Burden of Truth (2018) s01e01 Episode Script
Pilot
1 [DISTANT CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.]
[DRUMMING.]
- [GIRL.]
: Give me an I! - [SPECTATORS.]
: I! - [GIRL.]
: Give me an L! - [SPECTATORS.]
: L! - [GIRL.]
: Another L! - [SPECTATORS.]
: L! [GIRL.]
: W! - [SPECTATORS.]
: W! - Give me an O! - [SPECTATORS.]
: O! Give me an O! - [ALL.]
: O! [GIRL.]
: Give me a D! - [SPECTATORS.]
: D! Millwood! Woo! Woo! [CHEERING AND WHISTLING.]
[APPLAUSE.]
Mayor Shepard.
Wanna make a friendly wager on the game? I'm a public servant, Ben.
Betting on the home team would be violating some sort of oath.
But I'm gonna say Bulldogs in penalty kicks.
They're here.
[CHEERING AND WHISTLING.]
Hey, how you holding up? I don't know if I'm going to get through it.
I'm not supposed to say anything but there's a scout here from McGill.
For Molly? The kid's a rising star.
You must be a proud uncle.
Could not be prouder.
OK, guys! Bring it in! The only thing that stands between us and playoffs is one game.
You guys ready? Let's do this.
- Bring it in.
Three, two one.
- [ALL.]
: Bulldogs Fight! [CHEERING.]
[SHARP INTAKE OF BREATH.]
Woo! [WHISTLE BLOWING.]
- Go! - [MAN.]
: Down the line, Molly! Down the line! - Pass it! Go Molly! - Pass it! [GIRL.]
: Bulldogs! Come on! Let's go, Dogs! Millway! Woo! [CHEERING AND WHISTLING.]
[WHISTLE BLOWING.]
[BOOING.]
Ref, Ref, Ref! Yellow card.
That's gotta hurt.
You're welcome to take over anytime.
- That's not my job.
- You're right, it's not.
Aren't you supposed to be encouraging people? I'm not here to coddle you.
You're gonna score today.
I can tell.
[SIGHING.]
- [WOMAN.]
: Go Bulldogs! - [WHISTLE BLOWING.]
Get 'em up, Bulldogs! Go, Bulldogs! Go long! [CHEERING.]
YEAH! Go Molly! Woohoo! [MARCHING BAND MUSIC.]
[GASPING.]
Taylor? - TAYLOR! - Move! Move, move, move, move! Taylor! Get out of the way! Get out of the way! [THEME MUSIC.]
[DISTANT SIREN BLARING.]
[TENSE MUSIC.]
[STREETCAR BELL DINGING.]
Seizures, uncontrollable twitching, loss of motor function.
There is nothing tying these symptoms to either Sodium Chloride or what is it again? - Polysorbate.
- Polysorbate! - Why won't that stay in my head? - Just take a breath, Counselor.
[MAN SIGHING.]
I can't lose this injunction.
We're not going to.
I should've had this all wrapped up last week.
Made that stupid mistake on the signed affidavit.
Hey! The key to winning law? No short term memory.
That's easy for you to say.
You have a nearly photographic one.
[SIGHING.]
OK.
Let's go over it again.
You'll talk about symptoms, chemicals.
I'll pepper in some data about proving cause, and then I'll set you up for the big spike.
- What? - Thank you for, you know, stepping up, helping me out.
Of course.
We're on the same team.
Except you're the star player and I'm the fourth line grinder about to be sent down.
No.
You're not gonna get fired.
If I lose this Bordoxx opportunity Well, that's not gonna happen.
There's no creditable data - to support this injunction.
- That's not what - Crawford and Associates claim.
- Headed up by none other than Billy Crawford who used to mow our lawn.
I can't believe you're from Millwood.
Yeah.
That's why my dad is sending you.
- [CHUCKLING.]
- You are going to block this injunction, Alan, and then our friends at Bordoxx - will be so impressed - That they will jump - to the CTS ship.
- Mm-hmm.
They spent 25 million on legal alone last year.
70% of that went across the street to Franklin Rose.
If we can scoop that revenue stream neither of us will have a thing to worry about.
OK.
Let's go over it again.
OK.
There is no link to these symptoms in Sodium Chloride or Polysorbate.
So, proving even proximate causation would be like trying to prove the existence of God at an atheist barbecue.
Besides, there's more at stake here.
If this injunction is upheld We will be looking at Opening up the doors to anti-vaxxers.
TB.
Polio.
All vaccinations will be on the bargaining table, open for litigation.
This would set a catastrophic precedent that anti-vaxxers, with their faulty science and myopic navel-gazing, can transport us back to the Middle Ages.
We cannot let that happen.
The work you do is too important and we, here at CTS, want to help you protect that.
Wow.
OK.
So, you'll just say all that to the judge? Trust me.
It will be far better.
Joanna Franklin Rose is our primary counsel.
You know that.
Rumour has it that you're not entirely happy with them.
Where'd you hear that? It doesn't matter.
What matters is that you're here, which means there is some validity to the claim.
We think you'd be much happier with us in top position.
Go to Millwood, give that rousing speech you just gave and block this injunction.
- Then we'll talk again.
- Actually Roy, I'm sending Alan to Millwood.
Joanna and I have too much history there.
No.
I want her to go.
No offense.
No.
Of course.
That's not going to be a problem, is it? David? No.
Not at all.
Good.
Then it's settled.
Joanna goes to Millwood.
And in return you'll take this to your team, - and discuss making us top dog? - She doesn't quit, this one.
Deal.
In the meantime, nobody saw me here.
No filter, no conscience.
God made you the perfect lawyer.
