Writing for Television: “Associates” Pilot Outline
By Zachary K. Sporn
TEASER:
1. INT. RILEY, SCOTT AND FERNANDEZ (RSF) OFFICES – NIGHT
SAMANTHA HUGHES, 49, sits at her desk at 6 PM Sunday night; one of very few
dedicated (or deranged) enough to spend her Sunday working, even for those
working for one of the most prestigious law firms in the world. She is trying to finish
filling out one of many very neatly stacked piles of legal forms on the floor and
furniture around her office. She slowly looks at the clock to her left, then a calendar,
and grimaces. She’s about to make a call she really doesn’t want to have to.
2. INT. HOTEL ROOM – DAY
CUT TO: BAILEY FERNANDEZ, 68, is reading a newspaper in his bathrobe in bed
while he can hear his wife, MOLLY BAUER, in the shower. It is 8:00 AM local time in
TOKYO, JAPAN. Bailey’s cellphone starts ringing on the side table. Bailey whispers
angrily into the phone that short of Godzilla attacking New York, Samantha was not
to interrupt his honeymoon with work-related matters. Samantha manages to get
out in between Bailey’s scolding that he’s been missing from work for 3 weeks, and
had said he’d call Samantha with his return plans 2 weeks ago. She can’t wait any
longer to hear from him because tomorrow (NY Time) is the day that the new first
year legal associates are starting their jobs at the firm. Three of the recent law
school graduates are coming to work for her and Bailey, and Bailey is required to
meet the associates during their first day. Bailey puts his face in his palm as
Samantha informs him that one of the associates is “Paul’s son”. Bailey swears, tells
her he’ll be there in a few hours and hangs up the phone. Molly slides open a
Japanese paper door and enters, revealing that unlike Bailey she is only in her midthirties, and asks Bailey what’s wrong. Bailey explains that he’s sorry but has to
head in to work and that adding a third week to their honeymoon was a bad idea. He
opens a sliding paper door to reveal a young Japanese attendant, who immediately
bows. Bailey explains he needs his private jet ready in one hour. Molly asks
sarcastically if he plans to show up to work that very day. Bailey replies that because
of the international date line flights leaving from Tokyo arrive in NY at about the
same time they leave. He’ll be on his jet by 9 AM, in the office by 10. She kisses him
and asks how she’ll get home without him. Bailey tells her to just tell anyone she’s
Bailey Fernandez’s wife, and it’ll get done. He then walks out, the attendant bows
“Fernandez-san”, and Bailey walks past him. Bailey says “Iki-masho!” and in
subtitles we see “Let’s go!” on the screen as he exits. Molly follows him out and asks
if he’s going to fly to work in his bathrobe. He does a double take and then saunters
back into the room to change. Molly shuts the sliding door behind them.
ACT 1:
1. INT. CATHERINE’S APARTMENT – DAY
CATHERINE GOLDMAN rolls over to turn off her alarm clock (after a few tries). She
opens her closet and pulls out her nicest and only workplace attire in her closet. The
apartment is tiny and a complete mess except for a large, immaculate book shelf
filled with alphabetized legal texts. She lays her suit out tenderly on her bed, turns
to look at the bookshelf. Her hand brushes over the individual volumes until it stops
on one. She pulls it out, glances once at the clock, then starts to read. CUT TO:
2. INT. TOWN CAR - DAY
RIVER MATTHEWS sits alone and looking bored in a luxurious town car, stuck in
bumper to bumper Manhattan traffic. He looks out his window as though all of the
cars were deliberately trying to insult him by getting in his way. River tries to make
small talk with the driver, but they never respond with than more than one or two
words in complete monotone. River asks the driver if his mother ever dropped him
on his head when he was little. The driver replies, stone-faced: “Once or twice”.
River smirks. Deliberately? Not sure. The traffic starts to move. CUT TO:
3. INT. RSF OFFICE – DAY
JEREMY RILEY is hunched over a sink in a Riley, Scott and Fernandez bathroom.
