Eli Stone s02e04 Episode Script
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Previously on Eli Stone: I have reason to believe my daughter is involved with Matt Dowd.
Are you telling me that nothing is going on between you and Maggie? Nothing is going on between me and Is that an engagement ring? The board voted me out as managing partner.
I intend to create the kind of practice I'd been expelled for proposing.
The three of you decided to put this building solely in my father's name.
It appears you're trespassing on my property.
Hey, there, stranger.
I missed you.
- Hm - Whoa - Looks like you missed a spot.
- You're naked.
- What are you doing? - Where are your clothes? First step in showering is usually taking them off, weirdo.
- Now, where was I? - Ah! I can't do this without my coffee.
- Covering your eyes? - I'm not! Are you joking? - You're not joking.
- I just, I gotta What are you doing?! I've barely seen you this week! You work late.
We don't have to talk about our engagement party.
- Engagement? - With everything at work, you could help me out for five minutes.
Jeez, Scott.
I don't know what's gotten into you lately! You were her fiancé? Kind of a Quantum Leaper, huh? Did you hear what I said? We were naked.
I had to look away so I didn't Well, I may have glanced.
I am human.
But what does it mean? In Greek mythology, gods often disguised themselves as mortals so they could spy on subjects and test loyalties.
Well, not that I mind being compared to Zeus, but I don't need to spy on Maggie to know her loyalties.
Zeus played these games with women for whom he had special affection.
Don't start.
Whatever happened last year with me and Maggie, which was nothing, by the way, is over, done with and forgotten.
Affection I have is purely professional.
Well, maybe it has something to do with a case.
If you haven't noticed, these visions usually do.
It has to do with her.
This is two Maggie visions in a row.
Last week, at the Supreme Court with Posner & Klein.
This week, she's in the shower with me.
Maybe Posner made her an offer at his new firm.
Well, if God is sending you visions about whether or not Maggie is changing firms, which given his busy schedule and more pressing priorities, I doubt, one thing we've learned is visions of the future can be altered.
You can change destiny.
Don't let her go.
It's a misunderstanding that a public interest firm can't be profitable.
- But I assure you, we will succeed.
- And the benefits? The firm's Tahoe ski retreat will be made available to successful attorneys.
Clients you care passionately about Blue chip clients operating at the forefront of global commerce Our mission will be to use the law as the highest form of social activism.
A different guest chef will be flown in every Monday.
What you give up in simple dollars and cents, you will more than make up in quality of life.
This is going to be the single least suspenseful meeting of my day.
Actually, I haven't made up my mind yet, sir.
Really? Because Marci and I would like you to consider joining our firm as a full partner.
Can you believe how easily people are bought? The exodus has begun.
Only the morally bankrupt and weak-minded.
No one liked your wife's banana bread! We only ate it to be polite! Oh! How are the assistants and junior staff holding up? None of my roosters will fly this coop.
You're the best, Patti.
I assume that will be reflected in my Christmas bonus! Hey! Good to see you clothed.
Nicely.
How are you? - Horrible.
- I know the firm's split has left some people with some very stressful decisions.
- You're telling me.
- So Posner did make you an offer? - He didn't even ask for a meeting.
- That's great! Great? He's met with every single other associate here.
My engagement party is Friday, Eli.
The timing of all of this couldn't be worse.
Literally half my guest list called in the last few hours to cancel.
They feel awkward about doing the Macarena with soon-to-be-ex-co-workers.
I don't know which terrifies me more, doing the Macarena at your party, or that your guests are all people who work here.
Let's face it.
I work 80 hours a week.
My life is Scott and you.
This firm.
This place is Well, was my family.
And we still will be.
Only smaller.
- You can't leave, Maggie.
- Why would you ever think I would? - Posner is like Darth Sidious.
- Well, then beware the dark side.
Ms.
Dekker? Mr.
Posner would like to see you.
Thanks.
What makes you think I can convince Matt not to leave, - or that I would want to? - He just needs a gentle push.
Well, he's your boyfriend, Taylor.
Did you try the red nightie thing? That certainly convinced me to That's inappropriate.
Noted.
Just put him on a case with you.
Show him things about public interest law.
How amazing it feels to help people.
Show him some of that Stone magic.
This is Matt.
You don't even believe in the Stone magic.
- Please, Eli, I need this.
- He's gonna see right through me.
You need me.
You need me? For what? My analytical mind? My innate command of civil procedure? - My deft - You have an edge.
Some may call it obnoxious, but that adversarial edge - in court can sometimes - Oh, shut up, Stone.
- I know Taylor put you up to this.
- You can't let her know I told you.
You didn't.
You're as transparent as a window pane.
They've offered me partner.
I've made up my mind.
- I just don't know how to tell her.
- Is there a good way to tell your girlfriend you're gonna work for those who poleaxed her father? - Probably not.
- So don't say yes yet.
You owe her to at least pretend to mull it over.
Besides, you know, you make Posner & Klein sweat over this for a week, they'll raise your offer.
Well, I do want a corner office.
Me? Senior associate? In charge of your pro bono department? - At double your current salary.
- Come on.
I never kid about money.
Or about four weeks paid vacation.
Time to do some of your special projects.
- Mother Teresa's next junket? - I think Mother Teresa is dead, sir.
Someone else alive and well and whining about the rainforest.
I thought you and Ms.
Klein don't even like pro bono work.
Don't let my disdain for all things tie-dyed fool you, Miss Dekker.
Even I understand that making money and doing good are not mutually exclusive.
It's good PR.
And there's also this.
Twenty thousand dollars to the Eco Preservation League? A gesture of good will to show you how serious I am about this.
Consider it an early engagement gift.
All I ask is you take a few days.
Just think about it.
Patti, you know that box you've been keeping for me, with faxes and letters from potential clients? - You mean the wackadoo file? - I mean, the box with all the fascinating legal dilemmas that could one day - end up in the Supreme Court.
- What I have is a box full of cases from nuts that saw you on the news.
Wackadoo file.
Could I just have it? Here's one.
And I have three more in the supply closet.
Now, some of these cases are significant.
It's all about finding the diamond in the rough.
- Snooze.
- The environment makes you want to nap.
I got it.
Well, here's a First Amendment issue.
Man wants to sue his landlord for clearing mold which looks like Jesus.
Jesus mold? Pass.
We may have something here.
Twin sister flight attendants.
- Now this sounds promising.
- They want to sue the airline that fired them when they turned 60.
Patti! Can we get another box in here? You sure you wouldn't rather see a living client? - Will - This is how my cases usually come in.
Oh - Mr.
Stone? - Yeah.
- Hey, I'm Will Sonneborn.
- Hi, this is my associate, Matt Dowd.
- Hi.
- What can we do for you? Help my girlfriend.
Homeland Security arrested her and her husband yesterday.
I realize these are confusing times.
Posner's probably making some of you offers.
Substantial offers.
But as the assistant who's been here the longest, I want to remind you that Jordan and Eli care for each and every one of you.
