Twenty-two minutes after the hour.
The war with the Confederation of Arab States today entered its third year.
While oil fields in the world's most oil-rich region continue to burn...
Americans face long lines at the pumps...
spiraling gas prices and an ever-weakening economy.
In other news, Senator Charles Lucas, Chairman of the Joint Committee...
I have been trying to see you all day. We really need to discuss...
I am late for a meeting with the Energy Secretary.
He's in a bad enough mood as it is.
Sorry for being so elusive.
Since the oil crisis, I barely have time to take a piss, let alone have a conversation.
It's all right. It's probably better if we talk away from...
You know I would do anything for you, for Condor.
You are the future of this company.
But this, I just...
I'm not sleeping at night.
I just can't, Jared.
I see. And what does your better half, Sara, have to say?
I didn't want to involve her. We never discussed it.
You'll have my resignation this afternoon.
Don't be absurd. Your reservations just confirm my own.
And my admiration for you.
- On to the next. - Thank you.
Want to spar?
I didn't realize tree huggers condoned violence.
Don't worry. I'll be gentle with you.
Don't want to mess up that pretty face.
Mine or yours?
You want to hear about the recruits?
Not really, but if I have to, it's just one.
Chuck Waller's son.
Shane?
I'm always surprised a head that big could fit through doors.
He can cross-dress as far as I'm concerned.
Do you have any idea how important a client Trager Oil is?
Oh, right. The lucky sperm club.
I'll get right on it.
Actually, there was somebody else...
an Ally G. No.
Abbey G-something.
- Abbey Gallagher? - Yes!
Hot ticket. We played powder-puff football together.
Leave it to Harvard Business School...
to give women's sports the respect it deserves.
I want to meet her.
Well, save your energy. She's off to change the world.
- Just get her to dinner. - Okay.
Oh, shit, you're bleeding. Let me get you a towel.
I'm fine. Next time I won't go so easy on you.
So I told him, "That's the price we're paying, not a penny more, not a penny less."
The guy crumbled, it was great.
I understand none of you guys made money this year.
Why should I come to Delaney & Strong?
There's the kind of long-term thinking that made America great.
- Mister? - Waller.
Shane. Let me freshen up your glass there.
Delaney is really where I want to be at and I really haven't pursued...
Excuse me.
You owe me big.
Think of it as sociological research.
And be nice. I work with these people. Hello.
What, did you get lost on your way to the "Save the Whales" meeting?
- How's your face? - Now, kids, behave.
- Tom Hanson. - Abbey Gallagher.
Shane, should we go graze the food table?
- Sure. - Talk to you later.
I'll take good care of him.
My buddy, Bob Roseman, said I should keep an eye on you.
You're friends with Bob Roseman?
And you're going to be a Harvard M.B.A.
Touché.
Bob told me about your idea to package alternative energy tax credits.
Pure genius.
Pretty sure the government never expected anyone to actually be able to use them.
You think?
I am working with an environmental lobbying group trying...
That's great. Here is a heretical thought.
Bring it to us. On Wall Street you can see it happen in real time.
I can help you make it happen.
Somehow you don't strike me as the real environmentalist type.
You think they make us check our beliefs at the door?
Okay, they do.
Look at these guys.
Every single one of them knows exactly what they want.
And they are willing to do whatever it takes to get it.
Are you?
Delaney & Strong can make a lot of money with your energy tax plan.
Which means they will be all over it.
Which means it'll get done.
Which means all these companies that are developing alternative energy...
will finally get the money they so desperately need.
So, at the end of the day, it's about results.
All the good intentions in the world aren't going to save the planet.
Just a thought.
It was nice meeting you.
By the way, you have a great smile.
You should use it more often.
Richard Kester?
Our cash balances are dangerously low.
A 100-year legacy rests on our shoulders.
I do not intend to preside over the dismantling of Delaney & Strong.
I called you all together, because as senior members of this firm...
it's your job to get out on the street. Shake the trees.
Do whatever it takes to bring in some deals.
Excuse me, I should take this.
Hopefully, that's some good news about the Rockport deal.
If we're counting on him to bail us out, we're in worse shape than I thought.
How much revenue has he produced this year?
- None? - Lay off the guy.
He just got taken to the cleaners by his ex.
Something many of us can relate to.
But that guy is a rainmaker.
If anyone'll bounce back, he will.
And I don't see Condor banging down our door, either.
Rumor has it they've got a sweet little takeover brewing...
and that's going to be a big payday for someone.
I don't care who brings in the business.
But someone better start pulling in some serious fees.
Soon.
- Sara? - Tom.
- The police found his body. - What?
It's Richard. He was murdered. I don't know what happened...
Oh, my God!
Last night, they found him by his car...
- Come in. - Thank you.
Was that your warped idea of career counseling?
They say those who can't do, teach.
I take it this means you met Tom.
Yeah, at this hideous Delaney & Strong recruiting event.
My condolences.
You know, not that you need any career advice, someone as talented as yourself...
but this guy, Tom, happens to be a brilliant guy.
He was surprisingly compelling.
And his firm has managed to dodge every scandal.
And every one of your classmates would give his or her eyeteeth for this job.
- But you? - Wall Street?
I don't even know what to say. It is just such...
- Bullshit. - Yeah.
But the job market is impossible, and who knows?
Maybe someday this money will come in handy.
You want to throw me into that nest of vipers!
They say if you want to destroy the nest, you don't throw in another snake.
You toss in a mongoose...
and hope that she stays a mongoose.
Wait!
Take this with you.
- Good luck. - Thank you.
Bon appétit.
I'm so sorry.
Tom?
I am Jared Tolson.
I would like to express my condolences.
I understand you were Richard's closest friend.
Thank you. He was a huge fan of yours.
Yes.
It was mutual. Quite a shock.
Yeah, it is.
I was wondering...
if you could make an appointment to come into our offices.
