Marty ByrdeJacob.
Excuse me if I don't shake your hand.
Marty Byrde
I'm fine skipping pleasantries. Let's make this overture brief.
The Almighty himself could not convince us to lift our blockade.
Marty Byrde
What about the federal government? You know who I spent the morning with? Your friends over at the power company. I wanted to know how it was that they were able to get your ancestors off of their land so quickly back in 1929.
No mystery there. Lies, theft, intimidation.
Marty Byrde
Well, they got an assist from a little thing called riparian rights.
Marty Byrde
Riparian rights are the laws that say who owns the land under a body of water. It's kind of crazy, right? I mean, who ever stops to consider the land under a lake? Or, in this case, the Missouri River. Which last time I checked was a federal waterway. What this means, Jacob, is that the instant you flooded your land and connected it to the Missouri, you ceded all of that flooded land to the US government.
Which is how I managed to obtain this written order guaranteeing our workers access to the boat. Now, if you defy this order, we can have the US Marshals escort them.
And the land that you need for access roads and parking lots to get the people to your precious boat. We own all of it. What's to stop us from parking guards all around the water's edge?
Marty Byrde
Eminent domain. The feds are gonna give all the surrounding land to our business partners to build shopping malls and hotels and, yes, access roads. Because it's in their financial interest. The tax revenue from said development is gonna be massive, just like it was in 1929. They own it all. Above, around and below.
There is a sermon to be had here, but I don't feel much like praying.
Marty Byrde
If you try to fight this, it will cost you a lot more than a bullet in the shoulder.
Which is why you asked to meet me alone. You were afraid Darlene wouldn't be quite so receptive. I'll need assurances...if we're expected to stand down, that you will never, ever try and hit me or my wife ever again.
Marty Byrde
You have them, so long as you keep Darlene in line. Jacob...tell Darlene that the casino profits are gonna make you richer than you ever imagined. That you can use them to buy twice the land that you have now.
She's the same woman now as when I married her. Same woman that slipped into this booth 45 years ago, took my beating heart in both her hands and took off quicker than a mare. Same woman I've been chasing ever since.
Marty Byrde
They'll kill you, Jacob.
What do you do, Martin, when the bride who took your breath away becomes the wife who makes you hold your breath in terror?
Marty Byrde
I know.
Marty Byrde
Approximately $43 million.
Marty Byrde
The exact numbers are in here, along with a complete listing of the real accounts, plus their shadows. And the operational account is gonna be active... as soon as we're done with the ceremony, day after tomorrow.
Marty Byrde
It's just like Lickety Splitz, only bigger. You're gonna come here, you're gonna pay respects to Buddy a couple of times a week. You're gonna mix this money with the legit receipts and then you're gonna deposit it. Long as the flow stays steady, no one's gonna bat an eye.
This is crazy. I don't know shit about fuck.
Marty Byrde
Ruth. Which LP is held by Davisville Limited?
Marty Byrde
And where are they registered?
Marty Byrde
And they're a shell company for?
Horizon Cove Inc, which is a subsidiary for Byrde Enterprises.
Marty Byrde
If I didn't think you could handle it, I wouldn't be risking my family's lives.
I'm not sure you appreciate the historical significance of what it is you're about to pull off. Medellín, Sinaloa, Juárez, every one of them tried to create something like this. Every one of them failed. A legitimate, self-sustaining operation like a casino. This is why crime organizes. Have you given any thought to the next five years?
Marty Byrde
Uh, I'd love to talk about the operational account.
Because you're pillars of the community now. You've established a foothold in the gaming industry. You could expand, completely legitimately. Honoring your obligations to my client, obviously.
[Zeke coos]
I am so sorry, but I have to get him home. I mean, it's just been a long time since we've been tied to a nap schedule.
It's funny how you forget there was ever a time before they could tell you to go fuck yourself. [chuckles] But not you. No. You wouldn't call up and talk about your father's girlfriend, would you? No.
