Damages (2007–2012): Season 4, Episode 8 - The War Will Go on Forever - full transcript

NARRATOR:
Previously onDamages...

Dean Gullickson from
The Timescalled again.

Thanks for agreeing
to talk to me
about the case.

I can give you all of it

if you do something for me.

There's a High Star
employee over there.

Christopher Sanchez. And he's missing. Or he's been killed.

I want you to find him.

My options with you are
very limited, Chris.

You betray me!

You talk to lawyers.



Go ahead and laugh.
Because it's the last
thing you will ever do.

PATTY: His name
is Gerald Boorman.

And the French government
gave you his file?

We may be able to
pressure him into

turning against
Howard Erickson.

You helped Erickson

cover up the
deaths of three
High Star employees.

We don't want you.
Well, who do you want?

Howard Erickson.

My agency gave me time off.

BOORMAN:
You came to see me?

Jerry?

You talk to Sanchez?

He forced my hand.



He's got to go.

[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 ♪

[GROANING]

There's only
one way in
and out of there.

BOORMAN:
There's two guards.

Yeah, we'll take
them out, no problem.

Probably more guys
with guns inside.

Yeah, there's a room
between the entrance
and the holding cell.

How reliable
is your intel?

Solid.

Who's your source?

Local contact.

Friend of mine.

Huh.

There's no cover
for the courtyard.

My guys are going to
be open to sniper fire.

You don't sound
very confident.

Well, I don't
like surprises.

Hell, I was under
the impression you did

these snatch and grabs
in your sleep.

We can't lose this guy.

He's high value.

Don't worry.

We'll get your guy
out of there.

[DOOR OPENS]

You didn't eat again.

[WATER SLOSHING]

Have it your way.

Bartkowski.

Anything to report?

No, sir.
Awaiting your orders.

Listen, I need this
thing with Sanchez
wrapped up quickly.

Make sure you keep
Carter out of this.

Those two go back a long ways.

I don't want Carter to know anything about it.

Copy that. Over.

If I'm going to find
your friend Sanchez,

I have to get dirty.
I'm not opposed to it,

but if I'm going to
risk getting my ass

shot up or blown
up or whatever,

I need to know there's
actually a story
worth writing about.

Like I told you before,
the CIA...

No, no, no.

Specifics.

You can't print
any of this, not yet.

Of course not.

The High Star contractors
who were killed...

Rayburn, Franks,
Lowry, yeah, go ahead.

They didn't get ambushed
transporting kitchen supplies.

They were conducting
offensive operations

for the CIA,
and High Star knew about it.

What kind of
offensive operations?

Capturing terror suspects
for interrogation
and rendition.

And you know
this for a fact?

I've had two witnesses
tell me the same story.

One was framed as a
terrorist and deported
back to Afghanistan,

and the other is...

Chris Sanchez.

Exactly.

He was on the mission
when the men were killed.

I told you
you can't print this.

No, I'm just making notes.

For my trip to Afghanistan.

WOMAN: Hello?

I told you I would
come back and
get you out of here.

[CELL PHONE CHIMES]

Shit.

Erickson's lawyer filed a
motion to dismiss the case.

Judge wants a hearing today.

Can you push it back?

I called the court.

The judge won't move it.

We need more time.

I don't have
the greatest argument

to keep the case
going at this point.

I've lost my
only two witnesses.

Well.

You'll have to
think of something.

All I have is the document
that Herndon gave us.

Would you mind
coming and listening in
on the hearing today?

Sure.

I could be there.

Ms. Parsons has had
more than enough time

and she has not produced
a speck of new evidence.

Your Honor,
we obtained this document,
which confirms the existence

of a joint
CIA-High Star operation
called Dust Devil.

We provided you with a copy.

Yeah, I have it here.

We believe Dust
Devil was the name
of the illegal operation

at the heart of our claim.

There's nothing illegal
about the Central
Intelligence Agency

doing business with
a private contractor.

And what was the nature
of this business?

As part of our larger contract
with the U.S. government,

High Star provided
security for CIA
personnel in Afghanistan.

Nothing more.

It's a trivial issue.

We didn't think so,
Your Honor,

and through discovery,
we requested

that High Star hand
over all documents

relating to Dust Devil.

Which we did.

Yes, but we
couldn't read them.

And why is that?

Because they'd
all been redacted.

By whom?

The Department of
Defense felt that

the information
in those documents

was vital to
national security.

Your Honor,

they can't have it both ways.

