During the height of open-out-cry trading in the 1980’s, one young Chicago kid overcomes immense odds, through sheer determination, and the help of his close friends, to rise and become one of the world’s largest local floor traders. EnduringBlack Monday during the crash of 1987, and an undercover FBI investigation, he cleverly maneuvers his way through a wild and unforgiving industry.

SYNOPSIS:

1989

Chicago, IL - 1989 – CYPRIAN FRANCIS (28) is one of the world’s top S&P 500 floor traders. He is incredibly successful and lives in an elaborate high rise with the girl of his dreams. On this particular night, he heads to his best friend’s birthday party. He arrives to a lavish nightclub, and parties the night away.

The fun ends with the ringing of an alarm clock early in the morning. Before heading off for another day on the floor, Cyprian wakes his girl to have some steamy morning sex. Chicago wakes up to another beautiful day on LaSalle street, home of the world’s largest open outcry trading pits. Alongside hundreds of other traders, Cyprian heads onto the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade, preparing for the day ahead. But today, is unlike any other day.

The market opens on schedule. Cyprian and his team collectively navigate the floor with ease, buying and selling at key levels, netting a morning profit of $266,000. Cyprian receives a phone call from MELMED LEWIS (70), the chairman of the exchange, informing him that the FBI is is on its way down. Within minutes, agents flood the floor, arresting suspects and pursuing others. Cyprian escapes with the help of his best friend CORNELL (27), who cleverly stalls the agents in the pit. Cyprian runs up to his office, and barricades the door. He quickly gathers cash, guns, and other important documents from his safe, but soon hears agents outside, provoking him to flee down the fire escape, into a get away car, narrowly escaping capture.

1977

Chicago, IL – 1977 – But CYPRIAN FRANCIS (15) wasn’t always so successful. 12 years earlier, he was a dorky new kid, with no friends. While helping his family move into their new suburban home, he meets a young girl named AUTUMN (15), who he immediately falls for. She invites him to the park, but he has to help his family move. By the time he arrives, only one kid left, a young CORNELL (14), who invites him to play a game of one on one basketball, in which Cyprian completely dominates.

The next day, while on the road to his first day of school, Cyprian and his mother almost collide with a classmate, CHASE (16) and his mobster father AL (55), who is late for a meeting with SALVADOR (61), the local mob boss. When Al arrives to the gangster hangout, he is informed of a score he has to handle, but while en route, is painfully murdered in cold blood, by his own crew. That evening the police notify Chase of the incident and take him into the police station. He is later be released to Salvador, who consoles him about the situation, and tells him he’s taken care of.

During his first day of school, Cyprian has no one to each lunch with, and proceeds to eat alone in the back. Autumn sees, and invites him over to join her table. She’s incredibly nice to him. He’s drawn to her even more. At the end of the day Cyprian struggles to find his locker because there are so many people in front of it, supposedly a popular hang out. He tries to go around, but ends up running straight into the alpha dog, LUCKY (16), who also happens to be the son of Salvador. They have an awkward encounter, where Cyprian is somewhat bullied.

Rushing home after the weird experience, Cyprian is offered a ride from Autumn and her older sister CHELSEA (18), where he learns of Autumn’s relationship with Lucky. He walks into his house, just as his mother is profusely yelling at his father for getting laid off. How are they going to pay for the new house? His father says he’ll find work, but it’s risky. Cyprian wants to help, but has no money himself. Dinner is eaten in silence. Afterwards, Cyprian and his father have a heart to heart about the situation, being immigrants, working hard, and never giving up. Cyprian tells his father that he can also work to help the family, because school is very easy for him.

Things are not going well for Cornell either. That same afternoon, he comes home to a run down apartment; his mother passed out on the couch, and his baby sister crying in her crib. He consoles the baby while looking for something to eat, but the fridge is empty, again. He’s frustrated and argues with his mother about not having any money, storming out of the house as a result. While walking to the train, he runs into a friend who works at the corner store. They talk about an opening there, but Cornell’s not sure if it’s for him because the payout is too small. He’ll take an application though, just in case.

