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

Eric recalls the public value of a bridge he built; Will urges him to accept payment and return as the firm’s car arrives.

Scene 62 of 76 · ≈ 4 min on screen · Act three

Eric
Will Emerson

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:09 into a 1:36 film

The story so farBefore scene 62

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.
Scene 57
Sam tells Tuld he is completely with the firm despite his reservations, committing his authority to the sale.
Just before
Scene 59
Peter encounters Lucy while buying coffee and warns her to sell when she asks for a tip for her father.
Scene 60
Alone in her office, Sarah tries to cry and then to laugh, but cannot express either response.
Scene 61
Outside Eric’s townhouse, Will orders Seth to accompany him, then allows him to remain in the car.
Scene 62
This scene

62EXT. ERIC DALE’S TOWNHOUSE IN BROOKLYN HEIGHTS - DAY

WILL gets out of the car and walks slowly up the stairs. He is about to knock on the door when from behind him he hears ERIC coming walking up the block. He is still in his work clothes and it looks like it’s been a long night.

ERIC

What are you doing here?

WILL EMERSON

Peter finished that model you were

working on.

ERIC

Really?

WILL EMERSON

It’s created a bit of a shit storm.

ERIC

Yeah, I bet.

WILL EMERSON

Do you want to see it... the model?

ERIC

No.

WILL EMERSON

Really?

ERIC

No. But I’m pretty sure what it says.

WILL EMERSON

Do you think he’s right?

ERIC

I’m sure he’s right.

They both sit down on the stoop.

WILL EMERSON

Jared Cohen called an emergency meeting

of the partners tonight. John Tuld has

decided to liquidate our entire position.

ERIC looks over at Will

WILL EMERSON (cont’d)

Today.

ERIC’S face doesn’t show much emotion. But he is surprised and sincere.

ERIC

Well, I am very sorry to hear that.

WILL EMERSON

They want me to get you back there, they

are worried about you being out here.

ERIC

(with pleasant disgust)

Please.

WILL EMERSON

I’m just saying.

ERIC

(cuts him off cold)

Not a chance.

WILL lets it sit for a few beats.

WILL EMERSON