PhoenixWright:AceAttorney

Episode1:TheFirstTurnabout

Asmallobjectcomesintoview.Onlyasmallfractionofitis
visible,butitisdrippingblood.

???
*gasp*...*gasp*...

Thescreenpansuptorevealthattheobjectisasmallstatuethat
lookslikeTheThinker.Someonewearingblackglovesisholdingit.
Thescenefades,tobereplacedbyashotofCINDYSTONE.Sheis
lyingonthefloor,dead,bloodpoolingfromherhead.

???
Dammit!...Whyme?

Thescreenfadestoblack.

???
Icantgetcaught...Notlikethis!

Thebodycomesintoviewagain,andthescreenpansuptoreveal
FRANKSAHWITstandingoverher,holdingthestatue,lookingfrantic.

SAHWIT
IIvegottafindsomeonetopinthison...

ThescreenzoomsintoSAHWITsfaceashislookofterrorshiftstoa
smileofrealization.

SAHWIT
Someonelike...him!

Foraninstant,ablackandwhiteshotappearsofSAHWITlooking
afterLARRYBUTZasBUTZwalksaway.ThescreenreturnstoSAHWITs
face.

SAHWIT
IllmakeitlooklikeHEdidit!

Thescreenfadestoblack.

August3,9:47AM
DistrictCourt
DefendantLobbyNo.2

GreenhorndefenseattorneyPHOENIXWRIGHTanxiouslywaitsforhis
firsttrialtobegin.

PHOENIX
(BoyamInervous!)

MIA
Wright!

PHOENIXsbossandtrustedmentor,MIAFEY,enterstheDefendant
Lobby.

PHOENIX
Oh,hhiya,Chief.

MIA
Whew,ImgladImadeitontime.So,thisisit...Yourfirsttrial!

PHOENIX
Ihaventbeenthisnervoussincewedidsstudenttrialsbackin
highschool!

MIA
Well,itsabouttimeyougotbackintotheswingofthings,then!

PHOENIX
Yeah...I...Iguessyoureright!Yknow,Chief...Imsorryyouhad
tocomeallthewaydownheretodayonmyaccount...

MIA
Well,IhavetosayPhoenix,Imimpressed!Noteveryonetakesona
murdertrialrightoffthebatlikethis.Itsaysalotaboutyou...
andyourclientaswell.

PHOENIX
Um...thanks.Actually,itsbecauseIowehimafavor.

MIA
Afavor?Youmean,youknewthedefendantbeforethiscase?


PHOENIX
Yes.Actually,Ikindofowemycurrentjobtohim.Hesoneofthe
reasonsIbecameanattorney.

MIA
Well,thatsnewstome!

PHOENIX
IwanttohelphimoutanywayIcan!Ijust...reallywanttohelp
him.Iowehimthatmuch.

???
(Itsover!Mylife,everything,itsallover!)

MIA
...Isntthatyourclientscreamingoverthere?

PHOENIX
Yeah...thatshim.

???
(Death!Despair!Ohhhh!Imgonnadoit,Imgonnadie!!!)

MIA
Itsoundslikehewantstodie...

PHOENIX
Um,yeah.*sigh*

LARRYBUTZ,PHOENIXsclient,entersthescene,practicallysobbing.

BUTZ
Nick!!!

PHOENIX
Hey.Heythere,Larry.

BUTZ
Dude,Imsoguilty!!TellthemImguilty!!!Gimmethedeath
sentence!Iaintafraidtodie!

PHOENIX

What!?Whatswrong,Larry?

BUTZ
Oh,itsallover...I...Imfinished.Finished!Icantliveina
worldwithouther!Icant!Who...whotookherawayfromme,Nick?
Whodidthis!?Aww,Nick,yagottatellme!Whotookmybabyaway!?

PHOENIX
(Hmm...Thepersonresponsibleforyourgirlfriendsdeath?The
newspaperssayitwas
you
...)

Thescreenfadestoblack.

PHOENIX
MynameisPhoenixWright.Heresthestory:Myfirstcaseisa
fairlysimpleone.

CINDYSTONEsdeadbodyappearsonscreen.

PHOENIX
Ayoungwomanwaskilledinherapartment.Theguytheyarrestedwas
theunluckysapdatingher:LarryButz...mybestfriendsincegrade
school.

BUTZisshown,nervouslysmiling.

PHOENIX
Ourschoolhadasaying:
Whensomethingsmells,itsusuallythe
Butz.
Inthe23yearsIveknownhim,itsusuallybeentrue.Hehas
aknackforgettinghimselfintrouble.OnethingIcansaythough:
itsusuallynothisfault.Hejusthasterribleluck.

Thescreenfadestoblack.

PHOENIX
ButIknowbetterthananyone,thathesagoodguyatheart.That
andIowehimone.WhichiswhyItookthecase...toclearhisname.
AndthatsjustwhatImgoingtodo!

August3,10:00AM
DistrictCourt
CourtroomNo.2

Thecourtroomispackedwithonlookers.Onthedefensesidestand
PHOENIXandMIA.Acrossfromthemistheprosecution,WINSTONPAYNE.
TheJUDGElooksoverthecourtroom.

JUDGE
ThecourtisnowinsessionforthetrialofMr.LarryButz.

PAYNE
Theprosecutionisready,YourHonor.

PHOENIX
The,um,defenseisready,YourHonor.

JUDGE
Ahem.Mr.Wright?Thisisyourfirsttrial,isitnot?

PHOENIX
YYes,YourHonor.Im,um,alittlenervous.

JUDGE
Yourconductduringthistrialwilldecidethefateofyourclient.
Murderisaseriouscharge.Foryourclientssake,Ihopeyoucan
controlyournerves.

PHOENIX
Thank...thankyou,YourHonor.

JUDGE
...Mr.Wright,giventhecircumstances...Ithinkweshouldhavea
testtoascertainyourreadiness.

PHOENIX
Yes,YourHonor.(Gulp...Handsshaking...Eyesight...fading...)

JUDGE
Thetestwillconsistofafewsimplequestions.Answerthemclearly
andconcisely.Pleasestatethenameof
thedefendant
inthiscase.

[PhoenixWright]

PHOENIX
Um...thedefendant...isme,right?

