Damages s05e02 Episode Script

Previously on Damages I'm testifying against Patty in a child custody case.
What are you worried about? She knows things.
I provide a safe haven for whistle-blowers who want to get information to the public.
She wants to have a conversation face-to-face.
We can guarantee your anonymity.
Channing McClaren got ahold of all our records.
You don't know the best part.
"Personal e-mails reveal trader's sexcapades.
" How did Ms.
Walling's information get out there? I don't know, but it is very bad for my organization.
McClaren destroys my mother's life and he gets to just walk away? Last night, Naomi Walling took her own life.
I was contracted by Naomi Walling's daughter to pursue a wrongful death suit on her behalf.
Who is this lawsuit against? Channing McClaren, whom I believe is Miss Parsons' only client.
You can get up on the stand and trumpet my secrets to the world, or you can do what you really want to do, prove yourself in a case against me.
You know, it's not too late.
For what? To take my advice.
You should not be speaking in public right now.
I keep my commitments.
You okay? Do you want some water? I'd like to start.
You look great.
Channing, just-just hold on, hold on.
Just so we're clear, this latest leak-- the whole topic-- is off-limits.
Absolutely.
Understood.
We're not gonna go there.
This is your night, your platform.
They're all on your side.
Can we start now? I'd like to start.
Nothing about Princefield.
No mention of Naomi Walling.
If he tries to goad you into any kind of conversation, I can always have this stopped.
Okay, I understand.
I'd like to start now.
Welcome, everyone.
One hell of a turnout.
Thanks for coming.
We're here tonight to chat with a genuine internet crusader.
His keyboard strikes terror in the hearts of the greedy and corrupt.
Please welcome a friend of truth and a champion of transparency, Mr.
Channing McClaren.
Come in.
What did I miss? It's just starting.
Oh, look at him.
Just a kid and he's threatening Wall Street.
You know, that's impressive.
A woman's dead because of him.
Why did you have to give a client like that to Ellen Parsons? You know why.
Come on.
Thank you.
Sounds like I'm not the only one who thinks it's wonderful you're back in the old U.
S.
of A, Mr.
McClaren.
Well, it's good to be here.
But what's next? Rumor has it you're heading to Oslo tomorrow.
You know me.
My moves go unannounced.
Um, easier to cross borders that way.
But, while I'm here, there's something I'd like to say.
By all means.
The floor is yours.
My web site and the work that I do is built on a foundation of trust.
Without that trust, we can't operate.
It's as simple as that.
Last week, I screwed up.
What is he doing? I'm sorry.
Sometimes he just won't listen.
I breached that trust, and a life was lost.
Oh, fuck.
Every life lost is a tragedy.
But an innocent life lost as collateral damage for corporate malfeasance is particularly heinous, and Please, please, uh, hear me out.
I didn't know Naomi Walling.
I never even met her.
She contacted my organization as a whistle-blower.
I don't know how her personal correspondence made its way into the leak.
But the fact that it became public was an error.
And the responsibility rests squarely on my shoulders.
But I cannot allow this mistake to interfere with my organization and its mission.
- The work we do is just too - Channing McClaren Yes? You've been served.
All right, all right.
You served the guy too soon.
I had to file to keep him here.
He's a flight risk.
He has sponsors and donors all over the world.
Yeah, fine, but you have to make a case against him.
McClaren just admitted he made a mistake.
Well, that's not enough, you know that.
You need to show intent.
The important thing is Ellen's already lost control of her client.
Okay, everyone.
Calm down.
Everyone, please, take your seats, take your seats, please.
Just a little bump in the road.
Little lamb When I am through with you There won't be anything left When I am through with you There won't be anything left When I am through with you Miss Hewes, Ellen Parsons is missing.
Oh.
Any idea where she's at? Patty Hewes for the plaintiff, Your Honor.
Ellen Parsons for the respondent.
Wonderful.
Let's get this thing started.
I've filed a motion to dismiss because Ms.
Hewes hasn't shown a connection between my client's actions and Ms.
Walling's suicide.
Furthermore, to prove a wrongful death suit, the plaintiff must show intent.
Ms.
Hewes cannot prove my that client had any reasons to expose Ms.
Walling's personal life.
She has a point, Patty.
Ms.
Parsons' client is a self-proclaimed master in the art of secrecy.
I'm sure you can understand how it might prove difficult to demonstrate his motivation.
He had no motivation.
He and Ms.
Walling never even met.
So he claims.
Ms.
Walling is dead, so it's hard to ask her.
It's also hard to read my client's mind, but that's exactly what Ms.
