Bull (2016) s02e10 Episode Script
Home for the Holidays
1 WOMAN: Well, hello, darling.
First time to London? Uh-uh.
Have fun.
Excuse me.
Little girl, where are your parents? My parents? They're-they're already on the plane.
Are you sure? You know you're not allowed aboard the plane without an adult accompanying you.
Don't worry.
I'll find them once I get on board.
Hello.
Excuse me, miss? Little girl, we have your passport, so it's just a matter of time before we figure out who your parents are and how to contact them.
Or you could just give us their names and numbers.
Keep dreamin', copper.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER RADIO) WOMAN 2: There you are.
I see you.
Charlie, do you have any idea what you've put me through? Excuse me.
You her mother? No.
I'm the nanny.
Here is a notarized letter from her father authorizing me to take her home.
Do you have any idea what would have happened if they'd let you on that plane? (CLICKS TONGUE) Thank you, Officer.
This won't happen again.
So you got it? (CHUCKLING): Oh, we got it.
- (LAUGHS) - At triple our usual fee.
(WHOOPS) How'd you pull that off? Ah, I promised them we'd win.
And we'd do it before the end of the fiscal year.
Which basically means before Christmas.
But, uh, that's in five days.
You serious? You can't be serious.
Boys and girls, moms and dads, dogs and cats, gather 'round and meet our new client.
Wow.
So we're defending an object? We are defending the creators of this object: SAWAGI.
A tech behemoth that is being sued for patent infringement by ZOKEN, manufacturers of one of the largest-selling phones in the world.
And they claim there are a number of notable design similarities.
Oh, my.
Although ZOKEN phone sells for almost twice as much as the SAWAGI.
So we're representing the cheap knockoff? We are defending the realistically priced alternative.
And being paid a boatload of money to do it.
Oh, thank goodness.
I felt morally compromised for a moment.
(LAUGHS) Trust me.
We will be earning every penny of our enormous fee.
What makes you say that? This needs to be wrapped up by Christmas.
You'll pardon the pun.
CHUNK: This Christmas? Uh, Bull, that's five days.
Wow.
You and Benny can count to five.
Now, come on.
It's not like I said Christmas Eve.
Besides, you guys thrive under pressure.
Now, hop to it.
I want this entire jury pool vetted before the end of the day.
(SIGHS) (GROANS) Oh, my gosh.
What's your name? And who do you belong to? Marissa! Is it "Bring Your Brat to Work Day" again? One of those things wandered in here.
Oh, hi.
Are you lost, sweetie? This is Dr.
Bull's office, right? Yes.
And that's Dr.
Bull? MARISSA: Yes.
Nope.
I'm right where I'm supposed to be.
I'm here on official business.
I need to get divorced.
You're married? No.
I need to get divorced from my parents.
Okay.
Um So, here's the thing, divorce is for people who are married to each other.
I think maybe the thing you want to be is emancipated.
That means that you are no longer dependent on your parents and they are no longer legally responsible for you.
- Okay, I'll go with that.
- Problem is, in the State of New York, the legal age of emancipation is 16.
How old are you? You know, the penalty for lying about something like this is 25 years hard labor.
15.
Knew it.
But maybe they can make an exception? Hmm.
Little girl, I'm not a lawyer, so even if there was an exception to be made, I'm not the guy to get it for you.
Now, I have got a lot of work to do, and I'm sure there is someplace you are supposed to be, so I'm gonna give you to that very nice lady who was standing by the door with me, and she is gonna see about getting you home.
It was nice to have met you.
And you.
And do you have a name? Charlotte Kensington, but you can call me Charlie.
Mmm.
Okay, Charlie.
When you turn 16, if this is something you still want, come and see me.
- Marissa! - (FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING RAPIDLY) Uh, you yelled for me, sir? I am entrusting you to get Charlie here home safe and sound.
I'll do my best.
(EXHALES, SHIVERS) Hmm.
(SIGHS, GROANS) (YAWNS) It's almost 9:00.
What do you say we close up and go home? Well, I would if I could.
I am still trying to reach somebody to come get our little girl.
What do you mean? Where is she? Well, she wanted some chicken fingers, so Cable took her down to the corner.
Oh.
Okay.
You go home.
I'll take care of this.
(ELEVATOR BELL CHIMES) (CABLE AND CHARLIE CONVERSING INDISTINCTLY) BULL: Young lady.
Um, which young lady do you mean? Go home, Cable.
Bye.
(ELEVATOR BELL CHIMES) Okay.
It's late, and I'm no longer amused.
Had you not come here today, where would you be? Home.
And where is that? SoHo.
Corner of Macdougal and King.
Is there someone there waiting for you? Do you have a way of getting in to your apartment? Then that is where we're going.
(ELEVATOR BELL CHIMES) So, is that nice blonde lady in your office your girlfriend? No.
She's just a nice blonde lady in my office.
A very smart, nice blonde lady.
You married? No.
How 'bout you? Oh, wait.
We've already had this conversation.
(LAUGHS) You're funny.
(LAUGHS) No.
I'm just old and you're just young, and you've never heard my jokes before.
Look, that thing you came to my office to discuss with me You got to know, at one point or another, every kid wants to divorce their parents.
Every kid wants to run away and join the circus, or a rock band, or a dangerous cult.
It'll pass.
And besides, it's almost Christmas.
If Santa gets a whiff of some of the stuff you've been up to, (WHISTLES) you are gonna screw up that whole present thing.
Okay, squirt.
My work here is done.
Handing you over to the doorman.
Sweet dreams.
Oh.
(GRUNTS) Can you come up and put me to bed? (SIGHS) Really, you don't want that.
Honest.
I'm, like, the worst at that.
I mean, uh, I'll make you brush your teeth, and wash your face, and do multiplication tables.
I mean, I-it's not gonna be pretty.
Okay.
What do I owe you? (CHUCKLING) Oh.
Wow.
This is big.
They make you wear a GPS? Hello! Anyone home? No.
The lights were off, which means no one's home.
My dad usually works pretty late.
Hmm.
What about your mom? She went away a while ago.
Oh, okay.
Hey.
Where do you think you're going? Putting on my nightgown, so you can tuck me in.
Excellent.
And then can you stay until my dad gets home? Excuse me? Can you stay until my dad gets home? I get really lonely.
(SNORING) Whoa.
(GASPS) Just who are you? What are you doing here? And where is my daughter? Okay, whoa, whoa.
Charlie is fine.
She's sleeping in her room.
Go, look.
(GROANS) (GRUNTS) REX: Okay.
Hey, just hold it right there.
I've already called the police, they're on their way over.
Look, I-I know this couldn't look any worse, but (SIGHS) let me explain.
- My name is Dr.
Jason Bull.
- You're a doctor? A psychologist, but that's beside the point.
Your daughter came to my office looking to hire me.
Why would my nine-year-old daughter want to hire a psychologist? I'm a trial scientist, a kind of legal expert.
She wanted a divorce from you, and your wife, and I didn't know what else to do.
So I brought her home.
She didn't want me to leave, not until you got home.
And it is 2:30 in the morning.
Uh, yeah.
Okay.
Um Thank you, I guess.
You guess? You and your wife always leave your nine-year-old alone at night? We have a nanny four days a week.
This is her night off.
We're-we're in a doorman building.
Uh-uh-uh, 16 cameras.
Wh-Which I can watch on my phone.
(SCOFFS) We've got more security than Fort Knox.
She's-she's perfectly safe, thank you.
