Rooms of Experience - Act 1

Tailor rooms. I experience.
Here we go taory rooms.
I experience rooms of experience by Stephanie Summers. Fade in
exterior Children's Hospital day flashback eight years prior. People stride
in and out through the automatic doors of the brightly
colored building on a sunny spring day. Graceful willows line
the walk. Dana, thirty, attractive long hair tied back in
a loose, messy braid, dressed simply in jeans and a
T shirt, walks a few feet out of the doors,
stops midstep, her face tight with stress. People stream past
her around her. A nurse pushes a wheelchair with a
woman and her newborn towards a car waiting at the curb.
A man beams alongside. As they passed Dana, a tiny
pink and blue hat falls on the ground in front
of her. Her gaze lands on the hat. She breathes heavy,
something weighs on her, then walks faster toward the parking lot.
The hat left abandoned on the cement. Exterior parking lot day.
Dana reaches her car, grabs the door handle. A sob
almost escapes her lips, but she fights it back, wrenches
the door open, gets in the driver's seat, fade to interior.
Dana's car moving present. Day Dana, impeccably dressed, expertly made
up hair and a tight bun, drives down a crowded
city street. Wiper blades thumb away rain from her windshield,
turns into a parking garage, deathly parks in her spot,
exits the car, a chirp of the alarm, her heels
click on a cement. Her actions smooth and controlled. Interior
Office of the District Attorney. Day Dana enters from the street,
drops a wet umbrella and a stand by the door,
heads down the hall Interior Dana's office. Day Dana opens
the door, which reads Dana Jeffrey's Assistant District Attorney Homicide.
Hangs her purse on a coat rack in the corner,
takes a seat at her desk, grabs mail from her inbox,
stifts through the mail, gets to a baby blue envelope, stops,
stares at it, runs her finger over the handwriting on
the front contemplates the letter opener on her desk. Her
desk phone rings startles her. She opens a bottomed desk drawer,
throws the envelope on top of several other envelopes in
the same color with the same handwriting. Reaches for the phone.
Exterior Ada's backyard night. Ada, elderly, close to ninety, put
trim and well put together, stands on the lawn in
the dark, eliminated by a small shaft of light from
a bulb above the sliding glass door to the house.
She holds a yellow balloon gently to her chest. There
is the rumble of thunder in the distance. She closes
her eyes and opens her arms, lets the balloon float
up into the night sky, opens her eyes and looks up,
watches the balloon disappear, and turns and goes inside. Drops
of rain fall on the cement. Exterior residential street night.
Drops of rain beat against the asphalt, reflect the street lights.
The click of a phone being answered nine one one operator,
Where is your emergency? Silence?
Hello, nine one one, Is anyone there?
I I.
My sun is dead.
The wail of a siren heard in the distance. Exterior
Ata's house night. A coroner's van approaches, stops in front.
An ambulance and two police cars, lights flashing, are already
on the scene. This is a well kept, but older,
middle class suburban neighborhood. All of the homes appear to
have been renovated or upgraded, except for this one. It
appears frozen in time. The door is open, lights ablaze
against the night sky. Officers move about, Neighbors peer out
their windows, Some step out on porches to see what's
going on. Interior Ada's House, Bedroom night. The body of
a man teddy sixties, dressed in pajamas lies dead on
the bed in a sparsely furnished room. Nothing in the
room looks out of order or unusual, except that every
inch of wall space is tacked with abstract drawings. There's
a folded cloth and a length of plastic tubing on
a nightstand. A tank of helium stands next to it.
CSI one takes pictures while CSI two, catalog's evidence Detective
Curtis fifties pokes his head in looks at the drawings.
Quite the art collection. How's it going?
Just finishing up?
The detective nods. Interior Ada's living room night. All the
furniture is fifty or sixty years old, with the exception
of a laptop computer on a small desk in the corner.
The walls are covered in shelves filled with hundreds of
neatly arranged books. Detective Curtis enters from the hall, surveys
the room, steps over to the books, wills out a title,
Yoga for Healthy Aging and Longevity. Scoffs places it back
on the shelf, notices an upright piano crosses to it,
tinkles a few keys. Walks into the kitchen interior Ada's
kitchen night. Ada sits at the table with a uniformed officer.
