kafkaesque.pdf

8/14/2019 Kafkaesque.pdf

1/55

BREAKING BAD

"Kafkaesque"

Episode #309

Written by

Peter Gould

&

George Mastras

Directed by

Michael Slovis

As Broadcast

SONY PICTURES TELEVISION INC.All Rights Reserved 2010

No portion of this script may be performed, or reproduced by anymeans, or quoted, or published in any medium without prior writtenconsent of SONY PICTURES TELEVISION INC. * 10202 West Washington

Boulevard * Culver City, CA 90232*


2/55

BREAKING BAD

"Kafkaesque"

Cast List

WALTSKYLERJESSEWALTER, JR.HANKMARIE

BADGERSKINNY PETESAUL GOODMANGUS

GOMEZTED BENEKEGROUP LEADERDR. NOCERAHOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORNURSEVICTOR


3/55

BREAKING BAD

"Kafkaesque"

Set List

Interiors:

WHITE HOUSEKITCHENLIVING ROOM

SUPERLABHOSPITAL

HANK'S ROOMWAITING ROOM

FACTORY FARMWAREHOUSE

OFFICE TRAILERNAIL SALONRESTAURANTMEETING ROOMWALT'S AZTEK

Exteriors:

HOSPITALPARKING LOT

FACTORY FARM

LOADING DOCKSHILLTOP

LONESOME HIGHWAYMEXICAN VILLAGE


4/55

TEASER

Spanish-style Flamenco guitar serenades us, as we open on:

EXT. MEXICAN VILLAGE - DAY

A soaring LANDSCAPE of a rural Mexican village tucked betweenlush foothills bathed in sunlight. The sawtoothed peaks ofthe Sierra Madre loom majestically on the horizon.

Were in the Mexican heartland. Not parched and squalid,like weve seen in our border-town scenes. But verdant andserene -- a picture of pastoral charm.

Well use STOCK FOOTAGE for this, but in the best-casescenario, well see quaint peasant dwellings clustered around

the stone bell tower of a Catholic church, campesinostowingdonkeys or prodding goats down cobbled alleys, smilingchildren playing in abundant fields of maize or grain.

And lots of happy CHICKENS foraging freely in the fields andamong the abodes. Maybe we hear a rooster crow.

Over these images, we hear an avuncular, Spanish-accentednarrator (think the late Ricardo Montalban):

NARRATOR (V.O.)In the little village where I was

born, life moved at a slowerpace... yet felt all the richer forit. There, my two uncles wereknown far and wide for theirdelicious cooking.

We cut to an antique sepia PHOTO of two proud mustachioedbrothers in traditional peasant garb and sombreros.

NARRATOR (V.O.)They seasoned their zesty chickenusing only the freshest herbs andspices. People called them Los

Pollos Hermanos -- the ChickenBrothers.

By now we know we are watching a commercial for Gus'restaurant chain, Los Pollos Hermanos -- one that evokesnostalgia for a better time and a feeling of old-fashioned,organic freshness. (Cynics will note that Gus' food is friedto hell, and not particularly Mexican, but thats part of thefun here.)

(CONTINUED)


5/55


6/55

INT. FACTORY FARM - WAREHOUSE - DAY

... Victor pushes the handtruck into the WAREHOUSE at thechicken-processing facility we first saw in Episode 303.

Inside, EIGHT OR TEN WORKERS, all dressed in similar Tyvek

suits, stand and work at various stations in a kind ofassembly line. We follow the Rubbermaid of meth from stationto station, glimpsing brief images of Gus' workers as they:

-- divide the meth into smaller portions and carefully packit into plastic baggies.

-- submerge the bags of meth into large plastic jugs of THICKFRY BATTER. The workers then mark the jugs by scratching thelids with jackknives (the marks are tiny, you wouldnt noticethem if you werent looking).

-- intersperse the marked jugs containing meth among many

other identical jugs (not containing meth), all of them linedup on shelves and ready for loading. The shelves are labeledby destination: Amarillo, Dallas, Las Vegas, Phoenix, etc.

-- then wheel loads of the jugs on handtrucks outside, to...

EXT. FACTORY FARM - LOADING DOCKS - DAY

The loading area. The workers wheel the jugs onto a loadingdock and into a Los Pollos Hermanos REFRIGERATED TRUCK.

We pull back WIDE to reveal not just this one truck, buttwo..? four..? six..? many Pollos Hermanos trucks. This isone major operation. And a well-oiled machine.

The workers finish packing and shut the tailgates. Thetrucks trundle away, exiting the factory farm in a long linelike elephants on parade. And watching them go...

... We reveal GUS, the man who makes it all happen. Hestands on his loading dock, impassively watching.

Out on the main road, our trucks split and fork off -- headedin every conceivable direction. America, here we come.

END TEASER

BREAKING BAD #309 "Kafkaesque" AS BROADCAST 3.


7/55

ACT ONE

INT. SUPERLAB - AFTERNOON

CLOSE ON a digital SCALE READOUT. 160.2 it says in bright

blue letters, which then go dark. Now, as a full Rubbermaidgets loaded aboard its empty scaletop...

... Up comes a new and updated readout: 201.6.

Reveal Jesse, dressed in Tyvek. Yet another cook is finished(not the same one depicted in the Teaser). Like all thatoccurs in Walts lab, the weighing of the yield is anexacting procedure.

Jesses job, which we are witnessing, is the task of workingthe scale and calling out the measurement. (The scale has a

memory and automatically adds up the five containers of meth

per each cook, subtracting the containers tare weights.There are FIVE CONTAINERS present, by the way -- the onetheyre on now is the last of the bunch to be weighed.)

JESSETwo-oh-one point six.

(mildly annoyed)Jesus. Seriously?

Reveal Walt standing by, recording the amount on a clipboard(where he is, the readout happens NOT to be visible to him).

WALTBetter over than under.

JESSEOver by a pound and a half? Ithought you were all, like,precise.

(pops open the Rubbermaid)Whatever. Ill just save it outtill next week.

Quickly overriding Jesse, Walt re-seals the container.

WALTWe ship it as-is.

JESSEWhat are we, running a charity?!Cmon man, were gonna take it out!

WALTLeave it. One batch, one ship.Stop complicating things.


(CONTINUED)


8/55

Jesse finally gives up, bewildered -- but mostly pissed-off.

Walt ignores him, returns his attention to his clipboard.Jesse frowns. Reads Walt -- is this extra amount by design?

JESSE

(outraged now)Why are you purposely giving himfree meth?! These bitches arebleeding us enough already!

WALTYou are paid extraordinarily well,

why cant you just appreciatethat...

Distracted Walt files away his clipboard and crosses the labto the lockers (or wherever our changing area happens to be).Jesse is on his ass the whole way.

JESSEYeah, yeah... hey. Hey, I beencrunching numbers, alright?!

WALT(ah, wonderful)

Oh, youve been crunchingnumbers.

JESSEYeah, Ive been crunching numbers,

and I dont gotta be amathematician to figure out thisdeal you made is bullshit.

Walt, changing out of his cook gear and into his streetclothes, pauses to argue -- but Jesse cuts him off.

WALTWe both earn...

JESSEYeah, yeah, yeah -- million and ahalf each, whoop-de-doo. Whats he

getting? Huh?!(wait, Ill tell you!)Say hes wholesaling at forty largea pound --

WALT-- Thats probably high.


CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)


9/55

JESSEHigh? What, for our stuff?!Thats what I was getting! Okay,look, say hes getting forty apound, alright, two hundred poundsa week for three months...

(off on a short tangent)... And like, what happens at theend of three months?

(before Walt can speak)Look, what-whatever -- two hundredpounds a week for three months --thats twenty-four hundred pounds.2400 times 40,000 is -- and I swearto God I double-checked this like,ten times --

WALT(without emotion)

-- Ninety-six million dollars.

Jesse blinks, staring at him intently -- you already fuckingKNEW that?! A short, perfect beat, then:

JESSENinety-six million dollars!Alright, ninety-six! Million!Ninety-six to our three!

(points accusingly)That is messed up, yo. That is so

messed up, fairness-wise, I cant

even...If this financial division bothers Walt (and it may indeed),its hard to tell. Currently hes in no mood to argue.

WALTJesse, you are now a millionaire.And youre complaining? What worlddo you live in?

JESSEOne where the dudes whore actuallydoin all the work aint gettin

fisted!(quieter now; means it)What is going on with you lately?Whats happened to you..?

Walt finishes dressing and climbs the spiral staircase.

JESSEHang on, cant you just -- we gottahash this out! Hey!