She's perfectly comfortable with it.
And that's why she pleaded with me not to leave her alone.
She's a kid.
You ever look at these security cameras that you have? 'Cause if you had, you would've seen a stranger wandering around this palace of yours.
Okay, obviously, I didn't, so Again, thank you.
You know what, I'm gonna wait for the police.
I didn't call them.
I didn't call anyone.
Ah.
Then you're lucky.
Because I think they would find what I have to say a lot more interesting than what you have to say.
Give your daughter a kiss for me, Mr.
Kensington.
And have a merry Christmas.
All right, I'm here.
(GRUNTS) Now, what's so important? Don't take this the wrong way, but you look like an unmade bed.
Well, an unmade bed sounds pretty good to me right now.
I was out pretty late.
Now, what is so important? Well, I pored over all this stuff last night.
And I am no computer geek, okay? But it seems to me that every single improvement, every single modification in SAWAGI's phone, in ZOKEN's phone, is all built on an underlying technology that somebody else pioneered.
Mm.
Company A will improve on whatever Company B came out with, and Company B will return the favor by taking whatever seems most exciting about Company A's work and changing it just enough to make it seem - like something original.
- Mm.
They all do it.
It's very incestuous.
Point being? Point being is I think we go into the judge's chambers, present this properly, justify a motion to dismiss.
Huh? No muss, no fuss.
Four days early.
(FINGERS DRUMMING) We all go Christmas shopping.
I take it you've already called the judge.
They're gonna text us as soon as he's free.
Hmm.
Nice work.
I'm gonna take a quick stroll over to family court.
- If they text you, you text me.
- (KNOCKING) Your Honor, sorry to bother you.
My name is Dr.
Jason Bull.
I'm a trial scientist.
- What can I do for you? - Well, I'm a licensed psychologist, which means that I am a mandated reporter when it comes to situations regarding child welfare.
And (EXHALES) I'm staring at a situation.
I'm just not sure it rises to the level that justifies reporting.
What's the situation? Busy, working family.
Rolling in money.
Best of everything for their little girl.
She's nine years old.
But, unfortunately, she is often left unsupervised.
Just yesterday, she wandered 30 blocks to come and see me.
And then, last night, I was at her apartment with her until 2:30 in the morning, waiting for a parent to show up.
(EXHALES) Am I making a mountain out of a molehill? Well, you usually don't see this kind of thing in affluent families, but the prudent thing to do would be to at least open an investigation.
Thank you.
I thought so, too.
E-mail me all the relevant information.
I'll take it from there.
Fantastic.
Thank you.
Just one more thing, Doctor.
In these type of cases, we normally assign the child a guardian ad litem, an objective third party whose sole job is to look out for the child's best interests as his or her case moves through the courts.
Makes sense.
We also look to the guardian ad litem to make a recommendation to the judge.
The judge has the final say, but the guardian ad litem's opinion carries a great deal of weight.
Sounds like a terrific system.
I'm sure this little girl's gonna be in fantastic hands.
Finding someone to fill that role the week before Christmas is going to be exceedingly difficult.
But you, Dr.
Bull, are a licensed psychologist, and you're already familiar with the case.
(EXHALES) Your Honor, I promise you, I would if I could.
- I am drowning in work.
- If I can't find a guardian, I can't start an investigation.
Well, then maybe it's a sign.
(CHUCKLES) That was a joke.
You'll laugh later.
I'm your guy.
Thank you.
And happy holidays, Dr.
Bull.
Here's hoping, Judge Sullivan.
Guess what, judge won't even see us.
Says the issues are way too complex simply to dismiss the case without hearing testimony.
Well, it's Christmastime.
What'd you expect, a miracle? (ELEVATOR BELL CHIMES) Hey, what if I told you if one of our client's lead engineers spent the first 18 months of his career working at the Palo Alto campus of the plaintiff? In the cellular division.
Uh, it sounds worse than it is.
Like I said before, it's a small community.
People move from company to company all the time.
Okay.
You know what we need to do? We need to do an analysis of every patent filed for both these phones.
And we need to highlight the layered changes that take place in every device, that every manufacturer is, in fact, reacting to the latest improvements of every other manufacturer and that there is, inevitably, overlap.
Steve Jobs visits Xerox, sees what amounts to a graphical user interface, goes back to Apple, does it better, and the home computer is born.
It's not thievery it's evolution.
Then we got to try and get execs from all the other companies in the cell phone business to back this shared zeitgeist narrative of ours in court.
And you want all of that before Christmas? There are thousands of pages of filings to read through.
Then we'd better get started.
(BOX CLANGS) (PHONE RINGING) (SIGHS) MAN: Judge Sullivan from family court is on one.
Sure.
Put him through.
(GROANS) Don't ask.
I'll be back.
Walk with me.
(QUIETLY): Go to my office where no one can hear.
I'm gonna call you from the car.
I need you to tell me everything you can about family court.
- Family court? - (ELEVATOR BELL CHIMES) What did you do? Oh, it's the season.
I tried to do something nice.
Uh Judge William Sullivan.
Fiercely protective of children.
Rarely sides with parents.
Good to know.
Family court is like a foreign country to me.
No juries.
It's all about the judge.
Now, see what you can tell me about Rex and Nora Kensington.
Is this about the little girl that was in the office yesterday? Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies.
Nothing new here.
Owns his own investment firm, which he built from the ground up.
- Uh-huh.
- Looks very good in a suit.
- What was the wife's name again? - Nora.
Got it.
Nora Kensington.
(SIGHS) Marissa? You there? Did I lose you? No, I'm here.
She passed away.
Three years ago.
Breast cancer.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER, BABY WAILING) (SIGHS) Neglect? They're having me tried for neglect? Okay, look, I'm starting to realize I might owe you an apology.
This thing is clearly spinning out of control.
I don't want to be here any more than you do.
So just let me go talk to the judge.
I'm sure I can undo this.
No, no.
They've already moved Charlie out of our apartment.
She's not allowed to live with me until this hearing is over.
And maybe not even then.
(SIGHS) It's Christmastime.
She's got to stay with the nanny in the apartment downstairs.
Again, I'm sorry.
This was never my intention.
I just went to the judge for some advice, and I Where is Charlie? You know, if she and I go talk to the judge, I'm sure I can undo this.
They won't let you see her.
They won't let anyone see her.
They've got her in the back with her lawyer.
They got her a lawyer.
(DOOR OPENS) Anyone with business before Judge Sullivan in the matter of Charlotte Kensington, please make your way into the courtroom.
Hearing will start in five minutes.
I promise you, I will handle this.
MARISSA: No, I know the rent is eight days late.
I'm just having some liquidity issues.
But I believe everything will be resolved in a day or two.
Please, it's my mother's apartment.
She's lived there for four years and I've never missed a payment.
Uh, yes.
- I'll-I'll hold.
- Marissa, you can't go AWOL on me.
This whole patent is based on an algorithm, and you are the algorithm queen and I wouldn't know an algorithm - if it bit me on the butt.
- Yes, I understand.
72 hours.
You have my word.
I will get the money there somehow.
(VOICE BREAKING): Thank you.
And Merry Christmas.
You okay? I just really need to be alone.
Is there, um, anything I can do? Uh, can I lend you some money? Marissa, please, say something.
Women crying is my kryptonite.
I gave him $75,000 to invest for me just before Thanksgiving.
I got him an expedited passport so he could get to China after his was supposedly stolen.
And now he's vanished from the face of the earth.