Another officer stands in the background. Ada still wears daytime clothes.
Her hands are folded in her lap. She stares straight ahead.
Detective Curtis takes a seat next to her. There is
mail on the table. He picks up an envelope, looks
at the name.
Uh, missus Wells. Yes, are you the owner of this home?
She nods, missus Wells? Can you tell me who else
lives here with you?
Just my son?
And is that your son in the bed?
Has anyone else been in your home this evening that
you're aware of? No, Missus Wells, there's a tank of
helium in your son's bedroom. Do you know anything about that?
She still does not look at the detective.
We have it for the balloons.
Teddy likes to Teddy likes to let them go outside.
The yellow ones are is favored. He thinks it's like
the sunrise.
Detective Curtis and the seated officer exchange glances.
Missus wells, do you have any family in the area?
Is there anyone we could call for you?
She finally looks straight at him, takes in his face
for a moment before she answers.
They're gone.
Everyone is gone. It's just Teddy and me, has been
for years, for as long as I can remember.
Really, excuse me for a moment.
Man.
He stands up, motions to the standing officer. They walk
out of the kitchen into the hallway interior atis front
hallway continuous. Detective Curtis and the officers stand by the
open front door, pulls on it.
Possibly, what do we know about the sun?
The csis enter from the bedroom. CSI one exits out
the front door.
We're done. You could sit in the wagon. Suicide probably
those sides of a struggle.
The tank of helium popular with the final exit crowd.
The artwork is a bit curious, though. A mental illness.
Maybe Mom appears to have dementia, could run in the family.
Maybe taking care of her was just too much of
a burden. Surprised it wasn't murder's suicide.
CSI two shrugs, steps aside for the corner to enter.
Ready for me, Yeah, make this way.
The officer leads the coroner away. Detective Curtis pulls a
piece of gum from his pocket, steps out the front
door exterior ATI's house continuous. Detective Curtis notices some commotion
as Gina fifties hurries up the walk. She has obviously
been woken up in the middle of the night. Officer
too is close behind her as she heads towards Detective Curtis.
Ma'am, ma'am, you cannot be here. This is a potential
crime scene. I'm going to have to ask you to
leave immediately.
She looks back at.
The officer crime scene. Oh my god, what happened? Are
Aida and Teddy?
All right?
He indicates to the officer he will handle this, pulls
out his notepad.
A Detective Curtis, ma'am, are you family?
No, I'm their neighbor.
And what is your name? Please?
Gina?
Gina Gordon?
Where's Ada?
That's missus wells, the elderly female occupant.
Of this residence.
Yes, Is she all right?
She is all right, she's inside.
Gina calm somewhat, is more willing to talk.
What did the officer mean by crime scene?
Then?
How long have you known, missus Wells?
Since I was a little girl. I grew up in
the house across the street.
And where do you live now?
Still there?
I mean I left, and then I moved back after
my divorce to take care of my parents before they died.
My mother used to check in on her, and now
I do so.
Missus Welsh has been ill for some time ill.
What do you mean Ada's not ill?
Then?
Why was her son taking care of her?
What?
No, Teddy's not taking care of Ada. Ada takes care
of him. She has his whole life. He has autism.
The drawings right, autism? Do you think that would have
led him to commit suicide?
No, Teddy wouldn't commit suicide.
He can't even talk.
Oh my god, where's Ada?
Pushes past him, runs into the house. Ada interior, Ada's
kitchen night. Gina rushes in, sees Ada at the table,
kneels down in front of her, takes her hands. Detective
Curtis follows, stands in the doorway.
Ye, Ada, honey, what happened? Are you all right? What
happened to Teddy?
We're gonna need to take missus Wells to the station.
Gina stands up as if to shield her.
Now in the middle of the night. What is wrong
with you? She's eighty nine years old.
The corner wheels the body passed the kitchen towards the
front door. Ada does not react. There's complete silence except
for the wheels of the gurney squeaking on the floor.
He it looks like we have a few more questions
for missus Wells.
