Devils Advocate
Devils Advocate
Devils Advocate
THE DEVIL'S
ADVOCATE
screenplay by
Jonathan Lemkin and Tony Gilroy
FADE IN:
BARBARA
... we go back to our homeroom for
dismissal, unless you have a pass
for sports or something.
PROSECUTOR (O.S.)
And is that what you did on the
day in question?
BARBARA
No. Mr. Gettys asked me to stay
after class.
PROSECUTOR
What happened next, Barbara?
BARBARA
Mr. Gettys closed the door.
PROSECUTOR
Everyone else had gone?
BARBARA
Yes. He told me to sit in the
chair beside his desk.
1 CONTINUED: 1
PROSECUTOR
In your own words, Barbara, can
you tell us exactly what happened
during the next few minutes?
KEVIN LOMAX. Defense counsel. Taking it all in.
BARBARA (O.S.)
I told him I was afraid I would
miss my bus. He promised I would
get to the bus on time if I would
help him to do something...
Kevin -- his eyes -- drifting around the courtroom --
taking inventory -- assessing damage --
BARBARA (O.S.)
... Then he put -- before I could
say anything -- he placed his hand
inside my blouse...
Kevin -- checking the jury and --
BARBARA (O.S.)
... I was so frightened I didn't
move. I thought if I was just
quiet it would be okay...
Kevin -- checking Gettys -- seeing something that stops
him cold --
BARBARA (O.S.)
... Then his other hand went up
under -- inside my skirt...
Gettys' hand -- down below the table -- down where no one
but Kevin could possibly see it -- Getty's fingers subtly
feeling their way along the leg of his chair --
BARBARA (O.S.)
... his hand then, it started, he
started, moving back and forth --
farther and farther inside my
skirt...
Kevin -- glancing around -- nobody else can see it --
BARBARA (O.S.)
... he said he was testing to see
if I had any special feelings,
that he wanted to find out what
kind of feelings I had...
.
1 CONTINUED: (2) 1
BARBARA (O.S.)
... then I, I was asking him to
stop but it was like he couldn't
hear me -- he just kept on --
Suddenly, Gettys' hand stops moving --
BARBARA (O.S.)
-- and then I screamed...
Kevin looks up to find Gettys' eyes waiting for him.
Gettys quickly returns his hand into his lap. He's been
caught -- watching, as Kevin turns away and --
BARBARA
... then he, he got mad and said
we would have to try again
sometime.
PROSECUTOR
And did he try again?
BARBARA
Not with me.
PROSECUTOR
With friends of yours?
BARBARA
Yes.
PROSECUTOR
And when you told them what he had
done to you, they told you what he
had done to them, isn't that true?
BARBARA
Yes.
PROSECUTOR
I have nothing further.
1 CONTINUED: (3) 1
(CONTINUED)
.
JUDGE
(finding Kevin)
Your witness, Mr. Lomax.
KEVIN
Any chance, Your Honor, for a
short recess?
CUT TO:
KEVIN
The wife. The kid. The outrage.
You definitely had me fooled.
GETTYS
You're my lawyer! You're here to
defend me!
KEVIN
You know what I'm thinking? Why
don't we put you on the stand and
you can jerk off for the judge.
GETTYS
You know she's lying.
KEVIN
Get the hell out of my way.
Gettys standing aside, as we --
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
.
3 CONTINUED: 3
Behind him, the door opens. A local REPORTER enters,
moves to the urinal.
REPORTER
Well, hell, there you are. Rumor
was you were out wandering in
traffic.
KEVIN
Not now, Larry.
REPORTER
What's the game plan, Kevin? I
got a four-thirty deadline. I
need a quote. Gimme a quote.
KEVIN
Fuck off.
REPORTER
'Mr. Lomax had no comment on
today's events. Speculation,
however, was widespread that the
young lawyer's unblemished string
of victories would come to an end
in this courtroom.'
Kevin pulls some cold water to his face. Startled, as
THUNDER EXPLODES overhead -- then just as suddenly,
becomes nothing more than the urinal flushing...
REPORTER
It was a nice run, Kev. Had to
close out someday. Nobody wins
'em all.
The Reporter exits. Kevin alone with the mirror.
And then it's over.
KEVIN
Math hasn't exactly been your
subject this year, has it?
BARBARA
No.
KEVIN
Any theories on why you've done so
poorly in math this year?
BARBARA
It's not my fault.
KEVIN
Would you say Mr. Gettys is the
problem?
(as she shrugs)
You're not sure. Have you had
any discipline problems in math
class this year?
BARBARA
No.
KEVIN
No? Isn't it true Mr. Gettys has
had to talk to you repeatedly
about your behavior? Isn't that
why he asked you to stay after
class?
BARBARA
No.
KEVIN
Have other teachers ever asked you
to stay after class?
BARBARA
Once or twice.
KEVIN
Did they want to talk about your
behavior?
PROSECUTOR
Objection. Immaterial.
KEVIN
Goes to motive.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/15/96
(CONTINUED) .
5 CONTINUED: 5
JUDGE
Overruled. You may answer the
question.
BARBARA
I don't know what the other
teachers wanted. You'd have to
talk to them.
KEVIN
You ever pass notes in class,
Barbara? Maybe a note that made
fun of Mr. Gettys?
BARBARA
No.
KEVIN
No? Never called him a
'disgusting pig monster'?
BARBARA
No.
Kevin handing out paperwork.
KEVIN
Your Honor, I've pre-marked this
Defense Exhibit A...
PROSECUTOR
Objection, Your Honor, we've had
plenty of time for discovery here.
The Judge quickly studying his copy of the note.
JUDGE
I'm gonna let this in, Mr. Lomax,
I'm also gonna suggest that if
you have any other exhibits you
present in a timely fashion or not
at all.
KEVIN
(right to
the note)
I'm sorry, Barbara, I was wrong,
it's 'huge hog beast'. This is
your handwriting, isn't it?
BARBARA
Yes, but --
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/15/96
(CONTINUED) .
5 CONTINUED: (2) 5
KEVIN
You wrote this in his class.
BARBARA
It's a joke.
KEVIN
'He's a huge hog beast. He
probably eats a thousand pancakes
for breakfast.' You're writing
here about Mr. Gettys, aren't you?
BARBARA
It was meant to be a joke.
KEVIN
Have you ever had a party at your
house when your parents were away?
(waiting)
Yes or no?
PROSECUTOR
Objection. This is way out of...
KEVIN
Credibility and bias.
JUDGE
Overruled. Answer the question.
BARBARA
(rattled)
Yes.
KEVIN
The word special came up in your
testimony earlier. You claimed
that Mr. Gettys asked you whether
you had special feelings, if you
felt special.
(beat)
Have you ever heard of a game
called 'Special Places?'
(waiting)
You're under oath, Barbara. A
man's career -- his reputation --
his life is on the line. This is
not a joke. Have you ever played
the game Special Places?
BARBARA
Yes.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/15/96
(CONTINUED) .
5 CONTINUED: (3) 5
KEVIN
Is this game sexual in nature?
(waiting)
Is this game sexual in nature?
BARBARA
We only played it once.
KEVIN
This special party, Barbara, this
was the first time you told the
story about Mr. Gettys.
BARBARA
Yes.
KEVIN
I've spoken to the other children
who were there that day. Can you
think of anything else, Barbara,
they might have told me about that
party?
PROSECUTOR
Objection. Your Honor, if he has
other witnesses let him call them.
KEVIN
(right at Barbara)
If I need to call those other
children, I will.
JUDGE
I'm gonna sustain that, Mr. Lomax.
Rephrase your question.
KEVIN
You threatened those children,
didn't you?
BARBARA
That's not the way it happened --
KEVIN
You told them to falsely claim
that Mr. Gettys had hurt them,
didn't you?
BARBARA
These things did happen!
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/15/96
(CONTINUED) A.
5 CONTINUED: (3A) 5
KEVIN
Because if they didn't go along
you were going to tell everyone
about this special party.
BARBARA
They happened to me.
KEVIN
So you made up a story. A
special story, about a math
teacher -- a disgusting pig
monster -- you didn't like.
That's what really happened,
isn't it?
BARBARA
I didn't want to be the only one!
KEVIN
I have no further questions, Your
Honor.
Chaos -- court officers struggling with Barbara's Father
and people yelling and Gettys hugging his wife and son
and the gavel banging like mad and Kevin just sitting
there, staring at the floor, completely drained,
emotionally, morally, physically and --
In the back of the room, a man. He's black. Elegant.
Amused by the scene. His name is LEAMON HEATH.
MARY ANN LOMAX leans in behind her husband. She is a
doll. We love her.
.
5 CONTINUED: (4) 5
MARY ANN
Pack it up, baby. You need a
drink.
CUT TO:
7 MONTAGE 7
Tequila pours. As the night goes on.
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
.
HEATH
Helluva job today.
(quickly presenting
his card)
I didn't want to disturb your
party.
KEVIN
Milton, Chadwick, Waters. Never
heard of it.
(looking up)
What're you gonna do? Sue me?
HEATH
Actually, we were hoping to retain
your services. We've been
following your progress.
KEVIN
From New York.
HEATH
You've never lost a case.
KEVIN
I've had some sympathetic juries.
HEATH
That's exactly what we're looking
for. We want you to come to New
York. Help us pick a jury.
KEVIN
Really.
(amused now)
I'll tell you, man. You're pretty
damn good. And the card is great.
And the black thing -- you being
black -- whose idea was that?
Paul's? 'Cause that's just
brilliant.
(as he's walking)
I'm just not drunk enough yet to
fall for it.
.
8 CONTINUED: 8
HEATH
You'd have to start next week.
(waiting as Kevin
stops there)
All expenses. First class travel
and lodging. You and your wife.
A lump sum payment, regardless of
verdict in the amount of, well...
(in his hand)
Here. Take a look.
Kevin takes the check. Still looking at it, as we --
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
KEVIN
It's two weeks at most.
MRS. LOMAX
You've never been to New York.
(CONTINUED)
.
11 CONTINUED: 11
KEVIN
Every dog gets a day.
MRS. LOMAX
Pick a jury...
(ridiculous)
I feel the hand of Mary Ann on
this adventure.
KEVIN
Mom.
MRS. LOMAX
New York is not a good idea.
KEVIN
Look, how you fixed for cash?
MRS. LOMAX
I have my bad feeling.
KEVIN
(an envelope)
I put a couple hundred in here...
MRS. LOMAX
Sounds like more than two weeks.
KEVIN
Mary Ann typed out the numbers for
you -- phone, the flights -- it's
all in there.
MRS. LOMAX
Let me tell you about New York.
KEVIN
(with a smile)
Babylon.
MRS. LOMAX
Forewarned is forearmed.
