The Guardian (2001) s03e14 Episode Script
All Is Mended
[Doorbell ringing.]
[Knocking continues.]
[Sighs.]
- Hey.
- Hi.
It's freezing.
Yeah.
It's, um It's late.
You You okay? I'm sorry.
No, I, uh I just couldn't sleep.
That's all right.
Um, you want some tea or something? Yeah.
[Water running.]
There's a problem with the baby.
What kind of problem? Down syndrome.
I got the results of my triple marker screening, and, uh, it indicated that there could be some kind of a problem like this with the baby, so I had to go ahead and get an amnio, and I got those results today.
Why didn't you tell me? Because I just didn't want to bother you with something like this until I knew for certain.
Right.
Right.
Well, is it for certain? Amnio.
It's 99%.
Um, the doctor gave me this.
[Clears throat.]
I mean, I don't know how much it's really gonna help.
I don't I don't even know what I really want right now.
Right.
I mean, I don't know that we can handle having a child like this.
"We"? Right.
I'm gonna go.
Let's talk about it tomorrow.
All right.
Okay.
[Door opens.]
[Door closes.]
~ 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 ~ So, we sit down to dinner, and the doorbell rings.
- I ignore it, - [elevator bell dings.]
But it keeps ringing, and somebody keeps knocking.
So I go to answer it, and these two cops come into my house with two women from Social Services.
Mr.
Tilden, can you just give me one second? One second.
You know, just 'cause I've made mistakes Now, I know that I've made mistakes, but, Lulu, I think that we can work out whatever problems we have.
So just don't let us interfere with this decision.
Well, the past is prologue, Nick.
You know, all I have to go on is what's been.
So you can say these things.
It's nice.
Thank you.
- But it doesn't really change anything.
- Does what I say have any bearing? - Am I not involved in this? - Of course.
Okay.
The doctor tell you how much time we have? - I'm in my second trimester, so - But do we have any time? Not really.
[Door opens.]
Mr.
Fallin.
Hey, I've been waiting all morning.
I gotta get back to Nick? I'm fine.
If you need to talk No, I'm fine.
Okay.
The baby has Down syndrome.
[Sighs.]
And you, uh you read this material, and it's all just words, you know? Just extra chromosome, heart defects, retardation It's just all words.
If there's anything I can do Thank you.
Mr.
Tilden? So, Social Services said they got a call that someone had accused me of molesting my daughter, Megan, and they told me I had to let them look around.
Next thing I know, the cops have me on the couch in the corner, and they took the girls.
- You have three girls? - Megan, Cindy, and Amy.
- Where are they now? - At their grandparents'.
- Your parents? - My wife's.
- Where's your wife? - At the county hospital.
- When does she get out? - She doesn't.
She's been in a coma for four years, so she doesn't get out.
So, I'll meet you outside the courthouse at 3:00 for the shelter hearing.
- [Elevator bell dings.]
- Thank you.
Okay.
[AIvin.]
Nick.
The Home for the Developmentally Disabled.
We've been representing their residents for over a decade.
Right.
So, there's this 23-year-old kid with Down syndrome.
I'm supposed to help him deal with a probate issue.
- Okay.
- If you want, you can take it.
Me? You said it was all just words, right? It's a probate issue? [Man.]
Gentlemen, it's good to have you with us today.
Now, as you may know, the Riverbrook Country Club is one of Pittsburgh's oldest and most prestigious.
Our members include leaders in business, politics, and philanthropy.
Every year, we look forward to meeting a select number of junior member candidates.
We've heard good things about all of you from your sponsors.
So now we look forward to getting to know you better during your application process.
Follow me out to the garden.
Jake? Kate.
Hey! - What are you doing here? - Oh, uh, just orientation.
- You know, I was trying to join.
- Great.
Yeah, you know, maybe I like golf and tennis.
So, are you, uh are you a member? Oh, my great-great-grandfather helped found the place, so Really? Yeah.
I know it's stupid.
[Laughs.]
Um, so is it a party? Lulu's baby shower.
Oh.
You're having it here.
- Yeah.
Wednesday afternoon.
- Oh, that's nice.
You know, that was, uh that was fun last Thanksgiving the, uh the Turkey Bowl at the Point.
- [Laughs.]
- Yeah.
- You played really well.
- Thanks.
Well, I have to, um, drop this off and talk to the caterer.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Um, uh, listen, you know, maybe if you have some time, maybe I could buy you lunch.
When? Whenever you're free.
Well, I was gonna eat here today, - Okay.
If you'd like to join me.
- Oh, eat here.
- Yeah.
- Great.
- So, I'll just meet you back here? - Yeah, yeah.
I'Il Okay.
- Great.
All right.
Great.
- Nick Fallin.
- Right.
- Hank.
- Hi.
- It's good of you to come so quickly.
- Oh, it's no problem.
So, have you worked with people like Mark before? Once or twice.
Then you understand it can be a bit frustrating.
Okay.
His mother left him $15,000 in her will.
That's not enough to last for more than a year, but it's gonna disqualify him from his Social Security.
Right.
So we need some help setting up a trust so he's not disqualified.
Okay.
Otherwise he can end up on the street for a few months.
[Knocking.]
Mark? Mark, this is Nick Fallin.
Nick, Mark.
[Nick.]
Hi.
Look at this car.
Nick's going to help you with your problem.
You know how to drive? Yeah, I do.
So, do I just explain to him the process? - Sure.
- Okay.
Mark.
Mark! Hey, I look at that.
Nick's gonna tell you how he's gonna help you.
Mark, uh, when your mother died, she My mother brush me, brush my teeth, wash my hair.
Right.
