05x02 - Once there was a court...

Episode transcripts for the TV show "The Good Fight". Aired: February 2017 to present.*
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"The Good Fight" follows Diane Lockhart, as she is forced out of Lockhart, Decker, Gussman, Lee, Lyman, Gilbert-Lurie, Kagan, Tannebaum, & Associates after an enormous financial scam destroys the reputation of her goddaughter and Diane's savings, leading them to join Lucca Quinn at one of Chicago’s pre-eminent law firms.
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05x02 - Once there was a court...

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(ELEVATOR DINGS)

RECEPTIONIST: Good morning.
Reddick/Lockhart.

How may I help you?

(OVERLAPPING CHATTER)

- Good morning...
- Good Morning. Reddick/Lockhart.

How may I help you?

- (CHATTER CONTINUES)
- (PHONES RINGING)

(OVERLAPPING CHATTER)

RECEPTIONIST: Good morning.
Reddick/Lockhart.

Please hold.

- I'm ready.
- MAN: Oh, great, great.

RECEPTIONIST: Good morning.
Reddick/Lockhart.

- (LOUD CRASH, GLASS SHATTERS)
- (GASPING)

Pathetic.

Stand up. Those seats are for clients!

I'm a client.

I am. I'm-I'm a client.

Oh, my mistake.

You look so young,

I thought you were one of our new associates.

(CHUCKLES) The rest of you...let's go.

This is the executive floor.

You will only come up here if invited.

That's the partners' conference room, and those...

- (OVERLAPPING SHOUTING)
- Those are the partners.

This stairway over here, leads to the offices of STR Laurie, my offices.

They are off-limits to associates unless invited, and you won't be invited.

That's right.

They're letting you play lawyer, Marissa.

How nice.

(QUIETLY): f*cking prick.

- This is someone from HR...
- Jenny Klay. Hello.

She will take over from here.

Any questions, ask her.

Welcome to Reddick/ Lockhart and Associates.

Why don't we go downstairs, and we'll get better acquainted.

- That's not an answer.
- Adrian founded this firm.

He is not easily replaced.

DANIEL: No one here is trying to replace him.

But some of us are more than ready to step up

- to a name partnership...
- Well, we're considering every option.

I'd like to understand the new leadership structure here.

Yes, well, Diane and I are going to run the firm together, for now.

BARRY: Just the two of you?

A Black firm being run by a white woman?

Well, I'm not running it alone. I mean,

I'm-I'm here to assist Liz.

DANIEL: Really? Because she needs assistance?

As we pass this around, I want everybody to take some, as much or as little as you want.

Tomorrow, you'll meet your direct supervisors here at Reddick & Lockhart.

Also, please be sure to bring two copies of I.D. with you, as they will be required to complete your onboarding paperwork.

You'll have a meeting with HR...

(WHISPERING): It's an icebreaker.

For every square you take, you have to tell a secret about yourself.

JENNY: Good.

Now, we'll go around, introduce yourself, and for every square of toilet paper, you have to say one personal thing about yourself.

(SCATTERED GROANING)

Of course, there's going to be a discussion.

Is this the discussion?
Because I feel like it's just the two of you, telling us what's what.

Okay, we hear you, and we are going to get back to you. I promise.

But right now, our priority is hiring a senior associate.

DANIEL: I'm not convinced we need one.

DIANE: Well, Lucca was one of our best.

And we need someone with real experience to take on her caseload.

Unless one of you would like to step up and take over family law.

Uh-huh. That's what I thought.

Do you know Omar Peters?

I don't.

He's a really good headhunter.

I think I'm gonna get him looking,

- if-if that's okay with you.
- Sounds good.

DAVID: Look at you two working in lockstep.

LIZ: What do you need, David?

Which one of you is taking Boseman's office?

We... we hadn't discussed it.

Well, discuss. The corner office can't just sit empty.

Looks like failure.

Friday.

Tell us by Friday.

And there are new hires awaiting marching orders.

I have a client meeting. We'll discuss.

Yeah.

Marissa Gold, originally from Chicago. Chicago-Kent.

I'm first-year law clinic.

And your secrets?

Secret.

I used to be married to a mime, but it didn't work out, so...

Thank you, Marissa.

(WHISPERS): I usually just make sh*t up.

- JENNY: Carmen?
- (CLEARS THROAT)

Uh, Carmen Moyo.

Victorville, California.

Hmm. And your secrets?

Secret.

I hate games.

- (KNOCK ON DOOR)
- LIZ: Hey. I need to interrupt.

Hello, everybody. You can keep your seats.

JENNY: This is Liz Reddick, one of our two name partners.

Um, so we're all gonna have a chance to get to know each other a little bit later,

and, uh, everybody will have a mentor.

Hey. Hi.

All right, but today, we are fulfilling client maintenance.

We regularly check in with our most valuable clients.

