge haring? Have at it.
So, are you actually gonna stay in Pittsburgh forever? No, I don't think so.
You're staying forever.
Do you want a drink? Um, no.
So, are you seeing anybody? No.
No.
Have you had a relationship since me? No.
What happened? I thought we were doing so well together.
You liked the firm in New York, we were having a lot of fun, we were looking for apartments.
My father offered me a job.
Well, um, they offered me that part in the play.
That's good.
I'm really tired of New York.
I'm so tired of auditioning and the people and the bars and, you know.
I really want a family one of these days.
I need to find a place where I feel like I can be a part of something.
Yeah.
What I'm trying to say is, I guess, not right now, but maybe in some time You and me, maybe we could do something like that together.
Mrs.
braczyk, do you believe your son is responsible enough to live on his own? He is a very responsible boy.
He should come home.
Has Dan ever been in any legal trouble? No.
Never.
Are you sure? Yes.
I'm sure.
What about trouble at school? Danny's a very good boy.
Uh, your honor, I'd like to have a moment with my client.
Make it quick.
You told me he got expelled for fighting.
Mrs.
braczyk, what about the shoplifting-- do you want me to say that? Yes.
In front of the judge? Well, if you want him back.
I can't.
Not in a court.
Not with Danny sitting right there.
Well, you have to give me something.
He's scabbing against my union.
Does that count? You didn't tell me you were on strike.
I'm sorry.
It's embarrassing.
Where? Davey electric.
Your honor, I've just--um, I've just been made aware of a previously undisclosed conflict of interest.
Mr.
fallin, I'm not going to permit you to derail this hearing halfway through just because it's not going well for you.
Your honor, my colleague can pick up where I left off.
Let's get to it.
Your honor, we submit that the evidence in this case establishes that my client, levi mooney, should be tried as a juvenile offender and not as an adult.
With respect, the defendant is not even close to meeting his burden.
The facts simply do not support his self-defense arguments.
Why, the victim's own mother even testified that she did not fear for her life.
Trey Jones was pointing a loaded gun at my client.
His life was in danger.
It was self-defense.
We plan to establish that Mr.
mooney entered that home with the intent to kill Mr.
Jones.
He was protecting himself and his mother.
Now, he's a smart kid who stands an excellent chance of rehabilitation.
Your honor, if he is convicted under the juvenile system, Mr.
mooney can only be detained until he's 21 years old.
That may not be enough time for his rehabilitation.
I have reviewed the psychiatric evaluations regarding this case, and I have taken into account the impact of the crime on the victim, on the community at large, and the degree of the child's culpability.
This case will be tried in the juvenile system.
That's good.
It's a start.
Uh, I'm doing good right now.
I'm making $9.
00 an hour.
You want to tell us where that is? Davey electric.
I'm a replacement worker.
Well, what happens when the strike ends? I lose my job.
Your honor, Daniel braczyk has dropped out of school.
His employment situation is tenuous at best.
I think it would be a grave disservice to him and to the community to pull him out of Mrs.
braczyk's home.
No further questions.
You may step down.
Mr.
braczyk is working, he's living independently, and he wants to care for the mother of his child.
The court has no choice but to recognize his emancipation.
Adjourned.
Ok.
Ok, sure.
All right.
Bye.
I'm sorry, Mrs.
braczyk.
Uh, if you want to appeal the ruling, Ms.
archer is a very capable lawyer.
You are a good lawyer.
I want you to represent me.
Yeah--you're on strike against Davey electric, and I represent them.
That's a conflict of interest.
What will happen? I could be disbarred.
That's crazy.
How come? Well, it could appear as if I am using you to advance Mr.
Davey's interests.
Well, tell Mr.
Davey that the women I work with, they still want to go back to the job.
Who doesn't want to go back? A shop steward named Tim coker riles up the young men.
They think he cares about what we get, but I know-- I hear things, and I know he's planning to run for a government position.
Call miss archer if you wish to pursue an appeal.
I represent a woman at legal services And? She's, uh, striking against Davey electric.
That's a huge conflict of interest.
Yeah, I know.
I handed her off the moment I found out.
I talked to her, after.
Now, can I talk to you about this? If you're sure it was after.
Yes, it was after.
Well, there isn't as much support for the strike as you might think.
