It is morning rush hour. Connor and Noah, both wearing suits and ties, exit the Wall Street subway station and approach the Headquarters of Market Security Bank & Trust.
"Oh, by the way, Connor, I had to move your 3:00 with Bob Kahan to 4:00 so you could squeeze in Gary Alan. He called yesterday and said he has to see you today about the Danway stuff. Three o'clock was the only time he could make it. Also, the main board meeting in L.A. has been confirmed for the 12th, while the other business meetings are taking place from the 13th-16th. I got you on a 9:00 a.m. flight for next week Tuesday." Noah notices that Connor seems preoccupied.
"Hey, Connor, relax. This isn't brain surgery you're going into."
"I'm sorry I'm freaking out, man. I hate pitching to these Japanese guys. They make me nervous. I mean, what am I supposed to say, 'Who do you think'll win that big Sumo championship?; " Connor says.
"Connor, stop worrying about it bro. I know that you'll be fine. You're great with people." Reassures Noah.
Connor's jacket flares open. He is wearing yellow suspenders. Noah notices.
"Hey, nice. I like those." Noah compliments him.
Connor, not completely comfortable wearing them, buttons his jacket.
"Jude….." Connor thinks.
Noah smiles and then turns to admire a car going by.
"Jesus, look at that, a Lamborghini. I don't know about you, but that's the car I'm gonna drive when I'm making two hundred grand."
"Sorry to break this to you Noah, but it must be said. Better pay off your Mustang first." Connor says apologetically.
Connor and Noah are standing on a crowded elevator. It is deadly quiet. Suddenly Noah elbows Connor and winks. There is something he wants him to do. Connor hesitates a moment, annoyed, and then relents. He clears his throat.
"So Noah, what did the doctor say?"
"He said it was contagious. Very contagious. I shouldn't be going into work today." Noah coughs loudly. "But what could I do? He sneezes. People on the elevator freeze.
"And what about the rash?"
"Not good. It's spreading everywhere. Everywhere!"
"Oh no. On your genitals again?"
"Everywhere. He said be sure not to touch anyone."
Connor sees people trying to inch away. Noah coughs again, touching one of the passengers. They hold their breath. The elevator stops at the next floor. All the passengers get off.
"You are sick, bro." Connor tells him while they exit the elevator as well.
Connor and Noah, laughing, walk through a large office area bustling with activity. Employees, in various cubicles, are talking on telephones and punching information into computers. Connor heads into his executive office. Noah steps into a cubicle across the aisle. Betty, Connor's secretary, approaches him.
"Morning, Mr. Stevens." She says with a huge smile on her face.
"Morning Betty. Listen, when the Kobiashi people arrive, have Eleanor take them right to the..."
"They're already here."
"They're here?" He asks, visibly annoyed.
She points to a windowed conference room. Connor turns around and sees a large group of Japanese men standing inside.
"They're early!"
"I know. And Harry Stone called. He said they need $900,000 transferred to Albany by noon. Today."
"By noon? Today? Damn!" He hurries over to Noah's cubicle. He is on the phone.
"Could you hold for a moment please?" Noah cups the mouthpiece.
"Hey Sam. What's up?"
"Listen, sorry to be a pest, but it's highly crucial. Stone needs $900,000 in Albany by noon, today. Can you please transfer it to his payroll account?"
"Sure. Just let me have your MAC code."
Connor pulls out his wallet and extracts a small address book. He jots the code numbers on a piece of paper and hands it to Noah.
"Discretion, huh?"
"You bet." Noah says, nodding his head in agreement. "I'll do it right away."
Connor and a group of fifteen somber Japanese businessmen are sitting around a large granite conference table. Connor stands up and speaks a simple greeting to them.
"Good morning, Gentlemen. On behalf of Market Security Bank & Trust, I welcome you to our city." Connor says in Japanese. The men smile happily and nod their heads in unison.
"Arigato." The men respond. They look to Connor, expecting more. Uncomfortable, he clears his throat.
"I'm sorry." He tells the gentlemen apologetically. "I'm afraid that's the only Japanese I know. But I realize it's not our language fluency, or lack of it, that brings you to Market Security. Rather, I'm sure, it is our banking expertise, our ability to represent and anticipate all of your banking needs. As you know, we are not the largest banking establishment in New York." He rambles. His throat goes dry and he takes a sip of water. "But, with combined assets of over $360 billion dollars, we have a firm commitment to the international marketplace."
A secretary enters the room and hands Connor a piece of paper. It reads "JUDE ON LINE 2. URGENT." She hands him a phone. Connor looks surprised. He nods apologetically to his guests.
"Excuse me." He picks up the receiver "Hello?"
"A man and a woman are lying in bed when the woman's husband suddenly comes home. Frightened, she tells the man he has to leave instantly through the window. He has no time to dress."
Connor is straight-faced, listening and trying to look as if it is important.
"Uh hmm." Connor responds.
"It's raining outside. The man, running naked along the street, sees some joggers approaching."
The entire contingent of Japanese men is staring at Connor.
"One of the joggers calls out, 'Hey, do you always go jogging naked?' And the man says, 'Yes, always.'." Jude continues.
"Okay." Connor says, wondering where this phone call is going.
"And then the other jogger says, 'And do you always wear a condom?' The man looks down, embarrassed, and replies, 'Only when it's raining.'."
"Well, that's just fine." Connor says as he squelches a smile.
"Now, just relax and have fun, okay sweetheart? It's not the end of the world if you lose this account. You've always got me."
"Thank you. I'll definitely remember that."
"See ya later, babe." Jude says, and he hangs up the phone.
He hangs up and stares at the Japanese men. A short smile crosses his face.