(half-serious)
'Fallen, fallen is Babylon the
great. It has become a dwelling
place of demons.' Revelation
Eighteen. Wouldn't hurt you to
look it over.
KEVIN
(rolls with it)
Couldn't forget it if I tried.
(CONTINUED)
.
11 CONTINUED: (2) 11
MRS. LOMAX
And what happened to Babylon?
KEVIN
'Thou mighty city. In one hour
hast thou mighty judgement come.'
MRS. LOMAX
'And the light of a single lamp
shall shine in thee no more.'
CUT TO:
KEVIN (O.S.)
Okay. Stop.
Kevin behind Mary Ann with his hands over her eyes. He
takes his hands away, but her eyes stay closed...
KEVIN
Okay. Open your eyes.
MARY ANN
(as she does)
Wow.
MARY ANN
(she's dancing)
'... Rats on the West Side, bed
bugs uptown, I can't give it away
on Seventh Avenue. This town
don't look good in tatters...'
KEVIN
I don't know... looks to me like
that dress is in your way.
MARY ANN
(shocked, stops)
Why, counselor...
(her best drawl)
Surely you don't think a small-
town girl changes overnight just
because a man buys her dinner in
the big city.
KEVIN
No, ma'am. In fact, I hardly ever
think at all.
MARY ANN
Well, that's different, then.
You're my kind of guy.
Kevin smiles. She's taking off the dress. Babylon.
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
17 CONTINUED: 17
MEISEL
Do you think as a juror you'd be
able to set aside any prior
opinions you might hold about the
savings and loan industry?
(long pause)
That was a question, sir.
PIE-FACE
What? Do I like bankers?
Heath catches Meisel's eye. Waves him over.
MEISEL
Your Honor, may I have a minute to
speak with my colleagues.
KEVIN
Dump him. While you're at it
let's get rid of number six,
eight, and I'd say lose number
twelve, except the prosecutor's
gonna fuck up and do it for us.
MEISEL
Number six? You're kidding,
right? She's my first choice.
KEVIN
She's my first pass.
MEISEL
And eight? With the dreadlocks?
That's crazy. He's a defendant
juror if I ever saw one.
KEVIN
You see his shoes?
MEISEL
Look, kid, maybe down in Florida
you're the next big thing, but
this is New York. Manhattan.
We're not squeezing oranges here.
.
17 CONTINUED: (2) 17
KEVIN
He polishes those shoes every
night. He makes his own clothes.
He may look like a brother-with -
an-attitude to you, but I see a
man who's got a shotgun under his
bed and woe betide the creature
who steps into his garden.
(beat)
And number six? Your favorite?
She's damaged goods.
MEISEL
She's a Catholic schoolteacher.
(to Heath)
She believes in human frailty.
KEVIN
No. There's something missing
from her. She's wrong.
(eyes to the pool)
She wants on this jury. Somebody
hurt her and she wants revenge.
MEISEL
How the hell do you know that?
KEVIN
(honestly)
I don't know.
MEISEL
(to Heath)
Look, either you put a stop to
this happy horseshit or I walk.
HEATH
Walk.
MEISEL
(a pause)
All right. Here's the deal.
(to Kevin)
I lose with your jury? You do the
explaining.
The defendant staring a hole into Kevin, as we --
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
.
18 CONTINUED: 18
19C AND THIS TIME LIGHTNING SIZZLES THROUGH THE SKY 19C
CUT TO:
MARY ANN
(into her show)
Your mother called. She has her
bad feeling.
KEVIN
Every now and then she gets one
right.
MARY ANN
What's up?
(looks over)
You okay? Something's up.
KEVIN
They deliberated for thirty-eight
minutes.
MARY ANN
Oh shit...
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 19.
20 CONTINUED: 20
MARY ANN (CONT'D)
(turns off the TV,
comforting him)
Oh, Kevin... I'm sorry, honey. What
the hell did they expect? The man
is guilty as can be. Wasn't a jury
anywhere gonna let him off.
KEVIN
Yeah. Except one.
MARY ANN
Kev....
KEVIN
(a big ole smile)
Not fucking guilty.
MARY ANN
Omigod...
KEVIN Thirty-
eight minutes. My jury.
MARY ANN
You did it! Omigod, Kevin...
KEVIN
Put on something that's gonna be
easy to take off later. We are
going out, girl!
CUT TO:
21 INT. LAW FIRM LOBBY - DAY 21
Milton, Chadwick, Waters. Those words written in stone
on the wall. The decor is stark, dramatic, awesome. The
receptionist is simply stunning. Kevin, wearing his best
suit, walking with Heath.
HEATH
Sorry to keep you waiting, but Mr.
Milton got pinned down in Indonesia
a little longer than expected.
(quietly as they
hit the view)
Not bad, huh? You can play it cool
if you want, but the first time I
walked in here, my jaw was on the floor.
22 INT. LAW FIRM HALL - DAY 22
The firm offices. A large central atrium. Offices rim
this space.
(CONTINUED)
(CONTINUED)
.
22 CONTINUED: 22
Lawyers come in all shapes and sizes. Assistants -- male
and female -- are uniformly attractive. The HUM of
serious BUSINESS in the background.
HEATH
(as they walk)
We've got forty partners vested at
the moment. Close to six hundred
associates. This is the home
office, but we've got quite a few
international arrangements, so Mr.
Milton spends a good deal of his
time in the air. In addition to
our corporate clients, we're
currently representing about
twenty-five foreign countries.
Mid-East, Balkans, Central
America, West Africa. Interesting
work, but travel intensive.
Kevin slowing as they pass an open doorway --
HEATH (O.S.)
He's got you scheduled for fifteen
minutes, which is a good sign, so
make the most of it...
25 CONTINUED: 25
The floor is nothing but glass. Sixty stories above the
world. A bridge between two skyscrapers.
HEATH
I watched a Senator piss his pants
right where you're standing.
KEVIN
(nonplussed)
Great.
HEATH
He's waiting for you. Good luck.
KEVIN
Very well. Thank you.
(CONTINUED)
(CONTINUED)
.
26 CONTINUED: 26
MILTON
Your wife, she's had a good time?
KEVIN
She sure has. It's been great.
The whole thing's been great.
MILTON
Good. That's our secret. We kill
you with kindness.
(walking the room,
circling)
What's your secret?
KEVIN
I couldn't say.
MILTON
You were a prosecutor.
KEVIN
Out of law school. Five years in
the Jacksonville D.A.'s office.
MILTON
Sixty-four straight convictions.
What a number.
KEVIN
I like to be in court. I didn't
plea out a lot.
MILTON
What's that like? One day you're
putting them away and the next
you're setting them free?
KEVIN
Takes a little getting used to.
MILTON
Pays better though, doesn't it?
KEVIN
Yes it does.
MILTON
The math teacher. The Gettys
case. I hear you were brilliant.
KEVIN
Prosecutor dropped the ball.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 25.
26 CONTINUED: (2) 26
MILTON
Really. So you think your guy was
guilty.
KEVIN
I didn't say that.
MILTON
What did you say?
KEVIN
How's this? I began the case with
a clear conscience.
MILTON
(quiet a moment)
I was sure you had a secret.
KEVIN
The men's room.
(beat)
Upstairs men's room in the Duval
County courthouse. There's a hole
in the wall. Straight through to
the next room.
(smiles)
I spent five years listening to
juries deliberate.
MILTON
I love it.
KEVIN
Love it all you want, just don't
repeat it. I'm not sure the
Florida Bar Association would
appreciate it.
MILTON
You don't really want to go back
to Florida, do you? Walk with me.
(CONTINUED)
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/15/96
(CONTINUED) .
28 CONTINUED: 28
MILTON
What do you think? Some people
can't handle it.
KEVIN
It's peaceful.
MILTON
Exactly.
(pleased)
Fill in the resume. Tell me about
your family. What does your
father do?
KEVIN
I never got to know my father. He
passed away before I was born. My
mom raised me. Just the two of
us.
MILTON
She never remarried?
KEVIN
She wasn't married the first time.
MILTON
That can't be easy in Gainesville.
KEVIN
I don't think it's easy anywhere.
(re the view)
Holy shit...
MILTON
Little different when you're
looking down, isn't it?
(beat)
Tell me about her. Your mother.
What's she like?
KEVIN
She's a preacher's daughter.
She's tough. She's worked in the
same poultry plant for as long as
I can remember. I think she's up
to eight-fifty an hour. She's got
a church she really likes, so
she's usually either there or they
go out, they do a lot of volunteer
work.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/15/96 27.
28 CONTINUED: (2) 28
MILTON
'Many are in high places, and of
great renown: but mysteries are
revealed unto the meek.'
KEVIN
So they say.
MILTON
Didn't rub off on you? The book?
The church?
KEVIN
I'm on parole. Early release for
time served.
Suddenly they're quiet. Silenced by the view.
MILTON
Lotta potential clients down
there. (Sooner or later it all
flows through the streets.)
KEVIN
You don't have to sell me on New
York.
MILTON
You like it here, don't you?
KEVIN
Are we negotiating?
MILTON
Always.
KEVIN
Why do you need a criminal
department?
MILTON
Because our clients break the law
just like everyone else and I'm
tired of sending their business
across the street.
KEVIN
Are you offering me a job?
MILTON
I'm thinking about it. You have
the talent. I knew that before
you got here. It's the other
thing I wonder about.
(CONTINUED)
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/15/96 .
28 CONTINUED: (3) 28
KEVIN
What thing is that?
MILTON
Pressure. Changes everything.
Some people, you squeeze them,
they focus. Some people fold.
Can you summon your talent at
will? Can you deliver on
deadline? Can you sleep at night?
KEVIN
When do we talk about money?
MILTON
Money's the easy part.
CUT TO:
HEATH (V.O.)
Mt. Sinai Hospital right up the
street. Some excellent schools.
(CONTINUED)
29.
29 CONTINUED: 29
The driver rushing to open the door. Heath, Kevin and
Mary Ann getting out of the car just as a group of
uniformed school children come charging out of the
building to meet their bus.
HEATH
I doubt it was at the top of his
list when Mr. Milton bought the
building, but it's a great
neighborhood for children.
30 LOOKING UP - BUILDING 30
A stately, pre-war apartment house. One unique touch;
the penthouse rises in a sort of wedding cake design.
CUT TO:
JACKIE
Please. We live across the hall.
MARY ANN
You're kidding?
HEATH
Right here.
KEVIN
So it's just two apartments per
floor?
JACKIE
(to her husband)
You didn't tell them about the
apartment?
(CONTINUED)
30.
31 CONTINUED: 31
HEATH
I thought I'd let it speak for
itself.
Opening the door, and we enter --
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 31.
33 CONTINUED: 33
KEVIN
I sure as hell hope so.
MARY ANN
They must want you pretty bad.
KEVIN
Look, Mare, I'm only getting
behind this if you're on board.
You want to go home, I'm with you.
