Bull (2016) s06e05 Episode Script
King Bull
Previously on Bull
You said maybe we're
different people now, but
I'm not,
and I can't keep lying
to myself that I am.
It stops now.
We have a bum juror in the box.
I need everybody to stay focused.
And what I don't need is somebody going behind my back.
I've been in front of you the whole time.
There's been a development in the Smokestack class action.
One of the jurors said that he'd been bribed.
Dr.
Jason Bull, you're under arrest for the crime of jury tampering.
Take a video! I got this.
20 Minute Oil & Lube CEO Lee Donaldson was seen skinny-dipping Have you seen enough? Maybe I should keep it running.
We can all watch together when my father gets arrested.
His erratic behavior is bringing us bad publicity and negatively impacting our revenue.
Tell them, Ruby.
Our dad's also made unorthodox business decisions, like converting all our available assets into cryptocurrency and giving half-off oil changes on our busiest days.
20 Minute Oil & Lube used to be worth 200 million.
Now we're down to 150 and trending south.
I, for one, will not wait for the bottom to fall out completely.
Gemma, as your husband and concerned member of the board, I second your concerns.
Thank you, Don.
My father is not of sound mind.
And his contract requires he be in order to remain in his position.
Let's vote.
Should we wait for Kira? Kira knew about the meeting.
She must have something more important to do than saving the family business.
Show of hands if you support utilizing the termination clause to remove our father as CEO.
Okay.
Thank you very much.
Ah, the joys of slow-moving bureaucracy.
Got me a night with a cellmate who clearly thinks that cleanliness is not next to godliness.
No offense, but listening to you gripe is not part of my bucket list.
Fair enough.
I'm Dr.
Jason Bull.
You say your name like it gets you free drinks.
Well, probably not as many as yours.
Because, if I'm not mistaken, you are the oil change guy, Lee Donaldson, right? That's me.
Well, if you don't mind my asking, Lee, what are you doing in federal court? I danced naked in that fountain in City Hall Park.
I did not see that coming, Lee.
Whenever I'm having a bad day, I get myself to that fountain.
Turns my mood right around.
Why that fountain? I used to take my daughters there to pitch pennies, make wishes.
Taught them the wrong lesson, though, throwing away money like that.
I didn't realize skinny-dipping was a federal crime.
No, see, afterwards, I I took a joyride in a postal truck.
Ah.
Making some deliveries.
You know, sometimes in life, you start to question your priorities.
So it's time for a course correction.
Yeah, I used to be an oil change guy.
Now I'm a life change guy.
- Hmm.
- Chunk Palmer.
Kira Donaldson, what Hi.
We all miss you down at Legal Aid.
Oh, I promise I'll be back soon.
I passed the bar.
I'm a full-fledged lawyer now.
Well, well done.
You, uh you here to bail out a client? Yeah.
My dad.
He got in a little bit of trouble last night.
What about you? Um, my boss same.
Uh, wait a second.
Your dad's the "we'll keep you fluid" guy? Yep.
That tagline has haunted me my whole life.
Wow.
Well, it paid my way through law school, though, so - What'd he do? - It's kind of a short story that's more like a novel.
Maybe you'd let me run that by you later today? Today? That sounds serious.
Well, I can handle my dad's petty misdemeanors, but there are bigger battles to fight.
Tell you what come by TAC.
- Yeah.
- See if I can help you out.
In the meantime, I have to try to keep my boss out of prison.
I took the liberty of talking to the AUSA.
The government says that they have proof that the juror that claims that you bribed him received $50,000 from an offshore account.
Uh, the government believes that they can trace that back to you.
I've already got Taylor working on it to prove that that didn't happen.
Should be easy, 'cause it didn't.
And also, th-they they say that you were seen outside of the juror's home.
Now, now, we know that that's a bunch of crap.
I was outside his house.
What? You remember that night.
Things weren't looking so good.
So I went by Randall Hughes' house to see if there was anything I could find that might turn him around.
I even thought about going through his garbage.
Oh, okay.
You know what? We'll deal with that later.
For now, why don't we just get you home.
No, I got to get back to TAC.
I got some work to do.
Bull, you just spent the night in lockup.
You should find a shower.
It's that bad? It's bad enough.
The prisoner has been released.
I couldn't find anyone to take Astrid, or else I would've gone with Chunk.
Oh, yes, well, I know it's not every wife's dream to pick up their husband from jail.
Do I need to worry? I didn't do it.
That's not what I asked.
I know I've had my share of bad luck lately, but the good news is this is the kind of bad news I'm in the business of dealing with.
I know, I know, but And I'm very good at my business.
To answer your question, no, you have nothing to worry about.
I really wish you would reconsider.
I just think this is all a big misunderstanding.
Okay.
Just let me know if you change your mind.
I just talked to Danny.
She feels terrible she can't be here for Bull, but things are still touch and go with her mom.
Oh, God, the good news keeps on coming.
I just hung up with the fifth client today who was concerned about TAC's reputation.
News is traveling fast about Bull's arrest, huh? Yeah.
We just have to weather the storm until he's proven innocent.
What if he isn't innocent? Taylor, that's ridiculous.
You're telling me it hasn't occurred to you that he might have done it? No.
How could you even think that? You of all people know the crushing financial pressure he was under to bring home a victory in that case.
Sometimes good people make bad choices when they're in a tight spot.
Yeah, he was under a lot of pressure, but he would never bribe a juror.
That is not who he is.
I'm not saying that's who he is.
I'm saying that's who we all could be.
Not Bull.
Never.
Sorry, I forgot.
Bull's perfect.
Hey, I don't think he is perfect.
Uh, he and I just went toe-to-toe in a big way.
I am painfully aware of his flaws.
I just don't think that bribing a juror is one of them.
I hope you're right.
I do.
My older half sisters, Gemma and Ruby, have been trying for months to oust my dad from his business, and this morning, they succeeded.
By declaring him non compos mentis.
He's not mentally unfit, Chunk.
Last night's events notwithstanding? I don't know what that was, but from a business perspective, he's still as sharp as ever.
Well, unfortunately, your sisters don't share that assessment.
My dad was a different man when he was younger.
Gemma and Ruby resent him for their childhood.
Resent me, too.
I got a softer, kinder father.
And your sisters are expressing that resentment by taking his company? I'm sure my dad was never anticipating something like this happening, but his contract does require he can only be terminated for cause.
And if he's found to be incompetent, then they get their cause and his company.
It'll kill him.
20 Minute Lube is everything to him.
Kira, if we take this to court, it could get ugly.
Have you guys thought about mediation? They won't even consider it.
Oh.
So will you help him win his wrongful termination suit? Oh, there's one more thing.
Look, I understand that everybody has a lot of questions Heck, I have a lot of questions But the bottom line is I did not do it.
We'll have plenty of time to talk about this later.
Right now, we should focus on the clients we do have, starting with the client you brought in, Chunk.
What do we know? Actually, Bull she would prefer that you sit this out.
Sit this one out? She's concerned that your legal troubles could create some liability in her dad's case, and frankly, I agree.
- But this is my company.
- And if you don't want it to go under, you should consider taking a sabbatical.
Look, just until your name is cleared.
