SCIENTIST GUY

David stared sullenly at the man outside his door, "What do you want. You here to steal my patented formulas? Stealing my girl wasn't enough for you?"

Mike chuckled uncomfortably, "No, actually, I need your help. I know you still… struggle with your feelings towards Phoebe and I for what happened in Barbados, but I was hoping-"

"I don't have any ill feelings towards Phoebe, it's you I have beef with," David snapped.

"Well good, that's a relief, because I have a favour to ask, and I'm hoping, for Phoebe's sake, you'll agree," Mike said pleasantly.

"Is Phoebe in trouble? Is she okay?" David asked, alarmed.

"No, no, it's nothing like that. Phoebe's great," Mike watched David sympathetically, "I take it you still have a soft spot for her?"

David shrugged evasively, "So what if I do? It doesn't mean anything, love is just an irrational chemical reaction, an excessive release of dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, oxytocin, vasopressin... it'll fade in time."

Mike peered into David's chaotic flat. It was a mess of textbooks and scientific equipment. Upon the mantelpiece sat two large cages filled with 9 fat albino rats, the males separated from the females. Mike smiled. Ah, so that's where Phoebe's horrid pet rats went after she gave into my terrified desperate pleas to get rid of them!

"So can I come in?" Mike asked tentatively.

David sighed, "Fine. But don't let me catch you reading my Minsk research. I'm on the cusp of changing the future of forensic science. Last thing I need is someone snooping through my work before it's ready for the world."

"Wouldn't understand a word of it if I tried," Mike laughed, seating himself on David's couch.

"Oh great, make yourself comfortable," David muttered sarcastically, "So what do you want?"

"You have an excellent reputation in forensic science, from what my colleagues tell me. I know you've worked on a number of class actions in the last few years," Mike probed.

"I'm something of a professional expert witness now. People pay me to study the forensic evidence of a case and testify in court in their favour. It pays well, helps fund my research… Why? Phoebe's not in any legal trouble, is she?" Mike asked anxiously.

"Her friend Chandler is, and she's hellbent on helping him. She's an emotional mess. If I don't help Chandler, she'll be devastated, so I need you to be his expert witness in court," Mike explained.

"Chandler… you mean the funny bastard? I've always been fond of the guy," David lamented, "Of course, if he's in trouble, I'll be his expert witness. Depending on how complicated the forensics of the case are, I charge between-"

"See, the thing is, Pheebs insisted that I run this entire case pro bono," Mike interrupted.

"How you gonna afford that? No offence, but you're an old-folks' pianist, and she's a masseuse. You guys aren't exactly rolling in the dough," David asked with surprise.

Mike took a deep breath, "That's why I'm here, asking you to be Chandler's witness pro bono… Believe me, this isn't easy for me to ask."

David shook his head slightly, "Buddy, I got bills to pay, my research grant is drying up. No way can I do this for free. In fact, no way can you do this for free either. Litigation costs a bomb, you'd go bankrupt."

"You're right, funding this case will cost our entire life savings, but we're willing to do that because Chandler and Monica are drowning in legal fees from their previous lawyer, and they'll lose their house if I charge them for my services. They have two small children. Imagine the impact on their kids if they lose the family home."

"If you can't afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you at the State's expense... isn't that what goes down in this country, or are my tax dollars going to waste?" David replied brashly.

"I can't let Chandler be represented by a State-appointed attorney. They dole out fresh law graduates. He'd be toast."

David sighed, "Look, I wish Chandler and Monica all the best, I really do, but-"

"David, please. Phoebe really needs this for Chandler. I know you care about her, and this is killing her. So if you won't do this for Chandler or Monica, do this for Phoebe," Mike pleaded.

David laughed bitterly, "There's no line you won't cross, huh? You have the audacity to use my love for Phoebe to manipulate me."

Mike watched David sadly, "That's a no, then?"

"A No? Christ Mike, it's a yes. I love Phoebe, you know that. At the end of the day, I just want her to be happy," David sighed.