The Guardian (2001–2004): Season 1, Episode 21 - The Chinese Wall - full transcript

Narrator:
PREVIOUSLY O THE GUARDIAN

I HAD TO PROMISE GERSH
THAT YOU WOULD NEVER

BE INVOLVED WITH ANY
PUBLIC SECURITIES.

TELL ME, BURTON,
IS THERE STILL A PLACE
FOR ME HERE?

THAT'S UP TO YOU.

BRIAN ASKED ME.

WHAT?

TO MARRY HIM.

IT JUST ALL SEEMS
LIKE SO MUCH, YOU KNOW?

I DON'T THINK I WANT TO DO
WHAT I'M ABOUT TO DO.

IF I GET THIS JUDGESHIP,
I WANT YOU TO HAVE
THE FIRM.



YOU GET ME WHAT I WANT
WHEN I WANT AT MY PRICE.

THEN I WON'T BE MISSING
YOUR FATHER.

YOU GOT A PROBLEM,
ALL RIGHT? NOW FIX IT.

Burton: SO, JAKE NEGOTIATED
THIS DEAL,

AND MEYERS IS PLEASED.
THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS.

I'VE GOT TO KNOW THAT
WHOEVER TAKES OVER
FOR ME

FEELS EXACTLY
THE SAME WAY.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

YEAH.

DO YOU HAVE
A SECOND?

UH, IT'S NOT
A GOOD TIME REALLY.

MY GRANDMOTHER FELL
AND BROKE HER LEG
IN HER NURSING HOME,

AND I HAVE TO GO.

I'M SORRY.



CAN WE TALK LATER?

OKAY, SURE.

UH, NICK.

WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY...

THAT WAS A MISTAKE.

I TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY
FOR WHAT I DID,

BUT I SHOULDN'T HAVE
DONE IT.

I WAS NERVOUS ABOUT THE HOUSE
AND ABOUT GETTING MARRIED,

AND... AND I WAS...
AND I AM CURIOUS ABOUT YOU.

I'VE BEEN CURIOUS,

AND, WELL, I GUESS
YOU WERE KINDA LIKE
MY BACHELORETTE PARTY.

I WAS WHAT?

I MEAN, NOT LIKE...
I DIDN'T MEAN IT LIKE THAT.

NO, IT'S...

GOD, THAT WAS CRUEL
AND STUPID,

AND I DIDN'T MEAN
TO COMPARE YOU
TO SOMETHING LIKE THAT,

SOMETHING THAT'S SO...
JUST...

MEANINGLESS?

IT WASN'T.

I'M GONNA MARRY BRIAN
AND LIVE IN THAT HOUSE
WITH HIM,

AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT
TO DO WITH MY LIFE.

I GUESS
WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY

IS THAT WE SHOULDN'T REALLY
SEE EACH OTHER ANYMORE,
YOU KNOW?

AT ALL, IF WE CAN HELP IT.

YOU GUESS?

NO, I KNOW.

OKAY.

I'M SORRY. I GOTTA GO.

OKAY, SURE.

Judge: I AM SENTENCING YOU

TO 1,500 HOURS
OF COMMUNITY SERVICE.

USING YOUR SKILLS
AS A CORPORATE ATTORNEY,

YOU'LL WORK
AS A CHILD ADVOCATE.

UH, PRELIMINARY SAMPLES
SHOWED TRACES OF BENZENE,

TOLUENE, AND SULFURIC ACID
IN THE SOIL.

Nick: MR. VAN GERGEN,
THERE ARE UNDERGROUND
STORAGE TANKS

THAT LEAK GASOLINE

AND DISCARDED COKE
FROM THE COAL MINE.

HOW MUCH TO CLEAN IT UP?

THE IMPACT
ASSESSMENT REPORT
SUGGESTS TWO, THREE MILLION.

AH, TOO RISKY.

UH, CUT THE OFFER
TO 12 MILLION.

8 MONTHS AGO, THAT
PROPERTY WAS APPRAISED IN
ESCROW AT 20 MILLION.

8 MONTHS AGO, THERE WEREN'T
3 SEPARATE CITIZEN GROUPS
PROTESTING A DEVELOPMENT.

8 MONTHS AGO, THEY DIDN'T
KNOW ABOUT THE LEVELS
OF TOXIC BUILDUP THERE.

12 IT IS.

I WANT TO BUY
VEXTUS CORPORATION.

ARE THEY FOR SALE?

NO.

SO THIS IS HOSTILE?

FILE THE TENDER OFFER
DOCUMENTS WITH
THE S.E.C.

AND GET
THIS THING ROLLIN'.

IS THERE A PROBLEM?

NO PROBLEM.

YOU KNOW, I STARTED WITH
MY LAST ATTORNEY WHEN
HE WAS ABOUT YOUR AGE.

WHY'D YOU LEAVE?

HE DID GOOD DEALS,
NOT GREAT ONES.

HE LIKED PLAYING GOLF
AND SENDING PRESENTS,

THOUGHT BEING SLICK
WAS A DECENT EXCUSE FOR
MISSIN' THE SMALL STUFF.

I GET IT.

I DON'T WANT
TO BE FRIENDS, NICK.

I'LL CALL
THE RAILROAD'S ATTORNEY
AND SET UP A MEETING.

GREAT.

HEY. I JUST LEFT
A MEETING WITH MEYERS.

OKAY.

HE WANTS TO ORCHESTRATE
A HOSTILE TAKEOVER
OF VEXTUS,

AND HE WANTS
ME TO TAKE THE LEAD.

DID YOU TELL HIM
YOU CAN'T DO SECURITIES WORK?

WELL, I WAS THINKING,

MAYBE WE COULD, UH,
WORK TOGETHER ON THIS.

I CAN'T DO ANYTHING
TILL AFTER 4:00.

OKAY, WELL, I'LL CLEAR IT
WITH BURTON.

DID YOUR FATHER
GET THE APPOINTMENT?

DON'T KNOW.

NICK FALLIN, RIGHT?

YEAH.

MITCHELL LICHTMAN.

WE'RE GONNA BE
WORKING TOGETHER.

WE ARE?
YEAH.

MY BOSS AND I
HAVE BEEN LOOKING
FORWARD TO THIS DAY

FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

Jake: WHAT'S
SENATOR CALDWELL
DOING HERE?

Nick: I DON'T KNOW.

MORNIN', EVERYBODY.

