Beyond The Gates Transcript
Transcript provided by Suzanne and Thane
THIS STILL NEEDS SOME EDITING!
[birds chirping] You’re done with modeling. Funny. Cute. But we have no time for comedy. As soon as you sign this, I can, uh, get all those balls in the air and start juggling. This fashion show is not going to organize itself. I’m not kidding, Mom. I’m done with modeling. Are you livestreaming this somehow? Are all your little followers watching your mother freak out? I swear I’m not punking you. Then what is this about, Chelsea? Because you’re not making any sense. Well, I’ll tell you if you just listen. I’m not like you, Mom. Modeling isn’t my end-all, be-all. What I want to do is be a designer. And I have my own company. Well, it’s not just me. I’m partnering with Kat. We just started, but it won’t take long for us to be able to launch our own line. Okay. Sweetheart, let’s be serious. Maybe someday soon, we can discuss starting our own fashion line. But a project like that takes planning and preparation. You have no idea how– I already know everything about my company. From the market research, the business plan, the concept design. I am not going to let you give away your wildly successful career on a whim. Don’t call it that. And it’s not up to you. Kat and I have put a lot of work into our business. And it’s just starting to take off. She already negotiated a partnership deal with a luxury brand. But I told her I didn’t want to partner with somebody right now. I want our company to be all ours. I know this is wild. And I didn’t even expect this to happen so soon. Why is this the first I’m hearing about this? I was scared to tell you. [Motown music playing] You are no good for meAnd now I seeYou don’t love meLike I love you…Hi, Jacob. Hayley. It’s been a while since we had a chance to catch up. Congratulations on your promotion. Thank you. You’re working in Robbery and Homicide now, right? Must be intense. It is what it is, you know. Well, it’s nothing you can’t handle, I’m sure. You excel at everything you do. [chuckles] It’s nice of you to say. I’ll see you around. Jacob, wait. There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you. How can we get Naomi and Bill back on speaking terms? Is that it? A few extravagant claims by a few… disgruntled former employees? First, I have three clients who were wrongfully terminated in a classic act of retaliation when they made specific, credible allegations of sexual harassment. I don’t know. I think the word “credible” is doing a lot of work in that sentence. I expect discovery will uncover plenty of evidence. Can’t discover facts that don’t exist. And the man accused in all of this bears no resemblance to the one I worked with for decades. Oh, please. Even before these women came to me, I heard the rumors about Mike. Rumors? [chuckles] Pro tip, Naomi. That’s a word you don’t want to use when bringing a lawsuit. It sounds a little desperate. The people who worked with Mike must have a very good idea of how he treated women around here. And I expect a few depositions from your employees will prove very educational. Hmm. Well, sweetheart… if getting my attention was the goal, then you’ve succeeded. Might’ve been easier to pick up a phone, though. Let me give you a pro tip, Dad. You might not want to call me “sweetheart” in court. Sounds a little sexist. It’s not like I was keeping anything from you. I’m only starting to consider a run for president. I’ve only floated the idea past two people, my mother and my grandfather. I see. You were keeping your plans to a tight circle. What I don’t understand is why your husband was not a part of that circle. I guess for the same reason you didn’t tell me you wanted to start reporting again. Okay. For the record, that is one hell of a false equivalence. But… …I see your point. It seems like neither of us are comfortable opening up about what’s… …important to us. What does that say about our relationship, Martin? How did we get to this place? Look, you would’ve served your clients far better if you had just come to me and tried to resolve things more amicably. And fortunately, we can still handle it that way. Oh, can we?
Of course.
