The Good Fight (2017) s05e06 Episode Script
And the Two Partners Had a Fight…
1
Yeah we brewin' like Medici ♪
A little freaky ♪
Lemme look, lemme look
I wanna see, see ♪
Take a snap of the center
in a sea breeze ♪
A little salty, feel the feeling ♪
It's the hype, yeah ♪
It's the night, uh ♪
I'm gonna live it up however I. ♪
Yeah, uh, uh ♪
Yeah, yeah ♪
Yeah, uh, uh ♪
Okay, good.
You can freeze that, Miss Court Clerk.
This is one of the toughest
decisions I've made
because I respect
the brilliance of both of you.
Go ahead and stand.
Tip Top Trina made up
a dance she calls
- What was it?
- "Spanky Leg".
She put it online.
Soon after, a popular video game
appeared, charging money
for people to have their
avatar do a similar dance.
And that was called, um
What was that?
"Yankee Leg". Totally different.
- And Tip Top Trina wasn't paid a cent?
- That's right.
- She didn't have a copyright.
- I didn't need a copyright.
I recorded it and put it on TikTok.
- Yeah, and I didn't steal it.
- Okay,
- well, that's not really true, because I
- Do you own hip-hop,
- do you own tap dancing?
- All right, all right, all right. Hey, stop.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
We're all gonna take a breath here.
Come on. Calm down.
Just breathe, please.
Okay.
After extensive consultation
with my court clerk,
here's my decision.
By the power invested in
me by absolutely no one,
I find the defendant, Garrison Vitar,
committed intellectual property theft
by jacking Trina's "Spanky Leg",
and must split the profits,
roughly six million
dollars, fifty-fifty.
Next case.
Are you fucking serious?!
I am serious, Mr. Vitar.
I talked to, I don't know, six lawyers,
who said Trina does not have a case.
This whole thing is a fucking joke.
One which you agreed to, my friend.
I only agreed to it because I
was promised a quick verdict.
Which I gave you.
Uh, just remember to leave
your moose suit and a check
with Marissa on your way out. Next case.
Fuck the moose suit. Fuck this court.
And fuck you!
Okay? I am, I'm suing your ass.
All right, yes, you've been subpoenaed.
- Hello, Mr. Cord.
- Liz.
I think we should countersue.
I don't want the court's
authority undercut.
Which court?
- Mine.
- Yeah, well, here's the problem.
Mr. Vitar is suing you
for brand disparagement.
Okay.
He uh, he is insisting
that his video game
has taken a hit in the marketplace
and he wants $800,000
and your court closed.
- That's overreach. He won't get it.
- He signed a contract
- to abide by Hal's ruling.
- Yes,
and that's what we will lean on.
But almost any real judge
is not gonna look kindly on
someone playing a judge.
I'm not playing judge. I am a judge.
Mr. Wackner, listen to me.
Your court does not
have the force of law.
You can't imprison anyone.
You can't force someone to pay.
The court we're going to
it does all those things,
and loves doing those things.
All right, now, if they
close your doors,
the police can enforce that.
You could go to jail.
So, please, let me fight
this case for you. All right?
Keep the craziness and the-the fiction
to a minimum, and I can win this.
But they're gonna want
to make you the focus,
and if they do, we lose.
So, please, don't become the focus.
- How do I do that?
- You respect the judge.
You-you wear a suit.
You answer "yes" and
"no" and nothing else.
- I don't own a suit.
- I can get you one.
This is why I started a court.
What do you think?
He doesn't like being told what to do.
He'll just do the opposite.
Yeah, that's what I thought.
Uh, okay, I-I need your help, Marissa.
You're my Wackner whisperer.
Just keep him in line.
If I can, I will.
Thank you. Thank you.
Everyone, please take your seats.
So, today, we have one question.
How do we create more opportunities
for Black lawyers?
I'd like to welcome our panelists,
leaders of the top four
Black Chicago law firms.
Let's hear it for Isaiah Drummond,
founder of Dooley, Rich and Associates.
Jeff Taha, who runs Taha and Brickman.
Danny Rata, who you might
have heard of before,
from Rata, Mooney, and Brock.
And Diane Lockhart.
So, let's talk about opportunities
for Black lawyers.
Diane?
Sorry.
Um
Okay
- How do I stop this sound?
- What sound, sir?
20 times an hour.
What is it and why do I care?
Dawnk. It's our new
intra-company messaging system.
Why?
It's faster than e-mail.
You can have a thread
on specific topics,
share documents and
reach the people you need
- by tagging them.
- What do you mean, tagging?
- Attaching their name.
- Like e-mail?
Why don't I just e-mail or
find them and yell at them?
The associates
they, they prefer this.
Everyone's tired of running
up and down the stairs,
hunting people down.
And some of us don't love having
to deal with people directly.
- Who is "Anonymous Crab"?
- If you don't sign in with your account,
the system assigns you
an anonymous avatar.
Why?
It's meant to foster free communication.
- "How the hell did this"
- happen?
How did Diane end up
at a Black conference
speaking for our firm?
What an embarrassment.
Take a look at this.
Anonymous Crab just posted a video.
How do I play it?
So, how does that work, Diane,
you running a Black firm?
Oh, well, I'm just a co-partner
at, ooh, um, Reddick/Lockhart.
Uh-oh. That's not good for Diane.
But isn't your husband involved
with the white supremacists
who attacked the Capitol?
No. He was completely
cleared of those charges.
But didn't he just take a
job to revitalize the NRA?
I
No. I believe that's an error.
Oh, God, I love technology.
Okay.
How are we doing with the rich rapist?
Sir, he's not a rapist.
How's he doing?
Preliminary hearing next week.
I heard she didn't even have seniority.
She just jumped past
other Black partners
to become our name partner. It's crazy.
Diane doesn't give a shit
about this firm's legacy.
Diane is clueless.
And yet, somehow,
she's the one in charge?
Liz needs to do something about this.
Liz will never do it on her own.
We need to do something ourselves.
Some of us already are doing
something by speaking up.
We just need to keep it going.
I know, look at Black Twitter,
it's exploding.
What is Black Twitter?
What?
What is Black Twitter?
People on Twitter who are
Black and talk to each other.
- How do I get on it?
- Uh, well,
I could tell you, but
then I'd have to kill you.
It's not just Diane. That's bad enough,
but did you hear who
Julius Cain represented?
Oh, I know.
Fucking Trumpite.
Why the hell is he even working here?
I don't have any problem
with him working here.
It's him representing
a white supremacist
like Diane's husband.
What the fuck?
I know. Julius Cain is such a coon.
Devin.
You have a minute?
Mr. Cain, hello. Yes.
What do you need?
Do you know who Anonymous
Platypus is on our,
- uh, new office app?
- Do I? No.
There-there won't be any repercussions.
I, uh, I just want to ask
him a few questions.
The app gives us anonymous animal names
if users don't sign in.
It allows more freedom and less
judgement when making comments.
I understand, but there has
to be one Platypus, right?
No. The computer switches
animals every day.
So, today, I'm Anonymous Chipmunk.
The day before, I was Anonymous Giraffe.
- Is there something wrong?
- No, no, no. No, no. Uh
Just, uh
Oh, my God.
I-I didn't see that.
I'm sorry, Mr. Cain. This is not cool.
Yeah, well, if you see them,
you let them know.
Oh, I'll do more than that.
That should end it, sir.
- It's a sham court, Your Honor.
- Anything that he has to say, this, no
- It pretends to judge matters fairly
- This is a meritless case.
- but the so-called judge
- There was a contract
No, no, no, no, no.
I am not going to shout over you
as my voice is not at
its best this morning.
But what I will do, if this continues,
is hand out my little contempt cards.
The value goes up.
It starts at $500, $1,000
$10,000.
Wow, I really love that.
Sir, let your lawyer speak.
Mr. Schultz, didn't your clients
sign a mediation contract?
He signed this, Your Honor.
I'm not sure I'd call it a contract.
What is that?
It's a contract written on the back
of a Chinese take-out menu.
Your Honor, the contract could
have been chiseled on a rock.
The terms are explicit
and signed by both parties.
Certainly true, Mr. Schultz.
Ridiculous, but true.
Are, are you disputing that
this is your client's signature?
