Accused (2023) s02e05 Episode Script

1
(MAN): Look, we have to make a decision.
(MAN): Her arraignment's in ten minutes.
We're running out of time.
What if I petition the
court? What if I say
that she's not competent
to aid in her own defense?
Mom, what do you want me to do?
I'm not letting you go to prison.
I don't need a lecture.
Well, then tell the truth!
I did it. I'm guilty.
I'm pleading guilty.
This is a load of crap and you know it.
- There's no way
- Margot, we know
that you're a victim in this,
but we can't help you
if you keep insisting
I am not a victim. And I don't owe you
or anyone an explanation. It's my life.
Actions have consequences.
I won't be bullied.
(TENSE MUSIC)
(PHONE RINGING)
No, I cannot just "squeeze you in."
Your appointment was at 1. It's 1:43.
Dr. Brustein's office, please hold?
But I called! There was
an accident on the highway.
And I hope nobody was hurt,
but Dr. Brustein has a
15-minute grace period,
and if I let you see him now,
he'll be running 40 minutes behind
for the rest of the day,
and that wouldn't be fair
to all the other patients who managed
to get here on time, now would it?
Oh my God. It's a cleaning.
Hey! Is that Bella Domont?
I just played 9 holes
with your father on Sunday.
He's got a hell of a swing.
She's saying I have to reschedule.
After I sat in traffic for an hour.
Okay, okay. Uh, why
don't you come on back?
Uh, doctor, we have a policy.
Her appointment was at 1.
Well, I think we can manage.
I call every patient 48
hours before their appointment
to confirm and to make sure they know
about the 15-minute grace period.
I drew. Margot, it's you.
I mean, why have rules if
you're not gonna enforce them?
Honey, you gotta let it go.
The stress is gonna kill you.
Oh, please, she lives
for this kinda thing.
- It revs her engine.
- That's not true.
I'm sorry that we can't all
be full-time ladies of leisure.
Oh boy, here we go.
I'm serious. I wouldn't
retire even if I could.
You know? Boredom is
lethal. You can Google it.
Nobody's asking you to go home
and sit there and molder all day.
What do you want me to do?
Take ballroom dance with you two?
No. Don't do that. Find your own hobby!
I gotta say, we went again
last week. It was a hoot.
Oh, did I tell you this?
Alexei, took me aside last week
and said Alexei
is this great teacher.
He said I should really
try an amateur competition.
Well, if Alexei says so.
Excuse me! He is a two-time
National Latvian
Ballroom Dancing Champion!
And his hips don't lie, lemme tell you.
Mm-hmm. And that is gin.
- Oh man!
- Of course it is.
Wanna go one more?
I can't. I have to get back to Bill.
He's down for the
count with acid reflux.
Well, in that case, run, don't walk.
And besides,
Deb has a hot date tonight.
This one is from Tinder.
- (DEB): Wanna see?
- How old's this one?
If Gil can be shtupping
someone half his age
during the last ten years
of our marriage, why can't I?
Really, Margot, you should try the apps.
They're a lot of fun.
I have plenty of fun.
Just without the chlamydia.
Oh, please. What's one more pill?
Yeah, but, Debra, you
should be very careful.
I was watching this Netflix documentary
a couple of night ago
about serial catfishing.
Oh my God, You don't wanna wind up
in the back of some
trunk hacked to pieces.
I'd like to see 'em try.
(WOMEN GASP)
Good God! Do you carry
that thing around with you?
You're out of your mind.
Safety first.
(LAUGHING)
Be safe.
(PHONE RINGING)
(SIGHING)
Hi, sweetheart.
Hi, Mom. How ya doin'?
Oh, I'm okay. How's Brady's fever?
Ah, better. He's finally sleeping.
Oh, that's good.
I'm sorry about this weekend.
As soon as Tom finds a new
job, I promise we'll come visit.
Ah, don't worry about it. I understand.
I know, I just hate the
thought of you spending
the anniversary alone. I
can almost hear Dad saying,
"What's the big deal? It's just money!"
