The Guardian (2001) s03e12 Episode Script

[Wind blowing.]
Nick.
You're really gonna do this? - Nick - Lulu, please.
Don't go.
I'm sorry.
[Door closes.]
[Car door closes.]
[Car engine starts.]
[Knock on door.]
Hey.
It's cold as hell out there.
It's supposed to last all week.
Right.
Have you eaten? I'm fine.
I saw Lulu outside.
Yeah.
I'm sorry about that.
Yeah.
Probably all for the best.
What? She's probably doing the right thing for now.
Listen, I, uh I've been thinking.
Oh, come on.
No.
Hey, hear me out, son.
I made some calls, and I found this place and, uh It's anonymous.
You can do that outpatient thing.
Dad, I don't need to go to some rehab Son, you need help.
You've gotta make some changes.
You're gonna end up in jail or worse.
I'm fine.
Will you just go out there tomorrow with me and we'll take a look at the place? Tomorrow? We have the Renstar merger tomorrow.
I know.
I've been working for the last two weeks on that opinion letter.
So we close the deal, we go out there tomorrow, take a look.
You you [sighs.]
Well I really do wish you'd take this seriously.
I'll see you tomorrow.
~ There is trouble in my mind ~ ~ There is dark ~ ~ There's 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 in my mind ~ Morning.
Oh, Burton! Hey.
Listen, the gentlemen from Renstar Communications are in the conference room.
- Nick here yet? - No, not yet.
[Sighs.]
Well, we can't start without him.
Right.
Well, I'll go talk to them.
Yeah, do that.
[Jake.]
Gentlemen.
Hi.
Morning, Lulu.
Is something wrong? What is it, Suzanne? There's a woman in your office.
Her name is Anita Hendricks.
- I don't know her.
- She's Nick's client.
What is she doing in my office? Her two-year-old was removed from her custody six months ago.
She was supposed to get her back today.
Supposed to? Nick never showed up in court.
[Chuffs.]
Fine! Good morning.
I did everything that was asked of me! Everything! I'm sober.
I got a job.
I took the classes.
Met with the counselors.
I'm Louisa Archer I did what I was supposed to do! You hear me? And my baby was supposed to come home with me this very day! I'm really sorry.
And the judge lady says I can't go back there until next week.
Okay.
Hang on.
Can somebody get me Anita Anita Hendricks! Anita Hendricks' file, please? Okay, Miss Hendricks, I'm gonna go over your file, and then I am going to personally oversee your next court appointment.
I gotta wait a whole week? Right.
Miss Hendricks.
I ain't waiting no more.
I want my baby back today, and I ain't leaving until I get her.
Would someone please track down Nick Fallin for me? Now! Burton, he's still not here.
I know.
I know that.
And we can't close this deal without that opinion letter.
No kidding.
And they're starting to get pissed.
[Phone ringing.]
[Nick on machine.]
Leave a message.
Nicholas, We need that letter now! You're making us look ridiculous.
May I help you? - Hi.
- Hi.
Hi.
What's your name? Nick.
Nick Fallin.
Hello, Nick Fallin.
Hello.
My father gave me a pamphlet.
Okay.
It said, uh I've seen our pamphlet.
He said I should come here.
Good.
He suggested it.
Good.
Do you want to be here? Yes.
Yeah, I think I do.
Then I'll call her.
Who? You'll love Anne.
Everybody does.
Drug of choice? Cocaine.
How long have you been using? Off and on, 16 years.
How much have you been using? It varies.
Sometimes I sneak a line or two.
Sometimes a little more.
Alcohol? Yeah, sometimes.
Yeah.
Anything else? Sometimes.
What type of substance? Sometimes, you know designer drugs.
Uh, ecstasy? Hallucinogens? [Softly.]
Yeah.
Have you ever been in treatment before? Uh, yeah.
Uh, I went through a court-ordered outpatient thing.
- You're on probation? - Yeah.
