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Room (2000) by Ben Younger
EXT. GARDEN STATE PARKWAY - NIGHT
Three luxury buses with blacked-out windows speed toward
Atlantic City. A laser show explodes off of Trump Plaza.
CUT TO:
INT. BUS - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
SETH DAVIS stares out the window.
Seth is 20 years old. No menacing physical presence but a
sharpness that you feel right off. He's a smart kid.
Confident but edgy. Eyes always darting.
The bus is filled with 19 and 20 year olds. They wear very
sharp suits: Hugo Boss, Armani, very slick.
They're going nuts. Cards games in the aisle. Five guys
throwing dice in the back. Booze and coke, yelling,
screaming.
EXT. BUS - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
Exterior shots of the casinos bring us into Bally's Grand.
INT. BALLY'S - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
A top level manager for Bally's runs toward them. He greets
MICHAEL BRANDTLEY with a warm handshake. Michael owns JT
MARLIN, the company that these kids work for.
MANAGER
Mr. Brantley, how are you?
MICHAEL
Great, great.
MANAGER
Would you prefer to go to the ballroom
first, or are you going to hit the
tables right off?
MICHAEL
Let's go to the room. The boys look
hungry.
CUT TO:
INT. LARGE BALLROOM - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
A buffet and a full bar set up against a wall. Staff members
are there to serve. A huge projection TV occupies another
wall.
The doors open as we approach, and the group enters. Seth
smiles widely as he enters. The group has attacked the
buffet and the bar. A large group of managers are snorting
coke off a glass coffee table. A dice game is beginning. At
least 30 guys are in front of the TV betting on a horse race.
RICHIE
Holy shit, that's the jockey from
Venezuela. He's a sicko. I heard he
weighs like forty-eight pounds.
CHRIS
No, 119, but you're close, slut.
RICHIE
Whatever. Give me three to one on that
skinny nigga.
GREG
Do me a favor, Richie...
RICHIE
(laughing)
You wanna throw down?
Seth is sitting in an armchair with a drink in his hand.
Michael moves to the front of the room to make an
announcement. He has a glass of wine in his hand.
MICHAEL
Quiet down a second. I want you all to
know that those pikers at the NASD are
finally off our ass. JT Marlin once
again has unlimited trading
authorization. I told you guys, you
can't keep a good man down.
(big applause)
We are the superstars now. JP Morgan
just faxed over their congratulations.
It said, "Welcome to the Club." This
also means that the teams headed by Ron
and Anthony who were good enough to
give up their rep numbers, can stop
cold calling and start trading again.
Welcome back. To show you guys just
how appreciative I am, I have a little
something extra for you.
I want all of you guys from those teams
to go up to suite 418. We're players
now, boys, let's celebrate it. Salute!
They all go wild.
CUT TO:
INT. SUITE 418 - NIGHT (LATER)
CLOSE UP ON RICHIE, a broker with a bad temper, who is
fucking a prostitute from behind on one of the double beds in
the room. He's still half dressed. There is nothing sensual
about it.
We PAN OVER to the other bed where another broker is fucking
a prostitute. The two men are looking at each other and
laughing.
The women are quiet. There is a lot of noise coming from the
hallway in the form of lewd CHEERS.
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
There are 17 more guys waiting in line.
MARC
Take it to 'em, Richie!!
TODD
And take it quick, we're all waiting
out here.
Everyone laughs as we FADE TO BLACK. It does down and then
one voice RINGS out, loud and crude.
VOICE
Put it in your ass!
FADE OUT.
THREE MONTHS EARLIER
INT. RECEPTION AREA/JT MARLIN - MORNING
We follow GREG FEINSTEIN through a reception office. Greg is
a senior broker here at JT Marlin. He walks tall, wears
expensive clothing, drives a Ferrari. But if you look close
you can see the high school loser who made good.
An attractive secretary in her mid-twenties, DEBBIE HILLIARD,
picks her head up when Greg walks in. Debbie is black.
She's street smart and has that "in the know" look about her.
Greg walks straight up to Debbie. He doesn't look happy.
GREG
Morning baby. You wanna tell me where
the fuck you were last night?
DEBBIE
Not particularly. And don't call me
baby.
(pauses)
Greg, I'm not sure how better to
explain this to you, but it's over.
GREG
That what you think?
DEBBIE
(nonplussed)
Kiss off would you, I've got work to
do.
Greg, incensed, GRABS her by the arm as a group of brokers
walks in. He tries to act like he's showing her something on
the computer but she angrily SHAKES loose of his grip. Greg
leaves her and walks into...
CUT TO:
INT. BOILER ROOM - MORNING (CONTINUOUS)
...the trading room of JT MARLIN. The cold light of this
enormous room almost blinds the viewer. The room is spartan.
This is no traditional trading house. Each broker's desk
touches another on either side as well as directly ahead.
It looks like one very long cafeteria style table with
brokers sitting across from and next to each other. There
are close to twenty brokers sitting at each table. On the
tables are only two items, phones and index cards. A
secretary is at the head of each table. They answer incoming
calls.
We move QUICKLY along one of the tables, passing brokers on
the phones, their pitches melding into one another.
BROKER #1
About how much would you say you have
invested in the market right now? More
than a half million, less than...?
BROKER #2
No, no, no. You don't want out now.
I'm telling you this stock is going to
thirty. I'm in very heavy myself.
Just stay put.
BROKER #3
I don't know if you've ever had the
opportunity to purchase IPO before but
we have a company that we're bringing
to market in the next...
BROKER #4
Look, we have to move on this right
now. This is gonna happen in the next
week. We don't want to marry this
stock. We're in we're out...
GREG
No, I understand why you'd be
concerned. You just have to calm down
for a second. You see nothing's
changed. Our game plan's the same.
Look, this is off the record, but I
spoke to the controller this morning.
He assured me that they will be
reporting better than expected third
quarter earnings next month.
(soothing)
Right. See I'm telling you, just sit
tight, everything's fine. It's type
two buying power. You're golden. Call
me in a month from now when you're
rich. Bye.
One of Greg's trainees, MARC, approaches with a stack of
cards.
MARC
Here you go, Greg.
GREG
I hope these are better than the last
batch of shit you gave me. You produce
more wood than Ron Jeremy.
MARC
What? What do you mean?
GREG
I see you making your calls. Listen to
me, you can't just get on the phone and
say, 'Can I send you some information?'
If you want them off the phone so bad,
why don't you just hang up? You have
to excite them about things.
You want them to beg for a broker on
that first call.
Debbie walks through the trading floor to drop a package off
at a broker's desk. Greg watches, seething.
MARC
You're right. I freeze up when...
GREG
Just stop pussying out every time
someone picks up the phone; it's what
you want.
CUT TO:
INT. QUEENS COLLEGE DINING HALL - DAY
Three students sit at a table eating lunch. They're all
white, 19 years old, come from families with money.
KID
You still owe me twenty-five bucks.
His friend has a hamburger in his mouth as he hears this and
almost spits it out to answer.
KID 2
From what?
KID
I spotted you at Douglaston last week.
Remember? The birdie on nine?
KID 2
Oh yeah, yeah.
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a bunch of chips
from a casino. He lays them out on the table and counts out
$25. All of the chips say "Seth's" on them.
KID 2 (CONT'D)
Here you go. Now pass me the
sauerkraut, you stank ho.
He takes the chips, counts them, and drops them in his shirt
pocket. The third friend's interest is perked.
KID 3
Yo, where did you get those?
KID
Mind your fucking business.
CUT TO:
EXT. HOUSE - DAY (CONTINUOUS)
A black Acura pulls up in front of an attached home in New
Garden Hills, Queens. The boys from school get out of the
car and go up to the front door.
CUT TO:
INT. SETH'S BEDROOM - DAY (CONTINUOUS)
A comforter hangs in front of the window. Nothing is in
order except for a desk in the corner with a ledger book on
it.
A hard KNOCKING is heard and Seth stirs in his sleep. The
knocking is heard again and this time Seth straightens up.
CUT TO:
INT. DOORWAY - DAY (CONTINUOUS)
Seth comes running down the stairs. The knocking is steady
now. He opens the door to Josh's raised fist about to knock.
SETH
Sorry about that.
CUT TO:
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY (CONTINUOUS)
There are two full-size couches and a coffee table. A large-
screen TV, VCR, and Sega game system sit in one corner. The
windows in the room are covered by red-velvet curtains.
The centerpieces of the room are two blackjack tables.
They're for real -- professional felts, cash boxes, stools.
Seth hits the lights. He stands there in sweat pants and a
"cunning linguist" T-shirt, dealing to the three kids.
CUT TO:
EXT. HOUSE - DAY
Seth stands at the door of an affluent looking home in
Flatbush. After one knock, his mother comes to the door.
MOTHER
I'm just saying, this isn't good, Seth.
You're late and your father's really
upset with you. He won't even tell me
what it is. I just wanted to warn you.
She goes back to the kitchen before Seth can respond. He
opens the screen door and walks in. He's nervous.
INT. HOUSE - DAY
His family is eating dinner. Seth's father, MARTY DAVIS,
does not even look up from his plate. Marty is a Federal
Judge. He's an intimidating man both in his work and
personal life.
Seth moves toward the empty seat. His younger brother NEIL,
is happy to see him though.
NEIL
What's up, Seth?
SETH
Hey bro, how's school?
MARTY
That's a good question. You want to
tell me what happened, Seth?
NEIL
We didn't know if you were still
coming.
SETH
There was traffic.
MARTY
So?
SETH
Don't you want to wait till after
dinner?
MOTHER
Yeah, I think that's a better...
MARTY
Answer the question.
Everyone stops eating. There's no more denying the tension.
SETH
I dropped out.
MARTY
Tell me why.
SETH
I gave it a year Dad, it's not for me.
I'm sure of it.
MARTY
So you've been lying to our faces for
six months now. Six months. Schools
fine, Dad. My grades are good, Dad.
Okay, let's leave that for a second.
If you dropped out then you're not
getting your student loan checks
anymore. Right? I want to know how
you're making rent every month.
SETH
Dad, please don't ask me that.
There is a long pause here as Seth just stares back at her.
MOTHER
You're dealing drugs, aren't you?
SETH
No, of course not. I'm not a drug
dealer, Mom.
MOTHER
Well, what are you doing? This is
making me nervous, Seth.
SETH
Okay. There's a business I'm running.
But I'm earning my money honestly.
Marty reaches into his pocket and takes out a handful of
chips from Seth's casino, SLAMMING them down on the table.
MARTY
Is this what you call earning a living?
MOTHER
(hysterical)
What are those, Marty? Are those
drugs?
SETH
Yes, it's an honest living. Ask any of
my customers.
MARTY
Customers? What are you talking about?
They're people's children from this
community.
How do you think I got these? Anyway,
it's illegal! You're running a back-
door card game! How do you think this
reflects on me? I'm a judge for
Christ's sake! If this ever gets
out...
Seth looks away. He's just too scared to maintain eye
contact.
MARTY (CONT'D)
Are you listening to me?!!
SETH
Yes.
CUT TO:
INT. SETH'S CASINO - NIGHT
The room is now filled with people. The television is
blasting out a Knicks game. The tables are at their
capacity. Many more stand around placing bets on the
dealer's hand.
Seth is dealing on one table and one of his employees, JEFF,
an even younger looking kid, deals at another. One patron is
at the center of all the action. He looks very nervous about
the stakes he's playing.
SETH
(stone cold)
That's sixteen.
CASINO PATRON
Hit me.
Seth puts a King on top of his hand.
SETH
And bust. I'm sorry.
The patron is fuming over his loss. He slams his hand down.
CASINO PATRON
Fuck! I cannot win a fucking hand
tonight.
SETH
Hey Steve!
STEVE (O.S.)
Yeah?
STEVE is the new guy there.
SETH
Get in here.
(to patron)
What kind of soda you like?
CASINO PATRON
(still angry)
I don't care!
Steve is standing at the other table struggling with the
plastic on a new carton of Marlboros. He hands out packs to
customers, then makes his way over to Seth's table.
SETH
(holding out car keys)
Here, take my car and go get Mike a
coke and a falafel. You hungry?
CASINO PATRON
(surprised)
Yeah, yeah... sure. Why not?
SETH
Come on, Mike. It's a roller coaster,
ups and downs. You know that.
Alright, place your bets.
FADE OUT.
INT. SETH'S CASINO - NIGHT (LATER)
The room is near empty. The clock on the wall reads 3:00 AM.
The last two kids there finally call it quits. No more
money.
SETH
See ya guys.
KID (O.S.)
Fuck you!
Steve walks them to the door and locks up after they leave.
Seth removes the cash boxes and spills the money onto the
table. There is easily $5,000 there. He begins to count,
straightening each bill out as he goes along.
CUT TO:
EXT. SETH'S DRIVEWAY - NIGHT
A black Ferrari rips around the corner. Greg and Adam emerge
from the car. Adam knocks as Greg squeezes past him.
INT. CASINO - NIGHT
Seth jerks his head up from the table. He puts the money
aside, writes a figure on a pad, and walks toward the door.
CUT TO:
EXT. DOOR - NIGHT
ADAM
He's not gonna let you in. He doesn't
know you. The kid's not stupid, Greg.
A small makeshift metal plate slides open on the wooden door
and we see Seth's eyes looking at the pair.
SETH'S POV
SETH
Who's this?
ADAM (O.S.)
This is my boy Greg.
The plate closes and the door swings open.
SETH
We thought we were done for the night.
ADAM
Is it too late to get a couple of hands
in?
SETH
Nah. Twenty-four/seven, you know that.
Steve takes their coats and hangs them in the closet.
SETH (CONT'D)
Hey Steve, go grab a couple of
sandwiches.
Seth leads them over to the tables and discreetly puts the
cash away. Greg takes notice. Seth shuffled the cards.
SETH (CONT'D)
Okay, house rules are as follows. We
play Las Vegas with the exception of a
particular side bet. You can bet over-
under thirteen on the dealer's hand
with a loss occurring on blackjack.
GREG
That's cute, like the green spot on a
roulette wheel.
Seth does not respond.
GREG (CONT'D)
How many idiots take that bet?
SETH
More than you'd think.
Greg laughs and then removes a huge wad of cash.
ADAM
Alright give me... four hundred
dollars.
GREG
You didn't say anything about the
betting.
SETH
What were you thinking?
GREG
Five hundred Max?
Steve, who has just walked in with the sandwiches stops dead
after hearing Greg's suggestion.
SETH
We don't usually service that level of
action here... but I'd hate to turn
away a new customer. Thing is, we may
not have enough cash here to settle you
at the end of the night.
GREG
That's okay. You can pay me tomorrow.
SETH
(laughs)
Sure. How much you want?
Greg unfolds his bank roll and puts down a wad of cash.
GREG
Five dimes.
Seth counts out the money on the table.
SETH
In what denomination?
GREG
Denomination? Ummm, I'll take three
Puerto Ricans, two Chinks and a Guinea.
Adam, Steve and even Seth laugh, lightening the mood.
GREG (CONT'D)
I'll let you mix it up for me.
Seth takes the money and pushes it into the cash box. He
then counts up $5,000 in chips for Greg.
ADAM
You're such a prick. Gotta make me
feel like I'm playing at the kiddie
table.
GREG
If the shoe fits, baby. Oh shit. You
got real chips.
Holding them up to Adam.
GREG (CONT'D)
(laughing)
Look, they even say "Seth's" on 'em.
This is no joke.
ADAM
I told you.
SETH
At first we just used Bicycle poker
chips, you know, the kind you can buy
in a deli. Then some kids started
sneaking in additional funds.
ADAM
(laughing)
Jesus Christ. Bet you put a stop to
that shit real quick.
Greg reaches over to the platter for a sandwich.
GREG
And you pay for food and drinks for all
these kids?
SETH
I sure as hell don't cook for them.
I've already lived in four places in
Queens. I don't think I ever turned a
stove on except to light a cigarette.