Jeremy has a few moments of psyching himself up and telling himself everything will
be okay. He bites one of his nails, takes a few deep breaths, and repeats: “my name is
Jeremy” to himself three times. Comfort zone achieved. He walks out.
4. EXT. OUTSIDE RSF OFFICE – DAY
Jeremy’s driver opens the car door. Jeremy thanks him and walks confidently
towards the RSF building. A cab rushes up to the curb and Catherine bursts out,
clearly late. She walks as fast as heels permit, passing Jeremy into the RSF building.
5. INT. RSF LOBBY – DAY
Catherine rushes up to the front desk. While she catches her breath, River walks up
to the desk, introduces himself, and gets his employee ID/pass. She then does the
same and the pair enter an elevator.
6. INT. RSF ELEVATOR – DAY
Catherine and River enter the elevator with a number of other lawyers. The elevator
stops and Jeremy enters. The three avoid eye contact and get out together.
7. INT. RSF OFFICES – DAY
Catherine, River and Jeremy step out into a hall leading to a common area with a
“Welcome, New Associates” banner and other new associates mingling. It’s like the
first day of college; everyone trying to seem cool, size up everyone else before
letting themselves relax. River turns to Samantha and puts on a gentleman act. They
joke about her rushing to work and start introducing themselves. Jeremy feels like a
third wheel and tries engaging some of the other associates in conversation. Before
Jeremy gets a chance to talk PAUL RILEY, 61, Jeremy’s dad and the firm’s youngest
named partner, claps to get the attention of the associates. The room falls silent.
Paul makes a speech to the gathered associates about how they are the best and the
brightest lawyers of their age. Paul calls them the “future locksmiths of the country”,
the ones who will decide what doors open and close throughout history. In response
Catherine nods in agreement, River smirks in amusement, and Jeremy rolls his eyes
at another of his Dad’s rehearsed speeches. He then explains that whatever happens
in the courtroom, members of the firm are honest with each other. The firm will
only be keeping 5 of the 15 legal associates present after their first year at the firm,
based on regular performance reports from their department heads and other
higher-ranking members of the firm they work with. Paul ends by wishing the
associates luck, and reads out the name of a senior partner followed by who will be
working for that partner, and where they should report to. The first name is “Bailey
Fernandez”, and as Catherine, River and Jeremy hear their names they head to the
elevator to their designated floor.
8. INT. RSF ELEVATOR – DAY
The associates look at each other. They hadn’t realized they would be competing for
their jobs. Jeremy holds out his hand to the other two. Catherine and River hesitate.
Jeremy jokingly promises them a “cease fire” until they actually start working. The
tension breaks and they shake hands. The elevator slows.
9. INT. RSF SPECIAL CASES – DAY
Samantha is waiting for them as they exit the elevator, carrying three folders.
“Catherine, River, Jeremy, follow me.” The three associates have to almost jog to
keep up with Samantha. As they walk she introduces herself, explains that this is the
SPECIAL CASE DEPARTMENT of Riley, Scott, and Fernandez. Their motto is
“creativity, adaptability and durability”. They handle the most unique and/or
“sensitive” (potentially controversial) cases that the firm receives. They also handle
clients who require special care (mentally/physically disabled, so wealthy they need
coddling, etc.). While explaining she shows them her office, the bathroom, the
copier, the far corner of the floor where the associates’ desks are located, and finally
the library.
10. INT. RSF SPECIAL CASES LIBRARY – DAY
Samantha stops, sits down, and asks if there are any questions. The associates sit,
and River asks for Samantha’s name. She gives it. Catherine asks when they’ll get to
meet Bailey. Samantha explains that he has a busy schedule and the associates might
only see Bailey in passing. Jeremy asks about what their first case will be. Samantha
then hands out the three folders she’s been holding and tells them that she hopes
they didn’t plan on slacking off on their first day. She tells them the floor’s legal
library and computers are open to them. If they need anything use each other, and if
that doesn’t work come to her. Just DO NOT interrupt Bailey. Samantha then asks
each associate to say a little about themselves; their name, where they’re from, how
they became interested in law, what they want to specialize in.