Hewes is doing when she surmises intent.
The facts surrounding Ms.
Walling's suicide are highly suspicious.
Mr.
McClaren expects us to believe that when Ms.
Walling leaked information about insider trading, she also chose to include demeaning personal e-mails.
No.
She inadvertently included that information.
Now who's reading minds, Your Honor? All right, Patty.
I'm going to need you to demonstrate a personal connection between these two.
I request the time to do precisely that.
You can have a week, Patty, but you better show me something concrete.
A week?! - Your Honor - I've ruled, Ms.
Parsons.
I'll decide on a dismissal in seven days.
Your Honor, Mr.
McClaren has plans to attend a conference in Oslo.
I would like to request that his passport be surrendered immediately.
So ordered.
I think we're done here.
If I'm not back in time, the super will let you in.
And we're still on time with the walls? Great.
Talk to you later.
So, y-you're staying with friends? Yeah.
Yeah, they've been great.
I don't know what I would have done.
I'm here if you need help with anything.
I have an aunt coming into town today.
She's taking care of all the arrangements.
Good.
I've filed a wrongful death suit against Mr.
McClaren and the organization.
I did it immediately, because I'm afraid McClaren might try to leave the country, and that would not be good for us.
Okay.
But I have to tell you, Rachel, right now the case is weak.
Why? McClaren admitted that he put my mother's stuff on the web.
But he said it was a mistake.
Now, in order to prove "wrongful death," we have to show that McClaren had a reason to go after your mother.
So, the first thing that we're going to need to do is find out if your mother had a personal relationship with Mr.
McClaren.
She didn't.
They never even met.
How do you know that? My mother would've told me.
She's my best friend.
We talk about everything.
I mean, we talked about everything.
I wish McClaren were dead, not my mom.
Patty Hewes convinced the judge to confiscate my passport.
Yes.
Then you failed at the hearing.
I told you not to speak about Naomi Walling.
You opened your mouth, and Patty was able to use that against you in court.
Look Let me tell you how Patty Hewes works.
I could go to her tomorrow and offer a settlement-- even a good one-- and she would turn it down.
Your surrender doesn't interest her at all.
If you fall down, she'll make sure you get back up.
She wants you on your feet, so she can keep throwing punches over and over and over, until your reputation is nothing but an unrecognizable, bloody pulp.
The damage that's been done by this whole Naomi Walling mess If people don't trust me, I've beaten myself.
Regardless of Patty.
I understand the stakes.
Well, then listen to me next time I give you legal advice.
Channing, get rid of the old one.
Only contact us on this.
These are the only phones we should use.
We've received more death threats.
From who? Anonymous.
Though I imagine Wall Street interests are behind them.
I've hired security.
Is there a man in your life? - Hey, Channing - She's working for me-- I feel like I should know more about her.
No, you shouldn't.
Here's what you should know, the judge has given Patty a week to prove that you had intent.
What intent could I possibly have? I've never even met Naomi Walling.
You've had no personal contact whatsoever? I've answered that.
No, you stated it, in public.
This is your attorney asking; now your answer's privileged.
No, no contact whatsoever.
Good.
Will you head up something for me? Anything you need.
I'm just glad to be here.
Was that a thank-you? Look, you know I'm grateful; just don't make me act like it.
Smiling makes me look stupid.
What is it you need? Well, the first step in showing intent is to find out what the relationship between McClaren and Ms.
Walling really was.
He said he never met her.
I don't buy it.
I want you to go through everything McClaren leaked.
Start with Naomi's private correspondence, and you might Find a personal connection between them.
I got it.
Channing has a brilliant mind, Ms.
Parsons, but like many a genius, he lacks certain social skills.
I apologize if his question was inappropriate.
Oh, don't worry about me; I can handle myself.
I need to talk to you about our financial arrangements.
Okay.
This scandal has given many of our donors pause.
We have a cash-flow problem, and Channing is refusing to divert contributions for the web site to his legal defense.
I am already charging you way less than I should.
Find a way to pay me, or find another lawyer.
Is there something else? Well, I know you were Channing's preference but your experience is rather limited.
You have no staff, no support.
Am I meant to believe that you could handle this case alone? I'm in the process of hiring staff and a new associate.
Well, you understand my apprehension-- we can't afford any missteps.
The future of this organization is on the line.
Right now it's not my staff that's worrying me.
So what, then? It's our judge.
I'm concerned he's cozy with Patty Hewes, that he'll favor her.
Can you have him removed? It's not that easy.
