Ah!
Joe?
Oh! Oh my God.
Oh no!
911. What is your emergency?
Oh!
Emergency, what is your problem?
Hello?
Hello!
Good morning, professor.
Good morning, Joe.
Would the tranferees from Professor McDeere's class
please give me a show of hands.
Welcome.
I know it's rather late in the term
but the syllabus is the same
so it should be a pretty smooth transition.
Especially since we're on our last topic,
which is...
ethics and law.
Two words not often spoken in the same breath.
Ignore it at your own peril,
ladies and gentlemen.
You could risk ending your career before it's even begun.
So remember,
only fools...
- Break the rules. - That's right.
Yes! Alright, I would like to start today's class
with a quote from Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin.
Some of you may know him from the silent movie era.
"Man is animal, with primary instincts of survival.
"Consequently, his ingenuity has developed first,
"and his soul afterwards.
"Thus, the progress of science
is far ahead of Man's ethical behavior."
What do you think he means?
Yes, Mr. Vaughn?
I think he's saying that,
while primary instincts are inborn,
ethical behavior has to be learned.
Exactly! Ethical behavior.
So, who of you bright, young, would-be lawyers
can tell me what we mean
by "ethics"?
- Miss Hart? - Well, ethics is like
a system of moral standards or values.
Yes. Thank you.
Would anyone like to elaborate?
Oh, come on. At least Miss Hart consulted Websters.
No one else did their homework last night?
Yes, Mr.?
Van Sickle, Vance.
Ethics are a set of rules codified by an
established society. Do's and dont's
that dictate and govern acceptable social behavior.
Well said.
That doesn't make them right.
Like morality, they're just a set of
arbitrary rules imposed on us by society.
You are quite the cynic Mr. Van Sickle.
Moving forward, just so those of you
who just transferred in are clear, in my class
we follow the rules.
Moving on...
Who can give me
an early example of a code of conduct?
Anyone?
How about you, Mr. Van Sickle?
Mr. Van Sickle?
Mr. Van Sickle, I was asking if anyone could give me an example...
You can find the code of conduct pertaining to law
in the A.B.A.'s Rules of Professional Conduct, 1983.
And you thought I wasn't listening.
A.B.A.'s
Rules of Conduct.
1983.
This particular code
helps us to negotiate the ethical minefields
of a courtroom.
Pay particular attention to...
Rule 3, the responsibilities
of an attorney to the tribunal.
Read my lips, people. This is crucial!
This rule plays an integral part in your mock trials,
which...
are your final exam, and 60% of your final grade.
Okay, time is up for today.
Don't forget to check the board
for your presentation times.
Mr. Van Sickle?
May I see you, please.
You wanted to see me,
- Professor Grandacre? - Yes.
Look, I just want to make sure
you're not one of these students
who thinks they can rely on their good looks
and their charm just to get a good grade.
Absolutely not!
I'm on full scholarship so let me assure you,
I take my grades very seriously.
Good. I'm relieved to hear it.
Good. I'm glad.
I've worked very hard to get where I am today.
Very hard.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mrs. Grandacre.
Sounds like you really shut her down, man.
Listen, if anyone can handle Grandacre, though, it's you.
You already know it!
Do you think that's about McDeere?
How should I know?
They say he OD'd on his meds, man.
You need a ride home?
No, thanks. I've got my bike.
Vance! Vance!
Claire Hart?
Daughter of the Donald Hart,
as in, Lawson-Hart School of Law, Hart?
The one and only.
You have got no shot.
Care to wager a beer?
You're on!
Hi Vance. I'm glad I caught you.
Yeah, I'm glad you did too, Claire.
Oh. Claire, Arthur. Arthur, Claire.
Arthur was just leaving.
What?
Oh. Yeah. I was...
Nice meeting you.
Bye.
So, I just wanted to tell you
that I saw on the board we're going to be trial partners.
Wow! A Hart for an opponent!
Looks like I have my work cut out for me.
I mean, with all that free advice...
Oh, no. Not really.
My dad says doing this on my own
will make me a better lawyer, so...
That's one of the many reasons
many reasons I don't go to his school.
Probably a smart move.
So why did you pick defense?
Don't you want to get the bad guys?
