web hosting short URLs photo sharing

ACT ONE
April and Draper's apartment. Early morning.

April offers Draper breakfast, but he says he can't eat. April jokes that he's saving his appetite for the victory celebration, and his nervous stomach is natural considering he's about to hear the verdict in Winter's trial. Draper admits that he feels the same way he did the day April herself was wrongly convicted of murder. April reminds him that unlike her, Winter stands a very good chance of being acquitted, especially after Draper's brilliant closing summation. Ever practical, Draper responds that trials can go either way, an attorney never really knows until the verdict is read. April says that surely their quick decision -less than four hours of deliberation- is a good sign. It must mean that the jury realizes that Winter was being framed. Everything's going to turn out fine. April knows. Draper asks if it's another one of her "famous premonitions." April replies that it isn't; it's just common sense. Winter will be freed, Draper will become rich and famous, and the "whole damn thing is going to be wonderful," April snaps, angrily tossing the dishes into the sink.
DISSOLVE TO:
OPENING TITLE

ACT TWO
Scene One
April and Draper continued.

Draper takes April in his arms. He realizes what is wrong and tells her that he wants the same things she does: success, power, to be rich. He admits that he doesn't talk about those things because he's afraid they aren't going to come true. April tells him that if he wins Winter's case, the publicity will generate more major cases for him, consequently bringing in more money. Draper reminds her that defense lawyers seldom become wealthy, but they'll always have enough to live comfortably. But that doesn't help when someone wants something special, April remarks. When Draper suggests they put aside money and save, they'll have enough for whatever she wants. No, April protests, it would take forever for them to save enough for a house. She explains that to her a house represents a foundation for a marriage rather than just a place to live. And that's why she became upset. They don't need more rooms, because they'll never have children to fill them. Draper warmly reminds her that kids don't make a home… it's the amount of love you put into it, and if that's the case, they have enough to fill a sixteen room mansion. April says she doesn't need sixteen rooms. Maybe just five rooms in a little cottage. Draper tells her that he thinks they might afford that one day. He'd love to live anywhere with her. In fact, she can begin looking today… after they hear the verdict.
DISSOLVE TO:

Scene Two
The courtroom.

Winter is with Mike, Nancy, Miles, and Nicole. She nervously says that she wishes it were just over. Mike responds that things look a lot better than they did just a few days ago. Winter apologizes to Mike for being so difficult about not accepting the plea bargain, but Mike assures her that in view of recent developments, she was absolutely right. Draper and April arrive apologizing for being so late, just as the bailiff calls the court to order. Judge Oliveri orders the jury into the courtroom. A look of anxiety fills Winter's face as the jurors file in one by one and take solemnly take their places.

JUDGE OLIVERI
Madam Forelady, will you please rise? Before I ask you to read your decision, I would like to thank the members of this jury for their diligent participation in this matter. At the close of this session, you will be dismissed. And now, Madam Forelady, the charge in this action is murder in the first degree. Any verdict reached by this jury must have been determined by a unanimous vote. Was this the case?

FORELADY
Yes, your honor.

JUDGE OLIVERI
Very well. Will the bailiff please show me the verdict?

[The bailiff takes the verdict from the forelady and gives it to Judge Oliveri. Tension mounts for Winter as he reads it, no expression on his face.]

JUDGE OLIVERI
Will the defendant rise?

Draper and Winter stand.

JUDGE OLIVERI
Madam Forelady, will you please make your verdict known?

FORELADY
In the case of the people versus Winter Austen… we the jury…find the defendant --(pause) not guilty.

The gallery behind Winter bursts into shouts of joy and relief, as Winter gratefully hugs her attorneys.
FADEOUT
COMMERCIAL BREAK

ACT THREE

Everyone congratulates Winter on the good news. Nancy excuses herself to go write the headline for The Monticello News. Winter confesses that she was certain she'd be led out by a prison matron, but now she's leaving a free woman. April tells her that sometimes the judicial system works. Winter concedes that could have been the worst day of her life is one of her best.

Meanwhile, across the courtroom, Cliff laments that it is the worst day of his life. He can see the newspaper headline now -Assistant District Attorney Blows Case. Logan reassures him that he'll survive. After all, he did a good job; he was just beaten by the facts. Logan suggests that Cliff take the rest of the day off. In this condition, he'd ask for the death penalty with a jaywalker. Cliff chastises Logan for allowing Mike to see the videotape again, but Logan reminds him they're bound by full disclosure. Cliff insists they would have won the case if the tape hadn't been discovered as a fraud. Logan angrily reiterates that he did the right thing. The tape was phony; the jury brought in the correct and just verdict. Cliff sniffs sarcastically that maybe Logan would like to be on the other side of the room, since he never thought Winter was guilty anyway. Logan agrees. He didn't think her capable of murder. "She sure killed my career," Cliff snaps. He wants Logan to promise that if Tank Jarvis is ever found, he will be allowed to prosecute the case…and make his own closing remarks. Cliff leaves, and Logan goes to the defense table to offer his congratulations. Draper invites him to join them at The Gavel for Winter's celebration. Logan declines but asks if he can have a minute with Winter. The others leave them alone in the empty courtroom.

LOGAN
Boy, you must be feeling pretty good…

WINTER
Don't I ever…

LOGAN
Don't pass this around… but so am I.

WINTER
You lost your case.

