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| "Telltale Nation" - Transcript Done by Jewel and Melly |
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Written by: David E. Kelley
Directed by:
-------------------- Disclaimer --------------------
I do not own the characters in this story, nor do I own any rights to the
television show 'The Practice'. They were created by David E. Kelley and
belong to him and David E. Kelley Productions.
This transcript was written by Jewel and Melly
------------------------------------------------------------
Extra Characters:
******************************
Ellenor and Eugene are in the conference room with their client, Arvin
Grayson
Ellenor: We are certainly prepared to go to trial. Don't misunderstand.
Arvin: You just don't think you can win.
Eugene: It's not that we can't. But nobody's ever won this type of suit
before...
Ellenor: There is a last minute offer. It's likely just to avoid trial but
it's something.
Arvin: How much?
Ellenor: It's a... eight thousand dollars.
Arvin: Eight thousand dollars?! Is that an going rate for manual ? rape
these days...
Eugene: The thing is, this case isn't against the church or the priest.
It's against a fellow victim.
Arvin: It's against someone who could've prevent it from happening to me
and should have.
Ellenor: Like I said we are prepared to move forward. But we need you to
be aware we are not confident of victory.
Arvin: I am not walking away for eight thousand dollars.
**********************************************
Opening Credits
**********************************************
Albert Ball and Louise Farcher are at Lindsay's office
Albert: We saw the article in the newspaper, uhm, on the fat woman singing
and we thought maybe you are like the specialist in nuisance law which is…
that’s why we are here.
Lindsay: But.... You are suing her.
Albert: Yes, that's correct! She's my neighbor. And a... Neither one of us
can afford a big trial... And we heard about this alternative dispute
resolution where a lawyer you know kinda decides. You know like a ref
(referee) or something.
Lindsay: It actually isn't that simple. Each of you would have to be
represented by your own attorney.
Albert: Oh.... (long pause) You got another one here?
*************
In the conference room
Bobby: I thought this was supposed to be settled.
Ellenor: They low-balled us.
Bobby: You can't try this the jury will laugh at you. Why the hell didn't
you sue the church?
Eugene: We did. We got lumped into a class action on that. We are perusing
this defendant separately.
Bobby: Why? Because he's a deep pocket.
Eugene: Bobby.
Bobby: This is a dog Eugene and you know it. A victim has no duty to
another victim. It's tort law 101. Without duty there is no breach.
Eugene: Perhaps you'd like to argue for the other side.
Booby: The other side at least has merits.
Eugene: Yes which is always been a prerequisite for taking a case here.
Rebecca: All right.
Lucy walks in: Walk Up.
They all talk at the same time: I took the last trial.
Bobby: Jamie!
Jamie gets up to leave: Excellent. (she leaves)
Ellenor: I am sorry, none of you find her too perky?
Bobby: To answer your question, a civil case should have merit before you
take it on a contingency for God's sake which you know. I think another
bias is in play here.
Rebecca: Bobby!
Eugene: Excuse me? Are you talking about my bias or yours?
Ellenor: Eugene!
Eugene: The jury will just laugh at us? The man was raped. What kind of
bias allows for a person who see that as nothing.
Bobby: You know what! Good luck with your case. I hope you win.
Bobby gets up and walks away slamming the door behind him.
********
Louise: I mean it's... It's my apartment. I should be allowed to make
ordinary household noises.
Jamie: I see, so you both went to Lindsay Dole.
Louise: Yes. And she said we needed separate attorneys and sent me over
here.
Jamie: Excellent. And the nature of the household noises?
Louise: Love making.
Jamie: (shocked) Love-making?
Louise: Yes, I guess I am a little vocal. (she laughs) I can't believe I
am saying this, Zeus In Heaven.
Jamie: So...
Louise: And see Albert... He and I used to be a couple. So it's difficult
for him to hear noises that used to only get made for him.
Jamie: Aha.
