Patterns

Windy Channel
Windy Channel
  • 5 months ago
Transcript
00:00:00 [Bells ringing]
00:00:30 [Bells ringing]
00:00:46 [Bells ringing]
00:01:16 [Bells ringing]
00:01:43 [Sounds of people talking]
00:01:57 Good morning, Mr. Nair. This early you'll have to take the local. All right, Phil.
00:02:04 [Sounds of people talking]
00:02:13 40th floor executive, Mr. Nair. Thank you, Phil.
00:02:17 [Door slams]
00:02:19 Good morning, Miss Lanier. Good morning, Martha. I couldn't find a cab anywhere. Such a lovely day, though.
00:02:27 [Phone rings]
00:02:32 40th floor executive, Ramsey & Company. Miss Stevens.
00:02:35 I'm sorry, sir. Our switchboard doesn't open till 9. You should be able to reach him shortly thereafter.
00:02:41 Ann. That's correct, sir. Mr. Staples begins with the company today. I'll leave you a message on his desk.
00:02:49 Ann, would you put this on Mr. Staples' desk, please?
00:02:53 Yes, ma'am.
00:02:55 Mr. Staples will be in Mr. Quinn's old office, Executive Corridor.
00:02:58 Yes, I know.
00:03:01 Not read it.
00:03:02 Yes, ma'am.
00:03:04 [Phone rings]
00:03:06 Executive, 40th floor, Miss Stevens.
00:03:09 [Sounds of people talking]
00:03:14 Morning. Hi.
00:03:16 Oh, good morning, madam. I wonder if Marge is going to go to work next door.
00:03:20 Oh, no. Well, I'm glad I don't. Not there. Maybe.
00:03:24 Well, you really fixed up a new exec's office for him, didn't you?
00:03:28 Very nice.
00:03:30 And a new man. Right next door to your boss. And awfully close to Mr. Ramsey.
00:03:36 So happens it's a new man. What's his name? Staples?
00:03:41 Mm-hmm.
00:03:43 Will be working with Mr. Briggs. That's why they have adjoining offices.
00:03:46 Marjorie, baby, you're awfully defensive.
00:03:49 I guess that's 'cause you're worried about your Mr. Briggs.
00:03:53 Run along, will you?
00:03:59 More cream, please.
00:04:00 [Bell tolls]
00:04:17 Next car, please. Next car. Next car, please. Okay.
00:04:24 Next car.
00:04:27 All right. Thanks.
00:04:28 Harry, Charlie, Joe, express down. No stops for gin.
00:04:33 Next car, please. Next car. Next car, please. Next car. Next car.
00:04:45 Good morning, Mr. Ramsey.
00:04:47 Next car, please. All right.
00:04:49 [Train whistle]
00:04:55 Thank you, Lenny. Yes, sir.
00:04:58 Miss Lanier, Miss Stevens. She's here.
00:05:03 Thank you, Martha.
00:05:05 Chief Operator, please.
00:05:10 Miss Phillips, you can put this morning's three long-distance calls through to Mr. Ramsey.
00:05:15 Portland, Dallas, St. Louis offices.
00:05:19 [Door opens]
00:05:20 Good morning, Mr. Ramsey.
00:05:24 Good morning, Miss Lanier.
00:05:26 Any messages?
00:05:30 You have calls placed for our Portland, Dallas, and St. Louis offices.
00:05:33 Nothing else important, sir.
00:05:35 Martin Toulon died. You said you'd wire him.
00:05:37 Yes, you'll find a copy in my briefcase.
00:05:39 You're right, as usual. Nothing important.
00:05:42 I have the Portland report in my briefcase.
00:05:46 I want it teletyped this morning to Seattle.
00:05:48 Have someone there drive over to Portland and get it to Johnson before lunch.
00:05:51 Then run off 20 copies, confidential mimeographing, and have them ready in time for the board meeting.
00:05:56 I want it on the agenda.
00:05:58 Has Mr. Staples arrived yet?
00:06:00 Not yet, sir.
00:06:02 Delay that meeting until 10 this morning to give you time to get the report mimeoed and distributed.
00:06:07 I want it read, and carefully.
00:06:09 Get word underground to their secretaries that no one is to count on making any early luncheon appointments.
00:06:15 And make a note.
00:06:16 Staples is to sit one down from Van Deventer on my left.
00:06:20 Yes, sir.
00:06:22 Let me know as soon as Mr. Staples arrives.
00:06:24 Yes, Mr. Ramsey.
00:06:26 [Street noise]
00:06:51 [Street noise]
00:06:57 Well, Fred, here we are.
00:07:00 Yeah, here we are.
00:07:02 A little different than Mansfield, isn't it?
00:07:04 Now I know what a mother feels like when a child goes to school for the first time.
00:07:09 Oh, goodbye, Mother.
00:07:11 Looks big, doesn't it?
00:07:13 Oh, give me a chance, honey. Maybe I can cut it down to my size.
00:07:16 Well, I'm a little late.
00:07:19 Should I call you when I...
00:07:20 No, no, no. You go on home after you finish shopping.
00:07:23 And find a garage somewhere around midtown.
00:07:25 I parked the car.
00:07:27 I'll phone you on what train I'll be on. Bye-bye.
00:07:30 Goodbye, darling!
00:07:35 [Street noise]
00:07:55 Ramsey and Company, the board...
00:07:57 Yes, sir. Executive or administrative?
00:07:59 Oh, the executive, Mr. Ramsey.
00:08:01 Fortieth floor, sir.
00:08:04 Morning.
00:08:05 Morning.
00:08:07 So, uh, you're with the tower, sir?
00:08:09 The tower elevator, sir?
00:08:12 They'll be down in a minute.
00:08:14 Oh, I'm sorry. Thank you.
00:08:16 My pleasure, sir.
00:08:18 Good morning. Good morning, Ed.
00:08:20 Good morning.
00:08:22 Good morning.
00:08:24 Good morning, Jamie.
00:08:26 Good morning, Bill.
00:08:28 Morning, Marge. How was the weekend?
00:08:30 Fine. Your letters are on your desk and the coffee cart will be here in a minute.
00:08:33 I can use some coffee.
00:08:34 Didn't you get any rest at all?
00:08:36 Couldn't even take my kid to the doubleheader.
00:08:38 Oh, what a shame.
00:08:40 That planning report's going to be a real job, Marge.
00:08:42 This'll be a big week for you, too, with that thing.
00:08:44 I believe we'll try a rough first draft.
00:08:46 Long?
00:08:48 No longer than the telephone directory.
00:08:50 Phew!
00:08:52 Marge?
00:08:54 Has Mr. Staples come in yet, Marge?
00:08:56 No, sir.
00:08:58 Mr. Staples?
00:09:00 Yes.
00:09:02 I'm Mr. Ramsey's secretary.
00:09:03 Oh, how do you do?
00:09:05 Mr. Ramsey would, of course, be here to welcome you himself,
00:09:07 but you called him on a long-distance call.
00:09:09 May I take you back to your office?
00:09:11 Well, thank you very much.
00:09:13 And on our way, I might show you some of our other departments.
00:09:15 Have you met Miss Stevens?
00:09:17 I introduced myself, Miss Lanier.
00:09:19 Fine.
00:09:21 And may I bid you my own personal welcome?
00:09:23 We're very glad to see you.
00:09:25 Well, that's very nice of you. Thank you.
00:09:27 Now, if you'll just come with me, Mr. Staples.
00:09:30 Miss Stevens, marketing and sales are below here.
00:09:32 We have our own research department on the 40th floor.
00:09:34 Perhaps you'd like to see that later.
00:09:36 This is the executive corridor.
00:09:38 Mr. Ramsey's office is that one down at the end.
00:09:42 Then Mr. Jameson, head of purchasing.
00:09:44 Mr. Briggs.
00:09:46 You'll be working closely with Mr. Briggs.
00:09:48 Mr. Van Den Heer, chief engineer.
00:09:50 And this is your office.
00:09:58 Isn't it nice?
00:09:59 I hope you like it.
00:10:01 Mr. Ramsey was told by someone in your old office
00:10:03 that you were especially fond of this period.
00:10:05 Weren't your office in Mansfield
00:10:08 furnished in early American?
00:10:10 My furniture consisted of two filing cabinets
00:10:12 and a surplus metal desk off of a destroyer escort.
00:10:15 No, it's a...
00:10:20 It's a...
00:10:22 It's a...
00:10:24 It's a...
00:10:27 No, it's a...
00:10:28 It's really very attractive.
00:10:30 Very.
00:10:32 I appreciate it very much indeed.
00:10:34 Excuse me, Miss Lanier.
00:10:36 Ann said you wanted to see me.
00:10:38 Oh, yes, Marge.
00:10:40 Mr. Staples, this is Miss Fleming.
00:10:42 - How do you do? - How do you do?
00:10:44 Marge, will you see that Mr. Staples has everything he needs
00:10:46 in the way of office equipment?
00:10:48 It was arranged for this morning at Mr. Briggs' suggestion.
00:10:50 Oh, fine.
00:10:52 I must rush now, Mr. Staples.
00:10:54 Again, a most cordial welcome.
00:10:56 - When you finish here, please. - Yes, Miss Lanier.
00:10:57 I think I better explain the phone system, Mr. Staples.
00:11:05 There are four lines.
00:11:07 One is your private line, direct to outside.
00:11:09 Two is for conference calls.
00:11:11 Three is for inter-office.
00:11:13 And four, this button is for your secretary.
00:11:15 Oh, I'm sorry. May I?
00:11:18 Oh, yes, thank you.
00:11:20 Yes, I think I have that.
00:11:23 Let's see.
00:11:25 Outside, inter-office, conference.
00:11:27 Yes, that's fine.
00:11:30 Thank heavens, this isn't early American.
00:11:37 Busy?
00:11:43 No, no, not at all.
00:11:45 - Oh, you must be... - Bill Briggs, your next-door neighbor.
00:11:47 Yes, of course.
00:11:49 Well, I'm certainly glad to meet you, sir.
00:11:51 I think Mr. Riggs is a good man.
00:11:54 I think Mr. Ramsey told me you'd been sick, didn't he?