I had a good role-model.
- Right, Dad? - You're gonna outshine me by a mile.
You were amazing, sweetheart.
Thanks.
I did talk myself into a ticket to Millwood, though.
No, that's not gonna happen.
I'll call Roy and I'll convince him to send Alan.
No, it's OK.
I'll go.
It's what the client wants.
Yes, but the client can always be persuaded otherwise.
I need you here.
It'll only be a couple days.
[CHUCKLING.]
I wish I could clone you! And have one of you in every major city that we do business in.
We're really lucky to have you here.
I didn't really have much of a choice, did I? What are you talking about? Every firm in the city - wanted you.
- Yeah but you made a pretty compelling pitch.
What'd you say? "Your dad and grandad had a general store.
We'll have a law firm.
" Look, I'm not I'm not sending you to Millwood.
I was born there, remember? - I know what it's like.
- Yeah, and there's a reason that we left when you were a kid.
And it's gotten worse.
I'll keep my head down, avoid any bar fights and I will get this done.
Scooping Bordoxx would be huge for us.
Let me do this for you.
OK.
Crush them and get the hell back here.
I love you.
I love you too, Dad.
[SIGHING.]
[ROCK MUSIC.]
Feel, feel it grow In your mind In your mind Life is how you live it Through time, through time And there's no desert sun That is hot enough To feed your fire We're shipwrecked like fools Only to become the ocean's choir When the sun dies and until it's reborn But there's no road that ain't a hard road To travel on There must be something in the air In the air There must be something in the air In the air There must be something [BIRD CHIRPING.]
[SIGHING.]
[SIGHING.]
[SIGHING.]
Hi.
My name's Joanna Hanley.
I'd like to make an appointment with Dr.
Harper.
Yeah, today if possible.
Uh no, that's too late.
11? I can make it.
See you in 10.
Your last check up with me was October 2000.
- I've been busy.
- How's your dad? Good, you know, he's still practicing.
Great lawyer.
Better doubles partner.
Still is.
[AIR PUMPING.]
- And your mom? We lost touch a few years ago.
Your blood pressure is high.
Have you been under a lot of stress lately? No, no.
I'm fine.
I heard that there are a few girls in town who are sick Yeah, well, I can't talk about other patients.
What proof is there linking the vaccine to the symptoms in your professional opinion, Doctor? I'd like to do some blood work.
I just need some more information on these girls.
And I told you that's privileged.
OK.
I'm considering the HPV vaccine.
As my family doctor, you are under a professional obligation to provide me with any and all evidence linking the vaccine to potential side effects.
Can I help you? - Diane.
- Joanna? The last time I saw you, we were in high school and you're still here? Yeah.
Voted most likely to be a divorced mother of two.
I'm the guidance counselor.
So, uh, what about you? It's like you were abducted by aliens.
Nope.
Um, I just moved.
My dad got a job.
You married? - No.
- Lucky.
So, um, are you here to represent the girls? I I thought that Billy Crawford was representing the girls? No.
He just tried to stop the clinic so no one else gets sick.
Honestly I've never seen anything like it.
No motor control, loss of balance, tics.
It started just after the vaccine clinic.
That's the brutal part.
I was spearheading it, trying to convince the anti-vaxxers, the lesbians and the Catholics they all needed it.
The lesbians think HPV is a "hetero thing.
" The Catholics won't admit they're having sex, and don't get me started on the anti-vaxxers.
Walking, please.
This this plaque, it used to say "The Hanley Library".
Yeah.
They renamed it after you left but when you prove it's the vaccine that did this, maybe they'll re-rename it after you.
No, I I can't prove that.
No one can.
It's just the evidence doesn't fully support the claim.
I'm sorry.
Which side are you on? Don't make this personal.
Our girls are sick, Joanna.
It's already personal.
Why don't you leave? [TENSE MUSIC.]
Your Honour.
I'm here to intervene in the petition to have my client's vaccine clinic shut down.
Joanna Hanley, attorney for Bordoxx.
William Crawford.
Crawford and Associates.
We went to school together.
Congratulations.
Proceed.
Your Honour, I filed the injunction to stop the upcoming HPV vaccine clinic.
Your Honour, an injunction before a full hearing on the merits would cause my client - significant reputational harm.
- There are serious questions about the safety of this vaccine.
The court cannot allow it to be administered to more children.
There is no proof that Bordoxx's vaccine caused whatever mysterious illness is happening in Millwood.
We hope to secure the opinion of medical experts - who will testify otherwise.
- This is the actual medical opinion of the doctor of all of the sick girls.
Medical records are privileged.
That was given to me by my family doctor in the course of my own treatment.
Any evidentiary privilege belongs to me, and I waive it.
Your Honour, I, um I have here a study that would suggest a potential association between the accumulation of neurotoxins in vaccines and, uh, neurological disorders.
If these kids can't access the HPV vaccine, they are at serious risk for cervical cancer.
We ask the court to deny the injunction.
Let the clinic go ahead.
Let these students make their own informed decision about the vaccine.
Mr.
Crawford, your injunction is denied until such time as you can present direct evidence that links the vaccine and the harm.
Ms.
Hanley, notice the your motion to stop the injunction has been upheld by this court.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
[JOANNA.]
: Thank you, Your Honour.
Your client's gonna pay.
Yeah? We'll see about that.
Thank you.
- I'm so sorry, Ben.
- You did your best.
- Hi.
- Thanks, Mr.
Crawford.
- Hi.
- [HEY!.]
I stopped the injunction for Bordoxx.
Joanna, that's amazing! I knew you would do it.
Well, court went pretty much as we planned.
You would've done the same thing.