UH, IF I COULD
HAVE YOUR ATTENTION
FOR JUST A SECOND HERE,

IT GIVES ME A GREAT DEAL
OF PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE

OUR NEW SENIOR PARTNER,

SENATOR NATHAN CALDWELL.

THAT'S FORMER SENATOR,
BURTON.

GOTTA REMEMBER THAT.

AND OUR NEW ASSOCIATE.

HE WAS THE CHIEF
OF STAFF FOR THE SENATOR

AT THE STATE SENATE.

UH, YALE LAW,
CLASS OF '93,
IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN,

MITCHELL LICHTMAN.

MITCH?

I'M JUST HERE
TO BE A TEAM PLAYER,

AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD
TO WORKING WITH EVERY ONE
OF YOU.

GOOD TO KNOW, YEAH.
NATHAN, YOU WANT TO SAY
A COUPLE OF WORDS?

WELL, SURE,
THANK YOU, BURTON. UM...

I HAD THE HONOR
OF BEING A PUBLIC SERVANT

FOR THE COMMONWEALTH
OF PENNSYLVANIA
FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS.

BUT AS REWARDING
AND EXCITING

AS PUBLIC SERVICE WAS,

TOO OFTEN, IT WAS ABOUT
WATCHING YOUR BACK

INSTEAD OF DOING
YOUR JOB.

(LAUGHING)

SO, I'M HAPPY AND PROUD

TO BE JOINING
THIS PRESTIGIOUS FIRM

AND GETTING THE CHANCE
TO PRACTICE

IN OUR NOBLE PROFESSION
ONCE AGAIN,

WHERE IT'S ALL
ABOUT THE WORK

AND NOT ABOUT THE POLITICS,

SO I THANK YOU.

EXCUSE ME.

I'M LOOKING
FOR ROSE VALENT'S ROOM.

THANK YOU.

HEY, NANA.

NANA,

IT'S LULU.

ARE YOU GOING
TO WEAR THAT?

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

TO SCHOOL.
THAT OUTFIT?

(SIGHS)

WELL, WHAT'S WRONG WITH
WHAT I'M WEARING, HUH?

PANTS, CAROLINE?

IN SCHOOL?

YOU CAN'T WEAR PANTS.

I'M LULU, NANA.

AND THAT SHIRT.

I CAN ALMOST SEE
YOUR BREASTS.

I CAN SEE DOWN YOUR SHIRT.

OKAY, I'LL CHANGE.

PRINCIPAL EVANS
IS GOING TO JUST SEND YOU
RIGHT BACK HOME.

THE MINUTE YOU WALK
INTO THE SCHOOL,

HE'LL JUST CALL ME
AND MAKE ME COME
AND GET YOU.

OKAY, I'M GONNA CHANGE
MY CLOTHES.

OH, WHAT HAPPENED,
NANA, HUH?

DID YOU FALL?

WHEN?

YESTERDAY.
DID YOU FALL?

I... I DID NO SUCH THING.

WELL, WHAT HAPPENED?

I LOCKED UP THE SHOP
AT 5:30.

I WAS HOME AT 5:45
TO MAKE DINNER
FOR YOUR FATHER.

I CERTAINLY DID NOT STOP
AT MARIANNE'S HOUSE
TO PLAY CARDS.

NANA, NANA,
LISTEN TO ME.

YOU BROKE YOUR LEG.

I DID?

YES, AND THE MAN
AT THE NURSING HOME

SAID THAT YOU FELL
OUT OF YOUR BED.

I FOUGHT HIM,

AND I...

I... I PLAYED DEAD
LIKE A POSSUM.

I PLAYED DEAD
SO HE'D STOP.

WHAT?

I SOILED MYSELF.

I... I WANTED NEW SHEETS.

OH, CAROLINE,

PLEASE CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES
BEFORE YOUR FATHER
COMES DOWN.

HE'LL BE SO UPSET WITH ME
FOR LETTING YOU
DRESS THAT WAY.

Lulu: OH, MY GOD.

NANA,

WAS SOMEONE CHOKING YOU?

QUICK,

LIKE A BUNNY, CAROLINE.
QUICK.

NANA.

(SOFTLY) I LOVE YOU.

I LOVE YOU, TOO.

SENATOR CALDWELL
ASKED MITCHELL

TO GO THROUGH
OUR CLIENT LIST

TO LOOK FOR SOME
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS,

AND EVIDENTLY,
THEY FOUND SOME PROBLEM.

OKAY.

IT'S VAN GERGEN.

WHAT ABOUT HIM?

I'M AFRAID WE CAN'T
REPRESENT HIM RIGHT NOW.

WHAT?

YOU GOTTA DROP HIM.

WELL, I'VE BEEN TRYING
TO LAND HIM FOR 2 YEARS.

HE'S THE BIGGEST DEVELOPER
IN THE CITY.

I'M NOT JUST GONNA DROP HIM.

THIS FIRM
CANNOT BE INVOLVED WITH
THE ANGEL'S LANDING DEAL.

IT'S THE ONLY DEAL
I HAVE WITH HIM.

IF YOU GO FORWARD,
YOU WILL EXPOSE
THE SENATOR

TO POTENTIAL
CRIMINAL LIABILITY.

BUILD A CHINESE WALL
AROUND YOURSELF.

I'M NOT COMFORTABLE
WITH THAT.

WHY ARE YOU LETTING
THESE GUYS JUST WALK IN HERE
AND CALL THE SHOTS?

WAIT, SON...

IF THE SENATOR'S DEALINGS
AS A LEGISLATOR

PRESENTS A PROBLEM TO HIS
WORK IN PRIVATE PRACTICE,

THEN THE SENATOR
SHOULDN'T BE HERE.

NATHAN, MITCHELL,
WOULD YOU EXCUSE US FOR
JUST A SECOND, PLEASE?

SURE.

WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?
(DOOR CLOSES)

I'M SORRY
ABOUT THIS, NICK.

YOU TELL CALDWELL
TO PUSH BACK A FEW WEEKS.

LOOK, I KNOW VAN GERGEN
IS A BIG CLIENT,

BUT CALDWELL
WILL BRING IN
10 MORE JUST LIKE HIM.

YES, BUT THEY WILL BE
CALDWELL'S CLIENTS.

NICHOLAS,
SOMETIMES YOU...

YOU GOTTA THINK
ABOUT THE FIRM.

(DOOR OPENING)

(SIGHS)

I KNOW YOU'RE UPSET.

THE SENATOR PROMISES
HE WILL MAKE IT UP TO YOU.