GREG
You and me both.
SETH
But I take care of my customers.
Smokes, food, soda. Look, I'm not
stupid, I never buy decaffeinated.
GREG
(laughing)
Holy shit, would you listen to this
kid.
SETH
(all business)
Alright. Place your bets.
CUT TO:
INT. COFFEE SHOP, NYC - DAY
Seth is sitting in a booth waiting for someone.
A Towncar pulls up and Seth's father gets out. He comes
inside and heads toward the booth. Seth stands to greet him.
MARTY
(cold)
Hi Seth.
SETH
Hey Dad.
The two have an awkward moment as Seth reaches out to embrace
his father. They're obviously uncomfortable around each
other.
MARTY
(gruff)
So what's up?
Seth is very nervous here. He's trying to reach out toward
his father. New territory.
SETH
How you doing?
MARTY
I'm fine, Seth. What's on your mind?
SETH
I just feel bad about the way things
went at the house last week. I feel
like we just don't get anywhere talking
at home.
MARTY
(cold)
I'm not sure what there is to talk
about. You're a habitual liar. You've
dropped out of school, you're running
an illegal casino out of your
apartment. You're putting my career at
risk. What do you want to talk about?
SETH
Why can't we just discuss this? Maybe
you're not seeing my side.
MARTY
Your side? You're doing wrong. I'm
not your best friend, here to nod my
head and sympathize. That's my your
mother's racket. I'm your father. I
let you know when you screw up. Did
you think I was going to pat you on the
back for this casino idea? Tell you
what an entrepreneur you are?
SETH
No.
MARTY
So, what do you want from me? Meeting
me in a coffee shop is not going to
change the life you have. God, if I
ever asked my father to meet me for a
cup of coffee to talk about my screw-up
he probably he probably would have
laughed. We didn't have nice little
chats about why I was a bad boy.
Whether I was just calling out for
attention or not. I got smacked and
then I didn't do it again. Much
simpler.
SETH
(mutters)
Well that really worked great on me,
Dad.
MARTY
What?
SETH
Look Dad, I'm sitting here and I'm
trying to restore what's left of our
relationship.
MARTY
(angry)
Relationship?
What are you talking about? We're not
dating, Seth. I'm your father, not
your girlfriend. So stop with the pop-
psychology talk. Did your mother feed
you this crap?
SETH
(embarrassed)
No.
MARTY
Clean up your life. Make an honest
living. Then we can talk like normal
people.
(looks at watch)
I gotta get back to work. I'm hearing
a grand jury indictment this afternoon.
Marty slaps a five dollar bill on the table and leaves.
CUT TO:
INT. CASINO - NIGHT
It's the end of the night. Seth sits with Greg.
GREG
I'm just saying, this is risky
business. You plan on dealing cards to
college kids when you're thirty-five?
Think you won't get busted in the next
two years? You need to start thinking
about down-the-line time.
SETH
So I should come work for you, huh? I
guess it'll be retribution for me
taking all your money here.
GREG
(laughs)
First of all, I'm not done with your
here. And no, you'll only be working
for me for a short time. You learn the
ropes, pass the series seven, then
you're on your own. Just ask Adam,
he'll tell you.
Seth stares at him, contemplating.
CUT TO:
INT. SETH'S CAR - DAY
Seth is driving on the LIE. We see the NYC skyline through
the rear window. He's driving away from the city.
CUT TO:
EXT. BOILER ROOM - DAY (CONTINUOUS)
It's lunch time as Seth pulls up in his mother's Volvo wagon.
The first sight he comes across is 14 kids in wing-tips and
dress shirts playing street hockey in the parking lot.
There are three Ferraris right in front. The rest of the lot
is filled with Mercedes SL's, Corvettes, and other exotics.
As Seth closes the car door, he spots a bright yellow "Jewish
Mother on Board". He throws it on the floor in the back.
CUT TO:
INT. RECEPTION AREA - DAY (CONTINUOUS)
The room is packed with interviewees. Some have to stand.
They're all terribly dressed. Sunday's best doesn't cut it.
The front door opens and Seth walks in. He wears a sharp
suit. He walks tall. All eyes fall on Seth, even Debbie's.
DEBBIE
Over here.
SETH
Have they started interviewing yet?
DEBBIE
No.
SETH
How long do you expect the wait to be?
DEBBIE
You'll all be going in at the same
time.
SETH
I thought this was an interview.
DEBBIE
(finding the words)
It's a group interview. You'll see.
She reaches under the desk and pulls out a clipboard.
DEBBIE (CONT'D)
(smiling)
Here. Fill this out. I'd say have a
seat, but that doesn't look like it's
going to happen.
Seth doesn't have a clue that she is trying to make
conversation with him.
SETH
That's okay.
RUDE KID
Hey, when's this shit gettin' started?
Debbie doesn't even look up from her desk.
RUDE KID (CONT'D)
You hear me?
DEBBIE
I hear you. I'm just not answering.
RUDE KID
What the fuck?
She sighs as if she's done talking, then...
DEBBIE
Open your mouth again and I'll
personally guarantee you never get a
job here.
One of the doors of the trading room opens. Seth catches a
glimpse of several brokers crouched down, playing dice near
the far window of the trading room. The door closes in SLOW
MOTION as Seth cranes to get every possible view.
Out walks JIM YOUNG. Jim is a team leader at JT Marlin. He
is dressed to the T. He looks like someone not to be fucked
with.
JIM
Alright guys, come this way.
CUT TO:
INT. BOARDROOM - DAY (CONTINUOUS)
The room used mostly for interviewing and on the rare
occasion a meeting is needed with someone outside the firm.
Jim walks in to find Marc sitting at the head of the table.
He laughs to himself.
JIM
I'm sorry, but that's my seat.
MARC
(scared)
Oh man, I'm so sorry.
JIM
It's alright.
Marc JUMPS to another seat. He is chided by one of his
friends, the same kid who was having words with Debbie.
RUDE KID
Fucking dumb-ass.
JIM
You can get the fuck out of here.
RUDE KID
(terrified)
What? What?
JIM
Don't talk to me, don't look at me,
just pick your ass up out of that
Italian leather chair and get the fuck
out of this room.
He gets up and leaves without saying another word.
JIM (CONT'D)
We expect everyone here to treat their
co-workers with a certain level of
respect.
Everyone in the room is silent and staring at Jim.
JIM (CONT'D)
(calm)
Now before I get started I have a
question. Has anyone here passed the
series seven?
One hand goes up. It's one of the few kids who wears a good
suit and wasn't too worried looking in the waiting room.
SERIES SEVEN
I have a series seven license.
JIM
Good for you, now you can get out too.
SERIES SEVEN
What? Why?
JIM
Because we don't hire brokers. We
train new ones.
Jim waits for him to leave the room and then calmly
continues.
JIM (CONT'D)
This is the deal. I am not here to
waste your time and I can only hope
you're not here to waste mine. So I'm
gonna keep this short. You become an
employee of this firm and you will make
your first million within three years.
(pauses)
Okay? Let me repeat that. You will
make a million dollars within three
years of your first day of employment
at JT Marlin. Everybody got that?
There is no question as to whether you
will be a millionaire working at this
firm, the question is how many times
over.
Every kid in the room besides Seth is completely starry eyed
at this point. Some mouths even hang open. Seth is excited
too, but is smarter than the rest... he doesn't show it.
JIM (CONT'D)
You think I'm joking. I am not joking.
I am a millionaire. It's a weird thing
to hear, right? I'll tell you, it's a
weird thing to sa. I'm a fucking
millionaire. Now guess how old I am?
Twenty-seven. You know what that makes
me here? A fucking senior citizen.
This firm is entirely comprised of
people your age, not mine. Lucky for
me, I am very fucking good at my job or
I'd be out of one. You guys are the
new blood. You're gonna go home with
the kesef. You're the future Big-
Swinging-Dicks of this firm. Now you
all look money hungry and that's good.
Anybody who says money is the root of
all evil, doesn't have it! Money can't
buy happiness? Look at the fucking
smile on my face. Ear to ear, baby.
You wanna hear details? I drive a
Ferrari 355 cabriolet.
(throws keys on desk)
I have a ridiculous house on the South
Fork. I've got every toy you can
imagine. And best of all, kids, I am
liquid.
Jim takes a pause here and circles the room.
JIM (CONT'D)
So now that you know what's possible,
let me tell you what's required. You
are required to work your ass off. We
want winners, not pikers. A piker is
someone who walks at the bell. A piker
asks how much vacation time he gets in
the first year. See, people work here
to become filthy rich. No other
reason. That's it. You want vacation
time? Go teach third grade public
school.
Jim pours himself a glass of water from a carafe and drinks.
JIM (CONT'D)
Your first six months at the firm are
as a trainee... you make one hundred
and fifty dollars a week. After you're
done training, you take the Series
Seven test. When you pass, you become
a junior broker and you'll be opening
accounts for your team leader. After
you open forty accounts you begin
working for yourself and then... sky's
the limit. Now a word about being a
trainee. The other brokers, your
parents, whoever: they're gonna give
you shit about it. And it's true, a
hundred and fifty a week is not a lot
of money, but pay no mind. You need to
learn the business and this is the time
to do it. Once you pass the Series
Seven none of it will matter.
He pauses to drink.
JIM (CONT'D)
Your friends are shit. You're gonna
tell them you made twenty-five thousand
last month and they're not going to
believe you. Fuck them! Your parents
don't like the life you lead? Fuck you
Mom and Dad! As a trainee you will be
building a foundation for yourself.
Think of it as the foundation to a
building. Right? Gotta build the
foundation before you can put up your
skyscraper. You know what I built?
(takes out a model)
The fucking twin towers. Now go home
and think about whether this is for
you. If you decide it isn't, nothing
to be embarrassed about. It's not for
everyone.
But if you really want it, then give me
a call on Monday and we'll talk. Just
don't waste my time. Alright. That's
it.
Jim walks out of the room leaving the door open behind him.
No one has moved from their seat.
FADE OUT.
EXT. BOILER ROOM - DAY
Shot of Seth walking in the building.
CUT TO:
INT. RECEPTION AREA/JT MARLIN - MORNING
Seth walks in. From the look on his face alone, you can see
it's his first day of work. He walks past Debbie.
DEBBIE
Hey, Seth.
He stares at her for a long moment. Her beauty is hitting
him for the first time. No idea what her name is though.
SETH
Hi...
DEBBIE
Debbie.
SETH
I'm so sorr...
DEBBIE
(all smiles)
It's okay. I never told you my name.
Besides, you looked pretty frazzled the
other day. I'd be surprised if you'd
remembered.
SETH
First day.
DEBBIE
(sarcastic)
No shit?
Seth laughs. Likes her already. She watches him leave.
CUT TO:
INT. BOILER ROOM - MORNING
It's 8:00 and the trading room is already packed. Seth sits
at his new desk with a box of cards in front of him.
Greg drops down in a seat next to him. He picks up the box
of cards and starts right in.
GREG
These are the D&B cards. Dunn and
Bradstreet.
SETH
Good morning.
Greg checks his paper as he continues...
GREG
They're the company that supply us with
our leads. Every one of these cards is
an opportunity. These are good leads.
People on these cards buy stock. Your
job is to call them and get them
interested in the firm. You're not
actually selling stock yet, but you're
selling the dream. Get 'em wet and
tell them that in a month from now a
senior broker will call them back with
one idea.
SETH
Who are these people?
GREG
Average client's forty-five years old,
from the Midwest, two hundred and fifty
thousand dollar annual income, three
million net. Has a local broker, but
loves a New York guy who sounds good on
the phone. The card's not gonna tell
you any of that. Only says their name,
address and occupation. You gotta feel
them out.
(picks up card)
Here. Peter Davis, Vice President of
Parks Telecommunications. Guy's
probably a whale. See what he's
playing with. Truth is it doesn't
matter these days. With the DOW where
it is now, everyone wants a piece of
the market. I can close anyone at any
time anywhere in the country. Just
give me a phone number.
JOHN FEINER, the compliance officer, walks out of Michael's
office. He looks at Seth as he walks by.
SHERYL
Greg, I have John Duncklee on line
three.
GREG
I'm not here. After you qualify the
guy you send him a press packet. It's
all really easy and it'll get you
feeling comfortable on the phone, which
is key. This entire business revolves
around the phone. A good broker makes
over seven hundred calls a day.
SETH
(laughs)
What's the phone bill like here?
GREG
This month was approaching four hundred
thousand. Now listen to me. Even
though you're not actually selling
stock yet, I want you to remember the
coda we have here. Did you see
Glengarry Glenross?
SETH
Yeah.
GREG
Alright then, you remember ABC?
SETH
Always be closing.
GREG
Right. Always -- Be -- Closing.
That's the attitude you need. Always
be closing Seth. Telling's not
selling. Now there's two rules you
need to know as a trainee. The rest
will come later. Number one, we do not
pitch the bitch here.
SETH
What?
GREG
We don't sell stock to women. I don't
care who it is, we don't do it. I'm
serious. Nancy Sinatra calls, you tell
her you're sorry. They're a constant
pain in the ass and never worth the
trouble.
They will call you every fucking day
asking you why the stock is dropping.
And God forbid the stock should go up
you'll hear from them every fifteen
minutes.
(mocking)
Is it a good time to sell? It's simply
not worth the time or effort.
SETH
Okay, don't pitch the bitch.
GREG
Second rule. Don't write wood. A lot
of trainee are so anxious to get off
the phone they just steamroll the guy
into getting the press pack so they can
hang up. Then I call in a month and
say, Hi, you spoke to a junior
associate of mine last month. The
guy's like, Yeah, I'm not interested.
Bye. That's a shitty lead. It's
fucking wood. The info we send is
bullshit. The important part of the
call is telling them you have that one
great idea, and that a broker is going
to call them back in a month. This
shows that we don't just fire a million
recos a day. We tell them we have six
or seven great ideas a year! They
don't want to think you're pitching
them something you read in the journal
this morning. Get it? No wood.
SETH
Yeah, I got it. Chill.
GREG
Don't even start with that shit. I'm
just telling you what your place is and
what I expect of you. I'm making your
job easier.
This is not the Greg that Seth remembers from the casino.
SETH
Okay. Well what happens if they want
to buy stock right then?
GREG
Alright, now we're talking. You should
go into every call thinking just that.
If they want a recommendation, you put
the guy on hold, you stand up, and yell
"RECO" at the top of your lungs. The
first senior broker to get to the phone
gets the sale.
Seth smiles broadly.
CUT TO:
EXT. GREG'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Seth walks up the path toward Greg's house. It's a beauty.
The door is open and Seth slowly lets himself in. He passes
through the living room which as no furniture -- just
cardboard boxes waiting to be unpacked.
In the den there are 15 guys from the firm sitting on the
floor. They're eating pizza and drinking beer. A huge TV
sits against a wall, the only thing in the room besides the
pizza.
They are watching the movie "Wall Street".
ADAM
Seth! What's up, man? Thought you
weren't gonna make it. Sit down, grab
a slice, have a beer.
GREG
(pointing at TV)
Shut-up, shut the fuck up, Gecko's
coming. Alright my turn.
The doors to Gordon Gecko's office open and Greg begins. The
following is intercut with scenes from the film.
GREG (CONT'D)
What the hell's goin' on? I'm lookin'
at two hundred shares, pal. I wanna
know if we're part of it. We better be
or I'm gonna come down and eat your
lunch for you. Back in two, Alex.
Richie picks it right up.
RICHIE
Sorry, Jeff. Look, I loved it at
forty, it's an insult at fifty. Their
analysts? They don't know preferred
stock from livestock. Alright, we wait
till it hits south, then we, we raise
the sperm count on the deal. Get back
at ya.
CHRIS VARICK picks it up from there. He's also a team
leader; but has his shit together more tightly than the rest.
CHRIS
This is the kid. Calls me fifty-nine
days in a row, wants to be a player.
