Original subtitles

You have to hold it steady.

You're gonna abracadabra this room clean?

Bro, nothing.

Mom, pick a card.

Queen of Hearts.

You're ruining them.

Have a little faith.

Queen of Hearts is stronger than you think. Queen of Hearts gets shredded.

Torn up. But just when you think.

She's been beat.

She comes back hard.

Like next level.

Next level.

Blessed with a stepfather who doesn't give a damn about her.

Cancer.

Yeah.

That's the one who won't let you be Victor's lawyer.

And why you need me to be this guardian and whatever so I can make you his

lawyer. He doesn't belong there.

That boy played a prank on the school computer system.

And a judge gave him three years.

Three years for a prank.

The system just wrote him off.

Sound familiar?

Rudy, Donny Ray's addiction nearly broke me. And then he died.

And I thought that would finish me off, but I had to fight for him.

And we beat those bastards.

Thanks to you.

But... That boy needs someone.

A wholesome one.

I'm afraid I'm just not that person right now.

I really am sorry.

I want to help.

I understand.

Doc, the reason we won that case is because you never stopped believing in

Donny Ray.

I hope you know that.

We didn't win because I believed in Donny Ray.

We won because you believed in me.

Tell me where and when, and I'll be there.

Dex, what do you say we bury the hatchet, buddy? In your ball sack? Sure.

Is this the kid?

Boone McCready. You can say you saw him win.

Boone McCready.

You know how far I could have gone with a name like Boone McCready.

How much does he know?

Just enough.

Boone, say hi to Bruiser Stone and Dex Shifley.

Woo! That's a hell of an arm.

A hell of a lot of things.

You let this one go.

Crazy, bruh.

Let me ask you something. Did Coach Tom here ever tell you why he pulled you out

in the middle of a no-hitter? Saved my arm. Right, Coach?

Exactly. Are they going to ask that of jury duty here?

Brand. Jury. Take the fifth.

No. Why not?

Because you were saving his arm.

Just keep your answers short and tell the truth. I won't be able to be in

there with you, but you can come out and...

Ask me questions anytime.

So you're my lawyer.

Hot.

All right, so is the grand jury going to believe me? No, because you're a liar

and a cheat.

Wait, are you lying?

No. You know what, Dick?

Relationships are complicated.

You porked the weather girl. It's not that complicated.

Tom is PTSD.

What? Yeah, that game against the Sox. Bottom of the seventh, two outs on the

verge of your first major league shutout. You were hurting, but you were

hiding it. Afraid they'd pull you. I watched that clip a thousand times.

Couldn't have thrown that heater.

Nobody asked you. Keep throwing. I like this kid. Full count to a fastball

hitter, and what does Tom do?

All gas, no break.

Struck him out. And blew out your elbow, dipshit.

Ruined your career.

The reason you took Boone off the mound.

A true coach.

You, uh, you got PTSD?

No. Yes.

Probably explains why I'm a little overprotective.

It makes sense, actually.

Wait a second.

That game was after we split up.

You were still watching me on TV.

I had money on the other team. Ooh, stalker. No, no, no, no, no, no. Stop

it. Stop it right now. You stop it. Stop it. This cannot end in sex. Don't be an

idiot. I'm married. Like that matters. Plus, I'm a client now.

Shitastrophe. Shitastrophe.

I'm stealing that.

Coffee, tea, kombucha?

Do you have any green tea?

Sencha, Matcha, Maofeng, Jasmine.

Jasmine, hot.

Thank you.

First, I just, I wanted to thank you for calling.

I'm glad you could make it on such short notice.

I know this is a gush, but we studied your alien tort argument in the Santos

Merrill case.

It would, it would be such a dream to learn from you. Well, this isn't thinly

bread. We don't hire associates on a probationary basis.

We give the candidate a small matter on a freelance basis, usually pro bono, and

we see how you perform.

Sorry, am I a candidate?

Favor for a friend who would like to go unnamed, so I would rather this not get

back to us. Understood.

I mean, thank you so much for the opportunity. I really appreciate this.

Let's not get excited yet.

Let's see how you do.

Your Honor, my name is Rudy Baylor. I'm moving on behalf of Victor Sefraidis to

appoint a guardian ad litem in a civil action that we'll be filing in this

court. This was just handed to me. Is this the judge that summons Victor?

No, that's family court.

This is a court of common pleas.

Different body.

Do I understand correctly this is an uncontested motion?

Yes, Your Honor.

