Damages (2007–2012): Season 4, Episode 3 - I'd Prefer My Old Office - full transcript

Previously on
Damages.

High Star conducted
an illegal mission

at the order of company CEO
Howard Erickson.

During the execution
of this mission,
these men lost their lives.

The men who died,
you knew them.

These were your men.

Are you still
willing to testify?

If it will help
my guys' families.

Who's Ellen?
No one.

That lawyer, Ellen Parsons,

we need to find a way
to keep Sanchez away from her.



What are you suggesting?
Redeploy him.

So what do we do now,
look for some mullah
that doesn't exist?

Let him chase his tail
for awhile.

As long as he's over there,
we're fine for now.

I can't drag Chris
through the fire
without any resources.

And what would you do
if you could
find the resources?

I'd try the case.

Use my firm,
my resources.

Let me help you.
I owe it to you.

He's my only child.

He ran away three
years ago and left me

with his baby daughter
to take care of.

I recently hired somebody
to track him down.

And all you care about
is that 30-second sound bite



in that press conference
announcing a victory.

I care that
she's the only one
with the courage

to stand up to
corporate America

in an era
where everyone else
is afraid to do so.

Thank God for Patty.

Michael?

Hey.

Tanya,
I need to borrow your car.

Oh, shit! Is it Jill?
Is the baby coming?

No, it's... Not yet.

What happened to you?

Can I borrow your car or not?

My dad just bought it
for me.

All the times you
asked me to help you.

It's just for a couple days.

What's wrong?
Where are you going?

Can you just get
the fucking keys?

You want to know
about Michael?

Did my father send you?

No, I'm working
with Michael's mom,
Patty Hewes.

She hasn't heard
from him in some time,

and I was hoping,
maybe you could
answer some questions?

Okay.

When was the last time
you were in touch
with Michael?

He borrowed my car
a few years ago.

It's the last time
I saw him.

For how long?

He never brought it back.

And you reported it stolen?

My dad did,
but the police
never found it, no.

And that was the last time
you were in touch
with Michael?

We're not exactly
friends any more.
The guy stole my car.

And he didn't tell you
where he was going?

No, and he never returned
my calls, e-mails, texts.

He just took the car
and disappeared.

He's an asshole.

Well, thank you
for your time,
Ms Greenblatt.

And I may have
some follow-up
questions later.

If you hear from him
or think of anything else,

please call me.

Maggie's my new assistant.

Use her if anything comes up.
Thank you.

And feel free
to use any and all
of our resources.

I've alerted
the accountants.

They're aware
that you're gonna
be drawing funds.

Great!
I appreciate it, Patty.

I thought
I'd put you in here.

Tom's office?

Just it's been
sitting here
all this time.

So, you might
as well take it.

If it's okay,
I'd prefer my old office.

It's tiny.

I don't mind.

I use it for storage.

Well, can I clear it out?

If that's what you want.

Yeah. Thanks.

So, when are you going
to bring in Chris Sanchez?

I can't.
He went back to Afghanistan.

What? I thought you told me
he was your only witness.

He is. I think the company
pressured him to redeploy.

Your entire case
hinges on his testimony.

What are you
going to do?

I figure I have
one of two choices.

I could either sit
around and wait for
Chris to come back,

or I could
take my chances
and file my case.

And hopefully,
something will
come up in discovery.

If the judge lets you
get to discovery.

You'll be lucky if he doesn't
dismiss the case outright.

What would you do?

I'm asking your advice.

I know, I know.
It's my case.
I just thought I'd ask.

You know what I'd do.

You'd file the case.

If in doubt,
throw the first punch.

Rayburn!

Look at me. Franks!

Lowry! Come on, motherfucker!

You okay?

Yeah.

That shrink gave them to me.

Anything you
want to talk about?

Before we left
on the last mission,

Lowry came to me.

He wanted to beg off.

Said that it
didn't feel right.

It was too last minute,
we weren't prepared.

I told him everything
would be all right.

What happened with
those guys, Sancho,

it wasn't your fault
just 'cause you
didn't die with them.

There are people in this world
who see things
differently than we do.

They mean well.
They really do.