I prefer to make sure innocent people are not wrongly convicted.
Yes, but you're going to wind up
defending the guilty a lot of the time.
I'm okay with that.
You will be mine.
Oho! Or not.
Come on!
Dude!
Vance, are you crazy?
Relax. If I thought you'd stand a chance,
- I wouldn't have done it. - Wow.
Bravo.
Hey. Check this out.
What?!
You got Claire's digits? Man!
I guess I do owe you that beer.
Oh, you owe me a lot more than that.
I let you crash here at my awesome hideout.
Yeah, I don't really get it, man.
Why don't you stay here with me?
Your dad gave it to you,
but you stay with your mom and your dipstick step-dad,
who you hate, and he hates you.
No, man. Too many bad memories here.
I like to just use it when I want to stay anonymous, you know.
Besides, I like to keep an eye out for my mom.
Make sure she's okay.
- Fair enough. - Hey!
Here's that essay you wanted on civil disobedience.
You are a life saver.
Hey! Remember to reword it.
Don't I always?
Thank you. You are a life saver, my friend.
And you're a profitable enterprise.
"While courts normally award damages to victims of negligence,
"those damages may be reduced if the victims themselves
"are found to be negligent.
"However, in a precedent-setting case, Gough vs. Thorne,
"the court decided to waive culpability
"in the case of a young child.
"Sui generis rule,
"setting aside previously established rule
in order to impart justice."
You're late.
Dinner's getting cold.
Hi, honey. How was your day?
Where were you?
I was at the library, working.
I'm so proud of you.
One more year and you'll be a real lawyer.
They serve beer at the library now, do they?
Go on, I made your favorites.
You were supposed to work with me at the garage today.
We made a deal.
I give you room and board, and you come down and help me.
With what time?
I carry a full load of classes and have to get perfect grades
or I lose my scholarship.
He's right, Paul. Honey, maybe you could
give some hours on Saturday or something.
I'll tell you what I get.
Bills up the kazoo.
I bust my butt, twenty-four/six,
just to keep our heads above water...
Maybe you should have worked harder in school.
You know what else I get? I get food on the table
for your mother and you and a roof over your head.
And now I get a 23-year-old deadbeat, living off his old man!
I told you. You are not my old man!
Damn right I'm not!
I don't go out boozing
and stealing cars, and then...
hang myself in jail.
What kind of a father does that?
And what kind of a man marries his brother's wife
two weeks after the funeral, huh?
- I'll kill you! - Vance! Stop, oh!
Stop. Stop!
I'm sorry, Mom. I lost my appetite.
I'll be in my room...
working!
Your kid has got no respect.
None!
Hey, honey!
You're late.
Yeah. Long day.
You know how that goes.
Yeah. But I'm only doing two days a week now, so...
not the way you know.
Isn't that the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen?
Hmm. Bet you say that about all the books.
Besides, I thought I was.
You are. But you're no...
rare illuminated Chaucer.
And I was just about to click "purchase," too.
But, it's too extravagant, isn't it.
Sure. I...
- Can I splurge? - Sure. Yeah.
Is there anything wrong?
No.
- Nothing's wrong. Why? - Because I'm about to
spend $800 on a book and that's fine to you.
You're off in la-la land, somewhere. What's going on?
Oh gosh. I don't know.
It's one of these new transfer students of mine.
He is extremely bright.
I read one of his old papers and he
analyzed this precedent-setting case like a pro.
It was impressive.
So what's the problem?
I don't know.
His overall... demeanor in class is arrogant.
Did this happen to take place during an ethics lesson?
You know how I feel when they don't take the rules seriously.
If I can just spare one of them from making the same mistake that I...
You can't. You can't.
The best you could ever hope for
is that they learn something useful from it.
And honey, your only mistake was being a little naive.
But you learned that there are vultures out there, didn't you?
And you learned how to survive.
Damn it!
This ruins my case.
Can't use this.
Hey, Professor Grandacre. Do you have a second?
Uh, actually no. I have a class right now
but if you want to make a...
It's about the mock trial. I need more time.
Ah, yeah, you and everyone else.
Listen, despite what you may have heard.
I, in no way, expect perfection.
Just do the best you can.
