Madam Secretary (2014) s05e03 Episode Script
The Magic Rake
1 I know what you're thinking.
Why didn't I just call to reschedule jury duty? Well, I meant to, but turns out if you wait too long, you have to appear in person.
I've just been a little busy.
Got behind on the mail.
Understood, ma'am.
I knew I knew you.
You're a Real Housewife, right? That's right.
(PHONE BUZZES) I got to take this.
ELIZABETH: Still no dismissal yet.
BLAKE: All right.
Uh, I'll just keep the schedule loose, then.
All right.
How are things going over there? Um, Undersecretary Albertell wants to brief you on China.
There are rumors that a successor to President Li might be named at the People's Congress next month.
Fun times.
What else? Prime Minister Moretti's office called.
They say he knows you already declined, but you would be doing Italy a great honor by attending Fashion Week.
My answer's the same as it was three months ago: thank you for the invite, and thank you, no.
Are you sure? Because I just you know Yes, Blake, I'm pretty sure.
There are better ways to promote the American garment industry than hobnobbing with the glitterati in Milan.
Yeah.
Yeah, 'cause that sounds terrible.
Yes, I know.
We all share your love of fancy clothes and fancy food, Blake.
And wine.
Such, such good wine.
Okay, well, wine, yes.
Okay, wine.
But I am not gonna take a boondoggle - on the taxpayers' dime.
- (PHONE BEEPS) Oh.
Wait, uh, Blake, I got to take this.
Listen, I'm sorry if jury duty is causing a headache with scheduling.
It was just last-minute, so Yeah.
I No, I mean, it's fine.
It's all good.
It's fine.
Uh, really.
It's good.
(LAUGHS) Liar.
Bye.
- Hey, babe.
- Hey.
So, listen, I decided to take that job.
Oh, that's great.
That's great.
In times like these, POTUS could certainly use an ethics advisor.
Conrad will be lucky to have you.
The country, too.
Oof.
No pressure.
Uh, I just have to stop by the War College and resign as acting chair.
Oh, they'll be sad to see you go.
Yeah, well, I won't be sad to see them go.
I mean, as colleagues, I love them.
As people to manage, kill me.
- (CHUCKLES) - (PHONE BEEPS) Ugh, Ms.
Popularity today.
All right, I'm gonna take this.
Let me know how it goes.
All right, babe? I love you.
Okay, love you.
Bye.
- Hello? - MIKE: You know what I hate? Tourists coming right up to Gordon and petting him without even asking.
It's like, "Get away from my dog, you rubes.
" What can I do you for, Mike? Oh, right, sorry.
Yeah, your donors are getting restless.
I have donors? Not for long.
See, they're eager to hop on board the Bess Express, but they want to know where it's going, exactly.
You need to start telling people what you stand for.
You mean, other than representing the interests and values of the United States around the world? I'm sorry, but it's domestic issues that make voters vote and donors donate.
School choice or the environment or whatever.
That's a solid campaign slogan right there.
No, I'm serious, Bess.
You need to get on this before Teresa Hurst or some other potential candidate hoovers up all your mega-bundlers.
Mike, have I ever told you I was running for president? No, not in so many words.
So until then, I'm not running, and I don't have donors.
Got it? And I don't want to talk about this anymore.
I have to go participate in democracy now.
I'm annoying, but I'm not wrong.
Juror number 329.
Yes, Your Honor.
I'm assuming you would like to be excused, being that you have pressing matters to attend to as our nation's Secretary of State.
Well, that's correct, sir.
Your Honor.
Wait.
Very well.
You're dismissed.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Or you will be as soon as you can explain to me why it took my wife nearly six weeks just to have her passport renewed.
We nearly had to cancel the whole cruise.
You know how hard it is to get a ticket to Barbados? If that judge had gone on much longer, they would have had me being on trial, I'll tell you.
(GRUNTS) Stand aside, ma'am.
- Oh, hey! - Oh, I'm sorry.
Are you all right? - Here.
- Thank you.
Are you okay? Well, I'm about to get sent to jail, so no, I'm Wait, aren't you, like, the Secretary of State or something? A woman in the waiting room thought I was a Real Housewife.
- For real? - For real.
- I'm Elizabeth.
- Katelyn.
Hi, Katelyn.
- Here you go.
- Thank you.
So, uh - what's going on? - Uh It's, like, uh, my stupid ex didn't pay the insurance on the car, but I didn't know that till I got pulled over, so Sit down.
Uh, so then they fined me and suspended my license.
But I have to drive to get to work, so How else am I supposed to pay the fine? Well, that makes sense.
So, what happened? Did you get pulled over again? That time, I got arrested.
And then the DA who's, like, my age, by the way uh, he offered me a deal.
Pay some more fines, and then I only have to go to jail for 20 days.
What did your lawyer say? Take the deal.
She's a public defender, so she got, like, a million cases.
But I go to jail for 20 days, I'm definitely gonna lose my job.
Plus, I'm gonna have a record, so good luck finding another one.
I mean, I work hard, okay? Extra shifts every week even though it keeps me away from my kids.
Like, I'm trying to get my associate's degree.
Like, I know that I messed up, but, like, what was I supposed to do? I think you need to ask the judge for more time, for a continuance.
- A continuance? Okay.
- Yeah.
And then you can talk to a lawyer who actually has the time to represent you.
This is the number of a legal aid foundation, and they represent people for free.
And give them a call.
Maybe they can help you out.
- Okay? - Okay.
(SNIFFLES) WOMAN: No, I can't give you that.
Oh, that's my lawyer.
I got to go.
Here's my card.
If you have any more problems, just call that number.
Wow.
Thanks, Elizabeth.
Good luck, Katelyn.
Continuance! JAY: Good news.
We just got word that M-Sec has been excused from jury duty and will be back shortly.
- Blake has the revised schedule.
- Yes.
It took some work, but everything that we had to slide around has found a new place.
- Behold.
- I don't know whether - to read it or frame it.
- JAY: It's all here.
Far East desk for the China briefing, her sit-down with SecDef, even the meet and greet Daisy wanted with the high school kids from Houston who won the civic engagement contest.
- Huh? - Yeah, great.
The schedule might be my finest work.
Okay.
Next item.
Matt, can you write a brief statement about the factory fire in Emilia-Romagna? Oh, on it.
Uh, latest body count was up to 15 workers, I think.
- Brutal.
- BLAKE: Is it just me, or is anyone else surprised that a fancy brand like Beneventi has such awful working conditions? They probably don't.
They farm a lot of their work out to subcontractors, who farm it out again until you get to sweatshops.
Well, it's probably best that M-Sec isn't going to Milan for Fashion Week.
It's not the best look while they're still pulling bodies out of the smoking rubble.
Actually, that is exactly why I want to go.
Morning, ma'am.
You changed your mind? - Morning.
- Morning.
Yeah.
Look a few years ago, there was near global buy-in on the Fair Work and Trade Agreement, right? Right.
All it took was a horrific factory fire in Bangladesh.
Frankly, yeah.
I mean, that was the galvanizing moment.
The language in that agreement held companies responsible for the practices of their subcontractors.
If that had been ratified, it might have prevented this tragedy.
Yes, but it wasn't, because the countries and companies who benefit from sweatshop labor just stalled until the noise blew over and the world moved on.
Why would this time be any different? Because we're gonna make a bigger noise.
There was no reason for me to go to Fashion Week before.
But now? I mean, where better than the zenith of the global apparel industry to say to the other leaders, "How can we sit here sipping champagne "when unfair labor practices have literally killed workers just days ago and hours away?" Do you think that maybe that'll help us - get the agreement signed? - It might.
Great.
Call Prime Minister Moretti.
Tell him the good news, that I am taking him up on his invitation.
On it.
