Damages (2007–2012): Season 2, Episode 5 - I Agree, It Wasn't Funny - full transcript

Previously onDamages.

I believe Daniel Purcell's wife

may have been
murdered to protect

the secrets of a major
energy corporation.

Ultima National Resources is
destroying the environment.

And that's the guy
who calls the shots.

Walter Kendrick, CEO.

We'll need you to testify
that Aracite is toxic

and that UNR ignored
your warnings.

I'll do whatever you need me to.

UNR doctored nothing.



Their results are clean.

Motion denied.

You think Ultima
National got to him?

Mr. Kendrick just
wanted you to know

that the first wire
transfer went through.

I'm Agent Harrison.
This is Agent Werner.

We're with the FBI.

The Bureau's putting together
a case we want Patty to take.

We'll use you to monitor
it from the inside.

Patty.

Don't take the infant
mortality case.

You were the one who brought
in that case, weren't you?

Ellen, have you had
any dreams this week?

I can't sleep.



Her fiance was murdered a month
ago. How is she supposed to sleep?

This is Detective Rick Messer.

He asked if he could
take a look around.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

What about David Connor?

Do I have to worry
about him? No.

Come on.

Arthur Frobisher had your
fiance killed, didn't he?

Thanks for inviting me, Patty.

I've been worried about you.

Worried?

When Daniel Purcell
flipped on the stand,

he humiliated you in open court.

Daniel Purcell's in the past.

Come on, Patty. Don't
tell me you're not angry.

Did I ever tell you
how I choose a case?

No.

I used to not understand it,

why some cases grabbed
me and others didn't.

Then I realized it starts
with a seed of anger.

I can feel it in my
hands and my chest

and that seed has
to be nurtured,

cultivated until it grows
into a full-blown rage.

Then I know that
I can't turn back.

I have no choice
but to take the case

because the rage doesn't abate.

Until someone's punished.

You feel that, too?

I've begun to recently.

Thank you.

Purcell may have betrayed
me, but he's just a pawn.

This is all about Ultima
National Resources.

We're going after them.

And if Daniel Purcell
is a casualty, so be it.

I'll do what I
can, Mr. Purcell,

but it's really not a
seller's market right now.

I don't care about the
price. Just get rid of it.

Okay.

The sooner the better.

I understand. I'm so
sorry about your wife.

You have to make a
decision, Daniel.

I know.

If that company is making people
sick, you have to stop them.

I'm not gonna blow the whistle.

What?

I made a deal.

With UNR?

They're gonna
leave us alone now.

You gave in to them?

I had no choice.

If you don't stop them, I will.

My true motivation in
aligning these two companies

is the golden opportunity to
merge corporate philosophies.

This goes way beyond
tax incentives,

way beyond the
marketization of capital.

The synergy that...

That's why Kendrick was so desperate
to cover up the Aracite contamination.

A massive class action suit
would have killed his merger.

So what can we do? Without
Daniel Purcell as a witness,

it's impossible to bring
a lawsuit against UNR.

And if this merger goes through, they'll
have twice the resources to fight us.

Unless, of course, we
can stop the merger.

That's what we're
going to try to do.

Get me a complete legal and
financial history of UNR.

Right. Yeah. I'm on it.

Um, did you invite her?

Invite me where?

Uh, Patty will tell you.

Tom's been with the
firm 10 years this week.

Oh. Great. I had no idea.

I'm hosting a small get together
at my place to celebrate.

I'd love to have you come.

I know, you haven't been
back to my apartment since...

So, if you don't feel comfortable
joining us, I understand.

Thank you.

This isn't a work obligation.
It's just a friendly invitation.

You know, whatever you decide.

As a representative of
the Energy Commission,

I have serious concerns
about this merger.

You wouldn't be doing
your job if you didn't.

Specifically on the
environmental front.

Well, we fully intend on easing
your worries, Mr. Schiff.

