Business Ethics (2019) - full transcript

Class, if you remember
nothing else from this course,

I want you to remember
this one thing.

Dishonesty, lies, cheating...

You will never get
away with them.

They will always come
back to haunt you,

and you will pay the price.

Yes, Mr. Cranston?

This price that
has to be paid,

I was thinking, Professor
Wrightway, like everything else,

shouldn't we ask
if it's worth paying?

I'm not talking about
small-time thievery.



We're business students here.

I'm talking about
something really big,

where you steal or cheat people
out of a lot of money.

Zachery.

I just wanted to say
that last night...

Wonderful.

Veronica.

We're in the office
right now, honey.

I like to keep
things professional.

Aren't you gonna
open it, Zachery?

I'm kind of busy right now.

And, please,
don't call me that.

In here, it's either
"Mr. Cranston" or "Sir".

Okay.



There's no
denying it.

I'm a bastard.

But let's go back
before I had success,

and fame, and money.

It all began with
just my mother and me,

and her candy store,
of course.

Then, she met the man who would
change our lives forever...

Mr. Edwin Murk,

the big investment manager.

The most important
thing in life

is to understand the difference
between good and bad.

Good.

Bad.

Good.

Yes, son.
Well done, well played.

Now, Zachery,

this is a symbol of all
the beautiful things

that are gonna happen
in your life.

I'd always known
Mr. Murk had another life.

And I was curious.

I knew then that one day
I would be like Mr. Murk.

Lies, cheating,

you will never
get away with it.

They will always come
back to haunt you...

So, after graduation,

I spent seven years
at Mr. Murk's investment firm,

working my way up
to senior portfolio manager.

Things were good. Very good.

Or so I thought.

Even though your husband
is gone, Mrs. Finnegan,

you can count on me.

I can continue to manage
your money for you.

I need to keep this short.

Suffice it to say,

it is time to strike out
in a new direction.

Leave the firm, son.
The sooner, the better.

You too, Mabel,
take your business elsewhere.

What's going on, sir?

Some nonsense about fraud.

Embezzlement,
money laundering.

Bribery, tax evasion.

Mr. Murk, wait...
I don't understand.

There must be some mistake.

With Murk Wealth
Management on my resume,

other employers shunned me
like a bad disease.

So, I decided to start
my own business.

A wise choice?

I'll tell you what happened...

And you decide.

Hedge fund?
That sounds exciting.

What do you think, Gerald?

I still consult my husband
on matters of importance.

You'd be my first client.

Well, Gerald says no.

No hedge fund.

Sorry, dear, he doesn't
want to take any risks.

He can be a bit
of an old woman.

I've already committed
my client's money

to another fund
management company.

How many Masters tournaments
did I take you to? What, five?

That many?
Well, thanks again, by the way.

Experience of a lifetime.
Never forget it.

Won't be the same
going without you.

You're going this year?

As luck would have it,
another company invited me.

That wouldn't, by chance,
be the same company

you committed your client's
money to now, would it?

You know, I... I believe it is.

You ready for this? All right.

Ah, yes!

Game time. Whoo!

So you're starting
up a new hedge fund.

Yes. Always wanted
my own business.

You know, no boss,
no partners to answer to.

And that means I can cut you
a damn good break on fees.

Forget about it, Cranston.

I've already transferred
my account over to Amanda.

She's got me hooked up
on one of those hot, new issues.

Congrats on
the new gig, Amanda.

That didn't take long.

Dryesdale Ferrit's been after me
for a long time.

I bet.

And hey, what about your news?

I hear you're starting
your own firm.

Yeah. To tell you the truth,
it's been difficult.

Hard to find clients when
you don't have a track record,

and it's difficult to get
a track record without clients.

I don't suppose
you have any leads

or a bone or two
to throw at me.

"Magnus Hardcastle?"

He's super wealthy.

But my firm refused
to take him on.

Why? What's wrong with him?

I didn't make the fortune
that I have today

worrying about ethics.

If there's one thing
that I've learned, Cranston,

it's the value of shit.

"Shit," sir?

Stuff nobody wants
or wants to do.

It's made me a wealthy man.

Foreclosures,
wasn't it, Mr. Hardcastle?

That's right.

Bankers today,
bunch of gutless wimps.

They need people like me

to take care of all
the messy stuff for 'em.

But you moved on.
Sold your business.

That's right.

And the last thing I want
is to leave my money in a bank.

I didn't make the kind
of fortune that I have today

trusting those fat-ass bankers.

Well, sir, that's why I'm here.

I'd like to manage
your fortune.

I want a real son of a bitch
handling my loot,

note some wine-sippin'
number cruncher.

You don't have to worry
about that, sir.

I'm prepared to get
my hands very, very dirty.

In fact, I'm starting
a new hedge fund

that will focus
on the kind of business

I think that you'll like.

Weapons, gambling,
pornography, pollution.

Now you're talking my language.

Excuse me, sir.

I think you'll find this
more to your liking.

Why, what's wrong
with this bottle?

It's poisoned, sir.

You bastard!

I'm going to make you pay.

She claims you
foreclosed on her mother.

I foreclosed on lots
of people's mother.

Take it from me, son.

There's no surer sign
of a great business

than having people
try to kill you.

I'll tell you what.

I like the sound
of this new fund of yours.

I'll set you up
with a million bucks.

Mmm?

With my first
client finally on board,

all I needed to do
was make some good investments.

The other investors
were put off by the mosquitoes.

Well, that or the snakes.

Made a major
financial commitment

to this venture, you know.

Ah, excuse me.
I, um... I have to take this.

It seems there's
been a development.

Oh, yeah?

The gold in
our mine samples, um,

apparently it didn't all come
from the mine.

So...

No, it, uh,
it came from wrist watches.

All of it, actually.

Ground-up wrist watches.

So, what are you saying?

