Eli Stone s01e06 Episode Script

Previously on "Eli Stone" You're meant to doreat to do great things, and you're gonna help me.
Dad, you okay? I'm pleased to introduce our new hires-- Keith Bennett and my daughter.
Taylor's working here, and you didn't stop it? Maybe I did the wrong thing, breaking up with her.
Get down! Is there something really wrong with you? No, sir.
You know I've been seeing things lately.
I'starting to think that they're ause of my aneurysm.
You're gonna sign my physical after what you just saw? I'm going out on the limb with you.
Prosecutor recommended they initiate disbarment proceedings against you.
I'll admit it.
I'm not your typical lawyer.
For one thing, like being a lawyer.
I might be the only one who does-- present company excluded.
I enjoy practicing law.
It's representing other lawyers I'm not crazy about.
Look, I'm in a bit of a spot here.
During your last trial, you interrupted your opening argument to sing a song, which not unsurprisingly prompted an investigation by the state bar, and now you're looking at sanctions and possible disbarment.
You're not in a bit of a spot.
You're in a deep, dark hole with smooth walls, very far from the surface.
So you're optimistic then.
Mr.
Stone, we bill by the quarter hour here, so, uh, why don't you save yourself $137 and tell me why you can't seem to find a lawyer to defend you.
I think you got a leak in your A.
C.
or something.
Ticktock and cha-ching, Mrs.
Stone.
Okay, so Turns out-- and you may find this funny-- that my erratic behavior which is calling my fitness to practice law into question is the result of A-a brain aneurysm.
So the allegations against you are not only true, but you're also hiding a life-threatening condition.
You make it sound like I don't have much of a shot.
My mistake, because I was trying to convey that you don't have any shot.
He's dead? As in dead dead? No, alive dead.
He is a zombie.
We're into zombie law now? I thought we were all booked up with blood-sucking clients.
Those of you who, like Mr.
Stone, missed the front an back page of this morning's paper, at last night's golden state marvels game, all-star catcher jayson turk hit a foul ball which struck his third base coach in the head Fatally.
Yes, I picked an excellent night to bring the kids out to the firm's luxury box.
Mr.
Turk being a long-standing client, we'll be marshalling to his defense.
Defense of what? They can't prosecute someone for an accident.
Mr.
Turk's career has been dogged by allegations of steroid abuse.
The D.
A.
's office is hoping to use the threat of prosecution, no matter how unjustified, to force Mr.
Turk to admit to the juicing.
Jayson's coming in to the office today, and I'm having lunch with his publicist.
This is slightly different from negotiating an endorsement contract for overpriced cross trainers.
Mr.
Bennett has the requisite criminal law experience.
Thank you, sir.
Who could resist those puppy dog eyes, Mr.
Dowd? Why don't you back up Mr.
Bennett? Uh, next item-- need a volunteer to handle the discovery responses in garland vs.
Hornby.
Actually, sir, I was handling garland.
True, but given your upcoming disciplinary hearing with the state bar this afternoon, I thought you appreciate having your load lightened a bit.
"Who'll Stop The Rain" I'm getting rained on now.
It's not bad enough that I'm facing disbarment.
Now I got my own personal weather front.
God used rain to wipe out his first draft of humanity.
So did hurakan.
Mayan god.
You spend a lot of time on wikipedia, don't you? So this is the second time you've seen your boss singing to you, Eli.
What does that tell you? He should try out for "american idol"? You said he was performing "who'll stop the rain? " Maybe jordan is thone who'll stop the rain.
Now what do you think the rain represents? My disbarment hearing, obviously, but I don't know how jordan can stop it.
He's too busy holding a fire sale with my caseload.
Well, he's a powerful lawyer.
Maybe he could exert some professional influence with the bar.
No, it's too late for that.
Holly raines is prosecuting.
She's like my own personal javert.
The lawyer prosecuting you is named "raines"? As in "who will stop the"? That's not it.
I'm not asking jordan to represent me.
If my aneurysm comes up, he'll figure out that I lied to him when I told him I was perfectly healthy.
You lied? To your boss? Straight to his face.
I'm very good at it.