That's why I've brought
Mr. Purcell here today.

Daniel is vice president
and lead chemist

at Helix Environmental Research.

They do independent
scientific analysis.

We were contracted to analyze
risk and environmental sensitivity

at all UNR operating
sites nationwide.

And what did your firm find?

Our results are
published in this report.

But the upshot is that UNR complies
with every standard set forth

in the International Environmental
Management System, ISO 14001.

I look forward to
reading that through.

In your opinion, Mr. Purcell,

if our commission were to
ratify the proposed merger,

do you have any
concerns with regards

to the safety of future
UNR joint operations?

None.

Environmental
protection policies

are built into UNR's operations

at every existing site,
both onshore and off.

They pose absolutely no
risk to the environment.

Sure you don't want anything?

No, we're good.

So, what's your feeling
on this dinner party?

I never want to go back
to that apartment again.

If it's not now, you'll
have to go some other time.

Yeah, I get that.

But it's your decision. If
you're not ready, we understand.

If you do go, we want
you to record it.

Energy Commission.

Mr. Schiff is ready.

Thank you.

I'm sorry. He just
stepped out of the office.

Can I take a message?

Doug. Hey. Come on in.

Good to see you. You, too.

These are serious allegations.

It's an environmental nightmare.

I wouldn't waste
your time, Doug.

Who else knows?

No one has this
information but me.

And what do you aim to do?

Kill the merger.

But the State Supreme Court will never
take a stand against Walter Kendrick.

He has West Virginia wrapped
around his little finger.

Yeah, I see that.

Your commission may be the
only thing that can stop him.

Nothing can happen without
the approval of this office.

Patty, what I'm reading is
speculative. It may not be enough.

At least you could stall him,
buy me time to find more.

My office needs to issue a
ruling by the end of next week.

That's all the time I need.

Tremendous view.

So this federal regulator?

Douglas Schiff.

Yeah. He's stalling.
It's pissing me off.

I've explored that situation.

And where are we?

What do you mean, "No"?
There has to be a way in.

Schiff has no extracurriculars.

He's clean?

Spotless.

I could always get creative.

No. Don't.

This is a deputy director
of a federal agency.

There's too much
attention as it is.

Do you have more instructions?

No. You can go.

But keep in touch.

We're here tonight to
honor Walter Kendrick,

who was recently
voted club president.

It's a night of grand tradition,

and I know it's just a ritual,
but I gotta tell you, Walt,

you wear a skirt better
than any president we've had

since your grandfather,
Shep Kendrick.

All right.

Course, he turned
out to be a fag.

You'd like a little of
this, wouldn't you, Hank?

Where do I put the dollar?

As many of you
know, Walt was born

in the great state
of West Virginia.

His roots are there. Oh,
yeah, he loves the place.

He did, however,
break with tradition

by not marrying
one of his cousins.

Apparently, they all
had too many teeth.

Seriously though,

I always wondered why birds flew

over the state of West
Virginia upside down,

and then I met this guy,

and I realized there's nothing
there worth shitting on.

Looking out over the crowd,

I can see that Walt's
favorite attorney,

Claire Maddox, is
not in attendance.

Any of you folks
know Claire Maddox?

That lady gets around.

I'm not saying I don't want
to throw a hump into her,

but I have a feeling it'd be like
tossing a hot dog down a hallway.

Great stuff in there. Yeah?

Well, I was warned
to tone it down,

but I figured, you know,
it's tradition, right?

It's nothing personal. You
gotta be able to swallow it.

You're a terrific
sport, Mr. Kendrick.

I agree. It wasn't funny.

I was told you have a
little merger problem.

Patty Hewes leaked information

to some asshole on the
Regulatory Commission.

How can I help?

Ellen! Good to see you. Come
on in. Make yourself at home.

Thank you.

Hey.

You remember Deb, right?

Hi.

Nice to see you again.

You, too.

Congratulations. How
far along are you?

