George Bailey:  I 'm in trouble , Mr. Potter . I need help . Through some sort of an accident , my company 's short in their accounts . The bank examiner got there today . I 've got to raise eight thousand dollars immediately .
Mr. Potter: Oh , that 's what the reporters wanted to talk to you about .
George Bailey: The reporters ?
Mr. Potter: Yes . They called me up from your Building and Loan . Oh , there 's a man over there from the D.A. 's office , too . He 's looking for you .
George Bailey: Please help me , Mr. Potter . Help me , wo n't you , please ? Ca n't you see what it means to my family ? I 'll pay any sort of a bonus on the loan , any interest , if you still want the Building and Loan ...
Mr. Potter: George , could it possibly be there 's a slight discrepancy in the books ?
George Bailey: No , sir , there 's nothing wrong with the books . I 've just misplaced eight thousand dollars . I ca n't find it anywhere .
Mr. Potter: * You * misplaced eight thousand dollars ?
George Bailey: Yes , sir .
Mr. Potter: Have you notified the police ?
George Bailey: No , sir . I did n't want the publicity . Harry 's homecoming tomorrow ...
Mr. Potter: They 're going to believe that _ one _ . What 've you been doing , George ? Playing the market with the company 's money ?
George Bailey: No sir . No sir , I haven't .
Mr. Potter: Is it a woman , then ? You know , it 's all over town that you 've been giving money to Violet Bick .
George Bailey: What ?
Mr. Potter: Not that it makes any difference to me , but why did you come to me ? Why do n't you go to Sam Wainwright and ask him for the money ?
George Bailey: I ca n't get a hold of him . He 's in Europe .
Mr. Potter: Well , what about all your other friends ?
George Bailey: They do n't have that kind of money , Mr. Potter . You know that . You 're the only one in town that can help me .
Mr. Potter: I 've suddenly become quite important . What kind of security what I have , George ? Have you gotten any stocks ? Bonds ? Real estate ? Collateral of any kind ?
George Bailey: Well , I have some life insurance . A fifteen thousand dollar policy .
Mr. Potter: Yes . How much is your equity in it ?
George Bailey: Five hundred dollars .
Mr. Potter: Five hundred dollars ? And you ask me to lend you eight thousand ?