01x05 - The b*ating Heart

Episode transcripts for the TV show "The Staircase". Aired: May 5 –; June 9, 2022.*
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Exploring the life of Michael Peterson, his sprawling N.C. family, and the suspicious death of his wife, Kathleen Peterson; based on a true story.
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01x05 - The b*ating Heart

Post by bunniefuu »

(door clangs)

(lights buzzing)

Corrections officer:
Alright, 640, you're out.

Come on. Let's go.

Let's go!

(clears throat)

(handcuffs clicking)

Walk.

(inmates chattering)

Pod 640.

(buzzer sounds, door clangs)

(inmates clamoring)

Corrections officer: Move.

♪ ♪

Commissary worker: Is that it?

Uh, yes, I think so.

- Yes, or you think so?
- Uh, yes.

Commissary worker:
Your balance is 345...

Oh, sorry. Thank you.

(inmates shouting)

Inmate: How could you do that
to me? You just f*cked me!

m*therf*cker!

- (screams)
- (alarm blaring)

Inmate: I'll k*ll you!

I'll f*cking k*ll you!

Michael Peterson:
Peterson 640.

♪ ♪

(bucket rattling)

You know why he
jacked you up, right?

No.

He was waiting on a single
cell for five years.

Was next on the list,
and they gave it to you

because you're famous.

Officer: Bell.

Lock-in time!

See you around, Staircase.

Officer: Close her.

(doors clanging)

Sophie Brussard: Dear Michael,

an old friend visited last week

dying to see the Louvre.

Walking through the
museum reminded me

that you don't have
the luxury of relaxing

while you wait for your appeal.

Our deadline is tight.

Trust that we are
working as fast as we can

to get your story in
front of the world

and finally get you the
trial you so deserve.

In the meantime, you
said the prison library

wasn't stimulating.

So here's a little something
to get your brain working.

Fondly, Sophie.

(theme music playing)

(speaking French)

Café?

Just look at my
f*cking face, David.

David Rudolf: I
hear you, Mike, I...

- No, I, I don't...
- I hear you.

I don't need you
to hear anything.

I just need you to look at it.

The longer I'm in here,

the more likely it is
I'm going to get k*lled.

When will we know
about our appeal?

Mike, you know I don't know.

It could be tomorrow.

It could be three months.

So, three months.
Th-that-that's how long

I've got to survive?

David: Uh...

I'd be shocked if it went
longer than that. Sure.

I-I-I'm not supposed to be here.

I mean, th-this wasn't
supposed to happen.

This, this wasn't
supposed to be.

Mike, I know. I know.

Bill Peterson: Our appeal
contests the seizure

of Michael's computer.

It was unconstitutional.

Without that, the State
would have no grounds

to bring in the emails,
the, the escorts.

Oh yeah. We're, we're
quite confident.

(chuckles) Yeah.

Of course, you can quote me.

I hope you'll quote me.

That's, that's why
I called you back.

- Sell.
- The whole set?

Mom loved them.

How's work?

What do those movie
people have you doing?

You know, just
entry-level stuff,

answering calls, scheduling.

But they, uh, they
hired their last editor

out of admin, so...

Hmm.

Clayton Peterson: You like LA?

Margaret Ratliff: It's fine.

The people are nicer
than you think.

Bill: Reno's just a
day away from you.

Martha, too.

You're welcome any time
you guys need a break.

Not sure Martha's boss would
let her have a day off.

Where's she at now?

Some customer service thing.

- (both snicker)
- What?

Martha's not really...

- Service oriented.
- Pleasant.

- (laughter)
- (door opens)

- She's...
- Todd Peterson: Hey, hey.

- Hey!
- Clayton/Margaret: Hey!

You made it.

- Hey, man.
- Clayton: Hey.

Hey.

Come on, sit
down. Food's warm.

Great.

I'm gonna go pour myself a
beer. Does anyone want one?

I don't think we have any.

I brought some.

(door opens)

- Hey.
- Hey.

Payton: I'm making
pasta. You want in?

I just quit my job.

Payton: Oh sh*t.

