Mind Games (2014): Season 1, Episode 1 - Pilot - full transcript

Hi, it's Beth, but it's not.

Please leave me a message.

Hi, Beth, hello.

Oh it's Clark, I should have said that...

Clark... I really... think,
if you called me back,

and we talked, this could all be fixed.

I'd feel a lot better.

You know what? I think you'd...

you'd feel better, too, if we just...

Clark! I got to go.

I miss you. I... I... go... goodbye.



Who was that?

N... no one.

Literally not talking to
a person. Just practicing.

I need you focused!

You realize this is the last
investor willing to talk to us.

Latrell worked this guy's assistant

for a month to get us this meeting!

I've had a breakthrough!

You ready for this?

We lead with our weaknesses.

- That's your new strategy, huh?
- Hey.

Studies show that you're
judged to be more likeable

if you begin by admitting your
faults rather than waiting.

We'd be better off making
up things to admit to



than appearing to be perfect.

Oh, I highly doubt we have to
worry about appearing perfect.

Yeah.

Was that Beth? Huh?

Were you on the phone with Beth?

- Yeah, I was just...
- Clark, you got to stop.

- You've had other women...
- Oh, no, no, no.

Not like her. Not like her.

Ross, you're killing my mojo here!

Can we do this later?

Because right now I want
to shake the money tree!

Let's dominate! Come on.

Pssh!

Let's go.

Is there a level just below "dominate"?

Ross: The more my brother
and I discussed it,

it became very clear
that in the right hands,

these little observations
about human nature

that had just been laying
around in academic journals

could be turned into very powerful tools

capable of doing nothing
short of helping decide

who becomes the next
leader of the free world.

And that got us thinking...

what if you could use
this vast body of knowledge

to help people manipulate

the most important moments in their lives?

- What if...
- What if, Ted?!

What if we started the way that
we agreed we were going to start,

which is by saying that
I'm severely bipolar,

my academic career recently imploded

when the university became
aware that I was having an affair

with a 22-year-old undergraduate student?

Also, Ross here just
finished a two-year stint

in a minimum-security prison for fraud.

Okay, there's that.

Now, the point is, we're
not hiding anything,

even though by not leading with it...

which we agreed to...

it makes it seem like we are.

We're not. Because we have nothing to hide.

Because this is an incredible opportunity.

You want to play "what if," Ted?

What if you just need help

finding that job you always wanted

or to make sure that your company

is chosen for that billion-dollar contract,

or that your duaghter,
doesn't run marry that dirtbag,

freeloading musician that she's
threatened to run off with?

What if instead of leaving
all the big moments to fate...

[Snaps fingers] ... We manipulate them

with 60 years of research
into human behavior?

Stacking the odds in your favor

so that when it really, really mattered,

you came out on top?

[Snaps fingers]

So... let me get this straight.

You're offering me an alternative to fate?

Yes.

Okay. Sure. I'll take two.

There you go!

Now we're cookin'!

Yeah. [Chuckles]

Clark is a world-renowned expert

in human behavior, psychology,

and motivation, and from that knowledge,

he's able to tailor a plan
to influence any situation

so that at that critical
life-altering moment...

Thank you. Shh.

Ted, you lost a, uh, shareholder revolt

that you were trying to
lead last year, right?

Well, we could have won that for you.

So, you're saying that
you could have constructed

a better argument for replacing the board?

- Yes.
- No... I could have replaced the board

without knowing anything
about your argument.

I saw the clips of your
presentation... class "A" dividends.

Hell, I don't know if
it was a good argument,

but I do know that you're short,

and you're balding, you
sound a little effeminate,

and pointy shoes make you look like an elf.

Ted, I know that you lost

when you stood up on the far-left side

of the conference room, Ted.

No one important is wearing pointy shoes

on the far-left side of
a room, Ted, ever... ever!

Don't you get it, Ted?!
This is how people work!

We don't listen to each other.

No one's listening to you.
No one's listening to me.

We don't hear.

We react to a million little things

that we're not even aware of.

The mind's full of jedi mind tricks

and back alleys and secret passageways.

- Sit.
- But... but if you know what they are, you...

Watch this. Watch this!

- Clark, stop. Stop.
- No, no, no.

Stop. Stop. Clark, no, no, no, no, no!

- Please don't move the desk!
- No!

- We can assert his power using only his feet.
- Please.

- I'll show you. Here... back up.
- No, no, no. Wait, wait.

No, no! Stop! Stop moving around! Stop!

Find me a female! Any female! Go! Go!

- Stop. Stop.
- Stop. He looks like he's fine.

- Clark, Clark! Get your hand off his foot.
- Take your hand off my shoe!

