Financial analyst Laurel Ayres (Whoopi Goldberg) is intelligent, sharpwitted and talented, all the right elements to succeed and climb the Wall Street corporate ladder. Yet she fails to secure a well-deserved promotion due to her ethically challenged, devious colleague Frank (Tim Daly). Not one to take defeat lying down, Laurel devises an ingenious but risky plan to create a fabricated partnership with a powerful – male – financial whiz. Donning the persona of 'Robert S. Cutty’, Laurel has to skillfully walk the tightrope of illusion and success. (Original Title – The Associate) – 1996 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.