The Verdict Page #13

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GALVIN:

We are going to try the case.

A beat. Galvin fumbles for a cigarette. The three sit in

silence.

JUDGE:

(incredulous)

That's it...?

(beat)

Come on, guys... life is too short...

(beat)

You tell me if you're playing

'chicken,' or you mean it.

(beat; turns to Galvin)

Frank:
I don't think I'm talking out

of school, but I just heard someone

offer you two hundred grand... and

that's a lot of money... and if I

may say, you haven't got the best of

records.

GALVIN:

...things change.

JUDGE:

...that's true. Sometimes they change,

sometimes they don't. Now, I remember

back to when you were disbarred...

GALVIN:

I wasn't disbarred, they dropped the

pro...

JUDGE:

And it seems to me, a fella's trying

to come back, he'd take this

settlement, and get a record for

himself.

(beat)

I myself would take it and run like

a thief.

GALVIN:

I'm sure you would.

The Judge turns, unbelieving that Galvin has patronized and

insulted him. He controls himself.

JUDGE:

Hm.

(beat; checking book)

We have the date set? Next Thursday.

Good.

(smiles)

See you boys in court.

INT. COURTROOM - INSERT - DAY

A legal document. LIST OF PROSPECTIVE JURORS. DEBORAH ANN

KAYE versus ST. CATHERINE LABOURE HOSPITAL, Et. Al.: Mr.

Arthur Abrams, Machinist, 58; Mrs. Joann Chepek, Housewife,

42; Mr. Roger Crawford, Chemist, 59, etc.

ANGLE:

Galvin, seated at the conference table intent on the form in

front of him. He crosses out something with a pen. Galvin

takes the form, rises, walks across the room, walks by the

defense table with Concannon and an Aide at it. Approaches

the Jury Box, which has several prospective JURORS in it.

He is very nervous. He addresses a man.

GALVIN:

Mr. Abraham...

ABRAMS:

Abrams...

GALVIN:

Abrams. Yes. How are you today?

ABRAMS:

I'm fine.

GALVIN:

Good.

(beat)

You ever been inside a hospital?

ABRAMS:

Yes.

GALVIN:

Ah. How did they treat you?

Galvin has flop sweat, Abrams is becoming intractable.

ABRAMS:

I don't know what you mean.

INT. CIGAR - COURTHOUSE CORRIDOR - DAY

Mickey standing by the door to the courtroom, looking through

the glass panel, a newspaper under his arm, smoking. Galvin

comes out.

MICKEY:

Been a long time, huh...?

GALVIN:

I'm getting it back. Don't worry

about me, Mick. I'm fine. D'you find

the obstetric nurse?

MICKEY:

Mary Rooney. She won't talk to me. I

tried her at the hospital. I'm going

to try her back at home. Read this.

He hands Galvin the newspaper. Galvin takes it, reads.

ANGLE - P.O.V.

The newspaper, folded to Page Two. A full-page photo of

smiling doctors clustered around an operating table. Huge

caption:
"International Honors to St. Catherine Laboure

Hospital. The faculte Internationale de la Chirurgerie today

announced St. Catherine's as this year's recipient of the

coveted Medaillon de la Sante..." etc.

ANGLE:

Galvin reading. Looks up.

GALVIN:

So what?

MICKEY:

So what...? The best is yet to come.

Check the TV Guide. They got our Dr.

Towler on a panel on GBH on Friday:

'The Healing Hand. The Experts Speak.'

GALVIN:

They still have to take it to a jury.

Looks back at his form.

MICKEY:

What I'm saying, they're getting

some help.

GALVIN:

(looks annoyed)

So what do you want me to do?

Concannon's going to try the case

his way, I'm going to try it mine.

You want me to go wee wee wee all

the time because he's got some flack,

got stories in the newspaper. I'm

going to win this case.

They start walking across the Courthouse corridor. Mickey

veers off and stops at a Cigar Stand.

TO THE STAND OPERATOR:

MICKEY:

John:
gimme a cuesta-ray.

GALVIN:

Oh sh*t, what's today?

MICKEY:

Today is Tuesday. What?

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