Now is not the time to politicize the issue of so-called sweatshop labor while Italy is still grieving.
And embarrassed.
I share your passion, but you must understand this is, uh, this is not an Italian issue but rather a Chinese one.
You're saying the factory was owned by a Chinese company? Also, tragically, staffed by illegal Chinese labor.
Which Beneventi and other luxury brands exploit so they can still say their goods are made in Italy.
Remind me, uh, was China prepared to sign on to the Fair Work and Trade Agreement in the past? They were less than eager.
Being that they dominate the global garment industry, what good would an agreement be without them, huh? I would argue that a concerted, united campaign by their chief competitors and markets could pressure them to join it.
Better we secure China's participation first and make a public announcement at the time.
So in the face of this horrific, preventable tragedy, you want to do nothing.
I look forward to visiting with you in person in Milano.
Until then, Elizabeth.
RUSSELL: Why make a show of trying to reform the textile industry if the biggest player won't go along? Remember, this is bigger than just textiles.
Close to a trillion dollar a year industry.
What's bigger than that? Automotive, tech.
There isn't a sector of the global economy where China isn't unfairly privileging itself.
What do the folks at Commerce think, Mary? Elizabeth is broadly correct, sir.
Chinese government subsidizes many industries.
Furthermore, they are unconstrained by labor and environmental standards.
(CLEARS THROAT) Sorry.
Still, uh, getting used to being back in here.
Carry on, please.
ELIZABETH: The Fair Work and Trade Agreement would go a long way toward addressing those imbalances.
And what's your plan, Bess? We would start out by filing a complaint against China with the World Trade Organization about this business in Italy.
Well, that's a shot across the bow.
It's a pretty mild one, given the death toll.
And then you continue to build pressure on China to join the agreement when you get to Milan.
ELIZABETH: Where Minister Chen will, apparently, be taking in some runway shows.
(LAUGHS) Well, I have to admit, if we're gonna pick a fight with China, the optics could be worse.
I like it.
And I think we're right on this, Bess.
But, uh, this is touchy stuff, so, uh, I want the WTO complaint and your remarks in Italy to be measured.
Understand? Yeah, of course, sir.
Understood, Mr.
President.
ELIZABETH: Hi, you adorable people.
HENRY: Hi, babe.
All right, so, what's next? Uh, well, uh, given your stance on, um, uh, fair trade and labor laws, uh, there's going to be even more eyes looking at what you are wearing in Milan.
Wait.
You're going to Fashion Week? Yeah, but only to make an important political point.
Yeah, we're not going to any of the parties or those silly runway shows.
We're not, Blake.
But, uh, do get in touch with the Protocol folks.
See if they can find me some American designers with solid labor practices.
ALISON: Even though the field that I'm devoting my life to is apparently silly, I could give you some names.
Well, I would really appreciate that, because when I said "silly," I didn't mean the whole thing.
Yeah, wh-when she said "silly," she didn't mean - the industry as a whole.
- You guys don't have to backpedal.
I meant, just It just gives me more grist to prove you wrong by building my empire.
- Ciao, Blake.
- Ciao.
Well, uh, if there's nothing else, I will, uh, - say good night.
Yep.
- ELIZABETH: No, thanks, Blake.
- HENRY: Good night, Blake.
- ELIZABETH: Good night.
Night.
(SIGHS) Alone at last.
- Hi.
- (BOTH CHUCKLE) Ciao, isn't that what we're all saying now? So are you officially the ex-acting department chair? Oh, you didn't think it was gonna be that easy, did you? Okay, here's a highlight: I had to get I.
T.
to come and deactivate my academic user log-in.
- What's that? - Exactly.
But in order to deactivate it, you have to have a password.
Which you never set.
Of course not.
So, to sum up, I had to create a password and log-in just so I could deactivate my password and log out.
Tell me they're teaching Catch-22 at that school.
Tomorrow I have to chair a Steering Committee meeting to find my temporary replacement.
Oh, thank God the War College doesn't fight any actual wars.
You know, times like these, the only sensible course is to go upstairs and watch The Great British Baking Show.
You read my mind.
Hey.
Got a second? Come on in.
So, I hear you're sending Nikki on the trip to Milan.
Yeah, she's earned it.
Why, is that a problem? No, Nikki's great.
I mean, the trip is kind of about comms and messaging, though.
Yeah, and we just both agreed Nikki's great.
Say what you want to say, Jay.
You really don't want to go to Fashion Week? You, Daisy Grant, the most fashionable person in the building? I just don't want to be apart from Joanna right now.
I look, I totally get that.
Leaving Chloe still kills me every time.
But you always say that your mom's, like, the greatest - babysitter in the world, so - Look, do you want me to go? I mean, is that what you're getting at? I'm trying to ask if you're okay.
BLAKE: Jay.
The secretary's about to do a call with Minister Chen.
She would like you on it.
That wasn't on the schedule.
Any idea what it's about? The massive tariffs China just announced that are sending the stock market into free fall.
That's just a guess.
Oh, my God.
ELIZABETH: Minister Chen, the complaint the United States made to the WTO was measured and appropriate.
These tariffs China has announced are a dangerous overreaction.
To the contrary, Madam Secretary, your complaint was a provocative insult.
So insulting, in fact, that these tariffs should be considered measured.
Are you threatening more here? We are cautioning you to moderate your tone.
The announcement alone has caused U.
S.
stocks to plummet.
We can't let that go unanswered.
So now you're threatening us.
Why don't we just talk honestly and de-escalate before it comes to that? What is really going on here, Ming? You should have considered the consequences of your actions before you so rashly embarked on them.
And as to who might win this contest: look at the trade deficit between the U.
S.
and China.
Then ask yourself who you'd bet on.
Good day, Madam Secretary.
RUSSELL: Well, that didn't go as planned.
It was a massive overreaction by China.
Which is exactly what we wanted to avoid.
I signed off on the WTO complaint, Russell.
(SIGHS) Nevertheless, we can't let this stand.
My team and I have put together a preliminary package of tariffs for your approval, sir.
It's mostly on textiles and electronics to start.
But we know how this works: Once we respond, China escalates, and so on, until the both of us go over an economic cliff, probably taking the rest of the world with us.
RUSSELL: A few months of being locked out of the Chinese market, and many of our pork producers, soybean farmers, they could go under.
I'm already getting panicked calls from their representatives on the Hill.
We've got to hit back.
ELIZABETH: We should stick to our strategy.
I go to Italy to pressure China on the Fair Work and Trade Agreement.
That presupposes China can be reasoned with at this point.
Why do we think they reacted so strongly in the first place? People's Congress is coming up next month.
They're gonna be naming Li's successor.
Could be contentious.
Maybe they're trying to project strength in a time of uncertainty.
They're trying to scare us off of a conversation about fair trade and labor practices that is long overdue.
DALTON: Well, I think it's worth trying to have that conversation on our terms, before we get locked into a trade war - that we might not be able to stop.
- Yes.
But if your trip doesn't yield results, we're going to have to hit them with the tariffs.
I will do my best, sir.
RUSSELL: Sure.
It's only the global economy hanging in the balance.
Your motorcade is waiting outside, ma'am.
Also, a woman named Katelyn King called.
She said she met you at court.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
What did she say? That legal aid agency you recommended to her isn't taking on any new clients.
She's on a waiting list, but she won't be able to see anyone before her next hearing.
Also, Mike B.
called, or rather he keeps calling.
He said, "It's never too soon, but it can always be too late.
" I, uh, I'll-I'll keep fending him off.
No.
Actually, uh, I want to talk to him.
Get me Mike B.
(SIGHS) KELLY: Knock, knock.
So, uh, there's someone here to see you.
What do you mean? Who? I Uh, Ms.
Grant.
Hi.