There is something that Richard was working on before...
And I would like to have the opportunity to chat with you about it.
- I'd be honored. - Thank you.
Nice to meet you.
Gino, hook me up.
I know.
Tom.
Anna, right?
We haven't officially met.
And yet we seem to know each other.
Well, Gino's got a pretty big mouth.
Or we've both done our research.
Yeah, well...
I guess further research would require that I get your telephone number.
Thank you.
Right. Coffee.
Sorry I'm late.
The Secretary of State dropped by unexpectedly.
- As excuses go... - How are you holding up?
- I can't believe he's gone. - Yeah.
Richard was like a son to me.
Yes?
Your meeting with the Sheik is in 10 minutes.
I'll be there.
It's been a bit hectic.
Everyone's on edge, especially in Washington.
Come, let's sit down.
The reason that I asked you to come by...
Richard was working on a large transaction.
We are looking for an investment banker to advise us.
Under the circumstances...
I would like to honor Richard's wishes by hiring you.
- Richard's? - It's a bit awkward...
given our history with Hank Weiss.
Hank is certainly thorough, and he does know this field.
He does?
But he is a bit too close to our chief competitor.
In fact, I hear Chuck Waller's son is headed to your firm.
Better make sure he's not a mole for Trager.
Or the Ethics Task Force, for that matter.
- I'll keep an eye on him. - Good.
I assume you're willing to step in.
- Most definitely. - Then I will lay it out for you.
We are looking to buy out one of our chief competitors, Black Star.
It's a Russian company. They're privately held, right?
That's right. The oil fields are all in Kazakhstan.
What I need from you is help selling it to my board.
And a fairness opinion.
The deal is worth about $20 billion...
and we will pay you $25 million for your efforts.
And you can tell John Cortland...
that Delaney's squeaky clean image...
was a major factor in my decision.
- I am sure he'll be delighted to hear that. - Good.
We can go over the geological reports together next week.
But I really must stress the importance of confidentiality.
- It is absolutely critical. - Of course.
Thank you.
Not possible.
Tom wouldn't know an oil well if he fell into it.
Are you doubting my information?
How do you find this shit out?
It is my business to know.
- Change my 11:30 to... - That's my boy!
Do you realize what these oil reserves could be worth?
$25 million bites the bottom line!
- Take a seat. - At full capacity...
Black Star's shipment can cover a big chunk of the U.S. Shortfall.
I know. This could have a huge impact on the oil crisis.
Very exciting news.
Should I be taking notes?
Come on in.
Maybe I'll learn something from our new oil and gas expert.
- What's your problem, Hank? - I run the oil and gas department.
Did you think I wouldn't notice you snaking in on one of my biggest clients?
Your persecution complex is kicking in.
Did you take your medication today?
What strings did you pull to get this deal?
I'm sorry your buddy is dead...
but that hardly qualifies you to write a fairness opinion.
What?
- You're way out of line, Hank. - Am I?
How will a guy who has never set foot in the oil patch evaluate the assets?
If anyone in this firm should thank Tom, it should be you.
- Is that right? - Give it a rest, Hank!
Your tongue's so far up Trager's ass, Condor was gonna use Lehman!
Would that help you sleep better at night?
It's not like any of us need the fees, is it?
- Make sure you run everything by me first. - No can do.
They were specific about that.
Hank?
You forgot to say congratulations.
He's not entirely wrong. I mean...
what the hell do I know about evaluating oil assets?
I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.
Jared Tolson is one of the most highly respected CEOs in America.
This is a lay down.
Hi, I'm Abbey Gallagher.
You look pretty hot for an eco-terrorist.
Oh, my God, my summer was great. How was yours? Thanks for asking.
Shane Waller.
We've cleared the conflicts on the Condor transaction. Congratulations.
Hear, hear!
Now, you have another agenda item as well.
Yes, it's a new security I've been working on.
I'm convinced this is a big opportunity for us.
Turning tax incentives for alternative energy into marketable securities.
How novel. A public service. Will you be joining the Sierra Club?
It's like pollution control bonds.
Transferring tax benefits from start-ups that can't use them...
to our more profitable clients that can.
It is a market we estimate at roughly a billion dollars.
What about Condor and Trager? How will the oil companies react?
These alternative energy companies are too small to pose any threat to the majors.
And if any entrepreneur were to hit it big...
you can just have your boys in the oil patch buy him out and squash it.
The real trick here is going to be to move quickly.
We want to get ahead of our competitors.
And before the credit's repealed.
- What's our take? - $20 million. Minimum.
I like it.
It's a big ticket at a critical time, and a worthwhile endeavor.
- Good work, Tommy. - Thank you.
Jared Tolson's ready.
All right. I got Trager on hold.
Tell Anderson to give the intro. I'll be down there as soon as I can.
- Right. - Hello, Chuck.
- What's going on, John? - Yeah, I know.
Listen, this deal was going to happen with or without us.
I have the honor of introducing Jared Tolson...
the CEO of Condor Oil and Gas.
He is also one of our city's most generous philanthropists...
and a frequent guest at the White House.
Mr. Tolson is paying your salaries this month.
Jared.
Thank you, John.
Yes, it's an honor to be here.
You are privileged to have been chosen by Delaney & Strong.
This firm has a long and fine tradition of doing the best work...
for the best companies.
In a world that's rife with corporate malfeasance...
and general mistrust of Wall Street...
you face the difficult challenge of maintaining...
this firm's high standards.
You are undoubtedly aware of...
the Ethics Task Force organized jointly by...
the Securities and Exchange Commission and the FBI.
The fact that Washington feels it must watch over us...
even going so far as to plant moles in our midst, is an embarrassment.
We must restore trust in ourselves...
and confidence in our institutions.
You are our future.
Acquit yourselves well.
Thank you.
Anna! We seem to be on the same schedule.
