The Crash

Thanks, Jill.

Oh, good, Jeff...

Yeah, we'll hear all about your ideas in the room, all right?

With all due respect, Jeff...

I don't think we need a cyber-security firm right now...

I think we need the president... And a plan.

I can put a team on the ground to attack in a matter of momen...

This isn't a terrorist cell out of Damascus.

We can't just blow up the Internet.

This is a single server we're talking about here.

The possibilities are endless.

I understand very well the complexities of the Internet.

I don't think you do. Oh, I do.

Gentlemen, please let me finish.

These terrorists sent text messages...

To very specific cell phones.

Only individuals directly connected to the markets.

I don't know why they'd warn the rich stockbrokers...

But they said that they've already hacked...

The New York stock exchange backup.

We ran a security protocol and it checks out.

- We found a breach. - Jeff? - Yes, Sarah?

There will absolutely be a run on the banks. On everything.

And eventually if we cross our fingers, and pray hard enough...

And we get the markets back online, those, too.

You're assuming that this is what...

Puts the public over the edge, the tipping point.

That's right. Finally revolting.

Getting up off their couches. Yes!

Running to the bank to get the... Yes. Yes. Yes.

Stuff it in their mattress? Yes, that is what I'm saying.

We are not looking at bankruptcy.

We'd like to present an option.

These terrorists used a stolen software program...

To hack the market.

This is the man who created it six months ago...

To increase his company's earnings on the...

Mercantile exchange by about a billion dollars.

I think we bring him in, see if has any ideas.

That's ridiculous. I'm sorry, Paul?

You can't be serious. Guy Clifton, guy Clifton...

Helped revolutionize how cities consolidate...

He's in the middle of a federal hearing.

And manage debt. He's about to be indicted.

Guy Clifton is being indicted because he broke through...

The same firewalls these terrorists have.

Excuse me. Who the hell is guy Clifton?

Announcer the barometer of America's prosperity...

Traditionally has been the stock exchange.

The New York stock exchange is almost as old...

As America itself...

Being founded in 1792...

During George Washington's first administration.

67 years ago, 24 men met under a buttonwood tree...

At 68 wall street for the purpose...

Of trading and government bonds.

Wall street has become the symbol of money.

Everybody, it seemed...

Was on the way to becoming a millionaire.

There were plenty of buyers. Not enough stock to go around.

Wait your turn. It was unheard of.

Those who shouted the loudest got in the firstest.

And then all of a sudden, wham-o!

The next day, the Piper had to be paid, and in full.

The incredible boom became an even more incredible bust...

As the country plunged into the depths of a depression.

We made realistic rules so that it could never happen again.

Today you have a sounder, more efficient stock exchange.

It's the storehouse of funds...

For America's ever growing industry.

All right, we're live in five, four, three...

Guy Clifton, the man who just two years ago...

Pulled Chicago out of bankruptcy...

Is now facing multiple charges in connection...

With an incident on the Chicago mercantile exchange...

Where trading activity was manipulated.

Manipulated.

He rose fast through the ranks...

Youngest ever to achieve a spot on a mercantile exchange floor.

Quickly made a name for himself and went on to found...

Clifton holdings, before assisting mayor Rahm Emmanuel..

Shut it off, please.

In eradicating Chicago's debt entirely.

Ultimately though, money got the better of him...

When he recruited three close friends to hack...

The Chicago mercantile exchange and manipulate...

His company's earnings on the market.

We'll be right back with more on this sad story of...

Hey. Hi.

New book? No, it's for school.

Ah...

You caught up at school? Keeping up okay?

Did mom tell you to say that?

You're a wise-ass. No.

You know, the last time we talked like this...

I think I was doing...

That stupid report on local heroes.

Do you remember?

No. No?

Yeah.

Well, my teacher told the whole class...

That you had saved Chicago from bankruptcy.

She said, "this, kids...

"Is the perfect example of a local hero."

And now you're going to jail.

Was it just all for the money? I think we have enough.

Who said that?

Mom says that.

Mom says I'm going to jail?

No, my econ teacher says you're going to jail.

He says that's an absolute.

Ah, an absolute.

Mm-hm, mom says we have too much money.

We've been awaiting the arrival of guy Clifton...

For almost an hour now.

This must really be testing...

The judiciary committee members inside, Paul.

Now, this is just an informational hearing.

What do you think? Should I call him?

Yeah, I'll call him.

Hey.

Where's Creason? Where's Creason?

She left an hour ago.

Like everyone else.

Well, what did you think?

Everyone was just gonna wait for you?

They're just looking to acquire whatever information they can...

About how Mr. Clifton and a team of three...

Were able to hack the market.

It just doesn't look good...

To keep a committee waiting like this.

I revolutionized the market. I found loopholes.

I've done things no one's ever done before.

What are they gonna indict me on?

You hacked the stock market.

No one's ever done that before.

It doesn't make it legal, guy.

Are you beginning to see...

That this is about more than money, guy?

Let me tell you something. It's always about money.

If I wasn't rich, they wouldn't be indicting...

Mr. Clifton.

Yeah, can I help you, boys? Guy Clifton?

Your presence has been requested.

It's a matter of national security, Mr. Clifton.

Really?

Please come with us.

Okay.

I have to go.

If you're not going straight to jail, then dinner's at 8:00.

All right.

Do you have any idea where they're taking him?

I do not.

No.

This way, Mr. Clifton.

"The government may try to suppress us...

"But they will not annihilate us."

"We seek justice against the deceptive capitalist liars."

The backside decrypts to a map of the United States...

Targeting the following cities and their respective markets.

Now, the specifics behind motive and culprit...

Is classified at this point.

But I can tell you, they've already breached...

The New York stock exchange backup server.

So, in front of you is the review of my projections...

For total market failure.

And these are the new international numbers...

You're getting now. Thanks, Mel.

The reason why we're all here in this room today, Ms. Schwab.

So as I was...

Sorry. So sorry. Busy, busy day. Thank you.

Yeah, just get me a green tea.

Please... continue.

As I was saying, there is a potential for this attack...

To have global implications.

Hijacking our entire market system could throw us into...

What is she talking about? Total market failure.

Our economy's on track.

September 3rd, 1929, we were on track, too.

One month later, less so.

This is not the great depression, Schwab.

People have lost faith in the system.

Too big to fail is a thing of the past.

Am I the only one in the room who thinks...

It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world...

To be a bit more prepared?

Prepared for what? Bankruptcy?

Correct. Hm.

We have till Monday.

I want you to get me a list of all our positions...

Long and short, everything in the portfolio.

Then I want you to call my wife, tell her I'm okay.

Clifton!

Yeah. Do that now, please.

Well, what do you think?

I think I'm gonna move my money offshore.

That's what I think.

Come on. Help me fix this.

What's in it for me?

You'd better sell that mutual fund, Schwab.