What? And all my credit cards have been maxed out.
My checking account's been emptied.
Kyle? Whatever his name is.
(CHUCKLES) I'm glad you're amused.
Did you mention this to-to Danny? Huh? She only used to be with the FBI.
And Cable, Cable is an ace at finding people's digital footprints.
I can't tell them.
I used to be with Homeland Security.
A situations analyst.
And he played me like a fiddle.
And it was all about that passport.
He knew, with my connections, I could get it for him.
The money was just icing on the cake.
So he left his wallet on that bar, knowing I would bring it to him.
What a jerk I am.
I've got three words for you.
Cable and Danny.
- (GAVEL BANGING) - BULL: Your Honor, sidebar, if I may.
(SIGHS) Your Honor, it's become clear to me over the last few hours that I may very well have overreacted to the events of last night.
(SIGHS) I'm not sure any of what happened rises to the level of investigable neglect and, in fact, I'm starting to believe that what's really called for here is not breaking up this family, but rather counseling therapy.
Well, that's what we're here to find out, Dr.
Bull.
And as the guardian ad litem, I'm very interested in your opinions and insight.
I must ask, however, that you offer them at the end of the trial, rather than before it's commenced.
Take a seat, please.
(CHARLIE PATS CHAIR) Nora was the conscience of our family.
She she was a poet.
But more than anything, she was a mother.
Where I was always about ambition, and-and accomplishment, an ambition, and-and accomplishment, and and hard work.
So when Nora was suddenly gone I think I just doubled down on all of that ambition, accomplishment and left the things that I should have been doing with my daughter to grandmas and aunts and nannies.
Hindsight.
MCLACHLAN: So, the night in question last night what happened? Well, I got held up at work.
Uh, I lost track of time.
And I know now I made a mistake not being there a very serious mistake, and one that I would like to correct.
If you'd just have her come back home.
MCLACHLAN: Thank you, Mr.
Kensington.
HOLLAND: Before we move on, can you please tell us how many other times this has happened, where Charlie has been left alone, unsupervised, for upwards of three hours or more? Objection.
My client has acknowledged his failings and pledged to correct them.
I love my daughter.
And seeing those child services people at my door and telling me to pack her things I promise you, this will never, ever happen again.
And whatever the court requires me to do to win back its confidence I'm prepared to do it.
HOLLAND: Oh, that's very admirable of you, sir.
But being a good parent a good father.
Involves more than making pledges to do good.
It involves knowing your child.
I do know my child.
I do.
HOLLAND: Okay.
If you know Charlie so well.
What's her best friend's name? Objection.
Relevance? I'll allow it.
Well, like all kids, I mean it changes all the time.
What about her favorite book do you know the title, Mr.
Kensington? Have you ever read it to her? No.
No.
And it's The Half-Blood Prince.
REX: No, I never have.
And I don't know the book.
The title, I mean.
I'm sorry, honey.
HOLLAND: Any idea what Charlie wants to be when she grows up? MCLACHLAN: Your Honor.
JUDGE: Overruled.
I'm sure she's told me, but I just can't remember.
HOLLAND: Concertmaster for the Vienna Philharmonic, Your Honor.
Just for the record.
I knew he wouldn't remember that.
HOLLAND: The state is done with this witness, Your Honor.
I know this is not a very convenient time for this hearing, with the holidays coming.
But a child's well-being is at stake here.
And I implore you all to remember that.
I'll see all parties back in this courtroom in two days for further investigation.
Until then, Charlotte is to remain under the exclusive care of her nanny, April Rockwell.
And she is forbidden to return to the residence of her father, Rex Kensington.
(GAVEL BANGS) Well, I, for one, feel like we're off to a very good start.
REX: Charlie? Charlie? Charlie? Can we can we just talk, please? No.
I don't think we're supposed to do that.
I think the judge said I wasn't supposed to talk to you.
The judge said you couldn't go home, not that you couldn't talk to your father.
Well, I don't think I should.
I understand.
But if you need me, you have my cell phone.
And wherever you are I'll come to you.
Just know that.
Okay? Okay.
Okay.
You know, it is almost Christmas.
What? You think Santa's gonna be mad at me 'cause I wasn't nice to my dad? Just sayin'.
Dominic Drake, the president of Hawker Cellular's on line three.
Oh, okay.
Mr.
Drake.
Dr.
Jason Bull.
I think you know why I'm calling.
I'm involved in litigation on behalf of SAWAGI Cellular, and I'd love to convince you to sign a letter that I've composed, acknowledging the layered and evolutionary way that advances in technology happen in your industry.
Boy, I could really use a cup of coffee.
Yeah.
Coffee sounds good.
Maybe I'll join you.
Um, the guy was thorough.
Never let me take his picture.
Said talking about his family was too painful.
Didn't introduce me to a single one of his friends.
And what about physical evidence? Combed every square inch of my apartment.
He didn't leave behind so much as a toothbrush.
But he did drink my tequila.
Men.
Got a bottle for my birthday last year.
Never opened it.
Never even took it out of the box.
Then one night, Kyle took it out, drank right from the bottle.
Which means his fingerprints and his DNA are here somewhere.
Men.
Marissa! Cable! Danny! Anyone? Where is everybody? It's not Christmas yet.
We're here, Bull.
We're here.
Okay.
I got three more CEOs to, uh, say they'd sign a statement acknowledging our thesis that many of the improvements in cell phone technology are incremental and based on shared knowledge.
The good news is two of the three are here in New York.
The third one is in New Jersey.
Hey.
Benny and I are heading out to court.
Trial starts at 2:00.
It's 1:15.
Right behind you.
I just got to finish this one thing.
I need these signatures today.
And I need each of you to carry these, get them signed, and then get them back to me.
See you in court.
(ELEVATOR BELL CHIMES) Dr.
Bull? April.
Everything all right? I need to speak with you.
Is it Charlie? Charlie's fine.
Charlie's having the time of her life, watching everyone twist themselves into pretzels around her.
She has no idea how serious this all is, and no idea how much trouble she's causing.
(SIGHS) Okay.
I'm sorry I said that.
Uh I care about Charlie.
- I really do.
- But But this is just a lot more all-consuming than I bargained for.
I'm supposed to be finishing a thesis, not raising a little girl.
After school and a couple of nights a week that's what I agreed to.
But now Charlie's actually living with me in my studio apartment, and I can't get anything done.
It's the end of the term, my paper is due tomorrow, and it's not going to be finished.
(SIGHS) I don't know how to say this, but it's not what I signed up for.
I'm sorry.
I-I can't be Charlie's temporary guardian anymore.
I just can't.
- Not even one - No.
Okay.
Well I'm sure we can figure out another solution.
I guess I'll just have to call the judge and come up with some next steps.
But don't you worry about it.
You're right.
This is not your responsibility.
Your responsibility is to get an education.
Thank you.
Not to worry.
- Good luck with your thesis.
- (ELEVATOR BELL CHIMES) Merry Christmas.
Happy Hanukkah.
- Happy Kwanzaa.
- Merry Christmas.
You, too, Dr.
Bull.
- Okay.
- Oh.
Uh, I forgot.
Charlie gets out of school at 3:15.
Okay.
Well, somebody has to pick her up.
(ELEVATOR BELL CHIMES) Oh.
Marissa! Danny? Chunk?! Cable! Can I help you, Dr.
Bull? Oh, uh, I'm just looking for someone I know and trust or, at the very least, whose name I know.
I got to get to the courthouse at 60 Center Street and the New Home Day School on East 62nd.
