Alan Alda credited as playing...
Thomas Watters Jr.
- Lynn Goodnough: The Soviet spy they caught, we want you to defend him. Here's the indictment.
- James Donovan: Wow. I'm not sure I wanna pick that up.
- Thomas Watters Jr.: The accused doesn't know any lawyers. The federal court tossed it into our lap. The Bar Committee took a vote. You're the unanimous choice.
- Lynn Goodnough: It was important to us... well, it's important to our country, Jim, that this man is seen as getting a fair shake. American justice will be on trial.
- James Donovan: Well, of course, when you put it that way, it's an honor to be asked. But, Lynn, I'm an insurance lawyer. I haven't done criminal work in years.
- Lynn Goodnough: It's like riding a bike, isn't it? You distinguished yourself at Nuremberg.
- James Donovan: I was on the prosecution team.
- Lynn Goodnough: Not the point. You're no stranger to criminal law. Jim, look at the situation. The man is publicly reviled.
- James Donovan: And I will be, too.
- Lynn Goodnough: Yes, in more ignorant quarters. But that's exactly why this has to be done, and capably done. It can't look like our justice system tosses people on the ash heap.
- James Donovan: [flipping through the indictment paperwork] Suppose I did, what's the evidence look like?
- Lynn Goodnough: Pretty overwhelming.
- Thomas Watters Jr.: Jim, you did a great job. You fulfilled your mandate and then some. But the man is a spy. The verdict is correct and there's no reason to appeal it.
- James Donovan: There's ample procedural reason. We know the search is tainted. And Fourth Amendment issues will always weigh more heavily in an appellate form. We've got a good shot.
- Thomas Watters Jr.: What the goddamn hell are you talking about? We were supposed to show he had a capable defense, which we did. Why are you citing the goddamn Constitution at me?
- James Donovan: Tom, if you look me in the eye and tell me we don't have grounds for an appeal, I'll drop it right now.
- Thomas Watters Jr.: I'm not saying that. You know what I'm saying.
- Mary Donovan: Tom is saying there's a cost to these things.
- Thomas Watters Jr.: That's right.
- Mary Donovan: A cost to both your family and your firm.