00:11:56 Oh, did he?
00:11:58 Actually, it's just a pesky stomach that's been acting up on me.
00:12:01 You just in from Mansfield?
00:12:03 Yes, they took a house for...
00:12:05 Oh, sit down, Mr. Briggs.
00:12:07 Settled already? Good.
00:12:09 I'm not trying to set myself up as a real New Yorker.
00:12:12 Altoona, Pennsylvania, that's where I came from.
00:12:14 My first trip home, I was wearing spats.
00:12:17 I remember my father not being able to get over it.
00:12:20 He says, "Bill, Bill," he says,
00:12:23 "you went to New York to see the sights,
00:12:25 and instead you become one of them."
00:12:27 Well, we just got here Friday afternoon,
00:12:32 so this morning, Nancy insisted... my wife,
00:12:35 she insisted on driving me to work first morning.
00:12:38 You know the way women are.
00:12:40 You know, you come out of a small-town plant,
00:12:44 you feel a little lost in a place like this.
00:12:48 Well, as I was saying, you know,
00:12:50 we walked into our house Friday afternoon,
00:12:52 we'd never laid eyes on the place before, you know?
00:12:54 And there it was, furnished like a magazine.
00:12:56 Milk in the icebox, bourbon on the shelf,
00:12:59 and I don't know, you gotta hand it to them
00:13:02 the way they do things around here.
00:13:04 Yes, Miss Lanier handles all that, does a fine job.
00:13:06 That feeling that I got driving into town this morning,
00:13:10 well, I've got to admit, it's just...
00:13:14 it's just a little overwhelming.
00:13:17 Yes, and it's a pretty wonderful thing
00:13:21 to be as young as you are
00:13:22 and see it all spread out in front of you
00:13:25 like a... like a Christmas tree.
00:13:28 You know, you think of...
00:13:31 you think of big business,
00:13:33 you always think of it as being very impersonal, you know?
00:13:38 But, uh...
00:13:40 that's certainly not true with you, Mr. Ramsey.
00:13:43 I know what you mean.
00:13:49 How much time did you put in in Mansfield?
00:13:51 Almost six years.
00:13:53 You must have blown a bugle in Ramsey's ear out in Ohio.
00:13:55 He brought you here in a hurry.
00:13:57 Well, actually, I wasn't at all sure I wanted to come to New York, but, uh...
00:14:02 this Ramsey is a pretty dynamic man.
00:14:06 Yes, I know.
00:14:08 You see, you've been with the firm some time now, haven't you?
00:14:12 Oh, maybe 40 years or so.
00:14:17 I seem to recall Mr. Ramsey's talking about you as a production man.
00:14:20 You're an engineer, aren't you?
00:14:22 Yes, but, uh...
00:14:24 from what he told me, I guess I'll be a little of everything around here,
00:14:28 mostly in industrial relations.
00:14:30 Industrial relations?
00:14:33 Matter of fact, it's been one of my specialties.
00:14:38 We...
00:14:40 we ought to get along pretty well together.
00:14:43 I'm sure we will.
00:14:45 Excuse me.
00:14:46 Mr. Ramsey's called a meeting in the conference room, Mr. Briggs.
00:14:49 Oh?
00:14:51 Well, Fred, it's been a real pleasure meeting you.
00:14:54 Thank you.
00:14:56 Mr. Ramsey's expecting Mr. Staples, too.
00:14:58 Oh.
00:15:00 Well, then, I'll, uh...
00:15:02 I'll go in with you if you don't mind.
00:15:04 Not at all.
00:15:06 I just hope Mr. Ramsey remembers hiring me.
00:15:10 Mr. Ramsey rarely forgets anything.
00:15:14 After you.
00:15:15 Thank you.
00:15:17 - Staples? - Yes, hello.
00:15:19 Fred, this is Harvey Jamieson, head of purchasing.
00:15:22 - Oh, how are you? - So they finally finished it.
00:15:24 - What? - What?
00:15:26 Fred, your office on Friday, the painters and all, it was a madhouse.
00:15:29 Say, Bill, are you taking along Ramsey's breakdown?
00:15:31 Oh, no, I forgot that.
00:15:33 A couple of other things I forgot, too.
00:15:35 Jamie, would you and Fred go along together? I'll be in in a few minutes.
00:15:37 Fine. I suppose Lanier's given you the cook's tour.
00:15:40 - What? - Oh, yes.
00:15:43 - In this room? - Oh, yes, on the other side, yes.
00:15:45 Mr. Briggs?
00:15:47 What is it, Marge?
00:15:49 I don't know.
00:15:53 Mr. Briggs, I think I ought to resign.
00:15:57 Resign? What are you talking about?
00:15:59 What happened? What is it, Marge?
00:16:01 Mr. Briggs, I've just been ordered to go over to Mr. Staples as his new secretary.
00:16:05 - Temporarily? - No, I don't think so.
00:16:08 - Who gave this order? - Mr. Lanier.
00:16:10 - When? - About five minutes ago.
00:16:12 I'm supposed to break in your new secretary.
00:16:14 They've picked a new secretary for me?
00:16:16 Yes, I think so.
00:16:18 It's out of the question for you to resign, Marge, to even think of resigning.
00:16:23 You're a fine, wonderful woman and a great secretary.
00:16:26 That's the reason they want you over with Staples.
00:16:28 He'll need someone like you because he's new here and they want him to get into harness fast.
00:16:32 Who can tell, Marge, one of these days,
00:16:35 that stomach of mine's a pretty perverse organ,
00:16:39 and I'm tired.
00:16:40 Do you know, is it must to all men?
00:16:44 Mr. Briggs.
00:16:46 Have you any idea who your successor is?
00:16:49 Yes, they've chosen Sylvia Trammell.
00:16:53 Miss Trammell?
00:16:55 It is so ordained, so be it.
00:16:57 She's new, but she's supposed to be very good at dictation.
00:17:01 Well, we'll give her a chance to prove it.
00:17:03 Mr. Briggs.
00:17:06 Mr. Briggs.
00:17:07 If I could only tell you what this job has meant to me.
00:17:11 What working with you has meant to me.
00:17:14 All right, kid.
00:17:16 Wash up, get your money and get out of here.
00:17:19 And give Mr. Staples all the best you've got in you.
00:17:24 I know you will. That's the only way you operate.
00:17:27 I like the guy.
00:17:29 I have a feeling he's going to carve out a career around here.
00:17:32 Yes, sir.
00:17:35 Everybody seems to think so.
00:17:37 I'm sorry to keep you waiting, gentlemen.
00:17:41 Mr. Ramsey will be with us in a moment.
00:17:43 (indistinct chatter)
00:17:45 Been away, have you?
00:18:11 Sorry, Fred, I was held up for a few minutes.
00:18:13 Now, where are we going to sit you?
00:18:15 Here's an empty chair. I guess you can sit right here.
00:18:18 Mr. Staples, will you sit over there, please?
00:18:20 Right next to Mr. Van Deventer.
00:18:22 One down for Mr. Ramsey, please.
00:18:24 Welcome back, Bill.
00:18:29 Feeling better?
00:18:31 Much, thank you. A little stomach.
00:18:32 Good. I'm glad it's cleared up.
00:18:34 John, don't forget that contract.
00:18:38 Can you get it through tomorrow?
00:18:40 I think so. I have it for him.
00:18:41 (indistinct chatter)
00:18:43 First, gentlemen, I'd like you to look over the mimeo sheet on top.
00:18:46 Haverford Mutual had some doctors look into the matter of executive diets.
00:18:50 Their findings showed incredible deficiencies.
00:18:54 They've gotten up some food tables. I've had the mimeo.
00:18:57 I'd like you to look them over.
00:18:59 As you know, it's in my feeling that a healthy executive is an efficient one.
00:19:04 (laughter)
00:19:08 I think it not amiss now to introduce the newest member of our team,
00:19:11 Mr. Fred Staples. He's from Mansfield, Ohio.
00:19:14 As you all know, he was general manager of Queen's City Tool & Dye until we took it over.
00:19:19 His record there was a brilliant one.
00:19:21 He's a production engineer by training, an industrial relations man by instinct.
00:19:25 I expect good things from him.
00:19:34 You've probably met everyone, but just for the record, reading from left to right,
00:19:38 Mr. Jameson, head of purchasing.
00:19:40 Mr. Granigan, controller.
00:19:42 Mr. Gordon, head of sales.
00:19:44 Mr. Latham, head of service.
00:19:46 Mr. Portier, chief of operations.
00:19:48 Nice knowing you.
00:19:50 And Mr. Vandivanta, chief engineer.
00:19:52 How are you? Nice to see you.
00:19:54 Pleasure.
00:19:56 Oh, and of course, you've met Mr. Briggs.
00:19:58 Oh, yes.
00:20:01 He's the sales assistant general manager in charge of everything that everybody else forgets to do.
00:20:04 Now, gentlemen, you all have before you a copy of the Williamston plant purchase prospectus.
00:20:12 Mr. Jameson, did you attach your supplements?
00:20:14 It's right there, Mr. Ramsey. Page 17R, under process equipment.
00:20:18 And Mr. Granigan, the stock purchase plan I outlined, I have your comments here?
00:20:22 You do, Mr. Ramsey.
00:20:24 Good. Feasible, is it?
00:20:26 Very much so, in my opinion.
00:20:28 Good.
00:20:31 Well, that about winds it up, unless there are any further points to be made.
00:20:35 I do think, Mr. Ramsey, if we could keep the transaction under wraps for a bit,
00:20:39 at least during the preliminaries.
00:20:41 You know, what'll happen to the stock quotations if it leaks out that we've agreed to a purchase?
00:20:44 I've arranged it this way.
00:20:46 The stock quotation as of yesterday morning...
00:20:49 You seem to be straining at the leash, Mr. Briggs, or am I mistaken?
00:20:58 You mention here that probable time of purchase would be sometime in June.
00:21:00 Are the plants to be in receivership until then?
00:21:02 That seems to be what it says.
00:21:04 That means six months with improper maintenance of equipment.
00:21:07 Oh, I doubt it, Bill.