No, Your Honor.

This bit of... Your Honor, Sarah Plankmore. I'm representing Chuck

Lawson, Victor's stepfather and legal guardian.

Doc,

what makes you think you'd be the right person to serve as guardian ad litem to

Victor Sufratis? I listen.

Most folks don't.

Listening's good, but you'd also have to raise an alarm if something isn't right.

Even if his attorney doesn't like it.

I have never shied away from speaking the truth to you, have I? No, you have

not. I know this hearing is about me, but I don't want us to forget there's a

12-year-old boy we're talking about.

He's alone, he's scared, and he needs someone to look out for him.

I'd like to ask a question.

Mrs. Black, you were a party to a high-profile case earlier this year

regarding the death of your son.

Do you think that that would impede your judgment here?

Losing my son doesn't cloud how I see Victor.

In fact, I'd say it's the reason I can see him clearly.

I know what it looks like when a kid gets written off, and I am not about to

let that happen again.

Nothing further, Your Honor.

I'd put her against half the lawyers in this courthouse. Ms. Plankmore, your

client has an objection?

Yes, Your Honor.

First, I would like to say that I believe Mrs. Black would be a fine

guardian ad litem for Victor, or any child.

That said, Victor already has a guardian who cares for him, and with your

permission, Mr. Lawson would like to speak on his own behalf.

When I first moved in, I didn't want to overstep.

But, uh, you know how kids are.

One day you're tying their shoes, next thing you know, you hung the moon.

Sounds like you really love him.

Yeah. Yeah, I really do.

Do you agree that Victor hasn't had anyone looking out for him? No.

No, looking out for Victor, that's my number one job.

I love that boy.

I even donated to charity this year.

It's called Child Start.

How far have you been? Hell, I love all kids.

Nothing further, Your Honor. Mr. Baylor, do you wish to question the witness?

Mr. Lawson, is it true that you told my colleague, Mr. Shifflett, that you don't

consider Victor your son? No, that's a lie. It's not true that you said I

washed my hands of that boy? No, no, no, no, no. I love Victor like he's my own.

Oh, really? But you think he also belongs in prison for a school prank? It

wasn't just a prank.

Put that video on all those computers, sure. But while they were busy trying to

turn it off, he used that distraction to change his grades. And all his friends,

too. And they paid him for it.

Did y'all know about that?

No, we didn't.

I don't blame y'all for believing Victor.

He's a smart kid.

Can be real convincing.

But I got a call from Juvie just the other day.

They found a shiv tucked in his waist.

Breaks my heart, but that boy is right where he needs to be.

Thank you. I've heard enough. Mr. Baylor, you may disagree with Mr.

Lawson's methods and intentions, but this court cannot simply replace a legal

guardian without some form of proof that he does not, in fact, have the child's

best interests at heart.

Rudy, Rudy, wait.

What are you doing here? Look, I didn't know you were opposing counsel until

this morning after I'd already agreed to take the job. Seems like a pretty big

coincidence.

Rudy, I needed the job. I did not do this to hurt you. I swear, I swear that

is the last thing that I... You hurt a 12-year-old boy.

Congratulations.

I'll talk about that one later.

Why didn't we know about the shooting? No, no, I don't buy it. Okay, that just

doesn't sound like Victor. You've known him for five minutes.

Wasn't the grade-changing stuff in the files or something? The files are sealed

unless we're the attorney of record. See, that's the thing with GV cases.

You don't know what you have until you're up to your neck in it.

What's the plan now?

There's no plan.

Judge ruled.

I don't accept that. Well, I don't accept my birthday, but it happens

anyway.

It's over.

Sorry.

It's over.

Did you enjoy the show today?

She sent you there to spy on me?

Your ex is hot.

Why didn't you tell me Rudy Baylor was opposing counsel?

Is that why you hired me? You thought I would rattle him?

Yeah, seemed it worked. Well, it didn't. The judge just bought what the client

was selling.

But you didn't.

No, he's slimy. But he's not the real client, is he?

I told you, favor for a friend.

Who's the friend?

What is this?

Your fee.

You're not going to tell me what I was really doing in that courtroom?

I find numbers speak louder.

You don't know Rudy.

He won't give up. If anything, my presence there just guaranteed that.

He was lying.

Yeah, of course he was lying.

Proving you to something else.

All right, well, what do we need?

All right, well, he definitely didn't give to a children's charity. We can

prove that. It's not gonna be enough to move the church.

We need something else.