WE WANT TO SET UP
A GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
OFFICE HERE AT FALLIN.

WE THINK YOU WOULD BE
A GREAT LOBBYIST.

I DON'T LIKE POLITICS.

LISTEN, NICK,
I KNOW YOU DON'T LIKE
ME BEING HERE, OKAY?

BELIEVE ME,
I WOULD MUCH RATHER
BE BACK IN HARRISBURG.

AS FAR AS THIS
ANGEL'S LANDING DEAL GOES,
YOU GOTTA UNDERSTAND,

THE SENATOR AND I
WERE INTIMATELY INVOLVED
WITH THIS.

WE'RE NOT NITPICKING HERE.
WE'RE JUST DOING WHAT'S RIGHT.

YOU'RE COSTING ME
A MILLION-DOLLAR-A-YEAR
CLIENT.

THIS CHINESE WALL...

HOW DO YOU PROPOSE
DOING THAT?

YOU AND THE SENATOR
WILL BE KEPT OUT
OF ALL DEALINGS

IN REGARDS
TO THIS PROPERTY.
NO CORRESPONDENCE.

I WOULD DISTRIBUTE
A MEMO FIRM-WIDE

STATING THAT
NO INFORMATION,
NO INFORMATION

IN REGARDS TO THIS DEAL

WILL PASS BY YOUR EYES.

THIS WOULD LEAVE
THE SENATOR AT RISK.

IF WE DISCLOSE
A LEGISLATIVE SECRET
AND GET CAUGHT, IT'S A FELONY.

THE ONLY WAY HE WOULD
BE IN TROUBLE IS IF
HE OPENED HIS MOUTH,

OR YOU.

YOU TWO ARE IN
COMPLETE CONTROL

AS TO WHETHER YOU REVEAL
ANY LEGISLATIVE SECRET.

IF I CAN GET THE SENATOR
TO AGREE TO THIS...

YES?

YOU SHARE VAN GERGEN
WITH ME

FROM NOW ON.

I THOUGHT YOU COULDN'T
HAVE ANY INVOLVEMENT.

NOT WITH THIS DEAL.

BUT WITH EVERY DEAL
THAT FOLLOWS.

THIS IS VERY CONVENIENT
FOR YOU.

YOU CREATE A CONFLICT,

YOU COMPROMISE
MY CLIENT,

AND YOU PROFIT
FROM FIXING IT.

DO WE HAVE A DEAL OR NOT?

HAVE WE MET?

I'M LOUISA ARCHER.

MY GRANDMOTHER, ROSE,
IS A RESIDENT HERE.

COULD YOU COME BACK IN,
SAY, ABOUT HALF AN HOUR?

I'M LEANIN' TOWARD
THE MANUAL CRANKS, THOUGH.

ELECTRICAL UNITS
ALWAYS BREAK.

SO, OF COURSE,
WE SPOKE EARLIER TODAY.

THAT'S RIGHT,
AND YOU TOLD ME THAT
SHE FELL OUT OF HER BED.

THAT'S WHAT
MY STAFF REPORTED.

SHE HAS BRUISES
ALL OVER HER NECK
AND ALL OVER HER ARMS,

LIKE SHE WAS
PINNED DOWN
OR SOMETHING,

AND SHE TOLD ME
THAT SHE WAS ATTACKED

BECAUSE SHE WET HER BED.

MS. ARCHER, IF...
IF I THOUGHT THAT
ANY OF MY EMPLOYEES

WAS CAPABLE OF SUCH A THING,

I WOULD IMMEDIATELY
SUSPEND THEM

AND REPORT THE MATTER
TO THE AUTHORITIES.

YOU SHOULD MAYBE
COME WITH ME.

WE KEEP
THE STROKE VICTIMS

AND THE ALZHEIMER'S
PATIENTS DOWN
IN THIS WARD.

NOW, MOST OF THE TIME,

THEY DON'T KNOW
WHAT TIME IT IS
OR WHERE THEY ARE.

( RICKI LAKE SHOW
PLAYS ON TV)

HEY, RUTHIE.

UNFORTUNATELY,
THERE'S A HIGH
INCIDENCE OF ACCIDENTS,

ESPECIALLY AMONG
ALZHEIMER'S PATIENTS.

THE DISEASE
AFFECTS BRAIN FUNCTION,

SO IT'S NOT UNCOMMON
FOR ONE OF OUR RESIDENTS
TO FALL.

NO ONE ON OUR STAFF

WOULD INTENTIONALLY HARM
A PATIENT, MS. ARCHER,

I ASSURE YOU.

WELL, I APPRECIATE THAT.

I'M... I FEEL MUCH BETTER.

THANK YOU.

WHEN A LOVED ONE
IS IN THIS POSITION,

WE OFTEN FEEL GUILTY
ABOUT IT.

SOMETIMES WE WANT
TO BLAME OTHER PEOPLE

FOR WHAT IS REALLY
JUST HAPPENING NATURALLY.

Woman on P.A.: MR. PATTEN,
PHONE CALL. MR. PATTEN.

EXCUSE ME.

ALICE?

OH, ARE YOU HERE
TO PLAY THE PIANO?

ALICE, I'M ROSE'S
GRANDDAUGHTER, LULU.

OH, HOW IS SHE?

WELL, SHE BROKE HER LEG,

BUT THEY'RE GONNA
BRING HERE BACK HERE
THIS AFTERNOON.

OH.

UM, ALICE,

I WAS WONDERING
IF I COULD TALK
TO YOU ABOUT HER.

SHE TOLD ME SHE WAS GONNA
SLIT MY THROAT.

ROSE SAID THAT?

SHE TOLD ME
SHE'S GONNA DO IT

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
WHEN I'M ASLEEP.

OH, NO, NO, NO.

OH, SHE CAN BE NICE.

BUT SOME DAYS,
SHE CAN BE VERY ABUSIVE.

SHE HAS ALZHEIMER'S,
YOU KNOW.

SO DOES EVERYBODY ELSE
AROUND HERE.

ALICE, SHE SAID
SOMETHING TO ME ABOUT
ONE OF THE ORDERLIES

ATTACKING HER
LAST NIGHT.

DID YOU SEE ANYTHING?

THE MAN THAT DOES NIGHTS,

HE JUST STARTED HERE,

AND HE DOESN'T WANT
TO PUT HER DIAPER ON.

ROSE PEED THE BED,

STARTED TO CALL OUT.
NO ONE CAME.

