[Jimmy confronts Bill Oakley at the courthouse when he notices his colleagues' cold treatment of him]
What the hell is going on?! How come everyone's treating me like I'm covered in oozing pus sores?
BBill
I liked you better when you were just a regular bottom feeder. But this?
BBill
I understand advocating for your client. Deep in my heart, I get it. But you scammed the court. You scammed the judge, and for what? To get a murdering cartel psychopath back out on the street? It's just... wrong.
That's a lot of big talk, Bill. Prove it. Prove it, Bill!
BBill
There's proving, and then there's knowing.
The two men that were following you. They're gone.
Would you mind sitting for a moment, and I will answer any questions I can. [pause; Kim sits down next to Mike] I have men watching you and your husband. I'm not with the police, and as far as I know, they're not investigating either of you. I do know that you've been up to a few things that you probably would rather keep private. I don't care. That's not what this is about. I'm trying to solve a problem of my own.
Lalo Salamanca's dead. [beat; Mike says nothing and stares at Kim] He... isn't.
We're watching anyone he might contact. That includes you and your husband. Most likely, he'll never reach out. He's got bigger fish to fry. But in the thousand to one chance that he does...
I said I would answer anything I can.
[long pause] You're the guy from the desert. The one who was out there with Jimmy. Why are you telling me this and not him?
Because I think you're made of sterner stuff. [pause; gets up] Alright. Now here's what's best for everyone. You spot my guys again—which I'm hoping you won't—let them go about their business. Just pretend they're not there. And pretty soon, they won't be. You and your husband just... go on living your lives. [starts to leave]
I do know you. You worked in the parking booth at the courthouse. [pause] You were the attendant.
[Kim meets Jimmy at a strip mall where an office space is available for lease]
Take a look. What do you think?
My new office. Potentially. Come on.
[They both peer through the storefront windows of the office, which is empty except for a lone toilet]
Mrs. Nguyen kicked me to the curb.
It's a long story, but upshot is she wants me out of there with extreme prejudice.
Well, no. It was a... great day. With actual paying clients. The word is out. People were throwing cash retainers at me just to say Saul Goodman is their lawyer.
Because of who you represented.
Well, I mean, that's part of it. But the bottom line is I need a new place for new business pronto. Now, this place is a shithole, but the price is right. And I think I can talk the landlord into a month-to-month. So, it's temporary until I find something better. [sighs; pause] Hey. What do you think?
[beat] It's small. It's... dirty. And this whole place smells funny. [pause] But the courthouse is five blocks away. You can't get to MDC without driving past. Parking is good, bail bond row isn't far, and uh... Taco Cabeza is just around the corner. Might be a diamond in the rough. Just promise me... you won't move the toilet.
[chuckles] There it is. Alright. Uh... speaking of Taco Cabeza.
I'm starving. Let's do it.
[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.
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–
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?
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.
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]
[Jimmy has brought Francesca back to work as his administrative assistant. There is a long line of potential clients standing outside as Jimmy lets her in. One of those clients taps impatiently on the glass to her bewilderment.]
Whoa! Hold up! Justice will be served in four and a half minutes. 9:00 a.m. sharp. I look forward to sitting down with each and every one of you. [to Francesca, after locking the door] Morning rush. [points at picnic table] That’s your station. Temporarily, of course, but… check it out. Center stage. [pause; notices Francesca staring at the toilet with disgust] What? That–it’s garbaggio. On its way to the dumpster. I know that this place needs a little TLC, but this is just day one. Two weeks from now, you won’t recognize it.
Uh, you mean my wife. [Francesca looks surprised] That’s right. I made an honest woman out of her. She’s blazing her own trail, and I couldn’t be prouder.
Me. Just me, for now. But hey, look at it this way. [pulls out chair] Half the work.
What happened to the old folks, the… elder law?
I–I expanded the mission to be more inclusive. Here at Saul Goodman & Associates, we welcome all ages, all creations, all stripes.
And who is this Saul Goodman? You?
You got it! What Colonel Sanders is to chicken, Saul Goodman is to the law.
Because I trust you. And what happened last time, I–I wanna make it up to you.
[Francesca gets startled by another potential client banging on the window]
I will explain at the end of the day! Please!
You’re just in desperate need of a warm body. [walks toward the door] Good luck.
Back to the MVD. I took half a personal day for this.
What if I double your salary?