00:21:09 I've had two of my best men out there for the last six weeks.
00:21:11 We had a varying voltage problem, but that was taken care of.
00:21:14 You know, maintenance-wise, I doubt if there'll be a thousand dollars worth of deterioration.
00:21:18 How about goodwill?
00:21:20 What about it?
00:21:22 The plant employs 900 men. That's half the working force of the village.
00:21:24 So?
00:21:27 What do we do with these men? Cover them with cosmoline and put them away in a drawer until we get ready to resume production?
00:21:31 I thought your concern was for the plant.
00:21:33 And what good is the plant without the men?
00:21:35 You chop a village payroll in half for six months and you might not have a plant.
00:21:38 Because you might not have a village.
00:21:40 Mr. Briggs, if we may be permitted to disregard for the moment the considerations that you have brought up,
00:21:45 what about the rest of the plan?
00:21:47 I'd say it was adequate.
00:21:49 Adequate?
00:21:51 That gentleman is the kiss of death, believe me.
00:21:56 I've known Mr. Briggs for a long time.
00:21:57 When he says something is adequate, what he means is that it is entirely inadequate.
00:22:01 I must admit to feeling a concern over some 900 men suddenly deprived of a livelihood.
00:22:06 Mr. Briggs, if you would do me the goodness to look at what I consider to be a fairly elementary business principle.
00:22:10 By putting 900 men out of work temporarily, we may ultimately employ twice that number in the same town.
00:22:16 By cutting production costs as a result, we will then be able to compete more favorably in the market.
00:22:21 Thus, we'll be able to sell more goods.
00:22:24 We're not going to ruin that town, we're going to make it.
00:22:26 I should think, Mr. Briggs, that after 30 years, you'd be able to think beyond the tongue-clucking stage
00:22:31 and come up with something resembling an analytical point of view.
00:22:34 I was under the impression I'd given you a point of view.
00:22:36 I saw none!
00:22:38 I perceived what amounts to a rather emotional little tidbit that was decidedly more charitable than cooperative
00:22:43 and by no means thought through.
00:22:45 I asked, I believe, for an objective view of a business venture.
00:22:48 From you I got, and I seem constantly to be getting, a very negative response of any at all.
00:22:53 Adequate, I believe you said.
00:22:54 Well, Mr. Briggs, this little move will save us conservatively half a million dollars,
00:22:58 which we'll be able to put back into the business.
00:23:00 I must say you take a liberal view of adequacy.
00:23:03 I didn't intend to make a central issue out of this, but I did feel it important enough to air in this meeting.
00:23:07 Well, you have aired it in this meeting.
00:23:14 I think it's a good thing you did.
00:23:16 But I think, Bill, we're pretty much of one mind about it now.
00:23:20 Then we may assume the matter is closed now.
00:23:23 Mr. Briggs.
00:23:25 How about you, Mr. Staples?
00:23:36 Do you have an opinion?
00:23:38 No. No, I think not, Mr. Renzi.
00:23:41 Why not?
00:23:43 Well, frankly, it's a little out of my grasp at the moment.
00:23:46 I don't know anything about the firm.
00:23:49 Its corporative setup, reasons for bankruptcy.
00:23:52 Or for that matter, its product.
00:23:54 I'm afraid I'll have to pass.
00:23:56 Good answer.
00:23:59 I respect thoughtful judgment, Mr. Staples.
00:24:03 Congratulations.
00:24:05 We'll adjourn now until two o'clock.
00:24:11 I'm sorry we got started so late this morning, but I wanted this analysis mimeoed for your inspection.
00:24:18 After lunch, we'll take up the Portland report which you have before you.
00:24:21 Mr. Granigan attended the stockholders' meeting there on Tuesday,
00:24:25 and we'll begin our discussion with his report.
00:24:27 That's all.
00:24:29 All right, sir.
00:24:31 Oh, Bill.
00:24:33 Come and have some lunch, eh?
00:24:35 Oh, thank you.
00:24:37 Oh, Bill, wasn't there something you wanted to speak to me about before?
00:24:43 Nothing important.
00:24:46 Fine.
00:24:47 Tummy's all right, eh?
00:24:49 Cast iron. Couldn't be better.
00:24:51 Good. Keep it up.
00:24:53 Oh, uh, Staples.
00:24:55 See you, Bill.
00:24:57 Good to have you with us, Staples.
00:25:00 Thank you.
00:25:02 The arrangement satisfactory?
00:25:04 Oh, yes, just perfect. I'm sure you'll be hearing from my wife very soon about that.
00:25:06 It's a beautiful house.
00:25:08 Beautiful country up there. I'm sure you'll love it.
00:25:10 Oh, uh, see you later, Bill.
00:25:15 Oh, Fred.
00:25:16 Briggs is working on a project now,
00:25:18 a comprehensive planning report.
00:25:20 The point is that it's very important,
00:25:22 most important indeed for our future program,
00:25:24 and it's far too big a job for Briggs,
00:25:26 or for any one man to handle.
00:25:28 Now, what I want you to do is get your finger in there.
00:25:31 Certainly.
00:25:33 What I mean is more than just your finger.
00:25:35 You understand?
00:25:37 Yes, Mr. Ramsey. You make that quite clear.
00:25:40 Oh, could I see you a minute, Miss Fleming?
00:25:42 (door opens)
00:25:44 (door closes)
00:25:45 (door opens)
00:25:47 (door closes)
00:25:49 (door opens)
00:25:51 (door closes)
00:25:53 (door opens)
00:25:55 (door closes)
00:25:57 (door opens)
00:25:59 (door closes)
00:26:01 (door opens)
00:26:03 (door closes)
00:26:05 (door opens)
00:26:07 (door closes)
00:26:09 (door opens)
00:26:12 (door closes)
00:26:13 Yes, sir?
00:26:15 Oh, I wonder if you could check for me, please,
00:26:17 as to who's to be my secretary.
00:26:19 I need some notes typed up.
00:26:21 I'm to be your secretary, Mr. Staples.
00:26:24 But I thought Mr. Briggs...
00:26:29 It was arranged for just before the meeting, Mr. Staples.
00:26:32 I take it you'd rather remain with Mr. Briggs.
00:26:38 I was Mr. Briggs' secretary for seven years, Mr. Staples.
00:26:41 Well, in that case, I see no reason
00:26:42 why I shouldn't be able to get someone else.
00:26:44 It was Mr. Ramsey's idea.
00:26:48 Do you want to give me those notes now?
00:26:51 No, uh, why don't you have your lunch first, Miss Fleming?
00:26:58 We'll take care of these when you come back.
00:27:00 (keys jingling)
00:27:03 (door opens)
00:27:08 (door closes)
00:27:11 (door closes)
00:27:12 Mr. Briggs?
00:27:16 There are some notes here that...
00:27:21 Later, Marge.
00:27:23 I'll do it later.
00:27:39 (keys jingling)
00:27:40 (knocks on door)
00:28:08 Darling, you didn't say anything about my new hairdo.
00:28:10 Do you like it?
00:28:12 Yeah, it's lovely.
00:28:13 Wish you could see the new dresses I bought.
00:28:18 They're just beautiful.
00:28:20 Where are they?
00:28:22 Oh, they're still at the store, having little things done to them.
00:28:24 Go on in the kitchen. I'll fix you a drink.
00:28:26 Not the kitchen.
00:28:28 The library.
00:28:30 Oh.
00:28:33 (laughs)
00:28:34 I hoped they'd have the dresses ready
00:28:43 and have them sent over to your office this afternoon.
00:28:45 I spoke to your secretary about it when I called.
00:28:47 It's funny she didn't mention it.
00:28:50 They didn't get the job done in time.
00:28:52 She had a nice voice. What did she like?
00:28:54 Who?
00:28:57 Your secretary.
00:28:59 Oh.
00:29:02 I didn't know she liked that.
00:29:03 I didn't know she liked that.
00:29:05 I didn't know she liked that.
00:29:07 I didn't know she liked that.
00:29:09 I didn't know she liked that.
00:29:11 I didn't know she liked that.
00:29:13 I didn't know she liked that.
00:29:15 I didn't know she liked that.
00:29:17 I didn't know she liked that.
00:29:19 I didn't know she liked that.
00:29:21 I didn't know she liked that.
00:29:23 I didn't know she liked that.
00:29:25 I didn't know she liked that.
00:29:27 I didn't know she liked that.
00:29:29 I didn't know she liked that.
00:29:32 Then why doesn't she?
00:29:33 I don't know. Some kind of...
00:29:35 strategy at the top, I guess.
00:29:39 That sounds funny.
00:29:42 Yeah.
00:29:44 Her ex-boss happens to be only one of the vice presidents.
00:29:49 My superior and a very nice guy to boot.
00:29:53 Could that perhaps be a good sign?
00:29:57 You figured out. Left me a little offended.
00:30:00 Left me a little offended.
00:30:01 You know, Nancy, running a plant in Ohio
00:30:06 is beginning to take on all the aspects
00:30:10 of a nice, simple, uncomplicated gravy train.
00:30:15 What happened today?
00:30:18 Oh, nothing really.
00:30:21 Just... an impression, I guess.
00:30:28 Sort of... queer undercurrents and tensions and...
00:30:33 Good luck.
00:30:38 Good luck.
00:31:07 Mr. Ramsey.
00:31:08 Good morning, Mr. Ramsey.
00:31:10 Mrs. Stevens.
00:31:12 Fine, thanks, Jerry.
00:31:16 Let me see that breakdown again.
00:31:18 Oh, sure.
00:31:20 Miss Fleming, would you step in for a minute, please?
00:31:22 Yes, Mr. Stevens.
00:31:24 No, that's a good one.
00:31:28 Oh, sorry.
00:31:30 Now, this is the only one that I have cross-indexed for division,
00:31:36 so I want Billy to take my letter from Henry Jacobson with him.
00:31:39 Oh, yes.
00:31:41 Now, look, Billy,
00:31:43 Henry is a nice, sincere guy, you know?
00:31:45 Made out of Bessemer steel.
00:31:47 He hasn't been off of his duff since he learned how to walk.