CONTINUED: (2)

(MORE)(CONTINUED)


10/55

(Walt isnt stopping)Whats more important than MONEY?!

Up on the catwalk, Walt exits the lab door without a lookback. As if in answer to Jesses question, we CUT TO:

INT. HOSPITAL - HANKS ROOM - AFTERNOON

TIGHT ON HANK, asleep in bed. Hes hooked to an IV and acouple of monitors. His torso is bandaged and therescatheter bags and tubes in evidence (as always, all this isdressed as per the expert advice of our MED TECH).

This is the first really good, long look at Hank weve gottensince the shoot-out in 307. Hes pale and wan. Except forhis faintly rising chest, wed barely guess hes alive.

In his room, cards, flowers and gift baskets abound. We

reveal MARIE, SKYLER, WALTER, JR... and Walt, who has comestraight from his lab. Its maybe an hour later.

Some sit, some stand. Grim faces all around. EspeciallyWalt, who is wallowing in guilt, ruminating on exactly what,if anything, he had to do with Hank being here. A questionhes been chewing on since the legless Cousin vaulted off thehospital bed and crawled after him last episode.

Marie gently fluffs the pillow under Hanks head, careful notto wake him. Softly:

MARIEThese things they laughingly callpillows... I would not give them toprison inmates.

SKYLERYou want me to go ask for another?

MARIENo. Just remind me to bring hisfrom home.

(apropos of nothing)Theyre not moving his legs enough.

Theres a soft KNOCK on the half-open door. Walter, Jr. isquickest to see...

GOMEZ cautiously pokes his head in. He carries a largeshopping bag (well find out what it contains in a minute).

GOMEZHey, everybody.


CONTINUED: (3)JESSE (CONT'D)

(CONTINUED)


11/55

Walt and Skyler manage faint smiles and nod hello.

Gomez smiles back, looking a bit anxiously at Marie (who,last episode, we recall was none too keen on the DEA).

GOMEZ

Hi, Marie. Is it... okay if Ivisit..?

Skyler shoots a glance to Marie -- be nice.

Marie isnt exactly overjoyed to see him. However, Gomez ishangdog-sheepish enough to be pitied... and besides, Mariehas no energy left with which to nurse a grudge.

MARIEYeah.

She gives a nod, and Gomez quietly eases a step or two into

the room, staring down at Hank with sad compassion. Wantingto fill the grim silence with something, anything...

GOMEZHis, uh... color looks good.

Bullshit. Hanks a half-shade brighter than cadaver-gray.Still, the others give small nods of agreement.

Just then, Hank GROANS softly, painfully: Uhhhhh...

Gomez blanches. Uh-oh!-- Hanks a lot worse than Gomez

thought. The others also look to Hank with concern.Hanks eyes stay closed. Like a ninety-year-old strokevictim on his deathbed, his voice breathy, barely audible:

HANKGomie..? That you..?

Gomezs eyes widen. The others stir, everyone slowlygathering a bit closer to Hanks bed.

GOMEZBuddy, its me.

HANK(groggy whisper)

Thass you..? Gomie...

GOMEZYeah, Hank. Right here.


CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)


12/55

HANK(seconds from death)

Come ere... closer.

Gomez shoots Marie a fearful look. He swallows hard, stepsright up beside the bed and grips Hanks forearm.

GOMEZWhat is it?

HANKCloser...

A beat. Gomez bends so low that his ear is mere inches fromHanks lips. Suddenly, in a (more or less) NORMAL VOICE:

HANKAsshole.

Punked! It would hurt too much to laugh, but Hank breaksinto a broad GRIN. Gomez realizes what just happened asWalter, Jr. busts out laughing. The others chuckle. EvenMarie cracks a smile, loving this glimpse of the old Hank.

WALTER, JR.Man, he got you good!

Gomez shakes his head -- you sonofabitch-- before he breaksinto a grin himself, hugely relieved.

GOMEZ

Yeah, yeah...(to Hank)Glad to see you still have yourtwisted sense of humor.

Hank lets out a short laugh -- which just as quickly turnsinto a bout of agonizing COUGHING. Ahh CHRIST, does thatHURT!! Hank loses that sense of humor real fast, ready tosell his soul just to stop coughing. Marie puts a hand onhim, trying to settle him down and comfort him.

Back to grim reality while Hanks pain very slowly subsides.Frat-boy humor notwithstanding, this guy is really hurting.

Finally, Hank nods -- Im good. Gomez, hoping to lightenthings up for his partner... or at least get the poor guys

mind off his troubles... reaches in his shopping bag (thisshould probably be one of those brown paper Macys-type deals

with the twine handles, just something he had lying around).


CONTINUED: (2)

(CONTINUED)


13/55

GOMEZHey, check this out. I gotsomething thatll make you feelbetter.

Gomez pulls out a MAP OF THE SOUTHWEST -- the one Hank used

for tracking places blue meth has been reported. (Or perhapswe create an identical, yet slightly smaller version, and noone will be the wiser!) But heres the thing...

... It is now riddled with BLUE PUSH-PINS. There are lotsmore than we ever saw before -- and plenty inside New Mexico,and even ABQ, to boot. Gomez holds it up for Hank to see.

GOMEZI been keeping an eye on that blue

meth of yours. Six, seven weeks --nothing, then all of a sudden, boom-- its popping up everywhere.

Hank stares through half-lidded eyes, barely interested.Walt, however, drinks in the map, alarmed and intrigued.Its his handiwork indicated by those many pins, after all.

Hes got to keep his interest a secret from everyone present,however. That especially means Skyler, who is the only onehere who shoots him a brief glance. He notes it out of thecorner of his eye, yet doesnt return it. Glancing down athis shoes, Walt makes like Helen Keller.

GOMEZ

(to Hank; points them out)Lookit the new locations. Texas,Nevada... up in Farmington. Evenright here in town. I mean, ateener here and there, you know,strictly street-level amounts. But

man, its crazy.

When Hank speaks, its softly (projecting in a normal tone ofvoice hurts too much).

HANKHow exactly that supposed to make

me feel better?

Gomez expected more of a reaction, considering Hank wasobsessed with the blue meth right until the day he was shot.

GOMEZCause... you were right. Yourethe only one who saw this coming.


CONTINUED: (3)

(CONTINUED)


14/55

HANKWell, three cheers for me.

Hanks attention drifts to a BUTTON placed within easy reach.Folks may recognize it as a button which releases PAIN MEDSvia IV. Hank slowly fumbles for it, weak as a kitten. He

presses it once, twice, three times.

HANKThis thing doesnt do a damnedthing.

MARIEIts probably still on lock-out.

HANKIts been an hour, right? Imhurting here. I could use some

meds.

MARIEIll go find somebody.

(exiting; to Gomez)No more shop-talk.

GOMEZSorry.

Chastened, Gomez tucks away his map. Walt surreptitiouslywatches it go. Is this news going to put the DEA back on histrail? Hed like to dig around a little, see what Gomez

knows... only he doesnt dare do this in front of Skyler.Hank shifts a bit, trying to get comfortable -- or somethingsimulating comfort. His eyes return to Gomez.

HANKI didnt see it coming.

GOMEZWhat? Damn right you did.

HANKNah, I didnt see shit. Day late

and a dollar short, as usual. Onlyreason Im even breathing is I gota warning call.

A surprised beat. Walt, who had been staring at the floor,listening, suddenly looks up. Skyler and Junior frown.

SKYLERA warning call? What do you

mean?


CONTINUED: (4)

(CONTINUED)


15/55

HANKOne minute before they attacked me,somebody called my cell and told meto expect it.

(to Gomez)Voice scrambler. Coulda been

anybody. Maries got my phonesomewhere if you wanna run theincomings -- not that youre gonnalearn anything worth knowing.

Skyler looks to Walt, who is every bit as troubled andbewildered as she is (which takes him a bit off the hook, asshe may be wondering if HE made that mystery call).

This call business is news to Gomez. And hes stumped by it.

GOMEZI dont get it. Cartel hit? Who

woulda called to warn you?

HANKI dunno.

(painful spasm)Ah, Jesus...

Gomez considers. Walt does, too. Skyler once again brieflystudies Walts troubled face. Hank cringes, hit by another

wave of pain. He CLICK-CLICKS his meds button.

Off Walt, worried about Hank, and perplexed by the revelation

of this warning call...

EXT. HOSPITAL - PARKING LOT - AFTERNOON

Ten minutes later? An hour? His visit over, Walt climbsinto his Aztek. He shuts his door, breathes heavy. He stewsbehind the wheel, trying to make sense of what hes heard.