- Or I'm following you. - In my dreams. Allow me.
Watch your back in here, this place can be dangerous.
Good afternoon, Mr. Tolson. Gentlemen.
There he is. The man of the hour.
Tommy.
I'm going to check my coat.
- Mr. Waller. - Hello.
- Hi, Janice. - Theo, get your ass over here.
Gentlemen.
Abbey. Good to see you here.
Janice, Theo.
We worked together at my dad's company, until he went over to the enemy camp.
That's so Cold War.
Besides, these days our countries are best of friends.
Anna, this is Abbey.
She is our new recruit, fresh from Harvard.
I'm gonna let you two talk shop.
I'm looking forward to continuing our research project.
As am I.
See you.
Another margarita, please.
- You must be Abbey. - Yes.
- You're Russian? - Theo works for Black Star.
Or should I say, Condor.
I am glad to see the Chinese Wall works so well at your firm.
It works better when people stay on one side or the other.
Shane kind of likes to straddle the fence.
Speaking of straddling...
- Shane, who is she? - Abbey Gallagher.
We went to B-school together.
Excuse me. May I steal him for a moment?
- Please. - Thank you.
Excuse me.
So, we've set the date for the board meeting.
Great, as long as it's not this week.
No, next month. The 15th.
Plenty of time to prepare.
I'll be ready.
Jared, I wanted to introduce you to one of our traders.
He's been very active in your stock. He's just over here.
Excuse us.
Everything all right?
Yeah, they were just setting a date for the board meeting.
As long as it closes this quarter.
Just keep your ears open.
- It's not my job. - No. It's your gift.
And I'd be very grateful.
She's a friend of mine.
Good, then you can use that.
Et tu?
This is Tom Hanson from Delaney & Strong. Is Jared Tolson available?
I'm sorry, he's out of town.
How about Mr. Rahlston?
- Oh, Lucy. - Of course, Lucy. Sorry.
I'll transfer you.
Lucy Rahlston.
Lucy, this is Tom Hanson. I was a close friend of Richard Kester's.
Is there any chance we could meet?
Sure, I guess.
I can come by your office tomorrow at 2:30.
Here?
I'll see you then. Thank you.
Wow, what a great place to work and what a great idea.
After all, most people need air conditioning when the sun is hottest.
Yeah, it seems obvious to me.
I'm having a little trouble breaking through, but I've got feelers out...
with a couple of trust fund babies.
I appreciate you meeting with me.
I think I have something that could help you.
Any friend of Ben's...
You work with him doing eco-lobbying, right?
Actually, I work with Delaney & Strong. On Wall Street.
I did a lot of work on alternative energy in graduate school.
I am working with Delaney now to help companies like yours...
raise money to market and develop their products.
You're new there, right?
At one point, we looked into selling stock...
but as far as Wall Street's concerned, we're toxic.
I'm not talking about an IPO.
See, we buy the energy tax credits you can't use...
and we sell them to big corporations who need them.
Cool.
No.
This one's cute, but no chance. And no, that'll never go.
Trying to sell based on doing the right thing. What was I thinking?
You got to stay focused on that irritating profit motive that drives corporate America.
These are the rules. I didn't make 'em, I just play by 'em.
Okay, what am I doing here?
Who am I kidding?
Hey, listen.
I've been there. I wanted to save the world, too.
You, the kinder, gentler Gordon Gekko?
That's funny.
I don't know how I ended up here. I was an art major.
But...
Parents, student loans.
Somebody's gotta pay my generous ex-wife.
I see everyone else's name on that list but yours. But you're still here.
I found out I was good at it...
and I enjoy it.
At least I used to.
Listen.
This is gonna be a big score for you.
And like it or not, you're good at it, too.
Let's get back to work here.
So, this is how the other 0.5% live.
Thank you.
Good morning, Manhattan.
It's a beautiful day out there, unless you need to buy gas for your car.
Oil prices jumped another 5% last week...
passing the $6 a gallon mark.
Taxi.
I didn't realize you were working on Black Star.
I can't help you, you need to talk to Jared.
Look, I'm a little lost on this whole oil-gas valuation thing.
If you could just help me out a little bit, just the basics. I'm desperate, please.
The valuation parameters are simple.
You take the quantity of estimated reserves and multiply them by three dollars a barrel.
According to this report, Black Star's oil fields have roughly...
seven billion barrels of reserves.
Hence Jared's $20 billion estimate, right?
If that's what it says, then that's what it says.
- You have questions about the data? - No.
There is... Forget it. Please.
What did I miss?
Lucy was just going through the valuation parameters, very straightforward.
Good.
I didn't get a chance to ask her about the firm that took the report.
I've known the outfit for years, they're first class.
Have you cross-checked their estimates?
I mean, it's a guessing game, isn't it? Trying to figure out what's underground.
You would be amazed at the latest technologies.
You're new to the oil patch, Tom, but rest assured...
this is how the game is always played.
I assume Lucy also mentioned that while reserves are valued at...
$3 in the ground, their retail value is 10 times that.
She didn't mention that.
By the way, she and Richard were...
close.
Since his death, she's not been herself. And that's a pity, she had great potential.
Curious, Tom.
Do you think the market's likely to put up much resistance to the deal?
Not at all.
I think the market would be more than happy with any deal that brings oil into the U.S.
That's what I thought.
It's a pretty good fee without a lot of heavy lifting, isn't it?
- I gotta do the job. - Exactly.
I think that you should...
try your luck again on Tuesday.
Say, 8:00?
This Condor fairness opinion is going to put all our asses on the line.
Tom is back on his game. He can handle it.
Tom has got a few too many balls in the air.
He's been there before.
Tom can juggle with the best of them.
I just got a call from Northgate.
The CEO is a bit put out that...
we sent out only one of our junior associates.
He's been focused on Condor.
