The Good Fight (2017) s05e08 Episode Script
And the Detente Had an End...
Robert Frost says
fences make good neighbors.
But, in this case,
we have to ask,
do neighbors make good fences?
My Uncle Irving happened to have
a fence and sign business.
I shudder to think
what he would have thought
- of this chain-link monstrosity.
- Come on, come on. Up.
- Up, up, up, up, up.
- Okay.
Who's playing?
Oh, hey. Nobody.
That's the focus group.
- It's your guy, Wackner.
- Mm.
- Mm.
- Must not be going well
if you're calling him my guy.
Why aren't you there in person?
It is in Vegas.
You know, where the real Americans live.
Turn!
What do all those X's mean?
Those X's are all the people that said
they would, uh, change the channel.
Ouch.
That's a lot of X's.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's a lot of X's.
But it's just the first cut.
Now the Q&A begins.
So, pretty fun stuff.
Uh, so on a scale from one to five,
how would you rate your level of
excitement for Wackner Rules?
Use your dials.
Oh.
A-Am I to guess
that-that low numbers are bad?
Mm.
Yeah.
Yeah. Let's see here.
"Ask them
what would make them
rate the show higher."
So what exactly
didn't you like about the show?
Very impressive.
You know, that's just me running
the universe from my laptop.
Mm-hmm.
- Yeah.
- The cases are stupid.
A fight over a barking dog?
Shoes that don't fit?
Looks like a lot of you are agreeing.
- What would you rather see?
- Something that matters.
- Something like burglary or
- Yeah.
robbery or something.
Yes, the wisdom of the crowd.
Give them blood and violence every time.
Mm.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
- Di
- Was I not paying you enough attention?
Oh. No, you weren't,
- as a matter of fact.
- Oh, well, I'm going to now.
All right. Here's the deal.
They loved some things and not others.
Why do I care?
- How many people in a focus group?
- 12.
- Six men, six women.
- And I'm supposed to change what I do
based on 12 people?
Uh, your first case is up, Your Honor.
Wait. So what does this focus group
- want me to do?
- No, no, no.
Just ignore it. Just
psh-psh. You just do you and ignore
- everything they say.
- And what do they say?
That they find the court engaging
and, uh, the costumes.
And, uh, you.
They think you're smart, funny
I sense a "but" coming.
They think that the cases are, uh
- silly.
- Well, what do they want us to do?
A murder case?
No, no, no, that's never gonna happen.
Right?
I mean
There are
better cases.
Yeah?
Such as?
I don't know.
Like a robbery?
Oh. Okay.
I'll leave you two
to find some bank robbers.
I got to get back to work.
Hey. Hey, hey.
Look,
at some point,
we have to start taking
this thing seriously, okay?
His court needs this show.
Look at Trump. He wasn't shit
until The Apprentice.
Well, what do you want him to do?
Better cases.
More drama.
- Okay?
- Yeah. Okay.
Shit.
I want everybody to breathe.
Breathe in. Everybody together.
Come on, let out some stress.
Come on, counselor, you're not
breathing. That's gas.
Let's go. Five seconds inhale.
One, two, three, four,
- five, exhale.
- Hey.
Thanks for agreeing to see me, Mr. Cord.
Do you mind if we, um, talk outside?
Okay, now, opening arguments.
One at a time.
As you can see, STR Laurie forced us
to lay off 20% of our associates.
I intend to hire them back
for my new firm.
Aren't they the B-team?
No. They are all capable lawyers.
The real key here, sir,
is that a new minority-owned law firm
will be open
to no-bid government contracts
- for the next eight years.
- Mm.
Reddick & Lockhart, no longer eligible.
Mm. Julius
I'm a rich man, and I'm standing
in an alley outside a Copy Coop,
in the middle of nowhere.
- Why am I doing that?
- Uh,
- because you think it's the future?
- Right.
And it has the potential to win.
My career has been about siding
with, uh, successful disrupters.
Financing the insane geniuses.
This
disrupts nothing.
I'm a Black conservative.
This will be a Black law firm
that shares your values.
Black law firm with
very little chance of success.
I'm sorry. Julius,
look at your client list.
I I don't see this as a winner.
What about Diane Lockhart?
Do you think
she has a winning client list?
Is Diane Lockhart leaving with you?
She has
Expressed interest.
Okay.
You come on back to me
with Diane and we'll talk.
Diane, please.
It's Julius.
Oh, hey! Hey, hey, hey!
Wait, I'm-I'm leaving. I'm leaving.
Sorry, sir. I already wrote you up.
W There's no meter here.
You're in a purple zone.
A pur
There's no such thing as a purple zone.
Court staff parking.
What court
- are you talking about?
- Judge Wackner's.
Oh.
Okay.
Got it.
- It's a joke.
- No, sir.
But don't worry
It's just a $40 ticket.
Lady, you can't just walk around,
making up your own tickets.
This is a public thoroughfare.
You shouldn't have done that, sir.
Ma'am, you can't just make up
your own laws
and paint the curb
any color that you want.
The City of Chicago
controls public parking.
Unfortunately, sir,
I just witnessed you disposing
and vandalizing a parking ticket,
which will result in a $350 fine
- on top of the $40
- And you're trying
to confuse other people into
paying tickets by impersonating
a parking enforcement official,
which is illegal.
Here you go, sir.
Thank you.
Sir, I just witnessed you vandalizing
a vandalization ticket,
and that will result
in even a third fine.
Judgment for the defense.
Please, face each other,
look at each other and say,
"I love and respect you."
- I love and respect you.
- I love and respect you.
Beautiful. Everybody in the courtroom
give me a hee-haw.
Hee-haw!
So maybe
this reality show was a mistake.
Find out what I got to do
- to get out of it.
- No.
But this is what I will do.
I'll find out
how they're portraying you.
Because you want this to happen.
Why do I want this to happen?
Because you have fewer cases
this week than the week before
and fewer than the week before that.
This court goes away unless
more people know you're here.
Okay.
So, what are you gonna do?
Okay, I'm gonna exercise
this part of your contract.
"Meaningful consultation on cuts."
I got that?
You got that.
Time to exercise it.
Go kick some ass.
Do you have a minute?
David Cord is getting behind us.
Behind?
Our new firm.
Julius,
there is no new firm.
I haven't said I'm interested yet.
You're on the outs here, Diane.
David Lee is insisting that I stay.
Look at that.
- You know what they're doing right now?
- No.
They're threatening to resign
unless you are replaced
as name partner.
At a certain point, it won't
matter what David Lee says.
Your days are numbered here, Diane.
Okay, let me think about it.
You need to act. Now.
No. I need to think about it.
Ah, Mr. Cord.
Can you hear me?
Yeah, yeah. It-It's good news.
Uh, Diane and I would like to meet.
Can you hear me?
Uh
I'll call back.
Did I
Uh
Hello? Hello?
Uh, someone stole my car.
Hi, Mr. Cain.
You say someone stole your car?
Yes. Yeah, my-my space is gone.
