06x08 - Snowed In

[bunniefuu]

♪ O holy night ♪

♪ The stars are brightly shining... ♪

Hi, sorry to bother you, Lance.
It's just, um, uh...

Dasha, she hasn't come down
to the car yet.

And that's my problem because...?

Well, we'll be late to the match?

Clara, this is your job.

Or can you not handle the simple
act of picking up a client?

I-I called her, I pounded on the door.

She's-she's not answering.

Then use your Ivy League brain

and figure out how to get
inside her room and wake her up.

You mean, break in?

I don't care how you do it. Bribe the
front desk for a room key. Charm a bellboy.

Do whatever it takes or you're fired.

MAN [DISTANT]: Merry Christmas!

Whoa. Sorry.

It's okay. No problem.

Dasha? Are you up?

- [DOOR CLOSES]
- Hey, Jade.

Have you seen Dasha?

She's not answering her phone.

Not since last night. Sorry.

Yeah. She probably overslept.

I've got to run.
First match back since my surgery.

Hope my hip holds up for a three-setter.

Yep. Good luck out there.

♪ O night ♪

- ♪ Divine ♪
- [LOCK BEEPS, CLICKS]

Dasha?

Dasha, it's morning.

Let's get moving.

If you shower fast,
we can still make it on time.

Come on, Dasha.
It's an important tournament.

Dasha, wake up.

Dasha?

Oh, my God. Please, no.

Please, please, please, no.

[GASPING]

Help. I need help. She's not breathing!

♪ The angel voices... ♪

Thank you, Pastor.

Mr. Palmer, a word?

Uh-oh.

Never good when the pastor
calls you Mister

and says they need a word.

There's a congregant, Clara Williams,

a good girl.

Works the soup kitchen every Saturday,

- rain or shine.
- Mm-hmm.

She's in trouble.

Okay. What kind of trouble?

Did you hear about
Dasha Markovic's overdose?

Oh, yeah, yeah. It was tragic.

Clara is being charged with her death.

She gave her the dr*gs that k*lled her.

So... big trouble.

She needs a lawyer. Can you help her?

[SIGHS] Pastor, I would,
I would love to,

but TAC's shutting down
for the holidays, and...

It'd be a true gesture
of Christian goodwill.

A way to give back

this season of giving.

I hear you, Pastor, but...

[SCOFFS] TAC charges
some pretty hefty fees.

We have money.

You got any more excuses?

♪

You got guilt-tripped by your pastor.

It's like every sin I ever committed

was tattooed to my forehead.

Well, I respect the church's passion,

but this is about a quarter of our fee.

Do you want to argue dollars
and cents with Pastor Reynolds?

No. That's why I don't go to church.

I spent so much time with Dasha
over the last two years.

I know she was a client, but...

it kind of felt like we were friends.

And the fact that I gave her
something that k*lled her...

I don't know
how I'm gonna live with that.

The police report said that the cocaine

that you gave Dasha
was laced with fentanyl.

It's a powerful opiate.

Look, I know that I never
should have gotten

the cocaine for Dasha
in the first place,

but I never would've given it to her

if I knew that there was fentanyl in it.

Well, unfortunately the prosecutor

doesn't care what you knew.

Tons of street dr*gs are getting
cut with fentanyl every day.

It's leading to a massive amount of ODs.

So the D.A.'s office is
taking a hardline

on anyone who is involved
in distributing these dr*gs.

I don't sell dr*gs.

- I don't even do dr*gs.
- Right.

Why don't we start at the beginning.

Tell us what happened.

Dasha's agent is my boss.

And as his assistant,
it is my job to service her.

I schedule her meetings.

I make sure that she gets there on time.

Basically, anything that she
needs, I make sure that she has.

Even when it's cocaine?

My boss made it very clear that

if I didn't give Dasha exactly
what she wanted, he'd fire me.

So, your boss knew that Dasha
had asked you for dr*gs?

He told me which dealer to go to.

Told you verbally, no paper trail?

Lance Thomas's motto is,
"Don't write anything down

unless you want to see it on social."

Wait. Your boss is Lance Thomas?

Yes.

Okay. So, your boss is a jerk.

He threatens to fire you
unless you break the law.

Why don't you quit?

Look, I know it sounds ridiculous.

It is ridiculous. I just...

Being an athlete has been
my entire life.

I ran track growing up, and my family,

we didn't have any money,
but because I was fast,

I got to go to college.

I was training for the Olympics
my junior year,

and I got a stress fracture in my foot.

I did everything that the doctor said,

but it didn't heal.

So... that was it.

My running career was over.

And so, being an agent was
the next best thing?

It's better in a lot of ways, actually.