Taylor, you agree? I agree.
Mm.
Look, Bull, we got this.
We'll catch you on the next one.
Fine.
Well, it'll give me time to concentrate on my defense.
Hey.
The AUSA is supposed to be sending over the first round of discovery for your case later this afternoon.
You want to want to come back, we'll go over it? Won't be necessary.
I'll go over it with my attorney.
Your attorney? As soon as I find one.
Is this because I asked you to step aside for the Donaldson case? Was that you? I thought it was the client.
Yeah.
No, no, she did, but Well, it doesn't matter.
Chunk, you were the attorney on the class-action case where the bribe that didn't happen happened.
Yeah, I thought about that, but I think we can easily sidestep any legal conflicts.
I'm going with someone else.
I guess Bull doesn't think I'm a good enough attorney - to represent him.
- That's not what he's saying.
No, his words: "I'm going with someone else.
" Translation: someone better.
Chunk, I do not pretend to know Bull's mind.
Look, and for what it's worth, I don't think he made the right call here.
Yeah, well, I appreciate that.
But all you can do now is work your case.
And win.
Success is the best revenge, right? Well, I like my chances with you riding shotgun in the courtroom.
You got it.
What's our strategy? We have to explain away Lee's unpredictable behavior.
Okay, what if we frame it like this? Lee is not incompetent.
He is an iconoclast.
His unpredictable behavior is due to his genius.
- That's generous.
- What about Thomas Edison? Edison believed there were little people as tiny as atoms living inside your brain recording your memories.
- Really? - Really.
We have to get the jury to ask, what is the line between being crazy and being a visionary? I can work with that.
So, Lee, the first thing that we're gonna need you to do is to take an independent medical evaluation.
What's that? It's a psych evaluation, Dad.
I scheduled it for later this afternoon.
I'm not doing brain calisthenics to prove that I'm right in the head.
Well, the other side is claiming that you're not right in the head, and to knock that down, we're going to need to bring in the psychiatrist as a witness.
So we really need that IME.
Look, I can fix a carburetor blindfolded, for Pete's sake.
That's all the IME you should need.
- Daddy - Hand me the float bowl screws.
Huh? All my girls, they know their way around cars.
Gemma and Ruby, they used to come here every day after school when all I had was this little shop.
Soon, I had ten.
Then a hundred.
Building a business is like building an engine.
You got to roll up your sleeves and get in with both hands.
And all the unorthodox business decisions you've made recently? The other side is claiming that those are decisions made by a man whose mind is slipping.
Now, how do you defend that, sir? I would say this.
Success is about risk, and I'm a man who risks.
Finish that.
Is this your new war room? Well, apparently, I am not welcome in my office, so for now, yep.
Hmm.
So, what are you doing, exactly? I need to find a great lawyer.
And your definition of "great" is? A winner.
And this is a list of people I've worked with before, people I've won cases with before.
You mean people you've helped win cases? Yeah.
And? Well, it just makes me wonder, were they great, or were you great? If I were you, I would look for someone who beat me.
I see your point.
It's a good one.
But this is kind of my wheelhouse, so excuse me.
Well, Porter, it's great to see you.
I hear you've been notching up victories like belt holes.
I give everything for my clients, just like you.
If it's all right with you, Donna, I'd like to get right down to it.
You know I don't like to waste time with small talk.
Oh.
I remember we won that bicycle case.
Ah.
Seven-minute deliberation's still a record for me.
Oh, yeah.
Me, too.
Do you need to get that? No, no, it's just Actually, it is so good you called me.
I have a client He's a former NHL guy.
- Oh, Donna.
- He's got this on-the-ice persona of being a real tough guy, but it's just the hockey.
We need people to not be swayed - by this rough and tough - Donna.
Well? Tell me what you're thinking.
I'd like to hear your thoughts on possible strategies.
Where I like to begin is to get a sense of what you imagine to be the best strategy.
What I? Answer me this one question, and then we'll get back to you.
I scratch your back, you scratch mine.
It isn't an itch.
It's my life.
And right now, it's a full-blown case of shingles.
Bull, you're not just any client, and yes, I find clients are good guides.
I remember the bicycle case.
- You think there's a correlation? - I do.
I remember how that case was won.
Thanks for coming.
- Wait, that's it? - Yeah.
Okay, thank you, Porter.
No.
Wait, wh-what's happening here? You're remembering how we won a case, and now you're letting me go.
Well, more specifically, I'm remembering how I-I won that case.
And I'm, uh, grateful that you came by.
Good to see you.
Give my best to Victoria.
Veronica.
In voir dire, first impressions matter.
How they see you now will affect how they see you for the rest of the trial.
So you're saying I should keep my clothes on? Yes, that would be a good idea.
Oh, look at you two.
How beautiful you are.
How about a hug for the old man, huh? Hmm? I'm sorry it's come to this, Dad.
Oh, it's okay.
I'm going to win.
We'll get past this.
I know this lawsuit was your idea.
Because you stole his company.
You could've let him go gracefully.
This isn't gonna be pretty, Kira.
We have five solid jurors, but we need a leader in the jury room, a free thinker.
Someone that will admire Lee's individuality and champion it.
Hey, Taylor, do any of the last three fit the bill? A sanitation worker, a nurse and a schoolteacher walk into a bar, but none of them have management experience.
Sorry, Marissa, no obvious matches.
Try this.
You, sir, says here that you work for the New York City Sanitation Department.
Is that correct? Proud to wear the greens and ride the truck.
Well, as a New Yorker, please accept my extreme gratitude.
Here's the question.
What's the most out-of-the-box thing - you've ever done at work? - That's easy.
I once crushed an entire living room set in the compactor.
Sofa, love seat, even an ottoman.
Boom.
He's a hero to five-year-old boys everywhere but not a leader in the jury room.
There are medical protocols for a reason.
As a nurse, if I think outside of the box, people die.
One time, I stacked up all my classroom desks on the football field like a street barricade in order to teach my students the French Revolution.
Sounds like a scene straight out of Les Mis.
Exactly.
This juror is acceptable, Your Honor.
We have a strong jury, Mr.
Donaldson.
- Thank you.
- Well done.
Right back at you.
Feels good to sit shotgun.
I hate to ruin the moment, but that was Dr.
Mosgrove.
Dad, is it true you called him a quack? - Oh, no.
- Said that he should have his medical license burnt to ashes and scattered in a cow pasture? Why would you do that, Mr.
Donaldson? He asked if I thought I was a good father.
Now, who asks a question like that? A psychiatrist doing an IME.
Hey, you can take the kid out of the Bronx, but you cannot take the Bronx out of the kid.
Well, if you want to win this case, perhaps you would consider keeping the kid in Manhattan.
Whatever you say.
How mad is Dr.
Mosgrove? Mad enough he's deeming Dad unstable.
That IME gets sent to the defense.
They will use our witness against us.
We've lost before we've even begun.
No, no, no, no! I am not losing this case! No, not on my watch.
Okay.
The key to winning a wrongful termination suit is proving that the company's reason for termination was a pretext for something else.
They are saying that they're doing this for the good of 20 Minute Oil & Lube, but maybe they're doing this for the good of themselves.
