Made in Jersey (2012) s01e04 Episode Script
Payday
1 What do you want me to tell you, Frank, she's the real deal Holyfield, eh? - Hey, Riv.
- Hey.
Frank.
Wait.
You kidding me? She won the office football pool? Two weeks straight.
Frank seems a little overly surprised, Riv.
That's 'cause Frank's not a believer.
What's your system, Bambi? You pick the team with your favorite color Jersey? Careful, brother; she bites.
It's, uh, a little more scientific than that, Frank.
You know, a Cowboy can shoot a Cardinal, a Buccaneer can kill a Dolphin.
So on.
Donut? That's a bagel.
Same difference.
Hole in the middle.
I got to get to a meeting.
Thank you.
See you around, Frank.
Be safe.
Who'd you pick this week? Oh, wouldn't you like to know? Seriously, how do you win that thing? Oh.
Can you, uh? Thanks, Riv.
Hi, ma.
So listen, your father and brother are going to drop by the dresser to your apartment this morning, okay? Oh, great.
Thank you.
Thank them.
Martina says thanks.
Whoa.
Our pleasure, baby.
Tell her there's no such thing as a free lunch.
All right.
Keep moving.
You're killing me, here.
Uh, what did Albert say? He's saying that he still wants you to invest in that phone app idea.
Which one? The one where you can find ticket brokers at sporting events.
Not scalpers.
He means scalpers, okay? And first of all, I need to find out if this idea is even legal.
Second, I'm going to have to see a business plan - Sorry, Riv.
- No, it's okay, it's okay.
Oh.
So Martina's getting grandma's dresser, huh? You know, I'm just saying, nobody gave me any of her stuff whenever I got my own place.
- Honey, she wasn't dead yet.
- Still.
She wouldn't have known.
- They love you more.
- Hey, Bon.
- Oh, I'm borrowing your jacket, ma.
- Not that one.
Come on, Charlie, we're gonna be late for school.
Ma, how is everyone getting into my place? I made them copies of my keys.
So everyone has keys to my new apartment.
Do you have keys to our house? Yeah.
Since I was 12.
And I'll never take them back.
I got to run.
Bonnie's stealing wardrobe again.
- Bye, ma.
- All right, Garretti.
Come on, don't hold back on me.
What's the secret? Just give me I am your private investigator.
I will find a way.
Made in Jersey 01x04 Payday You're late.
Hey.
Cyndi.
Oh.
Your I-9 in here.
And your driver's license that isn't expired this time? Yes.
And yes.
So now can I get my first paycheck? I've only been here seven weeks.
I will see what I can do, but I think you probably missed this pay cycle.
If you need some money, I can spot you.
Oh, you're sweet.
Thanks.
I'll I'll be okay.
- Good morning, Riley.
- Let's go.
First-years get to watch the masters sell the splendor of all things Stark & Rowan.
Mmm, you just like to remind me you've been here a year longer.
Do you know what this is about? Uh, the football player with the concussions? Yes.
The client fired his attorney for wanting to settle too small and too quickly.
Donovan has to show them we've got a bigger appetite.
Shouldn't we ask for a continuance so we have more time to review? Trial date's only a week away.
If we want to show a lack of confidence in our case, sure.
Just let the partners make their pitch.
Resist the urge to speak.
Unlike your former lawyers, we want to push for loss of earnings, along with damages for negligence.
Nolan.
$6 million is what the 32nd player drafted got as a signing bonus.
Without the concussions, we've projected your son as a top-ten pick.
So what are you thinking for damages? $10 million.
Doug broke every state high school passing record at Furman Prep.
You had 48 major colleges recruiting your son until doctors advised him to quit.
And quitting was the right decision, given the risk of long-term damage.
Three concussions in five weeks to a young, developing brain is unconscionable.
And the coaches didn't do a damned thing.
Well, I didn't tell them about the last concussion in practice, dad.
Doesn't matter.
I mean, uh, excuse me.
No.
Please.
One of our promising first-years, Martina Garretti.
League rules require coaches to keep a close eye on their athletes, 'cause either peer or coaching pressure makes the boys feel unmanly to ask out of a game.
It's on the coaches.
She knows her Hudson River League rules.
Coaches cared more about winning than my son's health.
And unlike your previous counsel, we need to prove that the school and the coaches failed to act in a medically appropriate way.
And prove it we will.
Giants or Jets? Oh, uh Giants.
Worried about the Niners this weekend? Great pass rush.
Yeah, but Eli is good at play action.
Yeah, it's all about the left tackle.
You got to protect that blind side, right? Actually, beating the blitz is all about the PSR.
Pre-snap read.
80% of pass coverage is given away by the secondary before the ball is hiked.
If the weak side backer cheats inside, it's a blitz.
You have about a split second to make your pre-snap read.
My dad and I watched a lot of football.
You folks want this case, you got it.
Just make sure she's on my team.
That can be arranged.
Finally, racing through the crowd now Step aside and soon the turn the key no one's gonna break me there's so much more to see.
Gonna try to take this town Riley, I feel bad for Doug.
I mean, he loved football.
I feel bad for him, too, but he's better off not playing.
I I don't know what to say to that.
Yeah, well, it's her attempt at empathy.
What I meant was, now Doug will take college more seriously.
Real life started for me when I quit modeling.
Real life started for me when I was born.
Hmm.
All right, could I see the image, please? So, three concussions in five weeks.
Let's start with Doug's most recent concussion, that he suffered in practice, which ended his dreams of going pro.
His dad, the next day, took him to get a DTI.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging.
It can detect tears in the white matter of the brain.
The DTI also revealed evidence of two other previous concussions.
His coaches knew about one of them.
The first a severe concussion against Garfield, that knocked Doug out of the game on October 5.
Now, this is where things get interesting.
The DTI also revealed a light concussion that he doesn't remember getting.
Let's call that the mystery second concussion.
If Furman coaches knew about that second concussion and let him play or practice soon after, they exposed Doug to great physical risk.
Yeah, he's lucky that last concussion didn't kill him.
But come on, if Doug didn't know about the concussion, how would his coaches? All the more reason why the coaches should watch their players closely.
They know it's easier to get another concussion if you've just had one.
That's why coaches are supposed to follow a protocol.
The athlete's supposed to rest or sit out games, depending on severity.
So we're going to focus on the few weeks between October 5 and November 10, to see if we can pinpoint that second concussion.
His coaches could have discussed injuries in e-mails.
Well, former counsel already subpoenaed Furman's athletic interdepartment e-mails.
They found nothing regarding any concussions.
Then we widen our request to include all school communications in e-discovery.
Go for it, Riley.
Martina, see if Head Coach Harvey Long is willing to testify in exchange for getting his named dropped off the lawsuit.
And can you make sure that Doug Hartsock is ready to take the stand? Okay.
Dibs on Riv Brody.
You got it.
My high school wasn't this nice.
You know, I went to their web site.
They give these kids laptops to use for the whole year.
My textbooks all had six previous owners.
Did you picture yourself doing what you do now - when you were their age? - Nah.
I wanted to be a cop, not an investigator for a law firm.
- What happened? - I became a cop.
Hey, for two bucks, what's the over-under for us getting thrown off campus? Ten minutes.
I say four.
Hey, man.
We're looking for Coach Long.
Oliver! Hurry up with those helmets! That would be him.
Coach Long! Martina Garretti.
We're Doug Hartsock's lawyers.
I left a message for you.
You're suing my school, my coaches and this program.
I have nothing to say to you.
We'd like to help you by you helping us.
Oh, here we go.
We're gonna have to ask you to leave the campus.
Sure, but, uh, can we leave coach our card? Okay.
Thanks for keeping it green.
Mm-hmm.
Uh-huh.
I'll catch up with you back at the office.
Your Honor, we'd ask the court to allow us to widen former counsel's request for electronic communications at Furman Prep beyond athletic interdepartmental e-mails.
