The Guardian (2001) s03e08 Episode Script
Believe
Hey, honey.
It could be worse.
I don't know how, but it could be.
So I used to go to this pizza parlor.
There, when it was your birthday, they would give you a a pie in the face.
But they would do this cheap thing where they would put shaving cream on a paper plate and then smear it on your face.
- Nice.
- Right.
And, of course, I got a rash from the menthol.
And the guy that I was on the date with, it was really embarrassing.
His name was Lawrence or something.
He said I smelled like a man.
- Huh.
- Right.
And everybody laughed.
I'm sorry.
I'm pregnant.
What? I'm pregnant.
Hold this.
I have the test.
I I did it twice and well, come in the light.
See? Both times the pink line goes all the way across.
Right.
So I'm pregnant.
Is this is this what you want? - Do I want to be pregnant? - Yeah.
No.
No, I don't want to be.
What are we talking about? Well, look, it's not exactly the way I imagined it would happen, you know? Right.
So what do you want to do? I don't know, Nick.
Well, do you want to be a father? ~ Well, there is trouble ~ ~ In my mind ~ ~ There is dark ~ ~ There is dark and there is light ~ ~ There is no order ~ ~ There is chaos ~ ~ And there is crime ~ ~ There is no one ~ ~ Home tonight ~ ~ In the empire of my mind ~ ~ There is trouble in my mind ~ This homeless guy Fred Murphy.
He's been painting "Believe" all over the city.
"Believe.
" Hospitals.
Crime scenes.
Housing projects.
He goes and tries to spread a little hope around.
It's, uh I don't know it's very inspirational.
Anyway this is Victoria Little, Chairman of the AIDS Relief Alliance.
Hi, everybody.
Uh when the, uh, AIDS Walk was rained out, the AIDS Relief Alliance lost thirty percent of their operating budget.
They've already cut several of their programs, including their legal services.
Right.
And Alvin and I have decided to use some of our county funds to represent their clients.
So, by the way, there will be a mandatory AIDS Awareness Training Seminar a week from today.
And I'll be here all week to answer any questions.
Also, we're having an emergency fundraiser this Saturday.
It's a masquerade party at The Tar Pit.
It's this club that closed a few months ago.
It's to recover some of the losses from the walk.
And, uh you and a guest are invited free of charge.
So please bring your friends, but make them pay.
[Laughter.]
"Believe.
" You guys, you gotta see this article.
"Believe"right? The guy's painting it everywhere.
So? So I think it's an opportunity.
What, you want us to print this guy's symbol? Well, you guys are in an ideal position to get it out there.
- We're about to go belly-up.
- Get it out there fast.
I mean, what other merchandiser's got seventy-five thousand mugs, T-shirts, and key chains sitting around collecting dust? Yeah, well, we can move those units without a symbol on 'em for two hundred grand.
That's wholesale.
But if this "Believe" idea works, it could be worth millions.
Nah.
What about printing costs? What's it gonna be, ten cents a unit? Ten cents a unit we'd have to borrow.
Thought the idea was to get out of debt.
"Believe"? T-shirts.
Hats.
Key chains.
[Knock on door.]
Come in.
- You busy? - No.
No.
Have a seat.
- You okay? - Fine.
You? Yeah.
I, uh I made an appointment at a clinic.
Clinic? Right.
Tomorrow morning at 8.
Clinic? Yeah.
Just to, you know, see where I'm at.
And get a blood test and weigh the options.
Right.
Well, uh I I'd like to be there.
It's at 8.
- You told me.
- Oh, yeah.
[Knocking.]
- Hi, Nick.
- Hey.
This is Marcus Wheat and his sister Etta.
- Hey.
- What's up? - Okay.
- Don't worry.
You'll get it.
Okay.
Hey.
Hi.
- How are you? - Fine.
Marcus, will you take your sister outside for just a second? Thank you.
You can play with the toys where I showed you, okay? Thank you.
Bye.
I think we need to go to Judge Damsen's chambers.
- Why? - They need a medical guardian.
Medical guardian? What for? Their mother died of AIDS three days ago, and she refused to have them tested.
So what's this Alvin mentioned about a contested donation? Well, there's a friend of mine, Warren Connor he died three months ago, and he left the Alliance a million dollars, and his kids aren't too happy about it.
Oh, so do you need me to handle it? Well, actually, Alvin said that he knows the lawyer that's representing the Connor kids, so Hmm.
Well, uh is there anything I can do to help? Yes.
In fact, there's this club called Lift.
- It's ostensibly a sports club for men.
- A gay club? A place where minority men on the down low and closeted white guys go for anonymous sex.
And how can I help? We want access, to provide free AIDS testing, education, prevention.
I haven't been able to get anywhere with them, so I thought, since you're a lawyer, you might be able to get their attention.
Okay.
[AIvin.]
You ready? It's time? Yeah.
Meeting's in twenty minutes.
Burton's very punctual.
Their mother never tested them? [Miss Pell.]
Correct.
What about the father? We're still looking.
Miss Pell, you understand you're under no obligation to have these children tested.
Yes.
Okay.
Mr.
Fallin, you're the medical guardian.
It's up to you to approve the testing.
You know, Damsen might have a point.
Why not wait? You mean place them and then test them? Sure.
Well, if they're infected, they need treatment.
It's simple.
Simple? I don't want to place a child with a family and then have something like this disrupt it.
It's better to have all the cards on the table.
Okay.
Go ahead.
You're contesting Mr.
Connor's will on the basis of undue influence.
Miss Little used a romantic relationship with a man twice her age to, uh influence his estate planning.
