01x06 - New Wine

[bunniefuu]

[gentle music]
[wine splashing]

[phone dings]

[Aaron sighs]
- Typical.

- Where's Mommy?

- Mommy has some things
to do, baby, she's busy.

- What's wrong, Daddy?

Your food's cold.

- Nothing's wrong.

And your food's cold, too.

Mm.
- Hey!

[Mark laughs]

- Come on.

Listen, hurry up,
so we can go, okay?

- Okay.
- Okay.

You should've cut mine for me.

- [Mark] Every
November in Italy,

St. Martin's Day marks the
arrival of the new wine

from the grapes just harvested.

The tradition dates
back thousands of years,

but for me, it's
a good reminder.

It's the rhythm of the
seasons, or nature itself.

[upbeat music]

- Getting an early
start, are we?

- I am.

Just wanted to say
thank you in person.

No better sounding
board than you.

- No, thanks needed.

We look after our own.

So, you know, your argument?

The case law?

- Of course, should
be an easy appeal,

if the judge just hears me out.

- You'll be fine.

Big D doing okay?

- Always.

- And Tony?

- Still to be determined.

Do you think I'm
missing anything?

- We've been over it.

You have a strong
argument for your appeal.

The facts aren't in dispute,
and Judge Reinhardt is fair.

That's all you can ask for.

- You think Judge
Sears got to him?

- They know each other,
but they're not close.

- That's not a no.

- Look, I would wish you
luck, but you don't need it.

You've defended
plenty of tough cases,

just go in like you always
do, strong with authority.

Be that bad b*tch we've
watched you grow up to be.

- Thanks again.

- Always.

Take care.

[wine burbling]

[upbeat music]

- Autopsy results
for basketball player

Trent Murphy are inconclusive,

according to the LA
County coroner's office.

[upbeat music]

♪ No more talking about it

♪ The way it is

♪ The way it is

♪ It's no mystery

♪ There's no getting around it

♪ When you're here,
when you're here ♪

♪ We got chemistry

♪ We light up
♪ We light up

♪ When we ignite
♪ When we ignite

♪ We are stars
♪ We are stars

♪ In a darkened sky

♪ When you leave

♪ Don't forget to remember

♪ Don't forget to remember me

♪ When you leave

♪ Don't forget to remember

♪ Don't forget to remember me

♪ Remember me

- I believe it is all there.

- This is a very generous offer.

I appreciate the recognition.

- Here at Walden &
Reeves, we pride ourselves

in recognizing the
value of our partners.

If I'm being honest, however,

I didn't think you would
even consider jumping ship.

- Well, things change,
and business changed.

Sometimes evolution
forces your hand,

and it's best to jump
on your own accord,

as a consideration, of course.

- Of course, do you mind
if I ask you something?

- Not at all.

- Does she know
that you're here?

- I'm not sure
that's relevant, Liz.

- I meant no offense.

- Hm, none taken.

But, Lacey's awareness
not withstanding,

I must admit this
opportunity is in line

with where I envision
my career heading.

If I can have some time
to consider your offer?

- Of course, how
does 24 hours sound?

- Expeditious.

- We like to get things done.

[gentle music]

- Liz.

- Othello.

- What's great about
the rule of law

is that it stands, regardless
of one's social actions.

Influence and wealth, yeah,
may get around it for a time,

but even those forces
can't change it.

Your honor, we've
neither seen, nor heard,

anything today to
suggest this embezzlement

is anything less than justified.

Defense counsel presented
no new evidence,

and frankly, her plea,
however eloquent,

to overturn the defendant's
conviction is not enough.

Defense counsel seems to
think she can just ask

for what she wants, but
this is a court of law,

where just asking isn't enough.

The conviction should be upheld.

- What I'm asking for
is only for the court

to review the facts, as
they have been presented.

What you'll find is that no
malfeasance has been committed.

Your honor, debtor-creditor
relationships

are normal business
arrangements.

It allows for the
co-mingling of funds.

The fact of the matter
is that my client enacted

a normal transaction, as a
part of this arrangement.

