Episode Two: The Other Side of Caution

Jack is in the LL&L building at 8:30 a.m. He greets Fineman and they begin discussing the fact that one person has left the company softball team and that Fineman has recruited a replacement. Jack suddenly notices that other people in the vicinity are staring at him. After he asks why, Fineman asks that he follow him towards the stairs. When they stop at the bottom Fineman explains to Jack the reason they are staring is because "you're the man now." Jack responds with "I am not the man, I am so not the man." Fineman tells him that everything's changed. With a touch of insecurity Jack asks "I'm still captain of the softball team, right?" Fineman deadpans with "if you say so, Sir." Jack says that Fineman has never called him "Sir" in his life, while Fineman comes back with "that was then, this is now," pushing Jack's briefcase into his hands and walking away.

Christianson and Senator Turner are strolling through a park discussing Jack's appointment as Managing Partner. The senator remarks that Jack will want to make a difference because "he always wants to make a difference."

Jack walks into an outer office, introducing himself to the secretary sitting behind the desk. She barely glances up to acknowledge him, continuing to leaf through the pages of the document in front of her. He prompts her by emphasising that this is his office. She finally looks up, answering "yes Sir."   He confirms she is his secretary Daphne, repeating his own name. He makes his way through to his own office which is large and opulent. Jack looks around, his gaze alighting on a photo of himself with Daniel Barrington holding a large fish. Daphne enters the room and tells him they're expecting him in the conference room. "Who?" he queries. "Everybody."

When Jack opens the door into the conference room he sees it is dominated by a long table. All the occupants look towards him as Christianson welcomes him. Everyone applauds and stands up.

At the inner city office of LL&L Ariel sits at a desk, assessing its position in the room. She stands up and begins tugging and pushing it to little avail. Riley walks in looking confused, so she explains she doesn't like sitting with her back to the door. He helps her move the desk while she tells him Jack suggested she come in to lend a hand. Riley agrees he could use the help. Ariel hopes he needs the help with Ferris, who Riley then refers to as "tractor boy."  Ariel summarises the case as "a 16 year old kid who drove a tractor full of C4 to the Capitol Mall reflecting pool." She light-heartedly refers to it as "attention seeking."  Riley thinks it's impossible to defend but she counters that the explosives didn't go off. They're interrupted when the phone rings. Ariel answers it and when she hears it's Grant she says it's not a good time as she's in a meeting. He asks if there's anything he needs to know, but she brushes him off. As she resumes her conversation with Riley he informs her the Ferrises will be there in an hour.

At the main LL&L offices Christianson is discussing a wrongful death case with Jack. The client is a man called Fred Woodward of Woodward Industries, one of their larger clients. His daughter was shot and killed by a teenager called Quentin Chadwick two years ago. He pleaded it was an accident and was acquitted. Woodward now wants to sue him through the civil court where, as Jack points out, the evidentiary rules are less stringent. The attorney of record is Grant.  Christianson wants Jack to take over. Jack insists that Grant is a good lawyer, but Christianson won't listen to his protests. He's already told Grant that Jack will take the case.

At the Ferris meeting the parents insist that their son, Ray, doesn't use drugs, attends church and is no monster. The family hit a bad patch when Ferris Sr lost the farm that had been in the family for three generations. Now they live in a two-bedroom apartment and he works in a feed store. Ray's father says it's no wonder his son isn't himself.  Nevertheless, he insists he couldn't have committed the crime of which he's accused. Riley corrects him, saying the crime was captured on tape. It turns out that Ray has been involved with Captain Dwight Chambers' Free America Movement. This is a Far Right organisation which maintains the DC power elite has turned its back on the American people. The AUSA wants to try Ray as an adult. Riley is fighting this but he's not optimistic as the prosecutors are disinclined to negotiate. Dad questions whether it will mean jail time and Riley confirms this to be so.

Jack goes into Grant's outer office to see if he's free.  Brit thinks he doesn't recognise her, but he addresses her by name. She asks after his father. Jack says he's still the same. Apparently she worked for him ten years ago and we are led to believe that the relationship between Senator Turner and Brit was not purely professional. When Jack meets with Grant he tells him he doesn't like cutting in on his case. Grant is dismissive of Jack's attempt to be conciliatory, so Jack responds by saying that whilst there's no love lost between them, he does expect a certain level of courtesy. He says there's a large amount of paperwork on the Woodward file. Grant explains that it's part of his strategy to load down the opposing attorney - a man called Aaron - with deposition notices, dock demands and kitchen sinks. Jack says Woodward wants an acknowledgement of guilt. Grant quotes Fred Woodward as wanting the Chadwicks to pay big. Jack insists that they need evidence, while Grant is pushing for a settlement. Jack's parting shot is that Aaron Thomas won't settle and that he has a meeting with the Woodwards the next day. As Jack leaves the room Grant yells for Brit.

