Probably Unanswerable Questions
Blake’s role; Moss’s performance; Roma’s suspicion; lead quality; Moss’s movie; unseen characters
In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 00:53:33Read transcript
- The exact time of Blake’s visit is unclear, and late-night cold calling by disheveled salesmen seems especially unwelcome.
- Blake may be a top regional or national salesman enlisted to intimidate and motivate the staff before new leads arrive; the job feels like a dramatic invention more than a real practice.
- Moss’s offended rage may be a performance allowing him to leave for Wisconsin after the crime; the interrogations expose fragile male pride.
- Roma’s question about the morning Nyborg sale might reveal suspicion that Levene lacks an alibi, but whether he knows or cares remains uncertain.
- The quality of the supposedly prized Glengarry leads is uncertain: the stack implies many ready buyers, but the promise may simply keep workers obedient.
- Moss’s movie outing on the robbery night inspires an August 1991 top-five prompt, naming Hot Shots!, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Doc Hollywood and Double Impact; Double Impact is considered funniest.
- The Last Boy Scout, Cape Fear and JFK are additional possible films for Moss’s night out; Doc Hollywood is also imagined as an unexpectedly liked choice. No fifth title completes the earlier stated top-five list.
- Dustin Hoffman is the first Jerry Graff casting choice, based on his Mamet work and ability to play a slick contemporary competitor.
- A more star-heavy version uses Warren Beatty as Graff, Hoffman as both Mitch and Murray, and Sidney Pollack as Lemkin; Schwarzenegger is a joking Lemkin escalation.