How far beyond the athletic department? All electronic communications at Furman that pertain to our client.
Your Honor, some of those e-mails may hold other sensitive teacher-student information.
Which is not a privileged relationship, your Honor.
Do you reasonably expect chemistry teachers and guidance counselors to discuss Friday night football? Yes.
And even with coaches.
They could discuss how Doug behaved in class and share that conversation with a colleague in an e-mail.
For instance, did Doug Hartsock experience headache or memory loss? I agree with Ms.
Gale on the privacy issue.
I find your request vague and overreaching.
Vague? Your Honor.
Point me to the existence of a specific e-mail outside the athletic department that has bearing on your client's claim, and I'll reconsider your motion.
That would be difficult without getting the e-mails.
Let's make that your problem, not mine.
What you working on? Oh.
An essay on Farewell To Arms.
You know, Hemingway used to sit in a saddle at his desk when he wrote.
No joke.
Hey, can we get a little help? I got it! Nice.
So have you thought any more about the second concussion I called you about? Was there any game between October 5 and November 10 that was especially tough? They're all physical, but the, uh The Chasen game was brutal.
Was there a hit that knocked you out? Nah.
I mean, it takes a lot to get me out of a game.
- Why? - Well, I mean, if you get knocked down, you dust yourself off and get back up, right? Heard it from coaches, commencement speeches I mean, come on, your folks never told you that? It's probably why I'm sitting here now.
But my ma also used to say, "lay down until the room stops spinning.
" Where's your mother in all of this? There is no mother in all of this.
She's, uh she's gone.
Gone? Yeah, took off when I was eight.
That sucks.
So you were raised by a single father and football.
Doug We want to put you on the stand so you can tell people how you feel.
Are you ready to do that? Yeah, sure.
Why would a mother leave her kid? There are times, believe me Martina, olive oil, honey.
Mom leaving son.
That's a blow to two vital organs: The brain and the heart.
No, no, no, no! I could beat you behind my back - if I wanted to.
- How did you do that? We're five minutes away on the meat.
How you doing in here? On time.
Bryan! Get the kids washed up.
You heard your mother.
Wash up.
That means you, too.
One minute.
Now! Hey Deb, don't nag him.
Tell him there's a delicious dinner waiting to be served.
- Bryan.
- Eyes on the screen! Please.
Okay, okay.
Pause it.
What did I say? Pause it! Hey, look who just woke up.
How's the food going? Hey, when am I going to see a business plan? Listen, if you don't want in, that's cool.
We'll find other investors.
I didn't say I didn't.
I know You said you did.
If, someday, this goes public, you'll be sorry.
You know, it's not unreasonable to ask for information on an investment.
I put in without information.
Yeah, Bonnie.
How much? None of your business.
Well, I think he was going to ask me for more.
Ow.
Oh, baby big shot's bringing down the big bucks, don't you know? Look, we discussed a figure.
You didn't even know my number.
You just presumed that it was lower than yours.
Okay, leave your little sister alone.
She just started a new job.
Everybody's hassling her for money.
Enough.
Thanks, ma.
Busted play.
Hartsock has nowhere to run.
Ow.
Down he goes.
Tackle football hurts.
Wainwright made the sack, and Hartsock is slow getting up.
Oh, come on.
Put the camera back on him.
We're missing the most relevant part.
Now Wainwright and hartsock are exchanging words.
He looks fine to me.
Uh, bad news.
I tried to get your paycheck, but you're going to have to wait till the end of the month.
I'm sorry.
Ah, it's okay.
It's got to come sometime, right? That's a two-yard loss.
Third and 12.
Oh, this footage is giving us nothing.
Wait until they play their arch rival Bellmoor next week.
Bellmoor.
Yeah? Teams scout their next opponent.
Maybe Bellmoor had a camera at the Chasen-Furman game.
You are talking sports, Martina.
I might as well be listening to a fax line.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is footage from the Furman-Chasen game provided by Bellmoor High.
They were Furman's next opponent, and scouts shot this game on a single fixed camera from the same stadium.
And what you're about to see is the first play of the third quarter.
Now, the running back misses the handoff, exposing Doug Now, he's number 16 To this vicious hit.
We believe this to be the second concussion.
Now, watch.
Doug stands up.
He starts to walk back to his huddle.
Only one problem: Doug is walking back to the wrong huddle.
Now, he runs into Wainwright and everyone in the stadium thinks that they're arguing.
But you weren't fighting, were you? Not really.
We were barking.
Running smack? What was Wainwright saying to you, Doug? Well, he was sort of saying, "you're going the wrong way, jerk.
" "Jerk" being the clean version.
What happened when you went back to the sidelines? Did coach call you over? Yeah.
He grabbed me and asked, "Are you okay or do you want out?" So he acknowledged that you were hurt? Objection.
Counsel's testifying as to the meaning of the coach's words.
Speculation.
Sustained.
What did you say when he asked you if you were okay? I said I was all right even though I - Felt a little dazed.
- But he could have taken you out if he thought you were hurt? - Yes.
- But he didn't, and you went back into the game, didn't you? Yeah.
It was a big game.
I, uh I didn't want to let my coaches and teammates down, so No further questions, your Honor.
For a person who said he had a concussion in that game, you remember a lot of details.
Oh, bits and pieces.
Well, good.
Then maybe you can help us with your recollection of the events of November 10.
That was the day you said you sustained your most recent concussion at practice, correct? Yes.
I believe so.
You believe so? Well, I mean, I I don't know exactly what drill Before I ask my next question, Doug, I feel it's only fair to remind you of the importance of what it means to tell the truth under oath.
Now, were you at football practice when you sustained the third concussion? I need an answer.
Okay.
If you didn't suffer the concussion during football practice, is it possible that you hit your head when you were struck by a car later that day? Objection! Assuming facts not in evidence.
Sustained.
Ms.
Gale We have a witness who saw a hit-and-run, your Honor.
Well, your Honor, that person is not on our witness list.
Your Honor, we hadn't planned on calling her until their client lied on the stand.
She's a rebuttal witness.
We were not compelled to do so.
When will you be able to produce this witness, Ms.
Gale? As long as it takes to bring her upstairs.
And shortly thereafter, we'll be asking the court to dismiss the case with prejudice.
- Your Honor, I - Your Honor, given the spontaneity of opposing counsel's witness list, we would ask for a continuance.
I find that a reasonable request, Mr.
Adams.
I'll give you 48 hours.
What the hell happened in there? Did you really get hit by a car? Dad, I told you I never wanted to do this.
This is an unfortunate development.
Give me one good reason why we shouldn't put this case on an iceberg.
If I could just talk to Doug and find out what's going on.
Does it matter? He perjured himself.
But Doug's DTI scan didn't lie about the second concussion tear.
And the camera didn't lie when he walked back to the wrong huddle.
The school was negligent.
She's not wrong.
I mean, he'd still have a case without the last concussion.
It's too late.
Our client's credibility is damaged.
He's on record as having lied about one concussion.
The defense will argue he could have gotten the other one riding his skateboard or flying a kite.
Oh, yeah, yeah, five days a week, 220-pound linemen try and pound Doug's head in.
I would just love to put your "he got hurt flying a kite" in front of a jury.
Let Riv check out the hit-and-run.
- Let me talk to Doug.
- All right.
You got 24 hours.
But that's it.
And I'm pulling Nolan and Riley off.
- What? - Your time is better served on a billable case.
Just you, Martina.
You're the boss.
Can I still have Riv? Yeah, you got him for one day.
Great.
Hey, if you have any questions, I'm around.
Thanks.
Dad? Hi, honey.
You got a minute? Sure.
Is everything all right? It's not like you to turn down your brother asking for help.
Exactly.
I've helped him out a lot, and I don't always get paid back.
Why don't you guys lend him the money? We're already in.
I think this is the one.
Let me.
Martina, honey.
You know that if this was about something else, you can come to me, right? I do.
I know that you don't always get along with your brother Albert.