MARY ANN
Sure. Let's go back to Gainesville.
You can keep scrounging for
clients and pumping out the
basement and I'll keep repossessing
cars for Akamian. Maybe, if we
kill ourselves, in about five
years we can afford a baby and
a weekend shack at Gulf Shores.
(beat)
Are you shitting me?
She smiles first. Kevin pulling her toward him, as we --
CUT TO:
BARZOON
Eddie Barzoon. Managing Director.
(CONTINUED)
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 32.
34 CONTINUED: 34
CHRISTABELLA
Christabella Adrioli. Economics.
Primarily G-7 and E.C.
MILTON
There you go, Kevin. The whole
team. I'm trying to think how
long it's been since we were all
together. All of us. Too long.
I'm looking around, I know some
of you came from very far away to
be with us here today. It's
appreciated.
(pacing the window)
This room we're in was built --
architecturally designed -- to
promote healthy group dynamics.
A psychic centrifuge. Makes you
want to reach out, doesn't it?
Inclusion. Commonality. Synergy.
All that good shit. That's what
I'm looking for today. Because
when I hear stories -- the kind
of stories I've been hearing --
about backbiting, about partners
not working together, departments
cutting each other's throats
over clients, or worse... I feel
drained. It drains me. I feel
empty. I feel as though I've
let you all down.
(off dead silence)
We need something. A gesture.
(across the table)
What do I need, Eddie?
BARZOON
How about a public flogging?
MILTON
Wait a minute. I got it. It's
perfect. It's intimate. It's
quick. Doesn't cost a thing.
There's a power to it. What is
it?
(beat)
Let's hold hands. All of us.
Together.
Milton is first. Reluctance begins to fold.
(CONTINUED)
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 33.
34 CONTINUED: (2) 34
MILTON
Right now. Every person at this
table -- take the hand of the
person on either side...
Kevin finds Christabella's hand at his side.
MILTON
You want out of this, Eddie?
BARZOON
You've made your point, John.
MILTON
You won't hold hands?
(stare-down)
It's important to me, Eddie.
Kevin watching Barzoon fold. Watching the circle form.
MILTON
See. See, I feel better already.
CUT TO:
HEATH
What do you think?
KEVIN
(kidding)
I guess it'll do.
PAM (O.S.)
Until something better comes
along ...
In the doorway, PAM GARRETY. Never married. Two-pack-a -
day habit. Tough as dirt.
HEATH
Kevin Lomax. Pam Garrety.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
(CONTINUED)
.
35 CONTINUED: 35
HEATH (CONT'D)
(as they shake)
Pam was with the Brooklyn D.A.'s
office for fourteen years, so she
knows her way around the local
scene. She'll be your guide.
(to Pam)
You're gonna be expediting his New
York Bar application, right?
PAM
In the pipeline. For now, we'll
just have you work pro hac vice.
We've petitioned Florida for a
letter of good conduct. And...
(a folder)
... I prepared, at Mr. Milton's
request, an overview of the Moyez
case.
KEVIN
The Moyez case?
CUT TO:
DRIVER
I gotta stick with the vehicle.
CUT TO:
37 CONTINUED: 37
JUNKIE (O.S.)
You get 'em! Go get 'em, man!
Three JUNKIES camped on the stoop of a burned-out
brownstone across the street. Dull, wasted faces aroused
by the DOG'S BARKING --
JUNKIE
Tell her turn that shit down! I
know what she's doin'! That's
right! Tell 'em take that noise
back t'Africa 'fore I --
Stopping instantly because -- a WOMAN is standing in the
botanica doorway. Her skin is jet black. Her eyes are
pale blue. Her hair is white. She holds a live chicken
by its feet. The DOG is still BARKING so she slaps it.
Hard. Now there is silence.
KEVIN
I'm looking for Phillipe Moyez.
KEVIN
I called this morning, I'm not
sure who I spoke with.
(awkward silence)
I'm his lawyer. I have a card...
(finding it)
They said he would meet me here.
Phillipe Moyez.
WOMAN
(into the back)
Bhalla! Bhalla!
Kevin taking a very deep breath, as we --
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
(CONTINUED)
.
39 CONTINUED: 39
KEVIN
Look, I'm not sure I'm making
myself clear here.
BOY
Moyez.
(a French accent)
You need him. Speak wid him.
KEVIN
You're saying he's down here?
(incredulous)
In the basement? In the dark?
BOY
(laughing)
Where? Where you think -- ?
Where you think me taking you?
MOYEZ (O.S.)
I thought I would recognize you,
but I do not.
Kevin, spooked, wheels around --
37.
43 CONTINUED: 43
PHILLIPE MOYEZ squatting in the corner. Skinny and
intense. His eyes opaque and piercing at the same time.
At once unassuming and terrifying. A plastic bag of
fresh green roots in his lap. Ghat. Miraa. African
cocaine. His teeth black from chewing it.
KEVIN
Mr. Moyez?
(as he nods)
We've never met. I'm a lawyer.
I'm here about the animals.
MOYEZ
As you wish.
KEVIN
I'll be arguing your case with the
city. I need to ask you some
questions.
(gets folder)
I've done a little preliminary
research -- precedent -- cases in
the past that dealt with Santeria
and Vou--
MOYEZ
No. This is not Santeria. We are
not Voodoo. Candomble.
Obeayisne. None of that. We are
much older. Before. Before all
of it.
KEVIN
Okay. Is there a name? Or...
MOYEZ
We have papers. At your firm. We
have the tax exemption.
KEVIN
Okay. I'll get right into that.
(scribbling away)
The animals. Let's start with
that, then.
MOYEZ
We have an investment in blood.
Think of it as spiritual currency.
Moyez stands. Starts slowly across the room.
KEVIN
Look, Mr. Moyez, I'm going to need
your help with this.
(CONTINUED)
.
43 CONTINUED: (2) 43
MOYEZ
Yes. That's very clear.
KEVIN
Perhaps we could start at the
beginning?
Moyez, ignoring him, moves to an old refrigerator beside
the stairs. For an instant, the door is open -- just a
glimpse. Meat. Bags of entrails. Jars of blood. Moyez
goes to a workbench near the wall --
KEVIN
Mr. Moyez?
MOYEZ
What is the name of the man who
will prosecute us?
KEVIN
(scanning file)
Merto. Assistant District
Attorney Arnold Merto.
MOYEZ
Bhalla. La chemise noire. Vite!
The Boy already running up the stairs. The sound of
NAILS FALLING onto the workbench --
KEVIN
What are you doing, Mr. Moyez?
46 OMITTED 46
& &
47 47
REVERSE TO:
48 INT. KEVIN'S OFFICE AND HALL - KEVIN - DAY 48
with the remote control. Pam there with him. A long,
sour silence.
PAM
What do you think?
KEVIN
It's a health code case. And it's
a loser. So what's the point?
(watching her)
It's a test, right?
PAM
Isn't everything?
KEVIN
The smart thing to do is make a
deal. Plea him out and suppress
the tape.
PAM
I'm sure the D.A.'s waiting for
your call.
KEVIN
Yeah, well, let him wait.
(beat)
And you can tell Milton too.
(beat)
I didn't come to New York to plea
bargain.
CUT TO:
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/15/96 .
(MORE)(CONTINUED)
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
PAM
It's only a health code case.
CUT TO:
KEVIN (O.S.)
That's a veal roast, Your Honor.
U.S.D.A. approved and stamped.
Eight days ago, in Kansas City,
two men pushed a calf into a steel
frame as a third man fired a high-
voltage staple-gun into the
animal's skull. Men kill animals
and eat their flesh. Phillipe Moyez
killed a goat. He killed a goat.
And he did it at home, in a manner
consistent with his religious
beliefs. Now some people may find
it bizarre.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/15/96
(CONTINUED) 38A/.
51 CONTINUED: 51
KEVIN (O.S.CONT'D)
It's certainly not a religious
practice performed by everyone.
It's not as common as, say,
circumcision. It's certainly not
as common as the belief that wine
is transformed into blood. It's
not even as common as the handling
of poisonous snakes to prove one's
faith. But Phillipe Moyez isn't
two thousand miles away in a
stockyard. He doesn't use
electricity to kill. And worst of
all...
(holding up
the roast)
Phillipe Moyez is not shrink-
wrapped.
Merto begins to cough. Quietly at first, but...
KEVIN
Your Honor, the city timed this
police action to catch my client
exercising his constitutionally-
protected right to religious
freedom.
Merto's coughing getting worse as he tries to stop...
JUDGE SKLAR
This is a law protecting Kosher
butchering.
KEVIN
Exactly, Your Honor. And I'd like
to move at this time for an
immediate directed verdict for
dismissal.
Moyez staring a hole in Merto, and the man cannot stop
coughing...
JUDGE SKLAR
I happen to know a little bit
about Kashrut law, Mr. Lomax.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 42.
51 CONTINUED: (2) 51
KEVIN
I'm aware of that, Your Honor,
which is why I feel confident in
requesting a dismissal.
JUDGE SKLAR
Mr. Merto?
Merto can't speak -- wheezing and coughing, as we --
CUT TO:
MILTON
(coming toward them)
Bravo, Kevin. Bravo.
(as he arrives)
Pamela, you're looking lovely.
(to Moyez)
Satisfied, Phillipe?
MOYEZ
Always.
MILTON
Kevin, what can I say?
(smiles)
Outstanding.
Kevin, trying to look modest and failing, as we --
CUT TO:
(MORE)(CONTINUED)
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96
(CONTINUED) .
53 CONTINUED: 53
MILTON (CONT'D)
Guy like Moyez living in that
subterranean shithole all the
time he's running around with
fifteen million dollars in the
bank.
KEVIN
You gotta be kidding.
MILTON
What do you think? We're giving
you away? He's paying us in
goat's blood? I'm billing you
out at four-hundred an hour, my
friend. I don't see a whole lot
of pro bono work in your
immediate future.
(buzzing here)
Seriously, what I like, you got in
there with him. Inside the cage.
That's instinct. Can't be taught.
You gotta hear that on your own.
It's gotta be in your blood. It's
molecular. I bet I've got five
thousand lawyers working around
the planet. I couldn't name
ten -- couldn't name three --
I'd trust with Moyez.
KEVIN
So what the hell are they doing?
MILTON
What are they doing? They're
corporate lawyers, what do
you think they're doing? They're
busy reducing life and death to
the proper position of a semi -
colon. They're doing needlepoint.
Push button battles. Push button
wars. Armies that get so fucking
far away from each other they
need satellites to tell them
who won. No pain. No sound.
No smell. One big, multinational
circle jerk. You, on the other
hand, you're on the slaughterhouse
floor. You can't help but smell
your clients.
KEVIN
I figure you came to court to
make sure I didn't fuck this up.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96
(CONTINUED) .