Well, one is downtown and the other's uptown.
- Which one's first? - Yeah, it's a quarter to 2:00.
We're 20 minutes from court.
How long from, uh, there to East 62nd? This time of day? 35 minutes, easy.
We'll just make it.
Let's go to court.
Hey, Bull.
Good to hear from you.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, we're all just, uh, waiting to get in.
(QUIETLY): And by the way, people keep asking where you are and making ugly faces when I say, "He's on his way.
" He is.
And I got written statements from major CEOs to back up our thesis on the way, too.
Here's the thing: second I get there, I need Chunk to jump in the cab and go pick up Charlie at school.
Excuse me? What-what Who is this Charlie guy? What are you talking about? Never mind.
I'll text you when I get close.
- (HORNS HONKING) - We haven't moved in, like, five minutes.
It's Christmas in New York.
You know what? Here.
Never mind.
Keep the change.
(PHONE RINGS) Hello? We have got a problem.
We just started voir dire and the clients are having a stroke.
They want you here.
And Benny's been stalling like a car with a bad carburetor.
Chunk, tell him I'm getting there as fast as I can.
- (BELLS TOLLING) - What's that? - Huh? - Those bells.
Church bells? (STAMMERS) It's 3:00.
Okay.
Tell Benny he's gonna have to do his best.
I'm not gonna make it.
I got to be uptown in 15 minutes.
What are you talking about? I'll explain later.
(GRUNTS) Rex?! Charlie? Charlie? Rex? Oh, my.
- Dr.
Bull? - Rex.
(PANTING) What are you doing here? He saved me.
Well, Charlie called me.
I-I guess the nanny just flaked out, didn't pick her up from school, so, I mean, I called her, but-but I think she just turned her cell off.
Charlie was terrified, so I just ran right over.
So where are you going now? I don't I don't know.
I mean, I'm I'm not allowed to bring her back to the apartment, so This is a little ridiculous, isn't it? You want to be with your daddy, don't you? And I know you want your little girl back.
I do.
So let's end this.
The judge wants to hear from you, Charlie.
You can put an end to this whole thing.
I know.
So let's grab a cab and go see him.
What do you say? MARISSA: Hey! Sorry I'm late.
Bull here yet? I got that signed letter for him.
No.
Apparently, we all beat him here.
The word is he's on his way.
Uh, we actually do have some news, though.
My friend at the NYPD he got a hit on Kyle's prints.
- Seriously? - Yup.
So, Kyle Anderson is actually Robert Allen.
Turns out he's got a wife and three kids.
They live just outside of Bedford, New York, though the fam claims they haven't seen him in years.
Nonetheless, wifey somehow affords a big house and private schools for the kids.
- You okay? - (SIGHS) How did I not know? The guy is good.
Also, he has outstanding warrants for tax evasion, international money laundering, larceny.
It's quite a list.
Which is probably why he needed you to get him a passport, 'cause there was no way he was getting out of the country with his own.
I used the number of the passport you got him to trace him to a resort on Virgin Gorda.
He's been there for the past three weeks opening up bank accounts.
The British Virgin Islands.
Of course.
He's there laundering money.
Looks like he deposited over half a million dollars.
(SCOFFS) He was a busy boy.
- (CHURCH BELLS TOLL) - (LAUGHS) Church bells.
Always makes me think of Christmas.
Christmas.
I wonder if Kyle's coming home.
Well, you said he had a wife and kids.
What are you thinking? I'm thinking, how many flights can there be from the Virgin Islands to New York between now and Christmas? Give that to Bull.
I got some last-minute Christmas plans I got to make.
BULL: Judge said he'd be there till 4:30.
We should just make it.
Charlie? You okay, honey? You worried about talking to the judge? I was thinking about mom and how she'd tell me stories about Santa Claus.
And how we'd track what part of the world he was in on her computer.
You know, we could do that.
You and I could do that.
No.
It's okay.
I know it's a fairy tale.
I've known for a while now.
I'm nine.
Is that true? Really? A fairy tale? I'm I'm not sure I believe that.
Yeah.
I mean, me, either.
I'm sorry I was mean to you, Dad.
I just missed Mommy.
Oh, I'm sorry that I wasn't a better dad, darling.
I really miss her, too.
Well, here we are.
All right.
HOLT: Hey! Where the hell have you been?! We just lost a key juror in there, and you were MIA.
Mr.
Holt, there's a child.
I apologize.
I was unforeseeably detained.
Nonetheless, you're in great hands.
Look, Mr.
Colón and Mr I'm sure they're great; those are not the hands - I'm paying for.
- (PHONE VIBRATES) Okay, we're getting called back in.
I need you to roll up your sleeves, get your head in the game.
It's 4:20, Dr.
Bull.
I have a previous commitment.
Go to the judge's office.
I will be right behind you guys, all right? Let me be clear.
If I walk into that courtroom without you, you and your people are off the case.
Then so be it.
Truthfully, it was a mistake to get involved to begin with.
I mean, it's Christmas.
I guess I just let greed and my own ego get the best of me.
I do apologize.
And to you guys, too.
I I don't know what I was thinking.
(SIGHS) But I do have a gift for you.
You guys have those envelopes? Share these with your attorneys.
I think it'll go a long way to getting you what you want.
You're very welcome! That guy's getting a lot of coal this Christmas.
Why do you guys put up with me? All right, go to your meeting.
(SIGHS) Merry Christmas.
Oh, bring it in.
ALL: Ah! (LAUGHTER) All right, go do some shopping.
Do some drinking, get silly.
And I don't want to see any of you until after the new year.
Bye.
- (SIGHS) - Where's Marissa? I have no idea.
But I'm sure she'll check in by the holiday.
You doing anything for Christmas, boss? Not gonna be alone, are you? I got big plans.
Merry Christmas, Benny.
Merry Christmas.
Have a holly, jolly Christmas It's the best time of the year I don't know if there'll be snow But have a cup of cheer Have a holly, jolly Christmas And when you walk down the street Say hello to friends you know And everyone you meet Merry Christmas, Kyle.
Merry Christmas, Kyle.
FBI! Robert Allen, you're under arrest for fraud, larceny, money laundering and tax evasion.
Place your hands on top of your head and get down on your knees.
Kiss her once for me Have a fabulous New Year's, too.
Have a holly, jolly Christmas REX: He just left Providence, and he is on his way here.
- Dad.
- Look, I believe.
Once you fall asleep, I know he's gonna come down that chimney.
We don't have any chimneys.
We don't have any fireplaces.
Hmm.
You may be on to something there.
(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS) Someone's coming up our elevator.
I wonder who that could be.
Dad, don't open it! The doorman didn't call - and ask to buzz him up.
- Well, I'm not just gonna leave somebody trapped in the elevator.
(ELEVATOR DOORS OPEN) Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! Oh, I've got some presents here for little Charlie Kensington.
Hopefully, she's asleep.
It's really you! Oh.
Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! Someone's excited.
(QUIETLY): I know it's you, Dr.
Bull, but don't say anything.
My dad still believes in all this stuff.
(QUIETLY): Oh.
Okay.
And thank you for bringing him back to me.
This is the best Christmas ever.
Well, I'm not allowed to give out any presents until everyone is asleep, So.
I'll have to stop back by a little later.
(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS) Sunlight is fading (SIGHS) And to all a good night.
The church bells are saying Christmas is here Ho, ho It's beginning to snow Softly and gently And quietly so Softly and gently Ho, ho Who's afraid of snow? Nice look.
