[Jimmy and Kim hear a knock on their door during their argument. Jimmy's phone rings immediately after Kim walks out of the kitchen. Jimmy sees the caller is Mike and answers the phone.]
JimmyYeah?
Listen to me. Put your phone down, leave it on so I can hear.
Jimmy
So you can hear what?
[Mike is seen driving very fast on the road]
Do what I said! Right now! Put it down somewhere it can't be seen!
[Jimmy places his phone on the counter, and walks up to the door. He opens it to reveal... Lalo.]
Hey, guys! Can I come in?
Jimmy
Lalo. I thought you'd be down south, enjoying your freedom.
Yeah, well... Got some business to attend to. [to Kim as he enters the apartment] Told you he'd be back. Nice! I like it!
Jimmy
You want a drink? I got some beer in the fridge. Unless you're not staying for... [sees Lalo tapping his goldfish tank repeatedly] You should–I'm sorry. Uh... Sorry. You shouldn't do that. It upsets the fish.
[Lalo walks back towards them and sits on their couch. Jimmy notices a gun underneath Lalo's shirt.]
Jimmy
Look, you want to talk, we can talk. But, Kim was just stepping out. So...
Nah, she can stay. I mean, she is part of the legal team, right? Hey, relax. Sit down. We're just gonna talk. Come on! Sit!
[Jimmy and Kim sit on chairs on either side of Lalo]
So... tell me what happened.
Jimmy
What happened?
Yeah. When you picked up the money. Just... walk me through it.
Jimmy
What I told you already?
Jimmy
Fine. I picked up the money from your cousins. It was right where you told me it would be. Driving back, my car crapped out. It was about six or seven miles from the pickup site. There's no phone service, so I walked north through the desert all night. Well, I slept a little, but in the morning I walked again until I made it to a truck stop. I went into the bathroom to clean up. I bought some clothes, and I–I called a cab. I delivered the money. Took 'em a couple hours to count it–usual rigamarole–and then I–I saw you.
Jimmy
What?
Jimmy
I picked up... the money from those two... fine gentlemen. My car broke down after about just ten minutes. There was no phone service, and I was afraid to hitchhike 'cause of how much money there was. And, uh... I ran out of water. So, I had to drink my own pee. [Lalo cringes in disgust] A lot of it. Told you all the details, there you go. And then, I... finally made it to a truck stop, I called a cab. I waited, and then he took me directly to the courthouse. I paid your bail, and I got you out. I'm–I'm not sure what you're looking for here, but... there–there you go.
I just wanna hear the story.
Lalo, this is exactly what he told me, so if you could just...
Shh. I'd just like to hear the story. I mean... I paid a lot of money for that story, so... I think I can hear it as much as I want! So... tell me again.
[Jimmy angrily knocks on Mike's door to speak to him about Lalo]
Jimmy
Open up, asshole! Open this door! I want to talk to you! [walks around and taps on a nearby window] What? You didn't think I'd find your ultra-secret Batcave? Well, the joke's on you, sucker! I'm your attorney, and you will let me in!
[Jimmy runs back to the door and alternates between knocking and ringing the doorbell. Mike parks his car behind him, and comes out carrying groceries.]
Jimmy
I'm not going anywhere! I mean it! I got nowhere to be! Open up now!
HEY! What the hell do you think you're doing?!
Jimmy
Oh, there he is! Not–Not a fan of the surprise pop-in, huh? Oh, I can't imagine why!
Will you keep it down? I got neighbors!
Jimmy
I will not keep it down! I want answers, okay?! The time has come for you to level with me, and I'm not going to leave until you do!
[grabs Jimmy by the collar and drags him inside] Get inside. Now!
Jimmy
Okay, look! Look! Okay... Y–You saved my life. Thank you for that. But from here on out, I gotta be kept in the loop, man! It's not my fault that I got ambushed! Why did I have to lie to Salamanca about that?! Who was I lying for?! You gotta tell me what is happening! NOW!
Jimmy
OH, COME ON! Listen to me! You are not blowing me off with any "that's not the end of the story" crap! Now, just...specifics!
You're asking for information you can't have!
Jimmy
[sighs; long pause] If anything happens to her... I can't do this. I can't.
