[Jimmy is smoking a cigarette, waiting for the police to arrive to arrest him after Chuck's entrapment.]
You won't want to hear it, but this is for the best. Please, Jimmy. Whatever you think of me, whatever colorful names you're calling me in your head right now, please understand I'm trying to help you. Here's what's going to happen. The police will arrest you. And I'm sorry, but I will be pressing charges. I told you there would be consequences... but I have to believe that you'll face those consequences and you'll come out the other side a better man. I know it's hard to see right now, but Jimmy, this is an opportunity. That's why I'm doing this, not to punish you. To show you – truly show you – that you have to make a change before it's too late. Before you destroy yourself, or someone else, and I believe you can change. You'll find your path. And when you're ready, I will be there to help you walk that path.
JimmyHere's what's gonna happen. One day you're gonna get sick. Again. One of your employees is gonna find you curled up in that space blanket, take you to the hospital, hook you up to those machines that beep and whir and hurt. And this time, it will be too much. And you will die there. Alone.
Jimmy
I fucked up. Chuck bamboozled me, again. That tape? He made sure that Ernie heard it, right? 'Cause he knew Ernie, bless him, would tell me about it and I would come over, try to destroy it or steal it or whatever. Howard was there, and a P.I. if you can believe that. Just waiting for me to lose my shit and bust in. Chuck played me like a fiddle, and schmuck that I am, I fell for it! [quietly] Moron. I'm sorry. I didn't call you, which is stupid, and I'm sorry about that, too. But I didn't call you for a reason, okay? 'Cause this is my screw-up. I own it, okay? It's my responsibility to fix it. I know you wanna help, of course you do, 'cause you're wonderful! But you're up to your ears in Mesa Verde, and I can't—I won't—load this onto you too. We have worked too hard to let Chuck's bullshit vendetta threaten everything that we're building! I won't allow him to endanger our business! No! I will fix this! Myself, me, Jimmy McGill, okay? You have gotta let me do this on my own!
Jimmy
Thank you.
Jimmy
I got a deal offer from the ADA today.
Jimmy
It's not what I expected.
Bad "not what you expected"?
Jimmy
It's just that—it's different. She's offering me pre-prosecution diversion.
Seriously? A PPD? That's great, Jimmy!
Jimmy
Best I could hope for, right?
Right. What does she want you to confess to?
Jimmy
All of it. The felony B and E, misdemeanor petty assault and property damage—I never touched him, but they got assault in there.
Well, could be worse. As long as they never activate it, it doesn't matter, right? You gonna be able to keep your nose clean for a whole year? Keep Viktor with a K on lockdown?
Jimmy
It's not a problem, Giselle. And if I don't, it's instant jail, right?
Lucky break. She must not want the hassle of a trial.
Jimmy
Guess so.
Jimmy. This is good news, and Chuck is gonna be pissed. It's a big check in the pro column.
Jimmy
Actually, the PPD was Chuck's idea.
Jimmy
Yeah.
Jimmy
One condition of the PPD is, my written confession is immediately submitted to the New Mexico Bar Association.
Your written felony confession.
Jimmy
Mmhmm. I thought he wanted me in jail; he just wants my law license. [sighs]
Jimmy
Well, I knew the bar was going to be an issue, right? So, I figured I'd plea the charges down to a couple misdemeanors, get a censure and maybe a little suspension, but... a confession to a felony?
Jimmy
Yeah, and if I take it to trial and I lose, I face the bar anyways–and jail time, most likely. He's got me boxed in.
You can fight this. The disciplinary board listens to extenuating circumstances...
Jimmy
No, Chuck knows everybody at the bar. Hell, he made half of their careers; it's gonna be him and his cronies versus me. Alone.
Jimmy
Kim...
Come on, Jimmy. You need me. You can't argue this yourself. You and I both know that, and I'm not gonna let you fight this on your own.
Jimmy
Are you sure?
Jimmy
'Cause I don't... Why would you... Come on. [points to himself] This guy? Seriously?
[After a moment, Kim takes his hand.]
Let's just call it the fallacy of sunk costs. So what now?
Jimmy
Now? Now we take that PPD and we shove it right up Chuck's ass.
KHKyra Hay
The confession you've written is adequate, but, frankly, I-I sense a lack of remorse. And I, for one, would like to hear an apology. Charles deserves at least that much.
Jimmy
Uh—Now?
KKyra
Yes, Mr. McGill, now.
Jimmy
Okay. [clears throat] I was wrong.
