The Good Fight (2017–…): Season 4, Episode 4 - The Gang Is Satirized and Doesn't Like It - full transcript
Adrian and Liz find out that there is a play based on them, and try to stop it. Diane continues to investigate memo 618.
Come on, Lucca. You can take
at least a week off.
I'm sending you a photo.
There.
What do you have in Chicago
to match that?
Work.
- I have work here.
- - You can bring your work here.
Come on, I'm lonely.
It's just me here.
Yeah, you and 30 staff.
It's not the same.
I'll send the jet.
You can be there
and back in 14 hours.
The Herz divorce, upstairs.
- Let's go.
- I got to go, Bianca.
- Here we are.
- Okay.
I'll say right up front,
this is not about my divorce.
- Is it about your business?
- It's about my reputation
- and it's about this firm.
- Which firm?
-Reddick/Boseman or STR Laurie?-Aren't you all
the same these days?
I keep bouncing
from one to the other.
Yes. Tell us what you need.
I saw this play last night,
and for some reason,
it has my divorce in it.
It has your divorce?
What does that mean?
My divorce from last year?
The one you handled?
- Uh, the one Lucca handled.
- Great.
Circling the wagons
already, David? Noted.
Either my $34 million
in legal fees
matters to you or it doesn't.
- It does.
- Then how the fuck
did the specifics of my divorceend up in this play?
Which parts of your divorce?
My job, my ex-wife,
our reasons for divorcing,
everything is in the play.
Even some of the things
we said in the depos.
They make me look
like an asshole.
And what do you want to do?
Seriously? You need to ask?
I want to sue.
I want to Gawker these assholesoff the stage.
Just give me a second.
Yeah.
I have to head upstairs
in a minute.
- Um...
- What is it?
Duncan Herz?
The pizza king?
Is he getting divorced again?
No. He was satirized in a play,
and now he wants
to sue for defamation.
Tell him to let it go.
Satire just disappearsif you don't give it any oxygen.
- Everybody hates satire.
- Unfortunately,
I recognized the playwright.
He worked here last year,
as an associate.
Who?
Jumaane Jenkins.
Oh, but his name
used to be Alan North.
The one we fired for drug use.
Yes.
Damn.
Does Herz know
he's an ex-associate?
Not yet.
He will sue us.
- Yeah.
- Okay.
Let me take this.
Mr. Herz!
- How are you?
- Adrian.
- Yeah.
- Fine.
- Good.
- What's going on?
Uh, Lucca here filled me
in on the issue here,
and I want to say, uh, I think we have some good news.
We might have a path
to the lawsuit right here.
So, uh, you give us a day,
we'll take a look at the play,
and we'll see
if any privileged information
was taken from our office.
Good. I thought you were gonna
- tell me to drop it.
- Never.
Not when it's this serious.
Great. You'll keep me in touch?
- Will do.
- All right.
Thanks.
Privileged information?
What the fuck?
Was he a lawyer here?
It's somebody we fired.
Jesus, this place
is bush-league.
David...
Fuck you.
Take your opinion upstairs
and see what they say.
So, I don't understand.
The malware only attacks here?
And only when I use
the firm's Wi-Fi.
So someone here
is trying to freeze me out
whenever I ask
"What is Memo 618?"
- No, not here.
- Then where?
Someone upstairs
is blocking my Wi-Fi access?
Their head of litigation:
Bryan Kneef.
- You're kidding. Why?
- My guess is because
you're asking about
what you're asking about.
Memo 618? He knows what it is?
Uh...
Where are you going?
- To ask him.
- To ask him if he knows
about Memo 618?
Yes.
Is that smart?
I don't know anymore.
Hi. I need to speak
to Bryan Kneef.
This way, Ms. Lockhart.
They're waiting for you.
They're... Who's waiting for me?
Everyone.
Diane.
Thank you for coming.
You're welcome.
Uh, was I expected?
Yes. Of course.
Uh, you know what? I don't thinkyou've met, uh, Tom,
Danny, Jim, Roger,
Susan, Linda, Big Tom,
Dana, Nate and Dhruhmil.
Oh, and Bryan Kneef. I think you two know each other.
No. We haven't met.
Just online. Diane.
So there was a student,
Yamaoka, who sought out
a Zen master
and proclaimed, "The mind,
the Buddha, attainment,
"everything is emptiness.
Nothing really exists."
The Zen master picked up
a bamboo stick
and whacked him in the head.
Yamaoka screamed angrily
until the master asked him,
"If nothing really exists, from where did your anger come?"
Um...
Is somebody angry here?
- Bryan?
- I need you to stop
poaching my clients.
- Excuse me?
You know, I explained
that you were made
head of pro bono, so there's
no reason for you to poach.
And yet, she's having her
investigator check my clients.
Wait a minute. I'm only checkingyour clients to figure out
why you are blocking
my Internet access.
- What the hell
are you talking about?
Wait.
Quiet.
We're all on the same team.
Roger, go get a glass of water.-
Bryan, are you blocking
Diane's Internet access?
I am. But only defensively.
Because she's poaching
my clients.
No. That is a lie.
You blocked me when I asked
about Memo 618.
- What is that?
- I don't know.
But I've had
two pro bono cases disappear
when the judge
was given Memo 618.
- It has nothing to do with me.
- No.
Okay, here's whatl suggest. Diane, you won't dig
into Bryan's clients.
Bryan, you won't block
Diane's Internet access.
Understood?
Uh, yes.
- I take no issue with that.
- Yes. Fine.
What was that about?
They want me to stop looking.
- Will you?
- No.
Here.
It's a billing statement.
Kneef had one case with
two years of billable hours,
- but no docket number.
- What?
- A case that disappeared?
- Yes.
And Kneef was losing
when it disappeared.
- I don't see a client.
- No, it's not in the records.
But...
it lists the associate
on the case.
- Yes, ma'am?
- You're not shaving anymore.
I got a special dispensation.
I'm bored.
I want to be entertained.
You want me to sing to you?
No. Tell me a joke.
Man walks into a zoo.
The only animal
in the entire zoo is a dog.
It's a Shih Tzu.
Want me to explain it to you?
No, I get it.
I'm just not laughing.
Caleb Garlin?
Do you have a minute?
You, uh, worked with Bryan Kneef
on a civil suit
that we can't find.
It was about six months ago.
$895,000 in billable hours,
but no mention of the client.
Uh, whatever you tell us, uh,
won't get back to Mr. Kneef.
Oh, I don't care. He's a prick.
Uh, Nola Garnett.
The Tapas Group. Wrongful death.
The docket number was, uh,
57-L-45-20.
Wow. You have a good memory.
I just don't trust
digital archiving.
Um...
I wouldn't leave it on there.
The, uh, Tapas Group was being
sued by the wife of a prisoner
who died while being transported
in the back of one
of their private prison vans.
- So, was there a settlement?
- No, just ended.
Ended in what way?
Kneef was arguing
for a motion to dismiss.
The judge recessed
to review the legal citing
and he never returned.
Uh... He never returned
from the recess?
Correct.
- And no one followed up?
- Well, we didn't.
We were losing,
so it was a gift.
I don't know why the
plaintiffs never followed up.
Was there ever a mention
of a Memo 618?
No. What's that?
Uh, we're not sure.
What was the citing that
the judge wanted to review?
57 U.S.C. 3335.
Kneef had argued it meant
the case was moot.
U.S. Code...?
3335.
Liz?
- What's going on with these?
- What?
There are no pages. Look.
Oh. Yeah, when they remodeled,
it made it easier
to move the books.
Why have law books
if we can't use them?
For looks?
Well, if you need something,
just check online.
This case you were on.
- Who was the plaintiff?
- Uh, hold on.
Um, the wife of the prisoner...
No, what lawyer represented her?
Oh, um, well,
he wasn't much of an attorney.
Who?
Are you sure
I can't offer you two half?
Thank you, no.
You, young lady?
No, thanks. Looks yummy.
It is.
So, what happened
with this prison ban lawsuit?
Well, I represented
Nola Garnett.
Above and beyond.
Never missed a filing deadline.
Made oral arguments
using alliteration
that I wrote out on index cards.
Hmm. But the case
was just dropped?
Mmm.