Uh, when she died, she left you She want me to learn to read.
It takes him some time to get focused.
Well, Mark, I'm gonna set something up for you so that you don't lose your insurance.
I love acting.
That's nice.
I acted.
Very special players.
Good.
Hank, do you have the estate information? - Sure.
I'll go get it.
- Thank you.
I played Puck.
Really.
"If "If we shadows "has offended, "think but this is all "is all is" - Is mended? - Right.
- "Is mended.
" - Okay.
- [Knocks.]
- Yeah? Hey, Burton, I just wanted to say thank you again for setting that up at Riverbrook.
Oh.
Yeah, sure.
You liked it? So, you, uh you want to apply? I can make some calls.
All right.
Good.
You know anybody else out there that might be able to help you? Well, only Kate Shaw.
Okay.
Richard Shaw's daughter? Yeah, we, uh we actually had lunch today.
You can't do much better than that, I guess.
We're We're gonna have, uh, dinner again tonight.
Miss Graves, you believe returning the children to their home would place them in imminent danger? The phone call alleging sexual abuse was specific, and Mr.
Tilden has been uncooperative with us.
Mr.
Tilden has no history of child abuse or neglect.
Miss Shaw? The children are comfortable with their grandparents.
They won't be traumatized while Social Services completes their investigation.
Well, the standard is not whether they're traumatized.
I'm placing these children with their grandparents until Social Services has finished evaluating this allegation.
[Gavel bangs.]
They made the call.
Why would they do that? Because I don't let them see my daughters.
I wanted to let my wife die two years ago, and they opposed me.
Tied it up in the courts.
Cost me everything I had.
Mr.
Tilden, Social Services wants to continue this investigation.
I mean, she's had pneumonia for almost three weeks.
- They vacuum her lungs twice a day.
- Mr.
Tilden.
I'm listening.
They're gonna ask you to speak with a psychiatrist to determine if you have a sexual disorder.
I never touched Megan.
Then just cooperate with their requests.
[Knocking.]
- Is everything all right? - [Door closes.]
You know, uh, Kate Shaw planned this big baby shower for me on Wednesday afternoon.
I just picked up the phone to call her and cancel the whole stupid thing.
Right.
And, uh, l I couldn't do it.
I mean, I couldn't cancel the party.
I just I couldn't do it yet.
[Mark.]
"If we shadows "have offended, think this" Try it again.
The probate court will allow us to create something called a Special Needs Trust.
You can act as trustee, or you can appoint a bank or the Disability Alliance to do so.
So his Social Security won't be discontinued? - "have 'befended"' - [Woman.]
"Offended.
" - Right.
- Great.
We have all the paperwork at LSP, so if you come in there this afternoon, we can get started.
Great.
Okay.
- Try it again.
- I'll see you later.
- "We" - [Woman.]
"lf.
" I mean, "If we shadows "have offended, think but this" [Woman.]
Mm-hmm.
"And all" "And all is mended.
" Very good.
- I'm good? - You're very good.
I'm tired.
Okay, Mark.
[Man on P.
A.
System.]
Ms.
Richards, can you come to the dispensary? Ms.
Richards, you're needed over at the dispensary.
When's your show on? The show on the 18th, and then 15th.
It's not for free.
Okay.
Mark, you understand that your mother left you some money? Is there anything special that you want to do with it? I want to get a car.
Well, I was thinking more along the lines of, uh, saving it so that one day you can live on your own.
I want to get the car.
I like to drive.
Right.
Can I ask you something? What's it like to have Down syndrome? I got an extra chromosome.
Right.
You have an extra chromosome.
I understand that.
I want to drive.
Okay.
I got girlfriend.
Gonna take care of a baby.
My school has a ski club.
Right after school on Fridays, everybody takes a bus up to Seven Springs or Hidden Valley.
Right.
Everyone brings their ski stuff to gym, right? Megan.
Right.
I always Fridays.
I always looked at the stuff up against the wall.
I mean, I've never even been skiing.
I haven't even gone sledding since my mom got sick.
I asked my dad if I could go just once, and he said no.
I just wanted to go once.
- She's recanted? - Correct.
Well, then, send the kids home.
It's not so simple.
The abuse allegations were false, but there's clear evidence of neglect, and Mr.
Tilden's in denial about what's going on in his home.
- What do you mean? - Megan Tilden takes care of her younger sisters because Mr.
Tilden will not.
And for the most part, she's parenting her younger sisters alone.
We also found that Megan missed 30 days of school this year, and she was held back last year.
All right.
The issue here is alleged sexual abuse.
The fact that Megan was upset enough to allege that kind of abuse suggests these other issues be taken very seriously.
So if my client allows Megan to join the ski club, everything's gonna be okay.
My client does not want to be responsible for the care and upbringing of her sisters.
- She'd like her father to know that.
- All right.
Well, we're talking about a completely separate issue here.
She's tired of helping out at home so she said I was molesting her? She just wants a normal life.
None of us have a normal life anymore.
- [Monitor beeping.]
- Look at her.
- Mr.
Tilden - Megan doesn't like cooking dinner? I get it.
She's tired of helping out with Amy and Cindy Mr.
Tilden, you need to provide some sort of child care.
What Megan doesn't understand is what I have to do to keep this family going.
I work two jobs.
I'm here twice a day to make sure that no one no one forgets anything.
It's bedsores and cleaning, feeding tubes, [Woman on P.
A.
System, indistinct.]
Washing her hair.
Somebody's gotta do that.
[Knocks.]
Hi.
Hey.
Is it a bad time? No.
How you doing? Yeah, I know.
