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- Wait a minute. I think I see it.
- Yeah?
Right here under the window. Yes.
- "Anna Karenina by Tolstoy."
- That's right.
And a carnation.
I can't see her face.
She's sitting behind a clothes rack.
- There's a cup of coffee on the table.
- Yeah?
She's taking a piece of cake.
Kralik, she is dunking.
- Why shouldn't she dunk?
- All right.
- All right.
- All right.
She is leaning forward now. She...
- Can you see her?
- Yes.
- Is she pretty?
- very pretty.
She is?
I should say she looks...
She has a little of the coloring of Klara.
Klara? What, Miss Novak of the shop?
Now, Kralik, you must admit
Klara's a very good-looking girl.
Personally, I've always found her
a very likeable girl.
This is a fine time
to talk about Miss Novak. Now...
If you don't like Miss Novak,
I can tell you, you won't like that girl.
- Why?
- Because it is Miss Novak.
Now...
...shall I give the note to the waiter?
- No.
What do you want to do,
let the poor girl wait?
Why shouldn't Miss Novak wait?
For the last six months
she's fought with me every day.
But still, she wrote those letters, my friend.
I know. My misfortune.
- Goodbye, Pirovitch.
- Goodbye, Kralik.
Thank you.
- Excuse me, miss, could I have this chair?
- Oh, no! No, you can't!
I'm expecting somebody.
He should be here any minute.
That's all right. That's...
Carnation, huh?
A few nights ago we had a case with roses.
Turned out very nice, very nice.
But once, about three months ago,
we had a very sad case with gardenias.
She waited all evening and nobody came.
And when we cleaned the café,
underneath one of the tables...
...we found another gardenia.
Imagine, the man must've come in...
...taken one look at her, said, "Phooey,"
and threw away his gardenia.
Is your clock a little fast?
My own says 8:27 and yours says 8:31.
Listen, you have nothing to worry about,
a pretty girl like you.
If he doesn't come,
I'll put on a carnation myself.
- Waiter.
- Yes, sir.
- Hello, Miss Novak.
- Good evening, Mr. Kralik.
It's quite a coincidence.
I had an appointment here, too.
- You haven't seen Mr. Pirovitch by chance?
- No, no, I haven't.
All right. Well, I think I'll wait.
- Do you mind if I sit down?
- Yes, I do.
You know,
I have an appointment, too, Mr. Kralik.
Oh, yes, I remember. Yes.
- My, your friend seems to be a little late.
- And I'll thank you not to be sarcastic.
I know you've had a bad day,
and you feel very bitter.
- Still, that's no reason...
- Bitter? Me?
About leaving Matuschek and Company?
When I got home and sat at the phone...
...in five minutes I had
what amounts to two offers.
I congratulate you. I wish you good luck.
I see you're reading
Tolstoy's Anna Karenina.
Yes, do you mind?
No, no, I just didn't expect
to meet you in a café...
...with Tolstoy, that's all.
It's quite a surprise.
I didn't know you cared for high literature.
There are many things
you don't know about me, Mr. Kralik.
Have you read Crime and Punishment
by Dostoyevsky?
- No, I haven't.
- I have.
There are many things
you don't know about me, Miss Novak.
As a matter of fact...
...there might be a lot
we don't know about each other.
People seldom go to the trouble
of scratching the surface of things...
...to find the inner truth.
I really wouldn't care
to scratch your surface, Mr. Kralik...
...because I know exactly what I'd find.
Instead of a heart, a handbag.
Instead of a soul, a suitcase.
And instead of an intellect,
a cigarette lighter which doesn't work.
That's very nicely put.
Yes.
Comparing my intellect
with a cigarette lighter that doesn't work.
Yeah, that's a very interesting mixture
of poetry and meanness.
Meanness? Let me...
Don't misunderstand me.
I'm only trying to pay you a compliment.
Mr. Kralik, please!
I told you I was expecting somebody.
Look, if your party doesn't show up,
would l...
Don't worry about that.
My party will show up.
So you don't have to entertain me.
- Have you read Zola's Madame Bovary?
- Madame Bovary is not by Zola.
Mr. Kralik, are you still here?
Are you deliberately trying
to spoil my evening?
Why do you want to do me harm?
Why do you hate me so?
- I don't.
- I suppose you love me.
Why should I?
What've you done to make me love you?
- I don't want you to love me.
- I don't!
Do you know
what that tune reminds me of?
Yes, thank you.
Two dozen unsold cigarette boxes.
No, no. Wrong again.
It reminds me of a girl out of a job.
- A very nice girl, too, I thought.
- You thought that. How you can lie!
But that was before you started
to make fun of me...
...and giving imitations of me
in the locker room.
And I'd like to take this opportunity,
Miss Novak...
