StartUp (2016) s03e03 Episode Script

Guerilla

1 Both my credit cards got shut down.
Everything was in those two accounts.
All our money tied up? - They've frozen it all! - NICK: Was it Stroud? Well, it had to be, right? We can't sell, I figured out how to get to 100 million It's called "SELF.
" The entire suite of services everybody's working on rolled into one app, powered by our network.
And that app is called "SELF.
" No (GASPS FROM THE CROWD) Special Agent Rebecca Stroud, National Security Agency.
- (GUNFIRE) - Contact! - Ah! - (IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE) Yo, found somethin'.
STROUD: Your network is fomenting terrorist activity, and illicit crime.
- STELLA: Are you sure about this? - The whole company goes down.
Okay.
- Araknet done gone cold dead cold.
- Damn.
We have five days of liquidity before we start defaulting on paying our employees.
Where is everyone? I think they quit, right? (TYPING) (DUCT TAPE UNROLLING) (EERIE MUSIC) (HEAVY BREATHING) (MUFFLED VOICE) (INDISTINCT VOICE) (NERVOUS BREATHING) (SIGH) (MUSIC INTENSIFIES) Oh! (RAPID BREATHING) (GASPING FOR AIR) (RETCHING, CHOKING) (CHOKING INTENSIFIES) (THEME MUSIC PLAYING) (MUSIC ENDS) (NOTIFICATION WHOOSHES) - Hi, Claudia? - Nick? Yeah - NICK: Yeah.
Hi, nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you.
- Have a seat, please.
Thank you for coming.
- Thank you, thank you - What've you heard? - CLAUDIA: I'm just a little hesistant because I've heard some talk out there about Araknet, and it seems like it's a risky place to be.
It is, it's a very risky place to be.
But wait until you hear about our new product: it's called "SELF.
" And I heard you just got an offer from Facebook.
- Yeah.
- Well, look, Facebook's had it's own share of issues.
I believe you know that, I certainly know it.
I'm gonna tell you something.
Being on the bleeding edge of tech, it's exhausting.
More than once, I've thought, "Hey, where's my offer from Facebook?" Then I got one, and then I turned it down.
Here's why.
- Hi, how are ya? - How are ya? - Ah.
- NICK: However you want to do it.
- It's good to see you.
- NICK: Let's not do that This is gonna sound cliché, But, going in everyday, to create something like SELF, to actually shape the future and manifest change? And it doesn't have to be here, but if you get that opportunity It's gonna sound like a cliché do it, you won't be sorry, I promise.
Do not run away from it.
Because, I will tell you, I am not sleepwalking through my career I am not sleepwalking through my career I'm not sleepwalking through my career.
I'm not just sleepwalking through my career I'm not sleepwalking through my career.
I'm wide awake.
- Are you in? - I'm in.
- Yeah, let's do it.
- NICK: Okay.
- All right.
- Thank you.
Let's do it.
NICK: You're not gonna be sorry.
Thanks a lot.
(CALLING OUT) We're gonna put you to work.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER) (WOMAN YELLING OUT IN SPANISH) FERNAN: Bueno.
(BIRDS CHIRPING) (MUFFLED SPANISH MUSIC) - (SPANISH MUSIC PLAYING) - (CELINDA YELLING IN SPANISH) Hola, hola.
Buenos noches.
Noche? - FERNAN: Ay-ay-ay - (CELINDA CHUCKLES) CELINDA: Oh, Isabelle! (INDISTINCT PARTY CHATTER) (ISABELLE SPEAKING SPANISH) (CELINDA SPEAKING SPANISH) (EXCITED CHATTER, INDISTINCT) Isabelle, (REGGAE MUSIC) (REGGAE MUSIC, MUFFLED) (DOOR OPENS, DOOR CHIMES) - Hey.
- Hey.
- Yo.
- NICK: It smells good.
RONALD: Thanks for doing this here, ya'll.
Sure, I love ribs This ain't the kinda thing we can discuss at the office.
Not yet.
(MARA CLEARS HER THROAT) (WHISPERING) You wanted my boys off the network.
This the only way.
Uh you intervened? I had to, bruh.
Ronald, this goes against everything.
Says who? Says you? Says me? We make the rules.