Louise: I think that's what this is really about. He's just trying to stop
me from making love. He is a very jealous man.
Swoosh
In a courtroom
Arvin: I was 18 years old at the time. I was having emotional problems at
school and at home. And I knew that Walter was being counseled by him so I
thought that I would try it.
Ellenor: Walter Beck was a friend of yours?
Arvin: My best friend. In fact he was the only friend I could confide my
problems to. It's because of this I learned that he was seeing Father
Brendell.
Ellenor: And later you met with this priest.
Arvin: Yes
Ellenor: And What happened?
Arvin: At first he thought I was suffering from depression and then he
started to zoom in on the fear of intimacy. Physical intimacy.
Ellenor: And at some point, this went beyond talk.
Arvin: Yes.... After couple of months or so, he asked me to take my
clothes off, to be naked before God, and to lie down on a sofa that he had
in his office. For the next several sessions I would talk while naked.
(pause) And... Then it began to progress where he would lie down with me
clothed and hold me to help me with my phobia of physical intimacy as he
would put it. And then he would take off his clothes and lie down next to
me naked as well. Soon after that he began to molest me.
Ellenor: Arvin, did you ever talk to Walter Beck about this?
Arvin: I didn't tell him specifically what was happening. But I raised
questions. I asked Walter how much he trusted this priest. And Walter
always spoke incredibly highly of him.
Ellenor: So you continued to have sessions with father Brendell?
Arvin: Then he began to penetrate me with his hands.
Ellenor: Did you ever tell anybody?
Arvin: No
Ellenor: Why not?
Arvin: Embarrassment!? Shame, fear.. He was a....very Well-respected
priest. I thought perhaps I was the only one so I made decision to stay
quiet.
Ellenor: And then?
Arvin: Then after about a year I stopped. My life went on, certainly not
well. For the next 20 some odd years I tried to get those sessions out of
my mind. Until allegations came out that he has done it to others.
Ellenor: And at that point you came forward?
Arvin: I joined the class action lawsuit against the church and father
Brendell and as I was reviewing the pleadings I came across a name of an
old friend of mine. Walter Beck! And I read that he had been molested by
the same priest before me! He spoke so highly of him. He is the reason I
went to him. You let me walk into that room. (Shouting and pointing at
Walter Beck).
Walter's lawyer: Objection!
Arvin: Knowing exactly what was waiting for me!
Walter's lawyer: Your honor.
Judge: Mr. Grayson. Please don't address the defendant sir.
**************
Jamie is at Lindsay's Office.
Lindsay: A deposition?
Jamie: I would like to get it accounted on record. That way...
Lindsay: Jamie, this is just a couple having a fight.
Jamie: Ex-couple! And I couldn't agree more but I think by formalizing the
proceedings with a deposition it might cause them to take a step back and
wow.
Lindsay: There is no complaint filed!
Jamie: I know. And maybe there won't be if we do this. The goal is to make
this go away quickly, right?
Lindsay: And you simply can't wait to take your first deposition.
Jamie: Does it show? It's just that.. For it to be against you... Talk
about irony. You are such a role model for me.
Lindsay: I am?
Jamie: Yes!!! Not on stuff like anger management, but, professionally...
Swoosh
Walter's lawyer: After you've been molested by father Brendell....
Arvin: Raped!
Walter's lawyer: Did you tell anybody?
Arvin: Not for 20 years.
Walter's lawyer: And as you read the pleadings in the class action
complaint you said that many other boys after you had also been molested.
Is that correct sir?
Arvin: Yes.
Walter's lawyer: Could those boys have a cause of action against you for
not telling?
Arvin: I didn't know those other boys. As I testified I thought I was the
only victim so....
Walter's lawyer: Did you tell Walter you've been molested?
Arvin: I told him that I no longer trusted this priest and that he should
be careful around him.
Walter's lawyer: But you didn't tell Walter you've been molested.
Arvin: No
Walter's lawyer: So he is expected to tell you stuff you don't tell him?
