So Help Me Todd (2022) s01e04 Episode Script
Corduroy Briefs
1
TODD: Bus pass right here
- Okay. Okay.
- Just pull it.
- What Mom! Hold on. Sorry.
- (SCREAMS)
- Can you help me, please, Todd?
- TODD: Yes, yes, yes, yes.
- I got it. Ow.
- Up there.
I never should've asked you
for a ride to work this morning.
Well, who could've known that
my car would break down again?
You, Todd. You!
How long had your check
engine light been on?
I don't know, like,
seven or eight months.
TODD: I'm just saying,
engine lights are a suggestion.
It's something you can do
every few hundred miles,
or if you have the time, or money.
I failed you as a parent.
Anyway, what's the big deal?
A.A. towed the car for
free, so it's no problem.
A.A.? Oh, well, Alcoholics Anonymous
might tow your car for free, but
Triple A is a paid membership.
Just like I pay to have
my car serviced regularly
because that is what adults do.
They take responsibility
for their lives.
Sure. Right. Responsibility.
Sounds expensive.
Oh, what is more expensive
is waiting for things
to fall apart, and I'm the
one paying for it today,
and not to mention,
my car is in the shop
because you backed it into a wall.
Okay, that wall was not
there, and then it was.
Oh, Todd, you are going to the hospital
- to borrow your sister's car
- (ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
because I have court this afternoon,
and I am not going through this
again in the rain on the bus.
- Oh, you don't like taking the bus? Really?
- No, Todd. Go.
- Goodbye.
- What?
Hi, Allison.
- Hi, Mom.
- Uh, listen,
Todd is on his way
over to borrow your car.
Hi, Sarah, can you please
give this to Allister
and straighten it out for God's sake.
- Thank you.
- ALLISON: Todd has a car.
Your old car, and I don't
want him "Toddifying" mine.
Yeah, well, my current
car is in the shop
because Todd backed it into a wall.
This is not helping your case.
Allison, you are not
lending the car to Todd.
You are lending it to me. Good morning.
- Morning.
- And I'm gonna be the one driving it,
and I will return it to
you safely, I promise.
I've got to go. Sorry. Bye.
What a mess. Good morning, Francey.
Sean Phillips is waiting in your office
to go over his testimony for the trial.
(STAMMERS)
Northbrook has a nice
write-up in The Sentinel.
A piece about how the boy genius
is expanding them beyond private
jets into commercial planes.
Media hound. Any mention
of the crash or the six
injured people or our client?
No. No mention. Of course not.
- Oh.
- Wait, wait, wait.
- What?
- Okay. Okay. Good, good.
Okay, Sean,
I have got one more
practice question for you.
Um, how has the accident,
the injury affected your life?
Well, when I lost my leg,
it took nine weeks to heal.
- Mm-hmm.
- But I never let up on the PT.
Just like today, I came
right after practice.
I've been training for months now
so I can get back in shape and compete
in the 2024 Paralympics.
Okay, okay, okay, Sean, um
I'm gonna have to
interrupt you for a minute.
You have a very positive mindset.
Won me two gold medals in Tokyo.
And all of Portland
admires you for that,
but the plane crash changed everything.
A a and your injury
I don't like to dwell on that.
But the other passengers, they
got very small settlements.
Yeah, for a sprained
ankle, a broken arm.
Nobody was hurt as bad as me.
And the jury needs to understand that.
(SIGHS)
My leg was crushed
between two plane seats.
I was trapped there for hours,
and the doctors, they tried to
save my leg, but, uh
a decision had to be made.
That was a horrible day.
But then
What happened?
The bills.
Hospitals, anesthesia, prosthetics.
They just kept coming and
My own mom had to take
out a second mortgage
to help me pay my bills. My mom.
I'm a grown man. I should be
able to provide for myself,
and Northbrook took that from me.
That was their mistake, their
plane, and they should pay up.
(DOOR OPENS)
Mar, we were just served with notice.
Northbrook is filing a motion.
They want to dismiss the case.
Hearing in two hours.
(SCOFFS) Of course they'd pull that now.
- What's going on?
- It's a ploy these huge corporations use.
They file motions to dismiss cases.
No, but it hasn't even started.
They're trying to scare us,
but we don't scare.
Chuck just detailed my car,
so please don't mess it up.
You don't trust me with your things?
You set our microwave on fire.
Hey, metal staples
fastening tea bags to strings
is a terrible idea. I stand by that.
Look, whatever. I'm not
borrowing your car. Mom is.
Okay, then tell Mom to
pick me up at 5:00, sharp.
I'm an idiot.
Good morning. Hi. Sorry we're late.
Uh, Sean, uh, this is my son, Todd.
Uh, you both went to Wilson.
Wow. Hi. Yeah, I saw you break
the Wilson High record in the javelin.
- I legit cried.
- Oh, good to meet you, man.
Did you have, uh, Mr. Parks for physics?
Uh, thought we were all
living in the Matrix,
had hair everywhere
other than his own head?
- Yes, I do remember. (LAUGHS)
- (LAUGHS)
Hey, Sean, can I get your autograph?
Oh, yeah, man, of course.
Wait, is that him?
MARGARET: Gus Easton.
SUSAN: How is he the "master
of corporate law" in that suit?
He is from Seattle.
Attorney Wright.
Attorney Easton.
He's the worthy opponent who guided
that jerk aerospace CEO to success?
That dude's confident he's gonna win.
I know that look. I've had it.
Come on, you're Sean Phillips.
There's no way we're gonna lose this.
As long as we don't get Judge Sauceda.
BAILIFF: All rise.
Honorable Judge Sauceda.
SAUCEDA: Sean Phillips
v. Northbrook Aerospace.
We're here on defendant's
summary judgment motion.
Go ahead, counsel.
Thank you, Your Honor.
I'd like to present
the court with, uh
Oh, come on, where is it? Well
Hold your horses. Here, here.
Here it is.
This joint report from the FAA
and NTSB that we just received.
Uh, Your Honor, I was not served,
and I need time to review this report.
Let's just see where this is going.
GUS: Their investigation concluded
that Flight 254's accident
was an uncontrollable event.
Black ice, landing strip,
an act of God, so we
respectfully request a dismissal,
as this report confirms that
Northbrook is not at fault.
Uh, Your Honor, our pilot witness
will testify that he flew
the plane without error.
Therefore, a malfunction
had to have occurred.
Yes, I've read your
compelling witness declaration,
but in light of this report,
I'm inclined to grant
the motion and dismiss.
Your Honor, our hometown hero
and decorated Olympian
now has a prosthetic limb
and over half a million
dollars in medical debt.
- Objection. Irrelevant.
- This is a government agency report.
It is not binding on the court,
and over a quarter of them
are wrong anyway, and Wait.
Just last week, the EPA
reversed its findings
in the Foregrave matter.
You have my attention.
I need adequate time
to review the report.
I'm asking for one week.
I'll grant you a 48-hour continuance.
(GAVEL BANGS)
48 hours isn't enough time, is it?
- Is it?
- Sean, don't worry,
I am going to make Northbrook pay
for what they did to you. I promise.
♪
Attorney Easton.
Attorney Wright.
You cannot go around filing an ex parte
for a non-emergency. It is frivolous.
Frivolous? Well, we wouldn't want that.
But, you know, waiting till
trial would've harmed my client,
and that's an emergency to me, so
(SCOFFS) Aren't there vending
machines on this floor?
I would never pull a
surprise attack like that.
It is disrespectful and
I wasn't aware I was pulling anything.
Wait, aren't you supposed
to be some Portland
powerhouse attorney?
Getting all twisted
up about an ex parte.
Was I on a different floor when
I saw those vending machines?
I need some chips or something.
You and I both know that my
client deserves every penny
we can wring out of
Northbrook's greedy clutches.
Yes, we do both know that,
but you have to do the wringing.
And I don't have to help you.
I want those boxes of discovery
in my office by noon today.
Mm. I'll see what I can do.
I just have a hard time
keeping track of my briefs.
Well please keep track of them,
from now on. I would.
You would keep track of my briefs?
(SHUDDERING SIGH)
Honestly, he's wearing corduroy pants.
Opposing counsel, in court, in corduroy.
I mean, where do you even buy corduroy?
Uh, corduroy store?
No one should wear corduroy,
except Princess Diana,
and only that once.
Okay, and why do we care
about this guy's pants again?
Because he's infuriating.
He is a hustler, he's a shyster,
and he is from Seattle.
He's trying to pull one over on me,
but I know exactly
what he's going to do.
He's going to try to
bury us in paperwork
to waste what precious
little time we have.
It's just like that Mark
Buffalo movie Open Waters.
Uh, pretty sure Open
Water's a shark movie,
but Mark Ruffalo was in a
movie called Dark Waters.
No.
Mark "Rah-fallo" is in a
movie with Anne Hathburne
that you made me watch,
and he played a lawyer.
Yeah, in corduroy pants.
- Dark Waters.
- No.