What happened?

Nothing. I just didn't really
want to be there anymore.

- Payton: You okay?
- Sure.

(cell phone chiming)

(sighs)

(chiming continues)

(speaking French)

(Denis speaking)

(Sophie speaking)

(Jean speaking)

(laughing)

(Jean speaking)

Denis: Oh, merde.

(Denis speaking)

(door slams)

(inmates chattering)

Inmate: Hey, yo, Staircase!

I ain't f*cking done
with you, you hear?

You hear me, yeah? I ain't
f*cking done with you.

- Corrections officer: Sit down!
- I ain't f*cking done with you.

- (inmates shouting)
- Sit down!

Take it to your table.

Sophie: Dear Michael,

I was so happy to
receive your last letter.

As I read it, I could
hear your voice,

which I have become
so familiar with

over the past year.

Which is strange,
since you have no idea

what I look like or sound like.

What do you hear when
you read my letters?

Brigitte Bardot or Pepe Le Pew?

Yes, the documentary is going
well, thank you for asking.

I'm working day and
night to get it finished,

and I remain convinced that
once the world sees it,

it will help your appeal.

(cart rattling)

You gonna s*ab me with
that pen, Staircase?

I was thinking I
could just off myself.

Boom, boom, boom.

What do you think?

They'd make me clean it up.

You know about stamps, right?

They're better than money.

Bring 50 "37s" to the yard,

and we'll take care of
your problem for you.

Or don't. Up to you.

(cart rattling)

(horn honks)

Sorry about the
election, Michael.

You know I voted for you.

Oh, you were the one?

(chuckles)

(paper rustling)

I'm so f*cking
disappointed in you.

I can't believe
you opened my mail.

Michael: (on phone)
My house, my mail.

And don't change the
subject. This is serious.

Tulane is going to take
your scholarship away.

Margaret: (on phone)
Well, I'm sorry.

Look, Dad, I'm just,

I'm struggling at the moment.

Yeah, well, sorry
doesn't cut it, missy!

These grades are, are laughable!

What the f*ck are you doing down
there in New Orleans anyway?

- Trying to get the most beads?
- Gross. No.

Look, Dad, I really,

I really feel like there's
something wrong with me.

I've, I've always had issues.

My, my friends think that I
have a learning disability...

Margie the Martyr.

That's just medical
jargon for lazy,

which I agree
you've always been.

Why are you being so awful?

-I'm going to call Mom. I don't...
-Michael: Go right ahead.

Kathleen and I are
on the same page.

And guess what?

We're not paying for
your plane ticket home

for Thanksgiving.

Dad, stop.

We need to start saving
money for when they drop

your financial aid.

Margaret: Are you kidding me?

(hangs up phone)

I hate him.

Martha: (on phone) What
did you do this time?

I'm not going home
for Thanksgiving.

He's not getting
me my plane ticket.

Martha: sh*t.

Was he, like, normal dad angry

or was it like
spring break angry?

I don't know. I
don't know. He was...

something.

Martha: Well, if
you're not going,

I'm staying in San Francisco.

(rustling)

David: (on phone) Bill,
Bill, we need to be patient.

The appellate court has
had it for months now.

(David sighs)

Look, it's, it's all about

how many appeals were
filed ahead of yours.

Do you think that
there's any chance

that we could expedite
with an oral argument?

David: Our case is strong.
You said so yourself.

Just sit tight. This is going to
be in the rearview in no time.

I need to get back to the kids.

David: Okay. How
are they doing?

You know, their
60-year-old father

was just brutally
assaulted by a meth head

and thrown into solitary
confinement for a week.

How do you think they're doing?

David: I'm doing everything

in my power to help him, Bill.

And I'm selling
everything the man owned

to keep writing you checks.

Clayton: So you
learning Spanish?

Todd: No. No, you
don't really need to.

I mean, Cabo's
mostly resort town.

Lot of Americans.

That's why the timeshare
business is booming.

(rock music playing
over loudspeakers)

Here.

(sighs)

The girls, man.

(can pops)

You know, you should
come down sometime.

