Original subtitles

PREVIOUSLY ON "ELI STONE"...

THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. JORDAN WAS INSIDE.

WE GOT YOUR DAD. HE'S ALIVE.

I KNOW WHAT WE HAVE TO DO NOW.

THE PRO BONO DEPARTMENT YOU ESTABLISHED--

YOU WANNA TURN THE ENTIRE FIRM INTO IT?

IT'S DAD'S JOURNAL, AND IT ALL HAS TO DO WITH YOU--

YOU NOW, TEN YEARS AFTER HE DIED. WE ARE SEEKING A COURT ORDER,

FREEZING YOUR AUTHORITY PENDING A COMPLETE PSYCHOLOGICAL WORKUP.

YOU'RE WRONG.

WHY CAN'T WE BE TWO EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS

WHO DISAGREE OVER A JUDGMENT CALL?

WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE THAT YOU'RE RIGHT AND I'M WRONG? WELL, WHEN THERE'S A RIGHT AND A WRONG ANSWER,

IT ISN'T A JUDGMENT CALL. IS EVERYTHING OKAY, SIR?

NO, ELI. MY POSITION AS MANAGING PARTNER

OF MY OWN FIRM IS AT STAKE, AND IT APPEARS THE ATTORNEYS

I'VE CHOSEN TO DEFEND ME AGAINST ALLEGATIONS

I'M SUFFERING FROM POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

CAN'T SEEM TO AGREE ON THE TIME OF DAY.

19. GIVE OR TAKE A FEW MINUTES.

I TAKE IT FROM THE ARGUMENT I'VE JUST SPENT THE LAST TEN MINUTES

TRYING NOT TO PAY ATTENTION TO, YOU DISAGREE OVER WHETHER

I SHOULD TAKE THE STAND IN MY OWN DEFENSE. IT'S NOT EVEN A CLOSE CALL IN THIS SITUATION.

IT'S NOT SO MUCH A DISAGREEMENT OVER THAT

AS OVER WHAT--WHAT THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS HERE. IT'S ABOUT THE PROOF--

ENOUGH!

BOTH OF YOU, MAKE YOUR CASE IN ONE SENTENCE OR LESS.

LADIES AND DAUGHTERS FIRST.

GO.

THE BURDEN OF PROOF IS ON POSNER AND KLEIN, OKAY?

WE DON'T WANT TO RISK OPENING YOU UP TO CROSS-EXAMINATION

TO SHOW THAT THEY HAVEN'T MET THEIR BURDEN. WE DO IF WE DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE GREATER RISK

OF APPEARING THAT WE HAVE NO OTHER WAY OF DEMONSTRATING

THAT YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FACULTIES,

WHICH, BY THE WAY, TESTIFYING WILL DO VERY EFFECTIVELY.

YOU USED TWO SENTENCES. YOURS WAS A RUN-ON.

I'M GOING TO TESTIFY. I RESPECT YOUR POINT OF VIEW

ON THIS, SWEETHEART, BUT I AGREE WITH ELI.

AND JUST FOR THE RECORD, I DON'T THINK YOU'RE WRONG.

I JUST HAPPEN TO AGREE WITH HIM.

THAT'S THE FOURTH TIME HE'S "HAPPENED" TO AGREE WITH YOU.

LOOK, YOU WANTED A BENCH TRIAL TO PROTECT HIM FROM A JURY.

YOU WANTED AN EXPEDITED HEARING TO PROTECT HIM FROM THE PRESS.

NOW YOU WANT TO KEEP HIM OFF THE STAND

TO PROTECT HIM FROM CROSS-EXAMINATION.

HE NEEDS A LITIGATOR, TAYLOR, NOT AN OVERPROTECTIVE DAUGHTER.

OH, WHAT ABOUT AN OVEREAGER PROTéGé

WHO BLAMES HIMSELF FOR THE MESS HIS MENTOR'S IN?

HE STILL HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE BOARD.

HOW LONG DO YOU THINK THAT'LL LAST

THE LONGER THIS THING DRAGS OUT? IT'S JUST TOO BAD THAT NO OUTSIDE FIRM

WILL GET IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS, HUH? YEAH, IT'S TOO BAD.

THIS IS ME.

GOOD NIGHT. GOOD NIGHT.

GOD.

YES, I'M RATHER ANXIOUS MYSELF.

IN MOMENTS SUCH AS THESE--

NOT THAT I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE ANY ON QUITE THIS SCALE--

I FIND IT BEST TO FOCUS ON THE CLIENT. THE CLIENT?

YES, THE CLIENT, ELI-- THE INDIVIDUAL,

OR, IN THIS CASE, INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE RETAINED OUR SERVICES

ON THEIR BEHALF. BECAUSE OF THE THING WITH THE, UH, CASE.

I'M NOT GETTING AN OVERWHELMING FEELING OF CONFIDENCE HERE.

IT'S OKAY, SIR.

I'M READY FOR... TRIAL.

I'M JUST NOT SURE WHAT THAT TRIAL IS.

ELI, YOU'RE ABOUT TO FACE NINE JUSTICES

WHO ARE GOING TO, AT A MINIMUM,

EXPECT YOU TO APPRECIATE

THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THEM AND A STATE COURT.

"THEM," SIR? SORRY, COULD YOU BE MORE PERSONAL

WITH YOUR PERSONAL PRONOUNS?

ELI, WE'RE LESS THAN AN HOUR FROM ARGUING A CASE

BEFORE THE HIGHEST COURT IN THE LAND.

THE PHRASE "GET ON THE BALL" COMES TO MIND.

THERE IS GUILT BEHIND EVERY DOOR

MATT?

I HEARD THAT JORDAN WANTS TO CUT BACK ASSOCIATE SALARIES

BY NEARLY HALF. NOT MY BUSINESS, TOMMY.

SURE IT IS. YOU'RE THE ONE SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY...

OR AT LEAST HIS DAUGHTER.

SO IS WETHERSBY GONNA BANKRUPT THIS PLACE

AND US ALONG WITH IT, OR NOT? NO, HE'S NOT.

ALL RIGHT, HE BUILT THIS PLACE. HE PUT THAT ROLEX ON YOUR WRIST

AND THAT DESIGNER SUIT ON YOUR BACK.

YOU DON'T HAVE ANY OF THAT WITHOUT HIM,

SO SHOW THE MAN SOME RESPECT.

TAYLOR.

JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY,

DID I MISS ANY CLASSIC MATT DOWD ZINGERS JUST NOW?

OR DID YOU REMAIN COMPLETELY SILENT THE ENTIRE TIME?

TOMMY WAS JUST VENTING SOME VERY UNDERSTANDABLE ANXIETIES. "SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY"?

HE'S YOUR DAD, AND THEY KNOW WE'RE TOGETHER.