But they have
different beliefs.

We can't change them.

We shouldn't try to.

But they can't
change us, either.

It's important to take
pride in our beliefs.

They are what sustain us
and give us purpose.

Never forget that.

You ready?
Yes, sir.

Hoo-wah! Let's go to church.

Murder for money!
Murder for money!

Murder for money!
Murder for money!

Murder for money!
Murder for money!

Murder for money!
Murder for money!

Murder for money!
Murder for money!

Murder for money!
Murder for money!
Murder for money!

Hear that, Jack?

Murder for money!
Murder for money!

Think maybe you
could find a way

to get these people
off my street?

Well, I would,
but there's a little thing
called the First Amendment.

What's going on?
I'm taking the boys
to choir practice.

A wrongful death suit
was filed against you and
High Star in federal court.

What's it say?

"Three High Star employees,
Jay Rayburn,

"Robert Franks
and Thomas Lowry,

"were killed during
an unauthorised
operation in Afghanistan."

What do you know about it?

Meet me at the house
in two hours.

- They should
shut you down!
- Murder for money!

Murder for money!

Down! Down!

Get down!

Let's put some
plastic on these guys.

All clear!

Wait a minute.
It's not him.

Look up.
All of you.

All of you.

Hey, hey, hey!

He's not here.

Mullah Nur Taraki.
Where is he?

On your feet.
Boss asked you a question!

Where is he?

We don't know where he is.
He's not our friend.

What?

We're afraid of Nur Taraki.

I'm not catching all that.
What'd he say?

He's saying that they're
afraid of Nur Taraki.
They hate the guy.

Let's bring them all in.
AC, no, no, no.

Come on, man,
look at these guys.
They don't know shit.

The intel was wrong.
Let them go.

Take off
the fucking restraints.

The plaintiff's attorney
is Ellen Parsons.

Tell me about her.

Well, she was a hotshot
coming out of law school.

Her first job was
working for Patty Hewes.

Patty who?
Hewes.

She took down
Arthur Frobisher,

handled that mess
with Louis Tobin.

Oh, yeah.

Ms Parsons cut her teeth
on the Frobisher case,

and then she left
Hewes & Associates,

went to work
in the DA's office,

but she didn't stay there.

Looks like she went out
on her own.

Should I worry about her?

No. She's just a kid.

A bleeding heart trying to
make a name for herself.

But she doesn't have
much of a case.

The brief lists
a single witness,
Christopher Sanchez.

Do you know him?

Yeah.

Is he a problem?
No.

And he's working for me
right now in Afghanistan.

Then don't give this
thing another thought.

I'll get it dismissed.

I'm counting on you, Jack.

What have you found?

I spoke to Tanya Greenblatt.

I have no idea who that is.

She worked with Michael
at Jill Burnham's
art gallery.

And what did
Tanya have to say?

She lent Michael her car
just before he disappeared.

And I think she may
be the last person

who saw him before
he left the city.

But she hasn't
heard from him since.

Did she know
where he was going?

No. No.

But I'm fairly certain
he went to Boston.

Why do you say that?

I went through that
list of Michael's friends
you gave me,

and most of them
are away at school

and didn't really
keep up with him,

so I tried
the social networks.

You're not online.

I tried to "friend" you,
but you don't have a page.

No, I don't.

It's just extraordinary,
the whole paradigm shift
in the way people relate.

I really think
you should try it.

Did you find anything?

Yeah.

Have you ever met
a Henry Thain?

Yeah, he and Michael
were best friends
since they were 11.

Well, a couple years back,
one of Henry's old
Facebook postings read,

"M.H. appeared
out of nowhere.
Needed a place to stay."

And that was
right around the time
that Michael disappeared,

and Henry was a freshman
at B.U. at the time.

So, do you think
there's a chance

that Michael is
still in Boston?

I poked Henry to find out,
but he never responded,

so I'd like to go to Boston
and talk to him face-to-face.

I'd like to go with you.

That's not really necessary.

It's my son
we're talking about.

Anyway, Catherine's sick.
She has a fever.

They catch everything
at that age, don't they?

And besides,
I don't have a nanny

and I don't have
anyone I trust

that I can leave her with.