MIA
Wright!Haveyoucompletelylostyourmind?Focus!Thedefendantis
thepersonontrial!Yourehislawyer!

PHOENIX
Um,er,eh?Ohyeah,right!Ehhehheh.

MIA
Thisisnolaughingmatter!Youdidpassthebar,didntyou?

JUDGE
Sorry,Icouldnthearyouranswer.Illaskoncemore:Pleasestate
thenameof
thedefendant
inthiscase.

[MiaFey]

PHOENIX
The,um,defendant?Thats...er...MiaFey?

MIA
Wrong,Wright.Look,Ihavetoleave.Ihavetogohome.Im...Im
expectingadelivery.

PHOENIX
Aw,cmonChief.Theresnoneedtobegoingsosoon,isthere?

MIA
Wright!Listen:thedefendantistheoneontrialyourclient!I
mean,thatsaboutasbasicasyoucanget!

PHOENIX
(Iputmyfootinitthistime!Ivegottorelax!)

JUDGE
Sorry,Icouldnthearyouranswer.Illaskoncemore:Pleasestate
thenameof
thedefendant
inthiscase.

[LarryButz]

PHOENIX
Thedefendant?Well,thatsLarryButz,YourHonor.

JUDGE

Correct.Justkeepyourwitsaboutyouandyoulldofine.Next
question:Thisisamurdertrial.Tellme,whatsthe
victimsname
?

PHOENIX
(Whew,Iknowthisone!GladIreadthecasereportcovertocoverso
manytimes.Its...wait...Uhoh!No...noway!Iforgot!Im
drawingatotalblankhere!)

MIA
Phoenix!AreyouabsoluteSUREyoureuptothis?Youdontevenknow
thevictimsname!?

PHOENIX
Oh,thevictim!OOfcourseIknowthevictimsname!I,um,just
forgot....Temporarily.

MIA
IthinkIfeelamigrainecomingon.Look,thedefendantsnameis
listedinthe
CourtRecord
.Justtouchthe
CourtRecord
buttonto
checkitatanytime,okay?Remembertocheckitoften.Doitforme,
please.Imbeggingyou.

JUDGE
Letshearyouranswer.Whoisthe
victim
inthiscase?

[MiaFey]

PHOENIX
Um...MiaFey?

MIA
WWWhat!?HowcanIbethevictim!?

PHOENIX
Oh!Right!Sorry!I,er,itwasthefirstnamethatpoppedintomy
head,and

MIA
The
CourtRecord
button!Remembertouseitwhenyouareinapinch.

JUDGE
Letmeaskthatonceagain:Letshearyouranswer.Whoisthe
victim
inthiscase?


[CinderBlock]

PHOENIX
Oh,um,wasntitMs.Block?Ms.CinderBlock?

JUDGE
Thepersoninquestionwasavictimofmurder,notillconceived
naming,Mr.Wright.

MIA
Wright?Ifyouforgetsomething,justtouchthe
CourtRecord
button
tohelpyouremember.Amistakeincourtcouldcostyouthecase.

JUDGE
Illaskyouagain:Letshearyouranswer.Whoisthe
victim
inthis
case?

[CindyStone]

PHOENIX
Um...thevictimsnameisCindyStone.

JUDGE
Correct.Now,tellme,whatwasthecauseofdeath?Shediedbecause
shewas...?

[Poisoned]

PHOENIX
Oh,right!Wasntshe,um,poisonedbyer...poison?

JUDGE
Youreaskingme!?

PHOENIX
Um...Chief!Helpmeout!

MIA
Checkthecourtrecord.The
CourtRecord
button...remember?

PHOENIX
(Geez.Giveaguyabreak!)


JUDGE
Letmeaskagain.Shediedbecauseshewas...?

[Strangled]

PHOENIX
Right...shewasstrangled,wasntshe?

MIA
Pleasetellmethatwasyoutalkingtoyourself.

JUDGE
Ifyouwishtohangyourself,Mr.Wright,yourewelcometo,butnot
insidemycourtroom.Isupposetheresnothingtodobutgiveyou
anothertry:Shediedbecauseshewas...?

[Hitwithabluntobject]

PHOENIX
Shewasstruckonce,byabluntobject.

JUDGE
Correct.Youveansweredallmyquestions.Iseenoreasonwhywe
shouldntproceed.Youseemmuchmorerelaxed,Mr.Wright.Goodfor
you.

PHOENIX
Thankyou,YourHonor.(BecauseIdontFEELrelaxed,thatsfor
sure.)

JUDGE
Well,then...First,aquestionfortheprosecution.Mr.Payne?

PAYNE
Yes,YourHonor?

JUDGE
AsMr.Wrightjusttoldus,thevictimwasstruckwithablunt
object.Wouldyouexplaintothecourtjustwhatthatobjectwas?

PAYNE
ThemurderweaponwasthisstatueofTheThinker.Itwasfound

lyingonthefloor,nexttothevictim.

JUDGE
Isee...thecourtacceptsitintoevidence.

StatueaddedtotheCourtRecord.

MIA
Wright...Besuretopayattentiontoanyevidenceaddedduringthe
trial.Thatevidenceistheonlyammunitionyouhaveincourt.Touch
the
CourtRecord
buttontochecktheCourtRecordfrequently.

TheJUDGEbangshisgavel.

JUDGE
Mr.Payne,theprosecutionmaycallitsfirstwitness.

PAYNE
Theprosecutioncallsthedefendant,Mr.Butz,tothestand.

PHOENIX
Um,Chief,whatdoIdonow?

MIA
Payattention.Youdontwanttomissanyinformationthatmighthelp
yourclientscase.Youllgetyourchancetorespondtothe
prosecutionlater,sobeready!Letsjusthopehedoesntsay
anything...unfortunate.

PHOENIX
(Uhoh,Larrygetsexcitedeasily...thiscouldbebad.)

BUTZtakesthestand.

PAYNE
Ahem.Mr.Butz.Isitnottruethatthevictimhadrecentlydumped
you?

BUTZ
Hey,watchitbuddy!Weweregreattogether!WewereRomeoand
Juliet,CleopatraandMarkAnthony!

PHOENIX

(Um...didnttheyalldie?)

BUTZ
Iwasntdumped!Shejustwasnttakingmyphonecalls.Orseeing
me...Ever.WHATSITTOYOU,ANYWAY!?

