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

Outside the bank, Peter and Sam discuss their families and the harm ahead, unable to call the planned sale right.

Scene 64 of 76 · ≈ 4 min on screen · Act three

Peter
Sam Rogers

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:16 into a 1:36 film

The story so farBefore scene 64

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 61
Outside Eric’s townhouse, Will orders Seth to accompany him, then allows him to remain in the car.
Scene 62
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 63
Will tells Seth he will probably be fired and defends the banking system while preparing to betray longstanding counterparties.
Scene 64
This scene

64EXT. STREET LEVEL PLAZA - DAY

PETER is still walking around on the street with the music playing. He crosses a large open windswept corporate plaza. As he approaches the building he sees SAM ROGERS standing in front having a cigarette. He walks towards him and then finally decides to take off the headphones. The music stops and the wind kicks in.

PETER

Hello.

SAM ROGERS

Peter.

(silence)

You want one?

PETER

I don’t smoke.

But PETER holds his place comfortably.

SAM ROGERS

That’s good. I don’t much either.

PETER

It’s kinda beautiful out right now.

They both look out. Slow pacing.

SAM ROGERS

Yeah, I guess it is...

(almost surprised)

I’ve never really liked this town much.

PETER

How long have you been here?

SAM ROGERS

Forty years.

PETER

I think it’s beautiful. The whole place.

Forty years, that’s something... Are you

tired?

SAM ROGERS

Of What?... Remember I don’t work as hard

as you do.

PETER

That’s not true.

SAM ROGERS

No it is, actually.

Long silence.

PETER

Are we all getting fired after today?

SAM looks out and thinks about it for a while.

SAM ROGERS

Probably.

PETER

They’re going to fire you?

SAM ROGERS

That’s not what they’ll call it,... it’ll

be a mercy killing really.

SAM looks at PETER.

SAM ROGERS (cont’d)