Marty Byrde
The operational account.
Marty Byrde
It's not up and running.
Once the contracts are signed.
Marty Byrde
That's in two days. I could be working now.
Well, is there some kind of rush I'm not aware of?
Marty Byrde
Just trying to be efficient.
Well, call us superstitious. On a long road trip, you're most likely to get into an accident a mile from your home.
Marty Byrde
What do you mean?
We're not leaving the Ozarks. It's not safe to go.
Marty Byrde
Wendy, it's not safe to stay.
You're not acting out of logic. You're acting out of emotion. And I know I've asked you to be more emotional. I've begged. So, I love you for it, but I am not getting on that plane and neither are the kids.
Marty Byrde
Okay, you're just scared. Don't worry about it. I've got everything under control.
Marty Byrde
Yes, I do.
Unh-unh. You're running away from Mason's death. You're trying to kidnap Charlotte so she can't leave the family. And you were right all along. We can't make emotional decisions based on other people's choices. So we just have to wake up and make the right choices And right now, that means staying put.
Marty Byrde
You're telling me this now? Here?
I didn't have time to argue. [clears throat] Call the coroner's office.
Marty Byrde
This is not sustainable.
What, and running is? Hiring surrogates? Changing identities? What if this is the Gold Coast?
Marty Byrde
It's not.
Hmm. We only know what it's been. What about what it could be? I mean, you've said so yourself, once the casino is up and running, it's like clockwork. You could go back to just working the numbers. The kids are in school. We have roots. We've sacrificed too fucking much in order to run. We will get that baby away from Darlene. Don't worry.
Marty Byrde
And what about the Kansas City mob? Wendy, I played a game of fucking chicken with them because I knew we were running.
We're not alone here. We have partners who are very grateful for what we've done. Always better to be the person holding the gun than the one running from the gunman.
So, listen...I know how concerned you are about security. And...I just want you to know I've been thinking a lot about it, too. About safety... and our future.
Marty Byrde
Okay.
I've been reading about the cartel war. Navarro's lost 61 men in the last five weeks alone.
Marty Byrde
Hmm. What's that got to do with us?
There's a saying in politics. "Never let a good crisis go to waste."
Marty Byrde
And?
And...Helen's coming into town. I know, you're expecting the worst, but let's...let's preempt that. Pitch her on the idea of expansion.
Marty Byrde
What does that mean?
Hotels. Casinos, but we keep the daily operations legitimate. We sell the idea to Navarro as a safety net. We put his share in a trust...for his kids. Untouchable. That way, if the cartel war goes south, then he has a whole new revenue stream. Completely legal. Well? What do you think?
Marty Byrde
Well, I just...I think that's batshit crazy.
Marty Byrde
No?
No. It's not. And actually, it was Helen's idea. She talked to us about expansion. There is a...hotel and casino on the Kansas border in St. Joe's. Its infrastructure is old. It's getting killed by a casino across the river. And all it needs is an influx of cash to upgrade, and they would crush their competition, but their margins are too low. It's a win-win.
Marty Byrde
No.
Marty Byrde
Just like that.
Jesus. [scoffs] Of course.
Marty Byrde
I'm trying to keep us safe, Wendy.
Marty Byrde
I mean, how much more fucking stress do you wanna take on?
This would all be legitimate.
Marty Byrde
Except for the seed money from the drug lord, which, by definition, is not legitimate?
We are pre-approved by the gaming commission. No one would question the initial investment. We have Navarro's gratitude. This would only increase it. Don't you understand? We're in.
Marty Byrde
We're alive. Big difference. You want to know what a good outcome from this cartel war would be? Navarro getting blown off the face of the Earth, and you and I being out from underneath this.
But what if that doesn't happen? Expansion makes us a political player. It insulates us, and that keeps us safe. We could be the very legitimate, very public face of Missouri gaming. [chuckles] We'd be too big to fail.