Jared's a very demanding guy. That's why Abbey went down there...
Jerome, if it's all the same to you...
I'd rather not fuck up all our client relationships.
- You like the job, right? - Fuck, yeah. It's all I have left.
I'm running out of silver bullets.
So do me a favor and get on this tax credit deal, okay?
Right.
Thank you.
Deena, I need you to book me a flight to Milwaukee this afternoon.
Anna, it's Tom. I'm sorry.
I'm gonna have to cancel dinner tonight. I've gotta go out of town on business.
You're punishing me for not putting out, aren't you?
Absolutely not, but...
for future reference, would that work?
I guess not.
Coming!
Surprise!
Oh, God. I thought you were the turn-down service.
No, I forgot the mints anyway.
What are you doing here?
It's cost cuts. We have to double up.
I mean in Milwaukee.
I couldn't pass up the chance to see all these industrial hotspots.
Oh, God.
You got a call from Northgate. I screwed up.
No, not at all.
It's all good. I'm just hanging out.
Okay? I'm just going to be right down the hall here.
- See you. - Call me if you need anything.
You're looking pretty comfortable there in your first class seat.
It is nice not to be squishy.
You look beautiful.
I'm sorry. That's probably not really politically correct, is it?
Yeah, this sexual harassment has got to stop.
What's that?
It's a war wound.
I got it when I was six. I fell off my bike.
Pretty sexy, huh?
I should probably change the story.
That one works just fine.
You coming, or do you want me to come up?
The stock market continued its fall. Dow Jones yesterday hit...
We have talked about this before.
- What's that, Erma? - Accuracy.
I can't do my job unless you pay attention to the details.
Why is it every time I'm here I feel like I'm in the principal's office?
You could just send your secretary.
- She's afraid of you. - Smart girl.
So, what's the problem then?
I ordered those geologic maps, but it was a big waste of money.
And they are all over my butt about that kind of stuff.
Why was it a waste of money?
You were looking for drilling activity, right?
That map is for an area that no one would drill.
Like I said, you've got to pay attention to those details.
You probably inverted the coordinates or something.
Now I'm gonna have to come up with some big song and dance for accounting.
There must be something wrong here. Maybe research screwed up.
No, I already checked.
They've confirmed what I already found. Ergo, that is not the problem.
Ergo?
Get out of here. And don't come back until you've got your facts straight.
Tom...
- Hanson. - Hello.
Tom Hanson.
- I'm Nicholai Chemoff. - A pleasure.
I spoke to Jared Tolson, to check you out, you understand.
And he was very surprised that you were coming.
I don't know why he would be.
This is just standard diligence.
Is it?
I know you were friends with Richard Kester.
Such a shame. New York is safer than it was...
but you still have to be very careful, don't you?
So, what can I do to help you out with your...
diligence?
I was looking at the geologic maps...
and they show that oil fields are pretty sporadic...
in areas where Black Star operates.
Black Star's assets are very valuable.
And our ability to find new sources of oil is unpredictable.
So you must not be looking at all this data.
As an example...
here is a pipeline report.
It shows the oil being delivered at the Kazakhstan terminal.
- How? - Mr. Hanson...
oil is already there, and I have no time to give you a tutorial...
on how oil gets from the ground to your local gas station.
But Black Star oil will get to your local gas station.
Then you can drive your German sports car...
with peace of mind.
Anything else?
No, I don't think so.
May I take this, or make a copy?
Put it down, please.
Very well.
Thank you very much for your time.
Good day.
I thought we solved our problem.
No.
Listen, if it's not there by tomorrow, just call me back, all right?
Okay, thanks.
Sorry.
All the other meetings went well.
Of course, I never had any doubt.
I'm sorry I abandoned you, but...
it seemed like the right course of action to take.
So you're not upset?
No, not in the slightest.
You saved my ass.
Okay, then.
So...
everything's all right?
Everything is...
just great.
Do you want to talk?
Mr. Hanson, line one.
I'm gonna let you get that.
But I'm gonna be at home later if you need anything.
Okay.
Tom Hanson.
A less confident woman might think you were trying to blow her off.
Anna, yes.
I'm sorry, it's been kind of crazy.
How about tonight?
I would love to, I just...
I have a partners' meeting in Greenwich.
Of course you do.
Listen, I will call you as...
I'm batting 1000.
Can I get you anything else?
Please join me in toasting Tom Hanson.
He has the diligence.
Between his tax security and his merger transaction...
Tom is single-handedly keeping us afloat this quarter.
Hear, hear!
Good work.
Cheers.
You're my hero.
Hank's face was worth the price of admission.
Let's hope it lasts.
It better.
Because I'm planning a nice long ride on your coattails.
Jerome, there is something I wanted to talk to you...
I gotta go. I got another call.
Jerome?
What?
What do you want?
Watch it!
Shit.
Come on.
Motherfucker!
Shit!
What the fuck?
- Hello? Who is it? - It's me.
I thought you should know...
the oil lobby is kicking up quite a fuss over the alternative energy tax credit.
You and your buddy Tom have stirred up a real hornet's nest.
I've been asked to testify at the hearings this week.
I can help you prepare.
That won't be necessary.
Okay.
Shane's buddy's been asking about you.
Here we go.
Not for nothing, but I don't think he's your type.
I know options have value, but I wouldn't go there, either.
Thanks. Wish me luck.
No fishing off the company pier.
You have a vivid imagination, and you're in no position to talk.
Here you go.
- Nastrovia. - That's good.
You're looking a little blue there, sport. Worried about your inheritance?
Fuck you.
This'll go a lot smoother if you just tell me everything that's going on.
Don't make me hurt you.
- Maybe I better break this up. - Good idea.
It looks like she's going to kill him.
May I?
Please.
I need to ask you a favor.
I would like to put you on Tom's merger deal.
I know it's not what you came here to do...
but I want someone watching his back.
