The Big Short Monologues & Audition Scenes

Characters: Dancer, Mark

Mark Baum interviews a stripper to understand the extent of the housing bubble. He is horrified to discover that she, like many others, has multiple high-interest mortgages she cannot afford, confirming his fears of an imminent economic collapse.

Characters: Michael Burry, Lawrence Fields

Michael Burry informs his skeptical investor, Lawrence Fields, that he has committed over a billion dollars of the fund's liquidity to credit default swaps against the housing market. Despite Lawrence's outrage and accusations of insanity, Michael remains steadfast in his logical conviction while admitting to the human element of his anxiety.

Characters: Mark, Danny, Porter, Black, Maroon

Mark Baum and his team interview two arrogant mortgage brokers to understand the reality of the housing market. The brokers boast about their predatory lending practices and the lack of oversight, confirming Mark's fears about a systemic financial collapse.

Characters: Anthony Bourdain

Chef Anthony Bourdain uses a culinary metaphor to explain the complex financial concept of a Collateralized Debt Obligation (CDO). He compares subprime mortgages to old fish that banks repackage into a 'stew' to hide their lack of value and sell them to unsuspecting customers.

Characters: Scarlett

A fourth-wall-breaking explanation of how mortgage-backed securities transitioned from government-guaranteed bonds to risky 'subprime' private bonds. The character simplifies complex financial jargon for the audience while in a casual setting.

Characters: Georgia, Mark, Vinny

Mark Baum and Vinny Daniel confront a representative from Standard & Poors regarding the refusal to downgrade failing subprime mortgage bonds. The tension peaks when Georgia admits that the agency provides high ratings simply to prevent banks from taking their business to competitors, exposing the systemic corruption of the financial crisis.