And so, I'm going to call their names off on this list, and if any of you feel a particular interest, just let me know.

James Rothberg, Adell Development...

(CHUCKLES) I guess we've all heard of him. All right.

You. Okay?

You're going to go find Partner Madeline Gilford, and she will supervise you.

Next, Bobby Lafarge,

CFL headquarters... (CHUCKLING)

Okay. You.

I want you to go find partner John Wilson.

And Oscar Rivi, Menard Correctional Center.

I guess we've all heard of him.

Menard is maximum security.

You will be very well protected.

Good. Good, good. You're going to be working with partner Barry Poe.

Okay? Great. Thank you.

DIANE: Why was the summons sent to you?

TONI: I don't know. Is it bad news?

Oh. No, not necessarily.

I'll-I'll be fighting the same case in two different courts.

Mm. But this case has only one plaintiff, so if we win, it sets a helpful precedent for the large case.

And if all of the plaintiffs can't even agree on a venue, well, that's good for us.

All I did was teach these people's kids during COVID.

- (KNOCK ON DOOR)
- No good deed...

Um, this is Phoebe.

She's one of my associates.

- Hello, Ms. Hedger.
- Hi.

DIANE: She will go with you to court today.

Phoebe, she has an : a.m. with Judge Wackner.

- But shouldn't you go, Diane?
- Oh, it's just a formality.

I need to stay here and work on your brief.

I assure you, you're in good hands, ma'am.

Oh, and there's Marissa.

Remember? She investigated your case last year.

Marissa?

We need a continuance on Toni Hedger's case.

Really, I get to argue a continuance?

No. You get to accompany Phoebe who will argue a continuance, and you get to hold the client's hand.

Okay?

Okay.

(LOCK BUZZING)

Carmen, right?

I don't want you to be intimidated.

He can sense fear.

We have a half hour, but we don't need more than ten minutes.

There'll be a translator in the room.

Rivi will let us know his complaints.

We listen.

We never commit.

- Are you taking notes?
- Yes.

There's basically nothing we can do for him.

It's more like a venting session.

There's no need for you to talk at all.

- GUARD: Okay. He's ready.
- Sit, listen, leave.

- GUARD: But your I.D. expired.
- What?

I can't let you in.

Your license expired, three weeks ago.

I couldn't renew it during the pandemic.

- Can't you just...
- No.

I can do this.

Not alone you can't.

Sit. Listen. Leave.

I can do that.

(LOCK BUZZING)

I think we're lost.

Hey, Gage.

Which court is Judge Wackner in?

- Judge which?
- Wackner.

th Circuit?

Yeah. We have an : a.m. summons.

There's no Judge Wackner here.

- (SIGHS)
- What are you doing?

Asking directions.

Yeah.

The th Circuit, Courtroom ,
: a.m., Judge Wackner.

- (LAUGHING)
- What?

Look. It's not the th Circuit.

It's the nine and three-quarters circuit.

Oh, come on.

It's a Harry Potter joke.

Yeah, I get that. Funny.

Wild-goose chase. Time to go home.

So, do-do we think this is the plaintiff just messing with us?

I'm not sure, ma'am.
But we'll call right away.

- Wait.
- What?

What is this, a treasure hunt?

♪ ♪

This is not right.

Hey.

Wait. I'm calling Diane.

We have an : summons.
We're five minutes late.

I'm not going down that alley to some hidden court.

Okay. I'll check it out and call you.

Now where?

I don't know. What happens in Harry Potter?

They run their cart at a barrier or something, and they pop through.

Okay, so a barrier.

We look for a barrier.

I feel like we should leave bread crumbs or something.

Nine and three-quarters?

Uh, yes...

Through there.

Thanks.

(SHOUTING IN DISTANCE)

MAN: This is not what we agreed on!

We agreed on two minutes.
You had two minutes.

- And that's it. There's no more.
- MAN : No, no, no. Hold on.

WACKNER: Stop. Stop. Stop. I just want one person speaking at a time.

MAN: Your Honor, you said I had two uninterrupted minutes to speak.

MAN : And he had two minutes, I timed them.

- more seconds.
- Okay. Stop it. Stop it.

How do we break a tie? Come on.

BOTH: One, two, three.

Good, rock over scissors.

Closing arguments are done.

Give me about ten minutes.
I'll have a decision.

Take a break. Are you my : ?

Uh, I don't know. We have a summons.

Come on in. You're late.

Sorry, but is this a real court?

Yeah. Get ready.

Ready, Your Honor.

Um, Your Honor, defense counsel asks that the court grant a continuance until such time

- as we've been able to...
- You're-you're defense counsel?

Why do you refer to yourself in the third person?

- I'm not actually licensed to practice law...
- I'm not actually licensed to be a judge, so we're in the same boat.

Mr. Schultz, please call your first witness.

- Ready, Your Honor.
- Uh, wait. Can I object?