My client never took
ownership of the funds,

nor was there any
intent on the part

of my client to
defraud the victim.

If I'm late with my
mortgage payment,

and I buy lunch for a friend,
that's not embezzlement.

I'm spending money at the
time that I have a debt.

Anyone who pays bills, faces
similar decisions every day.

My client never hid the funds.

The facts simply
do not support that

any crime was committed,
much less embezzlement,

which makes my client's
sentence all the more egregious.

There are very few
times in our profession

where things are
simply black and white,

but there it is, via testimony,

transcripts,
financial documents.

The right decision, the
only decision before you,

is to overturn this conviction.

Thank you.

[gentle music]

- Get the f*ck out of my face.

- Go ahead, make a scene.

Just more clicks for me.

I didn't think so.

- I was gonna call you.

- To tell me why you stood
me up the other night?

Thanks.

- What do you want me to say?

- You agreed to hear me out.

So what, now you're
not interested?

All I'm asking for is that you
at least give me something.

If not Lacey, the
firm, something.

- I can't talk to you.

- So this is how
you want to play it?

You think I won't find
out whatever it is?

And you're okay with
being collateral damage?

- Do whatever you need to do.

- Ooh, I am very seldom
wrong about people.

I was wrong about you.

I thought you were smart.

- d*ck.

[phone buzzing]

- Hey, Sasha.

If Vincent Haynes calls,
do not put him through.

I don't care how many
times he calls, okay?

Thanks.

- Everything okay?

- Yeah.

- Have you heard
from Lacey today?

- No.

- Is she in court?

- If you don't know,
I certainly don't.

You know she actually
has an assistant, right?

- Okay.

[birds chirping]

- [Rev McCullough] Praise the
Lord, Reverend McCullough.

- Rev, it's Mark.

- [Rev McCullough]
Mark, how's everything?

- Not great.

You didn't tell me
that Lacey didn't know

about your deal for
the Children's Center,

or that Othello's client
was bidding against you.

- [Rev McCullough] I knew
nothing about Othello's client.

- Because you went behind
Lacey's back, and my back.

That's lying by
omission to both of us.

- [Rev McCullough] I know my
daughter's a big time lawyer,

but I don't report
my dealings to her.

You're the one that's
married to her.

Why didn't you
mention it to her?

Maybe you need to get more
in line with your wife.

- Like you are with yours?

- You know the difference
between you and us, Mark?

I know who my wife is.

[glass clinks]
[wine splashing]

♪ I need you like I
need air to breathe ♪

♪ I need you to
save me from me ♪

♪ I'm caught in your wave

♪ I'm drifting away

♪ I need you to save me

♪ Please don't let me drown

♪ Please don't let me drown

♪ Please don't let me drown

[phone beeping]

♪ Please don't let me drown

- Is Lacey back in office yet?

- [Sasha] No, but, Benji
asked if you're available.

- Yeah, thanks, Sasha.

Tell Benji I'll stop by.

[Britney moaning]
♪ Just vibe with me

♪ Baby don't lie to me

♪ We makin' love number one

♪ I took the top and the doors

♪ I wanna pleasure you

♪ Travel through hell for you

♪ 'Cause I know that God
sent you from above ♪

- Benji.

- [Benji] 'Wassup?

- Sasha said you
wanted a minute?

- That's right.

Looks like you're leaving.

- What gave you that impression?

- Well, the entry code 2714

was dialed three times
in the last four days.

That's Walden and
Reeves' office.

I checked your
recent case files,

and they're not on any of
the cases you're on, so,

if you're not going anywhere,
why are you talking to em'?

- Benji?

Firstly, don't go through
the phone logs, hm?

Secondly, the whole
phone number recall,

frequency of the
call memory thing,

it's okay if it's
about a client.

It's not okay to
do it to your boss.

Understood, hm?

- Yes.

- Okay.

Back to work.

[birds chirping]

- The right hall on the
corridor is off by two feet.

- Okay, I'll update it.

- Thank you.