WHATEVER I SAID WOULDN'T HAVE MATTERED

BECAUSE I'M NOT SEEN AS OBJECTIVE,

AND YOU'VE GOT THE SAME PROBLEM. EXCUSE ME?

IN COURT. YOU'RE HIS DAUGHTER, TAYLOR,

AND ANY ARGUMENT YOU MAKE TO A JUDGE

IS GOING TO LOSE CREDIBILITY BECAUSE OF THAT. YOU SOUND LIKE ELI.

AND IF HE AND I ACTUALLY AGREE, THAT SHOULD REALLY

TELL YOU SOMETHING. YOU KNOW, THIS ISN'T REALLY HELPFUL RIGHT NOW.

YOU DON'T NEED TO REPRESENT YOUR DAD

TO PROVE TO HIM YOU'RE A GREAT LAWYER. THE PSYCHOANALYSIS ISN'T HELPING EITHER.

TAYLOR... I'M GONNA STAY AT MY PLACE TONIGHT.

I'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

OKAY.

WELL, MAYBE THIS IS THE ONE THAT TAKES YOU TO THE SUPREME COURT.

WHAT? OH, YOU'VE GOT VISION FEVER.

HUH. I MUST HAVE MISSED THAT DAY AT MEDICAL SCHOOL.

YOU HAD A VISION LAST WEEK.

YOU READ A LITTLE BIT OF DAD'S JOURNAL.

IT'S ALL COOL AND EXCITING. YOU GOT THE PROPHET BUG.

WILL YOU STOP MAKING UP SPIRITUAL AILMENTS, PLEASE? I-I HAVE NO TIME FOR NEW CASES RIGHT NOW, NATE.

I GOT MY PLATE FULL WITH POSNER AND KLEIN vs. WETHERSBY.

JUST COME WITH ME TO SEE MY NEW PATIENT, OKAY?

I'LL HAVE YOU IN AND OUT OF THE CLINIC

IN, LIKE, LESS THAN AN HOUR. CLINIC?

YEAH, I TOLD YOU.

I'M VOLUNTEERING AT THE PARK PRESIDIO FREE CLINIC. SINCE WHEN?

WELL, EVER SINCE YOU SAVED ME FROM THE ANEURYSM,

I GUESS I FIGURED I SHOULD GIVE SOMETHING BACK.

ALL RIGHT, SO THIS PATIENT I'VE BEEN SEEING--SHE'S ONLY

6 YEARS OLD, ALL RIGHT? SHE LIVES WITH HER FAMILY

IN A LOW-INCOME HOUSING UNIT IN THE TENDERLOIN--YOU KNOW,

THE KIND WHERE THE PAINT'S BEEN PEELING OFF THE WALLS

FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS? IN FACT, THAT'S WHY SHE NEEDS YOU. SHE'S GOT LEAD POISONING?

SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO PROVE CAUSATION IN LEAD PAINT CASES.

AND EVEN IF YOU COULD,

THE C.P.S.C. MADE LEAD PAINT ILLEGAL IN 1978, WHICH MEANS

THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS HAS ALREADY EXPIRED. YEAH, BUT, ELI--

BUT THANK YOU, AND KEEP THOSE GREAT SUGGESTIONS COMING.

I GOTTA GET BACK TO THE OFFICE. ELI?

"EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW."

THE EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE

WAS WRITTEN EXACTLY FOR A CASE LIKE THIS ONE--

FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING AGAINST POWERFUL INTERESTS

ARRAYED AGAINST THEM.

THIS IS THE PINNACLE OF MY CAREER, ELI--

OF ANY ATTORNEY'S CAREER.

BUT FOR YOU, I'D BE ON THE OTHER SIDE,

REPRESENTING THE LIKES OF THE L.P.M.A.

I'D BE DISHONORING THESE HALLOWED HALLS

WITH A HALFHEARTED ARGUMENT DEFENDING

THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT OF PAINT MANUFACTURERS

TO POISON INNOCENT CHILDREN.

THIS IS THE LEAD PAINT CASE.

TRY NOT TO SOUND SO SURPRISED.

ELI!

VISION?

NO.

YEAH. UH, YOU COULD TELL? YEAH, YOU HAD VISION FACE.

AND NOW WHO'S MAKING UP AILMENTS? OKAY, SO WHAT DID YOU SEE?

WAS IT--I MEAN, WAS IT ABOUT MY CASE?

IT WAS ABOUT MY CASE, WASN'T IT? I KNEW IT.

HOW COULD YOU P--

YOU TELL ME YOU HAVEN'T BEEN READING DAD'S JOURNAL.

I HAVEN'T BEEN READING DAD'S JOURNAL. WELL, SKIMMING IT, THEN. YOU HAVE!

LOOK, HE SAID THAT YOU TAKE THE LEAD CASE.

I MEAN, HE WROTE DOWN THE CLIENTS' NAMES!

WHEN I SAW THE KIMS' NAMES IN HERE, I NEARLY HAD A STROKE.

LOOK, I-I-I DOG-EARED THE PAGE. NATE.

YEAH, O-OKAY. I-I'M SURE THAT YOU ASSOCIATE THE JOURNAL

WITH GRACE, AND THAT DOESN'T-- THIS IS NOT ABOUT HER.

THIS IS ABOUT ME NOT WANTING TO LIVE MY LIFE

ACCORDING TO DAD'S UNABOMBER PROPHECY MANIFESTO.

IF YOU ONLY KNEW THESE PEOPLE AND WHAT THEY'VE BEEN THROUGH-- BUT I DON'T, NATE.

I DON'T KNOW THEM. I KNOW JORDAN,

AND I KNOW WHAT HE'S GOING THROUGH, AND I KNOW WHAT HAPPENS

TO HIM IF I DON'T DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO HELP HIM.

SO JUST...

GO BE A DOCTOR.

I DIDN'T READ IT.

I-I PERFORMED A CONTROLLED SKIMMING OF JUST ONE PAGE,

WHICH CONFIRMED THAT THE CASE IN THE BOOK IS THE SAME ONE

THAT TAKES ME AND JORDAN TO THE SUPREME COURT. WHAT EXACTLY DID THE PAGE SAY?

SEE FOR YOURSELF. OKAY, NOW LOOK, KIM IS THE NAME

OF MY WOULD-BE FUTURE CLIENTS. BUT WHAT'S THIS--"NURHACHI"?

NOT WHAT--WHO.

HE'S A TEACHER I STUDIED WITH IN CHINA.

WELL, I'M GUESSING THAT HE DIDN'T GIVE YOU AN "A."

WHAT HE GAVE ME WERE NIGHTMARES.

HE WAS A STUDENT OF ZHIGUAI.

YAO-WHAT?