Let me ask you something, this hood that we in? You know who this hood belong to? I used to run this hood.
And the only reason why I'm sittin' here, only reason why my Zo's are still free is 'cause I kept them in check, and the police know that.
So they stayed the hell out.
Now, this Stroud girl even if we do shake her they just gonna keep comin'.
CIA, DEA, FBI.
Because, the bigger we get, the more of 'em gonna come.
Unless, we do they job for 'em.
And we do it better.
If we could figure out a way for us to police the network ourselves.
That way, when bad shit happens, we just call Stroud - Just call Stroud?! - That is a terrible idea.
- RONALD: Just think about it.
- No! Shit.
How else they ever gonna leave us alone? I don't know, but we do not play God, ever, even though you clearly already did, it is a very slippery slope - RONALD: Maybe - No, no maybe.
" It is.
and it goes against everything.
It is what our company is built on.
Bro, I hear you, aight? But, if we don't make some changes right now, we - we gettin' to the point where we ain't gonna exist anymore.
- Ronnie, Ronnie.
I love you, man.
But, listen.
A lot of big companies have had to deal with this, and if we even pretend to police ourselves, in the eyes of the law, and the public, we are going to be responsible for everything happens on the network.
Mara, what you think? You can't be buyin' into all of this.
- Ronnie, I - This ship could sink us.
MARA: It's I just don't see how it could work.
Hey, Nick, is this because this a bad idea? - Or is it because it's my idea? - What?! 'Cause this shit, right here, is startin' to feel real familiar.
This feels familiar to you? It's a terr take my word, it's a terrible idea.
- Ron - Don't be so sensitive! It goes against everything we stand for.
(DOOR OPENS, DOOR CHIMES) (DOOR CLOSES) If anyone finds out about what he did, we're fucked.
- (SEAGULLS CAWING) - STROUD: He's not gonna cave that easy.
I can see it in his eyes.
Yeah, we'll keep tightening the screws.
No, she's still MIA.
Well, we still need someone on the inside.
Yes, to feed us intel, but also to get us a backdoor.
No, I've got some good candidates.
All right.
Oh my God, are you going sober on me? Ulcer I think.
I don't know, somethin'.
It's just squeezin' me from all sides, you know? I should've choked her out at that table when I had the chance.
Would've been worth it.
- Baby, you know what I'm about to say.
- Oh, come on, Kel, not now.
- There is no other good option - Kel, I'm not gonna cut and run, okay? These guys from Saginaw, they're watching me.
Everybody's watching me, right? They're waiting for me to fall on my face.
They don't think I got it anymore.
Well, you're gonna fall a lot harder if you let the NSA gut you first.
Look, you're domestic money is just a temporary freeze.
But, your off-shores? all she got to do is kick that intel to FinCEN you'll never see any of that money again.
Just take the loss on Araknet.
Live to fight another day.
How many more days do I got, Kelly, come on, really? All the shit I put in my body? How many more days do I got? This is my last stand.
This is the hill I die on.
Araknet! Or bust.
(SIGHS) We could Homestead the money.
Just like you did with the island after the crash.
We can consolidate it all into Florida real estate Wouldn't solve your cash flow issues at Araknet, but it would keep you safe from the feds I got $11 million I have to spread around.
Plenty of properties here in Miami.
- Yeah.
- But, you're gonna have to be really discrete.
I mean, you cannot go through the normal channels.
I know I got a guy.
(DOG BARKS) Piss off, kid, piss off.
Piss off, kid.
- Wesley! Come here.
- Hey, hey.
Your dog's tryin' to blow me here.
Wesley, come.
- That's it, there you go.
- Wesley? - You named your dog after me, man? - Good boy.
No, no, this (LAUGHS) is a rescue, it just, uh, came with the name.
- Huh.
- Go inside, boy! Go inside, there you go.
- Crazy coincidence.
- Come here, you son of a bitch.
(MUSIC PLAYS IN THE DISTANCE) You really did good for yourself, Haggie.
Yeah, it's alright.
I got it off foreclosure, actually.
After '08.
You're still in the business, yeah? You never really get out of real estate in Southern Florida.
That's a good boy, Wesley.