Exactly.
We need to get into the other side's motives and find a way to impugn them.
Investigate my sisters? I'll get Taylor on it.
Oh, and maybe we leave your dad out of this.
I don't think he would react well to this fishing expedition.
Yeah.
We go on the offensive.
This is the kind of game where you don't wait for them to show their hand.
And we hit them with character witnesses, even the ones who don't like you.
Are you saying there are people out there who don't like me, Ben? We aren't gonna earn sympathy for what a great guy you are.
We're going to earn respect for what a great job you do.
Integrity.
That's our word.
We're going to buzz it in the jury's ears until they think it's a synonym for Bull.
I like the way you're thinking.
I hear that the AUSA has footage of you outside of the juror's house.
Yes, he does.
Do you know if they have audio of you offering the juror a bribe? I didn't offer the juror a bribe, Ben.
It doesn't matter.
It's immaterial to how I'll pursue my strategy.
Well, it's material to me.
If you think I have to bribe a juror in order to win a case, you are not the man for this job.
Fine.
Have fun falling on your sword.
It's a beautiful sword with the word "integrity" engraved on the side of it.
Can I get you anything else? You know any good lawyers? Hey, have you found anything we can use - against Ruby or Gemma? - There's very little on Ruby.
Her life's blander than this salad.
No sign of financial instability? Nope.
She works and goes home to her cats meow, snooze.
And Gemma? There might be something there.
Gemma's iCalendar would have us believe that she goes to the gym every day at lunch, but her membership lapsed six months ago.
That could be a sign of financial trouble.
Where does she go? According to her cell phone location data, she spends her lunch hours at The Triple Ivy Club.
Oh.
A Triple Ivy Club membership is way more expensive than any gym.
That's the thing, though.
Neither she nor her husband is a member.
So, what do you think she's been - doing there every day? - No idea.
Yeah, but you're gonna go and get an idea, right? That club is harder to get into than skinny jeans in a heat wave.
Well, hack into the system.
Make yourself a member for a day.
I try not to sign my name when I hack someone's system.
There is One person I could call to get me in.
I just really don't want to.
Here you go.
Thanks again for getting me in here.
No problem.
How come you never took me here when we were married? Because you thought private clubs were elitist and disgusting.
I still do, but, Erik, look at this view.
Yeah.
It's something.
Yes! There she is.
Don't look.
You'll blow my cover.
Your cover? I told you, I'm on a stakeout for work.
I thought you were kidding.
Aren't stakeouts Danny's thing? Her mom is sick.
I'm doing double duty.
Hello.
Someone's getting cozy with someone who's not her husband.
Here, scooch in.
Let's take a selfie.
Oh, my gosh, this is great.
- I have to go.
- What? Uh, you can order whatever you want.
Just tell them to charge it to my tab.
Erik, what did I do? Nothing.
It's my mistake.
I just thought this whole stakeout thing was an excuse to see me.
I thought you might regret calling things off.
Oh, Erik, I'm really sorry.
I Like I said, my mistake.
But can you do me a favor? Yes, anything.
Unless you want to talk about our son, don't call me.
Don't ask to see me.
I'm not your friend, okay? Come on, baby, move your feet, or you're gonna be kissing canvas.
I assume this lazy-day thing you've got going means you found a lawyer? Uh, what is it Shakespeare said? "First thing we do, kill all the lawyers"? No.
Hmm-mm.
I'm not doing this.
If you were the only one affected, I'd let you wallow to your heart's content, but it's not just you.
It's me.
It's Astrid.
It's us.
It turns out it's a lot harder to find a good lawyer than you'd think.
Jason, it's time for you to go out there and find someone who kicked your ass in court and ask them to help you, because if you don't, the only fights you're gonna be watching are gonna be on the prison yard.
That's a good speech.
You know, don't make me give it again, because next time, it might be too late.
Okay? Okay.
So, Mr.
Corso, can you tell us how long you've known Mr.
Donaldson? Over 30 years.
I'm employee number two.
And how would you describe Mr.
Donaldson's business acumen? Lee's a genius, plain and simple.
Especially when it comes to marketing.
Can you give us an example? Well, he came up with that tagline himself.
- It's catchy, huh? - It sure is.
Mr.
Corso, have you noticed any decline in Mr.
Donaldson's abilities recently? Absolutely not.
In fact, he's only getting sharper.
And say what you will about his jaunt in the fountain, but it's already become a meme seen by over a million people.
If that's not marketing brilliance, what is? Indeed.
No further questions, Your Honor.
How does it look? He spun one of our worst facts into gold, so I'm thinking there's a "greener than a leprechaun" joke to be made here, but I'll leave those to you.
I have only one question, Mr.
Corso.
Can you explain the $2 million line item on the budget for research and development? It's for research and, um, development.
Could you be more specific? What's he getting at? Mr.
Corso? I will direct the witness to answer the defense's question.
It's for a shaman.
Sh-Shaman? As in guru, as in healer? Lee hired him to consult on our overall corporate strategy.
And did Mr.
Donaldson instruct you to camouflage the $2 million payment to the shaman as research and development? No.
I did that on my own.
Because you thought it looked crazy.
Isn't that right? Should I even ask? Best if you didn't.
Didn't he say he was staying away? I'll take care of it.
Are you checking up on us? You could at least pretend to be happy to see me.
Yeah, not really focused on happiness right now, Bull.
We are at a courthouse handling a case you are not supposed to touch.
Well, I'm not touching anything, and I got to be somewhere else.
See you later.
Detective, I'm gonna stop asking you questions because I find your stammering obfuscation dishonest and insulting to these proceedings.
Objection.
Argumentative.
The truth is you didn't have a reason to investigate my client except for a political vendetta.
- Isn't that right? - Objection.
You should object, counselor, because it is objectionable.
I withdraw, Your Honor.
Very impressive, Olivia.
You dismantled that witness.
The answer is no.
What was the question? There is no way in hell I'd defend someone like you.
- Someone like me? - Someone like you.
Someone who makes a mockery of the justice system.
You think I forgot? You hired a marching band to play outside the courthouse while I gave my closing argument.
Oh, yeah.
They were pretty good.
Two of those guys were from New Orleans.
Come one, that was 12 years ago.
The world had a sense of humor.
I loathe parlor tricks.
You didn't play by the rules back then, and you're in hot water for doing the same thing now.
I didn't bribe that juror.
- Goodbye, Jason.
- Wait.
Come on.
You still won that case.
What are you so angry about? I'm not angry, Jason.
I'm tired.
People like you, who rig the game, put their thumb on the scales, you make me tired.
You're not on the level, and that exhausts me.
I didn't rig anything.
Well, then you and whatever lawyer you can con into representing you should have nothing to worry about.
Your father spent $2 million on a shaman? Kitt buries bodies for my dad.
Gemma and Ruby must've dug them up.
That shaman just made our iconoclast look like a nutjob.
Maybe I just love him too much to admit that he's declining.
I've always put my dad on a pedestal.
I guess I just put him up too high.
We still have one more play to make.
Taylor.
Gemma's been having daily lunches with a man named Rocco Bird.
The CEO of Rocco's Auto Center? You know him? My dad told us Rocco made a buyout offer six months ago, but he turned him down flat.
