02x01 - Chapter 9: The Great Gate

[bunniefuu]

(HBO INTRO PLAYS)

(SINGER SINGING "ARE YOU MAKIN'
ANY MONEY?" BY CHICK BULLOCK)

♪ You make time and
you make love dandy ♪

♪ You make swell molasses candy ♪

♪ But, honey, are you
making any money? ♪

♪ That's all I want to know ♪

♪ You make fun and
you could make trouble ♪

♪ You make mistakes
and that goes double ♪

♪ But, honey, are you
making any money? ♪

♪ That's all I want to know ♪

♪ You make dates and you make trains ♪

♪ I can get that through my head ♪
♪ It's a cinch, in a pinch ♪

♪ You could make breakfast ♪
♪ Even make the bed ♪

♪ Oh, you make good
when you make a promise ♪

♪ No, I'm not a doubting Thomas ♪

♪ But, honey, are you
making any money? ♪

♪ That's all I want to know ♪

- (MUSIC CONTINUES)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Hey, pal! Hey.

Hey, hey, hey! Pal!

- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (CUTLERY CLATTERING)

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

- (MEN CHUCKLE)
- (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)

GUEST : Fire! Fire in the kitchen!

- GUEST : Fire! Fire!
- (FIRE ALARM BLARING)

- (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
- (INDISTINCT CLAMOR)

(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)

(SHIP HORN BLARING IN DISTANCE)

(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(SNIFFS)

(JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Morning, Walt.

(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)

(MARION KANG GASPS)

- Who are you?
- MARION: Good morning, Mr. Mason.

I'm Marion Kang, your new secretary.

- My what?
- Would you mind signing in?

Bronson Secretarial School taught us

it's of the utmost importance
to keep a record of who...

DELLA STREET: Yes, I hired a secretary.

Because as I've said forever,

we need someone to answer the phone,

- take notes, keep the books.
- We couldn't even afford...

DELLA: And if I'm out
there doing Marion's job,

well, I can't be in here
with you doing mine.

That was our deal.

I'm in here with a seat at the table.

Well, you're gonna have to
sell the table to pay for her.

The last of EB's debts were paid off

on the first of this month.

And what's left over from
what you contributed

from the sale of the farm,
plus our current clients,

- such as they are...
- (KNOCK ON DOOR)

DELLA: ... we have... Come in.
Just enough to pay the monthly,

plus pay for a secretary.

Thank you.

DELLA: The house is in
Mr. Burkhardt's name,

so we'll need to refile
it to joint ownership,

so it will go directly to Mrs. Burkhardt

- if he passes away first.
- _

And all proceeds from
the second survivor

will be split equally
among their three children,

Theobald, Bruna, and Engleberta.

Beautiful names.

I'm sure none of them have tried
to boil a child in a fairy tale.

DELLA: Bruna will be
bequeathed the table clock

and the swan vase.

Engleberta and her
mother's daisy brooch.

Theobald, his father's
beer stein collection.

Oh, Theobald, you are
one lucky son of a bitch.

- Hey.
- PERRY MASON: What?

(SCOFFS) Can we focus, please?

I am.

You're the one who suddenly
wanted to give up criminal law

and only do civil.

This is civil.

You're the one who said civil
work kept firms in business.

- I'm just being practical.
- Since when?

- What time is court tomorrow?
- DELLA: Nine.

Nine a.m.

Practical.

A practical person
would own a date book.

- I don't need one. I have a secretary.
- (KNOCK ON DOOR)

(DOOR OPENING)

- MARION: These came for you.
- Thank you.

DELLA: Thank you, Marion.

(FOOTSTEPS RECEDING)

- _
- (DOOR CLOSING)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

(GASPS, COUGHS)

BROOKS MCCUTCHEON: Doing all right?

(GASPS)

- Hey.
- (BREATHES SHAKILY)

Thanks for being a good sport.

Of course. (COUGHS)

It was... (INHALES SHARPLY)

- ... different. (COUGHS)
- (CHUCKLES)

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

I'm working on the boat tonight.

(CLEARS THROAT)

Will you be there?

Uh, maybe.

(SIGHS) Listen...

do me a favor.

Wait ten minutes after I leave...

then you can go.

(DOOR OPENING, CLOSING)

- (SEAGULLS SQUAWKING)
- (WAVES CRASHING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Old Fashioned and a
Reuben sandwich, George.

GEORGE: Yes, sir.

- Hey.
- You were done with it.