Through no fault of mine.
And now she is suing me.
- Uh, who is?
- Nola Garnett.
For ineffective assistance.
Me.
Ineffective.
- Can you imagine?
- I can't.
- Because this case
was just dropped?
Mmm.
They never gave me
any kind of explanation.
Did the defense attorney
cite a law... U.S. 3335?
Maybe. I don't know.
But now, in additionto all the rest of my caseload,
I have to defend myself.
Oh. Who is representing you?
Me. Just me.
How about I represent you?
Why would you do that?
Yeah, why?
Well, it sounds like
an injustice was done
to this woman,
but for her to blame,
uh, a lawyer of your stature
just seems like
a further injustice.
Have you much experience
with these type of suits?
Some. Yes.
Thank you.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Mmm.
- Mmm.
- How are you?
- Good.
So, here we are
for some culture.
Cocksucker in Chains?
The asterisk means it's classy.-
So, here we go.
Let me apologize to you
ahead of time.
There's no intermission.
- You fucking kidding me?
- Mm-mm.
Power.
Who owns it? Who loses it?
Who controls it?
We're here tonight
to observe a divorce.
A white, rich man.
$84.5 million
in yearly stock options.
Salary.
His young wife, $48,000.
He's done with her.
Within one year,
she will be dead
from a crack overdose.
- That's bullshit.
- And he?
- She's a chef now.
- The white owner
will get a great tax break
from Donald Trump.
Life in America.
Act one.
We're on your side.
Yes, we are
an African-American firm,
but we're here
to do what you want.
What's wrong?
Dana, you have a minute?-DANA: What do you need?
- That's me.
- We got a divorce here.
We need some of your
Elizabeth Warren energy.
What are you talking about?
It's a character.
- No, look at him.
- We are not political here.
- It's satirizing me.
- "Woke"
is a word for nonlawyers.
We're here to do what you want.
And I'm here to make white
people feel more comfortable.
Do you feel more...
comfortable?
Aden,
get your black ass over here.
- Yes, Miss.
- Uh-huh.
What do you need?
I need you to bend your ass
over my desk.
Yes'm!
I'm gonna fuck you so hard,
it will hurt.
See this?
Lucca.
I need you in early tomorrow.
We need to shut
this motherfucker down.
Gabe Kovac.
He's being sued by his client
for ineffective assistance
of counsel.
- Yeah, well, that makes sense.
- He's an idiot.
Well, yes, but this time,
I don't think
he was in the wrong.
It's this Memo 618 thing.
It seems to allow judges
to discard cases
without a legal citing.
So, you've offered
to represent him pro bono?
- Yes.
- Why?
It's the only way
to get an answer
- about this memo.
- But why do wewant answers
about this memo?
Because cases
are just disappearing.
But that has nothing to do
with our bottom line.
Well, I'm not asking
for your permission.
I'm just filling you in.
Maybe you should be asking
our permission,
- Diane.
- Maybe.
But, uh, I'm not.
What-what was that about?
Nothing.
I just don't like the way
that Diane insinuates
she can just overrule us.
What are you talking about?
She's not overruling us.
What's going on?
I saw this play last night.
That's the one that Herz
is suing over.
It has us in it, too.
- Us?
- Mm-hmm.
-What do you mean?-It's satirizing our firm, Liz.
He has me as some pathetic,
masochistic motherfucker
who's craving domination
from Diane Lockhart?
Diane? She's-she's in it, too?
- Character based on her.
- So, this guy
wrote a play to get back at us. So what?
They gave them
a standing ovation, Liz.
People stood and cheered.
Okay.
Uh, let me take this over.
I think you've lost perspective.
Caleb.
- You wanted
to second chair a case?
- Yes.
Then I need you.
And I am ready to go.
Dad, I know you molested
your secretaries,
- but I'll protect you.
- You all right?
The world still thinks
you're a great man.
- Uh, yeah.
- But I'll protect you.
I'll protect you.
Wow. Thank you for staying
for the talkback.
Uh, I'm Zena.
I'm the dramaturge.
And this is
our illustrious playwright,
Jumaane Jenkins.
He used to be an associate
at the firm?
Yeah. And he was
a bad lawyer, too.
We're gonna open up the floor
for any questions.
Yeah. Down front.
Jumaane, it was...
deep and so challenging to me.
And the patriarchy.
- Thank you.
- Don't stop there.
- Um, what does the play mean?
- Well,
it's about how black people
are given no room
to be themselves,
to speak their truths,
because white people
take up their space.
Wow.
Where do you get your ideas?
Well, I worked at a law firm
for four years.
It was an African-American firm,
but then they brought in
some white attorneys,
and theybrought in
even more white attorneys.
And these days, the place...
You wouldn't recognize it.
I am a marginalized ciswhite woman who has been raped,
and I am offended
by the reverse racism
- in this play.
- Well, ma'am, I'm not here
to say you're not marginalized.-WOMAN: The white women
in this play are all bitches.
You're saying
that all white women
- want to rape black men?
- No.
Uh, I think you should buy
the play on Amazon and read it
or buy another ticket
and see it again if that's
what you got out of this.
No, you say that white people
are the disease,
but I marched
with Black Lives Matter.
Maybe the white people
in your law firm didn't,
- but that does not give you
the right to...
- Well, look, this is
a play about real people,
not types.
Like the divorcing white guy,
he's based on a real client.
- So, I-I see that...
- Wait, did he just say...?
Yep. "Based on."
Not "inspired by."
No. This is a sp...
Huh. This is different.
Yeah, takes everybody
a little while to get used to.
I know you.
I'm here for a deposition.
Oh, right. Downstairs.
How do I know you?
Jumaane Jenkins.
I used to work here.
Oh, you're Alan North.
You're the druggie.
I wasn't a druggie.
Oh, my God,
how they rewrite history here.
- Well, they fired you.
- Because they wanted me out.
Because they didn't want
an independent mind.
Yeah, that's how that works.
In here.
Hello.
Wrong deposition?
Yeah. Upstairs.
You were saying, Mr. Kovacs.
Kovac.
One Kovac.
I just wanted to say
how sorry I am
at the loss of your husband,
Ms. Garnett.
Not sorry enough to offer
effective assistance.
- Objection.
- Uh, you can't object,
- Gabe.
- Then I take...
great exception.
Noted.
When Ms. Garnett's lawsuit
was dismissed,
what steps did you take
to challenge the dismissal?
What steps?
Yes.
Well...
I got... angry.
Good.
And?
And I wrote a very, very,
very detailed letter
to the judge.
Did you get a response?
- Nope.
- Mm.
Did you send it?
Well, no,
but that wasn't my fault.
The mail delivery in my office
has been a disaster.
Do you know that song by Bob
Dylan, "Everything is Broken"?
It's so true.
Mm-hmm. And did you appeal
the judge's ruling?
No, but that wasn't my fault,
either.
There was nothing to appeal.
The judge never ruled.
He just...
counted on me forgetting.
And did you forget it?
No, I thought
the judge was gonna call
the court back into session.
- But he didn't.
- Did you think
something corrupt was going on,
Mr. Kovac?
Ab-About the recess?
No, I...
Yes.
Yes, I did.
I certainly did.
The fix was in.
And did you think
that the defense attorney
was in league with the judge?
I... Yes.
Yes. I mean...
what other explanation is there?
The judge and the defense
were corrupt.
Completely corrupt.
Mm-hmm.
The defense
is your parent company, Diane.
Yes, but I still think
we need to call the defense
attorney, Bryan Kneef,
and...
get some more background.
Yeah.
Wasn't my fault.
- It was his fault.
- Mm.
Call him.
Ah.
This must be important.
We're in
the big conference room.
That's new.
Will your attorney
be joining us, Mr. North?
Jenkins.
I thought that was a pen name.
Jumaane Alan Jenkins
is my birth name.
I went by "Alan North"
when I worked here
because I know how you
all value the bourgeois
signifiers of whiteness.
Dear God.
To your question, Liz,
I'm appearing pro se.
Okay, then.
Mr. Jenkins,
last night,
you told the audience
during a talkback Q&A
that you based your characters
on real-life people.
No, I think you misheard.
Um...
"This play is based
"on real people, not types.
