:01:00
"The bank would thus be
solely responsible...
:01:04
"for the death of your son.
:01:06
"No police investigation
is to be undertaken...
:01:10
"during this period of 24 hours.
:01:13
"Otherwise we will have no choice...
:01:15
"but to put the boy to death."
:01:18
Naturally there's no signature.
:01:20
And if you hadn't noticed, the letter
was composed on an office labeler.
:01:23
I believe it's called a Demo.
:01:28
Gentleman, let's get down to work.
:01:29
You must be aware that we can't afford
to leave this room...
:01:32
until we've made our decision.
:01:35
Since time is short, we have to act fast.
:01:39
Mr. President, surely you can't be serious.
:01:42
Do you know of any bank
that would give in to such blackmail?
:01:45
I'm absolutely opposed to it.
:01:49
A child's life hangs in the balance.
:01:51
If we were to give in to their demands,
we would set a dangerous precedent.
:01:55
Before long, no one would be safe.
:01:58
Up till now, these kidnappings,
these abductions...
:02:00
have plagued only the children of the rich.
:02:02
Soon they'll be kidnapping anybody.
:02:03
May I call your attention to just
one passage of this letter?
:02:07
"Should the bank refuse
to pay the ransom...
:02:09
"you would not have the slightest hope
of seeing your boy again.
:02:12
"The bank would thus be
solely responsible...
:02:15
"for the death of your son."
:02:17
The bank.
:02:18
The stockholders will meet
at the end of the month.
:02:20
Why don't we put the question to a vote?
:02:24
Mr. Alexandre,
the stockholder's meeting is in two weeks.
:02:26
The ransom has to be paid today. Tonight.
:02:29
Jacques, you are jeopardizing your position.
:02:31
It's not my position which is in jeopardy.
It's the bank's reputation.
:02:35
I'd be curious to see your face tomorrow.
:02:40
What if they don't pay?
:02:41
Do you have a bank account?
:02:42
Yeah, First National.
:02:47
Imagine the First National
in the same situation.
:02:50
The bank won't pay. The boy is killed.
What do you do?
:02:54
Change banks.
:02:55
They won't like it if you change banks.
:02:58
Our problem is 50 million French people,
and not merely one kidnapper.