The Good Fight (2017) s04e03 Episode Script
The Gang Gets a Call from HR
1
It's gone.
DIANE (OVER PHONE): Martha? What's gone?
(CRYING): They tore it down. It's gone.
Everything is gone.
- Your restaurant?
- Yes.
They can't do that the
judge enjoined the demolition.
Well, someone did it,
because it's not here.
♪♪
You screwed up, Mr. Canning.
Mrs. Lockhart. Hello.
- How did I screw up?
- You thought you were going up
against some small pro bono defendant,
but I've been bankrolled by STR Laurie
to go after cases that interest me,
and this one really interests me.
You seem angry, Diane.
See you in court.
DIANE: Jay,
I need photos of the site
and interviews with the
construction foreman.
We need to nail down who gave
the go-ahead to the bulldozers.
They'll probably argue that
it was all a miscommunication
between new Orchard corporate
and the, uh, contractors.
So we need to get it on record.
You'll probably have the same problem
with the Rare Orchard CEO.
They just made that easier.
It's no longer about eminent domain,
it's about unlawful seizure.
- So we don't have to depose him.
- I'll pull the injunction order.
Thanks, Jay.
What the fuck?
Tell Dad if he wants to come berate me,
do it himself, don't send his
Democratic Committee lapdog.
- Democratic Committee
- Every time I even talk to a Republican,
Dad is crawling up my ass.
- What Republican
- I am not a Republican,
and I'm not gonna vote Republican,
but I might fall in
love with a Republican
and have little Republican children.
- What Republican are you
- No, no, no, no.
You just tell Dad to fuck off, okay?
- And you fuck off, too.
- Frank.
- We're ready for you.
- Good.
So nice seeing you, Marissa.
I thought you said Frank
Landau was here for me.
No. I said Frank Landau is here.
- Fuck.
- LANDAU: I know you've heard it before
this is the most important
election of our lifetime
but this is the most important
election of our lifetime.
Should we get Diane in on this?
- No, I'd rather keep it just us for a minute.
- Why?
DNC is looking to reengage
the African American community.
- Really?
- The presidential election
comes down to Florida,
Michigan, North Carolina,
Pennsylvania, Wisconsin,
all of which have huge
African American electorate.
We don't capitalize on that,
we don't take back the White House.
- Those are the facts.
- What do you need from us?
A strategy for reengagement.
We want hearts, not just votes.
An exclamation mark agenda
that gets black voters energized
and turning out at '08 levels or better.
No, this is a campaign issue.
You need PR people.
Why-why come to us?
One, you're an African American firm.
Two, we've worked with
you before on impeachment.
You fired us before on impeachment.
No, we fired you.
Yes. Now I remember.
LANDAU: No hard feelings.
And three, we need
attorney-client privilege.
The risk of a leak at a
PR firm is just too high.
So, what do you say?
- Damn it!
- I just told our top client to fuck off.
Whatever you're dealing
with can't be worse.
- I can't find an injunction order.
- On what case?
Tecades v. Rare Orchard.
- When was it?
- Three days ago.
Maybe it wasn't entered
into our system yet.
I checked the courthouse system, too.
- You probably just
- (COMPUTER BEEPS)
It's not there.
- Thanks.
- Maybe it's under a different name.
Did you try the docket number?
- (BEEPS)
- Whoa.
- What?
- It says there's no case.
No Tecades v. Rare Orchard.
How is that possible?
- I don't think it is.
- ADRIAN: Jay.
I need you in the conference room.
- Why? What's wrong?
- Nah, nothing's wrong.
We just need you in the
conference room. All right?
Please don't tell me that.
Lucca. I need you upstairs
in the conference room.
Oh, uh, what's wrong?
Nothing's wrong.
Why does everybody
think something's wrong?
Just just
(DOOR CLOSES)
Uh, Bianca, I have to go.
No, it's just work.
Because I work.
Because I'm not independently
wealthy like you.
I don't always say that.
(CHUCKLES): Okay. Okay,
I'm hanging up now.
Because I am.
Because my boss needs me.
Okay, I'm going now. Seriously.
No. Bye.
Goodbye. Bye.
Did you check the courthouse system?
- JAY: Theirs and ours. No case.
-
- No injunction. No docket number.
-
Well, there was an injunction, right?
- Yes. Three days ago. It was in our system.
- You saw it?
- Yes.
- Did you print it out?
No. But we never do.
- It's in the system.
- Okay,
check to see if anyone
printed out a hard copy.
Maybe there's some
compulsive Luddite around here.
I'll go to the courthouse.
- Why?
- Julius.
I mean, he gave the order.
(SIGHS): Right.
Want me to go?
Uh, no. I know who has a way with him.
LANDAU: And that leaves us
with one very important question.
What's the biggest issue
facing the African American
community today?
Let it all hang out. Let's hear it.
Lack of voting rights.
Okay.
Anybody else?
- Racism.
- Police brutality.
Institutional racism.
LANDAU: Good, good, good.
All right, follow-up question.
What is the Democratic
Party currently doing
to combat racism?
(SEVERAL CHUCKLING)
JAY: The Democratic Party's doing
- jack-shit to combat racism.
- ADRIAN: Jay, Jay, come on.
And the Republicans are
doing so much better?
The Democrats care
more about civil rights,
but where's the policy?
Laws don't get passed in a vacuum.
Yeah, but they're trying, at least.
How about the Green New Deal?
But that's not just for black people.
I mean
black people will benefit, yeah.
But you want me to get
excited, line up to vote,
maybe even miss work?
Then I want to feel like the Dems
are talking right to me about me.
ADRIAN: What gets us that feeling?
(QUIETLY): Excuse me.
I need to take this.
It's really interesting stuff so far.
- (LOW, INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- ADRIAN: Hey, hey, hey.
Uh maybe we take it down a notch
on the DNC bashing.
(QUIET MURMURING)
Look at you.
Marissa!
(LAUGHING): Oh, my gosh!
Well, I owe a lot of this to you.
No, no, no.
- Okay, some of it.
- (CHUCKLES)
How are things at, uh, Reddick/Boseman?
Or is it, uh
STR Laurie
- Reddick
- Weird.
We call it STD Laurie these days.
STD?
Oh! Ha-ha-ha-ha
That was a false laugh, Your Honor.
(JULIUS CHUCKLES)
So, do you have a minute?
Mm, court in five minutes,
but, uh
let's keep 'em waiting.
- I have the power now.
- That's what I like to hear.
What's up?
There was an injunction on
a case a few days ago
an injunction against a demolition
and we can't find it in our system.
We can't find the case, either.
It's something you signed.
Hmm. What case?
Tecades v. Rare Orchard.
(TAPPING KEYBOARD)
"Rare Orchard".
(BEEPS)
It's not in the system.
Yeah, but it's something you ruled on.
(CHUCKLES): Are you sure?
- If it's not in the system
- We're pretty sure.
(SIGHS): Diane
- this is old news.
- No, it's not.
We're bringing suit against Rare Orchard
for ignoring a judge's injunction,
but we can't do that if we
can't locate the injunction.
- I'm no longer on the case.
- But you ruled on it.
And you know that you ruled.
I've had two dozen rulings since then
I can't tell you every single
Julius, are you fucking serious?
Don't swear in my chambers!
You know what?
I never used to swear, ever,
but now I find it useful.
People look at me and
think I would never swear,
so when I say this is fucking nuts,
it has added meaning, and
this is motherfucking nuts.
I think we're done here.
- Why are you doing this, Julius?
- Doing what?
Pretending you didn't rule
on something you did rule on.
What's going on?
Who's gotten to you?
Talk to Adrian's girlfriend.
Who's Adrian's girlfriend?
I'm needed in court.
(DOOR CLOSES)
Maternal mortality is
too gendered an issue.
And black women aren't the
ones we need to mobilize.
(LOUD, INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Wait, wait. Wait, wait,
wait. Can-can I say something?
Yeah.
There's one issue that is splashy,
covers the economy and
addresses black folks directly.
(CHATTER STOPS)
Reparations.
(PEOPLE MURMURING)
I'm pretty certain that reparations
is at the top of the
"never gonna happen" list.
- But what if it weren't?
- BARRY: But it is.
ROSALYN: The party is moving
further and further left every day.
There are a lot of ideas
that were once inconceivable
that are now ordinary.
LEAH: But this is really far left.