PAYNE
Mr.Butz,whatyoudescribeisgenerallywhatwemeanbydumped.In
fact,shehadcompletelyabandonedyou...andwasseeingothermen!
Shehadjustreturnedfromoverseaswithoneofthemthedaybefore
themurder!

BUTZ
Whaddyamean,oneofthem!?Lies!Allofit,lies!Idontbelieve
awordofit!

PAYNE
YourHonor,thevictimspassport.Accordingtothis,shewasin
Parisuntilthedaybeforeshedied.

PassportaddedtotheCourtRecord.

JUDGE
Hmm...Indeed,sheappearstohavereturnedthedaybeforethe
murder.

BUTZ
Dude...noway...

PAYNE
Thevictimwasamodel,butdidnothavealargeincome.Itappears
thatshehadseveralSugarDaddies.

BUTZ
Daddies?Sugar?

PAYNE
Yes.Oldermen,whogavehermoneyandgifts.Shetooktheirmoney
andusedittosupportherlifestyle.

BUTZ
Duuude!

PAYNE
WecanclearlyseewhatkindofwomanthisMs.Stonewas.Tellme,
Mr.Butz,
whatdoyouthinkofhernow?

MIA
Wright...Idontthinkyouwanthimtoanswerthatquestion.

PHOENIX
(Yeah...Larryhasawayofrunninghismouthinallthewrong
directions.ShouldI...?)

A[Waitandseewhathappens]

PHOENIX
(Mightbebetternottogetinvolvedinthisone...)

PAYNE
Well,Mr.Butz?

BUTZ
Dude,noway!

B[Stophimfromanswering]

PHOENIX
Myclienthadnoideathevictimwasseeingothermen!Thatquestion
isirrelevanttothiscase!

PAYNE
Oof!*wince*

BUTZ
Dude!Nick!Whaddyamean,irrelevant!?

[Bothleadhere]

BUTZ
Thatcheatinshedog!Imgonnadie.Imjustgonnadropdead!Yeah,
andwhenImeetherherintheafterlife...Imgoingtogettothe
bottomofthis!

JUDGE
Letscontinuewiththetrial,shallwe?


PAYNE
Ibelievetheaccusedsmotiveiscleartoeveryone.

JUDGE
Yes,quite.

PHOENIX
(Ohboy.Thisissonotlookinggood.)

PAYNE
Nextquestion!Youwenttothevictimsapartmentonthedayofthe
murder,didyounot?

BUTZ
Gulp!

PAYNE
Well,didyou,ordidyounot?

BUTZ
Heh?Hehheh.Well,maybeIdid,andmaybeIdidnt!

PHOENIX
(Uhoh.Hewent.WhatdoIdo?)

A[Havehimanswerhonestly]

PHOENIX
(Iknow!Illsendhimasignal...TELLTHETRUTH)

BUTZ
Er...Yeah!Yeah!Iwasthere!Iwent!

Thecrowdmurmurs.TheJUDGEbangshisgavel.

JUDGE
Order!Well,Mr.Butz?

BUTZ
Dude,chill!Shewasnthome,man...So,like,Ididntseeher.

PAYNE

Objection!YourHonor,thedefendantislying.

JUDGE
Lying?

PAYNE
Theprosecutionwouldliketocalla
witness
whocanproveMr.Butz
islying.

B[Stophimfromanswering]

PHOENIX
(Illsendhimasignal...LIELIKEADOG)

BUTZ
Um,well,see,itslikethis:Idontremember.

PAYNE
Youdontremember?Wellthen,welljusthavetoremindyou!

PHOENIX
(Igotabadfeelingaboutthis...)

PAYNE
WehaveawitnessthatcanproveheDIDgotothevictimsapartment
thatday!

[Bothleadhere]

JUDGE
Well,thatsimplifiesmatters.Whoisyourwitness?

PAYNE
Themanwhofoundthevictimsbody.Justbeforemakingthegruesome
discovery...Hesawthedefendantfleeingthesceneofthecrime!

Thecrowdmurmurs.TheJUDGEbangshisgavelthreetimes.

JUDGE
Order!Orderinthecourt!Mr.Payne,theprosecutionmaycallits
witness.

PAYNE

Yes,YourHonor.

PHOENIX
(Thisisbad...)

PAYNE
Onthedayofthemurder,mywitnesswassellingnewspapersatthe
victimsbuilding.PleasebringMr.FrankSahwittothestand!

SAHWITtakesthestand.

PAYNE
Mr.Sahwit,yousellnewspapersubscriptions,isthiscorrect?

SAHWIT
Oh,ohyes!Newspapers,yes!

JUDGE
Mr.Sahwit,youmayproceedwithyourtestimony.Pleasetellthe
courtwhatyousawonthedayofthemurder.

WitnessTestimony
WitnesssAccount

SAHWIT
Iwasgoingdoortodoor,sellingsubscriptionswhenIsawaman
fleeinganapartment.Ithoughthemustbeinahurrybecauseheleft
thedoorhalfopenbehindhim.Thinkingitstrange,Ilookedinside
theapartment.ThenIsawherlyingthere...Awoman...notmoving...
dead!Iquailedinfrightandfoundmyselfunabletogoinside.I
thoughttocallthepoliceimmediately!However,thephoneinher
apartmentwasntworking.Iwenttoanearbyparkandfoundapublic
phone.Irememberthetimeexactly:itwas1:00PM.Themanwhoran
was,withoutadoubt,thedefendantsittingrightoverthere.

JUDGE
Hmm...

PHOENIX
(Larry!Whydidntyoutellthetruth?Icantdefendyouagainsta
testimonylikethat!)

JUDGE

Incidentally,whywasntthephoneinthevictimsapartmentworking?

PAYNE
YourHonor,atthetimeofthemurder,therewasablackoutinthe
building.

JUDGE
Arentphonessupposedtoworkduringablackout?

PAYNE
Yes,YourHonor...However,somecordlessphonesdonotfunction
normally.ThephonethatMr.Sahwitusedwasoneofthose.Your
Honor...Ihavearecordoftheblackout,foryourperusal.

BlackoutRecordaddedtotheCourtRecord.

JUDGE
Now,Mr.Wright...

