Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk: Chapter 17 Summary & Analysis

Josh delivers Dime and Billy to Albert in a hallway outside of Norm's suite. Albert pointedly encourages Josh to leave and then tells Dime and Billy what's going on: Albert has decided to form an investor group to make the Bravo film and form a production company of his own. He says that once Norm gets the company started, they'll sign paperwork, the Bravos will get paid, and then they'll start production. He assures Dime that he'll still be their official producer.

Coughing, Albert says there is one problem: $100,000 per Bravo is a lot of money when they'll also have to spend several million dollars for a script and a lead actor. Dime tells Billy that this is where they'll get screwed, and Albert insists that he's not going to abandon them now. He says that Norm suggested they just pay Dime and Billy, but when Dime says that's not happening, Albert says he told Norm that. He explains that if they go with this independent film route, the Bravos would get an advance up front and then a percentage of the net profits. Albert says that in the end it'll probably be way more than $100,000, but the initial payment would be only $5,500. Dime sputters and says he won't do it.

Albert continues to try to explain how this will all work, saying that they're fighting the fact that the Iraq War films haven't done well at the box office. He points out that $5,500 is still good for men on Army pay. Dime is incensed when he learns that Norm has already named his production company, but Albert insists that this is a good thing. He says it indicates that Norm will invest right away, and he warns that it won't get better than this. Dime points out that Albert said before that everyone loved them, but Albert replies that people have moved on in the last two weeks. Norm knows they've been talking to people, and this is the best they're going to do.

Mr. Jones pokes his head out of the suite, interrupting Dime as he asks Billy what he thinks. Albert confirms that Dime still wants to talk to Norm, and though Dime agrees to talk, he declares that the deal is still awful. When Dime asks, Albert says that Norm is going to form the production company regardless and says he'll still be involved. He says nothing when Dime calls him a jerk, and the three finally enter the suite.

The suite is dim and smells of burnt coffee and cigarettes. Norm and his sons greet Billy, Dime, and Albert, as Mr. Jones perches on a stool and Josh stands awkwardly. The executives introduce themselves and then turn their attention to the game and discuss which players to trade out. When Norm finishes looking at the game stats, he finally addresses Albert and asks if Dime and Billy know about the offer. Dime congratulates Norm on his production company, and Norm vows to go all-out on the Bravos' film. He says it's an important film that will give the country a much-needed boost. The executives are involved in their phones or the game as Norm discusses his doubts about Hollywood culture at large.

Norm says grandly that he wants to make a great film, and Dime asks Norm why he thinks he can do that. The executives, shocked, turn their full attention to Norm. Dime insists that he could sell his grandmother the Bravos' story for $5,500 and asks Norm to show them he's serious. Norm looks dazed but tells Dime to look around and see how serious he is. Billy thinks he'd fold now if he could, but Dime keeps pushing. He asks where the money comes from, and one of Norm's sons explains that they could round up pledges for thirty million dollars by the end of the game. Dime insists that $5,500 per Bravo seems small in comparison.

Norm patiently explains again that the Bravos will share in the profits after the film is made. He tries to convince Dime that it would be nice to have something decided before they return to Iraq. Dime agrees but says that he thought Norm liked the Bravos. Norm insists he does like the Bravos, and Dime turns to Billy and says that Norm likes them so much, he's going to screw them. Albert immediately herds Dime and Billy to a private room. Norm is obviously offended, but Dime is on a roll. He asks Mr. Jones if the private room is bugged and suggests that this small room is where Norm sees his hookers.

Albert chastises Dime and insists he can't talk to Norm like that, but Dime remains petulant. Finally, Dime asks Albert if Norm needs this deal, or if he's lowballing them just because he can. Albert says it's probably both, and Dime reminds Albert that Bravo leaves in two days. When Albert insists that they can fax signatures, Dime says they can't if someone dies. He suggests holding a gun to Norm's head and rants that everyone wants to support the troops until it comes to giving them actual money. 

Albert escapes to the restroom while Dime calls the rest of Bravo. They all agree the deal is horrible. Billy receives a text from Kathryn telling him that she sent a car for him, but Dime interrupts Billy's thoughts asking for his opinion. Billy reasons that he'd rather have nothing than let Norm use him, and says he also hates Norm. He and Dime start laughing, and when Albert comes out of the bathroom, Dime tells him that they won't do it. Albert gets a call from Norm that doesn't seem to go well. He tries to tell Norm that he doesn't have to do "this." When he hangs up, he explains that Norm knows someone high up in the Army, and a General Ruthven is going to call to speak to Dime and Billy. Albert asks if the Army can make them accept the deal.

Back in the suite, the TVs show the Cowboys losing. Norm tells Dime and Billy how much he loves winning. When a phone rings, Mr. Jones answers it and hands the phone over to Norm. After a minute, Norm hands the phone to Dime, whose face Billy can't read. On their end, the conversation consists only of "yes sir." When the conversation is over, Dime tosses the phone to Mr. Jones and leads Billy out and back to their seats. He explains that General Ruthven is from a town near Pittsburgh and is a Steelers fan, meaning he hates the Cowboys on principle. Josh runs after Dime and Billy, and he finally has Advil.