And that he was dipped a little too long in the Garretti gene pool.
Ma, I'm kind of up against it here at work.
I have to hang up.
Bye, ma.
- Bye.
- Darlene.
What about the Garretti gene pool? Nothing, baby.
Wait a minute.
A smaller kid? Yeah.
Well, I was outside.
I saw this kid chasing another kid to his car.
The smaller kid got in his car to drive off, but he backed up way too fast and hit the other guy, knocking him down.
Now, the driver didn't stop? No.
I ran over and saw it was Doug hartsock.
Uh, team comes in here a lot.
Oh.
I asked Doug if he was okay and told him we should call the police.
He said no, they were just messing around.
Uh-huh.
Now, did he hit his head? I couldn't tell from where I was standing.
Right.
Of course.
How did the school's lawyers find you? One of their teachers is a regular.
I told her about it last week, and I guess she told the administration.
Okay.
All right, well, I'm going to Mmm.
I'm going to let you get back to work.
Thank you.
But I'm definitely going to come back for another one of these.
Wow.
Lot of hardware.
I'd prefer them in my room, but my dad likes them out here for the college recruiters.
So much for that.
How'd you do on the Hemingway essay? I got an "A.
" Excellent.
I was thinking about what you said about taking advantage of more free time, and I want to get my 3.
0 to a 3.
4.
I had a better chance playing football because they have lower GPA requirements for athletes, but that's not an option now.
Well, I like your chances.
So, Doug, we need to talk about the hit-and-run.
Now is not a good time.
My dad's going to be home any minute.
Look, why does that matter? Why can't your dad know? I don't want to talk about it.
Because you were chasing someone.
No.
I I mean, yeah.
Or is it 'cause you were chasing someone smaller than you? Martina You were bullying him.
Please.
Then what? Look, I want to help you, but if you don't want my help, I'll leave now.
No, it can't get out what happened.
Why? Is it embarrassing? You worried about your reputation? What? No, that's embarrassed that the star quarterback was bullying Stop! No, I wasn't bullying him, okay? If anything, he was If anything, he was what? Was he bullying you? Yeah.
Thanks.
Anyway, a while ago I uh I got this e-mail from my mom.
Remember I said she left me? Well, she wrote me and said she wanted to get back in my life.
At first I said no.
Then she wrote again after I got knocked out of the Garfield game.
She had come to watch me play and was wondering if I was okay.
- Really? - Yeah.
I mean, at first, it freaked me out.
Then I got kind of jacked up, you know, knowing my mom was there.
I'd look for her in the stands Did you tell your dad? Oh, hell, no.
No, no, uh He'd kill me.
I complained a lot about my dad to her.
But anyway, the e-mails got friendlier, and I agreed I'd meet her that weekend.
I was psyched.
But then Dewey, my center, he said he heard a conversation going on in the weight room between Oliver and a buddy.
Oliver's the equipment manager.
I met him.
Go on.
Oliver was pretending to be my mom online.
He assumed the identity of your mother? Yeah.
That's terrible, Doug.
Why'd he do it? One time, I threw Oliver in the shower with his clothes on.
We all laughed.
It ruined his cell phone.
I felt bad, but I thought he was cool with it.
I liked him.
Maybe he idolized you, so it hurt him more.
Not that the prank is worthy of the crime.
Yeah.
Anyway, I saw Oliver at the coffee shop and confronted him.
He got away, jumped into his car and tried to take off, and hit me.
But it was an accident.
And you told your dad you got the concussion at practice.
Yeah.
But if you told your dad the truth, that you were reaching out to your mom Worse.
If it got out that I'd rather have my mother who abandoned us raise me than my father who stayed around and did, that would mess him up bad.
There may be a silver lining that could help us with this case, Doug.
But in order for that to happen, you're going to have to tell your dad the truth.
If Oliver Watson used a school-issued laptop when he cyber-bullied Doug Hartsock, it would help our concussion case.
How? Misuse and unauthorized access to a school computer puts Furman back on the hook.
I thought I pulled you off this case.
You did.
I'm just walking with you.
Finish.
We take advantage of new laws that prohibit what's called "electronic communication harassment" in schools.
All right, amend the complaint against the school.
Use it as a trojan horse to troll for incriminating school e-mails that might reference the concussions.
I have a nephew applying to Furman.
I don't think he's going to get in.
Nolan, you're back on.
Do it.
- Excuse me.
- Yeah? I'm, uh I'm in the market for a new laptop.
You like that one? - I saw you on campus.
- Yeah, right.
How you doing? May I? Yeah, this, uh yeah, that's a little too heavy.
I'm going to look for something lighter.
Thanks.
Have you spent your whole life hoping your mother would come back? - No - So, then, I've been made to look like the fool.
I think that would be me, dad.
What Haven't I given you? What's missing? You gave me everything.
I don't I don't know how many times I can tell you that I'm sorry.
We've wasted your time, Martina.
I want to drop the suit.
I need to get some air.
Thank you for coming out.
Stay here.
Mr.
Hartsock, listen to me.
It was the second concussion where Doug walked back to the wrong huddle that's at issue here.
- The Chasen game? - Yes.
It was only two weeks after his first major concussion.
If we can find evidence that Furman coaches covered it up and risked Doug's life so he could play in his next game, we can win.
It was that second concussion that made him way more vulnerable to any other blow to the head after that.
It doesn't matter if that third concussion was on a practice field or in a parking lot.
Since his mom left, I put him first.
And now he pulls this.
Mr.
Hartsock, did Did you ask him how he did on his Hemingway essay? I mean do you ever talk about anything besides football with your son? I'm sorry.
Are you a parent? No.
But I have two good ones.
And just 'cause you've done everything for him doesn't mean you know him.
And while your son deserves the money, you need each other more.
I bet people underestimate you a lot.
It's one of my strengths.
Okay.
So what's next? Your Honor, we're making a motion to quash.
Cyber-bullying has nothing to do with the concussion complaint.
Your Honor, an equipment manager for Furman's football team used a school computer and posed as Doug's mother.
Doug discussed his concussions with this student.
How many of Doug's teammates Fellow students May have also discussed Doug's mental well-being in class or in practice or with their coaches? How many teachers or administrators? That argument is so thin I could blow my nose in it.
Or wipe a tear.
Save your opinion for when you get appointed to the Supreme Court, counselor.
I find it weighty enough to widen your request to include electronic communications between students at Furman Prep.
Teachers and school officials may also be privy to really? You want to push this? Why, of course not, your Honor.
It's just too narrow a ruling.
Sorry.
No, it's fine.
Maybe it'll give us something later.
Careful with the remorse.
I'll think you care.
Of course I care.
I want to win.
For what it's worth, I told Doug what you said about taking school seriously now.
I think he listened.
Psst, hey! You have a visitor.
Oh, you let her in.
She said it was an emergency.
Yes, I'm here.
Go ahead.
Uh-huh.
Is everything okay, ma? I hope so.
Listen, before you get mad When have you ever started a sentence with that where I haven't? Which is why I need to be heard.
Your father and I are worried.
About what? We opened your bank statement.
- What? - It came to the house.
You should forward your mail.
I have had it forwarded.
That still gives you no right to open my mail.
You backed out of your promise to Albert.
We're your parents.
We care about you.
I never made a promise.
I I said I was open to the Martina, you have $37 in your checking account.
I don't believe this.
What's going on, honey? I mean, you're a lawyer.
Look at this place.
Where is all your money going? Now, look, your father, he wonders, with with Uncle Mario and his trouble in AC I mean, God forbid God forbid.
What? You-you think I've got a gambling problem? Every scenario has been discussed.
Ma Ma, I'm suffering a perfect storm, all right? I'm out first and last month's rent.
My educational loans kicked in.
I had to upgrade my wardrobe from public servant to corporate attorney.
Toss in food and sundries, and you know what? I'm lucky to have $37 right now.
I will be fine when I get my check.