Todd, we got 48 hours to find a
needle in a mound of paperwork,
so let's Wait, why are you driving?
- What?
- No, Todd.
No. A-Allison wants me
This can't be all of it.
I triple-checked with the mail room.
Wh-what about those?
Unrelated. I'm an associate,
so my office is part storage room.
- Hmm.
- (TOILET FLUSHES)
MARGARET: What was that?
Uh, my office is part storage room
and right next to the, uh
(MAN WHISTLES, GRUNTS)
My God, you can hear everything.
I am so sorry, Susan.
When I was an associate lawyer,
my office was basically in the kitchen.
Bet you had a chair, though, huh?
Okay. Let's see what this
Gus the shark has sent us.
Uh, let's see, weather maps
and graphs for the day of the accident.
That's to establish cold weather
for their "act of God" theory.
Peer-reviewed scientific paper
on the hazards of black ice.
And a mechanic's report
signed by a "Konner Preston."
Wait, what's going on with his name?
There's bits of ink
behind the letters. Look.
And look.
The line below, there's
some pieces missing,
like something was whited out.
MARGARET: And then another
name was written over the top.
- There was another
- Mechanic.
Okay.
Todd, Susan and I are going to scour
the rest of this paltry paperwork.
You go and track down Konner Preston.
"Track down" like interview,
or "track down" kidnap and kill?
- (LAUGHS)
- Don't encourage him.
You're going to go find
this person and find out what name
is missing from this form. Go. Find out.
He's not funny.
He's a little funny.
Oh.
Konner Preston?
That's right. Sorry, you are?
Rich Riddington, FAA.
Just had a few questions about
some report you filled out regarding
Northbrook model 22-75.
Yeah, that's me. Is there
a problem with my work?
No, no, no, confidential
FAA form, ghost protocol.
No, not a problem, per se,
but, uh, typically,
we ask for the original of a report,
and it looks like this is a copy.
Yeah. Uh, I was told by my boss
Thing is, it sort of looks like
there was a different signature
here underneath, and it was whited out.
Know anything about that?
That's above my pay grade.
Eh, see, this is your signature,
so it's exactly your pay grade.
Who was the first mechanic?
Tyesha Johnson? I need to speak to her.
She, uh
She doesn't work here anymore.
- She's dead?
- No! No.
Look, I'm not supposed to say anything.
- About murdering her?
- No!
She's not dead. She's working
at some shop in Hillsboro.
Shop in Hillsboro
I-I don't know.
Just-just leave me alone.
Excellent work, everybody.
MARGARET: And where and when
did you valet park
Allison's car for $25?
Outside your office. I
obviously couldn't get into
the garage, and I didn't
have money for a meter,
and I didn't want to get another ticket.
Another ticket?
Whatever. Those red light
traffic cams are unconstitutional.
And it won't be Allison in the photo.
It'll be me, so she can contest it.
And you could help her. You're a lawyer.
Marvelous. Okay, so what makes you think
that this Tyesha Johnson works here?
TODD: Well, I can't give
away patented trade secrets,
but cold calling the only two
non-Northbrook airplane
repair shops in Hillsboro
- did yield quick results.
- (CHUCKLES)
All right. Let's go in, but I remind you
that we are running out of time,
so I will handle the talking.
Oh, right, right, I was born
to just listen and smile.
Not one word.
BOTH: Tyesha Johnson?
I don't know you.
I'm Margaret Wright. I
work for Sean Phillips,
- the athlete that was injured
- You have to go. Now.
We're trying to hold Northbrook
accountable for the
Are you? Or are you from Northbrook,
trying to shake me down
because Sean Phillips is suing your ass?
As I said, I am Sean Phillips' attorney,
Margaret Wright.
We want to hold Northbrook accountable
for the accident and
get damages for Sean.
TODD: And you can help us.
We think that you examined
the plane after it crashed
and they're burying your report.
What did they say caused the crash?
Black ice.
It isn't the ice?
It's the cold.
When the temperature falls below
freezing, the actuator fails,
and the arm won't deploy
during landing. It'll crash.
And that was in your report.
Yes, but also, I told them
several times before the accident,
but they ignored me every time.
I-I can't talk here. It's not safe.
- You have to go.
- Is that guy watching you?
Please just go.
Tyesha, wait, wait.
If they didn't listen to you, I'm sorry,
but if they are trying to harass
you into silence, we can help.
Whistleblowers are protected by the law.
But if no one comes forward to testify,
there will be more
accidents and more victims.
You should go.
Hey, Mom, uh, take a selfie with me.
- The two of us. Come on.
- Okay.
Come on. Higher. There.
(PHONE CAMERA CLICKS)
- Okay.
- Let me see.
Who is he?
I don't know, but Tyesha's
definitely scared of him.
Would Northbrook have goons?
No. They're too smart for that.
They'd hire someone else
to do their dirty work.
LYLE: Car is registered
to a Nathan Shaw.
Investigator at Nugent
Cross Public Relations.
I knew it, and now we're
dealing with a fixer
from an infamous and hideous PR firm.
An investigator, so he's basically me.
Except he's a licensed professional
with a working vehicle, so I'd
say he skews more toward me.
- So unnecessary.
- (PHONE CHIMING)
"Hi. Uh, this is Tyesha Johnson.
Come to my house right now.
4660 Westwood Terrace."
Come on.
You're welcome.
4660. That's it.
TODD: Is that ?
That's him.
(PHONE CAMERA CLICKING)
(ENGINE STARTS, TIRES SQUEAL)
Tyesha?
Tyesha! Tyesha!
Tyesha.
She's not here.
She's gone.
If you wait 48 hours, I don't
know what's gonna happen to her.
- She could be dead!
- Uh, yes, a potential witness for
Yes, call the judge.
Great. Yes, I understand.
- I understand.
- No, no, I do not understand!
Thank you, Detective.
When my daughter Tyesha
returns from Madagascar,
I will have her cancel this
card, and you can bank on that.
- (PHONE BEEPS)
- (SIGHS) Double dead end, huh?
Well, we didn't find anything.
No documents, no emails,
nothing relating to Northbrook.
Yeah, that Nathan guy cleaned her out.
There's no computers, phones,
hard drives, flash drives.
We are running out of
time, and the only way
we are going to defeat this motion
for Sean is if she testifies.
What? What are you staring at?
She did the entire Sunday crossword.
That's very challenging.
This guy looks like her boyfriend.
Maybe he has some idea where she is.
What is Tyesha's
relationship status on Insta?
Insta? Did you just say Insta?
I do pay attention, Todd.
I wasn't born under some
(LAWN MOWER WHIRRING)
MARGARET: Your sister
is going to kill you.
Has it ever occurred to
you that I am actually,
- and legally, an adult?
- Meaning?
It means that I have
my own independence.
I choose what time I go to bed,
if I go to bed at night.
I can eat as much cereal and
candy as I want, and I do,
and I'm a P.I., sort of,
and I'm doing just fine.
- I'm merely saying that the rest of us manage
- No, the rest of you
spend a little bit
too much time worrying
about what I'm doing, to be honest.
But if you take responsibility
for someone's car,
- then you have to
- Things happen.
Like with Tyesha. Is
it her responsibility
that some goon is following her?
Yes, technically, yes.
She was whistleblowing on Northbrook,
but, philosophically, no.
She was trying to keep people safe.
This is apples to oranges.
It has zero to do with fruit.
I don't think this Nathan guy
knows where Tyesha is, either.
MARGARET: Why not?
Because there he is, right there,
outside Tyesha's boyfriend's house.
MARGARET: How do you think he found him?
TODD: Instagram and the
white pages, just like we did.
He's one step ahead of us.
What are we going to do?
Has he seen us?
What if he's dangerous?
We're gonna beat this
idiot at his own game.
Do you have any duct tape in your purse?
Okay, all right, bandages.
This will do. Now, I need
you to distract that idiot
in the sedan while I
attach this tNAB tracker
- to the back of his car.
- Distract him?
- Yeah.
- Why? What are we doing?
Wait, what if he's a maniac?
What-what if he has a Taser?
Are you seriously,
you're asking me to just
go over there and just
chit-chat about what?
I mean, what am I gonna talk
to him about? I don't know him.
(MUFFLED TALKING)
I'm Well, you know
who I am, don't you?
And I know who you
are. You're Nathan Shaw.
- But the question is
- NATHAN: What do you want?
- TODD: Uh, just you know
- Come on. (GRUNTS)
Spy to spy, how much you getting paid?
Buzz off, punk.
(GRUNTS)
Oh.
(COUGHS) Um, I'm just, I'm
just thinking, you know,
maybe I could pick up a shift or two
here and there, you know what I mean?
I honestly have no idea
what you're talking about.
I'm just thinking maybe I
should work for your PR firm.
Right? Me? Right?
- Todd Wright.
- You work for your mom.
TODD: I know, but I'm
not getting any benefits.
And she is terrible.
I mean, she can't even put
a bandage on a situation.