Catherine is midway through explaining that she became a lawyer to one day be
powerful enough to change the flaws in the American legal system when Bailey
enters the library, flustered, shirtless, and carrying two bags of laundry. He dumps
them on the couch next to Jeremy, who recoils in disgust. Bailey then sits down next
to River, who is trying very hard not to burst out in laughter. Bailey says he’s sorry
he’s late, he was oversees taking care of “business”. He introduces himself, recounts
a few of his most legendary legal victories, wishes them luck and tells them his
favorite place to get lunch around the corner. He stands and tells Samantha to have
one of the associates drop off his laundry and for her to follow him to his office.
Bailey leaves. The associates stare, open-mouthed. Samantha looks momentarily
embarrassed but quickly recovers her stony expression and repeats Bailey’s request
and tells the three of them to get to work. The associates each take one of the files,
then determine through rock-paper-scissors who has to drop off Bailey’s laundry.
END OF ACT 1
ACT 2
11. INT. RSF SPECIAL CASE OFFICES – DAY
Samantha follows Bailey into his office and closes the blinds on the glass windows
surrounding it. As Bailey opens a small closet to the side where he keeps an
emergency set of clothes Samantha asks why he never called to say when he’d be
back. Bailey ignores the question and asks Samantha how she is. After forcing her to
endure polite small talk Bailey launches into a speech about what a wonderful time
he was having with his new wife, Molly, in Japan. For Bailey, Molly’s the one. The
previous three wives, they were just after his money, his power, his body (he
winks). So it was “difficult” to leave all that on a dime and fly back to welcome the
new “infants” in the library. He didn’t even have time to get a clean set of laundry
with him before boarding the plane.
Even infants don’t do your laundry, Samantha rebuts. And he shouldn’t be abusing
his power like that, especially when one of them is Paul’s son. Bailey replies that this
is exactly why he made one of them do his laundry, to send Paul a message. Paul
may have gotten his son a job here and forced him on Bailey, but Bailey doesn’t have
to like it. Bailey also wants to remind Paul that the firm is named after three people,
and one of them is Bailey Fernandez. There is a pause before Bailey asks if there’s
any other reason for him to be at work besides babysitting. Samantha then sits and
begins to explain that a big case has come up – CUT TO –
12. INT. RSF SPECIAL CASE LIBRARY – DAY
Jeremy and Catherine go through their copy of the case file while they alternate
speaking the details of the case out loud. The firm represents a large porn company
–COBURN DISTRIBUTERS, INC. – which is being sued for copyright infringement by
a nationally distributed candy company: VIRGINIA SWEETS, INC. Coburn made porn
parodies based around Virginia Sweets famous desserts: “Caramel Delicious”
became “Carnal Delicious”, “Infinitely Edibles” became “Infinitely Bed-ables”, and
their signature: “Virginia Delights” candy bars became “Virgin Delights” etc. Coburn
named the whole series: “Virgin Sweats” and has been producing them for just over
two years. It took Virginia Sweets so long to sue because they had no idea that the
videos even existed – they weren’t selling. Virginia Sweets now wants the videos off
the shelves before that changes.
River wonders why Virginia Sweets would bother, the videos can only lead to
“good press”. Catherine responds that it’s probably an issue of recognition, they
don’t want their brand associated with pornography. She turns a page in the file
then suddenly shrieks and drops it in disgust. River looks: apparently pictures and
descriptions of each video were included in the file. River smirks and casually flips
through them. Catherine asks how he can stomach that kind of thing. River replies
half-jokingly that it’s “research”, and that they should be willing to do anything for
the firm, even laundry. CUT TO –
13. INT. LAUNDROMAT – DAY
Jeremy is sitting next to a washing machine while flipping through the case file.