Which is ridiculously late.
Well, why didn't you come to us? Because I'm a big girl.
You and dad don't have to worry about me.
A parent never stops worrying about their child.
No matter how old they are.
I'm fine.
Worry about your 24-year-old son that still lives at home.
Quit babying him.
Tough love is still love.
Albert is different.
All my children are different.
You were always running ahead of me.
First one into the ocean.
Come here.
What kind of law firm can't make payroll, huh? Okay, ma.
Ma, I'm at work.
Okay, okay.
Cyndi so nice to meet you.
So nice to meet you, too.
I hope that I look as hot as you when I'm a grandmother.
Love this girl.
Yeah, she's a keeper.
Who's that? - Stop.
- What? Pasting his face onto the family Christmas card.
Hello.
Darlene Garretti.
- Uh, this is my mother.
- Oh.
Nolan Adams.
Your daughter is a welcome addition to this firm.
Well, she has had wonderful things to say about you.
I don't think I've ever mentioned your name, actually.
Well.
Can I talk to you? Oh.
Yeah.
I'm going to leave so you two can practice some law.
Bye, sweetie.
Oh, no, she's she's sweet.
Isn't she, though? - Uh, what's up? - Yeah.
One of Doug's coaches, Greg Stiles, sent an e-mail from his home computer to a tutor on her school-issued laptop.
Wow.
That was fast.
You put his name into a computer and you hit "search.
" We're in the information age, Martina.
Ah.
This coach e-mailed Doug's tutor about Doug's headaches and retention of facts.
And one of the e-mails was sent after the Chasen-Furman game, when Doug walked back to the wrong huddle.
Doug's former lawyers talked to all the coaches.
They refused to testify.
Yeah, well, they missed this one.
Because Greg Stiles left Furman Prep.
Why? Maybe he cared more about his player's health than winning.
Maybe you better go find out.
Never understood why people run in circles or on treadmills.
Me, I like to take in the scenery, feel the neighborhood.
Please tell me you're a teacher here.
I'm a lawyer.
I represent Doug Hartsock.
You passed on being the next head coach at one of the best prep football programs in the northeast to become a line coach at a class "C" school.
Can I ask why? I wanted to teach history.
They let me do that here.
Coach, you took an interest in Doug's health.
You e-mailed his tutor to see how he was doing.
You wanted to know if he was having trouble remembering his schoolwork after the Chasen game.
I know where you're going with this.
You want me to testify against my former colleagues.
No.
I want the truth.
Did you tell Coach Long that Doug should sit out the big game against Bellmoor because you thought he suffered a concussion in the Chasen game? I know all about the coaching fraternity and your culture of secrecy.
What's said in the locker room stays in the locker room, but that has to change.
It would've helped things if Doug would've said something.
No.
He's still a kid.
He literally can't get his brain around it yet.
They care more about their teammates and their girlfriends than they do dementia at middle age.
That's why the adults are in charge.
I'm not saying anything that'll ruin coaches careers.
Yeah, well, at least you guys have football careers.
Doug Hartsock's ended before it started.
Wait.
I can't come forward.
I'm sorry, I can't be the one, but someone else overheard my argument with Coach Long after practice, and I'll corroborate what they said.
You mean, like players? The players were gone.
But none of the coaches will testify.
Who said it was a coach? Hey, Oliver, hi.
Equipment managers work long hours.
How do you find time to study? I'm not supposed to talk to you.
Syracuse, right? That's your first choice for college? What you did to Doug will be on your college transcripts.
It could hurt your chances of getting in.
But I can help you change that.
Did you overhear an argument between Coach Long and Coach Stiles in the locker room after practice? My job is hard enough as it is.
I know.
It must be tough to be part of a team, but not on the team.
For every ounce of thank you, you get seven tons of abuse.
You deserve better, Oliver, but so did Doug.
So, want to fix this? Your Honor, at this time, we would like to call Oliver Watson to the stand.
And besides being a student at furman, what else do you do there? I'm the equipment manager for the football team.
And as the team's equipment manager, do you overhear a lot of talk among the players and coaches? Some things not suitable for this courtroom, I imagine? - Yes.
- Okay.
So let's keep it PG.
Oliver, in the early evening of October 22, did you hear an argument in the Furman locker room? - Yes.
- Who was arguing? Coach Long and Coach Stiles.
The head football coach at Furman and his assistant coach, correct? - Correct.
- What were they arguing over? Doug Hartsock.
Objection.
Calls for hearsay.
Would you describe the argument as heated? - Were they shouting at each other? - Yes.
Excited utterance exception to the hearsay rule, your Honor.
The hearsay objection is overruled.
Continue, Ms.
Garretti.
Oliver, what were Coach Stiles and Coach Long fighting over? Coach Stiles thought Doug was still suffering from a hit in the Chasen game, and that he should sit out Bellmoor and get some tests.
Your Honor, coaches talk about injuries all the time.
Can the defense withhold questions until cross, your Honor? Overruled.
Ms.
Gale, you'll have your turn.
Coach Long said tests weren't necessary, and then Coach Stiles said he wanted no part of this and walked out.
Is that all you remember of the argument? Yes.
That's okay.
We'll ask Coach Stiles what he remembers later.
Oh, Oliver, um, did Doug play in the next game? Everyone knows Doug Hartsock played in every game that season.
Your Honor, at this time, we would ask to confer with opposing counsel.
I think that's a good idea, Ms.
Gale.
We're in recess.
You just got some karma back.
Not bad, rookie.
Thanks.
I'm on my way, on my way I'm on my way home life's an open road it doesn't matter where you go just don't travel it alone on the other side there's a part of who you are that you never realized Gentlemen, I've got news, but I'd like Martina to share it with you.
You don't mind if I'm here for this, do you? You're part of this team.
Of course not.
Oh, right.
I think we've been offered a very fair settlement.
It won't buy back your dream, but it will buy you a good education, and if, God forbid, you face any unforeseen health issues later in life, you got a safety net.
Should we open it now? At some point.
We need to give them an answer as to whether you accept or not.
Coach Long is stepping down, and the high school is implementing a concussion policy that's stricter than the league requires.
And Oliver's cyber-bullying will be left off his college application in exchange for his testimony.
I'm okay with that.
Thank you.
No need.
We get some of that, too.
Don't worry, she could care less about the money.
Congratulations gentlemen.
Nice work.
You said money can't buy back football for us, but it also can't buy what Doug and I have now.
Thank you.
My pleasure.
You have the heart of a lion, Martina.
You would've been a great quarterback.
I'll take the brains of an offensive tackle.
Anyone who knows football knows linemen are the smartest players on the field.
No offense.
Oh! - I'm sorry.
- Oh, no.
I didn't mean to startle you.
It's okay.
Fine job on the Hartsock settlement, Martina.
Thank you.
I I didn't do it alone, though.
You know, it's been brought to my attention that you have yet to be paid for your services here.
Cyndi Vega is a fiercely loyal assistant, but, you know, she shouldn't have come to you with that.
- I'm sorry.
- She didn't.
Your mother did.
- My mother? - Yes.
She was here the other day, introduced herself.
She's a lovely woman.
Of course she did.
Your mother has a very specific life force that I can't quite describe in one word.
- Pushy? - Anyway, she said you hadn't been paid, which I found particularly embarrassing.
You don't know embarrassing, sir, - until your mother shames your boss.
- No, no.
If there's an accounting issue or a payroll problem, I need to know.
Anyway, I got to the bottom of it and, uh, well, we'll miss Charlene Swatello and her 17 years of service here, but she has a very nice pension.
Oh, no, I don't want I'm joking, Martina.
I do that now and then.
May I present to you your first paycheck from Stark & Rowan? Personally signed by me.
On behalf of the senior partners, thank you.
No.
Thank you.
For the shot.
Oh, by the way, keep me abreast on the development of your brother's business venture.
Sounds promising.
Uh, sure.