"Uh, like the divorcing
white guy.
He's based on a real client."
What a surprise.
Another white attorney here.
Another white attorney
with a photographic memory.
Um...
given that Mr. Herz
is not a public figure,
basing your character on him
is defamation.
- Is that a question?
- A statement and a question.
Look...
these characters emerged
from my subconscious.
When I saidthey were based on real people,
I meant they were
organically derived composites
of many people I've encountered
- over the years.
- Do you have proof of that?
Do you have proof of not that?
Yes. You admitted that you baseda character on our client.
And to that, I say...
Mr. Herz,
if I've...
accidentally echoed
details from your case,
I'm sorry.
And... I'm totally willing
to take out whatever details
you think refer to you,
specifically.
I don't understand.
Why not take him up on this?
Because...
you said the point was
to stop the play.
Now, if we don't stop it,
it'll still be out there
defaming you.
You said a lawsuit
would turn this
into a bigger deal.
It is already a big deal.
A woman became confrontationalwith the playwright last night.
Their argument was put online.
It's increased interest
in the play.
Look, we'll do
whatever you want, Mr. Herz,
but Jumaane
is only offering you this
because he's worried
we're winning.
- Right.
- All right.
Let's keep going.
Can I speak honestly?
Sure.
I don't think you're acting
in the best interests
of your client.
Really?
You and Liz want to shut
this play down because of what
it says about the two of you,
not about Herz.
I want to shut it down
for the good of our client.
Now, am I personally offended
by it?
You are goddamn right I am.
Do you have a problem with that?
No.
- Marissa.
- Yeah.
Have you heard anything
about this play,
Cocksucker in Chains?
Are you kidding? I've been
telling everyone to go see it.
We're getting a gang together
to see it tonight.
Uh, look,
this-this is what I need.
I-I need you to see
if you can find
any earlier drafts
of the script.
The-the writer is suggesting
that the characters
are composites.
Just... see if they're not.
Okay.
I need you to bend your ass
over my desk.
Yes'm!
Oh, that is so true.
Mmm. How does that feel?
Tell me how much you want me.
Tell me how you want
to be fucked.
So that's you?
Scream like a little bitch,
Counselor.
Your work's more exciting
than I thought.
I want you to hurt me.
How bad?
Make me scream.
Scream like an animal.
- You want to go?
- Maybe.
Wait.
I think this is you again.
I got into the law
because it mattered.
In a world where there was
so much nihilism and cynicism,
the law was a crystal guide,
a path forward.
But every day,
the world chips away at this.
Lawyers get more cynical.
People pay off judges.
They threaten them.
Or the judges just give in.
And then there's nothing.
Emptiness.
What is injustice?
It's people...
giving up.
Oh!
That was...
I mean...
Oh, shh...
Shush.
We probably don't want
to examine that, do we?
I don't.
As you can see,
we have a new playwright
joining us this evening.
Welcome, Marissa.
Hi, everybody.
Tell us how you found your way
to the Chicago Playwrights
Forum.
Well, I admit I'm new to this.
I've mostly written poetry
and song lyrics.
But I recently saw an amazing
play and was so inspired.
And then I read an article
that said
the playwright
used to be a member here.
Here it comes.
Uh, what was the play?
Cocksucker in Chains.
I knew it.
Y-You guys didn't like it?
Okay, first of all, his name is not Jumaane Jenkins.
It's Alan North.
And he didn't invent
being black and gay.
I get it, but don't you think
he was brave to write
- about his drug addiction?
- Please,
that queen has two cosmosand goes home to watch Netflix.
All right, can we try and speak
from a place of generosity
and respect?
He doesn't need it from us.
He's got the Trib
and the Sun-Times.
And Time Out.
Raves. All raves.
- I hate my life.
- Okay,
one of the things
we talk about in this group
is the poison of schadenfreude.
That's actually not the correctusage of "schadenfreude."
The word you want
is "Missgunst."
- Thank you, Avi.
- The point is,
we want to feel good
for our fellow writers
when they succeed.
Why? It's not like
he even gave us
a special thanks in the program.
And we totally rewrote
that play.
So you gave him notes?
Notes?
We basically wrote it for him.
You should see the early drafts.
Pitiful. Craft-free.
Do you still have them?
Actually, I do.
I keep them in a box...
marked "Fraud."
Well, I'd love to read them.
I mean, to learn
about play development.
First draft, second draft,
third, fourth, and fifth.
Wow, that was fast.
Playwrights are easy.
They hate each other.
Want me to stay and read?
No. We're on it.
Okay, good.
Good luck.
Thanks, Marissa.
Oh.
What's that?
Uh, the dildo.
What page?
Uh, 53.
Wow.
I'm a little saucy, aren't I?
Who's Damian supposed to be?
Uh, an associate.
- No, I mean in reality.
- Oh.
Uh, no one.
I mean, n-no one I know.
I...
Yeah, but I seem
to be pursuing him.
"I've never slept
with a white man before.
Have you ever slept
with a black woman?"
"No, but I'm into trying thingsonce."
"They reach for each other
and kiss."
"Whispering,
'Your lips feel different.'"
"Yours, too.
Soft."
Wow. Wh-Whoa.
That took a turn there.
Yeah, I don't know
how they'd do that onstage.
"Control me.
Dominate me."
"He pulls her hair back."
He seems to think that allinterracial relationships are...
are about power.
- Are they?
- I don't know. I've...
I've never been in one.
Have you?
- No.
- No.
We're both just racists.
I think it's probably
a lack of opportunity.
Ah.
Anyway...
Yeah, it's late. Um...
I'm gonna take this home.
Yeah.
That's a good idea.
You know, I-I wasn't tryingto suggest anything when I-I...
Oh, no, I-I... I wasn't, either.
- You know, just working late.
- Right.
Yeah.
Wait.
What?
Where I stopped reading,
the description,
Damian pulls her hair back,
Liz lets out a moan.
Liz?
Yup.
Kurt?
- Huh?
- What time
do you have to be at work?
Why?
Huh.
Mr. Jenkins.
Ah, you got my name right.
That wasn't too hard, now,
was it?
So you stated
that the characters
in your play were composites
of many people you encount...?
- No.
- Caleb.
Uh, "these characters emerged
from my subconscious.
They were organically-derived
composites that..."
- Thank you, Mr. Memory.
- But as you can see
from these earlier drafts
of your play right here,
you named the characters...
by their real names.
Liz, Adrian, Diane.
Yes, but...
I threw those thoughts away, and
created new characters.
The characters are the same.
And if you were a better lawyer, you would know
that right now, you are...
What's the Latin term?
Um...
Fucked.
Oh, my God, I'm sorry for
my lateness.
I, uh... I got held up.
I'm objecting to this subpoena.
You and I are
from the same firm.
Yes, and you're just hereto offer background, Mr. Kneef.
You're, uh... you're not
the defendant, so... relax.
Have a seat.
So, hello.
Hello.
Mr. Kneef, um,
you called a recess
in the case of
Nola Garnett v. Tapas Group,
docket number 45-L-7820.
That was a question, sir.
I have no answer.
You have no answer as to whetheryou called the recess?
I have no answer
to your question.
All right. Did you not cite
57 U.S. Code 3335
- in requesting this recess?
- Nope.
No, you did not?
No, I requested your ass.
And-and what does that mean?
It means your ass.
Are you refusing to answer?
No, I am answering.
I have requested your ass.
Do you want me
to spell it out for you?
I have asked you
whether you cited a legal ruling
in requesting this recess?
- Yes, and I have answered.
- Would you like me to call
the judge and insist
on your compliance?
- I would like you
to call your ass.
- Are you getting this?
Oh, here, let me help you.
I have told the plaintiff's
lawyer to call her own ass.
And people make fun
of the way I practice law.
Just answer the question, sir.
We can get out of here
a lot faster.
We'll get to your assfaster.
What is Memo 618?
Have I not made it clear?
It-It's your ass.
Memo 618 is your ass.
When you're dead,
and you're on the autopsy table,
and they're taking photos
of your body,
when they come to your ass,
that's Memo 618.
Next time you come for me,
remember...
We have your ass.
What the hell was that?
Mr. Firth?
May I help you?
Yes, Diane.