I mean, my car is gone.
Are you sure you didn't park it
in the wrong space?
It happens a lot.
Yeah, but not to me!
Did you try clicking the key?
Yeah, I tried. I
You have to listen for the chirp.
I listened for the chirp.
See?
You probably mis-parked it.
Oh! Oh, no! No, no! Hey!
Oh-ho, hey!
That's my ca that's my car!
Hey! Hello! Dude, can you stop him?!
He's That's my car! Hey!
Come back!
That guy just towed my car.
Oh.
That was your car?
Yes, that was my car!
You need to pay your tickets.
What?
Sir? Sir? Sir.
- Yes?
- There was trash all around my car.
How was I supposed to know
there was a hydrant
Hi.
My car was towed,
and, uh, the receipt said
it was towed here.
Can I see your ticket?
Uh, I-I don't have the ticket, ma'am.
There-there was no ticket,
but here's the towing receipt.
I actually need the ticket
so I can see you paid it.
There was no way to pay it, ma'am.
It-it wasn't, uh, an official ticket.
I can't release the vehicle, sir.
You'll have to get Parking Enforcement
to reissue the ticket.
Th-There was no Parking Enforcement.
Look. You see this?
The seal? Hmm?
I-It says "Wackner's City of Chicago".
That's not a real seal.
Okay, let me check for you.
Thank you.
You got one of those, too?
Yeah.
You did, too?
Parking in a purple zone.
Wha Oh, my God.
This is insane.
Th-There is no such thing.
How do they get away with towing us?
They don't. They can't.
- They just did it.
- I'm sorry, sir.
You'll have to get
a reissue of the ticket
from Parking Enforcement.
Wh This is nuts.
What are you gonna do?
I'm gonna go back there.
I'm gonna fight this.
They can't get away with this.
- I'll go, too.
- Good.
We'll put up a united front.
Damn right. This is a scam.
Excuse me.
Where are the aces?
Oh, wow. Magic.
Where are the aces?
Here, here, here and here.
No.
Oh, my God. How did you do that?
So what is it you need, David?
You're happy with what
we're doing for you, right?
What your firm is doing?
Yes.
- I am.
- Good.
Then bring all your business to us.
West Coast, East Coast, Europe.
You'd be surprised how much synergy
between your legal strategies
can streamline your financial issues.
No.
Why not?
- Aren't you happy with us?
- Sure.
- Things are going well.
- Then let us memorialize
a fuller representation
of your business.
David, you're losing one
of your name partners.
Scuse me?
You're losing Diane Lockhart.
I won't go to a firm
that's breaking apart.
We're not
I don't know where you heard
that, but it's not true.
Where did you hear that?
Where's the queen?
Liz,
we need to talk.
- I'm in a meeting.
- That's right.
With me. Now.
Diane, upstairs.
In ten minutes.
No.
In three weeks,
the board of STR Laurie
is coming from London and Dubai
to meet the partners and staff.
They want to observe and be impressed
by a well-oiled machine.
That's what I promised them.
Okay.
But that's not what I'm seeing.
We're making it work, David.
No, you're not.
Are you leaving the firm?
Excuse me?
I was told you're leaving the firm.
By whom?
- David Cord.
- What the hell?
What's going on, Diane?
I was asked to join another firm.
What firm?
I can't say.
But you're considering it.
I was told that the equity partners
are threatening to resign
unless I resign.
So, yes, I'm
I'm considering any offer that I'm
that I'm given.
No one is threatening to resign
without my permission.
And if you were to poach
even one of our clients,
you wouldn't survive the lawsuit.
David, don't threaten me.
I'm not poaching any clients.
Although they'd certainly be free
- to make whatever decision they want.
- And we're supposed
to believe
that you wouldn't poach clients
after the stunt you pulled
with the teamsters?
Okay.
Diane, what are your issues?
I'm a name partner being squeezed out
of the decision-making process.
And why is that, Diane?
Because of my race.
Because no one respects your decision
to stay in your position.
- It is not yours by right.
- I fought
as hard as anyone here
to keep this firm solvent.
And I didn't inherit this firm.
- I was invited in, and I earned
- And for that you are paid
- a yearly bonus. You don't own
- I was invited to the firm,
and I earned my name
- partnership because
- the-the respect of the associates.
You have to earn it.
of the powerful clients
- that I brought in.
- Okay! That's it! Stop.
Both of you,
go to my desk.
What?
I said go to my desk,
both of you.
Are you gonna spank us?
Stand on both sides of my desk.
Now.
Is this some sort of trust exercise?
Yes.
Grab both ends.
On three, pick it up
and carry it the fuck down
into your office, Liz.
Because if you don't solve
your differences
in the next 24 hours,
I'm coming to live and work with you.
And you don't want me down there
solving your problems for you.
Do you understand?
If you're going to leave, there's
nothing to talk about.
Liz.
I don't want to leave this firm.
And you don't want me to leave.
So why don't we hire a partner
to replace Boseman?
I'll think about it.
Okay, what do we got?
Parking violations, Your Honor.
Uh, no, no, no, no, no.
Our cars were stolen
by you and this court.
- We did nothing wrong.
- They were in staff parking?
Yes. And he tore up his ticket.
And then he tore up the ticket
- for vandalizing the ticket.
- Sir.
I'm a lawyer.
If you don't give us our cars back,
our next call will be to the police,
for your illegal seizure.
- A class 2 felony.
- What if I give you a chance
to say "I'm sorry"
and then I forgive your tickets?
We have nothing to apologize for, sir.
- We've done nothing wrong.
- Yes!
- I'm sorry.
- Uh, me, too,
- Your Honor.
- Apologies accepted.
- Rita, give 'em their stickers.
- Mm.
But you don't want to apologize,
is that right, sir?
Uh, because you stole my car? No. No.
I-I want to go to the police.
And then I want an apology
- from you.
- Okay. Good.
Next case.
You're making a big mistake.
No. All you have to do is apologize
and you get your car back.
I don't think I'm the one
making the mistake here.
This is bullshit!
Maybe. Next case.
-Your Honor,
-Yeah.
I have a few other
smaller parking matters.
We want to add more
purple spaces up the street.
Oh, good. We
need more reserved staff parking.
Thank you, Rita.
Have a good day.
Okay, come on up, sir.
Takes hard work to get funny.
Maybe you know that.
But you haven't done anything
for the women you hurt.
You haven't made amends.
You don't even seem remorseful.
When I was in the IDF, I learned a lot.
A lot about life.
But also a lot about people
and how to talk to them.
Okay. What's his issue?
It's not his issue. It's mine.
Okay, uh, what's your issue?
Your re-edit. It's all about me.
What are you talking about?
You re-edited the pilot
to be all about me.
No, we didn't. Loo
Max, step outside for a moment.
What are you doing, man?
This is supposed to be Wackner's court,
- not the court clerk.
- You told me to make it better.
Yeah, man. Better in the same genre,
not a love letter to your crush.
She's the best thing about the show.
