The Student Prince Page #4

gentlemen.

It's a new term and ah...

we'll start with the new face.

It means it will be your face.

All history is a record

of significant milestones

in the development of man.

Can you name just one

such contribution

in the 500 years before

the Christian era?

Just one,

that shouldn't be too difficult.

I am aware of many,

I was merely trying to

select the most important.

The conquest

of Alexander The Great.

Accurate, but not as important

as another conquest.

While Alexander was

beating people over the head,

Aristotle was

awakening the minds of men.

Can the Herr Professor

name a figure

of greater strength

than Alexander.

The gorilla.

We will discuss Aristotle.

Ah, Herr Bauer.

Social graces, indeed.

Warmth and charm.

But it certainly didn't charm me

when that officious

nobody called me Herr France.

They have no manners.

That's quite polite

in talking to a freshman.

But if it bothered you,

why didn't you tell him

who you were?

At first,

I didn't have a chance,

but then I realized

he wasn't the sort of fellow

who'd be impressed by it.

Ah, you've learned a lot

in one day.

They're the ones

that'll have to learn.

If they had any knowledge

of tradition,

they'd know better

than to order me to

stump my feet just because

a professor comes into the room.

It's a matter of respect.

Who was the professor?

Klauber.

Noble prize winner.

It's in the finest tradition

to honor such a man.

He's a full professor.

And I am a prince.

Position of

no academic distinction.

My dear, Herr Doctor, you find

this very amusing, don't you?

My dear, boy.

If you'll only relax,

you'll find it amusing, too.

Listen to them.

They are

having a wonderful time.

If you could only be

one of them, a student.

Why should I pretend to be

nobody when I am somebody?

All your philosophy

doesn't alter the fact

that quality is born in a man.

That's very shrewd,

your highness.

And very true.

But in Heidelberg, they either

don't know it or they don't care

Oh, no, my boy, no.

You see, in Karlsburg,

the quality is in the title.

In Heidelberg,

the quality is in the man.

Come in.

Excuse me, your highness,

dinner is ready.

Would you prefer it

in the privacy of your room?

or on the terrace?

Where do

the ordinary students eat?

In this weather, on the terrace.

Very well,

on the terrace please.

Thank you.

You take a great deal

for granted, Herr Doctor.

Oh, no, I'm a slave to orders.

His majesty

put me in charge here.

Well, I'll go to my room

and freshen up.

Meet you here in a few moments.

Don't hurry yourself.

I hope I have your permission

to go to the terrace.

Herr Professor.

Good evening, your highness.

Would you like

your dinner right now?

Yes.

What would your highness like?

What do

the ordinary students eat?

Kathie!

You haven't been dismissed yet.

I'm sorry, your highness.

I seem to have forgotten again.

I'm not so sure you forgot.

What's this?

Kraut and Frankfurt.

It's good, isn't it?

Are you still here?

You haven't dismissed me.

It's good, isn't it?

It's ah... not bad.

It's very good.

I can see you like it, and it

won't hurt you to admit it.

All right then, I like it.

It's even better with beer.

I don't think it could be.

It is.

It's difficult for all

new students the first day, and

must be even harder

for your highness.

Do you know once you

get used to Heidelberg,

you'll find

you like a lot of things

you never dreamed you'd like.

I didn't come to Heidelberg

for amusement.

What difference does it make

if you have fun anyway?

It doesn't cost any more.

You know,

you ought to join a corps.

You know, it's more fun

than kraut and Frankfurt.

If you say so.

Now,

what corps do you like best?

The West Falien.

They're all fine friendly boys.

Seem to have more fun

than any other corps.

Then I'll join the West Falien.

Oh, no, your highness.

They haven't a title among them.

You belong with the Sax Blusean.

They don't accept commoners.

They're

all barons, counts, dukes.

No princes, but...

There aren't enough princes

around to make a corps.

That presents a problem.

I'll need your advice.

Sit down, Kathie.

I shouldn't, your highness.

May I be dismissed?

You may not.

You have made a great

disadvantage, your highness.

That's the way I want you to be.

Sit down.

Now, you said

you like the West Falien.

Is it because they haven't

any titles amongst them?

Oh, surely your highness.

I have the greatest respect

for the nobility.

You were all nice young men,

but...

But what?

Well, go on. I insist.

It would be most presumptuous

of me to...

I give you permission

to be presumptuous.

Well, go on.

Well, for one thing.

The nobility doesn't

seem to be taught manners.

Etiquette, yes, but manners, no.

They don't ask, they take.

I see.

Then if I weren't a prince,

you'll like me better.

I don't know but...

At least I'd get a chance to see

what you're really like.

Try it.

Forget that I am a prince.

It is not for me

to forget that, your highness.

All right then,

I'm just one of the students,

just plain Karl France.

We're equals.

Just a minute.

I didn't say you can go.

Well, if we're equals,

I can go when I choose.

You're not giving me

a fair chance, Kathie.

I want us to be friends.

Treat me as you do the others,

will you?

Try.

It's impossible.

After all, you are a prince

and I work here.

What will people say?

Oh, don't worry so much

about my reputation.

Oh, no, your highness!

It's my reputation

I'm worried about.

Well, Kathie!

Is the food here as good

as I remember it?

Better, Doctor Juttner.

I'll set another plate.

Thank you.

I owe your highness an apology.

After all,

it's only the first day.

I feel I was much too severe.

You were quite right,

Doctor Juttner.

I've just had confirmation of

your point of view.

Oh, amazing!

In 10 minutes, Kathie,

you accomplish more than I've

been trying to do for 10 years.

It wasn't all kraut and

Frankfurt, was it, my dear?

Hello, Kathie.

Ah, I don't remember

seeing you here before.

New here?

My name's Lucas, student officer

of the West Falien corps.

Now, my dear Kathie,

present the gentleman to me.

I have the honor to introduce...

My name is Herr France.

My friend, Doctor Juttner.

Doctor Juttner.

How do you do?

My dear, Herr France,

let me welcome you

to Heidelberg.

Thank you, Herr Lucas.

Our friend, Kathie, has just

been telling me about your corps

Won't you sit down please?

And you can tell more about it.

Thank you.

Well, we're not suppose to

boast about our corps.

So what I shall say

is a gross understatement.

It just happens to be

the finest corps in Heidelberg.

Why, even in the words

of our glorious Prospero.

The West Falien can drink any

other corpsman under the table.

Their skill with sword and saber

is second to none.

That too,

Prospero will tell you.

I'm sure

the Prospero will tell you,

he's an old West Falien himself.

Oh, then who would know better?

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