"the first turnabout" script

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Episode 1: The First Turnabout

A small object comes into view. Only a small fraction of it is visible, but it is dripping blood.

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

The screen pans up to reveal that the object is a small statue that looks like “The Thinker.” Someone wearing black gloves is holding it. The scene fades, to be replaced by a shot of CINDY STONE. She is lying on the floor, dead, blood pooling from her head.

??? Dammit! ...Why me?

The screen fades to black.

??? I can’t get caught... Not like this!

The body comes into view again, and the screen pans up to reveal FRANK SAHWIT standing over her, holding the statue, looking frantic.

SAHWIT II’ve gotta find someone to pin this on...

The screen zooms into SAHWIT’s face as his look of terror shifts to a smile of realization.

SAHWIT Someone like... him!

For an instant, a blackandwhite shot appears of SAHWIT looking after LARRY BUTZ as BUTZ walks away. The screen returns to SAHWIT’s face.

SAHWIT I’ll make it look like HE did it!


August 3, 9:47 AM District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 2

Greenhorn defense attorney PHOENIX WRIGHT anxiously waits for his first trial to begin.

PHOENIX (Boy am I nervous!)

MIA

Wright! PHOENIX’s boss and trusted mentor, MIA FEY, enters the Defendant Lobby.

PHOENIX Oh, hhiya, Chief.

MIA

Whew, I’m glad I made it on time. So, this is it... Your first trial!

PHOENIX I haven’t been this nervous since we did sstudent trials back in

high school!

MIA Well, it’s about time you got back into the swing of things, then!

PHOENIX

Yeah... I... I guess you’re right! Y’know, Chief... I’m sorry you had to come all the way down here today on my account...

MIA

Well, I have to say Phoenix, I’m impressed! Not everyone takes on a murder trial right off the bat like this. It says a lot about you...

and your client as well.

PHOENIX Um... thanks. Actually, it’s because I owe him a favor.

MIA

A favor? You mean, you knew the defendant before this case?

PHOENIX

Yes. Actually, I kind of owe my current job to him. He’s one of the reasons I became an attorney.

MIA

Well, that’s news to me!

PHOENIX I want to help him out any way I can! I just... really want to help

him. I owe him that much.

??? (It’s over! My life, everything, it’s all over!)

MIA

... Isn’t that your client screaming over there?

PHOENIX Yeah... that’s him.

???

(Death! Despair! Ohhhh! I’m gonna do it, I’m gonna die!!!)

MIA It sounds like he wants to die...

PHOENIX

Um, yeah. *sigh* LARRY BUTZ, PHOENIX’s client, enters the scene, practically sobbing.

BUTZ Nick!!!

PHOENIX

Hey. Hey there, Larry.

BUTZ Dude, I’m so guilty!! Tell them I’m guilty!!! Gimme the death

sentence! I ain’t afraid to die!

PHOENIX

What!? What’s wrong, Larry?

BUTZ Oh, it’s all over... I... I’m finished. Finished! I can’t live in a world without her! I can’t! Who... who took her away from me, Nick? Who did this!? Aww, Nick, ya gotta tell me! Who took my baby away!?

PHOENIX

(Hmm... The person responsible for your girlfriend’s death? The newspapers say it was you...)


PHOENIX My name is Phoenix Wright. Here’s the story: My first case is a

fairly simple one. CINDY STONE’s dead body appears on screen.

PHOENIX A young woman was killed in her apartment. The guy they arrested was the unlucky sap dating her: Larry Butz... my best friend since grade

school. BUTZ is shown, nervously smiling.

PHOENIX Our school had a saying: “When something smells, it’s usually the

Butz.” In the 23 years I’ve known him, it’s usually been true. He has a knack for getting himself in trouble. One thing I can say though:

it’s usually not his fault. He just has terrible luck. The screen fades to black.

PHOENIX But I know better than anyone, that he’s a good guy at heart. That

and I owe him one. Which is why I took the case... to clear his name. And that’s just what I’m going to do!

August 3, 10:00 AM

District Court Courtroom No. 2

The courtroom is packed with onlookers. On the defense side stand PHOENIX and MIA. Across from them is the prosecution, WINSTON PAYNE. The JUDGE looks over the courtroom.

JUDGE The court is now in session for the trial of Mr. Larry Butz.

PAYNE

The prosecution is ready, Your Honor.

PHOENIX The, um, defense is ready, Your Honor.

JUDGE

Ahem. Mr. Wright? This is your first trial, is it not?

PHOENIX YYes, Your Honor. I’m, um, a little nervous.

JUDGE

Your conduct during this trial will decide the fate of your client. Murder is a serious charge. For your client’s sake, I hope you can

control your nerves.

PHOENIX Thank... thank you, Your Honor.

JUDGE

... Mr. Wright, given the circumstances... I think we should have a test to ascertain your readiness.

PHOENIX

Yes, Your Honor. (Gulp... Hands shaking... Eyesight... fading...)

JUDGE The test will consist of a few simple questions. Answer them clearly and concisely. Please state the name of the defendant in this case.

[Phoenix Wright]

PHOENIX Um... the defendant... is me, right?