Exterior Ada's house night Detective Curtis escorts Ada down the
walkway towards an unmarked car. Gina, close behind, punches buttons
on a cell phone.
Ada, it's going to be okay. I'm calling a friend
of mine. She's a lawyer. We'll meet you at the station.
Do not answer any more questions until we get there.
The detective assists Ada into the back seat of the car,
shuts the door. Gina yells at him, phone pressed to
her ear.
You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
I'm just doing my job, ma'am.
He gets into the driver's seat, shuts the door. Interior
Police station interview room night. Ada sits at a table
coughs into a handkerchief. Detective Curtis stands nearby.
Do you like some water, missus wells?
She nods. He pours a glass of water from a pitcher,
hands it to her.
Thank you.
You're welcome. You've taken care of your son for a
long time, haven't you.
Yes, it must have been very difficult for you alone
like that.
She opens her mouth to respond, then remembers.
Gina said I should wait until the lawyer gets here.
He takes a seat next to her.
Yeah, sure, sure, but you don't have to say anything.
You're not under arrest. We're just trying to understand what
happened tonight. The sooner we can sort it out, the
sooner we.
Can all go home.
She speaks plainly, almost monotone, still in shock. I'm not senile.
He casually reaches up a hand indicates to start recording.
No, of course not. No one thinks that I didn't.
Lose my mind. I knew what I was doing.
You mean, when you killed your son.
I wanted his last day to be with me at home, peaceful.
Anyone would want that. Where did you get the helium?
The party store delivers it. We get a tank every
other week or so. Teddy loves his balloons.
And how did you know to use helium to kill
your son?
I read about it on the internet. It said it
would be fast and painless. I didn't want him to suffer.
And were you trying to make it look like suicide?
A knock on the door. Detective Curtis rises to answer it.
Steps halfway out into the hallway. A uniformed officer whispers
something to him. Detective Curtis leans back.
In excuse me for a moment, ma'am.
The door clicks behind him. Interior Detective Curtis's cubicle night
Alexis early fifties, A force to be reckoned with energy
radiates from her even at this hour, stands next to Gina.
Detective Curtis approaches, smiles when he sees Alexis.
Ah Alexis Martinez, counsel for missus.
Wells, I presume does she need representation?
Well, she did just confess.
In that case, I'd like to know why my client
was being questioned without me.
Well, she wasn't under arrest. We were just having a
friendly chat at.
Four o'clock in the morning. I'm taking her home.
Oh, I'm afraid I can't let you do that. Why not?
I thought you said she wasn't under arrest.
She wasn't when we were talking, But now that she's
confessed to murder, I simply can't let her walk out
of here.
Yes, Heaven forbid, an eighty nine year old woman with
no passport and no car, who's barely stepped foot outside
of her home in six decades should be.
Out roaming the streets.
Thank god, you boys are keeping us safe from the
likes of Ada Wells.
She looks around several cops mill about not doing much
of anything except eating and drinking coffee.
I would have confessed too, to get the hell out
of here. I'm taking her home. She's not a danger
to you or anyone else. We'll be back in the morning.
Nine am eleven. She can't go home. It's an active
crime scene.
Gina steps forward.
She can stay with me.
See there, all.
Settled and I am holding you responsible, Miss Martinez.
I think I can handle it. Now, Please release my client.
He walks away, smiles as he hears Alexis call out
friendly chat my ass exterior Gena's house night. Gina's car
pulls into the driveway. She exits helps Ada. Ada looks
across the street at her own house until Gina gently
ushers her inside. Interior Gena's dining room, day, Alexis and
Ada sit at the table. Gina sets out mugs horse coffee.
Gina told me a little of your story on the
way to the station last night, taking care of your
son by yourself and barely leaving the house for all
those years. I can't even imagine that kind of isolation,
the effects on the psyche.
You're an incredible woman, Ada, She takes a drink. Thanks.
I'm not certain which way the d is going to
go with this, but based on your please forgive me
advanced age and the circumstances, I really can't see them
pushing to prosecute this.
So we'll talk to the nice officers.