She's the smartest person in that room.
She fights for what she believes in.
She looks great on camera.
That-That's my objective opinion
as an editor.
- You need help.
- You told me to make it better.
It needed passion, direction.
Now it has it.
She makes Wackner ten times better
than he has any right to be.
Okay, bottom line:
You make Wackner the star
or you are fired.
Okay?
Okay. We are on it.
We, uh,
overadjusted, but
now we're back on track.
This is stupid.
What am I doing?
What are you looking for?
A good lawyer. Someone Black.
Partner material.
Someone who's friendly with me
but not so friendly
that Liz rejects him.
Or her.
Prosecutor or defense?
It doesn't matter.
Either one.
I was always defense,
but Liz came
from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
So, prosecutor?
Mm. But someone who wants to work here.
And it-it needs to be a name.
Go for a woman.
Romney's binders of women.
We were too hard on him, weren't we?
Yes, we were.
God, the latest partisan fight
always takes precedent.
But not with you.
You were friends with Scalia forever.
Yes.
I liked him.
So is that who I want,
someone I disagree with on most things
but
whom I like?
That's something
that only you would know.
But I need someone who Liz
will think that I don't want,
so then she will want her.
You know who I'm thinking of?
I do. Because that's why
I thought of you.
She was your law clerk, wasn't she?
Yes, for five years.
- Allegra Durado.
- Allegra Durado.
How do you know her?
Emily's List.
I saw her at events. I knew her
well enough to say hello.
- Ah.
- What is she doing now?
I don't know.
She left me to write a book.
Some enormous tome on truth.
Is she still mentally acute?
I heard she had a meltdown.
Oh, really? I
I believe that's hearsay
promulgated by her ex-husband.
He has since been committed.
Why don't you call her?
Mm.
God, I miss you.
I'm not gone.
Hi.
I was here earlier
about my court being towed.
- Your court?
- Sorry.
My car.
Here's the receipt.
Oh, yeah.
Gimme a sec.
Mr. Cain?
- Yes?
- I'm Officer Harp,
and this is Ardor. Based on observing
the stolen parking fee
receipt booklet in your hand,
we got probable cause under the
Fourth Amendment to determine
- that a crime was committed.
- Wait, wait, wait.
- You got to be kidding.
- We're taking you into custody now.
- You're coming with us.
- This is insane.
- Wait. Hey, hey, hey.
- No, sir. Please just put
- your hands behind your back.
- No, no, no, no. It's a fake court.
They took my car.
- None of it is real!
- As real
- as Officer McFinley's death?
- What-what
- what did you just say?
- Put your hands
- behind your back, sir.
- She just said "Officer McFinley".
- Is that what this is about?
- This is
about you stealing $2,000 worth
of court merchandise.
Just enough to make it a class 3 felony.
That's right.
Diane Lockhart.
Hey. Allegra.
Wow.
This is like stepping into your mind.
No. My mind is more
Okay, this could be
a short conversation.
I didn't know you were at a law firm.
Oh. No, I'm not. They just
let me use their empty offices.
Or the first regime did.
I don't know if this current
regime even knows I'm here.
Why short?
- Excuse me?
- You said "short conversation".
H-Hold on.
- Is this all for your book?
- I think so.
Um, I'm not sure.
It's still finding itself.
Sometimes it's a book
about Civil War justice.
Other times, it's a book
about the nature and history
- of truth.
- Ooh.
Well that's ambitious.
So, this is, uh,
going to be an odd start,
but Ruth Ginsburg
has been appearing to me.
And she mentioned your name.
Really?
Yes. Really.
Well, you're right.
It's an odd way to start.
Messy!
M-Messy?
When I said, "No, my mind is more"
- "Messy".
- Oh. Right.
I hated leaving that unresolved.
So wh-why did Ruth mention me?
Well, I'm a partner at Reddick/Lockhart.
We're looking for a third partner,
someone with legendary status,
like yourself.
I haven't worked at a firm in years.
Work at a firm? You started a firm.
Well, I haven't run a firm in years.
Well, then come and work with us.
It just feels a little too safe,
like we're pulling our punches.
Well, it's the cases that he picks.
I mean, it's three people
with parking tickets.
Suing the potato chip company.
Remember that moment
when Wackner yelled at me?
Yeah.
I wanted to go punch him.
I was like, "Don't make Marissa cry."
I didn't cry.
I-I can edit it
so you are crying, if you want.
Are you questioning my integrity?
In another century,
they would burn people
who can do what you do.
You're funnier in person.
I'm a lot of things in person.
I know.
Let's see the footage.
How much time do you have?
They need it streamed
to Vegas in an hour.
Are you questioning my integrity?
- I'm asking if you prejudged
- No!
You will answer my question
before you ask me yours.
Been told not to use it.
Really? I like it. It's drama.
You will answer my question
- before you ask me y
- If you've already d
Mr. Cain, good to have you back.
Okay. If I stole something
And I'm not admitting that I did
Why am I here in this court?
This fake court.
If it was a real charge,
I should be taken to Grand and Central.
Danny Trumpet for the defense,
Your Honor.
We ask for immediate release
on his own recognizance.
Danny, you're still wearing
your devil horns.
Oh. Apologies, Your Honor.
I was, uh, Devil's Advocate
in the last case.
- What the hell's going on?
- Let me argue for you, sir.
A lawyer is a fool for his own client.
That's not even how that goes!
Your Honor, this is why the prosecution
requests denial of bail.
- Mr. Cord?
- Julius Cain has a prior
bribery charge, so we believe
- that he is a flight risk.
- Okay,
I want to get taken
to Grand and Central right now.
Your Honor, Mr. Cain was pardoned
for that bribery charge,
and it was stricken from his record.
Only due to a payoff
to the Trump administration.
What? No!
No, I never paid anyone off!
Let me argue for you, please!
Your Honor, this is an outrage.
An outrage. Look at this man.
He has done nothing wrong.
The stolen ticket book
was found on his person.
Which is the whole point of a trial!
But let me tell you a story
about this man.
A man who grew up poor and alone.
- Son of a janitor.
- What are you talking about?
His only friends
The comic books
he kept always by his side.
Phil, This Is Us-likemusic.
And that's how he got into the law.
He would create stories
with the characters
from the comic books.
What would happen with the Human Torch
if he was accused of assault?
And that brings us to today.
Julius Cain has too much respect
for the law
to commit these crimes.
How could the defender
of the Human Torch
do what these officers say he done?
And how could he be imprisoned
for a mere parking ticket?
No. Your Honor, if he had paid
the parking ticket,
that would be one thing.
But he kept destroying property.
He kept expressing his disdain
for this court.
And then he stole this court's property.
- Then prove it at trial.
- No, I'll do better. Ask him,
Your Honor. Could you stop
with that, please?
Your Honor, if Julius
is released on his own recognizance,
will he return to this court
for his trial date?
That is an unfair question.
Why is that unfair?
That's the whole point
of a trial hearing.