MIA Wright! Have you completely lost your mind? Focus! The defendant is

the person on trial! You’re his lawyer!

PHOENIX Um, er, eh? Oh yeah, right! Eh heh heh.

MIA

This is no laughing matter! You did pass the bar, didn’t you?

JUDGE Sorry, I couldn’t hear your answer. I’ll ask once more: Please state

the name of the defendant in this case. [Mia Fey]

PHOENIX The, um, defendant? That’s... er... Mia Fey?

MIA

Wrong, Wright. Look, I have to leave. I have to go home. I’m... I’m expecting a delivery.

PHOENIX

Aw, c’mon Chief. There’s no need to be going so soon, is there?

MIA Wright! Listen: the defendant is the one on trialyour client! I

mean, that’s about as basic as you can get!

PHOENIX (I put my foot in it this time! I’ve got to relax!)

JUDGE

Sorry, I couldn’t hear your answer. I’ll ask once more: Please state the name of the defendant in this case.

[Larry Butz]

PHOENIX The defendant? Well, that’s Larry Butz, Your Honor.

JUDGE

Correct. Just keep your wits about you and you’ll do fine. Next question: This is a murder trial. Tell me, what’s the victim’s name?

PHOENIX

(Whew, I know this one! Glad I read the case report cover to cover so many times. It’s... wait... Uhoh! No... no way! I forgot! I’m

drawing a total blank here!)

MIA Phoenix! Are you absolute SURE you’re up to this? You don’t even know

the victim’s name!?

PHOENIX Oh, the victim! OOf course I know the victim’s name! I, um, just

forgot. ... Temporarily.

MIA I think I feel a migraine coming on. Look, the defendant’s name is listed in the Court Record. Just touch the Court Record button to

check it at anytime, okay? Remember to check it often. Do it for me, please. I’m begging you.

JUDGE

Let’s hear your answer. Who is the victim in this case? [Mia Fey]

PHOENIX Um... Mia Fey?

MIA

WWWhat!? How can I be the victim!?

PHOENIX Oh! Right! Sorry! I, er, it was the first name that popped into my

head, and

MIA The Court Record button! Remember to use it when you are in a pinch.

JUDGE

Let me ask that once again: Let’s hear your answer. Who is the victim in this case?

[Cinder Block]

PHOENIX Oh, um, wasn’t it Ms. Block? Ms. Cinder Block?

JUDGE

The person in question was a victim of murder, not illconceived naming, Mr. Wright.

MIA

Wright? If you forget something, just touch the Court Record button to help you remember. A mistake in court could cost you the case.

JUDGE

I’ll ask you again: Let’s hear your answer. Who is the victim in this case?

[Cindy Stone]

PHOENIX Um... the victim’s name is Cindy Stone.

JUDGE

Correct. Now, tell me, what was the cause of death? She died because she was...?

[Poisoned]

PHOENIX Oh, right! Wasn’t she, um, poisoned by er... poison?

JUDGE

You’re asking me!?

PHOENIX Um... Chief! Help me out!

MIA

Check the court record. The Court Record button... remember?

PHOENIX (Geez. Give a guy a break!)

JUDGE

Let me ask again. She died because she was...? [Strangled]

PHOENIX Right... she was strangled, wasn’t she?

MIA

Please tell me that was you talking to yourself.

JUDGE If you wish to hang yourself, Mr. Wright, you’re welcome to, but not inside my courtroom. I suppose there’s nothing to do but give you

another try: She died because she was...? [Hit with a blunt object]

PHOENIX She was struck once, by a blunt object.

JUDGE

Correct. You’ve answered all my questions. I see no reason why we shouldn’t proceed. You seem much more relaxed, Mr. Wright. Good for

you.

PHOENIX Thank you, Your Honor. (Because I don’t FEEL relaxed, that’s for

sure.)

JUDGE Well, then... First, a question for the prosecution. Mr. Payne?

PAYNE

Yes, Your Honor?

JUDGE As Mr. Wright just told us, the victim was struck with a blunt

object. Would you explain to the court just what that “object” was?

PAYNE The murder weapon was this statue of “The Thinker.” It was found

lying on the floor, next to the victim.

JUDGE I see... the court accepts it into evidence.

Statue added to the Court Record.

MIA Wright... Be sure to pay attention to any evidence added during the trial. That evidence is the only ammunition you have in court. Touch

the Court Record button to check the Court Record frequently. The JUDGE bangs his gavel.

JUDGE Mr. Payne, the prosecution may call its first witness.

PAYNE

The prosecution calls the defendant, Mr. Butz, to the stand.

PHOENIX Um, Chief, what do I do now?

MIA

Pay attention. You don’t want to miss any information that might help your client’s case. You’ll get your chance to respond to the

prosecution later, so be ready! Let’s just hope he doesn’t say anything... unfortunate.

PHOENIX

(Uh oh, Larry gets excited easily... this could be bad.) BUTZ takes the stand.

PAYNE Ahem. Mr. Butz. Is it not true that the victim had recently dumped

you?

BUTZ Hey, watch it buddy! We were great together! We were Romeo and

Juliet, Cleopatra and Mark Anthony!

PHOENIX

(Um... didn’t they all die?)