About four and a half months.

That's great. And
congratulations to you.

10 years, it's amazing
that you survived.

It's only because of
this one right here.

Oh. Excuse me.

Tom, congratulations.

Ellen, Patty asked me to organize
the speeches, nothing fancy.

You'll say a few
words after dinner?

I haven't prepared anything.

Just kidding, Ellen. You know
the woman hates speeches.

Everything all right?

Yeah. Just fine.

Cheers.

Cheers.

How did I do?

I didn't hit him once?

If nothing else, I'm
sure you scared him.

How is that even possible?

It takes time.

Besides, look at his
face, he's terrified.

There's no way he
didn't shit himself.

Shut up. Send him back.

I'm not leaving until I
cap this asshole. Come on.

So, why the interest
in firearms?

I never told you, but
someone tried to kill me

the night my fiance
was murdered.

Frobisher's people?

No.

Who then? I don't know.

But I won't ever feel
that vulnerable again.

Yeah, of course.

So, thanks for the lesson.

Yeah.

Same time next
week then? Yeah.

I'm gonna put a hole in
that thing if it kills me.

I'll see you, Wes.

Suddenly she wants to
learn how to use a gun.

I don't know if you're safe.

I told you. You
can't be here today.

I'm sorry, I just...

What's wrong?

I just had to see you.

Are you okay?

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah. Everything's fine.

I think the rate of return against
the yen is grossly undervalued.

Clearly there's a window of
opportunity about to open there.

Well, let's stay on top of
it. I don't want to miss out.

You got it.

I've only got a minute.

Oh, Dave, how's life
in the private sector?

Excellent. Been down in Bogota
the past couple of months.

Yeah, I didn't know you were
heading that up. Good for you.

Yeah, thanks. But, Phil,
that's not why I'm here.

You didn't hear this from me.

I caught wind of
something you should know.

Okay.

It's about your wife.

You're home late.

Yeah. I was researching Ultima
National's legal history.

We need to talk.

What?

Is it Michael? No, no.

Somebody came to me. He's
connected, and he's heard rumblings.

What rumblings?

Apparently there are forces
in the business world

that would love to put
you out of business.

That's not news.

No, but it's an understatement

to say that there are
CEOs who don't like you,

and they're using their influence
in Washington against you.

Are you saying I'm
under investigation?

I don't know, but I doubt he'd
talk to me if you weren't.

I don't know what you've
done. I don't need to know.

But you have to be sure
there's nothing out there

that they can hang you with.

You have nothing to worry about.
Scrutiny won't be an issue.

How can you be sure?

Because I don't
leave loose ends.

I've never left you vulnerable.

From day one, you've
been insulated.

No, I'm talking about loose ends that
could go all the way back to the old firm.

If I'm under investigation, God knows
what they'll try to use to hurt me.

I've said it before. The only thing
that can hurt you is Ellen Parsons.

She brought in the infant
mortality case, don't forget.

I haven't.

You almost took
that case. I know.

It could've been a set-up.

Ask yourself,

after everything
that happened to her,

why did she come back to work?

It just doesn't
make sense, Patty.

Something's been bothering me.

Yeah?

That infant mortality case,

I've been thinking about the
plaintiff that wanted a payoff.

What was her name?

Monique Bryant.

Right, right.

How did you find her?

Um, someone in grief
counseling referred her to me.

Who?

They're adamant about privacy.
I can't give any names.

Right. I'm sorry. Of course.

I'm just concerned that someone
was trying to set you up.

Why would anyone
want to do that?

I don't know.

I just...

Something about that
case never felt right.

It was wonderful having you
at dinner the other night.

I hope you had fun.

I had a lovely time.

Patty's getting nervous.
Yeah, it's about the girl.

We need to take action.

Hey. So, nothing useful
came up at the dinner party.

But Patty's acting strange.

How so? She seems paranoid.

Let's take a walk.
Is that your wife?

