03x08 - Brinkmanship

[bunniefuu]

Previously on House of lies...

Oh, sh*t!

Lex, you're out of here!

This f*cking dating thing is dead!

If you ever mix a 25-year-old single malt of mine with Hawaiian punch again, I'm putting you up for adoption immediately.

(Retching)

Wait, you stopped using birth control?

I did!

Why-why would you do that?

Uh, because I want us to have a baby?

I've been withholding orgasms since she decided to...

We decided to, uh, get pregnant.

She got fired.

I'll make some calls, okay?

I got your back, mon.

Doug: Two coworkers having a smoke and, uh, getting to know each other.

I can help save it for you.

Promise?

Pinky promise.

In two weeks, the Mcclintock media empire will be jizzing money into this office.

Ew.

You really think you can bring in the entire Mcclintock media empire?

I know I can.

It's Mcclintock.

(Whispers): Hand-delivered by Judas.

(Seagulls calling, waves crashing)

(Groans)

f*cking hate sand.

Hey, Marty, I'm squinting real bad.

Do I have time to go back, get my sunglasses?

Yes, Doug, go get your sungla...

Get a volleyball, too, buddy.

Clyde: Daddy, daddy, daddy.

Look at us kicking up dirt again, huh?

Who would've thunk it?

You and me making sh*t happen without even putting our shoes on?

Uh, my f*cking shoes are on, Clyde, okay?

It's a metaphor.

And just take it easy.

I mean, what's this zannino's angle anyway?

Zannino doesn't have an angle.

Oh, right, billion-dollar hedge fund manager, no angle.

He's old friends with Marissa.

Yup, he used to stick his d*ck in me on a semi-regular basis.

Mm, that's romantic.

Of course, she has moved on to the big leagues now.

You're the big leagues, Clyde?

Oh, Jeannie Beannie, I am the very big leagues.

If you know what I mean.

Yes, we know what you mean.

Talking about my d.

He does.

He does have a big d*ck.

It's good; It's solid.

You guys seen it?

No.

I have not. Jesus!

Yeah, a few times.

What?

Occasionally we share a room together on the road.

I mean, I'm sure he's seen mine.

No. Why would I look at your d*ck, Doug?

Oh, how could you miss it?

"How could you miss it?"

Hey, this is, uh, quite a pull for you, Oberholt.

Mm.

Nice.

Is dating you, like, one of her 12 steps or a penance thing or...?

Jeannie Beannie, once Zannino's on board, Marissa gets her life back.

At which point, she will shower money on Kaan and associates.

So what I think what you're trying to say is...

She's gonna dump your ass when she gets rich again.

You're welcome.

That, boys and girls, is our whale.

How you doing, sweetheart?

So he's a handsome jet-setting billionaire?

You have a two-bedroom apartment that is convenient to a major freeway.

You're good.

Marissa: You know I used to partake on occasion, but to hear my brother and sister talk about it, it's like I was giving out blowies for cr*ck.

So they had her put under conservatorship so they can get their hands on mediawolf's online revenue.

Well, it's good to know Suzanne and Joel are still tremendous cocksuckers.

I thought my family was f*cked.

Seriously, Jules, they raising Arizona-ed me.

Snatched my f*cking baby.

Yeah, her highly trafficked digital media baby.

It is second only to huff post in online hits in that sector.

All right, so you want me to call a judge and get you out of conservatorship?

No, no, it's not just about mediawolf.

You know what would make me so g*dd*mn wet?

I have some recollection, yes.

To be sitting atop the entire Mcclintock media empire-- the newspapers, the TV stations, everything.

That'd make us all wet.

Doug.

And once I'm on top, first order of business is pushing Joel and Suzanne's tight asses out a f*cking window.

Hey, watch yourself; You do not want to get on her bad side.

Dude, she could kick my ass.

Marty: It's your bad side that we're actually counting on.

I mean, by all accounts, you're a scary m*therf*cker.

You say "boo," CEOs tremble.

So you want me to say "boo" to Mcclintock.

Clyde: You don't have to buy anything.

Julian zannino sitting in the room, literally just f*cking sitting there?