How long ago was that? A little over two years.
When was the last time you used? This morning.
You're high right now? No.
See, that's the thing.
Last night, my father came around and brought this pamphlet, and he told me, uh Well, he told me that I should straighten myself out.
I don't follow.
I went out instead and, uh saw this guy, and he sold me some stuff.
What did he call it? Beautiful.
Blue Mystic.
An hallucinogen.
How much did you take? I don't know.
60 milligrams? And nothing happened? I think it's just baking soda.
But I think you've made a very wise decision coming here.
And I think we can help.
Method of payment? - Can I use a credit card? - Mm-hmm.
[Telephone rings.]
I have to take that.
Hello, Dr.
Joplin.
Right.
Right.
Oh.
Right.
Right.
I will.
I will call them and come in.
You all right? I just I'm just Please excuse me.
Suzanne.
I'm attempting to, uh, fix Nick's mistake.
So this afternoon at 4:00, I need you to bring Anita's daughter to the courthouse.
I can't make it.
It's already been rescheduled, so You don't have Anita Hendricks camped out in your office, Suzanne.
- Right.
- Right.
So just clear your schedule and be there.
Uh, Burton.
Look, the Renstar guys won't leave until we close this deal.
Their drop-dead date's tomorrow, so they're gonna camp out here until 12:01.
Right.
Henry Moss is kinda starting to lose it.
He's threatening a malpractice suit if we don't close this deal.
It figures.
So, uh, there's only so much coffee I can offer 'em.
Okay.
I'II, uh I'll go in there and stall 'em.
Great.
Oh, listen, Jake.
Go by Nick's house.
See what the hell he's doing.
Got it.
Hello there.
I'm afraid that Anne had to leave.
Oh.
She told me that you were considering it.
You know, I think I'll come back at another time.
- Oh.
- Yeah, I think I'll do that.
[Knocks on door.]
Nick? - [Knocks.]
- [Jake.]
Nick! - What floor? - The legal clinic, please.
I think it's called LSP.
Anne? What are you doing here? I've got cancer.
I'm sorry.
My son doesn't know it yet.
I'm dying and my son I've got to find a place for him to go.
I was diagnosed a year ago.
I had surgery, did chemo, and went into remission.
I mean, I was in remission.
My son, he lives with me.
Right.
His dad is a workaholic prick.
Okay.
I have full custody.
His father gets one weekend a month, which he usually blows off.
- Right.
- Which is probably for the best.
His father scares him.
- Scares him? - Bad temper, tough on him.
Right.
I don't want to leave my son with my ex-husband.
- Do you have any alternatives? - My sister said she'd take him.
- Your sister? - Yeah.
She loves him.
She's very young.
- How young? - She's 26, but she's a good person.
Right.
Has your ex-husband ever abused or neglected your son? How do you measure abuse? I'd like a "Do Not Resuscitate" order.
- A living will? - Right.
You can help me with that? Sure.
Sure.
Am I upsetting you? No.
Sorry.
You seem to have You've been through something like this? Sorry.
Oh, don't worry about me.
I'm a counselor.
That's what I do.
This morning, when you came to see me, what I did, walking out on you like that, was really unprofessional.
It's okay.
No.
I put myself in front of you, and I'm - I'm sorry.
No, it's okay.
After you help me, I'm going to help you.
Okay.
Believe me, I am going to help you.
On Wednesday, there'll be a visiting guardian ad litem from a clinic in Maine who wants to shadow one of the lawyers, and I thought you'd be the best choice.
Sure.
Uh, sure.
Anything else? Yeah, I, uh, have a little situation here, as you can see.
- I've noticed.
- I ain't leaving.
Great.
Alvin, Nick dropped the ball, so I'm just wondering if you could cover for me in this afternoon's general meeting.
Yeah.
Okay.
So, I arranged it with the guardian ad litem, and we can all be there at 4.
Okay, then.
Suzanne.
You knew I was living with him.
Yeah.
