07x02 - The Statue

[bunniefuu]

I'm offering you a deal-- one for you, one for me.

You are not getting my office.

Oh, yes, I am 'cause she's gone, Harvey.

It's time for you to take the reins.

I'm here to ask you out.

As of this morning, I'm the head of my firm, and, when I thought of sharing that with someone, I thought of you.

One dinner.

I figured out what I want, and I want to be a partner at this firm.

All I'm asking is for a seat at the table.

I'll have Louis about it.

You're afraid to take responsibility for this firm, and you won't admit it to yourself!

You told me that you're now head of the firm.

I am--I just haven't told Louis yet.

I think this may have been a mistake.

You don't think I've had fantasies that one day you'd take me in your arms and kiss me?

Those fantasies weren't of a man who's still too afraid to take control of a firm that bears his name.

I'm not giving up my associates!

That's enough.

Donna asked for a seat at the table, and I gave her one.

You don't make her g*dd*mn senior partner.

If Jessica were here, she'd tell you to do the same exact thing.

Jessica isn't here, but I am.

I think I know what you may need.

If you're telling me that I need to talk to Tara You were gonna get married.

That can't all end over a voicemail.

I know we haven't spoken.

I just really need to see you tonight.

[smooth music.]

[giggles.]

Oh, wow, the sunrise is beautiful from up here.

To be honest, I can't remember the last time I saw the sun rise.

Really?

It takes something pretty special to get me up before 7:00 a.

m.

As I recall, I was pretty special last night.

There--you surprised me again.

You know, the truth is I'm a little surprised by all this myself.

What do you mean?

Well, I mean, you disappear for nearly a year, and then, one day, you suddenly show up in a '57 Chevy-- '72 Ferrari, but, yeah.

And you sweep me off my feet.

And I liked it.

That's good 'cause I wasn't sure you would.

Of course you weren't.

You don't really know me yet.

Till yesterday, we'd spent about 50 hours together, and we'd spent most of them talking about you.

I know, and that's what I love about our relationship.

[laughs.]

Harvey Paula Before you say what I think you're gonna say, let me say you may know me better than anyone.

And now I'd like to get to know you too.

I'd like that.

I guess what I'm trying to say is I acted irrationally, but please, Tara, if you could just give me another chance I promise you that I will never let you down again.

You know you can't say that, Louis.

Wait, I'm sorry, what?

This is my role play.

I can say whatever the hell I want.

And we've talked about you making bold proclamations about your own behavior.

What does that have to do with this?

You just promised to never let Tara down again.

That is unrealistic.

What happens when you inevitably break that promise?

I'll apologize and promise I'll never do it again.

And you don't see a problem with that pattern?

What I see, Dr.

Lipschitz, is we're 46 minutes into this session, and I haven't gotten closure yet.

Louis, we spent seven years on the fact that your mother made you wear Esther's hand-me-ups.

You're not getting closure in 50 minutes.

Well, then what the hell am I paying you for?

Okay, Louis.

What's really going on here?

It's not about Tara.

It's--It's about the baby.

I'm just worried I'll never be a father.

I think that's a good place for us to pick up next week.

- What the fu--?

- Louis, calm down.

No, I just told you my deepest fear is that my clock is running out, and all you care about is your precious time?

Has it ever occurred to you that you don't have a clock and can have children whenever you want?

Well, that sounds like a load of crap coming from a guy who's looking at his clock.

What about your idol, Tony Randall?

Oh, my God.

Tony Randall fathered his first child at 77.

Doc, this is fantastic.

So you're good till next week.

What, are you nuts?

I'm teetering.

Clear up tomorrow, all afternoon.

I was at work.

It was the kids' daycare calling.

Shannon never showed up.

And then what happened?

Then the police called.

My world ended.

And one month later, I got a letter from the insurance company saying Shannon lied on her application.

About what?

They're claiming she was a smoker.

- Was she?

- No, she quit five years ago, and she was totally up-front about it.

So then why would they think she lied on her application?

Because of this.

It's a picture of Shannon at her cousin's wedding.