Okay.
Very good.
Tom?
This might interest you.
Thanks for the heads up.
Don't shoot the messenger. I did what I could.
I'm sure you did. I hope Trager appreciates it.
You overestimate my influence.
Setting aside the fees, doesn't it bother you in the slightest...
that a worthwhile program just died because you can't get over the past?
I'm still trying to get the knife out of my back!
That must be the one you slipped on when you were stabbing me.
That's your story. It's the winner's version that goes in the history books.
It just came over the tape.
I know.
I'm sorry.
I know how important this was to you.
Yeah.
Hank could barely keep the smile off of his face.
This was a big blow to all of us.
I was looking like quite the hero there for a little while.
You still have your big merger deal.
Yeah, give me a few days on that one.
My dance card just freed up if you want some help.
- Jerome asked me to... - Jerome?
My closest friend here...
I can trust him about as far as I can throw a goat.
Although it is a lovely offer, I might find it...
slightly distracting to work with you now.
Unless you're planning on slamming the elevator in my face again.
Elevators don't slam.
No, I wasn't planning on it.
So, what about Jerome? I don't want him to think I didn't follow orders.
Knowing how you feel about the evils of capitalism...
you can stay on the deal in name only. How's that?
Thank you.
Sleep tight.
- Come on. Let's go. - See you guys soon, okay?
Get upstairs and get all tucked in, and then I'm gonna come up...
and give you a kiss, okay?
They seem to be doing okay.
Yeah, they're pretty tough little things.
God, if it wasn't for them...
I don't know how I would've gotten through this.
Was there...
was there anything going on...
I don't know, never mind.
You son of a bitch.
I thought you were my friend, too.
What are you telling me this now for?
What, is she pregnant or something, is that it?
Sara, what the fuck are you talking about?
But it was Lucy, right? He was having an affair with her.
He wasn't having an affair. He loved you, he loved the kids.
Where are you getting this from?
He was so shut off from us, those last couple of months...
- and he was always on the phone with her. - It's okay.
He was not having an affair.
He loved you.
I swear to you on my life.
Okay?
I do think that there was something going on at Condor...
something with one of his deals.
If he has any files here, anything I could take a look at...
it might help me to understand what was going on.
Some guy from Condor came...
and boxed up all his stuff a day or two after the funeral.
They took the computer too. You can look, but...
if there was anything...
I'm sure it's gone now.
Thank you.
Perfect.
- Lucy Rahlston. - Lucy, it's Tom Hanson.
I got some questions here about this map.
- I'd love to get together. - I'd rather not.
It's kind of important.
I don't know.
No.
For Richard. I think it would be important to just try to get to the bottom of this.
Not here.
A suicide bomber killed nine American people today.
Lucy, please.
Call me, all right? It's very important.
I know it's difficult, but just call me, all right?
In an attempt to intensify pressure on the U.S. To withdraw its troops...
the administration claims that it will not bow to any such pressure.
- Lucy? - Tom, it's Jared Tolson.
I want to alert you that the board meeting's been pushed up.
It will be held on the third.
- That's in five days. - That's not a problem, is it?
How well do you know the area?
Very well.
I know that the oil is coming from there...
but I can't tell you if it came from there.
What does that mean?
Where it actually came out of the ground...
as opposed to where it was delivered from.
How can you find out?
There is satellite tracking of tanker movements.
We have consultants who watch the major ports.
We employ a lot of former KGB agents.
How quickly can you track this down for me?
It's not cheap.
Neither is my firm's reputation.
What the...
Jesus fucking Christ.
What a sicko.
The good news, though, is that it's not a human heart.
- You sure? - Yeah, I'm sure.
You get a note or anything?
- No. - Got any ideas who might've done this?
Ex-girlfriend? Someone who has a key?
A housekeeper...
and an ex-wife, but this is pretty extreme, even for her.
You got a new girlfriend?
Working on it.
You'd be surprised. No matter what they say, they always care.
Probably thought it was poetic or something.
Now, you could file a report, but dollars to donuts, it was your ex.
My ex tried to kill my goddamn dog.
- Good night, sir. - Good night.
Tom?
Hi.
You. Sorry, I'm just...
You okay?
Just taking a walk. Crazy day.
You look like you could use a drink.
I'm meeting some friends downtown but...
- You should go. - No, they can wait.
You want to go have a drink?
No, I should probably just keep walking, really.
No strings attached. Okay?
Honestly, we'll just talk.
Come on.
I'll tell you about my day.
- You don't look well. - Thank you.
I hope my message didn't upset you.
I'm sorry, I don't think I got your message.
Of course you did. I left it in your refrigerator.
I'm sorry, I'm not much of a cook.
What the fuck are you talking about? Did you put that in my fridge?
Subtle, no, but...
you seemed to be having a problem getting the message.
Message? What fucking message?
What the fuck is wrong with you?
A souvenir for you.
He asked too many questions, also.
Fucking bitch!
I'll kill you!
Shit!
Your reputation preceded you...
but you disappoint us.
You should grab the $25 million while the offer is still on the table.
Fuck you.
I know it's hard to lose your best friend.
I wonder if it is worse to lose a girlfriend.
Of course, you have only known her for a few months, but...
this one is special, isn't she?
That's one way to get rid of the competition.
You want to protect her?
Keep her out of it.
And get the fucking deal done.
Leave your message after the beep.
Hi, handsome.
Should I be concerned that you're out so late?
Call me back whenever.
I never sleep, you know me.
Deena?
Call the data center, and have Abbey's name deleted...
from all the lists associated with the Condor deal.
Now.
Working hard, I see.
Just taking a little break.
You caught me.
I found this file under some of Richard's old clothes.
Maybe you can make sense of it. It looks like it's in Arabic.
Arabic?
Do you want me to get you some coffee?
