Howard Hamlin quotes from Better Call Saul

Kim

Did you consider taking [Jimmy] on as an associate?

Howard

We did. Briefly.

Kim

Sounds like you didn't hire him. Why not, with that kind of grit?

Howard

The partners decided it would be best to avoid the appearance of nepotism. We felt hiring Jimmy might damage morale.

Kim

Nepotism, hmm? Your firm is Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill, right? Who's the other Hamlin?

Howard

[beat] My father.

Howard

The opinion came in. Jimmy was suspended for twelve months. This is a win, my friend. I know it doesn't feel like it… but hear me out. Jimmy’s not gonna be a lawyer for one year, and if he screws up–which we both know is likely–his PPD terminates. One year may turn into forever. [pause; Chuck says nothing] Chuck, you’re at a crossroads. You can keep looking backwards, stay focused on your brother–what he’s up to–or you can go forward. And Chuck, listen to me. Jimmy’s just not worth it. Where would we be if… say, Clarence Darrow had devoted the best years of his life to supervising his ne’er-do-well relatives? Think of the cases he wouldn’t have taken, the injustices that would’ve gone unanswered. [pause] What a waste. I say… [uncorks scotch bottle] put your energy into the future. [pours glasses for himself and Chuck] Anything else… is a waste of your time and intellect. What do you say?

Chuck

[beat; sniffs the scotch in his glass] To new beginnings.

Howard

To new beginnings.

Howard

What the hell is this?

Kim

I think it's pretty self-explanatory. [beat] Look, Howard, you were very generous when I left HHM, but it never sat right with me that you covered my law school loans.

Howard

Seemed to sit right at the time!

Kim

I appreciate the gift, but now that I'm able to afford it, I wanna pay you back.

Howard

Well, you "appreciate the gift."

Kim

Yes, I do.

Howard

You know what I'm doing in there? Take a guess. I'm doing damage control, and I'm doing it three meals a day for the past two weeks with every one of our clients! I am busting my ass, trying to repair the reputation of the firm after you and Jimmy dragged it through the mud!

Kim

I did everything in my power to defend my client.

Howard

Oh, is that what you're calling it?

Kim

That's the job, Howard. And by the way, it was all very convenient for you to ignore Chuck's illness when it suited you.

Howard

So I take you out of the mailroom, put you through law school, mentor you, and then when you leave and stab me in the back, that's my fault? I'm not cashing this.

Howard

Kim! Your debt is forgiven, but anything else? That's on you.

Kim

All Jimmy and I did was show the situation for what it is, and if you are hiding that from your clients? Well, Howard, that's on you.

Howard

You're suing Hamlin Hamlin & McGill?!

Chuck

Come on in, Howard.

Howard

You turned the lights on?

Chuck

I told you, I'm back to normal. And yes, I am suing HHM for breach of contract.

Howard

Do you have any idea what you're doing?!

Chuck

I believe I do. I'm calling your bluff. This is my firm—I built it. Your father was working in a two-room office when I joined him. And you, I tutored for the Bar exam. You're not kicking me out. If you can't trust my judgment as you say, so be it. But you're gonna have to pay me for my share. I believe it comes to around $8 million. We both know the firm doesn't have the money.

Howard

[shocked] You'd rather tear down HHM than retire?

Chuck

Do you think I'm trouble now, as your partner? Imagine me as your enemy.

Howard

Chuck. The damage that you're going to do...

Chuck

If you'd like to discuss this further, we can in court. Until then... [shrugs] what else is there to say?

Chuck

Lawsuits. Threats. Recriminations. This is a situation no law firm wants to be in. It's—Well, it's embarrassing. I know we all want a swift resolution here... so, what are our options? Take it to trial? Expensive, and extremely damaging to HHM's reputation. Not my first choice. Or yours, I imagine. The firm could choose to buy me out... for an amount that is almost certain to bankrupt it. I spent decades building this firm. I don't want to be the agent of its destruction. There is a third option; there's no reason we can't put all this unpleasantness behind us and continue on as we have been. I'm willing to let bygones be bygones, and if you agree... I think we can settle all this right now with a simple handshake.

