Perry Mason (2020) s02e03 Episode Script

Hey! Keep walking.
Good morning, sweetheart.
You didn't have to make breakfast.
I'm okay.
How was work?
Perps and paperwork.
Bob Mark called last evening.
Yeah, I reached him back.
He said he might have another buyer
for that property up in Redding.
He shouldn't be talking
to you about that.
- So we're not getting it?
- It's complicated.
But I'm working it out.
Look, you didn't, uh make
a bad bet marrying a flatfoot.
I know I didn't.
I'm gonna get us out
of this town, Agnes.
Scout's honor.
All right, kids! Let's go!
Get a move on.
Rise and shine.
- Good morning, Daddy.
- There she is.
Good morning, the San Haven Home.
- Who may I connect you to?
- Oh, good morning.
Uh, I was hoping you could
provide me with some information.
Doctor or patient directory,
or is this in regard
to potential residency?
Uh, yes.
Well, yes, of course, r
residency at, uh, at San Haven.
Could you please tell
me what I need to
We're at capacity,
but if you'd like to put down a deposit
and be added to our waiting list
Oh, well, yes. Yes, of course.
I got a wonderful recommendation
from someone who's actually there.
- Um, name's McCutcheon.
- McCutcheon?
Yeah.
We have no one here by that name.
Is this a patient or an employee?
Uh, strange. Uh, a patient.
Uh, you know what?
I would love to come back for a visit.
What was that address you gave me again?
Your Honor, the people are requesting
an abbreviated pre-trial period.
This city, and the McCutcheon family
have suffered a devastating loss
and a prolonged legal proceeding,
not to mention the sensational
news coverage
that will accompany it,
will only make you, me,
and Mr. Mason complicit in
exacerbating their anguish.
Your Honor, Mr. Milligan,
in his rush to hang my clients,
he very conveniently forgot
that everyone not only deserves
but has the right to a fair trial.
If these roles were reversed,
and Brooks McCutcheon was
sitting where my clients now sit,
I'm sure his family
would want enough time
for a defense to be prepared for him.
The roles would never be reversed
because Brooks McCutcheon
was nothing like your clients.
- What, Mexican?
- No, murderers.
Quiet! Quiet!
Quiet! Quiet!
Quiet in the gallery.
Gentleman, save your
squabbling for the schoolyard.
Your Honor, I deserve
adequate time for discovery.
Mr. Mason is simply
looking to delay this trial
- for his own purposes.
- Top one.
Uh, Your Honor, I think, um,
the precedent agrees with me.
Supreme Court Justice Sutherland,
who wrote last year in Powell
versus Alabama, that the accused,
which my clients are, in a capital case,
which this is, to have aid
to counsel for his defense,
which I am, includes the
right to have sufficient time
to advise with counsel
and to prepare a defense
is one of the fundamental rights
of the due process clause,
the 14th Amendment.
I'll take my chances
on my interpretation
of the definition of "sufficient time"
versus Justice Sutherland's.
Trial is to commence
on Monday, April 14th.
- If there's no other business
- Uh, Your Honor
we haven't discussed
peremptory challenges.
And I'm assuming you would like to?
Well, since I'm defending two men,
I believe I have the right to
disallow additional jurors
who might be hostile to my clients.
Isn't it safe to assume
that if a juror is disagreeable
to the defense counsel
on behalf of one of these brothers,
they will be equally disagreeable
on the other half?
You can't just dump Rafael and Mateo
into the same trough.
They're two individuals.
I'm sure they're both fascinating
men of great accomplishment,
but what Counsel is asking for,
extra challenges on top of the twenty
he and I already have, it's
a stall by any other name.
- Got it.
- Uh, Your Honor,
pursuant to California Penal Code 1098,
"If the defendants are tried jointly,
the state and the defendants
shall be entitled
to five additional challenges,
which may be exercised separately."
- So that's ten more challenges.
- I can do the math.
Yes, of course, my apologies.
Um
it would also mean that Mr. Milligan
would have an additional ten.
A shameless delay ploy disguised
as a weak argument, Your Honor
Unfortunately, not quite weak
enough, counsel. Granted.
