The Truth With Compromise

A dimly lit office, a single fluorescent light and the last dregs of sunlight shining the space, just as Chucked liked. He held a microphone connected to his laptop and spoke clearly.

"I must call to your attention the newly passed Environmental Impact and Sustainability Assurance Act."

Focused on his reading he didn't see Jimmy enter, Jimmy taking care not to make some big entrance, despite his heightened sense.

"...a statue that, as you know, went into effect without any ex post facto provisions in place." Chuck continued, still not noticing his brother's entrance.

"The-"

"You got a second, Chuck?" Jimmy asked, further stepping into the room. From the blinds and lack of light Chuck's face remained covered in shadow, the note pad the best object lit in the room.

"Um, not really. I'm I'm kind of..."

"It'll just take two seconds. I promise." Jimmy said, holding a piece of paper in his hand.

"All right." With a press, Chuck stopped the recording. He didn't have any expectations, giving off a rather neutral tone. He put the paper and microphone on the desk as Jimmy stepped forward to hand him that folded piece of paper.

"What's this?"

Chuck took the paper, unfolding and reading it. A signed document, officiated and everything. 'Jimmy McGill has passed the BAR, as per the Uniform Bar Examination.'

A score and breakdown of the marks followed, as did some additional legalese about Jimmy McGill's status now. That didn't matter. Chuck saw what he needed to see.

Chuck snorted. "Is this a joke?"

"No. No joke." Jimmy responded, completely serious.

Chuck looked again, just to make sure. "You...you passed the bar?" He asked skeptically.

"Yeah." Jimmy nodded and smiled. "I did."

"I...I thought if Kim could do it, maybe I can, too, you know?" He said, smile widening. Though he tried to appear meek, he couldn't help but move just a bit, the excitement flowing through his veins.

Chuck continued to look at the paper skeptically, in disbelief.

"So I got my last few credits for undergrad from a community college. I mean, they're not just for draft dodgers and yoga classes, all right?" Jimmy said, pointing as he began. "Then I found a law school that would accept me."

He spoke rather modestly, though Chuck could hear him brimming with happiness. "You know, wasn't Georgetown or anything, but..." He sighed, no doubt already knowing how 'low-brow' it sounded. "The University of American Samoa."

"Oh. Correspondence school." Chuck said. There was a hint of judgment in it, but Jimmy continued.

"Well, I wasn't gonna quit work, right? Day...nights, weekends, you know?" Chuck nodded. "They call it 'distance learning' nowadays. But they're accredited. Go, land crabs." Jimmy said, raising a fist.

Chuck continued to look at him, just surprised and just a little skeptical this wasn't just some 'bit'.

"And, um, the bar exam's a mother. I mean, for me it was. I failed it the first two times, but I guess it's like losing your virginity...third time's the charm." He added uneasily, throwing in an off-colour joke. Though unsaid, he had been expecting a bit more 'enthusiasm' from Chuck.

This wasn't some 'bit'. Chuck smiled and stopped, "how," he said. "This must have taken you years. And you kept it a secret all this time?" He asked, the skepticism replaced with surprise and just a slight hint of betrayal.

"Why? You didn't come to me for help?"

"Jesus, Chuck, you're the busiest guy I know. I mean, you're doing important shit." Jimmy said, continuing his modesty. He motioned to the microphone and stack of papers.

"Wow." Chuck laughed. "I don't know what to say." He said happily. He couldn't believe it. Jimmy had done it. And without him knowing!

"Well, are you proud of me?"

"Hmm?" Chuck asked, lost in thought. "Oh...Yes!" He said as if it were a given. "Absolutely!"

"Thanks!"

"Of course I am!" Chuck stood up, giving Jimmy a hug as the two brothers embraced. He sat back down, Jimmy taking a seat at the other end of the desk.

"Chuck...that means a lot." He said sincerely.

"Oh, hey. I was hoping, you know, if you think it's appropriate, um, once I get sworn in and everything..."

"Consider hiring me?" Jimmy asked, a hopeful look on his face.

"As what?" Chuck asked idly. "Oh. A...a lawyer." He said embarrassed, giving off another laugh. "Obviously, yeah." He chuckled.

Clearing his throat, he changed his tone. "Well that's a question I'm gonna have to take up with Howard and the other partners. Uh, you know, it's not my decision alone. But how could they say no? They already know you."

"So much drive." He picked up Jimmy's passing document and held it up. "Jimmy, look what you've done here." He said, flabbergasted.

"Aw, come on Chuck. This whole thing. It's you and Howard. You could easily hire me right off the bat. And Howard likes me."

"Well we wouldn't want the appearance of nepotism, would we?"

"Yeah, but HHM, it's Hamlin, Hamlin and McGill. C'mon, Howard and his dad. That's textbook nepotism."

Chuck sighed. Always so perceptive. He leaned forward, pressing his hands together. He wanted to approach this carefully, without hurting Jimmy's feelings too much. He'd gone through all this on his own anyways. "Jimmy. I don't mean this with malice, but you aren't a real lawyer yet."

"What?"

"Look, I'm sure their accredited but University of American Samoa? An online course? Jimmy come on." He said, a meagre attempt at not sounding superior.

A look of defeat ran across Jimmy's face.

"Sure you passed it. Third try but that doesn't matter. Jimmy, I worked my ass off to get where I am. I'm sorry to say but just passing the bar doesn't make you my peer." Chuck said. Though he had intended to be careful, he didn't realize how much his words actually stung.

Jimmy just looked betrayed, crestfallen at Chuck's words.

"I committed my life to this." Chuck said calmly.

"I thought you were proud of me." Jimmy said quietly.

"I am. You've straightened out, got a job in the mail room and now this!" He held up the paper again. "Jimmy I am proud of you. But I know what you are-what you were. People don't change. You're Slippin' Jimmy!" Chuck said in an outburst. He cleared his throat and paused.

"People don't change, huh?" Jimmy said quietly. "Well I suppose you're the exception, like your 'disease' didn't just vanish."

Chuck sighed. Jimmy had a point, even if incorrect. "Jimmy you know what I mean. It's just. Jimmy. The law is sacred. If you abuse that power, people get hurt."

"So that's it huh? Keep old Jimmy down in the mailroom. He's not good enough to be a lawyer."

"No. Jimmy." Chuck sighed again. "I believe you can do it. You can become a real lawyer. But you know what you were. You have to know... On some level, I know you know I'm right. And after all we've been through?"

Chuck looked closer, seeing how hurt Jimmy was. "This." Chuck held up the paper. "This is the first step. You can join HMM. And I'm sure Howard will back you too. But there's one more thing I want from you."

"What's that?" Jimmy said coldly. A lump had formed in his throat. His stomach hurt, though he tried to stay upright.

"Two years." Chuck held up two fingers. "Two years, public defender. Keep good people out of jail. Do that and you've got a spot here. Prove me wrong Jimmy. Show me you've changed."

"Is that a promise?" Jimmy asked solemnly.

Chuck held out his hand. "Make me proud Jimmy."

Jimmy cleared his throat. "I will." He shook on it.

"I mean it Jimmy. Make me proud. I'll have some aides set you up with a firm, walk you through with starting off."

"Thanks, Chuck." Jimmy took the paper and started to leave.

Chuck closed his laptop and put the microphone away. He tried to recall how he treated him, and change his mindset. "Hold on Jimmy."

Jimmy stopped and turned back, a weak look still on his face.

"Where do you think you're going without me? We got to celebrate this. On me."

Jimmy smiled back.

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(meant to release this yesterday for the national day of writing)

(this is vaguely related to the other Better Call Saul one-shot I wrote)