Arvin: He didn't just not tell.. He vouched for this priest. I didn't do
that with him.
Walter's lawyer: You testified that one of the reasons you didn't come
forward was because you thought there was a possibility that you were the
only one being victimized. Did you not say that sir?
Arvin: Yes!
Walter's lawyer: Do you allow for the possibility that Mr. Beck also
thought that he was the only victim.
Long pause...
Arvin: Even if he thought that. You don't just sit quietly and let your
best friend fall into a sex pervert clutches. He could've and should've
said something. Instead he endorsed the guy.
***********************
Ellenor: I though he held up OK.
Eugene: Oh look.... This could come done to the definition of friendship
the slippery slope becomes a cliff.
Ellenor: Are you ready for the defendant.
Eugene: Don't worry I'll get him.
Ellenor: You know Eugene, the thing with the priest and the sex abuse,
it's made a lot of people angry. It's clearly made you angry.
Eugene: And?
Ellenor: Well I am just curios as to why you seem to be directing that
anger at Bobby.
Eugene: He came at me this morning Ellenor.
Ellenor: No he attacked the merits of our case. You responded by attacking
him.
Eugene: I didn't mean for it to come off that way.
Ellenor: Is something else going on here?
Eugene: I’m upset over the case. If I acted out against him, it wasn't my
intent. Again he brought it to me first. It's just about the case with me.
Ellenor: OK
**********
Albert: Two, three, sometimes four times.
Jamie: A month?
Albert: A week!
Louise: Can I interject?
Lindsay: No. This isn't a discussion.
Louise: Well I'd like you to ask him how he knows. Zues In Heaven. Does he
have his ear to the wall?
Albert: I don't need my ear to the wall Louise.
Lindsay: All right. Let's not to this.
Albert: She's a slut!
Jamie: OK! OK! Time out! I am going to ask the question Mr. Ball you'll
answer, Louise you'll remain quite. (long pause) Excellent! So she would
have multiple sexual visits during the week?
Albert: Sometimes, yes.
Jamie: And these visits interfered with the quite enjoyment of your
property?
Albert: Yes!
Jamie: Because you could here the... (long pause) activity through the
walls?
Albert: Yes!
Jamie: Excellent! To the best of your ability I'd like you to describe
these sounds.
Albert: Oh, I don't have to describe it. I taped it!
Jamie: A beg your pardon?
Albert: Right here on tape! Shall I play?
Jamie: Well... Sure!
We here Louise's voice or rather screams during "the activity" that went
on one of those weeks....
Jamie: That's what you sound like?
More screams. It's as if she's giving birth.
Louise: Zeus In Haven!
And more "screaming"
Louise: Ok I Albert we heard it!
He stops the tape.
Albert: As you can see... (Cough) It's quite disruptive.
**************************
Back in the courtroom, Walter is on the stand.
Walter: I didn't seek out Arvin and say to him: "You should go see this
priest!" Arvin came to me. He asked me if father Brendell was helping me.
His Lawyer: And you told him yes.
Walter: I really thought he could help Arvin. Also...
His lawyer: Also what?
Walter: Well... What the subsequent years of therapy have thought me I was
desperate to believe that father Brendell was a good man. And I was
perhaps desperate to have my best friend. The person whom I trusted most
affirm this.
His lawyer: Makes it sound like you were using your friend a little.
Walter: Unconsciously I suppose I was. But I did believe that he could
help Arvin and I didn't think that father Brendell would molest him. I
really though I was the lone target and like Arvin I assumed it was all my
fault. (in an almost crying voice) Arvin, I am deeply, deeply sorry...
Ellenor: Objection.
Judge: Mr. Beck. I'll ask you as well not to address the opposing party.
His lawyer: That's all I have.
Dramatic music in the background.
Ellenor whispers: Eugene be careful, the jury seems with him.
Eugene gets up: First Mr. Beck if I may ask, how did father Brendell go
about seducing you?