And get you released on your own recognizance until we
can get the charges dismissed. I don't want you to worry.
Everything will be taken care of.
I want to have a trial. Why would you want
to do that?
Kitty was smart and beautiful and gifted, but he couldn't
take care of himself. I didn't want anyone to think after.
All those years.
I finally just snapped, that's not what happened. It's important
to me that people know he was my son.
And I loved to.
Alexis tries to think of an argument.
Okay, Ada, I promise you'll get to tell your story,
but you should know this is the kind of case
people like to use as a soapbox.
If we go to trial, it could be very difficult
for you.
I'm not worried about difficult.
Alexis knots, gives Ada's hand to squeeze. Interior Dana's office day.
Dana types on her laptop at her desk. Her assistant
pokes her head in. Harvey is asking for you. Dana
pulls out a compact from the top drawer of her desk,
unnecessarily checks her appearance. Not a hair is out of place.
Interior District Attorney Harvey Davis's office day. The inner door
is open. Dana knocks lightly. You wanted to see me,
Sir Harvey mid sixties. All business exudes authority, weighs Dana in.
Dana, come in, have a seat, she.
Purchased lightly on the edge of the chair across from him.
How's homicide treating you?
Whoa it's very well. I enjoy the challenge.
Good good.
He Ap peers intently at her. She shifts slightly in
her seat.
Nice job on the Hansome case.
Thank you, sir, I appreciate that.
Two for two in this department. Not bad. You're already
earning a formidable reputation.
Thank you.
Think you're ready for something a little more high profile.
She sits up even straighter, if that's possible.
Absolutely.
He pulls out a file from a desk drawer, drops
it with a thud on the desk in front of her.
Glad to hear that, because I'm giving you the Wells case.
Carter will second chair.
The Wells case. I thought that was going through elder abuse.
Not anymore. The case is gaining ground since a disability
rights group got wind of it.
She flips through the file, takes out a picture of Ada,
holds it up, studies it disability right.
How so.
The sun had autism? So they're calling it open season
on the disabled, the accusing society and the justice system
of devaluing people who are differently abled. It's looking to
get political. Too many photo ops not.
To turns his computer screen for Dana to see close
on screen article headline reads disability rights forefront of murder case.
It's only my third homicide, and I don't have any
political aspirations.
With all due respects, sir, why would you choose me?
A female prosecutor sits better on this one. The defendant's
eighty nine years old. We don't want to look completely heartless.
We're already up against this sympathy vote. Kendri's tied up
with the Corruther's case, and Lauren's about to go out
on maternity leave. That leaves you. You look good, You
speak well, just be sure to brush up on your
sound bites.
So I'm getting the case by default, not because I'm
the most qualified.
He shrugs as an admission.
There's always a chance it won't be a win for you,
but relax, it'll be fine. At least you have a confession.
Alexis breezes in, waves a document in the air. Speaking
of confessions, Harvey throws his hands off.
Counselor do come in.
Alexis brushes imaginary lint off his jacket. He tolerates it.
Harvey, always a pleasure. I can hardly believe I left
all this behind.
Dana Meet Alexis Martinez opposing counsel and former Ada. Sadly,
she defected long before you arrived.
Not fast enough, pleasure. She offers her hand to Dana.
They shake, then she immediately hands Dana the document motion
to suppress your confession. Harvey and Dana speak simultaneously on
what grounds Alexis signores. Dana speaks directly.
To Harvey, a frail, elderly lady who wasn't properly mirandized
being questioned without a lawyer in the middle of the night.
Come on, she wasn't under arrest at the time, as
I understand it.
Seriously, I can't believe you even filed us in the
first place a murder charge, and to place her in custody.
I knew you were ruthless, but this is over the top,
even for you.
We represent the people, Alexis. You know that they talk.
We have to listen. Murder is murder, no matter who
commits it.
Oh, please save it for the reporters. That's not true, and.
You know it.
She whirls around to Dana. At any rate, there's something
I'd like you to see. Are you free for a bit?
Dana looks at Harvey, who shrugs.
To Spike out what appearances she's relatively harmless.