I keep thinking it's not real, you know? Lulu, uh, I volunteered for this case, uh, I guess, to try and have more of an understanding of what we may be facing.
Okay.
I'm working with this kid that has Down syndrome.
He has a probate issue, and I'm gonna take him to court, and I'm gonna set him up with a new trust.
- I don't understand.
- He's in the office now.
So when you see him with me, I just didn't want you to think that I was trying to make some kind of point.
Oh, you bring a kid with Down syndrome into my office, and then you tell me that you're not trying to make a point? I just I just wanted to tell you.
[No audible dialogue.]
Okay.
So, uh, Mark's all set.
His Social Security benefits won't be affected, and you'll be responsible for the upkeep of his trust.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Uh, Mark, you should thank Mr.
Fallin.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome, Mark.
Hank gonna take me to the movies.
Good.
With my friends.
Good.
Last time, I had popcorn, l I dropped it.
[Chuckles.]
Hey, Mark.
- You forgot to say good-bye.
- Bye.
Bye.
See you later, alligator.
[Kate.]
Yesterday was unusual.
[Jake clears throat.]
Yeah.
Lunch, dinner, after dinner.
It was unusual.
Wait.
Are you Are you breaking up with me? No, I just [chuckling.]
What? Look, this is our third date in two days, Jake.
I just I don't really know anything about you.
Well, what do you want to know? [Scoffs.]
This isn't an interview.
Oh, I know that.
I'm pretty good at screwing up relationships, judging by the fact that I'm 34, and I work 70 hours a week, and I don't even have a cat.
- Right.
- [Sighs.]
My father and mother loved my last boyfriend this old-money guy.
It kind of worked, kind of didn't.
Traveled.
Kissed my father's ass on a daily basis.
- Okay.
- That's not me.
Look, what I'm saying is, I don't want to go to the country club with you.
- Okay.
- I don't like that world.
I never did.
But, uh, uh, just 'cause I was there, I mean, l I hope I just hope you don't think I like you because of that.
Oh.
Well, you're hardly the country club type.
[Chuckles.]
So, um, we're good? Yeah.
There's just one other thing that I wanted to ask you.
Yeah, anything.
I need you to take an HIV test before things lead where they do.
And I'll take one, too.
- Oh, I've made you uncomfortable and - [phone ringing.]
Oh, uh, excuse me.
- Okay.
- [Phone beeps.]
Hi.
Okay.
Okay, Lulu.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
You don't have to say anything else.
Okay, I'll call you later.
- [Phone beeps.]
- What is it? It's - Lulu just cancelled the baby shower.
- Why? You fellas try and guess who's the who's it, okay? Okay, watch.
- Bill.
- What? - Let's do it.
- Hey.
You watching, fellas? You got it? Oh.
Jerry.
Come.
You try it now.
Mr.
Fallin.
Hey.
Something wrong? Uh, no, no.
I just I had this idea.
Oh.
I saw this ad in the paper.
They're auditioning this week for the summer Shakespeare festival.
You know, it's regular plays with professional actors, and each year they, uh, employee a few people with, um - Disabilities? - Right.
And, uh, you know, I just thought it might be something that Mark would be interested in.
Ah.
If he wants to do it, I'd be happy to take him.
- Okay.
I'll let him know.
- All right.
[Knocking.]
- Hey.
- Jake.
What are you doing here? Uh I was, um, with Kate Shaw when you called and told her about the baby.
[Scoffs.]
She told you.
That's great.
[Scoffs.]
What were you doing with Kate? Uh, l I've kind of been, uh Well, we've kind of been dating.
But l I just wanted to say how, uh, sorry I am, and, uh, if there's anything I can do to help.
Y-You're dating Kate? Right.
Oh.
What? Nothing.
- What? - Well, Jake - What? - Jake, come on.
Look, you know, l l I really didn't come here to talk about that.
- All right.
- I just wanted to know if you were - I'm okay.
- You are? Yeah.
Thanks, but I'm okay.
Okay.
Jake.
You know, Kate Shaw's a very good friend of mine.
Right.
[Door closes.]
Carl felt it was important to try and work this out instead of having to go to court.
So, Carl.
Megan, I was pretty upset about what you did.
Right.
I mean, I didn't know you felt the way you felt, and I guess I just wish you had talked to me about it.
I tried to talk to you.
Complaining about taking care of your sisters isn't exactly talking.
I'm sorry I'm sorry.
This is about a ski trip? You people have no idea what it's like to be us.
Okay? No idea.
- Carl - They don't.
They don't have any idea! And, Megan, I am sorry, but I think you're being immature.
- Carl - This is the way we are, like it or not, sweetheart.
And lying to people for attention is not the way to change it.
Amy and Cindy call me Mom, Dad.
- They call me Mom! - And that gives you the right to lie? To call the police? I'm placing the children with Mr.
And Mrs.
Lawson for the next three months.
Mr.
Tilden, you may see your daughters on weekends and holidays, and if, in that 90-day period, you complete a parenting class and begin counseling, the court will revisit this placement.
[Gavel bangs.]
I'll send you a list of approved counselors and parenting classes, and I'll contact you when your next hearing is scheduled.
I have to go.
I have to go.
Have you shared needles to inject drugs or steroids? No.
Have you had a blood transfusion or received blood products before April of 1985? No.
Have you had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex? Um, yes.
Okay.
Which? I don't have to answer that.
Okay.
How many partners have you had in the last year? Um, l I don't know.
[Writing.]
You know what? L I really I really don't need to do this.
[Chattering.]
Right there.
See the names? The names - Lulu.
- Yeah? - Uh, Mark, the kid with Down syndrome? - Yeah? - I have a little problem.