00:31:50 He started out stoking coke furnaces when he was 14,
00:31:52 was mill foreman when he was 20,
00:31:54 and then he ended up buying the whole plant
00:31:56 for his own 40th birthday present, so...
00:31:58 You know what I mean. Watch out.
00:32:00 I sure will.
00:32:02 Now, give him that report, and then remember what he says.
00:32:05 I want it all down on paper as soon as you get out of the office.
00:32:06 No approximations. Make it as...
00:32:08 Yes, I know you have to know.
00:32:10 I want to know what they're thinking.
00:32:12 I want to know how they feel about every paragraph of that thing.
00:32:14 I just hope they'll open up more to you than they did to me.
00:32:16 I'll be down there sometime next week for their decision.
00:32:18 Okay.
00:32:20 Mention that to them, will you?
00:32:22 Yes, I will.
00:32:24 Hello? Hold it, please, just a second.
00:32:26 Have a nice trip, Billy, and be sure and call me Sunday night.
00:32:28 Yeah, I will. Thank you very much.
00:32:30 Yes, put him on.
00:32:32 Don't go away, Miss Fleming, please.
00:32:34 Hello? Judd?
00:32:35 Look, I'm sorry, I meant to call you right back.
00:32:37 It's about that Atlantic States Nitrate meeting set up for October the 3rd.
00:32:41 I'd like a delay on that.
00:32:43 Well, I want to walk in there sure on my ground,
00:32:48 and October's not going to give me any ground at all.
00:32:51 Yeah, could you do that?
00:32:55 That'll be a help.
00:32:57 November 7th?
00:33:00 Fine.
00:33:03 Look, I'll see you in the dining room.
00:33:04 Okay, good.
00:33:06 Put that on my calendar, please.
00:33:08 Now then, would you get those wires off?
00:33:11 Yes, sir.
00:33:13 Good. Right after lunch, I want you to set up a conference call
00:33:15 with Ramsey, Jameson, myself, with Frank Dering in Denver.
00:33:18 Got a minute, Fred?
00:33:20 Sorry, Mark, this is urgent. It's about that NLRB vote in Portland.
00:33:22 What about it?
00:33:24 Ramsey's grumbling about it. He thinks it's premature.
00:33:26 Premature? What's he talking about?
00:33:28 He's had that plant running on wishful thinking for 19 months now.
00:33:32 We've got a labor problem out there all primed to explode in our face.
00:33:35 Now look, Bill, you better walk in his office with a great big neon sign,
00:33:38 "Strike," you know?
00:33:40 Then tell him I've got a little estimate worked out
00:33:42 that it'll cost us conservatively $4,000 a day if that plant goes out.
00:33:46 Oof, you know how that'll hit him.
00:33:48 Yeah, well, you go in there and dig up the ground,
00:33:50 and I'll follow you with a bulldozer, and we'll plow him under.
00:33:52 Now, we've got 800 big lumberjacks out there,
00:33:54 and if they go, that'll do it big, you know.
00:33:56 This won't be any one-week picket.
00:33:58 This thing could go on for a year with no strain at all.
00:34:01 You walk in there, set the charge,
00:34:02 and I'll be in to light the fuse, huh?
00:34:04 Fine.
00:34:06 I'll have to call you back.
00:34:07 Is 2.30 convenient for your call to Denver, Mr. Staples?
00:34:15 For everything else on?
00:34:18 I've got another problem out here, if you can spare a minute.
00:34:20 Well, Paul, how are you, partner?
00:34:22 Mr. Staples, that gun.
00:34:24 Oh, you got it, huh? You like it? You try it out yet?
00:34:26 Try it yet. 30 seconds from the time he read
00:34:28 "Winchester double barrel" on the box, he was psyched.
00:34:30 Well, how about going out for a little skeet shooting on Sunday?
00:34:31 Give it a try, huh?
00:34:33 Wonderful. Can I, Dad?
00:34:35 He's all yours, Fred. He's a little too strenuous for me.
00:34:37 Mr. Staples doesn't get tired like you do, Dad.
00:34:39 I don't get tired.
00:34:41 He was an all-American.
00:34:43 Well, it was just terrific, so I had to stop by and thank you.
00:34:45 You forget it.
00:34:47 Well, so long. I'll see you outside.
00:34:49 Were you thoughtful of your friend.
00:34:53 It was my pleasure, Bill.
00:34:55 Hello, Mr. Ramsey.
00:34:57 How are you, Paul? Still taking your vitamin?
00:34:59 I guess so, sir.
00:35:00 Fine, fine. Keep it up.
00:35:02 Excuse me, Mr. Fulton.
00:35:05 Oh, man, I'm tired.
00:35:08 I've made arrangements for your call to Denver, Mr. Staples.
00:35:10 If I could go over one paragraph...
00:35:12 No, I think I'll knock that off after lunch,
00:35:14 if you don't mind, Miss Fleming.
00:35:16 All right, Mr. Staples.
00:35:18 No, drink it here. Relax a minute.
00:35:20 Thank you.
00:35:23 I will?
00:35:26 I will.
00:35:27 Would you like some of mine?
00:35:47 Yes, thank you. As a matter of fact, I would.
00:35:55 No, that is plenty. Thank you.
00:35:56 Where'd you play your football, Mr. Staples?
00:36:03 Oh, Ohio State. But don't ask me the years.
00:36:07 I won't tell you.
00:36:09 I won't ask you.
00:36:11 Anyway, I feel about three times older than when I first came here.
00:36:13 They've kept you busy.
00:36:16 Yes, they sure have.
00:36:18 You've done very well. You fit it in quickly.
00:36:23 Thank you.
00:36:24 You know, I think that's the first out-and-out friendly thing you've said to me.
00:36:31 I think you resent me a little, don't you, Miss Fleming?
00:36:35 I don't know why. You should...
00:36:37 Well, it's just a feeling that I've gotten from time to time.
00:36:40 You work with a man for a long time, a fine man.
00:36:45 You become part of him. You identify yourself with him.
00:36:48 Then along comes the new man, the new woman.
00:36:51 Then along comes the new man.
00:36:52 I like Bill Briggs. I like him a lot.
00:36:55 I have from the first.
00:36:57 If I have done or said anything that could...
00:36:59 No, no, no. Of course not.
00:37:01 Because I must say, you've been very fair.
00:37:05 But seven years isn't a day.
00:37:10 I owe a lot to Mr. Briggs.
00:37:13 Mr. Briggs is the last of the original bunch around here,
00:37:17 the people who really started this business.
00:37:20 That's not easy to be the last of the original bunch.
00:37:22 I know.
00:37:25 He's not well. He has a bad heart.
00:37:27 And an ulcer.
00:37:29 I guess that's just about par for the executive course, isn't it?
00:37:34 Well, I guess I've always been a field man.
00:37:37 I haven't been an executive long enough to find that out for myself.
00:37:40 But you're a good one.
00:37:42 I think you're a very good executive.
00:37:44 You admit mistakes.
00:37:47 You don't pass the buck.
00:37:50 You're a lot like Mr. Briggs that way.
00:37:51 I take that as a very nice compliment.
00:37:54 I mean it.
00:37:56 Mr. Briggs' only trouble is that he could never be a yes man.
00:38:00 Not even to Mr. Ramsey himself.
00:38:02 He always has to speak his mind.
00:38:05 And Mr. Ramsey doesn't like his judgment questioned.
00:38:10 You either go along or you get off.
00:38:14 Bill Briggs never said that.
00:38:18 Bill Briggs never got off.
00:38:19 No, he never did.
00:38:21 But maybe he's about to be pushed.
00:38:24 ...he blew up at the next round and then Howard went right by him with a 65.
00:38:36 A 65, I ask you.
00:38:38 Seven birdies and he sank an 82-foot putt on the last green for an eagle.
00:38:41 Oh, hello, my dear. You know, that's some golf.
00:38:44 (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
00:38:45 The coffee will be ready in just a little while.
00:39:06 Fine.
00:39:08 You know, my father's recipe for coffee
00:39:13 was to mix salt and chocolate with the grounds.
00:39:15 Cook them all up together.
00:39:17 He'd never drink anything else.
00:39:20 Sounds wonderful.
00:39:22 They, uh, they serve it at a small downtown restaurant I eat at occasionally.
00:39:27 I must remember to mention it to Fred.
00:39:30 You said he was a confirmed coffee drinker?
00:39:34 Dedicated.
00:39:36 Fine.
00:39:38 He's quite a young man, this husband of yours.
00:39:42 Have you had a chance to read much of the report?
00:39:44 Of course, it isn't finished yet, but...
00:39:46 Well, thank you for letting me see this much.
00:39:48 Not according to Miss Post, I suppose, at the dinner party, but...
00:39:52 It makes me extremely proud of my gentleman.
00:39:55 I'm so happy.
00:39:58 He's been worried about it and...
00:40:00 Nancy!
00:40:02 -Will you excuse me? -Yeah.
00:40:11 Wonderful party, you two.
00:40:12 Makes me think I should get married.
00:40:14 Oh, don't do anything as drastic as that.
00:40:16 Wonderful having you, Ed. Come again soon.
00:40:18 You try keeping me away.
00:40:20 -I'll see you at the office tomorrow, Fred. -Yes, right and early, Ed.
00:40:22 -Good night. -Good night.
00:40:24 Ah, Jamie, you don't have to go yet. Stick around a while. It's early.
00:40:26 Of course, I'd love to stay all night, however...
00:40:28 We're going home.
00:40:30 Can't get him out of here, Nancy.
00:40:32 Usually he leaves office parties as soon as the canapes are fast.
00:40:34 I thought everybody behaved very well.
00:40:36 I thought so.
00:40:39 -You're not again. -I was beginning to like all of them.
00:40:40 Will you come over and see us?
00:40:42 Come over during the day.
00:40:44 You know, nowadays, Jamie never gets home at all.
00:40:46 I think we wives ought to form a union.
00:40:48 -You're right. We should. -Good night, dear.
00:40:50 -Bye-bye. -Good night.
00:40:52 I wonder what happened to Bill Briggs tonight.
00:41:00 Oh, darling, I forgot to tell you.
