The Good Wife s04e13 Episode Script

Why are you shaking your head, Mr.
Gross? I don't know, the usual reasons: Disbelief, incredulity, disappointment.
Ah, I must be endangering the future.
No, just being a bit melodramatic.
So, you never tweaked the algorithm? Chummie the Squirrel just acts on his own? No, I didn't say that.
But you said you couldn't impact the results.
Yes, but the algorithm needs almost daily attention and, uh, revision.
I see.
And why would you revise it? For one thing, to avoid spam.
Spammers are constantly trying to game the search results.
So we adapt the algorithm to avoid that.
Deena Lampard.
It should only take a minute more.
I recognize you both from the trial.
You work for Neil Gross's law firm? Yes.
He hates you guys.
May I ask you why are you here? Good question.
Why are we here, Dad? I'd rather wait for the lawyer.
She's a lawyer, just like me.
My dad likes male lawyers.
My daughter likes acting like I'm not in the room.
Mr.
Lampard, hello.
Ms.
Lampard.
I'm David Lee, family law.
I see you've met Alicia and Kalinda.
How may we help you today? Here, help yourself.
Thank you, no.
Uh, well, let's see.
Uh, my daughter needs a second opinion.
Regarding? Okay.
What is it? It's a prenup.
I see.
And who is your daughter intending on marrying? Neil Gross.
Neil Gross, president of Chumhum? Yes.
- The ninth richest man in America.
- Yes.
Who gave you your first opinion, Deena? You said you wanted a second.
Longcraine & Church.
Mr.
Gross's law firm.
Yes, and my firm.
They thought I should sign it.
Yes, of course they did.
We're middle-class people, Mr.
Lee.
We don't have much money.
And Deena is paying off her student loans.
Dad, it's not about that.
I know.
But I want you protected.
Well, that's why we're here: To protect you.
It's a travesty.
If they divorce, she gets nothing and she has to immolate herself on an altar of Chumhum's choosing.
There's no contingency here? No, but she's marrying the ninth richest man in the country.
We do right by her, we get the business.
Gross will never bring his business here.
He's made that clear.
No, her business.
We write this up correctly, and we'll get some kind of Bill & Melinda Gates charity in her name.
She'll bring it here.
Is that what she wants? She's 28.
She doesn't know what she wants.
She's in love.
Well, not to put too fine a point on this, but, time's up in bankruptcy court and we're only halfway to the $60 million we need.
If we want to argue for an extension, we need to show the court some progress.
Well, the fiancée of the ninth richest man is progress.
I'm doing my job.
You two do yours.
Alicia, do you mind? Could you close the door? Why don't you go ahead and sit.
If this is about the extension work, it's ready.
No, no, no, we're we're fine.
Sorry to be so melodramatic, but, um Do you want to? No, go ahead.
Jonas Stern, about a lifetime ago, sat me down in a room, not unlike this one, and offered me a cigar.
I said no, of course.
But then he said the following-- Unfortunately, I can't do his voice.
Thank God.
Anyway, he said, "After I tell you what I'm about to tell you, "I want you to go home, take your phone off the hook "and sit for a moment.
"And feel proud of yourself.
"And then I want you to go out and get drunk.
"Or do something you would never do: "Buy a sports car, go sailing, go to the track.
" I did go to the track, by the way.
I went windsurfing unsuccessfully.
Anyway, this moment is your moment, Alicia.
We want you to join us as an equity partner.
Oh, my God.
Yes, what you've done here is extraordinary.
You're - you're kidding.
- No.
We want you to join the ranks of our highest echelon.
I I don't know what to say.
Say you're happy.
I'm happy.
I'm I'm relieved.
You don't know what a roller coaster this has been.
And for the firm as well.
Oh, I thought this would take years.
It's a credit to you, Alicia.
You've been amazing here.
Anyway, think about it.
No need to rush into it.
Take until the end of the week, and then say yes or no.
Does anyone ever say no? I don't know.
I can't remember the last time we sat an associate down.
Well, I'm not going to say no.
Well, give yourself until the end of the week.
And good luck with this Mrs.
Gross case.
Sounds promising.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Ouch.
Alicia, are you heading to bankruptcy? What? I don't think so.