Before he can start his engine, the passenger door opens.Its Skyler. She slides into the seat, leaving the door ajar-- her visit will be brief. As she opens her mouth, Waltspeaks preemptively...

WALTSkyler, I had nothing to do --

She stops him with a gesture, a small shake of her head.Giving no indication of whether she believes him or not, shesimply doesnt want to hear it.

She looks Walt squarely in the eyes. Then, quietly:


CONTINUED: (5)

(CONTINUED)


16/55

SKYLERAre we safe?

WALT(a beat)

Yes.

Skyler reads him. Seems somewhat comforted by the answer.She considers him briefly. Then, just as quietly:

SKYLERAre you safe?

WALT(a longer beat)

Absolutely.

And yet... we can tell Walt doesnt really believe his ownanswer. He is simply willing it to be true.

Off Walts uncertainty, Skyler studying him...

END ACT ONE


CONTINUED:


17/55

ACT TWO

INT. MEETING ROOM - NIGHT

CLOSE ON Jesse, elbows on his knees, slumped low in a folding

chair. He stares off at nothing in particular. He may notbe miserable... but he certainly aint happy. Maybe his lipssilently move to the beat of a song which we cant hear orrecognize. Its one which plays only inside Jesses head.

A VOICE we might remember breaks his reverie.

GROUP LEADERJesse? Jesse, what about you?

Jesses attention shifts. CUT WIDE to reveal...

... A CIRCLE of about twenty people sitting in a meeting

space. Were not back at the luxury rehab, but the attendeesat this recovery group are mostly younger and more upscalethan the folks we saw last season at Narcotics Anonymous.

The GROUP LEADER (who we first met in ep 301) watches Jessewith interest. This is the first were seeing of it, butJesses been a regular at these meetings since he left rehab.

Jesses a paradox -- he might make a fortune cooking meth buthes absolutely committed to staying sober. This meeting isJesses safe haven; he and the Group Leader are building aslender thread of trust.

GROUP LEADERFace looks better. Hows it allgoing? Anything you wanna tell usabout?

JESSEWhat, like, my interesting life?Uh... One day pretty much bleedsinto the next.

(a beat; what the hell?)I been working a lot. I got a job.

GROUP LEADERJob is good.

Jesse considers. He decides to be honest -- up to a point.

JESSEIts, um, its in a... laundromat.Its totally corporate.

The Group Leader frowns wryly. Not making fun, yet:


(CONTINUED)


18/55

GROUP LEADERA corporate laundromat.

JESSEIts like rigid, all kinds of redtape. My boss is a dick. The

owner? Super-dick. Im not worthyor whatever to meet him but I guesseverybody's scared of the dude.The place is full of dead-eyeddouchebags, the hours suck andnobody knows whats going on, so...

Jesse is surrounded by sympathetic faces, as everyone herehas suffered through a crappy job. But theyre probably notpicturing an underground superlab.

GROUP LEADERSounds kind of Kafkaesque.

Jesse turns over the unfamiliar word.

JESSEYeah. Totally Kafkaesque.

(nodding)Majorly.

He has 1.5 million reasons to be happy, but somehow fatstacks dont make up for being a cog in the machine. OffJesse, stymied and hating it:

INT. HOSPITAL - HANKS ROOM - MORNING

RACKING to bleary-eyed Hank, propped up in his hospital bed.Maries hoping to cheer him up by taking inventory of theflower arrangements, cards and gift baskets that litter theroom. .

Although she has a lot on her mind, Skyler stays gentlysupportive as she hands Marie the items one by one. Mariesnot in denial, but shes keeping it light as the sisters puton their version of the Home Shopping Network for Hank.

Skyler hands over a large and colorful flower arrangement ina Southwestern-style vase. Marie checks the card.

MARIEOoo... From the US Attorney inSanta Fe! Very nice!

SKYLERYouve got all these nice tulipsthere, and good babys breath...


CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)


19/55

MARIE... This is chrysanthemum It lookslike chrysanthemum. Look at these,Hank, arent they beautiful?

HANK

(who gives a fuck?)Beautiful

Hank does his best play along, but hes hurting. Skylerreaches for the next item, hefting an impressive BASKET.

SKYLERWow, look at the size of thisbasket. Its got so many goodiesin it! Look. Chocolate-coveredpretzels and, uh, cheese sticks andsome fancy designer olives...

MARIEYou had me at cheese sticks.You're gonna have to fight me forthose, Hank!

She says this as she opens the baskets CARD. Reading aloud:

MARIEGet well and best wishes from TedBeneke and all the folks at BenekeFabricators!

Skylers smile freezes in place. In the middle of thiscrisis, Ted Beneke is the last person Skyler wants to thinkabout. The affair seems positively beside the point.

MARIEWow. He gives you all this timeoff, and now this? Get me a jobthere.

SKYLERNo. Hes great.

MARIE

Boss hall of fame. I dont seeanything here from Kleinman --theyre gonna have to get on thestick.

Skylers saved from having to discuss Ted by a gentle KNOCK.DR. NOCERA (No-see-ra), Hanks spinal surgeon enters.

DR. NOCERAHows everybody doing today?


CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)


20/55

Marie tenses a bit as soon as she sees him. Its nothingpersonal, but doctors mean news about Hanks condition. Andnews can be good... or bad.

MARIEGood! Were good. How are you?

DR. NOCERAIm very good. Hi, Hank. Werejust gonna do a quick peripheralresponse, alright, see where wereat...

Marie and Skyler get out of Dr. Noceras way as he steps toHanks bedside. The sisters exchange a glance. Whats ontheir minds is what Hank now says out loud.

HANKMoment of truth.

DR. NOCERAYeah, I wouldnt call it that.Alright, lets just take a lookhere. Uh... alright.

The doctor pulls back the bedclothes, revealing Hanks feetin clean hospital socks. He gently presses the tip of a penagainst the sole of Hanks foot. (All this as per MED TECH!)

DR. NOCERAAlright. I want you to tell me if

you can feel this.Hank just shakes his head. Hes staring at the ceiling,trying to pretend that none of this is happening.

All of Maries good humor is gone. Suddenly she looks like ascared kid. Nocera tests different parts of Hanks foot.

DR. NOCERAHow about this?

Hank shakes his head. The doctor peels back the sock onHanks left foot. His skin looks pale, like its lacking

circulation. Again, he pokes.

DR. NOCERAOkay. How bout now?

Hanks eyes narrow as he concentrates. Good news?

HANKTry that one again, wouldja?


CONTINUED: (2)

(CONTINUED)


21/55

DR. NOCERARight there?

HANK(the doctor complies)

Yeah. Yeah, I feel, uh, a...

tingle.

DR. NOCERAOkay, on a scale of one to ten?Ten being your normal level offeeling and one being no feeling atall?

HANKI dunno, uh. Four?

Nocera changes his angle.

DR. NOCERAOkay. Four. Okay... And howabout there.

HANKYeah. Yeah. Uh... a six?

DR. NOCERAOkay. Good. And, uh... here?

HANKYeah. Still there... but less. A

three.DR. NOCERA

Okay. Alright. Good. Thank youvery much, Hank. Did good.

Hank dares to feel a little hopeful. Also, he is now bushed.The doctor pulls the covers back over his feet and turns toMarie and Skyler.

MARIESo this is good news, right?

DR. NOCERAOh, yeah, definitely. It lookslike some nerve function isreturning.

SKYLERThank God.

Maries already racing ahead to the next logical step.


CONTINUED: (3)

(CONTINUED)


22/55

MARIEAlright. So when do we get him

walking again?

But the answer to that question goes beyond medical science.Off Dr. Nocera glancing to Hank, hesitating to answer...

INT. HOSPITAL - WAITING ROOM - MORNING - MINUTES LATER

Marie and Skyler have spent literally days in this room,waiting for news about Hank. Now the two women sit acrossfrom Dr. Nocera and a solicitous HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR.

DR. NOCERAMarie, its important that we

manage our expectations. Weretalking about months of very hard

work, and even then the odds...

theyre not great.

MARIEBut you cant know for sure.

Nocera is trying to avoid raising false hopes.

DR. NOCERANo.

SKYLERWhen does he start physical

therapy?The Hospital Administrator speaks up. She thinks shesdelivering good news to Marie.

HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORWeve sent the paperwork to yourinsurance. Its high priority, weshould have pre-authorization inthe next few days. Certainly byearly next week.

MARIE

Next week? Uh, no. Thats notgonna do it. Ive looked intothis, and the sooner physicaltherapy begins, the better hischances are, and...