So this is what you meant when you said that you were spent and now it's time to build from the bottom of the pit right to the top don't hold back
- Hey.
Frank.
Wait.
You kidding me? She won the office football pool? Two weeks straight.
Frank seems a little overly surprised, Riv.
That's 'cause Frank's not a believer.
What's your system, Bambi? You pick the team with your favorite color Jersey? Careful, brother; she bites.
It's, uh, a little more scientific than that, Frank.
You know, a Cowboy can shoot a Cardinal, a Buccaneer can kill a Dolphin.
So on.
Donut? That's a bagel.
Same difference.
Hole in the middle.
I got to get to a meeting.
Thank you.
See you around, Frank.
Be safe.
Who'd you pick this week? Oh, wouldn't you like to know? Seriously, how do you win that thing? Oh.
Can you, uh? Thanks, Riv.
Hi, ma.
So listen, your father and brother are going to drop by the dresser to your apartment this morning, okay? Oh, great.
Thank you.
Thank them.
Martina says thanks.
Whoa.
Our pleasure, baby.
Tell her there's no such thing as a free lunch.
All right.
Keep moving.
You're killing me, here.
Uh, what did Albert say? He's saying that he still wants you to invest in that phone app idea.
Which one? The one where you can find ticket brokers at sporting events.
Not scalpers.
He means scalpers, okay? And first of all, I need to find out if this idea is even legal.
Second, I'm going to have to see a business plan - Sorry, Riv.
- No, it's okay, it's okay.
Oh.
So Martina's getting grandma's dresser, huh? You know, I'm just saying, nobody gave me any of her stuff whenever I got my own place.
- Honey, she wasn't dead yet.
- Still.
She wouldn't have known.
- They love you more.
- Hey, Bon.
- Oh, I'm borrowing your jacket, ma.
- Not that one.
Come on, Charlie, we're gonna be late for school.
Ma, how is everyone getting into my place? I made them copies of my keys.
So everyone has keys to my new apartment.
Do you have keys to our house? Yeah.
Since I was 12.
And I'll never take them back.
I got to run.
Bonnie's stealing wardrobe again.
- Bye, ma.
- All right, Garretti.
Come on, don't hold back on me.
What's the secret? Just give me I am your private investigator.
I will find a way.
Made in Jersey 01x04 Payday You're late.
Hey.
Cyndi.
Oh.
Your I-9 in here.
And your driver's license that isn't expired this time? Yes.
And yes.
So now can I get my first paycheck? I've only been here seven weeks.
I will see what I can do, but I think you probably missed this pay cycle.
If you need some money, I can spot you.
Oh, you're sweet.
Thanks.
I'll I'll be okay.
- Good morning, Riley.
- Let's go.
First-years get to watch the masters sell the splendor of all things Stark & Rowan.
Mmm, you just like to remind me you've been here a year longer.
Do you know what this is about? Uh, the football player with the concussions? Yes.
The client fired his attorney for wanting to settle too small and too quickly.
Donovan has to show them we've got a bigger appetite.
Shouldn't we ask for a continuance so we have more time to review? Trial date's only a week away.
If we want to show a lack of confidence in our case, sure.
Just let the partners make their pitch.
Resist the urge to speak.
Unlike your former lawyers, we want to push for loss of earnings, along with damages for negligence.
Nolan.
$6 million is what the 32nd player drafted got as a signing bonus.
Without the concussions, we've projected your son as a top-ten pick.
So what are you thinking for damages? $10 million.
Doug broke every state high school passing record at Furman Prep.
You had 48 major colleges recruiting your son until doctors advised him to quit.
And quitting was the right decision, given the risk of long-term damage.
Three concussions in five weeks to a young, developing brain is unconscionable.
And the coaches didn't do a damned thing.
Well, I didn't tell them about the last concussion in practice, dad.
Doesn't matter.
I mean, uh, excuse me.
No.
Please.
One of our promising first-years, Martina Garretti.
League rules require coaches to keep a close eye on their athletes, 'cause either peer or coaching pressure makes the boys feel unmanly to ask out of a game.
It's on the coaches.
She knows her Hudson River League rules.
Coaches cared more about winning than my son's health.
And unlike your previous counsel, we need to prove that the school and the coaches failed to act in a medically appropriate way.
And prove it we will.
Giants or Jets? Oh, uh Giants.
Worried about the Niners this weekend? Great pass rush.
Yeah, but Eli is good at play action.
Yeah, it's all about the left tackle.
You got to protect that blind side, right? Actually, beating the blitz is all about the PSR.
Pre-snap read.
80% of pass coverage is given away by the secondary before the ball is hiked.
If the weak side backer cheats inside, it's a blitz.
You have about a split second to make your pre-snap read.
My dad and I watched a lot of football.
You folks want this case, you got it.
Just make sure she's on my team.
That can be arranged.
Finally, racing through the crowd now Step aside and soon the turn the key no one's gonna break me there's so much more to see.
Gonna try to take this town Riley, I feel bad for Doug.
I mean, he loved football.
I feel bad for him, too, but he's better off not playing.
I I don't know what to say to that.
Yeah, well, it's her attempt at empathy.
What I meant was, now Doug will take college more seriously.
Real life started for me when I quit modeling.
Real life started for me when I was born.
Hmm.
All right, could I see the image, please? So, three concussions in five weeks.
Let's start with Doug's most recent concussion, that he suffered in practice, which ended his dreams of going pro.
His dad, the next day, took him to get a DTI.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging.
It can detect tears in the white matter of the brain.
The DTI also revealed evidence of two other previous concussions.
His coaches knew about one of them.
The first a severe concussion against Garfield, that knocked Doug out of the game on October 5.
Now, this is where things get interesting.
The DTI also revealed a light concussion that he doesn't remember getting.
Let's call that the mystery second concussion.
If Furman coaches knew about that second concussion and let him play or practice soon after, they exposed Doug to great physical risk.
Yeah, he's lucky that last concussion didn't kill him.
But come on, if Doug didn't know about the concussion, how would his coaches? All the more reason why the coaches should watch their players closely.
They know it's easier to get another concussion if you've just had one.
That's why coaches are supposed to follow a protocol.
The athlete's supposed to rest or sit out games, depending on severity.
So we're going to focus on the few weeks between October 5 and November 10, to see if we can pinpoint that second concussion.
His coaches could have discussed injuries in e-mails.
Well, former counsel already subpoenaed Furman's athletic interdepartment e-mails.
They found nothing regarding any concussions.
Then we widen our request to include all school communications in e-discovery.
Go for it, Riley.
Martina, see if Head Coach Harvey Long is willing to testify in exchange for getting his named dropped off the lawsuit.
And can you make sure that Doug Hartsock is ready to take the stand? Okay.
Dibs on Riv Brody.
You got it.
My high school wasn't this nice.
You know, I went to their web site.
They give these kids laptops to use for the whole year.
My textbooks all had six previous owners.
Did you picture yourself doing what you do now - when you were their age? - Nah.
I wanted to be a cop, not an investigator for a law firm.
- What happened? - I became a cop.
Hey, for two bucks, what's the over-under for us getting thrown off campus? Ten minutes.
I say four.
Hey, man.
We're looking for Coach Long.
Oliver! Hurry up with those helmets! That would be him.
Coach Long! Martina Garretti.
We're Doug Hartsock's lawyers.
I left a message for you.
You're suing my school, my coaches and this program.
I have nothing to say to you.
We'd like to help you by you helping us.
Oh, here we go.
We're gonna have to ask you to leave the campus.
Sure, but, uh, can we leave coach our card? Okay.
Thanks for keeping it green.
Mm-hmm.
Uh-huh.
I'll catch up with you back at the office.
Your Honor, we'd ask the court to allow us to widen former counsel's request for electronic communications at Furman Prep beyond athletic interdepartmental e-mails.
How far beyond the athletic department? All electronic communications at Furman that pertain to our client.