- Is everything all right? - Yes.
We have cut our debt in half, your Honor.
In five months, we have gone from owing $60 million to owing now only 30.
That is the difficulty here, your Honor.
We have a trustee who thinks of us as a decimal point.
Okay, thank you.
Mr.
Gardner, Ms.
Lockhart, you're looking for another five-month extension? Not another five-month extension; A single five-month extension.
But yes.
Mr.
Hayden, tell me why I shouldn't extend this fairly arbitrary deadline.
Well, I didn't think of it as arbitrary.
And I would like the creditor to advance his own argument.
Mr.
Canning.
Your Honor, hello.
I'm Louis Canning.
I, uh, would like to thank you for taking the time to listen to me today.
I've been in other courtrooms where the voice of the handicapped is often shunted aside and ignored.
But not here.
That's the great thing about America.
Dear God.
These movements that you see are called tardive dyskinesia.
Your Honor, excuse me.
Relevance.
Ms.
Lockhart, please.
I think we can tolerate this purely as an explanation.
Thank you, Your Honor.
I would argue against this extension for one simple reason: The money that I collect from Lockhart/Gardner will go directly to neurological research into syndromes like my own.
So, every day payment is delayed is another day that a child wakes up without a future.
Your Honor, Mr.
Canning should be rejoicing in our resurgence.
If we're liquidated today, he'll only receive 50 cents on the dollar.
In five months, he'll get his full 100%.
That's only if the debt is repaid in full.
Yes, which is why we intend to present evidence showing our obligations can be fulfilled in five months time.
I agree.
Please have your arguments ready by tomorrow.
Uh-oh.
Look who's working together.
I just want to ask God for one thing be true, let our minds be clear.
And as we discuss these candidates - There.
- What there? There's nothing there.
Everyone's head is bowed except for Maddie's.
Come on, this is not the South.
Doesn't have to be the South for it to resonate.
Voters don't like radicals.
They don't like rudeness.
That is rudeness, and it plays downstate.
Eli, is Peter here? Oh, no, we had to send him downstate at the last minute.
What do you need? - Ms.
Florrick, hello.
- Hello.
Could you have him call me when he gets in? Sure.
Is everything all right? Yes.
Alicia, uh, could I ask you a quick question? When you were friends with Maddie Hayward, did you ever talk about religion? Did we ever talk about religion? Belief in God.
What'd she say? She an agnostic? Oh, I don't know if I feel comfortable with this, Eli.
Oh, she's used stuff you told her in confidence against Peter.
Yes, but I She's an atheist.
She told you that? It's not that weird, Eli.
Oh, I know.
I'm not saying anything.
But she told you she was an atheist? Yes.
Why? No reason.
I'll tell Peter you came by.
Ah, there you are.
I was wondering where you wandered off to.
Just went on a lunch break, and bought a few things.
How nice for you.
Deena signed on.
Gross and his lawyers are coming over tomorrow to start negotiating.
Good.
And another thing-- I heard Will and Diane sat you down and had the talk.
Congratulations.
Good news.
Thank you.
It was unexpected.
Yes, well, now, here's the thing: They might not have talked to you about the capital contribution.
It's required of all equity partners.
$600,000.
And I know that sounds like a lot of money, but we have reasonable terms.
Usually 50% up front and another 50 deliverable upon bonuses.
I'm-I'm sorry.
What? The capital contribution.
It's your investment in the firm.
Every equity partner has to throw into the pot.
That means you're invested in the firm, the firm's invested in you.
Sorry $600,000? Yes, I know.
It sounds like a lot of money.
My God, when I was a fourth-year, it sounded like all the money in the world.
But you only need to put up half.
The other, with interest, is usually payable within three bonus cycles, maybe more, depending on how we're doing.
So any questions? Six hundred thousand? Yes, membership has its privileges, but first, you need to be a member.
Any other questions? I No.
Good.
Again, congratulations.
Kalinda, just give us a month.
That's all.
No.
Thanks, though.
We're cash-poor at the moment.
If this bankruptcy extension goes our way, we won't be.
Good.
But, in the meantime, I was promised a promotion and a five percent increase.