53 CONTINUED: (2) 53
MILTON
Maybe I did. But don't get too
cocky. No matter how good you
are. Don't let them see you
coming. That's the gaff, my
friend -- make yourself small.
Be the hick. The cripple. The
nerd. The leper. The shit-
kicking surfer. Look at me --
I've been underestimated from
day one. Do I look like a
master of the universe? That's
your only weakness as far as I
can tell.
KEVIN
What's that?
MILTON
The look. The Florida stud thing.
'Scuse me, ma'am, did I leave my
boots under your bed?'
KEVIN
Never worked a jury didn't have a
woman.
MILTON
You know what you're missing?
What I have? This beautiful girl
she's just fucked me every way
she knows how -- we're done --
she's walking to the bathroom --
she turns back -- and there I am.
It's me. And she smiles -- it's
like a veil coming down across
her face -- and that smile, that's
a question mark, because she's
looking at me, she's wondering,
how did that happen? And see,
right there, from that moment on,
she's got a secret. I'm the hand
up Mona Lisa's skirt. I'm the
whisper in Nefertitti's ear.
I'm a surprise. They never see
me coming. That's what you're
missing.
Milton escaping across the street.
KEVIN
So why did you come down today?
53 CONTINUED: (3) 53
MILTON
Because I knew it was gonna be
good. Because I knew I was gonna
like it. That you would shine --
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96
(CONTINUED) .
MILTON
Better a hundred guilty men go
free than a single innocent be
executed.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 46.
53 CONTINUED: (4) 53
KEVIN
Something like that.
MILTON
No. Exactly like that. It's
faith. You're either in or out.
You can't believe a little bit.
KEVIN
I was kidding.
MILTON
You're not here to amuse me.
See, that's why people hate lawyers.
So many of us have lost our faith.
Don't let that happen to you.
Token?
KEVIN
Excuse me?
Milton offering a token. Behind him, the entrance to the
Canal Street station --
MILTON
Learn the subways, Kevin. Use
them. Stay in the trenches.
Kevin taking the token, as we --
CUT TO:
54 OMITTED 54
& &
55 55
(CONTINUED)
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96
(CONTINUED) .
56 CONTINUED: 56
He stops. In the hallway -- a wall is missing --
sheetrock stacked on the floor -- tools piled around -- a
renovation project halted for the night.
KEVIN
What's all this?
MARY ANN (O.S.)
All what?
Mary Ann up the hall in the bedroom door. Finishing her
makeup for a night out.
MARY ANN
Oh, that...
(smiles)
It was gonna be a nursery, but
then I remembered you'd have to be
home long enough to knock me up,
so now I'm thinking of building a
law library.
Kevin smiles. Drops his briefcase. Drops his pants.
MARY ANN
Save the thought. We were due up
there fifteen minutes ago.
She blows him a kiss. Ducking back into bedroom.
CUT TO:
KEVIN
You can handle this.
MARY ANN
Say something nice.
KEVIN
Something nice.
MARY ANN
Promise me you won't leave me
alone in there.
63 DEVIL'S
OMITTED
ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 63 .
57 CONTINUED: 57
KEVIN
Promise.
MARY ANN
How the hell did we get here?
KEVIN
Instinct.
61 KEVIN 61
huddled with Jackie and Mary Ann as Heath brings them
drinks from the bar.
62 PAM 62
and two lawyers near the terrace doors -- the smoking
section -- talking with nicotine-driven intensity.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 .
64 CHRISTABELLA 64
simply walking through the room.
DIANA
I love the eights. The entire 'A'
line -- such a great shell.
(manic and perhaps
a bit insane)
I do. I envy you. Starting from
scratch. Do you have your fabrics
yet? Tell me you don't.
MARY ANN
Not yet. I don't think so.
DIANA
Come with me. Instantly.
(to Kevin)
I'm borrowing your wife...
BARZOON
Be gentle, honey. These are
normal people.
BARZOON
Your first?
KEVIN
Excuse me?
BARZOON
Is this your first marriage?
DISSOLVE TO:
66 OMITTED 66
Across the room, Mary Ann with Jackie and Diana and
another wife --
MARY ANN
Who is that?
JACKIE
(looking over)
My God, girl...
DIANA
You haven't met him yet?
MARY ANN
Who is he?
DIANA
I swear he can hear us.
JACKIE
Hell, he can smell us.
MILTON
Mary Ann? John Milton...
(his hand and eyes)
I was hoping we'd meet tonight.
And here you are, already swimming
with the sharks.
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
71 CONTINUED: 71
MARY ANN
Deadbeats. I mean, that's what it
comes down to. You can call
yourself a finance trainee, or
a financial resources adviser,
or whatever, you're still
spending most of your day trying
to hammer car payments out of
deadbeats.
(looking around)
No deadbeats here tonight.
MILTON
You'd be surprised. There's a
lot more fear in this room than
you'd think.
MARY ANN
What do these people have to be
afraid of?
MILTON
Each other. Themselves. Why?
What scares you?
MARY ANN
Not knowing who the deadbeats are.
MILTON
You'll figure that out. There's
only one thing worth being
frightened of anyway, and that's
being alone. Truly and finally
alone.
MARY ANN
Yes. I think you're right.
MILTON
You know what terrifies me?
Responsibility.
MARY ANN
For what?
MILTON
For what. For you. Let's be
honest, I've changed your life.
Changed it forever. There's
been a seismic shift in your
existence and I'm responsible.
And you've never even met me.
We're talking for the very
first time. How insane is that?
(CONTINUED)
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96
(CONTINUED) .
71 CONTINUED: (2) 71
MARY ANN
It's a wonderful opportunity for
Kevin.
MILTON
Kevin. Please. I'm not worried
about Kevin. He buys a few new
suits. Learns a few new tricks.
He's there. I don't worry about
Kevin. What about you?
MARY ANN
I'm not leaving a lot behind.
MILTON
You must have family.
MARY ANN
Bad subject. I haven't spoken
to my folks in a long time. My
sister ran all the way to
Germany.
MILTON
Whoaa... I gotta think about that.
I had you down as daddy's little
girl, you know? The princess.
Sugar plum snapshots. Pastel
bedspreads. Cinnamon cookies.
MARY ANN
I tell Kevin the only thing worse
than not having a father was
having mine.
MILTON
So you've got a lot at stake here.
You've made a real commitment.
MARY ANN
I guess I have.
MILTON
It's not gonna be like
Gainesville, but then you know
that already.
MARY ANN
We're gonna be fine. It's gonna
be great.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 53.
71 CONTINUED: (3) 71
MILTON
If it isn't, will you come to me?
Let me help? I'd feel a lot less
responsible. Will you do that
for me?
MARY ANN
Sure.
MILTON
The worst vice is advice, right?
But can I make a suggestion?
It's about your hair, some people
are sensitive, that's why I ask.
MARY ANN
No. I mean, go ahead. You don't
like it?
MILTON
You have shoulders nobody can see.
Pull it back.
MARY ANN
You mean, you want me to pull my
hair back?
MILTON
If I do it, everyone in this room
that's pretending not to watch us
will assume we're fucking or
something. Pull back your hair.
(there's the mirror)
Take a look. See. That's it.
Isn't that incredible? You need
to cut your hair.
MARY ANN
You're kidding.
MILTON
A woman's shoulders are the
frontlines of her mystique.
And her neck, if she's alive,
has the very mystery of a
border town. It's the no
man's land in the battle
between mind and body.
(beat)
You know, your natural color
would really bring out your eyes...
Mary Ann frozen there, as we --
CUT TO:
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 .
KEVIN
Sorry?
CHRISTABELLA
From your terrace, is this your
view?
KEVIN
Sort of. Not exactly. I'm about
twelve floors down. What about
you?
CHRISTABELLA
No, I live downtown. This is the
family building.
KEVIN
Sounds like fun. Downtown, I
mean. I'm just getting to know
the city.
CHRISTABELLA
Is it everything you expected?
KEVIN
More.
CHRISTABELLA
(raising her glass)
May we always have more than we
expect. Salute.
KEVIN
Amen.
CHRISTABELLA
Are you alone?
KEVIN
You mean, tonight?
CHRISTABELLA
Is your wife a jealous woman?
(beat)
Silly question. We're all
jealous, aren't we?
(MORE)
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 .
72 CONTINUED: 72
CHRISTABELLA (CONT'D)
(laughing)
Oh, dear, I'm going to scare you
away.
KEVIN
I doubt it.
CHRISTABELLA
You like to be on top, don't you?
KEVIN
Excuse me?
CHRISTABELLA
Of the situation. You prefer to
be on top.
KEVIN
Depends on the view.
MILTON (O.S.)
You know what I see?
Milton in the doorway. He's been watching them.
MILTON
I see the future of this law firm.
(perfect Italian)
Christabella, cara, prestamelo per
favore, pe lo riporto piu tardi.
CHRISTABELLA
It's a boring party, anyway.
(to Kevin)
Ciao.
Kevin can't help watching her walk away.
MILTON
Look, we gotta talk. You grab
Heath and Eddie Barzoon and get
up to my place right away. And
let's be quiet about it.
CUT TO:
73 OMITTED 73
thru thru
76 76
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 .
MARY ANN
Have you seen Kevin?
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
Just enough light to make out two MEN standing across the
room. Silhouettes against the window.
MARY ANN
Sorry ...
(in doorway)
I'm looking for my husband.
The Men -- two vaguely familiar faces from the firm.
MAN #1
Don't think he's here.
Suddenly, a WOMAN's head rises INTO FRAME --
WOMAN
It's just us...
MAN #2
But feel free to join in...
81 OMITTED 81
HEATH
Who said he sleeps?
KEVIN
Where does he fuck?
MILTON (O.S.)
(behind them)
Everywhere.
BARZOON
What's up, John?
MILTON
How many hours did we bill Alex
Cullen last year?
HEATH
Sixteen thousand, two hundred and
forty-two.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 59.
82 CONTINUED: 82
BARZOON
What the fuck did he do now?
MILTON
Alex Cullen has just been
charged with murdering his ex-
wife, her stepson, and a maid.
BARZOON
When did this happen?
MILTON
Just now. Tonight. I already
sent Pam downtown to make bail
arrangements.
(CONTINUED)
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 10/22/96 60.
82 CONTINUED: (2) 82
BARZOON
They'll fucking crucify him.
They'll get in line. I gotta call
Meisel...
MILTON
No. I want Kevin on this case.
BARZOON
I hope you're kidding.
(beat)
Alexander Cullen in a Manhattan
triple murder? With Kevin?
You're dreaming.
MILTON
I've shaken hands with every
marquee defense attorney in town.
I take Kevin and I don't look
back.
BARZOON
You're a great judge of talent,
John. You're the master. I just
don't see it coming together.
MILTON
I want you on board, Eddie.
