billable

THEGOODWIFE

by

RobertKing&MichelleKing

January29,2009

TEASER

AVIDEOIMAGEof...

...-thirdchyrontrumpets

“s”chesapodium,

rshisthroat,reads:

DAVIDFOLLICK

ago,I

resignedasStatesAttorneyofCook

iswithaheavy

heartandadeepcommitmenttofight

sametime,Ineedtimetoatonefor

myprivatefailingswithmywife,

Alicia,andourtwochildren.

Oh,eyof

OLLICK(40)isaback-slappingBill

Clinton:smart,funny,calculatedlyductive,andnowatthe

’ois...

...hiswife,ALICIA(late-30s).

’salwaysbeenthegoodgirl--thegoodgirlwho

becamethegoodwife,thenthegoodmom:devoted,struggling

inonheraswehear...

DAVIDFOLLICK(CONT’D)

ever

ever

tradedlighterntencesforeither

financialorxualfavors.

enlyenterthevideo,andwe’retherewith...

Aliciaasshelooksoutattheexcitedreporters,thephalanx

ofcamerasallclicking,boringinonher.

DAVIDFOLLICK(CONT’D)

ButIdoadmittoafailureof

judgmentinmyprivatedealingswith

thewomen.

Dyinginside,Aliciatriestokeepaneutralexpressiononher

faceasweewhatshees:theedgeofthepodium...the

crisppaperDavidreadsfrom...hisblackcoat...hissleeve.

DAVIDFOLLICK(CONT’D)

Themoneyudinthetransactions

wasmine,ic

fundswereeverutilized.

There’nchlong.

leworldtiedupinthatlint.

DAVIDFOLLICK(CONT’D)

AliciaandIaskthatthepress

eloveofGod

andtheforgivenessof...

ull,distant.

Herhandreachesslowly,unconsciously,towardthelintwhen--

--,he’esher

offstageawayfromthereporters’shoutedquestions,into...

OOM-COOKCOUNTYCOURTHOUSEMEDIAROOM-DAY

...abackstagegreenroomwheretwopoliticalopssweepup:

POLITICALOPS

WeneedtodotheTribunefirst--

--

ButAliciastilleyesthelintonDavid’ooks

towardher,eshowstrangelyremovedsheis.

DAVIDFOLLICK

Areyoualright?

Alicialooksupathim,and...

...SLAP!SheslapshimsohardDavidfallstooneknee,

cia,verycontrolled,very

proper,straightensherblou,reachesforherpur,calmly

andcoollyexitsinto...tleappears...

“Sixmonthslater.”

ENCEROOM-27THFLOOR-LAWFIRM-DAY

Aliciawaits,alone,inthe27thfloorconferenceroomofa

ganewchapterinher

rsanewsuit,newshoes,newloorhairstyle:

ksdownat...

...anewleatherbinderwhereshe’swrittenaonewordheading:

Goals

Okay,als?supata

clock:9:veryone?Shegoestothedoor:

ALICIA

Hi,sorry,thisismyfirstday.

Isn’tthestaffmeetingat9:30?

AnoverbusySECRETARYnods,clickingawayatacomputer.

2.

SECRETARY

You’reinthewrongconference

’suponefloor.

Aliciastaresather,and--shit!--

NCYSTAIRWELL-TRIBUNEBUILDING-DAY

--BAM--sheslamsintothestairwell,racesupthestairstwo

atatime,accidentallydropstheleatherbinder--itrattles

burstsinto--

ION-28THFLOOR-TRIBUNEBUILDING-DAY

--thefirm’sreception.“Stern,Lockhart&Garvin.”

ALICIA

Whichwaytotheconferenceroom?

bangs

throughthemasthereceptioniststradealook:

RECEPTIONIST#1

Isthather?

(theothernods)

Herhair’sdifferent.

ATIONROW-28THFLOOR-DAY

Aliciaracespastworkstations,hingdesigned

inGreene&Greenecolorsinanattempttowarmupacold

slowsasshees...

...with45ated

andstandingassociates,partners,paralegals!Shit,shit,

’slate!Sheslipsin...

ENCEROOM-28THFLOOR-LAWFIRM-DAY

...theback,unnoticedbehindascreenofstandingjunior

associates,alltall,20semstobetheagedu

icesher,(27).

ike

ront,afirmPartnerwrapsup:

WILL

--Anyway,Schering-Ploughfiredtheir

,

untilfurthernotice,yourpersonal

liveshavebeencanceled.

RVIN(38).Handsome.A

guy’he“Top50ChicagoBachelors.”Makesit

alllookeasy--life,law,rpartnertakesover:

3.

DAWNA

Thisisacomplicated,multi-

we’llneedsomeofyoutohelpout

withthelower-profileclient-work

tofreeupourtoplitigators.

DAWNALOCKHART(56).Atough,slike

litigatoratthefirm,andintown.

WILL

Andby“lowerprofile,”Dawnaof

courmeans“cruciallyimportant.”

(theroomlaughs)

Ed,you’lltakewitnessprepon

,you’re

Alicia,you’lltaketheprobono.

?Whatprobono?It’sonasqueegee

boardatthefront--“probono”--butshemisdthediscussion.

WILL(CONT’D)

Everyoneel,yourtaskistoshow

?

Let’sdothis.

Andthat’sit--theassociatesallstartout,gabbing,as

g...

ATIONROW-28THFLOOR-DAY

ALICIA

Will.

Willturns,ndof

historybetweenthemorishealwaysthisnice?

WILL

,Ididn’tintroduce

youinthere,buteverything’s

movingfastwiththisclassaction.

Thetwowalkandtalk--everythingontherunatthisfirm:

ALICIA

Ijustwantedtosaythanksforthe

opportunity,’sareal

lifesaver.

WILL

Hey,no,thanksforcomingon

u’realrightwith

’ditsound?

4.

.

ALICIA

Interesting.

WILL

’

worriedaboutthe“badfacts?”

ALICIA

The...?

“TheBitchisBack”,damn,Alicia’scellphone.

Shedigsitoutofherpur,snapsitoff,asWilllaughs:

WILL

Whogets“TheBitchisBack”?

ALICIA

Mymother-in-law.

(Willlaughs)

Mydaughterprogrammedit.

WILL

What’syourringtone?

ALICIA

My--?Idon’tthinkIwanttoknow.

Mykidsaren’ttoohappywithme

gettingmymother-in-lawtohelpout

ebadfacts...?

WILL

Right,Ihavetogointoameeting,

but--

(esDawnadownthehall)

Hey,Dawna,areyoubriefingAlicia?

(Dawnanods)

Good,you’

we’llhavedinner,catchup.

AndWill’ashedAliciajogstocatchupwith

fast:

DAWNA

saysyougraduatedtopofyourclass

sthis?

ALICIA

Fifteenyearsago.

DAWNA

spenttwoyearsat...?

5.

ALICIA

Crozier,Abrams&Abbott.

DAWNA

’dyouleave?

ALICIA

I...Well,

husband’scareer.

eyesher,notsureifthere’satone.

Theredoesn’gherassistant:

DAWNA

Brian,kthe

files?

’SCORNEROFFICE-28THFLOOR-LAWFIRM-DAY

AndtheyenterDawna’usll

etsitassheslipsonaheadt.

DAWNA

Iwantyoutothinkofmeasa

mentor,’stheclostwe

havetoanoldboy’snetworkinthis

town:?

ALICIA

Okay.

DAWNA

WhenIwasstartingout,Igotone

greatpieceofadvice:“Mencanbe

an’t.”AndIthink

y

areyoucomingbacktotheworkplace

fairlylate,butyouhavesomevery

prominentbaggagewiththisscandal.

ShenodstoaphotoofherlfwithHillaryClinton...

DAWNA(CONT’D)

But,hey,ifshecandoit,socanyou.

smilesbackas--thump--Briandropsa

FILEBOXbesideher.

DAWNA(CONT’D)

Thanks,nylawfirms

wedonate5%ofbillablehoursto

probonoworksotheindigenthave

optionsotherthanthepublic

defendersoffice.

6.

(MORE)

SadlyI’mlongpastmyacceptable

billablehoursonthisone;soI

needtohandofftheretrial.

Aliciatakesnotes,findsamugshottapedtothetopofthe

womaninherlate20s.

DAWNA(CONT’D)

JenniferCombs.29yearsold.A

condgrade.

Accudofkillingherex-husband

ution

thoughtitwasaslam-dunk30to

life,butthejurycamebacklast

weekdeadlocked.

Aliciakeepstryingtotakenotes,buttheterriersniffsand

nuzzlesatherlap.

DAWNA(CONT’D)

Sixjurorsvotedtoconvict;sixnot.

I’

retrying,excepthewants--Justice!

?!Oh,thedog’sname.

DAWNA(CONT’D)

--

omy

workedforreasonabledoubtanda

?

Alicianods,butDawnaesBrianoutsidetalkingwithCORMAC

(58),thethirdpartner,bullet-headed,saysverylittle,but

whenhedoes,he’sthevoiceofGod.

DAWNA(CONT’D)

Okay,we’llhavetocutthisshort.

Ourinvestigatorcangetyouupto

speedforthebailhearingat3.

