Damages (2007–2012): Season 4, Episode 4 - Next One's on Me, Blondie - full transcript

NARRATOR:
Previously onDamages.

I saw your client
on Charlie Rose.

His English is
better than his French.

Mr.. Coupet,
did you personally oversee

the development of
a vaccine called Tranzec?

We conduct clinical trials
for every drug we develop.

Did you ever have occasion
to hear the term
"adverse event"?

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

The plaintiff's attorney
is Ellen Parsons.

The brief lists
a single witness,
Christopher Sanchez.

Mr.. Sanchez came
forward as a witness.



He claimed that
High Star was involved

in illegal activity
that led to
the deaths of three men.

I never liked
that last mission.

Lawsuit's been filed.
The company cannot
have you talking.

Mr.. Sanchez,
in previous conversations,
do you recall stating that

you were involved in
an illegal operation?

I don't ever
recall saying that.

What are you doing?
I told them what you wanted!

They got him to lie.
I think they were going
after somebody over there.

[WHEN I AM THROUGH WITH YOU
PLAYING]

♪ Little lamb

♪ Smile

♪ When I am through with you

♪ There won't be anything left



♪ When I am through with you

♪ There won't be anything left

♪ When I am through with you ♪

ERICKSON: Praise God
and good evening.

It fills my heart with joy
to be here with you tonight.

This week, my six-year-old son
made a Christmas card for me.

It said, "Peace on Earth,
good will to all men."

Peace on Earth.

[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]

Chris?

I didn't know
you were home.
How are you?

I'm good.

What are you doing here?

I had to come back.

Why?

You know why.

[MOBILE RINGING]

Hey!

EVERETT:
I missed you last night.

Oh.

I got hung up at work.

Sorry.

You spent the night at
your desk, didn't you?

Where are you?
Let's have lunch later.

I'm on my way
to the airport.

Right. Of course.
Have a good time
at your folks.

Wish them
Merry Christmas for me.
Travel safe.

Merry Christmas, Ellen.

Merry Christmas.

Ho-ho-ho.

[MAN CHANTING PRAYERS
IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

GIROTTO:
This is bullshit, Patty.

You have no respect
for my client.

You know, if you
insist on additional days

to depose Mr. Coupet,
you have to do it
in a timely manner.

I'm not going to depose him
until I'm fully prepared.

Fine.

I'm going to get
the judge to compel you.

Good.Give it your
best shot.

I'm surethe judge will understand
that it takes a little time

to read 10 years worth
of clinical trials.

You've had time.

A month, Jim.

Springtime in Paris
is not so bad.

It looks like
that went well.

I don't want you to have
to jeopardize your
other case by helping me.

Don't worry about it.

It's good to
let them stew.

What's wrong?

It's Chris.
I don't know if he's safe.

I don't even
know if he's alive.

Are you getting
emotionally involved?

No. No.

Don't.

It'll affect your judgment.
You'll make mistakes.

I'm here to
see Ellen Parsons.

And your name is, sir?
Christopher Sanchez.

You can wait in here.
Thank you.

And there's coffee and tea
right out there.
Help yourself.

PATTY: Ellen.

I want you to
seriously reconsider
pursuing this case.

I appreciate your concern,
Patty, I do, but it's fine.

Ms.. Parsons.
Yes?

There's a Mr. Sanchez
waiting for you
in conference room two.

Ms.. Parsons?

Who are you?

My name is Nasim Marwat.
That is for you.

Did you tell reception
you were Chris Sanchez?

Only so I could see you.

Call security, please.
No, no, please.

Chris Sanchez sent me.
I'm his friend. You see?

This is from Chris.

She's a real pretty lady,
this church.

The restoration's
picture perfect.

Well, that was only
possible because of you.

We're all grateful.

There's no need to thank me.
I'm happy to do it.

So what's on your mind?

I've been struggling
with Christmas Eve.

You're having second
thoughts about giving
the guest sermon?