All things considered,

it's probably best
if I get out here.

Hey!

We need to talk about
this Internet firearms company

you recommended.

You assured me

that the project would be up
and running by now.

Pull.

I need a winner, fast.

Just tell your investor
to be patient.

- Right, Jared?
- Yeah. I mean...

Jared here is the smartest
guy in the industry.

That's why I brought him
here today to meet you.

He's our company's secret sauce.

Quite frankly,
he's what you've invested in.

I mean, I wouldn't...

And when Jared's got
this product ready,

that's when the company
goes public.

I figure a market cap
between one and two billion.

Maybe three, on the upside.

When would that be?

Jared?

The next year continued

with one disaster after another.

Cranston.

I didn't make the kind
of fortune that I have today

by tolerating disappointment.

And your fund is
disappointing me.

No need to worry. I'm sure
it'll get better real soon.

My dentist made 20%
by investing in bull semen.

Have you ever considered
that, by the way?

Bull semen?

Uh, no, I can't say that...

And my golf pro?

He made a killing
in vintage guitars.

Don't worry.
Glass is bulletproof.

Unless things pick up
in the next quarter,

I'm afraid I may have
to consider my options.

You sure you'll be happier
in bull semen, sir?

My circumstances were bleak.

And my misfortunes?

They were not limited
to my business.

You gotta find
someone else with money.

I've never asked
anyone for help.

Do you know how long my store
has been a client of your bank?

Thirty-four years.

What about
that son of yours?

The one with
the hedge fund?

I'm not sure
how much longer

I'm gonna be
able to stay in business.

Back when I worked
for you, Mr. Murk,

we had a research department,

and my investment performance
was strong.

But now, not so much.

In my experience,
you need something

the other ambitious
young types don't have.

An edge.

What could that be?

You'll figure it out.

We're business students here.

Talking about
something really big,

where you steal or cheat
people out of a lot of money.

Two words, sir.

Charles Ponzi.

Thank you,
Mr. Tempest.

As usual, your preparation
for this course is exemplary.

Thank you.

Charles Ponzi

instigated one of the most
famous financial frauds

in history.

And, sure, he lived
a high life for a time,

profiting at his
clients' expense.

It must have seemed great
having the big house,

the swimming pool,
the air conditioning.

But ultimately,
what happened to him?

He was arrested.

He went to jail.

Led away
in handcuffs,

he was disgraced and ruined.

Professor Wrightway,
I was wondering.

This was back
in the 1920s, right?

Yes.

Did he really
have air conditioning?

A Ponzi scheme
is a classic fraud.

Its essence is deception.

And the perpetrator
deliberately

overstates the value of assets
held in client accounts,

thereby creating
a false impression

of investment success.

Like all
the best ideas, it was simple.

That's why I knew
it could work.

My first step,
acquire a successful image.

And, of course,
I need a team,

one I could trust.

Do you have any idea
what you're talking about?

They say peanut butter is good.

But when it comes
to catching vermin,

I'm a traditionalist.

This could mean jail.

I mean, like a very, very
long time in jail. I mean...

I mean, maybe the rest
of our lives.

Wilfred, we've known
each other a long time.

We've been friends
since we were kids,

and you were a star back
in Professor Wrightway's class.

But now, you've been
out of work.

For over a year.

You said it yourself,
you're running out of money.

I know times have been a little
tough recently, but this...

I spent six years in compliance
at a major brokerage firm,

then three years in enforcement
at the commission.

I've dedicated my entire career
to upholding the law.

And what you're proposing...

What I'm proposing
is the perfect application

of your skills.

Sit down.
Come on, have a seat.

Now think about it.

Your entire life so far

has been nothing less
than the ideal training

for this venture.

Besides,

how else are you gonna pay

for those medications
your wife needs?

You know about that?

I also know what bandits
those drug companies can be.

It's just so hard.

Trying to do
a proper job search,

let alone an interview
when I just

keep bursting
into tears.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

Look at me. I'm a mess.

Nobody's gonna hire me.

All right.

Listen.

Here's the way I figure it.

With your expertise
and my salesmanship,

we could create the greatest
and most glorious scheme

in the history of scheming.

It'd take them years.

Years and years
to catch up to us.

In the meantime, think what
you could do for Sarah.

Wilfred, you could
save her life.

Why would anyone fire
an excellent accountant

like Martin Abacus?

In business school,
you were a legend.

They said I drank too much.

Sorry.

Don't be. I see it
as an opportunity.

And opportunity to go out
on my own, to work for myself.

Independence, freedom,
all that bollocks.

But there's one small problem.

It's taking a little longer
than I'd like

to find my first client.

Actually, as fate would have it,

I'm looking for a new
auditor for my hedge fund.

- Is that so?
- Yes.

You see, I find that most
accountants are so literal,

so lacking in imagination.

Well, my family said

that I should always
have been an artist.

I would like
my fund's financials

to be more than a mere mundane
reporting of actual fact.

My first degree
was in literature.

My favorite genre was fantasy.

Fantasy.

Veronica.

So good to see you.

How much do you know
about hedge funds?

Not very much, sir.

That's excellent.
You can start right away.

Oh.

Yes.

I think you're gonna
work out very well.

Nice touch.

No one can know
or suspect what we're doing.

Not even your assistant,
Veronica.

All right, listen up.

This is what your
clients want, correct?

And this is what you've been
getting for them, correct?

Okay, so, here's the key.

This part, right here.

We need a structure
that raises no alarms.

It starts with the folks
holding the fund's assets.

Right now, you've got what,
a single prime broker

with custody
of everything, correct?

We need to fix that.

No one can ever see
the whole picture.

We need multiple prime brokers,
each holding only a small piece.

Then, we need
an investment strategy,

something that
nobody understands.

I recommend derivatives,
options, futures, swaps.

Know anything about them?