Nate knows all the good spots.

Yeah, I don't see Becky
letting me do that.

What do you mean
"letting" you do that?

Just bring her.

(inmates chattering)

Big Ray: Hey.

Get over here.

- Got the stamps?
- Fifty, right?

Yo, Staircase.

What's good?

Hi. Nice to meet you.

Jesus!

He alright?

He's worried you won't be
cool because he's white.

That true? My skin
make you nervous?

What? No.

- Does it make you nervous?
- No, of course not.

I can tell by the way you
said that you're lying.

- I don't like liars.
- I'm not. I'm just, uh...

I, I don't know how things work.

(laughter)

Hey, we ain't got
a problem taking

a white guy's money.

Unless you're in
the Brotherhood.

You're not a n*zi,
huh, Staircase?

No, of course not.

I voted for Gore.

(BK snickers)

"Voted for Gore." (laughing)

Alright, man, we all set.

Hit me up every
Monday, you stay set.

You ain't got to worry about
that crackhead no more.

Alright, man.

(laughs)

Big Ray: Hey.

You lift?

Michael: Dear Sophie,

despite my doubts
about a higher power,

my hands are clasped
in prayer for you

to get the documentary out
sooner rather than later.

My appeal is set
to be decided on

in less than three months.

I always felt the
documentary was the best way

for people to hear
my side of the story.

I feel I must ask a question
that is long overdue.

Why on earth are you
still writing to me?

You're a smart,
accomplished woman

in the prime of her life

who sounds surprisingly
like Pepe Le Pew.

And I'm a convicted criminal

waiting for some
assholes in black robes

to admit mistakes
were made and free me.

David: (on video) The
fractured cartilage

in Kathleen's thyroid indicates

a strangulation attempt is...

merely possible.

Dr. Radisch: (on video) I would
say it was highly, highly likely

an attempt at
strangulation was made.

David: But can you say that

with a reasonable degree

of medical certainty?

Yes. Yes, I can.

(knock on door)

(speaking French)

Of course, I miss her.

I miss seeing her
face every morning.

I miss her laughing at my jokes,

even when they weren't funny.

What can I do
about it, you know?

Her being gone and this trial,

I can't change any of it.

Clayton: I'm
worried about you.

Michael: A great deal
of selfishness and ego

goes away with age.

You can't help it, you know.

You watch yourself get
old and fat and stupid.

And so you worry
about other things.

Other people.

Those you love.

Like you guys.

♪ Whenever, wherever ♪

♪ We're meant to be together ♪

♪ I'll be there and
you'll be near ♪

♪ And that's the
deal, my dear ♪

♪ There over, hereunder ♪

♪ You'll never
have to wonder ♪

(panting)

- Kathleen.
- Carol.

Hi. Hi!

I can't believe this.

I was just talking
about you last night.

-Oh. I was telling my friends

how you set me free.

Aw.

Oh. Okay.

Oh man, it is good to see you.

You too. You look good.

Yeah, I am good.

- Where are you working now?
- Bowman and Girard.

It's a mid-sized firm downtown.

Money's good?

Not great.

About little more than half

of what I was making.

But it's fine.

The hours are completely humane.

You know, when I
took a step back

away from it all,

I can see I was really,
really struggling at Nortel.

But it used to be fun, right?

I mean... it was work,

but we were doing pretty well.

Yeah.

Then it changed.

Now, I can actually see my kids.

We've even got a Club
Med trip planned.

Turks and Caicos.

- Can you believe it?
- Oh, that's great, Carol.

That's... it's really great.

(people chattering)

Hi.

Hi. Um, this is a
family heirloom.

I'm sorry, it's not for sale.

I'm sorry.

Bill: Larry. You should
have called, Larry.

We would have let you in first.

Oh, that's okay.

Didn't want to be a bother.

But weren't there two?

- Two what?
- Deer.

Uh, to be honest,
I have no idea.

Well, how much you
want for this bad boy?

- Oh no, no, no, no.
- Nonsense.

Michael needs the money.

Let's call it... a hundred.

Thank you.

Remember, I'm right next
door if you need me.

