INSERT 50 CENTS THEN TURN
MURDER MINDFULLY
When my clients brush off accusations
of crimes they may or may not have committed,
I advise them to act like nothing's changed.
You don't want to draw attention to yourself.
Just stick to your usual routine.
That said, my car wasn't exactly sparking joy these days, so I took the subway.
It wasn't the most relaxing ride.
I felt like everyone was staring, like they could tell what I'd done.
The fact that there was media coverage didn't help matters.
BLOODY HORROR AT SERVICE STATION
At least I was able to breathe away my stress.
But tension was brewing, and not everyone dealt with it as mindfully as I did.
LAWYER CALLING…
- Diemel. - Hey, lawyer. It's Murat.
- Can we meet at the game reserve? - I'm kinda busy.
Why don't you tell me what's on your mind?
Not over the phone. It's about the Dragan thing.
Okay.
So, 8:30 tonight?
Uh, by the food dispenser?
Hey, Diemel?
- Sure, sounds good. - Murat!
Shit.
What the hell? We all thought you were outside.
What's going on?
Just pissing here.
That's twice in one hour.
You wouldn't fuck with me, right?
- Morning, Diemel. - Good morning.
Morning.
Mr. Diemel.
Not so fast. Please go to conference room one now.
Thanks.
Tell me, what do you have to say about last weekend, hm?
Uh, about which part?
The time I hid a murderer in my trunk?
Or when I stuffed his body in a wood chipper?
Could you be a little more specific?
You attacked Ms. Bregenz. Poor gal's humiliated.
Do you find this funny?
Um, yeah.
If you knew everything I got up to last weekend,
you'd be cracking up that this is why I'm in trouble.
Ms. Bregenz has worked here for two decades, and we treasure her.
Because you're a lawyer doesn't mean you're better.
And also, Mr. Diemel, these offices are not a daycare center.
Your daughter scribbled all over company property…
Work relationships are not always easy to navigate, but we can manage them.
When your colleagues get on your nerves, I want you to resist the impulse
to let that frustration fester.
Instead, try to listen to your colleagues.
Focus on what they're saying.
Try and hold space for
how they're feeling,
what makes them tick,
and what values they hold.
Let them talk.
Mm.
First off, Ms. Bregenz reprimanded me in front of my daughter.
And I responded in kind.
She and I can clear this whole thing up between the two of us if you wish.
Ms. Bregenz is not the person at fault here, for God's sake.
The way you insulted her borders on workplace sexual discrimination.
We will not abide such things to occur under this roof.
You know that we abhor sexism.
- Thank you for sharing, Mr. Erkel. - That's Dr. Erkel.
As for the female partners
and your stance on workplace sexism, do they agree as well?
As I'm sure you're aware, there aren't female partners.
Ah.
So much for abhorring sexism.
What… What's that supposed to mean?
It just seems strange to me that there isn't one woman
who meets your standards, not one.
So don't pretend you're some bastion of feminism.
I forbid you to use this tone--
You can't forbid me from speaking my mind.
I've let them ramble plenty, don't you think?
It's my turn to speak.
This client has made you all wealthy.
This client also burned a man to a crisp, while 50 kids watched.
But no, why discuss that crap while we could all be focusing on a secretary?
We only collect this guy's money, why should we care?
That's how you mindfully gain control.
If you have a problem you can always quit.
I feel like Mr. Sergowicz wouldn't be a fan of that.
That's how you get 'em in your pocket.
We'll, uh, get to your client in a moment.
My client?
But I'm not even a partner.
Since this is your firm, you're the ones who launder that psycho's money.
If the papers caught wind of all the crap you do
protecting a pimping drug lord, all the tax breaks you get him,
that hag in the lobby wouldn't cross your mind.
You signed an NDA.
I did. But your client didn't.
Eh… Uh… Was that a threat, Diemel?
No, I would never.
I'm just saying that if he gets sent to jail,
and if he were to feel like he wound up there
because his lawyer was canned from his job,
I could see him feeling let down by your firm.
Yeah.