My salary at the MVD, or what you were paying me before?
Whatever was less. [Francesca scoffs and starts to leave again] No! Whatever is more! More is the word I’m looking for! Did I mention [takes out his wallet and holds out some cash] …the signing bonus?
[pause] I get a say in the decorating. [takes cash from Jimmy]
[Jimmy walks into a boxing club and sees Howard, who pretended to be a potential client named "Mr. Ward"]
Mr. Ward, I presume. As in... "H.O. Ward". That is really cute, Howard. So, wait. That means that you're the guy who shanked some dude in a rumble near Central Pen. [sighs] That's–That's very street of you.
I thought it sounded like a Saul Goodman kind of case.
...Alright, so what are we doing here?
I'm tired, Jimmy. You and me, us. I'm tired of this. Aren't you? It's exhausting. [points at boxing ring behind him] Let's punch it out.
[chuckles] Are you kidding?
Dead serious. Hoping you might get it out of your system. Do I think it'll work? [shrugs] I don't know. Call it a Hail Mary. I have the gear, I rented the ring. It's just you and me... [points at the man standing behind Jimmy] and Macky to ref.
[pause] I am sorry, but have you lost your mind?
Actually, I'm as clear-headed as I've ever been in my life. You didn't even try to hide your tracks. The baggie of drugs at the country club, the clients you sent to discredit me, another prostitute.
Okay, once again as usual, I–
Please. I could go on. All roads lead back to you. It's Psych 101. You want to get caught.
So what? Is this like pistols at dawn?
I'm trying to give you what you want.
What I want? I don't... I think this is what you want. You wanna beat the shit out of me? Legally?
I think you can hold up your end. You must've gotten into a few good scrapes in your old neighborhood.
Yeah, right. I could've been a contender.
Indulge me. Let's see what we see.
[pause; smiles] Thanks for the laughs. [chuckles] "Mr. Ward."
[Jimmy laughs and starts to walk out, but stops. He and Howard are seen suited up with boxing gloves as they begin their fight. They both land a few punches on each other, but Howard eventually knocks Jimmy down.]
[to Jimmy] You've mistaken my kindness for weakness. I like to think that tonight made a difference. I like to think that this ends it. [pause; shakes his head] Probably not.
[Lalo has travelled to Germany using an alias, and meets Margarethe, Werner's widow, at a bar]
MMargarethe
I knew his work was dangerous. I never imagined such a thing, but... I suppose I try not to.
That is terrible. What kind of accident was it?
MMargarethe
He was able to save his men. He got them out, but then... the structure collapsed.
So your husband was a hero.
MMargarethe
[smiles] He would never accept that. My Werner was too humble.
...And what were they building there?
MMargarethe
My husband didn't talk much about his work. It was very secretive.
Oh... I'm sure he must have told you something.
MMargarethe
The lawyers came to my house. I asked questions, they wouldn't say much.
[shakes his head] Lawyers.
MMargarethe
They went through Werner's things. Took anything that they called, uh... Oh, how do you say it? [pause] Proprietary? I'm sorry, my English is—
MMargarethe
I didn't care about it. All the boxes of folders, his papers. Why do I need all that stuff?
And what about your husband's men? I mean, they must have said something to you.
MMargarethe
Werner loved deine jungs–his boys–but I never even met them.
What do you mean? Not even at the funeral?
MMargarethe
You'd think they would want to pay respect to the man who saved their lives. They sent flowers, keepsakes, and so on... but not one of them showed his face.
Wow. That is... [sighs] It's just not right.
MMargarethe
[pause] Let’s speak of something else. Tell me about New Mexico.
[Dr. Caldera gives Jimmy a psychotropic drug that he and Kim are planning to use on Howard]
What's it gonna feel like?
CDr. Caldera
Depends on how used to caffeine you are. I mean, you're not gonna be tripping balls, but... it's gonna feel like two Red Bulls on an empty stomach.
And how long is it gonna last?
CDr. Caldera
Is the guy roughly your size?
CDr. Caldera
An hour or two.
And if there's a blood test?
CDr. Caldera
This stuff is not showing up on any blood panel they're running in this town. You're gonna do this, this is the way to go. [pulls out digital thermometer; to Jimmy] Here.
Whoa, whoa. Promise me this has been sterilized.
CDr. Caldera
It's brand new, and for you, it goes under the armpit.