They're complicated.

Exactly. That's why
they're perfect.

And... Trades.

Lots and lots of trades.

I want to see pages
and pages of them.

We should have so many
damn transactions

that anyone nosy enough
to investigate

will be buried under
an avalanche of detail.

Brilliant!

Wilfred was
doing great work.

Now it was time to win back
my old client.

Cranston, what are you
doing here?

Oh, forgive me
for interrupting, Jasper.

I was hoping we might
get in a few holes together.

Well, as you could see,
I'm already committed.

Oh, this isn't purely social.

Dick here is the president
of Forthright Funds.

His firm's handling
my client's money now.

Heard a lot about
your firm, Mr. "Urine."

Uren, actually.

I'm surprised
to see you out here.

If my results
were anything like yours,

I'm not so sure I'd be out here
working on my golf swing.

You little prick.

I hate to say it,
Dick, but he's right.

Your results are crap.

Come on, Jasper, I know things
haven't worked out

since you came on board,
but over time,

my firm's record after adding
back fees and adjusting for risk

and relative
to our peer universe,

it's solid. Pretty solid.

How's that compared to the 20%
per year I've been making?

Hoo-hoo, 20% is
a hell of a nice number, Dick.

Okay, numbers aren't everything.

True.

That's why I prepared a little
package for you, Jasper.

How's it sound?

Private jet to Augusta,
tickets to the Masters,

two hostesses,

and an invitation to the E-Z-GO
Golf Park cocktail reception.

You can get into that?

We've got work
to do, Martin.

Anything to do with investments,

no one can see it.

Except Internet firearms,

bankrupt gold mine.

This stuff is perfect.

Perfect to keep
Veronica occupied.

You son of a bitch, Cranston!

Back fees,
adjusting for risk. It's solid!

It's solid!

Dear investor, good news.

I am happy to report
an exceptional increase

in the value of your holdings
in the Cranston Fund.

The key to these strong results?

Complex derivatives strategies

such as the double
diagonal spread,

the roller coaster swap,

the reverse iron albatross,

and, of course,
the swaption collar.

So beautiful,

and so utterly untrue.

I represent one of the most
discreet private banks

in Switzerland, Mr. Cranston,

and your fund
has come to our attention.

I'm delighted to hear that,
Fraulein Stumpf.

Its performance
is remarkable.

Well, thank you.

One does one's best, huh?

And my client here,
Mr. Karamazov,

is interested
in making an investment.

Never heard of
Mr. Karamazov before.

Should I?

He owns the largest chain
of funeral parlors in Siberia.

But he's looking to diversify.

We really
miss you here at the Commission.

Resources are stretched
so thin, it's crazy.

I don't know how they expect us
to catch the next fraud artist.

My new job.

Sometimes I wish
I had a new job.

"Cranston Fund Management.

"Chief compliance officer."

Well, now that you're there,

that's one fund manager
we won't have to worry about.

- Huh?
- Please.

Mr. Karamazov is tired
of clipping the coupons

and government bonds.

He wonders
if you would be willing

to accept an initial investment
of $5 million.

A Ponzi scheme

can only survive as long
as it pays off any investors

who request their money back.

And for this reason,

a well-run scheme will always
aim to ensure sufficient inflows

of new money
to cover any outflows.

The keys to the city,

as mayor, is the highest
honor that I can grant.

We need more citizens like you.

Citizens who support
vital projects.

Project that are essential

to the well-being
of our community.

Projects like your
re-election campaign?

Now let's get a photo.

I don't hand this
shit out every day.

- An honorary doctorate of law.
- Mmm-hmm.

Well, it's the least we can do

for one of our most
distinguished graduates.

Welcome, Dr. Cranston.

My fabricated
investment returns

proved an irresistible hook.

And within six years,

the whole world was paying
attention to my firm.

I'm with Zachery Cranston,

one of the world's
top-performing

hedge fund managers.

His fund was up 20% last year.

Mr. Cranston, what are your
views on the stock market?

Thanks, Melanie.

Short-term, we're range-bound.

But let me be clear.

This is a cyclical bull market

within a longer term
secular bear market.

If, however,
the Dow and the S&P

breach their 180-day
moving averages,

we could see
a possible breakout,

either to the upside
or maybe the downside.

But aren't you concerned with
the head and shoulders pattern

that's been forming
in the markets lately?

Very concerned, Melanie.
Very concerned.

Always pay attention to those
head and shoulders patterns.

You are
amazing, my boy.

You have made me
a pisspot-full.

And you can take it from me.

A man can never have
too many pisspots.

It's been another
strong quarter, sir.

I have to admit.

Some of the investments
in your portfolio,

I'm not sure I agree with.

There's a pajama
company in there,

and some kind of
teddy bear operation.

Now, I didn't make the kind
of fortune I have today

by investing in pajama
companies and teddy bears.

Well, that's the new world
of investing, sir.

I don't know.
It's still a long way from

the guns and drugs and...

...ammo stocks that we...

That we talked about at first.

And what's wrong with
good old-fashioned businesses

with names like Rentokil
and Black Ops Holdings?

That's how real men
make their money,

not with some company called
Cuddlegram or Fleecy Bedtime.

You have to ask yourself, sir.

Are those real men
making 20% per year?

Hell no.

I'll send you some more
money in the morning.

Veronica.

You mind joining me
for a moment?

I want to share something
very special with you.

Now, close your eyes.

No peeking.

Okay, you can open your eyes.

I don't know what to say.

Well, go ahead. Open it.

Wonderful, isn't it?

Grab a hammer.

We'll hang it up
in the reception.

Come on.

Get your champagne.

Bravo.

Bravo, Investment Superman.

I'm so happy for you.

Thank you, sir.

Nice to see that you
haven't lost your touch

with the old marts.

May I ask about
your legal case?

Of course. You need to know.