A lot of athletes grow up poor,

like I did,

and they get taken advantage of.

So, I thought...

if I could make it as an agent,
that I could advocate for them.

But first you had to
survive Lance Thomas.

I've had tough coaches my whole life,

and some of them have been
downright bullies.

But I never let them break me.

And I wasn't about to let Lance
break me.

That's why I stayed.

That's why I did
whatever he told me to do.

I thought I was being strong.

But now I just wish

that I had been strong enough
to walk away.

Then maybe Dasha would still be alive.

She's guilty.

Never a great way to start a defense.

I know.

But I feel for Clara.

She just got caught up
in the machine, Bull.

Is that an affirmative defense
I'm not aware of?

No, I'm just saying, she's young.

She's working in
a high-pressure environment.

It's easy to lose perspective.

Hell, it was like that for me.
When I got to New York

and started working at Vogue,
it was the exact same thing.

Fashion, sports...

Lot of people dream of working
in those industries.

Exactly.

You put up with a lot
just to keep your job.

It starts out, you're picking
your boss's kid up from school,

and then you're picking
your boss's dog's poop up.

So, by the time they tell you
to go buy dr*gs,

you're programmed just to do it.

You're like a frog
in a boiling pot of water.

You don't realize that you're
in trouble until it's too late.

Well...

Lance Thomas got Clara
in a world of trouble.

What if we try to shift the blame

so Lance looks like the bad guy?

Maybe.

It might not be enough.

You remember how the pastor used
the Christmas spirit

to get you to meet Clara?

Yeah.

Well, juries are also more inclined

to be generous around the holidays.

Less likely to convict.

Christmas is at the end of next week.

There's no way we can squeeze this

onto the docket before then.

Chunk, my daughter got kidnapped
this year.

We got her back.

I got charged with bribing a juror.

We got me off.

So, sue me if I'm feeling
a little bullish.

Who says the holiday season isn't filled

with magic and wonder?

You got Clara's case on the docket?

Dave from the clerk's office gave us

the last slot of the season.

Told you helping him with

those Friday crosswords would pay off.

I stand corrected and amazed.

Now, I hate to be a downer...

Then don't.

Do you really think that we can finish

a manslaughter case this fast?

Speed is our friend here.
Round up the team.

We need to move faster
than Santa's sleigh.

You're really going all in on
the Christmas thing, aren't you?

[CHUCKLES]: Oh, you know-ho-ho it.

[PHONE BEEPS]

We are full speed ahead
on the Clara Williams case.

Trial starts on Monday.

Did you tell Bull that come December

I will be in Aruba, no matter what?

No, but I'm sure you will.

We can work Christmas Day
for all I care.

Erik took Mauricio
to Hawaii for the holidays

so I'll be all alone anyway.

You said that so chipper
and yet it's actually sad.

It is, a little.

It's the first Christmas
without Mauricio

since he was born,
but hey, no pity parties.

I've got my Netflix cued up
and Hunan Delight on speed dial.

What are you doing
for Christmas, Marissa?

I am going to a dinner party
on Christmas Eve

that I suspect is a covert setup.

My friend's brother got divorced,

and she keep dropping hints
about getting us together.

That sounds awful.

Why? Maybe he's amazing.
What's his deal?

Well, he's handsome, intriguing,

and an archaeologist of all things.

Oh. I can dig that.

- Oh, Taylor.
- No.

Oh, you're all here.

Thank you.

So...

In order for Clara to be
convicted of manslaughter,

the A.D.A. has to prove that

giving Dasha the fentanyl-laced
cocaine was reckless.

But it was reckless.
I mean, if you ask me,

Clara should've simply refused to do it.

Okay, well, remind me not
to put you on the witness list.

We need to paint a picture
that it was impossible

for Clara to say no;

that she wasn't being reckless,
she was coerced.

You're going after Clara's boss?

Yep. Lance Thomas.

Ranked the number one

most powerful sports agent by Forbes.

And a notorious toxic bully.

Between football and fashion,
I've seen this guy

more times than I can count.

He's only happy when someone's crying.

There are chatrooms devoted to this guy.

One user claiming to be
his ex-assistant said

she got fired
for taking time off to do chemo.

Another guy said
he had to sleep at the office

because Lance threatened to fire him

if he ever b*at the kid into work.

We need more than Internet rumors.

We need witnesses
that are willing to testify

to his brutality,

so it's not just
Clara's word against his.

- I'm on it.
- DANNY: Why aren't we going

after Dasha Markovic's responsibility?

It's not like Clara held her down

and forced her to snort that coke.

Danny, you can testify all day long.

The woman is dead.
I would tread lightly there.

Understood.

- Oh, and Danny...
- Yeah?