There are a lot of
black conservatives
maybe not Republican conservative,
but definitely not AOC progressive
and we don't want to alienate them.
And how exactly do we
make reparations happen,
- practically?
- JAY: Just 'cause it's complicated
- (KNOCKING)
- doesn't mean we throw up our hands
- and say we can't do it.
- But we should
- Do you have a minute?
- For?
Mr. Firth.
Sure. Sure.
Ms. Lockhart, do you mind joining us?
Uh, sure.
Let's go.
He'll be right with you.
Thank you.
(SIGHS): You know,
whenever I see offices like this,
I always think that we're
all gonna be dead someday.
- ADRIAN: My God!
- (LAUGHTER)
What's funny?
No, nothing. Uh, Liz has a
dark sense of humor.
I have a dark sense of humor. Tell me.
I was just joking
that we're all gonna be dead someday.
(OTHERS CHUCKLING)
(CHUCKLING STOPS ABRUPTLY)
Uh, you had to be there.
No, I'm right with you. Hmm.
Anyway, please, come sit.
(TAKES DEEP BREATH)
Uh, you wanted to see us?
Yes.
A young man
begged a Zen master
to teach him the way of truth.
So the master took the
young man by the neck,
dragged him to a stream,
stuck his head underwater.
The young man gasped and fought,
but the master held him
underwater for a full minute.
And then, just at the brink of death,
he pulled him up out
of the water and asked,
"What did you want most of
all when you were underwater?"
"Air", the young man said.
- Hmm?
- Yeah.
"Well, good", the master responded.
"Come back when you want
truth as much as air".
You-you want us to want truth?
That is one way to look at it.
You have the Democratic
Committee as a client?
- We do.
- You're working with them now?
Yes.
And you listed this as
a continuation of an old case?
Is that a problem?
Only if, in fact, it's a new case.
I think I'm missing something.
Why does that matter?
Cases prior to the merger are
split 60/40 in favor of RBL.
New business is split 40/60
in favor of STR Laurie.
LIZ: First of all, how do you know
what we're billing the DNC?
- It's irrelevant.
- No.
No, it's not. We-we have a two-year
grace period where we do not
look at each other's books
to encourage trust.
So how did you get access to our books?
Trust is why I wanted
to speak with you first.
Is the Democratic Committee
new business or old business?
Old business.
Good.
That is all I needed to know.
Eh? Trust.
So is it new business?
I could argue it both ways.
And we argued it in our favor.
That is perfectly reasonable,
but the bigger worry
is, how did he know?
He's got a spy.
A spy looking at our books?
That's my guess.
- Who?
- I don't know.
Let's put Marissa on this.
Okay, I'll talk to her.
Um, Adrian, do you have
a minute for a question?
Sure, but it's old business.
Oh, no, no.
I went to Julius about the
missing Tecades injunction,
and he told me if I wanted
to know where it went,
to ask Adrian's girlfriend.
What?
He said, ask your
girlfriend, so let me ask.
Who is your girlfriend,
and why does she know
about my disappearing case?
Julius.
He's probably saying
something to pass the buck.
What buck? What is going on?
Why do I feel like I'm hearing
passwords in a secret society?
There's no secret society, Diane.
I'm in a relationship with a judge.
Now, it is not improper,
and there are certainly
no ex parte conversations.
I just don't like my private
life being made public.
Now you know that information is power.
And you lose information
to other people,
then you give them
all the power over you.
All right, so without
telling me the judge's name,
can you tell me what he meant by
"Ask her about the injunction"?
All I can tell you is what I heard.
Which was?
Memo 618.
What is that?
I don't know.
I just know that Julius
was really intimidated
by something given to
him called "Memo 618".
That's it. That's all.
- But you don't know what it is?
- No.
But if you want to know
what happened to your case,
I'd find out what Memo 618 is.
♪♪
♪♪
♪♪
(INDISTINCT, DISTANT CHATTER)
(BUZZER SOUNDS)
MARISSA: Since the merger,
there have been 18
associates from STD Laurie
W-Wait.
STD?
I'm so sorry.
Um, it's a mailroom joke.
(LAUGHING): Okay.
18 of their associates
have been on our cases,
but only one has had
access to our financials.
- Who?
- Caleb Garlin.
- Who is that?
- Second-year associate,
graduate of the University of Virginia,
retired Army sergeant.
Retired? What is he, 50?
No. 39.
He primarily works in litigation,
but he had access to our
financials on the Brinkman suit.
Okay. Can you find out more about him?
Marissa, stick with him.
I don't want him sending
any more gossip upstairs.
MAN: All rise.
The Honorable Charlotte
Hazlewood presiding.
- CHARLOTTE: Good day.
- Please be seated.
The Honorable Dalton
Bradley has requested
that I take his place for
this hearing. It is ?
Tecades v. Rare Orchard, Your Honor.
- Unlawful seizure.
- Your Honor, if I may interject,
I'm not sure what Ms.
Lockhart is appealing here.
There was no injunction granted,
and my crew commenced demolition.
Counselor, I must agree.
What are your grounds for an appeal?
We're not appealing, Your Honor.
The case was never tried.
This is our first time here.
Counselor anything?
Your Honor, this case has
already been adjudicated.
Really?
Show us the docket number.
Counselor, let me be the judge, please.
- Apologies.
- Mr. Canning, do you have a docket number?
Uh
Uh, no, I don't.
Okay, then let's hear some testimony.
Are you ready, Counselor?
I am, Your Honor.
(OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
Guys, you're going to
lose the white vote.
Okay, let's talk about this practically.
Who gets reparations?
What form do they take?
What's the price tag?
Well, the last one is easy
40 acres and a mule.
(LOUD, OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
MAN: Wait. Wait.
ADRIAN: Wait. Just wait a second.
You all serious about this?
Because there is a model for reparations
right here in Chicago.
- Jon Burge.
- Right.
- JAY: Who?
- Jon Burge.
He was an old Chicago Police commander.
Tortured over 100 black men,
so the city of Chicago
passed an ordinance
condemning the torture,
giving monetary damages
to the survivors' families,
and then, they made a history curriculum
about Burge mandatory
to middle and high school students.
There's your model right there.
And the white vote is gonna say,
"None of us were alive
when slavery happened".
Which is why we focus on
the victims of Jim Crow.
- There are plenty of survivors.
- That defeats the purpose.
Slavery is the original sin,
the stain on America's soul.
- Reparations is penance.
- You mean absolution.
As soon as that check clears,
white America washes their hands,
and I'm telling you, the line will be,
"Don't you fuckers ever
complain about racism again".
JAY: Well, people who feel like
reparations equals hush money
were always gonna feel that.
LEAH: But I think you're underestimating
- the power of white
- JAY: No. No, I'm not.
- May I have a word?
- JAY: No, I'm not. Listen
What do you think about where
the conversation's going?
I think
our people are passionate and engaged,
and we can translate
that energy into voters.
I know it's a conversation
that needs to be had.
I just wonder if we need
more diversity in the room.
Diversity?
Just to gauge how the ideas are landing.
♪♪
♪♪
Hard at work?
Uh, this may look easy, but it's not.
- You try peeling a rutabaga.
- That's the game?
You just peel a rutabaga?
Just? Seriously? I feel judged.
(MARISSA CHUCKLES)
I didn't mean to disparage
your vegetable-peeling skills.
I'm sure they'll come in
handy at many law firms.
Also, it's fruit, and
it's kind of soothing.
Do you need to be soothed?
(LAUGHS) That's
that's a very personal question. Aah!
Damn. (SIGHS)
Sorry.
So are you Caleb?
- I am. Who are you?
- Marissa.
Are you from upstairs?
I am.
Then why are you working here?
They asked me to.
Why did they ask you to?
Um, I think
(WHISPERING): to spy on you.
That's not a great way to
spy to say you're spying.
I know. I'm not very good at it.
You are very different
from what I expected.
You want to play the next round?
You'll have to teach me.
Yeah, okay. Uh, this is a keyboard.
They need you two upstairs
in the conference room.
- Us? Why?
- Diversity.
(LOUD, OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
Are we starting? I have
a couple of questions.
- David Lee.
- Exactly how much
is 40 acres and a mule in 2020 dollars?
However much it is,
it's still not enough.
DAVID: Go back far enough,
and everyone comes from a tribe
that was taken over by another tribe.