(to Dr. Nocera)He needs daily sessions -- isntthat right?


CONTINUED: (4)

(CONTINUED)


23/55

DR. NOCERAWell...

HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR(before he can answer)

Actually, your plans treatment

program covers four sessions aweek.

SKYLERActually -- she asked the doctor.

Both sisters turn to the man, who tries to remain politic.

DR. NOCERAUm, plan-wise, four treatments a

week is fairly typical. And thetherapists in your network are

mostly fine.

MARIEMostly fine, okay... Well theresa ringing endorsement.

(low and intent)Look. If-if Hank had more physicaltherapy, with better therapists,

wouldnt it be more likely he wouldwalk?

DR. NOCERA(a beat)

Its very hard to say, Marie. Isthe health plans way medicallyjustifiable? Sure. Is itabsolutely optimal..?

He doesnt finish the thought. Thus, Marie has her answer.

MARIEYou know? Screw it. Im gonna

make sure he gets what he needs,they can just reimburse me later.

HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR

Mrs. Schrader, I get yourfrustration -- really, I do. Butmy best advice is to stay in thenetwork. Dont go out-of-pocket.Physical therapy is just thebeginning. Were talking nursingcare, modifications to your home,occupational therapy, medicalequipment... It could run into thehundreds of thousands of dollars.


CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)


24/55

Truly, this administrator is no villain. Its not thewomans fault, but shes really getting on Skylers nerves.

SKYLERSo what? Were just supposed tocompromise on his care?

HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORWell, if you dont follow theinsurance companys procedures,they may never pay you back. Iveseen patients and their families gobankrupt waiting to be reimbursed.

But Marie has no interest in doing it the insurance companysway. She turns to Dr. Nocera.

MARIEWho is the best physical therapist

that you know?

DR. NOCERAI can give you some names. Buttheyre not likely to be on yourplan.

MARIETo hell with the plan.

Marie quietly rises, headed for Hanks room without a lookback. She sounds strong, but Skyler knows shes brittle to

the point of breaking. Off Skyler, remaining behind, wishingthere were some way she could help...

INT. NAIL SALON - DAY

CLOSE ON FEMALE HANDS expertly massaging clear fluid ontomale feet. This has to be a procedure on Hanks extremities,right? Not exactly.

Seems were in a NAIL SALON, and these... are SAUL GOODMANStootsies. Hes zoned out in a pedicure chair with his pantlegs rolled up. A pair of ASIAN BEAUTICIANS exfoliate his

feet. A couple OTHERS linger by the counter -- one reading anewspaper and the other idly texting on her cell.

DING! The front door opens and Jesse enters, glancing aroundthe compact, clean salon. Its slow at the moment, as Saulis the ONLY customer (we can assume he arranged it this way).

SAULHey... there he is! Finally! I

went ahead and started without you.


CONTINUED: (2)

(CONTINUED)


25/55

The look on Jesses face clearly asks Why the hell am I here?Nevertheless, hands in his pockets, he slouches toward Saul.

SAULLadies, this is Jesse-San. Hes infor the full treatment.

(to Jesse)Hey, kick off your shoes, layback... exfoliate.

JESSEMaybe later.

Saul glances past Jesse toward the door, looking for Walt.

SAULSo, wheres the maestro? He outparking the mini-van?

The mention of Walt just annoys Jesse.

JESSEWhat I look like, his shadow? Whocares where hes at? What am Idoing here?

Saul glances at his watch and makes an executive decision.

SAULHmm. I was gonna have you two flipa coin. Since the genius cant be

bothered...(screw it)Todays your lucky day. Lookaround, kiddo, its all yours.

JESSEWhat? This?

SAULYeah. You are now owner of thisfine establishment.

JESSE

For free?

Saul pretends outrage. The manicurists barely react as theytuck spacers between Sauls toes. They either dont speakEnglish or more likely, theyve seen Sauls act before.

SAULFree? Oh ladies, cover yourears!

(back to Jesse)


CONTINUED:

(MORE)(CONTINUED)


26/55

No, not free. Look, hey. Thisis a squeaky-clean, highlyprofitable... at leastpotentially... local institution,looked upon with favor by theChamber of Commerce, the Better

Business Bureau.(then)

At three hundred and twelvethousand dollars, its a steal.

JESSEThree hundred and twelve thousand?!

Saul glances down at the manicurists and lowers his voice.

SAULDont you get it? On the outsideits a nail salon, right -- on the

inside its the best money laundrya growing boy could ask for.

Jesse squints at the lawyer, shakes his head and snorts --ridiculous. He turns and heads for the door.

SAULWait, wait, wait! Hey! Ladies,thank you, good job. Come backhere.

The women drift away, busying themselves elsewhere -- texting

and what-not. Saul pulls out his toe spacers and dries off.SAUL

Sit. Come on, come on. Humor mefor a second. Now... you know youneed to launder your money, right?

(Jesse stubbornly stares)Do you understand the basics of it?Placement? Layering? Integration?

Jesse lingers impatiently, ready to leave at any second.

JESSE

I aint buying no damn nail salon,so just forget it!

SAULYou wanna stay out of jail,dontcha? You wanna keep your moneyand your freedom? Because Ive gotthree little letters for you: I--R--S. If they can get Capone, theycan get you.


CONTINUED: (2)SAUL (CONT'D)

(CONTINUED)


27/55

Jesse is listening -- though for how long is anyones guess.Saul decides that visual aids are in order. He clears the

manicure table and grabs a bottle of pink nail polish.

SAULHey look. Heres you, right?

Pink, Pinkman -- get it?

Saul dumps cotton balls out of a clear plastic container torepresent money. Hes trying a little too hard to keep hisexplanation on Jesses level.

SAULKay. Heres your cash. Youreout on the town, yeah, yourepartying hearty, youre knockinboots with the chicky babes. And --uhh -- Whos this?

He hovers the open side of the plastic box threateningly overthe pink nail polish and the cotton balls.

SAULIts the Tax Man. And hes lookingat you. Now what does he see? Hesees a young fella with a big fancyhouse, unlimited cash supply and nojob. Now what is the conclusionthe Tax Man makes?

JESSE

(grudgingly)Im a drug dealer.

SAULBzzt! Wrong! Million times worse -- youre a tax cheat! What do theydo?

THUD! Saul slams the box down, trapping the cotton balls.

SAULThey take every penny! And you goin the can for felony tax evasion!

He stomps open a pedal-style trash can and swipes the nailpolish right into it. He lets the lid close with a CLANG.

SAULOuch! What was your mistake? Youdidnt launder your money. Now,you give me your money -- thatscalled placement. Hand me thatlittle thing...


CONTINUED: (3)

(CONTINUED)


28/55

Jesse hands over a transparent cylinder filled with Q-Tips.Saul adds the cotton balls to the cylinder, puts his handover the top and SHAKES it like a cocktail, mixing them.

SAULThis is the nail salon, right? I

take your dirty money and I slip itinto this salons nice, clean cashflow. Thats called layering.

In spite of himself, Jesse grows interested. But thatdoesnt mean hes buying it.

SAULFinal step: integration. Therevenues from the salon go to theowner -- thats you.

Saul spills out Q-Tips mixed with cotton balls. With pride:

SAULYour filthy drug money has beentransformed into nice clean,taxable income brought to you by asavvy investment in a thrivingbusiness.

Logically it makes sense, but playing by the rules -- evencriminal rules -- rubs Jesse the wrong way.

JESSE

So, you want me to buy this placeso I can pay taxes? Im acriminal, yo.

SAULYeah, and if you want to stay acriminal and not become -- say, aconvict -- then maybe you shouldgrow up and listen to your lawyer.

Now Jesse sees Sauls angle. This is all a sales job.

JESSE

Right. So you can get your fivepercent.

SAULNo, thats seventeen percent.

JESSEI heard you say five -- you said itright in front of me!


CONTINUED: (4)

(CONTINUED)


29/55

SAULYeah, that was for your partner.Privileges of seniority and all --but for you its the usualseventeen percent, and... thats abargain.

But as soon as Saul starts talking about Walt, Jessesalready on his way out. Saul calls after Jesse.

SAULHey, what? Hey... Listen to it!Come on! Im talking about yourfuture here! Listen to reason!

Off Jesse, out the door and gone...

EXT. AZTEK - HILLTOP - DAY

We open on an abstraction of sky and land. Its the worldthrown WAY OUT OF FOCUS. Into this frame drives...

... WALT, slowly rolling to a stop into his own, IN-FOCUSCLOSEUP. He sits here behind the wheel of his idling car,staring off into the distance.