KKyra
Mr. McGill, could you at least look your brother in the eye?
Jimmy
Chuck, I'm very sorry. I lost my temper, and I did some things—so many things—that I regret. I shouldn't have broken down your door. Doesn't matter how I was provoked. I—I shouldn't have done that. There's no excuse for that. Or for the things that I said. I regret it all, all of it more than you can imagine, because you're my brother, and no one should treat his own brother like that. Not ever.
[After the PPD meeting, Jimmy leaves while Kim stays behind to confront Chuck and Howard]
I’m putting you both on notice regarding the bar hearing. First thing, I’m filing a motion to suppress that tape.
The tape that Jimmy destroyed, you mean.
How about we stop with the games. There’s no way there isn’t a duplicate.
Of course there is. You knew Jimmy was gonna break in–you wanted him to. There’s no way you were gonna let him destroy the only copy of that tape, so you made a duplicate. It’s the first thing you did.
Kim, this is not how we do discovery.
Actually, Jimmy destroyed the duplicate. [Howard is about to say something] Oh, it’s fine, Howard. [to Kim] The original is under lock and key, and in due time it will be put into evidence for your review. So, of course, file whatever motions you’d like. It’s your privilege.
But Kim, you should be aware–because I think this will be your first disciplinary hearing–the Bar Association standard of proof is far more lenient than what you’re used to. Motions aside, that tape will be played.
Chuck. [takes Chuck by the arm] See you, Kim.
[Chuck and Howard leave. Kim meets Jimmy by the elevators.]
Jimmy
Well? [walks in step with Kim] What?
[Jimmy visits Dr. Caldera at his veterinary clinic, holding a goldfish in a plastic bag]
CDr. Caldera
Jesus, what are you doing, man? There's barely any oxygen in that bag! You're suffocating her!
Jimmy
"Her?"
CDr. Caldera
Yeah, just because you don't see swinging dicks doesn't mean you can't tell a boy fish from a girl fish.
Jimmy
Oh, yes, now I can see the lipstick.
[Rebecca tries to get Jimmy to assist her in helping Chuck]
RRebecca
I was just at Chuck’s and he wouldn’t answer the door. I–I was out there knocking for almost an hour.
Jimmy
That sounds like Chuck. I’m sure he’s fine. He’s just being dramatic.
RRebecca
Well, I think it’s a little more than that. I want you to come with me to get him to let us in. [Jimmy chuckles] Jimmy, he needs our help.
Jimmy
No, thanks. [rolls his eyes] I’ve already kicked my door in for the year.
RRebecca
You owe it to him.
Jimmy
I don’t owe him squat. [sits down on the couch and sips from his Davis & Main mug]
RRebecca
[pause] Jimmy, you lied to me. This was never about helping Chuck.
Jimmy
If you feel misled, I apologize. But I think I was clear. I told you I had to defend myself and Chuck would need help afterwards, which he does.
RRebecca
You got what you wanted. Now’s time to do what’s right.
Jimmy
Yeah… No.
RRebecca
Jimmy, he’s still your brother!
Jimmy
[shakes his head] Not anymore he’s not.
RRebecca
[pause; looks at Jimmy and Kim knowingly] Chuck was right about you all along. He’s mentally ill. What is your excuse? [pause] Enjoy your champagne.
What are we gonna do about Francesca?
Jimmy
[clears throat] Do about her? What?
Yeah, how much notice should we give her? Two weeks? [Jimmy turns to look at her] Well, we’re not doing her any favors by keeping her in the dark. She should start looking.
Jimmy
So, you wanna fire Francesca?
[shrugs] I don’t want to, but I don’t need her for more than filing and getting coffee, and I can do that myself.
Jimmy
We just hired her. I like her.
While we’re on the subject, we need to talk about the overhead on this place.
Jimmy
No! Kim, no!
This office is set up for two legal practices, and now there’s only… one! I don’t need all this space; I only have one client!
Jimmy
It’s a huge client!
I looked into it, and… breaking the lease will cost a hell of a lot less than ten months’ rent.
Jimmy
Look, we didn’t go through all of this just to give up everything after one day of suspension. One day!
It’s not everything. It’s an office. Four walls and a door. Why waste money on something we don’t need?
Jimmy
[pause] As far as I’m concerned, nothing’s changed, alright? I’ll hold up my end, you hold up yours. Fifty-fifty.
So you’re gonna keep paying for half a law office even though you’re not practicing law?
