What? Cliff, if this is about the bagpipes-
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...
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.
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.
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?
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.
For what it's worth, I think you're an asshole.
[Jimmy is proposing Kim join him as a partner in their own law firm]
If we're gonna be law partners, I need to know one thing: What kind of lawyer are you going to be? I don't mean what kind of law are you gonna practice, I mean... are you gonna play it straight? Or are you going to be... colorful?
I'm going to play it straight, right down the line! I'm gonna dot every 'i', and I'm gonna cross every... [stops and looks at Marco's ring] There's no point in me doing this if I can't be myself. Every time I try to do things someone else's way, it blows up in my face. That's what happened at Davis & Main; look how that turned out. I almost derailed your career, pissed everyone off. I've been trying to be the person someone else wants me to be for... who knows how long. At first it was Chuck, then it was you and that's not your fault. That was my choice, but if we're going to do this? I'm gonna go into it as me. So, yeah... colorful, I guess.
So, how'd it go with Schweikart?
Uh, it went well... should be getting their offer tomorrow.
That's fantastic. I'm really happy for you.
You know what? We should celebrate. Whataburger, on me.
You were right. It's time for me to be my own boss: solo practice! [beat] What, you don't think it's a good idea now? Don't tell me you've changed your mind.
No, I- I'm surprised, is all. Hey, I- I said all along, you're too good for those clowns! This is, uh... shit, yeah! Wow, it's great!
Good. To that end... I have a pitch for you. [places the torn business card on the desk] Not Wexler-McGill, but... [slides the two halves apart] Wexler and McGill. We find an office, share the housekeeping costs: the rent, electricity, everything. But I am Kim Wexler, attorney-at-law, and you are Jimmy McGill, attorney-at-law: both free to practice as we see fit.
Separate firms under one roof?
We're both headed uptown, so why can't we share a taxi? You do things your way, and I do them mine. We'll have freedom, but... we aren't trying to go it alone. Not partners, solo practitioners together. What do you think?
I don't know what to say...
[Kim meets with Howard to resign from HHM]
Again, thanks for taking the time-
You can just go ahead and rip off the Band-Aid. I have a pretty good idea why you're here.
[Kim nods and hands Howard her resignation letter. Howard glances at it before putting it down]
So, you're going with Schweikart & Cokely?
I heard through the grapevine.
I'm not going to another firm. I'm starting my own. I figured I'd try giving it a go as a solo practitioner.
[relaxes] Well, I, uh... wow!
I realized it was something I needed to do.
The week Jimmy exits Davis & Main, you decide to leave us? That can't just be happenstance.
...It's not. We're gonna be sharing expenses; one office, but two separate practices.
Smart. On several counts.
Howard... I want you to know that I appreciate my time here. I'm grateful for everything you and the firm have done for me, especially the financial help with my schooling, and I'm ready to write a check for the remainder of the loan. I just need accounting to get me that figure.
No need. Our gift to you.
...I don't know what to say. Um, thank you.
You earned it. Tell you the truth, I'm kind of envious.
Something about a fresh start. Back in the day, right out of law school, I thought long and hard about hanging up my own shingle.
Yeah. Oh, I was ready to take on the world, make a difference. [pause; smiles] Dad talked me out of it - wanted me to join the ranks here, throw another H in the firm's logo. [pause with smile frozen on his face] Things work out the way they're supposed to, I guess.
[Howard gets up to let Kim out of his office. Kim follows suit]
Kim, I want you to know that I always pushed you harder because I knew that I could expect more from you. Good luck to you.
[pause; shakes Howard's hand] Thank you.
[Kim steps out of Howard's office and hears Howard's voice through the door]
Get me Kevin Wachtell at Mesa Verde, cancel everything I have lined up this morning.
[Kim takes off sprinting for her cell phone]
Hi, Paige! It's Kim. Yeah, hi, just checking to see that we're still on for lunch on Monday. Great, and Kevin too? Good. Well, before we meet, there's some news you need to know about.
Well, I expected a round of documents an hour ago. You know we've got a filing coming up.
I know, Chuck. It's very possible... it's likely that we're losing Mesa Verde.
Losing them?! We just got them! Why, where are they going?
They're going with Kim Wexler. She left the firm.
Kim left? Oh, Howard... well, where is she going? Is it Rich Schweikart? Or did Reeves and Green get her?
No, not another firm. She's going into private practice.