Got an "a" in the course at law school.
Yeah? What's that diploma gonna be worth you get disbarred? I was just thinking, an argument with my ex would be just the thing to take my mind off my troubles.
I didn't come to brawl.
What happened at the staff meeting this morning? That wasn't a george michael song.
I'm glad we've reached the point where what's strange isn't the fact that I'm hearing music-- it's who's singing it.
Have you thought that maybe Have you thought that maybe not practicing wouldn't be the worst thing in the world? But I want to practice.
Would you want to be represented by an erratic lawyer who could drop dead at any moment? So much for asking you to represent me.
I thought you were having someone outside the firm do it.
I was, until I couldn't find anyone outside the firm willing to do it.
Well, there are plenty of lawyers in this town.
They don't seem to be returning my calls, en the guy with the 800 number and the bus ads.
Sometimes I think the only thing keeping me from turning into my alcoholic screwup of a father is This.
I don't understand.
Is this some kind of desperate attempt to get back with Eli? Of course not.
He doesn't even know I'm here.
I'm sorry, but I'm at a loss as to why you think I, of all people, would want to help Eli with this.
You've always been fond of Eli.
You would be racing to his defense right now if he hadn't broken up with me.
Perceptive.
I was seeing someone else.
That's why we called off the wedding.
Your behavior Would explain Eli hitting the bottle or turning in sloppy work.
It doesn't explain singing in court or diving headfirst into the cake at your engagement party.
He's angry.
I think he's just acting out.
Not only that, he was protecting me.
And now he needs your protection.
I guess this is me-- the hot seat.
This is the state bar of California hearing department "b" in re Eli Stone, who is charged with violation of state bar act article 12-- incapacity to attend law practice, judge samuel asquith presiding.
Representing the state bar in this matter is holly raines, and the respondent is represented by Mr.
Stone, where is your attorney, sir? My apologies for being late.
Jordan wethersby, your honor.
I'll be representing Mr.
Stone in these proceedings.
Very well.
so I looked for a "thanks for getting your dad to represent me at my disbarment hearing" card, but I couldn't find one.
Did you look next to the "sorry I called off our wedding because of the guy from wham! " Display? I assume you didn't tell him about the, uh Yeah, somehow I figured you'd prefer he didn't find out.
Doesn't mean he's not going to, Eli.
If you haven't been hooked up with an assistant yet, I could spare patti.
You think that'll be a good idea? She's the best assistant at the firm.
Think of it as my way of thanking you At least till I find that card.
Let's talk about last night.
Well, not much to say, really.
I swung the wood, and I could feel from the contact that it was gonna go foul.
When joe went down, it was like time stopped.
He was lying there, and And his legs are twitchin', and I just thought that was something they did in the movies, you know? What I don't understand is, how could jayson get in trouble with the police? It's not the police.
It's the D.
A.
's office.
They know there's no crime here, but they're pushing 'cause they got a taste for jayson.
I don't use steroids-- never have, never will.
It's an unfortunate fact of life these days-- nobody believes hard work and determination alone can raise a batting average.
But we know the truth, and we'll proceed from there.
So what do we do? I haven't been arrested.
Am I gonna be? No.
We'll make sure of it.
We'll talk to the A.
D.
A.
Who's pushing this, see if we can come to some kind of understanding.
We'll be itouch.
- Thanks.
- Take care.
- Take care.
- Thank you.
What the hell was that? A client comes in here looking for confidence and willing to pay $550 an hour for it, you give it to them.
I'm t selling anybody something I'm not positive I can deliver.
If you can't keep the guy who hit a foul ball out of jail, Stone's not the only one who should lose his bar card.
You don't know this A.
D.
A.
I do.
You're not representing some gangbanger caught with a nickel bag of crack.
Marijuana.
There's no such thing as a nickel g of crack.
Whatever.
Now that we've settled who's got the relevant expertise here, wanna join me at the D.
A.
's office? I can see things.
When I look at Eli, I know something's wrong, and I don't just mean with the bar.
I'm not trying to be a pain.
I'm trying to be a friend.
Even if Eli doesn't want my help, I can't help wanting to give it.
Hi, patti.