[pause] Alright... Alright. Now, you listen, and you shut up. This man has other things on his mind. He's not thinking about you. Lalo Salamanca is going to die. Tonight.
Jimmy
Tonight?
This time tomorrow, it'll be done.
Jimmy
[pause] Oh. Okay.
Now, I need you to leave. I have family coming over.
[Kim and Jimmy discuss a plan to sabotage Howard to get a share of the Sandpiper Crossing settlement]
What would you do with it?
Jimmy
I don't know. What would you?
I'd hire step-away from Schweikart. I'd hire Bruce from HHM. I'd get Viola. I'd rent the smallest, shittiest office I could find near the courthouse, and open a pro bono practice. Get regular people to get the kind of representation usually only millionaires get.
Jimmy
I was gonna say we'd buy a house.
[chuckles] Yeah. We could do both. Last I heard, Sandpiper was willing to go to $26 million.
Jimmy
Wow. A third of that is 8.5.
And twenty percent of that is...
Jimmy
Two mil. [long pause] But it's not happening. Come on, Kim. We're not talking about a bar trick here. We're talking about scorched earth. We would have to hurt him. Hurt him bad. To get a bunch of lawyers to run for the exits, Howard would have to have done something... unforgivable. At the end of it, he might never be able to practice law again. He doesn't deserve that. And who knows if we can pull it off? [Kim looks at Jimmy] Okay, maybe we could pull it off, but we won't.
We're talking about a career setback. A career setback for one lawyer.
Jimmy
Yeah, and you can help a lot of people. I get it, but... [sighs] Kim, doing this... it's not you. You would not be okay with it. Not in the cold light of day.
Wouldn't I? [beat] I'm gonna go take a shower so I don't have to in the morning.
Jimmy
Kim... You're shitting me, right?
[Kim makes a gesture similar to the one Jimmy gave her after getting his license reinstated. Jimmy looks at her in disbelief.]
[At the courthouse, Jimmy is confronted by the district attorney who prosecuted Lalo during his bail hearing]
AKADA Khalil
I've been calling you for two days.
Jimmy
Oh, my girl's out sick. What can I do you for?
AKADA Khalil
Tomorrow morning, 10 A.M.
Jimmy
Brunch? But just you and me, right? [points at Detective Roberts] I mean, won't the big fella here feel like a third wheel?
AKADA Khalil
You and I are meeting Parson in chambers. I am asking for an emergency hearing to alter the terms of De Guzman's release.
Jimmy
Sounds like a blast. Unfortunately, I'm booked solid.
RDetective Roberts
I checked your client's place of residence. The address he gave, it's a Dairy Queen in Altamonte. The family that showed at the bail hearing can't be located. No driver's license, no tax rolls, no school records. Nothing. The fact is, there isn't a single Elizabeth McKinnon under the age of 73 living in New Mexico.
Jimmy
Well, this is–this is surprising.
AKADA Khalil
Your client has disappeared, and I'm not waiting six weeks to start looking for him.
Jimmy
Hey, my guy put up seven million in bail. You think he's just gonna walk away from that?
RDetective Roberts
Who comes up with seven million bucks in cash?
AKADA Khalil
You know what I think? I think the family was fake. [to Jimmy] And I think you knew it the whole time.
Jimmy
Okay, hold up. Just get real for a second. The hearing didn't go your way, and now you're trying for a do-over? You say my guy ran, I say he's got seven million reasons for showing up when he's legally required to do so. So, no, I won't be... uh, due process window dressing at any crash meeting with Parson. And if you try throwing any of this crap around in front of the judge without my presence, here's an accusation: Prosecutorial misconduct. Career-ending prosecutorial misconduct!
RDetective Roberts
None of that changes the fact the guy's not who he said he was.
Jimmy
No, no, no! Hold on! You guys got caught with your pants around your ankles, and somehow that's on me?! I don't think so! [points at ADA Khalil] You got two dozen lawyers up there! You got investigators—you got the whole damn police force—and it's my fault that you can't keep track of Lalo?! That is not my job!
AKADA Khalil
Lalo? Who's Lalo?
Jimmy
What?! [blinks hard] What did I say... I meant De Guzman. I have more than one client! [chuckles] So... [clears throat] I will see you at the preliminary in six weeks as scheduled. Until then, I have clients who need me.