PHOENIX
Yes!Er...yes,YourHonor?

JUDGE
Youmaybeginyour
crossexamination
.

PHOENIX
CCrossexamination
,YourHonor?

MIA
Alright,Wright,thisisit.Therealdeal!

PHOENIX
Uh...whatexactlyamIsupposedtodo?

MIA
Why,youexposethe
lies
inthetestimonythewitnessjustgave!

PHOENIX
Lies!What?!Hewaslying!?

MIA
Yourclientisinnocent,right?Thenthatwitnessmusthaveliedin
histestimony!Orisyourclientreally...guilty?


PHOENIX
....!HowdoIprovehesnot?

MIA
Youholdthekey!Itsinthe
evidence
!Comparethewitnesss
testimonytotheevidenceathand.Theresboundtobea
contradiction
inthere!First,findcontradictionsbetweenthe
Court
Record
andthewitnessstestimony.Then,onceyouvefoundthe
contradicting
evidence
...
present
itandrubitinthewitnesss
face!

PHOENIX
Um...okay.

MIA
Touchthe
CourtRecord
buttonandpointout
contradictions
inthe
testimony!

CrossExamination
WitnesssAccount

SAHWIT
Iwasgoingdoortodoor,sellingsubscriptionswhenIsawaman
fleeinganapartment.

PHOENIX
Holdit!Isntamanleavinganapartmentacommonsight?Ifindit
oddyouwouldtakenoticeofhim...

SAHWIT
Er...heh.Idontknow.Hejustseemedstrangetome,thatsall.
Likehewasmad,andyetfrightenedatthesametime.Justlike...a
criminalfleeingthesceneofacrime!

PHOENIXslamsthetable.

PHOENIX
Thedefenserequeststhatthewitnessrefrainfromconjecture!

PAYNE
Ofcourse.Whatthewitnessmeansisthatthemanhesawlooked
suspicious.So,whathappenednext?


SAHWIT
Ithoughthemustbeinahurrybecauseheleftthedoorhalfopen
behindhim.

PHOENIX
Holdit!Halfopen...yousay?

SAHWIT
Yes,yes,thedoorwasopenhalfway.Yes.Iwatchedforamoment,but
noonecametoclosethedoor.Thatsodd,inabigcitylikethis,
Ithought...

PAYNE
Isee.Andwhathappenednext?

SAHWIT
Thinkingitstrange,Ilookedinsidetheapartment.

PHOENIX
Holdit!Whatgaveyoutheideatodothat?

SAHWIT
Well,thedoorwashalfopen,yousee.Isntitonlyhumantowant
to...peek?Weclimbmountainsbecausetheyarethere!Itsthesame
thing.

PAYNE
Truerwordshaveneverbeenspoken!Anyonewouldlookinside!

PHOENIX
(Hmm...whydidPaynecuthimoffsoquickly?)

PAYNE
So,youlookedintotheapartment.Whathappenedthen?

SAHWIT
ThenIsawherlyingthere...Awoman...notmoving...dead!

PHOENIX
Holdit!

PHOENIXslamsthetable.


PHOENIX
Areyousureshewasdead?

SAHWIT
WWell,no,IguessIwasnt.But,shewasntmovingatall,and
therewasbloodeverywhere.

PHOENIX
(Iguessthatwouldlookfataltoanyone...)Verywell,whathappened
next?

SAHWIT
Iquailedinfrightandfoundmyselfunabletogoinside.

PHOENIX
Holdit!So,youdidnttouchANYTHINGintheapartment?

SAHWIT
Um,yes.Imeanno!Nothing.

PHOENIX
Okay.Whathappenednext?

SAHWIT
Ithoughttocallthepoliceimmediately!

PHOENIX
Holdit!

PHOENIXslamsthetable.

PHOENIX
Youthoughttocallthepolice?Doesthatmeanyoudidntactually
callthem!?

PAYNE
Please,please...Listentotherestofthetestimony.Youthoughtto
callthepolice...Whathappenednext?

SAHWIT
However,thephoneinherapartmentwasntworking.

PHOENIX
Holdit!Thephoneinherapartmentwasntworking?

SAHWIT
Yes.Imean,no,noitwasnt.Right.

PHOENIX
Butyousaidyoudidntgointotheapartment...ordidyou!?

SAHWIT
Oh,oh,that?Icanexplainthat!Therewasacordlessphoneona
shelfintheentranceway.Ireachedinsideandtriedusingthatto
call...

PAYNE
Andthatphonewasntworking,correct?Whathappenednext?

SAHWIT
Iwenttoanearbyparkandfoundapublicphone.

PHOENIX
Holdit!Whyuseapublicphone?

SAHWIT
Well,yousee,Idonthaveacellphone.And,beingthemiddleof
theafternoon,therewasnoansweratthenearbyapartments.

PHOENIX
Ah,right...whattimedidyoucallagain?

SAHWIT
Irememberthetimeexactly:Itwas1:00PM.

PHOENIX
Holdit!

PHOENIXslamsthetable.

PHOENIX
1:00PM!Areyoucertain?

SAHWIT
Yes.Absolutely.


PHOENIX
(Hmm...Heseemsreallyconfident.)

MIA
1:00PM
?Wright.Doesntthatseemstrangetoyou?Presentsome
evidence
to
contradict
him!

SAHWIT
Themanwhoranwas,withoutadoubt,thedefendantsittingright
overthere.

PHOENIX
Holdit!Areyouabsolutely,100%positive?

SAHWIT
Yes,itwashim.Nomistakeaboutit.

PAYNE
Thewitnesssayshescertain!

MIA
Thatsallofit.Theremustbeacontradictionintheresomewhere.
Examinethe
CourtRecord
buttonifsomethingstrikesyouas
suspicious.Then,findtheevidencethatcontradictshistestimony,
and
present
ittohim!

SAHWIT
Iwasgoingdoortodoor,sellingsubscriptionswhenIsawaman
fleeinganapartment.Ithoughthemustbeinahurrybecauseheleft
thedoorhalfopenbehindhim.Thinkingitstrange,Ilookedinside
theapartment.ThenIsawherlyingthere...Awoman...notmoving...
dead!Iquailedinfrightandfoundmyselfunabletogoinside.I
thoughttocallthepoliceimmediately!However,thephoneinher
apartmentwasntworking.Iwenttoanearbyparkandfoundapublic
phone.Irememberthetimeexactly:itwas1:00PM.