He flips to the page with the title and cover of the first porn video when a little old
lady passes by. Her face fills with shock and disgust. Jeremy tries to explain that it’s
for his job as the old lady storms off, when he hears a younger female voice behind
him ask: “Do you work in the porn industry?” Jeremy turns around. JESSICA (Jess)
KEATS, 26, stares into the still open case file while unloading her laundry into a
basket. No, Jeremy explains, he just represents them. He’s a lawyer, and apparently
not that skilled at talking to women of any age. Jessica introduces herself. She asks
why he’s doing laundry in a suit midday Monday. He could ask her the same thing,
but at that moment Bailey’s laundry finishes. Jeremy explains that this is for his
boss, and pulls out a heap of Bailey’s wife-beaters, tube socks, and other things that
old men wear. She says she hasn’t known many lawyers who read about porn and
do their boss’ laundry. Jeremy asks if she’s known many lawyers. She sighs – too
many, she says, before walking out. Jeremy gets out a “see ya” that he’s not sure
Jessica hears. CUT TO –
14. INT. RSF SPECIAL CASE LIBRARY – DAY
Jeremy enters the library with Bailey’s laundry in bags. He finds River and
Catherine in a corner looking intently at a computer. River whispers the cleaner is
back. Jeremy walks over and asks what they’re watching – and covers his eyes when
he sees that it’s porn (“Infinitely Bedables” to be exact). Catherine says it’s for
research. River says he can see why the videos didn’t sell. Catherine adds that this is
the third one they’ve watched and except for the title and theme of the movies, she
can’t find any connection between them and Virginia Sweets. There’s no logo in the
background, none of their candy in the videos. River responds that this should be
easy, then. Jeremy says it depends. He goes through a history of some famous
copyright cases and explains that for something to be a “parody”, and therefore not
infringement, it has to be poking fun at or making a statement about what it’s
parodying. The porn flicks aren’t satire of Virginia Sweets, they’re just using the
cheap puns and brand recognition to try to get their videos to sell. I guess they
should have tried harder, says River. Catherine then says that everything might be
solved with a technicality – the videos have been on the market over 2 years.
There’s a legal caveat that if companies can’t wait for more than a few years to
prosecute copyright infringement. If the company lets it go for long enough, they
stop being able to prosecute the offender. Jeremy disagrees. He thinks the videos are
clear parodies, and protected under the first amendment. Catherine asks if they
really want to go to trial defending porn. The two argue over what to do while River
continues to do “research” on the computer.
15. INT. RSF SPECIAL CASE OFFICES - DAY
Samantha is just finishing explaining the details of the case to Bailey, who
chuckles. He thinks Coburn Distributers Inc. needs to come up with some better
puns for their videos. Samantha asks him to focus. Someone knocks on the office
door. Samantha opens it to find Paul Riley standing there, smiling. He had checked
her office but apparently Samantha was elsewhere. Paul deliberately ignores Bailey
for a few seconds, making small talk with Samantha. He then finally turns and says
hello to Bailey. Paul hasn’t seen Bailey in three weeks. Bailey says he’s sorry, but
he’s been overseas negotiating legal contracts in Japan and just hasn’t had time to
make it back to the office. Paul says that’s too bad, and asks for Bailey’s first
impression of his new associates. Bailey says to Paul “They’re doing great, especially
your daughter, Jennifer.” Paul asks if Bailey means his son, Jeremy. Bailey says yes,
he must have meant that. There is a tense pause. Paul then asks to talk to Samantha
outside for a moment. Bailey says of course. Paul and Samantha step outside –
16. INT. RSF SPECIAL CASE HALLWAY – DAY
Paul tells Samantha that MASON COBURN, founder and CEO of Coburn
Distributers will be visiting the office later that day. He wants to know what his legal
options/chances are. Samantha says that she and the associates can brief him later.