Walter: It was almost exactly as Arvin described.
Eugene: So as I understand it, just like with Mr. Grayson, he basically
used a pretext of emotional council to eventually wind up next to you
naked on the couch.
Walter: Correct.
Eugene: Yet when your best friend asked for your advice you recommended
this priest for counseling.
Walter: As I said I didn't think he'd be targeted.
Eugene: But you knew the man targeted his patients.
Walter: You are simplifying it Mr. Young.
Eugene: Had you told anybody about your abuse?
Walter: No!
Eugene: Must have been hard... Not being able to talk about it. Being the
only one...
Walter: you have no idea....
Eugene: I bet it would've been easier... Had there been at least one other
victim, somebody to talk to...
Walter: (in a crying voice) I didn't send my best friend to a rapist so
that I have company.
Eugene: You testified you were desperate for affirmation.
Walter: I didn't do that!
Eugene: Do you ever blame yourself Sir to what happened to Arvin Grayson.
Walter: Of course I do! A day doesn't go by.... (long dramatic music in
the background, it's as if Walter has realized what he just said) Of
course I do... (music continues to play)
Eugene: Thank you Mr. Beck!
********************
Back in the office
Rebecca: How did it go?
Ellenor: Not bad they upped the offer to one ten so we must be doing
something right. 110,000
Bobby: Did you take it?
Ellenor: The client turned it down.
Bobby: WHAT?
Ellenor: Bobby...
Bobby: You should have jammed it down the client's throat.
Ellenor: Client was adamant!
Bobby: I don't care! You guys are partners. You see the books. We have to
start exercising some discretion on the cases we take. And we have to stir
clients towards settlement when it's indicated. Do I really need to tell
you that? Bobby walks to his office slams the door.
Eugene follows walks into Bobby’s office.
Eugene: Ellenor asked me last night why I seem to be attacking you. A I
really didn't think I was but the more I thought about it... This case. It
has made me angry at you Bobby.
Bobby: Why?
Eugene: You are not gonna like the answer any better than I do...
Bobby: Why?
Eugene: You are Catholic! There! I said it. Last thing I ever wanna
believe I could be guilty of bigotry but it's the Catholics keeping the
Church in business. People like you who make donations. Who go to the
Cathedrals and put the envelope in offering plate. Those priests were
protected. They were given safe harbor. Allowed to go on raping kids
because their crimes were kept secrets as policy.... As policy in the
Catholic church! I know that most priest are good, don't get me wrong but
what we are talking about here 's been going on for 30, 40 years. It's
been systemic and it's not enough for the Catholic people to say: "Ah,
isn't that awful and here is my cheque."
Bobby: And what do you propose we do Eugene?
Eugene: Shut the church down! Start a different institution of Catholic
faith. Hell, I might join myself. I propose you stop giving the current
institution the money. I propose you be more angry! Dozens of kids have
been abused in this state alone and the church knew what was going on, did
nothing about it and let it continue. I propose you be as angry as I am.
And that you good Catholic people stop giving the church the money!
Lindsay walks in.
Lindsay: Bobby?
Bobby: What's wrong?
Lindsay: Uhm, Theres, theres... There's been some shooting... One... One
of my clients... I couldn't really follow... But I can't, I can't go
there. Can you please go for me?
****************************
At the crime scene.
Bobby and Jamie walk in.
Helen: Oh.... Don't tell me, your client...
Bobby: We think it might be Lindsay's we don't know which...
Helen: Well....
Dead ones over here... Shooter is in the bedroom.
They go to room where Albert in lying down.... Dead.
Jamie: That's a... Lindsay's client. So Louise?
Helen: In her bedroom...
Jamie: I better.... Go...
Jamie vomits... (on Helen’s shoe!)
Bobby: I'll... I'll go with her...
They go to see Louise
Bobby: Talk time is over Mike. She's represented.
Mike to Louise: By you?