PHOENIX
Objection!Youfoundthebodyat1:00PM.Youresure?

SAHWIT
Yes.Itwas1:00PM,forcertain.

PHOENIXslamsthetable.

PHOENIX
Frankly,Ifindthathardtobelieve!Yourstatementdirectly
contradictstheautopsyreport.Theautopsynotesthetimeofdeath
atsometimeafter
4PM
.Therewasnobodyto...er...nobodytofind
at1:00PM!Howdoyouexplainthisthreehourgap?

SAHWIT
!!!Oh,that!Oh,er...

PAYNE
Objection!Thisistrivial!Thewitnessmerelyforgotthetime!

JUDGE
Afterhistestimony,Ifindthathardtobelieve.Mr.Sahwit...Why
wereyousocertainthatyoufoundthebodyat1:00PM?

SAHWIT
I...er...well,I...Gee,thatsareallygoodquestion!

MIA
Greatjob,Wright!Waytoputhimonthespot!Thatsallyouhaveto
do:pointoutcontradictions!Liesalwaysbegetmorelies!See
throughone,andtheirwholestoryfallsapart!

SAHWIT
Wait!Iremembernow!

JUDGE
Wouldyoucaretogiveyourtestimonyagain?

WitnessTestimony
TheTimeofDiscovery

SAHWIT
Yousee,whenIfoundthebody,Iheardthetime.Therewasavoice
sayingthetime...Itwasprobablycomingfromthetelevision.Oh,
butitwasthreehoursoff,wasntit?Iguessthevictimmusthave
beenwatchingavideoofatapedprogram!ThatswhyIthoughtitwas
1:00PM!Terriblysorryaboutthemisunderstanding...

JUDGE

Hmm...Isee.Youheardavoicesayingthetimeonatapedprogram.
Mr.Wright,youmaycrossexaminethewitness.

MIA
Wright!Youknowwhattodo!

PHOENIX
Ivegotthisone.

CrossExamination
TheTimeofDiscovery

SAHWIT
Yousee,whenIfoundthebody,Iheardthetime.

PHOENIX
Holdit!Yousaidheard...Notsaw?

SAHWIT
Yes,heard.AllIsawwasthebodylyingthere...Ididntthinkto
lookatanythingelse,leastofallmywatch.

PHOENIX
Hmm...Isntthatalittlestrange?Soyouresayingyouheard
something.Butifyouweresoshockedbythebody,youwouldnthear
anythingatall!

PAYNE
Objection!Thewitnessdidsayheactuallyheardthetime.Its
ludicroustosuggesthewouldnthearanything!

JUDGE
Hmm...Ihavetoagreewiththeprosecution.Witness,continuewith
yourtestimony.

SAHWIT
Therewasavoicesayingthetime...Itwasprobablycomingfromthe
television.

PHOENIX
Holdit!Areyousureitwasatelevisionandnot...aradio?

SAHWIT

Well,no,Iguessitmighthavebeenaradio.

PAYNE
Incidentally,therewasnoradioonthepremises.Therewasonlyone
largetelevision.

MIA
Wright!Icantputmyfingeronit,butsomethingaboutthisseems
fishy.Somethingabouthearingthetelevision...

PAYNE
Thewitnesshastestified.Heheardthetime.

SAHWIT
Oh,butitwasthreehoursoff,wasntit?

PHOENIX
Holdit!Howdoyouexplainthegap!

JUDGE
Well,witness?Canyouexplainthis?

SAHWIT
Iguessthevictimmusthavebeenwatchingavideoofataped
program!

PHOENIX
Holdit!A...video?

SAHWIT
Yes,thatwouldexplainwhythetimewaswrong!

PHOENIX
True,true...

MIA
Wright!Ithinktheproblemliessomeplaceelse...

JUDGE
Wereagreedthatyouheardthetimeatthescene,then.

SAHWIT
ThatswhyIthoughtitwas1:00PM!


PHOENIX
Holdit!Areyousurethevoiceyouheardsaiditwas1:00PM?

SAHWIT
Yes,Icanpracticallyhearitnow.Itwasquiteclear.

JUDGE
Mr.Payne,hastheprosecutionverifiedthistestimony?

PAYNE
Myapologies,YourHonor.I,too,haveonlyjustlearnedthatthe
witnessheardthetime.

SAHWIT
Oh,Imreallysorry.Ionlyremembereditjustnow.Terriblysorry
aboutthemisunderstanding...

PHOENIX
Well,youjustwatchit!(Hmmm...Notmuchpointpressinghimonthat
one,wasthere?)

MIA
Noticeanythingsuspicious?

SAHWIT
Yousee,whenIfoundthebody,Iheardthetime.Therewasavoice
sayingthetime...Itwasprobablycomingfromthetelevision.

PHOENIX
Objection!Holditrightthere!Theprosecutionhassaidtherewasa
blackoutatthetimeofthediscovery!Andthisrecordprovesit!

SAHWIT
...!

PHOENIXslamsthetable.

PHOENIX
Youcouldnthaveheardatelevision...oravideo!

SAHWIT
Gah!!!I...well...urk!


JUDGE
Thedefensehasapoint.Doyouhaveanexplanationforthis,Mr.
Sahwit?

SAHWIT
No,I...Ifinditquitepuzzlingmyself!Quite!...Aah!Wwait!I
remembernow!

JUDGE
Mr.Sahwit?Thecourtwouldprefertohearanaccuratetestimonyfrom
theverybeginning.Theseconstantcorrectionsareharmingyour
credibility.That,andyouseemrather...distraught.

SAHWIT
...!Mmyapologies,YourHonor!It...er,itmusthavebeenthe
shockoffindingthebody!

JUDGE
Verywell,Mr.Sahwit.Letshearyourtestimonyoncemoreplease.

WitnessTestimony
HearingtheTime

SAHWIT
Actually,Ididnthearthetime...Isawit!Therewasatable
clockintheapartment,wasntthere!Yeah,themurderweapon!The
killerusedittohitthevictim!ThatmusthavebeenwhatIsaw.