Why is it the first thing they did was freeze next year's wage increases? That's a lot to deal with in this economy.
Jordan's vision for this firm is real.
He and Eli want to change things, to make a difference.
No offense, Patti, but Eli's a little eccentric.
Eli may be unorthodox, but I've seen what he can do.
And believe me when I tell you, it's meaningful, it's inspirational.
This new firm will be a place that we can be proud to come to every day.
How often does that happen? Get them to lift the wage freeze and we'll think about it.
Great! I'll talk to Eli, work something out for all of us.
- Could you explain that again? - Will is my boyfriend.
He gives her sex, but I give her emotional support.
And someone to watch Project Runway with.
Carter, can you please be serious? He's kidding.
- So who is he to you? - Carter's my best friend, also my - Gay, Green Card husband.
- That clears it right up.
Sona and Carter were in the public health program.
- We've been BFFs ever since.
- How did ICE get involved? When my student visa ran out, I was supposed to return to Pakistan.
But Will and I were just getting to really know one another.
- We were falling in love.
- I couldn't leave.
I had finally found happiness.
I tried to extend my student visa, get a work visa.
Nothing worked.
I married her so she could stay here and fall in love.
- Why didn't you just marry Will? - I would have.
I wanted to.
It was too early in our relationship.
I didn't feel comfortable asking him to do that.
How did Homeland Security realize the marriage was a fraud? I had an ugly breakup with this jackass who knew the whole story.
My removal hearing is this week.
After which, you face up to five years in prison.
- You have to help.
- Nothing we can do.
You committed fraud.
In Post-9/11 America, that means you're going to prison and you're going back to Pakistan.
- That can't happen.
- There's something else.
Tell them, Sona.
She was supposed to return home to an arranged marriage.
But I couldn't go through with it.
Not after I met Will.
- Not after I knew real love.
- If she goes back to Pakistan, her family will kill her.
Let's get a move on.
Caterers are not gonna wait around.
- We already rescheduled twice.
- I'm coming.
Hey.
- Looking forward to festivities.
- Glad you can be there.
- There's a lot to celebrate.
- Besides your engagement? - Maggie got a very interesting offer.
- Scott.
Could I have a word with you for a second in private? Yeah.
What's he talking about? Posner made you an offer? - He gave me a really hard sell.
- So you told him no? I didn't want to be rude.
I told him I'd think about it for a few days.
- What did he offer? - Senior associate.
In charge of their pro bono department, with lots of support - for the environment.
- How much does he pay? - Twice my salary.
How can you? - We'll match it.
I'm now a partner.
It's what you deserve.
Trust me.
I'm gonna take care of this, Maggie.
No wonder Martin Posner was always so prickly.
Handling WPK's finances was a huge task when we had revenue.
Maybe we should consider putting the building on the market, downsizing.
- What kind of statement would that be? - Dad - Stop taking the stress on yourself.
- I'm fine.
I'm just not sleeping.
Or hungry.
There's just a lot of life changes ahead, you know? Yes, I have a feeling I do know.
Honey, if there's ever anything you'd like to talk to me about Maggie Dekker received an offer from Posner & Klein.
A substantial one.
We have to match it.
We can't afford to.
Maggie's the last person who's gonna work for them.
Not true.
She'll leave.
I know it.
You have a special affection for Ms.
Dekker - Everyone says that.
- You're kidding.
She's a friend.
Platonic.
She believed in me before anyone else did.
I realize that.
But we haven't matched Posner's salary offer - for any associate.
- We want to keep them You're a partner now.
Start thinking like one.
Which means not allowing sentiment to cloud your judgment.
It means worrying about how we fund quarterly contributions to the associates' health insurance.
How we keep our offices lit and warm this winter amidst skyrocketing electric bills.
But if you truly think Maggie's presence at our firm justifies treating her differently than others and placing our obligations to them at greater risk, it's your call.
You were taking the day off to prepare for your engagement party? Just stopped by to pick up a few things before the parents arrive.
Look, I spoke to Jordan.
And the thing is we're losing nearly all our revenue-streaming clients.
And I tried to figure out a way as best I could to match Posner's offer.
- But - Eli, it doesn't matter.
- It doesn't? - This firm changed my life.
And you Well, the firm made me see for the first time that I could make a true difference.
I could never leave.
I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that.
Stone, we're late for court.
Listen, Dekker, this party of yours Is that more like a gift thing or is a wedding present enough? It's a different world over there.
In Pakistan, I'm considered my father's property.
His honor is defined by my purity.
By entering into a sexual relationship with a man - other than the one chosen for you - I became kari, an impure woman.
What is the punishment for becoming kari? The only way for my father to restore his honor is to kill the one who damaged it.
Me.
Preferably publicly, so all can witness his honor being restored.
Objection.
What happens to certain women in Pakistan is horrible, of course.
- It's not at issue here.
- It is when you send her to Pakistan.
- I agree.
Objection overruled.
- Ms.
Booker seemed to imply just now that honor killings are rare in Pakistan.
Hundreds of girls are murdered each year.
My friend was burned because she kissed the wrong boy.
Her body lay in the street for two hours.
No one did anything.
Thank you, Sona.
Nothing further.
I guess you're unaware that honor killings in Pakistan have been outlawed for three years.
One law cannot change ancient customs.
And even if it could, the law must still be enforced.
But all the prosecutors are men.
All the judges are men.
Not every Pakistani girl who disobeys her father is murdered, am I correct? There are lucky ones.
But some fathers are more controlling, like my father.
Your father allowed you to come here and study.
That doesn't sound particularly controlling.
- Has he ever laid a hand against you? - No.
- Threatened you? - No.
But he would kill you if you return to your country.
Do you have proof? - No, I don't.
- So we are to just take your word? The word of a woman who stood in front of a judge and promised "to love, honor and cherish, till death do you part" a gay man? - Objection.
- Nothing further.
You realize this could all be bull? "Become a U.
S.
Citizen for Dummies.
" Marrying your gay best friend fails, cry honor killing.
- Gee, Matt.
Cynical much? - I'm just saying clients lie.
Even your clients.
Good news! Eleven legal secretaries, six paralegals and five clerks.
They all signed to stay on with us.
Nearly everyone.
All you have to do is convince Jordan to unfreeze their raises for the next year.
It's amazing that you convinced them.
But as of now, there are ten and a half lawyers staying.
So how can I justify keeping 22 staff, with or without raises? - Can you justify letting them go? - The firm is splitting in two.
Which is what I might do to you in a few seconds.
I put my ass on the line.
If you don't come up with money, we lose assistants - People will stay.
- This is the real world.
- People have obligations.
- I realize, but my hands are tied.
Your hands are tied? Listen to yourself.
You sound like Posner.
Is that the kind of boss you wanna be? - If so, maybe they all should leave.
- Patti, come on Don't "come on" me! I am going to take a ridiculously long lunch.
You can answer your own damn phone! Goodness gracious! What my cousin did is unforgivable.
I should not even be here.
- Then why are you? - Sona told us that you two were very close when she first arrived.