The environment changes dramatically, as Cornell arrives into the heart of the Cabrini Green Projects, where he is immediately met by an intimidating gang, that immediately questions his affiliation. He convinces them that he is there to see his uncle 50 STACKS (40), who also happens to be their gang leader. He’s escorted into the project building by heavy security. The two have a heartfelt conversation about Cornell’s struggles and his wanting to earn. 50 informs Cornell of his drug dealing ways and tells him that he can work for him, but that it’s dangerous and he wouldn’t want his incarcerated father finding out. He hands him his first batch of drugs. But the conversation is cut short once the local police unsuspectingly raid the building, forcing everyone to flee. Cornell follows 50 as they escape through an elaborate set of tunnels and hideaways. Cornell experiences the danger first hand, but is not deterred from expanding his new found business.

Back at school, Cyprian breezes through a math exam, but he has a lot on his mind, endlessly staring out the window during class. His teacher confronts him about it, suggesting that he move up to a higher math class to take advantage of his intellect. Cyprian is more interested in making money, but shows interest in possibly working as a math tutor.

After school, Cyprian meets up with Cornell, who informs him of his new drug dealing enterprise. He offers to sample the product. They proceed to get Cyprian proper high, smoking marijuana for the first time, and growing as friends. Cornell offers to help Cyprian get a job, handing him the grocery store application he received earlier. When Cyprian arrives home his mother smells something burning, but soon realizes it is him. He’s busted for being high, grounded, and summoned to his room, where out of frustration, he proceeds to fill out the application he just received.

Cornell’s business is booming, as he cleverly serves customers from the local park. Lucky, Chase, and Autumn drive up to make a purchase. Autumn invites Cornell to a party later that night, telling him she can get him even more business. After a quick smoke session, Autumn offers to cook the boys dinner, before the party. They accept her invitation and drive over to the local grocery store, where Cyprian now works, enduring the pains of being a store clerk. While bagging groceries, he sees them walk in, and out of embarrassment.tries to hide, but Autumn is happy to see him, inviting him to the party as well. Lucky smirks. He doesn’t like Cyprian, but Autumn could care less.

After work, Cyprian finds Cornell at the park. They discuss going to the party together, but because he’s grounded, Cyprian is not sure if he can make it out of the house, but he’ll try. Once home, he waits for everyone to go to bed, before quietly sneaking out of his bedroom window, and meeting up with Cornell.

The party is well underway by the time the two arrive. They are denied entrance at the front door, and head to the back where Autumn eventually lets them in. They drink, party, and dance the night away. Autumn introduces Cornell to new business, and Cyprian to her cute friends. Cyprian also meets one of Cornell’s top clients SEAN (16), who opens up about his successes working at the local country club, even offering to help Cyprian get a job there.

Soon after, Lucky and Autumn organize a beer pong tournament. There is one spot left, which Autumn saves for Cyprian. He is paired up with one of Autumn’s friends. He’s never played before, so she quickly teaches them the rules. The tournament begins and surprisingly Cyprian is better than everyone else, putting his basketball skills to good use. His team dominates, advancing to the final round, against Lucky and Autumn, in an epic final match. The game is intense, and the more Lucky drinks, the more aggressive he becomes. He is not pleased with his performance, and is very hard on Autumn. With two cups left, Cyprian encourages his partner to flirt with Lucky long enough to distract him during his turn. In his last shot, Cyprian sinks a game-winning bouncer. The party erupts into cheer, and Cyprian is hailed the victor. Lucky cannot handle the loss, and out of anger, lunges at Cyprian, pummeling him to the ground. A large fight ensues, with Cornell and others jumping in. Autumn is caught in the middle.