Do you have a moment?
Oh, sure, but I could have
come up to your office.
Why are you representing
Gabe Kovac?
We go back a long way.
Shall we be honest
with each other?
Um...
Okay.
Is there some sort of, um...
get-out-of-jail-free card
for, uh,
rich and powerful clients?
Not that I'm aware of.
Why do you ask?
Well, you assign me
to pro bono cases,
and you want me to do my best?
- Yes, of course.
- Right.
Well, there is something
going on
whereby certain people,
rich and powerful people,
don't have to comply
with subpoenas
or judicial rulings,
and can end a lawsuit
if they thinkthe ruling will go against them.
You've experienced this?
Yes.
And Bryan Kneef,
one of your lawyers upstairs,
seems to have benefited
from one of those cases.
-And you're investigating this?-Yes.
Now, I'm sure you will agree
that we should all be subject
to the same system of justice.
But we're not.
If I'm given a subpoena,
I have to comply.
I have to answer honestly.
And if I don't,
I should be prosecuted.
That is the only way
that the system works.
And if it doesn't work that way,
then the country breaks down.
It's over.
We're done.
Now, you've given me, um, control of these pro bono cases,
and this is essential
to my involvement
in these cases.
Okay.
Just keep me in touch.
Uh, Diane, I know that it seems
like I am the enemy, but...
sometimes...
I don't even know what's
going on in my own law firm.
Understood.
Lucca Quinn.
Mister... Mr. Firth.
Uh, what are...
what are your...?
Uh, I would have come up.
Mm, I know. I know.
- Can I get you anything?
- No.
Well, I see that you got one
of these new desks.
- Yes.
- Ah. You like it?
No.
Um... No.
Oh. Hmm.
Um, Bianca Skye wants you
to help her
with a real estate purchase
in Saint Lucia.
What?
Bianca Skye has
a multimillion dollar purchase
in Saint Lucia.
Seems there's some tax issue.
I suggested David Lee,
but she wanted you.
There's no purchase there, sir.
How do you mean?
She's just lonely from her-herdivorce. She-she wants a friend.
Do you not want to go?
No. I just...
I want to be useful to the firm.
Then, go.
You'll earn $850 an hour,
including travel.
More importantly, you'll keep
our top client happy.
I feel like
I'm being prostituted, sir.
Hmm.
For ten years,
Marlon Brando wanted me
by his side
on his island, Tetiaroa,
just in case any legal issues
came up.
There were nolegal issues...
ever.
All I did all day was sit
on a beach and drink Mai Tais.
Know why he wanted me there?
A year earlier,
I had made a-a funny
knock-knock joke in a meeting.
I made him laugh.
The rich are not like us.
They are the cheapest people
on Earth...
until they want a friend.
She wants... a friend,
so I need you to go
and be that friend.
Diane?
In here.
The music's a little loud.
I was thinking that, uh,
maybe we should...
Hello, big boy.
It's a joke.
Ah.
So...
What went wrong?
Nothing.
Men are different.
They can't just
turn it on and off.
But last night,
we had the best sex ever.
What was that about? You?
No.
I'm not real.
You know my worry.
What?
That it's a racial thing.
Kurt was aroused seeing me
dominate
an African-American man.
No.
He was seeing me dominate
an African-American man.
Yeah, but you're not real.
He saw you and me
having sex
in front of 300 theatergoers.
How do you know
that wasn't the turn-on?
So he's an exhibitionist?
No. People
can be turned on by things
and not be that all the time.
Yes, but last night...
that was like our first time.
Because it was different.
But don't copy me.
He doesn't want you to be me.
Why not change?
To what?
You saw what they did
to people who crossed them.
That Uber driver was white.
Are they really gonna smear
a black judge?
Are you crazy?
Of course they will.
You're a conservative
black judge.
You're not a dime a dozen.
So what are you advising?
Be an honest judge.
Be what you always wanted to bewhen you got on the bench.
Go to him.
No.
He wants to fuckyou.
He's never been
with a black woman before.
- I'm his boss.
- Oh. So?
He doesn't mind.
He already said he doesn't mind.
You know,
life is not like a play.
There's no Human Resources
in a play.
Invite him to a bar for a drink.
Say you want to get
some work done there.
Or... just go by the door,
say you're heading out.
I betcha he says,
"You want some company?"
- Yeah, I bet he doesn't.
- Then do it.
Don't you find him sexy?
There you go.
Grab your coat.
Hey.
I'm heading out.
- How's it going?
- Going good.
Yeah.
You want some company?
Uh, no, I'm fine.
See you tomorrow.
- Okay. Take care.
- Hmm.
Liz!
Liz!
Oh, God help me.
I have just one witness
to depose.
Great.
Who?
You.
Sure.
Take one last crack at me.
It's your money.
Please state your name
and occupation for the record.
Adrian Boseman,
- partner and attorney.
- Mr. Boseman,
after I offered to make changesto the play
to satisfy Mr. Herz,
how did you advise him?
I think that would fall clearlyunder the heading
of privileged communication.
Mm.
Given that
I was willing
to change whatever traits he
found offensive, I'm wondering
- what impeded the settlement.
- The remedy that you proposed
was obviously insufficient
to undo the harm you caused.
To whom, Adrian?
- To our client.
- Is it possible
that the harm,
as you perceived it,
wasn't to your client
but to yourself?
It's possible.
- It just isn't true.
- Is it possible
you've been using your client asa means of silencing my voice?
I'm gonna object
to that question.
You know,
you really give yourself...
far too much credit, son.
Your voice isn't that important.
Mr. Herz, this firm is using youto advance their cause.
- Please do not speak
to our client.
- Think about it.
I'm giving you what you want.
If they want something more,
let them sue.
That is a lie.
Let's... let's take a break.
Hey.
Hi.
- Herz wants out?
- Yeah.
Looks like it.
Look, I, um...
you know,
I-I don't want us to feel...
uh, I don't know, uncomfortable,
-so I'll just say it.-Oh, uh, no, you don't have to.
- We were drinking.
- Yeah, and,
uh, I am your boss.
So, um...
we're good together?
G-Good?
I mean, we're cool?
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, we're cool.
- Okay.
- Yeah.
Oh, that wasn't awkward at all.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Tomorrow.
Greetings,
Lockhart the Lionhearted.
Hello, Gabe.
Um... we don't have
a deposition today.
We don't have a deposition
at all anymore.
Nola Garnett
dropped her suit against me.
- What?
- Mm-hmm.
- When?
- This morning.
The Tapas Fund settled
her lawsuit.
A million eight.
And I am on board
for a third of that.
They settled?
Yes, and, Diane, I...
I wanted to thank you.
I could've cut you a check,
but, as they say,
"Who steals my purse
steals trash."
So...
I wanted to do something...
a little bit more, uh...
personal.
Gabe, I-I...
I don't know anything
about taking care of a bird.
It's no big deal.
Fresh fruit twice a day
and a steady supply of toys
so it doesn't get bored.
I love you, Diane.
You... are... the best.
It's okay.
You'll be fine.
Hello?
Hello.
- You looking for me?
- No.
I've already found you.
Handsome set of dueling pistols.
I'm guessing English,
mid-19th century?
Who are you?
I won't keep you a minute.
We think you should have a chatwith your wife.
Beatrice?
Your wife's seeking
to undermine policy.
If you don't handle it, we will.
Who are you?
A visitor.
Uh, this is Kurt McVeigh.
I've got a strange man
in my office, TR-768.
Can you send security?
You might emphasize to your wife
she's not a government employee,
so she's not covered
by whistleblower protection.
You, on the other hand, serve
at the will of the president.
Get the fuck out of here.
How was he able
to get into your office?
I don't know.
I checked with security...
They never let him in.
And he didn't say
where he was from?
No.
You're worried.
Well...
my only regret from last year
was not taking the threat to youmore seriously.
Oh...
That wouldn't have made
any difference.
Well, you could have
stopped working
with your political nuts.
This is different.
This...
this isn't about politics.
I just...
don't...
What?
What?
I don't want to lose you.
I don't want to be lost.
I'll drop it.
- Wait.
- What?
Wait.
Wait.
What are you doing?
Just give me one more minute.