You can. Overruled. Mr. Schultz, call your witness.

Your Honor, let me call the real lawyer.

I'm not a real lawyer.

What's your name?

Marissa.

Marissa...

Do you understand the issues in this case?

Uh-huh.

Do you believe in your client?

Yeah.

You have a summons?

Yeah. Here.

What else you need? Let's go.

What is this?

I have no idea. What do you want to do?

Well, look, that's one of the parents suing me.

If we walk out, we lose.

WACKNER: Why are you whispering?

You don't think we can hear you?

(LOCK BUZZING)

(DOOR CLOSES)

Is there another lawyer with you?

I'm Carmen Moyo.

(LAUGHS)

Is there another lawyer to represent...

Mr. Rivi, I'm here to make sure the prison is providing

everything you're entitled to.

How is the prison staff treating you?

¿Cómo lo está tratando el personal de la prisión?

The Wi-Fi is bad.

(BANGS TABLE)

He doesn't like the food.

It upsets his stomach.

Uh...

Hey.

- (CHUCKLES)
- He asked if...

This is not for you to say, miss.

The prison has ordered that I translate.

The prison will hear of this.

(LOCK BUZZING)

Carmen Moyo.

(CHUCKLES)

(LAUGHS)

¿Que necesita?

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

DIANE: Hey, you look great, Caleb.

California sunshine.

- How's the weather there?
- Warm and balmy.

Oh, here's Liz now.

I didn't tell her you became available.

- So, she'll be surprised.
- Yeah, she will.

Liz, look who the headhunter dragged in.

Yeah. Hey, Caleb.

Uh, how are you?

Good, Liz. How are you?

Good. Yeah...

Um, where are you?

Santa Barbara.

I've been out here for the pandemic.

- My family's here.
- Oh.

Oh, and are they good?

Mm-hmm. Yeah, healthy. Good.

- Thank you.
- Good.

You look good.

Thank you. So do you.

(BOTH CHUCKLING)

- I was surprised to get the call...
- I... Yeah, it's just...

It's... Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead.

- No. No. You.
- No, no, no, no, no. You were saying

- something about you were surprised?
- Yeah.

I was surprised to get the call about this position opening.

Oh, yes. Uh...

I think our headhunter is
just looking for people

that we are familiar with.

Okay.

Well, I would love to be given a hearing.

And we'd love to give it to you.

Uh, how do you do with family law?

(PHONE RINGING)

Uh-oh. I better take this.

Um, you two talk.

(DOOR OPENS, CLOSES)

Uh, look. I-I understand if this is a bad idea.

(CLEARS THROAT) When I got the call,

I thought it was you reaching out.

Oh. I-I should've reached out.

I just...

- You know, things ended so...
- Weird?

- Abruptly.
- Um, you're in the room alone, right?

Uh...

- Yes.
- Look, can we, um...

Can-can we just act like we never slept with each other?

Can you?

I'm the employee. Of course I can.

Well, uh, do you really...

Do you really want the job?

I do. I liked the firm.

I liked what the firm stood for.

Okay.

Okay. Well, we will, um...

♪ ♪

Let us talk about it.

Good.

And, Liz, if it doesn't work out,

I get it. No hard feelings.

Oh, okay. Start again.

What?

There's a court behind the court

that's adjudicating Hedger's case.

I don't understand.

Is it a mediation court?

- No, it's a court someone invented.
- Well, then I...

(SCOFFS) Why are we there?

- Because the plaintiff is there with an attorney.
- But wait.

If it has no power, and it has no jurisdiction,

what does it have?

A judge in a robe.

NELL: I'm suing because she said she would educate our kids during the pandemic, but it didn't turn out like we expected.

SCHULTZ: You contacted the defendant, Toni Hedger, when the public schools closed down?

Yes. We heard she was a private school teacher who had started this company, Poducation.

It was going to be a small group of kids, all COVID-safe, so that they wouldn't fall behind.

So, what was the problem?

We didn't know she'd be teaching socialism.

- Oh, please.
- You'll get your turn.

SCHULTZ: Could you elaborate?

Suddenly, my daughter came home judging us.

She calls me a Karen.

She said that we were useless rich people who reinforce white supremacy.

She said we were like the family from Parasite, who don't even see people suffering right under their noses.

SCHULTZ: So, all you're asking, is that your $ , for the year be refunded?

- NELL: Exactly.
- Sounds reasonable.

Objection.

On what grounds?

The judge can decide for himself what is reasonable.

He doesn't need you to decide for him.

- Come on.
- Actually, that's a good point.

I don't need your color commentary, Counselor.

Sustained. Any other questions?

SCHULTZ: No, Your Honor, but just so you know,

- I wasn't trying to influence...
- Don't dig yourself deeper.

Just sit down. Okay, you. Go.

Your Honor, my chief counsel is in transit.

If you could give us minutes.