Howard

[pause] ...Would you all give us the room for a moment?

Howard

Seventeen years. Eighteen in July, actually. All those years we built this place together. And all that time I've supported you. Looked up to you, deferred to you. Because I always thought you had the best interests of the firm in mind.

Chuck

I have!

Howard

Mnh. You did. For a long time. But you've let personal vendettas turn your focus away from what's best for HHM. You've put your needs first. To our detriment.

Chuck

I don't think that's accurate.

Howard

And the moment that I mildly suggest, with empathy and concern, that maybe it's time for you to consider retirement... the first instinct you have is to sue me?! To sue the firm? Well, I... I—I don't even know. I—In what world is that anything but the deepest betrayal of everything we worked so hard to accomplish? In what world is that anything but the deepest betrayal of our friendship?

Chuck

Howard, I could argue that you're the one who betrayed me—

Howard

That's bullshit. And you know it. This is pointless.

Howard

Here. Just take this.

Chuck

$3 million?

Howard

The first of three payments, as per the partnership agreement.

Chuck

The firm can't afford this. Are you... [surprised] ....you're not shutting down, are you?

Howard

I would never endanger the firm. This is mostly from my personal funds. And a few loans.

Chuck

[astonished] You're paying me out of your own pocket.

Howard

[pause] You won.

Howard

I-I think I owe you the truth about Chuck. Those lanterns. He was living in that house without electricity for the better part of two years. He knew how to use those lanterns. He was careful, I saw it, I know you did too. There was never a problem. I know it's a terrible thing to... [pause] I don't think what happened was an accident.

Howard

You probably heard Chuck was retiring from HHM. But that's not the truth. The truth is that we had a disagreement, and I pushed him out. I made him go.

Kim

Chuck was sick for years. And after the bar hearing—

Howard

The bar hearing had nothing to do with it.

Kim

Okay.

Howard

The fact is, he started getting better after that. He took more of an interest in the firm, he came to work, we could leave the lights on. He was improving until the thing with the insurance, so i-it wasn't the bar hearing.

Jimmy

The insurance?

Howard

It was a ridiculous thing. I should have just let it go. I mean, God knows he's done enough for me. But he kept pushing, and I, um, I got my back up.

Jimmy

What about the insurance?

Howard

It was, uh, our malpractice insurance. They found out about Chuck's condition, raised our rates. Chuck went ballistic. He wanted to go to war. I drew a line. He wouldn't back down, so I forced him out. Never occurred to me that I could hurt him. He always seemed so strong. But he wasn't. I think he did what he did because of me.

Jimmy

[pause] Well, Howard, I guess that's your cross to bear.

Kim

I just, uh... I just had to know—What were you thinking?

Howard

About?

Kim

What were you thinking when you came to Jimmy on the day of his brother's funeral and laid that shit on him? That Chuck killed himself? What's wrong with you?

Howard

I-I thought... I thought I owed it to Jimmy, to tell him.

Kim

"Owed it to him?" Did you owe it to Rebecca? You tell her your theory? That Chuck intentionally set himself on fire? [pause; Howard doesn't answer] Well, I guess not. I guess you just saved that one for Jimmy.

Howard

Kim, I didn't do it to hurt Jimmy—

Kim

No, you did it to make yourself feel better.

Howard

That—That's not what I was trying to do—

Kim

To make yourself feel better by unloading your guilt. Who cares what it does to Jimmy, right? As long as Howard Hamlin is okay.

Howard

Kim, I don't think that's fair—

Kim

FAIR?! Let's talk about fair! "Hey, let's let Jimmy dig around the fire-damaged wreck where his brother died SCREAMING! And then, let's let him pick up a keepsake or two!" That is so, so fair! And did I hear you right? You want him to serve on the board of a scholarship committee?! A scholarship that Chuck never in a million years would've given to Jimmy! Never! It is just, I mean— [picks up an envelope containing a personal letter from Chuck to Jimmy] Oh, what's this too, Howard? What's in this? One last "screw you, little brother" from beyond the grave? Am I really supposed to do this to him?!