No, no, no! Aah!

Ooh!

Oh, my God.

Oh.

[Sighs]

I think I'm beginning to get

an idea of why you're
having so much trouble

getting this business off the ground.

Look, it's gonna take
some time to educate...

[marbles clinking]

Look, your brother has a
stunning résumé for academics,

but come on... this is real life.

And let me tell you
something... in real life,

the guy that you needed to get money from

is gonna have to call a cleaning crew

after you finish your pitch!

So, I think I'll just wait for the next bus

into this brave new world.

I can't take the drugs, Ross! Okay?

It's like when you go for a jog
and you got the headphones on

and the great music's playing

and it's like life has a soundtrack.

And then you take the headphones off,

and then suddenly,
everything's flat and dull!

[Elevator bell dings]

Look, drugs stop the music.

Music is where all the ideas come from.

I can think of several ideas

we could have gone without in that meeting.

- That's all.
- Yes, okay.

But my condition highly
correlates with creativity,

and some of the greatest
minds in history have been...

We're not talking about history.

We're talking about right here,
right now, where we just blew

our best possible chance
to get some money in this...

- We didn't get it.
- No, Latrell.

I blew it. Is that what
you want to hear, Ross?

- I was just suggesting that you...
- Hey, this is serious.

Does it look like I'm taking it lightly?

I called every contact I had left

and practically offered to mow
their lawn to get you in there.

The landlord is ready to lock us out.

Ted was our lifeboat. We needed Ted.

Miles, you were a very
promising graduate student.

You shouldn't have followed me here.

I don't understand.

Did you talk about a
dominance display or...

Um, I talked about a lot of things,

and then I remember trying
to take off his shoes.

Why did you try to take
off the man's shoes?

I was gonna demonstrate

how putting his feet between
himself and a female...

Miller-Barre study.

Miller-Barre! Exactly! Miller-Barre!

But I didn't say "Miller-Barre."

I ripped off his shoes,

and I knocked over his marbles.

Marbles?

You said you could control him.

He's just in an up phase right now.

When will he come down?

We don't want down.

Well, what do we want?

Someplace in the middle.

Look, it's not an exact science.

Where were you last night?

What... are you checking my place now?

You had that on yesterday.

Oh. [Chuckles] Funny story.

Megan: Morning.

Miles: Megan.

Thought you weren't
coming in till Thursday.

Um... right.

Well, I was just in between auditions,

and I thought I would stop by to...

You wanted to see me.

Sorry?

I know what you're trying to do,

but that's not how you do it.

Really? It was authoritative.
It was declarative.

- I looked right into her eyes.
- [Elevator bell dings]

Shut up for a minute!

[Elevator door opens]

There's someone out there.

What do you mean? Like a client?

I...

I don't know. I don't know
what a client looks like.

[Scoffs]

What are we waiting for? Let's go dominate!

No, no. "Dominate" is bad, remember?

Let's try "communicate."

- How's that?
- Okay.

Oh! What?

Will you help me move that
plant over to that chair?

I don't even know if this is what you do.

One of Tyler's doctors
suggested maybe you could help.

- Dr. Allen?
- [Chuckles]

He said you used to be faculty
at the same medical school.

Yes.

I was let go for throwing my lunch

at a classroom full of first-years.

He mentioned that.

I was also recently let
go from another institution

for having an affair with an undergraduate.

But, in my own defense,
I was deeply in love,

and I felt like she understood
and accepted me exactly as I am.

Okay. [Chuckles]

[Sighs]

I've been convicted of securities fraud

and spent two years in a
minimum-security prison.

Would you like to hear about the time

I accidentally drove off without
paying for gas when I was 17?

Why are you telling me these things?

Such a good question.

Because, uh, we've made mistakes,

and we want you to know
that we've learned from them,

and this is our chance to apply
those lessons and expertise

that I've gained through
a lifetime of studying

human behavior... a study that, frankly,

has been at least partly
an attempt to understand

the difficulties that I
have controlling my own.

Where was that answer an hour ago?

At the beginning of the meeting,

if you would have stuck to the plan.

I'm sorry. Continue.

Tyler has a heart condition.

It makes him very weak and
requires invasive surgery

to repair his valves almost every year.

One more surgery, and I'll have had

as many broken ribs as Evel Knievel.

The doctors have offered
a new, permanent treatment

that uses stem cells to
help re-grow the valves,

but the insurance company
is saying it's experimental

and they won't pay for it.

Without the insurance, we can't
possibly afford the procedure,

and Tyler will just keep
suffering through the surgeries.

I mean, Tyler's existing bills alone

have already bankrupted us.

Bankrupted?

Who have you been talking to?