My client was in love with Mr.
Connor.
She cared for him during his long illness.
Your client manipulated a dying man who was mentally frail.
You're holding up a million-dollar charitable contribution - to a not-for-profit agency.
- No.
No, Alvin.
My client is suing Mr.
Connor's estate.
Now if your client wants to file a claim, you know she's free to get in line.
You'll just have to wait it out.
That's exactly what they want me to do.
They know I'm in trouble.
That the Alliance could go under before this is resolved.
How much do you need to keep going? Fifty grand to keep me going till the end of the year.
Will you make that from the party? You mean the party that I threw together this morning? I'll be lucky if I can get twenty people to show up.
Oh, it might work.
A masquerade party.
I gotta be the dumbest person on the planet.
- You're not.
- I can't even afford The Tar Pit.
[Elevator dings.]
Alvin.
Miss Little.
- Nick.
- Have we met? Uh Nick, uh volunteers at the Clinic.
He's, uh he's Burton's son.
Oh, hey.
You see this? Yeah.
Len Getkin and Ken Potter.
Remember them? Merchandising guys.
Owe us about thirty grand.
Right.
Well, I sold them on an idea.
A slogan for all that merchandise.
"Believe.
" - Good for you.
- Yeah.
Oh, and I spoke to, uh, Lulu's assistant about that masquerade party on Saturday.
- Sounds like a lotta fun.
- Right.
I work for a company called Principal Products.
They're interested in licensing your art for, uh for T-shirts, hats.
Licensing? They want to they want to pay you money to use your art to apply to their products, like on a T-shirt.
They want to put it on a a T-shirt? - Exactly.
- And then they want to sell the T-shirt.
Well, your message is, uh well, it's very important right now, things being the way they are.
I'm I'm not, uh, sure about the, uh selling part.
Well, Mr.
Murphy, the the deal, uh There's enough money up-front to cover your living expenses for a year.
And, if this works out, there well, there might be enough money to keep you comfortable for the rest of your life.
Believe.
My client's trying to get into your sports club to increase AIDS awareness.
And they're only interested in coming twice a week to distribute condoms and provide free AIDS testing.
Right.
See, that's not exactly why people come to this club.
Okay.
This is a men's athletic club.
The guys work out.
Enjoy the private camaraderie.
And by camaraderie, do you mean giving each other AIDS, which then gets spread to their wives and girlfriends and their children? Babies are being born infected.
You must know that.
Lady.
I mean you could offer a million condoms and tests.
The guys here they're not gonna take 'em.
Jake? Lulu.
Um I was just I [whimpering.]
I was Lulu, are you okay? I want to be a mother, I do but, uh now is just not really the time.
And, uh Nick, is, uh He's so unreadable.
I I I'm not really sure that he really wants to do this anyway.
I mean, do you love him? I think so.
Uh most of the time I do, but then Right.
This is really weird you know? I mean, I just I can't believe I'm I'm dumping all this on you.
You were just Wrong place at the wrong time.
We don't know each other very well.
We we know each other, Lulu.
Um you know, I guess I always thought that you were kind of - No, no.
- Wait, but I just want to say this.
Uh I hope you're being careful.
You know, I was I was raised Catholic and, uh and working class, right? So, uh, understand what I'm about to say is gonna be kinda colored by that.
Oh, you don't have to explain anything to me.
Well, this isn't about me.
No.
Have the baby, Lulu.
You're gonna be a wonderful mother.
And Nick, despite his, uh his, uh the way he is, Nick's gonna be a solid dad.
Dad, uh you still have Mom's engagement ring? Yeah.
I do.
Well, if, uh if if it's okay with you I'd like to have it.
I'll bring it in tomorrow.
Thank you.
Hey.
Uh - [Woman.]
Louisa Archer? - Oh.
They're ready.
Uhm Uh it's okay if I come in? I think you should stay here.
I'll be right back.
- Okay? - Yeah.
[Nurse.]
Carrie Valentine? How'd it go? Uh well, I'm five weeks.
Five weeks? Yeah.
It's really early, Nick.
It's five weeks.
It's just a cluster of cells right now.
Right.
Just a little cluster of cells.
- Oh - [giggling.]
- Etta.
- Hi.
- What are you doing? - Pulling your shirt.
Right.
You supposed to be in here? - [Knock on door.]
- Shh.
I can't find Etta.
Oh, I haven't seen her.
Hi, sweetie.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Marcus is outside making a castle.
Do you want to help him? Bye, Etta.
Thank you.
Etta's HIV-positive.
What about Marcus? Marcus is fine.
But, the family that was interested in fostering them is out.
So I need to find a new placement, but, you know, there's not a lot for a four-year-old with HIV.
I guess I screwed the whole thing up with that whole with the cards on the freaking table thing.
No.
She's just such a sweet little girl.
I wish I'd let the family get to know her before I had her tested.
No, it was my call.
No it wasn't.
- I found the dad.
- Where is he? He's at a boarding house in Morningside for people with AIDS.
Oh.
Mr.
Wheat? Mr.
Wheat? Mr.
Wheat? The door's open.
Don't want to eat today.
That's not what we're here for.
Don't want any food.
We're not here to deliver food, Mr.
Wheat.
My name is Suzanne Pell, and I'm a social worker.
And this is Nick Fallin.
He's a lawyer.
We're here about your children Etta and Marcus.
Where is my wife? Your wife passed away four days ago.
She died? We need to find a home for your children.
[Coughing.]
I'm I'm no good for that.
Mr.
Wheat, we have some problems.