Howard

Alright, Kim. What can I do to make it better?

Kim

Nothing. There is nothing you can do. Just stay away.

Jimmy

Howard. Everything okay?

Howard

Everything's fine. How are you doing?

Jimmy

I've been better. I'm heading up to the DA's office for my PPD check-in, so you know...

Howard

Yeah.

Jimmy

[pause] You sure you're okay?

Howard

I'm supposed to be in court in, uh... about twenty-five minutes.

Jimmy

Big case?

Howard

Not particularly.

Jimmy

So, what's up?

Howard

[sighs] Nothing. Just... [chuckles] You ever have insomnia?

Jimmy

Not really.

Howard

Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Jimmy

Don't they have pills for that? [Howard chuckles again] I'm sorry, I gotta ask. What's... What's eating you?

Howard

Jimmy... [pause] I think I've shared enough. More than enough. Let's leave it at that.

Jimmy

I get it. You know what, Howard? You do yourself a favor, and you go see someone. Actually, I have the number of a shrink. I got it for a client. And he's supposed to be great. [looks for note Kim gave him earlier] I think... I've got it right here actually.

Howard

Uh, thanks. I'm already seeing someone.

Jimmy

Really?

Howard

Twice a week.

Jimmy

Is he any good?

Howard

Yes.

Jimmy

[pause] Well... Good seeing you, Howard.

Howard

You too.

Jimmy

Hey, I see a lot of empty cubicles out there. What's going on?

Howard

We're doing some reorganizing.

Jimmy

Just making the office more feng shui, I take it?

Howard

We've had some setbacks.

Jimmy

Paying out to Chuck's estate?

Howard

That is part of it. And to be frank, the firm's reputation is... not what it was.

Jimmy

So what's the plan?

Howard

The consultants call it "rightsizing".

Jimmy

No, I mean, what's the plan to get HHM back on its feet? [pause; Howard doesn't answer] Are you kidding me? I just referred a client to you guys. You're welcome, by the way. And you're telling me this place is falling apart? Get your shit together, Howard!

Howard

Excuse me?

Jimmy

Oh, please. You suffer one little setback and you're gonna let your entire legacy go?!

Howard

"One little setback?"

Jimmy

Fine, your pain is very special. Woe is you. Just stop wallowing, okay? This place is all you've got! That and your hair—which, let's face it, clock's ticking there too, so... You wanna save your business? You wanna save your dignity? You're gonna have to fight! Hey... you're a shitty lawyer, Howard. But you're a great salesman. So, get out there and sell.

Howard

Fuck you, Jimmy!

Jimmy

There you go. Use that.

Howard

So... Saul Goodman. Am I allowed to call you Jimmy?

Jimmy

Uh, Saul Goodman is my professional name, but my friends still call me Jimmy. You can, too.

Howard

Well, tell me about Saul Goodman.

Jimmy

What do you mean?

Howard

Well, what I mean is... If he's not Jimmy McGill, who is he? What's he about?

Jimmy

Hmm, well... [pause] Saul Goodman is, uh, he's the last line of defense for the little guy. You're getting sold down the river, he's a life raft. You're getting stepped on, he's a sharp stick. You got Goliath on your back, Saul's the guy with the slingshot. He's a righter of wrongs, he's a friend to the friendless. That's Saul Goodman.

Howard

Wow. [pause] Couldn't Jimmy McGill do all that?

Jimmy

Maybe he could, but Saul Goodman is.

Howard

I get it.

Jimmy

You do?

Howard

Yeah. I understand why you changed your name.

Jimmy

Is that right?

Howard

Hamlin Hamlin McGill did you wrong. Your name is a part of that firm, now it's tainted. We took your legacy away from you.