Then one day you just stopped returning her calls.
Why? I love Sona.
But I could not watch her become a Western woman.
You're wearing J.
Crew and Nike.
Doesn't seem like you have much problem with Westernization.
My family expected me to look out for her.
- And you got tired of being a spy.
- This is the way it is for centuries.
Sona's father was disgraced.
Do you have any idea how painful it is for a man to lose his honor? Well, maybe there's a way that you could help without anyone knowing.
Maybe there's a letter or an e-mail from Sona's father - intimating his plan to harm her? - You're asking me to sacrifice honor.
I understand that some people are very strict about their customs.
But you've lived here long enough to see things a different way.
Can you tell me that you still believe that because a woman looks at a man the wrong way or refuses to marry someone chosen by her father, that she should be killed? Do you honestly believe that because your cousin is a woman she shouldn't be allowed to decide for herself who she loves or marries? She's living her own life in this country, just like you.
Should she have to die because of that? And can you just stand by and watch? So, what about your honor? OK, I'll admit it.
I didn't think you'd turn him.
How's it feel, working on a case you're invested in? Don't get ahead of yourself.
I'm very invested - in my membership at Pebble Beach.
- Admit it, Dowd.
You're hooked.
Come on.
Again? - Scott? - What is it with them and the shower? Are you coming in here? I'm all lathered up.
No, I'm just gonna go, uh to the bedroom and get dressed, with the door closed and locked, Mag nificent woman who is not Maggie.
Come on.
We don't have that much time before you're a married man.
- We need to take advantage.
- We know each other? Intimately? Oh, God.
You're freaking out again.
Are you gonna end things again? Shocker.
What is that, the fourth time this month? Sorry, no time today.
Get your butt in here.
I have to meet my husband at six.
It's in there.
Sona's father's asking Amir to join his cousins in defending his honor.
We all know what that means.
It's vague at best, hearsay, no way to authenticate that this letter came from Sona's father.
- It's a death sentence.
- Your client broke the law.
And despite this letter, I'm obligated to have her removed.
Were you born without the compassion gene or something? Homeland Security doesn't pay me for compassion.
Then we'll take the letter to Judge Kettleman.
He'll be inclined to save her life.
I think he'll be inclined to enforce the law, him being a judge and all.
Which is why he will not send a young woman to her own lynching.
I am willing to cut your client a deal.
But it's the only deal I'll put on the table.
It's insidious.
We're obligated to present it, but the offer sucks.
If I go back to Pakistan, they'll have all charges against Carter dropped? - I'm just as guilty as she is.
- You're an American.
Booker's a bureaucratic hack.
If Sona accepts, she sent another back.
- A victory for national security.
- Don't worry, she won't accept.
- What's Booker do if I don't? - Doesn't matter! Press forward with cases against you both.
Sona, we can win this.
You cannot take this offer.
I've already gotten you in so much trouble.
- I can't live with you in jail.
- Yes, you can.
I didn't spend the last two years explaining to every date I brought home why there were bras hanging in the bathroom so you could bail.
I love you.
I did this to save your life.
- And now I want to save yours.
- You can't go back there.
I see no other choice.
I'm taking the deal.
Poor Maggie.
No one is here.
- Matt? - Sorry.
You're barely even here tonight.
Is it the case? I just can't stop thinking, wishing there was some way I could stop Sona from taking this deal.
I've never seen you get this upset over work before.
Not sure I've been this upset before.
I'm sorry.
But it is nice to see you caring so much about a client though.
- What? - Subtleness isn't exactly your forte.
Think I don't know you had Stone set me up? You could've just passed me a note asking me if I was staying, with boxes for "yes" or "no" and the "i" dotted with a little heart.
OK.
It was immature.
I just didn't want to pressure you.
Couples have survived working at different firms before.
I just There's only so much stress a relationship can take.
No pressure there.
You're right.
I'm not gonna ask you to stay.
Good.
Because, Taylor, you mean so much to me.
If you asked me, there's no way I could have said - no.
- Why are you smiling? I think I just figured out a way to get Sona to change her mind.
The thing about mojitos is they make you feel all better.
Like a tropical beach party in your mouth.
I mean, look at me.
I'm having a great time.
Are you sure? Because you're sitting over here on your own.
- It's a disaster.
- Bad timing.
Don't take it personally.
Eli, it's my engagement party.
It should be It should feel different.
Like all these people who didn't show up knew what I didn't Scott and I had a huge blow-up this morning.
He's doesn't understand why I turned down Posner.
Poor guy.
He's so worried and concerned about our future.
He's so good to me.
And I I can never hurt him.
Maggie, I have to talk to you about something.
Thought you might be hungry.
I brought you a plate.
Sushi.
- No, thanks.
- A lovely Brie.
- I'm OK.
- Champagne? - No.
- How about this Emmental? Hm! Have you tasted this? Come on.
You're pregnant.
I knew it! Your mother had a thing for Emmental when she was pregnant too.
OK, Columbo, you got me.
Please don't say anything to anyone.
- Matt doesn't even know.
- Of course not.
That's complicated.
I understand.
You could have told me, though.
- I'm sorry.
- How are you feeling? Pretty overwhelmed, to be honest.
It's a lot to think about, a baby.
I never really saw myself as a mother.
I'm not sure I do now.
I see.
So you might not be keeping it.
I'm sorry if that's not what you want to hear, Dad.
Things with Matt and I are good.
But we're not exactly serious.
Can I raise a baby on my own? Would I even want to? Sweetie, the decision is yours, of course.
But just so you know, you are never alone.
Thanks, Dad.
I don't understand.
You were in my bathroom? Well, yeah, I was in your shower first.
It's very nice A great selection of shampoo, a little girly for my taste, but - But what were you doing in there? - You see, the thing is I wasn't me, and I wasn't alone.
- What are you talking about? - Maggie, I was - Scott.
- There you are.
- Hi, honey! - Should've figured, when I couldn't find her, she'd be with you.
Maggie, your parents are looking for you.
Parents.
I better go.
I'm only gonna say this once.
Back off.
We're getting married.
- Why can't you respect that? - Why can't you? - What's that supposed to mean? - It means I saw you with a certain naked married woman.
- Mind your own business, bro.
- Why don't you tell her, bro? Before I do.
Before she makes the biggest mistake of her life and marries a piece of crap like Eli! What's going on? You tell her.
You tell her or I will.
Go clean up your face.
We'll talk later.
And you Please leave.
Now.
What are you doing here so early? Is it Carter? Will? No, nothing like that.
Look, you can't take this deal.
Carter doesn't need your sacrifice.
He needs you.
- Going to jail would destroy him.
- Living with the guilt of you dying will destroy him.
Not to mention Will.
Will's a strong man.
He'll be fine.
Tell him that.
All right.
Step in, please.
Sona, tell Will exactly how he'll be fine living the rest of his life not knowing whether the woman he loves is alive or dead.
And Will, you tell Sona exactly how you and Carter will be able to go on without her.