No, no.
I'm honored to do that.

I just want to be sure
I have something
worthwhile to talk about.

Of course.

When Mary-Alice was alive,
she was my ears for
this sort of thing.

I'm kind of lost
without her.

I must've filled
a dozen wastebaskets
with crumpled paper.

It happens to all of us.

I've been reading my Bible,

studying my favorite
passages.

I don't just
want to talk about

what matters to me.

I want to speak

to the whole congregation.

Howard, that's my job.

You're a unique man
with a unique perspective.

It's why I asked you to speak.

The congregation
can be enlightened
by your point of view.

I don't know about that.

Trust that God can
lead you down the right path.

And remember that
the faithful heart
never errs.

ELLEN:
Where did you get this?

Chris gave it to my father

so that I could
bring it to you.

And how do you know Chris?

I helped him
with his work,
the missions.

I will scout the region,
I talk to the people,

I translate,
I gather information.

Mr. Marwat, are you
employed by High Star?

No. I only do this
for Chris.

My family and Chris,
we have the same enemy.

You see, my father,
he was educated in the west.

We love our country,
but the Taliban,
they destroy it.

On Chris' last mission,
three of his men were killed.

Yes, that is true.

Do you know the purpose
of that mission?

They go to a village,
and then they
take someone away.

Who did they take?

An Afghan.
And that's all I know.

And why did they take him?

Every mission,
they take someone away.

Dangerous men
who have knowledge.

What did Chris' unit
do with these men?

Interrogate them.

They asked them questions

to find out what they knew.

Chris explained this
to my father.

And now, my father is dead.

That company is responsible
for murdering my father.

I'm so sorry, Mr. Marwat.

Do you know
where Chris is now?

No. I looked,
but he is nowhere.

Did anyone else know
that you were
assisting Mr. Sanchez?

No, no one.

Chris' unit that
you were referring to,
was it these men?

Yes.

But on the final mission,
there was another,

an American that
I've never seen before.

I'm sorry I do not
have more information.

I've only seen him once,
and he never saw me.

So they were interrogating
terror suspects.

Sounds like it.

Unfortunately,
Marwat is worthless
as a witness.

I know.
It's all hearsay

unless we can find
some other way to
confirm his story.

If High Star was running
some sort of terrorist
extraction program,

they couldn't
have done it alone.

Someone in the government
would have had to
have known about it.

[MOBILE BUZZING]

Sorry. It's my mom.

I was supposed to
meet her to do
some Christmas shopping.

Go ahead, talk to her.
I'm going to go out.

I think I know someone
who might be able to help us.

I'll come with you.
No, no.

That'd be a little tricky.
Check in with me later.

[MOBILE BUZZING]

Hey, Mom.
Mom, are you there?

Where are you?
Are you okay?

I'm fine. I'm sorry,
I was going to call you.

I got stuck in a meeting.

Are you going
to come shopping?

I don't think I can.

DENISE: I'm looking at
these bracelets again.
They're all so pretty.

I can't decide which one
Aunt Laurie would like.

I need your eye, Ellie.

I'm sorry, Mom, I just...
I don't think I'm
going to make it today.

That's okay, sweetheart.
I know your work's important.

Listen,
we'll pick something out
for Laurie tomorrow, okay?

A potential witness
has just shown up
out of nowhere.

DENISE: Ooh! Exciting.
Who is it?

ELLEN: Mom, you know
I can't talk about it.

You always keep
the juicy detailsfrom me.

An Afghani man.

But that's all I can say.

DENISE: Well, good luck.

I'll take a rain
check for tomorrow.

ELLEN: Bye, Mom.

That's impossible.

Who else at High Star
knew about the program?

Carter and Sanchez.
You knew that.

I know that's
what you told me.

I've withheld
nothing from you.

Well, somehow
there's a new witness
in town.

We got to find out
who this guy is.