Truth is, Zachery,

I've suffered a little setback
on the old jurisprudence front.

What kind of setback?

Tomorrow, I'll be convicted.

But, hey, you know me.

No need to worry
about all of that.

Goddamn lawyers

with their
sanctimonious bullshit!

You'll never beat me!

But you're gonna appeal, right?

Zachery...

Do you remember when I tried
to teach you the difference

between good and bad?

Well, I want you to have this.

A Bible?

I know, there's a lot
of crazy stuff in there,

but the point is, in life,
that's what counts as good.

And this baby,

well, this little thing,
it turns out...

It's good, too.

No, Zachery.

But I'll tell you what.

It's beautiful.

Now, you'll have
to excuse us.

So little time.

Bye, sweetie.

Bye, Ma.

Do you want me
to be there for you, sir,

in court?

I want to be there
by your side.

Thank you, but there's no need.

It's all taken care of.

The doctor said
she had known for months

her time was limited.

Of course, they had a medical
name for her condition,

but personally, I think
she died of a broken heart.

It's very kind of you
to invite me out here

to your country estate.

I really do appreciate it.

Nonsense.

It's the least I can do.

You're a very important part
of my team, Martin.

And that's why I'm sorry to hear

that you had some reservations
about the work we're doing.

The addiction program I've been
attending has got me thinking.

Zachery...

I realize now the terrible
mistakes I've made.

That seems harsh.

You know, those rehab people,
they can be very judgmental.

And also very insightful.

You see, they've
helped me understand

for the first time
the importance of honesty.

Being honest to yourself...

...is the foundation
of everything.

Well, that I agree with.

And being honest with other
people, that's important, too.

Interesting.

You see, I've come to believe
that people are truly more happy

with a pleasant fantasy.

Maybe for a time,
but in the long...

In the long run, Martin.

Enough of this idle chit-chat.

Let's go stretch our legs.

I'd love to show you
around the property.

About the fund, Zachery.

I've been looking
at the numbers.

Maybe you should talk
to the authorities.

Martin...

I really wish you hadn't
gone to that detox program.

What shall it profit
you to gain the whole world

if you lose your soul?

Pay the price.

Pay the price.

Pay the price.

Pay the price.

I was just thinking of my old
business ethics teacher,

Professor Wrightway.

Earnest Ernie.

"Dishonesty, lies, cheating,

"you'll never get
away with them."

So he's... Is he still teaching?

We put him out
to grass long ago.

He's terribly old-fashioned.

So who's teaching
business ethics now?

That distinction falls to me.

And I take it you don't
agree with Professor Wrightway?

About always paying the price.

Today's world is so dynamic,

so sophisticated.

Who knows what's right,
what's wrong anymore?

Lines are blurred.

Judgment is a matter
of perspective.

So you're saying
that people can cheat,

and they can get away with it?

"Cheat"!

It could be any number
of reasons he's missing.

Martin's an alcoholic,
for God's sake.

I just can't help
feeling somehow responsible.

I...

I know it's crazy, but...

You should
not think like that.

You know, it's not gonna
make him suddenly turn up.

I suppose you're right.

Of course, she's right.

I'm sure they'll
find him eventually.

And in the meantime,

we need to move on
with our lives.

So just try to focus
on something else.

Something positive.

Yes, I suppose
Martin would want that.

- Thank you.
- Hmm.

Thank you for that advice.

You know what would really
boost my spirits?

What?

A philanthropic work.

I really think it will
provide a spiritual refuge

during these dark times.

So maybe you could
set something up

with that doctor
at the hospital.

Yeah!

Dr. Helen.

Thank you for this tour.
Means a lot to me.

- Of course.
- No, I really mean it.

You see, in my work,
I have to do things,

sometimes unpleasant things.

But when I'm here with you,

it makes me think what I do,
maybe it's worthwhile after all.

You know, all important work
has its unsavory side.

Even ours.

Some things that happen
at this hospital

can be very unpleasant.

In recognition
of your outstanding generosity

to the development
of the Cranston Heart Center,

we thank you.

The only reward I require
is the knowledge

that with my donation,
I've added to human happiness.

So I accept
this beautiful tribute

on behalf of the people
in the trenches.

The doctors and all those nurses

who make it possible for me
to save so many lives.

Here. Take this.

Doctor, I just want you
to know that your hospital

can rely on my
continued support.

If there's anything
at all you need...

As a matter of fact,
we're in desperate need

of these life-saving devices.

The company that makes them
is running low on funds,

and they're looking
for an angel investor.

An angel, huh?

Well, you've come
to the right person.

My brother-in-law
spoke very highly of you,

Mr. Tucci.

He said that you can be
relied upon to be discreet.

You see, our auditor
is not available anymore.

And we need someone
to take over

to certify our
financial statements.

Is that something
you'd be willing to consider?

What's to consider?

You know, I never saw
such gorgeous numbers.

Listen to me.

Your fucking statements
should be in a museum.

Where are the statements?

It's right here.

Oh.

Yeah.

Let me get my pen here.

Did I ever tell you how much
I love these statements?

I can't accept this.

Sir.

Thank you.

It's a very generous donation.

I've gotta hand it
to you, Zachery.

This venture of yours
has turned out okay so far.

Thanks to you, my wife...

She's actually walking again.

Mr. Cranston?

Beautiful property
you got here.

I always feel there's something
spiritual about these woods.

Mr. Cranston, we got a guy
who places you and Mr. Abacus

up here together
the day he went poof.

I told you.
I invited Martin for lunch.

Well, this witness,
the guy who saw you,

says he saw you walk
through a field together

and disappear
into these here woods.

My neighbor, birdwatcher.

That's your source?

We also got a report
of gunshots just after.

The only thing worse
than birdwatchers

are the damn hunters.

Property is posted with signs
all over the place,

but it's impossible
to get rid of them.

