Partner Track (2022) s01e04 Episode Script

1
Escape velocity.
It's the speed you need to move at
to break free of a planet's gravity.
And Nick and I are moving so fast.
I'm afraid we might be launching too soon
and not know where we're going.
- Keep going. To the left.
- Like this?
Yeah. Now faster.
- Wait. Not that fast.
- Wow. You're really good at this.
You should
have seen me in college.
Well, of course,
back then we did it in front of people.
I can't believe I've been living here for
two weeks and we're just doing this now.
Yeah, a little more fun
than your normal exercise routine?
You mean climbing the escalators
at Lexington and 53rd?
What? They're really long.
- Take that, Laren!
- Player One wins.
Oh!
Well, you know,
my pride should be wounded.
You're right.
Stop being so perfect, will you?
I'll start thinking
you have bodies buried in the garage.
Ah, don't be ridiculous.
They're, um
they're obviously stashed in the walls.
Ooh!
Mmm!
Hold that exact thought.
- Here you are, sir.
- Ah, thanks, Frank.
Every nerd boy's dream collection.
Yeah. Whenever Dad
went on a long business trip,
he'd get me a new console.
Bribery's the same as love, right?
An early morning delivery.
What does one get a man
who has literally everything?
Oh my God.
I'm not sure you can pull those off.
They're, uh they're not for me.
I asked my sister
to loan you my mother's earrings
for the Guggenheim Gala.
Wow.
Are you sure your mom would approve?
Oh, are you kidding?
Of someone brilliant
and kind and so unbelievably good?
Well, maybe you just haven't seen
my dark side yet.
Oh, come on.
You never jaywalk or use cheat codes.
You even gave the money back that time
the cashier handed you too much change.
You're the most moral person
I've ever met.
My mother would have loved you.
In fact, uh
I think
I think I'm
Where were we?
You. Morning sex. Spill.
How did you know?
Oh please. Would you ask a sommelier
how they recognize a bordeaux?
I mean, I would if they only messed around
with Two Buck Chuck.
Look. I love you,
but your standards are abysmally low.
Mmm.
So? Getting Nicked down
before your morning coffee?
- Living together must be going well.
- It is.
It's great. I mean, he's great.
But?
It's just fast.
Like, super fast.
I mean, I don't know.
Maybe I'm just used to slow.
- Or maybe you're still hung up on a
- certain roguish transfer.
Murphy? No. Not in the slightest.
The lady doth protest too much.
I mean, is there still this bantery heat
between us? Maybe.
It's nothing like what I have with Nick.
No real emotional connection.
But you're working together, so
Since dividing up the due diligence
on Min, I barely see him.
Which is great. Now I can focus
on my favorite part of the job
- Spelunking.
- Mmm, spelunking.
God, I just love digging through documents
and searching for red flags.
It's so exciting.
Boy, do we have different ideas
of a good time.
Mm-hmm.
So what about you?
Aren't you deposing
that crazy fashion designer today?
Valdo.
He's a genius, just ask him.
But don't worry, he has met his match.
I'd feel bad for him
if I didn't feel so good for you.
Thank you.
Whereas, I will just be hiding
from staffing today.
What about Grammy Goose?
Well, it turns out,
amongst my many talents,
I am also kind of the Wujay whisperer.
Homegirl has taken over daily operations
at the Fun Time Farm.
- Hm
- Other grandchildren
have presumably gone their way
to more Ibiza-y pastures.
So
I am up for grabs.
Just when they're looking
for someone for Genulax laxatives.
- Ew.
- I cannot think of anything worse than
Karen from HR.
Do not make eye contact.
Hello, hello.
If it isn't my favorite trio.
I am looking for someone to take lead
in coordinating acts for the talent show
at this year's company retreat.
Set up by Aurelius Valentine himself
at the firm's first outing back in 1951.
It is the event of the year.
Nobody cares about that thing, Karen.
Yes, they do. It is beloved.
And whoever coordinates it
will be even more beloved.
Gosh. Look at that.
I am going spelunking.
Yeah, no.
Any chance I could code this
for qualified non-billable hours?
You sure can.
Better than laxatives.
Keep the pen.
Etienne, thank you.
Ooh.
Oh. Fancy running into you here.
Supposed to be doing due diligence?
