Michael Clayton Page #5

MICHAEL stands. We see him now. The Mercedes just one ofhalf-a-dozen luxury vehicles lined up here in this brightoversized garage.

INT. MANSION KITCHEN -- NIGHT

Mega kitchen. The scale and taste of real wealth.

MR. GREER

(pacing)

What they did, you see, they changedthe grade there. They widened thestreet, I’m sure someone told them

they were making an improvement...

MICHAEL on a stool at the island. MRS. GREER standing byherself. Nightgown pulled tight. Her second tumbler of

Scotch.

MR. GREER

But now, you see, when it rains?

With this new angle, and they putthese new these sodium lamps -- it’sblinding, that turn there. Just

blinding.

MICHAEL:

They’ll have to take a look at that.

MR. GREER

And this, it’s not just tonight.

I’ve been saying this for years.

(to his wife)

How many times have we talked aboutthat corner? Gen?

MRS. GREER silent. Numb.

MICHAEL:

Mr. Greer, we don’t have a great dealof time to work with here.

MR. GREER’s anxiety sharpening. Arrogance under siege.

MR. GREER

So the circumstances, road conditions,

none of this holds any interest foryou?

MICHAEL:

What interests me right now is findingthe strongest criminal attorney thatcan get here in the next fifteenminutes.

MR. GREER

(bristling)

Well, that sounds ominous...

MICHAEL:

We have some good relationships uphere in Westchester.

MR. GREER

So what are you? You’re not a lawyer?

MICHAEL:

Not the kind you need.

MR. GREER

What kind is that?

MICHAEL:

You need a trial lawyer. Someone

to see this all the way through.

That’s not what I do.

There it is. And MR. GREER doesn’t like it one bit.

MR. GREER

I think we’re gonna need to pull Walter

back in on this.

(like it’s some kind of

business meeting)

I want to get him back on the phone,

get him into the mix. Because, I’ll

be frank, I’m not sure I like the waythis is going.

MICHAEL:

Sir...

(cut the crap)

We don’t have time for Walter.

Your options here, they’re gonna getsmaller very quickly.

MR. GREER

What options? I’m not hearing anyoptions.

MICHAEL:

I’m suggesting you go local. I’m

telling you there’s several people uphere I like for this.

MR. GREER

And that’s it? That’s what you’ve got?

(to his wife)

You believe this?

(MORE)

MR. GREER (cont'd)

(incredulous)

I’ve been a client at Kenner, Bach

for twelve years! You think I paythat retainer every month for a placeat the back of the line?

MICHAEL:

Mr. Greer, you left the scene of anaccident on a slow weeknight, sixmiles from the State Police barracks.

Believe me, if there’s a line, you’reright up front.

MR. GREER

I can get a lawyer any time I want!

You think I need you for that? You

think we’re sitting here forty-fiveminutes waiting for a goddam referral?

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