- (CHUCKLES)
- Yeah, God love him.
But maybe let's not
take his financial advice
from beyond the grave?
Anyway, I won't be alone.
Connie's taking me to lunch.
Oh, great. Where?
Oh, some little Italian place downtown
by the dance studio where
she's taking salsa lessons.
Connie's taking salsa?
I thought it was tai chi.
That was last month. You know Connie.
- (BABY CRYING)
- Ah, shoot.
Mum, he's up. I gotta go.
- Go, go, go.
- I love you.
Love you too.
(SOFT MUSIC)
(SIGHS)
There you are. What's going on?
Did you get my text?
- How come you haven't changed?
- I tried to call you.
- What? When?
- I screwed up. I'm so sorry.
He teaches at 11 on Fridays,
and 12 on the weekends.
- Oh, for God's sake
- Class is about to start
right now. Please, can you wait?
Please, please. I already paid.
We have a reservation.
They always have tables.
Come on. Come on in and watch.
You'll enjoy it. Look, if I skip now,
I don't get my money back. So
Afterwards, lunch is on me.
Lunch was already on you, Connie.
Then get the filet mignon, baby,
and don't feel bad. Come on.
One more time, I show you
from the top. Here we go.
One, two, three. And
Bah, bah, bah.
Two, three. And!
This one. Beautiful.
Travel back like this.
One, two, three. Then
we can start again.
One, two, three. Keep going.
Let me see it.
Like this, yes. Beautiful.
I'm lovin' this. I am loving this!
No, and I am loving it too,
more than you, but the other foot.
Oh! Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
The other
(ALEXEI): Uh nope, the other foot.
- This one. This other one.
- Yes.
- Okay.
- This one.
Shh, shh, shh, shh. Shh-shh.
Uh Here. Why don't I show you?
- Oh, yeah. Please, please.
- Do you mind if I touch?
- You may touch. Yes!
- Okay. We go left.
- We go left.
- We go left.
- Little step.
- Okay, now.
One more time. We go left. We go right.
- We go left.
- Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!
That's the the other foot. You see?
- You distracted me!
- All right.
We will do it one more time, everybody.
- Okay.
- Okay?
- Una mas.
- Two, three, and
(SALSA MUSIC PLAYING)
Connie, it's the other
foot. The left foot.
Oh, oh, right. We have
another expert in the building.
No, it's just that you're
not paying attention.
Just pay attention to what he's saying.
He showed you himself.
Okay.
(CONNIE): Well I almost had it.
- (WOMAN CLEARS THROAT)
- Alexei!
Sadly, that is all we
have time for today.
Okay. You're so beautiful.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Good work. Good work.
Here. Let me give you this.
Maybe next time, you
can join in the fun?
Oh, that's all right.
I teach on Tuesdays
and Fridays at 11 and 3.
Uh, she works all day.
Oh. What do you do?
Uh, I just, I run a dentist's office.
Oh, actually, I'm due a cleaning.
Maybe I could stop by? (CHUCKLING)
Just don't ask her to squeeze you in.
Alexei! Janine's got the room at one.
- See you soon, I hope, huh?
- Uh, yeah. Right.
Truth is, we get a
dozen complaints a week.
Patients are going
elsewhere. I'm telling you,
- she's a liability.
- I hear you, okay.
And I'll talk to her.
What else can I do?
It's not gonna help.
This is just who she is.
I-I don't know what you
want me to say, okay?
Her husband left me the practice.
- I can't exactly fire her.
- Well, she's never gonna leave.
Honestly, she's got nothing else.
It's not like she can get another job.
- I mean, who's gonna hire her?
- Look, if we can just
Margot! Uh
Aren't you off today?
I thought I'd come in and catch up
with last week's invoices.
But God forbid I should
be in anyone's way.
No, no, Margot.
Yeah. Believe it or not,
I have better things to do with my time.
Could, just Could
you just wait a second?
- Margot. Look
- Please, look at me.
Whatever you think you're
doing, it's not worth it.
