Reasonable Doubt (2022) s03e01 Episode Script

1
[JAX STEWART] Previously
on Reasonable Doubt
[LUCY WARGO] We have charged Shanelle
Tucker with first-degree murder.
We can't put our house up for her bail.
The only way that I can win her case
is if I dedicate myself fully.
Which is why I can't be her lawyer.
[COREY CASH] My name is Corey Cash.
[JAX] You know Toni, right?
- Apparently, JT knocked her up.
- That's crazy.
"We're excited to offer you a
place in McCartney Art School!"
Let's go!
The baby is mine.
You hurt me, I hurt you.
I should go.
[LEWIS STEWART] If you don't want
to be with me anymore, that is fine.
But you can't stop me from loving you.
I put this house up as part of her bail.
Do you really think I would help
her run and risk losing the bond?
We will lose the house
that we both live in.
[LEWIS] We lost the baby.
Call me when you can.
Looking into a casket
at my son, I can't do it.
I told you I didn't need you. Just go.
Mrs. Tucker, you are
ordered to be released.
Lena's not the only one
who deserves a promotion.
- Ohh.
- We should do it again.
You mean like a date?
[DR. VERNON WEBB] Are you two
looking to reconcile or uncouple?
- Reconcile.
- Uncouple.
- [JAX] What's that about?
- Toni's suing us.
For Jaden's death.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
[KNOCKING CONTINUES]
Hey, it's me. Can I come in?
[SIGHS]
Hey. [GASPS]
Oh, my God. Oh, my God, no.
[CRYING] No, no, no!
Somebody please help me!
Please!
[CONTINUES CRYING]
[SCREAMS]
["THROW SOME D'S" BY RICH BOY PLAYING]
[SINGER] I used to think
about immature things
[BUZZING]
you know, like, "Do you love me?
"Do you want me?
"Are you gon' call me
like you said you would?
Is this really your real phone number?"
Gangstas in the house ♪
Yeah ♪
- Get money ♪
- Get money ♪
- New money ♪
- New money ♪
This what they been waiting on ♪
Hey ♪
Rich Boy sellin' crack,
broke niggaz wanna jack ♪
Shit tight, no slack,
just bought a Cadillac ♪
Throw, throw some D's on that bitch ♪
Just bought a Cadillac ♪
Throw some, throw
some D's on that bitch ♪
Just bought a Cadillac ♪
Throw, th-throw ♪
Rich Boy sellin' crack,
broke niggaz wanna jack ♪
Shit tight, no slack,
just bought a Cadillac ♪
Good morning.
Th-throw some D's on that, bitch ♪
[JAX] It is now.
Th-throw some D's on that bitch ♪
- Just bought a Cadillac ♪
- Throw, throw ♪
Rich Boy sellin' crack,
broke niggaz wanna jack ♪
Shit tight, no slack,
just bought a Cadillac ♪
Took it to the chop shop ♪
Got the damn top drop ♪
Candy-red lollipop ♪
Ah. Good morning, family.
Good morning again.
Ooh. And hopefully
again and again and again.
I will cancel this whole
fuckin' day, you hear me?
[CAR HORN HONKS]
[NAIMA STEWART] Ugh, oh, my gosh.
Literally the only time I wish
it was me at boarding school
and not Spenser.
[JAX] Um, okay, bye. Love you, baby.
- [DOOR OPENS, CLOSES]
- Have a good
You know, she been a
real bitch since Spenser left.
So, it's not just me. But how
How did Spenser become the good one?
Um, by not being here.
Speaking of bitches you ready?
Throw some D's on that bitch ♪
Shall we get started?
[JAX CLEARS THROAT]
Let's.
[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]
From La Brea to Slauson ♪
It's all us ♪
The Sun, Central Ave Jazz ♪
It's all us ♪
Where we at? ♪
Hit the Maverick Flats ♪
Leimert and right back to the ark ♪
It's all us ♪
We coastin' on the west
between sets and wealth ♪
We toast the sunset in the Dons ♪
Take flight into the
night under Cali stars ♪
In a world on wheels, it's all us ♪
It's the world we feel ♪
It's all us ♪
From the Hills to Hollywood ♪
It's all us ♪
No doubt we all we got ♪
Hold it down black and brown ♪
In a city of dreams ♪
It's all us ♪
My clients will agree to dismiss
their emotional distress claims
against Miss Holley,
pay for her attorney fees,
and pay an additional 10K
to settle and close this matter.
That's a far cry from the
750K Miss Holley's asked for.
But
[BEN] My clients have already decided
Ben, let opposing counsel
know this is our final offer
and to inform Miss Holley if
she insists on taking this to trial,
we will prevail and then sue
her for malicious prosecution.
Mrs. Stewart, I think
that the best thing
No thoughts. Just let opposing
counsel know. Thank you.
Jax.
[SIGHS]
- [SOFTLY] Absolutely not.
- [ANGELA SIMON] Mm-hmm.