Yeah, but, I do...
so if you could just
switch me with someone presenting later?
No. I can't. It's too late.
And it wouldn't be fair to the others or your partner.
It's what I said in class, isn't it?
The lame remarks? Look. I'm sorry...
It has nothing to do with that, okay?
I cannot offer you more time and not offer it to the others.
I can't make one rule for you
and a different rule for the rest of the class.
What if there were extenuating circumstances?
Such as?
Look, Mr. Van Sickle, my best advice to you
is just to buckle down and do the best you can.
Excuse me.
Yo! Yo! Van, Van!
I need to tell you something...
- Not now, man. - Hey, dude...
- Don't touch me, man. - Whoa!
Bro! I was just going to say that I...
God! Dude!
And so, in summary,
my client's speed was not the cause of the accident.
The main cause, in fact, was the plaintiff,
running into the street.
Your Honor, according to the Doctrine of Comparative Negligence
I do not have to prove that the defendant's
negligence was the sole cause of the accident.
Just a contributing factor.
Look, at 3:00 pm, in front of a school,
regardless of his speed, it was foreseeable
that a 6-year-old child might run into the street.
Foreseeable? Come on!
Is the prosecution suggesting
my client should have been clairvoyant?
This was not a pedestrian crossing.
There was no crossing guard present.
The court must recognize
that the plaintiff was contributorily negligent
In support, I cite the case of Froom vs. Butcher.
"In cases where
"the plaintiff's own culpable conduct is a factor
"the court shall reduce the award of any damages
according to the level of the fault of the plaintiff."
Miss Hart,
can you offer me any reasons why the court
would not find your client culpable?
She's a child, your honor.
I mean, is that fair?
Be that as it may, this is a court of law.
As such, we are only concerned with statutes and precedents,
not notions of fairness.
Can you cite any precedents?
I, um...
No, your honor.
I have one more thing to add, your honor.
Under the modified Comparative Negligence rule,
if the plaintiff's own negligence
constitutes more than 50% of the fault,
the plaintiff is not entitled to any damages at all.
Wait! Objection. 50%...
The child did run into
a busy street, between parked cars, your honor.
Objection overruled.
I do have one final question for you, Mr. Van Sickle.
Is there any reason you know of,
why the court should not reduce the award to the plaintiff?
Well, based on the given circumstances
and the current laws of this state,
none whatsoever.
You're certain?
Well based on my research, absolutely!
Very well.
I, uh, find for the prosecution.
This court is adjourned.
What? You mean I won?
Congratulations, Miss Hart.
Are you kidding me?
I proved my case.
I am very disappointed in you Mr. Van Sickle.
Gough vs. Thorne.
Sui generis rule, "A child under the age of seven
cannot be held responsible for his conduct."
You wrote an essay on it for
Professor McDeere's class.
It was eloquently written, in fact.
I could not have more strongly emphasized
that an attorney has an obligation
to fully disclose
any relevant material.
My first obligation is to my client, okay.
It was the prosecution's responsibility
to find the cases that support her argument.
Why are you penalizing me for her stupid mistake?
W-What?
Would you please excuse us, Miss Hart.
You well know, by not citing that case
you broke Rule 3.
That case would have sunk my whole defense.
That is irrelevant.
You are missing the whole point of this exercise.
The goal was not to necessarily win
but to play the game ethically.
You had other
options, Mr. Van Sickle.
You could have argued that Gough vs. Thorne
didn't apply to this case, or simply acknowledged
that because of the child's age
the award should not have been reduced.
Okay, well, how will this affect my grade?
Look...
Grades will be out next week.
- I need to know now! - Okay.
What you just did was tantamount to cheating.
This is your final exam.
You know the penalty.
You think you can fail me?
You did this to yourself.
Let go of me, Vance.
Ugh!
Oh good. You're here.
Dean Castle wants to see you at 4:00.
Oh. Uh, maybe it's about my grant application.
Here,
it looks like you need this more than I do.
Am I misunderstanding?
Are you saying that the approval of my grant is
somehow dependent on Mr. Van Sickle's grade?
No. Of course not.
But, we cannot risk an appeal hearing.
Now look, Van Sickle
is under the sponsorship of Lawson-Hart,
at this university's recommendation, so,
if they don't get the expected return on their investment
they just might consider pulling future investment.