Hmm. You withdraw your complaint, with prejudice of course, and we’ll work something out. Now that I’m aware of the situation, I assure you, I will investigate and take appropriate action. Is that how you’re gonna handle this? That you had no idea what was happening right under your nose? Okay, need I remind you, I’ve had a lot on my plate over the past few months? I got divorced, remarried. I went on a honeymoon. So, is it your position that while you were busy handling your personal life, Human Resources took care of ignoring these women’s complaints, issuing them unfair performance evaluations, passing them over for promotions and ultimately letting them go? Didn’t you notice the unusually high turnover in your female staff? Lower-level personnel matters are not my concern. Maybe you don’t understand how a prominent law firm works. I don’t manage staff. I manage high-profile cases. My research shows that Mike Davis brought a lot of these high- profile clients to your firm. I imagine all those hospitals, tech companies and so on pay you some hefty retainers. Your point? It wasn’t in your financial interest to pay too much attention to how your rainmaker, Mike, was treating the “lower-level personnel.” So you turned a blind eye. These women are capable professionals who worked tirelessly to help elevate the standing of your firm and solidify your firm’s reputation as a prominent law firm. But to you, they were invisible. What did it matter if they were being mistreated, stripped of their dignity, their reputations and eventually their livelihoods? All that counted was what Bill Hamilton wanted. And if an inconsequential woman was in the way, she was out. [Bill laughs] Yes. Nice closing, sweetheart. But are we still talking about your clients here? Because that sounds a lot like the complaints you made about my treatment of your mother. Apparently, you have the same M.O. in your professional life as you do your personal one. And if you can’t punish me for one, then you’ll punish me for the other. Is that it? Am I so terrifying you couldn’t be honest with me? It’s not all you. It’s more me being in my head and doubting that this little daydream could even happen. Then Kat and I started to bounce off ideas, and it sort of turned into this little side hustle thing. I swear, once it turned into something, I was gonna tell you, but that’s when Dad and Hayley happened. No way I was gonna dump this on you then. What about all those nights you came and stayed over? We would stay up late, talking into the night. And I loved that. Well, I thought we were becoming friends as well as mother and daughter. And now I find out you couldn’t even share your dreams with me? Mom, you were at the lowest point of your life. There’s no way that I was gonna take away your career from you on top of everything else. You thought I was gonna fall apart. I didn’t want you to feel more abandoned than you already did. This fashion show you planned really does sound killer. And it’s for a good cause. And headlining for three years is not exactly hard labor, so I’ll just do it. Why’d you rip up the contract? You said you were done with modeling. I can hang in there until things smooth out for you. [scoffs] I wouldn’t make that promise, baby. You might find yourself stumbling down a runway in your 70s. Mm-mm. You are officially off the hook. As much as I appreciate you working so hard to protect me, I would be the world’s biggest hypocrite if I tried to stop you from… chasing a dream that is calling your name. Do you mean that, Mom? You’re okay with my decision? “Okay” might be overstating it a little. But I remember being in your shoes. More than that, I remember the fights I had with your grandmother. That woman tried everything short of chains to keep me from leaving home. You took a risk, and it paid off. If I had more sense, I would have been scared of what I was taking on at 17. But… I had my eyes on my own prize, and my focus helped me achieve it. For two glorious years, I was a top model, right up there with Naomi Campbell and Beverly Johnson. And then you met Dad. [Jacob sighs] Look, my only role in this is supporting my wife, not pressuring her into making nice with someone she lost all respect for. Because Bill fell in love with someone other than her mother? Is that really so unforgivable? Hayley, I’m not getting into this with you. Can-can we at least agree that even before I came into the picture, Bill and Dani’s marriage was on the rocks? Oh, is that what he told you? Let me guess, let me guess. “My wife doesn’t understand me.” Or, “You and I have a special connection, Hayley.” Am I close? Bill deserves some happiness in his life. And it shouldn’t cost him his entire family. At least not his daughters. Did he think about what his actions cost his daughters? I don’t think so. Well, I’m sorry that you can’t allow yourself to have a little compassion. Not after he hurt the woman I love. Well, just so you know, I love both Bill and Naomi very much. And I’m gonna keep hoping that someday Naomi will let go of her anger, even if it’s for her own peace of mind. I wouldn’t count on it. I’m disappointed in you, Naomi. You’re surprised by me, Dad. But don’t worry, you’ll recover. It’s unethical for you to try to use these women to retaliate against me. Attacking me is not a winning strategy. Well, neither is using your clients for your own petty vengeance. You used them. I’m holding you accountable. With this flimsy case? Come on. The record shows that these women were let go because of poor performance. It says it right here in your own complaint. Those terminations were retaliatory. No jury will believe that it’s a coincidence that all three women were let go within days of complaining to HR. Okay, I am not worried about my ability to defeat your case, such as it is, in front of a jury. But if you allow this to get that far, it’s gonna be detrimental for everyone.
Hmm.
Do you understand that?
Your clients will get nothing.
My clients will prevail. You’ll be lucky if you’re not laughed out of court. While I’m standing for the rights of three innocent women? Okay, what about the truly innocent employees that work at the firm, hmm? Who are going to be suffering because of your smear campaign? What about them, Naomi? Hmm? People that watched you grow up. Some of them came to your law school graduation, Naomi. This is not like any other case that you’ve brought, sweetheart. People that you know, people that you care about, are going to be hurt by what you’re doing. It’s not too late for you to rethink this thing. I’ll see you in court. [sighs] [chuckles softly] I’ll always be grateful for the way you guided my career, Mom.