Just make sure Channing keeps his mouth shut and stays out of the public eye.
I'll be in touch.
You're my gatekeepers.
Responsible for everything that gets released.
So how is it possible that none of you saw Naomi Walling's personal e-mails? Channing, you wanted the leaks posted quickly.
Because Princefield was about to make billions.
Well, when you move too fast, without enough manpower, shit happens.
"Shit happens.
" Is that your answer? We were focusing on the financial documents.
How could we know the woman would leak her own sex life? Do you not understand? If I don't protect my sources, they won't share information.
I'll get to the bottom of it.
This is the bottom! All of you get the fuck out! Channing weren't you the last one to see the data before it was posted? What are you saying? I'm asking.
Did you let the information through for some reason? Don't be absurd.
I want to protect you-- I just need to know the truth.
Did you know Naomi Walling? Leave.
- Channing - She's done.
Go upstairs, pack your shit and get out.
Now! Come on, you need her.
Do I? Seems to me you're all pretty fucking useless.
Where are you going? You'd think it'd look better up top.
No doubt.
It's a new business.
First impressions.
Got to make a splash.
Perfect.
Thanks, Sam.
I'll get my tools.
Ms.
Parsons? I apologize for the ambush, Ms.
Parsons.
Kate Franklin.
I'm sorry, have we met? No, never.
It's all in here.
What is? My resumé, some history, various, um, well, anecdotes.
Anecdotes? I heard you're looking to hire an attorney.
I-I'm not taking unsolicited applications.
Well, of course you're not; why would you be? Plus, you've never heard of me; I have been out of the game for a while.
But, well, I'm cheap and I'm a quick study, so please take a look? Okay.
I'll take a look, but I can't promise anything.
I wouldn't believe you if you did.
But I can be an asset to you, Ms.
Parsons.
Thank you.
Oh, sorry, sir.
Anything from dry cleaning? This is the only jacket I own.
Yes, sir.
It's a nice space.
Don't worry, walls and furniture are coming.
I can work without walls.
I just spent four years redlining documents in a cubicle, surrounded by two dozen other cubicles.
No walls would be a nice change of pace.
Well, it's clear you've had a fantastic education, and, um, I really like the look of the rest of your resume.
Thanks.
Look I'm gonna lay it all out there, Ms.
Parsons-- this is my dream job.
A small start-up firm is exactly what I'm looking for.
Well, I'm glad to hear it.
And working on the McClaren suit would be the opportunity of a lifetime.
Have you met The Eel, by the way? My old firm just tried a case in front of him.
The Eel? That's what the partners call Judge Haring.
I read he's hearing the suit against McClaren.
Yes, he is.
Guess the guy's pretty slippery.
He plays favorites.
Likes to act impartial, but he always ends up choosing a side.
Oh.
Well, Paul, my main objective here is to create a very open and inclusive work environment.
Uh in other words, the opposite of Patty Hewes.
Can't imagine what that must have been like.
It was an amazing experience.
But I prefer to look forward.
I heard she would throw shoes at paralegals' heads.
I don't know anything about that.
What about the time she had her P.
I.
dangle a witness out a 20-story window to get him to tell the truth? That never happened.
Oh, come on, you must have some dirt.
I won't tell.
Thank you for coming by.
If I need to, I will call some of your references.
Oh, uh Okay.
Nice to meet you.
Oh, listen, I've put together a team.
We've been reading through the whole leak.
Find anything? Well, there's nothing in Naomi Walling's e-mails that indicate a personal connection to McClaren.
But there may be something of interest, though.
Uh, Jason, can I have that file? Mr.
Herndon, I've been working with you around the clock for two straight days.
Yeah, so? My name is Mike.
Naomi was no blushing daisy, but she was a creature of habit.
She had all her trysts in the same hotel.
She preferred the, uh what hotel was the, uh? Montclair.
According to her credit card record, she booked the hotel the night that McClaren was in town.
All right, check the Montclair, see if anyone saw Naomi and McClaren.
Mm.
Bill, Patty just got in.
Shit.
Oy.
What do you want? You showed up.
Wasn't sure you would.
Yeah, asshole, I showed up.
What do you want? That woman who offed herself.
Naomi.
Walling.
Yeah.
Her leak.
You don't know the whole story.
I could get you a lot more.
Why are we meeting in person? If you have information, you know the protocol.
Well, sure, I could just give you what I got, but times are rough, you know? I've got expenses.
I need to upgrade my system.
I've got my eye on some new blade servers.
Have you ever known me to pay for information? Princefield is your baby.