BUTZ I wasn’t dumped! She just wasn’t taking my phone calls. Or seeing

me... Ever. WHAT’S IT TO YOU, ANYWAY!?

PAYNE Mr. Butz, what you describe is generally what we mean by “dumped.” In fact, she had completely abandoned you... and was seeing other men! She had just returned from overseas with one of them the day before

the murder!

BUTZ Whaddya mean, “one of them”!? Lies! All of it, lies! I don’t believe

a word of it!

PAYNE Your Honor, the victim’s passport. According to this, she was in

Paris until the day before she died. Passport added to the Court Record.

JUDGE Hmm... Indeed, she appears to have returned the day before the

murder.

BUTZ Dude... no way...

PAYNE

The victim was a model, but did not have a large income. It appears that she had several “Sugar Daddies.”

BUTZ

Daddies? Sugar?

PAYNE Yes. Older men, who gave her money and gifts. She took their money

and used it to support her lifestyle.

BUTZ Duuude!

PAYNE We can clearly see what kind of woman this Ms. Stone was. Tell me,

Mr. Butz, what do you think of her now?

MIA Wright... I don’t think you want him to answer that question.

PHOENIX

(Yeah... Larry has a way of running his mouth in all the wrong directions. Should I...?)

A [Wait and see what happens]

PHOENIX (Might be better not to get involved in this one...)

PAYNE

Well, Mr. Butz?

BUTZ Dude, no way!

B [Stop him from answering]

PHOENIX My client had no idea the victim was seeing other men! That question

is irrelevant to this case!

PAYNE Oof! *wince*

BUTZ

Dude! Nick! Whaddya mean, “irrelevant”!? [Both lead here]

BUTZ That cheatin’ shedog! I’m gonna die. I’m just gonna drop dead! Yeah, and when I meet her her in the afterlife... I’m going to get to the

bottom of this!

JUDGE Let’s continue with the trial, shall we?

PAYNE

I believe the accused’s motive is clear to everyone.

JUDGE Yes, quite.

PHOENIX

(Oh boy. This is so not looking good.)

PAYNE Next question! You went to the victim’s apartment on the day of the

murder, did you not?

BUTZ Gulp!

PAYNE

Well, did you, or did you not?

BUTZ Heh? Heh heh. Well, maybe I did, and maybe I didn’t!

PHOENIX

(Uh oh. He went. What do I do?) A [Have him answer honestly]

PHOENIX (I know! I’ll send him a signal... TELL THE TRUTH)

BUTZ

Er... Yeah! Yeah! I was there! I went!

The crowd murmurs. The JUDGE bangs his gavel.

JUDGE Order! Well, Mr. Butz?

BUTZ

Dude, chill! She wasn’t home, man... So, like, I didn’t see her.

PAYNE

Objection! Your Honor, the defendant is lying.

JUDGE Lying?

PAYNE

The prosecution would like to call a witness who can prove Mr. Butz is lying.

B [Stop him from answering]

PHOENIX (I’ll send him a signal... LIE LIKE A DOG)

BUTZ

Um, well, see, it’s like this: I don’t remember.

PAYNE You “don’t remember”? Well then, we’ll just have to remind you!

PHOENIX

(I got a bad feeling about this...)

PAYNE We have a witness that can prove he DID go to the victim’s apartment

that day! [Both lead here]

JUDGE Well, that simplifies matters. Who is your witness?

PAYNE

The man who found the victim’s body. Just before making the gruesome discovery... He saw the defendant fleeing the scene of the crime!

The crowd murmurs. The JUDGE bangs his gavel three times.

JUDGE

Order! Order in the court! Mr. Payne, the prosecution may call its witness.

PAYNE

Yes, Your Honor.

PHOENIX (This is bad...)

PAYNE

On the day of the murder, my witness was selling newspapers at the victim’s building. Please bring Mr. Frank Sahwit to the stand!

SAHWIT takes the stand.

PAYNE Mr. Sahwit, you sell newspaper subscriptions, is this correct?

SAHWIT

Oh, oh yes! Newspapers, yes!

JUDGE Mr. Sahwit, you may proceed with your testimony. Please tell the

court what you saw on the day of the murder.

Witness Testimony Witness’s Account

SAHWIT

I was going doortodoor, selling subscriptions when I saw a man fleeing an apartment. I thought he must be in a hurry because he left the door halfopen behind him. Thinking it strange, I looked inside

the apartment. Then I saw her lying there... A woman... not moving... dead! I quailed in fright and found myself unable to go inside. I thought to call the police immediately! However, the phone in her

apartment wasn’t working. I went to a nearby park and found a public phone. I remember the time exactly: it was 1:00 PM. The man who ran

was, without a doubt, the defendant sitting right over there.

JUDGE Hmm...

PHOENIX

(Larry! Why didn’t you tell the truth? I can’t defend you against a testimony like that!)

JUDGE

Incidentally, why wasn’t the phone in the victim’s apartment working?

PAYNE Your Honor, at the time of the murder, there was a blackout in the

building.

JUDGE Aren’t phones supposed to work during a blackout?