ZHIGUAI. IT MEANS "ACCOUNTS OF ANOMALIES."

BLACK MAGIC STUFF-- WEREWOLVES, TRANSMIGRATION.

KIND OF LIKE THE BUDDHIST VERSION OF "THE X-FILES."

AND WHAT'S HIS NAME DOING IN THE BOOK?

I-I STUDIED ACUPUNCTURE UNDER HIM.

HE TAUGHT ME A TECHNIQUE.

HE CALLED IT "THE DARK TRUTH."

"THE DARK TRUTH"?

IT'S OLD MEDICINE--

SUPPOSED TO BRING MENTAL CLARITY THROUGH PAIN. YOU'RE MAKING THIS UP.

WELL, ONLY INSOFAR AS I'M JUST EDUCATED-GUESSING.

BUT IT DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE,

BECAUSE I'M NOT DOING THIS ON YOU. IT'S TOO DANGEROUS.

WELL, I ALREADY CLEARLY HAVE THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF A PARENT.

COME ON. THIS IS ABOUT JORDAN. I NEED TO KNOW, FRANK.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

TAKE A DEEP BREATH.

DO IT.

SOMEONE CALL SECURITY.

WHO LET THIS MAN IN HERE?

I'M JUST KIDDING, MAN.

GOOD TO SEE YA.

HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN-- UH, LIKE SIX MONTHS?

SAW YOU THIS MORNING.

UH... YEAH.

DID THE "WETHERSBY" FALL OFF?

IS THIS LITTLE TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

PART OF YOU COMING TO GRIPS WITH GETTING YOUR ASS SPANKED

ON JORDAN'S HEARING SIX MONTHS AGO? SIX MONTHS?

OKAY. I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU PAID EXTRA

FOR THE WARRANTY ON YOUR BRAIN SURGERY.

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU MIGHT NEED A LITTLE TUNE-UP. WHAT HAPPENED IN THE HEARING?

OH, ABOUT WHAT YOU'D EXPECT TO HAPPEN

WHEN A LAWYER IS CRAZIER THAN THE ALLEGED CRAZY GUY

HE'S DEFENDING, AS THIS LITTLE REUNION SHOWS.

IT WAS MY FAULT.

HEY, DON'T BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF.

THAT'S MY JOB.

AAH!

ELI, TAKE IT EASY. YOU'RE BACK.

WHAT DID YOU SEE? ELI?

CAN YOU REPEAT THAT?

I HAVE TO WITHDRAW FROM YOUR CASE. EXCUSE ME?

I KNOW THIS COMES AS A SURPRISE, BUT--

I SEEM TO RECALL A RATHER IMPASSIONED ARGUMENT

ABOUT HOW THIS HEARING WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT MOMENT

IN MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE, AND THERE WAS NO ONE

BETTER SUITED TO STEER ME THROUGH IT THAN YOU.

I KNOW, SIR, BUT I THINK I WAS WRONG.

YOU SHOULD GO WITH TAYLOR, AND JUST TAYLOR, ON THIS ONE.

I WOULD JUST DRAG YOU DOWN, BELIEVE ME.

YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, ELI.

IF YOU WERE PLANNING ON EXHIBITING

THIS KIND OF CAPRICIOUS JUDGMENT ON MY BEHALF,

I WOULDN'T BE WELL-SERVED BY YOU REPRESENTING ME.

TAYLOR...

DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO.

WE'RE FINE.

I'M FINE.

I CAN DO THIS. DON'T WORRY.

S-SOMETHING I DID?

MORE LIKE SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T DO.

I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU, OF ALL PEOPLE, BAILING ON JORDAN.

IT'S LIKE YOU CHOSE A SIDE. I DIDN'T CHOOSE ANYTHING. I GOT ONE OF MY 9-1-1 CALLS FROM GOD.

THEN YOU STAR-69 HIM AND SAY YOU'LL TAKE CARE OF IT

AFTER YOU TAKE CARE OF JORDAN. IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY.

TRUST ME, YOU WANT ME OFF THE JORDAN CASE. YOU REALLY DO.

WHAT'S THIS? LEAD PAINT PRODUCT LIABILITY.

IT'S DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH STUFF--YOUR FAVORITE.

JUST READ IT. WELL, I DON'T HAVE TO READ IT.

THERE'S NOTHING IN THIS FILE THAT COULD MAKE ME

WANT TO ABANDON OUR MENTOR.

FIRSTLY, HE'S NOT YOUR MENTOR.

SECONDLY, I DIDN'T ABANDON HIM. TAYLOR'S HANDLING IT,

AND BELIEVE ME, SHE'S HAPPIER THAT I NO LONGER AM.

AND THIRDLY, I'M DOING THIS WITH OR WITHOUT YOUR HELP.

AND WE BOTH KNOW THAT YOU'RE BIOLOGICALLY INCAPABLE

OF TURNING DOWN A POOR, SICK KID CASE LIKE THIS ONE.

I HATE YOU.

THAT'S A LOT OF DISCOVERY

FOR A SIMPLE BREACH OF CONTRACT CASE. I KNOW. I'M AN ARTIST.

UH, CAN YOU GIVE US A MINUTE, BUDDY?

ABSOLUTELY. I'M HERE FOR KEITH, ACTUALLY.

HIM? ME?

I NEED TO REPLACE ELI ON POSNER AND KLEIN vs. WETHERSBY.

WELL, I'M KIND OF BUSY HELPING MATT

DRAFT DISCOVERY REQUESTS IN KOEHLER. I'M SURE MATT WON'T MIND, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING

HOW IMPORTANT MY FATHER'S CASE IS TO HIM. 100%.

JORDAN NEEDS A CAPABLE AND OBJECTIVE LAWYER

ON HIS TEAM.

LEESIE STARTED HAVING SEIZURES WHEN SHE WAS 3.

WE HUG HER TILL SHE STOPS SHAKING.

IT'S THE ONLY THING WE CAN DO.

AND WHEN SHE STARTED SCHOOL THIS YEAR,

HER TEACHER TOLD US SHE WAS SLOWER THAN THE OTHER KIDS.

WE'RE NOT SPITEFUL PEOPLE, MR. STONE,

AND WE'VE NEVER SUED ANYONE.

BUT LEESIE'S DOCTOR'S BILLS-- THEY'RE MORE THAN I MAKE

IN A YEAR, AND I'M ALREADY WORKING TWO JOBS.

DID YOU EVER ACTUALLY SEE LEESIE INGEST PAINT CHIPS?

NO, BUT WHEN SHE WAS A TODDLER,

EVERYTHING SHE COULD GET HER LITTLE HANDS ON

WENT INTO HER MOUTH.

I SAW HER PICKING AT THE PAINT.