This was our case.
The client will be over the moon! Prepare for the ship jumping.
- Let's not pop the champagne yet.
- Congratulations.
Thank you, it was a team effort.
So how is it, being home? I don't know.
It's weird.
Um I need you to draft settlement agreements as quickly as possible for the three families.
- I'll get you the names.
- OK.
I'm on it.
I saw it today, Alan.
This could be a lot worse than we thought.
- The twitching? - Yes The lawyer hasn't signed an agreement yet, so we need to move as quickly as possible.
And then And "and then" what? We win.
And then we celebrate.
Yeah, of course.
Uh get me those agreements, OK? You got it.
- [BIRDS CHIRPING.]
- [JOANNA.]
: This offer to settle all current and future claims is not an admission of fault by Bordoxx Industries.
Their vaccine has been rigorously tested and has met all government safety standards.
However as a show of good faith and to aid in your care, my client is willing to offer $50000.
It could be in your account today.
Shouldn't our lawyer look at this? You could do that, but he would just slow down the process.
And he would take one-third of the money for doing nothing.
He told me about that part.
It's better if that money goes into your own pocket, I think.
We only want you to get better.
[SOMBRE MUSIC.]
You can't do this.
They're my clients.
Did you sign a retainer agreement? Then they aren't.
Implied lawyerclient relationship can exist even in the absence of a formal agreement: The Devaux case.
By the time you go to court to prove it, I'm going to have settled with all of them and be back on a plane.
17 years later you still need to be the smartest person in the room.
I don't need to be.
It just works out like that.
You are robbing them.
- This is a fair settlement.
- These girls deserve millions.
They're not gonna get that, Billy.
You can't win this.
We'll bury you in documents.
We'll file endless procedural motions.
Litigation is war.
Oh We'd destroy you.
Billy.
You'd have to be crazy or stupid to take this case.
You know you're the bad guy, right? Well, you picked a good time to come by for supper.
The Matheson Meatball is known far and wide.
- Really? - No.
Sharon's, uh at bridge once a week, so spaghetti's about all I can handle.
I hear you want to settle.
Millwood's a small town.
My client is willing to offer $50000 to settle all current and future claims against Bordoxx, its subsidiaries and assigns.
I'm not settling.
You may want to think about what's best for your daughter.
I have a good job.
My kid gets good health care.
I don't need your money.
You can always use more.
Can you? Sometimes I think people have too much.
If you go to court, you may get nothing.
[SIGHING.]
My wife is a wreck, and my little girl It's the toughest thing in the world, watching your kid trying to be brave.
You can let yourself out.
Hi.
I was just talking with your father.
One of the girls just called me.
I know what you're doing.
Our vaccine has been thoroughly tested.
The offer is just our way of saying that we hope you get better.
This started after I got the vaccine.
That doesn't mean that the vaccine caused it.
Temporal precedence is a necessary but not sufficient condition of causation.
You know, I was considering law.
I've always gotten As, but I have final exams coming up.
I study I just can't remember things.
My brain is all foggy.
I had to I had to quit cheerleading.
This wasn't how I pictured turning 18.
- You're already 18? - My birthday was last week.
Do you, uh, want some money for yourself? Just for you.
Your dad doesn't even have to know about it.
How does $50000 sound? That sounds really good.
[PEN CLICKING.]
[SOMBRE MUSIC.]
Are you proud of yourself? I'm not the enemy, Diane.
Oh, no? Who are you, then? You must be happy with your work.
At least they're getting something.
But, if your vaccine didn't cause the symptoms, why are you giving away money? The truth? Couldn't hurt.
To avoid bad press.
[SIGHING.]
It's a lot of money for people around here, but for my client, - it's a rounding error.
- "A rounding error"? - Wow.
- You wanted the truth.
You know one minute we're making plans to go to a bush party.
Next thing I know, you're gone.
And I don't hear from you in 15 years 17 actually.
Then you ride into town to screw us.
Lot of nerve.
I should've called.
I should get this mutt home.
Hey, is there somewhere I can eat around here? Where they won't poison your food? Hmm Lucy's.
Um do you wanna join me? I can't.
Derek's dropping the kids off soon.
Oh.
Rain cheque - on dinner.
- Sure thing.
Come on! Oh! I am so sorry.
I'm not normally this clumsy.
Oh, no.
It's OK.
I've had a long day too.
How's the spinach salad? All right.
A cheeseburger and fries, then.
Somebody die? Uh, no.
I'm a lawyer.
- Nobody's perfect.
- The, um, vaccine lawyer? Yeah.
So you're settling with all the girls? - I'm just doing my job.
- Yeah.
I just wish everyone was looking for a fix instead of someone to blame it on, you know? But I guess that's just not how the world works, huh? I'll get you that burger.
- [OBJECTS CLATTERING.]
- [GASPING.]
[LUNA.]
: Oh, my God.
Hey, hey.
Let me help.
- I'm OK.
Ah! - MOLLY! - Oh, my God! - Please! Molly! You're gonna be OK! You're gonna be OK! Come on! Molly! Molly! Molly, it's OK! It's OK! [RISING MUSIC.]
Yeah.
I mean, one second she was fine and then she just went down.
I traveled with her in the ambulance, but I don't know.
No one will tell me anything 'cause I'm not family.
No, I'm OK.
I should go.
I'll call you later.
Promise.
I've got some change.
I don't want your money.
How is she? A lot better.
Here.
She's never had a seizure before? Never.
But she had started showing symptoms? She made me promise not to tell anyone.
Luna if the number of cases are growing and our vaccine - actually caused this, then - It didn't.
What? I said "it didn't".
