Margin Call (2011)
Zachary Quinto: Peter Sullivan
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Quotes
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John Tuld : So, what you're telling me, is that the music is about to stop, and we're going to be left holding the biggest bag of odorous excrement ever assembled in the history of capitalism.
Peter Sullivan : Sir, I not sure that I would put it that way, but let me clarify using your analogy. What this model shows is the music, so to speak, just slowing. If the music were to stop, as you put it, then this model wouldn't even be close to that scenario. It would be considerably worse.
John Tuld : Let me tell you something, Mr. Sullivan. Do you care to know why I'm in this chair with you all? I mean, why I earn the big bucks.
Peter Sullivan : Yes.
John Tuld : I'm here for one reason and one reason alone. I'm here to guess what the music might do a week, a month, a year from now. That's it. Nothing more. And standing here tonight, I'm afraid that I don't hear - a - thing. Just... silence.
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Seth Bregman : Will, did you really make two and a half million last year?
Will Emerson : Yeah, sure.
Seth Bregman : How did you spend it all?
Will Emerson : It goes quite quickly. You know, you learn to spend what's in your pocket.
Peter Sullivan : Two and a half million goes quickly?
Will Emerson : All right, let's see. So the taxman takes half up front, so you're left with one and a quarter. My mortgage takes another 300 grand. I send 150 home for my parents, you know, keep 'em going. So what's that?
Peter Sullivan : 800?
Peter Sullivan : All right, 800. Spent 150 on a car. About 75 on restaurants. Probably 50 on clothes. I put 400 away for a rainy day.
Seth Bregman : That's smart.
Will Emerson : Yeah, as it turns out, 'cause it looks like the storm's coming.
Peter Sullivan : You still got 125.
Will Emerson : Yeah, well I did spend 76,520 dollars on hookers, booze and dancers. But mainly hookers.
Peter Sullivan : 76,5?
Will Emerson : I was a little shocked initially, but then I realized I could claim most of it back as entertainment. It's true!
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Sarah Robertson : What's your background?
Peter Sullivan : My background?
Sarah Robertson : Your CV.
Peter Sullivan : I've been with the firm for two and a half years working with Eric that whole time, but I hold a doctorate in engineering, speciality in propulsion, from MIT, with a Bachelor's from Penn.
Jared Cohen : What is a 'specialty in propulsion,' exactly?
Peter Sullivan : My thesis was a study in the ways that friction ratios affect steering outcomes in aeronautical use under reduced gravity loads.
Jared Cohen : So, you're a rocket scientist.
Peter Sullivan : I was, yeah.
Jared Cohen : Interesting. How did you end up here?
Peter Sullivan : Well, it's all just numbers really. Just changing what you're adding up. And, to speak freely, the money here is considerably more attractive.
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Peter Sullivan : Are you sure it's the only or right thing to do?
Sam Rogers : For who?
Peter Sullivan : I'm not sure.
Sam Rogers : Neither am I.
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Peter Sullivan : You tired?
Sam Rogers : Of what? Remember, I don't work as hard as you.
Peter Sullivan : That's not true.
Sam Rogers : No, it is, actually.
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Peter Sullivan : Look at these people. Wandering around with absolutely no idea what's about to happen.
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Peter Sullivan : We all getting fired tonight?
Sam Rogers : Probably.
Peter Sullivan : Are they going to fire you?
Sam Rogers : Well, they won't exactly call it that. It'll be a mercy killing, really. You don't have to stand out here for me.
Peter Sullivan : No, I don't really want to go back in there just yet.
Sam Rogers : I understand that.
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Will Emerson : So it looks like, they are gonna make us dump this shit.
Seth Bregman : What?
Will Emerson : You watch.
Seth Bregman : How?
Will Emerson : You'll see!
Peter Sullivan : How could they do that?
Will Emerson : You can't; it's impossible - but they'll figure out a way. I've been at this place for ten years and I've seen some things you wouldn't.. you wouldn't believe. When all is said and done, they do not lose money. They don't mind if everyone else does, but they don't lose.
