Sarah returns home in an attempt to reclaim her role. She reveals a shocking secret. Harry also travels home to reckon with an impossible question.
~~ Cast Credits ~~
Sarah Weddington: Maya Hawke
Harry Blackmun: William H. Macy
Caregiver: Ese Atawo
Charlie: Charlie B. Foster
Dottie Blackmun: Felicity Huffman
Dr. Erdahl: Mark Chavez
Gloria: Karen Foreman
Harry's Mom: Barbara Pollard
Librarian: Karen Foreman
Linda Coffee: Abigail Breslin
Roy Lucas: Luke Kirby
Warren Burger: William Fichtner
From iHeart podcasts, This is Supreme, The Battle for Row starring Maya Hawk and William H.
Mason, Mister Chief Justice.
And.
Episode six, Son of a Traveling Salesman.
Sit on this bench long as you want, Sarah. There's never gonna be water in the Trinity.
Thanks for coming to meet me.
You look like cropping.
Thank you, Linda. I haven't been sleeping much in addition to everything else, running up and having problems. Is there a single person in my life? I haven't pissed off, Linda.
I heard you. I'm just trying to think of someone.
Are you gonna sit down or just hover over me?
I'm decided if it's man trouble you want to discuss, Sarah, it's not really my strong suit. But hope spring's eternal. I'm ether sign me up for a trip to Israel with Baptist singles this fall.
No, are you going?
If that's what she needs to hold on to the hope of a grandchild. Sure, I'll took a free trip. Think that makes me a fraud?
Yes, yes I do. But you're in luck. This is the Trinity bench for frauds and alienators. You're in the right place.
Get over yourself. Sarah, you're not a fraud.
Of course I am. I took this case for one reason, because they'd have me. All other women in the group are so passionate about the cause. Only thing I was passionate about was starting a career.
So you've dragged me down here on my lunch chower of wallow.
I'm not wallowy.
Poor Sarah hustled her brought off to graduate at sixteen, worked herself to the bone for three years of law school, and had the temerity to actually want to practice law. What a selfish bitch.
You should have heard these women's stories I collected for the brief.
They deserve better, and that's Roy Lucas. Are you kidding me?
Well?
They also deserve to win.
You're their best chance for that. How could you not see that? I would have thought tooth and nail if I didn't know that, you, Sarah Weddington, are the best and only hope of winning this thing. Every damn door was close to you, so you found one around back and you knocked it off its hinges. You're really gonna punish yourself for that? Who cares why you initially took the case. I'm honestly gonna tell me it's still just a legal issue to you.
No, No, I'm not. That's why I asked to hear Linda. If I did want to push to get the first chair back, and I'm not saying I do. But if I did, do I have any recourse?
It depends you ready to fight?
I think so?
No, you better know so, because where as a fighter.
He already filed the appearance papers with the court. Do you really think there's anything we can do.
There might be, but like I said, you gotta be ready.
Okay, And if I do get it back, I'm done with this procedural Throw at every amendment at the wall like it's a dark board crap. I'm gonna argue abortion is a fundamental rat. I don't want some technical victory.
I want change the fourteenth Amendment. That's right, it's about down time. But how Linda go home? Sarah wait for my call.
I have an idea, Justice blackmun Charlie, come in, come in.
This is the research the court Libray sent over. I didn't realize there'd be so many books on the subject.
This is just the research on the history of privacy. They're holding the rest for me. You're not sure everything request will fit in these chambers. Wow.
If this is the research you do before you've even been a side of the case, I shudder to think what it'll be like when you're actually writing the opinion.
What's wrong, Tony, Sir?
I need to tell you something. I was at lunch at Dukes today.
Why do you and the other clerks go there?
The prices are out the.
Landish, Yes, sir, but I overheard something about the chief.
What about Warren, Sir?
He's being seriously considered for the vice president's lot.
Oh, don't be absurd, Charlie. This is why idle Washington gossip is so pernicious.