What'd she tell you? Coker, one of the shop stewards over there, he's promoting the strike.
Now, he may be planning a run for political office.
Using the union as a base for a political campaign? Labor relations board will be all over that.
I know.
Tim I think we can end this thing.
I'm listening.
I think it would be very good for you if you got credit for ending the strike.
Did you bring me an offer or didn't you? They're not gonna move on the money.
Any higher and it would be cheaper to close down the plant.
Davey took a million dollar bonus last year.
That has nothing to do with the offer.
I think it does.
What are you running for? Councilman? You out of your mind? County executive, then.
Did you come down here to blackmail me? No.
I came to find out if it was true.
You recommend the contract and we don't have a problem.
You think they'll believe you instead of me? We're gonna find out.
Hey, boys.
The judge transferred the case to juvenile court.
That means we can probably get him home detention.
Thank you, baby.
But that means you're gonna have to come to court to testify.
They're not gonna give levi that kind of sentence unless they believe you can handle him.
I can do it.
Otherwise, they'll just put him in a high-security juvenile shelter.
It'd be no different from being in jail.
Annie-- I'm cold, Annie.
Go get your coat.
I don't know where it is.
It's in your room.
Go get it.
I don't know where it is.
I'll get it.
Let the boy get his own jacket.
Grandma Annie, what's going on? Your place is coming apart.
This isn't like you.
Grandma Annie hasn't been doing so good, baby.
Can you get out of that chair, Annie? It's very, very hard.
How long have you been like this? I don't know, baby.
And the kids? I didn't want to go to the doctor.
If they find me too sick orTell somebody, they'll take the kids away.
Send an ambulance to 121 hill street.
My grandmother can't get up.
Um, uh, Jake? Barbara.
Yeah.
What brings you over here? Hey, well, Nick's been telling me about-- oh, Jake came over 'cause I told him about the U2 tickets you won.
Oh.
You want to go with me? Actually, I need 2 tickets.
Well, I really want to go.
I'll give you $250 bucks for them.
No.
No.
He, uh, promised a girl he met at a cosmetics counter that he'd take her.
You promised her? Sort of.
Well, that's what you told me.
And you don't know if she likes you or if she wants to go to the concert and you have the tickets and you're willing to take the risk.
Please.
Sorry.
All right.
Ok.
I tried.
Ok.
Jake Blow her off.
She's not worth your time.
You and I can go.
As friends.
We'll have fun.
Ok.
Great.
Ok.
Hey, just who I wanted to see.
Yeah? Uh, Brian wants to go to the symphony tonight and I want to go dancing afterwards, but I don't know where to take him.
Well, I Hey, why don't we all get together after the concert and have drinks? No, I, uh What's wrong with you? It'll be fun.
Yeah.
Let's meet at the incline at 10:30.
Ok.
Fine.
Ok.
Cool.
She had a stroke.
In the last 3 months.
Paralyzed her left leg and arm and And she has diabetes, too.
What's gonna happen to her? The doctor says we should put her in a nursing home.
Damn it, Angie.
Why didn't you check on her more often? Why didn't you? She wasn't raising my child.
I didn't have time, either.
And what were you doing? You don't have a job.
I've had a hard time of it.
I didn't get no breaks like you did.
You don't want to take levi, he's going into a shelter.
I can't handle that boy.
Now, you can't or you don't want to? I've never been a good mother! You're gonna get a job.
And I'm gonna help you take care of him.
So, when were you gonna do that? Hmm? I'll make it a priority.
You ever think maybe I don't want him back? Hmm? After what he did, you ever think to ask me that? No contract, no work! No contract, no work! No contract, no work! No contract, no work! No contract, no work! No contract, no work! Mom-- Danny-- mom, let me go! Danny, it's wrong! It's wrong to cross the line-- mom, don't! Then I'm going with you! Danny, it's wrong, do you hear me? You're not taking my job! What are you doing?! Let him go! That's my son! Let him go! Don't--don't hurt him! You bastard! Now, you don't want to hit her.
Let it go.
Just let it go.
Danny, are you all right? Mom.
Oh, my God.
Hold on, hold on.
I think I have something.
I told you you cannot do this! Mom, just let me go.
Thank you, Mr.
fallin.
Now tell me something.
