????華爾街實權派之間的爭權奪利常常堪比莎翁劇作，也唯有莎翁才能將當前盛傳的高盛（Goldman Sachs）頂層的爾虞我詐還原出來。如今從高盛傳出來的風聲已經具備了典型古羅馬戲劇必需的所有要素：一位領袖權傾一時，但一場金融危機令其勢力大不如前；此時，一位信任有加的朋友看到了奪權的機會。多德弗蘭克法案（Dodd-Frank）后，高盛業務收縮，今年大批合伙人離職，自2006年布蘭克費恩出任首席執行官以來，高盛股價已跌去約25%。

????高盛拒絕發表評論，公司發言人維持了幾個月以來一成不變的措辭，稱在公司宣布換屆計劃前，一切無可奉告。即便如此，整個世界（好吧，至少整個金融界）都在注視著西街200號的一舉一動。隨著高盛大戲的最后一幕徐徐拉開大幕，下面這幾個角色值得我們關注：

勞埃德?布蘭克費恩，高盛董事長兼首席執行官

????當年高盛風光的時候，布蘭克費恩的首要考慮是如何保持公司持續增長。他自嘲式的幽默感掩蓋了個性的冷酷無情，一些高盛前合伙人稱，正是這種冷酷無情幫助他在高盛爬到了更高的位置。從上世紀70年代以來，高盛的首席執行官一職就常常由兩個人共同分擔，但布蘭克費恩一直獨坐頭把交椅，并聲稱沒有離任計劃。

????但最近的報道稱，股東們要求布蘭克費恩下臺的呼聲越來越高。畢竟，他是信貸危機爆發前的高盛首席執行官；被美國證券交易委員會（SEC）指為欺詐并受到美國參議院調查的一些行為也發生在他掌舵期間。今春，隨著高盛中層經理格雷格?史密斯離職并在《紐約時報》（New York Times）撰文，控訴高盛的主要目標是通過欺騙客戶來賺錢，外界對布萊克費恩領導下的高盛企業道德質疑之聲再度升溫。為保住董事長一職，布蘭克費恩與勢力強大的股東美國州縣市雇員聯盟（American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees，簡稱AFSCME）努力抗爭。此外，他不久前剛剛降薪35%。

????兩年來關于布蘭克費恩可能離職的傳言不斷，甚至高盛內部的一些人也開始考慮他是否應當走人。批評人士中甚至包括他長期以來的二把手和密友蓋瑞?柯恩。

蓋瑞?柯恩，高盛總裁兼首席運營官

????柯恩自1990年加入高盛擔任交易員以來就一直是布蘭克費恩的左膀右臂。多年以來，兩人成為了莫逆之交，但《紐約郵報》（New York Post）報道稱，現在兩人之間的關系已經惡化。一點也不奇怪。雖然布蘭克費恩以前總是見人就說，他想繼續執掌高盛幾年，一位高盛合伙人以及接近高盛董事會的消息人士今年2月告訴《財富》雜志（Fortune）稱，柯恩已成功施展伎倆成為了布蘭克費恩的接班人，交接工作最早將于今夏進行。《華爾街日報》（The Wall Street Journal）3月份報道稱，高盛確實已制定了一個應急計劃，如果股東迫使高盛調整最高層人員，柯恩將擔任首席執行官，布蘭克費恩任董事長。（高盛否認了這個說法。）

????

????Shakespearean is a trope often used to describe the machinations of Wall Street power players, but only the Bard could do justice to the treacheries reportedly playing out at the top of Goldman Sachs. The story leaking out of the bank has all the ingredients of a classic Roman play -- a powerful leader weakened by the battle of the financial crisis and a trusted friend who sees an opportunity to grab control. The firm itself is shrinking in the wake of Dodd-Frank legislation, a spate of partners left this year, and shares have lost about 25% since Blankfein became the CEO in 2006.

????Goldman declined to comment, and company spokespeople have maintained for months that there's no real story to discuss until the firm announces a succession plan. Even so, all the world (well, the financial world) is watching 200 West Street. Here are the most interesting players to follow as the investment bank's fifth act unfolds.

Lloyd Blankfein, CEO and chairman of the board

????When times were good at Goldman (GS), Blankfein's main concern was how to keep the investment bank growing. His self-deprecating sense of humor helped mask the ruthlessness that former partners say propelled him ever higher in the organization. Since the 1970s, the CEO role has often been shared between two people, but Blankfein has been in the top spot all alone and he has been saying that he has no plans to leave.

????But recent reports say that a growing chorus of shareholders wants Blankfein to step aside. He was, after all, the boss pre-credit crisis; overseeing activities that were later called fraudulent by the SEC and investigated by the Senate. Questions about integrity under his leadership were raised again this spring when mid-level manager Greg Smith quit and wrote aNew York Times editorial that said the bank's main goal was to make money by duping clients. Blankfein fought with a powerful shareholder, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), to keep his job as chairman of the board. And he just took a 35% pay cut.

????After two years of rumors about a possible departure, even some within the firm wonder whether he should go. Those critics may even include his long-time number two and close friend Gary Cohn.

Gary Cohn, president and chief operating officer

????Cohn has been Blankfein's right hand man since he started working as a trader at Goldman in 1990. Over the years, the two became friends and confidantes, but the New York Post reports that the relationship between the two men has deteriorated. This comes as little surprise. While Blankfein was telling anyone who would listen that he wanted to stay atop the bank for another few years, a Goldman partner and a source close to the board told Fortune in February that Cohn had successfully jockeyed to become Blankfein's successor, and that the changeover could happen as early as this summer. The Wall Street Journal reported in March that the firm did indeed have a contingency plan in place that would make Cohn the CEO and Blankfein the chairman, should shareholders force the bank to shake up the C-suite. (A claim that Goldman denied.)