Julius has too much respect
for the rule of law
to deign to even answer such a question.
It's a worthy question.
Mr. Cain,
if I release you,
will you return for your trial?
Say yes. Say yes, say yes, say yes.
Uh Your Honor
Sir
these officers brought me
here today in retaliation
for the death of an officer
who was murdered
after we sued the city.
This-this court is being used!
And you are being used!
You're not planning
on returning for trial, are you?
Uh-uh. That's not what he said.
Are you, sir?
Uh, are you fuckin' nuts?!
This is a joke!
This isn't a court!
This-this is a police attack
on our firm!
On me!
Bail denied. Arrestee
will be remanded until trial.
W-W-W-Wait, wait!
Isn't the whole point of this
court to have a speedy trial?
Yes, sir.
All right then. I want a speedy trial.
I'm ready to go right now.
Uh, but I'm not
I don't need you.
I'm ready to go.
Prosecution's ready.
Can you control yourself?
No! Goddamn it.
You will answer my question
before you ask me yours.
If you've already decided how
this case will end, Your Honor,
if we're here to give Del
the ending that he wants
for his TV show, then yes,
I am questioning your integrity.
You pack up your things
and you get the fuck out of here.
The women who have trusted this court
deserve representation.
Hello. Ms. Durado?
Yes. Ms. Reddick?
Yes. Is that a comic book?
- It is?
- Huh.
- Do you enjoy comic books?
- No.
There's a maze on the back.
I was doing the maze.
Oh.
- Do you want to come back?
- Yes.
Thanks for seeing me.
I know this is weird, but
I'm trying to drag my brain out
of the book I'm writing
- and get back to some practical law.
- Ah.
So I'm meeting with some top partners,
and someone suggested you.
Well, I am honored.
What are you looking for?
A position, I guess.
This is nice.
Great corner.
- Northwestern sun.
- Yeah.
Is that Willis Tower?
Uh, no. No, it's over there.
- Oh.
- Have a seat.
So, I guess I'm looking to run a firm.
What are your suggestions?
Did Diane Lockhart reach out to you?
She did.
She suggested you come in here
and talk about a position
so that I would offer you
the partnership here
and think it was my idea?
Yes.
Diane thinks that you will side with her
in partnership decisions instead of me?
That's right.
And what if I hire you?
Will you do that?
No.
Why?
I'm not a political person.
When people convince me,
I side with them.
That's why I clerked
for Scalia and Ginsburg.
Will you tell Diane
about this conversation?
Only if she asks.
Oh.
Well, damn. Look at you.
Aw, thank you.
How'd Max do?
Uh good. I think.
The cut is out.
What's going on here?
What are the cops doing?
Bringing the drama.
Lots of it, too.
What drama?
Parking ticket turned felony 3 theft.
You're kidding. That sounds cool.
Oh, my God.
Julius, what are you doing?
Questioning my life and sanity.
- Are you the felony 3?
- Ma'am, we need you to step back.
Fuck you. I'm the court clerk.
You step back.
Call the office.
Tell 'em I have to cancel
my afternoon appointments.
Maybe for the next three years
if I'm jailed
- in your Candy Landprison.
- Oh, my God.
What are you doing
prosecuting Julius Cain?
What am I doing? My job.
But he's from our firm.
- So?
- So it's bullshit! Let him go!
No. You're the one who accused me
of bending justice
to give Del that happy ending
- he was looking for.
- This is different.
- How?
- Because he's-he's
from your law firm.
More the reason
not to bend the rules for him.
Oh, my God! When did you become
some person you've become?
Diane, I need you to come down
to Wackner's court right now.
Julius is being prosecuted.
For what?
Ah. The cavalry has arrived.
What's going on?
I'm about to be sent to prison
for parking in a purple zone.
- What does that mean?
- If I explained it to you,
it wouldn't make any more sense.
You seeing the?
Oh, yes.
It's payback.
Should we call the police?
The real ones?
Those are the real ones.
What about the S.A.'s office?
They're not our friends.
I can't imagine that they're
happy about make-believe court.
Yeah, well, if it fucks with us,
then they might be.
Good news.
We just did another Vegas test
with the new edit.
- Can't wait.
- Look.
That is where you blew up.
- When did I blow up?
- Don't get upset.
And, look, I didn't approve of this,
but our editor dropped in the explosion
where Marissa accused you
of using the court
to further my personal interest.
- What?
- They want you to explode.
They want to see you-you care
about something.
They want to see cases that matter.
Look, I'll be honest with you.
We haven't had 95% on anything.
Not on any reality show.
Okay? But that's what you have.
Hal, you're a hit. They love you.
I just want my court to keep going.
Okay. You keep doing this,
you keep doing cases just like this
and we'll keep your court going.
Julius Cain,
you have been charged
with misusing parking privileges
and with stealing court property.
Of course, that means nothing to you,
because you do not respect this court,
something I take personally.
Especially coming from a former
judge convicted of bribery.
Mr. Wackner
No.
You and your colleagues think
you get to decide when and how
justice is determined.
You think it is your right
to make and break the rules
as you see fit.
Mr. Wackner,
- you're being unfair.
- You do not
own the law, Mr. Cain.
The law does not belong to you
or your law firm.
The law belongs to the people.
- Damn right!
- That's right.
USA!
USA! USA!
USA! USA!
Thank you.
How odd to be back in the saddle.
I can't wait to get to know you.
And us you.
- Your reputation precedes you.
- Mm-hmm.
I hope that's a good thing.
- Look who's relieved.
- Yeah.
- Anyway,
- I'll be needing
- a lot of help from you all.
- It's taken the heat off her.
- Mm-hmm.
- And from
Not sure what I was going to say there.
But it doesn't matter. I'm here
and I'm rarin' to go.
Hello.
Hello, Mr. Wackner.
Oh, that sounds cold.
Am I gonna be scolded?
No.
What's that?
- How did I earn that?
- You didn't.
It's what's left of your retainer.
- We're returning it.
- I hardly need
pro bono representation at this point.
We are withdrawing
from representing you.
We feel we have, uh,
irreconcilable differences.
There are a lot of lawyers in Chicago.
Here's a list of two dozen
who are excellent
and would be willing to represent you.
No, no, no.
Yes, yes, yes.
I trust you.
You've been paid.
You've received privileged information.
We're bound by attorney-client
privilege no matter what,
and we will pass your files on
to any of these lawyers.
No.
But thank you.
You prosecuted one of our
lawyers over a parking ticket.
Your lawyer was released today
with time served.
Compassionate release.
It doesn't matter. We are
withdrawing our representation.
You have no choice in the matter.
Yes, I do.
I've been studying the law.
I get to choose my attorney.
I choose you.
Lawyers are allowed to withdraw.
No.
And, anyway, you've been
actively seeking David Cord's
full representation.
What'll he think when you guys
try to drop me? I like you guys.
I don't want to lose you.
Or Marissa.
No hard feelings about today.
It happens.
Thank you.
Oh, by the way,
they picked up my pilot.