[TONI HOLLEY] That's not
what we talked about
- [WHISPERING]
- Yeah.
Miss Holley will not sign the agreement
unless your clients admit
liability for the death of her child.
- And that's
- Well, my clients have alrea
That violates the whole point
of a settlement agreement,
which is to resolve the
dispute and end the litigation.
It's not an admission of wrongdoing
whether based in statute,
regulation, common law, or otherwise.
Tell her, Benjamin.
Mrs. Stewart, you are
an exceptional lawyer,
but you are not the
attorney on this case.
Yes, but I refuse to
bend over and allow this
garden tool to extort
us in a baseless lawsuit
that has been going on
for, what, over a year now?
- And whose fault is that?
- Ooh, it's no one's fault.
It's just taking longer than
any of us thought it would.
[BEN] It's taking longer because, yes,
Miss Holley is being unreasonable,
but don't you wanna end this?
Yes. By winning.
[BEN] Then let me do my job,
and I will end this once and for all.
You're right. Let's end this.
- You're fired.
- Jax.
Best news I've heard all week.
[PEPPY MUSIC PLAYING]
Don't you think we should
have talked before you fired him?
[JAX] Ugh. I know,
but, look, I I'm sorry.
I just couldn't watch him pander
to Toni and her punk-ass
lawyer any longer.
- But he was our third lawyer.
- [SIGHS]
I mean, you might as well represent
our case yourself at this point.
Lewis, you know I
don't have time for that.
Look, all we have to do is
keep fighting, and we will win.
Toni will cave. She has no choice.
So far, she's shown us
she's got a lot of choices.
Caving isn't one of them.
[JAX] Hmm.
I gotta go to work. We
can talk about it later.
Alright? Love you.
[CAR ENGINE STARTS]
Since you started law school,
are you thinking you wanna be
like old Jax or present-day Jax?
What do you mean?
Well, I mean like a lawyer
that helps poor people win,
like Jax did when she
was a public defender,
or a lawyer that helps rich
people win like Jax does now?
The version that wears Gucci.
- [CHUCKLES]
- I expected better of you, Krystal.
I don't know why.
- Ooh.
- Good afternoon, children.
- [KRYSTAL WALTERS] Hi.
- Thank you.
[KRYSTAL] So, what
happened with Van Dusen?
[JAX] He took the plea.
OMG, LOL.
That is wiggida, wiggida wack.
- Wha
- [JAX] Right?
I'd already written
my opening statement.
What a waste.
Maybe this is a good thing.
I mean, you have had
enough drama to last a lifetime.
Well, I agree on the personal drama,
but I need some professional
drama, some courtroom action.
You know, lately it's been more
pleas and less pop, pop, pop!
Let's just say I prefer
criminal cases over civil cases.
I'ma need someone rich and/or famous
to pierce some flesh
before the end of Q4.
I'm just sayin'.
[KRYSTAL SCOFFS]
Is she wishing for a murder?
Ah, kinda sounds like it.
But, hey, I respect a woman
that knows what she wants,
so let her cook. [SMACKS LIPS]
You just watch TikTok
and repeat words you hear?
That part.
Mm-mm.
So, despite the fact that I
reiterated to Mr. Van Dusen
that I believe that we, meaning I,
could win his case at
trial, he chose to plead out.
Oh. Cool, that sucks.
A lot of billable hours lost.
I'm aware.
Well, hopefully, you'll
be able to make it up
by the end of this quarter.
Don't worry, I will.
I know how much you all depend
on me to keep the lights on.
[CHUCKLES]
[ALL LAUGH]
Next item, Bill Sterling.
Just won that Erickson embezzlement case
and locked down the
Crawford Company as a client.
Don't see any reason why we
shouldn't promote him to equity partner.
Time to pay Billable Bill his due.
Well, I mean, Bill's only
been at the firm for six years.
Most partners work at
least seven. I did eight.
He's brought in notable clients,
and he bills more than twice as
many hours as anybody at his level.
Maybe we should trust Bill
to continue to prove himself.
Okay, but just a few years
back, Bill made a crucial mistake
as first chair on the Ryder case.
And we'd all agreed
right here in this room
that Bill needed to think
more macro over micro.
Look, I'm not saying
he can't get there, but
I'm sorry, he's just not there yet.
[STEPHEN CLEARS THROAT]
Let's put a pin in that
and, uh, circle back.
- [JAX] Great.
- Yeah.
["LET HER COOK" BY GLORILLA PLAYING]
Anything else?
No? Okay.
Never gave a damn ♪
I ain't never gave no fuck, no ♪
Fell out with them hoes ♪
- We ain't never makin' up ♪
- Fuck 'em ♪
Back for everything I ever lost ♪
- I'm on a mission ♪
- Let's go ♪
We turnt the whole
house into a booth ♪
- We in the kitchen ♪
- Woo ♪
Unh, let her cook ♪
Jax Stewart. Hi. Monica Wilson.
What a pleasure to finally
have a reason to meet you.
- This is my client, Ozzie Edwards.