Listen, I'm still without a legal assistant, and Eli said that if I needed anything, I could trouble you.
Did he? - That sounds solike him.
- Yeah.
So if you're not too busy, and you can manage to read my handwriting, I really need this draft typed and formatted.
I'll put it right at the tippy-top of my to-do list.
So He finally freed himself of that woman.
What could possibly be wrong with him? I really appreciate this.
I-I know things have been strained between us of late.
Well, I understand from Taylor that there were Mitigating factors.
As her father, I'M Embarrassed on several levels.
I-I'm not sure I follow.
Excellent.
That should expedite our dropping of the topic.
You're taking the stand tomorrow.
Obviously, you'll be called upon to account for your odd behavior these past two months.
How am I supposed to do that? By not accounting for it.
Let's cut to the chase, Mr.
Stone.
We have an entire courtroom of witnesses who saw you singing during your opening argument in the zyre motors trial.
Since I highly doubt that outburst was legal strategy on your part, we'll have to obfuscate.
I can't admit or deny that it was part of my legal strategy without discussing my strategy, and I can't do that without violating privilege.
She won't let you hide behind attorney/client confidentiality.
What about the singing and dancing in your law firm? Or would that be confidential strategy as well? What I do outside the attorney/client relationship isn't relevant to my fitness to practice law.
Ms.
Raines is an effective litigator, but her weakness is that she overreaches.
So you don't deny these outbursts? And you have to trap her when she does.
I didn't know that singing was against the law.
What else could I lose my license for--playing the piano? And once you've moved her out of position, you attack.
In the last 2 months, my trial record's been 3 and 1, winning over $15 million for my clients.
If I'm unfit to practice law, maybe the lawyers I beat should be invited to your witch hunt.
Nicely done.
By the way, ha you seen raines' witness list? Third up from the bottom.
"Nathan aaron Stone.
" I'm sure this relates to your physical, which your brother signeoff on last month.
Raines is just fishing.
Then you shouldn't have chummed the waters it was foolish having your own brother examine you.
Makes it appear you have something to hide.
Well, it's aood thing, then, that I don't.
Well, obviously, that's a lie.
Anyone who collects baseball cards ne cartas, sabe knows that jayson turk is on steroids.
In 5 years, his hat size went from 8 1/2 to 8 3/4.
The only adult I know whose head actually gets bigger is the hulk.
So what are you charging him with-- first-degree unsubstantiated innuendo? Um, no.
I was thinking, uh, homicide.
The guy hit a foul ball.
Did you get beaned in the head? Who's the suit with the mouth? He's got a point, paul.
You can't make a murder charge with these facts.
It was an accident.
So is hitting someone with your car after you've had three martin.
It's still criminally negligent homicide.
I'm not seeing the martini here.
Steroids.
Hitting a major league fastball in the vicinity of other people while under the influence of strength-enhancing drugs? That sounds pretty reckless to me.
Now fortunately, we don't have to be adversarial.
If jayson admits to using steroids and agrees to testify against his suppliers, I can make this whole thing go away.
So can I.
We'll get a judge to kick this.
Okay.
Tell your client to expect a visit from some police officers.
Thoughtthat went really well.
U ly don'want to do your le smugctwith me right now.
Cancel your luh plans.
We're gonna try thiseal waW.
My lunchlans? Yohaveo appreciatethe irony.
They'rtrngo sb me, and you'rehe one who could end up losi his license all right.
So what are our opons? Choice one--we tell thtr that you covered up myrain aneurysm, anI wind up disbard, and d you lose your medical license.
Not really feeling choice one.
There is a choice two, but you're not gonna like it.
If it doesn't involve me losing my license, I'm on board.
You lie.
You mean continue tlie, under oath this time.
Not for me.
This time, you have to do it for you.
I'm sorry.
I know I got you into this, nate.
But I can't think of any other way to get you out.
You know, I know I razz you a lot, Eli, about your life, your choices, your bewildering decisions.
But I've always known that you're an incredible attorney, so just tell me the truth.
If you were my lawyer, and I was your client, what would you tell me to do? Lie.
One of this city's many fine and tall bridges.
