Created Equal Page #6

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and by written examinations.

[Tommy] Let's start

with the interview first.

What are some questions you ask?

[Sylvia] We ask about

past sexual experiences.

Such as, "When was

the last time you had sex?"

Three years or more

is the preferred answer.

- Last night, not so good.

- [people laugh]

[Tommy] And what about

some of the other examinations?

[Sylvia] All candidates

must take an HIV test...

and a number

of written examinations.

[Tommy] Based upon

your interview

and written examination

of Alejandra Batista,

did you form an opinion

about her fitness

to be an applicant

to the seminary?

Yes, I did.

[Tommy] And what is

that opinion, Dr. Touran?

[Sylvia] That she would be

a tremendous candidate

to the seminary.

No further questions,

Your Honor.

[Judge] Monsignor Renzulli.

Dr. Touran, are you Catholic?

Yes, I am.

As a Catholic and a woman,

what is your opinion

on whether a woman

should be a priest?

I don't have an opinion.

Surely in your work,

you've witnessed discrimination

against women.

- Is that true?

- [Sylvia] Yes.

[Enrico] Is the field

in which you work

dominated by men?

[Sylvia] Mostly,

but it's getting better.

As a woman who has succeeded

in a field dominated by men,

you're telling this jury

there's not just

a little part of you

that wants this plaintiff

to succeed

in her quest to be a priest?

Dr. Touran?

I like to see women succeed.

[Sylvia] Yes.

No further questions,

Your Honor.

[Judge] Mr. Reilly, redirect?

[Tommy] No, Your Honor.

[Judge] This court will adjourn

for lunch until 2 p.m.

at which time the plaintiff

will call their next witness.

[gavel bangs]

[bailiff] All rise.

[case clicking shut]

[crowd talking]

See you in the morning.

[Dunbar] You know,

I ask myself,

what is the Church's

strategy here?

I mean, hoping

for a motion to dismiss,

obviously was not a strategy.

[Enrico] We will win

this case on merits.

[Dunbar] Juries often have

a habit of interpreting merits

in unexpected ways.

Would you agree

the merits are on our side?

I try never to think of merits.

Only outcomes.

Costs.

Reputations.

[Dunbar] That way

I'm rarely disappointed.

Do you have

a destination in mind?

[Dunbar] Where does

the church want to go

with this unnecessary exercise?

And let's have no talk

of winning and losing.

The church will never

let Ms. Batista be a priest.

Too bad, really.

- A highly qualified candidate.

- But she's not qualified.

I must represent

the Church's doctrine.

That's not what I'm really

trying to get at.

I was thinking more of a number

with more than

a handful of zeros.

Possibly.

[Enrico] What about the girl?

Bigger obstacle.

Perhaps not hopeless.

[Dunbar] If we're agreed,

I'll inform Judge Watford

of the possibility

of a settlement.

This court will adjourn

until Monday morning at 9 a.m.

[tranquil music]

Uh, Your Honor, may,

may we know why?

Uh, Your Honor, may...

That's okay.

[Tommy sighs] That's okay.

[smooth jazz music]

[knocking on door]

- Hey, baby.

- Hey, Tommy.

Look, Nick,

I thought about what you said.

And you're right.

I'm so sorry.

I do need you.

[man] Hey, Nick?

Sorry, Tommy.

[knocking on door]

Come in.

- Where's Tommy?

- [Dunbar] He'll follow up.

Ms. Batista, may I sit down?

[unsettling music]

[Dunbar] How have you been?

Faith by itself, if it does not

have works, is dead.

I believe that's James

chapter two verse 14.

If you look in your heart,

you'll appreciate

all the wonderful things

you can provide

for those in need.

But I could not be a priest.

[Dunbar] That's the one thing

you have to give up.

And if it makes a difference,

I believe you can get

several million.

It's interesting that the church

would be willing to spend

millions of dollars that,

as you suggest,

could be spent helping others,

just to keep one woman

out of the seminary.

No, no, I'm not saying

this offer's being made

by the church.

But let's say,

there are individuals

interested in making

this situation go away.

[Dunbar] We're gonna settle.

Renzulli's on board.

I can't believe you went to

Renzulli behind my back. -Mmm.

That's of no importance.

What is important,

is that win or lose,

Ms. Batista's gonna be

a novelty the rest of her life.

[Dunbar]

You wanna help that girl,

help her walk away

with millions of dollars.

She'll never go for it.

You never know

how someone will respond

till you ask the right question.

[unsettling music]

You talked to her.

You disappoint me.

What the hell happened to you?

We don't deal

in good guys and bad guys.

[Dunbar] She stuck to her guns

that happens to be

worth a lot of money.

Get it done.

Or forget about being partner.

[sad music]

[door squeaks open]

- I don't care about the money.

- Really? [laughs]

What about all the good

that you could do

with millions of dollars?

Isn't that a little selfish?

Maybe even a sin?

That which God had made me do,

had commanded or shall command,

I will not fail to do

for any man alive.

You know,

I never learned that one.

- Is it Matthew?

- No.

It's from Joan of Arc

to her interrogators.

Is this about vanity?

Are you bucking for sainthood?

What do you believe in

when you're alone in the quiet?

Making partner?

Then what?

Dispiriting sex

with the next random woman?

If you take away faith,

you take away the magic of life.

I'd rather die

than live that way.

I believe in something.

I believe in the law,

which is why I took your case.

Dunbar shoved my case

down your throat

hoping you'd settle it.

[Tommy] We both know this case

was never gonna settle.

But I'm here.

Why?

What do you believe in, Tommy?

What do I believe in?

I don't know.

[feel-good music playing]

Maybe I'm just hard headed.

You may be a little hard headed.

But you're definitely not

hard hearted.

Over the hill

Oh I am homeward bound

Far from the trail

But I will clear new ground

Over the edge

Try not to fall apart

Fell from my nest

But home is inside the heart

Running through fields

[song fades out]

[phone rings]

Hello?

Hey, Ally, it's me.

Okay.

Let's do this.

[church bell ringing]

- Sister Jean?

- Yes?

Willis Thompkins.

We spoke on the phone earlier.

Yes.

Please, come have a seat.

[unsettling music]

[Sister Jean]

I've been thinking about

the sketch that you sent me,

and I do think it's Mr. Vargas.

What is his first name?

[Sister Jean] Vick.

Sister, please tell me

everything you know about him.

- Well, he lives down the street.

- Where?

The Quartermain apartments

on Poydras.

He used to come

to church regularly.

But not anymore.

He tried for the seminary.

But wasn't accepted.

He didn't handle it

very well, you know.

Mm-hmm. Thank you, Sister.

That was very helpful.

Thank you.

You're welcome

and God bless you.

[unsettling music]

[echoing voice speaking]

[Silk]

Are you the landlord here?

- Why?

- Is this where Vick Vargas lives?

Who wants to know?

I'm an investigative attorney.

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