Aren't you supposed
to be doing due diligence?
I am. Min lied to us twice.
If what I found is legit,
it's enough to blow up the deal.
I need to see Marty.
Following me now?
You're not the only one
who found something big.
- Care to wager who will get to him first?
- Not everything is a competition, Murphy.
I know. It's so much more fun when it is.
- I need Marty ASAP.
- Jeff Murphy to see Marty Adler.
- He's leaving for
- What?
I found a problem.
- I was looking through
- I looked through contracts
Are you fucking kidding me?
Call the place, tell 'em I need the thing.
Got it.
Brief me on the way.
- So, Marty, I was
- Hang on.
Yeah. Well, tell them 500 million
or they can drown in the kiddie pool
they've been playing in.
Yes. No.
Okay, shoot.
I've been looking over Min's contracts,
and I noticed that
Hang on.
Yeah.
Well, then throw in Albuquerque.
No. The peacock is non-negotiable.
Of course I need a cage!
Hang on.
Marty Adler? Here you go.
Have a good day.
- Is that chocolate bread?
- Get me a peacock.
Babka.
Something weird's going on.
Comfy?
Is that?
All right. You got five minutes. Go.
So, I've been looking through
Min's contracts and I've hit a major snag.
Turns out Green Tech didn't re-up
with their vanadium supplier,
and their terms are set to expire.
Could be an oversight.
Maybe. Everything else is on the up
and up though, so the timing's a little
- It's a little fishy.
- Yeah.
We should look into it for sure.
But what I've got
could blow the entire deal apart.
I've been checking the clerk's office
in every jurisdiction where Min operates.
There's an active lawsuit against them
in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.
I'm guessing they didn't disclose.
Yeah. A woman is claiming a chemical spill
in 2002 led to her lung-cancer diagnosis.
I didn't know
there was a Min chemical spill.
Neither did I
because they didn't disclose that either.
Fuck me.
Now if the lawsuit goes south
It could be hundreds of millions
of dollars in liability
and a lot of bad PR
for Sun Corp and the acquisition
Okay. Get out, both of you.
I I don't understand.
Now's the only time I have to deal
with this, so you're coming with me.
- Do you mean on the
- Get out of the car!
plane? Oh yes. Okay.
I w ♪
From chasing maybes ♪
But the sunshine is rising up ♪
Good morning. I see we have
a few extra guests for our flight today.
The more, the merrier, I always say.
You must be Mar-teeny. I'm Savannah.
Mr. Adler told me
to take extra good care of you today.
It's Marty. Mar-teeny is what
my asshole brothers call me.
Are you an asshole, Savannah?
No. Sorry.
So I'm guessing Marty's not the Adler
who owns this plane.
And he's not too fond
of the one that does.
Hey. As soon as we get up in the air,
I expect you to get to the bottom of this.
We are not gonna disappoint Ted.
What? I was a Girl Scout.
I always come prepared.
Of course you were.
The charger
is in the armrest.
I see someone's flown private before.
Thought you were always
"on the outside looking in."
Oh, I am. Let's just say
I have friends in high places.
So, you, me, and Marty
on a private plane. Should be fun.
I know it'll be something.
- Where are we?
- Take your seats.
We're set to depart in five minutes
on our non-stop flight to Paris.
Did he just say Paris?
If this is all I need
And all I believe in ♪
Will you keep singing
Keep on moving ♪
Are you saying Ingrid's jetting overseas
with her own "will they or won't they"
while I'm stuck at the office
coordinating the retreat talent show?
Mm-hmm.
- Must be Backwards Day.
- Uh, what talent show?
Depending on who you ask,
it's either the best or worst part
of the yearly retreat.
What kind of acts are we talking?
You know, the usual suspects.
Ventriloquism, stand-up.
Remember those dueling banjos?
Good luck finding musicians.
I'm just getting the same people
who did it last year. That's my strategy.
Hardest is finding someone
to write and direct the skit.
Sounds like a ton of work.
Who's stupid enough to take that on?
You want me
to write the skit for the talent show?
Sure do.
In fact, I'm convinced
that you are the only person for the job.
I don't know.
I'm pretty busy working on this cold pitch
for Barrington National Bank.
- Trying to figure out what honey to send.
- "Honey"?