The next day, Cyprian eagerly rides his bike to the Oak Park Country club, where he inquires about a job. His face is pretty beat up, but he’s determined. With the Club Championship next week, there might be some work for him then, but they don’t hire till next year. He rides to the library to read up on golf. The next week, he is called in to caddie for TERRY BALDWIN (50), last year’s championship runner up, who cannot locate his caddie, and is stuck with Cyprian, his last available resort. They are late to tee off but Terry is a cool dude, focusing solely on beating his nemesis, Mr. Silverman. During the match Cyprian provides little value because Terry is so damn good. But on the 15th hole, both players cut balls into the woods. Cyprian gets to his ball before the other caddie can, allowing him to cheat by throwing his ball it onto a better location without anyone else seeing. Eventually helping Terry birdie the hole and later win the Club Championship. They celebrate the victory together with Terry’s family. After the match, Cyprian is called into the locker room where Terry tips him out $2,000 cash. Cyprian can’t believe it and asks him how he made all that money. Terry tells him he’s a futures trader, and that when he’s old enough he should contact him about a job.

1983

Chicago. IL – 1983 – TERRY BALDWIN (55) is the world’s top Gold broker. He lives in the suburbs with his wife and kids. He also has a unique morning routine, zooming into the city in his Porche, and heading straight to his office. While doing his morning research, his clerk, ELIZABETH (22), approaches. She has an out-trade that she can no longer negotiate, and needs his help to handling. He takes the ticket and makes his way into the club restaurant, where he finds the trader in question. They have a tense conversation, but ultimately the new trader agrees to Terry’s terms, understanding that he’s the veteran in the situation. In return, Terry tells the trader that he will make it up to him later.

Orders flood the floor, and Terry barely makes it into his pit, for the opening bell. He receives a big order from an international bank, but before placing it, gives a secret signal to another trader, who begins buying massively, moments before Terry does. They make a killing off the move. Back at the office, after the close, Terry receives a visit from BLAGOWSKI (45), the same trader he was signaling on the floor. He comes in with $50,000 cash to split between them. Terry tries to stuff it into his safe, which is already full to the brim. He then invites Blagowski out with him, but before they leave, he receives a phone call from Cyprian, who is done with school and is now ready to learn about the floor. Terry invites him to come down the next morning. Terry and Blagowski hit the town, making it rain, spending thousands of dollars on drugs, liquor and girls.

Decatur, IL – 1983 – DWAYNE ANDRES (65) is CEO of famed agricultural giant ADM. He walks into a staff meeting, immediately sifting through a company report. He is appalled by the trading losses and immediately calls for an explanation, which leads to a conversation with the CFTC Chairman, about continued illegal activities taking place on the floor. This is a common problem that the CFTC is working on, and if he can make it to Chicago next week, they can discuss a secret plan they are developing.

Chicago, IL – 1983 – In a packed secret Government hearing, top members of ADM, the CFTC, and the FBI discuss Operation Hedge Clipper, an operative mission intended to send agents onto the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade, undercover as traders, in an effort to infiltrate illegal activities. With the help of ADM, they agree to train and aid the operation.

In the morning, Cornell drops Cyprian off for his first day on the floor. He is greeted by Elizabeth and escorted inside. He receives a quick lesson on how the floor works, but is told to stay out of the way while the team fills morning orders. He experiences euphoria in the midst of all that is taking place around him. Moments later, he is forced into action himself, having to run an order in to Elizabeth, experiencing the veracity of the pit for the first time.

On the other side of town, ERNEST LOCKER (55), head of the FBI’s investigation, searches for the perfect undercover agent, meeting with MIKE VOGAL (35), an experienced operative who has just completed a similar sting in New York. They discuss the opportunity, and agree it’s a good fit. Over the next few months Mike prepares for his undercover role.