- [JAX] Of course.
My kids love your show,
watched all six seasons.
- [MONICA WILSON] Hmm.
- [JAX] It's nice to meet you.
[MONICA] And this is his father, Sal.
And manager.
Along with Ozzie's mother, Rosie.
So, a manager, actor, agent,
and attorney walk into a bar.
Wait, there's got to be a joke
in there somewhere, right?
[LAUGHTER]
So, what seems to be the issue?
Ozzie's up for a leading role
in what will be a huge franchise
and a perfect transition for him,
as we want him to go
from beloved child star
to legitimate movie star.
We also wanna clean up
some personal matters that,
given Ozzie's status, would
be detrimental to his image.
Uh-huh. What kinda personal matters?
There's a stylist that Ozzie's
had relations with and
Now it's over.
- [JAX] I see.
- [SAL] Mm-hmm.
So, you wanna make sure that
during her post-breakup anger,
she doesn't go run
her mouth to a tabloid
and derail Ozzie's movie
star career before it begins.
Precisely. Right, Ozzie?
I guess.
Okay.
So, have you tried
asking her to sign an NDA?
- Mm-hmm.
- She's refusing.
Well, then a non-disclosure agreement
with appropriate compensation
would give her more incentive to sign.
Compensation?
That's extortion.
It's not extortion.
We have to offer her compensation
for the agreement to be valid.
Look, if you want this stylist to
go away, this is your only option,
or else it will drag on.
Trust me.
[MONICA] Well, Jax, how do you
propose structuring the agreement?
- [OZZIE] Actually
- Well, the first thing I
I wanna think about it.
- Ozzie, don't do this.
- Think about what?
Well, more time means more trouble.
I just want to get through tomorrow
and then we can figure it out.
[JAX] Okay.
- Well, I hope to speak soon.
- [SAL] Mm-hmm.
Man, we talked about this.
[JAX] I feel bad for him.
Yeah, why's that?
Well, I mean, this man has
been famous since he was like, 10,
won multiple Emmys,
starred on a hit TV show.
And now he's 24,
and he's still surrounded by
people who treat him like a child.
You know, it just It
made me think of Spenser.
I hope we're doing the right thing,
letting him go to this
performing arts school.
I mean, Spenser chose this school
and said that's what he wanted to do.
Maybe this guy didn't get to choose.
Maybe he's living a life he's
been told to live, you know?
Mm. I certainly do.
- Mm.
- [SIGHS]
Oh, you know, so the, the OBPA,
the Outstanding Black
Professionals Association?
They are honoring Corey Cash
for his work on Shanelle's case.
Just Corey?
- Yep.
- Hmm.
He was the face of the
trial, so it is what it is.
Hmm. Yeah, fuck that
nigga. Bullshit is what it is.
[JAX CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
- You gonna go?
- I don't want to.
[LEWIS] Hmm.
You know, but he invited me.
Feels like the right thing to do.
That is very mature of you.
- I know, right?
- Hmm. [CHUCKLES]
Look at me.
Where's Naima?
Uh, she, uh, said she
wanted to spend the night
at Hattie's house tonight.
Guess we should be grateful that
Toni hasn't told Hattie about the baby.
How do you still have anything
nice to say about this woman?
I thought we were maturing.
[LEWIS EXHALES]
This is not about maturity.
This is about the fact that
Toni is an emotional terrorist
who put us through
hell this entire year.
She's had a bad year, too, Jax.
Oh, so you've taken her side then?
No, I'm I'm not.
Toni is just mad
that she doesn't have what we have.
- And what is that?
- Hmm.
I can show you better
than I can tell you.
- Oh, yeah?
- Hmm.
Where you wanna show me?
- On top of that.
- And over there?
[LEWIS] Mm-hmm.
And definitely up against that.
- [JAX] Mm-hmm.
- [LEWIS] Mm-hmm.
- Okay.
- Okay.
["THE WAY" BY JILL SCOTT PLAYING]
[VOCALIZING]
4:30, can't wait to get home ♪
I know you're coming out ♪
Nah, girl, I got
somethin' else to do ♪
Damn, Jill, don't be
fronting on your girls, for real ♪
Go 'head, really, get your groove on ♪
'Cause tonight, my
man's coming through ♪
["IS IT THE WAY" BY SAWEETIE PLAYING]
Arch yo back, toot it up ♪
- Damn, I'm cute as fuck ♪
- Fuck ♪
Quick to cut a nigga off ♪
Damn, I'm rude as fuck ♪
Yeah, you know it be goin' down ♪
Have 'em choosin' up ♪
Up ♪
Is it the way ♪
Is it the way that I walk? ♪
Is it the way that I talk? ♪
- Is it the way I keep it G? ♪
- Yeah, I do ♪
Maybe it's the way that I do me ♪
[COREY] There she is.
Corey. It's been a while.
Too long.
You ready?
Let's go.
[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS]
[COREY] A year ago, I
couldn't get rid of you.