Congratulations.
Fuck.
Ooh!
fences make good neighbors.
But, in this case,
we have to ask,
do neighbors make good fences?
My Uncle Irving happened to have
a fence and sign business.
I shudder to think
what he would have thought
- of this chain-link monstrosity.
- Come on, come on. Up.
- Up, up, up, up, up.
- Okay.
Who's playing?
Oh, hey. Nobody.
That's the focus group.
- It's your guy, Wackner.
- Mm.
- Mm.
- Must not be going well
if you're calling him my guy.
Why aren't you there in person?
It is in Vegas.
You know, where the real Americans live.
Turn!
What do all those X's mean?
Those X's are all the people that said
they would, uh, change the channel.
Ouch.
That's a lot of X's.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's a lot of X's.
But it's just the first cut.
Now the Q&A begins.
So, pretty fun stuff.
Uh, so on a scale from one to five,
how would you rate your level of
excitement for Wackner Rules?
Use your dials.
Oh.
A-Am I to guess
that-that low numbers are bad?
Mm.
Yeah.
Yeah. Let's see here.
"Ask them
what would make them
rate the show higher."
So what exactly
didn't you like about the show?
Very impressive.
You know, that's just me running
the universe from my laptop.
Mm-hmm.
- Yeah.
- The cases are stupid.
A fight over a barking dog?
Shoes that don't fit?
Looks like a lot of you are agreeing.
- What would you rather see?
- Something that matters.
- Something like burglary or
- Yeah.
robbery or something.
Yes, the wisdom of the crowd.
Give them blood and violence every time.
Mm.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
- Di
- Was I not paying you enough attention?
Oh. No, you weren't,
- as a matter of fact.
- Oh, well, I'm going to now.
All right. Here's the deal.
They loved some things and not others.
Why do I care?
- How many people in a focus group?
- 12.
- Six men, six women.
- And I'm supposed to change what I do
based on 12 people?
Uh, your first case is up, Your Honor.
Wait. So what does this focus group
- want me to do?
- No, no, no.
Just ignore it. Just
psh-psh. You just do you and ignore
- everything they say.
- And what do they say?
That they find the court engaging
and, uh, the costumes.
And, uh, you.
They think you're smart, funny
I sense a "but" coming.
They think that the cases are, uh
- silly.
- Well, what do they want us to do?
A murder case?
No, no, no, that's never gonna happen.
Right?
I mean
There are
better cases.
Yeah?
Such as?
I don't know.
Like a robbery?
Oh. Okay.
I'll leave you two
to find some bank robbers.
I got to get back to work.
Hey. Hey, hey.
Look,
at some point,
we have to start taking
this thing seriously, okay?
His court needs this show.
Look at Trump. He wasn't shit
until The Apprentice.
Well, what do you want him to do?
Better cases.
More drama.
- Okay?
- Yeah. Okay.
Shit.
I want everybody to breathe.
Breathe in. Everybody together.
Come on, let out some stress.
Come on, counselor, you're not
breathing. That's gas.
Let's go. Five seconds inhale.
One, two, three, four,
- five, exhale.
- Hey.
Thanks for agreeing to see me, Mr. Cord.
Do you mind if we, um, talk outside?
Okay, now, opening arguments.
One at a time.
As you can see, STR Laurie forced us
to lay off 20% of our associates.
I intend to hire them back
for my new firm.
Aren't they the B-team?
No. They are all capable lawyers.
The real key here, sir,
is that a new minority-owned law firm
will be open
to no-bid government contracts
- for the next eight years.
- Mm.
Reddick & Lockhart, no longer eligible.
Mm. Julius
I'm a rich man, and I'm standing
in an alley outside a Copy Coop,
in the middle of nowhere.
- Why am I doing that?
- Uh,
- because you think it's the future?
- Right.
And it has the potential to win.
My career has been about siding
with, uh, successful disrupters.
Financing the insane geniuses.
This
disrupts nothing.
I'm a Black conservative.
This will be a Black law firm
that shares your values.
Black law firm with
very little chance of success.
I'm sorry. Julius,
look at your client list.
I I don't see this as a winner.
What about Diane Lockhart?
Do you think
she has a winning client list?
Is Diane Lockhart leaving with you?
She has
Expressed interest.
Okay.
You come on back to me
with Diane and we'll talk.
Diane, please.
It's Julius.
Oh, hey! Hey, hey, hey!
Wait, I'm-I'm leaving. I'm leaving.
Sorry, sir. I already wrote you up.
W There's no meter here.
You're in a purple zone.
A pur
There's no such thing as a purple zone.
Court staff parking.
What court
- are you talking about?
- Judge Wackner's.
Oh.
Okay.
Got it.
- It's a joke.
- No, sir.
But don't worry
It's just a $40 ticket.
Lady, you can't just walk around,
making up your own tickets.
This is a public thoroughfare.
You shouldn't have done that, sir.
Ma'am, you can't just make up
your own laws
and paint the curb
any color that you want.
The City of Chicago
controls public parking.
Unfortunately, sir,
I just witnessed you disposing
and vandalizing a parking ticket,
which will result in a $350 fine
- on top of the $40
- And you're trying
to confuse other people into
paying tickets by impersonating
a parking enforcement official,
which is illegal.
Here you go, sir.
Thank you.
Sir, I just witnessed you vandalizing
a vandalization ticket,
and that will result
in even a third fine.
Judgment for the defense.
Please, face each other,
look at each other and say,
"I love and respect you."
- I love and respect you.
- I love and respect you.
Beautiful. Everybody in the courtroom
give me a hee-haw.
Hee-haw!
So maybe
this reality show was a mistake.
Find out what I got to do
- to get out of it.
- No.
But this is what I will do.
I'll find out
how they're portraying you.
Because you want this to happen.
Why do I want this to happen?
Because you have fewer cases
this week than the week before
and fewer than the week before that.
This court goes away unless
more people know you're here.
Okay.
So, what are you gonna do?
Okay, I'm gonna exercise
this part of your contract.
"Meaningful consultation on cuts."
I got that?
You got that.
Time to exercise it.
Go kick some ass.
Do you have a minute?
David Cord is getting behind us.
Behind?
Our new firm.
Julius,
there is no new firm.
I haven't said I'm interested yet.
You're on the outs here, Diane.
David Lee is insisting that I stay.
Look at that.
- You know what they're doing right now?
- No.
They're threatening to resign
unless you are replaced
as name partner.
At a certain point, it won't
matter what David Lee says.
Your days are numbered here, Diane.
Okay, let me think about it.
You need to act. Now.
No. I need to think about it.
Ah, Mr. Cord.
Can you hear me?
Yeah, yeah. It-It's good news.
Uh, Diane and I would like to meet.
Can you hear me?
Uh
I'll call back.
Did I
Uh
Hello? Hello?
Uh, someone stole my car.
Hi, Mr. Cain.
You say someone stole your car?
Yes. Yeah, my-my space is gone.
I mean, my car is gone.