IF WE COULD AFFORD A BETTER PLACE,

MAYBE LEESIE WOULD BE OKAY.

DO YOU KNOW, UH, WHEN YOUR APARTMENT WAS BUILT?

UM, 1950s, I THINK.

NO ONE HAS EVER WON A LEAD PAINT LIABILITY CASE BEFORE.

THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WHY. I-I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

WELL, IF YOUR APARTMENT WAS CONSTRUCTED IN THE 1950s,

THAT MEANS IT'S GOT AT LEAST TWO DECADES WORTH

OF LEAD PAINT IN IT. IT'S HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT

THAT PAINT IS FROM A SINGLE MANUFACTURER.

SO EVEN IF WE STOOD A CHANCE OF BRINGING A SUCCESSFUL LAWSUIT,

WE WOULDN'T KNOW WHICH ONE TO SUE.

SO WHAT DO WE DO?

WE SUE THEM ALL.

ANOTHER DAY

NEWSPAPERS SAY

LIFE, WHAT'D YOU DO TO ME?

IF YOU DON'T MIND, I'D LIKE IT TO BE JUST ME AND LEESIE

AT THE PLAINTIFF'S TABLE. YOU'RE DEMOTING ME TO THE GALLERY?

VERY MATURE, ELI. IT'S NOT LIKE THAT.

IT'S JUST, GIBBONS IS GONNA HAVE AN ARMY IN THERE.

I WANT IT TO BE AS FEW PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE AT OUR TABLE.

SYMPATHY IS OUR BEST AND ONLY PLAY HERE. OKAY.

FRANKLY, I'D ALWAYS BEEN IN AWE OF JORDAN WETHERSBY.

THE MAN WAS SINGLE-MINDED.

IT WAS RARE FINDING A MAN WHOSE TENACITY EXCEEDED MY OWN.

YOU CAN IMAGINE MY SURPRISE WHEN I GET A PHONE CALL

OUT OF THE LITERAL BLUE,

TELLING ME HE COULD "NO LONGER IN GOOD CONSCIENCE"

REPRESENT MY COMPANY.

DID HE EXPLAIN WHY?

HE REGISTERED SOME MORAL INDIGNATION

REGARDING THE WAGES WE PAY AT OUR SRI LANKA FACTORY.

IT WAS LIKE I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THE MAN ANYMORE. OBJECTION.

SUSTAINED. NOTHING FURTHER, YOUR HONOR.

SO FOR OVER 30 YEARS, JORDAN WETHERSBY WAS

AN AMORAL GUN FOR HIRE, AND HIS SUDDEN CONSCIENCE

MAKES HIM UNRECOGNIZABLE. OBJECTION.

WITHDRAWN. WHAT IS THE MILLS FOUNDATION?

IT'S A PUBLIC INTEREST NONPROFIT I STARTED

WITH THE, UH, PROCEEDS FROM MY COMPANY'S I.P.O.

WHOSE IDEA WAS IT? IT WAS YOUR FATHER'S-- JORDAN'S.

I TAKE IT HE MADE THAT SUGGESTION

DURING THAT SAME PHONE CALL LAST WEEK?

OH, NO, NO. THAT WAS... THAT WAS NEARLY 30 YEARS AGO.

WHEN MR. WETHERSBY WAS SUFFERING

FROM PRE-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER. ARE WE OUT OF WITNESSES?

JUST ONE MORE FOR THE PLAINTIFFS, YOUR HONOR--

ELLEN WETHERSBY.

IT'S A STUNT, YOUR HONOR. ACTUALLY, I WITHDRAW THAT.

TO BE A STUNT, IT'D HAVE TO BE IN SERVICE OF A LEGITIMATE CASE. THIS IS A LEGITIMATE CASE.

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE FILED LEAD PAINT LIABILITY SUITS.

JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY, HOW MANY OF THOSE CASES

WERE FILED WITHIN THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS?

WE'LL BE ABLE TO PROVE IT HERE. THROUGH DISCOVERY,

WE WILL OBTAIN EVIDENCE THAT WILL PROVE LEAD PAINT-- IN OTHER WORDS, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY EVIDENCE,

BUT YOU'RE HOPING YOU'LL FIND SOME... MAYBE.

YOUR HONOR, AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO SUPPLEMENT

OUR MOTION TO DISMISS WITH A MOTION FOR RULE 11 SANCTIONS.

YOUR HONOR, SANCTIONS?

WHOLLY APPROPRIATE WHEN A PLAINTIFF BRINGS A CASE

AS FRIVOLOUS AS THIS. OUR COMPLAINT ALLEGES CAUSATION.

THAT SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT AT THIS STAGE.

NOT FOR ME, MR. STONE. BUT I'M NOT HEARTLESS.

NOR DO I FAIL TO NOTICE THE 6-YEAR-OLD GIRL

AT YOUR TABLE. YOU'VE GOT 24 HOURS TO CONVINCE ME

WHY SHE'S GOT A CASE.

I RENEW MY OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR.

MARITAL COMMUNICATIONS PRIVILEGE PREVENTS MY CLIENT'S WIFE

FROM REVEALING PRIVATE CONFIDENCES. AND MS. KLEIN HAS ALREADY BEEN WARNED

AGAINST ASKING HER TO DO SO.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR HUSBAND'S BEHAVIOR

FOLLOWING HIS ACCIDENT? OBJECTION. MRS. WETHERSBY IS NOT A PSYCHOLOGIST.

I AM NOT ASKING HER TO DIAGNOSE HIS BEHAVIOR--

MERELY DESCRIBE IT. OVERRULED.

HE'S DIFFERENT, ISN'T HE?

HE'S DIFFERENT SINCE THE BANK.

HE CAN'T SEEM TO FALL ASLEEP.

WHEN HE DOES, HE CAN'T STAY THAT WAY.

HE'S SPENDING MORE TIME AT THE OFFICE.

WHEN HE DOES COME HOME, HE JUST WORKS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CANDOR.

THE LACK OF SLEEP, THE CONSTANT WORK--

ARE YOU DESCRIBING SOMEONE TRAUMATIZED BY AN ACCIDENT

OR REINVIGORATED BY IT? I DON'T KNOW.

YOU'RE IN THERAPY, AREN'T YOU?

OBJECTION. RELEVANCE?

JUST GIVE ME ONE MORE QUESTION.

YES, I'M IN THERAPY.

SO OBVIOUSLY YOU BELIEVE IN ITS BENEFITS.

BUT YOU DIDN'T SUGGEST THAT YOUR HUSBAND SEE SOMEONE?

NO.

CLEARLY, YOU'RE NOT THAT WORRIED ABOUT HIM.

HAVE YOU EXPRESSED YOUR CONCERN FOR YOUR HUSBAND

TO ANYONE OTHER THAN HIM?