You really think this is going to work? Excuse me? Look, nothing your firm does in that room is going to convince me to hire you.
Mr.
Gross, maybe you didn't notice, - I'm in a meeting.
- You are not gonna get my business, and if you do anything - to come between me and Deena - I'm in litigation, not family law.
I didn't solicit your wife's business, nor am I involved in her negotiation.
So get the hell out of my office.
You got your raise.
Keep track of that.
Happy to.
Ah, here's the groom.
Can we start now? Is everybody happy? Ecstatic.
Are you okay with this? We just need to go through the motions.
Yeah.
I know it makes sense.
I just I want you to be comfortable, baby.
Deena, why don't you have a seat here? - No, no, babe, sit here.
- I'm okay here.
We just have a few amendments to make to the fine work done by your firm, Rochelle.
We would suggest redrafting pages two through, let's see 68.
- We're fine with the cover sheet.
- We wanted to redraft anyway-- we feel like Mr.
Gross is being far too lenient financially.
Our first concern is jurisdiction-- Texas? Mr.
Gross has a ranch outside of Austin.
And Chumhum's technical support facility is there.
But Mr.
Gross isn't-- he hasn't been there since the two-hour stopover at DFW en route to Paris, - March 2009.
- That's not dispositive.
But this is.
The couple will be domiciled in Mountain View, California, which is the location of Chumhum's headquarters.
California law is friendlier to the more dependent spouse.
Texas is not so friendly.
Actually, Mrs.
Florrick, why don't you tell her the real reason you want California law: - It's the seven-day rule.
- What's the seven-day rule? Both parties must have the final agreement in hand for seven days before signing.
Or it's unenforceable.
The prenup is voided.
Our wedding's in nine days.
Exactly.
So we have - 48 hours to hammer this out.
- Then let's make a deal.
and animals in 48 hours.
They are trying to hold a gun - to our head, Deena.
- It's a gun to both of our heads.
It's equal pressure on both parties.
Yes, but which party suffers if the prenup is altered? Both parties suffer, given that Mr.
Gross and Deena want a mutually satisfactory agreement.
We don't have the time to hammer it out.
We're here to represent This is absolutely ridiculous.
Mr.
Connolly.
Yes.
$600,000.
I know.
The question is: Can I borrow against my mortgage? A cosigner Who's the cosigner? Oh.
No, I forgot.
Mr.
Florrick.
Look! Look, this is academic.
We are never going to get a divorce.
- 'Course not.
- No, we share your optimism, but this contract is about worst-case scenarios.
- If Texas law governs - It's okay.
Texas law is fine.
- Let's just move on.
- Perfect.
Shall we move on to spousal support and maintenance? Uh, yes, but, uh, it's almost noon.
Why don't we pick up after lunch.
That concession was damaging.
We can't afford any more giveaways.
David, she's a woman in love-- it's gonna be hard to motivate her.
- Do you need dirt? - Yes.
But that's the challenge about prenups-- you need to throw enough dirt on the spouse to get something, but not too much to kill the wedding.
I'll be delicate.
Lyman Nordquist.
I am the CEO of LOC Pharmaceuticals.
Is that loud enough? It is.
Thank you for speaking up.
So you funded Mr.
Canning's trust, Encinal Equity, - The one that purchased all of our firm's debt.
Is that correct? - Yes it is.
Now, help me out here.
Why would a billion dollar conglomerate want to control the debt of a Chicago law firm? I renew my objection to this witness, Your Honor.
A creditor's motive is not relevant; Only his debt is.
Mr.
Canning is the one who brought up motive, Your Honor, by suggesting this debt was for afflicted children.
Are-are you all right, Mr.
Canning? I am now, sir, yes.
Mr.
Gardner, you're arguing that the creditor has a biased motive for resisting your extension? Yes, clearly.
Well, then, unfortunately, Mr.
Canning, - I have to overrule you.
- So, Mr.
Nordquist, why fund the purchase of our debt? Mr.
Nordquist, I must compel you to answer.
Lockhart/Gardner brings costly nuisance suits against us.
Ah so this isn't about handicapped children.
There is nothing either illegal - or unethical in our actions.
- But Mr.