That's the history of the world.
So do we all deserve reparations?
MARISSA: We got reparations
from Nazi Germany.
DAVID: You maybe did. I didn't.
MARISSA: Our relatives did.
- Oh.
- Listen, this idea of needing reparations
is just perpetuating stereotypes.
Black folks don't need handouts.
- What is he talking about?
- (OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
You are missing the point.
LUCCA: Jimmy, reparations
aren't a handout.
They're payment owed
for services rendered.
JIMMY: Did you do that work?
If my ancestors picked
cotton for 50 years,
then they deserve that money, not me.
- Hear! Hear!
- MARISSA: Oh, my God.
You got David Lee
agreeing with you. Be proud.
MICAH: Look, if your ancestors were paid
for that work and they
passed that money down,
you would see it as family
wealth, wouldn't you?
- Exactly.
- (OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
ADRIAN: Um, just wait one second.
Vernon Jordan told me a story
about growing up in Georgia.
When he was a boy, the
governor came on the radio
and said, "I'm running for reelection,
and I have two planks in my platform.
Niggers. Roads.
I'm against the first,
and I am for the second".
Now, this was the governor,
(CHUCKLES): for Christ's sake.
Now, do we think he
wasn't writing that vitriol
into his official policy?
Well, I say keep the reparations.
I'd rather have white guilt.
That I can leverage.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER, LAUGHTER)
Marta, did you have any
warning about this demolition?
(CRYING): No. They just did it.
And, so, what are you going to do?
I have no idea.
That restaurant was my life, my world.
I'm not exaggerating.
It was the only income that I had.
My family. I
- We don't know what
- Should I continue, Your Honor?
- Just one second.
- (PAPER RUSTLING)
You may continue, Counselor.
Counselor.
Uh, yes.
Um, Marta, you had some,
uh, negative reviews
in the last few months.
Yes.
DIANE: And you recently discovered
who wrote those reviews?
Objection, Your Honor.
- Relevance.
- Sustained.
We're merely trying to
establish relevance, Your Honor.
No need. I've already ruled.
Well, how can you determine
the relevance of this evidence?
- I don't
- Counselor, you need to move on.
Um, have you found that, uh,
Rare Orchard was
attempting to sabotage you
- by publishing negative reviews?
- CHARLOTTE: Counselor.
No. I have already ruled.
Do you have any other
questions, or are you done?
I just have one more
question, Your Honor.
Does it have anything to do
with these negative reviews?
- No.
- Good.
You may proceed.
What is Memo 618?
Objection, Your Honor.
Counselor, you are done.
Why? I'm just asking what Memo 618 is.
- That's all.
- It is not relevant to this case.
DIANE: The last time a judge was faced
with Memo 618, my case disappeared.
And I see you were just handed
a document with "Memo 618" on it,
and that's why it is relevant.
Counselor, you are in contempt.
Why? If Memo 618 means nothing,
why should I be held in contempt?
Court is adjourned.
- Until when?
- Until I fucking decide.
(PEOPLE MURMURING)
Lucca Quinn?
Do you mind accompanying me upstairs?
Why?
It's been requested.
Hello, Lucca. I'm Edie Ham.
This is Cleo and Paula.
Hi.
- Have I done something wrong?
- (EDIE CHUCKLES)
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
No, I know human resources
has a scary reputation,
but we're just plain folk just like you.
Good to hear. So, uh, why
EDIE: A small thing, maybe.
There's been a complaint about
a senior attorney at your firm.
But first, I need you to not share
what we're about to discuss with
the attorney in question, okay?
Lucca?
I understand what you're asking.
Which attorney are we discussing?
Adrian Boseman.
Well, he's my immediate superior,
so I can't promise you anything.
It's up to you whether you-you
want to share with me or not.
Apparently, Mr. Boseman used the N-word.
(LAUGHS)
- Oh, you're kidding.
- EDIE: No.
And we don't find it at all comical.
We're hoping you can shed
some light on what happened
and if Mr. Boseman has used the N-word
in your presence on prior occasions.
♪♪
(HIGH-PITCHED BEEPING)
(BEEPING SLOWS, STOPS)
(WHISPERS): What?
What's wrong?
I need to talk to you, Liz.
Okay. About?
I was asked not to
discuss this with Adrian.
Asked by who?
Unfortunately, I was asked not to say.
But I can tell Liz.
You were asked by whom?
LUCCA: Human resources.
They asked me if Mr.
Boseman had used the N-word.
Jesus Christ.
- LIZ: When did he use the N-word?
- I was quoting Vernon Jordan.
LUCCA: Apparently, STR Laurie has
a zero tolerance policy
on inappropriate language.
(LAUGHS): This is bullshit.
Who told them?
They didn't say.
You know who was there in the room?
Who?
Caleb.
- I don't think it's him.
- ADRIAN: Why not?
Isn't he feeding info upstairs?
I don't know. It just
doesn't seem like him.
He's sort of honest.
In what way, honest?
When I asked him why he
was working on our floor,
he said he was spying on us.
- (CHUCKLES): I'm sorry, what?
- MARISSA: He was joking.
If he was actually spying on us,
he wouldn't say he was spying on us.
ADRIAN: Well, maybe that's
exactly what he would say.
It's a bluff.
You like him?
Yeah, I guess so.
Okay. Well, there's
a way we can find out
if he's feeding information upstairs.
Just tell him that we're
thinking of taking on the DNC
as a pro bono client in order to
to keep money from STR Laurie.
How do I do that?
LIZ: Marissa, you
sometimes blurt things out.
So just blurt it out.
JAY: Maybe it was a bug on your
There. That's the same.
Then maybe it's the website.
What'd you do next?
DIANE: I typed, "What is Memo 618?"
(HIGH-PITCHED BEEPING)
(BEEPING SLOWS, STOPS)
What's going on?
I don't know.
Seems like targeted malware.
I'll look into it.
Thank you. But be careful.
- What do you mean?
- I don't know.
Something's going on.
I'll be careful.
You still rutabaga-ing?
No. Working.
- How about you?
- Always working.
You sound different. What's wrong?
Nothing. I'm just
Upstairs has asked me
to look into something.
Oh. Upstairs?
Not your upstairs. My upstairs.
What is it?
I've been told not to tell anyone.
Don't you want to know?
Hmm? No. No.
You were told not to tell, don't tell.
But maybe I want to tell you.
Why?
You're right. I'll just tell you.
You do whatever you want with it.
We charged the DNC as a pro bono client
in order to keep the
money from STR Laurie.
Do you want me to tell upstairs?
No.
I want you to do what you want.
Okay.
Then I will.
(INHALES DEEPLY)
(EXHALES)
EDIE: How many times did
you hear the N-word used?
I think he said it once.
And were you offended
when you heard the word?
No. I think he was just
quoting someone else.
EDIE: What about the rest of the room?
Do you think any of the other
associates were offended?
LEAH: There's always someone
who's gonna be offended,
but being offended doesn't mean
you have to run to human resources.
It shouldn't feel like going
to HR is crossing enemy lines.
- We're all on the same side here.
- But only HR disciplines.
Because people need to feel safe
in their working environment
and know that there will be
consequences for poor behavior.
Mm. And a black person using
the N-word is poor behavior?
We're investigating the context.
Well, I fall on the "no snitching"
end of the spectrum.
And I realize that can be dangerous.
The last thing we want here
is a culture of silence.
What did you think of the incident?
I didn't think of it as an incident.
EDIE: What did you think of it as?
I didn't think of it as anything.
You report directly to
Adrian Boseman, right?
I report to a lot of people.
I just wanted to clarify
that there is no risk
of anything you say getting back to him.
Had you ever heard Adrian
Boseman use the N-word before?
It's possible. I'm not keeping count.
And what was the content
of the story Mr. Boseman told you?
- You can summarize.
- (JAY EXHALES)
I don't think I can summarize, actually.
It's the only thing that did offend me,
so I remember it pretty clearly.
The governor of Georgia
actually said on the radio,
"I have two planks in my platform.
Niggers and roads.
I'm against the first
and for the second".
Hey. What's up?
I, uh, found out something you can use.
Something I can use? I don't understand.
You think I spied on you guys, right?
- No. I
- Marissa, listen.
Frank Landau is buddy-buddy
with Gavin upstairs.
He's the one who told
Gavin it's a new case.
I didn't need to know that.