Dude, you're rich.
Use your credit card,
get a hotel room.

I can't.
They can trace it.

I don't want
anybody to find me.

What, are you some
kind of fucking spy?

What the fuck are
you running from?

No one. Just forget it!

Even if my roommates agree,

the RA's this gay dude
who's like
the fucking Gestapo.

I'm on his shit list
for partying in my room.

Fuck it.

So what?
What are you gonna do?

You really care?

Go back to New York.

You wanted to see
that intel on Nur Taraki?

Who compiled this?

Boorman sent it.

There's 100 different
sources here.

You know how long it would
take to check all these?

It's a fluid situation.

I doubt the Mullah's
in one place
for more than a day.

I don't trust Boorman
with any of this shit.

Why would he lie?

I got my own contact
on the ground.

Who?

You don't know him.
Someone I used to
go to for my own intel.

Good. Let's go.

This is a personal
relationship, AC.

I need to go alone.

Your Honour,
Ms Parsons' entire case

is based on a single witness,
Christopher Sanchez,

who will supposedly testify
to an alleged event.

There is no other
evidence supporting
the plaintiff's claim.

When Mr Sanchez
came forward
as a witness,

he claimed that
High Star was involved
in illegal activity

that directly led to
the deaths of three men.

Then why did he
go back to work
for the company?

Thank you, Mr Shaw.
I'll ask the questions.

Your Honour, Mr Sanchez
recently redeployed
to Afghanistan.

It's my belief
that he was coerced
into redeploying.

And that belief
is based on what?

Mr Sanchez has been
suffering from post-traumatic
stress disorder.

He was prescribed
medication by his doctor

who was later killed
under suspicious
circumstances.

Suspicious?
What are you implying?

Mr Sanchez believes

that High Star may
have been responsible
for his doctor's death.

Keep it up, and I'll have
a slander suit filed
against you by lunch.

Given the circumstances,
it simply defies logic

that Mr Sanchez
would redeploy
on his own volition.

But I have his contract right
here with his signature.

All I'm asking, Your Honour,
is that you not
dismiss this case

until my witness has
had the opportunity
to go on the record.

How would you
suggest that we do that?
He's in Afghanistan.

He's working for High Star.
They must have access to him.

No, we don't.

Mr Sanchez
is out in the field
on a six-month contract.

His assignment requires
clandestine movement
all over the country,

sometimes at
a moment's notice.

Ms Parsons, you're
going to have to wait.

Six months won't
kill your case.

But it could
kill my witness.

He is in a war zone.
He could die at any time.

For all I know,
the company's
already had him killed.

Your Honour,
this is outrageous.

Be careful, Ms Parsons.

Can you prove
that he's alive?

Of course we can.

Well, then you must
know where he is.

Why can't the company
produce him?

It's a good point, Mr Shaw.

Your Honour...
Are you able to
produce him or not?

If necessary.

I want to hear what
Mr Sanchez has to say.

I'll give you 48 hours to
produce him via video-link.

Forty-eight hours?
I don't know that
that's possible.

I think you can find a way.

Thank you, Your Honour.

The judge is ordering me
to produce Sanchez in court.

Sounds like your
attorney's doing

a bang-up job getting
this thing dismissed.

Ellen Parsons is back working
out of Patty Hewes' firm.

How do you know?

I got her cell phone tapped.

Ellen Parsons
filed the case alone.

Patty Hewes has got to be
putting her up as a front.

I don't like this lawsuit.

I think it may be time for me
to get my cheque book out.

You're already
paying Sanchez.

I'm not talking Sanchez.

I want to offer
the families a settlement.

Good idea, Howard.

I never liked
that last mission.

The risk factor
was off the chart.

We had a small
window of opportunity.
We had to go in.

The asset we pulled out,

was he worth it?

Absolutely. We're getting
quality intel out of him.

You still have the guy?

He's under our control.

I'm coming in.

Dinner.

I got you an egg sandwich.

I think you're gonna like it.

And you've been
very cooperative,
so I threw in some dessert.

Howard Erickson called.

He wants to meet with me.

Interesting.

Without his attorney.

That's unethical.