Now you don't call, you don't text.
- Ha, ha.
- I mean
You know, I usually don't
come to these things, you know?
But the OBPA has really
been showing up this year.
Though, it seems like they're
dishing out legal awards to just anyone.
- Oh, oh, is that right?
- [BOTH LAUGH]
So, how are things in Chicago?
Good, good. I'm staying busy.
Got a big case coming up.
- Just closed on a place
- Hmm.
with Brandy.
As in Dr. Brandy?
Yeah, well, hopefully, she'll
be Dr. Brandy Cash one day.
Okay. Wow.
Well, I am happy for you, Corey, truly.
Congratulations on everything.
Thank you. How's everything at the firm?
Great. Yeah, it's great.
It's fine. Wonderful. I'm, I
[COREY] Hmm.
- Okay, it's wack.
- [BOTH CHUCKLE]
Every client wants to
take a plea deal now.
What happened to not
going down without a fight?
Okay, no, hold on. It's
no secret that you crave
these complex cases
and these messy criminals.
Just like you crave those
cigarettes we're both trying to quit.
Corey Cash. Right?
Man, it's a pleasure
to meet you. I'm Ozzie.
[COREY] Ozzie Edwards.
Man, I am familiar.
Pow, pow. Gotcha.
Hey, congrats on your awards, too.
This is my, uh, my
colleague, Jax Stewart.
- Oh, we've already
- Nice to meet you, Jax.
It's nice to meet you as well.
Corey, I just have to tell
you, your tux is absolutely fire.
Oh, thank you.
And, Jax, this dress,
it's impossible to ignore.
Thank you.
This is my girlfriend, Wendy.
[WENDY] And stylist.
Hence, the appreciation
for the haute couture.
Oh, you're a stylist.
Yeah, I've been styling Orsel
for years, amongst other things.
Well, Wendy, it's clear that
you have impeccable taste.
Oh, thank you.
Well, alright. See you guys in there?
- [COREY] Alright, cool.
- Alright.
Bye.
[COREY] He seems cool.
Let's hear it for Mr. Cash,
ladies and gentlemen.
[JAX] Congratulations.
- [HOST] Now, for our next guest
- [COREY] Thank you.
- Wanna feel it?
- [SCOFFS]
- I can't with you.
- [COREY CHUCKLES]
And, no.
[HOST] and television.
Well, I meant what I said. This
is just as much yours as mine.
Thank you, Corey.
[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]
[ANNOUNCER] From playing Caleb
Kensington on My Cousins and Them
Pow, pow. Gotcha.
[ANNOUNCER] to his character
work on various independent films
and recurring television roles,
Ozzie Edwards has had the
career many people dream of,
and he's just getting started.
The Ozzie Edwards Arts Foundation
allows underprivileged children
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
- [BARTENDER] What can I get you?
- Um
- Just a club soda. Thanks.
- [BARTENDER] Of course.
Oh, hi again.
I'm not sure if you remember
me. My name is Jax Stewart.
And you are?
Yeah.
Figured it was better
to pretend than explain.
Makes sense.
Sure would be awkward
if your girlfriend knew
that you were trying to pay her off.
It's complicated.
How so?
How 'bout this?
If I guess right, you take a shot.
If I'm wrong, bottoms up for me.
- Alright, I'm in.
- Hmm.
Can I have a shot of peanut
butter whiskey, please?
Oof. Nice.
Your father and your agent
don't want you with Wendy.
But they're not opposed to you
having a woman on your arm.
Because a new role in a
new movie guarantees money
but not necessarily success.
But a new relationship?
That's visibility, increased followers.
I mean, hell, some people
even win Super Bowls off of it.
But they don't want your newfound
and loyal Black female audience
to hop on Google and
get their hearts broken
when they see you posted
up with white-ass Wendy.
So, if you not gon' level
up with a Sabrina Elba type,
then that non-Black
woman on that red carpet
next to you needs to be
an ambiguously ethnic,
undeniably bad bitch.
But Wendy the stylist?
An unoriginal woman
10 years your senior?
She ain't it.
And you flaunting her around here
is like a big-ass "fuck
you" to your father,
to your team
and to the system.
[AUDIENCE CHEERING FAINTLY]
- Ain't no way I'm wrong.
- Oh, you are.
- Ah.
- But only about one thing.
- [JAX] Which part?
- The last part.
She's it.
I am in love with her.
[CHEERING CONTINUES]
- [JAX] Hmm.
- [EXHALES]
You know, when I was a little girl,
my father wanted me to be a lawyer.
He told everyone, you know,
"My daughter is gonna
be Clair Huxtable."
Meanwhile, he's running around town
being Pookie from New Jack City.
Your father was a drug addict?
[JAX] Still is.
At least, as far as I know.
We don't speak anymore.
But the point is that I
went to law school for him,
but I became a lawyer for me.
When's the last time you
did something for you?
Okay, unlike you, if I
don't eat, no one eats.
I'm not an individual.
I am a corporation.