We'll have them shaking in their boots about a hostile takeover.

I like your new boyfriend.

He's cute, right?

Thank you.

If they don't want their beloved newspaper slipping out of family control, they're gonna give Marissa whatever she wants.

There is no risk to your investors.

And we'll handle all the positioning.

Look, guys, you can stop selling.

Let's go f*ck some assholes.

All right!

Yes! Please! I guess we're f*cking assholes.

Thank you, brother.

sh*t.

Marty: You know, the one and only time grandpa took me camping, we had some strange bearded hippie guy who, uh, stripped naked every time we made a campfire.

It was the '70s, all right?

Besides, we hiked to big basin and made it back safely.

Well, if by "safely" you mean forever associating s'mores with strange penis, then, yeah, we did.

Packed an extra mascara?

Your leggings?

Dad, what are you, like, five years old right now?

Oh, it talks! It talks.

God!

I knew it did something other than stuff food in there.

Hey, Chantelle.

Hey. Jeremiah told me what happened.

Aw, that is great to know that he's keeping everybody abreast of what's happening in our family.

Well, she's coming camping with us.

She's gonna find out.

Must've been a tough call, huh?

Not really, no.

Lex is no good for him, okay?

And in time, he's gonna understand...

Why the f*ck am I explaining this to you?

I'm just curious if it was difficult telling Roscoe that you don't trust his choices.

Oh, my God, she's trying to shrink me.

Well, her focus is child psychology.

(Chuckles): Oh!

(Laughs)

That's so funny.

Hey, look.

This trip might help Roscoe clear his head.

You gonna be able to manage by yourself for a few days?

Roscoe: Hey, grandpa, let's get out of here soon before dad tries to break us up too.

That was...

Yeah, I'll manage by myself.

Yeah, that was good, that was good.

(Indistinct chatter)

Uh, da bears!

(Both laugh)

Chicago.

Oh, God, I just love Chicago.

Have you been?

No.

No?

It's windy I hear.

(Laughs)

Because it's the windy city.

Oh, my God, that's good, that's good.

Hey, listen, um...

(Clears throat)

While I think of it, uh, there's an artist, terrell Moore, has an exhibit up at the hauser gallery when we're there...

Oh, my God, he is great.

He is great.

Um, well, a few of us were thinking of checking him out.

You're more than welcome to join.

Sure.

That sounds really fun.

Okay.

Great. All right.

Aah!

Excuse me.

"A few of us were thinking of checking it out"?

Very slick, Douglas.

Firstly, my suspenders are not a toy.

And secondly, "slick"?

What does that mean?

God, sometimes it's so hard to tell if you're playing dumb or if you're actually dumb.

I'm talking about the fact that you just asked Caitlin out on a date.

I'm a married man.

I know.

A married man who just asked Caitlin out on a date.

(Stammers) No, no, no!

We are two coworkers who happen to share a common interest in art who may take in a gallery.

It's called "culture," Jeannie.

Wow, or it's called "a date."

That's what I call it.

No.

Please, don't call it that.

It shouldn't be too hard to make it look like Zannino's sniffing around for a new business to buy.

I mean, it's what he does for a living anyway, right?

I have public bid submissions ready to go just as soon as you say the word.

Well, hang on a second.

What, you got something?

Yeah, I went digging around through mediawolf's financials.

Check it.

Depleted revenues for mediawolf's web traffic are in the exact same amount as makegoods for the Chicago and Indianapolis newspapers.

Marissa's oh-so-concerned siblings are pumping mediawolf's tits.

Sucky, sucky.

Mm-mm.

Jesus Christ.

Why?

That's got to constitute an abuse of conservatorship access.

Absolutely.

Yeah, the judge would definitely have a frowny face about that.

Wow, that is interesting.

Why-why is that interesting?

It's another way in.

It's punier way in.

We don't need it.

We got zannino, remember?

We think we have zannino.

We... thank you.

You know, why don't you shut the f*ck up, Omega mu?

(Snorts) That's the sorority from revenge of the nerds.

Marty, it's gonna work.

All right? Trust me.

Trust you?

Yeah.