Yeah, but now you do.
(PHONE RINGS)
Hello.
Mr. Jordan.
How are you?
Is that right?
So, you dragged Vernon Jordan into this?
Adrian, you'll have to start again.
- What are you talking about?
- HR called Vernon Jordan.
Investigating me for the capital crime
(LAUGHS): of using the N-word.
Well, unfortunately, I
can't stand in the way
of an HR investigation.
Oh, this is a bullshit investigation.
It's not a bullshit investigation.
It is our standard to thoroughly explore
any legitimate employee complaint.
This is not legitimate!
Now, I understand, you
need to cover your ass.
But you and I both know
this is far from legitimate.
Well, what I know is that
you're aware of the rules.
You didn't sign your
contract that long ago.
STR Laurie and all its divisions
has a zero tolerance policy
for offensive language
and harassment at work.
Harassment. Wow, wow, it's-it's
it's growing now, huh?
I got into this with human resources,
and they think that the
best course of action now
is for everyone at Reddick/Boseman
to take a class on sensitivity
in the workplace.
And we'd prefer if you
didn't use that word again
at the office.
You would prefer?
Adrian, considering the
charged nature of that word,
it would be best.
You don't dictate
which words I get to use
or when.
What if I quit?
Okay.
Call the movers
and rent an office.
(GROANS)
Maybe take out an ad.
Don't be so sure I won't walk, Liz.
I have done it before.
I'm the one who walked.
Only because
I made it impossible for you to stay.
Only because I pushed you to it.
Oh, God, just take the class.
Just do what they want and move forward.
I mean, you know what the game is.
You know how to play it.
Or don't play it.
This is exhausting.
Just fuck the class.
Do what you want.
- Hmm.
- What are they gonna do?
Are they really gonna fire their
most senior black male employee
because he used the N-word in a quote?
Yeah, it sounds even more ridiculous
when I say it out loud.
And-and don't forget about that photo.
What photo?
Couple of years ago, they
took that class picture
of their 40 new hires,
and someone online posted
that there wasn't a
single black face in it.
And then they photoshopped
in three black faces.
(ADRIAN CHUCKLES)
They really did that.
They bought us to put
us in their pictures.
Oh, makes me feel warm all over.
Well, the good news
is that they need us.
Not-not just the floor.
They need us.
So do what you want.
'Cause they ain't gonna fire us.
Hmm.
- Excuse me.
- Yeah. Jay.
(CLEARS THROAT) Okay.
I think we should put it on the table.
Put what on the table?
It's uncomfortable to pretend that
someone didn't violate the space,
so let's just talk about it.
Who filed the complaint?
Jay, that is completely inappropriate.
How can we have an honest conversation
about reparations and the things
black people in this country
have experienced when
we're tiptoeing around
how this complaint is being handled?
MADELINE: Everyone in this room,
at this firm, has the right to
go to HR as they see fit,
without fear of retribution.
I'm not talking about payback.
ADRIAN: Okay, Jay, I don't need
you to fight this battle for me.
It's not for you. I think we
all have a right to know.
Oh, come on, I'd rather cut my wrists
than go to HR willingly.
MICAH: What kills me is that
this company is more concerned
about making sure that they seem
racially sensitive instead of
actually being racially sensitive.
LEAH: Yeah, that quote
was heartbreaking.
And the only thing
that person got from it
- was that a bad word was said?
- This looks intense.
Yeah. Welcome.
JAY: Yes, it's a violent word
with a violent history.
But black people reckon
with it every day.
It's our word.
If we use it, if we don't use it,
when we use, where we use it
you don't get to have an opinion.
Autonomy over that word
is our reparations.
DAVID: Then good.
You don't need us white
people here anymore.
- ADRIAN: Just wait, wait, wait.
- DAVID: No, you heard him.
- He doesn't want us here.
- I think we should go back
- to the original group on this project.
- MARISSA: Hang on a second.
You don't know for sure that it
was a white person who snitched.
- It could have been anyone.
- Yeah, well, I think we know
who the most likely suspects are.
- Go to hell, lady.
- Whoa.
- (ALL CLAMORING)
- Hey. Show some respect.
ROSALYN: I agree with Jay. This
conversation has completely derailed
ever since we changed
the group dynamics.
ADRIAN: It's still important
to get different perspectives
- and points of view.
- But clearly, there's a limit.
There's always limits.
And the person who always
gets to draw the line,
regardless of race, is the
person with the most power.
Adrian, you hold the power
in this room and out of it.
Sometimes people have
to find alternative ways
to level the playing field.
And that's exactly why departments
like human resources exist.
So you filed the complaint?
Don't answer that.
He has no right to ask.
MADELINE: It doesn't
matter who filed it,
and I don't care who
the N-word belongs to.
Every black person should
have the choice not to hear it
in their workplace
if they don't want to.
Especially when it's literally part
of the employer's policy.
We can all come up with reasons
why we don't want to hear the word.
But when it comes down to it,
you're confronting the past,
- and it's painful.
- JAY: And there's no avoiding it.
So we're supposed to confront
the past between depositions?
Perhaps some of us would prefer
to do our emotional heavy lifting
outside the office.
Madeline, we could have
talked about this privately.
There was no reason to go upstairs.
Oh, you want special treatment
because you're a big-name partner?
Well, the people upstairs
are the big names now,
and I think we should follow the
rules of the firm you made us join.
If you filed the complaint,
at least own it.
Jay, I know you don't see it this way,
but this little stunt you pulled
it's called intimidation.
(LOUD, OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
- ADRIAN: I know it's a bit heated.
- More than heated.
We have a lot of intensely
passionate people on our team,
and their opinions are unwavering.
And it's a difficult subject matter.
Listen, everyone at the DNC
applauds your innovation.
You've obviously chosen
the most off-beaten path.
We're just not sure this is
the right direction for us.
Thanks for your efforts.
- Frank
- Thanks, Adrian.
Tim and Marcus are ordering lunch.
Tim teases Marcus about how
much he loves watermelon.
He accuses Marcus of
having a sticky keyboard,
and after a few coworkers laugh,
they move on with their day.
Who would say that was
a good interaction?
Okay. Who would say that was
an uncomfortable situation?
Who would say that was unacceptable?
I didn't know we could choose
worse than uncomfortable.
Can I change my vote?
You didn't raise your hand.
We need everyone to participate.
I don't know Marcus.
Maybe he really likes watermelon.
Maybe Tim was correct in his commentary.
Marcus does not eat watermelon.
Then Tim is a racist.
(SOFT LAUGHTER)
Karly and Marie are touching
up their hair in the bathroom
- You're in a mood.
- This is bullshit.
Welcome to corporate America.
- We all have to do it.
- Not everyone.
No, everyone.
You see Adrian, Liz, Diane?
They still have to do it.
Just not with the peasants.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
You needed me, Ms. Reddick?
- Yes. Caleb, right?
- Right.
I just wanted to thank you
for helping us out upstairs.
Sure. Just doing my job.
And if there's anything
you need from us,
just tell me.
Okay.
Good.
Yes?
Second chair.
On?
Anything. I'm here to learn.
Then we'll do our best to teach.
Okay.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
- What's wrong?
- I don't know, but this is weird.
I went to the same website, Bar-Swarm,
using my home Wi-Fi.
- And
-
- DIANE: No rejection of service?
-
Right. There's no malware
at home. But watch.
I'm on the office Wi-Fi now.
(HIGH-PITCHED BEEPING)
(BEEPING SLOWS, STOPS)
So, I don't understand.
The malware only attacks here?
And only when I use the firm's Wi-Fi.
So someone here is
trying to freeze me out
whenever I ask "What is Memo 618?"
No, not here.
Then where?
MARISSA: I'm bored. Tell me a joke.
CALEB: Man walks into a zoo. The only
animal in the entire zoo is a dog.
It's a Shih Tzu.
(SILENCE)
(MUSIC RESUMES)
ADRIAN: Saw that play last night.
It's satirizing our firm.
- (WHIP LASHES)
- LUCCA: It means defamation.
These characters emerged
from my subconscious.
LIZ: Do you have proof of that?
Do you have proof of not that?
Uhm (LAUGHS)
- DAVID: (LAUGHING LOUDLY)
- (APPLAUSE)
- (ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
- Objection.
Uh, you can't object.
Then, I take great exception.
Noted.