Catch my drift?
Oh, I'm starting to.
Other benefactors may follow suit
and without that investment,
we'd have to consider pulling other programs...
like your grant.
The grant to establish an ethics board?
Huh, yeah, well, it's ironic I know, but, uh,
no funds... no grants.
It's as simple as that.
Ugh!
Abby...
Look. For two years,
until your final exam,
the boy was able to maintain
a B+ average to secure his scholarship.
So, all I'm suggesting is that you investigate
to see if there are other circumstances
that might warrant consideration. Okay?
Look, he deserves at least that much.
Oh. Did Mr. Van Sickle happen to mention
why he failed? Did he?
- He misled the court. - Abby, you know
I would never condone breaking the rules. Right?
But... sometimes you've just got to bend them a little.
Ahh. I don't believe it.
It's an ethics class! What...?
Okay, okay, fine!
Then, look, how about a compromise, huh?
I mean... have him have
an "incomplete" now, instead of an F.
You know, let him do a make-up test
or a paper or something, I mean...
A make-up test? Final grades are due next week.
I'll give you a week extension.
Okay? Yeah, yeah.
A week extension. Anything but a hearing!
Fine.
Fine. I'll agree.
Okay, if he can get in an assignment by next week
and you agree that his final grade
depends on that assignment.
Fair enough. All right.
See...
a little flexibility.
No harm done.
Oh, no. Thank you.
So tell me...
Just politics.
Hey, can you pull up McDeere's grades on a particular student?
Sure.
Enjoy your night, ladies.
Okay.
Okay, 4,3,2,
- 2,3,4. That's an easy one. - Beyond easy!
Legal Profession A,
Van Sickle, Vance.
Is that the one that failed trial?
- Yeah. - Hmm.
Well that's an A-average.
- Oh, with your F. - Yeah. I know. Thanks.
Mullnomah Blvd. That's off Highway 12, right?
Yeah. That's the other side of the tracks.
He must have worked really hard to get here.
God, I can't believe I let him get away with that.
What was that?
He grabbed my arm today. Hard!
- Did you tell Castle? - Yeah.
Well, I tried. No.
Abby! Why the hell not?
That is totally unacceptable!
Why wouldn't you go straight to Castle with that?
Don't you think I know that. Because I want the grant.
He had me over a barrel, okay?
No funds, no grant.
What are you doing?
What are you doing!
Were you planning to hide these from me again?
When did you start up with these?
You know what? Here, stop it!
- Look at you! - Are you happy?
- You are so wound up! - I get, I get headaches!
You're about to snap!
Is this kid somehow triggering some of
your past issues, or something?
I have not seen you like this in a long time.
- Really? - Yeah!
My past issues?
Okay, why are you getting headaches then?
Why are you getting nightmares?
I see you at night, you're having nightmares. Why?
It's been three years. Why?
And what's next? The panic attacks?
I think we need to find someone...
Oh, you want to find somebody? Shall we find somebody?
A therapist? Are they going to grade my papers for me?
Are they going to deal with this situation with the kid and Castle...
They can help you!
These pills...
are not going to help you.
Are they? We know that!
I have had a really long day.
I am tired. I just want to go to sleep.
I want to wake up and start over.
Look. It's just a few more weeks.
I'll either get the grant, or I won't.
Okay, the, the situation with the kid
and Castle, it will get resolved.
If this is still happening then,
I will talk to someone.
Okay?
Hey.
You okay?
Uh... No. I'm not.
What is it?
The same thing happened to him.
Who and what are you talking about?
The student that I was telling you about last night...
His father was wrongly convicted. And...
he hung himself.
Okay. I think you should take a nice deep breath
and try not to let all that pain and guilt
come rushing back to you, after all your hard work.
I did that to someone.
I did that to someone and it and the same outcome.
We've been over this a million times.
You have to stop blaming yourself for doing your job.
Oh God.
Stan, that is easier said than done.
Look. I have to go. I'm working.
Abby?
Oh... Vance.
You're, uh, you're early.
Is this a bad time?
No. Not at all.
You just caught me taking my allergy medication.
Sorry.
Allergies are the worst. Right?