I need you to track down
that drug dealer.

See if you can get him to testify

that Lance sent all of
his assistants there

to buy dr*gs for his clients,

so we can establish the culture.

Get a drug dealer
to rat on his customers

and incriminate himself. No problem.

Anything else you want to ask
Santa for while he's at it?

An acquittal, maybe.

["DECK THE HALLS" PLAYING]

Yep, yeah. I just sent you
over a proposal.

Take a look at it and
let me know what works for you.

Yeah. Sounds good. Bye.

Hey.

- Hey.
- [SNIFFS] Ooh, am I having a stroke,

or is something burning?

[GASPS] Ah! Damn it.

Oh, sh**t. Ah.

Um, I got distracted by my call.

I guess December wasn't the best time

to start my consulting business.

You know, I thought I'd have,
like, one client.

All of a sudden, I have seven businesses

that want to redo their brands.

Yeah.

Maybe you want to skip
the Christmas cookies this year.

[GROANS] They're gingerbread men.

And Astrid and I,
we were going to decorate them,

and we were gonna put them on the tree.

- Oh, the tree.
- I just wanted to make

Christmas really special
after the few months we've had.

So, I just got off the phone
with the tree farm guy.

[CHUCKLES]: It's kind of funny.

He delivered the tree to my old address,

'cause I didn't update

- the tree farm guy.
- No.

Oh, my... Can he bring us another one?

There's nothing available
till next week.

No. No, no. That's too late.

- I'll figure out a time to go out...
- No, no, no, no. No tree...

[STAMMERS] But I have
been figuring it out,

and I got this place.

And they are gonna deliver
an eight-foot Douglas fir,

extra plump.

Ten-foot.

She wants a ten-foot.

There's the ten-foot Douglas fir.

Extra plumper.

[SQUEALS SOFTLY]

[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]

Izzy and I are going all out this year.

Ten-foot Douglas fir,

fat as she comes.

Let's hope we find some jurors

with as much Christmas spirit as you.

Mm-hmm. We want to steer clear of rebels

who would never cave the way Clara did.

What we want are conformists.

If you're showing up for jury duty,

doesn't that kind of make you
a conformist already?

- [ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]
- That's true.

- Oh, God.
- What?

When I read that it was
A.D.A. Robert Jones,

I didn't know that it was
that Robert Jones.

[CHUCKLING]

Chester Palmer.

Looks like we've got ourselves
a rematch.

Rob, how are you?

This is my colleague, Dr. Jason Bull.

Rob and I were in law school together.

Oh, I think it's fair to say

- I was Chunk's nemesis.
- Hmm.

That's funny. He never mentioned you.

Oh, well, nobody likes to relive
their defeats.

Good luck, Rob. You're gonna need it.

Don't think so.

Hmm. Chunk has a nemesis.

That guy, real gunner in law school.

Top of the class.

Made law review.

He and I made it to the Moot Court

competition finals.

- And?
- He b*at me.

And he loved it.

Well, let's flip the script
on that, shall we?

♪

Yeah.

JUROR: The first time
I drank alcohol was

in high school at a graduation
party with my friends.

And did you enjoy it?

No.

I spent the whole time worrying
about getting in trouble.

I just wanted to fit in.

Don't know what kind of person
that makes me.

It makes you a conformist.

Hold up, Bull.

Around the time juror
number nine had his first beer,

he spearheaded an environmental campaign

when fish were washing up dead
in his hometown river.

Does not sound like conformity to me.

Sounds like he's got a heart.

You sure you're not going too fast?

If we don't seat a jury today,

we will not finish the trial
by Christmas.

If we don't finish the trial
by Christmas,

we will miss out
on all that holiday cheer.

So we go fast.

This juror is acceptable
to the defense, Your Honor.

Ten jurors sat in under an hour?

I wish every lawyer who came before me

kept such an efficient pace.

Uh, may I have a moment to confer

with defense counsel, Your Honor?

Make it quick, Counselor.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Yeah. I'm starting to have
concerns about this jury pool.

I'm thinking of moving
for a change of venue.

That's ridiculous. On what grounds?

Oh, by the time I'm done with my motion,

I will have plenty of grounds.

But I should let you know,
I write real slow.

- What do you want?
- A fair jury.

Specifically. Forty-four.

No way. He's got obvious bias.

His cousin OD'd.

Yeah. Spent years at
the same insurance company.

- Okay, . Are we done?
- You bet. Oh.

Oh, oh, wait, wait, wait.
Just one more thing.

To feel % secure in this venue,

I will need juror number .

Bull, juror number is
a self-declared anarchist.

- Absolutely not.
- Oh, well,

then I'd better get started
on my motion.