What?! Well, that's completely... how is she going out on her own? Why is she going out on her own?
Well, the "why" is the why. The "how" is that she's pooling her resources... with Jimmy.
...Kim and my brother, partners at law. [shakes head] He's Svengali. The man is Svengali.
At any rate, back to Mesa Verde: I'm gonna try one last Hail Mary. Chuck? Mesa Verde?
I managed to get a meeting with Kevin Wachtell. He's coming in this afternoon, but compliance law is not my strong suit. So, if you have any details, any arguments, bullet-point them for me now, because I've got about an hour before I have to get back. [Chuck starts walking away] Chuck? I really need your help here!
[Chuck goes through his Mylar-lined suits before picking a regular one]
I'm going to that meeting.
Chuck, I don't know if that's a good idea.
I can do it! Force of will, and I've been getting better.
I know you have, but the message that we want to send-
I know the message! That we appear professional and not crazy! I'm going to the meeting, and the lights stay on. Everyone keeps their phones. Everything stays, for lack of a better word, normal. I will make it through.
[Chuck goes with Howard to negotiate keeping Mesa Verde with HHM]
Don't worry. I'm not here to extol the virtues of HHM. I'm guessing you've already had to suffer through Howard's hard sell first time around. So you've done your time, as far as I'm concerned.
What hard sell? It was enthusiasm. I gave them cookies.
Cookies were good, as I recall.
No, I'm here to put your minds at ease. Kim Wexler is, indeed, the right choice to handle Mesa Verde. She's the obvious choice. She's young, she's brilliant, she's going places. Let's face it, Howard. She's the future. Two old guys like us, we're the past.
Well, that's a sad thought.
Sad but true. [sighs] Banking law... needs to be exciting. It needs the next generation to come along and give it a big, old kick in the seat of the pants. Really wake it up. Let me tell you how boring I am: I read FEC and ISO reports for entertainment.
He does. I can attest to that.
Well, I try to stay up on things. The rules are changing all the time. With everything that's happened with Enron and WorldCom, the government is extra vigilant. These days, the penalties for even the most honest of errors can be devastating. You need a sharp, young eye to catch that stuff. I mean, when you've specialized in this kind of work for decades on end, you tend to get kinda...
Stale. You get stale. You forget about things like, oh, I don't know, the Community Reinvestment Act. Any bank such as Mesa Verde looking to open a de novo branch is definitely going to need to show a healthy portfolio of CRA compliance. Duh. [chuckles] Obviously, you guys have all that covered, I'm sure. Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act... there's another mouthful, huh? Boring! Still, if you were to run afoul of it, it could hold you up in court for years. And by the way, uh, if that were to happen to you folks as you go forward without us – which it will not – um, Howard has contacts at the Fed who could help sort things out.
Mm-hmm. And then there's the SEC's interpretation of Section 302 of Sarbox. Blah, blah, blah! [chuckles]
Well, navigating that correctly could mean savings of several hundred thousand dollars.
They know that, Howard. [Howard chuckles] Oh, I apologize. When you reach your golden years, you tend to get a little long-winded, ramble on and on about details. My point being... your bank is in excellent hands.
Look, I take your point. I do. But I have to say, I have complete confidence in Ms. Wexler.
You should. She was part of our team. She learned from us. You won't find better than Kim Wexler. But no matter how talented one individual may be, the needs of Mesa Verde are too big to handle alone. I wouldn't handle your coming expansion alone... which is why you should consider, once again, enlisting a team of professionals.
[Jimmy, his camera crew, and what appears to be an elderly veteran in a wheelchair meet with an Air Force captain in front of the "FIFI" B-29 Superfortress]
Major Theodore "Fudge" Talbot. His mom used to deliver him care packages of fudge during the war and then share them with his friends. So that's the story, right guys?
BCaptain Bauer
Well sir, this must certainly bring back some memories for you.
["Fudge" mumbles]
Too many to count, he says.
BCaptain Bauer
I got to say, Major Talbot, it's a privilege. So thank you for your service.
["Fudge" mumbles again]
BCaptain Bauer
Oh. Well, um, boy. [to camera crew] I envy you guys. I mean, the stories you must have heard. You remember any good ones?
CGCamera Guy
Uh, bombing stuff.
SGSound Guy
Bombing stuff.
CGCamera Guy
Bombing stuff.
SGSound Guy
Like, like the war.