You only read the funnies anyway, Cliff.

- ELIZABETH MCCUTCHEON: Hi. (CHUCKLES)
- PHILLIP MCCUTCHEON: Dad!

- Darling.
- ELIZABETH: Darling.

(KISSES)

- What'd you boys find?
- (CHUCKLES)

- It's a seahorse!
- CHARLES MCCUTCHEON: Yeah.

Oh, that is neat.

I ordered the boys creamsicles.

Do you want one?

Uh, I just ordered myself something.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

Hello, Father. (SIGHS)

LYDELL MCCUTCHEON:
Where were you, Brooks?

I've been here.

Can't remember the last time
you came down to the club.

The place never really
turned out how I envisioned

when I started it.

Though it is a beautiful view.

Quite remarkable just
how far out into the ocean

you can see boats from here.

It wasn't supposed to
be that big of a deal.

We were just trying
to sabotage the Luxe,

not destroy it.

And the fire got a
little out of control.

Wouldn't it have been smarter
to sabotage it during the day

when it's not packed to
the gills with witnesses?

I'm sorry, Dad. I...

- What can I say? I'll fix it.
- No.

(SCOFFS)

No more fixing, Brooks.

It's over. You need to step back.

- But I just...
- LYDELL: Back from your position

in the company. Back from
your gambling interest.

Back from your bullshit
with the baseball team.

The baseball team is coming.

We... We've got four cities
showing real interest.

I'm close on this one, Dad.

I'm really building
something meaningful.

Building takes a firm
foundation, Brooks.

Your dabbling in every little
folly is anything but that.

It's as solid as a sandcastle.

Did I tell you I got
at least companies

that want to advertise at the stadium?

I've got Chesterfield,

- uh, Goodyear...
- LYDELL: Brooks! Stop!

Take my advice and walk away.

(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)

LYDELL: Spend time with your boys.

Concentrate on your charity work.

That's a perfectly admirable legacy.

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(THUD)

- (FAUCET SQUEAKING)
- (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

(WATER RUNNING)

(g*n COCKS)

Hey.

Mr. Mason.

How... How did you get in here?

Do you believe that I will?

- What?
- (COUGHS)

(CHOKES)

Do you be... that I... (CHOKES)

- (COUGHS)
- Believe what?

(COUGHS)

(MUSIC INTENSIFIES, FADES)

(SIGHS)

- (SIGHS)
- (SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)

_

_

_

(MOTORCYCLE ENGINE REVVING)

EMILY DODSON: "Dear Mr. Mason,
when will I be fully cleansed?

I continue to ask God for guidance,

but I fear He is turning
His back on me."

"Dear Mr. Mason, what
did we win in court?

What's my freedom worth?

My boy Charlie is still gone."

"Dear Mr. Mason, today would've
been Charlie's second birthday.

I desperately want to join him."

"Dear Mr. Mason, do you believe
that I will be fully forgiven?"

"Dear Mr. Mason... "
"Dear Mr. Mason... "

(GROANS)

BAILIFF: All rise.

JUDGE CARLISLE: You may be seated.

(DOOR OPENING)

- PERRY: Sorry.
- Why are you limping?

Hmm? I'm not.

Mr. Purtell, exactly how
many years did you work

at Sunny Market?

Uh, seven years. Three
of those as a manager.

And how would you say the
owner, Mr. Gryce, treated you?

ED PURTELL: He was a tough boss.

Uh, did your pay increase very much

when you became manager?

Barely.

And yet, you're the one who
helped design the layout

of Mr. Gryce's stores, isn't that right?

- That's right.
- MR. KELLARD: And since then,

the stores have seen
an increase in sales

of a staggering percent,
even in these times.

But did Mr. Gryce ever give
you credit for your design?

Did he compensate you in any way?

No and no.

- Did you talk to him about it?
- ED: I did.

And he told me if I didn't like it,

I could take it on the arches.

And that's exactly what you did.

And what did you do next?

ED: I opened up my own store.

MR. KELLARD: You opened your own store.

Pursued your dream.

Followed the natural progression
of God-given capitalism

and industriousness that
makes this country great!

PERRY: Is there a question
in there, Your Honor,

or does Mr. Kellard intend to give

all of his client's testimony himself?

Mr. Kellard, if you could limit
yourself to actual questions.

Of course, Your Honor.

It's just difficult when I'm so proud

to be representing this fine man.