Paul tells her that Bailey needs to be in the room, and he needs to be on top of his
game. This is a major client who has been with the firm for years and expects the
best; not just three associates on their first day and their boss’ paralegal/secretary,
no matter how brilliant they are. Samantha says okay. She turns to leave but Paul
stops her with a hand on her shoulder. Paul tells her that he heard about Bailey
coming into the office shirtless, and someone spotted Jeremy carrying Bailey’s
laundry in and out of the building. She apologizes, it’s Monday, after all. Paul tells
her for her sake to keep Bailey under control. Or, if she would prefer, Paul can help
get her off of a “sinking ship” and onto a life raft. He just asks her to be honest with
him when it comes to what Bailey’s up to. She removes his hand from her shoulder
and tells him she would never lie. Paul asks where Bailey was the last three weeks.
She tells Paul that Bailey’s been oversees in Japan, working hard. Paul nods and
leaves. As he walks away he reminds her that Coburn will be there at four and they
need to be ready to brief him. Samantha takes a deep breath and heads for the
library.
END OF ACT 2.
ACT 3
17. INT. RSF SPECIAL CASE LIBRARY – DAY
Samantha walks into the library to find the associates on computers and
taking notes or buried in books. She tells them that Mason Coburn will be coming by
in 2 hours for an impromptu briefing session and they need to be ready to present
him with whatever they have. Samantha asks for what the associates have already
come up with. Catherine talks about her time-lapse idea as a technicality Coburn can
get off on. (River finds this word choice amusing.) Jeremy makes the argument that
the videos clearly aren’t violating copyright law because you’d have to be an idiot to
mix up the porn videos with the candy company. No one will accidentally buy a copy
of “Virgin Delights” that actually wants to buy a box of “Virginia Delights”. Samantha
asks if River has anything to add. River says he’s still doing research, but lists
several cases of copyright infringement involving porn companies that he’s looking
into, and says that he likes the idea of using the legal technicality instead of arguing
that the porn videos are parodies. Virginia Sweets might argue that they didn’t
prosecute because they didn’t know about the videos, but if they stop the lawsuit
with the technicality they won’t have to expose their client to the rigors of
courtroom scrutiny. Samantha thanks them, tells them all to bring her a summary in
an hour, and wants them to be ready to present it in two. River asks if Bailey will be
at the meeting. Samantha says that of course he will. She exits
The associates turn to each other. Catherine proposes they just focus on the
technicality and drop everything else. Jeremy argues that they should have both
ideas just in case. River gets the two to compromise by saying that he (River) and
Catherine will focus on the technicality aspect since it’s somewhat obscure, and
Jeremy can present the basic 1st amendment protection argument that the videos
are parody. Jeremy agrees.
18. INT. RSF SPECIAL CASE OFFICES – DAY
Inside Bailey’s office he hears knocking. He shouts that it’s open and
Samantha enters. She fills him in on the Coburn situation and asks Bailey if he’s up
to seeing Coburn. Bailey says sure thing, he’s known and represented “Max” for 10
years, they’re old friends. Samantha reminds him that it’s “Mason”. Bailey shrugs it
off, he says he has hundreds of clients and can’t be expected to remember each one.
Samantha asks if Bailey is sure he’s ready for this. He just flew in from Japan, the
jetlag could be too severe. Bailey insists that he’s fine. He’ll just walk into the room
and his presence will seal the deal. The interns can do all that boring stuff. Samantha
asks if by “boring stuff” he means reading and speaking. Bailey says yes. Samantha
tries to remind Bailey that it’s his responsibility as a partner to take care of his
clients, not the job of three associates on their first day. For the first time, Bailey gets
mad. He declares that he has spent more than 40 years of his life building the firm
from the ground up. After all he’s done he’s entitled to hand off the “busywork” to
someone else. He has a new wife and she has a son. If Bailey wants to spend his
workday visiting them or skydiving he’ll do it because it’s his name on the door.