Oh, come on.

- I'm retired now.
- Oh.

Got nothing but time.

Michael: So, for
my peace of mind,

I need someone dedicated

to making the commissary
deposits every week.

It's, it's all my food,

uh, writing materials, stamps.

- It's, it's everything.
- I can take over.

Todd: No, I've got it.

I've done it the past
six months. It's fine.

Yeah. But you're in Mexico, and
I'm in the states. It's easier.

You know they have
banks in Mexico.

I'm just trying to
give you a break.

Let's just say it's Todd, okay.

It's Todd. You get the dogs.

I hate those f*cking dogs.

(chuckles)

You know, Bill's
expecting a good haul

from the estate sale.

And the house? Any interest?

Uh...

we're less optimistic there.

What's that supposed to mean?

It, it's looking like it's going
to go for less than asking.

What, like a million?

More like...
seven-fifty. Seven.

Seven? Are you kidding me?

It's got six f*cking
bathrooms! Why?

(clears throat)

Because of what
happened in there.

So I'm going to be broke
when I get out of here.

- (man shouting)
- Man: Yo, man,

I don't have to f*cking be here!

Man 2: Okay, okay.

Man: I f*cking don't.

- This is horrible.
- Todd: Clay.

It is. I don't know
how I survived...

You only did four years.

- Clayton: I know.
- And you were guilty.

Sorry.

Sorry. I'm just...

I'm just upset about
losing the house.

(classical music playing)

(door closes)

(Francois speaking French)

(Denis speaking French)

(Rosalie speaking French)

(classical orchestra playing)

(music stops)

(sighs)

(orchestra resumes)

(music stops)

Okay. Slower still, yes?

(music restarts)

(inaudible)

Conductor: (clears
throat) Thoughts?

Notes?

One more time, please.

(music restarts)

Sophie: Dear Michael,

I've so enjoyed
our correspondence.

Perhaps too much.

Because of that,
I need distance,

and I will be taking a
break from writing you.

I hope you understand.

To keep you occupied, I'm
sending along another book,

since you're
sticking to your lie

that you finished Proust.

It was my favorite
as a young girl.

But I haven't read it in years.

I'm hoping you can read
it and then tell me

if it's as good as I remember.

I fear my memory has distorted

my perception of it.

Hopefully, you can
tell me I'm wrong.

Fondly, Sophie.

Michael: Dear Sophie,
I'm sad to know

you can't write me for a time.

But I understand.

I know how complicated
life can be.

I felt I had to respond

to thank you for
the book, though.

It was also one of my
favorites when I was young.

I've often felt like Alice
during this whole ordeal.

Like I've gone through
the looking glass.

And prison is every bit the
hell it's made out to be.

Worse than w*r.

Hell, w*r was even
fun sometimes.

But it's full of
interesting people

who can be funny, gentle, loyal.

It's hard to square up with
what I know they've done.

Corrections officer:
Head count, gentlemen.

Let's go, gentlemen.

Michael: It'll make for
a good novel one day.

I can feel my
imagination turning on

thanks to you.

I've actually been thinking
a lot about Paris lately.

Closing my eyes and imagining

this little cafe Kathleen and
I used to frequent in the 4th.

La Reine Rouge.
Do you know it?

When I win my appeal, I
would like nothing more

than to go there with you.

We could sit, have a glass
of wine, and people watch.

I feel like you'd
enjoy that too.

You documentary subject and
hopefully one day, friend,

Michael Peterson.

(Sophie speaking)

Oh, merci.

David: Can you say that
with reasonable degree

of medical certainty?

Dr. Radisch: Yes. Yes, I can.

David: Okay.

(slams key)

Et voilà...

Clayton?

Oh!

(exhales forcefully)

(door opens)

(door closes)

Nate: It's too hot
outside for that sh*t.

(overlapping conversations)

Nate: You girls were really
something tonight. Come on in.

Oh, can't stop, won't stop.

Okay.

Come on in. We'll
show you the place.

I like it. I like it.

2,400 square feet.

Brand new construction.

A tub you could drown in.