Dust Devil can't be
both trivial and vital
at the same time.

It was either an innocuous
security program,

or it was crucial
to national interests.

So which is it, Mr. Shaw?
We'd like to know.

Either you're confused,

or you've just
been caught in a lie.

I didn't assert
national security.

The Defense Department did.

In which case, Your Honor,

your courtroom has been
co-opted by the Pentagon.

I was thinking
the same thing.

Surely you can't
blame High Star

for the DOD's
classification protocols.

I'm not interested
in blame, Mr. Shaw.

I'm interested
in the truth.

And I would love to see
this case go forward.

I am begging you,
Ms. Parsons.

Can you give me
a rationale for denying
this man's motion?

I would like the opportunity
to depose Howard Erickson

so I can question
him about the
Dust Devil program.

I think that's fair.

I'd like to file
a protective order
to stop the deposition.

I'll tell you what.

If you give the plaintiffs
the unredacted documents,

I'll forego my ruling.

That's impossible.

Then your client
will be deposed.

[LAUGHS] No,
that was just
dumb luck.

Well, stay away
from the Knicks.

You can't trust 'em.

All right, now.

Yeah, you, too.

You cannot be here.

I told you I could find you.

I tracked you down.

Why?

Because my government
leaked your file
to Patty Hewes.

I know that.
I'd already
been tagged.

I need you to leave.

Who do you have
locked upstairs?

Let's go.
I saw him.

You what?
It was a boy.

Why do you have
a boy locked upstairs?

Jerry!

Get out.

Get the fuck out!

The judge is ordering
you to sit for the depo.

There's no way out of it.

You keep telling me
they don't have a case.

They don't.

Then why the fuck is
this still dragging out?

This judge is anti-war.
He's anti-America.

He keeps giving their side
the benefit of the doubt.

How many days
are they talking?
Two.

Goddamn.
It's the best I could do!

They're going to rake
me over the coals about
Dust Devil and Sanchez.

They're going to try
to get you talking.

Look, I don't need to
know where Sanchez is.

He signed up.
He's your employee.

Afghanistan is
mountainous region,
full of wide, open spaces.

But if you're
asked where he is,

I want you to have
a quick answer.

Of course.

I'd like to set aside
some prep time this weekend.

Saturday's wide open.

Sunday is roped off.

You taking the boys
out hiking?

No.

It would have been
Mary-Alice's birthday.

I'm sorry, Howard.

That can't be easy.

The last few birthdays
have been rough.

Especially on the boys.

Well, I want you to know
you'll all be in my prayers.

Thanks, Jack,
I appreciate it.

You look well, my friend.

How's the family?

As well as can be expected.

What can I do for you?

I'm looking for someone.

What clan?

No, an American.

His name is
Chris Sanchez.

He's a High Star
contractor.

I think he's being held
here against his will.

You familiar
with the company?

Of course.

They're bad news.

So you think you have
any contacts inside
the High Star compound?

Let me see
what I can find.

I'll pay for
any information.

[SOBBING]

[CELL PHONE RINGING]

[SNIFFLING]

Erickson.

The reporter is here, sir.

Gullickson? He is?

Affirmative. I saw him myself.

Cocksucker.
I knew he'd turn up.

Nobody talks to this
prick, you got that?

I don't care if he asks
for a stick of Juicy Fruit.

Anybody engaging
with him gets fired.

Understood, sir.

I did have one question.

Should I postpone your plan for Sanchez?

No. No, I don't want anything
to get in the way of this.

Copy that, sir.

Shaw's going to object
and try to assert

privilege at
every opportunity.

I'll just ignore him.

Yeah, good. He's only
trying to pull focus
away from Erickson.

Are you going to have
a list of questions?

I like to have an outline.

You know, I wouldn't.

You don't want to
be reading notes.

You should just keep
your eye on Erickson.

On his body language.

I just wish I had
more to throw at him.

You don't have as much
ammunition as you'd like,

but it still doesn't mean
you can't score points.

You know, Shaw's going
to have coached him to
give one-word answers.

So, you push him.

You ask him the same
questions ten times,
ten different ways.

Erickson has an ego.
He'll get tired of
hearing your voice.

He'll want to hear his own.

Then eventually,

he'll say something
he shouldn't.

Like what?

You never know.

That's the fun of it.

Just remember we're in
the middle of a game.

We don't have
to win it now.

We just want
to keep playing.

That's it? All they
got is that document?

It seems so.