Samantha says: “thank you, Mr. Fernandez.” She leaves a copy of the case file on his
desk and leaves, silent. Bailey watches her go, spends a few moments pacing, and
reluctantly opens the folder to read. After a few moments trying to read he shuts it,
shakes his head, and exits his office to find the associates.
19. INT. RSF SPECIAL CASE LIBRARY – DAY
The associates are compiling their notes and preparing to present their
findings. Bailey makes a sudden entrance and all three stand up. Bailey tells them to
stay calm; he only came to get his laundry. Jeremy points to where it’s sitting. Bailey
thanks them and asks how it’s going. They all reply that things are going well; they
have a number of options to approach the case with. Bailey asks what they’ve got so
far. No one speaks, they all thought they’d only be speaking to Samantha. Catherine
starts to nervously spell out her technicality idea. River quickly notices that Bailey is
getting bored by and having trouble following the longwinded explanation, and
makes his move. As Bailey asks for any other ideas River goes into a speech about
America’s long and beautiful history of porn parodies; movies like “Pulp Friction”
and “Forrest Hump”. Coburn Distributers’ “Virgin Sweats” is the next great porn
parody, a message movie about the nature of consumerism and decadence in
America. Not only would it be impossible for someone to mix up the movie with the
candy company, but every inch of the movie is protected by the first amendment,
and River will die before he lets a candy company ruin that. Bailey loves this speech.
He thanks River for the idea and heads back to his office. River stands, smiling, as
the other associates glare at him in anger. Catherine accuses him of betraying her
and trampling over her idea. Jeremy accuses River of stealing his. River shrugs and
tells Jeremy that he won River over, Jeremy just has to be faster next time. He tells
Catherine that she needs to wake up to what’s going on with the person she’s talking
to. Bailey was half asleep listening to her explanation, and he does not seem to be a
man of great attention span. Wordless, they all go back to writing on legal pads, but
this time Catherine and Jeremy sit apart from River.
exits.
20. INT. RSF SPECIAL CASE OFFICES – DAY
Samantha sits at her desk and looks at her clock. It’s 3:45. She gets up and
21. INT. RSF SPECIAL CASE HALLWAY – DAY
The associates are gathered outside her office clutching their case folders.
Samantha nods and leads them down the hall to a conference room.
22. INT. RSF SPECIAL CASE CONFERENCE ROOM – DAY
The four enter a long, wood-paneled conference room and take their seats
along one of the long ends of the oval table, Samantha closest to the head. Bailey
enters and the other four stand. Bailey sits at the head of the table. He smiles and
tells them that he does this sort of thing all the time.
The door opens and everyone stands. Mason Coburn, 65, enters, smiling. He
says hi to Bailey and shakes his hand like old friends. Bailey says hello back and asks
him to sit. Mason asks how Bailey’s been. There is a brief shot of Samantha looking
nervous. Bailey says that he’s been great, he’s got a new wife he just spent the past
three weeks honeymooning with. Bailey recounts some of the highlights and Mason
says that he wishes he could afford to play hooky like that. He asks why he didn’t get
invited to the wedding. Bailey apologizes, it was a bit of a snap decision and they
didn’t have time to invite all their friends. Mason asks what Bailey means. Bailey
explains that he and his new wife had only known each other for about 2 weeks
before getting married, and it was more of an elopement than a marriage. In fact,
Bailey still hasn’t told the other members of the firm, except for Samantha. Bailey
suddenly realizes that he’s said more than he should, and goes quiet. Mason asks
politely for what he came there for. Bailey thanks Mason for his time, and is about to
speak when it looks as though he’s forgotten something. Bailey turns to the
associates and asks them to give the man (Mason) what he came here for.