All rise.
Hey, Mason, ya think
the judge's being fair?
Hey, Mason, you got a statement for us?
After what Mr. Milligan so
compassionately explained
about the reporting of this trial
causing the McCutcheon
family so much pain,
I won't be giving a statement.
I'm sure Mr. Milligan will be
refraining, also. Thank you.
Hey, can I get one question, please?
An unarmed victim, bloody,
shot through the eye.
Damning evidence against two
Three weeks? We'll need
three months for this trial.
that there is no doubt they
committed this heinous crime.
Chow time!
Hey! Give it back.
Stupid spics.
- Stop your pushin'.
- I'm sorry.
Don't worry.
What's wrong?
Fuck!
Join us now for another hour
of truth and justice with
Fighting Frank Finnerty!
I weep today, fellow citizens,
for the loss of one
of the city's angels.
Gotcha!
Hey, girls, come on.
Help me set the table.
- Please, thank you.
- Brooks McCutcheon,
a man with a heart as big as
the Pacific Ocean, let die
- by the Mexican monsters.
- Mo.
The Hermanos Gallardo,
- Rafael and Mateo.
- Mo
- They, like many of their ilk
- you want to turn that down?
- are nothing more than devils
- You don't like it
- who have been bred to terrorize
- don't listen.
and commit murder.
There is, however,
a cure to this putridness.
As you've heard me speak
of before on this program,
mass deportation back to Mexico.
What's got you cooking, Mo?
No work.
Trucks stopped coming around
Central Ave, three days in a row.
Nothing?
Wouldn't be if Perkins
wasn't locked away.
He had his hand in everything.
Forcing folks to hire down here.
Now that he's gone
All right.
No, they just gave us an
absurd timeline to prepare.
I'm gonna be here eve
Well, if I'm not up when you
get in, wake me. Promise?
- Uh-huh.
- Bye, sweetie.
- Yeah, bye.
- Love you.
Is that what's her name?
I thought we both had to work.
We did, but did you really think
we were gonna wait that long?
How did you find me?
I followed your scent
easy.
Hmm.
- Mm.
- What?
Nothing. I just I have
been here, where you are,
too many times to count
with all-night rewrites.
The stress and the anxiety
and the cigarettes.
Oh, I thought the movie
business was glamorous.
Oh, it's very glamorous.
Yes, we only smoke Turkish cigarettes,
which I have.
What is that?
This is my laundry.
We have to eat.
- I have work to do.
- Mm-hmm, I also have work to do.
I mean, Myrna Loy and Ramon Novarro
need something clever to say
by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow.
Is there a reason we
have to do it alone?
No.
Good. Oh, first thing's first.
Those are traditionally
for the end of the meal.
I somehow knew you
were going to say that.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
- See, I think I got yours by mistake.
- Oh.
Do not let the unexpected
derail you from your goals.
Why don't we try one of
those Turkish cigarettes?
Okay.
I think you made me blush.
Currency.
Twenty-three, close it.
Uh
Thought it might help
pass the time a little.
- Thank you.
- Yeah.
Now, your aunt said you
wanted to be a mechanic,
but I didn't think I could sneak a
whole car in for you to work on,
so what can I bring you?
- Just my family.
- Sure.
Look, uh, I know it's late and
It's not, not like we
sleep much, anyway.
Well, it occurred to me, um,
th I don't I don't know you
or your story as well as I should.
Um, how are things in here?
Did something happen?
- I'm your lawyer.
- Somebody put glass in my food.
I'll try and get you some protection.
Look, the only way this is gonna work
is if we all trust each other.
How long have you been
at the Hooverville?
A few years.
And where did you come from before that?
Here.
We've always been from here.
Our parents had a farm,
but the city folk came and
took it away from them
to build a road on it.
Then we lived in an
apartment on Sierra Street
until it burned down.
I lost my family farm. Hard to let go.
What happened to yours?
Uh I I forgot to pay my taxes.
Yeah, look, um
I do have to ask you something.
The DA said they found
Rafael's fingerprints
- on Brooks' car.
- That's impossible.