Are you sure you didn't park it
in the wrong space?
It happens a lot.
Yeah, but not to me!
Did you try clicking the key?
Yeah, I tried. I
You have to listen for the chirp.
I listened for the chirp.
See?
You probably mis-parked it.
Oh! Oh, no! No, no! Hey!
Oh-ho, hey!
That's my ca that's my car!
Hey! Hello! Dude, can you stop him?!
He's That's my car! Hey!
Come back!
That guy just towed my car.
Oh.
That was your car?
Yes, that was my car!
You need to pay your tickets.
What?
Sir? Sir? Sir.
- Yes?
- There was trash all around my car.
How was I supposed to know
there was a hydrant
Hi.
My car was towed,
and, uh, the receipt said
it was towed here.
Can I see your ticket?
Uh, I-I don't have the ticket, ma'am.
There-there was no ticket,
but here's the towing receipt.
I actually need the ticket
so I can see you paid it.
There was no way to pay it, ma'am.
It-it wasn't, uh, an official ticket.
I can't release the vehicle, sir.
You'll have to get Parking Enforcement
to reissue the ticket.
Th-There was no Parking Enforcement.
Look. You see this?
The seal? Hmm?
I-It says "Wackner's City of Chicago".
That's not a real seal.
Okay, let me check for you.
Thank you.
You got one of those, too?
Yeah.
You did, too?
Parking in a purple zone.
Wha Oh, my God.
This is insane.
Th-There is no such thing.
How do they get away with towing us?
They don't. They can't.
- They just did it.
- I'm sorry, sir.
You'll have to get
a reissue of the ticket
from Parking Enforcement.
Wh This is nuts.
What are you gonna do?
I'm gonna go back there.
I'm gonna fight this.
They can't get away with this.
- I'll go, too.
- Good.
We'll put up a united front.
Damn right. This is a scam.
Excuse me.
Where are the aces?
Oh, wow. Magic.
Where are the aces?
Here, here, here and here.
No.
Oh, my God. How did you do that?
So what is it you need, David?
You're happy with what
we're doing for you, right?
What your firm is doing?
Yes.
- I am.
- Good.
Then bring all your business to us.
West Coast, East Coast, Europe.
You'd be surprised how much synergy
between your legal strategies
can streamline your financial issues.
No.
Why not?
- Aren't you happy with us?
- Sure.
- Things are going well.
- Then let us memorialize
a fuller representation
of your business.
David, you're losing one
of your name partners.
Scuse me?
You're losing Diane Lockhart.
I won't go to a firm
that's breaking apart.
We're not
I don't know where you heard
that, but it's not true.
Where did you hear that?
Where's the queen?
Liz,
we need to talk.
- I'm in a meeting.
- That's right.
With me. Now.
Diane, upstairs.
In ten minutes.
No.
In three weeks,
the board of STR Laurie
is coming from London and Dubai
to meet the partners and staff.
They want to observe and be impressed
by a well-oiled machine.
That's what I promised them.
Okay.
But that's not what I'm seeing.
We're making it work, David.
No, you're not.
Are you leaving the firm?
Excuse me?
I was told you're leaving the firm.
By whom?
- David Cord.
- What the hell?
What's going on, Diane?
I was asked to join another firm.
What firm?
I can't say.
But you're considering it.
I was told that the equity partners
are threatening to resign
unless I resign.
So, yes, I'm
I'm considering any offer that I'm
that I'm given.
No one is threatening to resign
without my permission.
And if you were to poach
even one of our clients,
you wouldn't survive the lawsuit.
David, don't threaten me.
I'm not poaching any clients.
Although they'd certainly be free
- to make whatever decision they want.
- And we're supposed
to believe
that you wouldn't poach clients
after the stunt you pulled
with the teamsters?
Okay.
Diane, what are your issues?
I'm a name partner being squeezed out
of the decision-making process.
And why is that, Diane?
Because of my race.
Because no one respects your decision
to stay in your position.
- It is not yours by right.
- I fought
as hard as anyone here
to keep this firm solvent.
And I didn't inherit this firm.
- I was invited in, and I earned
- And for that you are paid
- a yearly bonus. You don't own
- I was invited to the firm,
and I earned my name
- partnership because
- the-the respect of the associates.
You have to earn it.
of the powerful clients
- that I brought in.
- Okay! That's it! Stop.
Both of you,
go to my desk.
What?
I said go to my desk,
both of you.
Are you gonna spank us?
Stand on both sides of my desk.
Now.
Is this some sort of trust exercise?
Yes.
Grab both ends.
On three, pick it up
and carry it the fuck down
into your office, Liz.
Because if you don't solve
your differences
in the next 24 hours,
I'm coming to live and work with you.
And you don't want me down there
solving your problems for you.
Do you understand?
If you're going to leave, there's
nothing to talk about.
Liz.
I don't want to leave this firm.
And you don't want me to leave.
So why don't we hire a partner
to replace Boseman?
I'll think about it.
Okay, what do we got?
Parking violations, Your Honor.
Uh, no, no, no, no, no.
Our cars were stolen
by you and this court.
- We did nothing wrong.
- They were in staff parking?
Yes. And he tore up his ticket.
And then he tore up the ticket
- for vandalizing the ticket.
- Sir.
I'm a lawyer.
If you don't give us our cars back,
our next call will be to the police,
for your illegal seizure.
- A class 2 felony.
- What if I give you a chance
to say "I'm sorry"
and then I forgive your tickets?
We have nothing to apologize for, sir.
- We've done nothing wrong.
- Yes!
- I'm sorry.
- Uh, me, too,
- Your Honor.
- Apologies accepted.
- Rita, give 'em their stickers.
- Mm.
But you don't want to apologize,
is that right, sir?
Uh, because you stole my car? No. No.
I-I want to go to the police.
And then I want an apology
- from you.
- Okay. Good.
Next case.
You're making a big mistake.
No. All you have to do is apologize
and you get your car back.
I don't think I'm the one
making the mistake here.
This is bullshit!
Maybe. Next case.
-Your Honor,
-Yeah.
I have a few other
smaller parking matters.
We want to add more
purple spaces up the street.
Oh, good. We
need more reserved staff parking.
Thank you, Rita.
Have a good day.
Okay, come on up, sir.
Takes hard work to get funny.
Maybe you know that.
But you haven't done anything
for the women you hurt.
You haven't made amends.
You don't even seem remorseful.
When I was in the IDF, I learned a lot.
A lot about life.
But also a lot about people
and how to talk to them.
Okay. What's his issue?
It's not his issue. It's mine.
Okay, uh, what's your issue?
Your re-edit. It's all about me.
What are you talking about?
You re-edited the pilot
to be all about me.
No, we didn't. Loo
Max, step outside for a moment.
What are you doing, man?
This is supposed to be Wackner's court,
- not the court clerk.
- You told me to make it better.
Yeah, man. Better in the same genre,
not a love letter to your crush.
She's the best thing about the show.
She's the smartest person in that room.
She fights for what she believes in.
