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

Jared asks Will to lead the sale if Sam refuses; Will maintains that he and Sam share the same judgment.

Scene 53 of 76 · ≈ 2 min on screen · Act two

Seth
Will
Jared Cohen

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:01 into a 1:36 film

The story so farBefore scene 53

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.
Scenes 24–33
Peter’s work travels upstairs; Sam and the juniors enter Jared’s executive world and expose the scale of the risk.
Scenes 34–44
Management checks the model, debates its implications and brings Tuld into the emergency.
Scenes 45–46
Tuld offers a way for the bank to survive: sell before everyone else understands the risk; Sam names the price in broken trust.
Just before
Scene 50
Sarah warns Jared they must fall together; he refuses to promise that he will.
Scene 51
Eric’s wife reports he is home; Sam sends Will and Seth to bring him back before the firm’s enforcers intervene.
Scene 52
Tuld tells Sarah she will take the blame and must remain at the bank until the markets close.
Scene 53
This scene

53INT. PARKING GARAGE, BASEMENT OF OFFICE BUILDING - NIGHT

WILL and SETH are sitting waiting for WILL’S car to be brought up. As they wait they see JARED COHEN come out of the elevator and walk towards them.

SETH

Ah fuck, it’s Jared. He’s coming this

way.

WILL

What does wonderboy want?

WILL stands up and walks over to JARED.

JARED COHEN

Do you have a minute?

WILL

We’re heading to get Eric Dale.

JARED COHEN

I know. I just need a second.

THEY walk away from SETH.

WILL

What is it?

JARED COHEN

Tuld and I have concerns that Sam may not

be willing to step up and do the right

thing here.

WILL looks around the garage, than back at JARED.

WILL

I don’t think that’s ever been a problem.

JARED COHEN

Of course it hasn’t, but during acute

situations, such as this, often what is

right can take on multiple

interpretations.

They look at each other for a long beat as WILL sizes up the question. In the background the squeals of tires on concrete are heard.

WILL

Sam will step up.

JARED COHEN

I know he will...but if he doesn’t...

As the question stands unfinished Will’s convertible flies into frame down a ramp and pulls up next to JARED and WILL. The attendant gets out and before WILL has a chance JARED hands the attendant a tip. JARED then looks back at WILL who is waiting to get in the car.

JARED COHEN (CONT’D) (cont’d)

But if he doesn’t, we need to know that

you will.

WILL