Detective Traub is sitting in a room at LL&L looking at a painting on the wall - presumably a portrait of Daniel Barrington.  Christianson enters and Traub says he wants to speak to him about Barrington's "apparent suicide." He asks about Barrington's state of mind before he died and Christianson concedes his behaviour had changed - he was preoccupied and had lost his sense of humour. As far as he knew there were no problems at home. "But" he says significantly, "there was the matter of Jack Turner."

It's night in an underground car park. Jack is apprehended by Detective Traub and remarks that "this is very Deep Throat" telling Traub he's looked at the Zero-Tech files, which have revealed nothing. He explains that Zero-Tech was part of a corporate pyramid scheme. Traub asks where LL&L fitted in and Jack explains that Daniel Barrington handled Mergers and Acquisitions for Zero-Tech. Traub remarks he could therefore have been party to a scheme to defraud the public. Jack says the DOJ is trying to drag Barrington into it, but he is convinced Barrington wouldn't have done anything illegal. Traub then asks if it's true that Jack and Barrington weren't talking prior to his death. Jack says simply "no." Traub then says "We'll see him right." He has some advice for Jack, who pre-empts him by saying "watch my back?" Traub replies "and your front."

In a prison cell Ray Ferris stands at the window quoting Captain Chambers. Riley says he should wake up, while Ariel asks if they're his own words because actually they are in Free America's manifesto. Riley says he doesn't care what he believes; he could have Hitler's head in his dresser drawer instructing him on taking over the world, but he (Riley) cares about the parents who want to see him home. Ray seems dismissive of any mention of his parents. Ariel pushes the idea that people sometimes do what other people tell them to do. Riley tells him he's set up a meeting with the prosecutor's office and in order to cut a deal the prosecutor has asked that Ray show remorse. Riley emphasises he's asking him to show remorse - not feel - show.

Walking along the street Ariel asks Riley if he's considered using the precedent set in Nebraska vs leClerc. Riley says yes, for about five minutes and brainwashing's a tough defence. She challenges him by asking if he won't consider brainwashing because he can't win or is it because he doesn't buy it? Riley tells her Jack was right about her when he said she was the best court appointee he ever had when at Yale. He tells her to see what she can find, but he will still negotiate the deal.

At Jack's meeting with the Woodwards they describe finding their daughter Melissa dead. Their other daughter Lily is in the room. Jack asks if they know what Quentin Chadwick's motivation was. Fred Woodward tells Jack he's a Chadwick, like his father. It turns out that Lily is a reluctant witness and claims she didn't see the shooting. Mrs Woodward surmises Melissa rejected Quentin. Lily jumps up and leaves, seemingly disturbed by this.

Outside the Woodward residence Jack phones Daphne. He asks her to pull a file for him, and in the meantime sees Quentin Chadwick. He asks Quentin if he had a crush on Melissa. "Enough to show her a German Luger from the Second World War? Cause that would always impress a teenage girl." Quentin contends she didn't believe it was loaded and if she hadn't been so stupid he wouldn't have pulled the trigger to prove it. He's relaxed about the impending court case as he says his father has a plenty of money. Lily is shown looking out of a window.

Aaron Thomas is outside the courtroom giving a press conference. He maintains the Woodward family has been badly advised and says he will make a motion to dismiss and maybe counter-sue for malicious prosecution.

It's late at night and Ariel is in her office. Fineman walks in and she tells him their encounter a few nights ago was a mistake.  They talk briefly about the brainwashing defence for tractor boy. Fineman tells her he's been working on the Pirello Sewage Disposal case if she wants to know what happens when you flush. She gives him a look that says "enough" as he leaves.

The next day Jack and Grant discuss the fact that Quentin was sixteen when the shooting took place. Grant suggests increasing the damages they're claiming. In the elevator a young woman hears their conversation and starts talking about causation and the environment of hostility. Jack seems impressed by her intervention and asks her name. She replies "Molly Packard, sir." Jack corrects her by using the term "environment of hate" and that without the hostility of the parents their son would never have shot the victim. He then asks what else do you do in an environment of hate. Molly has no answer, so Jack says "You lie. You lie because the truth has consequences." Jack leaves the elevator leaving Grant behind. Molly asks if she missed something. Grant tells her "just press the button."

