"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..."
Good.
"...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.
Yeah.
But Cliff has to want to take the meeting, but not the case.
Right.
[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!
What?
[sighs] You are going to hate this...
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