Huh. Yes.
- So you heard I appealed? - Yeah. I did.
And I talked to Dean Castle,
and he has offered a solution
which I am willing to consider
as long as we can come to an agreement.
I'm relieved to hear that.
Well, your past records
have earned you that consideration.
Your lowest grade is a B.
That's impressive, and you've only gotten one of them.
I do realize the impact your grades have on your position here
so that's why I'm willing to reconsider.
I really appreciate that.
Do you remember
the day I stopped you in the hall
and mentioned extenuating circumstances?
Well, I was
reluctant to tell you the truth, because I...
I didn't want you to think
I was playing the sympathy card.
My mom's been fighting cancer.
Oh God.
Vance, I'm... I am so sorry.
So when I found Gough vs. Thorne
I realized I'd have to rework my whole defense.
Normally I'd be up to the challenge, but
spending so much time at the hospital...
watching her suffer.
Then with my other finals...
and helping out at home. Not eating. Not sleeping.
Did you ever feel so... overwhelmed
that you thought you'd just...
totally lose it?
Yeah. Of course.
I think everyone has at some point in their life.
So you, um, you mentioned a solution?
Um, yeah, yes.
Uh, Dean Castle and I agreed that
should circumstances warrant,
which I now see that they do,
and you were willing to, uh,
do a make-up exam by next week,
I'd be willing to change the failure into the deserving grade.
Wow!
Sure, I'll do anything.
My whole future is at stake.
I'm sure you'll do just fine.
I'll have the make-up assignment by tomorrow.
I don't know how to thank you.
Look, just
follow the rules. That's thanks enough.
I understand your passion.
I read your father's case.
So now you know why I'm so determined
to succeed here and become a defense lawyer.
To protect other innocents
from false convictions.
Thank you, Mrs. Grandacre.
Hello.
Hi. This is Professor Grandacre
from Green Cove University...
What did he do now?
Excuse me?
Vance! What did he do now?
Uh, no, no.
I'm sorry, I... Who am I speaking with?
His stepfather.
Oh, okay, uh...
I was just calling to check because I was...
I was a bit concerned about Vance
and all he's been dealing with, with his mother's sickness.
What the hell are you talking about?
I'm sorry. I, uh...
My wife is perfectly healthy.
Look. I don't know what that boy's been telling you,
Professor, but I'd be careful what you believe.
Yeah.
What the hell do you think you're doing?
What?
Hey!
Jeez!
Don't even think about
touching those guns. Ever!
That's what my dad used to say to me.
Why are you so cranky, man?
Thought you said Grandacre fell for it.
Yeah. She did.
But how the hell was I supposed to know she'd call my house.
She's gonna pull my make-up assignment from me now.
Man, you are screwed.
She's going to fail your butt!
There's got to be a way.
Think of something, dammit!
Have you ever searched her?
I mean, there's nowhere to hide on the net, man.
Maybe we can find something incriminating.
Come on. Let's check it out.
I got this.
Whoa! Check this out, man.
It sounds like your dad.
"Still proclaiming his innocence,
"John Ross, convicted of grand larceny,
"prosecuted by A.D.A. Abigail Grandacre
hanged himself in a courthouse holding cell today."
You've got to be kidding me.
"The case raises
"embarrassing questions for the D.A.
"Especially since A.D.A. Grandacre failed to mention
"that there was a witness who came forward
to offer Ross an alibi."
Then what?
Says she resigned before they filed any criminal charges.
She got away with it
and she failed me on an ethics charge!
Wait, hold on.
Whoa! Hold on. There's more.
A couple of months later she was put into a mental institution.
She's psycho, man! Ha!
I can use this. I'll ruin her.
You're not going to, like, do something crazy, are you?
I need a way to get into the grade site
and change my grade myself.
Okay. That is crazy.
I mean, this site's probably fire-walled up the kazoo.
What are you going to do? Break into her house
and hack into her computer?
And you're going to help me.
No. No, I am not.
That's breaking and entering.
No, no, no. Listen.
All you have to do is
be my driver and my lookout.
Well, unless you'd rather cop to cheating all year.
And you still have two more year's worth
of papers you'll be needing. Hey,
tell you what...
I'll make you the deal of a lifetime.