Jimmy

If you say so, Howard.

Howard

No, I've been thinking about this a lot. And you know what? We should've hired you.

Jimmy

Don't worry about it. That's ancient history.

Howard

You deserved a shot. And I could've given it to you... when you got barred, or when you brought us Sandpiper. Both times, I should've shown some backbone. It would've been the right thing to do.

Jimmy

Well, I am glad you had this cleansing moment of clarity, Howard. Good for you.

Howard

Let me be clear: I'm not interested in yesterday. I missed an opportunity with you, and I think it’s time to correct that. [pause] I'd like you to come work at HHM.

Jimmy

[clears his throat and sips his drink] You want me to work with you after all the shit that’s happened between us?

Howard

Well, as far as I’m concerned, that's between you and Chuck.

Jimmy

...Hey, look. Before you offer me a job, you might wanna call your buddy, Cliff Main. He’d have a unique perspective on employing me.

Howard

This isn’t a "spur of the moment" decision, Jimmy. I have been considering this for a while. [pause] At the scholarship committee, you spoke about that young woman.

Jimmy

Kristy Esposito?

Howard

Yes, Kristy. You stood up for her. And that got me thinking about judgment... and honesty. [chuckles] And when you kicked my ass last year. [shrugs] You weren't wrong. You say what you mean.

Jimmy

Listen, if you don't want to be surrounded by liars, Howard, you might be in the wrong profession.

Howard

Look, it’s simple for me. You’re smart, you’re scrappy. You’re a go-getter. You don’t wait for things to happen, you make them happen. HHM is growing again and could use someone like you. I could use you... Charlie Hustle.

Jimmy

...Howard, I–

Howard

You don’t have to answer right now. Let’s just enjoy lunch... but do me a favor. Live with it for a bit, okay?

Howard

I hear S&C are following the playbook?

Erin and the gang already had to jump on redrafting the complaint, but then another box of receipts was suddenly "discovered". What are you hearing from Kylie?

Howard

[notices the hookers] ...Uh, can I help you?

Howie. You know.

Howard

I, uh...No, I don't know.

Oh, don't try to play us like that, Howie!

Howard

Uh, this is--[to Cliff] I don't know them. Ladies, I don't know you. This is some sort of mistake--

Yeah, we made a mistake alright! Joe-Dog ain't happy. You owe us.

Howard

O-owe you?

Yeah. Owe.

You can't take a ride on the Carnival Cruise and only pay for a tugboat, you know what I'm saying?

I can leave if you need--

Howard

No, no. Look, I don't know any Joe-Dog or Tugboat, so we can end this right now--

We ain't leaving without our cash money!

Howard

I don't know you, and owe no money to you. That's it.

[gasps] Don't touch her!

Jimmy

"No, Cliff, these are not my hookers, they're somebody else's." "Howard, are you sure they're not your hookers? They seem to be." "No, no, Cliff, my hookers were taller than these." [chuckles] Oh God, I'm good.

Howard

Have you thought anymore about the job?

Jimmy

The job? Yeah, um... I'm still giving it some thought.

Howard

Giving it some thought?

Jimmy

Yeah.

Howard

[pause] You know what? Don't bother. It seems I've upset you, so... offer's off the table.

Jimmy

You upset me? How did you upset me?

Howard

You tell me.

Jimmy

[pause; chuckles] This is getting weird, Howard.

Howard

You want to know what's weird? It's weird to offer a job to a man, and in return have bowling balls thrown at your car, and prostitutes sent to your business lunch. That's weird.

Jimmy

Are you listening to yourself? I–I don't know what you're into these days, Howard, but... prostitutes and... bowling balls? You sound unhinged.

Howard

[pause] Jimmy, I'm sorry you're in pain.

Jimmy

[scoffs] Sorry. You're sorry? You kill my brother, and you say you're sorry? Let me tell you something. The job offer, it didn't upset me. It amused me. Ooh... big job at the illustrious HHM. A chance to play at the palace! With little old me?