Well, we've worked our way up.

I have a meeting scheduled

with the head of the
claims department tomorrow.

And they can approve the surgery?

- Yes.
- That's really good.

Hey!

What... what is he... what is he like?

Um, h... how educated
is he? Is he aggressive?

[Gasps] Do you have any
pictures of his hands?

No.

I'm sorry.

I guess I don't fully
understand what it is you do.

What we do is research and deploy

a psychological strategy

so that the people that
have been saying no to you

begin to say yes.

Simply put, we change people's minds

without them knowing we did it.

Like jedi mind tricks.

Like jedi mind tricks! Exactly!
I said that this morning!

Ross, didn't I say that this morning?

Ha ha. Yeah. It went over very well.

Now, you say you have a meeting tomorrow.

His name is Charles Murray.
I don't know much else.

- We'll figure out a way...
- Oh, dear. You know what?

We actually have to get into a meeting.

So before we get too deep into this,

why don't you give us
your contact information,

and we will be in touch
with you as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Clark.

This one is very intriguing.

- This is not a one.
- Tell the kid staring at 20 more heart surgeries

this isn't a one.

I would, but I'm pretty sure

his phone's been cut off
since they have no money.

Metromutual has sued
their own policyholders

to avoid paying for
conventional treatments.

We got a better chance of getting a unicorn

to perform experimental surgery

than getting them to pay for it.

We're not talking about Metromutual.

We're talking about one man
here... Charles Murray...

and that opens up several
very strong strategies.

Mirroring, triangulated
confidence structuring,

request reversal.

Guess what... it doesn't matter.

They're bankrupt. There's zero upside here.

Maybe the fact that it's
impossible is the upside.

We can't nail down business or investment

because no one seems to believe

that we can do what we say we can do.

So maybe we pro bono this,
get a head on the wall.

Then you and I have something to point to

when we're trying to
close someone who can pay.

Wait. Are you on our side?

Yeah, I... guess I am.

Oh! I'm sorry. I just
assumed you'd be against us.

You know, you should
really be sitting over here.

You know what? Megan, why
don't you sit opposite Ross?

Why?

Because looking at someone
they're attracted to

largely destroys a person's ability

to form a cogent argument.

Just, you... yeah.

- Go around.
- Stop! Stop! Stop!

Just... everybody, sit! Sit.

Do you seriously think
you can pull this off?

[Elevator bell dings]

I've always wondered if these elements

could be isolated outside the labo...

Yes.

Because if this blows up in our faces...

[footsteps approach]

What the hell is she doing here?

Who's that?

- My ex-wife.
- Our new office manager!

What?

- Hi.
- Hey.

I told you I... I needed one more person.

[Sighs] Oh. Where should I sit?

Yes, where should you sit?

[Sighs]

Claire calms me down, Ross.

She's like a magic feather.

You may have noticed she has
the exact opposite effect on me.

Besides, I'm your magic feather.

Yes, traditionally.

But we're starting a new business together,

which just happens to be
full of negative triggers,

- like stress...
- She's not the answer.

Even if you were close
when we were married...

Ross, when you were in prison,

I was trying to deliver a grant proposal,

and I had been awake for almost two weeks,

and I began to believe I needed to go

on a cross-country mission for God.

I called her. She came.

The minute I saw her,
I started to come down.

If she just sat in a room
with me, I could focus.

If she just laid in the
bed with me, I could sleep.

If she... what?! You slept together?!

Yeah.

We slept in a bed together, Ross,

after I'd been awake for two weeks!

[Chuckling] No! You don't do that.

You don't call my ex-wife
to come tuck you in.

We all got divorced. That's how it works.

Oh, were you available?

I didn't know they let you out
for "brother's grant proposal

has turned into an
interstate holy mission."

I know things are stressful right now.

It's not just work!

All my journal entries indicate the fact

that I let Beth get away.

You've got to get over this woman.

She was absolutely not the one.

Shh! No!

She... she accepted me right from "go."

She loved me as-is. That doesn't happen.

Listen. Listen. Listen to me.

In a few weeks, I promise you...

No, no, no! I'm leaving her
10 to 15 messages a day, Ross!

I'm sending 20,000-word e-mails!

You cannot be...

That's why I need Claire!

That's why we need Claire!

To keep me from going to that
place I was in during the pitch,

to help me sleep and stop moving furniture,

to get control

before I'm charged with
stalking a former student.

She turned me in, Clark.

I spent two years in prison

because my own wife turned me in!

You spent two years in prison
because you were a fraud.

[Scoffs]

I told you he'd be like this.

Then why the hell did you come?

Because Clark asked me to.

And if he's working with you,
then God knows he needs it.