They sent it to me along with her denied claim.

Please tell me this picture is over five years old.

It was taken eight months ago.

They must've gone into her Facebook page.

sh*t.

It was one cigarette, and I gave her hell for it.

It doesn't matter if it was one or a hundred, it's enough for them to claim her policy is null and void.

My wife d*ed in a car accident, Mr.

Ross.

She was a healthy 39-year-old woman.

She d*ed rushing from her job to pick up our children.

What the hell does any of this have to do with smoking?

It shouldn't have anything to do with it, but this company is not in the business of helping people.

It's in the business of making money.

So if they can find any reason not to honor a claim, they'll take it.

Without that insurance money, we're gonna lose our home.

Please--my children have lost enough.

I'll find a way.

See the money, wanna stay for your meal Get another piece of pie for your wife Everybody wanna know how it feel Everybody wanna see what it's like I'll even eat a bean pie, I don't mind Me and Missy is so busy, busy making money All right All step back, I'm 'bout to dance Suits 7x02 The Statue The greenback boogie Hey, I didn't know anybody was moving in here.

It looks great.

Well, as it turns out, we're getting ourselves a new partner, and they needed a new office, so.

New partner?

That's fantastic.

Shows we're back on our feet.

What firm are they from?

- This one.

- I don't understand.

That's 'cause it hasn't been announced yet, but you're looking at the newest senior partner at Pearson Specter Litt.

Wow.

congratulations, Donna.

You must be thrilled.

I am.

And I know what you're thinking-- how can a secretary be made a partner?

But-- I wasn't thinking that, Donna.

I know how hard you work and how much you mean to this firm and everyone in it.

Thanks, Katrina.

You're welcome.

I'll let you get back to work.

All I'm saying is I think you're rushing it.

And I'm saying that, when you overthrow a dictator, you don't leave their statue up in the square.

You tear it the hell down.

You don't think that this sends a message that you have something to prove?

Harvey, do you remember Arthur Reeves?

You mean the guy who played Superman?

That was George Reeves.

Arthur Reeves founded this firm.

And when Gordon, Schimdt, and Van d*ke ran him out of town, they didn't just tear his name off the wall.

They called his biggest client and told them to pack up their sh*t and find another firm.

- What's your point?

- My point is they wanted the world to know there was a new sheriff in town, and the message that sends isn't that you have something to prove-- it's that you're in charge.

And you're staying that way.

Hope you don't mind I took the liberty of hanging that.

Let me guess-- it's your last official act as my secretary.

I told you once before I wouldn't leave you high and dry.

Thanks, Donna.

You're welcome, Harvey.

And speaking of not being your secretary anymore This is a press release announcing your partnership.

It's more than just a press release.

It's a statement to the world.

I'll take a look at it later.

Do you mean, like, later this afternoon or later, like, after you go see Dr.

Agard?

- What?

- Harvey, the last time I stopped being your secretary, you started having panic att*cks, and I'm not saying that's gonna happen again, but you just got a look on your face, and I wanna make sure you're okay with all of this.

I'm okay with it, Donna.

I'll get you what you need to issue that release, but, right now, I gotta make a statement of my own.

What can I do for you, Mr.

Ross?

Well, you can start by writing a check to Harry Kirst.

- You don't waste time, do you?

- No, I don't.

So why don't you cut my client a check for $300,000, and I'll withdraw this lawsuit I haven't filed yet.

Mr.

Ross, I'm afraid there's been a little misunderstanding here.

We're not looking to settle.

Then why the hell did you set this meeting?

'Cause it's policy to meet with our clients and try to resolve their issues.

Okay, well, my client's issue is you're not honoring his claim so he can't support his children.

Yes, and I'm very sorry about that, but my hands are tied.

[scoffs.]

I get it.

Your policy is to give people the runaround so they get demoralized and drop their case.

No, Mr.

Ross, our policy is to follow the letter of our contracts, and, if we let one person who lied on their application get away with it, we wouldn't have a business anymore.

Look at me.

I'm not some personal injury lawyer, all right?

I work at Pearson Specter Litt.

