[Jimmy is distracted by Chuck's presence at a meeting at HHM]
CCliff
How about we move on to client outreach?
Jimmy? You still with us?
CCliff
I'm gonna save you from having to brag: Over two hundred new Sandpiper clients signed over the past three weeks. Well done, Jimmy.
Thank you. Thanks, Cliff. Right now, we're in the process of mapping out the entire Southwest, targeting the largest Sandpiper facilities first: Phoenix, Colorado Springs, Fort Worth, Provo. Ideally, my goal–another two hundred by the end of the month. With this many folks, we have an excellent shot at a solid batch of plaintiffs for the classes in each district.
CCliff
Excellent! Looking forward to the next report. Onto a stickier wicket, coordinating actions–
Sorry, before we move on, I'd like to go back to client outreach just for a moment. Looking over these numbers here, really astonishing results, Jimmy. Incredible. Your last trip to Amarillo, you came back with twenty-two new clients.
Twenty-four! I'm confused. Um, how many people out there actually responded to our direct mailer?
Oh, right, yeah. A Mrs. Alma May Urbano... but you got twenty four new clients from this one response? That is... wow.
Well, you're welcome. I mean, what, is there a problem?
Well, might not some parties—the opposing counsel, for example—see this differential and conclude that there may have been some solicitation involved?
I'm just wondering how you account for your success, because it will definitely raise eyebrows over at Schweikart & Cokely. [to the room] I'm sorry, but it will. Particularly in a case involving seniors, for whom the ethical guidelines on solicitation were virtually created by the ABA.
Chuck, I'm sure that— [Chuck hushes him] Jimmy, if you could clear this up, that would be helpful.
I went to Amarillo to confer with a client, and to make sure that we had a solid, good-faith basis for our case there, overall. As many of you are aware, I've visited more than my share of retirement homes. These are close-knit communities, let me tell ya: word gets around real fast. If Dorothy in Phase 2 gets a new Rascal scooter, it's big news.
CCliff
So these other twenty-three residents, they approached you?
Cliff, they heard the scuttlebutt before I crossed state lines, and I certainly didn't have to go knocking on any doors. And is it any surprise that they wanna speak with a guy who was there to show them they may have money coming their way? I gotta tell ya, with all that in mind: I shoulda done better.
CCliff
Makes sense. Howard?
Chuck? We good to move on?
[Jimmy and Chuck stare at each other; Chuck shrugs]
CCliff
And Chuck, not incidentally, it is absolutely vital that we dot our I's and cross our T's here—invaluable. So, thank you.
Well, the price of excellence is eternal vigilance.
[Jimmy takes a phone call from Cliff after the broadcast of the commercial.]
It's never too late for a congratulations. [picks up phone] Cliff! Jesus, you're still at the office.
CCliff
You ran a commercial?
Yeah. And oh my God, let me tell you, the response has been–
CCliff
You ran a commercial without ever showing it to me, without first consulting me and my partners! Did you actually think that was going to fly?!
I was planning on telling you in the morning.
CCliff
The day after it aired?!
I only ran it once, just in one small market. It was kind of an experiment, all right? Kind of under the radar. And in all fairness, you did tell me client outreach was my department.
CCliff
Don't be disingenuous. This commercial, I take it my firm's name is mentioned?
CCliff
Jesus. Howard said you were a little eccentric. He didn't tell me you were a goddamn arsonist!
Cliff, to be fair, I don't think... I apologize if there was any misreading of the situation on my part, but there's a very positive headline here. We got 103 phone calls today, off a measly $700 ad buy. Now, that kind of return on investment you can't get–
CCliff
Tomorrow morning. Eight o'clock, my office, with the partners, and we want to see this thing!
Cliff, when you see this, I know you–
[Cliff hangs up on Jimmy. Jimmy pretends he's still on the phone with Cliff as he walks back into the living room.]
Yeah, Cliff. Thank you... Yeah, you too... Okay, see ya.
[Jimmy shows his commercial to Davis and Main's partners]
You and I did discuss the possibility of a commercial.
CCliff
A possibility in the abstract for a grand total of 30 seconds when I was halfway out the door!
I guess—I thought I heard enthusiasm, so I- I took some initiative.
CCliff
Some? Wow. We are a team at Davis & Main, this is a team approach! You coming to us as a solo practitioner, I knew there's gonna be a learning curve, but if you simply can't fit in as part of the team-
I can fit in! I—I fit in. I am here to help you and HHM win Sandpiper. That's all this was about.
CCordova
Sandpiper's not what keeps the lights on around here.
LLynton
We- we have clients who wouldn't want to be associated with this kind of—this.