You feel like snooping around?

I'm feeling good about it.

I'm feeling good about it.

There ain't no shit about it. Ain't gonna talk about it. I know I finally

found it. Yeah.

I'm feeling good about it.

Ooh, smell cookies.

Good nose.

Hey, I'm Creston Creston you made these cookies. I did or my kind of guy. Oh,

well, thanks It's like kind of my thing. I think it makes it smell more like

home. No, I love that. I absolutely love that So

you must be Paul the one I spoke to indeed indeed and this is Steve Steve

Hello pleasure pleasure pleasure. So tell me are you two?

together yes yes we are wonderful great so um as you guys can

see great bones uh gorgeous hardwood under this rug that's what he says about

me yeah i know can we uh i'm gonna right yes

uh babe why don't you take a look around absolutely all right preston are gonna

have a little chit chat okay okay all right

It's like two kettlebells back there, Preston.

Preston, eyes on me. Now tell me about the back.

This place was built in the 70s.

You want

me

to let you in on something? Please, Preston. The seller's very motivated.

He's way upside down on this place, so...

I can get you a great price. Oh, really? Oh, sorry. I doubled up. Oh, I hope you

don't mind. Look, I forgot. No, no, no.

It's all good. Don't worry. I'll be right back.

Did you find something? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I'm not gonna believe this.

Oh, you gotta be kidding me. You actually gave to a children's charity?

Not that.

This.

Holy shit.

This is the children's charity. It's actually being used as an office right

now. The app says 60 inches to the door, babe, so that crib you like, it's gonna

fit perfectly.

Hey, Preston, we love it.

I love you.

Get ready for this, babe.

Show her the goods.

Babe, I'm still in character.

The house is in Victor's name.

Wait, is this the deed? Chuck's selling a house he doesn't own. Okay, did you

idiots break in?

I had to make an appointment with the realtor. He made cookies.

This is why Chuck needs Victor a lot. Don't.

He's stealing from him.

Who's lying liar?

Tom.

Speaking of lying liars, this was more than a prank.

Change grades, then there's a shiv, getting a judge to overturn his own

decisions. Okay, changing grades, that's a school suspension.

Not three years. There's a lot more going on here, Bruiser. Okay, like what?

Like, aren't you wondering what Sarah was doing there? Well, maybe she got the

only client who would ever.

How'd she even meet you?

She's not with a firm. You checked?

All right, so what do you think she is doing?

I don't know. I would like to, though. She actually looked a little shaken up

if you asked me. Nobody did ask you. Okay. I'm still wondering who's paying

us for this. Pod Kettle, what are we pulling in for Mr. Lying Liar?

And motel orgasms don't count.

Yes, they do.

Oh, gross.

Let's go.

Bruiser, thanks for coming.

I am not talking to that bitch.

Bye. Jocelyn, wait, wait, wait, wait, please.

Jocelyn, she's crazy.

I need your help.

You're in irony-free zone, aren't you?

Please.

She bought a new sofa.

To match the new painting.

And you bought this with what money? Exactly. And she posted a picture of it

all on Instagram. It is none of her business. She's right.

This is none of my business.

Thank you. It's not a great idea to be showing off when I'm getting dragged in

front of a grand jury.

You didn't buy it.

I did. That's not how the law sees it. I'm not an idiot.

I know how it works. I am the wife. They can't make me testify against him. Is

that true?

That doesn't protect you from your own crimes. Have you ever heard of Nadine

Menendez?

Wife of Congressman Bob Menendez?

She's serving a four and a half year sentence for conspiring with her husband

to accept bribes and hide the money.

Buying this sofa and that...

ugly painting could be considered money laundering. Money laundering? Can you

spell it? I'll give me a break.

If you touch the money, move it, spend it, or help him hide it, you are up to

your veneers in this. I'm not listening to this.

Honey. No.

How did I get here?

She's gonna divorce me.

No, no, no, no, no. You cannot let that happen.

She's right about one thing.

As long as she's your wife, she can't be compelled to testify against you. But

that's her privilege, not yours.

So I need her to stay.

You need her to stay happy.

Look, I know you're worried about me, but I promise you don't need to come

down here again.

Hey, what happened to all those nice girls you used to tell me about?

They all got jobs.

Some moved away.

I mean, some don't talk to me anymore.

Why's that?

Because they're also friends with Rudy.

And they just... They couldn't forgive me.

I see.

Yeah. And people love to gossip.

What kind of gossip?

That I sold out my firm.