Problems? What, with my kids? Yes.
Etta is HIV-positive, and we need to find her a home.
Do you know anyone who might take her? Is Marcus sick, too? No.
My wife she died from the AIDS? Yes, sir.
Yes, she did.
You think I did this to them? Um I'm just gonna leave our information here.
Black men are supposed to be strong.
Supposed to be fathers.
Sorry to disturb you.
I was a married man and I loved my wife.
And I loved my kids.
I was a man, you get me? [Cough.]
So ten thousand dollars, payable immediately.
Plus two percent of the adjusted gross revenue.
It's it's a good deal.
Believe me.
Uh No red T-shirts.
Because the color of the sun, naturally.
And, uh no orange for the same reason.
And, uh no turtlenecks.
No Number 2 pencils only.
And no backpacks or lunchboxes.
Hats are okay, but not with the, uh, kind with the snaps in the back.
And, uh, you said something about key chains.
Right.
Ah Absolutely no key chains.
Wha No key chains? S-Some people Some people don't have keys.
And, uh uh no selling of these products on Mondays.
We have to let the week begin easy.
Well, Mr.
Murphy, uh all this is very interesting, but I'm afraid none of your requests can be granted.
Except for maybe the idea about no orange or red T-shirts, which does kinda make some sense.
Okay.
Okay, so we're agreed.
Then ten thousand dollars for exclusive licensing rights plus two percent after break even.
And no orange or red.
No.
No orange or red.
No orange or red.
No orange or red.
No orange or red.
Fine.
Okay, so I'II I'll get the trademark search started.
Morning, Kirsten.
I'm expecting a package from Toronto.
Burton? Hey, Alvin.
How are ya? Hi.
The, uh, lawyer who, uh, drafted Warren Connor's will's gonna testify that Warren was not unduly influenced to revise the document.
So I filed a motion with the Orphan's Court to have the contest dismissed.
The hearing's scheduled for next week.
We'll be there.
Mr.
Fallin.
A million dollars.
Without it, people will die.
People with AIDS who are hungry won't receive hot meals.
They won't get their prescription drugs.
Miss Little, I'm I'm sure your intentions are the best, but this is this is a family matter.
[Elevator dings.]
If I could just get fifty grand out of the party this weekend, I could hold out for another thirty days.
Well I have some free time.
And I'm a pretty good fundraiser.
Maybe we could, uh brainstorm some ideas.
I never really cared for Warren.
Oh? The only way to get a man like that to do something good was to sleep with him.
That's why I did it.
My brother died of AIDS ten years ago.
There are thousand of people in Pittsburgh who need help.
I do what it takes.
I'm embarrassed.
Look I like you.
I don't want you to think that I I did care about him.
We knew each other.
But it was complica Hey.
- Hey.
- Come in.
Sit down.
Went by the bank.
Picked up the ring.
It's all I could afford in 1965.
It's almost a carat.
I remember it being a little bigger than that.
It's beautiful.
Actually, your mother picked it out, you know? She was always a step ahead of me, you know? She told me she didn't want me to surprise her, so she picked it out.
You know, when I proposed to your mother, she she was expecting it anyway, but she, uh she acted surprised.
Well, anyway, uh I I want to wish you Nicholas, I loved your mother.
I hope you know that.
I wanted to spend my life with her.
Things just fell apart, and I I I let it go.
I let I let her go.
I regret that.
Well you'll do better.
I love you, son.
I love you, too, Dad.
[Nick.]
Stanley Heights Group Shelter? It's the only shelter that can handle HIV-positive children.
How many kids under ten live there? - Not many.
- Right.
I've checked every bed in the county.
I mean, we could split them up, but Etta's still gonna have to go to Stanley Heights.
Nick.
Oh, hi, Suzanne.
There's a couple here to see you regarding the Wheat case.
Daryl used to know Calvin Wheat before the whole tragedy.
They played basketball together at the gym.
Right.
I was at work yesterday when I got the call from Calvin.
I hadn't talked to him in years.
He told me about the problems with his children.
That they didn't have any place to go.
That little Etta was sick.
So I talked to Nicole about it.
And we prayed about it and And this morning we decided.
This is the right thing.
Mr.
And Mrs.
Lakey, you understand that Etta has special needs? And you're prepared to educate yourself about the disease? We don't know much about it.
It's true.
But we can learn.
Okay.
Well, while you're here, we'll have you fill out the paperwork.
And then we'll schedule a home study and medical evaluations for later today.
No problem.
Okay, then.
When can we see the kids? Hey.
What's up? Oh, the health inspector said Oh that guy you had pay us a surprise visit.
Right.
The guy who found our facilities up to code.
Right.
He said you'd be expecting me.
So I have the condoms.
That door on the right.
You can put it in here with the rest of 'em.
No.
No one's gonna see them.
Then take them with you.
Know what? I don't get you.
All I'm asking is that you give people the option to be safe.
You know, stop an avoidable thing from happening.
Okay.
I don't have time for this.
Leave them.
Take them.
It's your call.
My call? That's what I just said.
It's all up to you, lady.
And they wanted to just toss them in some moldy closet where they hide all of their condoms and AIDS literature.
And so this makes you think that maybe Yeah.
Maybe I'm just looking for all the bad things to justify the way that I feel.
[Phone rings.]
[Ring.]
Ah Yeah.
Yeah.
No, no, no.
Just call the European Union guy.
Right.
It it's easy.
You can get it done.
Thank you.
Just, uh due diligence on this "Believe" thing.
- Oh, you need to take care of it? - No.
