Cypher

Planning a vacation, Mr. Sullivan?

No.

No, just - just some reading to pass the time.

Step ahead, Mr. Sullivan.

You're expected in Room 102. Down the hall and to the right.

Thank you.

- What is your name? - Um-Morgan Sullivan.

- Where were you born? - Madison, Wisconsin.

- Are you a spy? - No.

Are you an undercover operative for Sunways Systems?

No.

Were you paid by Sunways Systems

to steal data from Digicorp Technologies?

No.

Have you ever worked at any capacity at Sunways Systems?

No.

This is a technology firm, Mr. Sullivan.

If we choose to employ you as an agent of Digicorp,

you will spy on other corporations,

inform us of their business plans,

research programs, and counter-intelligence operations.

Thus far, your determination has been very impressive.

Well, if there is anything more I can tell you about myself,

anything that has not already been checked by Digicorp.

Your personal records are fine. You've passed our neuro-graph five times.

I'll take the test again if you'd like me to.

You've been married four years.

You live in a respectable neighbourhood.

You've always had stable jobs.

You have an excellent credit history.

No drug habits. No drinking problems.

- You don't smoke? - No.

No other vices to speak of?

Is there anything else we should know about you?

Well, it...

It might have taken me

quite a while to get to this point, Mr. Finster,

but now that I'm here, I'm going to make the most of it.

This is who I am

and this is what I want to do.

The stakes in this line of work are very high.

Yes, I understand.

It will be like nothing you've ever done before.

Oh, I'm prepared for that.

You will be sent to conventions across the country.

You will record the speeches.

That's been made very clear.

You'll have to deceive other people about what you do for a living.

- Yes. - Even your own wife.

Yes.

You don't mind lying to your wife?

No.

No, I don't mind.

That was a good one. Move on ahead to the next station.

- Hello, Mr. Sullivan. - Hello.

Keep it out of view until the convention speeches actually start.

Press the back notch.

You see the flash? It's now on.

Press again. It's now off.

Easy, isn't it?

And the transmissions are really clear?

Within fifty yards.

Just keep it up front for good reception.

Where do the signals go?

Up to our satellite systems, then back down to our data banks.

I guess the speeches must be pretty important.

The speeches are not your concern, Mr. Sullivan.

Just do your job.

Follow our instructions, nothing else. Do you understand?

Yes, Mr. Finster.

Ready!

- Jack Thursby? - That's what you'll be called from now on.

As far as Digicorp is concerned, Morgan Sullivan doesn't exist.

We've never met him. We never will.

- What's he like? - Pardon?

What's his personality?

He's whoever you want him to be.

Buffalo? Why do they need you to go all the way to Buffalo?

They want me to tutor them

on that spreadsheet software I was using at my last job.

And you'll be paid freelance for this?

Sure. Independent contract.

You know, if things work out, there could be more trips down the road.

I thought we agreed you weren't going back to work yet.

Not until that position at my father's firm opened up.

I can do this in the meantime, can't I?

I really need you at home right now, Morgan,

with me being so busy with the Williams case.

It's only temporary, honey. I won't be gone for long.

Hello.

After the convention, you will confirm the transmission on your returning flight.

Yes.

Do you remember the location of the briefcase?

Uh, yes.

Good luck, Mr. Thursby. We're counting on you.

Thank you.

I left it in the stall.

Something to drink, sir?

I'll have a ginger ale.

Actually, I'll have a scotch.

- Scotch? - Mhm.

Single malt.

- On the rocks. - Yes, sir.

Welcome to Buffalo, Mr. Thursby.

- ...and it's vitamin enriched. - Really? Mr...

- Fred Garfield. - Hi. Hi. Jack Thursby.

Fairway Fragrances. Where are they located exactly?

Uh, Tulsa. Tulsa, Oklahoma.

You don't say? I've got family from Tulsa.

You don't have much of an accent.

- I didn't grow up there. - Oh, where did you grow up?

- I said, where'd you grow up? - South Pacific.

- I'm sorry, where? - The South Pacific Islands.

The Tuamotu Archipelago. French Polynesia. Tahiti. Papeete.

Wow. That's pretty unusual.

Yeah, I plan to go back there someday, when I retire.

Water, sir?

- Thanks. - Well, see you around, Jack.

Sure thing, Fred.

The conference room will be open in five minutes.

Good morning, everyone.

My name is Robert Tuttle. I'll be your first speaker.

I will first discuss shaving cream distribution outlets

in North American markets.

Let me begin by acknowledging what has become axiomatic

in the field of shaving cream distribution.

Mainly that shaving cream,

indeed almost all personal hygiene products for men,

are what we call fashion resistant.

The overwhelming majority of shaving cream users

will adopt a brand and remain loyal to it.

What is especially interesting to note,

is the difference in methods used to penetrate that market.

Because these two methods employed by the respective companies

really illustrates the essential strategic choice that faces...

- The Mediterranean. - Yes.

The Mediterranean is beautiful, but if it's real sailing you want,

I recommend the Sunda Islands in the Banda Sea.

I was there on a trip last spring.

- Your cigarettes, sir. - Thank you very much.

Hmm, Cohibas, my favourite brand.

Thank you. Oh, I'm sorry.

Thank you.

Would you excuse me?

Good evening, sir. What'll it be?

Give me a scotch. Single malt, on the rocks.

You got it.

Haven't we seen each other before?

You'll have to come up with something more original than that.

I'm here for the convention.

That's fascinating.

- You're in marketing, right? - Uh-uh. Sales.

- Is there a difference? - What about you?

I do health inspections of hotel restaurants.

- That sounds interesting. - No, it doesn't.

- Do you have an answer for everything? - Yes.

Rita Foster.

Jack Thursby.

So what do you do besides travel to dull cities

and talk to women in hotel bars?

- I-- uh-play golf. - Are you any good?

- No. - Honesty. I like that.

What else do you like?

No commitments.

No bullshit.

- And no rings. - No rings?

You might want to take yours off?

Oh, I'm sorry.

I'll leave you alone now.

Your transmission came through, Mr. Thursby.

The signal was clear.

Perhaps I can do something else on my next trip.

I think I'm ready to handle a bigger assignment.

We'll be sending you to Omaha next Wednesday.

Omaha?

You'll perform the same job that you did in Buffalo.

Omaha? Why can't they find someone in Omaha?

Why do they need to fly you all the way out there? It doesn't make sense.

Morgan.

Morgan, are you listening to me?

Since when did you ever care about golf?

You're not going on this trip, Morgan. I'm sorry.

What do you mean, I'm not going?

My father wants you to come to his office tomorrow.

Getting a position with his company

is more important than a silly freelance job.

I said I'd go.

You're not going, Morgan. End of discussion.

You're staying here. I'll call my father tonight and we'll...

Tell your father to go fuck himself.

What did you just say? Say you're sorry, Morgan!

Morgan!

If you don't apologize, I want you out of this house.

Morgan! Are you listening to me?

What in God's name has gotten into you.

Since when did you start smoking? Morgan!

What's going on? I think I deserve an explanation.

Your scotch, Mr. Thursby.

Turn around slowly, please.

What is your transmission device?