Damages s01e03 Episode Script

And My Paralyzing Fear of Death

Previously on Damages All we found on her was this.
I want to help you, 'cause I know you didn't do it.
Hewes & Associates called me yesterday.
Once Patty meets you, there's no turning back.
She'll see what I see.
And she'll own you.
Ms.
Hewes ? Is there any way I could still interview ? You're hired.
A young lawyer with a fantastic new job and a dreamy doctor fiancé.
You're my sister.
How do you know Arthur Frobisher ? I catered a function for him and some businessmen.
Arthur Frobisher told his employees to invest in the company and then sold his own stock.
We don't have a case unless we can connect Frobisher with his broker.
Frobisher's lawyer calls three times a day.
He's just trying to intimidate you.
Patty Hewes gets that girl in front of a jury all bets are off.
I miss seeing you around the office, Tommy.
Everyone thinks you were actually canned.
Katie's hiding details.
I met a guy down in Florida, had a stupid one night stand.
Did you see him again ? No.
You were right.
She's using me.
Patty Hewes needs people who are driven.
You'll never change her.
Learn everything you can, then get the hell out before it's too late.
Do yourself a favor, Ellen, don't have kids.
He must've hired strippers.
You mean our son had them in our apartment ? Patty, I'll have a talk with him.
That lawyer you asked for will be here shortly.
Judge Toomey will see you now.
Your Honor, I cannot make a case if Mr.
Fiske refuses to participate in the discovery process.
My office has delivered over 850,000 documents.
Yes, but not the ones we requested.
You've requested everything.
And we haven't received it.
Because everything takes time.
Patty, Ray.
I'm sick of you both.
- Your Honor, I don't see - No, really, Ray, I am.
You with the grandstanding and the media attacks and the unrelenting tsunami of arcane and irrelevant motions.
Stall tactics, Your Honor.
He's trying to bog me down in paperwork.
No doubt.
And I wouldn't mind, except that I have to read them all, too.
Your Honor, every motion we've filed has merit Shut up.
And you, Ms.
Hewes, well I guess I should be grateful to you.
You don't waste my time with unnecessary paperwork.
Thank you, Your Honor.
But you You present a far greater problem.
Which is ? Right about now, Ms.
Hewes, you don't seem to have a case.
With respect, I disagree.
I'll bet you do.
But I'm afraid Mr.
Fiske's motion to dismiss is beginning to feel like it has some merit.
Here's what's going to happen you will cut the crap and give this lady every last shred of discovery she is asking for.
Certainly, Your Honor.
And you, my dear, by Friday you will submit a brief that lays out for me why in God's name I should not dismiss your case.
No problem, Your Honor.
We've got a big problem.
I need every attorney to contribute on this brief.
Andrew, you'll analyze the SEC filings.
Felicia and Craig, Frobisher's personal financial transactions.
The "duty of care" argument will be handled by Sean, Mike and Nelson.
Ellen, help Sean's team.
We're under the gun here.
So nobody plan on going home.
That's it, get to work.
Ellen, stay here for a second.
Take a crack at summarizing our application of the ERISA statute.
Neither ran nor sleet nor cataracts and arthritis.
Thank you, Pete.
Just get a a draft on its feet and give it to Sean Eckhart.
He'll do whatever rewrite is necessary.
Oh, my God, it's going to be a shitty week ! Who would want to do this to you ? How much time do you have ? Season 1 Episode 3 And my paralyzing fear of death Relecture : kan Sorry I didn't call you back.
They evacuated our building.
I saw it on the news.
They shut down our office so we moved to Patty's apartment, and now we have a brief to prepare, so she won't be able to meet with you this week.
Don't worry, I'll set something up as soon as I can, I promise.
Well, the sooner the better.
The type of work you do is particularly high-profile, Ms.
Hewes.
Maybe you could help us by assembling a You'd like a list of names.
Anybody who may currently hold a grudge against you.
That's a long list.
Do you have a lot of enemies ? You could say that.
Hey, are you still good for Friday for the engagement party ? They want a deposit.
I'm going to have to check with Patty.
Things are pretty crazy right now.
OK, well, let me know.
Listen, I got to go.
I'm I'm at the gym.
I'll talk to you later.
Have a good workout.
Am I correct, you've been attacked in the past ? Yes.
Would you like to tell us about that incident ? It happened ten years ago.
I was slashed, I almost died.
You think maybe next time you could take this off ? Actually, it's stuck.
How ironic.