And f*ck me...

the pool.

It's a g*dd*mn work of art.

You ladies...

yeah, you'd look
pretty good next to it.

Woman: Hmm. Hmm.

(Nate chuckles)

("Slow Motion" by Juvenile
and Soulja Slim playing)

♪ Slow motion for me
slow motion for me ♪

♪ Move in slow motion for me ♪

♪ Slow motion for me,
slow motion for me ♪

♪ Move in slow motion for me ♪

♪ Ughh! I like it like that ♪

♪ She working that back,
I don't know how to act ♪

♪ Slow motion for me,
slow motion for me ♪

♪ Slow motion for me, move
in slow motion for me ♪

♪ Ughh! I like it like that ♪

♪ She working that back,
I don't know how to act ♪

♪ Slow motion for me,
slow motion for me ♪

♪ Slow motion for me, move
in slow motion for me ♪

♪ I'm a d*ck thrower ♪

♪ Her neck and
her back hurting ♪

♪ Cut throater, have you
like a brand new virgin ♪

♪ It's like when you get used
of it then you start serving ♪

When you come to Cabo...

no one knows who you are.

You can do anything you want.

It's fantastic.

(girl chuckles)

Well, my family's been
vacationing here for years,

so everybody knows us.

Well, that's exactly
why you need this place.

And I-I'm telling
you, we could have you

in this condo by Monday.

Oh, easily.

Keys in hand. Done, yours.

Woman: That is crazy.

Real estate takes
forever in Boston.

Nate: Well, you know...

things are faster down here.

Uh, ten rolls of stamps, please.

- Commissary worker: Any stationery?
- Uh, not today. No.

Oh, and one of those
honey buns, actually.


- Alright.
- (scanner beeps)

Try again next week.

Try again?

- No money, no order.
- What?

There's no money
in your account.

No, my son Todd puts,
puts money in every week.

- Just look again.
- Why would I look again when there's nothing to see?

Check next week.

You don't understand.
I need this.

I really need this.

Step out of line, 640.

- Please, I don't...
- Now.

- No, I need this!
- Step out of line now!

- Inmate: Hey, Staircase.
- Inmate 2: Hey.

(inmates shouting)

♪ ♪

Hey, BK. How's it going?

Chillin'. You
seem hyped though.

I don't have the stamps.

Not today.

Soon.

I see.

I just need one more
day. That's all.

I need the stamps,

or J-Smoke gonna
f*ck your ass up.

This ain't no damn charity.

Start the game over.

(inmates chattering)

So my son forgot.

He didn't put money in the...

It's a free country.

Stand where you got to stand.

Thank you.

(tense music playing)

(waves crashing)

(seagulls squawking)

f*ck! f*ck!

Oh sh*t!

Oh sh*t!

Oh my god.

Pick up, Nate. Pick up, Nate.

- (line beeping)
- f*ck!

f*ck! (inhales sharply)

(sighs)

(cell phone ringing)

Dude. What happened
last night?

Nate: (on phone)
Are you joking?

There's blood.

Nate: g*dd*mn it, dude.

You f*cked up the whole deal.

Nate, Nate, what
happened to the girl?

- Nate: What girl?
- The one that I was, um,

that I was hanging with,
the girl with the pink bra.

Nate: What? She left
right after you fell

and hit your head or something.

You better not have
f*cked the place up.

Yo, Todd.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
So she's okay?

Nate: Whatever. She's got
a massive f*cking hangover.

But... look, bro,

you need to lock your sh*t down.

Otherwise, we're
gonna have to rethink

this whole business arrangement.

And I set my account to auto-pay,
so it'll never happen again.

Michael: Thank you.
Thank you so much.

Yeah, of course, Dad.

What the hell
happened with Todd?

It's not like him.

I don't know, he
must be really busy

with his real estate thing.

He says it's going really well.

Oh, good for him.

Hey. Dad.

It's just... this is a lot.

I wasn't going to mention
this until things were...

What? Oh god, what?
What? What is it?

No, it's, it's good.
Becky's pregnant.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh wow.