Oh, I see.

When Clark calls, you come running.

When I call, you run away?

Yep. Well, he wasn't
asking me to break the law.

All I asked for was a little bit of...

It's not gonna work.

I can't do it. It's impossible.

Ross, I told you that I wasn't
cut out for the real world.

I told you I needed to
find another teaching job.

But you wanted me to try.

If you want me to stay, I need her.

By which I mean, I won't do it without her.

[Chuckles] Come on.

Just please, just... just take the day.

I don't want to take the rest of the day!

I want to help figure this out!

We can get a lot more done without you.

[Scoffs]

Do you want to meet the gang?

Yes!

You're gonna love 'em.

Uh, Megan... she's an
actress that we use...

or would use if we did anything.

- But, um, she was in an infomercial once...
- Oh, wow.

With, uh, it's like an
oven mitt for the shower.

I still think that a request reversal

- is our best chance.
- It's a first-order effect.

We can't teach a nervous
mother to do it in four hours.

Oh, my God!

Four hours! Okay.

What? What happened?

I'm sorry. I'm just I... I'm a little...

- Is this okay?
- Yeah, this is fine. This is okay.

Go back to sleep.

Okay, we just need a way
to prime his response.

Ooh.

[Gasps]

Wait.

What if instead of focusing...

on getting him to help
Sophie and Tyler specifically,

we focus on making him believe

that he's the kind of person
that'll help anybody in need?

You suddenly want to turn him
into a kind and generous guy?

Yes!

- In four hours?
- Yes!

How? Adrenalized implantation!

That's...

has that ever been tried in a...

Nope!

Okay, we need a... a... a
scenario that's going to...

- Right.
- Implantation. Someone's got to perform it.

- Exactly.
- Wait. Will someone please finish a sentence?

What... what are we talking about?

Adrenalized implantation. It's...

All right.

We've known for a long time

that... that incidents that occur

when you significantly
raise adrenaline levels

become highly memorable.

It's like they're seared into your brain.

Think of a... think of,
like, a... a car crash

or a... a soldier in a firefight.

We know from talking
to people that have been

in these highly adrenalized circumstances

that what you do, your actions under fire,

you start to see those as
being character-defining.

It's like you get a
glimpse of your true self.

So the question became,

if we controlled the circumstance

that elevated your adrenaline levels,

if we guided your reaction,

could we essentially implant thoughts

that you would begin to see

as being part of your deepest character?

It's almost as if when someone's
adrenaline levels are raised,

their brain becomes like wet cement

and we can write...

Anything we want inside it.

A... a... and when it dries,

it'll become like a deep personal truth.

So, you think this could work on our guy?

If we can spike his adrenaline
level and plant the idea

that he's the kind of person
that we need him to be,

that he's the kind of person
who would be willing to help

a desperate family in need, then yes.

The research suggests that's
exactly how he'll behave.

But...

But...

[Sighs]

[Gasps]

What?

Oh, my God. [Snaps fingers]

You said he rides the bus to work.

Uh, yes.

Okay. Okay.

So, we put Megan in...
in a distress scenario

and we have her do the implantation.

And for a heavy, we get...

- Latrell.
- Latrell.

Latrell! Ha! Ha!

Would he do it? Would he do that?

Would he do what? What are we doing?

You want me to fight him?

- Just a little.
- No! No.

Be threatening until he... snaps.

[Door opens] Whoa.

What the hell? Our first job,
you're gonna do it without me?

I sent you a text. We didn't
have time for anything else.

- Where did you get this bread truck?
- I have a friend who...

they want me to get in a
fight with Charles Murray.

Fight him?

That doesn't sound like a
psychological manipulation.

"Sounds like you guys were up
all night watching Good Fellas".

Claire: There's not gonna be a fight.

Latrell's just gonna upset
the guy until he wants to fight

so Megan can redefine his character.

It's called adrenalized... implantation.

If you all think this is such a great idea,

why can't one of you fight him?

- Because you're... black.
- Oh, there's no white homeless people?!

Hey, hey, hey.

He just means that the racial
difference between you and Murray

will get the most adrenalized response.

- But the anger's good. Do that.
- Guys. I think that's him..

All right. I don't think I
can do this. I can't do this.

- I'm not doing this. I'm not...
- No. Listen. You'll be fine.

Latrell, I always get
nervous before auditions.

But as soon as you open your
mouth, it'll all go away.

I'm not an actor. I'm
in business development.

But I will be with you. Just focus on me.

All right?

Yes, Megan.

That is exactly the sort of reassurance
display that we're looking for.

Do the implantation just like that.

Yeee!

[Laughs] Okay, you ready? Let's go.

Wolverine in position.