You don't want to explain? Fine.
Then keep your mouth shut.
But let him try to defend you.
For my sake.
For your grandkids.
(CLERK): All rise.
Docket number 24-CR-7653.
United States of America
vs. Margot Holloway.
Defendant is charged
with one count Fraud,
one count Conspiracy to Commit Fraud,
and one count Assaulting
a Federal Officer.
(JUDGE): How does the defendant plead?
Not guilty, Your Honor.
(THEME MUSIC)
(LIGHT MUSIC)
(ALEXEI): Okay, you are set. Thank you.
I don't know, he's cute,
but he was dull as freakin' dishwater.
Welcome in, ladies.
Remind me, this was the musician?
No, that's Bradley.
This one works in the Air Force.
Wooo! She's a very skillful juggler.
Ah. Breaking all the hearts, are we?
There's a line, Alexei.
Oh! Look what the cat dragged in!
What are you doing here?
I thought you were supposed
- to be at work.
- Well, believe it or not,
I took the day off. I
thought, what the heck?
Emily's been bugging me
about getting more exercise.
Oh, well this is terrific!
Hey, add her to my card, would ya?
I'll do it. Uh, he'll take who's next!
Connie's a popular lady.
Bringing all her beautiful
- friends, huh?
- What can I say?
I live to spread joy.
(LATIN MUSIC)
Right turn. Under I go.
There we go.
Look at you. Beautiful!
That's good.
Move those hips. That's right.
Look at you! Beautiful!
There we go.
There we go. I go under.
(CHEERING)
Beautiful! Okay.
Round of applause. (CHEERING, APPLAUSE)
- Let's go!
- No, no.
- Let's go.
- No. I don't want to.
Come this way. Here we go.
We do this step.
That's right.
This way.
This way.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(♪)
Oh, look! The other way!
(CHEERING) Oh!
You just have fun!
Because life is about fun and dancing!
Yes!
Beautiful.
(MUSIC FADES)
Well, that was quite a workout.
Right? I haven't shvitzed
like this since menopause.
- (LAUGHING)
- It's Margot, yes?
Uh, yeah.
So, you have dance background?
- Uh, no, not at all.
- I don't believe you.
You know, just maybe a little ballet,
but that was a lifetime ago.
I never knew that.
Okay, ladies, ladies of the dance,
let's leave the poor man alone.
- He's got another class to teach.
- Oh, no, it's fine.
Honey, I'm so glad you came!
- Connie, I'll see you Sunday.
- See you Sunday.
- Thanks again, Alexei.
- Beautiful work.
This is for you.
Oh, we have a lot to
discuss. But not here.
(INTRIGUING MUSIC)
What was that about?
- Hmm?
- With the check.
I thought we pay at the desk.
Okay, I'll tell you,
but you can not breathe
a word of this to anyone.
You've seen how Wendy treats Alexei.
She's on him, all the time.
She plays favorites with the schedule,
and I don't know if you know this,
but she takes over half
of what he makes per class.
He's gotta do UberEats twice a week
- just to make ends meet.
- Yeah, so?
So, he wants to open up his
own private little studio.
And he found this gorgeous
place over on Carroll Street.
It's still under construction,
but the space is perfect.
So what? You're investing?
You betcha! Yeah.
He needs about 100 grand
to get things off the ground
and secure the lease.
So, I am putting in 20,
and Deb's putting in five.
Look, you've seen what he can do.
His classes are always packed.
That man has charisma.
I think this could
really explode. Really!
Don't you?
(PROSECUTOR): Please state
your full name for the record.
Constance Lydia Baker.
And what is your relationship
with the defendant?
I've known Margot for almost 30 years.
She was my best friend.
At least that's what I thought.
And you first introduced
the defendant to Alexei?
Yeah. Yeah. I, I invited
her to audit the class.
But I never actually
thought she was gonna enroll,
because she's very skeptical
about frivolous things,
and I would have thought
that dance classes
would have fit into
that category for her.
But people will surprise you.