JUDGE
Yousawaclock?Iguessthatwouldexplainit.Thedefensemay
crossexaminethewitness.

PHOENIX
Gladly.

CrossExamination
HearingtheTime

SAHWIT
Actually,Ididnthearthetime...Isawit!

PHOENIX:Holdit!Thatstrikesmeasaverysuspiciousmistake.


SAHWIT
Yes,Icanseehowyoudbealittledoubtful...Imreallysorry.I
onlyjustrememberedthattableclock!

JUDGE
Atableclock?

SAHWIT
Therewasatableclockintheapartment,wasntthere!

PHOENIX
Holdit!Atableclock?Wasthereaclockatthescene?

JUDGE
ThisisthefirstIveheardofit!

SAHWIT
Yeah,themurderweapon!Thekillerusedittohitthevictim!

PHOENIX
Holdit!The...murderweapon?

SAHWIT
Yes,thetableclockthatwasusedasaweapon!ThatswhatIjust
said.Didyoudozeoffinthemiddleofmytestimonyorsomething?

PHOENIX
(Somethingsfishyhere...)

SAHWIT
ThatmusthavebeenwhatIsaw.

PHOENIX
Holdit!Whydidntyoutellusthatinthefirstplace?

SAHWIT
Iguessitjustslippedmymind!Imnotreallysurehowithappened
myself...

PAYNE
Thewitnesssayshesawatableclock.Endofstory.

MIA
Now,findthecontradiction!

SAHWIT
Actually,Ididnthearthetime...Isawit!Therewasatable
clockintheapartment,wasntthere!Yeah,themurderweapon!The
killerusedittohitthevictim!

PHOENIX
Objection!Waitjustamoment!Themurderweaponwasntaclock.It
wasthisstatue!

PHOENIXslamsthetable.

PHOENIX
Nowhowisthissupposedtobeaclock?

SAHWIT
Whaa!?Yyouwithyourobjections,andyourevidence...Justwho
doyouthinkyouare!?

PHOENIX
Justanswerthequestion,Mr.Sahwit.

SAHWIT
Hey,I...Isawitthere,okay!Thatsaclock!

PAYNE
YourHonor!IfImay...

JUDGE
Yes,Mr.Payne?

PAYNE
Asthewitnessstated,thisstatueisindeedaclock.Theneckisa
switch.Youjusttiltit,anditsaysthetimeoutloud.Asit
doesntlooklikeaclock,Isubmitteditasastatue.Myapologies.

JUDGE
Isee.Sothemurderweaponwasaclockafterall.Well,Mr.Wright?
Itappearsthatthewitnessstestimonywascorrect.Thisisaclock.
Doyouhaveanyproblemswiththetestimonynow?

A[No]

PHOENIX
Iguessnot.Therewasaclockonthescene,so,noproblem.

MIA
Wright!Areyououtofyourmind!?Thatclockdoesntlooklikea
clockatall!Thewitnesscouldnthavepossiblyknownitwasaclock
justbyseeingit!Hesaidhimself,heneverenteredtheapartment!
Itwasinhistestimony!

PHOENIX
Hey!Youreright!

JUDGE
Issomethingthematter?Doesthedefensehaveanythingtoadd?

PHOENIX:Yes...YesIdo!

B[Yes]

PHOENIX
YourHonor,thereisagapingholeinthewitnessstestimony!

[Bothleadhere]

PHOENIX
Theonlywayhecouldhaveknowntheweaponwasaclockistoholdit
inhishand.Yetthewitnesstestifiedthatheneverenteredthe
apartment!

PHOENIXslamsthetable.

PHOENIX
Clearly,acontradiction!

JUDGE
Hmm...indeed!

PHOENIX
Thewitnessknewitwasaclock,becausehe...

[Knewthevictim]


PHOENIX
Tellme,isntittruethatyouknewthevictim?Infact,youwere
oneofhersugardaddies!Befrankwithus,Mr.Sahwit!

SAHWIT
Hmph.Frank?ImalwaysFrank!

PAYNE
YourHonor.Wehavecompleterecordsofthevictimsrelationships.
Mr.FrankSahwitdoesnotappearanywhere.

PHOENIX
Huh?Oh,really?

JUDGE
Please,Mr.Wright...IsHuhthebestresponseyoucanmusterup?
Trytorefrainfrommakingoffthecuffaccusationsinthefuture.

PHOENIX
Yyes,YourHonor.Letmethinkthisover.Thewitnessknewitwasa
clock,becausehe...

[Wentintotheapartment]

PHOENIX
Yourelying!

PHOENIXslamsthetable.

PHOENIX
Youwereinsidetheapartmentonthedayofthemurder!

SAHWIT
Ohyeah?Proveit!ProveIwentinthere!

PHOENIX
Illdobetterthanthat!Icanproveyouweretheonewhokilled
her!Youstruckherwiththeclock,andtheshockoftheblow
triggeredtheclocksvoice!Thatwasthesoundyouheard!

Thecrowdmurmurs.TheJUDGEbangshisgavel.

JUDGE
Orderinthecourt!Intriguing.Pleasecontinue,Mr.Wright.

PHOENIX
Yes,YourHonor.Mr.Sahwit.Thesoundmusthaveleftquitean
impressiononyou.Understandable,sincethemurderweaponspokejust
asyouhitthevictim!Thatvoicewasburnedintoyourmind.Thats
whyyouweresocertainaboutthetime!

PAYNE
Objection!Wwwhatsthemeaningofthis?Thisisallbaseless
conjecture!

PHOENIX
Baseless...?Justlookatthewitnesssface!

SAHWIT
Ngh...grrrah!

JUDGE
Wouldthewitnesscaretoelaborate?Didyoustrikethevictimwith
theclock?

SAHWIT
I...I...!That...thatday.....I...Inever!Look...I...the
clock...Iheard,no!ImeanIsaw...Saw...nggg!..Gwaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

SAHWITripsoffhistoupeeandhurlsitatPHOENIX.Itslidesoffof
PHOENIXsface.

SAHWIT
Shutupshutupshutup!Ihateyou!Isawhim!Hhekilledherandhe
shouldburn!Burn!Givehimdeath!

Thecrowdmurmurs.TheJUDGEbangshisgavel.

JUDGE
Order!OrderinthecourtIsay!