Oughta be a picture of you in the
dictionary under persistence, kid.
Yeah, now listen, Jerry. I'm lookin'
for negative control. No more than
thirty, thirty-five percent. Just
enough to block anybody else's merger
plans and find out from the inside if
the books are cooked. Looks as good on
paper and we're in the kill zone, pal.
We'll lock and load. Lunch? Oh you
gotta be kidding. Lunch is for wimps.
Okay, Fidel, I'll talk at ya.
Everyone in the room says this line in unison.
EVERYONE
How do you do, Mr. Gecko. Bud Fox.
GREG
So you say. Nice to meet you. Hope
you're intelligent. Where'd you get
these?
EVERYONE
I got a connection at the airport.
GREG
So what's on your mind, Kimosabi? Why
am I listening to you?
The sound fades down as we see Seth looking around the room.
All the money in the world and no one to share it with.
CUT TO:
INT. DEBBIE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Debbie walks in looking beat. She's just come from work.
The apartment is small and modestly furnished. Working
class.
DEBBIE
Mom?
MOTHER (O.S.)
I'm in bed.
Debbie heads back toward the bedroom. She walks in to find
her mother in bed coughing. She does not look well.
DEBBIE
Bad day?
MOTHER
Miserable.
Debbie gets her mother's medication ready.
DEBBIE
Let me make some tea. You sound really
congested.
Debbie leaves for the kitchen.
MOTHER
How was work?
CUT TO:
INT. SETH'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Seth is on the phone with his mother. There is a monitor
showing the tables downstairs.
SETH
I told you, Mom, I'm not a broker yet.
I'm a trainee. I still need to pass my
series seven test.
MOTHER
Oh please, you're a stock broker. You
wear a suit to work every day, don't
you?
SETH
Yeah?
MOTHER
So? What are we arguing about then?
SETH
Thanks Mom.
MOTHER
You're doing great, Seth. You're
working your way up from the bottom.
That's never easy. I'm very proud of
you. And I told you father about
things.
SETH
What'd he say?
MOTHER
He's very happy. Shocked, but happy.
He's been waiting for you to call him.
SETH
Well why doesn't he just call me?
MOTHER
One miracle at a time, okay sweetie?
CUT TO:
INT. BOILER ROOM - MORNING
Seth is on the phone trying to make things happen.
SETH
Uh...
(looking at card)
...Mr. Mathews please. Seth Davis.
From JT Marlin. No, he doesn't know
me. Yes it's concerning investments.
Hello?
Seth hangs up the phone and stares at it for a moment.
SETH (CONT'D)
(muttering to himself)
Fucking bitch.
He dials another number.
MARC
Tech stocks are down today.
GREG
Hey Warren Buffet, you trying to e
cute? Make the fucking calls! You're
not a fund manager! How's it going
there, Seth?
Seth shrugs his shoulders. Greg comes over. The phone is
ringing.
SETH
Hi, Howard Young please. It's Seth
Davis from JT Marlin. No, he's not
expecting my call. No thanks, I'll
call him back.
GREG
Okay, first of all there are going to
be a lot of those regardless of how
good you are. But you happen to suck
dick. I have this friend who runs this
other firm. He gives out this book to
all his trainees. The Rebuttal Book.
Looks like a fil-o-fax. Has those
index tabs but they don't say A to B to
G to H, they say things like Wife won't
let me, I'm not in the market now, Call
me back, Send me a prospectus.
Has a rebuttal for any excuse. That's
all the shit you're gonna have to learn
later. For now you only have to
remember one thing. You can be whoever
you want on the phone. So say what you
have to. Use a different name if you
want. Tell them you're a vice-
president here. Just get them on the
line. That's the first step. It's the
hardest part sometimes, but just get
the cocksucker on the line.
SETH
I don't understand. How can I do shit
like that? Isn't there a compliance
offer here? Isn't it...
GREG
Illegal? No, Seth. Everyone does that
shit. Even on Wall Street. And John
over there, he works for us.
Greg points to John who is at a desk in the back of the room.
GREG (CONT'D)
He's a fucking chimp. The only
compliance work he's doing is making
sure my lunch is still hot when it gets
here. He's only here because the SEC
requires it. He might have the easiest
fucking job in the entire world. Look
at him I think he's actually
masturbating right now.
A Fed-Ex package is brought over by Debbie. She's got a few
of them in her hands. She smiles at Seth as she drops the
package on Greg's desk. Greg sees this.
GREG (CONT'D)
Bad news. Stay the fuck away.
Chris walks over. Debbie continues to hand out packages.
CHRIS
Holy shit. You slut. You made the
call.
GREG
(smiling wide)
I did.
Seth sees Debbie picking up packages as well. One broker is
seen angrily stuffing cash into a Fed-Ex envelope.
CHRIS
And you went big too.
GREG
I did.
Greg opens the package and removes a good $20,000 in cash.
Seth's attention is snapped back to Greg and the package.
GREG (CONT'D)
Fuckin' A. Only bookie in New York
that delivers Federal Express.
CUT TO:
INT. RATNER'S RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Seth and his whole family are having dinner in celebration of
Seth's new job. Marty looks about as happy as pie.
MARTY
So when are you taking the test?
SETH
After the training program's over.
They really want you to get a good idea
of how things work before you take the
series seven. It's a great system.
I'm really learning a lot. They're
very thorough.
NEIL
Are you gonna be rich, Seth?
SETH
I hope so.
MOTHER
God willing.
MARTY
I gotta ask you: how come I've never
heard of this firm?
The question makes Seth nervous. Familiar territory.
SETH
They're a small firm, Dad. There's a
million others just like it that you've
never heard of either.
MARTY
I guess what I'm asking is why you
didn't try and go straight to Goldman
Sachs or a company of that stature.
MOTHER
Marty, why are you starting?
SETH
(calm)
It's okay, Mom. The reason, Dad, is
that the larger houses don't hire kids
straight out of college unless you went
to an Ivy League school or you want to
do cash-flow analysis for the next
fifteen years. They want you to work
outside their firm for a couple of
years to get a sense of the
marketplace. That's why almost all
brokers start in small firms like JT
Marlin.
MARTY
(to Mother)
See, that wasn't so bad. He answered
the question. This is good stuff,
Seth. Good stuff. So how does it feel
to have a real job?
SETH
It feels real good, Dad.
Seth looks elated. There's a long content pause.
MARTY
All you have to do now is close the
casino.
MOTHER
Marty! We talked about this.
Seth looks at his watch. He realizes he's late for
something.
SETH
I hate to run, but I'm late to meet a
friend.
He kisses his Mom and leaves.
CUT TO:
INT. BAR - NIGHT (LATER)
Seth walks into a dimly lit bar in downtown Manhattan. It's
a class joint. He searches the room until he sees Debbie
sitting at a table in the back.
SETH
Debbie.
DEBBIE
(big smile)
Hey Seth. Go get yourself a drink.
FADE OUT.
INT. BAR - NIGHT (LATER)
They've already had a couple of drinks by now and are pretty
loosened up.
SETH
So who do you live with?
DEBBIE
Oh, you mean is the black girl here
taking care of her grandma because her
momma's a crack-head?
SETH
Yeah, exactly. I thought it was smack,
though. You know you have got to get a
hold of that edge. It's kind of sharp
sometimes.
DEBBIE
(embarrassed laugh)
I know, it's true. I just got so much
shit at JT. Sometimes I have to get
into that mode just to fend them off.
SETH
So why are you there? It doesn't seem
like the ideal working environment for
a black woman.
DEBBIE
No, it isn't. But tell me, how many
secretaries you know make eighty
thousand a year?
SETH
(smiling)
One.
DEBBIE
Exactly.
SETH
You could always go back to school.
DEBBIE
(laughs)
You pompous ass. What makes you think
I want to? College isn't for everyone.
It's not like every black girl dreams
of being a marine-biologist her whole
life.
(dramatic)
If only she could get out of the
ghetto.
SETH
Hey, you don't have to tell me. I
dropped out.
DEBBIE
Really? Now that's a surprise.
SETH
(mocking)
You know it isn't for everyone. It's
not like every Jewish boy wants to be a
CPA if only he could make Wharton's.
Debbie laughs hard and they settle into intimate eye contact.
Debbie leans toward Seth who pulls away, embarrassed.
SETH (CONT'D)
Whoa. I don't even know what synagogue
you belong to.
Debbie bursts into laughter.
CUT TO:
INT. WALL STREET BAR - NIGHT (SAME TIME)
We are at a "broker bar" with Greg, Chris, Richie, and Adam.
The guys have come from work. They look very confused.
RICHIE
Yo. I thought this shit was a broker
hangout. Merryl Lynch, Solomon Bros,
the big dicks.
GREG
Yeah. What is this? Looks like an
insurance salesman convention.
A group of brokers at a nearby table take notice of the guys
and start pointing, laughing.
CUT TO:
INT. BAR - NIGHT (SAME TIME)
DEBBIE
You don't fit in there. You know that?
They're all white trash. To them, this
is going legit.
SETH
What do you mean by that?
DEBBIE
Always talking about being a big
swinging dick on Wall Street. It's
funny, 'cause Long Island is as close
as they're ever going to get. But you
could be doing the real thing at a real
trading house. Instead you're here.
You don't need to be making it this
way. At a chop-shop.
SETH
What are you saying? JT isn't a chop-
shop. We just push the envelope a
little. I mean it's not like we do
anything illegal. We just push a
little. Same as on Wall Street.
Debbie laughs.
SETH (CONT'D)
What?
DEBBIE
You don't have to convince me.
Debbie raises her glass to Seth.
DEBBIE (CONT'D)
To bending the rules.
SETH
Alright. That I can handle.
CUT TO:
INT. WALL STREET BAR - NIGHT (SAME TIME)
The brokers from the other table are now next to them.
They've been listening in. One of them approaches.
JP BROKER
(smiling)
Hey. You guys looking for a broker?
RICHIE
Who the fuck are you?
CHRIS
Easy Richie, would you?
JP BROKER
I thought maybe you guys were looking
for someone to invest for you.
GREG
Hey pal. We ARE brothers.
JP BROKER
(trying not to laugh)
Really? You guys with Jacoby & Myers?
ADAM
JT Marlin.
JP BROKER
Never heard of it.
CHRIS
Hey! Hold on a second. Who are you?
You sell car insurance or something?
The rest of the crew comes over now to back their boy up.
JP BROKER
We're with JP Morgan.
RICHIE
Yeah right. And I'm a black Negro.
JP BROKER #2
I know JT. It's a fucking chop-shop.
Named your firm so it sounds like ours.
JP BROKER
What the fuck is with those suits? You
look like you're on Gotti's crew.
CUT TO:
INT. BAR - NIGHT (SAME TIME)
DEBBIE
So tell me about your family.
SETH
My family? It's a mess.
DEBBIE
Whose isn't?
SETH
Yeah I guess. Well my mom's great.
Real supportive and loving. Almost to
a flaw. I can do no wrong.
DEBBIE
Sounds terrible.
SETH
My dad's the mess, but that's not very
interesting conversation. What about
you?
DEBBIE
Mom raised me. No money. Now I'm
taking care of her.
SETH
What's wrong?
DEBBIE
Chronic pneumonia. Smoked for fifteen
years. She's been sick for a while
now. It makes her so happy that I make
this salary so I can support us. It's
a little scary.
SETH
And your Dad?
DEBBIE
Rather not talk about my father either.
SETH
Boy, I'm so glad we had this
conversation. I really feel like I've
gained this insight into your life.
DEBBIE
And me into yours.
They both laugh.
DEBBIE (CONT'D)
Tell me something real.
SETH
What do you want to hear?
DEBBIE
Tell me a story about your dad.
SETH
Well I have so many great ones.
DEBBIE
Tell me.
SETH
Okay. I'm ten years old. I just got
this new bike. A red Mongoose. You
know, BMX. So I'm skidding out in this
puddle -- Starsky & Hutch style. My
foot slips, and the pedal spins around
hard enough to break my leg. Real bad
too. But I don't fall off the bike. I
keep coasting down this hill. So
finally I get scared and I jump off.
Fell right behind a parked car. Laid
there for half an hour. Finally, I
hear my father screaming my name from
up the block. I was so happy that he
was coming to get me. He comes around
the car and sees me lying there.
There's blood everywhere and the bone
is sticking out straight through my
skin.
DEBBIE
Oh my god.
SETH
I looked up at him, and for the first
time in my life I saw how much he loved
me. He was frozen. It hurt him to see
me in that much pain. So he leans
down... and slaps me across the face.
DEBBIE
What? Why?
SETH
I don't know. Maybe he was mad at me
for making him that helpless, or it was
the only thing he could think of. I
don't really care anymore. What I
remember now is the look on his face
when he first saw me. That's all I
remember. That's what I miss.
DEBBIE
I'm so sorry.
Debbie leans over and kisses him deeply.
CUT TO:
INT. WALL STREET BAR - NIGHT (LATER)
Richie is being carried out by two bouncers.
GREG
Can we get the fuck out of here now?
FADE OUT.
INT. BOILER ROOM - DAY
SETH (O.S.)
I'm sorry, sir, I didn't realize...
DR. JACOBS
I'm really busy, Seth.
Seth looks over towards Michael's office and sees Greg and
three other team leaders coming out.
SETH
I understand. I'm real busy here
myself, Doctor. Look, we're going to
come back to you in a month with one
idea and one idea only. If you like
what we have to say, great, we'll do
business. Worst case scenario you'll
hear yourself a new business idea.
Chat about it with your golfing buddies
and we'll part as friends. That's
fair, right?
A nurse is asking the Doctor a question and he loses focus.
DR. JACOBS
Ummm what?
SETH
Great. So tell me, Doc, are you
working with a million dollars in the
market right now?
DR. JACOBS
Who is this again?
SETH
Tell me something, you're a doctor.
Have you ever heard of a drug called
Fenamul? It's being manufactured by
MSC pharmaceuticals.
DR. JACOBS
No.
SETH
Well it's in the third stage of FDA
approval right now. Word is, it's
going to get approved in the next three
months. Could be tomorrow for all I
know. Anyway, I'm getting ahead of
myself. And you're real busy over
there. Why don't I send you out the
info you requested about the firm and a
senior broker will call you next month
with that one idea.
DR. JACOBS
Wait, wait, wait, hold on a second,
forget the info, let's talk about this
now. What was the name of the drug
again?
Seth begins to smile.
SETH
You know what, sir, let me pass you on
to a senior broker who's more involved
with this particular stock. Hold on a
second.
Seth pushes the hold button. He pauses and then YELLS:
SETH (CONT'D)
Reco!!
Everything and everyone in the room stops. There is a slight
pause and then CHAOS. About 20 brokers BOLT toward Seth.
Chris is closest. Another broker JUMPS onto the table
separating him from Seth and clambers over it. Chris puts on
the steam and gets there first. The other broker runs
straight into Seth, unable to stop.
Chris regains his composure wiping the smile off his face.
CHRIS
Card.
SETH
Okay, his name's Dr. Jacobs and from
the sound of it, I'd say he's
definitely...
CHRIS
Whoa, whoa, I don't wanna hear it, kid.
Chris grabs the card from his hand and looks at it briefly.
CHRIS (CONT'D)
Hi, Dr. Jacobs, this is Chris Marlin
over at JT Marlin.
DR. JACOBS
Marlin?
CHRIS
Right. He's my father.
Another broker connects a wire to a jack on the back of the
phone and the conversation is now heard on the PA system.
CHRIS (CONT'D)
So my associate tells me you're
interested in one of our stocks.
DR. JACOBS
Yes, MSC sounds like it might be
interesting.
CHRIS
Might be? Might be doesn't sell stock
at the rate MSC is going, Dr. Jacobs.
We're talking about very high volume
here.
DR. JACOBS
Well, I still have to run it by my
people.
CHRIS
That's great, Doc. If you want to miss
yet another opportunity here and go
watch your colleagues get rich doing
clinical trials, then don't buy a share
and hang up the phone.