- No, but I
- We move to dismiss.
Mr. Vitar is bound by the terms
of the arbitration agreement
to honor Judge Wackner's decision.
- Judge Wackner?
- Sorry.
No. Mr. Wackner.
Uh-huh. Mr. Wackner, do
you purport to be a judge?
I don't purport to be anything. I am
I judge facts. In that
sense, I'm a judge.
My client was told he had
to address Mr. Wackner
as "Your Honor".
"Your Honor" is a term of endearment.
Like the "Queen of Soul",
or "Captain Crunch"
or "Count Chocula".
- And who are you?
- Uh, I'm Mr
Uh, I'm Judge Mr.
Wackner's law clerk
Uh, okay. Legally, it doesn't matter
how Mr. Wackner was
addressed during arbitration.
The point is that Mr. Vitar himself
gave him decision-making
authority when he signed
On the understanding the man was sane.
Your Honor, Mr. Wackner
is of unsound mind.
Your Honor, he's joking.
Mr. Wackner, if you lose,
your court will be disbanded,
and you will pay $800,000.
You really think this
is the time to joke?
We agree, Your Honor,
and we ask that you dismiss
this case, based on its merits.
Your Honor, at the very minimum,
you should hear evidence
on Mr. Wackner's unsound mind.
I agree. I'll hear the evidence.
It won't take very long.
This was your first time
attempting to resolve a dispute
- through Mr. Wackner, is that correct?
- It is.
Uh, I wouldn't have gone
anywhere near him
- if I knew what a psycho ward he was running
- Objection.
Sustained.
What aspects of Mr. Wackner's
so-called court
- made you feel that way?
- Oh. Where to start?
A scoreboard, um
Quizzing potential jurors
on state capitals?
- Oh, Christ.
- What, if any,
specific instructions were you given
as to appropriate wardrobe?
I was told to wear a moose suit.
I'm sorry. What?
I had to wear a moose suit.
A moose suit. What is a moose suit?
It's a suit that looks like a moose.
It has a straw hat and a basket.
Who told you to wear a moose suit?
Uh, the court officer. He said
it came from Wackner.
Objection, hearsay.
Your Honor, because we're not relying
solely on hearsay,
- we'd like to introduce videos.
- Your Honor,
we submitted the official
court transcripts.
- This is the first we are hearing about videos.
- That's odd.
They were recorded by one
of Ms. Reddick's own clients.
- Who?
- Del Cooper,
for a streaming reality show.
There she is.
Hey.
How we doing?
Okay.
How am I doing?
When were you gonna tell me?
What? That you, uh, didn't like Cajun?
No. The cameras in Wackner's courtroom.
You're doing a reality
show about my client?
Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah.
The People's Court meets Mr. Wizard.
Amazing, right?
But he's my client.
You, you got him through me.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, baby. That
That makes it sound
like I was using you.
I met him in your elevator. That's all.
You need some of this.
N-No. No, no, no. You didn't
You didn't ask me.
Liz
Why would I ask you?
Well, because
Because they're using
it against me in court.
That's unfortunate, baby.
But-but this streaming show
could be really good for Wackner.
It-It'll draw attention to his court.
And as I say that
that-that-that sounds
Okay, look. I'm Sorry.
But look, if you ran into the
President of Lionsgate Films
in my elevator, I would
say go for it, baby.
In fact, use every single
contact in my book.
Why?
Because that's what power couples do.
Okay. I just, I
What?
I just, I don't think
this is a good idea.
Wackner becoming popular?
Why?
He's funny.
He's a disrupter and
disrupters gotta disrupt.
And look, if I hadn't have done it,
someone else would've.
It's that kind of idea.
Okay. I just
I don't think it's gonna end well.
Why not? Hmm?
Comedy has its own logic.
So just
Just breathe.
Grab the wine.
I made you some scrimps.
Come on.
You know, I thought it was pretty sexy
when you were mad at me earlier.
- Oh
- Yeah.
Well, you just keep it up.
I'm gonna be sexy all the time.
Oh, and I'm gonna make
you mad all night.
There must be something
we can do about this.
Talk to the partners.
Ask them how we could
have the white supremacist
running our firm.
They won't do shit.
They can't be happy either.
All they have to do is vote Diane out.
Hello?
Are we getting drunk?
What?
Can I turn that down?
I asked are we getting drunk?
Are we getting a job with the NRA?
Did somebody call?
No.
I was at a conference and someone asked.
The NRA is trying to revitalize itself
after its recent scandals.
Its National Board asked
if I would be interested in a position.
And you said yes?
No, I said I want to hear more.
And did you hear more?
I heard it's a position in Illinois,
it offers $167,000,
and I would be my own boss.
So you're thinking of taking it?
I'm thinking I don't have a job,
and it's worth considering.
The NR-fucking-A?
The ACLU wasn't calling.
Diane
our politics are very different.
I know.
I'm
lately, struck by just
how different they are.
You want to convert me?
No. I would just like one week
when I don't have to defend you.
How are you defending me?
Nothing.
You'll tell me when
they offer you the job?
They may not offer it.
No, they will.
Kurt.
Mm.
Kurt, I need to ask you something.
Are you awake?
I am now.
I need to ask you something.
What?
Who did you vote for in 2020?
No, seriously.
I know you wrote in Ted Cruz in 2016,
but who did you vote for last year?
Diane.
We came through a lot this year.
Can't we just let it rest?
I don't know.
I want to.
Hmm.
Hello.
What do I do?
This is making me crazy.
Can we just can every
Can everyone just turn
off the Dawnk app.
For just for
Please, just a minute.
Okay. Is anybody else receiving
any offensive messages?
The best thing we can do is ignore it.
It becomes a Streisand
effect if we complain.
I didn't complain.
I just want to speak with
whoever's writing the nasty things.
I have to agree with Julius.
If these youngbloods start
thinking they can speak
to their superiors any which way
But what's the option?
We can't censor them.
You know, this wouldn't be an issue,
if not for Diane and her husband.
And I'm sorry to say it, Julius,
but you should never have
agreed to take that case.
It was Diane's case. Hello?
She defended me.
But not that client. Diane
should've known better.
Come on. Diane is not
responsible for her husband.
No. No. That-that's unfair.
Listen, we all live in
the real world, right?
I mean, you are who you associate with.
And in the real world of this firm,
Diane's billable hours
speak for themselves.
The rest of us put in the
hours too, for the record.
And none of us have spouses
on the hook to the FBI.
- The case has been dropped.
- Nice work.
Liz, when I joined this firm,
it was because of your father's legacy.
It was about Black civil
rights, activism, justice.
That's what people
talked about in meetings.
Now, people talk about billable hours,
million-dollar clients,
- corporate payouts. Now, I
- Okay.
I know it's not your fault.
That was Boseman's vision,
and we were trying to
survive the Trump years
by bringing in white lawyers.
But those days are gone.
They're done with.
And I miss being a strong Black firm.
Amen.
Did I miss something
about a partners' meeting?
Uh, no, no. This was impromptu.
Well if I can be of any assistance
Yeah, I'll-I'll-I'll bring
you up to speed later.
- You got to handle this, Liz.
- Handle what?
You cannot have a white
partner leading a Black firm.
We'll lose clients
with that kind of hypocrisy.
Is this the beginning of the end?
I don't want to be in the bathroom
and accidentally miss anything.
What are you talking about?
The meeting in Liz's office.
You're not in it.
Forget it.
I was joking.
Liz Reddick's office.
Hi. Can I get time
with Liz later on today?
Who's calling?
It's Diane.
Here.
Who thought that sound was pleasing?
All day in court today.
- No.
- Yeah.
I finally had to ask Carmen
how to silence the notifications.
All right. There you go.
Permanently silenced.
Can I have a soda water?
Thank you.
Do you think that Dawnk
actually increases productivity?
No.
But I know that the
associates would riot
if we got rid of it. So
What do the partners think?
God, Madeline can't even open it.
She's
She's lost her password three times.
She finally just gave up.
You know, 'cause it's Madeline.
Well
Thanks for sitting down with me, Liz.
Of course.
So, you're wondering
about the meeting today?
- I am.
- Yeah.
Uh, it was about Julius.
He's being harassed on Dawnk.
Okay, and I couldn't be a part of that?
