The door swings open and she marches in, flanked by two guys Mike only vaguely knows. They don't touch her but it's clear she's been brought against her will. It's been a while since Mike first decided he was too old for this shit.
"I need you to cook again," Walt is saying. Jessie looks defiant but tense.
Mike knows the cartel's output has dipped in the wake of Jessie's departure. The new cooks are doing their best, but it takes time to perfect a technique to the level of Walt and Jessie's product.
"The product isn't blue," Walt says. "Blue is our brand. Our customers in the Czech Republic-"
Jessie doesn't look convinced. "I told you I'm out," she says, more softly than Mike expected. "I can't do this anymore."
Walt is still talking, but Mike tunes him out. He's sure Walt's got excuses stored up his ass and with more to spare. He watches Jessie. He hasn't seen her since that dramatic resignation, and as much as he hates to admit it, he wants to think her life has gotten better since she got out from under Walt's thumb. She looks tired, probably from Walt's constant requests and admonitions and complaints. But sort of… healthy. She's not on anything, that's clear. She never should have gotten into this business in the first place, Mike thinks, not for the first time.
Finally, Walt sighs and gets up from his chair. The guys who escorted Jessie inside grab her arms, forcing her to her knees on the expensive rug. One takes out his handgun and holds it against her head.
Mike tenses but doesn't move. Walt hadn't said it would get to this… level. Jessie, for her part, is shaking slightly but somehow doesn't seem surprised. She never tears her gaze from Walt.
"Do it, then," she challenges, though her composure starting to fall apart. "Fucking kill me! That's what you brought me out here for, isn't it? In case I say no?"
Walt crouches before her on the rug. "This is your last chance," he says evenly. "I need you to cook for me."
Silence. Jessie stares at floor for a while before resignedly shaking her head. "You know I can't do that." Her voice becomes pleading as she looks up at him, asking for forgiveness even now while he's holding her life in his hands. "I'm sorry, Mr. White."
Walt exchanges a glance with a man off to the side, who flicks on a TV screen.