He glances down at a scratch-sheet of his own HANDWRITTENDIRECTIONS. Yeah, this is the place. He tucks it away, goesback to staring. He stares for a long time.

Walt has been a mystery to us this Act. He wasnt withSkyler and Marie, he wasnt with Jesse and Saul. We haventseen him since Act One, when Sky asked him if all was safe.

Now, one look at Walts preoccupied, haunted eyes, and weknow he is thinking of nothing else but his familys safety.

An o.s. RUMBLING approaches, getting louder. We finally seewhat Walt is looking at.

EXT. FACTORY FARM - HILLTOP - CONTINUOUS

A POLLOS HERMANOS TRUCK rumbles past us. It WIPES our framerevealing the long gray buildings of GUS FACTORY FARM spreadout beneath us at the bottom of the hill.

EXT. AZTEK - HILLTOP - CONTINUOUS

Walt stares down at the factory farm with an intensity wehavent seen in a while. Theres a touch of Heisenberg inhis eyes.


CONTINUED: (5)

(CONTINUED)


30/55

Heres why Walts adrenaline is surging: he now knows howdangerous Gus is. And hes going to meet him in the heart ofhis empire.

Girding his loins, Walt puts the Aztek into gear and rolls onout of frame, headed down the hill.

EXT. FACTORY FARM - LOADING DOCKS - DAY

As in the Teaser, LABORERS load the Pollos Hermanos trucks.A guy in a DARK JACKET watches the work.

Looking out of place, the Aztek putters past (a deliberatepace, not rushing). The dark figure turns to coolly noteWalts arrival -- its VICTOR. No matter how casual Waltsentry to this place may appear, everything is choreographed.

INT. AZTEK - MOVING - CONTINUOUS

ANGLE THROUGH the windshield as the Aztek heads for theOFFICE TRAILER. Were in the back seat over Walts shoulderas he pulls the Aztek to a stop near Gus Volvo wagon.

Walt idles, the office trailer visible straight ahead of us.Its door opens and Gus appears at the top of the stairs,looking down upon us pleasantly. He gives us a nod hello.

RACK to Walts eyes in the rearview mirror, gazing up at Gus.Off Walt, shutting off his engine and climbing out:

INT. FACTORY FARM - OFFICE TRAILER - DAY

Walt takes a seat across from Gus. It turns out Walt is inthe very chair Bolsa once occupied.

GUSHow is your brother-in-law?

WALTHell live.

GUSGood. Im glad.(off his silence)

Walter, you seem troubled. How canI help you?

Carefully controlling his voice, Walt gets down to business.Hes meticulously planned every word. He speaks them softly.


CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)


31/55

WALTI asked to see you in order to...clear the air. There are, uh, someissues that could cause a-a

misunderstanding between us, and Ithink its in our best interests to

just lay cards on the table.

Okay... interesting. Gus responds, noncommittal.

GUSWell, thats the best way to dobusiness.

WALTMy brother-in-law, moments beforehe was attacked. Someone called to

warn him.

Gus says nothing. Walt continues, calmly reviewing facts.

WALTI believe that same person wasprotecting me. Those two men, theassassins... I believe I was theirprime target. But that somehow,they were steered away from me to

my brother-in-law.(a beat)

Because of this intervention, I amalive. And yet I think that this

person was playing a much deepergame.

A consummate poker player, Gus simply listens. However, heswondering why Walt is doing this. Why risk being so open?

WALTHe made that phone call because he

wanted a shoot-out, not a silentassassination. In one stroke, hebloodied both sides, set theAmerican and Mexican governmentsagainst the cartel and cut off the

supply of methamphetamine to theSouthwest. If this man had his ownsource of product -- on this sideof the border -- he would have the

market to himself. The rewardswould be... enormous.

Gus sees where this is headed, but says nothing.


CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)


32/55

WALTWere both adults. I cant pretendI dont know that person is you.

Walt says it so plainly, it doesnt sound like an accusation.

WALTI want there to be no confusion.I know I owe you my life. And morethan that, I respect the strategy.

(then)In your position, I would have donethe same.

Shocking! This is Hanks life hes talking about! How canWalt be so bloodless? Gus remains impassive. And yet, isGus impressed? Yes, were starting to sense that.

WALT

One issue which troubles me. Idont know what happens when ourthree month contract ends.

GUSWhat would you like to happen?

WALTYou know why I do this. I wantsecurity for my family.

By security he means not just financial security -- but sure

knowledge of their safety.GUS

Then you have it.

But what does that mean, exactly?

GUSThree million for three months,that was our agreement. Extendedannually, twelve million a year.

(then)Call it fifteen. Open-ended.

Would that be agreeable?

Once Walt would have jumped at it. Now, he simply nods yes.

Walt has his 30 pieces of silver. By extending, he assureshis continuing usefulness to Gus. But at what cost?


CONTINUED: (2)


33/55

EXT. LONESOME HIGHWAY - DAY

LOW ANGLE on flat highway, inches above the blacktop. Thedouble lines converge into infinity. WOOSH! The Aztekrattles past as Walt heads for home.

INT. AZTEK - MOVING - DAY - CONTINUOUS

Out of Gus presence, Walt slowly drops his mask ofdetachment. He hates himself, hates what hes done -- hescemented a deal with the devil. He pretended that whathappened to Hank didnt wound him to his core.

The money was unexpected -- and just makes it worse. Walt isprofoundly, utterly compromised. And what has he gained?Has he really protected his family?

We linger on his face as hes consumed by regret and self-

loathing. The moment is punctuated by the irregular THUP-THUP of vehicles passing in the other lane. One things forsure, this anguished, torn man is anything but cold-blooded.

Walts foot presses on the gas. The Aztek whines andshimmies as it picks up speed.

WHOOM! WHOOM! Cars rush past faster.

And then... gradually, very deliberately, he FLOORS IT.

The speedometer needle quivers. 70... 75... 86...

Now, as if resigned to his inevitable fate...

WALT CLOSES HIS EYES.

95... 98... 100...

THA-WOOM! THA-WHOOM! Cars and trucks FLICK PAST.

STAYING on WALT. We barely glimpse the world blurring pastas he literally drives blind. The head-on collision has gotto be coming. Any second. The only question is how manyinnocent lives hes going to take.

A protesting car horn DOPPLERS past. Tires SCREECH.

The Aztek sounds like its going to shake itself apart. Itsrattling like a metal garbage can dragged over cobblestones.

For a strange moment Walt looks almost... serene.

Finally, self-preservation compels Walt to OPEN HIS EYES.


(CONTINUED)


34/55

Walts POV from behind the wheel -- hes in the WRONG LANE.A TRUCK is headed his way, AIRHORN blasting -- WAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Walts reflexes snap back to life. He JERKS the wheel.

EXT. LONESOME HIGHWAY - CONTINUOUS

The Aztek BURNS RUBBER and SWERVES across the blacktop ontothe shoulder. The back end FISHTAILS on the dirt.

Nearly tipping over, the Aztek SHUDDERS to a stop.

INT. AZTEK - CONTINUOUS

A lazy cloud of DUST rises. As it drifts past him, Walt justsits here, getting his breathing under control. For somereason, todays not the day to die.

The surge of adrenaline has brought Walt back into themoment. Death will just have to wait.

And now hes back to being Walter White. Just like hisDrivers Ed instructor taught him decades ago, Walt turns onhis blinkers. Hands on the wheel at ten and two, Walt checkshis mirrors and pulls back on the highway.

EXT. LONESOME HIGHWAY - DAY

HIGH ANGLE. The Aztek drives away from us, growing tiny inthe distance. Walts crazy maneuver has left a swirl oftwisting SKID MARKS on the asphalt. Off this...

END ACT TWO


CONTINUED:


35/55

ACT THREE


Jesse sits in another session as the Group Leader counsels.

Some of the same folks from before are here (new wardrobe),but also there are several new faces.

GROUP LEADERPart of the reason we talk about

what gets us riled up in our dailylives is to help each other put afinger on what our relapse triggers

might be. Head off our diseasebefore it comes back.

(shrug)So... Anyone? Free license tobitch and moan. How often dyou

get that?

Timidity reigns. No takers.

GROUP LEADERJesse. Last time, you seemedpretty down about your job at theLaundromat.

Jesses not in a big mood to talk. He shrugs -- whatever.

GROUP LEADER

Lemme ask you something. If youhad the chance to do anything youwanted -- what would you do?

JESSE(goes without saying)

Make more green, man. A lot more.

GROUP LEADERForget about money. Assume youhave all you want.