Ariel is holding another meeting with Ray Ferris's parents when Riley walks in, saying he's cut a deal for Ray to serve a twenty year prison sentence. Without the deal he could have served sixty years to life. Mrs Ferris asks about the brainwashing defence whereupon Riley asks for them to excuse him, taking Ariel into another office. He's furious that she has told them about this but she argues they have a right to know the options. He says he doesn't know how they do things at the "Crystal Palace" but down at the law centre Lead Counsel is Lead Counsel. Associates don't decide they'll try the case. She's crossed the line and is off the case.

Jack interviews Lily, asking her if she's protecting Quentin. She makes the point that he's got away with committing murder but Jack contends that if her father wins the case at least Quentin will be branded a murderer. He then suggests that Quentin had come on to Melissa and she'd turned him down. He asks Lily for her help and then questions her, theorising that she and her sister hated their father. He asks her to tell him what really happened. It transpires that Lily liked Quentin and that she and Melissa visited him. He made fun of the fact that Lily had a crush on him, with the upshot that she began calling him names. He went into the house and got the gun, intending to shoot Lily. She ducked. Jack gently tells her that she's been living with the thought that she was responsible for Fred Woodward losing his favourite daughter but it wasn't her fault. Lily is distraught and cries inconsolably.

Ariel is sitting in her office at LL&L staring at the ceiling. Fineman walks in and she confides in him that she messed up the Ferris case. Fineman shows her a video of Chambers in full neo-Fascist rant mode. He gives her the idea that cult leaders may not be convicted by proving direct involvement in their followers' crimes but as co-conspirators.

The Woodward vs Chadwick dismissal hearing has opened at Court. In his opening address Thomas talks about words people use like "I'll shoot my mailman if he brings me one more bill." He says he's said them himself in his children's hearing, but that doesn't mean he wants them to do it. His premise is that words are not commands. Parents are not liable for the actions of their children.

Ariel goes to Riley. She puts to him that Ray Ferris conspired to commit an act of violence. Riley picks up on her conspiracy defence, with the aim of persuading Ferris to turn State's Evidence as the State Department have been after Chambers for years.

Back in Court Jack pushes an empty chair forward. He begins by saying everyone is forgetting Melissa Woodward and lists her missed life events - going to college; becoming engaged; her daughter's first day at kindergarten; the birth of her first grandson which are lost moments in a life unlived. He posits that Melissa was a victim of the climate of hate, arguing that words are amongst the most destructive weapons to hand. The argument for the plaintiff will demonstrate the gun was put in Quentin's hand by the environment of hate, and that someone has to say enough is enough.

Ferris Sr tries to persuade his son to turn State's evidence. However, it turns out he had originally told his son to listen to Chambers. Ariel asks Ray if he committed the crime because of what his father said. He maintains it was on his own volition, but Ariel says that's impossible, because three other boys have done exactly the same thing. Ray simply nods when asked if Chambers asked him to do it.

In the Woodward case the judge is making his ruling. He says it's tricky, and that seeking justice is messy. Lily runs out at this point . The judge says that he has been convinced by Jack and that the motion to dismiss is denied.

Outside in the melee of the press Jack talks about not seeking vengeance, but closure. As he speaks a shot sounds. Lily has shot Quentin. Jack stands looking down at the victim, shocked. Grant looks back at him, seemingly almost pleased that things have turned out so badly for Jack.  As Lily is led off the camera pulls back to show Jack, stunned, and the people gathered around Quentin.

That night Grant seeks out Ariel, saying he heard she did well with the Ferris case. He reminds her not to forget why she's there at the inner city law centre. He stands behind her and kisses her neck, caressing her. She says she doesn't have time, she has to work. He hopes she's working for the right thing. She says she is trying, to which he comments "Maybe not hard enough." He tells her he's expecting her to find something to bring Jack down and if not he'll find someone else "but I don't want that - do you?"

Jack is in his office leaning against his desk bouncing a rubber ball off the wall. Riley comes in to say he saw the news. Jack tells him that all Lily wanted was to see Quentin pay. Riley remarks that's what happens when people are only taught hate, and that it's a tough legacy to escape.  Riley offers to help Jack defend her. Jack sighs and says it's weird being in Daniel Barrington's office, confessing that they fought before Barrington died. Riley admits that Barrington had told him, but that he didn't feel it was his place to tell Jack. Jack says he'll never fill Barrington's shoes. Riley offers to buy Jack a drink and they leave the building.

All this time Ariel has been hiding in a doorway, unseen by Jack and Riley. She goes into an office, picking up a bunch of keys from the desk. Opening a filing cabinet, she pulls out a file marked "Grant Rashton." A picture drops out. It depicts four people: Jack, three other men and one woman. Ariel hears a voice and hurriedly replaces the file in the cabinet, placing the keys back on the desk before she leaves the room.

~ The Lyoness