BCaptain Bauer
Did he fly over the Hump, or did he take off out of India?
[Jimmy grabs Fudge's shoulder and makes him feign a cough]
Doing okay? You need some water? [Fudge nods] Yes. Yes, sir. Nuts, I forgot his water.
BCaptain Bauer
Oh, hey. I can run back to the office, get him a bottle.
You could? Fudge, the captain's going to run back to his office, get you some water. Okay, sir? ["Fudge" mumbles] Alright, that's great. There's no rush, he'll be fine.
BCaptain Bauer
I'll be back ASAP.
[Captain Bauer runs across the airfield. After he's gone, Jimmy and the camera crew begin removing Fudge's breathing apparatus.]
[to "Fudge"] I thought I told you not to say anything. Go stand by the front...nose, whatever.
[Jimmy and Fudge stand in front of "FIFI" while the camera crew sets up their equipment to shoot Jimmy's commercial]
CGCamera Guy
Where the hell did you find this guy? You couldn't get a real war hero?
Yeah, like they grow on trees. So this guy owes me. I defended him a while back when he couldn't pay.
CGCamera Guy
Defend him for what?
What, you want to be a lawyer when you grow up? Just fix—
?"Fudge"
Public masturbation. Total bullshit.
Alright, keep your voice down. You do not possess the power of speech. [to his film crew] Okay, let's go! Let's go! Chop, chop! [to Fudge] Alright, hands on hips. Alright, looking strong, looking proud. Alright? See the bomber, okay? The bomber's the main point, so see it.
CGCamera Guy
[sitting in the wheelchair] I see the freakin' bomber. You couldn't just plop the dude in front of a flag? Why's we have to come here?
Production value, showmanship. You rolling?
CGCamera Guy
Yeah, rolling.
Okay, start the dolly. [Sound Guy pushes the wheelchair] Action. [to Fudge] You're part of the Greatest Generation. You fought the Nazis.
?"Fudge"
Fought the Japanese.
[makes cutting gesture to stop filming] What?
?"Fudge"
Fought Japanese. I fought the Japanese. This machine was used in the Pacific, where the Japanese are.
Why don't you shut up and learn to take some direction?
?"Fudge"
[indignant] ...Japanese.
All right, fine. You fought all the... dirty... Axis Powers.
[Chuck wakes up to find Jimmy after he'd doctored the Mesa Verde documents]
He emerges. Good afternoon.
Is it afternoon? Where's Ernesto? He was supposed to stay with me.
Don't get mad at Ernie. He spent the better part of a day watching you do your impression of a baked potato. I told him to go home, get some shuteye. You hungry? You want something besides crackers?
No, I'm fine. I'll fix myself something after my stomach settles.
Really doing a number on yourself... spending so much time out of the house. You just had to do it, huh? Couldn't stand to let Kim have Mesa Verde, you had to swipe it from her?
I didn't swipe anything. We retained our client.
You and Howard never even heard about Mesa Verde 'til Kim brought it to you on a red velvet pillow.
[gets up] I need a shower, and I've got a ton of work to do. So if you're looking for a fight, Jimmy, I just don't have it in me. [beat] Jimmy. Thanks for staying with me. I know we have our issues, but... if things were reversed, I hope you know that I would do the same for you.
[Chuck, Howard, Kevin, and Paige are appearing before the Banking Board to get approval to open Mesa Verde's new bank]
Mr. Commissioner? Is there something we can clarify?
USMr. Ughetta's Assistant
Uh, yes. Could you give us the address of the proposed Scottsdale branch again?
Certainly. It's 1216 Rosella Drive, Scottsdale, Arizona, 85262.
UMr. Ughetta
1216? Okay, because the application I'm looking at today clearly gives the address as 1216.
1216. That's correct, sir.
UMr. Ughetta
But in the original submission, we're seeing 1261 Rosella Drive.
[ignoring them] I think if you double-check, you'll see that 1216 is correct.
USMr. Ughetta's Assistant
There seem to be two different addresses here.
Mr. Commissioner, I have a copy of our notice of intent, which was published in newspapers in Arizona and New Mexico. It clearly states the address is 1261 Rosella Drive—
Mr.–Mr. Commissioner, it-it—
UMr. Ughetta
1261 Rosella Drive. Yes, I have a copy of the notice of intent too. But on the actual filing, the address reads 1216. So, which is it?
[beat] Mr. Commissioner, if I may confer with my clients?