His name is Gregory Malina, and as far as I can tell, Katie told - the truth about how she met him.
- He was down in Florida ? The same weekend she cooked for Frobisher, that is 100% confirmed.
Any ties to Frobisher ? Not that I can tell.
What about the bomb threat ? Any ties to Frobisher on that ? The feds are the feds.
You're almost better off trying to figure it out yourself.
What is it, Tom ? I know that this is not the best time, and I'm happy to do whatever you need me to do right now, but Following Katie Conner around Yes ? I'm a lawyer, Patty.
I miss it.
Be patient, Tom.
Hi, Cory.
Good boy.
Hi, Collie.
Could you take him out ? I'm sure he needs it.
Cory, Cory, Cory, go on.
Ms.
Hewes.
May I help you ? I'm here to help you, ma'am.
I see you've met.
A friend of yours ? John Petroni, Patty Hewes.
You've no reason to remember this, we've actually met before.
Forgive me, Mr.
Petroni, where was that ? The South Lawn of the Clinton White House.
Spring of '98.
John is former Secret Service, Patty.
He couldn't come with a higher recommendation.
It's an honor to see you again.
It's very nice to see you as well.
Secret Service ? This is a bit much, don't you think ? Not after last time, no, and this is not up for debate.
This means what ? You'll be accompanying me Everywhere.
I'm sorry about the troubles at your office.
This couldn't have come at a worse time.
Thank you for being so understanding.
I can't tell you how embarrassed we are to be here again.
In 30 years of adolescent education, I have learned that the best way through these situations is candor.
Mr.
Lalas, we know that you've gone above and beyond.
If you have to expel Michael, we won't fight it.
I don't think we're there yet quite.
But we're close.
This latest stunt was quite serious.
We've confiscated Michael's computer.
He used it to hack into our school system.
He accessed student records Upcoming exams which he distributed to the student body.
Along with passwords to our faculty's personal e-mail accounts.
I'm sure you appreciate the privacy issues involved.
Michael made public a lot of delicate information.
Your son is very bright.
I see enormous insight and potential.
And there's a recent dream of his that I find troubling.
He told you a dream ? I normally don't put a lot of weight on adolescent dreams, but this one seems revelatory and he has given me permission to relay it.
In the dream, eight black limousines pull up in front of your apartment, and out of each one steps a Michael, who all look exactly alike.
So much so, that even Michael can't tell which one is the real him.
But he knows that the other seven are body doubles he has hired.
Hired to do what ? To prevent him from being assassinated.
I see you've met my son.
Yes, ma'am.
Mikey.
Come on, let's go home.
Understand, Mr.
Frobisher, you're not being accused of anything.
I appreciate that.
And for the record, I just want to say that I sympathize with the position you guys are in.
As a party to this litigation, I can understand why I'm in your crosshairs.
Mr.
Frobisher is too polite to express his outrage at this intrusion into this life and privacy.
- Ray - My client had nothing to do with these threats against Patty Hewes, and frankly, he's not required to answer your questions.
You could clear your name really quickly if you could just give us access to your computer and your cell phone records.
How about some probable cause ? You show us a warrant and Mr.
Frobisher will be happy to comply.
Ray, you give them whatever they need.
I have nothing to hide.
Gentlemen, I'm sorry, I got to take off.
- It's been a pleasure.
- Thank you.
We will cooperate fully.
Show you out.
Thank you.
Stall, you know, stonewall 'em.
Be a lawyer.
Art, you just promised I'll be damned if I'm gonna let the feds poke around in my personal life.
Don't give them a goddamn thing.
Hey, sweetheart, I'm going to be a little late.
My God, Ellen.
Are you okay ? What happened ? If you needed a lawyer, why didn't you ask for Patty ? Just get me out of here.
Morning.
You're home early.
You made it.
Did you get any sleep ? I think I might have nodded off during a catheter insertion, but I can't really be sure.
What about you ? Couple hours.
How's the brief coming ? Great.
Yeah, it's fine.
I have no idea.
I'm gonna go with "great".
Well, I hope I have it done in time, because Katie's invited everybody for Friday.
You put too much pressure on yourself.
Look, I am fine rescheduling.
When ? You don't have a weekend off for another two months.
Besides, if we cancel Friday now, my mother will have a nervous breakdown.
We've collected prints and DNA from the packing materials - and run them through our database.
- And ? Unfortunately, there was no match.
The device itself was an Army-issue M67 fragmentation grenade.