Marty Byrde
Wendy, I did not agree to stay here to start raising red flag after red flag.
Marty Byrde
Stop. I'm here. Take the fucking victory, okay? And do not tell me what is smart and what is not smart. You blew through that stop sign six months ago.
Do you know what I did today? I talked to a woman about her toe ring stand. I have the time. We have the clout. I can do this. Just think-- think about the things we could build. Why should the Charles Wilkeses of the world have a stranglehold on this state? We could have the money and the influence. We could control every political lever in Missouri. We could give millions to the causes that we care about. We could run this goddamn place.
Marty Byrde
Do you even hear yourself?
Marty Byrde
I understand you're upset.
Oh, really? Do I seem upset? My client, on the other hand...
Marty Byrde
We've been over all this.
Marty Byrde
Considering the amount of hires that we had to make, there's no way--
Yes, you don't know who might've infiltrated, so you don't wanna launder. I understand. Just as I'm sure you understand that I didn't ask to drive to the Ozarks today, but we all have to do things that are outside our comfort zone, don't we?
Marty Byrde
They think that we killed a fed. Agent Petty’s DNA was all over Cade Langmore’s truck.
They know you didn’t kill him.
Marty Byrde
But you know what I mean. I think what none of us can account for is the emotional component for the FBI. We can't be sure what level of resources they'll invest.
So, is it a tougher hand? Sure. But the reality is, it doesn't matter if they think that you hired Cade to get rid of Petty and then got rid of him. You've always known the laundering would have to be done right under the FBI's nose.
Marty Byrde
And it will. I just need some time before I start moving tens of millions of dollars through that building.
You're supposed to be the best. That's why you were hired.
Marty Byrde
Well, then listen to me, okay? People as individuals are completely unpredictable. One person making one bet, there's no way I could possibly know which way he or she is gonna go, but the law of large numbers--
Yeah, you're mistaking this for a discussion. Look, I was sent here for a simple reason, to deliver one simple message in person, despite my own various shit-shows, which I guarantee stack up quite nicely against your own. Launder the fucking money. Starting tomorrow. Are we good, or are we in our feelings?
Marty Byrde
We're good.
TETrevor Evans
This is the point where I'm ethically obligated to tell you that you can make a deal.
Marty Byrde
I've got no reason to make a deal.
TETrevor Evans
I'm not sure you comprehend how poorly the cartel war is going for Navarro, but it won't be long before all his hacks and all the petty criminals working for you start looking for ways out. Do you think they'll be loyal to you? I find comfort in the idea of you waiting every day for that one slip-up... or betrayal. That one wild card.
We got issues, Marty. We got issues of trust. We got issues of respect. Hell, we got issues of understanding the basic fucking rules.
Marty Byrde
That's why we're here. That's why you're hearing about this from us first, and it's why we're offering you an extra 10% on top of what we're already paying you. We want to make this right.
You got any idea what my boy has been begging me...to let him do to her? What he's got every right to do. You know what "untouchable" means?
Marty Byrde
I do. We do.
Then why do you think you can fix this by throwing a couple of coins at my feet like I'm a fucking beggar?
Marty Byrde
It's not a couple of coins. It's an extra 10%.
[points at Ruth] I want her fired. Then we talk money.
Marty Byrde
I understand that you're pissed. I'd be pissed off too, but we are not the only ones at fault.
So someone else went head-first off the top deck?
Marty Byrde
Your son threatened to rat us out.
Marty Byrde
He threatened to give up our operation.
Marty Byrde
Frank, I respect your code.
He said, "You really want to do this with everything I know about you?"
You're not gonna take her word over mine.
Marty Byrde
Frank, you're absolutely right about trust, which is why we are willing to trust that Frank Jr. was just joking, if you are willing to trust that Ruth will not make the same mistake twice.
[They shake hands]
Marty Byrde
She's untouchable, too.