Did you know that I was pregnant? What? Did you know that Nick's on probation? That if he gets caught with drugs or drinking that he will go to jail? - No.
- No? Okay.
Well, you just please tell him the next time you see him that he's done enough harm.
And I'm tired of cleaning up his messes.
You can just tell him that.
And you tell him to show up at the court at Burton, he's not home.
Okay.
I spoke to his secretary and to Gretchen, and no one knows where he is.
Damn.
Damn it! Just, uh, put them on the table.
Look, I think I can pull together an opinion letter in a couple of hours.
This is everything from the merger: Bylaws, charter, lawsuits, everything.
So give me a couple of hours to go through this, okay? You can draft an opinion letter in a couple of hours, huh? I'm a pretty good lawyer, Burton.
I think I can handle it.
Okay.
Here you are.
Looks good.
You can eat.
You're not hungry? So, a living will.
Right.
A living will says that you desire to die a natural death, and you don't want to be kept alive by medical treatment or heroic measures.
That's what I want.
Right.
So This basically states that you are of sound mind and that you are voluntarily making this declaration.
Okay.
That you direct the attending physician to withhold or withdraw life support.
Okay.
Then there are specific questions.
Fire away.
Do you want cardio-pulmonary resuscitation? No.
Do you want mechanical respiration? No.
Just do the whole list, okay? Tube feeding, blood transfusions, surgery, dialysis, antibiotics.
No.
No.
No to all that.
- Do you wish to donate any organs? - If they're useful.
[Front door opens and closes.]
- Hey, Mom.
- Hi, sweetheart.
I have a lot of homework.
He's so serious.
No TV.
Not many friends.
Just does his school work.
Oh.
Straight As.
The other moms, they wish their kid was just like mine, but, I don't know, I just wish he'd get a C and smile once in awhile.
Right.
My little man.
Hi, Miss Hendricks.
How's your sit-in going? Need to use the bathroom? Lulu, uh, I don't mean to Has anybody actually spoken to Nick today? No.
Should we be concerned? No.
Okay.
[Telephone rings.]
Louisa Archer.
Okay.
All right, thank you, Rosemarie.
Thank you.
That was your probation officer.
She's gonna meet us at the courthouse right now.
It's important to keep your hand really relaxed.
You gotta be limber.
- Hey, Lulu.
- Hi, Burton.
- I'm looking for Nick.
- Me, too.
Have you tried calling him at home? Yeah, I did.
Even had Jake go over there but, uh Well, he's probably I think we both know what he's probably doing.
- Hey, Alvin.
- Hey, Burton.
Do you mind if I check out Nick's office? I'm looking for a legal opinion.
- No, go right ahead.
- Thanks.
As for the custody of your son Right? - It's not gonna be easy.
- Okay.
Presumption in Pennsylvania is for the biological parent.
Right.
What does that mean? Your ex-husband has the legal right to contest the placement.
But there is a way? Yes, there's something called the Standby Guardian Act.
You're really You're so good at this.
You're really smart.
Thank you.
So, the Standby Guardian Act.
It allows a terminally ill parent to commence a custody action that alleges that the other parent is unable to care for their child.
Okay.
You could try to designate a new guardian.
My guess is you will lose.
Right.
From what you've told me of your son's father, he's not abusive or neglectful.
Well, he's not a good father.
He's not loving.
Legally "loving" is not a requirement.
Right.
Right.
Have you considered asking your son what he wants to do? Oh, he's just a boy.
No.
I need to come up with a solid plan for him.
A solid plan for him? Exactly.
You need to ask him what he wants to do.
He's just a boy.
Is there a bathroom I might use? Upstairs, end of the hall.
- Hi, Jerry.
- Alvin.
- You know Nick Fallin? - Sure.
- Seen him around today? - Nah.
Oh, uh, if you see him, would you give me a call? - Sure.
- Thanks.
Any word yet? Uh, no.