- [KNOCKING.]
- [MACHINE BEEPING.]
Hi.
I'm Joanna.
Joanna rode with me here in the ambulance.
Oh.
I'm Wendy, Molly's mom.
Thanks for taking care of her.
Of course.
Molly, Luna just told me you didn't get the HPV vaccine.
We've only ever been with each other, so I figured I didn't need it.
Molly! - Uncle Billy! - Hey.
What happened? - She had a seizure.
- You OK? Yeah.
You should see the other guy.
What are you doing here? Your niece never got the vaccine.
What? She told Wendy that she did.
She didn't want you guys to find out she was gay.
Oh, God.
We've known forever.
We were just waiting for her to tell us.
- So, now what? - Now? Now, I go home and get a big fat slap on the back.
This absolves my client.
All right.
So, I guess that's it.
Not for you.
Something else is making these girls sick.
You have to figure out what it is.
- [SIGHING.]
- Just start with things they all do, have and use: Shampoos, activities, cleaning products at their school, places they like to shop, local hangouts.
Look, I don't have the resources.
You're Crawford and Associates.
Associates just sounded cooler.
Yeah.
One-man band.
OK.
So, my retainer is normally 10K, but buy me a burger, I'm yours for an hour.
Well, that's better than nothing, I guess.
To The Boot.
[ROCK MUSIC.]
- Is there a wine list? - Oh, yeah.
I have it memorized: Red and white.
Can we get two beers? - How's the calamari? - Oh, it's good.
It's like the onion rings, but squid.
So 15-year-old girl got sent home from Calculus today - for disrupting class.
- Another one.
It isn't a lawsuit yet.
It's just a fishing expedition.
Without a cause, you don't have a case.
Thank you.
Where would you start? You've gotta start at the beginning.
Who's patient zero? Taylor Matheson, we think.
And it's only affecting girls.
So far.
Well, you can probably rule out a disease, which is good because there's no one to sue, and no one to pay your legal fees.
Molly seems like a good kid.
Yeah, she's a definite over-achiever.
Kind of kid you know is gonna leave town and do something great.
[PHONE RINGING.]
I gotta get this.
It's Wendy.
- Yeah, of course.
- [BILLY.]
: Hey! You're David Hanley's daughter? - Yeah.
- Ah! [PATRONS GASPING AND LAUGHING.]
[WOMAN LAUGHING.]
Are you OK? What the hell was that? I have no idea.
[BIRD CHIRPING.]
Is it swelling? It's not not swelling.
I can't go back to work like this.
Well, you should stay.
You know, just 'til the swelling goes down.
We're a corporate firm.
We work on important cases.
This is an important case around here.
That's not what I meant.
[BILLY SIGHING.]
Did you just come back here right after school? Pretty much.
Surely business would have been better somewhere else.
Yeah.
But that "somewhere else" wouldn't have been my home.
So, you stay because of nostalgia? No.
No, it's not that.
It's The feeling I get driving up the 59 on my way back from somewhere, it's It's tough to explain.
OK.
Really, how does it look? Well, you look like you're from Millwood.
It was nice seeing you again, Billy.
Good luck.
Yeah.
You take care of yourself, Counselor.
[SOFT MUSIC.]
[ENGINE STARTING.]
I absolved Bordoxx.
Well, hello to you too.
Sorry.
- It's been a long day.
- So does that mean the client doesn't have to pay out? Not a cent.
Completely off the hook.
Joanna! That's great! I mean, that's a better result than anyone could've expected.
Are you celebrating? I had a glass of wine, took a bath, shaved my legs I did everything I could think of doing.
It's a small town.
You OK? You don't sound like you just won a huge case.
[SIGHING.]
I don't know.
You ever think [WHAT?.]
It's just we've worked so hard to get here.
Did you ever think it would feel different? You got anything smaller on your mind, Counselor? Yeah.
Sorry.
Have you told your dad? No.
Not yet.
Hmm.
I thought he'd be your first call.
Yeah Sure you're OK? Of course.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Congratulations, Counselor.
[SOFT MUSIC.]
[SIGHING.]
All right, ma'am? Oh, yeah.
I I used to live in this house.
Your father's David Hanley? Didn't think a Hanley would ever set foot in this town again.
Taylor.
Is everything all right? Well, my parents are fighting over your settlement offer.
Ahem.
There there is no settlement offer to fight over.
Now that we can prove that the vaccine isn't responsible, Bordoxx has no reason to pay out.
Bordoxx is a corporation.
They don't care about me.
But you came to my house and you sat with me! I knew you were on the other side, but I thought, "At least she's a person.
" I was wrong.
You're not.
I want you to get better.
- Taylor - I have lost everything! My life is ruined.
I have no idea what is wrong with me or or why.
Now that you know that the vaccine didn't do this, you can find out the real cause.
Don't pretend like you're on my side.
You're a hot shot lawyer.
You could help me if you wanted.
That's not really what I do.
No, of course not.
Your job is to screw people over.
Good, hardworking people.
And you saw me and you thought, "Well, she's just a sick kid.
She'll agree to anything.
" How can you live with yourself?! My dad wanted me to be a lawyer.
But after what I've seen today, I'm never turning into you.
I'm not just dragging my heels I'm not toeing the line I'd stop thinking about counting Instead I'd watch the tide Oh, I Would I wanna know Will I I connect the lines Oh, I I wanna know Will I I connect the lines They're holding Molly for a few more days of observation.
Yeah, her mom's pretty upset.
Well, she's scheduled for a CT scan, and hopefully that'll give us more information about what caused the seizure.
They're all gonna need CT scans.
And blood tests.