- I wasn't there.
- They're lying.
I just needed to ask you, that's all.
I'll get your family here.
Yes?
Your Honor, I was told
you were still here.
- Sit.
- Thank you.
Hmm.
Have you read it? Bestseller.
I'm not much of a reader.
Oh.
Literature is always a boon
to the theatrical barrister.
Uh, this one's a bit
exotic for my taste.
Farms and weddings and such in China.
Papers say they're gonna get clobbered
by the Japanese any day now,
and whatever they're bowing
and making rice about in here,
it's not looking like it's headed
for a happily ever after.
Here not much does either.
So, what happily ever after are
you looking for, Mr. Mason?
My clients are being abused
in the jail upstairs.
I'd like ask for you to
mandate their protection.
It's prison, Mr. Mason.
We don't appoint nannies to the
ones who aren't settling in well.
They're being targeted because
of the notoriety of their case.
That's why it's always
best to kill a nobody.
It seems to rankle fewer people.
- Your Honor.
- At some point, Mr. Mason,
you must find all of your
righteousness just a bit exhausting.
I need to be somewhere.
I can't say too many of
your ilk come out on top,
but I've often admired their fight.
There was little of that idealism
when I began practicing in the 1890s.
I was just a boy back then.
When L.A. could've been anything.
Yeah, we were just a
dirt patch by the sea.
Back then, I represented
anyone who would pay my bills.
I suppose I always
thought the whole city
- was just lawless back then.
- No, we had 'em. Laws.
And they were applied
more or less equally.
It was later they became
more of a a tool.
But when you build the whole damn place,
you get to make the whole damn rulebook.
Maybe that's what makes it so hard
to survive here all these years later.
So few people have control
over their own fate.
So as you dangle,
you just hope that whoever's got
you out there will be compassionate.
All right, Mr. Mason
I'll think about doing something
so that your clients
aren't such sitting ducks.
But I fear, on this case
that's about as close
as you're going to get
to a happily ever after.
- Your Honor.
- Mm.
Phippsy, remind me to find out
when we can expect a geological report
- for any new wells.
- Miss Nygaard.
Mr. Mason and Miss Street.
Ah.
Melville Phipps.
- Miss Nygaard's attorney.
- Perry Mason.
How do you do?
- Good to see you, Miss Nygaard.
- Camilla, please.
- Mr. Mason.
- Miss Nygaard.
People still drilling for
new wells these days?
Just tying up leases.
Whatever I get now,
my competitors can't get later.
Competitors being the McCutcheons?
And the other asses.
- I'm sorry, does my language offend you?
- No, no, not at all.
- Go right ahead.
- Because that's downright polite
compared to what they've called me.
But we do actually try to all
be more civil in our old age.
Create some rules.
Work together, when it serves.
Helps to keep the peace.
This is called a reformer.
Helps to firm the core.
How is your core, Mr. Mason?
Pretty good.
Well, I'm sure your clients
admire that level of confidence.
Perhaps we should get down
to the reason for your visit.
Oh, Phippsy, you make it
all sound so mysterious.
I'm sure they're here to talk
about Brooks McCutcheon.
What else could it be?
It's certainly not tips on exercising.
I remember at the recital,
you spoke warmly of Brooks.
- Did you know him well?
- Oh, since he was a boy.
I actually, uh, gave him piano lessons.
Was he any good?
Uh, about as good as he
was at anything else.
The poor man. He was like
a French realist painting.
Nice to look at,
- nothing below the surface.
- No core?
We've been looking into
his business dealings.
- The gambling ship, for one.
- God, that disaster.
And his real estate issues.
Well, the banks funding
his stadium project,
they went belly up in '31,
so he came to me hoping I would step in.
- Did you?
- Oh, not a chance.
Besides, he was trying to do
it behind his father's back.
We have rules about that sort of thing.
- Helps keep the peace?
- Oh, more than you know.
What about San Haven and what's there?
No. No, Mr. Mason.
I'll have a little fun with you,
but I don't traffic in tawdry rumors.
We didn't mean to overstep.
Then he should keep
that folly to himself.