The plan is gonna work.

Well, you know what?

Clyde says we have a foolproof plan.

So let's just...

I didn't mean to say that.

No, no, it's good.

Let's just take the rest of the day off and go see a movie or something.

Oh, oh! Maybe we could do that company outing at magic Mountain.

Yes!

I have wanted to do magic Mountain in forever.

I'm not... it's sarcasm.

Yup. Clyde: I wasn't saying that it's the absolute perfect...

What were you saying?

Fine.

Whatever you want to do. Good.

Well, somebody's sweet on will.

(Chuckles) Yeah.

I'm trying to clean up this Dollahyde mess right now.

You want to get right to it?

Yeah, what was that in there?

With Clyde?

You don't think that, uh, we should be considering every alternative?

Marty.

Zannino is a wild card, okay?

Zannino is a scary corporate raider with washboard abs.

Since when does that sh*t rattle you?

Zannino fucks Marissa over, we get f*cked.

This guy likes to chew up companies and spit out the pieces.

How you know that's not gonna happen here?

Zannino is the play.

You know that.

And it's the play you're ultimately gonna make.

You just want to rub Clyde's nose in the sh*t pile first.

Move on, Marty.

Oh, coming from the expert in moving on.

I-I'm not holding on to anything...

With you.

If that's what you're insinuating.

Seriously, Marty, I'm not.

Oh, well, as long as you said "seriously."

I just don't want to leave money on the table because you can't get past it.

Oh, my God, Jeannie, you're a partner.

Okay?

You want to back Clyde's play?

Go with God.

Great chat.

Yes, it was.

Hi. Sorry.

No.

The line at the Gyno was f*cking ridiculous.

Yeah? There was a line?

Ugh! It's, like, don't make more appointments than you have time for.

If you can only see five vaginas in an hour, don't schedule ten vaginas.

Thank you.

Right?

I'm sorry.

Yeah.

How are you?

Great, great.

Good.

How about you?

I'm good.

Yeah?

Dr. Caplan saw a surge in my l-h levels, and I'm at peak fertility for the next two days.

Yeah, I don't think so.

Oh, okay.

So you don't think so?

I don't think so.

Well, that's really interesting, Dr. guggenheim.

(Laughs)

I booked myself a ticket to Chicago.

Ooh.

Wait, what?

Please don't worry.

I'm not gonna get in the way of your work.

Um... I'm gonna be quiet as a church mouse.

You know, I'm just there for the nookie.

Okay, great.

I-I love the nookie.

Yes, I know.

Um, but I just...

Here's my thing.

I don't think your l-h levels are peaking right now.

We made that calendar with your cycle, and that's pretty spot-on.

Okay, that's cute, but I just went to the doctor, and he says I'm peaking.

Yeah, Dr. Caplan.

I like Dr. Caplan.

Babe, he went to med school at tufts.

That's a good school, Doug.

You go to med school at tufts so that when people say, "where'd you go to med school?"

You could say, "this school outside Boston."

And then when they walk away, they say, "ooh, I wonder if he was talking about Harvard."

But he wasn't, was he?

No, no, no, no, no.

He was talking about tufts.

Do you not want me to go to Chicago?

What?! Of course I want you to come to Chicago.

Come on. No, I just...

I know w-we'll be working a lot.

I know.

So how 'bout this?

How about you and me...

Slip into the bathroom and have a quickie right now?

Oh, horrible offer.

I don't want to conceive my baby in a restaurant bathroom.

Are you crazy?

I just think it'd make a funny story.

No, it won't.

Yeah?

I've got purell on me.

I'll wipe you down.

Oh, my God. I just...

I think that we could take care of business before I leave.

Tonight, tomorrow morning.

Plus, we could get a refund on that plane ticket.

I know they say no refunds, but if you know how to work the system...

Oh, my God, Doug!

You are such a cheap bastard!

No!

That's what this is about? No.

My God, our baby isn't even worth $1,200 to you?

$1,200?!

Are you... oh.

What?

Okay, all right.

Who's flying the plane, Richard Branson?

I'm coming to Chicago.

End of story.

Good. Chi-town.

