[Jimmy and Mike are sitting at a booth at Loyola's diner. Jimmy places a Hummel figurine on the table]
What if I told you you could turn this piece of crap into four grand, for each of us, minimum? This little fella, he's called the "Merry Wanderer." He's not much to look at, he's pretty easy to find. I got this one at a pawn shop on 4th for twenty bucks. But, he has a cousin called "Bavarian Boy," almost identical—same umbrella, same swagger. That one is worth a boatload.
And I gather you know where to find a Bavarian Boy?
I do indeed. He's gathering dust on a shelf in an office up on San Mateo and he's been there for God knows how long and they have no idea what they've got. To them, it's not Bavarian Boy, it's just some piece of junk Grandma gave me that I feel too guilty to get rid of. And that's where you come in. Now, this place I'm talking about, they're not exactly what you call security-conscious. There's no cameras whatsoever. There's an alarm on the door that I could probably bridge. And past that, you just pick a lock and walk over to the shelf and swap this Wanderer for that Boy. It's five minutes, max.
[Fran, a waitress, approaches the table]
FFran
Warm-up, gentlemen?
FFran
[regarding the figurine] That's cute.
FFran
Yeah. Have your food out in a jiff, Mike.
[sighs] Look. They're not even going to know it's gone. They look over at the shelf, they just see the same dumb tchotchke staring at 'em they've been looking at for years. There's no serial number. These things are practically untraceable. You send Pryce or some other schlub down to Dallas, next week they're having a collectibles expo. Those people are hungry for Hummels. I mean, their eyes are gonna pop when they see what we've brung 'em. And they will pay through the nose, which we will split fifty-fifty. So? It's perfect, right? We make some nice Hummel-loving lady happy, and we make a bundle. Let's do something beautiful here.
And how did you come across this valuable wunderkind?
What difference does it make?
Guys in the office cross you? Done you wrong?
[scoffs] What? You're, uh, missing the point! It's free money! You walk by a twenty on the sidewalk? No, you pick it up.
Not for you? Is there some problem I'm not seeing, like, with the swap or something?
Plan's fine as far as it goes, it's just not for me. And I don't think it should be for you, either. [beat] I'm sorry about your brother.
Yeah, thanks. What, you're really not gonna do this?
[Jimmy speaks to Caldera's contact over the phone about the figurine job]
I have one question for you: Do you shit gold? It's a simple "yes" or "no." Do. You. Shit. Gold? No? Alright, then. Because unless you currently have a large gold nugget traversing your colon, this is the easiest money you're ever gonna make.
GGale
Oh, I tested your samples. They range from 39% to 58% pure. Except this one, which hovers around 67. Top of the glass, so to speak. You should tell the chemist to check his or her cookware. It's introducing contamination, which would be easy to avoid.
Well, thank you very much, Gale. That's very useful information. Well, I should let you get back to your work.
GGale
Mr. Fring, um... I—I don't want to cast aspersions, but I have to tell you, these samples aren't great. I-In fact, they're, um... They're—they're not even good. Basically, they're dreck. I could do much better...
GGale
...much higher-grade. I could make a kilo or more right here, no one would know. It wouldn't take more than a few days.
I wouldn't want to interfere with your studies.
GGale
These are my studies. Please, it's the least I can do. I wouldn't let you down.
[chuckles] Oh, I'm certain that you wouldn't. But I'm afraid I can't allow it. Not yet. You were meant for better things. I'll see you soon, Gale.
[Kim shows Jimmy some documents left over to him from Chuck's will, including a personal letter from Chuck in an unopened envelope]
Um, this is... It's from Chuck. Nobody knows for sure what's in it. You don't have to open it right now, but...
[Jimmy opens the envelope]
Let's see what the old boy has to say.
O-Okay. I'll give you minute, um...
No, no. Stay. It's fine. And, uh, you want to hear this, right?
It's undated. Okay, here it goes: "Dear Jimmy, I have left many things unsaid in our relationship through the years. Rather than allow—allow these unspoken thoughts to die with me, I've chosen to record them here for you. I hope you will take my words in the spirit in which they are intended." New paragraph. "I remember quite clearly the day you came home from the hospital. You can't imagine the joy on Mom's face. I can honestly say I never saw her happier than she was on that day. You brought a shine to her life that nothing else ever did, and I'm glad of that." New paragraph. "We have not always seen eye to eye. I expect it will continue to be so in the future. However, nothing will ever change the fact that we are brothers, flesh and blood. Although we are very different people, I want you to know how much I respect what you have made of yourself in these last few years. You have taken the opportunity I gave you in the mailroom and you have run with it, becoming a valued member of the HHM family. For all the problems in your past, I'm proud we share the name McGill. I sincerely admire your energy and resilience. I used to worry about you finding a place in the world, but I'm not worried about that anymore. I'm certain now that no matter what the future may bring you'll land on your feet, and I hope when you read this, you remember me not only as your brother, but a person you knew was always in your corner." Signed just "Chuck." Well, say what you want, the man could write a letter.
[Jimmy turns to see Kim on the verge of tears]
No, I did–I didn't mean to make it–
No, it's okay, it's okay. It's a nice letter. Hey...
No, just... just... just give me... just give me a minute...
[Kim breaks down crying and leaves the room]