He's being harassed because
he's defending your husband.
Well, that's unfortunate.
We've represented people
far worse than Kurt,
who, by the way, was found innocent.
I'm not saying that he wasn't.
But
January 6.
I mean, we watched the Confederate flag
make its way into the Capitol building.
You know, those people that
Kurt didn't want to
turn over to the FBI,
those people
They don't even want us alive.
Well, not all of them.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. I
certainly not defending those people.
They're all despicable traitors.
And now, that's what people
are saying about Julius.
And me?
Diane, I
- Am I being pushed out?
- No.
Not pushed out.
You're a name partner.
You can't be pushed out.
But ?
The partners just think you
should do the right thing.
And step aside?
No. Stay in the firm.
Stay as an equity partner,
just step back from
your managerial role.
Liz, I I pull in the big clients.
I
I get the billable hours.
But still, "maybe you
should step aside".
Weren't we going to form a firm
led by women?
And I
hope that it will be.
But Black women?
Diane, I
I am not voting against you.
I promised you that I wouldn't.
But there is growing anger here.
They want to address it at
the next partners' meeting.
So just think about it.
You're a good person.
No, I'm not.
Yes, you are.
What do you want to do?
What do I want to do?
I want to keep my name
on the letterhead.
I want to keep what I fought for.
Against gender and
then age discrimination.
I deserve that position.
And I don't want to step aside.
Then don't.
Diane, this is the first time
I've ever heard you sound defeated.
Because I can't win this.
- Sure you can.
- No, I can't.
You just don't want to.
It's bigger than that.
To fight this would go against
every fiber of my being.
Every fiber in your being
is about winning.
If you don't try to win,
then you might as well
give up on everything.
Kurt, I appreciate the pep talk,
but I don't think the way you think.
I cannot put my interests
above a whole group of people
Black people
just so I can keep my position.
No, I'm saying you are talented.
If someone is gonna beat
you, let them beat you,
but with talent.
But a Black person's talent
has always been valued less than mine.
Then you're right.
Give up.
Leave the firm.
They don't want you.
Kurt
You don't think the election
was stolen, do you?
Kurt?
Well?
What do you think?
About your work?
Yeah, shh. He's sleeping.
Yes.
I think you know what I think.
No, I-I don't think I do.
I think you're brilliant.
I think any law firm would
be insane to let you go.
That's not you.
That's you telling me
what I want to hear.
You want to know what I really think?
I do. Tell me.
All my life, I was told to step aside.
I was in law school. I had a baby.
And I was told I should step aside,
so that a man could take my position.
I was told to step aside
when Jimmy Carter appointed
me to the Court of Appeals.
And the same with the Supreme Court.
Here's the thing
Don't step aside because
someone wants you to.
Don't step aside for politics.
Men are always asking
women to step aside
so a man can go first.
Even though I'm being
asked to step aside
so that a Black person
can take my place?
Can you still do something for women?
Yes.
Then then do it.
Don't step aside.
Whatever it takes, don't step aside.
So how's business?
You tell me.
Well, no more lawsuits.
And you had your best year this year.
Yeah, who knew?
Pandemic years are great for fracking.
And being in this firm helps
with Democratic influencers.
Yeah, I see that.
So, Bob, I asked you here today
because the firm is undergoing
a fairly major change.
I'm stepping down as a partner,
so I won't be meeting with you
day-to-day on your cases.
- What?
- Yes.
I'm sorry. Madeline will
be handling your cases.
She's standing right over there.
Wait.
I don't get this. Who is she?
Uh, she's a partner.
She's very good.
I'll-I'll still be handling your cases.
I just won't have daily
contact with you.
But I'm more comfortable with you.
I don't won't to start over
with someone new.
I can make you more
comfortable with Madeline.
But we're comfortable with you.
I can make you comfortable with Julius.
He's a very competent lawyer.
- Are you retiring?
- No.
The firm just wants to let some
other people step forward
into a name partner position.
We don't like this.
All right? We're comfortable with you.
So, who should we call about it?
analysts using
data-driven forecasting tools
David Lee.
Oh. Hey.
What?
No, who told you that?
You're not gonna lose Diane.
She's still your primary.
Okay. Okay.
Let me get into this.
No. No, I'll call you.
Okay, Dean, put it on the board.
One-zero.
Cut the shit!
We object!
Come on ♪
defense!
Today, I'm no longer Judge Wackner.
I'm Judge Shmuley.
Everybody needs to
call me Judge Shmuley.
They like it when you frown ♪
But hate it when you're happy ♪
No time for feeling down ♪
Turnin' up some passion ♪
So when they ask how I feel ♪
Okay. I think I've seen enough.
Everything tight, feeling
good like it should ♪
Put me on the stand.
No. That's
I don't think that's a good idea.
Let her ask me questions.
I'll offer context.
Everything tight ♪
So let's talk about context, Hal.
Actually
you know, why don't we do this?
Your Honor
- Yes.
- Yes.
Uh, instead of me asking the questions,
I'm sure you have questions of your own.
Sir, what possible excuse do you have
for keeping score at trial?
The scoreboard keeps the
lawyers on their toes.
I don't want anyone
to lose simply because
they didn't know where I stood.
And it seems a good idea
that they have a roadmap
to my thinking.
- Keeps me honest.
- Okay, and
what the hell is this
thing about Scmuley?
Oh. You didn't say it correctly.
- It's Shmuley.
- Ah.
Shmuley's Hebrew. It means,
"His Name is God".
It's also the name of my uncle.
He died that day, with
a smile on his face.
And I loved him, and, uh
- I wanted to honor him.
- Okay, nice.
And the moose and the buffalo suits,
what's that about?
- Do you watch The Masked Singer?
- No.
Well, yes. Uh, once.
Well, I like to think of
myself as unbiased,
but I'm not.
I judge based on race,
gender, class, age.
I like to think I don't, but I do.
And when the plaintiff and
defense are in disguises,
I can't.
I can't see who they are.
Why not put them behind a screen?
Well, it's good for the litigants. Um
It's hard to have a sense of entitlement
when you're dressed as a moose.
Okay. I'm ready to rule.
- Your Honor, wait
- No. No.
Mr. Schultz, uh, you have
done an excellent job
conveying what it's like to be a
litigant in Mr. Wackner's court,
but much of what he does
is challenge convention,
and in doing so,
streamlines the process.
And for that, I give him credit.
What is before this court
is whether the parties will
be bound by his rulings.
Given that they agreed to be so bound,
I don't think that the
plaintiff's evidence is
- Your Honor, one quick amendment.
- Quick.
- Your Honor, you, you have already ruled.
- I want to hear.
You determined that
Mr. Wackner is sound,
but that doesn't mean he's unbiased.
He's already testified that
he is a biased mediator.
- Oh, come on.
- He said it himself.
Um
"I like to think of myself
as unbiased, but I'm not".
- That's a direct quote.
- He said he battles
his bias with these costumes.
Yes, but we have other
proof of his bias.
And I would ask the court for
an opportunity to demonstrate.
Again, Your Honor,
you have already ruled.
- Your Honor, wait.
- Wait. Wait. Wait.
I I will withhold judgement
until you can present
more evidence, Counselor.
You're in a tough spot, Judge.
- I would have done the exact same thing.
- Mr. Wackner
I think it would be a good
idea for you to shut up.
Yeah, we brewin' like
Medici, a little freaky ♪
Lemme look, lemme
look I wanna see, see ♪
Take a snap of the
center in a sea breeze ♪
A little ♪
Okay.
Is this the only record
of Trina's dance?
As far as I know, yes.
To your knowledge, she never
wrote it down anywhere?
Objection. Relevance.
What does it matter
- whether she wrote it down or not?
- Copyright law requires
that creative expression be fixed
before it can be licensed.
Yes, but fixed doesn't
mean written down.
It just means recorded.
And she's obviously done that,
because we're all here looking at it.
May I continue?
I don't know.
This is all confusing to me.
Let me try to clarify, Your Honor.
This tape we just watched,
who recorded it?
Did Trina record it?
- Well, no, but her boyfriend did.
- So isn't it true
the person who fixed
the creative expression
is the owner of the copyright?
Objection. Beyond his expertise.
Oh, uh, I'll, I'll grant you that.