YES. I TOLD TAYLOR I WAS CONCERNED.

OBJECTION!

IS THERE A STEPDAUGHTER PRIVILEGE I'M UNAWARE OF? OVERRULED.

WHEN YOU EXPRESSED YOUR CONCERN TO MS. WETHERSBY,

WHAT DID SHE SAY IN RESPONSE?

TAYLOR SAID SHE WAS WORRIED, TOO.

SHE WAS AFRAID

HE'D BECOME SELF-DESTRUCTIVE SINCE THE ACCIDENT.

I'M SORRY. OBVIOUSLY, THEY-- IT'S FINE, TAYLOR.

THERE'S NO LAW AGAINST A DAUGHTER

BEING CONCERNED FOR HER FATHER.

THAT HAVING BEEN SAID, YOUR CLIENT IS VERY CONCERNED. I KNOW, BUT I'LL FIX IT.

BY CALLING ME TO THE WITNESS STAND.

I'M RETURNING TO THE OFFICE TO PREPARE MY TESTIMONY.

LATE NIGHT?

MY DEFENSE TEAM'S A BIT UNDERSTAFFED.

I KNOW I LEFT YOU IN THE LURCH,

BUT I HAD A REASON.

THE LEAD PAINT CASE I'M WORKING ON...

IT GOES TO THE SUPREME COURT.

WE TAKE IT THERE. WE'RE STILL WORKING TOGETHER--

I'M SURE YOU BELIEVE YOUR DIVINE CALLING,

BUT IT'S NOT PARTICULARLY HELPFUL TO ME

AT THE MOMENT, ELI.

IT WAS HELPFUL TO YOU WHEN YOU WERE BURIED

UNDER THE CREDIT DAUPHIN BANK. I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

IT'S... HOW I FOUND YOU.

I WAS GUIDED.

"GUIDED"?

JUST LIKE I WAS GUIDED AWAY FROM YOUR CASE

TO THE ONE I'M WORKING ON NOW.

IF I STAY WITH YOU, WE LOSE. ENOUGH, ELI.

IF I COULD JUST DESCRIBE TO YOU WHAT I SAW--

I SAID ENOUGH ABOUT YOUR DAMN VISIONS!

I'M LOSING MY FIRM,

EVERYTHING I'VE WORKED FOR.

I STAND ACCUSED OF NOT BEING IN MY RIGHT MIND,

WHICH IS IRONIC GIVEN YOU'VE BEEN MY INSPIRATION,

AND NOW I'M BEGINNING TO DOUBT YOUR SANITY.

I NEVER TOLD YOU TO GO TO WAR WITH POSNER AND KLEIN.

YOU DIDN'T SEEM TO HAVE A PROBLEM

WITH ME DOING IT LAST YEAR. WHAT ABOUT TRYING TO FIRE HALF OUR CLIENTS?

WE DISCUSSED CHANGING THE FIRM! NOT TEARING IT APART!

SIR, YOU'RE THE ONE THAT WANTED TO DO THIS,

AND NOW YOU'RE BLAMING ME. I'M NOT BLAMING YOU, ELI!

BUT I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT YOU WOULD INDULGE

YOUR PERSONAL FANTASIES AT THE MOMENT.

I'M DEFENDING MYSELF AGAINST SOMETHING VERY REAL.

I PROMISE...

I'M DOING THIS FOR YOU.

YES.

WELL...

THOSE WORDS HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE COMFORTING.

ELI, DID YOU KNOW THIS MARBLE WAS CUT FROM A QUARRY

IN ALICANTE, SPAIN?

I CAN ONLY HOPE OUR COMPETITION

IS EQUALLY AS DAUNTED BY THE SPACE.

I DON'T THINK THAT GIBBONS

AND HIS ARMY OF LAWYERS DAUNT MUCH.

GIBBONS? ELI, THE L.P.M.A. SWAPPED HIM OUT

AFTER THE TROUNCING YOU GAVE HIM AT TRIAL.

THEIR NEW ATTORNEYS ARE SOMEWHAT MORE FORMIDABLE.

HOW DID WE DO IT? HOW DID WE TROUNCE GIBBONS?

EXCUSE ME?

I'M SORRY, SIR.

I DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME.

MAGGIE, IT'S ELI.

I-I FOUND OUT HOW WE WIN.

WELL, MR. STONE, DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING FOR ME?

YOUR HONOR, THE PLAINTIFFS WOULD LIKE TO WITHDRAW

THEIR PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIM... IF YOU THINK DOING THAT'S GONNA IMMUNIZE YOU FROM SANCTIONS--

AND AMEND OUR COMPLAINT TO INCLUDE A CLAIM

UNDER THE PUBLIC NUISANCE DOCTRINE. YOU'RE EVEN CRAZIER THAN I THOUGHT. THIS IS--

I GET TO YELL AT HIM FIRST, MR. GIBBONS. FACTORIES HAVE BEEN COMPELLED

TO INSTALL SCRUBBERS ON SMOKESTACKS.

WHY SHOULDN'T PAINT MANUFACTURERS

BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR PUTTING POISON

ON THE WALL OF EVERY HOME NATIONWIDE? THAT'S THE MOST SLANDEROUS CHARACTERIZATION

I'VE EVER HEARD. WAIT, YOU'RE GONNA LOVE THIS PART.

PUBLIC NUISANCE CLAIMS DO NOT REQUIRE PLAINTIFFS

TO PROVE CAUSATION, AND THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS

DOESN'T APPLY. YOUR HONOR, THE RHODE ISLAND SUPREME COURT

HAS SOUNDLY REJECTED THIS NUISANCE THEORY-- DO I LOOK LIKE RHODE ISLAND TO YOU, MR. GIBBONS?

COLOR ME INTRIGUED, MR. STONE. YOUR HONOR--

THE DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO DISMISS

IS TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT.

MOTION FOR SANCTIONS DENIED.

I APPRECIATE THAT, THAT I'VE BEEN ACTING OUT OF CHARACTER.

IN POINT OF FACT, I HOPE I HAVE.

I'M DETERMINED TO MAKE CHANGES TO MY LIFE,

MY PRACTICE AND MY FIRM.

YOU PROPOSED FIRING THE FIRM'S MOST PROFITABLE CLIENTS.

I PROPOSED CULLING THE FIRM'S

MOST SOCIALLY IRRESPONSIBLE CLIENTS.

BUT W.P.K. HAS REPRESENTED THEM FOR UPWARDS OF 30 YEARS.

IMPLICIT IN YOUR QUESTION IS THE BELIEF

THAT THE ONLY EXPLANATION IS THAT I'VE LOST MY MIND SOMEHOW.

SO WHAT'S THE OTHER EXPLANATION?