No, but I can rule right now

- if you're not ready to go.
- Nope. We're ready.

So...

Ma'am.

Good morning. (CHUCKLES)

Hello.

You claim that you...

what again?

That-that my client

- is teaching socialism?
- Yes.

And I didn't sign up for that.

Your Honor, this is a sorry state of affairs.

Mr.... Schlepp?

Schultz.

Schultz, right.

He says he hopes you find justice.

Well, I think that's what we're all looking for, and... as George Clooney so eloquently put it, after the tragic death of Princess Diana,

"Who should we see about that?"

Ms. Hedger? Is she the proper focus of our ire?

Kid, look, I hate speeches, unless I'm giving them.

And even then, I'm just trying to stall.

So...

(LAUGHTER)

And if you have nothing to ask the witness, uh, sit the hell down. This is not the kind of court where you can just run out the clock.

Ms. Fulton...

When did you realize that my client was teaching socialism?

When my daughter went on about Parasite.

I see. And she got that from my client's school?

From her pod, yes.

That's why I want my $ , back...

- So your daughter loved that movie, Parasite?
- She did.

- But you didn't?
- It was all right.

- The ending was a bit violent.
- Yeah.

- It upset me.
- All that knifing on the lawn.

- NELL: Awful.
- So you and your daughter must've had different reactions when it won the Academy Award for Best Picture?

NELL: We did.

She was dancing around, rubbing my nose in it.

Aha!

The Academy Awards were held in February of , a month before schools shut down.

If your daughter thinks you're like the people in Parasite, she couldn't have gotten that from Ms. Hedger because the teaching pod didn't yet exist.

Objection. Counselor is putting words in my client's mouth.

Do you have better words for your client?

Okay, Dean. Put it on the board.

- (APPLAUSE)
- One-zero.

(LAUGHS)

Your Honor, I move for a brief recess.

(LOCK BUZZING)

Thank you.

- That was longer than I thought.
- He had a lot to say.

- About what?
- Uh, Wi-Fi.

- A half hour about Wi-Fi?
- And-and food.

- He doesn't like the food.
- And what did you say?

I said I would bring his concerns to the prison.

That's it?

I sat.

I listened.

I left.

What else?

I don't understand. What is this?

- I have no idea.
- Then why are you arguing here?

Why are you arguing at all? You're not a lawyer.

- If I didn't argue, we were gonna lose.
- Lose what?

This is not a court. We're in the back of a Copy Coop.

And what is William Schultz doing here?

- He's representing the plaintiff.
- Okay. I'm losing my mind.

Look, this is not legal.

We have got to get out of here.

No. I don't want to.

Toni, whatever happens here, it's irrelevant.

It doesn't matter if we win or lose.

Look.

Those are some of the other parents suing me.

They're seeing how this case goes.

Which is why we don't want to lose here.

So let's not.

Look, I like this judge.

♪ Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? ♪

He's better than the judges in real court.

That's the point, it's not real.

Diane, what is real?

I have spent the last eight months going from one deposition to another, and nothing ever happens.

It just keeps getting delayed and pushed, and I can't get on with my life.

This is reality to me.

I want you to win the case here.

DIANE: William.

What are you doing here?

I'm wondering whether to eat this.

Or was that an existential question?

No. I meant, you're a real lawyer.

What are you doing here?

I'm getting paid.

Business is down, except for everything in bankruptcy and court dockets are backlogged into next year.

If clients want to pay to resolve their differences in crazy-court, what's the downside?

You're treating this like arbitration?

If we agree to be bound by Judge Wacko, this is arbitration.

I don't understand anything anymore.

Sure you do.

That's why this is throwing you.

Welcome to .

MITCHELL: I was grateful for the teaching job during COVID.

I've got to put food on the table,

but I also have my principles.

You didn't feel like you could live by your principles while working for Poducation?

Well, look, Toni doesn't tolerate anyone to the right of Noam Chomsky.

One Ayn Rand assignment, and I was out.

He quit and left me in the lurch.

SCHULTZ: Other than f*ring you, how else did Toni show her political leanings?

One of the other teachers, Janice, said that another teacher, Stuart, heard Toni say,

"You got to brainwash these rich brats..."

Objection. Hearsay.

- Oh, I don't care. Go on.
- Sir?

Your Honor.

Your Honor, the hearsay rule prevents gossip from being used as evidence.

How can you weigh the truth of a statement,

- unless it's made under oath?
- The same way I do in life.

The same way you do.

You use your brains.

So, did you say,

- "You got to brainwash these rich brats"?
- No.

Yes, you did.

No, I didn't, and you didn't even hear it yourself.

You said someone heard it from someone...

Well, they were both teachers that I trusted.

You tried to get more pay, and when I tried to hold you to your contract, you quit.

I quit because of your new political emphasis.

There was no political emphasis!

You said that you couldn't trust anybody who voted Republican.

