Perception

Our sense of morality

is actually rooted in the circuitry of our brain.

But how much of that circuitry are we born with,

and how much of it is shaped by our life experience?

Clearly, our families can influence our sense of morality.

So can societal values...

everything from Hammurabi's code to the Ten Commandments

to the five essential do's and don'ts of online dating.

Or so I'm told.

There are so many external reasons

why we follow certain rules

or conduct ourselves in certain ways.

But is it also possible that some people are born

with a stronger moral character than others?

Sir?

You said that you wanted to see me.

Mr. Lewicki. Do come in.

It must be nice, hmm?

Uh, sir?

To be so young.

You've got the world by the tail, young Max.

I... I... I do?

Well, if you consider

a one-year fellowship to the Max Planck Institute

for Human Brain and Cognitive Sciences in Leipzig, Germany,

"the world by the tail," then, yes.

A... are... are you nominating me?

So, I take it you're interested.

No. Y... yes. I... I would love to go.

But what about Dr. Pierce?

Listen, Max, I knew you'd be concerned about that,

but it'd be wrong of me

to not have offered you this opportunity

simply because Dr. Pierce depends on you.

Think about it.

I don't need an answer just now,

but should you decide you want to pursue it,

I'll smooth things over with Daniel.

Okay?

Thank you, sir.

Mm-hmm.

What were you two talking about?

Um... nothing, doc. Just stuff.

Well, your stuff is throwing me off my schedule.

I need to get home.

You know, doc, tomorrow is Tuesday.

There's a fascinating tidbit, Lewicki.

And it's also trash day.

Why are you telling me this?

Because I'm going to put out the trash.

Am I supposed to give you a pat on the head?

I was just wondering... suppose... I wasn't around.

Would you have known that tomorrow was trash day?

Lewicki, as long as you work for me, I don't have to know,

so please, don't ever remind me again.

Okay.

Don't move!

Oh, doc! Stop!

That's my brother.

Man, you got milk all over my kicks!

Forget your damn shoes. What are you doing here, Kenny?

I came to see you. It's been, like, forever.

- Why didn't you call? - My phone died,

and I was waiting outside, but it got cold.

How did you get in?

I raked the lock with a paper clip.

By the way, mister, you really need to get a dead bolt.

Yeah. Already on my list.

Doc, I am so sorry about all this.

Would you please tell me what is going on?

I'm not sure. He doesn't want to talk about it.

It might be about his foster parents.

Look, tomorrow, I'll make some calls,

and I'll try and find out what's going on.

Just for the night, can he please stay here?

Yeah. He's a Lewicki. Of course he can stay.

Actually, Kenny still goes by "Rivers."

I changed my name when the Lewickis adopted me.

You were Max Rivers?

With a name like that,

you could have batted leadoff for the Cubs.

When I was 13 and Kenny was 6,

that's when we got split up.

I ended up with the Lewickis,

and after a while, they adopted me.

But Kenny, he's been stuck in the system all this time.

I keep tabs on him, but...

I guess, lately, I've just been so busy.

Why have you never told me any of this?

You never asked.

There. As good as new.

You like my kicks?

What is with the shoelaces?

Is that some new trend?

No, no, no, no, no. That's all me.

I invented that. That's Kenny style.

Come on, Kenny. What's going on?

Look, I just don't need people telling me what to do anymore.

Is this about the Trotters?

Is living with them not working?

Well, you don't have to stay there, man,

we'll figure something out.

Well, I already figured something out.

I'm moving to California.

And don't flip out. I got a job lined up and everything.

And what about school?

Well, I...

I quit.

Kenny, you...

Max, look, all right? I got it all planned out.

I'm gonna be a welder.

They give you classes. They train you.

And word is, welders are in hot demand right now.

I know it is a hard job,

but the helmets are kinda dope.

Oh. Okay.

So you want to be a welder because they wear cool helmets.

No, look, it's not like, okay?

It's a good-paying job.

And when you run a weld bead, that bead could hold a bridge up

or a ship together, you know, for like 100 years.

Something I did is gonna be in the world for a long time.

Kenny...

you are 16 years old.

You cannot just quit school and run off to California.

I can if you lend me some money.

And once again, you're not listening.

I'm tired, all right?

Can we talk about this in the morning? I need to crash.

You still snore?

I don't snore.

Oh, really?

Man, that is not right.

Oh, and, Max, man,

I'm sorry if I caused a problem between you and Mr. Pierce.

It's fine.

You need to get some sleep.

I also need to finish this report for Kate.

You know how she gets.

I see.

A closed case from three months ago...

that's really important.

Why else would I stay up all night?

Maybe because there's a young black man

sleeping in your house.

News flash... I've had a young black man

sleeping in my house for some time now.

Not one who broke in, told you a shifty story,

and has made you so nervous that you haven't slept a wink.

Are you sug...

are you suggesting that I'm a racist?

Maybe it's perfectly reasonable that you're wary of him.

Morning, sir. Officer Conklin.

Is there a problem?

We're investigating a series of robberies in the neighborhood.

Folks down the street spotted a young black male,

approximately 5'10", 15 to 18 years of age

prowling around last night.

Have you seen anyone who fits that description?

No, I can't say that I have.

But I'll, uh, I'll be sure to notify you if I do.

In the meantime,

it'd be wise to shore up your doors and windows.

Know what I'm saying... homey?

Who was that?

A cop.

There were other break-ins in the neighborhood last night.

- Really? - And they're looking...

they're looking for a young African-American male.

Whoa. H... hold on. Y... you don't think that means Kenny, do you?

You think it's a coincidence?

Doc, I think you're jumping to conclusions.

What's up?

Here's that follow-up report you've been hounding me about.

Daniel, not once have you shown up unannounced

to give me your unfinished paperwork.

What's really going on here?

What do you mean, "what's really"...

Okay, I... feel creepy about this,

but I need you to run a background check...

Kenneth Rivers.

Forget breaking and entering, Daniel.

This kid's wanted for murder.

What?

Yeah. The U.S. Marshals have a warrant out for his arrest.

I'm gonna have to notify them.

Well, s... shouldn't we give Lewicki a heads-up?

I could ask the Marshals

to extend a little professional courtesy,

maybe let me bring Kenny in quietly.

Agent Moretti. I spoke with Deputy Bass on the phone.

He's already inside.

Damn adrenaline junkies. They told me they'd wait.

Agent Moretti. Let us through.

Get off me! You're breaking my arm!

Lewicki?

- Which one of you is Bass? - That'd be me.

I'm agent Moretti. I'm the one you spoke to on the phone.

I'm sorry. We couldn't wait.

Well, you should have! You're arresting the wrong guy!