The Shop Around the Corner Page #4

I thought perhaps

you'd like to sleep a little longer.

No, I'm not angry.

Did you have a good time?

That's all that matters, isn't it?

What?

1,000 pengo?

But, Emma, I don't understand it.

Only last Monday I gave you...

No, I'm not complaining.

It's quite a bit of money.

Yeah, all right.

I'll send it over as soon as possible.

Yeah, goodbye.

Come in.

- What is it?

- I'd like to talk to you for a moment.

- Is it important?

- It's important to me.

Is it important

to Matuschek and Company?

Not exactly, sir.

Well, then, I'm sorry. I'm busy.

You'll have to see me later.

- Pardon me, sir.

- What is it now?

Sir, for several days your attitude

toward me seems to have changed.

- Has it?

- Yes, Mr. Matuschek, it has.

Really, I'm completely at a loss

to understand it.

After all, I do my work.

And you get paid for it?

Yes, sir.

- Every month?

- Yes, sir.

Yes, everything seems to be all right then,

doesn't it?

Yes, Mr. Matuschek.

Did you see him?

I'm not going

to stand for this much longer.

What does that man want of me?

Why does he always pick on me?

- You are his oldest employee.

- That's a fine reason.

He picks on me, too.

The other day he called me an idiot.

What could I do?

I said, "Yes, Mr. Matuschek, I'm an idiot."

I'm no fool.

Listen, maybe he has business worries.

Or maybe he has some trouble

with his wife.

Is that true, Pirovitch?

Is he having trouble with his wife?

I don't know, it's none of my business.

I'm talking to Kralik. What do you want?

I don't know anything. Leave me alone.

Kralik, don't be impulsive,

not at a time like this.

Not when millions of people

are out of work.

- I can get a job anywhere.

- Can you? Let's be honest.

I'll take a chance. I'm no coward, you know.

I'm not afraid.

- I am. I have a family.

- Well, I haven't.

Think it over.

Those were nice letters, weren't they?

It's already been paid for.

Leave it downstairs at the desk.

Mr. Kralik, do you think I'll have

to work tonight? After all, I'm a child.

- No, you don't have to stay.

- Do you mean it?

- I'll straighten it out.

- Thanks, Mr. Kralik!

- May I help you?

- No, thank you.

I put all the imported bags over there

on the shelf. Is that how you wanted it?

I'd appreciate it if you'd tell me

if there's anything wrong.

Since when have you become interested

in my opinions?

I want to please you, Mr. Kralik.

I'm working under you.

- You don't have to keep harping on that.

- No, I didn't mean it that way at all.

Regardless of what I think of you...

...I believe that anybody

who works with you...

...and doesn't get a great deal out of it,

is just plain dumb.

Just what do you mean?

What do you think of me personally?

I mean, since you ask...

...no matter what anybody else says,

I think you're a gentleman.

I try to be.

You have no idea

what that means to a working girl.

What a girl goes through in some shops.

Take for instance

when I was with Foeldes Brothers & Sons.

The sons were all right,

but the brothers, Mr. Kralik...

That's why I like it here so much.

When you say, "Miss Novak, let's go

in the back to put bags on the shelf"...

...you really want

to put some bags on the shelf.

And that's my idea of gentleman.

I just don't believe

in mixing bags with pleasure.

Mr. Kralik.

- Yes, Miss Novak?

- About that blouse...

- I'm sorry, but I had to do that.

- I want to thank you. I'm glad you did it.

After thinking it all over, you're so right.

- That blouse was awful.

- Oh, no, not awful.

It was. I wouldn't admit it at the time,

but what woman would?

We hate to admit we are wrong.

That's why we are so feminine.

This is the first time

you've shown a little sense.

- Quite a change in you, Miss Novak.

- I know it, Mr. Kralik.

If you keep this up,

we'll get along much better.

- Thank you, Mr. Kralik.

- That's quite all right, Miss Novak.

I was planning to wear

that awful blouse tonight.

- I have a date with...

- Tonight?

Didn't you hear what Mr. Matuschek said?

We have to stay

and decorate the windows.

- I almost forgot.

- Yes.

Would it be possible,

do you think you could spare me tonight?

And then maybe Mr. Matuschek

would let me off.

So that's why I'm a gentleman.

That's why you've learned from me now?

- I don't understand.

- You want the night off?

- I have to, Mr. Kralik.

- You're out of luck.

That was such an obvious trick.

I almost fell for it, too.

I have to get off tonight.

It's terribly important.

For the last six months,

you've just antagonized me and...

You haven't been very nice to me either.

Whatever I do, it's wrong.

If I wrap a package, it's not right.

If I make a suggestion,

and some of them are very good...

- Here.

...you don't listen.

Everything has to be done exactly

your way, and then you don't like it.

When I first came into this shop,

I was full of life and enthusiasm...

...and now I'm nothing.

You've taken my personality away.

You're a dictator, that's what you are.

Mr. Kralik, any day now

I may be in a position...

...where I don't have to work anymore.

Then I'll really tell you what I think.

As for that blouse, I think it's beautiful,

and I'm going to wear it tonight.

Mr. Kralik, I don't like you.

Mr. Matuschek,

may I speak to you for a moment?

What is it?

Do you think you could spare me tonight?

Let me see, we need three people,

to dress the "A" window.

- Mr. Kralik?

- Yes, Mr. Matuschek.

Can you get along

without Miss Novak tonight?

Mr. Matuschek,

I'd like to talk to you for a moment.

- You want to go, too?

- Yes, I'd appreciate it very much...

What is this? Does everybody want

to leave? Is this the interest you show?

- Once a year, I ask you to stay.

- I'm sorry, if I'd only known yesterday.

You want a special invitation. Next time,

I'll send you an engraved announcement.

I have talked everything over

with Mr. Kralik. I know his ideas.

Miss Novotni and I can manage

the novelty window by ourselves.

Did I ask you for your advice?

What do you mean you talked this over?

Who's shop is this?

Yes, Mr. Matuschek.

So you want the evening off, Mr. Kralik?

That's all right. I think we can manage.

This is the first time in years

I have asked a favor.

I gave you the evening.

What more do you want?

- Do you want a brass band?

- You're being unjust.

I'm being unjust?

Once a year,

I ask six ladies and gentlemen...

...six, mind you, when next door,

a shop twice as big as mine...

...employs only four.

Good morning, madam.

Is there something I can show you?

Have you any traveling bags for men

with a zipper?

We have all types

of traveling bags for men with zippers.

Thank you very much. I'm doing some

window-shopping for my husband.

- He'll be here tomorrow.

- I'll be delighted to serve him, madam.

- Thank you. Good morning.

- Good morning, madam.

Six people who stand around here

for days telling jokes...

...and talking about the movies,

while I pay the gas and the rent...

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