DR. JACOBS
Well hold on a second. I didn't say
that. I just wanted to talk more about
it.
CHRIS
Honestly Doc, I don't have the time.
This stock is blowing up right now.
The whole firm is going nuts. Let me
open the door to my office.
Chris holds the phone up to the 100 brokers standing there
silently. They begin talking loudly and screaming "Buy,
Sell". Chris makes a hand motion and they stop.
CHRIS (CONT'D)
You hear that? That's my trading
floor, Doc.
Now I have a million calls to make to
other doctors who are already in the
know. I can't walk you through this
right now. I'm sorry.
Huge pause. Everyone looks on waiting to hear what he'll do.
Chris doesn't even look mildly concerned. Then...
DR. JACOBS
Okay, okay. Let's do this.
CHRIS
Now, since you're a new account I
cannot go any higher than two thousand
shares. I'd love to but I just can't
do it.
DR. JACOBS
Two thousand?! Whoa! That's way more
than I was thinking about. Two
thousand, Jesus.
(pause)
I'm just curious, why can't you sell me
more than that?
The brokers hold in their laughter.
CHRIS
Well, we like to establish a
relationship with our clients on
something small before we get to the
more serious trades. Let me show you
several percentage points on this small
trade and then we'll talk about doing
future business.
DR. JACOBS
That sounds good. Give me two thousand
shares.
CHRIS
Done.
DR. JACOBS
You sure you can't do any better on
this one?
CHRIS
No, I'm sorry, Dr. Jacobs.
DR. JACOBS
Alright, let's start with this trade
then.
CHRIS
Great. I promise we'll go big on the
next one.
(feigns masturbation)
Now do you want the confirmation sent
to your office or your mansion?
DR. JACOBS
(laughs)
Very funny, Mr. Marlin.
CHRIS
Alright, let me put my secretary on.
She'll take your info.
Chris hits the hold button and then...
CHRIS (CONT'D)
Done and done.
The entire firm applauds when he gets off the phone. The
crowd disperses. Chris sits down on Seth's desk.
CHRIS (CONT'D)
I love doctors, man. All that money
and not a clue what to do with it.
Fucking rollovers. Hold onto your
ankles, Doc, here comes the love.
SETH
Why'd you put a max on his buy?
CHRIS
Didn't you tell him how it works?
GREG
He's still a trainee. He doesn't need
to know about initial sell limits.
CHRIS
Right, right. Make sure he shows you
the ropes. He's too busy calling his
bookie. You fucking Hebrews, man.
Always looking out for yourselves,
never the trainees.
GREG
That's great. Why don't you go back to
little Italy now?
Greg points across the room.
CHRIS
Why don't you go make a latke dreidel
boy.
(back to Seth)
The reason I capped him is in case he's
a piker. See, we're going to go ahead
and front the money for this sale.
If he doesn't send the check, I'm the
one holding the bag.
(whispers)
Last commission month a kid on Jim's
team wrote a million dollar ticket.
Stock was down three and a half points
by settlement. Fucking kid took a one
quarter million dollar hit. Besides,
first sale just whets the appetite. If
he's a whale, which it looks like he
is, then I'll get him on a day when
there's a real rip.
SETH
Rip?
CHRIS
(surprised)
Rip. Commission. That's why we work
here. We get huge rips.
SETH
(quietly)
I actually still don't know how it
works.
CHRIS
A two dollar rip, which is unheard of
anywhere on Wall Street, means you're
walking away with two dollars for every
share you sell. Real money. Jesus
Greg, you tell him where the bathroom
is yet?
GREG
Seth, I showed you where Chris' desk
is.
SETH
How does Michael afford that?
CHRIS
I don't know, but if he's doing it,
he's making money on it. Point is,
don't worry about selling small on the
first trade. You service the client
right and he'll be back for more. Bide
your time. Show him a three percent
return and he'll trust you to watch his
kids for the weekend. If he's serviced
correctly it's not a matter of whether
he's making a second trade with you,
it's a matter of how much.
Chris' secretary calls out from across the room.
CHRIS (CONT'D)
Gotta bounce.
Seth stands there in awe. He sees the potential here.
CUT TO:
INT. FBI ECONOMIC CRIMES UNIT - DAY
We are looking at a photo of Seth outside JT Marlin. PULL
BACK to see the photo is on the desk of the director's
office.
DAVID TRUE, a young agent trying to make a name for himself,
is in the office as well. He's excited.
DIRECTOR
Of all the people at JT Marlin you
picked this kid Davis. Why?
TRUE
Because he's perfect. He's new, so his
loyalties don't run that deep. He also
seems to be the smartest of this last
group of trainees. Used to run a full
time casino out of his house in Queens.
Now he just picks up the checks. He's
more ambitious than any other trainee
there. And I mean by a lot. The rest
of them are fucking idiots to this kid.
He'll turn state's. No question.
DIRECTOR
How are you gonna get to him?
TRUE
I'm working on that. We just started
surveillance. We'll get to him.
CUT TO:
EXT. MICKEY'S - NIGHT
This is a local bar near the office.
Several exotic cars are parked outside. The sight is
incredibly strange in this lower-middle class neighborhood.
Greg's Ferrari is there and we see the license plate: "2
RIP".
INT. MICKEY'S - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
About 35 brokers are here drinking. Seth sits at a table
with Greg, Adam, Chris and a group of junior brokers and
trainees.
CHRIS
What were you doing before you came on?
TRAINEE 2
I work at the 7-11 in Babylon.
GREG
You mean worked.
TRAINEE 2
No, I mean work. I still do two shifts
every weekend. A hundred and fifty
dollars a week just doesn't cover it
all.
ADAM
(sympathetic)
No, it doesn't.
TRAINEE 2
I don't mind it though. So I'll live
like a nigger for six months.
Seth snaps his head up at this comment, amazed that it was
said with such assertiveness and clarity. No one else
budges.
CHRIS
What about you, Seth? What were you
doing before you found JT?
SETH
Well I was, actually still am, involved
in the gaming industry.
CHRIS
Really! AC, Foxwoods, Vegas?
SETH
Atlantic City.
CHRIS
What'd you do there?
SETH
I won.
Everyone laughs. Seth takes out his key chain which is a $50
dollar chip from his casino. He SLAPS it on the table.
Chris smiles and then slaps a pair of dice down on the table.
CHRIS
You wanna roll, slut?
SETH
You wanna lose?
CHRIS
Oh shit, we got a player.
CUT TO:
INT. BACK OF BAR - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
We move around a jukebox where, in an empty space next to the
bathrooms, we see six brokers kneeling, playing dice.
They're making a lot of noise, yelling at each throw, cursing
or cheering depending on which way the money is going.
CHRIS
I got one-fitty against.
RICHIE
Booked!
ADAM
I got one hundred against.
SETH
Booked. Wait, who's got the roller?
CHRIS
come on, somebody cover Greg.
Michael Brantley walks in at this point and pushes his way
down into the circle. Everyone goes nuts when they see him.
MICHAEL
Alright, I got the roller. I can't
believe you guys aren't fighting over
it. Betting against Greg's roll is the
only sure thing there is in the world.
(to Greg)
What are we going, two hundred dollars
on this?
GREG
Booked.
FADE OUT.
INT. BACK OF BAR - NIGHT (LATER)
Seth is out of the game watching from the side. Greg's luck
is atrocious and he too is soon out.
GREG
(to Seth)
Let's go get some reserves.
Greg bumps into a local coming out of the bathroom.
LOCAL
Quit staring and just apologize.
The dice game comes to a halt. All eyes are on this
confrontation. Richie does not wait for it to sort itself
out.
RICHIE
He doesn't have to say shit. Now why
don't you go back to your Heineken and
shut the fuck up.
LOCAL
Was I talking to you?
RICHIE
Do I give a shit? If you're talking to
me, then you're talking to me and my
fucking crew.
The local sees what he's up against and wisely opts out.
Richie decides to have a go anyway GRABBING him by the back
of the shirt yanking him back into the small alcove.
CUT TO:
EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
We move along the wall until we pass a door which FLIES open.
Richie pulls the guy outside with the help of three other
brokers. Richie does not waste any time once outside. He
KNEELS quickly, coming down on his stomach. The man's face
raises off the floor in response and Richie ATTACKS his head.
He stops as suddenly as he started, stand up, and spits on
him. The man is completely unconscious. Only Seth carries
the expression of genuine shock. The others have seen this
before.
Richie goes back in and closes the door.
CUT TO:
INT. FERRARI - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
Greg is driving. Seth still has a blank look on his face.
GREG
You okay?
SETH
I just, I, I'm a little disturbed you
know. I mean Jesus didn't that bother
you?
GREG
Me? You think I was watching? I can't
look at that stuff, makes me nauseous.
You have to understand. These are not
the kids you and I grew up with.
Remember in Hebrew school when a
shoving match was a big deal? Worst
case scenario, someone's yarmulka got
knocked off.
SETH
(laughing)
It's true.
GREG
These guys are no joke. They get
tanked up, throw a quick fist. And
then some of them actually like it.
Like Richie. He probably thought I was
being tough back there, just staring at
that guy. I was shitting my pants.
SETH
I saw.
GREG
Thanks. Those fucking Guineas, half of
them do coke. They all drink. No
stability, zero capital. They make all
this money and they're always living
three steps ahead. Do you know there
are guys in this firm that make close
to a million a year and couldn't get a
loan for a Honda because their credit
is so bad. Everyone's just waiting for
the fifteenth of the month. It's like
they may drive a Porsche but they don't
have ten bucks to put in the gas tank.
Nigger rich.
Seth looks at Greg. He's not the person he thought he knew.
The two drive on in silence. Greg passes JT Marlin.
SETH
Hey, drop me off. I want to get my
car. I don't think I'm going to stay
at the bar much longer.
Greg pulls into the lot where Seth's car sits.
GREG
Alright, I'll see you back at Mickey's
then. Oh, on the other thing.
SETH
Yeah?
GREG
Don't forget what I told you about
Debbie. She's trouble.
SETH
I don't even...
GREG
Seth, I see what goes on. And I'm
telling you as your friend, she's a
whore, Seth. A fucking whore.
SETH
Good thing you stopped dating her, huh?
Seth gets out of the car before Greg can respond.
EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
Seth unlocks his car door and then realizes he's forgotten
his bag upstairs. He goes into the building.
CUT TO:
INT. BOILER ROOM - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
He goes straight to his desk and picks up his bag. As he
turns to leave he hear a HUMMING NOISE coming from the back.
There is a small alcove with a copier in the back. A man in
there bent over a smaller machine Seth cannot see.
Seth recognizes him as John Feiner. The machine is a
shredder. John is stuffing the contents of five large boxes
through this tiny shredder that sits on a waste basket.
SETH
(whispers)
Holy shit.
CUT TO:
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
Seth finds himself seated in the same room as he did three
months earlier with the guys who were there for the
interview.
JIM
I want to talk to you about appearance.
Most of you dress like shit. I don't
know what your financial situation is
like right now but you need to buy at
least one decent suit. There is a
minimum level of aesthetic
professionalism that we have here. In
a couple of months you'll be able to
outfit your whole closet, but for now
just get something to hold you over.
There's an important phrase that we use
here and I think it's time you all
learned it. "Act as if". Do you
understand what that means? Act as if
you are the fucking president of this
firm. Act as if you have a nine inch
cock. Act as if. To do this properly
you need to at least look the part. So
go get dressed. Secondly, it's time to
get your Series Seven books. No need
to get nervous. If you study you'll
pass. Then you begin trading as an SEC
licensed broker. Then you're a fucking
millionaire. It's that simple. I need
three hundred from each of you for the
books which will be returned if and
when you pass the exam. And I'll need
that tomorrow.
There is a slight murmur in the room now. One of the
trainees turns to another and whispers.
MARC
I'll just ask my mom.
TRAINEE 2
Yeah, I'll have to do the same thing.
Others are discussing where they will come up with the money
as the meeting comes to a close. Jim gets up from his chair.
JIM
Okay then.
Seth is already up and walking towards Jim. He takes out a
roll of cash from his breast pocket and peels off three
hundred dollar bills in front of Jim. He looks proud doing
it.
SETH
Here you go.
All the other trainees stare.
JIM
What are you, last night's erection?
SETH
Yeah, you know.
Jim slaps him on the shoulder as he walks out.
CUT TO:
INT. BOILER ROOM - MORNING
We open on a Polish broker working his magic on the phone in
his native tongue. PAN ACROSS the room to Seth dialing a
number. He looks frustrated. Chris is sitting next to him.
CHRIS
Go ahead do it. Just try it, you'll
see.
SETH
You sure?
CHRIS
Yeah. You're gonna feel so much
better.
The other end of the line picks up and Seth looks down at the
card in front of him.
SETH
Yeah hi, Steve? FUCK YOU!
Seth hangs up laughing hysterically along with Chris.
MONTAGE BEGINS
INT. SETH'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Seth studies for the series seven while looking up
occasionally at the monitor to watch the action on the tables
downstairs.
INT. BOILER ROOM - DIFFERENT DAY
CLIENT (O.S.)
Look, Seth, Seth, I don't want to be
rude.
SETH
Bob, be rude, be rude. Hang up the
phone.
(pauses)
You won't. You wanna know why?
Because you see value! I'm money in
the bank. I'm your kid's college fund
for Christ's sake. That's great. If
we were looking at a long stock over a
long term period I'd be talking about
PE ratios and earnings with you right
now. The fact is, I'm not looking to
marry the stock. We're in, we're out,
three, four weeks. Look, I'm not a
rookie broker opening accounts for a
living.
All of the brokers at the table watch and laugh in respect.
INT. RECEPTION AREA - DIFFERENT DAY
Seth is talking to Debbie. Greg gives them a dirty look.
INT. BOILER ROOM - DIFFERENT DAY
Seth is on the phone again, pacing quickly.
SETH
What do you mean you'll pass? Alan,
the only people making money passing
are NFL quarterbacks and I don't see a
number on your back.
INT. BOILER ROOM - DIFFERENT DAY
Seth is on the phone. He grabs a twinkie off another
broker's desk. The line answers as he is unwrapping the
snack.
SETH
Yes, how are you, James? Seth Marlin
over at JT Marlin.
JAMES
Take me off your list!!
SETH
Okay, I'll take you off my list of
successful people today.
INT. BOILER ROOM - DIFFERENT DAY
It's lunch time and Set remains at his desk studying for the
series seven. He looks up to see a group of brokers coming
out of Michael's office.
INT. BOILER ROOM - DIFFERENT DAY
SETH
Listen, if you couldn't pull three
thousand together your name wouldn't be
on my desk during business hours. What
do you mean you don't have it? John,
please, you're embarrassing me. I'm
pitching you from under my desk. I'm
embarrassed.
INT. BOILER ROOM - DAY (CONTINUOUS)
Seth is at his desk using a pair of scissors to cut a swath
of cardboard from a box. He writes in big swooping letters
and then places it on his desk revealing the message...
Be Rude, Make Them Hang Up.
END MONTAGE
CUT TO:
INT. BOILER ROOM - NIGHT
Seth's the only one left. All of the overhead lights are
off. He is reading the contracts from the last several
IPO's.
SETH
Holy shit.
He had the different contracts lined up next to each other
and is comparing the names listed from the private equity
source. They're the same on every prospectus.
SETH (CONT'D)
Christ, they're all the same.
DEBBIE
What's the name?
Seth almost JUMPS out of his seat. Debbie is standing
quietly in the dark at the head of the table.
SETH
Shit. You scared me. How long have
you been standing there?
DEBBIE
I just walked up now. I'm sorry.
Seth tries to hide the contracts under some papers.
DEBBIE (CONT'D)
Interesting reading?
SETH
This? It's just the prospectus from
the last IPO the firm put out.
She walks around and puts her hands on his shoulders. She
doesn't seem to care. He looks pretty nervous.