I'm not gonna get worn down.

So I suggest you just cut me a check.

Save yourself the trouble of me wiping the floor with you in court.

As I said, my hands are tied, but it won't be me you'll be going up against in court.

It'll be our outside counsel, Mr.

Ackerman.

And, from what I've seen, nobody wipes the floor with Mr.

Ackerman.

Nice office.

Mine's better.

Isn't that the same line you used when you thought your Ferrari was better than my Cobra?

It was better.

And a good line never gets old.

- Tell that to your hairline.

- Tell that to your waistline.

Good to see you, Harvey.

What brings you down?

I'm here to finish a conversation we started years ago.

Well, I know you're not coming over here, so you must be talking about me working over there.

What if I am?

I'd say "Which one of my clients are you after?" because we both know you can't have Pfizer.

Yes, I can.

Are you telling me you're ready to drop Jessica's oldest client just to get me?

That's what I'm telling you.

Ah.

Why now?

Because Jessica's gone, so now I can.

- Then make me name partner.

- What?

This isn't about Jessica's gone so now you can-- this is about Jessica's gone, so now you wanna tell the world that you're not her.

And that's not about hiring me.

That's about getting my client.

Alex, this is a win/win.

I don't poach.

You come over.

We have fun.

But I'm not gonna just give you the run of the place.

Then I'm not coming.

Because my name is going up on this wall within a year.

And Pfizer's not leaving me.

- Alex-- - You always say you're the better poker player.

Well, not today, because I'm all in, and you got nothing.

So either add my name to your letterhead or take your chips and go home.

Your Honor, they can dress this up all they want, but the fact is the deceased entered into a contract in bad faith by claiming she was no longer a smoker.

The only fact here is that they're manufacturing a reason to weasel out of a legitimate claim.

Are you gonna tell the court that we manufactured this picture of your client smoking eight months ago?

I'm well aware of the photo that you sent a grieving husband, but an image of a woman not inhaling a cigarette doesn't prove anything.

- She lied on her application.

- Which had nothing to do with how she d*ed.

And manner of death isn't at issue here.

The contract is.

He's got a point.

Your Honor, they're claiming that my client entered into a policy in bad faith.

Well, what kind of faith is it when a company pores through a woman's social media history just to stick it to her grieving husband and three children?

Better faith than a man that pretended to be an attorney for the better part of three years.

What are you talking about?

Your Honor, this is Mr.

Ross' Harvard diploma.

The only problem is Mr.

Ross never actually went to Harvard.

The only place he did graduate from was Danbury Federal Prison where he spent time for impersonating a lawyer.

All right, that is inadmissible and irrelevant.

You're claiming bad faith.

Your whole life is bad faith.

I think a jury should have a chance to hear that.

- Your Honor, this-- - Your motion to dismiss is denied, Mr.

Ackerman, but, Mr.

Ross, I am inclined to agree that your history is relevant to this case, which means, if he wants to bring it up at trial, I'm not stopping him.

So that's how you're gonna play it?

- Excuse me?

- You're not gonna give me your real settlement offer right now?

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Bullshit--I knew there was a reason that woman didn't give me an offer before.

Now I know it's because you wanted me to see that.

Now that you mention it, I did take the liberty of whipping up a little standard boilerplate.

No admission of guilt, you settle for pennies on the dollar, and that's take it or leave it.

Well, then let me tell you right now-- we're leaving it.

You're required to present this to your client.

Well, I'm also required to give them my legal opinion, which is that you stand to lose a lot more than that.

Maybe you missed what just went on back there.

What went on back there is the judge ruled in my favor, and you didn't get your case dismissed.

He also showed his hand.

Now, how do you think 12 jurors are gonna rule when it's plain as day that the guy hearing the case doesn't even trust you?

- Good, you're here.

- Of course we are.

When the managing partner calls a meeting, the rest of the partners show up.

So what'd you want to talk about?

I wanna talk about bringing on Pfizer as a client.

Harvey, I'm sure you already know this-- that would mean dropping Jim Reynolds.

I think that's the point, and I think it's a great idea, Harvey.

