"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?
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.
[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?
Okay, ask me why I'm here.
What brings you to Davis & Main today?
"I'm sick. I'm really sick..."
"...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?
Yeah, I had the brother-in-law with the coke.
Yeah, but you were only in the room with him once.
Okay, so it's gotta be something with a history with Howard.
But Cliff has to want to take the meeting, but not the case.
[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!
[sighs] You are going to hate this...
[Gus and Juan Bolsa visit Hector at Casa Tranquila to send their condolences, still believing that Lalo is dead. The dialogue is in Spanish.]
He wishes to make amends. At least hear him out.
Don Hector. It's no secret that I did not see eye to eye with your nephew. And while the friction between your family and myself did not start with him, today I am reminded we are all Eladio's men. No matter our disagreements, a strike against one is a strike against all. I hope you will accept my condolences and my support as you navigate this terrible loss.
Gustavo speaks the truth. In this matter, he and I both stand shoulder to shoulder behind the Salamanca family. We are still looking for the traitor, Ignacio Varga. [places hand on Hector's shoulder] We will find him. And then your family will have justice.
[Hector slowly reaches his hand out to Gus. As Gus holds his hand, he notices a change of expression on Hector's face and stares at him. Cut to outside the nursing home.]
[to Gus in English] We'll be in touch.
[Gus calls Mike on his cell phone after Juan drives away]
[Jimmy gets a call from Betsy Kettleman after she finds out there was no case against Howard]
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?
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.
TTyrus
They found the truck, but no sign of Varga. Salamancas have all eyes looking for him, including the federales. Still not picking up his cell, so nobody got a lock on it. Now as for Lalo, still missing. As far as everybody in the cartel is concerned, top to bottom, Lalo is dead.
May I offer a thought? [pause; to Gus] If Salamanca was coming straight for you, he'd be here already. We've got guys watching anywhere he might turn up this side of Mexico. Wire taps on any phone he might call. There is not a whiff of him. Now, my guess is he's smart enough to know it's not in the Salamanca family interest to take you out without a reason the bosses can get behind. So, the odds are he's searching for Varga. Finds him alive, gets him to talk. [pause; Gus remains silent] Varga's alone in foreign territory, no one he can trust. The kid's smart, but he's not gonna last. [Gus stands up] He's gonna get caught.
[Gus accidentally knocks a glass over and kneels down to pick up the shards from the floor]
The best way to handle this: I take four of our best guys, cross the border and track Varga down. Let me find him, bring him back before the Salamancas sweep him up. It's our only play.
[After cleaning up the broken glass, Gus throws it away and looks out a nearby window]
[beat; in Spanish] Varga's father. Bring him here.
No. You're not doing that. [locks the door after Tyrus gets his gun out] You don't understand. That's not happening.
TTyrus
[walks up to Mike and aims gun at him] Just say the word.
Whatever happens next... it's not gonna go down the way you think it is.
[Mike stares at Tyrus, who cocks his gun and waits for Mike to make a move.]
[beat; hears cell phone vibrating] It's him.
TTyrus
Bullshit. I've been calling Varga for hours. He hasn't picked up once.
He's been trying to get me since he left the Salamancas. [opens phone] You want me to answer it?
[Tyrus turns to Gus, who nods. Mike answers the phone and speaks to Nacho]
Yeah. [pause] Yeah. ...Not my call. [pause] That's up to you. [to Gus] He wants to talk to you.