I want my sweet girl back.

Hold on, Mom. I have to get that sound.

Hello?

Your hot ex filed a motion to reconsider.

Not surprised.

He never stops.

Tell me more.

I'm assuming I will see you there? No, it's in chambers.

It's just you, sweet cheeks.

Could you be anywhere?

I'm working on it. 9 a.m. Toodles.

It must be a man with a lot on his mind.

Wait, Mike.

What's going on?

Do you mind if I take a whack?

Played in high schools, but it's been a minute.

You mind?

Oh, shortstop.

Love this.

You're always in on the action.

Coach said I wasn't quick enough.

Move me to left.

So I quit.

You can hit. Grand jury's tomorrow, huh? Uh, how'd you know about that?

You know what? Don't worry about the grand jury. I got that all... I think

I'm pulling too much to the left.

You're swinging a bit early. You gotta let the ball travel deeper.

Huh.

Show me.

Hey, hey, hey!

What is this?

You don't mention Gator to me, right?

No, never!

I'm not going to say anything, I swear! Tell Gator I won't say a word!

You open your mouth, Boone McCready might need to learn how to pitch left

-handed. No, not the kids! Don't touch his arm!

The best!

Where are we going with this, Mr. Baylor?

Your Honor, we're moving for reconsideration of your earlier decision

based on Mr. Lawson's flagrant self-dealing.

The house Mr. Lawson's living in was left to Victor by his mother. The house

is in Victor's name.

Mr. Lawson has leveraged it to the point where he's upside down. Now he has it on

the market, and the reason he doesn't want Victor out of juvie is because he's

stealing from him. Mr.

Baylor and Mr. Shifflett obtained this information illegally, making it fruit

of the poisonous tree. The deed is publicly available. That's not how you

got it. Your Honor, the exclusionary rule doesn't apply in civil proceedings.

Or exam practice tests.

Deal with it.

They entered under false pretenses. The real estate agent let us in. They

pretended they were a couple looking for a house. We never said we were a couple.

Are you breaking up with me? All right, that's enough.

Your Honor. It seems, Ms. Plankmore, that your client misrepresented himself

to this court. And in all candor, that does not make you look very good either.

I'm appointing Mrs. Black as G.A.L. in this matter.

Thank you, Your Honor. Thank you, Your Honor.

What did the judge say?

How do you know Amanda Vaughn?

I don't.

What did the judge say? We lost.

No. No, no, no. Look, I'm his guardian. No, not in that courtroom. And I would

not sell that house if I were you.

That's my house.

You tried to steal it from your dead wife's child.

You're disgusting.

Hey, hey, hey. You're supposed to meet my lawyer, okay? Says who?

Who told you I was your lawyer?

Look, did somebody call you? Was it Amanda?

Was it Megan?

Who?

What? who who called you no no it doesn't work like that what doesn't work

like that look you screwed up in there okay you tell them to send someone down

and fix it okay well tell tell who

where's

our client Mr. Baylor, this is not a fast food restaurant. We don't just show

up and place an order. We have rules.

The Constitution guarantees my client the right to counsel.

This is a retainer agreement signed by Mrs. Black as guardian ad litem. And if

you're not going to let us see him, I'm more than happy to take that up with the

judge.

Mr. Baylor, are you and I going to have trouble?

I don't know, sir. Are we?

All right, Mr. Baylor.

I'll do you a favor. I didn't ask for a favor.

Go get him.

You serious?

I've dealt with that sort my entire life.

For the record, I like angry Rudy.

Come on in, buddy.

You, uh, come on in to see me, coach? Yeah, take a seat.

So, been talking to upstairs.

About what?

We think we can get you on the mud hens.

Detroit AAA.

What the hell are you talking about?

They're a straight shot to the Detroit Tigers, buddy. You could be in the show

in a year. Two tops.

You want to trade me?

Coach, I'm crushing it for you right now. You don't want to lose me.

I know.

You're right, I don't.

But I want to get you somewhere you can thrive.

Is this about that grand jury thing?

No.

Okay, good.

Just trading me won't help.

Look, this isn't the shatastrophe you think it is.

You didn't do nothing wrong.

You got PTSD, and you're just looking out for your boy here.

Come on.

Let's go rob him.

Wait.

That's my house?

Like mine? Your mom put it in your name before she passed.

Does Chuck go to jail for this, or does he just get away with it? No, no, he

didn't get away with it. We won.

Victor, we need to talk to you about something. Why to us?