Nice to see you too, Harvey. She strives out, does
not wait for Dana, who grabs the file off the
desk scrambles after her. Exterior ATIS House Day, Alexis and
Dana pull up in separate cars. Yellow crime scene tape
hangs limply from one side of the front door frame.
Alexis strides up the walk without looking back at Dana.
Pulls out a key, unlocks the door, enters. Dana follows.
Interior ATIS front Hallway day. The house is dark. Alexis
moves towards the living room. This way interior living room continuous.
An old movie projector sits on a small table between
two upholstered chairs. A screen is pulled down over the fireplace.
Alexis crosses to the sliding glass door, flings open the curtains.
Light floods in. Dana blinks to adjust her eyes.
Alexis, is that you.
Sorry?
I locked the door behind me.
I wasn't sure how long I'd be and there were
reporters nosing around here this morning.
She emerges from the bedroom hallway with a stack of clothing.
Dana spins around, excuse me, who are you Dana.
Gina, Gina, this is the prosecutor who's trying to convict
Ada of murder.
Gina narrows her eyes, takes a step towards Dana.
This is a crime scene. You can't be in here.
So I've heard.
I came over to grab a few of Ada's things
for when she's released tomorrow.
Okay, I'll see you at the courthouse in the morning.
Okay.
She leaves with a parting glands at Dana. Alexis crosses
to one of the bookshelves, pulls out several volumes.
Doctor Atkins aged Ying diet, how to live longer and
feel better, neuroendocrine theory of aging, Life extension. Meditation is
medicine reversing human aging.
She steps up to Dana dumps the books in her arms.
Ok What is all of this?
She struggles to keep the books from slipping, looks around
for somewhere to put them down, then gives up, sets
them on the floor just before they fall. Ada Well's
attempt to outlive her son.
The kitchen is full of supplements dha koke ten resveratrolt
stuff I can't even pronounce. She's not a murderer, Dana
look around this house, books, vitamins, exercise equipment.
She did everything she could.
To make sure she would always be here to take
care of him. Teddy lived his whole life here. This
is all he ever knew.
She closes the curtains part way turns on the projector.
Black scratchy lines snake across the screen. The film is
very old. Home movies of Teddy as a child appear.
She recorded some of this because she thought it might
be useful One day. She hoped there would finally be
a doctor who could properly diagnose Teddy and help him.
Insert granny footage shows five year old Teddy in various
stages of distress, hitting his head against the wall, screaming uncontrollably,
lining up objects, flapping his arms, hitting his ears. A
young Ada is seen in some of the shots. Through
it all, she remains calm, does her best to soothe
her son. Back to scene, Alexis stays silent for a
moment while Dana watches the film.
Can you imagine trying to cope with this all alone,
all but cut off from the rest of society, Trying
desperately to help your child when no one else could
tell you what was wrong with him, telling you instead
that your best hope was to just lock him away.
After all those years on her own, how would she
know who to call or where to go for help.
Dana remains fixed on the screen. She barely even recognizes
the outside world anymore. Do you have any idea of
the unrelenting stress she must have experienced every single day
of her life?
Close on movie screen, young Ada holds little Teddy, tightly
rocks him as silent tears streamed down her face.
Drop the charges. She's been through enough. Prosecuting this woman
does not serve anyone.
Dana's eyes don't leave the screen.
The media is already all over this. People will w justice.
Justice.
Put yourself where she's been for even a moment. Imagine
this was your life. Imagine he was your child. Think
of all the heartbreak, the struggling, the guilt she must
have felt. Where's the justice in that? Dana flips off
the projector faces her.
We're not in court, missus Martinez. Save your argument for
the jury. She could have walked away. She didn't have
to kill him.
Then make a deal.
No no deals. She had a choice. There's always a choice.
You're not a mother, are you? Turns the projector back on.
Why don't you watch a little longer and then tell
me what her choice was.