NATHAN: If I see you anywhere near
our business again, this
is gonna escalate in ways
- you're not gonna like. Got it?
- Got it.
- (ENGINE STARTS)
- (STAMMERS) Don't don't don't
Hold on, no, wait, what's your sign?
Please, do not go. No, wait, wait!
Wait, wait!
- I did it.
- (CHUCKLES) (SIGHS)
Thank you for your time, Mr. Mobley.
We-we do have a few questions.
Listen, I don't know Sean Phillips,
and I don't know you,
- so I can't really help
- Look, Tyesha's missing.
She was being followed,
and her place was ransacked.
She's in trouble, in real trouble.
Damn.
I was hoping that was all over for her.
What's all over? Has
she been followed before?
Back when she was working at Northbrook,
they were flying a bunch of
their new commercial airplanes.
While Tyesha was working on one of them,
she found a flawed part.
She tried to report it
to her superiors, but
they didn't want to hear.
So that must have been the
plane that Sean was flying on.
- So they fired her?
- No.
They followed her, harassed her.
All up until she quit.
It's the reason why we broke up.
I just couldn't take it anymore,
and I just mentally checked out.
Anyways, when I got home
about 30 minutes ago,
this was on my doorstep.
Can I see that?
Wait. It's addressed to "OKFBHO SGJANC"?
Yeah. That's my name in code.
Tyesha loves that kind of stuff.
MARGARET: This here
this is all in code.
And-and you don't know ?
No, I don't know. Maybe it was for you.
I just know I don't want
any part of this anymore.
Just please leave. Please.
Lyle can probably crack that code.
Oh, and I can't? I can crack code.
Well, of course you can, but
(BIRDS SQUAWKING)
Oh, dear God.
(BIRDS SQUAWKING)
LYLE: Mm. Mm, mm.
Kind of looks like a Vigenère
cipher, but I don't think so.
Yeah, whatever that is,
Einstein. Don't you think
it looks more like a made-up language,
like Elvish or Klingon or Wakandan?
A made-up language like Wakandan?
- Yeah.
- Are you asking me if this code is a language
from a fictional country
from the Marvel Universe?
I just thought you'd know
if it was Lord of the Rings
or Star Trek or Marvel
because, you know
you're a nerd.
What?
Lord of the Rings is not a comic book.
It is a book book.
And Star Trek is a
movie and TV franchise.
Okay, right, but they both
have made-up languages.
And by the way, Wakanda's
a fictional place,
but there are three real
African languages spoken there:
Xhosa, Yoruba and Hausa.
Only in the comic book do
they have fictional languages,
- and this is a billion-dollar
- Wow.
You really are a nerd, aren't you?
Which Hogwarts house are you?
- You a Slytherin?
- Oh.
Got any Sith tattoos
I should know about?
Okay, who's the nerd now, Sheldon?
- (PHONE BUZZING)
- Oh, my tNAB.
Aha! Looks like the device my
mom attached to the goon's car is
suspiciously close to Northbrook HQ.
Okay, I got to go, but you take
a crack at that code, Bones.
You're an investigator,
not a doctor, damn it.
(PHONE CAMERA CLICKING)
(PHONE BUZZING)
Mom, I can't talk right now.
Nathan led us straight to
Dirk, the CEO of Northbrook!
They are connected, and I am
getting photo evidence as we speak.
Did you promise that we would
- pick your sister up from work today?
- What?
Did I? No. Maybe.
Did I? I thought you
were supposed to do that.
You never told me that, Todd.
- Where are you?
- Look, I can't talk right now.
Allison says you promised
we would pick her up
from work today. She has
called you 27 times
Hi.
Todd! What's happening?
- Aah! Oh! Oh!
- Baby, baby, bless my soul ♪
- Please, please! No, no, no.
- I need to fill it ♪
With some rock and roll ♪
Please. Please, this is my sister's car.
Please. No!
(GROANS)
- Oh.
- (TIRES SQUEALING)
(ENGINE REVVING)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. ♪
(SIGHS)
Yeah. This is how
I imagined it going.
Look, it's not as bad as you think.
I mean, what's one broken window?
It makes you look tough.
And there's no bird poop
inside, just glass.
You're fixing this.
That is right, Todd. It
is your responsibility.
- And you
- And you are paying for it
because he has no money,
and I loaned the car to you.
I'm going inside.
- Glass shards. Glass shards in my jacket.
- Did you say "grass shards"?
It actually was grass
shards and glass shards.
Allison, what a lovely dinner
you've set for us all tonight.
- And the hen is just a
- Cold.
But really good. Mostly.
Oh, I can just pop it in
the microwave for you
- Chuck, sit down.
- Oh.
Todd, apologize to
your sister for the car
and for making us so late.
What? Late because someone
attacked me with a baseball bat?
Attacked you or attacked the car?
Oh, thank you so much
for your concern, Chet.
Actually, uh, it was a fixer,
an evil fixer who wants me, and
by proxy, Allison's car, dead.
I have photos of him with Dirk Dobkin.
Dirk Dobkin? CEO of Northbrook?
We just did a profile on him.
I saw that in this morning's paper.
You went very easy on him
despite the controversy,
- despite the plane crash.
- Wait. Can I just go heat up my food in the microwave?
Because I'm hungry, and it's cold.
It's cold?
I waited for you to pick
me up outside in the cold
for an hour and a half,
and that was after working
a ten-hour shift at the ER.
Chuck had to come down and get me.
And then I had to rush this dinner,
which I make on a weekly basis,
for my entire family.
And then you guys were
late, so it gets cold.
And now, I'm reduced to
being this put-upon harpy
who's made furious by the
antics of the idiot in her life.
Well, it's not that cold.
It's charmingly cold. I can eat it.
Allison. Allison, you're angry,
and you have every right to be.
You feel taken for granted.
I actually I don't want to hear
what I am from you. Angry is justified?
I'm not interested in your
interpretation of this.
And if you have a
problem with that wine,
- oh, my God, I swear
- Oh, no. No, the wine is fine.
- It's lovely.
- Yeah. It's very fine wine.
God, I'm so sick of doing
this week in and week out.
Do we have Cornish hens
week in and week out?
I-I think what Allison
is trying to say is that
maybe it would be nice
if someone said "Thank you" for once.
- Oh, thank you.
- Allison, thank you.
- (OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
- No. Thank you.
I don't want "Thank you." I
don't care about "Thank you."
I Thank you. Thank you.
Just eat.
Chet?
How many profiles has The
Sentinel done on Dirk Dobkin?
Three in three years?
That seems like a lot.
More than average, that's for sure.
But Northbrook is always
hungry for good press,
- and they're very protective of their image.
- Uh-huh.
How would they feel about
a human interest story
on an Olympic athlete who
got injured in an accident
on one of Northbrook's planes?
An accident they're denying
any responsibility for?
- Mm-hmm.
- They'd hate it.
- Yes.
- Oh.
GUS: Fine.
You go right ahead,
you-you do your press.
Oh, we already have a
reporter very interested
from The Portland Sentinel.
They want to hear the full story.
You know what? Northbrook
denies any responsibility,
and if you suggest otherwise,
we will sue your firm
and Sean for libel.
Of course you will, but as you know,
truth is the best defense against libel.
And Sean and I want to know the truth
about how accident 254 happened.
About the faulty actuator,
about what Northbrook
and Dirk Dobkin knew
and when they knew it.
But is that the truth your
side wants to come out?
So perhaps you'd like to settle.
We should meet.
As soon as possible.
(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
Just go somewhere
private and call her back.
Tell them we're still a
go. This won't change that.
Will do.
Oh. Hey, uh, where's the restroom?
Oh, it's just, uh, that
way, second door on the left.
Oh.
Sylvia Smith, of sound mind and body,
did bequeath a Marjorie Smith
Sorry for the interruption.
This is my associate, Mr.
Wright. Can I help you, sir?
Hey, hi. Oh.
Hi. Nice. Sorry. Uh, listen,
uh, just go about what you are doing.
We can't do that
because we need privacy.
Mr. Wright,
this is the reading of a will.
And I'm so sorry for your loss.
Artificial plant.
Well, not if you water
it daily. (LAUGHS)
MAN: Dirk wanted me to give you a call.
Oh, this is so exciting.
What happens in the next room?
(WHISPERING): Shh.
Please. It's the bathroom.
MAN: No. No, no, don't worry.
The kid will sign, so
keep production going.
(SIGHS, WHISPERS):
Now, listen, I think
(CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY)
Okay. There you go. You win.
We can settle right now
for one million dollars wired into
your account by this afternoon.
One million dollars?
Enough to pay off your
debt. What do you think?
Yes. Yes, we'll take it.
All right. We'll sign.
- Okay. Here's our NDA.
- Mm-hmm.
No, thank you.
Okay. Now, I have a question about
Is he gonna sign it?
Not until I've read this.
Karen from Delaware. Um
- You used to play cricket.
- Uh, gentlemen,
um, I think that my client
and I just need a-a second
to discuss this contract.