SO, SHE GOT LOUDER
AND LOUDER,

AND FINALLY
THE MAN COME IN THE ROOM

AND TOLD HER TO SHUT UP,

AND ROSE
YELLED BACK AT HIM,

AND HE GRABBED HER
ROUND THE NECK

AND PICKED HER UP
AND DROPPED HER
ON THE FLOOR.

AND YOU SAW ALL OF THIS?

ALICE?

ALICE, DID YOU KNOW
THAT MAN'S NAME?

DID YOU SAY THAT
HE WORKS HERE AT NIGHT?

(KNOCK ON DOOR)
YEAH.

BURTON.

UH, THANKS AGAIN
FOR GIVING ME
THE WADE MEYERS ACCOUNT.

WELL,
YOU DESERVE IT, JAKE.

HE WOULD'VE WALKED
IF YOU HADN'T
PULLED OFF THAT DEAL.

WELL, THANKS.

UM, HE JUST...
HE CAME IN,

AND, UM...

WHAT?

WADE MEYERS. HE WANTS ME
TO TAKE THE LEAD

IN A HOSTILE TAKEOVER
WITH VEXTUS.

YOU TELL HIM
ABOUT YOUR SITUATION?

NO, UH...

NO.

I'LL CALL HIM RIGHT NOW.

WELL, I WAS HOPING
MAYBE, UM,

I MEAN, I WAS HOPING
THAT YOU'LL LET ME

CHOOSE SOMEONE TO
COVER THE DEAL FOR ME

AND LET ME WORK
BEHIND THE SCENES.

JAKE, WE AGREED
WITH THE S.E.C.

THAT YOU WON'T DO ANY
PUBLIC SECURITIES WORK.

WELL, AT LEAST,
WOULD YOU LET ME
HAND IT OFF TO SOMEONE?

I MEAN, I DID
HOLD ON TO HIM.
I DID KEEP HIM HERE.

(DOOR OPENS)

Burton: HELLO, NATHAN.
THIS IS JAKE STRAKA.

PLEASURE TO MEET YOU,
MR. STRAKA.

YES, I THINK
THE WORK YOU DID
IN THE STATE SENATE

WAS TERRIFIC,
REALLY TERRIFIC,

AND I'M JUST REALLY
EXCITED TO BE
WORKING WITH YOU.

APPRECIATE IT.

WELL, OKAY.
UH, THANKS.

SO, NATHAN,

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED
NICK'S PROPOSITION?

I HAVE.
AND?

WELL...

I'M THE ONLY PERSON
AT RISK HERE, NICHOLAS,

MYSELF AND MITCHELL.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.

SO, A FEW GROUND RULES.

IF I SEE ANYTHING,

ANYTHING AT ALL,

OR IF I EVEN SUSPECT
THAT THERE'S BEEN

SOME SORT OF SLIP
OR MISUNDERSTANDING,

YOU TERMINATE
YOUR REPRESENTATION
IMMEDIATELY.

MEANWHILE,
I'LL ALSO BE SEEKING

A CONFIDENTIAL
ADVISORY OPINION

FROM THE STATE
ETHICS COMMISSION.

OF COURSE.

OKAY?

YEAH, GREAT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

WELL, IT DEPENDS
ON WHAT THE STATE'S
PLANNING TO DO.

THAT PROPERTY
COULD BE VIRTUALLY
WORTHLESS OR...

OR IT COULD BE WORTH
A WHOLE LOT MORE

THAN THE RAILROAD
IS ASKING.

WELL, THEN I SUGGEST
YOU FIND A WAY

TO PROTECT
YOUR CLIENT UNDER
EITHER SCENARIO.

BY THE WAY,
WHAT, UH, WHAT'D
YOU TRADE HIM?

EXCUSE ME?

THE KID, MITCHELL.

WHAT KIND OF DEAL
YOU MAKE WITH HIM?

CUT HIM IN
ON VAN GERGEN.

HOW MUCH?

HALF THE SOURCE CREDIT
OF ALL FUTURE WORK.

(DOOR CLOSES)

MITCHELL,
JAKE STRAKA.

YEAH, WE MET.

YEAH, DO YOU
HAVE A SECOND?

THANKS.

I HAVE A PROPOSAL.

OKAY.

YOU EVER DO
ANY SECURITIES WORK?

A BIT WHEN I WAS
WITH SAGER AND TREMAINE.

I HAVE A CLIENT,
WADE MEYERS.

HE'S PLANNING
A TAKEOVER

AND WANTS ME
TO OVERSEE THE DEAL.

WHAT'S YOUR PROPOSAL?

I WANT TO SHARE
THE DEAL WITH YOU
AND THE SENATOR.

THE DEAL OR THE CLIENT?
THE DEAL.

AND WHAT DO WE DO
FOR YOU?

WELL,
I HAPPEN TO KNOW

THAT STATE LAW
PROHIBITS YOU

AND SENATOR CALDWELL
FROM PRACTICING

ANY LOBBYING WORK
FOR ONE YEAR,

AND I'D BE STUPID
IF I DIDN'T ASSUME

THE TWO OF YOU
GOING BACK INTO
PRIVATE PRACTICE

DIDN'T MEAN THAT YOU
WANTED TO SET UP

A GOVERNMENT
RELATIONS DEPARTMENT.

OKAY.

SO MAKE ME
THE POINT MAN ON THIS.

REGISTER ME
AS A LOBBYIST

AND CUT ME IN FOR
ONE THIRD OF THE BUSINESS.

FOR ONE DEAL?

FOR WADE MEYERS.

YOU'LL GIVE HIM TO US?

IF THE SENATOR GOES
FOR MY PROPOSAL.

OKAY, JAKE, ONE QUESTION.

IS HE YOURS TO GIVE?

YES, I BELIEVE HE IS.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

(DOOR OPENS)

I THINK MY
GRANDMOTHER WAS ATTACKED
IN HER NURSING HOME.

YOU THINK?

MY GRANDMOTHER TOLD ME,
AND HER ROOMMATE
CONFIRMED IT.

HAVE YOU FILED
A COMPLAINT?

I CALLED THE POLICE,
AND THEY REFERRED ME

TO THE DEPARTMENT
OF AGING.

WHAT'D THEY DO?

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

THEY SAID THERE'S
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
TO FILE A REPORT.

WHERE'S YOUR GRANDMA NOW?

THEY'RE GONNA
SEND HER BACK THERE
THIS AFTERNOON.

YOU'VE GOTTA
GET HER OUT OF THERE.