So, uhm you were saying, war, poverty, AIDS Why bring a kid into that? I guess.
You know, when my mother attempted suicide, she, uhm Well, I mean, she she got very depressed and and then she did something stupid.
What do you mean? Well, she didn't really want to die.
She was afraid, that's all.
I mean, if you're asking my opinion you know what I think.
Oh, hey.
You got a second? No, I'm trying to get home.
- The Lakeys passed their home study.
- Great.
But at the medical exam, Mr.
Lakey refused to take the blood test.
- He refused his blood test? - Yeah.
- I mean, it's within his rights, but l - Okay.
- Under the circumstances - Yeah, I'll look into it.
I gotta get home.
How was your day? Fine.
Good.
Yours? Fine.
Good.
Do you think we really have to wear masks to this party? I don't know.
'Cause I just don't know where I mean, I guess we could wear Halloween masks, but I don't think that's what they have in mind.
I don't know.
Um did you eat anything? No.
Well, there's a half a sandwich in the fridge.
We have a much bigger decision in front of us, Nick, than getting married, you know? We have a much much bigger decision.
I don't want to get married just because I'm pregnant anyway.
I just don't get you.
I don't know why you didn't talk to me about this, you know? Just talk to me about what you're thinking for a change because this doesn't have to be romantic our thing.
You know, we really should be like adults, and we should talk about things and then make decisions.
You know I I don't I don't care if you don't want to marry me.
It's all right.
I just You know I know that I'm ready to be a father.
I know that.
It's a really nice hat.
Yeah.
I believe.
So I received a letter from the Chicago law firm that represents Fujiyama Sake's U.
S.
Interests.
Fujiyama's top shelf Sake is called Believe.
Believe Sake.
The text of which is surrounded by a red sun.
So we have this problem.
Excuse me? Well, they're they're threatening a Federal lawsuit if we use their trademark.
We printed seventy-five thousand of these.
I never give you the go-ahead.
You told us to act fast.
Well I'm sorry, you can't sell the T-shirts or the hats or the or the key chains.
How did this happen? There were no significant indicators.
You you didn't check Japan for trademarks? Well, I ran the text and the letters, and nothing significant came back.
You didn't check Japan? So they can't give me the money? Because of this company, Fujiyama.
Fujiyama Sake.
Do do you know what Fujiyama Sake is, Fred? Well, I know what Sake is, for God's sake.
I lived in Japan.
You you were in Japan? When I was in the Army, I lived in Japan.
When I was in Japan, I drank Sake.
Everyone drinks Sake.
[Knock on door.]
Mr.
Wheat? Yeah, what? I came by here two days ago.
Are my kids okay? Daryl Lakey.
Yeah? Can you help me understand something? What? Were you involved with him? What do you mean? Did you have sex with him? Was he was he one of your partners? See, here's my problem, Mr.
Wheat.
If I give your children to the Lakeys and if Mr.
Lakey's HIV-positive and if Mrs.
Lakey doesn't know, then another family will be destroyed with your children in the middle of it again.
Mr.
Lakey, the reason I asked you to come in here by yourself Can you leave us a minute? Thank you.
I spoke with Calvin Wheat.
Okay.
I went to see him because of your refusal to give a blood sample.
Okay.
He confirmed some things.
I don't take blood tests, Mr.
Fallin.
That's how black men get diseases like Calvin's in the first place.
Calvin Wheat didn't contract HIV from a needle, all right? I don't know how he got it.
Right.
Mr.
Lakey, what you're doing, taking in his children, is a very good thing.
But if you're HIV-positive and then if you infect your You shut your mouth.
I am not a faggot so you shut your mouth.
I am trying to do the right thing here, Mr.
Fallin.
But don't make me change my mind.
Understand? Don't make me change my mind.
What do you want to do? It's your recommendation.
Your placement.
It's better than Stanley Heights.
Hope so.
It's complicated.
Hey.
Hey.
How are things? - Fine.
Fine.
- Good.
Do you need anything? Just wanted to know how things went.
Haven't done it yet.
Oh I just want to let everybody know we've reached our halfway point twenty-six thousand dollars.
So please, empty out your pockets, put it on the credit card, and give, give, give.
You know I don't I don't feel so great.
Maybe Do you do you want some more water or something? Oh, no.
No.
Maybe we need some air or It's okay.
I think I'm just gonna go home.
Yeah.
Let's let's just go.
- Have fun.
- All right.
- Sorry.
- Good night.
Good night.
Hey, you know what? You should just stay because you promised you'd help with the raffle.
- Oh, someone else can do it.
- No, no, no.
Just just stay, please.
I'm I'm gonna go home.
I'm fine.
I just need to go home.
I'll see you later.
Okay.
Now for the first of our ten lucky winners of this beautiful ceramic jester doll, donated by Hidden Treasures on Lincoln Street.
Whoever has ticket 4084, come on up and get your prize.
I think the dolls are wrapped in newspaper, or they're in a big cardboard box, down there.
[AIvin.]
Congratulations.
Hi.
Hi.
- It's me.
- Who? It's me.
Having fun? Right.
Where's your date? Uh she she left.
Oh.
So, uhm I pulled some strings so that the kids could be with the Lakeys by next weekend.
Good.
Good.
That must've been, um It's complicated.
Yeah.
Complicated? [Victoria.]
We've raised fifty-one thousand, two hundred and eleven dollars.
[Applause.]
Hi.
Hi.
How was the party? Fine.
Uh I've been thinking.
I don't want to have an abortion.
Well, that's great.
That's what I've been thinking.
Okay.
Okay.