And the question doesn't
need to be asked. That's true.
So the owner of the copyright
is not the dancer.
She didn't write her choreography down.
It's the person who held the camera
and recorded the choreography?
Yes, which is why I paid
Russell Chuckwagon $40,000
to insure this copyright.
Who's Russell Chuckwagon?
Tip-top Trina's estranged boyfriend.
So you just ignored the boyfriend?
Of course I ignored the boyfriend.
- Mr. Chuckwagon?
- Yes.
The only reason that video has any value
is because of Trina's dance.
The notion that he deserves
any consideration
just because he happened
to be holding the camera
It-it makes the law an ass.
As you can see, Mr. Wackner has
completely disregarded the law.
Arbitrators are under no
obligation to follow the law
unless the contract stipulates to that,
which it doesn't, in this case.
More-Moreover, Mr. Schultz's
line of argument
relies on laws with disturbing
racial implications.
By requiring that art be
recorded before being owned,
the law systematically
disadvantages Black jazz
and bebop musicians,
as well as break dancers
and flamenco artists
There are a whole slew of gifted,
often non-white people
who specialize in improvisational art.
Do you do you really want to suggest
that whoever's holding
a phone next to them
is the one that owns the
art that they created?
Sit down, Mr. Wackner.
Defense counsel is saying
that she agrees with him?
- That the law is an ass?
- I
In this particular case,
yes, I guess I do.
We need to stop worshipping
at the heels of legal weasels
and corporate pirates.
Do I need to say more, Your Honor?
The defense revels in disregarding
a central tenet of copyright law.
In this case, the court agrees.
The law is an ass.
Hey.
Don't make me regret this.
Mr. Wackner is well
within his rights to ignore
Mr. Chuckwagon's massive
contribution to the arts.
- Ms. Reddick, I'm ready to rule.
- Your Honor,
- we have one more witness.
- Oh, my God,
it's like a zombie.
I think you can step down
now, Mr. Wackner.
We've heard enough
metaphors from you today.
Who is the new witness,
- Mr. Schultz?
- His name is Del Cooper.
Mr. Cooper, you missed
quite a passionate little speech
- by the defendant about corporate pirates.
- I did?
- Objection.
- Sustained.
Mr. Schultz, why don't
you just get to the point?
Gladly.
Who is the financial backer
for Wackner's so-called court?
What do you mean?
Mr. Wackner's court has become
more and more expensive
over the last month.
- Who's footing the bill?
- Objection.
Your Honor, I-I'm not sure
why this is being asked
of a mere TV producer.
I'm asking because
this "mere TV producer"
has inside information
about the court's financing.
Why does this really matter at all?
Because of bias, Your Honor.
I think the answer to my question
will be self-explanatory.
Okay.
Go ahead.
Do you know who is financing this court?
I do.
Who?
David Cord.
David Cord?
David Cord the billion
Yes, the billionaire financier.
That gentleman right there.
Why do you think he's here?
He's financing a video game
company in direct competition.
Uh, uh, objection, Your Honor.
The-the counselor is testifying.
Oh, no, no. Come on. Come
on. Just hold on a minute.
Mr. Schultz, finish your thought.
Mr. Cord invests in Riga,
my client's biggest gaming rival,
while also investing
in Mr. Wackner's court.
A short time later,
Mr. Wackner rules against my client.
Did you not think it was
worth mentioning
that you'd invested in competing
game manufacturers?
I invest in everything.
I've got 10% of this, 20% of that.
Actually, I had no idea I was invested
in a video game company.
Then I propose we seize the moment.
- What does that mean?
- We march back in there,
- and I bowl them over with the truth.
- Oh, my God.
History's been made by
great rhetorical flourishes.
Well, not really.
"We shall fight them on the beaches".
"We few, we happy few"
Mr. Cord, their next move is going to be
to subpoena your financial records.
They're gonna want to
put you on the stand.
I don't think you want
to go down that road.
- You're right.
- All right.
Now, let's let's ask
for a continuance.
All right? We'll be unopposed
from the other side.
They they're in no hurry
to force this issue.
A continuance till when?
Well, the judge has a busy calendar.
So, I don't know, about ten months.
Holy fucking hell. That's the problem.
No one's in a hurry. We
delay and delay and delay.
One day, we look back on our lives,
wonder where the fuck they went.
- People die while we wait.
- Hal.
This allows you to keep your court open.
It gives you the whole year
to work out the kinks
- and get it on TV.
- What does it matter
if people do not have to
follow my judgements?
I say six million
and they just go whining
to Big Boy court.
It's appeal, appeal, appeal.
It never fucking ends.
- Oh, God.
-
Do you know what this is about?
No idea.
What the fuck is going on?
Could you be a bit more specific?
My bosses in Dubai,
they don't think in terms
of millions or even billions.
They think in terms of
trillions of dollars.
They look at their computer's
algorithms and only react
when it blinks red.
And you two, you're blinking red.
- Why?
- Four of your top clients have called with issues.
What issues?
The teamsters, they're being
shifted to another partner.
Bob the fracking king,
he's being shifted, too.
Who told them about a reorganization?
Diane.
- Thoughts?
- Nothing from me.
I met with my clients.
I just told them of a restructuring
that I was being told about.
What restructuring?
Wait. Wait, David. Stop.
Is this a power play on your part?
No. It's just updating my clients.
David, Diane was told about frustration
at the partner level about a white woman
being a name partner in a Black firm.
And apparently, this is her response.
I just told our clients
what was going on.
Stop.
Both of you.
Diane's a fucking name partner
until STR Laurie says she's not.
No one decides until I decide.
Now, stick your race
war back in its bottle.
Diane.
That was a mistake.
I am on your side, and
you don't even realize it.
You see what they're writing about me?
Yes.
I want to start my own firm.
And I want you to be
the other name partner.
Who is it?
Who is it?
Who the hell are you?
Don't worry who we are.
- Worry who you are.
- What does that mean?
I have people
No!
Your Honor, I would like to
offer my profound apology
for my behavior in this court.
Baring my buttocks was an
unforgivable act of disrespect,
one that I will regret
to the end of my days.
I-I have here a letter of, uh, apology
and a check made out for a lot
to Tip-top Trina for the
amount that she is owed,
according to your wise decision.
I don't know what to say.
I am touched. Truly.
May I ask, what happened to your leg?
Tennis accident.
Thank you.
Ah
Sorry.
Look who's here.
Look each other in the eye and say,
"I respect and love you".
I respect and love you.
I Oh, for fuck's sake.
I respect and love you.
Good.
Justice.
It's different for me
than it was for you.
What do you mean?
When you fought, you fought
against white males,
the dominant culture.
But for me, I would be up against
another dominated culture.
Black lawyers.
So what do I do?
I don't know.
If you knew that Obama
was going to nominate a
Black justice to replace you,
would you have stepped aside?
No.
Why not?
Well, I know what I can do,
but I-I don't know what
my replacement would do
if he got nominated. I
What you know is always better
than what might happen.
Mm.
What about Kurt?
What-what about him?
We don't agree about anything.
Well, I didn't agree
on anything with Scalia,
but I-I liked him.
Yeah. Why did you like him?
The opera?
No.
What, then?
He made me laugh.
That's it?
Yeah.
You certainly didn't
agree about abortion.
Oh. We-we violently
disagreed on abortion,
and school prayer.
He was a nightmare on everything.
He was a nightmare on diversity.
But ?
Well, it's He was funny.
He made me laugh and
so, we
We had dinner together.
And you just wouldn't talk
about the political stuff?
Well, he teased me
and I teased him.
You know, life is too short
to fight over everything.
And, you're, you're,
you're right about opera.
Opera is good.
Food is good.
And his pasta
was amazing.
His spaghetti carbonara.
Oh, my lord.
You can't hate a man like that.
My husband is going to work for the NRA.
You ever read Scalia's 2000 dissent
on Stenberg v. Carhart?
Working for the NRA
is child's play.
You know, you like who you like.
I don't like bland people.
And a lot of the people
who agree with me politically are bland.
Thank you.
Did you have a nightmare?
No, a dream.
About?
You and me.
What was it?
Me
close to you,
holding you like this.
Do you want me to not take the NRA job?