[Jimmy walks into an empty courtroom and sits down mulling over his slip-up]
Jimmy
I rented us a car. It's the Ford.
So Saul Goodman drives a brown Ford Taurus?
Jimmy
Detroit calls that taupe, I believe.
Don't you think Saul Goodman would drive something with a little more... flair?
Jimmy
Such as?
I don't know. Definitely American-made. Something showy. And Saul Goodman has an office. Something eye-catching. Good location.
Jimmy
By the courthouse?
Yeah. A cathedral of justice.
Jimmy
Ooooh, a cathedral of justice. Okay, yeah.
We should start looking for something for you. I mean, for Saul.
Jimmy
Sold. When do we start?
Jimmy
"I was a hard worker. I was a company man. Twenty years, and I didn't miss a single day. They even gave me a plaque for it. [sighs] It was a gold plaque. Perfect attendance... But when they handed it to me, I wrenched my back. I was in so much pain, I couldn't do my job... [sighs again] which meant I couldn't put food on the table. I didn't want to sue... but with a family to support, what choice did I have?"
Wait, who are you supposed to be again?
Jimmy
Whatever. The backstory is just a placeholder. I'm gonna polish the script once we cast.
But a personal injury suit? Best case scenario, that gets him in with an associate.
Jimmy
[throws hands up] Mesothelioma. [clears his throat] "When I took that job down at the shoe factory, I had no idea I was risking my life. Now, I can't stop coughin'!" Right? Come on! Hey, a mesothelioma class-action built Clifford Main his vacation house. He hears "mesothelioma," his eyes pop!
Well, sure. But then he takes the case. What happens when he asks for a medical evaluation? And how does Howard come up?
Jimmy
Okay, ask me why I'm here.
What brings you to Davis & Main today?
Jimmy
"I'm sick. I'm really sick..."
Jimmy
"...and it's not mesothelioma, but it's not good. And I need a lawyer, and the pickings are slim. I already went to HHM. I met with their top guy, Howard Hamlin, and uh... Uhhh, I–I got a brother-in-law and he's got a pretty nasty coke habit, very similar energy. Just put me off. Anyway, I need a lawyer, blah-blah-blah."
Okay, but you got a bad feeling from just one meeting?
Jimmy
Yeah, I had the brother-in-law with the coke.
Yeah, but you were only in the room with him once.
Jimmy
Okay, so it's gotta be something with a history with Howard.
Jimmy
But Cliff has to want to take the meeting, but not the case.
Jimmy
[sighs] It's gotta be good, but not too good.
Exactly. There's a sweet spot, you know? Like a magnet. We–we pull Cliff in, and then repel him. [beat] Oh!
Jimmy
What?
[sighs] You are going to hate this...
[Jimmy gets a call from Betsy Kettleman after she finds out there was no case against Howard]
Jimmy
Saul Goodman, speedy justice for you. Oh, wait! Okay, just take a breath, and then we can... Okay, okay. I can tell you're upset. Just... I–I never advised that. No. [sighs] No, I did not, so let's agree to disagree. [pause] Okay, I think you're going to want to meet in person before you do anything rash. So how about–how about we meet up, and we can hash this out. [pause] Yeah, sure! Tomorrow, first thing. Uh, 9 A.M, I can come to your office. That work? ...Okay, okay! Good! [hangs up]
I'm surprised it took them this long. You, uh... You're gonna use the stick, right?
Jimmy
The stick? Well, it's a big stick. But I know these people, they're more carrot types. Especially her. [takes out cash and puts the bills in his suit pocket] Spoonful of sugar, you know?
[beat] I think maybe I'll come, too.
Jimmy
Tomorrow? Really?
Jimmy
[pause] Okay.
[Jimmy and Huell sit in a car. Jimmy pays Huell for duplicating the keys to Howard's Jaguar.]
Jimmy
Sure, go ahead.
Jimmy
Okay. What?
You're a lawyer. You make good money, right?
Jimmy
Good days and bad, but yeah.
Legit money, on the level.
Jimmy
Yeah, so?
Your wife's a lawyer. A legit lawyer.
Jimmy
Yeah.
Jimmy
Oh, I got you. I–I know from the outside that this looks like just another scam, but you're not seeing the bigger picture. Couple months from now, there are people whose lives are gonna be way better. Because of this. We're making a real difference. Trust me. We're doing the Lord's work here.