So you want to get in? Nick come on, get in.
It could be worse.
I don't know how, but it could be.
So I used to go to this pizza parlor.
There, when it was your birthday, they would give you a a pie in the face.
But they would do this cheap thing where they would put shaving cream on a paper plate and then smear it on your face.
- Nice.
- Right.
And, of course, I got a rash from the menthol.
And the guy that I was on the date with, it was really embarrassing.
His name was Lawrence or something.
He said I smelled like a man.
- Huh.
- Right.
And everybody laughed.
I'm sorry.
I'm pregnant.
What? I'm pregnant.
Hold this.
I have the test.
I I did it twice and well, come in the light.
See? Both times the pink line goes all the way across.
Right.
So I'm pregnant.
Is this is this what you want? - Do I want to be pregnant? - Yeah.
No.
No, I don't want to be.
What are we talking about? Well, look, it's not exactly the way I imagined it would happen, you know? Right.
So what do you want to do? I don't know, Nick.
Well, do you want to be a father? ~ Well, there is trouble ~ ~ In my mind ~ ~ There is dark ~ ~ There is dark and there is light ~ ~ There is no order ~ ~ There is chaos ~ ~ And there is crime ~ ~ There is no one ~ ~ Home tonight ~ ~ In the empire of my mind ~ ~ There is trouble in my mind ~ This homeless guy Fred Murphy.
He's been painting "Believe" all over the city.
"Believe.
" Hospitals.
Crime scenes.
Housing projects.
He goes and tries to spread a little hope around.
It's, uh I don't know it's very inspirational.
Anyway this is Victoria Little, Chairman of the AIDS Relief Alliance.
Hi, everybody.
Uh when the, uh, AIDS Walk was rained out, the AIDS Relief Alliance lost thirty percent of their operating budget.
They've already cut several of their programs, including their legal services.
Right.
And Alvin and I have decided to use some of our county funds to represent their clients.
So, by the way, there will be a mandatory AIDS Awareness Training Seminar a week from today.
And I'll be here all week to answer any questions.
Also, we're having an emergency fundraiser this Saturday.
It's a masquerade party at The Tar Pit.
It's this club that closed a few months ago.
It's to recover some of the losses from the walk.
And, uh you and a guest are invited free of charge.
So please bring your friends, but make them pay.
[Laughter.]
"Believe.
" You guys, you gotta see this article.
"Believe"right? The guy's painting it everywhere.
So? So I think it's an opportunity.
What, you want us to print this guy's symbol? Well, you guys are in an ideal position to get it out there.
- We're about to go belly-up.
- Get it out there fast.
I mean, what other merchandiser's got seventy-five thousand mugs, T-shirts, and key chains sitting around collecting dust? Yeah, well, we can move those units without a symbol on 'em for two hundred grand.
That's wholesale.
But if this "Believe" idea works, it could be worth millions.
Nah.
What about printing costs? What's it gonna be, ten cents a unit? Ten cents a unit we'd have to borrow.
Thought the idea was to get out of debt.
"Believe"? T-shirts.
Hats.
Key chains.
[Knock on door.]
Come in.
- You busy? - No.
No.
Have a seat.
- You okay? - Fine.
You? Yeah.
I, uh I made an appointment at a clinic.
Clinic? Right.
Tomorrow morning at 8.
Clinic? Yeah.
Just to, you know, see where I'm at.
And get a blood test and weigh the options.
Right.
Well, uh I I'd like to be there.
It's at 8.
- You told me.
- Oh, yeah.
[Knocking.]
- Hi, Nick.
- Hey.
This is Marcus Wheat and his sister Etta.
- Hey.
- What's up? - Okay.
- Don't worry.
You'll get it.
Okay.
Hey.
Hi.
- How are you? - Fine.
Marcus, will you take your sister outside for just a second? Thank you.
You can play with the toys where I showed you, okay? Thank you.
Bye.
I think we need to go to Judge Damsen's chambers.
- Why? - They need a medical guardian.
Medical guardian? What for? Their mother died of AIDS three days ago, and she refused to have them tested.
So what's this Alvin mentioned about a contested donation? Well, there's a friend of mine, Warren Connor he died three months ago, and he left the Alliance a million dollars, and his kids aren't too happy about it.
Oh, so do you need me to handle it? Well, actually, Alvin said that he knows the lawyer that's representing the Connor kids, so Hmm.
Well, uh is there anything I can do to help? Yes.
In fact, there's this club called Lift.
- It's ostensibly a sports club for men.
- A gay club? A place where minority men on the down low and closeted white guys go for anonymous sex.
And how can I help? We want access, to provide free AIDS testing, education, prevention.
I haven't been able to get anywhere with them, so I thought, since you're a lawyer, you might be able to get their attention.
Okay.
[AIvin.]
You ready? It's time? Yeah.
Meeting's in twenty minutes.
Burton's very punctual.
Their mother never tested them? [Miss Pell.]
Correct.
What about the father? We're still looking.
Miss Pell, you understand you're under no obligation to have these children tested.
Yes.
Okay.
Mr.
Fallin, you're the medical guardian.
It's up to you to approve the testing.
You know, Damsen might have a point.
Why not wait? You mean place them and then test them? Sure.
Well, if they're infected, they need treatment.
It's simple.
Simple? I don't want to place a child with a family and then have something like this disrupt it.
It's better to have all the cards on the table.
Okay.
Go ahead.
You're contesting Mr.
Connor's will on the basis of undue influence.
Miss Little used a romantic relationship with a man twice her age to, uh influence his estate planning.