Bobby: Give us some privacy will ya?
Mike leaves.
Bobby: My name is Bobby Donnell I work with Jamie. First of all what did
you just tell detective McGuire?
Louise: The truth. He came in with a knife. He was gonna kill me. He
said... He said he was going to stab me in the heart so I would know the
feeling (She saying this with crying voice) He just kept saying it. "I’m
gonna stab you in the heart." He came at me and I shot him.
*******************
Commercial
*******************
At DYD&F Office:
Lindsay: Did they arrest her?
Bobby: Not yet.... Could be justified self-defense.
Jamie: She did call 911 when he first entered.
Bec: Did he break in?
Jamie: No. He let himself in with his own key. He also has two assault
priors and a history of mental problems.
Bobby: Did he ever indicate to you that?
Lindsay: No he never gave any indication that he was going to do anything.
Jamie: He was armed with a kitchen knife.
Bobby: Whose kitchen?
Jamie: His!
Bobby: OK... We'll talk to her again if everything checks out we'll let
her give full statement. In the meantime let's prepare as if they were
going to charge.
Swoosh....
Ellenor: If Walter Beck had simply told his friend that father Brendell
was a rapist Arvin Grayson wouldn't have been raped. But Walter Beck was
in a habit of telling his best friend everything, decided not tell him
this. Instead he just let him fall unknowingly into the hands of the
depraved sex offender. About 15 years ago, a bunch of bystanders at a bar
did nothing while a woman was repeatedly raped on a pool table. A few
years after that a little girl was murdered in a Las Vegas casino restroom
while the killer's friend did nothing. The public became outraged. And
things started to change. Law started getting passed criminalizing
bystander apathy. Doctors today have to report injury that they think are
the results of crimes. Witnesses to child abuse... Have to report it. We
have laws now pending saying people have to report foreigners taking
flying lessons. We have got whistle blowing laws to prevent stock fraud,
corporate corruption because the law is finally starting to catch up to
out sense of morality requiring people to get the hell involved. It's also
starting to catch up to our sense of reality that unless we all become our
brother's keepers we’re doomed! Here we are not asking Walter Beck to have
done all that much, we are not even asking him to help a stranger, only
his best friend. If he could've said so much to Arvin Grayson as” "Hey! Be
careful!" Instead he continued to endorse this abusive priest knowing he
was a rapist. He not only failed to prevent a crime, his silence in fact
facilitated one, a horrible one! To say that Walter Beck should bare no
responsibility in this, that kind of thinking, it takes us back 15 years
when it was Ok to sit back an laugh while a woman got gang raped on a pool
table.
Walter lawyer: I agree with Miss Frutt on this. The world is changing. We
are seeing a rush of chicken-little legislation. Laws requiring everyone
to run around telling on everybody else. We are quickly becoming the
telltale nation. But even should you want to go where the law has not yet
gone, imposing a duty on one friend to help prevent molestation of
another, the molestation at minimum would have to be foreseeable. Here it
wasn't. As Mr. Beck testified, he did not think Mr. Grayson would be
victimized. Should he have known? Should he have seen more clearly? Are we
going to start imposing that duty as well? Victims of sexual abuse should
be required to see a sexual act clearly! Please! Privacy is rapidly being
eroded in this country. Public fear is certainly winning out. But today
you are being asked to impose a duty on sexual abuse victims to come
forward and tell the world what has happened to them. Or at least tell
their best friends. God help us!
Dramatic music in the background.
***************************
Bobby and Lindsay’s house:
Lindsay: So they are not gonna file?
Bobby: They are still investigating, but it doesn't look like it.
Lindsay: How's Jamie?
Bobby: She's OK! She plunged into preparing our defense just in case, so
she's occupying herself. How are you?
Lindsay: I’m OK.... It's a little too much De Je Vu too early I guess. How
are you?
Bobby: I’m fine.
Lindsay: You talked to Eugene again?