By the looks of it, Rocco's trying to go through door number two.
If I were a gambler, I would wager that Gemma is mixing business with pleasure and has a handshake deal to sell 20 Minute Oil & Lube to Rocco once the case is over.
Or is that too big of a leap? No.
We can make that leap in court and hope that we stick the landing.
So you're calling Gemma to the stand? No.
I have something else in mind.
Thank you for joining us here today, Ms.
Donaldson.
You were the one that orchestrated the plot to oust your father from the company that he started.
Isn't that right? Um, I wouldn't characterize it as orchestrating anything, but I voted with the board.
Do you know the succession plan for 20 Minute Oil & Lube should you prevail here? Yes.
My sister Gemma and I will run the company together.
So you'll share responsibilities 50-50? Yes.
Because and-and I-I mean no disrespect But wouldn't you agree that Gemma is a much more take-charge kind of person than you are? More like your father in that way? I guess so.
Yes.
But Gemma and I consult with each other before every major decision.
Well, did she consult with you before having an affair with Rocco Bird, the CEO of Rocco's Auto Center? - What? - Objection.
Lacks foundation.
Sustained.
Move on, Mr.
Palmer.
Do you think that you'll still share 50-50 control when she sells 20 Minute Oil & Lube to Rocco's Auto Center right out from under you? Objection, Your Honor.
Are you having an affair? Were you planning to sell the company? No.
Of course not.
Oh, my God, you're lying.
You always play with your hair when you're lying! - Order in the court.
- Stop! This isn't what I wanted, my daughters turning against each other.
Mr.
Donaldson, Mr.
Donaldson, where are you going? I'm done.
Mr.
Donaldson, you can't just walk out in the middle of testimony.
Oh, really? Watch me.
I'm guessing that you're - checking in on the case.
- I am.
Even though you said you wouldn't.
Taylor.
Well, your timing is uncanny.
Lee had an outburst and stormed out of court.
Ah.
Something tells me that didn't play well - with Judge Stern.
- Chunk was barely able to convince her to grant a continuance, and if we can't get Lee back in court by end of day She'll throw out the case, and Lee will lose everything.
- Any idea where he went? - No one knows.
I'm guessing he had a worse day than you.
Taylor, I got to go.
Join me? Dr.
Jason Bull.
Mr.
Lee Donaldson.
Thought I'd find you down here.
Bad day, huh? Hasn't been the best.
Yeah.
Lee, I believe whoo! You and I are very much alike.
- And how's that? - Well We've both been thrown out of the businesses we started.
- Our families doubt our sanity.
- Mm-hmm.
We're wading in water, talking to the wind like a couple of King Lears.
We're men who've lost our crowns.
I thought I was strange, but you might be even stranger.
I'm just trying to keep my life together.
What's your excuse, Lee? I have my reasons.
I'm sure you do.
You know, s-sometimes I lose my temper, like with that damn psychiatrist or today in court see? But that doesn't mean that I don't know what's best for my family.
Don't you mean your business? Isn't that what this is all about? They're one and the same.
Put out your hand.
Here.
What do you wish for? Uh to go back to the beginning.
To start clean.
Just me and my girls and my little garage, changing filters wiping grease from their foreheads.
I may not know how to solve my problems, Lee, but I believe I know how to solve yours.
Is this you still not checking up on us? Oh, I'm I'm not here.
I'm staying away from the case, as promised.
But if I were here, I would put Lee on the stand, and I would only ask him one question.
Even if I thought it was a good idea to put Lee on the stand Which I don't I couldn't, because Lee's not here.
Actually, Lee is here.
I'm sorry I went Bronx on you again, Mr.
Palmer.
Please stick with me.
I promise you I'll I'll stay in Manhattan for the rest of the deal.
I-I'd take the risk, but again, I'm not here.
- Mr.
Donaldson.
- Hmm? I'm going to read to you five words, and if you would, I'd like for you to recite them in the order in which I read them to you.
Plant.
Book.
Dog.
Flute.
Shoe.
Plant.
Book.
Dog.
Flute.
Shoe.
How'd I do? Perfect.
Do you remember the color suit you wore to your wedding? Which wedding? When I married Gemma and Ruby's dear mother May she rest in peace I didn't have a pot to I was broke, so I wore hand-me-down gray slacks and a white button-down my Uncle Mike gave me.
And when I married Kira's mother May she also rest in peace I wore a black tuxedo.
With tails.
I have one last question for you, Mr.
Donaldson.
Which one of your daughters do you love the most? I love my daughters all the same.
When you get older, you realize the mistakes that you made.
I gave my daughters too much of the wrong things and not enough of the right things.
I gave them money, privilege.
I gave them everything that I never had when I was a kid.
But I didn't teach them how to love each other.
I'm sorry.
Mr.
Donaldson, why did you jump naked into that fountain, invest so heavily in cryptocurrency? Why would you give half-off oil changes on your busiest day? I've been trying to devalue my company.
Devalue? - How? - Six months back, I got an offer to sell my company to Rocco's Auto Center.
And when I told my daughters about it, I could see that they were getting ready to fight over all that money.
I knew I had to do something drastic.
Are you telling us that you have intentionally attempted to to bankrupt 20 Minute Oil & Lube? If I devalued the company to nothing we'd all have to go back to the beginning together, where all we had was pennies and wishes.
I love my daughters with every fiber of my being.
And I just want them to love each other as much.
Am I supposed to pretend you're not here again? No.
This is me.
How's it going in there? Chunk is trying a little family mediation after all.
Mm.
You and I could use a little family mediation, don't you think? Bull.
I owe you an apology.
I know that.
And, in fact, I was in the middle of one when I got arrested.
There will be time for you and me to hash this out, but right now, the one you need to talk to is Chunk.
Well, I am glad that we could come to an agreement.
Look, I really appreciate you sticking with me.
I'm sorry about all that I put you through.
Free oil filters for life? Mr.
Donaldson, if only I had a car.
Okay.
Well, Mr.
Palmer, I see smiles.
That's good.
We worked out a deal.
Lee's gonna turn over control of the company to all three of his daughters, with one condition: that they all three run it together for the next ten years before they sell it.
That's clever.
You were right putting Lee on the stand.
And that question I think you would've come up with something.
No matter what, you were gonna win this thing.
You don't have to do that, Bull.
If our pal Lee has taught us one thing, it's to speak your truth before everything falls apart.
So I'll speak mine.
You're a great lawyer and a great friend.
And friends have blind spots.
They protect each other unknowingly.
I can't risk that right now.
I need someone who doesn't care about me, who only cares about the law.
Think you found that person? I think I have.
If she'll have me.
I don't mock the system.
- It's been a long day.
- I test the system.
And I didn't cross a line when we met, and I didn't cross one now.
Look, that juror got paid, Jason.
Not by me.
And yes, someone got to that juror.
Somebody rigged the game, somebody put their thumb on the scales, but it wasn't me.
I care about the system, I revere the system, and if you cared about it as much as you say, you would do something about it.
Because I intend to.
You finished? Yes.
Thank you for hearing me out.
I'll see you around.
No.
Actually, I'll see you tomorrow.