Patti.
Patti.
Can I get that draft I left? I never got to it.
Try back later.
So what about the other one, the husky one from marin? I gotta call you back.
I asked you to do something.
Why didn't you do it? I've been busy.
Look, patti, I weathered your hostilities when I was with Eli.
But now that I work here, I have got to know-- what the hell is your problem? Can I be honest with you? This is you holdin Back ? I don't like who Eli became after he started dating you.
I didn't change Eli, patti.
I couldn't-- after he started seeing you, the firm's smaller clients weren't worth his time.
Eli habeen at this firm for eight years.
He has been dating me for two.
How do you explain the last two months, the cases he's taken, what he's done right before and since he dumped you? Ybe because he's sick.
Or Maybe now he's better.
You know what? I'll do my own typing.
Oh, here we are.
Well, if jayson turk's going to jail, at least his lawyers will be well-fed.
Why do you think we askedosr.
Pner to join us for a nice lunch? Honestly, I don't care.
I have work to do on the jayson turk case.
This is the jayson turk case.
Lowell! May! - Look at you.
- How are you? - Excellent, excellent.
- Good to see you.
Uh, to of my foot soldiers-- Keith Bennett, matt dowd.
You both know the district attorney.
Hello, Keith, matt.
Sir.
Join us for a minute? - All right.
- Sit, sit.
Funny we should bump into you.
My minions here were just venting to me about one of yours-- - paul sweren.
- Yes.
The jayson turk matter.
Terrible business, that.
Fortunately, the city's district attorney doesn't prosecute based on gossip.
Paul sweren doesn't see it as gossip.
Only because he's sitting in the cheap seats.
The view's a little different from the luxury boxes, like they'll have at the new marvels stadium-- if they can ever get that thing built, I mean.
You know, that something of a non sequitur.
Not at all.
New stadiums cost money.
Money comes from public funding, which comes from local support, which might be hard to come by if you slap a murder charge on san francisco's favorite son.
No, that would be barry bonds.
Still, it would be unfortunate if the city lost that stadium.
And, you know, not every death is ariminal matter.
Exactly.
Accidents happen all the time.
Marty, I'll talk to sweren, see if we can't work something out.
Appreciate that, lowell.
- My pleasure.
- Lowell.
Boys.
- Sir.
- sir.
Don't worry.
As staing pitcher, you still record the win.
I just get the save.
Dr.
Stone, you gave your brother a physical at the bequest of wethersby, posner & klein, correct? And an M.
R.
I.
With contrast, yes.
And what were the results? I-it's hard, um, to-- how about I give it a try? What about something simple, like, uh, "brain scan normal"? Isn't that what you wrote on your brother's medical clearance form-- "brain scan normal"? Is that your signature, doctor? Looks like it.
Maybe you should've become a lawyer like your brother.
Is that your signature? Danny, come on, I wanna show you something.
Oh, man! Let me see.
Let me see.
Okay, just be careful.
If I get it wet, nate'll kill me.
I mean--I mean, those--those are huge.
- come down here and sing that! - Eli, isn't that your dad? The clouds making that noise to explain the facts in song! - No, that just looks like him.
- Song! Dude, check her out! Man, th-that's your dad.
What's wrong with him? How am I supposed to breathe without the sky? Should we call, like, the police or something? Just forget it! Tell me that! Come down here and sing that! - I can breathe, but you just smell the music smell-- - dad! Eli.
Where's the bottle? Let's go home.
Is that your signature? - Your honor? - Eli? - I need to clarify- - you are represented by counsel, counsel.
If you want to assert an objection, you have to-- I don't want to object.
I want to clarify something for the record.
Your honor, my client's mistaken.
- We don't need any-- - I can explain why my brother appears to be having trouble in identifying his own signature.
He didn't sign my medical form.
I did.
I forged his signature.
I'd like a recess to speak with my client.
Well, apparently, the feeling is not mutual, Mr.
Wethersby.
Why did you do this, Mr.
Stone? Because I didn't want anyone, especially Mr.
Wethersby, to discover that I have a brain aneurysm.
Dr.
