Barry Newman: Frank Askoff

Quotes 

• [Arnie Becker heads back to the law office. After was he is released from jail and out on bail, the woman hands in the slip to Arnie, but finds out what Frank Askoff doing in his office. Frank was looking out the window, and he turned to Arnie and found out what happened] 

  Frank Askoff : Arnie. I called when I heard it on the news.

  Arnie Becker : You and everybody I ever knew.

  Frank Askoff : Well, what happened?

  Arnie Becker : I went there to make the offer. I found her dead.

  Frank Askoff : Well, you didn't say anything to the police about me, did you?

  Arnie Becker : Attorney-client privilege obtains. I didn't violate your confidence.

  Frank Askoff : Well, I appreciate that.

  Arnie Becker : Attorney-client privilege does not obtain when the attorney has to defend himself.

  Frank Askoff : Now, you mean, you're not my lawyer anymore?

  Arnie Becker : That's right. One of the principal components of my defenses could be pointing the finger at someone else. As far as I'm concerned, whoever was in Camilla's book is a potential suspect.

  Frank Askoff : It's gonna be hard to know who they all are. I mean, I imagine whoever killed her are also got rid of the book.

  Arnie Becker : Was it you, Frank?

  Frank Askoff : What do you mean?

  Arnie Becker : I mean, was it you?

  Frank Askoff : I take it you're asking me this not as my lawyer, huh?

  Arnie Becker : I'm asking you this as someone who's been arrested for murder.

  Frank Askoff : Look, they're not gonna make this thing stick. I mean, if you didn't do it, they're not gonna to convict you.

  Arnie Becker : Sometimes that equation doesn't hold true.

  Frank Askoff : Well, it wasn't me, OK? It wasn't me.

  [Frank is lying] 

  Arnie Becker : So you know, I'm going back to defending myself with everything this office has to bear. That means top-flight trial lawyers. It means private investigators. Whatever it takes, I will prove that I did not commit this murder.

  Frank Askoff : Well, no doubt you will.

• Frank Askoff : So after I took off last night, I just drove just pretty much through instinct to the house that I had lived in for the past 22 years. And Vivian allowed me to come in. I proceeded to tell her the truth.

  Vivian Askoff : It was quite a night.

  Frank Askoff : I always thought that if you're smart enough, you could hide almost anything. But-- but that's proven not to be the case.

  Arnie Becker : Why did you kill her, Frank?

  Frank Askoff : Look I didn't start out intending to. I-- I went over there to try to make a deal with her.

  Arnie Becker : That's what I was going over there for.

  Frank Askoff : Yeah, I know, but your heart wasn't in it. I just thought that I could do it better.

  Ann Kelsey : Why did you kill her?

  Frank Askoff : I realize I couldn't trust her. I mean, no matter how much money I paid her, I-- it seemed that there'd always be that chance that-- that my secret would get out. And realize that, I panicked. I, um, I put my hands on the throat.

  [sighs] 

  Frank Askoff : Before I knew what I was doing, I'd strangled her.

  [Ann turned to Eli] 

  Eli Levinson : Now what?

  Frank Askoff : Now I turn myself in.

  Arnie Becker : You wanna have a lawyer with you when you do that.

  Vivian Askoff : Can any of you represent him?

  Ann Kelsey : No. No one here can represent him.

  Arnie Becker : We'll find your lawyer.

  Frank Askoff : Good. I think I wanna go home now and change my clothes before I get down there.

  [Frank owe Arnie an apology] 

  Frank Askoff : Arnie, I'm sorry for what I put you through. I'm really sorry.

  Arnie Becker : Good luck, Frank.

  Frank Askoff : Thanks.

  [Vivian will take her forgiven husband Frank outside. They sure fool with the wrong guy. Eli comforts Arnie Becker and cleared his name. He was framed for murder] 

• [Arnie heading to see Frank in the car] 

  Eli Levinson : Arnie!

  Arnie Becker : [Knocking on the window]  Wanna roll down your window, Frank?

  Frank Askoff : What do you want?

  Arnie Becker : You and I need to have a little chat.

  Young Man : Who's that?

  Frank Askoff : [Stammering]  Just someone I know.

  Arnie Becker : Yes, someone who doesn't want to go to prison for committing a murder you and I both know that I didn't commit.

  Frank Askoff : Look...

  Young Man : Bye.

  [the Young Man gets out of the car and leaves] 

  Frank Askoff : What do you want, Arnie?

• Frank Askoff : What do you want?

  Arnie Becker : I want you to take a good look at yourself, Frank. It's 3:00 in the morning. You're in the middle of a murder investigation. And you're picking up hustlers in West Hollywood? What does that tell you?

  Frank Askoff : [sighs]  It's nothing I haven't known for a very long time.

  Arnie Becker : Camilla Greer was providing you with male prostitutes?

  Frank Askoff : Look, I don't wanna get into this with you, Arnie. Now, excuse me, huh?

  Arnie Becker : You listen to me, Frank. Whether you come forward of your own free will or whether you're dragged forward, kicking and screaming, you and all your secrets are coming out!

  [Frank Askoff takes off while driving his car and then leaves. Arnie sees Frank Askoff driving]