And as for the Children's
Center, the deal fell through.

We didn't get the
work, all right?

- I thought it was already done.

I had subcontractors-
- I don't know.

No property, no deal.

- But can't he just
get another property?

- What do you want
me to tell you?

- But wasn't it
your father-in-law

- [Othello] Kendra,
sh*t happens.

- I, I don't-

- When more work comes through,
I will let you know, Kendra.

As a matter of
fact, why don't you

bring some business
in here for a chance?

[Kendra scoffs]

[eerie music]

- Defense counsel
made a sound argument

based on the merits and the law.

Still, the party's
original agreement

prohibited personal and
corporate use of the funds,

and the defendant
used those funds

for what amounted to
personal expenditures.

Defense counsel did
not present enough

to overturn the conviction.

It is my judgment

that the defendant's
embezzlement
conviction be upheld.

[gavel bangs]
[somber music]

- Oh, there ya are.

- Who the f*ck let you in here?

- Think you're the only one
with friends in this building?

I'll make this easy for you.

We want Lacey McCullough,
and you're gonna help us.

If you don't, the
investigation of your conduct

will not be to your liking.

- Bring it on.

- Cut the sh*t, Sloan.

You got sloppy a
time or two, huh?

Kickbacks, escorts.

We'll find something.

- Or you'll make up something.

- You talk as if Lacey
will have your back.

And I'm not just
talking your pension.

That's not even the half of it.

You won't be there for your
kid's graduation, or wedding.

All that will be left of you

is a cheap plaque on
the wall in your memory.

We're connected to every
police union in the country.

You'll be watching your back
for the rest of your life.

Don't be a f*ck' fool.

[tense music]

[phone ringing]

- This isn't a good time.

- [Othello] I know
you're busy, Lace,

but this is really important.

- Didn't you hear me?

Not now.

[Othello sighs]

[somber music]

- Hey, it's O.

Listen, things are different now

and you were right.

You do deserve more.

Let's talk.

Call me back.

All right.

- McCullough and her law firm

command not only tens of
millions in untaxed income,

she also holds
considerable influence

with movers and shakers in high
places all over Los Angeles.

That influence goes well beyond

the normal attorney-client
relationship.

- Now this isn't the normal
attorney-client relationship.

It's a carefully
orchestrated operation.

- That includes
an escort service.

She doesn't own the service,

but anyone important
who uses it,

you can bet she's got
something on them.

- That's corporate fraud,
falsified financials,

money laundering,
dealings with illicit

third parties, you name it.

- Lace is no dummy, and
her people are loyal.

They won't flip easily.

You'll need a mole.

- Just a matter of
finding the right person,

or sending someone in yourself.

- It's a career-making case.

- She's got this weirdo
who works for her.

And this, this is his sister.

He mentioned her
when he set me up.

- Set you up how?

- You know that story
about me in my boxers

outside the school like a perv?

It was bullshit, I was drugged.

Started getting too close.

I'm not here just
for my reputation.

This story needs to be in every
news outlet, not just mine.

This will be a big
deal for both of us.

And her, right here,
Chelsea Gamble.

She's a high price escort.

She's also involved
in the fold somehow.

- Sounds crazy.

- Yeah, I know, but
that's because it's true.

- You got any proof?

- No, but look, I've
seen everything there
is to see in LA.

It's how I built my following,

it's how I got on TV, but this
sh*t is right out of a movie.

It's only a matter of time
before it all comes out.

You gotta look into this.

You'll be thanking
me for your Pulitzer.

- Your guy will be bringing
you something on Lacey,

but digging up dirt and
jamming her up legally,

that might slow her down.

- But not for long, I get it.

We can't move until
we have something.

- As long as we're
on the same page.

The goal isn't to slow her
down, it's to take her out.

- With you every
step of the way.

- Like I said, she
knows the game,

but if there's an area
where she can be touched?

- Her family.

- Her brother, parents,

the husband, the daughter.

That's where we focus.

- I'm on it.

[tense music]

- Big D, Sloan.