00:41:02 He phoned earlier.
00:41:04 He said he wanted to come, but he just didn't feel up to it.
00:41:06 Oh, Nancy, I wish you'd have called.
00:41:08 I wanted to talk to him anyway.
00:41:09 -But, darling, you were busy. -Well, I know, but I...
00:41:11 What about Ramsey?
00:41:15 Is he planning to spend the night?
00:41:17 No, he just gravitated towards the library
00:41:19 and made himself cozy.
00:41:21 That sounds a little like artificial gravitation to me.
00:41:24 You didn't have anything to do with it, of course.
00:41:26 Well, he's really an amazing person.
00:41:30 You know, I expected a real tycoon,
00:41:33 but he's so simple, almost childish.
00:41:37 Baby, I just hope by mistake you never wander into a jungle.
00:41:40 -Good night, dear. -Good night.
00:41:44 -You have a wonderful party. -Thank you.
00:41:46 Some interesting reading matter here, Fred.
00:41:52 Very interesting reading.
00:41:54 I took the liberty of accepting your wife's kind invitation
00:41:58 to look over your report.
00:42:00 Oh, really?
00:42:02 Good, heady stuff.
00:42:04 Good, solid things.
00:42:06 Good, solid thinking.
00:42:07 And some of it is better than good.
00:42:09 Of course, I can't say that I agree with all your conclusions,
00:42:13 but I listen to arguments.
00:42:15 It'll be good to hear arguments for a change.
00:42:18 Good arguments.
00:42:20 Well, I can't tell you what a relief that is.
00:42:22 We really sweat that one out.
00:42:24 Fred, I like a man to show initiative.
00:42:26 I like a man who's not afraid to think a new thought,
00:42:30 to take a different kind of step on his own.
00:42:33 With your permission, I'll borrow this extra copy of your report just overnight.
00:42:37 But for now, I can say I'm very impressed.
00:42:41 Well, of course, we haven't finished this thing yet,
00:42:45 but Bill and I feel that another week...
00:42:47 Bill?
00:42:49 You mean Briggs?
00:42:51 Yes, sir.
00:42:53 Well, we work together on this.
00:42:55 Oh, come now, Staples.
00:42:57 I pride myself on my sense for style.
00:43:00 I can link what I see with what I know to be peculiar to a certain individual.
00:43:04 And I know Bill Briggs well.
00:43:06 I've been exposed to it since I was a voting age.
00:43:09 This... this isn't his style.
00:43:12 It isn't his brand of thinking.
00:43:14 Well, I don't know what Nancy could have told you,
00:43:16 but Bill and I work together...
00:43:18 Fred, learn to accept success.
00:43:20 It's tougher sometimes than learning to accept failure.
00:43:23 Don't take half of your accomplishment
00:43:25 and hand it out gratuitously to the man on your left,
00:43:29 who hasn't the stuff to do it on his own.
00:43:31 That's charitable, humane,
00:43:33 and it makes you feel good.
00:43:35 But it's not business.
00:43:37 Mr. Ramsey, I'd like to clear up one point.
00:43:39 There'll be a meeting on Tuesday, Fred.
00:43:41 We can discuss the report then.
00:43:43 I assure you I don't want any undue credit.
00:43:45 I never extend undue credit.
00:43:47 Ask anybody.
00:43:49 Ask your friend Briggs.
00:43:51 You think I'm tough on him, don't you?
00:43:53 I am tough on him.
00:43:56 I am tough on him.
00:43:57 Well, I think Bill is...
00:44:01 I think he's a good man.
00:44:04 He was.
00:44:06 And grandfather clocks were good clocks,
00:44:08 and Stanley steamers were good automobiles,
00:44:10 but you can't run them in competition today.
00:44:13 I must say that I like some of his ideas very much.
00:44:17 Very much indeed.
00:44:19 So do I.
00:44:21 Some of them.
00:44:23 Not many.
00:44:25 Still a man with Bill's experience, and...
00:44:28 I don't know. I think he'd be very hard to replace.
00:44:32 I'll see if that coffee's ready yet.
00:44:34 Are you serious, Fred?
00:44:36 Briggs would be hard to replace?
00:44:38 Do you honestly think that?
00:44:40 And why do you think I brought you on here from Mansfield
00:44:42 on such short notice?
00:44:44 Do you think that was a whim?
00:44:46 Is that what you think?
00:44:48 Fred, you're Briggs' replacement.
00:44:50 I thought you understood that.
00:44:55 I'm...
00:44:56 expecting his resignation.
00:44:58 I don't like to prolong these things.
00:45:00 They're unpleasant and personal,
00:45:02 no matter what tack you use.
00:45:04 And under no circumstances could I,
00:45:08 or would I, undertake to fire him.
00:45:11 Coffee's in the living room.
00:45:19 I thought perhaps you'd like to go in there.
00:45:21 It's quiet.
00:45:23 It's time. I really must go.
00:45:24 It's been a wonderful evening.
00:45:26 I'm sorry you have to leave so soon.
00:45:28 I really must.
00:45:30 My coat, I think, is in the bedroom.
00:45:34 Oh, yes, of course. I'll get it for you.
00:45:36 May I make a suggestion?
00:45:48 Mr. Ramsey, I don't want to seem ungrateful.
00:45:52 I'm not looking for gratitude!
00:45:53 You can't run a business on thank-you notes!
00:45:56 That's Briggs' trouble!
00:45:58 And, God forgive me, that was my father's trouble, too.
00:46:01 This...
00:46:03 This incredible conception of a huge industry
00:46:06 being run like a soup kitchen,
00:46:08 like a... like a welfare comfort station.
00:46:11 I know what the old-timers think of me.
00:46:15 I've grown up getting stared at
00:46:17 by a lot of tongue-clucking old fogies
00:46:19 who follow me around.
00:46:21 Tongue-clucking old fogies who find me ruthless.
00:46:23 The kind of people who represent everything
00:46:26 that might have kept our business
00:46:28 from growing to anything like its present size.
00:46:30 This... this stupid black-and-white idea
00:46:33 that honesty and fair profit are incompatible.
00:46:36 I just happen to feel
00:46:40 that the atmosphere of a large corporation
00:46:42 cannot be constantly cathedral-like.
00:46:46 Thank you, Mrs. Staples.
00:46:47 And, again, thanks for a wonderful evening.
00:46:50 I'll see you in the morning, friend.
00:47:00 You didn't steal that promotion.
00:47:04 You didn't steal it.
00:47:06 You didn't steal it.
00:47:08 You didn't steal it.
00:47:10 You didn't steal it.
00:47:12 You didn't steal it.
00:47:14 You didn't steal it.
00:47:15 You didn't steal it.
00:47:17 You didn't steal it.
00:47:19 You didn't steal it.
00:47:21 You didn't steal it.
00:47:23 You didn't steal it.
00:47:25 You didn't steal it.
00:47:27 You didn't steal it.
00:47:29 You didn't steal it.
00:47:31 You didn't steal it.
00:47:33 You didn't steal it.
00:47:35 You didn't steal it.
00:47:37 You didn't steal it.
00:47:39 You didn't steal it.
00:47:41 You didn't steal it.
00:47:44 What was that all about?
00:47:45 I'm Bill Briggs' replacement.
00:47:48 A vice-presidency.
00:47:51 You must have really spread it on.
00:47:53 Listen,
00:47:56 a little rare roast beef and
00:47:58 wifely pride don't get you
00:48:00 that kind of a promotion.
00:48:02 Yeah, I'll take something a little more.
00:48:04 A little misrepresentation for one thing,
00:48:06 a little switch in authorship for another.
00:48:10 You don't know what you're talking about.
00:48:12 You told him I'd written that report.
00:48:13 I did not.
00:48:15 I told him, Bill, it helped you.
00:48:17 But Nancy, this is Bill's basic idea.
00:48:19 Oh, the same set of ideas that he's had for years.
00:48:21 I gathered that much.
00:48:23 You gave it life, you made it work,
00:48:25 you made it practical.
00:48:27 Even so, Nancy, I don't want any part of it.
00:48:29 Oh, Fred, I happen to know what you contributed to this.
00:48:31 I also know that you can't stand winning
00:48:33 if you have even a nodding acquaintance with a loser.
00:48:35 I don't like stepping on another human being
00:48:37 to get into our capital gains bracket.
00:48:39 Ramsey's stalking that poor guy like an animal.
00:48:41 I'll give him death if he has to to make him resign.
00:48:42 I didn't hear you tell Mr. Ramsey that he was mistaken.
00:48:44 I didn't hear any clear-cut defense of Mr. Briggs.
00:48:46 If you don't want to be successful,
00:48:48 go and tell that to Mr. Ramsey.
00:48:50 He'll give you a prom.
00:48:52 And you can check in at 7 o'clock every night.
00:48:54 But don't tell him.
00:48:56 Now, look, I don't want to argue about this.
00:48:58 Neither do I. I just want you to answer me.
00:49:00 Did you tell him that your wife was mistaken?
00:49:02 Did you tell him that you were taking vows
00:49:04 for something you did not do?
00:49:06 No.
00:49:07 No, I didn't.
00:49:09 Why not, Fred?
00:49:12 Why not?
00:49:15 Because I want the job.
00:49:18 Thank you for a straight and honest answer.
00:49:23 Now, I think we can both sleep tonight.
00:49:28 I'll go to bed.
00:49:30 I'll go to bed.
00:49:32 I'll go to bed.
00:49:35 We'll sleep tonight.
00:49:36 I'll go to bed.
00:49:37 I'll go to bed.
00:49:38 I'll go to bed.
00:49:39 I'll go to bed.
00:49:40 I'll go to bed.
00:49:41 I'll go to bed.
00:50:10 Good morning, Paul.
00:50:11 Where's Cora?
00:50:13 She's late, I guess.
00:50:15 Aren't you going to be late for school?
00:50:21 It's only 8.10.
00:50:23 I've still got six minutes.
00:50:25 You've got it figured out to a science, haven't you?
00:50:27 I've just got it figured out
00:50:30 how far I have to go
00:50:32 and how long it's going to take me.
00:50:34 Well, if you found that out, you've found out a lot.