(yellingout)

Cormac,I’mready.

ALICIA

Thebailhearing--it’stoday?

DAWNA

Yes,wecoulddelay,butthatwould

leaveJenniferincarceratedfor

’tworry,you’ll

.A.’snotgoingto

argueagainstarecognizancerelea.

7.

DAWNA(CONT’D)

ATIONROW-28THFLOOR-DAY

And--bang--Alicia’souttheofficedoor,standingtherewith

.

Herskirtcoveredwithdoghair.

ALICIA

Thanks.

AliciastartstobrushitoffwhenshenoticesBrian’s

computer:a“YouTube”amousDavid

uicklyclicksitoff.

Embarrasd.

BRIAN

ourhairthisway.

NCYSTAIRWELL-TRIBUNEBUILDING-DAY

momenttoherlf.

owntowardherfumbledleather

binder.“Goals”rtsdowntoward

...

CARY

Hey,needsomehelp?

gdownthestairwell.

ATIONROW-27THFLOOR-DAY

Carycarriesthefileboxtowardtheirneighboringoffices:

CARY

Iknowwe’rethetwonewassociates,

andweshouldbeateachother’s

throats,butIjustwanttosay...

I’minaweofwhatyou’redoing.

guyforreal?Calculated?

CARY(CONT'D)

Raisingafamily,thenjumping

’s

thinkingofdoingthesamething.

ALICIA

(staresathim)

...Great.

SONIA

I’malmostdone,n

,k.

8.

ALICIA

Hi.

SONIA(24),theirsharedassistant,rushingpast,rollinga

FILINGCABINETintoCary’busyMichelle

Williams-likecollegegrad.

CARY

Itlookslikewesharean

mewhenI’m

hoggingher,okay?Andletthe

bestassociatewin.

(startsintohisoffice)

ALICIA

Excume?

Caryturnsback,esherconfusion.

CARY

g.I--

Nothing.

frowns:whatthefuckwas

that?Shepushesherdooropenandfinds...

’SOFFICE-DAY

...awomansittinginherchair,.

paus,checksthenameonherdoor.

KALINDA

Don’tworry,it’syours.

(standing)

-hou.

ALICIA

Oh,right,

saidyou’dtakemethroughthepro

Follick.

ASHARMA(25)

-nonn,

independent,acooltemperament,nonchalantlybixual.

KALINDA

You’reDavidFollick’swife?

ALICIA

That’sright.

KALINDA

IworkedwithhimattheD.A.’s

dme.

9.

gettingold.

ALICIA

Look,I’llgiveyouhisaddressif

youwanttocomplain;butIhavea

bailhearingatthree,socanwedo

this?

astaresatAlicia,getsup,

goestoher,and......

...CUTTOLATER:

besideLakeMichigansplatteredwithblood.

KALINDA

cking.

That’swhatthecopsthoughtat

thatriesof

carjackingsinWilmettelastyear.

Thieveswouldtargetupscalecars...

Kalindalaysoutthreeparatecrimescenes:BMWs,Lexusus.

KALINDA(CONT’D)

...fixacliptothefuelline,

followthedriverahalfmileuntil

heranoutofgas,murderthe

occupants,thentakehiscar.

KalindahandsAliciagrislyphotosofvictimsshotinthe

face,

morefascinatedthanappalled.

KALINDA(CONT’D)

Atfirstitlookedlikethisnewest

carjackingwasjustanotherinthe

yproblem:thecar

wasn’2001Honda.

Also,therewasnoclipattachedto

,last,the

pasngerwasonlyshotinthearm.

(aninjuredJennifer)

dherex-

husbandstruggledwiththe

carjacker--that’swhyshewasonly

shotinthearm,andherex-husband

waskilled.

Alicianoticessomethinginherfile:

ALICIA

ShetaughtatFrancisParker.

(Kalindalooksoverather)

It’sagoodschool.

10.

ues:

KALINDA

Thecopsbegantothinkitwas

actuallyamurderdisguidasa

botchedcarjacking:Jenniferkilled

herex-husband,thenshotherlf

inthearm.

AliciastudiesJennifer’kslikeAliciaat

thepressconference:overwhelmed,vaguelyetherized.

UNTYCOURTHOUSE-DAY

ALICIA

Theweapon?

AliciaandKalindacrosstowardthecriminalcourthou:

KALINDA

s

theorizedshethrewitintoLake

aggedthelake,

derresidue

wasinconclusive.

OR-COOKCOUNTYCOURTHOUSE-DAY

ALICIA

Andhermotive?

Thetwowhisperingatthebackofacourthouelevator:

KALINDA

Shewasinacustodybattlewith

rriedand

wantedcustodyoftheir3-year-old.

MIA’s“You’reGood”,r

reachesintoherpur.

ALICIA

Sorry,mydaughter.

Y-PUBLICSCHOOL-CHICAGO-DAY

Herdaughter,GRACE(13),betweenclass,movinginastream

plump,

caughtatthatagebetweengawkyandpretty.

GRACE

Hey,oaskyoua

question,butIdon’twantyouto

freakout,okay?

11.

INTERCUTwith...

LOORHALL-COOKCOUNTYCOURTHOUSE-DAY

ALICIA

Uh-oh.

AlicianowinacourthoumetaldetectorlinewithKalinda.

GRACE

Forgetit,I’llaskZach.

ALICIA

No,no,what?

GRACE

Somegirlsaiddadsleptwitha

hookermyage,andIjust--

ALICIA

What?!

GRACE

Theywereplayingthattapein

computerlab:dadwithwhat’sher

name,Tina...?

Aliciacloshereyes:rdgestures:

COURTGUARD

Ma’am,you’llhavetoturnthatoff.

GRACE

Andsomegirlsaidherdadwasa

cop,andhesaidoneofthehookers

wasmyage.

ALICIA

(stepsoutoflinetotalk)

Firstofall...theywereallover

,cond:isn’ttherea

teacher--?Whyaretheyplaying

thatincomputerlab?!

GRACE

’t

worry,’snotlikeIdon’t

,I’vegot

History.I’lleyoutonight.

And--click--that’shakesherhead--hateswhen

sKalindaimpatienttocontinue.

Sherejoinsher,movingthroughthemetaldetector:

12.

KALINDA

Dawna’

copsneverlookedforacarjacker.

TheyimmediatelysuspectedJennifer,

ydeadlocked.

AlicianodsasKalindapushesintoCourtroom#402,looksback

atAliciapausingatthedoor,

forecurtain.

KALINDA(CONT’D)

What?

ALICIA

LasttimeIwasincourtwas

thirteenyearsago.

KALINDA

(dry)

elve.

ALICIA

(looksather)

Isthatsuppodtoboostmy

confidence?

AndAliciaenters,startsup...

OOM402-COOKCRIMINALCOURTHOUSE-DAY

...sweird,openingthegallerygate,

crossingtothedefentable,ttingherdocumentsonit.

Aprocutorlooksover,RODY(29),

African-American,cocky,likesthepowerifnotthepaycheckof

tsawhispertotheotherA.D.A.:

MATAN

That’sDavidFollick’swife.

What?!SANDRAPAI(27),atoughAsianlawyer,looksover.

Matanstands,crosstoAlicia,airthickwithschadenfreude:

MATAN(CONT’D)

Alicia!Mygod!Howareyou

doing?Matan,remember?Fromthe

masparty?

ALICIA

Oh,yes,.

MATAN

You’reat“Stern,Lockhart&Garvin”?

13.

ALICIA

ay.

MATAN

Wow,!Oh,thisisSandra

’snew--Imean,since

’shedoing,bytheway?

ALICIA

David?Fine.

MATAN

Sayhelloforme,willyou?He

gavememyfirstjob,youknow?

Lookatallthis.

(herdocuments;chuckling)

You’’tknow

howyoudoit,Alicia.I’dbe

huddledupinaballsomewhere.

Alicianods,udtothepassive-aggressivecompliments,as--

KLANG--acurityvestibuleopens,theaccudledout.

MATAN(CONT’D)

Well,ck.

straightahead,andallowthemlves...grins.

SANDRAPAI

Shootingfishinabarrel?

MATAN

Turtles.

Meanwhile,JENNIFERCOMBS,isledtothedefentable.

Aliciastands,’slostathirdofherweight.

Almostnothingleftofthe2ndgradeschoolteacher.

JENNIFERCOMBS

Where’sDawna?

ALICIA

I--DawnaaskedifIwouldstep

in,Jennifer.I’mAliciaFollick,

oneoftheotherlawyersatthe

firm.

JENNIFERCOMBS

Stepin?!Forhowlong?

ALICIA

Fortheretrial.

14.

JENNIFERCOMBS

(gasps)

Ohmygod.

Aliciatriestoreassureher,buteverything’smovingtoofast:

BAILIFF

minalCourtofCook

honorableJudgeColinBogirapresiding.

JUDGEBOGIRA(62)happiestmanintheworld.

chcoveredwithpaper

clipsnervouslytwistedintovariousshapes.

JUDGEBOGIRA

,let’shearit.

...

ALICIA

I...Yourhonor...

,einganopportunity,

jumpstohisfeet(Chicagotrialsacontactsport):

MATAN

Yourhonor,justtorefreshyour

memory,theaccud,,was

deemedaflightriskduetoan

earliercustodyhearing--

ALICIA

Yourhonor,Ijust--

MATAN

--whereshethreatenedtorunoff

withherdaughter.

JUDGEBOGIRA

Yes,andyetjustlastweek,ajury

deadlockedonthecharges6to6,

tolooktough,butwhyareyou

fightingthis?

MATAN

ThePeoplearepreparedtoretry

thiscarightnow,

kissointentongetting

herclientout,whydoesn’tshe

agreetoaspeedytrial?

irtyword:

15.

JUDGEBOGIRA

k?

ALICIA

(sighs:herewego)

Yes,yourhonor.

JUDGEBOGIRA

Thewifeofour“esteemed”ex-D.A.

YourhusbandandIneverquitesaw

eyetoeye,ma’,Ithink

hegotexactlywhathederved.

Jennifersittingbesideher.

ALICIA

Yourhonor,asyoucane,I--

JUDGEBOGIRA

’ttalk.

(Aliciadoesn’t)

--butiftheprocutionthinks

thiswillinsomewayprejudiceme

againstyourclient,heissorely

y,Matan.

(Matanshrugs:worthatry)

sgrantedpre-trial

releawithelectronicmonitoring.

She’srestrictedtoherhome,

attorney’soffices,andtransitin

hatthisisa

rerun,I’lltatrialdatefor

llhappy?Good.

Bang--hequicklyhitshisgavel,andthat’just

standsthere,edJennifer

stands,shakesherhand:

JENNIFERCOMBS

Thankyou.

ALICIA

(doesn’tknowwhattosay)

I...sure.

ENDOFTEASER

16.

ACTONE

ENCEROOM-LAWFIRM-(NEXTDAY)-DAY

ksawayonJennifer’sankleas

KalindaandAliciatakenotes,listening:

JENNIFERCOMBS

ltalked

aboutmissinghisdaughter,andabout

ed

todrivealongthelake,butwegota

ettingouttofixit

whenIsaw...aredpick-uptruck.

(pained)

Doweneedtodothisagain?

KALINDA

,we’relookingfor

inconsistenciesinyourtestimony.

Soyes.

eyesher,eshowhardthisis.

JENNIFERCOMBS(O.S.)

ThedrivercameuptoMichael’s

earingaskimask,

andI...Ididn’tethegununtil

asthis

shot,andIsaw...Michael’sface...

(paus,unbearable)

ALICIA

Doyouwanttopauforaminute?

KalindashootsanirritatedlooktowardAlicia.

JENNIFERCOMBS

thereweresomewater.

ATIONROW-27THFLOOR-DAY

Alicialeansouttheconferenceroomdoor:

ALICIA

Sonia,canyougetussomewater?

Sonia,atherworkstation,coversherheadt,whispers:

SONIA

I’mtakingnotesonCary’scall.

ALICIA

Howlong?

17.

SONIA

nI’vegothisdepo.

Aliciafrowns,shootsalooktowardCaryinhisoffice.

ALICIA

Okay,tellmewhenyou’

Ineedsomefilingcabinetsinmy

office.

ENCEROOM-27THFLOOR-LAWFIRM-DAY

Aliciareturnstotheconferenceroomwithbottledwater,

findsKalindamid-questioning:moreconfrontational.

KALINDA

Butthat’the

redpick-uptruckcamefromhere--

(acrimescenemap)

Butthere’saWalmartsurveillance

procution

playedittomakeyoulooklikealiar.

JENNIFERCOMBS

I’mnotlying.

KALINDA

Thenyou’remistaken,orsomething,

becauthetapedoesn’tshowa

t’swhywe’refacing

aretrialnow,andnotanacquittal.

ALICIA

(clearsherthroat,warmer)

WhatKalindaissayingis--couldn’t

youhavebeenmistaken?Couldn’t

thecarhavecomefrom...here?

erstaresatit,andatear

arollshereyes,backsaway:

toomuchestrogenforher,asAliciaapproaches,es

(3).

ALICIA(CONT’D)

Isthatyourdaughter?

(Jennifernods,showsher)

She’sbeautiful.

JENNIFERCOMBS

Theywon’-

laws--theyhavecustody,andI--

(chokesup)

hing.

18.

(MORE)

Myjob,mylife,mydaughter.

Igoing

todo?

eyeshersympathetically.

ALICIA

You’regoingtotakeitonedayat

atime,ou

e,takeashower,

takeanap,don’tturnontheTV.

Doyoulikereading?

(Jennifernods)

I’nis

’tfeellikeputting

onniceclothesormake-up,but

court,

erficialthings

mattermorethananythingrightnow.

Jenniferwipeshereyes,nods,asKalindastudiesAlicia:for

ingshelived.

ALICIA(CONT’D)

Meanwhile,I’llpetitionthecourt

?

JENNIFERCOMBS

Iftheycouldevenndsome

stthinginprison

wasnothavingphotosofher.

condtoconsiderthis.

JENNIFERCOMBS(CONT’D)

DoyouthinkIhaveachance?

ALICIA

Ithinkthejurydeadlocked6to6.

IthinkDawna’sstrategy--arguing

thatthepoliceweresoquickto

focusonyou,theyneverpursuedthe

realcarjackers--isagoodone.

AndIthinkwehavetheadvantageof

interviewingthefirstjurorstoe

,yes,I

thinkwehaveaverygoodchance.

JENNIFERCOMBS

’shard.

ALICIA

Iknow.

19.

JENNIFERCOMBS(CONT'D)

JENNIFERCOMBS

Doesitevergeteasier?

ALICIA

(considersit)

No.

erbrutalhonesty.

ALICIA(CONT’D)

Butyoudogetbetteratit.

ATIONROW-27THFLOOR-DAY

AliciaesKalindastaringatherastheyexittheroom.

ALICIA

What?

KALINDA

nterviewthe

jurors;I’lltrytofigureouthow

asurveillancecameracanlie--

LAURENYOST

Alicia?

Aliciaturns,YOST(35),a

fit,pretty,andelegantHighlandParkmom.

ALICIA

Lauren?

LAURENYOST

ourhair.

PhilandIareheredoingsome

outyou?

ALICIA

Iworkhere.

LAURENYOST

You’rekidding!That’sgreat.

Youknow,Jeanieasksallthetime

aboutyourGracie:“Whenarewe

gonna’gettogetheragain?”AndI

keepsaying“We’vegottocall.”

ALICIA

Thatwouldbegreat.

LAURENYOST

Solet’?It’sbeen

toolong.

20.

turns,esKalindasmiling.

KALINDA

Letmeguess.“Toolong”means

rightafteryourhusband’spress

conference?

achucklesknowingly:

KALINDA(CONT’D)

Myjobwouldbeahellofalotharder

ifpeopleweren’tsopredictable.

INT/EXT-DEPAULUNIVERSITY-DAY

Alecturehall,classover,

G(55),adignifiedgrey-beardedprof.

G

That’ejuryforeman.

ALICIA

Andyoudon’tmindansweringafew

questions,Professor?Ithelpsus

refineourcafortheretrial.

G

No,n’tthink

you’

cawasverystrong,verylogical.

,takingnotes,followshimintothehall...

G(CONT’D)

Infact,I’mnotevensurewhythe

forconvictionrightfromthestart.

ALICIA

Good,Ijust--

(looksup)

Youmean,acquittal.

G

tion.

ALICIA

(paus,hesitates)

But,I’mwiththedefen.

ather.

G

Oh.

21.

frowns:--

OMUSEUMOFART-DAY

--Alicia,morenervousnow,interviewsaMUSEUMCURATOR(34),

intelligent,pretty,backingupfromalargecanvasbeinghung.

ALICIA

Youwerea“guilty”vote?

CURATOR

,itwasprettyobvious

.

(totheworkers)

Totheleftmore.

ALICIA

Socanyoutellmehowmanyvoted

forconvictionrightfromthestart?

CURATOR

Eleven.

ALICIA

What?

CURATOR

asjustonehold-

#edwithher

forthreewholedays.

OLIBRARY-DAY

ALICIA

Butthejudgepolledthejury,and

youdeadlockedsixtosix.

AlicianowinterviewingawispyMALELIBRARIAN,pushingbooks

throughthestacks,whispering:

LIBRARIAN

Yes,well,thejudgewasonlygoing

todeclareusdeadlockedifwe

evenlysplit,sosomeofusagreed

tochangeourvotesto“notguilty”

justtogetoutofthere.

(Aliciastaresathim:uh-oh)

Ifitweren’tforJuror#9,we

would’n’t

convinceus,sheexhaustedus.

ENTBUILDING-DAY

AworriedAliciatalkswithKalindaonhercell:

22.

ALICIA

I’’s

theonlyreasonJenniferisn’t

facing30tolife.

KALINDA(O.S.)

Getherdetails:age,employment,

earjury

lectiontohertype.

Alicianodsand...

KY’SAPARTMENT-DAY

staresat

themasshecallsintothekitchen:

ALICIA

Noteaforme,

theotherjurorssaidyouwerethe

onlyholdout?Isthatcorrect?