We'll be right back. Come.
Sean, there is something you should know
before you sign this NDA.
I thought you said it was fine
to sign if the number was right.
I mean, with a million dollars,
I won't have to file for bankruptcy.
That is true, but
we now believe that the faulty
part that caused your crash
was installed on Northbrook's
entire new fleet of planes.
What does that have to do with me?
I mean, they'll have to fix it, right?
I overheard Dirk's assistant saying
that they were settling with you
so the launch date can remain as is.
- Launch date?
- MARGARET: Northbrook is about to release
an entire new fleet of planes
exactly like the one
that caused your crash.
And they have no intention of
fixing them before the release,
because it would cost them millions.
And with missed deliveries
and lost sales, billions.
(SIGHS) So all these
planes could crash, too?
I mean, why would they do that?
Why wouldn't they just fix them first?
Northbrook has calculated a
small probability of a crash.
It only happens in the extreme cold.
And since there were no
deaths on your flight,
it seems that they would rather
pay the insurance premiums
and keep business going.
So, this all falls on me?
I have to stand up to
this giant corporation?
If we refuse this settlement,
there is no guarantee
that we will win in court.
But if you sign this NDA, no
one will ever hear this story,
and Dirk Dobkin can keep his
faulty planes up in the air.
I just want to restart my life.
Sean, I want you to know
that it wouldn't be just you
standing up to a giant corporation.
- We'd be right there with you.
- Yeah.
(SIGHS)
A million dollars is a lot of money.
MARGARET: We are not
going to sign the NDA.
(SCOFFS) There's not
gonna be another offer.
This is it.
- So just sign the NDA.
- Okay. Easy now.
Easy. Easy, Dirk. It's all right.
All right. Hey.
You want to take a break?
- Yeah. Take a break.
- Yeah.
I got it.
Counsel, if your client
doesn't take this offer,
there is no money for him.
My client is not going to sign something
that will put the lives of future
Northbrook passengers in jeopardy
a responsibility that is
rightfully your client's.
LYLE: I've ruled out
all the go-to ciphers.
It's not any modern or ancient language.
I believe she created this code herself.
Wait. Hold on. This is the crossword
that was on Tyesha's fridge.
All the answers are wrong. See?
Okay, 40 down. "Jeff
Goldblum versus spacemen"?
She wrote "Alien
Prometheus." That's not it?
- No, it's Independence Day.
- Huh.
She loves puzzles.
Has a mind for wordplay.
This isn't a woman
who'd get one answer wrong,
let alone all of them.
Let me look at this journal.
MARGARET: Do you think that's the key?
I do. If we don't find
Tyesha, Sean gets nothing.
Let's hope it's a simple cipher.
Write the alphabet across the top
and the same on the left down.
Okay.
We got a team effort.
Okay, now I know my ABCs. What's next?
Yes. Thank you.
Send it to me.
Here we go.
- Okay.
- Okay. Yeah.
Find the letter "F,"
then go down to "A." "F," "A."
- "D."
- "D."
Okay. "N" and "O."
"N, O" is "R."
- "D, R."
- "J, K."
- "I."
- "D, R, I."
- "A, S."
- "S." That's, uh, "V."
"V."
- "M, E."
- Is "E."
"Drive." That's "E." Drive.
We may have something here.
Let's keep going.
- Yeah.
- Yeah, yeah, okay.
It is, uh, right there.
LYLE: Do you want ?
Spelling. You were spelling.
And "J, Z." I don't even
know what Jay-Z the rapper is.
- "D."
- Uh-huh.
MARGARET: One, one.
It's a link to a Google Drive address.
(SIGHS)
We need a password.
What about Sean Phillips?
Oh, uh, what about the boyfriend?
Uh, Justin Mobley.
Oh, uh, well, this is actually
an address slip right here
with Justin's name in code.
(GASPS) Try that, yes.
OKFBHO
SGJANC.
♪
- (GASPS) Oh, my goodness.
- That did the trick.
MARGARET: Look at that. It worked.
TODD: It is all of Tyesha's documents.
Reports, videos of the faulty part,
list of affected aircraft, an
email chain with Northbrook.
She has everything. I found it.
We need to find Tyesha immediately.
- You have court in two and a half hours.
- Okay, send me those docs.
- I have to prepare.
- All right, I'll email it.
We will leave her a
message inside this file.
No, no, no, no.
I do not want your dirty
phone plugged into my computer.
It's not dirty, it's
just Hold on a second.
- I like pooping on the potty ♪
- Yeah ♪
I was babysitting my niece, okay?
Right before this.
Stop that. Just stop!
Okay. Upload these photos
His name is Nathan
He'll be arrested.
We are giving this info to the D.A.
You are safe.
This is Todd. And Margaret.
With no help from anybody else.
- Okay. Great.
- Cute.
Here's your clean computer.
♪
Margaret.
Gus.
Well, I guess time's up, huh?
It's too bad.
Had we gone to a real trial,
I was really looking forward
to seeing you in action.
Well, we've still got 52 minutes.
♪
I think that'll be
more than enough time.
MARGARET: Your Honor,
these reports explain in
detail how the actuator part
AP-ARM-4 malfunctions in cold weather.
And Northbrook was informed
multiple times by a mechanic,
but rather than spend millions
of dollars to ground their plane,
gambled with the lives of
passengers like Mr. Phillips.
GUS: Your Honor,
while I appreciate
Attorney Wright's, uh
colorful argument,
it's wildly speculative.
How are we to know that these
documents have any basis in fact?
Great point, counsel.
I'd like to introduce Tyesha
Johnson as plaintiff's witness.
♪
And why were you afraid to come forward?
After the crash, they harassed
and threatened me until I quit.
They're still harassing me.
They don't want me here testifying.
Objection. Speculation.
I'll allow it.
Is the person who harassed
you in court today?
Yes.
Will you please identify them?
SAUCEDA: Let the record show
Ms. Johnson is pointing to a man
in the gallery in a black
shirt, bald head and beard.
His name is Nathan Shaw, Your Honor,
and he is a fixer for Nugent
Cross Public Relations.
He's currently employed
and I might add, under the table
by Northbrook Aerospace.
I have admitted as Exhibit
1 photos of Mr. Shaw
harassing and stalking my witness.
Bailiff, please take Mr. Shaw into
custody on witness intimidation.
BAILIFF: Sir, come with me.
DIRK: What are we gonna do?
What are we gonna do?
We're gonna hope they don't
throw your ass in jail, too.
MARGARET: Your Honor,
the evidence admitted,
along with Ms. Johnson's testimony,
is more than enough to move us to trial.
We are looking at punitive damages,
as well as personal
and potentially criminal
liability for CEO Dirk Dobkin.
(EXHALES) Your Honor?
I believe we need a brief recess.
Wait, how did you know I
was checking my Google Drive?
I didn't. I-I hoped.
But you led us right to
it with your crossword.
You like crosswords?
Yeah, I like puzzles.
Codes. Escape rooms.
I like escape rooms.
- Really?
- Yeah.
MARGARET: No, no, no.
We will sign the NDA only if
there's an injunction order
grounding Northbrook's planes
until we confirm removal of the part.
Sealed injunction?
Well, if you're gonna be a
little baby about it, okay.
But I want restitution for Tyesha.
And 12 million for Sean.
Look, I'm gonna draw up the contract
for 15 and not a penny more.
No, I said tw
It's the max I was authorized.
Okay, uh
I'm going to go collect
my client from the puddle
he was reduced to outside.
How do you stand it,
working for a man like that?
A a company like that?
How do you sleep with yourself at night?
(SCOFFS) I don't.
- TODD: You guys
- TYESHA: What?
TODDY: You guys should
get an escape room.
- (LAUGHING)
- TYESHA: That's so great.
Um
Restitution for you, and
15 million for you.
Oh (GASPS)
(EXHALES) What?
(CHUCKLES)
(SOBS SOFTLY)
♪
You really should be using
a soft cloth on the hood,
- and I have this wax if you
- Thank you, Chuck. Thank you.
And shouldn't you be
helping me with this?
I seem to remember being told repeatedly
that you're the one
who borrowed the car.
I paid to fix the window.
Oh, okay, great. So you're the
money and I'm the manual labor.
Fine. Whatever.
You know, I've been looking for a reason
to break out your
grandmother's Limoges china.
And I was thinking, maybe I should host
the family dinner occasionally.
I'd love to have everyone
over to my new place.
It'll be nice.
It would be nice.
I don't want you
stressing out over hosting.
Not everyone is cut out for it.
No matter what, my friend ♪
Okay.
See? I can take care of things.
I can clean objects and fix them.
Look, good as new.
Chuck, uh can you unlock the car?
It's just a part of who we are ♪
I don't have the keys.
What?
No matter what, my friend ♪
Wait, how did both sets of keys ?
I didn't do this.
You're kidding me.
I did not shut the doors.
I was just cleaning the car.
Hold up. Wait.
Hold (STAMMERS)
(ALARM BLARING)
What?
