And actually, that makes total sense. It might not even be a Eli Gold thing, this like one time. Although it does call into question the equity partnership thing, right? Because if they can just redline the whole invoice like that just to get quicker turnaround, why not line out 10% of the total on Lemond Bishop's invoice for being such a good dude, or for sticking with them even though he went to jail for gym memberships or whatever it was? Well, obviously because Diane wanted to squeeze Alicia until blood came out, but you'd think Alicia could have made a case for that, given that Diane was very clear it wasn't about reality but just Lemond knowing they love him even though he's not around right now.

Perrotti: "Well done."
Elsbeth: "Thank you!"
Perrotti: "Do you like the ballet? Me neither, want to not go together? Have dinner instead?"
Elsbeth: "Yeah, but no."
Perrotti: "Can I ask why?"
Elsbeth: "Yeah, but no."

And with a whoosh and a sparkly pink cloud, she is gone, leaving Muad'Dib with his blue eyes gone crossed with desire. When weirdo calls to weirdo, as holy palmers kiss, it can be a mess trying to get yourself back together again.

L/G

Cary: "Hey Alicia, thanks for knuckling under to the proletariat."
Alicia: "I bet you guys were real nasty about me, huh?"
Cary: "Yeah, right up until we heard you sacrificed your own self to our petty egos."
Alicia: "Not so fast, little guy. I did another pass and you're gonna want to call me some names."
Cary: "Hold on, what? I thought this was done with."
Alicia: "It was. Now it is again. Revised brief by ten tomorrow, okay?"

She hates it when Diane does this: Asks for the result without walking you there. But I wonder how long she'll go on hating it. It's not about finding the third way, anymore; it's not about reinventing the wheel, or bringing her personal experiences as a civilian wife and mother to the table. Those things are important, they make her a good attorney and they'll make her a great partner. But right now, it's all irresistible forces and immovable objects, and that's something she's always had trouble with.