And we're gonna need neurologists, toxicologists.
I'll call you back.
[DRUMMING.]
- [GIRL.]
: Give me an I! - [SPECTATORS.]
: I! - [GIRL.]
: Give me an L! - [SPECTATORS.]
: L! - [GIRL.]
: Another L! - [SPECTATORS.]
: L! [GIRL.]
: W! - [SPECTATORS.]
: W! - Give me an O! - [SPECTATORS.]
: O! Give me an O! - [ALL.]
: O! [GIRL.]
: Give me a D! - [SPECTATORS.]
: D! Millwood! Woo! Woo! [CHEERING AND WHISTLING.]
[APPLAUSE.]
Mayor Shepard.
Wanna make a friendly wager on the game? I'm a public servant, Ben.
Betting on the home team would be violating some sort of oath.
But I'm gonna say Bulldogs in penalty kicks.
They're here.
[CHEERING AND WHISTLING.]
Hey, how you holding up? I don't know if I'm going to get through it.
I'm not supposed to say anything but there's a scout here from McGill.
For Molly? The kid's a rising star.
You must be a proud uncle.
Could not be prouder.
OK, guys! Bring it in! The only thing that stands between us and playoffs is one game.
You guys ready? Let's do this.
- Bring it in.
Three, two one.
- [ALL.]
: Bulldogs Fight! [CHEERING.]
[SHARP INTAKE OF BREATH.]
Woo! [WHISTLE BLOWING.]
- Go! - [MAN.]
: Down the line, Molly! Down the line! - Pass it! Go Molly! - Pass it! [GIRL.]
: Bulldogs! Come on! Let's go, Dogs! Millway! Woo! [CHEERING AND WHISTLING.]
[WHISTLE BLOWING.]
[BOOING.]
Ref, Ref, Ref! Yellow card.
That's gotta hurt.
You're welcome to take over anytime.
- That's not my job.
- You're right, it's not.
Aren't you supposed to be encouraging people? I'm not here to coddle you.
You're gonna score today.
I can tell.
[SIGHING.]
- [WOMAN.]
: Go Bulldogs! - [WHISTLE BLOWING.]
Get 'em up, Bulldogs! Go, Bulldogs! Go long! [CHEERING.]
YEAH! Go Molly! Woohoo! [MARCHING BAND MUSIC.]
[GASPING.]
Taylor? - TAYLOR! - Move! Move, move, move, move! Taylor! Get out of the way! Get out of the way! [THEME MUSIC.]
[DISTANT SIREN BLARING.]
[TENSE MUSIC.]
[STREETCAR BELL DINGING.]
Seizures, uncontrollable twitching, loss of motor function.
There is nothing tying these symptoms to either Sodium Chloride or what is it again? - Polysorbate.
- Polysorbate! - Why won't that stay in my head? - Just take a breath, Counselor.
[MAN SIGHING.]
I can't lose this injunction.
We're not going to.
I should've had this all wrapped up last week.
Made that stupid mistake on the signed affidavit.
Hey! The key to winning law? No short term memory.
That's easy for you to say.
You have a nearly photographic one.
[SIGHING.]
OK.
Let's go over it again.
You'll talk about symptoms, chemicals.
I'll pepper in some data about proving cause, and then I'll set you up for the big spike.
- What? - Thank you for, you know, stepping up, helping me out.
Of course.
We're on the same team.
Except you're the star player and I'm the fourth line grinder about to be sent down.
No.
You're not gonna get fired.
If I lose this Bordoxx opportunity Well, that's not gonna happen.
There's no creditable data - to support this injunction.
- That's not what - Crawford and Associates claim.
- Headed up by none other than Billy Crawford who used to mow our lawn.
I can't believe you're from Millwood.
Yeah.
That's why my dad is sending you.
- [CHUCKLING.]
- You are going to block this injunction, Alan, and then our friends at Bordoxx - will be so impressed - That they will jump - to the CTS ship.
- Mm-hmm.
They spent 25 million on legal alone last year.
70% of that went across the street to Franklin Rose.
If we can scoop that revenue stream neither of us will have a thing to worry about.
OK.
Let's go over it again.
OK.
There is no link to these symptoms in Sodium Chloride or Polysorbate.
So, proving even proximate causation would be like trying to prove the existence of God at an atheist barbecue.
Besides, there's more at stake here.
If this injunction is upheld We will be looking at Opening up the doors to anti-vaxxers.
TB.
Polio.
All vaccinations will be on the bargaining table, open for litigation.
This would set a catastrophic precedent that anti-vaxxers, with their faulty science and myopic navel-gazing, can transport us back to the Middle Ages.
We cannot let that happen.
The work you do is too important and we, here at CTS, want to help you protect that.
Wow.
OK.
So, you'll just say all that to the judge? Trust me.
It will be far better.
Joanna Franklin Rose is our primary counsel.
You know that.
Rumour has it that you're not entirely happy with them.
Where'd you hear that? It doesn't matter.
What matters is that you're here, which means there is some validity to the claim.
We think you'd be much happier with us in top position.
Go to Millwood, give that rousing speech you just gave and block this injunction.
- Then we'll talk again.
- Actually Roy, I'm sending Alan to Millwood.
Joanna and I have too much history there.
No.
I want her to go.
No offense.
No.
Of course.
That's not going to be a problem, is it? David? No.
Not at all.
Good.
Then it's settled.
Joanna goes to Millwood.
And in return you'll take this to your team, - and discuss making us top dog? - She doesn't quit, this one.
Deal.
In the meantime, nobody saw me here.
No filter, no conscience.
God made you the perfect lawyer.
I had a good role-model.