Then you'll be fine.

I'm not worried
about the deposition.

It's just the timing
of all this,
it really pisses me off.

I wanted this week
to be about the boys.

Mary-Alice's
birthday is coming up.

I'm sorry, Howard.

She died a day
before her birthday.

I didn't realize that.

Never made 47.

It'll be six years.

What really bothers me is...

All I can think about
is her in the hospital bed.

The other stuff,
the good times...

It's getting harder
and harder to remember.

My grandma used to say,

"You always remember
the sad more
than the happy."

So, uh, she'd say,

"Jerry, make sure
you're happy."

I brought my friend.

He can tell you
more about High Star.

I told him you would
be very grateful
for any information.

Tell him about the
Afghanis who were taken.

What Afghanis?

High Star men
would go into villages,
take away peoples.

What people? Civilians?

Could be anyone.
Sometimes Taliban,
sometimes farmers.

One time, High Star
men make mistake.

A few peoples, killed.

And when was this?

Just after planting
finish for year, it was...

October.

What about Chris Sanchez?

I sell cigarettes

at High Star compound.

I hear name, Sanchez.
But never see him.

And?

This all I know.

This guy sells cigarettes
to High Star employees.

Just what makes you think
he can be trusted?

I wouldn't bring him to you
if I didn't trust him.

[MOANING]

[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

I need it to look
just like that.

You understand?

Absolutely.

How long will it take
for you to prepare?

A few days.
And who should
claim credit?

Local group.
Taliban, al-Qaeda,
it doesn't matter.

I cannot
do this alone.

I will need to
find more men.

Just get it done.

The target's name
is Chris Sanchez.

I know I've been
harsh with you.

But it's only because you
have very important khabar.

Information.

You like this, right?

You know, the local
men who took over
your region,

they're lying to you,
you know.

They want you to believe
your mother was bad.

But that's not true.

[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

She wanted peace.

That's why she helped
my government.

She was...

[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

She was my friend.

You can tell me

what the men did.

Please.

I want to know the truth about
what happened to your mother.

Dost.

I am your friend.

You are the devil.

Mr. Erickson,
over the past decade,

your company has
received more contracts

than any other
security firm
in the world.

Are you aware of this?

I've been lucky to
work with good men.

Is one of those men
Christopher Sanchez?

Yes, ma'am.

I'm curious, Mr. Erickson,
at the end of last year,
Congress was all set

to not renew your contracts,
but that didn't happen,
did it?

No.

The vote ended
up going my way.

Any guess as to what
may have changed

their minds at
the last minute?

Politicians.

Who can figure them out?

Are you aware Mr. Sanchez
was going to be a witness

for the plaintiffs
in this case?

I had heard that.

He wound up signing
a contract with my
company to redeploy.

Yes, and the day
after he redeployed,

Congress decided to
renew your contracts.

Does that seem like
a coincidence to you?

Now that you mention it,
I guess it does.

Your company has
experienced a remarkable
rise, Mr. Erickson.

What's your secret?
Objection.

You're not here to
get business tips
from my client.

In a short period of time,
you've gone from
being a career Marine

to the CEO of one
of the most wildly

profitable companies
in the Fortune 500.

What's the secret
to your success?

Objection.

I'll put it differently.
Why have your profits

risen by 200% in
the last five years?

Elbow grease.

And sweat.

That's the only reason?

"Success breeds success,"
my daddy used to say.

Well, your daddy
was in refrigeration.
In your profession,

war breeds success,
isn't that right?

Just because there's a war
doesn't automatically
mean I make a profit.

My company has to perform.

Yes, but if there's no war,
you can't perform,
so you can't make a profit.

Objection.
That's not a question.

As a businessman,
I'd think you'd want
the war to go on forever.

No.
Because if there's no war,

you're out of a job.
No, wait...

Doesn't seem like
a very good business model.

Objection.

Where's the question?

Do you want the war
to go on forever,
Mr. Erickson?

With all due respect,
young lady,

you're being
a little bit naive.

With all due respect,
this is my deposition
and you're required to answer.

As a businessman,
do you want the war
to go on forever?

The war will go on
forever, Ms. Parsons.

People want the war to end,
and I sympathize.

Because for
the men fighting,
war is literally hell.

But what folks like
you don't understand is
the decision ain't up to us.

As long as
there's people out
there trying to kill us,

we'll be out
there killing them.

So your business model is...

My business
model is flawless.

There'll always be war.

My services will
always be needed.