Sorry.

She's asking me about the
infant mortality case.

You off to London?

Yeah. Just till Friday.
Back for the weekend.

Could you do me a favor?

Sure. What?

Could you look this
over? What is it?

It's a UNR financial report.
I'd really like your take on it.

All right. I'll do my best.

Thanks.

Brunch Saturday? Of course.

Bye, babe. Bye.

We've got less than a week.

Our scope needs to be
more comprehensive.

Doug Schiff is on our side,

but we need to convince his commission
that this merger should not go through.

Craig, Ari, I want to know more
about UNR's environmental record.

Look into every state that they've done
business with for the last 20 years.

Okay.

Ellen, in my office.

Shut the door.

What do you think you're doing?

About what? In there.

You see anyone else checking
their phone while I'm talking?

No. I apologize.

Don't. Just tell me the truth.

What do you have in your life
that's more important than work?

Nothing. I'm sorry, Patty.

I'm not asking you to be sorry.
I'm asking you who called.

I was late for a meeting.

What meeting? Counseling.

I thought you stopped
going. To group.

I'm going one-on-one
twice a week during lunch.

You're excused then. Leave.

Amazing.

What's amazing, babe?

This Ultima National merger.

You have a position in it?

This is for Patty?

She's circling a case.

You want to run it by me?

Do you mind?

Not at all.

Look at these numbers. Tell
me if you see what I see.

Later. We've only got
one night in London.

I thought you were Phil.

He went out of town, remember?

Where?

London.

London. Again?

Then he's meeting me in
Amherst to look at colleges.

How are your applications going?
Did you show Phil your essay?

No.

Why not?

It's about Daniel Purcell.

Why did you do that?

It's supposed to be
a personal essay.

He's my father. What's
more personal than that?

I don't want you having anything

to do with him anymore, Michael.

For 17 years, you
hide him from me.

Then, one day, it's all
reunions and smiles,

and now you don't
want me to see him?

He betrayed you, Mom.
You're human. Get over it.

I've looked into this thing, Patty,
and I'm ready to run and gun.

Consider the merger dead.

No. Well, you're welcome.

This is an opportunity to
do some important work.

Hey, it's me. Meet
me at the hotel.

Got a joke for you.

Why do birds fly upside down
over the state of West Virginia?

Do they?

Well, now you ruined it.

What's this about, Mr. Pell?

Your career.

I think I'm being followed.

How do you know?

The other day, I noticed
this guy when I met with you,

and then I just saw him again
today, so it can't be a coincidence.

You're sure it was the same guy?

Positive.

We're gonna want a
written description.

And...

What?

Patty asked me about the
infant mortality case again.

I'm afraid that she's
on to me somehow.

Ellen, if you've been
made, we can't continue.

Let me just work her a little
more, okay? Find out for sure.

No, don't have any
contact with her.

We have to take this
to our supervisor.

Why?

Because there's a very good
chance this operation is over.

Your girl gets around.

What do you think?

Could be lawyers.

Look like Feds to me.

Why the hell did FERC
authorize the merger?

Believe me, I went beyond
due diligence here.

I climbed way out on a limb.

And?

And even if we could prove that
UNR was dumping contaminants,

which we can't, we still have no
proof of any fraudulent activity.

Bullshit!

There are impact studies from
an independent consulting firm

that back up their claim.

Doug, this is me
you're talking to.

You know that report is a lie.

There's no evidence, Patty.

I feel terrible about this,
but, truly, my hands are tied.

Well, I have good news.
The merger's going through.

Congratulations.

Congratulations to you, too.

I invited you here, Dan, because
loyalty goes a long way with me.

I see big things in your future.

My future doesn't particularly
concern me, but my daughter's does.

Look at me.

Look at me.

Your concerns are my concerns.

You have my word.

You're going to clean up the
mess down in West Virginia?

Everything I heard
about you is true.