PAYNE
YourHonor,aamomentplease!Thereisntashredofevidence
supportingthedefensesclaims!

JUDGE
Mr.Wright!

PHOENIX
YourHonor?

JUDGE
Youclaimthesoundthewitnessheardcamefromtheclock...Doyou
haveanyevidence?

PHOENIX
(Thewholecaseisridingonthis!Idbetterthinkitthrough
carefully!)Yes,YourHonor.ThesoundMr.Sahwitheardwas
definitelythisclock.Afactwhichisclearifyousimply...

[Trysoundingtheclock]

PHOENIX
Letssoundtheclocknow,hereinthiscourt.YourHonor,mayIhave
theclock?Iaskthecourttolistenverycarefully...

PHOENIXsoundstheclock.

ALARMCLOCK
...*beep*...(Ithinkits8:25.)

JUDGE
Thatcertainlyisastrangewaytoannouncethetime.

PHOENIX
Well,heisTheThinker,afterall.

JUDGE
So,weveheardtheclock.Whatareyourconclusions,Mr.Wright?

PHOENIX
Mr.Payne...canyoutellmewhattimeitisnow?

PAYNE
Its11:25...Ack!

PHOENIX
Asyoucansee,thisclockisexactlythreehoursslow!Preciselythe

discrepancybetweenwhatMr.Sahwitheardandtheactualtimeof
death!So,Mr.Sahwit...Trytotalkyourwayoutofthisone!

SAHWIT
......Hah!Hahhah!Youforgotonething!

PHOENIX
(Uhoh...whatshetalkingabout...?)

SAHWIT
Whileitmayseemlikethatclockisrunningthreehoursslow...It
provesnothing!Howdoyouknowitwasrunningthreehoursslowon
thedayofthemurder
!?Ifyoucantprovethat,youdonthavea
case!

PHOENIX
...!(Hesright!HowamIgoingtoprovethat!?Dammit!Iwasso
close!)

JUDGE
Mr.Wright?Itseemsyoulackthecriticalevidencetosupportyour
claim.

PHOENIX
....!Yes,YourHonor.

JUDGE
ThismeansIcannotletyouindictthewitness.Unfortunately...

TheJUDGEbangshisgavel.

JUDGE
ThisendsthecrossexaminationofMr.FrankSahwit.

SAHWIT
Icomeallthewaydownheretotestify,andlookwhathappens!They
treatmelikeacriminal!Acriminal!Youlawyersareallslime!

PHOENIX
(Grr!Ialmosthadhim!)

PHOENIXslamsthetable.

PHOENIX
(Sorry,Larry...Ifailedyou.TheresnothingIcandoaboutit
now...)

Thescreenfadestoblack.

MIA
Notsofast,Mr.Sahwit!

PHOENIX
Mia!Imean,Chief!

MIA
Listenup,Wright!Dontthrowthisoneaway,notlikethis!Think!

PHOENIX
But,Chief,itsover.Icantprovetheclockwasslowthedayof
themurder!Nobodycanprovethat!

MIA
Um...well,yes.Butthatdoesntmeanyoucantstillwin!Try
thinkingoutofthebox!Dontwastetimedoubtingthefacts.Assume
theclockwasthreehoursslowand...Thinkthroughit!Askyourself,
whywastheclockthreehoursslow
?Figureoutthereason,and
youllhaveyourproof!Right,Wright?Canyouthinkofareasonas
towhytheclockwouldbethreehoursslow?

A[Yes]

PHOENIX
...Wait!MaybeIcanproveit!

MIA
Youmusthaveevidencesomewherethatcanproveit,Wright!Findit
andletthemhaveit!

JUDGE
Well,Mr.Wright?Yousaytheclockwasalreadyrunningslowonthe
dayofthemurder...Haveyoufoundevidencetosupportthisclaim?

PHOENIX
Ofcourse.ThereisapieceofevidenceintheCourtRecordthatcan
provemyclaimbeyondadoubt!


SAHWIT
Hah!Toughwords!Letsseeyoupullthisoneoff!

B[No]

PHOENIX
HhowamIsupposedtoknowthat!?

MIA
Iknowyoucanfigureitout!Theremustbesomeevidenceinthe
CourtRecord...Somethingthatcanshowwhythatclockwasthree
hoursslow!Findit,andhewonthaveafoottostandon!

JUDGE
Mr.Wright?

PHOENIX
Yyyes,YourHonor!

JUDGE
Yousaytheclockwasalreadyrunningslowonthedayofthe
murder...Doyouhaveevidencetoprovethis?

PHOENIX
(Thisisit...allornothing!)Yes,YourHonor.IbelieveIhavethe
evidencethatcanprovemyclaim!

SAHWIT
Hahhah!IdliketoseeTHAT!

[Bothleadhere]

JUDGE
Letsseethisevidencethatproveswhytheclockwasrunningslow!

PHOENIX
Takethat!Thevictimhadjustreturnedhomefromabroadtheday
beforethemurder.Asweallknow,thetimedifferencebetweenhere
andParisisninehours!Whenits4:00PMhere,its1:00AMthe
nextdaythere.Theclockwasntthreehoursslow,itwasninehours
fast!Thevictimhadntresetherclocksincereturninghome!Thats
whythetimeyouheardwhenyoustruckherdeadinherapartmentwas

wrong!

PHOENIXslamsthetable.

PHOENIX
Proofenoughforyou,Mr.Sahwit?OrshouldIsay...Mr.DidIt!

SAHWIT
Ngh!...!

SAHWITbeginsfoamingatthemouthandfaintstotheground.

Thecrowdmurmurs.TheJUDGEbangshisgavelthreetimes.

JUDGE
Oorder!Order,Isay!

Thescreenfadestoblack.Itimmediatelyfadesbackintoshowthe
JUDGE.

JUDGE
Well...Thiscasehascertainlyturnedoutdifferentlythanweall
expected.Me.Payne...yourclient?

PAYNE
He...er...hewasarrestedandhasbeentakenaway,YourHonor.

JUDGE
Verywell.Mr.Wright?

PHOENIX
Yes,YourHonor.

JUDGE
Ihavetosay,Imimpressed.IdontthinkIveeverseensomeone
completeadefensesoquickly...andfindthetrueculpritatthe
sametime!