Anne Gutiérrez.
Oh, uh, Sister Anne, with the kids from Kids from Houston, yes.
May I sit? Uh, should I? (CLEARS THROAT) Can I ask you something, Sister? You can just call me Anne.
Sister can be weird for people.
How did you get past security? Tell people you're a nun, they'll let you in anywhere.
I'll keep this brief.
I understand the secretary has had a change of plans.
Yes, a last-minute trip.
I'm sure someone told you a cancellation was always a possibility.
They did, and I understand.
I mean, the kids won't, but I do.
They'll, of course, still get the VIP tour.
Yes.
I appreciate that.
But they won a nationwide civic engagement contest and still had to fund-raise six months for this trip.
And where they're from, that's not easy.
So if they can't meet the secretary, they deserve to meet someone.
Well, I'll check with the undersecretary.
How about you? Me? Why? You're on TV.
You're the face of this department.
Why not you? Look, I, um, I'm pretty busy, so So you don't have time to talk to 15 black and brown kids who just took the first plane ride of their lives to get here.
Or maybe they wouldn't want to hear what I have to say right now, so maybe you should just stop bugging me about it, okay, Sister? What would you say to them? Look, um, I know these kids hearing from someone like me matters, believe me.
But you're kind of springing this on me.
So here's the thing.
I was supposed to go with the secretary to Italy, but I didn't want to.
I have a daughter.
She's 15 months old.
My parents, they could have babysat, no problem.
Lately, every time she is out of my sight, I get nervous.
I get up in the night to check on her, like, all the time.
And part of it's to do with the attack.
I mean, a bunch of white guys were so enraged by the prospect of making space for someone like my daughter, like me, that they would literally rather blow up the White House, rather destroy the country than share it.
And, also, I can give you the names of at least five unarmed black people who've been killed by the police in the last six months.
Just driving along, and then you get pulled over, and boom, that's it.
What if my mom or dad is driving Joanna from a play group or music class, and then they get pulled over, and then I'm sorry.
See what I mean? I'm not very inspiring.
Look, I I'm not trying to be selfish.
I just truly don't trust myself not to kill someone's dreams.
I know how you feel, and I wish I had more answers for you.
I worry about my kids every day.
This is why I was so invested in them winning that contest, coming here.
So they could at least feel their country sees them.
That someone even knows they have dreams.
I'll see what I can do, okay? Okay.
I appreciate that.
Now, I have taken up enough of your time.
Thanks, Anne.
I'm sorry I said that you were bugging me.
Oh, don't be, hon.
That's what I do.
I bug people for the Lord.
Bye, now.
CHEN: "'It was much pleasanter at home, ' "thought poor Alice, "'when one wasn't always growing larger and smaller, and being ordered about by mice and rabbits.
'" (SPEAKING CHINESE) English, please.
Will Alice get home? Very good.
We'll have to keep reading to find out.
Good night, Ai.
Good night, Daddy.
Bravissima.
ELIZABETH: Sign on to the Fair Work and Trade Agreement.
Talk about signing on.
And the president will keep our side in line.
I can't do that right now.
Well, that is extremely unfortunate.
Several years ago, Elizabeth, we bumped into each other at a bar in Lagos.
Do you remember what you said to me that night? Something like, "Imagine what we could do if we worked together.
" But you see how these tariffs are the opposite of that, right? I do.
But many things will become clear in the next few days.
Things that could positively impact the relationship between our two countries for years to come.
You're on the short list to become president.
As are you.
Don't waste time denying it.
Instead, think of what might be possible, given our relationship.
But I warn you, that future will be at risk if you continue to embarrass China over our trade and labor practices.
So, please, for a few more crucial days, proceed with discretion.
BAILIFF: Next Case: 11578-A, The People versus Katelyn King.
JUDGE BRICKMAN: Good morning, Ms.
King.
Before I enumerate the charges against you, I have to ask: do you have counsel today? I-I I-I think so, Your Honor.
Your Honor, it's a yes-or-no question.
If the defendant fired her court-appointed counsel, then she's elected to represent herself.
The People would like to know how she pleads.
I'm afraid the People have a point.
What are we doing here, Ms.
King? MIKE: Apologies for my tardiness, Your Honor.
Michael Barnow for the defense.
Mr.
Barnow, this is, uh, indeed a surprise.
For all of us.
Life is full of them, Your Honor.
Hi.
May I remind the court that despite these theatrics, we're still waiting to simply hear how the defendant pleads.
I understand that the prosecution has offered a plea bargain: 20 days in jail and a fine of $2,000.
Does the defense accept that offer? We do not.
Indeed, the fact that the People are asking for jail time in this case is absurd and cruel.
Will the court indulge me a moment? PICKFORD: Objection.
This plea was worked out with the defendant's previous counsel.
A public defender who, in her haste to close a file, failed to take even basic steps necessary to my client's defense.
Which steps, Mr.
Barnow? Taking a statement from Ms.
King's ex-husband, who would have averred he was responsible for failing to pay insurance on the car in the first place.
Advising her that she could fill out a simple form at the DMV allowing her to drive to work on a suspended license.
- Wait.
You can? - Here.
Furthermore, Your Honor, Ms.
King is a hardworking single mother with no priors, by the way.
The only guilty party in this courtroom is an overzealous prosecutor, who'll be lucky if I don't call his boss Larry Broznahan and tell him how terribly the People are being misrepresented today.
- Objection! - Sustained.
Grandstanding aside, he has a point, counselor.
Why are you pushing for jail time here? - Well, this is - You know what? You're not.
Given this information, I'm going to recommend that this case be settled with a reduced fee of $500.
Is that acceptable to both parties? Mm Mr.
Pickford's handling of this case has been so egregious, I have half a mind to review all of his previous ones before agreeing to anything.
We recommend a fine of $250, Your Honor.
And we accept.
JUDGE BRICKMAN: Wonderful news.
Ms.
King is ordered to pay a fine of $250 and to return a completed form to the DMV within 30 days.
- (GAVEL BANGS) - Next case.
That's right.
Run, you little twerp.
- Wait.
Is that it? - That's it.
Wait.
Thank you so much, um, but I don't have 250 bucks.
Oh, I do.
We'll work it out.
Listen, I got to run.
I parked in a 15-minute spot.
Who are you? Mostly an overpaid D.
C.
hack, but today, an avenging angel of justice.
Wait a minute.
We're a few hours away from issuing a joint statement in this very room, pledging our support of the Fair Work and Trade Agreement.
Are you telling me the EU is backing out? Of course we agree with its principles, but, uh, there is no point in alienating the Chinese over an agreement they will never join.
I understand it might be easier to hope that they'll choose to change on their own somehow.
Or we could go ahead and do the hard work of trying to shape a world that works better for everyone.
Inspirational, but we have an old saying.
"Al piu potente ceda il più prudente.
" Roughly translated, it means, "It is better to bow than to break.
" You know what Ben Franklin once said? "If we do not hang together, we shall surely hang separately.
" I'll tell you what.
You and your colleagues come to the joint statement.
You leave China to me.
DAISY: The Seventh Floor is the nerve center of the State Department, where the secretary and her senior staff have their offices.
I know you all were hoping to meet the secretary, but unfortunately, she is out of the country.
(STUDENTS SIGHING, GROANING) I know, I know.
But before we go into the secretary's office, I want you to take a look around.
Six months ago, when Sister Anne told you, "We're going to Washington, D.
C.
, and we're going to visit the State Department," you probably said she was crazy.
Not "probably said.
" That's what they said.
(LAUGHTER) But six months later, here you are.
I want you to take a moment to savor your achievement.
Because real talk? It doesn't get any easier from here.
You know better than most that sometimes this world, this country is not going to be fair.