Stone, this aneurysm--is it the cause of your brother's erratic behavior? Objection--doctor/patient privilege.
Don't answer.
Fine.
Mr.
Stone, the episodes you've been experiencing-- - are they symptoms caused by the aneurysm? - Objection.
Yes.
And are you undergoing any treatment at this time? No.
And why is that? Because there isn't any treatment.
Uhit's inoperable.
Is it fatal? It's possible that I could live to be 100, or--or, yes, it could-- it could be fatal.
Your honor, I think the state bar rests.
I'd like that recess now, your honor.
And you have it, Mr.
Wethersby.
But I don't think either you or your client is going to be very pleased with my decision when we recoene.
- sir, I - don't.
Yes, Eli lied to you.
Which, believe me, he and I will be discussing very soon.
For right now, however, I'more concerned with your dishonesty.
I'm sorry, but I needed you to represent Eli, and I had no-- I'm not referring to the infidelity fantasy you concocted.
I'm referring to the fact that you stood in this very office and told me Eli was in good health.
Are you serious? I love him, and he could die.
Any minute, I could lose him.
You're an adult, and I expect there to be secrets between us, but for there to be dishonesty I'm very disappointed in you.
Eli has been like a son to you And it's like you don't even care that he could die.
And you're disappointed in me? I'm an idiot.
Just because you told the truth? No, 'cause for a minute there, you actually had me thinking that there was some greater meaning to all of this, that--that maybe, just maybe, I was supposed to be in-house counsel for the almighty.
And that makes me the second biggest moron in this room.
What made you reveal the aneurysm? I had a vision during the hearing.
I had one of those fun little father/son flashbacks.
I'd forgotten how out-there he could be and how--how mad it would make me.
Seeing him there like that, I I wasn't gonna let nate ruin his life, just like our father nearly did.
- Lie ck.
- Why? In the past, the needle has given clarity to these flashbacks.
Give my regards to your father.
What? My friend saw At the park.
Everyone at school's gonna know now.
Gonna know what? I was just plaacting, is all.
Just play-acting.
I'sure it didn't look that bad.
At least when you're at the bar, nobody else can see.
Look, Eli, I know sometimes I don't seem to be makin' a whole lot of sense.
But the reason for that is I It's like I can see too much.
Yeah I mean, when my eyes are open, I see what's right in front of me, but I also see Other things Things that Haven't happened yet.
And maybe they won't.
They--they don't Always, but sometimes Sometimes they do.
Does anything like that ever happen to you? Yeah.
Yeah, I can see the future, too.
In a few hours, you're gonna pass out some more.
Mom's gonna get a phone call and tell me that she's gotta go out and get milk or eggs for the morning, but really she's going out to get you from wherever.
And when she gets home, she's gonna take a shower so no one in the house can hear her crying.
He tried to tell me the truth.
That he had visions, too? Yeah.
I know what I have to do.
Bet you didn't see this one comin'.
This is true.
I thought sweren wouldn't crack until at least tomorrow.
Wait.
Give me a minute.
I don't have an obnoxiousark prepared.
Got it.
You didn't have any trouble finding your way here, did you? I know the elevator ride can disorienting for someone used to living and working in a basent.
Funny.
Thank you.
Almost as hilarious as the phone call I got this morning from my boss.
He just wanted to tell me that I had his full support in the turk case.
What, were you expecting him to, oh, I don't know, tell me to back off? In fact, that was how the conversation started, until I presented him with the evidence.
I'm sorry I don't have an obnoxious remark prepar.
Now you can't make out her face in every shot, but obviously, that's your client's wife obviously engaged in a series of acts with a consenting adult obviously not her husband.
All right, s this guy who I think it is? Well, that depends If you think that's the third base coach your client murdered.
These pictures could have been taken years ago.
The private investigator your client hired to take them will testify they weren't.
He hired a private investigator.
Now clearly your client has been less than candid.
Makes you wonder what else he might now be telling you, huh? You were right.
I was wrong.
This isn't negligent homicide.
It's premeditated murder.
You are crazy.
The--it was an accident.
An accident where your client just happens to kill the guy screwing his wife.
Keep the photos.
I got plenty of copies.