Bobby: (pause) No! (pause) Listen when I told you what he said, you didn't
respond, is that because you agree with him?
Lindsay: I don't blame the Catholic people for abusive priests. I
certainly don't blame you.
Bobby: But it seems like you are withholding on the issue. Are you?
Lindsay: No.
Bobby: Are you?
Lindsay: I don't really want to talk about this now.
Bobby: Lindsay I'd like to talk about it now.
Lindsay: OK. (pause) Every so often you bring up how we haven't christened
Bobby Junior yet and we really need to do that. And I always find a way to
deflect it. Well... (long pause) I am just gonna say this. (long pause)
There is no way I am gonna let him be raised Catholic. (Bobby takes a deep
breath as if he's really shocked to what she just said) It is not the
faith or ideology issue but even with the remotest possibilities that he
could fall into the hands of the wrong priest.
Bobby: It's totally prejudiced.
Lindsay: I don't deny it. But I would rather be a bigot than risk...
Bobby: Let's talk about other religions. You don't think a minister or
rabbi has ever...
Lindsay: Probably but not as many as priest. Until you drop the celibacy
thing Catholic....
Bobby: I am not going to listen to this! (Bobby gets up angrily.)
Lindsay: Fine. Lindsay stands too.
Bobby: I mean, I can't believe you'd be guilty of such blatant bigotry.
Lindsay: I am a mother, and my son will never be walking into any
confessional all alone. I know that's a prejudice but the church has to
accept some responsibility for my bigotry as well.
Bobby: Oh really!?
Lindsay: Yes. When somebody walks through your door and says one of your
priests raped me you don't just reach for the phone and dial up your
publicist...
She leaves Bobby looking like he is thinking about what she said non too
happily.
***************************************
DYD&F Office:
Lucy: When did the jury go out?
Ellenor: About an hour ago. I don't think we are gonna here anything
today. I am thinking we should see if that offer still stands.
Eugene: You closed well Ellenor.
Jamie: Zeus In Heaven. Oh My God!!! I've pulling up every case, every
crippling I can with the more fact patterns. See if anybody, anywhere used
any new defenses on... Seven year ago in Denver same thing. A woman shot
her Ex-boyfriend trying to kill her with a knife. Exact same thing!
Ellenor: SO what's the problem?
Jamie: Exact same woman! (Turns computer to show her client is same
woman.)
Ellenor: WHAT?
Jamie: She had a different name, different social security number, but
that's her.
Lucy: Well, was she charged?
Jamie: No. The police ruled justifiable self defense. She was so
traumatized according to this article she left to start a new life.
Jimmy: So she's done this before...
Jamie: And not just once! Three years in Cleveland. Again boyfriend, again
justified self defense. There is no picture here but a quote: "He just
came at me from nowhere. Zeus in Heaven!"
*******************************************
Rebecca: What I don't understand is if you could pull this up in 6 hours
why can't the police?
Bobby: The police aren't investigating. Both shooting were ruled
justifiable without looking.
Rebecca: Well, how many boyfriends does she have to kill before they get
suspicious?
Jamie: The same woman didn't do it as far as they know. She's had three
different identities which by the way is simple to do.
Lucy: So what do you do no? Beside not date her?
Louise walks in: Jamie... (she closes the door) Can I talk to you?
Jamie: Sure! Go in the conference room I'll be right in.
Louise goes into conference room, and closes the door behind her.
Jamie: What do I do?
Bobby: We stick to this case.
Jamie: Why?
Bobby: Because what we don't know could help us Jamie should she ever get
charged on this case.
Jamie: Oh come on, we know, we saw the news paper...
Bobby: We saw a woman who looked like her. Period!
They go together into the conference room.
Louise: So what's happening?
Bobby: The police are still investigating. We’re hoping they rule it
justifiable.
Louise: Good... Listen... This whole thing is obviously upsetting. I can't
continue to live in that apartment. In fact I am thinking maybe it's best
if I live Boston altogether.
