In either case: cut to Johnny shooting up. Bubbles has apparently beaten him to it, judging by his slurring as he advises that Johnny needs to "pace that shit." "I'm cool," Johnny replies. Bubbles repeats his concerns over the rate of Johnny's heroin use, explaining, "I'm trying to give you a little game, man." I have to say, were I a novice heroin user, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the advice of an older, still-alive junkie like Bubbles. Johnny's not really registering anything at this particular moment, but Bubbles perists: "You green. I'm trying to get you brown, man." Uh...pretty. "You gonna make me brown?" Johnny asks. But Bubbles is already starting to nod off. "Bubbs?" Johnny asks, causing Bubbles to start. "Let me do the scam tomorrow," Johnny asks. "Come on, man, I'm ready. Yo, I'm brown." "Shit, man, you ain't even fucking beige," chuckles Bubbles. Nice to see they've selected a squat with cute little heart cut-out details at the window. It's the little touches that make a flophouse a flophome.

Daniels rolls up to the office of Ervin H. Burrell (Frankie Faison), Deputy Commissioner of Operations (or so his door proclaims).

Inside, Burrell is moodily staring out the window as he spits, "Buy-busts." "Yes sir," says Daniels. "No long surveillances, no Kel recorders, no DNRs. I want to get in and out as quickly as possible." Daniels says that makes sense. Burrell complains that "Phelan isn't just a judge, he's a political entity. If he asks for something, I want to give it to him." Daniels asks why Phelan cares about Barksdale, and Burrell tells him what we already know. He asks whom Daniels is using on this case, and as lead detective, Daniels names Kima: "She's my best right now." Not a difficult designation to achieve when your competition is Herc, but still. Daniels asks whom Homicide is sending, and Burrell says that's up to Rawls: "I wouldn't be surprised if you get McNulty." He asks if Daniels knows him. "Not really," says Daniels. Burrell explains how McNulty set all these wheels in motion. "He talked to the judge?" marvels Daniels. Burrell says that's his understanding: "So if he comes over on this, watch your back." You know, it seems like if all these cops were less concerned about loyalty and chain of command, a lot more crimes might get solved. Or...um, is that actually the whole point of the show, David Simon? Oh. Then I guess I'll just shut my trap. Burrell tells Daniels that if he needs anything, he should go through Burrell: "But no surprises...Keep me briefed."