Well, I'm gonna have to go in there and tell the clients.
I'm I'm almost finished.
You couldn't have analyzed the risks and liabilities.
It's good enough.
Well, I can't go in I mean, if you're wrong, we get sued.
Burton, we're gonna get sued either way.
Nah, I don't do business like this.
What? Believe me, Burton, I don't do business like this.
I mean, I'm just trying to cover Nick Did you go inside the house? No.
Jake! Look, go back over there, and if you have to break There's a key underneath the planter.
Go inside the house and find the damn letter! [Woman.]
It would be better this way.
[Man.]
Like hell it would.
[Woman.]
I just want him to be around someone who loves him.
[Man.]
What are you saying? Listen to yourself.
[Woman.]
You work all the time and you're so angry.
[Man.]
Anne, please.
[Anne.]
This is what I want.
He is my child.
[Man.]
I will never, never give him up, never give him away.
You understand that? [Anne.]
You are not hearing me.
You're not listening.
We have got to do what is best for him.
And what is best for him is attention and love, not anger.
He's just a little boy.
That didn't go very well.
Oh.
He won't agree to it.
Right.
I still want to take this to court.
You do? At least I want my son to know, at least, that I tried to do what I felt was best.
This is it.
Thank God.
[Creaking.]
All right.
My ex-husband is a powerful guy.
Okay.
No.
I mean, he's a powerful guy.
He's a lawyer, and he's very tough.
Well, I can handle myself.
He'll bring a lot of people with him.
He'll act kindly, but he'll be derisive and condescending.
Okay.
He'll make me out to be someone I'm not.
What do you mean? He might bring up the fact that I've struggled with With what? Pills.
Alcohol.
Oh.
He might bring that up.
It's irrelevant.
The judge is only concerned with your sister and your ex-husband.
Right.
Right.
Anne! I'm so sorry.
Traffic and parking.
Oh, hi, Nick.
Aunt Liz? Anne, listen, I don't think I can do this.
- Liz.
- I love your son.
I really do.
But I don't think now's the time to do this.
- You said that you would.
- I did.
Because I think your husband is I agree with a lot of the things you say but, Anne, I think you're doing this to get back at him, not because you think that this is best for your son.
I'm sorry.
Okay.
So, he goes to live with his dad.
Right.
Well, I better go get him packed.
What? - I want him to go tonight.
- Why? Because I don't want him to go through this with me.
He doesn't even know yet.
Right.
Well, he'll just have to go now and get used to where he'll be.
Anne, he doesn't know.
Thank you for your help.
But this is the way it's gotta be.
Where's Mr.
Fallin? I'm filling in for him, Your Honor.
All right.
Miss Hendricks.
I see you've stopped all contact with your former boyfriend, have completed your parenting classes, have a job.
Home study looks good.
Thank you.
I don't, however, see a certificate of completion for your drug rehabilitation program.
I took it.
I finished it.
Yes, but I don't see proof of that.
Miss Archer? Um, I'm afraid, Your Honor, I don't I gave it to that damn lawyer! Three days ago! I gave it to him on Friday! I'm sorry, Miss Hendricks, but I need to see a signed form before me.
Judge, my baby girl has been living in a crappy hellhole for almost six months - Miss Archer.
- And I just want to get her home to me! - You need to sit down! - Miss Archer, your client! [Pounds gavel.]
Miss Archer! Bring me the form.
You don't understand what it's like to have your baby taken from you.
I'm sorry.
It was supposed to be today.
I had the house all done up and my friends It was supposed to be today.
What? I'm sorry what I did.
I just It's not really something I can make go away with words, so I just really felt something for him.
I felt a lot.
That doesn't happen for me, that doesn't.
And I'm sorry.
- I got it.
- Great.
- Where'd you find it? - It was on the counter in the kitchen.
- Was Nicholas there? - No.
No, he wasn't, but I mean, it all looked good, so Okay.
Well, let's get this thing done.
Yeah.