This witness,

he also says that sometime
after the gunshots,

he saw you walk home alone.

Lieutenant Drake, what exactly
are you looking for?

Somebody's been digging here.

That's right.

Got one of those
metal detectors.

I found quite a few pieces

of old farm equipment
around the place.

Now, why don't I walk
you to your car?

No, no, no. That's all right.

I remember where I left it.

Thanks for your time.

Mr. Cranston,

we have some concerns
about your operation.

Oh, really?

To be blunt, we are finding it
difficult to accept

the accuracy of these returns

based on the investment
strategies you have outlined.

I'm sure we can sort
these things out.

We want to see what I believe
is called the nitty gritty.

We want to see
what is lurking here,

under the surface.

Mr. Cranston.

Veronica, can't you see
that I'm tied up?

There's a gentleman
here to see you.

Exercise a little
judgment, please.

He's gonna have to come back.

Sir, the man outside,

he's a senior enforcement
officer from the regulator.

Mr. Cranston.

My name is Higgins.

I'm responsible
for ensuring compliance

with our agency's
regulatory requirements.

This isn't actually
the best time, Mr. Higgins.

I won't beat
about the bush.

We have an issue
with your fund.

Really?

What might that be?

Your fund is in breach
of our regulations.

Ah.

Surely, there's a mistake.

No, there's no mistake.

It's your statements.

You auditor, a Mr. Tucci,

he filed them,
and there's a problem.

I don't quite understand.

Mr. Tucci assured me
everything was in order.

I'm afraid not.

I see. Well,
I'll discuss this with him.

Yes. I would do that.

You see, Mr. Cranston,

we penalize companies
$200 a day for filing late.

And your statements were
filed three days late.

That's it?

That's the problem?

I wanted to inform you
of this personally.

You see, Mr. Cranston, well...

My mother was at the cardiac
center at the hospital,

and I wanted to let you know

how grateful I am
for what you do,

for all the money that you give
to help people like my mother

receive the treatment
that they need.

I just wish I could waive
that darn fine.

Don't worry about it.

It can't be helped.
Our filing was late.

I just hope that
your mother is okay.

Our parents are so
important, you know.

Nice of you to rejoin us,
Mr. Cranston.

These records,
they're very extensive.

Well, we run a tight ship here.

Let me be clear.
All this paperwork,

it might be convincing
to some people,

but I'm not
easily deceived.

And so I remain concerned.

And I must ask you.

This auditor of yours,
who is he?

Mr. Tucci.

Yeah, I can see
that is his name.

But I have never heard of him.

I think I would like
to meet this Mr. Tucci.

Hey, Cranston,

you got some more of those
beautiful numbers for me?

No, but I have
an interfering Swiss banker

who's about to arrive
any minute.

Hey, hey, hey!
Hey, man, come on.

I need you to act
more accountant-like.

Ah, gee, this is exactly why

I didn't join one
of those big firms.

I hate all this jacket

- and tie bullshit.
- Here. Come on, come on.

Okay.

Yeah?

Ah, Mr. Cranston,

I see you made it here
ahead of us.

Yes. I thought I might be
able to answer any questions

you might have.

And this, I take it,
is Mr. Tucci?

Yes.

I won't waste
time, Mr. Tucci.

I have certain reservations
about Mr. Cranston's accounts.

And I'm here to understand how
thoroughly, you, as his auditor,

have reviewed them.

Sure, yeah. Yeah, yeah.
Have a seat, Ms., uh...

Stumpf. Fraulein Stumpf.

Ouch.

It's an unfortunate moniker.

Can't help noticing
that you're working here alone.

I got a gal who comes in
a couple of times a week.

And your premises
are a little,

shall I say, rudimentary.

Well, yeah, I like to keep
the overhead low.

Forgive me for saying this,

but I find myself wondering
why Mr. Cranston

would hire you
to audit his fund.

Oh.

Quite.

You're not one
of the major accounting firms.

You know, personally,

I never understood why anyone
would hire those big firms.

You pay through the nose,

and a bunch of kids
do all the work

while the fat cat partners are
out... They're out playing golf.

With me, what you see
is what you get.

Hmm. Precisely.

And what I see

is not exactly someone

who wrote the textbook
on modern accounting.

Needs a little updating now.

Second biggest seller
in its day, though.

I have to confess.
I am surprised.

This book is something
I would expect

from a Harvard professor.

Fair enough.

This does go back a ways
to my teaching days.

You were an academic?

You don't strike me
as the college type.

I know what you mean.

You know, those places,
they're way too buttoned-down.

- Too many rules.
- Rules, yeah.

That's why I left. Yeah.

You know you can't even bang
the students anymore?

The students?

No, I like it here.

Yeah, no, I make good money.

Yeah, I got a lot
of big accounts, too.

Waste management, pizza chains,
dry cleaners.

There's lots of variety.

That sounds very impressive.

And the best part,
I got freedom, independence.

I can handpick
the people I audit.

People of integrity.

People like Mr. Cranston here.

His financials, impeccable.

Always impeccable.

In Russia, we have saying...

Ooh.

We also have saying...

I don't understand.
What's going on?

You can't seriously
think it's okay...

We got to follow up
every lead, Mr. Cranston.

I found something, Lieutenant.

Let's see it, Ahmed.

Like I said,

there's old bits of farm
machinery all over this place.

Yeah, but this is
what you need to see.

There's no doubt about it.

There's nothing down here.

I just wish we all knew where
poor Martin is, that's all.

I've been assured

that in the absence
of any hard evidence,

the investigation
is going nowhere.

Speaking on behalf of the city,
I couldn't be more embarrassed.

The police were way out of line.

But now that that's behind us,

- I got some happy news.
- Oh.

My two friends here would each

like to put two million bucks
into your fund.

How does that sound?

Waiter, another round.

Pay the price.