- What? Another client is in trouble, and he needs me immediately, and I have to go.
- Okay.
- I promised to take him to this audition.
Anyway, I called his guardian.
He's on his way here.
It's gonna take him a few minutes, so, uh - Oh.
Oh, okay.
- Thanks.
- Hi.
- Hi.
I'm Lulu.
Nick had to go.
He told me.
Yeah.
He had to go.
Have a seat.
Okay.
- [Monitors beeping.]
- [Ventilator breaths whooshing.]
I wanted to kill her.
Wouldn't take much.
I thought I thought I wanted to do that.
It'd be so much easier if she were dead.
Yeah.
I understand.
And no one would even really know.
They'd know.
They'd know you did it.
Sometimes, if you wait long enough, she opens her eyes and looks around.
Her parents see that, and they want to believe.
They want to believe that she's still in there, that she's communicating with them, that she's alive.
I mean, the doctors'll tell you it's just a trick reflex.
I've seen it.
And I know.
You hope there's something more going on inside her head, but there isn't.
She's like she is.
Mr.
Tilden, what can I do? I just Help me do the things they're asking of me, is all.
Help me get my kids back.
You know, I think you're right.
The past is prologue.
Yeah.
Whatever you want to do, Lulu, I'll support you with whatever you want to do.
You told me that you needed time to decide what you wanted to do.
Right.
So, what do you want? I want to be a father.
[Elevator bell dings.]
- Hey.
- Hey.
Lulu, listen, I'm, uh I'm I'm just so sorry.
I mean, this has gotta be a really rough time for you.
Thanks.
And, uh, [clears throat.]
about Kate.
[Groans.]
I know what you're thinking, but you're wrong.
- Jake, l - I like her.
I wasn't threatening you earlier.
- Oh, you were.
You were warning me.
- Well, I'm concerned.
That's all.
Well, she's, um she's asked me to take an HIV test.
- I didn't say anything to her.
- I'm not implying - I didn't - No, I'm not saying that you did.
It's What? I'm terrified.
[Sighing.]
I'm terrified.
I mean, I just I just wanted to join a country club, you know? I just wanted to be accepted and And now I mean, l I li I really like the idea of being with someone like Kate.
But what if I mean, if I take the test, and and the test is Right.
Then all I am is that.
I mean, that's all I am.
[Sighs.]
Hey, Nick.
Ah, Dad, you're here late.
Yeah, I had to finish up some stuff.
You, uh Do you have a second? Sure.
Um I, uh I know about the problem with with the baby.
Right.
Uh, well, I was, uh I was just thinking, if you if you do this, the kid's gonna need a lot of help.
Yeah, I know.
Well, there's a there's a program, you know, at Pitt.
- It's one of the best in the country.
- Right.
Expensive.
So, I, uh I was thinking maybe I'd open an account over there.
Put a little something in each year for the for the future.
Oh, thanks, Dad.
Yeah.
Yeah, well, it's about time I started giving you some of my damn money anyway, so Yeah.
[Chuckles.]
Yeah.
Thank you.
See you later.
You know, I feel really badly about all the planning that you did, between the country club and the invitations and You kidding? I can do that in my sleep.
No, I should've just told you sooner.
I'm just kind of Oh, Lulu.
You know, if you could do something for me If you could If you don't mind, just, uh, drop the gifts off at my office.
Well, Lulu Because I really want to be the one to write the notes.
- You shouldn't have to explain anything.
- I don't mind.
I said that I wanted to do it, Kate.
Okay.
Sorry.
I'm really sorry.
I'm just, uh Lulu.
[Sighs.]
A baby like this is so I don't know.
You know, when when it's not yours, it's just easy to say, "Don't have it.
" It's just a problem then, you know? It's like just It's just like you're making a choice to avoid a problem.
But when it's your baby A lot of people choose these kids.
Yeah, but they're in committed relationships.
- I'm afraid to do this alone.
- Nick doesn't want the baby? No, he does.
Well, he says he says he wants to be a father.
- [Chattering.]
- [Phones ringing.]
[Elevator bell dings.]
- Good morning.
- Morning.
Uh, you know, yesterday, I didn't tell you, but I really liked talking with Mark.
He grows on you.
Yeah.
I enjoyed it.
Later today, I'm taking him to that audition.
Oh, right.
If you want to come.
Uh, maybe.
Jake Straka.
[Pen clicking.]
[Man.]
Thank you, Peggy.
Peggy.
Will someone please find Peggy's mother? - Thank you, Peggy.
- Come on, Peggy.
Okay, next is Mark Barlow.
That's me.
That's you.
I don't know how I go do the speech.
You know it, Mark.
I don't know.
Mark Barlow.
Uh, could you just give us a second, please? Hey, Mark, you know the speech.
You've done it.
Now just stand up.
Come on.
See that girl, Peggy? She just stood there.
She didn't say anything.
So it's okay.
You just go out there and tell them who you are.
Okay? You can do this, Mark.
Come on.
You know the speech.
You did it for me, remember? Just go up and tell them who you are.
That's good.
Hello.
I'm Mark.
I'm Mark.
"If we shadows" I, uh "If we shadows "I offended, think but this this all is mended.
" Glad you could make it.
Yeah.
I'm glad that I came.
He did really well.
Yeah, well, he's quite the character.
[Laughs.]
Hi.
I was just writing you a note.
These are the presents from the baby shower.
Yeah, I forgot you were coming.
Sorry.
Right.
Well, thank you.
Okay.
Well, I'll see you guys.
- Yeah.
I'll call you.
- Okay.
Thank you.
So What? What is it? Well, maybe we shouldn't send them back.