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪
You can always come on home. ♪
TODD: Bus pass right here
- Okay. Okay.
- Just pull it.
- What Mom! Hold on. Sorry.
- (SCREAMS)
- Can you help me, please, Todd?
- TODD: Yes, yes, yes, yes.
- I got it. Ow.
- Up there.
I never should've asked you
for a ride to work this morning.
Well, who could've known that
my car would break down again?
You, Todd. You!
How long had your check
engine light been on?
I don't know, like,
seven or eight months.
TODD: I'm just saying,
engine lights are a suggestion.
It's something you can do
every few hundred miles,
or if you have the time, or money.
I failed you as a parent.
Anyway, what's the big deal?
A.A. towed the car for
free, so it's no problem.
A.A.? Oh, well, Alcoholics Anonymous
might tow your car for free, but
Triple A is a paid membership.
Just like I pay to have
my car serviced regularly
because that is what adults do.
They take responsibility
for their lives.
Sure. Right. Responsibility.
Sounds expensive.
Oh, what is more expensive
is waiting for things
to fall apart, and I'm the
one paying for it today,
and not to mention,
my car is in the shop
because you backed it into a wall.
Okay, that wall was not
there, and then it was.
Oh, Todd, you are going to the hospital
- to borrow your sister's car
- (ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
because I have court this afternoon,
and I am not going through this
again in the rain on the bus.
- Oh, you don't like taking the bus? Really?
- No, Todd. Go.
- Goodbye.
- What?
Hi, Allison.
- Hi, Mom.
- Uh, listen,
Todd is on his way
over to borrow your car.
Hi, Sarah, can you please
give this to Allister
and straighten it out for God's sake.
- Thank you.
- ALLISON: Todd has a car.
Your old car, and I don't
want him "Toddifying" mine.
Yeah, well, my current
car is in the shop
because Todd backed it into a wall.
This is not helping your case.
Allison, you are not
lending the car to Todd.
You are lending it to me. Good morning.
- Morning.
- And I'm gonna be the one driving it,
and I will return it to
you safely, I promise.
I've got to go. Sorry. Bye.
What a mess. Good morning, Francey.
Sean Phillips is waiting in your office
to go over his testimony for the trial.
(STAMMERS)
Northbrook has a nice
write-up in The Sentinel.
A piece about how the boy genius
is expanding them beyond private
jets into commercial planes.
Media hound. Any mention
of the crash or the six
injured people or our client?
No. No mention. Of course not.
- Oh.
- Wait, wait, wait.
- What?
- Okay. Okay. Good, good.
Okay, Sean,
I have got one more
practice question for you.
Um, how has the accident,
the injury affected your life?
Well, when I lost my leg,
it took nine weeks to heal.
- Mm-hmm.
- But I never let up on the PT.
Just like today, I came
right after practice.
I've been training for months now
so I can get back in shape and compete
in the 2024 Paralympics.
Okay, okay, okay, Sean, um
I'm gonna have to
interrupt you for a minute.
You have a very positive mindset.
Won me two gold medals in Tokyo.
And all of Portland
admires you for that,
but the plane crash changed everything.
A a and your injury
I don't like to dwell on that.
But the other passengers, they
got very small settlements.
Yeah, for a sprained
ankle, a broken arm.
Nobody was hurt as bad as me.
And the jury needs to understand that.
(SIGHS)
My leg was crushed
between two plane seats.
I was trapped there for hours,
and the doctors, they tried to
save my leg, but, uh
a decision had to be made.
That was a horrible day.
But then
What happened?
The bills.
Hospitals, anesthesia, prosthetics.
They just kept coming and
My own mom had to take
out a second mortgage
to help me pay my bills. My mom.
I'm a grown man. I should be
able to provide for myself,
and Northbrook took that from me.
That was their mistake, their
plane, and they should pay up.
(DOOR OPENS)
Mar, we were just served with notice.
Northbrook is filing a motion.
They want to dismiss the case.
Hearing in two hours.
(SCOFFS) Of course they'd pull that now.
- What's going on?
- It's a ploy these huge corporations use.
They file motions to dismiss cases.
No, but it hasn't even started.
They're trying to scare us,
but we don't scare.
Chuck just detailed my car,
so please don't mess it up.
You don't trust me with your things?
You set our microwave on fire.
Hey, metal staples
fastening tea bags to strings
is a terrible idea. I stand by that.
Look, whatever. I'm not
borrowing your car. Mom is.
Okay, then tell Mom to
pick me up at 5:00, sharp.
I'm an idiot.
Good morning. Hi. Sorry we're late.
Uh, Sean, uh, this is my son, Todd.
Uh, you both went to Wilson.
Wow. Hi. Yeah, I saw you break
the Wilson High record in the javelin.
- I legit cried.
- Oh, good to meet you, man.
Did you have, uh, Mr. Parks for physics?
Uh, thought we were all
living in the Matrix,
had hair everywhere
other than his own head?
- Yes, I do remember. (LAUGHS)
- (LAUGHS)
Hey, Sean, can I get your autograph?
Oh, yeah, man, of course.
Wait, is that him?
MARGARET: Gus Easton.
SUSAN: How is he the "master
of corporate law" in that suit?
He is from Seattle.
Attorney Wright.
Attorney Easton.
He's the worthy opponent who guided
that jerk aerospace CEO to success?
That dude's confident he's gonna win.
I know that look. I've had it.
Come on, you're Sean Phillips.
There's no way we're gonna lose this.
As long as we don't get Judge Sauceda.
BAILIFF: All rise.
Honorable Judge Sauceda.
SAUCEDA: Sean Phillips
v. Northbrook Aerospace.
We're here on defendant's
summary judgment motion.
Go ahead, counsel.
Thank you, Your Honor.
I'd like to present
the court with, uh
Oh, come on, where is it? Well
Hold your horses. Here, here.
Here it is.
This joint report from the FAA
and NTSB that we just received.
Uh, Your Honor, I was not served,
and I need time to review this report.
Let's just see where this is going.
GUS: Their investigation concluded
that Flight 254's accident
was an uncontrollable event.
Black ice, landing strip,
an act of God, so we
respectfully request a dismissal,
as this report confirms that
Northbrook is not at fault.
Uh, Your Honor, our pilot witness
will testify that he flew
the plane without error.
Therefore, a malfunction
had to have occurred.
Yes, I've read your
compelling witness declaration,
but in light of this report,
I'm inclined to grant
the motion and dismiss.
Your Honor, our hometown hero
and decorated Olympian
now has a prosthetic limb
and over half a million
dollars in medical debt.
- Objection. Irrelevant.
- This is a government agency report.
It is not binding on the court,
and over a quarter of them
are wrong anyway, and Wait.
Just last week, the EPA
reversed its findings
in the Foregrave matter.
You have my attention.
I need adequate time
to review the report.
I'm asking for one week.
I'll grant you a 48-hour continuance.
(GAVEL BANGS)
48 hours isn't enough time, is it?
- Is it?
- Sean, don't worry,
I am going to make Northbrook pay
for what they did to you. I promise.
♪
Attorney Easton.
Attorney Wright.
You cannot go around filing an ex parte
for a non-emergency. It is frivolous.
Frivolous? Well, we wouldn't want that.
But, you know, waiting till
trial would've harmed my client,
and that's an emergency to me, so
(SCOFFS) Aren't there vending
machines on this floor?
I would never pull a
surprise attack like that.
It is disrespectful and
I wasn't aware I was pulling anything.
Wait, aren't you supposed
to be some Portland
powerhouse attorney?
Getting all twisted
up about an ex parte.
Was I on a different floor when
I saw those vending machines?
I need some chips or something.
You and I both know that my
client deserves every penny
we can wring out of
Northbrook's greedy clutches.
Yes, we do both know that,
but you have to do the wringing.
And I don't have to help you.
I want those boxes of discovery
in my office by noon today.
Mm. I'll see what I can do.
I just have a hard time
keeping track of my briefs.
Well please keep track of them,
from now on. I would.
You would keep track of my briefs?
(SHUDDERING SIGH)
Honestly, he's wearing corduroy pants.
Opposing counsel, in court, in corduroy.
I mean, where do you even buy corduroy?
Uh, corduroy store?
No one should wear corduroy,
except Princess Diana,
and only that once.
Okay, and why do we care
about this guy's pants again?
Because he's infuriating.
He is a hustler, he's a shyster,
and he is from Seattle.
He's trying to pull one over on me,
but I know exactly
what he's going to do.
He's going to try to
bury us in paperwork
to waste what precious
little time we have.
It's just like that Mark
Buffalo movie Open Waters.
Uh, pretty sure Open
Water's a shark movie,
but Mark Ruffalo was in a
movie called Dark Waters.
No.
Mark "Rah-fallo" is in a
movie with Anne Hathburne
that you made me watch,
and he played a lawyer.
Yeah, in corduroy pants.
- Dark Waters.
- No.
Todd, we got 48 hours to find a
needle in a mound of paperwork,
so let's Wait, why are you driving?