They're moving in on Lacey.

Sheriffs, police union,
who knows who else?

I need you to get word
to her that I warned her,

and I also need you to get
a message to Sasha, too.

Tell her to take some time off.

Yeah, thanks.

[keyboard clacking]

- Hey.

- Can I get security
in my office right now?

- Please, just hear me out.

- You better leave
before I mace your a*s.

- The senior partners at my firm

are getting probing questions

about McCullough and Associates.

Now I heard the same
from my source at LAPD.

Britney, something
big is going down.

Think about Randall and
Tahnee Jarvis's divorce.

They sayin' Lacey, she can
make certain cases go away.

Now you need to get outta
here while you still can.

[somber music]

- [Security] You
okay, Miss DeVeaux?

- I'm an as*h*le, okay?

I'm sorry.

But I wasn't lying,

and I genuinely care about you.

Just leave, there's still time.

- Sir.

- [Vincent] Man, get yo...

- Maybe Judge Floyd
can help, Big D?

Maybe there's another-

- This was your last appeal.

You know that.

- Hey, I'm fine.

You did what you could.

Don't beat yourself up.

It'll take a lot more than
losing an appeal to get me down.

I've survived and
thrived this long.

This is just a bump in the road.

- Mama, listen to me.

You will not serve the
remainder of this sentence.

I'm getting you out of
here, whatever it takes.

You just be strong.

[tense music]

- God is within her.

- She shall not fail.

[classical music]

- Well, that was rude.

- I wanna know what's
goin' on in this firm.

What's really goin' on.

- You need to take that
up with Ms. McCullough.

- Not with us, we're
employees just like you so-

- Don't bullshit me!

Whatever you have to do,
whoever you have to talk to,

Lacey, Othello, whatever.

I'm not leaving this office
until I get some answers.

Oh, I got time.

- What's good?

Hey, what I said earlier,

look, I know it was
out of our hands.

- Don't even worry about it.

- And the quality of your work,

there's nothing wrong with it.

Or your marketing.

We'll get that back.

- Thanks, Mark.

- We're good on the specs,

so you can get out
of here if you want.

- All right.

See you tomorrow.
- Bye.

♪ Why you're always pacing

♪ I know I like to hide

♪ But you're not always

- Chelsea, come with us, please.

- [Driver] Where to, Governor?

- Just drive around, I'll
tell you where to go.

- It's nice to see you, Daddy.

- You too, ladybug.

I was surprised
to get that call.

Then again, I wasn't,

so you owe someone more money?

Facing prison time, what?

- I'm fine.

But thanks for the judgment.

Makes me feel right at home.

- If you're doing so
well, why is Sousa on you?

I've had a detail
on you for a while.

You're still my daughter,
I won't let, anyway,

I don't think Sousa
even wants you.

I think it's the company

you've been keeping, so
let's catch up, shall we?

Starting with McCullough
and Associates.

- Hey, Hannibal.

Yeah, it's me.

I wanna thank you
for encouraging me

to meet with Walden & Reeves.

Yeah.

I'm taking their offer.

- [Woman] Sasha Dickerson.

- Do we know each other?

- Not yet.

We're about to get
acquainted, real quick.

- Unless you're charging
me with a crime,

I'll have to refer
you to my attorney.

- I know you work for
McCullough and Associates.

I also know about
your secondary work.

[eerie music]

We can do this the other way,

but I assure you, you'll
be much better off

answering my
questions right now.

[phone buzzes]

[both laughing]

- Stop tickling me, Dad.
- No!

How was school today?

- Fine.

- Did you do your homework?

- Yes.

- [Mark] All of it?

- Yes.

- And what did you learn today?

- Fractions in action,
same old same old.

- Well, I better see
those fractions in action

before you go to bed tonight.

- Someone helped with dinner
today, so we got done early.

- Oh, you did?

Is that what I
smell, you cooked?

- Yes.
- Aww.

- Oh, Daddy, can you
help me with my project?

- What project?

- The one you signed, the
permission slip, remember?