Is it true that you want to break the union? No.
Well, that's what they told us.
No, we are trying to broker a deal that is fair for everyone.
Fair? What, like you guys get everything and leave us with squat? What do you care, coker? You're out of here whether we do a deal or not.
What the hell are you talking about? I'm talking about the 500 signatures you handed in to the county elections board.
You'll say anything to line your own pockets, fallin.
If you did a real man's job you wouldn't turn your back on me.
Never mind, guys.
Come on, let's break this up.
He's a suit, what do you expect? Hey, baby.
Hey, Annie.
Found a place for you over at St.
Agatha's.
It's decent, the state covers most of the bill.
What about the little ones? No matter what, I'm gonna find them good homes.
You got to promise me you'll keep them together.
All right, Annie.
You look after levi yourself.
Annie-- Angela's not fit.
I should know.
I raised you both.
Levi needs a strong hand, and you need family in your life, James.
I did good by you.
You go ahead and do good by levi.
Louisa and I met at a college mixer.
It was the last week of spring term, and I was leaving for med school in 10 days.
Right? So I'm thinking to myself, "way to go, Brian.
"You meet the girl of your dreams, and now you have to leave for Columbus, of all places.
" But it ended up great.
Louisa came to Pittsburgh.
It's a 3-hour drive, so whenever I get a break, we see each other.
What about you two? What about us? How long have you been together? We broke up 5 years ago.
Oh.
We were together when Nick lived in New York.
And then he left and I didn't come with him.
I didn't know that you lived in New York, Nick.
He practiced at Swann and cranston.
Wow.
That's a huge firm.
How was the symphony? Mahler's 6th, 2 new experimental short pieces, and the tocatta and fugue in d minor.
Bach.
Sounds terrific.
How was the experimental stuff? Ah, fair.
Atonal.
I thought you hated classical music.
Well, Brian likes it, so Brian, you, uh, interested in the law? I leave that stuff to Lulu.
She's always been into saving the world.
I just stick to science.
You ever seen her in court? No.
You should.
See her.
I've been busy.
I'm sorry, honey.
She's very passionate in court.
She's a passionate girl.
Lulu, you gonna continue to--to practice once, uh, Brian's done with hisMmm Residency.
Residency? Of course.
Part-time.
No, not part-time.
Well, you say that now.
You know, I've always liked mahler.
I--I hate classical music.
Actually, I wanted to go for the new stuff.
What--what do you do in New York? I'm an actress.
Oh, I wanted to go in the arts, but my father told me to think about what I was about to do before I went and screwed up my life.
You know, you should think about what you're about to do before you screw up your life.
An actress.
Wow.
What are you talking about? What did you say about me screwing up my life? Come on, I can see where this is going, Lulu.
I mean, you marry a doctor, you stop working, you have a bunch of kids, you move to the suburbs.
Next thing you know, you turn into one of these resigned people that forgot they ever had the fire in their stomach-- what the hell are you talking about? You.
I'm just talking about you.
You don't know anything about me.
Oh, I think I do.
Nick? We're just trying to have a good time here.
It's our night out.
Brian? You're right.
I'm sorry.
Sorry.
I can't wait to get out of Columbus and get back to New York, and I'm trying to persuade Lulu to move with me.
Well, I'm sure she'll go with you, Brian.
I mean, she's acting like she wants to stick around here and do her work.
Really, she's just waiting for you to finish up so she can move to Westchester and get that little office and work part-time.
Lulu, maybe we should just go.
Yes, I think we should just go.
- That was really good.
- Hey, Lulu.
Hey.
All right, excuse me.
What--what happened? Nick just got into an argument with that girl.
I-I'm Barbara.
This is Jake.
Oh, sorry.
I'm minette.
Hi.
Jake.
Hey.
Well, um, we had fun.
We really did.
We had a great time.
Good for you.
UhLet's go.
Yeah.
Bye.
Did we say something? I don't know! Pppppbbb! Hey, should I just check out of here and come over to your place? Sure.
Ok.
No.
No.
What? I--I don't know.
I don't know.
Nick? Minette, this is just not gonna work out.
It's that girl.
No, it's Yeah.
Yeah, she likes you, too.
Yeah, well, I don't know.
Kind of ruins the fun for everybody else, seeing the two of you together.