I'll be expecting your call. Her heels click on the
way out. Dana watches the screen, then looks around the house,
takes it all in, fumbles to turn off the projector,
rushes out of the house. Exterior Ata's House, continuous. Dana
stumbles down the front steps, blinks in the bright sun,
takes deep breaths of air. Directly across the street. Ginah,
it's a garden hose waters her front lawn. Dana sees
her immediately collects herself walks quickly to her car. She
grabs her door handle, pulls her hand back. The car
drips with water. She looks over at Gina, who shrugs
lightly and turns away. Interior Dana's house, foyer day. Dana
enters through the front door, hangs her purse and keys
on a wall hook. Her cell buzzes with an incoming call.
She looks at the screen. It reads Mom's cell. She
disconnects the call. Let's odd a d B exile. Interior
Dana's living room, continuous. Dana's boyfriend, ethan mid thirties, looks
like he would immediately be your best friend. As relaxed
and easy going as Dana is. Controlled watches ESPN on
a split screen TV, a laptop opened next to him.
He looks up as Dana comes in.
Hey babe, you're home early.
What a nice surprise.
Looks like you're in the middle of an article. Don't
let me interrupt.
Gives him a quick kiss, ready to head off, but
he grabs her, pulls her in his lap.
Very welcome interruption, kisses.
Her longer slower. They break apart. She looks as though
she wants to say something.
Everything okay, yeah, yeah, fine, I just got some case
stuff in my head and I need to work it out.
I'm gonna go change for a run.
She disappears down the hallway towards the bedroom.
Do you want to go out after or I can
order in and would be better Chinese?
Oh?
Maybe Greek? There's that new place that opened up downtown.
I grabbed the menu the other day and should be
around here somewhere.
He rummages, throw a basket under the coffee table.
Uh you decide or would you rather do sushi unless
you had it for lunch.
Dana emerges from the hallway and running clothes, jim shoes
in hand.
Anything is fine. I'll be back later. I just go
ahead and order.
If you get hungry, I'll wait for you. It tastes
better when you're here.
It gives a little laugh, shakes her head, moves towards
the front door. Halfway there, she stops, turns back around.
You're probably better than I deserve.
You know I'll love you too. Have a good run.
She blows the kiss. Exterior city street, Moving day, Dana runs,
drenched in sweat and near exhaustion. Rounding a corner, she
enters a crowded park, turns on a speed, gives it
everything she has. A soccer ball rolls into her path.
She swerves to avoid it, missteps, falls to the dirt.
A boy ten as a prosthetic leg runs over to
claim the ball.
Sorry, lady, are you okay?
She nods, hands the boy the ball, watches him run off.
His prosthesis doesn't hinder him at all. Interior Dana's home office. Night.
Dena sits at her desk with a glass of wine,
types on a laptop close on Dana's screen. As she
types in autism, the screen instantly fills with thousands of results.
She clears it and ties down syndrome. The top bar
of the results shows pictures of children and adults with
a disorder. Diana stares at the screen, absently choose a fingernail.
Sound of footsteps in the hall.
Hey, ma'am, do you want to watch something?
She looks towards the door, her hand hovering to close
the laptop if necessary, calls out.
Yeah, that sounds nice. I'll be there right there.
Ethan sticks his head in. She keeps her hand over
the screen.
Do you want some popcorn?
Uh? Sure, two minutes.
Don't maybe come back and get you.
You worked long enough today.
I promise.
He leaves. She looks back at the screen, clicks it off,
finishes her wine. Interior, courtroom, day, Ada, dressed in jailhouse clothes,
stands with Alexis at the defense table, Dana across from them.
The judge at the bench. Ada looks drawn, coughs intermittently.
Jana sits behind the defense table.
The court has recorded the defendant's plea of not guilty.
I assume miss Jeffries, you have feelings about bail well.
The state requests remand your honor.
Your honor, as Miss Wells is neither a danger to
herself nor to society and has limited means. We ask
that to be released on her own recognisance. Remand is
completely unwarranted, not to mention punitive on the part of
the state.
Your honor, the defendant did take the life of her
own child. The people are concerned missus Wells may be
suicidal and requests remand for her own safety.
While your concern is touching, Counselor, I'm not certain we
need to keep missus Wells locked up at this point?
Is there a third party willing to take custody?
Yes, your honor, A longtime neighbor and friend, Gina Gordon,
is missus Gordon present?