Far be it for me to get
between two men in love,

- but that also didn't sound like a question.
- (PEOPLE LAUGH)

And that's not a proper
objection, Mr. Mason.

Mr. Kellard, you may proceed
with your questioning.

Why are you here today, Mr. Purtell?

Because Sunny Gryce is saying
I stole his ideas for my store.

MR. KELLARD: But you
didn't steal anything,

- did you?
- ED: How could I?

They were my ideas to begin with!

Your ideas. Your methods.

Your designs that Sunny Gryce
benefitted greatly from

and is now claiming are his
and suing you in the process?

He wants to put all of the
competition out of business.

Objection!

Sorry. He... He can't testify
to what our client wants.

I got this. Uh, objection,
Y... Your Honor,

Mr. Purtell has no idea
what my client wants

and does not want.

Sustained.

MR. KELLARD: Mr. Purtell...

do you feel... that Sunny Gryce
wants to put you out of business?

Yes. I feel he wants to crush me.

No further questions.

- What are you doing?
- I want to try something.

We talked about this.
We need to establish...

You know what I love, Ed?

Quaker Crackels cereal.

I mostly eat 'em right out
of the box, like popcorn.

I've... I've even taken
this to the movie theater.

Where would I find that in your store?

Which, uh, which aisle?

- Um, six. (CHUCKLES)
- PERRY: Six.

Interesting. That's, uh,
that's the same as Sunny's.

I'm also a big devotee of
Underwood Deviled Ham.

That makes a good sandwich.
Where would I find that?

- Aisle .
- Same as Sunny's again.

And... And what about the Bromo?

For when the Crackels on aisle six

and the ham on aisle come back on me?

- Aisle two.
- (CHUCKLES) Just like Sunny's.

Well, that's, uh, that's...
that's three for three.

I mean, that's a batting average
Lou Gehrig would be jealous of.

Mr. Purtell, do you think
Henry Ford pays his engineers

to invent devices for his company

and then expects them
to go down the street

and reinvent them for
themselves to sell?

ED: (STAMMERS) No. (CHUCKLES)
It's not like that, Mr. Mason.

Uh, if you knew anything about markets,

you would know that those
were just logical places

any market would put those items.

It has nothing to do
with what Sunny Gryce...

(INHALES DEEPLY) ... taught me.

What's the slogan for Sunny Market?

(INHALES SHARPLY)

"All under one roof."

And for your store?

"Everything under our roof."

Well, thank you for changing
those few letters.

MR. KELLARD: Your Honor!

That's because I came up
with the one for Sunny's.

While you were an employee
at Mr. Gryce's store,

you were compensated
for everything you did

with the understanding
that you were doing it

for Sunny Market.

Objection. Now it's Mr.
Mason who is testifying.

Sustained.

Mr. Purtell, can you recognize
in this photograph

where and what this is?

Yes, that... that's my office in my
store. How do you have that?

If you look at this enlarged photograph,

can you read the title on
the spine of the binder?

I didn't steal from him!

Actually, that's not the title.

The title is, "Sunny Market
Manager's Handbook."

Your Honor, I'd like to
submit this into evidence,

- Exhibit D.
- I have that because I wrote it.

- I wrote it!
- PERRY: And you were paid for it

by a man who expected
you to be loyal enough

not to steal it for your own purposes.

(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)

(SIGHS)

No further questions, Your Honor.

ED: No, that's not...

(SCOFFS) That's... Those are my ideas.

He stole from me! He stole from me!

Can't you see that?
He's trying to ruin me.

This isn't fair!

- How did you get in my office anyway?
- (GAVEL POUNDING)

- JUDGE: Mr. Purtell...
- ED: This isn't right.

Mr. Purtell, you may step down.

DELLA: What was the point of me
staying up all night, researching,

just so you could toss it all away

and do whatever you wanted?

I'm pretty sure what I just
did won the case for us.

Did you see the jury's faces when
I showed them that photograph?

You sure they weren't just reacting
to the blood on your pants?

What did you do?

I... I slipped on the bike
last night on the way home.

- On the way home?
- Yeah.

You were supposed to sell
that thing five months ago

when that degenerate used it to pay us.

The guy was in trouble,
and he needed a lawyer.

- It's all he had.
- He was a thief.

- He was feeding his family!
- By stealing motorcycles!

- It's stolen.
- It's fun.

Yeah, I've had a wonderful time with it.

sh*t, we have a meeting
with a potential client.

I guess you're not coming now.