I'm supposed to
be meeting with

the Defense Department
next week.

There's 60 million
in contracts
on the line here.

Any chance Chris Sanchez
had something to
do with this?

Carter has
Sanchez locked down.

Sanchez could have
sent someone back here.

Maybe.

Shouldn't be too
tough to find out.

You know how to get answers.

Sanchez is
an American citizen.

There are no rules.
We need information.

Who the fuck cares
how we get it?

I'm not going to do that
to one of my own men.

I'm not going to
give that order.

You either believe
in what we're doing
or you don't, Howard.

I'm going to go
check with my sources.

[ANNOUNCER
CHATTERING ON RADIO]

Hey, next one's
on me, blondie.
What's your poison?

PATTY: It's 11:00 a.m.

Oh, I know, I know.

I could have
been here earlier,

except I couldn't
find my socks.

[CHUCKLES]

Which reminds me of a story
about the chimp with the clap.

No one wants
to hear it, Bill.

Holy shit.

Patty Hewes.

Your landlord gave me
a couple of suggestions

of where you might
be drowning yourself,

so I came by for
a little conversation.

Little conversation?

About what?

About something
near and dear
to your heart.

That's not possible.

What about
extraordinary rendition?

I assume that
in between drinks,

you've been
following Howard Erickson
and High Star.

What about them?

I've been
hearing rumors

that Erickson may be running
his own in-house operation.

Seizingand interrogating
terror suspects.

Mmm.

Erickson would be insane
to go that far
off the reservation.

High Star's not sanctioned
for intelligence operations.

He'd lose his company
if that ever got out.

Yeah, but what if Erickson
was being protected?

Ha!

The schmuck had better be

if he's going to run
a program like that.

So, what are we saying here?

You got your sights set
on taking down High Star?

No. Not me.

One of my associates,
Ellen Parsons.

Never heard of her.

Well, if she wanted
confirmation

that High Star was running
a program like that,

how would she get it?

Patty, nobody's
taken my calls
for the last 15 years,

including you.

How the fuck do I know
how she'd get it?

You know, I'm sure
you must still have
a few drinking buddies

lurking in the shadows
of D.C.

You owe me, Bill.

Buy yourself
a couple of rounds.

Think about it.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[GUL SPEAKING
IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

GUL: What can I do for you?

How are your ties in
the Afghan community?

I have some
eyes and ears.

How's your Pashto?

A little rusty.

What have you got?

Someone has just
arrived from Afghanistan.

He's dangerous.

I need you to find him
before he does any damage.

Some details
would be helpful.

I'm guessing he's
from the Kunar Province,

or at least he spent time
just south of the Hindu Kush.

As for his tribe,
I'd say Kom Nuristani.

Start there.
That's all I got.

[IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

Excellent. I will be happy

to look for the next year.

You don't find him,

I'll be happy to revoke

your immigration status.

[IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

There's no need
to talk like this.

I will search.

Your Uncle Sam thanks you
for your vigilance.

[CHOIR MUSIC PLAYING]

"Blessed be the peacemakers,

"for they shall be called
the sons of God."

"I did not come to
bring peace to the Earth.

"I did not come to
bring peace, but a sword."

[MOBILE RINGING]

AC.

Sir, base camp
said you were trying
to get in touch with me.

We got ourselves
a situation here.

An individual
arrived from Afghanistan.

He's in New York
talking to lawyers.

Any idea who this could be?

No, sir.

Is it possible Sanchez
sent someone stateside?

He spoke to
that contact of his.

[SIGHS]

Find out what
they talked about.

See if Sanchez set
anything in motion.

Yes, sir.

AC, this is important.

Top priority, understand?

Sir, just to clarify,

you're asking me
to talk to him.

Sir?

Yes, just talk to him.

See if he'll listen to reason.

"Join with me in suffering

"like a good soldier
of Christ Jesus."

"Join with me in suffering".

Yeah.

You miss Chris,
don't you, girl?