Howdy.
Wow.
Yep.
You just lie back there, cowboy.
Are you ready?
Let's ride, Hoss.
Captioning sponsored by CBS
at least a week off.
I'm sending you a photo.
There.
What do you have in Chicago
to match that?
Work.
- I have work here.
- - You can bring your work here.
Come on, I'm lonely.
It's just me here.
Yeah, you and 30 staff.
It's not the same.
I'll send the jet.
You can be there
and back in 14 hours.
The Herz divorce, upstairs.
- Let's go.
- I got to go, Bianca.
- Here we are.
- Okay.
I'll say right up front,
this is not about my divorce.
- Is it about your business?
- It's about my reputation
- and it's about this firm.
- Which firm?
-Reddick/Boseman or STR Laurie?-Aren't you all
the same these days?
I keep bouncing
from one to the other.
Yes. Tell us what you need.
I saw this play last night,
and for some reason,
it has my divorce in it.
It has your divorce?
What does that mean?
My divorce from last year?
The one you handled?
- Uh, the one Lucca handled.
- Great.
Circling the wagons
already, David? Noted.
Either my $34 million
in legal fees
matters to you or it doesn't.
- It does.
- Then how the fuck
did the specifics of my divorceend up in this play?
Which parts of your divorce?
My job, my ex-wife,
our reasons for divorcing,
everything is in the play.
Even some of the things
we said in the depos.
They make me look
like an asshole.
And what do you want to do?
Seriously? You need to ask?
I want to sue.
I want to Gawker these assholesoff the stage.
Just give me a second.
Yeah.
I have to head upstairs
in a minute.
- Um...
- What is it?
Duncan Herz?
The pizza king?
Is he getting divorced again?
No. He was satirized in a play,
and now he wants
to sue for defamation.
Tell him to let it go.
Satire just disappearsif you don't give it any oxygen.
- Everybody hates satire.
- Unfortunately,
I recognized the playwright.
He worked here last year,
as an associate.
Who?
Jumaane Jenkins.
Oh, but his name
used to be Alan North.
The one we fired for drug use.
Yes.
Damn.
Does Herz know
he's an ex-associate?
Not yet.
He will sue us.
- Yeah.
- Okay.
Let me take this.
Mr. Herz!
- How are you?
- Adrian.
- Yeah.
- Fine.
- Good.
- What's going on?
Uh, Lucca here filled me
in on the issue here,
and I want to say, uh, I think we have some good news.
We might have a path
to the lawsuit right here.
So, uh, you give us a day,
we'll take a look at the play,
and we'll see
if any privileged information
was taken from our office.
Good. I thought you were gonna
- tell me to drop it.
- Never.
Not when it's this serious.
Great. You'll keep me in touch?
- Will do.
- All right.
Thanks.
Privileged information?
What the fuck?
Was he a lawyer here?
It's somebody we fired.
Jesus, this place
is bush-league.
David...
Fuck you.
Take your opinion upstairs
and see what they say.
So, I don't understand.
The malware only attacks here?
And only when I use
the firm's Wi-Fi.
So someone here
is trying to freeze me out
whenever I ask
"What is Memo 618?"
- No, not here.
- Then where?
Someone upstairs
is blocking my Wi-Fi access?
Their head of litigation:
Bryan Kneef.
- You're kidding. Why?
- My guess is because
you're asking about
what you're asking about.
Memo 618? He knows what it is?
Uh...
Where are you going?
- To ask him.
- To ask him if he knows
about Memo 618?
Yes.
Is that smart?
I don't know anymore.
Hi. I need to speak
to Bryan Kneef.
This way, Ms. Lockhart.
They're waiting for you.
They're... Who's waiting for me?
Everyone.
Diane.
Thank you for coming.
You're welcome.
Uh, was I expected?
Yes. Of course.
Uh, you know what? I don't thinkyou've met, uh, Tom,
Danny, Jim, Roger,
Susan, Linda, Big Tom,
Dana, Nate and Dhruhmil.
Oh, and Bryan Kneef. I think you two know each other.
No. We haven't met.
Just online. Diane.
So there was a student,
Yamaoka, who sought out
a Zen master
and proclaimed, "The mind,
the Buddha, attainment,
"everything is emptiness.
Nothing really exists."
The Zen master picked up
a bamboo stick
and whacked him in the head.
Yamaoka screamed angrily
until the master asked him,
"If nothing really exists, from where did your anger come?"
Um...
Is somebody angry here?
- Bryan?
- I need you to stop
poaching my clients.
- Excuse me?
You know, I explained
that you were made
head of pro bono, so there's
no reason for you to poach.
And yet, she's having her
investigator check my clients.
Wait a minute. I'm only checkingyour clients to figure out
why you are blocking
my Internet access.
- What the hell
are you talking about?
Wait.
Quiet.
We're all on the same team.
Roger, go get a glass of water.-
Bryan, are you blocking
Diane's Internet access?
I am. But only defensively.
Because she's poaching
my clients.
No. That is a lie.
You blocked me when I asked
about Memo 618.
- What is that?
- I don't know.
But I've had
two pro bono cases disappear
when the judge
was given Memo 618.
- It has nothing to do with me.
- No.
Okay, here's whatl suggest. Diane, you won't dig
into Bryan's clients.
Bryan, you won't block
Diane's Internet access.
Understood?
Uh, yes.
- I take no issue with that.
- Yes. Fine.
What was that about?
They want me to stop looking.
- Will you?
- No.
Here.
It's a billing statement.
Kneef had one case with
two years of billable hours,
- but no docket number.
- What?
- A case that disappeared?
- Yes.
And Kneef was losing
when it disappeared.
- I don't see a client.
- No, it's not in the records.
But...
it lists the associate
on the case.
- Yes, ma'am?
- You're not shaving anymore.
I got a special dispensation.
I'm bored.
I want to be entertained.
You want me to sing to you?
No. Tell me a joke.
Man walks into a zoo.
The only animal
in the entire zoo is a dog.
It's a Shih Tzu.
Want me to explain it to you?
No, I get it.
I'm just not laughing.
Caleb Garlin?
Do you have a minute?
You, uh, worked with Bryan Kneef
on a civil suit
that we can't find.
It was about six months ago.
$895,000 in billable hours,
but no mention of the client.
Uh, whatever you tell us, uh,
won't get back to Mr. Kneef.
Oh, I don't care. He's a prick.
Uh, Nola Garnett.
The Tapas Group. Wrongful death.
The docket number was, uh,
57-L-45-20.
Wow. You have a good memory.
I just don't trust
digital archiving.
Um...
I wouldn't leave it on there.
The, uh, Tapas Group was being
sued by the wife of a prisoner
who died while being transported
in the back of one
of their private prison vans.
- So, was there a settlement?
- No, just ended.
Ended in what way?
Kneef was arguing
for a motion to dismiss.
The judge recessed
to review the legal citing
and he never returned.
Uh... He never returned
from the recess?
Correct.
- And no one followed up?
- Well, we didn't.
We were losing,
so it was a gift.
I don't know why the
plaintiffs never followed up.
Was there ever a mention
of a Memo 618?
No. What's that?
Uh, we're not sure.
What was the citing that
the judge wanted to review?
57 U.S.C. 3335.
Kneef had argued it meant
the case was moot.
U.S. Code...?
3335.
Liz?
- What's going on with these?
- What?
There are no pages. Look.
Oh. Yeah, when they remodeled,
it made it easier
to move the books.
Why have law books
if we can't use them?
For looks?
Well, if you need something,
just check online.
This case you were on.
- Who was the plaintiff?
- Uh, hold on.
Um, the wife of the prisoner...
No, what lawyer represented her?
Oh, um, well,
he wasn't much of an attorney.
Who?
Are you sure
I can't offer you two half?
Thank you, no.
You, young lady?
No, thanks. Looks yummy.
It is.
So, what happened
with this prison ban lawsuit?
Well, I represented
Nola Garnett.
Above and beyond.
Never missed a filing deadline.
Made oral arguments
using alliteration
that I wrote out on index cards.
Hmm. But the case
was just dropped?
Mmm.
Through no fault of mine.
And now she is suing me.
- Uh, who is?
- Nola Garnett.
For ineffective assistance.