Your Honor, some of those e-mails may hold other sensitive teacher-student information.
Which is not a privileged relationship, your Honor.
Do you reasonably expect chemistry teachers and guidance counselors to discuss Friday night football? Yes.
And even with coaches.
They could discuss how Doug behaved in class and share that conversation with a colleague in an e-mail.
For instance, did Doug Hartsock experience headache or memory loss? I agree with Ms.
Gale on the privacy issue.
I find your request vague and overreaching.
Vague? Your Honor.
Point me to the existence of a specific e-mail outside the athletic department that has bearing on your client's claim, and I'll reconsider your motion.
That would be difficult without getting the e-mails.
Let's make that your problem, not mine.
What you working on? Oh.
An essay on Farewell To Arms.
You know, Hemingway used to sit in a saddle at his desk when he wrote.
No joke.
Hey, can we get a little help? I got it! Nice.
So have you thought any more about the second concussion I called you about? Was there any game between October 5 and November 10 that was especially tough? They're all physical, but the, uh The Chasen game was brutal.
Was there a hit that knocked you out? Nah.
I mean, it takes a lot to get me out of a game.
- Why? - Well, I mean, if you get knocked down, you dust yourself off and get back up, right? Heard it from coaches, commencement speeches I mean, come on, your folks never told you that? It's probably why I'm sitting here now.
But my ma also used to say, "lay down until the room stops spinning.
" Where's your mother in all of this? There is no mother in all of this.
She's, uh she's gone.
Gone? Yeah, took off when I was eight.
That sucks.
So you were raised by a single father and football.
Doug We want to put you on the stand so you can tell people how you feel.
Are you ready to do that? Yeah, sure.
Why would a mother leave her kid? There are times, believe me Martina, olive oil, honey.
Mom leaving son.
That's a blow to two vital organs: The brain and the heart.
No, no, no, no! I could beat you behind my back - if I wanted to.
- How did you do that? We're five minutes away on the meat.
How you doing in here? On time.
Bryan! Get the kids washed up.
You heard your mother.
Wash up.
That means you, too.
One minute.
Now! Hey Deb, don't nag him.
Tell him there's a delicious dinner waiting to be served.
- Bryan.
- Eyes on the screen! Please.
Okay, okay.
Pause it.
What did I say? Pause it! Hey, look who just woke up.
How's the food going? Hey, when am I going to see a business plan? Listen, if you don't want in, that's cool.
We'll find other investors.
I didn't say I didn't.
I know You said you did.
If, someday, this goes public, you'll be sorry.
You know, it's not unreasonable to ask for information on an investment.
I put in without information.
Yeah, Bonnie.
How much? None of your business.
Well, I think he was going to ask me for more.
Ow.
Oh, baby big shot's bringing down the big bucks, don't you know? Look, we discussed a figure.
You didn't even know my number.
You just presumed that it was lower than yours.
Okay, leave your little sister alone.
She just started a new job.
Everybody's hassling her for money.
Enough.
Thanks, ma.
Busted play.
Hartsock has nowhere to run.
Ow.
Down he goes.
Tackle football hurts.
Wainwright made the sack, and Hartsock is slow getting up.
Oh, come on.
Put the camera back on him.
We're missing the most relevant part.
Now Wainwright and hartsock are exchanging words.
He looks fine to me.
Uh, bad news.
I tried to get your paycheck, but you're going to have to wait till the end of the month.
I'm sorry.
Ah, it's okay.
It's got to come sometime, right? That's a two-yard loss.
Third and 12.
Oh, this footage is giving us nothing.
Wait until they play their arch rival Bellmoor next week.
Bellmoor.
Yeah? Teams scout their next opponent.
Maybe Bellmoor had a camera at the Chasen-Furman game.
You are talking sports, Martina.
I might as well be listening to a fax line.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is footage from the Furman-Chasen game provided by Bellmoor High.
They were Furman's next opponent, and scouts shot this game on a single fixed camera from the same stadium.
And what you're about to see is the first play of the third quarter.
Now, the running back misses the handoff, exposing Doug Now, he's number 16 To this vicious hit.
We believe this to be the second concussion.
Now, watch.
Doug stands up.
He starts to walk back to his huddle.
Only one problem: Doug is walking back to the wrong huddle.
Now, he runs into Wainwright and everyone in the stadium thinks that they're arguing.
But you weren't fighting, were you? Not really.
We were barking.
Running smack? What was Wainwright saying to you, Doug? Well, he was sort of saying, "you're going the wrong way, jerk.
" "Jerk" being the clean version.
What happened when you went back to the sidelines? Did coach call you over? Yeah.
He grabbed me and asked, "Are you okay or do you want out?" So he acknowledged that you were hurt? Objection.
Counsel's testifying as to the meaning of the coach's words.
Speculation.
Sustained.
What did you say when he asked you if you were okay? I said I was all right even though I - Felt a little dazed.
- But he could have taken you out if he thought you were hurt? - Yes.
- But he didn't, and you went back into the game, didn't you? Yeah.
It was a big game.
I, uh I didn't want to let my coaches and teammates down, so No further questions, your Honor.
For a person who said he had a concussion in that game, you remember a lot of details.
Oh, bits and pieces.
Well, good.
Then maybe you can help us with your recollection of the events of November 10.
That was the day you said you sustained your most recent concussion at practice, correct? Yes.
I believe so.
You believe so? Well, I mean, I I don't know exactly what drill Before I ask my next question, Doug, I feel it's only fair to remind you of the importance of what it means to tell the truth under oath.
Now, were you at football practice when you sustained the third concussion? I need an answer.
Okay.
If you didn't suffer the concussion during football practice, is it possible that you hit your head when you were struck by a car later that day? Objection! Assuming facts not in evidence.
Sustained.
Ms.
Gale We have a witness who saw a hit-and-run, your Honor.
Well, your Honor, that person is not on our witness list.
Your Honor, we hadn't planned on calling her until their client lied on the stand.
She's a rebuttal witness.
We were not compelled to do so.
When will you be able to produce this witness, Ms.
Gale? As long as it takes to bring her upstairs.
And shortly thereafter, we'll be asking the court to dismiss the case with prejudice.
- Your Honor, I - Your Honor, given the spontaneity of opposing counsel's witness list, we would ask for a continuance.
I find that a reasonable request, Mr.
Adams.
I'll give you 48 hours.
What the hell happened in there? Did you really get hit by a car? Dad, I told you I never wanted to do this.
This is an unfortunate development.
Give me one good reason why we shouldn't put this case on an iceberg.
If I could just talk to Doug and find out what's going on.
Does it matter? He perjured himself.
But Doug's DTI scan didn't lie about the second concussion tear.
And the camera didn't lie when he walked back to the wrong huddle.
The school was negligent.
She's not wrong.
I mean, he'd still have a case without the last concussion.
It's too late.
Our client's credibility is damaged.
He's on record as having lied about one concussion.
The defense will argue he could have gotten the other one riding his skateboard or flying a kite.
Oh, yeah, yeah, five days a week, 220-pound linemen try and pound Doug's head in.
I would just love to put your "he got hurt flying a kite" in front of a jury.
Let Riv check out the hit-and-run.
- Let me talk to Doug.
- All right.
You got 24 hours.
But that's it.
And I'm pulling Nolan and Riley off.
- What? - Your time is better served on a billable case.
Just you, Martina.
You're the boss.
Can I still have Riv? Yeah, you got him for one day.
Great.
Hey, if you have any questions, I'm around.
Thanks.
Dad? Hi, honey.
You got a minute? Sure.
Is everything all right? It's not like you to turn down your brother asking for help.
Exactly.
I've helped him out a lot, and I don't always get paid back.
Why don't you guys lend him the money? We're already in.
I think this is the one.
Let me.
Martina, honey.
You know that if this was about something else, you can come to me, right? I do.
I know that you don't always get along with your brother Albert.
And that he was dipped a little too long in the Garretti gene pool.
