Carolyn Seymour: Vivian Askoff

Quotes 

• Arnie Becker : Ms. Askoff, you initiated this divorce, did you not?

  Vivian Askoff : Yes.

  Arnie Becker : And before doing so, you emptied out both the safe deposit boxes held in your and your husband's name, you also emptied out all joint bank accounts, is that right?

  Vivian Askoff : Yes, it is.

  Arnie Becker : Were you warring doing so that you're leaving your husband without adequate funds to me is monthly obligations.

  Mrs. Askoff's Atty. Cecily : It not her problem. When we work out the finances will pay over what we owe, that's assuming we owe anything.

  Arnie Becker : Now, you're seeking to examine your husband corporate records, is that right?

  Vivian Askoff : That's right. My husband was concealing marital assets in corporate accounts. I want to know just how much of those assets were being spent on prostitutes.

  Arnie Becker : And what do you base your allegations that your husband frequented prostitutes?

  Vivian Askoff : I based on reports from private investigators. You want it deny it?

  Arnie Becker : For the record, we categorically deny it. However, for the sake of argument, let's assume that your husband did in fact pay for the services of a prostitute. Is it possible that said services represented a last-ditch therapeutic approach to a long-standing condition?

  Vivian Askoff : What condition would that be, Mr. Becker?

  Arnie Becker : It would be impotence, Ms. Askoff.

  Vivian Askoff : Would it be impotence as in a physiological condition or just impotence when he was with me?

• Arnie Becker : I think the literature shows impotence to be a fairly complex condition, I wouldn't presume to ascribe it to one thing or the other.

  Vivian Askoff : I don't think it's in the least bit complex. My husband wasn't physically attracted to me. He clearly was to prostitutes. From the number of times, he visited them, one can safely assume that he was not impotent with them.

  Arnie Becker : Again, assuming that's true. Isn't it possible that your bear some of the responsiblity?

  Vivian Askoff : No, it is not possible.

  Mrs. Askoff's Atty. Cecily : That's holy irrelevant for the purpose...

  Arnie Becker : Was it not you who over the past 5 years, suddenly, and continuously belittle them berated husband?

  Vivian Askoff : I did not do that!

  Mrs. Askoff's Atty. Cecily : Come on.

  Vivian Askoff : I supported my husband! I encouraged to get a physical examination. I encouraged him to get psychological help. We even went to therapy together, which I might tell you, was not easy thing for me to do. But I did it. I stood by, I was faithful to him.

  Frank Askoff : I was desperate, Vivian. I was desperate, now, I didn't know what else to do.

  Vivian Askoff : Your desperation doesn't move me anymore, Frank.

  Arnie Becker : May I ask a purely, practical question? What do you hoping to accomplish here? Have you make these claims in your pleadings, if you argue them in court? Whether it's true or not, it's gonna get out that a big executive went to whores. Your husband short term possibly as long term financial picture worsens. You're on board for lifetime support, I assume, why would you want a Poison the Well?

  Mrs. Askoff's Atty. Cecily : Because, Arnie, we're not looking for support. We want the money up front.

  Arnie Becker : What you're asking for is unconscionable.

  Vivian Askoff : Mr. Becker. I was betrayed by this man, I was lied to, I was frozen out, I was exposed to a life-threatening disease. Since all I can get from him now is money. I want to get all the money I can. And I suggest that you don't appeal to my conscience. My conscience is clear.