Highly unethical.

If the judge finds out,
you'll get
thrown off the case.

You and Erickson
can't meet alone.

That's why I want
you to go for me.

Me?
You'd enjoy that, right?

Sitting across
from Howard Erickson.

Finding out
what he's up to.

Come on, Patty.
It'd be fun for you.

And I would love to
get your take on him.

I'm sure you would.

So, you're not
gonna do this for me?

No reason to.

I can think of one.

Eat some more, Chris.

No.

Really, I'm stuffed.
It's delicious.

Good Pashto.

We are very happy
to have you here,
very happy.

How are things
in the province?

Not very good.

There is no safety,
little food, less hope.

I only wish for
my grandchildren

to know peace
in their lifetime,

but my son, he believes
this is not possible.

Where is Nasim?
I was hoping to see him.

My son is out
driving his taxi.

I'm sorry I missed him.

I really need to ask
him some questions.

Perhaps I can help.

There's nothing to
be ashamed of, Jake.

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

The sheets.

I want you to know
it's perfectly normal.

You're 13 now.

I think it's time you and I
had a talk about manhood.

Can I get the waffles?

Waffles sound delicious.

You don't know who I am?

Oh, shoot.

I'm so sorry.
I feel like a certified ass.

Patty Hewes.
Hello.

Jake, I'd like a word
alone with Ms Hewes.

Could you give us
a minute, Son?

You got your Game Boy?
Sure.

Thank you, Jake.

I have a son.

I have four.

I heard a rumour
Ms Parsons wasn't
trying this case alone.

Actually, she is.

She has no idea I'm here.

Then why are you here?

I have my reasons.

Ms Parsons never
got back to me.

I was hoping I could
find a way forward with her.

A way forward?

Maybe you can
carry a message for me.

I'm willing to make an offer.

That's a lot of money.

I just want to do what's
right for those families.

Ms Parsons won't let you.

She's not interested
in a settlement.

She's desperate to
make a name for herself.

But she's in over her head.

If I were you,
I'd keep my money.

She'll never
beat you in court.

She doesn't have a case.

What is this, some kind
of negotiating ploy,

or are you angling
to push Ms Parsons out

so you can take over
this case yourself?

I have my own cases
to worry about.

I'm not interested
in playing games.

This is my final offer.

This isn't my case.

I'm in no position
to make a deal.

Then do me a solid
and pass that along.

The offer is generous.

Tell Ms Parsons
there won't be another.

How did it go?

It was smart
to file the case.

He wants to settle.

He even was
willing to negotiate

against himself
and up the offer.

But you didn't accept it.

No, but you need
to take the offer
to your clients.

They don't need to know.

That's not
exactly ethical, Ellen.
It's a substantial figure.

I'll think about it.

Anyway, you know that
Erickson's scared now,
so just keep pushing.

Thanks for going
to meet with him.

I'm glad we could
help each other out.

How's my little girl?

You want some juice?

She's fine. Don't worry.

Check her temperature
every couple of hours,

and if anything goes wrong,
anything at all,

her doctor's number's
on the fridge, okay?

And make sure
she stays hydrated.

I'll take good care of her
while you're away.

Listen, I forgot to ask.

I'm looking
after Chris' dog
while he's away.

Is it okay
if I bring her over?

Yes, no problem.

Okay. Thanks, Patty.

Bye.

You drive.

You do drive?

I know who he is.

Mullah Nur al Taraki.

Well known in this province.

Very powerful.

I was told my men
killed his brother,
and now he's seeking revenge.

Who told you this?

It's better for
you not to know.

Taraki's brother was killed,

but not by your men.

He was beheaded
by a rival tribe.

Taraki knows this.

Are you sure?

Listen to me, Chris.

I am your friend.

This story that you have
been told, it's a fiction.

I thought it might be.

But that's not
the only reason
I came to see you.

No?

I need to tell you
about the missions I led.

Your son, Nasim,
helped me with information,

whatever I needed
to do my job.
I will always be grateful.

But what I did,

we interrogated people.

I think many of them
were innocent.

Some of them died.

I didn't think of it
as torture at the time.

We were doing it
for the right reasons.
We were.