I CAN'T.
I'M NOT HER GUARDIAN.

MY MOTHER...

MY MOTHER MOVED UP
TO VERMONT

WITH SOME GUY
NAMED GLENN,

AND SHE BASICALLY
BLEW MY GRANDMOTHER OFF.

SHE LEFT HER
IN THE HOME,

AND SHE TURNED
HER CARE OVER

TO SOME CORPORATION
IN HARRISBURG
WHO WON'T MOVE HER.

WELL, I CAN HELP YOU
FILE A PETITION

TO APPOINT YOU
THE NEW GUARDIAN.

YEAH.

WHAT IS IT?

EVEN IF I GET HER
OUT OF THERE,

I CAN'T AFFORD TO
PUT HER IN A BETTER HOME.

YOU CAN ALWAYS FILE
A LAWSUIT AGAINST
THE NURSING HOME

TO PAY DOWN
HER NEW ACCOMMODATIONS.

MR. FALLIN, I'M VERY
SORRY TO DISTURB YOU,

BUT A WOMAN NAMED
LOUISA ARCHER IS
HERE TO SEE YOU.

OKAY.

MS. ARCHER,
HE'LL BE A MINUTE.

MAY I GET YOU
AN ESPRESSO
OR BOTTLED WATER?

NO, THANK YOU.
I'LL JUST WAIT.

WHAT ARE YOU
DOING HERE?

I NEED HELP
WITH MY GRANDMOTHER.

I WANT TO SUE
HER NURSING HOME.

COME HERE.

THEY'RE DEFINITELY
GUILTY OF NEGLECT,
IF NOT OUTRIGHT ABUSE.

THEY CLAIM THAT
SHE FELL OUT OF HER BED,

BUT I HAVE
VERY STRONG SUSPICIONS
THAT SHE WAS ATTACKED.

CAN YOUR GRANDMOTHER
CORROBORATE THIS?

SHE HAS ALZHEIMER'S,
BUT HER ROOMMATE SAW
THE WHOLE THING.

SHE WILLING TO TESTIFY?

I DON'T KNOW.
MAYBE, SHE MIGHT.

OKAY, TAKE ME OUT THERE.
LET ME TALK TO HER.

THANKS.

HEY, LULU, WHAT ARE
YOU DOING HERE?

I JUST STOPPED BY
TO SEE NICK.

OH, GREAT, GREAT.

JAKE, COULD YOU
DO SOME RESEARCH
FOR ME?

COULD YOU CHECK
TO SEE IF THERE'S

ANY LEGISLATIVE
HISTORY OR
APPROPRIATION BILLS

ON ANGEL'S LANDING?

WHAT, YOU HAVEN'T
DONE THAT YET?

WELL, I HAVEN'T HAD
A REASON TO UNTIL NOW.

WELL, UM, NICK,
I... I CAN'T.

YOU READY, MR. STRAKA?
LET'S DO IT.

WELL, YOUR
GRANDMOTHER JUST GOT
BACK AN HOUR AGO.

SHE'S RESTING
COMFORTABLY.

WE'D LIKE TO SEE
A LIST OF ALL THE PEOPLE

THAT WERE WORKING
THE NIGHT THAT ROSE VALENT
HAD HER FALL.

I'M SORRY, MISTER...

FALLIN.

MR. FALLIN, I'M AFRAID
THE INFORMATION
YOU'RE ASKING FOR

IS CONFIDENTIAL.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO
SCHEDULE ANOTHER TIME,

I'D BE GLAD TO HAVE
MY LAWYER PRESENT...

WHERE YOU GOING?

TO SEE MY GRANDMOTHER.

I DON'T THINK YOU
NEED YOUR LAWYER HERE
FOR ME TO DO THAT.

I'D JUST LIKE TO TALK
TO THE PEOPLE

THAT WERE HERE THAT NIGHT,
TO PUT HER MIND AT EASE.

I'M NOT COMFORTABLE
DOING THAT.

WE WILL PURSUE
LEGAL ACTION.

(SCOFFS)

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

THANK YOU.

ALICE ISN'T HERE.

THE NURSE ON CALL
SAID SHE WENT OUT
WITH HER DAUGHTER.

WELL, I CAN COME BACK.

NANA ROSE, THIS IS
MY FRIEND, NICK.

HI.
MY LOVE.

UH, NO, NANA,
THIS IS...

THIS IS
MY FRIEND, NICK.

MY LOVE.
NANA...

COME HERE.

I KNOW.

YOU HAVE TO GO SOON,
I KNOW.

OH, YOU SMELL SO GOOD.

I MISS THAT.

WHEN YOU WERE AWAY,
I USED TO LIE UP AT NIGHT

AND MISS THAT.

NANA...

CAN WE GO SOON?

I WANT TO DRIVE AWAY.

WE CAN JUST GO
AND FIND A PLACE
WHERE IT'S QUIET

AND STAY THERE
AS LONG AS WE CAN

BEFORE ANYBODY
NOTICES WE'VE LEFT.

MY LOVE.

CAN WE DO THAT NOW?

CAN WE?

OF COURSE.
OF COURSE WE CAN.

I'VE MISSED YOU SO MUCH.

I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD.

SHE... SHE THINKS

THAT YOU'RE
MY GRANDFATHER.

HE DIED 20 YEARS AGO,
YOU KNOW,

AND SHE JUST REALLY
LOVED HIM A LOT.

I'M SORRY.
THIS IS PROBABLY
THE LAST THING

YOU WANT TO BE
DOING RIGHT NOW.

IT'S OKAY. OKAY.

AHEM.
NICE TO MEET YOU, ROSE.

MR. BARNES, WE APPRECIATE
YOU COMING IN.

NO PROBLEM.

WE'VE BEEN DEALING
WITH MR. HENNINGER.

HE'S LEFT THE FIRM.

I'M HANDLING ALL OF
MIDLAND ATLANTIC
RAILROAD'S BUSINESS NOW.

OKAY, UH...

WE WANT TO BUY
A 6-MONTH OPTION
ON THE PROPERTY.

AN OPTION?

6 MONTHS AT 800,000
WITH A PURCHASE PRICE
OF 16 MILLION.

WE WANT TO SELL
THIS PROPERTY,
NOT OPTION IT.

WELL, THERE'S
WAY TOO MANY VARIABLES
ON THE PROPERTY.

THE RAILROAD WANTS
THIS PROPERTY
OFF ITS BOOKS

BY THE END
OF THE QUARTER.

