Beauty and the Boss

1

I'm sure this merger will

make commercial history.

With renewed assurances

of my personal regards ..

I am, faithfully yours ..

Get that out right away so that it

can be mailed as soon as we land.

[ Radio ]

"Vienna. 73.12 and a half."

"Budapest 90.80."

"Berlin. 123.6 and a quarter."

"Paris. 20.28."

"New York. 518.45."

Have you got those

quotations down, Ludwig?

Yes, sir. Right on my cuff.

Well, Ludwig. How do you like flying?

Alright. But I don't think it will ever

take the place of the horse and buggy.

What about the oil deal? What were

your impressions of America like?

Did the merger go through?

Did you talk to Mr Rockefeller?

What is the financial

situation in the United States?

Gentlemen, if you see me in my

office this afternoon at 3 o'clock.

I'll give you a statement.

Thank you.

How did you find the Americans, Ludwig?

I took a taxi-cab.

Welcome home from America, Excellency.

You made a short trip this time.

A short trip? I was there four days.

What's happened during my absence?

I installed the new manager

in the branch office.

Send me the reports from all offices.

Excellency. May I say on behalf

of myself and the entire staff ..

That it is indeed a great pleasure

to have us with you again.

It is customary on such occasions ..

Too many words.

But on behalf of the staff I have

prepared an address of greetings.

Archaic inefficiency.

But ..

Send Miss Frey in at once.

Yes, Excellency.

Send me a stenographer as soon

as possible. Get Paris at once.

Where is that stenographer?

Wheres Ludwig?

Does the whole workforce have to die

after I go to American for a day or two?

Hello?

Am I here? Of course I'm here.

Could I answer if I were not?

Oh, Baron Von Ullrich.

I'm so surprised to see you.

Surprised to see me? In my office?

But how can you get back

from America so soon?

On a boat.

Take a cable.

Yes, sir.

To Connor in New York. Arrived. Stop.

You're not stopping.

The stop goes in the cable.

Oh yes, I always forget that.

Directors' meeting Tuesday. Stop.

Cable decision. Stop. Urgent. Stop.

Yes, I see it.

But I've seen better.

Why, I didn't think you could see my ..

No, of course not.

But leave your skirt down.

During office hours.

But you dictate so fast I never

know where my skirt is.

Take a note. Call agency. Ascertain if a

trained, male stenographer is available.

But Baron ..

Take another cable.

Tokyo, London. Arrived. Stop.

Decision Tuesday. Stop.

I have it.

Don't squirm. I know you have hips.

An odor in my office?

What is it?

That's my perfume.

A blend made especially for me.

Called "Love At Dawn".

Dawn?

A good time for it. Make a note.

All employees at this office will cease

from using perfume during banking hours.

Take a letter. Directors, General

Oil Importing Company, Vienna.

Gentlemen, at last I am able

to report to you in detail.

In detail.

Why do you always repeat

after me, Miss Frey?

Pardon me, Baron. I do that

in order to keep up with you.

You dictate so rapidly.

I do everything rapidly.

Oh, Baron.

My trip to American was

particularly successful.

Period .. I saw ..

I say, Miss Frey. Why do

wear your dress so low?

Is it low?

Is it low? You know

perfectly well it's low.

Well, I'm sorry if my

shoulders annoy you.

It's not only your shoulders,

it's the whole area. You're ..

I don't like it.

You mean ..?

Low necks, bare shoulders

and bank hours don't mix.

Make a note. All female

employees of this establishment.

Must wear long sleeves and high necks.

Yes, sir.

Where was I?

Oh, yes.

I saw representatives of

all concerned interests.

Agreed the territorial lines in which

the various companies may work. Period.

Miss Frey. You are much too

pretty to be caged in a bank.

Can I help it if I'm pretty?

No woman who looks

pretty should work in a bank.

It disturbs the bankers.

It takes the eyes of the tellers

from their bills and currency.

The clerks become

confused at their columns.

It's dangerous. It invites disaster.

But I thought it made men happy at their

work to see a pretty woman about.

Men don't come here to be happy. They

come here to earn their daily bread.

Women are for non-working hours.

And you are much too pretty

and soft and seductive.

You distract me.

But why blame me? Just because ..

Think what I lose,

contemplating your charms.

My time is worth five thousand an hour.

Already I've lost ten minutes looking

at you. That's over eight hundred.

In a year I should lose

a million and a half.

Very truly, yours.

All women rob men of their time.

Here, Miss Frey, you are not a woman.

What am I then?

Just a writing machine.

And don't forget it again.

His Excellency Count Von Tolheim.

Ah. Show him in.

Yes, Excellency.

Well, well. Hello, Count.

When did you get back?

Just this minute.

Had a good time?

Well, you're looking fit.

I know who is fitter .. you are.

If you are busy, I'll drop in later.

No, sit down. Be through in a minute.

Ludwig, you will not go

out to luncheon today.

No lunch.

Don't go to dinner this evening.

No dinner.

You will stay tonight at the bank.

No sleep.

Take this material and organize it.

At once, Excellency.

Will you need a stenographer tonight?

No.

Possibly for clerical purposes?

No.

Looks like a rather dull evening.

I could stay tonight if you

thought you might need me.

How could you imagine

that we'd possibly need you?

Well, I thought ..

Pretty women .. should never think.

How old are you?

Twenty-one.

Engaged?

Not yet.

A sweetheart?

Oh no.

Poor child.

Twenty-one and no sweetheart.

Addicted to Love At Dawn perfume.

Smartly dressed.

Silk stockings over perfect legs.

An exquisite pair of shoulders.

In short, a distracting young woman.

Oh, Baron.

Miss Frey, you will report yourself

to the head of the personnel department.

What for?

To tell the manager that you

are no longer employed here.

Your career as a woman.

Is too promising for me to wreck.

Oh, but Baron it isn't fair of

you to discharge me this way.

That will do, Miss Frey.

Yes, sir.

A pretty little darling.

Wasn't that a bit severe, old man?

Oh, you don't have to put

up with her inefficiency.

Ah well, one doesn't demand

much efficiency at my age.

Why you gay old dog.

Tell me about yourself.

How has the world been treating you?

Splendidly, always splendidly.

Thirty years ago I decided to devote my

life entirely to beautiful young women.

And fine old wines .. since then ..

Since then, I've always been

intoxicated by one or the other.

Well, nice work if you can get it.

Tell me, tell me.

Did you .. did you meet many

beautiful ladies in America? Huh?

No, I didn't speak to a woman while I

was gone unless to someone's secretary.

When I'm on business, I work.

When I make love, I keep my mind on it.

But both together .. never.

Well, I'll be running along.

I never keep a man away from his work.

It's advice I never practice myself.

But I am very liberal minded to

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes