"RECONCILABLE
DIFFERENCES"
by
Charles Deemer
3550 SW
Pomona St.
Portland, OR 97219-7518
(800)
294-7176
cdeemer@yahoo.com
FADE IN:
INT. OFFICE
BUILDING - HALLWAY - DAY
A plate
glass office door reads:
"Knox
and Atkinson Law Offices."
INT. LAW
OFFICE - DAY
An
arrangement of cubicles and offices in a busy law firm.
Moving
through the office with a cart is a MAIL CLERK, teens.
He drops off
mail to busy LAWYERS at their computers.
He comes to
a CONFERENCE ROOM. The closed door has a small
window.
Looking in, he sees a man and woman who are clearly
in an
argument.
They gesture
and wave their arms at one another, both
talking
(inaudibly) at once. They are QUINN and KATE FENDER,
late 20s.
At the table
between them sits their client (Cobb) with his
head in his
hands.
The clerk's
expression reads, "Here we go again." He pushes
the cart on.
A SECRETARY
(Nancy) approaches.
NANCY
Have you seen Quinn?
MAIL CLERK
In the conference room. The
Fenders are doing their thing.
NANCY
Oh, no.
MAIL CLERK
(an old joke)
"Fenders for the
defense."
Grinning,
the mail clerk moves on.
The
secretary goes to the conference room and looks in. The
Fenders are
still at it.
A LAWYER
joins her.
2.
NANCY
This can wait till later.
She moves
off. The lawyer, with a last look, shakes his head.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
Quinn and
Kate are finally silent. They glare at one another.
The client
is ANTHONY COBB, 50s, who reeks wealth.
COBB
How the hell do I know what to do
if my lawyers can't even agree?
KATE
We'll flip a coin.
QUINN
Which is a 50-50 recipe to disaster.
She already
has a coin out. She flips it, catches it, covers
it.
KATE
Your call.
QUINN
If we put him on, Jackson will
eat him alive in cross.
KATE
And we've already lost if we
don't. Heads or tails.
QUINN
There's always more than one way
to cook a goose.
KATE
Heads or tails.
Quinn looks
at Cobb.
COBB
Do it. I need closure here.
QUINN
Heads.
Kate reveals
the coin. Tails. She smiles.
3.
KATE
(to Cobb)
You testify.
INT. COURT
HOUSE - COURTROOM - DAY
Cobb on the
stand. Kate is questioning him.
A JUDGE
overlooks. A pretty court reporter, MICHELLE, 20s,
sits at a
stenotype machine.
At one
table, Quinn and Cobb. At the other, JACKSON, 40s,
looking
cocky, with an ASSISTANT.
KATE
Finally, Mr. Cobb, did you
embezzle three hundred thousand
dollars by transferring funds
from the corporate retirement
account to your own personal
account in the Bank of
Switzerland?
COBB
I absolutely did not.
KATE
Thank you.
JUDGE
Defense will cross-examine after
lunch.
He bangs his
gavel.
INT. COURT
HOUSE - HALLWAY - DAY
Quinn, Kate
and Cobb move down the hallway together.
KATE
I'll see you at one.
COBB
You're not eating?
KATE
I have an errand to run.
She moves
off.
COBB
How'd I do?
4.
QUINN
You were fine. The hard part will
be facing Jackson.
INT. COURT
HOUSE - CAFETERIA - DAY
Quinn and
Cobb at a table over lunch. Michelle comes by.
MICHELLE
Hi, Quinn.
QUINN
Michelle.
MICHELLE
Where's Kate?
Quinn
shrugs.
MICHELLE
Well, good luck this afternoon.
She smiles
flirtatiously at him before moving on.
INT. COURT
HOUSE - PHONE BOOTH - DAY
Kate on the
phone.
INT.
ARTIST'S STUDIO - DAY
On the other
phone is CINNAMON MCAFFERY, 40s, in paint-
splattered
work clothes. Nothing feminine about her.
Her painting
in progress is a bright and busy abstract.
INTERCUT
KATE
I need to find a new firm.
CINNAMON
Haven't I been telling you that?
KATE
Dad would kill me if I left. I
just don't know how to get Quinn
to leave.
CINNAMON
I don't know what to tell you,
Kate, that I haven't already
said.
5.
KATE
I know. I miss you.
CINNAMON
I miss you, too. When can you get
free?
KATE
Probably not till the verdict's
in.
CINNAMON
And I thought I worked too hard.
KATE
You're an artist. You have a
calling. I'm here because daddy
didn't have a son and sent me to
law school instead.
CINNAMON
There should be a law against
working for your parent.
KATE
Tell me about it. I have to run.
I just wanted to hear your voice.
CINNAMON
I'm available whenever you are.
KATE
I know. You're my rock, Cin. I'll
call you tonight. I should know
more about my schedule.
INT. COURT
HOUSE - COURTROOM - DAY
Cobb back on
the stand. He's sweating.
Jackson
closing in for the kill, leering at him.
JACKSON
So the Swiss account with your
social security number and your
name was opened to hide your
gambling winnings, and yet all
this money from your place of
employment magically disappeared
on the very same day your
clandestine account just as
magically received--
Quinn to his
feet.
6.
QUINN
Objection! I--
JUDGE
Overruled.
Jackson
smiles at Quinn. Quinn glares back. Then he turns to
glare at
Kate, who looks away.
JACKSON
Mr. Cobb, enlighten us. Tell us
how you won almost a third of a
million dollars. Was it at Black
Jack? The slots in Reno? The
office Super Bowl pool?
Laughter
from the audience. The judge bangs his gavel.
LATER
Tense moment
as the jury files in.
Quinn looks
at Kate, who stares down at the table. Cobb
fidgets.
LATER
JUDGE
Please read the verdict.
JURY FOREMAN
We find the defendant guilty.
At the
defense table, Cobb swears under his breath. Kate
quickly
gathers her things and leaves.
Quinn turns
to Cobb, looking apologetic.
INT. COURT
HOUSE - PHONE BOOTH - DAY
Kate on the
phone.
KATE
I hope you get this message. I'm
on my way to get a room at the
Hilton. I need you tonight. I'll
wait till nine.
EXT.
RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Quinn enters
a restaurant.
7.
INT.
RESTAURANT - BAR - NIGHT
Quinn looks
around the bar, finds ADAM, 20s, and other
LAWYERS at a
table, including SALLY, 30s. He joins them.
ADAM
Here's a guy who really needs a
drink.
QUINN
Many, many drinks.
SALLY
Why on earth did you put him on
the stand?
Quinn's
expression says it all.
ADAM
You and Kate have to change this
dance you do.
QUINN
Have you seen Barry since the
verdict?
ADAM
Yes. Better me than you. I'd
prepare for the worst.
QUINN
It was her goddamn idea, not
mine.
SALLY
But you're not the apple of his
eye.
LATER
Quinn and
Adam have left the noisy table for privacy at the
bar. They're
both a little drunk.
ADAM
You trust me, right?
QUINN
Damn right. Do you have to ask?
ADAM
So if I say something personal
that you're not going to like,
you know I'm only saying it for
your own good. Right?
8.
QUINN
What? You going to tell me I have
bad breath?
ADAM
Worse.
QUINN
Fire away.
ADAM
It's about Kate.
This gets
Quinn's attention. He waits for more but it isn't
coming.
A light
bulb.
QUINN
No.
ADAM
Yes.
QUINN
Who is he?
ADAM
She's not a he.
QUINN
Who isn't a he?
ADAM
Kate's lover.
Quinn looks
like he's waiting for a punch line.
QUINN
You're telling me Kate is a
lesbian?
ADAM
Switch hitter, I guess is the
more accurate term.
Quinn
studies him. Then breaks into laughter.
ADAM
Well, I guess there are worst
ways to take it.
Quinn has
trouble speaking, he's laughing so hard.
9.
QUINN
You're telling me ... Kate ...
Homecoming Princess Kate ... Miss
Whatever Dairy It Was of 1995 ...
is butch?
And more
laughter.
INT. HILTON
HOTEL - ROOM - NIGHT
Kate in the
room. Waiting, nervous.
A knock on
the door. She rushes to it.
It's Cinnamon.
They fall into one another's arms.
EXT.
RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Adam with
Quinn, who is the drunker of the two.
QUINN
Where's the cab?
ADAM
Right here, buddy.
The cab
pulls up.
QUINN
What about my car?
ADAM
You can get it in the morning.
He opens the
door for Quinn.
QUINN
I want to go to a lesbian bar!
He stumbles
into the back seat.
EXT. HILTON
HOTEL - DAY
Early
morning.
Kate and
Cinnamon come out of the hotel. They embrace, kiss,
and move off
in opposite directions.
10.
EXT. FENDER
HOME - DAY
Early
morning.
The Fender
home is in an upper middle class neighborhood.
Doctors,
lawyers and fire chiefs.
A car
cruises by, a newspaper flying out and onto the Fender
driveway.
INT. FENDER
HOME - BEDROOM - DAY
Quinn
sprawled on the King-sized bed in his underwear.
The alarm
goes off.
Quinn slaps
it silent. He leans up and stares at Kate's
empty place
beside him.
INT. FENDER
HOME - BATHROOM - DAY
Quinn
scrubbing his tongue with a toothbrush.
INT. FENDER
HOME - KITCHEN - DAY
Quinn on the
phone.
QUINN
This is Quinn. Is Kate there?...I
thought she may have come in
early. Thanks.
INT. FENDER
HOME - HOME OFFICE - DAY
Quinn on the
computer. He's looking at their banking records.
EXT. FENDER
HOME - DRIVEWAY - DAY
A sports car
pulls into the driveway. Kate gets out.
INT. FENDER
HOME - FOYER - DAY
Kate enters.
She stops and takes a deep breath before moving
on.
11.
INT. FENDER
HOME - HOME OFFICE - DAY
Quinn still
at the computer.
Kate enters
the doorway.
KATE
What are you doing?
QUINN
I was about to ask you the same
thing.
KATE
Before you start, considering the
circumstances, I thought it best
to spend the night in a hotel.
QUINN
The Hilton, I assume. It seems to
be your favorite.
She quickly
comes forward.
KATE
Are you snooping in my account?
QUINN
Our account.
KATE
I don't have energy to do this
now. I need a shower, and I need
some sleep.
QUINN
Rough night?
Kate resists
an urge to reply and departs.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - QUINN'S OFFICE - DAY
Quinn enters
his office. His secretary, NANCY, is waiting
for him.
NANCY
Mr. Knox wants to see you.
QUINN
Tell him I--
NANCY
As soon as you get in.
12.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - KNOX'S OFFICE - DAY
Quinn knocks
on the door frame.
Behind a
huge desk sits KNOX, 50s, the image of power.
KNOX
Quinn, come in. Sit down.
QUINN
It wasn't my idea. We flipped a
coin, and I lost.
KNOX
You flipped a coin?
QUINN
We couldn't reach an agreement.
KNOX
You don't have to be in the top
ten percent of your law school
class to know it's disastrous to
put a crook like Cobb on the
stand.
QUINN
I tried to tell Kate that.
KNOX
It's because she's my daughter,
isn't it? You're afraid to take
charge.
QUINN
I don't think it's that. She can
be too stubborn for her own good.
KNOX
I don't have to tell you how much
I hate losing cases.
QUINN
I don't know what to tell you,
sir. I did my best.
KNOX
Which wasn't enough. I assume you
wear the pants at home. The
office is no different. Sometimes
Kate needs to be reminded who's
boss.
QUINN
Yes, sir.
13.
KNOX
I don't want this to happen again.
In fact, I don't think you two
should work together again.
QUINN
I think that's an excellent idea.
KNOX
Next time you want a female
second, consider Sally.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - QUINN'S OFFICE - DAY
Quinn at his
computer. Adam peeks in.
ADAM
Still got a job?
QUINN
Far as I know.
ADAM
Good.
He starts
away.
QUINN
Adam. Come in and close the door.
LATER
Quinn and
Adam sitting close, speaking quietly.
ADAM
Did you find out who it is?
QUINN
No. But I plan to.
ADAM
It must be worse than if it was a
man.
QUINN
I don't know. I can't compute it.
ADAM
You didn't get any idea by, you
know, when you're in bed ...?
QUINN
Not a clue. Not one.
14.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - CAFETERIA - DAY
Quinn takes
his tray to an empty table.
Nearby is
Michelle. She grabs her tray and comes to his table.
MICHELLE
May I?
QUINN
Please.
She sits
down.
MICHELLE
Sorry you lost. I was surprised
you put him on the stand,
frankly.
QUINN
So was I.
Michelle
looks puzzled.
QUINN
It was Kate's idea. We flipped a
coin.
Michelle
laughs.
MICHELLE
I'm sorry. It just sounds so ...
QUINN
It does, doesn't it?
MICHELLE
It's not something you see on
Perry Mason.
LATER
Quinn and
Michelle bussing their trays together.
MICHELLE
I thought I'd step outside before
going back. Do you have time?
EXT. COURT
HOUSE - DAY
Quinn and
Michelle strolling outside the courthouse.
15.
MICHELLE
God, this is so hard. I have
something I want to say to you
but I don't know where to begin.
QUINN
Just say it.
A pause for
courage.
MICHELLE
I think Kate is involved with a
woman.
QUINN
I think so, too.
MICHELLE
You do?
QUINN
How long have you thought so?
MICHELLE
For several months.
QUINN
You're ahead of me there. I have
no idea who it is. Do you?
MICHELLE
Yes.
QUINN
Who?
MICHELLE
Let's meet after work and I'll
show you.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - ADAM'S OFFICE - DAY
Adam at his
computer. Quinn appears in the doorway.
QUINN
I know who it is.
ADAM
Who?
QUINN
I mean I find out after work.
Meet you around six-thirty?
16.
ADAM
You're on.
EXT. GALLERY
ROW - DAY
Quinn and
Michelle walking along an area filled with art
galleries.
MICHELLE
A girl friend and I were making
the galleries on First Thursday.
That's when I saw her. With an
artist, it turns out.
QUINN
Kate does the art thing a lot
more than I do. But that's no
reason to--
MICHELLE
They were in the corner in a lip
lock, Quinn. It wasn't a little
peck, congratulations on your
opening. It's this one here.
They step
into a gallery.
INT. ART
GALLERY - DAY
Only a few
patrons looking at the art on the wall.
Michelle
stops in front of a large, bright abstract.
MICHELLE
Here she is.
QUINN
The one who painted this?
Michelle
nods.
QUINN
Is she here?
MICHELLE
There's a bio and photo.
Michelle
leads the way several paintings down. On the wall,
a photo and
bio of Cinnamon McAffery.
Quinn stares
at THE PHOTO OF CINNAMON. Short hair, looking
more
feminine than before.
17.
QUINN
Nobody's named Cinnamon. Maybe
she's called sin for short. I
can't believe I said that.
EXT. GALLERY
ROW - DAY
Quinn and
Michelle back outside, strolling the scene.
MICHELLE
Are you getting hungry?
QUINN
Actually I'm supposed to be
somewhere. I really appreciate
this, Michelle. I guess I do.
MICHELLE
If you want to know more, my
brother might help. He's an
artist. He's also gay.
QUINN
Really?
MICHELLE
Don't let Kate turn you into a
homophobe.
QUINN
It's just so hard to compute. I
thought we were happy.
MICHELLE
Quinn, you go at it like cats and
dogs. You should hear the stories
they tell about you. Benedict and
Beatrice.
QUINN
Who?
MICHELLE
Shakespeare's "Much Ado
About
Nothing." A couple always
battling
wits. I guess that's part of the
attraction, isn't it?
QUINN
(ignoring this)
Maybe I'll get back to you about
your brother. I told Adam I'd
meet him.
18.
INT. BAR -
NIGHT
Quinn and
Adam in a noisy bar.
ADAM
You have two choices, buddy. Let
her go, or fight to get her back.
You sound like you want her back.
QUINN
I'm trying to understand her.
Maybe talking to a gay artist
will help. Hell, I don't know. I
feel like I'm in a nightmare.
ADAM
What does Kate want?
INT.
ARTIST'S STUDIO - NIGHT
Cinnamon in
work garb, on the phone.
CINNAMON
What do you want, Kate?
INT. FENDER
HOME - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Kate,
dressed, sprawled on the bed. On the phone.
INTERCUT
KATE
I don't want to be drilled.
CINNAMON
Pardon me, but I need information
before I can make choices in my
life.
KATE
What choices? What are you
talking about?
CINNAMON
You're the married woman, not I.
KATE
What is that supposed to mean?
19.
CINNAMON
I don't like talking about this
on the phone. I'm going back to
work.
KATE
Let's meet tonight.
CINNAMON
I said, I'm working.
KATE
Later tonight. Any time. Tell me
when.
INT. TAVERN
- NIGHT
Quinn and
Adam shooting pool
QUINN
Know what I think? It's a phase.
It's curiosity. She's dealing
with an early mid-life crisis.
ADAM
You don't have a mid-life crisis,
early or otherwise, at twenty
what? Seven?
QUINN
If she's really a dyke, I would
know. How could I not know?
ADAM
Good question, buddy. Can I be
ruthlessly personal?
QUINN
Fire away.
ADAM
Does she like you to go down on
her?
QUINN
Totally. Any time, anywhere.
Practically an addict.
ADAM
There you have it. Think about it.
You're not giving her something a
woman can't give her just as
well.
Right? How do you know she isn't
fantasizing that you're Spice
Cake or whoever the hell it is.
20.
QUINN
Cinnamon.
ADAM
Cinnamon. Think about it. All
dicks are different, right? But
all tongues are more or less the
same. You could be anyone
slurping
around down there.
QUINN
You really know how to depress a
guy.
ADAM
Once the scientists figure out
how to get the tongue to secrete
sperm, the male gender is dead in
the water.
QUINN
I never thought of that. We'd
become extinct.
ADAM
Not that far. They still need
someone to take out the garbage.
INT. GAY BAR
- NIGHT
Kate and
Cinnamon at a table.
KATE
I made a decision. I'm giving
notice at the firm.
Cinnamon
nods.
KATE
I expected a hint of celebration.
CINNAMON
I made a decision, too. I can't
do this anymore.
KATE
What are you saying?
CINNAMON
I need a sense of the future. I'm
not getting any younger. I don't
get that with you.
21.
KATE
Are you breaking up with me?
CINNAMON
I can't live in the closet. Not
even a little.
KATE
That sounds like an ultimatum.
CINNAMON
I suppose it is. I do love you,
Kate, and of course I believe you
should leave your father's firm.
But I believe even more strongly
that you need to leave your
marriage. You have to stop living
a lie.
A silence.
Cinnamon
stands. Kate grabs her arm.
KATE
Please don't go.
CINNAMON
Quick is painless. I speak from
experience.
KATE
What if I get a divorce?
CINNAMON
Call me when you do.
She leaves.
Kate looks stricken.
EXT. GAY BAR
- NIGHT
A cab pulls
up.
INT. CAB -
NIGHT
Quinn and
Adam in the back seat.
ADAM
Maybe this isn't such a good
idea.
QUINN
I need to do this.
22.
INT. GAY BAR
- NIGHT
Not visibly
different from any other bar -- except that same
sex couples
outnumber mixed couples. And here, women
outnumber
men.
Quinn and
Adam enter.
A jukebox is
playing. Several FEMALE COUPLES dance on a
small dance
floor.
ADAM
(under his breath)
Oh, boy.
QUINN
Relax. Pretend I'm your date.
ADAM
Your--
But Quinn is
already heading toward the bar.
They slip
onto two stools.
The
BARTENDER comes over. The way he looks them over, he
probably
knows they're straight.
BARTENDER
What would you like, gentlemen?
LATER
Quinn and
Adam huddled at the bar. Nursing their first drink.
ADAM
Actually it's sort of erotic in
here, isn't it?
QUINN
You're kidding me.
ADAM
I mean, some of them are
so...feminine.
QUINN
Oh, boy...
Quinn sees
WALTER, 30s, approaching. Lots of jewelry. A beret.
He smiles at
Quinn.
23.
WALTER
Are you a lawyer?
QUINN
Me?
WALTER
You work at Knox and Atkinson. I
think I've seen you in the
cafeteria.
QUINN
I think you have me mixed up with
someone else.
WALTER
You don't know Michelle Weaver?
ADAM
You know Michelle?
A dirty look
from Quinn.
WALTER
She's my sister.
LATER -- AT
A TABLE
The three
sit at a table over drinks.
WALTER
I know it's hard for you right
now, man, but in time you've got
to realize how incredibly life-
affirming this is for her. What's
more important in this world than
being who you are? It shouldn't
be any different for you than if
she ran off with a guy. If it is,
then you're buying into all the
homophobic bullshit. She's
spreading her wings. Feel the
pain of being left but applaud
her as well. Better now than
later, right? What if she did
this five, ten, years from now?
Wouldn't it be worse?
QUINN
I thought of that.
WALTER
Good, good.
24.
Walter
stares at Adam and smiles.
ADAM
What?
WALTER
You're kinda cute.
EXT. GAY BAR
- NIGHT
Adam rushes
out with Quinn behind him. Adam's cell phone is
out.
ADAM
I need a cab at--...where are we?
INT. CAB -
NIGHT
Quinn and
Adam in the back seat. Adam staring out the window,
lost in his
thoughts.
QUINN
Just because the mind understands
something doesn't mean that the
heart feels any better.
ADAM
What?
QUINN
Nothing.
A silence.
ADAM
What do you think he sees in me?
EXT. LAW
OFFICE - DAY
Quinn enters
the building.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - KNOX'S OFFICE - DAY
Kate sitting
across the desk. Knox reads a letter.
25.
KNOX
Katey, I'd give you an
extraordinary letter of
recommendation but I fear it
would be dismissed as the ranting
of a proud father.
KATE
I'm going to do fine.
KNOX
I know you are. Your mother would
be so proud. Have you told Quinn?
KATE
I'm getting a divorce, daddy.
KNOX
What?
She gets up
to leave.
KNOX
You sit back down and explain
yourself, young lady.
KATE
I don't have to write you a
letter for this one, daddy.
And she's
gone.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - HALLWAY - DAY
Quinn meets
Kate in the hallway. She passes without a word.
QUINN
Good morning to you, too.
KATE
I want a divorce. My lawyer will
be in touch.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - KNOX'S OFFICE - DAY
Quinn
sitting across the desk.
KNOX
I don't understand lesbians. I
think it's some sort of mental
illness.
26.
QUINN
If it's who she really is ...
KNOX
Nobody is "really" a
fag. It's
against human nature. Thank God
her mother isn't alive to see
this.
Quinn looks
sad.
EXT. FENDER
HOME - DAY
A rental
truck in the driveway. WORKERS moving Kate's
possessions
out of the house.
INT. FENDER
HOME - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Kate
supervising the workers. Quinn sits, observing.
QUINN
You picked out the furniture.
Don't you want to take it?
KATE
Please don't turn this into an
issue. I'm taking only what I
absolutely need.
QUINN
I'd just sell it at a garage
sale.
I never really liked it.
KATE
You never liked it?
QUINN
Not that I disliked it. Furniture
is furniture. Decorating was your
thing, not mine.
KATE
Fine. Sell it at a garage sale.
She leaves
the room.
WORKER
What else in this room goes?
QUINN
Ask the boss.
27.
INT. FENDER
HOME - KITCHEN - DAY
Quinn
pouring coffee.
Out the
window he sees Kate talking with Cinnamon, her car
at the curb.
EXT. FINDER
HOME - DAY
At
Cinnamon's car.
KATE
I'm doing fine. I'm sure it could
be worse.
Quinn comes
out of the house.
CINNAMON
Looks like we're getting company.
KATE
Terrific.
She heads
out to intercept him. They meet on the lawn.
KATE
What are you doing?
QUINN
I want to meet Spice Cake.
KATE
Who?
Quinn
continues on, a flustered Kate behind him.
QUINN
You must be the lucky lady. I'm
the unlucky husband.
His hand is
outstretched. Cinnamon takes it.
CINNAMON
Cinnamon.
QUINN
No thank you. Never touch the
stuff.
KATE
Cin, you'd better get home to
meet the truck.
28.
CINNAMON
(to Quinn)
Nice meeting you.
She climbs
into the car.
QUINN
Home? You two already have a home?
KATE
We rented a house.
QUINN
And don't need furniture?
KATE
Why do you insist on making this
more difficult?
QUINN
I didn't know this was difficult
for you.
KATE
Of course it's difficult for me.
And I realize it's even more
difficult for you. Just don't
take it as an insult to your
manhood or something. Here are my
keys. I took five thousand
dollars out of the joint account,
which is what I put into it when
we were married.
QUINN
I'm sure you have more than--
KATE
I don't want more. So. Maybe one
day we can talk more sanely about
this.
QUINN
Just one question.
(moving close,
whispering)
When I went down on you, were you
fantasizing I was a woman?
KATE
I refuse to do this.
She storms
back to the house. Two workers are carrying out a
couch.
29.
KATE
No, that stays!
EXT. FENDER
HOME - NIGHT
A dark house.
A car pulls
into the driveway. Adam gets out.
He goes to
the porch. He hears music inside -- the blues.
Deep
down-home my-baby-left-me blues. A moaning harmonica.
Someone like
Little Walter, "This is a mean old world, try
living by
yourself."
Adam rings
the doorbell. Knocks.
Tries the
door. It opens.
INT. FENDER
HOME - NIGHT
Adam enters.
ADAM
Quinn?
The
cry-in-your-whiskey blues comes from the living room.
INT. FENDER
HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Quinn sits
on the carpet in the middle of the dark room. A
whiskey
bottle his only company. A swig from the bottle.
The blues,
the blues.
Adam
approaches, kneels down.
ADAM
You okay, buddy?
QUINN
Never been better.
ADAM
Was the bottle full when you
started?
QUINN
Which bottle?
ADAM
You actually sound pretty sober.
30.
QUINN
It's all attitude.
ADAM
You didn't answer your phone. I
was worried about you.
No reply.
Quinn
grimaces to a line in the blues, as if some lyric had
stabbed his
soul.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - CAFETERIA - DAY
Michelle
looking for a table. She sees Adam.
MICHELLE
Hi. May I?
ADAM
Please do.
She sits.
MICHELLE
I haven't seen Quinn this week.
ADAM
He's taking some time off.
MICHELLE
Sick?
ADAM
At heart. He's charging vacation
time.
A SERIES OF
SHOTS
Quinn in
mourning.
--working
out in a gym.
--feeding
pigeons in a park.
--eating at
home alone, a solitary figure at a large table.
--in bed
alone, reading.
31.
EXT. FENDER
HOME - NIGHT
Early
evening. Still light outside.
Quinn mowing
the back yard with a push reel mower.
Michelle
comes around the corner of the house. She's carrying
a paper
sack.
Quinn
notices her and stops.
MICHELLE
I can't remember the last time I
saw someone use a push mower.
QUINN
I have a monster but couldn't get
it started.
MICHELLE
Adam told me you were taking the
week off.
(indicating the bag)
I thought maybe you were up to
Chinese take-out.
INT. FENDER
HOME - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Quinn and
Michelle at the table. Cartons of food spread around.
MICHELLE
You hear anything from Kate?
QUINN
I heard from her lawyer.
MICHELLE
Wow.
QUINN
That was my reaction. I kept
thinking she'd get over it.
MICHELLE
It's not something you get over.
It's something you own up to.
QUINN
That's what they tell me. I can't
figure out why I was the last to
know.
32.
EXT. FENDER
HOME - NIGHT
Quinn walks
Michelle to her car at the curb.
QUINN
I appreciate the dinner. And
especially the company.
MICHELLE
My pleasure. Do you dance?
QUINN
Pardon me?
MICHELLE
Move in time to music in a public
place. It's a very old tradition.
QUINN
I haven't lately. Are you asking
me out to dance?
MICHELLE
I suppose I am.
QUINN
Yes, we could do that.
INT.
BALLROOM - DAY
On stage, a
band playing a dance number.
SUPER:
"Three years later."
On the dance
floor, couples dancing at a wedding reception.
And the
bride and groom are dancing: Michelle and Quinn.
INT. LAW OFFICE
- HALLWAY - DAY
The office
window now reads "Knox, Atkinson and Fender Law
Office."
INT. LAW
OFFICE - QUINN'S OFFICE - DAY
Quinn's
secretary dropping mail into a small box. Quite a
bit has
accumulated.
Into the
office walks Quinn himself.
33.
NANCY
There he is! Don't you look
happy -- and tan.
QUINN
Hawaii does that. How bad is the
damage?
NANCY
(gesturing to the box)
See for yourself.
LATER
Quinn going
through his mail. Adam appears in the doorway.
ADAM
You came back to the rat race. I
half-expected to hear you'd
become a professional surfer.
QUINN
I have an expensive honeymoon to
pay for.
ADAM
You look great, buddy. Time for a
drink after work?
QUINN
I'm meeting Michelle. Please join
us.
LATER
Quinn at the
computer. The intercom buzzes.
QUINN
Yes?...Put her on.
He picks up
the phone.
QUINN
This is Fender....Of course I
remember you....Run that by me
again....I'll be there.
EXT. GALLERY
ROW - DAY
A coffee
shop in gallery row. Quinn enters.
34.
INT. COFFEE
SHOP - DAY
He sits down
at a table across from Cinnamon.
QUINN
Except for Jesus Christ himself,
you're the last person in the
world I expected to hear on the
other end of a phone line. I
suppose my first question is, Why
me?
CINNAMON
Two reasons. First, when I
checked around, your firm has the
best reputation in town for this
sort of case. Two, I thought you
might provide personal insight
that would be helpful to me.
QUINN
You want to compare dirty notes
about Kate? Sorry to disappoint
you but I've always thought the
world of her. Well, once her
transition made sense to me.
CINNAMON
We live in a common law state.
Under the law, we were legally
married. Therefore, I'm entitled
to a settlement. I did not
terminate the marriage. She did.
[Note:
common law states are Alabama, Colorado, Washington
D.C.,
Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island,
South Carolina, Texas and Utah.
A quasi-common law
status
has been upheld in Washington state.]
QUINN
It gets more complicated than that.
CINNAMON
I gave up my studio so I could
spend more time at home, which
helped her career considerably. I
did the cooking. I hired and
scheduled the house cleaners. I
sacrificed my own career goals
and income in the interests of
our life together as a couple.
When she left, she took everything.
(MORE)
35.
CINNAMON (CONT'D)
If she were a man, and I a
housewife, there would be no
doubt about justice here.
QUINN
There's still a problem. You're
both the same sex.
CINNAMON
I've done my homework. Some
courts have accepted a
"quasi-
common law" status for same-sex
couples. My case could further
expand this precedent. It's the
kind of case that makes careers.
QUINN
I'm not worried about my career.
CINNAMON
I have more: we had a ceremony.
There were several dozen
witnesses.
We filed our last tax return
jointly. In every way, we acted
as man and wife. The bitch can't
just walk out and leave me high
and dry. Will you represent me?
INT. BAR -
PAY PHONE - NIGHT
Quinn on a
pay phone near the men's room.
QUINN
Honey, would you pick up?...I'm
running a little late. I left a
message at the restaurant. I hope
you get it. I won't be long,
promise. Wait for me! I love you.
INT. BAR -
TABLE - NIGHT
He joins
Adam.
QUINN
I think Michelle's on her way to
the restaurant. I've got to
boogie.
36.
ADAM
The case is a hornet's nest.
That's all I can tell you. And
Barry would have a fit. The firm
suing his own daughter?
QUINN
They had a falling out after she
went public.
ADAM
Can you picture yourself
questioning Kate on the stand?
QUINN
Actually I can.
INT.
RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Quinn and
Michelle at dinner. Quinn looks tense.
MICHELLE
Something happen at work? You
look upset about something.
QUINN
(ignoring this,
drinking wine)
Umm...remind me to get a bottle
of this.
Michelle
stares at him.
QUINN
Work is good.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - QUINN'S OFFICE - DAY
Quinn at the
computer.
The intercom
buzzes.
QUINN
Fire away.
NANCY
(on intercom)
Mr. Knox will see you now.
37.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - KNOX'S OFFICE - DAY
Knox stares
out the window, his back to Quinn, who sits
across the
desk.
KNOX
Have you heard from her?
QUINN
No.
KNOX
I heard through the grapevine she
accepted a position in
Washington.
QUINN
With the Department of Labor.
Knox turns
back to Quinn.
QUINN
Same grapevine.
KNOX
I made you a senior partner,
Quinn, so I wouldn't have to
babysit you. I trust you to know
what cases are good for the firm.
QUINN
Given the circumstances, I still
didn't want to take this on
without your approval.
KNOX
I appreciate that. What are the
chances of settling out of court?
QUINN
I'll know when I talk to her, I
expect.
KNOX
Kate had everything going for
her.
QUINN
The Labor Department ain't bad.
It's also one point for our side.
She had a significant support
system that got her there.
38.
KNOX
Do it. Be sure to put Sally on
the team. A real woman will look
good to the jury.
QUINN
Thanks, Barry.
INT. GYM -
HANDBALL COURT - DAY
Quinn and
Adam in a hot game.
INT. GYM -
LOCKER ROOM - DAY
Getting
dressed after the game.
QUINN
I'm taking the case.
ADAM
You told Barry?
QUINN
I have his blessing.
Adam looks
surprised.
INT. FENDER
HOME - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Quinn and
Michelle at dinner. A formal setting, candlelight,
wine.
MICHELLE
Did Kate get a hold of you?
Quinn looks
surprised.
MICHELLE
She called here this afternoon.
QUINN
Why didn't you tell me?
MICHELLE
I'm telling you now. I told her
to try you at the office. What's
the matter?
QUINN
I'm representing her ex.
39.
MICHELLE
I don't understand.
QUINN
Spice Cake. Cinnamon McAffery,
the artist she left me for. She
got left and is suing Kate for a
support settlement.
MICHELLE
You're not serious.
QUINN
You have a problem with that?
MICHELLE
No. It's just...
Quinn waits.
MICHELLE
...a little unusual. Isn't it?
INT. LAW
OFFICE - QUINN'S OFFICE - DAY
Quinn at his
desk, staring into space.
Adam appears
in the doorway.
ADAM
"The Thinker." Or is
it, "A Penny
For Your Thoughts."
QUINN
Penny my ass. The bidding starts
at ten bucks.
ADAM
You have time for a quick one
before returning to marital
bliss?
INT. BAR -
DAY
Quinn and
Adam enter. Halfway to the bar, Adam stops Quinn.
QUINN
What?
ADAM
Tell me I'm hallucinating.
He gestures
to the bar, where Kate is sitting alone.
40.
QUINN
If you are, I am.
ADAM
What's she doing here?
QUINN
I have a good idea. Get a table.
I'll join you in a minute.
Quinn goes
to the bar alone. He stands next to Kate.
QUINN
Long time, no see.
Kate offers
no welcome. She just stares at him.
QUINN
Are you looking for me?
KATE
I remember what a creature of
habit you are. I expected to find
you here, yes. I thought maybe
you'd be able to explain this
sick prank I got in the mail.
QUINN
The correct protocol is, you have
your lawyer contact me.
He starts
away. She grabs his arm.
KATE
What the fuck is this about?
QUINN
You don't understand the charge?
KATE
Cinnamon had five hundred dollars
to her name when we moved in
together. I left her five
thousand
dollars in the bank when I left.
You do the math.
QUINN
What's your salary at the
Department of Labor?
41.
KATE
I see. You want to play hardball,
we'll play hardball. Only you're
not doing this for Cinnamon, are
you? This is for you.
QUINN
Not only are my habits the same.
So is my phone number. Have your
lawyer call me.
He turns and
walks away. By his expression, he's half-
expecting a
glass to knock him on the back of the head.
Quinn
reaches the table where Adam waits.
QUINN
Is she following me?
ADAM
She's leaving. What happened?
INT. FENDER
HOME - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Quinn and
Michelle make love.
LATER
Michelle
rests her head on his shoulder in the dark room.
MICHELLE
I think it's time to sell the
house.
QUINN
Oh?
MICHELLE
There's still too much Kate here.
QUINN
Honey, I'm going to be dealing
with Kate for a while now. You
need to handle it.
MICHELLE
How long will the case take?
QUINN
It depends on whether she'll
settle out of court.
MICHELLE
Do you think she will?
42.
QUINN
Kate's stubborn. It depends on
how smart and ambitious a lawyer
she gets. Spice Cake wants a
hundred grand but I think she'd
settle for half that.
MICHELLE
You have to stop calling her
Spice Cake.
QUINN
Never to her face.
MICHELLE
Why did Kate leave her?
QUINN
Apparently for another, younger
woman.
MICHELLE
Just like a guy.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - QUINN'S OFFICE - DAY
Quinn looks
at his watch. Nancy is at her desk.
NANCY
Here she comes.
Entering the
area is Cinnamon.
QUINN
You're fifteen minutes late.
CINNAMON
I can't predict the bus schedule.
QUINN
You took the bus?
CINNAMON
How else do I get here? I
certainly can't afford a cab.
QUINN
They're waiting for us.
(to Nancy)
Tell Sally we're on our way.
43.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - HALLWAY - DAY
Quinn leads
Cinnamon down a hallway.
QUINN
Let me do all the talking.
CINNAMON
That's what I pay you for.
QUINN
How come you can afford me and
can't afford a taxi?
CINNAMON
My brother is paying for you.
Sally joins
them in the hallway. Quinn nods.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
Seated at a
long table are Kate and her lawyer, ANNABEL, 50s.
Quinn, Sally
and Cinnamon enter.
A moment
between Cinnamon and Kate, each woman trying to
stare down
the other.
QUINN
(to Cinnamon)
Take a seat.
(to Annabel)
Sorry we're late.
ANNABEL
I was advised to expect it.
Artist hours and all.
QUINN
There's a nice note to get us
started.
LATER
Annabel is
looking over a document. She whispers something
to Kate.
KATE
Of course not.
(to Cinnamon)
You want an offer? I'll give you
an offer. Five thousand dollars,
which I left in the account when
I left.
44.
CINNAMON
You're a selfish, ungrateful--
QUINN
Ladies!
CINNAMON
--adulterous bitch!
KATE
There's no point in this meeting.
She's on her
feet, heading for the door.
ANNABEL
See you in court, counselor.
CINNAMON
(after Kate)
A lying two-timer!
Quinn
watches Kate leave, Annabel right behind her.
He turns to
Cinnamon.
CINNAMON
Well, she is.
Quinn and
Sally exchange a look, as if to say, "What have we
gotten
into?"
EXT. FENDER
HOME - DAY
A "For
Sale" sign is on the lawn.
Michelle
pulls into the driveway.
INT. FENDER
HOME - DAY
Michelle
enters -- and immediately hears a horrific sound
like someone
swinging a sledge hammer.
She traces
it to the open door to the basement.
INT. FENDER
HOME - BASEMENT - DAY
Michelle
comes down the stairs. The banging continues.
She goes
down far enough to see ...
...Quinn,
indeed with a sledge hammer, taking out a wall.
45.
MICHELLE
Quinn! What in God's name are you
doing?
But she
can't be heard over the racket.
INT. FENDER
HOME - KITCHEN - DAY
Michelle
sits at the coffee bar with a glass of white wine.
Quinn
enters, looking like a creature from the lagoon.
QUINN
Hey.
MICHELLE
That's it? Hey? Why are you
destroying our basement?
QUINN
I'm making the room larger. We
talked about it.
MICHELLE
We have the house up for sale.
QUINN
I'm increasing its value.
MICHELLE
But we can't show it like this. I
don't think you want to sell at
all. This is a delaying tactic.
You have too many memories of
Kate here.
QUINN
What are you talking about?
MICHELLE
You've been acting strange ever
since she came back into your
life.
QUINN
It's a stressful case. There's no
clear legal precedent on this.
We're on the cutting edge of law.
MICHELLE
I'm thrilled for you.
She leaves
the kitchen, taking her wine with her.
46.
The kitchen
phone rings. Quinn picks up.
QUINN
Hello....Hey, Barry. What's
up?...I see.... We'll be there.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - QUINN'S OFFICE - DAY
Quinn again
impatiently waiting. Cinnamon finally arrives.
CINNAMON
I know, I'm late. I can't control
the bus schedule.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - KNOX'S OFFICE - DAY
Barry behind
his desk, Quinn and Cinnamon sitting across.
He brings
out a newspaper and drops it in front of them.
KNOX
This is tomorrow morning's
headline.
The
newspaper headline reads: "Lesbian Sues For Support As
Jilted
'Househusband'".
KNOX
The managing editor owes me and
sent it over.
CINNAMON
How come there's no picture?
KNOX
Am I to understand you're doing
this for the publicity?
CINNAMON
They usually run it with a
picture, is all.
KNOX
The handwriting is on the wall.
The media is going to go nuts
with this. That's why I think we
need to settle out of court.
QUINN
Kate won't budge.
47.
KNOX
Then we have to be flexible.
(to Cinnamon)
How does fifty thousand dollars
sound?
CINNAMON
I'm not sure what you're saying.
KNOX
I write you a check right here
and now. You drop the suit.
Quinn's
mouth drops open but he's silent.
CINNAMON
You're supposed to be defending
me. Why would you write me a
check?
KNOX
Because it's in everyone's best
interest.
CINNAMON
I don't know. LAFF is really glad
I'm doing this.
KNOX
Laugh?
CINNAMON
Lesbian Alliance For Freedom.
Suddenly I'm their poster child.
KNOX
I see. Seventy-five thousand.
EXT. LAW
OFFICE - DAY
Quinn and
Cinnamon come out.
QUINN
I hope you're not making a
mistake.
CINNAMON
I'll take my chances.
Out of
nowhere, a REPORTER and PHOTOGRAPHER appear.
REPORTER
Miss McAffery!
A flash bulb
flashes.
48.
Cinnamon
smiles for the camera. Quinn retreats into the
building.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - KNOX'S OFFICE - DAY
Quinn
returns.
QUINN
No luck.
KNOX
I don't know what looks worse,
pulling out or letting the media
have at us.
QUINN
Pulling out would be worse.
Definitely.
KNOX
How do you and Kate get along
these days?
QUINN
To be honest, I have no idea.
KNOX
She loved you once. There might
be some feelings left. Take her
out to dinner. Give her flowers.
Get her to change her mind.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - QUINN'S OFFICE - DAY
Quinn on the
phone, waiting.
QUINN
I'll leave a message. Ask her to
call Quinn at the office. She has
the number.
EXT. HILTON
HOTEL - NIGHT
Evening.
Quinn enters the hotel.
INT. HILTON
HOTEL - FRONT DESK - NIGHT
He goes to
the front desk.
49.
DESK CLERK
Help you, sir?
QUINN
Yes. Please ring Kate Fender.
DESK CLERK
One moment.
Quinn looks
around.
A few old
men in the lobby, reading newspapers.
A young
couple waiting at the elevator.
DESK CLERK
She doesn't answer, sir. Would
you like to leave a message?
QUINN
I already have.
INT. COURT
ROOM - DAY
Getting
ready for jury selection. The lawyers and clients
are just
arriving.
Prospective
JURORS fill the room.
Quinn walks
by Kate's table and drops a folded message in
front of
her.
She
immediately crushes it and drops it into a waste basket.
At Quinn's
table are Cinnamon and Sally. He joins them.
LATER
The JUDGE
overlooks as a CLERK reads juror numbers. One by
one, the
jurors come forward to sit in the jury box.
CLERK
Juror #66 ... Juror #2 ... Juror
#97 ... Juror #33 ...
A SERIES OF
SHOTS
Jury
selection. A succession of jurors is asked the same
question.
50.
QUINN
How do you feel about two people
of the same sex living as man and
wife?
JUROR #66
I have nothing against it as long
as they mind their own business.
LATER
JUROR #2
Homosexuality is a sin. It says
so right in the Bible.
LATER
JUROR #97
To be honest, I haven't thought
about it that much. I don't think
I'd like it if there were
children
involved.
LATER
JUROR #33
Let and let live is my
philosophy.
You can sleep with a goat as long
as you keep it to yourself.
EXT. HILTON
HOTEL - NIGHT
Kate
approaches with MERILEE, 20s, a tall lanky model of a
young woman.
They enter the hotel.
INT. HILTON
HOTEL - LOBBY - NIGHT
Quinn has
been waiting. He sees Kate enter and heads her off.
QUINN
We need to talk.
KATE
I don't think so.
QUINN
I won't leave you alone till you
talk to me.
KATE
(to Merilee)
I'll be up in a minute.
51.
MERILEE
Is everything okay?
KATE
(to Quinn)
You can buy me one drink.
She hugs
Merilee and whispers something. Merilee chuckles
and moves
off.
QUINN
After you, counselor.
INT. HILTON
HOTEL - BAR - NIGHT
Kate leads
the way to a back table. They sit down.
A WAITRESS
is jane-on-the-spot.
KATE
Blue Sapphire martini.
QUINN
Two.
The waitress
leaves.
QUINN
LAFF wants to make Cinnamon a
cause celebre. Are you sure you
want to be made out as the bad
guy?
KATE
LAFF is a joke, and the pun is
intended. They're all left-wing
crazies.
QUINN
You sound like a Republican.
KATE
I am.
QUINN
You changed parties?
KATE
No. You never asked before. You
assumed.
Quinn looks
stunned.
52.
KATE
Married those few years to a
Republican dyke. What's the world
coming to?
QUINN
Is the woman the one you left
Cinnamon for?
KATE
What, you think I picked her up
for the night?
QUINN
Let's start over. The lesbian
community is getting behind
Cinnamon big-time. I thought
maybe you'd want to rethink the
political expediency of what
you're doing.
KATE
You think I give a damn what the
lesbian community thinks? What I
think, in case you're interested,
is sexuality is a private matter.
Not a public or political matter.
Private. I owe Cinnamon a lot.
She made it easier for me to
become who I am. But once that
purpose was filled, we found we
actually have little in common. I
left her five thousand dollars as
a token of my gratitude.
QUINN
Have you seen the paper? The news
on TV? This is going to be a
media circus.
KATE
Don't think for a minute that I
don't know daddy sent you here.
You tell him if he has an opinion
to express, to tell it to my
face.
Thanks for the drink.
Kate starts
away.
QUINN
Kate.
She turns.
53.
QUINN
How have you been?
Kate laughs.
KATE
Don't pretend you care.
QUINN
I do.
But she's
already turned again to leave -- and walks on.
INT.
ANNABEL'S OFFICE - DAY
Annabel and
Kate at a table.
ANNABEL
Local character references.
KATE
Oh boy.
ANNABEL
You spent the first five years of
your career here. Surely you made
some good friends.
KATE
Everybody took Quinn's side when
I left him.
ANNABEL
We need to establish that you're
not the selfish manipulative
bitch the prosecution's going to
present.
KATE
Quinn.
ANNABEL
What about him?
KATE
He'd be my best character
witness.
ANNABEL
You're not serious.
54.
KATE
Very. He lived with me for three
years. He knows me as well as
anyone.
ANNABEL
He's the prosecutor in this case!
KATE
He won't lie under oath.
ANNABEL
I don't even know if it's legal
to call him. You go home and call
me tomorrow with a list. I want
three. I can't believe there
aren't three people in your past
who know how wonderful you are.
EXT.
ANNABEL'S OFFICE - DAY
Kate comes
out. Media are waiting for her.
REPORTER
What's your defense going to be?
KATE
I have no comment.
She hurries
to her car, followed by yelling reporters.
EXT. FENDER
HOME - DAY
And more
yelling REPORTERS follow Quinn to his car.
QUINN
No comment means no comment!
INT. GYM -
HANDBALL COURT - DAY
Quinn is
playing with unusual fury. He plays like someone
who is angry
at the world.
INT. CAFETERIA
- DAY
Quinn and
Adam over lunch.
QUINN
I don't know if I can do this. I
think I still care for her.
55.
ADAM
That's not good, buddy. Think
Michelle. Always Michelle. She
thinks the world of you.
QUINN
I don't mean romantically. I just
don't want to see Kate made a
fool of. She deserves better.
Five grand is probably more than
Spice Cake is worth.
ADAM
Repeat after me: Spice Cake is my
client. Spice Cake is my client.
INT. FENDER
HOME - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Quinn and
Michelle in bed. She cuddles up to him. She kisses
his ear.
Her hand is
under the covers. More aggressive foreplay --
but she's
getting no response.
She slides
away, disappointed.
QUINN
I'm sorry. I have a lot on my mind.
INT. COURT
HOUSE - COURTROOM - DAY
Quinn
questioning Cinnamon on the stand.
QUINN
Is this your signature on the
check?
He hands her
a document.
CINNAMON
Yes, it is.
QUINN
And the same signature is on
thirty consecutive monthly checks
written for the mortgage payment
on the condo you shared with Kate
Fender?
CINNAMON
Yes.
56.
QUINN
And the same signature is on
checks written for utilities,
phone, and garbage collection
over the past thirty months?
CINNAMON
Yes.
QUINN
In other words, you wrote checks
for all the household expenses of
the condo.
CINNAMON
Yes.
QUINN
Can you tell us why you managed
the business affairs of the condo
and not Kate Fender?
CINNAMON
She didn't like doing that sort
of thing. She was usually too
busy anyway.
QUINN
Busy doing what?
CINNAMON
She had just started her own law
firm. It was very time consuming.
QUINN
Would you say that the fact that
you managed the mundane affairs
of household management helped
her establish her new career?
CINNAMON
Yes, I would. I did everything.
All she had to think about was
her work.
LATER
Now Annabel
is cross-examining.
ANNABEL
Miss McCaffery, these checks you
wrote for monthly expenses at the
condo. On what account were these
checks drawn?
57.
CINNAMON
We had a mutual account.
ANNABEL
In thirty months, how many
deposits did you make to this
mutual checking account?
No response.
ANNABEL
Do I need to repeat the question?
Cinnamon
clears her throat.
CINNAMON
(softly)
One.
ANNABEL
Speak up, please.
CINNAMON
One.
ANNABEL
Isn't it true that your one and
only deposit was when the account
was opened?
CINNAMON
Yes.
ANNABEL
And how much did you deposit?
CINNAMON
Five hundred dollars. But I--
ANNABEL
Thank you. Miss McAffery, does
the name Metro Arts Supplies mean
anything to you?
CINNAMON
I know the store if that's what
you mean.
ANNABEL
Isn't it true that you buy your
art supplies there?
CINNAMON
Sometimes, yes.
58.
ANNABEL
Sometimes. According to credit
card receipts I have here, in the
30 months in question someone
charged $8233.55 worth of
supplies
to Metro. Did Kate Fender make
those purchases?
CINNAMON
No, I made them.
ANNABEL
With your own credit card?
CINNAMON
No, with hers.
ANNABEL
So isn't it accurate to say that
Kate Fender was supporting your
career as an artist by paying for
the supplies you purchased?
Quinn is on
his feet.
QUINN
Objection! The issue of--
JUDGE
Overruled.
INT. COURT
HOUSE - PROSECUTION ROOM - DAY
Quinn, Sally
and Cinnamon at a table.
QUINN
(to Cinnamon)
Sally's going to question Kate.
It will look better to the jury
if a woman does it. And
especially
not her ex.
CINNAMON
What about the cunt she's with?
SALLY
Her name's Merilee.
QUINN
Who isn't on trial here. We keep
the focus on Kate.
59.
INT. COURT
HOUSE - DEFENSE ROOM - DAY
Kate and
Annabel at a table.
KATE
I still think you should call
Quinn.
ANNABEL
Out of the question.
KATE
I'm sure Terri and Clara will
be--
ANNABEL
Kate, this is my case. We do it
my way.
KATE
"Your way or the
highway."
ANNABEL
The case is theirs to win. I'm
not making it ours to lose.
INT. COURT
HOUSE - COURTROOM - DAY
TERRI on the
stand. Annabel questions her.
ANNABEL
How did you meet Kate Fender?
TERRI
I work in the law library and we
became friends because Kate was
there so often. She's very
sincere and trustworthy, in my
opinion.
LATER
Quinn doing
cross.
QUINN
You and Kate are good friends?
TERRI
Of course.
QUINN
Before she moved, how often did
you see her over the past several
years? Once a week?
60.
TERRI
Oh, no.
QUINN
Once a month?
TERRI
No.
QUINN
Isn't it true that until you
stepped into this courtroom, you
hadn't seen Kate Fender in over
three years?
TERRI
Well, yes, but that doesn't mean
I don't know her.
LATER
Annabel with
CLARA.
CLARA
We were in the same sorority at
college. I always admired Kate.
She was so bright. I just knew
she was going to be successful.
ANNABEL
Do you have any opinion about
whether or not Kate is
trustworthy?
CLARA
Oh, I believe she is. She was the
sorority treasurer. I voted for
her. I wouldn't do that if she
wasn't trustworthy.
LATER
Quinn doing
cross.
QUINN
Didn't you change schools between
your sophomore and junior years?
CLARA
Yes.
QUINN
And didn't you lose track of Kate
after that?
61.
CLARA
Well...
QUINN
Answer the question.
CLARA
I never forgot her.
INT. COURT
HOUSE - COURTROOM - DAY
Clara leaves
the stand.
JUDGE
Counselor?
ANNABEL
This is our last character
witness, your honor.
Kate leaps
to her feet.
KATE
Your honor, I want to fire my
attorney.
Shock sweeps
over the courtroom.
Quinn and
Sally exchange a puzzling look.
KATE
I request permission to represent
myself.
The judge
bangs the gavel.
JUDGE
I want to meet in chambers!
INT. COURT
HOUSE - JUDGE'S CHAMBERS - DAY
Quinn,
Sally, Annabel and Kate.
KATE
I'm thoroughly qualified to
represent myself. I have a
strategy in mind but my attorney
disagrees with it. This is my
reputation at stake here. I
insist on the best defense
available, which turns out to be
my own.
62.
A silence.
JUDGE
I'm granting your request and
giving you the rest of the week
to prepare. Be in court Monday
morning at ten.
EXT. COURT
HOUSE - COURTROOM - DAY
Quinn and
Sally come outside. Heading down the sidewalk.
Media swarm
on them.
QUINN
No comment!
They move
into a secure underground parking lot.
UNDERGROUND
LOT
SALLY
You have a hunch what she's up
to?
QUINN
I have no idea.
SALLY
Worried?
QUINN
Actually, yes. She wouldn't do
something like this unless she
has a surprise in mind.
SALLY
At least we have the weekend to
think about it.
EXT. SCHOOL
- TRACK - DAY
Quinn and
Adam jogging.
They pass
bleachers and stop. Start doing stretches.
ADAM
Quinn, I think I got it. It's
brilliant, actually.
QUINN
Got what?
63.
ADAM
What Kate is up to. She's putting
you on the stand.
QUINN
Go on.
ADAM
She left you everything, right?
She was reasonableness,
unselfishness, personified.
You're the only one beside Spice
Cake who's ever been left by her.
QUINN
Calling the prosecutor as a
character witness...
ADAM
It has Kate's signature all over
it.
INT. HILTON
HOTEL - DAY
Quinn
enters.
Heading
toward the front desk, he glances into the bar. He
sees Merilee
there.
INT. HILTON
HOTEL - BAR - DAY
Quinn stands
next to Merilee at the bar.
QUINN
Can we get a table?
MERILEE
I don't know if I should be
talking to you.
QUINN
I promise not to bring up Kate. I
want to talk about you.
MERILEE
What about?
Quinn
smiles. The suspense pushes her over the edge. She
stands up.
LATER
At a table.
Quinn has a drink in front of him.
64.
QUINN
You look very familiar. Are you a
model?
MERILEE
I've done a little.
QUINN
Movies?
MERILEE
Nothing big. But I'm an actress.
QUINN
How's the career going?
MERILEE
It's very tough. Maybe you've
heard.
QUINN
You tried New York?
MERILEE
As a matter of fact, that's where
I live.
QUINN
I thought you lived with Kate.
Sorry. In D.C.
MERILEE
Kate wants me to move, of course.
There's no important directors or
movie producers in Washington.
Why are you suddenly interested
in me?
Quinn is
thinking about his answer when Kate appears.
KATE
As sneaky as ever.
MERILEE
We weren't talking about you.
QUINN
I came here looking for you. I
had this insight that you think
I'd make you a terrific character
witness.
65.
KATE
You did, did you?
(to Merilee)
Ready?
Merilee
stands.
KATE
(to Quinn)
But don't lose any sleep over it.
What is it you used to say?
There's more than one way to cook
a goose.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - QUINN'S OFFICE - DAY
Quinn at his
computer.
Sally enters
with a manila envelope.
SALLY
Look what the mailman brought. No
return address, by the way.
Quinn takes
the envelope. He looks inside. He brings out
four or five
photographs and spreads them over the desk.
THE
PHOTOGRAPHS
are nudes of
Merilee. In each, she's with a man in an erotic
pose of
lovemaking.
SALLY
She makes porno movies. She's
even won a Dicky.
QUINN
A Dicky?
SALLY
The porno Oscar.
QUINN
I knew she looked familiar. I
think I saw one of her films at a
stag party.
SALLY
We can run with guilt by
association, but she's still
Barry's daughter.
66.
QUINN
We may not need to. But it's
always nice to have something in
the wings.
INT. BAR -
NIGHT
Loud lawyers
everywhere.
Quinn and
Adam are playing darts.
A WAITRESS
comes by.
ADAM
Another round here.
QUINN
Not for me.
He looks at
his watch.
QUINN
Shit, I'm late. I concede.
He
immediately heads off.
INT. FENDER
HOME - NIGHT
Quinn steps
inside. The house is lit by candles everywhere.
Quinn looks
puzzled.
QUINN
Michelle?
He wanders
into the KITCHEN. Candles.
Into the
LIVING ROOM. Candles.
QUINN
Don't you think this is a fire
hazard?
Into the
BEDROOM. Candles...
...and
Michelle, spread out on the bed in a sexy nightgown.
An erotic
pose. Waiting for a reaction.
QUINN
If you're trying to get my
attention, you got it.
67.
She starts
writhing on the bed.
QUINN
I don't know what you want from
me.
Michelle
sits up. Total change of mood.
MICHELLE
You don't know--!
She throws a
pillow at him.
MICHELLE
You son of a bitch!
QUINN
If you want to talk, I'll be in
the kitchen.
Quinn
backtracks to the LIVING ROOM. Blows out the candles.
Into the
KITCHEN. Blows out the candles. Turns on the lights.
INT. FENDER
HOME - KITCHEN - NIGHT
Quinn nurses
a beer at the coffee bar.
Michelle
enters, dressed. She goes to the refrigerator and
takes out a
bottle of wine. She sits down with a glass and
pours.
MICHELLE
Are you having an affair with
Sally?
QUINN
What?
MICHELLE
Or are you seeing Kate again?
She's bi. She must still have
feelings for you.
QUINN
That's insane.
MICHELLE
Then what is it? You don't want
me any more. I know how strong
your sex drive is.
QUINN
Was.
68.
A silence.
QUINN
I can't get this damn case out of
my mind. It's become an
obsession.
I never should have taken it.
MICHELLE
Can you quit?
QUINN
Too late for that.
MICHELLE
The news said she's representing
herself now.
Quinn nods.
MICHELLE
Why?
INT. COURT
HOUSE - COURTROOM - DAY
Kate stands.
KATE
The defense calls Quinn Fender.
Strong
reaction, murmurs. In the audience is Michelle.
Sally gets
to her feet.
SALLY
I object. The prosecution is
being asked to jeopardize his own
case.
KATE
I have precedent if your honor
would like--
JUDGE
I know the precedent, counselor.
I'm a step ahead of you. This is
the only reason I could figure
you'd take the case over
yourself.
Objection denied.
All eyes
turn to Quinn. He stands up and approaches the
witness
stand.
The clerk
meets him.
69.
CLERK
Do you swear to tell the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but
the truth?
QUINN
I do.
CLERK
Be seated.
Quinn sits.
Kate approaches.
KATE
Morning, Mr. Fender.
QUINN
Good morning.
KATE
How long were you married to the
defendant?
QUINN
I was married to you for three
years.
KATE
Please try and forget it's me
asking the questions. I want to
keep this impersonal. I want you
to refer to the defendant in the
third person. Can you do that?
QUINN
I'll try.
KATE
Were you happily married?
QUINN
Yes. Ec--
He stops
himself.
KATE
I'm sorry?
QUINN
Ecstatically so.
KATE
You got to know your wife pretty
well then.
70.
QUINN
Apparently not well enough.
At the
table, Sally smiles. The subtext is clear: this ploy
may
backfire. Her satisfaction is interrupted by a LAW CLERK
who hands
her a note. Sally puts it aside to listen.
KATE
Would you call your ex-wife
selfish?
QUINN
No.
KATE
Manipulative?
A pause.
KATE
Manipulative?
QUINN
No, not that. Secretive.
KATE
Just answer the questions, please.
When she left, did you find it
hard to reach a property
settlement with her?
QUINN
On the contrary, she took hardly
anything at all.
KATE
Explain that in more detail.
QUINN
By rights, she could have, should
have, taken much more than she
did. She left all the furniture,
which she'd picked out. She left
much more money in our joint
account than I expected. Half was
hers, as far as I was concerned.
She only took her personal
necessities.
KATE
Thank you, Mr. Quinn.
LATER
Sally doing
cross.
71.
SALLY
Earlier you said your ex-wife was
secretive. Would you expound on
that.
QUINN
When I learned she was gay, it
came from left field. I
was...stunned.
SALLY
Were there other areas where your
ex was secretive?
QUINN
I'm not sure what you mean.
SALLY
Did she have an interest in
pornography, for example.
Kate to her
feet.
KATE
I object!
SALLY
Your honor, this speaks to
character!
Commotion,
the judge banging the gavel.
JUDGE
I'll allow this, counselor, but
you need to get quickly to its
relevance.
Quinn stands
up.
QUINN
I don't want to be a witness to
this.
More
commotion. More gavel.
JUDGE
We're in recess for thirty
minutes! Counselors, into
chambers!
INT. COURT
HOUSE - JUDGE'S CHAMBERS - DAY
The usual
suspects.
72.
JUDGE
Mr. Fender, tell me why I
shouldn't put you in contempt of
court.
QUINN
I'm the lead prosecutor here,
your honor. This new direction is
not part of my strategy.
SALLY
I received new information and
made a judgment call.
KATE
What new information?
SALLY
It's privileged.
QUINN
Your honor, I'd like a recess to
discuss this with my assistant.
The judge
enjoys the moment, letting them squirm.
JUDGE
We'll reconvene after lunch. I
let you take the stand,
counselor.
Part of the deal is you answer
questions.
QUINN
I understand.
JUDGE
Recess until two.
INT. COURT
HOUSE - PROSECUTION ROOM - DAY
Quinn
looking at the note Sally received.
QUINN
Can you document this?
SALLY
I have someone right on it.
Shouldn't be long.
CINNAMON
Will someone tell me what's going
on?
73.
QUINN
We're working in your best
interests. Trust me.
INT. COURT
HOUSE - COURTROOM - DAY
The judge
bangs the gavel after lunch.
Quinn the
witness, Sally standing near him.
SALLY
Let me rephrase my question. If
your ex was secretive about her
sexuality, is it within the realm
of possibility that she was
secretive about other things as
well?
KATE
I object. Calls for speculation.
SALLY
Calls for an assessment of
character based on observation
and experience.
JUDGE
I'll allow it.
QUINN
I suppose it's possible, sure.
SALLY
That's all, your honor.
JUDGE
(to Kate)
Counselor?
KATE
No further questions.
JUDGE
Next witness.
KATE
The defense rests.
A reaction
of surprise.
Quinn rises.
74.
QUINN
Your honor, given the change for
the defense, we would like to
present one more witness.
KATE
I object, your honor.
JUDGE
Who is the witness?
QUINN
The prosecution would like to
recall Kate Fender.
More
reaction.
LATER
Quinn
questioning Kate.
QUINN
Miss Fender, I'd like to suggest
the same impersonal format that
you requested from me. Can you do
that?
KATE
Yes, of course.
He hands her
a document.
QUINN
Is this your signature on a check
for $50,000 written to Merilee
Promise?
KATE
It is. If you think you're going
someplace sinister with this, let
me say that this was to support
her in New York while she
auditioned for parts.
CINNAMON
Double-dealing cu--!
Sally's hand
quickly slams over Cinnamon's mouth.
The gavel.
SALLY
Sorry, your honor.
75.
JUDGE
(to Quinn)
Continue.
QUINN
What about this?
He hands
Kate another document.
KATE
I don't know what this is.
QUINN
What does it look like?
KATE
It's an endorsed check.
QUINN
And who endorsed it?
KATE
Merilee signed it.
QUINN
And that's all?
KATE
No. Then it was endorsed by...
QUINN
Read it, please.
KATE
Big Unit Productions.
QUINN
In other words, Merilee signed
over your check to Big Unit
Productions.
KATE
This is the back of my check?
QUINN
Very good, counselor. Have you
ever heard of Big Unit
Productions?
KATE
No.
76.
QUINN
They make movies. Maybe if I name
some of their titles, I'll
refresh your memory.
"Virgins at
Vassar." "The Kama Sutra Does
Dallas."
These titles
have elicited considerable reaction.
The judge is
banging his gavel.
JUDGE
Order! Order!
When it
calms down, cherishing the moment...
QUINN
In other words, you were a silent
producing partner in Big Unit
Productions, financing their
development of pornographic
films.
More noise,
louder gavels.
INT. COURT
HOUSE - HALLWAY - DAY
Quinn
emerges. The media is all over him.
Quinn rushes
through the throng, disappearing into a "Staff
Only"
Men's Room.
INT. STAFF
MEN'S ROOM - DAY
Quinn
enters. He doesn't look too well.
He goes to
the mirror. He splashes cold water on his face.
He
burps...looks like he might get sick.
Suddenly he
turns and rushes to a toilet. He drops to his
knees and
leans forward.
INT. BAR -
NIGHT
All the
usual lawyers.
Quinn
finally joins the crowd.
ADAM
The man of the hour!
77.
Everyone
applauds as Quinn steps up to the bar.
Quinn looks
recovered but not very enthusiastic.
ADAM
Speech, speech!
Quinn waves
the suggestion off.
QUINN
Booze, booze ...
Everyone
laughs.
INT. FENDER
HOME - KNOX'S OFFICE - DAY
Morning.
Michelle in her robe, on the phone.
MICHELLE
He isn't up yet....It may be a
while. He put in a long
night....I'll tell him.
INT. FENDER
HOME - BEDROOM - DAY
Michelle
looks into the bedroom. Quinn, half-dressed, is
sprawled over
the bed.
EXT. FENDER
HOME - PATIO - DAY
Michelle,
still in her robe, reading the paper. Empty
breakfast
dishes on the table.
Quinn
stumbles out.
QUINN
Is there coffee?
MICHELLE
I'll make a fresh pot.
She stands.
MICHELLE
Kate's called three times this
morning. She wants you to call
her at the Hilton.
QUINN
Did she say what she wants?
78.
MICHELLE
To murder you, I imagine.
She starts
inside.
QUINN
Whose side are you on?
MICHELLE
Do you really think she knew
anything about that?
QUINN
It doesn't matter what I think.
It matters what the jury thinks.
Michelle
stares at him a moment.
MICHELLE
Make your own damn coffee.
She's gone.
Quinn stands
helpless and hungover.
EXT. HILTON
HOTEL - DAY
Quinn
approaches.
Merilee is
standing outside with her bags.
A taxi pulls
up. The CABBIE loads her bags. Merilee gives
Quinn the
finger before stooping into the cab.
INT. HILTON
HOTEL - BAR - DAY
Quinn at a
back table. Kate arrives and sits down.
KATE
Why the cheap shot?
QUINN
I don't have enough information
to know if it's a cheap shot or
not.
KATE
You know I don't do pornography.
QUINN
Fat cats don't fight wars either
but they still sell arms.
79.
KATE
You're the last person I expected
daddy to corrupt with his win-at-
any-cost bullshit.
QUINN
He had nothing to do with this.
In fact, he may not be happy
about it. And just because I do
what's best for my client,
doesn't mean I enjoy it.
Kate laughs.
KATE
You love it. It's your belated
revenge.
QUINN
Two years ago, you would have
been right. I finally realized
I'm not responsible for your
sexuality, that it was bound to
happen sooner or later, so better
sooner. It could have taken you
ten or twenty years to come out.
That would have been worse for
both of us.
Kate is
touched by this but looks away to hide her emotions.
An awkward
silence.
QUINN
Kate, I--
She abruptly
stands and interrupts.
KATE
I have to prepare my close.
She bolts
away.
QUINN
(after her, but to
soft to be heard)
I loved you so much ...
INT. LAW
OFFICE - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
Quinn, Adam,
and several other LAWYERS in a meeting around
the table.
The door opens and Nancy looks in.
80.
NANCY
They reached a verdict.
QUINN
Already.
ADAM
May the force be with you, buddy.
INT. COURT
HOUSE - COURTROOM - DAY
The FOREMAN
standing.
JUDGE
Have you reached a verdict?
FOREMAN
We have.
JUDGE
You may read it.
FOREMAN
We find in favor of the
plaintiff,
Cinnamon McAffery. We also
recommend compensation in
addition
to the hundred thousand dollars
specified in the suit.
JUDGE
Noted and considered.
CINNAMON
(under her breath)
Yes!
She turns
and gives a V-victory sign to cheering LAFF
members. The
judge's gavel bangs.
Quinn and
Kate, at adjacent tables, look equally stunned.
SALLY
(to Quinn)
You okay?
INT. BAR -
DAY
Lawyers in
celebration.
LAWYER
(to Adam)
Where's Fender?
81.
ADAM
He'll be here.
EXT. HILTON
HOTEL - DAY
Quinn's car
cruises past the hotel.
INT. CAR -
DAY
Quinn stares
out at the hotel. Should he stop or not?
A SERIES OF
SHOTS
--as Quinn
passes the hotel several times.
EXT. HILTON
HOTEL - DAY
Finally
Quinn turns his car into the boarding area. A HOTEL
ATTENDANT
races forward to park it.
INT. HILTON
HOTEL - FRONT DESK - DAY
Quinn
waiting. The clerk returns.
CLERK
Miss Fender checked out about an
hour ago.
INT. TAVERN
- NIGHT
Quinn alone
at a tavern. He looks up and sees the BARTENDER.
BARTENDER
I think I'd better cut you off.
A MOMENT
LATER
Quinn at the
pay phone, waiting.
INT. FENDER
HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Michelle at
the door. Two suitcases on the floor. She hears
the phone
ringing. Making a decision, she opens the door.
82.
EXT. FENDER
HOME - NIGHT
A cab waits
outside. Michelle comes outside. Seeing her bags,
the CABBY
rushes forward to help.
EXT. FENDER
HOUSE - DAY
Early
morning. A car cruises by, a newspaper flying from it
to the
Fender driveway.
INT. FENDER
HOME - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Quinn,
dressed, stretched out on the divan. Empty beer cans
on a side
table. He stirs. He groans.
INT. FENDER
HOME - BATHROOM - DAY
Quinn in the
shower, letting the water beat on him.
INT. FENDER
HOME - KITCHEN - DAY
Quinn enters
and sees a note on the counter. He picks it up.
MICHELLE (V.O.)
Quinn, I hardly know you any
more.
I know this case has been
difficult for you. It's been
difficult for me, too. I feel
like we need some space apart so
we can think. I'm staying at my
sister's for a while. The number
is in the phone memory, number 5.
I do love you. I just don't know
what our future is any more.
EXT. FEDNER
HOME - DAY
Quinn comes
out for the paper.
He sees the
"For Sale" sign in the lawn. He stares at it. He
goes to the
sign and pulls it up.
A SERIES OF
SHOTS
Quinn
redecorating the house.
--He works
in the basement.
--He paints
the house.
83.
--He adds
new paneling to the enlarged basement room.
INT. FENDER
HOME - KITCHEN - NIGHT
Quinn on the
phone.
QUINN
I want you to come home.
INT.
MICHELLE'S SISTER'S HOME - NIGHT
Michelle on
the phone.
INTERCUT
MICHELLE
Are you sure?
QUINN
Of course I'm sure. I love you.
And I have a surprise for you.
MICHELLE
What surprise?
QUINN
I've decided what to do about
Kate. But it's not something I
can tell you on the phone.
MICHELLE
You want to talk about Kate?
Quinn closes
his eyes. He looks like a man who knows he said
the wrong
thing.
QUINN
Okay, stay put. I'm catching the
first plane out of here.
EXT. AIRPORT
- NIGHT
A cab lets
Quinn off.
INT. AIRPORT
- NIGHT
Quinn at a
pay phone.
84.
QUINN
Nancy, I'm taking a few days off.
I'll be in touch when I know what
I'm doing. Strike that. Just put
me down for three days off. I'll
be in first thing Monday morning.
He hangs up.
INT. AIRPORT
- WAITING AREA - NIGHT
Quinn dozing
in a seat. An AIRLINE CLERK gently shakes him.
AIRLINE CLERK
Were you waiting for space
available to Los Angeles?
EXT. LOS
ANGELES AIRPORT - NIGHT
A jetliner
landing.
INT. LOS
ANGELES - AIRPORT - NIGHT
Quinn comes
in. Traveling light.
He gets his
bearings and heads for a car rental agency.
EXT. SANTA
MONICA - NIGHT
A car
cruises along the coast highway.
INT. RENTAL
CAR - NIGHT
Quinn is
behind the wheel. He's looking for something.
EXT. SANTA
MONICA - BEACH FRONT MOTEL - NIGHT
The rental
car pulls into the parking lot of a motel. A
bright
"Vacancy" sign shines across the lot.
INT. BEACH
MOTEL - ROOM - NIGHT
Quinn enters
his room. He suddenly looks exhausted.
85.
EXT. SANTA
MONICA - BEACH - DAY
Quinn
strolls along the beach.
Ahead is a
restaurant with a deck overlooking the beach. He
waves.
EXT.
BEACHSIDE RESTAURANT - DECK - DAY
Quinn climbs
up the stairs onto the deck. Michelle and MARY,
30s, sit at
a table.
QUINN
Good morning. Nice to see you,
Mary.
MARY
Don't worry, I'm not staying.
Just came for moral support.
She stands.
MARY
I'll be inside when you're ready.
Be good to her, Quinn.
Mary leaves.
QUINN
Michelle.
MICHELLE
Quinn.
QUINN
I've been doing a lot of
thinking.
MICHELLE
So have I.
QUINN
I want us to make it.
MICHELLE
So do I.
QUINN
I don't want to be married to
anyone else. Do you understand
that?
MICHELLE
Sometimes I think you miss the
way it was with Kate before she--
86.
QUINN
--became honest with herself.
Which means whatever it was, was
based on a lie. That's no way to
live.
He offers
his hand across the table. Michelle takes it.
QUINN
I want Kate to be my friend. Can
you deal with it?
MICHELLE
I think so. But you really hurt
her.
QUINN
I know. I have to do something
about that. Right after I do
something about you.
EXT. FENDER
HOME - DAY
A cab pulls
in front of the house.
Quinn and
Michelle get out. The CABBY gets their bags from
the trunk.
MICHELLE
What did you do to the house?
QUINN
Increased its value, I hope.
INT. FENDER
HOME - BEDROOM - DAY
Quinn and
Michelle make love in the afternoon.
INT. FENDER
HOME - BEDROOM - NIGHT
And make
love at night.
INT. FENDER
HOME - KITCHEN - DAY
They sit in
their robes at the coffee bar.
QUINN
I'd better get started. I have a
long day.
87.
MICHELLE
Call me as soon as you check in.
They kiss.
INT. LAW
OFFICE - KNOX'S OFFICE - DAY
Barry behind
his desk. Quinn walks in without knocking.
QUINN
This is my letter of resignation.
He sets it
on the desk.
KNOX
Who is it and how much did they
offer you?
QUINN
You wouldn't believe it if I told
you.
He's heading
away.
KNOX
(after him)
Try me!
INT. AIRPORT
- TERMINAL - DAY
Quinn in
line to board a plane.
INT. HOTEL -
ROOM - NIGHT
Quinn on the
phone.
QUINN
How can I miss you when I was
making love to you twelve hours
ago?
MICHELLE (FILTERED)
I bet you say that to all the girls.
QUINN
Anyway, if all goes well, I'll be
home tomorrow night.
MICHELLE (FILTERED)
Do what you have to do, baby.
This is important.
88.
QUINN
Thanks.
MICHELLE (FILTERED)
I'll take out what you owe me in
flesh.
QUINN
I can't wait.
EXT.
WASHINGTON D.C. - DEPT. OF LABOR - DAY
A cab pulls
up in front of the Department of Labor.
INT. DEPT.
OF LABOR - UPPER FLOOR - DAY
Quinn steps
off an elevator. He carries a bouquet of flowers.
He gets his
bearings.
INT. DEPT.
OF LABOR - KATE'S OFFICE - DAY
Kate is
working behind a huge desk.
Quinn
appears in the doorway.
QUINN
Couldn't you find a bigger desk?
Kate looks
shocked to see him.
QUINN
For you. I'm here to do three
things. The first, make a peace
offering.
Kate regards
him suspiciously.
KATE
What are you up to, Quinn?
QUINN
I'm trying to earn your
friendship.
KATE
What for?
QUINN
Because I miss our arguments.
89.
KATE
Right.
QUINN
I'm serious. I haven't
encountered
a decent devil's advocate since
you left. I'm suffering here. My
mind is rusting. My vocabulary of
pejorative insults is diminishing
every day. I don't insult anybody
worth a damn any more.
It's
working. Kate can't help but smile. She takes the
flowers. She
buzzes her secretary.
KATE'S SECRETARY (ON
INTERCOM)
Yes?
KATE
Find me a vase for flowers.
QUINN
That's better.
INT. DEPT.
OF LABOR - CAFETERIA - DAY
Quinn and
Kate at a table over coffee and donuts.
QUINN
I meant to ask you. Is Spice
Cake's art any good?
KATE
Spice Cake?
QUINN
Her nickname in the office where
I used to work.
KATE
I can't believe you quit.
QUINN
I don't think I ever liked the
job. I liked the money.
KATE
It's not easy putting up your
shingle alone.
QUINN
I know. That's why I'm looking
for a partner.
90.
Kate studies
him.
KATE
Is that an offer?
QUINN
My second thing. When I asked you
how you liked it here, the first
thing you said was, the money's
good. The second thing...wasn't
anything at all.
KATE
I don't know. I could come to
love this city. Very
international.
QUINN
That's what vacations are for.
Think about it. It's an open
offer. I already have a lead on
my first case. A transexual wants
to sue his health provider.
KATE
You have changed.
A silence.
KATE
What's the third thing?
EXT. PARK -
DAY
A wedding in
the park.
PEOPLE
seated in folding chairs.
A STRING
QUARTET playing the Wedding March.
Michelle,
wearing red, is being escorted down the aisle by
her FATHER.
Waiting are
Quinn, Kate and the PREACHER.
Michelle
takes her place beside Quinn.
PREACHER
Do you have the re-commitment
ring?
QUINN
My best man has it.
Quinn turns
to Kate. She hands him the ring.
91.
Quinn puts
the ring on Michelle's right hand.
INT. PARK -
COMMUNITY CENTER - DAY
The
reception. The string quartet has been replaced by a
small band.
A crowded
dance floor. On it are Quinn and Michelle.
Michelle
notices something and points it out to Quinn.
Kate and
Sally are dancing together.
QUINN
I'll be damned.
MICHELLE
You didn't know?
QUINN
Not a clue.
MICHELLE
You're not very perceptive in
this area, are you?
Quinn,
smiling, shakes his head.
The party
goes on.
FADE OUT