...to inform you that I don't walk
like a duck...
...and I'm not bowlegged.
- Aren't you?
- No, I'm not.
Well, I have information to the contrary.
Mr. vadas assured me that you have
your trousers specially made.
That's a lie!
- So that's the kind of a man you trust.
- No!
I've never been to a tailor in my life.
If you think I'm bowlegged,
I'll pull up my trousers.
Would you like it if made remarks
about your red hands?
- That's what you did.
- After you started making fun of my legs.
My hands aren't red at all!
No, after I called your attention to them.
Let me tell you something, Miss Novak.
You may have beautiful thoughts,
but you hide them.
As far as your actions,
you're cold and snippy like an old maid.
You'll have a tough time
getting a man to fall in love with you.
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.
Tell her to be sure and take good care
of herself. All right.
- Really, Kralik, that's a wonderful attitude.
- What's so wonderful about it?
I've been around, and I have my eyes open.
If anyone didn't agree with you here,
it was Miss Novak.
Just leave Miss Novak out of this.
Don't misunderstand.
I have nothing against Miss Novak.
On the contrary, she's a nice girl.
Only sometimes, she went too far.
Not another word about Miss Novak.
She's a fine girl and a hard worker...
...and she's a good salesgirl,
and you shut up!
You misunderstand me.
I didn't mean any offense.
- I was agreeing with you.
- I don't want you to agree with me!
You're fired.
You're fired. Get out of here,
you two-faced, double-crossing...
...two-timer! Go on. Get out of here!
Folks! Folks!
Folks!
Did you hear what he called me?
Remember it on the witness stand.
He called me a double-crossing two-timer!
I told you to get out of here! Get out!
Don't you push. Don't you push!
What right have you got to fire me?
Does Mr. Matuschek know?
No! Mr. Matuschek doesn't know
anything about this.
I'm the manager,
and you don't work here anymore!
How do I know you're the manager?
Prove it to me in black and white.
You're going to get it in black and blue.
All right! Nice little case
of assault and battery.
You'll hear from my lawyer.
What about my salary?
Get the man's salary.
- Here it is, Mr. vadas.
- We have everything prepared.
- We don't want to waste any time.
- Pardon me, sir. Your garments.
I'm entitled to a letter of reference.
I forgot it. Flora, take a letter.
To whom it may concern:
Mr. vadas has been in the employ...
...of Matuschek and Company for two years
during which time he's been efficient...
...as a stool pigeon,
a troublemaker, and a rat.
If he doesn't clear out,
he'll get a punch in the nose.
Truly, Alfred Kralik,
Manager of Matuschek and Company.
- Good morning.
- Good morning, Miss Novak.
I suppose you're surprised to see me back.
Naturally. I'm glad you have your
job back again. I congratulate you.
I hear you haven't been feeling well.
That's all right, thank you.
I wanted to see Mr. Matuschek.
Here he is. I'm Mr. Matuschek.
Mr. Kralik, don't make any jokes.
Not today.
Please, if you want to pick on me,
do it some other time.
I don't know what to say.
I'm trying to tell you that Mr. Matuschek
isn't here, and that I'm the manager.
Haven't you got any heart at all?
I'm not well, I can hardly see straight.
Everything is just going round and round.
I ask you a simple question and instead of
any consideration, you try to frighten me.
Excuse me.
Hello.
Mr. Foeldes?
Hello, Mr. Foeldes.
Yes. Well, thank you very much.
Yes, it all happened this morning.
That's right, Mr. Foeldes.
No, Mr. Matuschek won't be with us
for a while.
Now, please, Mr. Foeldes.
I don't own the shop yet.
I'm only the manager.
Goodbye, Mr...
Miss Novak! Klara! Klara!
- Good evening, Miss Novak.
- Good evening, Mr. Kralik.
I hope you'll forgive this intrusion, but I...
Being in charge of the shop,
I feel like a father to our little family.
Anyway, how are you, young lady?
I'll be all right, Mr. Kralik. Please sit down.
Thank you.
Christmas is coming, and we'll miss
a good worker like you in the shop.
So you better get well.
I'll be all right in a day or two.
That doesn't mean
that you should neglect yourself.
I'm very serious about this...
...because I feel responsible
for the whole thing.
- You?
- Yes.
Oh, no, Mr. Kralik.
I think I can relieve your mind.
It wasn't your fault at all.
No, there's a much bigger reason,
unfortunately.
Shouldn't you call a doctor?
No, I don't need to see a doctor.
My trouble is what one might call...
...psychological.
It's my own personal problem,
and I'll come out of it.
I'm sorry.
It's a shame you have to go through all this.
As long as it's only psychological,
you won't...
Only psychological!
Mr. Kralik, it's true we're
in the same room...