No. Thanks I got to run...
to my shrink appointment. Wouldn't want to miss that.
Very good.
Whatever's in that file, I hope it helps.
Thank you.
For what?
For the other night.
- I love you. - Yeah, I love you, too.
Is this a bad time?
Shut the door, please.
I want you off the Condor team...
officially.
Okay.
But...
aren't you worried how that might look?
Worried? No. I'll just...
explain to them that I need somebody who's actually qualified to help me.
Qualified? Wow.
Maybe, you don't...
understand how that sounds.
I'm sorry, did I offend your delicate sensibilities?
What the hell's wrong with you?
Listen, it's nothing. I just...
I came to my senses. What the hell am I doing...
risking my career for a little indoor sports? It's insane.
- Indoor sports? - Yeah, exactly.
So you've analyzed the risk factors...
and this deal no longer pencils out?
With the tax credit dead, I'm no longer a hot stock?
Forget it ever happened, please.
Maybe, you found a lower risk investment.
Higher return, too, baby.
Does the expression "dry hole" mean anything to you?
Shane, don't be such a pig.
We know where your mind is. I was talking about her deal.
Dry wells.
It's not my deal.
Ignore him...
he just wants to be attached to the biggest fee of the year.
I'm going to grab some air.
- I'm sorry to scare you. - Theo.
I saw you take off...
and you are the only reason I showed up in the first place.
It's okay. I just had a really bad week.
That's okay.
How about we go someplace quiet?
No, I just want to go home.
Okay, I'll walk you, if that's all right.
Sure.
I feel stupid, I can walk home myself.
Abbey, what were you thinking? You're not in Kansas anymore.
You scared the shit out of me.
Theo said he'd walk me home, I'll be fine.
- I'm sure he did. Just get in the cab. - Okay.
The division will be sponsoring a two-day mini-conference in...
I'm kind of under the gun here. What do you want?
I won't keep you. I thought you should know there are rumors about the Condor deal.
Would you excuse us, please?
This thing is highly confidential. You shouldn't be speaking to anyone.
I'm not saying a word. It's what everyone else is saying.
I'm not in the mood to do you any favors...
but I have a friend at the Energy Department.
The last thing I need is your high level connections.
I've got it under control.
I thought this firm was all about client service.
I'm getting the deal done because that is what the client wants.
It's heartwarming that you want to protect them, but it's not necessary.
I was trying to protect you!
If Shane's right, then you're really fucking up.
A lot of people would love to see this deal fall apart...
for a myriad of reasons...
but it is my job to make sure that it succeeds.
Maybe it's your job if it doesn't.
Abbey, just let it go, all right?
I can't afford to lose this one!
I've lost a lot of money recently.
You've lost more than that.
Fuck.
I really fell for his bullshit.
Don't be so hard on yourself.
You came to Delaney to do something important.
So much for that.
Fuck this.
Just because Tom is a shit...
It's not just Tom, it's the way this...
It's what the whole firm stands for.
Normally, I wouldn't interrupt...
an important gathering like this, but I'm desperate for coffee.
Excuse me.
Tom and I don't see eye to eye on a lot of things...
but he was right about you.
I would have expected someone so bright to be a bit more... inquisitive.
Always question your assumptions.
Let me guess.
You're a new investment banking associate. What company you working on?
Actually, I'm competing...
with some of the guys on this big assignment...
and I was hoping you could make me look smart enough...
to blow them out of the water.
You've come to the right place.
We girls gotta stick together.
- Come on. - Thank you.
As you can see, there is tons of oil in this whole region.
So Kazakhstan has a lot of oil?
In some places.
But the rest, not so much.
Tom Hanson sent me on a goose chase...
had me order maps for an area that was almost totally dry.
I would have been really pissed if he wasn't so cute.
Now, the Confederation of Arab States is a different story.
Any place you drill a hole there is going to yield a ton of oil.
Which might explain why we are at war with them.
Because we are at war...
it's illegal to import any oil from there.
So, I wouldn't waste your time on that.
Oh, God, please!
I left my work...
in my boss's office and he will kill me...
- Do you have a key? - Yes, I help you.
Thank you.
Life saver. Thank you.
You have a death wish?
Because you are out of lives, buddy.
This deal goes down the toilet, so does your career.
I should start looking for another job.
Just hold it together for a couple of days, till the board meeting.
Then you go off and have your nervous breakdown.
I'll even pay for the hospital bills.
I'll be fine.
Good.
And I swear...
Iooking out for you is getting to be like a full-time job.
No longer employed?
Do you have a forwarding number?
Actually, this is personal.
Yeah, okay. Thank you.
We have most of the pieces in place...
but it's still not enough...
and...
we're running out of time.
Without breaking any laws.
- Lucy? - Yes.
This is Abbey Gallagher. I work for Delaney...
and I have some questions on Black Star.
I can't help you. How did you find me?
No, I tracked you down myself.
Who knows you're calling me?
No one knows I called you. Tom has no idea.
Are you absolutely sure?
- 100% sure. - Do you know Faneuil Hall?
- I went to school in Boston. - 6:00.
6:00...
in front of Faneuil Hall.
- I'll give you five minutes. - See you there. Thank you.
Janice, what's happening in Boston?
The Harvard recruiting.
Ladies and gentlemen...
heavy traffic around Logan International has delayed our arrival.
We'll be in a holding pattern. We'll get you down as soon as possible.
Shit.
I hope you know what you're doing.
I appreciate your confidence.
That's a very big meeting tomorrow.
Make sure you got your facts straight...
or we're all going down with the ship.
What is your fucking problem?
There is no oil there. That's my fucking problem.
Stop thinking about your career for one second and think about the firm.
This fairness opinion puts us all on the line.
The shareholders will take our fucking houses if you're wrong.
If there's no oil there...
then how did Black Star deliver my client 500,000 barrels?
All right, thanks.