Terry meets Melmed Lewis in the club restaurant. They discuss Terry’s concerns regarding some of the more flamboyant traders on the floor, blatantly scamming clients and raising red flags. Mel promises to crack down on the overly exuberant ones. In return, Terry has to help him fill orders in the fast growing S&P 500 pit, taking him away from some of his Gold work. But Terry agrees, and to his surprise, he soon becomes very profitable there, with Cyprian helping him each step of the way.

1985

Greece – 1985 - A group of terrorists highjack a Greek plan heading for DC. A notable Wall Street trader sees the headline early on his screen, and calls into the pit to take a short position. He confirms with an inside source and discretely relays the information down to Terry, who signals Blagowski, again getting an early jump on the trade. Cyprian now clerking directly for Terry is an integral part of the team. They are an untouchable combination. News soon sweeps across the floor and the market roars down. Mike Vogal and the head ADM trader hear it, from their rather quiet bean pit, and decide to run over to get in on the move. Mike is soon overwhelmed with the speed and tenacity of the S&P pit. He loses track of his orders, and is scolded harshly when he can’t confirm a trade with Cyprian.

After the closing bell, clerks settle their trades. Mike and Cyprian discuss their out-trade, but Mike doesn’t even have a ticket for the trade, infuriating Cyprian. Cyprian asks how much heat he can take, giving Mike his first taste of illegal activities. Cyprian pulls out a ticket and starts backdating a trade for them, which is very “illegal”. Halfway through the process, another trader runs over with a better out-trade to get Cyprian out. He hands the half written ticket back to Mike and completes the trade with the other clerk, saving $1,500 in the process. Cyprian tells Mike he’ll “get him next time”.

Mike returns to his FBI headquarters, with the half written ticket, vowing to get Cyprian and the other traders. He’s fitted with a new undercover wire, while discussing ways to get out of the bean pit and into the other faster moving markets. He’ll need to get a badge in order to do so, and the government will need to shell out more cash for it.

That night Terry and the rest of the team celebrate the departure of GLAVIN (30), one of their long time team members. In an epic toast, Terry sends the kid off in style. They party the night away. As the party dies down, Terry and Cyprian have a heart to heart about what the departure means, ultimately offering Cyprian an exchange membership that would have otherwise gone to the Glavin. Cyprian is honored by the opportunity and promises to do anything Terry asks of him, starting with babysitting his Porsche for the night, since he’s too drunk to drive.

As they talk, a group of beautiful women walk into the bar. Cyprian recognizes one of them as Autumn. She’s celebrating her last final with some classmates and is happy to see him. After the girls order drinks, Cyprian pays for them all, drawing the attention of a few of the other girls, leading Autumn to finally look at him as more than a friend.

At the end of the night Cyprian drives Autumn home in Terry’s Porsche. They really test the limits of the car, weaving in and out of traffic at high speeds. They pull up to Lucky’s place, where Autumn lives. She would like to see him again soon, and they agree to do lunch soon. She kisses him softly before walking in.

1987

Chicago, IL – 1987 – Cyprian, along with a few other traders, including Mike Vogal, receive their exchange memberships, following a rather rigorous interview process. They earn their badges and over time, earn rank on the floor.

The next morning, after working out, Mike Vogal heads into a bathroom stall, where he adjusts his hidden microphone. Once finished, he emerges with another trader. They run into Cyprian, who is hitting the weights hard. They invite him to breakfast to discuss a new angle they are working in the Yen pit. They insist he hear them out. He’s formally introduced to Mike, but finds him, and the whole situation a bit odd, and denies the invitation.. The two proceed to breakfast, where the trader fully unveils his front running scheme, unbenounced to him that Mike is recording the entire conversation.

That night, Cornell makes his routine drug drop offs, stopping by a rundown studio to deliver a package. Once finished, he drives off, only to see his gas light come on. He pulls into a gas station. But while pumping gas, a rival gang recognizes him, and begins firing shots at his head. He’s barely able to escape, unscathed, but is soon pulled over and arrested by police.