- Whatever it is,
it came in the mail.

She seemed pretty
excited about it.

- See what this is.

[somber music]

[keyboard clacking]

[tense music]

[glass tinkling]

Hey, Candace, can you
stay a couple extra hours?

- I guess.

- Listen, I'll pay you
double for the week, just-

- Sure, no problem.

- Hey, bunny.

I'm gonna go, and I'll
be right back, okay?

- Okay.

Will you be here when
Mommy comes home?

- Yeah, I'll be here, okay?

- Okay.
- Give me a hug, come here.

I love you.

- [Nora] I love you too, Daddy.

- I'm working.

I'm in no mood
for your bullshit.

- Walden & Reeves is
making me full partner.

I'm leaving the firm.

- And you decide
to share this now?

- I've been calling you all day.

- Since when are you even
looking at other offers?

- I wasn't, but you and I
are employer-employee, right?

I'm doing what's
best for my career.

- I lost Tony's appeal.

I don't know what's gonna
happen with the governor,

Chelsea's still a wild card.

I need a plan B.

- Lace, you should've told me
that the meeting was today.

You know I would've
been there for you.

- It wouldn't have
made a difference.

Besides, with you taking other
offers, I wouldn't want to-

- Oh, stop it.

I wouldn't have had the
meeting if you hadn't come-

- What, bent over backwards
to take your call?

You think the world stops
because you need something?

- Yes, when I need you you
g*dd*mn right you stop.

- You must've mistaken me

for one of your
basic bootleg chicks.

- Oh, f*ck you Lace!

- Excuse me?
- Yes, you heard me.

See, your life has been
so meticulously planned,

just the way you
wanted it, right?

It's all the word according
to Lacey McCullough,

and everybody is a chess
piece on your board,

but you must have
forgot, baby girl,

I was the king to
your m*therf*cking
queen, and still am.

But you wanted a knight
in shining armor, mm.

- O-
- No!

It's my turn to talk now.

I know what we said.

I know what we agreed to,

but Lacey, we are
not even playing

on the same board anymore.

And all of this bullshit, us,

you can deny this sh*t
all you want to, eh?

But yes, Lacey
McCullough, f*ck you,

because I am tired of
fighting for second place,

and if the only thing that
you can throw in my face

is the women that I
choose to be with,

then g*dd*mn it, so be it.

But don't you ever forget

that your a*s used
to be one of 'em.

[somber music]

♪ I don't want
nobody but you now ♪

♪ Everything's all
gone away now ♪

♪ I ain't got nobody else

- I love Mark.

♪ Now you I lost my fervor

♪ Can you see

- I know.

♪ All along it
was just nothing ♪

- Consider this conversation
my letter of resignation.

♪ Push me away

- [Mark] No matter how
close to the sun you fly,

you can't help but
marvel at its grandeur,

because the burn is worth it.

The burn is irresistible,
and you know it.

You've always known it.

[Lacey sighs]

Too much sun ruins the vineyard.

It causes bruises and scars,

and fractures the grapes
to the point of no use.

So some wines
aren't good for you.

Women, like wine,
make wise men dote,

no matter how damaged they are.

♪ Just let me go, let me know

♪ I got better things to do

♪ Than put on a show

♪ Just wanna ride
here by your side ♪

♪ But I know the road that you
playing in is just a line ♪

- [Mark] But it's
not the wine's fault,

or the woman's fault.

It's your fault.

For forsaking God's
law to indulge,

and thus incurring
his grapes of wrath.

[glass tinkling]

♪ I don't want nobody but you

♪ Now everything's
all gone away now ♪

♪ I ain't got nobody

♪ But me now

♪ You I lost my fervor

♪ Can you see

♪ All the things

♪ All along it
was just nothing ♪

♪ But I give and you take

♪ Turn it down and
just push me away ♪

♪ Push me away

♪ Just let me go,
oh let me know ♪

♪ I got better things to
do than put on a show ♪

♪ Just wanna ride
here by your side ♪

♪ But I know the road that
you playing in is just a lie ♪