It wasn't idle gossip, Justice, Blackman.
It was third rate lobbyists trying to scare up some controversy.
No, it was two senior White House staffers.
It was, sir.
It makes sense with spirou Agnew's resignation, Nixon needs a party favorite to replace him, someone who's above scrutiny, someone who's already been vetted by the Senate doesn't hurt.
That's even if you're right that they're considering Warren. I'm sure he's one of many many names on a list. He'll laugh when he finds out. Believe me, I've known the man my whole life.
I'm not sure that's the case, your honor. One of the Chief's clerks told me.
That old you what told you? What exactly?
I want you to back channel with Lewis's clerks on the railroad case, Stephen, we need to assemble a majority.
On a chief. I'm supposed to play tennis with Billy at Woodmont this weekend. Actually, I'll bring it up casually. Good, good, Warren.
Harry, pull up a chair. I recommend the stake today. It's actually itable. Is it true?
What Warren? Is it true?
Steven? Give us a minute?
All right, of course, sir.
What exactly is on your mind? Harry?
Don't, Warren, We've been friends too many decades.
I take it this is about the vice presidency.
Did you think I wouldn't hear?
Relax, Harry, nothing's been decided yet. All right. I'm on a list, that's all.
How many other names are on that list, Warren?
I believe three?
Oh my god, you can't do this.
When a has to serve his country, one does not turn down the president of the United States.
Hey, he does. If he's already Chief Justice of the United States.
I didn't expect you to understand.
Then help me too, Please help me understand why you would encourage this.
Harry. I'm the son of a traveling sal.
Holy crap, is that really where we're starting. I don't need your biography, Warren. I was there for it.
I'm the son of a traveling salesman. I went to night school, then a law school that no lawyer has ever heard of. Now I have a chance to be the vice president a heart beat away from the Oval.
How inspiring the lowly chief Justice of the United States might finally be able to make something of himself, Warren. You don't need me to tell you the ramification this could have on the Court.
They'll be annoyed at first, Harry, but they'll get over it.
I'm not talking about the other justices, Warren. I'm saying that you'd be politicizing us.
We are political, Harry. That's what you continue to refuse to understand.
No, you're political. This court is about justice.
Oh shut up? Will you do you hear yourself?
Using the Court as a stepping stone to the White House will make us appear beholden to them. Nixon is using you can't you see that.
Go back to your chambers, Harry, before I say something i'll regret.
I'm not going back to my chambers. I'm flying to Saint Paul.
What why?
Because I care about the work we do here, Warren right here, I'm not as ambitious as you are in days like this. I'm thankful for that, Ernie.
I need three chicks on a raft draw one and a Noah's Boy.
Gloria, you got a second, Linda coffee?
What are you doing here?
I came to talk to you.
Not a good time, Linda, I got three extra tables this morning.
I need your help.
What is it? Roe Wade?
Are we gonna lose?
I mean almost certainly. Yeah, but we won't even have a fighting chance if we lose our lead attorney. What are you talking about, Linda? My partner on the case, Sarah Wennington. She wanted for us here in Dallas. Remember now, she's not going to be allowed to even argue in DC.
Yeah, I know, I got a letter.
That guy is doing it right.
What's his name, Roy Lucas? Right? What does that have to do with me? You're one of the plaintiffs, Gloria. In any court case, the plaintiffs have the right to pick their own attorney. The other plaintiffs look up to you, I've seen.
I can't just tell them we should go with your friend. This guy, Lucas seems a lot more experienced. This isn't my son's little league. It shouldn't be about everyone getting equal play in time.
We need to go with who's gonna win.
It for us, Gloria, I could not agree more. The thing is, that's Sarah. I'm not asking you to do anything more than hear them both out. Let each of them make their case. That's your prerogative. Then you decide.
Excuse me, aren't you? Yeah?
You are?
Wow?
Hello there, My son.
Is studying you in social studies right now.
Wow.