You won't always be seen for the creative, enthusiastic young men and women that you are.
So on the bad days, when you're tempted to give up, you're going to have to find that belief in yourself, because you can make it.
I know, because I made it, and you all are definitely smarter than me, 'cause I read your essays.
(LAUGHTER) So, remember the good days.
And you guys, I promise you, today is one of them.
Now follow me.
Come in.
(EXCITED, INDISTINCT CHATTER) I know you all were hoping to meet Secretary McCord, but, uh, I'll just have to do.
Hi.
You're lucky the president wanted a change of scenery.
- You owe me big-time.
- Do I, though? And, uh, do you know what you want to study in college? - Engineering, sir.
- Engineering.
Excellent.
I think it's me that owes you.
No, I think it's the opposite.
I'm glad you came and bugged me.
It's actually the best job in the world.
But then what, Anne? Get beaten down by the world, get inspired by kids, until you get beaten down again, and repeat? Pretty much.
Why do you think I work with them? Look, you do whatever small thing you can every day on the side of hope and justice, just like you did today.
I'm not saying it's easy, but then, I get to witness the radical, transformative miracle of God's love "on the regular," as the kids like to say.
DALTON: I want to meet this incredible teacher of yours.
Where is Sister Anne? If you'll excuse me, I need to go meet the president.
Absolutely.
- (CHUCKLING): Hey, get in here.
- Come on! - Nice to meet you.
- You, uh, should be very proud of these young people.
SISTER ANNE: Extremely.
MAN: Secretary McCord, this may seem like a trivial question, but given your recent remarks, perhaps it's not.
Can you tell me who made the clothes you're wearing today? Oh.
Absolutely.
The designer is a young woman, Rebecca Flores of Brooklyn, New York, of course.
And this suit is 100% union and American made.
In fact, it was actually constructed by Maria Ortiz, Juan Carlos Carrillo and Carla Macias.
And that's a great question, and one that we could all start asking more often.
Thank you.
Excuse me.
(REPORTERS CLAMORING) My colleagues and I are here today to draw attention to the fact that, while fashion is an exciting and economically vital industry, the manufacture of textiles all too often comes at great human cost.
We just saw those consequences earlier this week in Emilia-Romagna.
That is why we are redoubling our effort to revive the Fair Work and Trade Agreement.
Unfortunately, one important voice in this conversation has chosen not to join us.
China prides itself on its dominance of the global textile industry and many others.
But when it comes to taking responsibility for their working conditions, - they're nowhere to be found.
- (CAMERAS CLICKING) If China wants to be a leader in the 21st century, it's time to come join us and start acting like one.
- Thank you.
- (REPORTERS CLAMORING) (PHONE RINGING) - Ming, how are you? - I'll be brief.
China wishes no further unwarranted attention on its labor conditions.
If that is understood, we are prepared to engage on the subject of the Fair Work and Trade Agreement.
I look forward to working with you.
- Agreed.
- There will have to be modifications to the language, of course.
Significant modifications.
So long as they don't undermine the larger point of the agreement.
The point is we're talking now.
There's no more need for stunts.
Like the tariffs you hit us with? I was referring to something else.
But now that you bring them up, it has been decided, now that it's clear China's economic might is not to be questioned, that the tariffs have served their purpose and will be rescinded.
The United States appreciates that and in return will stand down its own planned sanctions.
Very well, then.
Good day, Madam Secretary.
Ming.
I've met a lot of heads of state in this job.
You would have made a fine one, and I'm really sorry.
More so if my stunt played any role in it.
That's kind of you.
But I suspect what happened was what was always going to happen.
Nevertheless, for both our countries' sake, I hope your luck proves to be better than mine.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY) Until next time, Elizabeth.
Until then, Ming.
HENRY: The next thing I know, I'm in a meeting to decide who gets my parking space.
My hand to God.
I just walked out of there.
I said, "I'm trying to serve my country.
You guys figure it out.
" I think I gave away too much to get China to the table.
They'll be committing to unprecedented worker, environmental and trade protections.
And if they break the rules, hey, at least there are rules.
That's huge.
Will it bring back those poor women that died in the fire or prevent the next one? I doubt it.
Babe, politics is the art of the possible.
You don't have a magic wand.
Well, that's just it.
I feel like I am always almost solving the problems.
Temporarily solving them or solving the little ones.
Like, I-I'm glad that Mike B.
Was able to get that poor woman Katelyn's case dropped.
Uh-huh.
And I bet she is, too.
- Wasn't a little problem to her.
- Yeah.
But what if I hadn't walked down that hallway? She'd probably be in jail tonight.
Separated from her kids for no reason other than bad luck.
That's not the way the system is supposed to work, Henry.
Sure isn't.
What I have isn't a magic wand at all.
(SIGHS) It's something much more imprecise and inefficient.
It's like a magic Rake? Yes, exactly.
A a magic rake.
Half the time, it's not even the right tool.
Half? That's being pretty generous to rakes.
Is this what the presidency would be like? Just trying to level the playing field, stitch shattered lives back together with a magic rake? All day, every day for four maybe eight years.
I love you.
Well, that's sobering.
I love you, too.
And whosoever shall wield the magic rake will be pure of heart.
And really creative, - because rakes are only good - (LAUGHS) for, like, one job.
- Heya.
- Come on in.
First of all, I wanted to thank you for your help with Katelyn.
- Who? - Katelyn King.
Mike, the woman you saved from going to jail? Right! Right.
No, that was fun, actually.
Hey, yes.
Okay.
Watching that little creep of a prosecutor go all pale as I crushed his crummy case in my mighty fist of truth.
God, I miss court.
Take a seat.
I want to tell you something.
- I am gonna run for president.
- Yes! That is what I'm talking about.
- Oh, God.
- Yeah.
I mean, it's good to finally hear you say it.
- That's important.
But tell me something I don't know.
- It is.
- You know what? You know what? - Well, I - I will tell you something you don't know.
- Okay.
You have it in you to be one of the most consequential presidents in our history.
Like, Mount Rushmore great.
Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves.
- No pun intended.
- No.
- Oh.
Okay.
- Let's.
Let's get ahead of ourselves, because you need to get serious about this right away.
- Issues, advisors, donors.
It's time.
- I hear you.
I hear you.
In fact, you-you mentioned - my signature domestic issue.
- Yes.
I think I found it.
Great.
What is it? Jobs? Can't go wrong with jobs.
Who doesn't love jobs? Everybody wins with jobs.
Uh, criminal justice reform.
Huh.
- (CHUCKLES): I know.
- I mean, that's cool, but, uh, maybe maybe not the signature issue? - Maybe - Every day, I condemn autocracies for unjustly imprisoning their own people.
But we are locking up more of our own citizens per capita than any other country on Earth.
- Yeah - And you know why? It's just, like, in many cases, like what we saw with Katelyn.
- Who's Katelyn? - The woman you helped, Mike.
Oh, yeah.
No, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Because we're criminalizing poverty.
And it comes at not just great economic cost, but great moral cost to us as a nation.
And I, for one, mean to do something about it.
So here's my big idea, my reason for running.
I want to lift people up.
At home and around the world.
And that's what I want to use my you know, magic rake for.
I'm sorry, your magic what? Late-night conversation with Henry.
Don't worry about it.
But how do you lift people with a rake? Do you turn it up - And what makes it magic? - It's not about the rake.
- Is it, like, larger? Okay.
- You need to forget about the rake.
Mike.
- I can't forget about the rake.
- Do.
(SIGHS) So, should I start making calls? No.
Like I said, it's too soon.
But if you want your rich friends to show their support for me, you can ask them to donate to the legal aid fund that couldn't take on Katelyn's case.
- Clearly, they need the resources.
- Yes.
Absolutely.
But maybe also a super PAC.
