Industry

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah...

I've never seen anyone put their IQ on a CV before.

How many of these have you had?

Nine. Four in New York, four here, and a Skype.

Why are you here, then?

Well, it's not a very political answer, but...

I think mediocrity is too well-hidden

by parents who hire private tutors.

I am here on my own.

I want to be able to explain myself clearly,

um, and have people be receptive to my ideas.

Is that how you get your validation?

People listening to you?

As opposed to, uh...?

Every successful business

is full of people who've spent money

nurturing unremarkable talent.

Why did you read Geography?

Geography had the least amount of applicants the year before.

You know, it's a marginal game about marginal gains.

Nothing wrong with the back door.

I played third fiddle to two figures in my mother's life,

Jesus Christ and Margaret Thatcher.

And where do you stand on them?

One's the reason we're all here, and the other's a carpenter.

I think this is the closest thing to a meritocracy there is.

And I only ever want to be judged

on the strength of my abilities.

And paid for it.

I guess.

I didn't realize that we recruited

from SUNY Binghamton.

It's a nontarget.

Can you tell us a joke?

Uh, ye... yeah.

Uh, it's a bit for work, um, or whatever.

You know how many mountains I'd have to move

to get you to London for good?

You don't look sure how to navigate that.

Would this year's graduate class please assemble

in the second-floor auditorium for your week-three induction.

You ready to be indoctrinated?

See you down there.

Sure I can't get you anything?

Uh, yeah, Robert,

I've been meaning to ask, actually.

Um, did someone very close to you die?

It's a very dark suit.

I'm sorry for your loss, but have you left the, uh,

label on your sleeve there as well? Wow!

Yeah, it's new.

Yeah, you look like regional nightclub security.

Stag do security.

Actually, let me just...

- Oh! - Let me just do that for you,

before you embarrass yourself in front of your peers.

You see, what you've done there is actually erect a billboard

- to how gauche you are. - Yeah, nice one.

Uh, Robert wears Ted Baker, ladies and gentlemen!

- Whoo! - Just so you know!

- I think you look great. - Thanks.

The Undertaker, Attitude Era!

Doors opening.

Hi.

Um, I think we met at the drinks?

I don't think that was me.

Okay.

It's cool. Free bar.

I'm Yasmin from FX sales.

I think we work on the same floor.

Harper, CPS team.

He works on my team. He's a whole snacc.

If you're into that kinda thing, I guess.

Welcome, graduates.

Young people are our capital.

Graduates are our capital.

And while it's my pleasure to congratulate you

on this placement,

the work to stay here starts now.

Which senior vouches for you,

the impression that you make on clients,

will all be evaluated.

In six months' time, on RIF day...

That's Reduction in Force... You'll be standing in this room,

telling all of us...

why you should be hired permanently to your desk.

Pierpoint is the world's

preeminent financial services institution.

We expect you to behave like you have a stake in it.

Act like an owner. Enrich your clients, enrich us,

enrich yourselves.

So, look at the guy or gal next to you.

Really look. Do you think you're better than them?

Maybe you are.

But half of you won't be here in six months.

Just make yourselves indispensable.

Extra dirty chai with a scoop of whey.

Skinny latte.

...whatever he tells you to do.

Is there anything you want looking at?

We were on his catamaran,

and then the guide caught some grouper

and fried it on the side of the boat.

Yeah, it was beautiful.

Hey, ask Rishi for the level of one year, one year, euro swap

in 500k DV01.

They don't call me promiscuous...

- Rishi. - Today, please.

Rishi?

- Can you send... - Relax.

It's not an auction house.

I've just sent out my runs. They're on your Bloomie.

You can sit down now.

I was talking to Felim at Fenmarsh.

He's impressed with that US tail risk work you did for him.

He sent me an email to say thanks.

Sorry, I didn't want to clog your inbox.

Don't apologize. Just remember to talk your book here,

or people will miss it.

We want to get you printing business as soon as possible.

Oh, Harper. Harper.

- Hi. - Hey.

Sorry, just catch my breath.

- Sure. - Cycled in.

- Hmm. - Uh...

Yes, uh, I still don't have your university transcript.

I'm really sorry. I will get on it.

Hmm. You said that last week.

Oh, Harper Stern, you're an international candidate, right?

I'm still missing your transcript.

I'm still waiting on my college to send a copy.

They are notoriously slow.

We're moving out of that gray area now,

where it's becoming a bit of a problem for us,

and therefore a problem for you.

Sorry. You may continue your quest.

- Ah. - For the loo.

Thank you.

- Harper. - Hey.

Have you been home?

You're just, like, never in your room,

and you're wearing an... identical outfit to yesterday?

Uh, well, I'm logging those nocturnal hours.

Trying to make a good impression, you know?

Don't try to figure out

how much you get paid by the hour in IBD,

because I will guarantee you it is less than minimum wage.

Well, the way I see it, I'm in the ivory tower upstairs,

you're down here on the floor with the peasants.

Nice.

Well, for a minute, I thought you were actually gonna talk.

You know, you've been here for three weeks,

and you've barely said a word to me.

I'm sorry. I've just been underwater

backing up Eric's accounts.

I know we both work for Eric,

but I'm your line manager.

Has he asked you to meet clients?

No. For sure not, no.

Well, I've got this dinner

tomorrow night with Mallon Mercer.

Nicole Craig. It's a bit of a one-way relationship,

but substantial to the firm.

It's a chance to increase your visibility as a grad.

Do you want to tag along?

Yeah. Yes.

I'll look into her mandate.

Don't overthink it.

Are you that thirsty?

Well, you know, if you got a 30 quid meal allowance,

like, why would you not use all of it?

That's very naff.

How's your model?

I'll finish it in the morning.

Send it over my way, I've got capacity.

How do you have capacity?

- Brutal finance guy, innit? - I don't know what that is.

You bouncing?

Hey, man. Hey. It's only 10:15.

No one here is actually gonna tell you this,

but you need to put in face time.

Actually, I don't.

Staying up all night doesn't enhance my work.

Mate. Mate!

- Let me see your room. - My room?

- Yeah. - Yeah, check it.

It's Pierpoint's temp accommodation

- for out-of-towners. - Mm-hmm. Okay, okay, okay.

Looks crazy.

How easy is it to get them Ivy League niggas

to come home with you?

I'm just here to work.

It's only with you that everything becomes sexual.

So the only reason you're calling me

is that you want a fake transcript?

You must need it pretty bad.

You sure that's all you need?

Why? What else would I want?

What are you offering?

Did you get a job yet, Todd?