I hope you weren't planning
on taking advantage

of the holiday spirit.

Rob, you seem like a very nice guy,

so I'll be concise.
If you try to move my jury,

I will file an extortion
complaint so fast

it'll make your head spin.

[WHISPERS]: Your colleague came to play.

Mm.

Juror is a nonstarter. Got it.

Uh, will you accept juror number seven?

Yes.

- Yes.
- Yes.

Well, we have a jury.

Your Honor, uh,

defense counsel and I have agreed

on jurors number

and seven.

Good.

Opening arguments start
at : a.m. tomorrow.

On the dot.

That man gets under my skin.

Really? I hadn't noticed.

We had better win this thing.

Well, the good thing about
fighting a peacock is,

once you pluck all his feathers,
he's really just a tall chicken.

How long you been sitting on that?

Couple hours.

Getting cold out there.

TAYLOR: Might be a white Christmas.

Or even a blizzard.

They're predicting quite a bit of snow.

As long as it doesn't screw up
my flight to Aruba.

Ooh.

Opening arguments didn't go
so well, huh?

Well, this A.D.A. isn't playing around.

He came in strong.

But Chunk was able
to make up some ground.

Where are we with Lance Thomas's
former assistants?

Well, there's a woman he fired,
Melanie Standish.

She works at a store in Herald Square.

She's willing to talk?

Well, she'd rather not,

but at least she didn't hang up on me

like all the other assistants.

I've got until : .

I'll get her to talk.

Miss Kiernan,
how did you know Dasha Markovic?

We met on tour when we were .

It's a really competitive atmosphere,

so it can be hard to make friends.

But Dasha and I, we just clicked.

Sounds like you two were close.

I got injured at
the French Open last year.

I thought my career was over.

I was really depressed, and...

I guess Dasha could tell,

because one day I came home
after physical therapy,

and... there she was.

She flew all the way to my hometown

just to see me.

[CHOKED UP]: I'm sorry. I just...

I still can't believe she's gone.

I understand.
It's a... it's a huge loss.

JADE: Thank you.

Were you with Dasha
the night before she d*ed?

- I was.
- And did someone

bring her the fentanyl-laced
cocaine that night?

Yes.

Her.

Clara Williams.

I have no further questions.

Miss Kiernan,

did you ever see Dasha use cocaine?

Yes.

- Shift the blame.
- More than once?

- Yes.
- Objection, Your Honor. Relevance?

Dasha didn't die of

a cocaine overdose.

She d*ed because the cocaine
Miss Williams supplied her with

was laced with a fatal amount
of fentanyl.

Shows a pattern of drug abuse,
Your Honor.

Overruled. Proceed, Mr. Palmer.

Would it be fair to say

that you saw Dasha use cocaine
on many occasions?

I guess so.

One last question.

On the night before Dasha passed away,

did you hear her call Clara

and ask her to bring her the cocaine?

Yes.

No further questions.

Tell me you're seeing more
mistletoe than holly berries.

I don't want to lie and end up
with a stocking full of coal.

BULL: Jury doesn't want to blame
Dasha for her own death.

We need to find a Scrooge
they can target.

♪

Sounds like Lance Thomas can be
a pretty tough boss.

Told you, not gonna talk about Lance.

Well, he's not your boss anymore.

He can't get you fired.

Well, wish someone could.

Was Lance the reason
why you left the agency?

Why you're stacking candles
two days before Christmas?

Maybe.

But I'm up for a job at another agency,

and I'm not about to blow it
by narcing on Lance.

He knows everyone in sports.

Well, sounds like Lance
could be pretty persuasive.

Did he ever ask you
to buy dr*gs for a client?

You do not give up, do you?

Clara Williams is facing
years in prison

because she did
what Lance told her to do.

What if that had been you?

Okay, look.

You did not hear this from me,

but check out
Crystal Meadows SoHo Rehab.

Did he send clients there?

Crystal Meadows SoHo. Merry Christmas.

And a happy new year.

Mr. Thomas,

what was your relationship
with Dasha Markovic?

I was Dasha's agent.

Signed her when she was just .

She didn't make it to
the Junior Finals that year,

but I could tell she was
gonna be one of the greats.

I got her a new coach.
New trainer. Nutritionist.

The next year,
she won the whole damn thing,

and I got her
her first endorsement deal.

Sounds like you made
quite the investment in Dasha,

- didn't you?
- Of course.

It's what I do for my clients.
Whatever they need.

Whatever they need, huh?

Does that include buying them dr*gs?

No, of course not.
I would never do that.

I-I'm sorry. Not you personally,

but you ask your assistants

to buy them dr*gs.

LANCE: No, I do not ask

my employees to break the law.

He's lying.