In the morning, wearing an orange prison suit, Cornell is escorted down a long Cook County prison corridor, where he is met by Cyprian, in the prison visitation area. Cornell is scared. He needs to be bailed out ASAP. Cyprian asks him what happened, and Cornell says that he didn’t do anything. Cyprian believes him and immediately leaves to bail him out.

Out of jail, the two head to breakfast at the club restaurant. Cornell chows down on food, not having eaten for a few days. The two discuss what happened and how Cornell plans on paying back the bail. The only way he knows how, by selling drugs. But Cyprian does not think that’s a good idea, and offers Cornell a job on the floor as a clerk. Cornell immediately agrees, fearing for his life. Cornell excuses himself to the bathroom. Moments later Mike Vogal walks into the same restaurant, heading directly to the bathroom. Cornell is washing his hands when he hears something fall in the stall next to him. He looks over and sees a microphone sitting on the ground. He makes note of it and later asks Cyprian, why those traders wear microphones. Cyprian explains that they don’t, so Cornell proceeds to ask why Mike Vogal has one? Something funny is up, and before heading out of the restaurant, Cyprian engages the traders, in order to get a better look of the hidden microphone bulging out of Mike’s shirt.

October 16th, 1987

Chicago, IL – October 16th, 1987 – A young girl runs a background check on Mike Vogal. The results are in, and she hands them to Leo Melmed in his office, and Cyprian on the floor. Terry is sitting there when they arrive on the floor, and proceeds to look them over. Cyprian comes over to see for himself, explaining to Terry that something is not right with the guy. But the information comes back clean. He’s got assets, and the story checks out. Cyprian is still suspicious. That Friday, the markets take a turn for the worst dropping over 1%, one of the worst drops in recent history. Cyprian has his best day ever, making over $50,000 in the process.

October 19th, 1987

October 19th, 1987 – BLACK MONDAY – A well-dressed businessman picks up the phone and calls his broker in New York, requesting to sell his entire 1.5 million IBM stake. The broker hangs up in frustration as another sell order comes in. Something is very wrong. It is the beginning of the legendary market crash of 1987.

Sell orders flood the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, and individual stock specialists freak out. They don’t know if they can open, or if they have enough capital to keep filling orders, which causes major problems in Chicago too, as the index is tied directly to stocks. Some stocks open, some stocks don’t and the futures market is all over the place. The S&P pit is completely out of sync. Terry keeps asking for the cash number, but Elizabeth can’t provide it. Cyprian and Terry try to put sell orders in, but there are very few buyers. Finally, as the market keeps falling, a few come in to cover, but’s it’s extremely risky. Once the market drops 5% Terry yells at Cyprian to cover his positions, and buy on the dip. There is no way the market can go down any lower. But it does, 7%, 8%, 10%. At 10% Cyprian is taking mad heat. He’s never been down this much money in his life. Terry tells him to double his position; there is no way the market is going down further than 10%. But it does, 12%, 15%, 20%. As the market falls Terry begins to hallucinate, his chest in massive pain. He has a heart attack in the middle of the pit, falling to the ground as Cyprian tries to save him.

That evening the world fears for the worst as markets tumble to historic levels. A panic is in place. A news anchor explains the severity of the situation, comparing it to the great depression. There is great uncertainty in the air. Cornell runs to the bank, but stops mid way when he sees the massive line of people waiting. He runs back to the office where Cyprian and his team take wind of the situation. Cyprian is in complete shock. Elizabeth tells him he’s down half a million dollars. He freaks out, but Cornell calms him down. He receives a visit from two men informing him that a $250,000 margin call that is due by 7am, or else his trades will be closed out for a loss. Cornell tells him he can probably get him $10,000. Cyprian thinks he can get another $15,000 from his parents, and the wheels start spinning. He starts making a list of money he can collect from family, friends, and acquaintances. While he hits the phones collecting dough, Cornell runs off to pick it up. By the end of the night, they’ve made progress, but are still $100,000 short of their goal. Cornell falls asleep while Cyprian drives to the hospital. He has a moving moment with health stricken Terry. He leaves to makes a late night phone call to Autumn.