DEBBIE
I know what it is. I asked you if it
was interesting. You may be the first
person to ever read a JT prospectus.
What are you looking for?
SETH
Some chocolate love. Should I practice
my pitch? I know it turns you on.
She smiles widely as she sits on the desk facing him, her
legs touching his. He kisses her, then picks her up gently
and puts her on the table.
CUT TO:
INT. SETH'S BEDROOM - NIGHT (LATER)
The two are lying in bed. Debbie looks happy. Seth looks
like his head is in another place.
SETH
I saw John Feiner shredding a bunch of
documents the other night.
DEBBIE
What?
SETH
Yeah. He was in the back late at
night. I was going to get my bag.
DEBBIE
Did he see you?
SETH
No.
(pause)
What's going on over there?
DEBBIE
What do you mean? You know what's
going on.
SETH
You think they're doing a lot of
illegal shit?
DEBBIE
Come on, Seth, you can't have it both
ways. You say you like the hard sell
and the money but then you question it
when you see something that's a bit
off. Either admit that it's not
charity work and enjoy, or get out.
But going back and forth like this is
just tearing you up.
FADE OUT.
EXT. YOUNG ISRAEL OF FLATBUSH - DAY
The synagogue stands tall right off of Coney Island Ave.
Seth runs up to the front where his father is waiting for
him. Marty puts his hand on Seth's shoulder as they walk in.
CUT TO:
INT. BOILER ROOM - DAY
Seth is closing a whale. Chris stands next to him, watching
and helping. He's pitching a Midwesterner named DEAN.
SETH
Dean, I'm not a rookie broker opening
accounts for a living. Ask me whatever
you want. But I'll tell you this. I'm
going to give you over to my secretary.
You call me when the stock doubles.
Seth pushes hold. The table erupts in cheer. Debbie is
there as well. She too congratulates Seth. He's beaming.
Greg comes over to the table. He goes straight to Adam.
GREG
What happened?
ADAM
Seth just closed this guy for ten
large.
GREG
Hey Seth, get over here.
SETH
Hey Greg, I just closed this huge
account for you.
GREG
What the fuck are you doing? You just
violated a huge SEC regulation. Who
told you to start closing accounts.
You're a fucking trainee.
SETH
You're kidding right? You're not? You
told me I could use a different name on
the phone. Act as if! I figured I'd
take the initiative and make you some
money.
CHRIS
Greg, I was standing right next to him
the whole time. I would have stepped
right in if the kid got into trouble.
GREG
Hey! You got a conoli you can stick in
your mouth.
CHRIS
No. You got a menorah you can shove in
your ass?
GREG
I don't care about the money, Seth.
Imagine if every trainee started
handling their own recos. This shop
would be closed in about a week.
SETH
This is about something else. Isn't
it?
GREG
What would that be?
Greg turns around to see Debbie.
GREG (CONT'D)
Don't you have to answer the phones or
something?
She laughs at him but doesn't move. Greg sees that the boys
are heading into Michael's office for their lunch time
gathering. He decides to leave things for now.
GREG (CONT'D)
We'll finish this later.
He walks toward the office when Jim steps out for a moment.
JIM
Hey Seth. You just earned a spot pal.
Get in here.
Greg is fuming but has to hide it. He pats Seth on the back.
GREG
Big time baby. We'll get to see if
you're as good as you say you are. It
gets pretty fucking hectic in there,
little man.
Seth walks toward the office. Greg stays behind.
GREG (CONT'D)
What the fuck was that? Don't tell me
he's why we're not hitting it anymore.
DEBBIE
Hitting it? We were never hitting it.
And he's not the reason, Greg, you are.
CUT TO:
INT. MICHAEL'S OFFICE - DAY (CONTINUOUS)
A group of brokers stand around Michael's conference table.
Seth is standing in the doorway as they lift a huge craps
felt onto the table. Jackets are removed. Seth looks
shocked.
The game begins as Michael pulls out a set of dice.
FADE OUT.
EXT. BOILER ROOM - NIGHT
Seth is getting into his car. He sees Michael and a couple
of other senior managers walking out of the building. They
walk away from their cars toward another office building.
Seth follows keeping his distance walking next to the
shrubbery. He sees them go into the building. He turns
away.
CUT TO:
EXT. BROOKLYN STREET - NIGHT (LATER)
Debbie gets out of her car and makes her way toward her
building. Two men approach her from the shadows and she
begins to RUN, but they intercept her at the front door.
Debbie screams out and then suddenly stops as soon as she
sees the FBI badges they are holding in front of her face.
TRUE
Special Agent True, FBI, this is Agent
Etkin. Ms. Hilliard, we'd like to talk
to you about your relationship with
Seth Dais. Oh, and about your mom's
health.
CUT TO:
INT. SETH'S APARTMENT - MORNING
It's a Saturday morning. Seth is sitting at the kitchen
table eating breakfast. He has several IPO contracts out on
the table. He reads as he eats. The PHONE RINGS.
SETH
Hello?
SALESMAN
Hi, this is Ron calling you from the
Daily News. How you doing this
morning?
SETH
I'm not interested.
SALESMAN
Okay. I'm sorry to have bothered you.
Have a nice day.
SETH
That's it? That's your pitch? You
consider that a sales call??!
SALESMAN
Well, ummm...
SETH
You want to sell me a paper right?
Well you guys call me every Saturday
and I get the same half-assed attempt.
You wanna close me? Then sell me.
SALESMAN
(hesitantly)
Alright.
SETH
Go ahead, start again.
SALESMAN
Okay... Hi, this is Ron from the Daily
News. How you doing this morning?
SETH
(smiling)
Shitty. What do you want?
SALESMAN
It's not what I want, sir... it's what
you want.
SETH
Alright, now you're talking. What are
you selling?
SALESMAN
I'm offering you a subscription to the
Daily News at a substantially reduced
price. We're trying to reach out to
people that have never had home
delivery before.
SETH
So, everyone else that already has a
subscription is getting fucked on this
one huh?
SALESMAN
...Yeah, I guess so.
SETH
Good, I can live with that. Now why do
I want your paper? Maybe I should get
the Times or the Voice.
SALESMAN
Well the Village Voice is free, sir, so
if you want it you should certainly
pick it up. But the Daily News offers
you something no other paper can, a
real taste of New York. We have some
writers on staff that have been with us
for over fifteen years. We have the
best features! More photographs than
any other daily in New York! And we
have the most reliable delivery in the
city! Now what do you think??!!
SETH
Alright, Ron. Now that was a sales
call. Good job!
SALESMAN
So are you going to buy a subscription?
SETH
No. I already get the Times.
Seth then hangs up smiling and picks up his spoon. The PHONE
RINGS again and Seth picks up, irritated.
SETH (CONT'D)
What?
CHRIS (V.O.)
Well I thought we'd start out with a
couple of drinks, then maybe dinner.
Then depending on how things go, a
little ya-ya.
SETH
(laughing)
Shut-up slut.
CHRIS
You da slut.
SETH
Alright. I'll be the slut. So what's
up?
CHRIS
Wanted to know what the story was for
later. It's your night so you decide,
Mr. Junior Broker.
SETH
Well, I was thinking that we should go
into the city. You guys are always
drinking at those shitty local bars. I
say we go to a decent bar with decent
poo-poo. If I have to look at one more
housewife smoking a Newport I'm gonna
fucking puke.
CUT TO:
EXT. CHRIS' PLACE - NIGHT
Seth walks up to the garden apartment. It's 180 degrees from
Greg's place. Small, old, in a blue collar neighborhood. He
RINGS the bell. Chris opens the door within seconds.
CHRIS
Come on in. I want you to meet my
mother.
SETH
(mutters to himself)
Jesus. Am I the only one who doesn't
live with their mother?
INT. CHRIS' PLACE - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
The apartment, though small, is utterly cluttered with very
expensive things. Mostly electronics -- Incredible stereo,
huge screen TV, every kitchen gadget ever invented. There's
barely a path to walk.
CHRIS
You want something to drink?
SETH
Nah, I'm okay. Hey let me ask you
something, Chris. Do you ever wonder
how we get the rips that we do? I mean
how is it that we get rips that pay out
ten times the amount of any major firm?
CHRIS
Are you kidding me? That's the wrong
question to be asking. Who cares how.
The only thing you should be wondering
about is how you're gonna get laid
tonight.
SETH
I'm serious. Did you know that SEC
regulations state that a maximum rip
allowed is five percent of the sale.
We're making four times that.
CHRIS
What are you doing, Seth? Aren't you
happy with the way things are going?
SETH
Yes.
CHRIS
So what are you doing making trouble
for yourself?
SETH
Nothing. I'm just curious. Aren't
you?
CHRIS
No. Not at all.
Chris walks out of the kitchen.
CUT TO:
INT. CHRIS' RANGE ROVER - NIGHT (LATER)
Seth, Chris, Greg, Richie and two of their friends from
another firm, Steve and Roger, are driving on the LIE.
Besides for Seth, they are all wearing suits.
Jay-Z blasts on the system. All heads are bobbing
simultaneously. Shots of the approaching New York skyline.
RICHIE
(looking at NYC)
That's it right there, baby. That's
where I'm gonna be next year. I'm
gonna get me a phat space in Tribeca.
Then all you punks can come see what
real living is.
GREG
Yeah right. You'll still be at exit 53
off the LIE motherfucker.
The song in the car changes and Richie recognizes it. He
raps along. Seth jumps in. Greg, however, doesn't look
happy.
He's pissed that Seth has gotten so close with his friends.
They make their way down 2nd Ave and park near a trendy
restaurant.
CUT TO:
INT. TRENDY RESTAURANT - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
As soon as they get in the place all eyes fall on them,
mockingly.
ROGER
Jesus Christ, look at this. They love
us.
RICHIE
We have got so hang out in the city
more often.
The host makes her way over to the group. She is stunning.
Tall, beautiful, English accent.
HOST
Five for dinner?
STEVE
(lewdly)
And then some.
The host turns her back on him and takes them toward a great
table in the corner. It's a curved booth facing the bar.
ROGER
Oh shit. They're giving us the
phattest table in the place.
All of the guys are excited as they approach the table, even
Seth. The host stops, places a menu on the table, and
then...
HOST
Oh, I'm so sorry.
(picking up menu)
This table is actually reserved for a
party of six. I have a table for you
in the back though.
Smiles disappear at this news.
STEVE
Hey! We are a party of six. See,
there's six of us. We want this table.
HOST
I'm sorry it isn't available. Now
follow me.
The host takes them to a small table better suited to four
people. The busboy runs two chairs over.
FADE OUT.
INT. TRENDY RESTAURANT - NIGHT (LATER)
They have begun to eat their food and there are many beer
bottles on the table. Richie returns from the bathroom.
RICHIE
Who UAT'd this Budweiser for me?
ROGER
I did, what's wrong?
RICHIE
I hate Bud, send this shit back.
Seth leans over toward Chris and whispers...
SETH
Uat?
CHRIS
Unauthorized Trade.
SETH
Gotcha.
STEVE
So Seth, any grips yet?
SETH
Yeah. You know what I hate? Getting
past the secretaries. It doesn't
matter that you're a broker calling
from NYC. It's still a sales call and
that they know.
STEVE
It's true. It don't matter if it's the
Avon lady or Merryl Lynch. The good
secretaries can smell a sales call.
CHRIS
I remember when I was cold calling, the
shit I'd do. I'd get on the phone and
say, Can I speak to Jim? Secretary's
like, I'm sorry, but Jim isn't in the
office. I'd be like, that's funny
because I just saw his car in the lot
about five minutes ago.
Next thing you know, Jimbo's on the
phone because you showed the lady you
weren't fuckin' around.
ROGER
You guys have it easy. JT Marlin could
be any kind of company. I have to get
on the phone and say, Hi, it's Roger
from Investments Incorporated.
Secretary's like, "Is this concerning
investments?" Ummmm, no?
The group bursts into laughter.
SETH
You guys know what I'm going to do?
GREG
(suddenly)
What the fuck do you know? You just
passed your seven this week. Haven't
even popped your cherry yet.
All eyes on Greg, surprised at his tone. Seth ignores him.
SETH
I'm going to open a fire called Bob's
plumbing. You get on the phone and
say, Yeah tell him it's Bob from Bob's
plumbing. He'll be like, Oh, it's the
plumber guy, yeah I'll take the call.
Everyone talks to their plumber.
Laughter all around. Greg realizes he is alienating not only
Seth, but his friends too and so he makes amends...
GREG
Alright guys. I want to make a toast
to the man of the night. Highest
Series Seven score in the whole firm.
You are the big swinging dick tonight.
CHRIS
Cheers, slut.
Everyone drinks.
RICHIE
You know why he's this happy, Seth?
SETH
Oh I know. He's thinking about the
forty accounts I have to open for him
before I'm on my own. God bless the
junior broker program, huh, Greg?
GREG
Oh, I don't care about that. I'm just
excited for your promising future.
Everyone laughs.
A table of gay men have been sitting next to the guys and are
finally fed up with the noise. One of them turns around.
GAY MAN
Hey, do you guys think you could keep
it down some.
SETH
Yeah, no problem.
STEVE
Why don't you guys just concentrate on
your food instead of us.
RICHIE
Hey, what are you eating over there
anyway? A little tube snake smothered
in underwear?
The brokers go bonkers. They're laughing hysterically.
STEVE
I heard the hot dogs are real good here
too. They got foot-longs. You like
those right? A little tough to
swallow, but they're good.
At this comment, the other two men at the table sit straight
up, ready to engage Steve and Richie.
GAY MAN
Great outfits, you guys just come from
a City Council meeting? Or you just
trying to score with the bridge and
tunnel crowd?
STEVE
You know what they should do with you
guys? They should put all of you on a
fucking island somewhere.
GAY MAN
Yeah, guess what?
STEVE
What?!
GAY MAN
You're on it!
CUT TO:
INT. GENERIC OFFICE - MORNING
HARRY REYNARD sits at his desk doing paperwork. Average man
somewhere in corporate America. Has a photo of his wife and
two kids on the desk. His PHONE RINGS.
HARRY
Hello?
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. BOILER ROOM - DAY
SETH
Hi Harry, this is Seth Davis over at JT
Marlin. How you doing this afternoon?
HARRY
Fine, thanks.
SETH
You got a call from an associate broker
of mine last month and I just wanted to
know if you enjoyed the information we
sent you.
HARRY
What information?
SETH
If you get as much mail as I do you
probably brushed it aside, but more
importantly we made a commitment to get
back to you. I am presenting you with
an investment opportunity that I think
you'll find very interesting.
HARRY
Well thanks, but I'm not really in the
market for that right now.
SETH
Tell me Harry, are you married or
happy?
Harry laughs at this remark. He finds it genuinely funny.
HARRY
Actually, I've been married for ten
years.
SETH
Oh yeah? Six years for me.
HARRY
They're great, aren't they?
SETH
Yeah, they sure are. So, are you
playing the market at all?
HARRY
Well I don't know about playing. I do
own some blue chips. They were
actually wedding gifts from our friends
in New York.
SETH
Well, I'm calling to tell you about an
explosive situation we have going on
right now. A pharmaceutical company,
Farrow Tech has a drug called Parattin
in the third stage of FDA approval.
HARRY
What does it do?
SETH
Good question, Harry. Good question.
This is the best part. It helps
premature babies develop properly.
HARRY
Sound like a great drug.
SETH
It is. Tell me, those Blue Chips you
own, what have they done for you since
you got married?
HARRY
Not much really.
SETH
Well you see, we deal in stocks that
really move.
ADAM
Oh yeah, they really move.
Seth kicks his chair hard enough to send him rolling.
SETH
I would love to show you what I mean
and I can do so on a relatively small
investment.
HARRY
I really can't buy anything right now,
Seth. My wife and I are buying a house
this month and we're saving every last
penny.
