December 22, 1999
Scene 1: Towers
(Ross walks into Towers and waits for the other party to get there. He talks to Josh and Olivia for a second. Danny walks in after that.)
Danny: Roos, hi. Thanks for meeting me.
Ross: Yeah. How's Michelle? (Finally! Someone who seems to care that she's in jail!)
Danny: Uh, desperate. We both are. Now, before you say anything, let me say what I have to say. We did hire a lawyer. He's very good (According to who?), but Michelle is not happy with him. (Well, that makes two of us.) She wants you, Ross. (Hmm...If I didn't know better, that could sound kind of kinky...) You're the only lawyer that she trusts. And the way things look right now, Ross, you could be our only hope.
Scene 2: Towers
Ross: Danny, I am the victim's brother. That is a monumental conflict of interest. (Yeah, I would say so!)
Danny: Not if she waives her right to appeal, Ross.
Ross: No, no. She should not do that. She should not waive her right to appeal.
Danny: You knew about this, didn't you You knew that, and you still didn't offer.
Ross: No, I didn't offer.
Danny: Why the--why not?
Ross: I am the victim's brother. (I believe we have established that.)
Danny: Don't you think that would just help with the jury?
Ross: It could hurt, too. Now listen to me. It is common knowledge that there was very bad blood between me and my brother. Now, some people could see a plot in there to keep the real killer from going to jail. (*Sarcastically* Oh, yeah--I know that's what I thought!)
Danny: That's alright. We'll take that risk, Ross.
Ross: I won't. No. Don't you think I want to help Michelle more than I'm doing? I have known that girl all her life. Ed Bauer is my best friend. I'd do anything to help her. (Well, obviously not ANYthing.)
Danny: Those--those are all reasons that you should take the case!
Ross: Well, there's a big one why I shouldn't. If I mess it up, if something happens, Michelle is going to have to accept the conviction. There will be no appeal, ever, because she will have waived that right.
Danny: Ross, I understand that. So does Michelle. But Michelle trusts you, and that means that I trust you. And we trust that you would not make any mistakes. (That's kinda putting alot of pressure on the man, don't ya think??)
Ross: Well, it is a moot point because I have accepted a civil case in Philadelphia. It starts at the beginning of the year.
Danny: What, you're just going to take off for a couple of months to argue some case about--about real estate boundaries?
Ross: Something like that.
Danny: Please. Don't close the door on me. (He starts getting choked up here and his eyes are feeled with tears.) This...this is my wife. This is the woman that I care about. This is the woman who changed my life. And I can't live without her. I mean, don't you have any idea what that's like?
Scene 3: Towers
Danny: I've tried everything, Ross. I...I have detectives scouring this town, looking for anyone who saw Michelle either at the cemetary or the ice cream store the night of the murder. I tried going after this witness. (Of all the stupid ideas...Oops--did I say that out loud? Danny takes off his jacket here--ooh, baby! lol Sorry, I love his grey v-neck sweater!)
Ross: Yeah, I heard about that. What were you thinking?
Danny: She's lying. The fact that she took off proves that she's lying.
Ross: Not to the police it doesn't.
Danny: Well, I am desperate. I tried to get Michelle to divorce me so that she--
Ross: (Cutting him off.) What?! What?!
Danny: Because I don't want her to walk into that trial as a Santos.
Ross: That won't work.
Danny: I know, that's what my lawyer said. And then he thought that maybe we could offer myself up as a suspect. Michelle and I both had motives; we both had access to the physical evidence. (Yeah, but I don't think the gloves would fit you. I have a feeling they might fit Michelle.)
Ross: Present you as reasonable doubt?
Danny: Yeah.
Ross: Grant suggested this?
Danny: Yeah.
Ross: It's dumb. (Very.) It's a very bad idea.
Danny: Well, his only other idea was to make Michelle do a plea bargain. She'd spend 10 years in jail, at least! That's why she needs you, Ross. Can you imagine Michelle in jail? She would die. (I wouldn't go THAT far.) I'm not going to let that happen to her.
Ross: Alright, Danny. You are not thinking. It's all emotion, and you don't need that right now.
Danny: I'm--I'm...I'm wasting my time, aren't I? You obviously don't understand.
Ross: I do understand. Probably better than you do. (Gets a faraway look in his eyes.)
Scene 4: Towers
Ross: I knew what it's like to love someone beyond all reason, and I know what those feelings can do. It could hurt you and the person that you say you love.
Danny: (Sounding oh-so-adorable with an oh-so-adorable look on his face.) I do love Michelle.
Ross: Good, I'm glad you do, but you're not going to do her any good in jail, are you
Danny: Ross, I don't care what happens to me.
Ross: Oh, please, don't say things like that.
Danny: No, I don't have a life without Michelle.
Ross: Danny, yes, you do. Believe it or not, you do. You will not die if you are not with Michelle. (Yes, he will! And if he doesn't, then I can name alot of people--myself included--who would die!) You will still be here, but specifically where are you. That's what matters.
Danny: (Shaking his head and stands up to leave.) I'm sorry I wasted my time.
Ross: If I can find a way to represent Michelle, I want you both to understand the enormous risk.
Danny: Of course we do. We do.
Ross: Alright, then. If you're willing, I'll do it. (Yes!!! Buh-bye, Grant!)
Danny: Thank you, Ross. You're saving my marriage.
Ross: I haven't saved anything, Danny, alright? And I cannot promise you how this is going to work out.
Danny: I know. I understand. But Michelle's chances are alot better now.
Ross: I'll be in touch.
Danny: (Shaking Ross' hand.) Okay. Thank you.
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