Jimmy
Call it aspirational thinking.
Okay, but how are you gonna pay for it?
Jimmy
[inhales deeply] The day I don’t show up with my half, that’s the day we’ll talk about closing this place.
[Jimmy plays a videotape of his first commercial using the Saul Goodman moniker]
JIJimmy [in ad]
What's that I see? Albuquerque's next TV star? It's you, small business owner! Struggling to make it in today's fast-paced economy? Thought television advertising was too expensive for you? Well you better think again! You can't afford not to be on TV! Look at you, you're a triple threat: great services, great products, and most of all, that face! You're a star! Wrap it all up in your natural charisma, and bam—you belong on TV! Better watch out for autograph hounds and paparazzi! And it gets better! I can have you on the air tomorrow! Yeah, you heard me right! Tomorrow! Better get ready to be famous, Albuquerque! I can make you a TV star for a price you can afford! Call me, Saul Goodman! The world needs to know about you and your business! Call me now!
[Jimmy and Kim finish watching the video of the "Saul Goodman Productions" commercial. Kim is taken aback.]
Jimmy
The guy at the station said he's never seen so many star wipes in a row. It's never been done.
Jimmy
Yeah. It's like, "S'all good, man."
That guy has a lot of energy.
Jimmy
Nah. It's just a name.
["Saul Goodman" split his profits from his ad with his production crew]
CGCamera Guy
Can we make this easier; just split it four ways?
Jimmy
Split it four—I'll split you four ways! Don't they teach you capitalism in that school of yours?
CGCamera Guy
I'm just saying we got expenses, man.
Jimmy
You—Expenses?! You don't have expenses, I've got expenses! [holds up some bills] You see this? This is the money I've already spent on airtime for that commercial, four hundred forty-five bucks. You know what that means I'm left with?
DGDrama Girl
One hundred dollars?
Jimmy
One hundred and four dollars and 95 cents for writing, directing, producing, client outreach, sales, transpo, all of it—
Jimmy
Yeah. So let's get you in the editing room and finish this thing, and I don't wanna hear another word about expenses!
[Kim and Jimmy, drinking at a bar, spot a mark for Viktor and Giselle]
We are here to meet a celebrity who's donating to my charity.
Jimmy
Kevin Costner. I will go stand in that corner, you point me out—You're meeting Kevin Costner.
What? You don't look like Kevin Costner.
Jimmy
Uh, I look exactly like Kevin Costner. People are always coming up to me, saying they loved me in Bull Durham.
[Jimmy suddenly notices a blowhard abusing a waiter]
Jimmy
That guy. How de we get him?
What do you think? The—the trick with the coin you told me about, or the counterfeit bill?
Jimmy
No. That guy's a real asshole. He needs to go down hard. Here's what we're gonna do: We're gonna sell him a worthless credit card for $5000. Here's what you do: Make eye contact with him. It's all it'll take for him to think you're interested. I'll act good and drunk, and he'll... think I'm a loser and try to steal you away. He will persist. Tell him you can't leave me, not yet. Let him know you're trying to roll me. He'll want in. He'll help you ply me with booze. Now, you take my wallet, you lift the card... following this?
...We're not actually doing this, right? We're just talking.
Jimmy
...Yeah. Just talking. [beat] What?
Jimmy
It's not nothing, what?
I keep thinking... was there another way?
Jimmy
"Another way"? Chuck? Is that what you're talking about? Kim, he had us in a corner, okay? We did what we had to do.
Jimmy
Everything that happened was his own fault. Everything. You put him in the rearview mirror. He is not worth thinking about. Done.
[Jimmy and Marco break into the McGill's abandoned corner store to set up another con during their reunion. Jimmy retrieves a Band-Aid box from the ceiling and empties a pile of rare coins onto the counter]
Jimmy
[picking up a coin] Boom! Indian-head penny! Alright, that's worth about three bucks; we polish it up, run the coin game.
Nice. We get a hundred fifty bucks, easy.
Jimmy
Hundred and fifty? We got a hundred ten for a plain vanilla half-dollar. This-this is actually rare—I mean, you can see it, y'know! Three hundred, easy.
Oh, three hundred. Me likey. Now you're gonna tell me what your coin collection was doing up there.
Jimmy
Uh... [huffs] It's a long story. Let's get out of here.
[They freeze as they hear a police car drive by.]
Alright, now let's hit it.
Jimmy
No, there might be another one.
Alright, then give. What's the deal with the coins?