We all know Mr. Sergowicz has a certain unorthodox way of handling pain.
WANTED! WHO KNOWS THIS CRIMINAL?
And the best part is beating them at their own game.
Do you have a plan?
Let's face the facts.
You want me gone, I want to go.
Why should we hold each other back?
May I speak frankly?
I don't want to work with Sergowicz any more than you guys do.
But I know he trusts me.
So, here's what I think.
You terminate my contract, and I'll finish out the month.
I'll be a freelancer, and Sergowicz'll come with me.
And… Uh… How will you guarantee this?
How will you make sure he… sees your point of view?
I'll have him sign a contract. We can draw up an NDA for him.
He'll be open to that?
I've got a way with him.
And that's that?
Well, I mean, I think it's only fair that you'd find it in your hearts
to honor our ten years of close collaboration,
don't you agree?
A small severance payment.
Something right around ten months' salary?
Oh, my.
You really have some nerve.
You should all take some time to consider my offer.
I'm sure that I'll be speaking with Sergowicz later this afternoon.
Goodbye for now.
I had no doubt that the three gentlemen would accept my bold proposal.
So I confidently packed away my few personal belongings.
I also made copies of all emails, documents, and records
relating to Dragan's wide-ranging business dealings,
with the wise foresight that I might need them.
245 ELEMENTS COPIED
To believably keep him alive,
I also needed to secure the blank powers of attorney
that Dragan once signed in case of emergencies.
I think this counts as an emergency, don't you?
ACCEPT
Why can't he pick up his goddamn phone?
We're on the verge of a war, and that bastard's off somewhere,
twiddling his balls!
Let me talk with him.
Hm?
I think he might listen to me, ya know?
Sure, be my guest. Who cares?
I may not be a DIY guy, but I do like hardware stores.
They attract people who take things into their own hands.
People who live in the now and aren't afraid to shape their own future.
ACCEPT
Yeah?
Diemel? Von Dresen here.
We will accept your offer.
- The whole offer? - Yes, we'll accommodate your terms.
You'll receive the requested severance, and leave with Mr. Sergowicz.
We'll require his written confirmation that he has only ever been your client,
and he will remain so, thus releasing the firm.
This voids any claims that your client could make against our firm.
Sounds good.
The contract is on my desk. You can sign it when you're back from lunch.
Yeah, I don't think I'll be coming back in today.
We still expect you to be here when we see fit.
You can fire me if you don't like my terms.
Never mind.
Just come by whenever you can.
I will. I'll see you then.
Lawyer.
You been well?
Yeah.
Something wrong with your car?
No.
I'm working on my carbon footprint, actually.
Toni's been getting nervous.
You keep dodging all his calls.
What's with that?
It's not intentional. I wish I could pick up the phone, but I'm too swamped.
Okay.
If you could find the time to speak with Dragan, we'd appreciate it.
We need his orders ASAP.
- Sure. - Have your tickets ready.
Is that everything?
See you around, lawyer.
SINGLE TICKET
Tickets out, please.
I had almost everything I needed to get my plan in action.
Dragan's signature would work on the suits,
but his thumb was the real key.
Unfortunately, it was currently slowly decomposing in my fridge.
I needed to somehow immortalize that thumb.
I had to get creative.
Shit!
A common challenge found in mindfulness is impatience,
as this blocks us from being present.
If you sense that you're becoming impatient, accept it.
Acknowledge the feeling.
Judging yourself is counterproductive.
Pause and say this simple phrase.
I… am calm.
Now it's your turn.
- I am calm. - And again.
I am calm.
That's better. Again.
I… am… calm.
Good.
Don't give into impatience, refuse to let it consume you.
Instead, return to that place of serenity.
Let yourself be calm.
I… am calm.
Good, good.
ACCEPT
Hello, Katharina.
Oh, wow.
- I assumed I would get your voicemail. - Mm.
I'm turning over a new leaf.
Yeah, but you must be swamped, right?
Since your favorite client's making headlines.
The only time I've seen him lately was on the front page of some tabloid.
And with him in the wind, my schedule is open.
