American scandal uses dramatizations that are based on true events.

Some elements, including dialogue, might be invented, but everything is based on historical research.

Music It's early morning on March 17, 2008, in Times Square, New York City.

The wind bites against the glass facade of Lehman Brothers' headquarters as traders, analysts, and bankers stream inside.

They clutch coffee cups, anxiety written on their faces, because yesterday, one of Wall Street's largest investment banks Bear Stearns suddenly collapsed, and now there are fears that

Lehman could be next. A black Mercedes pulls up to the curb. The door swings open and Lehman's CEO Dick

Fould steps out. He walks briskly through the revolving doors and takes the elevator up to the 31st

floor. Under Fould's leadership, Lehman bet big on mortgage-backed assets. And despite mounting

warnings that the real estate bubble was about to burst,

Fould did little to change course. Now the company may be about to pay the price.

The elevator door opens and Fault steps out into an executive suite that feels like a bunker

under siege. Phones ring nonstop, screens flash red, voices are sharp and tense. Fult goes to his corner

office and logs into Bloomberg. Lehman's shares are already down 21%. Fult's jaw tightens as he

does the math. He personally just lost about $90 million. Beside him, Fult's phone buzzes with calls

from reporters, analysts, even family

members. He answers some callers, but ignores others. Then the name John Mack flashes across the

phone screen. Mac is an old friend, but more importantly, he's the CEO of Morgan Stanley. So this time

Fold picks up the phone. John, how you doing over there, buddy? Well, I'm a little spooked, but we're holding up. I'm hearing a lot of rumors about Lehman, though. Yeah, the press is gunning for us. It's ugly. You got that right, but they smell blood in the water. Is it true? Some of the other banks have stopped trading with you? Yeah, there are two Deutsche Bank and HSBC, but that's it. The American firms are still with me. Oh, good. All right, that's good. But look, Dick, I've got to hear it from you. Is Lehman sound? John, how long have we known each other? I have to ask. You and I both know this mess has nothing to do with the balance sheets. Bear didn't die because of their real estate assets. The hedge funds destroyed them.

They talked Bear down and You and I both know this mess has nothing to do with the balance sheets. Bear didn't die because of their real estate assets.

The hedge funds destroyed them. They talked Bear down until everyone believed it was worthless.

And yesterday, those vultures were drinking mimoses down at the four seasons.

Well, what if they come after you next? Oh, they'll try. And the press will help them, of course.

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