- Oh, I know.
- CHUNK: Mr. Thomas,

did you know that Dasha abused cocaine?

LANCE: I was aware
that she used cocaine,

but I did everything in
my power to discourage it.

Did you know that

she sought treatment last year

at the Crystal Meadows SoHo Rehab?

Uh...

I-I did know that she was there,

and I was fully supportive
of her efforts to get clean.

Well, if that's true,

then why did you pull her out

two weeks before she finished
her treatment?

Dasha was the defending champ

at the U.S. Open.

She had worked her whole life for this,

and she wanted to see it through.

Whatever she needed.

- Right?
- Dasha promised to go

back to rehab once the tourney was over.

And did she go back
and complete her treatment?

No, but the plan...

In fact, right after the tournament,

she sh*t a commercial for which
you personally received

$ million, isn't that right?

That ad campaign had been
in the works for months.

You removed her from rehab

and now she's dead from a drug overdose.

♪

Isn't that right?

No further questions, Your Honor.

Mr. Thomas.

Did you buy cocaine for Dasha
on the night she d*ed?

No.

No further questions, Your Honor.

Guy's slippery as a snake.

The witness or the A.D.A.?

Counsel, please approach.

As tomorrow is Christmas Eve,

I'd like to reconvene
this trial after the holidays.

Does the second week of January
work for both parties?

Uh, no, Your Honor,

my client has a right
to a swift and speedy trial.

The courthouse is closed

the first week of January, Mr. Palmer.

The second week is what I can offer.

But the courthouse is open tomorrow.

We can have this wrapped up by then.

I don't want to make
these jurors come in

on Christmas Eve

unless they're going to be
finished for good.

We'll be finished, Your Honor.

A.D.A. Jones, any objections?

No. No objections, Your Honor.

Okay then. We'll wrap this up tomorrow.

I'm sure the jury will be
pleased not to come back

after the new year.

MARISSA: Hey, do either of you know

how to make a raspberry cheesecake?

God no. Why?

Well, the archeologist reached out.

We've been texting.
[CHUCKLES]: He's funny.

Curious how LOL leads to cheesecake.

I might have bragged that
I could make a mean one.

Now I'm in charge of dessert
for tomorrow night.

Ladies, we're in a world of hurt.

I need more amm*nit*on
to throw the blame on Lance.

Danny, did you track down

the dealer Clara bought the coke from?

Yeah. I just found out he got busted,

and is being held at Rikers.

Can you get in to see him today?

I tried. Uh, visiting hours are over.

Can you see him tomorrow?

I will be on the beach tomorrow.

And Clara's going to be
in prison for years

if we don't dirty Lance up.

[SIGHS] Fine.

I will change my flight.

But I hate you. You know that, right?

Yes. Yes, I do.

Good.

♪ Oh, the weather outside is frightful ♪

♪ But the fire is so delightful... ♪

[GRUNTS]

That snow is really
coming down out there.

I'm telling you.

And look at this. Fantastic.

Okay, I'm gonna get changed,

and then we are going
to decorate our tree.

Oh, take your time.

Where's the tree? I got an
email it arrived today.

Oh, it arrived. Wait here.

With all these cookies?

- Mmm.
- ♪ Let it snow, let it snow ♪

♪ Let it snow... ♪

Close your eyes.

That's ominous.

- [STIFLED LAUGH]
- What the...?

[GASPS]

Oh. [LAUGHS]

So, I ordered a ten-inch tree
instead of a ten-foot tree.

Those pesky apostrophes.

Well, so much for a perfect Christmas.

No, no, no. I promise you,

I will get you an adult-sized tree.

♪ But as long as you love me so ♪

Mmm.

♪ Let it snow,
let it snow, let it snow. ♪

[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]

I'm starting to think that this
blizzard isn't gonna miss us.

Ah. Such a

beautiful tree.

You know what else will be beautiful?

If Danny can get us something useful

from that drug dealer today.

- Good morning, Mr. Palmer.
- Pastor Reynolds.

I can't believe you came
all the way down to court today.

I'm not a fair-weather pastor.

Hmm.

Am I gonna see you at
Midnight Mass tonight?

Yeah, I'll be there.

Do you go to church, Dr. Bull?

Well, it's complicated.

Is it?

Okay, Pastor Reynolds,

let's, uh... let's go grab our seat.

JUDGE TAHANI: We've got a full day

so let's get to it.

Defense may call their first witness.

The defense calls Clara Williams

to the stand, Your Honor.

Your Honor, before
Ms. Williams takes the stand,

there's some evidence I'd like to enter.

[LIVELY CHATTER, MUSIC PLAYING]

[CLEARS THROAT]

Your Honor, this video is irrelevant

to the events on the
night that Dasha d*ed.