Maybe that's the problem.
So what do I do?
[JAX] Well, if you think she's
using you because of who you are,
then get the NDA and move on.
But if you think she
really loves you for you,
then tell your father and
everyone else to fuck off.
Look, here's my card.
You call me if things get messy.
I took that shot because I wanted to.
I was still right.
[LEWIS] Hey, Sam. Thanks for coming in.
I thought I knew all the Black coders.
Aren't very many of us around.
Yeah, I just moved here from Jersey.
There's not many there either, so.
Nice. I mean, I'm from Philly.
- [SAM] Okay.
- Fly, Eagles, fly.
- Okay.
- [LEWIS] I saw your last gig was with EXP
and, before that, EA.
Yeah. If it's in the game
[IN UNISON] "It's in the game!"
- [BOTH LAUGH]
- That's funny.
Uh, yeah, I mostly worked on 2K and F1
but I wanted to spread my
wings, so I moved out west.
Okay. Nice.
Uh, so your programming languages are?
C++, Python, and the regular ones.
Well, that's good. We don't
work exclusively in C++,
so it's nice to know you have
experience in the others as well.
- Cool.
- Our team is a great one but a small one.
- Meaning that
- More responsibility.
But that's alright. It's not a problem.
Um, I've led teams in the past,
and, obviously, I've been on 'em,
so I'm down to support however.
- Music to my ears.
- [SAM] Cool.
Alright, let's go meet
the rest of the team.
Cool.
- [JAX] A Black coder?
- [LEWIS] Hmm.
Wow, baby. That's awesome.
I know, right? His résumé is solid,
and it's just nice to
have another Black face
besides me and Lena in the office.
- Yes.
- I mean, I love Cliff,
he's my guy, but
there's just a comfort
that comes from being around your own.
- [JAX LAUGHS]
- You know what I mean?
- I know you know.
- [JAX] Yes, yes. You know
you are preaching to the choir, okay?
And, you know, it's interesting,
because I know I just met the guy,
but it made me realize that
all my friends were back east
- or are the parents of my kids' friends.
- Hmm.
It'd be nice to have a work friend
that I have something in common with.
- Mm-hmm.
- Of course, you're my best friend,
but it's like completely different.
- It I w
- I'm your best friend?
Yeah.
Every time I think I couldn't
be more in love with you,
you sweep me off my feet all over again.
[POP SONG PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
You know what? Cheers, baby.
- Cheers.
- To us.
To us. Eyes.
- Eyes, eyes, eyes, eyes?
- Eyes.
[SPEAKER] Sorry to interrupt, but
you're Jax Stewart, aren't you?
Michael Johnson from
Tyler, Ashley, and Johnson.
Oh, right. Right.
It's good to see you.
This is my husband
Lewis?
Oh. You all know each other.
[TONI] Quite well.
They killed my baby.
[CHUCKLES UNCOMFORTABLY]
You know, the truth, Michael, is
that Toni had a baby with my husband,
because that's what she
does, fuck married men.
Oh, wait, and women too, right?
So, Michael, it's
gonna be a great night.
But make sure you wear protection.
You don't know what's
swirling around in that swamp.
Enjoy your dinner, though. I
hear the cornbread is bomb.
[MICHAEL JOHNSON] Uh
Fuck you, Jax.
You already have, Toni.
[JAX] What the fuck
was I supposed to say?
[LEWIS] You caused a
scene in a restaurant
- I'd like to go back to one day.
- Hmm.
[LEWIS] Look, why
can't you just ignore her?
Why do you have to match
her petty every single time?
It's fuckin' embarrassing, Jax.
Oh, you, you think
that was embarrassing?
What about the fact
that I still have to deal
with the woman you had an affair with?
Why do you always have
to be her biggest defender?
Look, can, can you, can
you please stop saying that?
Can you stop doing it?
Okay, you know, tell me
how I'm supposed to feel
since you got all the answers, Jax?
- Tell me what to do. Huh?
- [JAX] You know what?
I really don't think you
wanna get into feelings here.
Right, right, because your feelings
are the only ones that matter, right?
I never said that.
[SIGHS]
[INHALES AND EXHALES]
Look, we're here because of me.
I should've just gone to
Jaden's memorial, but
I couldn't.
And now, after all this, I am
ashamed
that I did not give her closure.
And may, maybe
she still needs it, but
making her feel bad just
reminds me that I fucked up.
[GENTLE, SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING]
[LEWIS SIGHS]
I hate that she made you feel that way.
It's not your fault at all.
And that's why I get so
mad, Lewis, because I I'm
[SIGHS]
'cause I'm scared.
I'm scared that one
day, somehow, someway,
she's gonna come between
us again, and I don't
I trust you. I do. I just
I'm scared.
Baby
I hear you.
And I understand.
But you are my wife, and
only God is above that.
I have made my choice.
And it is you.
And nothing will ever
come between us again.
I love you.
- Despite your Virgo ways.
- [SCOFFS]
I love you, too, my stubborn Taurus.