The serial number was filed off so we can't trace the source, but we do know that it was sent through the US mail, originating at a Midtown drop box.
What you're saying is that anybody can take a bomb, put it in a mailbox and mail it to my wife.
The device wasn't live, Mr.
Grey.
This time.
Is someone trying to kill me or not ? This type of threat usually has one of two profiles.
It may just be a warning.
And the other profile ? The threats will continue, and they will escalate.
- I'll speak with you outside.
- Thank you.
Now, a lot of you are probably aware of the fact that after yesterday's events, six of your coworkers took personal days and I fired them.
All of you are members of an extraordinary team, and I value each and every one of you.
If you want to quit, just tell me now.
But if you call in sick thursday or friday, don't bother coming in Monday.
Your jobs won't be waiting for you.
That grenade was never meant to destroy our office.
It was meant to destroy our resolve.
We have two days left to show Judge Toomey that there's a case to litigate here.
Frobisher's former employees lost everything.
Right now, we are their only hope for restitution.
And nothing nothing is going to keep us from getting a clear and powerful opposition brief to the court.
Back to work.
Ms.
Hewes, Sean's not returning my e-mails.
I fired him.
Get your section to me.
I'll rewrite it for the brief.
You know what we should do ? We should box up a couple of these, send 'em over to Patty's, watch the bomb dogs go nuts.
Get me the relish, will you ? What were you were saying ? Arthur, I can keep those agents at bay, and I'm not pointing fingers here, but if there's something that you've done Why would I do anything, Ray ? Because the brief Patty has to write to save her case is due Friday and all this pandemonium is hardly helping her concentration any.
You think ? That better not be a confession, Art.
Guess how much it costs to send a hand grenade through the mail.
Don't say another word.
Does your wife ever just want to reach over there and pinch your cheeks 'cause you're so adorable ? No.
You should go outside and get some sun, Ray.
You look like crap.
- Hi.
I'm Ellen Parsons.
- Good morning.
I need to talk to Patty.
I'm not sure what the procedure is.
Knock.
We'll see what happens.
- Hi.
Walk with me.
- Hi.
Ms.
Hewes, I don't know if you got my e-mail.
About your engagement party ? I know it's bad timing it's just the only night my fiance - and I can make it work is friday.
- This friday ? I know, I know, the brief is due, and my section will be done well in advance.
I promise.
Well, then, by all means, enjoy your party.
Thank you, Ms.
Hewes.
Ellen, you're an adult.
You do your work, your life's your own.
And Ellen, call Katie.
I wanna get a meeting on the books.
Sure.
You got something against hotels ? No.
It's just that we never seem to finish our conversation.
So let's talk.
You were good to me after Florida.
You did the right thing.
I was half responsible.
Still, we hardly knew each other and you helped me through it, which you didn't have to do.
I was grateful.
So why'd you stop calling me ? I was kind of Confused back then.
Have you been following the Frobisher case ? Arthur Frobisher ? Sure, on the news.
Do you remember that we actually saw him down in Florida ? Vaguely.
Didn't you cater some event for him ? Yeah He helped set me up in a restaurant, and now I'm being asked to be a witness against him.
Do you know anything ? I don't know yet, but I saw him several times that weekend and the lawyer thinks that maybe I can contradict his testimony.
You're kidding.
No, I wish I was.
Look, I I had to tell her about us.
I had to account for my time, time down in Florida.
I didn't tell them your last name, I didn't - It's okay.
- to get you in the shit like I was.
It's okay.
It's okay.
Thank you.
Maybe, if you do know something, you should come down and speak to the lawyers with me.
No, I don't.
You know, the only time I saw Frobisher was with you.
Look, I'm sorry you're going through all this.
If there's anything I can do, okay ? Hey, if you need anything Okay.
First off, want to applaud the three of you for being here.
Family dynamics aren't easy to talk about, and just your presence in this room is cause for optimism that, together, we will be able to get to the source of what's troubling Michael.
- That's our goal as well.
- Great.
Just so I can understand some basics here Mr.
Grey, you're Michael's step father, is that right ? Yes.
We've been living together as a family for 12 years now.
Phil is my father, Dr.
Herschenfeld.
I see.
Well, then, as Michael's parents, I'd like to hear from you, why you think we're here today.
Well, I think we're here today because Michael has manipulated you people into thinking he deserves yet another chance.
No.
That's okay.
Go on, Ms.
Hewes.
No, there's no more.
I was finished.
Having spoken with Michael, I have to say, as a therapist and educator, my immediate concern is a recent dream of his regarding his mortality.