This is about the grades.

I didn't think you'd want to be my lawyer, okay?

It's not a big deal. Actually, it is a big deal.

Not as big as the knife.

The knife?

Oh, the shiv?

It wasn't even mine. Let me guess, you were hiding for somebody else.

Yeah, I was.

Victor, we know this is a dangerous place. Lady, you don't even know me. I

don't have time for this. I have to get out of this place.

I do not belong here.

I'm not the only one.

So can you get me out or not?

Maybe Victor and I need a few minutes alone.

Yeah, I think that's a good idea. We'll come back. Come on.

Come on.

So, you're the client in Rudy's big case. My son was the client.

He's the one who died.

Something you and I have in common.

We both lost someone we love.

I didn't love her.

You and me against the world.

Is that what your mama said?

When my father took off.

Yeah.

I said the same thing to my boy, and it's far the best.

Yeah, but you meant it.

Even after your son died, you went to court and proved it.

It took my mom less than a year to marry Chuck.

It doesn't mean her against the world anymore. It was just me against Chuck.

She up and died, and I was left with that dick.

I doubt she planned on dying.

When you have kids, you have to plan on dying.

Did you hear what he said?

I heard a pissed off kid at the end of his room. No, he said he's not the only

one.

What are you thinking?

I'm thinking we need to find out who else Halloran sent here.

Hey, be cool.

I am cool. No, no, we don't want to piss him off this time. What is that smell?

Jambalaya.

About four days old. Look.

How are you two doing here? You were supposed to hand over the case files on

Victus Euphrates.

I'm putting them together now.

Really? Looks like you're shredding them.

Why would I do that?

You wouldn't, so why don't we just take a quick peek? I don't think so.

Why not?

Because kiss my ass, that's why. Those files aren't yours.

Funny, because they've got my handwriting all over them. Well, the law

says they belong to the client, who's now our client. I said I'll send them.

Ready? Why?

Hold him!

Oh, come on. Hey!

Whoa!

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Drop the box, Dick! Whoa!

God damn it!

Louie! What are you doing? Put the gun away!

He's breaking and entering.

We didn't break in. Stand your ground, State. I could shoot you right now and

get off scot-free.

Drop the box deck.

Now.

Zach, come on. What's in these files, Louie? Hey, come on. Out now.

No. Buddy, come on. No, we need these. We don't need them. Come on. Rudy, we

need these now. We don't need them. Come on. Hey, man, no. Come with me. You kid.

Let's go.

Easy with that, all right? That's a kid, Louis.

Hey. That's a kid. Let's go. I thought

we weren't supposed to piss him off.

He wasn't pissed.

He was scared.

How do you think he's doing in there? Probably better than you deserve.

Look, if he has any questions, he knows he can come out and ask.

What's wrong? Just pulled something at the gym.

Hey, buddy. How's it going? Oh, great. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Everybody seems real

cool. But you have a question for me?

Yeah, so they were asking me about that game of Biloxi, and I told the truth,

like you said. You know, the coach pulled me out, saved my arm for that

scout. I didn't mention that PTSD stuff. Figured that's your story to tell. Oh,

good. That's right.

And then they started asking me about the other games.

The other games?

Yeah.

How many were there?

Two.

Four.

What do you want me to say?

Well, what's the reason he pulled you?

Say one for when it counts. Well, then you say that.

Oh, I also asked if Coach asked me to delete any text.

Ah.

Did he?

Of course not.

No. No, no, no. I told him that.

I better get back in there.

Okay.

How big is this thing?

Prop bets, other players. It was just the four, I swear. Four games.

Do you understand what's happening in there? Four games, that's a pattern.

Okay, deleted texts, that's obstruction.

They're looking for predicates. What's a predicate?

An underlying crime.

They only need two. Two for what?

Okay, good news. I don't think they're after the coach.

Yeah, they're asking me about some guy named Rico.

Two for a Rico indictment.

Oh, gosh. And someone named Gator.

Did you say Gator?

Yeah. Go ahead and tell me exactly what they said.

Uh, they asked me if I know someone named Gator. Gator Jack Guidry. Yeah,

you know him?

I'm guessing you must be friends with Rico, but I never heard of him.

Right.

Well, then, you go on in there, and you answer the question just like that.

You're doing great, Boone. Go get him.

Gator Jack Guidry? You didn't think to mention that you're in hock to the

goddamn Dixie Mafia?

Bruiser, I can explain.

Pulled something out of the gym, huh?