Pfizer's ten times the size of Jim Reynolds, and Jessica's always been stubborn about him.

Good, because, in order to do that, we need to make Alex Williams a name partner.

- What?

- Who do you think's bringing Pfizer over here in the first place?

So then give him a corner office with a k*ller view because I'm not gonna do something like that for someone I barely know.

Harvey-- Well, I've known him for 15 years, and I'm vouching for him.

I don't care if you came out of the womb with him.

You don't just slap somebody's name on the wall to get a client.

I'm not just slapping his name up, Louis.

I'm making a move.

- Harvey-- - Hey, that's enough.

I asked you last night if you had any problems with me calling the sh*ts, and you said you didn't.

Now, are you on board with this or not?

Okay, Harvey, I'm on board.

Ah, there you are.

I need your help.

And you can have it after I've enjoyed my ham sandwich in peace.

Nope, sorry, that ham's gonna have to wait.

Harvey is about to make some stranger name partner.

What?

Louis, you must've misunderstood something.

Gretchen, I heard him clear as a frickin' bell.

He wants one of the guy's clients, name partnership is the price, and I think it's a huge mistake.

- Well, did you tell him that?

- Yes, of course, but he couldn't hear me.

And I told him last night that I would back his decisions.

Which means you want me to find out as much dirt as I can on the sucker so you can convince Harvey not to hire him.

Exactly, so let's move this little piggy to the market and go-- Not gonna happen, Louis.

Gretchen, did you not hear what I just said?

I heard you.

Have you never heard the saying "there's more than one way to skin a cat"?

- You mean "stuff a cat.

" - Why would I mean "stuff a cat"?

Because they are glorious creatures, and only a barbarian would skin one.

Louis, your brain is not right.

My point is, if Harvey wants this man's client, there has to be another way to get them.

Holy sh*t.

You're right.

If I can get Pfizer, Harvey doesn't even have to bring this clown to the firm at all.

Strap in, Gretchen, because we're about to get elbow-deep into stuffing the sh*t out of this cat.

And I'm out.

I don't understand.

I mean, I get that the offer is horrible, but if the judge is letting this thing go to trial, he must think I have a case.

You do have a case, Harry.

But the lawyer on the other side of this thing has made it clear that he is willing to pull out all of the stops, no matter how low.

They already used the photo of Shannon.

What else do they have?

- Me.

- What are you talking about?

Look, I am a fully-licensed member of the bar now, but, before I was, I-- I was practicing law without a license, and I got caught.

And you didn't think I should know that?

I didn't think that it would be relevant.

It sure as hell seems relevant.

They are just trying to prejudice the jury against me-- They're going to be prejudiced against you--I'd be.

I'm telling you that I can still win this.

Still win?

They're gonna make it seem like Shannon lied on purpose, and then I went out and hired a liar to cover it up.

If you want someone else to handle this, I completely understand.

The only problem with that is I went to 15 firms before I came to you, and none of them would take my case because of that photo.

You were my last hope, Mr.

Ross, and now you're telling me we're gonna lose.

No, Harry.

I am promising you that I will not cost you this case.

Good, Donna, you're here.

I'm gonna need someone to draw up a contract for Alex, and-- Harvey, I don't think we should drop Jim Reynolds.

- What?

- I understand what you're doing, but I think that maybe you're rushing into it.

I'm not rushing, Donna.

I'm being decisive.

Then you need to tell Jessica before you do it.

Tell Jessica?

I'm doing this to show people that this is my firm now.

Asking Mommy's permission isn't part of the plan.

Well, is it also part of the plan that you signal to the rest of our long-term clients that you'll just throw them over for the next big thing?

Where the hell is this coming from?

What do you mean "where is this coming from?" You made me a partner.

I'm saying my piece.

That's what the meeting was for.

Well, maybe you didn't notice, but you and Louis were having a private meeting.

Well, you know what, Donna?

You had the balls to ask for a seat at the table.

So the next time you have something to say, have the balls to say it at the g*dd*mn meeting.

[door shuts.]

- Hey.

- Hey.