Really? You sure? Yeah.
I have no idea.
[Knocking continues.]
[Sighs.]
- Hey.
- Hi.
It's freezing.
Yeah.
It's, um It's late.
You You okay? I'm sorry.
No, I, uh I just couldn't sleep.
That's all right.
Um, you want some tea or something? Yeah.
[Water running.]
There's a problem with the baby.
What kind of problem? Down syndrome.
I got the results of my triple marker screening, and, uh, it indicated that there could be some kind of a problem like this with the baby, so I had to go ahead and get an amnio, and I got those results today.
Why didn't you tell me? Because I just didn't want to bother you with something like this until I knew for certain.
Right.
Right.
Well, is it for certain? Amnio.
It's 99%.
Um, the doctor gave me this.
[Clears throat.]
I mean, I don't know how much it's really gonna help.
I don't I don't even know what I really want right now.
Right.
I mean, I don't know that we can handle having a child like this.
"We"? Right.
I'm gonna go.
Let's talk about it tomorrow.
All right.
Okay.
[Door opens.]
[Door closes.]
~ 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 ~ So, we sit down to dinner, and the doorbell rings.
- I ignore it, - [elevator bell dings.]
But it keeps ringing, and somebody keeps knocking.
So I go to answer it, and these two cops come into my house with two women from Social Services.
Mr.
Tilden, can you just give me one second? One second.
You know, just 'cause I've made mistakes Now, I know that I've made mistakes, but, Lulu, I think that we can work out whatever problems we have.
So just don't let us interfere with this decision.
Well, the past is prologue, Nick.
You know, all I have to go on is what's been.
So you can say these things.
It's nice.
Thank you.
- But it doesn't really change anything.
- Does what I say have any bearing? - Am I not involved in this? - Of course.
Okay.
The doctor tell you how much time we have? - I'm in my second trimester, so - But do we have any time? Not really.
[Door opens.]
Mr.
Fallin.
Hey, I've been waiting all morning.
I gotta get back to Nick? I'm fine.
If you need to talk No, I'm fine.
Okay.
The baby has Down syndrome.
[Sighs.]
And you, uh you read this material, and it's all just words, you know? Just extra chromosome, heart defects, retardation It's just all words.
If there's anything I can do Thank you.
Mr.
Tilden? So, Social Services said they got a call that someone had accused me of molesting my daughter, Megan, and they told me I had to let them look around.
Next thing I know, the cops have me on the couch in the corner, and they took the girls.
- You have three girls? - Megan, Cindy, and Amy.
- Where are they now? - At their grandparents'.
- Your parents? - My wife's.
- Where's your wife? - At the county hospital.
- When does she get out? - She doesn't.
She's been in a coma for four years, so she doesn't get out.
So, I'll meet you outside the courthouse at 3:00 for the shelter hearing.
- [Elevator bell dings.]
- Thank you.
Okay.
[AIvin.]
Nick.
The Home for the Developmentally Disabled.
We've been representing their residents for over a decade.
Right.
So, there's this 23-year-old kid with Down syndrome.
I'm supposed to help him deal with a probate issue.
- Okay.
- If you want, you can take it.
Me? You said it was all just words, right? It's a probate issue? [Man.]
Gentlemen, it's good to have you with us today.
Now, as you may know, the Riverbrook Country Club is one of Pittsburgh's oldest and most prestigious.
Our members include leaders in business, politics, and philanthropy.
Every year, we look forward to meeting a select number of junior member candidates.
We've heard good things about all of you from your sponsors.
So now we look forward to getting to know you better during your application process.
Follow me out to the garden.
Jake? Kate.
Hey! - What are you doing here? - Oh, uh, just orientation.
- You know, I was trying to join.
- Great.
Yeah, you know, maybe I like golf and tennis.
So, are you, uh are you a member? Oh, my great-great-grandfather helped found the place, so Really? Yeah.
I know it's stupid.
[Laughs.]
Um, so is it a party? Lulu's baby shower.
Oh.
You're having it here.
- Yeah.
Wednesday afternoon.
- Oh, that's nice.
You know, that was, uh that was fun last Thanksgiving the, uh the Turkey Bowl at the Point.
- [Laughs.]
- Yeah.
- You played really well.
- Thanks.
Well, I have to, um, drop this off and talk to the caterer.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Um, uh, listen, you know, maybe if you have some time, maybe I could buy you lunch.
When? Whenever you're free.
Well, I was gonna eat here today, - Okay.
If you'd like to join me.
- Oh, eat here.
- Yeah.
- Great.
- So, I'll just meet you back here? - Yeah, yeah.
I'Il Okay.
- Great.
All right.
Great.
- Nick Fallin.
- Right.
- Hank.
- Hi.
- It's good of you to come so quickly.
- Oh, it's no problem.
So, have you worked with people like Mark before? Once or twice.
Then you understand it can be a bit frustrating.
Okay.
His mother left him $15,000 in her will.
That's not enough to last for more than a year, but it's gonna disqualify him from his Social Security.
Right.
So we need some help setting up a trust so he's not disqualified.
Okay.
Otherwise he can end up on the street for a few months.
[Knocking.]
Mark? Mark, this is Nick Fallin.
Nick, Mark.
[Nick.]
Hi.
Look at this car.
Nick's going to help you with your problem.
You know how to drive? Yeah, I do.
So, do I just explain to him the process? - Sure.
- Okay.
Mark.
Mark! Hey, I look at that.
Nick's gonna tell you how he's gonna help you.
Mark, uh, when your mother died, she My mother brush me, brush my teeth, wash my hair.
Right.
Uh, when she died, she left you She want me to learn to read.