We strongly object to its inclusion.

If the defendant is
going to take the stand

and testify that she bought
dr*gs against her will,

her personal history of drug use
is entirely relevant.

I agree with A.D.A. Jones.

I'll allow it.

Your Honor. [CHUCKLES]

I-I need some time to prepare.

Defense assured the court

they'd have proceedings
wrapped up by tonight.

That's before counsel sprung this video

on us at the last minute.

I'll give you a brief recess
to prepare, Mr. Palmer.

You should have shared
that video before trial.

- I am working well within the lines.
- That you keep redrawing.

If you hadn't pushed
to finish trial today,

you'd have plenty of time
to mitigate the fallout.

That was always your problem, Rob.

You always got cocky
when you thought you were ahead.

Chester... I am ahead.

Oh, come on.
I'll give you an extra $ .

What do you mean
you can't deliver it today?

- I'm not being a wise guy.
- [PHONE BEEPING]

Oh.

Hey, Marissa,
do you have any connections

in the Christmas tree business?

Forget getting a tree.
You're not even gonna

make it home for Christmas Eve.

What? Why not?

Find a window.

Oh.

The blizzard just struck
New York City head-on.

Roads are blocked. Subways are down.

We're snowed in.

Ugh. There goes
my jury's Christmas spirit.

TAHANI: I have some bad news.
Due to the blizzard,

the mayor's office has issued

an emergency declaration restricting all

non-essential travel.

The roads, the subway,

everything's shut down
until further notice.

I apologize for the trouble

that rushing this trial has caused,

but since there's nowhere we can
go, we might as well proceed.

Clara, was that you who we saw

- using cocaine on that video?
- Yes.

Do you use cocaine regularly?

No. That was the first and
only time I've ever tried it.

Were you pressured into using it?

I was pressured
into doing a lot of things

for my job, but not that.

I wanted to try cocaine that night.

Why is that?

I guess I just

wanted to cut loose for once.

Growing up, I didn't get
to go to a lot of parties.

My family... We didn't have a lot.

I mean, my dad... He worked really hard,

but my mom passed away
when I was really young,

so it was just him, raising five
kids on a bus driver's salary.

And I had a job,
since I was , to help out.

And I knew that if I wanted
to go to college,

I was gonna have to work
way harder than everyone else.

So I spent every moment I had

studying or on the track.

Anyway,

that night, when I saw
everyone else doing it,

I thought...

maybe I could finally
have some fun, too.

Was it fun?

Not really.

And now, seeing
what's happened to Dasha,

I realize just how lucky I was
that there was no fentanyl

in the cocaine I tried.

Clara, why did you buy Dasha
that cocaine?

I didn't feel like I had a choice.

I know that sounds crazy.
Of course I had a choice.

But my boss, Lance Thomas... He told me

that he would fire me if I didn't do it.

And were you worried about how
you would support yourself

if you lost your job?

Well, I made minimum wage, and I
live in New York City, so, yeah.

But it wasn't just about the job for me.

This was my dream.

I wanted to represent athletes
more than anything.

I wanted to be a voice for them,
I wanted to protect them.

I didn't do everything
that I could to protect Dasha.

I never should have gotten her
that cocaine.

I'll regret the part I played
in Dasha's death

for the rest of my life.

No further questions, Your Honor.

[JONES CLEARS THROAT]

Before Dasha's death, were you aware

that people could overdose from dr*gs?

Yes.

And have you seen the-the signs
around town... subways, busses...

That warn of the dangers
of fentanyl-laced dr*gs?

I have.

So is it fair to say
that you knew the risk,

and yet, you still supplied Dasha

with the dr*gs that k*lled her?

Yes.

Nothing further.

Well, I'm sorry, Bull.
The jury is as red as...

I know I started it, but if you
use another Christmas metaphor,

I'm gonna lose the will to live.

[GASPS]

That looks fabulous.

- Did you find a bakery?
- Nope.

Stayed up all night making it,
probably for nothing.

Don't think I'll make it
to the party now.

I'm sorry. At least
you're not snowed in at Rikers.

Listen, I came all the way out here.

There's a freaking blizzard outside,

so I couldn't leave even if I wanted to.

Can you just let me speak
to him for a few minutes?

You should have called ahead.
I would have told ya.

No visitors are allowed
on Christmas Eve.

Well, this isn't a social call.

A young woman's life is on the line.

Would it k*ll you to make an exception?

No. But the paperwork might.

Sorry, no can do.

- [SIGHS]
- [GARBLED RADIO TRANSMISSION]

You see that suitcase right there?

I'm supposed to be on a flight

to Aruba right now.