Jimmy
What's going on?
I have news, Jimmy. Lalo is dead.
Jimmy
[exhales deeply] Holy shit.
The DA's office put it together that Lalo was calling himself De Guzman. They are pretty upset they let him go.
Jimmy
I'll bet they are.
Ericsen seems to think that if Lalo lied to you and you didn't know about the pseudonym, that you could break confidentiality. She wants you to talk. She says it's right.
Jimmy
Well, what do you think we should do?
You... should do whatever you want, Jimmy. They don't have anything on you. It's just a fishing expedition to see if you bite.
Jimmy
[pause] You think I should do it?
Jimmy
On what?
Well... [sighs] I guess it's basically... Do you want to be a friend of the cartel or... do you want to be a rat?
Jimmy
So, I pull the Jag into the loading zone. And I start scrappin' with this hunk of metal. It was in deep—like, "down a well" deep—so I just... wrassled it! UGH! [Kim laughs hysterically] Like a freakin' bear, and I jam it in the dirt in front of the Jag! Boom! Barely made it out of there with the skin of my teeth. Who moves cones? Who does that?
Jimmy
Heh, you're damn right. So you think Cliff really bought it, huh?
One hundred percent! You should've seen his face. It landed, trust me. God, it was... beautiful. [pause] Oh, and that is not all.
Jimmy
Spill.
So... I'm doing the stall. I'm telling Cliff what I'm doing—what I wanna be doing. All I'm thinking is, I gotta stretch this out until you get there, but then... I don't know. I... kinda got caught up in it, and then... Cliff went for it. I mean, like, really went for it.
Jimmy
What does that mean? Like, money?
I don't think he'll write a check himself, but he knows people. And I think he'll deliver.
Jimmy
You're kidding!
I know! How great is that?
Jimmy
This is unbelievable. [Kim laughs] Are we on a roll, or are we on a roll? Jeez!
[beat] You ever feel like you're being followed? [pause] When I dropped Wendy off at the motel, she thought she was being watched by some undercover cops. But then when I drove away... that same car was behind me. Right after I spotted them, they disappeared.
Jimmy
Well, you know what they say: The wicked flee where no man pursueth.
...You think we're wicked?
Jimmy
No. What? [chuckles] It's just a turn of phrase. I think you're wicked hot. [pause] Alright. Listen to the voice of experience, okay? You know why you're feeling like this? Because we got away with it. It seems too good to be true, but trust me. Nobody is following you. [takes Kim's hand] No one knows what we're doing except for us. Okay?
[Jimmy confronts Bill Oakley at the courthouse when he notices his colleagues' cold treatment of him]
Jimmy
What the hell is going on?! How come everyone's treating me like I'm covered in oozing pus sores?
BBill
I liked you better when you were just a regular bottom feeder. But this?
Jimmy
This? What is, "this?"
BBill
I understand advocating for your client. Deep in my heart, I get it. But you scammed the court. You scammed the judge, and for what? To get a murdering cartel psychopath back out on the street? It's just... wrong.
Jimmy
That's a lot of big talk, Bill. Prove it. Prove it, Bill!
BBill
There's proving, and then there's knowing.
[Kim meets Jimmy at a strip mall where an office space is available for lease]
Jimmy
Take a look. What do you think?
Jimmy
My new office. Potentially. Come on.
[They both peer through the storefront windows of the office, which is empty except for a lone toilet]
Jimmy
Mrs. Nguyen kicked me to the curb.
Jimmy
It's a long story, but upshot is she wants me out of there with extreme prejudice.
Jimmy
Well, no. It was a... great day. With actual paying clients. The word is out. People were throwing cash retainers at me just to say Saul Goodman is their lawyer.
Because of who you represented.
Jimmy
Well, I mean, that's part of it. But the bottom line is I need a new place for new business pronto. Now, this place is a shithole, but the price is right. And I think I can talk the landlord into a month-to-month. So, it's temporary until I find something better. [sighs; pause] Hey. What do you think?
[beat] It's small. It's... dirty. And this whole place smells funny. [pause] But the courthouse is five blocks away. You can't get to MDC without driving past. Parking is good, bail bond row isn't far, and uh... Taco Cabeza is just around the corner. Might be a diamond in the rough. Just promise me... you won't move the toilet.