[Breathing rapidly]

Guys, I don't think I can do this.

Stop whining and just do it!

Sudden negative reinforcement
alleviates reluctance.

I'm familiar with yelling at people.

You don't need to explain it.

[Tires screech, horn blares]

Claire: I wouldn't have thought
one of your Ponzi-scheme jockeys

would have this much
trouble playing a bad guy.

Latrell's not like that.

He was only good 'cause he never knew

the investments we were
selling weren't real.

Oh! So you lied to him, too.

We should start a support group.

Come here. Come here.

Let's be honest. This isn't going to work.

Come on, Latrell! Come
on, come on, come on!

I had it all worked out.

I was inches from making it legitimate.

Guys, bus incoming.

Come on! L... Latrell!
What is wrong with you?!

What are you doing?!

Come on! Do it now!

- I tried to protect you! Do you understand?!
- Oh! I'm so sure.

- What is wrong...
- You guys, stop it!

The bus is coming!

Latrell, w... what are you doing?!

- God!
- Claire: No, no, no, no, no!

Clark! Clark, Clark!

Okay.

Clark. Clark.

Hey, hey! Hey!

Latrell, now! Now!

Hey. Hey.

Do it now!

Now! Now!

Now! Now! Now! Now!

Look at me. Look at me.

Hey!

Move!

Get off my bench!

You gonna move? Move now!

- Oh, please, please.
- Hey, um... Hey.

- What?!
- There's no need.

- There's just, uh...
- What'd you say?!

I need her to move!

- Nothing. Um...
- Shut up!

- It's my bench...
- Okay.

And I don't want her ass
or your ass on my bench!

Latrell, don't let up. Keep going.

I promise he'll snap.

Do you understand me?! Move!

- I will lay your ass out!
- Hey, hey, don't you...

This is my bench!

Aah!

- Don't touch me!
- It's my...

[opera music plays]

[Whoosh]

[Thud]

[Brakes squeal]

[Panting]

Is everything okay?

Yeah, we're fine now.

Thank you.

Clark: Okay, see, at this moment,

he is completely suggestible.

You don't meet a lot of
people who are willing

to stick their neck out like that...

to help someone they don't even know

just because it's, like, the right thing.

Everything she plants into his head

will crystallize into a
new way he sees himself

once the adrenaline fades.

If you hadn't been the kind
of person that you are...

I'm just lucky you're one of the good ones.

Ross: What's she doing?

Clark: Giving him her number
... or a number, anyway.

It's gonna keep him thinking
about her and, by extension,

the type of person she believes him to be

when he sits down with Sophie and Tyler.

All that's really gonna make him say yes?

No.

But it's gonna make him believe

that when someone's really in need,

he's the kind of person who says yes.

We can't force him to
say one thing or another.

It's not mind control.

But we can make him believe
he's a different, better person,

and we can hope that leads
to a different, better answer.

[Door opens] How'd we do?

Um, I'd say if we get a
call in the next three hours,

we have a 40% chance.

Miles: No offense, but
shouldn't you overestimate?

I assume you've read the papers arguing

that even expressing false confidence

can positively shape outcomes.

But we just deployed a
highly experimental procedure

using the untrained head
of our business development

dressed as a homeless person.

I did overestimate, Miles...

by a lot.

It's been too long.

- The effect can fade if you miss the window!
- Relax. Relax.

You said yourself that it
would take some time for him

to create the narrative to
come to the decision on his own.

- Right?
- I know, but it w... w... wouldn't take this long.

Clark, you did a great job.

O... okay. Okay.

[Cellphone ringing]

It's him.

[Cellphone beeps]

Yes?

I understand.

Right.

Okay.

Yes.

[Voice breaking] I appreciate it.

[Cellphone beeps]

[Sniffles]

Thank you.

Yes. Okay.

Oh! Oh. I was so...

[laughter]

[Laughs]

Mm!

Told ya. Huh?

Yes! [Laughs]

Whoo!

[Squeals]

Oh, you did it.

Ross: I'm talking about the
people with deep pockets...

politicians trying to get elected.

Politicians trying to avoid jail.

Billionaires who want
to take over a company.

We could affect the stock price.

There's almost nothing
that you cannot manipulate.

You could start a war if you want to.

Now, why the hell would
you want to start a war?

Okay, well, you can stop a war, then.

You could do either.

The point is, once word gets
out about what we can do,

there's gonna be millions
there for the taking.

Let's not forget that we
actually changed this kid's life.

And there's a lot more people like that...

innocent people getting
screwed who could use our help.

So instead of just
chasing the highest bidder,

wouldn't it be cool to
actually fix some things?

I was more interested
in the "millions" part.