Yeah. "Bear-ington."
That's hilarious.
Right. So look, Hunter.
Um, I'm sure that there's a way
that you can figure out how to do
all that work and also write the skit.
Even if I could,
who would I get to be in it?
I don't know, just ask Tax.
Guarantee their nights are free.
What's really important
is how this is gonna look.
I know M&A is crazy cutthroat this year,
and I'm thinking if you want a chance
at one of those three partner spots,
you're gonna need to impress some people.
You really think I have a chance
at making partner?
Do this right,
and my money's on Dan, Ingrid, and you.
Justin, I need you to email me everything
you can find related to Min and the EPA.
Okay. Well, cancel those low-key
lunch plans for some high-key work.
- Yeah.
- So sorry to bother you, Mr. Adler.
The other Mr. Adler wanted me to make
sure you brought the chocolate babka.
He knows the other,
other Mr. Adler prefers cinnamon,
but he's staying off carbs.
My brother can call me himself.
Siblings, huh? Real pain in the ass.
You know, I once had to rescue one of mine
from the bottom of a well. Literally.
- Don't you have work to do?
- I left word with Carter Min's office.
- I'm waiting for them to return.
- Good luck with that.
Carter's not big
on getting back to people.
I could
contact other vanadium suppliers,
and see if the contract landed elsewhere.
Yeah.
I was wondering when you'd realize
Marty values hard work and knowledge
over sparkling eyes
and a lame attempt at bonding.
You think my eyes sparkle?
I did, once upon a time.
But it turns out it's just the reflection
of my own luminous light.
Wow. Someone's confident.
You know, I can do what you do.
Keep my head down, do the work.
I'll believe it when I see it.
Raymond.
Good morning.
Is it?
I've just gotten three calls
from clients who are worried
that this Valdo business is bringing
too much attention to Parsons Valentine.
"Attention"? We're a high-profile firm.
One that promises discretion.
Many of our clients
want their problems handled quietly.
After all, anonymity's hard
to come by in today's world.
When the firm itself becomes notable,
people start poking into its business.
You see the problem?
- I do.
- Good.
Make the suit go away.
The longer it drags on,
the more waves it creates.
Oh, I can get Valdo to back out.
With today's deposition,
I'm sure I can get them to understand
You
You had Valdo investigated.
Of course.
Looks like you found
what you need to bury him.
Raymond, I cannot use that.
- Why not?
- Because it would be blackmail.
Which would be unethical.
I thought you wanted to make partner.
Impress those of us
on the management committee.
I do. More than anything.
But I can do this the right way.
You heard about the Henley Food depo.
Three days in
and they ceased all litigation.
Trust me. This is where I shine.
Okay.
Let's see if you're as good
as you think you are.
Eddie, I I hear you.
Listen, every four years,
someone says that,
but Belgium's always gonna be
a bridesmaid.
Sorry. Can you say that again, mate?
Eddie, sorry.
- I have an update.
- Yeah.
The woman suing the Mins?
It's her fourth lawsuit in ten years.
- All nuisance suits?
- Exactly.
I know I'll be able to prove
this is just another one.
Good.
Advantage, Yun.
The bloke I just got off the phone with,
he didn't know much about Green Tech,
but he did know a little
about a new vanadium supplier.
A guy who graduated Stanford
the same year as Z Min.
- Let's get on the phone.
- Calling him right now.
Good.
That's a point for Jeff Murphy.
Looks like we're tied.
For now.
Thank you
for that colorful answer.
I'd like to move on to
I'm sorry.
This annoying?
Not at all.
I find it interesting you're suing Luxe
for stealing your designs,
and yet here you are, working on garments
in front of me, a Luxe attorney.
I was getting wrist fatigue anyway.
Do you recognize this document?
It's an application I submitted.
To be an intern at Luxe.
- But they didn't hire you, did they?
- Obviously.
Are these your words?
"Tim Toussaint should hang himself
with the stockings from his spring line."
"At least then they serve a purpose."
# RunwayRoadkill, #LuxeSux.
I admit that one was a bit pedestrian.
I hadn't figured out
that I'm best understood
through emojis and SoundCloud links.
Eh. Those are all old.
Yeah, you're right. These hate posts
predate your fashion show.
This isn't about a pattern, is it?