Pay the price.

Ms. Patel has
finally gotten through to me.

God knows it took me
long enough.

We are transforming
Mr. Hardcastle's beautiful home

into a new campus

for the Spiritual
Rebirth Institute.

And what exactly
will you be doing here?

The goal is freedom

from material
and physical desires.

If I've learned one thing,

it's that money, things
never brought me happiness.

We plan to build this
special treatment facility

for recovering
financial executives.

Poor souls.

That constant exposure to greed
takes a heavy toll.

Perhaps you yourself have
had some direct experience

with the debilitating effects
of excessive materialism?

This area will be a suite
of meditation rooms.

And next to it,
our pride and joy,

a technologically advanced
aversion therapy facility

complete with the latest
electroshock hardware.

There will even be full-time
counselors to assist our clients

in structuring
a charitable giving program

should they decide
to relieve themselves

of the burdens of their wealth.

It's all about giving back
to the community, isn't it, sir?

I didn't make
the kind of fortune I have today

without knowing a wise man
when I see one.

And you are
a wise man, Cranston.

Thank you.
That's very kind, sir.

It was
your heart center.

That's what started me thinking.

And I finally decided

I'm not only giving
away my home,

I'm also giving away my money.

Our humble institute

will be honored to receive
his munificent donation.

So I'll be needing
everything back

that I've invested with you.

Everything?

That's about $20 million.

That sounds
about right.

Is that a problem?

A Ponzi scheme

can only survive as long
as it pays off any investors

who request their money back.

How did I ever let you
talk me into this?

I knew it was mad
from the beginning.

- Come on, Wilfred, focus.
- How did I ever...

How much money can
we raise by month-end?

Not $20 million,
that's for sure.

Maybe if you hadn't given
so much of it away

or bought all that stuff.

I mean, a harpsichord?
Who does that?

This is hardly the time
to point fingers.

What I need to know
is what can we do?

I don't know about you,

but I know what Sarah
and I are doing.

You can't seriously want
to live as a fugitive.

Would you rather
go to jail, man?

I'm not gonna do that, either.

Look, we may not have
the money now,

but we still have
30 days to get it.

Now, listen.

We're gonna use those 30 days,
every last one of them.

And I'm gonna tell you what
I'm gonna be doing. Lying.

Lying like no one's
ever lied before.

With high returns
and low volatility,

I've achieved both absolute
and risk-adjusted returns

that are the envy
of the fund management industry.

How do I do it?
Well, I follow a simple precept.

Take care of the downside first

and let the upside
look after itself.

But there's a catch.

When the funds get too big,
too successful,

when they receive
too much money,

well, the returns can suffer.

Veronica.

Over the next month,

things could get a little
sticky around here.

Oh.

There are
some technical issues, details.

Things about the way
we've been running the business.

Paperwork stuff.

Anyway, Wilfred here is gonna
be going through our records

and making sure everything
is shipshape.

Just make sure
the shredder is working.

And that's why it's imperative
that you consider

increasing your allocation
to the Cranston Fund now

before the end of this month.

Because after that,

I'm afraid I won't be accepting
any new investment.

I want to say I'm sorry

for how I've been
a little distracted lately.

But after this little bit
of a thing that we're here in

gets cleaned up,

I'm gonna show you just
how much I appreciate you.

Because, Veronica,
I really do appreciate you.

We'll have dinner.

That's a promise.

Your offer to continue
managing the Hardcastle donation

is most kind.

But, alas,

the entire amount
is already committed

to our institute's expansion.

So, at the end of the month,

we will be needing it.

All of it.

More tea?

Come on, what do you say?

Tax man, Cranston.
I'm afraid he outranks you.

Oh.

Yeah!

Oh, come on.

No can do, Cranston.
No more money.

I'm leaving the industry.

Breach of fiduciary duty,
they called it.

I'll always remember
those Masters tournaments.

Regrettably, Mr. Cranston,

my client's occupation
was very high-risk,

and he's no longer in a position
to make further investments.

Oh, Fraulein...

Mr. Karamazov is dead.

Oh, my...

Well, yes, of course,
we'd be very interested

in having you manage some
of our endowment.

Uh, perhaps you can present

at our next investment
committee meeting.

When is that?

Um, three months time.

Three months?

Is there any chance you can
make it a little sooner?

Uh, well, I can speak
to our committee chair.

- Of course.
- Who's that?

Dick Uren.

You must know him.

He's head
of Forthright Funds.

You may get away
with dishonesty for a while,

but in the end...

In the end, you will
always pay the price.

Fucker!

My performance was solid!

Dr. Cranston?

Mrs. Finnegan.

Well, you know, I was Mr. Murk's
secretary for many years.

Yes, of course.

And he and I...

Of course, Gerald never knew,

but Mr. Murk and I had a bond

that was nothing like
what he had with your mother.

He truly loved her.

With me, it was just sex.

Um...

Tell me about Mammon Trust.

Mmm. That's a name
I heaven't heard in years.

Uh, it was a small bank
on one of the channel islands.

Saint something or other...

St. Euripides.

Yes, that's it.

There were bank accounts,

and a safety deposit
box, I believe.

Yes, I'm sure of it.

Mr. Murk didn't want
any assets traceable to him,

so everything was in my name.

Everything at Mammon Trust
was for your mother.

Yeah.

He really did love her.

Mmm.

Yes, now that I think of it,

you should probably
have it, dear.

Oh, he was terribly
fond of you, you know.

I don't suppose you have
any idea what's there.

None. Though he kept a key
to the deposit box himself.

And as for the cash accounts,

the statements went
to some lawyer in St. Euripides.

Uh, what was his name?

Menlo Sartori at your service.

Welcome to St. Euripides.

My car awaits.

Good of you to pick us up.
I assumed you'd send a driver.

Oh, good heavens, no.