00:50:39 Thanks for breakfast.
00:50:40 You worked late again last night.
00:50:43 Yeah, no rest for the weary.
00:50:45 You haven't got it down to a science yet, have you, Dad?
00:50:49 What?
00:50:51 How far you have to go
00:50:53 and how long it'll take you.
00:50:55 What's the matter, Paul?
00:50:58 Here. Here's last night's double header.
00:51:04 The one we were going to see.
00:51:06 Oh, I forgot.
00:51:08 Oh, I forgot all about it, Paul.
00:51:09 I'm... I'm sorry.
00:51:11 We didn't miss much.
00:51:13 I watched it on television.
00:51:15 Crummy double header.
00:51:17 The Braves took both of them. You're lucky.
00:51:19 The Yanks are playing tonight, aren't they?
00:51:21 Yeah, they play the Red Sox.
00:51:23 Let's start all over again.
00:51:25 You meet me at the office, we'll have dinner
00:51:27 and then we'll go to the game together.
00:51:29 - Sounds good. - It's a date.
00:51:31 You're on.
00:51:33 So long, Dad. Have a good day and...
00:51:35 Uh...
00:51:37 If you can't make it tonight,
00:51:38 would you give me a call at school?
00:51:40 I've raised the world's worst pessimist.
00:51:42 At eight o'clock in the morning,
00:51:44 you're figuring out the worst possible thing
00:51:46 that could happen at six o'clock tonight.
00:51:48 Upstairs in my room, I've...
00:51:50 I've got a drawer full of tickets to ballgames
00:51:52 we've never seen.
00:51:54 Because of that stuff.
00:51:56 But, um...
00:51:58 Call me if you can't, Dad. It's important.
00:52:00 I'll make it this time, son.
00:52:02 Can't you have another glass of milk
00:52:04 and maybe tell me about last night's double header?
00:52:06 I'd be late.
00:52:07 Wish I could.
00:52:09 So long, Dad. Take it easy.
00:52:11 Sure.
00:52:13 Good evening, Mr. Staple.
00:52:33 Good evening, Sally.
00:52:36 Good evening, Sally.
00:52:37 Paul?
00:52:52 Hi, Bill.
00:53:04 Hi, friend.
00:53:05 I thought it was my son.
00:53:07 He's gonna pick me up.
00:53:09 Got time for a cigarette?
00:53:12 Sure.
00:53:15 What are you doing here?
00:53:20 I thought you were going to the ballgame.
00:53:22 I've had a miserable headache since dinner.
00:53:24 So I sent Paul on to see the game alone.
00:53:27 He's gonna pick me up.
00:53:29 How long have you been here?
00:53:31 A couple of hours, I guess.
00:53:34 Can I get you an aspirin or something?
00:53:35 Oh, no, no. It's much better now.
00:53:37 Anyway, it gave me a chance to look over
00:53:42 the supplements you did for the report.
00:53:44 I think Ramsey's right, Fred.
00:53:48 You may be an engineer by diploma,
00:53:50 but you're a crackerjack industrial planner
00:53:54 by instinct or something.
00:53:56 Coming from you, Bill, that sounds real good.
00:53:58 No, it's not.
00:54:01 It sounds real good.
00:54:02 No question about it.
00:54:04 Some of your suggestions were great, Fred.
00:54:06 Really great.
00:54:08 I've incorporated them verbatim.
00:54:10 I like your approach, Fred.
00:54:14 You think of people in terms of the human factor,
00:54:17 not just logistically.
00:54:20 Something I've never been able to make Ramsey understand.
00:54:24 Anyway, now he can't complain.
00:54:28 I turn in the same report every year.
00:54:31 He won't be able to say that this year.
00:54:33 Join me, Fred?
00:54:37 No, thanks, Bill.
00:54:40 I've got to pick Nancy up for supper
00:54:42 and that long drive home, you know.
00:54:45 I don't know. Maybe I'm just getting old.
00:54:52 I used to be pretty tough.
00:54:55 Still tough, I guess.
00:54:59 But every now and then I get tired.
00:55:02 Tired of arguments, tired of battling,
00:55:08 tired of the whole bloody mess
00:55:10 with all this fancy organization and super finagling.
00:55:13 Oh, I know it's legal and modern and all that.
00:55:16 It's what they call the trend, isn't it?
00:55:18 In the old days, things were a lot simpler.
00:55:21 Businesses grow, Bill.
00:55:24 This business didn't grow,
00:55:26 not since old man Ramsey passed.
00:55:28 It's been added to.
00:55:29 That's not growth.
00:55:31 It's just plain acquisition
00:55:33 of business of stock transfers and bank loans
00:55:36 manipulated by hired shysters
00:55:38 and their sharpshooting accountants
00:55:40 and organized and controlled
00:55:42 by a barracuda like Walter Ramsey.
00:55:45 You sure you won't have a snifter, Fred?
00:55:49 I wish you would.
00:55:51 No.
00:55:56 Well, times change, Bill. You know that.
00:55:58 But do they always change for the better?
00:56:00 Old man Ramsey could walk down a production line
00:56:02 and call every man by his first name
00:56:04 and get called by his first name in return.
00:56:07 I know that feeling. Believe me.
00:56:10 He didn't need public relations experts.
00:56:12 Honor was enough. Character.
00:56:15 And he never sold a share of stock in his company either.
00:56:18 Not till the Depression came along
00:56:20 and he had to raise cash or go under.
00:56:22 And do you know why?
00:56:25 Because he would not lay off one single man.
00:56:27 That's the kind of man Jim Ramsey was.
00:56:30 Now I sit in that fancy conference room
00:56:34 with Jim Ramsey's son.
00:56:36 I sit there and I see all the old man's principles.
00:56:41 All his beliefs.
00:56:43 Every single thing holy to him.
00:56:45 Jobbed off by this spindly little financial wizard,
00:56:49 this wall-eyed, ice-coated little rooster
00:56:52 who knows more about debentures
00:56:54 than he does about the human heart.
00:56:55 - Bill. - I'm all right.
00:56:57 - Take it easy. - I'm all right.
00:56:59 - Begin to work yourself up. - I'm all right.
00:57:02 Sit down, friend.
00:57:06 Sit down quietly and be a nice,
00:57:10 sympathetic friend and associate.
00:57:12 I'm wondering if you're as good a human being
00:57:16 as you are an industrial relations man.
00:57:23 He doesn't like you, does he?
00:57:24 No.
00:57:26 Bill, has it ever occurred to you to resign?
00:57:32 Of course it has. A thousand times.
00:57:35 Why don't you?
00:57:38 What?
00:57:40 Resign.
00:57:42 You can't take the chance of letting this man fire you.
00:57:47 On our level, you don't get fired. You know that.
00:57:52 After 30 years of productive work,
00:57:53 they can't say to a man like me,
00:57:55 "All right, now get out."
00:57:57 They just can't do that.
00:57:59 So what do they do?
00:58:01 They create a situation.
00:58:04 A situation you can't work in
00:58:06 and finally that you can't live in.
00:58:08 Where there's tension, abuse,
00:58:11 small humiliations.
00:58:14 It all starts out on a scale so subtle,
00:58:17 so microscopic,
00:58:20 that at first you can't really believe it's happening at all.
00:58:23 But gradually the thing begins to take shape.
00:58:27 The pieces fit together, all the little bits,
00:58:30 and it becomes unmistakable.
00:58:33 They chip away at your pride, your security,
00:58:37 till you begin to have doubts.
00:58:41 Then fears.
00:58:44 Ramsey.
00:58:48 He wants me to resign.
00:58:49 He wants me to get my cross so full
00:58:51 that I'll be miserable enough to do just that.
00:58:53 But you take it.
00:58:55 Yes, I take it.
00:58:57 Why?
00:58:59 The bigger the job, the more desperately I try to hang on to it.
00:59:01 Why?
00:59:03 Why do you take it? Why don't you quit?
00:59:05 Quit?
00:59:07 Yes, quit. Get out of it. Chuck it.
00:59:09 You'd have your pension, your peace of mind.
00:59:11 No.
00:59:13 You know Ramsey's gonna go on hounding you
00:59:15 until he makes you quit.
00:59:17 He'll never make me quit.
00:59:19 Bill, I...
00:59:25 I wish I could understand why you go on taking it.
00:59:29 Because I'm weak, I guess.
00:59:31 Because I'm 62 years old
00:59:33 and I don't think I could get another job.
00:59:35 How does that strike you?
00:59:37 How do you think?
00:59:39 Once in a while I have a dream.
00:59:45 I dream I'm sitting in that conference room
00:59:47 and he starts working me over.
00:59:49 I'm just smiling, see?
00:59:51 Perfectly calm and I'm taking it.
00:59:54 I don't show the slightest resentment.
00:59:57 And then...
00:59:59 Then without any change of expression
01:00:02 I get up out of my chair and I walk over to him.
01:00:05 And I say, "Ramsey!"
01:00:07 Bill. Ramsey!
01:00:09 Ramsey, I say! And then I smash him!
01:00:12 And then I smash him again!
01:00:14 - Get a hold of yourself! - And I hit him again!
01:00:16 And I hold him up!
01:00:18 And I say, "I'm not through yet!"
01:00:20 It's the kid.
01:00:27 He's coming to pick me up.
01:00:29 Fred, I don't want him to see me. Not like this.
01:00:32 You're all right, Bill. Just sit down now.
01:00:34 No, he can't see me like this!
01:00:36 Fred, help me. Help me.
01:00:38 All right, I'll take care of him.
01:00:40 You just lay low for a minute. I'll see you get home.
01:00:43 - I need to get some... - Bill, please be quiet!
01:00:44 - Fred, hurry! - Be quiet!
01:00:46 Oh, it's me, Paul.
01:00:54 Oh, hi, Mr. Staples.
01:00:56 Man, what a place by night.
01:01:00 Where do they keep the caskets?
01:01:02 - How you doing, partner? - Dad said I should drop in and pick him up.
01:01:05 Oh, well, he went on home. He needs a little rest.
01:01:08 Oh, good.
01:01:10 He's under orders not to work late.