Back at ya.
And let's go.
First time to London? Uh-uh.
Have fun.
Excuse me.
Little girl, where are your parents? My parents? They're-they're already on the plane.
Are you sure? You know you're not allowed aboard the plane without an adult accompanying you.
Don't worry.
I'll find them once I get on board.
Hello.
Excuse me, miss? Little girl, we have your passport, so it's just a matter of time before we figure out who your parents are and how to contact them.
Or you could just give us their names and numbers.
Keep dreamin', copper.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER RADIO) WOMAN 2: There you are.
I see you.
Charlie, do you have any idea what you've put me through? Excuse me.
You her mother? No.
I'm the nanny.
Here is a notarized letter from her father authorizing me to take her home.
Do you have any idea what would have happened if they'd let you on that plane? (CLICKS TONGUE) Thank you, Officer.
This won't happen again.
So you got it? (CHUCKLING): Oh, we got it.
- (LAUGHS) - At triple our usual fee.
(WHOOPS) How'd you pull that off? Ah, I promised them we'd win.
And we'd do it before the end of the fiscal year.
Which basically means before Christmas.
But, uh, that's in five days.
You serious? You can't be serious.
Boys and girls, moms and dads, dogs and cats, gather 'round and meet our new client.
Wow.
So we're defending an object? We are defending the creators of this object: SAWAGI.
A tech behemoth that is being sued for patent infringement by ZOKEN, manufacturers of one of the largest-selling phones in the world.
And they claim there are a number of notable design similarities.
Oh, my.
Although ZOKEN phone sells for almost twice as much as the SAWAGI.
So we're representing the cheap knockoff? We are defending the realistically priced alternative.
And being paid a boatload of money to do it.
Oh, thank goodness.
I felt morally compromised for a moment.
(LAUGHS) Trust me.
We will be earning every penny of our enormous fee.
What makes you say that? This needs to be wrapped up by Christmas.
You'll pardon the pun.
CHUNK: This Christmas? Uh, Bull, that's five days.
Wow.
You and Benny can count to five.
Now, come on.
It's not like I said Christmas Eve.
Besides, you guys thrive under pressure.
Now, hop to it.
I want this entire jury pool vetted before the end of the day.
(SIGHS) (GROANS) Oh, my gosh.
What's your name? And who do you belong to? Marissa! Is it "Bring Your Brat to Work Day" again? One of those things wandered in here.
Oh, hi.
Are you lost, sweetie? This is Dr.
Bull's office, right? Yes.
And that's Dr.
Bull? MARISSA: Yes.
Nope.
I'm right where I'm supposed to be.
I'm here on official business.
I need to get divorced.
You're married? No.
I need to get divorced from my parents.
Okay.
Um So, here's the thing, divorce is for people who are married to each other.
I think maybe the thing you want to be is emancipated.
That means that you are no longer dependent on your parents and they are no longer legally responsible for you.
- Okay, I'll go with that.
- Problem is, in the State of New York, the legal age of emancipation is 16.
How old are you? You know, the penalty for lying about something like this is 25 years hard labor.
15.
Knew it.
But maybe they can make an exception? Hmm.
Little girl, I'm not a lawyer, so even if there was an exception to be made, I'm not the guy to get it for you.
Now, I have got a lot of work to do, and I'm sure there is someplace you are supposed to be, so I'm gonna give you to that very nice lady who was standing by the door with me, and she is gonna see about getting you home.
It was nice to have met you.
And you.
And do you have a name? Charlotte Kensington, but you can call me Charlie.
Mmm.
Okay, Charlie.
When you turn 16, if this is something you still want, come and see me.
- Marissa! - (FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING RAPIDLY) Uh, you yelled for me, sir? I am entrusting you to get Charlie here home safe and sound.
I'll do my best.
(EXHALES, SHIVERS) Hmm.
(SIGHS, GROANS) (YAWNS) It's almost 9:00.
What do you say we close up and go home? Well, I would if I could.
I am still trying to reach somebody to come get our little girl.
What do you mean? Where is she? Well, she wanted some chicken fingers, so Cable took her down to the corner.
Oh.
Okay.
You go home.
I'll take care of this.
(ELEVATOR BELL CHIMES) (CABLE AND CHARLIE CONVERSING INDISTINCTLY) BULL: Young lady.
Um, which young lady do you mean? Go home, Cable.
Bye.
(ELEVATOR BELL CHIMES) Okay.
It's late, and I'm no longer amused.
Had you not come here today, where would you be? Home.
And where is that? SoHo.
Corner of Macdougal and King.
Is there someone there waiting for you? Do you have a way of getting in to your apartment? Then that is where we're going.
(ELEVATOR BELL CHIMES) So, is that nice blonde lady in your office your girlfriend? No.
She's just a nice blonde lady in my office.
A very smart, nice blonde lady.
You married? No.
How 'bout you? Oh, wait.
We've already had this conversation.
(LAUGHS) You're funny.
(LAUGHS) No.
I'm just old and you're just young, and you've never heard my jokes before.
Look, that thing you came to my office to discuss with me You got to know, at one point or another, every kid wants to divorce their parents.
Every kid wants to run away and join the circus, or a rock band, or a dangerous cult.
It'll pass.
And besides, it's almost Christmas.
If Santa gets a whiff of some of the stuff you've been up to, (WHISTLES) you are gonna screw up that whole present thing.
Okay, squirt.
My work here is done.
Handing you over to the doorman.
Sweet dreams.
Oh.
(GRUNTS) Can you come up and put me to bed? (SIGHS) Really, you don't want that.
Honest.
I'm, like, the worst at that.
I mean, uh, I'll make you brush your teeth, and wash your face, and do multiplication tables.
I mean, I-it's not gonna be pretty.
Okay.
What do I owe you? (CHUCKLING) Oh.
Wow.
This is big.
They make you wear a GPS? Hello! Anyone home? No.
The lights were off, which means no one's home.
My dad usually works pretty late.
Hmm.
What about your mom? She went away a while ago.
Oh, okay.
Hey.
Where do you think you're going? Putting on my nightgown, so you can tuck me in.
Excellent.
And then can you stay until my dad gets home? Excuse me? Can you stay until my dad gets home? I get really lonely.
(SNORING) Whoa.
(GASPS) Just who are you? What are you doing here? And where is my daughter? Okay, whoa, whoa.
Charlie is fine.
She's sleeping in her room.
Go, look.
(GROANS) (GRUNTS) REX: Okay.
Hey, just hold it right there.
I've already called the police, they're on their way over.
Look, I-I know this couldn't look any worse, but (SIGHS) let me explain.
- My name is Dr.
Jason Bull.
- You're a doctor? A psychologist, but that's beside the point.
Your daughter came to my office looking to hire me.
Why would my nine-year-old daughter want to hire a psychologist? I'm a trial scientist, a kind of legal expert.
She wanted a divorce from you, and your wife, and I didn't know what else to do.
So I brought her home.
She didn't want me to leave, not until you got home.
And it is 2:30 in the morning.
Uh, yeah.
Okay.
Um Thank you, I guess.
You guess? You and your wife always leave your nine-year-old alone at night? We have a nanny four days a week.
This is her night off.
We're-we're in a doorman building.
Uh-uh-uh, 16 cameras.
Wh-Which I can watch on my phone.
(SCOFFS) We've got more security than Fort Knox.
She's-she's perfectly safe, thank you.
She's perfectly comfortable with it.
And that's why she pleaded with me not to leave her alone.
