How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Kramer vs. Kramer.
Quote #7
TED: No. This is a one-day-only offer, gentlemen. You saw my book; you know I can handle the work. I'm willing to take a salary cut; the only thing is, you're gonna have to let me know today, not tomorrow, not next week, not at the end of the holidays. If you really want me, you make a decision right now.
Ted's got a lot on the line here, hence his aggressiveness. He wants a new job so he can provide for his kid, and he needs a new job because, without one, the court's going to rule him unfit to take care of his kid before he even has a chance to speak.
Quote #8
TED: Did you have to be so rough on her?
SHAUNESSY: Do you want the kid or don't you?
Shaunessy has an obligation to his client, Ted. Namely, he needs to do anything to win. He also has an obligation to act a certain way in the court room; when you think about it, being a lawyer is a form of performance. You think that's why there are so many movies with heart-wrenching courtroom scenes? A Few Good Men… A Time to Kill… Legally Blonde. We could go on and on.
Quote #9
TED: On that day, I had to go home because my child was sick. He had a fever.
GRESSEN: Mr. Kramer, did you or did you not miss a deadline? Yes or no?
TED: My son was sick.
ATKINS: Mr. Kramer, answer the question.
TED: I'm trying to answer the question. It's not yes or no. I'm sitting there in my office—GRESSEN: Mr. Kramer, yes or no?
TED: He had a 104 temperature! He's lying there sweating; I go home to be with him!
ATKINS: Mr. Kramer, I must urge you to stop or else I'll have to hold you in contempt.
TED: I missed the deadline.
Gressen's line of questioning here is kind of weird. He's trying to get Ted to say that taking care of Billy when he was sick made him shirk his responsibilities at work and miss a deadline. We don't know about you, but that makes him sound like a good dad, not a bad one. If his kid's sick (especially with an 104º temperature!), sure seems like his duty is to his kid, not some project for work. Joanna's attorney is accusing Ted of failing at the traditional division of labor—Ted's job is to provide.