JUDGING AMY 
                      "Love You Just a Little More"
                              By Sean Alaback



                                   TEASER
          FADE IN:

          INT. EXAMINER - DAY

          VINCENT GRAY walks up to the EDITOR'S desk holding an
          article. Vincent hands the article to the editor.

                              VINCENT
                    Here's the final.

          The editor looks over it.

                              EDITOR
                    Looks good Gray. You have a story
                    for tomorrow yet?

                              VINCENT
                    I'm working on some leads.

                              EDITOR
                    I'd like you to do an exposé piece.

                              VINCENT
                    What on?

          The editor hands Vincent a "While You Were Out" note. He
          takes it and looks over the slip.

                              EDITOR
                    Councilman Radkie banging his
                    secretary.

                              VINCENT
                    I don't know... I'd rather stay
                    away from that kind of thing.

                              EDITOR
                    I understand... But if you don't
                    get another story... You'll look at
                    it?

          A long pause filled with hesitation.

                              VINCENT
                        (a sigh)
                    Sure... When do you need it?

                              EDITOR
                    I'll give you two days. I'll need
                    it Thursday by deadline for Friday
                    morning front page. I've already
                    got you 14 inches above the fold.

                              VINCENT
                    And if I don't do it?

                              EDITOR
                    The o-bits are screaming for better
                    placement.

          Vincent doesn't laugh.

          INT. DCF/MAXINE'S DESK - AFTERNOON

          MAXINE GRAY is paging through a file on her desk while taking
          a phone call.

                              MAXINE
                    I don't think I understand... Well
                    that's not an issue for us... you
                    need to call the police or the
                    humane society-

          SEAN POTTER with his arms full of files comes by Maxine's
          desk hoping to load a file off on her with no complaint by
          doing so while she is on the phone. It doesn't work. Maxine
          takes a quick glance at the new file.

                              MAXINE (CONT'D)
                    -Look Ms. Hale. DCF has a strict
                    definition of child, it doesn't
                    matter if you call Champ your baby
                    or not, he's still a dog.

          Maxine follows the phone down as she hangs up. Then chases
          after Sean.

                              MAXINE (CONT'D)
                    Sean! What's this? I'm not a
                    guardian ad litem.

                              SEAN
                    It's not a normal ad litem case,
                    Maxine.

                              MAXINE
                    Then give it to someone who's not a
                    normal ad litem, not to me.

          Maxine tries to shove the file back at Sean.

                              SEAN
                    It needs someone with...
                    experience, not someone just
                    looking for an extra buck, who only
                    knows the first thing about what
                    they're doing. Anyway the kid is
                    already here.

          Sean motions to the conference room. 

          In the room is a six-year-old girl. JACKLYN ROCKWELL is
          working on a puzzle at the table.

          Maxine knows the fight isn't worth it.

          INT. DCF/CONFERENCE ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

          Jacklyn is still at the table doing the puzzle.

          The door opens, and Maxine walks through. She sits across
          from Jacklyn.

                              MAXINE
                    Hello. My name's Maxine.

          Jacklyn continues playing, not responding.

          Maxine sees that all will not be as easy as she hoped, but
          rather more as she had expected.

                              MAXINE (CONT'D)
                    What are you working on?

          A long pause.

                              JACKLYN
                    A puzzle.

                              MAXINE
                    Oh, what of?

                              JACKLYN
                    I don't know.

                              MAXINE
                    Didn't you look at the box?

          Maxine is looking at the cover laying on the floor.

                              JACKLYN
                    My father says that's cheating.

          Maxine quickly looks up.

                              MAXINE
                    Wouldn't want to do that... would
                    we?

          She pulls a tape recorder out of her pocket. 

                              MAXINE (CONT'D)
                    Your name is Jacklyn, isn't it?

          Jacklyn nods "yes".

                              MAXINE (CONT'D)
                    Well I wanted to talk to you...
                    about some things. Is that all
                    right with you?

          Again Jacklyn nods "yes".

                              MAXINE (CONT'D)
                    So I get it all right, I'd like to
                    record our talk. Do you mind?

          Jacklyn nods "no".

          Maxine puts the recorder out on the table and presses record.

          She then opens the file and scans it.

                              MAXINE (CONT'D)
                    You're an only child?

          Jacklyn nods "yes."

                              MAXINE (CONT'D)
                    That must be nice... getting more
                    gifts.

                              JACKLYN
                    That's a myth.

                              MAXINE
                    What is?

                              JACKLYN
                    That only-children get more gifts.
                    We just don't get away with as
                    much.

                              MAXINE
                    Oh, well thats too bad... Your
                    parents are getting divorced. You
                    know what that means?

