A man is standing on the parapet of a tall office building. Another man's feet are seen wearing running shoes before we go back to an image of the first man's shoes as he stands on the roof. The scene alternates between shots of the man on the roof, who is obviously contemplating suicide, and the runner, Jack Turner. Several times Jack looks back with a slightly worried look, as if he almost has a premonition of what is taking place on the rooftop. The first man throws himself off the roof and we follow his trajectory to the ground.

Jack walks into a building with Lyon Lacrosse Levine Inner City Law Office engraved on the glass door. He runs past a colleague on the stairs who makes a quip about Carl Lewis. They swap information about the clients they are working with that day: George Riley has a rape and murder, Jack has a political asylum case.

A woman and man in a bedroom are obviously having an affair. She makes an allusion to attending an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and he speaks to someone on the phone with an excuse about working late. As the woman leaves the bedroom her lover says "See you at the office."

Jack goes to the office of the organisation which is protecting his political asylum client. He meets with a woman he calls Robin who corrects him by telling him she now wishes to be known by the name Numaka. Jack looks a little thrown by this but she tells him that she has adopted an African name out of respect to her race. He makes a valiant but unsuccessful effort to pronounce it correctly. Numaka takes him to meet with his prospective client, a Nigerian woman named Chinyere. She is there with her baby daughter and is a Muslim seeking political asylum in the US because her life is in danger in her homeland.

Chinyere explains that she was raped by a village Elder and became pregnant. Under Sharia law she has been sentenced to death for committing adultery. Jack explains that her case is particularly difficult because she entered the USA illegally. Numaka says she thought he could use his government contacts, but Jack says he isn't a PR consultant. Chinyere then pleads her case by saying if no-one can help her and she is deported she might as well be left to die. She reminds Jack she has a baby who she says is a gift from Allah. Jack is obviously sympathetic to her plight, and is impressed by her eloquence. A meaningful look passes between him and Numaka as he agrees to do what he can, but makes no promises.

In a court house a man named Samuel Gentry is being arraigned for the rape and murder of Marilyn Gardner. Riley runs in, late. He asks for bail, which is denied. The accused's brother is surprised there has been a change in defence lawyer, but Riley assures him it's still pro bono. The defendant is obviously distressed and his brother voices his concern.

The man who has jumped off the roof was Daniel Barrington, Managing Partner of Lyon Lacrosse Levine, and he jumped from the roof of their office building. The area outside is cordoned off by yellow police tape and we see Terrance Christianson speaking with the investigating officer, Detective Traub. Christianson is obviously a senior member of the law firm and he refuses to answer any questions standing on the sidewalk, insisting that the detective contact his secretary to make an appointment.

Inside the offices of LL&L Grant Rashton is talking to his secretary Brit Hanley. He is familiar to us as the lover from the earlier bedroom scene. They're obviously plotting in the light of Barrington's death and neither of them is shedding any tears. Grant begins speculating on who will get the Managing Partner role and reflects on how soon he can move into Barrington's office.

Back in the Law Centre Jack's secretary Kathy breaks the news to him about Barrington and tells him he's needed in the LL&L head office. Jack stands there, stunned, and says that Riley should be told about what has happened.

As Jack walks into the LL&L building he sees that the street is being sprayed clean where Barrington met his demise. He passes through the opulent foyer and it's evident that he rarely visits because the receptionist has to tell him that Christianson's office is on the twelfth floor. In the office a large crowd has gathered. Christianson talks about what a shock it's all been, that there was no clue, no note left. He then makes a veiled comment about an indictment regarding a client called Zero Technologies Limited. Jack challenges this, asking if Christianson is insinuating some impropriety on Barrington's part.

The conversation turns to the appointment of the new Managing Partner. To Jack's astonishment he is proposed by Christianson. He responds by saying that it's bizarre and declines the offer. Christianson underlines Jack's suitability for the post: he's won the Hogarth Humanitarian award twice, been editor-in-chief of the Yale Law Journal and clerked for Justice Suter. Of course, in addition he is "a Turner." When Jack cites his commitment to the law clinic Christianson counters with "There may not be a clinic."

Grant and Brit are strolling outside being nasty about Jack.

Back at the law clinic, Jack meets with Riley. Kathy tells Jack that there's been a call from Numaka. She says the name with a hint of irony in her voice, and Riley says doesn't she realise that it's part of her heritage? She informs him drily that she's fourth generation Bronx, he's Irish and how is his Gaelic? Jack finds out that the INS have picked up his client.

LL&L's paralegal department staff are discussing the Managing Partner's suicide. The blonde woman from the bedroom scene - Ariel Saxon - enters and asks what they are talking about. One of them replies they're discussing Galileo's theory of falling objects. Ariel calls over to a young man named Fineman and asks him to locate a case file for her; he makes a half-hearted attempt to hit on her. When she rebuffs him their subsequent conversation lets us know she was also a paralegal before qualifying as a lawyer.

In the prison Riley is interviewing his client whose brother is also present. Sammy admits to the rape and murder, but he clearly has learning difficulties. He becomes very agitated and Larry says he'd tell the same story about any murder if he was accused. He supplies him with an alibi, although Riley points out it doesn't look good because the neighbours have given evidence that Sammy was seen acting suspiciously around the victim. Larry asks for a DNA test. Riley isn't keen, saying that he thinks they can probably go for a plea bargain but Larry insists on the test.