And my paralyzing fear of death.
Right.
Are you familiar with the dream ? Oh, yes, we are.
It's not Michael's.
No ? No.
Michael heard that from somebody else.
Come in.
Are you gonna be here all night ? It looks like it.
How's it going ? Great.
I think I'm gonna finish it early.
I know how hectic it's been for you.
Ellen, I don't give out awards for beating deadlines.
Make sure you're putting your best foot forward.
I will.
I always liked this office.
You're lucky no distractions.
You have your work and you do it.
How are you holding up ? Fine.
Fine.
It turns out my son isn't gonna be expelled after all.
That's great news.
Yeah, great.
New pictures ? Oh, yes.
Sorry.
I know you don't like personal stuff around the office.
Who told you that ? Tom.
Tom.
Always speaking out of turn.
I wonder how he is.
Can I see them ? Sure.
It's just my family.
Let me see.
I like that family's important to you.
When did you say your engagement party is ? Friday night.
Soon.
Very.
So.
That's exciting.
Yeah.
Those bookends are hideous.
Take them home.
Hello ? - Did I wake you ? - That's okay.
Are y are you still working ? Do you think I should invite Patty ? Where ? To the engagement party.
I don't know.
She was hanging around my office.
I think maybe she wants to be invited.
Really ? Do you think it's rude not to ? I don't know.
Do you have to invite her bodyguard ? I'll just give her the address.
- Right ? - Okay.
All right.
Just come home.
Come in ! Sorry to bother you.
If you're free, we'd love you to come Friday night.
Or not.
If you can't.
It's a lovely thought.
Now close the door, I've got work to do.
Sure.
Can't sleep ? I'm sorry.
Go back to bed.
You know I can't sleep without you.
The guard has changed shift in the lobby.
The door's locked.
Michael is sound asleep and you are safe.
I'll never be safe.
You can't let yourself think that way.
Morning, Ms.
Hewes.
Here's the brief.
There's an index And good morning to you.
You stay all night ? Yeah.
You have more time if you need it.
No, I'm good, thank you.
We'll see about that.
Thank you.
And how's your morning ? Every day above ground is a Pyrrhic victory.
How about yourself ? I let it get to me last night, Pete, but today's another day.
That's my girl.
Thank you.
Morning.
Got so much work to do.
Did you get this taken care of ? My guy petioned the hard drive, indexed the content, then ran a purge.
Which means ? It's been wiped clean.
Here's a list of what Michael had in there.
What's a M-I-L-F ? I have no idea.
Michael also enjoyed SororitySluts.
com, JugBangers.
net and Cornhole Capers.
Stop it.
Hell, Patty, it's just teenage curiosity.
Miss Hewes, your limo's waiting.
So he works for a consulting firm.
Yeah, but back when he met Katie in Florida, he was waiting tables in the West Village.
That's an interesting career path.
The thing is, Frobisher has had no dealings with Gregory's firm.
I can't find a link between these guys.
Gregory wears a wedding ring.
So it's possible that Katie's just lying to hide their affair.
- Why not subpoena him ? - No we're gonna wait until we know what's there.
Oh, Tom, could you see if there's anything we can use in this ? If not, rewrite it.
- Who wrote it ? - Ellen.
What's the problem ? I thought you wanted some legal work.
Do you think rewriting a first-year's draft is what I had in mind ? Come in.
Just checking on you.
Thought, you can use this.
Sure.
If someone really wanted to kill me, be honest, there's not a damn thing you could do about it, is there ? No one's going to touch you, Miss Hewes.
Not on my watch.
You know, ever since I was little, I've always thought I'd die violently.
This, man who attacked you, who was he ? He was a former CEO.
At trial, he lost everything.
I came out of the courthouse so pleased to have won I didn't see him coming.
I learned something, now.
What's that ? Taking power away from a man is a dangerous thing.
Someone always pays.
Evening, Mr.
Grey.
Evening, Jorge.
Thank you.
Jorge, the seat.
You have to put the seat back after you've driven.
I've got long legs, okay ? Mr.
Grey ! He's gonna be fine.
We're gonna take him in, run a few tests.
Just make sure everything's okay.
His head hit the windshield after the scare.
What scare ? I was reaching for my glasses in the glove compartment.
There was another grenade.
I'm so sorry.
Hell of a night, huh ? I'm glad Phil's okay.
Thank you, Tom.
Do you have Ellen's draft for me ? Yeah.
Although, there's nothing I could do.