- ["Summer Nights" plays]
- Work for free? Who are you?

Uh, also, I just remembered

this Danish fisherman study was interesting

because it was scalable, and, uh...

♪ summer lovin' had me a blast ♪

♪ summer lovin' happened so fast ♪

[Music fades]

Ross: Clark.

Clark!

What?

You okay?

I'm fine.

Great night! Good job!

I'm super-tired. I'm gonna
go. See you guys tomorrow.

Wha... hey! What's the rush? Come on!

There's no rush. I... I... I got to go.

Well, then I'll take you.
I'm ready to go myself.

Hey, I'll take him.

He can get by without you holding his hand.

Guys! I... I... I... I got
to walk. I'm gonna walk.

So I'm walking. See you tomorrow.

Clark!

Clark!

Clark!

[Door rattling]

Beth!

Please, can we just talk?!

We just need to talk, Beth!

[Beeping]

Um, Beth, come on, please?

I love you.

But can I say that to your face?

If it doesn't change anything...

Woman: Professor Edwards?

Oh, hi. Hi.

I didn't mean to be a
disturbance. I was just...

She moved out like two weeks ago.

- What? Where?
- I don't know.

I just saw movers and...

No!

No! No! No!

No, no, no!

Sh...

Um, thank you.

Anytime. Good luck.

[Sighs]

You just need some rest.

If you... if you hadn't
been up, for so long...

Ross.

Not now.

- [Door opens, closes]
- [Sighs]

Latrell: Why aren't you
answering your phone?

Been a little busy.

- We have a problem.
- I got one of those, too.

- Murray okayed the surgery, but it got kicked upstairs.
- Not now, Miles.

It's been denied, Ross.

Murray agreed, but they immediately put it

before a review panel,
and now everything's...

It's a sham... seven people,

no medical training, obvious biases.

We can go after them,
but we're talking about

planning and executing seven different...

And we are literally facing eviction, Ross.

Now, we don't have the time
or the resources to chase this.

And without it, we have nothing.

[Crashing]

Whoa, whoa! Hey, hey, hey!

[Grunts]

Oh, you're right.

I... it would work a lot
better over there. I'm sorry.

Clark. Clark, stop. Stop!

No. Why, Ross? It doesn't matter.

T... they're gonna take it all anyway.

Relax. We just need to
put our heads together,

- come up with something else.
- I don't want to put our heads together!

I don't want to do this. I
told you this wouldn't work.

- I told you I didn't belong here.
- Listen. You were doing fine.

- This is a setback. We're gonna...
- I'm not doing fine, Ross!

I... need to get away from
here because everything...

everything in here makes me
think of her, and I can't...

You got to stop with this
Beth stuff, all right?

W... whatever you think it was, it wasn't.

How do you know?!

I just know.

And you need to face that and move on.

Fine! I'm gonna move on.

I'm going to Alaska. Or Spain.

What? No, you're not going anywhere.

Or a mental hospital in South America.

But I'm not staying here!

There are... triggers all over the place!

Then let me help you!

Remember when dad died, who's the one

who pulled you through that
a... and put you back together?

Me.

Why are you shutting me out now?

Because!

I am trying to tell you I
need to get away from here,

but you're not listening
because you don't care about me!

You just can't stand the idea

that your latest get-rich-quick scheme

is walking out the door.

This has got nothing to do with the money.

Good! Then it shouldn't matter that I quit.

[Door opens]

[Door slams]

[Footsteps approach]

Hmm.

Miles.

Are you seriously walking out
of here with a cardboard box?

Well, I guess I figured
we were pretty much done.

[Chuckles]

I'm not done.

You done?

I want to ask you a question.

How do you feel about moral ambiguity?

Well...

I'm pretty comfortable with it, actually.

- Hmm.
- What'd you have in mind?

I want to hold a press conference.

Uh, there's a million stories out there

about insurance companies
trying to screw people.

Raking them over the coals

is just likely to solidify their position.

What if I don't want to
rake them over the coals?

What if I want to thank them?

Thank them for... what?

Approving the surgery.

But they denied it.

[Chuckles]

Nobody at the press
conference is gonna know that.

O... okay.

So, um... you put the kid up there.

[High-pitched] "Thank
you for saving my life."

[Normal voice] You generate
a ton of positive press,

make it a feel-good piece,

and then basically dare them
to ruin it by backing out.

Pretty much.

I could put together a quick
focus group, pull some data,

maybe actually put together a real case

for when they come in here
with their hair on fire.

Ha! That's... that's...

That's insanely risky.

Okay. The kid... he's not an actor.

So to make it seem real,

we would have to convince him and his mom

that we'd actually gotten
Metromutual back on board.