It's about the fact
that Luxe didn't hire you.
- No.
- So you weren't mad at them?
I was.
But I applied to ten other fashion houses,
and none of them would have me.
Which, thank God. But also, fuck them.
But isn't your hatred
for Luxe all over Instagram?
And I trashed DVF on Twitter
and Dior on TikTok.
Do you want my teenage LiveJournal?
I went to town on Ed Hardy.
So you're just a designer
that likes to insult other designers?
What can I say?
I hate things,
and have to tell everyone about it.
I'm a millennial.
I don't think you hate everything.
Did you post this?
"Lydia Love's new line is like my most
fantastical fever dream come to life."
#BravoBitch
I know what you're doing.
- Lydia's a friend.
- A friend who also sued Luxe and lost.
Then held a press conference
saying she'd make Tim Toussaint pay.
And poof. You show up with this suit.
Suspicious, no?
- My client's not the one on trial here.
- You're right.
But if you have it your way,
my client will be.
And in court,
this will look like Valdo is suing Luxe
to help his friend fulfill her promise.
You mean that's how you'll make it look.
Huh.
I have to say,
I thought we would be playing checkers,
but it looks like I may need
to whip out my bishop.
Oh please.
Nobody wants to see your bishop.
Now
about this post.
You do the solo every year, right?
Ready to knock our socks off again?
Ready for that a cappella magic?
I didn't go to six years of choir camp
to just be the bum-bum-bum baritone.
With the race for partner
as tight as it is,
I need to do whatever I can to stand out.
Sorry. It's the solo or nothing.
Diva.
Come on, give up the solo
out of the goodness of your heart.
When has a lawyer ever done anything
out of the goodness of their heart?
- What do you want?
- The Holotech account's been overwhelming.
I can have Todd write up
your NDAs for you.
- Please, that's nothing.
- And your CSA.
That works for me.
Ever think about what would happen
if you use those powers for good?
What fun would that be?
My friend was hesitant,
but I really pushed him on this issue.
And so it turns out Z
was looking into a new supplier,
but he pulled out of the talks.
Claims the company's no longer
in need of vanadium.
I doubt that's true. What about
Flow batteries? I know.
I'm guessing they're stopping production.
Which means we might be able
to get a lower purchase price.
Good news for Ted.
I have good news too.
The Mins didn't disclose the spill
because they had it
remediated immediately.
The plaintiff won't have a leg
to stand on.
Hmm.
Well, I'm not big on rewards,
but, uh, this deserves a round
Excuse me. Yeah.
Nope.
Two up.
Please. You made some calls.
Charming intel out of people.
First you think my eyes sparkle,
and now you say I'm charming.
Anyone would think
you're trying to tell me something.
Trouble in paradise?
The opposite, actually.
Hey, babe.
Babe. Uh, okay. Good.
Um, please remember
how adorable you think I am.
What happened?
Yvette is out sick,
and the pernicious devil on my shoulder
suggested I could
take care of the laundry all by myself.
Okay.
How many of my socks are pink?
Uh, six. Well, five.
One one of them
is suspiciously missing its mate.
Um
I'm sorry. I'll I'll get you new ones
with the little toes if that's your thing.
Mmm, it's very much not,
but thank you.
Thank you
for being understanding.
It's it's just one
of the many reasons I love you.
Sorry. Uh, I shouldn't have said that
so soon, or over the phone,
but
fuck it.
I do.
I love you.
I I
I'm actually
with some work people right now.
And I just made things awkward.
Um, I'll let you go.
See see you for dinner?
I'm not going to make it home in time.
I'll text you later.
Bye.
What?
Home?
You're living together?
I just thought you'd be the type
to take things slow.
No. I said no.
Because I'm not five years old anymore.
Don't you have somewhere to be?
- I could do due diligence.
- Need to go to the loo.
Do it, do it like ♪
Rude girl with the right stuff
Do it like ♪
Rude boy lookin' real tough ♪
Young blood gonna stand up
Do it like ♪
- Did you see Ingrid's text?
- Mm-hmm.
Looks like I'm not the only one
having an interesting day.
Oh no. Fun times in the depo?
Ugh. Sadly, Valdo's answers don't suck,
but I'll trip him up
as soon as this break is over.
And at least I get
to be around this all day.