And Margot was full of surprises.
Quick, quick, slow.
Quick, to the side.
Quick, quick, slow.
Look at it. It's perfect.
- And turn
- Oh, see,
that's where I get mixed up.
That's because you are overthinking it.
Close your eyes, forget the feet.
- Uh
- Okay.
You can still see me, yes?
- Mm-hmm.
- That's because
your eyes still open. (CHUCKLES)
Okay
Good. Now, picture with me.
We're by the sea, the sun is setting.
- (LAUGHING)
- Oh, brother.
But you know why you're laughing,
because it's scary at first,
but you, you just have to trust it.
Okay. All right.
Okay?
Listen. I bet you will hear it.
Quick, quick, slow. Quick, quick, slow.
That's it. It's easy, right?
Again. That's it.
Quick, quick, slow. Quick, quick, slow.
- See? Easy.
- Oh.
Yes. Dance is just this moment.
That's what makes it so precious.
It's just you, me, here now.
We are the waves crashing, and then?
We're gone. Poof. (LAUGHING)
(DISTANT LAUGHING)
(ALEXEI): It's perfect. Look.
Easy. see? Then we can go.
- Oh!
- Easy.
(MARGOT LAUGHING)
Stereo locked?
Uh, yup, like always.
My iPad's in there.
Someone could swipe it.
- I double-checked.
- Oh, also,
I, uh looked at the spring schedule,
there isn't gonna be room
for a Wednesday Samba.
Janine's doing her Vinyasa intensive.
90 minutes.
Janine's class is like
half the size of mine.
And she's been with us five
years, so she has priority.
You don't want to make money?
I know how to run my business, Alexei.
Sorry you had to see that.
Oh, she's a piece of work.
She doesn't appreciate
you. That's not right.
You busy now?
Or you have to go back to the dentist?
There's a little café close
by. Very good dumplings.
No, I have to get
home. You must be tired.
You're not hungry
after all that dancing?
Yes?
I begged my mother, but
dance wasn't something
she thought had any use.
Practically speaking.
And ballet classes were expensive.
My proportions weren't
quite right anyway.
Well, then when I met
my husband, he took me
swing dancing a few times,
cause he knew I enjoyed it.
He was terrible. (LAUGHING)
But he tried.
Uh, what was he like?
Oh, gosh, uh
Spirited, I guess you could say.
You know, he'd start up a conversation
with just about anyone.
Everybody's best friend.
Drove me crazy sometimes.
How long since ?
Oh, eight years. Heart attack.
Sorry.
What about you? No family?
I married young.
Before I came to the U.S.
I wasn't a very good husband.
So, we divorced, which was
definitely for the best.
Uh my mom, she's still
back in Latvia, Riga.
I try to visit once a
year, but it's getting
so expensive so, you know,
I send money when I can.
That must be hard.
Well, speaking of money,
Connie said you're trying
to open your own place?
No, don't worry. I'm
not gonna tell anyone.
I think it's terrific. You're so gifted.
Uh, maybe.
Is it around here? Could I see it?
(PROSECUTOR): Was she in love with him?
Well, Alexei was a flirt.
Everybody knew that.
I mean, most of the gals in his classes
had crushes on him.
Mm-hmm. Including Margot?
Yeah.
The truth is, Margot fell hard.
She
She was a goner.
She was absolutely enamored of him.
She was lonely, you know? I knew that.
And loneliness breeds
strange bedfellows.
(ALEXEI): So, the front
desk could go there.
And behind that, there's
these two big rooms.
You could knock down the wall,
make one giant dance space.
It's carpet, but
definitely wood underneath,
so you could rip out and polish.
Yeah, it's the perfect space for dance.
So, what's the problem?
Oh, you know, owner not
sure about dance business.
He probably wants it to be
some Chipotle or something.
Oh, and he wants a whole year
up front. Like, who can do that?
Hmm.
How much more do you need?
Too much.
I've tried my best, but
it goes on the market
next month.
Still, fun to dream, at least.