AN OPTION
DOESN'T DO IT.

SORRY. WE CAN'T
MAKE THAT DEAL.

OKAY.

GENTLEMEN.

WHAT NOW?

WE MOVE ON.

ANGEL'S LANDING DEAL
FELL THROUGH.

WHY?

I WASN'T COMFORTABLE
ADVISING MY CLIENT

TO PURCHASE
THE PROPERTY OUTRIGHT.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
HAVE HIM WORRIED?

YEAH.

CONCERNED ABOUT
THE PUBLIC OUTCRY.

WELL, TO A DEGREE.

WELL, HE'S NOT
THE FIRST TO WALK AWAY.

OUR DEAL'S OFF,
SO DON'T EXPECT A PIECE

OF THE VAN GERGEN BUSINESS.

WHOA, WHOA,
WHOA, HOLD ON.

YOU MADE THAT DEAL
WITH THE SENATOR AND ME.

I PAVED THE WAY.

NO, YOU MANIPULATED
THE DEAL.

NOW HAD WE MADE
THE ANGEL'S LANDING
PURCHASE,

I WOULD'VE HONORED IT,

BUT THERE IS
NOT A CHANCE IN HELL

I'M HANDING MY CLIENT
OVER TO YOU NOW.

ARE YOU SAYING
YOU TOLD YOUR CLIENT

TO WALK AWAY BECAUSE
I MADE YOU NERVOUS
ABOUT THE DEAL?

WADE, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

I'M GLAD
TO BE WORKING
WITH YOU AGAIN.

WADE, THANKS
FOR COMING BY.

WE'LL GET STARTED
IN A MOMENT.

WE'LL BE RIGHT IN
THE CONFERENCE ROOM.
WE'LL BE RIGHT IN.

ALL RIGHT.

UM, MITCHELL,
COULD YOU GIVE US A SECOND?

YEAH.
THANK YOU.

NICK, UH,

I HANDED THE MEYERS DEAL
OFF TO MITCHELL.

UH, I MEAN, YOU SAID
YOU WERE BUSY,

AND, WELL, I HANDED...

NO, FINE, FINE,
FINE, FINE.

NO HARD FEELINGS.

Cary Grant on TV:
SORRY, JOE, BUT THE MAIL

GOES OUT ON SCHEDULE.
SO DO THE PILOTS.

Man on TV:
SINCE WHEN, JIM?

ANYWAY, I WANT LIZ
TO GO DOWN
TO THE WAREHOUSE,

CHECK OUT THAT STUFF
THAT CAME IN
ON THE BOAT TODAY.

HEY, THAT'S
AN ALL-NIGHT JOB...

HELLO THERE.

HI.

ARE YOU LOST?

NO, I'M LOOKING
FOR ROSE VALENT

AND HER ROOMMATE ALICE.

I'M ALICE.
WHO ARE YOU?

NICHOLAS FALLIN.

I'M A...

I WORK WITH ROSE'S
GRANDDAUGHTER, LULU.

YES.

I WANTED TO SPEAK
WITH YOU ABOUT
WHAT HAPPENED TO ROSE.

YES.

DID YOU SEE
SOMETHING?

YES.

WHAT IS IT?

WHO ARE YOU?

I'M JUST HERE VISITING
ROSE AND ALICE.

VISITING HOURS
ARE OVER.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.

COME BACK TOMORROW.
DO YOU HAVE A MINUTE?

WHAT?
JUST A MINUTE.

MY FRIEND'S
WORRIED ABOUT HER
GRANDMOTHER'S INJURIES.

SHE FELL, MISTER.

ONE MINUTE,
SHE WAS IN BED.

THE NEXT,
SHE HIT THE FLOOR.

UH...

HER GRANDDAUGHTER'S
A LITTLE CONCERNED.

ROSE HAD MENTIONED
A FEW THINGS ABOUT
BEING ATTACKED.

THESE LADIES
ALL TELL STORIES.

I MEAN, I DON'T WANT TO
SOUND CRUEL,

BUT THEY ALL COMPLAIN,
AND THEY ALL ACCUSE.

IT'S JUST THE WAY
IT IS AROUND HERE.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN
WHY SHE HAS BRUISES
ON HER NECK?

YOU EVER TRY TO GIVE
AN ALZHEIMER'S
PATIENT A BATH?

OR GET THEM
TO EAT OR STAY
IN THEIR BED?

NO.

YOU SHOULD TRY.
THEY KICK AND SCREAM

AND BITE.
THEY PULL OFF
THEIR CLOTHES.

IT'S CRAZY IN HERE,
ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT
WHEN WE'RE UNDERSTAFFED.

NOW, I'M NOT
TALKING ABOUT ROSE,

BUT SOMETIMES
YOU GIVE THESE
LADIES A BATH

AND THEY GO UNDER,
AND YOU GOTTA

PULL THEM OUT
ANY WAY YOU CAN.

OR TAKE THEM
TO THE BATHROOM,
AND THEY START HITTING.

YOU DON'T LIKE
WORKING HERE, DO YOU?

I MAKE MINIMUM WAGE, MAN.

I CLEAN UP PUKE
AND WIPE OLD PEOPLE'S ASSES.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

ROSE?

IT'S... IT'S NICK,
LULU'S FRIEND.

LULU?
SHH.

YOUR GRANDDAUGHTER.

I KNOW WHO LULU IS.

YOU'RE HER FRIEND?

YEAH, YEAH. WE MET.

WHY ARE YOU HERE?

I JUST CAME
TO CHECK ON YOU,
SEE HOW YOU WERE.

HOW'S CAROLINE?

I DON'T KNOW.

IS SHE STILL
IN VERMONT?

DON'T KNOW.

SHE NEVER HAD
ANY LUCK WITH MEN.

SHE WAS A LAZY GIRL,

AND SHE SLEPT AROUND.

OH.

I WANTED TO WORK
DOWNTOWN FOR A MAN

WHO PUBLISHED BOOKS
AND MAGAZINES,

BUT WILLIAM SAID
HE WAS A PORNOGRAPHER.

HE HATED FOR ME
TO BE OUT OF HIS SIGHT,

BUT HE...
HE TRAVELED
ALL THE TIME.

HE WAS AWAY ALWAYS,
ALL THE TIME AWAY.

WILLIAM.

BASTARD.

COME CLOSER.

LET ME SEE YOUR HANDS.

UM.

I HAVE
A HEART IN HERE, YOU KNOW.

