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Spotlight · written by Josh Singer & Tom McCarthy · 2015
Scene 24 of 143 · ≈ 3 min on screen · Act two
The Boston Globe's Spotlight team pries open the Catholic Church's decades-long cover-up of child abuse — one sealed record, one silenced victim at a time.
Robby's Spotlight team operates comfortably inside its own routine, prospecting a modest police-corruption story under a departing editor's cover.
Baron's outsider question exposes what the paper has never done: investigate whether Cardinal Law knowingly protected an abusive priest.
Sacha's grandmother and her weekly Mass become the story's throughline for what belief costs the people closest to the reporters.
Robby and Sacha cross the marble lobby of One International Place to meet attorney Eric MacLeish, a contrast to Garabedian's shabby office.
MacLeish tells Robby and Sacha that Garabedian's claims against Cardinal Law are likely bluster to leverage a settlement, since victims rarely want to go public.
Mike watches a yelling match end behind Garabedian's door before pushing his way into the lawyer's conference room.
This scene
A small boardroom. MITCHELL GARABEDIAN, thin, 50s, sits at a table buried in paperwork. He’s abrasive, to say the least.
MIKE
Hi.
GARABEDIAN
Who are you?
MIKE
Mike Rezendes from the Boston Globe.
I had an appointment with you about
an hour ago.
GARABEDIAN
I can’t talk to you, I’m very busy.
(calling to reception)
Sharon?!
MIKE
Sharon went out for coffee, she said
she’d be right back, I’m following
up on an article...
GARABEDIAN
The one in the Phoenix?
MIKE
No. In the Globe.
GARABEDIAN
Did you see the one in the Phoenix?
MIKE
No, I didn’t.
GARABEDIAN
I thought it was very good. I have a
copy here somewhere.
He starts to dig through the heap of papers.
MIKE
That’s okay. I’ll track it down. I’m
actually following up on a column
that Eileen McNamara wrote for the
Globe about your suit.
GARABEDIAN
Suits. There are eighty-four of
them, it’s not a class action. You
should get your facts straight.
True to word. Garabedian is a bit of crank.
MIKE
You’re right. I should. I’m just
trying to get some background
information on the Geoghan case...
GARABEDIAN
You’re not recording this are you?
MIKE
No, I wouldn’t do that without
asking.
GARABEDIAN
(brusque)
documents if that’s what you’re
after, they’re under seal.
MIKE
I know that.
GARABEDIAN
Do you know they’ve tried to bring
me before the Massachusetts Board of
Bar Overseers three times? They’re
watching me very closely.
MIKE
The Church?
GARABEDIAN
Yes, the Church. They’d like to get
me disbarred. In fact, put that
away.
(off Mike’s pad)
Put it away! I don’t want you
recording this in any way, shape or
form. Not on paper, not on tape,
nothing. In fact, I probably
shouldn’t even be speaking to you.
MIKE
Look, Mr. Garabedian, I know there
are things you can’t tell me. But I
also know that there’s a story here.
And I think it’s an important story.
GARABEDIAN
I already talked to the Phoenix.
MIKE
Yeah, and there’s a reason I didn’t
see it, nobody reads the Phoenix
anymore. They’re broke, they don’t
have any power. The Globe does.
And if we cover this story,
everybody will hear about it.
GARABEDIAN
The Church thinks in centuries, Mr.
Rezendes. You think your paper has
the resources to take that on?
MIKE
Yeah, I do. But if you don’t mind
me asking, do you?
Mike’s question is non-threatening, but Garabedian reacts. He stands, walking Mike to the door...
GARABEDIAN
I don’t have the time to talk to
you, Mr. Rezendes, I’m very busy.
(calling out)
Sharon!
But before he can push Mike out the door, Mike turns back --
MIKE
Can I at least talk to some of your
clients? The victims? I’d like to
do that.
GARABEDIAN
Call me tomorrow. I need to think
about it.