That a day will come when you two won't wake up thinking about her, wondering, hating yourselves.
If you two can actually convince each other of those things, then Sona, you should take this deal.
But my guess is you won't.
My guess is you'll stay.
You'll stay for the men who love you.
Sona made some mistakes, but the question before you, Your Honor, is whether those mistakes justify putting her to death.
That's what sending her to Pakistan will do.
The letter from Sona's father to her cousin proves that.
Ms.
Booker calls the marriage between Sona and Carter fraudulent.
And yet Sona was willing to return to Pakistan and face death for Carter.
That That is sacrifice and a love more real than what's between most married couples I know.
I'll save you all the suspense.
Ms.
Khan has not demonstrated respect for our laws.
She knowingly entered into a fraudulent marriage to obtain a Green Card.
I cannot reward nor condone this behavior.
And I cannot extend to her the privilege of U.
S.
citizenship.
I am convinced that Ms.
Khan would be in grave danger if she returns to Pakistan.
I therefore grant the withholding of her removal.
She'll be allowed to stay here as long as there is a threat against her.
Sorry things didn't work out.
We'll see how smug you are tomorrow.
- What do you mean by that? - You pushed me too far.
I spoke to my supervisor, Candace Bonneville.
Told her about our little Green Card situation.
Recommended that she expedite to get Carter the maximum: five years.
- What? No.
- Why would you do that? Why would you think I wouldn't? I'm so sorry.
For my behavior.
For everything.
You shouldn't have had to find out about Scott that way.
Are things? How are things? The engagement's off.
The wedding's off.
It's all off.
It's for the best.
If there's anything that I can do If you want me to punch him again, I will.
I'm a giver that way.
He's not entirely to blame, you know.
He had good reason.
Scott's no dummy.
He knew.
He knew it before I even did.
When I was coming home every night, talking about work, what you had done in court, or what we talked about.
- Maggie - He proposed to get me to forget you.
And I think I accepted for the same reason.
And I knew I knew you didn't feel the same way I did.
- I wish - You don't.
I get it, Eli.
Anyway, turns out Scott wasn't the saint I thought he was, was he? He and Candace have been getting it on for months.
Candace? Lucky I wasn't on your Green Card case.
Turns out she's Booker's team leader at ICE.
- Talk about conflict of interest.
- You're kidding.
- I have your boxes, Ms.
Dekker.
- Could you please put them by my desk? So you're finally getting your own office.
Well, it's not like we're short on space anymore.
I can't stay here, Eli.
I can't let my feelings for you cost me more than they already have.
Not Posner & Klein.
Don't do that.
You don't have to do that.
I do.
I love you, Eli.
But for once, I'm actually gonna put myself first.
Ms.
Bonneville.
Hi, I'm Eli Stone.
Hi.
You're representing Carter Jameson, right? I pulled his folder after I got your message.
You must have really pissed Charlotte Booker off.
I get the feeling she's a bit of a sore loser.
She's passionate about her work.
But you're her boss.
And I know for a fact that this office has handled cases exactly like Carter's where you have signed off on deals which involved zero prison time.
I'm sorry, Mr.
Stone, but this isn't gonna be one of them.
I accept Charlotte's recommendation.
My people need to know I trust them.
I feel awful playing this card, but considering who dealt it to me, I don't see how I have any choice.
I know about your extramarital activities with Scott Clauson.
- Pardon me? - I know.
It's none of my business, but I I think I was meant to know about your affair so that I might encourage - you to help my client.
- Are you blackmailing me? No.
I'm just strongly suggesting that there's a solution opposite to Ms.
Booker's which you should seriously consider.
Upon further examination of his file, I do see some ameliorating factors here.
Five hundred hours of community service and two years probation.
Sounds like we have a deal.
Surely you jest, Ms.
Dekker.
Our offer of legal employment is strictly non-negotiable.
Nothing's non-negotiable, Mr.
Posner.
Not when both parties have leverage.
I'm well aware of my unique value to you and Ms.
Klein.
Pray tell, Ms.
Dekker.
You relish the thought of how much you think it will hurt Eli - if I go work for you.
- Do you have that low an opinion of me? Lower, actually.
And yet you're willing to work for me if I meet your terms? If I can use you to help the people I want to help, yes.
These are my terms.
Take them or leave them.
Very savvy asks.
But we can live with them.
Welcome to Posner & Klein.
I suspect we're going to discover still more hidden depths in you, Ms.
Dekker.
- Prosecution is giving Carter a pass.
- I know.
Sona just called to thank me.
- How'd you do it? - Friends in high places.
Yeah.
We did good.
We did.
So why are you packing? What we did this week, I have never felt so gratified, - so relieved by a win.
- Which means that Taylor's half-baked plan worked.
You're supposed to stay now.
Stone, I haven't slept in three days.
I've been wearing the same stinkin' shirt since Tuesday.
And I haven't sweat this bad since I ran the Bay to Breakers marathon.
Because the case mattered to you.
That's what it feels like.
Exactly my point.
I like a good night's sleep.
And the only occasion where I enjoy sweating isn't in the courtroom.
- No.
This isn't me, Eli.
- You saved Sona's life.
Yeah, and it nearly ended mine.
I don't know how I would've lived with myself if we'd lost that.
Listen, man, I admire what you do.
It's just not what I do.
- What about Taylor? - She'll be fine.
- You should be worried about yourself.
- Why? The next time we're in court together, it'll be my job to shred you.
- I'm sorry.
- Don't be.
You made your own decision.
That's what I wanted you to do.
Please don't take it personally.
You saw what this trial did to me.
I just I don't do emotional, Taylor.
You know that.
I do.
Anyway, think how much more fun seeing each other at night's gonna be when we haven't seen each other all day.
I made reservations at Masa's.
Eight OK? Great.
- Hi.
- Hello.
So rumor has it that Posner made every member of staff here an offer, including you.
Just so you know, out of all the people here, you're the one I could never lose.
I mean that, Patti.
Well, I mean, Lord knows you'd be useless without me.
Looks like you're not the only one, too.
I saw John in the elevator, Betty in the kitchen.
Whatever you said to them must have worked.
I guess we got a lot of sappy idealists around here.
I guess.
Well, you can tell those sappy idealists who stayed on that we will unfreeze their raises for next year.
It's not as much as what Posner offered and it's not what you all deserve.
But we're gonna do what we can.
I'll take it out of my own salary.
- Really, Eli? - This is a new firm, Patti.
And we may have to improvise, but we're gonna figure out a way to be the best firm that we can.
Now, if you would be so kind, - may I have my wackadoo file? - Of course.
Just the man I was looking for.
I trust it wasn't too difficult to find me.
Our ranks are considerably thinned.
Thinned, but strengthened.
Certainly there are plenty of empty offices, - if you want to move out the library.
- Thank you, sir.
But I think I'll stay.
- Sentimental reasons, you know? - That I do.
What's that? New cases.
New clients.
I was just bringing it by your office.
- Or we can start fresh tomorrow.
- No, no, now would be fine.