- What?
- No, Todd.
No. A-Allison wants me
This can't be all of it.
I triple-checked with the mail room.
Wh-what about those?
Unrelated. I'm an associate,
so my office is part storage room.
- Hmm.
- (TOILET FLUSHES)
MARGARET: What was that?
Uh, my office is part storage room
and right next to the, uh
(MAN WHISTLES, GRUNTS)
My God, you can hear everything.
I am so sorry, Susan.
When I was an associate lawyer,
my office was basically in the kitchen.
Bet you had a chair, though, huh?
Okay. Let's see what this
Gus the shark has sent us.
Uh, let's see, weather maps
and graphs for the day of the accident.
That's to establish cold weather
for their "act of God" theory.
Peer-reviewed scientific paper
on the hazards of black ice.
And a mechanic's report
signed by a "Konner Preston."
Wait, what's going on with his name?
There's bits of ink
behind the letters. Look.
And look.
The line below, there's
some pieces missing,
like something was whited out.
MARGARET: And then another
name was written over the top.
- There was another
- Mechanic.
Okay.
Todd, Susan and I are going to scour
the rest of this paltry paperwork.
You go and track down Konner Preston.
"Track down" like interview,
or "track down" kidnap and kill?
- (LAUGHS)
- Don't encourage him.
You're going to go find
this person and find out what name
is missing from this form. Go. Find out.
He's not funny.
He's a little funny.
Oh.
Konner Preston?
That's right. Sorry, you are?
Rich Riddington, FAA.
Just had a few questions about
some report you filled out regarding
Northbrook model 22-75.
Yeah, that's me. Is there
a problem with my work?
No, no, no, confidential
FAA form, ghost protocol.
No, not a problem, per se,
but, uh, typically,
we ask for the original of a report,
and it looks like this is a copy.
Yeah. Uh, I was told by my boss
Thing is, it sort of looks like
there was a different signature
here underneath, and it was whited out.
Know anything about that?
That's above my pay grade.
Eh, see, this is your signature,
so it's exactly your pay grade.
Who was the first mechanic?
Tyesha Johnson? I need to speak to her.
She, uh
She doesn't work here anymore.
- She's dead?
- No! No.
Look, I'm not supposed to say anything.
- About murdering her?
- No!
She's not dead. She's working
at some shop in Hillsboro.
Shop in Hillsboro
I-I don't know.
Just-just leave me alone.
Excellent work, everybody.
MARGARET: And where and when
did you valet park
Allison's car for $25?
Outside your office. I
obviously couldn't get into
the garage, and I didn't
have money for a meter,
and I didn't want to get another ticket.
Another ticket?
Whatever. Those red light
traffic cams are unconstitutional.
And it won't be Allison in the photo.
It'll be me, so she can contest it.
And you could help her. You're a lawyer.
Marvelous. Okay, so what makes you think
that this Tyesha Johnson works here?
TODD: Well, I can't give
away patented trade secrets,
but cold calling the only two
non-Northbrook airplane
repair shops in Hillsboro
- did yield quick results.
- (CHUCKLES)
All right. Let's go in, but I remind you
that we are running out of time,
so I will handle the talking.
Oh, right, right, I was born
to just listen and smile.
Not one word.
BOTH: Tyesha Johnson?
I don't know you.
I'm Margaret Wright. I
work for Sean Phillips,
- the athlete that was injured
- You have to go. Now.
We're trying to hold Northbrook
accountable for the
Are you? Or are you from Northbrook,
trying to shake me down
because Sean Phillips is suing your ass?
As I said, I am Sean Phillips' attorney,
Margaret Wright.
We want to hold Northbrook accountable
for the accident and
get damages for Sean.
TODD: And you can help us.
We think that you examined
the plane after it crashed
and they're burying your report.
What did they say caused the crash?
Black ice.
It isn't the ice?
It's the cold.
When the temperature falls below
freezing, the actuator fails,
and the arm won't deploy
during landing. It'll crash.
And that was in your report.
Yes, but also, I told them
several times before the accident,
but they ignored me every time.
I-I can't talk here. It's not safe.
- You have to go.
- Is that guy watching you?
Please just go.
Tyesha, wait, wait.
If they didn't listen to you, I'm sorry,
but if they are trying to harass
you into silence, we can help.
Whistleblowers are protected by the law.
But if no one comes forward to testify,
there will be more
accidents and more victims.
You should go.
Hey, Mom, uh, take a selfie with me.
- The two of us. Come on.
- Okay.
Come on. Higher. There.
(PHONE CAMERA CLICKS)
- Okay.
- Let me see.
Who is he?
I don't know, but Tyesha's
definitely scared of him.
Would Northbrook have goons?
No. They're too smart for that.
They'd hire someone else
to do their dirty work.
LYLE: Car is registered
to a Nathan Shaw.
Investigator at Nugent
Cross Public Relations.
I knew it, and now we're
dealing with a fixer
from an infamous and hideous PR firm.
An investigator, so he's basically me.
Except he's a licensed professional
with a working vehicle, so I'd
say he skews more toward me.
- So unnecessary.
- (PHONE CHIMING)
"Hi. Uh, this is Tyesha Johnson.
Come to my house right now.
4660 Westwood Terrace."
Come on.
You're welcome.
4660. That's it.
TODD: Is that ?
That's him.
(PHONE CAMERA CLICKING)
(ENGINE STARTS, TIRES SQUEAL)
Tyesha?
Tyesha! Tyesha!
Tyesha.
She's not here.
She's gone.
If you wait 48 hours, I don't
know what's gonna happen to her.
- She could be dead!
- Uh, yes, a potential witness for
Yes, call the judge.
Great. Yes, I understand.
- I understand.
- No, no, I do not understand!
Thank you, Detective.
When my daughter Tyesha
returns from Madagascar,
I will have her cancel this
card, and you can bank on that.
- (PHONE BEEPS)
- (SIGHS) Double dead end, huh?
Well, we didn't find anything.
No documents, no emails,
nothing relating to Northbrook.
Yeah, that Nathan guy cleaned her out.
There's no computers, phones,
hard drives, flash drives.
We are running out of
time, and the only way
we are going to defeat this motion
for Sean is if she testifies.
What? What are you staring at?
She did the entire Sunday crossword.
That's very challenging.
This guy looks like her boyfriend.
Maybe he has some idea where she is.
What is Tyesha's
relationship status on Insta?
Insta? Did you just say Insta?
I do pay attention, Todd.
I wasn't born under some
(LAWN MOWER WHIRRING)
MARGARET: Your sister
is going to kill you.
Has it ever occurred to
you that I am actually,
- and legally, an adult?
- Meaning?
It means that I have
my own independence.
I choose what time I go to bed,
if I go to bed at night.
I can eat as much cereal and
candy as I want, and I do,
and I'm a P.I., sort of,
and I'm doing just fine.
- I'm merely saying that the rest of us manage
- No, the rest of you
spend a little bit
too much time worrying
about what I'm doing, to be honest.
But if you take responsibility
for someone's car,
- then you have to
- Things happen.
Like with Tyesha. Is
it her responsibility
that some goon is following her?
Yes, technically, yes.
She was whistleblowing on Northbrook,
but, philosophically, no.
She was trying to keep people safe.
This is apples to oranges.
It has zero to do with fruit.
I don't think this Nathan guy
knows where Tyesha is, either.
MARGARET: Why not?
Because there he is, right there,
outside Tyesha's boyfriend's house.
MARGARET: How do you think he found him?
TODD: Instagram and the
white pages, just like we did.
He's one step ahead of us.
What are we going to do?
Has he seen us?
What if he's dangerous?
We're gonna beat this
idiot at his own game.
Do you have any duct tape in your purse?
Okay, all right, bandages.
This will do. Now, I need
you to distract that idiot
in the sedan while I
attach this tNAB tracker
- to the back of his car.
- Distract him?
- Yeah.
- Why? What are we doing?
Wait, what if he's a maniac?
What-what if he has a Taser?
Are you seriously,
you're asking me to just
go over there and just
chit-chat about what?
I mean, what am I gonna talk
to him about? I don't know him.
(MUFFLED TALKING)
I'm Well, you know
who I am, don't you?
And I know who you
are. You're Nathan Shaw.
- But the question is
- NATHAN: What do you want?
- TODD: Uh, just you know
- Come on. (GRUNTS)
Spy to spy, how much you getting paid?
Buzz off, punk.
(GRUNTS)
Oh.
(COUGHS) Um, I'm just, I'm
just thinking, you know,
maybe I could pick up a shift or two
here and there, you know what I mean?
I honestly have no idea
what you're talking about.
I'm just thinking maybe I
should work for your PR firm.
Right? Me? Right?
- Todd Wright.
- You work for your mom.
TODD: I know, but I'm
not getting any benefits.
And she is terrible.
I mean, she can't even put
a bandage on a situation.
NATHAN: If I see you anywhere near
our business again, this
is gonna escalate in ways
- you're not gonna like. Got it?