How'd it go in court?

Not great.

No, don't tell me the judge agreed to dismiss the case.

The lawyer on the other side somehow got a copy of my fake diploma.

Mike, that's bullshit.

Your history has nothing to do with this case.

I know that, but he got the judge on his side, and he's gonna try and do the same thing with the jury, and my own client barely trusts me.

Okay, what are you gonna do?

I was wondering if you would take over the case for me.

If that's what you want, then I would be honored to.

[phone buzzing.]

Alex, I'm glad you called.

We're still working out the paperwork-- If you're still working on the paperwork, how come I just found out you're trying to poach my client?

- What?

- Don't bullshit me.

Kevin Bauer told me that PSL called to set an appointment, and it sure as hell wasn't to tell my own client that I'm going to be name partner at your firm.

God damn it.

You're telling me you had nothing to do with this?

That's exactly what I'm telling you.

Then get your sh*t together and either make this thing happen or not 'cause I went out on a limb for you once before.

I'm not about to let the same thing happen again.

Did you set a meeting with Pfizer?

Harvey, you don't understand.

What I understand is you were on board with bringing Alex over, and then you tried to poach his client.

It's not like that.

I knew what you really wanted was Pfizer, so I tried to make it happen.

No, Louis, what I really wanted was to bring over my friend who I've known for the last 15 years.

Yeah?

Well, what about what this friend thinks?

We already had that discussion, and then you went behind my back.

Maybe because it was stupid of you to offer your friend name partner in the first place.

Excuse me?

What kind of genius negotiator gives away the house from the start?

Louis-- No, you want Pfizer?

You go get Pfizer.

But don't you bring in some Johnny-come-lately and water down the name of this firm.

You don't give a sh*t about watering down this firm.

You're scared of watering down your place in it.

I'm not afraid of a third-rate lawyer.

Bullshit, you're afraid and you're jealous.

And this entire firm knows it.

Now there's no need to be jealous because he's not coming here.

- Yes, he is.

- Well, then why don't you try reading the by-laws?

Because in order to make someone name partner, you need my vote or Jessica's vote, and if you think she is going to ditch her oldest client to bring in someone she doesn't even know, you're out of your g*dd*mn mind.

- Harvey, do you have a minute?

- That's about all I have.

Okay, I was wondering if it would be okay if I took over Mike's pro Bono case.

- What?

- Something came up.

He asked me if I could do it.

I--I wanted to get your permission first.

No.

- Why not?

- Because I made a deal with Mike, not you.

Now, you wanna tell me what's really going on here?

Because Mike's not giving away his first case unless he's in a coma.

The lawyer on the other side outed Mike as a fraud.

- Meaning?

- He brought out Mike's Harvard diploma, and he prejudiced the judge.

So Mike thinks if he hands the case over to you, he takes that w*apon out of their hands.

- Yes.

- Well, now it's a definite no.

Why does that make it a definite no?

- Because I said so.

- Harvey, can you at least talk to Mike?

No, I can't.

- Why not?

- Because I got a plane to catch.

You wanted to talk to me?

What gave it away?

The nine texts or the 16 messages?

I was on a plane.

Yeah, well, I'm in your old office wondering why you even gave it to me if you're not gonna let me make simple personnel decisions.

Mike, if you let this assh*le bully you, you're gonna be backing down for the rest of your life.

I'm not backing down.

I am buying time so that I can stop this bullshit from ever happening again.

You don't need time.

I have a way.

Stop apologizing and start intimidating.

Well, that's a hell of a slogan, Harvey, but what does it actually mean?

It means you go out, you find a reporter, and you take control of the narrative.

Instead of a lying fraud, you're a hero fighting for redemption.

I don't have time to change my image.

Look, if I lose this case, the only article that's gonna get written is that I never should have been able to practice law in the first place.

Yeah, well, if you can't figure out a way to win without Rachel's help, then maybe I shouldn't have brought you back in the first place because I've had about enough of having every employee I have question every decision I make.

I thought we were gonna meet at the restaurant.

I got down here early.

Manhattan doesn't have views like this.