Jamie: Oh?!
Louise: I think maybe I should just start a new life somewhere, try to
escape all this.
Bobby “Certainly you don't want to live jurisdiction now. The police would
consider that suspicious. After they decide not to charge you that would
be the time to think about living.
Louise: I see... Yes, of course. Zeus in Heaven, I can't even think where
I would even go.
Jamie: Denver is nice... So is Cleveland! (Bobby glares at Jamie)
Louise: Why did you say that?
Jamie: Oh! I visited Denver once. It was beautiful. And who doesn't love
Cleveland?! Listen I've been talking to some potential character witnesses
and you've got plenty of support by the way but I found out Albert
actually broke up with you, not the other way around.
Louise: I never said it was the other way around.
Jamie: Well it's just in characterizing him as I jealous Ex- boyfriend
well also one of your lover said that he got the idea that you were trying
to make Albert jealous. You know to punish him a little.
Louise: Would I be the first girlfriend to do that?
Jamie: Ah, No! You wouldn't.
*********************
In Bobby's office, Bobby is now furious at Jamie:
Bobby: I expressly told you not to confront her!
Jamie: I didn't.
Bobby: How about Denver? Or Cleveland? What the hell was that?!
Jamie: That's hardly confronting her! And the stuff about witnesses was
relevant to this case Bobby.
Bobby: Don't play games with me!!!!! (pause) You were fishing in waters I
asked you not to!
Jamie: I threw out one little cat....
Bobby: Don't do it again!!! Do I make myself clear!
Jamie: (pause) Yes.
Bobby: There is a packing order here Jamie! Let's not forget that!
Jamie: (all defeated) I won't!
*****************
Bobby and Jimmy in a bar.
Bobby: She's been hanging out around Lucy too much. That's her problem.
Picking up all that sassiness.
Jimmy: I think she's still pushing to fit in in.
Bobby: Fit in? She’s challenging us every turn. Do they teach that in
Harvard now?
Jimmy: Well. The last Harvard grad worked out. You married her.
Bobby: That's not gonna happen this time.... Listen, Jimmy, I do have
something I want to talk to you about. Catholic to Catholic. (pause) How
are you handling this priest thing?
Jimmy: I don't know.
Bobby: Well clearly you’ve thought about it.
Jimmy: Thought about it? (like its all he thinks) Bobby a lot of nights I
don't sleep. I am not an abstract thinker you know when I think of God I
kind of give him a human image. My priest, in a way he's always
represented the faith of God to me, so to think of priests doing what some
of them did. It's...
Bobby: Have you ever thought about (pause) leaving the church over…?
Jimmy: No, that would be like leaving God. Bobby the church is not just
the priests. It's you and me. We are the church. To leave would be like
walking away from ourselves, who we are, people of God...
Bobby: But as people of God how do we tolerate these...
Jimmy: Look, the media has so overblown this. They don't talk about all
the good the church does. And it's a lot.
Bobby: Maybe he is right...
Jimmy: Who?
Bobby: Eugene. There isn't enough rage.
************************
In the courtroom...
Judge: All right then. Mr. Foreman I'll ask you to rise and read your
verdict to the court.
Foreman: In the matter of Grayson vs. Beck we the jury find in favor of
the plaintiff and we order the defendant to pay compensatory damages in
the amount of 1.4 million dollars.
Judge: This trial is completed. Members of the jury your service is
finished. We thank you. And this matter is adjourned.
Arvin: Thank you! Thank you both.
Ellenor: Be prepared for an appeal. And it's the one we have to take very
seriously
Arvin: I know...
Eugene: Congratulations!
Arvin: Thank you... Thanks again.
***************************************
In the office... Jamie standing with Bobby. Handing him paper.
Bobby: Another?
Jamie: I think so. Calgary Alberta. She lived there for a year after
Denver. That's her. See!
Bobby: And she shot yet another boyfriend?