Canning would never support an extension of our debt deadline, - even if it was one week.
Objection.
- Beyond the scope.
- That's all right.
I think it's clear why Mr.
Canning doesn't want our extension.
- What was that? - What was Mr.
Nordquist? - He's the money who wants what we both want.
- "We"? When did we become a "we"? You're right; I'm being presumptuous.
Lockhart/Gardner is a good firm with good people who are being mismanaged.
Now, if you agree with that, then we are a "we.
" - I'm not here to destroy it.
- I know.
You're here to make sure the firm's creditor-- myself-- gets paid, and to put a good firm on firmer footing.
That's what I want, too.
You intend to be a lawyer, Mr.
Hayden.
Is that right? Yes.
Why? Have you passed the bar? I take it next week.
Illinois.
That's a tough exam.
Struggled with that one myself.
What do you intend to do afterward? Practice the law.
Why? We should talk.
You're kidding.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
I'm stunned.
I wasn't expecting it.
I was; just not so soon.
This is one for the history books.
Fourth year.
How much is the catch? Well, the capital contribution is $600,000.
- Wow.
- Yeah.
But I can borrow against the mortgage.
I just need you to cosign.
Why cosign? I'll loan it to you.
You No, Peter, I haven't even decided if I'm gonna do it.
Why wouldn't you? Well the firm, its situation.
I think I want to see where things fall.
Okay.
Well, that's smart, but when you decide, I'm fronting you the money.
It's a business decision, Alicia.
It's like taking out stock, nothing else.
Thank you.
That means a lot to me.
Hey, Alicia.
Hi.
- I'm Jordan.
- I know.
You walk fast.
I'm in a hurry.
Just need a minute with the God question.
- The God question? - Uh, the question of belief.
What do you believe? Uh, I believe your father was politely Anglican and your mother was politely nothing.
Am I being too personal? - You're being something.
- We're making an issue of Maddie Hayward's religious beliefs, which means she's gonna make an issue of yours.
And how is she gonna do that? At the Leadership Forum tomorrow, we have a surrogate who'll hit her with the atheism thing, so you may be asked, too.
So, if you don't mind, what do you believe? Okay.
We'll talk later.
Go ahead, Cary.
You're the one who discovered it.
Uh, actually, Kalinda did.
Actually, I don't care.
Someone tell them.
The shares of Chumhum that Neil Gross offered you in the prenup, they'll be worthless if you divorce.
- Why? What do you mean? - The prenup has - no non-dilution clause.
- Meaning that if the shares aren't fixed at a percentage of the company's value, Neil can keep issuing more stocks and more stocks, and poof, millions become pennies.
- I don't care.
- Deena, I think you should listen.
No, Dad.
Neil and I had lunch.
We're ready to put this stuff behind us.
- In my professional opinion - I have made my decision.
I won't let money guide me.
Please shut it down, Mr.
Lee.
Thank you.
We're not shutting anything down.
She just needs a good dose of reality.
She said she won't let money guide her.
Yeah.
So don't go after money.
Okay.
Good.
We'll make sure Gross and his lawyers give her a good dose of reality.
- Gross and his lawyers? - Live and learn, young protégé, live and learn.
Ms.
Lockhart, the $30 million you raised, does that include the firm's take on the 16 cases you settled? Yes.
In the previous ten years, what percentage of litigation did you settle rather than bring to verdict? Objection.
Only the firm's conduct since bankruptcy - is relevant here.
- Overruled.
Ms.
Lockhart? - I wouldn't know offhand.
- I would.
Less than 30%.
Yet, since the firm declared bankruptcy, it's settled 100% of its cases.
Objection! Attorney is testifying.
Here's some testifying; They're reducing the debt on the backs of their clients.
- Your Honor - It's immoral.
It's unethical.
Excuse me, Your Honor.
Mr.
Canning has not If he wants a war, he's got one.
- Diane - No.
We're not gonna let a mercenary like Canning get away with smearing our reputation like that! The thing is, we may have exposure here.
Will we have never sold out a client.
Never once.
I agree.
But if he has evidence - contradicting your testimony - What evidence? The Spence West Nile case.
We wanted $15 million; We dropped our ask to 12.
For a very good reason.