I wouldn't dream of entrusting
such important visitors

to the rustic charms
of our island's taxis.

I would love to see it.

Any lawyer can draft
legal documents, Mrs. Finnegan.

But when it comes
to the loftiest heights

of client service,

well, I stand alone.

- Very nice.
- Even now,

a bottle of vintage Dom Perignon
awaits at the Sartori residence.

I think we should get
to the hotel first.

Of course, of course.

But I must insist you join me
for Sunday brunch.

Together,
we shall explore the magic

of that storied elixir.

Watch your toes, darling.

I do hope you have enjoyed
your Sunday brunch

with us, Mrs. Finnegan.

Oh, yes, Mr. Sartori.

Menlo. Please call me Menlo.

We like to keep things
casual here, don't we?

Yes, yes.

Though I've never been
fond of "Hector".

So, on the whole,
I prefer "Police Commissioner".

If you don't mind.

The police commissioner
and I go way back.

Partners in crime,
you might say.

I hope I can repay
your generosity at some point.

That's my husband.
The soul of generosity.

- Hilary.
- Mmm?

Why don't you leave
our guest alone?

He's trying to enjoy
his afternoon.

Perhaps, you should go
have a little nap.

You're always trying
to get rid of me

to shut me up.

Well, to be fair, dear,
who wants to listen

to the ravings
of a drunken lunatic?

I hope you rot in hell.

Well, you must forgive
my lovely wife.

Well, Mr. Sartori,

perhaps you should try
being as charming to your wife

as you are to your clients.

Food for thought, Mrs. Finnegan.
Food for thought.

Let's talk about something
more pleasant, hmm?

For example, what delights
do you think

that safety deposit box
of yours will unveil?

Well, if those
bank account statements

you showed
are any indication,

not much.

Thank you.

You know, I find it odd

that such pains were taken
setting up those accounts,

and yet there's hardly
anything in them.

Well, if I were you, I would
keep my observations to myself.

This is a delicate time
for us on the island.

The place is swarming
with international police

on one of their
tax haven witch hunts.

And I know for a fact

that your arrival
has attracted interest.

Of course,
it goes without saying

that you can rely
on our complete discretion.

- You have your key?
- Oh, yes. In my bag.

Bonne chance.

I hope you're enjoying your
visit to St. Euripides.

Mmm-hmm.

It's been a very long time,
hasn't it, Mrs. Finnegan?

- Yes.
- Ah, here we are.

Now, if you want
to do the honors.

Bingo!

I'm sorry.

I love my job.

Now, as we like to say
in the banking business,

have fun. Enjoy.

Thank you very much,
Mr. Cranston.

I'll be needing to look

in the handbag
and the briefcase.

It's none of your business
what Mrs. Finnegan removed

from her safety deposit box,

if anything.

Mr. Cranston, it's not
Mrs. Finnegan I'm interested in.

It's you.

I can connect this island,
that shitty little bank,

and you to a major
international fraud.

Fuck! Ugh.

Mrs. Finnegan, easy.

You're gonna regret that.

That handbag is now evidence
in an assault.

Commissioner Angle,

I insist you take
possession of it.

It's okay.

Thank you.

I'm sorry, Gerald.
The man is a barbarian.

All right, Mr. Cranston.
Your turn.

The briefcase.

Otherwise, I'll have to place
charges against Mrs. Finnegan.

Hell, against you, too,
as an accomplice.

And neither of you
will be leaving this island

anytime soon.

Those allegations
about me you're throwing around,

there's absolutely
no basis for them.

I've never been implicated
in any fraud whatsoever.

Don't play games with me.

Can you deny knowing this man?

That's Scraps Bredenkamp,
the mining promoter.

We have reason to believe

that somewhere in those
safety deposit boxes

are stolen assets
he hid from his investors.

And you, Mr. Cranston,

you were the last person

to see him before
he disappeared.

Look, that bastard owes me
a lot of money.

And I wish you well
in nailing him.

But I'm not gonna let you
look in my briefcase.

And my guess is,
you can't make me.

We'll see about that.

You're in trouble
now, old boy.

This new fella they put
in charge is a powerful bugger.

If you've got nothing to hide,

I'd open up that briefcase
right now.

Because, Mr. Cranston,

once my superior
sets his mind to it,

he can make your life
a legal nightmare.

If you're not in jail,

he'll have you buried
so deep in a swamp

of international, federal
and state regulations,

you'll have to get his
permission just to take a crap.

My advice, don't fuck with him.

Please accept
my sincere, sincere apologies.

My subordinate's behavior
was inexcusable.

Of course, you are beyond
any suspicion.

Mr. Higgins, so good to see you.

And I hope you'll give your
mother my very best wishes, hmm?

Thank you, thank you.

Madam.

Toes, toes.

Are you sure you won't join me
for a quick lunch

before you head home?
Airline food is so ghastly.

It was good of you to wait
for us back there, Menlo.

But if you don't mind,
we'll just head to the airport.

Oh, dear. How disappointing.

See, I'd hoped

that we could settle this
so much more gracefully,

but instead...

Mr. Sartori.

You should be ashamed
of yourself.

Greed does terrible
things, Mrs. Finnegan,

even to people like me
who should know better.

I'm beginning to think you
are not such a very nice man.

And I hope you shall
find it in your heart one day

to forgive me.

But until then, for now,

let's take a peek inside,
shall we?

Goodness.

You don't see things
like this every day.

I should have known
from the beginning

never to trust that man.

Painful though it is,

I say we let him have
his fun, Mrs. Finnegan.

It's a modest price
under the circumstances.

And I'm pretty sure he won't be
telling anyone about it.

Well, it's your money, dear.

But if I ever see him again,

I'm going to give him
a piece of my mind.

Shall we?

It's a beautiful
day, Veronica.

It's a beautiful world.

Hey, I haven't forgotten
that promise.