The Lawson girl's family has
been through quite enough.
- Camilla, we have that eleven o'clock.
- I'm aware.
Della, we're having another
concert on the eighth.
I'll make sure Phippsy has your address.
Thank you.
- Mr. Mason.
- Miss Nygaard.
Thank you, Phippsy.
San Haven?
The number I found in Brooks's wallet.
Hello, Mr. Cunningham.
Looks like you're doing
much better today.
Oh, thank you.
Can I help you find someone?
Uh, yes, Lawson.
Miss Lawson doesn't take visitors.
Oh, I'm here in a legal capacity.
I can't let you in unless
you're immediate family.
Not according to the law.
Muldoon vs. Clearview Hospital 1916.
Attorneys are granted full access
to meet with patients even when
residing in privately run facilities.
I clerked for the justice
who wrote the opinion.
I can get you a copy.
Perhaps you should speak
with our administrator.
- Excuse me, for a minute.
- Sure.
Miss Lawson?
Miss Lawson?
Miss Lawson, I I'm sorry.
Miss Lawson?
Miss Lawson?
Miss Lawson?
Miss Lawson, um, I am sorry.
Excuse me.
Sir! You're not supposed to be in here!
I was just going.
Maybe the Lawsons are Brooks' in-laws?
No, no, no, those are the Claibornes.
Della, try and run down what
you can on the Lawson woman.
First name Noreen. Maybe 30.
Brother's name starts with a V.
Marion, run down what you
can on a Noreen Lawson,
approximately 30, and her brother,
first name starts with a V.
With a V, got it.
I've got other things to do.
Well, I'm headed to the Hooverville
to verify the brothers' timeline.
Make sure that it'll hold up.
I want to focus on Holcomb.
Do you really buy Holcomb killing Brooks
for losing him some money?
Well, maybe he wasn't losing it.
Maybe it was getting it back
'cause partnering in that boat
couldn't have been cheap.
So Holcomb figures he gets
fuck-up Brooks out of the way
and fixes up the situation himself.
Turns that place around.
And he goes from owning half the Morocco
to owning all of it with one bullet.
- It holds water, right?
- Yeah.
So, how does Holcomb
set the brothers up?
Right, so
Holcomb sees Rafael and Mateo
rummaging close to
where he shot Brooks
And puts the wallet in a
trashcan down the way.
B Bingo, the brothers find it.
Right, 'cause which kid
grubbing for a two-cent bottle
isn't going to go for a fancy
billfold just sitting there?
And the gold coin inside.
And Holcomb knows they're gonna pawn it,
so it's only a matter of time
before the cops round 'em up
and LA's got themselves
the perfect patsies.
Two Mexican kids ready-made
to go from the front page
to the gallows in ten seconds flat.
I don't buy it.
Why not?
We can't prove Holcomb did any of it.
Can't prove he put anything
in a garbage can
or wanted to take over the Morocco
or had anything to do with the murder.
But it's reasonable doubt.
Just planting a seed.
Milligan will rip it apart.
Excuse me. Mr. Mason
- Yeah?
- Linda's on the phone.
Thank you.
You're a real wet blanket,
you know that?
Make a better case, and I won't be.
- I won.
- No, you didn't. Another round.
What?
Is this how it's gonna be
- you know, until we
- Don't think about it.
You already owe me six cigarettes.
Switch. That doesn't count.
Let's play again.
No, no, no, let's go again,
but this time, I'm on
this side. Here you go.
Here you go. Here you go.
Here you go.
I'll take that.
What's that noise?
You really think that was gonna work?
I'm not losing another round.
Then you need to learn to toss
better than a fucking gorilla.
Do you happen to know the Gallardos?
No, I sure don't.
Steady. There he is! Over there!
Hey, there.
Okay! Lower that down for me.
Thank you, sweetheart.
We're just shooting the rats for supper.
- We're allowed.
- You are.
But where'd you get that?
Found a dime and rented it.
Huh? Who rents guns?
That's him in the hat.
Thanks.
- Come on.
- Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Do you live with anyone?
- A dad, an uncle, grandpa?
- Our pops.
- What's his name?