It's fine by me. I'm not hungry anyway.

BROOKS: The hardships
you have all suffered

- are unimaginable.
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER) _

BROOKS: But your spirit can't be broken,

and we will do all that we can
to make sure it never is broken.

When there is a need, we will fill it,

which is why we're moving
forward with plans

to open five more McCutcheon
relief kitchens like this one.

- (CROWD APPLAUDING)
- (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING)

BROOKS: But this terrible
time will soon pass.

Better days lay ahead
for you and your families

and for this great city.

And that's why I thought today
would be the perfect time

to make a surprise announcement.

Bake, step up here.

Now, you all know old St.
Louis Cardinals' pitcher,

Bake Matthews, right?

- (APPLAUSE)
- (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)

- How's that arm, Bake?
- It's good. It's good.

Ready to put it to work
ladling soup, I hope?

Oh, you betcha!

BROOKS: Now, I asked Bake to join me

because I am announcing today
that I am bringing this city

its very own major league baseball team,

playing at McCutcheon Stadium!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

BROOKS: And what's that mean?
Why, it means jobs for one thing.

But more than that,
it means this city matters.

It means rooting for fellas

with this city's name
across their chests.

The city you built.

The city that belongs to you.

And the team that will belong to you!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Lydell, would you care to say anything?

I'm not nearly as eloquent as my son.

Plus, I think the soup is getting cold.

(CROWD LAUGHS)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

BROOKS: Thank you.

The team's really a sealed deal?

I told you I'd do it, Dad.

Yeah. We need to get going, Lydell.

- (SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)

- So?
- (SIGHS)

Just letting you
know... (INHALES DEEPLY)

... there's been a little bit of
chatter around the department

about the Luxe.

And they've assigned a few dicks
to interview other boat owners.

- So in case that happens...
- I can handle it.

(INHALES DEEPLY) In case that happens...

you say nothing more than you need to.

All right, don't try to outsmart them.

Make sure you get their names.

You see the ads I put in
The Times and The Examiner?

I told them to put it right under
the story of the Luxe fire.

Our place is gonna be packed tonight.

I hope so.

BROOKS: Holcomb, this is going to work.

It is working.

What if it doesn't?

I mean, this isn't just like
taking up tennis for me.

I've got my whole life savings
wrapped up in this f*cking thing.

Yeah, but don't tell me you don't
enjoy the perks of being the muscle

in an upscale place instead
of just arresting drunks

- or busting whore houses.
- Not just muscle...

partner.

Right. Listen, the next time
I ask you and your boys

to sabotage a ship,

it's probably smarter
to do it during the day

- when there's fewer people.
- (TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

BROOKS: Hmm?

I'll see you tonight.

My husband first got
in the coil spring game

with his brothers back in ' .

But that's when they were
just making tension springs

for upholstered furniture.

They did the theater seats at
the Fox Theater in Westwood.

- Exciting.
- MRS. HUNT: But there's been a falling out

with my husband and his brothers,

and so we're splitting off.

We're going to be making volute springs,

which are for heavy machinery.

With this depression, people are
holding onto their furniture.

So volute springs just make sense.

But it is a very different
kind of spring,

as I'm sure you can imagine.

It seems like a very
interesting business.

It is. But it also means
different clients

and very different language
in our new contracts.

I'm sure our firm will be more
than capable of handling those.

MRS. HUNT: Have you ever
seen a volute spring?

I brought a sample with me.
They're quite something.

- It's beautiful.
- MRS. HUNT: (CHUCKLES) Isn't it?

Would you excuse me for just a moment?

- I have to go powder my nose.
- Oh, of course.

DELLA: I can't wait to take
another look at those springs

- when I get back.
- (LAUGHS)

- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)

They'll be there soon.

(DOOR OPENING, CLOSING)

There's a back way
out of here, you know?

Excuse me?

Well, I was thinking I
could go back out there

and tell that flat tire
you've been avoiding

that you got wise and took off.

(CHUCKLES)

We need the business.

- I have to charm her.
- ANITA ST. PIERRE: Mm.

Well, you look like you
got a fair bit to spare.

I tell you what, I go back
inside, I yell, "Fire!"

And we just clear the whole place out.

(LAUGHS)

- That'd just get you arrested.
- True.

But we could steal some
sweets off the dessert cart

as we make our escape.

That'd also get you arrested.

Well, sharing the chocolate cake
with you can make it worth it.

- (DOOR OPENING, CLOSING)
- (FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

I should get back.