Dinner. We're definitely
having dinner.

Wilfred, do you believe
in divine intervention?

I believe we're screwed,
if that's what you're asking.

There are more than enough
bearer bonds in there

to satisfy Mr. Hardcastle

or any other client
that wants out.

I really think that somebody
must be looking out for us.

Remarkable. This...

This is remarkable.

Uh-huh.
I mean, think about it.

All of the people we've helped.

Your wife, the hospital,
the university,

all of our happy clients.

It's been a hell
of a journey, Wilfred.

A hell of a journey.

I might be a bastard.

But the man upstairs,

I don't think
he wants me to stop.

- Hmm.
- Not yet anyway.

You just don't see these.

They're beautiful,
aren't they?

Gorgeous.

You know what's really funny?

Not many people
would know this,

these bonds are in denominations
of a million dollars.

The United States government
never issued

bearer bonds in denominations
of a million dollars.

The bonds had been
intended for my mother,

so I had to believe

Mr. Murk had thought
they were genuine.

Fraud, it seemed,

could ambush even
an old rogue like him.

As for me, I had
just one last play.

A crazy, desperate gamble.

Sir.

Do you remember
you once told me

you didn't make
the kind of fortune you had

by worrying about ethics?

Nice apartment.

Ethics is a funny thing, son.

I may have done stuff
that people called unethical,

stuff that made people
want to kill me.

But I've always had
one simple rule,

never, ever break the law.

Interesting, sir. Helpful.

The truth is, I haven't
always followed that rule.

There's no easy way
of saying this, but...

The results my fund
has been reporting,

they're completely false.

That's right.

I made them up.

The fund has never
made any profits.

And what money there was,

it's almost all gone.

No. No, thank you.

Did you hear what I said?

Your money...

Sir, the money that
you want me to pay you back,

it's gone.

I've always
liked you, Cranston.

You remind me of me

back when I was younger.

And apart from all this
breaking-the-law business.

So, you're not upset?

Thank you.

I miss
my old butler.

Something about a murder charge
back in England.

I swear I'll pay off every cent

if you could see your way
to giving me more time.

I'm sure I can raise new money.

And the very first dollars
that come in,

I promise, they'll go right
to you right away.

You got a set of balls
on you, kid.

I'll give you that.

So...

Does that mean you'll help me?

That's fantastic.

I don't know how I can
thank you enough. This is so...

Listen to me, son.
Listen to me.

If it were up to me.

But all the proceeds
from my investments,

the whole 20 odd million,

it goes to Patel
and the institute.

So you're really
dealing with her now.

And that's one tough customer.

Take it from me, Cranston.

You're fucked.

Everyone has to face
their moment of reckoning

in their own way.

Wilfred had chosen his,

and I... I would choose mine.

And so, here I am.

My story almost complete.

I've written out these musings,

accounts of my experience
for you to consider.

Although brief,

I think of them
as my masterwork.

Naturally, I'm experiencing
a moment of reflection.

Well, what do you
think now, Mr. Cranston?

That idea you had back
in my classroom

doesn't seem so good, hmm?

My beautiful
little scheme,

it's so sad it has to end.

But you knew from the beginning
it would turn out this way.

Tell me. Now that you're
facing the consequences,

I expect you'd go back
if you could

and undo everything.

I thought about that, of course.

People say you can't
buy happiness.

But, Professor,
the way I figure,

those people never had
the kind of money I had.

No.

Given a second chance,
I'd do it all over again.

But surely you must
have some regrets.

There was so much more you
could've done with your life.

True. I do have some regrets.

Never did take delivery
of my IMAX home theater.

It's beautiful, isn't it?

Then there was the gorgeous
doctor at the hospital.

Oh, man. We could have
been great together.

Other than that, though...

That's it?

Those are your only regrets?

Yeah.

What about me?

No. Not really.

It was Socrates who once said,

"Death is the greatest
of all human blessings."

I prefer a dry martini.

And a good cigar, of course.

One of those handmade ones
that last forever.

But fate has its own plans
for all of us.

Your client just called to say

he got the money
and to thank you.

He got the money?

You're saying he got the money.

And the bank wants to know

how you'd like to invest
the surplus cash.

Surplus cash... I...
I don't understand.

The medical
device company.

Remember? You were
the angel investor.

I thought we sold that
a long time ago.

It was buried in that
special little account

you never look at.

The shit pile.

Anyway, I guess it wasn't
worthless after all.

There was a big buy-out,

and the fund's share
of the purchase price

hit the account moments ago.

May I ask what
you're doing with that?

Oh, what, the gun?
Oh, nothing, really.

Uh, so, let me
get this straight.

You're saying that
the fund has surplus cash,

and our client is happy?

Mmm-hmm.

Ah, this calls
for a celebration.

Special dinner.

Veronica, I'm feelin' lucky.

Go out, get some flowers,
the ones you really like.

And make a reservation for two.

At that romantic little place?

Good idea.

That sounds wonderful.

But I... I don't have
anything to wear.

You don't have
to worry about that.

No need for you to go.

Zachery.

Veronica, we're in
the office, remember?

Call me "sir".

No.

Tonight, I want to talk
with that doctor, alone.

I want to discuss
my heart center with her.

Yes.

On a day like today,
I think a little philanthropy

will go a very long way.

In fact, don't bother
with the flowers.

I'll pick them up myself.

But you could check
into my IMAX home theater.

I'm thinking about
upgrading the upholstery

to zebra skin.

You know, Veronica,

I'm beginning to think
that my old teacher,

Professor Wrightway,
might've been mistaken.

He used to say there's
always a price to pay for

unsportsmanlike behavior.

And until now,
I believed him.

Maybe sometimes,
there is no price.

Maybe sometimes,
you can get away

with being a bastard.

What do you think?

I'm going with the professor
on this one...

...sir.