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

After the layoffs, Sam tells Will his dog is dying and asks him to gather the surviving traders.

Scene 8 of 76 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Save the Cat: B Story
Will Emerson
Sam Rogers

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 8 min into a 1:36 film

The story so farBefore scene 8

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.

Scene 1
Peter watches HR collect his colleagues while the surviving traders try to keep their heads down.
Just before
Scene 5
Eric suspects Sarah Robertson caused his dismissal and warns Will that someone must examine his unfinished work.
Scene 6
Peter and Seth say goodbye to Eric; Peter follows him toward the elevators.
Scene 7
Eric gives Peter a portable drive containing unfinished risk analysis and warns him to be careful.
Scene 8
This scene

8INT. SAM ROGERS’ OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

SAM ROGERS, a 57 year old executive, is sitting behind his desk looking out the window. WILL EMERSON gently knocks on the door, enters then sits on the couch.

WILL EMERSON

Well, that was fucking hideous.

SAM ROGERS

It’s gonna get worse before it gets

better.

WILL EMERSON

Really?

SAM ROGERS

Much.

WILL EMERSON

Got any nicorettes? I’m out of

nicorettes, which means I’m gonna kill

someone in about 10 minutes... You

alright?

SAM ROGERS

My dog is dying.

WILL EMERSON

I’m sorry?

SAM ROGERS

Just spoke to the vet, it’s some fucking

tumor on her liver. I’m paying almost a

thousand bucks a day to keep her alive.

WILL EMERSON

Really?

SAM ROGERS

Yeah... and I don’t have a clue what to

do about it.

They both sit in silence and look out the window.

WILL EMERSON

Well they’re all gone.

SAM ROGERS

How many do we have left?

WILL EMERSON

Thirty-three.

SAM ROGERS

Make sure everyone is out there, I need

to say something.

WILL EMERSON

They are ready for you.

WILL leaves SAM in his office. SAM looks as if he may not move, then snaps out of it.