Me.
Ineffective.
- Can you imagine?
- I can't.
- Because this case
was just dropped?
Mmm.
They never gave me
any kind of explanation.
Did the defense attorney
cite a law... U.S. 3335?
Maybe. I don't know.
But now, in additionto all the rest of my caseload,
I have to defend myself.
Oh. Who is representing you?
Me. Just me.
How about I represent you?
Why would you do that?
Yeah, why?
Well, it sounds like
an injustice was done
to this woman,
but for her to blame,
uh, a lawyer of your stature
just seems like
a further injustice.
Have you much experience
with these type of suits?
Some. Yes.
Thank you.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Mmm.
- Mmm.
- How are you?
- Good.
So, here we are
for some culture.
Cocksucker in Chains?
The asterisk means it's classy.-
So, here we go.
Let me apologize to you
ahead of time.
There's no intermission.
- You fucking kidding me?
- Mm-mm.
Power.
Who owns it? Who loses it?
Who controls it?
We're here tonight
to observe a divorce.
A white, rich man.
$84.5 million
in yearly stock options.
Salary.
His young wife, $48,000.
He's done with her.
Within one year,
she will be dead
from a crack overdose.
- That's bullshit.
- And he?
- She's a chef now.
- The white owner
will get a great tax break
from Donald Trump.
Life in America.
Act one.
We're on your side.
Yes, we are
an African-American firm,
but we're here
to do what you want.
What's wrong?
Dana, you have a minute?-DANA: What do you need?
- That's me.
- We got a divorce here.
We need some of your
Elizabeth Warren energy.
What are you talking about?
It's a character.
- No, look at him.
- We are not political here.
- It's satirizing me.
- "Woke"
is a word for nonlawyers.
We're here to do what you want.
And I'm here to make white
people feel more comfortable.
Do you feel more...
comfortable?
Aden,
get your black ass over here.
- Yes, Miss.
- Uh-huh.
What do you need?
I need you to bend your ass
over my desk.
Yes'm!
I'm gonna fuck you so hard,
it will hurt.
See this?
Lucca.
I need you in early tomorrow.
We need to shut
this motherfucker down.
Gabe Kovac.
He's being sued by his client
for ineffective assistance
of counsel.
- Yeah, well, that makes sense.
- He's an idiot.
Well, yes, but this time,
I don't think
he was in the wrong.
It's this Memo 618 thing.
It seems to allow judges
to discard cases
without a legal citing.
So, you've offered
to represent him pro bono?
- Yes.
- Why?
It's the only way
to get an answer
- about this memo.
- But why do wewant answers
about this memo?
Because cases
are just disappearing.
But that has nothing to do
with our bottom line.
Well, I'm not asking
for your permission.
I'm just filling you in.
Maybe you should be asking
our permission,
- Diane.
- Maybe.
But, uh, I'm not.
What-what was that about?
Nothing.
I just don't like the way
that Diane insinuates
she can just overrule us.
What are you talking about?
She's not overruling us.
What's going on?
I saw this play last night.
That's the one that Herz
is suing over.
It has us in it, too.
- Us?
- Mm-hmm.
-What do you mean?-It's satirizing our firm, Liz.
He has me as some pathetic,
masochistic motherfucker
who's craving domination
from Diane Lockhart?
Diane? She's-she's in it, too?
- Character based on her.
- So, this guy
wrote a play to get back at us. So what?
They gave them
a standing ovation, Liz.
People stood and cheered.
Okay.
Uh, let me take this over.
I think you've lost perspective.
Caleb.
- You wanted
to second chair a case?
- Yes.
Then I need you.
And I am ready to go.
Dad, I know you molested
your secretaries,
- but I'll protect you.
- You all right?
The world still thinks
you're a great man.
- Uh, yeah.
- But I'll protect you.
I'll protect you.
Wow. Thank you for staying
for the talkback.
Uh, I'm Zena.
I'm the dramaturge.
And this is
our illustrious playwright,
Jumaane Jenkins.
He used to be an associate
at the firm?
Yeah. And he was
a bad lawyer, too.
We're gonna open up the floor
for any questions.
Yeah. Down front.
Jumaane, it was...
deep and so challenging to me.
And the patriarchy.
- Thank you.
- Don't stop there.
- Um, what does the play mean?
- Well,
it's about how black people
are given no room
to be themselves,
to speak their truths,
because white people
take up their space.
Wow.
Where do you get your ideas?
Well, I worked at a law firm
for four years.
It was an African-American firm,
but then they brought in
some white attorneys,
and theybrought in
even more white attorneys.
And these days, the place...
You wouldn't recognize it.
I am a marginalized ciswhite woman who has been raped,
and I am offended
by the reverse racism
- in this play.
- Well, ma'am, I'm not here
to say you're not marginalized.-WOMAN: The white women
in this play are all bitches.
You're saying
that all white women
- want to rape black men?
- No.
Uh, I think you should buy
the play on Amazon and read it
or buy another ticket
and see it again if that's
what you got out of this.
No, you say that white people
are the disease,
but I marched
with Black Lives Matter.
Maybe the white people
in your law firm didn't,
- but that does not give you
the right to...
- Well, look, this is
a play about real people,
not types.
Like the divorcing white guy,
he's based on a real client.
- So, I-I see that...
- Wait, did he just say...?
Yep. "Based on."
Not "inspired by."
No. This is a sp...
Huh. This is different.
Yeah, takes everybody
a little while to get used to.
I know you.
I'm here for a deposition.
Oh, right. Downstairs.
How do I know you?
Jumaane Jenkins.
I used to work here.
Oh, you're Alan North.
You're the druggie.
I wasn't a druggie.
Oh, my God,
how they rewrite history here.
- Well, they fired you.
- Because they wanted me out.
Because they didn't want
an independent mind.
Yeah, that's how that works.
In here.
Hello.
Wrong deposition?
Yeah. Upstairs.
You were saying, Mr. Kovacs.
Kovac.
One Kovac.
I just wanted to say
how sorry I am
at the loss of your husband,
Ms. Garnett.
Not sorry enough to offer
effective assistance.
- Objection.
- Uh, you can't object,
- Gabe.
- Then I take...
great exception.
Noted.
When Ms. Garnett's lawsuit
was dismissed,
what steps did you take
to challenge the dismissal?
What steps?
Yes.
Well...
I got... angry.
Good.
And?
And I wrote a very, very,
very detailed letter
to the judge.
Did you get a response?
- Nope.
- Mm.
Did you send it?
Well, no,
but that wasn't my fault.
The mail delivery in my office
has been a disaster.
Do you know that song by Bob
Dylan, "Everything is Broken"?
It's so true.
Mm-hmm. And did you appeal
the judge's ruling?
No, but that wasn't my fault,
either.
There was nothing to appeal.
The judge never ruled.
He just...
counted on me forgetting.
And did you forget it?
No, I thought
the judge was gonna call
the court back into session.
- But he didn't.
- Did you think
something corrupt was going on,
Mr. Kovac?
Ab-About the recess?
No, I...
Yes.
Yes, I did.
I certainly did.
The fix was in.
And did you think
that the defense attorney
was in league with the judge?
I... Yes.
Yes. I mean...
what other explanation is there?
The judge and the defense
were corrupt.
Completely corrupt.
Mm-hmm.
The defense
is your parent company, Diane.
Yes, but I still think
we need to call the defense
attorney, Bryan Kneef,
and...
get some more background.
Yeah.
Wasn't my fault.
- It was his fault.
- Mm.
Call him.
Ah.
This must be important.
We're in
the big conference room.
That's new.
Will your attorney
be joining us, Mr. North?
Jenkins.
I thought that was a pen name.
Jumaane Alan Jenkins
is my birth name.
I went by "Alan North"
when I worked here
because I know how you
all value the bourgeois
signifiers of whiteness.
Dear God.
To your question, Liz,
I'm appearing pro se.
Okay, then.
Mr. Jenkins,
last night,
you told the audience
during a talkback Q&A
that you based your characters
on real-life people.
No, I think you misheard.
Um...
"This play is based
"on real people, not types.
"Uh, like the divorcing
white guy.
He's based on a real client."
What a surprise.
Another white attorney here.