You're going to
be a grandfather.

Come here.

Alright, 640, make space.

Um...

well, I, uh,

I hope my appeal comes
through be-before he's born.

You know, I want to
be there for you.

Well, David says any day now.

And we think it's
going to be a she.

A she?

Oh wow. Now girls
are a handful.

You know that, don't you?

Yeah, that's... (chuckles)

that's what I keep hearing.

Yeah.

Oh my god.

Whoa, whoa, Margaret, what
are you talking about?

Margaret: Dad didn't tell you?

I thought you were
on the same page.

Wait. Wait. What happened?

Margaret: He went
through my mail,

found out I got some bad grades,

and flipped out,
that's what happened.

He told me you weren't going

to buy me a ticket
home for Thanksgiving.

So, I'm not coming.

Well, no...

I can give you the
money for a ticket.

Mike doesn't need to know.

Margaret: It's too late.
I made other plans.

With who?

Margaret: I'm going
to Aunt Blair's.

Aunt Blair's?

Oh, come on, you do not
want to go to Rhode Island.

Margaret: Whatever.
I, I've got to study.

I'll see you at
Christmas, if I'm invited.

(phone disconnects)

Kathleen.

Your table's ready.

- Kathleen: Oh.
- It's been too long.

Kathleen: George,
so good to see you.

She really did seem lighter

not working at Nortel, you know.

There was a brightness to her.

- Diane: Good for her.
- Check in with her in six months.

- What does that mean?
- Well, she's, um,

she'll be tearing her
hair out with boredom.

She's addicted to the grind.

Another bottle?

It's pricey.

You really think you have
everyone's number, don't you?

I mean, I think I got Carol's.

I'd love for someone
to take the wheel.

Have an easier job. No job.

Diane: What are
you talking about?

You're a workaholic, too.

What would you even do?

Carl: Uh, go fishing
more, for starters.

Diane: Uh, no, you wouldn't.

George: Everything
okay, Mr. Peterson?

Yes, George. Fantastic.

Um, another Sancerre.

George: Fine choice,
Mr. Peterson.

Oh, Kathleen, I've been
meaning to tell you.

We're going to my
sister's for Thanksgiving.

So thank you for the
invitation, but...

Maybe just I can come?

Well, I'm thinking of sitting
this year out, actually.

Diane: Oh really?

Yes, Kathleen, do say more.

Well, some of the kids
aren't coming home.

Who?

Don't you look so surprised.

Margaret.

She's going to Rhode Island
to be with Aunt Blair.

Aunt Blair?

Jesus, that kid's a
glutton for punishment.

What about Martha?

She hasn't picked up her phone.

Diane: I'm sorry, honey.

I know how important
Thanksgiving is to you.

Kathleen: No, it's okay.

My sister's been begging
to host for a decade,

so I might just take a page
out of the Carol playbook

and take the night off.

Hey. A toast to giving
ourselves a break.

Carl: Yeah. To, uh,
what's her name?

- Carol.
- Carl: Carol?

- To Carol.
- All: To Carol.

(glasses clinking)

So, since we're going
to be out of town,

you know what that means, buddy?

- What?
- You're going to have

- to come over and feed the bats.
- (Diane laughs)

Have we told you the latest
with those f*cking things?

Who knew they were so
hard to get rid of?

- Hmm?
- (Carl chuckles)

(inmates chattering)

- Do you mind?
- Hm.

Thanks.

You know, for the assist.

The other day, you know.

Not telling me to scram.

Sorry to hear what happened.

Oh.

That's all sorted
out now, so I'm...

No, I'm, I'm good for a while.

You know, my, uh...

my youngest was busy with work.

And my oldest, Clayton?

I'm going to be a grandfather.

You're really relaxed.

When I lost, it
took me a minute.

Lost? Lost what?

Newsreader: In October 2003,

novelist Michael
Peterson was convicted

of the m*rder of his wife,

Nortel executive
Kathleen Peterson.

His defense team
led by David Rudolf

immediately filed for an appeal.