01:01:12 He can't seem to keep away lately.
01:01:14 Always work, always worrying.
01:01:17 No wonder he's number two, man.
01:01:19 I suppose I dropped you off at Grand Central, huh?
01:01:22 Well, thanks, Mr. Staples.
01:01:24 Ever since I can remember, he's been married to this place.
01:01:26 Mom used to say the same thing.
01:01:28 They were great together, Mr. Staples.
01:01:31 Mom and Dad, they used to yell and argue and carry on.
01:01:34 He was a fighter.
01:01:36 He was great growing up. I remember it.
01:01:39 I remember it.
01:01:40 Thank you, Mom.
01:01:50 (engine rumbling)
01:01:51 - More? - There's another bundle on the truck.
01:02:13 (engine rumbling)
01:02:14 Mr. Staples, you left your hat in Mr. Briggs' office.
01:02:28 Oh, Fred, I have a Stanley contract made up if you'd like to take a look at it.
01:02:31 Right here, please.
01:02:33 Bad night.
01:02:35 (phone ringing)
01:02:38 Yes, Mr. Staples?
01:02:39 Now, this is the proposals report.
01:02:42 Give that to Miss Lanier for confidential memoing.
01:02:45 Tell her that Mr. Briggs has the only carbon.
01:02:48 - Is he in yet? - No, sir.
01:02:50 - Mr. Staples? - Yes?
01:02:52 It's not signed.
01:02:54 How would you like the names?
01:02:56 In what order?
01:02:58 First yours or first Mr. Briggs?
01:03:00 Oh, I don't care. It makes no difference to me.
01:03:02 But in joint projects, Mr. Staples...
01:03:04 I really don't think it's too important.
01:03:06 Put Mr. Briggs' name first, if you like.
01:03:07 Just give it to Miss Lanier right away.
01:03:09 I'd like this thing printed by afternoon, if possible.
01:03:12 That's all, Marge.
01:03:17 Yes, Mr. Staples.
01:03:34 Yes, Marge dear, what is it?
01:03:35 The proposals report. Would you sign it so it can be printed?
01:03:38 Oh, would you... (phone ringing)
01:03:40 Just a moment, please.
01:03:42 Marge, will you please take it in to Mr. Ramsey?
01:03:44 He has to see it first.
01:03:46 Hello?
01:03:48 Oh, yes, good morning.
01:03:50 - Is that the report? - Yes, sir.
01:03:52 Miss Lanier said you wanted to see it.
01:03:54 Yes, I do.
01:03:56 Who signed this?
01:03:58 I wrote the title page. Mr. Staples suggested I sign it.
01:04:02 Print it.
01:04:03 I'm sure that if Mr. Staples...
01:04:05 Print it, Miss Fleming.
01:04:07 I can sign that report now, Marge.
01:04:16 Now, we meet with Ramsey in 20 minutes.
01:04:25 Under the conditions and in the time we've got left,
01:04:27 it's the best plan I can devise.
01:04:30 And it's the only one ready,
01:04:31 so you fellas have got to go along.
01:04:33 There's nothing wrong with...
01:04:35 Marge, I can sign that report now.
01:04:37 Hold that for a while. You've got to order section B...
01:04:39 Thank you, Marge.
01:04:45 The major projects during the period of aforementioned being
01:04:58 the Huber Petroleum Refinery,
01:04:59 the Sterling Cast Airs Refinery,
01:05:01 the Chatham Nickel Smelter Company,
01:05:03 the Henderson Valley Dam,
01:05:05 the Swing Carbon Steam Plant,
01:05:07 and the New England Canadian Natural Gas Pipeline.
01:05:09 - Good report, Van. - Thank you.
01:05:11 I got a real feeling of activity during your reading.
01:05:14 The next item of business is the project's proposal report.
01:05:20 Clearly of the greatest single importance
01:05:23 on our docket this morning.
01:05:25 I must say, and I'm sure you'll all agree,
01:05:27 that I am not given to enthusiasms
01:05:28 at the drop of a submission.
01:05:30 But of this I feel impelled to say
01:05:32 that it is unique in effort, ingenious in thought.
01:05:34 To Mr. Fred Staples of our organization
01:05:37 goes my heartfelt thanks and congratulations.
01:05:39 Besides being our newest member,
01:05:42 he seems to be shaping up as among our most astute.
01:05:44 This set of proposals is ingenious,
01:05:46 comprehensive, and fresh.
01:05:48 Congratulations.
01:05:50 Your success is a reaffirmation of my own judgment.
01:05:53 - Mr. Ransey... - Of my own good judgment, I may add.
01:05:56 - Mr. Ransey... - I prefer not to be drenched
01:05:57 with modesty, Mr. Staples.
01:05:59 This is not modesty, just the extension of credit
01:06:01 where it's due.
01:06:03 Bill here is as responsible as...
01:06:05 Mr. Bates, is your name about to be used in vain?
01:06:07 I don't think Fred would use my name in vain.
01:06:09 And it's refreshing to find someone
01:06:11 not suffering from over-modesty.
01:06:13 What I was trying to say is
01:06:15 that we worked on this project together.
01:06:17 It's a combined effort.
01:06:19 I'm sure it was.
01:06:21 Well, as long as that's understood.
01:06:23 Oh, it is, it is.
01:06:25 I'm sure it's very competent to assess
01:06:26 individual performances and to single out
01:06:28 those that I feel should be singled out
01:06:30 with all due regard for Mr. Staples' concern
01:06:33 for his fellow man.
01:06:35 Now then, if Mr. Briggs' ego
01:06:38 has been sufficiently nourished...
01:06:40 I don't think Fred brought this out to feed my ego.
01:06:42 Oh? Well, then whatever it was
01:06:44 that prompted his precipitate dash to your defense...
01:06:46 There was no dash to my defense.
01:06:48 Why don't we drop the thing, Mr. Briggs?
01:06:50 I hate becoming entangled
01:06:52 in absurd little personality conflicts.
01:06:54 Put a star by your name on the front cover
01:06:55 if that'll make you happy.
01:06:57 My name is no longer on the front cover.
01:06:59 Mr. Briggs.
01:07:01 You're twisting the entire thing
01:07:03 to make it appear as if I were grubbing
01:07:05 for some sort of recognition.
01:07:07 Mr. Briggs.
01:07:09 I find it unfair, Mr. Ramsey.
01:07:11 We have a full agenda.
01:07:13 If you feel so bruised that you must persist
01:07:15 in prolonging this discussion...
01:07:17 Mr. Ramsey.
01:07:19 Let me finish, Mr. Staples, if I may.
01:07:21 We have only one purpose here.
01:07:23 We're not having strains and tensions,
01:07:24 these childish claims and counterclaims.
01:07:26 Mr. Briggs, I ask you a simple question.
01:07:29 Is it or is it not within my province
01:07:31 to credit a man with a job well done?
01:07:33 Of course it is.
01:07:35 Then may we drop it now?
01:07:37 Only if it's clearly understood that I don't submit
01:07:39 to any of these calculated discolorations of a man's worth.
01:07:41 As to a man's worth, Mr. Briggs,
01:07:43 I think I've proven myself a competent judge.
01:07:45 I ask you to recall that I built this business
01:07:47 from a scratch pile of used lumber
01:07:49 and a few machines into a giant.
01:07:52 And I made few mistakes in doing it.
01:07:53 Few mistakes in business and few mistakes in judging men.
01:07:56 Well, you've made one this time. This report...
01:07:58 I refuse to engage in a running fight
01:08:00 because a supposedly responsible official of this company
01:08:02 persists in wasting time haggling over credit.
01:08:05 That is not fair.
01:08:07 I was not haggling over credit.
01:08:09 This is a joint report that we worked on.
01:08:11 Don't presume to tell me what's true and what is not true.
01:08:13 What am I, some kind of idiot
01:08:15 that I can't recognize another man's thinking?
01:08:17 Whatever your abilities in the past, Mr. Briggs,
01:08:19 your work hasn't shown this stamp
01:08:21 of talent in ten years.
01:08:22 A man slips, clutches, he loses his grip,
01:08:25 he tries to hang on by someone else's.
01:08:27 You have no right to say that.
01:08:29 Bill, will you please speak up?
01:08:32 Do, by all means, Mr. Briggs.
01:08:35 You think I'm mistaken, do you?
01:08:37 Shall I go through 150 pages
01:08:40 and point out to you line by line
01:08:42 where another man has taken over for you?
01:08:44 Has had to take over for you?
01:08:46 And I can point out sections of this report
01:08:48 that I never had to touch?
01:08:50 You, Mr. Staples, of course you can.
01:08:51 Let me show them to you.
01:08:53 I've seen them submitted year after year.
01:08:55 Principles and precepts for better business.
01:08:58 Mr. Briggs, yearly platitudes.
01:09:00 But you translated his unworkable,
01:09:02 well-intentioned philosophy
01:09:04 into tough business procedure.
01:09:06 You make it work.
01:09:08 Ramsey!
01:09:10 Mr. Briggs, I will not tolerate insubordination on any level.
01:09:12 And if anyone here finds that intolerable,
01:09:14 he has the God-given right to offer his resignation.
01:09:18 Bill.
01:09:19 Please.
01:09:22 Mr. Ramsey.
01:09:25 I had no intention of seeming insubordinate.
01:09:29 I...
01:09:31 I...
01:09:35 I...
01:09:37 I...
01:09:39 I...
01:09:41 I...
01:09:43 I...
01:09:46 I...
01:09:47 Meeting is adjourned.
01:10:01 Mr. Briggs!
01:10:15 Mr. Briggs!
01:10:16 Mr. Briggs!
01:10:21 Someone, Mr. Briggs, is there?
01:10:24 Bill!
01:10:26 Bill, can you hear me?
01:10:28 A little...
01:10:30 A little bottle of pills.
01:10:32 Cold feet.
01:10:34 He gets a water.
01:10:36 Rannigan, get an ambulance.
01:10:38 I'll call Dr. Leger.
01:10:40 Don't move him.
01:10:42 Fred, he's still...
01:10:44 Still giving orders.
01:10:45 Do me a favor, Fred.