Another white attorney
with a photographic memory.
Um...
given that Mr. Herz
is not a public figure,
basing your character on him
is defamation.
- Is that a question?
- A statement and a question.
Look...
these characters emerged
from my subconscious.
When I saidthey were based on real people,
I meant they were
organically derived composites
of many people I've encountered
- over the years.
- Do you have proof of that?
Do you have proof of not that?
Yes. You admitted that you baseda character on our client.
And to that, I say...
Mr. Herz,
if I've...
accidentally echoed
details from your case,
I'm sorry.
And... I'm totally willing
to take out whatever details
you think refer to you,
specifically.
I don't understand.
Why not take him up on this?
Because...
you said the point was
to stop the play.
Now, if we don't stop it,
it'll still be out there
defaming you.
You said a lawsuit
would turn this
into a bigger deal.
It is already a big deal.
A woman became confrontationalwith the playwright last night.
Their argument was put online.
It's increased interest
in the play.
Look, we'll do
whatever you want, Mr. Herz,
but Jumaane
is only offering you this
because he's worried
we're winning.
- Right.
- All right.
Let's keep going.
Can I speak honestly?
Sure.
I don't think you're acting
in the best interests
of your client.
Really?
You and Liz want to shut
this play down because of what
it says about the two of you,
not about Herz.
I want to shut it down
for the good of our client.
Now, am I personally offended
by it?
You are goddamn right I am.
Do you have a problem with that?
No.
- Marissa.
- Yeah.
Have you heard anything
about this play,
Cocksucker in Chains?
Are you kidding? I've been
telling everyone to go see it.
We're getting a gang together
to see it tonight.
Uh, look,
this-this is what I need.
I-I need you to see
if you can find
any earlier drafts
of the script.
The-the writer is suggesting
that the characters
are composites.
Just... see if they're not.
Okay.
I need you to bend your ass
over my desk.
Yes'm!
Oh, that is so true.
Mmm. How does that feel?
Tell me how much you want me.
Tell me how you want
to be fucked.
So that's you?
Scream like a little bitch,
Counselor.
Your work's more exciting
than I thought.
I want you to hurt me.
How bad?
Make me scream.
Scream like an animal.
- You want to go?
- Maybe.
Wait.
I think this is you again.
I got into the law
because it mattered.
In a world where there was
so much nihilism and cynicism,
the law was a crystal guide,
a path forward.
But every day,
the world chips away at this.
Lawyers get more cynical.
People pay off judges.
They threaten them.
Or the judges just give in.
And then there's nothing.
Emptiness.
What is injustice?
It's people...
giving up.
Oh!
That was...
I mean...
Oh, shh...
Shush.
We probably don't want
to examine that, do we?
I don't.
As you can see,
we have a new playwright
joining us this evening.
Welcome, Marissa.
Hi, everybody.
Tell us how you found your way
to the Chicago Playwrights
Forum.
Well, I admit I'm new to this.
I've mostly written poetry
and song lyrics.
But I recently saw an amazing
play and was so inspired.
And then I read an article
that said
the playwright
used to be a member here.
Here it comes.
Uh, what was the play?
Cocksucker in Chains.
I knew it.
Y-You guys didn't like it?
Okay, first of all, his name is not Jumaane Jenkins.
It's Alan North.
And he didn't invent
being black and gay.
I get it, but don't you think
he was brave to write
- about his drug addiction?
- Please,
that queen has two cosmosand goes home to watch Netflix.
All right, can we try and speak
from a place of generosity
and respect?
He doesn't need it from us.
He's got the Trib
and the Sun-Times.
And Time Out.
Raves. All raves.
- I hate my life.
- Okay,
one of the things
we talk about in this group
is the poison of schadenfreude.
That's actually not the correctusage of "schadenfreude."
The word you want
is "Missgunst."
- Thank you, Avi.
- The point is,
we want to feel good
for our fellow writers
when they succeed.
Why? It's not like
he even gave us
a special thanks in the program.
And we totally rewrote
that play.
So you gave him notes?
Notes?
We basically wrote it for him.
You should see the early drafts.
Pitiful. Craft-free.
Do you still have them?
Actually, I do.
I keep them in a box...
marked "Fraud."
Well, I'd love to read them.
I mean, to learn
about play development.
First draft, second draft,
third, fourth, and fifth.
Wow, that was fast.
Playwrights are easy.
They hate each other.
Want me to stay and read?
No. We're on it.
Okay, good.
Good luck.
Thanks, Marissa.
Oh.
What's that?
Uh, the dildo.
What page?
Uh, 53.
Wow.
I'm a little saucy, aren't I?
Who's Damian supposed to be?
Uh, an associate.
- No, I mean in reality.
- Oh.
Uh, no one.
I mean, n-no one I know.
I...
Yeah, but I seem
to be pursuing him.
"I've never slept
with a white man before.
Have you ever slept
with a black woman?"
"No, but I'm into trying thingsonce."
"They reach for each other
and kiss."
"Whispering,
'Your lips feel different.'"
"Yours, too.
Soft."
Wow. Wh-Whoa.
That took a turn there.
Yeah, I don't know
how they'd do that onstage.
"Control me.
Dominate me."
"He pulls her hair back."
He seems to think that allinterracial relationships are...
are about power.
- Are they?
- I don't know. I've...
I've never been in one.
Have you?
- No.
- No.
We're both just racists.
I think it's probably
a lack of opportunity.
Ah.
Anyway...
Yeah, it's late. Um...
I'm gonna take this home.
Yeah.
That's a good idea.
You know, I-I wasn't tryingto suggest anything when I-I...
Oh, no, I-I... I wasn't, either.
- You know, just working late.
- Right.
Yeah.
Wait.
What?
Where I stopped reading,
the description,
Damian pulls her hair back,
Liz lets out a moan.
Liz?
Yup.
Kurt?
- Huh?
- What time
do you have to be at work?
Why?
Huh.
Mr. Jenkins.
Ah, you got my name right.
That wasn't too hard, now,
was it?
So you stated
that the characters
in your play were composites
of many people you encount...?
- No.
- Caleb.
Uh, "these characters emerged
from my subconscious.
They were organically-derived
composites that..."
- Thank you, Mr. Memory.
- But as you can see
from these earlier drafts
of your play right here,
you named the characters...
by their real names.
Liz, Adrian, Diane.
Yes, but...
I threw those thoughts away, and
created new characters.
The characters are the same.
And if you were a better lawyer, you would know
that right now, you are...
What's the Latin term?
Um...
Fucked.
Oh, my God, I'm sorry for
my lateness.
I, uh... I got held up.
I'm objecting to this subpoena.
You and I are
from the same firm.
Yes, and you're just hereto offer background, Mr. Kneef.
You're, uh... you're not
the defendant, so... relax.
Have a seat.
So, hello.
Hello.
Mr. Kneef, um,
you called a recess
in the case of
Nola Garnett v. Tapas Group,
docket number 45-L-7820.
That was a question, sir.
I have no answer.
You have no answer as to whetheryou called the recess?
I have no answer
to your question.
All right. Did you not cite
57 U.S. Code 3335
- in requesting this recess?
- Nope.
No, you did not?
No, I requested your ass.
And-and what does that mean?
It means your ass.
Are you refusing to answer?
No, I am answering.
I have requested your ass.
Do you want me
to spell it out for you?
I have asked you
whether you cited a legal ruling
in requesting this recess?
- Yes, and I have answered.
- Would you like me to call
the judge and insist
on your compliance?
- I would like you
to call your ass.
- Are you getting this?
Oh, here, let me help you.
I have told the plaintiff's
lawyer to call her own ass.
And people make fun
of the way I practice law.
Just answer the question, sir.
We can get out of here
a lot faster.
We'll get to your assfaster.
What is Memo 618?
Have I not made it clear?
It-It's your ass.
Memo 618 is your ass.
When you're dead,
and you're on the autopsy table,
and they're taking photos
of your body,
when they come to your ass,
that's Memo 618.
Next time you come for me,
remember...
We have your ass.
What the hell was that?
Mr. Firth?
May I help you?
Yes, Diane.
Do you have a moment?
Oh, sure, but I could have
come up to your office.
Why are you representing
Gabe Kovac?
