Talk to me.Swimming with Sharks · 1994 — Chapter 2 of 16 · 6'08" · B2
Buddy Berates Guy Over the Phone, Explained: End of story
Buddy Ackerman berates his assistant Guy on the phone for not returning calls, reminds him he is about to be promoted, and then says he thinks the relationship is not working anymore. Later, someone confronts him at his house and tells him it is payback time.
What happens
On the phone, Buddy scolds his assistant for being slow, complains that someone told Cyrus he does not return calls, and says the relationship is not working. Guy asks if he is being fired. In a later confrontation, a visitor takes Buddy's gun and tells him it is payback time.
Listen for
It won't happen againEnd of storyTrack someone downPayback time
00:00 / 06:08Space play · ← → lines · R repeat
Now
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Phrase of the scene
End of story
used to say a matter is settled and there is nothing more to discuss
巴迪受够了盖伊的纠缠，宣布要给警察打电话、让盖伊进监狱，甩下一句故事到此为止，还补上一句祝你余生愉快，把话彻底说死。
We agreed on the price, so end of story, no more haggling.
Also in this scene
- It won't happen again
a promise that the mistake will not be repeated
- Track someone down
追踪并最终找到某人或某物，顺线索查出来
- Payback time
该算账了、报复或回敬的时候到了
Everything marked in this scene
33 notes across 101 lines
there's just something that I want to tell you, and... uh, I... it can wait till tomorrow.Call me in the morning, ok?I really am sorry.10 minutes ago. What took you so fuckin' long?Whatever. Anyway, is it done?Yes. I returned every call, and I left work.Well, that's good, because some asshole complained to Cyrus that I'm not returnin' my calls.I can't afford to have that. Not now, not ever, and certainly not when I'm about to be promoted.a promise that the mistake will not be repeated
And, uh, it won't happen again.Christ, you're not even listening, are you?I'll tell you, Guy, I don't think this is working anymore.Maybe it's time we reconsider our relationship.We'll talk about it in the morning.What are you gonna do? You gonna fire me?Hold on. I got another call. Hello? Hello?Hold on. Shut up.Guy, listen, tomorrow morning, call the phone company, because all my phones are fuckin' screwed up!And then track down the blonde.Set up a meeting.What the hell?She signed a 3-picture deal with Universal.You scared the living shit out of me.My gun. Hand it over.Have you gone completely insane?Now, why don't you put down the gun, and let's talk?All right, fine. I gave you a chance, you know.But it's late, and I'm tired of this bullshit.I'm calling the cops, and you're going to jail.used to say a matter is settled and there is nothing more to discuss
End of story. Have a nice life.End of story. Have a nice life.It's payback time.It's mine. I earned it.Buddy Berates Guy Over the Phone, explained
What's really going on
The scene shows how power works in Buddy's world: it is a phone, a raised voice, and a few well-aimed lines. He does not fire Guy so much as keep him unsure, moving from a scolding about missed calls straight to "Maybe it's time we reconsider our relationship." The threat is never named, which is what makes it effective. The later confrontation reverses the geometry — someone has his gun and his attention — and the revenge speech is a list of everything taken away, ending on "It's payback time." The last beat, in the parking lot, is the same man reduced to defending a parking spot: "I slaved 3 miserable years to get that spot." It is a neat summary of a life measured in humiliations.
Theme
PowerBuddy keeps his assistant in line with threats that are never quite spelled out, and a gun later does the same to him.
RevengeA confrontation built on a list of old insults ends with the promise of payback, and even the parking spot becomes a score to settle.
What you'll learn
- Use about to in the same situation
- Hear Set up a meeting as pressure, not small talk
- Catch who the line is aimed at
- Notice how "the fuck" changes the exchange.
- Listen for the attitude carried by "the fuck".
End of story. Have a nice life.The cold way he closes the argument, treating the other person as already gone and not worth another word.
I slaved 3 miserable years to get that spot.His parking-spot speech in miniature: years of humiliation are weighed against one small privilege he refuses to give up.
It's mine. I earned it.How he justifies the spot, and by extension everything else: ownership as a reward for suffering.
You scared the living shit out of me.The line that shows the confrontation has already frightened him, delivered as anger rather than fear.
Questions about this scene
Why is Buddy angry with Guy?
Guy was slow to return a page and, more importantly, someone complained to Cyrus that Buddy does not return his calls. Buddy says he cannot afford that just before a promotion.
Why won't Buddy come out and say he is firing Guy?
Leaving it unnamed is the pressure. He moves from scolding Guy about missed calls straight to wanting to 'reconsider' their relationship, so Guy has to guess how bad it is.
Who confronts Buddy at his house, and what do they want?
Someone Buddy has wronged turns the tables: the visitor takes Buddy's gun, makes him sit, and lists every insult and offense before saying it is payback time.
Why does Buddy suddenly try to reason with the visitor?
Once the visitor has the gun, Buddy switches to calm talk — the office has been crazy, they are both rational adults — because he is the one without the upper hand now.
Why does Buddy fight so hard over a parking spot?
He says he slaved three miserable years to earn that spot and insists it is his. It shows how much of his self-respect is tied to small status symbols at work.
Swimming with Sharks · 16 chapters
All chapters →
Up next · Chapter 3lose the smileGuy's First Day as Buddy's Assistant
Chapter 1sweet-talk someoneBuddy Sweet-Talks Shelley Winters
Watching · Chapter 2End of storyBuddy Berates Guy Over the Phone
Chapter 3lose the smileGuy's First Day as Buddy's Assistant
Chapter 4Humor meBuddy Berates Guy Over Sweet'N Low
Chapter 5punch below the beltGuy Learns the Rules of Show Business
Chapter 6It's not brain surgeryBuddy Rages Over the Word Unreachable
Chapter 7give action to get actionAn Apology Becomes a Power Play
Chapter 8Get over yourselfGuy Explains Why He Loves Movies
Chapter 9written all over itBuddy Orders Guy to Bury the Story
Chapter 10White knight in shining armorBuddy Offers Guy the White Knight Role
Chapter 11on a short leashGuy Is Warned Off the Boss
Chapter 12Hit a home runBuddy Pitches Guy's Ending to Cyrus
Chapter 13make a killingGuy Ditches His Partner to Obey Buddy
Chapter 14the rat raceBuddy's Rat Race Speech
Chapter 15Paid my duesBuddy Defends Himself to Guy
Chapter 16climb the social ladderDawn Finds Guy Holding Buddy HostageChapter 2 of 16 · about 72 min to go