KY(65)’tinspirealot

ofconfidence,pouringmilkintovariousplates.

KY

lthoughttheywereso

ote

countedjustasmuchastheirs.

ALICIA

tellmeexactlywhat

inthedefen’scaconvincedyou?

KY

Well...thewholethingreally.I

tendtolookatpeopleandsize

dy--

Ilikedher.

ALICIA

Thedefendant:Jennifer?

KY

No,no,erput

that.

Aliciastudiesher--atwingeof“uh-oh.”

ALICIA

Thedefenlawyerarguedthepolice

neverpursuedtheactualcarjacker--

wasthatthereasonyouvoted“not

guilty?”

23.

KY

What?

ALICIA

Sheprentedevidencethepolice

thatwhatmadeyouholdout?

KY

Oh,Idon’tknowaboutthat.I

justtendtogetafeeling.

(liftsacat)

Don’tI,es?

in’shit.

’SMERCEDES-NIGHT

sdepresdinherdustyMercedes,staring

inthebuilding’santipticand

esout...

...Jennifer’smugshot,...“Bitchis

Back”ing...

ALICIA

Hello?What’swrong,Jackie?

Alicialistens,butshehearslaughter,looksup,es...

...Willandaxy26-year-oldPARALEGALlaughingintimately,

headinghome,,

Aliciaslumpsdowninherat,

surewhyshecares,r...

ALICIA(CONT’D)

Look,Jackie,she’satanewschool.

She’sleftallheroldfriends.I

justneedyoutogoeasieronGrace.

INTERCUTwith...

N-ALICIA’SAPARTMENT-DAY

...JACKIEFOLLICK(65),lood

elegant,ingpackingboxes...

JACKIE

AllIsaidwas:Icouldhelpher

shopforpantsthatwouldmakeher

lookslimmer,that’sall.

.

24.

ALICIA

Graceisataperfectlyhealthy

weightrightnow,andIdon’twant

hertohaveanybodyimageissues.

JACKIE

She’llonlyhave“bodyimage

issues”ifshekeepsgaining

weight.

Aliciasilentlyscreams“Fuckyou”atherphonewhen...

WILL

Alicia?

waves

tionsfortheParalegaltogoonahead,

startsuptoherwindow...

ALICIA

Look,Ihavetogo,’s

talkaboutthiswhenIgethome.

AndshehangsupasWillarrives...

WILL

rdthebailhearing

tulations.

ALICIA

Thanks.

WILL

dinghome?

ALICIA

Iam.

(somethingonhermind)

Will,canIaskyouaquestion?

WILL

’smyrealhair.

friends.

ALICIA

YouknowthenewassociateCary?

WILL

TheoneintheBrioni?

(Aliciashootshimalook)

What?I’mobrvant.

25.

ALICIA

Yes,

said“Letthebestassociatewin.”

What’shemeanbythat?

Willfrowns,shrugs:

WILL

WhathemeansissomethingI

thoughtweweren’tmakingpublic.

ALICIA

What?

WILL

Weonlyhaveoneassociateposition

edtohiretwo

applicants,andinsixmonths

decidewhichonetoretain.

ALICIA

Soit’sacontest?MeorCary?

WILL

Itwasthatoracagematch.

(smiles)

I’mjustgladyourprobono’sgoing

well.

ALICIA

(forcesasmile)

Metoo.

INIMUMSECURITYUNIT-(NEXTDAY)-DAY

ubFedthanFolsom.

RSSECURITYVESTIBULE-DAY

’renotsurewhyshe’shere:aprisonwaiting

onewordthere:“Goals.”Sheclicksherpen,writesunderit

oneword...“Survive.”aboutright.

GUARD

Visitinghoursarealmostover.

waiting.

NGAREA-TAMMAMINIMUMSECURITY-DUSK

Heescortshertowardthecafeteria-likevisitingarea.

eprisonernotbeing

herand...

26.

...,that’swhyshe’gnize

sgood,wearinghis

andsome,impressive.

DAVIDFOLLICK

Theysaidavisitor,butIthoughtMom.

ALICIA

I’vebeenbusy.

DAVIDFOLLICK

It’sgoodtoeyou.

Hereachesout,s,stiff.

ALICIA

Ineedyoutosignsomethings.

ods,t.

ALICIA(CONT’D)

Wedidn’tgeteverythingwewanted

’sabadtimeto

ll.

DAVIDFOLLICK

(esthenumber:ouch)

Iethat.

ALICIA

Mostofitwillgotocourtcosts.

We’llpayforrentoutofmysalary,

andthekidswillhavetostayin

publicschool.

DAVIDFOLLICK

Howarethey?Momsaysshe’s

helpingoutaroundthehou.

AliciadigsintoherpurasDavidsigns:

ALICIA

They’sfighting

h

isusingyoutomakefriendsat

school--I’mnotsureifthat’sa

signofhealthorsomethingwor.

DAVIDFOLLICK

He’s“usingme?”

ALICIA

“FunnyorDie”hasaskitabout

it’.

27.

satthem.

d:

DAVIDFOLLICK

Thanks.

Hereachesahandacross,lsaway.

DAVIDFOLLICK(CONT’D)

Iknowit’sbeenhard,

havetobelieveme,I’minnocent.

(Shelooksup:areyou

fuckingkiddingme?)

--oftheabuofofficecharges.

ALICIA

(gettingquieter)

YouthinkIgiveagoodgoddamn

aboutthat,David?There’satape

ofyousuckingthetoesofa20-

year-oldhookerplayinginGrace’s

computerlab,andyouthinkIcare

aboutthesmallprintinyour

employmentcontract!

DAVIDFOLLICK

Iwastup,Alicia!

meup--!

ALICIA

Oh,stopit,David!Just--!

,I’mnotheretofight.

,not

wantinghertogo.

DAVIDFOLLICK

Momsaidyou’reonyourfirstca.

bsca,

right?Who’sthejudge?

ALICIA

ColinBogira.

DAVIDFOLLICK

You’sme.

ALICIA

Iknow.

DAVIDFOLLICK

ack

dressIgotyouinHouston,wearthat.

28.

Alicialooksathim,shakesherhead,’samazing.

Anintercomblares:“Visitinghourshavenowconcluded.”

DAVIDFOLLICK(CONT’D)

(delayingher)

Youknowtherewassomethingweird

aboutthatca:theCombsca.

Therewasarumorgoingaroundthat

somethinggotburied:“pitted.”

’thelpit.

ALICIA

What?

Davidtakesamomenttothinkasfamiliespass,leaving.

DAVIDFOLLICK

Idon’ingimportant.

Evidenceortestimony.

Aliciaconsidersit,esaguardapproach.

ALICIA

Ishouldgo.

DAVIDFOLLICK

Thanksforplayingthebread-winner

forawhile,ou’re

notreallybuiltforthisstuff.

’tevenmeanitasaninsult--

whichmakesitwor.

DAVIDFOLLICK(CONT’D)

Itwon’inks

ifthisappealgoeswell,Ishould

ingscan

gobacktonormal.

eguardwaiting.

ALICIA

Youknowwhat,David?Ittookmea

’re

nevergoingbacktonormal.

And,withthat,Aliciafallsinbesidetheguard,starting

chstep,weeitonAlicia’ng

determination.

ENDOFACTONE

29.

ACTTWO

FIELDDRIVE-CHICAGO-(DAYSLATER)-DAY

gwithKalinda:

ALICIA

Look,thecopsfocudonJennifer

evenbeforetheydidachemical

analysisofthetraceevidence;so

whatiftheyonlydidananalysis

ofwhatfittheirtheory?

Kalindasnapsphotosofthecrimescene:awindswept

industrialroadbesideLakeMichigan.

KALINDA

Andwhatiftheydidn’t?Whatif--

(Aliciaholdsupapaper)

Okay,what’sthat?

ALICIA

Pageoneofthecrimelabsummary.

Iwasdiggingthroughthe

thetopcorner.

Kalindaleansin,esaXeroxedslantedline.

KALINDA

Lookslikeastaple.

ALICIA

Itisastaple.

KALINDA

Andthat’soddbecau?

ALICIA

Therewasnopagetwo.

(Kalindalooksather)

Whydidtheyneedastapleifthere

wasnopagetwo?

KALINDA

(takesacond)

Youthinktheykeptpagetwooutof

thediscoverybecautherewas

somethingincriminating?

ALICIA

Ithinkeithertheydid,orit

wouldbehelpfulincourttoimply

theydid.

30.

thisversion.

ALICIA(CONT’D)

Look,Jennifer’sinnocent,butif

wecangetheroffonaprocess

question,that’sstilljustice.

KALINDA

SojustsoI’mclear:we’readay

awayfromtrialandyou’rethinking

ofdroppingtheoldstrategy?

ALICIA

Dawnabarelyconvincedacatlady

,yes.

KALINDA

(takesthelabreport)

Okay.I’llcheckintoit.

Alicianods:rntotheWalmartparkinglot.

KALINDA(CONT’D)

Soapick-uptruckiscrossingawell-

lit,emptyparkinglotandforsome

reasonJennifer’sdisorientated,and

thinksit’scomingnotfromthat

direction,butthatdirection.

galike.