Jesse glances around. Folks silently wait for him to answer.

Caving to peer pressure, Jesse reconsiders.

JESSEUm... I dunno.

(searching)I-I guess I would... makesomething?

GROUP LEADERLike what?


(CONTINUED)


36/55

Like methis what were thinking. But then again, Jesseseems to be seriously digging for an answer.

JESSEDont think it matters, but, uh...

(shrugs)

... Work with my hands. I guess.

GROUP LEADERBuilding things? Like carpentry orbricklaying or something?

Jesse is remembering now.

JESSEI took this, um, vo-tech class inhigh school. Woodworking. I tooklots of vo-tech classes, cause it

was just a big jerk-off. But this

one time I had this teacher nameof, ah... Mr., uh... Mr. Pike.

Hmm. Is Jesse really talking about Mr. White? Actually, no.

JESSEI guess he was like a Marine orsomethin, before he got old. He

was hard of hearing. My, uh... myproject for his class was to makethis, um, wooden box. Like asmall... um... just, like...

(searching)... Like a box. You know, to putstuff in. So I w-wanted to get thething done as fast as possible.Um, I figured I could cut classesfor the rest of the semester and hecouldnt flunk me, so long as I,you know, made the thing. So, Ifinished it in a coupla days. Itlooked pretty lame, but it worked,you know, for putting stuff in and

whatnot.(beat)

So, when I, uh, showed it to Mr.Pike for my grade, ah... he lookedat it and said Is that the bestyou can do? At first I thought to

myself -- Hell yeah, bitch, nowgive me a D and shut up so I can goblaze one with my boys.

A couple of the guys chuckle. Jesse grins around at them,but then lets his smile fade. He keeps going.


CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)


37/55

JESSEI dunno. Maybe it was the way hesaid it. But... Like he wasntexactly sayin it sucked -- he wasjust askin me honestly, Is thatall you got? And... for some

reason, I thought to myself Yeah,man... I can do better.

Jesse looks around at the circle. Folks are engaged by hisstory, which surprises him a bit... and keeps him going.

JESSESo I started from scratch and madeanother. Then another. And by theend of the semester -- by, like,box number five? I had built thisthing...

(picturing it; proud)

You shoulda seen it. It wasinsane! I built it outta PeruvianWalnut with inlaid Zebrawood. It

was fitted with pegs -- no screws.I sanded it for days, until it wassmooth as glass. Then I rubbed allthe wood with tung oil, so it wasall rich and dark. It even smelledgood. You know, youd put yournose in it and breathed in, it

was... it was perfect.

Jesse trails off, just shaking his head -- unable to findwords to describe how proud he felt. We PAN across theothers, all of them inspired by his story. A beat.

GROUP LEADERWhat happened to the box?

JESSE(taken off-guard)

I, um... I gave it to my Mom.

The Group Leader gives a small nod of approval, then...

GROUP LEADERNice. You know what Im gonna say,dont you? Its never too late.They have art co-ops that offerclasses, an adult extension programat the University --

JESSE(cuts him off)

I didnt give the box to my Mom.


CONTINUED: (2)

(MORE)(CONTINUED)


38/55

(then)I traded it for an ounce of weed.

Ow. But no judgements here -- at least not from the group.Only from Jesse, who is hating himself. Off his sad andabrupt confession, Jesse staring down at the floor...

INT. WHITE HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

CLOSE ON MARIE as she takes a sip of white wine. She leansagainst the counter, standing across from Skyler. Exhausted,the sisters have cracked a cheap bottle, hoping to unwindafter their long day of arguing with hospital people.

MARIEHes a hero! You dont denycoverage to a hero!

SKYLERTheyll say theyre not denyingcoverage.

(before Marie can argue)No-no. Im agreeing with you. ButI went through all this with Walt.Youll burn through your savings,and then what?

MARIEBut you two managed, right? Yousaid yourself that Elliot and

Gretchens money didnt covereverything.

Skyler isnt about to reveal Walts unorthodox fundraising.Doesnt matter -- Marie is too distracted to dig deeper.

MARIEJesus. I gotta get back.

SKYLERWhat? No! No-no-no, you shouldrest. Look. Why dont you go inand take a long bath? I put fresh

sheets on the bed.

MARIEI wanna be there in case he wakesup.

SKYLERWith all theyre giving him, hellsleep till morning.


CONTINUED: (3)JESSE (CONT'D)

(CONTINUED)


39/55

Marie knows Skyler is right. But before she can reply, theDOORBELL rings.

Skyler reacts -- whos that? She sets down her wine andmoves to the door. Marie stays put.

INT. WHITE HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Skyler opens the front door, revealing... TED BENEKE.

TEDHey, Sky.

Ohhhh, crap. Ted has never visited Skyler at home before,and shes surprised. Shes also dismayed, afraid that Marie

will suspect their affair.

SKYLER

Hey! Wh... what are you doinghere?

Not the warmest of receptions. Ted was already a bit nervousabout trying this -- hes not shocked by her reaction.Still, onward and upward. Putting an innocent face on it:

TEDWell, I just thought Id stop by tosee how youre holding up. Is thisa bad time, or..?

Skyler is about to answer yes when Marie, who now wandersout from the kitchen, steps into view behind her.

MARIEHi.

TEDHi.

Ted glances past Skyler at Marie. He smiles, gives a nod, asSkyler turns to her sister, playing it cool.

SKYLER

Um, Marie, this is Ted. My boss.

MARIEOh, youre Ted! Ive heard so muchabout you. Thank you for your giftbasket. That was very thoughtful.

SKYLERIt was. It was really nice. Thankyou.


CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)


40/55

MARIECheese sticks.

SKYLER-- cheese sticks... very good.

Marie, nodding, gives a big thumbs-up. Ted probably doesntfollow this completely, but he plays along well.

TEDWell, youre welcome.

(forcing a smile)You know, we care about Skyler so

much that naturally, that extendsto the whole family.

Marie smiles -- thats so sweet! She glances at Skyler.

MARIE

(to Ted; really to Sky)Are you coming in?

SKYLER(recovering)

Of yeah. You should. Im sorry.Come on in, Ted.

TEDThanks. Okay...

Skyler steps aside for him, closing the door behind him.

Skyler follows Marie and Ted into the living room.MARIE

We were just having some wine.Would you like a glass?

TEDNo, no, thanks. I, um... Im juston my way home. I just thoughtId, um...

Marie nods. Reads Skylers subtle discomfort. Too tired tobe nosy, she decides to excuse herself.

MARIEYou know what, Im really beat. Ithink Im gonna take that bath.

(then)It was nice to meet you, Ted. Andthank you again.


CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)


41/55

TEDNice to meet you too, Marie.Please give my best wishes to yourhusband.

MARIE

I will.

Marie nods, smiles -- will do. With a last subtle glance atSkyler, she disappears down the hall.

Skyler, no less nervous about having her sister elsewhere inthe house, just wants Ted to leave. She keeps her voice low.

SKYLERThanks for stopping by. But,its... actually, not the best timefor a visit. So...

TEDCan we just talk for a minute? Iknow you need to be with yourfamily, but, uh, I havent heardfrom you in days. I left messages.

SKYLERIm so sorry, you gave me and thattime off and I really should have --

TED-- Thats not my point. I-I care

about you, thats all.SKYLER

Ted, its just... this whole thingwith Hank has been one non-stophorror show, you know? So...

TED(nods)

Well, I just want you to know thatIm here for you.

SKYLER

Thank you.(a pregnant pause; then)But I really do need you to...

... Leave. As in now. Ted hesitates, not wanting to.Furthermore, he doesnt get why he even needs to. Meanwhile,Skyler steps a few feet over to glance down the hall andcheck if Marie is eavesdropping (no sign of it). That rubsTed a little wrong, as well.


CONTINUED: (2)

(CONTINUED)


42/55

TEDOkay...

SKYLEROkay.

TEDSkyler, I gotta say, your sisterseeing me here... I mean...

(hell, out with it!)So what? Im divorced, youredivorced. So what?

In fact, Skyler has not filed her divorce papers. But shedoesnt want to get into that with him.

SKYLERLets talk about this later, Ted,okay?

TED(a tad louder, but notmeaning to be)

Is there some need for secrecy Imnot getting? Cause --

SKYLERLater, Ted. Not now.

TEDSkyler. Just tell me...

SKYLER(frustrated; snaps)

You really wanna do this now?Are you really gonna make me dothis right now?

Ouch. Ted gets it. We do, too. Shes talking aboutbreaking up with him. Hes hurt. And Skyler deeply regretshaving let him know in this manner. But the damage is done.

