Better Call Saul, Season 3

[Jimmy makes an appointment at the Santa Rosa Insurance Group to meet with Ms. Valco, a malpractice insurance agent.]

Ms. Valco:
Hey there. Come on in.

Jimmy:
Yeah, hi. I called quite a few times about an issue I'm trying to address.

Ms. Valco:
Do you know your policy number?

Jimmy:
No. Can you just look up my name, McGill?

[Ms. Valco types into the computer.]

Ms. Valco:
Charles McGill of Hamlin Hamlin McGill?

Jimmy:
No, that's my brother. Um, I'm Jimmy. James McGill, solo practitioner.

Ms. Valco:
Hmm, there you are. Looks like you're all paid up through the year.

Jimmy:
That's sort of the issue. Long story short, through a series of unfortunate events, my license has been suspended.

Ms. Valco:
Yes, I see that here.

Jimmy:
Right. Well, I was hoping I could get a refund for the time I won't be a lawyer. Now that's only fair, right?

Ms. Valco:
I'm sorry, Mr. McGill. It doesn't work like that. We don't refund for unused malpractice insurance.

Jimmy:
[sighs] But it's—it's a lot of money, for nothing.

Ms. Valco:
I understand it seems that way, but if one of your clients decides they want to bring a suit against you, this continues your coverage.

Jimmy:
[snaps his finger] That's the thing. My clients, they love me. And they would never bring a suit against me. I'm extremely lovable.

Ms. Valco:
I can see that, but it's company policy.

Jimmy:
[beat] What about we put the insurance on hold? And then if someone were to try to sue me—which they won't—then we just, uh, kick that old policy back into gear?

Ms. Valco:
I understand your situation. I do. But there are rules preventing us from stopping and starting coverage. And I regret to inform you that when your license is reinstated next year, because of the suspension, your premiums are going to go up. Considerably.

Jimmy:
How considerably?

Ms. Valco:
[pulls open a file drawer] Ummmm... Looks like roughly 150%.

[Jimmy is visibly shocked by this news. He stuggles to contain his emotions. Tears start to well up in his eyes.]

Ms. Valco:
Mr. McGill?

[Jimmy exhales and begins to weep.]

Ms. Valco:
Oh, I... Mr. McGill, I'm sorry. I wish we could help you, but we just can't.

Jimmy:
I'm sorry. It's hard. Very, very hard. I'm just having a rough time. I just need a break. Just one break. I know... I know you can't do anything. I'm getting run out on this community service, and getting ripped off left and right, and my car won't start. My gal is disappointed in me. My brother... my brother is sick! And he's alone. I spent years caring for him, and now he hates me. The only family I got left and he hates me. He hates my guts.

Ms. Valco:
Is this your brother Charles? [Jimmy nods] Oh...

Jimmy:
I pretend not to care, but he's my brother. How can I not? He's mentally ill. He's...he's holed up in a house with no electricity. He's working by the light of gas lanterns, wha—? He's making mistakes with his clients, he's mixing up numbers on important documents, he... he... he had a complete mental breakdown at the bar hearing.

Ms. Valco:
Your brother, had a breakdown in court?

Jimmy:
It's in the transcripts...

[Jimmy continues sobbing as Ms. Valco reaches for post-it notes and begins writing something down.]

Jimmy:
I... I'm really worried. I just... If he screws up with one more big client, I... It's just gonna destroy him. [sees Ms. Valco writing notes about Chuck] No, don't... don't write. What are you writing? No, don't write...

[Ms. Valco gestures and puts down her pen.]

Jimmy:
I... I didn't mean to say that. I don't want him to get in trouble with you guys 'cause of me.

Ms. Valco:
Right.

Jimmy:
I... Um, sorry. I'm gonna go. You're not gonna do anything, are you?

Ms. Valco:
I—I wouldn't worry about it, Mr. McGill. Please feel better.

Jimmy:
I'm sorry. Just, um, forget...

[Jimmy leaves Ms. Valco's office. As he walks away, a smirk grows on his face.]