Don't say it.
Say what? How glad I am that I have you to show me how things get done uptown? Yeah.
The partners believe that your aneurysm, coupled with the erratic behavior it appears to produce, is grounds for disbarment.
If you want to drop out, I would, of course, understand.
That's big of you, Eli.
But when I take on a case, I take it on to win.
I actually have an idea about how to do that.
But if you don't want me to say-- you're a smart attorney, Eli.
If I feel betrayed And I do, it's only because I saw in y a piece ofyself.
Given that symosis, I suspect we've both arrived at the same conclusion.
The aneurysm doesn't hurt our case.
The aneurysm is our case.
A brain aneurysm.
Mr.
Stone, a senior associate at my firm, was diagnosed with one approximately two months ago.
In that time, the aneurysm's side effects have been certain behavioral eccentricities, but neither they nor his aneurysm have impred his ability to practice one iota.
They didn't prevent him from graduating from stanford, clerking at the supreme court or representing hundreds of clients with distinction at one of this country's most prestigious firms.
Mr.
Stone's focus has been sharpened by the possibility of a painful and premature death.
As a member of the bar, I am embarrassed by the disciplinary actions it has taken against my colleague, my associate, and that is why I felt it my obligation to draft and file a lawsuit against the state bar association for violations of the federal americans with disabilities act on Mr.
Stone's behalf.
I'll take your questions now.
Listen to me.
Listen real hard.
Now whatever you say to us right now may be privileged, but we are still stuck with it for trial.
You tell us you did this, we--we can't go and argue to a jury you didn't.
You feel me? So if I want to lie, now would be the time? You need a minute? No, I don't need a minute, 'cause I don't need to lie, ' cause I didn't do anything.
Except hire a private investigator Except find out your wife cheated on you with the guy you killed.
Accidentally killed.
Look, you think I did this? You really think I did this? I think if you could aim your hits like this, your on-base percentage would be But that doesn't change the fact the A.
D.
A thinks otherwise.
And he's gonna send some badges to your home, and they're gonna put you in the back of a squad car in front of your neighbors.
Our firm's got some pull with the D.
A.
We've arranged to have you surrender to the police.
No arrest.
Surrender? They will process you through central booking-- so I'M I'm like a criminal here? We're gonna get you through this, jayson, as painless as possible.
It's too damn late for that, Mr.
Dowd.
Ll, congratulations, Mr.
Wethersby.
Since your press conference, I've been besieged with phone calls.
Your honor's summary ruling left us with no other option.
Fine.
My summary ruling is hereby withdrawn.
The hearing will continue.
Call your next witness.
Since ms.
Raines rested her case, I see no reason not to rest as well.
We can proceed directly to summations.
Mr.
Stone will be speaking on his own behalf.
Go on, Eli.
They need to hear from you why you want this and to be reminded how good you are at it.
I was a very good lawyer before all of this, and I think I would have grown into a great lawyer.
But I wouldn't have been a great person.
Two months ago, I cared about winning my cases.
But now I-I care about helping my clients.
And how much help can you be to them if you die in the middle of their case? Well, probably not that much.
But until that happens I know that each case could be my last And I try that much harder.
I take cases that are that much more important to me And I think I'm a better lawyer for it.
Yes, my behavior has been a little odd, but odd isn't always worse.
My father had the same condition, and it didn't prevent him from raising ts- son- one who became a doctor and another who became a lawyer.
And being a lawyer is all I ever wanted to be.
One day, I may have to stop being one, but that's not today.
Today I could still do some good.
All I'm looking for from this hearing is Is the chance to keep doing it.
This case presents a simple question-- does Mr.
Stone's aneurysm render him unfit to practice law? Mr.
Stone is concerned it might.
What other explanation can there be for the lengths to which he's gone to hide his condition? Mr.
Stone, please.
Your subterfuge is inconsistent with the ideals of the bar.
I am therefore sanctioning you, sir, and I am fining you $1, 000.
Beyond that, however, I see no evidence that your condition has rendered you unfit to practice.
Therefore, to protect you and the interests of your clients, every three months you will submit to a medical exam administered by a physician Who is not a relative.