All right.
Sorry for the delay.
Why don't you have a seat? I don't want him to remember me sick, wasting away.
You can't just kick him out.
- He shouldn't have to face this.
- He'll want to.
So you're just gonna drive off to the school and tell him that he can't be around you anymore? - It's for the best.
- For the best? - Yes.
- Anne, just ask him what he wants.
- He doesn't know.
- He does! - No, he doesn't! - He wants to stay with you! He wants to know that he's helped you! He shouldn't have to face this.
He is not that kind of child.
He's already so removed.
If I let him stay, it'll only make him worse.
You don't know that! You don't know what it's like for him to suddenly wake up in his father's house and to not see you again until you're too sick to object to his being there! He should get used to being with his father.
He has the rest of his life for that.
He only has a few months left with you.
[Doorbell rings.]
[Doorbell rings.]
Anne.
Anne, I'm sorry, okay? Will you please listen to me? Anne, please.
[Wind howling.]
Just let him stay with you until he's ready to go.
Why would I do that? Because he'll change.
He'll end up He'll end up what, Nick? It's for his own good.
[Starts engine.]
Don't go.
Please.
Please.
Please, don't go.
I'll still help you, Nick.
Please.
Please don't go.
[Sobbing.]
I'll help you, like I said I would.
Don't go.
[AIvin.]
Nick! [Sobbing.]
Nick! Nick! It's okay.
Nick! Nick! It's all right! [Sobbing.]
I took beautiful.
Nick, what'd you take? Nick! Nick! We're gonna get you outta here.
We'll take care of this.
Come on, Nick.
Come on! All right.
Come on.
- Hey.
- Hey.
How you doing? Blue Mystic, huh? Yeah.
Too much of a good thing? Something like that.
What'd they do for you? You know, they just gave me some Held my hand, talked me down.
Nice of them not to call the police.
Yeah.
Well, I do represent the hospital.
Right.
I forgot about that.
[Chuckles.]
At least I used to.
I called your father.
And I spoke to Lulu.
Told them not to come down here, that I'd take you home.
Thank you.
Well, we'll see about that.
That drug you took, Blue Mystic.
- Right.
- Why? [Chuckles.]
I don't know.
Why that drug? This guy, he, uh he told me He said it was incredible.
Yeah.
And it was.
Incredible.
It was for a while.
Hmm.
Hallucinogens.
I remember.
Incredible.
I'm fine, Alvin.
Thank you.
You can go home.
Yeah, I know.
It's 4 in the morning, and I'm pretty tired.
Right.
I'm sure.
Yeah.
So, uh, you should Go? Right.
Would you like some tea? No.
You? Yeah.
If you wouldn't mind.
[Knock on door.]
Hey.
Cold as hell out there.
- Hey.
- Hey.
So why don't we sit down and have a little talk.
What do I do? Go over there and give them your name.
Okay? All right.
Hi, uh, my name is Nick Fallin.
I wanted to talk to someone.
Okay, I've got all your basic information.
Okay.
We've got a few options here.
Right.
I don't think we need to admit you for detox.
No.
My feeling is we should start outpatient for the next 30 days.
Right.
That's four hours a night, five days a week.
Right.
You think you can handle that? Mr.
Fallin? Yes.
Good.
We're gonna help you, Mr.
Fallin.
Okay.
We will give you all the help you need.
Thank you.
It's your turn, Nick.
If you're ready, it's your turn.
Nick.
Anita Hendricks needs you to take her to court.
Right.
And she said that she gave you her certificate for her drug rehab.
She did.
It's in my office.
Well, you know, she's pretty angry, so maybe you could just give it to me and I'Il No, she's my client.
- I know, but maybe I could just - She's my client.
Okay, Miss Hendricks, I understand we have a 12:00 today.
Damn straight.
Well, if you step into my office, we can get that form ready.
Don't you got something to say to me? You're right, I do.
Um I'm sorry.
Well? All right, then.