(MUSIC ENDS)
♪♪
♪♪
It's gone.
DIANE (OVER PHONE): Martha? What's gone?
(CRYING): They tore it down. It's gone.
Everything is gone.
- Your restaurant?
- Yes.
They can't do that the
judge enjoined the demolition.
Well, someone did it,
because it's not here.
♪♪
You screwed up, Mr. Canning.
Mrs. Lockhart. Hello.
- How did I screw up?
- You thought you were going up
against some small pro bono defendant,
but I've been bankrolled by STR Laurie
to go after cases that interest me,
and this one really interests me.
You seem angry, Diane.
See you in court.
DIANE: Jay,
I need photos of the site
and interviews with the
construction foreman.
We need to nail down who gave
the go-ahead to the bulldozers.
They'll probably argue that
it was all a miscommunication
between new Orchard corporate
and the, uh, contractors.
So we need to get it on record.
You'll probably have the same problem
with the Rare Orchard CEO.
They just made that easier.
It's no longer about eminent domain,
it's about unlawful seizure.
- So we don't have to depose him.
- I'll pull the injunction order.
Thanks, Jay.
What the fuck?
Tell Dad if he wants to come berate me,
do it himself, don't send his
Democratic Committee lapdog.
- Democratic Committee
- Every time I even talk to a Republican,
Dad is crawling up my ass.
- What Republican
- I am not a Republican,
and I'm not gonna vote Republican,
but I might fall in
love with a Republican
and have little Republican children.
- What Republican are you
- No, no, no, no.
You just tell Dad to fuck off, okay?
- And you fuck off, too.
- Frank.
- We're ready for you.
- Good.
So nice seeing you, Marissa.
I thought you said Frank
Landau was here for me.
No. I said Frank Landau is here.
- Fuck.
- LANDAU: I know you've heard it before
this is the most important
election of our lifetime
but this is the most important
election of our lifetime.
Should we get Diane in on this?
- No, I'd rather keep it just us for a minute.
- Why?
DNC is looking to reengage
the African American community.
- Really?
- The presidential election
comes down to Florida,
Michigan, North Carolina,
Pennsylvania, Wisconsin,
all of which have huge
African American electorate.
We don't capitalize on that,
we don't take back the White House.
- Those are the facts.
- What do you need from us?
A strategy for reengagement.
We want hearts, not just votes.
An exclamation mark agenda
that gets black voters energized
and turning out at '08 levels or better.
No, this is a campaign issue.
You need PR people.
Why-why come to us?
One, you're an African American firm.
Two, we've worked with
you before on impeachment.
You fired us before on impeachment.
No, we fired you.
Yes. Now I remember.
LANDAU: No hard feelings.
And three, we need
attorney-client privilege.
The risk of a leak at a
PR firm is just too high.
So, what do you say?
- Damn it!
- I just told our top client to fuck off.
Whatever you're dealing
with can't be worse.
- I can't find an injunction order.
- On what case?
Tecades v. Rare Orchard.
- When was it?
- Three days ago.
Maybe it wasn't entered
into our system yet.
I checked the courthouse system, too.
- You probably just
- (COMPUTER BEEPS)
It's not there.
- Thanks.
- Maybe it's under a different name.
Did you try the docket number?
- (BEEPS)
- Whoa.
- What?
- It says there's no case.
No Tecades v. Rare Orchard.
How is that possible?
- I don't think it is.
- ADRIAN: Jay.
I need you in the conference room.
- Why? What's wrong?
- Nah, nothing's wrong.
We just need you in the
conference room. All right?
Please don't tell me that.
Lucca. I need you upstairs
in the conference room.
Oh, uh, what's wrong?
Nothing's wrong.
Why does everybody
think something's wrong?
Just just
(DOOR CLOSES)
Uh, Bianca, I have to go.
No, it's just work.
Because I work.
Because I'm not independently
wealthy like you.
I don't always say that.
(CHUCKLES): Okay. Okay,
I'm hanging up now.
Because I am.
Because my boss needs me.
Okay, I'm going now. Seriously.
No. Bye.
Goodbye. Bye.
Did you check the courthouse system?
- JAY: Theirs and ours. No case.
-
- No injunction. No docket number.
-
Well, there was an injunction, right?
- Yes. Three days ago. It was in our system.
- You saw it?
- Yes.
- Did you print it out?
No. But we never do.
- It's in the system.
- Okay,
check to see if anyone
printed out a hard copy.
Maybe there's some
compulsive Luddite around here.
I'll go to the courthouse.
- Why?
- Julius.
I mean, he gave the order.
(SIGHS): Right.
Want me to go?
Uh, no. I know who has a way with him.
LANDAU: And that leaves us
with one very important question.
What's the biggest issue
facing the African American
community today?
Let it all hang out. Let's hear it.
Lack of voting rights.
Okay.
Anybody else?
- Racism.
- Police brutality.
Institutional racism.
LANDAU: Good, good, good.
All right, follow-up question.
What is the Democratic
Party currently doing
to combat racism?
(SEVERAL CHUCKLING)
JAY: The Democratic Party's doing
- jack-shit to combat racism.
- ADRIAN: Jay, Jay, come on.
And the Republicans are
doing so much better?
The Democrats care
more about civil rights,
but where's the policy?
Laws don't get passed in a vacuum.
Yeah, but they're trying, at least.
How about the Green New Deal?
But that's not just for black people.
I mean
black people will benefit, yeah.
But you want me to get
excited, line up to vote,
maybe even miss work?
Then I want to feel like the Dems
are talking right to me about me.
ADRIAN: What gets us that feeling?
(QUIETLY): Excuse me.
I need to take this.
It's really interesting stuff so far.
- (LOW, INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- ADRIAN: Hey, hey, hey.
Uh maybe we take it down a notch
on the DNC bashing.
(QUIET MURMURING)
Look at you.
Marissa!
(LAUGHING): Oh, my gosh!
Well, I owe a lot of this to you.
No, no, no.
- Okay, some of it.
- (CHUCKLES)
How are things at, uh, Reddick/Boseman?
Or is it, uh
STR Laurie
- Reddick
- Weird.
We call it STD Laurie these days.
STD?
Oh! Ha-ha-ha-ha
That was a false laugh, Your Honor.
(JULIUS CHUCKLES)
So, do you have a minute?
Mm, court in five minutes,
but, uh
let's keep 'em waiting.
- I have the power now.
- That's what I like to hear.
What's up?
There was an injunction on
a case a few days ago
an injunction against a demolition
and we can't find it in our system.
We can't find the case, either.
It's something you signed.
Hmm. What case?
Tecades v. Rare Orchard.
(TAPPING KEYBOARD)
"Rare Orchard".
(BEEPS)
It's not in the system.
Yeah, but it's something you ruled on.
(CHUCKLES): Are you sure?
- If it's not in the system
- We're pretty sure.
(SIGHS): Diane
- this is old news.
- No, it's not.
We're bringing suit against Rare Orchard
for ignoring a judge's injunction,
but we can't do that if we
can't locate the injunction.
- I'm no longer on the case.
- But you ruled on it.
And you know that you ruled.
I've had two dozen rulings since then
I can't tell you every single
Julius, are you fucking serious?
Don't swear in my chambers!
You know what?
I never used to swear, ever,
but now I find it useful.
People look at me and
think I would never swear,
so when I say this is fucking nuts,
it has added meaning, and
this is motherfucking nuts.
I think we're done here.
- Why are you doing this, Julius?
- Doing what?
Pretending you didn't rule
on something you did rule on.
What's going on?
Who's gotten to you?
Talk to Adrian's girlfriend.
Who's Adrian's girlfriend?
I'm needed in court.
(DOOR CLOSES)
Maternal mortality is
too gendered an issue.
And black women aren't the
ones we need to mobilize.
(LOUD, INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Wait, wait. Wait, wait,
wait. Can-can I say something?
Yeah.
There's one issue that is splashy,
covers the economy and
addresses black folks directly.
(CHATTER STOPS)
Reparations.
(PEOPLE MURMURING)
I'm pretty certain that reparations
is at the top of the
"never gonna happen" list.
- But what if it weren't?
- BARRY: But it is.
ROSALYN: The party is moving
further and further left every day.
There are a lot of ideas
that were once inconceivable
that are now ordinary.
LEAH: But this is really far left.