- No. That-that wasn't what I said.
- What did you say?

- Your Honor, may I have a moment to confer?
- No.

I like the truth that is found in sudden utterances.

What did you say?

We were talking about the Conways, and I said, I couldn't fall in love with anyone who voted for Tr*mp.

That's all.

Go ahead, Dean.

- One for the P's.
- Your Honor, that has nothing to do with this case.

It is a private belief held by my client.

A belief that is shared by most of the country...

And do you share it?

I'm not the question.

The question is whether a school administrator's

- private belief determines the value of her...
- Hold it. Stop.

It's-it's one to one.

You haven't lost anything.

I think, for your own benefit, you should let your cocounsel argue for you.

My cocounsel?

Marissa.

Your Honor,

Marissa is not a lawyer.

Well, I'm not a judge.

- Time to close up shop for the day.
- (BELL DINGS)

You got a validation, uh, stamp right here.

Uh, have a nice, uh, you know...

Find out what this judge is about.

Okay.

About ten more minutes, I'm-a go and lock up.

JAY: So how long has this been going on?

- Two months.
- You're kidding.

- It's insane.
- It's crazy, right?

How did you get involved?

Mm.

So, I was working at the courts when COVID hit, then I was out of a job.

And Wackner hired you?

Yeah, man. Same salary.

- Same number of hours.
- Mm.

Why's he doing it?

- What? This court?
- Mm-hmm.

You ever seen Watts Towers?

No. What's that?

I got some relatives that live near there, man.

It's just these towers this guy built in Watts.

In his spare time.

Got it in his head to build something beautiful.

And it is.

- I think that's what Wackner's doing.
- Mm.

Building something in his spare time,

because he thinks he can do it better.

And people don't trust the system since it costs a lot to win and even more to lose.

Man, what is that?

- Grateful Dead.
- Aw...

(LAUGHS): Yeah, he sings it all the time, man.

♪ You and me bound to spend some time wondering ♪

♪ What to choose. ♪

- Mm. Mm-mm. Mm-mm.
- (LAUGHS) Oh!

Hey, he knows what to choose.

(LOCK BUZZING)

Carmen Moyo.

I'm not your lawyer so this whole session is subject to surveillance.

- That's why that chirping you hear.
- (CHIRPING)

(CHIRPS)

Then get the f*ck out of here.

I'm Oscar Rivi's lawyer.

What does he need?

My client has been prosecuted for a m*rder he did not commit.

- Is that really what he said?
- I need you to let me speak.

Rivi knows you're looking at years for m*rder one.

And he knows you have information

- that could exonerate him.
- Are you f*cking...

That testimony would make your time go much easier at Statesville.

He knows how time goes hard, and it goes easier when you have a clean conscience.

Who are you?

I told you.

I'm Oscar Rivi's attorney.

- And how old are you?
- .

So you're telling me...

I'm not telling you anything.

I'm just making the obvious clear.

There are people in the Statesville Christian community that can help you if you want to come clean with God.

You're just a little girl.

I am.

But I know how God works.

Okay.

- Tell Rivi...
- No.

I'm not telling him anything.

I'm leaving now.

Thank you for listening.

(LOCK BUZZING)

(DOOR CLOSES)

(PHONE RINGING)

Hello?

CHARLES: Is this the great Elizabeth Reddick?

Well, I don't know about great, but yes.

This is Charles Lester.

Ah, Mr. Lester. Yes.

You are a lawyer representing, um...

Uh, I'm sorry. Who again?

Ah, how quickly they forget.

I represent Mr. Rivi.

Not his lawyer. His business manager.

Yes. Yes, yes, yes.

I believe we just had our biannual meeting with Mr. Rivi.

You did, and that is the point of my call.

Mr. Rivi only wants to meet, from this moment on, with the lawyer Carmen Moyo.

I don't understand.

He doesn't like the, uh, partner who was sent.

Barry... something. He doesn't want

to see him anymore.

And he wants all his business holdings transferred through Ms. Moyo.

But she's, uh...

Mr. Lester, uh...

Carmen Moyo is a first-year associate.

She's only been with us two days.

Is there some problem with my client's request?

No.

No. No. No. It's just that she's very young.

Very young. She's just out of law school.

He wants her as his only lawyer.

Is there any problem with that?

Mr. Lester, let me speak to my team.

We-we like to offer our top clients more services

- than one lawyer can provide...
- Liz.

I've been working with my client for five years now.

He knows what he wants.

He knows his mind.

So, uh, make it happen, or you and I'll be having a more unpleasant conversation.

(CHUCKLES)

Mr. Lester, where are you?

- Can I call you back?
- I am at the... only pay phone in Chicago.

I'll call you back.

(DIAL TONE)

("RIPPLE" BY GRATEFUL DEAD PLAYING)

♪ ♪

♪ If my words did glow ♪

♪ With the gold of sunshine... ♪

Hey.