No. I want you to take it and be happy.
And then I'll sue you.
Yeah we brewin' like Medici ♪
A little freaky ♪
Lemme look, lemme look
I wanna see, see ♪
Take a snap of the center
in a sea breeze ♪
A little salty, feel the feeling ♪
It's the hype, yeah ♪
It's the night, uh ♪
I'm gonna live it up however I. ♪
Yeah, uh, uh ♪
Yeah, yeah ♪
Yeah, uh, uh ♪
Okay, good.
You can freeze that, Miss Court Clerk.
This is one of the toughest
decisions I've made
because I respect
the brilliance of both of you.
Go ahead and stand.
Tip Top Trina made up
a dance she calls
- What was it?
- "Spanky Leg".
She put it online.
Soon after, a popular video game
appeared, charging money
for people to have their
avatar do a similar dance.
And that was called, um
What was that?
"Yankee Leg". Totally different.
- And Tip Top Trina wasn't paid a cent?
- That's right.
- She didn't have a copyright.
- I didn't need a copyright.
I recorded it and put it on TikTok.
- Yeah, and I didn't steal it.
- Okay,
- well, that's not really true, because I
- Do you own hip-hop,
- do you own tap dancing?
- All right, all right, all right. Hey, stop.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
We're all gonna take a breath here.
Come on. Calm down.
Just breathe, please.
Okay.
After extensive consultation
with my court clerk,
here's my decision.
By the power invested in
me by absolutely no one,
I find the defendant, Garrison Vitar,
committed intellectual property theft
by jacking Trina's "Spanky Leg",
and must split the profits,
roughly six million
dollars, fifty-fifty.
Next case.
Are you fucking serious?!
I am serious, Mr. Vitar.
I talked to, I don't know, six lawyers,
who said Trina does not have a case.
This whole thing is a fucking joke.
One which you agreed to, my friend.
I only agreed to it because I
was promised a quick verdict.
Which I gave you.
Uh, just remember to leave
your moose suit and a check
with Marissa on your way out. Next case.
Fuck the moose suit. Fuck this court.
And fuck you!
Okay? I am, I'm suing your ass.
All right, yes, you've been subpoenaed.
- Hello, Mr. Cord.
- Liz.
I think we should countersue.
I don't want the court's
authority undercut.
Which court?
- Mine.
- Yeah, well, here's the problem.
Mr. Vitar is suing you
for brand disparagement.
Okay.
He uh, he is insisting
that his video game
has taken a hit in the marketplace
and he wants $800,000
and your court closed.
- That's overreach. He won't get it.
- He signed a contract
- to abide by Hal's ruling.
- Yes,
and that's what we will lean on.
But almost any real judge
is not gonna look kindly on
someone playing a judge.
I'm not playing judge. I am a judge.
Mr. Wackner, listen to me.
Your court does not
have the force of law.
You can't imprison anyone.
You can't force someone to pay.
The court we're going to
it does all those things,
and loves doing those things.
All right, now, if they
close your doors,
the police can enforce that.
You could go to jail.
So, please, let me fight
this case for you. All right?
Keep the craziness and the-the fiction
to a minimum, and I can win this.
But they're gonna want
to make you the focus,
and if they do, we lose.
So, please, don't become the focus.
- How do I do that?
- You respect the judge.
You-you wear a suit.
You answer "yes" and
"no" and nothing else.
- I don't own a suit.
- I can get you one.
This is why I started a court.
What do you think?
He doesn't like being told what to do.
He'll just do the opposite.
Yeah, that's what I thought.
Uh, okay, I-I need your help, Marissa.
You're my Wackner whisperer.
Just keep him in line.
If I can, I will.
Thank you. Thank you.
Everyone, please take your seats.
So, today, we have one question.
How do we create more opportunities
for Black lawyers?
I'd like to welcome our panelists,
leaders of the top four
Black Chicago law firms.
Let's hear it for Isaiah Drummond,
founder of Dooley, Rich and Associates.
Jeff Taha, who runs Taha and Brickman.
Danny Rata, who you might
have heard of before,
from Rata, Mooney, and Brock.
And Diane Lockhart.
So, let's talk about opportunities
for Black lawyers.
Diane?
Sorry.
Um
Okay
- How do I stop this sound?
- What sound, sir?
20 times an hour.
What is it and why do I care?
Dawnk. It's our new
intra-company messaging system.
Why?
It's faster than e-mail.
You can have a thread
on specific topics,
share documents and
reach the people you need
- by tagging them.
- What do you mean, tagging?
- Attaching their name.
- Like e-mail?
Why don't I just e-mail or
find them and yell at them?
The associates
they, they prefer this.
Everyone's tired of running
up and down the stairs,
hunting people down.
And some of us don't love having
to deal with people directly.
- Who is "Anonymous Crab"?
- If you don't sign in with your account,
the system assigns you
an anonymous avatar.
Why?
It's meant to foster free communication.
- "How the hell did this"
- happen?
How did Diane end up
at a Black conference
speaking for our firm?
What an embarrassment.
Take a look at this.
Anonymous Crab just posted a video.
How do I play it?
So, how does that work, Diane,
you running a Black firm?
Oh, well, I'm just a co-partner
at, ooh, um, Reddick/Lockhart.
Uh-oh. That's not good for Diane.
But isn't your husband involved
with the white supremacists
who attacked the Capitol?
No. He was completely
cleared of those charges.
But didn't he just take a
job to revitalize the NRA?
I
No. I believe that's an error.
Oh, God, I love technology.
Okay.
How are we doing with the rich rapist?
Sir, he's not a rapist.
How's he doing?
Preliminary hearing next week.
I heard she didn't even have seniority.
She just jumped past
other Black partners
to become our name partner. It's crazy.
Diane doesn't give a shit
about this firm's legacy.
Diane is clueless.
And yet, somehow,
she's the one in charge?
Liz needs to do something about this.
Liz will never do it on her own.
We need to do something ourselves.
Some of us already are doing
something by speaking up.
We just need to keep it going.
I know, look at Black Twitter,
it's exploding.
What is Black Twitter?
What?
What is Black Twitter?
People on Twitter who are
Black and talk to each other.
- How do I get on it?
- Uh, well,
I could tell you, but
then I'd have to kill you.
It's not just Diane. That's bad enough,
but did you hear who
Julius Cain represented?
Oh, I know.
Fucking Trumpite.
Why the hell is he even working here?
I don't have any problem
with him working here.
It's him representing
a white supremacist
like Diane's husband.
What the fuck?
I know. Julius Cain is such a coon.
Devin.
You have a minute?
Mr. Cain, hello. Yes.
What do you need?
Do you know who Anonymous
Platypus is on our,
- uh, new office app?
- Do I? No.
There-there won't be any repercussions.
I, uh, I just want to ask
him a few questions.
The app gives us anonymous animal names
if users don't sign in.
It allows more freedom and less
judgement when making comments.
I understand, but there has
to be one Platypus, right?
No. The computer switches
animals every day.
So, today, I'm Anonymous Chipmunk.
The day before, I was Anonymous Giraffe.
- Is there something wrong?
- No, no, no. No, no. Uh
Just, uh
Oh, my God.
I-I didn't see that.
I'm sorry, Mr. Cain. This is not cool.
Yeah, well, if you see them,
you let them know.
Oh, I'll do more than that.
That should end it, sir.
- It's a sham court, Your Honor.
- Anything that he has to say, this, no
- It pretends to judge matters fairly
- This is a meritless case.
- but the so-called judge
- There was a contract
No, no, no, no, no.
I am not going to shout over you
as my voice is not at
its best this morning.
But what I will do, if this continues,
is hand out my little contempt cards.
The value goes up.
It starts at $500, $1,000
$10,000.
Wow, I really love that.
Sir, let your lawyer speak.
Mr. Schultz, didn't your clients
sign a mediation contract?
He signed this, Your Honor.
I'm not sure I'd call it a contract.
What is that?
It's a contract written on the back
of a Chinese take-out menu.
Your Honor, the contract could
have been chiseled on a rock.
The terms are explicit
and signed by both parties.
Certainly true, Mr. Schultz.
Ridiculous, but true.
Are, are you disputing that
this is your client's signature?
- No, but I
- We move to dismiss.