You don't want to be in the dark when this breaks somewhere else.
Better decide fast.
I ate a bad burrito, and I'm gonna go drop a bomb in the can.
So what's it gonna be? Want to do business? No, I don't.
Bombs away.
Suit yourself.
But you'll regret it.
Would you like a drink? I think I have some bourbon in a box somewhere.
No, thank you.
I just wanted an update on the situation with our judge.
Well, I've done some research.
There's an interesting pattern in his decisions involving the State Energy Association.
Interesting enough to have him removed? Everything I have right now is circumstantial.
It's just a hunch, unless I can verify it somehow.
A hunch? I see.
Well, that doesn't inspire confidence.
I'm working on it.
But if you have a secret formula to get an unfavorable judge removed, by all means speak up.
How's Channing holding up? He's fine.
Yeah.
Doing well.
Channing thrives on pressure.
Vodka, neat.
Yeah.
Oh, you can't smoke in here.
Is that a joke? No.
It's the law.
Can't be.
This is New York City.
It's been the law for the last decade.
Oh, so dickhead here was telling me the truth? I said put it out, douche bag.
Sure thing.
How was that, sweetheart? I put out the fire.
All right, asshole, get the fuck out of here.
Get the fuck out of here! Hey.
I've seen you before, haven't I? I doubt it.
You're not that whistleblower guy? With the web site? Nope.
Sorry.
Come on.
You're Channing McMartin.
McClaren.
Channing McClaren.
McClaren.
Right.
Sorry.
McClarenTruth.
org.
There you go.
You got it.
Holy fuck.
It really is you.
Hello? I read your file.
That was quick.
Interesting anecdotes.
I'm intrigued.
I thought you might be.
I think we should talk.
I'd love to.
You want to come up? Are you sure? I'm sure.
What's that for? I'm not fan of cameras.
Mm, it's kind of hot.
Let's go.
Yeah, I just got the rest of the surveillance videos from Naomi Walling's hotel of choice.
Is McClaren in there? Well, I don't know yet-- I'm only halfway through.
So far it's only, you know, bellhops and scullery maids.
Keep looking.
Oh, by the way, who is that, uh, tall, leggy woman in your office? An old acquaintance of mine.
Get back to work.
I'm going, going, going.
Kate.
My goodness, you haven't aged a day.
Oh, bullshit.
I'm barely recognizable.
It's been 25 years.
I have to say, it took a minute when my assistant told me a Kate Franklin had called.
I took my husband's name; didn't seem quite so pathetic back then.
But I see you kept yours.
Makes sense.
You were established, didn't want to obscure the brand.
Sit.
Thank you.
So why did you want to see me? My husband Ted died a couple of years ago and, uh, well, my youngest is away at college, so I guess I'm looking for a second act.
When you quit the law, it seemed definitive.
I remember some anger.
Little bit.
So you're looking for a job? Actually, an old friend of yours has already offered me one.
Oh, really? Who's that? Ellen Parsons.
It isn't often that I am truly surprised.
Well done.
Tea? I would love some.
Good.
Maggie, could you please get us some tea? So, if Ms.
Parsons is making you an offer, I suspect you're here to negotiate.
That doesn't seem like you.
You were never much of a schemer.
I guess I finally understand the pleasure of a little bit of leverage.
Good for you.
So how about you double the girl's offer? Double? I figure that's a fair price to keep someone from your past from working for the other side.
Ms.
Hewes? Judge Haring's on the line.
Oh.
Is it about scheduling? No, he said it's personal.
Well, tell him I'll have to call him back this evening.
So what am I worth to you? Okay, Channing.
Come on, man.
This can't carry on.
I've left you, like, 20 messages.
We're in the middle of a lawsuit here.
Now is not the time to be out there dicking around.
- Just give me a call as soon as you get - We need to talk.
Get Gitta down here.
Well, Gitta's at the airport.
Why? 'Cause you fired her.
Well, get her back.
We have work to do.
Why? What's going on? There's more information out there.
About what? Princefield, Naomi Walling, I'm not sure.
But we need to find it.
So, I went to see Patty Hewes.
She offered me a job.
You were right.
She does not want me to work for you.
She said that whatever you were willing to pay me, she'd double it.
Did she put it in writing? Mm-hmm.
Less than a hour later, contract was delivered to me.
Did I pass the test? You said you wanted to get back into the game.
Why didn't you take Patty's offer? I told you, I don't like her.
Something else happened while I was there that I think you might be interested in.
What was that? Judge Haring called.
Sounds like they're having an extracurricular communication.