But I think we did
more harm than good.

I regret it now.

You came all the way
to Afghanistan
to tell us this?

I'm very sorry.

I'm coming up to get you.

Time to pray.

So you wouldn't let
Michael stay with you?

Look, I'm gonna
be late for class.

You're not going
to turn your back
on him again, are you?

What was I supposed to do,
let him live in my dorm?

I had roommates.

All right, Maggie.
That's fine.

Who is that?

And tell Girotto
I need to push back
the deposition again.

I'm out of town.
Oh, fuck.

Hello, Henry.
How are you?

I'm fine, Ms Hewes.

So, you're a junior now.

Your parents must be proud.

I'm so sorry about Michael,
Ms Hewes.

When he showed up,
we were in finals.

I was totally swamped.
I really wanted to help him...

Relax, Henry.
This isn't about you.

You are not in trouble.
I'm just trying
to find Michael.

Any idea where he is now?

Last time I saw him
was a while ago.

And where exactly was that?

He used to hang out
across the street

from this nightclub
called Razor Fish.

Hang out? And do what?

Seemed like he was trying
to work his way into
the scene down there.

Where did he live?

In his car.

So he was homeless?

I brought him clothes.
Even gave him money once.

I'm so sorry, Ms Hewes.

Patty Hewes came
instead of Ellen Parsons?

I don't know what
kind of tag-team
they got going on.

I offered them
a shit pot full of money,

but they have
no intention of settling.

No. I'm not hungry.

I'm worried
about Chris Sanchez.

Who knows what he's
gonna say in court?

He doesn't have
to say anything
if he doesn't appear.

Afghanistan's
a war zone, Howard.

Anything can happen.

What did your contact say?

Boorman's full of shit.
We didn't kill
Taraki's brother.

The fucking fatwa
against me, all bullshit.

What are you doing, AC?

Sorry, man.

Lawsuit's been filed.
There's going to
be a hearing.

The company cannot
have you talking.

Mr Shaw, we have been
here for over an hour.

I'm sorry, Your Honour.

They assured me
Mr Sanchez would
be online by now.

It may be a technical problem.
Perhaps we could reschedule?

They're just stalling,
Your Honour.

Either that,
or my witness is
being threatened.

Can you
hear me? Ellen?

Welcome, Mr Sanchez.

Mr Sanchez, on the day
Rayburn, Franks and Lowry
were killed,

you were on a mission
for High Star Security,
is that correct?

Yes.

And what was the purpose
of this operation?

Our orders were to
escort kitchen equipment

to a NATO base
outside Kandahar.

Kitchen equipment?

That's correct.

Mr Sanchez,
in previous conversations,

do you recall stating
that you were involved
in an illegal operation?

No.

I don't ever
recall saying that.

We were escorting
kitchen supplies.

Then how did these men die?

We were ambushed
as we drove through
the Khyber Pass.

The enemy had
position on the ridge.

Mr Sanchez, is your
testimony being coerced?

Your Honour...
He can answer.

Mr Sanchez,
are you under
any duress?

No, sir, not at all.

In previous conversations,

you told me that
you never wanted to
return to Afghanistan.

What has made you
change your mind?

My mother's sick.

I needed the money,
so I re-upped with High Star.

You may be 7,000
miles away, Mr Sanchez,
but you are still under oath.

I understand.

Do you know
the penalties for perjury?

I'm telling the truth.

Do you have anything further,
Ms Parsons?

No, Your Honour.

Ellen?

My dog is sick.

What did he say?

I'm looking after
his dog, Your Honour.

Can you take her to the vet?

Please, Ellen.

It's right around the corner
from my apartment.

Your Honour,
this is absurd.

Mr Sanchez, we're on
the taxpayers' dime here.

Talk to the vet.

The dog was abused
by a previous owner.

Mr Sanchez,
this situation is over.

Thank you very much
for your cooperation.

Be safe, sir.

Well...

At this point, Ms Parsons,

I don't know exactly
what you want me to do.

I don't see
any grounds for a case.

You did the right thing.

Let him go now.

Take him home.

Sorry.

'Cause he didn't call me.
I'm like...