Thanks, Mike.
It's been clarifying.
Why didn't I just call to reschedule jury duty? Well, I meant to, but turns out if you wait too long, you have to appear in person.
I've just been a little busy.
Got behind on the mail.
Understood, ma'am.
I knew I knew you.
You're a Real Housewife, right? That's right.
(PHONE BUZZES) I got to take this.
ELIZABETH: Still no dismissal yet.
BLAKE: All right.
Uh, I'll just keep the schedule loose, then.
All right.
How are things going over there? Um, Undersecretary Albertell wants to brief you on China.
There are rumors that a successor to President Li might be named at the People's Congress next month.
Fun times.
What else? Prime Minister Moretti's office called.
They say he knows you already declined, but you would be doing Italy a great honor by attending Fashion Week.
My answer's the same as it was three months ago: thank you for the invite, and thank you, no.
Are you sure? Because I just you know Yes, Blake, I'm pretty sure.
There are better ways to promote the American garment industry than hobnobbing with the glitterati in Milan.
Yeah.
Yeah, 'cause that sounds terrible.
Yes, I know.
We all share your love of fancy clothes and fancy food, Blake.
And wine.
Such, such good wine.
Okay, well, wine, yes.
Okay, wine.
But I am not gonna take a boondoggle - on the taxpayers' dime.
- (PHONE BEEPS) Oh.
Wait, uh, Blake, I got to take this.
Listen, I'm sorry if jury duty is causing a headache with scheduling.
It was just last-minute, so Yeah.
I No, I mean, it's fine.
It's all good.
It's fine.
Uh, really.
It's good.
(LAUGHS) Liar.
Bye.
- Hey, babe.
- Hey.
So, listen, I decided to take that job.
Oh, that's great.
That's great.
In times like these, POTUS could certainly use an ethics advisor.
Conrad will be lucky to have you.
The country, too.
Oof.
No pressure.
Uh, I just have to stop by the War College and resign as acting chair.
Oh, they'll be sad to see you go.
Yeah, well, I won't be sad to see them go.
I mean, as colleagues, I love them.
As people to manage, kill me.
- (CHUCKLES) - (PHONE BEEPS) Ugh, Ms.
Popularity today.
All right, I'm gonna take this.
Let me know how it goes.
All right, babe? I love you.
Okay, love you.
Bye.
- Hello? - MIKE: You know what I hate? Tourists coming right up to Gordon and petting him without even asking.
It's like, "Get away from my dog, you rubes.
" What can I do you for, Mike? Oh, right, sorry.
Yeah, your donors are getting restless.
I have donors? Not for long.
See, they're eager to hop on board the Bess Express, but they want to know where it's going, exactly.
You need to start telling people what you stand for.
You mean, other than representing the interests and values of the United States around the world? I'm sorry, but it's domestic issues that make voters vote and donors donate.
School choice or the environment or whatever.
That's a solid campaign slogan right there.
No, I'm serious, Bess.
You need to get on this before Teresa Hurst or some other potential candidate hoovers up all your mega-bundlers.
Mike, have I ever told you I was running for president? No, not in so many words.
So until then, I'm not running, and I don't have donors.
Got it? And I don't want to talk about this anymore.
I have to go participate in democracy now.
I'm annoying, but I'm not wrong.
Juror number 329.
Yes, Your Honor.
I'm assuming you would like to be excused, being that you have pressing matters to attend to as our nation's Secretary of State.
Well, that's correct, sir.
Your Honor.
Wait.
Very well.
You're dismissed.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Or you will be as soon as you can explain to me why it took my wife nearly six weeks just to have her passport renewed.
We nearly had to cancel the whole cruise.
You know how hard it is to get a ticket to Barbados? If that judge had gone on much longer, they would have had me being on trial, I'll tell you.
(GRUNTS) Stand aside, ma'am.
- Oh, hey! - Oh, I'm sorry.
Are you all right? - Here.
- Thank you.
Are you okay? Well, I'm about to get sent to jail, so no, I'm Wait, aren't you, like, the Secretary of State or something? A woman in the waiting room thought I was a Real Housewife.
- For real? - For real.
- I'm Elizabeth.
- Katelyn.
Hi, Katelyn.
- Here you go.
- Thank you.
So, uh - what's going on? - Uh It's, like, uh, my stupid ex didn't pay the insurance on the car, but I didn't know that till I got pulled over, so Sit down.
Uh, so then they fined me and suspended my license.
But I have to drive to get to work, so How else am I supposed to pay the fine? Well, that makes sense.
So, what happened? Did you get pulled over again? That time, I got arrested.
And then the DA who's, like, my age, by the way uh, he offered me a deal.
Pay some more fines, and then I only have to go to jail for 20 days.
What did your lawyer say? Take the deal.
She's a public defender, so she got, like, a million cases.
But I go to jail for 20 days, I'm definitely gonna lose my job.
Plus, I'm gonna have a record, so good luck finding another one.
I mean, I work hard, okay? Extra shifts every week even though it keeps me away from my kids.
Like, I'm trying to get my associate's degree.
Like, I know that I messed up, but, like, what was I supposed to do? I think you need to ask the judge for more time, for a continuance.
- A continuance? Okay.
- Yeah.
And then you can talk to a lawyer who actually has the time to represent you.
This is the number of a legal aid foundation, and they represent people for free.
And give them a call.
Maybe they can help you out.
- Okay? - Okay.
(SNIFFLES) WOMAN: No, I can't give you that.
Oh, that's my lawyer.
I got to go.
Here's my card.
If you have any more problems, just call that number.
Wow.
Thanks, Elizabeth.
Good luck, Katelyn.
Continuance! JAY: Good news.
We just got word that M-Sec has been excused from jury duty and will be back shortly.
- Blake has the revised schedule.
- Yes.
It took some work, but everything that we had to slide around has found a new place.
- Behold.
- I don't know whether - to read it or frame it.
- JAY: It's all here.
Far East desk for the China briefing, her sit-down with SecDef, even the meet and greet Daisy wanted with the high school kids from Houston who won the civic engagement contest.
- Huh? - Yeah, great.
The schedule might be my finest work.
Okay.
Next item.
Matt, can you write a brief statement about the factory fire in Emilia-Romagna? Oh, on it.
Uh, latest body count was up to 15 workers, I think.
- Brutal.
- BLAKE: Is it just me, or is anyone else surprised that a fancy brand like Beneventi has such awful working conditions? They probably don't.
They farm a lot of their work out to subcontractors, who farm it out again until you get to sweatshops.
Well, it's probably best that M-Sec isn't going to Milan for Fashion Week.
It's not the best look while they're still pulling bodies out of the smoking rubble.
Actually, that is exactly why I want to go.
Morning, ma'am.
You changed your mind? - Morning.
- Morning.
Yeah.
Look a few years ago, there was near global buy-in on the Fair Work and Trade Agreement, right? Right.
All it took was a horrific factory fire in Bangladesh.
Frankly, yeah.
I mean, that was the galvanizing moment.
The language in that agreement held companies responsible for the practices of their subcontractors.
If that had been ratified, it might have prevented this tragedy.
Yes, but it wasn't, because the countries and companies who benefit from sweatshop labor just stalled until the noise blew over and the world moved on.
Why would this time be any different? Because we're gonna make a bigger noise.
There was no reason for me to go to Fashion Week before.
But now? I mean, where better than the zenith of the global apparel industry to say to the other leaders, "How can we sit here sipping champagne "when unfair labor practices have literally killed workers just days ago and hours away?" Do you think that maybe that'll help us - get the agreement signed? - It might.
Great.
Call Prime Minister Moretti.
Tell him the good news, that I am taking him up on his invitation.
On it.
Now is not the time to politicize the issue of so-called sweatshop labor while Italy is still grieving.