My client was in love with Mr.
Connor.
She cared for him during his long illness.
Your client manipulated a dying man who was mentally frail.
You're holding up a million-dollar charitable contribution - to a not-for-profit agency.
- No.
No, Alvin.
My client is suing Mr.
Connor's estate.
Now if your client wants to file a claim, you know she's free to get in line.
You'll just have to wait it out.
That's exactly what they want me to do.
They know I'm in trouble.
That the Alliance could go under before this is resolved.
How much do you need to keep going? Fifty grand to keep me going till the end of the year.
Will you make that from the party? You mean the party that I threw together this morning? I'll be lucky if I can get twenty people to show up.
Oh, it might work.
A masquerade party.
I gotta be the dumbest person on the planet.
- You're not.
- I can't even afford The Tar Pit.
[Elevator dings.]
Alvin.
Miss Little.
- Nick.
- Have we met? Uh Nick, uh volunteers at the Clinic.
He's, uh he's Burton's son.
Oh, hey.
You see this? Yeah.
Len Getkin and Ken Potter.
Remember them? Merchandising guys.
Owe us about thirty grand.
Right.
Well, I sold them on an idea.
A slogan for all that merchandise.
"Believe.
" - Good for you.
- Yeah.
Oh, and I spoke to, uh, Lulu's assistant about that masquerade party on Saturday.
- Sounds like a lotta fun.
- Right.
I work for a company called Principal Products.
They're interested in licensing your art for, uh for T-shirts, hats.
Licensing? They want to they want to pay you money to use your art to apply to their products, like on a T-shirt.
They want to put it on a a T-shirt? - Exactly.
- And then they want to sell the T-shirt.
Well, your message is, uh well, it's very important right now, things being the way they are.
I'm I'm not, uh, sure about the, uh selling part.
Well, Mr.
Murphy, the the deal, uh There's enough money up-front to cover your living expenses for a year.
And, if this works out, there well, there might be enough money to keep you comfortable for the rest of your life.
Believe.
My client's trying to get into your sports club to increase AIDS awareness.
And they're only interested in coming twice a week to distribute condoms and provide free AIDS testing.
Right.
See, that's not exactly why people come to this club.
Okay.
This is a men's athletic club.
The guys work out.
Enjoy the private camaraderie.
And by camaraderie, do you mean giving each other AIDS, which then gets spread to their wives and girlfriends and their children? Babies are being born infected.
You must know that.
Lady.
I mean you could offer a million condoms and tests.
The guys here they're not gonna take 'em.
Jake? Lulu.
Um I was just I [whimpering.]
I was Lulu, are you okay? I want to be a mother, I do but, uh now is just not really the time.
And, uh Nick, is, uh He's so unreadable.
I I I'm not really sure that he really wants to do this anyway.
I mean, do you love him? I think so.
Uh most of the time I do, but then Right.
This is really weird you know? I mean, I just I can't believe I'm I'm dumping all this on you.
You were just Wrong place at the wrong time.
We don't know each other very well.
We we know each other, Lulu.
Um you know, I guess I always thought that you were kind of - No, no.
- Wait, but I just want to say this.
Uh I hope you're being careful.
You know, I was I was raised Catholic and, uh and working class, right? So, uh, understand what I'm about to say is gonna be kinda colored by that.
Oh, you don't have to explain anything to me.
Well, this isn't about me.
No.
Have the baby, Lulu.
You're gonna be a wonderful mother.
And Nick, despite his, uh his, uh the way he is, Nick's gonna be a solid dad.
Dad, uh you still have Mom's engagement ring? Yeah.
I do.
Well, if, uh if if it's okay with you I'd like to have it.
I'll bring it in tomorrow.
Thank you.
Hey.
Uh - [Woman.]
Louisa Archer? - Oh.
They're ready.
Uhm Uh it's okay if I come in? I think you should stay here.
I'll be right back.
- Okay? - Yeah.
[Nurse.]
Carrie Valentine? How'd it go? Uh well, I'm five weeks.
Five weeks? Yeah.
It's really early, Nick.
It's five weeks.
It's just a cluster of cells right now.
Right.
Just a little cluster of cells.
- Oh - [giggling.]
- Etta.
- Hi.
- What are you doing? - Pulling your shirt.
Right.
You supposed to be in here? - [Knock on door.]
- Shh.
I can't find Etta.
Oh, I haven't seen her.
Hi, sweetie.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Marcus is outside making a castle.
Do you want to help him? Bye, Etta.
Thank you.
Etta's HIV-positive.
What about Marcus? Marcus is fine.
But, the family that was interested in fostering them is out.
So I need to find a new placement, but, you know, there's not a lot for a four-year-old with HIV.
I guess I screwed the whole thing up with that whole with the cards on the freaking table thing.
No.
She's just such a sweet little girl.
I wish I'd let the family get to know her before I had her tested.
No, it was my call.
No it wasn't.
- I found the dad.
- Where is he? He's at a boarding house in Morningside for people with AIDS.
Oh.
Mr.
Wheat? Mr.
Wheat? Mr.
Wheat? The door's open.
Don't want to eat today.
That's not what we're here for.
Don't want any food.
We're not here to deliver food, Mr.
Wheat.
My name is Suzanne Pell, and I'm a social worker.
And this is Nick Fallin.
He's a lawyer.
We're here about your children Etta and Marcus.
Where is my wife? Your wife passed away four days ago.
She died? We need to find a home for your children.
[Coughing.]
I'm I'm no good for that.
Mr.
Wheat, we have some problems.
Problems? What, with my kids? Yes.