Anything? She wants to make a call.
To her attorney? Didn't say.
Anything on Ellen Parsons? No.
Still can't find her.
Jesus! What's wrong? You gave me the code.
I thought I had the run of the place.
I've been tracking McClaren for you.
So what'd you find out? I checked out that hotel you flagged from the leak.
The Montclair? Yep.
Got some surveillance video.
Couple interesting cameos.
Well, one interesting cameo, and one cameo that is totally off the hook.
Naomi Walling.
She rented a room the night before the leak went public.
And that's him.
Who? McClaren.
That's McClaren? Check this out.
Told you he was interesting.
He's also a liar.
Sure is.
'Cause he definitely met with Walling before she died.
Shit.
I know he's your client, but be careful.
I've seen guys like McClaren before.
Got some kind of worm in 'em.
Start twisting and the freak comes out.
Watch your back.
Give Chris a shout for me.
I'm glad he hooked us up.
I like this line of work.
Walling heads to her room.
In that time, no sign of McClaren.
Could a meeting have occurred at some other time? We monitored the room from check-in to check-out.
Even half a dozen hours before and after.
So who did she meet there? I don't know.
Thanks for coming.
Why am I here? You were very secretive on the phone.
I made inroads into Judge Haring and the State Energy Association.
Inroads? I didn't ask you to make any inroads.
Well, nevertheless, I was able to verify a certain quid pro quo.
And how were you able to do this? Is that important? It is to me.
Ms.
Parsons, information floats around us all the time, out there in the ether, invisible to most.
We happen to be very skilled at spotting it.
"We"? Does Channing know about this? No, of course not.
If you and I are going to be working together, there's certain things that we need to keep from him.
Use it or don't.
It's up to you.
Good afternoon, Your Honor.
Ms.
Parsons.
What you are doing here? I wanted to talk to you about the McClaren case.
Any conversation we have is going to be on record.
Do you really want to go on the record to talk about the State Energy Association? Every case you've heard against them, you've decided in their favor or tossed out of court.
Which struck me as odd, until I found out they helped you get elected.
I'll chalk these accusations up to youth or desperation.
Either way, you don't want to pursue them.
What I don't want is to try a case in front of a judge who plays favorites.
If you think I'm going to recuse myself based on speculation and idle threats, you're sadly mistaken.
Sir, these threats aren't idle.
Take a look at this.
Have a great day.
This will be quick.
Due to unforeseen personal circumstances, I'm afraid I need to remove myself from this case.
My wife has fallen ill.
Very sorry to hear that, Your Honor.
The Honorable Judge Richard Gearhart will be replacing me on the bench.
Thank you for your understanding.
Ellen Parsons.
I'm proud of you, Ellen.
Why's that? You took the initiative, played outside the rules.
Did I? You thought I had an inappropriate relationship with the judge, so you found leverage and forced him out.
That's quite an accusation, Patty.
It was a risky move.
But a strong one.
I hope it'll be worth it.
I'm sure it will be.
Then perhaps it hasn't occurred to you that things aren't always what they seem.
Paranoia does strange things, Ellen.
It can make people believe in things that aren't true.
Tea? I would love some.
Good.
Something else happened while I was there that I think you might be interested in.
What was that? Judge Haring called.
Sounds like they're having an extracurricular communication.
Maggie, could you please get us some tea? Mm-hmm.
Interrupt.
Judge Haring.
Personal call.
Ms.
Hewes, Judge Haring's on the line.
Oh, is it about scheduling? No, he said it's personal.
Tell him I'll have to call him back this evening.
It can even make you see things that didn't happen.
Are you still upset about that, Tim? I'm the one who got you on the board.
Bullshit.
I earned my way on.
Why don't we put that behind us.
One hint of your usual shit and I'll throw you and your case out on your ass.
The truth is, Judge Haring and I don't like each other.
He wouldn't have been good for my case.
I'm looking forward to the new judge, though.
I'm assuming you haven't done your research on him.
Ms.
Hewes, I see here Judge Haring didn't feel you had the evidence necessary to proceed with this case.
Yes, Your Honor.
Well, reading your original complaint, I respectfully disagree with Judge Haring.
I see no reason why this case can't proceed.
But, Your Honor, Ms.
Hewes readily admits she has no compelling evidence.
Well, feel free to argue that in court.
Motion to dismiss denied.
You may both commence discovery.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Welcome to my courtroom, Ms.
Parsons.
Patty, it's nice to have you back.
It's great to be here.
When I am through with you There won't be anything left When I am through with you There won't be anything left When I am through with you