Jimmy
[chuckles] Well, uh... I was what, 12 or so, and I was working the register. Guy comes in, buys a box of Ivory Flakes and a sixer of Old Style. He pays with a couple bucks and [holds up coin] this. Second I see it, I know what it is: It's a George Washington silver. I tell my dad, "Pop, this quarter is rare, it's worth four bucks." Barely get the words out of my mouth, he hightails it outta here to give it back. He can't find the guy, so he tapes it to the side of the register; he's hoping that this guy will come back, so he can return it! After about a week, he starts talking about giving it to Father Mahoney for the poor box, so I make it disappear. Then after that, every day after school, I'm checking the till. If something catches my eye, I stick it in the box, put it up there for good luck. [clears throat] So much for good luck.
It's a crying shame they lost this place.
Jimmy
They never should have bought it in the first place. My dad didn't have it in him.
...What do you mean? Your folks worked so hard.
Jimmy
Yeah, they worked hard; they worked a lot of hours for a lot of years for nothing.
I dunno, Jimmy. Y'know, a lot of customers, everyone liked him.
Jimmy
Everybody liked him 'cause he was a soft touch. Y'know, every deadbeat in the neighborhood owed him money. You come in here with a sob story, you leave with a pat on the back and a gallon of milk. He could've made it work. He could've sold beer and cigarettes to the kids from Mary Margaret's but... heh, oh no, not him. [sniff] He was never gonna do what he had to do.
I could've killed someone, Jimmy.
Jimmy
Yeah, yourself.
I worked most of last week on maybe six hours of sleep, and then I... I crossed three lanes of traffic and I don't remember any of it.
Jimmy
Look, you were just doing what you thought you had to do... because of me.
You didn't make me get in that car. That was all me. I'm an adult, I made a choice.
Jimmy
[pause] Hey. All I can say is... I am gonna fix things.
[Jimmy is stunned to see working electrical appliances in Chuck's house]
Jimmy
How... ?
I always told you I'd get better. You just never believed me.
Jimmy
Sure I did. [pause] But Chuck... this is great! How did you do it?
What was it you wanted, beyond proof of life?
Jimmy
Oh. Uh, s—something happened, and it made me think about what—what went down between you and me. And so I wanted to say in hindsight, I could have made different choices.
Jimmy
Yeah. I mean, I'm not saying it's all on me. It's not. But if I had to do it all over again, I would maybe do some things differently. I just thought you should know that.
Jimmy
Yeah. I have regrets.
Jimmy
Why? Because you're my brother. There aren't that many of us McGills left and, uh, I think we should stick together.
No, why have regrets at all? What's the point?
Jimmy
What do you mean?
Well, look at you. You're in so much pain. Why are you putting yourself through all this?
Jimmy
Because I wanted to tell you—
That you have regrets. And I'm telling you, don't bother. What's the point? You're just going to keep hurting people.
Jimmy
That's not true.
Jimmy, this is what you do. You hurt people over and over and over, and then there's this show of remorse.
Jimmy
It's not a show.
I know you don't think it's a show. I don't doubt that your emotions are real. But what's the point of all the sad faces and the gnashing of teeth? If you're not going to change your behavior, and you won't...
Jimmy
I can change.
...why not just skip the whole exercise? In the end, you're going to hurt everyone around you. You can't help it. So stop apologizing and accept it, embrace it. Frankly, I'd have more respect for you if you did.
Jimmy
What about you, Chuck? Hm? You didn't do anything wrong? You're just an innocent victim?
Let me put your mind at ease, Jimmy. You don't have to make up with me. We don't have to understand each other. Things are fine the way they are. Hey... [puts his hands around Jimmy's shoulders] I don't want to hurt your feelings. But the truth is, you've never mattered all that much to me.
[Jimmy and Kim visit Chuck's house the morning after his suicide by fire, and react to his death]
Jimmy
So...?
[holding back emotion] He says it started in the living room. Somehow one of the lanterns was knocked over, and then... [beat] The inspector says it was over fast. Smoke inhalation. So he didn't suffer.
Jimmy
Yeah, they're gonna say that. Did you see the backyard? [Kim shakes her head] His microwave, his stereo, uh, the lights, dishwasher, all—all the kitchen stuff—everything electric is back there. The firemen didn't do that. He did that. [sighs] I saw him five days ago. He was listening to jazz, all the lights worked. He was himself. Something must have happened. Something made him relapse.
Better Call Saul · 283 quotes