Mr. Vitar is bound by the terms
of the arbitration agreement
to honor Judge Wackner's decision.
- Judge Wackner?
- Sorry.
No. Mr. Wackner.
Uh-huh. Mr. Wackner, do
you purport to be a judge?
I don't purport to be anything. I am
I judge facts. In that
sense, I'm a judge.
My client was told he had
to address Mr. Wackner
as "Your Honor".
"Your Honor" is a term of endearment.
Like the "Queen of Soul",
or "Captain Crunch"
or "Count Chocula".
- And who are you?
- Uh, I'm Mr
Uh, I'm Judge Mr.
Wackner's law clerk
Uh, okay. Legally, it doesn't matter
how Mr. Wackner was
addressed during arbitration.
The point is that Mr. Vitar himself
gave him decision-making
authority when he signed
On the understanding the man was sane.
Your Honor, Mr. Wackner
is of unsound mind.
Your Honor, he's joking.
Mr. Wackner, if you lose,
your court will be disbanded,
and you will pay $800,000.
You really think this
is the time to joke?
We agree, Your Honor,
and we ask that you dismiss
this case, based on its merits.
Your Honor, at the very minimum,
you should hear evidence
on Mr. Wackner's unsound mind.
I agree. I'll hear the evidence.
It won't take very long.
This was your first time
attempting to resolve a dispute
- through Mr. Wackner, is that correct?
- It is.
Uh, I wouldn't have gone
anywhere near him
- if I knew what a psycho ward he was running
- Objection.
Sustained.
What aspects of Mr. Wackner's
so-called court
- made you feel that way?
- Oh. Where to start?
A scoreboard, um
Quizzing potential jurors
on state capitals?
- Oh, Christ.
- What, if any,
specific instructions were you given
as to appropriate wardrobe?
I was told to wear a moose suit.
I'm sorry. What?
I had to wear a moose suit.
A moose suit. What is a moose suit?
It's a suit that looks like a moose.
It has a straw hat and a basket.
Who told you to wear a moose suit?
Uh, the court officer. He said
it came from Wackner.
Objection, hearsay.
Your Honor, because we're not relying
solely on hearsay,
- we'd like to introduce videos.
- Your Honor,
we submitted the official
court transcripts.
- This is the first we are hearing about videos.
- That's odd.
They were recorded by one
of Ms. Reddick's own clients.
- Who?
- Del Cooper,
for a streaming reality show.
There she is.
Hey.
How we doing?
Okay.
How am I doing?
When were you gonna tell me?
What? That you, uh, didn't like Cajun?
No. The cameras in Wackner's courtroom.
You're doing a reality
show about my client?
Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah.
The People's Court meets Mr. Wizard.
Amazing, right?
But he's my client.
You, you got him through me.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, baby. That
That makes it sound
like I was using you.
I met him in your elevator. That's all.
You need some of this.
N-No. No, no, no. You didn't
You didn't ask me.
Liz
Why would I ask you?
Well, because
Because they're using
it against me in court.
That's unfortunate, baby.
But-but this streaming show
could be really good for Wackner.
It-It'll draw attention to his court.
And as I say that
that-that-that sounds
Okay, look. I'm Sorry.
But look, if you ran into the
President of Lionsgate Films
in my elevator, I would
say go for it, baby.
In fact, use every single
contact in my book.
Why?
Because that's what power couples do.
Okay. I just, I
What?
I just, I don't think
this is a good idea.
Wackner becoming popular?
Why?
He's funny.
He's a disrupter and
disrupters gotta disrupt.
And look, if I hadn't have done it,
someone else would've.
It's that kind of idea.
Okay. I just
I don't think it's gonna end well.
Why not? Hmm?
Comedy has its own logic.
So just
Just breathe.
Grab the wine.
I made you some scrimps.
Come on.
You know, I thought it was pretty sexy
when you were mad at me earlier.
- Oh
- Yeah.
Well, you just keep it up.
I'm gonna be sexy all the time.
Oh, and I'm gonna make
you mad all night.
There must be something
we can do about this.
Talk to the partners.
Ask them how we could
have the white supremacist
running our firm.
They won't do shit.
They can't be happy either.
All they have to do is vote Diane out.
Hello?
Are we getting drunk?
What?
Can I turn that down?
I asked are we getting drunk?
Are we getting a job with the NRA?
Did somebody call?
No.
I was at a conference and someone asked.
The NRA is trying to revitalize itself
after its recent scandals.
Its National Board asked
if I would be interested in a position.
And you said yes?
No, I said I want to hear more.
And did you hear more?
I heard it's a position in Illinois,
it offers $167,000,
and I would be my own boss.
So you're thinking of taking it?
I'm thinking I don't have a job,
and it's worth considering.
The NR-fucking-A?
The ACLU wasn't calling.
Diane
our politics are very different.
I know.
I'm
lately, struck by just
how different they are.
You want to convert me?
No. I would just like one week
when I don't have to defend you.
How are you defending me?
Nothing.
You'll tell me when
they offer you the job?
They may not offer it.
No, they will.
Kurt.
Mm.
Kurt, I need to ask you something.
Are you awake?
I am now.
I need to ask you something.
What?
Who did you vote for in 2020?
No, seriously.
I know you wrote in Ted Cruz in 2016,
but who did you vote for last year?
Diane.
We came through a lot this year.
Can't we just let it rest?
I don't know.
I want to.
Hmm.
Hello.
What do I do?
This is making me crazy.
Can we just can every
Can everyone just turn
off the Dawnk app.
For just for
Please, just a minute.
Okay. Is anybody else receiving
any offensive messages?
The best thing we can do is ignore it.
It becomes a Streisand
effect if we complain.
I didn't complain.
I just want to speak with
whoever's writing the nasty things.
I have to agree with Julius.
If these youngbloods start
thinking they can speak
to their superiors any which way
But what's the option?
We can't censor them.
You know, this wouldn't be an issue,
if not for Diane and her husband.
And I'm sorry to say it, Julius,
but you should never have
agreed to take that case.
It was Diane's case. Hello?
She defended me.
But not that client. Diane
should've known better.
Come on. Diane is not
responsible for her husband.
No. No. That-that's unfair.
Listen, we all live in
the real world, right?
I mean, you are who you associate with.
And in the real world of this firm,
Diane's billable hours
speak for themselves.
The rest of us put in the
hours too, for the record.
And none of us have spouses
on the hook to the FBI.
- The case has been dropped.
- Nice work.
Liz, when I joined this firm,
it was because of your father's legacy.
It was about Black civil
rights, activism, justice.
That's what people
talked about in meetings.
Now, people talk about billable hours,
million-dollar clients,
- corporate payouts. Now, I
- Okay.
I know it's not your fault.
That was Boseman's vision,
and we were trying to
survive the Trump years
by bringing in white lawyers.
But those days are gone.
They're done with.
And I miss being a strong Black firm.
Amen.
Did I miss something
about a partners' meeting?
Uh, no, no. This was impromptu.
Well if I can be of any assistance
Yeah, I'll-I'll-I'll bring
you up to speed later.
- You got to handle this, Liz.
- Handle what?
You cannot have a white
partner leading a Black firm.
We'll lose clients
with that kind of hypocrisy.
Is this the beginning of the end?
I don't want to be in the bathroom
and accidentally miss anything.
What are you talking about?
The meeting in Liz's office.
You're not in it.
Forget it.
I was joking.
Liz Reddick's office.
Hi. Can I get time
with Liz later on today?
Who's calling?
It's Diane.
Here.
Who thought that sound was pleasing?
All day in court today.
- No.
- Yeah.
I finally had to ask Carmen
how to silence the notifications.
All right. There you go.
Permanently silenced.
Can I have a soda water?
Thank you.
Do you think that Dawnk
actually increases productivity?
No.
But I know that the
associates would riot
if we got rid of it. So
What do the partners think?
God, Madeline can't even open it.
She's
She's lost her password three times.
She finally just gave up.
You know, 'cause it's Madeline.
Well
Thanks for sitting down with me, Liz.
Of course.
So, you're wondering
about the meeting today?
- I am.
- Yeah.
Uh, it was about Julius.
He's being harassed on Dawnk.
Okay, and I couldn't be a part of that?
He's being harassed because
he's defending your husband.