- We needed the money.
- No.
That was a good settlement.
And if he puts someone on the stand who contradicts us? Someone who will tell the truth, - even if it hurts? - Who? Alicia.
Yes? You've been subpoenaed.
We give up.
Really? That's a first.
My client is amenable to Mr.
Gross's positions - on all financial issues.
- Great.
We should do this more often with the clients out of the room.
My office will prepare the paperwork, and we'll get it to you, yes? Actually, there is just one thing.
I thought it was too easy.
Ms.
Lampard would like the document to address a number of personal cohabitation expectations.
Within reason, we'll listen.
What are they? Relationship maintenance.
Ms.
Lampard requests a date night each week, preferably on Fridays, to last no less than four hours door to door.
- Consecutive hours? - Yes.
And also Mr.
Gross is required to spend 600 minutes - away from work each week.
- Inclusive of the date? No.
In addition.
- That could be problematic.
- We're open to negotiation.
Children.
Ms.
Lampard insists that any children will be brought up Christian.
No, deal breaker.
Mr.
Gross is Jewish.
Oh, come on.
We made movement on the money.
Can't give on religion.
What else are you after? Sexual maintenance.
Number of times a week? - Yes.
- Mm-hmm.
We can horse-trade on that.
Good.
- I thought we were shutting this down.
- We were.
We tried.
They asked for some additional items.
Cary, why don't you? Mr.
Gross wants you to stipulate that your children will be raised Jewish.
- What? - Yes.
We were surprised.
We never discussed religion.
Not once.
His lawyers also insisted on a few relationship bullet points.
Sexual maintenance.
At least twice a week, though Mr.
Gross reserves the sole discretion for more or less.
- He asked for that? - His lawyers did.
Look, when you said stand down, his lawyers pressed their advantage.
That's the problem with standing down.
We can push back, Deena, or you can just sign this prenup and hope for the best, but I would push back if I were you.
Push back.
Push back hard.
Nicely played, Cary.
Thank you, sir.
You're gonna make a hell of an equity partner.
Now, you two get moving on Gross's asset assessment.
They offered you partnership? Uh, I know, it's funny, right? Me, too.
Yeah? I was wondering if they did.
Congratulations.
I think they were counting my years before I left, not just the last seven months.
Yeah, you're probably right.
So Congratulations, partner.
Alicia? Do you have a moment? Any idea why you were subpoenaed? No.
We were wondering if it was about the West Nile case.
Canning faced you on that.
Maybe.
Well, the recession has worsened this past year.
Even clients with good cases have had cash flow issues.
Meaning the percentage of cases we've settled has increased.
Which leads to the absurd suggestion that we pushed our clients to settle - so we could get paid.
- We just want to make sure we're all on the same page with our testimony.
I think so.
Good.
Good.
That's all.
Oh, and did you go out and do something special? Celebrate? Yes, I did.
So, where are you on belief in God? What? For the campaign.
Yes, I know.
Your friend, Jordan, already asked me.
He was here? No, at the campaign bus.
Oh.
What did you say? I said it's personal.
For him, right? But not for us.
Great.
Thought so.
Do you have a minute? So, that's almost a belief in God.
How is that almost a belief in God? I have a husband who believes in God - and a daughter who might - Yes.
- And what about Zach? - eI don't know.
- But I don't.
- But the point is you could believe in God.
But I don't.
Yes, but if Jesus were to show up in your office right now, you'd believe in him, wouldn't you? No.
Yes, you would-- if he performed a miracle.
Well, if Jesus walked into my office right now and performed a miracle, then yes, - I would believe in God.
- Good.
See? You're a seeker.
Alicia, I know this sounds stupid, but voters hate atheists.
They think they spend all their time fighting mangers outside city hall.
They want people who are open-minded, and you are open-minded.
Okay, is that what you want me to say? I want you to be Saint Alicia.
It's a selling point for Peter, and voters don't want to think Saint Alicia's an atheist.
Okay.
So Diane and Will negotiated in good faith, Cary is as deserving as I am, and God might exist.
I'm good.
Yeah, I don't know what that was about, but yes! Jordan What did you think of him? He's awkward.
He is, isn't he? Not a bad thing to mention to Peter.