It takes him some time to get focused.
Well, Mark, I'm gonna set something up for you so that you don't lose your insurance.
I love acting.
That's nice.
I acted.
Very special players.
Good.
Hank, do you have the estate information? - Sure.
I'll go get it.
- Thank you.
I played Puck.
Really.
"If "If we shadows "has offended, "think but this is all "is all is" - Is mended? - Right.
- "Is mended.
" - Okay.
- [Knocks.]
- Yeah? Hey, Burton, I just wanted to say thank you again for setting that up at Riverbrook.
Oh.
Yeah, sure.
You liked it? So, you, uh you want to apply? I can make some calls.
All right.
Good.
You know anybody else out there that might be able to help you? Well, only Kate Shaw.
Okay.
Richard Shaw's daughter? Yeah, we, uh we actually had lunch today.
You can't do much better than that, I guess.
We're We're gonna have, uh, dinner again tonight.
Miss Graves, you believe returning the children to their home would place them in imminent danger? The phone call alleging sexual abuse was specific, and Mr.
Tilden has been uncooperative with us.
Mr.
Tilden has no history of child abuse or neglect.
Miss Shaw? The children are comfortable with their grandparents.
They won't be traumatized while Social Services completes their investigation.
Well, the standard is not whether they're traumatized.
I'm placing these children with their grandparents until Social Services has finished evaluating this allegation.
[Gavel bangs.]
They made the call.
Why would they do that? Because I don't let them see my daughters.
I wanted to let my wife die two years ago, and they opposed me.
Tied it up in the courts.
Cost me everything I had.
Mr.
Tilden, Social Services wants to continue this investigation.
I mean, she's had pneumonia for almost three weeks.
- They vacuum her lungs twice a day.
- Mr.
Tilden.
I'm listening.
They're gonna ask you to speak with a psychiatrist to determine if you have a sexual disorder.
I never touched Megan.
Then just cooperate with their requests.
[Knocking.]
- Is everything all right? - [Door closes.]
You know, uh, Kate Shaw planned this big baby shower for me on Wednesday afternoon.
I just picked up the phone to call her and cancel the whole stupid thing.
Right.
And, uh, l I couldn't do it.
I mean, I couldn't cancel the party.
I just I couldn't do it yet.
[Mark.]
"If we shadows "have offended, think this" Try it again.
The probate court will allow us to create something called a Special Needs Trust.
You can act as trustee, or you can appoint a bank or the Disability Alliance to do so.
So his Social Security won't be discontinued? - "have 'befended"' - [Woman.]
"Offended.
" - Right.
- Great.
We have all the paperwork at LSP, so if you come in there this afternoon, we can get started.
Great.
Okay.
- Try it again.
- I'll see you later.
- "We" - [Woman.]
"lf.
" I mean, "If we shadows "have offended, think but this" [Woman.]
Mm-hmm.
"And all" "And all is mended.
" Very good.
- I'm good? - You're very good.
I'm tired.
Okay, Mark.
[Man on P.
A.
System.]
Ms.
Richards, can you come to the dispensary? Ms.
Richards, you're needed over at the dispensary.
When's your show on? The show on the 18th, and then 15th.
It's not for free.
Okay.
Mark, you understand that your mother left you some money? Is there anything special that you want to do with it? I want to get a car.
Well, I was thinking more along the lines of, uh, saving it so that one day you can live on your own.
I want to get the car.
I like to drive.
Right.
Can I ask you something? What's it like to have Down syndrome? I got an extra chromosome.
Right.
You have an extra chromosome.
I understand that.
I want to drive.
Okay.
I got girlfriend.
Gonna take care of a baby.
My school has a ski club.
Right after school on Fridays, everybody takes a bus up to Seven Springs or Hidden Valley.
Right.
Everyone brings their ski stuff to gym, right? Megan.
Right.
I always Fridays.
I always looked at the stuff up against the wall.
I mean, I've never even been skiing.
I haven't even gone sledding since my mom got sick.
I asked my dad if I could go just once, and he said no.
I just wanted to go once.
- She's recanted? - Correct.
Well, then, send the kids home.
It's not so simple.
The abuse allegations were false, but there's clear evidence of neglect, and Mr.
Tilden's in denial about what's going on in his home.
- What do you mean? - Megan Tilden takes care of her younger sisters because Mr.
Tilden will not.
And for the most part, she's parenting her younger sisters alone.
We also found that Megan missed 30 days of school this year, and she was held back last year.
All right.
The issue here is alleged sexual abuse.
The fact that Megan was upset enough to allege that kind of abuse suggests these other issues be taken very seriously.
So if my client allows Megan to join the ski club, everything's gonna be okay.
My client does not want to be responsible for the care and upbringing of her sisters.
- She'd like her father to know that.
- All right.
Well, we're talking about a completely separate issue here.
She's tired of helping out at home so she said I was molesting her? She just wants a normal life.
None of us have a normal life anymore.
- [Monitor beeping.]
- Look at her.
- Mr.
Tilden - Megan doesn't like cooking dinner? I get it.
She's tired of helping out with Amy and Cindy Mr.
Tilden, you need to provide some sort of child care.
What Megan doesn't understand is what I have to do to keep this family going.
I work two jobs.
I'm here twice a day to make sure that no one no one forgets anything.
It's bedsores and cleaning, feeding tubes, [Woman on P.
A.
System, indistinct.]
Washing her hair.
Somebody's gotta do that.
[Knocks.]
Hi.
Hey.
Is it a bad time? No.
How you doing? Yeah, I know.
I keep thinking it's not real, you know? Lulu, uh, I volunteered for this case, uh, I guess, to try and have more of an understanding of what we may be facing.