CCliff
Our image, our reputation is something we've been carefully building for years. It's worth far more than any one case, something like this could damage it. Suffice it to say, there's not a lot of love for you in the room at the moment. The vote is currently 2-to-1 to fire you for cause. However, I believe in second chances, but know this is both strike one and strike two! Going forward, you can expect a great deal more scrutiny.
CCliff
Excuse me, can I have everyone's attention please? Everyone can hear me? Good. Frankly, this is not a conversation I ever thought I would have in my professional career. But it's been brought to my attention that we have an ongoing situation in the washroom. Someone is not flushing. Once is an accident, maybe even twice. Three times, nah, it's a pattern.
EErin
And we're not talking about a number one.
CCliff
Yes, thank you, Erin. Now I'm not here to shame anyone, nor do I even want to know who did it. But—
CCliff
Jimmy, I just said I didn't want to know!
Hey, we need the water. I read somewhere the Santa Fe Watershed is down two full inches this year. Every time you flush a toilet, you waste a gallon of water. A gallon! What could be greener than this?
CCliff
They're low-flow toilets, Jimmy! From now on, flush!
That's... good, good thinking.
What? Cliff, if this is about the bagpipes-
CCliff
It's not about the bagpipes! Well, of course it's the bagpipes. It's the bagpipes and the not flushing and this-this optical migraine you call a business suit. It's about... [sighs] It's about keeping your bonus, that's what this is about. Been brushing up on your contract law, haven't you? You want out of here, clearly, but you can't just up and quit and expect to keep your bonus, and if I fire you for cause, like I should've done for the TV commercial, no bonus. However, if I fire you not for cause, but for being an all-around jackass...yeah, hooray for you.
If you think there's been some malfeasance here...
CCliff
Oh, save it. I could fight you on this, but you're not worth my time. I'd rather have you gone.
...Well, I'm sorry you feel that way. I'll just uh, pack up.
CCliff
First, do me the favor of not treating me like a fool for once. Tell me, how exactly did we mistreat you? What did I do to deserve this kind of behavior? We gave you opportunities, encouraged you to excel, got you a car, an apartment. Hell, that cocobolo desk? Do you see a desk like that in here? You never gave this a chance. Why?
I tried to make it work. Really, I did. I'm just... a square peg.
CCliff
If you knew that, why did you take the job?!
[beat] I'm sorry. [turns to leave Cliff's office] How much was the desk?
CCliff
Seven thousand dollars.
CCliff
Fine, for whatever good that does. Take your desk and get out.
...Hey, Cliff. For what's it's worth, I think you're a good guy.
CCliff
For what it's worth, I think you're an asshole.
[As Howard is having lunch with Cliff Main, two prostitutes hired by Jimmy walk up to his table]
I hear S&C are following the playbook?
CCliff
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?
[notices the hookers] ...Uh, can I help you?
H1Hooker #1
Howie. You know.
I, uh...No, I don't know.
H2Hooker #2
Oh, don't try to play us like that, Howie!
Uh, this is--[to Cliff] I don't know them. Ladies, I don't know you. This is some sort of mistake--
H1Hooker #1
Yeah, we made a mistake alright! Joe-Dog ain't happy. You owe us.
H2Hooker #2
You can't take a ride on the Carnival Cruise and only pay for a tugboat, you know what I'm saying?
CCliff
I can leave if you need--
No, no. Look, I don't know any Joe-Dog or Tugboat, so we can end this right now--
H2Hooker #2
We ain't leaving without our cash money!
I don't know you, and owe no money to you. That's it.
H1Hooker #1
[gasps] Don't touch her!
[The other hooker screams. Cut to Jimmy outside watching the altercation from his car]
"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.
[Cliff informs Howard about witnessing Jimmy throw Wendy out of Howard's car]
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.
CCliff
I'm not asking you to respond. I just need you to know that I know.
It wasn't me, Cliff! Whoever you think you saw–
CCliff
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.
So there's the–the baggie at the country club.
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?
CCliff
Not sure why that's germane, but... Kim Wexler. She came to me for career advice.
[Howard's face becomes awash with realization]
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.
CCliff
You can start today, 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.
You'll have to excuse me.
[to his secretary on the phone] Julie. Cancel my week. Yes, my whole week.
[Howard climbs into his Jaguar and drives away]
[Cliff confronts Howard in his office after the fiasco in the conference room]
Cliff? Is that you? I'm not crazy, and I'm not on drugs. Please, come in. Now somehow, some way, that son of a bitch gave me something that dilated my pupils. I–I don't know what. But it's wearing off already, look. [gestures toward his eyes]
CCliff
You say that Jimmy McGill drugged you? How is that possible?