I'd like it on the record
that Mr. Erickson was
smiling when he said that.

I hope you're not
expecting an apology.

I'm the one who
should apologize.

I'm sorry for what I did.

We had an understanding.

I crossed the line.

I never should have
gone to that place.

You potentially exposed me.

You compromised me.

When I asked you

about who was upstairs,

it was because
I was worried about you.

Don't be.

Keeping someone locked up
like that is...

I'm afraid your
judgement is slipping.

We're talking
about a child.

You can either let
me help you, or...

Or what?

You don't get it.

I can't trust you now.

I will never be
able to trust you.

So that's it?

We won't ever see
each other again?

Yeah. That's it.

[INDISTINCT]

Come in.

I appreciate you
coming to see me.

You said on the phone
that you could
help me with a case?

I believe my government
has already helped you.

Yes, they were
very cooperative.

I'm glad.

The French are
usually accused
of being difficult.

Come sit.

This has nothing to
do with my government.

They don't know I'm here.

Okay.

I have information
that if I give you,

you did not get
from me, yes?

I understand.

I cannot be involved
for obvious reasons.

I won't ask you to be.

There is a CIA agent
who is unstable,

who has lost his way,

who is doing things
I cannot accept.

He's involved in the case?

Yes.

I must go.

You're late, Ms. Parsons.
My client's been waiting.

I'm sorry. Just getting
a few things in order.

Well, you're not
getting any more time,

so you better start
asking your questions.

Actually, I won't be
asking the questions.

Good morning.

Ms. Hewes will be leading
the deposition today.

Mr. Erickson, could you
read for the record

the highlighted portion
of this document, please?

Hang on, Howard.

All right.

"Howard T. Erickson.

"Operation Dust Devil."

This is an internal memo
from the Central
Intelligence Agency.

Was High Star involved
in Operation Dust Devil
with the CIA?

Yes.

How many High Star employees
were involved in
Operation Dust Devil?

Objection.

A reply from Mr. Erickson
would violate the
nondisclosure agreements

governing his contracts.

Was Christopher Sanchez
involved in
Operation Dust Devil?

The same objection stands.

Did Thomas Lowry, Jay Rayburn
and Robert Franks
lose their lives

while on a mission for
Operation Dust Devil?

SHAW: Objection.

You can do this all day.
We're not going to answer.

I just want to make
sure that your client's
non-answers are on the record.

In the broadest sense,
Mr. Erickson,

what was the objective
of Operation Dust Devil?

You can answer, but only
in the most general terms.

We were hired to
provide security,

routine security,
for intelligence officers.

Well, in fact,
High Star is only authorized
to provide security, correct?

That's right.

You're not allowed to
conduct any offensive

missions of any kind,
is that right?

Yes, ma'am.

So if your company
was involved in, say,

the abduction and
interrogation of Afghanis,

I mean, that would be
illegal, would it not?

Yes, it most
certainly would.

Mr. Erickson,
are you familiar

with an intelligence officer
named Gerald Boorman?

Objection.
We've been over this.
He can't answer that.

Did Mr. Boorman oversee
Operation Dust Devil
for the CIA?

SHAW: Objection.

Did Mr. Boorman supply human
targets for extraction

by members of Mr. Sanchez's
High Star Dust Devil unit?

Objection.

Mr. Erickson, can you
identify the person
in this photograph?

No, I cannot.

You don't know
who this child is?

No.

Never seen him before.

Well, that's surprising,
because on the day
that your men were killed,

Mr. Boorman instructed
your men to seize this boy

as part of
Operation Dust Devil.

You didn't know that,
Mr. Erickson?

I repeat. I've never seen
this person before in my life.

Erickson was stunned
when you showed
him that picture.

There's no way he knew
who Chris' unit pulled out.

Boorman used Erickson.

Well, like you said,
Boorman turned
against Erickson,

so now, hopefully,
they'll turn
against each other.

We pulled out a kid?

What are you talking about?

You used my men
to abduct a boy?

Answer me.
That last mission,
was the asset a child?

Who told you that?
Patty Hewes.

In the middle
of a deposition.

She had a picture.

Yes, Howard,
the target was a boy.

Why the fuck
didn't you tell me?

You never asked
who the targets were.

What the hell
do you care, anyway?
You got your contracts.

This kid had information.

His age doesn't change that.

Where's the kid now?

He's secure.
The Agency is handling it.

If I didn't know about this,
how the hell did
Patty Hewes find out?