Okay.
I'm working with this kid that has Down syndrome.
He has a probate issue, and I'm gonna take him to court, and I'm gonna set him up with a new trust.
- I don't understand.
- He's in the office now.
So when you see him with me, I just didn't want you to think that I was trying to make some kind of point.
Oh, you bring a kid with Down syndrome into my office, and then you tell me that you're not trying to make a point? I just I just wanted to tell you.
[No audible dialogue.]
Okay.
So, uh, Mark's all set.
His Social Security benefits won't be affected, and you'll be responsible for the upkeep of his trust.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Uh, Mark, you should thank Mr.
Fallin.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome, Mark.
Hank gonna take me to the movies.
Good.
With my friends.
Good.
Last time, I had popcorn, l I dropped it.
[Chuckles.]
Hey, Mark.
- You forgot to say good-bye.
- Bye.
Bye.
See you later, alligator.
[Kate.]
Yesterday was unusual.
[Jake clears throat.]
Yeah.
Lunch, dinner, after dinner.
It was unusual.
Wait.
Are you Are you breaking up with me? No, I just [chuckling.]
What? Look, this is our third date in two days, Jake.
I just I don't really know anything about you.
Well, what do you want to know? [Scoffs.]
This isn't an interview.
Oh, I know that.
I'm pretty good at screwing up relationships, judging by the fact that I'm 34, and I work 70 hours a week, and I don't even have a cat.
- Right.
- [Sighs.]
My father and mother loved my last boyfriend this old-money guy.
It kind of worked, kind of didn't.
Traveled.
Kissed my father's ass on a daily basis.
- Okay.
- That's not me.
Look, what I'm saying is, I don't want to go to the country club with you.
- Okay.
- I don't like that world.
I never did.
But, uh, uh, just 'cause I was there, I mean, l I hope I just hope you don't think I like you because of that.
Oh.
Well, you're hardly the country club type.
[Chuckles.]
So, um, we're good? Yeah.
There's just one other thing that I wanted to ask you.
Yeah, anything.
I need you to take an HIV test before things lead where they do.
And I'll take one, too.
- Oh, I've made you uncomfortable and - [phone ringing.]
Oh, uh, excuse me.
- Okay.
- [Phone beeps.]
Hi.
Okay.
Okay, Lulu.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
You don't have to say anything else.
Okay, I'll call you later.
- [Phone beeps.]
- What is it? It's - Lulu just cancelled the baby shower.
- Why? You fellas try and guess who's the who's it, okay? Okay, watch.
- Bill.
- What? - Let's do it.
- Hey.
You watching, fellas? You got it? Oh.
Jerry.
Come.
You try it now.
Mr.
Fallin.
Hey.
Something wrong? Uh, no, no.
I just I had this idea.
Oh.
I saw this ad in the paper.
They're auditioning this week for the summer Shakespeare festival.
You know, it's regular plays with professional actors, and each year they, uh, employee a few people with, um - Disabilities? - Right.
And, uh, you know, I just thought it might be something that Mark would be interested in.
Ah.
If he wants to do it, I'd be happy to take him.
- Okay.
I'll let him know.
- All right.
[Knocking.]
- Hey.
- Jake.
What are you doing here? Uh I was, um, with Kate Shaw when you called and told her about the baby.
[Scoffs.]
She told you.
That's great.
[Scoffs.]
What were you doing with Kate? Uh, l I've kind of been, uh Well, we've kind of been dating.
But l I just wanted to say how, uh, sorry I am, and, uh, if there's anything I can do to help.
Y-You're dating Kate? Right.
Oh.
What? Nothing.
- What? - Well, Jake - What? - Jake, come on.
Look, you know, l l I really didn't come here to talk about that.
- All right.
- I just wanted to know if you were - I'm okay.
- You are? Yeah.
Thanks, but I'm okay.
Okay.
Jake.
You know, Kate Shaw's a very good friend of mine.
Right.
[Door closes.]
Carl felt it was important to try and work this out instead of having to go to court.
So, Carl.
Megan, I was pretty upset about what you did.
Right.
I mean, I didn't know you felt the way you felt, and I guess I just wish you had talked to me about it.
I tried to talk to you.
Complaining about taking care of your sisters isn't exactly talking.
I'm sorry I'm sorry.
This is about a ski trip? You people have no idea what it's like to be us.
Okay? No idea.
- Carl - They don't.
They don't have any idea! And, Megan, I am sorry, but I think you're being immature.
- Carl - This is the way we are, like it or not, sweetheart.
And lying to people for attention is not the way to change it.
Amy and Cindy call me Mom, Dad.
- They call me Mom! - And that gives you the right to lie? To call the police? I'm placing the children with Mr.
And Mrs.
Lawson for the next three months.
Mr.
Tilden, you may see your daughters on weekends and holidays, and if, in that 90-day period, you complete a parenting class and begin counseling, the court will revisit this placement.
[Gavel bangs.]
I'll send you a list of approved counselors and parenting classes, and I'll contact you when your next hearing is scheduled.
I have to go.
I have to go.
Have you shared needles to inject drugs or steroids? No.
Have you had a blood transfusion or received blood products before April of 1985? No.
Have you had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex? Um, yes.
Okay.
Which? I don't have to answer that.
Okay.
How many partners have you had in the last year? Um, l I don't know.
[Writing.]
You know what? L I really I really don't need to do this.
[Chattering.]
Right there.
See the names? The names - Lulu.
- Yeah? - Uh, Mark, the kid with Down syndrome? - Yeah? - I have a little problem.
- What? Another client is in trouble, and he needs me immediately, and I have to go.