Okay.
Just one scripted line per day, please.
Right, okay.
I'm out of here.
- Oh, my God.
- Well, if he's not going to do it, at least memorialize his intent! He's not memorializing anything.
Except outrageous personal demands.
David, this is not an IPO; it's a prenup.
What, do you think I'm an idiot? Of course it's not.
The point is my daughter is entitled to protection.
You shouldn't even be in the room.
Please do not talk to my client's father.
My God, this is so silly! Deena, I'm not gonna dilute your stock options.
And when did you start worrying about stock options? Wait a minute, when did you? I'm talking to my fiancée.
Look, this is contract language, baby, that's all.
It's about precedent.
If I give you more, then every future contract will ask for more.
You mean every future prenup after you divorce me.
You know what, that's it.
- We're done.
- That's fine, Neil.
You never loved me.
All you wanted me to do was spread my legs twice a week and breed your children.
Okay, okay, everybody sit down.
Would you go after her? The point is you love him.
Don't you love him? But everything he's done-- the stock options But you said you don't care about the money.
I don't; he does.
That's the point.
It's not what I care about; It's what he cares about.
You know what I think, Deena? - I think you should go to him.
- No.
Yes.
Just call him, say you want to have dinner, no lawyers in the room.
All of this was moving too fast.
The more Neil spends time with you, the less he'll care about the money, I promise you that.
And we're the ones who are pushing the money.
You two, you need to pull each other past it.
Hello, Mrs.
Florrick.
Hello, Mr.
Canning.
We recently faced each other in a case involving the West Nile virus, didn't we? We did.
Good to see you again.
And you.
Seems we all made it back okay.
My client settled that, didn't he? He did.
$12 million.
And to your knowledge, was the decision by your firm to settle that case driven at all by its need to raise capital? It was driven by our client's desire to avoid protracted litigation.
So that would be a no? That would be a categorical no.
A categorical no? That's that's a really big no.
The biggest.
And to your knowledge, has your firm ever settled any case in the past five months with the reduction of its debt as a consideration? No.
Mrs.
Florrick, did you meet with Mr.
Gardner and Miss Lockhart in preparation - for your testimony here today? - Objection.
I'll allow.
Yes, but only to discuss my responsibility to answer your questions truthfully.
Mrs.
Florrick, are you aware of any schemes perpetrated by your firm to reduce its debt? Objection as to vagueness.
I'm quite certain Mrs.
Florrick knows what "scheme" means.
I'll allow.
I'm aware of no such scheme.
You were recently offered a partnership at Lockhart/Gardner, is that right? Yes.
And how much will that cost you? Objection: relevance.
Overruled.
My buy-in to the firm is $600,000.
You're a fourth-year associate, is that right? Correct.
Does it seem odd to you that a fourth-year associate should be offered a partnership? Yes.
And isn't it odder still that five associates at Lockhart/Gardner, all fourth-year associates, should be offered partnerships? Oh, I'm sorry.
You weren't aware.
Five associates at Lockhart/Gardner were offered partnerships.
Is that your question? Did I know that? For a start, sure.
No, I did not know that.
And were you aware that your firm is trying to raise millions of dollars to pay off its debt by naming five partners? Objection: Asked and answered.
Sustained.
There's no scheme, Mr.
Canning.
Unless you consider the promotion of someone who has billed thousands of hours and helped win dozens of cases a scheme.
I have nothing further.
Mr.
Gardner? Witness may step down.
Alicia, there you are.
You look fantastic.
Thanks.
You okay? Is everything? Good, yeah, great.
Just let me know when you want me to say I believe in God, Eli.
Uh, okay, I don't think that's quite the way to handle this.
Alicia, I think we should become friends.
Why? Political wives tend to like me.
I keep them in the loop.
Do you believe in God? Do I believe in God? I don't I don't know.
Why? That seems to be the question du jour.
I believe in rainbows and little kids' smiles.
That help? Hi, Maddie.
Alicia, it's been a long time.
Yep.
You have any new friends? Just so you know, Alicia, I didn't break off our friendship, and if you could let go of this victimhood pose that you're hanging on to You know what you can do with your vic Hey, there you are.