Howard

I was trying to...

Jimmy

You have no idea what's going on! You're a teensy-tiny man in a teensy-weensy little bubble!

Howard

Oh, Jimmy...

Jimmy

Oh, don't you fucking, "Oh, Jimmy," me! You look down on me, you pity me! [Howard starts walking away from Jimmy] Walk away. That's right, Howard! You know why I didn't take the job? 'Cause it's too small! I don't care about it! It's nothing to me! It's a bacterium! I travel in worlds you can't even imagine! You can't conceive of what I'm capable of! I'm so far beyond you! I'm like a god in human clothing! LIGHTNING BOLTS SHOOT FROM MY FINGERTIPS!

Kim

What's up?

Howard

I wasn't going to say anything. Last time I tried to get something off my chest, it didn't go very well. I just think... before you make any big changes in your life, there's something about Jimmy you ought to hear.

Kim

[pause] Okay.

Howard

A little while ago, I offered Jimmy a job at HHM. I'm guessing he didn't mention it to you. [pause] He said he had to think about it. But then the very next night, he threw bowling balls over my front gate.

Kim

Bowling balls?

Howard

Someone could have been really hurt. More or less destroyed my car. Then, a couple of weeks later, I'm having lunch with Cliff Main... and I'm accosted by two prostitutes. Actual prostitutes! Jimmy had sent them to make a scene. I confronted Jimmy about it, and after some hemming and hawing, he all but confessed.

Kim

[pause] ...And that's it?

Howard

Mmm-hmm.

Kim

[laughs hysterically] Sorry! Uh... Howard. You really, y–you really had me going there.

Howard

Laugh if you want. But no person in their right mind would behave the way Jimmy has. We are talking about someone who's not in control of himself! You and I both know it makes no sense to drop a client like Mesa Verde. And I gotta think Jimmy had something to do with that.

Kim

Do you have any idea how insulting that is? I make my own decisions, for my own reasons.

Howard

You gotta listen to me. The man needs help.

Kim

Howard, I know Jimmy. And you're wrong!

Howard

[scoffs] You know who really knew Jimmy? [pause] Chuck.

Howard

I threw a woman out of my car? In the middle of the street? And I—zip. I just drive right past you? I... That's what you're saying? [stutters] I–I don't even... I don't know how to respond to that.

I'm not asking you to respond. I just need you to know that I know.

Howard

It wasn't me, Cliff! Whoever you think you saw–

Yeah, sorry, but that's the kind of thing my son used to say. It was your Jaguar, your "Namaste" plate. It was you! Howard, there's no harm in asking for help. You got a lot of people in your corner.

Howard

So there's the–the baggie at the country club.

Yes.

Howard

After that, some clients who you can't name because of privilege make insinuations. Then on Thursday, you have a business meeting, and you witness a Jaguar speeding past. [beat] Who were you meeting with?

Not sure why that's germane, but... Kim Wexler. She came to me for career advice.

Howard

Mmm. Alright. [pause] Okay. [takes out his cell phone] Of course. [scoffs] Of course. Cliff, I know this wasn't easy for you. You came to me as a friend. I appreciate it.

You can start today, Howard.

Howard

Oh, I will. Because you're right. I do have a problem, just not the problem you think. I have a Jimmy McGill problem.

Jimmy McGill?!

Howard

You'll have to excuse me.

Howard!

Howard

[to his secretary on the phone] Julie. Cancel my week. Yes, my whole week.

Howard!

Howard

Hello, Jimmy.

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.

Howard

I thought it sounded like a Saul Goodman kind of case.

Jimmy

...Alright, so what are we doing here?

Howard

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?

Howard

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?

Howard

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–

Howard

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?

Howard

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?

Howard

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.

Howard

Indulge me. Let's see what we see.

Jimmy

[pause; smiles] Thanks for the laughs. [chuckles] "Mr. Ward."

Howard

[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.