...but we're not on the same planet.
Miss Novak, although I'm the victim
of your remark...
...I can't help but admire the exquisite way
you have of expressing yourself.
You certainly know how
to put a man in his planet.
Aunt Anna has something for you!
She has? Why doesn't she come in?
Come in, Aunt Anna!
This is Mr. Kralik
of Matuschek and Company.
- I'm glad to meet you.
- How do you do?
- I hope it's good news.
- I'll tell you later.
Mr. Kralik, it was kind of you to drop in.
I don't want to spoil your whole evening.
I have nothing to do.
Go ahead and read the letter.
Don't worry about me.
- Lf you don't mind.
- Not at all.
- Good news?
- very good news.
I can promise you I'll be back in the shop
tomorrow, and I'll be on my toes!
I'll sell more goods than ever before.
That's quite a change in you.
It's amazing what one letter can do.
If I weren't feeling so happy,
I'd be very annoyed with you.
With me? Why?
Why? Because you spoiled
my date last night.
I wasn't so wrong when I asked you
not to sit at my table.
This gentleman did come to the café.
He looked in the window,
saw us together, and misunderstood.
- He thought you and I were friends?
- He must have. Listen.
"Tell me and be frank.
I think you owe it to me.
"Who is this very attractive young man?
He's just the type women fall for."
- I'm sorry I caused you so much trouble.
- It's all right. I'll straighten it out.
It won't hurt him to be a little jealous.
He doesn't seem to be much of a man,
this friend of yours.
I mean, he walks away.
He's afraid to come over to the table
when another man is there.
No, Mr. Kralik, he's wasn't afraid,
I can assure you.
He's tactful. He's sensitive.
He's not the type of man who would
walk up to a table uninvited.
It's difficult to explain a man like him
to a man like you.
Where you would say, "black,"
he would say, "white."
Where you would say, "ugly,"
he says, "beautiful."
And when you say, "old maid," he says:
"Eyes that sparkle with fire and mystery...
"vivacious.
"Fascinating."
I remind him of gypsy music.
Speaking of gypsy music,
we've had a lot of trouble...
...selling those Ochi Tchornya boxes,
haven't we?
- That doesn't make any difference.
- You can consider one box sold.
Yes. I've just had an inspiration.
I'll give one to my friend for Christmas.
Miss Novak, you're taking an awful chance.
Why don't you give him a wallet?
I'm sure he'd be crazy about it.
Any man would be. A wallet is practical.
Besides, we have those imported pigskins.
- I'm not interested.
- I'd make you a special price.
No, I'm sorry.
Besides being a practical thing...
...a wallet is quite romantic.
On one side he has your last letter,
on the other side, a picture of you.
When he opens it, there you are.
And that's all the music he wants.
Why, Mr. Kralik, you surprise me.
That's very well-expressed.
I must admit, that's very nice.
No, just the same,
I'm going to give him a cigarette box.
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.
Go home and give it to your mother.
- My people don't live here in town.
- Is that so?
- Have you no other relations here?
- No, Mr. Matuschek.
You're all alone in Budapest
on Christmas Eve?
That's right.
Rudy! Do you like chicken noodle soup?
I certainly do.
And what would you think of roast goose
stuffed with baked apples?
And fresh boiled potatoes and butter
and some red cabbage on the side?
I'd love it!
And then cucumber salad with sour cream?
Then a double order of apple strudel
with vanilla sauce.
Sounds wonderful!
You're going to have it, Rudy.
Come on. Here, taxi!
- It's lovely, I'm sure he'll like it.
- I think so, too.
Merry Christmas, Klara. I hope
it all turns out the way you want it to.
- Thanks, llona.
- Good night.
- I'm sorry, I'll be out in a second.
- That's all right, no hurry.
I decided to follow your advice after all.
Want to see something?
That's beautiful.
Why don't you try it on?
I'd like to see what it looks like on a girl.
- Are those real diamonds?
- They're pretty near.
I didn't know you had a girlfriend.
Yes, it probably isn't easy for you
to imagine anyone...
...could like a man of my type.
Let's not start all over again.
It's Christmas, and I'd like to be friends.
Beside, you're wrong.
- Do you mind if I tell you something?
- No, not at all.
When I first came to work here,
something very strange happened to me.
I got psychologically mixed up.
- You don't say?
- Yes.
I found myself looking at you
again and again.
I just couldn't take my eyes off of you.
I kept saying, "Klara Novak,
what on earth is the matter with you.
"This Kralik is not
a particularly attractive man."
- I hope you don't mind.
- No, not at all.
Now, here comes the paradox.
I found myself falling for you.
- I can't believe it.
- Yes, and very much so.
- You certainly didn't show it.
- In those first few weeks...
I know you won't misconstrue
what I'm going to say to you.