You help me out
and I'll give you all of my old A-papers...
free.
Okay, but just the lookout and driver.
Hey. So I'll meet you at 12:00,
but if you need anything I'll be in my office, okay?
Okay, bye.
Aah! Professor G.
Mr. Fine. What are you doing in this building?
I haven't graded your final yet.
Grant vs. Foster was the main case though, right?
If you make an appointment,
I will be happy to go over everything with you.
But right now I have a ton of papers to grade,
including yours.
Okay, cool! That's awesome!
Excuse me.
Sorry.
Oh!
Have you seen him yet?
No.
No, I sent him a message informing him
that the make-up assignment was off the table.
And I referred him to you.
Yes. He called to make an appointment.
He sounded really desperate.
Look, in my book, there is no excuse
for this kind of blatant dishonesty.
Actions have consequences.
Yes, they do.
For all of us.
But...
you gave him every benefit of the doubt, as I asked. And...
well, given his actions...
there's no other decision that can be reached.
Well. He seems like a...
very resourceful young man.
Perhaps he'll find another way.
If nothing else, he certainly is resourceful.
- Have a good weekend. - You too.
Hello, professor.
Hey, I just want you to know, I understand.
You're just doing your job.
No hard feelings.
I will break you.
Are you threatening me?
Excuse me? What did I say?
I couldn't hear you.
Mr. Van Sickle.
I think you'd better come inside.
Joe?
God!
What's going on?
I just saw something
just run out in front of the car. It was...
It looked like a person but it was faster.
- Hm. Was probably a coyote. - No. It was bigger than that.
A deer then.
I'm sure it was nothing.
I don't see anything. I'll drive it up.
Okay.
Dammit!
I don't like this at all.
Whoo!
Come on, man.
Alright! Time to get out of here!
Stan. Stan!
- What? - Shhhh.
You okay? You have a bad dream?
I wasn't dreaming. I heard something downstairs.
I don't hear anything.
Stan, please go.
Be careful.
That's it. My manuscript fell on the floor!
Check your office doors.
Locked!
All clear.
How did the book fall over?
Probably too close to the edge or something.
Oh my God! Finally!
Let's go. Let's get out of here.
Okay, I admit it. I'm addicted.
Come to papa, baby.
Abby!
It's impossible!
So we've either been hacked, or...
one of our bank cards has been scammed.
Honey, did you see the date and the time?
He was here last night.
He was in our house. He didn't hack us.
He broke into our house!
He was here!
Do you have any idea how paranoid that sounds?
All the doors were locked. He's not getting in.
Okay, fine! Do you have a better explanation then?
Well yeah, as a matter of fact.
Uh, it's one that you're not going to like.
But, isn't it possible, just possible...
that you made a purchase and just
- don't remember it. - Seriously? You're saying...
Well you've been under a lot of stress lately
and all the medications you've been taking...
Two!
- I take two medications! - We know that Rembatol
makes people sleepwalk and even drive in their sleep,
and they have no memory of it afterwards.
And you remember yourself. Don't you?
It hasn't been that long.
Yeah. I-I cannot believe that you're saying this to me right now.
Stan.
What is it?
What if I am losing it again?
And wh-what if this is happening all over again?
I don't remember doing any of that stuff. I don't remember...
I hear you. It's going to be okay.
And I'm sorry about earlier.
I wasn't listening to how you were feeling.
I think I'm ready to call Dr. Lieberman and get that referral.
Okay.
And I called the police. They're sending a detective over.
Just in case.
Thanks, detective.
If anything else comes to mind, please call me.
I would suggest that you change your locks today
and get an alarm system put in as soon as you can.
Especially since you guys are somewhat remote here.
It just made it easier for whoever this was.
Good. Thank you for your time.
A pleasure.
Hi. Arthur. Nice to meet you.
Would you excuse us for a second?
I tried everything, man.
I was right. The grade site's fire-walled.
I did some research.
There's only two other computers that have access,
and they're both in Castle's office.
And the only person, besides him, that has access
to change the grades is the assistant.
Then that leaves only one other option.
I make her change the grade.
I'm out, man.
- I mean it! - They'll kick you out for plagiarism.
That's a lot better than hard time for assault.