Cyprian pulls up to a nice restaurant late into the night. He is escorted to a back room by security where he meets Lucky, Chase, and Salvador. Cyprian is grateful for the meeting and pleads to Salvador for a $100,000 loan. He has nowhere else to turn. Salvador is hesitant, and questions how he got into this situation if he’s such a good trader. Cyprian pleads that this is unique moment in history. In exchange for the loan Cyprian is willing to offer interest, but also, an opportunity to make millions of dollars, by helping bring anyone from his crew onboard. He also puts his car and condo up as collateral. Salvador is hesitant, but eventually agrees. He explains what happens if he doesn’t get the moment back, and that he wants two people on the floor. Lucky gets him the money, and Chase escorts him home.

The next day Cyprian, Cornell, and Chase race downtown to meet their margin call, just minutes before the pre-market open. They make it into a very empty, worrisome pit. They see sheer terror on traders’ faces, and immediately devise a plan to take the market down as low a possible. The market opens for trading and a Sternman trader yells out a large sell order. Cyprian offers 50 points lower, Sternman counters another 50, followed by another 50 by Cyprian, and then another 50 by the other, the market drops 200 points in a matter of seconds. Realizing how low the market is, Cyprian reverses his orders, buying all of the contracts Sternman is offering, 200 point below yesterday’s close. His entire life flashes before his eyes. This is an all or nothing bet. Cyprian continues to buy from everybody, creating a price floor, just before other traders come in to prop the market back up. Within a matter of minutes, the market is back up trading 250 points above its low, and Cyprian has just netted 3.6 million dollars. He faints, but Cornell catches him, and helps revive him. Once he realizes what has happened he yells at Cornell to confirm the trades, while he lies there on the outskirts of the pit, in the midst of another wild day. Cyprian survives to live another day, unlike many other traders, who end up washing out, leaving, and even taking their own lives, due to the crash. Cyprian pays back the loan, and is foreced to train Lucky and Chase in the ways of the floor. A year passes.

1989

The two soon learn to easily abuse their powers. They bully a smaller trader in the hallway of the exchange. They threaten his life, and force him to sign over a trade, for a loss of $10,000. Later that night, Autumn cleans the house, specifically doing laundry, when she finds an assortment of drugs, and a roll of condoms in Lucky’s pants. It infuriates her as she storms off, waiting the entire night for him to return. He comes home very late, and extremely drunk. She confronts him about the condoms, which he denies are his, and a fight ensues. She begins throwing things at him, including a lamp, which hits him square in the face, and fuels his anger even more, leading him to beat her brutally. Lucky then proceeds to throw her out of the house, along with most of her belongings. They have a dramatic breakup, leaving Autumn with nowhere to go. She gets herself together and drives downtown to a familiar high rise. On the way to the room she almost collides with a photographer who leaves the same room she’s entering. She knocks, and Cyprian opens the door with open arms. She breaks down in tears.

7:22 PM

Mike Vogal and other FBI agents visit the residence of a trader, late into the night. He knocks on the door and introduces himself as Brian Miller, which confuses the trader, who knows him as Mike. Soon the trader understands the severity of the situation, and sits down to divulge as much information as he can. They continue to visit other traders into the night, having them sign documents, and rat on their friends.

The next day Cornell stops into Salvador’s restaurant, leaving him a manila folder. Cyprian and his attorneys then enter a federal building where he is interrogated and threatened by Mike Vogal, and the FBI. Cyprian laughs at the charges, and flips the script on them by pulling out a manila folder with pictures of Mike doing a number of illegal activities, including having sex with hookers, doing lines of coke, and lavishly spending money. Cyprian warns him he better watch out who he comes after, because he wouldn’t want the public finding out about how their tax dollars were really spent. We walks away a free man.

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