CDr. Caldera
[sighs] I cannot wait to be done with all of this.
I hear ya. You know, I read somewhere that vets are even more depressed than lawyers.
CDr. Caldera
[chuckles] Depressed? No, no, no. I love being a vet. [points at a bulletin board covered in pet photos] Look over there. See that? That's what it's all about. Animals are my life. It's this other stuff that's getting to be too much. No offense. Anyway, a guy's gotta know when he's bagged his limit.
What, so you're closing up shop?
CDr. Caldera
Yep. Leaving town. Once I sell my little black book, it's gonna be all animals all the time.
CDr. Caldera
Yeah, the keys to the kingdom. You know, you call me up, you're looking for a someone? [taps the book in his pocket] Keep all my "someones" in here.
CDr. Caldera
[pause; pulls out the black book] Knock yourself out.
[Jimmy opens the book and notices that the names of Caldera's contacts are written in cipher text. Kim pulls out one of the business cards attached to the pages.]
[laughs] Oh... Alright, yeah. I think we, uh–We found the Zodiac Killer.
CDr. Caldera
Well, I'm not keeping my contacts in plain English.
CDr. Caldera
Yeah, yeah, yeah. [takes the black book from Jimmy] Alright. Let's give it another ten. I'll be back.
[Caldera walks out of the examination room]
[scoffs] Did you see how many people he had in that book? [Kim walks over to the pet bulletin board] I mean, he's raking it in, day in, day out. It's passive income. Minimal risk. I can't believe he's walking away from that.
Well... he knows what he wants. [walks back to Jimmy] Anything?
[looks closely at Jimmy's face, then chuckles] Oh, my God.
[Jimmy walks over to a mirror, where he sees that his pupils have dilated]
Holy shit! The Jackson Mercer Foundation, that's like... the good housekeeping seal of approval.
Well, it's not a done deal. Some of the foundation board members are flying in next week to meet the lieutenant governor at a luncheon in Santa Fe, so... they are inviting a select group of people with... Cliff called them, "up-and-coming organizations," and uh... Yeah. Cliff thinks I have a good shot.
A good shot? You have more than a shot! They are gonna love you on sight!
The only thing is the lunch is on D-Day.
So, what? That's–You don't have to be there on the day! Was Eisenhower on Omaha Beach? No. Kim, this is great, right? It's huge!
...It is pretty great! [laughs]
Kim, this is fantastic! [kisses Kim]
[Casper, one of Werner's former workers, spots Lalo approaching his home while chopping wood]
CCasper
Guten tag. [in German] This is private property. Who are you looking for? Are you lost?
[in English] Yeah, sorry. I don't speak any German!
CCasper
[in English] Are you lost?
It's a beautiful place you have here. The air, it's just so... fresh!
CCasper
...Do I know you?
Well, I don't think we've officially met-
[Casper grabs his axe and runs inside a nearby wooden shed while Lalo draws his gun. Lalo searches when he's suddenly dropped by a blow from Casper.]
CCasper
Who are you?! Who are you?!
[strained] Ed–Eduardo... Salamanca! I'm not here for you... This is about Fring. Guh– I want to know... I want to know what he's building.
CCasper
How did you find me?
Ma–Marga... Margarethe Ziegler.
CCasper
What have you done to her?!
Nothing, nothing. You sent her a gi–a gift. [pulls out a business card and shows it to Casper]
[Lalo's hidden a razor blade behind the card. He springs up and cuts Casper's face, then grabs his axe and cuts his foot off.]
[cheerfully] Carajo! I think you broke one of my ribs! [tosses Casper his belt] Here. Tie that off... before you bleed to death. You and I are gonna have a talk.
[Jimmy has Francesca call HHM and pose as a relative of a Sandpiper resident to get details about the upcoming mediation]
I just... I don't know if I'm comfortable. Is this even legal?
I'm sorry, which one of us went to law school? Because I can stand here and go through the ins and outs of what's quote-unquote legal with you, but we're on the clock.
Francesca, let's get something straight, okay? We can't be holding a graduate seminar in constitutional law every time I give you something to do.
You know what I'm paying you? It is above market. To whom much is given, much is expected! [takes out cell phone and starts dialing a number]
We're not gonna make a habit of this?
Of course not! Absolutely not. No, no, no. [gives phone to Francesca] Put it on speaker and let me... [moves closer]
HEHHM Employee #1
Hamlin Hamlin McGill.