PHOENIX
Thankyou,YourHonor.

JUDGE
Atthispoint,thisisonlyaformality,but...Thiscourtfindsthe

defendant,Mr.LarryButz...

NotGuilty

Confettirainsfromtheceilingasthecrowdcheers.TheJUDGEbangs
hisgavel.

JUDGE
Andwiththat...Thecourtisadjourned.

Thescreenfadestoblack.

PHOENIX
ItturnsoutthatFrankSahwitwasacommonburglar!Heposedasa
newspapersalesmantocheckandseewhenpeoplewereoutofthe
house!Thatday...WhenLarrywenttoherapartment,thevictim
wasnthome.Afterheleft,Mr.Sahwitlethimselfintodohisdirty
work!Whilehewassearchingherplace,thevictimreturned!
Flustered,Mr.Sahwitgrabbedthenearestbluntobjecthecould
find...

August3,2:32PM
DistrictCourt
DefendantLobbyNo.2

PHOENIX
(Whew...Istillcantbelievewewon!)

MIA
Wright!Goodjobinthere!Congratulations!

PHOENIX
Ththanks,Chief.Ioweitalltoyou.

MIA
Notatall,notatall!Youfoughtyourownbattlesinthere.Its
beenawhilesinceIveseenatrialendonsuchasatisfyingnote!

PHOENIX
(Iveneverseenthechieflookingthishappy...Ifshesthisglad,
imaginehowLarrymustfeel!)

BUTZ

Mylifeisover...

PHOENIX
Larry!Youresupposedtobehappy!Whatswrongnow!?

BUTZ
Aww,Nick...Dontworryboutme!Illbedeadandgonesoon!

PHOENIX
Good!Wait,no!Imean...Bad!Badbadbad!Larry,youreinnocent!
Thecaseisclosed.

BUTZ
...But...butmyCindywindysgone,man!Goneforever!

PHOENIX
(Larry,shewasa...Nah...Nevermind.)

MIA
Congratulations,Harry!

BUTZ
HHarry...?

MIA
Yes,you!Icanpracticallyseetheheadlinesnow:HarryButz,
Innocent!

BUTZ
Heh...um...thanks!Ireallyoweyouone.Iwontforgetthis,ever!
Letscelebrate!Dinner?Movie?Mytreat!

MIA
Oh,no,Icouldnt.

PHOENIX
(Hey,Iwastheonewhogotyouoffthehook!

BUTZ
Oh,hey!Hhere,takethis!Itsapresent!

MIA
Apresent?Forme?Wait...Wasntthistheevidencethat...


BUTZ
Actually,Imadethisclockforher!Imadeoneforherandonefor
me.

MIA
Rreally?You?Youmadethis?...Well,thankyou.Illkeepitasa
memento.

BUTZ
Yo,Nick...Canyoubelieveit?Iwassointothatchick...And...
andshewasjustplayingmeforafool!Dontthatmakeyouwanna
justcry?*sob*

PHOENIX
Larry...

MIA
...Areyousosure?

BUTZ
Exsqueezeme?

MIA
Ithinkshethoughtquitealotofyou,inherownway.

BUTZ
Nah,youdontgottasympathizewithme,sokay.

MIA
Oh,Imnotjustsympathizing,really.Isntthatright,Wright?
Dontyouhavesomethingtoshowyourfriend?Somethingthatproves
howshefeltabouthim?

PHOENIX
Hhuh?Oh,yeah,right!(Whattheheckisshetalkingabout?)

A[PRESENT:Statue]

PHOENIX
Takethat!Checkthisout,Larry.ProofPositiveyouwerentjust
somechumptoher.

BUTZ
Huh...?Wheredyougetthatclock?

PHOENIX
Thisistheclockyoumadeforher,Larry!Shetookitwithherwhen
shetraveled.

BUTZ
Hmm,sheprobablyjustneededaclock,thatsall.

PHOENIX
Youthinkso?Itsaprettyheavyclocktotaketraveling.

BUTZ
...

PHOENIX
Well,makeofitwhatyouwill.

BUTZ
...Hey,Nick.ImgladIaskedyoutobemylawyer.Really,Iam.
Thanks.

BUTZwalksoff.

PHOENIX
(Hopethatmadehimfeelalittlebetter...)

B[PRESENT:anythingotherthanStatue]

PHOENIX
Takethat!Hereyougo,Larry.Proof.

BUTZ
...Eh...hehheh?Itsokay,Nick.Dontworryaboutme.Illforget
abouthersoonenough.Look,Imgonnaheadhome.Thanksaton,eh?

BUTZwalksoff.

PHOENIX
(Guessthatwasnttherightthingtoshowhim...)

[Bothleadhere]


Thescreenfadestoblack.

MIA
Wright?Ihopeyouseetheimportanceofevidencenow.Also,
hopefullyyourealize,thingschangedependingonhowyoulookat
them.People,too.Weneverreallyknowifourclientsareguiltyor
innocent.Allwecandoitbelieveinthem.Andinordertobelieve
inthem,youhavetobelieveinyourself.Wright...Listen.Learn.
Growstrong.Neverletgoofwhatyoubelievein.Never.

ThescreenfadesbackintoDefendantLobbyNo.2.

MIA
Well,Ithinkourworkhereisdone!Shallwebeoff?

PHOENIX
Yeah,Iguessso!

MIA
Say,howaboutdinner.Onme?WelldrinkatoasttoinnocentButz!

PHOENIX
Yeah!

MIA
Oh,speakingofHarry...Youweresayingpartofwhyyoubecamea
lawyerwasbecauseofhim.

PHOENIX
Er,yeah.Part,atleast.

MIA
Youllhavetotellmemoreaboutitsometime!Maybe...overdrinks?

Thescreenfadestoblack.

PHOENIX
Andso,myfirsttrialcametoaclose.Larryslappedmeontheback
andsaid,Gee,Nick,itsgoodtohavefriends!ButImprettysure
hesnotgoingtopayme.UnlessyoucounttheclockhegaveMia....
Ididntknowitthen...butthatclockwassoongoingtobeatthe
centerofanotherincident.Andmypromisetotellthechiefaboutme

andLarry...wouldbeonepromisethatIwouldntbeabletokeep.

THEEND