Margin Call · written by J.C. Chandor · 2011

As they return to the bank, Seth tells Peter how much Will earns and speculates about Sam’s pay.

Scene 29 of 76 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Seth
Peter

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 25 min into a 1:36 film

The story so farBefore scene 29

When a junior analyst discovers exposure that could wipe out his investment bank, its executives race to unload the danger on their customers while a veteran executive confronts the price of helping them survive.

Scenes 1–12
The bank’s surviving employees return to familiar routines after firing Eric; Sam manages the floor while his dog is dying.
Scenes 13–23
Peter uncovers a threat to the firm’s survival and forces Will and Sam to respond.
Just before
Scene 26
Will shows Sam the dangerous exposure; Sam orders him to bring Peter back from the search for Eric.
Scene 27
Peter and Seth fail to find Eric at a cabaret club and receive Will’s call to return.
Scene 28
Peter and Seth’s town car remains stuck in traffic.
Scene 29
This scene

29INT. BACKSEAT OF A BLACK LINCOLN TOWNCAR

Eventually the car starts moving, and SETH’S phone starts buzzing with a text again.

SETH

He’s freaking out. We need to get down

there.

They look out into the city. Finally SETH reaches into his bag and takes out the forty in the paper bag and starts drinking the beer again. He takes a big sip.

SETH (cont’d)

What’a you think Rogers makes in a year?

Long pause.

PETER

I have no idea?

SETH

Come on, play along.

PETER

I don’t know what year?

SETH

Last year.

PETER

Three quarters of a million bucks?

SETH

Come on.

PETER

What?

SETH

Not even close.

PETER

More?

SETH

Yes.

PETER

A million?

SETH

Will Emerson made two and half million

bucks last year.

PETER

Fuck you.

SETH looks at him showing he is serious.

PETER (cont’d)

Fuck you!

SETH

He did.

PETER

How do you know that?

SETH

He told me.

PETER

He just told you that?

SETH

Well I asked him.

PETER

Do you think that’s true.

SETH

Probably.

PETER

That’s fucked up.

SETH

Why?