Jordan and Aunt Emma Plan the Swiss Account in Hyde Park

Jordan Belfort walks through London’s Hyde Park with his wife’s British relative, Aunt Emma, pitching an illicit financial scheme under the guise of an exciting adventure. Desperate to shield his fortune from federal authorities, Jordan attempts to recruit her to open an offshore Swiss bank account. As physical withdrawal and the strain of his lifestyle break through his polished sales pitch, the encounter turns into a dark, quirky exchange marked by unexpected admissions of vice, stress, and familial manipulation.

Jordan is an intense, charismatic anti-hero who relies on high-energy persuasion to disguise his mounting desperation. Beneath his slick corporate charm, he is sweating through physical withdrawal and unraveling under immense legal and personal pressure, using candor as both an accidental slip and a calculated manipulation. Aunt Emma presents as a refined, genteel matriarch whose calm, upper-class demeanor conceals a quiet appetite for excitement. Rather than being shocked by Jordan’s criminal overtures or personal confessions, she meets his erratic energy with affectionate bemusement and disarming composure.

Written by Terence Winter, this dialogue provides an exceptional showcase for two performers navigating complex subtext, status shifts, and contrasting comedic rhythms. The scene moves smoothly from a conspiratorial business proposal to an awkward, intimate confession, offering actors a chance to balance sharp comedic timing with authentic psychological strain. Its compact two-minute duration features a distinct beginning, middle, and end, making it an ideal choice for testing chemistry and character contrast.

This piece is well suited for self-tapes, agent showcases, and classroom scene study where nuanced character work is paramount. It provides strong material for actors submitting for dynamic anti-hero types, charming schemers, or elegant character actors looking to demonstrate warmth undercut with playful steel.

The actor playing Jordan must ground the character’s physical restlessness in real physiological strain rather than pantomime. Let the sweating, chills, and fidgeting contrast sharply with Jordan’s attempt to maintain the upper hand and project mastery over millions of dollars. The actor playing Emma should resist playing naive simplicity; her strength lies in her calm observation and playful engagement with danger. Allow the natural differences in vocal cadence and physical stillness to drive the comedy, ensuring that the brief moments of genuine vulnerability land with impact.