- [ exhales ]
- Okay, Shawn,
so the problem with making a bit more this year
is now the government wants you to pay a bit more.
- Yeah, well, I didn't make Top Salesman last quarter
just to turn around and give it all back to Uncle Sam.
- Well, I know it's not ideal,
but the dealership covers all of the overhead,
so you really don't have any expenses.
- I sold two Isuzu Troopers last month.
Do you know how hard it is to sell that car?
- Yep. And I am sorry, but I don't make the rules.
- Uh, where's the write-off for my car stereo system?
- Unfortunately, it's not a valid deduction.
- When people see me pull up to a red light,
I'm blasting Prince out of my blower points,
people look at me, and they say
"Where the hell did that guy get that kick-ass ride?"
I tell them, "Van Nuys Pre-owned Car Castle."
It's advertising.
- Right. But some might say it's tax fraud.
I don’t want you to get in trouble here, so...
- Oh, Michael-- Do you mind if I call you Michael?
- Actually, full name is Michelangelo.
- Like the Ninja Turtle? - Or the Renaissance Master.
- Okay, Mikey, look, that's a $5,000 stereo system.
We write it off, I save $2,000 in taxes.
Nobody's going to prison for 2 grand.
- Respectfully, no one ever thinks they'll wind up in prison
until they wind up in prison.
- Oh, yeah? And how are you such an expert?
- I wound up in prison.
- [ chuckles ] Come on.
- Here. You can sign here.
- Oh, shit.
You're the Mike Ferro.
The one from the news a few years ago.
The Mike Ferro that did-- - Hey, guys. Hi.
Why don't I just take over now?
- You got a criminal handling my finances?
- Mike, why don't you just go to the break room,
get a cup of coffee, okay?
- Sure. - Thank you.
Got this. - Are you serious?
- No, no, no, no. Let me look. - I've been coming in here 15 years,
and you're hooking me up with this guy?
- So, Mike, that was unbelievably dumb.
I can't have you out there. I'm sorry. - I need this job, Gary.
- People need to trust this company, and people do not trust ex-cons.
I'm sorry. I am.
- Okay.
You're out of sweetener.
- You needed to keep that job, Mike.
You know the rules.
You don't stay gainfully employed, the state will punch--
- The state will punch my ticket. - And back inside you go.
The mayor hates your ass.
You so much as jaywalk, he'll come at you.
- It's bad enough doing time for something you didn't do,
but I'm finally out now and I'm still paying for it?
- Should have waited a few days to tell me about work.
Now I got to file a Change of Employment Status with the DOC.
Clock start running for you to find a new gig.
And not to pile on, I got a call from the Kellers.
You missed a payment.
- Kevin, money's been tight. I'm mailing a check out tomorrow.
- Mike, if you don't pay that family, the state--
- The state will punch my ticket.
Trust me, I'm never doing anything that'll make me go back to prison again.
- It's for you.
- I don't think my parole officer's supposed to be giving me a weapon.
- When my old man was in Desert Storm,
he opened the telegram telling him he's going home with this pocket knife
after a six-month stop-loss.
Eight years ago, when I had six months sober,
my dad gave me this knife.
Said if you can make it through six months of something,
you're home free.
You don't even know, do you?
- Guess not.
- Today is six months to the day you've been out of prison, my man.
Six months into a new lease on life.
I'm passing you the torch.
- No, I--Hey, I can't take this.
- You know, I've been doing this 10 years,
working with bad men.
Want to know what I learned?
Michelangelo Ferro is not one of them.
- Shit.
You know you're at rock bottom
when your parole officer's your best friend.
- Come on, man.
- You've had me in your home.
You treat me like a person instead of an ex-con.
It's not nothing.
- Good. So when you're a rich rainmaker again,
you can have me out to Malibu.
Now I'm heading downtown in the morning
to surprise piss test a stockbroker.
Ride with me. Knock on some doors of your old haunts.
See who's hiring.
- I'm toxic. Nobody's gonna bring me on.
- You need a J-O-B, bitch.
But for right now you need to take your mind off things.
Go home. Relax.
Put another baby in Allison.
Tomorrow's a new day.
♪ No me digas ♪
- Hey. - Hey.
- I picked up the nail polish remover.
I'm gonna get that ring out of the bathtub tonight
if it kills me. - [ laughs ]
How was work?
- Good. Great.
Are you almost ready to go?
- Yeah.
Just want to finish a few things while I was here.
Car picks me up early in the morning.
- Hmm. I wish you didn't have to go.
- Well, it's kind of a big deal, you know?
Them flying an assistant to Chicago.
All these execs and just little old me helping out with the presentation.
- I am so proud of you.
I just don't know how it's gonna be, just me and Pearl.
- Yeah. She went to sleep early again.
- She used to wait up for me to get home.
- I know, but the therapist said there's gonna be an adjustment period.
- For how long?
- Mike, you were in jail for three years, all right?
- She was 6 years old. Just give it some time, all right?
I promise.
She'll come around, okay?
Mm, speaking of promises... - Mm-hmm.
...someone did promise me a goodbye I'd never forget.
- Oh, you want the Carlos Bravo, the famous bullfighter.
- Sí, señor.
- You know, me and Kevin-- - Um, mm-mm.
We are not thinking about Kevin right now.
- Or the team or baseball.
[ bell rings ]
- WOMAN: Okay, guys, hurry up. Got to get to class.
- I thought we could go to the movies while Mom's gone.
- I don't like going to the movies.
- Really? You loved it when you were little.
Big Hero 6, The Lego Movie.
- All right. Bye.
- Hey.
Give me a hug.
Honey, I remember when you hugged me back.
- You left us. - That's not true. I fought.
Honey, lawyers are expensive,
and I had to take a plea so I can leave you and Mama with something.
[ bell rings ]
I think Pearl knows I got fired.
- Well, you can't get stuff by kids.
- You know I stopped telling her I love her.
I'm afraid she won't say it back.
- Just needs time.
Look at you.
All dressed up for your warehouse interview.
- You know what? I'm not gonna break my hand
pounding on a door that's closed to me.
My father was a laborer.
It was good enough for him, it's good enough for me.
- Well, good luck, money.
- I don't need it. Got my lucky pocket knife.
- Things will get better, Mikey.
- I'll call you.
- Please stand clear. The doors are closing.
The next stop is Pershing Square Station...