Geez hey, I'm sorry to bother you, but can I maybe get your autograph for him?
Well? That's very kind of you. I can't imagine he'd actually want it, but yeah, of course. What's your name?
I'm Marcy, but my son's name is Calvin.
Man.
It is an honor to meet you, an actual Supreme Court justice. I mean, wow, And you're from here, right from Saint Paul.
I think I knew that.
What are you doing back in town.
Before the court? I worked at Mayo came back to do some research in the medical library for a decision. I'll need to write.
How exciting demus Saint Paul.
Marcy, you have no idea?
Oh there's my bag.
It was so nice. Meaning you have a great time while you're here.
Justice Berger, No, it's it's Justice black I'm a Harry Blackman.
Oh really okay, well thanks anyways, I.
Guess welcome to the Clinic Research Library.
What can I help you with?
Sir, Hi, there is Susan Halverson around.
I'm sorry, Susan retired a couple months ago. Can I help you with something?
I see? I used to work with Susan when I was in house council here. I actually called ahead reserved a room to do some research today.
Justice Blackman, I'm so sorry I should have recognized you. They have you on the calendar for two pm. Let me show you to the room. I was so excited when I saw you were coming here today. You requested the green room.
Creature a Habit can't tell you how many hours I spent in there. I've had dreams about being back in that room. The green wallpaper, the tall ceilings, it was so peaceful, a refuge for me.
I think here it is same as you left it, though it's not called the green room anymore.
No, it's now the.
Chief Justice Warren Berger reading room.
Okay, then.
Knows Catherine? Can I get some more catch up?
Please?
You sure that's a good idea?
What have you always told me about sodium levels?
Holy crap, Harry Blackman?
What are you doing here?
Man?
It's good to see you, Quincy.
How are things in DC? We've missed you around here.
Believe me, I've missed this place too. Brings you back confidentially? Did you read about the abortion case we have coming up on the docket? Of course I may be asked to write the decision. They think my medical expertise from working here gives me an edge.
They know you are a legal counsel, not a surgical resident.
Right that seems to have been lost in translation.
You mean by Warren he's the one who decides.
The senior most justice in the majority decides.
But you said the case hasn't been heard yet.
I need to educate myself, Quincy, and I figured what better place than here.
Let me know how I can help anything you need.
Just name it. A dozen appointments with doctors researchers, bioethicists, obstetrics, gynecology, fertility and reproductive health. I need a better understanding of viability.
Harry, Please don't tell me you came to Saint Paul to figure out when life begins.
You don't like my chances, you may as well go to you and men.
Talk to a freshman philosophy student. There are no clear answers on the subject here.
I don't accept that, Quincy. There must be some accepted theories. You're the head of the reproductive and Paranatal biology division. Look at all this paper on your wall. You can't tell me we're at a total loss and the most basic question in all of biology. I'm sorry, Harry.
I can set you up on a maternal and fetal health division if you like, or ovarian physiology and pathology, but no one is going to have a clear answer for you. You want answers to this riddle, go talk to the sphinx.
Mother, she's in here, mister Blackman, Hello, Pamela, how's the patient doing?
Your mother's came to black men.
It's a good day.
Actually, Hello mother, Harry, you look lovely.
You came from Washington.
I did. I had some research to do it. Mayo, you look awful, Harry. Yeah.
How are the girls?
Sally and Nancy are busy as ever, Susie is protesting everything, and Dottie has moved on from adopting possums to chipmunks.
Isn't that something?
Mom? I'm struggling. Can I ask you a question?
You can ask me anything, Harry?
What do you do when you need answers? But everywhere you turn you only get more questions?
Questions have gotten you this far, Harry. Don't stop asking now.