Okay, we'll meet at your place, talk later.
Hello, professor.
Look, you can play-act innocent
all you want. I am not buying it!
I don't know what you mean.
No, you don't? You didn't break into my house?
You didn't hack into my bank account?
Those are some serious allegations, professor, I...
I hope you can back them up or I might have to sue for defamation.
This stops now!
Do you here me? Or I will make sure
that you never practice law.
Are you threatening me?
In front of all of these witnesses?
Get to class. All of you!
Why don't we just get to what this is really about?
You screwed up.
Nothing you say, nothing you do,
is going to intimidate me to change your grade.
Oh yes, you will.
There's no evidence.
Even that cop you talked to
won't find anything.
You change that grade or your life will be such hell
you will beg for me to stop.
How dare you!
I assume you have somewhere
where you should be, Mr. Van Sickle.
Yes, sir.
Hey, Abby, Abby, Abby, Abby!
Hey, you alright?
Yeah. Yeah, I will be.
I, uh, I have to proctor.
- Excuse me. - Well obviously
we have a great deal to discuss.
Look, Dean...
Abby, look, I'm a lawyer too.
And I pass no judgments until I've heard all the facts.
Look. Just take a moment. Catch your breath.
Come and see me after your proctor.
Oh God!
- You okay, professor? - Uh, no. I'm okay. Thank you.
Please pass out your... tests.
Don't open them until the bell rings.
I don't feel good...
- Oh my God! - Is she okay?
Are you okay?
Oh my God, Mrs. Grandacre?
- Call 911. - Call a nurse.
- I-I'm okay. - I know you're okay, honey.
But you're going to go to the hospital anyway.
I love you, honey. I'm so sorry.
Oh please! I love you too.
I'm going to follow the ambulance.
I'll be right there, alright?
- Mr. Grandacre. - Yeah?
Is she taking any other medication?
Uh, yeah. Rembatol.
Rembatol?
That definitely could be the culprit.
Especially if she took more than one.
She usually only takes one, occasionally,
just to help her sleep.
May I?
Sure.
The pills actually look exactly alike.
The only difference between the two, is Marvan has
MAR etched on the side.
But they'll do all the blood tests at the hospital.
Well, we won't need to wait for those results.
This is Rembatol, REM.
That's him. He did this.
I'll take these.
So, it's the same as the McDeere case.
Medication switched.
Well, she's luckier than him.
She should be out of the hospital in a few hours.
I'm going to need a warrant
for that Van Sickle kid.
I'm going to follow you for a while, alright?
Then I'll stop and get some dinner.
Okay. Thanks.
Careful, please.
Thanks for picking up dinner, hon.
Of course. How are you feeling?
Mmm.
Oh, that's the locksmith.
Hello.
Hello, Abby.
You're never going to get away with this, you little bastard.
Come on, counselor!
No evidence, no case. You know that!
The police can trace this call.
You honestly think I'd use
my own phone?
Now look at that.
I see Stan-the-man is changing the locks.
Imagine what a long-range rifle
could do right about now.
Pow!
Listen to me...
This is between you and me.
You leave Stan out of this!
- I didn't hear you say please. - Please!
Who's in control now, Abby?
You are.
Sorry. I didn't hear you.
You are!
Okay, look. I'll...
I'll do whatever you want, I don't...
You'll do whatever I want, and then maybe
I'll consider leaving you alone.
I'll change your grade, okay?
I-I don't even care any more.
Smart girl!
Now here's what you're going to do.
The deadline is midnight.
So you're going to call Castle right now,
and tell him I handed in the paper and got an A.
And an A-minus for the course.
You got that?
No. No, it won't work.
He's already left for the day.
I have an idea. Meet me at the school, okay?
I can't tell Stan. After everything
you've done, he will never let me leave.
It's... It's going to have to be after he's asleep.
You'd better not be messing with me.
I told you. I will do it!
Just meet me at 11:15.
What about security?
Uh, security, they see me
come and go all day long. It's fine.
How do I get in there?
I will... I will leave the west stairwell open, okay?
I'll tell them that I need to bring up stuff from my car.
You've got yourself a date.
Vance?
When this is done, I get my life back.
Of course.
Well, apparently we now have the best locks money can buy.
