SUPER: Thirty-six hours later – 6:30 AM
ALEX HARDING (40s) crosses the street.
Focused. Athletic.
He enters through a SIDE DOOR.
Alex takes the stairs two at a time.
Eyes closed. Counting silently.
He reaches the top — breathless. Checks his watch.
Smiles.
Alex enters his office.
Efficient routine.
Logs in.
Whistles as he knots his tie.
On-screen: PORTFOLIOS ORDER THEMSELVES.
One flashes RED.
HANSON – DOWN $1,000,000
Alex frowns.
Clicks.
ON SCREEN
Transaction details.
Alex’s smile dies.
ALEX
Jesus…
He stands. Then sits.
Scrolls. Sees it.
A SELL ORDER.
AUTHORISED BY: ALEX HARDING.
Alex grips his hair.
ALEX
Fuck in hell.
Alex paces. Checks timestamps.
ALEX (V.O.)
Impossible.
He slumps back. Checks the clock.
Thirty minutes.
He imagines —
ADRIAN GOULDING stares coldly.
ADRIAN (V.O.)
Explain yourself.
BACK TO SCENE
Alex breaks.
Runs.
Stacks of STREAMING DISCS.
Alex grabs the most recent.
Slips it into his jacket.
He sends a QUICK EMAIL.
SUBJECT: Sick
Hits SEND.
Looks around one last time.
Leaves.
End of Chapter Two
EXT. GOULDING SECURITIES – MORNING
SUPER: Thirty-six hours later – 6:30 AM
ALEX HARDING (40s) crosses the street.
Focused. Athletic.
He enters through a SIDE DOOR.
INT. STAIRWELL – CONTINUOUS
Alex takes the stairs two at a time.
Eyes closed. Counting silently.
He reaches the top — breathless. Checks his watch.
Smiles.
INT. GOULDING SECURITIES – OFFICE – MORNING
Alex enters his office.
Efficient routine.
Logs in.
Whistles as he knots his tie.
On-screen: PORTFOLIOS ORDER THEMSELVES.
One flashes RED.
HANSON – DOWN $1,000,000
Alex frowns.
Clicks.
ON SCREEN
Transaction details.
Alex’s smile dies.
ALEX
Jesus…
He stands. Then sits.
Scrolls. Sees it.
A SELL ORDER.
AUTHORISED BY: ALEX HARDING.
Alex grips his hair.
ALEX
Fuck in hell.
INT. ALEX’S OFFICE – CONTINUOUS
Alex paces. Checks timestamps.
ALEX (V.O.)
Impossible.
He slumps back. Checks the clock.
Thirty minutes.
He imagines —
INT. CEO’S OFFICE – IMAGINED
ADRIAN GOULDING stares coldly.
ADRIAN (V.O.)
Explain yourself.
BACK TO SCENE
Alex breaks.
Runs.
INT. COMPUTER ROOM – MORNING
Stacks of STREAMING DISCS.
Alex grabs the most recent.
Slips it into his jacket.
INT. ALEX’S OFFICE – MOMENTS LATER
He sends a QUICK EMAIL.
SUBJECT: Sick
Hits SEND.
Looks around one last time.
Leaves.