There are a lot of
black conservatives
maybe not Republican conservative,
but definitely not AOC progressive
and we don't want to alienate them.
And how exactly do we
make reparations happen,
- practically?
- JAY: Just 'cause it's complicated
- (KNOCKING)
- doesn't mean we throw up our hands
- and say we can't do it.
- But we should
- Do you have a minute?
- For?
Mr. Firth.
Sure. Sure.
Ms. Lockhart, do you mind joining us?
Uh, sure.
Let's go.
He'll be right with you.
Thank you.
(SIGHS): You know,
whenever I see offices like this,
I always think that we're
all gonna be dead someday.
- ADRIAN: My God!
- (LAUGHTER)
What's funny?
No, nothing. Uh, Liz has a
dark sense of humor.
I have a dark sense of humor. Tell me.
I was just joking
that we're all gonna be dead someday.
(OTHERS CHUCKLING)
(CHUCKLING STOPS ABRUPTLY)
Uh, you had to be there.
No, I'm right with you. Hmm.
Anyway, please, come sit.
(TAKES DEEP BREATH)
Uh, you wanted to see us?
Yes.
A young man
begged a Zen master
to teach him the way of truth.
So the master took the
young man by the neck,
dragged him to a stream,
stuck his head underwater.
The young man gasped and fought,
but the master held him
underwater for a full minute.
And then, just at the brink of death,
he pulled him up out
of the water and asked,
"What did you want most of
all when you were underwater?"
"Air", the young man said.
- Hmm?
- Yeah.
"Well, good", the master responded.
"Come back when you want
truth as much as air".
You-you want us to want truth?
That is one way to look at it.
You have the Democratic
Committee as a client?
- We do.
- You're working with them now?
Yes.
And you listed this as
a continuation of an old case?
Is that a problem?
Only if, in fact, it's a new case.
I think I'm missing something.
Why does that matter?
Cases prior to the merger are
split 60/40 in favor of RBL.
New business is split 40/60
in favor of STR Laurie.
LIZ: First of all, how do you know
what we're billing the DNC?
- It's irrelevant.
- No.
No, it's not. We-we have a two-year
grace period where we do not
look at each other's books
to encourage trust.
So how did you get access to our books?
Trust is why I wanted
to speak with you first.
Is the Democratic Committee
new business or old business?
Old business.
Good.
That is all I needed to know.
Eh? Trust.
So is it new business?
I could argue it both ways.
And we argued it in our favor.
That is perfectly reasonable,
but the bigger worry
is, how did he know?
He's got a spy.
A spy looking at our books?
That's my guess.
- Who?
- I don't know.
Let's put Marissa on this.
Okay, I'll talk to her.
Um, Adrian, do you have
a minute for a question?
Sure, but it's old business.
Oh, no, no.
I went to Julius about the
missing Tecades injunction,
and he told me if I wanted
to know where it went,
to ask Adrian's girlfriend.
What?
He said, ask your
girlfriend, so let me ask.
Who is your girlfriend,
and why does she know
about my disappearing case?
Julius.
He's probably saying
something to pass the buck.
What buck? What is going on?
Why do I feel like I'm hearing
passwords in a secret society?
There's no secret society, Diane.
I'm in a relationship with a judge.
Now, it is not improper,
and there are certainly
no ex parte conversations.
I just don't like my private
life being made public.
Now you know that information is power.
And you lose information
to other people,
then you give them
all the power over you.
All right, so without
telling me the judge's name,
can you tell me what he meant by
"Ask her about the injunction"?
All I can tell you is what I heard.
Which was?
Memo 618.
What is that?
I don't know.
I just know that Julius
was really intimidated
by something given to
him called "Memo 618".
That's it. That's all.
- But you don't know what it is?
- No.
But if you want to know
what happened to your case,
I'd find out what Memo 618 is.
♪♪
♪♪
♪♪
(INDISTINCT, DISTANT CHATTER)
(BUZZER SOUNDS)
MARISSA: Since the merger,
there have been 18
associates from STD Laurie
W-Wait.
STD?
I'm so sorry.
Um, it's a mailroom joke.
(LAUGHING): Okay.
18 of their associates
have been on our cases,
but only one has had
access to our financials.
- Who?
- Caleb Garlin.
- Who is that?
- Second-year associate,
graduate of the University of Virginia,
retired Army sergeant.
Retired? What is he, 50?
No. 39.
He primarily works in litigation,
but he had access to our
financials on the Brinkman suit.
Okay. Can you find out more about him?
Marissa, stick with him.
I don't want him sending
any more gossip upstairs.
MAN: All rise.
The Honorable Charlotte
Hazlewood presiding.
- CHARLOTTE: Good day.
- Please be seated.
The Honorable Dalton
Bradley has requested
that I take his place for
this hearing. It is ?
Tecades v. Rare Orchard, Your Honor.
- Unlawful seizure.
- Your Honor, if I may interject,
I'm not sure what Ms.
Lockhart is appealing here.
There was no injunction granted,
and my crew commenced demolition.
Counselor, I must agree.
What are your grounds for an appeal?
We're not appealing, Your Honor.
The case was never tried.
This is our first time here.
Counselor anything?
Your Honor, this case has
already been adjudicated.
Really?
Show us the docket number.
Counselor, let me be the judge, please.
- Apologies.
- Mr. Canning, do you have a docket number?
Uh
Uh, no, I don't.
Okay, then let's hear some testimony.
Are you ready, Counselor?
I am, Your Honor.
(OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
Guys, you're going to
lose the white vote.
Okay, let's talk about this practically.
Who gets reparations?
What form do they take?
What's the price tag?
Well, the last one is easy
40 acres and a mule.
(LOUD, OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
MAN: Wait. Wait.
ADRIAN: Wait. Just wait a second.
You all serious about this?
Because there is a model for reparations
right here in Chicago.
- Jon Burge.
- Right.
- JAY: Who?
- Jon Burge.
He was an old Chicago Police commander.
Tortured over 100 black men,
so the city of Chicago
passed an ordinance
condemning the torture,
giving monetary damages
to the survivors' families,
and then, they made a history curriculum
about Burge mandatory
to middle and high school students.
There's your model right there.
And the white vote is gonna say,
"None of us were alive
when slavery happened".
Which is why we focus on
the victims of Jim Crow.
- There are plenty of survivors.
- That defeats the purpose.
Slavery is the original sin,
the stain on America's soul.
- Reparations is penance.
- You mean absolution.
As soon as that check clears,
white America washes their hands,
and I'm telling you, the line will be,
"Don't you fuckers ever
complain about racism again".
JAY: Well, people who feel like
reparations equals hush money
were always gonna feel that.
LEAH: But I think you're underestimating
- the power of white
- JAY: No. No, I'm not.
- May I have a word?
- JAY: No, I'm not. Listen
What do you think about where
the conversation's going?
I think
our people are passionate and engaged,
and we can translate
that energy into voters.
I know it's a conversation
that needs to be had.
I just wonder if we need
more diversity in the room.
Diversity?
Just to gauge how the ideas are landing.
♪♪
♪♪
Hard at work?
Uh, this may look easy, but it's not.
- You try peeling a rutabaga.
- That's the game?
You just peel a rutabaga?
Just? Seriously? I feel judged.
(MARISSA CHUCKLES)
I didn't mean to disparage
your vegetable-peeling skills.
I'm sure they'll come in
handy at many law firms.
Also, it's fruit, and
it's kind of soothing.
Do you need to be soothed?
(LAUGHS) That's
that's a very personal question. Aah!
Damn. (SIGHS)
Sorry.
So are you Caleb?
- I am. Who are you?
- Marissa.
Are you from upstairs?
I am.
Then why are you working here?
They asked me to.
Why did they ask you to?
Um, I think
(WHISPERING): to spy on you.
That's not a great way to
spy to say you're spying.
I know. I'm not very good at it.
You are very different
from what I expected.
You want to play the next round?
You'll have to teach me.
Yeah, okay. Uh, this is a keyboard.
They need you two upstairs
in the conference room.
- Us? Why?
- Diversity.
(LOUD, OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
Are we starting? I have
a couple of questions.
- David Lee.
- Exactly how much
is 40 acres and a mule in 2020 dollars?
However much it is,
it's still not enough.
DAVID: Go back far enough,
and everyone comes from a tribe
that was taken over by another tribe.
That's the history of the world.
So do we all deserve reparations?