A full vibe, right?
That's a Valdo print?
I'm pretty sure
I saw Blanche sporting that
in a rerun of The Golden Girls.
I mean, you may have.
All fashion
All fashion is referential.
Rachel, you're a genius.
I mean, yes, but also how?
You just gave me a new angle.
Can't stay, I have to go prep.
No. I'm not playing snack tug-of-war
with you today.
No, I had Gladys save you one
from this morning.
What do you want?
Nothing.
I'm not gonna be nice because of this.
Yeah, wouldn't dream of it.
Hey, how's the talent show going?
Pretty good.
I just need to find a stand-up.
The guy from last year's in jail.
I need to find someone
who understands the culture at Parsons,
but also has an actual sense of humor.
I'll do it.
If you say I'm funny.
- You're funny, Dan.
- What was that?
You're funny, Dan.
Why won't you go out with me?
See? Now that's funny.
I thought you were done.
With this morning's problems,
but I just pulled a bunch of EPA documents
that need to be spelunked.
- She never stops working.
- She doesn't have the luxury.
Or she's worried
of what might happen if she lets herself
do what she really wants.
You're not scared
of a little turbulence, are you?
Hey. It's gonna be fine.
I'm sorry.
It's okay.
I don't like
I don't like feeling out of control.
Well, what do you know, Jeff Murphy.
You and I have something in common.
So, yeah.
What do you think the, uh
the deal is with Marty's brother?
It's You wouldn't think
he even has someone who
Shit.
What's wrong?
We have a problem.
I was looking through the EPA findings
on Min, and I found this.
Green Tech never started the process
to renew their hazardous waste permit,
which is pretty weird since they need it
for the factory that produces
their lithium-ion batteries.
They're not renewing
their permits or their contracts?
Something's going on at Green Tech.
We have to tell Ted.
Shit.
We'll call him when we land.
Do I wanna know?
Oh those?
Just the ammunition I need
to take down a certain mouthy egomaniac.
Mmm. Working for Luxe not as much fun
as you thought it'd be?
When I dreamed of representing
a major fashion label,
I fantasized about the couture,
not the conference room.
I know we were supposed
to play doubles on Friday, but
Wait, you dropped me as a partner
so you could play with Robinson?
A real friend stabs you
in the front, Ames. Or maybe not at all.
Jealousy is not a good look
on a grown man, Dan.
- I need a rain check for Friday's match.
- Yeah.
This Luxe deal
really just deserves my all.
Oh, come on, man.
Don't be such a martyr.
You know you don't have
to give your life to this place.
You're Black with an added gay bonus.
Your success is pretty much guaranteed.
Job security, baby.
- Okay. That is all kinds of racist.
- Whoa.
I'm not racist.
Sure. And I'm not still upset
about what happened
to Manila Luzon on Drag Race All Stars.
We all gotta accept our truths, Dan.
Uh, are you really doing this right now?
Don't be so fucking sensitive.
I don't think I'm the one being sensitive.
Man, you don't know my background.
What? 'Cause I'm white,
I had the easiest fuckin' life?
Okay. I can't deal
with your white fragility right now.
My white what?
I have to, uh
not be here.
Your white fragility.
This extreme defensiveness
when you're told you're being racist.
- Because I'm not.
- No. You don't want to be.
Yeah, I know you posted a black square,
so you think you're an ally,
but do you realize
the shit I hear you say around here?
Like how you crack jokes
about how Nihal's lunch smells.
Or how you mix up the two Latinx
paralegals' names.
Oh my God, dude.
It was one time. I was in a hurry.
See? No, no, no, no. This?
This is what I am talking about.
I am telling you
that you're being offensive,
and instead of respecting
what I have to say,
you're more concerned
with how this is an interruption
to the highly filtered way
in which you see yourself.
Yeah, it is more important to you
that I protect your white comfort
than you actually hearing me
and making some fucking changes.
What do you want me to do? Huh?
You want me to just shut up and listen?
Yes, and learn.
Maybe say thank you
if you have some manners. I don't know.
Okay.
Really?
Really.
I know what I gotta do.
Okay.
Good.
- Great talk.
- Good talk, good talk.
The green makes your eyes pop.
Speaking of fashion
that screams overcompensating,
do you recognize these?
Of course.