- Eustis.
- Eustis what?
- You got another nickel?
Get out of here!
Go, go!
I hear you're a man to see.
- Depends on where you heard it.
- Fella, Eustis Beck.
- What you're looking for?
- Uh, nothing too big.
Maybe a .32.
Take your pick.
- How much for the whole day?
- Dollar, with full chambers.
Here's a Lincoln for all five of 'em.
All yours, killer.
Hey
don't you want to know
what I want 'em for?
You want all five of those for the day,
I sure as hell don't want to know why.
And don't come back here
and fucking tell me neither.
Uh huh.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Come on in.
- I'm sorry, this is so last-minute.
- Oh.
- Uh, I Thank you.
- Yeah.
I had a chance to
restack at the library,
and if I do an overnight,
then I get an extra day off this summer.
- Hey.
- It's just for one night.
Just like the Army. Huh?
What do you think, Captain?
Yeah.
- Yeah?
- Hmm.
- Why don't you go take a look.
- Yeah.
Sorry, he just needs,
uh, a minute to warm up.
Yeah, of course.
So, uh, is the tent because you
didn't have any actual furniture?
- Uh, no. Maybe it's just fun.
- Oh.
- Yeah.
- I brought groceries.
- Oh, don't need them.
- Right
I stopped at the market.
Yep, welcome to the Mess.
- Oh, beans?
- Yes.
You know, the real trick to a
group of men sitting around
eating beans is that they
actually do it outdoors.
You realize you insulted me
less when we were married.
I know how to do this.
I'm sorry. I appreciate it.
I do.
You know, moving back to L.A.
was not exactly what he wanted.
Anyway, I was actually hoping
that he might get to know
his father a little bit better.
Of course.
Well, I should go.
Teddy, I have to go. Give me a hug.
- Mm.
- Do you have to?
It's just for one night, okay?
I am gonna call you in the morning,
and he just needs to be at
school by eight o'clock.
- Got it.
- Okay.
- Good luck stacking.
- Oh, thank you.
Enjoy. Bye.
So w I know it's not your
birthday for a couple months,
but guy in the store said
this is top of the line.
You just pull down.
- A Lionel Electric!
- Oh, yes,
there's even a secret switch
so you can steer onto a second track.
Want to set it up right now?
How about over by the tent?
Ah, but I have to do my homework first.
What? It's still early.
Yeah, you know what?
You do your homework.
We'll set this up after.
- How about that?
- Okay.
- Hey, uh, Dad?
- Yeah.
You know any Latin?
We use a lot of it, uh,
for legal terms, yeah.
Okay, um, I need to conjugate gaudere.
It means "to be joyful."
Gaudeo, gaudes, gaudet,
gaudemus, gaudent.
But is the second
person plural gaudetis?
You want to go see a movie?
We've been holding back production
on these eight pumpers,
but demand is coming back, and
we're gonna need the supply,
so let's open the taps and let 'em run.
Mr. McCutcheon, this fella says
he's got an appointment with you.
Name's Dick Rile, sir.
I was doing some business
with your late son.
Give us a minute.
I'm sorry to trouble you
with this, so soon and all,
but Brooks hadn't paid
me in a couple months.
Two hundred and forty dollars exact.
We didn't have nothing written,
so, uh, I figured you were
the fella to see now.
It's fine, Mr. Rile.
Business must always be settled,
- debts paid.
- Oh, yeah.
Now, before I settle my son's accounts,
- I want assurances from you.
- Assurances?
Yes, that if anyone ever asks
you anything regarding my son,
you say you never had a
lick of business with him.
Oh, I I wasn't ever
gonna say nothing.
But you called me.
Left messages. Showed up here.
Not saying nothing means
it never passes your lips.
You can never think it because it
is gone from your mind forever.
- Gone forever.
- I I I understand.
I hope you do, but I have to be certain.
I believe my son's been
made good, Mr. Rile.
- Good morning.
- All right.
Good morning.
Good morning. Good morning.
- Good morning, Teddy.
- Good morning, Miss Aimes.
Look, I said I'll speak to her,
and you won't get in trouble.