Lucy, this is Abbey Gallagher. Sorry, I was late.
I'm in front of Faneuil Hall. Call me.
Shit!
Buddy.
You starting your workout?
No. I was here earlier. Forgot my cell phone.
That is a crisis, huh?
You're sweating.
Okay, oil company A buys oil company B...
for its oil field assets.
But what if...
there is no oil.
What if? It happens all the time.
That's the inherent risk. You drill for oil, you come up dry.
That's why oil stocks have such a high beta.
Is this a big deal?
Yeah, $20 billion. Give or take.
You're going to have a lot of pissed-off shareholders, not to mention a fired CEO.
Not if they're still getting the oil.
Let me get this straight.
There is no oil, but there is oil.
Your information is good?
Straight from the source.
Well, oil is fungible.
One barrel is like any other. Wherever it comes from.
So, in other words...
the oil they're delivering...
could come...
from anywhere.
Good work, mongoose.
Watch out for the snakes.
Abbey!
What're you doing here?
Just think of me as half stalker, half guardian angel.
Come on, I'll take you home.
How did you know I'd be here?
It's okay, I'll probably catch a cab.
I had hoped you would find it romantic...
but, at this point, I'll settle for you...
just getting in the car before we drown.
- That would be great. Thanks. - Come on.
Okay.
What are you doing? Theo, no!
You little fuck!
Who the fuck do you think you work for?
Don't move or I'll break your fucking neck.
Who do you think you work for?
- Hank asked me. - Hank or your father?
You work for Delaney and Strong...
which means you don't do anything that undermines the client!
If that's too tough a concept for you to swallow, you're at the wrong firm, you prick!
If you think blowing Hank is going to save your ass when this thing implodes...
you're dead wrong! He'll be the first one to fucking bail on you!
Deena, I can't find the Condor file.
- It was on your desk the last time I looked. - I know that.
- Did you leave it at home? - I don't think so.
It's almost showtime, you ready?
Can't find the goddamned file.
Just wing it, you'll be fine.
If this one hits, I will lie on the tracks for your slot on the Management Committee.
A messenger just delivered this.
- What is it? - Said it was urgent.
Something about your board meeting.
No.
What the fuck?
You have until 3:00 p. m.
Son of a bitch!
Stop whining.
It's annoying.
You want to be alone?
Bondage excite you?
Don't forget what's at stake here.
Don't tell me it's legit, after all.
It's a scam. Exactly what you thought.
Then what is it?
Should we really be doing this?
Is this is the right thing for the firm?
What the fuck is wrong with you?
Of course, this is the right thing for the firm.
Not to mention that your dad will be dancing in the streets when this deal dies.
Give me those!
Where is he?
They're running a little behind. Would you like some coffee?
Gentlemen, may I introduce Tom Hanson.
Sorry to keep you waiting. We will get right to it.
I need to speak with you privately.
Why don't we take a break for a slight repast.
There.
You're Russian mafia?
That's so black and white.
It's not like your country. We aren't so wedded to our laws.
Please, don't kill me.
Let me go.
Abbey...
let's get one thing straight. I like you, but not enough to die for you.
So, you're going to keep me until the Condor meeting is over, and then what?
Not my decision.
Whose decision? Hers?
Her boyfriend's.
Tom's.
If you don't mind my saying so, you have terrible taste in men.
How the fuck do you sleep at night?
- I'm not following. - You killed Richard.
If something happens to Abbey, I swear to God, I will hunt you down, I will kill you!
I don't know anything about that! I neither condone...
nor authorize the activities of our partners.
I simply accept them as a necessary evil.
Necessary evil?
Have you tried to fill your car lately?
How about the effects of the oil shortage on our floundering economy?
Don't give me that horseshit.
There's plenty of untapped resources, right here in the U. S!
And environmentalists chaining themselves to fences...
to protect their precious ecosystem.
There are no easy choices.
Your choice is to get in bed with the Russian mafia...
to buy oil from the C.A. S...
who then use that money to wage war against us!
They launder our oil, we launder their money. Is that how it works?
If we don't buy that oil, the French or the Chinese...
will be more than happy to take it off their hands!
And then sell us back a meager portion of it, at even higher prices!
Welcome to the real world!
Fuck you!
And fuck you!
What's so damn urgent that required an emergency Executive Committee meeting?
I was with some important clients.
The Condor board is meeting as we speak...
and I believe the firm is at risk.
I'd like to call Tom out of the meeting, and stop this before it's too late.
What's the problem?
I have reason to believe that Tom...
given his lack of industry knowledge...
hasn't done adequate diligence.
- And If he makes a mistake... - Sorry I'm late.
...the shareholder suits could bankrupt the firm.
What kind of mistake, Hank?
Gentlemen, sorry to cut your meal short...
but I'd like to press forward in our a discussion of Black Star.
Tom?
I think we can all agree, given the oil shortage...
that the timing couldn't be more auspicious for this deal to go forward.
I thought you might be thirsty.
All right.
Thank you.
Thirsty.
Thank you, Theo.
I'm saying that there are some elements of this deal that Tom may have left...
unexamined.
That's ridiculous, Hank.
Let's not forget, this fee is pretty darn important to us.
I'll see the doors of this firm shuttered before I condone any unethical behavior.
Whatever the fees.
Now get Tom on the phone.
Your firm stands to profit rather handsomely from this transaction.
That wouldn't, by chance, be coloring your judgment?
Attractive as the fee is, Delaney & Strong built its reputation...
on long term, as opposed to short term, greed.
The ultimate cost of endorsing a bad deal is way too high.
Excuse me, gentlemen. Family emergency.
You still haven't told us where you got your information from, Hank.
Is this your spy network again?
Some super-secret satellite tracking of oil tankers?
It's irrelevant.
- Yeah. - Tom...
sorry to pull you out of your meeting, but...
we have a question here regarding due diligence.