What? 9:00 a.
m.
, sharp.
We got a big fight ahead of us.
It stops now.
We have a bum juror in the box.
I need everybody to stay focused.
And what I don't need is somebody going behind my back.
I've been in front of you the whole time.
There's been a development in the Smokestack class action.
One of the jurors said that he'd been bribed.
Dr.
Jason Bull, you're under arrest for the crime of jury tampering.
Take a video! I got this.
20 Minute Oil & Lube CEO Lee Donaldson was seen skinny-dipping Have you seen enough? Maybe I should keep it running.
We can all watch together when my father gets arrested.
His erratic behavior is bringing us bad publicity and negatively impacting our revenue.
Tell them, Ruby.
Our dad's also made unorthodox business decisions, like converting all our available assets into cryptocurrency and giving half-off oil changes on our busiest days.
20 Minute Oil & Lube used to be worth 200 million.
Now we're down to 150 and trending south.
I, for one, will not wait for the bottom to fall out completely.
Gemma, as your husband and concerned member of the board, I second your concerns.
Thank you, Don.
My father is not of sound mind.
And his contract requires he be in order to remain in his position.
Let's vote.
Should we wait for Kira? Kira knew about the meeting.
She must have something more important to do than saving the family business.
Show of hands if you support utilizing the termination clause to remove our father as CEO.
Okay.
Thank you very much.
Ah, the joys of slow-moving bureaucracy.
Got me a night with a cellmate who clearly thinks that cleanliness is not next to godliness.
No offense, but listening to you gripe is not part of my bucket list.
Fair enough.
I'm Dr.
Jason Bull.
You say your name like it gets you free drinks.
Well, probably not as many as yours.
Because, if I'm not mistaken, you are the oil change guy, Lee Donaldson, right? That's me.
Well, if you don't mind my asking, Lee, what are you doing in federal court? I danced naked in that fountain in City Hall Park.
I did not see that coming, Lee.
Whenever I'm having a bad day, I get myself to that fountain.
Turns my mood right around.
Why that fountain? I used to take my daughters there to pitch pennies, make wishes.
Taught them the wrong lesson, though, throwing away money like that.
I didn't realize skinny-dipping was a federal crime.
No, see, afterwards, I I took a joyride in a postal truck.
Ah.
Making some deliveries.
You know, sometimes in life, you start to question your priorities.
So it's time for a course correction.
Yeah, I used to be an oil change guy.
Now I'm a life change guy.
- Hmm.
- Chunk Palmer.
Kira Donaldson, what Hi.
We all miss you down at Legal Aid.
Oh, I promise I'll be back soon.
I passed the bar.
I'm a full-fledged lawyer now.
Well, well done.
You, uh you here to bail out a client? Yeah.
My dad.
He got in a little bit of trouble last night.
What about you? Um, my boss same.
Uh, wait a second.
Your dad's the "we'll keep you fluid" guy? Yep.
That tagline has haunted me my whole life.
Wow.
Well, it paid my way through law school, though, so - What'd he do? - It's kind of a short story that's more like a novel.
Maybe you'd let me run that by you later today? Today? That sounds serious.
Well, I can handle my dad's petty misdemeanors, but there are bigger battles to fight.
Tell you what come by TAC.
- Yeah.
- See if I can help you out.
In the meantime, I have to try to keep my boss out of prison.
I took the liberty of talking to the AUSA.
The government says that they have proof that the juror that claims that you bribed him received $50,000 from an offshore account.
Uh, the government believes that they can trace that back to you.
I've already got Taylor working on it to prove that that didn't happen.
Should be easy, 'cause it didn't.
And also, th-they they say that you were seen outside of the juror's home.
Now, now, we know that that's a bunch of crap.
I was outside his house.
What? You remember that night.
Things weren't looking so good.
So I went by Randall Hughes' house to see if there was anything I could find that might turn him around.
I even thought about going through his garbage.
Oh, okay.
You know what? We'll deal with that later.
For now, why don't we just get you home.
No, I got to get back to TAC.
I got some work to do.
Bull, you just spent the night in lockup.
You should find a shower.
It's that bad? It's bad enough.
The prisoner has been released.
I couldn't find anyone to take Astrid, or else I would've gone with Chunk.
Oh, yes, well, I know it's not every wife's dream to pick up their husband from jail.
Do I need to worry? I didn't do it.
That's not what I asked.
I know I've had my share of bad luck lately, but the good news is this is the kind of bad news I'm in the business of dealing with.
I know, I know, but And I'm very good at my business.
To answer your question, no, you have nothing to worry about.
I really wish you would reconsider.
I just think this is all a big misunderstanding.
Okay.
Just let me know if you change your mind.
I just talked to Danny.
She feels terrible she can't be here for Bull, but things are still touch and go with her mom.
Oh, God, the good news keeps on coming.
I just hung up with the fifth client today who was concerned about TAC's reputation.
News is traveling fast about Bull's arrest, huh? Yeah.
We just have to weather the storm until he's proven innocent.
What if he isn't innocent? Taylor, that's ridiculous.
You're telling me it hasn't occurred to you that he might have done it? No.
How could you even think that? You of all people know the crushing financial pressure he was under to bring home a victory in that case.
Sometimes good people make bad choices when they're in a tight spot.
Yeah, he was under a lot of pressure, but he would never bribe a juror.
That is not who he is.
I'm not saying that's who he is.
I'm saying that's who we all could be.
Not Bull.
Never.
Sorry, I forgot.
Bull's perfect.
Hey, I don't think he is perfect.
Uh, he and I just went toe-to-toe in a big way.
I am painfully aware of his flaws.
I just don't think that bribing a juror is one of them.
I hope you're right.
I do.
My older half sisters, Gemma and Ruby, have been trying for months to oust my dad from his business, and this morning, they succeeded.
By declaring him non compos mentis.
He's not mentally unfit, Chunk.
Last night's events notwithstanding? I don't know what that was, but from a business perspective, he's still as sharp as ever.
Well, unfortunately, your sisters don't share that assessment.
My dad was a different man when he was younger.
Gemma and Ruby resent him for their childhood.
Resent me, too.
I got a softer, kinder father.
And your sisters are expressing that resentment by taking his company? I'm sure my dad was never anticipating something like this happening, but his contract does require he can only be terminated for cause.
And if he's found to be incompetent, then they get their cause and his company.
It'll kill him.
20 Minute Lube is everything to him.
Kira, if we take this to court, it could get ugly.
Have you guys thought about mediation? They won't even consider it.
Oh.
So will you help him win his wrongful termination suit? Oh, there's one more thing.
Look, I understand that everybody has a lot of questions Heck, I have a lot of questions But the bottom line is I did not do it.
We'll have plenty of time to talk about this later.
Right now, we should focus on the clients we do have, starting with the client you brought in, Chunk.
What do we know? Actually, Bull she would prefer that you sit this out.
Sit this one out? She's concerned that your legal troubles could create some liability in her dad's case, and frankly, I agree.
- But this is my company.
- And if you don't want it to go under, you should consider taking a sabbatical.
Look, just until your name is cleared.
Taylor, you agree? I agree.
Mm.
Look, Bull, we got this.