Thanks for making the time to see me, Jessica.

I will always make time to see you, Harvey.

Especially after you've flown all the way out here to put the screws to me.

Louis called you, didn't he?

About an hour after your plane took off.

Then you've already heard his side of the story-- And I don't need to hear yours.

- Jessica-- - Harvey, I understand wanting to make a statement, but, you rush into this, the only statement you're making is that you're not ready.

I can't believe this.

My first act as managing partner, and you're cutting my legs out from under me.

I'm not cutting anything out.

I'm trying to help you.

You can't give out name partner like it's Halloween candy.

That doesn't sound like help.

That sounds like I'm a child-- Harvey, you do this, what's gonna happen the next time you wanna bring someone over?

I'll tell you what happens-- you're going to get rolled because you haven't thought this through.

You know what I think?

I think this has nothing to do with my decision.

You're pissed I'm dumping your client for a better one.

No, Harvey, that's something you'd be pissed about because you've never been able to look at the big picture.

Well, how's this for big picture?

I think you want it both ways.

And what the hell is that supposed to mean?

It means you want to live here and keep your name on my wall because you're not ready to let go of my firm.

Well, if that's how you really feel, then take my name off your g*dd*mn wall, and then you can do whatever the hell you want.

[phone buzzing.]

Hey, I hope you don't think I forgot about our dinner.

Yeah, I don't, but I'm afraid I have to reschedule.

Sure, any time is good for me.

Thanks for being understanding.

And, for the record, I was really looking forward to getting to know each other better.

So was I.

But the truth is I guess I'm glad we're rescheduling.

I didn't want to end up focusing on myself like I did the last time.

Why, is something going on?

It's not a big deal.

Harvey, you can talk to me about it.

- But you said before-- - I know what I said before, but this is different.

How?

Because you heard me, and you respected my wishes, which means instead of me listening to you as your therapist, you know, I'll be listening to you as your Not therapist.

- Yes.

- Look at that, even when we cancel, I feel like I'm getting to know you better.

Me too.

So are you gonna tell me what's going on?

You know what?

Now that I just talked to you, I feel like I can work it through myself.

Good.

Good night, Harvey.

- Hey.

- Hey.

- You busy?

- You know I am, which means you wouldn't be here if it wasn't important.

You're right.

I talked to Harvey.

- You changed his mind?

- No, no.

He told me if I run from this, I'll be running forever.

Look, I hate to say it, but he might have a point.

- He does.

- So then why are you here?

'Cause he got me thinking.

The woman I first met over there said they couldn't let people like Harry and his wife get away with lying on their application because they wouldn't have a business anymore.

Right, but they didn't lie on their application.

No, they didn't.

But a company that thinks like that Might have a policy of trying to not pay their claims at all.

Exactly.

So if we can prove that that's the company's real policy, we got 'em.

But, right, Mike, we can get all the subpoenas in the world, but they're never going to hand over a smoking g*n like that.

No, they won't.

But I think you know someone who can get it for us without issuing any subpoena at all.

Ms.

Cromwell, remember me?

Yes, unfortunately.

If you'll excuse me.

We have a job we'd like to offer you.

- Not interested.

- You haven't even heard what it is.

I don't need to know what it is--I don't do business with people I don't trust.

- You're a corporate spy.

- Not anymore-- 'cause the last mystery man she brought me said word wouldn't get out about our little arrangement.

Well, it did, so now I'm trying to make it as a legitimate headhunter, which pays about 10% of what I made before, so, if you'll excuse me, I'm meeting with an actual client in a few minutes.

Ms.

Cromwell, please.

A mother of three was k*lled in a car accident, and she was 39 years old.

Now her husband can't support his children because Acumen Insurance is trying to scam him out of their claim.

What am I supposed to do about that?

This can't be the first time they've done this.

And we're betting that there isn't a major corporation in this city that you don't have access to.

Please.

You can help these people.

I don't give a sh*t about helping people.

I give a sh*t about helping me, which is why I want $50,000.

What?

I just told you-- you cost me millions.

So if you want my help-- Okay, never mind.