- Sounds like the calm before the storm? - Hm.
Maybe.
I'm sure you're already stressed out,
but I need to talk with you tomorrow. Think you can make time?
It's about kindergarten.
Yeah, I'll come by the house. For sure.
- Really? - Don't sound so surprised.
Well, I thought I'd have to butter you up a bit.
Mmm, no way. Save your butter.
Um… how's 12 p.m.?
Perfect. Oh, I almost forgot.
Emmy was saying something about some kind of toy bird she lost?
- Could she have left it in your car? - Uh… maybe.
- I can go check. - That'd be great.
- Thanks. - Okay.
All right.
- See ya tomorrow. - See ya.
Yes.
I am the best papa on Earth.
I chopped up my client, and I've never felt more free.
I chopped up my client and I've never felt more free.
NEW VOICE MESSAGE
What's up, lawyer? It's Murat. Just checking if you're still coming.
- I'm at the game reserve. - Aw, shit.
ACCEPT
POLICE
Björn?
FEAR
When you start feeling afraid, I want you to concentrate and focus on your airflow.
Take a deep breath in,
and then breathe out.
Feel your breath flowing through your body.
Allow it to fill your nostrils, and your abdomen.
Being afraid is a part of life.
Fear's nothing but a feeling. Just breathe it out and stay grounded.
Focus on the present.
And the fear will pass.
- Björn? - Hm?
Feeling sick, eh?
No, why?
You're breathing weirdly.
No. It's mindfulness.
Hmm.
You really oughta work with us.
This won't be Boris' last act of revenge.
Hm.
Could've been a hunting accident.
Maybe, if the hunter was blind.
How else could someone manage to mix up a man with a deer?
And at close range? Close enough to hit him in the back of the head?
Hm.
Björn.
Dragan killed his rival's number two, and now he's AWOL.
Now one of his guys gets shot? And you just stumble into the crime scene.
This could end really bad for you.
Maybe you should chat with your client?
Yeah, maybe. The next time I see him.
- When do you think that will be? - Not your business, I'm still his lawyer.
We know that Dragan skipped town and someone helped him get away with it.
- And you think that was me? - Well…
Why would a lawyer pack up his daughter and drive to a mafia boss' lake house?
You can't catch me!
You put a tail on a lawyer and his kid?
Who's a minor, I might add.
- I'd love to hear you explain-- - Nobody was tailing you.
My colleague happened to see you on the pier from his boat.
He dabbles in photography on off days.
Hm. Well, did he see Dragan there?
- Funnily enough, he didn't. - Huh.
That could just mean you played us that weekend.
- You're hiding Dragan in your apartment. - Wow, you know about that?
If I have your apartment searched, I wouldn't find Dragan, would I?
That would be an epic bachelor pad.
You've got one creative mind. Alas, I live all by myself.
I assume you know my marriage has been strained, right?
Yeah, I'm sorry.
Yeah.
I better be on my way. But good luck.
Bye now.
Please watch the doors.
Yeah?
It's Toni.
Uh…
Open the goddamn door.
I'll be right there. Give me five seconds.
Shit.
Oh, man…
- Hello, Björn. - Hey.
Uh…
He can't be in here.
- It's in my lease, sorry, no dogs. - Don't care.
Why won't you take my calls?
I told you, I'm busy. Hm?
See, I've got a weird feeling you're fucking with me.
I'm not that dumb, Toni.
That so, huh? I'll be the judge of that.
Uh… Hello?
I've gotta say, this place reeks of shit.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
Hey, hey. Um…
Uh, Toni?
Toni, can you help me out?
I don't think your dog likes me very much.
Yep.
- Toni! - He's got a good nose on him.
He can always smell bullshit.
So, lawyer man, Tell me…
What smells like shit?
Aww, good boy.
He's such a sweetheart.
If I don't hear from Dragan in the next three days,
you're a dead man.
We'll be in touch.
Tyson, come!
Goddamn beast.
Thanks to that "goddamn beast", I was finally free of the telltale thumb.
Meanwhile, a different critter…
…flew in with a new problem.