Well, that's unfortunate.
We've represented people
far worse than Kurt,
who, by the way, was found innocent.
I'm not saying that he wasn't.
But
January 6.
I mean, we watched the Confederate flag
make its way into the Capitol building.
You know, those people that
Kurt didn't want to
turn over to the FBI,
those people
They don't even want us alive.
Well, not all of them.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. I
certainly not defending those people.
They're all despicable traitors.
And now, that's what people
are saying about Julius.
And me?
Diane, I
- Am I being pushed out?
- No.
Not pushed out.
You're a name partner.
You can't be pushed out.
But ?
The partners just think you
should do the right thing.
And step aside?
No. Stay in the firm.
Stay as an equity partner,
just step back from
your managerial role.
Liz, I I pull in the big clients.
I
I get the billable hours.
But still, "maybe you
should step aside".
Weren't we going to form a firm
led by women?
And I
hope that it will be.
But Black women?
Diane, I
I am not voting against you.
I promised you that I wouldn't.
But there is growing anger here.
They want to address it at
the next partners' meeting.
So just think about it.
You're a good person.
No, I'm not.
Yes, you are.
What do you want to do?
What do I want to do?
I want to keep my name
on the letterhead.
I want to keep what I fought for.
Against gender and
then age discrimination.
I deserve that position.
And I don't want to step aside.
Then don't.
Diane, this is the first time
I've ever heard you sound defeated.
Because I can't win this.
- Sure you can.
- No, I can't.
You just don't want to.
It's bigger than that.
To fight this would go against
every fiber of my being.
Every fiber in your being
is about winning.
If you don't try to win,
then you might as well
give up on everything.
Kurt, I appreciate the pep talk,
but I don't think the way you think.
I cannot put my interests
above a whole group of people
Black people
just so I can keep my position.
No, I'm saying you are talented.
If someone is gonna beat
you, let them beat you,
but with talent.
But a Black person's talent
has always been valued less than mine.
Then you're right.
Give up.
Leave the firm.
They don't want you.
Kurt
You don't think the election
was stolen, do you?
Kurt?
Well?
What do you think?
About your work?
Yeah, shh. He's sleeping.
Yes.
I think you know what I think.
No, I-I don't think I do.
I think you're brilliant.
I think any law firm would
be insane to let you go.
That's not you.
That's you telling me
what I want to hear.
You want to know what I really think?
I do. Tell me.
All my life, I was told to step aside.
I was in law school. I had a baby.
And I was told I should step aside,
so that a man could take my position.
I was told to step aside
when Jimmy Carter appointed
me to the Court of Appeals.
And the same with the Supreme Court.
Here's the thing
Don't step aside because
someone wants you to.
Don't step aside for politics.
Men are always asking
women to step aside
so a man can go first.
Even though I'm being
asked to step aside
so that a Black person
can take my place?
Can you still do something for women?
Yes.
Then then do it.
Don't step aside.
Whatever it takes, don't step aside.
So how's business?
You tell me.
Well, no more lawsuits.
And you had your best year this year.
Yeah, who knew?
Pandemic years are great for fracking.
And being in this firm helps
with Democratic influencers.
Yeah, I see that.
So, Bob, I asked you here today
because the firm is undergoing
a fairly major change.
I'm stepping down as a partner,
so I won't be meeting with you
day-to-day on your cases.
- What?
- Yes.
I'm sorry. Madeline will
be handling your cases.
She's standing right over there.
Wait.
I don't get this. Who is she?
Uh, she's a partner.
She's very good.
I'll-I'll still be handling your cases.
I just won't have daily
contact with you.
But I'm more comfortable with you.
I don't won't to start over
with someone new.
I can make you more
comfortable with Madeline.
But we're comfortable with you.
I can make you comfortable with Julius.
He's a very competent lawyer.
- Are you retiring?
- No.
The firm just wants to let some
other people step forward
into a name partner position.
We don't like this.
All right? We're comfortable with you.
So, who should we call about it?
analysts using
data-driven forecasting tools
David Lee.
Oh. Hey.
What?
No, who told you that?
You're not gonna lose Diane.
She's still your primary.
Okay. Okay.
Let me get into this.
No. No, I'll call you.
Okay, Dean, put it on the board.
One-zero.
Cut the shit!
We object!
Come on ♪
defense!
Today, I'm no longer Judge Wackner.
I'm Judge Shmuley.
Everybody needs to
call me Judge Shmuley.
They like it when you frown ♪
But hate it when you're happy ♪
No time for feeling down ♪
Turnin' up some passion ♪
So when they ask how I feel ♪
Okay. I think I've seen enough.
Everything tight, feeling
good like it should ♪
Put me on the stand.
No. That's
I don't think that's a good idea.
Let her ask me questions.
I'll offer context.
Everything tight ♪
So let's talk about context, Hal.
Actually
you know, why don't we do this?
Your Honor
- Yes.
- Yes.
Uh, instead of me asking the questions,
I'm sure you have questions of your own.
Sir, what possible excuse do you have
for keeping score at trial?
The scoreboard keeps the
lawyers on their toes.
I don't want anyone
to lose simply because
they didn't know where I stood.
And it seems a good idea
that they have a roadmap
to my thinking.
- Keeps me honest.
- Okay, and
what the hell is this
thing about Scmuley?
Oh. You didn't say it correctly.
- It's Shmuley.
- Ah.
Shmuley's Hebrew. It means,
"His Name is God".
It's also the name of my uncle.
He died that day, with
a smile on his face.
And I loved him, and, uh
- I wanted to honor him.
- Okay, nice.
And the moose and the buffalo suits,
what's that about?
- Do you watch The Masked Singer?
- No.
Well, yes. Uh, once.
Well, I like to think of
myself as unbiased,
but I'm not.
I judge based on race,
gender, class, age.
I like to think I don't, but I do.
And when the plaintiff and
defense are in disguises,
I can't.
I can't see who they are.
Why not put them behind a screen?
Well, it's good for the litigants. Um
It's hard to have a sense of entitlement
when you're dressed as a moose.
Okay. I'm ready to rule.
- Your Honor, wait
- No. No.
Mr. Schultz, uh, you have
done an excellent job
conveying what it's like to be a
litigant in Mr. Wackner's court,
but much of what he does
is challenge convention,
and in doing so,
streamlines the process.
And for that, I give him credit.
What is before this court
is whether the parties will
be bound by his rulings.
Given that they agreed to be so bound,
I don't think that the
plaintiff's evidence is
- Your Honor, one quick amendment.
- Quick.
- Your Honor, you, you have already ruled.
- I want to hear.
You determined that
Mr. Wackner is sound,
but that doesn't mean he's unbiased.
He's already testified that
he is a biased mediator.
- Oh, come on.
- He said it himself.
Um
"I like to think of myself
as unbiased, but I'm not".
- That's a direct quote.
- He said he battles
his bias with these costumes.
Yes, but we have other
proof of his bias.
And I would ask the court for
an opportunity to demonstrate.
Again, Your Honor,
you have already ruled.
- Your Honor, wait.
- Wait. Wait. Wait.
I I will withhold judgement
until you can present
more evidence, Counselor.
You're in a tough spot, Judge.
- I would have done the exact same thing.
- Mr. Wackner
I think it would be a good
idea for you to shut up.
Yeah, we brewin' like
Medici, a little freaky ♪
Lemme look, lemme
look I wanna see, see ♪
Take a snap of the
center in a sea breeze ♪
A little ♪
Okay.
Is this the only record
of Trina's dance?
As far as I know, yes.
To your knowledge, she never
wrote it down anywhere?
Objection. Relevance.
What does it matter
- whether she wrote it down or not?
- Copyright law requires
that creative expression be fixed
before it can be licensed.
Yes, but fixed doesn't
mean written down.
It just means recorded.
And she's obviously done that,
because we're all here looking at it.
May I continue?
I don't know.
This is all confusing to me.
Let me try to clarify, Your Honor.
This tape we just watched,
who recorded it?
Did Trina record it?
- Well, no, but her boyfriend did.
- So isn't it true
the person who fixed
the creative expression
is the owner of the copyright?
Objection. Beyond his expertise.
Oh, uh, I'll, I'll grant you that.