Guess we should do the alarm next, huh?
I feel safer already.
I'm not going to feel safe until that lunatic is behind bars.
I keep telling you, that's not going to happen without any evidence.
Speaking of which, was Keyes on the phone?
- No. It was just my sister. - Okay, I'm going to call Keyes
because I want the police to put a car out front.
- Tonight, if possible. - No!
You just said that the locks are good, so what?
Besides, I... I made a decision.
I think there's an easy solution to all of this. I...
I'm going to change his grade, Stan.
I don't care any more, you know?
I'm through standing on principle.
We can't live like this.
Just promise me you'll do it over the phone, okay?
Okay.
Sorry to disrupt your dinner.
I'm looking for Vance Van Sickle.
So are we.
Haven't seen him in a couple of days.
Have any idea where he might be?
He's always gone for long stretches at a time.
May I?
I have a warrant to search the premises.
Can you show me his room?
Yes. It's that way.
Where was this taken?
That's where his father lived.
No one's lived there since he died.
I'm going to need that address.
Vance Van Sickle!
Gun missing from a lock up here.
Clear over here!
Be thorough.
He's smart.
He knows the law.
Hey. Bag this.
Abby?
Dammit!
- Keyes? - Mr. Grandacre,
I need to speak to Abigail.
Professor?
Yes, Joe?
I unlocked the records office, so you're all set.
I'm off doing my rounds,
so just lock up the front doors after yourself.
You bet. Thanks.
4, 3, 2... 2, 3, 4.
You started without me.
I was just setting up. You're early.
Dying to know how you got my key.
No dying until you change my grade.
Seriously, how did you get it?
You type in "How to make a copy of a key,"
on the interwebs.
You were pretty clever about switching out my pills.
Ah, the resemblance
was just dumb luck.
All simple.
Is that what you did to McDeere?
Because he gave you a B-minus?
Now if I told you that was the case,
that would be a bit self-incriminating, wouldn't it?
Vance...
I'm ready.
Good.
What if I had died?
I wouldn't be able to change your grade.
I saw you only took two at a time.
Two Rembatol will mess you up, but it won't kill you.
Calculated risk.
Uh-huh!
Allow me.
Now that wasn't so painful, was it?
Vance.
This is Abigail Grandacre. Please leave a message.
Abigail!
Joe!
Joe! Joe!
Dammit!
Abigail!
- Dispatch. - 4th Street Division?
There's a gunman on campus.
Okay, backup is on its way.
Okay. I'm almost there. Send backup.
Security from the university just called.
Listen to me.
You stay in this car!
Security says they're in the administration building
and Van Sickle's got a gun.
You two go that way.
You stay three steps behind me, you hear?
- Okay. - Let's go.
Hold it right there, son.
Drop it!
Okay.
Yes, sir.
Now, kick it over.
Aah! No!
Sounds like it's coming from the gym.
Day of reckoning, Abby!
Time to meet your judge and jury!
Or should I say, executioner.
Aah!
Back!
Hon, are you hurt? You okay?
Oh honey!
Are you okay?
Am I under arrest?
No!
No, Abigail, you are the victim here.
It's over. It's over.
It's okay. It's all over. It's all over.
It's over, honey, it's over.
Here you go, Abigail.
Well deserved!
The board unanimously decided
that we could all use lessons in ethics.
Thank you, sir.
Thank you.
You are probably wondering why I wrote all the question marks.
Well, this quote from Jacob Bronowski
offers an explanation.
"The values, by which we are to survive, are not
"rules for just and unjust conduct,
"but are those deeper illuminations, in whose light,
"justice and injustice, good and evil
"means and ends
are seen in fearful sharpness of outline."
So, I have posted your first assignment
on the computer blackboard, which is
"To find and explain
ten definitions to the word 'ethics'"
and evaluate each definition to the following yardstick...
Are ethics or codes of conduct
merely external sets of rules to be blindly followed?
Or, do they rather originate in the light of
an inner illumination,
viewed through a lens of a greater morality?
I have often had to ask myself
the same question.
I, uh, have made the mistake
and it cost an innocent life.
That's something that I have to live with.
And I would like to save you all from making the
same mistake.
So, any questions?
I do, professor.