Hello, Peter.
How are you? Good.
Looking like one debate, I see.
Looks like it.
Everything okay here? Just grand, darling.
You know, I would love to get you in the bathroom and Mr.
State's Attorney, hello.
Any reservations about sharing the spotlight with Miss Hayward in another campaign event? None at all.
And by the way, this is not a campaign event.
I'm here to honor the 20th anniversary of the leadership forum.
It's a campaign event.
Miss Hayward, how do you respond to the controversy over your actions at last week's benediction? My actions? You mean the video on the Web of me not bowing? Yes, during prayer.
There's been some chatter about your insensitivity.
Well, I apologize if it seemed insensitive.
I was just trying to avoid being hypocritical.
I am an atheist.
Really? Don't you worry about how that will play in a state where only 15% call themselves nonreligious? I worry about everything, um, but I am who I am, and I don't think you should run away from that.
Let's just let the voters decide.
And what about you, Mr.
State's Attorney? I respect Maddie's point of view.
But you don't share it? Well, it's different.
I was in prison.
Belief means a great deal there.
In fact, sometimes it was the only thing we had.
And your wife? Oh, well, I I think my wife can speak for herself.
I'm an atheist.
Nothing in Chumhum's Check the footnotes.
Accountants, they hide problems in their footnotes.
Footnotes.
I heard that you were offered partnership.
Yeah.
Me, Alicia and three others.
Well, congratulations.
What? They need the money.
They're just handing out partnerships like Popsicles.
Popsicles? I don't know; it's late.
So, you going to take it? The Popsicle? If I can get the draw together, sure.
Oh, you just feel sorry for yourself because you were offered something.
- Hey.
- What? Check out the 2010 expenditures.
The footnote, under "miscellaneous," there.
You see the off-balance-sheet joint venture for $112,000? Yeah.
It's in the 2009 10-K, too.
Well, there's your dirt.
I'll tell David Lee.
Mr.
Hayden? Cary.
May I help you? No, uh I don't know.
No, I I No.
Are you sure? I don't like mess; I like precision.
I know.
This is mess, and I'm not sure how to handle it.
What is what is mess? This, this business with Louis Canning.
Oh, well.
Hey, you have the bar exam this week, don't you? Yes, I do.
Good luck.
Thank you.
But I don't know, I've come to not like the law.
It's not very precise.
It can be; it just depends on the way you practice it.
You're right.
It can be.
Mr.
Hayden I'm sorry.
About before, testifying the way I did, against you, in that bankruptcy mediation, I just Why? It was the truth.
I've been subpoenaed in court.
I appreciate that we're all back at the table.
Mazel tov.
But I'm not sure what the point is, if he's not willing to negotiate.
Maybe you could ease up on some of your demands.
Mmm.
Deena, Mr.
Lampard, would you mind stepping out a moment? - Why? - Believe me, sir, it's in your daughter's best interest.
I don't mind.
Don't get lonely.
I won't.
Okay, what have you got? I was reviewing Chumhum's SEC filings, and there's a recurring joint venture expense, hidden in a footnote, for $112,000.
I take exception to the adjective "hidden.
" A valuation challenge for 100 grand? David, seriously.
The joint venture is a Rhode Island LLC called JC Partners.
And its one beneficiary is Jacob Carlisle.
That's the four-year-old son of Dara Carlisle, the woman that Mr.
Gross had a one-night stand with, in Greensboro in 2008 at a shareholders' meeting.
So what's the threat? Cough up the money, or you'll tell your client? We don't know.
We thought we'd discuss it.
- Extortion? Not even you would sink that low.
- Sure I would.
I'm going to call the State's Attorney's Office.
You're going to forfeit your license.
Rochelle, just stop.
Neil, no.
- That's this - I'll give Give them what they want.
Isn't that sweet? Young love.
So, Mr.
Hayden you probably had the best available view of all the shenanigans at Lockhart/Gardner Objection.
- As to shenanigans - I'll rephrase.
You had the best view of all the goings-on at Lockhart/Gardner? Well I was the trustee.
Were you aware of the decision to offer partnerships to five associates? Yes.
And were you in agreement with that business decision? Mr.
Hayden? I was not.
