A Civil Action1998

[last lines]

Bankruptcy Judge:
Mr. Schlichtmann? Mr. Schlichtmann?

Jan Schlichtmann:
I'm sorry. Yes.

Bankruptcy Judge:
The purpose of these questions is not to embarass or humiliate you but rather to verify the information you've declared as your assets.

Jan Schlichtmann:
I understand.

Bankruptcy Judge:
Because what you're asking your creditors to believe with this petition is... well, it's hard to believe.

Jan Schlichtmann:
I know.

Bankruptcy Judge:
That after 17 years of practising law all you have to show for it is 14 dollars in a checking account a portable radio?

Jan Schlichtmann:
That's correct.

Bankruptcy Judge:
Where did it all go?

Jan Schlichtmann:
The money?

Bankruptcy Judge:
The money, the property, the personal belongings, the things one acquires in one's life, Mr. Schlichtmann. The things by which one measures one's life. What happened?