At the Nigerian Embassy Jack is discussing the asylum case with a diplomat. Jack fails to persuade him of Chinyere's case. The official points out that Nigeria is no longer on the US's list of proscribed countries. Jack implies that he thinks it still should be.

Riley is waiting for Jack outside his townhouse. He says he's heard the law clinic is being closed down and takes Jack to task about not accepting the Managing Partner post. Jack says he doesn't want to be 'a face' so Christianson can find a way around the Zero Tech indictment. Riley is furious, asking Jack to consider their clients and the fact that he - Riley - has a family to support. He asks Jack to change his mind, but Jack lunges at him and they fight. They end up sprawled on the street. As Riley walks off he turns and glares at Jack.

The next day Ariel goes to see Jack. She tells him she's been pulled off a case. As he's always asking her to go and see the law clinic she's decided to take the opportunity while there's a gap in her workload. Jack smiles and says they could always do with the help. He offers her coffee, remembering exactly how she takes it. The expression on their faces indicates that there is some history between them. Riley walks in and exchanges a "hey" and a sheepish look with Jack.

Riley meets with Larry in the restaurant kitchen where he works. He suggests that Sammy pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter which carries a sentence of ten to fifteen years. Larry asks Riley to confirm the DNA test is being done and explains how he's looked after Sammy since the accident which killed their parents and left Sammy brain-damaged. In the Paralegal Department Detective Traub asks to speak to a paralegal called Charlie who was working with Barrington. Before he can question him, David Perez, the head of the department, says that Grant's secretary wants to see Charlie. He meets her in her office where she begins a charm assault by discussing their mutual college at Missoula and the fact that he is also a musician. It's not hard to see she has an ulterior motive when she asks him out to lunch.

Jack and Ariel speak with Numaka. He confirms that he's filed the case with an immigration judge, but Numaka says that Chinyere will be deported in two weeks time. Jack promises that nothing like that will happen.

A few minutes later he's sitting in a cab with Ariel. He explains that while Chinyere is a Muslim and will be subject to Islamic law, the Nigerian government is Christian controlled and won't want to rock the boat. He describes how Chinyere would be killed by being tied up, flung into a pit and a bulldozer would drop huge rocks on her until she died. Ariel remarks on how it's one more reason for being glad to be alive. Jack asks how she is and she replies "Sober now." She asks him about Jennifer. He tells her he no longer sees her and it was his fault. With regard to Chinyere he says he has one card left to play.

Jack subsequently meets with his father in a fancy restaurant. Turner Sr is a senator. He tries to ply Jack with Glenfiddich, then says pointedly that they never see each other. Jack retorts that perhaps that's because they don't like each other. However, dad does agree to speak to the President about an intervention on behalf of Chinyere.

Ariel's true colours are revealed when we see her conversing with Grant. She's uncomfortable with the fact that he's asking her to dig around for some dirt on Jack, but Grant asks whether she wants to be the oldest living associate. And by the way, who writes her reviews? He says he'll see her that night, but she walks out without a word.

There's a thunderstorm as the funeral of Daniel Barrington takes place. Jack gives the eulogy, talking about being mentored by Barrington when he was his ethics professor.

Outside, Ariel approaches Jack and says she'll see him later. Christianson then claims his attention, asking why he won't accept the nomination as Managing Partner. He speaks in Latin, then makes the point that absolute power absolutely corrupts some, but that power can be wielded for the common good. He walks off, leaving Jack looking thoughtful. Jack remarks to Riley that Barrington and his wife were going to go on a cruise - if that's the case, would he have jumped? His implication is clear.

Riley finally gets the DNA results. He goes to see Larry and traps him by discussing the football game he supposedly watched on the night of the murder. Larry and Sammy are identical twins with similar DNA, but Larry finally confesses to the murder. He resents looking after his brother so was prepared to frame him to be free of the responsibility. He sees Riley is wearing a wire and makes a run for it but is apprehended by the police.

Jack gets an executive order to allow Chinyere asylum. However, she decides to return to Nigeria, despite the fact that she will now be able to bring her family to the US. She knows her life will be in danger, but wants to return to help other women. She asks Jack if he believes in destiny, and he says he guesses so. She talks about making a sacrifice for the greater good. This seems to give him food for thought - he's evidently relating it to his own predicament. Chinyere's baby will remain in the States to be looked after by Numaka.

It's late in the evening in the offices of LL&L. Fineman is working alone when Ariel comes in. She's very drunk and falls to the floor. She attempts to seduce him, but he says he doesn't want it to happen that way. She then advises him to get out before they take his soul, but he says when you're an atheist you have no soul.

Jack meets with Christianson and finally agrees to accept the post as long as he can keep the law clinic open. They seal the deal with a handshake.

Grant and Brit are still plotting. She introduces him to Charlie, who she says will help them with their "special project." She emphasises the fact that Grant has contacts at Consolidated Records.

Christianson is on the phone telling someone that Jack has finally accepted the job. The voice at the other end says trust Jack to do something unpredictable. The scene shifts and we can now see the man Christianson is talking to; it's Jack's father, the senator. He tells his secretary to send Jack some champagne.

Jack is talking to Detective Traub, who is glad someone will talk to him. Jack asks if it's possible Barrington was murdered and Traub says that was the exact question he was going to ask Jack.

~ The Lyoness

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