She looks great on camera.
That-That's my objective opinion
as an editor.
- You need help.
- You told me to make it better.
It needed passion, direction.
Now it has it.
She makes Wackner ten times better
than he has any right to be.
Okay, bottom line:
You make Wackner the star
or you are fired.
Okay?
Okay. We are on it.
We, uh,
overadjusted, but
now we're back on track.
This is stupid.
What am I doing?
What are you looking for?
A good lawyer. Someone Black.
Partner material.
Someone who's friendly with me
but not so friendly
that Liz rejects him.
Or her.
Prosecutor or defense?
It doesn't matter.
Either one.
I was always defense,
but Liz came
from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
So, prosecutor?
Mm. But someone who wants to work here.
And it-it needs to be a name.
Go for a woman.
Romney's binders of women.
We were too hard on him, weren't we?
Yes, we were.
God, the latest partisan fight
always takes precedent.
But not with you.
You were friends with Scalia forever.
Yes.
I liked him.
So is that who I want,
someone I disagree with on most things
but
whom I like?
That's something
that only you would know.
But I need someone who Liz
will think that I don't want,
so then she will want her.
You know who I'm thinking of?
I do. Because that's why
I thought of you.
She was your law clerk, wasn't she?
Yes, for five years.
- Allegra Durado.
- Allegra Durado.
How do you know her?
Emily's List.
I saw her at events. I knew her
well enough to say hello.
- Ah.
- What is she doing now?
I don't know.
She left me to write a book.
Some enormous tome on truth.
Is she still mentally acute?
I heard she had a meltdown.
Oh, really? I
I believe that's hearsay
promulgated by her ex-husband.
He has since been committed.
Why don't you call her?
Mm.
God, I miss you.
I'm not gone.
Hi.
I was here earlier
about my court being towed.
- Your court?
- Sorry.
My car.
Here's the receipt.
Oh, yeah.
Gimme a sec.
Mr. Cain?
- Yes?
- I'm Officer Harp,
and this is Ardor. Based on observing
the stolen parking fee
receipt booklet in your hand,
we got probable cause under the
Fourth Amendment to determine
- that a crime was committed.
- Wait, wait, wait.
- You got to be kidding.
- We're taking you into custody now.
- You're coming with us.
- This is insane.
- Wait. Hey, hey, hey.
- No, sir. Please just put
- your hands behind your back.
- No, no, no, no. It's a fake court.
They took my car.
- None of it is real!
- As real
- as Officer McFinley's death?
- What-what
- what did you just say?
- Put your hands
- behind your back, sir.
- She just said "Officer McFinley".
- Is that what this is about?
- This is
about you stealing $2,000 worth
of court merchandise.
Just enough to make it a class 3 felony.
That's right.
Diane Lockhart.
Hey. Allegra.
Wow.
This is like stepping into your mind.
No. My mind is more
Okay, this could be
a short conversation.
I didn't know you were at a law firm.
Oh. No, I'm not. They just
let me use their empty offices.
Or the first regime did.
I don't know if this current
regime even knows I'm here.
Why short?
- Excuse me?
- You said "short conversation".
H-Hold on.
- Is this all for your book?
- I think so.
Um, I'm not sure.
It's still finding itself.
Sometimes it's a book
about Civil War justice.
Other times, it's a book
about the nature and history
- of truth.
- Ooh.
Well that's ambitious.
So, this is, uh,
going to be an odd start,
but Ruth Ginsburg
has been appearing to me.
And she mentioned your name.
Really?
Yes. Really.
Well, you're right.
It's an odd way to start.
Messy!
M-Messy?
When I said, "No, my mind is more"
- "Messy".
- Oh. Right.
I hated leaving that unresolved.
So wh-why did Ruth mention me?
Well, I'm a partner at Reddick/Lockhart.
We're looking for a third partner,
someone with legendary status,
like yourself.
I haven't worked at a firm in years.
Work at a firm? You started a firm.
Well, I haven't run a firm in years.
Well, then come and work with us.
It just feels a little too safe,
like we're pulling our punches.
Well, it's the cases that he picks.
I mean, it's three people
with parking tickets.
Suing the potato chip company.
Remember that moment
when Wackner yelled at me?
Yeah.
I wanted to go punch him.
I was like, "Don't make Marissa cry."
I didn't cry.
I-I can edit it
so you are crying, if you want.
Are you questioning my integrity?
In another century,
they would burn people
who can do what you do.
You're funnier in person.
I'm a lot of things in person.
I know.
Let's see the footage.
How much time do you have?
They need it streamed
to Vegas in an hour.
Are you questioning my integrity?
- I'm asking if you prejudged
- No!
You will answer my question
before you ask me yours.
Been told not to use it.
Really? I like it. It's drama.
You will answer my question
- before you ask me y
- If you've already d
Mr. Cain, good to have you back.
Okay. If I stole something
And I'm not admitting that I did
Why am I here in this court?
This fake court.
If it was a real charge,
I should be taken to Grand and Central.
Danny Trumpet for the defense,
Your Honor.
We ask for immediate release
on his own recognizance.
Danny, you're still wearing
your devil horns.
Oh. Apologies, Your Honor.
I was, uh, Devil's Advocate
in the last case.
- What the hell's going on?
- Let me argue for you, sir.
A lawyer is a fool for his own client.
That's not even how that goes!
Your Honor, this is why the prosecution
requests denial of bail.
- Mr. Cord?
- Julius Cain has a prior
bribery charge, so we believe
- that he is a flight risk.
- Okay,
I want to get taken
to Grand and Central right now.
Your Honor, Mr. Cain was pardoned
for that bribery charge,
and it was stricken from his record.
Only due to a payoff
to the Trump administration.
What? No!
No, I never paid anyone off!
Let me argue for you, please!
Your Honor, this is an outrage.
An outrage. Look at this man.
He has done nothing wrong.
The stolen ticket book
was found on his person.
Which is the whole point of a trial!
But let me tell you a story
about this man.
A man who grew up poor and alone.
- Son of a janitor.
- What are you talking about?
His only friends
The comic books
he kept always by his side.
Phil, This Is Us-likemusic.
And that's how he got into the law.
He would create stories
with the characters
from the comic books.
What would happen with the Human Torch
if he was accused of assault?
And that brings us to today.
Julius Cain has too much respect
for the law
to commit these crimes.
How could the defender
of the Human Torch
do what these officers say he done?
And how could he be imprisoned
for a mere parking ticket?
No. Your Honor, if he had paid
the parking ticket,
that would be one thing.
But he kept destroying property.
He kept expressing his disdain
for this court.
And then he stole this court's property.
- Then prove it at trial.
- No, I'll do better. Ask him,
Your Honor. Could you stop
with that, please?
Your Honor, if Julius
is released on his own recognizance,
will he return to this court
for his trial date?
That is an unfair question.
Why is that unfair?
That's the whole point
of a trial hearing.
Julius has too much respect
for the rule of law
to deign to even answer such a question.