It's that bad ? No.
Besides a formatting error, it's perfect.
How's Ellen doing ? She's a little naive, works hard, but But what ? I question her priorities.
This is great work.
Thank you.
We've assembled the brief.
I want you to personally submit the chambers copy to Judge Toomey.
I want him to put a face to your name.
You'll be making a first impression that could serve us well if we go to trial.
Thank you, Miss Hewes.
Don't thank me, Ellen.
You earned it.
I want the man to know who you are.
Heading out ? Delivering the brief to Toomey.
- No shit ? - Yeah.
Hope you cleared a few hours.
No, I'm just handing it in.
Then I have my engagement party.
Toomey will keep you waiting all night.
He's notorious for it.
Patty, my guy did some research on that Web site.
What is it, Pete ? I think you're gonna want to see for yourself.
Hi.
Ellen Parsons for Judge Toomey.
Regarding ? I'm delivering the opposition brief in the Frobisher case.
You can just leave it with me.
Miss Hewes asked me to deliver it personally.
Suit yourself.
The Judge is holding a settlement conference.
It'll be a while.
Water ? I'm fine, thanks.
Why didn't your bodyguard come in ? You gonna risk your life for a bowl of ziti ? I told Mr.
Petroni that I wanted to talk to you alone.
More like yell at me alone.
Why did you tell my dream to everyone at school ? You saw.
They thought it was cool.
It's not yours.
So ? So, you lied to everyone.
Yeah.
What's your point ? Thank you.
Could we have some water, please ? I am not accusing you.
I am just confused.
I am trying to understand you.
Okay.
If you're angry with me, why don't you just tell me ? Angry.
I don't even know what you're talking about.
Yes, you do.
If you say so.
Hey, everybody wants to know when you're gonna get here.
I have no idea.
I should probably just leave the brief with the receptionist.
You said it's a big deal to meet the judge, right ? Yeah, but is it more important than ? Look, I can keep your family occupied for a while longer, but the decision's yours.
Do you think you might be depressed ? No.
I think I'm tired.
That's just 'cause I purposely stay up too late.
You stay up too late on purpose ? I want to feel tired so that I can feel stupid.
Michael, I don't understand why you would want to feel stupid.
Because I'm scared.
Of what ? Of being smarter than you.
I'm afraid you're gonna realize it.
Stop playing games.
Fine, I won't explain.
All right, okay, okay.
Go ahead, explain.
When I make you angry or I make you laugh, I do it because of controlling you.
So you enjoy manipulating me ? No, God, no.
It's way too easy.
I don't enjoy it.
I feel sorry for you.
You make me sad.
I don't believe you.
I think you resent me, you resent my work.
You have every right to, but that doesn't justify your behavior.
What behavior ? It has to stop, Michael.
What has to stop ? It has to stop now.
Do you understand me ? We done ? I guess so.
How're you doing, man ? - Sure.
- Spare a cigarette ? - Yeah.
- Thanks.
Thanks.
Appreciate it.
Got a light ? Mom ! Mom ! Holy Christ ! If you change your mind, just leave that on my desk.
I'm off to karaoke.
I should probably stay.
You know, it's just a brief.
Attorneys leave them with me all the time.
The first step to discipline is control through fear.
The first seven days, your son is allowed absolutely no contact with the outside world.
- How about the Internet ? - Nothing.
Good.
Who the hell knew that a 17-year-old could buy a grenade online ? Ma'am, you did the right thing.
Oh, I forgot about you.
True to form, the Judge was running three hours late.
Really ? Ellen was still there when I left at 9:15.
That's an interesting choice.
Thanks, Delia.
Miss Parsons ? Yes.
Patty insisted I damn well better make it a point to meet you.
It's a pleasure, your Honor.
Patty says you're the best and the brightest and she's not one for hyperbole.
You got time for a chat ? Sure, sir.
Yes, definitely.
You are one of the lucky ones coming up under Patty Hewes.
She cut the shit and come clean ? Still swears she didn't kill her fiance.
Well, technically, she didn't.
- What do you mean ? - He wasn't her fiancé.
We canvassed the building.
The neighbors said they had a hell of a beef and she walked out.
Really ? The engagement was called off.
Sounds like he really liked you.
You're the best, huh ? And the brightest.
Was it worth it ? I don't know.
Depends.
How pissed is my family ? You know your dad.
I'll make it up to them.
I'll make it up to them at the wedding.
I didn't kill David.
Someone tried to kill me.

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