You guaranteed me you'd stop
using Aracite and clean it up.

It's already happening.

I want you to come
to work for us, Dan.

I'd like to make you
Head of Research,

oversee UNR's move to
alternative energy.

The merger's through.
That's what you wanted.

Now I'm done.

I know how you feel, Dan.

But whatever happened that night in
your house with your wife is over.

It's done with.

You played ball. This
is a partnership now.

I checked into Monique Bryant,

the client for the
infant mortality case.

What did you find?

48 years of age, daughter died in
childbirth, lost the baby, too.

So Ellen's in the clear?

Well, the hospital
records check out,

but the plaintiff who came
in here was African-American,

and this is the
real Monique Bryant.

Ellen's a liability, Patty.

I've said it all along.

Yeah?

So, what's so important?

I know you don't trust me.

And you have a very
good reason not to.

What reason would that be?

I was approached by
the FBI last night.

This isn't the plan. What
the hell is she doing?

What do they want?

They want to use me as
an informant against you.

What's their leverage?

They have pictures of me leaving the
office the night of Fiske's suicide.

We never told the
police that I was there.

I told them to go
screw themselves.

That was ballsy.

Well, it was clear nothing they
had on me was going to stick.

I think you were right about
the infant mortality case.

It was a set-up.

They're trying to catch
you paying off a client.

We have to be very careful.

The problem is, the Feds
can approach anyone.

Who else in the
office is vulnerable?

Good question.

Patty, we're in this together.

They take you down,
I go down, too.

She just sold us out.

I decided to tell Patty I
was approached by the Feds.

That was unbelievably stupid.

It was the only way
to win her confidence.

You heard me. I
protected my cover.

I told her I refused to
cooperate with you guys.

Did she believe
you? I think so.

You think so? That's great.

Hey, hey, relax.

Ellen... Look.

She doesn't trust anyone
right now except for me,

so if you still want to get
to her, I'm your only chance.

How's your mother?

Haven't seen her all month.

You need some help with this?

No, no, Pete. I
got it. Thanks.

Listen, Patrick, I gotta
cut through the bullshit.

You have to take a vacation.
The heat is on my boss.

Is it because of that
girl we went after?

My boss can never
know about you.

Listen, take this. But
you gotta leave tonight.

Should be enough for
seven, eight months there.

I made a deal. They're
gonna leave us alone now.

If you don't stop them, I will.

No, you won't.

I'll call the police.

I can't let you do that.

In fact, I'm gonna call the EPA.

We're in trouble.

Do you want my help?

Yes.

Which one of these is yours?

Fifty-nine.

Is your daughter
expected home tonight?

No.

She's upstate with
her grandparents.

Give me the keys.

Okay. Go park your car.

In 20 minutes, this
will all be over.

I looked into the UNR merger.
It makes no sense financially.

In what way?

It seems to me that Kendrick
is grossly overpaying,

and he's too smart
not to realize it.

What's his motive?
To consolidate power.

But if you ask me, that's
just his first move.

There must be something
else he's getting out of it.

Such as?

Well, that's what
you've gotta figure out.

Your friend was right, you know.

I'm under investigation.

The Feds are looking into me.

Then you have to forget
about this whole thing.

Patty, Kendrick is
too well-connected.

I want you to promise me that
you will leave UNR alone.

Detective Messer?
Detective Messer?

You get my cheeseburger?

I said extra ketchup.
It's in there.

Call CSU and get
the ME down here.

Well, it's worse
than you thought.

She's been meeting with someone.

Looks like law enforcement.
I think it's FBI.

The FBI?

What do you want me to do?

I think it's flight number
84 out of Newark. Right.

Can you cancel the
reservation for me?

No, that's it. Thank you.

Ellen.

Wes. What's going on?

Ah. They're doing some
work at my building.

Do you mind if I
crash here tonight?

Sure. Or two. Maybe three.

Let's just see how
the first night goes.

I can live with that.