                              JACKLYN
                        (Well recited)
                    They still love me, they still love
                    each other, just not the same way,
                    so they won't live together
                    anymore... Oh, and it's not my
                    fault.

                              MAXINE
                    How do you feel about your parents
                    not living together anymore?

                              JACKLYN
                    Their choice... not mine.

                              MAXINE
                    Do you wish it was your choice?

                              JACKLYN
                    Would it matter if I did?

                              MAXINE
                    It would matter to me. And I'd be
                    telling the judge. I'm sure it
                    would matter to him.

          Jacklyn goes back to her puzzle.

          She gets a piece.

                              JACKLYN
                    I want to live with mom.

                              MAXINE
                    Oh? Why is that Jacklyn?

                              JACKLYN
                    Because.

                              MAXINE
                        (Probing)
                    Because why?

                              JACKLYN
                    Because I love mom the most.

          Maxine is taken back by Jacklyn's directness.

                                                  FADE OUT.



                                 END TEASER
                                   ACT I

          FADE IN.

          INT. GRAY HOUSE/KITCHEN - THE NEXT MORNING

          LAUREN CASSIDY is sitting at the bar eating a bowl of cereal
          in her PJs. 

          AMY GRAY, is dressed in a business suit and is packing
          Lauren's lunch while eating a bagel.

                              AMY
                    What are you learning in school 
                    today, Lauren?

                              LAUREN
                    How am I gonna know if I haven't
                    learned it yet, Mom? 

                              AMY
                    I don't know... Didn't your teacher
                    tell you yesterday?

                              LAUREN
                    We don't need to know. It's not
                    like we're not going to come if it
                    doesn't sound fun.

                              AMY
                    Don't you get smart with me Lauren.

                              LAUREN
                    Ask dumb questions you'll get smart
                    answers.

          Amy gives Lauren the "look." Lauren recedes from the
          challenge, taking her bowl and leaving the kitchen.

                              AMY
                        (Calling after her)
                    You'd better be taking that to your
                    room so you can get dressed. 

                              LAUREN
                    Yeah mom!

                              AMY
                    And then you'd better bring it
                    back.

                              LAUREN
                        (Calling back)
                    No mom, it's for my collection of
                    dirty dishes under my bed.

          Maxine walks into the kitchen, still in her PJs and with her
          hair down.

                              AMY
                        (Whining)
                    Mom, she's getting smart with me.

                              MAXINE
                    Oh, I wouldn't know how to help you
                    Amy. I never had to deal with that
                    from my daughter.

          Amy gives Maxine a fake grin.

          Amy pulls out a new bagel.

                              AMY
                    Bagel?

                              MAXINE
                    Thanks.

                              AMY
                    At least you'll tell me what your
                    doing today.

                              MAXINE
                    Sean put me on as an ad litem for a
                    divorce case. Today I'm
                    interviewing the parents.

                              AMY
                    An ad litem? Why's he having you do
                    that?

                              MAXINE
                    He thinks the case needs a little
                    more"extra care" than he can get
                    from the normal ad litem pool.

          Amy takes a bite of her bagel.

                              AMY
                    What's the case?

                              MAXINE
                    One girl, two parents both staying
                    in town.
                    Father's going for full custody, no
                    visitation, mother's going for
                    split.

                              AMY
                    What's the girl want?

                              MAXINE
                    Her mother, says she loves her the
                    most.

                              AMY
                    Why?

                              MAXINE
                    All she seemed to know is that she
                    does... Amy?

                              AMY
                        (Very cool)
                    Yeah?

                              MAXINE
                    Did you have a favorite?

          Amy is a little taken back by the question.

                              AMY
                    What?

                              MAXINE
                    Me and Dad... Didn't you ever say
                    to yourself "I love that one more?"

                              AMY
                    I don't know, it depends.

                              MAXINE
                        (Insulted)
                    On what?

                              AMY
                    Who ever let me stay out later,
                    gave me the most money for the
                    mall, let me hang out with the
                    sleaziest guy, you know.

          Maxine enjoys Amy's answer but it doesn't satisfy her.

          INT. COFFEE SHOP - MORNING

          Vincent is sitting at a tall coffee table inside a
          sophisticated, ritzy coffee shop.

          Reading "Harpers", Vincent sips his coffee while waiting for
          someone.

          A WOMAN well bundled, despite the apparent warmth of the day, 
          sits down across from Vincent.

          The woman takes a manila envelope out of her jacket and gives
          it to Vincent.

                              WOMAN
                    These are photos of them together.

          Vincent is surprised that this is who he was waiting for.