Yes, your honor, She's right here. She turns around to
indicate Gina, who stands up?
Miss Gordon?
Do you promise to return the defendant to court when
necessary and assure compliance with any other conditions set?
Yes, your honor, very well.
Defendant is released to the custody Ms Gordon.
The judge consults her court calendar.
Preliminary hearing is set for Monday, May eleventh, nine am.
Court is adjourned.
The judge wraps the gavel. Gina comes around to the
defense table gives Ada a hug. Exterior Ada's house. Day
Ada stands in her driveway, wears a black dress, very dated,
gazes at her front door. Insert flashback nineteen sixty. Young
Ada walks up the porch steps Carrie's Teddy as a newborn.
Are you ready to see your new home? Teddy? Back
to scene. Gina crosses the street from her house, comes
up behind Ada, touches her gently on the arm.
Ada, are you ready?
Ada turns to her. He was a good boy.
I loved it more than anything I know.
She leads her to the car. Exterior cemetery, day Ada
looks down at Teddy's grave. Next to it, a tombstone
bears Ada's name and birthdate. Gina and Alexis stand a
few feet behind. A pastor speaks briefly with Ada, then
walks away. She turns to Alexis and Gina.
Do you mind terribly if I took moment alone?
Of course not.
She gives Ada a hug.
Take all the time you need. We'll be in the car.
Thank you.
I don't know what I would have done without you.
Both of you.
You've been so kind.
Gina and Alexis walked towards the car.
I'm worried about her, Alexis. She seems so lost and
she's so thin now. She was always slight, but I
think she's dropped ten pounds in the last couple of weeks.
She hardly eats a thing without Teddy to take care of.
She hardly knows what to do with herself.
Thank you for taking her case?
Are you kidding? I would have taken it even if
we weren't friends. You really care about her, don't you.
My mom used to always talk about Ada, how much
she admired her for keeping Teddy at home. My uncle
had cerebral palsy and my grandparents placed him in an institution,
so I think that really struck a court with Mom.
The attitude towards people with disabilities was so different back then.
Ada was kind of a pioneer. I guess what's going
to happen to her, Alexis.
I don't know.
I find it hard to imagine a jury would put
an eighty nine year old woman in prison given her circumstances,
But you never can tell. This case has a lot
of potential to stir up a lot of emotion. Prosecution
certainly seemed to be gunning for her for some reason. Thankfully,
her house has been cleared, so at least she can
go back home.
Without warning, Ada crumples to the ground.
Aya.
They run to Ada, kneel down on the ground next
to her. Alexis checks for a pulse. Ada, can you
hear me? Gina call nine one one. Ada opens her eyes,
reaches out of hand.
No, I'm all right. The heat just got to me.
I just need to lie down for a while. Please, Please,
I'm fine. I just I want to go home.
Alexis helps her sit up, checks her pulse again. Gina
runs to the car, dashes back with a bottle of water,
hands it to Alexis.
Here.
Alexis helps Ada take a sip of water better. Aida nods, okay,
let's get you two feet slowly now. They hoist Ada
to her feet, walk her to the car, help her
into the back seat. Gina shuts the door, turns to
Alexis with a worried look.
Alexis, you have got to get the prosecutor to make
a deal.
AIDA's knocked up for this.
I know.
I'll talk to her again. Interior Dana's office day. Dana
holds her desk phone to her ear. A mail clerk enters,
sets mail down in front of her. A familiar blue
envelope is on top. Dana sees the envelope in tenses,
nods a kurt thank you to the mail clerk.
Yes, thank you for your comments. I understand, just you know,
thank you, thank you very much.
She hangs up. The phone rings again. Almost immediately, she groans,
let's it go to her voicemail, throws the envelope in
the desk drawer with all the others. She flips open
the file in front of her, extracts a picture of Ada,
studies it. Alexis appears in the doorway. Good afternoon, mind
if I come in. Dana places the picture face down
on her desktop, indicates the chair across from her. Alexis
takes a seat on the corner of the desk.
I'd like to ask you to reconsider a deal. My
client collapsed today at her son's funeral. She's in no
shape for a trial.