PAYNE

Yes, Your Honor... However, some cordless phones do not function normally. The phone that Mr. Sahwit used was one of those. Your

Honor... I have a record of the blackout, for your perusal. Blackout Record added to the Court Record.

JUDGE Now, Mr. Wright...

PHOENIX

Yes! Er... yes, Your Honor?

JUDGE You may begin your crossexamination.

PHOENIX

CCrossexamination, Your Honor?

MIA Alright, Wright, this is it. The real deal!

PHOENIX

Uh... what exactly am I supposed to do?

MIA Why, you expose the lies in the testimony the witness just gave!

PHOENIX

Lies! What?! He was lying!?

MIA Your client is innocent, right? Then that witness must have lied in

his testimony! Or is your client really... guilty?

PHOENIX

....! How do I prove he’s not?

MIA You hold the key! It’s in the evidence! Compare the witness’s

testimony to the evidence at hand. There’s bound to be a contradiction in there! First, find contradictions between the Court

Record and the witness’s testimony. Then, once you’ve found the contradicting evidence... present it and rub it in the witness’s

face!

PHOENIX Um... okay.

MIA

Touch the Court Record button and point out contradictions in the testimony!

Cross Examination

Witness’s Account

SAHWIT I was going doortodoor, selling subscriptions when I saw a man

fleeing an apartment.

PHOENIX Hold it! Isn’t a man leaving an apartment a common sight? I find it

odd you would take notice of him...

SAHWIT Er... heh. I don’t know. He just seemed strange to me, that’s all.

Like he was mad, and yet frightened at the same time. Just like... a criminal fleeing the scene of a crime!

PHOENIX slams the table.

PHOENIX The defense requests that the witness refrain from conjecture!

PAYNE

Of course. What the witness means is that the man he saw looked suspicious. So, what happened next?

SAHWIT

I thought he must be in a hurry because he left the door halfopen behind him.

PHOENIX

Hold it! Halfopen... you say?

SAHWIT Yes, yes, the door was open halfway. Yes. I watched for a moment, but no one came to close the door. “That’s odd, in a big city like this,”

I thought...

PAYNE I see. And what happened next?

SAHWIT

Thinking it strange, I looked inside the apartment.

PHOENIX Hold it! What gave you the idea to do that?

SAHWIT

Well, the door was halfopen, you see. Isn’t it only human to want to... peek? We climb mountains because they are there! It’s the same

thing.

PAYNE Truer words have never been spoken! Anyone would look inside!

PHOENIX

(Hmm... why did Payne cut him off so quickly?)

PAYNE So, you looked into the apartment. What happened then?

SAHWIT

Then I saw her lying there... A woman... not moving... dead!

PHOENIX Hold it!


PHOENIX

Are you sure she was dead?

SAHWIT WWell, no, I guess I wasn’t. But, she wasn’t moving at all, and

there was blood everywhere.

PHOENIX (I guess that would look fatal to anyone...) Very well, what happened

next?

SAHWIT I quailed in fright and found myself unable to go inside.

PHOENIX

Hold it! So, you didn’t touch ANYTHING in the apartment?

SAHWIT Um, yes. I mean no! Nothing.

PHOENIX

Okay. What happened next?

SAHWIT I thought to call the police immediately!

PHOENIX Hold it!


PHOENIX You “thought” to call the police? Does that mean you didn’t actually

call them!?

PAYNE Please, please... Listen to the rest of the testimony. You thought to

call the police... What happened next?

SAHWIT However, the phone in her apartment wasn’t working.

PHOENIX Hold it! The phone in her apartment wasn’t working?

SAHWIT

Yes. I mean, no, no it wasn’t. Right.

PHOENIX But you said you didn’t go into the apartment... or did you!?

SAHWIT

Oh, oh, that? I can explain that! There was a cordless phone on a shelf in the entranceway. I reached inside and tried using that to

call...

PAYNE And that phone wasn’t working, correct? What happened next?

SAHWIT

I went to a nearby park and found a public phone.

PHOENIX Hold it! Why use a public phone?

SAHWIT

Well, you see, I don’t have a cell phone. And, being the middle of the afternoon, there was no answer at the nearby apartments.

PHOENIX

Ah, right... what time did you call again?

SAHWIT I remember the time exactly: It was 1:00 PM.

PHOENIX Hold it!


PHOENIX 1:00 PM! Are you certain?

SAHWIT

Yes. Absolutely.

PHOENIX

(Hmm... He seems really confident.)

MIA 1:00 PM? Wright. Doesn’t that seem strange to you? Present some

evidence to contradict him!

SAHWIT The man who ran was, without a doubt, the defendant sitting right

over there.

PHOENIX Hold it! Are you absolutely, 100% positive?

SAHWIT

Yes, it was him. No mistake about it.

PAYNE The witness says he’s certain!

MIA

That’s all of it. There must be a contradiction in there somewhere. Examine the Court Record button if something strikes you as

suspicious. Then, find the evidence that contradicts his testimony, and present it to him!

SAHWIT

I was going doortodoor, selling subscriptions when I saw a man fleeing an apartment. I thought he must be in a hurry because he left the door halfopen behind him. Thinking it strange, I looked inside

the apartment. Then I saw her lying there... A woman... not moving... dead! I quailed in fright and found myself unable to go inside. I thought to call the police immediately! However, the phone in her

apartment wasn’t working. I went to a nearby park and found a public phone. I remember the time exactly: it was 1:00 PM.