THAT I'VE HAD WHAT ALCOHOLICS TERM "A MOMENT OF CLARITY,"

A REALIZATION THAT THE WAY I'D HERETOFORE BEEN LIVING MY LIFE

HAS BEEN DETRIMENTAL TO MYSELF AND OTHERS.

THANK YOU.

ALL OUR TIME IN A COURTROOM TOGETHER,

NEVER THOUGHT WE'D BE ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE AISLE.

ASK YOUR QUESTIONS, MARTIN.

LET'S BEGIN WITH YOUR SUDDEN DECISION TO CHANGE OUR FIRM. IT WASN'T SUDDEN.

NO, YOU JUST WALKED IN FRESH FROM YOUR ACCIDENT

AND ANNOUNCED THAT YOU WERE GOING TO FIRE HALF OUR CLIENTS.

THE ACCIDENT WAS IMMATERIAL.

THIS WAS THE CONSEQUENCE OF SPENDING DECADES OF MY LIFE

AIDING AND ABETTING A HOST OF IMMORAL ACTS TO--

LISTEN TO YOURSELF. "AIDING AND ABETTING." JORDAN--

SPARE ME THE FALSE CONCERN, MARTIN.

IT'S AS TRANSPARENT AS YOUR EMOTION,

WHICH IS NOTHING MORE THAN A NAKED ATTEMPT

TO UNSEAT ME AS HEAD OF OUR FIRM.

YOU'RE AWARE, AREN'T YOU,

THAT--THAT PARANOIA IS A SYMPTOM OF P.T.S.D.

MM, SO THIS ENTIRE HEARING IS A DELUSION OF MINE.

HOW COMFORTING.

SO YOUR ACCIDENT HAD NO IMPACT WHATSOEVER

ON YOUR DECISION TO RESTRUCTURE OUR FIRM?

NO, I WAS ON MY WAY TO DO JUST THAT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT YOU WERE INSPIRED, IN PART,

BY ONE OF OUR ASSOCIATES-- ELI STONE?

YES, THAT'S TRUE.

AND INTERESTING WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT MR. STONE

IS COUNSEL TO THE ALMIGHTY.

THIS IS A TRANSCRIPT FROM ELI STONE'S TESTIMONY

OF THREE WEEKS AGO.

WILL YOU PLEASE READ THE HIGHLIGHTED PORTION? OBJECTION.

OVERRULED. I WANT TO HEAR THIS.

"I CAN PACK THIS COURTROOM WITH PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES

"I'VE CHANGED BECAUSE OF THE OTHER VISIONS I'VE HAD,

SENT TO ME BY SOME HIGHER POWER, PERHAPS DIVINE."

AND NOW BEFORE YOU OBJECT,

THIS GOES TO THE RESPONDENT'S JUDGMENT.

ELI STONE BELIEVES

THAT HE'S FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS FROM GOD.

HE'S ONE OF YOUR ACOLYTES,

WHICH--WHICH BEGS THE QUESTION THEN--

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUR PLAN FOR THE FIRM

IS THE WILL OF GOD? MOVE FOR A RECESS, YOUR HONOR.

THERE'S A QUESTION BEFORE THE WITNESS. WE WANT A RECESS, JUDGE.

JORDAN, ARE YOU BEING LED BY GOD--

ENOUGH, MR. POSNER. WE'LL RESUME TOMORROW.

I'M AUTHORIZED TO SETTLE THIS FOR $500,000.

YOU DON'T WIN THE LOTTERY WITHOUT PAYING FOR A TICKET.

ASTUTE.

THIS SETTLEMENT WOULD BE SEALED

WITH NO ADMISSION OF LIABILITY

AND AN IRONCLAD CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT.

AND YOU NEVER FILE SUIT AGAINST

ANY OF THE L.P.M.A. COMPANIES EVER AGAIN.

YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE A HARSH WORD TO SAY TO ANY OF THEM.

I'LL NEED TO TALK THIS OVER WITH MY CLIENTS.

THE OFFER WON'T GET ANY BETTER.

IT'S A BRIBE.

A $500,000 BRIBE.

WHICH CHRIS AND JOANNA AREN'T GOING TO TAKE.

WE'RE NOT? WE COULD PAY OFF ALL OUR DEBT AND THEN SOME WITH THIS MONEY.

THEY'RE PAYING TO KEEP YOU QUIET

AND TO KEEP US FROM HELPING OTHER FAMILIES. I'M SORRY, MR. STONE.

THIS IS TOO MUCH FOR US TO TURN DOWN. BUT YOU DO.

I MEAN... YOU JUST-- I KNOW THAT YOU'RE NOT

THE KIND OF PEOPLE TO TURN YOUR BACKS ON--ON OTHER PEOPLE. WE'LL THINK ABOUT IT,

BUT I DON'T THINK WE'LL BE CHANGING OUR MINDS.

THEY'RE GONNA TURN IT DOWN, GO TO TRIAL. DON'T WORRY.

I AM WORRIED, BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD TURN IT DOWN.

THEY'RE DROWNING IN MEDICAL BILLS, AND IT'S MALPRACTICE

FOR YOU TO TELL THEM TO REJECT THE LIFE RAFT. FROM THE LOOK ON THAT GUY'S FACE,

I THOUGHT YOU'D BE POPPING CHAMPAGNE CORKS IN HERE.

THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING THIS WAY. THIS IS THE BEST RESULT WE COULD HOPE FOR, AND YOU KNOW IT.

WELL, WHAT ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE?

WHAT ABOUT ALL THE OTHER LITTLE LEESIES? WHAT ABOUT THEM? WE DON'T REPRESENT THEM.

THEN WHAT THE HELL WAS ALL THIS ABOUT?

I NEED THE JOURNAL. WHAT JOURNAL?

DAD WROTE ALL HIS PROPHECIES DOWN IN A JOURNAL. YOUR DAD COULD SEE THE FUTURE, TOO?

CAN YOU?

NO. WELL, JUST ONCE.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

THE KIMS HIRED US TO PRACTICE LAW, NOT SORCERY.

FORGET FOR A SECOND ABOUT THE FUTURE AND LIVE IN THE NOW.

YOU DON'T NEED VISIONS OR A BOOK OR WHATEVER

TO TELL YOU WHAT THE RIGHT THING TO DO HERE IS.

JUST DO IT.

"WAR DOES NOT DETERMINE WHO IS RIGHT..."

"ONLY WHO IS LEFT."

McCULLOUGH.

BERTRAND RUSSELL, ACTUALLY.

I-I MEANT THE SCOTCH. IT'S VERY GOOD.

HMM. I WAS SAVING IT FOR A COURTROOM VICTORY.

SADLY, THIS ONE SEEMS TO BE AT MY EXPENSE.

WELL, IT'S NOT OVER YET, SIR.