- Right, Dad? - You're gonna outshine me by a mile.
You were amazing, sweetheart.
Thanks.
I did talk myself into a ticket to Millwood, though.
No, that's not gonna happen.
I'll call Roy and I'll convince him to send Alan.
No, it's OK.
I'll go.
It's what the client wants.
Yes, but the client can always be persuaded otherwise.
I need you here.
It'll only be a couple days.
[CHUCKLING.]
I wish I could clone you! And have one of you in every major city that we do business in.
We're really lucky to have you here.
I didn't really have much of a choice, did I? What are you talking about? Every firm in the city - wanted you.
- Yeah but you made a pretty compelling pitch.
What'd you say? "Your dad and grandad had a general store.
We'll have a law firm.
" Look, I'm not I'm not sending you to Millwood.
I was born there, remember? - I know what it's like.
- Yeah, and there's a reason that we left when you were a kid.
And it's gotten worse.
I'll keep my head down, avoid any bar fights and I will get this done.
Scooping Bordoxx would be huge for us.
Let me do this for you.
OK.
Crush them and get the hell back here.
I love you.
I love you too, Dad.
[SIGHING.]
[ROCK MUSIC.]
Feel, feel it grow In your mind In your mind Life is how you live it Through time, through time And there's no desert sun That is hot enough To feed your fire We're shipwrecked like fools Only to become the ocean's choir When the sun dies and until it's reborn But there's no road that ain't a hard road To travel on There must be something in the air In the air There must be something in the air In the air There must be something [BIRD CHIRPING.]
[SIGHING.]
[SIGHING.]
[SIGHING.]
Hi.
My name's Joanna Hanley.
I'd like to make an appointment with Dr.
Harper.
Yeah, today if possible.
Uh no, that's too late.
11? I can make it.
See you in 10.
Your last check up with me was October 2000.
- I've been busy.
- How's your dad? Good, you know, he's still practicing.
Great lawyer.
Better doubles partner.
Still is.
[AIR PUMPING.]
- And your mom? We lost touch a few years ago.
Your blood pressure is high.
Have you been under a lot of stress lately? No, no.
I'm fine.
I heard that there are a few girls in town who are sick Yeah, well, I can't talk about other patients.
What proof is there linking the vaccine to the symptoms in your professional opinion, Doctor? I'd like to do some blood work.
I just need some more information on these girls.
And I told you that's privileged.
OK.
I'm considering the HPV vaccine.
As my family doctor, you are under a professional obligation to provide me with any and all evidence linking the vaccine to potential side effects.
Can I help you? - Diane.
- Joanna? The last time I saw you, we were in high school and you're still here? Yeah.
Voted most likely to be a divorced mother of two.
I'm the guidance counselor.
So, uh, what about you? It's like you were abducted by aliens.
Nope.
Um, I just moved.
My dad got a job.
You married? - No.
- Lucky.
So, um, are you here to represent the girls? I I thought that Billy Crawford was representing the girls? No.
He just tried to stop the clinic so no one else gets sick.
Honestly I've never seen anything like it.
No motor control, loss of balance, tics.
It started just after the vaccine clinic.
That's the brutal part.
I was spearheading it, trying to convince the anti-vaxxers, the lesbians and the Catholics they all needed it.
The lesbians think HPV is a "hetero thing.
" The Catholics won't admit they're having sex, and don't get me started on the anti-vaxxers.
Walking, please.
This this plaque, it used to say "The Hanley Library".
Yeah.
They renamed it after you left but when you prove it's the vaccine that did this, maybe they'll re-rename it after you.
No, I I can't prove that.
No one can.
It's just the evidence doesn't fully support the claim.
I'm sorry.
Which side are you on? Don't make this personal.
Our girls are sick, Joanna.
It's already personal.
Why don't you leave? [TENSE MUSIC.]
Your Honour.
I'm here to intervene in the petition to have my client's vaccine clinic shut down.
Joanna Hanley, attorney for Bordoxx.
William Crawford.
Crawford and Associates.
We went to school together.
Congratulations.
Proceed.
Your Honour, I filed the injunction to stop the upcoming HPV vaccine clinic.
Your Honour, an injunction before a full hearing on the merits would cause my client - significant reputational harm.
- There are serious questions about the safety of this vaccine.
The court cannot allow it to be administered to more children.
There is no proof that Bordoxx's vaccine caused whatever mysterious illness is happening in Millwood.
We hope to secure the opinion of medical experts - who will testify otherwise.
- This is the actual medical opinion of the doctor of all of the sick girls.
Medical records are privileged.
That was given to me by my family doctor in the course of my own treatment.
Any evidentiary privilege belongs to me, and I waive it.
Your Honour, I, um I have here a study that would suggest a potential association between the accumulation of neurotoxins in vaccines and, uh, neurological disorders.
If these kids can't access the HPV vaccine, they are at serious risk for cervical cancer.
We ask the court to deny the injunction.
Let the clinic go ahead.
Let these students make their own informed decision about the vaccine.
Mr.
Crawford, your injunction is denied until such time as you can present direct evidence that links the vaccine and the harm.
Ms.
Hanley, notice the your motion to stop the injunction has been upheld by this court.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
[JOANNA.]
: Thank you, Your Honour.
Your client's gonna pay.
Yeah? We'll see about that.
Thank you.
- I'm so sorry, Ben.
- You did your best.
- Hi.
- Thanks, Mr.
Crawford.
- Hi.
- [HEY!.]
I stopped the injunction for Bordoxx.
Joanna, that's amazing! I knew you would do it.
Well, court went pretty much as we planned.
You would've done the same thing.
This was our case.