KEVIN
Look, I appreciate the vote of
confidence, but maybe Eddie's got
a point here.
MILTON
We can get this case. The man's
our client.
BARZOON
He's a business client.
MILTON
We know him better than he knows
himself. We have the inside
track. We have the best damn
trial lawyer in the city. It's
ours to lose.
BARZOON
Tell it to Cullen.
MILTON
No. That's up to Kevin.
58.
82 CONTINUED: (3) 82
With that, the PHONE starts RINGING --
MILTON
That's Pam calling...
(to Kevin)
Are we fighting for this, or not?
CUT TO:
KEVIN
Stop. Reset. I'm upstairs, I'm
with Milton and Barzoon and there
is a very good possibility that
I'm about to catch a triple
homicide defendant who also
happens to be the largest real
estate developer in the city. I
had to bail on the party!
MARY ANN
You bailed on me!
KEVIN
Mare... did you hear me?
MARY ANN
I was all by myself!
KEVIN
For three whole hours...
(as she's walking)
You gotta be kidding, right?
No, she's leaving. Kevin left there, alone --
CUT TO:
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 62.
CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 63.
87 CONTINUED: 87
CULLEN
I don't know... I gotta look
around.
KEVIN
You don't have time to shop, Mr.
Cullen.
(the newspaper)
Jury selection started this morning
at every breakfast table in the
city. You lost round one. This is
what people know. They know you
and your wife were living
separately. They see this maid --
Elucinda -- a sixty-eight-year-old
grandmother supporting seven
children. And then there's your
stepson, a ten-year-old with a
bullet in his brain. Those are
already powerful images in the mind
of the public.
CULLEN
I didn't kill anybody.
KEVIN
I'm telling you how it looks. You
discover the crime. You call it
in. You've got blood on your
person and clothes, and --
(before Cullen can
cut him off)
-- and -- your prints are on the
murder weapon.
CULLEN
How do you know that?
KEVIN
There's a second print in blood --
it's a partial of a hand -- on the
wall next to th--
CULLEN
I have keys! I called the cops
from the house! I touched the
goddamn wall!
(to Barzoon)
I was panicked! I panicked!
KEVIN
We need twelve people who can see
past all that. I'd get out in
front of this fast.
(CONTINUED)
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 64.
87 CONTINUED: (2) 87
CULLEN
I panicked! Is that a crime? I
touched the wall!
BARZOON
He's right, Alex. People need
to hear these things.
KEVIN
You're not happy tomorrow? The
next day? We'll move over. But
right now -- this moment -- you
need immediate representation.
CULLEN
I've got a fourteen-year-old
stepdaughter who I care more about
than anything in the world. They
won't let me call her from
downtown. They won't let me talk
to her after I'm out. I gotta go
deal with that first.
KEVIN
We need to issue a statement.
Cullen looks to Milton. Waiting. Help me.
MILTON
He's a winner, Alex. And they'll
never see him coming.
CULLEN
I'm gonna make some very tough
phone calls. Then I'm gonna take a
pill and try to get some sleep. My
place. Eight A.M. tomorrow. Alone.
(beat)
And you better be every fucking
inch as good as you think you are.
CUT TO:
88 OMITTED 88
MARY ANN
(whispering)
This is three thousand dollars.
JACKIE
Know what you need to do? Buy it.
Wear it once. And then throw it
away. That'll loosen you up.
DIANA
I say spend it all. If you're
never gonna see your husband, you
might as well have a relationship
with his money.
(as she strips)
I swear, if he wasn't afraid of me
shooting my mouth off, Eddie
would've put a cellulite clause in
the pre-nup.
JACKIE
Dr. Robert, I'm telling you, he's
the miracle man. You've seen my
new tits, I mean who does it
better than that?
DIANA
It's not my tits I'm worried
about.
Mary Ann turns. Jackie beside her. Topless. Smiling.
JACKIE
Real or not?
(her breasts)
They look real...
(she shimmies)
They move real...
MARY ANN
(trapped there)
Must be real.
JACKIE
Feel them. Go ahead. That's the
ultimate test.
Before Mary Ann can stop her, Jackie is taking her hand,
guiding it to her breast, and holding it there.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 /65.
90 CONTINUED: 90
JACKIE
(smiling)
Feel real?
MARY ANN
Yes.
(pulling away)
Absolutely. Real.
JACKIE
(backing away)
Dr. Robert. When you're ready.
Mary Ann looking away as Jackie walks off. Everything is
as it was, and yet different.
And then, she turns and sees --
91 OMITTED 91
95 OMITTED 95
thru thru
102 102
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 /65.
KEVIN
... first thing -- I need this
ASAP -- I want articles, clippings,
TV interviews, I want everything
you can get on Alex Cullen.
HEATH
(walking off)
You better get a semi truck.
66.
104 CONTINUED: 104
CHRISTABELLA
Enjoying yourself?
KEVIN
(caught)
Sorry. I'm just...
CHRISTABELLA
Just what? Looking?
KEVIN
Guilty.
CHRISTABELLA
Congratulations on Cullen.
KEVIN
Thank you.
CHRISTABELLA
What an incredible situation, even
if you lose you become a star.
KEVIN
What if I win?
CHRISTABELLA
If you win...
(smiles)
If you win it's everything.
KEVIN
Any advice?
CHRISTABELLA
Cullen is a pig. He's a pig
beyond reasonable doubt. I
suggest you keep him as far away
from the jury as possible.
KEVIN
I'll keep it in mind.
CHRISTABELLA
(leans in,
whispering)
You can look all you want, but I
don't fuck married men.
KEVIN
What a relief. I was starting to
think you were perfect.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 10/22/96 (CONTINUED) .
PAM (O.S.)
Kevin...
He turns instantly -- Pamela standing behind him.
PAM
Your wife is on the phone. She
sounds upset...
Christabella smiling as Kevin rushes off.
CUT TO:
MARY ANN
Yes!
KEVIN
Look, calm down, all right?
Listen to me... Mare? First,
you do this radical thing with
your hair...
MARY ANN
You hate it.
KEVIN
Stop. I think it's fine. But I
also think it's traumatic.
You've got the pressure of
fitting in with new friends,
a new place... add three bottles
of wine and --
MARY ANN
No! It wasn't the wine. It
wasn't the wine or my hair or
talking to Kathy, because I know
that's what you're gonna say --
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 10/22/96 A.
KEVIN
Oh, and that's got nothing to do
with it...
MARY ANN
Kevin, I never see you anymore.
Now that you've got this big case,
it's just only gonna get worse. I
don't know anybody here. These
women scare the living shit out of
me. If you can believe it, I'm
actually looking forward to having
your mother come and visit.
KEVIN
What about the apartment?
MARY ANN
Exactly! You just go out -- you
buy a few new suits and you're
fine. I've got this whole place
to fill up and I know we have all
this money and it's supposed to
be fun, but it isn't! It's like
a test! The whole thing is
like one big test! I'm lonely.
KEVIN
Let's make a baby.
MARY ANN
Don't tease me.
KEVIN
I wouldn't do that. Unless you
asked.
MARY ANN
You hate my hair, don't you?
MARY ANN
Stop.
Kevin looks like he's been shot. In the balls.
MARY ANN
Where are you?
KEVIN
Right here.
CUT TO:
KEVIN
... because it needs to be clear,
Mr. Cullen, because I need to
understand exactly what happened --
you're standing there -- you look
down -- there's the gun --
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 (CONTINUED) .
CULLEN
You work late. You come home.
You walk in. Everybody's dead.
It's not something you plan for.
KEVIN
Back up. Two prints by the gun.
Right knee. Right hand. It's a
strange move you must've made to
pick it up.
CULLEN
The blood, I don't know, maybe I
was trying to avoid the blood.
KEVIN
I'm trying to picture it...
(contorting)
Your hand came from inside and
underneath.
Cullen reaches into his jacket and pulls out a gun.
CULLEN
You want to see? Here...
(dropping to his
knees)
I'll fucking show you.
Kevin watching Cullen quickly retrieve the gun from the
floor with this weird little motion.
CULLEN
(standing)
Okay? Clear? Got it?
KEVIN
Whose gun is that, Alex?
CULLEN
It's mine.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 .
KEVIN
Give it over. Now. Gimme the
gun.
CULLEN
I gotta protect myself.
KEVIN
That's my job. When the case is
over you can have it back.
(strong)
This is a dealbreaker, Alex.
Cullen hands him the gun.
KEVIN
Okay. Let's wrap it up.
CULLEN
So what's next?
KEVIN
We need to talk to your assistant.
CULLEN
Call her.
KEVIN
You feel confident she'll back you
on the time.
CULLEN
Melissa, yeah. She's okay. She's
a real straight arrow.
KEVIN
So we're going to talk to her and
you're not going to talk to
anybody. Okay?
CULLEN
(with a smile)
No comment.
CUT TO:
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 (CONTINUED) .
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
MELISSA
Would my babysitter have to
testify?
KEVIN
We need her to establish the time
you returned home.
MELISSA
She doesn't have her green card is
why I ask. I don't want her to
get in trouble.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96
(CONTINUED) .
KEVIN
That's why we're all working so
hard.
As Melissa exits with Pam, Kevin notices two associates
carrying boxes far up the hall and we --
CUT TO:
119 INT. LAW FIRM LIBRARY AND HALL - NIGHT (SAME TIME) 119
KEVIN
I thought I was the only one
working late.
BARZOON
So did we.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96
(CONTINUED) .
KEVIN
Good news. We just wrapped up
with Cullen's assistant. She
looks like a great alibi.
BARZOON
What a pleasant surprise.
KEVIN
But it looks like you have your
hands full.
BARZOON
Just a little housekeeping.
(beat)
If they ask, you never saw this.
KEVIN
Who would ask?
BARZOON
Weaver.
KEVIN
Who's that?
BARZOON
Justice Department. Weaver
Commission.
(staring at him)
You don't know about Weaver?
KEVIN
Sorry.
BARZOON
How nice for you.
MILTON (O.S.)
Grab your coat, Mr. Lomax...
KEVIN
I'd have to call Mary Ann...
MILTON
Do it on the way.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96
(CONTINUED) .
BARZOON
(am I here?)
You get my message?
MILTON
You write beautifully, Eddie.
BARZOON
We need to talk.
MILTON
Soon.
BARZOON
I hope so.
CUT TO:
120 OMITTED 120
& &
121 121
KEVIN
So what's this Weaver Commission?
MILTON
I don't micro-manage. You find the
talent and then you delegate. Who
knows what the hell Eddie's up to.
He's got a lotta fingers in a lotta pies.
BIG GUY
What the fuck you looking at?
(it's Milton he's
talking to)
You fucking deaf or something?
MILTON
No. I can hear you just fine.
BIG GUY
Good, 'cause I want you should get
your skinny little ass somewhere
down the fucking car away from me.