But first there was something I wanted to give you.
To new beginnings partner.
New beginnings.
Are you telling me that nothing is going on between you and Maggie? Nothing is going on between me and Is that an engagement ring? The board voted me out as managing partner.
I intend to create the kind of practice I'd been expelled for proposing.
The three of you decided to put this building solely in my father's name.
It appears you're trespassing on my property.
Hey, there, stranger.
I missed you.
- Hm - Whoa - Looks like you missed a spot.
- You're naked.
- What are you doing? - Where are your clothes? First step in showering is usually taking them off, weirdo.
- Now, where was I? - Ah! I can't do this without my coffee.
- Covering your eyes? - I'm not! Are you joking? - You're not joking.
- I just, I gotta What are you doing?! I've barely seen you this week! You work late.
We don't have to talk about our engagement party.
- Engagement? - With everything at work, you could help me out for five minutes.
Jeez, Scott.
I don't know what's gotten into you lately! You were her fiancé? Kind of a Quantum Leaper, huh? Did you hear what I said? We were naked.
I had to look away so I didn't Well, I may have glanced.
I am human.
But what does it mean? In Greek mythology, gods often disguised themselves as mortals so they could spy on subjects and test loyalties.
Well, not that I mind being compared to Zeus, but I don't need to spy on Maggie to know her loyalties.
Zeus played these games with women for whom he had special affection.
Don't start.
Whatever happened last year with me and Maggie, which was nothing, by the way, is over, done with and forgotten.
Affection I have is purely professional.
Well, maybe it has something to do with a case.
If you haven't noticed, these visions usually do.
It has to do with her.
This is two Maggie visions in a row.
Last week, at the Supreme Court with Posner & Klein.
This week, she's in the shower with me.
Maybe Posner made her an offer at his new firm.
Well, if God is sending you visions about whether or not Maggie is changing firms, which given his busy schedule and more pressing priorities, I doubt, one thing we've learned is visions of the future can be altered.
You can change destiny.
Don't let her go.
It's a misunderstanding that a public interest firm can't be profitable.
- But I assure you, we will succeed.
- And the benefits? The firm's Tahoe ski retreat will be made available to successful attorneys.
Clients you care passionately about Blue chip clients operating at the forefront of global commerce Our mission will be to use the law as the highest form of social activism.
A different guest chef will be flown in every Monday.
What you give up in simple dollars and cents, you will more than make up in quality of life.
This is going to be the single least suspenseful meeting of my day.
Actually, I haven't made up my mind yet, sir.
Really? Because Marci and I would like you to consider joining our firm as a full partner.
Can you believe how easily people are bought? The exodus has begun.
Only the morally bankrupt and weak-minded.
No one liked your wife's banana bread! We only ate it to be polite! Oh! How are the assistants and junior staff holding up? None of my roosters will fly this coop.
You're the best, Patti.
I assume that will be reflected in my Christmas bonus! Hey! Good to see you clothed.
Nicely.
How are you? - Horrible.
- I know the firm's split has left some people with some very stressful decisions.
- You're telling me.
- So Posner did make you an offer? - He didn't even ask for a meeting.
- That's great! Great? He's met with every single other associate here.
My engagement party is Friday, Eli.
The timing of all of this couldn't be worse.
Literally half my guest list called in the last few hours to cancel.
They feel awkward about doing the Macarena with soon-to-be-ex-co-workers.
I don't know which terrifies me more, doing the Macarena at your party, or that your guests are all people who work here.
Let's face it.
I work 80 hours a week.
My life is Scott and you.
This firm.
This place is Well, was my family.
And we still will be.
Only smaller.
- You can't leave, Maggie.
- Why would you ever think I would? - Posner is like Darth Sidious.
- Well, then beware the dark side.
Ms.
Dekker? Mr.
Posner would like to see you.
Thanks.
What makes you think I can convince Matt not to leave, - or that I would want to? - He just needs a gentle push.
Well, he's your boyfriend, Taylor.
Did you try the red nightie thing? That certainly convinced me to That's inappropriate.
Noted.
Just put him on a case with you.
Show him things about public interest law.
How amazing it feels to help people.
Show him some of that Stone magic.
This is Matt.
You don't even believe in the Stone magic.
- Please, Eli, I need this.
- He's gonna see right through me.
You need me.
You need me? For what? My analytical mind? My innate command of civil procedure? - My deft - You have an edge.
Some may call it obnoxious, but that adversarial edge - in court can sometimes - Oh, shut up, Stone.
- I know Taylor put you up to this.
- You can't let her know I told you.
You didn't.
You're as transparent as a window pane.
They've offered me partner.
I've made up my mind.
- I just don't know how to tell her.
- Is there a good way to tell your girlfriend you're gonna work for those who poleaxed her father? - Probably not.
- So don't say yes yet.
You owe her to at least pretend to mull it over.
Besides, you know, you make Posner & Klein sweat over this for a week, they'll raise your offer.
Well, I do want a corner office.
Me? Senior associate? In charge of your pro bono department? - At double your current salary.
- Come on.
I never kid about money.
Or about four weeks paid vacation.
Time to do some of your special projects.
- Mother Teresa's next junket? - I think Mother Teresa is dead, sir.
Someone else alive and well and whining about the rainforest.
I thought you and Ms.
Klein don't even like pro bono work.
Don't let my disdain for all things tie-dyed fool you, Miss Dekker.
Even I understand that making money and doing good are not mutually exclusive.
It's good PR.
And there's also this.
Twenty thousand dollars to the Eco Preservation League? A gesture of good will to show you how serious I am about this.
Consider it an early engagement gift.
All I ask is you take a few days.
Just think about it.
Patti, you know that box you've been keeping for me, with faxes and letters from potential clients? - You mean the wackadoo file? - I mean, the box with all the fascinating legal dilemmas that could one day - end up in the Supreme Court.
- What I have is a box full of cases from nuts that saw you on the news.
Wackadoo file.
Could I just have it? Here's one.
And I have three more in the supply closet.
Now, some of these cases are significant.
It's all about finding the diamond in the rough.
- Snooze.
- The environment makes you want to nap.
I got it.
Well, here's a First Amendment issue.
Man wants to sue his landlord for clearing mold which looks like Jesus.
Jesus mold? Pass.
We may have something here.
Twin sister flight attendants.
- Now this sounds promising.
- They want to sue the airline that fired them when they turned 60.
Patti! Can we get another box in here? You sure you wouldn't rather see a living client? - Will - This is how my cases usually come in.
Oh - Mr.
Stone? - Yeah.
- Hey, I'm Will Sonneborn.
- Hi, this is my associate, Matt Dowd.
- Hi.
- What can we do for you? Help my girlfriend.
Homeland Security arrested her and her husband yesterday.
I realize these are confusing times.
Posner's probably making some of you offers.
Substantial offers.
But as the assistant who's been here the longest, I want to remind you that Jordan and Eli care for each and every one of you.
Why is it the first thing they did was freeze next year's wage increases? That's a lot to deal with in this economy.