And then, if it went wrong,

if we had to yank it away again...

They'd be exactly where they are now.

Yes, but we would be in some
really iffy legal territory...

probably beyond iffy.

[Sighs]

Maybe we should loop
Clark back in before we...

Even if he were in a good
headspace, which he's not,

we both know what he'd say.

Let's worry about fixing
this problem first.

We can apologize later.

Does that strategy usually work?

I've had pretty good luck with it.

What the hell is this?

Claire. Uh, look, now is not good timing.

I think we're ready. Just give me a sec.

Ross. Ross, don't try to fix this.

- Whatever it is you're...
- We needed a new approach.

Let me guess. Does this
approach include lying, fraud?

I know you don't think much of me,

and... you're probably right,

but you, more than anybody,
know that I love Clark.

Oh. So this is about Clark now?

It's always been about Clark.

I wanted this because I think
we are good for each other.

Remember that time he stayed with us

after the med school let him go?

He was in a good place then.

Yeah, because I talked to him every day

while you were off doing...

Fine. Fine. Maybe you're
the Clark whisperer.

Maybe it's always been you.

I was in a good place
then, too. Remember that?

I had my act together.
I wasn't in any trouble.

So... Fine. Fine.

Maybe Clark doesn't need
me. Maybe I need him.

Is that the worst thing in the world...

to think you are a better person
when your brother's around?

And if I can keep this thing alive...

Ross.

I'm coming.

Ross, whatever you're planning...

First, I'd like to
thank you all for coming.

I'm Rebecca Downs, consulting
public outreach director

for Metromutual Insurance.

At times... [sighs]

Trust me... it's gonna be fine.

Ross, can you think of a single time

you've ever said that to
me and you weren't wrong?

[Chuckles] This amazing young man,
Tyler, would like to share with you

how Metromutual was able to help him.

Tyler: I just...

I just wanted to say thank you.

We should have told him to cry.

The doctors said I might be able to do

some of the things I've
always wanted to do,

like play soccer.

And now...

my mom won't have to watch
after me all the time.

[Voice breaking] And...

maybe she'll get to do some of the things

she's always wanted to do, too.

Jackpot.

Megan: We'd certainly like to
thank Tyler for those kind words.

At times, we've been accused

of caring more about the
bottom line than the people,

and, sadly, there have been occasions

where those charges have seemed warranted.

But Metromutual is changing that.

And we want to prove that
cutting-edge and bottom line

don't have to be in conflict.

Is it just me, or does this suddenly feel

more like something we
could go to jail over?

I wouldn't say "more."

The odds of it blowing up in our faces

has always been relatively high to me.

[Dialing] Only one way to find out.

Hello.

Ross Edwards, Edwards and Associates.

No, but I assure you he's
gonna want to speak to me

before the afternoon news hits the air.

A similar "Metromutual saves
cute kid" story's been picked up

by the cable news channels
and nightly network broadcasts.

Megan: It's going viral
on Facebook and Twitter.

Miles: The promotional value
of the clip for you guys

is close to $7 million.

[Whistles]

Further, initial focus-group testing shows

that the new business
potential for Metromutual

stemming from the positive name recognition

actually renders the essential
cost of the surgery itself

completely insignificant.

Clark: I can't believe he's doing this.

What can I say, Clark?

He loves you enough to
be incredibly stupid.

Was your hope that a few charts

would make it seem less overtly criminal?

It was our hope that you
would see what was on them

and recognize a fantastic
opportunity for your company.

- Hey, what's going on?
- You really don't know?

Know what?

Ross sent me on a lunch in Evanston,

but the guy never showed up.

Probably wanted to keep you
clean in case it went wrong.

You're delusional.

The only opportunity we
are remotely interested in

is the opportunity to see
you dismantled and prosecuted.

- What's going on?
- She keeps saying "extortion," but I'm pretty sure

it's covered under a
false-pretense statute.

Ross: Mr. Daniels, just hold on a minute.

Let's not turn a misunderstanding...

extortion is not a misunderstanding.

See, I don't think anyone really
understands how that's defined.

- Clark.
- Sit there. Look impatient.

Latrell, when I put my
hand in my back pocket,

step up and say "Dr. Barnes is very busy."

What?

Sit. Do it. Please.

Oh, is this the idiot from Metromutual?

I told you these guys would be too stupid

to accept millions in free publicity.

But he kept saying, "it's
a win-win. It's a win-win."

See, that's the difference
between he and I.

I'm more win-lose, win-destroy.

I... I'm sorry. Who are you?

You're not sorry.

You haven't even begun to be sorry.

Making you sorry... that's my job.

- Do you recognize her?
- No.