76.
122 CONTINUED: 122
MILTON
(stare-down)
I'm not going anywhere.
Big Guy pulls open his jacket -- a knife in his belt.
KEVIN
Oh, shit.
(stepping back)
John...
But Milton doesn't move. He smiles.
MILTON
(perfect Spanish)
Maricela, the moment you left the
apartment she was upstairs with
Carlos. They're on the pipe right
now, my friend. They're in the
kitchen splitting a jumbo and then
he's going to fuck her in the ass,
right on your bed, and she's going
to like it.
Big Guy backing away -- into his friends --
BIG GUY
Como...? How do you...?
The SUBWAY RATTLING into the Fourteenth Street station.
MILTON
(still Spanish)
Do yourself a favor and put that
knife where it belongs.
The doors open. Big Guy stumbling back -- his friends
catching him -- helping him off the train -- looking
back, as the doors close and...
It's like it never happened. Milton straightening his
cuffs as the train pulls away.
KEVIN
What did you say to him?
MILTON
I told him if he didn't leave us
alone, you were going to kick all
three of their asses.
CUT TO:
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 .
KEVIN
(on his feet)
Get up! Get up, dammit! C'mon!
DON KING
Look at this sorry shit, you got
better seats than me.
MILTON
You need a better lawyer.
DON KING
Nobody better than you, Johnny.
MILTON
Hang on a second...
(presenting Kevin)
Meet my new heavyweight. Kevin
Lomax.
Kevin shaking hands with Don King, as we --
CUT TO:
KEVIN
And say what? He's the senior
partner at the --
(pause)
Mare, you're really starting to
piss me off --
(pause)
Yes. I'm having one cigarette.
You want me to lie? One cigarette
after seven months is not --
(pause)
That's exactly what I'm saying.
Go to bed. I have no idea.
(pause)
I told you, he never sleeps.
(pause)
Mare. Stop. The guy pays our
bills. The food, the heat, the
rent on that enormous fucking
apartment we live in.
(beat)
I live there, too!
CLICK. The LINE is dead. He looks at the cigarette.
Takes a hit. Fuck it. And then his eyes find --
The dressing room across the hall. An open door.
Inside, a woman, one of the dancers, all but nude,
stepping into her dress. A simply perfect body.
And then she turns TOWARD us and it's Christabella --
clearly -- for a single moment -- before she slams shut
the door.
Kevin crosses to the door. Knocks. And again.
The door opens. A DANCER standing there. It's not
Christabella.
DANCER
Can I help you?
Kevin already backing toward --
MARY ANN
Kevin?
Silence. And then, the sound of a BABY CRYING...
CUT TO:
Mary Ann rushing through the dark, toward the nursery and
the sound of the CRYING -- stopping suddenly at the
nursery door --
MARY ANN
How...? What are you...?
MARY ANN
You poor thing...
Mary Ann easing slowly forward.
MARY ANN
How did you... how did you get
here?
(billing and cooing)
Are you okay? Look at you...
hello... hello...
(kneeling there)
Where's your mommy?
The baby turns to her voice. Smiling now.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 (CONTINUED) .
MARY ANN
What are you playing with? What
do you have there?
The baby offers his open hands --
MARY ANN
... Oh, God, no...
The baby raising his hands toward her --
MARY ANN
... no... please, God, no --
JACKIE
Took two seconals to get her out.
KEVIN
(hung-over and guilty)
Milton got his hooks into me.
HEATH
Relax. We've all been there.
JACKIE
Leave her with me. Let her sleep.
She'll be out another five, six
hours at least.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 (CONTINUED) .
KEVIN
This transition, it's been really
tough on her...
HEATH
We're gonna find some names for
you. Doctors. Good people.
Kevin nods. Jackie ushering them out, as we --
CUT TO:
PAM
Caught me.
KEVIN
I've gotta find Cullen.
(as he passes)
We just got the prosecution
discovery package.
PAM
That bad?
Kevin just keeps going into --
KEVIN
That's what they all say.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/15/96
(CONTINUED) .
CULLEN
Melissa. My assistant.
(such a headache)
She's not even that good a fuck.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/15/96 .
THERAPIST
Time's up, Mr. Cullen.
CULLEN
Allesandra. Please...
Kevin watching Cullen rush away, as we --
CUT TO:
PAPARAZZI
Kevin, hey, how's it going? Can
we get a couple shots here? How
about a thumbs-up here? What do
you say?
Kevin reluctantly smiles. Get it over with.
MRS. LOMAX
What's he doing?
MARY ANN
Kevin's had his picture in the
paper.
FEENEY
Sorry, Mr. Lomax, I thought we'd
scared 'em all away...
MRS. LOMAX
Always did like to stick his nose
in a camera.
FEENEY
(as they enter)
And how are you, Mrs. Lomax? Did
you have a fine dinner?
MRS. LOMAX
I surely did.
(she's got a
doggie bag)
Are you hungry?
FEENEY
No, I'm fine. Thank you.
MILTON (O.S.)
Speak of the devil...
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/15/96
(CONTINUED) /86.
MILTON
I was just telling the Moyez
story.
KEVIN
Really.
MILTON
And is this your mother?
KEVIN
Yes. Mom, this is...
MILTON
John Milton. Nice to meet you.
MRS. LOMAX
Alice Lomax. How do you do?
MILTON
Mary Ann...
(a kiss for her)
I think you've met Christabella,
and this is Giselle who's just in
from Paris.
A moment of bullshit superficial greetings and then --
the elevator doors opening and the whole uncomfortable
clot of them moving into --
KEVIN
Thanks for the champagne.
MILTON
You've very welcome.
(to Mrs. Lomax)
This isn't really your first visit
to New York, is it?
KEVIN
(after a moment)
Yes.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 (CONTINUED) .
KEVIN
Mom, we're here...
MRS. LOMAX
Yes. Good night to you.
MILTON
You sure?
Kevin left standing there as the doors close.
CUT TO:
MARY ANN
That what you're doing when you're
working late?
KEVIN
What are we talking about?
MARY ANN
You know exactly what I'm talking
about.
KEVIN
That's ridiculous.
MARY ANN
I'm going to bed.
(walking off)
'Night, Alice...
MRS. LOMAX
'Night.
KEVIN
I guess I finally got there.
(sensing something
wrong)
Look, I'm sorry about being so
busy this week. Maybe Saturday I
can get some time off and...
MRS. LOMAX
Don't worry on it.
(touching his face)
I love you more than anything in
the whole world. You know that,
don't you?
KEVIN
I love you too, Ma.
Kevin turning out the lights, as we --
CUT TO:
KEVIN
Shit!
The door to the guest room is open. He looks in --
KEVIN
Mom? Ma, what are you doing?
MRS. LOMAX
I'm going home, Kevin.
KEVIN
What? What are you talking about?
MRS. LOMAX
I don't feel right.
KEVIN
You just got here.
(his watch)
Look, I'm late and I just got my
teeth kicked in on the front page,
so I gotta run. We'll talk later.
MRS. LOMAX
I have to go, Kevin. I miss my
church.
KEVIN
Ma, this is New York, there must
be twenty-thousand goddamn
churches. Take your pick.
MRS. LOMAX
You need to do a better job with
Mary Ann. She's not well. This
place isn't good for her.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/15/96 .
MRS. LOMAX
I'll take her home if you let me.
KEVIN
This is home. You understand?
This is where we live! I'm not
going back to Gainesville.
Unbelievable.
MRS. LOMAX
'Wide is the gate, and broad is
the way that leadeth to
temptation.'
KEVIN
It's a little early for scripture.
I'm going to work.
(as he walks)
You can do whatever you want.
Mrs. Lomax watching him go, as we --
CUT TO:
MELISSA
I can't do it. It's one thing to
have an affair with your boss,
it's another to have to tell the
world in a murder case.
KEVIN
We have to bring it out, Melissa.
MELISSA
My ex-husband would have a field
day with this.
KEVIN
A man's life is at stake. You're
our whole case.
Melissa looking away, as we --
CUT TO:
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/15/96
(CONTINUED) .
WEAVER
Your Honor...
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 10/22/96
(CONTINUED) .
CUT TO:
168 INT. WEAVER FEDERAL COURT - HALL - DAY (MINUTES LATER) 168
Busy. Lots of traffic. Barzoon and Kevin walking.
BARZOON
Forget about lunch. This guy
Weaver is running me ragged.
A REPORTER pulls up alongside -- excited --
REPORTER
Kevin. Nancy Osborne, Metro News.
How are you?
KEVIN
Busy.
REPORTER
We had a report of a private plane
at Teterboro airport ready to take
Alexander Cullen out of the coun --
KEVIN
(cutting her off)
Mr. Cullen is innocent. He's not
going anywhere. He's been
released on a two million dollar
bond. He looks forward to having
his day in court. Thank you.
REPORTER
Kevin, is there any truth to --
KEVIN
I'm in the middle of a meeting.
Call my office. Schedule an
interview. Or else forget it.
Barzoon is getting away. Kevin hustling to catch up.
KEVIN
I'm picking a jury tomorrow.
BARZOON
You're good at that.
168 CONTINUED: 168
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 10/22/96
(CONTINUED) .
KEVIN
You're not gonna have time to help
me on Cullen, are you?
BARZOON
No.
Just then, Weaver comes rumbling past --
WEAVER
Devada Holdings, Eddie. Look in
your rearview window, I'm right
behind you.
Before he can answer -- ANOTHER REPORTER swoops in --
REPORTER #2
Kevin, Chuck Higgery, Action News.
Have you spoken with Alex Cullen
concerning the D.A.'s report...
Kevin turns to see two more REPORTERS jogging over.
REPORTER #3
Kevin, just a statement --
And a photographer -- Kevin under siege and --
BARZOON
(backing away)
Gotta go.
Barzoon escaping as reporters begin to materialize from
all sides, and we --
CUT TO:
95.
169 CONTINUED: 169
MARY ANN
You won't stay with me now.
KEVIN
Look, let's get you undressed and
in the tub. Okay?
MARY ANN
You won't stay. I know you.
You'll leave me now for sure.
(as he moves to
comfort her -- )
Get-away-from-me!
KEVIN
Okay. I'm confused.
(furious)
Why? What is it now? What the
fuck is it today, Mare? I swear
to God, I'm calling this doctor,
I'm gonna find out what the hell
they're giving you.
MARY ANN
They took my ovaries. I told you!
(tears now)
My sisters have seven children
between them. My mother had Derek
when she was forty-five. You
could set a clock by my periods.
KEVIN
What are you talking about?
MARY ANN
I can't have children!
KEVIN
Says who?
MARY ANN
The doctor! The other doctor. I
was there today.
(beat)
Non-specific ovarian failure.
KEVIN
That's ridiculous.
The PHONE begins to RING across the room.