SETH
Look, I don't care how much stock you
pick up. I just want you to test me
out. Harry, I want you to judge me on
the percentages I show you. Obviously I
show you thirty or forty percent, no
matter how big or small your position
is you're gonna get pretty excited
about my next idea, right?
HARRY
Well yeah.
SETH
Of course you would. You'd be handing
out my business cards, wouldn't you?
Harry laughs.
SETH (CONT'D)
Pick up one hundred shares. It's the
absolute firm minimum. Okay, if I show
you three or four points on the trade
it's not going to make you rich. On
the same token, if the stock doesn't go
anywhere you're not out in front of
your store with a cup in your hand.
HARRY
(laughs)
No, that's true.
SETH
(serious)
Look Harry, the truth is I could sell
you a lot more than one hundred shares
and feel completely comfortable about
the trade, but I'm asking you to start
small just to prove what I can do for
you.
HARRY
Alright.
SETH
Great! Should I send the confirmation
to your business or your home?
HARRY
Well I just have to talk to my wife
first. Then I'll call you right back.
SETH
You don't have to do that, Harry. And
I going to lunch in five minutes.
HARRY
No. I have to talk to her first.
SETH
I have to ask you something here,
Harry. You're at work now, aren't you?
HARRY
Yes.
SETH
Well what do you do, Harry?
HARRY
I'm the purchasing manager for a
gourmet foods company.
SETH
Does part of your job involve making
decisions?
HARRY
Well of course.
SETH
Alright, well when you make one of
these decisions do you call your wife
to ask her what you should do?
HARRY
(a little annoyed)
No, of course not. But that's a little
bit...
SETH
Different? How? It's your money, you
earned it. Besides, all you're doing
is investing it. I'm not selling crack
here, Harry. I mean she's only going
to be happy when she sees you've made a
wise investment for the family. Just
think of the flip side.
When your wife does the shopping does
she call you from Pathmark to ask you
if she can use the coupons for Captain
Crunch?
HARRY
Come on, that's not fair.
SETH
I'm just trying to make a point here,
Harry. We're not talking about a lot
of money. Just think what she's going
to say when you bring her back a big
fat check because you had the foresight
to see a good thing coming.
HARRY
(long pause)
Alright, let's try it.
CUT TO:
EXT. BOILER ROOM - DAY
A large van with tinted windows sits in an adjacent lot. A
cable runs from the rear of the van to a telephone pole.
CUT TO:
INT. VAN - DAY (CONTINUOUS)
Agent True sits in the van with headphones on. The van is
completely decked out in surveillance gears. True looks
slightly amazed. He slowly pulls the headphones off.
TRUE
This kid is really good. God, he's
gonna go down hard.
FADE OUT.
INT. BOILER ROOM - NIGHT
Everyone in the firm is present tonight. They all face the
front of the room, waiting. Seth sits next to Chris.
SETH
So what's the deal here?
CHRIS
Michael always addresses the firm when
there's a new issue coming out. It's
always good news. I heard we might be
taking a trip south after this meeting.
Seth looks at Chris for further explanation but Michael walks
up to the front of the room and it quickly quiets down.
MICHAEL
How's everybody doing?
The room erupts into cheers at this simple question. Some
yell out Michael's name. There is a strong energy in the
room.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Good to hear. First thing, I wanted to
congratulate you all on a huge month.
For any of you not yet convinced, these
were the top dogs for the month: Jim
Young -- $280,000. Chris Varick -
$205,000. Greg Feinstein - $190,000.
The room again breaks into cheers. Greg and Chris gets pats
on the shoulder. Seth looks at Chris in awe.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
This month is going to be bigger. It's
actually going to be the biggest month
we've ever had. We've got a new issue
I want to talk to you about. It's
called Med Patent. They've just
designed the world's first retractable
syringe. This means that doctors and
nurses will never again have to worry
about infection from dirty needles.
This is not going to be an alternative
in the medical world, it's going to be
the standard. We all know we're here
to make money, but if we can do
something good like this, then all the
better. So I want you all to go out
and buy yourselves a new car, or a
house. Whatever you want. Go into
debt. You will make a million inside
of six months.
The place goes wild.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Now, onto matters of recreation. We're
taking a class trip tonight so call the
ladies and tell them not to wait up.
CUT TO:
EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
Everyone walks out the front doors of JT Marlin to find six
luxury buses waiting in the parking lot.
FADE OUT.
INT. HALLWAY - SUITE 418 - NIGHT
Fade up on Seth walking down a hall towards the suite. He
passes the half open door and sees a prostitute smoking a
cigarette in between "shifts".
TODD
Hey Seth, you want some of this? Just
get in line, bro.
SETH
Nah, that's alright. I'm gonna go hit
the tables.
TODD
(laughing)
Fuckin' fag.
SETH
That's me. Can't get enough dick.
FADE OUT.
EXT. STREET - MORNING
Seth drives down a rundown street in Red Hook, Brooklyn. He
gets out of the car by an obviously abandoned building. He
walks up to a window and wipes off the dust. It's empty.
He turns to leave when he notices a decrepit sign against the
wall. He bends down to read the faded name -- MED PATENT.
FADE OUT.
EXT. PIER OVERLOOKING MANHATTAN - NIGHT
Seth and Debbie sit staring at the skyline. Debbie really
feels for him. We see that here.
DEBBIE
What's wrong, baby?
SETH
(sighs)
What's wrong? Everything, it feels
like. Not you, but everything else.
DEBBIE
What is it?
SETH
Things aren't right at work. I'm sick
of opening accounts for Greg.
DEBBIE
But you're almost done, baby.
Debbie stares at him deeply.
DEBBIE (CONT'D)
There's something else. It's your
father.
SETH
...Yeah, actually, it is. We're
finally getting along. I mean we're
having lunch next week on his request.
Do you know how happy that shit makes
me?!
DEBBIE
I do.
SETH
But it's all based on this fucking job.
This very legitimate respectable job.
A job he can tell his friends about
during the Yom Kippur appeal. And it's
all bullshit.
DEBBIE
Then you'll quit. You'll tell him what
was happening and he'll respect you for
walking away.
SETH
I can't do that! I've invested too
much time and energy.
Seth takes a deep breath here and stares at Debbie.
DEBBIE
Talk to me, Seth.
SETH
I figured out how Michael's making his
money. I almost wish I hadn't; because
it's all illegal.
DEBBIE
It really is, huh? Well we knew it was
shady. So how's he doing it?
SETH
It's called bridge financing. It's so
simple. A group of investors make a
loan to a private company. Let's say
for three million. After the company
gets taken public they pay back a
million in cash and the other two they
pay back in common stock, but at the
IPO price. So the investors basically
get two million worth of IPO stock.
Then they can sell it on the open
market at triple what they bought it
for. Now that's actually all legal as
long as the investors are not tied to
the brokerage house. But Michael's
friends are the investors on every IPO
we do.
DEBBIE
That's why all the names were the same
on the contracts.
SETH
Right. Then he has us push it all on
the open market. We're selling
Michael's shares. That's where the two
dollar rips come in. He can afford to
pay us that much. He's still in an
obscene profit margin. It's to his
advantage to give us those rips. He
has to motivate us to push these
stocks. He depends on us to literally
create the market. It's all artificial
demand. There's no other firm selling
this shit. That's why he's always
telling us to go into debt. He wants
us hungry. Then as soon as we sell off
Michael's position there's no need to
maintain the inflated price anymore.
We stop pushing it and it crashes. And
get this. The last IPO, Med Patent,
it's cardboard. No research and
development, no employees, not even a
fucking building. Annual reports are
all bullshit. Michael manufactures
them. Med Patent doesn't exist.
DEBBIE
Jesus Christ, Seth. Now what?
SETH
Now? I don't know. Maybe now I go do
it for myself.
FADE OUT.
INT. CASINO - NIGHT (LATER)
The casino is barely full. Seth stands there exhausted,
surveying the scene. Jeff walks over and hands Seth an
envelope. They exchange hellos but nothing more.
CUT TO:
INT. SETH'S ROOM - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
Seth reaches over to the monitor and switches it on. He
opens the envelope and empties about $5,000 onto the bed.
He looks very upset as he counts out the money finally
throwing it on the bed and then YELLING.
SETH
Jeff! Come on up here!
We see Jeff's head snap up as he stares at Seth through the
monitor. He leaves the table as another dealer replaces him.
SETH (CONT'D)
What's going on? One week I can
understand, but this is approaching
four months, and we're down forty
percent from the last month I was here
full time.
JEFF
What the fuck do you want from me? I'm
not you, Seth. I'm not going to kill
myself for half the profit. You get to
come in here and just pick up your
money and it sucks.
SETH
What? It's my business. I created it,
remember? You used to make ten dollars
an hour. Now you're pulling in a
thousand a week. And you're still not
happy? What the fuck is that? And you
still haven't answered me as to why
profits are down this much. What's
going on, Jeff?!
JEFF
Nothing, you can check the tapes.
SETH
For what? I didn't say anything. You
skimming, Jeff?
JEFF
No I'm not. Look, we've been closing
earlier than usual and we've been
opening later. I can't handle the
twenty-four hour gig anymore, Seth.
This isn't Denny's. I'm trying to
finish school here.
Seth breathes heavy. This is his real source of income.
SETH
Alright look, why don't you take on
another partner and split your end
which I'll up to sixty-five percent.
Then you can work at night and go to
school during the day.
JEFF
I'm already doing that.
SETH
(surprised)
You are?
JEFF
Yeah, I took Dave on last month.
SETH
And you still can't handle it?
JEFF
No.
Seth looks off toward the wall and then...
SETH
Fuck!!
CUT TO:
INT. HARRY & SUSAN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Harry is working on dinner. His two young children, MAX and
SARA, laugh at their father who makes funny faces at them.
Harry turns away and then turns back with two stalks of
asparagus coming out of his mouth like tusks. He mimics a
walrus for his children who laugh hysterically.
SARA
Daddy! You look ridiculous.
MAX
No, it's funny, Dad. Keep going.
Max eats some asparagus while still smiling at his Dad.
MAX (CONT'D)
Hey Dad, my pee smells funny after I
eat this stuff.
SARA
Yeah, mine too!
Harry's wife, SUSAN, walks in with the mail in her hands.
She's 32, both plain and smart looking. She looks through
the mail while taking her coat off.
SUSAN
Okay guys, let's settle down. You
really have a knack at stimulating
great conversation with the kids.
HARRY
Yeah, it's a talent huh? I found out
that the new medical program includes
dental.
SUSAN
Are you serious? That's great. You
hear this, kids? You're going to get
to go to the dentist for free.
Both Sara and Max both grimace at the same time.
MAX
Great job, Dad.
Susan sees a piece of mail that catches her eye.
SUSAN
Harry, who's JT Marlin?
HARRY
Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you. I
brought a little bit of stock.
Susan looks up.
SUSAN
What did you buy?
HARRY
Oh, it's this great pharmaceutical
company that's poised for a big jump.
They make this new drug that helps
premature babies survive their initial
three months. Isn't that great?
SUSAN
How much did you buy?
HARRY
Nothing crazy, Susan. Just a hundred
shares.
SUSAN
At with price?
HARRY
Eight dollars. Take it easy hon.
Susan relaxes somewhat at this answer.
SUSAN
How did you even know who to call?
HARRY
Well actually, he called me.
SUSAN
Who did?
HARRY
Seth Davis. The broker. He's a really
great guy. Family man actually.
SUSAN
How did he get your name?
HARRY
I have no idea.
SETH
Doesn't that worry you?
HARRY
No, not particularly.
(abruptly)
Hey look, it's okay!
Susan and the kids all detect this change in tone.
HARRY (CONT'D)
(calmly)
It's a small investment and I'm just
testing this guy out. If he doesn't
show us any gains on this trade then I
won't do business with him again.
CUT TO:
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
Seth kneels on the floor rolling dice with some other
brokers. He turns to see a kid sitting in the waiting room
staring at him just like he did months earlier.
Jim walks in and all of the brokers jump to find seats. Jim
drops his coat on the desk and starts right up.
JIM
This is gonna be a quick one, boys.
You passed your sevens over a month
ago, and yet no one has opened the
necessary forty accounts for their team
leader yet. Seth is the only one of
you that's even close.
Seth looks at his hands. Doesn't need to stick it to anyone.
JIM (CONT'D)
I did it in twenty-six days when I was
a junior broker. You're not sending
out press packets anymore. None of
this Debbie the Time Life operator
shit. It's time to go to work. Get on
the phones and be aggressive.
(uncovering his coffee)
I remember this guy once called me to
sell me some stock. I let him pitch
me. I got every fucking rebuttal out
of this guy. Kept him on the phone for
an hour and a half. Toward the end I
started asking him buying questions.
Like, what's the firm minimum? That's
a buying question. I ask a question
like that, he should take me down.
It's not like I asked him what his 800
number was. That's a fuck off
question. I was giving him a run but
he blew it. To a question like, What's
the firm minimum the answer is zero!
You don't like the idea, don't pick up
a single share. This putz is telling
me...
(mocking)
...ummm, a hundred shares? Wrong
answer! You have to learn how to
close. Always be closing! You have to
push. Keep asking questions. Ask
rhetorical ones just to get a yes out
of them. If you were drowning and I
threw you a life jacket would you grab
it? Yes? Good. Pick up two hundred
shares, I won't let you down. Ask a
guy if he'll let you down.
Ask a guy if he'll be happy to see
thirty to forty percent return. What's
he gonna say? Fuck you, I don't want
to see those returns?
Everybody laughs.
JIM (CONT'D)
Stop laughing, it's not funny. If you
can't close then start thinking about
another career. I'm serious. I am
dead serious about that. Have your
rebuttals ready. Anybody says call me
tomorrow, that's bullshit! Anybody
says they got money problems about two
hundred shares is lying. You know what
I say to that? Tell me you don't like
my idea, tell me you don't like my
firm, tell me you don't like my fucking
tie, but don't tell me you can't pull
twenty five hundred together. You hear
me, boys? There is no such thing as a
"no sale" call. A sale is made on
every call you make. You either sell
the client some stock or he sells you a
reason he can't. Either way it's a
sale. The question is, who's gonna
close, you or him? Be relentless!
Alright, I'm done.
Jim walks out as suddenly as he came in. Seth ambles out of
the office. He has many things on his mind. He sees Chris.
CHRIS
How smooth is that motherfucker?
SETH
Too smooth.
Seth follows him to the back where he's making a copy.
SETH (CONT'D)
So Chris, I've been reading the
contracts.
CHRIS
For the IPO's?
(laughs)
I was just kidding. No one really
reads them.
SETH
Yeah, okay. Anyway the company we're
selling now that makes that retractable
syringe...
CHRIS
Med Patent.
SETH
Right. Well, I was reading their
prospectus and... Well, they don't fill
the minimum requirements to be taken
public.
CHRIS
Seth, you just started here. You can't
possibly know what the fuck you're
talking about. You didn't even finish
college.
SETH
Listen to me. To float a stock , you
need at least two years worth of
audited financial statements. They
don't have any.
CHRIS
Look Seth. I thought we already went
through this. You're a good kid, and I
like you a lot, but this is bullshit.
Michael knows all about this stuff. We
don't. He doesn't tell you how to
trade, so don't tell him how to do his
business. He's the reason we make
bank, and he hasn't steered us wrong,
ever.
SETH
Chris. I went to the address listed on
the prospectus. It's an abandoned
building.
Chris grabs Seth and SHOVES him into a corner.
CHRIS
Listen to me, Seth, and listen good. I
will back you up against Greg or
anybody else that fucks with you. But
on this I am telling you to shut the
fuck up. You will not rock this boat.
Seth looks stunned and Chris realizes he may have gone a bit
overboard. He tries to reel things back in.
CHRIS (CONT'D)
Now how many more accounts do you owe
Greg?
SETH
Three.
CHRIS
So you'll be out of Greg's reach in a
couple of days. Knock them off and
you're on your own. You're gonna make
a lot of money after that. A lot of
money, Seth. Just don't fuck it up now
'cause you're pissed at Greg. Got it?