The–The photos. They were wet with... something.
CCliff
The missing photos.
Yeah. My P.I., Genidowski, had to have been in on it. He–He must have shown me one set of photos and then switched them after I left the office.
Three weeks ago, Julie got a call from our detective agency. They wanted to update their contact info, so of course she changed the number in the system. But it turns out, it wasn't them. That was Jimmy. So when I needed an investigator to follow Jimmy, I called his fake number and his fake man. She just dialed the old number and, of course, got the actual agency. And, no surprise, no one by the name of Genidowski had ever worked there. I hired a con man. I got played. Every step of the way. I know what it sounds like, but you have to believe me.
CCliff
I... It doesn't matter. Rich went back to the previous offer. I'll give a recommend to the class that we take it.
No. No way. We do not let Jimmy win this.
CCliff
Why would Jimmy even do this? He's a profit participant! This means less money for him!
Because he's a child! He wants his money now! He begged me months ago to settle! You know what he does!
CCliff
Whatever the truth is, we'll never get back to where we were before mediation. We have to settle.
I'm lead attorney. And I won't sanction that decision.
CCliff
Then, I'm obligated to go to the partners and explain everything I've seen–All of it. You think you're gonna be able to convince them it was all Jimmy McGill?
...Okay, then. We go to trial. Cliff, this case is incredibly strong. I put this thing in front of a jury, then everything will–
CCliff
I'm not thinking about you, Howard. I'm not thinking about Jimmy. I'm thinking about the time, the expense, the uncertainty. I'm thinking about our clients!
[Howard bows his head in defeat]
[Jimmy and Kim approach Cliff and Howard's widow, Cheryl, at a memorial reception in the offices of HHM.]
[Jimmy extends his hand to Cheryl, but she doesn't take it]
Hi, Cheryl. I'm Jimmy McGill. You may not remember me. I'm Chuck McGill's brother.
Very sorry for your loss. [sighs]
Cheryl, I'm so sorry. I can't even imagine what you must be going through. If Jimmy and I can do anything for you or your family, please just say the word.
[Jimmy and Kim are about to walk away]
CCheryl
There is something, actually. You two were the last ones to see him, weren't you?
I guess so. Uh, that's what the police said.
CCheryl
Howard told me that you were harassing him, playing elaborate pranks of some sort. That you wouldn't leave him alone.
I know he thought that. He—he—he told me as well. Um, I think he honestly believed it.
CCheryl
But you're denying it.
[pause] You know what, I didn't leave here under the best terms. The past few years, I could have been more considerate to Howard instead of yitzing him every chance I got. I guess, uh, there was a certain amount of jealousy on my part because Howard had the, uh, respect of my brother. Which I never did. [Jimmy steps away]
CCheryl
Tell me what you told the police.
[pause] Okay, um... Well, I mean, it was 11 p.m. Howard started pounding on our door. He was very upset, going on about something, um, he thought was my fault, uh... Guess it had to do with the Sandpiper case. But I—I couldn't make head or tail out of it. We tried to calm him down. But... he just—he just wouldn't, um... Finally, he left. That's—that's it.
CCheryl
I'm not oblivious. I know people are saying he was on drugs. Is that what you're trying to tell me?
I just... He just didn't seem like himself.
CCheryl
[to Cliff] Are you hearing all of this? Because none of it makes sense to me.
CCliff
Cheryl, maybe we should just—
CCheryl
I don't care what people are saying. I don't care what the police think. Howard was not on drugs. That simply is not true. There's something more to this.
I don't know if it's my place, but... I—I...
CCheryl
Please. Just spit it out. [sharply inhales]
[sighs] It was about a year-and-a-half ago. I was still an associate here, working late on a brief. And I saw a light on in Howard's office. I assumed the cleaning crew left it on by mistake. And I was sure that office was empty, so I didn't knock.
And Howard was there at his desk, head down. And he was snorting something. [Cheryl scoffs] I looked at him. He looked at me. I didn't know what to do, so I just walked out. And the next morning, when we saw each other, neither of us ever said anything about it. I never told anyone. But now I wish I had.
CCheryl
[long pause; to Cliff] In all the years that you worked with him, have you witnessed anything like this? Even a hint? Cliff...
CCliff
I... Cheryl, this really isn't the time or the place.
[Cheryl begins to cry]
Cheryl. You were his wife. You saw him every day. You knew him better than anyone. Maybe I misunderstood what I saw. You would have known.
CCheryl
[voice breaking] Please excuse me.
[Cheryl retreats into a women's restroom]
Better Call Saul · 283 quotes