Dana's phone rings. She ignores it.
I'm sorry to hear that she complete guilty. Avoid a
trial that way.
Alexis just looks at her.
Okay, then are you asking for a postponement?
No, Dana, I'm asking for a little compassion. The phone
rings again, do you need to answer that?
Dana picks up the receiver, sets it down with more
force than necessary.
Compassion, the same compassion she showed her son.
Sure, sure, let me just figure out how I'm going
to square that away with dozens of disability rights groups
who won't leave me alone.
Ah. She studies Dana, who automatically smooths her hair even
though it's perfect.
Was there something else?
It goes deeper than just winning this case, doesn't it?
I recognize it, that need for approval.
I'm sorry, what does that mean?
Alexis picks up a framed photo from Dana's desk, looks
at it, sets it back down.
This office won't help with that. Harvey has a way
of making you feel like you're not quite measuring up,
and before you know it, you've become someone you didn't
want to be.
I remember when this was my office. I was a
lot like you. Then Dana straightens the photo to her, liking.
Not to be rude.
But I don't think you know me well enough to
make that comparison.
Alexis walks around the office, inspects Dana's degree.
I was the only one in my family who went
to college, let alone law school.
My friends from the neighborhood accused me of thinking I.
Was better than them when I changed my name from Alejandra.
They said I'd always be from the bodyo no matter
what turns to face.
Dana, I was the only Mexican girl in my graduating class. Me,
a scrappy, foul mouth kid from the streets of East La,
graduating Summa cume loud.
From Stanford Law.
I had a lot of doubts of where I fit in,
but I always knew what I wanted to do and
what was that Alexa steps closer to her escape my past.
I poured myself into my work. I thought if I
could only work hard enough, long enough, sixteen eighteen hour days,
win every case, then I'd be good enough, worthy enough.
My past wouldn't matter. But I learned the past always matters, Dana.
You can't really go forward until you take a look
back in law and in life.
Dana's phone rings.
I'll be sure to remember that. Thanks for the advice.
Alexis moves to the door, turns back around.
Oh, by the way, we'll be arguing substantial capacity. Under
the circumstances. Ada couldn't appreciate the consequences of her actions.
After the jury hears her tragic story. I'm sure they'll agree.
Nice chatting with you, Dana. Don't let this office or
Harvey eat you up. She leaves, Dana choose a nail,
stares out the door. Harvey strolls in. Dana quickly pulls
her hand away from our mouth.
Was that Alexis Martinez I saw leaving? Yes, and she
didn't say hello. I'm hurt. What did the esteem Miss
Martinez want.
To rattle me?
Harvey?
I'm concerned about the strength of this case. The confession
is out and as of now we only.
Have two witnesses.
Do they both say she's guilty?
Yes, and I'm still waiting to hear back from the
medical examiner and the psychiatrist.
Then that's all you need. Don't let the lexus get
to you. She's a sharp lawyer. I should know I
taught her, but this case will likely be open and shut.
Well, she's arguing capacity. Maybe we should offer a deal.
He removes a cigar from a suit jacket pocket, goes
through the process of cutting and lighting it as he speaks.
Dana, do you know why I promoted you?
I assumed it was because I'm a hard worker who
does a good tub.
Because you're black or white, there's no middle ground with you,
no shades of gray. Someone's either right or they're wrong,
guilty or innocent. No, d Dana, that's what they call you.
Did you know that puffs on the cigar to light it.
You don't allow yourself to feel any empathy for the criminal.
And that's what makes you a great prosecutor. You have
the absolute courage of your convictions. You never waver, so
the jury never does. It's why you're sitting in this office,
and it's why you're trying this case. Don't go getting
soft on me now, Dana. I'd hate to find out
I was wrong about you.
He blows a puff of smoke exits. Dana retrieves a
bottle from a desk drawer, sprays a room freshener in
the air, then leans back in her chair stares at
the ceiling. The phone rings again. Dana exhils loudly and
to fact one.
So let's think ten well in that room break and
then we'll reprevent you too.
Cu Wait, this is fantastic you have Yeah, I mean