But today, a three-judge panel

rejected Peterson's arguments
that his trial was filled

with inflammatory,
irrelevant evidence

and judicial mistakes
that prevented him

from getting a fair trial.

The decision comes nearly a
year after his conviction.

Now, Michael Peterson
and his defense team

are headed to the North
Carolina Supreme Court

where they will
have one final...

So, hang, hang on a
second. Can you hear me?

- Can you hear me?
- Michael: Yeah, I can hear you.

Okay. Um, look, Mike,

we obviously didn't want you

to find out this way, alright?

I'm, I'm sorry.

Oh, you didn't want me
to find out standing

next to Bob the pedophile?

You didn't think that was ideal?

Look, I, I understand
your anger, Mike.

It was one appeal in
a stack of a thousand.

Uh, we didn't know

when we were going to hear,
and we can't exactly just,

you know, ring your
doorbell, so...

What does it say?
What does it say?

The ruling? Can
you send me a copy?

Yeah, we'll send it. Of
course, we'll send it.

It says, you know,
they actually agreed

with our argument that
the state's conduct

in seizing your computer
was unconstitutional.

So why am I still f*cking here?

Because then they ruled
two-to-one that it was...

Immaterial to the final outcome.

Wait, immaterial to the outcome?

My f*cking life. The outcome?

Tom Maher: Yes. That what
they found on your computer

didn't sway the jury
one way or another.

Well, listen, listen.

Because it was a split decision,

the appeal automatically goes up

to the state supreme court.

And our odds are much
better at that level.

So how long will that take?

David: Well, uh,
could be another year.

- Or... or two.
- f*ck.

Michael: f*ck, f*ck, f*ck.

I know. Well...

I am with you

until this is over.

Right here.

You know that, right?

Come on, I can't
get off this call

if you're mad at me.

No, I'm not mad, Dave.

I, I got to go.

- David: Alright, uh...
- (slams receiver)

(heavy breathing)

Let me, uh...

let me see if I can get her.

Can you guys...

can you guys hold on?

- Todd: (on phone) Yeah.
- Clayton: (on phone) Yeah.

I'm here.

Margaret: (on phone)
Okay, cool. One second.

- You okay, bro?
- Todd: Yeah.

Yeah, all good.

(line ringing)

(cell phone buzzing)

Hey. (clears throat)

Margaret: I can be in
San Francisco tomorrow.

I'm fine.

Okay, let me, let
me loop the boys in.

So what's important to remember

is that this isn't the end.

There's going to
be a second appeal.

Is this just going
to go on for years?

It has not been years.

It's been, what,
maybe ten months?

It's been three
years since Mom...

Look, we just need
to... buckle up.

Alright? Refuel.

Right. There's still
moves left on the board.

Yeah. It'll all be fine.

Jean: Bonjour.

(audience laughs)

(applause)

(classical music playing)

Michael: (on screen) Um, no.

One night, she was...

You know, this, this
house is, is filled...

Michael: with so
many memories.

You know, I, I feel her here.

Michael: I, I
just always think

she might walk through
that door any moment.

Smiling, laughing,

reminding me that I'm,
I'm late for something.

(classical music
playing faintly)

(audience applauding
and cheering)

- (door opens)
- (cheering intensifies)

(audience chattering)

(Rosalie speaking French)

(laughter)

Oh! (laughs)

(people chattering)

♪ ♪

Man: Hi.

- Oh my god.
- Oh god.

I'm so sorry. I
didn't mean to...

Margaret: I got it. I got it.

I got it. I got it.

I didn't mean to
scare you. I, I, uh...

- You're, you're new here, right?
- Uh, yeah, kinda.

Sophie: Dearest Margaret,

We've never met, but I spent

many precious hours with
you and your family.

This documentary is the
result of those hours.

We hope we did justice
to your family's story.

Please know that to me,
this is not the end.

Yours truly, Sophie,

editor, Maha Productions.

(classical music playing)

Corrections officer: Hey, 640.

Visiting hours.

What?

Staircase.

♪ ♪

Michael.

Sophie.

- You're here.
- (Sophie chuckles)

I am here.

Yes.

Wow.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪
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