Financial commitments to partners are one of the causes of the firm's bankruptcy.
Minting new partners is not a solution.
They were doing it to raise money.
- Objection.
- Sustained.
Let me try it this way: If each of those new partners met their capital contribution obligation, how much money would Lockhart/Gardner raise? $3 million.
So, if allocated towards repayment of the debt, it would give the illusion of financial progress, right? Yes.
So the large number of offers can only be explained as a as a pyramid scheme.
Wait, no, no, strike that.
In this context, how would you characterize the offer of employment in exchange for money? Your description, while crude, is apt.
It's a type of pyramid scheme.
And isn't a job being dangled in this quid pro quo sort of way extraordinary? No, I'm afraid not.
It's not? Why is it not? Well just the other day, you offered me employment in exchange - Let's move on.
- Objection.
Let the witness answer.
The answer is irrelevant.
The answer was incomplete.
When it is complete, the judge can decide if it's relevant.
Ms.
Lockhart, please let me do my job.
Go ahead and complete your answer, Mr.
Hayden.
I was saying, just the other day, you offered me employment, Mr.
Canning, in exchange for continued help in these proceedings.
Move to strike as nonresponsive.
Overruled.
I think it was perfectly responsive.
Under oath, sir, did I ever make an offer of employment to you, contingent upon your assistance in this hearing? No, but the clear import was that No further questions.
What, exactly, did Mr.
Canning offer you? He intimated there would be a job for me at his law firm when these proceedings were over.
And, uh, just prior to that intimation, did he ask you for assistance in this matter? Yes.
He requested detailed information about cases.
Thank you, Mr.
Hayden.
You're welcome.
Five-month extension.
That gives us breathing room.
And Mrs.
Gross is thinking about assigning us her entire Midwest book of business.
The tide is turning.
The vultures from Real Estate are hoovering up all the shrimp.
Mr.
Gardner, Ms.
Lockhart.
Mr.
Hayden.
We don't know what to say except thank you.
Though I confess I don't understand your motivation.
Well, I don't agree with how your run your business, but you paid me the compliment of not assuming I was for sale.
Good luck with the bar next week.
Thank you.
It has been interesting here.
I don't know if I'll miss it, but I'll No, I won't miss it.
And they ate and drank and made merry.
All save poor little Cinderella, who toiled amidst the reverie.
Mr.
Canning, I thought you'd be off somewhere, licking your wounds.
I'm a quick healer.
No, I just came by to sign the extension.
Mr.
Canning, you're not here to sign any extension.
You know what the best thing about Monopoly is? The "Get Out of Jail Free" card.
I used to love hoarding that card 'cause you never knew when you might need it.
Mr.
Canning, please.
I hate these stories.
Whatever it is you need to say, just say it.
I don't need the story.
This is your "Get Out of Jail Free" card.
What did he want? Mr.
Canning? It was a personal matter.
Nothing important.
Well, I'm here on a professional one.
Your absence from the festivities is sending quite a message to the partnership.
Uh, what message would that be? That you're not vested in our little enterprise.
You're pouting.
It's unbecoming.
No.
I'm working.
You know why I was made partner? Jonas Stern was sued for sexual harassment, and he needed to show that he had a female partner.
That's all.
When the door that you have been knocking at finally swings open, you don't ask why; You run through.
That is the simple fact.
No one is here to make it comfortable for you; No one is here to appreciate your moping, so this is my advice to you: Take a minute for yourself, put on your best gracious voice, find a way to wear a smile, and then come into the conference room ready to thank the equity partners for giving you this opportunity.
Because what is given can quickly be taken away.
Thank you, Will.
Thank you, David, for giving me this great opportunity to become a partner.
I won't disappoint you.
We know you won't.
You're welcome.
Just you remember one thing: It's all about client maintenance.
Thank you, Diane, for thinking of me for this position.
I won't disappoint you.
Good.
Well, you haven't in the past, and we know you won't in the future.
I just want to say thank you so much for this opportunity.
Thank you.
I will not disappoint you.
- I know you won't.
- Thank you.
I'm very much looking forward to it.
- What a wonderful, wonderful thing.
- Congratulations.
Thank you, again, so much.