Jordan's vision for this firm is real.
He and Eli want to change things, to make a difference.
No offense, Patti, but Eli's a little eccentric.
Eli may be unorthodox, but I've seen what he can do.
And believe me when I tell you, it's meaningful, it's inspirational.
This new firm will be a place that we can be proud to come to every day.
How often does that happen? Get them to lift the wage freeze and we'll think about it.
Great! I'll talk to Eli, work something out for all of us.
- Could you explain that again? - Will is my boyfriend.
He gives her sex, but I give her emotional support.
And someone to watch Project Runway with.
Carter, can you please be serious? He's kidding.
- So who is he to you? - Carter's my best friend, also my - Gay, Green Card husband.
- That clears it right up.
Sona and Carter were in the public health program.
- We've been BFFs ever since.
- How did ICE get involved? When my student visa ran out, I was supposed to return to Pakistan.
But Will and I were just getting to really know one another.
- We were falling in love.
- I couldn't leave.
I had finally found happiness.
I tried to extend my student visa, get a work visa.
Nothing worked.
I married her so she could stay here and fall in love.
- Why didn't you just marry Will? - I would have.
I wanted to.
It was too early in our relationship.
I didn't feel comfortable asking him to do that.
How did Homeland Security realize the marriage was a fraud? I had an ugly breakup with this jackass who knew the whole story.
My removal hearing is this week.
After which, you face up to five years in prison.
- You have to help.
- Nothing we can do.
You committed fraud.
In Post-9/11 America, that means you're going to prison and you're going back to Pakistan.
- That can't happen.
- There's something else.
Tell them, Sona.
She was supposed to return home to an arranged marriage.
But I couldn't go through with it.
Not after I met Will.
- Not after I knew real love.
- If she goes back to Pakistan, her family will kill her.
Let's get a move on.
Caterers are not gonna wait around.
- We already rescheduled twice.
- I'm coming.
Hey.
- Looking forward to festivities.
- Glad you can be there.
- There's a lot to celebrate.
- Besides your engagement? - Maggie got a very interesting offer.
- Scott.
Could I have a word with you for a second in private? Yeah.
What's he talking about? Posner made you an offer? - He gave me a really hard sell.
- So you told him no? I didn't want to be rude.
I told him I'd think about it for a few days.
- What did he offer? - Senior associate.
In charge of their pro bono department, with lots of support - for the environment.
- How much does he pay? - Twice my salary.
How can you? - We'll match it.
I'm now a partner.
It's what you deserve.
Trust me.
I'm gonna take care of this, Maggie.
No wonder Martin Posner was always so prickly.
Handling WPK's finances was a huge task when we had revenue.
Maybe we should consider putting the building on the market, downsizing.
- What kind of statement would that be? - Dad - Stop taking the stress on yourself.
- I'm fine.
I'm just not sleeping.
Or hungry.
There's just a lot of life changes ahead, you know? Yes, I have a feeling I do know.
Honey, if there's ever anything you'd like to talk to me about Maggie Dekker received an offer from Posner & Klein.
A substantial one.
We have to match it.
We can't afford to.
Maggie's the last person who's gonna work for them.
Not true.
She'll leave.
I know it.
You have a special affection for Ms.
Dekker - Everyone says that.
- You're kidding.
She's a friend.
Platonic.
She believed in me before anyone else did.
I realize that.
But we haven't matched Posner's salary offer - for any associate.
- We want to keep them You're a partner now.
Start thinking like one.
Which means not allowing sentiment to cloud your judgment.
It means worrying about how we fund quarterly contributions to the associates' health insurance.
How we keep our offices lit and warm this winter amidst skyrocketing electric bills.
But if you truly think Maggie's presence at our firm justifies treating her differently than others and placing our obligations to them at greater risk, it's your call.
You were taking the day off to prepare for your engagement party? Just stopped by to pick up a few things before the parents arrive.
Look, I spoke to Jordan.
And the thing is we're losing nearly all our revenue-streaming clients.
And I tried to figure out a way as best I could to match Posner's offer.
- But - Eli, it doesn't matter.
- It doesn't? - This firm changed my life.
And you Well, the firm made me see for the first time that I could make a true difference.
I could never leave.
I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that.
Stone, we're late for court.
Listen, Dekker, this party of yours Is that more like a gift thing or is a wedding present enough? It's a different world over there.
In Pakistan, I'm considered my father's property.
His honor is defined by my purity.
By entering into a sexual relationship with a man - other than the one chosen for you - I became kari, an impure woman.
What is the punishment for becoming kari? The only way for my father to restore his honor is to kill the one who damaged it.
Me.
Preferably publicly, so all can witness his honor being restored.
Objection.
What happens to certain women in Pakistan is horrible, of course.
- It's not at issue here.
- It is when you send her to Pakistan.
- I agree.
Objection overruled.
- Ms.
Booker seemed to imply just now that honor killings are rare in Pakistan.
Hundreds of girls are murdered each year.
My friend was burned because she kissed the wrong boy.
Her body lay in the street for two hours.
No one did anything.
Thank you, Sona.
Nothing further.
I guess you're unaware that honor killings in Pakistan have been outlawed for three years.
One law cannot change ancient customs.
And even if it could, the law must still be enforced.
But all the prosecutors are men.
All the judges are men.
Not every Pakistani girl who disobeys her father is murdered, am I correct? There are lucky ones.
But some fathers are more controlling, like my father.
Your father allowed you to come here and study.
That doesn't sound particularly controlling.
- Has he ever laid a hand against you? - No.
- Threatened you? - No.
But he would kill you if you return to your country.
Do you have proof? - No, I don't.
- So we are to just take your word? The word of a woman who stood in front of a judge and promised "to love, honor and cherish, till death do you part" a gay man? - Objection.
- Nothing further.
You realize this could all be bull? "Become a U.
S.
Citizen for Dummies.
" Marrying your gay best friend fails, cry honor killing.
- Gee, Matt.
Cynical much? - I'm just saying clients lie.
Even your clients.
Good news! Eleven legal secretaries, six paralegals and five clerks.
They all signed to stay on with us.
Nearly everyone.
All you have to do is convince Jordan to unfreeze their raises for the next year.
It's amazing that you convinced them.
But as of now, there are ten and a half lawyers staying.
So how can I justify keeping 22 staff, with or without raises? - Can you justify letting them go? - The firm is splitting in two.
Which is what I might do to you in a few seconds.
I put my ass on the line.
If you don't come up with money, we lose assistants - People will stay.
- This is the real world.
- People have obligations.
- I realize, but my hands are tied.
Your hands are tied? Listen to yourself.
You sound like Posner.
Is that the kind of boss you wanna be? - If so, maybe they all should leave.
- Patti, come on Don't "come on" me! I am going to take a ridiculously long lunch.
You can answer your own damn phone! Goodness gracious! What my cousin did is unforgivable.
I should not even be here.
- Then why are you? - Sona told us that you two were very close when she first arrived.
Then one day you just stopped returning her calls.
Why? I love Sona.