I was supposed
to actually leave last night,

but I postponed my flight
to visit this inmate.

And I get that none of
that is your problem.

But I have had a rough couple of months.

My mom had a stroke, and she and I...

Well, it's never been easy.

But I-I took leave from work
to take care of her.

And when she recovered,
I said to myself,

"Let's take care of me. Let's-let's

treat myself to Christmas on the beach."

But it seems like I'm gonna be,
uh, spending it here at Rikers.

So if I'm gonna be stuck here,

I would at least
like it to mean something.

You done?

Yes.

My mom was a real piece of work, too.

Can you make it quick
before the shift change?

Gone before you know it. Thank you.

- Aha.
- You heard from Danny?

Not yet. Hey, you got any cash?

You hungry?

Yes. So's the jury. The, uh...

The cafeteria's closed for the holiday.

You can't sympathize
on an empty stomach, huh?

No. Least we can do is feed them.

They're not gonna make it home tonight.

I don't think that
there's enough junk food

in the world to turn this jury around.

I know. We need to stall,
give Danny enough time

to figure some stuff out.

I don't think Judge Tahani's
gonna do us any favors.

Why don't you talk

to your old pal Rob and see
if he'll take a plea deal?

You-you want me to float
a plea deal as a stall tactic?

Well, he would do the same
to us, wouldn't he?

You summon me here to tell me
how the jurors ended up

with a stocking full of snacks?

- They don't know who bought the snacks.
- [SCOFFS]

For all they know,
you bought the trail mix

and the cheese puffs.

I was counting on the fact
that no one can sympathize

on an empty stomach.

Eh. Oh, well, I'm still winning.

You don't stop, do you?

Look, I know I come on strong.

I've got a big personality, and
that's not to everyone's liking.

But at my core,

I'm just a kid from the sticks
looking to make good.

You came from the sticks, huh?

I grew up in a mobile home.

I'm the first in my family
to go to college.

I didn't know that.

Yeah, well, clearly, I overcompensate.

So says my therapist.

Don't quote me on this,

but I can sympathize with Clara.

I mean, when you come from nothing,

you will do anything not to return to...

nothing.

I get that.

Cheese puff?

They're the perfect blend
of chemical and crunch.

[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

What are you doing?

You have a little something there.

The playing field's only fair
when we both look our best.

So I'm glad that you can
sympathize with Clara

because I actually want to talk
about a plea deal.

See what, if anything, is on the table.

- A plea deal?
- Mm-hmm.

Well, if you're serious, I'll
run it up the ladder to the D.A.

I'd appreciate that.

Hey, um...

Would you ever be interested

in catching up over a drink sometime?

I don't mean to imply
any quid pro quo with the plea.

You know what? Don't answer that

until we're done with all of this.

[DOOR CLOSES]

As I predicted,
the dealer won't rat out Lance

- or his other customers.
- What an upstanding guy.

But he swears up and down there
was no fentanyl in his supply.

[CHUCKLES] I bet he does.

JADE: Why did you make me
come here today?

I don't have time for this.
Now I'm stuck here.

JONES: Excuse me a moment, sir.
I may need you

- as a rebuttal witness.
- I don't feel well.

I need to get out of here
as soon as possible.

I'm sorry, I'm on the phone.
Be right back.

Hi. Sir, sorry about that. So, listen.

[SIGHS]

DANNY: Bull? You there?

Yeah.

Well, the dealer claims
that he tests his stuff

because dead customers
aren't return customers.

Well, he's saying that so
he doesn't get prosecuted

for Dasha's death.

Maybe, but I had Taylor pull up
the arrest report.

His house was raided the night
Clara bought dr*gs from him,

and the coke the police
recovered had no fentanyl.

So the fentanyl was added
after Clara bought it?

Maybe Dasha juiced up her own coke.

Athletes can get hooked
on fentanyl patches.

After they're injured.

Did Dasha have an injury?

I don't know.

But there was someone else in
that room that night who did.

Danny, you may have just
delivered a Christmas miracle.

Are both parties ready
to give their closing arguments?

Actually, Your Honor, we have
entered into plea negotiations,

and the D.A. has authorized me
to make an offer.

Your Honor, the defense is
no longer interested in a plea.

- You're not?
- We'd like to enter into evidence

this police report, and we'd like

to recall one
of the prosecution's witnesses.

Ms. Kiernan, when you were
recovering from your hip injury,

were you prescribed fentanyl?

No. I don't think so.

I would like to remind you
that you're under oath.

I'd also like to inform you

that all fentanyl prescriptions
are registered

with the New York
Prescription Monitoring System.

I wasn't able
to get access to the system.

I'm not sure Jade's in the database.