Mike, I knew this was a bad idea.

- We'll pay it.

- Mike.

Rachel, if she can get us something we can use, it's worth it.

It'll come out of the settlement offer.

Uh-uh, I want it up front.

And how do we know that you won't take the money and say that you couldn't find anything?

You don't, but, given the fact that you're still here, it doesn't look like you have much of a choice.

So how are you, Louis?

Wanna know how I'm doing?

I'll tell you how I'm doing.

I tried focusing on my professional life instead of my personal one, and it's been a g*dd*mn disaster.

I take it your thoughts of Tara have been getting in the way of work.

What?

No, I'm over her-- she's yesterday's news.

Your words make me think otherwise.

Well, how about you listen to these words: Harvey's making his friend name partner.

He's accused me of being jealous, and I don't know what to do.

Are you jealous?

Of course I'm g*dd*mn jealous!

Louis, it's natural for you to feel that way.

You've worked hard to get where you are, and a new person threatens your position in the firm.

That's not-- That's just not it.

The one silver lining of Jessica leaving was that I thought that Harvey would finally turn to me, not only as his partner, but as his friend.

That's not happening now because I'm being replaced.

And you're scared of losing your friend.

What do I do?

I can't tell you that, Louis, but I can tell you it was your behavior that drove Tara away, and, if you keep letting your emotions dictate your behavior, you won't need to worry about being replaced.

You'll drive Harvey away all by yourself.

I'm not sure I've ever seen you here this late.

New office, new hours.

I guess so.

Katrina, whatever's on your mind, I recommend you just say it.

As you know, I'm on track to be a senior partner here.

In fact, it's one of the main reasons I agreed to come back.

I know.

I'm not saying Donna doesn't deserve a promotion-- I know what she does as much as anyone.

I'm just saying making partner means something, and I'm concerned that being one here won't mean what it used to.

What would you have me do?

I don't know.

I just thought, if I was thinking it, it occurred to me that others might be too, and I thought you should know that.

Katrina, being a partner here will mean as much as it always has.

I'll make sure of it.

[knocking.]

I hope you came here to tell me you got everything straightened out.

I came here to tell you that the deal's off the table.

What?

Name partner means something, and I can't just give it away to make a statement.

I never should've offered it to you in the first place.

God damn it, Harvey.

This is the second time you've done this.

And I'm sorry, Alex, but this is a take it or leave it offer.

You can let me know in the morning.

I'll take it.

I wasn't really gonna make name partner in a year.

Maybe not ever.

I know.

How?

Because if they were really gonna do it in a year, you would've leveraged them to move it up the second I left your office.

So why didn't you call me on that before?

I don't know.

Maybe it's because I felt like I owe you, or maybe because I wanted to prove to the world that I'm not Jessica.

Or maybe it's because I wanted to work together.

I'll see you Monday, Harvey.

See you Monday.

- I'll get that.

- Keep your money, Mr.

Ross.

You're gonna need it.

I think, after you see this, you're gonna wanna save every nickel you have.

Thanks.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that's a memo between Acumen senior management and their sales force outlining their policy of doing whatever it takes to avoid paying claims.

Well, this thing can be interpreted a dozen different ways.

It doesn't prove a thing.

But it proves that we're not just talking about my client anymore.

You're looking at a class action.

And if there's one thing that a jury hates more than a fake lawyer, it's an insurance company that rips off widowers and children.

- What do you want?

- 50 million.

With an admission of guilt.

No way, they won't go for admission.

Okay, then here's what you're gonna do instead.

A reporter's gonna call you.

And when he does, you're gonna tell him the story of how you thought you were gonna wipe the floor with this fraudulent attorney, but instead you ended up praying that you never go up against him again.

You knew they wouldn't go for admission.

You set me up.

Well, now that you mention it, I did.

And that's take it or leave it.

Then I guess I'll take it.

And leave out the part where you traded admission of guilt in exchange for self-promotion.

Don't you dare say that to me.

I'm not doing this for myself.

I'm doing it so that pieces of sh*t like you never try to use my history against my clients again.