But I could not watch her become a Western woman.
You're wearing J.
Crew and Nike.
Doesn't seem like you have much problem with Westernization.
My family expected me to look out for her.
- And you got tired of being a spy.
- This is the way it is for centuries.
Sona's father was disgraced.
Do you have any idea how painful it is for a man to lose his honor? Well, maybe there's a way that you could help without anyone knowing.
Maybe there's a letter or an e-mail from Sona's father - intimating his plan to harm her? - You're asking me to sacrifice honor.
I understand that some people are very strict about their customs.
But you've lived here long enough to see things a different way.
Can you tell me that you still believe that because a woman looks at a man the wrong way or refuses to marry someone chosen by her father, that she should be killed? Do you honestly believe that because your cousin is a woman she shouldn't be allowed to decide for herself who she loves or marries? She's living her own life in this country, just like you.
Should she have to die because of that? And can you just stand by and watch? So, what about your honor? OK, I'll admit it.
I didn't think you'd turn him.
How's it feel, working on a case you're invested in? Don't get ahead of yourself.
I'm very invested - in my membership at Pebble Beach.
- Admit it, Dowd.
You're hooked.
Come on.
Again? - Scott? - What is it with them and the shower? Are you coming in here? I'm all lathered up.
No, I'm just gonna go, uh to the bedroom and get dressed, with the door closed and locked, Mag nificent woman who is not Maggie.
Come on.
We don't have that much time before you're a married man.
- We need to take advantage.
- We know each other? Intimately? Oh, God.
You're freaking out again.
Are you gonna end things again? Shocker.
What is that, the fourth time this month? Sorry, no time today.
Get your butt in here.
I have to meet my husband at six.
It's in there.
Sona's father's asking Amir to join his cousins in defending his honor.
We all know what that means.
It's vague at best, hearsay, no way to authenticate that this letter came from Sona's father.
- It's a death sentence.
- Your client broke the law.
And despite this letter, I'm obligated to have her removed.
Were you born without the compassion gene or something? Homeland Security doesn't pay me for compassion.
Then we'll take the letter to Judge Kettleman.
He'll be inclined to save her life.
I think he'll be inclined to enforce the law, him being a judge and all.
Which is why he will not send a young woman to her own lynching.
I am willing to cut your client a deal.
But it's the only deal I'll put on the table.
It's insidious.
We're obligated to present it, but the offer sucks.
If I go back to Pakistan, they'll have all charges against Carter dropped? - I'm just as guilty as she is.
- You're an American.
Booker's a bureaucratic hack.
If Sona accepts, she sent another back.
- A victory for national security.
- Don't worry, she won't accept.
- What's Booker do if I don't? - Doesn't matter! Press forward with cases against you both.
Sona, we can win this.
You cannot take this offer.
I've already gotten you in so much trouble.
- I can't live with you in jail.
- Yes, you can.
I didn't spend the last two years explaining to every date I brought home why there were bras hanging in the bathroom so you could bail.
I love you.
I did this to save your life.
- And now I want to save yours.
- You can't go back there.
I see no other choice.
I'm taking the deal.
Poor Maggie.
No one is here.
- Matt? - Sorry.
You're barely even here tonight.
Is it the case? I just can't stop thinking, wishing there was some way I could stop Sona from taking this deal.
I've never seen you get this upset over work before.
Not sure I've been this upset before.
I'm sorry.
But it is nice to see you caring so much about a client though.
- What? - Subtleness isn't exactly your forte.
Think I don't know you had Stone set me up? You could've just passed me a note asking me if I was staying, with boxes for "yes" or "no" and the "i" dotted with a little heart.
OK.
It was immature.
I just didn't want to pressure you.
Couples have survived working at different firms before.
I just There's only so much stress a relationship can take.
No pressure there.
You're right.
I'm not gonna ask you to stay.
Good.
Because, Taylor, you mean so much to me.
If you asked me, there's no way I could have said - no.
- Why are you smiling? I think I just figured out a way to get Sona to change her mind.
The thing about mojitos is they make you feel all better.
Like a tropical beach party in your mouth.
I mean, look at me.
I'm having a great time.
Are you sure? Because you're sitting over here on your own.
- It's a disaster.
- Bad timing.
Don't take it personally.
Eli, it's my engagement party.
It should be It should feel different.
Like all these people who didn't show up knew what I didn't Scott and I had a huge blow-up this morning.
He's doesn't understand why I turned down Posner.
Poor guy.
He's so worried and concerned about our future.
He's so good to me.
And I I can never hurt him.
Maggie, I have to talk to you about something.
Thought you might be hungry.
I brought you a plate.
Sushi.
- No, thanks.
- A lovely Brie.
- I'm OK.
- Champagne? - No.
- How about this Emmental? Hm! Have you tasted this? Come on.
You're pregnant.
I knew it! Your mother had a thing for Emmental when she was pregnant too.
OK, Columbo, you got me.
Please don't say anything to anyone.
- Matt doesn't even know.
- Of course not.
That's complicated.
I understand.
You could have told me, though.
- I'm sorry.
- How are you feeling? Pretty overwhelmed, to be honest.
It's a lot to think about, a baby.
I never really saw myself as a mother.
I'm not sure I do now.
I see.
So you might not be keeping it.
I'm sorry if that's not what you want to hear, Dad.
Things with Matt and I are good.
But we're not exactly serious.
Can I raise a baby on my own? Would I even want to? Sweetie, the decision is yours, of course.
But just so you know, you are never alone.
Thanks, Dad.
I don't understand.
You were in my bathroom? Well, yeah, I was in your shower first.
It's very nice A great selection of shampoo, a little girly for my taste, but - But what were you doing in there? - You see, the thing is I wasn't me, and I wasn't alone.
- What are you talking about? - Maggie, I was - Scott.
- There you are.
- Hi, honey! - Should've figured, when I couldn't find her, she'd be with you.
Maggie, your parents are looking for you.
Parents.
I better go.
I'm only gonna say this once.
Back off.
We're getting married.
- Why can't you respect that? - Why can't you? - What's that supposed to mean? - It means I saw you with a certain naked married woman.
- Mind your own business, bro.
- Why don't you tell her, bro? Before I do.
Before she makes the biggest mistake of her life and marries a piece of crap like Eli! What's going on? You tell her.
You tell her or I will.
Go clean up your face.
We'll talk later.
And you Please leave.
Now.
What are you doing here so early? Is it Carter? Will? No, nothing like that.
Look, you can't take this deal.
Carter doesn't need your sacrifice.
He needs you.
- Going to jail would destroy him.
- Living with the guilt of you dying will destroy him.
Not to mention Will.
Will's a strong man.
He'll be fine.
Tell him that.
All right.
Step in, please.
Sona, tell Will exactly how he'll be fine living the rest of his life not knowing whether the woman he loves is alive or dead.
And Will, you tell Sona exactly how you and Carter will be able to go on without her.
That a day will come when you two won't wake up thinking about her, wondering, hating yourselves.