MARY ANN
(grabbing his arm)
I know you. You'll leave me.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96
(CONTINUED) .
MILTON
I want you to drop this case.
KEVIN
This case? Cullen?
(incredulous)
John, I've got a jury showing up
this morning.
MILTON
Do you love this woman?
KEVIN
Yes. Of course I do.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 10/22/96 CUT TO: .
KEVIN
(stunned)
What about Cullen?
MILTON
We'll find someone new. You
consult. You live to fight
another day.
KEVIN
I put together a great jury.
MILTON
It's a disappointment. We all
have them. Embrace it. Use it.
You move on.
KEVIN
Hang on, we gotta talk about
this.
MILTON
What's to talk? It's your wife,
man. And she's very sick. And
that's gotta come first.
(beat)
Are you telling me the possibility
of leaving the case has never
crossed your mind?
KEVIN
You know what scares me? I quit
the case. She gets better. And I
hate her for it.
(silence)
I don't want to resent her, John.
I've got a winner here. I gotta
nail this fucker down, do it
fast, and put it behind me.
Just get it done. Then put all
my energy into her.
MILTON
I guess you have thought about it.
I stand corrected.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/15/96
(CONTINUED) .
BROYGO
... And when all that evidence is
laid before you, when all these
pieces weave together, you will
conclude -- you will know -- that
Alexander Cullen is guilty of
murdering three people in cold
blood with malice aforethought.
Done. The courtroom is silent. The jury liked him.
JUDGE POE
Mr. Lomax...
(checking his watch)
We can break for lunch now, or you
can do a stop and start...
KEVIN
If it's a choice, I'll go now. I
won't be as long as Mr. Broygo.
JUDGE POE
Proceed.
KEVIN
We just spent our morning listening
to Mr. Broygo talk about his
'evidence'. What he neglected to
tell you is what this case is
really about. He left out the most
important fact of all: Alex Cullen
was somewhere else when these
murders took place. Now, Alex
Cullen has done a lot of things I
don't like. He's been a terrible
husband to all three of his wives.
He's been a destructive force in
the lives of his step-children.
He's cheated the city. His partners.
His employees. He's paid hundreds of
thousands of dollars in penalties and
fines over the years. I don't like
those things. I don't expect you to
like them. There will be other things
during the course of this trial that
you will hear about and like even
less. But this isn't a popularity
contest. It's a murder trial and
Alex Cullen hasn't killed anybody.
(MORE)
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/15/96 CUT TO: .
CULLEN
What the fuck was that? Are you
out of your fucking mind?
(murderous)
They fucking hate me!
Kevin -- one push -- Cullen sent flying.
KEVIN
Listen to me like you've never
listened to anybody before. I'm
going to bust my ass to make sure
they hate you. Because as long as
you're out boning Melissa, you're
not home killing your wife.
CULLEN
(pause, as he warms
to the idea)
Why didn't you tell me before?
KEVIN
Then it doesn't look spontaneous.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96
(CONTINUED) .
KEVIN
Let me put it this way, then: can
you tell from a blood sample if
the person were alive or dead?
TECHNICIAN
The victim? Of course not.
KEVIN
And there's a two hour window in
which to place these murders.
TECHNICIAN
Yes.
KEVIN
So, you've got absolutely no way
to determine the condition of the
victims when Alexander Cullen put
his hand on that wall.
CUT TO:
KEVIN
Eddie...
BARZOON
Saw you go in.
KEVIN
What's up?
BARZOON
(cold)
Congratulations.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96
(CONTINUED) .
CUT TO:
MILTON (V.O.)
You take a look at Eddie Barzoon
you gotta wonder if maybe God
overplayed his hand. Maybe he
made the game a little too
interesting...
KEVIN
I'm gonna, I'm gonna go downstairs
now. Put this stuff away.
(backing away
with his bag
of groceries)
Ice cream's already melting.
Milton watching him walk away, as we --
CUT TO:
197 INT. LAW FIRM - PAM'S OFFICE AND HALL - DAY 197
Pam exits the room. Melissa sitting at the head of the
table. Kevin pacing around her. They are alone.
Practicing her testimony over early morning coffee.
KEVIN
You testified that the defendant
called you at four-thirty to ask
you to come to his office gym for
the purposes of sex.
MELISSA
Yes.
KEVIN
Mr. Cullen, though, he's not just
your lover, is he? He's the boss.
MELISSA
Yes.
KEVIN
So two hours go by before you act
on his request?
(CONTINUED)
109.
197 CONTINUED: 197
MELISSA
Yes, I went up at six-ten. I knew
it was six-ten, they had weather
coming on the news. I remember --
Cut off by --
KEVIN
Okay. Stop.
(breaking character)
This prosecutor is no fool. He's
gonna change tempo, attitude, tone
of voice -- he's gonna come out
with questions you never thought
of, just to screw you up.
(coaching)
So what do we do?
MELISSA
Yes and no answers. Stay calm.
KEVIN
Exactly.
(back into it)
Is it your testimony, Ms. Block,
that between the hours of six-ten
and nine-forty you were engaged in
sexual congress with the
defendant?
MELISSA
Yes.
KEVIN
At any point during this three
hour marathon, Ms. Block, did you
lose sight of the defendant?
MELISSA
No.
KEVIN
Did he use the bathroom?
MELISSA
Yes.
KEVIN
Is he circumcised?
(silence)
You understand the question?
MELISSA
Yes.
(CONTINUED)
110.
197 CONTINUED: (2) 197
KEVIN
So is he cut or not?
MELISSA
Yes.
KEVIN
Which is it?
CHRISTABELLA
He's dead. He was killed.
KEVIN
When?
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96
(CONTINUED) .
HEATH
Last night in the park. He was
running if you can believe it.
Kevin standing there, holding Christabella. Feeling heat
on the back of his neck and turning to find Milton at the
far end of the hall. Their eyes lock --
CHRISTABELLA (O.S.)
What is wrong with people?
HEATH (O.S.)
At least they got the scumbags who
did it.
KEVIN
(turning on this)
Who?
LAWYER #1
Two old, homeless crazies.
Pam coming through the hallway like steel --
PAM
Kevin... Kevin, I'm sorry, but
you're due in court in thirty
minutes.
As Melissa appears in the conference room door --
MELISSA
Are we through here, or what?
PAM
I'll bring Melissa down in the
car, but you better get going.
CUT TO:
KEVIN
I can't put her on the stand.
MILTON
What choice do we have?
KEVIN
I know she's lying.
MILTON
Because she didn't answer you fast
enough? Did she lie to you? No.
She said nothing. The fact is,
you'll never know.
KEVIN
He killed those people.
MILTON
You really believe that?
KEVIN
Cullen set me up. Melissa, the
whole thing, I know it.
MILTON
Look, you gotta go with your gut.
KEVIN
That's your advice?
MILTON
I'll back you either way. Hey,
you think I haven't lost before?
(pause)
We talked about this, Kevin.
Pressure. Take a big whiff.
Kevin unreadable. The SUBWAY CAR RATTLING away.
CUT TO:
JUDGE POE
Mr. Lomax, you may call your next
witness.
.
PAM
Kevin!
(re the phone)
Kevin, it's for you --
Kevin takes the phone, trying to hear above the noise.
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
MARY ANN
I came down here. I've just been
sitting. I'm afraid to pray. I
let him stay. I'm sorry. I'm
sorry. I'm sorry, Kevin.
KEVIN
Did somebody hurt you?
MARY ANN
Milton. He fucked me, Kevin. I
let him fuck me. I couldn't stop
him.
KEVIN
What? When?
MARY ANN
Today. This afternoon. All
afternoon. God, I'm so ashamed...
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96
(CONTINUED) .
MARY ANN
It's the money, Kevin. Blood
money. We just drank it down.
Both of us. We knew it. Winning
those cases, taking the money. We
knew they were guilty. But you
kept winning. Every time.
(MORE)
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/2/96 116.
JACKIE
What do they say?
KEVIN
They don't know. It's bad. She's
falling apart.
CHRISTABELLA (O.S.)
Do you have room for one more?
Kevin turns to see Christabella standing beside him.
Jackie's concerned expression blossoms into a private,
knowing smile now that Kevin has turned away.
Christabella squeezes in, as the MUSIC SWELLS and THE
PRIEST walks solemnly to the altar. Kevin caught in a
high-intensity sexual cross-fire between Jackie and
Christabella. He's tense. He's flipping out.
THE PRIEST
... Father, husband, partner,
friend, colleague...
CUT TO:
WEAVER (O.S.)
(behind him)
Mr. Lomax?
KEVIN
No comment. I'll have something
for you later.
WEAVER (O.S.)
I'm a friend of Eddie Barzoon.
WEAVER
Remember me? Mitch Weaver.
Justice Department.
KEVIN
Staking out the funeral?
WEAVER
Looking for you actually.
KEVIN
I'm in a bit of a hurry right now.
I need to talk to my wife.
WEAVER
Just wanted to ask you -- off the
record -- I had a few questions
about Eddie.
CUT TO:
WEAVER
Milton, Chadwick, Waters is a
little more than a law firm, but
then I assume you knew that.
(working him)
Devada Holdings? I'm sure you've
heard of it. London, Kinshasa,
Karachi -- Arms brokering mostly.
You've got Munzer-Dietch, they're
in Berlin and Djakarta -- chemical
weapons, toxic waste. Ivanaco
Limited -- Moscow -- money
laundering for the Eastern Bloc.
(at his ear)
It goes on and on, Kevin.
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
MRS. LOMAX
Kevin... honey...
KEVIN
What are you doing here?
MRS. LOMAX
I came this morning. I been
calling the house and getting no
answer and then I spoke to Pam
and... I need to talk to you.
PAM
We got her on the first flight up
this morning.
MRS. LOMAX
Are you all right?
KEVIN
I just... I don't know.
MRS. LOMAX
Will you excuse us a moment?
CUT TO:
MRS. LOMAX
I never should've left. I knew it.
I'll never forgive myself.
KEVIN
I was gonna call you, I just...
MRS. LOMAX
What I did, Kevin, I thought it
was for the best. Loving you was
always first for me.
KEVIN
There's nothing you could've done.
MRS. LOMAX
I could've told you the truth.
KEVIN
About what?
MRS. LOMAX
I've lied to you, Kevin.
KEVIN
When?
MRS. LOMAX
Always.
(pause)
Baptist Endeavor Youth Crusade,
ninety-sixty-four. I was here.
In New York. That night in the
elevator, you never let me answer.
KEVIN
What are you talking about?
MRS. LOMAX
We stayed a week. The Tremont
Hotel, it's not there anymore, I
went by and it's gone -- they had
a restaurant downstairs and we ate
there almost every meal --
KEVIN
Wait. Stop.
MRS. LOMAX
Your father was a waiter in that
restaurant.
