Better Call Saul, Season 3

Chuck:
Lawsuits. Threats. Recriminations. This is a situation no law firm wants to be in. It's—Well, it's embarrassing. I know we all want a swift resolution here... so, what are our options? Take it to trial? Expensive, and extremely damaging to HHM's reputation. Not my first choice. Or yours, I imagine. The firm could choose to buy me out... for an amount that is almost certain to bankrupt it. I spent decades building this firm. I don't want to be the agent of its destruction. There is a third option; there's no reason we can't put all this unpleasantness behind us and continue on as we have been. I'm willing to let bygones be bygones, and if you agree... I think we can settle all this right now with a simple handshake.

[Chuck holds out his hand to Howard]

Howard:
[pause] ...Would you all give us the room for a moment?

[HHM's partners exit the boardroom]

Howard:
Seventeen years. Eighteen in July, actually. All those years we built this place together. And all that time I've supported you. Looked up to you, deferred to you. Because I always thought you had the best interests of the firm in mind.

Chuck:
I have!

Howard:
Mnh. You did. For a long time. But you've let personal vendettas turn your focus away from what's best for HHM. You've put your needs first. To our detriment.

Chuck:
I don't think that's accurate.

Howard:
And the moment that I mildly suggest, with empathy and concern, that maybe it's time for you to consider retirement... the first instinct you have is to sue me?! To sue the firm? Well, I... I—I don't even know. I—In what world is that anything but the deepest betrayal of everything we worked so hard to accomplish? In what world is that anything but the deepest betrayal of our friendship?

Chuck:
Howard, I could argue that you're the one who betrayed me—

Howard:
That's bullshit. And you know it. This is pointless.

[Howard hands Chuck an envelope]

Howard:
Here. Just take this.

Chuck:
$3 million?

Howard:
The first of three payments, as per the partnership agreement.

Chuck:
The firm can't afford this. Are you... [surprised] ....you're not shutting down, are you?

Howard:
I would never endanger the firm. This is mostly from my personal funds. And a few loans.

Chuck:
[astonished] You're paying me out of your own pocket.

Howard:
[pause] You won.