PHOENIX

Objection! You found the body at 1:00 PM. You’re sure?

SAHWIT Yes. It was 1:00 PM, for certain.


PHOENIX Frankly, I find that hard to believe! Your statement directly

contradicts the autopsy report. The autopsy notes the time of death at sometime after 4PM. There was nobody to... er... no “body” to find

at 1:00 PM! How do you explain this threehour gap?

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

PAYNE

Objection! This is trivial! The witness merely forgot the time!

JUDGE After his testimony, I find that hard to believe. Mr. Sahwit... Why

were you so certain that you found the body at 1:00 PM?

SAHWIT I... er... well, I... Gee, that’s a really good question!

MIA

Great job, Wright! Way to put him on the spot! That’s all you have to do: point out contradictions! Lies always beget more lies! See

through one, and their whole story falls apart!

SAHWIT Wait! I remember now!

JUDGE

Would you care to give your testimony again?

Witness Testimony The Time of Discovery

SAHWIT

You see, when I found the body, I heard the time. There was a voice saying the time... It was probably coming from the television. Oh, but it was three hours off, wasn’t it? I guess the victim must have

been watching a video of a taped program! That’s why I thought it was 1:00 PM! Terribly sorry about the misunderstanding...

JUDGE

Hmm... I see. You heard a voice saying the time on a taped program. Mr. Wright, you may crossexamine the witness.

MIA

Wright! You know what to do!

PHOENIX I’ve got this one.

Cross Examination

The Time of Discovery

SAHWIT You see, when I found the body, I heard the time.

PHOENIX

Hold it! You said “heard”... Not “saw”?

SAHWIT Yes, heard. All I saw was the body lying there... I didn’t think to

look at anything else, least of all my watch.

PHOENIX Hmm... Isn’t that a little strange? So you’re saying you “heard”

something. But if you were so shocked by the body, you wouldn’t hear anything at all!

PAYNE

Objection! The witness did say he actually heard the time. It’s ludicrous to suggest he “wouldn’t hear anything”!

JUDGE

Hmm... I have to agree with the prosecution. Witness, continue with your testimony.

SAHWIT

There was a voice saying the time... It was probably coming from the television.

PHOENIX

Hold it! Are you sure it was a television and not... a radio?

SAHWIT

Well, no, I guess it might have been a radio.

PAYNE Incidentally, there was no radio on the premises. There was only one

large television.

MIA Wright! I can’t put my finger on it, but something about this seems

fishy. Something about “hearing” the television...

PAYNE The witness has testified. He heard the time.

SAHWIT

Oh, but it was three hours off, wasn’t it?

PHOENIX Hold it! How do you explain the gap!

JUDGE

Well, witness? Can you explain this?

SAHWIT I guess the victim must have been watching a video of a taped

program!

PHOENIX Hold it! A... video?

SAHWIT

Yes, that would explain why the time was wrong!

PHOENIX True, true...

MIA

Wright! I think the problem lies someplace else...

JUDGE We’re agreed that you heard the time at the scene, then.

SAHWIT

That’s why I thought it was 1:00 PM!

PHOENIX

Hold it! Are you sure the voice you heard said it was 1:00 PM?

SAHWIT Yes, I can practically hear it now. It was quite clear.

JUDGE

Mr. Payne, has the prosecution verified this testimony?

PAYNE My apologies, Your Honor. I, too, have only just learned that the

witness “heard” the time.

SAHWIT Oh, I’m really sorry. I only remembered it just now. Terribly sorry

about the misunderstanding...

PHOENIX Well, you just watch it! (Hmmm... Not much point pressing him on that

one, was there?)

MIA Notice anything suspicious?

SAHWIT

You see, when I found the body, I heard the time. There was a voice saying the time... It was probably coming from the television.

PHOENIX

Objection! Hold it right there! The prosecution has said there was a blackout at the time of the discovery! And this record proves it!

SAHWIT ...!


PHOENIX You couldn’t have heard a television... or a video!

SAHWIT

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

JUDGE

The defense has a point. Do you have an explanation for this, Mr. Sahwit?

SAHWIT

No, I... I find it quite puzzling myself! Quite! ... Aah! Wwait! I remember now!

JUDGE

Mr. Sahwit? The court would prefer to hear an accurate testimony from the very beginning. These constant corrections are harming your

credibility. That, and you seem rather... distraught.

SAHWIT ...! Mmy apologies, Your Honor! It... er, it must have been the

shock of finding the body!

JUDGE Very well, Mr. Sahwit. Let’s hear your testimony once more please.

Witness Testimony

Hearing the Time

SAHWIT Actually, I didn’t “hear” the time... I “saw” it! There was a table clock in the apartment, wasn’t there! Yeah, the murder weapon! The killer used it to hit the victim! That must have been what I saw.

JUDGE

You saw a clock? I guess that would explain it. The defense may crossexamine the witness.

PHOENIX Gladly.