IT'S JORDAN.

AFTER THIS IS OVER, I SUSPECT NO ONE WILL BE CALLING ME "SIR."

MAYBE, MAYBE NOT,

BUT, UM, SOMEONE WILL STILL BE CALLING YOU "DAD."

YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER GOING A LITTLE EASIER ON HER.

TAYLOR DIDN'T WANT YOU TO TAKE THE STAND,

AND SHE WAS RIGHT. I OWE HER AN APOLOGY.

MY UNDOING WAS NOT HER DOING.

WELL, SHE DID DO ONE THING RIGHT, THOUGH--

GETTING ELI TO JUMP SHIP.

YOU'D HAVE HANDED THEM THE CASE WITH ELI SITTING AT YOUR TABLE.

TAYLOR DIDN'T GET ELI TO...

YES, THAT'S WHAT ELI SAID.

I GUESS WE WERE BETTER OFF WITHOUT HIM.

KNOW SOMETHIN'?

IT'S HARD FOR ME TO PICTURE THE THREE OF YOU AT MY AGE,

JUST STARTIN' OUT.

IT WAS, IN EVERY SENSE, A LIFETIME AGO.

EXHIBIT "A."

HOW MANY GLASSES OF McCULLOUGH

DID YOU HAVE WHEN YOU ALL WROTE THIS?

NOT AS MANY AS YOU WOULD HAVE IMAGINED.

THEN MAYBE IT IS EXHIBIT "A."

I NEED HELP.

I TOLD YOU, ELI, I'M NOT DOING

THAT NURHACHI THING ON YOU AGAIN. I DON'T WANT YOU TO. I JUST-- I WANT MY FATHER'S JOURNAL BACK.

NO, ELI, YOU REALLY DON'T. LOOK, I-I DITCHED JORDAN'S CASE

SO THAT I COULD TAKE THE ONE GOING TO THE SUPREME COURT,

AND NOW BOTH ARE CIRCLING THE DRAIN. THE BOOK CAN'T HELP WITH THAT, ELI. TRUST ME.

THIS BOOK GOT ME INTO THIS MESS. IT CAN GET ME OUT. THE BOOK DIDN'T GET YOU INTO TROUBLE.

IT WAS YOU MESSIN' WITH THE PLAN. OH, THERE'S A PLAN? THAT'S GREAT.

REMIND ME, WHICH PART ARE WE UP TO NOW? THE PART WHERE YOU REALIZE YOU CAN'T CONTROL

THE UNCONTROLLABLE. I CAN'T JUST SIT AROUND

AND HOPE THAT EVERYTHING WORKS OUT FOR THE BEST.

GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES, RIGHT?

YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S IN THIS BOOK, ELI.

I WISH I DIDN'T KNOW.

IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT BAD, NATE WOULD HAVE TOLD ME.

THERE ARE THINGS IN HERE NATE COULDN'T UNDERSTAND.

I'M SORRY, BUT WHEN YOU TOOK UP THE PROPHET MANTLE AGAIN,

YOU HAD TO KNOW THERE'D BE SOME DARK TIMES.

YEAH, FOR ME. I CHOSE TO HAVE THE ANEURYSM BACK.

JORDAN DIDN'T. NOW IF THERE'S EVEN A CHANCE THAT

THERE'S SOMETHING IN THAT BOOK THAT COULD HELP HIM,

I'M GONNA TAKE THAT CHANCE.

YOU WANT TO HELP JORDAN? JUST BE THERE FOR HIM.

YOU DON'T NEED THAT BOOK.

MY RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AREN'T RELEVANT IN THIS CASE.

ELI STONE ISN'T RELEVANT.

THE ONLY THING THAT IS RELEVANT

IS WHETHER I'M SUFFERING FROM P.T.S.D.,

AND IF SO, WHETHER SUCH A CONDITION MAKES ME UNFIT

TO CHART THE COURSE OF A FIRM

I'VE SPENT THE PAST 30 YEARS BUILDING.

HAVE I MADE A DECISION TO RADICALLY ALTER

THE WAY MY FIRM DOES BUSINESS?

IS ELI STONE A FACTOR?

ONLY INSOFAR AS HE HAS REMINDED ME OF A PART OF MYSELF

THAT I'D LOST TOUCH WITH...

THAT THE THREE OF US HAVE LOST TOUCH WITH.

FORTUNATELY, I'VE KEPT A REMINDER.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT.

"W.P.K. WILL BE A FIRM THAT SERVES THE PUBLIC GOOD

AND HONORS THE PUBLIC TRUST."

IRONIC, ISN'T IT, HOW EVOCATIVE THAT IS

TO THE PROPOSAL I'M NOW ACCUSED OF BEING CRAZY FOR MAKING.

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

HOW DOES ONE GO

FROM THE BOLDNESS OF A YOUTHFUL DREAM

TO ACCUSATIONS OF INSANITY?

IT STARTS OUT SMALL--

A JUSTIFIABLE COMPROMISE HERE OR THERE,

TILL ONE DAY YOU START BELIEVING

THAT LIFE IS ABOUT COMPROMISE.

30 YEARS AGO,

WE EACH PUT OUR SIGNATURE TO THIS

AND PROMISED TO USE THE LAW TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE,

THE LAW JUST BECAME A WAY TO MAKE A LOT OF MONEY,

AND THIS NAPKIN BECAME DISPOSABLE.

I'M TRYING TO HONOR MY TRUE SELF,

MY DUMBER SELF.

IN A WAY, IT IS LIKE POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS

BECAUSE I DON'T EVER WANT TO GO BACK TO THE BATTLE

THAT NEARLY STOLE THAT PERSON FROM ME.

CONGRATULATIONS.

I HEARD YOU WON YOUR CASE.

SETTLED, ACTUALLY.

MY CLIENTS GOT THE PROVERBIAL OFFER THEY COULDN'T REFUSE.

YOU WON, RIGHT?

I HEARD THE JUDGE RULED THAT NONE OF YOUR SCREWS ARE LOOSE.

YES. UNFORTUNATELY, IN TAKING MY CASE TO TRIAL,

I LOST THE SUPPORT OF THE BOARD,

WHICH I SUSPECT WAS MARTIN AND MARCI'S GAMBIT ALL ALONG.

SO THEY...

THEY VOTED ME OUT

AS MANAGING PARTNER 20 MINUTES AGO.

UH... I'M SORRY, SIR.

IT COULD'VE BEEN WORSE. I COULD HAVE LOST THE CASE ENTIRELY,

BEEN BRANDED A PSYCHOTIC.

HAD MY LICENSE TO PRACTICE CALLED INTO QUESTION.