What do you mean? Oh, you know how you're just living your life andEverything's just going fine, and then you meet someone.
You can't stand the way you feel around them.
It's just You're overwhelmed.
And you hate yourself for being less than What you think they are to you.
Yeah.
You know? Yeah, well, that's how I've always felt around you, Nick.
This wasn't fair.
I just I know.
Just thought I'd give it a shot, see where you were.
But you should go.
I should go tomorrow.
We should just go.
Hey.
What's wrong? Alvin If you were advocating for my nephew Would you tell him to take this placement? Yes.
I would.
Levi can be a handful.
I hardly even know him, and I'm ready to make him a big part of my life.
Well, you don't have to do this.
Sure, I do.
You believe you are a suitable guardian? I'm his Uncle, and I'm a responsible member of society, and I can handle him.
I still hope his mother wants to change her mind and take care of him, but until that happens-- and if that doesn't happen? Then I'll stick by him until he's ready.
If he's placed into locked detention in his delinquency hearing? Then I'll still be proud to be his guardian, and I'll work hard on his behalf to get him home as soon as possible.
I'll grant you custody of your nephew levi.
The vote's happening in 2 hours.
Davey wants us to be there.
Mr.
fallin! Hi.
I'll catch up.
Hi.
The owners, you think they're good people? Well, yeah, they're like any other people.
They're--they're in a tough situation at the moment, just trying to work it out.
You know, I'm-- Hey, lady! Do you know my name? - Sure.
- Uh, you work here, in wiring and electric, right? Yeah.
My name is Maria braczyk, and I work in shipping.
And I'm a single mother who has worked here longer than you, Mr.
coker.
Listen, Maria, you know, they pay guys like him to say whatever they think it's gonna take to end the strike.
They're not looking out for your interests.
You know, I have a car and an apartment, and last year for vacation I went to north Carolina.
For woman like me, this is a great job.
For you, I don't know.
You are young, you like to fight.
And you know what? You want to risk everything we have? Why? They're using you.
Uh-huh.
Davey electric gave me this job, and I cannot think they're bad people.
Excuse me.
So what happened? Struck a deal with the d.
A.
and probation.
So what does that mean? It means I'm gonna be in your life from now on.
You live in my home, by my rules, and if you don't stay right by me, then you go directly to jail.
I'm going to be on your back watching you.
That means that you go to school every day.
I find that you've skipped, and I'm gonna personally whup your ass.
That means you stay away from drugs and anybody who uses them.
I find out you've been using, and you will be very, very sorry.
You get violent, you go to jail.
You cheat, you steal, you lie-- you even think about any of those things, first you answer to me.
Then you answer to the courts.
I was the one who brought in health insurance before the union came.
I put in wheelchair ramps.
I kick in for tuition for anybody who wants to take classes at pitt, 'cause I wish we had those kinds of things when I was on the line.
Well, you did it because it was the right thing to do, Gary.
But once in a while it'd be nice if, uh, someone didn't throw it right in your face.
Well, they're gonna keep throwing it in your face, but it was the right thing to do.
All right, thank you.
They approved the contract.
What was the vote? Well, that's pretty good news.
So what are you gonna do, go out and celebrate? I'm going back to work.
Good man, Gary.
That's great.
Thanks.
Thanks.
That's really great.
Hi! Hi.
My son.
He came home.
Oh, good, good.
And the girl says he's not the father of her baby.
I made you some kolaczki.
They're on your desk.
Oh, you didn't have to.
No, no, it's ok.
It's ok.
For a friend, it's ok.
Bye, Mr.
fallin.
Bye.
Bye.
Thank you.
It's ok.
Thanks.
It's open.
Um I got these for you on Monday.
Um I had it in my mind that maybe we could spend some time together, which seemed like a good idea the night before when I couldn't sleep, and I was thinking of you, and I got up and I went and bought them, and, uh Then I felt like an ass, and I got mad, but, uh, listen Brian seems like a very normal, decent guy, and--and you're probably very happy with him, and I know They're kinda dead, but They weren't when I bought them.
I mean What I mean is, I, um I want you to have them, and, um I'm sorry that I Acted like an idiot.
Brian asked me.
What? To marry him.
Ok.
That's great.
That's great.
Well, congratulations.
That's great.