And embarrassed.
I share your passion, but you must understand this is, uh, this is not an Italian issue but rather a Chinese one.
You're saying the factory was owned by a Chinese company? Also, tragically, staffed by illegal Chinese labor.
Which Beneventi and other luxury brands exploit so they can still say their goods are made in Italy.
Remind me, uh, was China prepared to sign on to the Fair Work and Trade Agreement in the past? They were less than eager.
Being that they dominate the global garment industry, what good would an agreement be without them, huh? I would argue that a concerted, united campaign by their chief competitors and markets could pressure them to join it.
Better we secure China's participation first and make a public announcement at the time.
So in the face of this horrific, preventable tragedy, you want to do nothing.
I look forward to visiting with you in person in Milano.
Until then, Elizabeth.
RUSSELL: Why make a show of trying to reform the textile industry if the biggest player won't go along? Remember, this is bigger than just textiles.
Close to a trillion dollar a year industry.
What's bigger than that? Automotive, tech.
There isn't a sector of the global economy where China isn't unfairly privileging itself.
What do the folks at Commerce think, Mary? Elizabeth is broadly correct, sir.
Chinese government subsidizes many industries.
Furthermore, they are unconstrained by labor and environmental standards.
(CLEARS THROAT) Sorry.
Still, uh, getting used to being back in here.
Carry on, please.
ELIZABETH: The Fair Work and Trade Agreement would go a long way toward addressing those imbalances.
And what's your plan, Bess? We would start out by filing a complaint against China with the World Trade Organization about this business in Italy.
Well, that's a shot across the bow.
It's a pretty mild one, given the death toll.
And then you continue to build pressure on China to join the agreement when you get to Milan.
ELIZABETH: Where Minister Chen will, apparently, be taking in some runway shows.
(LAUGHS) Well, I have to admit, if we're gonna pick a fight with China, the optics could be worse.
I like it.
And I think we're right on this, Bess.
But, uh, this is touchy stuff, so, uh, I want the WTO complaint and your remarks in Italy to be measured.
Understand? Yeah, of course, sir.
Understood, Mr.
President.
ELIZABETH: Hi, you adorable people.
HENRY: Hi, babe.
All right, so, what's next? Uh, well, uh, given your stance on, um, uh, fair trade and labor laws, uh, there's going to be even more eyes looking at what you are wearing in Milan.
Wait.
You're going to Fashion Week? Yeah, but only to make an important political point.
Yeah, we're not going to any of the parties or those silly runway shows.
We're not, Blake.
But, uh, do get in touch with the Protocol folks.
See if they can find me some American designers with solid labor practices.
ALISON: Even though the field that I'm devoting my life to is apparently silly, I could give you some names.
Well, I would really appreciate that, because when I said "silly," I didn't mean the whole thing.
Yeah, wh-when she said "silly," she didn't mean - the industry as a whole.
- You guys don't have to backpedal.
I meant, just It just gives me more grist to prove you wrong by building my empire.
- Ciao, Blake.
- Ciao.
Well, uh, if there's nothing else, I will, uh, - say good night.
Yep.
- ELIZABETH: No, thanks, Blake.
- HENRY: Good night, Blake.
- ELIZABETH: Good night.
Night.
(SIGHS) Alone at last.
- Hi.
- (BOTH CHUCKLE) Ciao, isn't that what we're all saying now? So are you officially the ex-acting department chair? Oh, you didn't think it was gonna be that easy, did you? Okay, here's a highlight: I had to get I.
T.
to come and deactivate my academic user log-in.
- What's that? - Exactly.
But in order to deactivate it, you have to have a password.
Which you never set.
Of course not.
So, to sum up, I had to create a password and log-in just so I could deactivate my password and log out.
Tell me they're teaching Catch-22 at that school.
Tomorrow I have to chair a Steering Committee meeting to find my temporary replacement.
Oh, thank God the War College doesn't fight any actual wars.
You know, times like these, the only sensible course is to go upstairs and watch The Great British Baking Show.
You read my mind.
Hey.
Got a second? Come on in.
So, I hear you're sending Nikki on the trip to Milan.
Yeah, she's earned it.
Why, is that a problem? No, Nikki's great.
I mean, the trip is kind of about comms and messaging, though.
Yeah, and we just both agreed Nikki's great.
Say what you want to say, Jay.
You really don't want to go to Fashion Week? You, Daisy Grant, the most fashionable person in the building? I just don't want to be apart from Joanna right now.
I look, I totally get that.
Leaving Chloe still kills me every time.
But you always say that your mom's, like, the greatest - babysitter in the world, so - Look, do you want me to go? I mean, is that what you're getting at? I'm trying to ask if you're okay.
BLAKE: Jay.
The secretary's about to do a call with Minister Chen.
She would like you on it.
That wasn't on the schedule.
Any idea what it's about? The massive tariffs China just announced that are sending the stock market into free fall.
That's just a guess.
Oh, my God.
ELIZABETH: Minister Chen, the complaint the United States made to the WTO was measured and appropriate.
These tariffs China has announced are a dangerous overreaction.
To the contrary, Madam Secretary, your complaint was a provocative insult.
So insulting, in fact, that these tariffs should be considered measured.
Are you threatening more here? We are cautioning you to moderate your tone.
The announcement alone has caused U.
S.
stocks to plummet.
We can't let that go unanswered.
So now you're threatening us.
Why don't we just talk honestly and de-escalate before it comes to that? What is really going on here, Ming? You should have considered the consequences of your actions before you so rashly embarked on them.
And as to who might win this contest: look at the trade deficit between the U.
S.
and China.
Then ask yourself who you'd bet on.
Good day, Madam Secretary.
RUSSELL: Well, that didn't go as planned.
It was a massive overreaction by China.
Which is exactly what we wanted to avoid.
I signed off on the WTO complaint, Russell.
(SIGHS) Nevertheless, we can't let this stand.
My team and I have put together a preliminary package of tariffs for your approval, sir.
It's mostly on textiles and electronics to start.
But we know how this works: Once we respond, China escalates, and so on, until the both of us go over an economic cliff, probably taking the rest of the world with us.
RUSSELL: A few months of being locked out of the Chinese market, and many of our pork producers, soybean farmers, they could go under.
I'm already getting panicked calls from their representatives on the Hill.
We've got to hit back.
ELIZABETH: We should stick to our strategy.
I go to Italy to pressure China on the Fair Work and Trade Agreement.
That presupposes China can be reasoned with at this point.
Why do we think they reacted so strongly in the first place? People's Congress is coming up next month.
They're gonna be naming Li's successor.
Could be contentious.
Maybe they're trying to project strength in a time of uncertainty.
They're trying to scare us off of a conversation about fair trade and labor practices that is long overdue.
DALTON: Well, I think it's worth trying to have that conversation on our terms, before we get locked into a trade war - that we might not be able to stop.
- Yes.
But if your trip doesn't yield results, we're going to have to hit them with the tariffs.
I will do my best, sir.
RUSSELL: Sure.
It's only the global economy hanging in the balance.
Your motorcade is waiting outside, ma'am.
Also, a woman named Katelyn King called.
She said she met you at court.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
What did she say? That legal aid agency you recommended to her isn't taking on any new clients.
She's on a waiting list, but she won't be able to see anyone before her next hearing.
Also, Mike B.
called, or rather he keeps calling.
He said, "It's never too soon, but it can always be too late.
" I, uh, I'll-I'll keep fending him off.
No.
Actually, uh, I want to talk to him.
Get me Mike B.
(SIGHS) KELLY: Knock, knock.
So, uh, there's someone here to see you.
What do you mean? Who? I Uh, Ms.
Grant.
Hi.
Anne Gutiérrez.