Let's get this back on you.
Come here.

Come here.

Your food,
it tastes like home.

[IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

You are from Kunar Province?

Very close. Laghman.

I am from Bamyan Valley.

I have visited.
It's very beautiful.

Please come back.
You're welcome anytime.

[IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

You are sure
you're not hungry?

I'm fine, thank you.

I was hoping
you could help me
with something.

Have you ever seen
these initials before?

Certainly.
This is the Double Dees.

The Double Dees?

Chris and his men,
they call themselves this.

What does it mean?

I do not know.

I really appreciate
you coming all
this way, Mr. Marwat.

You should thank Chris.
He told my father
to send me here.

The last time I saw Chris,
he was going through
a very difficult time.

Did your father say anything
about his state of mind?

When Chris came
to visit my father,

he wished to apologize.

For what?

For the company, for the work,
for the taking of
the men who do not return.

Do you believe
that High Star

tortured the men
that they took?

Chris, he did not
speak to me of this.

But, you know,
sometimes it happens that
they take the wrong men.

The men who are innocent.

Chris, he explained
this regret to my father.

I see Chris
means a lot to you.

To me, also.

I will do whatever
I can to help him.

Thank you.

I'm telling you, man,
I don't know what
you're talking about.

Then why did you want to meet
with Zafar Marwat alone?

He's my own personal contact,
he's a friend!

Your friend?
Yeah!

Your friends are my friends.
Aren't we all
on the same side?

Marwat, he's plugged
into tribal politics.

If he knows
something about Nur Taraki,

I just wanted to
make him feel comfortable

with telling me,
so I went alone, okay?

Sorry, man,
I just don't buy it.

Did you have the old man
pass on a message about
the Double Dees for you?

No!

You understand why
I can't trust you,
right, Chris?

No, you started
this thing.

You sidestepped
company channels, and
you talked to a lawyer.

What you did may
directly jeopardize

High Star's ability
to protect our country.

Protect our country?
Yes.

Protect our country.

You really think
that's what we were doing?

Absolutely.

[SCOFFS]

No, it's not so simple, AC.

Chris.

[SIGHS]

Come on, man.

Don't make this any
harder than it has to be.

Now, you sent someone to
New York with information.

Give me a name.

Or what?

What are you
going to do to me?

[GUL SPEAKING
IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

Thanks for the call.

A man has come
in several times.

He says he's recently
arrived from Laghman.

What's he look like?

See for yourself.

My God, how much money
you spend on this place?

I mean, it's nice.

A little antiseptic,
could use a bit more flash.

But you did good.

I'm glad you approve.

Can I get some
of this bourbon?

No.

You wanted to see me?

Yes. Ellen Parsons,
William Herndon.

Wow.
Don't.

Relax,
I learned my lesson.

We behave in
the workplace now,
don't we?

Pleasure.
Likewise.

Mr. Herndon can
make some inquires

about High Star
on your behalf.

Let me brass tack it for you.
If I can get someone to talk,

you're going to have
a hell of a bull's-eye
on your back.

I understand.
Bullshit.

Bullshit you understand.

You fuck this up,

and your career will be
flushed down the shitter
faster than you can say,

"The American people
have a right to know."

I get it.

You've got a life
ahead of you, huh?

So you make damn sure
this is what you want
before I go any further.

PATTY:
It's your call, Ellen.

We don't have to go
through with this.

If this is
the only way to confirm
Mr. Marwat's story,

then please,

get all the facts
that you can.

I'll handle
the consequences.

[PRAYING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

Who the hell was that?

My first job out of law school
was at a firm where
Bill was a junior partner.

How come I have
never heard of him?

Because about
10 years ago,

he made a decision
that cost him his practice.

He was disbarred.

Now, he drinks.

Why do we want him
involved in this case?

Because he's
the only person I know

who could possibly
get us the information
that we need.

Can we trust him?

I certainly hope so.

