The Shop Around the Corner Page #2

Miklos, yes.

Yes, Mr. Miklos.

Can I call you back in about five minutes?

I'd like a little more time to think about it.

No, no, it's not the price.

It's just that I'm not quite sure

about the whole idea.

Yes.

Yes, Mr. Miklos.

What?

You can't expect me

to make up my mind in five minutes!

If that's the case, then I'll have to say no.

I'm sorry.

- Good morning, madam.

- Good morning.

- A lovely bag, don't you think?

- Yes, very.

It's an imported model.

We have it in pigskin,

several different colors...

...and with or without fitted accessories.

- I really didn't come in to buy a bag.

- I beg your pardon. What can I show you?

To tell you the truth,

I really didn't come in to buy anything.

That's perfectly all right.

If you wish to look around,

make yourself at home.

Yes, thank you.

I wonder if I could see Mr. Matuschek.

Unfortunately, Mr. Matuschek is quite busy

at the moment.

- I could call him if you wanted.

- I'd appreciate it. Thank you.

If you tell me your wishes,

it's possible I could take care of them.

I noticed in your shop window

that you're having a summer sale.

Yes, everything in the shop

is marked down 25 percent...

...some articles even more.

Take for instance this compact.

Yesterday you couldn't get it

for a penny less than 3.90. Now it's 2.25.

- Yes, that's a wonderful bargain.

- Everything in the shop is a bargain today.

Yes, I imagine you'll be doing big business.

I have no doubt of it.

You were very wise to come early.

It'll be such a rush,

we won't be able to help the customers.

- Maybe you should take on extra help.

- We probably will.

Maybe you could use me.

I'm looking for a job.

That wasn't very nice,

letting me go through the whole routine.

I'm terribly sorry. I didn't mean to.

Could you help me get a job here?

I'd like to, but there's no opening.

But you just told me you'd need some

extra people because of the rush.

Look around for yourself.

You can see

what kind of business we're doing.

I beg your pardon.

Yes, madam?

How much is that belt in the window,

the one that says 2.95?

- 2.95.

- Oh, no.

- May I tell you my qualifications?

- Lf I could do anything for you, I'd do it.

I'm not inexperienced.

I know the situation, and there's no chance.

I worked for two years

at Blasek and Company...

...and 10 months at Latzki Brothers.

Even if you'd worked at Mintz and Kramer...

I did! I took care of the finest clientele.

We don't deal with that class here.

We have middle-class trade.

What trade do you think they have?

They'd take me back now.

- Why don't you go back?

- That's another story.

If it was up to me, I'd put you to work.

But I'm not the boss.

- Then why don't you let me see him?

- He's in sort of a bad mood today.

I'll take a chance.

Maybe I can cheer him up.

Young lady, I've been here for nine years,

and I know Mr. Matuschek inside out.

I can predict his every reaction.

I could tell you word for word

exactly what he'd say.

Mr. Kralik, I beg your pardon.

Just one moment, please.

It's all right.

So, you know every reaction of mine?

You know me inside out?

You know what I think,

even before I thought of it.

You're not only a genius,

you're a mind reader.

- Mr. Matuschek...

- Never mind.

Good morning, madam.

I am Mr. Matuschek.

- Good morning, Mr. Matuschek.

- Here, please, sit down.

I don't know what the difficulty is...

...but I can assure you,

that the word "impossible"...

...is not in the vocabulary

of Matuschek and Company.

- I am so happy to hear you say that.

- I mean it.

- Mr. Matuschek.

- Yes, madam?

I was at Blasek and Company...

Oh, madam. I'm sure you'll find

much nicer things in my shop.

No, I mean, I worked there.

I'm looking for a job.

No, no, that's impossible.

It's out of the question.

- But...

- I have no time. I'm very busy.

I'm very sorry.

I'm afraid you're just wasting your time.

But I've got to have a job.

- Mr. Kralik.

- Just a moment, Mr. Matuschek.

- Have you tried Baum's Department Store?

- Every entrance.

I don't know what to tell you.

Maybe after inventory.

- When will that be?

- In a week or so.

- Kralik!

- Just a minute, Mr. Matuschek.

Please, may I leave my address?

If we need anybody, you'll be the first.

My name is Klara Novak, Duna Street, 42.

And if you need me in a hurry,

you can phone 246-422.

It's the grocery store downstairs.

Ask for Johanna,

and tell her you have a message for Klara.

"Business message for Klara."

Yes, I have that.

- Yes, Mr. Matuschek?

- Close the door.

Why did you put me in that situation

in front of the whole shop?

I'm very sorry, sir, but it was not my fault.

- Whose fault was it? Mine?

- Yes.

What's the matter with you, Kralik?

You're my oldest employee.

I do everything I can

to show my appreciation.

I ask you to my house.

- I'm very grateful, sir.

- You have a funny way of showing it.

You know how much

I value your judgment...

...and on every occasion you contradict me.

Whatever I say, you say, "no."

From now on, I say, "yes."

Yes, Mr. Matuschek. Yes, Mr. Matuschek.

Certainly, Mr. Matuschek.

Yes, Mr. Matuschek.

- That was a nice party last night.

- Yes, Mr. Matuschek.

- Yes, I had a lot of fun, didn't you?

- Yes.

I'm glad you enjoyed yourself so much.

That little poem that you wrote

in Mrs. Matuschek's guest book...

...did you make that up yourself?

It's sort of half and half.

- How do you mean?

- Half Shakespeare and half me.

I just changed the lines around

to suit the occasion.

I made that last line rhyme

with Matuschek, that's all.

- Mrs. Matuschek liked it very much.

- Thank you.

You made a fine impression on her.

Mrs. Matuschek thinks a lot of you.

And you know,

I think a lot of Mrs. Matuschek.

- Mr. Matuschek?

- Yes?

I've found a customer for the cigarette box.

What price shall I quote?

Well, let me see.

It costs us 2.85,

and I think we get five percent...

Let me take care of this, Mr. Matuschek.

Look, there's no use waiting now.

Believe me.

If there's an opening, you'll be the first.

Just a moment.

Tell me, would you buy a box like this?

Mr. Matuschek,

I couldn't buy anything at the moment.

No, I want your opinion.

Your honest opinion.

Now, don't let me influence you.

I just want your opinion.

Do you like this box?

Yes, I do. I think it's lovely.

Yes. Why?

Why?

I think it's romantic.

What's romantic about it?

Well, cigarettes and music, I don't know.

It makes me think of moonlight and...

...cigarettes and music.

- There's the woman's point of view.

- Yes, Mr. Matuschek.

- Mr. Matuschek.

- Yes, Miss...

Novak.

- How much are you selling it for?

- Let me see. 4.25.

4.25?

Yes, 4.25.

That's a bargain! That's a real bargain!

Good morning, madam.

It's a lovely box, isn't it?

Oh, yes. It's a candy box, isn't it?

Yes, madam, a candy box,

and I should say, a very unusual one.

May I open it for you?

Yes, madam. That's Ochi Tchornya.

It's a very popular classic.

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