The client will be over the moon! Prepare for the ship jumping.
- Let's not pop the champagne yet.
- Congratulations.
Thank you, it was a team effort.
So how is it, being home? I don't know.
It's weird.
Um I need you to draft settlement agreements as quickly as possible for the three families.
- I'll get you the names.
- OK.
I'm on it.
I saw it today, Alan.
This could be a lot worse than we thought.
- The twitching? - Yes The lawyer hasn't signed an agreement yet, so we need to move as quickly as possible.
And then And "and then" what? We win.
And then we celebrate.
Yeah, of course.
Uh get me those agreements, OK? You got it.
- [BIRDS CHIRPING.]
- [JOANNA.]
: This offer to settle all current and future claims is not an admission of fault by Bordoxx Industries.
Their vaccine has been rigorously tested and has met all government safety standards.
However as a show of good faith and to aid in your care, my client is willing to offer $50000.
It could be in your account today.
Shouldn't our lawyer look at this? You could do that, but he would just slow down the process.
And he would take one-third of the money for doing nothing.
He told me about that part.
It's better if that money goes into your own pocket, I think.
We only want you to get better.
[SOMBRE MUSIC.]
You can't do this.
They're my clients.
Did you sign a retainer agreement? Then they aren't.
Implied lawyerclient relationship can exist even in the absence of a formal agreement: The Devaux case.
By the time you go to court to prove it, I'm going to have settled with all of them and be back on a plane.
17 years later you still need to be the smartest person in the room.
I don't need to be.
It just works out like that.
You are robbing them.
- This is a fair settlement.
- These girls deserve millions.
They're not gonna get that, Billy.
You can't win this.
We'll bury you in documents.
We'll file endless procedural motions.
Litigation is war.
Oh We'd destroy you.
Billy.
You'd have to be crazy or stupid to take this case.
You know you're the bad guy, right? Well, you picked a good time to come by for supper.
The Matheson Meatball is known far and wide.
- Really? - No.
Sharon's, uh at bridge once a week, so spaghetti's about all I can handle.
I hear you want to settle.
Millwood's a small town.
My client is willing to offer $50000 to settle all current and future claims against Bordoxx, its subsidiaries and assigns.
I'm not settling.
You may want to think about what's best for your daughter.
I have a good job.
My kid gets good health care.
I don't need your money.
You can always use more.
Can you? Sometimes I think people have too much.
If you go to court, you may get nothing.
[SIGHING.]
My wife is a wreck, and my little girl It's the toughest thing in the world, watching your kid trying to be brave.
You can let yourself out.
Hi.
I was just talking with your father.
One of the girls just called me.
I know what you're doing.
Our vaccine has been thoroughly tested.
The offer is just our way of saying that we hope you get better.
This started after I got the vaccine.
That doesn't mean that the vaccine caused it.
Temporal precedence is a necessary but not sufficient condition of causation.
You know, I was considering law.
I've always gotten As, but I have final exams coming up.
I study I just can't remember things.
My brain is all foggy.
I had to I had to quit cheerleading.
This wasn't how I pictured turning 18.
- You're already 18? - My birthday was last week.
Do you, uh, want some money for yourself? Just for you.
Your dad doesn't even have to know about it.
How does $50000 sound? That sounds really good.
[PEN CLICKING.]
[SOMBRE MUSIC.]
Are you proud of yourself? I'm not the enemy, Diane.
Oh, no? Who are you, then? You must be happy with your work.
At least they're getting something.
But, if your vaccine didn't cause the symptoms, why are you giving away money? The truth? Couldn't hurt.
To avoid bad press.
[SIGHING.]
It's a lot of money for people around here, but for my client, - it's a rounding error.
- "A rounding error"? - Wow.
- You wanted the truth.
You know one minute we're making plans to go to a bush party.
Next thing I know, you're gone.
And I don't hear from you in 15 years 17 actually.
Then you ride into town to screw us.
Lot of nerve.
I should've called.
I should get this mutt home.
Hey, is there somewhere I can eat around here? Where they won't poison your food? Hmm Lucy's.
Um do you wanna join me? I can't.
Derek's dropping the kids off soon.
Oh.
Rain cheque - on dinner.
- Sure thing.
Come on! Oh! I am so sorry.
I'm not normally this clumsy.
Oh, no.
It's OK.
I've had a long day too.
How's the spinach salad? All right.
A cheeseburger and fries, then.
Somebody die? Uh, no.
I'm a lawyer.
- Nobody's perfect.
- The, um, vaccine lawyer? Yeah.
So you're settling with all the girls? - I'm just doing my job.
- Yeah.
I just wish everyone was looking for a fix instead of someone to blame it on, you know? But I guess that's just not how the world works, huh? I'll get you that burger.
- [OBJECTS CLATTERING.]
- [GASPING.]
[LUNA.]
: Oh, my God.
Hey, hey.
Let me help.
- I'm OK.
Ah! - MOLLY! - Oh, my God! - Please! Molly! You're gonna be OK! You're gonna be OK! Come on! Molly! Molly! Molly, it's OK! It's OK! [RISING MUSIC.]
Yeah.
I mean, one second she was fine and then she just went down.
I traveled with her in the ambulance, but I don't know.
No one will tell me anything 'cause I'm not family.
No, I'm OK.
I should go.
I'll call you later.
Promise.
I've got some change.
I don't want your money.
How is she? A lot better.
Here.
She's never had a seizure before? Never.
But she had started showing symptoms? She made me promise not to tell anyone.
Luna if the number of cases are growing and our vaccine - actually caused this, then - It didn't.
What? I said "it didn't".
- [KNOCKING.]
- [MACHINE BEEPING.]