Cross Examination

Hearing the Time

SAHWIT Actually, I didn’t “hear” the time... I “saw” it!

PHOENIX: Hold it! That strikes me as a very suspicious mistake.

SAHWIT

Yes, I can see how you’d be a little doubtful... I’m really sorry. I only just remembered that table clock!

JUDGE

A “table clock”?

SAHWIT There was a table clock in the apartment, wasn’t there!

PHOENIX

Hold it! A “table clock”? Was there a clock at the scene?

JUDGE This is the first I’ve heard of it!

SAHWIT

Yeah, the murder weapon! The killer used it to hit the victim!

PHOENIX Hold it! The... murder weapon?

SAHWIT

Yes, the table clock that was used as a weapon! That’s what I just said. Did you doze off in the middle of my testimony or something?

PHOENIX

(Something’s fishy here...)

SAHWIT That must have been what I saw.

PHOENIX

Hold it! Why didn’t you tell us that in the first place?

SAHWIT I guess it just slipped my mind! I’m not really sure how it happened

myself...

PAYNE The witness says he saw a table clock. End of story.

MIA Now, find the contradiction!

SAHWIT

Actually, I didn’t “hear” the time... I “saw” it! There was a table clock in the apartment, wasn’t there! Yeah, the murder weapon! The

killer used it to hit the victim!

PHOENIX Objection! Wait just a moment! The murder weapon wasn’t a clock. It

was this statue! PHOENIX slams the table.

PHOENIX Now how is this supposed to be a clock?

SAHWIT

Whaa!? Yyou with your “objections,” and your “evidence”... Just who do you think you are!?

PHOENIX

Just answer the question, Mr. Sahwit.

SAHWIT Hey, I... I saw it there, okay! That’s a clock!

PAYNE

Your Honor! If I may...

JUDGE Yes, Mr. Payne?

PAYNE

As the witness stated, this statue is indeed a clock. The neck is a switch. You just tilt it, and it says the time out loud. As it

doesn’t look like a clock, I submitted it as a statue. My apologies.

JUDGE I see. So the murder weapon was a clock after all. Well, Mr. Wright? It appears that the witness’s testimony was correct. This is a clock.

Do you have any problems with the testimony now?

A [No]

PHOENIX I guess not. There was a clock on the scene, so, no problem.

MIA

Wright! Are you out of your mind!? That clock doesn’t look like a clock at all! The witness couldn’t have possibly known it was a clock just by seeing it! He said himself, he never entered the apartment!

It was in his testimony!

PHOENIX Hey! You’re right!

JUDGE

Is something the matter? Does the defense have anything to add?

PHOENIX: Yes... Yes I do! B [Yes]

PHOENIX Your Honor, there is a gaping hole in the witness’s testimony!

[Both lead here]

PHOENIX The only way he could have known the weapon was a clock is to hold it

in his hand. Yet the witness testified that he never entered the apartment!


PHOENIX Clearly, a contradiction!

JUDGE

Hmm... indeed!

PHOENIX The witness knew it was a clock, because he...

[Knew the victim]

PHOENIX

Tell me, isn’t it true that you knew the victim? In fact, you were one of her “sugar daddies”! Be frank with us, Mr. Sahwit!

SAHWIT

Hmph. “Frank”? I’m always “Frank”!

PAYNE Your Honor. We have complete records of the victim’s relationships.

Mr. Frank Sahwit does not appear anywhere.

PHOENIX Huh? Oh, really?

JUDGE

Please, Mr. Wright... Is “Huh” the best response you can muster up? Try to refrain from making offthecuff accusations in the future.

PHOENIX

Yyes, Your Honor. Let me think this over. The witness knew it was a clock, because he...

[Went into the apartment]

PHOENIX You’re lying!


PHOENIX You were inside the apartment on the day of the murder!

SAHWIT

Oh yeah? Prove it! Prove I went in there!

PHOENIX I’ll do better than that! I can prove you were the one who killed

her! You struck her with the clock, and the shock of the blow triggered the clock’s voice! That was the sound you heard!

The crowd murmurs. The JUDGE bangs his gavel.

JUDGE Order in the court! Intriguing. Please continue, Mr. Wright.

PHOENIX

Yes, Your Honor. Mr. Sahwit. The sound must have left quite an impression on you. Understandable, since the murder weapon spoke just as you hit the victim! That voice was burned into your mind. That’s

why you were so certain about the time!

PAYNE Objection! Wwwhat’s the meaning of this? This is all baseless

conjecture!

PHOENIX Baseless...? Just look at the witness’s face!

SAHWIT

Ngh... grrrah!

JUDGE Would the witness care to elaborate? Did you strike the victim with

the clock?

SAHWIT I... I...! That... that day... ..I... I never! Look... I... the

clock... I heard, no! I mean I saw...Saw... nggg!.. Gwaaaaaaaaaaaaah! SAHWIT rips off his toupee and hurls it at PHOENIX. It slides off of PHOENIX’s face.

SAHWIT Shutupshutupshutup! I hate you! I saw him! Hhe killed her and he

should burn! Burn! Give him death! The crowd murmurs. The JUDGE bangs his gavel.

JUDGE Order! Order in the court I say!