GIVEN HOW THEY WENT AT ME THROUGH YOU,

I HAVE NO DOUBT ALL THAT WOULD'VE TRANSPIRED

HAD YOU BEEN MY ATTORNEY DURING THIS

INSTEAD OF MERELY MY FRIEND.

YOUR FRIEND?

WHAT BETTER TERM FOR SOMEONE I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT

AND ADMIRE EVEN MORE?

I JUST THOUGHT THAT AFTER THE OTHER NIGHT AND...

FRIENDS FIGHT, ELI,

AND THE OTHER NIGHT,

I COULDN'T INDULGE IN SUPREME COURT PROPHECIES.

TODAY, HOWEVER,

I COULD USE SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

SORRY, SIR.

IT DOESN'T LOOK

LIKE WE'LL BE GOING TO THE SUPREME COURT AFTER ALL.

WE ALL HAVE VISIONS, ELI.

I HAD A VISION FOR WHAT THIS FIRM WOULD BECOME.

SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO READJUST OUR PLANS.

IF WE'RE NOT MEANT TO GO

TO THE SUPREME COURT WITH THIS CASE, PERHAPS ANOTHER.

THIS CASE NEEDS TO GO TO THE SUPREME COURT.

BUT MAYBE WHAT IT DOESN'T NEED IS US.

WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO NOW?

I'D CONSIDERED GOLF AS AN OPTION,

BUT THE ACCIDENT THE OTHER WEEK HAS LEFT MY LOWER BACK IN SPASM.

THAT LEAVES ME NO OTHER OPTION

THAN TO CONTINUE PRACTICING LAW.

I INTEND TO CREATE THE KIND OF PRACTICE

I'VE BEEN EXPELLED FOR PROPOSING.

MIGHT I ENTICE YOU TO FOLLOW YOUR OLD BOSS TO A NEW FIRM?

NO.

BUT I'LL FOLLOW MY FRIEND.

WHAT'S THE CATCH?

NO CATCH.

SO YOU JUST WANT TO HAND OVER A BRILLIANTLY THOUGHT OUT,

FULLY DEVELOPED CASE FILE AGAINST THE PAINT INDUSTRY? WELL, NOT THE WHOLE CASE.

YOU STILL HAVE TO FIND YOURSELF A CLIENT. MY POINT IS, THIS IS BIG, LIKE BIG TOBACCO BIG.

WHY ME? WE'RE NOT EXACTLY BESTIES.

WHICH IS WHY NO ONE WILL SUSPECT YOU GOT THE INFORMATION FROM ME.

AH.

THIS PUBLIC NUISANCE THEORY OF YOURS,

IT COULD MAKE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE STATE SUPREME COURT. FEDERAL, EVEN.

ARE YOU ABOUT TO BE INDICTED? SORRY, YOU'RE NOT THAT LUCKY, JEFF.

NO, I JUST...

I REALIZED THAT THIS HAS TO BE SOMEONE ELSE'S CRUSADE.

I'M SORRY IT HAD TO COME TO THIS.

SOMEHOW YOU'LL MANAGE, I IMAGINE.

YOU CAN STAY ON AS OF COUNSEL.

IN FACT, MARCI AND I HAVE DISCUSSED IT.

WE WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE YOU TO.

WELL, THAT'S A VERY MAGNANIMOUS CONSOLATION PRIZE, MARTIN.

I HAVE SOME RATHER SPECIFIC ANATOMICAL SUGGESTIONS

AS TO WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH IT.

I TRUST THAT WHEN ADMINISTRATION SENDS ME MY THINGS,

YOU'LL REMEMBER THAT MANY OF THE PAINTINGS HERE

ARE FROM MY PERSONAL COLLECTION.

SORRY. AM I INTERRUPTING?

WE WERE JUST LEAVING.

STAY. YOU'LL WANT TO HEAR THIS.

YOUR TESTIMONY ABOUT THE COCKTAIL NAPKIN

REMINDED ME OF SOMETHING.

ONE OF MY VERY FIRST ASSIGNMENTS WHEN I JOINED W.P.K.

WAS TO REVIEW THE FIRM'S REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS. SO?

UH, 15 YEARS AGO, WHEN YOU EXPANDED THE FIRM

TO THIS LOCATION, MARTIN, YOU WERE INVOLVED

IN THAT BITTER DIVORCE, AND, MARCI,

YOU WERE UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR INSIDER TRADING. I WAS EXONERATED OF THOSE FALSE CHARGES.

YES, HAPPY TIMES.

BECAUSE OF THE CLOUDS HANGING OVER YOUR RESPECTIVE HEADS,

THE THREE OF YOU DECIDED TO PUT THIS BUILDING

SOLELY IN MY FATHER'S NAME.

NOW THE THREE OF YOU MAY HAVE SIGNED THAT NAPKIN,

BUT ONLY MY FATHER'S NAME IS ON THE TITLE TO THIS BUILDING.

WELL...

MARCI, MARTIN,

IT APPEARS YOU'RE TRESPASSING ON MY PROPERTY.

BUT I CAN BE GRACIOUS,

GIVE THE ATTORNEYS HERE TIME TO DECIDE

IF THEY WANT TO STAY.

A WEEK SOUNDS FAIR, DOESN'T IT?

MM.

HMM.

DON'T WORRY. I DIDN'T READ IT.

ALTHOUGH I WAS TEMPTED TO MAKE SURE

GEORGE LUCAS DIDN'T MAKE ANY MORE "STAR WARS" MOVIES.

WHAT STOPPED YOU?

I DON'T WANT TO LIVE MY LIFE ACCORDING TO WHAT I THINK

SOME NOTATIONS IN SOME BOOK MIGHT SAY.

I DON'T WANT TO TRY

TO CONTROL THE UNCONTROLLABLE ANYMORE.

THAT WAS... BOLD.

"BOLD" WOULD HAVE BEEN READING IT

OR ASKING YOU WHAT IT SAID.

YOU'RE GONNA TAKE LONG STRIDES

ON THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH, ELI.

AND WITH EVERY STEP,

YOU'RE GONNA CHANGE THE WORLD.

THAT WAS IN THE BOOK?

DOESN'T MATTER.

THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE.

JEFF.

ELI.

MAGGIE, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

OYEZ, OYEZ, OYEZ!

ALL PERSONS HAVING BUSINESS BEFORE THE HONORABLE,

THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES,

ARE ADMONISHED TO DRAW NEAR AND GIVE THEIR ATTENTION,

FOR THE COURT IS NOW SITTING.

MR. CHIEF JUSTICE, AND MAY IT PLEASE THE COURT,

MY NAME IS MAGGIE DEKKER OF POSNER, KLEIN, AND ASSOCIATES

APPEARING ON BEHALF OF THE PETITIONER--

THE LEAD PAINT MANUFACTURERS' ALLIANCE.