TEDWow. Yeah, youre right. Bad idea

to come here.

Ted turns, takes a step or two toward the door before Skylermakes a mild attempt to mend fences.

SKYLERTed, Im... Ill see you in a dayor two? Back at the office?


CONTINUED: (3)

(CONTINUED)


43/55

TEDTake as much time as you want.

Ted exits, knowing its the end of the affair. Off Skylerquietly shutting the door behind him, then standing here...

wondering why everything in her life has to be so fucked-up

and painful and difficult...

INT. RESTAURANT - DAY

Five or six CUSTOMERS. A UNIFORMED WORKER mans the cashregister, TWO OTHERS assemble sandwiches. Off all this, wefind... Jesse, BADGER, and SKINNY PETE. Our boys sit at atable, just now unwrapping their subs.

Bwah-hah! Skinny Pete laughs as he and Badger bump fists.Jesse, the grown-up of the group, finds this only mildlyamusing. While the guys eat...

BADGERCant believe you had to crush theRV. Musta been like... depressing.

SKINNY PETEFor real. Thats a stone loss.

JESSENo one misses it more than me.

Jesse stares out the window, nostalgic for the good old days.

JESSEFree to cook anytime, anywhere.No quotas. No one to answer to.

As he keeps thinking about it, his mood darkens. He pauseseating, sets down his sub. With quiet frustration:

JESSEWhats the point of being an outlaw

when you got responsibilities?

BADGER

Darth Vader had responsibilities.He was responsible for the DeathStar.

SKINNY PETETrue that. Two of them bitches.

BADGER(off Jesses annoyed look)

Just saying. Devils advocate.


CONTINUED: (4)

(CONTINUED)


44/55

Idiots. Jesse continues on with his thought.

JESSEI gotta pay taxes now? What thehells up with that?! Thats

messed up, yo. Thats Kafkaesque.

Badger and Skinny Pete dont know this word any better thanJesse does -- but damn, it sounds good. They both nod.

SKINNY PETEChurch.

BADGERRight.

Jesse simmers a beat. Until finally -- fuck it.

JESSE

Lets kick it back into gear.Alright? Lets start slinginagain.

Skinny Pete and Badger study Jesse. Is he for real? Jessejust stares back at them. Dead serious. Badger and SkinnyPete share a sidelong glance. Then...

SKINNY PETEBoo-yah, lets do it! Lifes tooshort -- thats what I say!

BADGERHells yeah, bitches! We dont needno RV. Alls we need is a-abicycle, some Drano, soda bottles --

JESSENah, nah, nah... no shake n bake.Wheres your self-respect? Comeon.

SKINNY PETEYo, maybe it aint top-shelf,but we could at least move it.

Still kinda dry out there -- itllsell on the street.

JESSEWho says we sell on the street?Maybe I know a whole new market.

(then)Maybe alls we need is the meth.

And maybe he knows just where to get it. Off scheming Jesse:


CONTINUED:


45/55

INT. SUPERLAB - DAY

TIGHT ON a hand clutching a BRIGHT BLUE CLOTH, scrubbingintently at one of the superlabs stainless steel surfaces.

The hand moves aside, revealing WALTS REFLECTION. The field

of steel is gleaming and spotless, except for a single, smallstain of residue. Like a Hindu bindi, right between Waltseyes. But black.

We hold on the reflection as Walt stares at the spot. Butits as if hes looking through it -- not seeing it for whatit is. His mind is somewhere else. Until he looks over at:

JESSE. Wearing his iPod. The music is cranked, thinlyaudible through his headphones. He weighs the FOURTH of FIVEfull and identical RUBBERMAIDS. Another cook is complete.

We HOLD on Walt as he studies Jesse. Worried. Guilty.

Should he tell him what he now knows for certain -- that Gusis a murderous criminal, likely as dangerous as Tuco ever

was? That Walt just upped their deal -- a move calculated tokeep his own family secure, without regard to Jesse?

As Walt silently debates whether to spill his guts, Jessehoists the FIFTH and FINAL RUBBERMAID onto the scale. Allthe while, bobbing his head to the beat.

Walt snaps out of it. Back to work. He grabs his clipboard.

WALT

Whats the yield? Hey.Jesse pulls the headphones out of his ears -- huh? Waltgestures at the scale.

WALTThe yield. Come on.

Jesse glances down at the DIGITAL READOUT (remember, asestablished in the Teaser, Walt does not see it from where hestands). Jesses POV: 202.1.

JESSE

Two-oh-one point eight.

Hold up! Jesse is calling it one-third pound under theactual weight! Why would he do that? We think we know.

Off this revelation that smooth Jesse is planning to STEALproduct from brilliant and scary GUS, we...

END ACT THREE



46/55

ACT FOUR


Jesse is slouched in his usual seat, but tonight somethings

different about him. His eyes are alive and watchful, as ifhes waiting for something. The meeting has just started andthe Group Leader spots a few newcomers.

GROUP LEADERI see a couple of new faces.Anybody wanna introduce themselves?

A chair CREAK. A faint COUGH. Nobody wants to go first.

GROUP LEADERDont all speak at once.

In the shadows, a tentative hand rises. The Group Leadernods. A big, shaggy guy speaks up.

BADGERSo my names Brandon?

Huh? What the hell is Badger doing in Jesses sanctuary?

GROUP LEADEROkay, Brandon. You want to tell ussomething about yourself?

Badger seems totally serious, sincere -- and tortured.BADGER

Well, why Im here... its, uh,its just one thing. Its meth.Its bad. I thought I had itkicked a couple times, you know?But then... Jesus. This... new...version of it hit the streets, anduh...

(eyes lowered)Wow.

A new voice speaks from another part of the circle.

SKINNY PETENot that blue stuff?

Heads turn in his direction and Skinny Pete glances around,embarrassed. Did I just say that out loud?


(CONTINUED)


47/55

SKINNY PETE(raising it now)

Oh, sorry. I didnt raise my hand.

GROUP LEADERNo, go ahead. This is what we do.

Badger nods, addressing Skinny like hes never laid eyes onhim in his life. By the way, for a couple of knuckleheads?These two are doing a sober, remorseful, excellent job.

Jesses good, too. He listens with the same amount of politeinterest that everyone else exhibits.

BADGERYeah, exactly -- the blue stuff.You had it, too?

SKINNY PETE

Yeah, bro -- and I wish I nevereven heard of it. It was likelighting my whole head on fire.

Badger and Skinny Pete are more subdued than weve ever seenthem before -- but we get it. Jesse has the guys pretendingto be strangers to one other. Theyre playing the crowd likethree-card monte scammers.

BADGERYeah, that stuffll burn you down.Only reason I have a hope in hell

is cause its long gone.SKINNY PETE

Thats the shame of it.

Badger stares at Pete with real fear in his eyes.

BADGERNah, nah man. Dont tell me that.

SKINNY PETE(cringing; Im so sorry!)

I hear its back in town. Stay

strong, brother. Stay strong.

Jesse casually scans the group. Jesses POV -- PANNING thefaces of recovering addicts. There are nods of sympathy andunderstanding, but also... whats this?

Theres faint INTEREST on a few of these faces. The bluemeth talk hits some of these folks where they live.


CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)


48/55

Jesse notes his potential customers with lazy satisfaction.Rehab saved his life -- yet now hes here to sell meth topeople struggling with addiction. Awful. Has Jesse trulybecome the bad guy, like he once told us? Off him...

INT. HOSPITAL - HANKS ROOM - DAY

Hank sleeps, deathly pale. His jagged breathing and the humof monitors are our only sounds. ADJUST to reveal...

... Walt standing alone in b.g., watching his brother-in-laws troubled sleep with haunted eyes. Walts been here forthe better part of an hour, tormented by the knowledge thathes responsible for Hank being in this bed.

We linger on this sad tableau. Now Maries voice PRELAPS:

MARIE (V.O.)

I swear to God, Ill do it. I willgo to the press.

INT. HOSPITAL - WAITING ROOM - DAY

As Marie sits venting, Walt listens with concern. He may beweighed down by guilt and the impossibility of his situation,but right now hes truly just a worried brother-in-law.

Skyler sits at Maries side, preoccupied. She leafs througha sheaf of Maries hospital paperwork -- the latest insurance

outrage, apparently (its what currently upsets Marie).MARIE

I will go to 48 Hours, I will go toNightline -- I dont know if thereis a Nightline anymore? It doesnt

matter -- they will all take it andthey will run with it. Becausehes a hero. And hes not going tobe in a wheelchair at 43.