Etta is HIV-positive, and we need to find her a home.
Do you know anyone who might take her? Is Marcus sick, too? No.
My wife she died from the AIDS? Yes, sir.
Yes, she did.
You think I did this to them? Um I'm just gonna leave our information here.
Black men are supposed to be strong.
Supposed to be fathers.
Sorry to disturb you.
I was a married man and I loved my wife.
And I loved my kids.
I was a man, you get me? [Cough.]
So ten thousand dollars, payable immediately.
Plus two percent of the adjusted gross revenue.
It's it's a good deal.
Believe me.
Uh No red T-shirts.
Because the color of the sun, naturally.
And, uh no orange for the same reason.
And, uh no turtlenecks.
No Number 2 pencils only.
And no backpacks or lunchboxes.
Hats are okay, but not with the, uh, kind with the snaps in the back.
And, uh, you said something about key chains.
Right.
Ah Absolutely no key chains.
Wha No key chains? S-Some people Some people don't have keys.
And, uh uh no selling of these products on Mondays.
We have to let the week begin easy.
Well, Mr.
Murphy, uh all this is very interesting, but I'm afraid none of your requests can be granted.
Except for maybe the idea about no orange or red T-shirts, which does kinda make some sense.
Okay.
Okay, so we're agreed.
Then ten thousand dollars for exclusive licensing rights plus two percent after break even.
And no orange or red.
No.
No orange or red.
No orange or red.
No orange or red.
No orange or red.
Fine.
Okay, so I'II I'll get the trademark search started.
Morning, Kirsten.
I'm expecting a package from Toronto.
Burton? Hey, Alvin.
How are ya? Hi.
The, uh, lawyer who, uh, drafted Warren Connor's will's gonna testify that Warren was not unduly influenced to revise the document.
So I filed a motion with the Orphan's Court to have the contest dismissed.
The hearing's scheduled for next week.
We'll be there.
Mr.
Fallin.
A million dollars.
Without it, people will die.
People with AIDS who are hungry won't receive hot meals.
They won't get their prescription drugs.
Miss Little, I'm I'm sure your intentions are the best, but this is this is a family matter.
[Elevator dings.]
If I could just get fifty grand out of the party this weekend, I could hold out for another thirty days.
Well I have some free time.
And I'm a pretty good fundraiser.
Maybe we could, uh brainstorm some ideas.
I never really cared for Warren.
Oh? The only way to get a man like that to do something good was to sleep with him.
That's why I did it.
My brother died of AIDS ten years ago.
There are thousand of people in Pittsburgh who need help.
I do what it takes.
I'm embarrassed.
Look I like you.
I don't want you to think that I I did care about him.
We knew each other.
But it was complica Hey.
- Hey.
- Come in.
Sit down.
Went by the bank.
Picked up the ring.
It's all I could afford in 1965.
It's almost a carat.
I remember it being a little bigger than that.
It's beautiful.
Actually, your mother picked it out, you know? She was always a step ahead of me, you know? She told me she didn't want me to surprise her, so she picked it out.
You know, when I proposed to your mother, she she was expecting it anyway, but she, uh she acted surprised.
Well, anyway, uh I I want to wish you Nicholas, I loved your mother.
I hope you know that.
I wanted to spend my life with her.
Things just fell apart, and I I I let it go.
I let I let her go.
I regret that.
Well you'll do better.
I love you, son.
I love you, too, Dad.
[Nick.]
Stanley Heights Group Shelter? It's the only shelter that can handle HIV-positive children.
How many kids under ten live there? - Not many.
- Right.
I've checked every bed in the county.
I mean, we could split them up, but Etta's still gonna have to go to Stanley Heights.
Nick.
Oh, hi, Suzanne.
There's a couple here to see you regarding the Wheat case.
Daryl used to know Calvin Wheat before the whole tragedy.
They played basketball together at the gym.
Right.
I was at work yesterday when I got the call from Calvin.
I hadn't talked to him in years.
He told me about the problems with his children.
That they didn't have any place to go.
That little Etta was sick.
So I talked to Nicole about it.
And we prayed about it and And this morning we decided.
This is the right thing.
Mr.
And Mrs.
Lakey, you understand that Etta has special needs? And you're prepared to educate yourself about the disease? We don't know much about it.
It's true.
But we can learn.
Okay.
Well, while you're here, we'll have you fill out the paperwork.
And then we'll schedule a home study and medical evaluations for later today.
No problem.
Okay, then.
When can we see the kids? Hey.
What's up? Oh, the health inspector said Oh that guy you had pay us a surprise visit.
Right.
The guy who found our facilities up to code.
Right.
He said you'd be expecting me.
So I have the condoms.
That door on the right.
You can put it in here with the rest of 'em.
No.
No one's gonna see them.
Then take them with you.
Know what? I don't get you.
All I'm asking is that you give people the option to be safe.
You know, stop an avoidable thing from happening.
Okay.
I don't have time for this.
Leave them.
Take them.
It's your call.
My call? That's what I just said.
It's all up to you, lady.
And they wanted to just toss them in some moldy closet where they hide all of their condoms and AIDS literature.
And so this makes you think that maybe Yeah.
Maybe I'm just looking for all the bad things to justify the way that I feel.
[Phone rings.]
[Ring.]
Ah Yeah.
Yeah.
No, no, no.
Just call the European Union guy.
Right.
It it's easy.
You can get it done.
Thank you.
Just, uh due diligence on this "Believe" thing.
- Oh, you need to take care of it? - No.
So, uhm you were saying, war, poverty, AIDS Why bring a kid into that? I guess.