Well, Chris Sanchez is
the only other person
who saw him besides me.

He must have
slipped it to Parsons
before he redeployed.

Sanchez won't be
a problem much longer.

Jesus, announce
yourself next time.

You want a hole in
your fucking head?

You said we could
not be seen together.

I was being cautious.

What's your decision?

I will do the job as
you wish, but I require
two men to assist me

and they also must be paid.

You know these men?
You can trust them?

Of course.

I am as concerned
with discretion as you.

Okay, then.

LOWRY: Sanchez. Sanchez...
[GUNSHOTS FIRING]

SANCHEZ: Lowry, look at me.

Look at me! Rayburn!

Lowry! Lowry!

What the fuck
happened to my men?

Who the fuck is this?

[DOOR OPENING]

[SIGHS]

[BOORMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

It's not safe for
you here anymore.

And where should I go?
America?

You know I can't
leave my homeland.

My life is here.

Salaam alaikum.Jesus.

Alaikum as-salaam.

What are you doing here?

We didn't have to
look for your Sanchez.

He came to look for us.

What do you mean?

Bilal was asked to
join a group of men

planning to kill
a High Star employee.

Do you know who
the employee was?
No.

Who tried to recruit you?
Intermediary.

I do not know who it is
that wants man dead.

But they had no
trouble finding

someone else to
commit the act.

Why's that?
The money they offer,

much money.

[DOOR OPENS]

[CLOSES]

Didn't think you
was gonna come.

I'm not really
sure why I'm here.

Except that you
wanted to see me.

That's how it works.

You want to see me
and I come.

Little different
this time.

Oh, yeah, sorry about that.

But I had to assume
when you asked me here
you were going to kill me.

You told Patty Hewes
about the boy.

I'm sorry I betrayed you.

But he was just a boy.

I can't accept that.

You did me a favor.

How's that?

I've had to cover
this whole thing up.

And, uh...

I can't do it anymore.

It'll all come out anyway.

It's just a matter of time.

What are you
covering up?

Who is the boy?

The boy has information.

His mother...

She was an asset of mine.

And she put it
all on the line

for me.

For this fucking country.

And it killed her.

Now all that
the mother knew

is with the boy.

[SIGHS]

I think I'm losing my mind.

I just... I...

I want it to end.

I want...

I want out.

[SOBBING]

It's okay.

You can still make
it right, you know.

Let the boy go.

Okay.

[NECK SNAPPING]

[GRUNTING]

[PANTING]

It should be a
yellow lemon cake.

With yellow frosting.

Mmm-hmm, okay.
Why lemon?

That was Mom's favorite.

And decorate it
with some daisies.

Made from the icing.

Sure thing.
[CELL PHONE RINGING]

This'll only
take a minute, boys.

Hey, grab some
Italian cookies,

if you want,
for the way home.

And a few cheese Danish.

What's the good word?

Everything's
under control, sir.

Okay, what's the
time frame here?

Next 24 to 36.

This has to be precision.

No mistakes, no traces.

Nothing the press
can grab onto.

Next time you hear
from me, it'll be done.

Outstanding.

GULLICKSON: I'm worried
about your friend.

What does your source say?

That someone here is
offering significant money

to have a High Star
contractor killed.

Is it Chris?

Source didn't say.

Well, if it is,
it means he's still alive.

Well, for now.

I want to go over there.

I'll alert
the authorities myself.

No. No, it's a bad idea.

It would just put
you and your friend
in more danger.

Okay.

I've got some
connections at the embassy.

Maybe I can get them involved.
But I will do whatever I can.

Okay. Thanks.

[RINGING]

Hello?

Hey, there.

It's Gerald Boorman.

Remember me?

Well, of course,
Mr. Boorman.

SANCHEZ: [WEAKLY]
So, Erickson's finally
going to kill me.

I was wondering,

you still interested
in what I know
about Howard Erickson?

That depends on
what you know.

[INAUDIBLE]

I can serve him up
to you, Ms. Hewes.

On a platter.

Well, it sounds like you
and I should get together.

[SANCHEZ GRUNTING]

SANCHEZ:
Get the fuck off me!

Fuck you, get off me!

Get off me!
Get the fuck off me!

[CELL PHONE RINGING]

I assume you've heard by now.

You're playing
with a man's life.

Do not fuck with me, Patty.

I swear to God
you'll regret this.

Goodbye, Ellen.
ELLEN: Patty!

[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 ♪