But if you, uh, see me dozing,
maybe try that fire line.

I do have one more
scenario kicking around.

What's that?

ANITA: Okay.

You go back inside,

and you keep on walking right
out to my big, shiny car.

I take us to a great
little dance joint I know.

- We split a bottle of anything...
- I...

- ANITA: Oh, she can't hear us. It's...
- No, it's just...

What?

I'm already involved with someone.

Oh.

Well, is she in good health,
or do I got to wait it out?

(CHUCKLES)

You and I will probably
both be in support hose

- before she has a gray hair.
- ANITA: Mm-hmm.

Well, I tell you what,
if you do ever decide

that you're ready to move
on from cradle robbing

and you need another escape plan...

(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)

LICK: And maybe it's
the Cardinals coming.

Huh? Huh? It sure won't be the Yankees.

Ain't none of us gonna
be playing for 'em.

So, I ain't going until the
Homestead Grays show up

with Cool Papa Bell behind the plate.

You'll be waiting a long damn time

'cause ain't none of our teams
are coming out this far.

Yeah, you got a point.

LICK: Hell, the rest of the
country don't even know

there's Colored folk out here.

(BOTH LAUGH)

That's why White folks
are still showing up.

- (LAUGHS)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING)

- Clara.
- CLARA DRAKE: Mm?

Paul, you haven't worked in weeks.

That man used to keep you top of mind.

You should've asked me.

And you should've invited him yourself.

PERRY: Happy birthday.

Thank you.

You know, my dad used
to bring us down here

when we were kids,
so he could catch catfish.

- Over in Watts?
- PERRY: Yeah.

Yeah. We used to try catching
out of that swampy water too.

(DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE)

This your place?

No, no, no. That's my...
my brother-in-law's.

It's temporary.
And it's good for Lucius,

having all this family around,
these helping hands.

- Sure.
- (BALL THUDS)

CHILD: Thank you.

The pictures you took at
Purtell's Market last month

really worked out.

Paul, I'm so sorry there
hasn't been more work.

Hmm. Lot less call for
my skill with civil cases.

(SIGHS)

Come on, what are you doing?

I just thought a little
extra might help.

- I don't earn it, I don't want it.
- Come on, y'all.

Time for the cake.

PAUL'S NIECE: Uncle Paul, come on.

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday, dear Paul ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

SPEAKER: Happy birthday!

- CLARA: Make a wish now.
- MORRIS: Happy birthday, Paul!

(ALL CHEER, APPLAUD)

- What'd you wish for?
- A bigger cake.

(ALL LAUGH)

Okay, plates.

PEARL: Ooh, okay.

Oh, can you pass down
those forks too? Thank you.

- Grab those.
- Who wants some cornbread?

- Okay, so we just...
- 'Cause the cake is all mine,

so somebody better eat that cornbread.

- (ALL LAUGH)
- That's a really big...

- _
- (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

SINGERS: ♪ You always
save money at Sunny's! ♪

♪ You always save money at Sunny's! ♪

♪ You always save money at Sunny's! ♪

♪ You always save money at Sunny's! ♪

- (ALL HUM)
- Hello, Los Angeles.

I'm Sunny Gryce.

Yes, you will save money
at Sunny Market.

During these tough times,
we keep our prices low

to keep your pantry piled high.

Everything you need is right here.

Just listen to what we have.

Fresh produce, canned goods,

ten choice cuts of meat,

delicious frozen confections,

- all under one roof.
- (SINGERS CONTINUE HUMMING)

SUNNY GRYCE: Come down to our
honey of a store for yourself.

Guarantee, when you check out,
you too will be singing...

♪ You always save money at Sunny's! ♪

♪ You always save money at Sunny's! ♪

♪ You always save money at Sunny's! ♪

♪ It's all under one roof! ♪

And that's the truth.

- SUNNY: What do you got?
- PERRY: Purtell wants to settle.

He'll change his store's layout,

give you approval over it,
and drop his slogan.

We also negotiated a
settlement of , dollars

for damages and infringement.

Five grand?

DELLA: Mr. Purtell doesn't
even have that right now.

We did a full audit.

But we worked out a payment schedule

to get your money in full.

SUNNY: You know who settles?

People who know they're gonna lose.

People who lost their nerve.

At a moment like that,
you can break a man.

I think I just heard Ed
Purtell cr*ck wide open.

There's really no need
to break him any further.