- Okay.
- I promised to take him to this audition.
Anyway, I called his guardian.
He's on his way here.
It's gonna take him a few minutes, so, uh - Oh.
Oh, okay.
- Thanks.
- Hi.
- Hi.
I'm Lulu.
Nick had to go.
He told me.
Yeah.
He had to go.
Have a seat.
Okay.
- [Monitors beeping.]
- [Ventilator breaths whooshing.]
I wanted to kill her.
Wouldn't take much.
I thought I thought I wanted to do that.
It'd be so much easier if she were dead.
Yeah.
I understand.
And no one would even really know.
They'd know.
They'd know you did it.
Sometimes, if you wait long enough, she opens her eyes and looks around.
Her parents see that, and they want to believe.
They want to believe that she's still in there, that she's communicating with them, that she's alive.
I mean, the doctors'll tell you it's just a trick reflex.
I've seen it.
And I know.
You hope there's something more going on inside her head, but there isn't.
She's like she is.
Mr.
Tilden, what can I do? I just Help me do the things they're asking of me, is all.
Help me get my kids back.
You know, I think you're right.
The past is prologue.
Yeah.
Whatever you want to do, Lulu, I'll support you with whatever you want to do.
You told me that you needed time to decide what you wanted to do.
Right.
So, what do you want? I want to be a father.
[Elevator bell dings.]
- Hey.
- Hey.
Lulu, listen, I'm, uh I'm I'm just so sorry.
I mean, this has gotta be a really rough time for you.
Thanks.
And, uh, [clears throat.]
about Kate.
[Groans.]
I know what you're thinking, but you're wrong.
- Jake, l - I like her.
I wasn't threatening you earlier.
- Oh, you were.
You were warning me.
- Well, I'm concerned.
That's all.
Well, she's, um she's asked me to take an HIV test.
- I didn't say anything to her.
- I'm not implying - I didn't - No, I'm not saying that you did.
It's What? I'm terrified.
[Sighing.]
I'm terrified.
I mean, I just I just wanted to join a country club, you know? I just wanted to be accepted and And now I mean, l I li I really like the idea of being with someone like Kate.
But what if I mean, if I take the test, and and the test is Right.
Then all I am is that.
I mean, that's all I am.
[Sighs.]
Hey, Nick.
Ah, Dad, you're here late.
Yeah, I had to finish up some stuff.
You, uh Do you have a second? Sure.
Um I, uh I know about the problem with with the baby.
Right.
Uh, well, I was, uh I was just thinking, if you if you do this, the kid's gonna need a lot of help.
Yeah, I know.
Well, there's a there's a program, you know, at Pitt.
- It's one of the best in the country.
- Right.
Expensive.
So, I, uh I was thinking maybe I'd open an account over there.
Put a little something in each year for the for the future.
Oh, thanks, Dad.
Yeah.
Yeah, well, it's about time I started giving you some of my damn money anyway, so Yeah.
[Chuckles.]
Yeah.
Thank you.
See you later.
You know, I feel really badly about all the planning that you did, between the country club and the invitations and You kidding? I can do that in my sleep.
No, I should've just told you sooner.
I'm just kind of Oh, Lulu.
You know, if you could do something for me If you could If you don't mind, just, uh, drop the gifts off at my office.
Well, Lulu Because I really want to be the one to write the notes.
- You shouldn't have to explain anything.
- I don't mind.
I said that I wanted to do it, Kate.
Okay.
Sorry.
I'm really sorry.
I'm just, uh Lulu.
[Sighs.]
A baby like this is so I don't know.
You know, when when it's not yours, it's just easy to say, "Don't have it.
" It's just a problem then, you know? It's like just It's just like you're making a choice to avoid a problem.
But when it's your baby A lot of people choose these kids.
Yeah, but they're in committed relationships.
- I'm afraid to do this alone.
- Nick doesn't want the baby? No, he does.
Well, he says he says he wants to be a father.
- [Chattering.]
- [Phones ringing.]
[Elevator bell dings.]
- Good morning.
- Morning.
Uh, you know, yesterday, I didn't tell you, but I really liked talking with Mark.
He grows on you.
Yeah.
I enjoyed it.
Later today, I'm taking him to that audition.
Oh, right.
If you want to come.
Uh, maybe.
Jake Straka.
[Pen clicking.]
[Man.]
Thank you, Peggy.
Peggy.
Will someone please find Peggy's mother? - Thank you, Peggy.
- Come on, Peggy.
Okay, next is Mark Barlow.
That's me.
That's you.
I don't know how I go do the speech.
You know it, Mark.
I don't know.
Mark Barlow.
Uh, could you just give us a second, please? Hey, Mark, you know the speech.
You've done it.
Now just stand up.
Come on.
See that girl, Peggy? She just stood there.
She didn't say anything.
So it's okay.
You just go out there and tell them who you are.
Okay? You can do this, Mark.
Come on.
You know the speech.
You did it for me, remember? Just go up and tell them who you are.
That's good.
Hello.
I'm Mark.
I'm Mark.
"If we shadows" I, uh "If we shadows "I offended, think but this this all is mended.
" Glad you could make it.
Yeah.
I'm glad that I came.
He did really well.
Yeah, well, he's quite the character.
[Laughs.]
Hi.
I was just writing you a note.
These are the presents from the baby shower.
Yeah, I forgot you were coming.
Sorry.
Right.
Well, thank you.
Okay.
Well, I'll see you guys.
- Yeah.
I'll call you.
- Okay.
Thank you.
So What? What is it? Well, maybe we shouldn't send them back.
Really? You sure? Yeah.
I have no idea.