Jamie: All four had criminal records for assault, battery... I think it's
a prerequisite for her. It helps her justify her shootings.
Rebecca: And every time she's been cleared?
Jamie: And then falls off the face of the earth.
Rebecca: Four victims!!
Lucy: And counting. That was Helen's Gamble office. It's been ruled
justifiable self-defense.
Jamie: We have to tell them!
Bobby: Tell who?
Jamie: The police, there are going to be more. She's serial....
Bobby: You wanna lose your bar ticket?
Jamie: So we say nothing. We don't tell anybody?
Ellenor, Arvin and Eugene walk in.
Ellenor: We won. 1.4 million!
Jamie: WHAT!
Jimmy: You won!
Ellenor: The laws are changing. We are shocked as you are.
Bobby: Congratulations. Really...
Eugene: Thank you...
Lucy: Ah, Eugene, this came for you. I did not except service but he left
it anyway.
Ellenor: What is it?
Eugene: (to Arvin) You know Marshall Hertzberg?
Arvin: Marshall? (Thinks for awhile) Yes he worked for the church too...
Eugene: You and him were friends?
Arvin: Friendly. Played basketball together but I wouldn't say we were
close... Why???
Eugene: He's suing you.
Arvin: What!
Eugene: For not telling him about father Brendell... Seems he was raped
after you.
*******************
Louise is all packing. Jamie comes in....
Jamie: Louise?
Louise: Ahh (looks frightened) Zeus in heaven. You startled me.
Jamie: Clearing out?
Louise: Yes. Lucy called, told me that shooting was ruled justifiable. So
I thought I'd pack and go... Sooner the better....
Jamie: Where to?
Louise: You know I haven't really decided yet.... I’m gonna go see some
friends, move around... Pick a place I guess. Any suggestions?
Jamie: Well, after Denver and Cleveland.... Only leaves Calgary....
Louise: Never been there.... Maybe I'll try it....
Jamie: Uh huh! (Kind of suspiciously)
Louise:Why are you here Jamie? Trying to get me to say something? It's
almost as if you think I am a killer or something... Off course if you did
think that I doubt you'd come here alone. That'd be dangerous. If you'll
excuse me now... I need to finish packing....
**************
Bobby is in church....
Father Patrick walks up to him.
Father Patrick:Bobby?!
Bobby: Hey Father... Thanks for agreeing to meet me here...
Father Patrick: No problem....
Bobby: (long pause) I am leaving the church father.
Father Patrick: Oh.... What do you mean? Leaving the church?
Bobby: I've loved being a part of this Parish.... And specifically being
your parishioner.... But this sex abuse scandal...
Father Patrick: Bobby let's sit down and talk...
Bobby: What can you say? Molestation gets a bad rap?
Father Patrick: I can say that the offending clergy makes up a microscopic
portion of the priesthood.
Bobby: I know that... But the church’s concealingment. It's enabling these
priests that destroyed so many young lives to...
Father Patrick: We've made mistakes... I believe that we are acknowledging
them. Our new policy is zero tolerance.
Bobby: I know the litigation? tactics being employed against the victims.
I also know that... (pause) Look... This isn't about vengeance.
Father Patrick: Bobby.... When you have a crisis of conscience, well any
personal crisis for that matter where do you go?
Bobby: I come to you.... But this isn't about you or... I’m not leaving
the faith.... Just the Church...
Father Patrick: My son.... When you leave the Church.... You leave the
faith. Can I give you the speech about all the good work that we've
done.... Do you have any notion of the global charitable work done by the
Catholic Church
Bobby: I do but I don't look to the church like it's the United Way. For
me it's about spiritual and moral leadership... Until you expel every
offending priest. (Voice teary and emotional) Everyone involved. who are
protecting them and concealing them, there's been no true penance. When
that day comes I hope to return...
Father Patrick: Bobby you can't just leave....
Bobby: Bye Father... (Tear falls.)
Bobby walks out of the church.
***************
THE END
***************
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