ALICIA

Idon’tbelieveit.

KALINDA

satruck

misdbythatsurveillancecamera?

shrugs:

ALICIA

Mismarkedsurveillancetape?

Kalindalooksather,

crosstohercar,takesoffherjacket,dropsitinside,

ing.

ALICIA(CONT’D)

Whatareyoudoing?

KALINDA

rebetterthan

subpoenas.

31.

Aliciasmiles.

TSALESFLOOR-DAY

LL(40).Tall,skinny,reads

satKalindaand

herbreasts,tryingnottolookatKalindaandherbreasts:

KALINDA

Wejustneedtoehowthe

surveillancesystemworks,andwe’ll

beoutofyourhairinfiveminutes.

’giton.

MITCHELL

Fiveminutes?

,Mitchellstartsuphisofficestairs,waves

looksoveratKalindaimpresd:

ALICIA

Whydidmyhusbandfireyou?

KALINDA

Heaccudmeofworkingtwojobs.

ALICIA

Wereyou?

KALINDA

Ohyeah.

yfollowhim.

TYOFFICE-WALMARTSTORE-DAY

son

Mitchell’scomputerinhisofficeoverlookingthesalesfloor.

MITCHELL

See,thecomputerautomatically

recordsthesurveillance,andmarks

thedateandtime.

KALINDA

Thisisthenightofthemurder?

MITCHELL

nifthecomputerdid

mismarkit,Imakeanhourlysweep

aroundthelot,andIdidn’te

,that’sme--at

11:03--justbeforethemurder--

32.

Thesurveillanceimage:Mitchellcrossingthenighttimelot.

nd.

KALINDA

Canwegetcopiesofthe?

MITCHELL

!Ineedsomedisks!

LANIE(45),aslightlyheftycretaryintheouteroffice.

Sherollshereyes,irritated:

LANIE

Alright.

sLanie’kid

photos,a“Curves”gymbag,adozencrushedDietCokesinthe

lookstowardKalinda,gettingnowherewith

startsout.

TYBREAKROOM-DAY

Ka-lump--shebuysaDietCokefromavendingmachine;drops

inmorequarters--ka-lump--buysanother.

ARIALWORKSTATION-SECURITYOFFICES-DAY

ALICIA

chinegavemeanextra

e?

LanieglancesupatAlicialeaninginherdoor:

LANIE

Aren’tyouoneofthelawyers?

ALICIA

I’ant.

pthe

tops,nodstowardherphotos:

ALICIA(CONT’D)

,

they’regorgeous.

LANIE

ndkids.

ALICIA

it

getasier.

33.

LANIE

I’dbelying.

ll,hearingtheirlaughter,slamshis

andLanietradeajokinglook.

ALICIA

Ishealwaysthatcharming?

LANIE

He’azymallcop.

eansin,gossips:

LANIE(CONT’D)

Whenschool’sout,andallthehigh

schoolgirlscomeoverhere,mall

cop’sthefirstonedownonthe

floor,,

nightshift,hecan’tgethisfat

assoutofhischair.I’mthe

firstoneininthemorning,and

I’malwayswakinghimup.

ALICIA

(studiesher)

Really...?

’SAPARTMENTBUILDING-NIGHT

n.

Surroundedbyaaoftraffic,7thfloor...

ROOM/DININGROOM-ALICIA’SAPARTMENT-NIGHT

...AliciastudiesthevideooftheWalMartparkinglotonher

computer,sippingredwine.

’sabitcrowded,butpretty.

Everythingdoingdoubleduty:Alicia’sdeskinthecornerof

her,Jackieenters,inpearlsandapron,tsthetable:

JACKIE

Doyoureallyhavetowork?

ALICIA

Anothertenminutes.

(callsintothenextroom)

Zach!Ineedyourlaptop!

34.

JACKIE

WhenDavid’sfatherwasonthe

Illinoiscourt,heneverbroughta

e.

ALICIA

Hewasajudge,Jackie;I’ma

!

ZACH

Mom,Ijustraidmywantedlevel.

ZACH(14)enters,uptatinterrupting“GrandTheftAuto.”

AshyAV-kidtryingtoemtougherthanheis.

ALICIA

I’mproudofyou,

needtoplaytwocomputerdisks

tupyour

laptopnexttomydesktop?

Zachshrugs,startstotthemupasAliciaesJackie

slippingbackintothekitchen.

ALICIA(CONT’D)

How’syoursister?Anymorefights

withgrandma?

Zachshrugs:noncommittal,,Alicia

getsup,kisshimonthehead,startsintothehall.

’SBEDROOM-NIGHT

AliciapeersintoGrace’sofObamaeverywhere.

ALICIA

How’reyoudoing?

GRACE

Iwantherdead.

ALICIA

(smiles)

Metoo;out.

Whichoneforcourttomorrow?

yDavid’schoice.

GRACE

Areyourvingcocktailsincourt?

paconrvativebluepantsuit.

35.

GRACE(CONT’D)

’tZachandIwatch

ourlves?

ALICIA

She’sonlyhereacouplehoursa

day,Grace.

GRACE

Acoupleofverydamaginghours.

Aliciasmiles,kissGraceontheforehead:

ALICIA

Youwillsurvive.

N-ALICIA’SAPARTMENT-NIGHT

ook.

Acrosstheislandfromher,Aliciachopscarrots.

JACKIE

you

droppedby.

ALICIA

Idid.

JACKIE

I’’shurtinginthere.

He’sverybrave,buthe’shurting.

Aliciaissilent,lookstowardher.

JACKIE(CONT’D)

Heneedsyoutoforgivehim,

t’shardbuthe

needsit.

ALICIA

Hedoesn’tneedthat,

needsmetogobacktowhoIwas.

AndIwon’tdothat.

JACKIE

Whatareyousaying?

Aliciatsdownherknife,looksather.

ALICIA

Ispentfifteenyearsnotasking

himasinglequestion.

36.

(MORE)

Doinghislaundry,cleaninghis

hou,acceptinghisreasonsfor

stayingovernightinthecity.

eI...

eIdidn’twant

toenduplikemyparents:divorced

--

’ksbetweenthetwo.

ALICIA(CONT’D)

We’llbedoneinacond.

bsapiece

ofbread,lowershervoice:

ALICIA(CONT’D)

AndhetookeverythingIdid,every

minuteofourmarriage,andhe...

(stillhurts)

...rippeditopenforthocameras.

JACKIE

Daviddidn’twantthat.

ALICIA

Hewantedaprop,

didn’dat

himatthatpressconference,andI

realized...Idon’tknowthisman.

JACKIE

Ittakestime,

time.

ALICIA

No,p,andI’mnot

r

havetogothroughsomethinglike

thatagain,Iwantittobebecau

ofsomethingIdid.I’mnotgoing

toliveordiebysomeoneel’s

mistakes.

Jackielooksather,wantstosaysomething,butZachcalls:

ZACH(O.S.)

Mom,Igotitrunning.

ROOM/DININGROOM-ALICIA’SAPARTMENT-NIGHT

gonside-by-

andZachwatch.

37.

ALICIA(CONT'D)

ZACH

Whatisit?

ALICIA

Videofromthenightofthemurder.

ZACH

Cool,like“FacesofDeath.”

Aliciaglancesover,esZachstudyinggrislyautopsy

chesover,

shrugs,nodstowardthescreens.

ZACH(CONT’D)

Whatareyoulookingfor?

ALICIA

I’mnot--[sure]

ButsomethingcatchesAlicia’aptop.

ALICIA(CONT’D)

freezeit?There.

leansintowardthefrozenimage,

studyingasmallplasticshoppingbagblowingacrossthelot.

Suddenlyexcited.

ZACH

What?Whatisit?

ALICIA

Proof.

ZACH

Ofwhat?

ALICIA

Mallcopwasn’tthere.

UNTYCOURTHOUSE-(THENEXTDAY)-DAY

...

Y-COOKCOUNTYCOURTHOUSE-DAY

...Kalindarushestowardcourt,passingaherdoflawyers:

LAWYER

How’?

Kalindaoffersashrugasshepushesinto...

38.

OOM402-COOKCRIMINALCOURTHOUSE-DAY

...court

ajoinstheminthegallery,eyesAliciaand

Jenniferatthedefentable.

MATAN

Andyouweremarriedtothevictim

forhowlong,?

OMBS(30).Plainly-

,butnotbotoxed.

CINDY

...

entlytsaKleenexboxinfront

.

MATAN

Howdidyouhearofhismurder,if

youdon’tmindmeasking?

CINDY

IwasvisitingmyfamilyinMiami,

--I

stillcan’tbelieveit.

MATAN

Inheropeningstatement,the

defenallegedthatyourhusband

wasintendingtoreunitewiththe

accud--thatinfactthat’swhy

theyweregoingtodinnerthenight

true?

CINDY

dhimshewantedto

talkoverthecustodysituation.

MichaelwasworriedaboutJennifer.

Hethoughtshewas...obsd--

ALICIA

Objection,yourhonor.

JUDGEBOGIRA

Onwhatgrounds?