OWEN: Get in the car.

The agency's got
a tail on me now?

What are you doing
hanging around a mosque?

My job,
following up on a tip.

And you just
screwed it up for me.

File your goddamn reports,
I won't have to
shanghai you on the street.

You know I always
take off for holidays.

So what's going on with
this wrongful death suit
against High Star?

It's got
nothing to do with us.

A couple of High Star
contractors were KIA.

Now, some ambulance chasers
are going after the company.

So the case isn't
related to Double Dee?

Of course not.

The program was
already over.

The brass went and
yanked the plug on it.

So, now the war's entering
its second decade,

and all you geniuses
are getting promoted.

Boorman,I don't know whose dick
you greased to get this far,

but if I find out
that you're lying to me,

you're withholding intel,

you're so much as farting
without filing a report,

you are done.

You'll never be
heard from again.

Is that clear?

No, can you repeat it?

Get the fuck out of my car.

Praise God.
And good evening.

It fills my heart with
joy being with your...
[CLEARS THROAT]

Being here with you tonight.

I'd like to
express my gratitude
to Pastor Yates

for giving me
this opportunity.

[MOBILE RINGING]

Fuck.

Yeah.

I saw the son of a bitch,
but I lost him.

Who is he?

I don't know his name,
just what he looks like.

You get anything
from Sanchez?

Nothing we can use.

What the fuck are
you doing, Howard?

A man is running around
this goddamn city

talking to lawyers.

Push harder.

Calm yourself, Jerry.

Stop being
sentimental about Sanchez.

It's information.

It don't mean a lick of shit

who you get it from.

Now, pull your
head out of your ass

and give the order.

So, Chris Sanchez is
involved in your case.

Which one?
That one, the blue one.

My gosh, that boy
broke your heart
junior year.

Tore it in two.

Broke my heart?
That's a little strong, Mom.
It's good.

Your father and I thought
you'd never stop crying.

I don't remember that.

You really think
Aunt Laurie would like it?

Yeah, it's lovely, Mom.
You should get it.

Great!

Because you've been good.

I've been really good.

[LAUGHS] You have been
really good.

How many cookies
do you think
Santa wants?

How many?
You think three?

[MOBILE RINGING]

That's a good idea.
Want to put them
on his plate?

Hello?

Any word from Herndon?

No. Bill hasn't
gotten in touch yet.

I think we're just
going to have to wait.

Well, I can't just
wait around any more.

Where can I find him?

CARTER: Sir.
Merry Christmas.

Sorry, sir, still nothing.

I'm not diddling
around here, Carter.
We need details. Step it up.

What do you mean?

You know what I mean.

Sir?

National security
is on the line here.

It's not a time
for hesitation.

We need to know
how our security
has been breached,

and you're the only one
who can find out.

I'm giving you an order.

How far do you
want me to go?

As far as you have to.

Matthew 5:9?

I know it's
a well-worn passage.
Not very original.

Well, there's
nothing in the scripture

that doesn't warrant
further exploration.

I want to make sure
that you approve
of my interpretation.

Did you like the speech?

Do you believe
in what you wrote?

You have doubts.
No.

That's what I believe.

Then you need
to share it.

I don't see him.

What does he look like?

He's in his 70s,
kind of rumpled.

Is that him?
Mr. Herndon?

Ah! Look, it's Nancy Drew.

Let me buy you a drink.

No, thanks.

Cash me out,
will you, Stu?

Mr. Herndon, we haven't
heard from you.

Did you find
anything on High Star?

Shit.
This will never
cover it.

Hey, do me a favor.
Spot me,
will you, sweetheart?

I'll get you back
next time.

Did you find anything?

Oh, sorry, I struck out.

Mr. Herndon...
Hey, listen, I gotta go.

It's Christmas Eve.
Got a lot of chimneys
to hit, you know?

Hey, thanks for
picking up the check.

And make sure
Stu gets a nice tip.