Hey...

♪ Were played... ♪

Expanding your tastes?

(CHUCKLES) It's for work.

♪ Hear my voice ♪

♪ Come through... ♪

Kurt?

Do you think I should give up my name partnership

- at the firm?
- What?

I'm getting pressure to give up my top opinion at the firm.

Your opinion?

What?

You said your "top opinion".

No, my-my top position.

I'm white.

The firm is supposed to be Black.

And with Adrian gone, the optics...

Optics.

Are you the best lawyer there?


I'm... no.

Well, okay. I'm one of the best.

But that's not what this is about.

It's a bad look having a Black law firm with a white leader.

- And I want to do what's right.
- Diane...

You and I disagree on so much.

You obviously ask my opinion because you know that I will argue something you know you won't.

Which is?

(EXHALES SHARPLY)

Identity politics is destroying America.

You knew I'd argue that.

It's making everything about race.

Because it has to be about race until it's about equality.

Equality doesn't come through more obsession with race.

It comes from elevating talent over mediocrity.

Oh, come on, Kurt. You and I both know that white mediocrity is the default position.

Every manager hires who he knows.

Well, then you're right.

Step aside. You shouldn't be leading that firm.

Really?

(SCOFFS) I'm taking a shower.

(SIGHS)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

You wanted to see me?

Carmen, yes. Come in.

Go ahead, take a seat.

So, how is life at Reddick/Lockhart?

Did I do something wrong?

No. No. No, no.

I just want to see how, how things are going.

Uh, I like it here.

There's nothing to compare it to except law school, but it's great to be out of the legal clinics.

At a certain point, simulation feels like a waste of time.

I'd rather be in the thick of it.

And now you are.

I know you're working with Barry on the Rivi maintenance.

Yes. It's a-a wonderful opportunity.

Uh, Rivi's manager has requested that, uh,

- you take on a larger role.
- Really?

Yeah. Rivi wants you to be his only lawyer.

I don't know what to say. That's, um... surprising.

See, Rivi has an unbelievable amount of, uh, charisma.

But in my experience, it's-it's better to maintain a professional distance.

I'm very professional.

Oh, I-I don't doubt it.

But you yourself said...

Is the firm dissatisfied with my work?

No.

It's my intention to treat all my clients like humans.

Even the ones who might be murderers or are definitely murderers.

And I think Mr. Rivi might be responding to that because it's something that he hasn't received

- at this firm previously...
- Okay. Let me be very clear, Carmen.

We are talking about your own personal safety here.

Yes, and I thank you.

I...

If you want me not to be involved with his case,

I will completely understand.

Mm.

Well, I will admit, I was surprised when I got the call.

It's just so great to see you, Julius.

- (CHUCKLING)
- Yeah. How long has it been?

Well, for Diane, it was when I was being handcuffed and taken away to prison.

It feels like forever, but that's probably just .

Thank you for looking past my troubles.

I want you to know I don't take that for granted.

Last year was terrible.

Diane, you stood by my side, and I can't ever thank you enough.

Of course, Julius.
Come on, you're family.

And the one deserving recipient of a Tr*mp pardon. (LAUGHS)

Uh, yeah.

And I didn't even have to pay for it.

It's a good thing, I couldn't afford one.

Um, speaking of pay, we cannot pay you what you made before.

I need a job.

And this place is home.

I'd be happy to be of counsel.

Ugh. (STAMMERS)

This is so awkward.

Let's just reframe the issue.

It's not that I'm accepting a lower position, it's that, uh, you're getting a deal.

(DIANE CHUCKLES)

Yeah.

(ELEVATOR DINGS)

God, I hate this process.

So, Caleb?

Let me think about it.

You want Julius?

I want time to think about it.

TONI: It all happened so quick.

The second schools closed, I knew parents would need help.

So, I rented some space, and I put together a plan.

- Very entrepreneurial of you.
- Thank you.

I hired teachers, which wasn't hard.

There were so many layoffs.

And I walked the parents through the hours, the classes, the fees, and the COVID protocols.

(CLEARS THROAT) Sorry.

(WHISPERS): Curriculum.

MARISSA: And what about the curriculum?

Did you agree to a teaching philosophy, anything like that?

It was at my discretion.
That was the agreement.

And was that agreement in the contract?

Excuse me, Your Honor.
Can I finish my questions?

Was any agreement about the curriculum in the contract?

It was part of the handshake deal, Your Honor.

They paid me on Venmo, and I took care of the rest.

But during COVID, how could they have a handshake agreement, if there was no shaking hands?

Mr. Schultz knows full well "handshake deal" are acceptable words in business.

If there was no contract, my client should definitely get her money back.

- There was no deal.
- A handshake deal is still a binding contract, even in real...

Uh, even in "usual" courts.

Hmm.

Dean?

DEAN: What one, Your Honor?