OKAY.
CAN YOU FEEL?

CAN YOU FEEL, DARREN?

I'LL NEVER LEAVE.

I CAN'T.

I CAN'T.

AND YOU CAN'T
LEAVE, EITHER.

THINK OF THE CHILDREN.

AND WHERE WOULD WE GO?

I DIDN'T KNOW.

I WAS SO YOUNG
WHEN I MET HIM.

I DIDN'T KNOW
YOU EXISTED.

OKAY.

STAY A WHILE.

WHAT'S THE HURRY?

STAY.

OKAY, I'LL BE
RIGHT HERE.

(KNOCKS)

Burton: YEAH?

WANTED TO SEE ME?

YEAH. YOU WANT
TO CLOSE THAT DOOR.

SO MITCHELL LICHTMAN
SAYS, UH,

HE HAS SOME
PROBLEMS WITH YOU.

I HAVE
A PROBLEM WITH HIM.

HE TOLD ME THAT
YOU PROMISED TO SHARE
VAN GERGEN WITH HIM.

HE BASICALLY
EXTORTED THAT DEAL.

YEAH, BUT YOU HAVE
A DEAL WITH HIM.

YEAH.

SO... HONOR IT.

(DOOR CLOSES)

MS. ARCHER, ARE YOU
WILLING TO TAKE

FULL RESPONSIBILITY
FOR YOUR GRANDMOTHER?

YES, YOUR HONOR.

THE COURTS
GRANTS GUARDIANSHIP
OF MS. ROSE VALENT

TO HER GRANDDAUGHTER,
LOUISA ARCHER.

(POUNDS GAVEL)

LULU, GOT A MINUTE?

SURE.

I KNOW YOU'RE LOOKING
FOR OTHER PLACES
FOR YOUR GRANDMOTHER.

MM-HMM.

MY MOTHER'S
IN A STATE-RUN FACILITY.

IT'S NOT AS NICE
AS PRIVATE,

BUT IT'S CLEAN
AND WELL-MANAGED,

AND THEY HAVE
A WONDERFUL STAFF.

REALLY? WELL, IS
THERE A WAIT LIST?

A LONG ONE,
BUT THE DIRECTOR'S
A FRIEND OF MINE.

I'D BE HAPPY
TO MAKE A PHONE CALL,
SEE WHAT I CAN DO.

OH, LAURIE, THAT
WOULD BE TERRIFIC.
THANK YOU.

NICE WHAT YOU'RE
DOING FOR LULU.

WHAT?

HELPING HER.

WELL, SHE CAME TO ME.
OF COURSE SHE DID.

NICK, I CAN SEE
WHAT'S GOING ON.

IT'S NOT LULU
I'M WORRIED ABOUT.
IT'S YOU.

I'LL BE FINE.

SHE'S UNDER A LOT
OF STRESS, TOO.

SHE'S MAKING
A BIG LEAP.

SHE'S MAKING
A COMMITMENT
TO HER FIANCE.

HE DOESN'T DESERVE HER.

WHO DOESN'T DESERVE HER,

BUT SHE'S JUST TRYING
TO HOLD THINGS TOGETHER

UNTIL THE CHOICE
SHE'S MADE HAS BEEN MADE.

LAURIE,
SHE'S MAKING A MISTAKE.

NICK, YOU'RE THE LAST
PERSON ON EARTH

SHE'S GONNA LISTEN TO
ABOUT THAT.

WHAT DID YOU SAY
TO HIM THEN?

WELL, I TOLD HIM
THAT I'D NEVER SEEN

SUCH A THING
IN MY LIFE,

AND HE SAID,
"YOU HAD ONE
JUST YESTERDAY."

(JAKE AND CALDWELL
LAUGHING)

I NEED TO
TALK TO YOU.

CLOSE THE DOOR.

I MADE A DEAL WITH YOU.
I'LL HONOR IT.

NICK, WE GOT OFF
ON THE WRONG FOOT.

SEE, I CAME HERE
LOOKING FORWARD
TO WORKING WITH YOU.

YOU JUST GOTTA
UNDERSTAND,

PRIVATE PRACTICE
IS NOT EXACTLY

WHERE I WAS HOPING
TO LAND.

IF WE'D WON
THIS LAST ELECTION,

THE SENATOR
COULD'VE SET HIS SIGHT
ON THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE,

AND, WELL,
I WAS HOPING I MIGHT
TAKE OVER HIS JOB.

WHY'RE YOU HERE?

I'VE BEEN WORKING
IN STATE POLITICS
SINCE '96.

I NEED TO
MAKE SOME MONEY.

AND I NEED TO
MAKE CONNECTIONS.

NOW, CALDWELL IS GREAT
AT A LOT OF THINGS,

BUT BEING A LAWYER
IS NOT ONE OF THEM.

WHEN YOUR FATHER LEAVES,
IF HE LEAVES,

THE SENATOR WILL BE
LOOKING AT 2 OR 3 PEOPLE

TO TAKE FULL
RESPONSIBILITY
FOR THIS PLACE.

HE'S USED TO
LEANING ON ME.

I'D LIKE TO KNOW
I CAN LEAN ON YOU.

WHAT DO YOU WANT?

I WANT TO KEEP
VAN GERGEN HAPPY.

HE'S TOO VALUABLE
TO LOSE.

OKAY. HOW DO YOU
SUGGEST DOING THAT?

ANGEL'S LANDING
ISN'T ALL THAT TOXIC,

PLUS IT'S
PERFECTLY LOCATED.

I KNOW THAT.

FOR A GOVERNMENTAL ANNEX.

THE STATE
CAN'T APPROVE FUNDS
TO PURCHASE THE LAND

UNTIL THE VOTE
GOES DOWN NEXT MONTH.

AND YOU KNOW
HOW THAT VOTE'S
GONNA TURN OUT?

I NEED SOMEONE
TO TAKE OVER
THE VAN GERGEN DEAL.

Burton: WHY?

MITCHELL TOLD ME
THE STATE PLANS

ON BUILDING
A GOVERNMENTAL ANNEX

ON ANGEL'S LANDING.

THEY BROKE THE WALL.

NOW, IF THE STATE
WANTS THE PROPERTY,

THEY WILL PAY
THE APPRAISED VALUE,
$20 MILLION.

HMM.

SO JUST CUT ME
OUT OF THE DEAL

AND LET SOMEONE ELSE
RUN WITH IT.

NO. WE'RE DONE
WITH THIS FOR NOW.