I mean, the man did work
for you for many years.

Were you in the w*r, Mason?

Yes. France.

SUNNY: So, then you and
I both know firsthand,

mercy is not something people
can afford when they're in a w*r.

It's a supermarket, not
the Battle of the Marne,

- and this is a good deal.
- SUNNY: Not to me it's not.

I'm fighting for my life, and
I need fighters by my side.

Now, I thought you were that man,

but maybe I was wrong
because fighters k*ll.

You don't seem to have it
in you to finish the job.

Do I have to find another fighter?

No, no, I can... I can finish the job.

Good.

Ladies, back to work.

(MID TEMPO MUSIC PLAYING OVER RADIO)

- MORRIS' DAUGHTER: Daddy.
- PEARL: Hey, hey, hey.

- MORRIS' DAUGHTER: Daddy.
- Don't be bothering your father.

Don't be touching him neither.

- Uh, boots off, Morris!
- I got ya. I got ya.

Hey, Mo. How did it go today?

(EXHALES SHARPLY)
They nearly k*lled us out there.

PEARL: Mm, them Serbs out there again.

(SCOFFS) You know it.
Kicking all our tails.

You know, them big f*ckers
don't know how to go slow.

Mo, language.

(LUCIUS DRAKE CRYING)

I got it.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

PEARL: Ooh, that might
be Mrs. Steinberg.

Said she'd be by with
new patterns for me

- and Clara to sew.
- (DOOR OPENING)

PEARL: Can I help you?

Yeah, I'm looking for
that man right there.

Come on. Come on.

You want to invite your friend in, Paul?

PAUL DRAKE: I got this, Pearl.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

I didn't mean to bust up suppertime.

What are you doing here?

Mason said you might be
looking for some work.

Melvin Perkins. You know who that is?

n*gg*r King of Central Avenue?

Owns The Birch Hotel.

Owns the L.A. Register,
that's the Colored newspaper.

PETE STRICKLAND: And a few other
interests a little less above board.

But you knew that.

We're hearing down at
the DA's office rumblings

of someone wanting to take him out.

- Who?
- PETE: Don't know.

A whisper to someone to
someone. I ain't privy.

But Burger don't want it happening.

He wants to suss out
who's looking to do it,

so he wants eyes on Perkins.

Why me?

Perkins operates out of The Birch.

And it's a Colored hotel.

We need to know his comings and goings.

Friends, enemies.

Who's watching him.
Who might have a beef.

Sorts of dealings might be
getting him in a jackpot

- with the wrong types.
- (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

You report back to us what you see,

help us keep him standing.

DA's willing to pay eight
bucks a day plus expenses.

That sound good to you?

Sounds good.

PETE: Evening.

JUDGE: The jury in the matter
of Gryce vs. Purtell

find in favor of the
plaintiff, Sunny Gryce.

It is the judgment of this
court to award Mr. Gryce

the full amount of , dollars.

- May I speak, Your Honor?
- Counsel.

Mr. Purtell doesn't have
the financial means

to pay anything even
close to that amount.

His net assets are
less than dollars.

He couldn't pay Mr. Gryce in a lifetime.

(WHISPERS) You're absolutely sure?

Um, Your Honor, my client
isn't unsympathetic

to Mr. Purtell's plight.

He certainly doesn't want
to see the defendant ruined

by this enormous debt.

And so...

Mr. Gryce is generously offering
to forego the debt owed to him

in exchange...

for Mr. Purtell signing over
his store... to Mr. Gryce.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

- JUDGE: Mr. Kellard?
- (WHISPERS) I'm sorry.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- Thanks.

Come on. I feel like we should...
we should toast to something.

To EB.

- He'd be proud of us.
- Would he?

He'd think you were
a crackerjack lawyer.

More like a vulture picking the
last scraps off Ed Purtell's bones.

DELLA: I didn't like what Sunny
asked us to do any more than you.

But the jury decided that case, not us.

What's gonna happen
to that poor bastard?

Who's to blame for what happens after?

Well, well. You two look like
you're in that picture Mata Hari,

hiding away in this back corner.

- Garbo was having more fun.
- PERRY: Mm.

Heard you won.

- Congratulations.
- Yeah.

We ran a man out of business.

Hip hooray.

HAMILTON BURGER: You know
what your problem is, Mason?

- Hamilton, now is not the time.
- (SCOFFS) No, no. Ham, enlighten me.

- This isn't going to help.
- It's that despite all of your...