Ma, I'm kind of up against it here at work.
I have to hang up.
Bye, ma.
- Bye.
- Darlene.
What about the Garretti gene pool? Nothing, baby.
Wait a minute.
A smaller kid? Yeah.
Well, I was outside.
I saw this kid chasing another kid to his car.
The smaller kid got in his car to drive off, but he backed up way too fast and hit the other guy, knocking him down.
Now, the driver didn't stop? No.
I ran over and saw it was Doug hartsock.
Uh, team comes in here a lot.
Oh.
I asked Doug if he was okay and told him we should call the police.
He said no, they were just messing around.
Uh-huh.
Now, did he hit his head? I couldn't tell from where I was standing.
Right.
Of course.
How did the school's lawyers find you? One of their teachers is a regular.
I told her about it last week, and I guess she told the administration.
Okay.
All right, well, I'm going to Mmm.
I'm going to let you get back to work.
Thank you.
But I'm definitely going to come back for another one of these.
Wow.
Lot of hardware.
I'd prefer them in my room, but my dad likes them out here for the college recruiters.
So much for that.
How'd you do on the Hemingway essay? I got an "A.
" Excellent.
I was thinking about what you said about taking advantage of more free time, and I want to get my 3.
0 to a 3.
4.
I had a better chance playing football because they have lower GPA requirements for athletes, but that's not an option now.
Well, I like your chances.
So, Doug, we need to talk about the hit-and-run.
Now is not a good time.
My dad's going to be home any minute.
Look, why does that matter? Why can't your dad know? I don't want to talk about it.
Because you were chasing someone.
No.
I I mean, yeah.
Or is it 'cause you were chasing someone smaller than you? Martina You were bullying him.
Please.
Then what? Look, I want to help you, but if you don't want my help, I'll leave now.
No, it can't get out what happened.
Why? Is it embarrassing? You worried about your reputation? What? No, that's embarrassed that the star quarterback was bullying Stop! No, I wasn't bullying him, okay? If anything, he was If anything, he was what? Was he bullying you? Yeah.
Thanks.
Anyway, a while ago I uh I got this e-mail from my mom.
Remember I said she left me? Well, she wrote me and said she wanted to get back in my life.
At first I said no.
Then she wrote again after I got knocked out of the Garfield game.
She had come to watch me play and was wondering if I was okay.
- Really? - Yeah.
I mean, at first, it freaked me out.
Then I got kind of jacked up, you know, knowing my mom was there.
I'd look for her in the stands Did you tell your dad? Oh, hell, no.
No, no, uh He'd kill me.
I complained a lot about my dad to her.
But anyway, the e-mails got friendlier, and I agreed I'd meet her that weekend.
I was psyched.
But then Dewey, my center, he said he heard a conversation going on in the weight room between Oliver and a buddy.
Oliver's the equipment manager.
I met him.
Go on.
Oliver was pretending to be my mom online.
He assumed the identity of your mother? Yeah.
That's terrible, Doug.
Why'd he do it? One time, I threw Oliver in the shower with his clothes on.
We all laughed.
It ruined his cell phone.
I felt bad, but I thought he was cool with it.
I liked him.
Maybe he idolized you, so it hurt him more.
Not that the prank is worthy of the crime.
Yeah.
Anyway, I saw Oliver at the coffee shop and confronted him.
He got away, jumped into his car and tried to take off, and hit me.
But it was an accident.
And you told your dad you got the concussion at practice.
Yeah.
But if you told your dad the truth, that you were reaching out to your mom Worse.
If it got out that I'd rather have my mother who abandoned us raise me than my father who stayed around and did, that would mess him up bad.
There may be a silver lining that could help us with this case, Doug.
But in order for that to happen, you're going to have to tell your dad the truth.
If Oliver Watson used a school-issued laptop when he cyber-bullied Doug Hartsock, it would help our concussion case.
How? Misuse and unauthorized access to a school computer puts Furman back on the hook.
I thought I pulled you off this case.
You did.
I'm just walking with you.
Finish.
We take advantage of new laws that prohibit what's called "electronic communication harassment" in schools.
All right, amend the complaint against the school.
Use it as a trojan horse to troll for incriminating school e-mails that might reference the concussions.
I have a nephew applying to Furman.
I don't think he's going to get in.
Nolan, you're back on.
Do it.
- Excuse me.
- Yeah? I'm, uh I'm in the market for a new laptop.
You like that one? - I saw you on campus.
- Yeah, right.
How you doing? May I? Yeah, this, uh yeah, that's a little too heavy.
I'm going to look for something lighter.
Thanks.
Have you spent your whole life hoping your mother would come back? - No - So, then, I've been made to look like the fool.
I think that would be me, dad.
What Haven't I given you? What's missing? You gave me everything.
I don't I don't know how many times I can tell you that I'm sorry.
We've wasted your time, Martina.
I want to drop the suit.
I need to get some air.
Thank you for coming out.
Stay here.
Mr.
Hartsock, listen to me.
It was the second concussion where Doug walked back to the wrong huddle that's at issue here.
- The Chasen game? - Yes.
It was only two weeks after his first major concussion.
If we can find evidence that Furman coaches covered it up and risked Doug's life so he could play in his next game, we can win.
It was that second concussion that made him way more vulnerable to any other blow to the head after that.
It doesn't matter if that third concussion was on a practice field or in a parking lot.
Since his mom left, I put him first.
And now he pulls this.
Mr.
Hartsock, did Did you ask him how he did on his Hemingway essay? I mean do you ever talk about anything besides football with your son? I'm sorry.
Are you a parent? No.
But I have two good ones.
And just 'cause you've done everything for him doesn't mean you know him.
And while your son deserves the money, you need each other more.
I bet people underestimate you a lot.
It's one of my strengths.
Okay.
So what's next? Your Honor, we're making a motion to quash.
Cyber-bullying has nothing to do with the concussion complaint.
Your Honor, an equipment manager for Furman's football team used a school computer and posed as Doug's mother.
Doug discussed his concussions with this student.
How many of Doug's teammates Fellow students May have also discussed Doug's mental well-being in class or in practice or with their coaches? How many teachers or administrators? That argument is so thin I could blow my nose in it.
Or wipe a tear.
Save your opinion for when you get appointed to the Supreme Court, counselor.
I find it weighty enough to widen your request to include electronic communications between students at Furman Prep.
Teachers and school officials may also be privy to really? You want to push this? Why, of course not, your Honor.
It's just too narrow a ruling.
Sorry.
No, it's fine.
Maybe it'll give us something later.
Careful with the remorse.
I'll think you care.
Of course I care.
I want to win.
For what it's worth, I told Doug what you said about taking school seriously now.
I think he listened.
Psst, hey! You have a visitor.
Oh, you let her in.
She said it was an emergency.
Yes, I'm here.
Go ahead.
Uh-huh.
Is everything okay, ma? I hope so.
Listen, before you get mad When have you ever started a sentence with that where I haven't? Which is why I need to be heard.
Your father and I are worried.
About what? We opened your bank statement.
- What? - It came to the house.
You should forward your mail.
I have had it forwarded.
That still gives you no right to open my mail.
You backed out of your promise to Albert.
We're your parents.
We care about you.
I never made a promise.
I I said I was open to the Martina, you have $37 in your checking account.
I don't believe this.
What's going on, honey? I mean, you're a lawyer.
Look at this place.
Where is all your money going? Now, look, your father, he wonders, with with Uncle Mario and his trouble in AC I mean, God forbid God forbid.
What? You-you think I've got a gambling problem? Every scenario has been discussed.
Ma Ma, I'm suffering a perfect storm, all right? I'm out first and last month's rent.
My educational loans kicked in.
I had to upgrade my wardrobe from public servant to corporate attorney.
Toss in food and sundries, and you know what? I'm lucky to have $37 right now.
I will be fine when I get my check.
Which is ridiculously late.
Well, why didn't you come to us? Because I'm a big girl.