Look, I don't know how, but Gator knew about... You know what? I don't care.

You lied.

Again! Bruiser, listen, I need... No, not this time.

I quit.

Bruiser!

Food's... Food's here.

Well, I got room for it now.

Would have been better to have the Palermo case files. Better to not be

shot. Stop.

I don't think it would have shot us. Really? Couldn't look that way.

All right, so what are we looking for in these transcripts exactly?

Something out of the ordinary.

What's HGS?

I don't know. Why?

Because it's out of the ordinary.

It's right here in the footnote.

HGS is under contract with the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.

I think I've seen that somewhere else.

Yeah?

I keep my hands on the road and my hands on the wheel to keep them off of you.

HGS.

Liquor on my lips and salt on my wrist to keep them off of you. Transportation

to Medford provided by HGS.

What the hell is HGS?

And I'm fat.

But I ain't fast enough.

It's HGS.

What is the H in Hampton County?

No, no, no. Hanahan. Hanahan. Hanahan's like 20 minutes away. What if Hanahan

General Services or something? No, because Medford isn't in Hanahan or

Hampton County. It's in Medford.

I'm holding my hands on the wheel to keep them off of you.

HGS is listed on the South Carolina roster of contractors.

Has a Charleston address.

4401 King Street.

You mean something?

No.

I read that address somewhere before. I know I did. Hold on.

Hold

on.

Yes, yes, yes.

Victor's medical consent form. It says right here, all medical services at

Medford will be provided by a company called Trimed 4401 Hing Street.

So... TriMet is HGS.

Whatever HGS.

Hey!

How'd the grand jury go?

Not a problem anymore.

Tom is no longer a client of this firm. You want to talk about it?

You were right. I was wrong.

Is that what you want to hear?

I'd like to set it to music, but... I'm not a monster.

You, uh...

You okay?

He's in debt to Gator Jackie Dream.

Holy shit.

And he threw at least four games.

And he didn't tell you? I took a trip down to Douchebag City, and all I got

was this shitty and gorgeous handbag.

Palermo pulled a gun on us.

Oh, yeah.

He didn't want us to see the Victor Sofratis files.

Harris Gate Systems.

Harris Gate Systems.

What the hell is Harris Gate Systems?

Harris Gate.

That's HVS. It's the company that owns Medford Juvenile Detention. It's not

owned by the state?

Privately owned. There's more.

Harris Gate is a subsidiary of an Irish hedge fund called Akram Holdings. A

hedge fund.

What's that smell?

Money. They own 14 other juvenile detention centers.

Probably thousands of kids.

It's not a prison.

It's a business.

Heard you lost this time.

I didn't have all the information.

Would have been nice to know who I was really working for. You were working for

me. I was working for Harrogate Systems.

Very resourceful. So is Rudy Baylor.

You're gonna have a problem with him. I assume so.

That's why I hired you.

You know him better than anyone. As you pointed out, he beat me. He won 82

million dollars.

Do you regret anything you did in that trial?

I regret losing.

What about bringing up Baylor's dead brother in your closing?

I read the transcript.

Beautiful close.

Yes, I regret that. It wasn't necessary.

I disagree.

I'm not that person anymore. Not that person anymore.

Rock bottom always finds a language of virtue, doesn't it?

Me too.

My turn.

More meaning.

The world has enough soft people.

My clients can be rather unscrupulous.

They're also extremely wealthy.

I tolerate the former, because I'm enamored by the latter.

I can see you are trying so very hard to be good.

If you work hard, that can get you a one-bedroom apartment, a sensible car, a

401k you can retire on.

They say that your dreams should exceed your grasp.

You're set comfortably within reach.

I wish you well.

I hope you don't mind I held myself to a glass of your bourbon.

Or do you want to?

Yeah, no thanks.

Oh, it's impolite to make your guest drink alone, Bruiser.

That name really stuck, didn't it?

Bruiser.

I remember when your daddy first brought you around. You were a tough little

thing even then.

Now look at you.

All grown up.

Would you mind telling me why you're in my house, Gator?

I think you know why.

Well, I don't represent him anymore.

I'm afraid you do.

You see...

I can't have him getting himself a lawyer that I don't know and can't

trust.

What makes you think you can trust me?

You're old Lyman, aren't you?

We didn't get none of your mama.

She was sweeter than sweet tea on a sunny day.

But you, well, you crawled straight out of the swamp your daddy came from.

Same one I came from.

Breath you're taking free