- brooding cynicism...
- (PERRY SCOFFS)

... you still believe in justice.

And you don't? You're the
DA, for Christ's sake.

You work in a building
called the Hall of Justice.

A huge, impressive building

built to look like it's
been there years.

Been there six. Don't you know
what we're selling by now?

There is no true justice.

There's only the illusion of justice.

The illusion of justice?

The fantasy that keeps people believing

that truth always prevails.

Bad guys get caught.
Good guys put 'em away.

Why are you the district attorney?

Or are you just the illusion
of the district attorney?

HAMILTON: 'Cause I'm
the hero of that story.

And as long as people
still believe in justice

and there's a system in place
that looks like it works,

I'm doing what the city pays me to do.

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

Who the f*ck wants to
be any part of that?

(SIGHS)

Does everyone feel Mason hates them,

or just his friends?

- Depends on the day.
- HAMILTON: What are you drinking?

- Bourbon, neat.
- Sir, the same.

Your favorite bartender is here.

Oh, is he?

Maybe I should change
it to a dirty martini.

- I see the mood you're in.
- And you?

(LAUGHS) Happier with
the current company.

And you and Hazel? Everything
all right with you two?

Fine. Uncomplicated and...
(INHALES DEEPLY) fine.

But maybe with school and work,

I'm too busy for anything
more complicated right now.

Mm.

Sounds like the makings of
an exceptionally dull life,

- Miss Street.
- (CHUCKLES)

- Well done.
- It hasn't all been boring.

There's been a nice
surprise here and there.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

- Clara.
- CLARA: Mm-hmm?

It's okay to smile.

(LUCIUS CRIES)

Move a little to your right.

That's good. Right there,
right there, right there.

CLARA: Baby, Lucius is getting fussy.

I'm worried he's gonna explode.

He's coming.

Move left a little,
just a little. Perfect.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

CLARA: What's he doing?

It's okay, Clara. It's okay.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

- Okay. Let's just move. Mm-hmm.
- Okay.

(CLARA CLEARS THROAT)

Hey. Hang in there.

- (LUCIUS CRIES)
- CLARA: Mm.

Yeah.

- CLARA: Paul.
- Okay, okay, okay.

You can go.

- I'll see you at home.
- Yeah. Okay.

Okay.

- CHARLES: Bang, bang, bang!
- BROOKS: sh**t him, Charles!

- sh**t him!
- CHARLES: Bang, bang, bang!

- Bang, bang, bang.
- Oh, where is he?

- sh**t him, Charles! Oh.
- No.

- (GROANS)
- Oh, no. Oh, no.

Marshall Phillip just sh*t your horse.

CHARLES: Can we do it again?

- But this time, I get to sh**t you?
- (CHUCKLES)

Tomorrow. I have to go out.

PHILLIP: Okay.

(BROOKS CHUCKLES)

PHILLIP: Are you meeting Bake Matthews?

Uh, yep.

Finalizing the particulars of getting
the ball club moving here.

PHILLIP: Can you get
him to sign my card?

- You shred it, wheat!
- (PHILLIP CHUCKLES)

We should kiss the coin for luck!

Good idea. Always does the trick.

(KISSES)

Mm... (KISSES)

- Mm... (KISSES)
- (CHARLES AND PHILLIP LAUGH)

BROOKS: Okay, up to bed, boys. Go!

(BOTH LAUGH)

- Night, Dad.
- Night.

- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.

- (DOOR OPENING, CLOSING)
- (KEYS JINGLING)

(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC PLAYING)

_

BAKE MATTHEWS: The broads in
Cleveland, surprisingly attractive.

Always a popular stop.

Pittsburgh, you know,
the odds were good,

but the goods were odd.

That's why the players
would love a team out here.

WALTER CRIPPEN: We went
to every one of 'em, Brooks.

Every city. No one wants to move
their baseball team to Los Angeles.

You showed them the
pictures of the stadium?

And the model? And the numbers?

WALTER: Population numbers,

financial numbers.

I gave them everything but
Gloria Swanson's phone number.

Three whiskies, please.

As your attorney, as your friend,

I'm telling you, this idea is...

You told 'em we're the fastest
growing city in the world?

- WALTER: They don't care.
- The owners, sure.

But the commissioner,
he must see the benefits.

BAKE: Not a one.

Said no Major League team would
ever play west of the Mississippi.

To them, L.A. might as well be Mars.

f*cking dinosaurs.