Who's a good boy? - (ROOSTER CROWING) - (HORSE NEIGHING) (CHICKENS CLUCKING) (MUSIC PLAYS IN THE DISTANCE) Ah, Diego.
(DOOR CLOSES) IZZY: Ethernet.
- Nanostations.
- Si.
(ELEVATOR BEEPS) - (DOOR CLOSES) - SAL: ride-share will be in Beta for a while, mostly because of restrictions, and regulations, and stuff like that.
But, the point is we we want to be able We want to be able to link in (CONTINUES, INDISTINCT) - STELLA: Okay, so that's just - (RONALD KNOCKING) - Hey, hey.
- NICK: Morning.
Hey, morning.
Hey, Stella, can I talk with Nick for a second? I'll come find you.
Yeah, yeah that's fine.
(LAPTOP CLOSES) Excuse me.
Who all those people? (SNIFFS) Those are our new hires.
- New hires? - Mm-hm.
Hired by - us.
- Correct.
Paid with what, exactly? Gummy Bears? Nah we ain't got those 'cause we can't even afford to restock the damn kitchen.
How in the hell you think we gonna pay for six new hires? Well, in fairness, uh, we cut 20 employees from the payroll last week.
- So, that freed up some funds.
- We ain't cut shit, Nick, they walked 'cause we wasn't payin' em.
And 'cause you were working them to the damn ground for free.
Does Jerry know about this? 'Cause there ain't no way Jerry knows about this, and he cool with it.
- Well, no.
Jerry - Jerry knows.
He, uh (CLEARS THROAT) He quit, actually.
That's not true, I fired him.
Um, firing firing, that's harsh.
I didn't really fire him.
What I said was, "If you're not comfortable with what we're doing here, - you can go home, and we'll understand.
" - I can't do this, man.
I can't go on this way, you tryna run shit without me.
I'm not trying to run anything without you.
Yes you are, Nick, you wouldn't even hear my policing idea I'm trying to save this company from the brink of disaster.
Which, I seem to be the only one doing anything about.
I cannot launch SELF without those new hires! You just tryin' do like you always do and try to save all the goddamn glory for yourself.
I'm trying to do what is best for all of us! (MUFFLED ARGUING) It's okay, they they do this a lot.
It's fine, just keep working.
I would've thought my co-CEO would've asked me before breaking the golden rule of Araknet.
- Unique situation, bruh.
- Interfering with the network, uh, playing god It's a little more complicated than your ass might understand.
So is running a successful tech company! Jesus Christ.
Yeah, it's been on the market a while now.
You don't say.
Well, it's a lot of potential.
You know, we could, uh, Keep it a golf course, or whatever.
- It's a mile from the ocean, Haggie.
- Well, the game's changed, Wes.
I mean, those places you used to move around.
They I think they're out of your price range.
- Mm-hm.
- Well, look, it's a it's a great residential op.
Premium development, a getaway from the city.
So, how much? Nine and a half.
(SIGHS) All right, let's do it.
Hey, can I ask you somethin'? No.
Remember FinCEN? Listen, they're coming down on everybody right now, especially deals like this, really hard, you don't want to mess with them, yeah? I mean, if we're gonna do the thing that we used to do, honestly, we gotta take our time We gotta we gotta tread light.
We gotta think about how we're moving the money.
- Want to parcel it out.
- Haggie, Haggie, I love you.
Keep your nose out of my business.
You want to make a commission? Make the sale.
And do it fast.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING) (INDISTINCT VOICES ARGUING) MAN: Mira.
Listo? IZZY: Si.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC) (SIREN WAILING) Oy, Perito.
(EXCITED CHATTER IN SPANISH) GAMER: Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
(EXCITED CHATTER) GAMER: Boom.
GAMER 2: Ay-ay-ay! - DIEGO: Izzy Morales! (SPEAKING SPANISH) Izzy Morales! - (CLAPPING, EXCITEMENT) (SNIFFLING) Mr.
Mezza? Yes? Special Agent Rebecca Stroud.
- Ok hello.
- Doin' okay there, Sal? Yeah, I just got a bad cold, you know.
Were you following me? You're a smart kid.
Immigrant parents, you got yourself a scholarship.
The first college grad in your family.
You love your country.
They must be real proud of you.