LOGAN
To hell with the case. I found out you didn't kill Wade Meecham. I am very relieved.

WINTER
You really think I might have done it… didn't you? (Pause) Logan, I would have done anything -maybe even murder- to keep from hurting you.

LOGAN
I know that…

WINTER
The only thing I did do was break off our relationship.

LOGAN
What can I say… I'm sorry. I am sorry…

WINTER
Yes… so am I.

LOGAN
The pain will go away. I can tell you that.

WINTER
You mean your pain has gone away. Is that it? Because you've found somebody else?

LOGAN
Look… Winter…. (he moves to embrace her)

WINTER
Please, don't. And don't tell me that I'm going to find somebody else either. I know myself too well, Logan.

LOGAN
(sotto voce) You're going to be happy, Winter. I know you will…

WINTER
How come Raven didn't come down here today?

LOGAN
Well, she wanted to. She just couldn't find a sitter for the baby. You know how it is… [Winter is unmoved.]

LOGAN
I really think you've got Raven pegged wrong. When I tell her the news she's going to be just as happy as everybody else…

WINTER
I'm not going to argue with you about it...

LOGAN
Yeah…well. Look I've got to scoot out of here. I just wanted you to know that publicly I'm gonna have to be very subdued about this -

WINTER
Yes…I understand…

LOGAN
But whatever the district attorney may say…Logan Swift is very happy for you, Winter.

WINTER
Thanks, Logan…

[They stare at one another in uncomfortable silence for a moment and then, Logan turns to leave.]

LOGAN
Talk to you soon…

He leaves. Winter quietly watches him go. She still loves him.
FADEOUT
COMMERCIAL BREAK

ACT FOUR

Scene One
Raven's apartment.

Geraldine is listening to classical music on the radio when an announcer interrupts with a report of Winter's acquittal. At that moment, there's a knock at the door. She opens to reveal Logan. He asks where Raven is. He thought she was watching Jamey. Geraldine tells him that Raven felt like going to the hairdresser's, so she volunteered to babysit. Logan jokingly asks if her looks that bad. Geraldine replies that Raven has been very anxious about the outcome of Winter's trial, and having her hair done is simply a way of diverting her attention away from it. Logan retorts that it's over now. Geraldine admits that she knows. She heard it on the radio. "I think Raven's going to be very disappointed over this," Geraldine says wryly, "and that's putting it mildly." Logan jokes that maybe he should put away all sharp objects before he tells her. Geraldine suggests that Raven will be unhappy because she saw Logan's victory as security for a full-term as District Attorney. "Well, I did my best," he sighs. Geraldine reminds him that in politics, doing your best only counts when you win. Logan asks Geraldine if she's disappointed in him, too. She tells him she is not. She thought his closing summation was brilliant and that he set aside his personal feelings well to present the facts that should have convicted Winter. Logan snaps that those facts were wrong, and now Cliff's mad at him because they lost, Raven will probably throw a tantrum if she speaks to him at all, and Geraldine is worried that he might have damaged his political image. Geraldine responds that winning would have been in his best interest. Logan states that he didn't lose the case, rather -Draper and Mike won it. Geraldine cautions him that the voters won't see it that way. Logan asks to see Jamey.

In Jamey's room, Logan has a touching moment with his son then remembers a conversation he had with Raven in which she threatened to take herself and Jamey away from him if he deliberately sabotaged the prosecution so that Winter would be acquitted. Logan promises Jamey that it won't be that way because he loves him, and they're a team. Always.
DISSOLVE TO:

Scene Three
Winter's apartment.

Winter enters with Miles and Nicole. She notices a list of storage companies and comments that by the time she would have gotten out of jail, her furniture would have been antiques. Nicole reassures her that she doesn't need the list anymore because she's staying right there. Winter says that she really could use a change of scenery after all she's been through. Miles and Nicole suggest she go away on vacation for a few weeks; they'll even loan her the money. She thanks them, but refuses. From now on, she wants to be completely self-sufficient. In fact, she's going to report for work at WMON bright and early the next morning. Winter says that Margo is offering her a chance at a career, and she's going to take it. Just a day ago, everyone thought she was guilty, and she had no future. Now, she's free as a bird. Miles remarks that he hopes the police find the person who really did kill Wade because the case won't be closed until then. Winter hopes that they're wrong about Tank.
COMMERCIAL BREAK

ACT FIVE

Scene One
Winter's apartment.

Nicole reminds Winter that Tank was the only person with both a motive for murdering Wade and the technical knowledge to fake the videotape that almost convicted her. Winter refuses to believe that a friend as close as Tank would frame her for a crime she didn't commit. Miles counters that freedom is sometimes more powerful than friendship. Miles and Nicole suggest that maybe Winter should consider taking a vacation. After all, Tank might not be thinking rationally and could be angry about Winter's acquittal. Winter steadfastly refuses, and Miles warns her to be careful.
DISSOLVE TO:

Scene Two
Tank's room.

Tank is listening to a radio account of Winter's acquittal after the tape he doctored was found to be a fraud. Tank picks up the phone and dials Winter's number, but when she answers, he hesitates and quickly hangs up. He moves to a dresser and removes a gun. "I think we'll keep this visit a surprise," he says, loading the weapon.
BLACKOUT
COMMERCIAL BREAK

CLOSING CREDITS