L'Chaim!

♪ ♪

Hey.

(Both moaning)

Actually facing each other.

We haven't done that in a while.

Is that a problem?

Not a problem.

(Both grunting)

Where did Jeremiah get this kimono?

Mm.

I like it.

But I do have to ask, how short is it on him when he is wearing it?

Oh, in a word? Yuck.

(Laughs)

Oh, but speaking of balls, you met Lex.

Oh, boy.

Yes.

She is a firecracker...

He's a firecracker.

I think you made the right call though.

What happened exactly?

Well, you know, wasn't just one thing.

But I got to say, I hated watching her lead Roscoe around by the nose.

Way back when, I used to lead you around by the nose.

The f*ck out of here.

That's true. You know that.

Well, I guess if you swapped out the high-tops for some Louboutins and I got a really good squint on, yeah.

Hello?

(Snaps fingers)

Earth to Monica.

Where'd you go? You all right?

(Chuckles): Oh...

I just... I don't know.

I-I would just... I'd really like it if people would stop f*cking around with my sh*t.

You are joking, right?

No, I'm serious.

Yeah, right, 'cause detonating a hate b*mb at work is the exact same thing as the whole world conspiring against you.

(Sighs) f*ck you.

Come on, baby, that's what you do.

You hobble the ladder, and then you want to blame somebody else when you fall.

(Chuckles)

It worked pretty good for a little while.

(Chuckles)

What about you?

What about me?

You got everything you want, but you are still alone and unhappy.

I don't remember saying I was unhappy.

Well, you called me here, so...

Baby, life is good.

Okay.

We're too f*cked up.

There's no fixing us, right?

(Sighs)

I... yeah, maybe.

Enough of this introspective sh*t.

How about you get me out of this kimono and we give your neighbors something to talk about?

How about it?

Oh, I like that one.

Sorry, Jeremiah.

Oh, you better make it worth it.

(Both sigh)

Oh, that's cute.

They're becoming friends.

I wonder what they're talking about.

Clyde: A potential three-way with Doug maybe.

I mean, how would you do that?

Would you jump on top of both?

Would you throw it in...

Hey, how dare you besmirch Caitlin!

And Sarah.

And Sarah.

And Sarah.

Doug: And, obviously, it goes without saying.

Clyde: And Sarah. Sure, Sarah.

Hey, sweetie! There you...

I told you to stay put.

I like her.

She great, right?

Doug loves her.

Doug: We all do. She's a sweet kid. Sarah: Super cute.

She mentioned that your pod is going to an art gallery tonight?

Art gallery?

Which seemed weird.

Oh, yeah! Oh, that thing?

Yeah, we'll see who shows up.

You know, we were thinking maybe popping by after we do our thing, but...

(Sighs): Oh, Jesus, Doug.

Oh, you can come if you want.

I just figure you'd want to have your legs up after.

You don't want to have Doug Jr.

Trickling down your thigh, right? No. Ugh!

Dr. Caplan said that that is not a thing.

Tufts.

Whatever, okay?

I'm tired, so I'll probably bail anyway.

Yeah, catch some z's.

Good call.

You know, I did hear it's gonna be a fantastic exhibit.

Oh, yeah. I'm definitely thinking about going, and I f*cking hate art.

Yeah.

But this guy's like, "this is the one if you're gonna go to any one." This exhibit.

"You have to see this exhibit."

Which guy? Which guy?

The man. The exhibit guy.

Really? You know what? f*ck it.

I'll sleep when I'm dead.

(Laughs)

Oh! Oh, no. That's extreme.

Sleep when you're tired.

Let's do it.

Sleep tonight.

Marty, Marty, hey, look, soft pretzel?

Cinnamon sugar?

Uh, no, I'm good.

Hmm? It's soft.

Yeah, I got both descriptions.

Still good.

You had sex last night.

Oh, my God.

Marty, please, when can I be your wingman?

My wingman?

Yes.

(Sighs): Uh...

How does nev-unary the 5th work for you?

(Chuckles)

Did I just make his list?

Mm-hmm.

Yeah, the list.

