Back at the Sun, we catch Templeton in the middle of what looks like a prolonged sulk, when the bearded dude who's supposed to be working on the schools story with him stops by the desk and suggests that maybe they get started. Templeton waves him off with a dismissive "after lunch," then grabs his notebook and heads out to unleash a little of that M. Scott Templeton magic on a waiting world. And that involves driving to a pay phone in a run-down part of town and placing a call...to his own cell phone. He sets down the pay phone, sets down the cell, and starts scribbling furiously in the notebook. Hopefully, he's composing his resignation letter.

Bubbles and Walon are at the clinic for Bubbles's HIV test. Man, I hope he studied. Bubbles wonders when he'll get the test results back. In another scene or two, I'd say.

Down at the courthouse, we join the Free Clay Davis! rally already in progress. Your speaker: Former mayor Clarence Royce, who hasn't lost his special gift for backing the wrong horse. "And they want you to believe their 'so-called facts' cannot be denied," Royce shouts to a receptive crowd. "But we have some facts of our own, don't we?" Because what are facts, after all, if not highly mutable things that you can highlight or ignore depending on whether they reinforce your preconceived conclusions? Oh wait -- those aren't facts at all. I believe the proper description is bullshit. Anyhow, there is much misappropriation of the downtrodden's legitimate distrust in the system, and a lot of clapping, and the singing of a not-very-appropriate-given-the-circumstances-surrounding-the-guy-we're-rallying-behind civil rights anthem. And all the clapping and shouting is just to give Royce the opportunity to whisper at Davis through the clenched teeth of a forced smile, "What the fuck is this I hear about you might not stand tall on this?" Clay insists that Royce heard wrong and that he's going keep everyone else's name out of his trial. "You damn sure better," Royce responds, still smiling. "Because if you don't, you won't be able to squeeze another greenback out of this town for the rest of your natural life." A future without money? You might as well tell Clay that you're cutting off his oxygen supply.