Then it's a good thing
Jade doesn't know that.

I was prescribed painkillers.

I guess they could've been fentanyl.

CHUNK: And that's how you
became addicted to fentanyl?

Objection. Speculation.

I'll allow it.
Please answer the question.

I'm not addicted to fentanyl.

[SNIFFLES]

Feeling okay, Ms. Kiernan?

I think I'm coming down with something.

CHUNK: Well, you seemed okay yesterday.

But you have been stuck in court
for quite some time.

Mm, we all have.

CHUNK: Did you know that fentanyl
withdrawal sets in

after about eight hours,
roughly the amount of time

that you've been here?

Objection! Badgering.

Sustained.

Take it easy, Mr. Palmer.

Bring it home for the holidays, Chunk.

CHUNK: Ms. Kiernan,

are you aware the police raided
the home of the dealer

who sold Clara the cocaine
shortly after she purchased it?

No.

Could you read for me

the highlighted line
on this police report?

"Field test fentanyl... Negative."

I can't help wondering.

If there was no fentanyl in the
cocaine that Clara purchased,

how did it get into the cocaine
that Dasha ingested?

I have no idea.

You testified yesterday

that you were with Dasha

when Clara dropped off
the cocaine, isn't that right?

Yes.

Did you cut Dasha's cocaine
with fentanyl

- to get a better high?
- JONES: Objection!

- This is gross speculation.
- TAHANI: Overruled.

Please answer the question, Ms. Kiernan.

No. I wouldn't do that.

Dasha's dead because of you, isn't she?

JONES: Objection!

- Your Honor, this is outrageous.
- I withdraw, Your Honor.

Do you think that the jury
will believe Jade's responsible?

I have no idea.

Let us pray.

Lord, we come to You with humility.

TAHANI: Have you reached a verdict?

JURY FOREPERSON: We have, Your Honor.

On a night in Bethlehem,

with faith
as their only source of warmth,

Your star as their guide...

We, the jury, on the charge

of misdemeanor possession
of a controlled substance,

find the defendant,
Clara Williams, guilty.

You sent them a son,

and with that,
You gave us all redemption.

On the charge
of negligent manslaughter...

...we find the defendant

not guilty.

TAHANI: This trial is concluded.

We thank the jury for your service.

Court is adjourned.

REYNOLDS: Unto your Holiness, we say,

amen.

- Amen.
- Amen.

The possession charge carries
about a year in prison,

but we're gonna aim
for probation in sentencing.

No matter what, it's better than
years in prison. Thank you.

Looks like it let up.

BULL: Yeah. Huh. No buses, but

the subways are running.

- Nice job in there.
- Thanks. You, too.

Oh. Here comes your nemesis.

I'm gonna jingle-jangle on out of here.

- See you later.
- Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas. [EXHALES]

Cheap tricks on Christmas Eve?

You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

I don't know what
you're talking about, Rob.

You were just stalling for time
with that plea deal. Total BS.

Are you mad because
you stuck your neck out

and asked the D.A. for a plea deal?

Or are you mad because
you stuck your neck out

- and asked me for a drink?
- [LAUGHS]

Little of both if I'm being honest.

Well, if I'm being honest,
the answer was gonna be "yes."

- I'll see you later, Rob.
- Chester?

What about right now?

My party is four blocks away.

- I should be able to walk that, right?
- Totally.

Don't tell Bull but
I'm gonna sleep on his couch,

brave the snow in the morning.

You sure you're gonna be
okay here? Alone?

Yes. I'll be fine. Go
meet your archeologist.

Hope he's a... real find.

♪

[WIND WHISTLING]

[SIGHS]

[WIND WHISTLING]

Still trying to make it to Aruba?

At this point, I would just
settle for getting home.

Well, get in. You're making that flight.

[SQUEALS, LAUGHS]

Let's roll!

MARISSA: I have two forks.

I'll share mine if you share yours.

Snow too deep to walk?

Never made it outside.

Realized I'd rather spend
Christmas Eve with family

than some random guy.

Even an archeologist?

Just think of the dirt.

[LAUGHS]

Here.

Thanks.

I hope it isn't too sweet.

I meant thanks for... coming back.

I know.

- Ooh.
- Let's check this out.

Ah...

Ho, ho, ho!

You made it. Why are you all wet?

Because I walked blocks.

Aren't the subways back running?

You can't get one
of these on the subway.

- [LAUGHS]
- ♪ O Christmas tree... ♪

That's...

The last tree on the lot, no judgment.

I am not judging. You got us a tree.

I know it's a little...

- It's perfect.
- Oh.

- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.

All right, let's decorate this guy.

Astrid, Daddy got a tree.

♪ Your branches. ♪