The Judge

"Hank Palmer: Everyone wants Atticus Finch until there's a dead hooker in a bathtub. [Note: Atticus Finch is the lawyer in "To Kill a Mockingbird."]"

"Hank Palmer: Why'd you pull me out of Boy Scouts? Judge Joseph Palmer: As punishment for blowing up the McCraws' mailbox with M80s. Hank Palmer: I was 13. *That* you remember. *That*! Judge Joseph Palmer: Oh, old enough to know better. Hank Palmer: You didn't come to my high school graduation or college. Why? Judge Joseph Palmer: [Overlapping] Oh, boo-fucking-hoo. "Why?" Jail time, truancy, I don't get to reward anything! None of your shit! Hank Palmer: I graduated from *law school*, for Christ's sake. Judge Joseph Palmer: As opposed to what? Dropping out? Hank Palmer: Fuck you! Judge Joseph Palmer: Let me tell you something, OK? I put a roof over your head, money in your pocket, clothes on your back... *food* in your *mouth*! Who paid for that college education? I never showed up to kiss your ass, but your mother? She's a housewife! Why couldn't you swallow your Goddamned pride and just come home to her? You tell me why! Hank Palmer: [On the verge of tears] You know, you'd invite people at the end of their parole back to court... You'd *recognize* those who did their time, turned their lives around, made something of themselves. Everyone in the court applauded, and you made sure they did! Tell them how *proud* you were... Proud of *fucking* strangers! Judge Joseph Palmer: Is that all you wanted, Henry, was a kind word? An 'atta boy? Then to use your words, you should have *come* the *fuck* home! We all waited, *quietly*, but you never came. OK? And I was the one she'd blame, because you wouldn't come home. Me. Now, was I tough on you? Yes. How'd you turn out, Henry? Waiting tables? A bum? Hank Palmer: You put me in Juvenile Detention... you sent me to fucking Vanderburgh! Judge Joseph Palmer: [Interrupting] No, no, no, no, no, you put yourself there. Hank Palmer: Did I? Judge Joseph Palmer: Yes. Hank Palmer: The prosecutor recommended community service. That was *your* call! Judge Joseph Palmer: No, no, no, it wouldn't have *helped* you! Hank Palmer: I didn't need *help*, I needed *you*! Judge Joseph Palmer: You were high, you rolled a car with your brother in it! He had a Major-League career ahead of him, a 90 mile-an-hour fast ball, and he runs a turnip shop! You crippled him, you stole his future, and you call *me* an asshole? Hank Palmer: What do you want from me? I was 17 when that happened. I was *17*. Judge Joseph Palmer: Oooh, "I was 13", "I was 17." You were headed down the wrong path! I did what I thought was right. Hank Palmer: [Holding back tears] You know, I didn't just graduate from law school, I graduated first in my class... I was *first* in my class... I did *really* well, Dad. Judge Joseph Palmer: You're welcome. [Walks out of the room] Hank Palmer: [Grits his teeth and clenches his fist; he sits at the kitchen table, speaking in a barely audible voice] Fuck... Damn this house... God damn this *fucking* house..."