She's a kid.
You ever look at these security cameras that you have? 'Cause if you had, you would've seen a stranger wandering around this palace of yours.
Okay, obviously, I didn't, so Again, thank you.
You know what, I'm gonna wait for the police.
I didn't call them.
I didn't call anyone.
Ah.
Then you're lucky.
Because I think they would find what I have to say a lot more interesting than what you have to say.
Give your daughter a kiss for me, Mr.
Kensington.
And have a merry Christmas.
All right, I'm here.
(GRUNTS) Now, what's so important? Don't take this the wrong way, but you look like an unmade bed.
Well, an unmade bed sounds pretty good to me right now.
I was out pretty late.
Now, what is so important? Well, I pored over all this stuff last night.
And I am no computer geek, okay? But it seems to me that every single improvement, every single modification in SAWAGI's phone, in ZOKEN's phone, is all built on an underlying technology that somebody else pioneered.
Mm.
Company A will improve on whatever Company B came out with, and Company B will return the favor by taking whatever seems most exciting about Company A's work and changing it just enough to make it seem - like something original.
- Mm.
They all do it.
It's very incestuous.
Point being? Point being is I think we go into the judge's chambers, present this properly, justify a motion to dismiss.
Huh? No muss, no fuss.
Four days early.
(FINGERS DRUMMING) We all go Christmas shopping.
I take it you've already called the judge.
They're gonna text us as soon as he's free.
Hmm.
Nice work.
I'm gonna take a quick stroll over to family court.
- If they text you, you text me.
- (KNOCKING) Your Honor, sorry to bother you.
My name is Dr.
Jason Bull.
I'm a trial scientist.
- What can I do for you? - Well, I'm a licensed psychologist, which means that I am a mandated reporter when it comes to situations regarding child welfare.
And (EXHALES) I'm staring at a situation.
I'm just not sure it rises to the level that justifies reporting.
What's the situation? Busy, working family.
Rolling in money.
Best of everything for their little girl.
She's nine years old.
But, unfortunately, she is often left unsupervised.
Just yesterday, she wandered 30 blocks to come and see me.
And then, last night, I was at her apartment with her until 2:30 in the morning, waiting for a parent to show up.
(EXHALES) Am I making a mountain out of a molehill? Well, you usually don't see this kind of thing in affluent families, but the prudent thing to do would be to at least open an investigation.
Thank you.
I thought so, too.
E-mail me all the relevant information.
I'll take it from there.
Fantastic.
Thank you.
Just one more thing, Doctor.
In these type of cases, we normally assign the child a guardian ad litem, an objective third party whose sole job is to look out for the child's best interests as his or her case moves through the courts.
Makes sense.
We also look to the guardian ad litem to make a recommendation to the judge.
The judge has the final say, but the guardian ad litem's opinion carries a great deal of weight.
Sounds like a terrific system.
I'm sure this little girl's gonna be in fantastic hands.
Finding someone to fill that role the week before Christmas is going to be exceedingly difficult.
But you, Dr.
Bull, are a licensed psychologist, and you're already familiar with the case.
(EXHALES) Your Honor, I promise you, I would if I could.
- I am drowning in work.
- If I can't find a guardian, I can't start an investigation.
Well, then maybe it's a sign.
(CHUCKLES) That was a joke.
You'll laugh later.
I'm your guy.
Thank you.
And happy holidays, Dr.
Bull.
Here's hoping, Judge Sullivan.
Guess what, judge won't even see us.
Says the issues are way too complex simply to dismiss the case without hearing testimony.
Well, it's Christmastime.
What'd you expect, a miracle? (ELEVATOR BELL CHIMES) Hey, what if I told you if one of our client's lead engineers spent the first 18 months of his career working at the Palo Alto campus of the plaintiff? In the cellular division.
Uh, it sounds worse than it is.
Like I said before, it's a small community.
People move from company to company all the time.
Okay.
You know what we need to do? We need to do an analysis of every patent filed for both these phones.
And we need to highlight the layered changes that take place in every device, that every manufacturer is, in fact, reacting to the latest improvements of every other manufacturer and that there is, inevitably, overlap.
Steve Jobs visits Xerox, sees what amounts to a graphical user interface, goes back to Apple, does it better, and the home computer is born.
It's not thievery it's evolution.
Then we got to try and get execs from all the other companies in the cell phone business to back this shared zeitgeist narrative of ours in court.
And you want all of that before Christmas? There are thousands of pages of filings to read through.
Then we'd better get started.
(BOX CLANGS) (PHONE RINGING) (SIGHS) MAN: Judge Sullivan from family court is on one.
Sure.
Put him through.
(GROANS) Don't ask.
I'll be back.
Walk with me.
(QUIETLY): Go to my office where no one can hear.
I'm gonna call you from the car.
I need you to tell me everything you can about family court.
- Family court? - (ELEVATOR BELL CHIMES) What did you do? Oh, it's the season.
I tried to do something nice.
Uh Judge William Sullivan.
Fiercely protective of children.
Rarely sides with parents.
Good to know.
Family court is like a foreign country to me.
No juries.
It's all about the judge.
Now, see what you can tell me about Rex and Nora Kensington.
Is this about the little girl that was in the office yesterday? Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies.
Nothing new here.
Owns his own investment firm, which he built from the ground up.
- Uh-huh.
- Looks very good in a suit.
- What was the wife's name again? - Nora.
Got it.
Nora Kensington.
(SIGHS) Marissa? You there? Did I lose you? No, I'm here.
She passed away.
Three years ago.
Breast cancer.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER, BABY WAILING) (SIGHS) Neglect? They're having me tried for neglect? Okay, look, I'm starting to realize I might owe you an apology.
This thing is clearly spinning out of control.
I don't want to be here any more than you do.
So just let me go talk to the judge.
I'm sure I can undo this.
No, no.
They've already moved Charlie out of our apartment.
She's not allowed to live with me until this hearing is over.
And maybe not even then.
(SIGHS) It's Christmastime.
She's got to stay with the nanny in the apartment downstairs.
Again, I'm sorry.
This was never my intention.
I just went to the judge for some advice, and I Where is Charlie? You know, if she and I go talk to the judge, I'm sure I can undo this.
They won't let you see her.
They won't let anyone see her.
They've got her in the back with her lawyer.
They got her a lawyer.
(DOOR OPENS) Anyone with business before Judge Sullivan in the matter of Charlotte Kensington, please make your way into the courtroom.
Hearing will start in five minutes.
I promise you, I will handle this.
MARISSA: No, I know the rent is eight days late.
I'm just having some liquidity issues.
But I believe everything will be resolved in a day or two.
Please, it's my mother's apartment.
She's lived there for four years and I've never missed a payment.
Uh, yes.
- I'll-I'll hold.
- Marissa, you can't go AWOL on me.
This whole patent is based on an algorithm, and you are the algorithm queen and I wouldn't know an algorithm - if it bit me on the butt.
- Yes, I understand.
72 hours.
You have my word.
I will get the money there somehow.
(VOICE BREAKING): Thank you.
And Merry Christmas.
You okay? I just really need to be alone.
Is there, um, anything I can do? Uh, can I lend you some money? Marissa, please, say something.
Women crying is my kryptonite.
I gave him $75,000 to invest for me just before Thanksgiving.
I got him an expedited passport so he could get to China after his was supposedly stolen.
And now he's vanished from the face of the earth.
What? And all my credit cards have been maxed out.
My checking account's been emptied.