Marty Byrde
Um, what's this? Did you-- You bought a new casino and a new house without talking to me?
Those are rental properties...for Helen.
Marty Byrde
Helen's moving here?
Marty Byrde
That's just fucking perfect.
No, it's a good thing. It's a good thing. She's on our side.
Marty Byrde
Jesus Christ. Until she's not. This is exactly what I was worried about. If we'd just kept our heads down, Wendy--
There's nothing we can do about that now.
Marty Byrde
Maybe there is. I've had time to think through some of it.
You said yourself on the phone, we're committed.
Marty Byrde
Well, deals go bad, you know? Good plans go wrong all the time. And Navarro's a businessman, he'll understand that. As long as we don't spend a cent of his money, as long as he's whole, we can get out of this before it even begins.
We're not getting out of this.
Marty Byrde
You're saying that because you don't want to. I want you to admit something. Admit this is all about you and has nothing to do with what is best for the family.
This is about me making sure you don't have to launder for the rest of your life. This is about me finding our only real way out of this! So, you can either be a part of that solution, or...
Marty Byrde
Part of the problem. That sounds like her.
What do you think happened at that casino last night?
Marty Byrde
Boy, I mean, your guess is as good as mine.
So, why did Wendy look like she thought maybe you did know?
Marty Byrde
I don't know. Where's this coming from?
Where it's coming from is that I'm starting to sense that you two aren't exactly on the same page about this expansion plan.
Marty Byrde
Hmm. As you know, I don't like to take on unnecessary risk.
I'm not talking about philosophical differences. I'm talking about something deeper. In case you hadn't noticed, this plan now involves more than just the two of you. So, when you have problems, they become my problems.
Marty Byrde
I think you should be having this conversation with the both of us.
Wendy isn't the issue here. Just be thankful that she and Ruth have got us back on track. [pause] You didn't know.
Marty Byrde
Of course I knew. I'm surprised that, uh...that you did so soon. Good.
Marty Byrde
[calls Ruth] What are you doing?
Marty Byrde
I mean, right now, tell me what you're doing.
I'm using the slot scam I told you about on Big Muddy, forcing them back to the negotiating table.
Marty Byrde
No, no, no!
Marty Byrde
You have to stop that.
[stammers] What? I can't. It's already done.
Marty Byrde
Why didn't you tell me that you were gonna do that, Ruth?
You-- You made a big deal about how I'm not supposed to be bringing problems, how I'm supposed to be solving them. I'm just doing what you fucking wanted.
Marty Byrde
Okay, but you're not. You're completely screwing us.
By getting you another casino when no one else could figure out how the fuck to do it? Are you fucking kidding me, Marty? How about a little gratitude? I mean, your wife seems pretty fucking grateful.
Marty Byrde
Wendy has absolutely no idea what is good for us.
Is that my fault? Is that my fault that you can't communicate for shit with your wife?
Marty Byrde
All right, Ruth, listen to me.
No, no. How's about instead of shitting on me, you get your own house in order? And until you do, how's about you fuck off? All righty? [hangs up]
Marty Byrde
I'm just asking for your help.
Actually, you're not. You're going behind my back to expressly do what you know we are not allowed to do.
Marty Byrde
Because you won't help. Do you not see a pattern here?
You've done nothing but fight me on this. And now, now you want unfettered access to the very thing you've tried to undermine since the very beginning.
Marty Byrde
I don't want-- I need access, Wendy. We need access.
We have made promises to our shareholders about this casino, and I don't think-- I don't think we want to annoy our shareholders.
Marty Byrde
What would you have me do?
I don't feel very compelled to help you right now. I just had a very interesting conversation with Frank. From Kansas City.
Marty Byrde
Oh, yeah?
Hmm. And you do...you do realize what a magnificently stupid and dangerous thing it was that you did in Kansas, right?
Marty Byrde
I pleaded with you, "Please don't do this. Please do not get us further in on this." Remember that?