I might be able to help you.
I can't invest like Deb or Connie,
but I helped my husband
build his whole practice,
so I can make some calls
and spread the word.
Well, you don't have time for this.
Actually, I do.
I quit my job not so long ago.
I haven't told anyone yet.
But I have plenty of time.
Don't give up just yet, yeah?
(PROSECUTOR): Were they,
uh, romantically involved?
She never said so, explicitly.
She was
more like his cheerleader, you know?
She was kind of a mascot for him.
- Mascot?
- Yeah.
She reached out to
friends, to acquaintances.
She gotta hold of Dr.
Brustein's patient roster,
reached out to them. She helped him
write a business plan
to show to investors.
She, she posted videos from
Alexei's Instagram account.
I mean, she is ferocious
when she's got a goal.
(LATIN MUSIC PLAYING)
- This is outstanding!
- Yeah?
We were just gonna
make it for investors,
then I thought, what the
heck? I'll post it, right?
Oh look, do you see the comments?
- Where? What?
- They're at the bottom. See?
Okay, here we go.
"Mamma is slaying!"
- "Yassss queen!"
- Oh lord.
"Just goes to show
you it's never too late
to find your groove!"
Who wrote that one?
CocoCareBear37. Total stranger.
Uh, okay. Are we playing or are we not?
- (SIGHS)
- What's the matter?
Nothing. I'm just asking.
If you don't wanna play,
we don't have to play.
You don't need to be jealous, honey.
Oh, that you don't have
to worry about. Believe me.
Wait, what's that supposed to mean?
Nothing. Nothing. It means
I'm delighted for you.
So why the tone?
Oh, I don't know.
It just feels a little
patronizing to me.
But you know, that's probably just me.
What are you talking about, patronizing?
I am talking about the comments.
"Oh, isn't that adorable.
Oh my gosh, at her age", you know?
But look, if it doesn't bug you, Margot,
that's all that matters.
Yeah, I don't think I
feel like playing cards.
What?
I'm, I'm just telling you the truth.
I'm telling you as a friend.
Why do you always have
to poison everything?
What am I poisoning?
Anything that doesn't
have to do with you.
- Come on, hold on.
- No, if it's not
the Connie show 24/7.
The Connie show? Really?
You're the one who's waltzing around
- like Beyoncé on the internet.
- I'm building his brand!
Oh, oh, that's what you're doing.
Building his brand. It's
a lovely thing to do.
I think it'd be nicer if you
put in some of your own money.
- All right, let's just
- No, you know what, Connie?
I can't help it if you have
two left feet and no rhythm.
Maybe dance isn't for you.
But you know what the good news is?
There's so many other ways
for you to avoid your husband.
(EXHALES)
Come on.
How would you characterize
Margot's friendship
with Connie Baker?
Loving
Mostly. (CHUCKLES)
They're like sisters, and
sometimes sisters fight.
Was money ever a source
of conflict between them?
Ever?
I don't know. I mean, maybe.
Does any particular
incident come to mind?
I'll remind you, you're
under oath, Ms. Kaplan.
About ten years ago,
Connie's husband, Bill,
he's a lifelong entrepreneur,
he does very well for himself,
he had a nephew
that was trying to get
a startup off the ground.
Artisanal granola, gluten free,
sugar-free, all that kinda nonsense.
He was a lead investor,
so he was going around
asking all of his friends,
including Margot and her husband, Jerry.
Margot was against the idea.
She was always very
prudent with her money.
But Bill was able to convince Jerry.
He said it was a sure thing.
It was a golden opportunity.
Think how stupid you'd feel
if you didn't get in on it.
So eventually, they went in.
And what happened?
It went bust within a year.
And, of course, The
Bakers lost money, but
for Margot and Jerry
How much did they lose?
I don't know. I never asked them.
But it was enough to cause damage.
And Jerry, he, uh, he
passed away a year later?
Yeah. Something like that.
And how did that impact
Margot's financial situation?
- (SIGHS)
- It turns out
he'd put in twice the
money that he'd told her.