River, Jeremy and Catherine take turns laying out the legal strategy they
came up with earlier, explaining a few more technical details and less hyped up
language than before. Samantha adds on to the end of their strategy that the full
weight of the firm will be behind the case, and Mason thanks each of them
individually, ending with Bailey.
Just as Mason gets up Bailey says: “Thank you, Matthew”. Mason stops. He
asks what Bailey just said. Bailey tries to correct himself, apologizing and saying
different (wrong) names. Samantha finally jumps in, apologizing to Mason (saying
his name out loud) and asking him to put his trust in the legal argument Mason just
agreed with, and the hundreds of other lawyers working for the firm. Mason says its
not a problem. Bailey quickly adds that Mason should trust the firm because the
argument he just heard was created by three first-year associates on the first day. If
that’s what comes out of the firm’s rawest recruits, Mason should have no problem
trusting the whole firm. But Mason is simply taken aback by the fact he was just
presented his legal strategy by three lawyers on their first day of work. Samantha
apologizes again and Mason says not to worry, he’s spent too much time with the
firm to go elsewhere. But he asks that someone show him to Paul Riley’s office.
Mason would like a second legal opinion. Samantha agrees to take him there and
they exit. Bailey says: “Let’s get lunch sometime, Mason” as they leave. He then turns
to the associates, says that it could have been worse, and exits, whistling. The three
associates look at each other. They all wonder how they can keep their jobs based
on the recommendation of a lawyer who can’t remember his client’s name. Jeremy
suggests they head back to the library. River asks what for. Jeremy says that it’s still
their case until told otherwise, and he’s going to do more research. The others
follow, shoulders slumped.
ACT 3, END.
ACT 4:
23. INT. RSF SPECIAL CASES OFFICES – EVENING
Samantha is getting an earful from Paul in her own office. He had to assure
Mason Coburn that claiming the three lawyers who presented his case strategy were
there on their first day of work was an elaborate joke, and that he wouldn’t have
liked their argument so much if they were that inexperienced. He wonders how she
could have let Bailey go on mistaking Mason’s name without saying something, how
she could have let Bailey go on about his new wife. And speaking of his new wife,
why does Bailey have a new wife!? They’ve been seeing each other for only 2 weeks?
Paul reminds Samantha that a few of the other wives managed to get millions out of
the divorce. Since Bailey’s wealth is tied to the firm, it is a huge deal if he gets
remarried, especially if there’s the possibility for a divorce. He has to inform the
other senior partners that this has occurred. How could Samantha not tell anyone,
both for the firm’s and for Bailey’s own good? Paul tells Samantha that the only
reason he doesn’t try to have her fired for all of this is that she’s the best one at
keeping an eye on and controlling Bailey’s behavior. Paul tells her to keep Bailey in
his shirt from now on. She will also report everything Bailey does, everywhere he
goes, and every word he speaks to Paul and Paul alone. Is that understood?
Samantha replies icily that it is. Paul takes a breath. Good, he says. He leaves.
24. INT. RSF SPECIAL CASES LIBRARY – EVENING
The interns sit silently, not doing much of anything. Catherine asks what the
odds of them keeping their jobs is if Bailey gets fired. Not high, replies Jeremy. They
start going through the introductions that got cut off that morning. Catherine
explains that she’s desperate for this job to pay the bills and wants to become
powerful enough to one day change the flaws she sees in the legal system. Jeremy
talks about wanting to step out of his father’s shadow. He talks about his father
being a hypocrite, putting on a noble face while being one of the slyest, most
underhanded lawyers around. He wants to show that he can be a better lawyer
while remaining the sort of ideal that his father only pretends to embody. River
stays evasive. He claims that he wants to be a lawyer because he was bored, and this
seemed exciting and interesting. He just wants to be able to make his own decisions
rather than have them made for him. Before River has to reveal anything about
where he’s from, Samantha enters.