After all, I'm happily engaged.
At least it looks that way.
Go on.
In those first few weeks,
there were moments in the stockroom...
...when you could have swept me
off of my feet.
Now I'm getting psychologically mixed up.
I was a different girl, then.
I was rather naive.
All my knowledge came from books,
and I'd just finished a novel...
...about a glamorous French actress
from the Comédie Française.
That's a theater in France.
When she wanted to arouse a man's
interest, she treated him like a dog.
Yes, you treated me like a dog.
But instead of licking my hand, you barked.
My mistake was I didn't realize that the
difference between this glamorous lady...
...and me was that she was with
the Comédie Française...
...and I was with Matuschek and Company.
Well, that's all forgotten now.
Now you're going to see your girlfriend.
By the way, is it serious?
Yes, very.
Maybe we'll both be engaged
Monday morning.
I think we will.
Don't misunderstand me.
I just said in my case, it might happen.
As a matter of fact,
I can tell you, it will happen.
How do you know?
We won't go into that.
Mr. Kralik, what do you mean you know?
I guess I might as well tell you.
He came to see me.
- Who?
- Your fiancée.
Yes, he came last night.
You shouldn't have told him who I am.
I spent an uncomfortable hour.
Apparently, he didn't believe it when
you wrote that I meant nothing to you.
I can't get it into my head.
Coming to see you?
- That doesn't sound like him at all.
- I've straightened everything out.
You don't have to worry.
In a little while you'll be Mrs. Popkin.
Mrs. Popkin?
That's the name, isn't it?
That's the name he gave me.
Oh, yes, that's right. Popkin. Popkin.
A very nice fellow. I congratulate you.
Thank you.
I think he's a very attractive man,
don't you?
Yes. For his type, I'd say yes.
You would classify him as a definite type?
Absolutely! And don't try to change him.
Don't put him on a diet.
- Would you call him fat?
- I wouldn't, but that's a matter of opinion.
I think that little stomach of his
gives him a nice, homey quality.
That's what you want in a husband, isn't it?
- Yes, that's what I want.
- And you're perfectly right.
If I were a girl and had to choose
between a young, good-for-nothing...
...with plenty of hair,
and a solid, mature citizen...
...l'd pick Mathias Popkin every time.
Anyway, he has a fine mind.
Didn't he impress you
as being rather witty?
He struck me as rather depressed,
but it's unfair to judge a man...
...when he's out of a job.
Out of a job! He never told me!
That shows you how sensitive he is.
You have nothing to worry about.
He feels that both of you
can live very nicely on your salary.
Did you tell him how much I make?
He's your fiancée, and he asked me.
When I told him what salary you made,
he was a little worried...
...but then I promised him you'd get a raise,
and he felt better about it.
Let me tell you, mentioning that bonus
didn't do you any harm at all.
This is terrible.
I'm outraged!
I had no idea he was materialistic like this.
If you could read his letters.
Such ideals, such a lofty point of view.
- I could quote you passages.
- For instance?
"True love is to be two, and yet one.
"A man and a woman blended as angels.
"Heaven itself."
That's victor Hugo. He stole that.
I thought I was the inspiration
for all those beautiful thoughts.
Now I find he was just copying words
out of a book.
He probably didn't mean
a single one of them.
I'm sorry you feel this way about it.
I'd hate to think I'm spoiling
your Christmas.
I'd built up such an illusion about him.
I thought he was so perfect.
I had to come along and destroy it.
That's all right.
I guess I really ought to thank you.
Klara, if I'd only known in the beginning
how you felt about me...
...things would have been different.
We wouldn't have been fighting
all the time.
If we quarreled, it wouldn't have been
over suitcases and handbags...
...but over something like whether
your aunt or grandmother...
...should live with us or not.
It's sweet of you to try to cheer me up.
I think we'd better say good night.
You have an engagement and so have l,
and we shouldn't be late.
Do you know what I wish would happen?
When your bell rings at 8:30,
and you open the door...
...instead of Popkin, I come in.
Please, don't make it more difficult for me.
- I'd say, "Klara, darling"...
- No, you mustn't.
My dearest, sweetheart Klara,
I can't stand it any longer.
Take your key
and open post office box 237...
...and take me out of my envelope
and kiss me.
Mr. Kralik, you must...
Dear friend.
You?
Dear friend?
Are you disappointed?
Psychologically, I'm very confused...
...but personally, I don't feel bad at all.
Klara.
When you came to the café that night,
I was pretty rude, wasn't I?
- Oh, no. No.
- Yes, I was. Don't you remember?
Why, I called you bowlegged.
I was going to prove to you that I wasn't.
I was going to go out to the street
and pull up my trousers.
Would you mind very much
if I asked you to pull them up now?