And he had a lot of other debts too.
Debts that she never knew about.
The creditors were coming
after her. It was a nightmare.
(PHONE RINGING)
Hi, can I talk to you tomorrow?
One sec, Mom. This is important.
Well, I'm running
late. What's the matter?
I just got a notification from the bank.
It said that you made a
withdrawal from your IRA?
Why did you do that?
Why are they notifying you?
I didn't authorize them
Mom, you can't be
dipping into these funds
- to cover your expenses.
- No, I
Listen, if you need money
until you find a new job,
Tom and I can help,
okay? We'll figure it out.
Emily, I'm not a child. And my finances
are really not your business.
That's not exactly true.
If you're in trouble,
you need to tell me.
I'm not in trouble,
all right? I feel fine.
In fact, I've never felt better.
And as I said, I'm going out,
I'm late and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Mom, will you just
(CALL BEEPS)
(LATIN CLUB MUSIC)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Go!
Here we go.
Three and four.
(CLAPPING RHYTHMICALLY)
Hey! Oh-ho!
(♪)
(CROWD CHEERING)
(ALEXEI): Sequence
everywhere. (MARGOT): Oh no!
Yes. And my, my partner,
Yulia, is looking at me,
like I did it on purpose.
Like, how could I do it on purpose?
(MARGOT): So, what happened?
Well, I kept going.
You have to keep going.
You know, I did, like, keep
my legs tight like this.
Right? (LAUGHING)
We came fourth. Not so bad.
Here. Let me
- (CHUCKLING)
- Everything okay?
Yeah. I just It's a blister.
- Ah, war wounds.
- Collateral damage.
(CHUCKLING)
Oh, let me see about my car.
(DISTANT POUNDING MUSIC)
What?
You are so beautiful.
- Oh, stop.
- You know.
I think you know.
I wanna give you something before I go.
What is this?
We're so close. This
will cover the rest.
- No.
- It's I just
don't want you to lose the space.
It's, it's too much. I
can't, I can't accept it.
Yes, you can. Just get
everything up and running.
Make it perfect. We'll
have a big grand opening.
And I can work at the front desk.
I could take classes
for free whenever I want.
- Margot, it's, it's not right.
- No.
- I can't.
- Some things are worth
the risk, come on.
Thank you for tonight.
(DRIVER): Margot?
(TENSE MUSIC)
Honestly, it's getting ridiculous.
I'm sick of being in
the middle of you two.
Somebody's gotta pick up the damn phone.
- (SIGHS)
- I'm not ready to kiss
and make up. I may be done.
Oh, come on.
Look, you said it yourself,
when you left Gil, it was painful,
but it was like a
weight had been lifted.
Yeah, but that's different.
Why? People grow apart.
If she's willing to own her behavior
and apologize to me,
then maybe I'd be willing to listen.
But you and I both know
that isn't who Connie is.
It's never gonna happen.
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
Margot! Open up!
See? That's called manifesting.
(RAPID BANGING)
- Margot!
- Oh, for goodness sake.
Well, it's about time, I was just
How could you do this?
Where the hell is our money?
- What?
- Oh no, no. Don't do that.
Don't you play dumb with
me. You knew. All along.
Connie, what on earth
are you talking about?
I'm talking about how our best friend
stabbed us in the back, Deborah!
- What?
- You know, I found out
two months ago that you lost your job.
And I did think it was a bit strange
that you never said anything
to me about it, but, hey,
I thought, she's
probably just embarrassed.
- Wait. You lost your job?
- But then this morning,
I had breakfast with Silvia Landers.
And just as we were leaving Mortimer's,
we ran into her best friend Susie,
and Susie's husband, Bob. Bob Dillinger.
- Wait, who?
- Dillinger.
Dillinger Properties.
They manage all the commercial spaces
on Carroll Street. And I said,
"Oh, wow, what a tremendous coincidence,
my friend Alexei Volkov
is trying to open a
studio at number 466.
You must know him." But guess what?