Hi.
I'm Joanna.
Joanna rode with me here in the ambulance.
Oh.
I'm Wendy, Molly's mom.
Thanks for taking care of her.
Of course.
Molly, Luna just told me you didn't get the HPV vaccine.
We've only ever been with each other, so I figured I didn't need it.
Molly! - Uncle Billy! - Hey.
What happened? - She had a seizure.
- You OK? Yeah.
You should see the other guy.
What are you doing here? Your niece never got the vaccine.
What? She told Wendy that she did.
She didn't want you guys to find out she was gay.
Oh, God.
We've known forever.
We were just waiting for her to tell us.
- So, now what? - Now? Now, I go home and get a big fat slap on the back.
This absolves my client.
All right.
So, I guess that's it.
Not for you.
Something else is making these girls sick.
You have to figure out what it is.
- [SIGHING.]
- Just start with things they all do, have and use: Shampoos, activities, cleaning products at their school, places they like to shop, local hangouts.
Look, I don't have the resources.
You're Crawford and Associates.
Associates just sounded cooler.
Yeah.
One-man band.
OK.
So, my retainer is normally 10K, but buy me a burger, I'm yours for an hour.
Well, that's better than nothing, I guess.
To The Boot.
[ROCK MUSIC.]
- Is there a wine list? - Oh, yeah.
I have it memorized: Red and white.
Can we get two beers? - How's the calamari? - Oh, it's good.
It's like the onion rings, but squid.
So 15-year-old girl got sent home from Calculus today - for disrupting class.
- Another one.
It isn't a lawsuit yet.
It's just a fishing expedition.
Without a cause, you don't have a case.
Thank you.
Where would you start? You've gotta start at the beginning.
Who's patient zero? Taylor Matheson, we think.
And it's only affecting girls.
So far.
Well, you can probably rule out a disease, which is good because there's no one to sue, and no one to pay your legal fees.
Molly seems like a good kid.
Yeah, she's a definite over-achiever.
Kind of kid you know is gonna leave town and do something great.
[PHONE RINGING.]
I gotta get this.
It's Wendy.
- Yeah, of course.
- [BILLY.]
: Hey! You're David Hanley's daughter? - Yeah.
- Ah! [PATRONS GASPING AND LAUGHING.]
[WOMAN LAUGHING.]
Are you OK? What the hell was that? I have no idea.
[BIRD CHIRPING.]
Is it swelling? It's not not swelling.
I can't go back to work like this.
Well, you should stay.
You know, just 'til the swelling goes down.
We're a corporate firm.
We work on important cases.
This is an important case around here.
That's not what I meant.
[BILLY SIGHING.]
Did you just come back here right after school? Pretty much.
Surely business would have been better somewhere else.
Yeah.
But that "somewhere else" wouldn't have been my home.
So, you stay because of nostalgia? No.
No, it's not that.
It's The feeling I get driving up the 59 on my way back from somewhere, it's It's tough to explain.
OK.
Really, how does it look? Well, you look like you're from Millwood.
It was nice seeing you again, Billy.
Good luck.
Yeah.
You take care of yourself, Counselor.
[SOFT MUSIC.]
[ENGINE STARTING.]
I absolved Bordoxx.
Well, hello to you too.
Sorry.
- It's been a long day.
- So does that mean the client doesn't have to pay out? Not a cent.
Completely off the hook.
Joanna! That's great! I mean, that's a better result than anyone could've expected.
Are you celebrating? I had a glass of wine, took a bath, shaved my legs I did everything I could think of doing.
It's a small town.
You OK? You don't sound like you just won a huge case.
[SIGHING.]
I don't know.
You ever think [WHAT?.]
It's just we've worked so hard to get here.
Did you ever think it would feel different? You got anything smaller on your mind, Counselor? Yeah.
Sorry.
Have you told your dad? No.
Not yet.
Hmm.
I thought he'd be your first call.
Yeah Sure you're OK? Of course.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Congratulations, Counselor.
[SOFT MUSIC.]
[SIGHING.]
All right, ma'am? Oh, yeah.
I I used to live in this house.
Your father's David Hanley? Didn't think a Hanley would ever set foot in this town again.
Taylor.
Is everything all right? Well, my parents are fighting over your settlement offer.
Ahem.
There there is no settlement offer to fight over.
Now that we can prove that the vaccine isn't responsible, Bordoxx has no reason to pay out.
Bordoxx is a corporation.
They don't care about me.
But you came to my house and you sat with me! I knew you were on the other side, but I thought, "At least she's a person.
" I was wrong.
You're not.
I want you to get better.
- Taylor - I have lost everything! My life is ruined.
I have no idea what is wrong with me or or why.
Now that you know that the vaccine didn't do this, you can find out the real cause.
Don't pretend like you're on my side.
You're a hot shot lawyer.
You could help me if you wanted.
That's not really what I do.
No, of course not.
Your job is to screw people over.
Good, hardworking people.
And you saw me and you thought, "Well, she's just a sick kid.
She'll agree to anything.
" How can you live with yourself?! My dad wanted me to be a lawyer.
But after what I've seen today, I'm never turning into you.
I'm not just dragging my heels I'm not toeing the line I'd stop thinking about counting Instead I'd watch the tide Oh, I Would I wanna know Will I I connect the lines Oh, I I wanna know Will I I connect the lines They're holding Molly for a few more days of observation.
Yeah, her mom's pretty upset.
Well, she's scheduled for a CT scan, and hopefully that'll give us more information about what caused the seizure.
They're all gonna need CT scans.
And blood tests.
And we're gonna need neurologists, toxicologists.
I'll call you back.