Kyle? Whatever his name is.
(CHUCKLES) I'm glad you're amused.
Did you mention this to-to Danny? Huh? She only used to be with the FBI.
And Cable, Cable is an ace at finding people's digital footprints.
I can't tell them.
I used to be with Homeland Security.
A situations analyst.
And he played me like a fiddle.
And it was all about that passport.
He knew, with my connections, I could get it for him.
The money was just icing on the cake.
So he left his wallet on that bar, knowing I would bring it to him.
What a jerk I am.
I've got three words for you.
Cable and Danny.
- (GAVEL BANGING) - BULL: Your Honor, sidebar, if I may.
(SIGHS) Your Honor, it's become clear to me over the last few hours that I may very well have overreacted to the events of last night.
(SIGHS) I'm not sure any of what happened rises to the level of investigable neglect and, in fact, I'm starting to believe that what's really called for here is not breaking up this family, but rather counseling therapy.
Well, that's what we're here to find out, Dr.
Bull.
And as the guardian ad litem, I'm very interested in your opinions and insight.
I must ask, however, that you offer them at the end of the trial, rather than before it's commenced.
Take a seat, please.
(CHARLIE PATS CHAIR) Nora was the conscience of our family.
She she was a poet.
But more than anything, she was a mother.
Where I was always about ambition, and-and accomplishment, an ambition, and-and accomplishment, and and hard work.
So when Nora was suddenly gone I think I just doubled down on all of that ambition, accomplishment and left the things that I should have been doing with my daughter to grandmas and aunts and nannies.
Hindsight.
MCLACHLAN: So, the night in question last night what happened? Well, I got held up at work.
Uh, I lost track of time.
And I know now I made a mistake not being there a very serious mistake, and one that I would like to correct.
If you'd just have her come back home.
MCLACHLAN: Thank you, Mr.
Kensington.
HOLLAND: Before we move on, can you please tell us how many other times this has happened, where Charlie has been left alone, unsupervised, for upwards of three hours or more? Objection.
My client has acknowledged his failings and pledged to correct them.
I love my daughter.
And seeing those child services people at my door and telling me to pack her things I promise you, this will never, ever happen again.
And whatever the court requires me to do to win back its confidence I'm prepared to do it.
HOLLAND: Oh, that's very admirable of you, sir.
But being a good parent a good father.
Involves more than making pledges to do good.
It involves knowing your child.
I do know my child.
I do.
HOLLAND: Okay.
If you know Charlie so well.
What's her best friend's name? Objection.
Relevance? I'll allow it.
Well, like all kids, I mean it changes all the time.
What about her favorite book do you know the title, Mr.
Kensington? Have you ever read it to her? No.
No.
And it's The Half-Blood Prince.
REX: No, I never have.
And I don't know the book.
The title, I mean.
I'm sorry, honey.
HOLLAND: Any idea what Charlie wants to be when she grows up? MCLACHLAN: Your Honor.
JUDGE: Overruled.
I'm sure she's told me, but I just can't remember.
HOLLAND: Concertmaster for the Vienna Philharmonic, Your Honor.
Just for the record.
I knew he wouldn't remember that.
HOLLAND: The state is done with this witness, Your Honor.
I know this is not a very convenient time for this hearing, with the holidays coming.
But a child's well-being is at stake here.
And I implore you all to remember that.
I'll see all parties back in this courtroom in two days for further investigation.
Until then, Charlotte is to remain under the exclusive care of her nanny, April Rockwell.
And she is forbidden to return to the residence of her father, Rex Kensington.
(GAVEL BANGS) Well, I, for one, feel like we're off to a very good start.
REX: Charlie? Charlie? Charlie? Can we can we just talk, please? No.
I don't think we're supposed to do that.
I think the judge said I wasn't supposed to talk to you.
The judge said you couldn't go home, not that you couldn't talk to your father.
Well, I don't think I should.
I understand.
But if you need me, you have my cell phone.
And wherever you are I'll come to you.
Just know that.
Okay? Okay.
Okay.
You know, it is almost Christmas.
What? You think Santa's gonna be mad at me 'cause I wasn't nice to my dad? Just sayin'.
Dominic Drake, the president of Hawker Cellular's on line three.
Oh, okay.
Mr.
Drake.
Dr.
Jason Bull.
I think you know why I'm calling.
I'm involved in litigation on behalf of SAWAGI Cellular, and I'd love to convince you to sign a letter that I've composed, acknowledging the layered and evolutionary way that advances in technology happen in your industry.
Boy, I could really use a cup of coffee.
Yeah.
Coffee sounds good.
Maybe I'll join you.
Um, the guy was thorough.
Never let me take his picture.
Said talking about his family was too painful.
Didn't introduce me to a single one of his friends.
And what about physical evidence? Combed every square inch of my apartment.
He didn't leave behind so much as a toothbrush.
But he did drink my tequila.
Men.
Got a bottle for my birthday last year.
Never opened it.
Never even took it out of the box.
Then one night, Kyle took it out, drank right from the bottle.
Which means his fingerprints and his DNA are here somewhere.
Men.
Marissa! Cable! Danny! Anyone? Where is everybody? It's not Christmas yet.
We're here, Bull.
We're here.
Okay.
I got three more CEOs to, uh, say they'd sign a statement acknowledging our thesis that many of the improvements in cell phone technology are incremental and based on shared knowledge.
The good news is two of the three are here in New York.
The third one is in New Jersey.
Hey.
Benny and I are heading out to court.
Trial starts at 2:00.
It's 1:15.
Right behind you.
I just got to finish this one thing.
I need these signatures today.
And I need each of you to carry these, get them signed, and then get them back to me.
See you in court.
(ELEVATOR BELL CHIMES) Dr.
Bull? April.
Everything all right? I need to speak with you.
Is it Charlie? Charlie's fine.
Charlie's having the time of her life, watching everyone twist themselves into pretzels around her.
She has no idea how serious this all is, and no idea how much trouble she's causing.
(SIGHS) Okay.
I'm sorry I said that.
Uh I care about Charlie.
- I really do.
- But But this is just a lot more all-consuming than I bargained for.
I'm supposed to be finishing a thesis, not raising a little girl.
After school and a couple of nights a week that's what I agreed to.
But now Charlie's actually living with me in my studio apartment, and I can't get anything done.
It's the end of the term, my paper is due tomorrow, and it's not going to be finished.
(SIGHS) I don't know how to say this, but it's not what I signed up for.
I'm sorry.
I-I can't be Charlie's temporary guardian anymore.
I just can't.
- Not even one - No.
Okay.
Well I'm sure we can figure out another solution.
I guess I'll just have to call the judge and come up with some next steps.
But don't you worry about it.
You're right.
This is not your responsibility.
Your responsibility is to get an education.
Thank you.
Not to worry.
- Good luck with your thesis.
- (ELEVATOR BELL CHIMES) Merry Christmas.
Happy Hanukkah.
- Happy Kwanzaa.
- Merry Christmas.
You, too, Dr.
Bull.
- Okay.
- Oh.
Uh, I forgot.
Charlie gets out of school at 3:15.
Okay.
Well, somebody has to pick her up.
(ELEVATOR BELL CHIMES) Oh.
Marissa! Danny? Chunk?! Cable! Can I help you, Dr.
Bull? Oh, uh, I'm just looking for someone I know and trust or, at the very least, whose name I know.
I got to get to the courthouse at 60 Center Street and the New Home Day School on East 62nd.
Well, one is downtown and the other's uptown.
