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

After the market closes, Jared congratulates Sam and tells him more layoffs are starting, but Sam will stay.

Scene 73 of 76 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act three

Jared Cohen
Sam Rogers

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:29 into a 1:36 film

The story so farBefore scene 73

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.
Scenes 47–68
The solution consumes Sarah’s job, Eric’s freedom to leave, Seth’s prospects and Sam’s claim to refuse.
Scene 69
Sam turns the plan into a sales brief, offering the traders bonuses while acknowledging that success may erase their jobs.
Just before
Scene 70
Tuld rallies the trading floor before the market opens, promising the traders riches while others lose.
Scene 71
Sam retreats into his office as the opening bell unleashes activity on the trading floor.
Scene 72
The traders carry out individual sales throughout the day.
Scene 73
This scene

73INT. SAM ROGER’S OFFICE - 4:02 PM

The market has closed. SAM sits, staring at his computers. There is a knock on his door. He turns and as it opens we hear the sober beginnings of a quiet celebration. He looks up and JARED COHEN is standing in his doorway.

JARED COHEN

Well done.

SAM ROGERS

They did alright.

JARED COHEN

I wanted to give you a heads up. They are

going to start sending some people home

out here.

SAM ROGERS

Now?

JARED COHEN

(He nods yes) Sorry. No loose ends.

SAM ROGERS

Of course.

JARED COHEN

For what it’s worth, you’re good... Guess

somebody upstairs must really like you.

SAM stands up and walks past JARED without another word.