KEVIN
Oh, this is great, Ma... this is
just perfect --
MRS. LOMAX
-- honey, listen to me --
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 1/18/97
(CONTINUED) .
KEVIN
(total incredulity)
-- Now? You do this now? --
Because, I mean, your timing --
it's superb -- you wait thirty
years? -- you fly up here -- you
pick today? --
MRS. LOMAX
-- Kevin, honey, wait --
KEVIN
-- obviously I'm not under enough
pressure -- I don't have enough on
my mind, I need this little --
MRS. LOMAX
Listen to me.
KEVIN
Why are you doing this now?
MRS. LOMAX
Because I'm afraid!
Kevin overwhelmed -- walking away -- down the hall --
completely fritzed -- leaving her standing there --
MRS. LOMAX
Kevin. Kevin!
(calling
after him)
'Behold I send you out as sheep
amidst the wolves.'
Kevin just stopped walking.
CUT TO:
PAM
Don't you look beautiful now.
(re something
in her bag)
Here. Have a look and see.
A hand mirror. Mary Ann turns away instantly --
MARY ANN
No.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 1/18/97
(CONTINUED) .
PAM
Go on. Take a look. See how
beautiful you are?
Mary Ann opens her eyes. There's her reflection. She is
beautiful. It's okay. She smiles. What was she afraid
of? And then, the mirror shifts to find --
Mary Ann rears back -- her head smashing into Pam's face
so hard that the MIRROR SHATTERS -- Pam, blind for a
moment, staggering back -- Mary Ann on her feet and
fighting and Pam suddenly pushed and --
CUT TO:
MRS. LOMAX
What's going on?
MRS. LOMAX
Kevin!
Kevin jogging down the hall -- trying the door --
CUT TO:
KEVIN
(it won't open)
Mary Ann. Hey. Hey!
(still no luck)
Omigod... Get somebody! Go!
CUT TO:
KEVIN
Mare! -- Look at me! -- Stop! --
right now -- Mare! --
CUT TO:
KEVIN
(through
the glass)
Mary Ann, no! No! No!
CUT TO:
MRS. LOMAX
-- Help! -- Help! -- Somebody! We
need help --
CUT TO:
KEVIN
-- Stop! -- No! -- Mare! --
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
KEVIN
-- no, Mare -- hang on -- please,
Mare, I'm right here, it's gonna
be okay, baby -- oh, God, Mare,
why did you do this? --
(screaming now)
Where's the fucking doctor?!
ORDERLY #1 (O.S.)
Oh shit, man...
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 1/18/97 (CONTINUED) .
KEVIN
What are you doing? Help her!
ORDERLY #1
Hey, look, I ain't no doctor...
(backing away)
Hang on -- lemme --
YELLING in the hall now, and faces in the doorway. Mrs.
Lomax crying and two weird patients from the next staring
and...
Pam. And only we can see it, but she's smiling...
KEVIN
-- please, baby, stay with me...
it'll be okay -- it's gonna be fine
just, just stay with me -- Oh God,
Mare... please, baby...
Kevin holding her, but she's gone, as we --
DISSOLVE TO:
MRS. LOMAX
I promised right there if God would
let me back into His grace I would
never leave again. I prayed there
was a reason this terrible thing
had happened. There had to be a
reason. And there was. It was
you. You were my blessing. You
were reason enough to endure
anything. How much I love you.
KEVIN
I want to hear you say it.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 1/18/97 (CONTINUED) .
MRS. LOMAX
What are you doing?
KEVIN
I gotta go.
MRS. LOMAX
No... let it alone! Stay with me.
(panicked)
Forget about him! We can leave
here. We can go home! We don't
ever have to see him again!
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 1/18/97
(CONTINUED) .
KEVIN
I can't do that. You go home.
(backing away)
Pray for Mary Ann.
MRS. LOMAX
Kevin, please... Honey!
(calling
after him)
I love you!
CUT TO:
PAM
There you are...
(all smiles)
Look at you... you're terrified.
Not to worry. He'll take that fear
away. You don't ever have to be
frightened again. Go on, he's
waiting...
Kevin turning and something is very wrong --
CUT TO:
MILTON
... I don't make things happen.
Doesn't work like that. Free
will -- it's like butterfly wings --
one touch and it never gets off the
ground. I only set the stage. You
pull your own strings.
Kevin has a gun -- Cullen's gun, in his hand --
KEVIN
What did you do to Mary Ann?
MILTON
A gun? In here?
KEVIN
What did you do to my wife?
MILTON
On a scale of one to ten, ten
being the most depraved acts of
sexual theater, one being an
average Friday night run-through
at the Lomax household, I'd say...
(beat)
Six.
Kevin FIRES the GUN -- BANG! BANG! BANG! -- bullets pass
right through him -- into the wall --
MILTON
Whoa... Got me! Damn!
(laughing)
That's my boy. Step on up! Stay
angry! Keep hold to that great
fury! Hang on tight, Kevin, because
it's the final fig leaf.
Kevin lowers the gun to his side.
KEVIN
Who are you?
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 1/18/97 .
MILTON
Never lost a case. Why? Why?
Because you're so fucking good?
Yes. But why?
KEVIN
Because you're my father.
MILTON
Well, I'm a little more than that.
Awful hot in that courtroom, wasn't
it? 'What's the game plan, Kevin?'
(reporter's voice)
'It was a nice run, Kevin. Had to
close out someday.'
KEVIN
Who are you?
MILTON
I have so many names.
KEVIN
Satan.
MILTON
Call me Dad.
KEVIN
Mary Ann, Barzoon, Weaver...
MILTON
Come on. You're not listening.
Blaming me for Mary Ann? I hope
you're kidding. You could've saved
her any time you liked. She only
wanted love. But you knew it
wouldn't really work out, didn't
you? Mary Ann in New York? Face
it, you started looking to better-
deal her the minute you got here.
KEVIN
That's a lie.
MILTON
Hey, it's not that you didn't care
for her, it's just you were a
little bit more involved with
someone else. Yourself.
KEVIN
What the hell do you know about
love?
(CONTINUED)
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 1/18/97 .
MILTON
Bio-chemically no different than
eating large quantities of chocolate.
(sharply now)
Don't be such a fucking chump.
There's only one real sickness in
all of creation and that is self-
delusion. I told you to take care
of your wife -- that the world
would understand. And you made a
choice. 'You know what scares me,
John? I leave the case, she gets
better and I hate her for it...'
Remember?
KEVIN
You set me up. It's entrapment.
MILTON
Who told you to pull out the stops
for Mr. Gettys? And Moyez -- the
direction you took -- Snake
handlers, Popes and swamis all
feeding at the same trough -- whose
ideas were those? And then
Cullen -- knowing he's guilty --
seeing those pictures -- putting
that lying bitch on the stand...
What did I say, Kevin? Maybe it was
time to lose, right? You didn't
think so.
KEVIN
That's my job. That's what I do!
MILTON
Exactly!
(gotcha)
Vanity is definitely my favorite
sin. Self love. It's so basic.
What a drug. Cheap, all-natural,
and right at your fingertips.
Pride. That's where you're
strongest. And believe me, I
understand. Work for someone
else? -- Hey, I couldn't hack it.
'Better to reign in Hell than
serve in Heaven.'
KEVIN
What do you want from me?
MILTON
What do I want? I want you to be
yourself!
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 1/18/97 .
MILTON
I've had many children, Kevin. So
many disappointments. Neurotic,
indecisive wannabes. Over-eager,
ham-handed butchers. Strung-out,
priapic losers. And then there's
you. Your mother, I'll tell you,
she outstripped my wildest fantasy.
That church she dragged you to?
Every day? What training. What
a challenge! It's awesome what
you've done. How far you've come.
Both of you... You and your sister.
Christabella emerges from behind the bar --
MILTON
Half-sister to be exact.
CHRISTABELLA
Surprise.
MILTON
What do you think, Kevin? What a
scene, huh?
CHRISTABELLA
(passing Kevin)
Don't let him scare you.
MILTON
Wait till you meet her mother.
KEVIN
It is a test, isn't it? The whole
game, you sitting there, keeping
score.
MILTON
No. That's the other guy. I
don't judge anybody. As far as
I'm concerned, everyone's a winner.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 1/18/97
(CONTINUED) .
CHRISTABELLA
Anybody want a drink? I'm having
a drink.
KEVIN
This is some pitch. You must need
me pretty bad. What do you want?
MILTON
Eddie was right. Your name is on
the partnership charter. I want
you to take over the firm. You
and your sister.
KEVIN
Is that it?
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 1/18/97
(CONTINUED) .
KEVIN
What?
MILTON
Your vanity is justified, Kevin,
you're the seed to a new future.
Your son will sit at the head of
all tables. You hold a special
place in the history of all things.
KEVIN
You want a child.
MILTON
I want a family.
KEVIN
The Antichrist.
MILTON
Whatever...
KEVIN
But I have to volunteer.
Christabella begins to strip.
MILTON
Free will. It's a bitch.
(beat)
I need a family. I command an ever
larger presence on the board. I'm
busy and I need some help. There's
a plan here. I've been conserving
my energy. Synergy. Prioritize.
It's the millennium, Kevin. Title
fight. Round twenty. I'm ready
to work.
KEVIN
So what are you offering?
MILTON
Are we negotiating?
KEVIN
Always.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 1/18/97 (CONTINUED) .
MILTON
Yes!
KEVIN
What are you offering?
MILTON
Everything. Anything. All of it!
(he's got him)
What am I offering? I'm offering
bliss. Instant bliss. Bliss by
remote control. Bliss on tap.
That first line of cocaine. That
walk into a strange girl's bedroom.
The jury coming back in thirty-
eight minutes. Freedom.
Revolution! Viva la causa!
KEVIN
You're right, aren't you? About
me. I mean, I made all the
choices, didn't I? Gettys.
Cullen. Mary Ann. I did kill her,
didn't I?
MILTON
Don't be too hard on yourself.
CHRISTABELLA
It's done. Forget it. It's all
for us now.
MILTON
God, she's just fucking stunning,
isn't she?
Christabella lingering and Kevin leaning in... kissing
her... just a moment before she pulls away --
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 1/18/97 .
KEVIN
In the Bible you lose. You're
destined to lose.
MILTON
Consider the source.
Christabella -- her hands -- moving over her body --
CHRISTABELLA
Stop talking. Both of you.
(reaching out)
Kevin, please...
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 1/18/97 .
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
(EFX) The Bas Relief. The clouds are now fire -- the
bodies now burning and --
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
CUT TO:
JUDGE
(to Barbara)
You're still under oath, young
lady.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
.
KEVIN
Call me tomorrow.
REPORTER
You got it. First thing.
Kevin nods. Holding Mary Ann's hand as they escape.
It's Milton.
Always there.
FADE OUT.
THE END