Can you help me out?

I doubt it.

Wait, wait.
See, this is interesting.

This guy wants a handout.

Fuck off.

What happened? You run
away from home 'cause
Daddy doesn't love you?

Stop feeling sorry
for yourself, bitch.

Come on, let's go.

How much shit do you have?

I don't know. It's 40 a tab.

You got the cash?

No.

Get the fuck
out of here, man.

I'll take all you got.

What, you gonna rob me now?
No.

I'm gonna pay you for
everything you've got.
And I want your suit.

You're gonna
pay me with what?

My car.

What am I supposed
to do with that?

There's a chop shop
around the corner.

You're a smart guy.
Figure it out.

You want the car or not?

Hi, I signed in.
I'm Ellen Parsons.

What's wrong with her?

I'm not sure, actually.

I was just told
to bring her in.
She's not mine.

Yeah, I know.
She belongs to Chris.

So, you're Ellen.

I saw your name on his phone
when you called last week.

Oh! So, you're
friends with Chris?

I thought so.

But then he dropped off
the face of the earth.

Is he with you now?

No. We just know each other
from high school,

and he asked me
to watch Ghwarri
while he was away.

Away where?

Afghanistan.

He went back?

Look, I know this is gonna
sound very strange,

but I think that he
may have sent me here
to talk to you.

Chris insisted
that I bring her here.

He said that
her previous owner
abused her.

Do you know
anything about that?

All I know is Chris
rescued her from some

asshole he was
going after over there.

What do you mean,
"He was going after"?

I don't know.
He didn't really explain.

I'm just asking
because he wasn't

supposed to be
going after anyone.

He was just there
to provide security.

I'm sorry I can't help.

I guess if Chris
had wanted you
to know something,

he would have
told you himself.

Hey, I heard
you're looking to buy.

You heard wrong.

You look familiar.
Do I know you?

I've never seen you before,
and I'm not interested.

My mistake.

Come on, I want some.

How much?

Eighty a hit.

I can get it for 40.

Not this shit.

Don't be such
a cheap bastard.

Fuck it. Give me 20 tabs.

You won't be sorry.

You should
party with us.

Where are you going?

This was fun,
but I got to go.

Hey, guys, we're closed.
And no, you can't
use the bathroom.

Do I look like
I need to pee?

Do you recognise him?

Holy shit. That dude?

What the fuck
ever happened to him?

That's what we're
trying to find out.

You a cop?
Sort of.

So what can you
tell me about him?

He used to hang out
across the street.
The kid was an asshole.

He's my son.

I'm sorry.

I can see that now.
You look alike.

Why was he an asshole?

He started slinging dope.

So...

He was selling drugs?

Yeah.

Any of the people
he was running
with still around?

The dude didn't
run with anyone.
He was a loner.

Pissed off a lot of people.
The wrong people.
Then one day, he disappeared.

Thank you for driving.

I've seen this
kind of thing before,

and I think
you should be
prepared for anything.

You think Michael's dead?

No, I'm just saying that
you should be prepared.

Hi.
Hi.

Welcome back.

Thanks.

Catherine's
doing a lot better.

Her fever broke and
her temperature's down.

Good!

We had a lovely time.
Read all her
favourite books twice.

She's very sweet.

Yes, she is.

Did you find Michael?

No.

I'm sorry.

So how's your case going?

What did your witness
say at the hearing?

Well, they got him to lie.

He was trying to
tell me something.

I think they were going
after somebody over there,

but I haven't figured out
what he meant yet.

I've been lying to myself.

I'm stuck.

I can't win this case
without you, Patty.

I want more than just
the firm's resources.

You want the benefit
of my experience and advice,

so you can make
a name for yourself
and go out on your own.

Why wouldn't I want that?

All you needed to do was ask.

What the fuck
are you doing?

I told them what you wanted!
I told them what
you fucking wanted!

What you fucking wanted!

This is about
national security,
and you know it.

Back the fuck up.

AC, don't do this to me.

Fuck!

Fuck! Fuck!

You're free to go.

Thank God for Patty!

Getting away from you
is the best thing

that could have
happened to me.

People either
leave you or they die.