He's never met him. He's
never even heard of him.
Well, how big is the company?
He looks at every application.
He interviews every applicant himself.
He has never heard of him!
- Wait. You're saying
- I am saying it's a scam, Deb!
- No.
- The whole thing is a lie!
- How could that be?
- I mean, naturally,
- I called the police.
- The police?
- Yeah!
- Maybe there's
- a misunderstanding!
- No!
Because then, a federal
agent called me back
20 minutes later and he
sent me a picture of Alexei,
only they know him by
the name Victor Kakitis.
- (DEB): Good God
- Yeah.
He's got outstanding
warrants for his arrest
in three states. Turns
out, he's done this before.
In Madison and St. Paul.
Only this time, he had an accomplice!
No. Even if this is true,
there's no way that Margot
could have known about it.
- I'm gonna be sick.
- Oh, come on. Wake up, Deb!
She's in love with him.
She needs money desperately,
and she used us!
(DOOR SLAMS)
Oh my God! Where did she go?
Margot!
Damn it! She's on the run.
Margot!
(TENSE MUSIC)
Margot.
You don't have class today.
What's going on?
Something wrong?
- Shut up.
- What?
W-What are you doing?
Connie spoke to two federal agents
who had a lot to say about you.
So, is it true?
Is that what you do?
You prey on lonely women, huh?
You raise a bunch of money
for some bogus venture,
and then you, what? Skip town
like you're the freakin' Music Man?
I mean, Connie loves
drama, but we both know
she's not that creative. No.
You must think I'm so stupid.
- No. No.
- And maybe I am.
I'm pathetically stupid,
but I won't be a victim!
- Not this time.
- Margot, please,
- just listen to me.
- No. I'm finished
listening to you. I want my money back.
- All of it. All of it.
- I can't
- Right now!
- I can't give it back.
- Why not?
- Because I never took it.
You don't believe me, call the bank.
(SIGHS)
It's true, okay?
Everything you said.
I'm a criminal, a coward, and a liar.
But not with you.
The others, yes.
I played games.
Believe me, I never meant
this for my life, okay?
You start small. You take a little bit
from someone who has too much.
Maybe someone who won't miss it.
And that's easy. So, you do it again.
And then again
This is good, you know.
I'm tired of all the running and hiding.
And you can hate me. I deserve it.
But you, you have to believe me.
If all I wanted was your money,
I would've taken it.
With you
it was different.
With you, I just
wanted to dance.
(TIRES SCREECH)
(DOOR SLAMS)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)
Listen to me, carefully.
Suspect is inside now.
More backup is on the way.
How long you wanna wait?
Suspects got no history
of violence or firearms.
No reason to believe he's armed.
(PANTING)
Get down on the ground! I mean it!
(SCREAMING)
So, just to summarize.
The defendant stole your
firearm out of your purse.
She borrowed it.
Right. After which,
she drove immediately
to the studio to warn her accomplice
that he was under investigation.
He was not her accomplice.
Then she held two federal
agents at gunpoint,
gunpoint, for almost 17 minutes,
allowing Alexei Volkov,
aka Victor Kakitis,
ample opportunity to flee the scene
and evade detention.
Have I got all that right?
Well, it wasn't loaded.
I'm not insane.
Nothing further, Your Honor.
Any redirect, Mr. Wexler?
Just one question, Ms. Kaplan.
Do you blame the defendant
for your losses in Mr. Kakitis's scheme?
No.
You don't?
No.
I know she told police
that she was in on it,
but I don't believe her.
Why not?
Because I know she's proud.
And I think she'd rather
be a criminal than a fool.
But you're not a fool, honey.
And this is not you!
- Objection, Your Honor.
- I think everybody
knows it's true. Heck, I even
think Connie knows it's true.
- Objection!
- (JUDGE): All right, Ms. Kaplan.
It's just that you're
both so damn stubborn!
That's enough, Ms. Kaplan.
Anymore questions, Mr. Wexler?
No, Your Honor.