Hello, Hi, Hello, ladies, ladies, thank you so much for coming on such short notice. Most of you know me. I'm Linda Coffee. I'm one of your attorneys. As you know, ro Wade is a class action suit on behalf of our lead plaintiff, as well as all the other women who were or might become pregnant and want options. You all represent many of the plaintiffs, As many of you also know, There's been some disagreement over who exactly is your lead counsel. Now, in any case, the plaintiffs have the right to choose their own advocate. Y'all understand. Okay, We've asked you here so you can decide who it should be, mister Roy Lucas or Missus Sarah Weddington. Both have agreed to abide by your decision. Mister Lucas, you want to go first.
Hello, ladies, thank you for having me. I was more than a little surprised when I got this invitation, but I do believe the lovely Miss Coffee and Missus Weddington have your best interests at heart. I really do, and as they say, it is your right to choose your own counsel. I'll try to keep this short. When I came on to this case, it was understood that I would argue in the Supreme Court. I would not have come on otherwise. Only now that Missus Weddington has realized what a boon it could be for her fledgling career, has she decided to back out of that arrangement, an arrangement that's beneficial to all parties, but mostly to you, ladies. Now forgive me for being blunt, but the stakes are too high for false modesty. I understand this case better than anyone. I know the legality of abortion better than any lawyer in the country. That's what I've devoted my career to since nineteen sixty six. I've shaped the legal battle for abortion rights. I'm the one who came up with the eye idea to expand privacy protections into the realm of abortion. Then, frankly, I'm the one that justices will want and expect to hear from. I'm the person that justices will take seriously. Moreover, while missus Weddington and miss Coffee, meanwhile, you should know they nearly lost you the case in Dallas by committing errors a first year low student would know to avoid. If they do the same thing at the highest court in our land, the justices will eat them alive, and they'll have set the movement back fifty years. This case is too important. This isn't practice, ladies. You need a professional.
Just refute it all, Sarah, point by point. You got this.
Hi there, You all have been nice enough to come here today to hear us talk, so I'm not going to waste your time. I'm gonna be honest. I honestly don't know if I'm the best person for this job. But bewarey you, of anyone who says he is. Mister Lucas's resume is better than mine, no question, But this case isn't going to be one on resumes. I need to tell you all something, something I've never told anyone. My daddy doesn't know by Mama either or Linda. Four years ago, I got pregnant.
Mmm, you've got Oh please, Nancy. The song is about Buddy Holly, Richie Allens and the big pauper.
No, it's not Susie.
It's about JFK, RFK and MLK passed the potato.
Not so loud, girls. Your father has a headache. He was on a plane back from Saint Paul.
All day February. Made me shiver.
Their plane crash was in February, and I am with Nancy. The courtroom was adjourned, no verdict was returned.
That has got to be a Kennedy.
Oh my god, you're both so dad enough, Sorry, sorry, daddy.
It's not often anymore that the whole family's together for dinner. I have a question for all of you. It occurred to me, I don't know your opinions on something, and i'd very much like to what are your views on abortion?
Is this for a case?
Never mind what it's for, Just tell me, honestly, Dottie. Let's start with you.
Oh, I don't know, Harry. It's complicated. I suppose as a mother, how could I be for it? The death of any child, or even the promise of a child's it's a tragedy. But whether or not it's a crime.
What crime would it be?
Mom?
Murder?
Are you not?
Shut up?
Susie?
Let mom speak.
I want to hear the new lawyer's way in, Sally, what do you think? I don't know.
Can I pass?
No?
I cannot say you can, Sally.
Fine, Sally passes. Glad to hear all that tuition we pay as well spent, Harry, move on, I'll go, Thank you, Nancy.
We talked about this a lot at Radcliffe, Daddy. I have friends who believe in choice but say that they'd never be able to.
Do it themselves.
Well, I think it's just I'm not done, Susie.
To me, the real issue is who gets the power to make the decision. Anti abortionists think it should be a crime, right, throw the doctor in jail or the woman. But that sort of gives the unborn baby more rights than.
The mother, well said Susie. In no doubt have an opinion on the subject.
Yes, here's my answer.