It's a worthy question.
Mr. Cain,
if I release you,
will you return for your trial?
Say yes. Say yes, say yes, say yes.
Uh Your Honor
Sir
these officers brought me
here today in retaliation
for the death of an officer
who was murdered
after we sued the city.
This-this court is being used!
And you are being used!
You're not planning
on returning for trial, are you?
Uh-uh. That's not what he said.
Are you, sir?
Uh, are you fuckin' nuts?!
This is a joke!
This isn't a court!
This-this is a police attack
on our firm!
On me!
Bail denied. Arrestee
will be remanded until trial.
W-W-W-Wait, wait!
Isn't the whole point of this
court to have a speedy trial?
Yes, sir.
All right then. I want a speedy trial.
I'm ready to go right now.
Uh, but I'm not
I don't need you.
I'm ready to go.
Prosecution's ready.
Can you control yourself?
No! Goddamn it.
You will answer my question
before you ask me yours.
If you've already decided how
this case will end, Your Honor,
if we're here to give Del
the ending that he wants
for his TV show, then yes,
I am questioning your integrity.
You pack up your things
and you get the fuck out of here.
The women who have trusted this court
deserve representation.
Hello. Ms. Durado?
Yes. Ms. Reddick?
Yes. Is that a comic book?
- It is?
- Huh.
- Do you enjoy comic books?
- No.
There's a maze on the back.
I was doing the maze.
Oh.
- Do you want to come back?
- Yes.
Thanks for seeing me.
I know this is weird, but
I'm trying to drag my brain out
of the book I'm writing
- and get back to some practical law.
- Ah.
So I'm meeting with some top partners,
and someone suggested you.
Well, I am honored.
What are you looking for?
A position, I guess.
This is nice.
Great corner.
- Northwestern sun.
- Yeah.
Is that Willis Tower?
Uh, no. No, it's over there.
- Oh.
- Have a seat.
So, I guess I'm looking to run a firm.
What are your suggestions?
Did Diane Lockhart reach out to you?
She did.
She suggested you come in here
and talk about a position
so that I would offer you
the partnership here
and think it was my idea?
Yes.
Diane thinks that you will side with her
in partnership decisions instead of me?
That's right.
And what if I hire you?
Will you do that?
No.
Why?
I'm not a political person.
When people convince me,
I side with them.
That's why I clerked
for Scalia and Ginsburg.
Will you tell Diane
about this conversation?
Only if she asks.
Oh.
Well, damn. Look at you.
Aw, thank you.
How'd Max do?
Uh good. I think.
The cut is out.
What's going on here?
What are the cops doing?
Bringing the drama.
Lots of it, too.
What drama?
Parking ticket turned felony 3 theft.
You're kidding. That sounds cool.
Oh, my God.
Julius, what are you doing?
Questioning my life and sanity.
- Are you the felony 3?
- Ma'am, we need you to step back.
Fuck you. I'm the court clerk.
You step back.
Call the office.
Tell 'em I have to cancel
my afternoon appointments.
Maybe for the next three years
if I'm jailed
- in your Candy Landprison.
- Oh, my God.
What are you doing
prosecuting Julius Cain?
What am I doing? My job.
But he's from our firm.
- So?
- So it's bullshit! Let him go!
No. You're the one who accused me
of bending justice
to give Del that happy ending
- he was looking for.
- This is different.
- How?
- Because he's-he's
from your law firm.
More the reason
not to bend the rules for him.
Oh, my God! When did you become
some person you've become?
Diane, I need you to come down
to Wackner's court right now.
Julius is being prosecuted.
For what?
Ah. The cavalry has arrived.
What's going on?
I'm about to be sent to prison
for parking in a purple zone.
- What does that mean?
- If I explained it to you,
it wouldn't make any more sense.
You seeing the?
Oh, yes.
It's payback.
Should we call the police?
The real ones?
Those are the real ones.
What about the S.A.'s office?
They're not our friends.
I can't imagine that they're
happy about make-believe court.
Yeah, well, if it fucks with us,
then they might be.
Good news.
We just did another Vegas test
with the new edit.
- Can't wait.
- Look.
That is where you blew up.
- When did I blow up?
- Don't get upset.
And, look, I didn't approve of this,
but our editor dropped in the explosion
where Marissa accused you
of using the court
to further my personal interest.
- What?
- They want you to explode.
They want to see you-you care
about something.
They want to see cases that matter.
Look, I'll be honest with you.
We haven't had 95% on anything.
Not on any reality show.
Okay? But that's what you have.
Hal, you're a hit. They love you.
I just want my court to keep going.
Okay. You keep doing this,
you keep doing cases just like this
and we'll keep your court going.
Julius Cain,
you have been charged
with misusing parking privileges
and with stealing court property.
Of course, that means nothing to you,
because you do not respect this court,
something I take personally.
Especially coming from a former
judge convicted of bribery.
Mr. Wackner
No.
You and your colleagues think
you get to decide when and how
justice is determined.
You think it is your right
to make and break the rules
as you see fit.
Mr. Wackner,
- you're being unfair.
- You do not
own the law, Mr. Cain.
The law does not belong to you
or your law firm.
The law belongs to the people.
- Damn right!
- That's right.
USA!
USA! USA!
USA! USA!
Thank you.
How odd to be back in the saddle.
I can't wait to get to know you.
And us you.
- Your reputation precedes you.
- Mm-hmm.
I hope that's a good thing.
- Look who's relieved.
- Yeah.
- Anyway,
- I'll be needing
- a lot of help from you all.
- It's taken the heat off her.
- Mm-hmm.
- And from
Not sure what I was going to say there.
But it doesn't matter. I'm here
and I'm rarin' to go.
Hello.
Hello, Mr. Wackner.
Oh, that sounds cold.
Am I gonna be scolded?
No.
What's that?
- How did I earn that?
- You didn't.
It's what's left of your retainer.
- We're returning it.
- I hardly need
pro bono representation at this point.
We are withdrawing
from representing you.
We feel we have, uh,
irreconcilable differences.
There are a lot of lawyers in Chicago.
Here's a list of two dozen
who are excellent
and would be willing to represent you.
No, no, no.
Yes, yes, yes.
I trust you.
You've been paid.
You've received privileged information.
We're bound by attorney-client
privilege no matter what,
and we will pass your files on
to any of these lawyers.
No.
But thank you.
You prosecuted one of our
lawyers over a parking ticket.
Your lawyer was released today
with time served.
Compassionate release.
It doesn't matter. We are
withdrawing our representation.
You have no choice in the matter.
Yes, I do.
I've been studying the law.
I get to choose my attorney.
I choose you.
Lawyers are allowed to withdraw.
No.
And, anyway, you've been
actively seeking David Cord's
full representation.
What'll he think when you guys
try to drop me? I like you guys.
I don't want to lose you.
Or Marissa.
No hard feelings about today.
It happens.
Thank you.
Oh, by the way,
they picked up my pilot.
Congratulations.
Fuck.
Ooh!