We'll catch you on the next one.
Fine.
Well, it'll give me time to concentrate on my defense.
Hey.
The AUSA is supposed to be sending over the first round of discovery for your case later this afternoon.
You want to want to come back, we'll go over it? Won't be necessary.
I'll go over it with my attorney.
Your attorney? As soon as I find one.
Is this because I asked you to step aside for the Donaldson case? Was that you? I thought it was the client.
Yeah.
No, no, she did, but Well, it doesn't matter.
Chunk, you were the attorney on the class-action case where the bribe that didn't happen happened.
Yeah, I thought about that, but I think we can easily sidestep any legal conflicts.
I'm going with someone else.
I guess Bull doesn't think I'm a good enough attorney - to represent him.
- That's not what he's saying.
No, his words: "I'm going with someone else.
" Translation: someone better.
Chunk, I do not pretend to know Bull's mind.
Look, and for what it's worth, I don't think he made the right call here.
Yeah, well, I appreciate that.
But all you can do now is work your case.
And win.
Success is the best revenge, right? Well, I like my chances with you riding shotgun in the courtroom.
You got it.
What's our strategy? We have to explain away Lee's unpredictable behavior.
Okay, what if we frame it like this? Lee is not incompetent.
He is an iconoclast.
His unpredictable behavior is due to his genius.
- That's generous.
- What about Thomas Edison? Edison believed there were little people as tiny as atoms living inside your brain recording your memories.
- Really? - Really.
We have to get the jury to ask, what is the line between being crazy and being a visionary? I can work with that.
So, Lee, the first thing that we're gonna need you to do is to take an independent medical evaluation.
What's that? It's a psych evaluation, Dad.
I scheduled it for later this afternoon.
I'm not doing brain calisthenics to prove that I'm right in the head.
Well, the other side is claiming that you're not right in the head, and to knock that down, we're going to need to bring in the psychiatrist as a witness.
So we really need that IME.
Look, I can fix a carburetor blindfolded, for Pete's sake.
That's all the IME you should need.
- Daddy - Hand me the float bowl screws.
Huh? All my girls, they know their way around cars.
Gemma and Ruby, they used to come here every day after school when all I had was this little shop.
Soon, I had ten.
Then a hundred.
Building a business is like building an engine.
You got to roll up your sleeves and get in with both hands.
And all the unorthodox business decisions you've made recently? The other side is claiming that those are decisions made by a man whose mind is slipping.
Now, how do you defend that, sir? I would say this.
Success is about risk, and I'm a man who risks.
Finish that.
Is this your new war room? Well, apparently, I am not welcome in my office, so for now, yep.
Hmm.
So, what are you doing, exactly? I need to find a great lawyer.
And your definition of "great" is? A winner.
And this is a list of people I've worked with before, people I've won cases with before.
You mean people you've helped win cases? Yeah.
And? Well, it just makes me wonder, were they great, or were you great? If I were you, I would look for someone who beat me.
I see your point.
It's a good one.
But this is kind of my wheelhouse, so excuse me.
Well, Porter, it's great to see you.
I hear you've been notching up victories like belt holes.
I give everything for my clients, just like you.
If it's all right with you, Donna, I'd like to get right down to it.
You know I don't like to waste time with small talk.
Oh.
I remember we won that bicycle case.
Ah.
Seven-minute deliberation's still a record for me.
Oh, yeah.
Me, too.
Do you need to get that? No, no, it's just Actually, it is so good you called me.
I have a client He's a former NHL guy.
- Oh, Donna.
- He's got this on-the-ice persona of being a real tough guy, but it's just the hockey.
We need people to not be swayed - by this rough and tough - Donna.
Well? Tell me what you're thinking.
I'd like to hear your thoughts on possible strategies.
Where I like to begin is to get a sense of what you imagine to be the best strategy.
What I? Answer me this one question, and then we'll get back to you.
I scratch your back, you scratch mine.
It isn't an itch.
It's my life.
And right now, it's a full-blown case of shingles.
Bull, you're not just any client, and yes, I find clients are good guides.
I remember the bicycle case.
- You think there's a correlation? - I do.
I remember how that case was won.
Thanks for coming.
- Wait, that's it? - Yeah.
Okay, thank you, Porter.
No.
Wait, wh-what's happening here? You're remembering how we won a case, and now you're letting me go.
Well, more specifically, I'm remembering how I-I won that case.
And I'm, uh, grateful that you came by.
Good to see you.
Give my best to Victoria.
Veronica.
In voir dire, first impressions matter.
How they see you now will affect how they see you for the rest of the trial.
So you're saying I should keep my clothes on? Yes, that would be a good idea.
Oh, look at you two.
How beautiful you are.
How about a hug for the old man, huh? Hmm? I'm sorry it's come to this, Dad.
Oh, it's okay.
I'm going to win.
We'll get past this.
I know this lawsuit was your idea.
Because you stole his company.
You could've let him go gracefully.
This isn't gonna be pretty, Kira.
We have five solid jurors, but we need a leader in the jury room, a free thinker.
Someone that will admire Lee's individuality and champion it.
Hey, Taylor, do any of the last three fit the bill? A sanitation worker, a nurse and a schoolteacher walk into a bar, but none of them have management experience.
Sorry, Marissa, no obvious matches.
Try this.
You, sir, says here that you work for the New York City Sanitation Department.
Is that correct? Proud to wear the greens and ride the truck.
Well, as a New Yorker, please accept my extreme gratitude.
Here's the question.
What's the most out-of-the-box thing - you've ever done at work? - That's easy.
I once crushed an entire living room set in the compactor.
Sofa, love seat, even an ottoman.
Boom.
He's a hero to five-year-old boys everywhere but not a leader in the jury room.
There are medical protocols for a reason.
As a nurse, if I think outside of the box, people die.
One time, I stacked up all my classroom desks on the football field like a street barricade in order to teach my students the French Revolution.
Sounds like a scene straight out of Les Mis.
Exactly.
This juror is acceptable, Your Honor.
We have a strong jury, Mr.
Donaldson.
- Thank you.
- Well done.
Right back at you.
Feels good to sit shotgun.
I hate to ruin the moment, but that was Dr.
Mosgrove.
Dad, is it true you called him a quack? - Oh, no.
- Said that he should have his medical license burnt to ashes and scattered in a cow pasture? Why would you do that, Mr.
Donaldson? He asked if I thought I was a good father.
Now, who asks a question like that? A psychiatrist doing an IME.
Hey, you can take the kid out of the Bronx, but you cannot take the Bronx out of the kid.
Well, if you want to win this case, perhaps you would consider keeping the kid in Manhattan.
Whatever you say.
How mad is Dr.
Mosgrove? Mad enough he's deeming Dad unstable.
That IME gets sent to the defense.
They will use our witness against us.
We've lost before we've even begun.
No, no, no, no! I am not losing this case! No, not on my watch.
Okay.
The key to winning a wrongful termination suit is proving that the company's reason for termination was a pretext for something else.
They are saying that they're doing this for the good of 20 Minute Oil & Lube, but maybe they're doing this for the good of themselves.
Exactly.
We need to get into the other side's motives and find a way to impugn them.
