Cruel Summer

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,

I am not arguing one side of a "she said/she said" matter.

I'm here to expose the truth.

Ms. Turner is suing Ms. Wallis for defamation,

meaning Ms. Turner claims that my client

knowingly spread false information about her.

Denise: While we all have deep sympathy for Ms. Wallis..

- Reporter: How are you holding up? - (reporters clamoring)

You're brave, Kate!

Denise: That doesn't change the fact

that she's broken the law.

Joy: It's okay.

Nick: The burden of proof

rests on one person.

- Jeanette! - Jeanette! Over here!

- Do you regret suing Kate? - How do you live with yourself, Jeanette?

Nick: And that person

- 11 million? Seriously? - Is the plaintiff, - Ms. Turner.

- Jeanette, we need some answers here. - Jeanette! Jeanette!

Denise: Ms. Wallis's lie

transformed Ms. Turner

into America's punching bag.

This case isn't about the crimes

of a disturbed kidnapper.

Nick: My client has already endured enough trauma.

Denise: And it has nothing to do

with what took place in the outside world

while Ms. Wallis was held captive.

Nick: While Ms. Turner enjoyed the trappings of my client's life.

This case is about Ms. Wallis's actions

on The Marsha Bailey Show,

which have hurt my client's

lifetime earning potential

to the tune of $11 million.

The plaintiff's attorneys will attempt to attack

my client's integrity.

But the evidence will show

nothing.

The evidence will show that Ms. Wallis,

on national television,

knowingly chose to defame her.

Nick: There is no evidence

that my client spread false information,

knowingly or otherwise.

Denise: I don't envy you.

Nick: But I do trust you.

Denise: Not to choose sides but to choose the truth,

which is about to be revealed.

Judge: Tomorrow we'll begin

with the plaintiff's case in chief.

- Court is adjourned. - (gavel raps)

Joy: I'm so happy you decided to do this.

Your look radiates integrity

and elegance.

You picked it out.

- (door closes) - Ms. - Wallis, we're ready for you.

Since you declined earrings and took a hatchet to your hair

right before going on national TV...

Yes.

She's ready.

You're gonna do great, honey.

I was found by someone.

Excuse me?

A girl.

I didn't know her very well, or at all, really, but

to the girl who stayed silent,

who let me endure things that I cannot erase...

Jeanette Turner...

I hope you rot in hell.

She can't do that. She can't name you like that.

Legally, she can't do that.

You weren't supposed to mention Jeanette by name.

Or at all!

Honey, you broke the law!

My turn, I guess.

- Kate, over here! - Kate, Kate!

Come on, Molly, you know better than that.

Molly: Oh, come on.

Man: Jeanette, Jeanette!

Would you agree that 11 million is a greedy number?

Denise: We're not answering any questions right now.

Do you regret any of your actions at all?

We're not answering questions right now.

Denise: Back off, please.

Greg: We're done here, guys.

How was court today?

Today was easy.

Tomorrow my lawyer's bringing Kate on the stand as a hostile witness.

And that's good for you.

Right?

Still won't make people like me.

Hey.

I like you.

Doodlebug? What are you still doing up?

Not eating ice cream straight from the carton,

if that's what you're thinking.

Well, I'm not thinking... I'm thinking you should get me a spoon.

Angela says you're nervous.

You know you can still talk to me, right?

Yeah, Dad.

I do.

Good.

Denise: Ms. Wallis, you've stated repeatedly

that Martin Harris captured you by force, correct?

Yes.

And what is it that you maintain happened?

Martin Harris offered me a ride home.

I got in the car,

drank the drugged soda he gave me,

passed out, and woke up in his basement.

And that's what you relayed to the police, correct?

It is.

And that's what you maintain here today,

under sworn oath.

Yes.

Your Honor, I have a one-page document

marked "Exhibit 4."

May I approach the witness?

Objection, Your Honor, this was not disclosed in discovery.

It's for impeachment purposes, Your Honor.

Overruled. You may continue.

Ms. Wallis, what is it that you're holding?

A printed chat log between two screen names.

Could you please state those screen names?

Berenice4 and Traumarama79.

Ms. Wallis, could you please read the highlighted passage?

Ms. Wallis?

"Traumarama79."

"I went to Martin's looking for safety."

"What would people think if they knew I went there willingly?"

"It'd make them question my whole story."

Denise: Do you recall this conversation, Ms. Wallis?

Or should I call you Traumarama79?

That is your screen name, correct?

I don't understand. Those chats were private.

Did they tap our phones? Can they do that?

I did some digging.

It appears that your sister has been chatting

under the screen name "Berenice4."

Your parents are calling her now.

Berenice is Ashley?

Kate.

You haven't been honest with me.

And that's a problem.

This is a huge blow to our case.

If there is anything else you're not telling me...

I need to know.

What the hell are you doing here?

There's no apologizing for what I did.

I shouldn't have been drinking.

I shouldn't have given you a ride, but I did.

There's no excuse.

I take full responsibility for what happened.

Well, that's great, Jamie. You can go now.

But Vince Fuller didn't do anything wrong.

Mallory: Holy shit.

Ashley is Berenice?

Are you sure?

I'm bugging out, Mal.

Did she say why?

Yeah, and she had this weak-ass excuse

of, "I needed someone to talk to."

That sounds... nice.

I thought I had found someone like me.

Who had been through hell and back and survived it.

I thought that I was chatting with my future,

and she doesn't even exist.

I don't have the whole puzzle.

I was wrong about Berenice and I don't remember Anabelle.

What if I don't have all the pieces?

I think I'm ready

to try what Sylvia suggested.

Are you sure?

We're actually not open yet if you wanna...

I'm so sorry.

Why are you saying this now?

Jamie got me thinking.

About how... I've been punishing the wrong person.

And I miss you.

It's been so long.

I can't even enjoy hearing that.

What did I do that was so wrong?

Be there for my boyfriend when he got hurt?

I was vulnerable.

I mean, everyone was staring and,

and that's when you tried to out us.

I wasn't thinking about anyone else in that moment

except for you and me.

I was terrified, Vince.

You think I'm not scared?

I'm black. And gay.

In Texas.

We were in this together, Ben.

You just tossed me anywhere.

You're right.

You don't have to answer me right now.

But I want to earn your trust back.

If you'll let me.