Tommy, did you find that file?
No, but...
it's not a problem. I've got it under control.
I can handle it.
This is rich, Hank.
The question isn't what Tom is doing.
It is Hank who's put the firm at risk.
He has violated our confidentiality agreement...
to torpedo a deal that can potentially harm his biggest client!
Not to mention a chance to destroy Tom's career!
- That's not what it's about and you know it. - Bullshit!
That's enough.
Hank...
where did you get this information?
That's not the point.
Theo?
Tom, for my own peace of mind...
have we been sufficiently diligent?
Are the shareholders protected?
Tom?
Tommy?
They'll get what they're paying for.
Godspeed.
Theo!
Get up. Theo, what are you doing?
Now, if you gentlemen will excuse us...
Hank and I have some things to talk about.
We've got the ball on the one-yard line. Let's get this done.
Before I deliver that opinion, you deliver me Abbey.
No, why don't we just call Hank, and have him deliver the opinion.
If that were an option, you would've done it a long time ago.
So spare me the horseshit, all right?
Just wait here.
You fucking imbecile!
If she shows up here, we are all going to hell together!
Well, it's all arranged. They're on their way to their private jet.
As soon as they get word, they will take off for Moscow...
and Abbey will be dropped off here once they're in the air.
Soon as this deal is done, she's dead. You know that. I'm calling it off.
Think about it, Tom.
The funds transfer immediately upon board approval.
And there is no extradition from Russia...
so nothing she can say could hurt them.
The only ones with their asses hanging in the breeze will be you and me.
And your firm.
So, I'm counting on you to convince her to stay quiet.
And they're smart enough to know that if anything happens to her...
all bets are off.
So you'll get your precious girlfriend back.
Just get my fucking deal done.
Gentlemen, the time has come to take this to a vote.
Mr. Hanson...
I believe a man's word is his bond.
I understand your firm is prepared to sign a fairness opinion...
at $20 billion.
Now, what I'd like to hear, is what you'd do...
you, personally, if you were sitting in my seat.
If I vote to approve this transaction...
am I doing right by the shareholders?
Answer the question.
This transaction...
will improve shareholder value.
If I didn't stand behind it 100%...
there wouldn't be a signature on that letter.
I would absolutely vote...
to approve.
- It's done. - Almost.
- I'm sorry, miss. - Get out of my way.
Don't move!
Come on. Let's go! In the cab.
Come on.
- What the fuck do you think you're doing? - Listen, l...
- You're not going to get away with this! - I need to make a phone call.
...the Condor-Black Star merger... - Turn that shit off!
- Hello. - Janice, it's Tom.
I need you set up a meeting with the Ethics Task Force, right now!
- What are you talking about? - No more games, I know you're the mole.
Just do it, all right?
We're on our way.
You went through with this, because you were looking out for me.
So in reality, I'm the reason why this deal went through.
That's an interesting interpretation, but I'm sure you can claim plausible deniability.
No, I'm serious...
you only went through with this deal because you were trying to protect me.
Which also explains why you were acting like such a dickhead.
It's really effective, it's like trying to wave a red flag in front of a bull.
What exactly is the plan now?
There's nothing we can do about the person pulling strings in Russia.
They're gonna get their money.
- What are you trying to do? - The right thing.
Tom...
the Attorney General's been looking for a scapegoat...
and if you tell the Ethics Task Force, they'll just crucify you.
Don't do this.
You know the Confederacy will just find someone else to buy that oil.
Your sounding an awful lot like Jared Tolson. Come on.
Come on, let's just go.
Of all the people on the planet, you know this is something I have to do.
You taught me that.
Tom Hanson.
Come with us.
Why didn't you tell me?
I'm sorry, I couldn't.
- I tried to protect you from Theo and... - So did Tom!
They can't prosecute him for that.
And who are they? Where is he going?
Agent Grazer. He's head of the New York office.
Tom's gonna meet him and Charles Lucas.
Senator Charles Lucas?
They went straight to the top of the food chain with this one.
When they find Anna and Theo, they'll understand.
He didn't have a choice.
I'm sure you're right.
So the Condor deal is a scam.
To bring in oil from the C.A. S...
using the Russian mafia to funnel it through a shell company in Kazakhstan.
You knew about this.
And yet, Delaney & Strong issued a fairness opinion.
I signed that letter, I take full responsibility.
Delaney & Strong had absolutely no knowledge. None.
I find that hard to believe.
In any event, they will share in your liability, which is significant.
The SEC should jump on this immediately.
- The Attorney General is waiting for my call. - Bob!
Can you give me a few moments with Mr. Hanson first?
Certainly, Senator Lucas.
You and I need to talk.
This deal should definitely bring my career...
to a stunningly shameful conclusion.
It could also spell the end of Delaney & Strong...
the most prestigious firm on Wall Street.
It could also destroy one of the largest oil companies in America.
But it's not going to, is it?
As soon as you walk through that door, you're going to tell your comrades...
to forget everything they've heard.
The deal is going to go through, the stock market will rally.
The administration will celebrate...
probably by appointing Jared Tolson to some kind of cabinet position.
The public will never know the price it's paid for this oil. Will it?
What you have done, Tom...
is to allow us to continue to fight a war we must win.
That we will win.
In my book...
in America's book...
that makes you a true patriot.
You're not in custody.
They don't care where they get the oil. They just want it.
As far as they're concerned, this deal's a winner.
That's horrifying.
Yet, I'm strangely elated.
You know, Senator Lucas is very powerful man.
And you know a few things that could hurt the administration.
No, they're not going to hurt me.
No, I was thinking they could help you.
Us, actually.
I mean, you could use that leverage to revive the alternative energy tax credit.
Janice could help.
You're serious.
Yeah, I mean I know what I want, and all the good intentions in the world...
won't save the planet.
Good speech.
I should remember that.