Mad Men2007

[after Don confronts Pryce about forging his signature]

Lane Pryce:
It was a thirteen day loan.

Don Draper:
And then we cancelled the bonuses.

Lane Pryce:
You delayed them and then you cancelled them. And then you wanted the money for Joan, and I'm the one who's committed the crime?

Don Draper:
Are you gambling?

Lane Pryce:
No. I owed taxes on my portfolio, which I liquidated for fifty thousand dollars into this firm after we lost Lucky Strike!

Don Draper:
If you needed it so badly why didn't you ask?

Lane Pryce:
Why suffer the humiliation for a thirteen day loan! That was my money!

Don Draper:
[long pause] I'm going to need your resignation.

Lane Pryce:
Uh, uh... just a moment - I'm sorry, and I am remorseful. I don't know how it came to this. But the company's in ship shape. And I will make good by Easter, even if I have to pull my son out of school...

Don Draper:
You embezzled funds and you forged my signature.

Lane Pryce:
I apologize deeply for involving you. I suppose I picked you because you've always been the most decent to me.

Don Draper:
I'm doing the most decent thing I can possibly do, Lane. I'm letting you resign.

Lane Pryce:
[agitated and emotional] I have never been compensated for my contributions to this company, including my role in its very existence! Who'd've dreamt of the word "Jaguar", hm? I took away nothing from PPL while you lined your pockets, and I have operated on loss for 3 years! [on the verge of tears] Please reconsider...

Don Draper:
I'm sorry... I can't trust you. I'll cover the money that you owe.

Lane Pryce:
[crying] Because $7,500 is nothing to you... Do you know how the rest of us live? And in the end, who's been harmed really, hm?

Don Draper:
Can you imagine if a client found out.

Lane Pryce:
I'll lose my visa... I can't go back to England, not like this. What would I tell my wife? What would I tell my son? [weeps into handkerchief]

Don Draper:
You'll tell him that it didn't work out, because it didn't. You'll tell them the next thing will be better, because it always is. Take the weekend - think of an elegant exit. Cooper doesn't know anything. [stands up]

Lane Pryce:
[gets up and shakes Don's hand] I feel a bit lightheaded.

Don Draper:
That's relief. I've started over a lot, Lane. This is the worst part.