Yeah. And because you didn't get your way, you went behind my back to sabotage me.
Marty Byrde
I was trying to protect our family, Wendy. That's it.
That is such-- That is such a tired...
Marty Byrde
Is it? Okay.
...tired excuse. Yeah. You know what you like to do? You like to control your family.
Marty Byrde
I'm asking you for fucking help on a problem that you created, and you're not helping. That's the whole story.
MCMarriage Counselor
Marty, what would it look like to achieve your objectives without interfering with Wendy's project?
Marty Byrde
I think that that would look like death.
MCMarriage Counselor
But what would it really look like?
Marty Byrde
Really, death.
MCMarriage Counselor
Okay. Marty, my mother had a saying. Just as a pie is only as good as it's crust, a marriage is only as good as it's trust. Going behind Wendy's back on a project that is obviously meaningful to her violates that trust. Wendy is a powerful woman, and it's your responsibility to nurture that, Marty. Not stifle it.
...
Marty Byrde
What the hell was that? Hey, Sue! What the hell was that?
MCMarriage Counselor
You told me to let her win a couple.
Marty Byrde
Small things. Small.
MCMarriage Counselor
I thought she was right.
Marty Byrde
I don't give a fuck.
MCMarriage Counselor
You're yelling at me.
Marty Byrde
Well, I'm angry, okay?
MCMarriage Counselor
Yes, Marty, you are. There is something deeper at play here. And I believe that you and Wendy can be happy...if you let me help you.
Marty Byrde
Save it. I'm not bribing you to make us happy.
You don't ask this man the same question twice.
Marty Byrde
Well, Helen, I'm not asking a question. I'm telling you, as the person who directs these finances, we need to look for a short-term solution for our laundering problems.
And I am telling you, as his attorney, my client wants his new business clean. You're gonna have to find another way.
Marty Byrde
Tell me, is it your client's wish, or is it Wendy's?
Marty Byrde
Well, because I don't think you understand how invested she is with your client.
Marty Byrde
The only reason we can't move money through the Missouri Belle now is because of an audit that she brought down on us. Okay? Maybe she should talk to Navarro.
Marty Byrde
Her obsession with expansion, it's fucked us.
No, no, no, no. You fucked us, Marty. I've seen the warrant. Wendy didn't cause this audit. You did, when you decided to blow up a casino. Let's be plain. You played, you lost. I have no interest in looking at that any further. My interest is in moving forward as a team. Now, I assume that's not gonna be a problem. Is that gonna be a problem?
Marty Byrde
No.
Are you really okay? This doesn't feel like something you'd get over in a day.
Marty Byrde
Well, it was-- it was hell. I wasn't lying, and I-- I told the kids that, but, um... Wendy, this might have been the best thing that could have ever happened. I spent a decade afraid of something, and when it finally arrived, it wasn't at all what I thought it would be. And I wasn't who I thought I would be.
Marty Byrde
It means you were right. Me burying my head in the sand wasn't gonna keep us safe, but I figured out what is.
Marty Byrde
I'm gonna turn Agent Miller. I'm gonna put her in our pocket. That's what I told Navarro. That's what got me out.
The warrant is gonna expire in a couple of weeks. If we just wait it out, she'll be gone.
Marty Byrde
They're gonna keep coming back. That's what Maya said, that this is gonna be a long play for them.
Marty Byrde
Yeah. Yeah, that's what she said. Years. We'll never know when the hammer's gonna fall, and she's very... she's very good. [laughs] I don't know if I can stay in front of her. But if we own her... all the anxiety goes away. Wendy, if you want safety, if you want to get the kids out, this is it. You hear me?
People...People don't just turn an FBI agent.
Marty Byrde
Right.
So why don't we just...take a breath...
Marty Byrde
What are you doing?
Marty Byrde
Don't do that. You asked me to get involved, and this is what it looks like. This is me supporting you, Wendy.
Ozark · 112 quotes