Investigate my sisters? I'll get Taylor on it.
Oh, and maybe we leave your dad out of this.
I don't think he would react well to this fishing expedition.
Yeah.
We go on the offensive.
This is the kind of game where you don't wait for them to show their hand.
And we hit them with character witnesses, even the ones who don't like you.
Are you saying there are people out there who don't like me, Ben? We aren't gonna earn sympathy for what a great guy you are.
We're going to earn respect for what a great job you do.
Integrity.
That's our word.
We're going to buzz it in the jury's ears until they think it's a synonym for Bull.
I like the way you're thinking.
I hear that the AUSA has footage of you outside of the juror's house.
Yes, he does.
Do you know if they have audio of you offering the juror a bribe? I didn't offer the juror a bribe, Ben.
It doesn't matter.
It's immaterial to how I'll pursue my strategy.
Well, it's material to me.
If you think I have to bribe a juror in order to win a case, you are not the man for this job.
Fine.
Have fun falling on your sword.
It's a beautiful sword with the word "integrity" engraved on the side of it.
Can I get you anything else? You know any good lawyers? Hey, have you found anything we can use - against Ruby or Gemma? - There's very little on Ruby.
Her life's blander than this salad.
No sign of financial instability? Nope.
She works and goes home to her cats meow, snooze.
And Gemma? There might be something there.
Gemma's iCalendar would have us believe that she goes to the gym every day at lunch, but her membership lapsed six months ago.
That could be a sign of financial trouble.
Where does she go? According to her cell phone location data, she spends her lunch hours at The Triple Ivy Club.
Oh.
A Triple Ivy Club membership is way more expensive than any gym.
That's the thing, though.
Neither she nor her husband is a member.
So, what do you think she's been - doing there every day? - No idea.
Yeah, but you're gonna go and get an idea, right? That club is harder to get into than skinny jeans in a heat wave.
Well, hack into the system.
Make yourself a member for a day.
I try not to sign my name when I hack someone's system.
There is One person I could call to get me in.
I just really don't want to.
Here you go.
Thanks again for getting me in here.
No problem.
How come you never took me here when we were married? Because you thought private clubs were elitist and disgusting.
I still do, but, Erik, look at this view.
Yeah.
It's something.
Yes! There she is.
Don't look.
You'll blow my cover.
Your cover? I told you, I'm on a stakeout for work.
I thought you were kidding.
Aren't stakeouts Danny's thing? Her mom is sick.
I'm doing double duty.
Hello.
Someone's getting cozy with someone who's not her husband.
Here, scooch in.
Let's take a selfie.
Oh, my gosh, this is great.
- I have to go.
- What? Uh, you can order whatever you want.
Just tell them to charge it to my tab.
Erik, what did I do? Nothing.
It's my mistake.
I just thought this whole stakeout thing was an excuse to see me.
I thought you might regret calling things off.
Oh, Erik, I'm really sorry.
I Like I said, my mistake.
But can you do me a favor? Yes, anything.
Unless you want to talk about our son, don't call me.
Don't ask to see me.
I'm not your friend, okay? Come on, baby, move your feet, or you're gonna be kissing canvas.
I assume this lazy-day thing you've got going means you found a lawyer? Uh, what is it Shakespeare said? "First thing we do, kill all the lawyers"? No.
Hmm-mm.
I'm not doing this.
If you were the only one affected, I'd let you wallow to your heart's content, but it's not just you.
It's me.
It's Astrid.
It's us.
It turns out it's a lot harder to find a good lawyer than you'd think.
Jason, it's time for you to go out there and find someone who kicked your ass in court and ask them to help you, because if you don't, the only fights you're gonna be watching are gonna be on the prison yard.
That's a good speech.
You know, don't make me give it again, because next time, it might be too late.
Okay? Okay.
So, Mr.
Corso, can you tell us how long you've known Mr.
Donaldson? Over 30 years.
I'm employee number two.
And how would you describe Mr.
Donaldson's business acumen? Lee's a genius, plain and simple.
Especially when it comes to marketing.
Can you give us an example? Well, he came up with that tagline himself.
- It's catchy, huh? - It sure is.
Mr.
Corso, have you noticed any decline in Mr.
Donaldson's abilities recently? Absolutely not.
In fact, he's only getting sharper.
And say what you will about his jaunt in the fountain, but it's already become a meme seen by over a million people.
If that's not marketing brilliance, what is? Indeed.
No further questions, Your Honor.
How does it look? He spun one of our worst facts into gold, so I'm thinking there's a "greener than a leprechaun" joke to be made here, but I'll leave those to you.
I have only one question, Mr.
Corso.
Can you explain the $2 million line item on the budget for research and development? It's for research and, um, development.
Could you be more specific? What's he getting at? Mr.
Corso? I will direct the witness to answer the defense's question.
It's for a shaman.
Sh-Shaman? As in guru, as in healer? Lee hired him to consult on our overall corporate strategy.
And did Mr.
Donaldson instruct you to camouflage the $2 million payment to the shaman as research and development? No.
I did that on my own.
Because you thought it looked crazy.
Isn't that right? Should I even ask? Best if you didn't.
Didn't he say he was staying away? I'll take care of it.
Are you checking up on us? You could at least pretend to be happy to see me.
Yeah, not really focused on happiness right now, Bull.
We are at a courthouse handling a case you are not supposed to touch.
Well, I'm not touching anything, and I got to be somewhere else.
See you later.
Detective, I'm gonna stop asking you questions because I find your stammering obfuscation dishonest and insulting to these proceedings.
Objection.
Argumentative.
The truth is you didn't have a reason to investigate my client except for a political vendetta.
- Isn't that right? - Objection.
You should object, counselor, because it is objectionable.
I withdraw, Your Honor.
Very impressive, Olivia.
You dismantled that witness.
The answer is no.
What was the question? There is no way in hell I'd defend someone like you.
- Someone like me? - Someone like you.
Someone who makes a mockery of the justice system.
You think I forgot? You hired a marching band to play outside the courthouse while I gave my closing argument.
Oh, yeah.
They were pretty good.
Two of those guys were from New Orleans.
Come one, that was 12 years ago.
The world had a sense of humor.
I loathe parlor tricks.
You didn't play by the rules back then, and you're in hot water for doing the same thing now.
I didn't bribe that juror.
- Goodbye, Jason.
- Wait.
Come on.
You still won that case.
What are you so angry about? I'm not angry, Jason.
I'm tired.
People like you, who rig the game, put their thumb on the scales, you make me tired.
You're not on the level, and that exhausts me.
I didn't rig anything.
Well, then you and whatever lawyer you can con into representing you should have nothing to worry about.
Your father spent $2 million on a shaman? Kitt buries bodies for my dad.
Gemma and Ruby must've dug them up.
That shaman just made our iconoclast look like a nutjob.
Maybe I just love him too much to admit that he's declining.
I've always put my dad on a pedestal.
I guess I just put him up too high.
We still have one more play to make.
Taylor.
Gemma's been having daily lunches with a man named Rocco Bird.
The CEO of Rocco's Auto Center? You know him? My dad told us Rocco made a buyout offer six months ago, but he turned him down flat.
By the looks of it, Rocco's trying to go through door number two.
