INT. DINING ROOM - DAY
The
clock reads two fifty-nine.
THE
BEAR One minute!
PHIL
Take it, take it... yes. System
eight done. Monitors on, Stew, it's yours.
The
BEAR switches on the monitors and we see the news
broadcast. He then dials up the newsroom and puts
the GALLERY on the speakerphone. STEWART works frantically
to bring in his broadcast in time with the news
network.
PRESENTER
News Network Twenty Four -
the time is approaching...
INT. DEALING ROOM - DAY
A
busy dealing room with the news network on.
PRESENTER
... three o'clock. Coming
up in the next hour...
INT. DINING ROOM DAY
The
telephone is on speakerphone.
GALLERY
(O/S) Coming into the bulletin.
And cue Bob in ten, nine, eight...
PRESENTER
... we ask just what does
the future hold for the Euro? First though it's
over to Bob Landerhawk in the newsroom. The time
is three o'clock.
STEWART:
Ready!
GALLERY
(O.S.) ...three, two, one.
As
the count gets to three, STEWART presses the return
key. They sit and tensely watch for three seconds.
BOB
LANDERHAWK News Network Twenty
Four. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has just made
a brief statement over an apparent miscalculation
of the inflation figures. We go over live to the
treasury where Louise Humphries reports.
They
jump up and down, congratulating each other.
INT. DEALING ROOM - DAY
The
speculators are intently watching the report.
LOUISE
HUMPHRIES (V.O.) Thank-you
Bob. Unprecedented scenes outside the treasury here
just a moment ago when Chancellor Keith Harcross
made this statement.
CHANCELLOR
Yes, I can confirm there has
been a major error of calculation in the Retail
Price Index and an over-estimation in the rate of
inflation. That's all I'm prepared to say at the
moment until I've made a full statement in the house.
As
the CHANCELLOR finishes his statement, the dealing
room bursts into a flurry of activity.
INT. DINING ROOM - DAY
The
BEAR, PHIL and STEWART are sitting in silence. STEWART
is concentrating hard as he gets ready to bring
the networks out of the false broadcast.
GALLERY
Tie it up! And cut to Bob
for item two in ten, nine, eight...
LOUISE
HUMPHRIES This statement is
going to cause turmoil in the currency markets and
the effects could be felt for some time. Back to
you in the studio Bob.
GALLERY
...one
STEWART
presses the return key at three seconds and we see
the two broadcasts merge on separate monitors.
BOB
LANDERHAWK Other news...
STEWART
And we're clear. Phil!
PHIL
Getting out!
INT. DEALING ROOM - DAY
Brokers
sell sterling at a frantic pace.
INT. DINING ROOM - DAY
The
BEAR watches the currency prices.
PHIL
And we're out!
THE
BEAR It's falling! It's really
falling!
STEWART
and PHIL gather round to watch.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
The
others, CHARLIE, JOHN, SARAH, KATRINA, GAV and NATALIE
sit watching the prices.
CHARLIE
Come on boys... come on.
JOHN
Another five cents down, yes!
Keep going boy, come on.
INT. DINING ROOM - DAY
The
BEAR, PHIL and STEWART tensely watch the price.
The clock is approaching four minutes past.
PHIL
It's still going.
THE
BEAR Jeff should be buying
back just about... now. Take our closing price!
How much Phil?
PHIL
Hold on... no that can't be
right.
STEWART
How much?
PHIL
I'm just checking... two million
five hundred and eighty thousand. We've just made
two million five hundred and eighty thousand pounds.
PHIL
and STEWART just look at each other in shock.
THE
BEAR It's not over till the
fat boy sings... come on Jeff, you were meant to
call.
STEWART
It's still falling!
THE BEAR Not for long, we've
got till about five minutes past till they realise
what's happened. Come on Jeff, tell us you've bought
back the pounds.
They
sit nervously watching the phone. Nothing happens.
Frustrated, the BEAR picks up the phone to call
JEFF.
THE
BEAR (CONT'D) Jeff! It's Rab.
INT. JEFF'S OFFICE - DAY
JEFF
is on the phone. Behind him the staff are in mayhem.
JEFF
Have you seen what's happening?
THE
BEAR Have you transferred
our money into pounds?
JEFF
Are you joking? You'd be crazy
to buy pounds back at the moment. It's crashing.
It's a bear market!
INT. DINING ROOM - DAY
THE
BEAR You haven't done it.
Jeff ya bastard - buy pounds!
INT. JEFF'S OFFICE - DAY
There
is pandemonium in his office.
JEFF
Don't do it mate! You're making
a fortune! Hold on. Down another two cents. You'd
be crazy.
INT. DINING ROOM - DAY
THE
BEAR Just do it! Sell the
dollars! Buy me bloody pounds.
INT. JEFF'S OFFICE - DAY
JEFF
Alright, alright don't lose
your head. But I still think you're crazy.
INT. DINING ROOM - DAY
THE
BEAR They're sold?
INT. JEFF'S OFFICE - DAY
JEFF
Yeah, and you're four point
three percent up on the day.
INT. DINING ROOM - DAY
The
BEAR goes into a state of calm shock.
THE
BEAR Four point three percent
up on the day?
INT. JEFF'S OFFICE - DAY
JEFF
That's what I said. Got to
go!
THE
BEAR (O.S.) You trusted me
on this one?
JEFF
Yeah.
INT. DINING ROOM - DAY
THE
BEAR Then just take it from
me. Get your clients back into pounds.
INT. JEFF'S OFFICE - DAY
Suddenly
the penny drops that the market has been rigged.
JEFF
Cheers mate. I owe you one.
INT. DINING ROOM - DAY
The
BEAR hangs up. As the news sinks in, PHIL and STEWART
go into shock and just look at each other.
THE
BEAR Change that figure, we've
just made four million three hundred thousand.
