The Shop Around the Corner Page #7

An old maid?

So, no man could fall in love with me?

Mr. Kralik, you're getting funnier

every minute.

I could show you letters

that would open your eyes.

No, you probably wouldn't understand

what's in them.

They're written by a type of man

so far superior to you it isn't even funny.

I have to laugh when I think of you

calling me an old maid.

You little insignificant clerk.

- Goodbye, Miss Novak.

- Goodbye, Mr. Kralik.

Doctor, I would say

it's a nervous breakdown.

What do you think?

It appears to be

an acute epileptoid manifestation...

...and a pan phobic melancholiac

with indication of a neurasthenia cordus.

Is that more expensive

than a nervous breakdown?

Pardon me, Mr. Katona.

Precisely what position do you hold

with Matuschek and Company?

I would describe myself as a contact man.

I keep contact between Matuschek

and the customers...

...on a bicycle.

Do you mean, an errand boy?

Doctor, did I call you a pill-peddler?

- Hello, Mr. Kralik.

- How is he?

I want to thank you

for your splendid reaction to my call.

- Is it serious?

- It was a terrible shock.

I have to get over it.

This thing must be kept in strict confidence

between the three of us.

Me, Mr. Matuschek, and you. Here.

Thank you for coming, Kralik.

Sit down.

Do you remember the last time

you came to my house for dinner?

I said that if things go well,

I might take it easier...

...and maybe by Christmas

make you manager of the shop.

Now I have to take it easier.

Would you care to work for me again?

No, don't even think about it, sir.

Is it possible that I ever distrusted you?

I hated you.

I couldn't stand your presence any more.

That's how far jealousy can drive a man.

But that's all over now, sir.

When I first got that anonymous letter,

I laughed.

My wife having secret rendezvous

with one of my employees.

My wife!

But how could you suspect me, sir?

You see, you were the only one of

my employees who had been to my home...

...and you sent my wife flowers...

- But that was...

You don't have to tell me.

When that poison gets into a man's mind...

- Just try to understand.

- I do understand, sir.

Here are the keys

to Matuschek and Company.

Thank you, sir.

What shall I do about Mr...

vadas? I want him dismissed

as quietly as possible.

No scandal.

Don't even mention the subject to him.

We won't lower ourselves.

very good, sir.

This will be the biggest Christmas

in the history...

...of Matuschek and Company.

- I know it will.

- Yes, sir. Goodbye.

- Kralik?

- Yes, sir?

Now that you're the boss,

if you want to give yourself a raise...

I'll talk it over with myself,

and if I don't want too much money...

...l'll give it to myself. Thank you, sir!

- Congratulations!

- Thank you!

Goodbye, Mr. Matuschek.

Pepi, I don't know how to thank you.

You saved my life.

Don't mention it. It was a pleasure.

If you want anything else,

you know where to reach me.

I'm still nothing but an errand boy

at Matuschek and Company.

In other words, you'd like to be a clerk?

I wouldn't put it that brutally.

- When I get feeling better...

- But then you might change your mind.

Who knows how long

you'll have to stay here.

You're a pretty sick man, Mr. Matuschek.

This isn't just an ordinary breakdown.

All right, you're a clerk.

Now, get out of here!

Thanks, Mr. Matuschek!

Kralik, I think I speak for all of us

when I say heartiest congratulations.

What a load off my mind.

Now we're all one little happy family again.

Be assured of my cooperation

to the fullest extent.

I want you to be a great success.

From now on, you're going to the office,

aren't you?

That's right.

If anybody deserves it, it's you, my boy.

Nice little ring, isn't it?

I had a little luck last night, too.

Real diamond.

My grandma gave it to me.

That's what you get

when you're a good boy.

Some get apples, I get diamonds.

- Good one?

- Yeah.

By the way, I have some unusual ideas

for that window display.

Thank you, vadas.

The rest of us can take care of the windows.

Right now, I'd like you to go

into the stockroom...

...and you know those big suitcases

on the top shelf?

- The black ones?

- That's right, and the big brown suitcases.

- On the bottom shelf?

- On the bottom.

I want you to take all

the big black suitcases from the top shelf...

...and move them to the bottom,

and the big brown ones...

...from the bottom shelf

and move them to the top shelf.

- You don't want to do it?

- I didn't say that. Of course I'll do it.

- I'm a good soldier.

- All right, do it right away.

Thank you.

312-683, please.

Is this the Atlas Employment Agency?

This is Mr. Katona

of Matuschek and Company speaking.

We have an opening for a new errand boy.

Now see here.

I want a educated, healthy boy,

good family and no bad habits.

Send me four or five. I'll look them over.

Right away, if you please.

Tell them to ask for Mr. Katona,

the sales department.

All right.

What's the matter,

didn't you ever see a clerk before?

- Who made you a clerk?

- Yes, who did this dreadful thing?

I can't give you the whole story.

I'm tied up with my word of honor.

If it hadn't been for me, this place would

be closed on account of suicide...

...and you'd all be out of a job.

Matuschek and Company, good morning.

Yes, Mrs. Matuschek.

Don't miss this, folks.

Hello, Mrs. Matuschek.

Yes, this is Pepi speaking.

That's right.

I didn't bring you that bottle of perfume?

Well, you're never going to get it!

What do you think of that?

Your perfume days are over, Mrs. M!

Yes! This is Pepi speaking.

You want to speak to Mr. Matuschek?

That's too bad.

At the moment he's up in a balloon

with two blondes.

Now watch this.

You wouldn't like to speak

by any chance to Mr. vadas?

That got her. Draw your own conclusions.

You sent for me, chief?

vadas, I'm a little worried about you.

Will you be comfortable

under a former, fellow clerk?

Working under a younger man?

Kralik, this is the age of youth,

and I always ride with the times.

You're a smart young man

and my hat's off to you.

Let's stop beating around the bush.

You and I never got along.

- You really think so?

- Admit it. You don't like me.

I don't? Wait a minute, Kralik.

You are the boss.

That's right,

but I'm not going to be a "yes" man.

You know what I'll do?

I'm going to contradict you.

I do like you!

- Anything else bothering you?

- Yes. I don't like you.

That's every man's privilege.

I thank you for being so frank.

Now I know my problem,

and it's up to me to change your mind.

I don't think it'll be so hard.

I heard the funniest joke.

Do you want to hear it?

No!

Hello!

Yes, this is Matuschek and Company.

Johanna?

You're calling for Miss Novak.

What's the matter with her?

I hope it's nothing serious.

Fine, I'm glad to hear that.

Tell her not to worry.

Unless she's absolutely all right,

tell her not to come today.

No, there's no hurry now.

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