You don’t have to say that.
Oh, facts. You’re responsible for my success on the runway and that brand, my following, it’s what’s opening doors for me as a designer. And that pile of money you made will probably be pretty helpful, too, I’d imagine. [laughs] I’ll always take what I learned from you. And not just about the fashion industry, but how to be a boss and not take crap from anyone. I’ll take every bit of that to build my empire. Empire? Excuse me. Okay, so it’s gonna take a little time for us
to reach that status.
Uh-uh. I have no doubt you will reach empires and beyond. I am so proud of you, Chelsea. And I have loved working with you. And although I wish it could last a little longer, I get it. I had to do me. You have to do you. I love you so much, Mom. Tomas? Hi. Can I join you? Oh, my bad. This seat must be for someone else. Enjoy your lunch date. No, Kat, that’s not it. It’s just Hamilton family drama just exploded at work, and I’m stressing the fallout. Oh, God. What did my Aunt Dani do now? It’s not her this time. It’ll be a matter of public record soon, so there’s no harm in telling you. The firm is getting sued. What happened? Some female employees complained about getting sexually harassed by a particular lawyer and claimed that the firm was a hostile work environment. And then they got fired. Whoa. So who’s the creep? Sorry. Um, alleged harasser. You remember that partner I mentioned to you?
The jerk?
Oh, that guy. Yeah, I definitely believe those women. I hope he gets his ass handed to him. If it were just him going down, I wouldn’t care. But a case like this could trash the reputation of the firm. But you’re good at what you do. You can find a better job at a better firm. Bill Hamilton’s practice is top tier. All through law school, I worked to get grades high enough to score a job offer from him. Even if you don’t make partner there, associates trained by Bill can write their own ticket to any firm in the district and beyond. Hmm. So you’ve been playing the long game. Of course. You can’t get anywhere without a plan. Tell me about it. Managing my father’s practice is only the beginning of what I want to do with my life. [chuckles] But this isn’t about me. And I still don’t understand how this qualifies as Hamilton family drama. Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention. The opposing lawyer is your cousin Naomi. She’s suing her father. Aunt Nicole. You just missed Mom. I saw. You two look like you were sharing a special moment. I didn’t want to intrude. I told her I’m giving up modeling to become a designer. Is that what you’ve been working on with Kat? Mom took it pretty well.
That’s a relief.
I know, right? I thought she would flip out or just stop talking to me altogether, but actually, she was… She said she was proud of me. Oh, shoot. And here I am about to tear up all over again. [sniffles] Thank you. [laughing] Meeting Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. is fine on our end, too. Yeah. Okay, thanks. Bye. Sorry about that. I’m used to being interrupted by your office. Maybe… that’s at least part of our issue. Our lives are so hectic that we don’t make time for real conversations. Those are nice words, Martin, but I’m not buying it. You had the perfect opportunity earlier today to tell me that you were thinking about running for president. I didn’t have the words, okay? Normally when I’m faced with this issue, I turn to my husband, the writer, who could help me out. I’ll give you some words. How about, “Hey, Smitty, “the reason I didn’t tell you about my presidential ambitions “is ’cause I thought you’d say there was no way in hell that you would support me in them”? Am I on target? I was afraid you would say that. But do you really feel that way? Before I answer that question, tell me why your grandparents were so dead set against the idea. Oh, I wish I could see the look on my Uncle Bill’s face when he got served. I did see it. And I can tell you, Bill’s not gonna go easy on Naomi just because she’s his daughter. And she’d never expect him to. I’m tight with Chelsea, and so I know that there is nothing easy about being that man’s daughter. I do not envy my cousins. So your father’s not like him? My dad is like anti-Bill. He’s a total family man. Crazy about my mom even after all these years of marriage. Kind of cringe, but honestly, low-key cute. I think that’s pretty awesome. It might also explain some things. Like why I’m holding out for true love? Yeah, it’s them. If I’ve seen the real deal, why would I waste my time on anything less? Well, because it’s fun. That’s not pressure, I swear. You know I respect your position, but I think it’s fair to say you don’t know what you’re missing. Maybe I don’t know, but I can and do imagine. Are you saying you fantasize about having sex? Of course. Have you fantasized about me? What do you think? I think… I need to hear a lot more about this. [laughing] And I think this is a conversation for a different time and a different place. I’m going to meet Chelsea, so I’ll see you later? And that’s a real question.
Real answer?
