The Shop Around the Corner Page #9

There's not much more I can say.

Except that I wish

both of you a Merry Christmas.

- Thank you, Mr. Kralik, good night.

- Good night, Miss Novak.

- Rudy!

- Yes, Mr. Katona?

Do you know what time it is?

- A few minutes after 8:00.

- And you're still here?

- Don't contradict me, just listen!

- Yes, Mr. Katona.

You have to be faster,

especially on Christmas Eve.

Am I asking too much?

- No, Mr. Katona.

- All right.

I have great news.

I talked to the hospital,

and Mr. Matuschek is much better.

- That's wonderful!

- Can we visit him?

Let's all get together

and buy him a nice Christmas present.

Let's get him a little Christmas tree

for his hospital room.

That's all very nice, but the best present

we could give him is a bare-looking shop...

...with nothing in it except money

in the cash register.

Now, come on, folks!

Let's make this the biggest Christmas Eve

in the history of Matuschek and Company.

Where's Klara! Klara! Miss Novak!

Coming! Yes, Mr. Kralik, what is it?

- How are you today?

- Fine.

Good. We're expecting terrific business

today. It's going to be tough.

But don't overdo it.

Miss Novak, may I ask a favor of you?

With pleasure, Mr. Pirovitch.

I wanted to buy one of those

Ochi Tchornya boxes, but Kralik tells me...

...you took the only one that really works.

That's right. I bought it for my boyfriend.

He's coming tonight.

We're going to celebrate Christmas Eve.

- Mr. Pirovitch, can you keep a secret?

- On my word of honor.

When I come back Monday,

I might have a ring on my finger.

Maybe, you never know.

What? That's wonderful!

And that's the young man

who'll get the cigarette box?

Then let's drop the whole thing.

You see, I thought of giving it

to my wife's uncle for Christmas.

I'm sorry,

can't you give him something else?

It's not so easy. You see, I don't like him.

I hate to spend a nickel on him.

Still, I must give him a present.

I thought if I have to give him a present...

...I might as well give him something

he won't enjoy.

The box costs 2.29.

That's a lot of money, but it's worth it

to ruin my wife's uncle's Christmas.

I'm sorry, Miss Novak.

I forgot you always liked those.

No, no, Mr. Pirovitch. Speak freely.

If you were in my position...

...what would you give him?

That's hard to say.

What would you say to the idea of...

...let's say, maybe, a wallet?

That's an inspiration.

- One of those imported pigskins?

- That's what I was thinking of.

You can't miss.

If I would get such a wallet, I would be...

...one of the happiest men in the world.

On one side... Here, I'll show you.

On one side, I put a picture of my wife...

...and on the other side, my little baby.

When I open it,

it says, "Papa" and not "Ochi Tchornya."

Thank you, Mr. Pirovitch. I'll think it over.

Kralik, you'll get the wallet.

Mr. Matuschek, what are doing here?

Since when are you back?

I'm supposed to be a pretty sick man,

that's what my doctor tells me.

But after all, it's Christmas Eve.

I couldn't stay away any longer.

Can you imagine me,

over two weeks in the hospital...

...without seeing a single customer?

The only piece of leather goods

in the place was my nurse's handbag.

And where do you think she got it?

At Blasek and Company!

And they expect me to get well?

- Have you been by Blasek and Company?

- Oh, yes.

- What kind of business are they doing?

- They're busy, but no comparison with this.

Good. This is all right.

Mr. Matuschek, take it easy. Don't overdo.

No, I'm not, don't be. I'm not a fool.

I came around to find out

if the shop was still here. And then I go.

- Merry Christmas, Mr. Matuschek.

- Same to you.

- Do you think Eric would like that briefcase?

- I don't know. I'm not so sure.

Pardon me, ladies.

I can't see very well without my glasses.

Could you tell me the price

on that briefcase?

24.50.

24.50! My, what values you get here.

I wonder how Matuschek and Company

can do it.

If you don't know, Mr. Matuschek,

who should?

How much is it?

9,654.75.

That's wonderful.

That's the biggest day since '28.

You should be very proud.

I want to thank you

from the bottom of my heart.

Two hours ago when I walked in here,

I was a sick man.

But you, Kralik, and you, Pirovitch,

you're the best doctors.

And you, Klara and llona and Flora,

you're wonderful nurses.

Thank you.

Pepi, you know what I think about you.

Yes, sir.

This morning when I received

the little Christmas tree you all sent me...

...I was deeply moved.

I read your little note over and over.

And it made me very happy

that you missed me...

...and hoped that I'd be coming back home

soon again.

You're right, this is my home.

This is where I spent most of my life.

No Christmas is complete without a bonus.

- Kralik.

- Thank you, sir.

Klara.

- Pepi.

- Thank you, sir.

Flora. Here.

- Ilona.

- Thank you, Mr. Matuschek.

And Pirovitch.

I've called you names on several occasions.

When you see the bonus,

you'll realize that I didn't mean it.

Thank you, Mr. Matuschek.

I guess that's about all.

Here, what's your name?

Rudy.

- Well, Rudy.

- Good boy.

Thank you, Mr. Matuschek.

It's all right, Rudy.

Too much.

We'll leave the shop just as it is

until after the holiday.

I want you all to go home now

and have a very Merry Christmas.

Thank you.

Well, Kralik...

...9,654.75.

That's wonderful.

Thank you, Flora.

Well, I think I'll have a...

...little dinner now,

and celebrate Christmas.

Have you ever been to Biro's?

No sir, I'm afraid that's way over my head.

Christmas only comes once a year.

How about joining me...

...and we'll break a bottle

of champagne together?

- Mr. Matuschek, I'd love nothing more...

- You have another engagement?

No, not another word.

I wanted to be sure that you weren't alone.

Have a wonderful time,

and Merry Christmas.

The same to you, sir.

Well, Pirovitch.

I presume you're going to have

a nice party at your house tonight.

Yes, I should say.

You probably have some guests?

No, just my wife, my boy,

and my little baby and myself.

That's all we want, and we are very happy.

- Well, Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas, Mr. Matuschek.

- Merry Christmas, Mr. Matuschek.

- Thank you, Flora.

- Please, give my regards to your mother.

- Thank you.

Still hanging around the shop,

Mr. Matuschek? Can't get away from here.

You'd better hurry home, son.

You're probably celebrating Christmas

with your family. Am I wrong?

Yes, Mr. Matuschek.

See that girl over there on the corner?

- Yeah.

- I'm her Santa Claus.

- Good night, Mr. Matuschek.

- Good night.

Mr. Matuschek, I don't know how

to thank you for that marvelous present.

After all, I'm only working here

a short time.

That's all right. What was your name?

Rudy.

- How old are you, Rudy?

- 17.

That's a wonderful age.

You've got your whole life ahead of you.

- It's up to you what you make of it.

- Yes, sir.

You better not squander that money.

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