We go back a long way.
Shall we be honest
with each other?
Um...
Okay.
Is there some sort of, um...
get-out-of-jail-free card
for, uh,
rich and powerful clients?
Not that I'm aware of.
Why do you ask?
Well, you assign me
to pro bono cases,
and you want me to do my best?
- Yes, of course.
- Right.
Well, there is something
going on
whereby certain people,
rich and powerful people,
don't have to comply
with subpoenas
or judicial rulings,
and can end a lawsuit
if they thinkthe ruling will go against them.
You've experienced this?
Yes.
And Bryan Kneef,
one of your lawyers upstairs,
seems to have benefited
from one of those cases.
-And you're investigating this?-Yes.
Now, I'm sure you will agree
that we should all be subject
to the same system of justice.
But we're not.
If I'm given a subpoena,
I have to comply.
I have to answer honestly.
And if I don't,
I should be prosecuted.
That is the only way
that the system works.
And if it doesn't work that way,
then the country breaks down.
It's over.
We're done.
Now, you've given me, um, control of these pro bono cases,
and this is essential
to my involvement
in these cases.
Okay.
Just keep me in touch.
Uh, Diane, I know that it seems
like I am the enemy, but...
sometimes...
I don't even know what's
going on in my own law firm.
Understood.
Lucca Quinn.
Mister... Mr. Firth.
Uh, what are...
what are your...?
Uh, I would have come up.
Mm, I know. I know.
- Can I get you anything?
- No.
Well, I see that you got one
of these new desks.
- Yes.
- Ah. You like it?
No.
Um... No.
Oh. Hmm.
Um, Bianca Skye wants you
to help her
with a real estate purchase
in Saint Lucia.
What?
Bianca Skye has
a multimillion dollar purchase
in Saint Lucia.
Seems there's some tax issue.
I suggested David Lee,
but she wanted you.
There's no purchase there, sir.
How do you mean?
She's just lonely from her-herdivorce. She-she wants a friend.
Do you not want to go?
No. I just...
I want to be useful to the firm.
Then, go.
You'll earn $850 an hour,
including travel.
More importantly, you'll keep
our top client happy.
I feel like
I'm being prostituted, sir.
Hmm.
For ten years,
Marlon Brando wanted me
by his side
on his island, Tetiaroa,
just in case any legal issues
came up.
There were nolegal issues...
ever.
All I did all day was sit
on a beach and drink Mai Tais.
Know why he wanted me there?
A year earlier,
I had made a-a funny
knock-knock joke in a meeting.
I made him laugh.
The rich are not like us.
They are the cheapest people
on Earth...
until they want a friend.
She wants... a friend,
so I need you to go
and be that friend.
Diane?
In here.
The music's a little loud.
I was thinking that, uh,
maybe we should...
Hello, big boy.
It's a joke.
Ah.
So...
What went wrong?
Nothing.
Men are different.
They can't just
turn it on and off.
But last night,
we had the best sex ever.
What was that about? You?
No.
I'm not real.
You know my worry.
What?
That it's a racial thing.
Kurt was aroused seeing me
dominate
an African-American man.
No.
He was seeing me dominate
an African-American man.
Yeah, but you're not real.
He saw you and me
having sex
in front of 300 theatergoers.
How do you know
that wasn't the turn-on?
So he's an exhibitionist?
No. People
can be turned on by things
and not be that all the time.
Yes, but last night...
that was like our first time.
Because it was different.
But don't copy me.
He doesn't want you to be me.
Why not change?
To what?
You saw what they did
to people who crossed them.
That Uber driver was white.
Are they really gonna smear
a black judge?
Are you crazy?
Of course they will.
You're a conservative
black judge.
You're not a dime a dozen.
So what are you advising?
Be an honest judge.
Be what you always wanted to bewhen you got on the bench.
Go to him.
No.
He wants to fuckyou.
He's never been
with a black woman before.
- I'm his boss.
- Oh. So?
He doesn't mind.
He already said he doesn't mind.
You know,
life is not like a play.
There's no Human Resources
in a play.
Invite him to a bar for a drink.
Say you want to get
some work done there.
Or... just go by the door,
say you're heading out.
I betcha he says,
"You want some company?"
- Yeah, I bet he doesn't.
- Then do it.
Don't you find him sexy?
There you go.
Grab your coat.
Hey.
I'm heading out.
- How's it going?
- Going good.
Yeah.
You want some company?
Uh, no, I'm fine.
See you tomorrow.
- Okay. Take care.
- Hmm.
Liz!
Liz!
Oh, God help me.
I have just one witness
to depose.
Great.
Who?
You.
Sure.
Take one last crack at me.
It's your money.
Please state your name
and occupation for the record.
Adrian Boseman,
- partner and attorney.
- Mr. Boseman,
after I offered to make changesto the play
to satisfy Mr. Herz,
how did you advise him?
I think that would fall clearlyunder the heading
of privileged communication.
Mm.
Given that
I was willing
to change whatever traits he
found offensive, I'm wondering
- what impeded the settlement.
- The remedy that you proposed
was obviously insufficient
to undo the harm you caused.
To whom, Adrian?
- To our client.
- Is it possible
that the harm,
as you perceived it,
wasn't to your client
but to yourself?
It's possible.
- It just isn't true.
- Is it possible
you've been using your client asa means of silencing my voice?
I'm gonna object
to that question.
You know,
you really give yourself...
far too much credit, son.
Your voice isn't that important.
Mr. Herz, this firm is using youto advance their cause.
- Please do not speak
to our client.
- Think about it.
I'm giving you what you want.
If they want something more,
let them sue.
That is a lie.
Let's... let's take a break.
Hey.
Hi.
- Herz wants out?
- Yeah.
Looks like it.
Look, I, um...
you know,
I-I don't want us to feel...
uh, I don't know, uncomfortable,
-so I'll just say it.-Oh, uh, no, you don't have to.
- We were drinking.
- Yeah, and,
uh, I am your boss.
So, um...
we're good together?
G-Good?
I mean, we're cool?
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, we're cool.
- Okay.
- Yeah.
Oh, that wasn't awkward at all.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Tomorrow.
Greetings,
Lockhart the Lionhearted.
Hello, Gabe.
Um... we don't have
a deposition today.
We don't have a deposition
at all anymore.
Nola Garnett
dropped her suit against me.
- What?
- Mm-hmm.
- When?
- This morning.
The Tapas Fund settled
her lawsuit.
A million eight.
And I am on board
for a third of that.
They settled?
Yes, and, Diane, I...
I wanted to thank you.
I could've cut you a check,
but, as they say,
"Who steals my purse
steals trash."
So...
I wanted to do something...
a little bit more, uh...
personal.
Gabe, I-I...
I don't know anything
about taking care of a bird.
It's no big deal.
Fresh fruit twice a day
and a steady supply of toys
so it doesn't get bored.
I love you, Diane.
You... are... the best.
It's okay.
You'll be fine.
Hello?
Hello.
- You looking for me?
- No.
I've already found you.
Handsome set of dueling pistols.
I'm guessing English,
mid-19th century?
Who are you?
I won't keep you a minute.
We think you should have a chatwith your wife.
Beatrice?
Your wife's seeking
to undermine policy.
If you don't handle it, we will.
Who are you?
A visitor.
Uh, this is Kurt McVeigh.
I've got a strange man
in my office, TR-768.
Can you send security?
You might emphasize to your wife
she's not a government employee,
so she's not covered
by whistleblower protection.
You, on the other hand, serve
at the will of the president.
Get the fuck out of here.
How was he able
to get into your office?
I don't know.
I checked with security...
They never let him in.
And he didn't say
where he was from?
No.
You're worried.
Well...
my only regret from last year
was not taking the threat to youmore seriously.
Oh...
That wouldn't have made
any difference.
Well, you could have
stopped working
with your political nuts.
This is different.
This...
this isn't about politics.
I just...
don't...
What?
What?
I don't want to lose you.
I don't want to be lost.
I'll drop it.
- Wait.
- What?
Wait.
Wait.
What are you doing?
Just give me one more minute.
Howdy.
Wow.
Yep.
You just lie back there, cowboy.
Are you ready?
Let's ride, Hoss.
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