170208

Have you had this before?
This is the third time. I'm used to it by now. Well, I'm not used to it, but it beats malaria.
You've had malaria.
In Zimbabwe. That took me out for a month.
You make a lot of sacrifices.
I don't see it as a sacrifice.
You turned down a six-figure salary at Google to start your own non-profit. People don't get malaria in Palo Alto.
You do your research.
When it's someone I care about.
Claire, I turned down that job because I would've hated myself. It was a lot of money, but for what? So they could fulfill their diversity quota with an Asian girl peddling a Stanford degree?
Not just any Asian girl. A valedictorian. Let me offer you what Google couldn't. I know what it is to be capable and beautiful and ambitious and be on people like Sergey and Larry's checklist of things that look good to have on a shelf. I'm not trying to acquisition you. What I see in you is a woman I admire, which doesn't happen often. I want to enable you. I want to clear the way for you so that you can achieve what you want to achieve, on your own terms. Thanks for the tea. And I will send a car to pick you up for the doctor tomorrow. When you're back on your feet, do you think maybe we can work something out?
Yes, I think we could.

That's her at junior prom.
Beautiful.
Here she is in her letter jacket. She made varsity as a freshman. I remember the day she found out. Coach called. Jessie starts jumping up and down. Mom, guess what?
I'm sorry.
Don't be. It's fine.
Why are we doing this? Honestly, what's to be gained in dredging up all this stuff?
Remembering the good things helps sometimes--
Not when it puts my wife in tears. I appreciate what you said at the church, but it doesn't do us any good. Neither does this.
Well, what can I do to help?
You can't do anything. She's gone.
You're right. I can't change that, but I can make sure the city offers you a sizable settlement.
You mean buy us off?
No, I mean help you avoiding years of court battles. Jessica was going to go to Furman. Is that right? On a volleyball scholarship?
Yes, a full ride.
Well, I spoke to the president of the university this morning, and we'd like to create a new scholarship in your daughter's name. If you'd like that. It's entirely up to you. But, most importantly, we have to make sure that this never happens again. We've got safety billboards going up, we're going to stop lighting the tower at night, and we're putting the guard rails in.
Should've done all that before she ran off the road.
Would you like me to resign, Mr. Masters? Just say the word, and it's done. If it will bring you any satisfaction. I asked the reverend once, What are we supposed to do in the face of so much senseless pain? And he said to me, what else can we do but take what seems meaningless and try to make something meaningful from it." He's right. That's how God works-- through us.
Will you let me work for you? What you have to understand about my people is that they are a noble people. Humility is their form of pride. It is their strength, it is their weakness, and if you can humble yourself before them, they will do anything you ask. Tell us more about the scholarship.

What are you doing?
Working.
on What?
The, uh, BRAC commission stuff. I'm behind on it.
It's Sunday.
So?
You don't usually work on the weekend.
Well, now I do. There's, uh, coffee in the kitchen. You want some?
Peter... Peter. If I decide to stay, it's because it's what I want, not what you want.
I understand.
Which draft are you reading of the written testimony?
The one you sent on Thursday.
I actually changed it on Friday.
Can I show you? Yeah, I was thinking that we could start with job numbers and then go to economic multipliers instead of the other way around. What do you think?
Let's see what it looks like.

Picture this-- A 17-year-old girl traveling at 60 miles an hour spins out of control in no traffic. She hits a guard rail. But if she's wearing her seatbelt, which she was, and her car doesn't roll over three times down a 20-foot ditch, which it did, then that young woman is still alive. But you know what? The county administrator didn't build those guard rails, so now she's dead.
We looked up the statute. Guard rails are under county supervision.
Are you trying to turn this around on me?
That's not all, Orrin. Your easement. You see, every couple of years the Piedmont Electric, they apply to bring power lines through Gaffney. The route comes right through your lot. Now, Gene and I always fight them off. But this year, if they were to reapply, hmm... Eminent domain. It would be such a shame to have to tear down this beautiful home.
Fuck you, Frank. You can't just roll up on my property and act like you own it.
Oh, but I can. We just did. I've won this district 11 times. Do you think that's just luck and a firm handshake? But I'll tell you what. I'm not a vindictive person. I don't like for anybody to lose if everybody can win, so I'm going to help you get elected in the fourth. You get to keep your house. I keep the fifth. We put the Peachoid behind us, and everybody's happy. What do you say? Well, that's all right. You think about it. I'm sure you'll do the right thing. Oh, and I'm looking forward to having you in congress, Orrin. It's always good to have friends on the other side of the aisle.

I've been offered a spot on Nightline.
You want my advice?
I don't want it. I need it.
Close your eyes.
Okay.
So 11:25. Nightline is about to come on. Millions of people are watching. Where are you, home?
No.
At the studio?
Yes.
And what do you see?
I see lights. I see a camera.
And that little red dot goes on. Tell me what you hear?
I hear my voice.
And those millions of people, what do they hear?
My voice.
And what do they see?
My face.
So you don't need my advice.
Hammerschmidt's going to freak.
You don't want to work anywhere you're not willing to get fired from, Zoe. Treading water's the same as drowning for people like you and me. Good luck. I'll be watching.
Hey, wait.
Yes?
When do you get back?
When I get back, you'll know.

Hello, Nancy.
Welcome back, sir. Linda Vasquez called for you.
Tell her I'll call her in a couple hours with an update.
Very well. -
Sir? Unless you need anything, Kyle has you covered.
No, go home.
You did well this weekend.
Thank you, sir.
Oh, and before you go home, can you do me a favor? Would you swing by my house and make sure these get to Claire?
Yes, sir. And thank you, sir, for being so patient.
Okay.