Perri O’Shaughnessy - Breach Of Promise

Diane: This system is really fucked. This woman has a right to something from him, but what she really deserves is his loyalty and his love and nothing we do is going to give her that.

Kevin: You sound like that sassy, sly little thing, her lawyer. The next thing you’ll say is, the money is meaningless. Therefore, let’s toss a few mil her way.

Diane: Not at all. But let’s put this in perspective. He’s got dough to blow, and he owes her.

Kevin: That kind of thinking really steams me. Just because there’s plenty, she should get some? That’s so specious. Why, that makes us no better than a common mugger on the street.

Bob: Our job is to put a stop to these crazy claims the system is doling out. I’m not gonna be one of those jurors who forks over millions to someone just because there’s money out there.

Diane: Here’s something else everyone should consider. Those lawyers presenting the case. They are the hired help. They will say anything they can get away with to get you to believe them.

Discussion follows about the lawyers being in it for the money.

Wright: Let’s move back to the issues. Anyone?

Frank: Back to the ersatz marriage in the church. Remember, at that point they had barely met. They were heavy into the courtship phase. So he got down on bended knee with her. Like kids, they played at getting married. He was wooing her.

Ignacio: Yes, but why do it? Why make this kind of spiritual promise at all?

Frank: That’s simple. He did it to get her into his bed. Actions speak louder than words, you know. Let’s get this through our thick skulls. He never married her. End of discussion.

Cliff: So we’re agreed she’s a liar, and…

Mrs. Lim: You know, that’s awfully harsh, calling her that. And I wonder if it isn’t a deliberate attempt to make us forget the evidence in this case, using inflammatory words that make us dislike her.

Cliff: I apologize for using the word if it offends. And flattered you imply I’m such a master manipulator I can make anybody do anything. But point taken. We’ll watch how we characterize the plaintiff…

Diane: (very quietly) Cliffy, I think you know a whole lot about manipulating people, don’t you?

Kevin: I don’t recall any evidence in her favor. What I remember were the four points of evidence his attorney made. They weren’t married. She was employed by the company. All the paperwork supports his claim that he’s sole owner of the business. And she agreed in writing to keep their property separate.

Courtney: He wanted a wife but I think he was afraid of the responsibility.

For a few moments, there’s silence.

Cliff: You’re awfully quiet over there. Sonny, do you have anything to contribute to this discussion?

Sonny: It’s almost five. Let’s vote.

They vote again. It’s seven to five in favor of Lindy Markov. Movement, as the chairs are pushed back. Sounds of people milling around.

Diane: You did it, didn’t you? Changed your vote.

Maribel: Diane, have a heart. I don’t have any sponsors. I have a job. And seven bucks a day for jury duty is not going to keep me in panty hose.

Diane: Your employer should pay you for the days you miss.

Maribel: Oh, they will. But you know what? Out of sight, out of mind. I don’t want my replacement to become a permanent fixture.

Diane: What about Lindy? You must have thought she had a case. You voted for her once.

Maribel: I like her. I wish her well. But she lied up there, and I can’t read her mind. I don’t know what the facts are in this case, but I do know, I feel like I’m on a catamaran, jumping from one side to the other. It was that way all through the trial. I’ve totally lost my balance. I don’t know what to think.

Diane: This process is supposed to help you come to your own conclusions…

Maribel: I guess it has. I’ve concluded it’s not going to get any clearer, even if I listen to a hundred people arguing.

Diane: We can help you think this through. Just give us a chance. Keep an open mind…

Maribel: Let’s console ourselves with the idea that, in the end, if she loses, like Kris said, she’s still riding around in a better boat than me.

Courtney: (whispering) Kevin! Get your hand off my knee. I mean it. Right now.

Kevin: (also whispering) I’ve seen the way you look at me.

Ignacio: You okay, Courtney?

Courtney: I… I am now.

Ignacio: Would you mind changing seats? Bob won’t mind.

Courtney: Good idea.

Movement.

Bob: Heard you were hard up for company, Kev. Or maybe it’s your deodorant.

Kevin: So the young buck’s got some spirit in him after all.

A few more comments, a few complaints about having to return for another day, and they adjourn.

›Click‹

›Click‹

Jury, Day Two, Morning:

Mrs. Lim: I thought a lot last night. It seems to me we talked all day yesterday about the superficial evidence. What about the deep thing that kept this couple celebrating anniversaries for twenty years?

Bob: And off we go for another grand tour on the Love Boat.

Mrs. Lim: They shared family. Remember his niece called her “aunt.” They had a home, a life, a business together. They relied on each other to make big decisions. They presented themselves as husband and wife.

Maribel: Which is more than you can say for some married people.

Mrs. Lim: So why wouldn’t she believe what he told her and follow his advice? Why shouldn’t she compromise sometimes, bend to him. She loved him, thought they would be together for life, and in an old-fashioned manner, showed her respect for him as a man by letting him have things his way.

Papers shuffle.

These two people were very close on every level. They understood each other very well. After all those years living together as though they were legally bound, we now know she was lulled into a false sense of security, yes. But even he said he always promised her he would take care of her. Because she loved and trusted him, she believed him. I believe he meant those words when he spoke them, too. You see? They had agreements, and they were very explicit agreements, mutually understood.

Grace: They understood each other, that’s right.

Courtney: You’re saying they really had a marriage of true minds.

Mrs. Lim: Yes.

Ignacio: That looks on tempests and is never shaken.

Courtney: You like Shakespeare?

Ignacio: It was my mother’s favorite sonnet.

Kris: Hello? (She raps on the table.) Can we save the romance for Saturday night?

Mrs. Lim: And how about this? See, it says right here. “The law protects a partner in business against someone who breaks his word. They should each take their share.” She was an equal partner. They had desks right by each other. He broke many promises. The law should protect her.

Cliff: What’s that you’re reading?

Mrs. Lim: My notes from the trial.

Cliff: I don’t think that was testimony, was it? That sounds like one of those lawyers during the arguments.

Bob: And I thought we agreed the lawyers are as full of self-interest as the parties in this conflict, so beware.

Cliff: I believe we are supposed to ask the judge to have anything read back from the transcript.

Kris: Oh, let’s not do that. Then we go back into the court, and come back here. That’ll take forever.

Cliff: We should not rely on our memories if we’re not sure about something.

Mrs. Lim: Listen, Mr. Wright, my notes are accurate! Are you saying I made this up?

Cliff: Mrs. Lim, no need to get so emotional. Of course your notes are not intentionally wrong. Anyway, we’ve gotten way off the track here. Where’s the piece of paper that shows they had a marriage? They didn’t, and all the talk about how they lived is beside the point.