- Got it.
- (ENGINE STARTS)
- (STAMMERS) Don't don't don't
Hold on, no, wait, what's your sign?
Please, do not go. No, wait, wait!
Wait, wait!
- I did it.
- (CHUCKLES) (SIGHS)
Thank you for your time, Mr. Mobley.
We-we do have a few questions.
Listen, I don't know Sean Phillips,
and I don't know you,
- so I can't really help
- Look, Tyesha's missing.
She was being followed,
and her place was ransacked.
She's in trouble, in real trouble.
Damn.
I was hoping that was all over for her.
What's all over? Has
she been followed before?
Back when she was working at Northbrook,
they were flying a bunch of
their new commercial airplanes.
While Tyesha was working on one of them,
she found a flawed part.
She tried to report it
to her superiors, but
they didn't want to hear.
So that must have been the
plane that Sean was flying on.
- So they fired her?
- No.
They followed her, harassed her.
All up until she quit.
It's the reason why we broke up.
I just couldn't take it anymore,
and I just mentally checked out.
Anyways, when I got home
about 30 minutes ago,
this was on my doorstep.
Can I see that?
Wait. It's addressed to "OKFBHO SGJANC"?
Yeah. That's my name in code.
Tyesha loves that kind of stuff.
MARGARET: This here
this is all in code.
And-and you don't know ?
No, I don't know. Maybe it was for you.
I just know I don't want
any part of this anymore.
Just please leave. Please.
Lyle can probably crack that code.
Oh, and I can't? I can crack code.
Well, of course you can, but
(BIRDS SQUAWKING)
Oh, dear God.
(BIRDS SQUAWKING)
LYLE: Mm. Mm, mm.
Kind of looks like a Vigenère
cipher, but I don't think so.
Yeah, whatever that is,
Einstein. Don't you think
it looks more like a made-up language,
like Elvish or Klingon or Wakandan?
A made-up language like Wakandan?
- Yeah.
- Are you asking me if this code is a language
from a fictional country
from the Marvel Universe?
I just thought you'd know
if it was Lord of the Rings
or Star Trek or Marvel
because, you know
you're a nerd.
What?
Lord of the Rings is not a comic book.
It is a book book.
And Star Trek is a
movie and TV franchise.
Okay, right, but they both
have made-up languages.
And by the way, Wakanda's
a fictional place,
but there are three real
African languages spoken there:
Xhosa, Yoruba and Hausa.
Only in the comic book do
they have fictional languages,
- and this is a billion-dollar
- Wow.
You really are a nerd, aren't you?
Which Hogwarts house are you?
- You a Slytherin?
- Oh.
Got any Sith tattoos
I should know about?
Okay, who's the nerd now, Sheldon?
- (PHONE BUZZING)
- Oh, my tNAB.
Aha! Looks like the device my
mom attached to the goon's car is
suspiciously close to Northbrook HQ.
Okay, I got to go, but you take
a crack at that code, Bones.
You're an investigator,
not a doctor, damn it.
(PHONE CAMERA CLICKING)
(PHONE BUZZING)
Mom, I can't talk right now.
Nathan led us straight to
Dirk, the CEO of Northbrook!
They are connected, and I am
getting photo evidence as we speak.
Did you promise that we would
- pick your sister up from work today?
- What?
Did I? No. Maybe.
Did I? I thought you
were supposed to do that.
You never told me that, Todd.
- Where are you?
- Look, I can't talk right now.
Allison says you promised
we would pick her up
from work today. She has
called you 27 times
Hi.
Todd! What's happening?
- Aah! Oh! Oh!
- Baby, baby, bless my soul ♪
- Please, please! No, no, no.
- I need to fill it ♪
With some rock and roll ♪
Please. Please, this is my sister's car.
Please. No!
(GROANS)
- Oh.
- (TIRES SQUEALING)
(ENGINE REVVING)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. ♪
(SIGHS)
Yeah. This is how
I imagined it going.
Look, it's not as bad as you think.
I mean, what's one broken window?
It makes you look tough.
And there's no bird poop
inside, just glass.
You're fixing this.
That is right, Todd. It
is your responsibility.
- And you
- And you are paying for it
because he has no money,
and I loaned the car to you.
I'm going inside.
- Glass shards. Glass shards in my jacket.
- Did you say "grass shards"?
It actually was grass
shards and glass shards.
Allison, what a lovely dinner
you've set for us all tonight.
- And the hen is just a
- Cold.
But really good. Mostly.
Oh, I can just pop it in
the microwave for you
- Chuck, sit down.
- Oh.
Todd, apologize to
your sister for the car
and for making us so late.
What? Late because someone
attacked me with a baseball bat?
Attacked you or attacked the car?
Oh, thank you so much
for your concern, Chet.
Actually, uh, it was a fixer,
an evil fixer who wants me, and
by proxy, Allison's car, dead.
I have photos of him with Dirk Dobkin.
Dirk Dobkin? CEO of Northbrook?
We just did a profile on him.
I saw that in this morning's paper.
You went very easy on him
despite the controversy,
- despite the plane crash.
- Wait. Can I just go heat up my food in the microwave?
Because I'm hungry, and it's cold.
It's cold?
I waited for you to pick
me up outside in the cold
for an hour and a half,
and that was after working
a ten-hour shift at the ER.
Chuck had to come down and get me.
And then I had to rush this dinner,
which I make on a weekly basis,
for my entire family.
And then you guys were
late, so it gets cold.
And now, I'm reduced to
being this put-upon harpy
who's made furious by the
antics of the idiot in her life.
Well, it's not that cold.
It's charmingly cold. I can eat it.
Allison. Allison, you're angry,
and you have every right to be.
You feel taken for granted.
I actually I don't want to hear
what I am from you. Angry is justified?
I'm not interested in your
interpretation of this.
And if you have a
problem with that wine,
- oh, my God, I swear
- Oh, no. No, the wine is fine.
- It's lovely.
- Yeah. It's very fine wine.
God, I'm so sick of doing
this week in and week out.
Do we have Cornish hens
week in and week out?
I-I think what Allison
is trying to say is that
maybe it would be nice
if someone said "Thank you" for once.
- Oh, thank you.
- Allison, thank you.
- (OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
- No. Thank you.
I don't want "Thank you." I
don't care about "Thank you."
I Thank you. Thank you.
Just eat.
Chet?
How many profiles has The
Sentinel done on Dirk Dobkin?
Three in three years?
That seems like a lot.
More than average, that's for sure.
But Northbrook is always
hungry for good press,
- and they're very protective of their image.
- Uh-huh.
How would they feel about
a human interest story
on an Olympic athlete who
got injured in an accident
on one of Northbrook's planes?
An accident they're denying
any responsibility for?
- Mm-hmm.
- They'd hate it.
- Yes.
- Oh.
GUS: Fine.
You go right ahead,
you-you do your press.
Oh, we already have a
reporter very interested
from The Portland Sentinel.
They want to hear the full story.
You know what? Northbrook
denies any responsibility,
and if you suggest otherwise,
we will sue your firm
and Sean for libel.
Of course you will, but as you know,
truth is the best defense against libel.
And Sean and I want to know the truth
about how accident 254 happened.
About the faulty actuator,
about what Northbrook
and Dirk Dobkin knew
and when they knew it.
But is that the truth your
side wants to come out?
So perhaps you'd like to settle.
We should meet.
As soon as possible.
(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
Just go somewhere
private and call her back.
Tell them we're still a
go. This won't change that.
Will do.
Oh. Hey, uh, where's the restroom?
Oh, it's just, uh, that
way, second door on the left.
Oh.
Sylvia Smith, of sound mind and body,
did bequeath a Marjorie Smith
Sorry for the interruption.
This is my associate, Mr.
Wright. Can I help you, sir?
Hey, hi. Oh.
Hi. Nice. Sorry. Uh, listen,
uh, just go about what you are doing.
We can't do that
because we need privacy.
Mr. Wright,
this is the reading of a will.
And I'm so sorry for your loss.
Artificial plant.
Well, not if you water
it daily. (LAUGHS)
MAN: Dirk wanted me to give you a call.
Oh, this is so exciting.
What happens in the next room?
(WHISPERING): Shh.
Please. It's the bathroom.
MAN: No. No, no, don't worry.
The kid will sign, so
keep production going.
(SIGHS, WHISPERS):
Now, listen, I think
(CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY)
Okay. There you go. You win.
We can settle right now
for one million dollars wired into
your account by this afternoon.
One million dollars?
Enough to pay off your
debt. What do you think?
Yes. Yes, we'll take it.
All right. We'll sign.
- Okay. Here's our NDA.
- Mm-hmm.
No, thank you.
Okay. Now, I have a question about
Is he gonna sign it?
Not until I've read this.
Karen from Delaware. Um
- You used to play cricket.
- Uh, gentlemen,
um, I think that my client
and I just need a-a second
to discuss this contract.
We'll be right back. Come.