It's my ready-to-wear collection
from fall 2020.
- Could you take your jacket off?
- What about this?
This belongs to Destiny Washington,
an 18-year-old fashion prodigy
from Oklahoma
that had some viral success back in 2019.
Pretty similar, wouldn't you say?
Nearly identical.
Remove the cardigan, will you?
Have you seen Destiny's work before?
Of course. I'm on the internet.
Yet you still produce a similar collection
because all fashion is referential.
Or would you consider that stealing too?
Are you implying that I'm like Luxe?
If the loafer fits.
They stole my work.
I paid a young designer
for rights to her concept.
Mainly so she didn't have
to take out a loan for FIT.
I'm incredibly generous like that.
Aw.
So what about this?
Are we really gonna do this?
- Go over everything I've ever designed?
- Hmm.
What can I say?
I've got the time, the patience,
and I am very, very good at my job.
So shall we proceed?
You talk to her.
- We don't want to scare her.
- Well, I
- Is she okay? Just
- Just
Oh. Uh
Can I help you?
Um
Hunter told us that you suggested
we be in the skit this year.
And we wanted to say, "thank you."
Oh.
Uh
You're welcome.
We can't begin to tell you
how excited we are.
Yeah. We know how Tax
is seen around here.
We're we're the uncool department
that no one wants
to sit with at the Jury Box.
No. That's that's not
Like, kind of?
Well, that's why this is so great.
I mean, for the first time ever,
we'll have a chance to shine.
To be the stars of Parsons Valentine.
Well, we just can't wait to see
what Hunter's working up for us.
Okay, okay. We should go. Thank you.
Hey.
- How's my favorite skit writer?
- Uh
Just fine. Um
I'm just having a little bit of trouble
with the opening.
Okay. Well, you know what they say.
Every great idea starts
with a blank page, right?
Yeah. Okay.
Um
You know what?
Don't worry about it.
I'll write the skit.
Are you sure? It's a lot of work.
Don't make me take it back.
Zip it.
Oh my God. That was so scary.
So with permit and contract issues,
we suspect there's something going on
with Green Tech.
Oh, do ya?
You guys are a real hoot.
I'm not sure I'm following, Ted.
Now don't you think I know all that?
I have spies everywhere.
Z Min's not some evil mastermind.
He's just shutting down production
on lithium-ion batteries.
So he wouldn't need
a hazardous-waste permit.
Uh, and the vanadium?
Well, my fella on the inside tells me
they're working
on a new iron-sulfate flow battery.
If they could make flow batteries
that were affordable
and big enough for renewable storage,
that would revolutionize clean energy.
You can bet your fanny it would.
That's one of the main reasons
I was interested in acquiring
Min Enterprises in the first place.
Tech like that?
60-something dollars per kilowatt-hour?
That is no friend to gas and oil.
Which is why it's crucial this deal goes
through, so we can shut down Green Tech.
It's a killer acquisition.
Wait, Ted, are you sure
you're making the right decision?
Think about what Z's tech
could mean for Sun Corp.
Isn't it better
to invest in a new kind of energy?
Now you're talking like NewLeaf.
I'm sorry. Who?
This secret activist hedge fund
that's trying to start a proxy war.
It's nothing serious.
Cow dung on my shoe.
I will feel a lot better once I suss out
who's behind the whole thing.
You see, what these NewLeaf hippies
don't understand
is that my investors
want short-term profits.
They're not interested
in changing the world.
And I'll be long dead before green energy
truly overtakes gas and oil.
So money's no good in heaven
or the other place.
What about other renewable companies?
Shutting down Green Tech won't stop them.
Well, that's what I have
you fine folks for.
To buy up substantial threats.
And Z? You can shut his company down now,
but what's to stop him
from starting a new one?
Well, I suppose you'll just have
to make sure he doesn't. Jesus Christ.
We will take care of that. Don't worry.
You have a good night, Ted.
That's a good idea, Yun.
Call Z Min.
Get him to agree to a non-compete.
- Wait, Marty, I'm not sure
- Is there a problem?
I'm sure Murphy can make that call.
No, it's fine.
Attagirl.
I'm sorry.
Your car is here, Mr. Adler.
Wow.
Point, set, and match.
Aren't you supposed
to be in the middle of a deposition?