If I were a gambler, I would wager that Gemma is mixing business with pleasure and has a handshake deal to sell 20 Minute Oil & Lube to Rocco once the case is over.
Or is that too big of a leap? No.
We can make that leap in court and hope that we stick the landing.
So you're calling Gemma to the stand? No.
I have something else in mind.
Thank you for joining us here today, Ms.
Donaldson.
You were the one that orchestrated the plot to oust your father from the company that he started.
Isn't that right? Um, I wouldn't characterize it as orchestrating anything, but I voted with the board.
Do you know the succession plan for 20 Minute Oil & Lube should you prevail here? Yes.
My sister Gemma and I will run the company together.
So you'll share responsibilities 50-50? Yes.
Because and-and I-I mean no disrespect But wouldn't you agree that Gemma is a much more take-charge kind of person than you are? More like your father in that way? I guess so.
Yes.
But Gemma and I consult with each other before every major decision.
Well, did she consult with you before having an affair with Rocco Bird, the CEO of Rocco's Auto Center? - What? - Objection.
Lacks foundation.
Sustained.
Move on, Mr.
Palmer.
Do you think that you'll still share 50-50 control when she sells 20 Minute Oil & Lube to Rocco's Auto Center right out from under you? Objection, Your Honor.
Are you having an affair? Were you planning to sell the company? No.
Of course not.
Oh, my God, you're lying.
You always play with your hair when you're lying! - Order in the court.
- Stop! This isn't what I wanted, my daughters turning against each other.
Mr.
Donaldson, Mr.
Donaldson, where are you going? I'm done.
Mr.
Donaldson, you can't just walk out in the middle of testimony.
Oh, really? Watch me.
I'm guessing that you're - checking in on the case.
- I am.
Even though you said you wouldn't.
Taylor.
Well, your timing is uncanny.
Lee had an outburst and stormed out of court.
Ah.
Something tells me that didn't play well - with Judge Stern.
- Chunk was barely able to convince her to grant a continuance, and if we can't get Lee back in court by end of day She'll throw out the case, and Lee will lose everything.
- Any idea where he went? - No one knows.
I'm guessing he had a worse day than you.
Taylor, I got to go.
Join me? Dr.
Jason Bull.
Mr.
Lee Donaldson.
Thought I'd find you down here.
Bad day, huh? Hasn't been the best.
Yeah.
Lee, I believe whoo! You and I are very much alike.
- And how's that? - Well We've both been thrown out of the businesses we started.
- Our families doubt our sanity.
- Mm-hmm.
We're wading in water, talking to the wind like a couple of King Lears.
We're men who've lost our crowns.
I thought I was strange, but you might be even stranger.
I'm just trying to keep my life together.
What's your excuse, Lee? I have my reasons.
I'm sure you do.
You know, s-sometimes I lose my temper, like with that damn psychiatrist or today in court see? But that doesn't mean that I don't know what's best for my family.
Don't you mean your business? Isn't that what this is all about? They're one and the same.
Put out your hand.
Here.
What do you wish for? Uh to go back to the beginning.
To start clean.
Just me and my girls and my little garage, changing filters wiping grease from their foreheads.
I may not know how to solve my problems, Lee, but I believe I know how to solve yours.
Is this you still not checking up on us? Oh, I'm I'm not here.
I'm staying away from the case, as promised.
But if I were here, I would put Lee on the stand, and I would only ask him one question.
Even if I thought it was a good idea to put Lee on the stand Which I don't I couldn't, because Lee's not here.
Actually, Lee is here.
I'm sorry I went Bronx on you again, Mr.
Palmer.
Please stick with me.
I promise you I'll I'll stay in Manhattan for the rest of the deal.
I-I'd take the risk, but again, I'm not here.
- Mr.
Donaldson.
- Hmm? I'm going to read to you five words, and if you would, I'd like for you to recite them in the order in which I read them to you.
Plant.
Book.
Dog.
Flute.
Shoe.
Plant.
Book.
Dog.
Flute.
Shoe.
How'd I do? Perfect.
Do you remember the color suit you wore to your wedding? Which wedding? When I married Gemma and Ruby's dear mother May she rest in peace I didn't have a pot to I was broke, so I wore hand-me-down gray slacks and a white button-down my Uncle Mike gave me.
And when I married Kira's mother May she also rest in peace I wore a black tuxedo.
With tails.
I have one last question for you, Mr.
Donaldson.
Which one of your daughters do you love the most? I love my daughters all the same.
When you get older, you realize the mistakes that you made.
I gave my daughters too much of the wrong things and not enough of the right things.
I gave them money, privilege.
I gave them everything that I never had when I was a kid.
But I didn't teach them how to love each other.
I'm sorry.
Mr.
Donaldson, why did you jump naked into that fountain, invest so heavily in cryptocurrency? Why would you give half-off oil changes on your busiest day? I've been trying to devalue my company.
Devalue? - How? - Six months back, I got an offer to sell my company to Rocco's Auto Center.
And when I told my daughters about it, I could see that they were getting ready to fight over all that money.
I knew I had to do something drastic.
Are you telling us that you have intentionally attempted to to bankrupt 20 Minute Oil & Lube? If I devalued the company to nothing we'd all have to go back to the beginning together, where all we had was pennies and wishes.
I love my daughters with every fiber of my being.
And I just want them to love each other as much.
Am I supposed to pretend you're not here again? No.
This is me.
How's it going in there? Chunk is trying a little family mediation after all.
Mm.
You and I could use a little family mediation, don't you think? Bull.
I owe you an apology.
I know that.
And, in fact, I was in the middle of one when I got arrested.
There will be time for you and me to hash this out, but right now, the one you need to talk to is Chunk.
Well, I am glad that we could come to an agreement.
Look, I really appreciate you sticking with me.
I'm sorry about all that I put you through.
Free oil filters for life? Mr.
Donaldson, if only I had a car.
Okay.
Well, Mr.
Palmer, I see smiles.
That's good.
We worked out a deal.
Lee's gonna turn over control of the company to all three of his daughters, with one condition: that they all three run it together for the next ten years before they sell it.
That's clever.
You were right putting Lee on the stand.
And that question I think you would've come up with something.
No matter what, you were gonna win this thing.
You don't have to do that, Bull.
If our pal Lee has taught us one thing, it's to speak your truth before everything falls apart.
So I'll speak mine.
You're a great lawyer and a great friend.
And friends have blind spots.
They protect each other unknowingly.
I can't risk that right now.
I need someone who doesn't care about me, who only cares about the law.
Think you found that person? I think I have.
If she'll have me.
I don't mock the system.
- It's been a long day.
- I test the system.
And I didn't cross a line when we met, and I didn't cross one now.
Look, that juror got paid, Jason.
Not by me.
And yes, someone got to that juror.
Somebody rigged the game, somebody put their thumb on the scales, but it wasn't me.
I care about the system, I revere the system, and if you cared about it as much as you say, you would do something about it.
Because I intend to.
You finished? Yes.
Thank you for hearing me out.
I'll see you around.
No.
Actually, I'll see you tomorrow.
What? 9:00 a.
m.
, sharp.
We got a big fight ahead of us.