(JUDGE): The witness may step down.
Does the defense have
any more witnesses?
No, Your Honor.
- All right. In that case
- I
I would like to testify.
Uh, Your Honor, if we could
maybe take a brief recess?
I, I don't need a recess. I'm ready now.
All right, yeah.
Uh, the defense calls Margot Holloway.
(SOFT MUSIC)
(CLAMORING, CHATTERING)
(POLICE RADIO CHATTER)
The truth is
I didn't go there to warn Alexei.
I went there to confront him.
Look, I had no idea
this whole thing was a
scam until Connie told us.
You didn't?
No.
When she showed up, telling
me what she had learned,
I-I panicked.
I felt so stupid.
I was so angry.
What she didn't know
is that I had given
Alexei money of my own.
You, you, you had?
(MARGOT): Just a few days before.
Why didn't you tell the police
that you yourself were a victim?
Well, as it turns out, I wasn't.
He ripped up my check.
I'm not making excuses for what he did,
what I enabled him to do.
I know how wrong it was.
But the fact is,
he did care about me.
Margot,
why did you help him escape?
Why did you pull the gun?
I've
spent so many years feeling powerless.
Yes, always the one
gettin' the raw deal.
You just reach a certain point,
and life just seems
like this endless series
of losses, you know?
Just watching one thing
after another get taken away.
(MARGOT SIGHS)
So, you hold on to what you have.
You hold on as tight as you can.
And you stop taking risks.
(LAUGHING) With Alexei, I felt alive.
You know? I felt really invigorated.
What a miracle, right?
To discover that you could
still surprise yourself.
So, when he turned out to be
just another disappointment,
I
I don't know. I, I
I just couldn't go back to
being the same old Margot.
For once, I wanted to be
the one doing the taking.
So, I held him at gunpoint,
and I made him turn over all the money.
It's in three different
offshore accounts,
some of it's been converted to Bitcoin.
I'll give it all back. I
have all the account numbers.
I know it was wrong.
It was petty and vindictive and crazy.
And I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.
I'll make it right, I will.
I'll take whatever
sentence they give me.
I just hope my friends
can find it in their hearts
to forgive me.
(JUDGE): Has the jury reached a verdict?
(FOREPERSON): We have, Your Honor.
(JUDGE): What say you?
On count 1, on the charge of Fraud,
we find the defendant,
Margot Holloway, not guilty.
On count 2, Conspiracy to Commit Fraud,
we find the defendant,
Margot Holloway, not guilty.
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
On count 3, on the charge of
Assaulting a Federal Officer,
we find the defendant,
Margot Holloway
guilty.
(JUDGE): Ladies and
gentlemen of the jury,
you are now dismissed
with the court's thanks.
The defendant will be remanded
to custody pending sentencing.
We are adjourned.
(GAVEL BANGS)
(CLERK): All rise.
(DEPUTY MARSHALL): Ma'am, I'm sorry.
I can petition for leniency.
Because she's a first-time offender.
The gun wasn't loaded.
It's possible she can
serve part of her sentence
under supervised release.
It's all right, honey.
It's, it's the right thing.
(SOFT LATIN MUSIC)
(UPBEAT MUSIC OVER SPEAKERS)
(DISHES CLINKING)
We have roast turkey and glazed ham.
Oh, running low on potatoes.
How much longer on the mash?
Who's in charge of
the music around here?
Let's liven it up a bit.
Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!
Connie, use the oven mitts.
We have protocol for a reason.
Oh, please don't micromanage right now.
Well, I take my work seriously!
I'm not just a volunteer here.
No, you're a convicted felon.
And only you would find a way
to lord that over your friends.
Here we go! (LOUD LATIN MUSIC)
- What are you doing?
- She is trying to trigger us,
- that's what she's doing.
- Come on! Let's have a party!
I have work to do. I have
to set up for dessert.
There's hardly anyone in line.
Well, what if my parole officer
- shows up unannounced?
- Ha!
Now she fears the consequences.
Come on, dance with me.
(♪)