If you two can actually convince each other of those things, then Sona, you should take this deal.
But my guess is you won't.
My guess is you'll stay.
You'll stay for the men who love you.
Sona made some mistakes, but the question before you, Your Honor, is whether those mistakes justify putting her to death.
That's what sending her to Pakistan will do.
The letter from Sona's father to her cousin proves that.
Ms.
Booker calls the marriage between Sona and Carter fraudulent.
And yet Sona was willing to return to Pakistan and face death for Carter.
That That is sacrifice and a love more real than what's between most married couples I know.
I'll save you all the suspense.
Ms.
Khan has not demonstrated respect for our laws.
She knowingly entered into a fraudulent marriage to obtain a Green Card.
I cannot reward nor condone this behavior.
And I cannot extend to her the privilege of U.
S.
citizenship.
I am convinced that Ms.
Khan would be in grave danger if she returns to Pakistan.
I therefore grant the withholding of her removal.
She'll be allowed to stay here as long as there is a threat against her.
Sorry things didn't work out.
We'll see how smug you are tomorrow.
- What do you mean by that? - You pushed me too far.
I spoke to my supervisor, Candace Bonneville.
Told her about our little Green Card situation.
Recommended that she expedite to get Carter the maximum: five years.
- What? No.
- Why would you do that? Why would you think I wouldn't? I'm so sorry.
For my behavior.
For everything.
You shouldn't have had to find out about Scott that way.
Are things? How are things? The engagement's off.
The wedding's off.
It's all off.
It's for the best.
If there's anything that I can do If you want me to punch him again, I will.
I'm a giver that way.
He's not entirely to blame, you know.
He had good reason.
Scott's no dummy.
He knew.
He knew it before I even did.
When I was coming home every night, talking about work, what you had done in court, or what we talked about.
- Maggie - He proposed to get me to forget you.
And I think I accepted for the same reason.
And I knew I knew you didn't feel the same way I did.
- I wish - You don't.
I get it, Eli.
Anyway, turns out Scott wasn't the saint I thought he was, was he? He and Candace have been getting it on for months.
Candace? Lucky I wasn't on your Green Card case.
Turns out she's Booker's team leader at ICE.
- Talk about conflict of interest.
- You're kidding.
- I have your boxes, Ms.
Dekker.
- Could you please put them by my desk? So you're finally getting your own office.
Well, it's not like we're short on space anymore.
I can't stay here, Eli.
I can't let my feelings for you cost me more than they already have.
Not Posner & Klein.
Don't do that.
You don't have to do that.
I do.
I love you, Eli.
But for once, I'm actually gonna put myself first.
Ms.
Bonneville.
Hi, I'm Eli Stone.
Hi.
You're representing Carter Jameson, right? I pulled his folder after I got your message.
You must have really pissed Charlotte Booker off.
I get the feeling she's a bit of a sore loser.
She's passionate about her work.
But you're her boss.
And I know for a fact that this office has handled cases exactly like Carter's where you have signed off on deals which involved zero prison time.
I'm sorry, Mr.
Stone, but this isn't gonna be one of them.
I accept Charlotte's recommendation.
My people need to know I trust them.
I feel awful playing this card, but considering who dealt it to me, I don't see how I have any choice.
I know about your extramarital activities with Scott Clauson.
- Pardon me? - I know.
It's none of my business, but I I think I was meant to know about your affair so that I might encourage - you to help my client.
- Are you blackmailing me? No.
I'm just strongly suggesting that there's a solution opposite to Ms.
Booker's which you should seriously consider.
Upon further examination of his file, I do see some ameliorating factors here.
Five hundred hours of community service and two years probation.
Sounds like we have a deal.
Surely you jest, Ms.
Dekker.
Our offer of legal employment is strictly non-negotiable.
Nothing's non-negotiable, Mr.
Posner.
Not when both parties have leverage.
I'm well aware of my unique value to you and Ms.
Klein.
Pray tell, Ms.
Dekker.
You relish the thought of how much you think it will hurt Eli - if I go work for you.
- Do you have that low an opinion of me? Lower, actually.
And yet you're willing to work for me if I meet your terms? If I can use you to help the people I want to help, yes.
These are my terms.
Take them or leave them.
Very savvy asks.
But we can live with them.
Welcome to Posner & Klein.
I suspect we're going to discover still more hidden depths in you, Ms.
Dekker.
- Prosecution is giving Carter a pass.
- I know.
Sona just called to thank me.
- How'd you do it? - Friends in high places.
Yeah.
We did good.
We did.
So why are you packing? What we did this week, I have never felt so gratified, - so relieved by a win.
- Which means that Taylor's half-baked plan worked.
You're supposed to stay now.
Stone, I haven't slept in three days.
I've been wearing the same stinkin' shirt since Tuesday.
And I haven't sweat this bad since I ran the Bay to Breakers marathon.
Because the case mattered to you.
That's what it feels like.
Exactly my point.
I like a good night's sleep.
And the only occasion where I enjoy sweating isn't in the courtroom.
- No.
This isn't me, Eli.
- You saved Sona's life.
Yeah, and it nearly ended mine.
I don't know how I would've lived with myself if we'd lost that.
Listen, man, I admire what you do.
It's just not what I do.
- What about Taylor? - She'll be fine.
- You should be worried about yourself.
- Why? The next time we're in court together, it'll be my job to shred you.
- I'm sorry.
- Don't be.
You made your own decision.
That's what I wanted you to do.
Please don't take it personally.
You saw what this trial did to me.
I just I don't do emotional, Taylor.
You know that.
I do.
Anyway, think how much more fun seeing each other at night's gonna be when we haven't seen each other all day.
I made reservations at Masa's.
Eight OK? Great.
- Hi.
- Hello.
So rumor has it that Posner made every member of staff here an offer, including you.
Just so you know, out of all the people here, you're the one I could never lose.
I mean that, Patti.
Well, I mean, Lord knows you'd be useless without me.
Looks like you're not the only one, too.
I saw John in the elevator, Betty in the kitchen.
Whatever you said to them must have worked.
I guess we got a lot of sappy idealists around here.
I guess.
Well, you can tell those sappy idealists who stayed on that we will unfreeze their raises for next year.
It's not as much as what Posner offered and it's not what you all deserve.
But we're gonna do what we can.
I'll take it out of my own salary.
- Really, Eli? - This is a new firm, Patti.
And we may have to improvise, but we're gonna figure out a way to be the best firm that we can.
Now, if you would be so kind, - may I have my wackadoo file? - Of course.
Just the man I was looking for.
I trust it wasn't too difficult to find me.
Our ranks are considerably thinned.
Thinned, but strengthened.
Certainly there are plenty of empty offices, - if you want to move out the library.
- Thank you, sir.
But I think I'll stay.
- Sentimental reasons, you know? - That I do.
What's that? New cases.
New clients.
I was just bringing it by your office.
- Or we can start fresh tomorrow.
- No, no, now would be fine.
But first there was something I wanted to give you.
To new beginnings partner.
New beginnings.