SKYLERJesus.

WALTIm sorry, Marie -- Im sureSkylers already told you this --but if theres ever anything youneed... anything at all...

MARIEIts good to have you here. Bothof you.


CONTINUED: (2)

(CONTINUED)


49/55

Marie shoots just a hint of a glance to Skyler. She knowssomethings up between Skyler and Ted. Marie doesnt havethe bandwidth to get into a fight over it, but she believesone thing: Walt belongs in the family.

WALT

I just wish there was somethingmore that we could do.

Marie smiles faintly, expecting nothing. Silence as they sithere together. What more can one say at times like these?

Skyler studies Walt closely a moment. Shes been thinkinglong and hard. Chewing something over. And now:

Skyler has been considering this problem for days, trying tocome up with another solution -- but no matter how she looksat it, she only sees the one option. Therefore, taking therisk of a lifetime...

SKYLERWalt? We can always pay theirbills.

Walt blinks, confused. Marie frowns, breaking a smile andlifting an eyebrow. Its unlike her sister to talk nonsense.

MARIEPlease. Its tens of thousands ofdollars --

SKYLER-- We have the money. More thanenough.

(then)Walt earned it.

Marie glances over at Walt, but hes blank with confusion --and PANIC. What is Skyler doing?!?

Suddenly Walt knows with terrible certainty where this isheaded -- Skyler is about to tell Marie everything. Waltsteps over to sit next to her, on her opposite side.

WALTSkyler --

SKYLERI think Marie should know thetruth.


CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)


50/55

WALT(a hand on her arm now)

Skyler, I really dont think thisis a good idea. I-I think that --

SKYLER

(to Marie; coolly, simply)He earned it gambling.

Gambling? Now Walts simply mystified. Marie glances fromone to the other -- hooked and wanting to hear more.

SKYLERWalt and I, uh, weve had ourproblems lately. You know that.And, uh... what it came down to,really, was money. Pure andsimple.

Skyler glances at Walt with... is that a touch of empathy?

SKYLERWhen Walt was diagnosed -- it, um,it changed him. Looking back, Idont think I ever reallyunderstood what it was that he wasgoing through. It was more thanfacing death. It was knowing thathe was going to leave behind...nothing. And so thats how thisall started. For better or worse,

he wanted to provide.(then)And so he paid his medical billsthe only way he knew how.

Walts stunned: this is exactly how he would have explainedit himself. Marie cant help asking the obvious question.

MARIEI thought that Elliot and Gretchenpaid for your treatment.

SKYLER

Yeah, thought so, too. The truthis, he never took their money --not a dime. He was too proud totake what he considered to becharity.

(to Walt)Isnt that right?

Walt manages a numb nod. However, Skyler isnt coming downhard on him here -- shes simply telling a story.


CONTINUED: (2)

(CONTINUED)


51/55

In fact, she seems through with anger. Can she have reallymade her peace with Walt? At the moment, it kinda looks likeit.

SKYLERSo, he put his mind to it, and

uh... well, you know how Walt is,hes-hes a problem solver. And heread books and he did a whole bunchof research... and he came up withthis system.

MARIEA system.

SKYLERA system for counting cards inBlackjack.

MARIE(a frowning beat)

Wha-wha-whaddya mean? Like RainMan?

Walt doesnt meet Maries questioning glance. Nowhe knowsSkyler isnt going to reveal his meth business -- but wherecan she be going with this?

SKYLERWell... no... I dont pretend tounderstand, you know, all the

details, but he was convinced thatif he put enough money into it,hed have a, um... uh --

(to Walt)God... What is it? A statisticaledge?

Walt takes a second to catch up with her. Barely audible:

WALTYes. Statistical... um.

SKYLER

So he, every spare minute, Walt wasat some card table somewhere. Atfirst he went to casinos, but thenhe realized that...

VOICES approach nearby, a pair of NURSES. Skyler pauses.When theyve passed by, she continues, her voice lower. Waltand Marie lean forward, they dont want to miss a word.


CONTINUED: (3)

(CONTINUED)


52/55

SKYLER...he realized that the casinosreport your winnings to the IRS.And if it gets reported, yourfamily might find out, and if youdo not want your family to find

out... then you find another placeto gamble. Like an illegal,backroom game. You remember allthose long walks that Walt usedto take? All that time he usedspend away from home?

(to Walt, ruefully)I guess for a couple months thereyou were sort of leading a doublelife, werent you?

Walt just nods, eyes slowly lowering in shame.

For Marie all the pieces of the puzzle are falling intoplace. This is what ruined Walt and Skylers marriage. Thisis what Skyler hid from her for so long. And furthermore:

MARIEOh, my God.

(it cant be!)Oh my God, your-your-your fuguestate? Was that, some sort ofcover..?

The very mention of the fugue state seems to exhaust Skyler.

She continues in quiet tones of sadness, loss and --could it

be?-- forgiveness.

SKYLER-- No, no he did not fake that,Marie. The night that Waltdisappeared? He lost fourteenthousand dollars. It was hispension fund, our savings.Basically every last dime we had toour name. Gone.

Marie stares open-mouthed at Walt -- whose own mind is

racing. Hes astounded by the complexity, the inventivenessof Skylers lie. But hes also trying to understand wherethe lie ends and the truth begins.

SKYLERHe couldnt live with it. He wassuicidal.


CONTINUED: (4)

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


53/55

But you have to understand -- thatas soon as he got out of thehospital, he went right back togambling. I mean, thats how deepthis went.

MARIEHow could you do that to her, Walt?

Marie says this quietly, accusingly... but of course Walt hasno answer for her. Right now Skyler is the one with all theanswers, and Walt is simply along for the ride.

SKYLERAnyway. This system of his -- hefinally got it to work.

In the middle of this emotional roller coaster ride, Walt isbeginning to nurse a faint flicker of hope. After all,

Skylers proposing to use his drug money for the family --and thats a first step towards accepting what hes done.

SKYLERSo all this is to say... we havethe money.

(a meaningful look to him)No more gambling -- but we have the

money.

MARIE(cant help but ask)

How much money..?SKYLER

Walt..?

WALTAh. Well, uh...

(considers; fuck it)Its in the seven figures.

MARIE

MARIE

Holy Mary, mother of God.

WALT(off both girls surprise)

What can I say? I did very well.

And now Skyler gets back to the point of all this.


CONTINUED: (5)SKYLER (CONT'D)

(CONTINUED)


54/55

SKYLERMarie, you will take our money.Use it to take care of Hank.

Marie is still trying to assimilate all that shes heard.Its a gigantic shift in perception. Walt did this? Good

old reliable, cancer-saint Walt?

Hearing this story, shes got every reason to be angry athim... but hell, I guess he meant well, after all.

Sky looks to Walt. Taking her cue, he makes an earnest plea.

WALTPlease, Marie. Let us help.

Suddenly Walt and Skyler are working together towards acommon goal. How long has it been since weve seen that?

TIME CUT TO:

INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - DAY - LATER

Marie, Walt, and Skyler stand... moments later.

MARIEDoes Walter, Jr. know about this?

SKYLERAbsolutely not, and I need to keep

it that way.(then)And Hank, okay? Hanks got enoughon his mind, right now. So, can wejust please keep this between us?

Walt cant help but stare at Skyler with admiration: my God,shes thought of everything! Marie nods, agreeing with Sky.

MARIE(overwhelmed)

Yeah. Yeah, I just -- I need to...

Skyler nods: its okay. Maries bound to have morequestions -- and Skyler will answer them all, in detail.Whatever it takes to persuade Marie to accept the money.

SKYLERYeah, okay. Well talk about itlater.

Marie exits, leaving Walt and Skyler by themselves. It takeshim a moment to even form the words, but finally:


CONTINUED: (6)

(CONTINUED)


55/55

WALTHow... did you come up with that?Whe-where... Where... did youpossibly..?

SKYLER

(staring at him; a beat)I learned from the best.

She means Liar Walt, of course. Walt doesnt quite know howto take this. It doesnt exactly sound like a compliment.

Skyler leans in close and lowers her voice.

SKYLERSomehow, something tells me thatHank is here because of you. AndIm not forgetting that.

Damn right theyll use the money for Hanks recovery. As faras Skylers concerned, thats the only use for this blood

money. She pierces him with a knowing glance and followsMarie without looking back.

Forgiveness and understanding are still distant hopes.

NEW ANGLE -- looking into the waiting room from up the hall.Walt is framed in the doorway, watching Skyler disappear.Quietly devastated.

END EPISODE


CONTINUED:

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