- Ah.
- [CHUCKLES]
You know what?
I'm going to call Ben in
the morning and apologize.
But we are not hiring him back.
And we'll handle Toni together.
A'ight?
Sounds good.
[JAX MOANS]
So, uh, does a nigga still
get his dick sucked tonight?
'Cause you was talking
that real good stuff earlier.
A nigga got his hopes
up. Talking that good-good.
Yeah, it's a no for me.
Well
Okay.
We gotta fix this Toni shit.
["SAY HELLO" BY JAY-Z PLAYING]
It's that Roc-A-Fella music ♪
Soulful ♪
Bill. We wanted to let you
know that we're not going to be
able to make you partner at this time.
I see.
I'm sorry to hear that.
[VINCE] Don't worry about that.
It's, uh, just a stutter step.
Precisely.
But we want you to know we believe
you exemplify hard work and commitment.
Your contributions to this
firm have been invaluable,
and, honestly, you
make us a lot of money.
- Billable Bill!
- [VINCE LAUGHS]
But the feeling is that
you need more time.
Understood.
But let me say this.
Honor, respect, and devotion
to duty are core values
ingrained in me from my
10 years at the Coast Guard,
and I've taken them
from there to law school
to being an associate at this firm.
I would love to know what I can do
to make this happen sooner than later.
There may be a way to fast-track.
I come from the bottom ♪
Have a seat.
They say I'm a menace ♪
That's the picture they paint ♪
They say a lot about me ♪
Let me tell you what I ain't ♪
Say hello, hello ♪
Hey, hey ♪
They say a lot about me ♪
Let me tell you what I ain't ♪
[EXHALES DEEPLY]
[SAL] Ozzie. What are you doing here?
- Sal.
- [SAL CHUCKLES]
Our son doesn't need a
reason to come see us.
Oh, no.
Hi, baby.
Good to see you.
You know, I'm actually glad you're here.
I had lunch with a producer at
Hulu who's dying to meet you.
I need to talk to you guys.
- Okay.
- [SAL] About what?
Is every, everything okay?
Uh, I've made my decision,
and I am not moving
forward with Wendy's NDA.
Sal, why don't you give
Orsel and I a moment?
[SAL] Mm-hmm.
[BOTH CHUCKLE SOFTLY]
You know, if you were
trying to ruin my day,
you could've done it over the phone.
I'm not trying to ruin your day.
No, you're trying to ruin my life.
After all I've done for you.
I am very aware of what you
and Dad have done for me.
But it's time I stand on my own.
I'm firing you and Dad
as my management team.
Is that so?
And I don't wanna do this movie.
I'm sorry? And you're
also not doing the movie?
No.
We feel that the script
needs more specificity
and nuance, and we don't understand
the main character's
motivations throughout.
And we think it needs another pass.
Who the fuck is we?
Me and Wendy.
[LAUGHS]
So, you've been fucking
this cradle-robbing cougar
for what, six months, and now
she's gonna be your manager?
[OZZIE] Two years.
And, no
she's gonna be my wife.
Ma, I'm in love with her.
And she doesn't treat me like a
commodity. She treats me like a man.
She doesn't emasculate me the
way that you do with me and Dad!
I don't deserve that.
And he certainly doesn't deserve it,
given all the years he's
put up with your shit.
Well, look who's been colonized.
Let me ask you something.
Who was taking you to your auditions?
Going on international press tours,
giving up their jobs to be by your side?
That was your father and me.
And now you have the
audacity to fix your mouth
and say we didn't love you?
This is and always has
been a family business,
but if you want to kick
us to the curb, do you.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS]
But before you put a ring on
your cum-guzzling snow bunny
there's something you should know.
- [WENDY] The fact that you believe her
- [OZZIE] You're not denying it.
So, is it true? Is it
fucking true, Wendy?
It doesn't matter what I say,
because you're not listening to me.
- Do you even love me?
- Of course, I fucking love you.
I'm destroying my entire life for you!
You think this shit is easy for me?
I am blowing up my whole family for you,
but you're just gonna run
away like you always do!
Because you're always
doing shit to sabotage this
and acting like a goddamn child!
Don't fucking talk to me like
I'm some nigga off the street.
I'm Ozzie fuckin' Edwards,
baby. Ozzie fucking Edwards!
You think I give a fuck who you are?
I'm not one of those Instagram
bitches trying to slide into your DMs!
I know you.
And you're fucking
delusional if you can't see
how far your parents are
willing to go to manipulate you.
You know what? I'm done.
I love you.
But if you don't get your shit
together, you're gonna lose me forever.
[OZZIE] Where the
fuck are you going? Hey!
I'm not done with you!
Wendy!
Hey, Jax? Jax, are you off to lunch?
Yeah. Yeah, I'll be right back.
Mind if I join you?
[JAX] Thank you for
taking me to lunch, Bill.
I appreciate the gesture.
Wait, am I paying for this?