SETH
Yeah Chris. I got it.
They shake and Chris pulls him into a short, masculine hug.
CHRIS
You're a good kid. Too fucking smart
though.
CUT TO:
EXT. BOILER ROOM - DAY (LATER)
It's late afternoon as Seth walks out the front door. He
heads toward the building he saw Michael and the other guys
go into.
CUT TO:
INT. OFFICE BUILDING - DAY (CONTINUOUS)
The building is brand new and he wonders where to begin when
a JANITOR rounds the corner.
SETH
Hey, how you doing?
JANITOR
Fine, thanks.
SETH
I'm trying to find the space that our
company just rented.
JANITOR
What's the name of the company? We've
only rented out a couple of offices.
SETH
JT Marlin.
JAMES
Nope. No company by that name. You
sure you got the right building?
SETH
Yeah. Michael Brantley told me to come
by.
JANITOR
Michael. Big guy, maybe thirty years
old? Sharp dresser?
SETH
Yeah, that's him.
JANITOR
Second floor. Suite 206. You can go
up and have a look.
SETH
It's not locked.
JAMES
Nah. Just cheap phones in there,
that's all.
Seth finds the suite and opens the door. He stops in
amazement. It's the identical set up of JT Marlin's floor.
The desks are all in and there are close to 400 phones in the
room. Nothing else. Suddenly he hears VOICES from around
the corner of the L-shaped room. He ducks behind a filing
cabinet. Michael and John Feiner come around the corner.
MICHAEL
Now if the heat does come and we have
to jump, how long will it take to move
the whole firm? I mean everything.
JOHN
Under two hours, literally. They'll be
making calls that afternoon.
FADE OUT.
EXT. FEDERAL COURTHOUSE - DAY
Seth bounds up the front steps into the building.
INT. COURTROOM - DAY (CONTINUOUS)
Seth quietly enters the courtroom. It's almost full. The
guard instantly recognizes him and they shake hands.
Seth sits down in the back and watches his father sitting up
on the bench. Marty does not see him. Seth looks on in
wonder.
FADE OUT.
INT. GRAND DELI - DAY (LATER)
Seth and Marty are eating pastrami sandwiches.
MARTY
So what do you think of the suit?
SETH
(shocked)
You're asking me?
MARTY
Sure. You've got good taste in
clothing.
SETH
Actually I like it a lot. I noticed it
earlier. Real departure for you
though.
MARTY
Not the usual stodgy old judge garb
huh?
SETH
No. You even nailed the tie.
MARTY
(smiles)
Even? Are you going to start investing
my money soon? I could use a better
return than Fidelity's getting me.
SETH
I don't know if I'm ready for that.
Too much pressure. Imagine if I lost
your retirement fund on some small-cap
stock. God, that would be funny.
MARTY
Yeah, hysterical.
They both laugh.
MARTY (CONT'D)
So what kind of stocks are you trading
these days?
SETH
(answers carefully)
Mostly tech and pharmaceuticals.
MARTY
You got any tips for me?
SETH
Dad. I didn't know you had it in you.
MARTY
What? I never said I didn't like to
make money. It's the method I've
always been concerned about.
Marty looks at his son, smiling.
MARTY (CONT'D)
See Seth, we're having lunch here like
real people. I told you we could get
to this.
SETH
(somber)
You did.
FADE OUT.
INT. BOILER ROOM - DAY
Debbie is answering incoming calls. She answers one call
after another until one call makes her FREEZE.
DEBBIE
JT Marlin, how may I direct your call?
TRUE
I think I'll just talk to you.
DEBBIE
(extremely nervous)
Why are you calling me here? I told
you I would talk to you as soon as I
knew.
TRUE
Time's running out, Deb. I need to
know what he's doing. Serve him up.
DEBBIE
He hasn't done anything wrong. There'
nothing I can tell you. Why don't you
go after Feinstein or one of the other
guys? Seth's a good kid.
TRUE
We want to nail those other guys.
We're not interested in putting Seth
away. So if you care about him so much
then you better find something on him.
Your immunity deal won't be on the
table forever.
I'm just thinking about your mother
that's all. One of us has to.
True hangs up. Debbie's badly shaken.
CUT TO:
INT. HARRY & SUSAN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Harry sits in the living room looking at the Wall Street
Journal. He's nervous. He keeps looking toward the door
like an adolescent with a porn magazine.
CUT TO:
INT. BOILER ROOM - MORNING
Seth is on the phone closing his 40th and final account as a
junior broker. We are very TIGHT ON Seth.
SETH
The only problem you're going to have
is that I didn't come down there an
twist your arm to buy a thousand
shares. You simply have no idea what
you've tapped into here today. That's
right. My secretary will take all your
information. I have to hop. Bye.
Seth pushes the hold button and we pull out to see that the
whole table was listening in. Chris looks proud.
SETH (CONT'D)
Make it so, Sheryl.
(then yelling)
Yes! Finally! My first whale and my
first account. My book baby!
Greg calls out from the head of the table.
GREG
Hey Seth, hate to bust in on your
little victory speech, but that's your
fortieth account.
SETH
Right. So it's mine. I'm out of the
junior broker program. I don't work
for you No Mo'!
GREG
Well you're out, but that account's
mine.
SETH
Fuck that. I keep the fortieth.
GREG
No you don't.
Seth looks around to see everyone going back to their seats.
SETH
Is this about Debbie? Are you that
bitter? I have made you a lot of money
over the last three months, more than
any other trainee.
GREG
Sorry Seth. I couldn't do it if I
wanted to. It's the rules.
CHRIS
Hey, come on, Greg. You can bend the
rules. I gave my guys...
GREG
Get the fuck out of here, Chris.
Greg gets up and walks toward Seth.
CHRIS
Not yourself these days, man. Not
yourself.
SETH
Fuck you, Greg.
Greg moves very quickly toward Seth who doesn't react quick
enough. Greg SHOVES him hard enough to send him sprawling.
GREG
You're on my team, I'm not on yours.
Try to remember that bitch.
CUT TO:
EXT. PROSPECT PARK - DAY
Seth is waiting near a fountain. He looks around nervously.
A black man approaches, pushing a baby carriage. He is
dressed in hip-hop styled clothing. Seth looks at the man as
he passes and then turns to catch a glimpse of the baby.
Instead, he sees a huge boom-box in the carriage.
Marty emerges behind him. He looks irate.
SETH
Dad?
MARTY
(icy, controlled)
I spoke to Howard Goldberg over at
Prudential. You lied again you
unbelievable piece... You lied to all
of us. He told me all about JT Marlin.
A chop shop. You've been selling their
shit all this time. How many people
have you fucked over so far, Seth?
Huh? How many?
Seth does not answer.
MARTY (CONT'D)
All that bullshit about them wanting to
know you how the business works. The
great training program. Profits you've
heard for your customers! Did you make
them anything? Just tell me, did you
make them any money?
SETH
No. Not a penny.
MARTY
I'm done with you, Seth. This is it.
You're out of our lives. I don't want
to see you again. Don't come by the
house, don't call. This is worse than
the casino. You've been stealing here.
SETH
I was gonna tell you, Dad. I was just
waiting for the right time.
Marty turns and walks away.
SETH (CONT'D)
Dad!
CUT TO:
INT. HARRY & SUSAN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
They're fighting. Max and Sara are sitting on the floor in
the hallway outside their bedroom. They're scared.
HARRY
You think I want to live in this
apartment the rest of my life?!
SUSAN
Sometimes I wonder.
HARRY
Oh please! I'm the one who got the
raise, Susan, try and remember that.
I'm the one that goes out every day and
supports this family.
SUSAN
You can't keep using that shit, Harry.
I've told you a million times I have no
problem going out and getting a job to
help pitch in, but you forbid it. Then
you go and use it against me.
HARRY
Look Susan, we're going to buy the
house. I promise. We will get the
house. Just get off my back!
CUT TO:
INT. FBI ECONOMIC CRIMES UNIT - DAY
Agent True is in the director's office once again.
DIRECTOR
Listen to me. I want him brought in
here. You've already got a strong
case. He'll turn states.
TRUE
What do we have on him? Manipulative
trading tactics? What can we threaten
him with, license revocation? He'll
never go for it. We need more. I know
he's up to something. I can feel it.
DIRECTOR
I can't afford to leave him out there
any longer. This girlfriend of his may
have already tipped him off. He could
run at any time.
TRUE
She hasn't, sir.
DIRECTOR
How could you possibly know that? And
if you're right, and she's so loyal to
you, then why hasn't she given us any
information yet? I want Davis brought
in by the end of the week. Period.
TRUE
Fine.
True storms out of the office.
CUT TO:
INT. OFFICE BUILDING - DAY
Debbie is sitting in a reception area filling out a job
application for a temp agency. A woman is sitting next to
her. Debbie look completely morose.
WOMAN
How many words can you type a minute?
CUT TO:
INT. COURTHOUSE - DAY (SAME TIME)
The guard Seth knows unlocks a judge's chambers for him.
Seth goes into the private chamber and puts his bag down on
the leather sofa. Huge bookcases, mahogany desk. Judge
stuff.
Seth looks at a photo resting on the desk. It's a picture of
Seth on the Mongoose. His father is standing next to him
smiling broadly. It's the day his father bought him the
bike.
Seth looks as emotional as we have ever seen him. Marty
comes in through another door, startled to see Seth there.
MARTY
What are you doing here? I thought I
told you I didn't want to see you
again.
SETH
I need to talk to you.
MARTY
Get out.
SETH
Dad, I really need to talk.
MARTY
What is it?!
SETH
I want out of the firm.
MARTY
Great. So leave. I don't really care
what you do anymore. But your coming
here is unacceptable. You want to cost
me my judgeship? I can't have any
connection to you.
SETH
You know how you asked me to invest for
you? Well I've got something. It's a
sure thing.
MARTY
You've got to be kidding me, Seth. Get
out.
SETH
I'm talking about making you half a
million on the next new issue. And
it's safe.
MARTY
Seth, listen.
SETH
I play you off as a whale by having you
go in on a couple of big trades that JT
Marlin tells you to invest in. You
know, prove your loyalty. Figure
you'll drop $50,000.
MARTY
Are you fucking nuts?
SETH
Just listen to me. After you drop the
fifty they'll have faith in you as a
customer. When the next IPO comes out
you'll get a huge chunk for being so
loyal. Then instead of holding onto it
until Michael can sell off all of the
common stock, you dump it the same day.
We'll make a fortune and the stock will
immediately collapse. That should
raise enough red flags for the SEC to
come in and close shop within a week.
We walk rich and JT goes down.
MARTY
I can't believe we're having this
conversation.
SETH
This is the way I want to get out.
MARTY
Tough shit, Seth! You better walk
right now before you're the one the SEC
comes after.
SETH
But this way I can leave and give them
a taste of their own medicine.
Marty is just staring at his son. He looks dumbstruck.
MARTY
I don't understand you. I really
don't. You think I'm going to help you
commit a crime?
SETH
A crime? You don't like these people
any more than I do. The whole firm is
crooked. We're serving justice. And
who are we committing a crime against?
MARTY
This is bullshit rhetoric. What's this
all about? Do I have to play on your
terms? An act of faith? Is that it?
SETH
I just wanted to do this with someone I
trusted, that's all. I'm getting out
like you told me to.
MARTY
I can't do it, Seth. It's illegal!
Seth gets up, walks to the desk and picks up the phot.
SETH
You remember this day?
MARTY
Of course. I bought you that bike.
SETH
Do you remember what happened about a
month after this?
MARTY
What do you want from me, Seth?
SETH
Do you remember when I broke my leg?
MARTY
(snaps)
Of course I remember! You were
hysterical. I had to get you to stop.
SETH
Hysterical? You mean like you are
right now? I wasn't even crying, Dad.
MARTY
Get out of here.
SETH
Sorry I couldn't get the job you wanted
me to have. But you know what, who
gives a shit? I'm good at what I do.
The casino was a business!! A
legitimate business! And I ran it
pretty fucking well, Dad. To think I
closed it for you.
MARTY
(shocked)
You closed it?
SETH
Then I went after this job because I
thought it was what you wanted me to be
doing. I didn't know they were a
fucking chop-shop when I went there.
(laughs sadly)
It's like I can't get away from it.
But I tried to make the changes you
told me to. I did everything you said.
I'm leaving JT now. I'm just asking
you to do this one thing with me. Just
this one last thing.
Marty really considers him, perhaps for the first time.
MARTY
I'm sorry, Seth. I can't do it.
SETH
Fine, I'll find someone else.
Seth gets up and walks out.
CUT TO:
INT. DEBBIE'S APARTMENT - MORNING
Seth is in Debbie's living room with her. They are
whispering.
DEBBIE
What are you gonna do now?
SETH
I'm still gonna do it. I have this
friend who may go in with me. Till
then I'm gonna make as much money as I
can at the firm. I don't care who gets
fucked anymore. My father can go to
hell!
DEBBIE
Seth please, my mom.
SETH
Sorry.
DEBBIE
I don't think this is a good idea. Why
don't you just quit?
SETH
No. I told you. I've invested too
much time. And I have no fucking money
coming in anymore because Jeff tanked
my gold mine. I need this.
DEBBIE
How about finding a position at a real
brokerage house? You're a great broker
now. I'm sure you could easily get a
job.
SETH
Doing what? Ticket running? Coming
from JT Marlin you think they're going
to let me trade for them? There's no
way.
Seth looks up at the ceiling.
SETH (CONT'D)
Why are you so against this anyway?
What do you care if I pull this off?
It'll be great for both of us.
DEBBIE
I just have a bad feeling about it.
SETH
You know what, I gotta go.
DEBBIE
Where are you going? Seth, wait. I
need to talk to...
SETH
(dazed)
I have to go figure this all out.
Seth gets up and leaves.
DEBBIE
Seth.
He walks out. Debbie pauses at the door, wanting to run
after him, to TELL HIM! She cries. Her mother's call makes
the decision for her. She locks up and walks toward her
mother.
There's a KNOCK back at the door and she runs toward it.
DEBBIE (CONT'D)
(while unlocking)
Baby, I'm so sorry. I need to tell you
something I've been keeping in for...
She opens the door to Agent True and literally JUMPS from
fear.
True walks in without being invited.
TRUE
Why don't you do that. Why don't you
tell me something.
DEBBIE
(almost hysterical)
Be quiet, my mother's finally sleeping.
They walk to the living room.
TRUE
What's he doing?
DEBBIE
Nothing. He's doing nothing. But I
found out how Michael operates the
whole thing. Let me give you that.
TRUE
Honestly, you're a shitty witness.
Black secretaries are not as credible
as white stock brokers. It's a fucked
up legal system. We need Seth to
testify, not you. Now what the fuck is
he up to?
DEBBIE
He hasn't said a word to me.
True stares at her hard when...
TRUE
You're a smart girl, Debbie. Why are
you doing this to me?
DEBBIE
What?
TRUE
Normally, we could play this game for a
bit, but this is just such a bad time
to fuck with me!
DEBBIE
What do you want me to tell you?
TRUE
You want me to go wake Mom? Maybe if we
all sit down and talk about things we
can figure out a way to have someone
come and give her her medication while
you're upstate.
DEBBIE
Fuck you.
TRUE
Give him up!!
Debbie finally loses it. She begins to sob.
DEBBIE
Alright.
TRUE
Go ahead! What's he doing?
MOTHER (O.S.)
Debbie, are you okay?
TRUE
Are you?
DEBBIE
He's going in with a friend on an IPO
scam this week. It's on the new issue.
I better get immunity you piece of
shit.
TRUE
Keep talking to me like that. That's
your best bet.
CUT TO:
EXT. HARRY & SUSAN'S APARTMENT - DAY
Harry is outside raking leaves when he hears the phone ring.
Susan looks up at him because he seems so jumpy.
SUSAN
I'll get it.
