"L.A. Law" Hand Roll Express (TV Episode 1988) - Susan Dey as D.D.A. Grace Van Owen

D.A. Bruce Rogoff : Want to see me, Grace?

[Grace closed the door]

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : Hmm. Bruce... I - I've had an offer to join a law firm.

D.A. Bruce Rogoff : Really? A lot of money?

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : It's not just the money. It... it... it would be a whole change for me, a whole new set of challenge...

[Intercom Buzzes. Mr. Rogoff answer the call]

D.A. Bruce Rogoff : Tell him I'll call him back in 5 minutes.

[Hangs up the phone]

D.A. Bruce Rogoff : Sorry.

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm leaving, and... and, Bruce, I want you to know how hard a decision this has been for me. And that I'm not leaving because of anything that's happen here.

D.A. Bruce Rogoff : When would you have to start?

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : It's flexible. I... I made it clear that I could not leave you in the lurch.

D.A. Bruce Rogoff : Can you finish the week?

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : Sure.

D.A. Bruce Rogoff : We'll be sorry to see you go, Grace, but it sounds like a fine opportunity.

[Intercom Buzzes. The District Attorney Bruce Rogoff picked up and answer the phone]

D.A. Bruce Rogoff : Okay. I got to take this call. We'll, uh, we'll talk later, okay?

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : Okay.

D.A. Bruce Rogoff : Yes. Uh-huh.

[Grace will be back]

Charles Craft : So... Not bad, eh?

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : Oh, not bad.

Charles Craft : [proposed a toast] To you.

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : To you. You're the one making the big move.

Charles Craft : To the quality of life, then.

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : I'll toast to that.

[Toast to drink champagne]

Charles Craft : You remember we were in law school, we always said we'd open a practice together and change the world?

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : And instead you married Terry, moved to New York, had 2.6 kids, and made a fortune in business law.

Charles Craft : Yes, hated every minute of it. We're Californians, Grace. The quality of life in New York, money notwithstanding, it's not what I wanted for my family.

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : Well, I toast your courage, Charlie. It takes a lot of guys to start over.

Charles Craft : I didn't see as if I had any choice. 14-hour days, 7 days a week, no time for my kids, fighting with Terry what little time I spent at home. I was running myself right out of a marriage and right into a nervous breakdown. They don't teach us how to handle that in law school.

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : No, they sure don't.

Charles Craft : Anyway, I got to tell you... You look terrific.

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : I feel like I'm about 80 years old. You think the jungles of New York are a bitch, you should tried a couple years in the D.A.'s office.

Charles Craft : Follow me.

Charles Craft : [Grace sees what's new] You like?

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : It's beautiful.

Charles Craft : It's got your name on the door.

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : What?

Charles Craft : I'm dead serious. You've always had integrity, you work harder than anyone I've ever met. You're a terrific litgator. Which is exactly what I need to complement my strengths.Well... What do you say?

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : Um... I don't know.

Charles Craft : No more downtown traffic jams. No more crowded elevators. You keep your own hours. Starting salary... 1 1/4.

[Grace laughs]

Charles Craft : Exclusive of benefits and bonuses.

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : Charlie, Charlie, it - it is incredibly attractive and flattering. I'm just don't think it's realistic.

Charles Craft : Why not?

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : I don't know. It just isn't.

Charles Craft : You mean you can't see yourself in ground-floor office suite with a patio, making some real money for a change, being a full partner... having a little quality of life?

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : I just - I don't know what to say.

Charles Craft : Say you'll think very seriously about it.

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : Okay. Uh... yes, I will.

Charles Craft : Here's to the future.

[Toast to the future]

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : So on the one hand, more money, more autonomy...

Michael Kuzak : Mm-hmm.

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : More time with you. But on the other hand, Bruce Rogoff.

Michael Kuzak : He'll be thrilled for you.

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : Huh, are you kidding? He'll chew my head off. He hates it when people leave. He'll make me feel guilty for selling out. Besides which what if in 2 months, I can't cut it?

Michael Kuzak : Well, you'll go crawling back to the D.A.'s office with your incredibly sexy tail between your legs.

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : I don't know.

Michael Kuzak : Well, whatever you decide, you know I'll support you.

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : Don't be so damn neutral.

Michael Kuzak : Well, why don't you go setting me up to make all your decisions for you.

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : Michael, I don't know what to do.

Michael Kuzak : Look, Grace, there are two kinds of mistakes you can make. Ones of commission and ones of omission. You learn from what you do, not from what you love.

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : Easy for you to say.

Michael Kuzak : I guarantee you when the moment comes, you'll know what decision to make.

Sarah Kerwin : [the District Attorney's office] Go on, he's not gonna kill you.

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : Yeah.

Sarah Kerwin : How did he take it?

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : Not great. He was very upset.

[Opening the door is Grace Van Owen at the District Attorney's office]

D.A. Bruce Rogoff : Come in, Grace.

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : Jim.

D.A. Jim Aoli : Grace.

D.A. Bruce Rogoff : Jim is going to take your office.

D.D.A. Grace Van Owen : Fine. I thought I'd come in over the weekend and... And get everything ready for you.