Jimmy
[chuckles] There it is. Alright. Uh... speaking of Taco Cabeza.
I'm starving. Let's do it.
[Jimmy has brought Francesca back to work as his administrative assistant. There is a long line of potential clients standing outside as Jimmy lets her in. One of those clients taps impatiently on the glass to her bewilderment.]
Jimmy
Whoa! Hold up! Justice will be served in four and a half minutes. 9:00 a.m. sharp. I look forward to sitting down with each and every one of you. [to Francesca, after locking the door] Morning rush. [points at picnic table] That’s your station. Temporarily, of course, but… check it out. Center stage. [pause; notices Francesca staring at the toilet with disgust] What? That–it’s garbaggio. On its way to the dumpster. I know that this place needs a little TLC, but this is just day one. Two weeks from now, you won’t recognize it.
Jimmy
Uh, you mean my wife. [Francesca looks surprised] That’s right. I made an honest woman out of her. She’s blazing her own trail, and I couldn’t be prouder.
Jimmy
Me. Just me, for now. But hey, look at it this way. [pulls out chair] Half the work.
What happened to the old folks, the… elder law?
Jimmy
I–I expanded the mission to be more inclusive. Here at Saul Goodman & Associates, we welcome all ages, all creations, all stripes.
And who is this Saul Goodman? You?
Jimmy
You got it! What Colonel Sanders is to chicken, Saul Goodman is to the law.
Jimmy
Because I trust you. And what happened last time, I–I wanna make it up to you.
[Francesca gets startled by another potential client banging on the window]
Jimmy
I will explain at the end of the day! Please!
You’re just in desperate need of a warm body. [walks toward the door] Good luck.
Jimmy
Where are you going?!
Back to the MVD. I took half a personal day for this.
Jimmy
What if I double your salary?
My salary at the MVD, or what you were paying me before?
Jimmy
Whatever was less. [Francesca scoffs and starts to leave again] No! Whatever is more! More is the word I’m looking for! Did I mention [takes out his wallet and holds out some cash] …the signing bonus?
[pause] I get a say in the decorating. [takes cash from Jimmy]
[Jimmy walks into a boxing club and sees Howard, who pretended to be a potential client named "Mr. Ward"]
Jimmy
Mr. Ward, I presume. As in... "H.O. Ward". That is really cute, Howard. So, wait. That means that you're the guy who shanked some dude in a rumble near Central Pen. [sighs] That's–That's very street of you.
I thought it sounded like a Saul Goodman kind of case.
Jimmy
...Alright, so what are we doing here?
I'm tired, Jimmy. You and me, us. I'm tired of this. Aren't you? It's exhausting. [points at boxing ring behind him] Let's punch it out.
Jimmy
[chuckles] Are you kidding?
Dead serious. Hoping you might get it out of your system. Do I think it'll work? [shrugs] I don't know. Call it a Hail Mary. I have the gear, I rented the ring. It's just you and me... [points at the man standing behind Jimmy] and Macky to ref.
Jimmy
[pause] I am sorry, but have you lost your mind?
Actually, I'm as clear-headed as I've ever been in my life. You didn't even try to hide your tracks. The baggie of drugs at the country club, the clients you sent to discredit me, another prostitute.
Jimmy
Okay, once again as usual, I–
Please. I could go on. All roads lead back to you. It's Psych 101. You want to get caught.
Jimmy
So what? Is this like pistols at dawn?
I'm trying to give you what you want.
Jimmy
What I want? I don't... I think this is what you want. You wanna beat the shit out of me? Legally?
I think you can hold up your end. You must've gotten into a few good scrapes in your old neighborhood.
Jimmy
Yeah, right. I could've been a contender.
Indulge me. Let's see what we see.
Jimmy
[pause; smiles] Thanks for the laughs. [chuckles] "Mr. Ward."
[Jimmy laughs and starts to walk out, but stops. He and Howard are seen suited up with boxing gloves as they begin their fight. They both land a few punches on each other, but Howard eventually knocks Jimmy down.]
[to Jimmy] You've mistaken my kindness for weakness. I like to think that tonight made a difference. I like to think that this ends it. [pause; shakes his head] Probably not.
Better Call Saul · 283 quotes