ALICIA

(hesitatesacond)

“Hearsay?”

39.

JUDGEBOGIRA

Nicetry,k.I’llallow.

heblue

s,es

Jennifer’mfortinglytoher.

CINDY

Michaelagreedtohavedinnerwith

Jenniferbecauhewasafraidof

whatshemightdoifhedidn’t.

MATAN

Thankyou,tness.

Aliciastands,bumpsherknee--oww--backsawayfromthe

table,s:

ALICIA

Now,,youstatedthat

Michaelwasn’tconsidering

reunitingwithJennifer,andyet--

MATAN

Objection.

JUDGEBOGIRA

Sustained.

’tsurewhatshedidwrong.

ALICIA

Inyourtestimony,,you

claimthatMichaelthoughtmy

clientwasdangerous,butisn’tit--

MATAN

Objection.

JUDGEBOGIRA

ying,Mrs.

’llhitonit.

ALICIA

’tittrue

yourhusbandchangedhismindabout

fightingmyclientforcustodyof

theirdaughter?

CINDY

Yes.

40.

ALICIA

Wouldn’tthatsuggestyour

husband’sattitudehadsoftened--?

MATAN

Objection.

JUDGEBOGIRA

Sustained.

Aliciastartstoaskmore,decidesagainstit:

ALICIA

Thankyou.

AnuncertainAliciasits,offersasmiletoanervousJennifer

worryingthisisn’ndSandra,meanwhile,

ffhandsanotetoAlicia.

Sheopensit,reads:“Calmdown.”Aliciaturnstothe

gallery,...

OOM402-ONEHOURLATER-DAY

(45).Dudley-Do-Rightupstanding.

SANDRAPAI

Andwhywasthiscarjackingnotlike

theotherthree,DetectiveBriggs?

DETECTIVEBRIGGS

Well,therewasnocliponthefuel

linetoforcethecarover.

SANDRAPAI

Thiswasadetailkeptfromthepress?

DETECTIVEBRIGGS

Well,wedidn’tintentionallykeep

itout,butsomeoneimitatingthe

carjackingswouldn’tknowtodoit.

SANDRAPAI

Instead,thevictimpulledthecar

overbecauhehadaflat?

DETECTIVEBRIGGS

Yes,ma’adbeendriven

intotherearpasngerwheel.

SANDRAPAI

isthissomethinga

carjackerwouldneverdo,detective?

41.

DETECTIVEBRIGGS

Well,itsortofdefeatsthewhole

,howdoyousteal

acarwithaflat?

Aliciashootsalooktowardthejury,allintentlymaking

notesontheirpads:er

leanstowardAlicia,whispers:

JENNIFERCOMBS

It’snotgoingwell,isit?

ALICIA

(whispersback)

It’arly.

SANDRAPAI

Yourwitness.

erlf.

ALICIA

DetectiveBriggs,whatis“thepit”?

MatanandPailookimmediatelyupfromtakingnotes:huh?

DETECTIVEBRIGGS

Excume?

ALICIA

Inpolicecircles,whatis“thepit”?

MATAN

Objection,yourhonor?

JUDGEBOGIRA

Onwhatgrounds?

MATAN

Onthegroundsthat...relevance.

JUDGEBOGIRA

Well,letusehowrelevantthis

becomes,shallwe?Detective.

Kalinda,inthegalley,leansforward,nods--good--as

Briggsclearshisthroat,nothappywiththis:

DETECTIVEBRIGGS

Thepit?Thepitispoliceslang

forevidencethatisthought

irrelevanttoacrimescene.

42.

ALICIA

Andwhenanofficerisreferringto

“droppingsomethinginthepit”or

“pittingit”hereferstowhat?

DETECTIVEBRIGGS

Excludingitfromthecrimescene

sisonlythe

neverexcludepertinentevidence.

ALICIA

WasanythingfromtheCombscrime

scenepitted?

MATAN

Yourhonor,objection!

OGIRA’SCHAMBERS-DAY

Bogirastudiesthexeroxedstapleonthelabreport.

JUDGEBOGIRA

Okay,,k,none

ityourintentiontopursueanew

defen?

ALICIA

Yes,yourhonor.

BogiraeyesAlicia,steelierthanhethoughtasMatanexplodes:

MATAN

Counlistryingtomisleadthejury

withaclaimofpolicecorruption--!

JUDGEBOGIRA

Oh,shutup,ight?

That’bury

something?

MATAN

I--Weallknowwhat’sgoingon

ollickwasacorrupt

encewasburied,he

buriedit;andnowshe’sbenefiting

fromhisknowledge!

JUDGEBOGIRA

Whichstillleavesyouwitha

possiblecondpagemissinghere!

43.

(MORE)

I’llgiveyouuntilMondayto

produceit,alongwithanyevidence

itreferences,thenI’llruleon

,Mrs.

Follick,I’mnotsureifyou’re

beingfedthisstufforyou’redoing

itonyourown,butI’mnotgoingto

allowafishingexpeditioninmy

tand?

ALICIA

Ido,yourhonor.

JUDGEBOGIRA

Youemtobelearningquick,Mrs.

Follick,

you’llfindthere’sonlyonerulein

’twastethejudge’s

wastingmytime?

ALICIA

Never,yourhonor.

ENDOFACTTWO

44.

JUDGEBOGIRA(CONT'D)

ACTTHREE

’SCORNEROFFICE-28THFLOOR-LAWFIRM-DAY

standsbeforethepartners:Dawna,Will,anda

od.

DAWNA

Thedirectivewassimple:followthe

d

you’repushingfortraceevidence

thatmightnotevenhelpyourca.

Aliciatriestostaystrong,certain:

ALICIA

Iinterviewedthefirstjuryandthey

voted11toonetoconvict,soI--

DAWNA

Excume,that’

evenlysplit.

ALICIA

ejurorsswitchedvotes

onlywhentheycouldn’tgeta

“troubled”jurortodeliberate.

(Willlooksup:really?)

Soitwasmyjudgementtochange

strategies.

nalslap.

DAWNA

Wasityourjudgmentnottoupdateus?

ATIONROW-28THFLOOR-DAY

thatit’...

ALICIA

Alicia!

oachingLaurenYost.

LAURENYOST

We’vegottastopmeetinglikethis.

(laughs)

ALICIA

Hey,Lauren.

Aliciastartsoff,butLaurenfollows...

45.

LAURENYOST

We’rejustfinishinguptheestate

knowwho

Iranintodowntown?DeenaHart.

ItoldherIsawyou,andshesaid

shewasgoingtogiveyouacallso

thethreeofuscouldhavelunch.

ALICIA

Lauren,Idon’tmeantoberude,

but...Deenaisn’tgoingtocall,

andwe’renotgoingtohavelunch.

Andthat’,itis.

estyofthisprettyblinding.

ALICIA(CONT’D)

Everybody’’snota

’sjustwhat

’sgreattoeyou.I

havetogetbacktowork.

watcheshergo:the

...

’SCORNEROFFICE-28THFLOOR-LAWFIRM-DAY

...thepartnersdeliberate...

DAWNA

She’sajuniorassociatewho

doesn’tthinkshe’sajunior

bandwasthe

D.A.,shelivedinHighlandPark.

It’snotjusttryingtoteachan

’stryingto

teachanentitleddognewtricks.

WILL

Oh,comeon,’strying

torthe

womenuntiltheystartcompeting

withyou.

DAWNA

What?!Excume?!

CORMAC

Okay,eyour

recommendations?

DAWNA

IthinkweshouldreprimandAlicia,

andputCaryinasfirstchair.

46.

CormacturnstoWill:You?Willconsidersit.

WILL

Youknowonethingwehaven’t

talkedabout?Whatifthereis

somethinginthismissingtrace

evidence?

And...

AB-DAY

KALINDA

Justapeek,.

It’sKalindasmilingflirtatiouslywithDANNY(32),anervous

WallaceShawntype,adresd

toaccentuateeverythingthatneedstobeaccentuated.

DANNY

’dyouevengetinhere?

KALINDA

IstillhavefriendsintheD.A.’s

,Iknowthejudge

orderedyoutolookthroughtheraw

’dyoufind?

Dannystaresather,and...

’SWORKSTATION-CRIMELAB-DAY

DANNY

nchlong.

DannywhispersnervouslyasKalindapeersthroughamicroscope.

KALINDA

Pubichairs?

DANNY

’ttouchthat.

KALINDA

Andyoucheckedtheirresidences?

DANNY

Therewerenomatchinghairsinthe

accudorvictim’

.

KALINDA

Wherewerethefound?

47.

Dannysighs,checksareport:

DANNY

tcoatarm.

KALINDA

(incredulous)

Andthecopsthinkthisis

immaterialtotheca?!They’re

foundonthearmudbyadriverto

strugglewithacarjacker,and--?

DANNY

Thedidn’tcomefromanycarjacker.

KALINDA

Howdoyouknow?

DANNY

They’renothuman.

?

’SOFFICE-DAY

grilyflipsthroughnewphotosofLilly,now

ghsatherinawitchcostume.

JENNIFERCOMBS

ou.