          He takes the envelope and opens it. He takes out a few photos
          that are rather plain. COUNCILMAN RADKIE standing waiting for
          a cab with his SECRETARY.

                              WOMAN (CONT'D)
                    That's the councilman and-
                        (with disgust)
                    his secretary, leaving her hotel.

                              VINCENT
                    This doesn't prove anything.

                              WOMAN
                    I can't get you anything else,

          The woman leans in.

                              WOMAN (CONT'D)
                    But you can. It's out there.

          She leans back.

                              VINCENT
                        (Sarcastic)
                    The truth is out there?

                              WOMAN
                    He pays for the room with his city
                    expense account. 

                              VINCENT
                    How do I get records on that?

                              WOMAN
                    You can't. 
                        (Looks around)
                    But you can get the hotel's
                    registry and see who the room is
                    billed to.

                              VINCENT
                    They don't just hand that out.

                              WOMAN
                    Don't you reporters have a bag of
                    tricks to get people to talk? 

          She leans in again.

                              WOMAN (CONT'D)
                    Use it.

          The unknown woman looks around cautiously, then darts off
          with out acknowledging Vincent.

          INT. AMY'S COURTROOM - DAY

          Amy is at the bench, reading through her papers. In the back
          of the courtroom sits MATT and SAMMY, brother and sister. The
          DCF attorney, MS. SYCAMORE is standing. 

                              SYACAMORE
                    Mr. and Ms. Almamatry have decided
                    to give up parental rights to their
                    son Matt, and DCF is ready to take
                    responsibility for him. We would
                    ask that you sign those papers on
                    your desk to finalize the process.

                              AMY
                    Okay... Mr. and Ms. Almamatry...
                    Just a few quick questions I have
                    to ask. You are doing this under
                    your own free will and no one has
                    coerced you in anyway?

                              MR. & MS. ALMAMATRY
                    Yes.

                              AMY
                    You understand that once you give
                    up your parental rights, you won't
                    be able to reverse that decision?

                              MR. & MS. ALMAMATRY
                    Yes.

                              AMY
                    You're just giving up one of your
                    two children, is that right?

                              MR. & MS. ALMAMATRY
                    Yes.

                              AMY
                    Why?

                              MS. ALMAMATRY
                    We can't afford two anymore.

                              AMY
                    No, that's not what I meant. Why
                    did you choose Matt, how do you
                    make that choice.

                              MS. ALMAMATRY
                    We really love Sammy... But Matt's
                    just always getting into trouble,
                    never cleans his room or does his
                    chores, but Sammy always... It's
                    just if we had to choose one...

          Amy just becomes aware of Matt and Sammy in the gallery.

                              AMY
                    Those are your children there,
                    aren't they?

                              MS. ALMAMATRY
                    We couldn't afford a sitter, so we
                    had to bring them. I'm sorry.

                              AMY
                    Okay.
                        (To Bruce)
                    Mr. Van Exel, could you please take
                    Mr. and Ms. Almamatry's children to
                    the day-care.

          Bruce is surprised at Amy's request but takes the children
          out anyway.

          Bruce and the children leave the court.

                              AMY (CONT'D)
                        (Scorning)
                    Ms. Almamatry. In the first place,
                    I don't think you should ever have
                    a "favorite" child. But if you're
                    going to have one, don't say it so
                    blatantly in front of them. I know
                    I asked you, but surly you could
                    have at least attempted softer
                    wording.
                    I understand if you couldn't afford
                    to take the children to day-care or
                    get a baby-sitter, but this isn't
                    the kind of place you should have
                    them. I had... I had no problem
                    with this case, but now I don't
                    know. I don't like your motivations
                    in the least... It never helps a
                    child to be separated from their
                    parent or their siblings. If you
                    couldn't afford to have two kids
                    giving one up should only be your
                    last resort. Mr. Syacamore, did the
                    Almamatrys even attempt to get
                    assistance before giving up Matt?

                              SYACAMORE
                        (looking through file)
                    Uh, no, no not according to our
                    files.

                              AMY
                    Well Ms. Almamatery did you even
                    try?

                              MS. ALMAMATRY
                    I looked into it... Judge Gray, in
                    our neighborhood people talk.I
                    wouldn't want them to talk about
                    me... For that.

                              AMY
                    Well, I'm not sure-

          Bruce comes back into the court distracting Amy.

                              AMY (CONT'D)
                    I'm not sure what disturbs me more.
                    That you would rather save face
                    then save your child, or that an
                    already overloaded DCF would be so
                    willing to take on a new child with
                    out at least trying to help the
                    family first.

                              SYACAMORE
                    Your Honor, it's not DCF's policy
                    to put families on welfare.