Hi... there. I'm calling because my—my mother is... is–Well, I guess she's a—m–a client of yours. She lives in, uh, Sandpiper Assisted Living.
HEHHM Employee #1
Sandpiper, of course. Let me transfer you.
[to Francesca while she's on hold] It's just a phone call.
HEHHM Employee #2
Good afternoon. Do you have a question about the Sandpiper case?
[waits for Jimmy to nod] Yes. My mother's out of the facility in Amarillo. Says she's supposed to call in to some meeting on Thursday?
HEHHM Employee #2
Yes, you're talking about the mediation?
That's it. The thing is, she's lost her dial-in instructions. [sighs nervously] I'm just looking everywhere and can't find them.
HEHHM Employee #2
I'd be happy to help you with that. It's very important to us that all the class members are fully looked in. What's your mother's name?
[tells name mouthed by Jimmy] Uh, Marnie Stuber. [watches Jimmy form the letters as she spells aloud] That's–That's S-T-U-B-E-R. [sighs nervously again when Jimmy forces her to smile] Oh, bless your heart. She'll be so relieved!
HEHHM Employee #2
Okay, it's very simple. The meeting is happening at our offices. So she just has to call the main line—the same number you called just now—press 7, and then enter the passcode. I can give that to you now. Do you have a pen?
Uh... [Jimmy quickly takes out a pen] Y–Yeah, I'm ready.
HEHHM Employee #2
Okay. It's 8-4-2-1-5-9. [Jimmy writes the numbers on his hand]
HEHHM Employee #2
That's right.
Okay! Uh, thank you so much. Really appreciate it.
HEHHM Employee #2
Of course, take care.
[hangs up immediately] Was that so hard?
[Jimmy sees the real Rand Casimiro at a liquor store wearing a cast that was not shown in the fake photos he shot earlier. He bolts out of there and gets in his car before being seen by the judge.]
[Jimmy bangs on the steering wheel and chuckles nervously while dialing Kim on his cell phone. Cut to Kim driving on the highway to Santa Fe.]
"Ultimately, it's about equal justice, a system that works for everyone. A justice system that works for everyone, and what is more important than that?" [hears phone ringing and answers it] Hey, Jimmy.
Flag on the play! You're not gonna believe this, but I just ran into Casimiro—the real one.
Yeah, and before you ask, he didn't shave his mustache. He broke his arm.
The guy has a giant cast on his left arm! And I checked all the pictures and you can see his arm in every single one of them! No cast, clear as day!
I KNOW! I KNOW! Uh... But, hey. Hey, look at it this way: If I hadn't seen him... I mean, that would've really–that really could've sunk us. Right? So, we're gonna pull the plug and we are going to live to fight another day.
Well, we'll figure it out. I promise, okay? So, just go. Just do your thing in Santa Fe, and we'll regroup when you get home tonight. [beat; Kim says nothing] Kim? Kim, you still there?
Did you hear what I said?
[pause] It happens today.
[Kim quickly turns around and starts speeding back to Albuquerque.]
[An intern at HHM, Cary, drops soda cans when he sees Howard setting up the conference room for the Sandpiper mediation]
CCary
Uh, excuse me, Mr. Hamlin! I-I was told I should restock the fridge before the meeting.
No worries. Here, let me give you a hand.
Mm... of course. Cary. [sees Cary stocking the fridge with the dropped cans] Cary, what happens when you drop or shake a can of soda?
CCary
...Right. [mimes explosion] I'm sorry, I'm, uh...
Here, let me show you a little trick. [picks up and spins a soda can] Something about the centrifugal force pulls the bubbles from the inside of the can, stops it from exploding. Don't want our clients to get a surprise now, do we?
[Howard opens the can without incident and takes a sip]
You know who taught me that trick? [points at the portrait of Chuck in the conference room] He used to do it. Had a habit. Anytime he opened a can, almost unconsciously. I asked him about it once... just his way of being prepared for anything, accidental or otherwise.
CCary
Um, I'm sorry, I'm... kinda new here. I–I have to ask, who is that?
Charles McGill. The "M" in HHM. Greatest legal mind I ever knew.
CCary
Wow! I hope someone says that about me someday.
Well... Maybe there are more important things.
[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]
You say that Jimmy McGill drugged you? How is that possible?
The–The photos. They were wet with... something.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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–
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]