Oh. Well, of course.

That would imply that you had some
clue as to what you were doing.

That's Dr. Claire Barnes,

special liaison to the senate subcommittee

on health-insurance
regulation and reform...

you know, the people that hold the fate

of your industry in their hands.

See, they don't think you guys
should decide for yourselves

what is and what isn't experimental.

They want a panel of doctors and
bureaucrats to do that for you.

And they are just dying
for a case just like this

to hammer you with.

And, boy, are we gonna hammer.

Little teary Tyler and
his curable heart condition

are gonna be sitting in front of Congress,

and you're gonna be twisting in your chair,

covered in so much flop sweat,

Mark McGuire's gonna call to
say that you come off poorly.

And then when you end
up with some committee

telling you when and how to pay up,

you're gonna be sobbing at the memory

that someone once offered you

a gift-wrapped win-win
"get out of jail free" card

but you were too stupid to accept it.

I'm sorry, but Dr. Barnes
is really very busy.

Oh. Uh, of course. Let's go to my office.

Wait.

We'll take the publicity.
We'll take the business.

But eventually, this is
going to catch up with you.

I'm gonna make sure of it.

Well, until then, you ever
find yourself in a tough spot,

you know who to call.

That was brilliant!

What? W... we just won.

No, Ross, you just lied and cheated,

just like you've always done.

We have to have rules if
we're all gonna do this, okay?

You can't just turn your new
business into your old one.

You don't issue demands.
I don't work for you.

Latrell: I'm with her.

If this is gonna be another
boiler room, I'm out.

[Scoffs]

[Sighs] Look.

I know she comes on a little strong,

but Claire has a point.

Clark, if you want Claire,
I'll give you Claire.

You want rules, I will follow rules.

You want to staple
furniture to the ceiling,

I will hold the ladder.

If I'm gonna give you everything,

you got to not walk out on me.

At the minimum, I got to know

we are at least in this thing together...

you and me.

Look.

The thing is, I'm not a
very good teammate, Ross.

I get ahead of myself.

And the more you do to try to help me,

the more nervous I get about messing it up.

- I don't care. You can mess up all you want.
- Yeah, you do.

Remember when I started having issues

and you brought that girl home from college

and I totally freaked her
out and you guys broke up?

That had nothing to do with you.

I saw your face.

How embarrassed you were
and how disappointed and...

I don't want to do that to you again.

You don't embarrass me.

You... amaze me.

The only times I've ever been
disappointed is when you leave.

All right, well, then...
I... I won't do that again.

Really?

Yeah.

Now what do we do? Hug?

[Chuckles]

Uh, there was a study once that said

that physical contact
after an emotional out...

Where you going?

I'm gonna go see if I can get
the money to keep this mess going.

Want me to come with you?

No. Thanks.

Hey, uh, I did manage to
get that kid his surgery.

I mean, doesn't that count for something?

The question isn't whether
what you did matters to me.

It's whether how you did
it will ever matter to you.

[Keys jingling]

[Inhales sharply]

Ross?

What are you doing here?

Um... Well, CcClark...
he's been calling me,

and he...

You cannot be here, Beth.
That was not the agreement.

I paid you a small
fortune to just disappear,

never to be heard from again.

Do you understand?

That's all of it. I don't want it.

[Scoffs]

Look, I know it was supposed to be an act,

but something happened,
and I... I really...

I like him.

I tried to stay away, like we said,

but I think maybe we can make it work.

It did work, all right?

You were supposed to get him fired.

That was the agreement.
You cannot come back now.

I'm sorry, but I can't let him go,

and, obviously, he can't let me go, either.

[Breathing heavily]

Look, I won't tell him about our deal.

I... I mean, it would be as
bad for as it would for you.

Oh, really?

Are you his brother?

Clark: You see the red dress?

Mm-hmm.

Red is one of the most
basic sexual signals.

Um, and you see the way her eyes are?

[Laughs]

It's... it's a two-dimensional come-on.

- To sell a faucet? No.
- Yeah, to sell anything.

It's called experiential transference.

You confuse...

Sorry.

Ross, Claire, this is Beth.

- Like... Beth.
- Yeah.

Beth, you know? B... Beth.

Hi.

Hi.

We met... uh... [clears
throat] in the lobby.

What are you doing?

I... I sent you all those messages

and I stopped by your place and...

I know.

I messed up.

Okay.

[Chuckles]

S... okay, bye. S...
see you in the morning.

Why do I have a very bad
feeling about those two?

I have no idea.

[Sighs]

Well, look...

I'm just...

I'm glad we got all the ugly stuff

out of the way early, hmm?

I'm sure it's gonna be smooth
sailing from here on in.