Valdo requests
a bathroom break every ten minutes.
He either has a bowel problem,
a coke problem, or both.
What's the update?
I'm giving them an intentional peek
at our strategy.
Showing Valdo's rep all the ways
we'll destroy him if this goes to trial.
- And he hasn't budged.
- It's the first day.
And tomorrow
will be the second day, then third,
then we'll be in court
with all eyes on us.
I got word from a friend
at Kirkland and Ellis.
- They're meeting with our clients.
- Which ones?
It doesn't matter.
You flashed our underbelly.
Now our rivals are preying
on our weakness.
- We need a show of strength.
- I am working on it.
Not fast enough.
I'm sorry. I need you off Luxe.
Raymond, please.
I need this. I am on the partner track.
Maybe you would've made it
if you hadn't gone behind my back
and gotten us stuck in this situation.
- I can still fix this.
- Really?
How?
You know? A nice print with that suit,
and you'd be a real stunner.
Mmm. I'll take that under advisement.
Why are you doing this? The lawsuit.
Most people are just in it for the money,
but I'm not sure you are.
You don't think I wanna buy my own island
and populate it with beautiful women
and pictures of myself?
You definitely do. I'm just not so sure
that's what this is about.
You wanna punish them. Luxe.
You're right. I do.
Because I know how they think,
the people in power.
See, they believe that because they have
the money and the resources, and the, uh
they can keep doing whatever they want,
to whomever they want.
And they will until someone takes a stand.
And that someone is you?
There's nothing
that will change your mind?
What's this?
Proof that you lied on your '01 visa
application and to your sponsor.
Yeah. It's all there.
You need to prove extraordinary ability
or achievement,
so you claim you won the Cuban Designer's
Collective Next Up Award.
But you didn't. Nestor Delgado did.
In fact,
the CuDC doesn't even know who you are.
Who knows about this?
Who do you want to know? Be smart.
I'd hate
to see you get deported over this.
I'll drop the lawsuit.
And delete the shit-posting
about my client.
For what it's worth, I'm sorry.
I changed my mind.
Don't bother with the print.
Beauty comes from within.
You know, you could probably wait.
No.
I can't.
Hello?
Z, hi. Hello. This is Ingrid Yun
with Parsons Valentine & Hunt.
We met a couple weeks ago.
I remember.
After all, it's not every day
that someone tells me off.
At least not to my face.
Sorry about that.
I normally lead with a little more tact.
No, no, no. Don't apologize.
It was honest. That's rare these days.
In fact, that is why we have decided
to go with Sun Corp.
Actually, that's why I'm calling.
We're deep in due diligence over here
and are you working
on a new kind of flow battery?
You got that from contracts
and line items? I'm impressed.
And so is Ted Lassiter, with you.
He understands how revolutionary
your work is for renewable energy.
And how valuable it would be
to keep you in the Sun Corp family.
Ted would like to offer you
an employment agreement.
Mmm. So he can own me.
Always the pessimist.
You contract engineers. Do you own them?
No.
Exactly. Because what
this agreement really is
is a vote of confidence in your abilities.
There's a bunch of stuff in there
you don't care about.
- Perks, 401k, standard non-compete
- Ingrid, stop.
What do you think?
Me?
Yeah. The girl brave enough
to call me "a poor little rich boy."
I don't think I used those exact words.
The one who's intent on making an impact.
What do you think?
I think Ted knows
you're capable of changing the world.
And I'd bet my money on him being right.
Okay.
Send the paperwork to my office.
Great.
- That's that's great news.
- Glad I could make your day.
Oh, and Ingrid,
you were right about me.
I am a little judgmental,
but it's only because I'm protective
of my company and the world.
Because someone has to be, right?
Right.
- Bye, Z.
- Bye.
We have to stop meeting like this.
Sorry. I didn't I didn't realize.
I guess now we're even.
Hey.
You didn't do anything wrong.
Right and wrong, good and bad.
The world's not that simple.
And neither are we.
I thought I was different.
No.
You're just like
the rest of us mortal folk.
Real. Flawed.
It's what makes you interesting.
Wait. What are you doing?
I'm sorry. I I thought that
Not everything is an opportunity, Murphy.
You know, you don't know me, Ingrid.
And I'm not sure you know yourself either.