Mm-hmm. Count on it, Kat. Gran and Granddad don’t think I’m ready for such a major move. And do you blame them? You don’t think I’m up for it? [sighs] You… …are one of the toughest people I know, Martin. So, sure, yeah, you can handle the pressure. And my life’s been an open book for years.
But…
The kids. They can do this, Smitty. They understand that their pop is on a national stage. But a campaign of this magnitude, at minimum, that’s three years of our lives. Both kids would go through their senior year of high school and early college with that stress. Always having to keep their guards up, every little slip they make being a part of a national conversation. That is a lot of pressure for anyone to handle, let alone a teenager. I think you’re underestimating them and how strong our family is to weather anything, together. I don’t know, Martin. I just– I don’t know. You said you were just considering this, right? So we have time to think about it, to weigh the pros and cons, and to, most of all, talk to each other about it. Kind of hurts not having your husband’s unqualified endorsement. You don’t have it yet. I’ll take what I can get. [sighs] Hey. Honey, I know I said I was gonna buy a new piece of furniture for the bedroom, but I saw these outfits and just couldn’t resist. [chuckles] Well, I’m sure you’ll look stunning in them, baby. Must’ve been a slow day at the firm for you to be home so early. Well, my beautiful new wife is the only reason I need to come home early. But you’re right. Today was same old, same old. Intellectual property disputes, proposed mergers. Oh, and Naomi is suing my firm. I have to admit, I’m surprised Dani took the news so well. She didn’t want to give me a hard time like Gran did with her. Oh, Lord, I remember. I’m surprised Gran wasn’t more understanding with her singing and all. That was part of it. Mother didn’t want to see her baby face hard knocks like she did when she took her path. Also, when Dani left, she was out of our lives until she chose to reach out. You guys didn’t even have cell phones back then. And Dani called when she remembered, which was not much. That’s hard on a mother. Well, it’s a good thing she’ll always be able to see my feed. Thanks to her, nobody is more visible than me. That’s true. But we both know you separating yourself from your mother professionally, it’s still gonna be a struggle for her. She gave you a wonderful gift today, Chelsea. I hope you’ll be patient with her if she struggles at times. I get it. And I will be.
Chelsea: I’m done with modeling. I don’t think you realize the pressure you put on that girl. Well, excuse me while I find my tiny violin. You’ve been a great manager. Built one hell of a career for your daughter. I just wonder if you did it for Chelsea. Or to get back what you gave up. [exhales]
Oh, cousin.
Mm! Oh, my goodness. I’m free. I finally worked up enough courage to tell Mom that I’m done modeling and that you and I started our own design company, and she was fine with it. Wait, for real? She tore up this three-year modeling contract. Hallelujah! There is nothing stopping us now. Not one thing. Oh, I can’t wait to get started. And I have some new designs to show you. And I am so ready to see them. But first, I’ve got my own gossip to dish. The other half of your family just blew up.
Hey, babe.
Hi, baby. Since you have a short break, I ordered for you already. Well, thankfully, you always know what I like to eat. Anything interesting happen on the job today? Well, not at the job, but I did run into your stepmother today. Please don’t call her that. Yeah, well, whatever you want to call her, she thinks she and I should team up to negotiate a truce between you and Bill. I don’t know. Hayley is playing peacemaker? When she’s the one responsible for all of this? And trying to enlist my husband as her ally? How did I not see how manipulative she was from the very beginning? Because you’re a good person, Naomi. You saw the best in her, the way you do everybody. And when you told that bitch to go straight to hell? Well, I didn’t… exactly use those words. But I did let it be known I was not buying what she was selling. You say anything about the lawsuit? No, I didn’t. Partly because it wasn’t really my place, but also because I didn’t know if you’d actually go through with it. Oh, I went through with it. Bill Hamilton was served in his office today. Mmm. And I was there to watch it all unfold. And what was that like? Nothing special. [chuckles] None of those women ever said a word of that to me. And Mike was always the perfect gentleman in my presence. I’ll testify to that in court. Well, I appreciate the offer, baby, but I doubt a jury would be impressed to learn that the office letch was smart enough to steer clear of his partner’s girlfriend, now wife. So, are you saying you think Mike is guilty? I don’t know. I don’t know. But it doesn’t matter, because this lawsuit is going away. So you’ll settle with Naomi, or will you kick Mike out of the firm? I’m just gonna keep all my options open at this point. Yeah, but one thing I do know is that this case will never see the inside of a courtroom. Really? When Naomi gets this fired up about something? Oh, oh, oh, and she is fired up. Listen, she started arguing the case right there in my office. Went toe to toe with me. Just the way I taught her. [chuckles] Sounds like you’re glad she’s suing you. Oh, I certainly don’t want to have to make mincemeat out of Naomi in court. I mean, she’s still my baby, after all. Which is why I’m gonna give her what she needs instead of what she thinks she wants. She wants to win her case, Bill. No, no, she wants to prove herself to her dad. Right? This isn’t the way to do it, but… Look, this case is a shambles based on the misinterpretations by a bunch of, well, hysterical women. Right? What she needs is me back in her life. And this lawsuit puts me in a position to remind her of how much we have in common and how much fun we have arguing the law with each other. Once she remembers that… I think our relationship is gonna get back on track. Mmm. I’d love nothing more than for you and Naomi to be as close as you were before. I was just telling Jacob that earlier when I ran into him. He knew about the lawsuit. That’s why he blew me off.