01:10:48 What, Bill?
01:10:50 Tell him...
01:10:52 Tell him...
01:10:54 Go to...
01:10:56 (train rumbling)
01:10:57 (phone ringing)
01:11:11 Hello?
01:11:17 Thank you, Mr. Staples.
01:11:24 (door opens)
01:11:25 Five minutes to go.
01:11:27 Just had word from the hospital.
01:11:46 He died five minutes ago.
01:11:49 Thank you.
01:11:52 Thank you, Mr. Granigan.
01:11:54 (footsteps)
01:11:56 (footsteps)
01:11:58 (footsteps)
01:12:00 (footsteps)
01:12:02 (footsteps)
01:12:03 (footsteps)
01:12:05 (footsteps)
01:12:07 (footsteps)
01:12:09 (footsteps)
01:12:11 (footsteps)
01:12:13 (footsteps)
01:12:15 (footsteps)
01:12:17 (footsteps)
01:12:19 (footsteps)
01:12:21 (footsteps)
01:12:23 (footsteps)
01:12:25 (door closes)
01:12:27 (footsteps)
01:12:30 (footsteps)
01:12:31 (footsteps)
01:12:33 (footsteps)
01:12:35 (footsteps)
01:12:37 (footsteps)
01:12:39 (footsteps)
01:12:41 (footsteps)
01:12:43 (footsteps)
01:12:45 (footsteps)
01:12:47 (footsteps)
01:12:49 (door closes)
01:12:51 (footsteps)
01:12:53 (footsteps)
01:12:55 (footsteps)
01:12:57 (footsteps)
01:12:59 (bell tolling)
01:13:01 (footsteps)
01:13:03 (bell tolling)
01:13:15 (bell tolling)
01:13:18 (bell tolling)
01:13:21 (bell tolling)
01:13:24 (glasses clinking)
01:13:35 (indistinct chatter)
01:13:43 (footsteps)
01:13:45 - Nancy?
01:13:57 What are you doing here?
01:13:59 - I called your office.
01:14:00 And there wasn't any train, so I drove here.
01:14:03 (phone ringing)
01:14:06 - How did you know where to find me?
01:14:09 - They told me at the hospital.
01:14:11 - Does Paul know?
01:14:13 - Yes, he's with Bill's sister, he's all right.
01:14:20 - Care for something, miss?
01:14:22 - Have you had anything to eat?
01:14:27 - Huh?
01:14:28 - Have you eaten anything?
01:14:32 Fred.
01:14:40 Fred.
01:14:40 What happened?
01:14:43 - Nothing.
01:14:46 Not a thing.
01:14:49 Except a murder.
01:14:51 There were witnesses too, plenty of us.
01:14:55 And no one lifted a finger to stop it.
01:15:00 - Fred.
01:15:00 - Nancy, I know I didn't lift a finger.
01:15:03 - You don't know.
01:15:03 I'm not gonna have you going around in sackcloth and ashes
01:15:07 telling him something that you did everything
01:15:09 in your power to stop.
01:15:11 You begged him to resign, you know that.
01:15:14 What more could you have done?
01:15:15 What more could anyone have done?
01:15:18 - Nancy, I think you'd better go home.
01:15:20 Would you take this, please?
01:15:21 - Are you coming?
01:15:23 - No.
01:15:24 - Then I won't go.
01:15:26 - I want you to go home and start packing.
01:15:28 - Where are we going?
01:15:31 - I don't know.
01:15:33 Somewhere, anywhere.
01:15:34 Just away.
01:15:36 There's an awful stink in this town
01:15:38 and we're gonna get away from it.
01:15:39 Come on, I'll put you in the car.
01:15:43 - No, I'm not gonna leave you alone.
01:15:45 - Nancy, I want you to go home, please.
01:15:47 - No, I'm not going tonight.
01:15:49 Tomorrow I'll do anything you ask.
01:15:50 I'll pack, I'll go anywhere you ask, but not tonight.
01:15:53 Not in the state you're in.
01:15:54 - Now look, there's something I've got to do.
01:15:56 - Fine.
01:15:57 Then we'll do it together.
01:15:59 (door opening)
01:16:02 (car engine roaring)
01:16:10 (car door closing)
01:16:14 (car engine roaring)
01:16:19 (car engine roaring)
01:16:26 (car engine roaring)
01:16:29 (door slamming)
01:16:47 - Bill was supposed to go to Lansing tomorrow morning
01:16:49 for a meeting with Phillips.
01:16:51 You'll have to take his place.
01:16:53 I believe I've already mentioned that.
01:16:55 - Yeah, you mentioned it.
01:16:57 - You'll leave on flight number 116, 832 from LaGuardia.
01:17:07 Miss Lanier will meet you at the airport
01:17:10 with your reservation and all the memoranda
01:17:12 and correspondence pertaining to the negotiation.
01:17:14 You'll have three uninterrupted hours in the air
01:17:17 to familiarize yourself with all the details.
01:17:19 - I have no interest whatever in the Phillips matter.
01:17:23 - What was that?
01:17:25 - I'm telling you that I don't want the job.
01:17:27 I'm through, I'm quitting.
01:17:28 I resign as of now.
01:17:30 - Why?
01:17:31 - Because I hate your guts.
01:17:33 You used Bill Briggs for a whipping boy.
01:17:36 You made him knuckle under and then you beat him to death.
01:17:39 You wouldn't try anything like that with me
01:17:40 because I'd kill you first.
01:17:42 - I'm not a nice human being.
01:17:44 What else?
01:17:45 - You're nothing but a freak.
01:17:46 You drive your people into peak efficiency
01:17:48 if they can make it or a grave if they can't.
01:17:51 Because Bill Briggs lacked the strength and the capacity.
01:17:53 - And the capacity.
01:17:54 He was second in command.
01:17:56 He had a lot of responsibility to hold
01:17:57 and he cracked up.
01:17:58 - It was his business too.
01:17:59 - It's no one's business.
01:18:01 It belongs only to the best.
01:18:03 To those who can control it, sustain it, nurture it,
01:18:05 keep it growing.
01:18:07 Right now it belongs to us because we're producing.
01:18:10 But in the future it belongs to whoever has the brains,
01:18:12 the nerve and the skill to take it away from us.
01:18:14 - Well they can have my share of it right now
01:18:16 because I don't want any part of it.
01:18:17 - What do you want from me, apologies?
01:18:20 I don't apologize!
01:18:22 What else?
01:18:24 A nice unsullied conscience.
01:18:28 You walk out of here with a halo because you spoke your mind.
01:18:32 What do you do then?
01:18:34 Go to work for some nickel and dime outfit run by nice people
01:18:37 who won't challenge you and prod you and gold you
01:18:40 and drive you to a height you never even dreamed of?
01:18:43 A company where there's nothing to fight for
01:18:45 because you're the best and there's no competition?
01:18:48 Where everything is handed to you
01:18:50 and nothing is worth fighting for?
01:18:52 I want you to stay!
01:18:55 - I don't think you understand, Ramsey.
01:18:59 I don't like you.
01:19:00 I don't like anything about you.
01:19:02 - I didn't hire you to like me!
01:19:04 All right, I'm not a nice person in your eyes.
01:19:07 But whatever I am, you learn more, grow more and do more
01:19:10 here with me than anywhere else on earth.
01:19:13 I want you to stay because I need help on my level
01:19:16 and you're the only one who's able to function there.
01:19:19 Be a conscience for me if you want.
01:19:21 Be anything you like.
01:19:22 And if it's something I don't like, you'll know about it soon enough.
01:19:26 I think you're strong enough to take it.
01:19:28 And if not, I think you're strong enough to get out.
01:19:31 Name your terms.
01:19:33 All terms are negotiable.
01:19:35 - I don't think so.
01:19:38 Not mine.
01:19:39 - All right.
01:19:40 I just assume not waste any time doing trading.
01:19:43 As of now, your salary is doubled.
01:19:46 Your stock option is doubled right down the line.
01:19:49 Your expense account is whatever you make it.
01:19:52 Add to that a new title, Vice President.
01:19:55 - I want a lot more than that.
01:20:00 You're not going to take me on as just another Vice President
01:20:03 you can push around.
01:20:05 You'll take me as someone who hates you down to the bare nerve.
01:20:09 Nothing in the world will ever change that.
01:20:11 I'll argue with you, contradict you, fight you in every way I know how.
01:20:16 I'll do everything in my power to push you out and take your place myself.
01:20:20 - Go ahead and try.
01:20:22 Mr. Staples, you have yourself a deal.
01:20:26 - Have it drawn up.
01:20:28 - No reservations now?
01:20:31 - Yes, one.
01:20:36 Bill had one pitiful little dream that someday he'd walk in here
01:20:40 and break your jaw.
01:20:42 I reserve the right to have that wish for myself.
01:20:46 - I'll have it drawn into the contract
01:20:49 with a little rider giving me the same privilege.
01:20:52 Oh, uh...
01:21:02 Staples, you'll be pleased to know
01:21:05 that Bill Briggs' boy is being taken care of.
01:21:09 - Shit.
01:21:10 - Will that let you sleep better tonight?
01:21:14 - It begins, huh?
01:21:17 - It begins. Fair enough?
01:21:20 - Fair enough.
01:21:23 (footsteps)
01:21:51 (door closes)
01:21:53 - Do we pack?
01:22:06 - No, we stay.
01:22:10 - On whose terms?
01:22:12 - Mine...
01:22:13 and his.
01:22:16 - Are you satisfied?
01:22:18 - Yes.
01:22:19 - Well, Fred...
01:22:21 - You know, it's easy enough to chuck something you think is wrong,
01:22:25 but, I don't know, this way maybe there's a chance.
01:22:28 - I'm so happy.
01:22:30 - Well, we'll see.
01:22:32 I've got to go to Lansing.
01:22:34 Morning plane.
01:22:36 - When will you be back?
01:22:37 - Tomorrow night.
01:22:39 I'll be late.
01:22:41 - Aren't you always?
01:22:47 (footsteps)
01:22:59 (distant train whistle)
01:23:28 (distant train whistle)
01:23:34 [BLANK_AUDIO]