Hey, Marty, I just want to say thanks for sticking with the zannino plan.

Don't thank me.

Thank the boss lady over there.

It was her call.

Okay. Yeah, no, I will.

Great.

Cinnamon sugar pretzel? Oh.

I knew you were gonna do that.

Bought two... d*ck.

Hey, what's up, brother?

You guys have all met Julian zannino before.

Julian: Love what you've done with the place.

Mr. zannino has an eye toward investing in clean energy.

Wind, solar.

Owning your fleet of newspapers will go a long way toward connecting him with elected officials in the region.

Agribusiness leaders, too.

Plus, ever since my buddy Jeff bought the Washington post, I said,

I got to get me one of those.

(Laughter)

You know, his offer would be pretty enticing, even to preferred stockholders.

If that were true, you would have made it already.

So what do you really want?

I'm happy you asked. Douglas?

Look, we know you want to keep Mcclintock media group in the family.

But there's really only one person who can keep Mr. zannino at bay.

And, look, I know my brain is all mush 'cause of the dr*gs, and I'm, like, LA-LA-LA, but I'll try to string a few words together.

You think you'd back down if I asked you to?

Only if you say "please," darling.

Aw, that's sweet.

Go to the board.

Tell them you're stepping aside for personal reasons and ask that they vote Marissa to be the new chairwoman.

And just turn everything over to our little junkie sister who treats rehab like winter vacation?

Oh, we're gonna need to move this along, 'cause this is usually when I sh**t up.

Marty: Allright, your "junkie little sister" has managed to take her company well into the black.

Well, you already know this.

I mean, you've been moving ones and zeros off of her books and onto yours for sometime now.

Do you want your old media holdings to thrive in the digital age?

Why don't you turn the keys over to someone who actually knows how to grow a business in-in this century.

Or you can let a big corporate raider swoop in and break up your family legacy.

Your call.

(Phone chimes)

Hey, no, no, no, no.

No, this is a good time.

Um, if you'll excuse me.

Doug?

Okay, well, now, we've drawn up several modes for the transfer of equitable shares...

Hey, Julian?

Hey, I got to call you back.

Congratulations, looks like you're well on your way to becoming a media mogul.

Yeah, Joel and Suzanne are gonna bite.

They're f*cking cowards.

Yeah, but either way, the company is vulnerable to a buyout.

I mean, sure, there's gonna be some work to be done-- you have to restructure, figure out what to keep, what to get rid of.

What, you're talking like I'm actually gonna buy it.

And... if I were to buy the company, that's something you could help me with.

Absolutely, for a nominal fee. (Chuckles)

Hey, it's not love that makes the world go round, right?

g*dd*mn right; You cannot buy a private jet with a pocketful of love. (Laughs)

So, you think that's the move?

Listen.

If I were you, I would walk right back in there...

You would f*ck over a friend for a couple extra bucks?

Take somebody you care about, assure her that you're gonna be there for her, and then yank the rug from under her feet.

It's a good thing you're not me.

And I'm sure as hell glad I'm not you.

Doug: I mean, look at this-this piece right here.

Oh, yeah.

Gosh, he really does just seem tortured, doesn't he?

That's the perfect word, wow.

Hey, Sarah.

Hi.

We were just talking about this painting.

Ugh.

What do you think?

I'm sorry, it just doesn't move me.

I don't know. (Laughs) Wow.

(Chuckles): Wow.

Well, there's a certain grace and solemnity that you're probably missing, I think.

No, I think I'm seeing the whole thing.

Yeah? I just don't find it all that fascinating.

No, God... yeah, I mean, God, who are we to define what great art is really?

Yeah. Well, it's not all subjective, is it?

What kinds of stuff do you like?

(Sighs)

Uh, well, a friend and I saw these really cool interactive proto-pop collages at moca a few weeks ago.

Oh, yes, I heard about those.

They were very physical, and-and...

Doug: Mm-hmm, right, right, right.

But is it art?

Hmm, up for debate, I think.

(Smacks lips)

Ooh, my God.

I just got a hit from this one right here.

Oh, for goodness sake.

Sarah, there is nothing going on between me and Caitlin.