Whatever a woman wants to do with her own body is no one's damn business but her own period. Of course you would say that, Susie, So you wouldn't give the father a say, Susie, or the girl's parents.
If she was a minor, her baby, her body, her choice.
Heck, if it were up to me, I'd make abortion available in every amp in the country.
And you know it would be too if men were the ones getting prego.
Jesus, you are so.
Starved for attention.
You know that I would.
I swear I would. Why are you asking us?
Daddy's the court going to take a side?
You know your father can't discuss that.
Sally, okay, but if you are going to dive into it, you can't be so theoretical.
What does that mean, Sally?
It means you can't be your usual ivory tower, overly analytical self on this issue.
Dad.
It's too emotional for people.
You need to make room for emotion too.
That's not his job, Sally.
You know, don't tell her what she knows.
Nancy, have you thought about that? Harry eat? You've barely touched your food.
I think I need to.
Go, I know, all right? Quiet down, ladies, Sarah, are you Okay to continue.
Yeah, I'm just dumb. Let me gather myself a second. As I was saying, ladies, four years ago, I got pregnant. We didn't mean for it to happen, and I wasn't ready to give up my whole future at twenty two. It was the hardest decision I ever made, and I damn well pray I never have another one that comes anywhere close. My husband wrong got us the name of a doctor in Mexico. He even borrowed some pain medication from a friend because we were told this doctor couldn't afford any and we should bring our own. And one sweltering hot Sunday afternoon, Ron and I went over the border. We had some trouble finding the place. It ended up being down this dirt road in this little white medical building. I guess it was a clinic. There was something framed on the wall. It wasn't hard. It was more like a document. I remember praying it was a medical degree. But I don't speak a word of Spanish and I certainly don't read it, so who knows. Right. I was so scared. It's not like the fear you have when you go to a doctor here in Dallas, though that can be scary. It's the fear of the unknown. Who is this man I'm putting in charge of my life? What is this place? Will anyone find out? Well I make it out of here? What are the potential complications, the side effects, the stuff I could carry around for the rest of my natural life because of how well or poorly the next forty five minutes goes. It's something I bet a lot of women in this room understand. I've never told another soul about this, not until this very moment. But not a day passes that I don't think on it. I started this case because it seemed like just about the only way anybody was gonna let me practice law. But I I hope you believe me when I tell you that it's not true anymore. I can't separate myself from this issue any more than I can separate myself from my own skin. I'm as invested in this cause as any of you are, and I will do everything in my power to help us win. Ladies, mister Lucas has quite a resume, no doubt about that, and he's an important part of this team no matter what. But when he says he understands this cause better than anyone. I think you can see why. I just don't agree with that. What's taking them so long to decide?
Just think about something else?
Yeah, right, Look at Roy over there, looking so smug. Just once in my life I'd like to feel as confident as he always looks.
Just relax. The plaintiffs will have their decisions.
Sound, We're finished talking. Now we have an answer we want Sarah.
Yes, Hey, Sarah, go get him.
Thank you, Supreme. The Battle Farah from iHeart Podcasts, created and written by Aaron Tracy, directed by Rachel Lunter, starring Maya Hawk, William H. Macy, and Abigail Breslan, also featuring William Fickener as Warren, Felicity Huffman as Dottie, Charlie B. Foster as Charlie, and Luke Herby as Roy. Executive produced by Eva Longoria, Ben Spector, Rachel Winter and Aaron Tracy, as well as Katrina Norvell and Anna Stump. From iHeart produced by Kelly and Kelly. Executive producers for Kelly and Kelly are Chris Kelly, Lauren Berkovich, and Pat Kelly. Produced by Tamara Black for Kelly and Kelly. Director of Audio Chris Kelly. Original score by Hamilton Lighthauser and Anna Stump. Sound designed by Paul Teduscini, edited by Max Collins. For a full list of credits, please see show notes.
This is a production of Unbelievable Entertainment in partnership with iHeartRadio