You know, when my mother attempted suicide, she, uhm Well, I mean, she she got very depressed and and then she did something stupid.
What do you mean? Well, she didn't really want to die.
She was afraid, that's all.
I mean, if you're asking my opinion you know what I think.
Oh, hey.
You got a second? No, I'm trying to get home.
- The Lakeys passed their home study.
- Great.
But at the medical exam, Mr.
Lakey refused to take the blood test.
- He refused his blood test? - Yeah.
- I mean, it's within his rights, but l - Okay.
- Under the circumstances - Yeah, I'll look into it.
I gotta get home.
How was your day? Fine.
Good.
Yours? Fine.
Good.
Do you think we really have to wear masks to this party? I don't know.
'Cause I just don't know where I mean, I guess we could wear Halloween masks, but I don't think that's what they have in mind.
I don't know.
Um did you eat anything? No.
Well, there's a half a sandwich in the fridge.
We have a much bigger decision in front of us, Nick, than getting married, you know? We have a much much bigger decision.
I don't want to get married just because I'm pregnant anyway.
I just don't get you.
I don't know why you didn't talk to me about this, you know? Just talk to me about what you're thinking for a change because this doesn't have to be romantic our thing.
You know, we really should be like adults, and we should talk about things and then make decisions.
You know I I don't I don't care if you don't want to marry me.
It's all right.
I just You know I know that I'm ready to be a father.
I know that.
It's a really nice hat.
Yeah.
I believe.
So I received a letter from the Chicago law firm that represents Fujiyama Sake's U.
S.
Interests.
Fujiyama's top shelf Sake is called Believe.
Believe Sake.
The text of which is surrounded by a red sun.
So we have this problem.
Excuse me? Well, they're they're threatening a Federal lawsuit if we use their trademark.
We printed seventy-five thousand of these.
I never give you the go-ahead.
You told us to act fast.
Well I'm sorry, you can't sell the T-shirts or the hats or the or the key chains.
How did this happen? There were no significant indicators.
You you didn't check Japan for trademarks? Well, I ran the text and the letters, and nothing significant came back.
You didn't check Japan? So they can't give me the money? Because of this company, Fujiyama.
Fujiyama Sake.
Do do you know what Fujiyama Sake is, Fred? Well, I know what Sake is, for God's sake.
I lived in Japan.
You you were in Japan? When I was in the Army, I lived in Japan.
When I was in Japan, I drank Sake.
Everyone drinks Sake.
[Knock on door.]
Mr.
Wheat? Yeah, what? I came by here two days ago.
Are my kids okay? Daryl Lakey.
Yeah? Can you help me understand something? What? Were you involved with him? What do you mean? Did you have sex with him? Was he was he one of your partners? See, here's my problem, Mr.
Wheat.
If I give your children to the Lakeys and if Mr.
Lakey's HIV-positive and if Mrs.
Lakey doesn't know, then another family will be destroyed with your children in the middle of it again.
Mr.
Lakey, the reason I asked you to come in here by yourself Can you leave us a minute? Thank you.
I spoke with Calvin Wheat.
Okay.
I went to see him because of your refusal to give a blood sample.
Okay.
He confirmed some things.
I don't take blood tests, Mr.
Fallin.
That's how black men get diseases like Calvin's in the first place.
Calvin Wheat didn't contract HIV from a needle, all right? I don't know how he got it.
Right.
Mr.
Lakey, what you're doing, taking in his children, is a very good thing.
But if you're HIV-positive and then if you infect your You shut your mouth.
I am not a faggot so you shut your mouth.
I am trying to do the right thing here, Mr.
Fallin.
But don't make me change my mind.
Understand? Don't make me change my mind.
What do you want to do? It's your recommendation.
Your placement.
It's better than Stanley Heights.
Hope so.
It's complicated.
Hey.
Hey.
How are things? - Fine.
Fine.
- Good.
Do you need anything? Just wanted to know how things went.
Haven't done it yet.
Oh I just want to let everybody know we've reached our halfway point twenty-six thousand dollars.
So please, empty out your pockets, put it on the credit card, and give, give, give.
You know I don't I don't feel so great.
Maybe Do you do you want some more water or something? Oh, no.
No.
Maybe we need some air or It's okay.
I think I'm just gonna go home.
Yeah.
Let's let's just go.
- Have fun.
- All right.
- Sorry.
- Good night.
Good night.
Hey, you know what? You should just stay because you promised you'd help with the raffle.
- Oh, someone else can do it.
- No, no, no.
Just just stay, please.
I'm I'm gonna go home.
I'm fine.
I just need to go home.
I'll see you later.
Okay.
Now for the first of our ten lucky winners of this beautiful ceramic jester doll, donated by Hidden Treasures on Lincoln Street.
Whoever has ticket 4084, come on up and get your prize.
I think the dolls are wrapped in newspaper, or they're in a big cardboard box, down there.
[AIvin.]
Congratulations.
Hi.
Hi.
- It's me.
- Who? It's me.
Having fun? Right.
Where's your date? Uh she she left.
Oh.
So, uhm I pulled some strings so that the kids could be with the Lakeys by next weekend.
Good.
Good.
That must've been, um It's complicated.
Yeah.
Complicated? [Victoria.]
We've raised fifty-one thousand, two hundred and eleven dollars.
[Applause.]
Hi.
Hi.
How was the party? Fine.
Uh I've been thinking.
I don't want to have an abortion.
Well, that's great.
That's what I've been thinking.
Okay.
Okay.
So you want to get in? Nick come on, get in.