Well, I don't think we have any rules
about bringing your son
to school on a motorbike.
Though you are getting quite an eyeful
from some of the other parents.
Um, yeah look, T eh,
Teddy didn't finish his homework.
Oh
He, uh, he s stayed the
night at my place last night.
Have a great day, bud.
- Bye, Dad.
- Yeah, I, um, Linda and I divorced.
Hmm.
Well, Teddy shows no sign of it.
And the other children
don't seem to know.
Well, I'm sure Linda would like it
if you helped keep it that way.
Um, for for Teddy.
Oh, of course. I understand.
It it was just his first
night at my apartment.
I I wanted him to have fun,
so I took him to the movies.
- What did you see?
- Uh, King Kong.
Were there no burlesque houses
open for you to take him to?
I'm glad you find it funny
'cause that fucking dinosaur
fight gave him nightmares.
- Pardon my language.
- I won't hold it against you,
the language or the movie choice.
Oh, and I'll tell Teddy he can
make up his homework tonight.
Good morning, Vanessa.
One, two, three, four, five, six
Morning, Marion.
- Mr. Mason.
- Mm-hmm.
They wouldn't sign in.
If you wanted to speak
with me, McCutcheon,
you could've picked up a phone.
If I had wanted to pick up
a phone, I would have.
- What do you want?
- Mason Dairy,
that was your family's farm, wasn't it?
Yeah.
You must appreciate a good horse.
Maybe you don't know much
about where milk comes from.
Pull on a horse, you're in trouble.
Some of my fondest memories of
me and Brooks are on horseback.
Riding is a fine thing
to pass on to a son.
Why did you take this case?
You were doing fine in
your little niche practice.
Maybe I like stacked odds.
You've been digging
into my son's affairs.
Well
I'd like you to consider
finding another hole to dig in.
What hole do you suggest?
Any one that isn't full of mud
to drag his good name through.
You have to understand
what Brooks's death has
done to his widow
his children
frankly, what it's done to me.
There were other versions of my son,
as there are other
versions of all of us.
Is there a version that
includes Noreen Lawson?
I've encountered many people
like you in my life, Mr. Mason.
The chip on the shoulder.
The great savior.
Martyr to the cause.
I just see it as making things fair.
You think by getting
the Gallardo boys off,
their life will take some
remarkable turn toward success?
I think we both know with you
that the opposite is true.
That poor Emily Dodson girl.
All you went through for her.
Jail was where she really belonged,
but instead, you worked tirelessly
to have her set free, and for what?
Just so she could walk into Lake Tahoe?
Even when you win, Mr. Mason, you lose,
and in the end what are you left with?
Emily might've disappointed me
but with all his breeding
and advantages,
just remember I'm standing here
because of who disappointed you.
Keep digging into my son,
and I will burn you.
And no one will give a damn.
You can go.
Hey.
What?
- When did you find out?
- About three months ago.
Why didn't you tell me?
I don't know.
I don't.
Those postcards started
showing up a while back,
and I just thought it was her ranting.
What what was I supposed to do?
You're the one she reached out to.
Yeah, and why do that to me?
Why do that to anyone?
Tell them you're gonna kill yourself
to be together with your kid again.
Call a headshrinker, not your lawyer.
You could have called one for her.
You don't think that's all I do is
is think about what I should've done?
I sh I should've gone
up there. I should've.
I should've stopped her. I should've
Maybe I could've shaken
some sense into her.
You were never gonna do that.
Yes, but I'm I might have.
Della, I never thought she
would go through with it.
Jesus, Perry.
So that's what we've
been doing all this time?
Giving up criminal cases,
me walking on eggshells
all because you're torn up about Emily?
For fuck's sake, Perry,
you should've told me.
When I said we're in this together,
I meant it. We're partners.
But when are you ever
not alone in anything?
I'm sorry.
Leave 'em on the bed.
You rent this gun to these boys?
I'm gonna take that as a yes.
That's not the answer I wanted.
Not by a damn sight.
Now, I'm gonna keep those other .32s.
I'm gonna call that your
cost of doing business.
Get the fuck out.
Fuck.