So, why'd you choose Araknet out of all the other major tech outfits? Um I I don't know, I just 'Cause it was cool? Yeah.
Yeah, maybe it could be.
- That's fine, they are cool.
- And you wanted to be cool.
But you know what's even cooler? Workin' for me.
Uh, like NSA? Like, official NSA? Eventually, yes, but I need you to hold on to that job you got at Araknet for a little bit longer, if you catch my drift.
And, um, not gonna sugar-coat it, it's it's gonna be stressful.
I mean, you and I'd have to work out a communication protocol, and then you'd have to return to work like this conversation never even happened.
- Okay - Okay? Yeah.
Hey, forget the generic.
You need the real deal.
Be in touch.
- (PHONE LINE RINGING) - HAGGIE: Hey, this is Seymour Haggadorn.
I can't come to the phone right now, so please leave a message, and I'll get back to you.
- (PHONE LINE RINGING) - HAGGIE: Hey, this is Seymour Haggadorn.
I can't come to the phone right now, so please leave a message (PHONE LINE RINGING) HAGGIE'S: Hey, this is Seymour Haggadorn.
I can't come to the phone - (PHONE LINE RINGING) - HAGGIE: Hey, this is Seymour Ha - (PHONE LINE RINGING) - HAGGIE: Hey, this is Sey (SIGHS) (ROOSTER CROWING) (KEYS UNLOCKING DOOR) (GUARDS YELLING) (SPEAKING SPANISH) (IZZY BREATHING HEAVILY) (SOLDIER SPEAKING SPANISH) (GUARDS SPEAKING SPANISH, INDISTINCT) (GROANS) (FOOTSTEPS) (PRISON DOOR OPENS) Come on, open the door, Haggie.
I see your stupid car parked out front.
Come on! You're not answering my calls.
I'm sending you text messages, I'm callin' you.
This deal should have gone through by now, but I'm standin' here, I'm feelin' like somebody fucked me.
Haggie? Did you fuck me? You fucked yourself, Wes.
I told you that was too much to move so fast.
FinCEN jumped all over it.
You talked to your guy, right? Your finance guy? I did, he thought it was a bad idea, too.
So, why didn't you listen to him? You said it "had to be fast, it had to be all at once.
" You didn't listen to me.
Hey! Don't take that tone with me after you lost all my money.
I didn't lose your money, Wes, you lost your money! - Ah! - (DOG BARKING) And, hey, hey, maybe I'd feel sorry for you or something, but you know what? Maybe you deserve this, huh? Maybe this is what you get after years of using people.
Bullying people! You think I liked going through life without able to make a fist? Hey, look at this! Look at this! Huh? See? See? No fist! No fist! And you thought that shit was funny.
What kinda sociopath thinks it's funny to stick a fork in someone?! Huh?! Oh, that's right, you.
You do, because you, you are a sad, arrogant, megalomaniac.
You know what? Maybe instead of jumping all over me, you should just go on home, and take a good, hard look in the mirror, huh? Why don't you do that? (GATE CLOSES) (DOG BARKING) (FRONT DOOR SLAMS SHUT) PODCAST HOST 1: The thing is, before you launch your product out there, - you gotta commit to it.
- PODCAST HOST 2: Absolutely.
You gotta have patience, dedication, you cannot let your users down.
Right, right, I mean, I heard they worked on the SELF app for, what, a couple weeks? I mean, two months, maybe? I mean, that's nothing.
- You okay? - It's almost like they went I'm fine.
exactly, it's though NICK: So, that's a million new users? MARA: Almost a million.
RONALD: Most of those on day one.
We could still catch.
It's been a week, bro.
Mara's campaign's still ramping up.
People haven't seen it yet.
MARA: Nick, awareness is solid.
The click-through numbers are good.
People just aren't downloading it.
I think it's over.
No, it isn't.
Give people a chance to figure out Look, kid, just stop.
Let's get it straight.
I bought into your SELF bullshit, now Stroud's all the way up my ass.
But, lucky for you, this company's all I got left.
All my chips are in the middle! So, it's gotta succeed.
It's just gotta.
But if it doesn't there is gonna be hell to pay.
Are we clear? (PRISON DOOR BUZZING)
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