- Plaintiff.
- Your Honor, the plaintiff can't just pull out of an agreement whenever she wants.

Who is it who said,

"She should have watched each card played

- and played it slow".
- Excuse me?

Every time we make a deal, we're wondering what to choose.

We watch each card, wanting not to lose.

And so you play it slow.

Don't let the deal go down.

What are you talking about?

"Since it costs a lot to win, and even more to lose, you and me bound to spend some time, wondering what to choose".

I'm sorry, is this a song?

Grateful Dead.

Dean, I was wrong. Erase.

Your Honor, a song is not evidence.

WACKNER: Sure it is.

Cicero used to use Homer as much as the Roman code.

Art is evidence.

Okay, then, your client started

"counting her money when she was sittin' at the table".

What is that?

Kenny Rogers?

That's right.

No.

No, no, no.

Dean.

A demerit.

Your Honor, this is so unfair.

Any other questions, Counselor?

Yes, we do, Your Honor. Thank you.

Proceed, Marissa.

(COINS RATTLING)

GUARD: No.

These are from the courthouse vending machines.

- They've already been inspected.
- I don't give a sh*t.

Let's talk to your superior.

See if he gives a sh*t.

- Now they're inspected.
- Thank you.

Gracias.

De nada.

Are you Carmen?

I am.

Are you Mr. Vanegas's lawyer?

And business manager.

Charles Lester.

And this is this.

GUARD: All stand.

The Honorable Wick Stilton presiding.

We have a motion today.

Uh, hello?

(WHISTLES)

Yes, Your Honor.

Uh, I'm sorry. I'm new to this.

- My first time in court.
- Welcome, Counselor.

Everybody remembers their first time.

Although, yours does seem to be decidedly more interesting.

- We've seen you in here before, Mr. Rivi.
- Oh, yeah.

Your Honor, uh, this is a habeas corpus motion.

In meeting last time, with my client,

I realized he might be innocent of the charges he was accused of...

- That would be m*rder, Your Honor.
- STILTON: Really, innocent?

How novel.

Three weeks ago, a Mr. Vanegas was arrested and pled to three manslaughter charges of competing g*ng members.

It occurred to me, these killings had many of the same characteristics as the m*rder my client was accused of.

A jury decided this, Your Honor.

Yes, but they did not have the facts we have now.

This is the lawyer representing Mr. Vanegas.

And he has something for us.

- Charles Lester, Your Honor.
- Yes, I recognize you, too.

- Hi.
- Hey.

My client had a guilty conscience, and he wanted to come clean before he served his time.

Oh, dear God.

Can I speak here without being interrupted?

STILTON: Yes.

My client swears that he is responsible for the crime that Mr. Rivi is accused of.

In fact, he has given sworn testimony as to the whereabouts of the w*apon.

The-the g*n the police never found.

The one they accused my client of using.

STILTON: This is all very convenient.

Your Honor, the only thing that's convenient is that I'm new to the law and believed my client's innocence.

- So I investigated. That is all.
- Your Honor, clearly this lawyer acted as a go-between for two murderous criminals, allowing Vanegas to acquire the facts he needed

- to help his boss, Rivi...
- Your Honor.

- We're not that sophisticated.
- Here are prison records, showing that Ms. Moyo visited Vanegas in his cell

hours after her visit with Rivi.

Yes, and if you have any doubt of what was said, review the prison tapes.

I was not Mr. Vanegas's lawyer, so my communication with him was not privileged.

You'll see, I said nothing incriminating.

I was just there to support my client.

- That's all.
- STILTON: Okay.

Thank you. I will review all these materials.

But I need Ms. Moyo to approach the bench, please.

I thought I should be here, too, for this.

STILTON: Uh-huh. Uh...

You, um, you haven't been at this very long.

- Have you, miss?
- No, Your Honor.

Everyone's entitled to legal representation,

and I'm sure you never intend to do anything illegal

- or unethical...
- Of course not, Your Honor.

You know, these are some rough customers you're dealing with.

Don't let them take advantage of your inexperience.

I'll help her where I can, Your Honor.

That is small comfort, Mr. Lester.

Ms. Moyo...there are a lot of bad actors taking advantage of the system.

Don't make yourself vulnerable to them.

- Well, I'm not sure...
- I need you to shut the hell up.

Huh?

CARMEN: Thank you, Your Honor.

I will keep that in mind.

Good.

While I recognize that you just had a victory in court, the long-term reputation of this firm matters a whole lot more to me than short-term wins.

That makes sense.

I'm not going to ask you any questions about what you may or may not have done.

You're a capable lawyer. Clearly.

That's why you were hired.

This is just a reminder that you are to conduct yourself in a matter, at all times, that does not put this firm at risk.

This is the only reminder you're going to get.

Do you have any questions?

I'm just listening.

Wow. You, you really don't give a sh*t what people think about you, do you?