[BOTH LAUGH]
The reason I wanted to take
you to lunch today is because
well the truth is, I've admired
your work for a long time.
And although we haven't crossed
paths much with you in criminal
and me mostly in civil litigation
I do civil as well.
Yes. And
I just want to see
where I stand with you,
given that I'm trying to make partner.
Hmm. Getting right to it, huh?
Well, I believe if you
want something, ask.
Let them say no, or yes.
I agree. Look, you're on a solid track,
and it's great that
you bill a lot of hours.
You just need more
criminal case experience.
And that comes with time.
You've only been here
for six years, so I'm curious.
What's the rush?
I
just believe I deserve to
be a partner with all of you.
I see.
Well, in due time, you will.
- Fair enough.
- [JAX] Hmm.
Hey, you got a family?
- Yep. Married with two kids.
- [BILL] Same.
But, uh, two boys and one girl.
- [JAX] Hmm.
- And she is a piece of work.
[JAX] Ohh! [CHUCKLES]
- Adorable.
- Thank you.
Wow, and I did not know
that your wife was Black.
[BILL] Yeah.
- How'd you two meet?
- On Black Planet.
Oh.
I'm kidding.
- [BOTH LAUGH]
- I'm dead.
We met in law school.
Uh, she took some time off
when the kids were young,
but now she's a lawyer for the city.
- Hmm.
- Buildings and inspections.
God, I wish I had done that.
You know, that time
with them is so precious,
and you don't get it back.
I'm just trying to cherish it before
they become teenage assholes.
Oh, listen, you've got to,
because let me tell
you, that shit is inevitable.
- No, please do not tell me that.
- [JAX LAUGHS]
Ugh.
Look, let's do this.
Let's eat lunch, get to
know each other a bit,
and I promise I'll consider it.
- I'll take it.
- [JAX] Hmm.
So, Miss Holley is pleased
that you have finally
decided to agree to settle.
However, the terms of
the deal have changed.
We're now seeking $1.5 million
and removal of the non-disparagement
and confidentiality
clauses in the agreement.
A million and a half dollars?
Also, my client doesn't feel safe,
given you recently intimidated
her while she was out on a date.
- Intim Oh.
- Are you serious?
Very.
It's clear that this is no
longer about Jaden's death.
So, let's be honest.
Attorney to attorney, what
is it going to take to end this?
You're dealing with a
wounded woman, okay?
And on top of that, an angry one.
My feeling is what she
really needs is closure.
[JAX] Hmm.
I'll be in touch.
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES]
So, what should we do?
I, maybe, maybe I
should just talk to her.
Without lawyers, just human to human.
Her name is Wendy Collins.
[OFFICER] How long has she been missing?
Since yesterday.
These things usually resolve themselves.
No, you don't understand.
She missed our shoot.
Look, trust me. My girl is missing.
Age, height, and build.
She's 34 years old, she's
like a little bit taller than me,
and she's white.
Were you the last person to see her?
No. Her boyfriend was.
And when I called him, he said
he don't know, and he don't care.
What's her boyfriend's name?
[JERRY] Ozzie Edwards!
[LAUGHS] Oh!
Pow, pow. Gotcha.
Ah!
- Thanks for coming in, man.
- Of course.
We appreciate it, really. We're
gonna get you outta here quickly.
We just got a few
questions for you, is all.
- [VIC] Do you need anything?
- Cool.
- [VIC] Water? Soda?
- Uh, no.
I'm good, but thank you.
- [VIC] Mm-hmm.
- [JERRY] Of course, man.
Wendy's assistant told us
about a tracker in her handbag.
We were able to locate
her purse and phone.
Okay, that's great. Right?
Uh, well, not if they were both
dumped on the side of the 91 Freeway.
Oh. Okay, that's weird,
but, I mean, Wendy does a
lot of weird shit when she's mad.
Wendy was mad?
You guys have an
argument the other night?
I bet you've had plenty
of girlfriends, right?
Ah, girls are just throwing
themselves at you.
Did she catch you with
another girl or what?
There were no other women.
That wasn't even what
we were fighting about.
Oh, so you guys did get into a fight.
That's why she
needed to cool off, right?
Look, everyone has domestic issues.
Uh, just ask one of my ex-wives.
[LAUGHS]
Fellas it wasn't a big deal.
Okay, so then why didn't
you report her missing?
[OZZIE] 'Cause she's not missing.
Look, she does this.
Gets mad over nothing
and runs off to some hotel.
[VIC] Well, did you
try to call her, find her?
No.
[VIC] So, you were at home all night?
Yeah.
Is there someone who can
corroborate your whereabouts?
I'm gonna stop talking now.
[CELL PHONE BUZZING]
Hello?
[OZZIE] [ON PHONE] Jax,
it's me, Ozzie Edwards.
[JAX] Everything okay?
[OZZIE] Remember when you
said to call you if things got messy?
Well, now they're just
They're just fucked.
Thank you for coming.
Okay, so what memo did I not get?
I called him first.
