Movie: Sweet November (2001), Keanu Reeves as Nelson Moss
Negotiation scene in a restaurant
Quite a remarkable scene of negotiation, clearly demonstrating the psychology of inter-class communication, and the endurance of principles and morals.
Businessman Edgar Price behaves rudely and arrogantly, during the dialog he insults Vince Holand by stating, “Holland, frankly I’m not overly impressed with you anyway. But your reputation, Nelson, precedes you, and if I have to take him to get you, I will.”
Business sharks often test others’ mettle through harsh tactics. If someone persists in being overly subservient and ingratiating, they’re seen as weak and easily manipulated. But the main point is not who will outplay whom in psychological games, but who has what values and principles and how committed a person to them. Not everything is for sale.
Nelson responded neutrally, maintaining a poker face. This was the first breach of ethical boundaries, so there was no immediate reaction, and the proposal itself had not yet been made.
One could’ve defended their partner’s honor immediately, asserting dominance, but that would escalate the confrontation. Instead, waiting for the offer and then firmly rejecting it provides a more impactful psychological backlash. An arrogant individual would find a sharp refusal more impactful than a moral lecture on business ethics.
The subsequent scene was equally telling. When the waitress made a mistake, Edgar Price disparaged her in a disrespectful manner, showing disdain:
PRICE You know… we are what we do in this world, sweetie, and you’re awaitress. All that requires is that you bring the food and drink to and from the table without making a mess. That’s it. So when you screw up something so incredibly simple as that… well that just doesn’t say a whole helluva lot about you, does it?
And then continues:
They should fire her.
(pauses)
I always say — a bad hire strengthens the competition’s hand. A good general feeds off his enemy.
Nelson’s reaction was noteworthy. Without moralizing, he cleverly mentioned that Price was quoting Sun Tzu’s Art of War, subtly showing his own intelligence.
NELSON
Actually, Sun Tzu said the last line, in The Art of War.
By doing so, he showed that it’s not just Edgar Price who is “smart” here. Then, in the movie, he briefly replied “Not interested” and immediately left the negotiations in silence without ceremony. A kind of reciprocal arrogance and disdain. In the script, which I found in the network, Nelson’s final phrase is more meaningful:
Mr. Price… my father was a poor man… embarrassed by his own life. I swore I’d never end up like him. I thought money and success would be the difference. But you’re rich and successful, and I don’t wanna ever end up like you either. It’s not the offer I don’t like… it’s you.
This option better reveals Nelson’s attitude towards Edgar, but a more laconic answer from movie looks stronger and more eloquent, because it succinctly encapsulates his disdain towards Edgar Price. It’s a concise but powerful statement that conveys Nelson’s rejection of not just the offer but also the character and values represented by Price. The brevity in the movie’s version adds a layer of strength and clarity to Nelson’s stance, emphasizing his refusal to align himself with Price’s traits or lifestyle. It’s a sharp and direct expression of his principles and a refusal to compromise his integrity.
Russian version:
Scene dialogue script
Source: https://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/sweet_november.pdf
This script is different from video, but insight the same.
INT. POWER RESTAURANT – DAY 94
Now Vince is doing a little song and dance for Price.
VINCE
Just so you know, I’ve got a couple clients in my hip pocket,
some great leads for new accounts. So we come — fully loaded.PRICE
You’re not selling me a car, Holland, and frankly I’m not overly impressed with you anyway.
(to Nelson)
But your reputation precedes you,
and if I have to take him to get you, I will.
This is my offer.
It’s good as long as we’re at this table.
Clearing their plates, the Waitress spills a drink. It soaks the napkin Price is writing on and pours into his lap.
WAITRESS
I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.
PRICE
You know… we are what we do in this world, sweetie, and you’re awaitress.All that requires is that you bring the food and drink to and from the table without making a mess. That’s it. So when you screw up something so incredibly simple as that… well that just doesn’t say a whole helluva lot about you, does it?
Stunned, the Waitress carries the dishes to a nearby wait-station where she breaks down and cries.
VINCE
Women like that I give dumb a bad name.
ON NELSON
as he watches the Waitress cry, then turns to appraise Price, who doesn’t skip a beat as he grabs a new napkin.
PRICE
They should fire her.
(pauses)
I always say — a bad hire strengthens the competition’s hand. A good general feeds off his enemy.
NELSON
Actually, Sun Tzu said the last line, in The Art of War.
VINCE
Did he? Interesting.
Price starts to rewrite the offer. Suddenly he stands as if to leave, he’s pulling a tactical maneuver to make them nervous.
PRICE
That’s right. Smart man, Nelson.
Price writes the offer on the napkin. Vince picks it up, reads it, jaw dropping. Price grins — loves his own sense of drama — extends his hand to Nelson. But Nelson does nothing. And Vince starts to freak.
VINCE
Nels? Are you there…?
NELSON
Not interested.
PRICE
You don’t like my offer?
NELSON (in the video we have not this speech, only last stroke)
Mr. Price… my father was a poor man… embarrassed by his own life. I swore I’d never end up
like him. I thought money and success would be the difference.
But you’re rich and successful, and I don’t wanna ever end up like you either.
It’s not the offer I don’t like… it’s you.