In "Glengarry Glen Ross," four real estate salesmen find themselves embroiled in a high-stakes competition. Their ruthless bosses decree that success in selling plots of overpriced Florida swampland comes with a Cadillac, while failure results in termination. As tensions escalate, the pressure to perform leads the salesmen to consider unethical and desperate measures.

The Contest and Desperation

Shelley Levene, Dave Moss, George Aaronow, and Richard Roma are caught in a relentless sales contest. The objective: sell dubious land in Florida. Mitch and Murray, the pitiless bosses, have set the stakes—top seller wins a Cadillac, second place earns a set of steak knives, and the bottom two face termination. Dissatisfied with the quality of leads provided by the company, the salesmen, feeling the heat, express their grievances to the office manager, John Williamson. Levene, struggling with a sales slump, pleads futilely for better leads, but Williamson remains unsympathetic, perceiving him as a washed-up has-been.

A Risky Proposition

Amidst the tension, Moss, in a private conversation with Aaronow at a Chinese restaurant, proposes a daring plan. He suggests staging a fake break-in at their office to steal premium leads, which are seen as lucrative due to their untapped potential. Moss claims these leads can be sold to a competitor named Graff, promising Aaronow a share of the profits, amounting to twenty-five hundred dollars. While the offer tempts Aaronow, fear of getting caught looms large. Meanwhile, in the same restaurant, Roma, a charismatic yet manipulative salesman, showcases his prowess by mesmerizing a naive client, James Lingk, with enticing talk about Glengarry Highlands—an exaggerated name for the otherwise undesirable land.

The Aftermath of a Break-In

The following day brings chaos as Roma arrives to celebrate a major sale to Lingk, only to discover that the office has been burglarized. Broken glass litters the floor, and a detective named Baylen is on the scene, interrogating the salesmen. Roma is furious upon learning that completed sales contracts, essential office equipment, and coveted leads have been stolen. His troubles compound when Lingk arrives and reveals his wife's insistence on canceling the land purchase. While Roma attempts to delay Lingk by claiming the paperwork is processing, Williamson inadvertently derails his efforts by revealing that the contract and check have already been sent to the main office. Lingk, in a panic, rushes away to seek legal advice. Roma, seething with frustration, lashes out at Williamson for his interference.

Levene's Guilt and Confession

Amidst the turmoil, Levene basks momentarily in the glow of a rare successful sale from the night before. His euphoria is short-lived, however, as he inadvertently exposes his involvement in the break-in while berating Williamson for botching Roma's deal. His critical mistake is accusing Williamson of being deceitful—something he could only know if he had seen the contract and check on Williamson's desk during the theft. Levene’s guilt becomes undeniable as he confesses, offering Williamson the stolen twenty-five hundred dollars in exchange for silence. Yet, Williamson is unwavering and reports Levene to the detective.

The Consequences and Uncertain Futures

As the dust settles, it becomes clear that Levene and Moss will face legal repercussions for their actions. Their drastic misstep not only seals their fate but leaves the remaining salesmen grappling with the harsh realities of their cutthroat profession. The unforgiving environment they inhabit offers little solace, as they continue to chase elusive leads and worry about their precarious job security. "Glengarry Glen Ross" paints a stark picture of the desperate lengths individuals might go to under intense pressure, highlighting the often morally ambiguous terrain of the sales industry.