BAKE: You shouldn't have promised
a team to those reporters, Brooks.

We're getting a team, Bake.

It's the future!

WALTER: The Yanks, the Cubs,
they get , fans every game.

No one thinks we're a baseball town.

Well, I built a giant stadium
to prove that we are.

New York gets three teams. Chicago, two.

We just need one. One f*cking team.

But people know back East.

BROOKS: Back East is dog sh*t, Bake!

This is the perfect city for baseball!

The whole country's running to get here,

and they still think
we're some backwater!

We're where everyone wants to be!

You think anyone dreams of
moving to f*cking Cincinnati?

(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

CLARA: I just need to brush my teeth.

PAUL: Come on in.

Poor thing.

(CLARA SIGHS)

(INHALES DEEPLY) Mm.

- You gonna be long?
- PAUL: No, no. I'll be in bed soon.

- (CLARA SIGHS, GROANS)
- (PAUL SIGHS, GROANS)

Clara, you were right to invite Mason.

Probably wouldn't have gotten
this gig if you didn't.

I'm gonna make this right.

I know.

How'd they come out?

PAUL: Good. Good. Here.

CLARA: Mm.

- Best one.
- Oh.

- PAUL: She is gorgeous.
- (CLARA CHUCKLES)

- You like it?
- Mm-hmm.

(DOGS BARKING IN DISTANCE)

- (PEN SCRIBBLING)
- (PAGES RUSTLING)

- (LINE TRILLING)
- (PHONE RINGING)

(SOFT JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING OVER RADIO)

Anita St. Pierre's residence.

This is very much Anita St. Pierre.

(EXHALES SHARPLY)

I tell you what,
I'm gonna count to five,

and if you haven't stated your business

or made an impressively lewd comment,

then I'll be forced to hang up the line.

This is Della...

Street.

Who is Della Street?

We met in a powder room.

You gave me your card.

Well, I've given any number of
cards to women in powder rooms.

Unless, hmm.

Unless you were that graceful honey,

about five foot seven
with steel blue eyes

as deep as the Arabian Sea,

then perhaps I do
faintly recall you, yes.

Well, that's a relief.

Because besides the excellent
typeset of your card,

nothing else about you made much
of an impression on me at all.

(BOTH CHUCKLE)

BAKE: It would've been
nice, team ambassador.

- I could've used the bump.
- BROOKS: You'll get it, Bake.

- We're not out of this.
- WALTER: Brooks.

We can have the governor
invite them out.

Do a whole tour. Make it first class.

Have the owners see
it all for themselves.

- Sure.
- Yeah, might turn the trick.

We'll talk about it.

(CAR ENGINE REVVING)

- (CAR DOOR CLOSING)
- (CAR ENGINE REVVING)

Oh, sh*t. Bake. Bake!

- (CAR ENGINE STARTS)
- (g*n COCKING)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(MELLOW SONG PLAYING OVER RADIO)

Whatever you want...

you're not paying for it.

Well, it's not legal, so
it doesn't exist anyway,

so what's to pay for?

I'll have a sh*t of rye. Thank you.

(SPEAKS SPANISH)

Ooh, gracias.

I hate what you've done with the place.

Well, if you cared so
much about your house,

- you wouldn't have left it a sh*thole.
- (LAUGHS)

LUPE GIBBS: I made something out of it.

Yeah, probably what I hate most.

I'm not sure how I feel about
a photo of my grandmother

sitting over the bar.

She's our patron saint.

- She looks after the place.
- (CHUCKLES)

LUPE: Come on.
You never really like it here.

And by the time you left,
you didn't like me much either.

So, what brings you back?

A lot of places I don't
want to be these days.

Tonight, this felt like
the least of them.

Always a black cloud.

(SCOFFS)

LUPE: Remember about that
place I told you once,

on the tip of Baja Mexico?

Cabo San Lucas.

It's a little nothing town,
but it could be great.

I can fly people in two stops.

I bought a big piece of land. Cheap.

Whose farm did you steal to get that?

Gracias.

I start with a runway and a hotel...

and I build up from there.

It's a good place to get lost.

You can be anyone you want.

Or you can be nobody.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

I fly back down there in three days.

To being nobody.

- Salud.
- Salud.

- (SEAGULLS SQUAWKING)
- (CHILDREN PLAYING, LAUGHING)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

(SCREAMS)

("PERRY MASON" THEME MUSIC PLAYING)

(THEME MUSIC CONCLUDES)