I'm here to do a good job for my clients.

I think I did that for Mr. Rivi.

And since he wants me to be the only one to represent him,

I'll...

I'll focus on that.

Okay.

We're done.

Thank you.

By the way, I'm your mentor.

I'll need you here Friday to discuss.

Thank you, Ms. Reddick.

I respected your father.

(SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE)

Your Honor, the defense calls Isabel Pressley.

NELL: What the hell is she doing here?

SCHULTZ: You didn't give us any notice of this witness.

I'm sorry. Do we have to?

I thought truth was always found in sudden utterances.

You just got yourself half a bell for quoting me.

- Thank you, Your Honor.
- Thank you.

Ms. Pressley, you were the first parent to withdraw your child from Poducation, correct?

Yes, but I didn't ask for my money back.

Because Toni did nothing wrong.

So, if you had no problem with the teaching,

- why did you pull out?
- Because the other parents...

Hi, guys. They were going to get us all k*lled with COVID.

- Especially her.
- This is ridiculous.

MARISSA: That is quite a charge. What do you mean?

She kept inviting the other kids over to her house for slumber parties, no masks, totally against the rules.

- So that explains it.
- How do you know?

She put pictures on Facebook.

You get that made up next door?

Yes, Your Honor, at Copy Coop.

A good deal.

Don't suck up too much.

It's, uh, good product placement, very good.

ISABEL: She doesn't give a sh*t about what anybody teaches Miranda.

The pod shut down because Nell was a super-spreader.

You're just jealous because your stupid kid was never invited.

Your Honor, we believe this proves that the plaintiff's claim of socialist teaching was an excuse to cover up her own irresponsibility and deny hardworking educators the money that they had earned.

One second.

Dean. Defense.

- (APPLAUSE)
- SCHULTZ: Your Honor, we haven't had closing arguments.

Yeah, I'm not in the mood.
I'm ready to rule.

Everybody sit down. Relax.

So, this side broke the COVID rules.

That's not good.

Then again, let's be honest, who hasn't?

Still, she paid. So she has a right to complain about the service she got.

On the other hand, this lady was doing her best to challenge her students to think critically about the world they came from.

Even if she used Parasite, a movie I thought had moments.

Wasn't as good as Hell or High Water.

And in the end, the parents chose to outsource the education of their kids when most people had to teach them at home.

You could have done that, you didn't.

You can't ask for your money back after.

I'm siding with you.

Just lighten up on the lefty stuff next time.

Oh, and you have to pay for her lawyer because this was bullshit.

- (GAVEL BANGS)
- Done.

See? I knew we'd do better here.

I have to say, his ruling was reasonable.

WACKNER: Wait a minute. Hold it.

I'm brain-dead. I almost forgot.

I have found that the thing we most crave, win or lose, is respect and acknowledgment.

So, I want everyone to shake hands.

You mean literally?

Two sides, two lines. Go down the line, shake hands, look each other in the eye and say,

"I respect and I love you".

Because the law means nothing if people don't feel respect for it, and each other.

Come on. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go.

Let's go. We don't have all day.

I got a line around the block.

Come on.

BOTH: I respect and I love you.

I think you could have each done better, but let's go.

- BOTH: I respect and I love you.
- There you go. Smiling face.

BOTH: I respect and I love you.

Smile, baby. There you go.

MAN: I respect and I love you.

Do you have a card?

N-No. Do I need one?

Write down your number.

I need a lawyer here.

DIANE: "I respect you and I love you".

- (LAUGHING)
- Ha. No.

(LAUGHS): Oh, my God.

It's too bad he's not a lawyer.

We could hire him.

We could do worse.

- (LAUGHING)
- Oh, so, speaking of.

I say it's Julius.

Julius?

Convicted of bribery, pardoned by Tr*mp, Julius.

(LAUGHS): Yes. Yes.

Yes, I've... I've thought about it, and we know him.

We trust him.

I like Julius.

Yeah. I like him, too.

Yeah, and he's right, it is a good deal for us.

You slept with Caleb, didn't you?

I'm going to go call Julius.

Great.

Oh, and one more thing...

This is an African American firm, and it deserves a Black partner in the corner office.

- You take it.
- Diane.

I insist.

Part of me feels like I should thank you, and another part of me doesn't.

So...

Thank you.

And one more thing.

I thought that was the last thing.

I've thought about this.

I believe I contribute to this firm.

And I worry I'm going to be pushed aside.

So...

I think we need another
African American partner, and we should discuss whom.

But I want a commitment from you that

I will retain a name-partner position.

No matter what.

Diane... as long as I have any power over the decision, you will retain your name-partner position.

Thank you.

And let's discuss a third partner, huh?

Okay.

(DOOR CLOSES)

How was your first week?

Okay.

You?

- (ELEVATOR DINGS)
- Good.

(SIGHS) So...

I guess it begins.
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