UMr. Ughetta
Certainly, please.
[to Chuck] It's absolutely 1261.
You are mistaken. And with all due respect, you're muddying the waters here.
Muddying the wat—?! [hands documents to Chuck] Look. Just look!
Well, this is clearly an error.
It's 1261. I know where my own damn bank is.
Now, let's just all calm down. I'm sure we can straighten this out—
I've got a building remodeled at 1261 Rosella. I don't know where the hell 1216 is.
I–I don't quite unders... [realizes] 1261?
Is this going to be a problem?
No, I'm sure it won't be.
Um, Mr. Commissioner, I apologize. Unaccountably, there appears to be a discrepancy in our filing.
UMr. Ughetta
So the correct address is the one that appeared in the notice of intent, the 1261?
It would seem so. Uh, it-it-it—We'd like to request an–an adjournment of just a few minutes so that we can amend the filing to reflect the correct address.
UMr. Ughetta
Well, I-I can give you an adjournment, uh, but... I don't think we can get you back in today.
If I may, when do you think you might be able to schedule us?
UMr. Ughetta
I'm being told by staff that they've already done the research for 1216 Rosella Drive. Our folks are going to have to go back to square one on the new address.
If we could obtain a provisional agreement today, to allow the branch to open—
UMr. Ughetta
No, no. With all due respect, it's up to you folks to submit accurate paperwork. Maybe next time, double-check.
[Mike meets with Nacho at their usual place]
I've got something I need to know, and I need to know it fast.
We got hit the other day. A truck headed south got hijacked. Someone stole a quarter of a million. Now Hector's flippin' out, lookin' for who did it. Thing is... I think it was you. They left the driver hog-tied, not a mark on him. Anyone in the game would've capped him without a second thought. But this driver? He's still breathin'. I thought to myself, "Who's the guy who'll rip off a couple hundred thousand in drug money and leave a witness? Who's the guy who won't pull the trigger? You." I'm not here to squeeze you. You wanna rip off the cartel, that's your business. But here's the thing. I'm picking up that driver, Hector's orders. We're gonna see what he knows, and if he knows you, that's bad for both of us.
That shouldn't concern you.
But he was in on it, right?
The driver had nothing to do with it.
You're telling me you did this without someone on the inside? Not possible. How did you know about the truck? How do you know about the tires?
All I can tell you is, you guys aren't half as smart as you think you are.
So the driver doesn't know anything?
Right now, Hector's looking at the competition, but he hears the driver say it was some old gringo...
He didn't hear me. He saw a guy with a ski mask, that's it.
You better be right. [starts to walk away]
Why wasn't it in the papers?
The truck robbery, the cops keeping it out of the papers?
The cops? The cops don't know shit about it.
Is that... what this is about? You wanted to put the cops onto Hector? Why?! You are nothing to him! He forgot all about you!
You put me in the shit... just 'cause you got it in for Hector Salamanca? [reaches for his gun] Listen, you put the cops on him, you put them on me. Doing it for the money, I get it, but this shit? That's insane.
You need to calm yourself down... and you need to take your hand out of that pocket.
[Nacho moves his hand away and rubs his head in frustration]
And just so you know, it's over. I'm done with your boss.
[sighs] Whatever. [starts walking away]
Why wasn't it in the papers?
[stops] 'Cause we cleaned it up.
We got lucky. After you left, a good samaritan came along and said "Oh my god, oh my god." He cut the driver loose. The driver calls us, we came out, got the truck... made it like it never happened.
...And that good samaritan?
Hector shot him in the face. We buried the guy out in the desert. Like I said, we cleaned it up.
[Jimmy and Kim are lying in bed]
You wanna talk about this?
I'm just going to say: You are meant for Mesa Verde, and they are meant for you. So, all is right with the world. [beat] Good night.
Good night. [beat] Your brother is one smart lawyer.
The smartest one I know. I mean, no offense.
He'd make quite an adversary.
The kind of adversary who'd find even the smallest crack in your defense. Going against him... you'd really want to make sure you've got all your "i"'s dotted and your "t"'s crossed. Nothing for him to find.
[Jimmy's eyes widen and he gets out of bed]
[Chuck and Ernesto visit the copy shop where Jimmy forged the Mesa Verde documents. Lance, the night clerk, has just been bribed by Jimmy to deny that he was there]
LLance
When the guy [Ernesto] showed me the picture, I thought maybe. But now that I'm seeing it again... ah, sorry, don't know what to tell you. Guess I was wrong.