Louis, before you say anything Harvey, before you say anything, I just wanna say I'm sorry.

You were right.

I was jealous of Alex coming over here, but not because I'm afraid of another lawyer.

I don't understand.

See, Harvey, I know you like to make fun of me, and I know I might not mean as much to you as you mean to me, but you're my friend, and, because I don't have many, that friendship is important to me.

You don't have to worry about that, Louis.

But I don't want my behavior to drive a wedge between us, which means I accept Alex as name partner.

- About that, Louis - I mean, it's just gonna have to be like when LeBron James joined the Miami Heat when he and D-Wade worked it out with Chris Bosh.

I thought you didn't know anything about sports.

I stayed up all night trying to come up with the right analogy.

And, if I'm not mistaken, they went on to win back-to-back Super Bowls.

That they did.

Louis, for what it's worth, Alex is still coming, but not as name partner.

Really?

Yeah, you were right.

We can't water down the firm like that.

[knocking.]

You've never knocked before.

And you've never had a door before.

I know, and it's a good thing I do because-- You can't be a partner, Donna.

What?

You can't do that.

I have to.

I made a mistake.

Bullshit, I-- I paid you $500,000.

You haven't signed the partnership agreement yet, so I can refund your money, and-- I don't want a refund.

I want what we agreed to.

I can't do that.

You are not a lawyer, and being partner at a law firm-- it means something, inside the firm and out, which is why I wrote up a new release for you.

This says "Director of Personnel.

" Everybody knows you're great with people, so it'll play out there, but, between you and me-- No, Harvey, I didn't ask for partner just so I could keep being a superwoman behind closed doors, but, to the rest of the world, be a glorified office manager.

Partner is off the table, Donna.

Then keep my buy-in and make me COO.

I can't do that-- that's the same as a partner.

No, it isn't.

Skadden and Zane and Bratton Gould all have COOs, and none of them are lawyers.

How do you know that?

'Cause I never thought you'd make me partner in the first place.

- Okay, it's a deal.

- And I keep my vote.

- Donna-- - Within these walls, I have a seat at the table.

Take it or leave it.

I'll take it.

Thanks, Harvey.

You're gonna make a hell of a COO.

And?

How'd it go?

Out of the park.

Got everything we wanted.

What do you say we go out and celebrate tonight?

Well, we're celebrating, but we're not going out.

What do you mean?

A reporter from "The Times" is gonna be here in five minutes.

- Okay.

- We are doing an interview.

The redemption of a fraudulent lawyer.

Well, that is the best news I've heard since finding out you got into the bar.

Thank you.

But I think you should do it without me.

Rachel, I--I couldn't have done any of this without you.

And that may be true, but this is your story, and you should be the one to tell it.

Go--I'll see you at home.

- Mike?

- Yeah.

- David Gruen.

- Good to meet you.

Where do you want to do this?

I was thinking maybe your new office.

Uh, yeah, we could end up there.

But I was thinking maybe we'd start out where I started out.

- Where's that?

- In the bullpen.

[line trilling.]

[phone buzzing.]

What is it now, Harvey?

You want to put the janitor in charge of bankruptcy?

Or the guard downstairs could be head of litigation.

- Are you finished?

- Depends on what you say next.

I'm sorry I said those things about you, and I want you to know I didn't mean any of them.

I'm sorry too, Harvey.

Jessica, you don't need to apologize.

Yes, I do.

You were just tearing the statue down.

Just like you saw me do all those years ago, and I didn't like it because the statue was me.

Well, if it's the same to you, I'd like the statue to stay.

Sounds good to me.

- There's one more thing.

- There always is.

I'm still bringing Alex over, only not as a name partner, but Pfizer's still insisting we drop Jim Reynolds.

And you want to know if I'm okay with it?

No, I'm letting him go.

I'm just calling you to tell you before I tell him, like I should've done in the first place.

I was wrong when I said you weren't ready, Harvey.

No, you weren't, but you are now.

Good night, Closer.

Good night, Jessica.

And take your feet off my desk.

[chuckles.]

Not a chance.

[upbeat music.]