PAYNE

Your Honor, aa moment please! There isn’t a shred of evidence supporting the defense’s claims!

JUDGE Mr. Wright!

PHOENIX

Your Honor?

JUDGE You claim the sound the witness heard came from the clock... Do you

have any evidence?

PHOENIX (The whole case is riding on this! I’d better think it through carefully!) Yes, Your Honor. The sound Mr. Sahwit heard was

definitely this clock. A fact which is clear if you simply... [Try sounding the clock]

PHOENIX Let’s sound the clock now, here in this court. Your Honor, may I have

the clock? I ask the court to listen very carefully... PHOENIX sounds the clock.

ALARM CLOCK ...*beep*... (I think it’s 8:25.)

JUDGE

That certainly is a strange way to announce the time.

PHOENIX Well, he is “The Thinker,” after all.

JUDGE

So, we’ve heard the clock. What are your conclusions, Mr. Wright?

PHOENIX Mr. Payne... can you tell me what time it is now?

PAYNE

It’s 11:25... Ack!

PHOENIX As you can see, this clock is exactly three hours slow! Precisely the

discrepancy between what Mr. Sahwit heard and the actual time of death! So, Mr. Sahwit... Try to talk your way out of this one!

SAHWIT

... ...Hah! Hah hah! You forgot one thing!

PHOENIX (Uh oh... what’s he talking about...?)

SAHWIT

While it may seem like that clock is running three hours slow... It proves nothing! How do you know it was running three hours slow on the day of the murder!? If you can’t prove that, you don’t have a

case!

PHOENIX ...! (He’s right! How am I going to prove that!? Dammit! I was so

close!)

JUDGE Mr. Wright? It seems you lack the critical evidence to support your

claim.

PHOENIX ....! Yes, Your Honor.

JUDGE

This means I cannot let you indict the witness. Unfortunately... The JUDGE bangs his gavel.

JUDGE This ends the crossexamination of Mr. Frank Sahwit.

SAHWIT

I come all the way down here to testify, and look what happens! They treat me like a criminal! A criminal! You lawyers are all slime!

PHOENIX

(Grr! I almost had him!)


PHOENIX (Sorry, Larry... I failed you. There’s nothing I can do about it

now...) The screen fades to black.

MIA Not so fast, Mr. Sahwit!

PHOENIX

Mia! I mean, Chief!

MIA Listen up, Wright! Don’t throw this one away, not like this! Think!

PHOENIX

But, Chief, it’s over. I can’t prove the clock was slow the day of the murder! Nobody can prove that!

MIA

Um... well, yes. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still win! Try thinking out of the box! Don’t waste time doubting the facts. Assume the clock was three hours slow and... Think through it! Ask yourself,

“why was the clock three hours slow”? Figure out the reason, and you’ll have your proof! Right, Wright? Can you think of a reason as

to why the clock would be three hours slow? A [Yes]

PHOENIX ... Wait! Maybe I can prove it!

MIA

You must have evidence somewhere that can prove it, Wright! Find it and let them have it!

JUDGE

Well, Mr. Wright? You say the clock was already running slow on the day of the murder... Have you found evidence to support this claim?

PHOENIX

Of course. There is a piece of evidence in the Court Record that can prove my claim beyond a doubt!

SAHWIT

Hah! Tough words! Let’s see you pull this one off! B [No]

PHOENIX Hhow am I supposed to know that!?

MIA

I know you can figure it out! There must be some evidence in the Court Record... Something that can show why that clock was three

hours slow! Find it, and he won’t have a foot to stand on!

JUDGE Mr. Wright?

PHOENIX

Yyyes, Your Honor!

JUDGE You say the clock was already running slow on the day of the

murder... Do you have evidence to prove this?

PHOENIX (This is it... all or nothing!) Yes, Your Honor. I believe I have the

evidence that can prove my claim!

SAHWIT Hah hah! I’d like to see THAT!

[Both lead here]

JUDGE Let’s see this evidence that proves why the clock was running slow!

PHOENIX

Take that! The victim had just returned home from abroad the day before the murder. As we all know, the time difference between here and Paris is nine hours! When it’s 4:00 PM here, it’s 1:00 AM the

next day there. The clock wasn’t three hours slow, it was nine hours fast! The victim hadn’t reset her clock since returning home! That’s why the time you heard when you struck her dead in her apartment was

wrong! PHOENIX slams the table.

PHOENIX Proof enough for you, Mr. Sahwit? Or should I say... Mr. Did It!

SAHWIT

Ngh! ...! SAHWIT begins foaming at the mouth and faints to the ground. The crowd murmurs. The JUDGE bangs his gavel three times.

JUDGE Oorder! Order, I say!

The screen fades to black. It immediately fades back in to show the JUDGE.

JUDGE Well... This case has certainly turned out differently than we all

expected. Me. Payne... your client?

PAYNE He... er... he was arrested and has been taken away, Your Honor.

JUDGE

Very well. Mr. Wright?

PHOENIX Yes, Your Honor.

JUDGE

I have to say, I’m impressed. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone complete a defense so quickly... and find the true culprit at the

same time!

PHOENIX Thank you, Your Honor.