Hey, baby. Hey, hey, hey.
Wow. Hey. Calm down, Hayley. This is nothing to be upset about, okay? Look, Naomi could have referred her clients to any social justice warrior, but she didn’t. She will never admit it, but this is her way
of reaching out to me.
[phone vibrates] Mm. This is Mike. Obviously, I got to take this. Mike. Yeah. Mm-hmm. [sighs] Confronting your father like that must’ve been hard for you. It was the most familiar thing in the world. Arguing is how my father and I communicate. He started off by trying to undermine the legitimacy of the accusations. And he called the women liars. Used jury-friendly words like mistaken and misguided, but basically, yes. They have to be lying or at least exaggerating. And then, and then, he went into how disappointed he was in my “unethical behavior.”
What?
Yeah.
In yours?
Yes. Bill Hamilton 101: call the other attorney’s motives into question. Kind of made me miss him. I know him, and all of his tactics. And I thought I was prepared for anything he might dish out, but… …when he attacked me, personally, it hurt. Babe, come here. If you think this is becoming too hard for you to handle, there’s no shame in letting another attorney handle the case. Is that what you want? I want what you want. Full stop. Naomi will never back down. She’s gonna hold Dad’s feet to the fire. I just don’t understand why she didn’t tell me about this herself. She didn’t tell me. Tomas did. He was in the room when Bill got served. Oh, so you and Tomas are chatting it up?
What’s stopping us?
Well, didn’t you say he was put off by the whole virginity thing? Oh, I thought he might be, but he was cool with it, so we’re straight. Except for that little witch Eva. Now, what does she have to do with it? I overheard her flirting with him. Uh-oh. And did he flirt back? He has much better taste than that. No, he’s a good guy. Aww, you like him. Maybe. Well, finally, somebody who’s worth your time. But there’s still no need to rush. Okay. Seriously. Only go for it when the man and the time are right. [sighs] [R&B music playing] [phone vibrating] [vibrating continues] A rock and a hard place…Sorry again. I didn’t know I was going to be cornered by one of my constituents. I’m used to it. The chicken special looks interesting, but I do always love the meatloaf. Listen, I heard about the perfect gig for your better half. I’m not sure Smitty’s in the job market. It’s investigative reporting for a pretty big news site. Sounds great, but Smitty’s focused on other things. There’s no point to even bothering him with it. You sure about that?
Smitty: How about you get the meatloaf and I’ll get the special, and we’ll split it? What do you say? I don’t know. Let me look at the menu. I don’t believe it. Evan. Evan. Hey. Come here. Hey. How are you?
Hi.
Hey, Martin. Hey, Smitty, it is so good to run into you like this.
Yeah.
Listen, I still need someone for that investigative reporter job. Look, I know, I know. Martin told me you weren’t looking to get back into work, but I could really use someone with your skills. I mean, what can I say to change your mind? Martin said I wouldn’t be interested? Maybe we can add a contrasting trim? Sure, I can play around with that when I have some time. I have time. Oh, it’s finally sinking in. I get to do what I love full-time without having to work it around fittings and photo shoots. I just… I wish it didn’t mean bailing on Mom. Don’t go there, Chels. Aunt Dani could have fought you, but she didn’t. In a way, she’s being set free, just like you are. Her life doesn’t have to revolve around her husband or her kids anymore. All true. But I think it’s gonna be a long time before she sees it that way. God… How young you were. Had the world by the tail at 17. Regular on the runways in Europe. [chuckles] Designers falling all over your young ass. Too damn hard-headed to take any warnings from people even if they wanted to. I wish I could go back and warn you. So you could make different choices. So you could avoid some of the pain ahead. [breath trembling] What the hell do you think you’re doing?
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