Yeah, like you could even get her.

Wow.

I'm sorry to interject.

But you think Caitlin's too good for Doug, and you thought I had a thing for Doug?

No offense, Jeannie, but you do like to pass it around.

Yeah.

Hi.

Nope.

I came here...

Oh, God.

To make a baby with you and to connect, and you just treated me like sh*t.

Sarah, can we please not talk about this now? No!

Actually, Doug, I don't want to whisper because I'm f*cking angry with you!

Why? Baby, I don't care that you don't understand abstract postmodernism.

Oh, my God.

You know what?

This isn't about last night. What?

This has been going on for weeks.

What has?

You're acting weird.

No, I'm not, I'm not.

Yes, you are.

You're pulling away.

And you know what?

I know that you're not coming every time that we have sex.

Like I don't know what a hot load feels like?

Oh, wow, you know, you can totally have my seat if you want.

Oh, that's okay, I'm fine in coach.

Um...

You know how sometimes the acoustics in a small space can...

I heard "hot load."

"Hot load," yeah.

That's what I heard.

That's what I thought.

(Clears throat)

No, no, no, no, no.

Jeannie's seat.

Jeannie: No, go for it, Clyde.

I'm fine over here.

Oh, thanks, Jeannie.

"Hot load," man.

(Chuckles): Yeah.

Do you have any idea how much money I made your company today?

'Cause it feels f*cking good on this side.

Yeah, well, how about we let the check clear before we start cupping each other's balls?

(Electronic bell chimes)

Woman: Welcome aboard.

(Jet engine roaring)

Now that the Captain has turned off the fasten seat belt sign, you may now move around and...

Is everything okay?

Yeah. Oh, yeah.

Oh, that Sarah stuff, that'll blow over.

I'm gonna grab a drink.

Can I get you anything?

Mm.

No root beer? Nothing like that? No.

Okay.

(Sighs)

Woman: Anything else, just let me know. Thank you.

Appreciate it.

Hey.

Do you not want to be with me?

What? Why would you say that?

If you're not happy, then, um, let's just end this.

Whoa, hold on, "end this"?

Wh-wha...

(Chuckles)

Where is this coming from?

Okay.

It-it's just a lot of...

New... all at once, right?

The speedy marriage, the trying to have a baby, the things at work.

It's... it's confusing.

I'm... um, yeah.

It's confusing.

Either you're in it or you're not.

Which is it?

It's only two options?

(Sighs)

I'm asking, I...

One of us needs to make a decision.

And until you can...

Get your sh*t together, we're done.

Hold on.

He)...

No. Please don't.

(Piano playing gentle melody)

(Knocking)

Can I come in?

Okay, can we just f*cking talk about this?

'Cause I've had enough, man.

Yes, I stole the Carlson business from you.

But you know what?

You f*cking pushed me.

Oh, I get it. It's my fault. I'm not saying it's totally your fault, but you got to take some... Clyde, wait a second, wait a second.

Have you heard of honor among thieves, Clyde? Okay?

We f*ck them over.

We can't do that if we're spending all our time trying to f*ck each other over.

Yeah, but you sold me out.

Come on.

Don't say "come on."

We were friends and you f*cking sold me out.

Now, I'm not saying that justifies what I did, but that's still f*cked.

Yeah, but you did it anyway.

We both f*cked up. Both of us.

Don't forget that.

I can take ownership for my part.

Now I'm bringing you this big, fancy piece of business as a peace offering, as a way for us to start over, but I don't even know if it's possible, man.

Is it? Can we start over?

I... I mean...

Like Obamacare reboot start over?

Do you know how much work that is?

It's a lot of work, yeah.

Yes, like Obamacare.

I want it to be like Obamacare.

Yeah, good work today, man.

That's all I wanted to hear.

How pathetic is that?

That's literally all I wanted to hear.

Pretty sad.

Want a drink?

If I drink, what happens?

You get naked.

Right, can't we just f*ck?

Just some snacks.

♪ Well, this is a game ♪
♪ I wish it wasn'so ♪
♪ oh, before we get started ♪
♪ there's one thing about it that you should know ♪