You and dad don't have to worry about me.
A parent never stops worrying about their child.
No matter how old they are.
I'm fine.
Worry about your 24-year-old son that still lives at home.
Quit babying him.
Tough love is still love.
Albert is different.
All my children are different.
You were always running ahead of me.
First one into the ocean.
Come here.
What kind of law firm can't make payroll, huh? Okay, ma.
Ma, I'm at work.
Okay, okay.
Cyndi so nice to meet you.
So nice to meet you, too.
I hope that I look as hot as you when I'm a grandmother.
Love this girl.
Yeah, she's a keeper.
Who's that? - Stop.
- What? Pasting his face onto the family Christmas card.
Hello.
Darlene Garretti.
- Uh, this is my mother.
- Oh.
Nolan Adams.
Your daughter is a welcome addition to this firm.
Well, she has had wonderful things to say about you.
I don't think I've ever mentioned your name, actually.
Well.
Can I talk to you? Oh.
Yeah.
I'm going to leave so you two can practice some law.
Bye, sweetie.
Oh, no, she's she's sweet.
Isn't she, though? - Uh, what's up? - Yeah.
One of Doug's coaches, Greg Stiles, sent an e-mail from his home computer to a tutor on her school-issued laptop.
Wow.
That was fast.
You put his name into a computer and you hit "search.
" We're in the information age, Martina.
Ah.
This coach e-mailed Doug's tutor about Doug's headaches and retention of facts.
And one of the e-mails was sent after the Chasen-Furman game, when Doug walked back to the wrong huddle.
Doug's former lawyers talked to all the coaches.
They refused to testify.
Yeah, well, they missed this one.
Because Greg Stiles left Furman Prep.
Why? Maybe he cared more about his player's health than winning.
Maybe you better go find out.
Never understood why people run in circles or on treadmills.
Me, I like to take in the scenery, feel the neighborhood.
Please tell me you're a teacher here.
I'm a lawyer.
I represent Doug Hartsock.
You passed on being the next head coach at one of the best prep football programs in the northeast to become a line coach at a class "C" school.
Can I ask why? I wanted to teach history.
They let me do that here.
Coach, you took an interest in Doug's health.
You e-mailed his tutor to see how he was doing.
You wanted to know if he was having trouble remembering his schoolwork after the Chasen game.
I know where you're going with this.
You want me to testify against my former colleagues.
No.
I want the truth.
Did you tell Coach Long that Doug should sit out the big game against Bellmoor because you thought he suffered a concussion in the Chasen game? I know all about the coaching fraternity and your culture of secrecy.
What's said in the locker room stays in the locker room, but that has to change.
It would've helped things if Doug would've said something.
No.
He's still a kid.
He literally can't get his brain around it yet.
They care more about their teammates and their girlfriends than they do dementia at middle age.
That's why the adults are in charge.
I'm not saying anything that'll ruin coaches careers.
Yeah, well, at least you guys have football careers.
Doug Hartsock's ended before it started.
Wait.
I can't come forward.
I'm sorry, I can't be the one, but someone else overheard my argument with Coach Long after practice, and I'll corroborate what they said.
You mean, like players? The players were gone.
But none of the coaches will testify.
Who said it was a coach? Hey, Oliver, hi.
Equipment managers work long hours.
How do you find time to study? I'm not supposed to talk to you.
Syracuse, right? That's your first choice for college? What you did to Doug will be on your college transcripts.
It could hurt your chances of getting in.
But I can help you change that.
Did you overhear an argument between Coach Long and Coach Stiles in the locker room after practice? My job is hard enough as it is.
I know.
It must be tough to be part of a team, but not on the team.
For every ounce of thank you, you get seven tons of abuse.
You deserve better, Oliver, but so did Doug.
So, want to fix this? Your Honor, at this time, we would like to call Oliver Watson to the stand.
And besides being a student at furman, what else do you do there? I'm the equipment manager for the football team.
And as the team's equipment manager, do you overhear a lot of talk among the players and coaches? Some things not suitable for this courtroom, I imagine? - Yes.
- Okay.
So let's keep it PG.
Oliver, in the early evening of October 22, did you hear an argument in the Furman locker room? - Yes.
- Who was arguing? Coach Long and Coach Stiles.
The head football coach at Furman and his assistant coach, correct? - Correct.
- What were they arguing over? Doug Hartsock.
Objection.
Calls for hearsay.
Would you describe the argument as heated? - Were they shouting at each other? - Yes.
Excited utterance exception to the hearsay rule, your Honor.
The hearsay objection is overruled.
Continue, Ms.
Garretti.
Oliver, what were Coach Stiles and Coach Long fighting over? Coach Stiles thought Doug was still suffering from a hit in the Chasen game, and that he should sit out Bellmoor and get some tests.
Your Honor, coaches talk about injuries all the time.
Can the defense withhold questions until cross, your Honor? Overruled.
Ms.
Gale, you'll have your turn.
Coach Long said tests weren't necessary, and then Coach Stiles said he wanted no part of this and walked out.
Is that all you remember of the argument? Yes.
That's okay.
We'll ask Coach Stiles what he remembers later.
Oh, Oliver, um, did Doug play in the next game? Everyone knows Doug Hartsock played in every game that season.
Your Honor, at this time, we would ask to confer with opposing counsel.
I think that's a good idea, Ms.
Gale.
We're in recess.
You just got some karma back.
Not bad, rookie.
Thanks.
I'm on my way, on my way I'm on my way home life's an open road it doesn't matter where you go just don't travel it alone on the other side there's a part of who you are that you never realized Gentlemen, I've got news, but I'd like Martina to share it with you.
You don't mind if I'm here for this, do you? You're part of this team.
Of course not.
Oh, right.
I think we've been offered a very fair settlement.
It won't buy back your dream, but it will buy you a good education, and if, God forbid, you face any unforeseen health issues later in life, you got a safety net.
Should we open it now? At some point.
We need to give them an answer as to whether you accept or not.
Coach Long is stepping down, and the high school is implementing a concussion policy that's stricter than the league requires.
And Oliver's cyber-bullying will be left off his college application in exchange for his testimony.
I'm okay with that.
Thank you.
No need.
We get some of that, too.
Don't worry, she could care less about the money.
Congratulations gentlemen.
Nice work.
You said money can't buy back football for us, but it also can't buy what Doug and I have now.
Thank you.
My pleasure.
You have the heart of a lion, Martina.
You would've been a great quarterback.
I'll take the brains of an offensive tackle.
Anyone who knows football knows linemen are the smartest players on the field.
No offense.
Oh! - I'm sorry.
- Oh, no.
I didn't mean to startle you.
It's okay.
Fine job on the Hartsock settlement, Martina.
Thank you.
I I didn't do it alone, though.
You know, it's been brought to my attention that you have yet to be paid for your services here.
Cyndi Vega is a fiercely loyal assistant, but, you know, she shouldn't have come to you with that.
- I'm sorry.
- She didn't.
Your mother did.
- My mother? - Yes.
She was here the other day, introduced herself.
She's a lovely woman.
Of course she did.
Your mother has a very specific life force that I can't quite describe in one word.
- Pushy? - Anyway, she said you hadn't been paid, which I found particularly embarrassing.
You don't know embarrassing, sir, - until your mother shames your boss.
- No, no.
If there's an accounting issue or a payroll problem, I need to know.
Anyway, I got to the bottom of it and, uh, well, we'll miss Charlene Swatello and her 17 years of service here, but she has a very nice pension.
Oh, no, I don't want I'm joking, Martina.
I do that now and then.
May I present to you your first paycheck from Stark & Rowan? Personally signed by me.
On behalf of the senior partners, thank you.
No.
Thank you.
For the shot.
Oh, by the way, keep me abreast on the development of your brother's business venture.
Sounds promising.
Uh, sure.
So this is what you meant when you said that you were spent and now it's time to build from the bottom of the pit right to the top don't hold back