And you will also have regular psychiatric evaluations to determine if your ability to practice law has been compromised.
So long as it has not, you may retain your license.
I wish you well, young man.
We are adjourned.
Sir? Good luck to you, Mr.
Stone.
I had 50 bucks going the other way.
I'll make it up to you.
No more perjury would be nice.
So you probably have a few hundred questions.
You know, the strange thing is, as hard as it was to keep the secret from people here, it was oddly kind of hardest to keep it from you Which surprid me, because-- you're an ass.
Because you think I'm an ass.
I thought you changed.
I thought you realized all by yourself that it's not enough to be a good lawyer if you're not also a good person.
But you're the same selfish, self-centered lawyer you always were.
All that's changed now is that you're trying to clean up your record just in case there's a hereafter.
No, I'm not.
I-I did this whole thing on a mountaintop with a coffee can-- if you didn't know about the aneurysm, would you have ever even looked at a pro bono client? Would you have ever even helped me? I rest my case.
Maggie.
You really have a way with women.
I'm not sure how it happened, but I think my having an aneurysm pisses her off! Not just her.
Jordan wants you in his office.
Are you in pain? Excuse me? Your aneurysm--does it cause you any physical discomfort? No, sir.
I understand why you lied to me.
I probably would have done the same thing in your position.
But that doesn't change the fact that you kept secret a condition that could have exposed this firm to a catastrophic malpractice suit.
I realize that I was-- I'm talking right now, Mr.
Stone.
I like being lied to only less than I appreciate my life's work being threatened by selfishness.
I won't tolerate it within these walls, and I won't put my money in such a person's pocket.
You're firing me? I can't fire you.
Even if I could get around the language of the keller settlement, I couldn't discharge the very attorney whose frdom to practice I so publicly championed.
Bottom line-- I'm obligated to keep employing you.
What I'm not obligated to do is provide you with an office, an assistant or a caseload.
I'm not obligated to treat you with respect, and I'm not obligated to maintain a professional or personal relationship with you.
We're done.
You want me to talk to him? No, I made my bed.
I don't know where to put it without an office, but Yeah, that's actually what want to talk to my father about.
You're the new tenant.
- it's--it's wrong, and I-I shouldn't even-- - no.
No, this way it stays in the family.
It's just an office.
The important thing is I'm still a lawyer.
You remember my first day here? You were jordan's assistant, and I parked in his space by accident not even for 15 minutes, and, uh, and you-- - I had you towed.
- Yeah.
And I thought, "I am keeping my distance from her.
" patti, for what it's worth, I didn't get jordan to represent me.
Taylor did.
All right.
I'll be just down the hall.
Taylor wethersby's office.
Pretty lousy day? Well, the good news is I still have my dignity.
Oh, no, wait.
I forgot.
I lost tha too.
I suppose it wouldn't help to remind you there's a higher plan to all this.
OhI believe it.
And if the plan is to massively screw up my life, I-I think it's going pretty well.
It's understandable to be bitter, Eli.
I'm not bitter.
I'm relieved.
Ever since I was diagnosed, I've been afraid of becoming like my dad, you know? This pathetic guy who couldn't hold his life together with both hands.
Now Here I am.
Your father may have been elad, I.
He might even have been a little lost, but he was never pathetic.
Yeah, well, you didn't know him.
Remember when I told you at first, I couldn't get any work as an acupuncturist? I was just out of my 20s, and all I had was a dog-eared py of the "I ching" and my collection of C.
C.
R.
Records.
C.
C.
R.
? - As in creedence clearwater- - clearwater revival.
Want to guess what my favorite song was? "Who'll stop the rain? " anyway I was out of school, I just got back from beijing, and I couldn't get hired to stick needles in pincushions.
So I took this job at a tv repair shop.
It was the only job I could get, and I was grateful.
I asked the man I worked for what I could do to repay his kindness.
And he told me about his son, who was away at college at the time.
He told me that I would make good on my debt to him one day.
What are you What are you telling me? I didn't know what your dad meant, how I could help you.
But three months ago, you walked into my office.
He saw the future Just like he said he could.
What do you think of that higher plane now?