And the question doesn't
need to be asked. That's true.
So the owner of the copyright
is not the dancer.
She didn't write her choreography down.
It's the person who held the camera
and recorded the choreography?
Yes, which is why I paid
Russell Chuckwagon $40,000
to insure this copyright.
Who's Russell Chuckwagon?
Tip-top Trina's estranged boyfriend.
So you just ignored the boyfriend?
Of course I ignored the boyfriend.
- Mr. Chuckwagon?
- Yes.
The only reason that video has any value
is because of Trina's dance.
The notion that he deserves
any consideration
just because he happened
to be holding the camera
It-it makes the law an ass.
As you can see, Mr. Wackner has
completely disregarded the law.
Arbitrators are under no
obligation to follow the law
unless the contract stipulates to that,
which it doesn't, in this case.
More-Moreover, Mr. Schultz's
line of argument
relies on laws with disturbing
racial implications.
By requiring that art be
recorded before being owned,
the law systematically
disadvantages Black jazz
and bebop musicians,
as well as break dancers
and flamenco artists
There are a whole slew of gifted,
often non-white people
who specialize in improvisational art.
Do you do you really want to suggest
that whoever's holding
a phone next to them
is the one that owns the
art that they created?
Sit down, Mr. Wackner.
Defense counsel is saying
that she agrees with him?
- That the law is an ass?
- I
In this particular case,
yes, I guess I do.
We need to stop worshipping
at the heels of legal weasels
and corporate pirates.
Do I need to say more, Your Honor?
The defense revels in disregarding
a central tenet of copyright law.
In this case, the court agrees.
The law is an ass.
Hey.
Don't make me regret this.
Mr. Wackner is well
within his rights to ignore
Mr. Chuckwagon's massive
contribution to the arts.
- Ms. Reddick, I'm ready to rule.
- Your Honor,
- we have one more witness.
- Oh, my God,
it's like a zombie.
I think you can step down
now, Mr. Wackner.
We've heard enough
metaphors from you today.
Who is the new witness,
- Mr. Schultz?
- His name is Del Cooper.
Mr. Cooper, you missed
quite a passionate little speech
- by the defendant about corporate pirates.
- I did?
- Objection.
- Sustained.
Mr. Schultz, why don't
you just get to the point?
Gladly.
Who is the financial backer
for Wackner's so-called court?
What do you mean?
Mr. Wackner's court has become
more and more expensive
over the last month.
- Who's footing the bill?
- Objection.
Your Honor, I-I'm not sure
why this is being asked
of a mere TV producer.
I'm asking because
this "mere TV producer"
has inside information
about the court's financing.
Why does this really matter at all?
Because of bias, Your Honor.
I think the answer to my question
will be self-explanatory.
Okay.
Go ahead.
Do you know who is financing this court?
I do.
Who?
David Cord.
David Cord?
David Cord the billion
Yes, the billionaire financier.
That gentleman right there.
Why do you think he's here?
He's financing a video game
company in direct competition.
Uh, uh, objection, Your Honor.
The-the counselor is testifying.
Oh, no, no. Come on. Come
on. Just hold on a minute.
Mr. Schultz, finish your thought.
Mr. Cord invests in Riga,
my client's biggest gaming rival,
while also investing
in Mr. Wackner's court.
A short time later,
Mr. Wackner rules against my client.
Did you not think it was
worth mentioning
that you'd invested in competing
game manufacturers?
I invest in everything.
I've got 10% of this, 20% of that.
Actually, I had no idea I was invested
in a video game company.
Then I propose we seize the moment.
- What does that mean?
- We march back in there,
- and I bowl them over with the truth.
- Oh, my God.
History's been made by
great rhetorical flourishes.
Well, not really.
"We shall fight them on the beaches".
"We few, we happy few"
Mr. Cord, their next move is going to be
to subpoena your financial records.
They're gonna want to
put you on the stand.
I don't think you want
to go down that road.
- You're right.
- All right.
Now, let's let's ask
for a continuance.
All right? We'll be unopposed
from the other side.
They they're in no hurry
to force this issue.
A continuance till when?
Well, the judge has a busy calendar.
So, I don't know, about ten months.
Holy fucking hell. That's the problem.
No one's in a hurry. We
delay and delay and delay.
One day, we look back on our lives,
wonder where the fuck they went.
- People die while we wait.
- Hal.
This allows you to keep your court open.
It gives you the whole year
to work out the kinks
- and get it on TV.
- What does it matter
if people do not have to
follow my judgements?
I say six million
and they just go whining
to Big Boy court.
It's appeal, appeal, appeal.
It never fucking ends.
- Oh, God.
-
Do you know what this is about?
No idea.
What the fuck is going on?
Could you be a bit more specific?
My bosses in Dubai,
they don't think in terms
of millions or even billions.
They think in terms of
trillions of dollars.
They look at their computer's
algorithms and only react
when it blinks red.
And you two, you're blinking red.
- Why?
- Four of your top clients have called with issues.
What issues?
The teamsters, they're being
shifted to another partner.
Bob the fracking king,
he's being shifted, too.
Who told them about a reorganization?
Diane.
- Thoughts?
- Nothing from me.
I met with my clients.
I just told them of a restructuring
that I was being told about.
What restructuring?
Wait. Wait, David. Stop.
Is this a power play on your part?
No. It's just updating my clients.
David, Diane was told about frustration
at the partner level about a white woman
being a name partner in a Black firm.
And apparently, this is her response.
I just told our clients
what was going on.
Stop.
Both of you.
Diane's a fucking name partner
until STR Laurie says she's not.
No one decides until I decide.
Now, stick your race
war back in its bottle.
Diane.
That was a mistake.
I am on your side, and
you don't even realize it.
You see what they're writing about me?
Yes.
I want to start my own firm.
And I want you to be
the other name partner.
Who is it?
Who is it?
Who the hell are you?
Don't worry who we are.
- Worry who you are.
- What does that mean?
I have people
No!
Your Honor, I would like to
offer my profound apology
for my behavior in this court.
Baring my buttocks was an
unforgivable act of disrespect,
one that I will regret
to the end of my days.
I-I have here a letter of, uh, apology
and a check made out for a lot
to Tip-top Trina for the
amount that she is owed,
according to your wise decision.
I don't know what to say.
I am touched. Truly.
May I ask, what happened to your leg?
Tennis accident.
Thank you.
Ah
Sorry.
Look who's here.
Look each other in the eye and say,
"I respect and love you".
I respect and love you.
I Oh, for fuck's sake.
I respect and love you.
Good.
Justice.
It's different for me
than it was for you.
What do you mean?
When you fought, you fought
against white males,
the dominant culture.
But for me, I would be up against
another dominated culture.
Black lawyers.
So what do I do?
I don't know.
If you knew that Obama
was going to nominate a
Black justice to replace you,
would you have stepped aside?
No.
Why not?
Well, I know what I can do,
but I-I don't know what
my replacement would do
if he got nominated. I
What you know is always better
than what might happen.
Mm.
What about Kurt?
What-what about him?
We don't agree about anything.
Well, I didn't agree
on anything with Scalia,
but I-I liked him.
Yeah. Why did you like him?
The opera?
No.
What, then?
He made me laugh.
That's it?
Yeah.
You certainly didn't
agree about abortion.
Oh. We-we violently
disagreed on abortion,
and school prayer.
He was a nightmare on everything.
He was a nightmare on diversity.
But ?
Well, it's He was funny.
He made me laugh and
so, we
We had dinner together.
And you just wouldn't talk
about the political stuff?
Well, he teased me
and I teased him.
You know, life is too short
to fight over everything.
And, you're, you're,
you're right about opera.
Opera is good.
Food is good.
And his pasta
was amazing.
His spaghetti carbonara.
Oh, my lord.
You can't hate a man like that.
My husband is going to work for the NRA.
You ever read Scalia's 2000 dissent
on Stenberg v. Carhart?
Working for the NRA
is child's play.
You know, you like who you like.
I don't like bland people.
And a lot of the people
who agree with me politically are bland.
Thank you.
Did you have a nightmare?
No, a dream.
About?
You and me.
What was it?
Me
close to you,
holding you like this.
Do you want me to not take the NRA job?
No. I want you to take it and be happy.
And then I'll sue you.