And when he didn't answer, I called you.
You're the better option anyway.
[JAX] Hmm.
When's the last time you saw Wendy?
Last night.
We got into a fight.
Anyway, the cops called
and asked if I could
You talked to the cops?
Alone? What did you tell them?
Just that Wendy ghosted
me after we argued.
And I don't really remember.
Then they started, uh,
talking to me like I
did something to her
and that I was their
only person of interest.
Fuck.
[EXHALES]
Can you give us a minute?
Of course.
[OZZIE EXHALES DEEPLY]
Look, if you're mad at
me for calling him first,
I only called him because as a
man, particularly a Black man,
I figured he'd be more empathetic.
I don't give a shit
who you called first,
but I'm here now, okay?
And I'm not saying
this to fight for the job
because I don't need to.
So, for the love of optics,
as a Black male actor
whose white girlfriend is missing,
a Black female lawyer is who you need.
Now, have you tried calling Wendy
to apologize or see where she is?
[OZZIE] No.
So, you haven't tried to find her?
The cops asked me the same thing.
- And what did you tell them?
- The truth.
No, I didn't
I haven't tried to find her.
[CELL PHONE BUZZING]
This is my dad. I have
to I have to take this.
[COREY] So, what do you think?
He done already fucked
up and talked to the police.
He's actively not
looking for his girlfriend.
A famous Black man and
a missing white woman?
[SCOFFS]
If the police haven't gotten a
search warrant for his place yet,
they will have one by
the end of the week.
He was right. This shit
is already a hot mess.
Sounds like he needs a lawyer.
And look who's right on time.
- [DOOR OPENS]
- Sadly, I might be too late.
Sorry about that.
So, what's the plan here?
Depends. Are you officially
retaining me as your counsel?
- Yes.
- Okay.
Then the plan is that you
talk to no one, you go nowhere,
and I'm gonna figure
out everything I can
about this investigation,
including how you fit into it.
Is there anyone you trust
that can stay here with you?
Um, yeah. My sister, Kristin.
Good. Call her.
Because I hate to say this,
but it's only gonna get worse.
So, rest up.
You know you love this shit.
Shut up.
[DANIEL] Ozzie Edwards?
- Really?
- Yes.
His girlfriend, Wendy, is missing.
And Ozzie just went
and talked to the police.
Oh, hell, no. Wait, what
did, what did he say?
Well, that's what I
need you to find out.
Call your source at the LAPD.
- Do you think he hurt her?
- I don't know yet.
I mean, he said they
fought before she left.
And according to him, after they argue,
she usually lays low
somewhere for a few days
and then comes back with
a hangover and new filler.
- [SCOFFS]
- I bet it's hyaluronic acid.
Well, hydration and volume, the
combination is quite remarkable.
K beauty. If you don't
know, you need to know.
Good to know.
Look to see if she checked
into a, a nearby hotel or Airbnb,
some place exclusive and expensive.
Find missing white woman
above Wilshire. Got it.
- [JAX] Hey, hey.
- Hey.
[JAX] Thanks again for yesterday.
It was nice getting to know a colleague.
No, thank you.
The pleasure's all on
this side of the desk.
Okay, that sounded weird
once it came out of my mouth.
[JAX CHUCKLES]
So, I have this new client,
the actor Ozzie Edwards.
Oh, yes, I'm familiar.
His girlfriend is missing.
I have my investigator looking into it,
but maybe you'd like to help out.
It's not criminal but could be.
Hell, yeah.
I'll check the coroner's
office for any Jane Does.
That way, we can tiptoe
through the minefield
before they see us coming.
Okay, Bill. Welcome to the team.
["MASK OFF" BY FUTURE PLAYING]
Mask on, fuck it, mask off ♪
Mask on, fuck it, mask off ♪
Mask on, fuck it, mask off ♪
Mask on, fuck it, mask off ♪
Percocets, molly, Percocets ♪
Chase a check, never chase a bitch ♪
Wow. What, are you following me?
Can we talk? Please.
Just us.
Hollywood stylist Wendy
Collins has been reported missing.
The LAPD has shared there
is, in fact, a person of interest,
but that name has yet to be released.
Sources say Collins
is the alleged girlfriend
of actor Ozzie Edwards,
best known for playing the
role of Caleb Kensington,
the mischievous neighbor
on the popular sitcom
My Cousins and Them.
[SCREAMS]
Mask on, fuck it, mask off ♪
- Mask on, fuck it, mask off ♪
- Yeah ♪
[JAX] Hey. Oh.
[CHUCKLES]
Oh, I see you brought out
the Maestro Dobel tequila.
That's the good shit.
Which means it's either very
good news or very bad news.
Both.
- Talked to Toni.
- [JAX] Hmm.
Let me guess. Toni went Toni.
Well, she said she'd drop the lawsuit.
But under one condition.
[JAX] Mm-hmm.
More money?
No.
She wants me to
spend one night with her.
Oh, Lord, rescue me ♪
[JAX] Fuck!