Oh, uh, Sister Anne, with the kids from Kids from Houston, yes.
May I sit? Uh, should I? (CLEARS THROAT) Can I ask you something, Sister? You can just call me Anne.
Sister can be weird for people.
How did you get past security? Tell people you're a nun, they'll let you in anywhere.
I'll keep this brief.
I understand the secretary has had a change of plans.
Yes, a last-minute trip.
I'm sure someone told you a cancellation was always a possibility.
They did, and I understand.
I mean, the kids won't, but I do.
They'll, of course, still get the VIP tour.
Yes.
I appreciate that.
But they won a nationwide civic engagement contest and still had to fund-raise six months for this trip.
And where they're from, that's not easy.
So if they can't meet the secretary, they deserve to meet someone.
Well, I'll check with the undersecretary.
How about you? Me? Why? You're on TV.
You're the face of this department.
Why not you? Look, I, um, I'm pretty busy, so So you don't have time to talk to 15 black and brown kids who just took the first plane ride of their lives to get here.
Or maybe they wouldn't want to hear what I have to say right now, so maybe you should just stop bugging me about it, okay, Sister? What would you say to them? Look, um, I know these kids hearing from someone like me matters, believe me.
But you're kind of springing this on me.
So here's the thing.
I was supposed to go with the secretary to Italy, but I didn't want to.
I have a daughter.
She's 15 months old.
My parents, they could have babysat, no problem.
Lately, every time she is out of my sight, I get nervous.
I get up in the night to check on her, like, all the time.
And part of it's to do with the attack.
I mean, a bunch of white guys were so enraged by the prospect of making space for someone like my daughter, like me, that they would literally rather blow up the White House, rather destroy the country than share it.
And, also, I can give you the names of at least five unarmed black people who've been killed by the police in the last six months.
Just driving along, and then you get pulled over, and boom, that's it.
What if my mom or dad is driving Joanna from a play group or music class, and then they get pulled over, and then I'm sorry.
See what I mean? I'm not very inspiring.
Look, I I'm not trying to be selfish.
I just truly don't trust myself not to kill someone's dreams.
I know how you feel, and I wish I had more answers for you.
I worry about my kids every day.
This is why I was so invested in them winning that contest, coming here.
So they could at least feel their country sees them.
That someone even knows they have dreams.
I'll see what I can do, okay? Okay.
I appreciate that.
Now, I have taken up enough of your time.
Thanks, Anne.
I'm sorry I said that you were bugging me.
Oh, don't be, hon.
That's what I do.
I bug people for the Lord.
Bye, now.
CHEN: "'It was much pleasanter at home, ' "thought poor Alice, "'when one wasn't always growing larger and smaller, and being ordered about by mice and rabbits.
'" (SPEAKING CHINESE) English, please.
Will Alice get home? Very good.
We'll have to keep reading to find out.
Good night, Ai.
Good night, Daddy.
Bravissima.
ELIZABETH: Sign on to the Fair Work and Trade Agreement.
Talk about signing on.
And the president will keep our side in line.
I can't do that right now.
Well, that is extremely unfortunate.
Several years ago, Elizabeth, we bumped into each other at a bar in Lagos.
Do you remember what you said to me that night? Something like, "Imagine what we could do if we worked together.
" But you see how these tariffs are the opposite of that, right? I do.
But many things will become clear in the next few days.
Things that could positively impact the relationship between our two countries for years to come.
You're on the short list to become president.
As are you.
Don't waste time denying it.
Instead, think of what might be possible, given our relationship.
But I warn you, that future will be at risk if you continue to embarrass China over our trade and labor practices.
So, please, for a few more crucial days, proceed with discretion.
BAILIFF: Next Case: 11578-A, The People versus Katelyn King.
JUDGE BRICKMAN: Good morning, Ms.
King.
Before I enumerate the charges against you, I have to ask: do you have counsel today? I-I I-I think so, Your Honor.
Your Honor, it's a yes-or-no question.
If the defendant fired her court-appointed counsel, then she's elected to represent herself.
The People would like to know how she pleads.
I'm afraid the People have a point.
What are we doing here, Ms.
King? MIKE: Apologies for my tardiness, Your Honor.
Michael Barnow for the defense.
Mr.
Barnow, this is, uh, indeed a surprise.
For all of us.
Life is full of them, Your Honor.
Hi.
May I remind the court that despite these theatrics, we're still waiting to simply hear how the defendant pleads.
I understand that the prosecution has offered a plea bargain: 20 days in jail and a fine of $2,000.
Does the defense accept that offer? We do not.
Indeed, the fact that the People are asking for jail time in this case is absurd and cruel.
Will the court indulge me a moment? PICKFORD: Objection.
This plea was worked out with the defendant's previous counsel.
A public defender who, in her haste to close a file, failed to take even basic steps necessary to my client's defense.
Which steps, Mr.
Barnow? Taking a statement from Ms.
King's ex-husband, who would have averred he was responsible for failing to pay insurance on the car in the first place.
Advising her that she could fill out a simple form at the DMV allowing her to drive to work on a suspended license.
- Wait.
You can? - Here.
Furthermore, Your Honor, Ms.
King is a hardworking single mother with no priors, by the way.
The only guilty party in this courtroom is an overzealous prosecutor, who'll be lucky if I don't call his boss Larry Broznahan and tell him how terribly the People are being misrepresented today.
- Objection! - Sustained.
Grandstanding aside, he has a point, counselor.
Why are you pushing for jail time here? - Well, this is - You know what? You're not.
Given this information, I'm going to recommend that this case be settled with a reduced fee of $500.
Is that acceptable to both parties? Mm Mr.
Pickford's handling of this case has been so egregious, I have half a mind to review all of his previous ones before agreeing to anything.
We recommend a fine of $250, Your Honor.
And we accept.
JUDGE BRICKMAN: Wonderful news.
Ms.
King is ordered to pay a fine of $250 and to return a completed form to the DMV within 30 days.
- (GAVEL BANGS) - Next case.
That's right.
Run, you little twerp.
- Wait.
Is that it? - That's it.
Wait.
Thank you so much, um, but I don't have 250 bucks.
Oh, I do.
We'll work it out.
Listen, I got to run.
I parked in a 15-minute spot.
Who are you? Mostly an overpaid D.
C.
hack, but today, an avenging angel of justice.
Wait a minute.
We're a few hours away from issuing a joint statement in this very room, pledging our support of the Fair Work and Trade Agreement.
Are you telling me the EU is backing out? Of course we agree with its principles, but, uh, there is no point in alienating the Chinese over an agreement they will never join.
I understand it might be easier to hope that they'll choose to change on their own somehow.
Or we could go ahead and do the hard work of trying to shape a world that works better for everyone.
Inspirational, but we have an old saying.
"Al piu potente ceda il più prudente.
" Roughly translated, it means, "It is better to bow than to break.
" You know what Ben Franklin once said? "If we do not hang together, we shall surely hang separately.
" I'll tell you what.
You and your colleagues come to the joint statement.
You leave China to me.
DAISY: The Seventh Floor is the nerve center of the State Department, where the secretary and her senior staff have their offices.
I know you all were hoping to meet the secretary, but unfortunately, she is out of the country.
(STUDENTS SIGHING, GROANING) I know, I know.
But before we go into the secretary's office, I want you to take a look around.
Six months ago, when Sister Anne told you, "We're going to Washington, D.
C.
, and we're going to visit the State Department," you probably said she was crazy.
Not "probably said.
" That's what they said.
(LAUGHTER) But six months later, here you are.
I want you to take a moment to savor your achievement.
Because real talk? It doesn't get any easier from here.
You know better than most that sometimes this world, this country is not going to be fair.
You won't always be seen for the creative, enthusiastic young men and women that you are.