Sean, there is something you should know
before you sign this NDA.
I thought you said it was fine
to sign if the number was right.
I mean, with a million dollars,
I won't have to file for bankruptcy.
That is true, but
we now believe that the faulty
part that caused your crash
was installed on Northbrook's
entire new fleet of planes.
What does that have to do with me?
I mean, they'll have to fix it, right?
I overheard Dirk's assistant saying
that they were settling with you
so the launch date can remain as is.
- Launch date?
- MARGARET: Northbrook is about to release
an entire new fleet of planes
exactly like the one
that caused your crash.
And they have no intention of
fixing them before the release,
because it would cost them millions.
And with missed deliveries
and lost sales, billions.
(SIGHS) So all these
planes could crash, too?
I mean, why would they do that?
Why wouldn't they just fix them first?
Northbrook has calculated a
small probability of a crash.
It only happens in the extreme cold.
And since there were no
deaths on your flight,
it seems that they would rather
pay the insurance premiums
and keep business going.
So, this all falls on me?
I have to stand up to
this giant corporation?
If we refuse this settlement,
there is no guarantee
that we will win in court.
But if you sign this NDA, no
one will ever hear this story,
and Dirk Dobkin can keep his
faulty planes up in the air.
I just want to restart my life.
Sean, I want you to know
that it wouldn't be just you
standing up to a giant corporation.
- We'd be right there with you.
- Yeah.
(SIGHS)
A million dollars is a lot of money.
MARGARET: We are not
going to sign the NDA.
(SCOFFS) There's not
gonna be another offer.
This is it.
- So just sign the NDA.
- Okay. Easy now.
Easy. Easy, Dirk. It's all right.
All right. Hey.
You want to take a break?
- Yeah. Take a break.
- Yeah.
I got it.
Counsel, if your client
doesn't take this offer,
there is no money for him.
My client is not going to sign something
that will put the lives of future
Northbrook passengers in jeopardy
a responsibility that is
rightfully your client's.
LYLE: I've ruled out
all the go-to ciphers.
It's not any modern or ancient language.
I believe she created this code herself.
Wait. Hold on. This is the crossword
that was on Tyesha's fridge.
All the answers are wrong. See?
Okay, 40 down. "Jeff
Goldblum versus spacemen"?
She wrote "Alien
Prometheus." That's not it?
- No, it's Independence Day.
- Huh.
She loves puzzles.
Has a mind for wordplay.
This isn't a woman
who'd get one answer wrong,
let alone all of them.
Let me look at this journal.
MARGARET: Do you think that's the key?
I do. If we don't find
Tyesha, Sean gets nothing.
Let's hope it's a simple cipher.
Write the alphabet across the top
and the same on the left down.
Okay.
We got a team effort.
Okay, now I know my ABCs. What's next?
Yes. Thank you.
Send it to me.
Here we go.
- Okay.
- Okay. Yeah.
Find the letter "F,"
then go down to "A." "F," "A."
- "D."
- "D."
Okay. "N" and "O."
"N, O" is "R."
- "D, R."
- "J, K."
- "I."
- "D, R, I."
- "A, S."
- "S." That's, uh, "V."
"V."
- "M, E."
- Is "E."
"Drive." That's "E." Drive.
We may have something here.
Let's keep going.
- Yeah.
- Yeah, yeah, okay.
It is, uh, right there.
LYLE: Do you want ?
Spelling. You were spelling.
And "J, Z." I don't even
know what Jay-Z the rapper is.
- "D."
- Uh-huh.
MARGARET: One, one.
It's a link to a Google Drive address.
(SIGHS)
We need a password.
What about Sean Phillips?
Oh, uh, what about the boyfriend?
Uh, Justin Mobley.
Oh, uh, well, this is actually
an address slip right here
with Justin's name in code.
(GASPS) Try that, yes.
OKFBHO
SGJANC.
♪
- (GASPS) Oh, my goodness.
- That did the trick.
MARGARET: Look at that. It worked.
TODD: It is all of Tyesha's documents.
Reports, videos of the faulty part,
list of affected aircraft, an
email chain with Northbrook.
She has everything. I found it.
We need to find Tyesha immediately.
- You have court in two and a half hours.
- Okay, send me those docs.
- I have to prepare.
- All right, I'll email it.
We will leave her a
message inside this file.
No, no, no, no.
I do not want your dirty
phone plugged into my computer.
It's not dirty, it's
just Hold on a second.
- I like pooping on the potty ♪
- Yeah ♪
I was babysitting my niece, okay?
Right before this.
Stop that. Just stop!
Okay. Upload these photos
His name is Nathan
He'll be arrested.
We are giving this info to the D.A.
You are safe.
This is Todd. And Margaret.
With no help from anybody else.
- Okay. Great.
- Cute.
Here's your clean computer.
♪
Margaret.
Gus.
Well, I guess time's up, huh?
It's too bad.
Had we gone to a real trial,
I was really looking forward
to seeing you in action.
Well, we've still got 52 minutes.
♪
I think that'll be
more than enough time.
MARGARET: Your Honor,
these reports explain in
detail how the actuator part
AP-ARM-4 malfunctions in cold weather.
And Northbrook was informed
multiple times by a mechanic,
but rather than spend millions
of dollars to ground their plane,
gambled with the lives of
passengers like Mr. Phillips.
GUS: Your Honor,
while I appreciate
Attorney Wright's, uh
colorful argument,
it's wildly speculative.
How are we to know that these
documents have any basis in fact?
Great point, counsel.
I'd like to introduce Tyesha
Johnson as plaintiff's witness.
♪
And why were you afraid to come forward?
After the crash, they harassed
and threatened me until I quit.
They're still harassing me.
They don't want me here testifying.
Objection. Speculation.
I'll allow it.
Is the person who harassed
you in court today?
Yes.
Will you please identify them?
SAUCEDA: Let the record show
Ms. Johnson is pointing to a man
in the gallery in a black
shirt, bald head and beard.
His name is Nathan Shaw, Your Honor,
and he is a fixer for Nugent
Cross Public Relations.
He's currently employed
and I might add, under the table
by Northbrook Aerospace.
I have admitted as Exhibit
1 photos of Mr. Shaw
harassing and stalking my witness.
Bailiff, please take Mr. Shaw into
custody on witness intimidation.
BAILIFF: Sir, come with me.
DIRK: What are we gonna do?
What are we gonna do?
We're gonna hope they don't
throw your ass in jail, too.
MARGARET: Your Honor,
the evidence admitted,
along with Ms. Johnson's testimony,
is more than enough to move us to trial.
We are looking at punitive damages,
as well as personal
and potentially criminal
liability for CEO Dirk Dobkin.
(EXHALES) Your Honor?
I believe we need a brief recess.
Wait, how did you know I
was checking my Google Drive?
I didn't. I-I hoped.
But you led us right to
it with your crossword.
You like crosswords?
Yeah, I like puzzles.
Codes. Escape rooms.
I like escape rooms.
- Really?
- Yeah.
MARGARET: No, no, no.
We will sign the NDA only if
there's an injunction order
grounding Northbrook's planes
until we confirm removal of the part.
Sealed injunction?
Well, if you're gonna be a
little baby about it, okay.
But I want restitution for Tyesha.
And 12 million for Sean.
Look, I'm gonna draw up the contract
for 15 and not a penny more.
No, I said tw
It's the max I was authorized.
Okay, uh
I'm going to go collect
my client from the puddle
he was reduced to outside.
How do you stand it,
working for a man like that?
A a company like that?
How do you sleep with yourself at night?
(SCOFFS) I don't.
- TODD: You guys
- TYESHA: What?
TODDY: You guys should
get an escape room.
- (LAUGHING)
- TYESHA: That's so great.
Um
Restitution for you, and
15 million for you.
Oh (GASPS)
(EXHALES) What?
(CHUCKLES)
(SOBS SOFTLY)
♪
You really should be using
a soft cloth on the hood,
- and I have this wax if you
- Thank you, Chuck. Thank you.
And shouldn't you be
helping me with this?
I seem to remember being told repeatedly
that you're the one
who borrowed the car.
I paid to fix the window.
Oh, okay, great. So you're the
money and I'm the manual labor.
Fine. Whatever.
You know, I've been looking for a reason
to break out your
grandmother's Limoges china.
And I was thinking, maybe I should host
the family dinner occasionally.
I'd love to have everyone
over to my new place.
It'll be nice.
It would be nice.
I don't want you
stressing out over hosting.
Not everyone is cut out for it.
No matter what, my friend ♪
Okay.
See? I can take care of things.
I can clean objects and fix them.
Look, good as new.
Chuck, uh can you unlock the car?
It's just a part of who we are ♪
I don't have the keys.
What?
No matter what, my friend ♪
Wait, how did both sets of keys ?
I didn't do this.
You're kidding me.
I did not shut the doors.
I was just cleaning the car.
Hold up. Wait.
Hold (STAMMERS)
(ALARM BLARING)
What?
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪
You can always come on home. ♪