Alicia,stilldistracted,nods,nginheroffice

ofiling

ringsoutatthecretarialworkstation.

JENNIFERCOMBS(CONT’D)

That’’tit?

ALICIA

Sonia,canyounditin?

leansoutherdoor,finds...

ATIONROW-27THFLOOR-DAY

...Soniagone--intheconferenceroomacrossthehall,

takingnotesonCary’answersit:

ALICIA

AliciaFollick’.

ewhich

r.

48.

ALICIA(CONT’D)

Pickitup,Jennifer.

’SOFFICE-DAY

AndanervousJennifertakesadeepbreath,picksup.

JENNIFERCOMBS

Hello.

LILLYCOMBS(O.S.)

Mommy?

Jenniferbreaksdown,gherdaughter’svoice.

JENNIFERCOMBS

Baby,it’sme.

’thelpit.

LILLYCOMBS(O.S.)

Whereareyou,mommy?Imissyou

somuch.

JENNIFERCOMBS

Iknow,--I

oe

you.

LILLYCOMBS(O.S.)

Iwanttoeyoutoo.

Aliciawipesatearfromhercheek,slowly...

ATIONROW-27THFLOOR-DAY

...stepsout,sSonia

rollingaFILINGCABINETtowardher.

ALICIA

Oh,good.I’moverflowinginhere.

SONIA

Actually,k...ah...

ShewheelsitintoCary’,comeon!

Alicia’sfrustrationbubblesover:

ALICIA

Weneedtotalk,Sonia.

SONIA

--Ihavetoget

backtothedeposition.

49.

ALICIA

No,’rebothour

’renotjust

workingforCary.

SONIA

Iknow,k,butIneed

thisjob,andCary...

(tryingtobepolite)

...he’sdefinitelygoingtobe

here.I’msorry.

juststandsthere,when...

KALINDA

It’snothuman.

?

KALINDA(CONT’D)

’shairfrom

r

here’’sa

tolin.

Alotionformuscleandjointpain.

ALICIA

(peeringathernotes)

That’sthechemicalnumber?

KALINDA

No,dtodrinks.

Alicialooksup,ngtoloveKalinda.

ALICIA

Sowe’relookingforagreyhound-

owningniorcitizen?

KALINDA

“We”?Ihearyou’rebeingbumped

tocondchair.

ksaround.

wertheirvoices:

ALICIA

When?

KALINDA

’sbeing

backto

thefirststrategy.

50.

ersit.

ALICIA

Thenthatleavestoday.

tbetweenthem.

KALINDA

Sogokillhim.

OOM402-COOKCRIMINALCOURTHOUSE-DAY

sonacourtroommonitor.

MATAN

Thisisat11:03,thenightofthe

murder,t’s

youcrossingthelot,correct?

TheWalmartcurityguard,lookingcrisp,professional.

MITCHELL

Yes,sir,’s

partofmyjobtomakeacircuitof

theloteveryhouronthehour.

Alicia(wearingtheblackdressnow--whateverittakes)

ksdownatthephotos

ofLillyinherhand,stillglowing.

MATAN

Andyousawnomysteriouspick-up

truck?Noevilcarjackersracing

pastyou?Nothingthedefendant

claimsshesaw?Correct?

MITCHELL

That’scorrect.

Willentersthegallery,rs:

WILL

How’sitgoing?

KALINDA

Can’dercuthim,

we’till

havetothrowtogetheradefen.

Willnods,g

ispers:

WILL

What’ere?

51.

ILDS(45).AChicagoGavinNewsome.

Dignified,tall,humorless,andhandsomelygreying.

KALINDA

Whatdoyouthink?They’reworried

she’sworkingforherhusband.

rnsbacktoAlicianowstandingforcross-

ffwheelstwomonitorsnexttothefirst.

ALICIA

,ll,we

dle

leftisthesurveillancefromthe

rightisthesurveillancefromthe

t?

Canyouethedatesonallthree?

MITCHELL

Yes,’scorrect.

ALICIA

,asyousaidbefore,here

youare--letmerolltheforwarda

bit--hereyouarecrossingthelot

at11:03onthenightofthemurder?

Andhereyouare...

ButAliciapaus,econd.

JUDGEBOGIRA

k?

Alicianods,tent,bitingintoit:

ALICIA

Andhereyouare,ll,

doingthesamethenightbeforeand

mustgetold?

MITCHELL

No,ma’aynotpayas

muchasyours,butIloveit.

sshegoingwiththis?

ALICIA

Okay,nowlet’sfast-forwardthe

imageanotherforty-fiveminutes,

shallwe?youe?

52.

MITCHELL

Nothing.

ALICIA

No,eedtomoveclor?

MITCHELL

slikeashoppingbag.

ALICIA

icshopping

itblewacrossthelotat11:48.

MATAN

Yourhonor,objection,whatdoes

thishavetodowithanything?

JUDGEBOGIRA

’minterested.

Aren’tyou,?Overruled.

ALICIA

Nowletmefast-forwardtheother

twomonitors--thenightbeforethe

murderandthenightafter--tothe

sametimecode.

Shedoesso,

thereitis--thesameplasticbagblowingacrossthelot.

ALICIA(CONT’D)

Whatdoyoue?

MITCHELL

(appalled)

I--Idon’tknow.

ALICIA

Ithinkyoudoknow,you

haveaplasticbagthatblowsacross

yourloteverynightat11:48or

thearecopiesofthesametape.

MatanandSandraclotheireyes:eBogira

suppressanappreciativesnort,andthejuryall

immediatelyturntomakeanoteontheirpads.

Will’sgrinwidensasAliciaclicks“play”onthethree

exactsamebagblowsacrossthelot.

MITCHELL

Ididn’t--It’snotwhatitlooks

like!

53.

ALICIA

Iunderstand,’snotthat

youwillfullymisledthepolice?

MITCHELL

No,right--correct.

ALICIA

It’sjustthatit’scoldoutat

night?Andsometimesyoudon’t

makethecircuitofthelot?

MITCHELL

Yes.

ALICIA

So,onnightsyoudon’tgoout,you

don’trecordtheactual

surveillanceimage;youjustt

yourcomputertoduplicatethe

nightbeforeincathemanager

checksit,isthatcorrect?

MITCHELL

I--Yes.

Willgrins,looksback,exitingunhappily.

ALICIA

Sojusttobeclear:thereisno

recordingofthenightofthe

murder,andyouwereneverina

positiontoeornoteapick-

uptruckwithcarjackers?

(Mitchellnods,destroyed)

Wasthatayes,sir?

MITCHELL

I’.

th.

ALICIA

Nofurtherquestions.

MatanandSandrajuststarestraightahead,

Aliciaturnstowardherat,’s

nods--good--thensheesWill,smiling.

Sheoffersaquicksmileback,appreciative

Jennifer’thantherapy.

ENDOFACTTHREE

54.

ACTFOUR

’SOFFICE-NIGHT

’soffice

ofilingcabinets.

WILL

So,you’vegotnorebuttalwitness?

ALICIA

JustJennifer.

WILL

Andyou’rewonderingwhether

demolishingthekeyprocution

witnessdidn’tjustsaveyourass

asfirstchair--congratulations,

bytheway--

(Aliciasmiles,nods)

--butwanoughforreasonabledoubt?

dofsilenceastheythink.

WILL(CONT’D)

YouknowwhatIdon’tlike?

ALICIA

Thenailinthetire?

WILL

doesn’

feelslikeamurdermadetolooklike

acouch?

Acouchstandingonitndinacorner.

ALICIA

Yeah,maintenancebroughtitby.

Goforit.

round.

WILL

Youneedamaidinhere.

ButAliciapaus,anewthoughtnudgingher.

ALICIA

Okay,whatifitwasn’tacarjacking?

WILL

Thenyoulo.

55.

ALICIA

No,no,whatifwedon’targue

eitwas

amurdermadetolooklikea

carjacking--butJenniferjust

wasn’ttheonewhodidit?

WILL

Soundslikeyou’rereinventingthe

wheel.

ALICIA

(gettingexcited)

No,allthey’veprovenisitwasn’t

acarjacking,notthatJenniferwas

oofferup

Michael’s

enemies?Whowouldwanthimdead?

Aliciafindsanumber,dials,esSoniapausingatthedoor:

SONIA

antedtosay:

congratulations,k.I

heardyoudidwellincourt.

ALICIA

...Thankyou.

SoniastartstosaymorewhenCarycalls:“Sonia!”She

smiles,embarrasd,ootsalooktoward

Alicia--whatwasthatabout?Sheshakesherhead--nothing.

ALICIA(CONT’D)

(intothephone)

Yeah,hey,we

knowaboutthevictim’nemies?

No,itjustemslikeweneedto

pointtoasuspect.

Willgetsup,whispers:

WILL

’sdo

dinnertomorrow.

Alicianods,sgood

.

ALICIA

No,look,let’stalktothewife--

Cindy--askifhehadanymoney

troubles?

56.

(MORE)

No,thethingis:wedon’tneeda

wodunit,justacoulda-dunit.

UNTYCOURTHOUSE-DAY

andbeautiful.