She apologizes for what happened earlier today. Paul convinced Mason that
everything at the end of the meeting was a joke, and they’re still on the case.
Samantha explains that Bailey has not been on top of his game for several years
now. He’s been forgetting things more and more, he’s cracked under pressure at
depositions, but no one has known because it’s only ever been him and Samantha in
the room, and she covers for him.
She tells them that she and Bailey can’t keep it up alone anymore. She can
guarantee that if they work hard the associates will be rewarded, and that the more
slack they pick up for Bailey the more experience each of them will get. She knows
this isn’t their ideal situation, but makes them see that the briefing they came up
with today was great. If this was just their first day, imagine what kinds of cases
they’ll get to argue and learn from in the future. River nods in the direction of
Jeremy and says that it was a good idea. Jeremy nods towards Catherine and says he
couldn’t do it alone. Catherine smiles and asks: “What’s next?” Samantha tells them
to go home and get some sleep. Work starts at 9AM tomorrow. Samantha leaves
them, and one by one they all exit. FADE OUT TO:
25. INT. RSF OFFICE – NIGHT
Paul stares out his office window into the night. He spreads his arms and puts
his hands against the glass. He whispers: “This, all of this, will remember me.”
There’s a knock at his door. Paul says to come in. Jeremy enters. Paul acts surprised.
Jeremy, I heard good things about you today. Mason Coburn had no idea from the
brief you and your colleagues gave that it was your first day. Jeremy says that Paul
flatters him. Paul says not at all, and asks what brings Jeremy down. Jeremy says he
came by to thank Paul for getting him the job with Bailey. Paul says any father would
do the same, and tells Jeremy that anytime Jeremy has an interesting day or wants
to talk about a case he should feel free to tell Paul what’s going on in the Major Case
floor. Jeremy says thanks but no thanks; he doesn’t want to bore his dad with the
day-to-day stuff. They’re both busy men. Paul agrees, then turns back to face the
window. Jeremy asks if Paul is heading home. Paul says that he is home. Jeremy
leaves. FADE OUT from Paul staring into the distance –
26. EXT. OUTSIDE RSF OFFICE – NIGHT
River closes his cellphone as the driver from this morning pulls up with the
town car. River asks through the window how the driver’s day was. The driver says
it was fine. River hesitates, then tells the driver that he’ll take the subway back to his
apartment. For the first time the driver breaks his stony face and tells River that he’s
not supposed to go anywhere in the city alone at night. River ignores him and walks
away. CUT TO27. INT. CATHERINE’S APARTMENT – NIGHT
Catherine slams open her door and immediately collapses into bed. She looks
at her clock, rolls over, sits up and stares at her bookshelf. She drifts over the books
and picks one off the shelf. She brushes off the cover and reads the title: “Basic
Copyright and Trademark Infringement”. She then flops back in bed and starts to
read. CUT TO28. EXT. MANHATTAN STREET – NIGHT
Jeremy walks down the street past the Laundromat from the morning. He
stops and looks inside even though it’s closed. Inside he sees Jessica, from before,
checking the machines and turning off the lights. He watches her disappear into a
back room that says “Employees Only”. He sniffs his clothes and says they could use
a wash. Then he smiles and continues walking until he reaches a subway station.
CUT TO29. INT. RSF SPECIAL CASES OFFICES – NIGHT
Bailey sits behind his desk, swivel chair pointed outward towards the
window. Samantha knocks on the open office door. She says she’s going home for
the night, and Bailey can call if he needs anything. Bailey grunts in assent. Samantha
looks at him for a few more moments as if about to say something, then decides not
to, and leaves. Bailey stares out into the night until a phone rings. Bailey pulls out a
cellphone and his wife’s name appears on the screen. He smiles, answers, and says
hello. The sound of their small talk is audible as the camera moves outward from
Bailey towards the view of the city. The final words that can be heard are Bailey
saying: “You wouldn’t believe the day I had.”
END OF PILOT