So on the bad days, when you're tempted to give up, you're going to have to find that belief in yourself, because you can make it.
I know, because I made it, and you all are definitely smarter than me, 'cause I read your essays.
(LAUGHTER) So, remember the good days.
And you guys, I promise you, today is one of them.
Now follow me.
Come in.
(EXCITED, INDISTINCT CHATTER) I know you all were hoping to meet Secretary McCord, but, uh, I'll just have to do.
Hi.
You're lucky the president wanted a change of scenery.
- You owe me big-time.
- Do I, though? And, uh, do you know what you want to study in college? - Engineering, sir.
- Engineering.
Excellent.
I think it's me that owes you.
No, I think it's the opposite.
I'm glad you came and bugged me.
It's actually the best job in the world.
But then what, Anne? Get beaten down by the world, get inspired by kids, until you get beaten down again, and repeat? Pretty much.
Why do you think I work with them? Look, you do whatever small thing you can every day on the side of hope and justice, just like you did today.
I'm not saying it's easy, but then, I get to witness the radical, transformative miracle of God's love "on the regular," as the kids like to say.
DALTON: I want to meet this incredible teacher of yours.
Where is Sister Anne? If you'll excuse me, I need to go meet the president.
Absolutely.
- (CHUCKLING): Hey, get in here.
- Come on! - Nice to meet you.
- You, uh, should be very proud of these young people.
SISTER ANNE: Extremely.
MAN: Secretary McCord, this may seem like a trivial question, but given your recent remarks, perhaps it's not.
Can you tell me who made the clothes you're wearing today? Oh.
Absolutely.
The designer is a young woman, Rebecca Flores of Brooklyn, New York, of course.
And this suit is 100% union and American made.
In fact, it was actually constructed by Maria Ortiz, Juan Carlos Carrillo and Carla Macias.
And that's a great question, and one that we could all start asking more often.
Thank you.
Excuse me.
(REPORTERS CLAMORING) My colleagues and I are here today to draw attention to the fact that, while fashion is an exciting and economically vital industry, the manufacture of textiles all too often comes at great human cost.
We just saw those consequences earlier this week in Emilia-Romagna.
That is why we are redoubling our effort to revive the Fair Work and Trade Agreement.
Unfortunately, one important voice in this conversation has chosen not to join us.
China prides itself on its dominance of the global textile industry and many others.
But when it comes to taking responsibility for their working conditions, - they're nowhere to be found.
- (CAMERAS CLICKING) If China wants to be a leader in the 21st century, it's time to come join us and start acting like one.
- Thank you.
- (REPORTERS CLAMORING) (PHONE RINGING) - Ming, how are you? - I'll be brief.
China wishes no further unwarranted attention on its labor conditions.
If that is understood, we are prepared to engage on the subject of the Fair Work and Trade Agreement.
I look forward to working with you.
- Agreed.
- There will have to be modifications to the language, of course.
Significant modifications.
So long as they don't undermine the larger point of the agreement.
The point is we're talking now.
There's no more need for stunts.
Like the tariffs you hit us with? I was referring to something else.
But now that you bring them up, it has been decided, now that it's clear China's economic might is not to be questioned, that the tariffs have served their purpose and will be rescinded.
The United States appreciates that and in return will stand down its own planned sanctions.
Very well, then.
Good day, Madam Secretary.
Ming.
I've met a lot of heads of state in this job.
You would have made a fine one, and I'm really sorry.
More so if my stunt played any role in it.
That's kind of you.
But I suspect what happened was what was always going to happen.
Nevertheless, for both our countries' sake, I hope your luck proves to be better than mine.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY) Until next time, Elizabeth.
Until then, Ming.
HENRY: The next thing I know, I'm in a meeting to decide who gets my parking space.
My hand to God.
I just walked out of there.
I said, "I'm trying to serve my country.
You guys figure it out.
" I think I gave away too much to get China to the table.
They'll be committing to unprecedented worker, environmental and trade protections.
And if they break the rules, hey, at least there are rules.
That's huge.
Will it bring back those poor women that died in the fire or prevent the next one? I doubt it.
Babe, politics is the art of the possible.
You don't have a magic wand.
Well, that's just it.
I feel like I am always almost solving the problems.
Temporarily solving them or solving the little ones.
Like, I-I'm glad that Mike B.
Was able to get that poor woman Katelyn's case dropped.
Uh-huh.
And I bet she is, too.
- Wasn't a little problem to her.
- Yeah.
But what if I hadn't walked down that hallway? She'd probably be in jail tonight.
Separated from her kids for no reason other than bad luck.
That's not the way the system is supposed to work, Henry.
Sure isn't.
What I have isn't a magic wand at all.
(SIGHS) It's something much more imprecise and inefficient.
It's like a magic Rake? Yes, exactly.
A a magic rake.
Half the time, it's not even the right tool.
Half? That's being pretty generous to rakes.
Is this what the presidency would be like? Just trying to level the playing field, stitch shattered lives back together with a magic rake? All day, every day for four maybe eight years.
I love you.
Well, that's sobering.
I love you, too.
And whosoever shall wield the magic rake will be pure of heart.
And really creative, - because rakes are only good - (LAUGHS) for, like, one job.
- Heya.
- Come on in.
First of all, I wanted to thank you for your help with Katelyn.
- Who? - Katelyn King.
Mike, the woman you saved from going to jail? Right! Right.
No, that was fun, actually.
Hey, yes.
Okay.
Watching that little creep of a prosecutor go all pale as I crushed his crummy case in my mighty fist of truth.
God, I miss court.
Take a seat.
I want to tell you something.
- I am gonna run for president.
- Yes! That is what I'm talking about.
- Oh, God.
- Yeah.
I mean, it's good to finally hear you say it.
- That's important.
But tell me something I don't know.
- It is.
- You know what? You know what? - Well, I - I will tell you something you don't know.
- Okay.
You have it in you to be one of the most consequential presidents in our history.
Like, Mount Rushmore great.
Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves.
- No pun intended.
- No.
- Oh.
Okay.
- Let's.
Let's get ahead of ourselves, because you need to get serious about this right away.
- Issues, advisors, donors.
It's time.
- I hear you.
I hear you.
In fact, you-you mentioned - my signature domestic issue.
- Yes.
I think I found it.
Great.
What is it? Jobs? Can't go wrong with jobs.
Who doesn't love jobs? Everybody wins with jobs.
Uh, criminal justice reform.
Huh.
- (CHUCKLES): I know.
- I mean, that's cool, but, uh, maybe maybe not the signature issue? - Maybe - Every day, I condemn autocracies for unjustly imprisoning their own people.
But we are locking up more of our own citizens per capita than any other country on Earth.
- Yeah - And you know why? It's just, like, in many cases, like what we saw with Katelyn.
- Who's Katelyn? - The woman you helped, Mike.
Oh, yeah.
No, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Because we're criminalizing poverty.
And it comes at not just great economic cost, but great moral cost to us as a nation.
And I, for one, mean to do something about it.
So here's my big idea, my reason for running.
I want to lift people up.
At home and around the world.
And that's what I want to use my you know, magic rake for.
I'm sorry, your magic what? Late-night conversation with Henry.
Don't worry about it.
But how do you lift people with a rake? Do you turn it up - And what makes it magic? - It's not about the rake.
- Is it, like, larger? Okay.
- You need to forget about the rake.
Mike.
- I can't forget about the rake.
- Do.
(SIGHS) So, should I start making calls? No.
Like I said, it's too soon.
But if you want your rich friends to show their support for me, you can ask them to donate to the legal aid fund that couldn't take on Katelyn's case.
- Clearly, they need the resources.
- Yes.
Absolutely.
But maybe also a super PAC.
Thanks, Mike.
It's been clarifying.