And who are you?

Her mother.

Yeah. Why not? Bye.

Praise God.

And good evening.

It fills my heart with joy
to be here with you tonight.

This week,
my six-year-old son

made me a Christmas card
in art class.

It said, "Peace on Earth,
good will to all men."

Peace on Earth.

SANCHEZ:
You're making a mistake.

CARTER: Someone

is talking to that
attorney in New York.

I want you to
give me a name.

I don't have a name.
I didn't send anyone.

If you didn't, who did?

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

You know,

nothing has to happen to you
that you don't want to.

But you know that
I'm not going to stop

until I get a name.

Fuck you.

I am sorry, brother,
'cause I didn't want it
to go this way.

[GROANS]

Jesus told us,
"Blessed be the peacemakers,

"for they shall be
called the children of God."

But how far are we

willing to go for peace?

Surely, it is not enough

just to wish for it.

Jesus understood this.

To redeem mankind,

he had to suffer,

to withstand
torture and death

in order to
wash clean the world.

He teaches us

there is no peace

without suffering.

No one knows this
better than a soldier.

This Christmas,

I find myself thinking
of the soldiers overseas

who make the ultimate
sacrifice for peace.

As did our savior,

they put their lives
on the line

to fulfill their promise.

They bear their
burden with courage

and faith, because they know
that to suffer in war

is to honor Jesus' suffering

on the cross and
carry out God's will.

To those who have
taken on this holy cause

to protect and defend

this great nation,

to my men who have
endured pain and hardship

to achieve peace,

I tell you your suffering
is not in vain.

It is an act of love.

A testament to your faith.

The pain you endure,

no matter how unbearable,

will bring you closer to God.

[INAUDIBLE]

[MOBILE RINGING]

AC, what's the report?

He's a tough
son of a bitch.

Yeah? What'd you get from him?

The guy's name
is Nasim Marwat.

All right,
nice work, AC.

[MOBILE RINGING]

Hello?
It is Nasim.

Is everything okay?

No. I need to see you.

ELLEN: Okay. Stay calm,
Mr. Marwat. Where are you?

Ms.. Parsons,
the other American
from Chris' mission,

the one I told you about,
he is here in New York.

Are you certain
it was the same person?

I saw him.
He was following me.

I wanted to tell you this
before I return
to Afghanistan.

Mr. Marwat, you can't
go back yet. I need
to get your testimony.

I have already lost
my father. My family
cannot afford to lose me.

I understand your concern,
but I'm asking you

to just give us
a little more time.

I am not safe.

ERICKSON ON PHONE:
I got a name.

Don't matter.
Don't need it any more.

What do you mean,
you don't need it?

I'm looking at
our guy right now.

Trust me.

Hey, Dad, great speech.
That was really cool.

Thank you.
Go round up your brothers.

Yes, sir.

That was very moving, Howard.

Thank you.
What's wrong?

You were inspiring.

It was a beautiful sermon.

Deacon Charles videotaped it.
I'll get you a copy.

Santa wants to know
if you've been nice, Patty.

Because Howard Erickson
has been

very, very, very naughty.

You were able to
confirm our witness' story?

Now that would be something
of an understatement.

High Star was extracting
terror suspects for the CIA.

[CLEARS THROAT] And I don't
have to tell you there's
a whole world of people

who would prefer to keep
that from going public.

Thank you for your help.

So what are you going to do?

I mean, you can't share that
with your little protégé.

The girl's in
way over her head.

Yeah, she is.

She can't handle that.

So you keep that for yourself
and get rid of her.

And remember
what I taught you
about dead weight.

I tell you,
your suffering is not in vain.

The pain you endure,
no matter how unbearable,

will bring you closer to God.

[WHEN I AM THROUGH WITH YOU
PLAYING]

♪ When I am through with you

♪ There won't be anything left

♪ When I am through with you

♪ There won't be anything left

♪ When I am through with you ♪