Y-COOKCOUNTYCOURTHOUSE-DAY

KalindaandAliciaexitacourthouelevator,hurriedlywalk

andtalktheirwaythroughdocumentsastheyheadtowardcourt:

KALINDA

That’sfromtheTRW;andthat’sthe

familyhistory.

ALICIA

Wherearethecreditcardreceipts?

KALINDA

y’regoingtoobject

’llneedtojust

stringtogethersomeimplications--

GREGCHILDS

k,doyouhaveamoment?

Theybothstop,intheirpath.

ALICIA

I--sure.

AlicianodstoareluctantKalinda:aknits

herbrow:yousure?acontinuesoff.

GREGCHILDS

Idon’tthinkwe’veevermet.I’m

GregChilds.

ALICIA

We’vemet.

Alicianotsmiling,,no

looksaround:noonewithinear-shot.

Timefortheadultstotalk.

GREGCHILDS

Youknowhe’susingyou,don’tyou?

Davidblamesmeforhisdownfall.

’susing

youtogettome.

ALICIA

Howdoyoufigure?

57.

ALICIA(CONT'D)

GREGCHILDS

k,you

aboutthemissingtraceevidence.

Hetoldyouabout“thepit.”

(Aliciasmiles)

Don’tmakeyourlfcollateral

rownsake.

ALICIA

youleakedthat

xtapetothepress,andforcedme

toshieldmykidsfromeverycable

newsstationplayingitin24-hour

rotation--thatwasthedayIbecame

nkyou

havetoworryaboutmyhusband,Mr.

Childs?You’veobviouslynevermade

awomanangrybefore.

(smilespolitely)

Butgoodluckincourt.

watcheshergo.

OOM402-COOKCRIMINALCOURTHOUSE-DAY

ale,apainedwoman.

Aliciaapproaches,smiling,windatherbackfromtheChilds

--sheslapstheKleenexboxinfrontofher.

ALICIA

andthedecead

signapre-nuptialagreement?

CINDY

A--?purpos.

ALICIA

JustsoI’mclear:ifthedecead

weretodivorceyou--let’ssayin

ordertoreunitewithhisfirstwife--

MATAN

Objection.

JUDGEBOGIRA

Sustained.

ALICIA

Ifheweretodivorceyou,you

wouldbecutofffromhispre-

maritalsavings,isthatcorrect?

MATAN

nce.

58.

JUDGEBOGIRA

along,Mrs.

Follick.

ALICIA

,asyoutestified

earlier,youwereinMiamiatthe

timeoftheshooting,visiting

olicenever

suspectedorquestionedyou?

CINDY

Ofthemurder?No,ofcournot.

ALICIA

Whataboutyourbrother?

Matanjumpstohisfeet:

MATAN

Objection,yourhonor!Comeon!

Thiswholelineofquestioningisa

smokescreen!

JUDGEBOGIRA

,whydon’twewaitfora

whiffofsmokebeforewecallita

screen,plea.I’llallow.

ALICIA

Thepoliceneverquestionedyour

brother,isn’tthatcorrect,Mrs.

Combs?

ive

Briggs,meanwhile,inthegallery,watches,curious.

CINDY

Therewasnoreasontoquestionhim.

ALICIA

BecauhelivesinMiami?

CINDY

BecauDannyhadnothingtodo

withthis!

Aliciashootsalooktowardthejury:Cindy’snewabrasive

er,meanwhile,watches

confud:where’sAliciagoingwiththis?

ALICIA

,thejudgehasadmitted

intoevidencetheburied--

59.

(MORE)

(esMatanjumpingup)

--strikethat--the“previously

unrelead”

alsoadmittedintoevidencethe

crimelab’sfindingthatthe

greyhoundhairswerecoveredwitha

chemicalcompoundcalledalco

ectolin.”Haveyouheardofthis?

CINDY

Thechemical?No.

ALICIA

Well,sout,

nudat

dogracingtrackstoea--

MATAN

vidence.

JUDGEBOGIRA

htwanttostay

standing,feeling

we’renearingyoursmokescreen.

DetectiveBriggsleansforwardinhisatlisteningas...

Aliciagivesherlfacond,slowsitdown,makesthewords

count:

ALICIA

,isn’titafactthat,a

yearago,atthetimeofthemurder,

yourbrotherworkedatadogtrack--?

MATAN

OBJECTION!

JUDGEBOGIRA

Sustained.

ButAliciaeyesthejury,allintentlytakingnotes.

ALICIA

Nomorequestions,yourhonor.

Andshereturnstohertable,erleanstoward

her,whispers...

JENNIFERCOMBS

AreyousayingCindyhadMichael

killed?

ALICIA

No.I’mimplyingit.

60.

ALICIA(CONT'D)

JenniferstudiesAliciaas,behindtheminthegallery,

DetectiveBriggsgetsup,startsoutofcourt.

’SOFFICE-DAY

AliciaandKalindasitinheroffice,mess.

.

ALICIA

Soiftheycomebacktoday?

KALINDA

It’s“guilty.”Guiltyverdicts

comefast.“Notguilty”verdicts

comeslow.

ALICIA

SoI’llbeoptimistic,andtakeanap.

Theybothsitback,relax,aes

Alicia’slaptop:thescreensaverplayingoldfamilyvacation

avid,smiling,ertime.

KALINDA

YouknowwhatIdon’tget.

(Alicialooksoverather)

’ve

stuckaknifeinhisheart.

’ssortofnotrudefromKalinda.

ALICIA

Iheardaboutthootherscandals,

thootherwives,Ithought--how

canyouallowyourlftobeud

thatway?Andthenithappened.

AndIwas...

(looksfortherightword)

...unprepared.

nia

knocksattheopendoor.

SONIA

Sorrytobotheryou,k.

KALINDA

(winces:damn)

Thejury’sin?

SONIA

No,JudgeBogirawantstoeyou

inhischambers.

61.

?

OGIRA’SCHAMBERS-DAY

standsinfrontofBogira’s

desk,’otsalooktoward

ingweirdhere.

ffhisrobes.

JUDGEBOGIRA

Well,k.

(howtostart)

ChicagoHomicidehasdecidedto

reopenitsinvestigationintothe

murderofMichaelCombs.

Alicia’?

JUDGEBOGIRA(CONT’D)

DetectiveBriggs,doinganadmirable

amountofduediligence,confirmedthat

CindyComb’sbrother,Danny,notonly

hadaccesstohimployer’spick-up

truckonthenightofthemurder,but

thedoghairsadmittedintoevidence

matchedthofoundathisworkplace.

TheD.A.,inhisradiantwisdom,has

decidedtowithdrawthechargesagainst

yourclientandpursueacaagainst

’tthatright,Mr.

Brody?AllIneedisayesorno.

MATAN

(nothappy)

Yes.

JUDGEBOGIRA

tenminutesI’m

objections?’redonehere.

Aliciacan’ns,

walksfromtheroom.

Y-COOKCOUNTYCOURTHOUSE-DAY

Jenniferispale,’

walksslowlytoAliciaandholdsher,collapsagainsther.

Bothintears.

JENNIFERCOMBS

Thankyou.

62.

Aliciajustshakesherhead,hugsherback,wipesthetears

fromherfacewhen...avoicecomesfrombehindthem...

LILLYCOMBS

Mommy.

ercloshereyesoverwhelmedas

.

niferbendsdownandpicks

...

...Aliciawatches,moved.

ATIONROW-27THFLOOR-NIGHT

arklingskyscraperlights

walkstowardheroffice,highheelsoff,talkingonhercell:

ALICIA

No,itjustwentalittlelate,

’sall.

JACKIE(O.S.)

Imadeapotroast,andIwanted

toknowifyou’recominghomefor

dinner.

looksup,confud.

JACKIE(O.S.)(CONT’D)

What?WhatdidIsay?

ALICIA

’sjustthecallI

alwaysudtomaketoDavid.

JACKIE(O.S.)

Well,Idon’tunderstandyourhumor.

Aliciasmiles,opensherdoor,findsheroffice...

’SOFFICE-NIGHT

...llpackedawayintothreenewfiling

crosstoherdesk.

JACKIE(O.S.)

Areyouthere?

ALICIA

I’inaboutanhour.

(stopsherfromhangingup)

63.

(MORE)

Hey,’tthinkI’ve

reallysaidthisuptilnow,but

thanksforsteppingup.

JACKIE(O.S.)

ldn’tI?

Aliciasmiles:Jackieathermostdefensivewhencomplimented.

JACKIE(CONT'D)

Seeyouatnine.

.

WILL

Oh.

It’gabottleofchampagne.

WILL(CONT’D)

Sorry,Ididn’tknowyou--Justan

great.

ALICIA

,didn’tI?

takesthechampagne,looksatthelabel

rknowingwhattosay.

WILL

Oh,boss.

ALICIA

Yes,sir.

WILL

You’vebeenmademycondchairin

tomorrow

at9:eeting.

ALICIA

Bethere.

Willsmiles,ipsaway.

Alicia,alone,

glancestowardherlaptop,playingscreensaverphotos.

Dissolvingtoaphotoof...

...cia’ssmileslipsawayasshestaresathim.

ENDOFACTFOUR

64.

ALICIA(CONT'D)