Son, listen carefully. I am an officer of the court investigating a felony.
No, no I'm not. I—I—I'm a...
Mr. McGill, maybe we better get you home.
Ernesto, do not speak to me as if I were a child. I'm fine.
[Chuck begins to be affected by his electromagnetic hypersensitivity]
[to Lance] I am not a police officer. I am an attorney. And I have a moral and legal obligation to get to the bottom of this matter.
LLance
The bottom of what?
Forgery. Fraud. Falsifying evidence...
[Chuck's electromagnetic hypersensitivity becomes worse]
...breaking and entering.
LLance
[to Ernie] This guy, is he okay?
There's nothing wrong with me!
Mr. McGill, maybe we should just take a break and—
Ernie, shut up! [to Lance] You think about the choice you're making!
LLance
I already told you he wasn't here. What do you want me to say?
I want you to speak the truth! I know he was here! I know what he did! Tell me what you told Ernesto! Stop trying to change your story!
CCustomer
Excuse me, sorry. How do we get this to do 11x14?
[to customer] No, excuse me, we are having a conversation here!
LLance
[to customer] You have to switch it to tray four, it's easier if I show you. [to Chuck] Look... Dude, okay. I-I don't want any problems here, so just... [Lance leaves the counter; to Ernie] Get him out of here or I'm going to call the cops, okay?
Do not walk away from me! We are not finished here!
LLance
I am done talking to you, man!
[Chuck tries to walk after Lance, but is overcome by the electromagnetic fields. He passes out and falls down, hitting his head on the counter.]
[Chuck and Jimmy are at their mother's bedside in a Cicero hospital]
Seriously, Chuck, we gotta eat. Mom will be okay for a few minutes. It's been three days, it could be three more. [gets up] Okay? Let's go, buddy.
Jimmy, you wanna eat, go eat.
I'll bring you something. Uh, roast beef, no tomato, Italian on the side, alright? Okay, be right back.
[Chuck breaks down crying when Jimmy leaves. Mrs. McGill suddenly stirs]
[Mrs. McGill flatlines. A nurse comes in to check]
NNurse
I'm sorry. She has that DNR. Is your brother in the building? We can use the intercom-
NNurse
Charles, is there anyone you want us to call?
[Chuck shakes his head. Later, Jimmy finds him in the lobby with his sandwiches]
Chuck, where's Mom? What happened?
What?! When- how did-? [beat] Did she wake up? Did she say anything?
[Jimmy visits Chuck in his hospital room to tell him about his temporary emergency guardianship]
Hey buddy, how's it going? [beat] Chuck.
Well, if it isn't Johnny-on-the-Spot.
What? What does that mean?
Yeah? Can I get you something-
Ernesto, come in here, please!
[Jimmy allows Ernie in]
Just put your stuff in there. [Ernie does so] I got him.
How are you feeling, Mr. McGill?
Ernesto, how long was I unconscious in that print shop?
Thirty seconds? A minute? Two minutes?
I'd say maybe... about a minute? You were kinda in and out.
And how long was I lying on the floor before the ambulance arrived?
About ten minutes, I think, but I didn't look at the clock.
[to Jimmy] And yet you were there.
There's only one way you could've gotten there so quickly... you never left!
I think you're getting all wound-up. Can you take a few deep breaths-
You bribed him! The kid behind the counter!
Between the time Ernesto left and I arrived, you paid that halfwit to swear he never laid eyes on you...
...and then you stuck around to watch! Why?! Just wanted to see me suffer?
Just wanted to have a laugh at my expense?
I called Jimmy earlier before I picked you up. He showed up when he did because I called him. I was worried about you, and I just... I called him. I'm sorry.
[hatefully] Get out. Both of you.
[Ernie leaves, but Jimmy sticks around]
Chuck, there's something that I have to do, and I'm really sorry. I'm really, truly sorry, but I gotta do it, and it's for you.
You're trying to have me committed.
Temporary emergency guardianship, tomato, tomahto. You finally got me where you want me.
Hey, Ernie. How come you said that, about calling me?
I don't know, man. Look, I didn't want to say anything, but your brother? The way he's been talking about you lately, it's like... he's really out to get you, Jimmy, and... I don't know. You're my friend.
Thanks. I'll call you tomorrow.
[to himself] I miss the mailroom.