SHEILA,
YEAH, LET ME HAVE
NATHAN CALDWELL, PLEASE.

THANK YOU.

(DOOR CLOSES)

YOU WANTED TO SEE ME?

YOU TOLD NICK TO TAKE
THE RAILROAD'S OFFER.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

HOW ELSE WOULD HE KNOW

ABOUT
THE GOVERNMENTAL ANNEX
AND THE UPCOMING VOTE?

HE IS LEAVING YOU
VULNERABLE, SENATOR.

WE GAVE HIM A HEADS-UP,

AND HE STARTED TO LOOK
IN PLACES HE SHOULDN'T.

WHY WOULD HE LIE?

WELL, FOR ONE THING
HE'S ANGRY THAT
YOU AND I ARE HERE.

SECONDLY,
WE BOTH KNOW
WHY WE'RE HERE,

AND I'M SURE NICK,
IF HE PUT
HIS MIND TO IT...

Burton: MR. LICHTMAN...

YOU'RE ADDRESSING
THE WRONG PERSON.

I'M THE ONE
WHO'S LETTING YOU GO.

YOU'RE ALLOWING THIS?

YOU COMMITTED
A FELONY, MITCHELL.

I CAN'T LET THAT SLIDE.

I DIDN'T.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT
GONNA REPORT THIS.

THERE IS NOTHING
TO REPORT.

I'M SORRY, MITCHELL.

JAKE.

HEY, NICK.

MITCHELL'S OFF
THE MEYERS DEAL.

HE IS?

YEAH, SO I'LL BE
STEPPING BACK IN.

OH. OKAY, GREAT.

YEAH, UM,
I'M NOT GONNA
NEED YOUR BACKUP.

OH.

NO HARD FEELINGS.

ALICE, CAN YOU
TELL ME WHAT YOU SAW

THE NIGHT
ROSE VALENT WAS INJURED?

MM-HMM.

YOU HAVE TO ANSWER
WITH A YES OR A NO.

NO.

ARE YOU ANSWERING
MY QUESTION?

NO.

ALICE, UH...

CAN YOU TELL ME
WHAT YOU SAW

THE NIGHT ROSE VALENT
WAS INJURED.

MY DAUGHTER OWNS
A LARGE PARCEL OF LAND

ON THE COAST
OF BRITISH COLUMBIA,

A VERY LARGE PARCEL.

CAN YOU ANSWER
MY ORIGINAL
QUESTION, ALICE?

SHE AND HER FRIENDS
THOUGHT

THAT THEY WOULD BE
ABLE TO SELL IT OFF

TO MAKE MONEY,
SO I GAVE HER
MY MONEY.

OH, THIS WAS A
LONG TIME AGO.

ALICE, ABOUT
THE OTHER NIGHT,
WHEN YOU SAW...

I HEAR THE WOODS
ARE BEAUTIFUL.

YOU CAN SEE THE WHALES.

WE SHOULD GO THERE
SOMETIME TOGETHER.

WE'RE DONE HERE.

I'M GONNA
HAVE TO LEAVE.

ARE YOU LEAVING
SO SOON?

I'M SORRY.
I HAVE TO LEAVE, YEAH.

WELL, HAVE A NICE
BOAT RIDE.

I WILL.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

NANA?

HI.

HI, ROSE.

I TOLD HIM.

I TOLD HIM, AND YOU
KNOW WHAT HE SAID?

NO.
HE SAID HE KNEW.

HE'D KNOWN
FOR THE LONGEST TIME.

HE WASN'T ANGRY.

HE JUST SAID HE DIDN'T
CARE ANYMORE,

AND HE DIDN'T WANT
TO BE MADE A FOOL OF.

WELL, I'M GLAD
YOU TOLD HIM.

YOU'LL NEVER
TELL YOUR WIFE,
WILL YOU, DARREN?

YOU'LL NEVER TELL.
YOU LOVE HER STILL.

NOT LIKE ME AND WILLIAM.

YOU STILL LOVE HER.

NANA.

I LEFT IT
IN THE UPSTAIRS CLOSET

WITH THE TOILET PAPER
AND THE TOOTHPASTE.

JUST LOOK IN THERE.
JUST LOOK.

YOU'RE THE LOVE
OF MY LIFE.

YOU HAPPIER HERE?

MY GRANDMOTHER WAS
IN LOVE WITH ANOTHER MAN.

Nick: SO IT SEEMS.

(SIGHS) I JUST...

ALWAYS THOUGHT SHE
WAS IN LOVE WITH
MY GRANDFATHER.

IT'S SO FUNNY.

IS IT?

YEAH.

IT'S FUNNY.

YOU KNOW, YOU WERE
REALLY KIND TO ME
THIS WHOLE WEEK,

EVEN AFTER WHAT
I SAID TO YOU,
AND, UH...

YOU WERE JUST
REALLY KIND.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

(DOOR OPENS)

I REFERRED VAN GERGEN
TO TOM STEVENS

AT STEVENS AND SLADE.

OKAY.

SO I LOST HIM
AS A CLIENT.

(SIGHS) WHAT THE HELL
ARE YOU DOING TO ME?

EXCUSE ME?
CALDWELL.

HE'S A FOOL.
HE'S NEVER EVEN PRACTICED.

IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT
TO LEAVE ME WITH?

(SIGHS)

IT'S FOR THE BEST,
FOR NOW.

OH, 'CAUSE I
SCREWED UP ONE DEAL.

NO, IT'S NOT
ABOUT THAT.

IT'S NOT ABOUT
PUNISHMENT.

OKAY, THEN WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

IT'S ABOUT TIMING.

THE SENATOR WAS NOT
READY TO GO TO WORK.

HE'D LOST THE ELECTION.
HE GOT BORED.

NOW HE'S READY.

YOU KNOW, I, UH...

I DON'T BELIEVE YOU.

WELL, THEN IT'S GOOD
FOR THE SHORT TERM.

EASE OUR CLIENTS
THROUGH THE TRANSITION.

IN A FEW MONTHS,
HE'LL BE A LIABILITY,

AND I'LL HAVE TO
COVER HIS ASS.
WHY IS HE HERE?

WHY IS HE HERE?

I HAD TO MAKE
A DEAL WITH HIM.

YOU MADE A DEAL
WITH HIM?

MM-HMM.

SORRY.

JUST LAST WEEK,
YOU TOLD ME...

YOU WANTED ME
TO TAKE OVER THIS FIRM.

(SIGHS)