HARRY
No!
(calmer)
I mean, I'll get it.
Susan looks at him nervously as he runs into the house.
CUT TO:
INT. BOILER ROOM - DAY (SAME TIME)
The firm is going nuts. An IPO from last week, Farrow Tech,
just had its rip bumped to $2. It's a big money day.
ADAM
You do not look like you are fucking
around today.
SETH
That is because I am not fucking
around. I am making bank today and I
do not care who the fuck I take it
from.
CUT TO:
EXT. HARRY & SUSAN'S APARTMENT - DAY
Harry, out of breath, reaches the phone on the fourth ring.
HARRY
Hello?
SETH
Hi Harry.
HARRY
Seth! Did you get my calls?
SETH
Yes Harry, it's just been crazy here.
HARRY
What the hell's happening with Farrow
Tech, it's dropped five points since I
bought it. I wanna sell.
SETH
Sell now? The stock is down! You
don't make money in the market buying
high and selling low, Harry.
HARRY
So what's going on? Tell me why we
shouldn't just get out now.
SETH
Alright, here's the deal. I told you
things would happen within sixty days,
it's only twenty so far, but the
situation here is explosive and I
wanted to get you involved. That's why
I haven't returned any calls. I've
been gathering information all morning.
So here it is: The stock's down for
tech reasons. It's been on the
restricted list all week. But it's the
same company. As a matter of fact,
while it was on the restricted list,
Farrow was doing nothing but signing
more contracts. I'm telling you it's
looking like our next big one here.
Hold on a second, Harry.
Seth pushes hold. Jim Young has walked in front of the board
and begins to speak to the firm.
JIM
Just got word from Michael. The rip on
Farrow Tech is now three dollars.
The place explodes. Seth gets back on the phone.
SETH
Listen to this, Harry.
Seth holds the phone out toward the chaos.
HARRY
Jesus Christ, what's going on over
there?
SETH
See what I'm saying? People know. The
place is going nuts. It's already up a
point and its just coming off the
restricted list. I'm advising all my
clients to get in on this, and heavy.
Hold on a second, let me close the door
to my office.
Seth holds the phone next to the open drawer of his desk, and
then slams it shut. He then clambers under his desk for some
quiet.
SETH (CONT'D)
Alright, now you get the same stock
that we picked up at eight, only now
it's at four. Now, when it was at
eight I told you it was going to
twenty, right?
HARRY
You did.
SETH
Right, and it's still going there,
probably even higher now. This doesn't
change anything except that you're
going to make more money than you did
before. Look Harry, I liked it at
eight, I love it at four. It's an
average down for you.
HARRY
What?
SETH
Dollar cost averaging. If you own a
hundred shares at ten dollars and now
you buy another one hundred at five,
that's a F200 shares at $7.50 a share.
Your cost basis is lower. Now if I get
you involved at ten and take you out at
fifteen, you've made how many points
Harry?
HARRY
Five.
SETH
Exactly. But if I get you involved at
seven and a half and I take you out at
fifteen, well that's seven and a half
points, that's even better.
HARRY
(shaky, but turning toward
Seth)
I don't know.
SETH
I also have a bullet on it. A couple
of days ago Dan Dorfman, on CNBC, put a
heavy buy recommendation on Farrow
Tech. Reason being, he's been in
contact with the CEO of the company and
they feel FDA approval will happen in
the next three or four weeks.
(gaining speed)
Listen to me. Off the record, I just
called a broker friend of mine at
another firm and had him pick me up
fifty thousand shares under my sister-
in-law's name. I'm going to put all my
kids through college with this stock.
Look, I have a thousand more phone
calls to make, Harry. I have to call
every one of my clients and give them
this same opportunity. Remember when
we first spoke? I told you that this
firm only had five or six great ideas a
year! Well, Harry, this is one of
those ideas.
Seth awkwardly reaches up for his glass of water on the desk
spilling it all over himself. He doesn't make a sound.
SETH (CONT'D)
I remember you saying something about
buying a house, right?
HARRY
Yeah.
SETH
Well, how'd you like to pay for it
tomorrow... in cash?
HARRY
You're serious.
SETH
Serious as cancer.
HARRY
All I've got is the fifty thousand from
our savings.
SHERYL
Seth, you've got a call on line three.
SETH
That's my secretary. I gotta go. I
have a lot of clients I need to make
money for today. What's it gonna be,
Harry?
CUT TO:
INT. SETH'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Seth is on the phone.
SETH
I thought you were coming over tonight?
DEBBIE
I can't make it. I'm not feeling well.
SETH
Come over. I'll take care of you.
DEBBIE
No. I'm going to just stay here.
SETH
Alright, then I'll come over there.
I'll bring you some soup.
DEBBIE
No. Don't. Mom's not doing too well
either.
SETH
Oh shit. I'm sorry.
DEBBIE
It's stressing me out a bit. I'll talk
to you tomorrow.
CUT TO:
INT. MARTY'S HOUSE - DEN - NIGHT
Marty sits in his den going over the mail. He hears his wife
on the phone with Seth in the next room.
MOTHER (O.S.)
I know, Seth. But you really went too
far this time. I thought we were past
the lying. Well then when you figured
it out you should have said something.
I understand that. It's trues, he
definitely hasn't helped any.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
Marty stands at the doorway listening to his wife. She has
her back to him and does not hear him walk up.
MOTHER
Of course he's upset. You guys are
going to work through it though. I'm
sure of it. He loves you, Seth. Do
you know that? It's important that you
know that. Okay. Bye.
CUT TO:
INT. BOILER ROOM - MORNING
The pitch is wild again today. Everybody's on the phone.
GREG
We're not fucking around today, guys.
I'm sure you all know that we're going
to be getting a lot of heat for what
Farrow Tech did yesterday, so be smart
on the phone. Calm them down. I don't
want people dumping their shares.
SHERYL
Adam! I got a Mr. Klastow, he's super
hot.
ADAM
Mr. Klastow?
We immediately hear the man screaming through the phone.
ADAM (CONT'D)
Right. I understand. Right. I'm
sorry. We couldn't foresee this when
we... Right. Okay. I'll do it right
now.
Adam pulls out a sell ticket and quickly fills it out. He
then takes it to Greg to be signed.
GREG
(enraged)
What the fuck is this? You think I'm
gonna sign a sell ticket for you? What
did I just say?
Greg takes the slip and rips it up in front of him.
GREG (CONT'D)
Call him back and explain the situation
to him!
(to everyone)
No one's gonna unload today, no one!
Adam goes back to his seat badly shaken. The whole team
looks on in disbelief. You can't just rip up a sell ticket.
SHERYL
Seth. Line three.
Seth pushes the blinking light, still dazed.
SETH
Seth Davis here.
MARTY
Hi Seth, how are you?
He hears his dad's voice and snaps to.
SETH
Dad!
MARTY
Can I change your mind about doing this
IPO scheme?
SETH
No. I'm sorry. I already found
someone who's going in with me.
MARTY
Well then I'm going to help you out
with it.
SETH
You're gonna do it with me?!
MARTY
No, I can't do it, Seth, but I want to
at least make sure you don't get
caught. I have someone I know over at
the Parthenon Group that will talk to
you about it. Come over to the house
tonight.
SETH
Thanks, Dad. I'm so glad you called.
MARTY
Yeah. Bye.
Sheryl's answers another incoming call for Seth. It's a
fire.
SHERYL
Seth, I've got a Harry Reynard on the
phone.
SETH
Pass him on. Harry, I was going to
call you today.
HARRY
(desperate)
I want my money back.
SETH
Look, I know you're pissed, Harry, they
had a setback. But don't worry about
it, it's become a goal stock. I plan
to bring you eight or nine points over
the course of this year. People are
talking about it like it's the next
Microsoft.
HARRY
(almost crying)
Listen Seth, I'm in a heap of trouble
here. I need that money back. I was
supposed to use it for a down payment
on a house for my family. We're going
to lose the house now.
SETH
Harry, listen, it's going to rebound.
HARRY
(screaming)
Seth!! I need the money back!!!
SETH
I'm sorry. I can't do that. I have to
go.
Seth hangs up the phone. He looks very disturbed.
SETH (CONT'D)
If he calls back, I'm not here.
CUT TO:
INT. HARRY'S OFFICE - DAY (CONTINUOUS)
Harry looks to make sure his co-workers did not hear this
exchange. His supervisor walks in as the phone begins to
RING.
SUPERVISOR
Harry, do you have that status report
ready?
HARRY
Yes Michelle. I'll bring it right
over.
SUPERVISOR
I also wanted to ask you about...
SHERYL (O.S.)
JT Marlin.
HARRY
(curt)
I'll talk to you after I finish with
this call.
Harry turns his head away from her before she can even reply.
SUSAN
OOOkay.
HARRY
Seth Davis.
SHERYL
May I ask who's calling.
HARRY
It's Harry Reynard!
SHERYL
I'm sorry, Mr. Reynard, but Mr. Davis
just stepped out for a meeting.
HARRY
God...
(slamming the phone)
...Damn it!!
He looks around his cubicle, sees the photo of his family on
his desk, and begins to cry.
FADE OUT.
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Seth is sitting having lunch with Debbie. He looks very
upset.
SETH
Are you gonna talk to me?
DEBBIE
I don't know what to tell you, Seth. I
mean think about it. If you pull off
this IPO deal and I'm associated with
you, what do you think is gonna happen
do me?
SETH
They won't be able to prove anything.
DEBBIE
Who says they have to? I'm gonna lose
my job unless I put some distance
between us now.
The front door opens as Agent True, with three other FBI
agents, walk straight toward Seth's table. Debbie is facing
the door and sees them immediately. Her face goes pale.
SETH
What's wrong?
They stop at the table.
TRUE
Seth Davis, you're under arrest for the
violation of 26 SEC and NASD
regulations.
DEBBIE
(trying to be genuine)
What are you doing? What's this all
about? Seth, I'll get you out of this.
SETH
Just don't call my father.
TRUE
Sit down, Debbie.
Seth hears him call her name. He looks at her as he's
cuffed. He looks as scared and hurt as a man can feel
without crying.
CUT TO:
INT. HARRY & SUSAN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Harry stands against a wall, sweating heavily. He looks
completely disheveled. His expression is one of
anticipation.
A plate flies across the room, SHATTERING on the wall. Harry
cringes, sinking into a fetal position on the floor. He
CRIES.
Susan walks across the floor toward him. Max & Sara's crying
now permeates the apartment. She stands over him.
SUSAN
How could you be so stupid!?
Max and Sara stand in the doorway watching in tears.
SUSAN (CONT'D)
What were you thinking, Harry? The
kids, the house, our future!!
HARRY
(crying)
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Susan leans against the wall, then slinks down next to him
and begins to sob. Harry reaches over to console her. She
backhands him hard across the side of his head, sending his
glasses FLYING and him cowering back. They both cry.
CUT TO:
INT. FBI ECONOMIC CRIMES UNIT - NIGHT (SAME TIME)
Seth is brought in through the side door and led to a small
interrogation room. He walks in to see MARTY at a table.
SETH
(screaming)
Why did you bring him in? He didn't do
anything!
MARTY
What the fuck is going on, Seth? Did
you talk to them about me?
SETH
What??!! Of course not. Why is he
here!?
MARTY
You sure, Seth?
SETH
Of course I'm sure. Not a word.
MARTY
(to Agent True)
That's it. I'm walking out of here in
three seconds unless you charge me with
something.
Agent True reaches over to a tape recorder and pushes play.
It's a recording of Marty's earlier conversation with Seth.
MARTY (V.O.)
Can I change your mind about doing this
IPO scheme?... Then I'm going to help
you out with it... I want to at least
make sure you don't get caught.
MARTY (CONT'D)
Jesus Christ.
CUT TO:
INT. HARRY & SUSAN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT (LATER)
Harry is sitting on the floor of the living room as his wife
LEAVES with the kids. He is crying again.
CUT TO:
INT. HARRY'S GARAGE - NIGHT (LATER)
Harry is in the corner of the garage. He has a small black
case in front of him. He opens it to reveal a .9mm handgun.
He loads the gun back and places it back in its case. He's
wearing his best suit.
CUT TO:
INT. FBI ECONOMIC CRIMES UNIT - NIGHT
SETH
So what do you want from me?
TRUE
We want you to testify.
SETH
No whit. What are you offering?
TRUE
Full immunity.
SETH
What about my father?
TRUE
He won't do any time.
MARTY
I haven't done anything illegal, Seth.
SETH
So what's the deal.
MARTY
I lose my judgeship just going along
for the ride.
TRUE
I've got nothing to do with that.
MARTY
Sure you do. You're gonna release that
tape to the press. Makes your case so
much more glamorous with the
involvement of a Federal judge.
SETH
No deal.
TRUE
What?
SETH
Take my father out the back door right
now and bring him home. He has nothing
to do with this case at all. If his
name shows up in one newspaper, I don't
testify. And I mean that. For me,
it'd be worth going to jail for.
TRUE
You're serious?
SETH
What do you think?
TRUE
I think you're nuts. You want to do it
that way? Fine. Then no immunity for
you, pal. I need one of you to face
the music.
MARTY
Seth, don't be stupid. He's right. I
won't see a day in jail. They'll get
you for at least four years.
SETH
I don't care. Go home, Dad.
TRUE
Alright, alright, alright. Before we
start dealing here, just what are you
offering?
SETH
I'm gonna hand you this case on a
silver fucking platter. I know
everything you don't. I know how it
all works. How Michael makes his
money, where it goes, and who's getting
it. Now what happens tomorrow?
TRUE
You go back to work tomorrow like
nothing happened. Just for one day. I
need your client book and your whole C-
drive backed up onto floppy. But don't
get any stupid inclinations to travel
abroad. We know where your father
lives. You're going away, kid.
SETH
Yeah. You mentioned that earlier.
TRUE
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, you little
fuck.
Agent True walks over to take Seth away.
MARTY
(to True)
Give me a couple of minutes with him,
would you?
Agent True just nods and walks out.
SETH
I'm sorry, Dad. I am so fucking sorry.
I didn't mean to do this to you.
MARTY
Shhhh. Let me speak.
Marty takes a deep breath and closes his eyes.
MARTY (CONT'D)
When I came up to you behind that car,
it was the hardest thing I ever had to
bear. I just wanted to make your pain
disappear. I don't even know how to
describe the feeling. But I want you
to know something.
He begins to cry. Seth has never seen him cry before.
MARTY (CONT'D)
Not a single day of my life has gone by
where I do not think about that moment,
where I do not dream I was there for
one more chance. If I could take back
just one thing in my life, Seth, do one
thing over... I am more sorry than you
will ever know.
Seth leans across and they embrace tightly.
FADE OUT.
INT. BOILER ROOM - DAY
Seth is on the phone though not fired up as usual. He looks
very nervous and continually checks the time.
SHERYL
Seth, line two.
SETH
Hello?
TRUE
Get going.
Seth hears a click before he can even say okay. He hang up
the phone, stands up, and addresses the table.
SETH
I'm going to lunch, boys.
TABLE
See you, Seth.
Seth stops by Chris and drops a note on his desk. He's on
the phone while he reads the letter. He stares at Seth
leaving the room. After a moment of thought, he too begins
to pack.
We follow Seth out to the reception room where Debbie watches
him approach. Seth looks at her, but says nothing.
DEBBIE
Seth?
CUT TO:
EXT. BOILER ROOM - DAY (CONTINUOUS)
Seth comes out of the building and heads to his car. As soon
as he begins to cross the lot he notices a man coming toward
him. It is HARRY. There are walking right towards one
another.
Harry accidentally drops his briefcase. The contents spill
onto the floor. Seth bends over to help. He nervously looks
around as he helps Harry, waiting for the Feds to show. Seth
unknowingly picks up the gun case and hands it to Harry.
Harry is very gracious.
HARRY
Thank you so much.
SETH
(smiling genuinely)
No problem.
CUT TO BLACK.
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