                              AMY
                    Well maybe it should! If the
                    alternative is splitting up a
                    family maybe it should be DCF's
                    policy...
                    I think what I've seen here from
                    the Almamatrys is that they see
                    their kids as nothing more then
                    some cute lovable pets, but when
                    they start peeing on the rug or
                    chewing on furniture they take them
                    to the pound. I don't think it's
                    safe for either child to be in that
                    environment... So here's what I'm
                    going to do. I'm going to have DCF
                    take both children.

          Exclamations from the Almamatrys.

                              AMY (CONT'D)
                    But I'm going to let you put
                    together a statement about your
                    children. And when it's done,
                    you'll read it to the court. But
                    till you make that statement and
                    the statement says what I want it
                    to say, both children will remain
                    in DCF's care.

          INT. DCF/CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

          Maxine walks into the conference room carrying a file folder.

          She sits at the conference table across from JACK ROCKWELL
          and his attorney, MR. ALLEN.

          Maxine opens the folder looking through it briefly glancing
          up at Rockwell then back down.

          Finished with the folder she closes it and takes off her
          glasses.

                              MAXINE
                    Mr. Rockwell, I spoke to your
                    daughter yesterday... She was
                    rather adamant about what she
                    wanted.

                              MR. ROCKWELL
                    She doesn't know what she wants.

                              MAXINE
                    Well according to her she does. So
                    I'm inclined to recommend her
                    mother get full custody with
                    visitations for you.

                              MR. ROCKWELL
                    You don't understand the situation
                    Ms. Gray.

                              MAXINE
                    Mr. Rockwell, it's my job to
                    understand. So if I don't, why
                    don't you help me?

          Long pause.

                              MR. ROCKWELL
                    When we lived together...

          Looks to his attorney for reassurance.

                              MR. ROCKWELL (CONT'D)
                    ...She has a drug history.

          Maxine starts to look through the file again.

                              MAXINE
                        (Not what she expected)
                    Do you have evidence of this?

                              MR. ALLEN
                    We've submitted into evidence her
                    criminal record of drug use... it
                    should be in the file.

          Maxine finds the police record.

                              MAXINE
                        (Nervous chuckle)
                    Must not have seen that.

          She continues reading the document.

                              MAXINE (CONT'D)
                    Does Jacklyn know of Ms. Rockwell's
                    drug use?

                              MR. ALLEN
                    We don't believe so- at present.
                    But we feel that having Mr.
                    Rockwell awarded full custody would
                    be the only way to fully protect
                    Jacklyn from becoming aware of it.

                              MAXINE
                    God forbid she steps into a high
                    school.

                              MR. ROCKWELL
                    I know I can't isolate her from all
                    drugs forever... I just don't want
                    her first experience to be seeing
                    Nicole lighting a bowl in the
                    living room.

          EXT. SIDEWALK/B&W STILLS - DAY

          Jacklyn is running from Jack to her mother, NICOLE ROCKWELL,
          and gives her a big hug.

          Jacklyn gives her mother a big kiss.

          Her father is dissatisfied looking at the two.

          Jack gets in his car.

          INT. GRAY HOUSE/KITCHEN - EVENING

          Amy, Vincent, and GILLIAN GRAY are preparing dinner.

                              VINCENT
                    Amy, do you know Councilman Radkie?

                              AMY
                    I know of him, yeah. Why?

                              VINCENT
                    I got assigned a story about him
                    sleeping with his secretary.

                              GILLIAN
                        (cutting in)
                    That's all we need. Another slime
                    ball politician sleeping around.

                              AMY
                    You aren't going to take the story,
                    are you Vincent?

                              VINCENT
                    It's the only one I have.

                              AMY
                    It's not a story, or at least not a
                    good one.

                              GILLIAN
                    What do you mean it's not a story?
                    These are our moral leaders, kids
                    look up to these people.
                    You can't just let them prance
                    around and do as they please.

                              AMY
                    Give me a break Gillian! How many
                    kids in this city do you think even
                    know Radkie's name, much less a
                    single thing he's ever done... What
                    he does on his day off doesn't hurt
                    anyone, and I for one, don't want
                    to hear about it.

                              VINCENT
                    He's actually skimming off city
                    funds to put her up.

                              GILLIAN
                        (Really mad)
                    See... See that! Do you want to be
                    spending your money to put up this
                    man's... this man's... whore!

          Vincent and Amy are shocked by Gillian's outburst, and are
          both petrified for a second.

                              AMY
                        (Tentative)
                    Uh... Vincent why don't you go
                    upstairs to get mom and Lauren.
                    I'll get Peter.