JUDGE

At this point, this is only a formality, but... This court finds the

defendant, Mr. Larry Butz...

Not Guilty

Confetti rains from the ceiling as the crowd cheers. The JUDGE bangs his gavel.

JUDGE And with that... The court is adjourned.


PHOENIX It turns out that Frank Sahwit was a common burglar! He posed as a newspaper salesman to check and see when people were out of the house! That day... When Larry went to her apartment, the victim

wasn’t home. After he left, Mr. Sahwit let himself in to do his dirty work! While he was searching her place, the victim returned!

Flustered, Mr. Sahwit grabbed the nearest blunt object he could find...

August 3, 2:32 PM District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 2

PHOENIX (Whew... I still can’t believe we won!)

MIA

Wright! Good job in there! Congratulations!

PHOENIX Ththanks, Chief. I owe it all to you.

MIA

Not at all, not at all! You fought your own battles in there. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a trial end on such a satisfying note!

PHOENIX

(I’ve never seen the chief looking this happy... If she’s this glad, imagine how Larry must feel!)

BUTZ

My life is over...

PHOENIX Larry! You’re supposed to be happy! What’s wrong now!?

BUTZ

Aww, Nick... Don’t worry ‘bout me! I’ll be dead and gone soon!

PHOENIX Good! Wait, no! I mean... Bad! Bad bad bad! Larry, you’re innocent!

The case is closed.

BUTZ ... But... but my Cindywindy’s gone, man! Gone forever!

PHOENIX

(Larry, she was a... Nah... Never mind.)

MIA Congratulations, Harry!

BUTZ

HHarry...?

MIA Yes, you! I can practically see the headlines now: “Harry Butz,

Innocent!”

BUTZ Heh... um... thanks! I really owe you one. I won’t forget this, ever!

Let’s celebrate! Dinner? Movie? My treat!

MIA Oh, no, I couldn’t.

PHOENIX

(Hey, I was the one who got you off the hook!

BUTZ Oh, hey! Hhere, take this! It’s a present!

MIA

A present? For me? Wait... Wasn’t this the evidence that...

BUTZ

Actually, I made this clock for her! I made one for her and one for me.

MIA Rreally? You? You made this? ... Well, thank you. I’ll keep it as a

memento.

BUTZ Yo, Nick... Can you believe it? I was so into that chick... And... and she was just playing me for a fool! Don’t that make you wanna

just cry? *sob*

PHOENIX Larry...

MIA

... Are you so sure?

BUTZ Exsqueeze me?

MIA

I think she thought quite a lot of you, in her own way.

BUTZ Nah, you don’t gotta sympathize with me, ‘sokay.

MIA

Oh, I’m not just sympathizing, really. Isn’t that right, Wright? Don’t you have something to show your friend? Something that proves

how she felt about him?

PHOENIX Hhuh? Oh, yeah, right! (What the heck is she talking about?)

A [PRESENT: Statue]

PHOENIX Take that! Check this out, Larry. Proof Positive you weren’t just

some chump to her.

BUTZ Huh...? Where’d you get that clock?

PHOENIX

This is the clock you made for her, Larry! She took it with her when she traveled.

BUTZ

Hmm, she probably just needed a clock, that’s all.

PHOENIX You think so? It’s a pretty heavy clock to take traveling.

BUTZ ...

PHOENIX Well, make of it what you will.

BUTZ

... Hey, Nick. I’m glad I asked you to be my lawyer. Really, I am. Thanks.

BUTZ walks off.

PHOENIX

(Hope that made him feel a little better...)

B [PRESENT: anything other than Statue]

PHOENIX Take that! Here you go, Larry. Proof.

BUTZ

... Eh... heh heh? It’s okay, Nick. Don’t worry about me. I’ll forget about her soon enough. Look, I’m gonna head home. Thanks a ton, eh?

BUTZ walks off.

PHOENIX

(Guess that wasn’t the right thing to show him...) [Both lead here]


MIA Wright? I hope you see the importance of evidence now. Also,

hopefully you realize, things change depending on how you look at them. People, too. We never really know if our clients are guilty or innocent. All we can do it believe in them. And in order to believe in them, you have to believe in yourself. Wright... Listen. Learn.

Grow strong. Never let go of what you believe in. Never. The screen fades back in to Defendant Lobby No. 2.

MIA Well, I think our work here is done! Shall we be off?

PHOENIX

Yeah, I guess so!

MIA Say, how about dinner. On me? We’ll drink a toast to innocent Butz!

PHOENIX Yeah!

MIA

Oh, speaking of Harry... You were saying part of why you became a lawyer was because of him.

PHOENIX

Er, yeah. Part, at least.

MIA You’ll have to tell me more about it sometime! Maybe... over drinks? The screen fades to black.

PHOENIX And so, my first trial came to a close. Larry slapped me on the back and said, “Gee, Nick, it’s good to have friends!” But I’m pretty sure he’s not going to pay me. Unless you count the clock he gave Mia. ... I didn’t know it then... but that clock was soon going to be at the

center of another incident. And my promise to tell the chief about me

and Larry... would be one promise that I wouldn’t be able to keep.

THE END

"the first turnabout" script

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