MARISSA: We got reparations
from Nazi Germany.
DAVID: You maybe did. I didn't.
MARISSA: Our relatives did.
- Oh.
- Listen, this idea of needing reparations
is just perpetuating stereotypes.
Black folks don't need handouts.
- What is he talking about?
- (OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
You are missing the point.
LUCCA: Jimmy, reparations
aren't a handout.
They're payment owed
for services rendered.
JIMMY: Did you do that work?
If my ancestors picked
cotton for 50 years,
then they deserve that money, not me.
- Hear! Hear!
- MARISSA: Oh, my God.
You got David Lee
agreeing with you. Be proud.
MICAH: Look, if your ancestors were paid
for that work and they
passed that money down,
you would see it as family
wealth, wouldn't you?
- Exactly.
- (OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
ADRIAN: Um, just wait one second.
Vernon Jordan told me a story
about growing up in Georgia.
When he was a boy, the
governor came on the radio
and said, "I'm running for reelection,
and I have two planks in my platform.
Niggers. Roads.
I'm against the first,
and I am for the second".
Now, this was the governor,
(CHUCKLES): for Christ's sake.
Now, do we think he
wasn't writing that vitriol
into his official policy?
Well, I say keep the reparations.
I'd rather have white guilt.
That I can leverage.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER, LAUGHTER)
Marta, did you have any
warning about this demolition?
(CRYING): No. They just did it.
And, so, what are you going to do?
I have no idea.
That restaurant was my life, my world.
I'm not exaggerating.
It was the only income that I had.
My family. I
- We don't know what
- Should I continue, Your Honor?
- Just one second.
- (PAPER RUSTLING)
You may continue, Counselor.
Counselor.
Uh, yes.
Um, Marta, you had some,
uh, negative reviews
in the last few months.
Yes.
DIANE: And you recently discovered
who wrote those reviews?
Objection, Your Honor.
- Relevance.
- Sustained.
We're merely trying to
establish relevance, Your Honor.
No need. I've already ruled.
Well, how can you determine
the relevance of this evidence?
- I don't
- Counselor, you need to move on.
Um, have you found that, uh,
Rare Orchard was
attempting to sabotage you
- by publishing negative reviews?
- CHARLOTTE: Counselor.
No. I have already ruled.
Do you have any other
questions, or are you done?
I just have one more
question, Your Honor.
Does it have anything to do
with these negative reviews?
- No.
- Good.
You may proceed.
What is Memo 618?
Objection, Your Honor.
Counselor, you are done.
Why? I'm just asking what Memo 618 is.
- That's all.
- It is not relevant to this case.
DIANE: The last time a judge was faced
with Memo 618, my case disappeared.
And I see you were just handed
a document with "Memo 618" on it,
and that's why it is relevant.
Counselor, you are in contempt.
Why? If Memo 618 means nothing,
why should I be held in contempt?
Court is adjourned.
- Until when?
- Until I fucking decide.
(PEOPLE MURMURING)
Lucca Quinn?
Do you mind accompanying me upstairs?
Why?
It's been requested.
Hello, Lucca. I'm Edie Ham.
This is Cleo and Paula.
Hi.
- Have I done something wrong?
- (EDIE CHUCKLES)
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
No, I know human resources
has a scary reputation,
but we're just plain folk just like you.
Good to hear. So, uh, why
EDIE: A small thing, maybe.
There's been a complaint about
a senior attorney at your firm.
But first, I need you to not share
what we're about to discuss with
the attorney in question, okay?
Lucca?
I understand what you're asking.
Which attorney are we discussing?
Adrian Boseman.
Well, he's my immediate superior,
so I can't promise you anything.
It's up to you whether you-you
want to share with me or not.
Apparently, Mr. Boseman used the N-word.
(LAUGHS)
- Oh, you're kidding.
- EDIE: No.
And we don't find it at all comical.
We're hoping you can shed
some light on what happened
and if Mr. Boseman has used the N-word
in your presence on prior occasions.
♪♪
(HIGH-PITCHED BEEPING)
(BEEPING SLOWS, STOPS)
(WHISPERS): What?
What's wrong?
I need to talk to you, Liz.
Okay. About?
I was asked not to
discuss this with Adrian.
Asked by who?
Unfortunately, I was asked not to say.
But I can tell Liz.
You were asked by whom?
LUCCA: Human resources.
They asked me if Mr.
Boseman had used the N-word.
Jesus Christ.
- LIZ: When did he use the N-word?
- I was quoting Vernon Jordan.
LUCCA: Apparently, STR Laurie has
a zero tolerance policy
on inappropriate language.
(LAUGHS): This is bullshit.
Who told them?
They didn't say.
You know who was there in the room?
Who?
Caleb.
- I don't think it's him.
- ADRIAN: Why not?
Isn't he feeding info upstairs?
I don't know. It just
doesn't seem like him.
He's sort of honest.
In what way, honest?
When I asked him why he
was working on our floor,
he said he was spying on us.
- (CHUCKLES): I'm sorry, what?
- MARISSA: He was joking.
If he was actually spying on us,
he wouldn't say he was spying on us.
ADRIAN: Well, maybe that's
exactly what he would say.
It's a bluff.
You like him?
Yeah, I guess so.
Okay. Well, there's
a way we can find out
if he's feeding information upstairs.
Just tell him that we're
thinking of taking on the DNC
as a pro bono client in order to
to keep money from STR Laurie.
How do I do that?
LIZ: Marissa, you
sometimes blurt things out.
So just blurt it out.
JAY: Maybe it was a bug on your
There. That's the same.
Then maybe it's the website.
What'd you do next?
DIANE: I typed, "What is Memo 618?"
(HIGH-PITCHED BEEPING)
(BEEPING SLOWS, STOPS)
What's going on?
I don't know.
Seems like targeted malware.
I'll look into it.
Thank you. But be careful.
- What do you mean?
- I don't know.
Something's going on.
I'll be careful.
You still rutabaga-ing?
No. Working.
- How about you?
- Always working.
You sound different. What's wrong?
Nothing. I'm just
Upstairs has asked me
to look into something.
Oh. Upstairs?
Not your upstairs. My upstairs.
What is it?
I've been told not to tell anyone.
Don't you want to know?
Hmm? No. No.
You were told not to tell, don't tell.
But maybe I want to tell you.
Why?
You're right. I'll just tell you.
You do whatever you want with it.
We charged the DNC as a pro bono client
in order to keep the
money from STR Laurie.
Do you want me to tell upstairs?
No.
I want you to do what you want.
Okay.
Then I will.
(INHALES DEEPLY)
(EXHALES)
EDIE: How many times did
you hear the N-word used?
I think he said it once.
And were you offended
when you heard the word?
No. I think he was just
quoting someone else.
EDIE: What about the rest of the room?
Do you think any of the other
associates were offended?
LEAH: There's always someone
who's gonna be offended,
but being offended doesn't mean
you have to run to human resources.
It shouldn't feel like going
to HR is crossing enemy lines.
- We're all on the same side here.
- But only HR disciplines.
Because people need to feel safe
in their working environment
and know that there will be
consequences for poor behavior.
Mm. And a black person using
the N-word is poor behavior?
We're investigating the context.
Well, I fall on the "no snitching"
end of the spectrum.
And I realize that can be dangerous.
The last thing we want here
is a culture of silence.
What did you think of the incident?
I didn't think of it as an incident.
EDIE: What did you think of it as?
I didn't think of it as anything.
You report directly to
Adrian Boseman, right?
I report to a lot of people.
I just wanted to clarify
that there is no risk
of anything you say getting back to him.
Had you ever heard Adrian
Boseman use the N-word before?
It's possible. I'm not keeping count.
And what was the content
of the story Mr. Boseman told you?
- You can summarize.
- (JAY EXHALES)
I don't think I can summarize, actually.
It's the only thing that did offend me,
so I remember it pretty clearly.
The governor of Georgia
actually said on the radio,
"I have two planks in my platform.
Niggers and roads.
I'm against the first
and for the second".
Hey. What's up?
I, uh, found out something you can use.
Something I can use? I don't understand.
You think I spied on you guys, right?
- No. I
- Marissa, listen.
Frank Landau is buddy-buddy
with Gavin upstairs.
He's the one who told
Gavin it's a new case.
I didn't need to know that.
Yeah, but now you do.