- Which one's first? - Yeah, it's a quarter to 2:00.
We're 20 minutes from court.
How long from, uh, there to East 62nd? This time of day? 35 minutes, easy.
We'll just make it.
Let's go to court.
Hey, Bull.
Good to hear from you.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, we're all just, uh, waiting to get in.
(QUIETLY): And by the way, people keep asking where you are and making ugly faces when I say, "He's on his way.
" He is.
And I got written statements from major CEOs to back up our thesis on the way, too.
Here's the thing: second I get there, I need Chunk to jump in the cab and go pick up Charlie at school.
Excuse me? What-what Who is this Charlie guy? What are you talking about? Never mind.
I'll text you when I get close.
- (HORNS HONKING) - We haven't moved in, like, five minutes.
It's Christmas in New York.
You know what? Here.
Never mind.
Keep the change.
(PHONE RINGS) Hello? We have got a problem.
We just started voir dire and the clients are having a stroke.
They want you here.
And Benny's been stalling like a car with a bad carburetor.
Chunk, tell him I'm getting there as fast as I can.
- (BELLS TOLLING) - What's that? - Huh? - Those bells.
Church bells? (STAMMERS) It's 3:00.
Okay.
Tell Benny he's gonna have to do his best.
I'm not gonna make it.
I got to be uptown in 15 minutes.
What are you talking about? I'll explain later.
(GRUNTS) Rex?! Charlie? Charlie? Rex? Oh, my.
- Dr.
Bull? - Rex.
(PANTING) What are you doing here? He saved me.
Well, Charlie called me.
I-I guess the nanny just flaked out, didn't pick her up from school, so, I mean, I called her, but-but I think she just turned her cell off.
Charlie was terrified, so I just ran right over.
So where are you going now? I don't I don't know.
I mean, I'm I'm not allowed to bring her back to the apartment, so This is a little ridiculous, isn't it? You want to be with your daddy, don't you? And I know you want your little girl back.
I do.
So let's end this.
The judge wants to hear from you, Charlie.
You can put an end to this whole thing.
I know.
So let's grab a cab and go see him.
What do you say? MARISSA: Hey! Sorry I'm late.
Bull here yet? I got that signed letter for him.
No.
Apparently, we all beat him here.
The word is he's on his way.
Uh, we actually do have some news, though.
My friend at the NYPD he got a hit on Kyle's prints.
- Seriously? - Yup.
So, Kyle Anderson is actually Robert Allen.
Turns out he's got a wife and three kids.
They live just outside of Bedford, New York, though the fam claims they haven't seen him in years.
Nonetheless, wifey somehow affords a big house and private schools for the kids.
- You okay? - (SIGHS) How did I not know? The guy is good.
Also, he has outstanding warrants for tax evasion, international money laundering, larceny.
It's quite a list.
Which is probably why he needed you to get him a passport, 'cause there was no way he was getting out of the country with his own.
I used the number of the passport you got him to trace him to a resort on Virgin Gorda.
He's been there for the past three weeks opening up bank accounts.
The British Virgin Islands.
Of course.
He's there laundering money.
Looks like he deposited over half a million dollars.
(SCOFFS) He was a busy boy.
- (CHURCH BELLS TOLL) - (LAUGHS) Church bells.
Always makes me think of Christmas.
Christmas.
I wonder if Kyle's coming home.
Well, you said he had a wife and kids.
What are you thinking? I'm thinking, how many flights can there be from the Virgin Islands to New York between now and Christmas? Give that to Bull.
I got some last-minute Christmas plans I got to make.
BULL: Judge said he'd be there till 4:30.
We should just make it.
Charlie? You okay, honey? You worried about talking to the judge? I was thinking about mom and how she'd tell me stories about Santa Claus.
And how we'd track what part of the world he was in on her computer.
You know, we could do that.
You and I could do that.
No.
It's okay.
I know it's a fairy tale.
I've known for a while now.
I'm nine.
Is that true? Really? A fairy tale? I'm I'm not sure I believe that.
Yeah.
I mean, me, either.
I'm sorry I was mean to you, Dad.
I just missed Mommy.
Oh, I'm sorry that I wasn't a better dad, darling.
I really miss her, too.
Well, here we are.
All right.
HOLT: Hey! Where the hell have you been?! We just lost a key juror in there, and you were MIA.
Mr.
Holt, there's a child.
I apologize.
I was unforeseeably detained.
Nonetheless, you're in great hands.
Look, Mr.
Colón and Mr I'm sure they're great; those are not the hands - I'm paying for.
- (PHONE VIBRATES) Okay, we're getting called back in.
I need you to roll up your sleeves, get your head in the game.
It's 4:20, Dr.
Bull.
I have a previous commitment.
Go to the judge's office.
I will be right behind you guys, all right? Let me be clear.
If I walk into that courtroom without you, you and your people are off the case.
Then so be it.
Truthfully, it was a mistake to get involved to begin with.
I mean, it's Christmas.
I guess I just let greed and my own ego get the best of me.
I do apologize.
And to you guys, too.
I I don't know what I was thinking.
(SIGHS) But I do have a gift for you.
You guys have those envelopes? Share these with your attorneys.
I think it'll go a long way to getting you what you want.
You're very welcome! That guy's getting a lot of coal this Christmas.
Why do you guys put up with me? All right, go to your meeting.
(SIGHS) Merry Christmas.
Oh, bring it in.
ALL: Ah! (LAUGHTER) All right, go do some shopping.
Do some drinking, get silly.
And I don't want to see any of you until after the new year.
Bye.
- (SIGHS) - Where's Marissa? I have no idea.
But I'm sure she'll check in by the holiday.
You doing anything for Christmas, boss? Not gonna be alone, are you? I got big plans.
Merry Christmas, Benny.
Merry Christmas.
Have a holly, jolly Christmas It's the best time of the year I don't know if there'll be snow But have a cup of cheer Have a holly, jolly Christmas And when you walk down the street Say hello to friends you know And everyone you meet Merry Christmas, Kyle.
Merry Christmas, Kyle.
FBI! Robert Allen, you're under arrest for fraud, larceny, money laundering and tax evasion.
Place your hands on top of your head and get down on your knees.
Kiss her once for me Have a fabulous New Year's, too.
Have a holly, jolly Christmas REX: He just left Providence, and he is on his way here.
- Dad.
- Look, I believe.
Once you fall asleep, I know he's gonna come down that chimney.
We don't have any chimneys.
We don't have any fireplaces.
Hmm.
You may be on to something there.
(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS) Someone's coming up our elevator.
I wonder who that could be.
Dad, don't open it! The doorman didn't call - and ask to buzz him up.
- Well, I'm not just gonna leave somebody trapped in the elevator.
(ELEVATOR DOORS OPEN) Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! Oh, I've got some presents here for little Charlie Kensington.
Hopefully, she's asleep.
It's really you! Oh.
Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! Someone's excited.
(QUIETLY): I know it's you, Dr.
Bull, but don't say anything.
My dad still believes in all this stuff.
(QUIETLY): Oh.
Okay.
And thank you for bringing him back to me.
This is the best Christmas ever.
Well, I'm not allowed to give out any presents until everyone is asleep, So.
I'll have to stop back by a little later.
(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS) Sunlight is fading (SIGHS) And to all a good night.
The church bells are saying Christmas is here Ho, ho It's beginning to snow Softly and gently And quietly so Softly and gently Ho, ho Who's afraid of snow? Nice look.
Back at ya.
And let's go.