(PHONE RINGS)
Hello.
Mr. Jordan.
How are you?
Is that right?
So, you dragged Vernon Jordan into this?
Adrian, you'll have to start again.
- What are you talking about?
- HR called Vernon Jordan.
Investigating me for the capital crime
(LAUGHS): of using the N-word.
Well, unfortunately, I
can't stand in the way
of an HR investigation.
Oh, this is a bullshit investigation.
It's not a bullshit investigation.
It is our standard to thoroughly explore
any legitimate employee complaint.
This is not legitimate!
Now, I understand, you
need to cover your ass.
But you and I both know
this is far from legitimate.
Well, what I know is that
you're aware of the rules.
You didn't sign your
contract that long ago.
STR Laurie and all its divisions
has a zero tolerance policy
for offensive language
and harassment at work.
Harassment. Wow, wow, it's-it's
it's growing now, huh?
I got into this with human resources,
and they think that the
best course of action now
is for everyone at Reddick/Boseman
to take a class on sensitivity
in the workplace.
And we'd prefer if you
didn't use that word again
at the office.
You would prefer?
Adrian, considering the
charged nature of that word,
it would be best.
You don't dictate
which words I get to use
or when.
What if I quit?
Okay.
Call the movers
and rent an office.
(GROANS)
Maybe take out an ad.
Don't be so sure I won't walk, Liz.
I have done it before.
I'm the one who walked.
Only because
I made it impossible for you to stay.
Only because I pushed you to it.
Oh, God, just take the class.
Just do what they want and move forward.
I mean, you know what the game is.
You know how to play it.
Or don't play it.
This is exhausting.
Just fuck the class.
Do what you want.
- Hmm.
- What are they gonna do?
Are they really gonna fire their
most senior black male employee
because he used the N-word in a quote?
Yeah, it sounds even more ridiculous
when I say it out loud.
And-and don't forget about that photo.
What photo?
Couple of years ago, they
took that class picture
of their 40 new hires,
and someone online posted
that there wasn't a
single black face in it.
And then they photoshopped
in three black faces.
(ADRIAN CHUCKLES)
They really did that.
They bought us to put
us in their pictures.
Oh, makes me feel warm all over.
Well, the good news
is that they need us.
Not-not just the floor.
They need us.
So do what you want.
'Cause they ain't gonna fire us.
Hmm.
- Excuse me.
- Yeah. Jay.
(CLEARS THROAT) Okay.
I think we should put it on the table.
Put what on the table?
It's uncomfortable to pretend that
someone didn't violate the space,
so let's just talk about it.
Who filed the complaint?
Jay, that is completely inappropriate.
How can we have an honest conversation
about reparations and the things
black people in this country
have experienced when
we're tiptoeing around
how this complaint is being handled?
MADELINE: Everyone in this room,
at this firm, has the right to
go to HR as they see fit,
without fear of retribution.
I'm not talking about payback.
ADRIAN: Okay, Jay, I don't need
you to fight this battle for me.
It's not for you. I think we
all have a right to know.
Oh, come on, I'd rather cut my wrists
than go to HR willingly.
MICAH: What kills me is that
this company is more concerned
about making sure that they seem
racially sensitive instead of
actually being racially sensitive.
LEAH: Yeah, that quote
was heartbreaking.
And the only thing
that person got from it
- was that a bad word was said?
- This looks intense.
Yeah. Welcome.
JAY: Yes, it's a violent word
with a violent history.
But black people reckon
with it every day.
It's our word.
If we use it, if we don't use it,
when we use, where we use it
you don't get to have an opinion.
Autonomy over that word
is our reparations.
DAVID: Then good.
You don't need us white
people here anymore.
- ADRIAN: Just wait, wait, wait.
- DAVID: No, you heard him.
- He doesn't want us here.
- I think we should go back
- to the original group on this project.
- MARISSA: Hang on a second.
You don't know for sure that it
was a white person who snitched.
- It could have been anyone.
- Yeah, well, I think we know
who the most likely suspects are.
- Go to hell, lady.
- Whoa.
- (ALL CLAMORING)
- Hey. Show some respect.
ROSALYN: I agree with Jay. This
conversation has completely derailed
ever since we changed
the group dynamics.
ADRIAN: It's still important
to get different perspectives
- and points of view.
- But clearly, there's a limit.
There's always limits.
And the person who always
gets to draw the line,
regardless of race, is the
person with the most power.
Adrian, you hold the power
in this room and out of it.
Sometimes people have
to find alternative ways
to level the playing field.
And that's exactly why departments
like human resources exist.
So you filed the complaint?
Don't answer that.
He has no right to ask.
MADELINE: It doesn't
matter who filed it,
and I don't care who
the N-word belongs to.
Every black person should
have the choice not to hear it
in their workplace
if they don't want to.
Especially when it's literally part
of the employer's policy.
We can all come up with reasons
why we don't want to hear the word.
But when it comes down to it,
you're confronting the past,
- and it's painful.
- JAY: And there's no avoiding it.
So we're supposed to confront
the past between depositions?
Perhaps some of us would prefer
to do our emotional heavy lifting
outside the office.
Madeline, we could have
talked about this privately.
There was no reason to go upstairs.
Oh, you want special treatment
because you're a big-name partner?
Well, the people upstairs
are the big names now,
and I think we should follow the
rules of the firm you made us join.
If you filed the complaint,
at least own it.
Jay, I know you don't see it this way,
but this little stunt you pulled
it's called intimidation.
(LOUD, OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
- ADRIAN: I know it's a bit heated.
- More than heated.
We have a lot of intensely
passionate people on our team,
and their opinions are unwavering.
And it's a difficult subject matter.
Listen, everyone at the DNC
applauds your innovation.
You've obviously chosen
the most off-beaten path.
We're just not sure this is
the right direction for us.
Thanks for your efforts.
- Frank
- Thanks, Adrian.
Tim and Marcus are ordering lunch.
Tim teases Marcus about how
much he loves watermelon.
He accuses Marcus of
having a sticky keyboard,
and after a few coworkers laugh,
they move on with their day.
Who would say that was
a good interaction?
Okay. Who would say that was
an uncomfortable situation?
Who would say that was unacceptable?
I didn't know we could choose
worse than uncomfortable.
Can I change my vote?
You didn't raise your hand.
We need everyone to participate.
I don't know Marcus.
Maybe he really likes watermelon.
Maybe Tim was correct in his commentary.
Marcus does not eat watermelon.
Then Tim is a racist.
(SOFT LAUGHTER)
Karly and Marie are touching
up their hair in the bathroom
- You're in a mood.
- This is bullshit.
Welcome to corporate America.
- We all have to do it.
- Not everyone.
No, everyone.
You see Adrian, Liz, Diane?
They still have to do it.
Just not with the peasants.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
You needed me, Ms. Reddick?
- Yes. Caleb, right?
- Right.
I just wanted to thank you
for helping us out upstairs.
Sure. Just doing my job.
And if there's anything
you need from us,
just tell me.
Okay.
Good.
Yes?
Second chair.
On?
Anything. I'm here to learn.
Then we'll do our best to teach.
Okay.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
- What's wrong?
- I don't know, but this is weird.
I went to the same website, Bar-Swarm,
using my home Wi-Fi.
- And
-
- DIANE: No rejection of service?
-
Right. There's no malware
at home. But watch.
I'm on the office Wi-Fi now.
(HIGH-PITCHED BEEPING)
(BEEPING SLOWS, STOPS)
So, I don't understand.
The malware only attacks here?
And only when I use the firm's Wi-Fi.
So someone here is
trying to freeze me out
whenever I ask "What is Memo 618?"
No, not here.
Then where?
MARISSA: I'm bored. Tell me a joke.
CALEB: Man walks into a zoo. The only
animal in the entire zoo is a dog.
It's a Shih Tzu.
(SILENCE)
(MUSIC RESUMES)
ADRIAN: Saw that play last night.
It's satirizing our firm.
- (WHIP LASHES)
- LUCCA: It means defamation.
These characters emerged
from my subconscious.
LIZ: Do you have proof of that?
Do you have proof of not that?
Uhm (LAUGHS)
- DAVID: (LAUGHING LOUDLY)
- (APPLAUSE)
- (ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
- Objection.
Uh, you can't object.
Then, I take great exception.
Noted.
(MUSIC ENDS)
♪♪
♪♪